The Secret to Hummingbird Cake (31 page)
Otis is still on the street corner by the post office when I go into town, nursing his ever-present forty-ounce beer. I still have to steer Elle away from Miss Lucy at the ballpark for fear she'll swat at her. Bethany Wilkes is dressed impeccably every time I see her, even if her clothes are several sizes larger now. I'm guessing that bakery thing worked out after all.
Lexi Carter relapsed after her first stint in rehab. But then she went back, and this time it took. Afterward, she went to college, got a degree in social work, and now works for the rehab center where she finally got clean. I haven't talked to her in years, but I know she speaks to Jack on the phone every now and then. I don't mind at all. The truth is, on some level I am thankful to Lexi. She has gotten me out of my own way.
Ella Rae and I found a wonderful way to share Laine's enthusiasm for helping other people. We started the Laine Landry Foundation that assists older residents of Bon Dieu
Falls with things like transportation and groceries and medicine. Several of Laine's former students volunteer and provide much needed help like mowing lawns for the elderly, planting flowers in their yards, tending their gardens, and shopping for them. The Foundation is completely privately funded, and we have transformed the annual Crawfish Boil into our big fund-raiser for the year. The support has been overwhelming.
Laine's house has become our office and also a place for those older folks to gather. Mrs. Jeannette cooks for them several times a week while they play cards, watch movies, or just visit. Mamie even comes by some mornings to leave her famous cinnamon rolls.
The older folks are a complete joy to be around, and now, at age five, Elle thinks she has a dozen sets of grandparents, white and black alike, because they all dote on her. They teach her all sorts of things from the proper way to shoot marbles to the fine art of cursing.
A week ago at home, she picked up a coffee cup and threw it back down. “Dammit, that's hot!” she said. Thank you, Mr. Henry.
I thought Jack would pop trying to hide his laughter. I explained to her gently that wasn't language we used. She seemed very unconcerned. Clearly we have a ways to go with this little redhead.
Mitch never remarried but seems to be happier nowadays. He left Dallas and moved to Natchitoches, closer to home. He owns a financial advisory firm and takes care of the money
for the Foundation. His heart is in the project, he's a whiz at his job, and he has really helped us grow.
I have met his son a few times and he seems like a great young man, with his father's curly hair and good looks. Ella Rae and I have both tried to introduce Mitch to some friends of ours, but he keeps saying, “Not yet.” Perhaps Laine was right, if you love someone right the first time, once is enough.
Ella Rae and Tommy had a little boy last year, Thomas James Weeks, Jr. or T.J. as we call him. He is adorable and looks just like his mother, with blond hair and brown eyes. Ella Rae quit drinking the day she found out she was pregnant and hasn't had a drop since. She says T.J. is more fun than alcohol. She is my cochairman at the Foundation, so we are still together every day.
Ella Rae single-handedly oversees the annual Laine Landry Memorial Softball Tournament. Every year the tournament continues to grow and prosper, providing scholarships to two graduating seniors. Last year we were able to give each recipient five thousand dollars, and this year we are on track to give even more.
Jack and I are stronger than ever. It's hard to believe we just celebrated our eighteenth anniversary. He took me to the Farm . . . for a picnic. The days behind us are just that, behind us. I sometimes feel sorry for couples who have never gone through anything, who never have their limits tested. There's no doubt in my mind we can weather any storm life throws our way.
We'll be adding another member of the family soon, another
girl. Jack says we're stopping after this one. I think he fears he'll drown in the hormones around here after a while. Elle is very excited about a little sister. She is totally convinced T.J. is her little brother, so there is no need for her father and me to give her one. She wants to name the baby “Bubbles” and is very adamant about it. While we have yet to decide on a proper name, I fear “Bubbles” may stick. Thank God she's into bubbles these days. A year ago we might have had to call her Sponge Bob.
Oh, and the third journal in the box from heaven? It was for Elle. A handwritten guide for every year from Elle's first through her twenty-first birthday, things Laine wanted her to know, to see, to do. Every year on her birthday, Elle gets a card from her and a charm for the bracelet she got on her first birthday. I still have no idea where they come from, who sends them, how they remember. But Elle gets ridiculously excited when she receives them and talks about her “Laine Book” all the time. It's her favorite bedtime book.
Sometimes she asks me, “Mommy, can Laine see us? Is she watching us?”
I tell her, without a doubt in my mind, “Yes, sweetheart, she watches us all.”
1. Do you think Carrigan grew as a person during the course of Laine's illness? If so, how?
2. Do you feel the town of Bon Dieu Falls was a character in the book?
3. Do you agree with Laine's decision not to take chemotherapy?
4. In the end, do you feel like Carrigan's relationship with another man actually strengthened her relationship with Jack?
5. Do you think Ella Rae was actually much wiser than she exhibited?
6. Were you surprised at the hospitality of Jack's family to take Laine in during her illness? Do you find that a “Southern” thing?
7. Do you think Jack and Carrigan stayed together after the book ended?
8. Do you think food actually tastes better if you prepare it for those you love?
It is a dangerous thing to believe when you accomplish something, you've done it by yourself. I wouldn't be the person I am without constant love and support from my family and friends.
Clay, Lea, Brady, and Camille . . . no matter what I do in my own life, I never feel accomplished until I look at all of you. You are the most important things. Always.
JW . . . we are peas in a pod. I remember when PapPaw died and I said, “No one will ever love me like that again.” And you said, “Somebody already does.” Your love for me has always been unconditional and except for our daughter and grandchildren, that is the best gift I have ever received.
Mama & Daddy, thank you for teaching me how to love and accept people. I don't know anyone else with the heart of Christ like both of you have. I am so thankful to be your baby.
Steve, Candy, Kristen, Adam, Indy, Logan in Spirit, Joshua, Stacy, Carrie, Blake, Luke, Allie, Becky, Heather, Joe,
Seth, Baby Kate, Zach, and Conan . . . the happiest times in my life are when all of us are together.
Kay, I seriously won the sister-in-law lottery with you. I know over the years you have HAD to look at me and shake your head sometimes, but the only thing I ever found at your house was acceptance. I love you and appreciate you. Keep my boy, Tom, away from anything sharp.
Greg, I have learned so much from listening to the way you think and watching how you live. I am grateful for the lessons. Thank you for the blanket of calm you sometimes spread over my angst.
Emily Jo. . . . unlike the previously mentioned folks . . . you didn't HAVE to love me. You chose to. I will be eternally grateful for that.
Michelle, thank you for bringing style & grace to my life, which comes to you so effortlessly.
Janelle, Em & I love you. You have the strength of Hercules and a heart of gold.
Joann, I have just these words for you. Thank you. . . . for both of them. They were so very loved.
Cindy, you have been my friend for as far back as I can remember. Our lives have mirrored themselves in hundreds of ways. Even when we're far apart, I know you're just a phone call away. You'll never know how much that means to me.
Darlene, thank you for being my friend and for being my computer-smart friend. You've saved me more than once.
Davis . . . you are a gem. I appreciate your love and loyalty. Back at you, brother.
And Scott, the smartest man I have ever known, thank you for being my perspective guru. I always leave our conversations thinking,
he made perfect sense
. You are a true friend.
Celeste Fletcher McHale lives on her family farm in Central Louisiana, where she enjoys raising a variety of animals. Her hobbies include writing, football, baseball, and spending much time with her grandchildren.