She settled back into her side of the table, while I popped in on Pam. “Do you need anything?” I asked.
“Nope. I’m doing just fine. Thanks to your mother, that is. I owe most of my sales this week to her energy and enthusiasm.” She leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, “You know, I had her do a reading for me.”
“You did?”
Pam nodded. “Yeah. It was so enlightening, too. Said she saw that I’d been struggling with a big decision lately.”
“Was she right?”
Pam’s head bobbed up and down enthusiastically. “What do you mean, was she right? Of course, she was! And you know what else she said?”
I shrugged.
“‘Life,’ she said, ‘is too short to put off trying all the things we want to do.’ She said you taught her that.”
“Me?”
“Yes, Lila. You know, your mama’s so proud of all you’ve done, admires how you bounced back from a failed marriage, raised your son. How when you lost your job, and that boy of yours was giving you fits, like most boys that age do, I suppose, how you were strong enough to follow your passion, and make a new, better life for the two of you. Said you’re a wonderful mother.”
“She did?”
Pam nodded.
I swallowed hard. Mama had told all that to Pam? Was that really how she felt? She thought I was a good mother. Strong?
Pam was still going on. “After I heard about your struggles and all you went through, making my decision was easy. Remember the other morning at the Magnolia when I told you and Ms. Duke that I love to read mysteries?”
I furrowed my brow and nodded, sort of remembering her saying something about mysteries.
She continued, “I’m going to stop writing romance for a while and try my hand at mysteries. It’s always something I’ve wanted to try. It’ll be like starting my career all over again, but I’m going to do it.”
“You are?” I wondered what Flora might have to say about this. Pam was her top-selling author. She’d hit the New York Times bestseller list numerous times. And Bentley? Pam’s bestselling romance series brought a lot of money into the agency.
Pam was gushing with excitement. “I haven’t told anybody, but I’ve been working on a mystery for a while and I think it’s good. It needs some polishing, but when it’s done, would you take a look at it?”
“Absolutely. I’d be honored.” And I meant it. Pam was an extraordinary writer; I had no doubt her mystery would be terrific. Although Flora and Bentley might not feel as enthusiastic about this new endeavor of hers, I viewed it as a wonderful opportunity for new growth for Pam as a person and as a writer. With Pam’s writing talents, and an already enthusiastic and huge fan base, any editor would be happy to sign her. Of course, romance writing and mystery writing required different mind-sets and different literary skill sets. But if she was successful, she could very easily end up being a bestseller in both genres. On a selfish note, the thought of representing her was thrilling to me. While I had a few high-selling authors, I had yet to have a client’s book grace the bestseller lists. “I’ll look forward to reading your mystery, Pam.”
Pam let out a little squeal. “Thank you, Lila.” Then she turned and glanced at my mother, who was holding a tarot card in front of a captivated audience. “You know, I hope you’re not upset that your mother told me all that personal stuff about you. I don’t think she could help herself, she’s just so proud. And sometimes I think we need to hear other people’s stories in order to understand our own. Do you know what I mean?”
I nodded. Still, I’d never thought of my story as anything special. Certainly not anything to inspire others. The fact that Mama did truly touched me. It reminded me that we all have our own stories, even Mama. I thought about all the years she’d lived without Daddy—alone and devoted to Trey and me. Was Oscar just an indication that Mama was ready to turn the page on a new chapter in her life? One that included someone to grow old with? At the very least, she deserved that type of happiness. And she deserved to have her own daughter support her. Just like she’d supported me all these years. I still wasn’t sure about Oscar, but I was sure that from now on, I’d be more sensitive to Mama’s needs. After all, she was one truly amazing woman.
I turned back to Pam and, to her surprise, embraced her in a hug. Pulling back, I said, “You’re right, Pam. Other people’s stories can teach us a lot about ourselves. Thank you.”
Chapter 14