When she drew away, her eyes moist, makeup smeared across her rosy cheeks, she looked at him squarely, “I’m thirty-seven years old, Mad. I’ll be thirty-eight when he is born. I’ll be... what? fifty-six when he graduates from high school? Madison!” She buried her head back into his polo shirt; he could feel the tears seeping through to his chest. All of her emotions came rushing out as she considered the implications of the amazing and completely unexpected news Dr. Penquay had dropped in her lap. She had pictured their family as complete, maybe a daughter-in-law and some grandchildren down the road, but another child? Hardly. “He’ll have friends whose parents are young enough to be our children.”
“Okay,” you’re scaring me now,” Madison said, clutching her tightly. “We’ll get through this, Hon. It’ll be okay.” After several minutes of reality silently passed between them, Madison lightened the mood as he leaned close to her ear and whispered, “He?”
She pulled back and looked at him again, the somber mood broken, her eyes gaining hope. She smiled now, this time a wide, happy smile as she cleared her throat and responded,
“I don’t know if he’s a he or a she at this point, silly.”
“Jill. It will be fine. It’ll be great. I’m really excited. Sure, I’ll be in a rest home when he signs up for little league, but they will probably have someone that can drive me to the games...”
With that she pushed away in mock anger and punched him in the chest, “Brat.” And they both laughed and hugged and sat silent, holding each other as evening shadows began to darken the living room.
They were jolted back into the present by seven-yearold Billy who had crept up behind his dad like a lion about to pounce. “Aaarrgh!” he screamed as he leapt onto Madison’s back, scaring the beans out of his mother and waking his dad from a peaceful daydream.
“Aaarrgh to you!” Madison whirled around, spinning the giggling blond to the floor, tickling him mercilessly, “Aaarrgh!” he roared as he forcibly lifted Billy’s shirt, bearing his fleshy tummy, “Mmmmm!” he said, as he slowly bent down to nibble, Billy wiggling desperately to block the dreaded attack.
“No! No!” Billy screamed, “Aarrghhha-ha-ha” he giggled and kicked and fought. Finally, he broke free from the big lion’s grasp and ran across the room to regroup. He spun back around when he reached the dining room table, laughing and crouching, ready for more. Game on.
Chapter 18
Terry Page and Shani Andrews had met during a Saturday night service where they had both been assigned to nursery duty in the children’s department of Community Chapel. Shani’s daughter, Franny, had come up through the nursery ranks and was now on her own in the “three’s and four’s” class, which mommy loved to help whenever possible. But she also enjoyed time with the infants because she knew from experience that new moms need a break once in a while, and, if she could give them a little breather for an hour during church, it would be a real blessing for them, as it had been for her. Terry, a pediatric nurse, just loved children; she and Greg had none of their own, yet, but were certainly planning on having a whole basketball team if the Lord was willing. Love for kids helped make the two women fast friends. With schedules that rarely allowed them to spend time outside of church, they arranged for their nursery duty to be scheduled together.
“So,” Terry began, sounding a little like she was preparing to hold court as Shani finished checking in the last baby and took the little guy to a nearby playpen, “who’s the handsome guy, and what are you doing riding in his black Caddy?” she said.
Shani smiled, knowing that, even at a big church, someone was bound to see her and Dave arrive together. “Wow. You don’t waste any time, do you?”
“Give, honey,” Terry demanded pleasantly.
“Dave. His name is Dave Bean.” The look on her face when she said his name told Terry all she needed to know, but she pursued the standard line of questioning anyway.
“Mhmm... and?”
“And. We’ve been spending a little time together these past couple of weeks. He’s just moving here from San Diego; he’s a friend of Pastor Enright.”
“I see... and he’s a keeper?”
Shani didn’t say anything for a minute - she just raised her eyebrows a little and grinned. “I think so,” she finally said, with the emphasis on “so” rather than “think.”
“You guys have got to come over for dinner. Tonight,” Terry said.
“I’ve got to work tonight.”
“Well, what are your days off this week? This is big.”
“You’re funny. Well, I’m off Wednesday and then Saturday,” Shani said.
“Then Wednesday it is. We’ll whip up something simple, and Greg and I will get a chance to meet this... Dave?”
“Dave. Dave Bean.”
“Oh,” Terry remembered, “have you met Dawn Neilson? She comes to church sometimes, sits by us.”
“Mm, no. Don’t think so.”
“She’s living with us for awhile. Came out of a bad relationship. Anyway, hopefully she’ll be there, I’d like you two to meet, she’s about your age. She needs more Christian friends.”
“Great,” Shani said, meaning it. They continued to talk as they rocked, fed, changed diapers and fussed over the babies. The intercom in the nursery broadcast the service from the sanctuary so nursery personnel could enjoy the service, but more importantly, so they could anticipate the rush of parents, seconds after the last “Amen.”
Through the little speaker, they heard Pastor Enright finish and Pastor Dan begin to wrap up the service. They turned up the volume when he got to announcements. Service had been a little short today, they thought, probably due to the fact that CBS had chosen this morning to film for their upcoming special on Pastor Enright, and the service participants had pushed the pace due to the excitement. The red lights all went dark when Madison slipped out the side door, leaving Pastor Dan to close the service “off camera,” which was fine by him.
“If you’ve been reading the bulletin over the past few weeks, you know that we have a special guest scheduled to visit the chapel next weekend. Pastor and teacher, Dr. Raymond Culbert, a good friend of Community Chapel and a man of great wisdom, will be speaking in our services next weekend. Pastor Enright and the staff hope you will make it a point to come out for these wonderful services and take the opportunity to invite someone who is outside of Christ.”
Pastor Dan continued while, in the nursery, Terry and Shani began making sure every baby was dry and happy and ready for their parents. After all the infants had been matched with anxious parents, the ladies spent time policing the area before leaving themselves. Dave Bean met them at the door with a look Terry had seen before - on her husband’s face the night he proposed.
“Terry, I’d like you to meet my friend, Dave Bean,” Shani said.
They shook hands. “The pleasure is all mine,” Dave said. Terry sized him up. Shani was one in a million, and this guy better be a prince or she’d have to hurt him. She decided to say as much, and did so with her arm around Shani’s shoulder.
“Okay. I consider myself warned,” Dave said and looked at Shani who was shaking her head in mock-disbelief.
Nurse Terry seemed like good people, Dave decided. He looked forward to meeting her other half on Wednesday. Shani excused herself to go and collect Franny and Terry made Dave a handwritten sheet of directions to their house. “I’ve got to go find my husband - see you Wednesday night,” she said, tilting her head and forcing a straight face. “You remember what I told you.”
“Yes, maam,” Dave replied to the woman several years his junior.
Just then Jill Enright approached from the back. “Hey big guy, come around here often?” she drawled - her words a welcome sound to his ears. He spun around, “Jill!” They embraced.
“So have you moved up here, or what?” she said.
“I’m in the process. I found a little place over in the City that I think is going to work out. I should know somethi
ng this week. I told that husband of yours.”
“Story of my life. The Pastor’s wife is always the last one to know anything,” she said. “So, you trolling for women?” Her direct Okie way with words had always cracked Dave up. He laughed.
“No. Actually, if you must know, I’m already dating a couple of girls that go to this church.”
“A couple of girls? We don’t take to that sort of thing around here, Green,” she said.
“Well, I’ll just have to go to confession or something, because I am guilty, and, hey, here they come now.” He nodded toward the other side of the quad where Shani and Franny were headed in their direction, holding hands and skipping.
Franny saw Dave and broke free from her mommy’s grip and ran to his outstretched arms. He swung her around a few times. “Hey Franny!” he said.
“I made this for you,” Franny stated, shoving a painting into Dave’s face so close he couldn’t make out the colors. Holding her in his right arm, he pulled the painting away with his left hand, to a distance more in keeping with normal eyesight.
“What is it?”
“It’s me and mommy at church.” She pointed to the figures. “And that’s a seal, and that’s a bear, and that’s our house.”
“Shani Andrews,” Jill said with mock amazement, “you’re not falling for this guy, are you?”
Shani stood watching her daughter, “I think we both are.”
“Well, David Bean,” Jill drawled. “As I live and breathe.”
Dave and Franny ran hand in hand over to the fountain while Jill and Shani looked on. “I’m just being funny, you know,” Jill said. “David Bean is a good, strong man... I’ve wondered about his faith, through the years, but you can’t deny that heart. It’s good as gold.”
“It’s been, uh, pretty unexpected, I’ll say that at least,” Shani said.
Dave and the munchkin returned at a sprint. “Guest speaker next week, huh? Mad going to be out of town?” Dave asked the Pastor’s wife.
“Mhmm. He’s going to Dallas to meet with some people about that conference he’s doing out there. Leaving Wednesday,” Jill said. “You remember Dr. Cross?”
“Sure. Best prof. in the school. Hey, I probably won’t see Mad before then, tell him I said have fun and stay away from West End, will you?” Dave asked as they excused themselves to go, needing to get Franny to grandma’s and Shani to work.
“Will do,” Jill said. “And, Green... we need to talk.” She smiled, shaking her finger at him.
“Yes, Mother,” he replied. Shani and Franny waved back at Mrs. Enright, as they all ran for the shiny black car.
Chapter 19
The direct flight to DFW was uneventful. The aircraft was about three-fourths full and there was an open seat between Madison and a middle-aged woman seated by the window. The empty seat was a good conversation barrier, he thought, which would save him the burden of having to solve all this woman’s problems once she found out who he was. He just eased back in the narrow coach seat and thumbed through his in-flight magazine and copy of Christian Leadership that he salvaged from his inbox at the office. His meeting with Dr. Cross was scheduled for Thursday morning. Flying east seemed to cut the day in half, so his mid-morning flight would end up taking most of the day by the time he picked up a rental car and found the hotel. There was a convention at the Hyatt, as usual, and the lobby was buzzing with schmoozing vendors and attendees enjoying a week away from their routine. Madison was used to such gatherings, albeit religious versions, which appeared pretty much the same, sans alcohol and overt flirting. He got his room key and packed into an elevator with a half-dozen conventioneers who looked to be heading back to their rooms to freshen up before dinner. Getting settled into his room on the eleventh floor, he logged into the high-speed internet service and checked the day’s email messages. Dr. Cross, confirming tomorrow’s meeting - excellent. Paula, reminding him of his interview for the Chronicle next week. Okay. A few from Mrs. Thompson, a note from Jill and Leroy telling daddy to come home soon, and, of course, a few illicit spam messages that always seemed to find their way past the junk-mail filter.
Chapter 20
Franny got to spend the night with Grandma on Wednesday because mommy and Mr. Dave were going out on a date. She didn’t know what they were going to do, but she knew that, when she went out on a date with Grandpa, they got ice cream, so she wanted to go. too. But having a sleepover at Grandma’s was almost as good as an ice cream date, so she was being a big girl about it. Shani hated leaving Franny on her day off, but her mother reminded her, “It’s not like you do it all the time, dear, just go and have fun. This is why I’m the grandma. Dad and I love having her here. And, I like it that you are finally getting a life,” she smiled. Her prayers were finally being answered, she hoped.
“I like my life, momma,” Shani said.
“I know, honey. I like your life, too.” Her mother opened the screen door as Shani walked out and down the steps to her car. “And I like your new boyfriend, too,” Mom called after her, which brought an embarrassed shake of the head as Shani got in her car to leave. Mom and Franny stood at the open screen and watched her pull away. “I think your mommy’s in love,” Grandma said to the toddler standing beside her. “I think mommy in lub, too,” echoed the youngest Andrews.
Commuter traffic headed east was a nightmare, and ten minutes late quickly became twenty, causing Shani to become more than a little anxious. When they finally arrived, Terry met them at the door where Shani groveled, handing to Terry the cheese cake she had bought from Olive Garden for dessert, but that she now viewed as a guilt offering. “Don’t worry about it. C’mon in... Mmmm, Olive Garden cheese cake, just what Greg needs. Hi, Dave. Welcome.” Terry was the consummate nurse, straightforward, organized, and efficient. “Greg! Company!” she called into the hallway. “My beloved was late getting home; he’s cleaning up his act before dinner. Come into the kitchen; there’s someone else I’d like you to meet.” Terry introduced Dave and Shani to Dawn Neilson. “Dawn’s staying with us for a few months till she gets her own place. We met at the apartments where we used to live. She’s a better cook than me so the living arrangements are working out all the way around,” Terry said. Dawn wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing and shook hands with Terry’s friends.
“I think I’ve seen you at church. On Saturday nights, right?” Shani said.
“Yeah, well, up until a few weeks ago, at least. I got scheduled for swing shift, and I’m working every Saturday for a while. Haven’t quite got into the routine enough to make it to Sunday mornings yet, but Terry’s working on me,” Dawn said.
“I just get there every other Saturday myself, but I try to make it on the other Sundays. I have a three-year-old, and she goes crazy if we don’t go to ‘Sundee School.’ If not for her, I might sleep in once in awhile myself.” They laughed and Dawn asked if she had any pictures, which, of course, she did, and the ladies poured over them while Dave retired to the living room. Greg emerged from the hallway a few minutes later pulling a polo shirt over his damp, but combed, head.
“You must be Dave. Greg Page.” They shook hands over the couch, “Women in the kitchen?”
“Follow the ooh’s and aah’s, you can’t miss ‘em,” Dave said.
“New pictures of Franny, no doubt. That kid’s the cutest. Something to drink? Coke, Sprite?”
“Sure, Coke’s good.”
Greg returned in a minute with two cold cans and took a seat in an easy chair. “So Dave, what do you do anyway?”
“Oh, I’m kind of between jobs right now. How about yourself?” Dave used his canned deflection, turning the question back to his host who took the bait.
“I run a logistics company.”
“Owner?”
“No, I just manage the place - we’re corporate. Based out of Chicago. MSF, Mid-States Freight.”
“Sure, I’ve seen the trucks. Where’s your terminal?”
“Out in Bay City. We cover
the I-5 corridor from Bakersfield to Medford, and east to Reno. But the Bay Area is the heart of the region.”
“Excellent. Been in the business awhile?”
“Yeah. I used to drive. I had the line route to Reno every night. I loved it, but it was no life for a married guy, especially with Terry working days. Marriage is making me civilized.” The men shared a laugh.
“That’s something I always wanted to try,” Dave mused.
“What, being civilized, or truck driving?” Greg asked.
“I meant driving truck, but I guess I don’t have much experience at the other either, now that I think about it.”
Greg leaned forward, sitting his Sprite on the coffee table between them. “Well, my friend, if you are considering it, the being civilized part, I mean, I highly recommend it. Driving truck, mmm, I don’t know about that one - maybe if you’re planning on staying single.”
“Point taken,” Dave said, and the men raised their cans toward one another.
Greg closed his eyes, not yet relaxed from the extra-long day, and, in the quiet, Dave absently looked toward the kitchen. It was hard to fathom how quickly life could change. Just a little over a month ago he was wasting a little time with a trip to the Bay Area to visit an old friend. And now, he’d sold his house, moved to the other end of the state, re-dedicated himself to Christ, found a woman he was considering spending the rest of his life with and a little girl that he would be proud and honored to help raise. This was going fast.
“Dinner, fellas. Bring your drinks,” Terry called as the three ladies stepped out of the kitchen armed with serving dishes. Greg sat at the head of the table with Dave at the other end. Shani sat on one side, while Dawn and Terry sat on the other.