Night Stars and Mourning Doves (Dearly Beloved)

by Margo Hoornstra

  He kept a firm hold on Jay’s hand as a detached female voice came back at them. “May I help you?”

  “Jay Matthews is here for his first day of school.” Planting enthusiasm into his tone, he waited until the latch was released with a loud click, then pushed open the door and ushered Jay inside ahead of him.

  The interior had a typical school building feel and smell. Well-worn brown linoleum on the floor, neutral colors—beige and yellow—on the cinder block walls. The muted commotion of children and teachers could be heard from somewhere down the hallway to their left.

  “This is nice,” Eric said as they headed in that direction.

  “Yeah.” Jay’s reply was breathy before excitement entered his voice. “This way, Daddy. This way.”

  Bouncing from foot to foot, the boy pointed one small finger to a wall-sign with the animal characters from out front perched on top of a large black arrow.

  Still holding hands, father and son walked on. “You’re right. This is where we need to go.”

  If Eric had his way—and thank the stars he didn’t—he’d gather Jay up, bundle him close, and never let the only child he had left out of his sight.

  Doing his best to banish the urge to flee, he directed Jay by a wall of windows on one side to the doorway of the main classroom. Huge black rubber tiles laid out on the floor were emblazoned with big block letters in sunny reds, royal blues and brilliant greens. Tot sized plastic chairs in the same vibrant colors surrounded several equally low oblong tables.

  Lining the walls were an art center complete with easels and paints, and several play spaces of trucks, blocks, an assortment of dolls and other toys.

  A few children Jay’s age were being supervised by a group of six women standing near the room’s center. Most of the adults appeared to be teeny boppers just out of high school, the rest on the verge of collecting Social Security.

  A lone teacher didn’t fit either demographic. She separated from the others to come toward them wearing a smile so bright, Eric hoped the one he returned was half as nice.

  Tall and slender with a model’s form and stature, this one was nicely curved. A loose smock sporting cartoon characters covered her on top. His gaze lowered. Black slacks that ended in name brand running shoes took care of the bottom half. Her long ash brown hair was pulled into a ponytail in back with soft bangs sweeping across her forehead. Green eyes beneath thick lashes lit up a face more attractive than any he’d seen or cared to notice in quite a while.

  “Welcome.” She came to a stop in front of them and Eric had to blink twice to keep from staring. His attention to detail skills must be gearing up early in preparation for his new job.

  “I’m Eric Matthews and this is Jay.”

  He extended his hand, but she’d already knelt to greet his son. “We’re so happy you’re here with us today, Jay. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. I’m Miss Elyse. I know your Uncle Chris, too.”

  His hand out reaching for air and nothing else was beyond awkward. Going for discreet, Eric tucked his fist in the front pocket of his khakis and tried not to feel mildly slighted. She was a teacher for crying out loud. Her focus was supposed to be on her student, not the man who had brought him.

  In one motion, she stood and took hold of the hand he hadn’t stuffed in his pocket. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Mr. Matthews.”

  “I—thank you.” Stunned at her familiarity, he started to jerk away. Brother Chris had a big mouth. Ma does, too.

  Then he recalled the personal history form she helped him fill out and the advice bestowed along with it. 'If they know what Jay’s had to deal with over the past year, it will help them provide the special care he needs.'

  I’m dealing too.

  He’d tried to ignore the internal retort as his mother went on. 'You have a better handle on your emotions than Jay.'

  Bet me.

  “Would you and Jay like a short tour, Mr. Matthews?”

  “It’s Eric.” He cleared his throat. “My first name’s Eric.”

  “As I told Jay, mine’s Elyse.” Those full lips retained the same captivating smile.

  And, pleasant as that was, it was the eyes that grabbed hold and pulled him in. Like he’d just taken a nose dive into some clear cool lake on a hot summer day. And hit the surface alive and refreshed.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you and Jay came for your initial visit.”

  Startled, he spoke the first words that came to mind. “But, you’re here now.”

  “Yes I am. And it’s nice to finally meet you. Your brother has talked about you at some length.”

  All good I hope.

  It was all he could do to avoid uttering the pat response. “Chris likes to talk.”

  “He’s proud of his family.”

  “We’re an interesting brood.” What was he going for? Conversational idiot of the year?

  “Angela can’t say enough about your parents.”

  “They’re—some would say quirky. We’re a quirky family.”

  “At least you’re a family.”

  A strange cloud came over those eyes that had him mesmerized. She turned away before he figured out exactly what he’d seen.

  “Now how about we take that tour? How about it, Jay?”

  “Yes. Please.” Eyes big as a set of proverbial saucers, Jay wiggled his fingers out of his father’s grip and extended his hand to the woman he’d just met.

  “This is your space, Jay.” She led them over to a wall made up of two rows of open ended wooden squares with their insides painted in more bright colors. She showed him a white card with JAY spelled out in stenciled block letters above one of them. “See your name?”

  “That’s my name, Daddy.”

  “I see that.”

  She looked up at Eric. “Each child has his or her own cubby hole to hold personal items, a change of clothes, extra socks, a favorite blanket, that type of thing.” Almost immediately, her attention reverted to Jay. “You can put your back pack in there now if you’d like.”

  “Okay.” He shrugged off his father’s gesture of help to quickly remove the straps from his own shoulders.

  “Nice job, big boy style,” Eric remarked as his son hefted the bag into place.

  “This is my space,” Jay repeated.

  “After lunch and just prior to rest time, we all sit down on the cozy red reading rug for a story,” she explained to Jay.

  He let go of her hand just long enough to clap his together several times. “I love stories.”

  “Today you’re going to hear one about some bears and butterflies,” Elyse said and accepted his hand in hers again.

  “I love stories about bears.”

  “You certainly do,” Eric noted, feeling suddenly left out.

  Detailing procedures and answering questions as they went, Elyse led them to the doorway.

  It was time to leave, and Eric felt as if he’d pass out. Or worse, barf his breakfast all over the cozy red reading rug.

  “Bye, Daddy. I’ll see you tonight.”

  Arms open wide, face turned upward, Jay’s genuine smile just now was all he’d have to remember for a while.

  Kneeling down, he folded the precious little body into a huge hug. “You have a good time. Okay?”

  “I’m going to play with those trucks,” Jay announced just before he took off in that direction.

  “Your son will be fine with us, Mr. Matthews, I promise.” The gentle reassurance came to him from far away.

  “Yeah. I know.”

  She reached into the pocket of her smock then handed him the gray plastic object she’d retrieved. “This is a key fob for you to use when you come to pick up Jay. Wave it in front of the space below the speaker out front to unlock the door.”

  “That’ll be easy enough.” He put the article in his pants pocket. If Jay was okay with this, he had to be too. Didn’t he? “You seem to be good with kids.”

  The same emotion he hadn’t been able to read before entered th
ose eyes before she dropped her gaze. “I’m in awe of their innocence.” When she looked up at him with a smile, all traces of anything not quite right had vanished. “They don’t seem to put much stock in what their heads may say, but go with their hearts.”

  “Some would call that giving in to uncontrolled impulses.”

  “Only those who haven’t listened to their hearts in a while.” Her voice became wistful, her eyes assumed a faraway cast. “It’s a nice way to be when we can manage that as adults.”

  “Guess I see your point.”

  She blinked as if to remind herself they’d been conversing. “We’re having a small party tomorrow afternoon. One of our teachers finished her thesis and we’re bringing in some ice cream and toppings to celebrate. You’re welcome to join us if you like. We’ve tapped some of the other parents to help.”

  It was as if she saw through the “I’m in charge here” bravado to the anxiety plaguing him underneath. “I appreciate the invitation. I’ll look forward to it.”

  On the way to his car, it struck him how true his last statement was.

  As his mother would say, “Nothing wrong with reaching out to another human being if you feel an immediate connection.”

  Climbing into the driver’s seat, he fired up the ignition.

  It was just too bad this one was married.

  Chapter Four

  “Find a quarter in my ear next, Mr. Carson.”

  Elyse smiled at the efforts of one of the fathers to entertain fifteen restless four year-olds geared up for a special afternoon treat.

  “No we’ve seen that. Do something else.”

  Apparently having taken the “there’s a quarter behind your ear” trick to its limits, Mr. Carson moved on to juggling an assortment of plastic blocks.

  Elyse pulled the package containing a tinsel edged Congratulations banner from the bottom drawer of her desk.

  Most of the teachers and some parents were setting bottles and jars of ice cream toppings on the small tables. The man would have plenty of help nearby if need be.

  “I’m going to secure this just above the door before our guest of honor arrives,” she said to the group in general.

  “Go ahead,” a few chorused. “We have things in here under control.”

  “When I get back we can scoop the ice cream into paper bowls and get started.”

  Collecting a roll of tape from her desktop then a small stool from the kitchen, she headed for the hallway. Eric—Jay’s father she quickly corrected—hadn’t arrived yet and she couldn’t help but wonder why. Or prevent the internal crater of disappointment she’d never in a million years expected to feel.

  He’s a busy man. As were most parents who brought their children to this daycare. Nothing she needed to take personally. So why in the world am I?

  Setting the stool down in front of the open door, she climbed on it then onto her tiptoes as she held the decoration in place. Clamping the tape holder between her teeth, she fumbled with her free hand to tear off a piece.

  Poor planning. This is not going to work.

  “Can I help?”

  “Oh!”

  At the deep, male voice so near, her gaze jerked above her head where a man’s hand loomed. On instinct she ducked and threw her arms up for protection which only made her teeter one way then the other. Her arms flailed out for balance to no avail.

  “Whoa there.”

  Her feet hit the floor with a force that rattled her molars as momentum hurled her backward. Arms straight out to break her fall, she was immediately wrapped up and pulled until her backside came up against a warm and solid form.

  “Oh no.” Fighting a gut reaction to wrench free, breathing became an all-out struggle. She’d had enough of this kind of confinement as a child.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “My goodness.” She started to step away, but was spun around to face her rescuer. About to issue a hasty thank you, she found her lips close to touching those of a wide eyed Eric Matthews.

  His hands gripped her upper arms. “You okay?”

  Heat rushed from the places he touched her, entered her heart and streamed downward. She shrugged out of his grasp. Finally able to swallow, she breathed deep to quiet a pounding heart until she was able to settle her gaze on his.

  “I’m fine. Really.” Taking a stride of retreat, she reached up to brush damp bangs back from her forehead. “You startled me a little.”

  Eyes narrowed, he studied her. Then a vivid blue gaze suddenly clouded with concern. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  “No. Not at all.” She turned away from his scrutiny to collect the tape and banner from where she’d dropped them.

  When she stood again, his head was angled down and toward her, his face inches away. “I wouldn’t have grabbed you, but I thought you were about to fall. You did fall.”

  “It’s fine. Really. As I said you startled me is all.”

  “Let me.” With an expression that indicated he wasn’t totally buying into her “a little startled” story, he lifted the decoration from her hands, then paused to straighten out a couple of wrinkles.

  For the scant moment his attention was diverted, she took advantage of the opportunity to study his face. Those blue eyes of his some women might consider dreamy. To Elyse, they appeared sharp and unsettling. The rest of his features were surprisingly unremarkable. His nose and mouth could definitely be classified as average with the lips possibly larger than they needed to be.

  The dark hair, worn short and combed to one side, contained just enough gray to give him an air of, not sophistication, more like character. So why did the entire package form into one remarkably attractive man?

  “Now where do you want this?”

  She pulled her gaze away from the eyes that had honed back in on her again. “Across the top of the door if you can.”

  “Oh, I can all right.” He reached over her to put the banner easily into place on one side with the piece of tape she gave him. Walking with him over to the other end, she handed up the piece of tape he used there.

  “I appreciate the help. It’s good you arrived when you did.” It had been a very long time since butterflies staged a free for all flutter fest so deep inside her.

  “Jay wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “Oh.” The flutter fest came to an abrupt halt. Of course the reason for his prompt arrival—his arrival at all—had to do with his son.

  “He truly enjoys his time here.” Looking down at her, he smiled. “Thank you for helping him, and me, feel comfortable.” His tone softened. “I appreciate your doing that for us.”

  When he spoke the second time, she realized she had yet to respond. “Oh. Of course.” Good heavens, woman. Get a grip. “All of our staff works very hard to make each child feel like they have a special place here.”

  She stepped back into the classroom, sorely conscious when he followed close behind.

  “Daddy.” Jay leaped up to run toward them.

  Eric immediately knelt down to accept an exuberant hug of greeting. “Hey, Buddy. I missed you.”

  “I believe everyone’s here now,” Elyse began, surprised at the sudden lump lodged in her throat. “So we can all take our seats. If we could have at least two adults at each table, that would be helpful.”

  With a scattering of bounces and jumps, the children dispersed with parents and teachers following.

  “Daddy, can Allie sit at our table?”

  “Of course.” Eric looked down at the little blonde who stood beside his son.

  Allie was one of their students who had been at Happy Times the longest. Whether she meant to or not, she had a knack for helping the newer children adjust. She also, Elyse recalled, had a flair for carrying on conversations beyond her years.

  “Welcome, Allie,” Eric was saying. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Thank you. I like Jay.”

  Her response had made him smile. “I like him too.”

 
“Can Miss Elyse sit with us too, Daddy?”

  Blue eyes connected with green. “If she wants.”

  “Of course,” Elyse said and looked away. “I’d like to.”

  As some other children scampered into chairs along both sides of the table Jay and Allie chose, her student’s father sat down at one end. Elyse took her seat opposite then bit her lower lip to stifle a laugh. The chair he battled to get into must have been five times smaller than he was.

  Pushed back from the table edge with his legs sprawled to one side he managed to settle into position.

  “You could trade for a regular sized folding chair.” She couldn’t help it when the corners of her mouth curved upward. “We have a few of those along the wall.”

  “I’m good.” He grunted as he scrunched down on the tiny piece of molded plastic with one hand placed on the ground for balance. “That is as long as this one will hold my weight.”

  Elyse smiled again then, despite her best efforts, a small chuckle escaped. “I’m sorry.” She brought two fingers to her lips and cleared her throat. “Are you sure you’re comfortable?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far. But I’ll be okay.”

  Those blue eyes sparkled back at her and she laughed out loud. “You’re a real trooper, Mr. Matthews. I like that in a ma—parent.”

  Parent, her student’s father. She needed to remember that fact when she referred to this man. She shook her head and shrugged. And not even man. This person, her sister’s soon to be brother-in-law whose child attended her school.

  “I appreciate the compliment, Miss Elyse.”

  She pulled out of her thoughts in time to catch the impish wink sent her way.

  “The guest of honor is here.”

  As someone made the announcement, Elyse quickly tore her eyes away from his and stood. “Everyone. We’re here today to celebrate Miss Diane’s very special accomplishment.” She went on to explain, in language the children would understand too, what that accomplishment was. “So let’s give her a round of applause,” she said and was pleased when the audience immediately complied.

  Jay took the lead when the clapping stopped. “Daddy, Allie and I will have chocolate sauce and sprinkles on our ice cream.”