Chapter 5
“What a cute idea,” Elsee exclaimed examining the ladybug purse I was crocheting for Yolanda’s little girl. “Where did you find the pattern?”
“I made it up,” I admitted, slightly embarrassed “by putting together some of the ideas from other patterns. Hopefully it will turn out okay.”
“It’s adorable,” she assured me as she handed the purse back. “You could make money selling things like this.”
“I like giving them away,” I shrugged. “It’s just a fun hobby.”
“Well I’m sure that little girl…”
“Jessica,” I supplied.
“…Jessica will love it,” she assured me.
“I hope so,” I smiled. “I love the sweater you’re knitting for your son. Cabled sweaters defeat me,” I confessed ruefully. “I usually end up buying mine. My patience doesn’t stretch that far.”
“It is quite challenging.”
“You should make something for yourself in that color,” I suggested. “Every time you work on it, the green color of the sweater brings out your eyes.”
“If you think my eyes are green you should see my son’s,” she hinted. “Maybe you could see the sweater on him.”
“So he has your eyes?” I asked, ignoring her obvious ploy to get me to agree to meet him for the hundredth time.
Elsee nodded reminiscently, “His father, Marcus, had blue eyes, very like yours, and I had hoped James would, too, but he got mine instead.”
“He should be grateful, because your eyes are gorgeous,” I said decisively. “They were the first thing I noticed about you when we met.”
“And I noticed your blue eyes,” she laughed. “We are certainly ‘eye-conscious’.”
“Hannah used to say you could read a lot about a person in their eyes,” I sighed reminiscently.
“Hannah was a very smart lady,” Elsee smiled fondly at me. “I’m very glad you two had each other.”
“So am I.”
“Hannah would have loved James.”
“I’m sure she would have.”
“Seriously, Allie, I think you and James would really hit it off. I wish you would agree to meet him.”
“I love you dearly,” I set my work down in exasperation “but I hate being set up. It never works out and I don’t want there to be any awkwardness between you and me when it falls flat.”
“I understand and appreciate that,” she sighed in resignation. “I enjoy your visits more than I can say, but a mother can dream.”
I laughed merrily at her expression.
“I hate destroying your dreams, but…” I trailed off teasingly. “Anyway, I thought you said James politely refused to meet me.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Well, there you are,” I said triumphantly “We neither one want to be set up, so you need to let it go.”
“I’ll attempt to reign in my matchmaking tendencies,” she said solemnly, “but I make no promises.”
“That’s all I ask,” I replied lightly. “Oh by the way, I won’t be able to stay long on Saturday because Richard managed to remember to buy tickets to the Christmas concert that I told you about.”
“I thought you said Richard disliked that type of thing,” Elsee mentioned casually.
“He does,” I grinned, “but he knew I was going to go anyway and he hates to be left out of things.”
“Sounds like an interesting character.”
“Richard is okay in small doses,” I said off-handedly and then added grinning wickedly “Very small doses.”
“One of these days you are going to have to quit hiding behind him.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” I denied, refusing to meet her eyes.
“Allie,” Elsee reproached me gently.
Sighing I looked up and reluctantly admitted “I know there’s something wrong with me, maybe it’s a leftover from my warped childhood, but I’m just not interested in that type of relationship right now. I want to find a job and get out on my own for a while. I don’t want a man around telling me what to do, where to go, how high to jump…I’ve had enough of that to last me a lifetime.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way,” Elsee shook her head mournfully. “I’m very sorry that’s all you’ve ever known, but not every man is like your father or Richard. Marcus was the sweetest, kindest, most honorable man you could ever hope to meet and James is just like him.”
“You deserved someone like that,” I whispered around the lump in my throat, “but I’m not sure I do.”
“Of course you do,” she said firmly. “You are a wonderful young lady. Any man would be lucky to have you.”
“If you say so…”
“I say so,” she replied firmly. “I just wish…” seeing my warning look, she halted abruptly.
“Time to change the subject…”
“Okay I give up,” Elsee laughed. “Oh, I almost forgot I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Anything,” I promptly replied and then added as an afterthought, “As long as it doesn’t involve men.”
“No men,” she chuckled. “I was wondering if you would mind fixing my hair for me Saturday afternoon while you’re here. James is taking me out somewhere nice as an early Christmas present and I don’t have time to get to the beauty shop this week.”
“I don’t mind at all,” I assured her warmly. “That’s so sweet of him. Where are you going?”
“Oh, someplace special, I’m sure,” she answered vaguely. “Do you need more water?” she asked noticing my almost empty glass.
“I’ll get it,” I said standing up to stretch. “I’ve been sitting entirely too long. Can I get you more tea?”
“No thanks,” she replied ruefully, “If I drink anymore I’ll float away.”
“I’ll be right back and then we can discuss what dress you should wear on Saturday.”
“I’m not much of a clothes horse but with you here, that actually sounds like fun,” Elsee said laughingly.
“Well I am a clothes horse so be warned.”
Elsee was in her bedroom looking through her closet when I returned.
“I’m afraid my wardrobe is a little sparse,” she admitted doubtfully. “Not much to work with.”
“Hmm...I like this one,” I pulled out a black A-line dress that had Bishop Sleeves, a scooped neckline, and a tasteful sprinkling of small, delicate red rose buds. “Yes,” I said thoughtfully, “this one will do nicely.”
“Oh, I don’t think so, Allie,” Elsee was shaking her head. “I don’t wear that one any longer because the neckline is way too low for an old woman like me. I would have given it away years ago, but it was Marcus’ favorite.”
“Well it’s my favorite, too,” I replied determinedly. “I have a scarf that will look perfect with this dress as well as take care of the neckline. I’ll bring it with me on Saturday. You’ll look great,” I promised. “Trust me.”
“When it comes to fashion, I’d be a fool not to,” Elsee conceded.
“Good,” I smiled in delight. “We’ll have loads of fun Saturday. I’m looking forward to it.”
“So am I,” Elsee smiled in satisfaction. “More than you know.”