Donuts and Detours

by Baganz, Susan M. ;

  Titus watched the boy and the dog, almost jealous at the way the pooch so enthusiastically wanted his attention. The dog was partial to Bethany Joelle too. Not that he wasn’t affectionate to Ty, but not with the same degree of enthusiasm.

  “Something wrong?” The boy looked up to him.

  “Nah. Nothing. Probably should get back to work.”

  “Yeah. Sorry, Cooper. Your owner is a cruel slave driver and I must go.”

  Ty grinned and took the dog to the office.

  Cooper jumped up on a table by the window into the garage and settled down there to watch. He hadn’t done that before now.

  Titus wouldn’t tell him to get down. “B.J. can you tackle that mini-van over there? Needs new tires and balancing.”

  The boy glanced over to the vehicle. “Sure, boss. I’m on it.”

  “Call if you need help.”

  “Only if a lug nut is too tight for me to unscrew.”

  “Been there.” Ty patted the boy on the shoulder. The night passed quietly and as Ty locked up he realized he hadn’t spoken to B.J. anymore. The kid loved the dog so maybe that would be his “in” with him for discussions. Might be worth a try, anyway.

  ~*~

  The week flew by and Bethany managed to avoid conversations with Titus at the garage. Now she had another Sunday at church to navigate. She walked in and sat on the opposite side in the back. Was she a coward to be avoiding Skye?

  Skye found her anyway. “Hey.”

  “Hi. Are you stalking me?” Bethany asked.

  “No. I’ve been watching for you. I felt bad that my questions caused you to leave my home in tears.”

  Bethany didn’t know how to respond. With gratitude, she stood to join in the worship.

  Pastor Andrew preached on the importance of community and the team model of ministry.

  She almost wished she’d gone to work instead. The closest she’d ever been to a real family outside of blood relationships, was with her job at the bakery. But there it was all about the task. Bethany never shared anything personal if she could help it.

  Skye blocked her from exiting when the service ended. “Can I convince you to come over and actually stay to eat? I’ll try to rein in my tongue and won’t ask uncomfortable questions.”

  Collapsing back into her seat, Bethany’s entire body grew cold. Her heart pounded. A hand rested gently on her arm.

  “I’m so sorry. Obviously, that’s a no.”

  “Wait,” Bethany whispered. “It’s really not you. I don’t know how to do this.”

  “Do what?”

  “Community. Friendship. Family.” She looked over at Skye’s frowning face. “I think you’re nice. I…I’m afraid.”

  “Can I pray for you? Right now?”

  “I guess,” Bethany whispered.

  Skye wrapped her hands around Bethany’s. “Lord, Bethany Joelle is Your child and You love her dearly. Your word says You do not give us a spirit of fear. I pray Your Holy Spirit will fill her with Your peace that surpasses understanding. Help her to understand how deep, far, and wide Your love is. Help her to understand that You divinely created her and desire her heart. She is Your precious child. Amen.”

  Tears streamed down Bethany’s face. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Skye reached to pull her close for a hug. “Anytime. I’ve been where you are, alone and wondering if God could really love me if He knew the real me. I discovered He does and I don’t have to fear the hard questions. Lunch another time, perhaps?” Skye stood up to leave.

  “No. I’ll come today if you’ll have me.”

  “Do you mind if Titus Rickmeyer comes? The kids invited him.”

  Heat flooded Bethany’s cheeks making her grateful for the dimmer lighting in the auditorium. “I’m acquainted with Ty. That’s fine.”

  “I wanted to make sure you understood it wasn’t a set-up.” Skye grinned.

  “OK.”

  “Do you need to follow me, or can you find your way?”

  “I remember where you live. I can find my way.”

  “Great. We’ll see you in a little bit.”

  Bethany Joelle nodded. She dug for a tissue in her purse and wiped away the remaining tears, grateful she never wore makeup, which had a tendency to run. Makeup also attracted unwanted attention she didn’t need. She walked into the brighter lights of the café.

  Titus was with two little kids who were hanging from his arms. A grin on his bearded face and a twinkle in his eye indicated his enjoyment of their antics.

  Skye was prying them away.

  They let go and went off with their mother.

  Titus did as well with the kids as he did with his kindness to B.J. and Cooper. The guy was a big softy underneath the muscles and dirty fingernails.

  Sorrow stabbed her. Why can’t someone ever love me like that?

  Just because you don’t remember, doesn’t mean you weren’t ever loved or that you won’t be again.

  She looked around. Obviously, she was losing her mind. She turned to leave.

  “Bethany!” Titus called and wove through the crowds.

  “Hey.”

  “I heard you’re coming for lunch at the Winks’s home.” He peered at her. “Are you OK?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You don’t lie very well.” He folded his arms and someone from behind bumped into her, shoving her into his body. His arms moved, and he grabbed for her, keeping them both from toppling over.

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Another lie. ‘Nothing’ doesn’t make you cry.” He released her.

  Shakiness at the loss of his physical touch and support unnerved her. “I’ll be OK. Just something in the message. Skye and I talked.”

  He leaned down, staring in her eyes. After a few moments of intense scrutiny, he grinned. “OK. I believe you this time.”

  A partial grin. “Thanks. I’ll see you there. Is your dog coming?”

  “He was invited. His new name is Cooper. He loves running and playing with the kids and they have a fenced in backyard which helps.”

  “I’ll look forward to seeing him again.”

  “Oh, so you like my dog better than me?”

  Bethany Joelle bit her lower lip. “You’re OK.”

  His hand went to cover his heart as he stumbled back a step. “You wound me.” With a wink, he turned to walk away. “See ya there.”

  She gave a half-hearted wave he never saw. “Yeah. See ya.” She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and dug her keys out of her pocket.

  ~*~

  Titus grinned as he drove home to pick up Cooper. Bethany Joelle didn’t want to admit it, but he was certain she liked him. Her eyes grew wide when he held her close, and her pulse sped up. She wasn’t like the other girls. No flirting. No makeup. She covered herself up in a way that went beyond modesty. Who wore long sleeved shirts in summer? Sure, the church could be chilly, but she wore a long-sleeved shirt to their picnic too. She didn’t even know they would be outside, so he didn’t think it was to protect her fair skin from the sun.

  Cooper ran circles as he entered the house. Ty scooped the dog up and scratched behind his ears. His wounds were mostly healed now, and the stitches had been removed. He still appeared odd with the newly growing hair failing to cover the shaved spots. Cooper’s deep brown eyes and lolling tongue indicated happiness that was infectious. “Let’s grab your leash boy, Quinn and Meghan will be thrilled to see you and Bethany Joelle will also be there.”

  That earned him a lick on the cheek. Titus set the dog down, hooked up the leash, and took him out to do his business before they got in the truck. He lifted the small dog up into the cab. If Ty had a tail that could wag like Cooper’s, it would have.

  Arriving at the house, he was disappointed that Bethany hadn’t arrived yet. He hoped she wasn’t backing out. He didn’t have much time to think about it as the dog strained at his leash to reach the kids waiting on the porch.

  “Take him out back, kids,” Skye called to t
hem.

  “Are you talking about me or the dog?” Ty asked as he followed them into the house.

  Skye’s head peeked from the kitchen. “Both of you. You want to wind them up, do it now before lunch and their naps, or else.”

  “Or else?”

  “You won’t get dessert.”

  Ty stumbled back a step. “You know how to hit a man where it hurts.”

  Skye laughed. “Go. The kids have been waiting for you.”

  “Bethany?”

  “She’s coming. I’ll send her out when she gets here. I’ll bring some fresh lemonade too.”

  “Now you’re talking.” Ty slipped out the screen door to the back deck and joined the kids running around with Cooper. Their laughter filled the yard.

  “He looks happy.”

  Bethany Joelle’s soft voice surprised him, as he hadn’t heard her slip out. He must have zoned watching the kids and dog.

  “Yeah, he is. If B.J. hadn’t heard him and rescued him…”

  “But he did. And now the dog is a blessing.” She sat down in a white wicker chair and poured two glasses of lemonade. She handed one to him. “I heard you were thirsty.”

  He took the glass. “Thanks. I am.” He took a seat adjacent to hers where he could watch her and the kids with Cooper.

  She sipped her glass. She had changed into capris and sandals but still wore a long-sleeved shirt. Lighter weave to be sure but still... He saw the tank top peeking out from underneath where she hadn’t buttoned it up all the way. Her hair was down in the back but pulled up at the sides. Au natural. She was beautiful, but he doubted she realized it.

  Cooper stopped his romping, stared at them, bolted to Bethany, and leapt into her lap slathering her face with sloppy kisses.

  She giggled. “Coop, come on, settle down.” She kissed his head and scratched behind his ears. “How do you even remember me?” The dog collapsed into her lap soaking up the petting as the kids came up the steps.

  “Come on, Cooper. Play with us,” Quinn pleaded.

  “Yeah, what gives?” Meghan folded her arms and frowned.

  “It’s OK, Cooper. You can go play.” Bethany took her hands off the dog, but he refused to budge.

  “Ty,” Quinn whined. “You promised.”

  “I can’t make the dog play if he doesn’t want to. Maybe you wore him out already. He’s still recovering from a pretty rough time.”

  The kids looked at each other and grinned. They came to Titus, each grabbed a hand, and pulled him from his chair. “Then you play with us!”

  “Tag! You’re it!” Quinn yelled as both children ran away.

  Bethany laughed at him.

  He took off at a run and alternately caught the kids, tickled, and tagged them.

  Cooper remained in Bethany’s lap as Titus played. The dog would occasionally lift his head to watch the action.

  Titus tried calling for the dog to join him several times but without success.

  Was it possible to be jealous of a dog? Not that he wanted Bethany petting him or to snuggle in her lap… Titus shut down that line of thinking quick. He collapsed on the stairs as the kids ran to play in the sandbox.

  “Wore you out?” Bethany asked.

  “Yeah. The goal was to wear them out. I don’t think I ever succeed.”

  Bethany chuckled, and Cooper gave her a kiss.

  “I’ve never seen him connect with one person so much.”

  “He’s a sweetheart. I don’t mind at all. I never had a pet growing up.”

  Hmm. Personal information. A rarity from this woman. “Did you want one?”

  “Sure, what kid doesn’t?”

  Skye emerged from inside. “How about we eat out here today? It’s warm, but in the shade, it doesn’t feel too bad.”

  “Sounds good. Can I help you with anything?” Bethany asked.

  “Looks like you have your hands full. Titus can assist.”

  “At your service.” Ty jumped to his feet and went back inside to help Skye bring out the paper plates, silverware, cups, and food. By the time everything was there, Dan arrived home from church and the kids joined them at the table for a meal of fajitas and tacos.

  “What, no bratwurst today?” Titus asked.

  “Can’t eat them all the time. Or so my wife reminds me.” Dan quipped as he winked at Skye. “She knows how much harder I have to work out at the gym if I eat too many.”

  “Wise woman,” Ty said.

  “Hard-won wisdom,” Skye added. “He put on five pounds the first month we were married as I was indulging his favorites too much. We came to a mutual agreement. If he gains more than five pounds again, he has to endure a month of Zumba with me as the teacher.”

  Bethany laughed. “You do Zumba?”

  Dan grinned. “Yes. I do. I confess I enjoy it, and not just because the cutest woman at the YMCA teaches it.”

  “So, what happens if Skye gains five pounds?” Bethany asked.

  “No comment,” Dan said.

  “Now that’s wisdom, I think,” quipped Titus.

  The rest of lunch was filled with lighthearted banter. Nothing serious was brought up. He still had no idea what had happened, but Skye did, and given how she watched Bethany, he suspected she was being extra careful with her guest.

  The kids ran off to play after they’d finished eating.

  Dan turned to him. “So, any news on that young man you were concerned about?”

  “No progress yet. He’s skittish and I’m not sure how to help him. Cooper seems to really like him.”

  “What is this about?” Bethany asked.

  Titus shrugged. “I serve in The Garage ministry and there’s a young volunteer who is kind of a loner. Remember me asking about B.J. from work? I’m trying to reach him. He works a full-time job though, with weird hours like yours, and so can’t always make it. I haven’t seen him in church either.”

  “I was thinking about that. Is it possible to take him out with you on your tow jobs? Perhaps train him? If he’s as good a mechanic as you say, you could help him develop more skills that might gain him a better job with more reasonable hours,” Dan suggested.

  “I hadn’t thought of that. I’ll ask my boss. On-the-job training is best with that kind of work and the kid has a good mechanical understanding. He’d probably do well. I’ll have to check it out.”

  “What if he doesn’t want a change?” Bethany asked.

  “Most of the time people are afraid of change because they don’t know what it will mean for them. Having a chance to try it out would give him an opportunity to perhaps see if it’s something he’d be interested in,” Titus answered.

  “Hmmm. Interesting. Skye, thank you for such a wonderful meal. I need to go. I promised my landlady I would mow the lawn. I need to get it done before the predicted thunderstorm hits.”

  “Oh, well, thank you for coming. I hope we can do this again.” Skye rose with Bethany and they walked back into the house, the conversation fading away.

  “You like her,” Dan observed.

  “Yeah, but heaven knows why. She’s closed tighter than a pickle jar.” Titus went to get Cooper standing by the glass door whimpering in the wake of Bethany’s departure.

  “Those are usually the best ones,” Dan chuckled. “You need a puzzle. Do you think she really needed to go mow?”

  “Yeah, I suspect so. To be honest, it’s a job I need to do as well. The recent rain and this humidity caused our lawn to grow way too fast.”

  “I did mine yesterday. I’d rather mow than shovel snow.”

  “Me, too.” Titus chuckled. “Thanks for the tip about the kid. I’ll see what we can do. Thanks for dinner.” He waved to Quinn and Meghan. “I’m leaving. Thanks, scamps, for wearing me out and playing with Cooper.”

  Both kids came running to Titus and grabbed a leg.

  “You can’t go!” Quinn pleaded.

  “Kids,” Dan said. They let go instantly.

  “Thanks for coming and playing with us, Ty,” Meghan v
olunteered.

  “Can we go play, Dad?” Quinn asked Dan.

  “For a little while, but then you will nap. And no sand in your sister’s hair, please.” Dan rose to stack empty plates.

  “OK!” The kids ran off.

  “Need help?” Titus asked.

  “Nah. Get home to finish your chores. Sounds as though you might have a busy week ahead.”

  “Yeah, and messy if the weather forecast holds true.”

  “Take care.”

  “Thank Skye for lunch for me.”

  “I will, but you’ll miss dessert,” Dan quipped.

  “Tempting, but I’ll pass.” Titus patted his stomach. “I don’t get to the gym as often as you.”

  “Helps that my wife works there. More motivation to keep up the hard work.” Dan winked.

  Ty chuckled. “Come on, Cooper. Let’s head home.” He exited by the gate to the driveway with his dog, his mind on Bethany Joelle.

  6

  Although I know it’s unfair,

  I reveal myself one mask at a time.

  Stephen Dunn

  July 2014

  Bethany stepped out of the grocery store, weariness weighing her down as the rain pelted. She ran to her car but was soaked by the time she got there. She drove home, tempted to go to bed and skip The Garage.

  Yesterday when Ty had mentioned “the kid” he’d spoken about her.

  She was equally intrigued and terrified of going out with a wrecker to tow a car. A different job? That was absurd. Wasn’t it? She changed into her garage attire, braided her hair, and shoved it under the ball cap.

  The rain continued, and the sky was dark even though it was mid-day.

  She fought hydroplaning but soon arrived at the garage. Titus might recognize her car, but too late now. He might not even notice. She could only hope. She got out, rushed into the garage, and took note of the project board.

  “Hey B.J.,” Ty called out. “Glad you could make it. Listen, it’s crappy weather out there but a single mom ended up in an accident and asked us to tow and repair her car. We can’t do the body work, but we can help arrange for some of it. Would you be willing to come? It’s better in this kind of weather to have two people doing the job. When we’re back we’ll call it a night. I doubt the power will stay on for us to do our work anyway.”