“Yes, and so do a lot of other people.” Nessa’s response was vicious.
“Thanks.” Doreen smiled and walked away.
There wasn’t anything she could do about Nessa’s or anyone else’s perception of her. She could only be true to herself—which meant admitting at least to herself that she was enjoying Nessa’s confusion over her wedding invitation.
Doreen was still smiling miles later as she drove home from Ms. Helen’s house Thursday afternoon. Although Benita was staying with the elderly woman, Doreen continued to stop by Ms. Helen’s home every day around four P.M. She enjoyed the former university professor’s company. And, as a bonus, today Benita had made a bid on Doreen’s former house. If all went well, soon Doreen wouldn’t have to worry about the house’s maintenance. Great news, indeed.
Singing along with the radio, Doreen pulled her Honda Civic into the garage of the home she now shared with Alonzo. She collected her purse before climbing from the car and walking toward the mailbox. That’s when she noticed Leonard waiting for her at the bottom of the driveway.
“You’ve already moved in with him?” Leonard sounded as though he’d been betrayed.
“What are you doing here?” Doreen stopped halfway between her garage and the mailbox.
She studied Leonard as he scanned the two-story white and black colonial-style home behind her. The high school math teacher and football coach had lost weight. His blue denims and black long-sleeved jersey were loose on his frame.
Leonard returned his attention to her. “Are you really going to marry him?”
“Yes, I am. And I want you to leave.” Doreen didn’t want Leonard to be here when Alonzo arrived home. She could imagine the sheriff and the high school teacher getting into an altercation, news of which would spread like wildfire from Alonzo’s neighbors to the entire town.
“Dorie, I need to talk to you. Let’s go inside.” Leonard gestured toward the front steps.
Had he lost his mind? “I’m not letting you in. Go home, Leo.”
Leonard expelled an irritated breath. “How well do you know Alonzo?”
“Leo, you broke up with me—”
“Is that what all of this is about?” He smiled. “I’ll take you back, Dorie.”
“I’m not interested in a relationship with you.” Doreen beat back her own annoyance. “You broke up with me because I wanted to be mayor. You wanted me to choose between my dreams and yours. That’s not the kind of relationship I need.”
“But Alonzo gives you what you need?” Leonard sneered.
“Yes, he does. I can depend on him in a way I can’t depend on you.”
“He’d been out of your life for more than forty years.” Leonard gave her a sly look. “What was he doing all that time?”
“The same thing we were all doing, working, growing, planning for the future.” Doreen checked up and down the street.
How many neighbors were in their homes, enjoying the show? Most people were still at work, but she was certain one or two neighbors were home. After all, she was. Doreen looked across the street. Had a curtain moved in the window or was she being paranoid?
She didn’t need this type of attention. She could already hear Nessa’s lecture on a proper mayor’s public persona. And how would this affect Alonzo? But there was no way she was letting Leonard into their home. Fortunately, they were the only ones outside, which was surprising. It was a beautiful late spring afternoon. Doreen could feel the advent of summer.
“What do you know about Alonzo, specifically during those years he was away?” Leonard’s question reclaimed her attention.
Alonzo’s nightmares and his odd, moody behavior flashed across her mind. Doreen slapped the memories away and the doubt that came with them. “Alonzo hadn’t been absent the entire time. He returned to Trinity Falls often to visit his family and friends. Paul and I saw him several times a year.”
“And what did he share about his life?”
“What are you implying?”
Leonard inclined his head toward the home behind her. “Let’s go inside and talk.”
“About what?” Doreen crossed her arms. “What can you possibly have to tell me about my fiancé?”
A flash of anger moved over Leonard’s soft brown features. “He’s not good enough for you.”
“What?” The accusation took her by surprise. Coming from Leonard, it shouldn’t have.