My heart had oscillated between galloping and skipping beats so often in the last few minutes that I was afraid only lightning could set it back into its proper rhythm.
A knock came next, and Ireland seemed distraught as she looked at the door. At the idea of company, or maybe of just one more thing to deal with,if I had to guess. I grabbed the bag and pushed it into her hands.
“Here. I’ll see who it is.”
She met my eyes for several tachycardic beats of my heart. I was simultaneously pleased and full of regret when she gripped the bag to her chest and mouthed, “Thankyou,” as if she didn’t want to risk being heard by whoever was at the door.
Then she was gone, and there was yet another knock at the front door.
I pushed the heel of my hand into my chest, willing my body to regulate as I limped to the door, hissing through my teeth at the bolt of pain.
Forgoing the peephole, I turned the locks and swung open the door.
Three older women stood before me, each holding a gift basket.
“My, my. It appears my dear Jillie wasn’t playing an elaborate joke on me. Look at my strapping new neighbor, ladies.”
Two of them were dressed the way you’d expect a retired grandmother in the South might. Floral tops, pants that stopped mid-shin for reasons unknown, orthopedic shoes.
“Of course,” the woman dressed…notlike that continued, “we’ve met before. But I’ll remind you anyway. I’m your neighbor, Lenora C. Apworth.”
I nodded at her. “Miss Lenny, of course I remember.”
Though the last time we’d met, she hadn’t been wearing what looked like a swimsuit cover made of roped fishnet. My eyes burned with the effort of not looking down to confirm if she was actually wearing a swimsuit beneath it.
Some things were better left a mystery.
“These old hens are Suzie and Janice. They live down the lane a ways.”
“Real rich calling us old, Lenny,” the woman to her right scolded. “As if you aren’t?—”
Lenny cleared her throat loudly and set down her basket in front of me with a flourish. “Anyway, we knowyou’ve just moved in, so we brought you some items for your pantry and refrigerator. We’re always ready for new neighbors, which is good considering the short notice. Be sure to unpack them promptly so they don’t spoil. We’ll just leave them here for you and let you get back to your day.”
The woman who’d spoken up pushed her basket into my chest, and I took it on instinct. “Lenny can’t bake, so if she brings you something that tastes good and tries to take the credit, just keep that in mind. Now, I’ve made some bran muffins.” She poked the basket and eyed me seriously. “One per day will keep you nice and regular.”
I nodded wordlessly because…. Because.
“And here are some basic groceries,” the woman on the other side of Miss Lenny said, setting down her basket. “Eggs, milk, and the like. I got the lactose-free kind, just in case you’re a tender-stomached kind of fellow.”
I nodded again. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“Oh, goodness me,” Miss Lenny said. “I’d forgotten about your impeccable manners. Such a rarity these days. Wilbur did a fine job teaching you those, didn’t he?”
Another nod, because yeah. There was no lie there.
“Oh, you’re Wilbur’s boy?” Bran muffin lady asked.
I considered my answer for a single second. “I am.”
The three ladies shared looks, and I absolutely did not want to know anything about whatever they were silently communicating with each other.
“A fine man,” Miss Lenny said eventually. “We socialize at Zinnia House regularly. Bingo, movie nights, and the like. We mean it when we sayeveryoneis our neighbor here at Live Oak, and we treat neighbors like family.” She leveled me with a serious look, and I warmed to the woman, especially at the idea of them keeping Pops company.
She gestured to the basket she’d brought. “Along withsome treats and other small household things, I’ve left a list of events and activities happening this summer at Live Oak. We hope you’ll participate in at least some. I’ve also written our numbers and addresses and put them in my basket. Keep them somewhere safe and use them if you need anything. Tell your housemates the same, please. I believe Jillie said your sister is going to be living here too?”
I smiled. “Yes. Adeline.” Delly would be so pleased that I gave her full name.
“Ah, a beautiful name,” she said. “I hope we’ll meet her sooner rather than later.”
