Free Lifelines: Kate's Story by Vanessa Grant Page A

fridge? I’ll do it.” She grabbed Evelyn’s mug,
yanked the fridge door open, set her mother’s coffee beside what looked like a
round container of Chinese take-out.
    “Did
you have Chinese food last night for supper? Was it good?”
    “I
hate Chinese food. It tastes like cooked garbage.”
    “What’s
in the container, then?”
    “Are
you checking up on me?”
    Jesus!
    “I’m
making conversation, Mom.”
    She
picked up her own cup and sat at the table, her coffee cradled between her
palms. She felt the urgent need to fill silence and forced herself to let it
go. You’re forty-nine years old, Kate. She’s a seventy-year-old woman who never
leaves the house. She can’t hurt you. Get back to the agenda. First the money,
then Dad.
    “Mom,
I got a phone call yesterday that worried me.”
    Evelyn’s
gaze slid away.
    “Someone
said you’d loaned a large sum of money to one of your neighbors. Is that true?”
    “Who
told you that?”
    “Who
isn’t the point. I have to be sure no one’s taking advantage of you. Did you
loan ten thousand dollars to a neighbor?”
    Evelyn
picked up her cigarette case and fumbled out a home rolled cigarette, put it to
her mouth and flicked a disposable lighter. “I’m going to hire the boy who
delivers papers to come work in my garden. I want roses and tulips.”
    The
temptation to accept the change of subject almost overwhelmed Kate.
    “Mom,
your house needs painting, your dishes are cracked and stained. You don’t look
after yourself, and if it’s true you’ve loaned somebody ten thousand
dollars—well, I’m worried. Did you loan the money?”
    “This
is none of your business. That person who told you—who? Louise Callahan? Always
looking out her window, thinking I don’t see. It’s my own business what I do
with my money. Don’t worry, there’ll be some left for you.”
    Kate
felt as if she’d been slapped. “You think I’m after your money? Is that what
you’re saying?”
    “My
coffee’s ready. It’s time to get it from the fridge.”
    Impossible
woman.
    “I
can’t ignore this, mom.” She had an inspiration and thrust Evelyn’s often-heard
words back. “I wouldn’t be a good daughter if I didn’t make sure you’re not
being taken advantage of.”
    “Nobody
takes advantage of me. I’m very careful.”
    “We’ll
see,” said Kate. She hadn’t actually achieved a victory, but it couldn’t be
complete defeat when she emerged with her mind more or less intact. She opened
the fridge and delivered the chilled coffee. “Jennifer’s birthday was
yesterday.”
    “Oh.”
    Kate
watched her mother set a half-burned cigarette on the ashtray.
    “There’s
something else, mom.”
    The
click of Evelyn’s tongue preceded an explosion of breath. “I appreciate your
concern, but I’m fine. Leave me alone.”
    “I
want to see Dad.”
    Evelyn’s
face went slack. “Why would you want to talk to him?”
    “Do
you know where he is?”
    Evelyn
yanked her cigarette container open and shook out a fresh nicotine stick. Kate
didn’t mention the cigarette smoldering in the ashtray.
    “Do
you know where he is, Mom?”
    “How
would I know? It’s been years.”
    “When
did you last hear from him?”
    “I
have no idea where he went.” She breathed hard through her nostrils and glared
at the table. “How can you torment me? My own daughter—it’s your fault he’s
gone, and now you want to take my friend away from me. You’re jealous, because
you have no one.”
    Coffee
spilled over Kate’s hands as she lurched to her feet. “That’s cruel.”
    “You’ve
always been jealous. You wanted your father all to yourself, going to his
construction sites, always keeping him late.”
    “For
heaven’s sake, mom, of course I wanted Dad’s attention. What kid doesn’t? You
were the adult. If you weren’t getting enough attention, it was your job to
take it up with him.”
    Evelyn
started to cry. “Promise me you won’t look for him. Promise, Kate. If you