In Another Time Page 3

  She appreciated that her talents were recognized even if she wasn’t creative like the rest of her family. People had told her all her life that she was funny, smart and not too hard on the eyes. Even if she was a little thin, as Lala never failed to mention. Most importantly though, she knew she had the unconditional love and support of her family.

  She’d always felt so fortunate to have Lala as her guardian. Dad had wanted it that way in case anything happened to him. He needed that peace of mind. Although Lala had always insisted that nothing was going to happen to him.

  As a child Sadie’d often felt lacking because her parents weren’t together. But as she’d gotten older, she realized how different her parents were from each other and she could see why they couldn’t make their marriage work. Where Dad was the eternal dreamer with an aching discontent, Mom was decisive, organized and driven.

  Sadie was three when her mom left them, but every year like clockwork her mother had sent the obligatory Christmas and birthday cards that included dispassionate notes wishing Sadie well before they rambled on about the mundane happenings in her mother’s life.

  Never once did she profess to miss Sadie nor did she ask to see her.

  For days Sadie would scrutinize every detail of the notes, turning them over and over in her hands as if looking for something more than the noncommittal words written on the single sheet of lined paper. Then her mood would turn sour and she’d mope around only offering monosyllabic answers when Lala tried engaging her in conversation. But after several years of having no physical contact with her mother, she finally came to the realization that her mom didn’t want to be in her life. She seemed satisfied to simply be an absent parent. A biological donor. As the years passed, and each predictable card arrived in the mail, Sadie opened them, quickly glossed over the notes, then stowed them in her hope chest along with all the others.

  On Sadie’s sixteenth birthday her mom had written in her letter that she was getting married. As a nurse, her mom had met her new husband, a pediatrician, at the hospital, and from what Sadie’d gleaned from the letters thereafter, he sounded to be about as different from Sadie’s dad as could be. And they never had any children, which Sadie had always thought was odd because he was basically a children’s doctor.

  Her dad had never remarried and hadn’t shown much interest in doing so. He’d dated a couple of women early on after the divorce but never found a woman that held his interest for long. And once he’d started his business, he was only around a couple times a month for a few days at a time, which didn’t allow him time to become invested in a relationship, and he seemed happier and more content than he’d ever been.

  As a little girl, she’d often wondered what it’d be like to be more like her dad. He was such a dreamer, always searching for that elusive thing that would complete him, drifting from job to job for years after her mom just up and left them, but he’d held on to the notion that one day he’d come up with the next big thing. When he started his own trucking company during Sadie’s eighth grade year, she was happy that he’d finally found his true calling. Driving a semi and trailer around the country might have actually fixed him, calmed his restlessness. She was thrilled that he’d made a career for himself that would allow him to fulfill his wanderlust and quiet his yearning spirit. Even though he was on the road driving coast to coast most days, she knew that Harmony Glen was still his home. He would always return, and he would always set aside days to spend quality time with her.

  She’d been told she was more like her mom, seeing things in black and white, no blurry lines, going after what she wanted and staying on the straight and narrow. Lala was very much that way too—decisive, committed, strong-willed—so Sadie felt more inclined to credit her grandmother for the way she was instead of the woman who’d barely made a splash in her life.

  A car horn blast reeled her back to reality. Focusing on her surroundings, she noticed the tall, broad-shouldered, distinguished-looking, older gentleman walking briskly in her direction. Obviously, he was on a mission.

  Just as they were about to approach each other in the middle of the block, a gust of chilly, autumn air loosened that same unruly wisp of chestnut hair from behind her ear. Following it with her eyes, she raised her hand to pat it back into place and nearly plowed right into the man. If he hadn’t been paying attention and stopped a few inches in front of her, they would’ve collided. Startled, Sadie looked up and noticed his astonished, yet somehow appreciative expression. His crystal blue eyes were open wide and his mouth was working wordlessly until he sucked in his breath and whispered reverently, “You have her beautiful, caramel-colored eyes.”

  Chapter 4

  “Whaaat?” Sadie uttered obtusely, his remark totally catching her off guard. “I’m sorry, do I know you? — Whose eyes?” she questioned as she leisurely assessed his coif of salt-and-pepper hair—mostly salt now she noticed—his strong, square jaw, thin, straight nose, and expensive sportswear—which looked right out of a J. Peterman catalog, she also noted—that nicely fit his lean, athletic form. She thought he’d probably been a real looker in his day. Feeling embarrassed for boldly giving him the once over after almost smacking right into him, the color rose in her cheeks and she averted her gaze.

  The inquisitive man ignored her question and instead pressed, “I beg your pardon, miss. I don’t mean to be forward, but is your family name Connelly?”

  “Umm, yes, it is,” Sadie answered slowly as she met his eyes, even more intrigued now by the handsome stranger. She curiously examined his face. Why did he seem so familiar?

  “I’m terribly sorry. Where are my manners?” Extending his right hand, he continued, “I’m Sam. Sam Evanston.”

  “Have we met before, Mr. Evanston?” Sadie asked as she mechanically placed her hand in his and pumped, feeling certain now that she knew him.

  “No, I’m sure I’ve never had the pleasure, but you certainly are the spitting image of your grandmother,” he rasped as he gazed adoringly at her. His blue eyes sparkled and he continued holding her hand. She noticed that both his hands were now cupping hers gently in a warm, friendly manner.

  “Hmm. So, you knew my grandmother, huh?” Sadie cocked her head to the side and raised her eyebrows suspiciously.

  “Oh, she must be,” Sam replied as he studied her face. “The resemblance is uncanny,” he said with such tenderness and Sadie felt another tug of familiarity.

  Then he blinked and shook his head as if coming out of a haze.

  “You said knew her?” He looked puzzled as he slowly let go of her hand.

  “Oh. Yes. I’m so sorry. Lala has been gone since mid-August. I miss her so much,” Sadie said dolefully. Then she twisted her head around and gestured with her thumb toward La-La Land. “That’s her bookstore back there,” she stated proudly.

  “Hmm, La-La Land. That’s clever,” Sam said. “You get lost in a good book, so you’re in La-La Land. I like it,” he said smiling approvingly.

  Sadie nodded eagerly at his recognition of the connotation of the bookstore’s name. Just as she looked back toward Sam, another strong gust caught the edge of her red felt tam and lifted it off her head. Sam reached up and caught it in his right hand just as the breeze hoisted it above his head.

  “Whoa! Here you are,” he said grinning as he bowed slightly and offered it to Sadie.

  “Oh, my hero!” Sadie drawled as she dramatically curtsied after accepting the tam. And then she laughed. When his expression of pure reverence took her by surprise, she abruptly stopped laughing and stared at him. “How did you say you knew Lala?” she asked searching his eyes while adjusting the velvety tam on her head.

  Sam looked confused. He blinked and repeated, “Lala?”

  “Oh, sorry. Lala, it’s what I call Grandma Lillian.” Sadie shrugged sheepishly. “As a toddler I couldn’t say her name so it came out all garbled as ‘Lala’ and it just kind of stuck.”

  “Ah, and now La-La Land has an even deeper significance.” Sam nodded p
erceptively then answered her query. “Lillian and I met during our senior year of high school. We only had a few precious months together as I was drafted into the Army Air Force and had to leave her. At the time, I thought I’d return from the war and we’d spend the rest of our lives together. We were so young and so much in love.” Sam sighed. “I know that sounds silly, because we’d only been together for a few months, but it was true love. Actually, it was love at first sight for me.

  “So, you see, I was really hoping I’d get the chance to reconnect with her. We haven’t seen each other for so many years.” Looking over her head he nodded and added, “I was just on my way to her bookstore trusting I’d catch her before she left for the day. I was running a little late because at the last minute I got cold feet, and I almost didn’t come,” he rambled on awkwardly.

  Suddenly, he broke eye contact and looked down at the ground between them. Glancing up, he seemed to be studying a point just over Sadie’s head for a few seconds. Then timidly, he looked directly into her eyes and shyly asked, “Miss Connelly, would it be too forward if this old man asked you to go for a coffee with him? I’d love to spend some time with you and tell you the story of another time when your grandmother and I knew each other. Actually, it was in another life. It’s just, I’ve come all this way, and you remind me so very much of her and…” his voice drifted away.

  “Well, I do have midterms at the end of this week, and I really do need to hit the books. Human Physiology II is kicking my butt. Oh, sorry.” She hunched her shoulders apologetically and looked up at him through thick eyelashes. “Sometimes I get a little carried away.” Sadie searched his kind blue eyes for several seconds while contemplating her situation. Then she made her decision and offered, “I was just on my way to a little café if you’d like to join me. It’s just around the corner on Maple Lane. My aunt owns it, so I can say in all honesty that they serve the best pastries in New York. I was headed there to get a good dose of caffeine to get revved up so I can cram for my tests. And please, call me Sadie, Sadie Connelly.” Now it was Sadie’s turn to ramble.

  Chapter 5

  Harmony Glen was a quiet little burg by New York standards. Along its eastern border, the Hudson River snaked lazily, and on the western edge of town, the gentle sloping peaks of the Catskills rose to greet the sky. Less than an hour’s drive north to Albany and just a little over an hour and a half drive south to New York City, it was a quiet, unique spot in the road. An ideal place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world.

  Sadie believed it was a perfectly magical place, especially in autumn. On this mid-October day in 1988, the leaves had already begun their transformation from shades of green to the brilliant colors of fall. The founding fathers had thoughtfully planted maples, oaks, birch, and poplars throughout town, and every year when the leaves brandished their fiery hues, the result was breathtaking, as gracefully, the red, orange, and yellow leaves floated earthward and settled around the ancient tree trunks.

  As she and Sam walked side by side down Chestnut Street, Sadie breathed in deeply, blew it out and proclaimed, “Ah, fall is my favorite season. I love the colors and the smells. Just look at the trees.” Emphasizing her point, she sniffed again, exhaled, and made a sweeping arc with her arm toward the display of dramatic, colorful trees that lined the town square.

  Sam admired her artist’s eye and agreed that it truly was a beautiful scene. “The trees have grown dramatically since I was here. They’re absolutely majestic.”

  Rounding the corner of Maple Lane, the sight of Comfort & Joy propelled Sam back to another time. It stood in such contradiction to the massive, stately brownstones that housed La-La Land and many of the other buildings in town, for it was a squat, white clapboard frame structure that boasted delicate, ornamental curlicued corbels on each of its eaves. A gleaming, cherry-red door was flanked by generous floor-to-ceiling picture windows whose vertical sides were flanked by glossy black shutters. Over each one, a stylish, green and white striped fabric awning lovingly protected it. Radiating from inside, an alluring warm glow invited all to enter. With all the charm and ambience of an old French bistro, there were twinkling string lights laced celestially across the tin ceiling above the linen-clad tables which were embellished with tall, slender vases flaunting a single seasonal stem. Fragrant aromas of fresh-baked goods and piping hot, steamy brews beckoned one’s mouth to water.

  Comfort & Joy was bustling. Along with the regulars and tourists, it appeared other collegians had had the same idea as Sadie—load up on caffeine and goodies before studying for their midterms. As she and Sam entered, she spied a table at the front next to one of the large picture windows that looked out over the town square, and Sam fell in behind her as they wove their way through the mass of people to claim the perfect table for two. Sadie removed her hat, scarf and jacket, hung her backpack over the back of her chair, and looked out the window. She sighed and thought, “I wish Lala was here. She loves autumn in Harmony Glen as much as I do.”

  They took their seats just as their waitress, Josie, all but ran to their table. She beamed at both of them, squealed, then bent to hug Sadie’s shoulder and kiss her on the cheek. She smiled at Sam then looked curiously back at Sadie.

  When Sadie didn’t introduce her, she shifted her pen from her right hand to her left, thrust her hand toward Sam and said, “Hi! I’m Josie! Welcome to Comfort & Joy.”

  Sam stood, took her hand in his and said, “Hello, I’m Sam Evanston. Pleased to meet you.” Then chuckling he added, “I believe you’re the friendliest waitress I’ve ever met.”

  Josie blushed, frowned at Sadie, and said, “Oh! No! I’m Sadie’s cousin. Since she didn’t feel the need to introduce us, I took it upon myself to do so. Usually, Sadie’s a little more on the ball.” She giggled and playfully chucked Sadie on the shoulder.

  Sadie rolled her eyes at Josie and said, “I’m sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind. Sam and I just met. He’s an old friend of Lala’s.”

  “Oh! Well, Sam,” Josie gushed, “any friend of Lala’s is a friend of the family. It’s so very nice to meet you. Are you ready to order or do you guys need a minute?”

  Giggling, Sadie playfully slapped her on the elbow and asked, “Wait, silly. I know you guys are busy but how long are you in town?”

  “Oh, I’ll be here through the weekend. Mom called yesterday and asked if I could help out this week. You know Rachel had her baby Saturday?”

  “No! I’ve been so busy with school and the bookstore, I hadn’t come by for a few days! Are she and the baby doing well?”

  “They are. Mom went to the hospital to see them yesterday morning. She said the baby is so cute! It’s a boy. They named him Trevor Joseph. Isn’t that an adorable name?” Josie raved.

  “Oh, it is! I’m so glad they’re doing well. Rachel’s so sweet and her husband’s a great guy. I’m so happy for them!” She smiled big at the thought of the couple becoming a family. “Hey, we need to get together while you’re in town. Why don’t you come by my apartment when you get off tonight?” Sadie suggested.

  “Sure! It’ll be fun catching up! I’ll bring some goodies,” Josie winked.

  “Yum! But that’s not going to stop me from ordering one now.” Sadie laughed.

  Josie was Sadie’s favorite cousin. Both of them being a few years older than their other cousins, they’d always gravitated toward each other’s company. Of course, they loved all of their cousins but theirs was a special bond. Sadie couldn’t count the times Josie had lifted her spirits over the years. When she’d a bad break-up with a boyfriend, a low score on a test, or just felt down because her parents weren’t around, Josie always stated the positive: You’re going to meet the love of your life now that you’re single; you know what the tests are like now, so you’ll ace the rest of them; and if your parents were around more, you wouldn’t get to spend so much time with Lala.

  It was impossible to be in a bad mood when Josie was around. Her exuberant nature was infectious. From he
r bouncy blond, naturally curly hair to her toenails that always sported the most festive color of the season, Josie exuded joy and positivity. She virtually vibrated with cheerfulness.

  She was also one of the most talented violinists in New York. Earning a Bachelor of Music degree from Juilliard and winning the audition for the first chair second violin in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra last year at such a young age, she was definitely recognized as an accomplished musician. The entire town was so proud of her as was all of her family.

  Sadie ordered her usual: a large, caffe mocha, double shot of expresso and whipped cream, of course, and a chocolate croissant. When Sam raised his eyebrows in question, she defended her choice by stating matter-of-factly, “Hey, remember, I do have a bunch of studying to do later!”

  Chuckling, Sam ordered a black coffee and decided he’d also splurge on one of the delicious smelling homemade pastries.

  After settling in, Sam asked if Lala had ever mentioned him. Sadie thought for a few seconds then said that she didn’t recall the name Evanston, but added that Lala hadn’t actually ever talked much about her past. In fact, she realized she really knew very little about Lala’s past.

  “It’s funny. I’ve always thought of her as Lala, not as a little girl or even a teenager. It’s even kind of weird to think of her as a young woman,” she revealed. Thinking back, she shared with him that several times when she was in high school and she’d complain about all the drama, Lala would get a faraway look in her eyes and tell her not to get hung up on it because she’d give just about anything to go back and relive her senior year.

  Sadie noticed the pained look in Sam’s eyes. After a moment’s hesitation she asked, “Wasn’t that about the time you said you knew each other? You were in high school, right?”

  Sam nodded, but she saw that his clear blue eyes had grown misty as he tried to focus his attention to a couple walking past the window in order to evade Sadie’s curious gaze.