The call ended a few minutes later with Joan smiling so big her mouth hurt.
She barely had time to process the news when the front door opened and Nick and Maggie arrived.
Nick carted Maggie’s suitcase up to the bedroom while she announced their arrival.
“It’s good to have you back,” Joan said, hugging her close. Because they’d been together practically every day since Maggie had moved out, it didn’t seem that they’d been apart at all.
“It’s good to be back.”
Joan realized what a big day this was for Maggie and her father. “How’d it go?” she asked. The center had asked Maggie to attend a meeting with her father and she’d spent the morning with him.
Maggie looked pleased. “I got to see Dad for the first time since he checked in, and after the meeting, I promised him he could count on me to be there for any further family counseling sessions. He’s stayed sober this long.” This was said with both pride and a mixture of surprise. “I can only hope he learns the skills he’s going to need to maintain his sobriety.”
That was Joan’s hope, too. Already she’d seen a change in Roy in the three weeks since he’d taken his last drink. He’d helped as best he could with the work on the house. She didn’t expect him to show his gratitude for all those who’d stepped up on his behalf. To her surprise, right before he entered rehab, Roy had thanked them with tears in his eyes. Most of the time, he’d loudly complained and then made them iced tea. Maggie assured her this was her father’s way of showing his appreciation.
What Joan found the most gratifying was the change in Roy’s attitude toward Maggie. He actually showed his daughter affection. Limited to a fleeting smile or a nod in her direction, but still, it was there. Joan certainly noticed, and she was confident Maggie did as well.
“I didn’t set anything out for dinner,” Joan said, regretting that she hadn’t thought far enough ahead that morning before she left to work at Roy’s house.
“No worries, Nick and I are going out for pizza.”
Her younger son entered the kitchen. “Want to join us, Mom?”
“No thanks, I’ve got my group tonight.” Tired as she was, Joan wouldn’t miss another meeting. Every week, she came away with a fresh insight and deepening friendships. The coffee, and often pie, gathering after the meetings was its own therapy session. This was the time when the deep friendships formed.
“I forgot it’s Wednesday,” Maggie said. Little wonder, after all the hours the young woman had put in working on her father’s house. Joan was there most days, and Nick stopped by after work and on weekends, often bringing along a few friends who owed him favors.
Nick had his arm around Maggie’s waist. It went without comment that the two had fallen in love.
“By the way,” Joan said, “I heard from Steve. It seems he told you about his wedding plans before me.”
Nick grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, he was pretty pleased with himself. I haven’t met Zoe, but I like her already.”
“Me, too.”
“They’re coming to town Labor Day so we can all meet her.”
This was news. Excited as he was, Steve had forgotten to mention that during their conversation.
Nick added, “Steve, Zoe, Maggie, and I are planning to attend Bumbershoot together.”
Bumbershoot was an annual art and music festival celebrated over Labor Day Weekend. She’d attended the festival several times with Jared over the years. Bumbershoot. The word was a colloquial term for umbrella, which Joan found fitting for anyone living in the rainy Pacific Northwest. However, someone using an umbrella was immediately classified as a tourist. Those who lived in the region rarely bothered, as most of the rainfall came in the form of drizzle.
“Oh dear.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just that I asked my support group to a barbecue that Saturday.” She’d issued the invitation at their last session. Her small group of friends had sounded pleased and excited to see the beautiful yard Joan had so often mentioned, giving Phil credit.
Nick quickly dismissed her concern. “No problem, Mom. We’ll be gone all day. You have your fun with your friends.”
After unloading Maggie’s vehicle, the two were off for pizza, their laughter echoing through the house as they left.
* * *
—
Joan showered and changed clothes before her meeting, eager to see her friends. When she arrived at the counseling center, Phil was in the parking lot, waiting for her.
He’d been wonderful with Maggie and Roy, helping out with far more than the work on the yard. Even his father had helped. Phil had given up his weekend to help paint the outside of the house. He worked next to Roy and the two had struck up what appeared to be an engaging conversation. Even better, during that time, Joan hadn’t heard Maggie’s father complain even once. That was a small miracle.
“Did everything go well with Maggie’s meeting with Roy?” Phil asked.
“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.”