SECRET IN THE CELLAR

by Ruby Jackson

  Cecil sighed and rubbed his face. He gritted his teeth and looked at Danny. “Lydia lost interest in everything. She had a cookbook, but she usually cooked the same things. Linda brought out the sweets we had or if I went into town, I picked something up. Lydia wasn’t happy cooking or…or…anything. I had to remind her when something special was coming up. She just didn’t respond. The only time she seemed to be happy was when she was with Linda. They became very close. I think that’s why Linda can’t accept you.”

  “I’m sorry, Cecil,” Sammie quietly responded. “Maybe Lydia’s problem wasn’t with you but was compounded by how horrible things had been at home. She couldn’t adjust to a normal life. Everything was too overwhelming. And…and her being sick just added to it all.”

  Cecil nodded. “Life out here is harsh. I didn’t know what to do to make things good for her. I tried. I really tried. There were times when I thought things were getting better then there would be the moodiness and despondency all over again. I didn’t know how to handle any of it.”

  Sammie bit her lip. This was a side of Lydia she had never known. It had to be attributed to all the things that had happened years before. They were raw sores. And then, the loss of her health had to be devastating. She couldn’t adjust. She couldn’t let herself find the joy and peace she could have had with her family. She couldn’t participate in the love that filled this family’s house.

  Cecil looked at the floor again. His fingertips joined, then flexed in and out. Sniffing, he watched his fingers.

  “Lydia thought another baby would draw us closer together. It didn’t. It made her more distant each day. Her health dwindled. She became sullen. Finally, there was no communication between us. Our marriage had failed. She died with bitterness in her heart.”

  Sammie stared at the hay, then across the room.

  Danny, oh Danny, she thought, poor boy. It had to be awful on him.

  Looking up, Cecil took Sammie’s face in his hand.

  “Sammie, I’m sorry you had to hear all of this. I know it hurts you. It hurt me. But, you helped me through all of this. It’s in the past. I have to keep living for my son. He is worth living for. I’ve let go and made peace within myself. I want a new start.”

  Sammie tried to look away, but Cecil’s hand kept her face looking straight at him.

  “Sammie, I think I’ve fallen in love with you. Real love. My heart pounds when I talk to you. I find myself wanting to reach out and move the wisps of hair that frame your face. It’s been hard to watch you and want to hold you in my arms.” Cecil wet his lips. “But, I want to make sure. I don’t want to rush myself or you. Please, let me have that chance.”

  “But, Linda---.”

  “Linda told me what she did. She knows that I came out looking for you. Granny gave her a vocal thrashing. She’s ashamed of what she said. She wants you to forgive her. She wants you to come back. Will you?”

  Sammie threw her arms around Cecil.

  “Oh, yes! Cecil, I love you and Danny! I don’t want to be anywhere else. You have become my life!”

  Cecil pulled her arms from around his neck. Holding her hands, he looked deep into her eyes.

  “Sammie, I’m twelve years older than you. I can’t promise you much, but I can promise you will have a better life than you had in Fort Worth. But, I don’t want to jump into anything too soon. Time will let us know if it’s right.”

  “Cecil, all I want is a fresh start. I don’t care how long it takes. I don’t want to live in any more sheds or cellars. I don’t want to live in the past. I want a future. I want a home; a home with you and Danny.”

  Cecil gathered her into his arms.

  “I think it’s time to tell Danny we’re going home,” he gently said as he kissed her hand.