Starting Now (22 page)

Good. Ava trusted Libby. Maybe the attorney would know how to handle this situation. Lydia felt at a complete loss.

“I think Libby wants to take Ava to the doctor,” Casey continued, “but I don’t think Ava will go because she’s afraid her grandmother will find out. Someone has to tell her grandmother and she’s too afraid to do it.”

“Mrs. Carmichael will know soon enough.” Lydia wasn’t sure how Ava had been able to hide the pregnancy for this long.

“You need to be the one to tell her, Mom,” Casey insisted.

“Me?” Lydia would rather do anything than be the one to tell Ava’s grandmother her thirteen-year-old granddaughter was pregnant. Darlene Carmichael had already had to deal with the loss of her daughter, and she’d taken on the responsibility of rearing her grandchildren, and now this. It was too much.

“Then Ava will have an excuse to go to the doctor.”

“Sweetheart …”

“Her grandmother needs to know. Sure, she’ll be mad, but she’ll get over it soon enough. It’s wrong to leave something this important up to chance. How would you feel if something happened to Ava because no one would help her tell her grandmother about the baby?”

Her daughter made a good case. That was what Lydia got for letting her hang around with Libby a few afternoons a week. Casey could argue like an attorney. Maybe she’d choose law over medicine.

“Ava’s frightened, Mom. Wouldn’t you be? But I told her she’d be better off dealing with this now instead of letting it upset her so much. Crying this hard isn’t good for her or the baby.”

Lydia agreed with Casey that it was time for Ava’s grandmother to learn the truth. What she dreaded was being the one to tell her. Mrs. Carmichael was sure to be upset, but at least she’d be able to help Ava deal with the pregnancy. The girl needed medical attention, and her family needed to make a decision about the baby.

“Will you talk to her grandmother for her?” Casey asked again.

Lydia realized she was probably the best choice. At least Mrs. Carmichael had met her before.

“Let me talk this over with your father first.”

After the dinner dishes were cleared from the table, Lydia brought it up with her husband. Casey went outside for a few minutes with her brother and by the time she returned, Brad and Lydia had decided that Lydia should approach Darlene Carmichael.

No time like the present.

On the drive over, Lydia thought long and hard about the best way to break the news to the other woman. Ava wouldn’t be happy with her, but the girl’s physical and mental well-being was a far more important concern.

As a peace offering, she brought along a plate of oatmeal cookies she’d baked with Casey that morning while it was still cool. Hopefully the cookies would help sweeten the older woman’s mood.

When she pulled up in front of the house, Jackson, Ava’s older brother, was outside by himself, playing basketball in the next-door neighbor’s driveway. He didn’t seem to notice her.

Standing on the front steps, Lydia rang the doorbell. Her stomach
was in knots and she whispered a silent prayer, asking God to give her the right words. The front door opened and Darlene Carmichael stood on the other side of the screen. Her eyes narrowed until she saw the plate of cookies. The screen had a giant rip in the bottom half.

“Hello again,” Lydia said. “I’m Lydia Goetz, Casey’s mom. We met a couple of months ago.”

“I remember.”

Lydia remained standing outside the screen door. “Would it be all right if I came inside for a few minutes?”

The older woman hesitated before unlatching the door, pulling it open for Lydia. When she stepped into the house the smell of cigarette smoke was overpowering. Mrs. Carmichael led the way into the living room and plopped herself down in a recliner. There was a beer can on the end table next to the chair.

The sofa was covered with what looked like an old bedspread. Something had been spilled on it and left to dry. Setting the plate of cookies down, Lydia sat at the far end of the sofa as close to the edge as she dared.

Ava’s grandmother concentrated on the television screen, which was tuned to a Hollywood gossip show.

“I apologize for stopping by unannounced.” Lydia nervously smoothed her hand over her knees.

“I hope Ava hasn’t been making a pest of herself.”

“Not at all,” Lydia countered quickly. “I’ve enjoyed Ava tremendously. She’s a charming girl.”

Mrs. Carmichael’s gaze left the television screen and a hint of a smile came and went from her eyes. “She looks a lot like my daughter. Sometimes …” she hesitated and then continued, “sometimes when I look at her I think it’s Gaylene and then I remember that Gaylene is gone. I miss her, you know.” She had a hoarse smoker’s voice that quickly turned into a cough. Grabbing the ashtray next to the can of beer, she stabbed the cigarette butt several times into the glass. “I quit smoking two years ago and only started back after we buried Gaylene
 … I plan to quit again although I keep putting it off. I know it’s bad for me and not a good example for Jackson and Ava, but for now I need these cigarettes.”

She coughed again, so deep that for a moment Lydia thought she might need to slap the older woman across the back. Once the coughing subsided, Lydia said, “Ava and Casey have spent quite a bit of time together this summer.”

“So I understand. Ava knit a couple of dishcloths; they aren’t half bad.” Her gaze remained focused on the television set. “She said you gave her the yarn.” The last part was added as if the older woman was afraid Lydia was going to ask her for payment. Lydia had no intention of seeking reimbursement.

“I did … it’s leftover yarn from other projects I’ve done. I’m glad to see it put to good use.” Lydia smiled, proud of all that Ava had accomplished over the last few weeks. “Ava’s learned how to crochet, too. She is actually a very quick learner.” She resisted the urge to jabber away rather than discuss the reason for her visit.

A door opened; the sound came from the hallway that led off the living room. Ava came out and stopped cold when she saw Lydia. From her position, her grandmother couldn’t see her, which was a good thing because Ava’s eyes widened. It didn’t seem possible that she could go any paler, but she did.

Lydia looked away. “Ava was over this afternoon and she mentioned that you’ve been concerned because she’s gaining weight.”

Ava took two steps forward and made a cutting motion with her hands while shaking her head.

Lydia ignored the girl as much as possible.

Ava came all the way into the room. “Hello, Mrs. Goetz,” she said.

“Goetz is your surname?” Darlene asked, looking away from the television screen.

“My married name.”

Ava stood almost directly in front of Lydia, her eyes begging her not to mention the pregnancy.

“Do you know Ronny Goetz?” Darlene asked.

“No, I’m sorry, but I can ask my husband if you’d like.”

“Do. Ronny borrowed fifty bucks from me and never paid me back. Haven’t seen him in six months. I should have known better, but he had a sob story, and fool that I am I fell for it.”

“Ah, sorry, I haven’t heard Brad ever mention any relation named Ronny.”

“Goetz is an unusual name. If your husband’s related, I’d appreciate a phone number. I’m not the only one Ronny owes, so I’d like to get to him before anyone else does.”

“I’ll mention that to Brad.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

“Getting back to what I was saying earlier …”

“Can I get you anything, Grandma?” Ava asked, breaking into the conversation.

“A beer. What about you?” She motioned to Lydia.

“No thanks.”

Ava hesitated.

“Don’t stand there like a bump on a log; get me another beer.” The older woman glanced sheepishly at Lydia. “Another bad habit. I plan on cutting back on drinking, too. I only have two a night. That’s my limit; really can’t afford any more than that.”

Ava hurried into the kitchen and returned with a beer can. She handed it to her grandmother.

“You could open it for me, you know,” Mrs. Carmichael complained, as she took the aluminum can out of her granddaughter’s hand. “I’ve got arthritis in my hands. I wish you’d learn to be more thoughtful.”

“Sorry, Grandma.”

Darlene Carmichael mumbled under her breath. She handed the empty can to Ava and took a deep swallow from the full one before setting it down next to the ashtray.

“I was saying that Ava looks like she’s gained weight over the summer,” Lydia said. “And I—”

“I’ve been telling her the same thing,” Mrs. Carmichael said, interrupting
her. “I tried to put her on a diet but it doesn’t seem to be helping.”

“I believe I know the reason for Ava’s weight gain,” Lydia said, speaking quickly. She refused to be deterred. Either she forged ahead or lost her nerve.

“So do I.”

Lydia straightened. “You do?”

“She doesn’t get enough exercise. Ava spends half the day in her bedroom, and she steals snacks out of the kitchen. I swear Ava and her brother eat me out of house and home. They think money grows on trees, apparently. Last week alone I spent over a hundred dollars on groceries. I can’t afford that and now they need new school clothes. Jackson wants to play sports and he had to get a physical. Those doctor visits don’t come cheap.” She shook her head as though overwhelmed by it all.

“I think the weight gain might be due to more than snacks between meals,” Lydia suggested.

“Oh?” Darlene Carmichael frowned.

“I’m afraid Ava might …” Lydia paused and gathered her courage. “Actually, I believe Ava might be pregnant.”

“Ava, pregnant?” The old woman laughed as though this was a bad joke. “No way. She’s only thirteen.”

“I know. She needs to see a physician.”

Darlene rose to her feet, paused just long enough to take another drink of her beer. Then she shouted for Ava, who’d recently left the room. “Ava, get in here!” Her shrill voice rang through the house like a foghorn.

Nothing.

“Ava!” she shouted again, more threatening this time. “Get in here. Now.”

The bedroom door opened again and Ava slowly made her way down the long, narrow hallway. Her grandmother met her halfway and grabbed her by the upper arm, practically dragging her into the living room. She brought her to stand in front of Lydia. Ava hung her head.

Lydia wanted to shout for Darlene to release the girl but knew it wouldn’t do any good.

“Are you pregnant?” Darlene Carmichael demanded of her granddaughter.

Tears streamed down Ava’s ashen face. “No, Grandma.”

Darlene let go of Ava’s arm as if that was all the proof she needed. “What did I tell you?” she stated calmly. “The girl eats too much. Isn’t that right?” The question was posed to Ava.

“Yes,” Ava whispered, keeping her head lowered.

“Now I think you should know that I don’t appreciate you coming into my home and making accusations. I take care of my own, and my granddaughter doesn’t sleep around.”

“I didn’t mean to imply—”

“I know you probably mean well,” Darlene said, cutting Lydia off. “But I don’t appreciate you butting your head into my family business. Ava says she’s not pregnant and I believe her. I don’t know what makes you think my granddaughter is having a baby, but that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Now I’d appreciate it if you left my home.”

“I … I …”

Darlene walked to the front door and held open the screen door. “You listen, Ms. Goetz, if I hear any rumors about my granddaughter sleeping around I’ll know where they got started. So you better not be saying anything about my Ava, understand?”

“Of course … I wouldn’t.”

“Now it’s time for you to go.”

Lydia reached for her purse and stood. “I understand. I apologize; I didn’t mean to upset you, Mrs. Carmichael.”

“I’ve met busybodies like you before, sticking your nose into everyone’s business, pretending to be all neighborly,” she said, frowning all the while. “Bringing cookies … well, you can take that plate back home with you. We don’t want them and we don’t need them. Most likely Ava would eat the whole plate herself and then you’d be telling me she’s giving birth to twins.”

Lydia walked out of the house. She paused and turned around and
saw that Darlene was still standing in the doorway as if she wanted to be sure Lydia didn’t linger.

“Mrs. Carmichael, if you … if you find out differently about Ava, please feel free to call me. I want to help.”

Darlene’s scowl deepened. “I believe you’ve already done more than enough.”

With a heavy heart, Lydia drove back to the house. Both Brad and Casey were waiting for her when she walked into the kitchen.

“Well?” Casey asked.

“How’d it go?” Brad asked.

No need to sugarcoat the truth. “It was dreadful, just dreadful,” she whispered. Lydia had felt sorry for Ava before, but now that she’d seen her home life, she felt like weeping. Tuesday she’d talk to Libby and see what the two of them could do to help poor, sweet Ava.

Libby walked into A Good Yarn fifteen minutes after ten. She didn’t want to appear overly eager but she was excited about talking to Ava. It had taken real courage for the teenager to contact her. While progress had been slow, she could see that they were making headway.