Marianne's Vacation

Marianne's Vacation

  by

  Meridith Rae Morgan

  Copyright 2010 Meredith Morgan

  All Rights Reserved

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  Introduction

  Marianne hung up the phone and then called Christa. After they chatted for a few minutes, Marianne said, "Sweetheart, I have a huge favor to ask of you. I know you're busy, but this is extremely important. Is there any way you could tear yourself away tomorrow to come for a brief visit. I have something very important to tell you and I don't want to do it on the phone. I know it's a lot of driving, but could you come tomorrow?"

  "Are you sick?"

  "No. I am absolutely fine. I have a story to tell you that I should have shared with you a long time ago. I need to tell it to you in person."

  "How long do you want me to stay?"

  "Only for the day. I have to go to the airport in Atlanta the next day. Perhaps you could spend the night and drop me at the airport on your way home."

  Christa sighed and said, "I'll come tomorrow and I'll spend the night. I'll take you to the airport on Thursday and see you off; I will not just drop you off on the sidewalk, for Pete's sake. Where are you going? What on earth is up with you, Mom?"

  "Thank you. I really appreciate your willingness to humor an old lady. As for where I am going: I am going to LA. Maybe I can see Madeleine while I am there."

  "What possessed you to take off for Los Angeles of all places on such short notice?"

  "That is what I want to tell you about. In person."

  "How long will you be gone?"

  "Somewhere between four days and forever."

  "Mom, are you sure you're okay?"

  "I'm fine. I'll see you tomorrow. Call me when you get close and I'll have lunch ready."

  Christa arrived around noon the following day. Marianne was sitting in the living room with a box wrapped in a quilted cover lying on the ottoman in front of her. They went into the kitchen for a quick lunch of tea, tuna salad sandwiches and deviled eggs. Christa watched her mother suspiciously. Marianne seemed perfectly calm and within her faculties.

  After lunch, Marianne led Christa into the living room and sat down on the couch, patting the cushion beside her in a silent invitation. She put the box on the couch between them and laid her hand on it, as if drawing courage from it.

  "I should have told you this story long time ago, but, frankly, it's not a story a woman like me would ordinarily tell her daughter.

  "I know that most people around here think of me as prim and proper Mary Corbett, the dutiful wife, pitiful widow, community volunteer, cook and damned-fine canasta player. All of that is true, and I've been very happy in my life here. For some reason, maybe because I'm getting old, it has seemed important to me to reconnect with my past, and now it is also important that you understand there is more to me than I have let anybody see.

  "Given that I have never previously talked about such personal things with anyone, I am pretty sure that the next few hours are going to be very difficult for both of us. I can tell you now that we are both going to be embarrassed by parts of this story, but I want you to hear all of it. It is important to me for you to know about my past in order for you to understand the reason behind what I plan to do next."