She drew herself up into full-out mommy mode. “I don’t care what your father or grandmother might do. You are with me right now, and you will get out of this car. Is that understood?”
He gave her a sulky look and then opened the car door.
She did the same and stepped out into a balmy March day.
“I’ve never seen a house painted puke green and purple before,” he said.
“It’s not that bad.”
The boy wrinkled his nose in disgust. “It’s mad warm here. Are we gonna stand around looking at the dumb old house all day?”
The muscles along Savannah’s shoulders knotted, and the headache she’d been fighting since they crossed the South Carolina border was beginning to actually throb.
Just then the front door opened with a bang, and a white-haired lady wearing a blue polyester pantsuit and a pair of red Keds appeared on the porch. Dark, almost black, eyes peered at Savannah through a pair of 1960s-style spectacles festooned with rhinestones. “Well, look who just turned up pretty as a daisy. C’mon up here, sugar,” Aunt Miriam said, opening her arms.
Savannah took the rickety porch steps in two long strides and gave her aunt a bear hug.
“Oh, I’m so glad you came,” Aunt Miriam said.
Savannah pulled away and looked down at her great-aunt, noting the changes recorded in her face. Her apple cheeks now drooped a little along her jawline. Her skin looked pale and papery. Even the ever-present twinkle in her eyes was dimmed by time and sorrow. Savannah felt a sharp pang of regret that she had allowed so much time to elapse between visits. Aunt Miriam was getting old. Savannah wished with all her might that she could turn back the clock.
“I’m so sorry about Uncle Harry,” Savannah said.
Miriam nodded. “He was old as dirt. And sick these last few years. I know at the end he just wanted to lay his burden down and go on home.” Her voice wavered.
Savannah gave Miriam another big hug and whispered, “I’m sure he did. But I know you would have liked him to stay awhile longer.”
Miriam pushed back and wiped a few tears from her cheeks. “Enough of this maudlin stuff. Let me see that boy of yours. Last time I saw him, he was no bigger than a minute.”
Miriam turned her gaze toward the yard where Todd slouched. Savannah’s son had assumed the preteen position—arms crossed and disinterest plastered all over his face.
“Hmm,” Aunt Miriam said, “he’s a big boy, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Too bad he doesn’t live around here. I’m sure Red Canaday would be all over you recruiting him for Pop Warner football.”
“Really? His father played football for the University of Maryland.”
“Well, it looks like your boy may have inherited his genes. I think Todd would make an excellent center.”
Savannah filed that information away. Todd probably had no interest in playing football. But Savannah was determined to get her son off the couch and out into the fresh air. Last Chance had lots and lots of fresh air.
“Well, son,” Miriam said with a wave, “c’mon up here and meet your old Aunt Mim. I know you don’t remember me.”
The boy walked slowly up the stairs and stoically allowed himself to be hugged.
“Y’all come on in,” Aunt Miriam said once she let Todd go. “I’ve got cookies and pie and enough food to choke a horse. The casserole brigade has been doing overtime these last few days. To be honest, I got so tired of Lillian Bray trying to take charge of my kitchen that I shooed them all away this noontime. They mean well, I suppose, but a morning with Lillian is enough to try even the most patient of souls.”
She turned toward Todd. “I’m sure you’re hungry, son.”
Todd nodded. Todd was always hungry.
“Well, come on then. I’ll show you the way to the kitchen.”
A burst of cool air greeted them in the hallway. It took a moment for Savannah’s eyes to adjust to the dark interior. The house had changed little in the eight years since her last visit. To the right stood the formal dining room with its gleaming mahogany table and chairs upholstered in light green moiré. The china closet filled with blue willowware still dominated the far wall. She could practically smell the ham and butter beans that Granny had served on those dishes all those years ago.
She turned her gaze to the left. The front parlor still contained Victorian settees upholstered in red velvet and striped