“Will you still be talking to each other over the summer, even if it’s just over the phone? The best way to find out the answer to your question is to ask her.”
“That sounds like a good idea, thanks. I really like taking these walks with you.”
Matthew did a really mature thing that greatly impressed Deana. There was no way Deana and Leon, even with the help of Mrs. Richards, could get all three boys to separate practices. Matthew had one more year of eligibility to play city league football again with Mark; but playing High School football was more prestigious. However, High School football practice was 4 to 6pm every week day. To make matters worse, the games were Friday nights when Deana was working. Plus, there would be no one to pick Matthew up Thursday nights unless Deana missed work.
On top of that, Leon would have to drive extra every day of the week instead of the usual three days like last year if Matthew played school ball. After Leon spent all day driving at work, it was asking a lot for him to shuttle the boys back and forth to practice each day.
Being a team player, Matthew skipped his freshman year of High School football and played one more year of city ball with Mark.
With the boys’ busy schedules, it was getting harder and harder for Deana and Leon to get away. But, they did the best they could. Leon’s birthday in April was on a Friday and he took off from work to celebrate it with Deana at the lake.
Deana’s birthday, August 22nd, was a Monday. Leon took the day off from work to celebrate with her. Their anniversary was on a Wednesday. They both took off from work. On both of their birthdays and their anniversary, Deana packed an extra special picnic lunch and she and Leon celebrated at the lake together, just the two of them. They were three of the most fun and wonderful days of Deana’s life.
Luke was now turning seven and playing U8 soccer. He was bigger and taller than most of the other boys and had more experience playing soccer. Because of Luke, his team was very good. The coaching director at Luke’s soccer club wanted Luke’s team to play in a competitive tournament. He signed Luke’s team up to play in a Columbus Day Weekend tournament October 8–10. The tournament would be held in Atlanta. Luke and Deana were excited about the opportunity to go up against some very high quality teams.
September 12th, 2016, was a sad day at Vito’s restaurant. Robert the cook was leaving Dothan to move to Columbus, Georgia. He’d met a young lady who owned a graphics design company in Columbus and they were going to get married. Since it would be easy to get a job as a cook in Columbus and too difficult for his fianc�e to move her business to Dothan, Robert was moving to Columbus. Columbus is about a two hour drive from Dothan.
Deana had mixed feelings. She was thrilled for Robert, but good cooks were hard to find. Plus, she considered Robert a close friend and hated to see him leave. Robert had treated Deana with respect from day one. He looked after her like he would his own sister. She also appreciated his help at her wedding.
“Robert, I’ll never forget all of the wonderful things you’ve done for me.” Deana wiped a few tears from her eyes as she spoke. “Thank you so much for saving my wedding and being such a good friend and co–worker.” She gave Robert a big hug and then went into the break room to compose herself. She was really going to miss him.
Luke’s soccer team had won seven games, lost only one and had two ties during the regular season. The tournament in Atlanta was a bonus for doing so well. It would give them a chance to see how they measured up to top level competition.
Luke’s team lost the first game 3–1. They seemed surprised by how good the other team was. His team played much better the second game and it ended in a 2–2 tie. Luke, however, was frustrated because he hadn’t scored a goal yet.
In the third game, Luke did score, as did two of his teammates. They won the game 3–2. The win and the tie qualified them to advance to the semi–finals. Luke’s team lost 2–0, but it was a very well played game by both teams. Deana was pleased to see Luke play so well against such good opponents.
In Athens, Matthew and Mark’s city league football team had a rough season. Their starting quarterback was hurt in game five and had to miss the rest of the season. The offense, with a new quarterback, struggled mightily. The defense, however, was the best in the league. Mark had sixteen sacks, Matthew had eleven. The run defense allowed the least amount of rushing yards in the league. The fact they finished with a winning record, six wins, four losses, was a huge statement of how well their defense actually played.
Mr. Vito hired a new cook. He was a man in his mid–forties named Leo. Leo really had his hands full trying to replace Robert. Mr. Vito would sometimes have to go into the kitchen and help Leo when the restaurant got really busy. Weekends, in particular, were very chaotic.
Delores and Peggy frequently complained to Mr. Vito about Leo. Deana never did. She knew Leo was doing his best and it was only a matter of time before he’d settle in. Leo was grateful for Deana’s patience. Slowly, but surely, Leo did improve. He never forgot which server showed him compassion.
By the time Thanksgiving arrived, Deana definitely needed a few days off. Leon had been promising her something extra special this year. Deana awoke just before 6am Thanksgiving morning. Leon slept until 10am so he would be nice and rested for all of the driving he would be doing over the course of the day and night. Deana cooked a beautiful 16lb turkey. As she did every year, she made her bread, celery and onion stuffing. She boiled and mashed real potatoes. Deana put the mashed potatoes in a very large casserole dish then proceeded to bake cheese into the potatoes. She finished her part of the meal by boiling three pounds of green beans which she flavored with butter.
Claire made another pitiful Thanksgiving turkey. This time it just sat on the table. No one even tried to eat it.
Leon, Deana and the boys left for the Johnson’s even earlier than usual. Deana slept in the truck as Leon drove to Macon. After they dropped off the boys, Leon headed the truck north toward Tennessee. The happy couple was heading back to Gatlinburg like last year. This year, however, Leon had something special planned for Deana.
When they arrived at their cabin in Gatlinburg, Leon prepared the living room fireplace. Soon, the firewood became golden embers emitting heat. Deana and Leon fell asleep in front of the fireplace wrapped together in blankets.
Friday morning, Deana and Leon woke up to a gorgeous Smoky Mountain sunrise. It was breathtaking; but also very cold. Over the years Deana had tried to adapt to a colder climate than what she’d grown up in. But the truth was, she still had a lot of cracker in her.
Leon’s big surprise was that they were taking a three and a half hour jaunt to Nashville, Tennessee. Deana was overjoyed. She’d wanted to visit Nashville since she was a teenager. Nashville is the home of country music. Leon told her they were going to Music Row. Music Square East and Music Square West combine to make Music Row. Leon was going to take Deana on a studio tour so she could see where some of her favorite music was made.
The drive through north central Tennessee was stunning. Leon and Deana drove through the Appalachian Mountains, Cumberland Plateau, the Eastern Highland Rim and finally the Nashville Basin. Their directions led them to 16th and 17th Avenue South and Division Street. This section of Music Row serves as the headquarters of America’s Country Music industry.
Deana was thrilled at the thought of visiting RCA’s famed Studio B, where hundreds of famous musicians, including Elvis Presley, have recorded.
The Music City Walk of Fame on Demonbreun Street is across the street from the Country Music Hall of Fame. It pays tribute to Nashville’s legendary musicians. Leon and Deana had a blast taking in all of the sights and sounds. The music made in Nashville played a very important role in Deana and Leon’s lives and their relationship.
Deana did not care how much Gary at church teased her, she was proud to be a yahoo!
CHAPTER 18
DEANA TURNS THIRTY AND OTHER MILESTONES
Christmas and New Year’s were on perfect days t
his year. Christmas Eve was Saturday, so Deana was off Saturday night. Christmas was on Sunday, so she had only one church service to prepare for. Most importantly, she wouldn’t have to be back to work until Wednesday night.
Christmas day was another interesting event at the elder Samuel’s house. As agreed to, Claire would bake and bring the ham and Deana would make the sides. Deana baked a beautiful macaroni and cheese casserole along with a broccoli and cheese casserole. She fried four pounds of okra. She concluded by baking an extra large, out of this world, peach pie.
Claire showed up with a pork shoulder that looked and tasted like a big piece of Spam. Even Lester and Julie seemed embarrassed by Claire’s lack of effort.
“Deana honey, may I ask a favor of you?” the Colonel asked in a very polite way.
“Yes sir.”
“Will you please make the Christmas ham from now on? Claire’s ham really sucks.”
As a family Christmas gift, Leon bought tickets for himself, Deana, and the boys to a huge theme park in Atlanta. Leon would take them Monday, the day after Christmas, because he got it off work as a vacation day.
The Atlanta theme park is one of the largest in the world. It features a towering roller coaster that appears to defy gravity. Leon stayed on the ground with Luke because Luke was not tall enough or quite ready to ride something quite that imposing. However, Matthew, Mark and Deana were willing to give it a try.
As the ride began, it actually felt like they were soaring like birds to the top of the park. Two seconds later, following an enormous drop, it seemed like they were underneath the park. They were suspended from the rails one second, then falling on a straight drop the next. It was literally the ride of their lives.
During the day Matthew and Mark ran into some teammates from their football team. They asked Leon and Deana if they could spend a couple of hours at the park with their friends. Deana was all right with the idea because it would give her a chance to go on some family rides with Luke and Leon.
Luke asked his parents to take him on the Scary Mansion ride. The theme music was very cool and eerie and the ride featured playful monster animatronics. It was like the car you were riding in was driving into the middle of a 3D movie.
As they got off the ride, Luke had a huge smile on his face. “That was the most amazing ride ever; those were the coolest special effects.”
“It was incredible,” Deana agreed.
Later, Luke, Deana and Leon went on the Wild River Rapids Raft ride. The raft ride was one of the featured attractions at the park. White water and rolling, roaring rapids created a rafting adventure the three of them would always remember. Luke liked the fact they got real wet on the ride. Deana was happy she wore a dark colored tank top.
“Mom and Dad, this was the best Christmas gift ever,” Luke said as the day started to come to an end.
Next weekend would be almost as fun. New Year’s Eve was Saturday night; New Year’s Day was Sunday. Deana had another four day weekend. Most of Saturday and Sunday were spent out on the lake in the johnboat fishing and picnicking.
Leon had to be back to work on Monday, so Deana took the boys to the movies. They went to a matinee so Deana could be home in time to make dinner and have it ready for Leon.
Tuesday, early afternoon, she took the boys bowling. Deana wanted to spend time with the boys, especially Matthew and Mark. They were at an age where they’d want to start spending more time with their friends, like at the theme park. More time with friends meant less time with Deana; it was inevitable.
April 13th, 2017, Matthew turned 15 years old and Deana took him to a really big concert in Atlanta that month to celebrate. Matthew spent most of the concert texting his friends. He was getting close to six feet tall. Soon, he’d be an adult; Deana was not quite ready for this.
Sixteen days later, it was Leon’s birthday. It was on a Saturday. The weather forecast called for beautiful weather. They decided it would be a perfect day to go to the lake; they had not been there together in a while. The fish were biting. It was an incredible spring day and all of nature was in bloom. The smell of wild flowers was in the air. It was spectacular.
That Tuesday, Matthew had a funny story from his High School. Apparently a couple of boys did not have time to study for a biology exam. Before the teacher got to class, the boys pulled the hinge pins out of the classroom’s entrance door. When the teacher arrived to the classroom he went to open the door. It fell forward when he pushed the door and the glass part in the middle shattered into a million pieces. The maintenance man had to come to the classroom to clean the mess and try to fix the door. Needless to say, the test got postponed. There were some very happy biology students that day.
What happened at Vito’s restaurant one night was even funnier. It was close to nine o’clock one weeknight and towards the end of Deana’s shift. Mr. Cullen, a Vito’s regular, came in and sat in Deana’s station. Mr. Cullen liked to drink.
She brought Mr. Cullen three beers within forty–five minutes. Mr. Cullen rapidly downed all three and wanted more.
Deana was not sure that was a good idea. “Mr. Cullen, I know you drove here and I don’t want to see you get yourself into any trouble. I’m going to have to cut you off.”
“Your new cook, Leo, lives on my street. He can drive me home.”
“Let me go ask him if it’s all right. If so, you can keep on drinking.”
Deana went back into the kitchen to check with Leo. “Leo, can you drive Mr. Cullen home tonight? He’s had a lot to drink and he wants to keep on drinking.”
“Sure, it won’t be a problem. He lives close to me.”
Deana brought Mr. Cullen number four. Then he asked for a fifth beer. He quickly drank it. When he finished the fifth beer he looked into his jacket pocket at a picture of a woman.
“I need one more beer,” Mr. Cullen informed Deana.
Deana told Mr. Cullen it would have to be his last one. Leo was almost ready to leave.
Mr. Cullen guzzled his sixth beer and then looked at the picture of the woman again. Deana saw a slight smile on his face.
Deana prepared his bill. As she brought back his change, she asked, “What’s the story with you and the woman in the picture?”
“That is no woman; it’s a picture of my wife. When I look at her picture and she starts to look good to me, I know I’ve had enough to drink.”
“That is absolutely terrible, Mr. Cullen,” Deana chided as she put his change on his table. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself!”
“You lift weights like a man, Deana,” Mark said one early June day. It was Deana’s favorite time of the year. The weather was warm and she had her boys home from school for the entire summer.
Deana smiled at Mark. “Is that meant as an insult or a compliment?”
“It’s just that Matthew and I outweigh you by about sixty pounds and you lift almost as much as we do.”
“I’ve been training hard since I was thirteen years old and I’ll be thirty in a couple of months. I’d better be strong.”
“Deana, you bench close to double your body weight. That’s pretty impressive.”
“Like I said, I’ve been training hard a very long time. I’ve never used drugs, never smoked cigarettes or pot and drink very, very little alcohol.” Deana paused for a moment. “Since we’re kind of on the subject, do you see a lot of drug use at your school Matthew?”
“Some, but not a huge amount. I mean there are potheads, a few pill users and a couple of hardcore druggies, but it’s not like it’s out of control.”
“Are any of them in your circle of friends?”
“No, most of my friends are on the football or basketball teams. If you’re an athlete and you get caught with anything, you can’t play sports anymore. I think they call it zero tolerance.”
“That’s good. Mark, I hope you take the same path as your brother when you start High School next August.”
The second to last week August, 2017, had two huge events. Tuesday, August
22nd was Deana’s 30th birthday. Friday, August 25th was Matthew and Mark’s first High School football game.
Mr. Vito threw a big party at the restaurant on Tuesday night to celebrate Deana’s big milestone; she was very popular. It was probably the most crowded it had ever been on a Tuesday night.
Similar to Deana and Leon’s wedding, there was a big group from church. She also had a lot of friends, mostly customers she’d served and befriended working at Vito’s. It was hard to imagine she’d been there for almost five years.
In a way, her 30th birthday was a five year anniversary of a lot of things related to her arrival in Dothan. Deana had belonged to Dothan Christian Church five years. She’d worked at Vito’s five years. Most importantly, she had been the woman who took care of the Samuels boys, Leon included, for the last five years. Matthew, Mark and Luke were each about a foot taller than when she first started “using their stove.”
The Jacobson Brothers set up a stage in the corner of Vito’s. The music was loud and energetic. Mrs. Jarvis couldn’t attend, but Gary and Deana performed with the brothers on quite a few songs.
The non–church people drank, danced and partied. The church people mingled and socialized. Everyone had a great time.
Leon gave Deana a past, present and forever diamond necklace as her birthday gift. It sparkled brilliantly around her neck as she tried it on. She had to sneak into the break room so no one would see her cry.
The Morrison High School football team was coming off a 2–8 season. They were definitely no football powerhouse. Deana made a deal with Mr. Vito. She agreed to come in Fridays and Saturdays at 3:55pm, if she could leave Fridays at 7:30 on the nights of Morrison’s home games. Because so many people in town went to the High School football games, the restaurant was never very busy when a game was being played.
A Deal With God: The Power of One Page 17