The Magnolia Cafe(15)

“Well, both. Three boys would be too much for even a… well, someone who could chase after them. And how would you get back and forth from the house to the cafe?”

“That’s another thing I wanted to bring up, as long as we’re talking about changes. I’m going to learn to drive and get my driver’s license. I’ve looked into getting an old used car and getting hand controls. I’m tired of depending on others to get around everywhere.”

“But… You can’t.”

Keely watched her mother sputter and her face turn bright red.

“Kat are you sure?” Keely rarely agreed with her mother, but maybe Kat was taking on way too much at once.

“I’m positive. I can’t just sit around my whole life. I’ve been unsure about what I can do, but I think this is a good start. Mother, we’ve let Keely shoulder all the responsibility for the family for too long. I’m quite capable of helping her now. I’m going to have her show me how to work on the books. I’ve always been organized and good with numbers.”

“Katherine, you just cannot take on all these new jobs at once. You’ll get worn out. You just can’t.”

“Worn out like Keely is all the time?” Katherine looked over at her sister. “Haven’t you noticed how exhausted she is? When is the last time you heard her laugh? When is the last time she’s taken a day off work?”

Keely reeled from the tirade that was Katherine right now. She’d no idea her sister even noticed these things.

“We need to start pulling our own weight. It’s not Keely’s job to support all of us, to work the restaurant every day with no break.”

Keely looked down when she felt Katherine take her hand. She squeezed her sister’s hand, fighting against the tears that threatened to spill.

“You put her up to this, didn’t you?” Their mother turned and pinned Keely with a steely stare. “You know she can’t take on all of this. It’s too much.”

“This is not Keely’s idea. She argued with me at first. But it’s not Keely’s decision or yours to make. I’m going to do these things. We’ve all been living on hold for years, I know. Ever since my accident. But it’s time we moved on. Everything can’t be about me and the accident. I’ve recovered as much as I’m going to. I went to college for goodness sake. I can certainly take care of the boys, work at the cafe, and learn to drive.”

“Katherine, I don’t think you’re thinking rationally. Why don’t you try just taking on one thing at a time? Do a bit of the bookwork. You can’t do all of this.”

“Ah, Mother, but I can. I’m ready to join the world again. I’m tired of hiding in this wheelchair letting life just whoosh by me.”

“Oh, and one more thing.” Katherine looked at their mother, her shoulders set in determination. “We’re going to convert that old patio area behind the cafe and add in seating out there. Maybe a bar at the far end. A place for people to wait for their dinner or sit and have an after dinner drink.”

Keely waited for her mother to explode. Instead, her mother got up from the table and looked at both of the sisters. “It’s clear to me that you don’t want my approval or need my help. Do whatever you want. Make your own mistakes. I’ve tried so very hard with you two girls. Done everything for you. And this is how you repay me. Fine. Do what you want.”

Her mother’s footsteps echoed down the hallway and ended with a firm almost-slam of her mother’s bedroom door.

Katherine bit her lip, then grinned. “Well, that went well.”

Keely broke into laughter and Katherine immediately tried to shush her while holding in her own giggles.

“Oh, yes. That went down right smoothly.”

“She’s usually quicker at giving in to me.” Katherine shook her head. “I guess I hit her with too much all at once.”

“I guess you did.” Keely smiled. It had been a long time since she’d felt so much like a sister. “How about we go to the cafe and have some pie and coffee. We’ll make plans.”

“That will give Mother time to come around to all of this.”

“If you think so.” Keely was doubtful her mother was ever going to agree with any of their plans. The problem was, what was her mother going to do to try to stop them?

~ * ~

Bella rushed down Main Street, the misty rain covering her in a cold dampness. She clutched her jacket closed as she hurried along. She stopped in front of the Magnolia Cafe and shook her head, spraying fine droplets from her curls. She shook her arms, trying to dry a bit before heading into the restaurant, not wanting to drip rain all over their entryway.