Me either. I have no idea what Im even doing here.
Okay, Poppy thought. So the Price woman wasnt the stiff-as-dried-mud preachy type shed instantly assumed. But they were still from alien planets. Price was wearing a mid-calf-length dress, a print with little flowers and a tidy belt. Her wheat-pale hair swayed just to her shoulders, curling under, a style that suited her perfectly. Her posture was perfect. In fact, she could have aced the course in modesty and decorumwhich Poppy couldnt do if her life depended on itand most aggravating of all, the damn woman was beautiful.
Their ages were similar; she had to be late 30s, early 40s. But she was one of those classic beauties, great bones, striking blue eyes, a tall, reed-slim figure. No hips. How could Poppy ever relate to someone who didnt know what a hip was? And the darn woman looked that good without any makeup or artifice in sight. It was enough to make Poppy want to smack her upside the head, just on general principle.
Once ushered into Cal Ashers office, Poppy quickly took the far leather chair and stretched out her legs, work boots and all. Ms. Prissy Price took the chair next to her and sat as if she were happy with a ruler up her spine.
Cal was just putting something out of sight in a side desk drawer. Poppy wasnt born yesterday; she saw him rub an arm across his mouth, clearly wiping the last traces of liquor from the swig hed just stolen. He smiled at both of them, looking much like a genial Mark Twain from a century bygonegive or take the rheumy eyes. Ladies, if you dont know each other, Poppy, meet Bren, and vice versa.
They did a mutual obligatory nod, then quickly ignored each other. I hope this wont take too long, Cal, Ive got a ton of work waiting, Poppy said briskly.
Ah, yes. Dont we all. With a dramatic flair, Cal slowly stood, shifted a bad print of hunting dogs to the side and turned the dials on a large wall safe. Eventually he pulled out two boxesthey looked like plain old childrens shoe boxesand set them on his desk. Do you ladies know an old woman named Maude Rose?
This is about Maude? Bren said bewilderedly. But she died several weeks ago.
Exactly. I was her attorney. Her estate was somewhat complicated because, well, Maude Rose tended to be a little on the complicated side herself. Certain situations had to be ascertained and resolved before I could contact either of you, even though you were both directly mentioned in her will. Cal settled back in his old leather desk chair. The state has always had the peculiar idea that a persons bills should be paid and that no lien should remain on property or belongings before any legacies can be given away. Also, no one thought Maude Rose had any relatives, partly because she mentioned none in her will and no one ever saw anybody visit her. But that had to be verified, as well, before I could contact either of you. As you might suspect, when theres money involved, its amazing how many shirt-tail relatives can suddenly show up out of the woodwork just in time to make claims.
Mr. Asher, Bren said quietly, if Maude Rose mentioned me in any way in her will, you can just give it to charity. Im certainly not entitled to anything.
Poppy rolled her eyes. How sanctimonious could you get? Not that she wanted anything of Maude Roses either. The town had treated the poor old woman like dirt. It had always infuriated her.
And Poppy was quickly guessing what this meeting was really about. Rose had no one, so obviously someone had to clean up her place and dispose of all her junk.
Hell. Shed roll up her sleeves if she had to. Better than have strangersor people whod been mean to herpaw through Maude Roses private things.
Did you hear me, Poppy? Cal asked.
Nope. Sorry, I drifted off there for a second. She straightened up, determined to pay more attention. The last thing she wanted was to cause this meeting to drag out any longer than it had to.
Well nowMaude Rose felt folks treated her like a pariah. Of course, she was quite a liberal for these parts, marching for women and homosexuals and abortion and atheists and what all.
Poppy didnt want to interrupt, but damn, she could hardly let that go. Uh, Cal? Being a supporter of women doesnt exactly label one as a wild-eyed liberal these days.
Maybe not for you, Poppy. Your family has only been in this area for three or four generations, he said with utter gravity. But the point I was trying to make was, you know what people thought when they saw Maude Rose. It wasnt just her politics. It was her walking down the public street in her bedroom slippers, wearing all kinds of gaudy jewelry, hanging out hours in Mannys Bar. And though most werent aware, shed been losing her sight for some time. Truth to tell, that might have contributed to how flagrantly she dressed sometimes and why folks were so sure shed lost her noodles.
If shed lost her mindor her sightthat was even less excuse for how some treated her, Bren said gently.
Cal Asher nodded. Believe me, I know. Several times, the town council tried to have her put away. Had her tested to see if they could institutionalize her against her will. And then she was arrested twice last year for disturbing the peace. The mayor didnt take it too kindly when she chose to burn her underwear in his front yard. Cal scratched his chin. I seem to have forgotten exactly what that was all about, but it sure got this town buzzing. Anywaylet me read you the paragraph in the will that Maude wrote specifically to you two.
Cal opened his desk drawer, fumbled for his glasses and eventually found a pair to prop on his nose. Poppy doubted anyone could see through the lenses, they were so smudged up, but Cal was clearly into drama and he seemed determined to draw this out.
People liked thinking the worst of me from the day I was born, Cal read. Just like everybody else, Id have lived decent if Id had the chance or the choice. But I never did. My mom died too young and my daddy was a crook. I was selling my body before I was twelve to put food in my mouth, and Ill be damned if I should feel guilty for fighting to survive. One person loved me for all I was, all I wanted to be, but Bobby Ray died a long time ago. Since then, I stopped caring. But sometimes it scraped hard when people were so mean. They didnt know me. They didnt try to know me. They were just in an all-fired hurry to decide who I was without ever even knocking on my door.
Cal glanced up to make sure they were paying attention, then read on. But there was an exception. Two women in Righteous. Cal whispered, She spelled exception wrong and quite a number of other words, too, but
Just go on, Cal, Poppy said. We already know she wasnt a Rhodes scholar.
I am, I am. Cal cleared his throat and put on his speech voice again.
The same two women stood up for me more than once. And for all the choices I never had, Id like to give them each a choice or two. It isnt payback, because kindness never pays back in real life. But Im dead now, so I dont have to worry about real life. And I like the idea of giving you two something for no other reason than that you was both good to me.
Cal glanced up again. He looked as if hed like to spin this out a while longer, but it seemed he only had one more thing to say. Short and sweet, she left you her jewelry, ladies.
Her jewelry? Poppys jaw almost fell to the floor. She well remembered all the gaudy stones Maude Rose had piled on from her neck to her wrists to her ears and fingers. If there was a cheap rhinestone ever made, Maude Rose seemed to own it.
Her jewelry? Bren echoed and then abruptly chuckled. Im sure she meant well, Mr. Asher, but of all the people in the universe who have no use for costume jewelry
Its not costume. And suddenly Cal stopped smiling. Theres a story behind Maude Rose. Years ago, she had one of her regular johns pay her in bank stock. Seemed that bank stock belonged to his grandpa and it was for a bank that he thought folded during the Depression. Anyhoothats what Maude Rose thoughtthat the stock was worthlessand she just put it in a box and forgot about it. But later, when her Bobby Ray died, she needed to clean up things, so she brought me this whole grocery bag worth of papers to sort through. It seems that bank had long revived, got a new name, been building interest for years. So it was at that point she knew she had some decent money. She wasnt going to have to worry about her future anymore.
But I dont understand, Poppy interrupted. I know she had that one-room apartment, but she always looked like a bag lady. No car. Weve all seen her pay for groceries with change shed count out one dime at a time. If she had money
She was afraid. Cal answered the question that no one had directly asked. Once her lover died, she was afraid shed be prey to thieves and gold diggers. So she chose to live in a way that would protect her from anyone knowing how much she had.
He pushed one box toward Bren, the other toward Poppy, but then cautioned them both. Were not talking millions here, so dont be getting your hopes up too high. All those baubles arent real. But even so, I think youll be plum surprised at what she left you. But
Before either could open their boxes, he waggled a finger at them. I cant tell you what to do, but Im telling you this. Maude wanted you two to keep this quiet. She didnt want your spouses or friends or family or anyone else to know about this. Thats why she insisted I set up this meeting with you two alone. Maude trusted no one. You can understand. People always used her roughly. And that was exactly why she wanted you two to hear about this in the privacy of this office with no one else hereso youd have something you didnt have to share. That no one knew about, so they couldnt take it away from you. Something you could use for a little nest egg or to protect yourself or for something you never dreamed you could have otherwise. I cant tell you how strongly she felt about this. She didnt want anyone to try to influence you as to how you used your legacy from her.
Enough speeches. Poppy couldnt wait any longer to push the lid off her box. Hearing the whole story had almost made her believe the contents would be gorgeousbut no.
Shed seen all this cheap-looking crap on Maude Rose a zillion times. There were a couple of rings as big as her knuckle, earrings so heavy theyd tear out an earlobe. One bracelet looked like a cuff worn by a prisoner in a state pen, and a whole bunch of sparkly, glittery pins shaped like bugs and reptiles.
If it would save a puppys life, Poppy would happily walk down a street naked. It wasnt as if she had any reason to be invested in appearance issues, with her looks. But man, it would have to be Halloweenand shed need a snootful of Jack Danielsbefore shed ever wear any of this stuff.
Youre sure this isnt junk? she insisted. Its hard to believe any of this is worth last years newspaper.
Some of it is definitely worthless. But not all.
But Poppy glanced at Bren, who finally couldnt resist opening her box either. The jewelry was all different, but the array of dazzling sparklers in Brens box looked as if it came off the same Cracker Jack assembly line. Tasteless, bulky, big stones in an array of eccentric and crazy-shaped bracelets and brooches and rings.
Although Poppy normally couldnt imagine having anything in common with the pastors wife, the two women shared a mirrored look of helplessness and humor.
I think, Bren confessed, that Im just too stunned to say much of anything.
If I might offer some advice, Cal said, I suggest that both of you take these things immediately to a jeweler to have them appraised. And then take them straight to a lockbox until youre certain what you wish to do with them.
For my part, Bren said, I want to give them to a charity
And of course you can do whatever you like, Cal said. Thats not my business. But Id ask you to remember Maude Roses wishes. Most of her life, she felt trapped. She had to do things she never wanted to do. Because you were good to her, she wanted you to think about something you really wanted in your life that you never thought you could have. And to use the value of the jewelry for something that you really, really wanted.
Poppy stood. She felt odd, as if shed been slapped by a kiss. Not that there was anything bad about this unexpected windfall, but it was still a shock. She needed some time to wrap her mind around this whole goofy thing. Bren Price looked as if she couldnt come up with anything more to say either.
Cal had a few more lawyer things to rant about before they could leave. I need you both to sign some papers before you take the boxes. And I want to give you both a key to her apartment. The rents paid through the end of the month, and thenunless one of you wants the placeIll get a Realtor to do something with it. Until then, though, ladies, dont be foolish. Get yourselves to a reputable jeweler as soon as you have a chance. And keep this to yourselves until you do.
The women walked through the vestibule and out the front door at the same time. Once in the fresh air, Poppy took a healthy gulp of oxygen. Bren, quiet as the breeze, took a long second to catch her breath, as well.
I just cant seem to believe this, Poppy said bluntly.
Me either.
I cant possibly go to a jeweler right now. Ive got a whole day of work scheduled.
So do I. My husband doesnt even know where I am. I cant just disappear for another couple hours, not right now. Bren added, I keep thinking this is some kind of joke. That in another minute or two someones going to tell me the real punch line.
I have no use or interest in her apartment. But Ill check it out as soon as I can get some free time. I dont know if there are things to be cleaned up or if she has any personal, private belongings still in the place.
The same problem occurred to me, Bren agreed. I dont like the idea of going through her personal things. But it just seemsrespectfulto have someone who cared about her do the job. Assuming it hasnt already been done.
Poppy wouldnt have used the word respectful, but she felt the same. I dont care if you do it or I do.
Same here.
Neither seemed willing to push the other to a decision. They stood on the porch for a while longer until the awkward silence between them stretched like a too-taut rubber band. Poppy couldnt think of anything to say to the other woman. It just felt weird leaving her, almost as weird as the impossibly strange last hour theyd just spent together.
Craziest of alleven kind of funnywas that Maude Rose must have thought the two were similar if shed chosen them out of the whole population in Righteous to give her special legacy to. Poppy felt as much in common with Bren as a can of peas and had no doubt the other woman felt the same way.
Well, Bren said finally, I have to get going. Im sure you do, too, Poppy. Good luck to you.