I wish you and Daddy could both take us to the cooking class,” Kevin announced from the back seat of Miranda’s minivan. “Then we could all learn to cook together.”
“Mommy already knows how to cook,” Debbie put in. “Besides, Daddy has to work today.”
Kevin spoke again. “I miss him and wish he’d come home to live with us, like he did before.”
Miranda cringed. Sometimes she felt guilty for asking Trent to move out, especially knowing how much the kids missed him. Even so, she couldn’t let him come waltzing back until she saw a true change in his behavior. Sending gifts and making promises he might not keep in order to lure her in simply wouldn’t do.
Shifting mental gears, Miranda turned into the Troyers’ driveway. Seeing that three other vehicles were already there, she hoped she and the children weren’t late.
Trent had only been at work an hour, when a stabbing pain started on his right side, radiating to his back, and making him feel nauseous. As he rubbed the area, and took a deep breath, Trent tried to recall what he might have done to make it hurt this much. But he hadn’t done anything strenuous lately, except being on his feet several hours at work yesterday.
Oh no! Trent rubbed the bridge of his nose as he leaned against a shiny new car in the showroom. I hope this isn’t another kidney stone. Trent remembered all too well the stone he’d passed a few years ago. It was the worst pain he’d ever experienced, and he’d hoped he would never have to go through anything like that again.
As Trent headed toward his boss’s office, he felt relief that for a Saturday, no customers had shown up yet. He found Herb sitting at his desk going over some papers. “Trent, come on in and sit down. It’s been a slow morning so far, hasn’t it?” Herb got up to pour himself a cup of coffee. “Would you like a cup?”
“No thanks.” Trent inhaled sharply as the pain grew worse. “Think I need to head home. I’m not feeling well all of a sudden.”
“Sure, sure, Trent.” Herb’s thick eyebrows furrowed. “I can handle things here. Do you think you’re coming down with something?”
“I can’t say for sure, but I believe I’m having a kidney stone attack.”
“Oh my, you’d better get on home then. My brother gets kidney stones, and I know from what he’s told me, how bad they can be—especially if they’re difficult to pass.” Herb’s brows came together in a frown. “Do you want me to drive you home?”
“Thanks, but my apartment isn’t far from here.” Trent started to leave, then turned back. “Hopefully, if I pass this stone quickly, I’ll be back to work on Monday.”
“Just let me know.” Herb waved him off. “Get going now, and be careful driving home.”
“Now that the Coopers have arrived, let’s all go into the kitchen.” Heidi led the way, and everyone followed.
Ellen noticed her daughter’s solemn expression as she took a seat at the table. Becky doesn’t want me to go out with Darren. She’s had me all to herself since she was a baby and obviously feels threatened by me dating for the first time in ten years.
Ellen took a step away from the table, contemplating things further. Should I tell Darren I’ve changed my mind about going out with him and end this relationship now, before it goes any further?
Ellen felt trapped between wanting to please Becky and fulfilling her own needs. She could see herself perhaps having a future with Darren, but not if Becky wouldn’t accept him. I’m thinking ahead too far, she berated herself. It’s too soon to know if there’s even a possibility of a future with Darren. She tipped her head. I wonder how Jeremy feels about his dad going out with me. If I give this relationship a try, maybe Becky will come around and be okay with it. I certainly hope so, because the more I get to know Darren, the more I like him.
“As you can see, everything you will need to make the shortcake is on the table.” Heidi gestured to the dry ingredients, as well as the milk, vanilla, softened butter, and one egg for each child. “Now, the first thing you’ll need to do is cream the sugar and butter in your mixing bowl.”
Peggy Ann’s pale eyebrows squished together. “How are we supposed to make the sugar and butter turn into cream?”
Heidi smiled at the child’s innocent question. “It won’t turn into cream, Peggy Ann. When I said ‘cream the sugar and butter,’ I meant, stir the ingredients in the bowl until they are creamy.”
Peggy Ann’s cheeks puffed out as she huffed. “Why didn’t ya just say that then?”
Heidi lifted her hands and let them fall to her sides. “You’re right. I should have explained it better. So now, let’s all get our butter and sugar mixed.” Heidi stood next to Marsha and helped her put the ingredients in the bowl and stir them around.
Marsha looked up at Heidi and grinned. “This is fun, Mammi.”
Heidi smiled in return. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it, and I hope everyone else is too.”
“Not me. I think this is boring, and if you ask me—”
Denise poked her daughter’s arm. “Kassidy, I’m warning you.”
Kassidy’s mouth clamped shut, and she picked up her wooden spoon.
While Heidi couldn’t say she noticed much improvement in the young girl’s belligerent attitude, she did see a change in Kassidy’s mother’s behavior. Denise seemed more determined to make her daughter behave. Kassidy was one of the oldest children taking this class, but so far, she wasn’t setting a good example for the others. Heidi could only hope that in time things would improve, but she wished there was something specific she could say or do to make it happen quickly.
Once the children had finished the first step, Heidi asked them to add the milk, egg, and vanilla, and then mix well. She was impressed with Randy and the younger children in their determination to do a good job and keep up with the older students.
“This smells good. I can’t wait to eat the cake when it’s done.” Kevin smacked his lips. “Bet my daddy would like it, and I think he’d be proud of me for learnin’ how to cook.”
Heidi smiled. “I’m sure he would, and I’m pleased that you followed directions.”
“What do we do next?” Debbie wanted to know.
“You’ll add the dry ingredients.” Heidi was pleased that none of the parents here today stepped in and took over for the children—although it was nice to have their assistance when needed.
Once everyone had mixed their dry ingredients, Heidi showed them how to pour the batter into their baking dish. “We can bake four at a time, and when those are done, the other three can go in. Who would like to be first?”
Peggy Ann’s hand shot up, and so did Randy’s. “Okay, why don’t we let the younger children bake their cake first? That would be Peggy Ann, Randy, Marsha, and Kevin.”
“How come they get to go first?” Kassidy’s eyes narrowed. “I shouldn’t have to bake mine last just because I’m older than them.”
“Kassidy…” Denise spoke firmly, and her daughter backed down.
“Okay, whatever.”
“While the first pans are in the oven, you children can chop and sweeten the berries. As you’re doing that, I’ll whip the whipping cream with my egg beater.”
Peggy Ann’s face scrunched up. “What’s an egg beater?”
“This is what I’m talking about.” Heidi held up the device. “When you turn the handle really fast, it will stir things up quickly.”
“My mom uses an electric mixer to make whipping cream and stuff like that.” Becky snickered. “One time she beat the cream too long and ended up with butter.”
Ellen’s cheeks grew pink. “Guilty as charged, I admit. That’s what can happen when a person starts thinking about one thing while doing something else.”
“What were ya thinkin’ about?” Peggy Ann asked.
“Well, that happened some time ago, and I don’t remember what it was. All I know is we couldn’t use the whipping cream on our pudding that night.”
Heidi glanced at Jeremy. While he’d done everything she asked and had his cake batter ready to go into the oven, the boy hadn’t said one word since he’d come into the kitchen. And he hadn’t so much as cracked a smile—not even when someone said something funny.
I wonder if he’s upset about something. Or maybe Jeremy isn’t feeling well today. Heidi was on the verge of saying something to the boy, when he grabbed his stomach, leaped out of his chair, and raced for the bathroom. The other children sat with their mouths partially open, while Darren ran down the hall after his son. Heidi wasn’t sure what to do.
Finally, after gathering her wits, she helped the younger ones put their cake pans into the oven. Hopefully, Jeremy wasn’t seriously ill, and things would go better for the rest of this class.
The drive from the dealership was short, but with the pain Trent was in, the road seemed to stretch for miles before he got home to the comfort of his apartment. All he wanted to do was take an ibuprofen, lie down on his bed, and wait for the pain to subside. I wish Miranda was with me right now. I need some TLC.
Sometime later, after the stone had passed, Trent collapsed on his bed, exhausted.
Like the last time after the kidney stone passed, Trent had a few bouts of pain, but it didn’t compare to what he’d just been through. “Guess I won’t go back to work today,” he mumbled. “I better take it easy till Monday.”
Trent fluffed up his pillow and stared at the ceiling. Wonder how the kids are doing at the cooking class this morning? Maybe I should surprise them and drive to Heidi’s. It would probably surprise Miranda, and she might even think it was nice if I showed up.
But after thinking it through, Trent realized he wasn’t up to going anywhere right now.
After resting for an hour in a comfy pair of sweatpants, he got up, made his way to the kitchen, and fixed himself a cup of coffee.
“What am I gonna do now?” Rubbing his hand through his thick hair, Trent looked around his too-quiet apartment. Maybe I’ll clean my golf clubs and wash the towels that are in the bag. “I’m sure they need it.”
Trent still used the clubs and bag Miranda had bought him on their first anniversary. He smiled, remembering the day she’d surprised him with this special gift.
Sipping at his coffee, he took each of the clubs out and laid them on the table. Then he went through the different compartments and pulled out the terry-cloth towels. He held them up to his nose. “Oh yeah, these definitely need to be washed.”
Trent went to another pocket of the golf bag and unzipped the closure. Reaching in, he pulled out an envelope. Inside was the anniversary card Miranda had given him many years ago with the golf clubs and bag.
Trent smiled as he fondly remembered that day. They were so much in love and enjoyed every minute of being together. His smile faded. What went wrong anyway?
He looked at the front of the card with two doves holding a heart. Then he opened it and read the hand-written message Miranda had included inside the card:
Trent,
Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband. This first year of our marriage has been like a fairy tale for me, because you are in my life.
I know, as the years go by, we may have problems or challenges to face, but as long as we can work through them together, our relationship will only grow stronger.
Thank you for giving me a wonderful first year.
I am so blessed knowing I’ll be spending the rest of my life with you.
I’ll love you forever,
Miranda
Closing the card and holding it against his chest, Trent blinked tears from his eyes. His heart felt empty without Miranda. He missed his wife, he missed his kids, and he missed doing things together as a family. It was scary being sick all alone this morning, remembering how his wife had fussed when he’d dealt with his first kidney stone.
How could I have been so stupid as to jeopardize our marriage like I did? Somehow, I have to prove to Miranda that it will never happen again. I have to gain her trust, and maybe now, I know how.