Collecting Smiles

by Melody Burris

  Chapter Fifteen

  After dinner, it was time for the family meeting. I grabbed my notebook and pen and found the family sitting in the room just off of the kitchen. There was a fireplace and a sliding glass door to the backyard, but it wasn’t quite big enough to be a family room, especially not for this family. Brother Cole sat on the hearth and asked Christian to offer a prayer. Sister Cole also was prepared to take notes.

  The meeting began with Brother Cole reintroducing me to the family and explaining why I was there. “Megan has some practice at this sort of thing so she will be helping us have the best vacation possible. We leave in a few weeks and we need some opinions.” He held his hand up to quiet the excited responses. “We will try to do at least one thing that each of you really wants to do but it has to be reasonable.”

  Sister Cole spoke up, “We are going to California because I have always wanted to show you the mountains there. A trip to Yosemite and to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National parks is already on the list. Let’s take turns, youngest first. What would you like to do, Ruth?”

  “Can we go to the zoo?” She was so hopeful, holding her hands together in a pleading way. Anna’s wrinkled up face made me smile. I was pretty sure she was remembering the smell of the last zoo she had been to. Sister Cole wrote it on her list and I wrote it on mine with Ruth’s name next to it. Then, I added a note to remind me about Anna’s reaction.

  “Anna?” Brother Cole asked.

  Anna thought for a minute, “I really want to eat one of the peaches that Mom’s always talking about.” She licked her lips expectantly. “You know, the really juicy ones you used to eat right off the tree.”

  “That’s not very much. Don’t you want something else, dear?” Sister Cole coaxed.

  “Nope, that’s it.” I made a note in my book.

  Caleb didn’t wait for his name to be called, “Can we go on a roller coaster?”

  “Sorry son we aren’t going to any amusement parks,” Brother Cole said.

  “Oh,” Caleb said, a little disappointed. “Then can we go fishing?”

  “That is a possibility,” Brother Cole said approvingly.

  I wrote down both requests in my book just in case. Maybe we could find a good roller coaster substitute.

  Brother Cole took a moment with his next son. He placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, “Micah, we’re going on a trip. Won’t that be fun? We will try to do something you like too.” He looked around the room at the family, “Any ideas?”

  “We could go to a concert or something,” Christian suggested.

  “I think he would like to see the monkeys like me!” Ruth said, jumping up and down.

  “He’ll like campfires,” Rebekah said. “When I went with Megan we told stories and sang songs.”

  “I think he would like that too. But we will need to do it before it gets too dark or he might get scared,” Mark agreed.

  “We have some good suggestions. Let’s move on,” Brother Cole said.

  It was Rebekah’s turn. “I don’t care what we do as long as I don’t have to sleep on the ground.” Apparently, no one was surprised by this response. I added it to the list.

  It was Christian’s turn and he began slowly. “Mark and I have been talking… I want to go on a backpacking trip with him.”

  “That’s my suggestion too,” added Mark.

  We had gone through everyone so I closed up my notebook preparing to finish the meeting. As I looked up, everyone was staring at me. What was I supposed to do? Did they want me to give them an itinerary now? The dinner in my stomach was starting to churn with nerves.

  “What about you, Megan? What would you like to do?”

  Oh, they were giving me a chance to pick something. Immediately, I relaxed. “I’m fine. I think the whole trip sounds wonderful. I want one of those peaches, too. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.”

  Brother Cole closed the meeting. Everyone scattered and I opened my book again to look through the list, not sure where to begin. I didn’t want to be unprepared the next time.

  Sister Cole called as she left, “We can talk about the details tomorrow, Megan. Have a good night.”

  The family dispersed and I stood to follow, not quite sure where to go. Mark stopped Christian by the stairs. “So, where are you going on your date tomorrow?”

  “I have no idea, I want it to be really great,” Christian almost whined.

  “What’s her name and what does she like to do?” I asked, jumping into my planning mode and the conversation.

  “Her name is Allison. She’s on the volleyball team and I think she reads a lot. I guess I could take her to a game or a movie or something.”

  “Do you really like her?” Mark asked. Christian nodded. “Then don’t be so boring. Anyone can take her to a movie, besides at the movies you don’t get to talk.”

  “But then where can I take her?”

  “You should really ask Megan, she is so good at this stuff.” Mark turned it over to me.

  Christian looked at me expectantly. Thanks, Mark. “Well, I can tell you about some of my favorite things if that would help. Let’s see, picnics are always good, and then there is hiking or bike rides. I tried paintball tag last year and it is awesome. That could be a really fun date. There’s kite flying, roller skating… lots of things, take your pick.”

  “There’s a place to do paintball in the next town.”

  “Do you think Allison would like paintball?” Mark asked.

  “Sure, she’s cool.” Christian nodded.

  Mark and I looked at each other. He rolled his eyes slightly and I offered some advice to Christian. “Now if you are choosing paintball you have to call her tonight and tell her to dress for it.”

  “What should we wear?”

  “You need grubby clothes, ones you can crawl around in the dirt with and get paint on. They should be comfortable too.”

  Christian turned his head between Mark and me. “We should double.”

  Mark shifted uneasily. “Megan doesn’t date.”

  Christian looked confused by this statement, but quickly turned to me and pleaded. “Come on. It will be more fun with you guys there and I want her to have fun.”

  I looked back at Mark who was standing there with one eyebrow cocked at me. “Sure, why not. I like paintball and it isn’t as if it would really be a date. We’re just helping Christian.”

  Mark’s mouth twitched a little at the corners and then he turned to Christian, “Okay, it looks like we’re in. What time is the date?”

  “I told her about four. She wanted to get home early enough to prepare a talk for church. Thanks guys!” Christian hugged me then headed downstairs with the phone in his hand.

  “Seems we are going out.” Mark winked at me. I rolled my eyes. “Do you have the proper clothing Miss,” he said.

  “I think I can manage. You?”

  “I have plenty of old scrubs that need retiring.”

  “You should wear the bright blue ones, they bring out your eyes,” I teased and his eyebrow rose again; his eyes were brown. “Okay, it would just make you an easier target.”

  “Hey, we’re going to be on the same team, remember?”

  “Oh, I was hoping for boys vs. girls.” I puckered out my lip and hung my head. He grabbed me in a bear hug reminiscent of the ones I saw Brother Cole give him. I giggled.

  My meeting with Sister Cole, the next morning, was intense. Getting a large family moving was a big undertaking; no wonder my mom was always late everywhere. We talked briefly about food, but decided to have a special meeting just for planning the menu because Christian was allergic to wheat and Brother Cole was diabetic. There was some basic camping gear that needed to be purchased so we made a list. The biggest things on the list were the tents that we needed. After some discussion, we realized that we couldn’t provide Micah with the things he needed in a tent. Sister Cole thought she could borrow her parents’ RV and left to call them. They had retired to Nevada and a stop at
their house was already on the list. If we could use the RV, Rebekah’s desire not to sleep on the ground would be all taken care of, as well.

  I left the meeting with a list of things to do. I needed to research zoos in the area and to look for campgrounds that could accommodate both tents and an RV. There was also the backpacking trip to organize. Sister Cole had decided to see if she could find an old ward member who owned an orchard. Maybe Anna would get to pick her peach right off the tree, just like her mom had.

  That afternoon we were decked out in our grubby clothes and heading for the paintball field. Mark and I were squished into the back seat of Christian’s car. No one was talking. “So have you ever played paintball before?” I asked, hoping to start the conversation.

  Allison gave a timid, “No, but I have always wanted to try. It looks fun.” She looked beseechingly at Christian who stared at the road. I wondered if we were cramping his style. In the day that I had known him, he hadn’t seemed shy, but I really didn’t know him all that well. I looked over at Mark with the same beseeching look. I didn’t want to embarrass Christian with one of my jokes.

  “Christian says you’re on the volleyball team. How did you guys do this year?” Mark jumped in, trying to start the conversation.

  “Okay, I guess. We didn’t quite have the power this year that we had last year,” Allison’s voice trailed off as she turned to look out her side window. She was obviously nervous too. Remembering that feeling, I smiled. This at least was one aspect of dating I was not going to miss.

  Mark pressed on. “He also says you like to read. What have you been reading lately?”

  “Mostly books for school,” It looked like we had come to another dead end but then she continued, “I just started this really great book, though…” The rest of the ride was filled with a detailed account of the mystery that Allison was reading. Finally, coming out of her shell, she talked animatedly and even turned in her seat so that she could see all of us a bit better. Christian remained quiet, but at least he acted interested. Mark was attentive with questions and comments that made Allison light up.

  When we arrived, I unbent myself from the back seat, feeling relieved, and then turned to find Mark attempting the same feat. I realized that he was at least eight inches taller than me, most of which was leg and that the back was a lot more cramped for him. It reminded me of when we first met. Thinking I could help him out, I yanked hard on his arms and we both fell to the ground laughing. Christian stared at us in horror; I guessed that we were being embarrassing. “Well at least we broke our clothes in,” I said, standing up and brushing off.

  After we were instructed in the rules and how to use our equipment, we were turned loose to play a game of capture the flag. I was helping Allison with her safety gear when Christian spoke up, “I call Megan!”

  Mark and I stared at each other dumbfounded. This was not a scenario we had pictured. Mark thinking quickly said, “Okay, then I get Allison. Come on Allison let’s take the far field.”

  Thankfully, Mark handled it so smoothly it seemed planned. Walking past Christian, he shook his head. “Nice, Christian,” I said, when they were out of earshot.

  “What?” he asked, bewildered.

  “You should have teamed with Allison; you know… your date.”

  “But you’ve played this before; I have a better chance with you.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, “Christian sometimes it’s not about winning. Let’s get going.” I turned and headed to the fort at the south end of the field where our flag would be placed.

  “You stay here and guard. I’ll go after their flag,” Christian said, grabbing his gun and heading up the field.

  “Christian, wait. A direct assault is going to get you shot. Come here and let’s plan.”

  I grabbed a stick and drew the field with the two towers and the woods that lay on either side. The woods were only about 50 feet wide but it was enough for cover. “Now they’re going to be going through the woods too, so you have to try not to get caught. If you go down the open field, they can get you from the cover of the trees. So it is a 50/50 shot on which woods we choose. The smart thing to do is put your flag at the highest point so that the enemy has to expose themselves to grab it. I can guard from the cover of the trees over here,” I said, pointing to the west side of the field. “You should take the east so that you can get them it they come from that side. Let me get into position, then you start. And keep your head down.”

  Christian nodded and then ran off before I had even made it to the trees. He definitely had a mind of his own. I searched until I found a fallen log. Laying down behind it, I rested my gun on the log and waited. This was the part that I loved. Although I preferred to be on the offensive, the anticipation of an intruder made this post a rush. As I tried to heighten all my senses, sounds can to me. There was a rustling in the brush that I was pretty sure was coming from the east woods. I hoped that Christian was on his guard. I was starting to feel a little jumpy as the minutes passed. I tried to stay still and alert. Surely, they would be closing in soon. In the distance, I heard a loud, “Oh, man! I’m out.” It was Christian.

  Now I had no team member to retrieve the flag. I thought for a minute trying to decide what to do. If I waited until they made a play for the flag, I could pick at least one of them off and have a better chance at an offensive. If I moved toward their flag I might be fast enough to get their before they got ours, but I didn’t know what kind of head start they had already. Fun won out over reason. In the end, going for the flag seemed like more fun.

  Jumping up and walking in a crouched position, I moved from tree to tree listening all the while for movement from my opponents. I heard a step once so I quickly ducked behind a tree, staying low. I stayed crouched for a minute or so listening, but I didn’t hear anything else, so I continued. About half way through the woods, I looked back quickly towards our fort hoping that our flag was still waving. Pleased that I could still see it, I started again toward my target. A moment later, I was shot in the back.

  How had they gotten behind me? I looked around and saw Mark standing out from behind his tree and blowing across the top of his gun barrel as if he was Clint Eastwood. “I’m hit. Game over,” I called out.

  “Not quite, I still need to get your flag.”

  “I can’t believe it, all those years playing capture the flag with my brothers and you actually snuck up on me.”

  “It’s all about being patient.” He smiled, “I’ve been waiting here since the beginning.”

  “So, you’re guarding the flag? Then who shot Christian?”

  “Commander Allison,” he grinned and then we both chuckled. I may have lost at capture the flag, but my total for the week was going to be big thanks to this guy.

  There was a cry of victory. We looked to see Allison walking casually through the open field carrying our flag back to her fort.

  “Now it’s game over.” Mark winked.

  The game had gone so quickly that we decided to play again. Mark suggested, before any more social mistakes could be made, “We should change teams, you guys need some lessons in strategy. Allison and I can help you there.”

  Christian jumped up from the ground where he had been sitting. “Okay, I get Allison. That was some shot,” he said, rubbing his shoulder where a splatter of pink paint still remained. They walked to the south end fort and the game began again.

  This time the game took a lot longer, everyone was feeling very cautious and movement was slow. At least, I assumed it was caution, but it could have been conversation. Just for fun, Mark and I had decided to take the west woods together leaving our flag unguarded. I shot a tree once in his defense, but we never did see the other team.

  They must have been just bit faster than we were, because our flag was gone by the time we reached theirs. We hurried down the fort ladder and ran for our home base through the open field. It was risky, but we were having a great time. Half way across the field, we were picked of
f by a sniper in the east woods. We flopped on the ground panting from our exertions, and laughing while Allison once again gained a victory.

  On the way home, we stopped to eat. Allison and Christian were talking energetically as they sat down at a small table outside. I walked over to the edge of the parking lot looking out towards the mountains. Mark followed. “It is pretty here,” I said and Mark nodded agreement, looking out over the same view. “Allison is lucky she had such a nice date like you.”

  “Yeah, I’m just so awesome I can take two girls on one date.” I gently slapped his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around me and squeezed.

  “You did good. They look like they are getting along great now.”

  “Well, he is my brother,” Mark said, blowing on his knuckles and brushing them on his coat. I giggled. He sobered, shaking his head, “And the kid was just so clueless.” I nodded emphatically at that.

  Work started for both of us on Monday. I was teaching after school groups of the cutest little Level 2 kids. They were so excited to be learning that they could actually swim. My mornings were free, so I spent them researching for the trip and helping Sister Cole around the house.

  One day, I was helping Sister Cole fold some laundry when she said, “Megan, can I ask you something?”

  “Sure,” I said.

  “Forgive me, but Mark said you were having some problems. I just wondered if you are feeling better.”

  Oh, no! What had he told her? Then, I looked up into her caring eyes and I figured she would know how I felt. Maybe I could talk to her. “How much did he tell you?

  “Enough,” she said smiling. “He was concerned about you and thought I might know what to do.”

  “Sounds like Mark. He is always trying to make things better.”

  “Yes, he is a bit of a busy body.”

  Laughing at the unflattering description that I had used myself, I realized it didn’t fit. Mark always acted because he cared and that just wasn’t the same thing as being a busy body.

  “My sister in law is having a baby,” I said, feeling a little guilty because it still hurt.

  “Yep, I’ve been through that one. It does get better. I don’t even think about it anymore. A household of kids keeping you busy takes your mind off things. Still before Ruth…” She looked into the distance for a moment, remembering. “I was occasionally sad because I thought I would never feel a baby move inside me or vomit up my breakfast like everyone else having kids around me.”

  “What did you do?”

  “Well, sometimes I just cried and sometimes I got mad, but always I just kept doing what I needed to. Of course, now I have had that experience. But each one of our kids was an experience all their own. When we brought Mark home from the hospital, I had no idea what I was doing. You would think that by the time we had Ruth it would be all figured out, but each child has brought their own challenges.”

  “Can I ask a personal question?”

  “Of course, ask me anything.” Her response was genuine and I felt like I was talking to a dear sister.

  “My parents are always talking about how great it will be when we are all grown up and they are alone again. I mean, they love us, but they want…” I trailed off not knowing how to finish. Sister Cole smiled knowingly at me and nodded her head. “I was just wondering why you adopted a child that can never live on his own. Sorry, I love Micah, he is so sweet, but what made you make that choice when you didn’t have to?”

  “When we decided to adopt, John and I knew that our family would be eternal. We prayed for help to find the children that were supposed to be part of our family and then we listened for the answers. Sometimes the answers were hard. We’ve turned down several adoption opportunities over the years because it didn’t feel right. There are so many children out there that need love. I wished I could bring them all home. But when we did find the child that was ours, we knew it and we just accepted the challenges. We have always made the other kids part of the process so that they would know that their new brother or sister was theirs to keep and that Heavenly Father had sent them.”

  “You and Brother Cole must have a lot of faith.”

  “Sometimes, we stumble just like everyone else. Some days, I wish I could run away.”

  I laughed. “My mom says the same thing.” I made a mental note to find some alone time for Sister Cole on the trip.

  “Did you know before you got married that you were going to have problems having kids?”

  “No. We discovered it after a couple of years of trying. Those were hard years and then when we found out, I felt guilty. I couldn’t help feeling as if it was all my fault. Father’s Days were worse than Mother’s Days because I felt like I was the reason John would never be a father.”

  I nodded my head in agreement. I knew exactly how she felt. She continued, “So here you sit with the knowledge and guilt. Is that why you don’t date or is it still Andy?”

  “No, it’s not Andy. I don’t think I ever loved him. I can’t date because I can’t fall in love and get married like anyone else. No one deserves to be stuck with me and my problems.” It still hurt to say it, but talking to Sister Cole, well, at least she understood.

  “That is a tough one. If I had known before I was married, I may have felt the same way. It took me several years before I realized that Heavenly Father didn’t think I was damaged and neither did John. I was the only one that needed convincing. John just kept telling me to have hope and he was right. Hope has never let me down. Maybe you shouldn’t give up on life just yet.” She smiled at me, scooped up a stack of clothes and went to deliver it to the girls’ room.