Fat Fridays (7 page)

When the call went into a phone mail, Betsy hung up despondent. Between work and the time she spent babysitting her grandchildren, she hadn’t had the energy to get back to some of her old activities or find new ones to keep her busy during down times. And she was someone who liked to stay busy.

The phone rang. She checked caller ID. Karen McAvoy. Betsy grinned. She and Karen had served on the Forsyth County jury together. It was she who gave Betsy the idea to take computer courses. After “we the jury” had found the shoplifter guilty, Betsy had signed up for the training. Over time she’d lost contact with Karen but she’d always liked her.

“Karen!” Betsy said. “I owe you big time. Guess what! I’m working at MacTel now.”

“That’s wonderful, Betsy,” said Karen. “I was thinking about you the other day and decided to give you a call. I’m going to the movies. Want to join me?”

“Would I ever!” said Betsy, finding the day a whole lot brighter.

M
onday morning, cold rain slanted against the bedroom windows, tapping against the glass like Jack Frost knocking for attention. But the gray wet day failed to dampen Sukie’s excitement. The computer course was to begin that evening.

Julie called from the library as Sukie was sipping her morning coffee. “Good news, Sukie! The Library Board has agreed to let you fill the library opening on a temporary basis. You can fill out the paperwork and start anytime.”

Sukie hung up the phone and danced around the kitchen. She was living on court-ordered alimony Ted had guiltily agreed to, but she knew his cooperation wouldn’t last. He’d find ways to delay payments, offering one excuse after another, making her life unsettled. Despite his wealth, Ted was far from generous. Sukie was sure that at some point in her life, she’d be forced to move out of the house, find something smaller, make her own way with little, if any, real help from him.

She eagerly changed her clothes and hurried to the library to check the layout of the children’s section. She had a few ideas she wanted to try.

The library was a two-story, red-brick building next to the town hall, Williston’s center of activity. White shutters accented the many-paned windows. A double black door served as its main entrance. 

On this rainy March morning, the parking lot was mostly empty. Sukie pulled in, parked the car next to a white SUV and hurried inside, avoiding as much of the lingering shower as she could.

Inside, Julie greeted her with a warm smile. “I’m so happy you’re going to be part of my team. I hope you understand the job involves working on some Saturday mornings and a few Sunday afternoons. I forgot to clarify that when I called.”

Sukie smiled. “No problem. I’ll welcome it.” The once-busy weekends, empty of social activity, now seemed endless. 

Julie motioned for Sukie to follow her. “I have the paperwork all set for you to fill out.”

The office sat behind the circulation desk. A stack of books lay on the floor. Others lined both sides of a rolling cart.

Julie indicated the books on the cart. “These have already been catalogued. Volunteers will shelve them. As you know, we’re a small operation here.”

Sukie nodded. She’d been an active volunteer at the circulation desk when the kids were growing up and had continued to help ever since. 

She filled out the paperwork and walked over to the children’s section. Feeling like a chef surveying a well-stocked kitchen, she stood a moment, savoring the idea it was hers to oversee. 

A long table surrounded by several small wooden chairs sat in the middle of an open space edged by bookcases. A desk stood off in a corner.

“What do you think?” Julie asked, coming to Sukie’s side.

“I’d like to make some changes to the layout,” Sukie said, hoping she wasn’t overstepping her new role.

Julie’s eyebrows shot up. 

“I remember the joy I had reading books as a kid. I’d put pillows all around me in the corner of my room near the window and sit and read for hours. That’s what I’d like to see here—nooks and crannies where kids can escape into reading.”

A smile spread across Julie’s face. “I like it. Let me find the custodian and see if he can help us move things around.”

Julie returned, accompanied by a short stocky gray-haired man. “This is Bill Walters. Another man is on his way to help us.”

Sukie smiled at Bill, then blinked with surprise as the tall man she’d seen in her neighborhood approached. He smiled a warm hello, reminding her of his innate kindness. “You’re the welcome lady in my neighborhood.”

“You know each other?” Julie said.

“We’ve met briefly.” Sukie’s heart pumped a flushed greeting she tried to control. Feeling foolish at her reaction, she held out her hand. “Sukie Skidmore.”

“Cameron Taylor.” The touch of his hand on hers snaked a thread of heat through Sukie’s body. She quickly withdrew her fingers and steadied herself. “How’s your little girl?”

“Chloe?” A tender look softened his features. “She’s fine. At three, she’s always running so she’s pretty used to taking a tumble now and then.”

Sukie smiled. Men today were so into helping to raise children. She remembered the many evenings Ted didn’t arrive home until after Rob and Elizabeth were in bed.

The men moved her desk away from the corner, leaving a space for scattered floor pillows, and shifted the long table to an area off to one side, near the magazine shelf. A better place for projects, she thought.

“How’s that?” said Cameron.

Sukie hesitated. “Can you help me move a couple of book cases?”

Cameron looked at Bill and shrugged. “Why not?”

Sukie hurried to unload some of the books from the shelves. The men wrestled with the bookcases, angling them at her direction, making it easier for children to browse for books on both sides.

“There, that’s perfect.” Sukie clasped her hands together, delighted with the effect.

“Much better,” said Julie. “We’ve needed someone like you for some time.”

Sukie turned to the men. “Thanks for your help.”

Bill dipped his head and moved away.

Cameron stood a moment, frowning. “Sukie Skidmore. Didn’t you sign up for the computer course?”

She nodded. 

He smiled. “I thought so. I’m your instructor. See you tonight at seven.” He waved and went on his way.

Sukie turned to Julie. “He’s the teacher?”

“Yes. We’re so lucky to get him. He’s an independent consultant, working on a huge, long-term project for MacTel. I met him when he was looking for property. He came in to check out the library and get some recommendations for a preschool for his little girl.”

“Very nice,” Sukie murmured.

Julie grinned. “Very nice-looking, too. All the volunteers are drooling over him.”

“Too bad he’s married,” Sukie said, and turned back to her new project. Her days of romance were over but she understood how others might be disappointed to learn he wasn’t available.

Later, Sukie lugged large pillows from her car into the library. She could hardly wait to see children gathered there for her first story hour. Even if the job might not last long, she wanted to make the best possible impression. Then maybe the Board would decide to keep her on through the summer and even beyond.

“Excellent,” said Julie, when she came to inspect what Sukie was doing. She helped Sukie arrange the bright-colored pillows in the corner.

At her desk, Sukie leafed through a selection of picture books. It had been some time since she’d read to children and she needed to catch up on the latest books and reacquaint herself with old favorites. The bright colorful illustrations brought back memories of many happy hours with her own children, hours she hoped to share with her new grandchild.

Funny, she thought now, she’d been excited about the news of a grandchild, but Ted had gone into a funk when he’d heard he was about to become a grandfather. He’d ended up acting like a spoiled baby himself. Looking back, she realized how many times he’d ruined happy moments for her.

That evening, as Sukie walked into the learning room at the library, Cameron acknowledged her with a nod. Five other people sat in front of computers on desks scattered throughout the small learning center. She took a seat at the remaining empty space.

“Thought you weren’t going to show up,” said Cameron, coming to Sukie’s side to make sure she was logged on properly.

“I thought about it, especially after my first day at work,” she said. “But after you helped me today, I couldn’t let you down.”

He grinned and turned to the others. “Okay, class, let’s get started.”

The time flew by. At the end of the hour, her mind spinning, Sukie turned off her machine. She’d learned more about computer programs than she’d thought possible. It now seemed silly she’d never taken a course like this before.

“How did you like it?” Cameron asked, packing up his teaching materials.

Sukie smiled. “It was great. You made it seem so easy. Julie told me you’re going to be working at MacTel for a while.”

He nodded. “It’s a good opportunity for me.”

“I know some administrative people who work on the Executive Floor. I’m sure they’d be happy to help you if you ever need it.”

“Thanks.” His deep blue gaze settled on her. “Are you always so helpful to strangers?”

Her cheeks burned. “I try to be.”

“Nice,” he said. “You don’t find that so much anymore.”

A warm glow accompanied Sukie all the way to her car. Something about the way Cameron Taylor had looked at her made her feel special. It’d been a long time since she felt that way.

###

F
riday noon, Sukie pulled into Bea’s parking lot for the Fat Fridays lunch. She couldn’t wait to tell the others about her job. She was also eager to see Tiffany and Carol Ann. She hadn’t spoken to them all week.

Betsy hurried over to her as soon as Sukie climbed out of her car. “Sukie! You started the job. Good for you! I met Julie in the grocery store and she told me she’s ecstatic about all you’re doing.”

“Thanks,” said Sukie, pleased nice, not hurtful, news was being spread about her. “I think it’s going to be great.”

Carol Ann drove into the parking lot with Tiffany. They waved hello and Sukie waved back. 

“How are they?” Sukie asked, as Lynn joined them.

“Tiffany’s been real quiet and Carol Ann has talked our ears off all week about the different men on the dating website she joined.” Censure iced Lynn’s words.

Sukie and Betsy exchanged knowing glances and turned as Carol Ann ran toward them. 

“Sukie! Wait until I tell you about the responses to our ad! I’m so excited!” She hugged Sukie so hard, she almost knocked her over.

“Tell her all about it inside,” said Lynn impatiently. “It’s getting late.”

Inside, the chatter of the noon crowd rose and fell as people laughed and called to one another. Sukie followed the others to a round table. The enticing aromas of home-cooked food swirled around her. Her mouth watered at the sight of Brunswick stew, pulled pork, and Barbequed chicken breasts on the mounded plates waitresses carried by. In good spirits, she waved to a neighbor.

During the meal, Carol Ann kept everybody entertained, telling them about some of the men who’d responded to her singles profile.

“So which man are you going to date on Saturday?” Sukie asked, after taking a last bite of fried okra. 

Carol Ann knotted her hands together. “Well, Rodney suggested we meet for coffee tomorrow at the Mall of Georgia. I’m gonna check him out and then meet John—the one who works for the insurance company—for a drink later that day.” Her face lit up. “I never knew this could be so much fun!”

“Be careful,” warned Lynn. “Some women have dated real losers.”

“Oh, but Carol Ann can have her choice of dates,” Tiffany said, defending her. “Her picture on the internet is really cool. It’s that new hairdo.”

Carol Ann trailed her fingers over the sleek chin-length haircut Henri had given her and shot Sukie a grateful look. The new style did all kinds of wonderful things to her eyes, giving her a whole new appearance.

“Enjoy yourself, but Lynn is right,” said Sukie. “Some of these guys aren’t trustworthy. I’ve heard all kinds of stories about men stealing money away from women they’ve met on-line. That, and a lot of other crazy tales.”

Carol Ann stuck her chin out, like a stubborn two-year-old. “Y’all, I’m going on as many dates as I can. You don’t know what it’s like sitting home night after night with my parents. Boring with a capital B! That’s over, thank God.”

Betsy piped up.  “Like Mae West said, ‘Too much of a good thing can be wonderful’. I say go for it, Carol Ann.”

Sukie joined the rest in laughter.

Lynn checked her watch. “We’d better head back to work, ladies.”

Tiffany held Sukie back. “I need to talk to you.”

“You go ahead,” Sukie called to the others. “I’ll drop Tiffany off on my way back to the library.”

Sukie sat back down and signaled the waitress. She came right over.

“What’cha want, hon? More coffee? Decaf, right?” 

Sukie nodded.

In seconds, the waitress was back with an orange-handled pot. She poured Sukie more coffee and left.

A whitish wisp of hot steam rose from Sukie’s cup and caressed her face. Sukie inhaled, took a cautious sip and waited anxiously for Tiffany to speak. 

Tiffany leaned forward, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I’m thinking about having an abortion,” she said softly.

The coffee turned sour in Sukie’s stomach. She set her cup down. “Is...is that what you want?”

Tiffany shook her head. “I don’t know what else to do. If I go ahead with the baby, I’ll never be able to leave Beau. He still doesn’t know I’m pregnant. Do you know what he gave me for my anniversary present? One diamond earring. A huge one. I get the second one after the birth of our first child.”

“That’s awful!”

“Probably his mother’s idea.” Tiffany took a deep breath. “I hate her, Sukie. And I think she hates me. No matter what I do, it isn’t right. And if I hear her talk about poor little Tiffany being a diamond in the rough one more time, I swear I’m going to frickin’ kill her.”