First Mates

by Cecelia Dowdy

  “So you care about my little girl?” Paul released the cat. He gave Winston his full attention, suddenly serious.

  “Yes.”

  Winston sighed as he released the cat. He leaned back against the barn and the door creaked. A rooster crowed and the breeze ruffled the leaves in the trees. “You know, I think Rainy’s still hurting over the way Jordan treated her.”

  Paul nodded. “That Jordan was a no-good…well, I’m a Christian, so profanity isn’t part of my vocabulary. But that guy needed Jesus in his life. I just wish we had been able to find a way to keep them from falling in love and getting engaged. I never liked the guy, but Rainy was so smitten with him that I made the effort to accept him into our family. That’s why we gave the engagement party.”

  He waited for Paul to continue. Rainy had never mentioned her parents’ disapproving of her engagement to Jordan. “Well, I told Rainy that I had apprehensions about her relationship with Jordan, but she didn’t want to hear the truth about my feelings. I had no concrete evidence about his disrespectful behavior, but you’ll realize that as you get older, you just get a feel for people. And let me tell you, Jordan Summers gave me a bad feeling.” He swallowed as he rested his chin in his hand. “I told Rainy that maybe she should get to know Jordan better before she accepted the ring, but she refused to listen. It got to the point that whenever she called home, we always ended up arguing about Jordan.”

  “What did your wife say?”

  He shrugged. “What could Constance say? She just pointed out to me that she didn’t disapprove of my feelings toward our daughter’s fiancé, but she said that when a girl is in love there’s no reasoning with her. If we didn’t show that we accepted her man into our life then we risked losing a daughter.” The milk crate creaked as he changed his position. “So as a peace offering to our daughter, we gave her the engagement party out here. It was the only thing we could think of to do to show we finally accepted Jordan into our lives.”

  He paused before he continued. “I can tell you’re a good man. You’re a Christian, a true Christian, and I like that about you. I can tell you have feelings for Rainy. I don’t know what troubles you’re going through, but if you ever want to talk to me or Constance about anything, just let us know. I know you’d never mistreat our Rainy the way that Jordan did.”

  The barn door opened and a little girl stepped in, wearing faded jeans and an old sweater. Her curly dark hair was pulled into a ponytail, and her mocha-brown eyes were laced with sadness. “Grandpa, Grandma said it’s time to eat.”

  “Hey, Pumpkin.” Paul embraced the child in a hug. “Did you meet Mr. Winston? Winston, this is Amber.” Winston squeezed her shoulder as they followed her down the path.

  “Hi, Mr. Winston.” Amber skipped ahead as she ran toward the house.

  Paul huffed as they climbed the hill. “Me and my wife don’t know what to do about her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She’s been having trouble at the day care center since her mother left. Mark’s been so buried with grief that he hasn’t taken the time to spend with his daughter.”

  Winston glanced at the tyke as she ran into the house, slamming the screen door. “How old is she?”

  “She’s three. Sometimes she can be quiet, and a little shy. But since the trouble started with her parents, she’s been picking fights at school. Plus me and my wife aren’t that young anymore. Taking care of a three-year-old child is just wearing us out. I wish Mark would get grief counseling or talk to the pastor…something. I guess it is hard to deal with a cheating mate.”

  Winston remained silent as they walked into the house. Delicious breakfast scents filled the small kitchen. Constance removed a pan of warm gooey cinnamon rolls from the oven. Bacon fried over the stove and Rainy was scrambling eggs in the skillet. Her jeans hugged her slim frame and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. He walked to the stove and smiled. “You don’t look a day over twenty.”

  She turned the burner off. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

  “As well as I could with that storm brewing outside.”

  Constance removed china plates from the cupboard. “You two need to stop chatting and help me set this table. Winston, the good silverware is in the top drawer.”

  Minutes later, they were seated at the table. They joined hands, and Paul said grace before they ate the tasty breakfast.

  Rainy buttered a biscuit. “Mark’s not coming to eat with us?”

  Constance glanced at Amber, who continued munching on a cinnamon roll. “No, honey. He’s been practically holed up in his room since…well, you know since when. Why don’t you take some food up to him? You can even bring Winston with you.”

  Rainy sprinkled salt over her grits. “I don’t know what I can say to make him feel better.”

  Paul sipped his coffee. “Well, I’m sure you’ll think of something. We’ve talked to him so much that we’ve run out of words.”

  After the meal was finished and the dishes were washed, Rainy fixed a basket of food and Winston walked with her to Mark’s house. Winston placed his arm around her waist as he kicked through the blanket of leaves on the walk to the house.

  As they approached Mark’s house, she turned and faced Winston. “I’m so glad you could come with me.”

  “I don’t mind walking over to Mark’s house with you.”

  She shook her head, causing her dark ponytail to swing in the wind. “I’m not talking about walking to Mark’s house. I’m talking about coming home with me. This is a difficult time for me and my family, and…” She paused. His stomach quivered and he fought to keep his mouth from joining hers. “Well, I really needed the support right now.”

  “I’m glad I could be there for you. I just wish I could spend more time than just the weekend.” He gazed at the lush green fields. “It sure is pretty out here in the country.”

  As he followed her onto the porch, the steps creaked beneath his weight. The boards were faded to a dull shade of mahogany. A rocking chair swung with the cool breeze, making a steady sound against the floorboards.

  Rainy rapped against the screen door. “Mark, it’s Rainy. Can I come in?” Silence filled the air, so she opened the door and entered.

  Winston held his nose as the smell of rotten garbage assailed his nostrils. “My goodness!”

  Rainy left the food in the living room, and he followed her into the kitchen. Garbage overflowed onto the dirty kitchen floor and Winston saw a mouse scamper into the corner.

  “Ack!” Rainy jumped away from the small creature and Winston took her into his arms.

  “Rainy, what happened? It looks like Mark hasn’t been here in days!”

  “I don’t know. My parents were telling me that they talk to Mark every day, but he insisted that he didn’t want any visitors. I had no idea it was this bad.”

  Puddles of dried grease adorned the stove and a carton of milk stood on the counter. Winston continued to gaze around the messy kitchen. “Maybe it’s a good thing that Amber isn’t staying in this house.”

  Rainy opened a cupboard. “Amber won’t be around here much longer anyway.”

  “What’s that?” Winston knew he had misheard her.

  “Amber won’t be staying on the farm much longer. Remember, I told you a while ago that my parents had to talk to me about something important?”

  Winston nodded. “What did they talk to you about? Was it about Amber?”

  Rainy nodded as she pushed her sleeves up and turned the water on. “Amber will be staying with me.”

  “With you?” He jerked back so hard that he knocked the carton of milk from the counter. As the white liquid spilled to the ground, he quickly mopped it up with a wad of paper towels.

  She poured liquid dish detergent into the sink. “Yes. This is a family crisis and I have to do the best I can to help. Look at this place! My parents are old and they can barely milk those cows and run this farm. Mark’s no help. He’s not even taking out the trash!” She wrinkled
her nose as he threw the soiled napkins into the garbage. “That milk is as curdled as cottage cheese! Ugh, this place is gross!” She threw dishes into the sink.

  A loud voice boomed from the top of the stairs. “I told you guys not to come in here!” Heavy footsteps pounded on the floor and seconds later, a man in a faded bathrobe entered the kitchen. His dark scraggly beard and mustache clung to his ashy skin. Dark circles surrounded his mocha-brown eyes.

  His eyes suddenly softened, and glistened with unshed tears. “Rainy?” He gazed around his kitchen and bit his lip. He turned away, but Rainy ran to him and held him in her arms.

  “I’m so glad to see you again, Mark.” She kissed his hair. “You’re so thin! You’ve lost a lot of weight.”

  “I told Mom and Dad not to come down here. I haven’t been feeling right since she left me.” He swallowed and looked around his kitchen again. That’s when he noticed Winston.

  “I’m Winston.” They shared a firm handshake.

  Mark beckoned them into the living room. The TV and coffee table were coated with dust. Rainy opened the dark curtains and when the sun spilled into the room, Winston noticed Mark’s wedding picture still sat on an armoire.

  Winston walked toward the door. “Did you two want me to leave?”

  “No, please stay, Winston.”

  Winston plopped into a vacant chair.

  Rainy’s large brown eyes softened with love as she gazed at her brother. “Mark, you really need to pull yourself together. Do it for Amber’s sake. You know how much she loves you.”

  “I can’t take Amber’s constant questions now. You know how many questions a three-year-old asks. Well, since her mom left, she has even more questions. Try telling a kid that you don’t know where her mother is and you don’t know when or if she’ll be back.” His voice broke on a sob and he turned away.

  Rainy squeezed his shoulder. “Mark, you’ll get through this, I know you will. Have you been going to church? I’m sure Pastor John would be glad to make time to talk about this.”

  “Church? Who cares about church, Pastor John or God for that matter!” He cursed and Rainy’s eyes widened as she looked at Winston.

  Rainy sighed. “Come on, Mark. You used to have such deep faith in God. Going to church might make you feel better.”

  “I don’t know when I’m setting foot in church again. All I ever did to Cindy was be a good and faithful husband. I made a living on this farm and she runs off and leaves me this letter.” He removed a crumpled paper from his robe and threw it across the room. “And she tells me she’s leaving me for another man, and she doesn’t tell me where she’s going or how I can contact her! How could she be so cruel to me? How could she abandon her own child like that?” Tears ran down his sunken cheeks and he leaned back into the couch. Everyone was silent and the only sound was the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner.

  Rainy bit her lip before she told him about Amber’s recent behavior problems. “Mark, by acting like this, you’re abandoning your daughter. You haven’t seen her since your wife left you. I’m sure she feels abandoned by both parents.”

  Mark sighed as he dropped his head in his hands. “You know I love my daughter. I just can’t deal with everything right now. I just can’t.”

  She took her brother’s palm, caressing the knuckles on his work-roughened hand. “I’ve come to ask you something.”

  “What?”

  “Well, since Mom and Dad are having a rough time running the farm and taking care of Amber, I’ve come to ask if it’s okay for me to take Amber back with me.”

  “To Florida?”

  She nodded. “Just until you can get yourself together. I love Amber, but I can’t raise her. I know she belongs with you since you’re her father, but I don’t mind keeping her for a while.”

  She released his hand as he thought about her request. “But if I take her back with me, you’re going to have to promise to get some help. You can’t stay in a house in this condition. If you keep living like this, the pigs are going to come and join you.” A small grin spread over her full lips.

  She continued. “And what you might want to do is start milking the cows again. Daddy looks so tired. I’m sure he’d appreciate your help in the barn.”

  She touched Mark’s arm. “As a matter of fact, you’ve got to help Dad with the milking. I remember how much you used to love getting up early in the morning to milk the cows. Besides, after you spend all that energy milking and feeding the cows, plus the other farm chores, you’ll be too tired to think about your wife.”

  He raised his dark eyebrows as he gazed at Winston and Rainy. “Say, what’s up with the two of you?” His eyes suddenly gleamed with mischief.

  “Huh?” She placed her hands on her hips as she looked at her brother. “What are you talking about?”

  “Well, you haven’t brought a man home since that Jordan dude, and I was wondering if you two are serious.” He gazed at Winston and Winston wasn’t sure what Rainy wanted to reveal to Mark.

  She hesitated, glancing at Winston.

  Clearing his throat, Winston answered Mark’s question. “Rainy is special to me, and I’m glad she let me come home to meet her family.”

  He cocked his head as he looked at Rainy. “Girl, did you come home to announce another engagement?” She rolled her eyes as she gazed at Winston.

  “No!”

  A rumbling sound filled the room. “Sorry, folks, that was my empty stomach. It’s been a while since I’ve had some food and I smell one of Mom’s country breakfasts right now.” He discovered the basket on the couch. He walked into the kitchen and Winston and Rainy followed. Mark opened the cupboard and removed a plate. He then removed silverware from a drawer. After placing the items on the table, he opened the basket.

  “I’m glad that you’ve perked up. But I didn’t come home to introduce Winston to the family. Mom and Dad are worried about you, and, frankly, so am I. Is it okay if I take Amber back with me? And will you promise to do what you need to get back on your feet?”

  Mark ceased unpacking the basket as he gazed at his little sister. He sighed as he pulled her into his arms. “Yeah, take Amber with you. But this is only temporary. I’ll be sure to get her back from you soon. I love my daughter and I don’t want her living so far away.” As Winston gazed at the moving scene, he felt glad that he’d taken the time to accompany Rainy.

  Chapter Twelve

  Rainy stared at the busy Miami sidewalk while sipping on her third cup of coffee of the day. She frowned, thinking about how her life had changed since Amber had come into her care.

  It was difficult finding time to spend with Winston since she constantly had Amber with her. During Amber’s first week in Miami, Winston had generously taken them to the new Disney movie and then to a popular kid-friendly restaurant for dinner. She was glad that Amber seemed to enjoy Winston’s company, and she hoped that she made a lot of friends in her new day care center in the newspaper office.

  She sighed, continuing to think about her hectic life over the past two weeks. She never thought a three-year-old child could be so much trouble!

  She finished her coffee and groaned as she scrutinized the papers littering her desk. She sat in her black leather chair, still staring at the files. “Oh, I guess I need to figure out those spreadsheets.” She had been through this three times already. She yawned and stretched. Her phone rang, breaking her concentration.

  “This is Rainy.”

  “Rainy, you need to come down here and get your child,” said Beverly, the day care worker.

  “Beverly, it’s not even five o’clock yet, and the day care is open until six.” She pushed her hair away from her face as she rolled her shoulders, trying to ease her tension.

  “You don’t have to tell me what time it is! I know!” Beverly’s thick Jamaican accent carried over the wire. “But you need to get over here and get Amber. She’s been misbehaving all day. She even bit a few of the kids! Time out won’t work for this one today, so
you need to come and talk to her!” She continued to speak, but Rainy didn’t have the energy to listen. She sighed as she rang off with Beverly and made the trek to the day care center.

  As she opened the door, a multitude of noises flooded her ears. Several children laughed and screamed as they ran around the room. Beverly met her with a reluctant Amber in tow. “You know, both of my day care helpers were sick today, so I’m short-staffed. I don’t know what’s up with Little Miss, here.” She paused, glaring at Amber. “But you need to talk with her. I can’t have children biting kids and acting crazy!” She placed her hands on her ample hips. “Amber, you behave yourself tomorrow. We can’t have you causing so much ruckus in the day care!”

  Amber stared at the floor.

  “I’ll talk to her, Beverly. Where’s your bag?” Amber pointed to her cubbyhole and Rainy retrieved her multicolored backpack.

  Rainy used the phone at the day care to call her boss, explaining she had a family emergency. Minutes later, she clutched Amber’s hand as they walked into the blaring hot sun. Her heels clattered against the asphalt parking lot. After she had strapped Amber into her car seat, she got into the car and leaned against the steering wheel. Would she even have enough energy to drive home? She swallowed and gazed at Amber, who silently stared out the window. “Amber, you can’t act like that in the day care. You know, they had to call me out of work to come and pick you up.”

  Amber shrugged. “Are you going to send me back to Daddy now?” She glared at Rainy.

  “Is that what this is all about?” She exited the car and opened the door to the back seat and sat. She hugged Amber. Deep pain shot through her leg when Amber kicked her with her hard-toed shoes.

  Gritting her teeth while enduring the pain, she glared at her niece. “Don’t you ever do that to me again, young lady!” She exited the car, slamming the door behind her. She then opened the front door and plopped into the driver’s seat, resting her head once on the steering wheel before leaving.

  When they arrived home, Amber complained about fatigue, so Rainy sent her to bed. She didn’t bother changing her clothes. She sat on her couch and placed her head in her hands. “Lord, help me through this.”