Plantation Shudders

She finished folding towels in the Rykers’ bathroom and then pushed the cleaning cart back to its home in the supply closet and locked it up, done for the day. As she strode back to the shotgun, now focused on organizing art supplies that would appeal to Xander, her frustration dissolved. Maggie walked into her bedroom, lay on the floor, and reached under the bed. She pulled out an old box of acrylic paints and threw out the few that had dried up. She checked her supply of canvases, choosing an 8' × 10" for her young charge. She was surprised to notice that her heart was racing. I’m a little too excited about this art lesson, she thought, and took a few breaths to calm herself.

She remembered that she’d never confirmed a time with Bo, so she pulled her cell out of her back jeans pocket and sent him a text. Then, mindful of his reaction to the scent of cleaning fluid that permeated her being after a day of housecleaning, she jumped in the shower. An internal debate about what outfit to wear followed, as well as a light but effective application of makeup. Maggie, in slim jeans and a purple fitted T-shirt that subtly enhanced her figure, was completely ready for the arrival of father and fils when Bo texted that he and Xander wouldn’t be able to make it: “Sorry. Bad day. Xander bullied. Rain check.”

Her excitement turned to grievous disappointment, which she also noted as a disproportionate reaction to a seven-year-old’s art lesson. When Gran’ sauntered into the shotgun carrying two Sazeracs, Maggie grabbed one and took a large gulp.

“I hate bullies. They’re the worst,” she said, her tone bitter. She followed the pronouncement with a big swig of her drink.

“Hmm,” Gran’ said, as she eyed her granddaughter thoughtfully. “Not a particularly erudite observation, but I’d have to agree.” Gran’ took a dainty sip of her cocktail while Maggie drained her glass. “In fact, Yvo

Maggie took in this revelation. “Really? I never would have guessed that from meeting Mrs. Clabber. How was she a bully?”

“Honestly, darlin’, I couldn’t say. I guess I just blocked it out. Yvo

“I will. Do you think now would be a good time to visit?” Maggie knew that a few of Gran’s friends suffered from Sundowning Syndrome. They might be alert and coherent in the morning, but as the day progressed, their faculties faded and dementia increased.

“Oh, Yvo

“I will.” Maggie gave her grandmother a soft kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for the intel. I’ll clean up these supplies and take off.”

By the time Maggie got to the Camellia Park Senior Village, it was 4:30 p.m., and before she even entered the faux plantation building, she could hear the china clatter as residents took advantage of the dining room’s first seating. Yvo

“Magnolia, down here, honey!”

She was relieved to see Yvo

“Isn’t this place wonderful?” Yvo

“I’m glad you’re happy, Mrs. Rousseau. It makes sense only keeping things that you feel sentimental about, like that gorgeous cabinet.”

Yvo

“A gin and tonic, thanks.”

“You got it.”

Yvo

“Oh honey, my health is in the rearview mirror. Let’s drink to your health and happiness. Laissez les bons temps rouler. ’Cuz it’d be nice for something to roll around here besides me, and it might as well be good times.”

“Eh bien. Laissez les bons temps rouler.”

The women toasted and drank. It occurred to Maggie that she was doing way more drinking with Pelican’s eightysomethings than she’d ever done with New York’s twentysomethings.

“Now,” Yvo

“Gran’ said that you recalled Francine was something of a bully.”

“No ‘something’ about it. It was the late forties when we were all in high school together, right after the war ended. Many of the boys we knew lied about their age and went off to fight. And so many didn’t come back.”

Yvo

Maggie gently laid her hand on Yvo

“Oh, yes,” Maggie said. She felt a stab of emotional pain as she recalled the initial passion that she and Chris shared. She had never lost that feeling; when did he? Maggie found herself slipping into depression and forced herself back into the moment. She wasn’t there to moan about her sorry love life to Yvo