Cool air fanned her face as Karon Granger leaned back in the rocking chair. The ceiling fan spun above her, helping stave off the always-humid, always-warm Louisiana air. She scanned her flower beds from the front porch and leaned forward again. With her small stature, her feet only touched the ground in the forward position, and like a child, she loved to rock with vigor. So she was just a little kid in a thirty-two-year-old body. That was her story and she was sticking to it. Even though everyone knew Karon’s love of rocking chairs.
Her thoughts jolted back to the present. This particular rocking session meant more than comfort or relaxation or fun. This was a thinking rock. She’d made a big decision and wondered how on earth to share it with her friends and family.
Karon considered the changes that had occurred over the course of her illness. Everyone coddled her, protected her, treated her like a fragile porcelain doll.
Could she really blame them? They did it because they loved her—and because she’d almost lost the fight. So she didn’t mind, at least she kept telling herself that. But how would they all react to her new adventure? Would they think she’d lost her mind?
Her brother, Clint, would react the worst to the news.
Even with all her training, all the research, all the gear—she knew it wouldn’t be pretty. She needed to prepare herself for battle.
Battle. A familiar word now. But this time was different. This battle wasn’t for her life, it proved that she wanted—no, needed—to live her life.
A long sigh escaped, splitting the silence. Leaning forward, elbows on her knees, she stopped the rocker. Strong willed might not be everyone’s normal description of her, but she had a lot of gumption. Cancer had changed everything. This was a fight she wouldn’t back down from—not even with Clint. The thought of ticking him off made her heart ache. Especially after all he’d done for her. But she’d have to cross that bridge when the time came. God had gotten her this far. He’d take her the rest of the way. One step at a time was the motto of her faith—she needed to keep heading toward the finish line.
Little Braiden from down the street rode his bike up to her front steps. He hopped off the seat and unsnapped his helmet, letting the bike wobble back and forth on its training wheels. “Did you see me, Miss Karon? Did ya? I rode all the way here all by myself!”
“Wow. That’s a long way, B. I think that deserves a cookie.” She gave him a wink and hopped out of her chair mimicking his actions.
“You mean, your special cookies?” His eyes grew large.
“Yes, sir—I just pulled another batch out of the oven about fifteen minutes ago.”
“Wait till the rest of the kids hear I got a cookie!”
Karon giggled at his enthusiasm and tousled his hair. “Let’s go inside and call your mom, okay?”
“You think she’ll let me have two?” He grabbed her hand as they walked inside.
Her heart melted. She’d always wanted a family of her own. The small hand in hers generated that longing again. She smiled down at him. “If not now, then I’ll send some home with you for later.”
“Thanks, Miss Karon. You’re the most awesomest lady on the block. When I grow up, I wanna marry you.” Oh, the innocence of youth. “That’s quite a compliment, B, but why don’t you focus on finishing first grade, and then you might want to graduate from high school and go to college.”
He stared at the cooling racks filled with cookies. “But I already know. You make the best cookies in the whole universe. And you look real purty with your hair growin’ back.”
If only that made her marriage material in real life. She shook her head and tweaked his nose. “Thanks, B. But I thought you liked my hat collection?”
“Oh, I do! Your silly ones are the best, but I like your curly hair better.” He climbed onto a stool and reached up to touch one of her short curls.
Leaning down, she touched her forehead to his. No one could duplicate the unconditional love of a child or the pure compassion. Her illness had never been a secret. Braiden had often come to give her a hug and rubbed her bald head when he told her that he and his mother prayed for Karon every night before bed.
Karon straightened and reached for the phone. She winked at B as she dialed her friend’s number. “Hey, Lisa.”
“I’m assuming you have an admirer at your house?” The soft voice laughed.
“Yep, and I’m wondering if he’s allowed to have a cookie or two?”
“You’re spoiling him, Karon, but you’re the first person he wanted to ride to. Don watched him from the garage.”
“So, that’s a yes?”
Lisa laughed. “You bet, as long as he brings one home to his mom.”
“Of course.”
“Thanks, Karon. His dad is coming down there to walk around the block with him.” Her voice quieted. “How are you feeling?”
The dreaded question. Everyone asked it. All the time. “Great. I feel great. The doctor has cleared me for everything.”
“Oh, that’s awesome! Just don’t overdo it, okay? Let me know if you need anything.”
“Sure thing … let me get back to B. I think he might start drooling soon.” She tried to keep her tone light.
“Thanks for being so sweet to him. I’ll talk to you later.”
Karon hung up the phone. Would no one ever see her as whole again? Wasn’t it enough she felt broken? Did they have to keep reminding her?
Braiden tugged on her jeans. “Miss Karon, did ya see my new knee pads and elbow pads?” He ripped the Velcro apart to show her his prize.
“Those are super cool, B.” She handed him a soft cookie. “Your dad is coming to take you around the block, so I’m going to put a few in a bag for you to take home, okay?”
The treat disappeared in seconds. Chocolate ringed his lips and a large smudge graced one cheek. “Thanks, Miss Karon. I sure do love you.”
She grabbed a paper towel and wet it down. “I love you, too. Let’s get this chocolate off your face before your dad gets here.”
As they walked toward the front door, Braiden turned and headed to a corner of the couch. “Hey, what’s that?”
She glanced to where he pointed. A new pair of crampons and an ice axe lay next to the rope she’d just purchased. Oh boy.
A knock on the screen door saved her from explaining. But as Lisa’s husband entered the living room, he spotted what caught B’s attention. Don narrowed his eyes. “Please tell me that’s not what I think it is.”
She smiled. Maybe she should leave now. Not tell anyone where she was going.
“Karon?”
“Look at this, Dad!” Braiden held up the book she’d left on her coffee table. “It’s all about climbing tall mountains.”
Ratted out by a six-year-old.
Braiden’s dad cocked an eyebrow at her and crossed his arms.
Great. If her friends and neighbors reacted this way, how would her brother react?