“Maggie seemed perfect,” Charlene said again. “I felt terrible telling her the news.”
Charlene held Joan’s eye. “Do you think taking in a college student is something that might interest you?”
Slowly, Joan nodded. “I think it just might. I’ll think about it.”
“Wonderful.” Charlene was clearly on board with the idea. “I have Maggie’s contact information and would highly recommend you reach out to her. She seemed delightful. I got the impression things weren’t great for her at home, which made me feel even worse that I had to refuse her.”
Joan needed to think this through before deciding what would be best. “I’m seeing Nick tonight and will discuss it with him. There’s no reason I couldn’t rent out one of the bedrooms.” With both her sons living on their own, their bedrooms had been empty for years.
“Then consider it, Joan. I think it would be good for you and for this young woman. You can decide for yourself after you talk to her.”
Joan was thinking fast, her mind whirling with the possibilities. Having someone live with her wouldn’t be a disruption. She’d welcome the company. While the house had become her sanctuary, it was also cold and silent. It had been meant for a family, for people, not a lonely woman, lost in her grief. Before she decided, however, she would get Nick’s feedback. In the end, though, the decision would be hers.
Meeting Charlene’s gaze, Joan nodded. “Yes, send me her contact information. I’ll give her a call.”
Charlene beamed. “I think that’s a terrific idea.”
The thing was, so did Joan.
Chapter 6
As Joan readied for dinner with Nick, her spirits were high. She’d heard back from Charlene with the contact information for the young nursing student and intended to call Maggie Herbert first thing in the morning. She dressed carefully in a blouse and skirt she’d picked out earlier. Because it remained chilly in the evenings, she added a thin sweater.
Nick arrived right on time. He let himself in and found Joan in the kitchen. When he saw her, he did a double take. His mouth sagged open for a moment before he recovered and closed it. “Mom? Wow. You look great.” He walked a full circle around her, smiling all the while.
“Thanks.”
“I like your hair.”
Her hand automatically went to the side of her head. “I had it styled earlier today by a lovely young woman. I told her all about my handsome son, but she let me know she’s already in a committed relationship.”
“You didn’t,” he said and groaned.
“I did. It’s a shame, because I think the two of you would do well together.”
“Mom,” Nick said, shaking his head. “I don’t need you playing matchmaker.”
“I don’t know what it is with young people these days,” she muttered to herself. By the time she was Nick’s age, Joan was married and pregnant with Steve. From what she’d observed, so many young people tended to wait until their thirties to marry and even later to start a family.
“I appreciate the thought, but I prefer to find my own dates,” Nick said, but not unkindly.
“As you wish.”
“You ready?” Nick asked, jingling the car keys in his hand.
Joan reached for her purse, and Nick led her out of the house and down the stairs. He seemed to notice the condition of the yard and paused outside the door. “If I don’t have to work Saturday, I’ll stop by and mow the lawn.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m actually hiring a lawn service.” She didn’t mention the HOA letter, knowing it would irritate her son as much as it had her. Nor did she want to start their evening on a negative note. Her mind flittered back to the conversation with the man from the lawn service. He seemed friendly and helpful. She looked forward to meeting him and was grateful he hadn’t teased her about the comment that anyone she hired must love flowers.
“You hired a service? When did you do that?” Nick seemed surprised.
“I should say I’m planning on hiring a company for yard maintenance. I’m getting a quote tomorrow from one and another the following day. I’ll go over the cost and review the contract before I make the decision.”
“Good. I wish I was more help than I have been. I know Dad would have wanted me to be available to do these sorts of things for you.” His words were laced with guilt.
“Nonsense,” Joan said, and placed a reassuring hand on his arm. “You have your own life.” She knew early on, after laying Jared to rest, that she couldn’t allow herself to rely on her children. She had to learn to stand on her own, as painful as that was.
He sighed as though relieved, and escorted her to his truck. Ever the gentleman, Nick opened and closed the passenger door and then walked around the front of the vehicle.
“I’m looking forward to Il Lucano,” Nick mentioned as he started the engine.
“Wonderful. I’m happy to hear they survived the lockdown.” From what the local news station had reported, Joan knew that many of the restaurants in the area hadn’t been as fortunate. It pleased her to learn that her favorite restaurant, one where she had enjoyed many celebratory meals with Jared, was still in business.
After they arrived and were seated, Joan was relieved to see that little had changed. The tables were covered with red checkered tablecloths. An empty bottle of Chianti served as the base for a candle that had melted into small rivers down the bottleneck. Traditional atmosphere and traditional Italian recipes. Home cooking, Italian style.
Joan didn’t need to peruse the menu; she ordered the same dish every visit, as the Eggplant Parmesan was her favorite. Jared hadn’t been fond of the vegetable, so she never cooked it.
In contrast, Nick carefully analyzed the menu, as if tempted by a number of dishes. After several minutes, he set aside the menu and said, “I’m going to have the Pasta Bolognese.”
Joan broke into a wide smile.
“What?” Nick asked, cocking his head to one side.
“That was your father’s favorite dish.”
“It was?” He seemed both surprised and delighted. “I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
The server arrived, a young man Joan didn’t recognize, who took their drink orders. Nick asked for the wine list, and together they decided on the Sangiovese. The server left, and Nick leaned back in the chair to ask, “Is that the wine Dad would have ordered?”
“No, he preferred Brunello di Montalcino when he could find it. You know how your father enjoyed discovering new wines.”
Nick shrugged. “I think Dad got into wine more after Steve and I left home.”
Joan agreed as the waiter returned with the bottle and two stemware glasses. After opening and pouring the wine, he was ready to take their dinner orders. It wasn’t long before their meals arrived.
The Eggplant Parmesan was as good as Joan remembered. The wine relaxed her, and for the first time in longer than she could remember she felt like her old self. “I have an idea I’d like your opinion on.”
“Sure, what is it?”
Without going into a lot of detail, she relayed her short conversation with Charlene from that afternoon.