Read Online Loco Motive by Mary Daheim - Free Book Online Page B

Joe and Mike went on a ferryboat ride with the boys to visit the naval shipyard across the sound. Kristin lunched with a friend from her college days and did some shopping downtown. To Judith’s relief, there had been no opportunity for another of her daughter-in-law’s self-esteem lectures.
    â€œI’d forgotten how bossy she is,” Judith said to Renie as the Flynns and the Joneses left Our Lady Star of the Sea’s eleven o’clock Mass. “But she has many good qualities and I shouldn’tgripe about her,” she added, looking up at the cross on top of the church steeple. “I should be more charitable.”
    â€œCount your blessings,” Renie said. “You get to see Mike and his family fairly often. Our three and their spouses live too far away. Not to mention that we have no grandchildren.” She made a face. “I just did mention it. Damn.”
    The cousins stopped by Joe’s MG. “What’s our plan for getting to the train?” Judith asked. “I’m almost packed, but I feel edgy. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
    Renie’s gaze shifted to Bill and Joe, who were standing by the church’s south entrance. “Pretty much. Which reminds me, I’d better get in the car first. Stand by for further instructions.” She hurried off to the Joneses’ Toyota Camry.
    A few moments later Joe joined Judith in his cherished classic red MG. “I could almost put the top down today,” he said cheerfully.
    â€œIt’s nice out.” Judith’s tone lacked enthusiasm. “Do you know how Renie plans to get me to the parade and the train at the same time?”
    Joe frowned before shifting into reverse. “I thought Bill was picking you up at three forty-five. Are you sure Renie’s not joking?”
    â€œShe isn’t. I suppose she’ll tell Bill they don’t need to leave until four and can pick me up on top of the hill.”
    â€œMakes sense.” Joe pulled out of the parking place and headed for the avenue. “Bill didn’t mention it. We were talking about fish.”
    â€œNaturally.” The husbands were both avid anglers. Judith remained silent during the final three blocks to the cul-de-sac, trying not to tie herself into knots over how she could get through the day—and out of town—without causing a family rumpus.
    After Joe put the MG in the garage and turned off the engine, he gazed at his wife. “So you really don’t know what you’re doing today.”
    â€œNo.” Judith sounded bleak. “Renie thinks she does, but…” She stopped speaking and shook her head. “All I know is that I’m packed except for a few last-minute items. I’ve tried to keep from worrying, but I can’t. Except having you ask the Rankerses to take over while we’re gone, I haven’t done any of the things I usually do before going away. No trips to the dry cleaners’, no balancing the checkbook, no grocery inventory. The three parties who were checking out today left before we went to church, and I asked Arlene to welcome the new guests.” She sighed. “I still have to tell Mother I’m leaving. I’m going to do that now before I lose my nerve.” She offered Joe a tremulous smile.
    â€œWish me luck.”
    Joe looked unusually somber. “Don’t.”
    â€œDon’t what?”
    â€œDon’t tell her. We’ll fake it.”
    â€œWhat?”
    Joe took Judith’s hand. “It wouldn’t be the first time you told your mother a…” He grimaced. “An altered version of what actually happened.”
    Judith thought about trips she had taken to far-off lands, while convincing Gertrude she was only a couple of hours away from Hillside Manor. Her memory tumbled back even further, to when she and Joe had been engaged over forty years ago. “Like the time we drank too much at the Clover