An Inheritance

Chapter 12

“I never would have presumed to ask a lady her age.”  Responded Lauren with a mock bow of her head. 

Sarah answered with a smile.  They both concentrated on their lunches for a minute.  “This is really good.  It’s been ages since I’ve had fresh bread; it’s too much of a bother to start from scratch.  And I can tell these herbs on the salad must be from Alma’s green house, she always liked to surprise me with something new she was trying out.  It’s hard to find people who are willing to cook for a vegetarian, but Alma was always making something different.”

I’m so glad I didn’t put out the cold cuts like I was going to do.  Lauren thought.  Aloud, she continued.  “What can you tell me about my grandmother?  I hate that I really know nothing about her.  Everyone I’ve talked to have convinced me that she was a remarkable woman, and now you’ve just told me she was highly educated.  That was something I hadn’t known.”  Lauren got up and took out a bowl of ambrosia from the refrigerator that she had made the previous night and placed it on the table.  She grabbed small plates and forks, and returned to the table.    

Sarah cocked her head a bit and seemed to appraise Lauren.

She started to say something, then stopped, and then stated.  “Your grandmother was a remarkable woman.  She not only was smart and educated, but she also had a very big heart.  She cared deeply about the people that lived around here, especially those that were having a hard time, financially or otherwise.  We all knew she could be trusted and many found comfort by just talking with her.

“She also loved this land and was very involved in the conservation effort.  The bayou and the animals that live in it are constantly being threatened by civilization, pollution and poachers.  I tell you .. “ she gave a hearty laugh  “that shotgun over the fireplace wasn’t just for decoration.  If she heard gunfire anywhere near here, she’d grab that thing and go traipsing after the culprits.  And once she found them, she’d really put the fear of God in them.” 

Sarah shook her head, still smiling.  “A few of those boys took her reprimands to heart and became conservationists.  Robbie Goddard is now the head ranger for the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge.  His career started right here on this land when he was poaching deer outside of season.  Your grandmother didn’t give him a lecture, but dragged him to a nonprofit she was involved in.  The Slidell Wildlife Refuge has a hospital that takes in animals that have been shot or hit by a car or sick.  For those that they can help, they patch them up and either release them back into the wild, or if they can’t survive out there, they keep them at a teaching zoo.  Anyway, through fear of your grandmother, Robbie volunteered for a few months, then volunteered for the next few years because he found he loved the work.”

“I saw Bernard a couple of days ago.  Sam Deveaux told me Grand-mere helped him get back into the wild after his mother was killed.  I’ve been toying with the idea of leaving some peanut butter sandwiches for him like my grandmother did.  Would hate for him to think he was forgotten.”

“Oh, yes, that black bear was your grandmother’s favorite.  It wouldn’t hurt to leave something for him every once in a while, but you really have to stay away, he is totally wild.”  She nodded her approval.  “Now, Sam was another one of her favorites.  I think he spent as much time with her as he did with his students, and that’s saying a lot.  Could never figure out why he’s never settled down, not that he hasn’t had the pick of the women around here.  Maybe he’s just been waiting for the right one.”  Sarah looked directly at Lauren above her glasses.    

Lauren thought of their date coming up on Sunday and could feel her face redden.  She hastily changed the subject.  “I understand you were the one to find her … my grandmother … that she knew she was dying and requested you to come by.”

“Yes.  We had talked many times about what she would want done.  It was hard, but I knew she would have done anything for me too.”  Sarah seemed deep in thought for a moment, then glanced at her watch.  “I’m sorry, dear, but I just have to be going.  It’s my turn to help clean the vestibule at the church.  There’s a wedding on Friday night and this morning there was a children’s fair at the church’s day care.  I imagine there will be quite a bit of cleaning to do.”  Sarah said this with a smile and a shake of her head.  She obviously enjoyed this chore.

She got up and Lauren followed her to the door.  “Thank you so much for lunch.  I’ll reciprocate real soon.”  She dug her keys out from the bottom of her purse.  She then grasped Lauren’s hand in hers and searched her face.  “It will all become clear, don’t worry, just have some patience.”

Before Lauren could respond, Sarah was out the door and headed towards her car.  With a small wave, she hopped into the car, and shot out almost before the door had closed.

Lauren closed the door, turned and saw Abigail sitting in the doorway of the bedroom.  “Well, what do you think of her?  I saw you sitting there under the chair watching us while we were eating.  Why didn’t you come out and say hello?  Was it because there wasn’t anything there for you to mooch from us?”

Abby looked the other way as though insulted.  She then turned and headed back toward the bedroom and Lauren followed.