What God Brings Together

by Melissa Wardwell

  He caught movement out of the corner of his left eye. “Is this my razor?” Emma held it up in a scolding manner, “You had to use my one and only razor?”

  “Sorry mom. Mr. David said he needed to shave around the wound and it was the only one I could find.” Aaron stated to his mildly perturbed mother.

  “I guess” was all she said while she walked to the sink to clean it as best as she could.

  “Mom? Can we keep him?” Stephen asked humbly.

  She turned and looked at all three of them. “Are you going to take care of him? Bathe him, feed him and walk him? I’ll not have him using my house as a bathroom.”

  In unison, they replied, “YES!” David had to chuckle at the eager faces. She had done well on her own.

  With a defeated huff, she replied, “Alright. But here is your warning, okay? You do the work and take care of him. And my bedroom and the back room are off limits, understand?”

  “Yes mom!”

  “Okay take him outside and find a rope for a lead for now. After David looks at the dishwasher, we will go get supplies.”

  David lifted the dog off the kitchen island and put him carefully on the floor. “Take care, boy. I think you have a good family now,” he said to the dog as he ruffled the fur on the dog’s head and it limped out the door with the kids. David and Emma laughed in unison at the happy limping dog and bouncing children.

  David turned to Emma and just watched her wipe down the counter and start to take care of things. “Well, I guess you have another job you need tending too?”

  “Yup. Right there next to the sink.” She continued to tell him what was wrong with the dishwasher but he only half heard her. He knew exactly what was wrong, but he just wanted to stand there and look at her and hear her talk to him. He was amazed that the scars had not changed the way she treated him. She didn’t shy away or anything. It felt nice to not have to lower his head or turn his face in another direction for fear of frightening someone.

  He was still looking at her when he noticed her lips stopped moving. She was giving him a curious look now. Guess it was time to work. “I have a pretty good idea what it is and it won’t take much to fix it. I’ll get it taken care of and be out of your way within an hour or so.”

  “Great! Sounds good. I’ll just be in my office grading papers.”

  “I’ll find you if I need you” he told her. But as he said “I need you” something like a switch flipped in his heart, telling him he needed her alright, but not to inspect his work on the kitchen appliance. He needed her in his life again. Maybe I should at least tell her. She deserves to know. So do the kids. I won’t be asking to be a constant fixture in their lives, but they need to know who I am. That I am alive. He knew that it couldn’t happen the way he really wanted things to be. I can dream though, can’t I? This would be the longest hour ever.

  Chapter 9

  A week later, David found himself pulling into Emma’s driveway yet again. He didn’t know what possessed him to come here, but here he was. He had a Barbie toy wrapped in pretty pink paper sitting on the seat next to him.

  Last week, while taking the kids and the injured dog, Max, back to the house, Sarah had sat in the front seat with him and chatted away. It was a moment that he felt blessed to have. He knew it would be a rare moment in his life with his daughter, even if she didn’t know who he was to her.

  During her ramblings and chatter, she had mentioned that her birthday was back in August, but because of the move they couldn’t celebrate it. So today she was having a party with all her new friends. As he stepped out of his truck, he could hear the squeal of little girls coming from the backyard. It warmed his heart to know that his daughter had found some friends.

  He walked up the front steps to the door and gave a knock. While he was waiting for someone to answer the door, he turned to look out over the field across the road. Emma truly had a beautiful view from here. From where he stood- facing the house, the swing was to the right of the front door with a wicker side table. On top rested a potted plant. Her coffee cup next to the plant. He could imagine her sitting on her front porch with her coffee in her hand and a look of peace on her face, maybe even a slight smile as well.

  He heard in a hushed male voice say “Ryan?” Dread hit him in the chest. He looked back to the door to find Emma’s dad standing on the other side. His heart began to race in fear of being found out.

  How does he know? Now what?

  “My name is David, sir.” Maybe he could fool him. The look in the old man’s eyes told him he hadn’t. David was amazed at how aged his former father-in-law was. He was a good man. Realizing how old he was getting added a bit of sadness to his terror. If he figured it out, has Emma?

  The man charged the door with so much force that it made David back up and almost fall off the porch steps. The man grabbed him by the arm and dragged him off to one side of the porch where no one could see or hear them. David was shocked by the old man’s strength. Old but not fragile.

  “Don’t try and fool me boy! I know exactly who you are, even if you tell everyone else you are David. What are you doing here? Do Emma and the kids know you are here?”

  He never could fool this man. He was too smart for David’s own good. Trying to waste more time so he could figure out what to say, he stepped a little further away from the door. He turned to the patriarch and hung his head in shame. There would be no hiding from this man.

  “Sir, um, no Emma doesn’t know it’s me. She sees the scars and hears David. She never saw me in the hospital without the bandages. And I want to keep it that way.” David was truly worried that his former father-in-law was going to say something now. He couldn’t let that happen. “Tom, sir, you can’t tell her. I’m a crippled monster of a man who sees she is doing well for herself. I don’t want to burden them with this, so I wish to remain ‘David’’ to them. At least for now. Please promise me you will not say anything.”

  He could see the gears turning behind the man’s eyes. He never knew him to be dishonest, but he also knew that the man was wise. He hoped he knew that this way was the best for the people they both loved.

  “Ryan, you and I both know she needs to know. The kids need to know. Son, they won’t turn you away.” Tom had moved closer to David and put a firm hand on his shoulder and lightly squeezed. It was actually very comforting to David in a way.

  “I’ll think about it, but I am not ready for them to know. And, I am not trying to sound like a know-it-all, but it is not your place to tell. Let me do it in my time.”

  With a heavy sigh, the man agreed. “So how did you know where they lived? And judging from the pink package in your hands, you know this is Sarah’s party. How did you find out about it?”

  “I was here just last week to fix her dishwasher. I am known around here as a handyman. On my way here, I came across the kids hovered around a wounded dog and in transporting them and the dog here, Sarah mentioned that her party was this weekend. I saw this doll in the store and it made me think of her, so here it is.” He reluctantly handed it to the man the package, deciding it would be best to just go. He wanted to see his girl’s face when she opened it, but knowing she had it would be enough. “Can you make sure she gets this? I should get going?”

  “Ryan, stay and give it to her yourself.” He tried to hand it back to him but he wouldn’t take it back. David put his hands up and stepped away.

  “No, it would just be better this way. Honestly, I am not quite sure what I was thinking coming here for anything other than a repair job. I gave up my rights eight years ago.”

  “Yes, you did, but there are always second chances. I can see God has given you a second chance. What makes you think they won’t?”

  Okay, this was getting too deep. “I don’t expect them to.” He started down the steps, and then he heard Emma call him as she came through the door.

  “David! Hi! What brings you here?” Shoot!

  “Oh, well, um, Sarah told me last week that she was having a
birthday party today, so I brought her a little something. Your dad was going to give it to her for me.”

  “Well, why don’t you come in and give it to her yourself? Have some cake and ice cream.”

  “No, I would like to, but I can’t. Have a good time.”

  With a wave and the desire to run, he quickly made his way to his truck, got in and made his way out of the driveway. Once he hit the road, he let out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He never expected people to recognize him. He was surprised Emma hadn’t. She knew him better than anyone. Maybe she just chooses not to see it.

  He knew he had hurt her. Every time he saw her, he could see the hurt in her eyes. He hated seeing her like that. He had hoped she had moved on and found someone new, but clearly not. He didn’t want to hold out hope that she was waiting for him but there was a part of him that hoped that was the case. Only time would tell. There had to be a reason God had orchestrated things the way they were going.

  ***

  She was shocked to see David standing on her front porch talking to her dad. As soon as she stepped out on to the porch, she could feel the tension between them. They had been deep in conversation and whatever her dad said to him had David bolting for his truck. He couldn’t seem to get out of here fast enough.

  “Dad, what did you say to him?”

  Her dad was never a shifty or uncertain man. He knew his mind and he knew how to say things. You never wondered what he was thinking. But right now, he seemed very hesitant to answer her question.

  “Dad, do you know David?”

  “Kind of. He grew up around here. I used to see him a lot, but this is the first time in a long time,” her dad finally told her.

  “Who is he? He told me he grew up here but I can’t figure out who he is. The name isn’t familiar.”

  “Well, Pumpkin, it is his story to tell,” as he patted her arm. “Let’s go have some cake.”

  He walked into the house and just left her hanging. She could tell he knew something, but he obviously was not going to tell her so she decided to not push it and get back to the party.

  Chapter 10

  Halloween. Emma hated the so called holiday. She hated the masks in the stores and the yard decorations that she saw as she drove to and from school. She hated the feeling of fear that just hung in the air, or maybe it was just her own fears creeping up on her. The kids, well they loved dressing up and going door to door asking for candy. Thankfully, her brother and sister-in-law had saved her from having to go into town. Ah, yes, here they are, she thought as she watched them pull in.

  “KIDS! Uncle Dan and Aunt Heidi are here! Let’s go!”

  “Mom! I can’t find my wig!” Sarah was dressed as a princess and needed her long blond wig.

  “I saw it last on the couch,” she heard Aaron holler down the hall.

  “Got it!” Sarah replied.

  The sound of a herd of thundering elephants roared over her head and then down the stairs. The kids reached the door and she was kissed on the cheek by each of them. They grabbed the trick -or- treat bags she handed them and ran for the vehicle.

  Heidi walked up the porch steps, well at least tried to as Stephen, Aaron, and Sarah tried to go down the steps. The sight made Emma giggle. Things are back to normal. Maybe even better than normal. She was uneasy moving back to her hometown, but now she was realizing it was a long overdue thing. The kids loved being here.

  “Hey girl! Anna and Jake want your three to stay the night tonight. You okay with that?”

  “Oh, well you want me to bring bags for them?”

  “We have extra toothbrushes and it isn’t like the kids are so different in sizes that they can’t wear each other’s clothes.”

  “Well, if you don’t mind, then I guess. Make sure they brush their teeth before bed. And please, only one piece of candy tonight. Sarah will be impossible to get to sleep.”

  “Not a problem.” Heidi gave Emma a hug. “They will be just fine. Have a good night and enjoy the quiet.” Heidi gave her an awkward wink, like she knew something, and moved down the steps.

  Emma waved and blew a kiss to them as they drove away. She loved the quiet, but she started second guessing herself and how she acted around her family they were always taking the kids for her. Was she acting overwhelmed or stressed?

  She walked around the house to inspect the gardens. She had a few fall plants still thriving and blooming and she enjoyed her flowers. It was a little hobby she and Ryan had together and she just never stopped. There were always plants somewhere around the house.

  The phone rang inside. So she ran in and tripped a bit on the steps, “OUCH!” She hobbled into the house just as the phone stopped ringing. She reached for it and looked at the caller ID: Ann Adams. She pushed dial and called her back.

  “Hey girl! What’s up?” Emma asked as she rubbed her throbbing shin.

  “Well, some of us ladies are going to karaoke night at the Rocking Horse. It has been a long time since we all have gotten together and a little bird told me that you would have no kids at all tonight and, well, I know how you hate to be alone. So what do you say?” So that’s what the wink was for!

  “Oh, Ann, I don’t know. It has been a long time. I thought about just hiding out here and enjoying the quiet. Maybe get some reading done.” She heard laughter on the other end.

  “Honey, that is the point of me calling. You lock yourself in that big house with you and your little chicks and you do very little socializing. So come on. I’ll even drive.”

  Emma let out a heavy sigh as she contemplated the proposal. It did sound like a lot of fun. It had been a long, long time since she had a night out, let alone a girl’s night.

  “Emma? You still there?”

  “Yeah, I am here. I guess I am in.”

  “Woo-hoo! She is in, ladies!” Emma heard Ann yell to whoever was with her. “Oh by the way, you have to wear a costume to get in free of charge.”

  “A costume? How old are we? How about I wrap myself in toilet paper and I can be a mummy.” That was lame Em! She chastised herself.

  “Oh you need this outing more than we thought. Think young for a bit, you are not a mom tonight, but just Emma. Come up with something and we will be there in an hour.”

  “Okay. See you soon. I make no promises.” And they hung up the phone. A costume. Good grief. With a heavy sigh, she walked up the stairs.

  She did not want to dress up, but she would give it her best shot. As she stood in front of her closet, she stared into the cavern of clothing. She wasn’t sure if she even had anything she could fake it with. Looking up to the top of the closet, she saw a box that said “Ryan” on it. It was full of a few of Ryan’s things that she was not willing to give up. She lowered the box, pulled off the tape and opened it up. First thing she saw was his favorite ball cap with his favorite college football team logo on it. She traced the “M” with her finger. A knot formed in her belly and moved up her throat. Don’t go there right now Emma. You don’t have time. She pushed the feeling to sob back down and put the hat on her head. She dug a little further and found the matching sweatshirt. Yeah, I’ll go as a football fan. She kicked the box back into the closet and changed shirts. She went into the bathroom, and using Sarah’s hair ties, put her hair in pigtails. Yup, this will have to work. As long as she didn’t think about what she was wearing and whose it really was, she would have a good night.

  She needed something more.

  “Face paint!” She went to the hall closet and got Sarah’s face paint out and painted an “M” on her cheek in blue and yellow. It was hard since it was in the mirror, but it would have to do. She put the ball cap back on and looked long and hard at herself in the mirror. She needed this night, no matter how much she didn’t want to go.

  If she was honest with herself, she would admit that she was ready for something different. Maybe no frumpy Emma? Maybe I will meet someone. Lord that would be nice. Someone who would take care of me like I take care of everyone else.
She was tired of kid conversations all the time. She was tired of being the only adult in the house. She was tired of doing this parenting thing on her own.

  The doorbell rang and Ann shouted through the door for Emma to hurry up. “Well, no backing out now,” she said to herself as she grabbed money off the dresser and put her license in her back jean’s pocket and pranced down the stairs to the door. Though she had no plans to drink, they still carded you.

  “You ready?” Ann asked with excitement in her voice.

  “You bet. It is time for a ‘Mom’s Night Out’.” She put her hand on Ann’s arm to stop her for a second as they stepped off the last step, “Don’t let me be a silent wallflower. I need this no matter how reluctant I am.”

  “Glad you have recognized that. Now let’s go!”

  They climbed in the van and she saw a full vehicle of all her old friends, including Tiffany, Ryan’s younger sister. “What are you doing here?” Emma asked with excitement. She hadn’t seen any of his family since she moved here.

  “Ann called me and told me what she had in mind. I was not going to pass this up. Brad practically pushed me out the door. Sorry I haven’t come to see you yet. Forgive me?”

  “If you do a duet with me tonight,” she said with a teasing tone and an arched brow.

  “You got it.”

  “Okay! Buckle up Diva Emma so we can go!” she heard from the back.