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.It would have to do.Irritably, I remembered I hadn t brought in mysuitcases.With a scowl, I forced my legs into my soggyjeans.I d just run back out in the rain real fast and grabthem out of the car before I went to find Maudra.As I left the bathroom, I glanced into mybedroom.It was a beautiful space.Light yellow curtainsand a cream-colored bedspread warmed up the softwhite room.It was fresh and cheerful.I was sure mypresence would bring a shadow to dampen it to a dullgray.With surprise, I noticed my suitcases standing sideby side at the foot of the mahogany bed.In silent thanksto Maudra, I picked up the larger suitcase and placed iton the bed.After unzipping it, I pulled out socks andunderwear, my favorite pair of jeans, and a simple lightblue T-shirt.I managed to tear off the clinging wet jeansand toweled off again.After I got dressed and hung up my wet clothes over the bathtub, I forced myself tohead downstairs to find Maudra.Although it had been years since I d been inMaudra s house, very little had changed, and Iremembered my way around.I went back downstairsand passed the door I d come in, then through theformal living room.As a kid, I d never noticed all theantique furniture that filled every usable space.Everything was clean and neat, all the furniture polishedso it gleamed.The house had a very homey feel, but itwas so jam-packed that it seemed a little cluttered andhaphazard.My sock feet didn t make any noise as Icontinued on into the small library.A baby grand pianoin the center of the room filled the space.It was a deeprusset color and had an oriental scarf thrown over thetop of it.With a rush, a vivid memory invaded my mind.I could see a young Donnie sitting at the piano as hishands flew over the keys.He d always been anexceptional piano player, even at an early age.I d oftensit beside him on the bench or stand over his shoulder and sing with him.I went over and lightly ran my fingersover the keys.It was all I could do to not sit down atthe bench and rest in the memory.For so long, I hadn tallowed myself to remember any of the good times I dhad that I d forgotten how many things I d loved.A picture frame sat on the small table next to thepiano.In it was a black-and-white photograph of agorgeous woman.There was no doubt that it was of amuch younger Maudra.She was probably aroundtwenty years old, the same flowing curls down herback.She had on a long billowing black dress with puffsleeves and a high lace collar.On her shoulder sat alarge Macaw parrot.Apparently, Scamper wasn t herfirst unusual pet.I glanced back at her stunning face.Itwas truly a mystery how she d managed to nevermarry.Next to her was a man in a black dress shirt andwhite pleated slacks.He was tall and lanky.The onlyway to describe him was pretty.He would have been abeautiful woman.I placed the photo back in its spot onthe doily-covered table and headed into the adjacentroom. Maudra was waiting for me at the table when Iwalked into the kitchen.She looked up from whatappeared to be hot tea and smiled at me sweetly. There ya are, dear.Appears that bath did you somegood.Ya look much better. She patted the chairbeside her. Come and sit with me, child.So, didjaenjoy that picture of me by the piana? I was quite thefox back then.Not that you d know it by lookintoday. Her smile broadened as she flipped a strand ofhair over her shoulder.I went over and took a seat, looking for theMaudra I d seen in the picture.I found, now that I hadthe image in mind, that it wasn t hard to see at all.Shehad to be right at seventy-five years old, but I could stillsee the girl from the photo looking back at me.Her facewas smoother than her hands, with only fine wrinklesaround her eyes and mouth.Her paper-thin skin hadonly recently started to loosen.She looked like she wasusing less makeup than I remembered, pink lipstick anddusty-rose eye shadow over her olive-green eyes.Somehow the effect made her look younger than shedid all those years ago when I knew her.Her hair had quite a bit more gray in it than I remembered but wasstill as luxurious as ever.The dress she was wearingwas of the same style as the one in the photograph, onlythis one was more simple, sage green with lace aroundthe neckline and sleeves.She had her shoes off, and Icould see her tiny toes had been painted to match herdress. Thank you for bringing in my suitcases, Maudra.I feel horrible that you had to struggle with those up thestairs.I would have brought them in. Nonsense, child.I m as strong as ever I was. She patted my knee. Now you jist settle down thereand let me get you some stew and bread.You wantsome sweet tea? She raised an eyebrow at me. Orwould you prefer a beer? I managed one of my rehearsed smiles. Sweettea will be fine.Thank you, though. In silence, I watched Maudra flit around herkitchen, pulling out two large blue bowls and ladling thestew into them, filling large glasses with tea, andreaching into the oven and removing a plate heaping with huge cornbread muffins.She sat them all on thetable and then went back to the refrigerator and broughtover a small dish covered in plastic wrap. Honeybutter, dear.Just whipped it together this mornin.Itneeded time to set. She sat in her chair and smoothedout her skirt before she placed a napkin in her lap
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