Weeping Willows

Chapter 23

Round Two

                Elizabeth drove to the senior center in trepidation the next day.  She wasn’t sure what to expect and after the last class her nerves were on edge.  She pulled into the lot beside the building and retrieved all of her things.  She took a moment to look at the beautiful building but was unable to recapture that sense of calm it had conjured on her first visit.  It had only been a week since then but because of everything going on lately it felt more like months.  Hoisting her boxes and bags out of the trunk she reached up with her elbow closing the lid, careful not to damage her cargo.  Walking up the path felt more like being led to her doom.  Once at the doors she gulped and blew a stray curl out of her face.  The humidity was doing wonders for her hair.  Talking herself out of procrastinating any longer she pulled the door open barley managing to keep a hold of her load.

                A blast of cold air hit her square on bringing much needed relief from the heat outside.  She couldn’t belief it was so hot today and it wasn’t even noon yet.  Walking in she waited to hear the melodic chirping of birds but instead was met with the sounds of yet another fight going on in the activities room where she was headed.  Sounded like Agnes and Bertha were already in fine form for today.  There was another voice that joined them though.  As Elizabeth slowed down her pace, she strained her ears to listen in.  From what she could make out it sounded like the sisters were in cahoots this time against someone else.  This couldn’t be good.  Picking up the pace she hustled into the room noticing all of her senior students were there but only half were in their seats.  What surprised her the most though was Ryan was there too and right in the thick of things as he was trying to get between the newcomer and Agnes.  Bertha was at her spot at the table arms crossed over her chest scowling at the stranger.  Fanny, Charlie, and Kenneth were facing off with the very agitated woman that was unknown to her.  Eddie was holding back an irate Mabel and Alice was coddling a crying Ralph.  Just what the heck was going on here. 

                Elizabeth went to the open center table completely unnoticed by anyone around her.  She glanced about the room looking for the nurses that had been at the class last week but didn’t see any staff in attendance.  As she calmly set her things down, she listened trying to decide what had transpired before she had gotten there.

                “She needs to atone for her wrongs and change her sinful ways.”  The old woman growled out pointing her gnarled finger at Bertha.

                “My sister hasn’t done anything wrong you zealot.  Go preach somewhere else.”

                “DONE NOTHING WRONG!”  She screeched out, “Just existing is wrong.”  Elizabeth scrunched up her eyebrows in anger.  Just who the heck was this old crone anyway.

                “DON’T YOU KNOW IT’S A SIN TO JUDGE PEOPLE!”  Agnes cried out taking a feeble swing at the woman as the four around her were cheering her on in support.

                “Don’t quote things at me like I don’t know my bible you tramp!”  The woman growled back.

                “Who made you judge, jury, and executioner anyway Margaret?”  Charlie drawled out with venom.  Once again the others agreed.  Before things could escalate, Elizabeth had decided enough was enough.  Those sisters may be a menace, but they were her menace duo.  Plastering a wide fake smile across her face Elizabeth sauntered up the group.  Ryan at this point had seen her coming and something in her eyes warned him of the impending danger.  Bertha too was observing her with wide eyed horror moving her wheelchair back a bit to avoid the implosion.

                Elizabeth turned about face and side stepped in front of Margaret.  The elderly woman huffed in annoyance at having her view of the sisters completely blocked.  Elizabeth took a moment to look the woman over in lazy perusal trying to bring her temper in check.  Margaret wore her thinning hair up in a tight bun that pulled at the loose skin on her face.  Her cheeks were droopy and hung down like bulldog jowls off her soft jawline.  Her dress was proper ending just at the knees.  The polyester frock was a plain dull brown in color, but it highlighted the glinting sliver crucifix that hung from a long chain around her neck.  Her nude colored knee socks were ill fitting and stretched as they drooped down her gangly legs away from her knobby knees.  To finish it off she had on plain brown leather loafers that were scuffed and well worn.  Elizabeth lifted her eyes back up to the woman’s soft chin, thin lips, and slightly over large nose.  She ended her gaze meeting the dove grey eyed glare of Margaret who obviously didn’t approve of her interruption.  Elizabeth smirked as a brilliant idea came to mind, one that if it hadn’t been for the last class, she might never have thought it up.  Thrusting her hand out towards the woman Elizabeth gave her a brilliant smile.

                “We haven’t been introduced yet.  I’m Elizabeth Foster, Lizzy for short and this happens to be my class you’re interrupting.  You’re welcome to join in although you’ll have to start from the beginning seeing as you weren’t here last week to make any sculptures.  Oh, and that also means you missed out on the news that I’ve recently moved into town and reside at the old Bennett house.”

                It worked like a charm.  The minute her house was brought up Margaret’s face morphed to pure horror as she took a few steps back away from Elizabeth.  Instead of taking a hold of her offered hand Margaret grabbed her cross holding it up as if to ward Elizabeth away.  She faked a confused façade as she moved closer to the older woman causing her to back up more.

                “Now that’s not very nice.  I’m trying to be polite especially after you have all but tried to accost my student and let’s just say I take exception to ill intent and nasty behavior towards others.”

                Margaret’s eyes moved among the people behind Elizabeth looking for someone to stop her.  Much to her dismay she found no help coming as they clearly cast their lot with the teacher.  Elizabeth kept slowly invading Margaret’s personal space forcing the woman to back up as she was led out of the room and right out the door.  Elizabeth smiled serenely at her as she grabbed the handle for the door.

                “If you don’t plan on joining us then I ask that we are not interrupted further.”  With that she shut the door right in her baffled face feeling a thrill at the action.  Turning around she smiled broadly at the stunned class.  Dusting her hands over a job well done she walked back over to start the class.

                “I have baked all of your sculptures and I am happy to report that taking them into my house did not set it or any of your pieces a flame.  Today I’ve brought a special kind of paint to coat them with so once they are baked one last time, they’ll shine like porcelain figurines.”

                Ryan sauntered over beaming at her as everyone else settled back into their seats.  Elizabeth glanced over to Bertha to make sure she was okay and watched her as she swiped a stray tear away.  Once she was done Bertha wheeled back up to her table, squared her shoulders, and brushed Agnes’s concern away.  Elizabeth’s attention was brought back to the man in front of her as he reached out and gently squeezed her arm near her elbow.

                “Anything I can help with?”

                “Sure, can you pass out the paint sets and brushes to everyone and I’ll start on handing the sculptures back out.”  With a nod and a smile Ryan took the smaller box and the bag off of the table and headed off to work on his task.  Elizabeth tucked a small jar in her pants pocket then grabbed the larger box and headed for Fanny and Charlie’s table first.  Fanny looked knowingly at Elizabeth when she approached and patted her back in a job well done.

                “Who knew you had it in you girl?”

                “I did! You know what they say about red heads don’t you?”

                “Charlie don’t you finish that sentence or you’re next on my list.”  Elizabeth warned as Charles looked at her innocently.

                “I was just going to say they’re known for their tempers Doll.”

                “Somehow I find that hard to believe.” 

                “You wound me.”  Charles gasped while pretending hurt and clutching his chest Fanny snorted in response.

                “Now you’re learning kid.”  Elizabeth winked at her as she walked on to the next table.  Next was Alice and Ralph who was still slightly visibly upset.  Elizabeth set down her box and took out the towel hanging from the back pocket of her overalls.  She wiped at his sodded cheeks and dabbed at his watery eyes.  He looked at her with a childlike sadness that just broke her heart to see.

                “Would you really send your ghosts after her?”

                “I might be tempted to if I had any.”

                “No ghosts?”

                “No Ralph there are no ghosts, at least none that I’ve seen.  I’d like to conjure one up just for her though if I was capable.”  Ralph let out a giggle sniffling his nose.  And just like that all was right with his little world again.  Alice squeezed her hand in thanks as she sighed in relief clearly not liking to see him in distress either.  Moving on she walked over to Millie and Kenneth’s table and set her box of goodies down on it.

                “I see you’ve met my grandson.”  Millie stated startling Elizabeth out of her task.  She blushed lightly under Millie’s coy smile nodding in response.

                “He’s going to be helping me go through all the antiques I uncovered in the attic at my house.”

                “So, you two are going to be spending quite a bit of time together.  And you both look like you’ve gotten a bit close already.”  Millie pointed out with a glint of happiness glittering in her eyes.

                “Grandma I love you, but please don’t help.”  Ryan pleaded kissing her lightly on the cheek before placing his wares on the table.  Millie gasped trying to play innocent making both Elizabeth and Kenneth chuckle.  She gathered up her box and followed Ryan over to the next table.  Mabel clapped her hands in delight seeing all the bright colors on display.  Taking her things before Elizabeth could set them down, she began to choose her colors.  As she set down Eddie’s piece, she noticed him stare at the jars in contemplation.  Removing the one she had hidden in her pocket Elizabeth quietly touched his shoulder.  Eddie looked at her as she knelt down to show him her secret making him raise his eyebrow.

                “It’s white.”  He stated in slight displeasure, but she shook her head and held it in a beam of sunlight.

                “It’s pearlized.  When the sun hits it, this paint has every color of the rainbow in it.  I think for your project this might be just what you’re looking for.”  Eddie snuck a glance over to Mabel before reaching out for the jar.  Elizabeth placed it into his large hand firmly sending a wink his way. 

                 Lastly, she went to the sister’s table as they talked in hushed voices.  She nearly stumbled in her steps as she took in Agnes’s outfit today.  Her beehive was pitch black in color today and slightly crooked until the elder woman reached up to right it.  It’s a wig she chuckled to herself in disbelief that she hadn’t realized that Agnes wore wigs before.  Her chuckle turned to a snort as her eyes wondered down.  Agnes had on a matching black spandex top with a v-cut neckline that was overstretched, and gaping low being dragged down with the weight of her poorly restrained boobs.  Bright blood red lipstick was caked over her wrinkled lips standing out in stark contrast against all the black.  Agnes looked like a badly aged Elvira and it made her cringe every time the old woman leaned forward to say something to her sister.  She hoped nothing fell out.  Elizabeth raised her eyebrow at them curiously but knowing she probably would regret it later.

                “Good morning ladies how are we today?”  Bertha mumbled fine but wouldn’t raise her eyes off the table.  Elizabeth looked to Agnes for an explanation.

                “We’ll talk later dear.”  Were the only cryptic words she received before the sisters both went mute.  Walking away with her now empty box Elizabeth kept glancing at the two suspiciously.  Those two were up to something or at least Agnes was, and she was trying to get Bertha on board.

                Back at the table she had used for her things she set the empty carton down with the other.  Glancing around she watched all of them work talking idly over which colors to choose.  A nurse was finally in attendance within the room handing out plastic cups of water for the brushes.  Elizabeth was grateful but still slightly annoyed that no one had been here earlier with them but Ryan.  The longer she watched the nurse the longer that thought stewed, and she decided it was time for a chat.  She waited until all the cups had been set out and the nurse was now standing at the perimeter of the room watching.  Squaring her shoulders, she made her way over a scowl set upon Elizabeth’s face.  With every determined step closer she took her anger simmered anew.  She would make sure what happened earlier never happened again.