by Linda Warren
Pop carried Daniel inside and Levi followed with the diaper bag. Once Pop sat Daniel on the floor, the baby took off like a rocket, crawling just as fast as he could go straight to Pop’s chair. He pulled up on the chair and glanced at Pop, babbling something that sounded strangely like “buzz buzz buzz.”
“Is he trying to sing the bumblebee song?” Pop asked.
“I think so,” Levi replied. “But I can’t make sense out of it.” He drew a deep breath and added, “Pop, we need to talk.”
Pop waved a hand at him. “Nah, we don’t. I acted like a crazy old man this morning. I know we can’t keep him. It was just nice having a baby around, reminded me of you when you were little.”
Levi put his arm around his grandfather’s shoulders. “I know, Pop. It’s going to be hard to take him back, but Stu’s found someone who’s going to raise him.”
“How long is he going to stay here?”
“Probably a couple days.”
“Don’t you have to go back to work?”
“I left a message on my voice mail that I would be out of the office, but I have to get back soon. I have tons of calls to return.”
Pop went to his rocker and Daniel was eager to climb into his lap. As Levi went into his bedroom, he heard, “Booger was a bumblebee...”
He opened his sock drawer and pulled out the sock in the back. For a moment, he stared at the mismatched socks and thought of all the times Myra had laughed at him because his socks never matched. For a man who paid attention to detail, she found that amusing. He didn’t see that as something important. Socks were socks.
Sitting on the bed, he dumped the ring box into his hand and opened it. The diamond sparkled at him like a tear from bygone days. Seven years stowed away was enough. If he wanted a life with a woman he loved, today he started to change.
The box was too big for his pocket so he wrapped the ring into a handkerchief and slipped into his jeans. It would be easy for him to find a job in Houston. His problem would be his grandfather. How could he leave him? He was torn in two ways, but he felt sure he could find a compromise. Love was supposed to be magical and he could use a little magic right about now.
* * *
“YOU QUIT YOUR job.” Jessie was aghast.
“Yes.” Myra got comfortable on the sofa, facing her friend. “I am now unemployed.”
“What made you do that? I know you have a good reason.”
Myra told her friend everything that had happened since she had last seen her, even the part about the night with Levi and about the miscarriage and thoughts of abortion.
Jessie just stared at her. “Am I supposed to be angry with you now? Is that what you’re expecting?”
Myra tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m just being honest. Thinking about the abortion made me feel terrible and I still feel awful about it.”
“Myra, you’re a woman and you were faced with raising a child alone and having a stress-filled job. You’re allowed those kinds of thoughts. Every woman has them.”
“You don’t.”
Jessie laughed. “Oh, please. Some days when the boys are crying and fighting and nothing I do pleases them, I just want to pull my hair out. So I take a moment to regroup and remember how much I love them and how much they mean to me. Life is not about being perfect. Life is about adjusting and living it with as much zeal as you can.”
“You’ve always had such a positive attitude even when your father had you locked up in your house.”
Jessie made a face. “I think you have me confused with someone else. I was the one who cried and ranted and raved about all the injustice done to me. I don’t remember being positive about much of anything. Just a desire to be a normal person.”
Myra wiped imaginary specks from her jeans. “I think I have a tendency to put you on a pedestal.”
“Yeah, and it’s unrealistic and a little tiring, so please stop. I have flaws just like everyone else. I forced a man to marry me. Now, you can’t get more desperate than that.”
“I still can’t believe you did that.”
“I knew Cadde Hardin was never going to see me as a woman unless I forced his hand.”
“How did you know he would fall in love with you?”
“I didn’t. I just knew I’d loved him for a very long time and things needed to change, so I went after what I wanted, uncaring of his feelings. Does that sound like a perfect woman?”
“It sounds like a woman in love.”
“Yes.” Jessie clapped her hands. “Now you’ve got it. Sometimes we do crazy things in the name of love.”
Myra looked down at her hands. “I’m not sure what to do now. I’m confused and conflicted.”
“About what?”
“About loving Levi.”
“From what you tell me, I have a feeling Levi feels the same way about you. You have to take the next step. Tell Levi how you feel and see what happens. You have to take a risk.”
Myra still struggled with that demon inside her that kept saying she was biting off more than she could chew. “Do you think I’d make a good mother? Answer honestly.”
Jessie threw back her head with a thoughtful expression. “Let me see how many years Myra Delgado guided me through every little turmoil in my life. She was my protector, my sister, my very best friend. She made me feel loved in a world where there was no love. Or at least I didn’t feel it until Myra showed me. So yes, I think you would make a wonderful mother. You’d give a child everything he or she would ever need, and why you think otherwise is beyond me. You have mothered everyone in your life. Now it’s time for Myra.”
Myra brushed away an errant tear. “I’m going to ask Levi to marry me.”
“Now you’re talking.”
“And if he accepts, then we’ll talk about adopting Daniel. That’s what I want. I want us to be a family.”
“Well, sweetie, you’re telling the wrong person.”
Myra jumped to her feet. “I don’t know why I’m so indecisive. I’ve never been this way.”
“Love makes us crazy. It’s kind of like PMS, but so much better.”
Myra laughed and it felt good. She could see a future just as bright as she wanted. All she had to do was say three little words to Levi and hope they were reciprocated.
* * *
SHE SAW HER parents’ truck, so she knew they were home. If she didn’t stop for a minute, she’d be in big trouble. She went in through the back door of the little brick house next door to Jessie.
“Mama, are you home?”
Rosa came out of the utility room, her eyes round. “Mi bebé’s home.” Her mom engulfed her in a big hug and then she ran into the kitchen for her cell and called Myra’s father, who was at the barn. “Your father will be here in a minute.”
There was such a difference in her mother these days. When they were guarding Jessie, they’d been cooped up in the house a lot and Rosa had cooked delicious meals, causing her to gain weight. Today, her mother was slimmer because they were out and about. Her parents walked five miles every morning. They were happier now than they had ever been, except their only child had been their biggest disappointment. Or at times Myra felt that way.
Rosa put on a pot of coffee.
“Mama, I really can’t stay. I just wanted to say hi.”
Rosa’s eyes flashed in an old familiar way. “Then why come at all? You never think about your parents. So go to your big job. To your big life.”
Myra was used to her mother’s sharp barbs, but today they hit her the wrong way and she didn’t come back with a sharp retort of her own. Instead, tears welled in her eyes.
Seeing the tears, her mother did an about-face. “Oh, mi bebé, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I...I...” Heavens, what was happening to her? Maybe she did have PMS.
> She exhaled deeply. “I quit my job.”
Her mother’s eyes grew even bigger. “What? Why?”
Before she could answer, her father came through the back door. A thin man with years of wisdom lining his face, he was dressed in worn clothes and a floppy hat.
“Felipe, Myra lost her job.”
“Mama, I didn’t lose my job. I quit. There is a difference.”
Her father hugged her. “Whatever Myra chooses to do is her business.” Oh, how she loved her father. “Your room is ready if you want to stay for a while or if you want to stay forever. Your room is always ready.”
Tears gathered in her eyes again and she really needed to get control. For so many years, she always thought she’d been pushed aside or at least in her parents’ affection. Their top priority had always been Jessie and her safety. Myra had felt left out.
Her need for independence and to show them she could succeed on her own stemmed from those feelings. She didn’t need anyone, but life had proven her wrong. She needed her parents and their love and support. As an adult, she could see she’d never been left out of their affections. She was their daughter and she would always be their daughter.
She kissed her father’s cheek. “Thank you, Papa. I’m taking some time to think about my life.”
“Do you need some money?”
“No. Thanks. I really have to run.”
But her mother couldn’t let it go. “What’s wrong, Myra? For you just to give up your job something has to be terribly wrong.”
“I’m making some changes and I’ll let you know as soon as I figure it out.”
“Myra...”
“Rosa, stop it,” Felipe chided.
“I’m sorry, bebé.” Rosa hugged her. “I worry.”
“I know, Mama. I’m fine.”
“We’re here if you need us, bebé,” her father added.
She kissed them both and ran to her car, feeling their love in a way she hadn’t since she was nine years old.
* * *
LEVI HAD A restless night. But he was still strong in his resolution to talk to Myra and the ring would stay in his pocket until then. He had to know one way or the other if they had a future, if somehow they could get beyond everything that had happened in the past. They’d forgiven each other, so they should be able to move on. With that in mind, he knew he had to make another trip to Houston. He hated to make the three-hour trip with Daniel. The little guy was crawling all over the house jabbering and Pop was one step behind him.
He was considering leaving the baby with his grandfather because he and Myra needed to talk in private. His friend Carson would check in on them. But he hesitated leaving the baby behind.
Daniel crawled up to him and pulled on his jeans, holding up his hands. “Hey, buddy. I need to change your diaper. You’re a little smelly.”
“Yeah. I was waiting for you to do that,” Pop said from the sink. “And he’s just about out of diapers.”
“I bought some yesterday. I’ll get them out of the truck.”
By the time he had Daniel changed and freshened up, he’d made up his mind. He couldn’t leave the little guy behind. His cell rang on the way to the kitchen. Placing Daniel on the floor, he answered it.
“Levi, this is Colin, the orderly who works with Mr. Stevens.”
“Yes. Is Stu okay?”
“I’m sorry. Stu passed away about two hours ago.”
The news hit Levi like a sucker punch to his chest and he sat down at the dining room table. “What happened?”
“The doctor told him on Monday that he didn’t have much more time and I guess he was right. After Mortez was killed, Stu said he could die in peace and he did. I was with him when he passed and he said he was ready to join his daughter in heaven.”
Levi swallowed hard. “Did he leave instructions for Daniel?”
“He signed papers yesterday to finalize everything.”
“Where am I supposed to take the boy?”
“I honestly don’t know. I wasn’t in the room when the lawyer visited.”
Levi was desperately trying to figure this out. “Did Stu ask you to call anyone else?”
“He wanted me to call Tom and Myra and his sister in Seattle.”
A sister? The one he hadn’t spoken to in years. “Did he recently reconnect with his sister?”
“I believe he did. They spoke on several occasions. The funeral is for ten in the morning.”
“That soon?”
“That’s what Stu wanted. He’s had his funeral arranged for months.”
“I’m on my way.”
“There’s nothing to do here. You might want to wait until the morning.”
“Thanks, Colin.”
Levi sat for a moment, lost in the pain of losing a dear friend. But Stu had known the end was near and still he hadn’t mentioned guardianship for Daniel. He couldn’t figure out what was going on. The only way to do that was to go to Houston to see what future Stu had planned for his grandson.
* * *
MYRA INTENDED TO go out for boxes to pack everything she would take out of the apartment. But first she fixed a vanilla-caramel-flavored coffee and started opening closets.
There weren’t a lot of mementos, just clothes and linens and kitchen items. She spent very little time here, only to sleep and shower. Her whole life had been about fighting for justice and she had pushed her needs aside. But not anymore. A bubble of excitement ran through her and she couldn’t wait to see Levi.
She looked around at the white-and-stainless-steel apartment and, for the first time, felt its coldness. This wasn’t a home. This was a showplace. An interior decorator had picked out everything according to Myra’s specifications. She hadn’t even shopped for the items, just picked them out of a catalog. At the time, she was busy. But now she wondered why she never took an interest in her home. Because this wasn’t her home.
She thought of Levi’s old farmhouse with the stone fireplace, crown molding, hardwood floors and the antique furniture that was his grandmother’s. It was warm and inviting. It was a place where people loved and lived. It was a place called home.
Her cell interrupted her thoughts and she ran to the living room to get her purse. It was Colin. Stu must want something.
“Good morning, Colin.”
“Morning, Myra.”
“What does Stu need this morning?”
“I’m sorry, Myra. Stu passed away.”
Myra reached out for the sofa and sat down, feeling an ache inside that was indescribable. “I didn’t expect this so soon.”
“Stu knew the time was near. He just didn’t want anyone else to know.”
“Because he didn’t want us to be sad,” she replied.
“Yes. The funeral is at ten in the morning.”
“What about Daniel?”
“I’m sure that’s all been taken care of.”
What, though? What had Stu done about Daniel’s future? She should have talked to him. Now it was too late.
She bit her lip. “Is there anything I can do?”
“No. The funeral is all set, but Stu did want me to tell you something.”
She swallowed the constriction in her throat. “What?”
“Never be afraid to open a new door.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t have a clue. It’s just what Stu asked me to say to you. I assumed you would know.”
“Thank you, Colin. I’ll see you in the morning.”
After Colin gave her the name of the funeral home, she laid her cell on the sofa. She curled up in a corner, remembering Stu and all the times he’d supported her and given her confidence in herself. She knew Stu wouldn’t want her to be sad, but it was hard to control the tears.<
br />
She had to open the new door of her life with confidence.
* * *
LEVI PACKED DANIEL’S stuff. He didn’t take the baby bed because he figured Stu’s sister wouldn’t want to travel with it. Picking out Daniel’s clothes for the funeral was a chore. This wasn’t his forte. He chose a white shirt and navy blue pants and the baby looked fine.
Pop had said his goodbye to Daniel and left for the barn. His grandfather was taking the parting hard and Levi knew today would be one of the hardest days of his life, too.
They arrived in Houston early and Levi had time to feed and change Daniel before the funeral. He kept looking for Myra and soon saw her dressed in a navy blue suit and heels. Like always, she looked gorgeous. He sat beside her and Daniel immediately went to her.
“Hi, sweetie,” she whispered, kissing Daniel’s cheek.
The funeral home began to fill up with police officers and people who had worked with Stu over the years. The memorial was short and poignant. There was no graveside service. It was over too fast with questions lingering in Levi’s mind.
He walked to the back of the room with Myra. “Did you get a chance to talk to Stu?”
“No. I was shocked to hear of his passing. But he did seem paler than usual when I saw him and he coughed constantly. I guess I should’ve picked up on that.”
“Colin said Stu had been talking to his sister in Seattle so I’m assuming she’s going to take Daniel.”
Myra looked at the people filing out of the funeral home. “I’m not sure what she looks like or even if she’s here.”
Daniel was tired of being confined and held out his arms to Levi. “Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.”
“Hey, buddy.” Levi took him and thought how right she looked holding a baby. Daniel wiggled to get down. He saw the funeral home as a new playground. They watched him pull up on a pew and didn’t notice the woman walking up to them.
“Are you Mr. Coyote?”
He turned around to see a young woman possibly in her thirties. “Yes.”
She held out her hand. “I’m Eileen George and I’m from Child Protective Services.”
Levi was immediately on alert. There was only one reason someone from Child Protective Services would be here.
