Forever Friends

by Murray, Tamela Hancock

  “You certainly are persistent.”

  “Apparently persistence pays off, I’m happy to say.” Her musical laugh irritated Kassia. “I drove three hours to get here. I wasn’t about to give up now.”

  “Oh.” Who would drive three hours to see Teague without a strong connection to him?

  “Silly me. I’ve been babbling. I’m Tabitha Boswell,” the woman explained as though she had just reached into Kassia’s mind and read it like a book. “I’m looking for my brother, Teague.”

  “Oh.” Kassia paused as the information sank into her brain. “Oh!” She knew relief probably showed itself in her expression. This time she felt her entire face grow warm, a sure sign she had turned a brilliant shade of red.

  She studied Tabitha’s face and realized the resemblance. Teague had mentioned his sister. Tabitha was successful, the pride of their family. Why hadn’t Kassia realized who she was right away?

  “I’m so glad I ran into someone who could help me.” She smiled brightly. “I couldn’t even find the nurses’ station on this floor. I thought I’d be wandering the halls all day looking for him.”

  “Well, you’re almost there now. Your parents are with him.”

  “Good. But they’ll probably wonder why I’m so late. I had to close the store before I could leave.” She studied Kassia. “You said you were just there? Hey, you must be Kassia.”

  Kassia’s mouth dropped open. So Teague had thought she was important enough to mention to his sister? “Uh, yes. Yes, I am.” She decided that giving Tabitha her most charming smile might not hurt.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” Tabitha extended her hand. Her cologne, which smelled of jasmine and vanilla, wafted toward Kassia.

  She reached out and shook Tabitha’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

  Tabitha’s gaze bored into Kassia but not in an unfriendly way. She released Kassia’s hand. “You know what? You are just as pretty as he said you were.”

  “Pretty?” Kassia placed her hand to the hollow of her throat. “Really? He said that?”

  “Yes, really. I hope you don’t mind my telling you. But don’t let him know I said it. He’d kill me. I’m sure he’s trying to make you think he’s calm, cool, and indifferent.” Tabitha giggled.

  “He’s cool, but in a good way,” Kassia said. “He’s a gentleman, and I appreciate that. Believe me. But he really did say that?”

  “I don’t know why Teague didn’t have the courage to tell you himself that you look like a model.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “My brother.”

  Kassia’s eyes widened. “A model?”

  “Yes, he said you look like a model. And I agree.”

  “I guess all I can say is thanks!”

  Kassia marveled at how such a dazzling woman—who looked like a model herself—could express such an opinion.

  Tabitha stood tall, carrying herself with a confident air that somehow conveyed no arrogance. She was dressed in an imaginative outfit, no doubt from her boutique: a ruffled blouse and skirt, with matching suede boots and a leather purse decorated with flowers. Her smooth hair was styled away from her refined face. Kassia felt underdressed in her ski clothes. If Tabitha weren’t so friendly and warm—and Teague’s sister rather than a rival—Kassia would have felt intimidated.

  I’ll bet Tabitha and Teague never squabble or show petty jealousies. Not the way my sisters and I do.

  “I’m on my way to the cafeteria right now,” she said. “I’m sure your parents will be glad you’re here.”

  “Thanks, Kassia. I’ll look forward to seeing more of you.” Tabitha turned and headed down the hall.

  Kassia felt pensive as she boarded the elevator. Why couldn’t she have a nice sister like Tabitha? Why couldn’t her family be like the Boswells? Kassia speculated that they were the type of Christian family who really loved God, not like hers. Her family was never close, even though they claimed to love God. A verse she had memorized long ago, in Romans, came to mind: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

  As far as she could remember, her family never acted as though they accepted one another. At least Mother never accepted that Kassia could think for herself or make intelligent decisions. Yet she was free with praise for her favorite child, Deidre. Father was partial to Mona. When Kassia was clearly in the right, he offered her a halfhearted ally at best. Neither Mona nor Deidre seemed to want Kassia’s respect or friendship, since both of them were so busy trying to stay in their parents’ good graces by proving themselves to be super-spiritual. Unable to compete in the contest for Best Dahl Family Saint, once she entered college, Kassia gave up on church and ever finding fulfillment or solace in spirituality.

  If only her family could have accepted Kassia as she was, free-spirited and fun-loving as a child and later as a teen, a person who asked questions—sometimes hard questions. Perhaps then they could have learned more about God together. Instead she received only stern looks and admonitions for her questions.

  She had never meant to be disrespectful. She felt a love for God deep in her heart, whether in or out of church. She couldn’t understand why her parents acted as though they had to work night and day to gain His approval. They seemed to put church work before everything else, including her. So when Kassia rebelled against her parents, they believed she was at war with God, as well. Her sisters got in on the act and chastised Kassia, too. Before long, Kassia believed her family, along with the principalities of heaven, stood against her in a war she could never win.

  Had she been at war with God? Was she still fighting battles with Him, battles she could not win? Or had she let her family’s anger with her interfere with her relationship with her creator?

  ❧

  When Teague regained consciousness, he felt only relentless throbbing in his head. What day was it? Oh yes. Monday. He had to get to work!

  No, it couldn’t be Monday. He was still at the ski resort. The kids must be wondering why he overslept.

  No, wait. He hadn’t overslept. The last thing he remembered was waving to Kassia before he pushed off to ski one last time before they had to leave.

  Kassia. Just the thought of her helped ease the pain in his head.

  He opened his eyes and saw a white ceiling that must have been ten times brighter than the one at the ski resort. What was that beeping sound? He turned his head. A heart monitor? What was going on here?

  “Kassia?”

  “Teague!” He heard footsteps approaching his bed. “You’re awake! Oh, I’m so happy!”

  “Of course I’m awake. Why do you seem so surprised?”

  “You don’t remember?” Kassia asked.

  “The last thing I remember was being on the ski slope. Everything after that is a blur.”

  “That’s okay. You’ll probably remember more later.” He could see her swallow. Her eyes glistened with moisture. She reached down and stroked his arm. “Now don’t worry about anything. I’m just glad you’re awake.”

  The light shining in her eyes was unmistakable, and it wasn’t from the tears in her eyes. He’d seen that kind of glow before—in his old girlfriend’s eyes, long before she left him for some jock she met in school.

  But that was then. This was now. Now he was seeing a beautiful woman looking him in the eyes. A woman who obviously cared about him or she wouldn’t be here in the hospital with him. Maybe it was love. But he wasn’t sure he wanted Kassia falling in love with him. On the trip her faith seemed to be growing, but he thought her relationship with the Lord might still be shaky. His head hurt too much to think about it all now, though.

  “Kassia.” His voice came out as a whisper.

  He heard more footsteps as someone entered the room.

  “Loretta!” Kassia said. “He’s awake!”

  His mother rushed to his side and leaned over his bed. “Teague! Oh, I’m so relieved!” Tears flowed down her cheeks.

  “Mom? What are you doing here?” A surge
of fear shot through him. If Mom had come all this way, his condition must be serious. “Where’s Dad?”

  “He stepped out for a snack. He’ll be back soon,” Mom said.

  “What happened to me?”

  Kassia turned to him. “I was right behind you and watched. You had just pushed off and started down the hill when it looked to me like your ski hit something under the snow in the path.”

  Teague lifted his hand to his head. “Oh yeah. . .I remember that.”

  “Then you must remember how you lost your balance then veered off the path and ran into some trees.”

  Out of control. . .couldn’t stop. . .trees. . .snow. . .blackness.

  His heart started pounding in his ears, and he grimaced. “No wonder I ended up here.”

  “I’m just glad you weren’t going any faster. I think that kept you from doing even more damage to your head,” Kassia said.

  “Praise the Lord for that. How are you feeling now?” Teague’s mother asked.

  He looked at her. “My head hurts. And, now that you ask, I notice my foot doesn’t feel so hot.”

  Loretta and Kassia exchanged looks then glanced at Teague.

  “You broke your ankle,” Loretta said.

  “Yowzah! No wonder it hurts.”

  “I’m sure now that you’re awake they can give you something for that.”

  “We need to let someone know. I’ll get a nurse,” Kassia offered.

  His mom watched Kassia leave the room then turned to him. “You know something? That girl has been here the whole time. She was here when we arrived. She never left your side except for a few minutes.”

  Teague didn’t know what to say. He knew they had strengthened their connection during the ski trip, but apparently he hadn’t realized how much. Maybe Kassia was turning out to be a true friend after all.

  ❧

  Teague tried to think of something, anything, to put his tension at bay. Nothing seemed to work. He closed his eyes and recited the Lord’s Prayer over and over in his mind.

  The scent of gardenia perfume drifted toward him. His visitor, whose footfalls he hadn’t heard, could only be Kassia. He opened his eyes.

  “It’s time,” Kassia said.

  She appeared as a vision in a red sweater.

  “Hey. How was the hotel? Comfortable, I hope,” he said.

  “Just wonderful. But don’t you worry about me.” She reached over and patted his arm then pulled back her hand. “Are you ready for surgery?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” He reached for her hand. She responded with a warm clasp, her fingers delicate but firm around his. The prospect of surgery was not a welcome one, but he felt better with her by his side. “Kassia, you’ve been too good to me.”

  Too good. More than he deserved. He had to tell her not to wait on him or for him. “Kassia, I—”

  “What is it?” She squeezed his hand. The comfort of her touch was so appealing.

  The words wanted to form on his lips, but they couldn’t. “I–I want to thank you—for being here.”

  ❧

  In what seemed to be the blink of an eye, Teague awoke from surgery. He lay on a bed in a tiny space surrounded by a mauve-colored curtain. From somewhere nearby, perhaps on the other side of the curtain, he could hear a man praying in a minister’s cadence over a patient. The idea comforted Teague; he knew people were praying for him, too.

  A nurse appeared, offered him some water from a cup with a bent straw, and asked if he wanted to see his mother. “Sure,” he said faintly. He wondered about Kassia but didn’t ask.

  Moments later his mother stood inside the curtain. “How are you feeling, honey?”

  Teague tried to smile. “Not so hot.”

  “I can imagine.” She stepped to his side and spoke in a hushed voice. “The doctor said everything went well and you should be fine. I’m so relieved. We’ve all been so worried. Kassia especially. She’s been here the whole time. You know, you’re lucky to have someone like her as a girlfriend.”

  Girlfriend? He hadn’t thought of her as a girlfriend. Yet when his mother expressed the idea aloud, he liked the sound of it.

  “She’s quite charming,” Mom said. “And you know what? I think she has a good soul.”

  A good soul. Yes, he supposed she did. Yet he wondered if that soul was truly trusting the Lord. “Are you sure you aren’t being nice since I’ve just come out of surgery?”

  “No, I’m not.” His mother smiled.

  So Kassia had Mom’s approval. But Mom didn’t know Kassia and how she had lapsed in her faith walk. Would she be so approving if she did?

  Nine

  Kassia picked up the phone on her desk at work.

  “Hey, Kassia, do you have a minute?” a peppy voice asked.

  “Lexie! For you, yes.” Kassia lowered her voice so her nearby coworkers wouldn’t know she was on a personal call. “It’s been busy this morning, so I might have to put you on hold more while we talk.”

  “No problem. I know you’re at work. And so am I, for that matter.” Lexie chuckled. “I’ve only got a few minutes before I have to be in a meeting. I just thought I’d take an unscheduled break and call you long enough to find out how everything went on the ski trip with Teague. I tried to reach you at home yesterday, but you never picked up the phone or answered your e-mail.”

  “Oh, I’m so bad about checking my e-mail. You know that, right?” She chuckled.

  “I do recall,” Lexie agreed.

  “And as for the phone, I haven’t been home to answer it. Why didn’t you leave a message?”

  “You know how terrible I am at leaving messages,” Lexie said. “I hate talking to a machine. I feel like such an idiot.”

  “I do recall,” Kassia answered in a deliberate but kind imitation of Lexie. The two friends laughed.

  “So,” Lexie asked, “did you extend your trip?”

  “Sort of, but not because we wanted to. We had a lot of fun until the last ten minutes.” Kassia told her about Teague’s accident.

  “Oh, that’s awful,” Lexie sympathized. “Too bad a great time had to be spoiled at the last minute. How is Teague?”

  “As well as can be expected, I guess. He’s at home, but I haven’t been to visit him yet. Loretta’s still there.”

  “Loretta?”

  “His mom.”

  “Sounds like you two are getting along pretty well if you’re already on a first-name basis.”

  “I don’t know. She seems like a friendly person who’d let anyone call her by her first name. But I do like her.” Kassia picked up a pencil from the holder and twirled it around in her fingers. “Sometimes I think I get along with her better than I do my own mom.” Kassia grimaced. “In fact I know I do. And I met his sister, Tabitha. She’s super nice. One in a million.” Kassia sighed. She knew Lexie would understand her meaning. They were close, and Lexie was aware that Kassia and her family didn’t see eye-to-eye.

  “Don’t wish for something that can never be,” Lexie cautioned. “Everyone else’s family might seem to be perfect on the outside, but no one’s is.”

  “You’re right. But it’s nice to think someone in this world has a great life, isn’t it?”

  “You can have a great life, too, and maybe Teague can help with that,” Lexie said.

  “Teague is a good man, a special man. But he’s just a friend.”

  “Since you were so good about staying with him at the hospital, maybe he saw how wonderful you are,” Lexie said. “And you’re right. Teague is a good man. But don’t sell yourself short. You’re a good woman. I’m sure he can see that. Maybe he’d like to be more than just friends.”

  “I don’t know,” Kassia said. “I can’t imagine myself with the type of Christian who can feel a sense of peace just from talking with God.”

  “Why not? I’m that type of Christian.”

  “Maybe, but that’s different,” Kassia said. “Lexie, you’ve been through a lot with me. I know you weren’t too crazy abou
t Brad. And I have to admit, you were right. I’m so glad I didn’t let things go too far with him.”

  “You didn’t?”

  “Of course not,” she said sharply. “Why would you think otherwise?”

  “I don’t know. I guess because you didn’t want me around when he planned to come over.”

  Kassia knew Lexie was leaving much unsaid. Her faith wasn’t as strong as it had once been. Perhaps she deserved for her friends to think the worst of her. She decided to change the subject somewhat. “He’s wanted to see me again, and I’ve turned him down.”

  “Really? Good for you. I guess it’s really none of my business, but, well, I can’t help but wonder, Kassia—how far did you let things go with Brad?”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Kassia snapped. “Look—I might not be as close to God as you are, but that doesn’t mean I let guys get away with much.”

  “I guess I was thinking about that verse in the Bible that says to ‘avoid every kind of of evil.’ ”

  “Are you serious? Do I appear evil?” Kassia was surprised and hurt that her best friend would imply such a thing.

  “Well, do you remember that night you and Brad were kissing in the restaurant when the four of us double-dated?” Lexie asked.

  Kassia shuddered. “Maybe that didn’t look so good. You know, I’m sorry I kissed him at all, much less in public. And I’m sorry if I embarrassed you and Theo.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I understand.”

  Kassia realized then that Lexie’s forgiveness and friendship were more important to her than Brad’s attention ever was.

  “Just think about the men you choose in the future.”

  “But you can’t help who you love.”

  “Are you so sure? At some point in a relationship, you choose whether or not to pursue it. Somewhere between first attraction and seeing each other’s flaws,” Lexie said.

  Kassia thought for a moment. “I see what you mean.”

  “You have to think about why you pursue the wrong men.”

  “Now wait just a minute. I’m old enough to decide who’s right for me and who’s wrong.”