Read Casting About for Free Online Page B

Home-style Southern cooking.”
    â€œYou sound tired, and you have a long drive in the morning. Get some sleep. I love you, Adam. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
    â€œAnd how I love you, Monica. I’ve missed you.”
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    I normally sleep till about 7:30, but I’d tossed and turned all night and finally got up at 6:00. After showering and dressing, I got my coffee and sat outside on the deck. Another gorgeous day on the island. We were having a beautiful April, and I sat there staring across the street to the water.
    Well, I thought, this day was going to change my life dramatically. What surprised me was that my focus the past couple of days had been more on the fact that Clarissa wasn’t going to like me, rather than my changed lifestyle. I just wasn’t adept with children. I didn’t even feel comfortable being in their company. What the heck was I going to talk to her about? I didn’t have a clue what the latest movies, music, or toys were for her age group. And how on earth does one go about learning those things?
    â€œHey, Miss Monica, what are you doing out there so early?”
    I looked out to the road, and there was Saren taking his morning walk.
    â€œCome on up. I have fresh coffee.”
    I watched him walk through the yard to the steps for the deck. He was a marvel to me. At eighty-six, he walked every morning and was in excellent health. It’s not uncommon for people on the island to live till their nineties and remain in good health till the end. I used to joke that there must be something in the water.
    â€œYou’re not usually out here this early,” he said, taking a seat across from me.
    â€œYeah, I know. Adam will be back later today with Clarissa. Guess I just couldn’t sleep.”
    â€œGot lots on your mind, do ya?”
    I got up to get his coffee and nodded. “Guess you could say that.”
    When I returned a moment later and placed the mug in front of him, he said, “Wanna talk about it?”
    â€œI feel that’s all I’ve been talking about since last week. And worrying more than talking.”
    â€œWell, the news you got was a lot to take in. Here you are a new bride and getting settled into married life, and boom—now you have a child coming to live with you. That wouldn’t be easy for anyone.”
    â€œDid my grandmother like kids when she was younger? Did she do babysitting or anything?”
    From the look on Saren’s face, I could see I surprised him with my question.
    â€œWell,” he said, stroking his chin in thought. “I reckon she liked kids well enough. She always had Miss Dora tagging around with her. But that was her little sister, so not sure you’d call that babysitting.”
    When I remained silent, he said, “Oh, I see what you’re gettin’ at. Because Sybile gave your mother up for adoption—you’re thinkin’ you might be like her?”
    â€œIt crossed my mind. Yeah.”
    â€œI’m not sure that kinda stuff is passed on. If ya ask me, I think with time you’re gonna do just fine.”
    I wished I had his confidence.
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    Later in the day, Dora paid me a visit. I opened the door to find her loaded down with assorted things.
    â€œWhat’s all this?” I asked. “Here, let me help you.”
    Dora placed a Tupperware container on the counter filled with her delicious chocolate chip cookies.
    â€œI thought Clarissa might like these before bed tonight.”
    â€œOh, Dora, that was really sweet of you,” I said and realized I’d never made an attempt to bake cookies. Wasn’t that what bakeries were for—but all moms baked cookies for their kids, didn’t they?
    She removed two gift-wrapped packages from the bags.
    â€œAnd these are for Clarissa. I got her a cute pair of pajamas with Disney characters and also a Madeline doll. Every little girl should have one of those. Just wanted to welcome