Pretend Mom by Rita Hestand

area,
whereas Tom wouldn't be caught dead doing women's work. Thank God,
the twins would never change, different as night and day, and yet,
so alike in other ways. Twins could be an experience to live with,
Dixie assured herself with another giggle. They were growing up so
fast.
    Minutes later, Will helped her prepare
the fresh vegetables and talked quietly to her all the while. If
she didn't know better, she would have sworn he had really missed
her this past few years. It seemed as though he was trying to make
up in one night for three very long years. It was good, being
home!
    Sometimes, like now, she wondered why
she ever left, but then she knew why. She couldn't face herself for
what she'd done. Had it really been that bad? Looking back on it,
it almost seemed silly. But a certain man didn't think it
silly!

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Dixie put the last dish away as Emily
returned from the church. Loaded with parcels of decorative
streamers and balloons for the Charity Bazaar, Emily was huffing
and puffing. Still, Dixie thought she never looked happier or
younger. In fact, Emily seemed to have a glow about her.
    "I'm sorry I'm so late. But there was a
lot of work to be done and so little time to do it. My, has
everyone eaten?" She glanced about at the clean kitchen.
    Dixie pulled the apron from her waist
and hung it on the hook near the sink. "Afraid so, Mom. The boys
have invited me to go frog gigging, and I wanted to get supper out
of the way early. Besides, they came home from a ball game starved,
as usual." Dixie giggled. "I left you a plate in the oven,
though."
    "Land sakes, that was sweet of you,
dear, but you needn't have bothered. I had dinner, thanks to
Bernie. He went out and got chicken for everyone who volunteered to
stay late. I'm glad, because I was starving, myself."
    Something in the way she mentioned
Bernie's name caught Dixie's attention. "Bernie?"
    Emily's cheeks colored. "Surely you
remember him. He was your father's barber for years."
    Not easily duped, Dixie nodded—a silent
understanding dawning. "Oh, yes, of course. And I'm tickled pink to
see you taking an interest in men again, Mom. You aren't the type
to live alone, you know."
    Emily's brow puckered. "I was a little
worried how you'd take to me seeing another man. I mean—so soon and
all. I suppose if I'm truthful it's the main reason I wanted you to
come home. That, and the fact that I've missed you so. I guess I
want your approval. Does that sound foolish?"
    "Worried? Mind?" Turning to face her,
Dixie smiled when she noticed Emily's fretful brow.
    "Yes, because I don't want you to think
I didn't love your father, dear. I did. Very much. But it's been
three years now, and, Bernie is the nicest man. He makes me laugh.
I used to laugh a lot with your father. I hope you have the time to
get to know Bernie better while you're here, dear." She pinked
beautifully, bringing a rose color to her ordinarily pale
cheeks.
    Dixie let the soapy water out of the
sink and dried her hands on the towel, her mind already working
overtime. She turned Emily around to face her, noting how her pale
blond hair had more gray than blond, and how her beautiful, gray
eyes sank deeper in her face now. Still, Emily was far from being
an old woman.
    "Mom, I know you loved Dad. I'd never
doubt that. And yes, loneliness can eat away at you, can't it? I'm
just glad you have enough sense to go on and live your
life."
    Emily eyed Dixie keenly. "And what
would a lovely young woman like you know about
loneliness?"
    "Not much, I suppose." Dixie evaded
Emily by escaping from the kitchen as Tom wandered through, heading
for the garage. "And you and I are going to sit and have a long
talk—real soon."
    "I'll look forward to it. Now, run
along, the boys can be pretty impatient when they go frog gigging."
Emily said with a chuckle.
    In the privacy of her own room, Dixie
rummaged through her dresser drawers for some old clothes. Frog
gigging demanded informal attire, she decided with a giggle.