While the boiled eggs were cooling in cold water, she whipped up the rue and added processed cheese, stirring it into a creamy cheddar sauce. She shelled and chopped up one egg and added it to the sauce along with cracked pepper and chopped chives. Viola. Served over toast points along with a cup of steaming Earl Grey tea and she felt pampered already. Her mood elevated. She would take the other eggs to work next Monday for her lunch.
Then the fifty year old took a long hot bubble bath with the last of the lemongrass. While soaking, she listened to one of her favorite classical music CDs. Oozing down into the fragrant, foamy water, she sighed and placed a warm damp washcloth over her eyes. The headache that crept into her temples dissipated.
The music ended. She lifted the washcloth and peeked out of the corner of her eye at the clock on the wall over the toilet. It read 10:15 a.m.
“I better hustle if I ‘m going to make it to the church a little before 11a.m. to meet Elaine,” she said to Precious crouching on the edge of the tub, her fluffy tail hovering micro-centimeters above the bubbles. Christina donned her St. Martin’s T-shirt and her jeans. She always wore that shirt when working at the church because it gave her a little more credibility if she tripped the alarm and faced the police, again. She patted Fat Cat and dashed out the door.
She stepped outside and immediately felt the heat. It was already up in the mid eighties and the weatherman had said it was supposed to top out at ninety-seven degrees today. She thought about going in and changing into her cut offs, but told herself that was a little too informal for church, even if she was just going to be vacuuming and setting up the altar. Besides, I’ve begun to get cellulite back there. Another sign I’m turning fifty.
By ten o’clock, while Christina soaked in her foamy bath, several women milled around and chatted in the kitchen. The Parish Hall was abuzz with people decorating, adding their cards to the photo album or signing the banner. Presents were stacked on the table where, a few weeks earlier, ones had been placed for the graduates. The Methodist Church half a block away graciously agreed to have everyone park in their lot and on the side streets so Christina wouldn’t wonder what was going on when she pulled her car into St. Martin’s property. She would just think the Methodists were having a wedding as she drove by their filled up parking lot. Bill, the Senior Warden, brought his golf cart to transport anyone who did not want to walk in the heat from the Methodist church to St Martin’s.
* * *
Carrie and her daughter Beth, along with her husband, Carl and his wife Dawn and their daughter Melanie with her twins all came in a rented van. Her five living cousins and their families, her godmother, Jeff’s parents, and her uncle and aunt were all driving in as well. Coming in on planes were Carrie’s other two kids, Jeff’s two brothers and their families, seven friends from college, the youth minister she had known when she was in high school who had retired to Florida, and her old across the street neighbors who moved to Virginia to be nearer to their grandkids. George, their next-door neighbor and Bob volunteered to help Josh transport folk from the airport to the motel and then the church.
Several of the out-of-towners rented rooms in the same motel, deciding to make a weekend of the event. The motel gave them quite a group discount because the front desk manager remembered how Christina and her church friends helped him and his wife sort through the remains of their house a few years ago in the nearby town of Red Top. A tornado ravished it and fourteen others.
“She personally delivered sandwiches and water to us from the Red Cross two days in a row and brought us blankets and story books for the kids. Please, give this to her for me.” He added an index card of his own to the pile to be delivered.
Carrie smiled back. “Of course. She’ll be thrilled.”
She left, marveling at how her sister always seemed to know what to do or say to help folks. Their mother had been that way, but she was never sure of her mother’s motives. Had she been the philanthropist society woman or a real Christian woman of charity? She knew her sister Christina fell into the category of the latter.
* * *
Jeff sat back for a moment observing the organized chaos for the woman he had spent more years of life with than without. He marveled at how, after he had bounced the idea off of Betty and Harriet one Sunday during the social hour, this event had blossomed. To think all these people added their own momentum, all more than willing to do something for his wife in return for all she’d been and done for them. It was like watching the Olympic torch being passed along the route, being exchanged hand after hand on the way to the opening ceremonies. He decided to stay out of the way, lest Harriet send him on one more unnecessary errand.
About 10:40 Father Rick noticed Jeff standing in the corner swinging his hands, clasping them in back and then in front.
He came over, patted him on the shoulder and said in his ear over the din of chattering, “It’ll be just fine. Don’t worry. Someone much larger and wiser is in charge of this, you know.”
Jeff nodded back, his chest swelling with pride to know his wife was the recipient of all these good intentions poured out by so many folk.
“Yep, He sure is, Father. He knew what a wonderful woman Christina would turn into. I surely didn’t when I proposed twenty-five years ago. I just knew she took my breath away.” Jeff winked and wandered over to Janice who was motioning to him from across the room.
“Thanks. Can you help us put up the happy birthday banner? I think everyone has signed it now.”
“Uh, except me,” Jeff replied as clicked his pen. His signature made it number one hundred thirty-four. As Janice and Elaine stood on chairs in stocking feet to tack it up, he and Father Rick gingerly held it in the middle. The ladies stretched and stuck the tacks into the columns that flanked the parish hall. A loud applause reverberated throughout the hall as the two jumped down and stood back to make sure it lay straight.
Delectable dishes were brought out in a parade from the kitchen like a bucket brigade. Betty created her famous punch—lime sherbet, ginger ale and pineapple juice with maraschino cherries floating in an ice ring of citrus slices. The light green froth slowly rose to the edge of the punch bowl as several children eagerly watched.
“None until she comes now, Okay?” Betty made an “uh-uh-uh” gesture at the pint-sized crowd.
“Aww, man.” One little boy said. His mother came over quickly to grab his arm.
Fifteen tables, each seating eight, were corralled around the Hall, alternately decorated in blue and mauve, Christina’s favorite colors, or so Jeff hoped, since those were the colors of her new study. Two long tables arranged to seat fourteen were at the head of the room to seat Christina and her immediate family. The centerpieces arrived. In each were carnations, irises, tea roses and daisies interlaced with baby’s breath and ferns. Three staggered pillars clasped rose-scented votive candles and accents of mauve and blue ribbons completed the arrangements., As if on cue, the men started to light the votives.
Melinda opened a box of cocktail napkins Harriet just brought over. “Jeff, come look how they turned out.” They were, of course, mauve with navy blue. Printed in cursive calligraphy read, “Happy 50th, Christina June 9, 2009”.
Harriet proudly spread them out around the cake. Jeff grinned and told her, “Thanks for ordering them.” He held one up and nodded approval. “They came out great.”
“I just hope Roger is taking notes. I’m turning fifty next year,” Melinda giggled.
“Want me to put a bug in his ear?” Jeff bounced the ball back in her court.
Just then Josh whistled through his front teeth and yelled out “Okay everyone. Quiet!! She just pulled into the parking lot.” Rustles and whispers could be heard as the crowd all gathered at the back of the Parish Hall. Jeff turned out the lights. They huddled in mass in the darkness.
Chapter 46 Plan Revealed
Christina got out of the car. She didn’t see Elaine’s minivan yet, or anyone else’s vehicle for that matter. The fact that hers
was the only one in the parking lot seemed a little strange. There were always cars on Saturdays—Sunday school teachers decorating their rooms, or the treasurer working on the computer, or someone running off copies of sheet music, or men mowing the grass.
Come to think of it, the grass is mowed. Oh well, it is the summer. They probably came early when it was cooler. Still, she did not cherish the idea opening the church and disarming the alarm alone.
She went to the side entrance near the kitchen. Digging in her purse for the keys, she set her purse on the stoop and took a deep breath. Come on Christina, you can do this. Don’t let the darn thing intimidate you. Saying a quick prayer, she shoved the key into the dead bolt. It wasn’t bolted? Someone must have forgotten to lock it. That meant the alarm was off. Instead of being concerned she chalked it up to Divine Providence.
She put the key in the regular lock, turned it and pushed the door open. Holding it open with her hip, she bent down to get her purse unknowingly showing her backside, spotlighted by the sunlight, to 134 pairs of eyes. Just as she turned around, the lights flashed on.
“SURPRISE!” Echoed from the rafters.
Christina squealed in terror and dropped her purse, scattering half of its contents across the floor as she grasped her chest. Everyone started to laugh, watching the crimson glow zip up her face. Children clapped with glee. Betty and Elaine skittered around the floor picking up keys, lipstick, a hairbrush, a drinking straw, pocket sized Kleenex, breath mints, an atomizer of cologne and the baby wipes she always carried just in case.
Slowly taking it all in, Christina spotted Jeff leaning against the wall grinning like the cat that ate the canary. He meandered over to her, chuckling. As he put his arm around her, Christina noticed her sister, brother . . . Aunt Mildred, already? She wasn’t due to come for weeks. And—oh my gosh—my old youth minister and next door neighbors I haven’t seen in years.
Hands to her mouth and pointing, she squealed again, then began to bounce up and down. Laughter echoed throughout the Parish Hall again as she ran to them, arms out, tears in her eyes. Soon hordes of people were gathered around her, hugging and kissing her and shaking her hand. There were so many people there. She felt overwhelmed. Each soul was a pleasant surprise.
Avery came forward, holding the hands of a boy and a girl, each with huge angelic eyes. The girl had two fingers in her mouth. Christina recognized them immediately from the pictures in Avery’s wallet. She bent down to their level. “You must be Josh and Esther.”
The little girl looked down at the ground and swung her mother’s arm. Avery let go to hug her friend. Avery’s Josh said, “Mom said it’s your birthday. Is there cake?”
Avery looked embarrassed but laughed. “Josh, that’s rude.”
Christina laughed as well. Then she looked back down at little Josh. “I had the same question. Look on that table. I think there is and it looks yummy. Wanna go see?”
The boy nodded and grabbed her outstretched hand. “And I want you to meet my son in a moment. His name is Josh as well.” She looked up to see where in the room her Josh stood. Then she noticed a dark haired, steel blue-eyed friend in the corner with his parents. The Owens maneuvered through the crowd to meet her halfway.
“Bud?”
“Sorry I hadn’t called or anything. Had to go home and get Maw and Paw. You didn’t think they’d miss this shindig, did ya?” Her old River Rat friend grinned. Father and son standing there together in ill-fitted suits, shaved and smiling their sparkling Owen smiles. Between them, they could light up a room. He leaned closer. “Water under?”
Christina nodded. “Water under.” She hugged Dorothy.
Dorothy squeezed her hand. “We wouldn’t miss your big day for the world. Fifty years. And to think we have known you through all of it. Bud done called and told us the minute Jeff told him all about it.”
She looked puzzled as Bud winked. “Yes, Chris. All’s cool between us. It was before I left that day. Right, Jeff?”
She felt Jeff next to her and her Josh on the other side. They pointed up and Christina saw the banner. The dam broke. Dropping little Josh’s hand, she bawled like a baby. Immediately five tissues were rummaged out of purses and shoved towards her face.
Avery’s Josh tugged on the other Josh’s sleeve. “Why she’s crying?”
The older and wiser Josh replied, “ ‘Cause women do that when they’re happy.”
“Weird.”
Father and son, the two men in Christina’s life guided her over to the cake on the table, with little Josh in tow. She eyed all the luscious dishes of food her friends prepared. “Oh that is so beautiful. Is that three bean salad and King Ranch casserole? Oh my! Betty’s punch!” She continued to bounce on her feet like a three-year-old, clasping her hands. Little Josh bounced, too.
“That’s what I admire about you, Christina.” Father Rick’s sermon-volume voice sang out. “You have never lost touch with your inner child.”
Rounds of laughter sprung up again. Jeff waved his hands over his head.
“Quiet everyone. Let’s give the lady of honor a moment to collect her wits and take this all in.”
More laugher, then hums of voices and hushes could be heard as everyone strove to be quiet. Obediently, Christina eyed it all. She turned around, hands still clasped and said in a squeaky voice, “Why? All of you here. I can’t believe…” Her tears swallowed her words.
“Hon, it’s all for you,” Jeff quietly replied. He waved his arm around the room. “I can’t begin to tell you how many of your friends and family busted their britches putting this altogether. I just suggested it might be nice and off they went with the ball, handing it off and running for the goal post.”
Josh came up and handed her the mauve colored album.
“Mom, this was Carrie’s idea. She decorated the cover. It’s for you. Most folks here have filled in cards with stories and best wishes. You can read it all later when it’s quieter.”
Applause broke out as she hugged her two men and her sister came forward.
“Actually, you know I commissioned it to be done. I have never had a creative bone in my body. Unlike my sister.”
“It’s wonderful of you, just the same.” Christina carefully traced the design on the front of the cover as if it was spun glass. Lips quivering and tears flowing, she whispered “I just don’t know what to say.” She gingerly placed the album on the table, then hugged her sister.
“Watch out for the snake wrapped around your tire when you leave. I did that.” Carl quipped and hugged her, too. That was at least the umpteenth time he’d reminded his younger sisters of the one time they’d gotten his goat, but good.
Christina leapt into Jeff’s arms and gave him a big bear hug. He returned the favor, nestling his face in her hair. Josh hugged her from behind. A flash went off when her sister took a picture.
Aahhh’s filtered throughout the Hall. Betty leaned over and whispered to Carrie, “I want a copy of that for the church yearbook.”
Father Rick shoved a microphone in front of Christina and hooked the battery pack onto her jeans loop. Hushes went through the crowd. Christina suddenly became aware she was in T- shirt and jeans, everyone else in party clothes. She motioned her hands over her torso. “Father Rick, I ‘m sorry.”
“For what? No one shows up to clean the church in their Sunday best? Yes, we set that up, too. Everyone knows. How else were we going to get you here?”
Jeff whispered, “I brought you a change of clothes. They’re in the Ladies if you want to step away for a moment.”
“Why?” The confident Christina winked. “Everyone’s already seen me. Sweet of you, but no thanks.”
“That’s my out of the goldfish bowl girl.” He patted her on the back.
Then a little voice whined, “Can I have some punch now, Mommy?”
After the laugher abated, Christina managed to say a little louder “Thank y’all. Everyone. I can’t believe y’all came.” She began pointing to folks, and calling out
names. “How can I ever…” her words caught in her throat again.
Father Rick stepped in front. “Travis wants some punch, so let us pray. The Lord be with you …”
One hundred thirty-four voices responded, “And also with you.”
He blessed the day, the woman and the food and declared the party officially started. A simultaneous “Amen” and a cheer resounded throughout the hall. The rush of feet began as folks milled around the tables of food they’d salivated over for the last twenty minutes before the honored guest’s arrival.
An hour later, the cake was demolished, the punch bowl drained bone dry for the second time, and a good portion of the food sucked down. Christina made her way around to each table, chatted and hugged her friends—old and newer, coworkers and family.
Then Jeff led her to the love seat drug out from Father Rick’s office for the occasion. Carl’s twin grandkids took turns bringing her the prettily wrapped things to open.
Some people stood around on the floor, others pulled fold-out chairs around to watch as she opened each precious gift, read each card and passed them around for all to see. Then, Josh took the microphone and tapped into it. Everyone looked up and stopped what they were doing.
“Mom, I guess I just don’t tell you enough how much I love you and how much you mean to me. And how much I appreciate all the things you do, and have done all my life. Even those times you yelled at me to do the dishes. Or to clean my plate or my room.” Murmurs of laughter floated up through the rafters and back down to the microphone.
His speech continued and then others came up and began to tell an impromptu story of how Christina had helped them, or comforted them, or influenced them, or shown God’s love to them. She sat there quietly listening, no longer able to emote, hands clutching the album.
Focused Page 24
