Chapter 58

I packed up the easy things, like extra bed linens, but my heart wasn’t in it, and the work went very slowly. I finally just gave up and got ready for bed. I knew it was going to be a tough night, so I brewed a cup of Sleepy Time tea. I’m not sure how well it works, but I like the tea, and I love the picture of the bear in bedroom slippers.

The phone snapped me out of my daydreams. Hoping it was a call that would change things, I answered.

“Is this Elizabeth Manigault?” The voice sounded Charlestonian and vaguely familiar.

“This is she.”

“Ms Manigault, my name is Carolyn Gallagher. We’ve never formally met, but I am the person who greeted you when you have come to Hospice of Charleston to visit Janice.”

“Has Janice passed away?”

“Yes, just a few hours ago. With all the necessary details, this is the first chance I’ve had to call. I knew you would want to know.”

“Yes, thank you, I did. Tell me, please; she seemed so alone. Was she all alone at the end?”

“Oh, no, that would never have happened, if we could help it. One of us would have been with her if necessary, but as it happened, a gentleman about her age came on the last day. I gather they had been very special to each other at one time, but they hadn’t been in contact for years. He said it was only happenstance he heard, and then he flew immediately from California.”

“He was probably the fiancé she gave up to become headmistress.”

“That would fit. She brightened up so just to see him; she was the happiest she’d been since she came here. But I also felt they both had regrets about the years that had been denied them. In some ways, they both seemed as though they wished they could go back and get a second chance. But of course, we see that a lot here. Unfortunately, life doesn’t give second chances, especially not in this place. But he stayed with her and held her hand. It was a very peaceful ending. And as you said, at least she wasn’t alone.”

“I am so glad to hear that.”

““Yes, no one should face the end of life alone. She did leave a message for you, well, two messages really”

“Yes?”

“The first message I have had since your last visit with instructions to call you in case of her death. Shall I read it to you? It’s quite short.”

“Please.”

“I regret I am unable to hear your decision. I am very curious to see which door you choose. I pretended it was a foregone conclusion, but I could tell that young man had a great hold on your heart. I’m sure it is a tough choice; it was for me, and I’m sure it will be for you. If you should choose my old position, just call the school and ask for the secretary. She will know what it’s about. Good Luck.”

“You said there was another message?”

“Yes, a verbal one she gave me very near the end. She said to tell you ‘no job is worth being alone.’ Does that make sense to you? She whispered quite softly, but I think those were her words.”

“Yes, it makes a great deal of sense; thank you.”

That night I lay in bed and wept. I knew why I wept. I cried for wasted years of being alone. I’m just not sure whom I was crying for, Janice or myself.

In the morning I went to Hazel’s for breakfast. I guess my mood showed on my face. Hazel tried to engage me in conversation, but I was not in the mood to chat, and I was practically rude about it. I would have liked a friendly face to talk to, but Hazel is not one to confide in. She is the local clearing house for all gossip. I claimed I was having a migraine to explain my behavior.

I went home to continue packing. I think everyone knew this was my day of decision, so they all left me alone with my thoughts ... or so I thought until someone pounded on my door. I opened it, and there stood Fancy. I was going to tell her it wasn’t a good time to call, but she had already breezed in, completely oblivious to any protest on my part.

She took in the partially filled boxes without comment and headed for the kitchen. I followed her and watched nonplused as she went about apparently making tea.