Loving Lily Lavender

by Deanna Kinney

  “Don’t get too comfortable, because I’m going to find your owner and get you home.” He just looked at me with the sweetest eyes. I went over and knelt down to rub him, looking him over for fleas and ticks. Yep, it was a boy. I also couldn’t find a tattoo, but he was clean, so that must mean he belonged to someone.

  Though I had work to do, I took the time to make the calls to see if anyone had reported him missing. No one had reported it, so I left my number and my first name only.

  I called Meagan when I hadn’t heard from anyone by the evening. “Meagan, can you go by the store and pick up a bag of dog food and bring it to me? I would do it myself, but I’m busy fountain hunting.”

  “Why do you need dog food?”

  “It’s a long story. I’ll explain it when you get here. If you do this I’ll let you borrow that dress you wanted to wear for your date with Cody.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  “Thanks.” I knew that would do it. She’s wanted to borrow that dress ever since Lucas bought it for me as a belated birthday present.

  “So are you going to keep him?” she asked, after I had filled her in on the whole story.

  “No, he belongs to someone. Look how good he looks. Someone’s been taking care of him.”

  “Maybe he’s an angel sent to you while Lucas is gone,” she teased.

  “Funny. I think I’m going to take a picture of him with my phone and print it out and post it around.”

  “Oh, that’s a bad idea.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Well for one, anybody could see a picture of this beautiful dog and call to get him. And for another, you’re home alone. Do you really want people knowing where you live and having your phone number?”

  “Good point. Then what do I do?”

  “If someone really misses him, they’ll call the Vet. and Animal Control, so you’ve already done all you can do. Now just wait till someone calls.”

  “I guess you’re right. Well, he sure is hungry.” I watched him scarf down a bowl of food in a matter of seconds. He also seemed to be well trained.

  I didn’t want him doing his business in my rose garden, so when we took him outside I pointed to where I wanted him to go—and, to my amazement, that is exactly where he went.

  “Hmm, maybe he is an angel,” Meagan muttered. “Are you going to be scared to stay here alone?”

  “I don’t think so. Before I met Lucas I lived here alone.”

  “Yeah, but that was before the devil painted a large target on your head.”

  “Well, you’ve got a point there. Do you mind staying with me tonight?”

  “Of course not. All you had to do was ask.”

  I was relieved when Lucas called and told me he had arrived safely in London, but it was little comfort to me when I pulled the covers back and climbed into an empty, cold bed. I felt a small sense of security at the dog sleeping on the floor next to me. He had just followed me up to my room as if it were routine.

  Meagan was tucked comfortably in the room across the hall.

  I fell asleep quickly only to abruptly awake at two o’clock in the morning. As I lay there, consumed by my misery, I began thinking about Lucas and the first day we met. Before I knew it, I was sitting at my computer, with a cup of steaming coffee by my side, typing in the words as they crossed my mind. Somehow recalling those first moments with Lucas gave me a quiet peace, remembering his sheepish smile, his beautiful accent, and the insecurity that seemed so dominant then.

  I smiled at the memory of his awkwardness when inviting me to come home with him. I felt a wave of heat rush over me as I thought about that first kiss in his apartment, and the way he protected me against Randall’s unwanted advances. And as I remembered, I typed.

  The late night hours quickly turned into early morning hours, and still I typed on, unable to stop the flow of memories flooding my consciousness. It was as if a faucet had been turned on that couldn’t be shut off.

  And so became a new routine. During the day, I worked feverishly to organize the nightmare wedding, but during the late night hours, with only a few hours of sleep, I would begin typing our story and all the details of our short life together. Now, no matter what happened, it could not be forgotten, and that thought gave me peace. Even if my mind someday failed me, like my mom’s, someone will read and remember. The feelings and experiences we’ve shared could be relived through others—like our children and grandchildren. They will know that true love exists, and it’s worth waiting for and risking your life to save.

  I talked to Lucas several times a day. He was just as miserable as I was, although he was getting a bit more sleep than me. I didn’t tell him about my writing, it seemed a bit silly, and I didn’t want him to think I was losing my mind. It would only make him worry more, as if my lack of sleep wasn’t making him worry enough. I also didn’t tell him about my new furry visitor. I did, however, quiz him about any known allergies to animals. When he asked why, I quickly changed the subject. He seemed a little suspicious until I told him how much I missed him in my bed, and then our conversation took a turn in another direction.

  Speaking of the dog, however, no one had called to claim him. After three days of calling him doggy, I decided he needed a proper name.

  “I’ve decided what to name you!” I yelled at him, holding up a shoe he’d chewed beyond recognition.

  “This was my favorite pair! Do you know how often I splurge on designer shoes? Never! One, two, three, four,” I took a deep breath. “Okay—I’m going to honor you by giving you the name of one of the most beloved characters in Star Wars, Chewbacca, but I’m going to call you Chewy because of what you did to my shoe. Don’t dishonor his name by chewing up any more. Understand?”

  He cocked his head as if he understood and looked at me with sad eyes.

  “Okay, I forgive you. Just don’t do it again.”

  “Are you still talking to that dog like he’s a human?” Meagan asked as she came in through the back door.

  “Well, he acts like a human except for the chewing the shoe part.” I held up the shredded shoe so she could observe.

  “Oh no! I loved those shoes,” she pouted.

  “Yeah, well he’s earned his name—Chewy, and he promised not to do it again.”

  “I love the name. It’s so appropriate. So how do you think Lucas will feel about him?”

  “I’m not sure. He’s never mentioned whether he likes animals or not, but if I know Lucas, he’ll love him too.”

  “Well, the funeral is tomorrow, so Lucas should be home soon, right?”

  “Yes, and I’m counting the minutes. Meagan, I never thought I could miss someone so much. I’m going mad. I haven’t slept but a few hours a night in the last three nights.”

  “I think pain and love go hand in hand. So when are you going to tell me what you’re doing on your computer all night?”

  “How did you know about that?”

  “Sometimes I have to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, and I’ve seen your light on under your door. Last night I cracked your door open. You were so immersed in what you were doing you didn’t even hear me.”

  “Well, it’s a little silly, but I’m writing mine and Lucas’s story.”

  “Wow, that’s a fantastical idea.” She lit up with excitement.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, of course. You guys have an amazing story. Remember I’ve witnessed most of it. The kind of love you guys have doesn’t come along very often.”

  “Don’t you feel that for Cody?”

  “Oh, don’t get me wrong, I adore Cody, but it’s nothing like what you and Lucas have. I’ve never seen anything like it. I mean I can go a few days and not see Cody and we’re both fine, but if you guys go one day then you’re going crazy. And it’s been that way from the very beginning.”

  “You’re definitely right about that. By the way, thank you for spending the nights over with me. It makes Lucas feel better too.”

&nb
sp; “You’re welcome, but you would do it for me. Speaking of spending the night, what do you say we pack the hay?”

  “It’s called hit the hay,” I corrected, laughing.

  “Oh, whatever. I’m exhausted.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  I counted the minutes until Lucas would call and tell me the funeral was over and he was on his way home. When the phone rang, I nearly sprained my wrist pulling it out of my pocket.

  “Lucas, please tell me you’re getting on the plane now. I miss you so much. Tell me when your flight will arrive. I want to meet you at the airport.” I paused. “Lucas, are you there?”

  “Yes, I’m here.” His voice was undeniably sullen.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, feeling panic creeping in.

  “I’m not sure how to tell you this but—I have to stay longer.”

  My breath caught. “Please tell me you’re joking—please.”

  “No, I wish I were. Dad’s really having a hard time and has asked if we’ll stay with him longer. He needs his family around him right now.”

  “How much longer?” I managed to get the question formed into words.

  “Another week,” he answered reluctantly.

  “No, no, no! Lucas, I’ve barely survived this week. I can’t go another week.”

  “Baby, I know, it’s hard for me too, but what can I do? He’s counting on me, Lily. If you could see him it would break your heart.”

  “Yes, if it could be broken anymore than it already is.” I sighed. “I’m sorry, Luke. I know I’m not making this any easier for you. I’ll be okay. I’m just a little tired. You do what you have to do. Don’t worry about me.”

  “But I do worry about you. You’re not sleeping. I can hear the exhaustion in your voice. Lily, please take care of yourself—for me.”

  “I’m trying, really I am. It’s just so hard to function with part of my soul missing.”

  “I know. Believe me, I know, but we’ll be fine. We’ve survived worse than this. Soon we’ll be together again and all the misery will be forgotten. Can you hold on a little longer? I can if you can. Please, Lily—for my father.”

  “Yes of course, when you put it like that.”

  “That’s my girl. I’ll call you again real soon. I love you, and take care of my heart. I’ll be back soon to get it—I promise.”

  “Okay. I love you too—so much.”

  I spent the rest of the day in a daze. I know I finally found a fountain for the wedding reception. And I know the bride’s maid’s dresses came in and I went to the fitting, but I don’t remember any of it.

  I couldn’t believe it when I woke up in the morning and realized I had slept through the entire night without waking. I guess the exhaustion became too much. Unfortunately it didn’t last.

  When I woke the next morning, at a little after two a.m., I once again began typing and by the middle of the week had completed our amazing story right up to this very moment. So, from now on, everything is happening in the present. Whatever happens next I guess we’ll find out together and whatever it is it’s sure to be ridiculously unbelievable.

  Meagan’s been following my progress, and after reading the end said, “You can’t end it like that, you’ve got to write your reunion.”

  “Well, we haven’t had it yet. Maybe I could make one up, you know, maybe how I imagine it will be.”

  “No way. Nothing you could imagine would be as good as how it really happens for you guys.”

  “Well, that’s true.”

  “You know, I have a friend who’s a literary agent. Remember me talking about Bella Washington from college? Why don’t I call her and see if she has time to look at what you’ve written so far?”

  “I don’t know where you get your delusions, lazer brain, but my writing is nowhere good enough for publication.”

  “Ha, ha. You know Star Wars quotes get old after a while.”

  “Says who?”

  “Says me, and I think your writing is great, but why don’t we let her decide? I’ll give her a call right now.”

  “Actually, Meg, I really don’t have time to do this right now. This wedding is in three days.”

  “How about this, if she says she has time to look at it, I’ll send it in for you, okay?”

  “That sounds okay. Thank you.”

  “I still can’t believe you finished it so quickly.”

  “Me either. Well for one, I didn’t have to create anything; the memories were already there. And thanks to my journaling, I could recall every detail and had all the dates logged. Secondly, I’ve been writing all night, every night. And last, I truly believe it was inspired by God.”

  “You’ve got a good point there. I never question God unless I want big, fat trouble.”

  Chapter Twenty-one

  With every fiber of my body I was wishing for this week to end. This wedding is extremely stressful, but at least it’s starting to finally come together. The waiting for Lucas to come home, that’s what’s killing me. I honestly don’t think I can take it much longer.

  I always know when it’s the day before a wedding because I wake up with anxiety. Not just because of all there is to do, but because this close to the end you never know if something bad is going to happen to test your sanity. And with this wedding my anxiety was in overdrive.

  I received a call from Bella Washington explaining that she had a small window of time and wanted to meet with me. Of course I agreed. I couldn’t believe it, hadn’t Meagan just sent in my manuscript? After I explained my time dilemma, she agreed to meet me in the hotel ballroom.

  Since the wedding was at eleven o’clock in the morning, the decorating for the reception had to be completed by tonight and that meant I was here for the long haul. Am I complaining? No, that’s what I get paid for.

  It was a little after one when Bella arrived.

  “Well first, Lilianna, let me start by saying it is a great pleasure to meet you.”

  “Oh, well it’s nice to meet you too, but please call me Lily. I’m surprised to hear from you this soon. You must be a fast reader.”

  “Actually, it’s my job to be a fast reader, and I am very busy right now, but I did this as a favor for Meagan. After reading your work, however, I really think we have something special here, and I’d like to represent you to the publishers. We’ll need to clean it up a bit before sending it in, but I’ve got a couple of big publishers I believe will be interested in your story. I also think we need to change the title. Loving Lucas doesn’t seem to fit. I was thinking more about Loving Lily Lavender. That seems to fit the content of what you’ve written, but we can discuss that at the appropriate time. It’s so hard to believe that it all really happened. If I hadn’t seen it played out before my eyes in the media I would be inclined to believe it to be a work of fiction.”

  “Well, thank you, and I’m truly flattered. But to be honest, I really have to consult with my husband first before I can give you an answer. He’s not even aware I’ve written it yet. He’s in London right now on family business, but I can talk to him as soon as he returns.”

  “Absolutely. I wouldn’t dream of going any further with this unless he’s in full agreement.” She smiled. “And of course it needs an ending.”

  “Actually I’m kind of anxious for that part myself. And a happy one at that.”

  “Well, here’s my number. Please call me as soon as you’ve had a chance to speak with him about this, and we’ll go over all the other details then.”

  “Yes, thank you so much for taking the time. I’m very grateful, as is Meagan, I’m sure.”

  Once she was gone I called Meagan to tell her the news. She squealed so loud I thought my eardrums would burst. After I finished jumping up and down, I knew her well enough to know she was doing the same, I rattled off a quick goodbye and got back to work.

  As a result of Bella’s visit, I had a little spring in my step as I finished up my work, something I’d been missing for almost two weeks now.

&nb
sp; When I got home, I was exhausted. I let Chewy out and fed him before crashing on the sofa, where I woke up at seven o’clock in the morning.

  Lucas called just as I was leaving for the wedding. He said he had a flight booked to come home first thing Monday morning. This was good news, only two more days until he’s in my arms again.

  I received an alarming call on my way to the church notifying me that the father of the bride had a kidney stone attack just hours earlier, and with just two and a half hours left before the wedding.

  The wedding, however, despite all the problems, turned out beautifully, although I felt aged as a result. The father, with heavy painkillers in his system, practically floated the bride down the aisle.

  I said the wedding was beautiful but not without it’s problems right up till the very end. As a last ditched effort to ruin everything, the cake table toppled over, spilling the cake onto the floor. I was, however, miraculously able to save the top layer, making a mad, and embarrassing, dash and catching it before it smashed to the floor. I stood and held my prize in the air as the applause broke out. Suddenly, and without any warning, two kids ran past, bumping me, causing the cake layer to fly from my hands and land dead center into the punch bowl, splattering red punch down the front of my pale pink dress. Like I said earlier, wedding from Hades.

  As the wedding came to a close, I watched all the couples dancing and couldn’t help but think of Lucas. All of a sudden, I had a beautiful thought. I grabbed my phone and called Meagan.

  “Meg, I’ve had the most fantastical idea in the history of ideas. I’m going to book a flight to London for first thing in the morning and surprise Lucas. I mean, my joy’s not meant to be suppressed, so I’m going to go get it. Why should he have to leave his father now when I can go to him? My nightmare wedding is over now, and I’m free. All I need from you is if you would please take Chewy to your house while I’m gone.”

  “Of course I will. I think that’s a great idea. Boy won’t Lucas be surprised?”

  When I got on the plane, I was so excited I could barely sit still. In only eight hours or so I’d see him. He’ll be so surprised when I call and tell him I’m at the airport. But those eight hours were grueling, as if time stood still.