by Debby Mayne
When I get to Justin’s room, I stop. His bed is empty, and there are no signs of his ever having been there. A strange, sick feeling washes over me.
Being in a relationship is odd for me. I’m not used to having a guy always there, paying a lot of attention to the details of my life, and having to check in on a regular basis. That part gets annoying. Plus, I’m seeing some things about him that I’m not crazy about.
Sure, there are things I like about being with Kyle. He’s a sweet guy who makes me feel special. A lot of people are drawn to him because he’s cute, smart, funny, considerate, and comfortable to be around. But we’re so different. In spite of what he says about how alone he was before we got together, he seems very comfortable in social situations. But the only way I can recharge and regroup is to be alone . . . like I’ve been most of my life.
I used to think I was alone because no one wanted to be with me. Now I realize it’s more because that’s what I chose.
There are times when I need more space than I get now. Granted, in the past, I had way too much space and time on my hands. But now I find myself on sensory overload.
The strangest thing about this whole relationship thing is my grades are improving. I have less time, but I study more because that’s the one thing Kyle and I have in common. And there’s something else I never knew about myself until now. I’m competitive.
Yeah, that’s probably the biggest surprise of all. After we get our grades back from exams, papers, projects, or whatever, I get a strange rush of excitement when I score even one point higher than Kyle. He doesn’t seem to care though, because he says he’s a lot more secure than I’ll ever be. That smugness bothers me too.
I’ve tried to talk to him about my need for more time alone, but the hurt look on his face completely undoes my resolve to communicate my needs. I hate inflicting pain on someone else, so I always back down.
“My mom and dad are coming down for a visit soon.” We just left sociology, and he’s making small talk while we walk toward the exit. “I can’t wait for them to meet you.”
I gulp. Kyle is from Maryland, and I know very little about people who aren’t from the South. I fake a smile. “I’m looking forward to meeting them too.”
He puts his arm around me and squeezes my shoulder as a playful grin pops onto his face. “No, you’re not.”
I pull away a little bit. “What makes you say that?”
“Look, Coralee, I’ve been studying you for a long time. I can read you like a book.”
I sigh as my shoulders droop. “Okay, so you’re right. What’s the big deal?”
“Why don’t you want to meet them?”
The tenderness in his voice touches the core of my heart in more of a sad sort of way than anything.
“I think you’ll love them.”
Now I know I can’t hide my insecurity. “I’m sure I will, but I’m not so sure they’ll like me.”
He scrunches up his face. “What on earth are you talking about? My parents will love you.”
My lack of sophistication has always rendered me nervous around people who seem worldlier, but I don’t want to come right out and say this. “Do they know about me?”
“Do they know about you?” He tips his head back and laughs. “Of course they do. In fact, when they call, you’re pretty much all I talk about. My mom can’t get over the fact that I’m more interested in a girl than I am Minecraft.”
“Are they okay with that?”
He shrugs. “I’ve never asked them, but I think so. One thing I do know is that Mom is happy I’m getting out and doing real things instead of sitting in my room with my eyes glued to the computer screen. She says you’re making me be social again.”
“I don’t make you—”
“You know what I mean. Since we’re together so much, and you like to go places, that’s what I have to do to be with you.”
I narrow my eyes as I think about this statement. “Am I the only reason you . . . go places?”
He chuckles. “Pretty much, yeah.”
“You seem a lot more social than I am.”
He grins. “Maybe that’s an act. Have you ever thought about that?”
“But I don’t—”
Before I can finish my statement about not wanting him to do anything he doesn’t want to do or to feel like he has to act, he gently places his fingertips over my lips. “Hey, I’m not complaining. I’ve never been so happy, and that’s a big deal.”
“You haven’t?”
He shakes his head. “And another thing you’re doing for me is showing that there are other things in life besides geeky stuff. In fact, I’m seriously thinking about changing my major to psychology.”
“You are?”
He nods. “I’ve always wanted to work with troubled kids.” He looks off in the distance before meeting my gaze again. “The only problem is I’ll need my master’s degree to become a licensed counselor.”
“But I thought you wanted to be an engineer.”
“That was actually my second choice, but I never told anyone what I really wanted to do because I didn’t think I had it in me to stay in school long enough to get my master’s.”
Oh wow. I’m stunned. I’ve known from the beginning that he’s better around people than I am, but I thought his heart was set on becoming an engineer.
“To put it into your words, cat got your tongue?” He tweaks my nose and then pulls me in a different direction. “C’mon, let’s go get you some of that pumpkin coffee you like so much. My folks sent me a Starbucks gift card.”
“You don’t have to spend your gift card on me.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re the reason I got it. My mom told me to share it with you.” He smiles. “I think she feels like she owes you something for getting me out and about.”
“Well, in that case . . .” I point toward the coffee shop. “Let’s go get some pumpkin spice coffee.”
As we sip our coffee, he tells me that the reason he’s majoring in electronics engineering is that it comes easy to him after spending time in the military in that field. “But it’s not my passion.”
“Why do you want to work with troubled kids?”
He purses his lips and sighs. “It’s sort of a long story.”
“I have time to listen if you want to tell me.”
As he talks about one of his friends he’d met in elementary school having to deal with issues his parents inflicted on him, I hear the pain in his voice. “Stan was just a kid, and he couldn’t deal with all the craziness in his life with his dad being a drug dealer and his mother taking off for days at a time. My mom and dad sort of adopted him, and he stayed with us a lot until high school. Then he got caught up in the middle of one of his dad’s drug deals, and he wound up in juvie. My parents tried to get him out and begged the court to let him stay with us, but the judge turned them down.”
“Wow.” I lean back in my chair and stare at the logo on my cup. “That’s awful.”
“I know.”
“Have you heard from Stan lately?”
He clears his throat and gives me the saddest look I’ve ever seen. “He died in prison a couple of years ago.” He sniffles. “It’s bad enough that happened to my buddy, but there’s more . . . ” He pauses before adding, “That could have been me.”
I can’t remember ever being so upset—and scared—in my entire life as I was yesterday when Justin’s bed was empty. As bothered as I still am about their elopement, I would never want my sister to become a young widow. If it weren’t for the nursing assistant who saw the color drain from my face, I might have passed out right then and there.
“Mr. Peterson is doing great. They moved him to the rehab unit.” She smiled and gestured for me to follow her. “C’mon, I’ll take you there.”
Now I’m standing next to my sister, watching Justin walk with the help of two physical therapy assistants. Sara is leaning on me, so I put an arm around her waist so we can hold each other up.
>
It’s difficult enough for me watching Justin struggle to walk, but I can only imagine how hard it is on Sara. She sniffles as she never takes her eyes off her husband.
“He’s doing great.” I clear my throat, willing myself to believe what I’m saying. “I’m sure he’ll be back to his old self in no time.”
“That’s what his doctor says.”
“Then trust him.” I think about it for a few seconds. “But more important, we need to trust the Lord to do His will.”
“I know.” She gives me the same puppy-dog look we both have always given our parents. “But it’s hard, ya know?”
“Yes, I do know.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see movement, so I look back at Justin, who has just taken a few steps on his own. “Look.”
Her hand immediately goes to her mouth as tears stream down her cheeks. If I ever had any doubt about my sister’s love for her husband, I wouldn’t now. It’s amazing how some of the best lessons are learned through tragedy.
I let out a sigh and smile at the same time. “Yeah, he’s going to be just fine.”
“Looks like he’s making some progress.”
The sound of Mama’s voice behind us gets both of our attention. We turn to see her standing a couple of feet from us.
She nods toward Justin. “To be honest, I’m amazed by how well he’s doing, but I shouldn’t be. A good man will do whatever it takes for his family, and I suspect that has a lot to do with all the work he’s putting into getting better.”
Sara pulls away from me and puts her arm around Mama. “Do you really think so?”
“Yes, sweetie, I do.” Mama’s eyes glisten with tears. “I’m so sorry I reacted the way I did when you first married him. He’s actually a pretty wonderful man and . . .” She sniffles and swallows hard. “And the ideal husband for you.”
I’m touched by the fact that Mama has finally accepted Justin and that Sara loves him so much. “I agree,” I say.
“Then why don’t we all pray right now?” Mama looks back and forth between us with an expectant look on her face. We huddle closer with our arms around each other. Mama doesn’t hesitate to begin the prayer, thanking God for her many blessings, asking for the Lord to heal Justin, and adding that she’s thankful to have him in our family. Then I say a few words, followed by Sara, who gets choked up. Mama ends with her “Amen,” followed by Sara’s and mine.
When we turn back toward Justin, we see him standing between the therapy bars but not holding on to them. A grin widens his face, and he gives us a thumbs-up.
Sara blows him a kiss, and his face lights up even more. I have to admit they’re the sweetest couple I’ve ever seen. And I’m happy that Mama is there to witness this show of affection between them.
Mama touches my arm and mouths that she’d like to talk to me, so I turn to Sara. “We’ll be back in a few minutes.”
She nods. As Mama and I walk away, I glance over my shoulder and see Sara moving toward Justin.
We round the corner, and Mama stops. “I spoke to the doctor on my way to the therapy center.”
My heart thuds, and my voice catches. I clear my throat. “And?”
“He says Justin should make a full recovery.” Mama’s voice quivers. “Justin almost died shortly after he got here. The doctor says he’s never seen anyone more motivated in all the years he’s been practicing medicine.”
“That’s good. I still can’t believe we almost lost him.”
“I know.” Mama shivers as her chin quivers, and I can tell she’s struggling to find the right words. “I feel really bad that I didn’t give him a chance before now, but I promise to do better now that there’s no doubt they’re perfect for each other.”
“Sometimes it takes a near disaster to realize that.”
Mama gives me a half smile. “What are you planning to do now?”
“Right this minute?”
She shakes her head. “No, I’m talking about the living arrangements.”
“I’m not sure. The condo I looked at is perfect for me, but the price is a little steep, and the rent is even higher than the mortgage payment will be.”
Mama gives me a sympathetic look. “I’m sure you can stay right where you are. Eventually, something else will come along.”
“I know.” But the condo is even more perfect than the one we’re currently living in, so I plan to try to figure out a way to finagle it. Maybe Shay will have some ideas. However, I don’t need to worry Mama about it, so I change the subject. “What are you planning to bring to the reunion?”
“The usual. How about you?”
“Meatballs and whatever else I learn how to cook at the next Chef’s Skillet class.”
“Oh, did I tell you that I’m going to be teaching a dessert class? Mavis called and said you told her I make the best pies.”
I actually never told Mavis that, but I don’t want to burst Mama’s happy bubble. “When?”
“She wanted me to start before Thanksgiving, but I’m too busy between now and then with committee meetings. I told her we’d do a short two-week session on Christmas cookies and cakes, and if those go well, I’ll do one on Valentine’s treats.” She glances at the clock behind the nursing station. “I need to run. Your daddy is expecting supper in an hour, so I have to hustle to get it on the table.”
“Mama, you spoil him rotten.”
She giggles. “I know, and I love doing it.”
I’ve always thought our parents had the best marriage ever. Sure, they disagree on a lot of issues, but overall, they’re always doing little things to make each other happy. My hope is that one of these days I’ll meet someone I can have that kind of relationship with. I wasn’t sure it existed for anyone else, until I realized that Sara found that with Justin.
Sara wants to stick around for a little while and have dinner with Justin, but she says she’ll be home soon. “He’s exhausted, so I think I need to leave him alone so he can get some rest.”
I start to tell her she looks like she could use some rest too, but I clamp my mouth shut to prevent hurt feelings. She’s been mighty sensitive lately.
All the way to the condo, I think about how different everything is now that Sara’s married. I should have known this would happen sooner or later, since we have both talked about wanting families. For some reason, I assumed that time would come in the distant future.
As soon as I make the last turn toward our condo, I see the woman who has the place up for sale walking around like she’s looking for someone. She glances up as I approach, and when she realizes it’s me, she starts waving madly.
I’m pretty sure Mama believes me when I tell her I had nothing to do with the pot Julius left on my dresser. But she still gives me strange looks when I go into my room at night. Sometimes she even follows me in there and looks around, like she might find something.
I’ve tried talking to Daddy about how much I dread going to the reunion. Seeing Julius and knowing he’s probably up to something to get me in trouble will make me nervous the whole time I’m there.
Daddy says he’ll talk to Mama and try to get me out of it, but I know better. He doesn’t want to be there any more than I do, but she always makes him go. What I don’t get is that she complains about it, but she still acts like it’ll be the end of the world if we’re not there.
My sister, Hallie, is threatening to run away from home if Mama makes her go. To my surprise, Mama smiles and says, “That’s fine. I’ll help you pack your bags.” I know she doesn’t mean it, and so does Hallie. Maybe that’s what you call child psychology, even though Hallie is practically a grown-up.
Every single day leading up to it is a day closer to when I’ll have to face Julius and whatever he’s planning, and I have no doubt he’s not kidding when he says he’s planning something even worse than last time. Daddy once said that if Julius put as much energy into something productive as he does being a spoiled brat, he’d make the world a better place. I agree.
He’s a smart
guy who uses his brains wrong while he gets everything he wants—from the latest video game to the coolest cars. And he complains like he has to live in a Third World country, which annoys me to no end. The latest video game I have is one my older brother, Trey, left behind the last time he moved out. It has to be at least three years old. As for cars, Daddy says I can have whatever wheels I can afford when I’m old enough to get my driver’s license, which means I won’t be driving my own car for quite a while.
The doorbell rings, and since no one else in the house seems to care, I answer it. As soon as I fling the door open, I see my cousin Wendy standing there with a smirk on her face. I groan. “What do you want?”
She fakes surprise. “Is that how you talk to a cousin you haven’t seen in months?”
I hear footsteps coming up from behind me, and when I turn around, I see Mama scowling at me before she looks at Wendy and smiles. “Come on in, Wendy. Whatcha got there?”
Wendy holds out a stack of casserole dishes. “Mama told me to bring these to you. She said you’d probably need them for the reunion.”
Mama looks at the dishes but doesn’t take them. Instead, she gestures for Wendy to follow her. “Come on back to the kitchen. I just made some muffins, and you can have one hot out of the oven.”
I’ve been smelling the muffins for the past half hour. I don’t want to be around Wendy any longer than I have to, but the sweet cinnamon and apple aroma is more than I can handle, so I’m right behind them.
“Brett, be a sweetie and get some glasses out for milk.” Mama gives Wendy her biggest smile. “Or would you rather have orange juice?”
“Milk is fine.” Wendy looks at me with the same smirk she always has. “So, Brett, are you still seeing that girl you were with at the movies last month?”
I want to run and hide as Mama slowly turns around and gives me one of those looks. “You were with a girl? What girl is that, and why didn’t you tell me?”
“He didn’t tell you?” Wendy flashes a smile in my direction before turning back to Mama. “They were so lovey-dovey I was sure you’d know all about her.”
