by Becki Willis
For the next twenty minutes, the trio had their family howling in laughter and wiping away tears of mirth. Taking turns as narrator and actors, the teens acted out the stories they told, using simple props and exaggerated facial and body expressions. Taking their cue from the silent movies of old, they gave a dramatic rendition of each tale. What they didn’t know, they embellished with outrageous claims and lucky guesses, and pieced together a sometimes silly, sometimes poignant story of their parents’ intertwining lives.
They had the most fun portraying Brash’s prowess at sports, Madison’s delight at giving birth to twins (matching pillows from Genny’s sofa), the mad crush Madison had on Brash in high school, Brash’s appointment as chief of police (and an imaginary shoot-out with villains that never really happened), and the tug of war with their emotions when Maddy returned to The Sisters, and they realized they were falling in love.
When the laughter died away and their audience continued to percolate with the occasional residual giggle, each teen took the ‘stage’ again to deliver their own heartfelt message. The tears started over again, minus the laughter.
Bethani was the first to speak. “It’s no secret to anyone in this room that I was strongly against moving here. As far as I was concerned, our mother had moved us to a strange and barren land, where there was no mall, no Starbucks, no drive-thru anything. I was still mourning the loss of our father, and the life we had lived in Dallas. As much as I loved my mother—and you, too, Granny Bert and Aunt Genny—I hated it here. I tried everything in my power to get out of this god-forsaken, hillbilly backwoods and get back to the city. But thank goodness, the three most influential women in my life were smarter than me and knew this was exactly where we needed to be.
“Because then the strangest thing happened. It turned out this wasn’t such a god-forsaken, barren land, after all. I met a really cool girl at school, and she was nice to me. Way nicer than my snobby friends in the city. And it turned out she was way cooler, too. She was a cheerleader, and a dancer, and she rode horses and liked to fish, and it just so happened her father was the chief of police. She quickly became the very best friend I have ever had, and she became the sister I have always wanted.” Bethani paused to flash her brother a smile. “Sorry, bro. Having a twin brother is cool and all, but I always wanted a sister. And now I have one, because in a crazy twist of fate, our parents are getting married tomorrow.”
The girl took a deep breath and looked directly at her mother, and at her soon-to-be stepfather. Flipping her long, blond hair over her shoulder, she continued.
“Mom, I know I judged you harshly when we first moved here. I blamed you for a lot of things that weren’t your fault. I know you were trying to hold our little family together the only way you knew how. You tried to protect Blake and me from the truth, but you should have trusted us, Mom. You always sacrificed your own happiness for ours, and I want you to know how much we love you for that. But you gotta stop, Mom. You have to think about yourself every once and while. Because when you’re happy, we’re happy.
“And Mr.de. I tried so hard not to like you. You were like some bigger than life action hero, and you had my brother and my mother wrapped around your little finger, and I was determined not to follow suit. I thought that liking you would somehow be disloyal to my father, and I couldn’t let that happen. But you just kept chipping away at the wall I built between us. You let me throw my fits and be a brat, and you were still so calm and nice and good to me. Way better than I deserved. But most of all, you were good to my mother. And you made her happy, something she definitely deserved. And then, before I even knew it, I found myself starting to wind around your finger, too. So now you have us all, right in the palm of your hand.
“But,” she warned, flashing a cheeky grin, “don’t think you’re ever going to hear me admit that again. So, long story short. I thought my life was over when Mom dragged us here a little over a year ago. I had no way of knowing a new life was waiting for us. A new life with a new sister, a new set of grandparents, new friends, and, yes, a new father. So, I just want to say I’m happy for you both, and I couldn’t be more excited about tomorrow. Here’s to you, Mom, and to you, Daddy de.”
Before the teen straightened from her deep bow, Madison had her wrapped in a tight hug, with Brash not far behind. Tears flowed freely around the room.
Megan took the stage next. With long, auburn hair and fashionable glasses resting upon a pert nose, Brash’s daughter was the perfect counterbalance to the fair twins. She wasn’t as tall and lanky as the other two, but her figure already held the promise of classical curves. With her vivacious personality and bright smile, Megan rarely met a stranger.
“After that tear-jerking speech, mine may sound a little lame,” the teen confessed with a timid smile. “I haven’t known the heartache and loss that Bethani, Blake, and their mom have known. I’m sorry they had to go through that, but it’s what brought them back to The Sisters, and what led them into our lives.
“I don’t have a sad story to tell. The truth is, I’ve always had a fairy-tale life. At least, that’s how it’s always felt to me. Even though they lived separately, my parents made me feel like a princess. I had two palaces, two sets of toys, two bedrooms, two Christmases, and three sets of grandparents.” She wagged her eyebrows playfully, stirring a snicker amid the teary-eyed crowd. “That meant two kingdoms where I ruled as Princess Megan. How lucky could a girl get?” She flashed another charming smile, before she turned serious.
“You see, I’ve always thought of my dad as a king. His cowboy hat was his crown, and his police badge was his shining armor. And he was the smartest, and coolest, ruler in all the land. Would you believe this man taught me how to wear high-heels shoes? I know, I know. My mom does it with such grace, but I nearly broke my ankle every time I put on something taller than a flip-flop! But then my dad—the same man who showed me how to bait a hook and saddle a horse and shoot a gun—gave me a few pointers on shoes, of all things. It’s all about balance, he said. Knowing where to put the pressure, and where to leave a little wiggle. He said it was the same way with raising kids. There were times he had to apply pressure, like curfews and rules about being alone with boys and going to church every Sunday, so he could allow me a little wiggle room on other things. And whatdaya know? I put on a pair of heels and strutted across the room like a runway model.” She acted out the scene with exaggerated moves before continuing.
“My dad’s sneaky like that. He’s always sneaking in a life lesson when I least expect it. Like the time I was six, and my mom had just gotten remarried. I felt guilty, because Daddy overheard me say something about Momma Matt. Later that day, we went to the field house where he was coach, and he showed me some of the equipment the football players used. There was this thing that looked like a giant rubber band, and he showed me how stretchy it was. It pulled way out, two or three times its regular size, but when you turned it loose, it went back to its old size. Do you remember that day, Daddy, and what you told me?”
His voice crackling just a bit, Brash’s eyes gleamed with unshed tears as he nodded. “I remember, Princess.”
“You told me that the heart was a lot like a rubber band. That it was stretchy. It could stretch to many times its normal size and have room to love many people and many things. But that, like the rubber band, it always came back to its true self. It never forgot its original shape or its original purpose. You explained that love was like that. Just because my heart stretched enough to let Momma Matt inside, it didn’t mean it forgot to love you as much as ever.
“That was a good lesson to learn, because now my heart has stretched even more. Loving Momma Maddy takes nothing away from my own awesome mother. Loving a new brother and sister takes nothing away from the brat”—she threw a funny face and an affectionate smile toward her half-brother Trouper, who had curled up in their mother’s lap and fallen asleep—“and loving a new set of grandparents doesn’t change how I feel about my other grandparents. Everythi
ng is just multiplied. My heart has stretched enough to let everyone in.
“Best of all, my dad’s heart has stretched. And believe me, the man already had a huge heart, even before it made room for the Reynolds clan! I can honestly say that my dad is the best person I know. By far the most generous. He’s always giving of himself. His time, his talents, his protection. And his advice, I might add, whether we ask for it or not. So it’s good to see him taking something for himself, for a change. He’s taking a wife. A soul mate. A real chance at happiness and the ever after that he deserves. So, this is to my forever king, and his new queen. Long may you reign!”
After another round of hugs and tears, Blake took his turn to wish the couple well.
“I should have known better than to let my two sisters go first,” the teen pretended to grumble. “They made all the good points first. Never two more deserving people. Check. Hearts full of happiness. Check. New family circle. Check. More grandmothers to cook for us. Check. More Christmas dinners and Christmas presents. Check.” He waggled his eyebrows for laughs.
“But here’s a couple of things they didn’t mention. They didn’t mention what good examples our parents are setting for us. Mom, you’re the strongest woman I know. When Dad died, our world turned upside down. Our life sort of fell apart, but you were the glue that held us together. Like Beth said, you tried to protect us, but we knew Dad left us without any money. We knew you didn’t just suddenly decide you liked shopping at WalMart, or that McDonald’s served better food than our favorite restaurants, or that you didn’t need a big, fancy car after all. You cut corners where you could, made certain that Beth and I had everything we needed, and you cried into your pillow at night because you hated some of the jobs you took to make ends meet. But you were always smiling the next morning, and you never complained, and you never blamed Dad.
“We know you and Dad had some problems, but you never let that get in the way of reminding us how much he loved us, and how proud he was of us. You talk about Dad all the time, making sure Beth and I never forget him. You put your own differences aside, so Beth and I can remember the good parts of our old life. To me, that shows how strong you really are.
“You’ve shown us that making room for someone new doesn’t mean we forget the someone old. Even Mr. de talks about Dad, asking how he did things and what he thought about this or that. I know it’s his way of helping me honor my father’s influence in my life, and letting me know it’s okay to miss him, and to wish he was here with us, sharing new experiences.”
Blake shifted his eyes to Brash, to address the man directly. “You’ve set a good example for me, showing me how to treat a woman with respect, and dignity, and as an equal. You let Mom make her own decisions, and you support her, even when you think she’s wrong. You can cook and clean and wear a frilly apron—don’t pretend we haven’t all seen you, big guy—and still take down a criminal with a single look. Yeah, that one there. Just don’t aim it at me. It’s lethal. Anyway, you’ve been a good example for us all. You’re brave and strong and reliable, and you’ll give a person the shirt off your back if they need it. Everyone knows they can come to you for help. You know when to be tough, and you know when to be gentle. You’re not afraid to let your feelings show, so that’s a new lesson for me, and one I think I should learn. So, if Mom was the glue that held us together, you’re the super glue that will make it stick, and you’ve bonded us into a new family unit. We’re the Reynolds-deCordova family now. It’s a mouthful, but best of all, it’s a heart full.” To hide the tears gathering in his blue eyes, Blake flashed a big smile and made a grand gesture with his arms. “Congratulations, you crazy kids.”
There was little else to add to the heartfelt speeches, but the couple stood and accepted the applause from their loved ones.
“After those wonderful well wishes, there’s not much we can say,” Madison said, wiping away lingering tears.
“Just that Maddy and I have to be the luckiest couple on earth,” Brash interjected, holding his fiancée by the waist. “We have each other, we have these three great young adults who continue to amaze us each and every day, and we have each of you. We can’t get more blessed than that. Thank you for being a part of this tonight, and for being a part of our lives. We love you guys.”
Beside him, Madison nodded vigorously through a veil of fresh tears. She was too emotional to speak. Too happy to express her feelings with mere words.
Tomorrow, she would have her wildflower wedding.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Her mind spinning with a thousand happy thoughts, Madison all but floated through her evening routine. Her feet were light as she waltzed around her luxurious bathroom, humming a favorite love song while she applied face cream.
When Nick Vilardi designed her suite of rooms during the renovation, she had thought them a bit over the top. Dominating one-half of the second floor, the rooms were all spacious and airy. Overkill for a single occupant, even if her closet was the envy of women everywhere. The decadent bathroom and the massive walk-in closet boasted double doors, matching those to the sitting room and adjoining library. Madison had considered it excessive extravagance, designed to impress the television audience more than to accommodate her needs.
But tonight, the extra space was appreciated. Caught up in the tune playing in her head and in her heart, Madison waltzed through the generous openings and spun like a ballerina, acting out the fantasy of being a queen.
Tonight, she felt like a queen. The queen of hearts. Tomorrow, she would marry her king and bring him back here to their palace, where they would live happily ever after. And tomorrow night, she would no longer sleep alone in her custom-made bed. That thought, alone, was worth a double spin.
When her phone rang, Madison snatched it up mid-step. Without breaking tempo, she turned and glided gracefully into the sitting room, holding her nightgown aloft as if it were the finest ball gown.
“Speak to me, Your Highness,” she said in her best haughty voice.
To her surprise, it wasn’t Brash’s voice that answered.
“Madison?” a woman’s voice squeaked.
Her feet faltered, causing her to stumble. Disappointed to hear Collette’s voice on the other end of the line instead of her fiancé’s, Madison crashed into the cushions of the turret’s settee.
“I’m sorry. I thought you were Brash.”
“I know this isn’t the best time to call, and I do apologize,” Collette began. Madison couldn’t determine if the slight whine in her voice was from alcohol or depression. Possibly both.
She didn’t attempt to hide her weary sigh. There was nothing like a depressed friend to dampen the euphoria from just moments before. “What can I do for you, Collette?”
“I’ve been thinking about what you said.”
“Mmm… which part?”
“About the autopsy and having peace of mind.”
Thinking of her reaction last time it was mentioned, Madison defended herself, “I only wanted to help.”
To her surprise, Collette replied, “I still don’t like the idea of cutting him up, but I called the funeral home and asked them to wait on the cremation.”
“Really? That’s great. I think that was a very wise move, Collette. I think you’ll find comfort in knowing what your husband died from.”
“I called an hour too late,” the other woman informed her. “They had just finished the cremation.”
Madison felt a surge of disappointment. Now they might never know the truth behind Bobby Ray Erickson’s death, and a murderer might get away with the crime.
On the other hand, she conceded, perhaps Bobby Ray had gone into anaphylactic shock and actually did die from natural causes. It wasn’t the foul play Brash suspected, but also not the heart attack others so easily assumed.
Either way, an autopsy would have provided a definite answer.
“I’m sorry, Collette,” Madison said with sincerity. “That’s truly a shame.”
“I shouldn�
��t have been so stubborn. I should have listened to you and requested an autopsy. I just couldn’t bear the thought of…. You know. Cutting up his body.” A sniff worked its way into her words.
“I can’t say I blame you, Collette. After the shock of unexpected death, it’s an emotional and difficult time to make such an important decision.”
“But you tried to tell me. I would at least know if it was a heart attack, allergic reaction, aneurysm… whatever. I knew it couldn’t have been murder, not like you suggested the other day, but you were right about giving me peace of mind.” Her voice fell to a new low. “Now I’ll never know for sure.”
It was the last thing she wanted to do on the eve of her wedding, but Madison spent the next half hour, coaxing Collette into better spirits. From the sound of things, reality had sunk in, and a delayed sense of grief had the other woman in its grip. Empathy for Collette’s plight made it impossible to brush her off. In many ways, Madison was one of the few people who knew exactly what she was going through.
As the clock ticked closer to midnight, Collette’s sniffles subsided. “I’m sorry, Madison,” she apologized. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, calling you tonight, of all nights! It’s the night before your wedding, and the last thing you needed was to listen to me wallowing in my sorrow.”
“I understand where you’re coming from, Collette.”
“I know, and I guess that’s why I wanted to talk to you. You’re the only one who understands. I may not have been happy in my marriage to Bobby Ray, but I still cared for him, on some level. I never thought he’d die so suddenly.”
“We never expect these things.”
“It just hit me, you know? The finality of it. The… stupidity of it.”
Madison stifled a yawn, hoping the conversation was ending. “Death is difficult to understand,” she agreed.
