Charm and perfection, p.8
Charm and Perfection, page 8
“If you go ahead, it will crush Zoey. Andy doesn’t play fair.” Allison sighed and slumped her shoulders. “I called him yesterday and chewed him out.”
Blake leaned toward her. “How did he react?”
“Like the bumblehead he is.”
I stood and motioned to Jenny and Allison to move closer to us. “Let’s pray for Andy together.”
Allison stared at me with her mouth opened. “Here? Now? In the airport?”
Blake rose. “We’ll be quiet and discreet. They’ll think we’re having a confidential conversation.” He smiled. “Keep your eyes open if it makes you feel better.”
We brought our heads close together. I led a prayer for Andy and Zoey, and Jenny followed with one for me and my Aunt Mary’s reunion.
Allison ended with, “And please don’t let Grandmother scare Keedryn away. Amen.”
I raised my eyebrows and peered at Blake.
He narrowed his eyes at Allison. “Go sit and hush.” He wrapped his arm across my shoulder and pulled me close. “My mother will love you.”
Twelve
Tampa, Florida
B
lake rented an SUV, and we drove to The Cheesecake Factory near the airport for lunch. After our meal, we traveled south and west to a lovely, older two-story home on Old Tampa Bay. The fresh air and sunny skies lifted my anxiety until a petite, white-haired woman came into my view. She stood inside and peered out the front window. I took a deep breath and asked the Lord for strength.
Blake’s Aunt Debra bolted out the front door. She hugged Allison, Jenny—whom she’d never met—and me before she embraced Blake. She stepped back from him. “You look like your old self.” She turned to me again. “Thank you for your obedience to the Lord.” She hurried into the house.
I stared at Blake. “What did she mean by that?”
He shrugged and shook his head. “I don’t know.” He held my hand and led me around back. “Mother will want us to visit on the lanai on a beautiful day like today.”
After Mrs. Conner greeted Blake and Allison, she eyed me.
Blake said, “Mother—”
“This must be Keedryn.” She narrowed her eyes at me and spoke in a haughty tone. “You’re not whom I pictured.” She glanced at Jenny. “But she’s definitely your daughter.” She grinned. “Let’s sit while Debra prepares iced tea.”
Blake pointed to the porch swing, but I didn’t move. Ask her in a kind way what she meant. Don’t let your ire show. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Conner, whom were you expecting?”
“Have a seat first.” Blake’s mom sat in a padded white, wicker chair along the screened windows.
Jenny and Allison shared a padded wicker bench positioned next to Mrs. Conner’s chair.
Blake led me to the swing, and we sat across from the rest of the family with a beautiful view of the bay. “Mother, I’m curious too. I described her. Whom were you expecting?”
“I expected the type you brought home from college. Long-haired blondes in miniskirts who doted all over you.” She looked me in the eye. “I hope this girl has brains.”
Allison squirmed on the bench. “Grandmother, Mom wore her blonde hair long when she married Dad. Are you saying she didn’t have brains?”
“No, of course not.” She batted her hand in the air. “Your mother was the exception, although she doted on your father, she was the first girl that he brought home with common sense about her.”
I relaxed in the swing, happy I’d kept my cool. No need to get peeved over hair color.
“Keedryn. Such an unusual name. I’d not heard it before Blake mentioned it. Was that a special family name?”
“My mother named me. But my aunt explained later why.”
Mrs. Conner said, “Please tell us. I’m intrigued.”
“When Mom found out she was pregnant, she felt lost. My dad took off, and my aunt encouraged her to abort me.” I gazed out at the bay. “She met a lady who offered my mom a place to live until I was born. Because of this lady’s kind heart and generous spirit, my mom named me after her.” I glanced at Mrs. Conner.
She pulled down her glasses and looked at me over the rims. “Hmm. I suppose that’s a tough name to wear. Kind and generous. I doubt your aunt agrees.”
“Mother.” Blake jumped to his feet. “Keedryn is my fiancée and your guest. How dare you treat her this way.”
“Oh, shush. Who made you righteous and almighty? You told me yourself Keedryn hasn’t seen her caregiver for thirty years.”
Blake blocked my view of his mother.
I stood and stepped to his side to see Mrs. Conner. “I’ll be happy to answer your question.”
Blake turned to me and mouthed, “We can leave.”
I shook my head, and Blake took his seat. “As I’ve already said, my aunt wanted me aborted. She never called me by my name. Instead, she badgered me, talked down to me, and when she addressed me, she called me K. She called me that because she didn’t expect me ever to be kind or generous. She believed I’d be a terror.” I returned to the swing.
Allison whispered something to Jenny and turned to Blake. “I’ll check on Aunt Debra and ask if she needs help with the tea.”
After Allison left the lanai, I continued. “When my cousin, Vivian, who I often refer to as my sis, told me that Aunt Mary relocated to Florida near her, I asked if she needed any financial help. My late husband, Sam, and I sent a check each month, so Aunt Mary could afford a place to live and medical insurance. Vivian paid for her food, utilities, and provided transportation. We did this for eleven years.” I peeked at Jenny, her eyes now wide.
I focused on Blake’s mom. “We stopped our support when Sam became ill, and our bills mounted up. I’ve saved since he died to replenish our financial accounts. But when Aunt Mary moved in with Vivian, Viv said she could handle everything. Because I insisted, Viv never told my aunt about our support, so she’d say I am neither kind nor generous.”
Jenny rose with tears in her eyes. “That’s why Dad didn’t buy me a newer car when I graduated from high school, isn’t it? He said he couldn’t afford it, which made little sense at the time but makes perfect sense considering what you just told us.” She plodded toward the swing.
Blake and I scooted over to allow Jenny room to sit next to me. She laid her head on my shoulder. “I’m sorry I fought him on that.”
I patted Jenny’s leg. “He didn’t expect you to understand then, but he’d be proud of you now.”
Blake’s mother stood tall with her shoulders back. “Keedryn. Take a walk with me. I’d like to show you my camellias.” She led the way through the lanai and out the back door.
My heartrate soared. Am I about to get chewed out or what?
We strolled to the far side of the house where a colorful shrub filled with pink flowers bloomed.
“Those are lovely, Mrs. Conner. I don’t believe I’ve seen them before, and to have them grow in the winter must be a blessing.”
She frowned. “My dear. Please call me Augusta. No more Mrs. Conner. And if you tell Blake what I’m about to say, I will deny it to my grave.”
Her stern appearance put me in fight-or-flight mode. “I won’t say a word.”
“Welcome to our family.” She smiled as though she won a grand prize. “You are an answer to our prayers.” She picked a flower from the bush and handed it to me. “Any woman who can take my son from his former grumpiness and replace his forlorn expression with a look of love and admiration in his eyes, deserves my blessing. And to think he’d confront his mother over the woman he loves, I am proud to call you my daughter-in-law.”
“Thank you, Augusta. That means a lot to me.”
She hugged me and linked her elbow into mine while we ambled from the camellia shrub to the corner of her house. There, she lowered her arm. Funny woman. I guess she didn’t want anyone on the lanai to see her touch me in such a fond way.
Blake held the back door open and grinned. “Did you enjoy the camellias?”
“Look.” I lifted the flower. “They’re beautiful.”
He kissed my cheek. “Like you.” He winked at his mother.
Debra and Allison served iced tea and cookies, and we chatted for the next few hours about life in Florida and the restaurant where we planned to dine for dinner. Fresh fish, lobster, crab, scallops, oysters, and shrimp. What more could anyone ask? Except, I disliked seafood.
~
The smell of fish overpowered me when we walked into the restaurant. The hostess asked if we’d like to sit inside or out. Augusta and I spoke at the same time. But not with the same response. I needed the outdoors to endure the next hour or two. Was that a glare or did I observe a slight twinkle in her eye?
Augusta faced the hostess. “Outdoors will be fine.” She led the way and Jenny followed.
Allison turned to me. “She must like you already. If that had been me, she would have told me I could go outdoors and eat alone, but she and the rest of the family would dine inside.”
Blake agreed, and after Allison followed our leader, he whispered in my ear. “I saw Mother hug you when I glanced out the kitchen window. I knew you were special, but I never expected that to happen.” Smiling, he placed his hand on my back and guided me through the doorway to our table.
Debra, Augusta, and Allison took their seats on one side, with Blake, me, and Jenny on the other. We all appreciated a stunning view of the water. I smelled fish, but with the light breeze it didn’t bother me as much as it did when we were inside.
The waiter took Allison’s order first and made his way around the table. I was next to last. Everyone ordered disgusting shrimp or crab legs. I straightened and pushed my shoulders back. “I’d like the grilled chicken sandwich, please, with a salad for my side.”
All eyes grew wide, except for Jenny’s. She exhaled, twisted her head to the left to speak into my ear. “Thank you.” She glanced at the waiter. “I’ll have a burger and fries.” She smiled and handed him her menu.
Blake chuckled next to me.
Augusta leaned forward. “I may reconsider what I told you earlier.” She sat back, crossed her arms, and smirked.
Allison looked at her grandmother. “What did you tell Keedryn earlier?”
“That’s between us, dear.” She directed another twinkle my way. “Have you selected a date yet? We must add it to our calendar.”
“We’re waiting on Andy and Zoey.” I frowned.
Blake reached for my hand under the table. “He won’t answer or return my calls. When I speak to him, we’ll work this out.”
Augusta shook her head. “From what you’ve told me over the phone, there’s only one thing to do.”
We all stared at her.
“Let me call him. He’ll talk to me. I’ll set him straight.” She pulled out her cell phone. “Better yet, I’ll Facetime him.”
Andy answered right away. “Hello, Grandmother. How are you and Aunt Debra?”
“The only way we could be better is if you were here too.” She paused. “I have visitors.”
She turned the phone toward Allison, “Hi, Andy. We miss you.”
Blake was next. “Hi, son. I’d love to talk with you soon.”
Jenny and I together said, “Hi, Andy.” I added, “Give Zoey my love.” His eyes narrowed, but he nodded.
Debra was last. “Hello, dear. We’d love to have you visit us soon.”
Augusta turned the phone back toward her. “I hate to admit this out loud, but I love your father’s selection in a new wife. We all know she can never take the place of your mother, but she’s already blessed my heart. Whatever you have against her or your father must be forgiven. Do you understand?”
“I’ve got to go, Grandmother. I’ll think about it.”
“He hung up.” She scowled and placed her phone faced down on the table. “I’ll call him again from home.”
I reached across the table for Augusta’s hand, which rested on top of her phone. “Thank you.”
She pulled her hand away. “Don’t let it go to your head. I said what I needed to.” The corners of her mouth curved upward.
Blake pulled out his cell and wrinkled his forehead. “I just received a text from Andy. He said he’s praying about it.” Blake looked up. “I didn’t expect that from him. But thankful.”
Our food arrived, and Augusta spread her palms and offered to pray. We all joined hands.
“Father, we thank you for this meal before us and for our family being together. We ask that You draw Andy closer to Your side. And may Your blessings be upon Keedryn tomorrow as she visits her aunt. Calm her heart and give her Your words to speak.”
Thirteen
T
he following morning, Debra and Augusta whipped up a hearty breakfast of eggs, pancakes, bacon, and sausage. Blake helped with country potatoes, and I took on biscuits and gravy. Allison’s fresh-squeezed orange juice was a hit, and Jenny set the table and provided everyone with whatever they needed.
“I won’t need to eat for the rest of the day.” Blake patted his stomach.
I stood and placed my hand on his shoulder. “You’ll manage a bite before the day is over.” I gathered my plate and Blake’s and carried them to the sink.
After we cleaned the kitchen, we retreated to the lanai. Another beautiful day awaited us.
When Debra joined us, I asked, “What did you mean when you thanked me for my obedience to the Lord?”
She glanced at Allison. “Perhaps sweet Alli should answer your question, dear.”
Allison’s eyes darted around the lanai. She rose and stretched. “Time for my jog. Anyone care to join me?”
Blake wrinkled his forehead and spoke in a serious tone. “You can jog after you answer Keedryn’s question.”
Allison sighed and returned to her spot on the bench. “A few of us got together several times to pray for Dad to find a new special someone. We wanted him to find healing for his broken heart and to fall in love again.”
I leaned toward her. “Who’s we?”
“When I first mentioned it to Aunt Debra, she agreed and suggested we include Beth Davis.” She grinned. “Beth and Aunt Debra both said they knew the perfect person for Dad. You.”
Debra’s face beamed when she looked at me. “Dear, I knew you were the one for Blake. I felt in my heart that the two of you would fall in love, and I’m thankful you obeyed the Lord and pursued Blake with persistency.”
“No.” I jumped up. “I did no such thing.”
Blake sat back on the swing and placed his hands behind his head with a smug look on his face. “Yes, you did.” He patted the swing’s cushion next to him.
I took my seat next to Blake again and wrinkled my nose at him.
“You wouldn’t leave me alone, and you know it, sugarplum. Between your determination to win me over and the three ladies’ prayers, the only thing left for me to do was to give in and fall in love with you.” He pulled me close and dipped his head to kiss me on my cheek.
“That’s not the way I remember it.” I smacked him on his leg, and he laughed at me.
He whispered in my ear, “Will you go for a walk with me to the water’s edge?”
“Sure. As long as you don’t call me sugarplum again.” I took his hand and we stepped out the back door and strolled to the water.
He nudged my shoulder. “What are your plans for today?”
“I called Vivian this morning before we prepared breakfast. I left a voicemail, but she hasn’t called back. Maybe they’ve gone on a cruise?” I lifted my eyes and smiled.
“You still don’t want to visit your aunt, do you?”
“No. I don’t. But I will since it means so much to you. Maybe we should drive by their house.” I rubbed my palms on my pant legs. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Great.” Blake took a step toward the lanai.
“No. Wait.” I faced the water. “The butterflies in my stomach just turned into giant locusts.”
He spun me to face him. “And God is surrounding you.” Blake kissed the top of my head. “You can do this.”
I nodded and made my way to the lanai, Blake by my side. I entered first and found Jenny on the porch swing. “We’re ready to go. Are you?”
She jumped up. “Do you have the address with you? I have it if you don’t.”
Allison, Debra, and Augusta said they’d pray. I needed their prayers to get through this.
~
We drove east and then south to Gibsonton—a thirty-minute drive. Blake turned right off S. Tamiami Trail, made a left and drove to a dead end. We stopped outside a dilapidated bungalow which appeared smaller than my condo. Several shingles and cracked stucco needed repair, mildew covered the front door, and a weed paradise hid the yard.
I gaped at the house. “This isn’t it. We’re at the wrong place.”
“But this is their street, and the address on the mailbox matches what you put into the GPS.” Blake twisted and glanced at Jenny in the back seat. “Is this what you have?”
“This should be right.”
“No. No. Vivian told me that she needed nothing. This can’t be the place.” Tears puddled in my eyes. “How could things have gotten this bad?”
The front door opened, and a woman who appeared to be in her mid-sixties zipped outside. Took me a moment to realize she was my cousin Vivian—a woman in her early fifties.
Jenny opened her car door and ran into Vivian’s arms. Blake and I climbed out and waited for Vivian and Jenny to have their moment.
Viv clutched her chest and rushed toward me. “I should have answered your call. I was busy with Mom.” She embraced me and her body shook. Her sobs broke my heart. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
She pulled away, and I introduced her to Blake. “I’m happy to meet you.” She took both of his hands in hers. “Thank you for coming.” Vivian turned to me. “To have you here will thrill Mom.”
“Thrill?”
“She’s waited thirty years for you to come home.”
Impossible. I blinked several times and looked at Blake and Jenny. “Thirty years?”
Vivian moved closer to me. “She told me a few years ago that to see you again has been her heart’s desire for a long, long time. But she swore me to secrecy.”
