Light the Fire

by Mary Manners

  “I will.” Erin reached for a tube of lip gloss and applied a thin coat. “What kind of music did you sing, you know, when you were on the stage?”

  “The wrong kind. I thought it would be a springboard to something bigger, but it didn’t work out that way.”

  “Sebastian used to sing all that head-banger stuff with the awful lyrics when he was in high school. My mom hated it.” Erin frowned. “But he had a change of heart. His best friend was paralyzed in a car accident. Sebastian was hurt, too, but not so bad. His friend sings from a wheelchair now, but you should see him move on stage. He does wheelies and all kinds of neat stuff. It’s so cool.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “I don’t know how Sebastian gets up in front of so many people without being scared.” Erin shook her head and placed a hand over her belly. “I feel like there’s a swarm of ninjas kickboxing in my stomach.”

  “You’re going to be fine.” Rena fastened a few stray hairs with sequined pins, then stepped back to admire her handiwork. “It’s normal to be nervous. Just remember, when you get on stage, stand up straight and tall and look over the heads of everyone in the audience. That way, it won’t seem like there are so many people staring at you.” Rena hugged her. “Besides, they’ll all be too busy noticing how beautiful you look to see anything else.”

  “Do you really think so?”

  “I know so. You look like a princess.”

  Erin stared at her reflection for a moment, and then twirled around the locker room. The dress billowed around her feet, revealing silver sequined shoes that glittered beneath the light. “I feel like a princes, Miss Rena. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, honey. Now, you’d better get going.”

  Erin stopped twirling to glance at the clock on the wall. “Oh. It’s almost six o’clock. I have to be at the school in fifteen minutes. My mom should be outside waiting to take me.”

  “You’d better scoot. I’m just going to gather my things and I’ll be right along.”

  “Remember, I’m saving you a front row seat.”

  “I’ll be right there, honey.”

  ****

  “I didn’t know you’re a hair stylist, Rena.” Cody slouched against the wall outside the locker room, waiting for her. “Erin floated out of here on a cloud.”

  “We all have our hidden talents.”

  His hair was damp from the shower and his deep blue eyes danced with mischief. He held his gym bag in one hand. “How’d you like an escort to the play tonight?”

  “I didn’t know Sammy was free.” The scent of soap clung to his skin, and Rena longed to lean into him and kiss him.

  He grinned. “I meant me, silly.”

  She reached for his hand. “Well, I might be talked into it.”

  “Good.” They walked toward the exit. “I wouldn’t miss this production for the world. You and Erin have worked harder together than any two people I know. She was positively beaming with excitement when she left.”

  “She’s going to do great. I can feel it.”

  “How could she possibly do anything less? Your confidence boost is like high-octane fuel.” Cody’s words warmed Rena. She smiled and squeezed his hand. “And that’s really what it’s all about...our purpose for being here with the kids.”

  “Yeah, well, I can wrestle hungry lions with my bare hands and leap tall buildings, too.”

  “No doubt.” Cody paused to kiss her as they reached his truck. “Do you have any plans Saturday afternoon?”

  “Yeah. I’m planning the usual...go for a long run in horribly mismatched shorts and a T-shirt, followed by a leisurely bubble bath, then I’ll curl up on the couch in pajamas and fuzzy bunny slippers to work a crossword puzzle.”

  “Oh, in that case I won’t ask.”

  “Ask what?”

  “Nah...Too busy. You wouldn’t be interested.”

  “In what?”

  “Forget it.”

  She stood beneath the streetlight, hands firm on her hips. “Cody Jamison, I’m going to send you to time-out if you don’t spill the beans, and fast.”

  “Well, I can’t have that.” He brushed dark waves of hair from his eyes. “Jeanne’s having a birthday party for Tommy.”

  “His first one. Yes, she told me about it. I’ve been waiting for you to ask.”

  “She did? You have?”

  “I’ll explain on the way to the play. But the party sounds like fun.”

  “Yeah. Seth and Jackson have picked out a cake complete with miniature monster trucks. And the frosting looks like dirt. They said this way no one will notice much when Tommy sticks his grubby fingers in it.”

  Rena laughed. “Good thinking. Will there be colorful helium balloons?”

  “You bet.”

  “And lots of wild, screaming kids?’

  “Well, at least three I know of, plus Sammy. He’s like a big, sloppy kid.”

  “Sounds a lot more exciting that the Saturday I have planned. Too bad you haven’t asked me to go with you...yet.”

  “Hmm...” He leaned into her. “I might be persuaded.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And exactly what kind of persuasion would you like?”

  “A kiss. Right here.” He touched a finger to her glossed lips.

  “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  She twined her hands through his hair and obliged.

  ****

  “You were fantastic.” Rena wrapped her arms around Erin. “Where did you get those beautiful flowers?”

  Erin clutched a bouquet of scarlet roses garnished with dainty baby’s breath tight to her chest. Their sweet scent filled the air.

  “My mom gave them to me. Aren’t they gorgeous? She said all stars get flowers after they perform in a play. Can you believe that, Miss Rena? She called me a star.”

  “I believe it, Erin. You’ve worked very hard for this. You’ve come so far.”

  “Yeah, and it’s only the beginning. There’s a summer drama camp at the community college. Mom said I can go if I want to.”

  “Then you should. It’s a wonderful opportunity.”

  “Mom’s taking me to Dairy Queen for a banana split. You and Mr. Cody wanna come?”

  “Sounds great. I’ll get Cody.”

  “I’m gonna change out of my costume, but I like my hair so much I’m gonna leave it up for the rest of the night. You think that’s OK?”

  “Of course. You look beautiful.”

  “I feel beautiful.” Erin spun and the velvet dress floated. “Thank you so much for helping me.”

  “You’re welcome, honey. I’ve enjoyed every minute.”

  Mrs. Caulder walked over. She looked relaxed in a pair of designer blue-jeans and a long-sleeved knit cotton top. “Hello, Rena. It’s good to see you again.”

  “And you.” She grinned as Cody made his way toward them. His aftershave mingled with the scent of Erin’s roses as he eased up beside her. “Mrs. Caulder, I’d like you to meet Cody Jamison. He volunteers at the recreation center, too.”

  “He plays basketball with the high school boys, Mom,” Erin added. “He’s really good. You should see him play. He can swish a basket from half court.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Caulder.” Cody shook her hand. “You have a wonderful daughter. I’ve been watching her practice for this play with Rena and she’s given nothing less than one hundred percent effort.”

  “Thank you.” She draped an arm over Erin’s shoulder and squeezed. “She’s improved by leaps and bounds with Rena’s help. I’m very proud of her.”

  The wires on Erin’s braces glittered as she smiled. “These are for you, Miss Rena.” She placed a bouquet of wildflowers wrapped in pink tissue and tied with a dainty lace bow into Rena’s arms. “I know how much you like wildflowers. You told me that day we were studying plants for my science test. Remember?”

  Rena pressed her face to their delicate scent. “I do. But what on earth are these for?”

/>   “Don’t you know?” Erin squeezed her hand. “My mom says you’re a star, too.”

  Light the Fire

  16

  Rena clutched the door handle as Cody exited the highway. Her belly churned.

  This is insanity. What was I thinking when I said I’d go to Tommy’s party?

  Cody had been kissing her. That had drowned out all rational thought. She’d allowed herself to get caught up in thinking there was a possibility things could work out with him. But she hadn’t told him about Allie yet...

  A casual dinner together was fine…working on the rec center fundraisers and the Shelter the Homeless project was OK, too. But a birthday party with Cody’s family—it was just too close for comfort.

  “What are you thinking about? Where did your mind wander again, Rena?” Cody’s voice drew her back. The quiet two-lane road came into focus and the scent of wild onions swirled around her.

  “I-I’m nervous.” She clutched the bag of gift-wrapped presents on her lap.

  “Nothing to be nervous about.” Cody gave her a rueful grin and reached over to cover her hands. “Just a pack of wild boys and one supersized mutt to demand every ounce of your attention. What’s there to fear?”

  She gulped. She must tell him about Allie. He deserved to know. But she just couldn’t do it. Even after waking up in a cold sweat last night, breathless, as visions of Allie choked her.

  “It’s going to be fine.” Cody squeezed her hand. “Jeanne’s looking forward to spending time with you. And the boys, well, they’ve talked of nothing else since they learned you were coming.”

  They turned onto a blacktopped drive. Blue and white helium balloons tied to Jeanne’s mailbox danced on the breeze and colorful streamers zigzagged across the front entrance to the house.

  “Seth and Jackson know how to party.” Cody parked the truck behind Jeanne’s SUV. “It’s going to take a bulldozer to break through those streamers and into the house. They must have used an entire roll of masking tape.”

  Rena laughed and her nerves eased a notch. “Are your parents going to be here to witness Tommy digging his fingers into the monster truck birthday cake?”

  Cody averted his gaze, clearly disappointed. “I’ve learned everyone has his own way of dealing with grief. After Caden died, my mom and dad went on a month-long sabbatical to the Florida coast that’s turned into six months, and is threatening to become permanent. No, they won’t be here.”

  “I’m so sorry, Cody.”

  “No point dwelling on what can’t be changed. They’ll come around eventually.”

  “What about Jeanne’s parents?”

  “They died in a car wreck her senior year of high school. She lived with us the last semester, until she graduated and went on to college.”

  “How awful. I had no idea. No wonder the two of you are so close.”

  “Yeah. We go way back. Caden had already left for college. He was a year older than Jeanne. But she joined him the next fall, and they got married. They spent their college years living on peanut butter sandwiches and canned beans in married student housing. Funny, but although they didn’t have much besides a beat-up car to get around in and some scratched and dented second-hand furniture, Caden used to say those were some of the best days of his life.”

  Rena sighed. She’d had days with nothing more than a beat-up car to drive and peanut butter for dinner, as well, but she didn’t remember them fondly. In fact, she wanted desperately to forget them. Maybe having someone special, someone to share the rough times, made all the difference.

  Cody slipped from the truck and went around to the passenger side to open the door for her. “Are you ready to brave a trail through the streamer jungle?”

  “Yeah.” She jostled the gifts. “But I think we should let Sammy go first. He can cut a path for us.” The dog paced the length of the truck bed, waiting for Cody’s signal to leap.

  “Good thinking.” Cody whistled, and Sammy jumped and raced toward the house, barking their welcome. “That ought to get things started.”

  Like fireworks.

  Rena laughed. Once she entered the house, Rena’s nervousness left. Cody was right—the boys demanded every bit of attention. Seth climbed into her lap while she sat at the kitchen table to share a cup of coffee with Jeanne, while Jackson circled the table to study her.

  “Are you the lady who wears whiskers?” His blue eyes were wary. “The one who works at the ’brary?”

  “I am.”

  “Thought so. Then you kissed Uncle Cody. Seth said so, and he knows, even if he is a dummy sometimes.”

  “Jackson...” Jeanne’s voice cautioned, but the hint of a grin tickled her lips.

  “Sorry.” He crossed his arms over his chest and hung his head. “I’m not s’posed to call him a dummy, even if it’s the truth sometimes.”

  Jeanne struggled valiantly to hold her stern expression. “Why don’t you boys go on out back and play for a while?”

  “OK, Mama.” Seth slid down from Rena’s lap and tugged her arm. “Come on. Let’s play soccer. Uncle Cody got us a new ball. I’ll let you kick it first.”

  Jeanne frowned. “Seth, I didn’t mean—”

  Rena met Jeanne’s gaze and she shook her head ever so slightly, then turned to the boys with a smile on her face. “I love soccer. I used to play in high school, you know.”

  “Did you score lots and lots of goals?” Jackson was clearly impressed.

  “I scored my share.”

  “We have cool goals in the yard. Uncle Cody made them for us. He’s setting them up now. Come on!”

  Rena followed them out the back door into brilliant afternoon sunshine. Rays glinted off the glass patio table and across blades of freshly-mown grass. Cody waved from the goal he set into place at one side of the yard.

  “I see they roped you in.”

  “Gladly. Wanna call teams?”

  “You’re on.”

  They spent the next hour kicking the ball back and forth across the yard while Jeanne watched from the porch with Tommy snuggled in her arms, sleeping soundly through the chaos.

  Rena quickly learned the boys’ favorite part of the game was to gang up on Cody, tackle him to the ground, then jump on him and wrestle like lion cubs.

  Cody egged them on with an array of sound effects, including exaggerated moans and groans of suffering, while Sammy frolicked in circles, barking madly and licking their faces.

  “Get him, Miss Rena!” Seth hollered as they pinned Cody once again. “He’s ticklish right...here.”

  Cody sent up dramatic wails and thrashed across the grass when the boys dug their tiny fingers into his ribs. He let them have their fun before he tackled them and tossed them onto their backs.

  Pinned to the ground, the boys’ shrieks and giggles rent the air.

  “He’s a giant monster!” Seth hiccoughed, breathless. “He’s gonna eat us for dinner.”

  The three were a tangle of flaxen and midnight hair spilled together like a waterfall.

  “C’mon, Miss Rena. Help us.”

  Rena tumbled into the pile and became part of the squealing mass. The sweet apple scent of the boy’s shampoo mixed with Cody’s aftershave while blades of grass tickled her nose. The boys crawled over her in their attempt to wrestle Cody while he retaliated by tickling their ribs and a sensitive spot behind their skinned knees.

  Suddenly, Cody tackled Rena and flipped her onto her back. An expanse of blue, cloudless sky swirled overhead. “I’ve got you now.” Cody’s breath was warm in her ear. Her stomach did a funny little flip. “I think you’d better holler uncle.”

  Her gaze met his. “No way. I’m tougher than that.”

  “I’ll throw you to the lions,” he challenged. “They’re awfully hungry, you know.”

  Seth and Jackson knelt beside him, eagerly awaiting the signal to pounce.

  Rena gasped for air. “I don’t holler uncle. I never holler uncle.”

  “OK, boys—”

  “Wait! I th
row myself on the mercy of the court.” Rena threaded her fingers through his hair and kissed him squarely on the mouth. “Will that do?”

  The shock that filled his eyes quickly turned to pleasure. “Umm...I think today is Two for the Price of One Day.”

  “Oh? I wasn’t aware.”

  “You’ll just have to take my word on it.” He kissed her a second time, lingering for more.

  “You guys are so gross.” Jackson scrambled to his feet. “Come on, Seth. Let’s go get some juice. I’m thirsty.” He grabbed Seth by the arm and dragged him toward the house.

  Cody smiled and brushed grass from Rena’s hair. “That’s one way to clear a crowd.”

  “Who’s ready for cake?” Jeanne called through the waning sunshine.

  “Me. Me!” Both boys turned the speed up a notch. “I want a piece with a monster truck on it.”

  “There’s plenty to go around.” Jeanne ushered them into the house while Cody helped Rena up from the grass and they made their way toward the house. “Go wash up and sit at the table. I’ll be right back. Tommy needs his diaper changed.”

  The boys’ tennis shoes slapped over the deck. Rena murmured in Cody’s ear, “I think this is what people mean when they say, ‘Have your cake and eat it, too.’”

  “Yes, it certainly is sweet.” He leaned in to kiss her once more, and then turned to Jeanne. “I’ll take care of the diaper while Rena helps you with the cake.”

  Jeanne smiled and handed the baby to him. “Works for me.”

  Cody climbed the stairs to the nursery two at a time. “Be right back.”

  “How much longer, Mama?” Seth and Jackson stumbled under Jeanne’s feet as she moved around the kitchen to gather colored paper plates and napkins to set on the table. “I’m hungry.”

  “Why don’t you two go help Uncle Cody change Tommy’s diaper?”

  “OK.” They scurried up the stairs.

  Rena pictured Cody elbow-deep in a diaper change. “Does he do it often—change messy diapers—or is he just going out of his way to impress me today?”

  “He’s the real deal. No joke.” Jeanne handed her a fresh mug of coffee. “Cody can do it all. I couldn’t have managed without him these past several months.”