Ginny propped herself, arms rigid on the sink counter, her head hanging. She sucked in a deep breath and, being careful not to look in the mirror, got out the toothpaste and brush.

From below came, “Mom?”

“Sam’s here.”

She nodded and started brushing.

Amalia reminded her, “You need help, I’m in the kitchen.”

Another nod. The tears continued to drip.

Chapter Ten

I always thought this room was cavernous,” MJ commented as they looked out across a churning crowd of crafty people working on UFOs. “But it seems too small now.”

Roxie nodded. “I never dreamed this many people would be interested.”

“And listen to the chatter. It’s a great social occasion too. I just wish the room were bigger.”

Roxie pointed. “It doesn’t help that Jeff brought his peapod inside. There’s eight feet of floor space right there.”

“But look at the progress he’s making in such a short time.” MJ leading the way, the two wandered over to Jeff. He was stroking white paint on the bulging sides.

MJ saw from the label that the paint was marine primer. “Do you have a name for her yet?”

Jeff grinned. “Sure do. Remember the baby in the old Popeye cartoons?”

Roxie laughed out loud. “Swee’Pea! Perfect!”

Jeff got serious. “I want to thank you two. I was just dawdling along with this thing and thinking maybe I’d never get it finished. But with this UFO party, I got excited about my peapod all over again. I’ll be sailing her out on the lake pretty soon. And it’s because of you.”

MJ smiled. “I’m very glad.”

They checked on a few other workers and paused by the door.

“Have you heard anything from Ginny?” MJ asked.

“No, but I’m sure that now that the memorial and everything are over and the kids have gone home, this is really hitting her.”

MJ agreed, in spades. “I stopped by a couple times but she was napping. Amalia says she sleeps a lot. On the positive side, I had a nice long chat with Amalia. Would you believe she rescued a cat? You know she’s not a cat person.”

“I’d believe every word. She’d rescue a hyena if the hyena needed it. I tried calling but no answer. Her messages are full. Maybe I should call Sam.”

“He and Erica and the twins are up at the lake,” MJ said. “He said he tried to talk his mom into coming with them but she was adamant.”

“So she is at home by herself now?” Roxie frowned.

“She insisted. He gave in. At least the house is all cleaned and the smoke stench gone. After all, she’s a big girl now and knows what she wants, even if it’s not what we want for her.”

Maureen joined them. “The lady in the corner there is knitting a stuffed lamb, but she didn’t have any stuffing. So I opened up the front to sell her some. And you’ll notice I got the storefront spiffed up.”