Free Fated Memories by Judith Ann McDowell

back on the couch, propping her feet up on the ottoman. “One night, soon after we got married, Eathen didn’t come home. So I went into town lookin’ for him. I found him. Dead drunk, in a saloon, with a woman twice my age. I felt so mad, I wanted to kill him.” She swiped an agitated hand over the slight hike in her skirt, smoothing it down straight. “Her too, for that matter. Since I couldn’t get him out to the buckboard by myself, I tried pullin’ on him and cussin’ him, and she just jumped in and started helpin’ me. To make a long story short,” Charlotte fluttered one hand in dismissal, “by the time we got him laid out so I could take him home, we felt too tired to fight. So we did the next best thing,” she laughed, shaking her head at the memory, “we talked. She told me the reason most men are willin’ to pay a woman for her time ain’t just for the sex, but because she knows how to make him feel like he’s the greatest thing God ever put breath in.”
    Martha stared at the woman seated beside her, then, tossing her blond head in anger, she declared, “That has got to be the dumbest theory I have ever heard in my life! John knows I love him.”
    A derisive laugh shot from Charlotte’s lungs. “I’m sure he does, Martha! But, do you ever tell him how much you love him? When was the last time you told him how proud you are of him?” Charlotte cocked her head, eyeing the other woman.
    ” Why, I’m sure I’ve told him hundreds of times,” she plucked at the strand of white pearls. “Well, even if I haven’t, he knows it.”
    “ I advise you to make it a point of tellin’ him often.” Charlotte’s blue eyes stared her down. “I want Tia to have a happy home. Don’t make me regret my decision.”
    ***
    The next two days passed in quick succession, and Charlotte welcomed their fast passage. She could already see the problems that lay ahead for her granddaughter.
    “ Just like Jessie,” she murmured. “Everything laid at her feet.”
    “ Did you say something, Charlotte?” Martha asked, coming into the parlor.
    “ Just thinkin’ out loud about all the presents you showered on a baby who couldn’t care less.”
    “ Oh that. Well,” Martha fluttered her hands, dismissing Charlotte’s objections, “I admit we may have gone a little overboard, but this is our first Christmas with our new daughter. Of course we don’t plan to spoil her like this every year.”
    “ I sure hope not,” Charlotte spoke up, refusing to be silent on the subject. “Otherwise, she’ll grow up thinkin’ the world’s hers to command. Eathen catered to Jessie’s every whim. Now she’s six-foot under the ground and I’m half-nuts! I don’t want the same thing happenin’ to Tia!”
    “ You don’t need to worry, Charlotte,” John spoke up, putting the small infant up to his shoulder. “I’ll see to it she is allowed just half this much next year.”
    “ I’m gonna hold you to that, John.” A slight smile softened her stern features as she watched the loving couple with her grandchild.
    “ We want you to feel free to come for a visit anytime, Charlotte.” John supported the baby’s wobbly head with one large hand. “Tia needs all of her family.”
    “ That’s true, she does, darling,” Martha agreed, taking Tia from his arms. “It’s just that that’s a very long trip to make too often. I’m sure Charlotte doesn’t plan to come more than once a year.”
    “ I’ve already signed the papers, Martha,” Charlotte told her, watching surprise then anger flit across her sister’s face in quick succession. “You don’t have to worry ‘bout losin’ her.”
    “ John!” Martha squealed, whirling to face her husband. “Why didn’t you tell me Charlotte signed the adoption papers?”
    “ He didn’t tell you,” Charlotte spoke up, “because they aren’t adoption papers, Martha. I just gave you and John permission to raise my granddaughter, not adopt her.”
    “ But…I