Onze

 

“It was nice meeting you also.” Kelly hugged the petite pregnant woman who claimed to be Denny’s first cousin. Her father was Eula’s older brother. Of course, there would be no way Kelly would remember the names of Denny’s relatives and how they were related. The past several hours she’d loved talking to so many different people and hearing their unique stories. For the first time since she’d told her father’s story, she didn’t have anyone clamoring to meet her. A quick scan of the room told her Denny wasn’t around, but she did spot Chelsea running toward the back room, her eyes filled with tears.

Kelly knocked on the door. “Chelsea, honey, it’s Kelly. Can I come in?”

A muffled sound came from the room. She pushed the door opened to find Chelsea lying face down on the bed. Sobs convulsed her small body.

Kelly rushed to her and knelt next to the bed. “Chelsea, what’s wrong. Can I help?”

“Oh, Miss Kelly, it’s m-m-my dad. He left with that w-woman.” Tears streaked her cheeks and muted the blue of her eyes.

Denny gone. With a woman. She didn’t quite understand the reason for Chelsea’s outburst. “Honey, I’m sure there’s a logical explanation.”

“You don’t understand. I-I-It’s the woman he dated before and sh-sh-she wanted to marry him, and she’s not very nice. He left with her.” She buried her face in the pillow and sobbed even harder.

Pain akin to a thousand pinpricks stung Kelly’s heart. She stroked Chelsea’s silky hair. “Honey, I know there has to be a good reason.”

“Chelsea sat upright. I heard Uncle Gary say that Daddy was going home with Franny. I want him to like you, not Franny.”

“Oh, sweetie, I’m flattered that you think so much of me. But your dad has to make his own choices. Besides I’m sure he’ll be home soon.”

“Do you like my dad?” Her teary blue eyes bore holes through Kelly’s heart.

How to answer such a direct question? If only things in life were so easy. Kelly climbed onto the bed and hugged the crying child. “Well, yes. I think your dad is a great guy. He’s a lot of fun to be around.”

“I know he likes you. I just know it.”

Kelly held her and brushed the strands of damp hair away from her face. She rocked her gently until the sobs eased. Random thoughts flew through her mind. Why should she care if Denny left with another woman? She had no claims on him. There was no relationship between them, only a few hours of companionship and…a connection at some level that she didn’t dare admit for fear that if she did, his departure would bother her—a lot.

“Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up, and we’ll have a bowl of your Mawmaw’s gumbo. From what I’ve heard it’s pretty good.” She entered the bathroom and wet a washcloth. With a gentle touch, she wiped Chelsea’s tear-stained cheeks. “This will make you feel better.”

“Thanks, Miss Kelly.” Chelsea wrapped her arms around her neck and kissed her cheek.

The gesture tore at Kelly’s vulnerable heart. Lord, protect this child’s feelings. Keep her from any more pain in her life. She’s already felt more than anyone should.

Chelsea sighed. “Miss Kelly, do you suppose the old lady in the swamp is alone tonight?”

“I don’t know. Why?”

The young girl lowered her head. “Because no one should be alone at Christmas.”

Her heart seared. That was the exact reason she had taken this assignment. Although now here, she realized this was much more than a writing assignment. “You’re right. No one should be alone at Christmas.” Kelly slipped her hand into Chelsea’s. “Maybe we can talk your dad into taking us out to bring her Christmas dinner. Would you like to do that?”

Chelsea’s face brightened for a moment then flattened. “I would. Maybe just you and me can go. I can find her camp all by myself.”

“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.” She brushed the curve of Chelsea’s cheek. “Don’t you want your dad to take us?”

Chelsea shrugged her shoulders and lowered her head.

“Honey?”

The child lifted her head. “Maybe.”

Kelly sensed Chelsea’s answer was to keep her from asking any further questions. Especially when the young girl rolled off the bed and strolled toward the door. “C’mon. I’ll fix your bowl.”

She walked out with Chelsea into the living room. When she entered the kitchen, she found Eula scouring the pantry. “Kelly, did you see where I put those bowls we bought the other day?”

Kelly reached on the shelf above Eula’s head and retrieved the package of red bowls. “Right here.” She handed them to her.

Eula propped her hands on her hips before she turned toward the kitchen. “I hate being so short.”

“Mrs. Labouve, can I talk with you for a moment?”

“Sure, hon, and it’s Eula. What’s up?”

A pang of regret gripped her. She realized if she said anything it would appear that she was fishing for information. She bit her bottom lip and hesitated. What to say? “It’s Chelsea. She’s really upset. I found her sobbing in the extra bedroom. Something about Denny leaving the party.”

Eula hung her head. “Yes, Melinda’s baby got sick, and she had to leave quickly. As she was leaving, she said Denny left. I’ll talk with Chelsea.” Eula squeezed Kelly’s hand. “I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.”

Why would Eula think she would be worried? Was the knot twisting in her stomach worry? Surely, not. She barely knew this man. But then…Eula’s concerned look made her insides feel like dozens of wire coat hangers knotted in a tangled mess never to be unraveled.

Kelly slipped into the bedroom and applied the finishing touches on her article. She wrote as vividly as she could about the party so she could capture the Christmas spirit she had experienced tonight. But as time rolled by, Kelly found herself watching the clock…and the driveway. At eleven, she e-mailed her article to her editor and then offered to help Chelsea dress for church.

“She’s had a long day. I don’t think she’ll make it to church. She fell asleep on the couch in the back room.” Eula untied the apron from her waist. The woman seemed as fresh at eleven at night as she’d been this morning at nine. Where did she get the energy?

Suddenly, fatigue gripped Kelly. “I’ll be happy to stay here with her.”

“You don’t mind?”

“Not at all. It has been a long day. Are there services we can attend tomorrow?”

“Yes. There’s several at different churches.”

“I think I’ll turn in.”

“Good night and Merry Christmas.” Eula reached up and brushed her fingertips on Kelly’s cheek. “You’re a wonderful young lady, Kelly. I’m glad God sent you to us.”

Kelly swallowed past the lump lodged in her throat. She was the one who should be thankful. This whole family had been a blessing to her. Even with the uncertainty rolling through her gut, and as much as she hated to admit it, she had fallen in love with the whole family, not just Denny Labouve.

 

****

 

Denny glanced at his watch. Midnight. Great. He would miss church with his family.

He tried to shield himself from the drizzling rain but the dampness and cooler air bit through his thin cotton shirt. The temperature had plummeted in the last few hours, and the forecast predicted even lower temperatures for tonight and tomorrow. Possibly even freezing rain. Of all times for the battery on his cell phone to die. He’d left Franny’s house on foot over an hour ago and followed the isolated narrow road toward the main road. Surely, Gary would have driven by him by now.

With each waterlogged step he took, he regretted his decision more and more. He’d missed church with his family and gave up time he could have spent with Kelly. But when he thought of what could have happened to Franny had she driven down that long road in her condition, he knew he’d done the right thing.

At half-past one, he saw the familiar glow of the yellow light bulb his mother left on at the side door. Thank you. The only other light coming from the house was a single tapered electric candle his mother placed in the kitchen window. Its glow was a welcome relief.

He knew everyone had gone to bed. Soaked, shivering, and miserable, he walked to his house for a quick shower and his bed. Before his shower, he called Gary and discovered the young man mad with worry that he’d not been able to pick him up because his son had been rushed to the emergency room.

“Is little Gary all right?”

“Yeah, he is. The doctor’s said it’s a virus. We’re just finishing up here at the hospital. I can have Melinda follow me over so we can return your Suburban.”

“No way. I’ll pick it up later. You go home and take care of that little boy. Merry Christmas, Gary.”

“Merry Christmas, Denny.”

As he laid his tired head on his pillow, thoughts of sitting in his mother’s living room when Chelsea awoke on Christmas morning and Kelly’s face when she opened the gift he’d bought her, consumed his thoughts.