Out of Closet (B&T time-travel romance), Ch. 48

Chapter 48: Letting go of the past (Bette and Tina continue their search and Alice is almost ready to intervene)

(Previously) “Christina, dear…you’ve grown so much since I saw you last,” Mrs. Parker interrupted her but seeing the confusion on Tina’s face added, “I was a friend of your grandmother, Lydia…I think last time I saw you, you were only nine or ten.”

“Are you one of those nice ladies who used to gather once a month for some afternoon tea and discussion with grandma Kennard?” Tina asked, recognizing something familiar in the old lady’s appearance.

“Yes, I was,” Mrs. Parker’s face brightened up. “You know, it actually started as a book club but gradually turned into a discussion club. We were talking about everything, from family problems and cooking recipes to politics and feminism. How’s Lydia doing? I haven’t heard from her in years,” she added, inviting them inside the house.

“Not that good,” Tina replied gravely, “She has Alzheimer’s and is living in Boston…she’s in the nursing home.”

“Oh, dear…” Mrs. Parker exclaimed, clasping her hands. Just then they heard the oven timer going off and she smiled, “Good timing, girls…would you like some fresh oatmeal raisin cookies with tea or lemonade?”

After the table was served, Mrs. Parker looked at Tina and asked, “So, dear Christina…what are you doing here and how may I help you?”

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Place: Chapel Hill, NC – former Kennard house

Year: March 10, 2006

Tina told the old lady the story about selling the house and the forgotten chest in the attic.

“It’s interesting that you mentioned the chest, my dear,” Mrs. Parker said, “I never even visited the attic for the first three years that I’ve been living in this house. About a year ago…yes, I think in July or August of last year…we had an unusually rainy summer and the roof began leaking. I called the Roofing Company and it was the first time I actually visited the attic. The leak was right above this huge wooden chest and the contractors were asking where they should move it. It was too heavy and we opened it so we could remove the contents.”

Mrs. Parker brought more lemonade to the table and continued, “Most of the stuff was your usual junk, you know…old rugs, newspapers. Underneath it all we found six or seven old canvasses of unfinished paintings. Pretty good they were, I might add, so it was a pity they were never finished. Most of them were damaged already because of the leaking roof. I donated them to the local school so they could use them in their art classes.”