"Thank you," I said.
After I hung up, I told everything to Mrs. Westington.
"Well, that's good your lawyer's doing all that." she said. But I can just imagine what he's going to charge. My husband used to say they get a clock embedded in their hearts as soon as they pass the bar exam."
"I don't care about the money." I said sharply.
She looked up at me a moment and then nodded. "You will, Sooner or later." she said. She looked at the potatoes I had peeled. "Now, cut them into quarters." she said. "I'm cooking them in the gravy. That's the way Trevor likes them. Then go get whatever you need out of that monstrosity and take a hot bath. There's nice bath powder in the bathroom. One thing my daughter made sure of was that she was in the pink all the time."
I started to cut the potatoes. "Why did you send your granddaughter away like that when she was coming down the stairs with me?" I asked.
"She's too desperate," she replied.
"Desperate? Desperate for what?" I asked.
She hesitated. her eyes softening a bit. "For love," she said, and turned to put the beans in a pot.
Epilogue
. When I was finished with the potatoes. Mrs. Westin ton again insisted I go up and take a hot bath. I went back into the motor home to get some clothing and other things I would need. The moment I stepped into it. I started to cry. Gazing about at Uncle Palaver's things made me feel so sad for him. Before I left. I did a strange thing. I went back to the bedroom and looked at the Destiny doll. The head was turned toward the door, and the eyes were open. Of course. I was projecting into the doll what was really in me, but it looked truly sad. It brought more tears to my eyes. I sighed and hurried out of the motor home.
When I went back upstairs. I saw Echo's door open slightly and caught her peering out at me. I smiled at her and then went into my room and ran the bath. I nearly fell asleep soaking in the warm, perfumed water. After I came out of the bathroom to get dressed. I found Echo sitting on the bed looking at my things. She smiled at me and began to sign. I shook my head.
"I'm sorry. I can't follow you," I said. I shrugged, and she looked disappointed. I was sure she was asking me a dozen questions about everything. Even though it seemed silly. I continued to talk to her, retelling my story, what had happened. why I was there. She looked as if she were listening, and I imagined that from time to time, she was picking up some of it by lip reading. I made a gesture to indicate eating, and she nodded and smiled. This time, maybe her grandmother wouldn't yell at her when we descended together. I thought.
Mrs. Westington had set the table and begun to bring in bread and butter, salt and pepper, and a jug of water. I saw there were four places. She looked at the two of us and then sidled at Echo, who immediately went to the kitchen to help bring in the food. I joined her.
When we returned to the dining room. Trevor had arrived, wearing a clean white shirt and a pair of black slacks. His hair was brushed neatly.
"Everything smells as good as ever." he said. "You'd say that no matter what." Mrs. Westington told him. She gestured at Echo, who sat
across from Trevor. I sat next to her. Then she surprised me by gesturing again at Echo and lowering her head.
Echo then said grace through her signing. Mrs. Westington kept an eye on her, and when Echo was finished, both she and Trevor raised their heads and said. "Amen."
Echo smiled at me with pride at her
accomplishment, and I smiled back.
"Thank you for your hospitality," I told Mrs. Westington as she began to pass the dishes of food around.
She paused, looked at Echo, who was beaming at me, and then shook her head.
"Everything in this world happens for a reason," she began. "We don't see the reason right away and sometimes not for years and years."
"Amen to that:" Trevor said.
She looked at him and pulled her lips back so the corners deepened. He glanced at me and concentrated on his food.
"Often, one person's hardship is another person's blessing. The secret is to keep yourself open and willing to enjoy the mysteries of the Lord. You understand me?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Maybe you do; maybe you don't. Right now, it doesn't matter all that much. When you're older, as old as Trevor and me, it will matter."
She stopped, turned sharply at Echo, who was still staring at me, and then poked her shoulder with a spoon. She signed something angrily, and Echo started to eat.
"I got a real burden here," Mrs. Westington continued. "I do the best I can. but I'm the first to admit, it's not enough."