For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) (7 page)

Luke says:
Now, or then.

Aggie says:
Smart question. Then. I don’t hate it. It’s nice to have a nickname again. Well, one other than Naggie Aggie. How did William pick the exact thing that Doug used to call me? It stings every time he says it.

Luke says
: If you told him, he’d stop.

Aggie says:
And feel bad for something that isn’t his fault. I just have to hope he finds a better one.

Aggie says:
Well, it’s really late, and if I don’t beat the kids up in the morning, I have to beat them when I get up in the morning.

Luke says:
LOL

Aggie says
: JUST KIDDING. I think. No, seriously…

Luke says:
You can pretend all you like, but no one would believe for a second that you’d do it.

Aggie says
: Shh! Don’t let the kids hear you. They’ll revolt en masse.

Luke says:
Nah, just Cari… and on a bad day, Kenzie.

Luke says:
You were amazing with her today. I was impressed. Mom says you have a natural way with children when you don’t second-guess yourself. She says you’re your own worst enemy.

Aggie says
: Probably. I can’t think about it right now, or I’ll never get

to sleep for wondering.

Luke says:
Goodnight, Mibs

Aggie says:

Goodnight, Luke. Thanks.

Twists of Life

Wednesday, August 6
^th

Aggie’s library looked like a scraggly yard sale by the time Luke and Libby were done dragging in all of the supplies the scout-like woman brought with her. To make room for what Tina called
“
the sweatshop,
”
Aggie’s bed, otherwise known as the couch, was shoved to one end of the room. Long banquet tables, obviously borrowed from their church, were set up in the center of the room, and piled with sewing machines, fabric totes, boxes of notions, and things that looked too technical for Aggie’s blood.

While Luke ran power strips to the table for the machines and Libby’s
“
killer iron,
”
Libby and Vannie unpacked the fabric, stacking it in piles by amount. Curious about the impending clothing factory in her home, Ellie crept in, climbed up into the window seat with her sketchbook, and watched everyone with an interested eye. Baby Ian was already proving to be a problem. Every item placed within reach became a temptation he found impossible to ignore. Much to Aggie’s surprise, Kenzie, Cari, and Lorna stepped into the room, wrinkled their foreheads at the strange contraptions, and went in search of their
“
babies.
”

Once Aggie, Libby, and Vannie set up shop in the library, Tina grabbed Laird and Tavish and took off for Rockland on a masculine clothing-finding mission. They were instructed not to return without church clothes, jeans, shorts, shirts, underclothes, and two pairs of new shoes. The boys looked terrified, but Tina took it in stride.
“
No worries, guys. I know right where to go, and with any luck, we’ll be done in time to check out the batting cages before we come home.
”

The moment the screen door shut with its soft
“
whap,
”
Libby rubbed her hands together as if hatching a diabolical plot to ruin Aggie’s life.
“
All right. Vannie comes first, is that right?
”

“
I think so. I don’t know what Tina will find for Ellie or the little girls, but we know there wasn’t anything for Vannie.
”

“
Ok, well I’m going to give you a list of stores to try when you need something for her. There are places that sell exactly what I think Vannie likes, based upon the patterns she’s hoarding, but you have to know what they are and how to find them. Boho isn’t the only place in Rockland to buy decent clothes for young teens.
”

Aggie sank to the couch in relief.
“
Really? You mean, we don’t have to do this! Oh, Libby! That is the best
--”
The crestfallen look on Vannie’s face changed her words.
“--
news I’ve heard in a long time. It’s good to know that if we need to buy something, we can.
”

“
The list is in my purse. I can get it now
--”

“
Well, I was hoping you’d still be willing to do some sewing with us. I know how Vannie has been looking forward to it, and it’s probably a good thing for me to learn…
”

Libby glanced at Vannie as the girl shuffled through her stack of patterns. A look of frustration clouded her face until it looked as if she’d like to throw them at something.
“
Is something wrong, Vannie?
”

“
Well, it’s just that patterns are always
almost
what I want, but not quite. I wish someone could see into my head and make patterns from that.
”

“
Show me, Vannie.
”
Ellie’s quiet voice from the window seat made all three of them jump with surprise.

While Aggie and Libby discussed needs, Vannie tried to explain to Ellie what was wrong with each pattern and what she’d like changed. The child sketched, erased, sketched some more, listened, erased, made a few more adjustments, and then handed over the sketchpad.
“
Is that what you wanted?
”

“
Wow! It’s almost exactly what I wanted!
”

As Ellie asked questions and made a few more alterations to her picture, Aggie and Libby went to see the drawing.
“
Oh, I see what you are after, Vannie. That’s very clever.
”

“
I like that style, but they’re all cut too low or too short. This way it’s still in style, but it isn’t immodest. Mommy
--”

“
Your mom taught you well, Vannie. Once you take that first step into ‘well it’s not
too
bad,’ it’s hard to know when you’ve crossed the line. You managed that beautifully!
”

The girl beamed, reminding Aggie that she needed to ensure that she didn’t slight the children in the praise department. Everything that she needed to do crowded in her mind, threatening to overwhelm her, until she muttered,
“
Just what is in front of you, Aggie Milliken! Just what is in front of you.
”

“
What did you say?
”

Her face flushed as she raised her eyes to meet Libby’s. Luke’s mother stood holding Ian, his fists full of zippers, and stared at her.
“
I just reminded myself to focus on what was in front of me. I have a tendency to look ahead, and ahead, and ahead, until I get so overwhelmed I don’t know what to do next. My mom taught me to just reach out for what I can touch right now, and start there.
”

“
She’s a very wise mother.
”

“
Mrs. Sullivan, do you think we could use this fabric for this dress? Can we make these adjustments, or is it too much?
”

“
Oh, we can handle those alterations with no problem.
”
Taking the fabric, Libby began measuring, comparing to the pattern requirements, did some mental calculations, and nodded.
“
There’s plenty enough for that and then some. Do you know how to lay it out?
”

Vannie nodded and started unfolding the fabric.
“
You’ll have to show me what to change, but
--”

“
Get it laid out and put just one or two pins in to hold it in place. I’ll shift it when I get there and then you can pin it properly.
”

At the horrified look on Aggie’s face, Libby shook her finger, teasing her.
“
Young woman, you need to learn to trust people.
”

“
What if she messes it up?
”
Aggie whispered out of earshot.

“
So what? She learns and moves on. You must quit expecting everything to go right the first time.
”

Those words, familiar ones at that, pierced Aggie’s heart. Libby was right, of course. Before she could respond, the phone rang. Distracted by the sight of Vannie pinning pieces to the fabric with a confidence she couldn’t fathom, Aggie’s voice chirped,
“
Hello?
”

“
Agathena Milliken, how do you expect to teach those children anything, if you cannot even answer a phone properly?
”

“
Good morning, Mrs. Stuart. What can I do for you?
”

“
I am calling to let you know that my lawyer will be visiting you. With your ridiculous restraining order, I’m forced to work through him. He’ll be bringing papers for you to sign. I’d appreciate your swift cooperation.
”

“
Sign for what?
”

“
They’re just finalization of property transfers and things like that. I don’t have time to explain everything. He is doing us a great favor by going all the way out there, so please do not take any more of his time than absolutely necessary.
”

“
That won’t be necessary, Mrs. Stuart. Simply have the papers sent to Mr. Moss. He’ll bring them out after reviewing them, or I’ll go in and sign them there if necessary.
”

“
I don’t have time to play games, young lady. Your irrational and emotionally manipulative games have caused this problem, so you’ll have to suffer the consequences. He’ll be there in an hour.
”

Even the phone’s disconnect click sounded abrupt and unpleasant. Aggie stared at the handset as if mesmerized by it. Libby watched for a moment and then asked,
“
Aggie, are you ok?
”

“
Yes. The children’s grandmother is sending papers for me to sign
,
and
she
thinks I’ll just put my signature anywhere she wants it and without my lawyer looking at it. I’ve always known she thought I was unqualified to be the children’s guardian, but I had no idea she thought I was an idiot.
”