“Are you done?”
Bethany nodded.
Ty hadn’t even finished his thick turkey sandwich. “Want some of my French fries?”
“OK.” She plucked one off the plate and munched it but didn’t go back for more. “I’m sorry, I’m not very good at this ‘dating’ thing. How did you get into driving wreckers?”
“You’re doing fine, Bethany Joelle. I took shop in high school and my mom always complained that I could fix anything. Sometimes with parts left over, but they always ran. I liked working with my hands and seemed to understand cars. So, I went to school to get more training and got a job in a garage. Soon I was going out with the wrecker and found I liked that too. I usually get along with people, so they sent me out more and more and it was a good way to pick up extra income after hours and on weekends.”
“Why The Garage ministry?”
“That was started before I began attending church at Orchard Hill. I found out about it and joined up. Since then, the guy who ran it needed to step down due to some family problems. They asked me to head it up and after a little prayer, I sensed God was saying, ‘yes.’”
“I’m sorry if my presence there has made things difficult for you.”
“What? No. Your work has been great. I wish you didn’t need to hide. I hope the management team will come to some decision on that. I doubt it’s at the top of their list at the moment.”
“Yeah, I saw the budget numbers this morning. I don’t have much, but I do give. It’s the least I can do for all Jesus has done for me.”
“It’s not as if it’s a debt you can pay off,” Titus said.
“Yeah. I realize that, but when I tithe or give extra to the compassion fund, I just hope someone is somehow getting to know Jesus in ways I would have liked to have known him earlier.”
“Earlier?”
“Yeah. I just began my relationship and understanding of Him when my world fell apart. While I’ve clung to faith, I failed to grow because for years I couldn’t attend church and had no way to learn.”
“You could read the Bible.”
“I do that now, but then, I had no access to one. I was given one, but someone destroyed it. Ripped the pages out and burned them in a fire so they could roast marshmallows. To this day, I can’t eat those things.”
“I’m sorry that happened.”
“Yeah, well, that was life as a foster child, especially as a teenager when no one wants you.”
“Can I ask what happened to your parents?”
“I think you just did.” She released a long sigh. “My dad was a Marine on deployment. He didn’t make it home. My mother struggled after that. She left the base but found it hard to take care of me as a single mom. One day, it became too much. They suspected the car accident was intended to kill both of us.”
Titus really didn’t want to ask.
“She was the only casualty. I survived and after I was released from the hospital, I was placed in a house with strangers. I cried all the time and was punished for it. Soon I learned not to cry. Not to say anything that could get me in trouble or sent back to the social worker. It became a matter of survival rather than longing for a home.”
“But you had a good place for a while?”
A soft smile curved her lips. “Yeah, for a while. Robert Frost has a poem called “‘Nothing Gold Can Stay,’ about how life starts out golden, like the sunrise but then ends, and he was right. It can’t. It doesn’t. Not in this sin-filled world.”
“That’s sad, but it misses out on the growth that happens when things die. Leaves changing color show the glory of God. And in the winter the tree still lives and comes to another spring with new growth. Dawn doesn’t go down but turns to sunset before another dawn. There’s a cycle to life that’s ongoing.”
She nodded. “True. But when someone you love dies, they are gone. The ‘goldness’ of their presence in your life doesn’t continue.”
“Who else died?” Titus shoved his plate to the side and leaned forward.
“My foster father, Russell. He was the one who taught me how to fix cars. His wife Kristi taught me about what it was to be a girl and together they taught me about Jesus. But he got cancer and I was taken away. The golden ticket of adoption that had been held out to me was ripped from my grasp, and when he died I wasn’t informed. I only found out the exact date of his death later when I searched for them.”
“Where were you raised?”
“Madison. When I graduated, I sought work in the Milwaukee area and moved. There were some people I didn’t want to ever see again from there.”
“Wow. I’m sorry you went through that. Does that make you doubt the permanence of your adoption into God’s family?”
She stared at him and he wondered if he’d crossed a line.
“Maybe.”
10
I know I’m the slowest part of the car.
B. Wright
“Where’s the restroom?” Bethany folded up her napkin. She needed to escape any further conversation, or she’d be losing her lunch.
“Over through those tables to the left.” Titus pointed.
“Excuse me.” She scurried off to the bathroom, used the facilities, and after washing her hands, splashed her face with cool water. How was it that both Ty and Skye had been so easily able to pinpoint her issues with God? Why had she even dared to share? Her only consolation was that lunch was over so he’d take her home soon. She returned to the table to find the plates taken away.
Titus stood. “I already paid. Are you OK?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Thanks.” Liar, liar pants on fire. Titus was a good man. Why did she resist trusting him? Because he’s a man, silly. Nothing silly about it. He was an attractive man who had her experiencing things physically she’d never dealt with before. All because those dark eyes conveyed honesty and compassion. But she’d been burned before.
He opened the door to the truck and helped her up, shutting her in securely. The cab was steamy from the heat. He got in, turned on the engine, and the air conditioning blasted cool air.
“I forgot. Air-conditioning. I want a vehicle with air.”
“You don’t have one?”
“Nah, broken before I bought it. Not worth investing the money in the car to install a new one. Plus, it would be a pain. I’ve learned to adapt. But black attracts the heat, Ty.”
“Sure looks shiny in the sunshine.” He winked at her. He pulled out of the driveway, but not in the direction of her home.
“Where are we going?”
“I have a little surprise. Did you need to be somewhere?”
“Noooo. I’m not fond of surprises.”
“I think you’ll like this one.”
“Demolition derby?”
“No, but that sounds like fun. You’d enjoy something like that?”
“Duh. I love cars. Of course, I would. Maybe instead of trading in my car, I’ll drive it in one of those before scrapping it.”
“They can be fun, but dangerous.”
“True.”
“Still, if it were me? I’d do it.” Titus grinned. “That would be exciting.”
Bethany struggled to relax as he drove south.
Eventually, he exited the highway and soon they were at an outdoor recreation center.
She shook her head. “What are we doing here?”
“Go-karts. I thought it would be fun to race you. Game on?” He turned off the car.
She grinned. “Game on.” Bethany grabbed a green go-kart.
Titus nabbed a blue one. “Ready?” he yelled over the sound of the engines.
“You bet!” She took off with him hot on her wheels. The wind whipped her hair around and sometimes blew into her eyes, but she kept both hands on the wheel. Bethany laughed as Titus pulled up on a straight-away to pass her. She stepped on it and fell behind at the curve when she had a wider swing to make.
His laugh rang in the air as he pulled ahead.
They alternated back and for
th in the lead until the track owner flagged them to pull over. Their time was up.
Ty helped her out.
She couldn’t stop smiling.
“Did you like that?”
“That was so fun. I’ve never done that before.”
“Can’t say that anymore, can you? How about a game of put-put before we try another race?”
“Miniature golf? Something else I’ve never done.”
“Double win for me today.”
“Triple.” Bethany worked to braid her unruly hair.
“Excuse me?”
“Applebees. I’ve never eaten there before either.”
“Wow. We’re having an adventurous date.” He wrapped an arm around her side and squeezed her close.
Bethany couldn’t breathe, not because the contact was unwelcome. She longed for more. There was something comfortable and safe when she was with Titus. Maybe she was growing more than she realized. She trusted this man.
He took off to pay for the games and returned with a putter for both of them and two golf balls. Hers was lime green and his was the standard white.
“They seriously had a green ball?”
Titus nodded. “Let’s go.”
“Are we keeping score?”
“Do you really want to?”
“No.”
“Let’s not. We’ll declare a winner at each hole.”
“Based on the most hits or least?” Bethany grinned up at him.
He stopped to think and burst out laughing.
She loved the sound.
“One winner for each,” Ty quipped. “Ladies first.”
Hole by hole they started to work their way through the course, alternating who had the most or least points per hole. They reached the eighth of nine holes when someone called.
“Bethany Joelle? Is that really you?” The woman’s voice rang across the course as she made her way over to them.
Bethany stopped and stared. “Margaret?”
Her answer was a bear hug that lifted her off her feet. “I can’t believe I found you!”
A throat clearing caught Bethany’s attention.
“Maggie, this is my date, Titus. Ty, this is Margaret. She would have been my sister had her father Russ not died. Maggie, they wouldn’t let me come or even know when it happened. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Maggie rocked back on her heels. “He would be thrilled to see you dating a mechanic. Bethany Joelle, we were devastated they took you away. Mom still wanted to go through with the adoption, but the door slammed, and we couldn’t contact you and Dad grew worse and it was such a mess. It was harder on all of us because you weren’t there. It was like we had two losses to grieve at once. But that was years ago now. How can I contact you? Mother’s been searching for you. It would be sweet to bring you two together again.”
Bethany blinked back tears. Ty’s hand on her back gave her strength. “Sure. I would love that. I’ve missed you all so much.”
Maggie thrust a piece of paper and pencil to Bethany who wrote out her phone numbers and handed them back.
Titus handed her his business card with his personal cell phone number on it. “Take this too. She doesn’t have a cell, but sometimes I can figure out where she is if you need me to.”
Bethany nodded. “Yeah, we serve in a ministry together so we cross paths often.”
Maggie bounced with joy. “Oh, this is sooo exciting! Listen, I’ve gotta go, the kids are squirrelly and hopefully I can introduce you to them another time. I was pregnant with the first when Dad died but had two more after that. Hard to believe enough time has passed for that to happen.” She gave Bethany a rib-cracking squeeze. “Bye!” The woman left.
“You OK?” Titus asked.
Bethany reached out to grab his arm. “Her hugs are really strong. I need to catch my breath.”
“Your ribs?”
“Still tender.”
“We’re almost done here anyway. Let’s put these away and I’ll get you some water.”
“Thanks. Sounds wonderful.” She allowed him to take her putter and pick up her ball.
Leading her to the small beverage center he found a sheltered spot for her to sit, left to return their stuff, and fetch the promised water. When he returned, Ty uncapped it and handed it to her.
~*~
“How did she know I was a mechanic?” he asked as he sat adjacent to her.
Bethany tilted her head and looked at him with a soft smile playing on her lips. She took a sip of soda. “Thank you for this, by the way.” She took another sip, put the cap on and set it on the table. She reached for his free hand and looked at his fingers. “This was probably her first giveaway, as well as this.” She entwined her fingers with his so he could see her fingers—chipped nails with some dirt still underneath them. “These are nothing to be ashamed of, Titus. You work hard and you do your job well.”
Did she understand how her touch affected him? It was as if she’d launched a grappling hook straight into his heart. It dug in deep and he didn’t want to react too strongly lest he lose her. He brought their joined hands up and kissed each finger while watching her eyes dilate.
“You’ve nothing to be ashamed of in your hands either. Or the scars on your arms. Or that beautiful hair you so often have to keep tucked up under a hat. I like you. A lot. I enjoy being with you. I’m so glad today resulted in a reunion like this. It is a good thing, right?”
“I think so. Just never imagined they missed me. I always thought I was unwanted. Cut off. Rejected. Not grieved over, missed, and searched for. I’m not sure whether I’m happy, sad, scared, or hopeful.”
“Or maybe all of them at once?”
“Yeah. If your hand hadn’t been supporting my back, I probably would’ve toppled over in shock. I think I’m still there. It’s unreal. Did that really happen?”
“Yes. I’m glad I got to be here. It’s good that someone from your past loved and missed you. You weren’t abandoned after all.”
“But so much time has passed.”
“True, and you’ll need to grieve for that, and embrace what God is doing now.”
“When the time comes for a face to face will you come with me?”
Titus put a hand to his chest. “Me? Why?”
“Because you’re a friend. One of the few I have. I’d feel safer with you there.”
“If I can do it, I’d be honored.”
“Thanks.” She released his hand and sipped some more water. “I’m not really in the mood for another race right now. You did promise me time with Cooper, right?”
“Yes. He’ll be thrilled to see you.”
“Let’s go take him for a walk if that’s OK with you.”
“Love to.” Titus stood and helped her up.
They rode back to his house in silence.
“I have roommates, but they’re gone for now. Will is one of them. The other, Jonah, is out of town until tomorrow.”
“I’ll wait outside for you.”
“You can come in. It’s OK.”
“No. I appreciate the offer of hospitality but think it’s safer if I stay here.”
She was setting her boundaries. The thought of forcing any physical contact never crossed his mind, but she was right to be careful. He unlocked the door and Cooper ran down the stairs and leapt into Bethany’s arms, frantically kissing her. Ty grabbed the leash, attached it, and hooked the handle on her hand. “Well, I guess he’s made his preference known. Were you upset when I adopted him?”
Bethany placed the dog on the ground, but he barked and spun in circles.
They started to walk, and the dog took his place between and slightly ahead of them. The sidewalk was free of other pedestrians.
“Heartbroken. I had never thought of having a dog, but something about Coop resonated with me. As if we were linked. But I’m not around much, and while Adele looked forward to sharing him as a pet, it is better that he’s with you.”
“Sometimes I wonder. Given how attached
he is to you it’s almost as though I’m chopped liver when you’re around.”
“Because he pays no attention to you or because I focus all my attention on him?”
“Maybe a little of both.”
She chuckled. “He gives unconditional love and acceptance. In spite of all he’s been through he’s capable of love. I’m not sure my heart is that free.”
They walked for several blocks in a comfortable silence.
“Thanks for a wonderful afternoon, Titus. I don’t know that I’ve ever had a time in my life I’ve enjoyed more.”
He perked up. “Really? It’s not like we did anything fancy.”
“No. But we did what we enjoyed—together. It was fun and I didn’t think I knew how to have fun anymore. Or if I ever did. Today was a beautiful gift.”
“You’re welcome. To be honest, I’m usually too busy to go out and do fun stuff. You were a good excuse to do that and I enjoyed myself as well.”
As they reached his home she knelt down in the grass to pet the dog some more. “Cooper, you are one blessed doggie, you know that? You’ve got a good guy.”
The dog flipped on his back and wiggled in the grass, inviting her to pet his tummy, which she did. She peeked up at Ty. “I think I should probably go home now.”
He nodded. “Let’s take Coop with us.”
“OK. He can run free for a few minutes out there.”
“He’ll love that.”
Bethany picked up the dog, put him in the cab, and crawled in after him as Ty shut the door behind her.
Cooper didn’t pay attention to Titus getting in but was more focused in looking out the window from the comfort of Bethany’s lap.
When they arrived in her driveway, Adele was home.
Cooper jumped down, ran to the older lady, and spun in circles until she bent down to pet him.
Ty helped Bethany out of the truck and they wandered over to Adele.
“Did you kids have a nice afternoon?”
Donuts and Detours Page 10
