A Love for All Seasons by Bettye Griffin

did—“scoping,” she called it—in her capacity as partner in a court transcription service. She talked a bit about her college days at U. Conn, but that was virtually the only personal information she’d divulged. Instead he’d rambled on about growing up in Docena and his family, plus a few fond memories of his high jinks at Fisk with Pete. Everything else they discussed had been more of a general topic. How could he pat himself on the back at a job well done when she hadn’t even seen fit to even mention the name of the town in which she’d grown up and where her mother still lived?
    His mouth set in a determined line. The next time he asked her out—provided there was a next time—he would insist he pick her up. And if she refused, he’d just cut his losses and move on.

Chapter 12
    All Those Years Ago
    A licia whirled around. “How do I look?”
    â€œYou’re breathtakingly beautiful,” Caroline proclaimed, her hands clasped at the level of her chest.
    â€œThank you.” Alicia made a playful mini-curtsy. She had dressed casually in jeans, suitable for their plans to see a movie.
    â€œI want to meet your young man when he comes,” Caroline stated firmly.
    â€œMom, don’t you think going downstairs will be a bit much for you?” Daphne said quickly.
    â€œNo, I don’t. That’s why I have a motorized stair climber, so I can go up and down without over-exerting myself. I’ll go downstairs and sit in the living room.”
    â€œBut Mom, it’s late. You’ve been up all day. You really should be getting to bed.” Daphne turned to Alicia, mouthing the words, “Help me!” with panic in her eyes.
    â€œDaphne, stop over-reacting,” Alicia said with undisguised annoyance. “Going downstairs for a few minutes is hardly the same as going out and dancing until dawn. Mom’ll be safely in bed before nine o’clock.” Sometimes she believed her sister made it a point to disagree with everything she said just to be difficult.
    Daphne crossed her arms over her chest. “You just want her to meet your date.”
    â€œYes, I do.” Alicia was eager for her mother’s impressions of Jack. She started to say, “Just like you wanted Mom to meet Todd when you first started seeing him,” but quickly thought better of it. She didn’t want to give the wrong idea, like that she expected, or even hoped, to marry Jack, a man she barely knew. But Caroline’s instincts had always been dead on where she was concerned. No one knew her better. Maybe she could provide some insight on why he affected her the way he did. Her eagerness for her mother to meet Jack outdid any qualms about Daphne getting in the way. Besides, Jack sounded awfully determined when he asked what time he should pick her up. A sixth sense told her that if she told him she’d meet him again, he would withdraw the invitation. This would be the last time she’d see him before he went home to spend Thanksgiving with his family.
    â€œWell, that’s settled. I’d better get downstairs.” Caroline placed her palms down on the sofa in her sitting area and pushed herself up. “Help me,” she commanded of Daphne, who promptly rose and offered her arm.
    â€œI’ll answer the door,” Daphne said.
    â€œGee, thanks,” Alicia replied dryly. She would have preferred for Martha to get the door, even if it meant her coming over from the guest house over the three-car garage where she lived with her husband and two high school-age children. She felt Martha would be glad to do it, since she’d expressed curiosity about the first man she’d allowed to pick her up at her mother’s home.
    Â 
    Jack pulled into the driveway of the impressive beige brick two-story house. No, make that mansion. From lights in the back of the house he could catch a glimpse of the dark waters of Long Island Sound.