Slim to None
Page 17
“Your cooking sure did get mighty famous all of a sudden, to be living in Clayton, North Carolina,” I tell him, giving him hell.
“I’ll have you know that back in Chicago, people raved about my cooking,” Sam says indignantly, puffing out his chest.
“Yeah well, that’s probably what caused the Great Chicago Fire of seventy-one,” I laugh, loving the pissed look on his face.
“Ya’ll are just too much fun,” Kassidy says with a giggle. God how I love that giggle. “I’d be rightly proud to stay for your spaghetti, Sam – which just so happens to be my all-time favorite food,” she says with a smile.
“That settles it then,” Sam says, grabbing pots and pans from the cabinets. “You two just run along and get outta my kitchen.”
“Yes, Mama,” I say, as Kassidy and me laugh our way out the door.
“I’ve got an idea,” I say, motioning Kassidy to give me a second, as I run into the house and grab a blanket from the linen closet.
“What’re you up to?” Sam asks, grinning like a possum, knowing full well what I’m about to do.
“Mind your business, old man,” I laugh, as I head back out to the back porch where Kassidy is waiting.
Blanket over my arm, I offer her my hand. “Take a walk with me?” I say with a grin.
“Why sure,” she says, grinning back and taking my hand.
By the time we walk down to the lake, the sun is already beginning to set. I spread the blanket out on the dock, and motion for Kassidy to have a seat.
“You may be seated, milady,” I say with a nervous grin. It’s about to get real, and I can only pray that it goes the way I hope it does.
Sitting on the blanket, Kassidy gasps at the beauty of the scene before her.
“Omigosh, this is gorgeous!” she exclaims. “I’ve never seen such a beautiful sunset, even at the beach in Cali!”
“Yeah, it’s a beautiful sight,” I say, but looking at Kassidy’s face instead of the sunset. It does not go unnoticed.
With a shy smile, she says, “Why Lukas Crawford, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were flirting with me,” raising an eyebrow.
“And I’d say you might just be right,” I say with a grin, taking her hand and caressing it gently. Then, with a more serious expression, I begin the speech I’ve prepared while Kassidy has been gone.
“Kas, I’ve been doin’ a lot of thinkin’, ya know, about different things and all…”
“Like what?” Kassidy asks, cutting me off. I continue, unperturbed.
“Well, like the way things have happened lately, with Jake and Jessica, your mama…everything. I’ve just been real confused lately, and…”
“About what?” Kassidy asks, a sly grin on her face. Yeah, I can see where this is goin’.
“Well, if you’d quit interruptin’ me every few seconds, I might could tell ya,” I say, with an equally sly grin.
“Boy, if you don’t shut up and kiss me, I’m liable to get mad and not even let you!” Kassidy says, giving me that adorable giggle that I’ve grown so fond of lately.
“Yes, ma’am,” I tell her, as I take her face in my hands and gently brush her lips with mine. The smile on hers lets me know that she’s been waiting on this for some time now…but I was too dang stubborn – or as Sam would say it, dumb to figure it out.
Sighing deeply, she cocks her head and stares at me quizzically.
“What I wanna know is – what took you so dang long?” smiling with a happiness that I’ve not seen on her face in a mighty long time.
Shaking my head, and giving her an embarrassed look, I tell her, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told ya,” kissing her again, then burying my face in her hair…I knew it! Strawberries. Her hair smells just like strawberries.
The sun has almost set, and is as glorious a shade of pinkish orange as I’ve ever seen. I sit there gazing upon the face of my sweet, sassy, and feisty as all hell Southern girl – so many years I’d considered her my best friend…and that part won’t change.
The fact of the matter is, she is my best friend, my soulmate – the love of my life. It just took a whole lotta clearing my head to figure out what so many other people saw with total clarity…I am, and have been for a long time, one-hundred percent in love with Kassidy Kane.
Dontcha just hate it when you’re the last one to know somethin’? Lord help me, but Sam’s never gonna let me live that down…
Epilogue
Kassidy
Me and Lukas were married at the little country church in the middle of Clayton, about six months after he first kissed me.
I’ve never seen a man lookin’ so good in a tux as my Lukas. Then again, my eyes have adored him for so many years now. I think the older he gets, the more he can make my heart skip a beat.
Of course, Sam was his best man…but he walked me down the aisle first. I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather have to give me away than Sam. He’s absolutely the father I’ve never had – the father that Lukas has never had as well.
Melanie was my bridesmaid, of course. She bawled during most of the ceremony, but she happened to get introduced to one of Lukas’ cousins, Randy, and they hit if off like gangbusters. They’re engaged to be married next summer. I couldn’t be happier that my own dream come true could lead her to find her happily ever after.
We moved to Wilmington, right on the coast. I told Lukas that I’d fallen in love with the beach – but that I’d never move to California – ever. Wrightsville Beach is just as beautiful as Laguna…and it’s a lot more family-friendly, which was important to me, seein’ as we have our own little family now.
A year after we got married, I found out we were pregnant. Lukas was over the moon with excitement. I knew he’d make an amazing dad, but he surpassed even my expectations.
Bella, our oldest, is four now, and the apple of her daddy’s eye. Her little sister, CeCe, will be three in May. She’s our little stinkpot, and keeps me on my toes with all the things she can get into in a flash. Lukas says she’s feisty, just like her mama, and that’s alright by me. It means she’ll stand up for herself, and that’s something that I’m teaching both of my girls – to never let a man, or anyone else for that matter, hurt them or bully them.
One day, when they’re older, they’ll know their Nanny Linda’s story…but for now, all they know is that she was a great woman, with a heart of gold. I know that Mama is looking down on them, and smiling at her little grandbabies.
Sam has come to live with us about a month ago, after his diagnosis of liver cancer back in March. He loves the girls, and they adore their Papa Sam.
At first, he was too proud to accept our offer of living with us, but I told him that if he didn’t that I would come to Clayton and kick his tail. He changed his tune real quick, and I laugh when I think about how he pretends to be scared of me…calling it ‘The Wrath of Kassidy Kane.” I remind him, “That’s Kassidy Crawford, now.” I have never been more proud of my name as I am right now.
Lukas finished his Bachelor’s degree, and is now an Engineering Manager at a major Architectural firm. In the evenings, he spends time with the girls, romping around and playing with them, making Sam laugh. On the weekends, though, he and Sam take the boat out and do some fishing and talking.
It hurts my heart to see Lukas hurting, the weaker Sam gets. It’s gonna break all of us when the Lord calls Sam home, but we’ve just gotta spend as much time with him as we can until that day comes. He loves to hang out with me in the kitchen during the day, teaching CeCe how to play checkers, while Bella is at pre-school.
One day Bella asks, “Papa Sam, were you and Nanny Linda married?” to which Sam replies, “No baby girl – and that’s the only thing missing from my life. But I’ve got you, your sister, and mommy and daddy – so Papa Sam is one very happy man.” I had to turn away and wipe my tears on that one.
Uncle Tommy visits when he can, and we go out to see him at least once a year. The girls love Tommy, and the horses make them giggle with gl
ee. Uncle Tommy puts them astride his most gentle mare, Ginger, and they are over the moon with excitement, squealing, “Look at me Mommy! Daddy, watch me!” Yeah, life is good.
We’re expecting our third little one in September, a boy, Niko. Yes, the same name as my beloved cat, who died two years ago due to kidney failure. I’ve always loved the name, so it just stuck. Lukas is so excited to be having a son, although his daughters hang the moon and the stars in his eyes. He says now our family is complete.
After all of the sadness I’ve been through in my twenties, my thirties have been filled with joy and pure, unadulterated love. Six years ago, I couldn’t have imagined my life being like this…had no idea where I was even headed. God has so truly and fully blessed me, I don’t know how I’m even worthy of it all.
Now, when I look back on Melanie’s words, so long ago, Careful what you wish for, you might just get it, I see that instead of an omen, it was a premonition – and this life is even more than I could have ever dreamt of, and so much more.
Mama would be so tickled to see how good Lukas is to me and the girls – and how well Sam fits into our little family. God only knows how I wish she could be here with us. But she is a part of us nonetheless, and her name is mentioned often and with great love. Her legacy is one of honor, and her story and mine have helped so many women, with me as an advocate for Domestic and Sexual Abuse.
I can only hope that I’m half the woman that she was, and continue making her proud.
About The Author
A.H. Shelton is a published author from Eden, N.C. An Ovarian Cancer survivor and current chemo patient, she advocates to spread Ovarian Cancer awareness.
Ovarian Cancer Facts:
Ovarian Cancer is fifth in cancer deaths among women
Estimated new cases in 2020 – 21,750
Benign symptoms, such as bloating, loss of appetite or feeling full sooner, frequent urination, low energy
Due to no form of yearly screening, most women are diagnosed by accident in the Emergency Room while checking for something else. Thus, most women are Stage 3 or 4 when diagnosed.
If you notice any changes in your body, especially if you have a family history of cancer – please speak to your physician immediately. It just might save your life.
(Cancer.gov, n.d.)