Free Long Memory by Christa Maurice

note on the grocery list. “Laura’s not coming. She has to pick someone up at the bus station.”
    “Airport,” James corrected. He must have been paying more attention than she had to the conversation.
    “At the airport. James is going to stay with you.”
    “James?” Jean appeared to focus on him. Beth knew she could see a tall green and blue blob at best. “Everything’s all blurry today. Don’t forget my crackers. The wheat ones. You know which ones I like. I’m going to listen to one of my books. Vi, are you coming to listen to a book with me?”
    Nonie followed Jean into the living room where they heard Jean giving very specific directions on how to load the CD into the stereo. Every word was short and huffy. Then the soothing sound of James Earl Jones reading began.
    “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” Beth had the list, and the canvas bags were in the car. Nonie’s turn to pay this week. Beth opened Nonie’s purse.
    “What are you looking for?”
    “Credit card.”
    “Why?”
    Beth pulled the card out of Nonie’s wallet. “Because it’s Nonie’s turn to pay for groceries. They both eat most of their meals here so I just alternate who pays each week. It seemed like the most fair solution.”
    “And the grocery store lets you use Nonie’s card?” He shifted and ran a hand through his hair.
    “Don’t start inventing a conspiracy theory. Everyone knows who the groceries are for. I keep mine separate.” Beth slid the card into her pocket with the list. “It was too hard to keep three sets of groceries straight.”
    “How do you pay the credit card bill?”
    “Online. If you want to audit that, I can show you all the records.” Beth grinned.
    “I believe you.”
    Beth felt a chill drip down her spine. His mouth said, Trust, trust, trust, but his eyes said, How much have you stolen? “I’m very careful. I’m not even shopping for myself today.”
    “I believe you.”
    He wasn’t staying around, and she had nothing to hide. Why did she want his approval so much? Why was she so afraid of losing it? “I’m sure it all works out in the end.”
    “I’m sure it does.”
    Beth felt like she’d been dipping into the church poor box. She wrapped her arms around her waist. Her cornflakes curdled in her stomach. “They both said it was fine with them. You can ask Jean.”
    James put his hands on her shoulders again. “I believe you. Honestly. I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt Nonie and Jean. Calm down. I won’t call the cops. I won’t even call my mother.”
    Beth tried to laugh, but it came out as a dry rattle. Her pulse jumped around like she’d had too much coffee today and she hadn’t made any. He stared into her eyes smiling, spilling warmth into her bones.
    “Go do the shopping. In fact, take the morning off. You need a break. Everything will be fine here. It’s okay to ask for help once in a while.”
    Beth felt her pocket to make sure she had her car keys. “I’m going to see what I can find out about Mr. McMannus for Jean. I should only be gone an hour.”
    “Take your time. If James Earl Jones doesn’t make her happy, nothing will.”
    Beth stopped at the top of the driveway and called Lily.
    “What?” Lily snapped in lieu of greeting.
    “If this grouchy mood is going around, I’m going back to bed,” Beth said. James hadn’t been in a bad mood. He’d volunteered to stay with the girls so she could go shopping.
    “Oh, sorry. It hasn’t been a good day.”
    “Why?” Beth glanced back at the house. So far it hadn’t exploded, nor was there smoke.
    “Elaine is having some kind of nervous breakdown. Most of the time she doesn’t answer her phone, and when she does she’s either crying or pissed off. Mrs. Coin and Mrs. Vorac have the bake sale cookies ready, but there isn’t anyone to take them to the high school. One of the steam tables at the elementary school is broken. Mr. Wright doesn’t think he can get it fixed in time