That was all he said, simply “John.” Tanner and Amanda were mystified and speechless. But that didn’t matter, for John talked a mile a minute. Leaning close to Claude, he said in a conspiratorial manner that could be heard three tables away, “They’re slow as molasses. Betcha ol’ Mary Lou had to stop at the ladies’ room and pull up her petticoat. It’s always showin’. And Mama was scared her lipstick would be crooked. And Petey always wets his pants when he gets excited. ‘Course, I never do. Seven’s too old to wet your britches.”
Abruptly he turned to Amanda and grinned. “Say! You sure are pretty. You used to be Claude’s wife, didn’t you? That’s what Mama said. She’s been in a fizzle all day ‘cause you was back in town.” He stopped talking long enough to hitch up his overalls and prop his elbows on the table. “Say, Claude. I sure am hungry.”
John didn’t wait for a reply, and that was fine, since nobody could get a word in edgewise, anyway. “Look. There’s Mama now.” He jumped up and waved. “Hey, Mama. We’re over here.”
“Mama” stood in the doorway hesitantly, holding the hand of a rather damp-looking little boy who no doubt was Petey. Beside her stood a young girl, pudgy and sullen, looking as if she were entering the restaurant and puberty with equal defiance.
Claude went to the woman and led her, almost reverently, back to their table. “Helen, these are the friends I told you about.” Standing with his arm around her, he turned to Amanda and Tanner. “I’d like you to meet Helen Burnaw, the woman I’m going to marry.”
Tanner was astounded. The woman was at least six years older than Claude, maybe more. She was about as different from Amanda as a woman could be. Claude always had been softhearted. Tanner’s first guess would have been that she was a widow, and Claude had taken the family under his wing. Or perhaps she was a friend from church or from his neighborhood.
He could sense Amanda’s astonishment. Both of them spoke at the same time, uttering the usual polite greeting one gives to strangers. Then a remarkable thing happened. Helen Burnaw smiled. Tanner was flabbergasted at the transformation. The woman, who was so insignificant-looking she nearly blended into the furniture, became radiant, almost beautiful. And her voice! Hearing it was to be enchanted. It was low-pitched, breathless, and sexy. Tanner felt a surge of gladness for Claude—and a selfish sense of relief for himself.
“And this is Mary Lou and little Petey.” Claude finished the introductions as he helped Helen and her children to their seats. “Helen moved to Fulton two years ago. Her husband died. She came to work for me—handling the family-living section, Amanda.” He grinned proudly, as if the rest was self-explanatory.
“Congratulations Claude—and Helen.” Amanda felt as if she’d gone to the movie theater expecting to see a tragedy and ended up seeing a comedy. She thought of the sleepless nights she’d spent and of her ragged nerves, and she wanted to burst into laughter. Her mother always had told her worry was a foolish emotion. She wished she’d paid more attention.
Talk among the adults was stilted and awkward at first—and possible only because John was too busy eating to interrupt. Then, when three-year-old Petey crawled under the table and squashed French fries on Tanner’s shoes, they all loosened up. Tanner, who was accustomed to children, viewed the episode with kind indulgence. Besides, it gave him a chance to tell some of his favorite stories about Paul and Martie’s twins.
The meal gradually drew to a close. Tanner and Amanda felt sad at its end. All of them knew that they’d passed another milestone in their relationship. They’d come full circle, from three people who were bound together by circumstances, to best friends, to enemies, and back to three people with a common bond. Amanda, who had loved them both, was the pivot. Her marriage to Claude couldn’t be stricken from the books and forgotten. It would always be a part of her past. But now she could look at it as a pleasant interlude, rather than as a wall that separated her from Tanner. Knowing that Claude had let her go emotionally, freed them to love totally. Whatever angry passion had haunted the three of them could be forgiven.
Claude asked Helen to wait while he followed Tanner and Amanda to their car. On the street he shook Tanner’s hand. “I’m really glad that you and Amanda are going to be married. It makes everything right. What happened can’t be changed, but perhaps we’re all the wiser for the experience.” Turning to Amanda, he hugged her. “Be happy, sweetheart.”