Someone to Trust

by Lesa Henderson

  “And now?” Megan questioned gently.

  “I believe we’ve moved beyond mere friendship into something more serious,” Helen admitted. Helen’s face was fairly glowing as she spoke of Ben. Her feelings for him were written clearly on her face.

  “Oh my…” Megan repeated the words her mother used on her earlier.

  Helen gave her daughter a confused look, which then turned to surprise before changing to revelation. Finding the situation humorous, they broke into chuckles, which soon erupted into laughter. Mother and daughter collapsed in a heap on the bed, like a couple of teens having a pajama party. They continued lying there until the wee hours of the morning, talking.

  When Megan asked Helen when she would be able to meet Ben, her mother smiled, answering nonchalantly, “When he picks the two of us up for church Sunday morning.”

  Megan could not hide the elation she felt at that small bit of news. As usual, her mother read her well, but teasingly asked, “Are you happy about meeting Ben or the fact I’m attending church?”

  “Don’t get me wrong, Mom, I’m happy to meet the man who seems to be bringing you so much happiness, but honestly, I am thrilled you’re going to church.”

  “Well, I’ve been attending with Ben for some time now. He seems to think it may help me finally let go of the past.”

  Megan leaned toward her mom, grasping both of her hands and staring intently in her eyes. “God is helping me to do that very thing, Mom.”

  With that, Megan was able to share her experiences over the past couple of weeks. Helen listened carefully, neither commenting positively or negatively. The fact she listened at all gave Megan hope that her mom would find the same peace she had.

  ****

  The next morning, as Megan applied a small amount of gloss to her lips, she smiled into the mirror. Pausing, she whispered, “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for caring for us even when I did not believe You did. Forgive me, for not trusting You.”

  With each passing day, it was becoming more apparent to Megan that though her earthly father had left them, her Heavenly Father certainly had not.

  Helen and Megan’s day together passed all too quickly. After a late breakfast, they’d gone shopping. Not living near a mall in Laurel Ridge, it had been quite some time since Megan had an excursion in one, so she took full advantage of it. The McCormick women spent the entire day laughing and talking as they tried on clothes and shoes, and then while they tested new perfumes and make-ups.

  Megan didn’t realize just how much she missed her mother and told her as much, as they walked side-by-side to the car. Helen stopped midstride and turned toward her.

  “And I’ve missed my little girl. I don’t know if I’ve told you often enough, but I am very proud of you. You have grown into a lovely, independent, smart and compassionate woman.”

  Megan gave her mom a quick hug. “Thanks, Mom, but I owe that to you. You did a wonderful job raising me alone and I’m proud of you as well.”

  “Thank you, sweetie, but I’m beginning to believe I wasn’t really alone.”

  Moments later, as they were pulling out of the mall parking lot, Megan found the courage to share what had been on her heart since leaving Laurel Ridge.

  “Mom, I’d like to go by the cemetery to Dad’s grave.” She felt her mother tense and proceeded with caution. “If you don’t feel as if you can go with me, it’s okay; I can borrow the car and go on my own.”

  Helen lost all color in her face but responded in a voice that was barely above a whisper, “No. I’ll take you.” With that they drove on in silence, each lost in thoughts of their own.

  When they arrived at the cemetery, they had to park and walk, doing this also in silence. Helen led the way, as Megan could not remember exactly where the gravesite was. Megan could read the tenseness in her mother by the very erect way she was carrying herself. As usual, Helen put her own feelings aside and dropped back to allow Megan to match her pace. She reached down and took Megan’s hand in her own, offering her silent support.

  Megan needed it; she was feeling pretty tense as well. Her stomach was in knots, her palms were sweaty and she could feel her heart racing in her chest. She had not been to the cemetery since the day her father was buried. As she walked with her mother toward the grave, Megan felt as if she were that little girl again, the child who’d just lost her daddy and was approaching the unthinkable.

  Helen stopped suddenly. She pointed fifty feet ahead to a small stone-fenced area, with the name McCormick on it. Her hand was shaking.

  “It’s over there, honey. I’m going to let you go on alone, but I’ll be waiting right here.” Her voice constricted with emotion.

  “It’s okay, Mom,” Megan assured her. “I understand.”

  And she did. She knew the simple act of bringing her here had taken a lot. She would not have the strength to be doing this, if it were not for God.

  Megan walked gingerly through the columns of the fenced area, marking the beginning of the McCormick family plots. It held three graves. Two belonged to the grandparents she never knew since they passed away before she was born. The other was her father’s, Raymond Harrison McCormick.

  She leaned down, gently tracing her father’s name, the letters etched in the cold slab of stone that marked where he was buried.

  A tide of memories swept over her. This time they did not drown her. For so long, the only memories she allowed were those of his betrayal, but now buried memories began to surface. These were the memories which would not allow her to hang on to anger.

  These memories were filled with images of the two of them sitting on the back lanai by the pool, racing to see who could finish their ice cream cone first before diving into the water. Another was of her snuggled warmly under the covers, while her father sat on the edge of the bed reading her favorite bedtime story; and of him, patiently, teaching her to ride her bright pink bicycle for the first time without training wheels and then cheering very loudly when she finally did it. Those were the memories she needed to hang onto.

  Tears streamed unchecked down her cheeks. “I miss you, Daddy—I miss you so much. I don’t understand why you left Mom and me. I don’t understand how you could do that to us, but…I forgive you.” She was crying harder now. “I forgive you, Daddy, and…I love you.”

  Megan did not even realize she had fallen to her knees beside the grave, but that’s where she was, sobs racking her slender frame. She felt her mother’s arms go around her, and like so many years ago, Helen’s tears mingled with her daughter’s.

  ****

  On Sunday morning, following breakfast, Megan presented Helen with her Mother’s Day gift. She was gratified with her choice, when upon unwrapping the beautifully woven afghan, her mother let out a long appreciative sigh.

  “Oh, Megan, this is so lovely. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I bought it at one of the craft booths at the Spring Fling. Maybe next year, you can come up and go with me. I think you’d really enjoy it.”

  “We’ll plan on it,” Helen agreed, with a tender smile.

  A short time later, just as promised, Ben Cartier arrived to take them to church. He was a well-dressed gentleman in his late fifties with tan features, dark eyes and dark hair that had grown silver at his temples. After a few hours in his company, Megan decided she liked him immensely.

  He was handsome and charming with impeccable manners, but more importantly, he treated her mother like a queen. He showered her with attention while treating her with the utmost respect. Most importantly, though, he was a Christian.

  It was quite obvious to Megan he was smitten with Helen. She could not have been happier for them. If anyone deserved to find love and happiness, it was her mother.

  Megan enjoyed her visit to Ben’s church, believing it was a good place for her mom to worship. Before they knew it, their visit had come to an end. That afternoon, when Lee arrived to pick her up and take her to dinner on their way back home to Laurel Ridge, Megan left with a misty fare
well and an invitation for her mother and Ben to visit her, soon.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Once they were on their way, Megan interrupted the silence, “So where are we going for dinner?”

  “It is on the outskirts of town and is called Hilltop. Have you ever been there?”

  “No, can’t wait to try it.”

  Their discussion turned to the scenery they were passing. It didn’t take long to reach the restaurant. The name Hilltop fit the location perfectly, for it sat elevated on a hill surrounded by giant, old oak trees dripping with moss. The back of the large split-level restaurant was filled with tall windows, overlooking a large lake and giving the diners a perfect view. On the lake’s edge nearest the restaurant, large wrought-iron hanging lanterns, as well as the ones bordering the path meandering from the restaurant balcony down to the lake, were already burning brightly in anticipation of the soon-approaching sunset.

  The Maitre D’ led them through the crowded dining room to the back, seating them at a round table for two, situated right next to the windows. Lee pulled out Megan’s chair, helping her to be seated before taking his place across the table from her.

  On an elevated wooden stage near the center of the dining room, a jazz band led by a saxophone player entertained the patrons with soft, soulful melodies. The elegant interior, low lighting, soft music, and the picturesque lake created a romantic ambience.

  After the waiter took their order, they both sat for a few moments in silence, relaxing in the soothing atmosphere. Megan was absorbing the feel of the place, while Lee was absorbing her.

  Lee stared at her, as she stared outside at the couples making their way, hand-in-hand, to the water’s edge to enjoy the sunset. Some had already stopped and were sitting on the benches that were scattered along the path leading down to the lake.

  As Lee studied Megan, he couldn’t help but think she had never looked more beautiful than she did at that moment. Her chestnut hair was swept up in a twist highlighting her high cheekbones. A few stray tendrils escaped which only served to draw attention to the graceful slope of her slender neck.

  Her face radiated with a soft glow that it had not had before she came to Christ and this made her even lovelier. Lee loved everything about her, especially those few freckles that were lightly scattered across that pert nose of hers.

  Her hand was lying idly on the table as Lee reached over and covered it with his. When she turned her head toward him, the look he thought he saw in her eyes took his breath away and caused his heart to skip a beat. Yet, it was there and then gone so quickly he wondered if he had been mistaken. He cleared his throat slightly, asking, “How was your weekend?”

  At his question, her entire face lit up. Without reserve, she launched into a discourse of the past two days’ events, including how close she believed her mother was to coming to Christ, her meeting the new man in her mother’s life and her visit to her dad’s grave. She paused only long enough for the waiter to set their food before them and refill their glasses.

  Lee enjoyed watching her. Her expressions were animated and she was talking with her hands.

  “Wow. Sounds like God’s really been working on your behalf, as well as your mom’s.” He was thankful for Megan being able to visit the cemetery and begin putting things behind her at last.

  “It’s amazing, Lee. I am so humbled by the fact He really has been faithful, while I on the other hand—” she broke the sentence off.

  “I felt exactly the same way when I finally came to the realization God was looking after me and directing my steps, even while I was rejecting Him.”

  She nodded as she swallowed another bite of the prime rib Lee had ordered her. “How was the visit with your mom?”

  “It was good, though tense at times. She’s supposed to come visit me in Laurel Ridge soon.”

  “Really, why?”

  “Because she wants to see me,” Lee answered teasingly, knowing full well she was questioning the first half of his statement.

  “Okay, smarty pants. I meant…why was it tense?”

  “My mother is still unhappy about the possibility I may move to Laurel Ridge permanently. Plus, she doesn’t understand my Christian walk, or why I won’t ask Felicia to marry me.”

  “Felicia who?” she asked softly hoping her voice was not filled with the tenseness she was suddenly feeling at the thought of Lee engaged or married.

  “Someone I used to date.”

  Megan grew quiet for a moment as she sipped her drink and looked out the window at the starlit sky and glowing lanterns reflecting off the lake.

  “Do you want to marry her?” Megan finally asked, with baited breath.

  “At one time I thought I did.”

  “And now…?”

  “Now, I’m a very different person from the one Felicia believes she fell in love with, or at least wants to share her life,” he answered, honestly.

  “How so?” Megan probed, though she believed she already knew the answers.

  “Other than the obvious reason of my conversion, my priorities have changed drastically.”

  “Like the whole city/country thing?”

  “Yeah that among other issues…I don’t believe it.” Lee changed the subject in midsentence.

  ****

  Megan followed his gaze to a tall, statuesque brunette who was walking toward their table. Or rather sauntering seductively. She seemed very familiar and Megan felt certain she knew her from somewhere. As she tried to figure out where, the hair on the back of Megan’s neck stood on end.

  Lee stood politely as the woman approached the table and then reached over to kiss him on the lips.

  “Lee, darling,” she fairly purred. “Your mother told me you might be here tonight.”

  Lee did not look overjoyed at this information as the beauty promptly turned her attention to Megan, and with a catlike smile, said, “Well hello…Megan, isn’t it?”

  Recognition hit Megan, with no less of an impact than a punch in the gut. Her dinner lurched into her throat.

  “You know each other?” Lee asked, in surprise.

  Megan was completely unable to speak.

  Felicia took full advantage of her silence. “I’d say we’re more like acquaintances, wouldn’t you, Megan? I don’t think we were ever formally introduced, but we traveled somewhat in the same circle.” She paused and looked at Megan with gleaming cat eyes.

  “In fact, I believe another acquaintance of yours is here tonight, too, Megan. Perhaps you’ll bump into Trevor; I’m sure Lee would like to meet him.” Felicia gave her a malicious smile.

  “Well, I must be off. Lee, darling, I’ll give you a call about that invitation to come visit.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to Lee’s, this time pressing her body to his. Immediately, gently but firmly, he moved her away. When he looked down at Megan, his face was flushed with color.

  “I’m sorry, darling; I forgot how proper you’ve become.” Felicia breathed, before turning to Megan, like a cat toying with a mouse.

  “If I spot Trevor again, I’ll be sure to let him know you’re here. I’m certain he’d be interested in seeing you again.” With that final blow, Felicia turned and sashayed away.

  Lee sat back down and stared at Megan, who simply stared numbly at him. She could feel all of the color draining from her face. She was shaken, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.

  Megan’s insides were in turmoil. She could not believe this woman was the Felicia who Lee dated. She could not believe, that of all the restaurants in the surrounding Atlanta area, her past would meet her here tonight.

  She wanted to say something, but fear and shame kept her silent. Finally, when she did speak, she said in a strange voice, “That’s really not your color.”

  When Lee looked nonplussed, she added, “You’re wearing your girlfriend’s bright red lipstick.”

  ****

  The evening had such an enchanted beginning, Megan mused on the silent road home, but it had ended with a sickening
jolt.

  Thankfully, she had no encounter with Trevor and didn’t know if he was really even there. However, the fear that she may indeed run into him was enough to ruin her appetite, spoil her evening, and make her want to find the nearest hole to crawl into.

  What made her believe she could ever escape what she’d done?

  After Felicia left, they declined dessert and departed without taking the anticipated walk down to the lake. The journey home was overwhelmed with stiff silence. After several unsuccessful attempts to draw her into conversation, Lee finally gave up.

  Upon arriving at her cabin, Lee parked his car and unloaded Megan’s bags, taking them up the front steps and putting them by the front door. He waited as Megan fumbled with the key and then tried to get the door unlocked.