Nowhere but Home A Novel - By Liza Palmer Page 0,105
burned beyond recognition.
“True,” Merry Carole says. Cal walks into the kitchen.
“What are you guys whispering about?” Cal asks, leaning on the breakfast bar.
I look from Merry Carole to Cal and back to Merry Carole.
“Your momma and I were just tal—,” I start in.
Merry Carole interrupts me. “Baby boy, I have some big news.” I almost choke on my mac ’n’ cheese.
“What . . . what is it?” Cal asks, looking from Merry Carole to me.
“Don’t look at me, I have no idea,” I say. Merry Carole puts her hands on her hips and looks down. She takes a deep breath and steadies herself. Cal and I just wait.
“Momma, what’s going on?” Cal asks again. I look at Merry Carole.
“Honey, Reed and I, you know, Coach Blanchard?” Cal and I nod. Merry Carole continues, “Coach Blanchard and I are . . . well, he proposed. He wants to marry me.”
Cal just stands there. Time stops. Merry Carole looks petrified.
“I knew y’all were dating, but I didn’t know it had gotten so serious,” Cal says.
“You knew we were dating?” Merry Carole sputters. I look like the cat that swallowed the canary.
“Sure. For about a year now, right?” Cal asks. Merry Carole just nods. She’s starting to lose it. I take her hand, squeezing it tightly.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, sweetie. I didn’t know how I felt about him and I didn’t—”
“How do you feel about him?” Cal asks.
“I love him,” Merry Carole manages.
“Then you should marry him,” Cal says.
Merry Carole begins to cry, which quickly turns into happy hysterics. As do my tears. Cal comes around the breakfast bar and sweeps her up into a hug.
“Why are you crying? Momma? Why are you crying?” Cal asks, squeezing her tighter and tighter. The tears run down my cheeks as I watch my sister completely break down. Cal’s lip quivers, he’s trying hard to be the last one to break. His eyes well up and the tears begin to fall.
“I was so scared to tell you,” Merry Carole says.
“Why?” Cal leans down close, wiping her tears.
“Because it’s always been just us. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me and I never wanted to risk it.” Merry Carole takes a hankie out of her robe pocket and blows her nose. She takes a deep breath, but the tears still stream down her face. I am quiet, hysterical, but quiet. Merry Carole squeezes my hand tightly. I sniffle and grab a paper towel, blowing my nose.
“You and Coach Blanchard. Getting married,” Cal repeats, almost to himself.
“Yes,” Merry Carole says. She looks terrified again as Cal searches her face.
“Aren’t you supposed to have a ring?” Cal asks.
“I have it, but told Reed I wouldn’t wear it quite yet. He wanted to propose with all you kids around. I want it to be a surprise when you see it,” Merry Carole says.
“I like Coach Blanchard,” Cal says, trying to figure this all out.
“You do?” Merry Carole asks, her voice cracking.
“Yeah,” Cal says, nodding.
“What do you think about us becoming a family?” Merry Carole asks.
“I think I’d like that,” Cal says. His voice is a hopeful whisper.
“You would?” Merry Carole squeaks out, the tears starting again.
“Yeah,” Cal says.
“I would, too,” Merry Carole says, pulling him in for a hug.
I just stand there and watch, clapping my hand over my mouth and trying not to cry too much. Merry Carole holds Cal tightly in her arms. She smooths his hair and assures him it’s going to be okay as he just nods and lets her comfort him.
“I’m so happy for you,” I say as they finally break apart.
“I’m so happy for me!” Merry Carole says, tears still streaming down her face.
“So, maybe invite Reed and his girls to our little barbecue,” I say, taking another bite of the mac ’n’ cheese. Cal leans back on the breakfast bar.
“What little barbecue?” Cal asks.
“We are not inviting those little girls over here so you can serve them murderer meat,” Merry Carole says, pulling a glass from the cupboard.
“Murderer meat?” Cal and I break into hysterics.
“You know what I mean,” Merry Carole says, pouring herself some water.
“Honey, they don’t have to know who some of the meat is being cooked for. We’ll grill hamburgers and hot dogs while the murderer meat smokes away,” I say. Merry Carole is thinking. Cal and I wait.
“Fine. This might be a good thing. Have everyone together,” Merry Carole says, looking at Cal. He smiles, but he’s still mulling this over.