It All Comes Back to You

by Beth Duke

Violet Louise Thompson was beautiful and elegant at eighty-two and so scandalous in the manner she passed away Fairfield Springs was being sued for negligence.

“A love story can be described, but it’s truly known to only two people. They share the first accidental brush of fingertips, every sigh and private joke. They dance to the same music in their hearts for a lifetime.”

Violet offered her sage smile. “You didn’t want revenge, honey. That’s ugly. You wanted what you have: a career you enjoy and the opportunity to help people.”

That was the thing about Violet: she entered any room like a queen and inspired train-carrying impulses. “You should always walk like you have a crown on your head, Ronni. You are beautiful when you radiate confidence. Remember that.”

“Ronni, you are so pretty. You should see yourself the way I see you.”

She looked deeply concerned. Donna was always deeply concerned when litigation loomed, and it often did at nursing homes.

Violet sighed in defeat. Mama ruled the Glenn household with raised eyebrows and exasperated sighs, controlling her husband and daughter with field marshal precision. There was no arguing with her.

Well, I s’pose you could do worse. He a good boy from a good family, though his mama be one grumpy, spoilt woman. Spoilt as year old milk.”

Let’s just say my family crest would’ve featured bottles.

I wasn’t hated or ridiculed anymore; it was much worse. I ceased to exist.

“I have loved you, Violet Glenn, since sixth grade. I’ve stood in Johnny’s shadow and watched you adore him, even when he didn’t deserve it. I’ve taken photograph after photograph of your face, none of which came close to capturing the beauty I see every time I look at you. Your smile is the first thing on my mind when I wake and the last before I sleep. Your laugh makes me want to sing with happiness.” He paused and laughed softly, eyes on the ground. “I know I sound like an idiot, or the most repulsive poet of all time. I had an early start with the wine.”

Violet’s stomach lurched, offering a taste of wine and guilt.

“I’m not even sure I want kids.” The words left my mouth before I tasted them. “You don’t know that. You’re too young to make decisions so huge.”

“Well then,” Katie said, “You’ve seen living proof today that biscuits and bagels can mix well. I wish y’all the best.”

Bourbon relaxed Tolly temporarily, but soon it would cause him to pick at the thread that would unravel his life.

“The novelty will wear off, Harvey. You’ll forget me when you’re transferred.” He never did, even after Violet left him for Tolly.

Another lie. Tolly wanted Violet to have no friends, no family, no contact with the world unless he was at her side. She couldn’t smile at anyone more than a few seconds, male or female, without inviting a scathing comment from him.

This is the taste of secrets, she thought. Be quiet and let it linger on the tongue: the sickening cost of preserving the world for those I love, who can’t know I have a daughter in Florida; who can’t know my shining example of a husband is a drunk who beats me.

believe everyone comes into our lives for a reason. You came to show me my life with a daughter, the most precious gift imaginable.

I took a deep breath. “His name was Sam Davidson, and he also lived here, until he passed away a few years ago.” Deanna blinked. “You knew him, too?”

You are always on my mind, no matter where I go or what I do. The thought of you brings light into the darkest day.

She rolled over and stared at the ceiling, knowing she’d never get back to sleep without help. Violet reached for the pills Tolly gave her for pain. It didn’t really matter if it was her battered face or her battered heart, did it?

“A beautiful face like yours should never have a bruise. You’ll be fine in a few days, though, and you can forget this make-up.” He swiped at her cheek again, a tiny bit harder, then rubbed his finger and thumb together. “You don’t need it. You never have.” He turned his gaze to the window again and said softly, “I was there, you know. The day you married him.”

“Everyone in the South thinks Vivien Leigh is prettier than anyone, Violet.” Alice rolled her eyes.

We sat in arctic silence for what felt like an hour.

Violet couldn’t see any trace of prettiness in her sister-in-law, just a frozen mask of pained politeness.

“Sometimes you have to confront the rattlesnake or the airplane or the building’s rooftop or the mother,” I said. “I can move on now.”

“Chet made a choice—a stupid, childish choice—to stay with my father when we left. He did it so he could be near Violet. I never forgave him for that.”

Violet caught her reflection in the window of the den and thought she looked like a finely-dressed lunatic. Tomorrow she would do better. Tomorrow she would actually take a step forward instead of killing time.

Something tugged at my memory. “He was mine, even when he was with someone else.” “What?” Rick asked. “It’s something I remember Violet saying about Chet. I didn’t think much about it at the time, but he was married to another woman. He had a son.”

And it’s not your decision to make for me.” “Actually, it is. I’ll have nothing to do with you if you leave your family, Chet, I swear it. The guilt is too overwhelming. It would destroy me. I saw you looking at that picture of your son. I can’t live with it. I won’t.” “I can still be in Eric’s life, Violet. This is ridiculous.” He shook his head and looked to the ceiling. “Being in his life and raising him as a full time father are two very different things, Chet. You know that better than anyone.”

“What did marrying Tolly make you? Is marrying for money any different than marrying for a career?

Sunshine appeared to consider this for a minute. “He will always be yours. He is in you, Violet. Your paths may have separated for a time, but we all come together again in this life. Or the next one.”

“This sadness will transform you. All sadness does. It will help you understand yourself. Let it guide you.”

Today at lunch she’d join two of her favorite men for the first time in sixty years, but she was sure they’d recognize her. She was sure they’d adore her, too. At noon Violet swept into the dining room in an ivory silk suit, trailing Chanel No. 5 and attitude.

As rain pounded the roof and lightning cleaved the weeping willow in half, Chet’s heart stopped beating. And as she’d promised him long ago, Violet’s did, too.

Then, as all Southern Baptist preachers do with rare results, he called all the sinners among those present to the altar for a chance to repent. After a one hour and thirty minute service, it would’ve taken a very brave person to go forward.