Nothing Sacred

“So you think that’s what upset her?”

“It didn’t seem to, but then, with her I never know anymore.” She finished the blouse, placed it on a hanger. Moved the phone to her other shoulder.

“Don’t get discouraged, Martha. She’s dealing with a lot right now. She’ll be back.”

“It’s kind of hard not to get discouraged when one day you have four children who share their lives with you and then seemingly overnight, you’ve lost touch with all of them.”

“You’ve lost touch with Tim?”

“He seems to have forgotten all the manners I ever taught him. And he’s forgotten I’m the boss and that when I say something, I mean it. I used to be able to tell that kid to do some chore and know it would get done. Now I have to yell at him.”

“Does he do it then?”

“Usually, yes.”

“I suspect he’s going through some growing pains,” David said. “Coming into his manhood, throwing his weight around. This is usually a time when a father’s influence comes in handy,” he added softly.

Martha picked up another blouse.

“But don’t worry. He’ll get through it. And be the better for it. Maybe even better than if he had a father sitting on him all the time.”

Okay, she could live with that. She’d just iron and wait.

“What about Rebecca?”

“She seems to be getting lost in the crowd. She used to bring so much joy to our lives, but right now it’s overshadowed by Tim’s unruliness, Shelley’s belligerence and Ellen’s despair.”

“Joy is stronger than all of those.”

Damn, but she was tired. Almost tired enough to settle for one of the preacher’s fluffy clouds. Just for tonight…

“Stronger than all of them put together?”

“Absolutely.”

“You’re full of it, you know, Marks?”

She couldn’t bring herself to call him “preacher.” Or to wipe the smile completely off her face.

It wasn’t like he could see it, anyway.

“You’ll learn to appreciate me someday.”

“Hmm.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. Or was afraid that if she opened her mouth, she’d regret the words that came tumbling out.

“So,” she said into the silence that had fallen. “When are we going to Phoenix?”

“Did I say you were coming?”

“That was the deal.”

He didn’t reply.

“Unless you want me to tell Greg about your plans?”

“I’m going tomorrow evening.”

Tim had a game. One she’d have to miss. She’d call Phyllis. And ask Keith if he’d go.