Two Weeks: A Novel (The Baxter Family)

by Karen Kingsbury

  Vienna Suzanne Brown came into the world smiling and she hadn’t stopped since. None of them had.

  Back at home, Theo got situated at his desk. The workday flew by, marked by the idea of Vienna’s plea that their family take in a foster baby. Theo had toyed with the idea all day.

  Like most weekdays, just after two o’clock, Alma walked through the door. She found him in the office and grinned. “Ever have one of those days? Where everything goes right?”

  He stood and closed his laptop. “You know, baby, that’s what I love about you. You don’t know how to have a bad day.”

  He met her at his office door and he ran his thumb along her pretty brow. “Vienna wants us to come watch her dance practice.”

  “Well, then, what are we waiting for?” She laughed. “Just when I thought the day couldn’t get any better.”

  He kissed her, then flicked off the light. It was a promise he’d made to himself long ago. Twice the work in half the hours. His workday ended when Alma came home. And still he was the top sales rep for the company last year. God’s blessing and the result of a happy heart. Theo believed that.

  They walked into Vienna’s dance practice just as it started. She must’ve caught a glimpse of them because she gave them a little wave and then turned to face her coach. Next to her a pretty girl with light brown hair waved, too.

  “Who’s that?” Alma settled in next to Theo on the short set of bleachers.

  “Must be Jessie Taylor.”

  Alma looked at him. “Haven’t heard of her.”

  “The younger dancers got paired up with senior girls. A big sister sort of thing.” Theo watched the way Vienna and the other girl already looked like best friends. “I heard about her today on the way to school.”

  “That’s nice.” Alma faced their daughter again. After a minute she looked at Theo and a smile filled her face. “Look at our baby, Theo. She’s such a beautiful dancer.”

  “Like her mother.” Theo put his arm around his wife.

  “Hardly.” Alma laughed. “Vienna’s twice the dancer I was.”

  That’s when Theo remembered the other part of his conversation with Vienna. “There was one more thing we talked about on the drive this morning.”

  “Oh?” Alma turned to him. “Did she tell you about dance camp in Michigan this summer? Because I already told her no. That’s too far away for a girl so young. Maybe when she’s a junior. Because the last thing we need is—”

  “Hold on.” Theo stifled a laugh. The two women in his life were both talkers, but he wanted to get to the point. “I’m with you on the camp. Today it was something else.”

  Silence hung between the two of them for a few seconds. “Theo.” With dramatic flair Alma lifted her shoulders. “Are you going to tell me or not?”

  “Yes.” Already Theo loved the idea. He wanted to broach the topic in such a way that Alma would love it, too. He breathed deep. “Vienna really wants us to take in a foster baby. She said it’s been on her heart for a while.”

  “What?” His wife stayed put, her eyes locked on his, their daughter’s practice forgotten. “A foster baby? Now?” She released half a laugh. “Is she serious?”

  “Yes.” He knew his smile looked sheepish. Like the dog Max in the cartoon Grinch movie. “I’ve been thinking about it and . . . Alma, I agree with her.”

  His wife raised her eyebrows. “That baby’ll be up all night, every few hours waking up the whole house. I know what a baby’s like.”

  “It was Vienna’s idea.” He leaned over his knees, and his eyes found their daughter on the dance floor. “She wants a sibling. Before she goes off to college.” He looked back at his wife.

  “Uh . . .” Alma shook her head and at the same time she waved her finger in the air in front of her. “Don’t be telling me about before she goes off to college. That’s the exact reason this idea is off the table. This season is about Vienna. The three of us.” She crossed her arms, her chin tilted. “Foster babies will be there.”

  Theo had the feeling the topic was closed. But just in case, he tried again. He sat up and turned to Alma. “Vienna says she’ll help out. I think she really would.”

  “A baby?” Alma scrunched up her face and looked hard at Theo. She laughed and looked back at dance practice. “Y’all must be out of your minds.”

  “Okay, then.” Theo did a slow nod. “So that’s a no, I guess.”

  “Definitely.”

  “Meaning I shouldn’t have called the social worker and put us back on the active list.”

  “Theo!” She spun her whole body toward him.

  “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. We’re still licensed but inactive. Unless we say something, of course.” He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “I’ll let you tell Vienna.”

  “My pleasure.”

  By then they were both laughing. Alma was right. This time belonged to Vienna. A foster child—even a baby—was a lot of work. Most of them were born drug-addicted and needed constant doctor appointments. Back when they took in foster kids before, Alma was working as a substitute teacher. Not an administrator. She had more time to care for high-needs babies.

  Between their jobs and Vienna, this really wasn’t the season. No matter how the idea had taken hold of Theo’s heart since this morning.

  When practice was over, Vienna and the other dancer, the girl who had been working beside her, skipped over to where they were standing. Both girls were laughing and breathless. Vienna bounced a few times. “Mom and Dad, this is Jessie Taylor. The senior girl I was telling you about.”

  “Hello, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Brown.” Jessie held out her hand. She was a sweet girl with great manners.

  “Hi, Jessie.” Alma spoke first. “Vienna told her daddy about you this morning.”

  “Yes.” Theo smiled at the other girl. “Apparently you two are already good friends.”

  “We are.” Jessie grabbed a water bottle from her bag, twisted off the lid and took a sip. “Your daughter’s one of the best dancers on the team. She’s very special.”

  They talked for a minute more and then Jessie’s eyes lit up. “My aunt Ashley and uncle Landon are doing a spaghetti dinner tonight. My boyfriend was going to come, but he’s on the baseball team. They have late practice.” She grinned. “I was wondering if Vienna could join us.”

  “Well . . . actually . . .” Theo heard his tone change. He never wanted Vienna to spend an evening away. Absolutely hated the idea of her missing dinner and their conversations and the chance to help her with homework.

  “Please, Daddy!” Vienna clasped her hands. “I won’t be late.”

  Alma stepped in for him. “That sounds wonderful, Jessie. Very nice of you.” She patted the senior girl on the arm. “Have Vienna text me your aunt’s address. We’ll come get her after dinner.”

  “Perfect.” Jessie pulled her phone from her bag and sent the text. “I’ll drive her there, if that’s okay? We have to stop by my house first.”

  Before Theo could ask if Jessie was a good driver, Alma spoke up. “Sounds fun.” She pulled Vienna in for a hug and kissed the side of her face. “Be polite now, baby girl. Love you.”

  Theo followed his wife’s actions with a similar goodbye. And like that they were back in the car driving home. Without Vienna.

  “Why does she have to eat dinner with Jessie’s aunt and uncle?” Theo wasn’t really complaining. He gripped the steering wheel. “And we have no idea if this Jessie girl is a good driver. I mean, Vienna barely knows her. And what if her car isn’t safe?” He glanced over at his wife.

  “Having good friends is part of high school.” Alma smiled at him, her brow raised. “Remember, Theo? We talked about that.”

  “Yes.” He slumped a little. “I remember.”

  They drove in relaxed quiet for a few minutes, but at the next red light Theo cast his wife a sly-feeling smile. “Of course, if Vienna’s going to have all this socializing going on, then we might as well do the other thing.”

  Onc
e more she twisted her face and shook her head. Already she was laughing at him. “What other thing?”

  “The foster baby.”

  Alma gasped and turned toward him, hands on her hips. “Theo Brown, we are not having a foster baby, end of story.”

  “I know.” He chuckled. “I just like getting a reaction from you.”

  With that they were both cracking up, which led to them sharing stories from their workdays. The night was going to be a good one, it was just going to be lonelier without Vienna. Later during dinner Theo commented on the fact. “Good thing baby girl doesn’t do this all the time.”

  “That’s for sure.” Alma passed the mashed potatoes to Theo.

  Because if there was one thing they absolutely agreed on, it was this.

  Nothing was the same with Vienna gone.

  5

  Cole couldn’t get enough of Elise Walker.

  Of course, now was too soon to talk about dating, but between baseball and school, he still found a handful of reasons each week to see her.

  Snow was falling again that third Saturday since the semester began. He picked her up out front of her house. She was a vision in her navy coat and red scarf, walking to his Explorer, smiling straight at him. He climbed out, ran around the front of the car and held her door open.

  “Very nice, Cole.” She grinned, and her breath hung in the air. “You might not listen in chemistry class. But you’re a gentleman. I’ll give you that.”

  “Thanks.” He felt his heart rate pick up speed. She had that effect on him.

  When he was back in the car, and after they had their seat belts fastened and he’d pulled away from the curb, she turned to him. “I did tell you I’m a champion bowler.” Her eyes sparkled, her cheeks red from the freezing air outside.

  “A champion bowler?” Cole glanced at her. The teasing between them was more fun than anything ahead. “Impressive.”

  “Yep.” She giggled. “I come from a long line of winners. Bowling is our game. Always has been.”

  “Really.” He laughed. “Can’t wait to see this.”

  When they arrived at the bowling alley, they paid for one game and they picked out shoes. She held up her pair. “I used to model these. Seriously.”

  She was still teasing, keeping things light. But for Cole every detail of this day would stay with him forever. He’d barely met her, but he definitely knew that much. They got set up on a lane and she sat across from him. No one ever looked cuter in bowling shoes.

  Maybe she actually did model them. He grinned at her. “You go first.”

  “No, haven’t you heard?” She raised her brow and lowered her chin, flirting with him again. “The advantage goes to the person who starts the game.”

  “Okay.” Cole wasn’t much of a flirt. But he had no trouble playing along now. “Right. So you go first. Champions like you need all the help they can get.”

  She stood and did a grand-style bow. “I defer to you, my kind sir.” Her words came in what must’ve been her best British accent. “It’s you who needs all the help this time.”

  Cole shook his head. He’d never had this much fun with any girl, ever. He looked for the right ball and tried to focus. A quick study of the pins and a few fast steps and he released the ball. Just before it hit, Cole shouted, “Strike!”

  As if on cue, the ball made contact and all ten pins fell to the ground.

  “Hmmm.” Elise nodded. Her eyes danced as she stifled another giggle. “Impressive. You must be a champion yourself!”

  The connection between them made Cole feel like he was flying. Like his ugly bowling shoes weren’t quite touching the ground. “Maybe it’s being in the company of someone as professional as yourself, Elise.”

  She smiled. “You’re welcome.” Then she stood and found a pink bowling ball. A few seconds to steady herself and she flew toward the lane. The ball released too quickly and shot straight for the gutter. As soon as it did, she turned to Cole, head high, and gave a casual shrug. “See! No one hits the gutters like me!”

  “Wait.” Cole came to her. This whole thing was the most fun ruse, and Cole had never enjoyed playing along more than he did now. “You mean you’re not a champion? I’m devastated, Elise. I totally believed you.”

  She tilted her head back and laughed and then as impulsively as she had started the game, she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. Nothing too long. Just a quick act of friendship that made Cole’s head spin.

  By the end of the game, she hadn’t racked up fifty points and again she teased him on the way to the car. “Most champions let their opponents win. At least the first time.”

  Snow was falling and the air was bitter cold. But that didn’t touch the warmth in Cole’s heart. And as he dropped her off at home, he could think about only one thing.

  How soon he could see her again.

  • • •

  THE AFTERNOON BOWLING game with Cole was still the happiest moment of the past week. But now Elise needed to focus her attention on the task ahead. The volunteer work she was doing at Bloomington Hospital. She checked in and headed to the fourth floor.

  Elise found the bathroom and stared in the mirror. Her volunteer uniform was maybe the ugliest thing Elise had ever seen. She changed into the pale striped scrubs and tucked her things into a locker. Then she looked at herself again.

  ELISE WALKER, her plastic name tag read. Who would’ve thought?

  Last year she went from class good girl to one of the wildest kids at school. And now she was volunteering here, making rounds and talking to patients with organ failure. Being nice to people who didn’t have long to live.

  This was her fourth shift on the job.

  Elise squinted at her reflection. Something was different in her eyes. More light. Whatever it was, she felt good to come here three times a week and help. Besides, being here was something she had to do if she wanted to get accepted to NYU.

  By now she had the application memorized. She had the grades—even from last year, when she acted crazy with Randy. And she had extracurricular involvement from the two years she sang in her old school’s choir. But she still needed community service, and now she had it for one reason.

  Cole Blake.

  The cute guy she couldn’t stop thinking about. The one she laughed with and studied with and, yes, even pretended to be a champion bowler with. She smiled. Cole was there in her thoughts, always. She’d been having lunch at school with Cole whenever he wasn’t with his baseball friends. And a few times Cole had picked her up and taken her out—bowling or for ice cream. When he didn’t have practice. Not a date, exactly. They each paid for their own food. But still it was fun being with him.

  Tall and strong and lanky. Blond hair that swept over his forehead. Cole was the most incredible boy she’d ever met. Elise only hoped he couldn’t see how he took her breath away. He mustn’t see. Elise wouldn’t let herself have feelings for Cole. Because this semester wasn’t about friends or boys or falling in love. It was about just one thing:

  Getting accepted to NYU. Only that.

  Still there was nothing she could do about this one fact: Cole was the first person she thought about when she woke up and the last person on her mind when she fell asleep. She couldn’t stop herself.

  In one of their first conversations, she had told him about her need for a service project. Volunteering at the hospital had been Cole’s idea. His grandfather had worked here most of his adult life and even though he was retired he still taught students here a couple times a week. Three phone calls later and Elise was invited to come in for a background check.

  The sorts of things she and Randy had done to get in trouble didn’t show up on a fingerprint test. When she cleared, Cole’s grandpa, John Baxter, called and welcomed her to the program and explained the position. Elise would come in three hours a day, three days a week for eight weeks.

  That would earn her a volunteer certificate, exactly what she needed to get accepted at NYU. Already the university
knew she was taking care of that requirement. Her first day at the hospital she had met up with Dr. Baxter at the fourth-floor nurses’ station. The man was so nice.

  He held out his hand and shook hers. “My grandson says you’re very special.” Dr. Baxter smiled. “I’m sure you’ll be a big help around here.”

  “Yes, sir.” Elise thought Cole looked like the older man. They had the same blue eyes. “Thank you for the opportunity.”

  “Cole has the biggest heart of anyone I know.” Dr. Baxter crossed his arms. “If you mean a lot to him, then you mean a lot to me. And to our whole family.”

  Elise hadn’t expected to feel so appreciated. “Thank you, sir.”

  Dr. Baxter gave a slow nod. “Some of our volunteers listen to the patients’ stories or pray with them. Some sing to them.” He hesitated. “Just be there. The patients will let you know what they need.”

  Aside from that first day she’d only seen Dr. Baxter one other time, but even still she felt a connection to him. Though she didn’t tell anyone, she pretended he was her grandpa. The way her grandpa might’ve been if she’d ever had one.

  Elise looked over the sheet she’d gotten from the nurses’ station. A rundown of the patients, their first names and room numbers. One woman was bad off. She wasn’t expected to live long, according to the notes. Elise would visit her last. So she could spend the most time with her.

  As she went to leave the bathroom, a wave of nausea came over her. She stopped and leaned against the sink. What was this? She’d felt it several times in the last few days. Out of nowhere her stomach would turn and send her straight to the toilet.

  Twice she’d thrown up.

  She breathed in deep through her nose, anything to keep herself from losing her lunch. It was in the guidelines. Rule No. 1: Never volunteer on a day when you feel sick. It was probably just the salad at the Clear Creek High School lunchroom. Who knew how many kids coughed or sneezed on the salad bar each day? Plus the dressing probably didn’t agree with her.