All Our Tomorrows

"You'll never guess who I saw today."Caroline reached for a roll and gave her mother a bemused glance. She never won at this game, which had become a standard part of their weekly dinner. Judy James knew more people than the President of the United States. Or so it seemed. "I haven't a clue, Mom.""Guess anyway."Instead of responding, Caroline popped a chunk of the crusty roll into her mouth, savoring the fresh-baked flavor. No question about it -- her mom was a whiz in the kitchen, even if she did have a few idiosyncrasies. Like her penchant for outrageous hats. And her eclectic taste in decorating, thankfully confined to the family room, which had done time as a South Seas beach shack, a Japanese tea house and a Victorian parlor -- to name but a few of its incarnations. In light of those eccentricities, Caroline supposed this silly guessing game was a tame aberration. And it was one she felt obliged to indulge, considering how much she owed her mother, who had been a rock during the difficult months when grief had darkened Caroline's world, blinding her to everything but pain and loss. She couldn't have made it through that tragic time without the support of the older woman sitting across from her."Okay. How about...Marlene Richards."A thoughtful expression crossed Judy's face. "Goodness, I haven't had any news of Marlene in quite a while. Whatever made you think of her?""I reviewed an obit today for a Maureen Richards for the next edition of the paper. No relation, it turns out. But it made me think of Marlene. She was a good Sunday school teacher. A bit unconventional, but all the kids loved her. I wonder what ever happened to her?""When she retired, she went on a mission trip to Africa. Liked it so much, she stayed. Last I heard, she lived in a little village somewhere back in the bush and taught school."At her mother's prompt and thorough response, Caroline smiled and shook her head. "How in the world do you do that?""What?""Keep tabs on so many people.""I make it a point to stay connected. And speaking of staying connected...do you want to guess again?""Nope." Focusing her attention on the appetizing pot roast, Caroline cut a generous bite and speared it with her fork."All right. Then I'll tell you. David Sloan."The hunger gnawing at Caroline's stomach suddenly turned into an ache that spread to her heart, and her hand froze halfway to her mouth. "David Sloan?""Yes. Isn't that a strange coincidence? I was at the post office, and as I was leaving I must have dropped my scarf, because the next thing I knew this nice young man came up from behind and handed it to me. He looked familiar, but it took me a few seconds to place him. He didn't remember me, of course. We only met that one time, just for a few minutes and under such sad circumstances. But when I introduced myself, the oddest expression came over his face." Judy tilted her head in the manner of an inquisitive bird. "Kind of like the one on yours right now."Caroline lowered her fork to her plate, the pot roast untouched. David Sloan. Her fiance"s brother -- and the man who bore at least some measure of responsibility for his death. For a moment, the taste of resentment was sharp and bitter on her tongue, chasing away the fresh flavor of her mother's homemade roll. But then her conscience kicked in, dissipating her resentment with a reminder that she bore the lion's share of responsibility for the tragedy -- and triggering a crushing, suffocating guilt that crashed over her like a powerful wave, rocking her world."Anyway, he took a new job and moved to St. Louis a couple of months ago. Still, it's a big city. Seems strange that I would run into him, doesn't it?" Judy prodded."Yes." Caroline could squeeze only one word past her tight throat. With a shaky hand, she reached for her glass of water and took a long, slow swallow, struggling to rein in her wayward emotions. "I'm sorry, honey." DistHannon, Irene is the author of 'All Our Tomorrows', published 2006 under ISBN 9780373812714 and ISBN 037381271X.