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Maxwell kept his promise. He called Saturday night and I lost track of how long we talked. I just know when we finally got off the phone it was close to one o’clock in the morning. I did catch a glimpse of him with his kids at Victory Gospel on Sunday. His daughter was almost as tall as me from what I could tell, and the boys had their dad’s height.
My heart longed to move in that direction, but logic kept my feet planted. I wanted to be in Maxwell’s presence, but convinced myself to let him and his kids enjoy the day. Before I made it out the sanctuary, I felt someone touching my arm. When I turned, Maxwell stood so close, he practically took my breath away. Like Friday night, it was as if everyone around me disappeared.
How had he made it over to me so fast? Victory Gospel Church had a large membership trying to pile out the doors. “Maxwell, I see you found me.”
He smiled. “I saw you when you came in so I knew which direction to head. I know you and I have a date Friday, but I was wondering if you would be interested in joining us for dinner next Sunday?”
“Us? You mean, you and your kids?”
He nodded. “We’re living in my mom’s house. I was still managing the upkeep while I was away.”
I frowned. “You moved back into your childhood home? Really, how have we not ran into each other before now?”
“I know, right? I’ve been wondering about that too. The neighborhood and the school system is still good. Even better than when we were growing up there.” He shrugged. “Just never been able to let go of the house. I’ve been renting it out for years. After Alison died, I decided to pour some money into renovating. It really doesn’t look like the same house.”
I looked around, stumbling a bit with my words. “Wow, I would love to see what you’ve done with the house. Next Sunday?”
“Just me and the kids. I wanted to introduce them. They are always interested in people I knew when I was younger.”
Meet his kids.
Maxwell’s eyes held a hint of concern. “Is that okay? It will be a simple meal.”
I cocked my head. “You cook?”
That smile of his returned. “My daughter and I cook together. She’s probably the better cook since she cooked all the time with her mom.”
I nodded, still grasping the invitation. “Does she know you invited me?”
“Yes, my kids know I invited a guest. They’re excited to meet you.”
I smiled. “Okay.”
He winked. “Looks like we will be seeing a lot of each other.”
Instead of following Maxwell out, I stood and watched his retreating back. It took me a minute to realize I was clutching the back of the pew as if I needed support.
I was planning to stop by my mother’s house this afternoon. If Maxwell had moved in right down the street, Mama should have known that.
Funny, she never mentioned it.
My mother still lived in the same house where I grew up, a few houses down from Maxwell’s mother’s house. I couldn’t believe it was now his home.
I pulled out my key and entered my childhood home. The house was quiet and lacked the usual smells of Sunday cooking. I called out, “Mama, are you here yet?”
My mama yelled down. “I’m up here, Donna, changing out of my church clothes.”
I headed up the stairs to catch my mom slipping into a sundress. I didn’t blame her, summer was a month away, but the temperatures were in the high eighties today.
She smiled. “Hey, I didn’t see you at church today.”
I reached over to hug her. “I was there. I slipped into the sanctuary after cleaning up the Sunday School classroom. The class created a bit of a mess today.”
“Well, I’m taking a break from cooking today. Beulah invited me over to her house. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I brought another person. She always has plenty of food.”
Beulah Samuels was one of mom’s oldest friends. I was tempted to join them, but felt the need for some alone time this afternoon. “No, I just wanted to come and check on you.”
Mama raised her eyebrow. “Check on me? Donna, everything okay?”
I sat down on the edge of Mama’s bed. “Did you know Maxwell was back?”
Mama placed her hands on her hip. “I did. I thought you did too. I meant to ask you about it. I just kept forgetting. I noticed he has kids. They have to be teenagers. I haven’t seen a woman though.”
Figures. Nothing happened around here that Mama didn’t know.
“His wife died a few years ago. Breast cancer.”
Mama sat down on the bed beside me. “Oh my. That’s awful. Same thing that took his mom out of this world. Bless his heart.”
“We ran into each other on Friday. Had dinner and talked. He invited me to Sunday dinner next week.”
Mama smiled. “Well, that can’t be a bad thing. Who’s cooking?”
I laughed. “Apparently he and his daughter are the cooks.”
Mama nodded. “Sounds like you’re going to have an interesting afternoon.”
I cleared my throat. “And we’re going out on a date. A real date on Friday.”
Mama raised both eyebrows. “A real date?”
I told her about our unexpected date.
She sat for a few moments soaking in my story. “Well, that’s something. The Lord does work in mysterious ways.” She turned to me. “I’m glad you two are reacquainting. I remember how close you two were when you were younger. Sadie and I always used to wonder about you two.”
I frowned. “Wonder what?”
Mama swatted my hands. “You know? If you two would get married. I remember how both of you fussed like an old couple when you were only what, nine years old. Sadie was kind of disappointed when Maxwell didn’t ask you to the prom. He ended up asking that cheerleader.”
My mind recalled that evening like it was yesterday. I too was hoping Maxwell would ask me. Instead, I attended my senior prom with a boy from my Sunday School class.
“Back then Maxwell saw me as one thing. His friend. Maybe that’s the way he still sees me.”
Mama placed her hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure Maxwell is remembering that one of the best people in his life was you. Sometimes it takes a while for people to appreciate us. We get off on the wrong paths, but God has a way of making those paths straight.”
