A Husband for All Seasons

by Irene Brand

  “Those arrangements would be fine. You can let us know what she says.”

  “Are you going to Alabama over Christmas?” Lorene asked.

  “I haven’t made up my mind yet, but I probably will. I’ll need to discuss the biography with Mom and Dad, too, and get their opinion. I’ll let you know. And hey, thanks for being so understanding.”

  “Thank you for confiding in us.”

  Chapter Ten

  During Howie’s visit Chad hadn’t seen Vicky, but he called her as soon as he returned from the airport.

  “Will you come over for the evening meal? I’ll buy some Chinese food.”

  “I’d love that.”

  Vicky had finished work at seven and she arrived at his apartment within an hour.

  “What are your plans for the holidays?” Chad asked as they ate, with the door into the hallway conveniently open for Grace’s benefit.

  “I’ll eat Thanksgiving dinner with Mom and Dad, as usual, and by the way, Mom invited you to come, too, if you are in town.”

  “I’ll accept. What about Christmas?”

  “Mom and Dad are going to Florida to spend Christmas with her sister and attend my cousin’s wedding. They’re pressing me to go, too. But I’m still out of sorts with them and I suspect the trip wouldn’t be very pleasant. Also, my romances have turned out to be such miserable experiences, that I wouldn’t like the assembled family’s comparison between me and my cousin. It would be like rubbing salt into an open wound. I’m a coward, and I’m better off staying at home. Besides, I’ll be working between Christmas and New Year’s getting the store inventory ready for auditing. I could work around that, but it made a convenient excuse.”

  Out of that long response, Chad had picked up on one word.

  “Romances? Was there more than one?”

  Vicky’s face flushed, and she mentally kicked herself. She wasn’t ready to lose Chad’s good opinion by telling him about her relationship with Damon. But why put it off? She’d listened to his problems. She might as well tell him one time as another.

  “There were two. Only you and Amelia Stone Rause know about the first one, but most of my friends know about the last one.”

  Chad’s eyes were compelling Vicky to speak, but she couldn’t look at him when she told him. She stood and faced the window, looking out over Neil Avenue.

  Her voice was contemptuous and full of self-reproach as she told him what she had hoped he would never find out.

  “Soon after I came home from the flooded area, hurting from that rejection, I fell hard for another man. That situation was what caused my mother to tell me a few weeks ago that I had no common sense where men were concerned.”

  Chad sensed how difficult it was for Vicky to admit this. He’d been rejected by his parents and now by the owners of his NFL team, but he had never known the rejection of someone he had loved romantically.

  “So that’s why you’re out of sorts with your parents?”

  She nodded. “It hurts even more because I know my mother was right. I don’t like to admit that I acted foolishly, not once but twice within such a short time.”

  Chad was speechless. What was she trying to tell him? How far had this second romance gone?

  “I’ve told you that much. I might as well finish it. Damon Steele was a graduate student at the university. We dated for over six months. He’d broken up with his girlfriend right before he came to Columbus, so both of us were on the rebound. When he returned home, he and the former girlfriend patched up their differences and got married immediately. My self-esteem hit rock bottom. I’ve been living in a vacuum ever since.” Looking up at him, almost in defiance, she said, “It’s not a pretty picture, is it?”

  “But since God has asked you to take up your vow again, He isn’t through with you.”

  “If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t have any hope. I do intend to pick up the cross again, but I’ll have to forgive my parents before I can put myself in a place where God can use me.”

  Chad thought she also needed to forgive herself. Although he didn’t see himself in the role of an advisor, he thought Vicky might listen to him.

  “I don’t agree with you completely. I still have to understand my parents’ position in my birth and adoption, but I believe I have forgiven them. Your mother’s comment was out of line, but are you sure you don’t have another problem? Personally, I think your greatest obstacle is that you can’t forgive yourself.”

  Vicky stared at Chad, stunned. Did he believe that her relationship with Damon had been intimate—that she had gone against her religious beliefs? Did everyone believe that—even her parents? If so, no wonder her mother thought she didn’t use judgment in her romantic relationships! Without comment, she picked up her purse and coat. She didn’t feel up to defending her virtue.

  Chad followed her to the door. “Vicky, I didn’t mean to make you mad. I was only trying to help.”

  She rushed down the stairs as if she were being chased. Chad had no idea what had caused her reaction or what he could do about it.

  Vicky drove recklessly down Neil Avenue, made a rapid right and darted down the few blocks to her apartment. She slammed on the brakes and brought the car to a sudden halt. Sobbing she dropped her head on the steering wheel. What difference did it make if Chad did have questions about her purity? She didn’t owe him an explanation. But why was she so angry that he doubted her? What had happened to her lofty ideals that God had called her to help effect Chad’s emotional recovery? As usual, she had made a mess of her good intentions.

  She cried until she was emotionally spent, got out of her car and trudged toward her apartment. Why couldn’t she do anything right?

  Chad didn’t know how to repair the breach he’d made in his friendship with Vicky, and when he realized how empty his life would be without her, he dropped into a chair.

  Exactly how did he feel about her? Were his sentiments toward her more than friendship? With everything else that was crowding in on him now, he couldn’t fall in love. And since Vicky had been involved in two disappointing relationships, he wondered if she’d risk her heart again.

  But he had come to depend on Vicky. How could he make it through day after day without having her friendship? It was frightening to realize that in a matter of three months someone could have become so indispensable in his life. He would have to make it plain to Vicky that her life before they’d met was none of his business, that he liked her for who she was now.

  Feeling that an apology was not the answer, he tried to think of a way to show Vicky that he approved of her without bringing up the subject directly. He had delayed calling his parents and finally thought of a way to solve his dilemma and help Vicky at the same time.

  His mother answered when he called, and she asked immediately, “Are you planning to come for Christmas? You haven’t been home for the holidays since you started playing for the NFL. We’re looking forward to having you here. That is, if you don’t intend to go to California.”

  “I’ll be in Alabama for Christmas. And I’m wondering if you’d mind inviting Vicky Lanham to come with me. Remember, she’s the one who sat with me in the hospital. Her parents will be in Florida for Christmas, and she’ll be alone in Columbus. She’s been so helpful to me, it would be a nice gesture to invite her to spend the holidays with us.”

  He sensed his mother’s disappointment at not having him to herself, but he simply couldn’t spend several days alone with his parents. They were bound to want answers from him about what he intended to do. Chad didn’t want to be drawn into a long discussion of his blighted hopes and his uncertain future with his folks without Vicky’s support. He didn’t know where God was leading him yet, and he didn’t want to have his parents questioning him. Vicky’s presence would forestall a lot of questions.

  There I go again, he thought wryly—using Vicky for my own purposes. Somehow he would have to get across to her that she was more than a sounding board.

  “Why, of course,
Chad,” Mrs. Reece answered after a brief pause. “I’ll be glad to call her.”

  Chad gave her the number. “It won’t be a long visit, because Vicky won’t have much time off from her job. She hasn’t traveled much and I think she will enjoy some warm Alabama weather for the holidays.”

  “I’m sure your dad will approve, but I’ll talk to him about it and call her right away.”

  Two days later, Vicky called Chad. “Did you ask your mother to invite me to spend Christmas with them?” She didn’t sound pleased, so he supposed he’d made another mistake.

  “I suggested it, yes.”

  “Why?”

  “A selfish reason, I suppose. I figured my folks would want to talk about a lot of things I’m not ready to discuss yet, and with you there, they couldn’t. But I also didn’t want you to be alone in Columbus during Christmas. I hope you’ll go. If you won’t, then I’ll stay in Columbus, too.”

  “But that would disappoint your parents.”

  “That’s true, but you’re at a turning point in your spiritual life now. Christmas is a down time for lots of people and even my company might be better than none. You’ve helped me for months and I don’t want you to spend the holidays alone. Are you going?”

  “I told your mother I’d have to think about it and let her know. How long will you be gone? As I mentioned, I have to work between Christmas and New Year’s Day.”

  “We can adjust our visit to suit your work schedule. I told Mom I wouldn’t be staying long. See if you can work out going on the twenty-third and coming back on the twenty-seventh?”

  “Let’s put my decision on hold until after Thanksgiving. You are going to eat with us, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  With a slight laugh, she said, “Good. If you’re there, my parents won’t have an opportunity to quiz me.”

  Vicky could imagine what her mother would say about this invitation, but if she went with Chad, she wouldn’t tell her parents until they got back from Florida. She would have her phone and that’s the only way they could contact her anyway.

  On the way home from Thanksgiving dinner with her parents, Chad asked, “Have you made a decision about going to Alabama?”

  “I’ll check with my boss and see if those hours will be okay. But honestly, Chad, I don’t think I should go. Your mother seemed genuine in her invitation, but I know they’d rather see you by yourself.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. I don’t know what to say to them about my injury and change of long-range plans. They might feel the same. By the way, the expenses are on me.”

  She laughed. “I assumed that. There’s no way I could afford a plane ticket to Alabama. If I do go, I’ll try to buy a thank-you gift for your parents, but my budget will only spread so far.”

  In all the turmoil Chad hadn’t once thought about presents. He hadn’t been much of a shopper, but he decided there was no time like the present. He always gave Howie a check. He usually sent flowers to Perry and Lorene and his parents, and a toy to Amy. Since he had so much time on his hands, he might as well shop for presents this year. What could he buy Vicky? He definitely wanted to give her a gift.

  He had noticed a high-end department store along High Street, south of the capitol and Grace told him the store had a wide range of items. But he waited until the Thanksgiving weekend was over to avoid the rush. Instead of driving downtown and looking for a parking place, he walked, intending to take a taxi home.

  The hanging baskets along the streets were filled with greenery and artificial poinsettias. Trees on the capitol lawn were decorated with huge ornaments. Strings of lights festooned the low shrubbery and along the retaining wall bordering High Street. A huge wreath hung over the entrance to one bank, and Chad momentarily wondered how they would store such a large wreath from season to season.

  The refrain of “I’ll be Home for Christmas” greeted Chad’s ears as he walked through the heavy glass doors of the store. He went to the toy department first and, on the advice of one of the clerks, bought some picture books, a Cinderella doll and a set of educational videos for Amy. He carried the items to the customers’ center to be wrapped while he continued shopping.

  He wandered through the jewelry and cosmetic department of the store, and then to the ladies clothing section. He wished he’d brought Grace along to help him choose something for Vicky. He was about to leave the store and come back another day when a matronly looking clerk approached him. She had an amused gleam in her eye and Chad wondered if she’d been watching him.

  “Can I be of any help?” she asked kindly.

  He laughed. “It must be obvious that I need help. I want to buy a gift for my parents and for a good friend.”

  “Is this a ‘special’ friend or just a friend?”

  He colored a little. “She is special, but not in the way you’re suggesting. She’s helped me out of some very rough situations in the past three months, and I want to get her a nice gift. Kind of a thank-you gift. But I don’t know what’s appropriate for me to buy her. Cosmetics, jewelry, clothes?”

  “Do you know what size clothes she wears?”

  He shook his head.

  “Gloves, scarves and accessories are always nice choices. Could you describe her to me? Let’s start with her eyes.”

  “They’re blue, sort of like the sky at sunrise. And she’s got long lashes a little darker than her hair.”

  The clerk took a notepad from her pocket and made notes. “And what color is her hair?”

  “Brown. About like yours. It’s long, down to her shoulders. A little curl in it, too. Her skin looks like pearls.”

  The clerk’s lips trembled with the need to smile.

  “Are you laughing at me, ma’am?”

  Her smile deepened. “A little. But you’ve given me a good description.”

  “She’s taller than average,” he said as she motioned for him to follow her. He measured a place an inch or two below his shoulder. “She comes up to about here on me.”

  This time the clerk exploded into laughter and Chad decided it was time to stop his descriptions.

  “Let’s find something for your friend first, then we’ll buy for your mother. Let’s rule out cosmetics since you don’t know what she likes. You could buy perfume for her but that, too, can be risky. Some people are allergic to certain scents. I’d suggest gloves and scarves or jewelry for both your friend and your mother. What price range are you interested in?”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “The price doesn’t matter—if it’s something I think they want. But I don’t think gloves and scarves sound very exciting. I never did like to get clothes as presents.”

  “Does your friend wear jewelry?” He nodded.

  “Earrings?”

  “Yes—her ears are pierced.”

  “Aha! Now we’re getting somewhere. Let’s go to the jewelry department.”

  “Since we’re in the clothing department, I’ll buy a scarf and gloves for Vicky, then we’ll get some jewelry. And while I’m at it, I’ll buy a gift for my mother, too. Am I taking up too much of your time?”

  “Of course not.”

  Since the woman was much the size and age of his mother, she suggested a suitable sweater for her, as well as gloves and a scarf. After fidgeting around he bought a matching set of white gloves, a scarf and a hat for Vicky.

  As they approached the jewelry department, he said, “I don’t know any more about jewelry than I do about women, but I think her earrings are inexpensive. I’d like to buy something really nice. Show me some diamond earrings.”

  He noticed that the clerk showed some surprise when he chose a pair of one carat diamond earrings without even asking the price, but she said nothing. After he bought several books and a nice sweater for his father, he gave his helper a twenty dollar bill for being so nice and took his purchases to be gift wrapped.

  Next Chad went to the electronics department to buy a television for Grace. He had noticed that her television set was old and that the scre
en was small. The clerk assured him that it would be delivered a few days before Christmas.

  Vicky arranged for a poinsettia to be sent to Chad’s parents. And wondering what a pauper like her could buy for a multimillionaire, she pondered long over a gift for him. If she bought something at the bookstore, with her employee’s discount, she could buy a better gift than she could afford in another store. She settled on a devotional desk calendar with a special message for each day of the year. That would be easy for him to take with him no matter where he lived, and she could easily tuck it into her luggage.

  On the day before they left for Alabama, Vicky had second thoughts about telling her parents that she was going with Chad. To repair the damaged relations with her parents, she had to start now.

  Fortunately for her, her father answered the phone.

  “Merry Christmas, Dad.”

  “Merry Christmas yourself. We just came from a long walk along the beach. The weather is wonderful. What’s it like in Columbus?”

  “Temperature in the teens, about an inch of snow on the ground and a strong north wind,” she said, laughing.

  “We miss you. I wish you were here with us.”

  It was easier to talk to her father than her mother, and she said, “Just between us, I couldn’t face the combined family right now. I wouldn’t have enjoyed the wedding, thinking that everyone would be feeling sorry for me.”

  “I understand, and that’s the reason I didn’t insist on you coming. But we’ve never been separated before on Christmas. I don’t like for you to be alone.”

  “That’s one reason I called, Dad. I won’t be alone. I’m going with Chad to his parents’ home in Alabama. His mother called to invite me—remember, I met his parents when he was in the OSU Medical Center? We’re leaving tomorrow morning and will be back the day after Christmas. If necessary you can contact me on my cell phone.”