Walking Straight (The Walking Together Series Book 1)

by T. E. Killian

  Matt grinned at how quickly his little sister had switched from her happy news to probing him for all the details about his.

  “Well, I’m not so sure that she even likes me yet, but she’s going to.” At Grace’s impatient gesture with her hand, he went on. “Well, one of the best things about her is that she’s six two.”

  Grace seemed to be thinking about that for a moment then she laughed and said, “There’s got to be more. You can’t just say she’s the one based solely on how tall she is.”

  “You’re right. I’ve talked to her some and she’s really nice. But . . .”

  He should have known Grace would pounce on that one. “But what?”

  “Well, Trish is kinda overprotective of her. In fact, she’s warned me off twice already. I think she must know something I don’t know. I have a feeling that Betty Sue has had some bad stuff happen to her in the past.”

  Grace stood and held up her right hand like a stop sigh. “Wait just a minute, here. Is this my big brother, the one who all the mothers warn their daughters about? Are you saying that you actually want to help a girl this time?”

  When he just nodded, she whooped. “Wow! Will miracles never cease?”

  Then she stopped laughing and looked deeply into his eyes. “You must really have it bad then.”

  He didn’t even respond to that, knowing that she already had her answer and didn’t need him to confirm it.

  * * *

  Sunday morning found Betty Sue in her bedroom looking over the few dresses she had to her name. None of them were really that great for church. Well, what did she even know about what people wore to church anymore anyway? Hadn’t it been ten years since she’d even been to a church. And on top of that, churches here were probably different than they were back in Dallas anyway.

  Finally, in desperation, she went in search of Trish and found her in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee at the small table in there.

  Trish took one look at Betty Sue who was still wearing her robe and said, “Why don’t you grab a cup of coffee and join me? Then we can tackle whatever problem has you tied in knots this morning.”

  As soon as Betty Sue sat down with her coffee, Trish placed her hands together on the table, leaned toward Betty Sue and said, “Okay, what’s bothering you Sweetie?”

  Betty Sue knew she was blushing but couldn’t help it. She finally looked over at Trish and said, “When I left Dave, I didn’t take much of anything, even in the divorce. I didn’t really want anything of his.”

  She groaned. “Well, after all, since I never worked the whole seven years we were married, none of that stuff was really mine anyway. So everything I have right now was bought with money I’ve earned since then . . . which isn’t very much.”

  She placed her elbows on the table and dropped her chin into the cradle of her hands.

  She thought she heard a chuckle coming from Trish and looked up at her. Sure enough, the older woman was smiling fondly at her. What was that all about?

  “Betty Sue. You have to be one of the few rare individuals on God’s green earth who just plain doesn’t know how good they are.”

  That really threw her for a loop. What could Trish possibly be talking about now?

  Trish actually giggled then. “You see, Betty Sue, most women would not have taken that attitude toward the things that man bought you while you were married.” She shook her head. “No way! Most women would have felt that he owed it all to them. In fact, they would have cleaned out his bank account and taken his house after they threw him out the door. But no, not you. You’re so special, Betty Sue.”

  Trish grasped both of Betty Sue’s hands and began squeezing them gently.

  Betty Sue was blushing now and she didn’t know what to say but was saved from having to when Trish said, “Well, why don’t you show me what you have to wear Sugar. I’ll bet you’re not as bad off as you think you are.”

  With that, Trish stood and waited for Betty Sue to lead her to the bedroom she was staying in. Once there, Betty Sue pointed toward the open closet door and Trish stepped into the walk-in closet.

  Betty Sue stayed out of the closet. She knew what was in there. But Trish came back out in a matter of seconds anyway. She was holding a beige pantsuit that Betty Sue really liked. But a pantsuit?

  “Oh Trish, I can’t wear pants to church . . . can I?”

  Trish laughed. “Look at me Dear.”

  Betty Sue did and noticed for the first time that Trish was wearing a nice pantsuit. “But you’re not going to wear that to church . . . are you?”

  Trish sat on the edge of the bed, still holding the pantsuit out at arm’s length. “You’ll find that our little country church is very traditional on many things but not everything. In fact, most women will be wearing pants of some kind today.”

  She pointed out the window where the day was dreary looking, windy, and either sleeting or snowing. “Look out there. Don’t you think pants are more practical on a day like this one?”

  Betty Sue nodded. “I guess it has been a long time since I went to church. My Granny would have had my hide if I’d worn anything but a dress to church. Why, she wouldn’t even settle for a nice skirt and blouse combination. It had to be a dress, period.”

  Trish grinned. “Things have changed Sweetie.” She started to leave the room. “Now you put that beautiful pantsuit on and you’ll look just perfect in church today.”

  With that, she was gone, leaving Betty Sue to do just that. She dressed quickly and was soon ready since she’d already done her hair and she never really wore much makeup.

  As soon as they walked in the front door of the church, Betty Sue saw the pastor standing there with a woman who must be his wife. She was tall too, but was still about six inches shorter than Betty Sue. Her silky blond hair was cut short in a style very much like Betty Sue had her own brown hair in. And she was wearing a dress.

  She turned to Trish who grinned and said, “Do you see any other men in a suit? She needs to wear a dress to match him. You’re going to be just fine Betty Sue. I promise.”

  They stepped up to where the pastor and his wife were standing and the pastor greeted her and Trish.

  “Betty Sue, I’d like for you to meet my wife, Linda. Linda this is Betty Sue Farris. She’s the new waitress I was telling you about, down at the diner.”

  Betty Sue was almost shocked when the woman stepped forward and didn’t stick her hand out as Betty Sue was but reached out and pulled her into a loose hug.

  “We’re so happy you’ve decided to come and worship with us today Betty Sue. I’m sure God will bless you as richly as he does all of us every week.”

  Wow! Was that the way this woman greeted every visitor to their church?

  Just then, a young woman stepped up to them from behind the pastor and his wife. She was a couple of inches taller than the pastor’s wife was but her hair was exactly the same color and texture as Linda’s hair. She had to be their daughter. The only difference was that her hair was very long and she was wearing a black slacks and a white blouse.

  Pastor Livingston said, “And this is our daughter, Grace. She lives in St. Louis right now but she’ll be moving back here in June.”

  Betty Sue wasn’t as surprised, this time, when Grace stepped forward and drew her into a hug just as her mother had done.

  Betty Sue’s fleeting thought was that she sure could get used to this kind of welcome.

  “Betty Sue?” Grace had stepped back and was looking closely at her now. “Are you the new waitress down at the diner?”

  Betty Sue nodded. “Guilty.”

  She was just getting used to the hugs and touches when Grace grabbed her arm and called out to Trish. “I’ll take her down to our class. Okay?”

  Trish grinned and waved them off, then turned back to the pastor and his wife.

  As she was being led away, Betty Sue was having a difficult time taking in everything that was happening to her and so rapidly too.

  “You will be
in my class Betty Sue. It’s a class for single adults about out age.”

  That was when Betty Sue looked closer at Grace and realized that they were pretty close in age. She figured she was probably a couple of years older than Grace.

  As they walked down a hall that actually took them into another building that ran parallel to the sanctuary building, Betty Sue sure was glad that Grace was taking her instead of Trish. Sure, she was beginning to love Trish like the mother she barely remembered, but Betty Sue didn’t stand out so much next to Grace who wasn’t so much shorter than she was.

  * * *

  Betty Sue was amazed at how the others in the class had treated her. Sure some of it had to have had to do with the fact that she came in with the pastor’s daughter, But somehow, she just felt that they had been genuine in their warm acceptance of her. And also the way they’d included her in the class without pushing her into doing anything she wouldn’t have been comfortable doing. That was really nice.

  All of that was a first for her. Her Granny’s church back in Dallas had been much more formal and strict than this church was turning out to be. In fact, she would say that they had been rather stiff instead of flexible the way these people seemed to be.

  She was still glowing as Grace led her from their class back over to the sanctuary. Lots of people greeted them as they walked and Betty Sue was surprised at how many she recognized from the diner. When they reached the foyer, it was full of people talking, shaking hands, and hugging. Boy was this church going to take some getting used to. It had to be the friendliest church she’d ever been to. But she certainly wasn’t complaining. No sir.

  Grace led her up to where her parents were talking to another couple who seemed to be about their age.

  “Hal and Judy, I’d like to introduce you to my new friend, Betty Sue Farris, she’s working with Trish down at the diner.”

  New friend! Did Grace really consider her to be her friend? That was almost too much for her to handle right then. She turned away to wipe away the moisture that suddenly filled her eyes.

  “Betty Sue, this is Hal and Judy Wallace. He’s our police chief and she teaches English at the high school here.”

  They both smiled at Betty Sue and shook her hand. Then Judy smiled at Grace and said, “I hear congratulations are in order. Your mom just told me you’ll be teaching with me next fall.”

  Grace giggled. “Oh yes. It’s always been my dream to teach alongside you, Judy.”

  “Oh Grace, I’m so happy for you. But you would have thought that old dictator would have told me himself. After all, I am the English Department Head, for what it’s worth.”

  They both laughed at the comical look on Judy’s face.”

  Trish stepped up next to Betty Sue then and while the others were talking, looked closely at her. “You sure seem to be fitting in right well here, Betty Sue. I’m so glad.”

  Betty Sue leaned down to whisper in Trish’s ear. “Everyone is just so nice. It’s simply wonderful.”

  Trish grinned up at her. “I’m really happy for you Betty Sue. It’s exactly what you deserve too.”

  They all went into the sanctuary then and Betty Sue was surprised all over again to see chairs instead of pews.

  Trish noticed her astonishment and said, “It really shows that you haven’t been in a church for ten years. Most churches are going away from those old uncomfortable pews and putting in more comfortable chairs like these.”

  Betty Sue found herself sitting between Trish and Grace with Linda sitting on Grace’s other side.

  All of a sudden, Betty Sue was hit with an emotion so strong that it nearly knocked her out of her chair. Her breath caught in her throat and she must have made some sort of sound for Trish and Grace were both giving her strange looks. She just smiled back at them and turned her eyes back to the platform where it looked like the music director was getting ready to lead them in the first hymn.

  She tried to work her way through that strong emotion but it was difficult. She suddenly felt like she belonged somewhere. And this was definitely the first time since Granny died. Wow! She’d have to think more about that later.

  When the music started, Betty Sue was again surprised. It wasn’t a hymn at all. It was what Trish leaned over and told her was called a chorus. She liked it. It was so happy and lively. Boy, things sure were different here than at her Granny’s old church, that was for sure.

  When the service was over, Betty Sue was in more of a state of almost shock as Trish and Grace led her out of the sanctuary. She had been completely mesmerized by the pastor. Not only was he an imposing figure in the pulpit and he had a booming, commanding voice, but he also spoke to her heart making her want to change a lot of things in her life that had slid by the way since she married Dave.

  As soon as the three of them, no, four counting Grace’s mother, made it into the foyer, Linda turned to Trish and Betty Sue and said, “We would love for the two of you to join us for Sunday dinner at our house.”

  Betty Sue deferred to Trish but Grace grabbed each one by the arm and said, “Oh say yes, please.” Then she looked into Betty Sue’s eyes. “I’d like to get to know you better Betty Sue.”

  Trish chuckled at Grace’s enthusiasm and said, “I would love to. How about you Betty Sue?”

  Grace leaned close to Betty Sue and spoke softly. “My big brother will be there too.”

  Betty Sue didn’t know what to make of that statement but Grace seemed to think she knew something that Betty Sue didn’t.

  “Yes, I would love to. You all have been so good to me. It’s enough to make a grown woman cry.”

  They all laughed and Betty Sue followed Trish out the door. When Trish headed for her car in the parking lot, Betty Sue was confused.

  “Don’t they live next door in a parsonage?”

  Trish laughed. “No they don’t. The church has grown so much since Pastor Henry has been here that we needed more parking space. So the Livingstons bought their own home and we sold the parsonage to someone who moved it to another lot here in town.”

  She pointed to the far end of the parking lot. “Back there’s where the parsonage used to be.”

  Betty Sue was mentally shaking her head again. This church sure was different from her Granny’s church in just so many ways. It was hard to believe that they were both Baptist.

  Betty Sue was surprised again when Trish drove her Escalade through the gates and into the same gated community that Trish lived in. Then she pulled up in front of a large house that was even bigger than Trish’s.

  Trish parked and turned to see the surprised expression on Betty Sue’s face. She laughed again and said, “Yes, this is their house. You see, about the time that we began to need the extra parking, Pastor Henry’s father died and left him half of a big construction company up in Kansas City. Well, he didn’t want anything to do with the company so he sold his half of it to his older brother who was already running it anyway.”

  “Oh.” was all Betty Sue could manage as they got out of the car and joined Grace at the front door. Betty Sue realized that Grace was apparently waiting for them and there was a little girl with her who looked like an small replica of Grace.

  When they joined the two at the door, Grace said, “Betty Sue, I'd like for you to meet my daughter, Brianna.”

  Brianna looked up at Betty Sue with a big grin on her face. “I’m six almost seven.” Then she seemed to be looking Betty Sue up and down. “You’re taller than my momma . . . but you’re not as tall as my grandpa or my uncle Matt.”

  Betty Sue laughed at that comparison then crouched down to Brianna’s level and stuck out her hand. The little girl’s bright blue eyes lit up as she placed her hand in Betty Sue’s hand.

  “My uncle Matt does that all the time too.”

  With that, she raced into the house leaving the three women smiling and Betty Sue with a warm feeling continuing to grow in her heart.

  Chapter Four

  Matt was dreading the afternoon while at t
he same time looking forward to it. He really wanted to be with Grace and his beautiful little niece, Brianna, but why did it have to come at the cost of having to put up with his parents’ constant nagging at him about one thing or another.

  He’d enjoyed his little bit of time with Grace the evening before but she hadn’t been able to stay as long as either one of them would have liked for her to. Their mom always latched onto both Grace and Brianna every time they came to visit. There wasn’t usually much time for Matt to be with them unless he went to his parents’ house.

  And as he thought about it, though, he figured that was exactly what his mom was trying to do, maneuver him into spending time with her too.

  In an attempt at keeping things somewhat peaceful, Matt trimmed his beard neatly and tied his hair back in a ponytail. That was the limit to the concessions he’d make but he knew those wouldn’t be enough.

  As he parked his Hog at the front of the driveway, he was sure that was Trish’s Escalade beside him. That brought his hopes up that maybe, just maybe, Betty Sue would be with her too.

  With that came the horrible thought that if Betty Sue was in his parents’ house for Sunday dinner, then she must have been in their church today. He sure hoped that didn’t make her just like them. That almost destroyed his good mood.

  He opened the door and stepped into the warmth of their living room. No one was in there. Then he heard voices coming from the kitchen and also from the family room down the hall at the other end of the house.

  Matt was in a quandary now and didn’t know which room to head for. He only heard women’s voices coming from the kitchen so that was probably where Grace was and maybe Betty Sue too. But, that was also where his mom would be. On the other hand, Brianna was probably in the family room but she’d be in there with his dad.

  What could he do? Man, he really wanted to see his sister and niece . . . Betty Sue too. Didn’t they always say that there was safety in numbers? With that in mind, he headed for the kitchen. He stepped through the dining room and stopped to lean against the doorway into the kitchen.