“I know your mother wants you to date someone like your father. I told her that love has no color.”
I blushed again. Aunt Ira knew more than I thought she did.
Aunt Ira gave me a tight squeeze. “I know this has been a difficult year for you. What you’re doing is good. Some people go through life and never know who they are or what they want out of life. It’s good to get back in touch with family. When all else fails, your family should be the one constant in your life. Someone who will provide love and strength while you rest from the journey.”
Despite myself, I felt tears form in my eyes. But I couldn’t let them fall. This was supposed to be a happy time. Aunt Ira welcomed me with total understanding. This was another decision that I’d made that felt so right.
This decision-making thing was nerve-racking. First I made a decision. Then I worried if I had made the right decision. And then everything seemed to indicate that I had. I needed to be more confident in the decisions I made.
“I just want to get to know my family. I remember when I was a little girl we spent a lot of time at each other’s houses. I played with Tiffany every week. Now I barely know her. I don’t know you that well either.”
Aunt Ira nodded. “This will be a good year for you, for all of us.”
“Thanks for letting me stay here. Mom and Dad want me to go to Atlanta for the summer, but I have a job.”
“Really? Where?”
“A doctor’s office. I’ll be helping him convert to a digital file system.”
“Marvelous! It’s about time you learned the value of a dollar.”
I laughed in spite of myself. Aunt Ira didn’t bite her tongue. She said whatever was on her mind. I remembered that characteristic of hers from years past.
“I think so, too,” I murmured in agreement.
“Do you want to stay here this summer?”
“Thanks, but Mom will be here with me until the house sells.”
“She’ll be back and forth to Atlanta getting the new house ready. Your mom hopes you’ll spend some weekends in Atlanta.”
“I’ll try.”
“Your Mom has been through a rough time too. She might need some mother-daughter time, if you know what I mean.”
I smiled. Aunt Ira had a way of getting her point across. Mom had been saying the same thing. I actually heard it when Aunt Ira said it.
“My offer to stay here anytime this summer stands. Your mom also needs to spend time alone with your father. If you want to get away for a few days, I’m here.”
“Maybe a couple of days. I can’t do rush hour every day. Too stressful.”
Aunt Ira knew something was going on with Mom and Dad. I dared not ask her details.
She checked the meat sauce. “Come help me cut up veggies for the salad.”
I rose immediately. I sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. Aunt Ira cut up the green peppers, mushrooms, and red onions. I slipped easily into this new role of cook’s helper even though Mom prepared our meals without any help.
Aunt Ira seemed to sense that this was what I needed, to feel part of a family. We were still cutting and chopping when Tiffany arrived home from school.
49
Tiffany kissed Aunt Ira lightly on the cheek while Aunt Ira lovingly embraced her.
“Hi, Mommy.”
“Look who’s here,” Aunt Ira said.
“Hi, Lauren.” Tiffany gave me a quick hug. “What are you doing here?”
“Lauren will be staying with us senior year and going to Lincoln Prep with you.”
“Cool!” Tiffany grabbed an apple and headed out the door. “Let’s go to my room.”
I had just finished slicing the last carrot.
“I’ll call you girls for dinner when Bob gets home.”
I followed Tiffany upstairs to her room. She flopped on the bed. I joined her.
“So tell me about your prom. I hear you went to two. And who is this dude you went with? Did you meet him after you asked me if I knew anybody? I heard he’s a white boy.”
She was full of questions. I was surprised that she had kept up with my life. I felt good that she had. I guess it was what being part of a family meant. Everybody knew everybody’s business.
I told her about Patrick and how I met him and about his prom and about my prom weekend with my friends. She, in turn, told me about her prom and about her boyfriend and about her friends and all the fun they had. We talked and talked, finishing each other’s sentences, which caused us to break out into deep belly laughs. We slipped easily into being cousin friends.
Even though I hadn’t spent much time around Tiffany the past few years, you never would’ve known it. We acted like we talked all the time and saw each other often. I was amazed at all the things we had in common. We loved reading the same books and liked watching old black and white movies. But there were differences, too. I loved to write. She liked acting in plays and singing. She didn’t even seem to mind at all that I would be living with her and going to Lincoln Prep senior year.
If the situation were reversed and Tiffany was coming to live with me, I probably wouldn’t be as welcoming.
After we reached a lull in the conversation and we both were lying on her bed looking at the ceiling, she said, “I’m glad you’ll be staying here. Mommy has been trying to get me to call you, but I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know if you wanted to be bothered with me.”
I laughed. “I probably didn’t.”
She laughed, too.
“But since the thing with Dad I’ve been thinking a lot about my life. I realized I didn’t really know you. And that is not right. I want to know you better, Tiffany.”
She turned on her side facing me. “I want to know you, too. We had fun when you stayed here that weekend.”
I’m glad she thought so, too.
“You know what I really want to do? I want to visit Meré and Granddad when you go. I want to go with you this summer.”
“No, you can’t go with me,” she said, quickly. “I’m not trying to be mean or anything, but you have to go by yourself. When I’m there, I feel like the most special person in the world. They give me all their attention. They take me places. They spend time talking to me. They want to know what I think about lots of things. And of course, they take me shopping.
“You have to go alone so you can experience that feeling of specialness. You’ll be so glad you did.”
“But I don’t really know them that well, only through brief phone calls. I wouldn’t know what to talk to them about.”
“Yes, you will. You’ll see. Everything will come naturally. Just be yourself.”
“I’m not sure who that is anymore.”
Tiffany threw a pillow at me.
“You are a Moffit. And a Cole. Just like I am a Monroe and a Cole. You can’t run from who you are.”
“I’m not trying to run.” I struggled for words. “I just want to know who I really am.”
“Then visit your Cole grandparents. And your Moffit grandparents. You already have a special relationship with Mama Cole. You call her ‘Grand Meré. That’s special. I call her ‘Mama Cole’. That’s special. She doesn’t prefer one over the other. She likes being called both.”
“But she loves the girls who call her ‘Meré and ‘Mama Cole’ more than anything,” Aunt Ira said from the doorway. “Dinner is ready.” She turned and went back downstairs.
I hadn’t realized she’d been standing there. Tiffany and I washed up for dinner and went downstairs where Uncle Bob kissed both of us.
“There are my girls!” he said.
I was glad to be included as one of his girls. This thing called family was strange. The family key unlocks everything. Without question you are gathered into the fold and made to feel as if you are one of them.
Whatever happened senior year, I had a feeling I was going to like living here.
50
Six days later, Patrick drove up to my house.
I saw him arri
ve from the window in my room. We were going to a movie with Callie and Brian. I quickly grabbed a sweater and my purse. It’s always cold in movie theaters so I keep a light sweater with me. I hoped I wouldn’t need it. I wanted to snuggle with Patrick if the theater was too cold. But I couldn’t count on it. I knew he really liked me, and we had fun going to our proms, but this was our first date since then.
I raced downstairs when I realized I hadn’t heard the doorbell ring. There was nobody in the living room or in the kitchen. I went through the mudroom into the garage and heard voices coming from outside. I stopped in my tracks when I heard Patrick talking to Dad.
“I really like Lauren and would like to see more of her this summer,” Patrick said. “I have a job, so I won’t be able to see her until the weekend.”
“Absolutely,” Dad said. “You’re always welcome around here. You seem to be a nice young man.”
I knew Dad was chuckling deep down inside because I would be traveling practically every weekend this summer, either going to Atlanta or taking short family weekend trips.
“Tell me, Patrick,” Dad continued. “What type of job do you have this summer?”
“I have a job in the research lab at Children’s Hospital.”
“You interested in science or medicine?”
“I want to be a scientist. I also found out that I got accepted into a summer program at MIT. I’m hoping I can go to college there.”
“So how are you going to work and go to MIT this summer?”
“Well, the internship doesn’t start until July. Until then I can work in the research lab. I already talked it over with my supervisor. She says it’s a great opportunity that I shouldn’t miss.”
“Son, you should make the most of this summer program. You never know where it can lead.”
“I plan to, sir.”
“I see you know what you want out of life.”
“Yeah, I pretty much have it planned out. My parents want me to have a better life than they did.”
“Good! Good! I’m glad to hear that. Most fellows your age haven’t got a clue.”
“I’ve always had to work summer jobs. My parents are doing OK, but I wasn’t born with everything handed to me. They’ve always stressed that I should work for the extras I want other than food, clothing, and shelter.”
Dad laughed. “Smart parents.”
I wanted to stay nestled in my hiding place and hear more of their conversation, but we were supposed to meet Callie and Brian soon. Callie and I liked getting to the movie theater at least half an hour before the movie started so we could have our pick of seats. We also wanted to sit together. If we waited until fifteen minutes before the movie started our seat pickings would be slimmer.
“How do you like Atlanta, sir?”
“It’s a good city. I’ll be glad when we get our house sold, and I don’t have to fly here every weekend. Do you play golf, Patrick?”
“I’m going to take a golf class next semester at school. My dad says I should learn because that’s where business is conducted, on the golf course.”
“He’s right. I’ve gotten some of my biggest clients through golf. That’s another reason I want to stop this weekend travel, so I can settle down and join a few clubs in Atlanta and get my golf game going.”
I came out of the garage at that point. I kissed Dad and went over to Patrick.
“We’re going to see a movie with Callie and Brian, and then we’re going to grab something to eat.”
“So your mother and I shouldn’t expect you to go out to dinner with us?”
“Not tonight, Dad.”
“OK, have fun. See you kids later on.”
Patrick opened the door of his car for me. I could see Dad watching him closely. It felt nice to be treated like a lady, like a special lady.
Patrick looked at me admiringly with his mahogany eyes. I almost melted under his gaze.
“Do you mind if I open the sun roof? I don’t want to mess up your hair or anything.
“Go ahead.”
Patrick backed out of my driveway and drove off, my hair blowing in the breeze, like the characters in the movies. On days like this, I was glad I had a relaxer in my hair.
I felt on top of the world. I marveled at how everything had changed in a second a few months ago and how everything had changed again just a few months later. At that time I thought I’d never be happy again. But look at me now! Everything happens for a reason I’ve heard. I’ve been trying to figure out how everything applies to me.
Could it be that everything happened to get Jay out of my life so I could meet Patrick? Or so I could get closer to my extended family? Or so I could get closer to God?
Whatever the reason, I’m not complaining.
While Patrick and Brian were at the concession stand, Callie pulled a newspaper article from her purse.
“Did you see this?”
I started reading the story. It was about Steffy’s father. His car dealerships had closed.
“Poor Steffy,” I said. “This is probably killing her to see her father’s name in the newspaper.”
“You should treat her the same way she treated you. Let’s text her.” Callie was already reaching for her phone.
I hesitated. “No, I don’t want to go there.”
“Why not? She took great delight in tormenting you.”
“I know,” I said. “When I went by her table in the cafeteria I saw the pain on her face. I promised myself I wouldn’t say anything else to her.”
“She saw the pain on your face and she dug in deeper.”
“I’m not her. I don’t want to get back at her anymore. Let her live her life. She already has too much drama going on.”
“Lauren, I’m surprised at you. This is your chance to get her back.”
I shrugged. “It’s not important anymore.”
Patrick and Brian came up with our popcorn, soft drinks, and candy.
“Are you ladies ready to go in?” asked Brian.
51
We had our usual Sunday brunch on the patio.
Despite the absence of a professional gardener to tend the flowers, blooms were wide open and colorful. I dreaded what used to be a pleasant Sunday meal with my parents. I didn’t want to fight anymore. All the fighting and hurt and angry words had worn me down. Why couldn’t I just live in peace again? I guess I could if it meant moving to Atlanta with them. Nice though it may be, I sensed deep down inside that it wasn’t for me.
I sipped my juice while Mom placed our plates in front of us.
“We have something to talk to you about,” Dad said.
So what else was new? I was tired of talking. Talking seemed to get us nowhere.
“You know we want the best for you,” Mom started, placing her hand over mine. “We’ve decided to give you our blessing to stay here and work this summer.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Really?” I almost choked on my juice.
“Really,” Dad said. “You’re growing up. You need to start making your own decisions. Now is a good time to start.”
Was I hearing correctly? I could work for Dr. Smithfield?
“I can work my schedule to be here during the week until our house sells,” said Mom. “When we sell the house, we can make other arrangements. If they aren’t traveling with their parents, maybe you can stay with Callie or Melanie and Stacie until school starts and you move to Aunt Ira’s.”
I leaned over and kissed Mom and then Dad. What a relief! The fighting was over. “I’ll make you proud of me.”
“We’re already proud of you,” Mom said. “You know your own mind and what you want.”
“I don’t completely know everything,” I said. “I’m just trying to figure it all out.”
“I know you don’t know everything,” Dad smiled. “But I think you’re on the right track. You have had everything handed to you. You haven’t had to work for anything. You just went along with our program that we designed for you. You’re rig
ht. You need to discover who you are and where you come from.”
“It will be good for you to visit Mama and Daddy in Memphis this year,” Mom said. “Do you want any company?”
I shook my head. “Tiffany said I should go alone so I can experience the specialness she feels when she’s there.”
“Then I’ll schedule my own visit when you come back. I feel like I’m in need of some mothering, too.” Mom’s eyes glistened with tears, but she held it together.
“Our food is getting cold,” Dad said. “Let’s break up this mutual admiration society and eat. First, I need to tell both of you something.
“I’m sorry about this whole ordeal. It has shaken our family to the core and for the most part, we’re still strong. In a lot of ways we’re stronger than we were before. I’ve learned not to take anything for granted anymore. Most of all, I’m glad that I had the support of you two. You believed in me even when my whole professional life was playing out for all the world to see.”
“Dad, we know you are not a crook,” I said.
“Absolutely,” echoed Mom.
Dad leaned over and kissed both of us. “While you’re visiting the grand folks, I have to attend an international law conference in Paris. I’m taking your mom with me. We’ll have time together, just the two of us.”
Mom beamed with joy. I had a feeling we were indeed back on track as a family.
Mom had to reheat our food in the microwave, but nobody seemed to mind.
52
Mom and I walked up the steps of the majestic building that housed the administrative offices at Lincoln Prep.
A new beginning. A new chapter in my life. Walking through the door of the massive building brought flutters to my stomach, flutters of hope, and flutters of apprehension. I couldn’t mistake the feeling of history here in these hallowed halls.
We were ushered into the principal’s office for a meeting. Mom explained that I would be living with Aunt Ira and Tiffany my senior year, and she explained my interest in journalism. The principal told her about the new department and about Mrs. Stevens from Fairfield Oaks coming to head it up.
The People in the Park Page 17