A Woman Discovered

The two travelers drove to Martinborough and enjoyed the autumn season of changing vegetation. The air was crisp and smelled of dry fallen leaves. The breeze was faint and mild yet refreshing. The sunset remarkably streaked the sky with brilliant reds, gold, purples, and blues. The drive was magical, and the couple enjoyed it. Rose directed Ace the last few miles to Red Maple Manor. When they arrived, Rose could see Jenna playing with her toy horses on the front porch of Dosie’s residence, which was connected to the west end of the facility. “Mommy!!” Jenna dropped her toys on the ground and ran to greet her mother. “Hello sweetheart!” Rose said as she scooped her daughter up into her hungry arms. “Oh, how I’ve missed you!” Rose continued. “I’ve missed you so very much!” she confided hugging her little daughter. “Are we going home now? Did you come to take me home?” Jenna asked. “Well, Grandma says that you have to stay here with her. I would take you with me if I could but, for now, we must be apart. I hate it but that is the way it must be. That’s the way Grandma wants it.” Rose explained. Just then Dosie flew onto the scene. “I didn’t expect you here.” She said abruptly. “Jenna, get over here and stand by me. Ordered Dosie snapping her fingers and pointed down to the ground by her side. Jenna obeyed her Grandmother and dutifully wiggled out of her mother’s embrace. Then Dosie picked up Jenna and scolded, “What have I told you about talking to strangers young lady?” Jenna looked sheepishly and said, “I’m sorry Mom.” “MOM? She addresses you as MOM?” Rose asked her mother. “You are her GRANDMOTHER!”Rose wailed. Sensing the tension between the women, Ace stepped in from the background. “How do you do? I would like to introduce myself. My name is Ace. It’s a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Campbell.” “Mom, I’d like for you to meet my boyfriend. We work at the same factory together.” Rose said feeling embarrassed about the whole scene. “Nice to meet you. Would you like to come up on the porch and sit down?” Dosie asked, not because she was polite or cordial, but because she was curious and wondered who this person was. “So, you work with Rose?” Dosie asked, trying to get a handle on him. Jenna squirmed down from her grandmother’s lap and went back to playing with her toy horses. “Yes, I do. I’m in the office and Rose works out on the production floor.” Ace volunteered as he rested one raised foot on the porch while he supported his weight with the other. Upon learning that fact, Dosie smelled an opportunity to advance her cause. “Raising Jenna is expensive. I could use a little extra funds for her care and keep.” Dosie blurted out brazenly. “Mom, I’m sorry, I don’t have any extra cash on me, besides, payday isn’t until next Friday. I’ll get you the money then.” Rose answered, hoping to quell the matter. “How much do you need?” asked Ace. “I’ll cover it.” “Fifty ought to do it for now” Dosie answered unashamedly. Ace pulled out his wallet from his pants pocket and retrieved three twenty dollar bills. “This should cover what you need for now.” Ace said. “Dosie collected the handout and stuffed it into her bosom. “It’s getting late, you two should be on your way.” Dosie said, feeling satisfied. Rose approached Jenna and hugged her tight. “Remember Mommy loves you.” Rose whispered softly into her child’s ear. “Say goodbye now Jenna.” Dosie said sternly. “Bye.” She said and waved. Rose waved goodbye to her daughter and left to get into Ace’s Lincoln automobile. “I’ll pay you back the money; I promise. I’m sorry about what happened back there.” Rose said with humiliating remorse. “I know you will, it’s no big deal. Let’s not talk about it anymore.” Ace declared. The couple left Red Maple manor and enjoyed a quiet ride back to Roses place.