Susannah's Garden (Blossom Street #3)(24)

Determined now, Chrissie reached for the phone and dialed her grandmother’s number in Colville. After four rings she assumed no one was home, but just as she began to hang up, her mother answered.

“Hi, Mom, it’s Chrissie.” She forced a bright cheerful note into her voice.

“Chrissie. You’re lucky to catch me. I was outside watering Grandma’s garden.”

“What’s going on?” she asked, wondering how to lead into the subject of joining her mother.

Her mother seemed preoccupied. “Grandma and I just got back from visiting assisted-living places.”

“Grandma went willingly?” So progress had been made.

“Your grandmother was willing to listen to reason this morning.”

“That’s good, isn’t it?”

“Very good. This is difficult for her. I don’t know what made her change her mind but whatever it was, I’m grateful.”

“Where’s Grandma now?” Chrissie asked.

“She’s lying down at the moment, thinking everything over.”

In other words, she was taking a nap.

“I had a great idea I wanted to talk to you about, okay?” Chrissie hated sounding like a little kid afraid of being refused, but she sensed that her mother wasn’t going to like this idea.

“Sure. What is it?”

“Dad mentioned that you were planning to rent Grandma’s house or maybe sell it right away.”

“Yes.” Her mother seemed reluctant. “It’s one of the nicer homes in town and I’m not sure it would be wise to bring in renters, especially since we won’t be able to keep an eye on the place.” She seemed to be thinking out loud, weighing her options.

“Either way, you’re going to have to pack everything up, right?”

“True.”

“So you could use some help.”

Her mother didn’t answer immediately, which probably meant she’d caught on to where Chrissie’s questions were leading. She might as well get directly to the point. “Can I come to Colville?” Her mother’s hesitation was long enough to raise Chrissie’s hackles.

“You don’t want me there, do you?” she asked hotly.

“That’s not it.”

“I can help, you know.”

“Yes…”

“Then tell me why I can’t come. It’s boring around here and everyone I know either has a job or is on some fabulous vacation while I’m a prisoner in this house scrubbing toilets.” That wasn’t an exaggeration, either. “Don’t you think it’s time you hired a housekeeper?”

“Your father did,” her mother reminded her in a mild voice. “You.”

“Very funny,” Chrissie muttered. “Very funny.”

“Your father needs you there.”

“No, he doesn’t,” Chrissie argued. “No one does. This summer is a complete waste. I want to be with you and Grandma.” Her throat started to tighten up and she made an effort to hide how miserable she was.

“And do what?” her mother asked.

Chrissie sighed. “I already told you. Help pack stuff and spend time with Grandma.”

“But everything has to be sorted. I’ll have to decide what to keep, what to sell and what to give away. I don’t think my mother’s capable of doing any of that, so I’ll be the one making those decisions. I’ve got to get your grandmother moved, too.” Her mother sounded overwhelmed by it all.

If that was the case, Chrissie couldn’t understand why she balked at her offer. “Well, then, I can be with you when you do it.”

“This isn’t a vacation, Chrissie. This is hard work.”

Sometimes her mother could insult her without realizing it. “I know that. I can help, Mom. What do you think—I’ll watch television all day? This is a difficult time for you and Grandma.”

“It really is.” Her mother’s voice quavered a little. “I had no idea it would be so difficult.”

“Moving Grandma?”

“Yes…”

“Then I can come?” The pleading tone was back, but Chrissie didn’t care. She felt it was her right to be with her grandmother.

“Let me talk to your father first.”

Chrissie clenched her teeth, not knowing what to expect from him. It would be just like her dad to insist she stay in Seattle. She couldn’t; she absolutely couldn’t do that. If she had to deal with her brother and father all summer, she’d go crazy. But that wasn’t even the issue. Her grandmother needed her and so did her mom, and she needed to be with them. No, the decision was made. Chrissie was going to Colville whether she had permission or not.

CHAPTER 9

The house was eerily quiet as Susannah settled in front of the television. After four very long days, the move was complete. Her mother was about to spend her first night at the assisted-living complex. This single day had felt like an entire month.

The movers had arrived at eight that morning, eager to get the truck loaded. By the time everything had been set up in her tiny four-hundred-square-foot apartment, her mother was exhausted. So was Susannah.

The staff at Altamira had been wonderful. The forms were all signed and delivered, financial arrangements made and Dr. Bethel had given his written instructions. Once her mother had agreed to the move, it was as if everything had fallen naturally into place. In fact, they were fortunate that there’d been a unit available. Another sign, in Susannah’s opinion, that this really was meant to be.