Page 18

Chapter 18

Julia

When I get home from Graham’s house, I need to clear my mind. Spending that much time with him, like that especially, is making my brain foggy. But in the best way. I change my clothes and grab my running shoes. As I leave the house, I think about Mabel. She had texted me the day after I met her, reminding me to come back and sign up for the variety show. I ignored it. I didn’t know what else to do. I don’t know her at all, but I can tell she has a strong personality, and I hate saying no when I don’t have to. Technically, I don’t have to say no here. I could do it; it’s just hard. I fiddle with my phone while I am walking down the block, warming up for a minute. I pull up the text thread.

Mabel

Hello, dearie. It’s Mabel Campos, your fake grandmother. I’d love for you to come sign up for the variety show. Everyone would be so jealous of how talented my kin is!

Hello? Is this the right number? Julia Pritchett?

I let the cursor blink for a few seconds before responding.

Julia

Hi, Miss Mabel! Or should I say Grandma? ;) Sorry I didn’t respond before. I am just going out for a run right now. Maybe I could come see you?

Mabel

Will you sing for me?

Julia

Uhm, maybe?

Mabel

I’ll be at the playground. Hurry, please. These old bones don’t like to be kept waiting.

I smile to myself before turning on some music and take off running. I skip the laps inside the community to hurry for Mabel. When I get to the playground, she’s sitting on the end of the slide. Her face lights up when she sees me.

“Julia! It’s lovely to see you again.” I sit on the ground next to her, taking the opportunity to stretch.

“Hi, Miss Mabel. How are you?”

“Oh, I'm fine, just a boring old lady that would love to hear some music.”

“Hmm.” I hum noncommittally. “What have you been up to today?”

“Just sitting around, waiting for you to text me back. That's all I’ve been doing for days.” She gives me a sly look. Clearly, this isn’t her first guilt trip. I laugh.

“Okay. Let’s give it a shot. I’ll put my headphones in and look that way. I’ll try to pretend you aren’t there.”

“We could do that. Or you could face your fear?”

“Next time.” I put my earbuds in. She’s not actually my grandma. She can only boss me so far. I scroll through my music before I reach one from an old musical I think she might enjoy. I take a deep breath and start singing. Before long, my eyes are closed and I’ve entirely lost myself in the music. I am no longer awkwardly standing there. I spin around a few times, expressing myself with my arms as well as my voice. I sing two more songs after the first one ends before an alarm rings in my ears. I startle from the extreme change in sound and drop my phone. I open my eyes and see that I am facing Mabel, and my phone landed right at her feet.

“And who is this dreamboat?” Mabel asks, looking at the picture of me, Graham, and Nathan on my phone.

“That’s Graham. He’s my next-door neighbor and my brother’s best friend.” I go to take the phone to figure out what the alarm was set for.

“Hmm. Interesting that you knew which one I meant,” Mabel muses.

“What?”

“Never mind. So, is his personality as great as his face?” Mabel asks. I feel my face flush again. Seriously. There is a lot of blushing going on here. Those blood vessels are getting an intense workout these days.

“Probably better actually. He’s funny and goofy, and everyone loves him. He makes people feel included and heard. He is a pretty big flirt, but when he is focused on you, it feels like there is nowhere else he’d rather be. It’s all about you, ya know?”

“Hmm.”

“Is that your catchphrase?” I ask, with a slight laugh. “It was great to see you today, but I should probably call him back and get back to my house.”

“Will you come again?” Mabel asks, looking almost vulnerable.

“Of course! I’m always looking for a good excuse to run more. I can meet you here tomorrow if you’d like?”

“Let’s go to my house. I’ll make cookies.”

“Sounds amazing. I love cookies. Text me your house number? Thanks, Miss Mabel.” I wave before taking off towards the security gate.

***

I run to Mabel’s house every day for the next few days, trying to fill the time. Graham has been sick, and I’m not entirely sure what Chloe has been busy with. I could see if Josie wants to hang out, but I’ve noticed she’s been spending a lot of time with Nathan, and I’m not interested in getting in the middle of whatever that is. Besides, spending time with Mabel is awesome. Today, I knock on her door, and it takes a bit longer than usual for her to answer.

“Julia! Come in.” Mabel gives me a tight hug before pulling me into the house. “Let’s make cookies.” She spreads her arms towards the kitchen counter, showing me all the supplies and ingredients we need.

“Yes. I love cookies.” I clap my hands, ready to get to work. I unwrap the butter and drop it into the bowl.

“So, tell me. You are sixteen, go to Desert Valley High School. What else should I know about you?” Mabel asks, making herself comfortable on a stool at the counter.

“I’m not that interesting, really. I like to run and sing, but I’m too scared to do that. I have a twin brother, but you know that. My best friend lives across the street from me, and my brother’s best friend lives next door.” I dump in the brown sugar and grab a small container of granulated sugar to add next. Mabel gasps and grabs it out of my hand.

“That’s salt.” She tsks and shakes her head. “What a terrible waste that would be. Are you always a menace in the kitchen?” Her eyes twinkle, and I know that she’s not upset.

“Actually, yes, I kind of am. I normally am pretty good at cookies, but the salt and sugar situation has definitely come up before.” We laugh and Mabel stands next to me, policing my every move. After a few minutes of random baking talk, I slide the cookies into the oven.

Mabel walks into the living room and gestures to the shelf. “Julia, grab those photo albums, will you?” I grab three fake leather-covered books and sit next to Mabel. She clutches them on her lap. “Now, we could sing, or you could learn a little about my life?”

“Your life. Absolutely.” I tuck my hands under my chin and lean forward, ready to take in everything she says.

“Did you know I was a voice teacher? I taught lessons out of my home. I always wanted to be a professional singer, but after I had my first child, I stayed home. It was how things worked back then. Luckily, my husband was supportive of my teaching.” She raises an eyebrow at me. “Is Graham supportive? If not, drop him now. Well, soon. Have a good time first, but don’t expect it to last forever if he won’t support you in what you want to do.” She wiggles her shoulders and winks.

I laugh and my cheeks flush at what I’m guessing she means by have a good time. “Graham is very supportive. Don’t worry.” Mabel laughs and flips open the photo album. We spend the next few minutes looking at pictures while she tells me stories. The oven beeps, and I jump up to pull them out. While I scoop dough onto the next sheet, I call into the living room, “Mabel. This has been a great day—cookies and stories from your life. It’s the start of a beautiful friendship.” I glance over my shoulder and meet her eyes.

They water a little and her lips tremble. “I agree.”

On my way back to the couch, my phone buzzes. I glance at it, and a smile spreads across my lips when I see that it’s Graham.

“Oh!” Mabel rocks back and claps her hands. “I know that face. It’s a boy! Tell me all the little details, Julia. I’m old and haven’t had the spark of early love in a long time!”

“I’ll make you a deal. You tell me your love story, and I’ll tell you about Graham.”

“You go first.” She agrees so I start to tell her about The List and the bet at the football game while I clean up from this round of cookie baking. She laughs while I tell her about the irrigation mishap and the paintballing. I explain my fear that Graham and I are too interconnected for a relationship to work, and that I’m scared that he flirts with everyone all the time.

“Well, I don’t know about all that flirting—you’ll have to bring him to meet me soon—but it seems to me if everyone in your life loves him, that's a good thing. Maybe it won’t work out, but isn’t knowing that better than wondering your whole life? Imagine being my age and having that regret. That sounds a lot worse than a broken heart to me.” Mabel’s eyes soften as she stares at the wall, clearly not really seeing it.

“Mabel?” I ask softly.

“Oh, silly me.” Mabel shakes her head. “I was thinking about my Harold.”

“Tell me.” I smile. “It’s your turn to share your love story.”

Mabel smiles softly and sighs. “I met Harold when I was fourteen. I was at a dance hall up in the mountains, and it was so crowded. It felt like I couldn’t see past the end of my nose because of all the people, but that didn’t stop Harold. He spotted me across the room and shoved his way through to get to me. He was nineteen, and my brothers did not seem too impressed with how interested he was.” Mabel must see my mouth start to open to interrupt her story. “No, no, no. Don’t say it. It was a different time and we didn’t start dating immediately. He waited years for me. He was so romantic—always driving to see me, bringing me flowers and endearing himself to my parents. In preparation for our future together, I’m sure.” Mabel smiles broadly.

“We had a great life together. Full of trips, kids, grandkids, memories. Did you know that we golfed on four continents? We volunteered in our church together and built a business together. We were everything to each other, and all because he knew when he saw me in a crowded dance hall when I was only fourteen.” Her smile falls into a sad expression. “Nothing could have kept us apart, and I never imagined him dying when he was sixty. But just like he waited for me then, he’s waiting for me now. To finish living so I can have more stories to tell him.”

I reach up and brush a tear from my cheek.

Mabel shuffles over and grabs my hands. “I say go for it. Live big. No one gets out alive, but don’t you want a great story to tell?” I stare at her for a moment, letting her words tumble around in my brain. Will I have a great story to tell? Is that what I want? “Julia, tomorrow night is Halloween. Do you have plans? We get a bunch of trick-or-treaters early in the evening, and then it quiets down. Will you come help pass out candy? You should bring your friends.”

“You don’t have any grandkids that would want to do it?”

“Oh, pish. My granddaughter is too busy for me. And honestly, she can be a bit of a pill. Don’t tell her, but I’d much rather have you here.” Mabel pats my hand and I clear my throat uncomfortably.

“Your secret is safe with me, especially since I don’t know who she is. Miss Mabel, I would love to come. I’ll be here at five.” I squeeze her hand and wave goodbye, her question still living in my mind.