Becoming Juliet - Paula Marinaro Page 0,21

but he got shot on the job, and that was the end of that. However, that part of him never totally went away. So, yeah, he drew a hard line with my two brothers, my younger sister and me. But my mom was sweet as sugar, and on the rare occasion that she put her foot down my dad listened. I knew that I’d get in that house sooner or later. Then, before I could finish the warm diet coke I had in my backpack, my grandfather pulled into the driveway with his Ford Falcon convertible. In his hands were two coffees and a bagful of my absolute favorite donuts in the world... chocolate coconut.”

“Did your parents come out too?” Juliet asked, totally caught up in the story and hoping for a happy ending. “Did you have a big, tearful reconciliation?”

“No, not then.” Layla shook her head. “But I could hear my father pacing the floor inside, and mom opened the curtain and blew me a kiss from the window. My grandpa and I sat together on the steps of that porch, eating donuts, drinking coffee and just talking. I came back here with him, to the family cabin. I stayed here until I got my act together. I took my time to collect my thoughts and reflect on the life lessons I had learned. I meditated, read, painted, and walked in the woods. It wasn’t long before my parents came around because they did truly love me… and love at its very best… forgives.”

“What happened then?” Juliet asked.

“When the job at the coffee shop came up, I took it. It was there that I saw Reggie again.” Layla continued. “He had been two years ahead of me in school and used to hang out with my brothers. I had always thought he was cute, but being the little sister and all, he didn’t really look at me that way. When I ran into him, he had just returned from the army…medical discharge. Anyway, we had both been through some tough times. Reggie much more than I, of course. But I guess we acted as sort of a balm to each other. One thing led to another, and here we are. Married nearly ten years, and I’m more in love with him today than ever before. Life has been good. Do-overs are a good thing if you are willing to take the chance.”

Juliet sighed and smiled slightly. She remained hopeful but unconvinced.

“You just wait and see.” Layla’s voice was kind and reassuring.

“I’d like to try to make this my do-over, I think.” Juliet said even as she fought the panic at the thought of settling down.

“Then the house is yours, Juliet, if you want it.”

Did she want it? Yeah, she sure as hell wanted it, but it was a feeling that was so much more than want.

It was need.

Juliet needed this do-over, this soft place to land.

Juliet needed this chance. Desperately.

Once the decision had been made Juliet had gone about the task of settling in. The cabin appeared to be a study in contrast. Sturdy and solid, yet warm and welcoming. The dark, velvety night sky was deep and endless and made her feel small. But the stars formed age old pictures and twinkled at each other with their boundless light. Juliet had never seen so many stars in a night sky before. Maybe she would start a new hobby and buy herself a telescope and book on constellations. The thought made her smile.

Juliet was further pleased to find that Layla had been true to her word. The utility closet was filled with several types of cleaning supplies, rubber gloves, lemon oil, and a yellow polka dotted broom and dustpan set. Juliet spent the first full week cleaning, polishing, and dusting cobwebs off the ceiling. The kitchen and bathroom floors were set upon with gusto. The couch and chair cushions were beat within an inch of their dusty lives. Then Juliet set them on the front porch to air out.

Once she had been done with the inside, Juliet began to work outside. She used the bright, yellow broom to sweep off the porch. With the help of the lawnmower that she found in the tool shed, she mowed the grass into uneven circles that made her laugh when she saw them. Then Juliet went to work on the windows, cleaning them with a mixture of vinegar and water until they shone in the sunlight.

It had been about two weeks since