Free Each Shining Hour by Jeff High

it.
    By now Estelle had returned from the back room looking so happy I thought she might start flying around the room like Peter Pan.
    â€œIt’s perfect!” she declared. “I love it, love it, love it. When do you think the bank can get me a quote on what it might sell for?”
    I could see Randall’s neck stiffen. “We’ll have to see. The bank hasn’t actively tried to sell the property for some time, so I don’t know what plans we have for it. Perhaps at the next quarterly meeting of the board we can get the real estate subcommittee to give a status report. I’m afraid it may take quite some time.”
    He spoke with unruffled aplomb, with a cool air of authority. And just that quickly I could see Estelle begin to deflate. That was, until a firm voice from behind Randall broke the silence.
    â€œOh, I think we can do much better than that.”
    It was Connie, standing calmly in the entryway, clasping her huge purse in front of her with both hands.
    Noticeably alarmed, Randall turned toward her. It was the fastest he had moved all morning. In a single moment his superiority vanished and was replaced by a choking anxiety. He seemed at a loss for words. Connie’s commanding voice and hard stare had melted him, had momentarily thrown him off-balance. Somethingmore than her stern tone was at work here. She had something on Randall.
    But he recovered quickly and responded in a diplomatic albeit slightly wilted voice, “Yes, certainly. Let me see what we can do to expedite an answer.”
    He glanced nervously at his watch. “Well, I really need to get back to the bank. Please feel free to take your time looking around. Just pull the door closed when you leave. I’ll come by and lock up later.”
    His composure once more in place, he offered a rigid nod and departed quickly.
    Estelle couldn’t contain herself any longer. “Praise Jesus, this is the place! It’s just what I was hoping for!”
    Her elation was contagious enough to bring a slight smile to Connie’s somber face. But she responded with a shake of her head. “I don’t know, honey. It’s going to take a lot of money to fix this place up, not to mention the cost of buying the property.”
    Estelle was undaunted. It was easy to see that she was all in: heart, soul, and retirement fund. “But it’s perfect, dear. I know it, I just know it!”
    Connie’s smile was a blend of delight and resignation. “Well, okay, then. I guess if you’re heading to the poorhouse, it’s no big deal if you get there a day or two early.”
    Estelle grabbed Connie’s arm with enthusiastic authority. “Come on, sugar, let me show you around.”
    Connie resisted. She spoke in a low, emotional voice, almost swallowing her words. “That’s not necessary, honey. I know all about this place. I spent more hours here than I want to think about.”
    Estelle gave her a puzzled look. “How is that?”
    Connie’s words were mixed with anguish and confession. “It was before you were born, and I was told never to talk about it, but Momma used to work here.”

CHAPTER 11
    Connie, Past and Present
    â€œC onstance, what are you talking about?”
    â€œIt was a long time ago. It’s nothing that matters anymore.”
    â€œWell, sister, it matters now. All I remember was that Momma worked in the school cafeteria. You never talked about her working here.”
    â€œLike I said, it’s water under the bridge.”
    Connie seemed resigned to the idea of not discussing this revelation, but as she spoke, I couldn’t help but notice her reflective perusal of the room; she absorbed the elaborate details, scrutinized the dust and ruin, and breathed in the weighty air of ancient memories. It seemed she had returned to a place she had always known, one that had been burned deep within her life’s story.
    â€œDear, you know Luke