Must Love Flowers(78)
“She seemed to think so. I have a feeling the session helped her as much as it did Roy.”
Opening the door for her, Phil said, “That’s good news, too. I hope you aren’t wearing yourself out.”
“I’m good.” Joan’s days had purpose now. “I talked to the school district about becoming a volunteer tutor.” The inspiration had come from Maggie and also the neighborhood children, Ellie and Todd. They were frequent visitors these days. They used visiting Edison as an excuse, but Joan knew the cookies she offered them were an equal draw to their affection for her puppy.
“So you followed through with that?”
She smiled, because it sounded as if he’d doubted her. Last meeting was when she’d mentioned becoming a tutor. This evening she hoped to fill everyone in on her latest commitment. She’d stopped off as well at the local nursing home and set up a time each week to bring Edison in to lift the spirits of the seniors residing there.
When they came into the room, Joan noticed that Mary Lou had saved the chair next to her. Doug sat on her other side and Sally was there early, too. They didn’t lack for conversation before three others joined, along with Dr. O’Brien.
The hour passed swiftly, as it did every week. It hardly seemed any time at all. Mary Lou and Joan walked to the parking lot together after assuring everyone they’d join them at Shari’s for coffee and pie.
“Have you noticed how Doug makes a point of sitting next to you every week?” Joan asked her friend as they walked to their respective cars parked next to each other. “I think he might be interested in you.”
“What?” Mary Lou adamantly shook her head. “You’re imagining things.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” She jiggled her eyebrows and enjoyed Mary Lou’s flustered look.
Not to be outdone, Mary Lou returned, “Speaking of someone being interested, have you noticed the way Phil looks at you lately?”
“Phil? No. He doesn’t look at me any different now than when I first joined the group.”
Mary Lou slowly shook her head. “None are so blind as those who cannot see. Isn’t that how the saying goes? Why else do you think he’d give up his weekends to help at the house? It isn’t for Maggie that he’s put in all those hours painting. He did it for you.”
“Do you think?” Joan needed to mull this over. Phil hadn’t shown any outward signs of affection. Sure, he’d been the first one to volunteer, and had started with the lawn. When he’d returned later to pitch in as needed, she’d been pleasantly surprised. With so much work to be done, Maggie, and Joan, too, appreciated all the help they could get.
The parking at Shari’s was often limited, so Mary Lou and Joan drove together. They didn’t speak much. For her part, Joan was mulling over Mary Lou’s insight into Phil. She had to wonder if Phil was interested, and, more important, if she was ready.
In another few weeks, it would be five years since Jared’s passing. As Emmie was quick to remind her, Joan had a lot of life left in her. Of one thing she was certain: If she was ever thinking about a new relationship, she would like it to be with Phil.
From what he’d told her, Joan knew that Phil hadn’t been in any romantic relationship since he’d lost his daughter. The subject came up again a few weeks back when a newer group member had started dating a short while after his wife’s passing. Phil had advised against starting a relationship too soon and mentioned that he felt he had to be emotionally healthy before he would consider dating anyone.
“You’re quiet all of a sudden,” Mary Lou commented as they arrived at their destination.
“We both are.”
“True,” Mary Lou agreed. “I’ve mostly adjusted to widowhood. It’s been over three years now, but even after all that time, it still feels like yesterday. The group has made a world of difference. And palling around with you and the others, too.”
Joan felt the same. Her life was far better than it had been at any time since Jared’s passing.
And to think it’d all started with a nasty letter from her HOA.
Chapter 31
The weather over Labor Day Weekend couldn’t have been more perfect. The sun was out, and a warm breeze tempered the eighty-degree high predicted for Saturday afternoon.
Joan had everything set up for the barbecue with her friends. Within a few months, that’s what each one had become—a treasured friend. They were the ones who’d showed her the path to new possibilities and the promise of the future.
Her sons, along with Maggie and Zoe, had left earlier in the afternoon and were headed to the Seattle Center for Bumbershoot, where an entire venue of events was lined up. Joan couldn’t remember seeing Steve and Nick this happy. Her sons were both doing well in their selected careers, but, more important, in their personal lives, and that was all she’d ever wanted for them. In the years since losing their father, their bond had grown deeper, in part because of their concern for her. Joan enjoyed the banter between them, the inside jokes, the teasing, and the laughter. They were best friends along with being brothers.
Meeting Zoe highlighted the holiday weekend. Joan had instantly fallen in love with her son’s fiancée. It didn’t take her long to recognize that the young woman was a good match for her goal-driven son. Zoe brought balance into the relationship. She was bright and warm: exactly the kind of woman Steve needed to show him the fun side of life. The three of them had forged a deeper, more loving relationship in the last four months since she’d started on the road to acceptance and healing.