Wings of Love

by Jeanette Skutinik

  They both shared a smile as Joey helped her on with her coat.

  “Don’t wait up,” Joey winked at Amy as they walked out the door.

  “Are you going to finish that?” Amy teased Bob as she cleaned up all the debris on the coffee table then took it into the kitchen.

  Bob followed her while picking out the last kernels drenched in butter. “I have a favor to ask of you.”

  “What?” Amy glanced at Bob as he handed her the empty bowl.

  “I have to help out at a program for at risk kids.” Joey shifted his weight from one foot to the other leaning against the door frame of the kitchen. “I’m kind of nervous because some of the kids were, you know…abused.”

  Amy washed the bowl in the soapy water, rinsed it and placed it on the dish rack. “If you like me to go along for moral support I’d be glad to go.”

  “That would be great.” Bob grabbed a towel and helped her dry the dishes as a look of relief washed over his face.

  Amy sat at the round table next to Bob listening to the counselor introduce them to the children of the afterschool program.

  “Bob and Amy have volunteered to help you children with your homework,” said the counselor.

  “Awwww,” said a little boy about eight years old as he pouted. “I thought you said he played hockey.”

  “Yes, I did. Amy is a tutor and Bob is a NHL hockey player,” the counselor explained. “If you get your homework done I am sure they would play some floor hockey afterwards.”

  “Dy-no-mite,” said the same little boy as he smiled showing he had a missing tooth. “My name is Bob too.”

  “How about I help you get your homework done,” said Bob as he rustled the kid’s hair. “Then I can teach you what a hat trick is.”

  Amy paired off with the girls helping them with their homework. They paid close attention to her as they looked up with big bright eyes.

  “You’re pretty,” said the little girl whose hair was in a dozen braids with colorful flower barrettes in each one. “I’m Tonya.”

  “I like your nail polish,” said another little girl with pigtails. “My name is Kimberly.”

  “Why thank you, girls.” Amy smiled at them for their kind words. “I love the way you both fixed your hair.

  “My mommy is in jail. She does drugs,” said Tonya as she looked up at Amy with her big brown eyes. “So my granny fixes my hair.”

  Amy’s heart melted for this little girl when she told her story. “Well, you are very lucky to have a grandma who can fix your hair so beautiful.”

  Amy gathered up the papers and pencils. She was quick to learn that these children would share whatever popped into their heads. “Guess what time it is now?”

  “Time to play,” all the kids chimed in at once.

  Bob rose from the table just as eager as the kids to head over to the activity room. Amy followed them and let him take the lead of explaining the game of hockey.

  “Okay, all of you grab yourself a stick,” Bob clapped his hands together. “The idea is to use this stick to hit this puck into that net.” Bob demonstrated as he raised the stick near his waist and struck the puck with a sharp slapping motion. “Today we will just take turns learning that and next time I’ll teach you some more moves.”

  Amy assisted him by keeping the kids patient as they waited in line for their turn. They looked up to him like Bob was their new found hero. The children listened to all his advice as they tried to score a goal. They tried so hard, it was comical to watch, their tongues sticking out as they shot the puck.

  “Bye,” the children shouted as Amy and Bob opened the door to leave the center.

  “Catch you on the flip side.” Bob waved as the door closed behind them. “That went better than I thought. I really enjoyed working with them.”

  “Yeah, it was an afternoon well spent.” Amy was touched by how the children had welcomed them. “Let me know the next time you go. I’d like to go again.”

  They sped down the highway singing Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd. She realized that they both gotten as much out of the afternoon as the kids did, maybe more.

  ***

  Adam held Amy’s hand as they rushed up the stairs to her mother’s house. It was Thanksgiving Day, the airport and traffic had been crazy, luckily they were only an hour late. He noticed both Joey’s and Bob’s cars were parked in the driveway.

  Amy had been smiling non-stop since she met Adam at the airport. “I have four glorious days with my man.”

  “I plan on spending every single minute of them with you.” Adam looked into her sparkling hazel eyes. “I have it all planned out.”

  “I just love it when you take control.” Amy flirted with him as she opened the door. She felt a hand grope her backside. “Adam Matthew LaPointe!”

  Adam smiled at Amy not fooled at all by this innocent act of hers. He couldn’t wait until he had her all to himself behind closed doors.

  “Something smells awfully good in here,” Adam said as they entered the dining room where everybody was gathered around the table enjoying a Thanksgiving feast. “Sorry we’re late.”

  “Better late than never,” Joey stood up and gave his buddy a bear hug. “Good to see you.”

  “It’s great to be home.” Adam gave Angie a kiss on the cheek. “Hello.”

  “Hi Adam,” she looked up at him. “We all missed you.”

  “Come on in and have a sit,” Mrs. Makowski offered.

  “Yeah,” said Bob giving Adam a handshake. “How’s college been treating you?”

  “Things have been going pretty good,” said Adam as he pulled a chair out for Amy to sit down. He sat down next to her and started helping himself to some turkey.

  “Don’t be so modest Adam,” said Amy proudly. “He has already broken the school records on goals and assists and last week some scouts were out checking around.”

  “Really?” said Bob. “That’s cool, soon one of the NHL teams are bound to pick you up.”

  “I can only hope,” said Adam as he took a bite of stuffing. “This is delicious Mrs. Makowski.”

  “Why thank you Adam,” said Mrs. Makowski. “You all eat as much as you want. Lord knows I made more than enough.”

  “I heard you are graduating from nursing school next month,” Adam turned his attention towards Angie. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.” Angie rolled her eyes, “Now all I have to do is pass my state exams.”

  Adam relaxed as he listened to all his friends as they shared the latest events in their lives, relishing all the laughter around the holiday table. It was good to be home again and he sure had a lot to be thankful for this year.

  “Are you ready for some football?” Joey tossed the pigskin up in the air.

  Angie surprised Joey grabbing it in mid-air. “Hope you keep possession of the puck better than that.” She laughed with delight as she ran out the front door.

  “Oh it’s on now sweetie,” Joey chased her out into the front yard.

  “Come on you two,” Amy motioned to Adam and Bob. “It’s a Thanksgiving day tradition in our neighborhood.”

  The teams were divided up fairly of all different ages and sizes. The losing team had to rake the winning neighbors leaves this weekend.

  Angie caught the football that Bob had passed her, she ran as fast as she could toward the touchdown line. Joey tackled her, overacting the play as he tumbled to the ground with her in his arms into a pile of leaves. They rolled around wrestling, scattering the leaves all over the yard and themselves.

  “Hey, why don’t you two get a room?” Bob called out at them laughing as he put his hands over the neighbor kid’s eyes. He then picked the young boy up and flew him through the air like a plane as he ran across the yard.

  The ball was hiked to Bob and he threw a forward pass to Adam. He ran down the field zipping and zagging as the kids tried tackling him. One of the boys attached himself to Adam’s left leg but he continued to run dragging him along.

  A
my tore the football out of Adam’s hands as he fell to the ground. She laughed as she ran back the other way and taunted him. “Good thing you don’t play football for a living.”

  “Those are fighting words my lady,” said Adam as he lifted himself off the ground catching up to her quickly. He hugged her around the waist, lifting her up onto his shoulder and carried her with the football to score a touchdown for his team.

  “Cheater,” Amy teased as she felt cold raindrops upon her face. “We still won!”

  They all ran inside to have pumpkin pie and watch some football on TV. Adam focused on the game while Amy sat beside him her face still rosy from being outside. He glanced over at her as she snuggled next to him and squeezed her hand. He couldn’t wait to surprise her with his weekend plans.

  “Adam, where are we going?” Amy insisted having waited patiently for over an hour already.

  “We’re almost there, babe.” Adam drove carefully down the dimly lit road. He drove past a lit up sign with a Santa in a chimney which read, “Welcome to Frankenmuth.”

  “Are you serious?’ Amy snuggled up to her man who was always full of surprises. “I have never been here before.”

  “Neither have I.” Adam pointed at all the displays of Christmas decorations. “We can go check out Bronners tomorrow.”

  “Did I tell you how much I love you?” Amy asked.

  “Only at least a dozen times,” he glanced toward her and smiled. “But I’ll never get tired of hearing it.”

  Adam pulled into the parking lot of the Bavarian Inn which was accumulating with snow. The Alpine-style building was well lit showing off the beauty of the architecture. He parked the truck in a close spot then stepped out to stretch from his long day of traveling. He pulled Amy close to him as she slid out beside him the snowflakes glistened in his dark hair, as he gave her a kiss. Snow continued to fall heavily upon them as they ran hand and hand into the Inn.

  “I know it’s not the St. Regis,” said Adam as he swung the door open to their room. “But I figured it’ll give us some time alone.”

  “As long as we’re together,” Amy said as she fell back onto the king size bed looking at him enticingly. “I’m sure we’ll have a good time.”

  Adam lifted the suitcase onto the luggage rack, unzipping it then took out a paper bag. Amy lay upon the bed watching him curiously as he walked over to the whirlpool, turning on the faucet. As he waited for the water to fill up above the jets, he set tea light candles around the ledge of the tub and lit them. Adam poured some rose scented bubble bath under the running water and turned the jets on.

  “Don’t go away,” he teased her as he exited the room. “I’ll be right back.”

  Adam came back into the room with a bottle of champagne, an ice bucket and two glasses. He caught his breath when he saw Amy hiding beneath the bubbles which looked like snow. He placed the champagne on the ledge behind her, turned out the lights and slid into the tub next to her. Adam’s heart was racing after the long day of anticipation for this moment. He felt as Amy floated to face him then gently ran her hands through his hair, the warm water bubbling sensuously around them. Adam gazed into her eyes which reflected the candlelight that bounced off the water while they made shadows and memories here in each others’ arms.

  Adam balanced the packages he held in his arms as he unlocked the door. He managed to make it over to the bed before they tumbled all over the place.

  “Well, I think we successfully completed all our Christmas shopping.” Amy admired all the packages she had painstakingly picked out.

  “Thank God,” said Adam. “Now where did that fudge go?”

  Amy dug through all the bags until she found the one she was looking for. “Do you want chocolate mint or peanut butter pecan?”

  “A little slice of both,” he felt his stomach growl. “Then we’ll go to dinner.”

  “I think everyone is going to love their gifts.” Amy held up a John Deere sweatshirt they had bought for Adam’s dad.

  “Yeah, you did a good job Amy.” He popped the last piece of fudge in his mouth. “They probably would have gotten empty fudge boxes from me.” He laughed as he tickled her side. “Are you ready for dinner?”

  “Boy somebody is hungry!” Amy laughed as they left the room to go to the restaurant. “Winner, winner chicken dinner!”

  Adam pulled her chair out for her before he took a seat beside her. He noticed the family behind them who were already eating their meal. “The food looks good.”

  The waiter approached them dressed in German Oktoberfest attire. “My name is Eric and I will be your server tonight.” He placed a breadbasket of warm stollen bread with fresh fruit preserves on the table.

  “I think we will both have the family style chicken dinner and a couple draft beers.” Adam handed the waiter the menus then waited for Eric to leave the table. “Look behind you.”

  Amy turned to see the beautiful mural painted on the entire wall behind them of the Swiss Alps. “It’s beautiful. Let’s take a picture in front of it.”

  “Could you take our picture please?” Adam asked the man behind them with the five kids as he handed him the Polaroid camera. “Hi, sweetie pie.” He smiled down at the little baby who was enjoying her ice cream.

  “Say Wunderbar,” said the mother as she took the picture of Adam and Amy.

  “Let me take one with you and your family,” Amy offered. “Say cheese.” She snapped the picture then handed it to them. “Thanks again. You have such a beautiful family.”

  The waiter served them chicken noodle soup along with cheese spreads with crackers. He also placed a stein of beer in front of each of them.

  “Aren’t those children adorable?” Amy smiled wishfully at them as they colored at the table. “They are so well behaved.”

  “I want us to have a whole bunch,” he smirked at her as he took a drink of beer. “Can you believe that someday that could be us?”

  “Yes, I can.” Amy gingerly rubbed her foot along his leg. “But for now it’s just you and me babe.”

  Adam held her gaze as he understood what she had on her mind tonight. He finally looked away as Eric returned to the table bringing them each another beer and a fresh platter of chicken.

  “This is like Thanksgiving all over again,” Amy said as she passed Adam the platter of chicken and took the mashed potatoes and gravy from him.

  “Good thing I was hungry.” Adam took another piece of chicken and some more stuffing.

  For dessert the waiter brought them each a scoop of homemade ice cream in a dish drizzled with hot fudge.

  “I have a little giraffe on mine.” Amy looked across at his ice cream and burst out laughing.

  Adam found a tiny orange plastic lion sitting atop his dessert. “I did not plan that, I swear.” He laughed as he licked the ice cream off the toy placing it in his pocket. “It must be our destiny.”

  They walked outside back to their room after dinner, arm in arm, talking about their plans for tomorrow. Adam listened to Amy as she insisted they stop at Bronners to buy an ornament for a souvenir of their weekend. He loved the way she treasured every moment no matter how big or small.

  The Glockenspiel Tower echoed above them as it turned nine o’ clock. Adam held Amy in his arms underneath the clock as it played German tunes while figurines moved depicting the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

  “You’re not going to buy a cuckoo clock now, are you?” Adam wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked down the street.

  “Are you mocking me?” She raised her eyebrows in question. “Maybe I’ll buy one with fifty bells on it, just to annoy you.”

  “You can ring my bell anytime,” his eyes twinkled in the moonlight as he thought about another night of bubbles and candlelight with Amy.

  Adam closed his eyes leaning back in his seat on his flight heading back to New York, visions of Amy playing like movies in his head. The excitement in her eyes when she found the perfect Christmas ornament for them that read “Our F
irst Christmas – 1977.” The childlike way she caught snowflakes upon her tongue as she held his hand while they ran through the park. The unselfishness as she shared her ice cream cone with him when his fell to the ground. But mostly the look upon her face when she opened up the cuckoo clock he had snuck out and bought for her. His plane hadn’t even landed yet and he was already looking forward to seeing her at Christmas.

  ***

  The kids worked diligently to finish their homework today and were ready for their group counseling session.

  “Does anyone have anything they’d like to talk about today?” Mrs. Schimt, the counselor asked.

  Bobby raised his hand with a sad look on his face.

  “Yes, Bobby?” Mrs. Schimt called upon him.

  “Some kids told me that I’m bad,” he looked down at the table. “They said my dad was bad too because he’s in jail. Oh, I wanted to do something bad when they said that, but I didn’t.”

  “Awe, you’re not bad,” Bob waved his hand as if to brush the comments away for Bobby. “Neither is your dad. Sometimes good people make bad choices. But I’m glad you decided to make a good decision by not being bad.”

  Bobby pondered that for a moment then a toothless grin slowly appeared on his face as he understood exactly what Bob meant. Amy admired Bob as she watched him do wonders with these kids. He had formed a common bond with them all. He understood them and they trusted him.

  “So who wants to play some hockey?” Bob stood up as they all jumped up and down with joy.

  “You are really helping these kids, Bob.” Amy caught up to him as they headed over to the activity center. “You believe in them and make them feel good about themselves.”

  “Just repeating some words someone shared with me,” he winked as he jogged backwards towards the kids. “Kind words can go a really long way Amy.”

  Amy never realized until now how much her kind words had meant to Bob. It made her happy to know her words impacted Bob enough to be able to help someone else when they needed it. Everyone knew the bad in Bob, but she accepted it and had taken the time to find the good in him too.