Rainn on My Parade

by LoRee Peery

  Reality struck hard. She’d soon see Moselle at the altar.

  The idea of Moselle and Mia together brought pleasant memories of the afternoon, as well as a new idea for Frivolities.

  “You should have seen those girls having a tea party this afternoon, Lanae. Mia prepared pretend tea for Moselle some time after lunch. Moselle helped Mia dress up in a feather boa and an old pair of sunglasses, along with several strands of beads and old necklaces. While I went over cash receipts and worked on a little quilting, I kept an eye on their fun. Moselle donned a straw hat, took it off, and decorated it with her glue gun. The result turned out hilarious.”

  “Sorry I was taking a nap. I’ll bet watching Moselle act like a little girl lifted your heart.”

  “Lanae, do you ever long for that innocent, trouble-free time to play little girl again?”

  “I’m going to play like a little girl again, just as soon as I’m well enough. Girls just plain grow up too fast these days. I’ve been mulling around having a girls’ etiquette class in the store. Maybe Moselle and I could take turns with the classes. A tea party would be a great way to introduce it.” Lanae yawned and pushed off the glider arm to stand. “Too much hilarity, picturing all those dress-up clothes. I’m off to that bed I sometimes feel glued to. Phone’s ringing.”

  Rainn. Geneva scurried to the kitchen phone. She answered, a bit out of breath.

  “Hi yourself. Sorry it’s so late. I’ve been remembering the day we met. You brought cappuccinos out to Eric and me behind the store.”

  “No problem,” she said to Rainn. “Lanae, I’m taking the cordless back out to the porch.”

  “She’s up late,” Rainn commented.

  “Yes, she is. I remember that day.” She’d thought the sun was playing tricks on her. It had been forever since a man caught her attention the way Rainn had. No way could she be oblivious to him!

  Eric might have been one of their cement tools, as much as she acknowledged him.

  Rainn had tossed his head, waving away the offered cup and swishing a drop of sweat that threatened to drop onto his face. That droplet caught on a premature gray curl and flew into the air when he flicked it off.

  “You know I don’t drink cappuccino. I told you I’m sweet enough.” His words echoed from the past. His grin had softened his handsome face when he informed her he took his coffee strong and black.

  He sounded so weary, now.

  His dark brown eyes, with just a hint of gold, had sparkled. He appeared so full of life and joy, thrilled to be part of what he was doing. She’d compared him to one of her favorite TV actors, fanning character lines and hormone-melting grin.

  Geneva had gulped, responded like a young girl, but offered a free hand.

  “You must be Rainn,” she said now, as she had then.

  He chuckled into the phone, on the same wavelength of their shared past.

  She remembered thinking it too bad he was so much younger than she. But his appearance was disconcerting because of his premature silvery hair.

  “That I still am, only with sad news, tonight. I saw the body.”

  It took a beat to shake off the memory and meet him where his thoughts were. “It was Lindsay.” She didn’t know what else to say.

  “Yes. It was Lindsay’s body.”

  She wanted to be close to him, longed to bask in the warmth of his dear countenance, along with that now-familiar quick half smile.

  “Hey, Mom. You’re up late,” Moselle’s voice sounded from the shadows of the front lawn. “Talking to yourself?”

  Geneva’s innards hadn’t jumped like that since she’d scared up a pheasant on a country walk.

  “Goodness, Moselle, you startled me. Rainn’s on the phone.”

  “Goodnight Geneva. Talk to your daughter.” Rainn’s voice saying her name was heaven. Yet he sounded so weary.

  “Goodnight, Rainn. I’m sorry about Lindsay.”

  Silence hovered, and then he spoke so soft Geneva wasn’t sure she heard it. “So am I.”

  “I’ll pray, Rainn. She’s with God, now.” She hoped it didn’t sound like a platitude.

  “Yeah.” He breathed deep, his tone husky. “Goodnight then.

  I love you.

  The words weren’t spoken, but Geneva felt them deep in her bones. She took a breath, then turned to her daughter.

  “Lanae and I were talking about your tea party with Mia,” Geneva said, pushing thoughts of Rainn away with difficulty. “And here you are.”

  “Hope it was a good thought. I couldn’t sleep. There’s a big pile-up on the interstate. A car caught on fire. I won’t sleep until I know Eric is out of danger.”

  “Well, come on up. As much time as you and Eric spent in this glider, you know there’s room for two.” Geneva caught the heaviness in her own voice.

  “Was that Rainn on the phone?”

  “He viewed the body. I felt so bad for him, down there all by himself.”

  “So, was it his sister?”

  “Unfortunately. And someone may have killed her. I wish I could have been there for him, so he wouldn’t have been alone.”

  “Mom, he’s not alone. He has the Lord.”

  “You’re right.” Geneva patted the cushion at her side. “I guess I need you to keep me focused, sometimes.”

  “Come on. You’re kind of thriving on hormones these days.”

  “You hit the nail on the head.”

  “It’s obvious you’ve got this teenage thing going for Rainn.”

  “Is that what’s going on?” Instead of responding to her tease, Geneva wondered out loud.

  They found a thump-and-swish kind of glider rhythm that joined the other night sounds for a time.

  Moselle finally broke the quiet. “Did Mia get settled in without any trouble?”

  Geneva chortled. “We should all pay attention to orderliness like that child. It all came back so naturally, that bedtime routine.”

  “So you missed that when I left home?”

  “And how. Right now, I think about all Mia will miss without her mother, all those loving exchanges that meant so much to me when you were small.”

  “Maybe Rainn’s sister wasn’t all that consistent in her little routines with Mia.”

  “Sometimes your insight amazes me, sweetie. Rainn can establish new routines, just for the two of them.” She exhaled loudly. “But imagine all the rigmarole Rainn will have to go through for Mia’s custodial care.”

  “Mom, relax. It should be as minor as paperwork through the system. When Lindsay served time, Rainn was awarded custody, but agreed that he wouldn’t take Mia away from Lindsay.”

  “How in the world do you know that?”

  “Eric told me. Penny Shake was already approved for foster care. Since she was the landlady it was quite convenient.”

  “I can’t believe I never asked Rainn about those details.”

  “No reason to beat yourself up, Mom.”

  “It’s easy to see areas of my own shortcomings.” It was a night for digging deep. “Shortly before we knew about your father’s cancer I had started to panic at the idea of you leaving for college, instead of trusting in my future without you to care for on a daily basis.”

  “What do you mean?” Moselle planted her feet. Geneva’s side of the glider jerked twice before they swayed to a halt.

  Geneva reached over and tucked Moselle’s hair behind her ear. The dangle of her feathery earring tickled Geneva’s thumb. “You are the whole reason I existed, back then.”

  “But Dad—“

  “You’re about to get married, Moselle. Here’s a character revelation for you.” Geneva spoke harsher than she intended. But for some reason, the words tumbled out. “Your father wasn’t all that good in the husband department.”

  Moselle scraped her foot to restart the glider. Their rhythm picked up again. Moselle didn’t interrupt, just turned so she could see Geneva in the dim light glowing through the window.

  “He was a good father, but had he
not died, I doubt we’d be married, now.”

  “Wow, I had no idea.” Moselle frowned and Geneva gave her credit for not asking more. “If I’m meant to, I’ll think about that, later.”

  Geneva wondered at her daughter’s lack of curiosity.

  A light teasing came into Moselle’s voice. “Then I guess you deserve some happiness, now.”

  Moselle resumed her forward facing position, except she put her arm around Geneva’s shoulders.

  Geneva followed the movement of Moselle’s knee, such a simple thing to take for granted in life. God created bodies to move in perfect coordination, humans didn’t have to give such things a conscious thought.

  “So, are you thinking you might have a chance with Rainn, and a relationship with him would be different than with Dad?”

  Oh, she can’t leave it alone, after all.

  “I don’t know if you are a mind reader or what, but yes. A lot of stuff is going through my mind. And in some ways, I’m scared to death to go there. I feel like I’m speaking ill of the dead and even God, since He did put your father and me together.”

  “Somewhere I heard that the only thing you can change on a man is his diapers.”

  “Probably Lanae,” they said at the same time. Laughter erased the tension.

  “Well, you couldn’t change Dad. And I can’t imagine why you’d want to change Rainn.”

  Moselle rubbed her hand over the contour of Geneva’s shoulder.

  “Eric and I are already praying for your future, and if it’s with Rainn—” she shook her head and laughed, soft and light. “Let’s just say that sparks kind of fly sometimes when you’re with him. I think it’s pretty cool, if it’s meant to be.”

  “Thank you, honey.” Geneva took a relieved breath and blew it out with noise. “It means a lot to have your support.”

  “How could I not support you, Mom? You’ve always been around when I needed you.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way. And you’re right about something else. My body sure perks up in his presence.”

  Moselle laughed outright. “I noticed.”

  Geneva couldn’t laugh with her. This was serious. “I have my reservations about this whole idea of Rainn and me. Something is still holding me back.”

  Moselle arched a brow and Geneva recognized the mirrored expression as one she used.

  “He’s younger. People will talk.”

  “Mom, age is a number. What’s in your heart is what counts.”

  “Oh, my goodness, you sound just like Rainn. I can’t put what’s in my heart into words. Rainn is so mature. He’s more mature about the idea of ‘what will people think’ than I am.”

  “Well, one thing to consider is that you are in your hometown. People have long memories. Don’t I know about that one. Rainn isn’t from here.” Moselle brightened with that light-bulb look. “Where is he from, by the way?”

  “Missouri Valley, Iowa.”

  “And how long have you known that?”

  “Since we drove to Fort Worth. We covered a lot of topics.” For no apparent reason, Geneva got all misty-eyed. “And you know it’s so strange. It’s like I’ve known Rainn my whole life.”

  “There you go. Another score for your side.”

  “But, Moselle, you know how I am about propriety. I don’t want to feel embarrassed or ashamed. Or, heaven forbid, take Rainn away from someone younger or more worthy.”

  “Mom. Twenty-first century and all. It’s the enlightenment age, especially for women. No one can make you feel ashamed or embarrassed. Any time Eric has mentioned Rainn, even telling me about some of their wilder college days, he has never mentioned a significant other, only Rainn’s care and love for Lindsay.”

  Geneva enfolded her lovely daughter in her arms, with no desire to release her too soon. “I love you, Moselle, my wise daughter.”

  “I love you too, Mom. And I say again, go for it!”

  Moselle’s cell rang and Geneva could tell Eric must be home safe and sound. Moselle expressed her love to him, gave Geneva another healthy hug, and kissed her cheek. “See you tomorrow.”

  All these words of love. Oh, boy. Admit it. You could love Rainn, the way a woman loves a man for the long haul.

  Geneva laughed in the darkness.

  Maybe she should call it the Supreme Ideal, since it was orchestrated by the Heavenly Father.

  ****

  The next morning when Lanae leaned over the kitchen table, bright sunlight brought out the yellow in her skin, along with pink eyelids indicating no real rest. Her hazel eyes looked sunken to Geneva. She wondered when their usual sparkle would return.

  Lanae spoke from the folds of her faded rose chenille robe. “Wish the smell didn’t turn my stomach so. What’s the flavor of the morning?”

  “Mocha java.” Geneva leaned back against the counter, arms crossed. “You may be right about the smell. I like chocolate flavored coffee, but this seems a little over the top.”

  “Let me know how it tastes. That’s the important part for our customers.” Lanae’s eyes drifted shut, and her lips pursed.

  Geneva could tell Lanae was fighting the sickness of a roiling stomach as well as muscle weakness. “Would you rather have tea than coffee?”

  She nodded her approval.

  Lanae roused herself to pick up the paper, and went right to the singles ads, where she responded with a chuckle. “They may just as well print, ‘with pulse,’ so many seniors are listed.”

  “The young ones no doubt use the Internet.”

  Lanae went on talking out loud, as though Geneva hadn’t added her two cents worth. She listened to her sister with half an ear and cast an eye over the room while the water heated in the microwave. She had gone wild with her favorite colors after Bret died. The walls were butter-cup yellow. A quilted wall hanging in purples, yellows, and greens covered most of the wall space above the table. It was one of her first fabric creations. And she now used more artistic placement of decorative buttons.

  Geneva hadn’t asked Rainn if he was home when he called. He could be sleeping.

  The coffeemaker sputtered into silence. The microwave beeped louder than a fire truck’s siren.

  She jumped at the sudden knocking on the door, sloshing hot coffee on her thumb.

  Mia burst into the room, screaming. “Uncle Rainn’s home! Uncle Rainn’s home!”

  All thought of her stinging thumb washed down the drain with the cold water.

  Rainn knelt in the doorway, propping the door open as he lowered to his haunches. He held out his arms. “Hi, button, I missed you.”

  Geneva thought he looked older this morning, but his smile for Mia came from the soul.

  Through the open door, a flash of black and gold and white feline streaked next to his foot. He almost lost his balance, but managed a kiss on her cheek before Mia squirmed out of the hug to follow the cat.

  “Kitty! Uncle Rainn. Geneva. Everybody! I found a kitty yesterday and here it is. Can I keep this kitty?”

  She made a flying grab toward the cat when it ran under the kitchen table. Mia’s fingers grasped its tail, but the cat retaliated with its claws.

  Mia screamed when the cat clawed ragged scratches down both her legs. She ran for the door. The cat followed Mia outside, bounding through the air.

  Lanae used the tabletop to push herself onto her feet. “I’ll get the first-aid kit and see to Mia.”

  Rainn started to object as he rose to his feet, but Lanae’s look stopped him. “Talk to Geneva, I can handle Mia.”

  He held out his arms. That’s all the invitation Geneva needed to get close.

  “I wish I could take your pain,” she murmured.

  “I wouldn’t want you to.”

  Mia’s voice rose as she called for the cat.

  “Got it covered.” Lanae squeezed past with antiseptic cream and a washcloth.

  Rainn pulled Geneva tighter and kissed her temple.

  Lanae’s voice soothed the little girl, and Mia responded with s
omething unintelligible to Geneva.

  His arms finally relaxed.

  “I’m so sorry about Lindsay. I’m glad you’re back. It must have been awful.”

  “Thanks, Geneva. Knowing you were here waiting with Mia helped me bear it all. I read Second Corinthians, chapter one this morning. Verse three calls God the Father of mercies. And verse four says He comforts us in affliction so we’re able to comfort others.”

  “Ah. I remember turning there when I tried to be strong for Moselle after Bret died. And one of the things I discovered, even for you now, is that one person can’t really be strong for another. We can lend support. We can make feeble attempts to comfort one another. But the strength, the deep down solace, has to come from the Holy Spirit.”

  “And that’s how we grow,” he said.

  The only sound Geneva heard was the jerking chain of the glider swing. She wished she could shed Rainn’s tears for him.

  Lanae entered the house. “Mia’s waiting for you,” she told Rainn.

  “I don’t know how to comfort that little girl.” Rainn’s voice quivered.

  “You’ll know what to say,” Lanae offered.

  “Being with Mia is what’s important.” Geneva gave him a quick kiss, even though she wanted to stay all wrapped up in his arms.

  “Thank you both, oh, wise women.” He squeezed Geneva and turned to give Lanae a one-armed brush across the shoulders.

  Mia called his name. When Geneva felt him draw up his shoulders, she covered his hand. She had the feeling he wanted to remain where he was, touching her. But right now, Mia came first. Rainn released her.

  Hand on the doorknob, he stopped. “I wanted to bring Mia a gift, but wasn’t in the mood to shop anywhere. Is there anything with ladybugs in Frivolities that would be appropriate?”

  “We have the perfect thing. She’s admired whimsical wind chimes.”

  The door clicked shut and Lanae sighed, loud and long. “He sure doesn’t care how you look in the morning. I’d give my liver for a chance to have such a fine young specimen rain on my parade.” She grinned, even though her tone turned wistful.

  He had more than rained on Geneva’s parade.