Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [13]
“I lost track. I never thought the tuna would go over like it did. We have to call Elmo tonight and tell him. He’ll be so tickled. It’s all so wonderful, Jane. Everything is so fresh, so clean and pretty. You want to bet tomorrow jams.”
“Does that mean we’re going to be making tuna all night?”
“It means we have to go to Harris Teeter for coffee—vanilla, hazelnut, and cinnamon. Twenty pounds, Jane! Say it out loud!”
“Twenty pounds!” Jane giggled. “I can’t wait to count the money.”
“We’re going to need a supplier. We can’t keep running to the supermarket and paying full price. That eats into our profits. Elmo can tell us how to go about all that. We need to buy wholesale. You should think about that for your supplies, too, Jane.”
“Oh, I will. I think God smiled on us today, Annie.”
Annie’s exuberance died at Jane’s words. She turned away so Jane wouldn’t see her miserable face.
“Phone’s ringing, Annie. You’re the closest.”
Annie picked up the phone. “Tom! Oh, Tom, wait till I tell you! We sold out. We actually had to close up shop. You did call to congratulate me, didn’t you? What’s wrong?” Annie listened, her eyes filling with tears. “That can’t be, Tom. The place was clean. We both checked it out. There was ample help. Mom wouldn’t ... there are no animals there. Is the doctor sure? Oh, God! Tom, I’m living in a tiny two-bedroom apartment. I can’t take care of her. I would if I could. Couldn’t you convert your garage until I have this place up and running? You could make two nice rooms for Mom and Social Services would send someone to watch her. I can’t do it all, Tom. I just can’t. Look, I worked three part-time jobs, put myself through school, while all that was handed to you. Maybe you need to think about that. I, personally, don’t give a good rat’s ass what Mona wants, Tom. It’s just for a little while until I can get things together. I’ll take care of Mom then. Can’t you at least meet me halfway?” Annie blinked when she heard the sound of the dial tone. She felt sick to her stomach at what she was about to do. With her finger on the bar so Jane couldn’t hear the dial tone she said, “How much money and how soon can you send it? That much? Fine, Tom. Okay, I’ll call the nursing home and the doctor. I’ll find a nice place for Mom here. Of course I’ll pay my share. So I’ll have to moonlight if I need to. I’ve done it before. Fine, fine, I’ll let you know.”
“What is it, Annie? What happened?” Jane asked, putting her arms around her friend. Just then, the shop bell rang, but neither woman noticed.
“Tom said ... what he said was . . . what the doctor told him was Mom got bitten. On both her legs. The doctor said it was from a ... raccoon. She wasn’t the only one either. Mom said it was a kitten. She would think that in her condition. They’re going to keep her in the hospital for a few days, then send her back to the nursing home. I just don’t understand. It was clean, well maintained, a good staff. The food looked appetizing. Mom seemed to like it. It wasn’t the prettiest place in the world, but it was the best we could do at the time. Tom wants me to bring Mom here. He even gave me the name of a place that sounds wonderful. He’s going to send some money. He didn’t say how much, though.” Annie burst into tears.
“Now what am I supposed to do?” Annie wailed.
“I’ll tell you what you’re going to do, young lady. You’re going to pull up your socks and do what you’re supposed to do. Go get your mother and bring her here.”
“Elmo! What are you doing here?” Annie and Jane squealed in unison.
“Came for the grand opening! Damn plane got stuck in Roanoke and had to wait for six hours. Could have walked here in that time. Blow your nose. I hate a sniffling woman.”
“Did you close the store?”
“Hell no, I didn’t close the store. I sold the damn thing.”
“You sold the drugstore?” Jane