Cracks in the Sidewalk(84)

Claire gasped, clutching her hand to her heart. “How on earth did you get over—?”

“I had to, for the boys. Every time I’d look at one of them, I’d see my Tommy. I finally came to realize Tommy wouldn’t ever be completely gone, not as long as I had those boys. Of course, they grew up faster than weeds.” Nora laughed. “I was wishing they’d be babies forever, but life moves on whether you want it to or not.”

“Isn’t that the truth. Liz’s oldest boy is already in first grade.”

“Tommy’s oldest just went off to college.”

“It’s wonderful that you were able to remain close with them,” Claire said wistfully.

“It wasn’t easy. Tommy’s wife remarried and I was afraid they’d shut us out, but Walt and I just kept turning up like a couple of bad pennies. Eventually everybody accepted that the kids had three sets of grandparents instead of the standard issue two.” Nora smiled and began straightening the jumble of teddy bears. “You never forget, but in time you get past the heartache.”

Claire returned the smile. “I hope so.”

“You will,” Nora said confidently. “Those grandchildren will be a constant reminder that you’ve still got an important part of your daughter right here with you.”

When Claire left the store, the conversation looped through her mind. She knew Nora was right. David, Kimmie, and Christian were a part of Liz, the part Claire could hold on to. She and Charlie had to provide those children with all the love Elizabeth would have given them. Claire began picturing the face of each child and picking out what features most resembled Liz. Kimberly definitely had Liz’s personality, and her smile, and the tilt of her…

Lost in thought, Claire failed to notice when the traffic slowed, so her foot was still pressing the gas pedal when she hit the Buick in front of her. Seconds later the delivery truck following her slammed into the back of her car.

A brawny man with a beard the color of a carrot climbed from the Buick and tromped toward Claire.

“What’s the matter with you?” he growled. “You blind? You can’t see I’m stopped?”

“Oh dear, I’m sorry, terribly sorry. No question it’s my fault. Instead of paying attention, I was thinking—that is, my daughter passed away—”

“Oh,” he grimaced, pulled back his anger, then turned to survey the damage. “I guess you’ve got insurance?”

Claire nodded.

After two hours of paperwork and formalities, the tow truck finally hauled away her smashed car and she telephoned Charlie.

When he heard she’d been in an accident, he gasped. “Are you hurt?”

“No,” she answered. “But the car’s in bad shape.”

“Drivable?”

“No. You’ll have to come pick me up.”

When Charlie arrived, she stood on the street corner with a Cabbage Patch doll under her arm and a shopping bag from Todd’s Toys dangling from her hand.

“You sure you’re not hurt?” Charlie asked.

“Unh-huh.”

“You want to stop at the hospital and let them check you over?”

“No,” she answered. “But I would like you to take me somewhere else.”

As Claire settled into the passenger seat, she launched into a full explanation of all that had happened—the telephone call, the doll, Nora Todd’s loss of her son, and, lastly, her vow to make amends with Jeffrey regardless of cost.

“I know we both have a lot of resentment about the way he treated Liz,” she said, “but for the sake of our grandchildren, we’ve got to set it aside and move on.”

“That’s easier said than done. After the way he—”

“You couldn’t possibly dislike Jeffrey any more than I do. But regardless of what we feel, we’ve got to patch things up with him. If we don’t, he’ll never let us see the children!”

Charlie didn’t disagree.

“Anyway, I was thinking if you came with me—”

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” Charlie said. “Especially given the last time I saw Jeffrey.”

“All the more reason you should be there. It’s important for him to see you’re willing to bend, willing to ask his forgiveness.”

“Seeing me might make him less inclined to listen.”

“No, it won’t, because the minute he opens the door I’ll say we both regret whatever misunderstandings have come between us. That way he’ll realize we’re not looking to make trouble. I’ll explain we’re there to make amends and give him whatever financial assistance he needs. I’m not even going to mention seeing the kids until we get him on a friendly footing.”

“What makes you think he won’t slam the door in your face before you can say anything?”

“He won’t, I just know he won’t. I’ll get down on my knees and beg him to listen if I have to.”

“I don’t know,” Charlie said.

“It’ll work. You’ll see.”

As they approached the Caruthers house, Claire pointed to the pot of chrysanthemums on the front stoop. “That’s a real good sign.”

“It is?”