Page 111 of Beneath the Blue Moon

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Well, that didn’t last long. I watch as she jumps up

and hurries off to the kitchen. When I join her, she’s already laid out all

kinds of ingredients on the counter.

“Can you get the mixer down for me, please? I can’t reach it.”

“You don’t need to bake a cake. I can run down to the bakery

and get you something.”

“I know I don’t have to but I want to I love to bake

and I haven’t baked in a while so just let me do it, okay?”

“Okay, okay. I’ll help you.”

“I’ve already measured the butter and the sugar just throw

them into the mixer,” she rambles on, not taking a breath.

I notice she also has a pot of water boiling, to which she

adds salt and the potatoes. Once the butter and sugar are creamed, she pushes

me out of the way and adds the other ingredients.

“Do you do your own shopping, your pantry is like a

supermarket I have everything I need.”

“I have a housekeeper who usually comes in once a week, but

Clara’s been filling in since you’ve been here.”

“Oh.”

She flits around the kitchen like a hummingbird, doing ten

things at once, slapping my hand away when I stick my finger into the batter

for a taste. After removing the roast from the oven, she places the cakes

inside and then drains the potatoes. With a pointed look, she hands me the bowl

and the potato masher.

“Get to it,” she commands.

“Yes, ma’am!”

As I mash away, she reaches around me, adding different

things—more things than I’ve ever added to my mashed potatoes.

“I got this recipe from the Pioneer Woman it looked really good

so I tried it and loved it. You’re gonna love it trust me.”

It’s so funny how fast she’s talking. I’ve never seen anyone

go through the change, though I’ve heard stories. I watch as she adds butter,

cream cheese, heavy cream, salt, and black pepper. Once it’s all mixed, she

places it in a baking dish, adds more butter on top, and pops it into the oven.

Then she starts cleaning. She can’t stand still.

“Let me help.”

“Everything will be ready soon, why don’t you go shower?”

“Are you sure?” I ask.

“Go. I’ve got this.”

Before I even get to the stairs, I sense Charlie. I open the

door, putting my finger to my lips for him to be quiet, then take him to the

end of the driveway where she won’t be able to hear us.

“How is she?”

“Restless,” I answer. “She can’t sit still, she’s talking a

mile a minute, and she’s always hungry.”

“Sounds about right. When are you going to tell her?”

“Tonight.”

He seems a little tense. I realize that since Casey came

into the picture, we haven’t spent much time together.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine. Why?”

“You seem tense.”

“It’s a tense situation.”

“That stuff you told Anna… Is it true?” I ask.

“Yeah. It’s like I feel what you feel. Let me tell you,

these last couple of months have been an emotional rollercoaster.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before?”

He chuckles and bumps my shoulder with his. “Can you imagine

me telling you some shit like I can feel your pain?”

“Yeah, I probably would have punched you in the nose.”

“Exactly.” He chuckles.

“But, if you feel what I feel… Casey?”

“I don’t adopt your feelings or emotions. I just

sense them maybe… the depth… understand them. With Casey, I can feel how much

you love her. I love her, too, but like a sister.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

I nod in understanding, and we turn to head back to the

house. Brick pulls up then, with Sam and Brad. After filling them in, we make

our way inside.