Take the Lead

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  But even if it was just a product of how she grew up, she’d take it. Desiree had been awesome and had encouraged her to do things she didn’t think were possible. Like entering the police academy and accepting the toughest job she could get—working for the Cleveland police force.

  Her steps slowed as she remembered how tough that woman had been, and yet so giving. A perfect combination for Traci. Desiree had changed her life.

  Sometimes Traci really believed that God had put her there to give Traci a head start in life.

  Which made her wonder if He had done the same thing with her and Gwen.

  CHAPTER 6

  “Listen to my feet and I’ll tell you the story of my life.”

  —John Bubbles, father of rhythm tap

  Wednesday

  Gwen had come into the hospital with a bad attitude and was leaving with a suitcase of clothes for herself and a big box of personal items—everything from toiletries to a pretty purse to a stack of books and even a couple of gift cards.

  She couldn’t remember a time that so many people had done so much for her. It was beyond humbling, especially since everybody knew that she couldn’t give anything back.

  “Thanks everyone,” she said through choked tears. “I love everything, I really do. I . . . I don’t know how to tell you how much I appreciate everything.”

  “You already said it,” Dee said with a smile. Looking at the other staff members surrounding them, she added, “We’re all just really happy for you and that baby boy.”

  Gwen curved her hands around her belly. Thanks to the week in the hospital, she had put on some weight and now she had a good little baby bump. “I wouldn’t have gotten through this week without all of you.”

  Dr. Rossi, who was standing in his white coat next to Dee, picked up one of the shopping bags that was near the door. “No need to thank us. Don’t forget, you’re not going to be a stranger. I’ll see you in a week.”

  “I’ve got to come back to the hospital?”

  “Oh, no. I’ll be bringing you to his office,” Officer Lucky said.

  “It’s not far. Just across the street,” Marissa added. “And, if your appointments are ever on Tuesdays, we’ll get to see each other. I work in the clinic on Tuesdays.”

  “Plus, we’ll be asking the doc about you, too,” one of the orderlies said.

  “Yep, you’re stuck with us now,” a resident joked.

  Gwen turned to the group of people who had not only helped monitor her health, they’d also taken time to talk to her so she wouldn’t feel so alone. Even though they probably only helped because it was their jobs, she thought, it still felt good. “Thanks,” she said again.

  After exchanging hugs, everyone started moving out of the room. Soon, it was just her, Dee, Melanie, Dr. Rossi, and Officer Lucky. Gwen had a lot of regrets about things she’d done, both with Hunter and to herself. But one of the things she most regretted was that she didn’t know what she’d done to offend the cop. It wasn’t like they were destined to be best friends or anything, but she’d hoped by now that Officer Lucky would have begun to thaw a little bit toward her.

  It didn’t look like that was going to happen, though. The last two times Officer Lucky had stopped by, she’d hardly stayed ten minutes, and she’d spent most of the time on her phone.

  Gwen had tried not to let her feelings get hurt, but they kind of had been. If they had been alone, she would have tried to apologize, but now it wasn’t the time.

  “Ellen is waiting for you, so we better get on our way,” Melanie, the social worker, said.

  “Yes, ma’am.” She picked up her suitcase.

  “Nope. Now put that down, Miss, and get in the wheelchair,” Dee ordered.

  “Really? I can walk.”

  “I know, and I can follow the rules.” She wheeled the chair in front of Traci. “Hop on, and I’ll hand you your flowers.”

  “I think we’re all set,” Melanie said as she picked up Gwen’s new backpack, which was stuffed to the gills. “Officer, want to walk out with us?”

  Traci nodded. “Sure. And, um, I’ll get your suitcase, Gwen.”

  “You don’t need to,” Gwen said in a rush. “I bet we can perch it on my lap, too.”

  Officer Lucky gave her a chilly look. “Hey, you’re supposed to take care of yourself, right?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” She faced forward, stung by the words. It was obvious that Officer Lucky was going to make sure she never forgot that she’d been doing a pretty poor job of taking care of herself until now.

  At last, they began their procession onto the elevator. As Dee continued to push her along, Gwen couldn’t help but contrast with how much difference a week had made. She now had a cop guardian, a doctor, a social worker, and was on the way to a women’s center where her room and board was going to be completely taken care of. After being essentially alone for most of her life, she now kind of had her very own team. Who would ever have thought?

  When the elevator dinged and they exited the building, Melanie led everyone to a bright-red minivan.

  “Here we are,” Melanie said.

  “Wow,” Gwen said. She’d thought Melanie looked more like a classic sports car kind of person.

  “Yep. It’s really cool, huh?” She chuckled. “Back when I was twenty-two, I swore I’d never drive a minivan, but now here I am.” She patted the side of it. “Even worse, I picked it out. My husband wanted me to get an SUV, but this is a whole lot easier when you’re transporting kids and clients.”

  Traci grinned. “Now that I’m driving around with my sisters so much, there’s been plenty of times when I’ve wanted more room. You’re rocking the minivan.”

  Melanie playfully bowed. “Thank you. Thank you, very much.” Clicking her key fob, she smiled at Gwen. “All right, dear. Are you ready to begin again?”

  Gwen nodded slowly. She had no idea what the Bridgeport Women’s Center was going to be like, but she figured it couldn’t be any worse than what she had already been through.

  “It’s gonna be okay,” Melanie said, as if reading Gwen’s mind. She gestured toward the passenger door. “Hop in and I’ll put your things in the back.”

  As Gwen was climbing into the vehicle, she glanced across the parking lot and suddenly found herself under Hunter’s gaze. He looked like he always did—a little cocky, almost like he had a right to be standing in the middle of a parking lot in a black hoodie, with a phone in his hand. He was also staring at her so intently, it almost burned.

  Even from a distance, she could tell he was mad at her. She inhaled sharply. Boy, she really should have told someone about his letter. But who could she trust?

  “Gwen?” Officer Lucky stepped closer. “What’s wrong? Is something happening with the baby?”

  “No. It’s just . . .” Feeling Officer Lucky’s gaze on her, Gwen shrank. No, she wasn’t ready to mention Hunter. She was going someplace else, someplace safe. Plus, Hunter was looking especially scary. If she told everyone he was there, he might even get madder at her.

  “It was what?” Officer Lucky eyed her curiously.

  “It was nothing. I, well, I just thought I saw someone I knew.”

  Melanie turned around and scanned the area. “Who do you think you saw?”

  “No one. Just a girl I used to know. I was mistaken, though. When I looked again, I realized it wasn’t her. Sorry.”

  Officer Lucky didn’t move. “Are you sure that was all that happened?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Melanie opened her driver’s side door. “I think we’ve got this now, Officer. Thanks for your help.”

  Officer Lucky didn’t look inclined to leave, but after a long pause, she stepped back. “Anytime. I’m uh, glad to help.” Turning to Gwen again, her smile faded. “Don’t forget, I’m going to visit you in two days.”

  “I won�
�t forget. And, um, thank you Officer Lucky. Thank you for helping me so much.”

  “Anytime. That’s what I’m here for, right?”

  Officer Lucky’s words rang in Gwen’s ears as Melanie drove out of the parking lot. She wondered if that was indeed the truth, that the cop who had done so much for her was only doing her job.

  For some reason, Gwen thought there was more to it than that, she just wasn’t sure what it could be. Maybe she’d offended Officer Lucky when she had found her? She’d been so out of it that it could have happened and she wouldn’t remember.

  Or, Gwen thought, it was even more likely that Officer Lucky didn’t trust her and didn’t think Gwen was ready to turn her life around. Maybe Officer Lucky was afraid that she was going to have to deal with more of Gwen’s problems and she was annoyed about that?

  If that was the case, the police officer might be exactly right.

  Gwen was afraid that a whole new set of problems was just beginning.

  CHAPTER 7

  “When you dance, your purpose is not

  to get to a certain place on the floor.

  It’s to enjoy each step along the way.”

  —Wayne Dyer

  Every time he walked into the back door his parents’ house, Matt was struck by how some things never changed. His father would have opera blaring just a little too loud, the kitchen would smell like fresh tomato sauce and lemons, and his mother would always stop whatever she was doing to greet him, often with some kind of dishcloth tied around her waist.

  And, if he didn’t arrive on time for Sunday supper, he could count on getting chastised like he was eight years old again.

  “Hey, Mom,” he said as he tossed off his jacket and put his cell phone and car keys on the kitchen counter. “Supper smells good.”

  “Thank you, Matteo.” Looking pointedly at the brass, old-fashioned clock over the sink, she added, “You’re late, son.”

  “I know and I’m sorry. It couldn’t be helped, though. Mrs. Nelson’s baby had a mind of its own.”

  As he’d hoped, her expression softened. “Ah, you were delivering a baby. It took its own sweet time being born?”

  “Oh, yeah.” He smiled. “It was worth it, though. Mother and baby are doing fine.”

  She popped a hand on her hip. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense. What did Mrs. Nelson have?”

  “An eight-pound baby boy with blue eyes. He looked at me, stretched his arms out like he was glad to have more room, then let out a piercing cry.” He grinned. “It was beautiful.”

  She chuckled as his father joined them in the kitchen. “That’s a miracle, indeed.”

  Looking pleased, his father slapped him on the shoulder. “You did good. I’m proud of you.”

  “I’d say thank you, but Mrs. Nelson did most of the work.”

  “Come on into the family room,” Dad said as his mother went back to the pot on the stove. “You can say hello to everyone else and I’ll get you a drink.”

  Scanning the crowded room, Matt said, “Is everyone here tonight?”

  “Everyone but Bennie.” Looking pleased, his father said, “Your mother is glad you’re all here. She’s been holding court in the kitchen most of the afternoon.”

  He spied Vanny, two of his aunts, and a handful of neighbors from down the street. But not his older brother. “Where’s Anthony?”

  His dad shrugged. “That, I can’t answer. He and Marie could be anywhere showing off that ring.”

  “So, that’s why there’s so many people here tonight.”

  “Engagements are a blessing.” Eyes brightening, he grinned. “Or so your mother says.”

  Matt shared a grin with his dad before weaving his way through the crowd.

  His parents were good people. Old world in a lot of ways. Unpretentious with items but exceedingly showy with their kids. Matt couldn’t recall the number of times he’d been asked to be his parents’ show and tell, they were so proud to have a doctor son.

  Anthony was a doctor as well, but a research one. Ramon was career Navy and on a ship somewhere in the Pacific. Their two younger sisters had gone in different directions. Vanny was a real estate agent and Bennie was a newlywed and financial consultant. She had also just gotten pregnant.

  They also all lived nearby because their parents were the best people on the planet. His mother and father had raised them to be hardworking. They’d also given them a huge respect for faith and family.

  And that was why Matt was at Anthony and Marie’s impromptu engagement party instead of heading directly home and collapsing after delivering two babies on a Sunday and volunteering at a clinic for most of Saturday.

  Nothing mattered as much as family. Nothing—though a new baby in the world was close.

  He loved his brother. He was glad he and Marie were tying the knot. But he was not too excited about the swarm of people. As he weaved his way to the kitchen, stopping often to shake hands and say hello, he tried to figure out when he could sneak out. Hopefully within couple hours. Ninety minutes if he got lucky.

  “Matt!”

  And there went his best intentions, out the window. “Hey, Amy.” He lifted his arms automatically when she veered in for a close hug. “It’s so good to see you. Isn’t it great about Anthony and Marie?”

  “So good.” He stepped back to put a few feet in between them. “Great.”

  “I heard they want to get married in three months.”

  “I kind of doubt that. My sister Bennie’s wedding took a whole year to plan.”

  Amy frowned. “I don’t think I got that wrong.” Instantly, her frown turned upside down. “They’re already talking like it’s going to be a great party.”

  “I’m sure it will be. If my mom gets involved, she’ll be calling the caterers and the priest at nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”

  “You know, I’m not dating anyone special right now . . . You aren’t either, are you?”

  “No. I’ve been working a ton.”

  “Hey, maybe we could go together? Going with an old friend would take some of the pressure off, you know?”

  Amy might have had a point, but she was kind of freaking him out. “Thanks, I’ll keep it in mind.” He’d also reminded himself to keep his distance from her. “Sorry but I need to go find Anthony and Marie. I’ve been here almost twenty minutes and I haven’t even talked to them yet.”

  Her eyelashes fluttered. “Are you sure you have to go?”

  “Very sure.” He backed up another step. “I need to go find Bennie too. See you later.”

  Amy looked taken aback, but she recovered quickly. Flashing a bright smile, she tossed a lock of her hair over one shoulder. “Oh. Well, I’ll catch up with you later, Matt.”

  He turned and walked toward the kitchen faster. Amy and he had dated for two months in college. That girl could make plans faster than most people could drink a cup of coffee.

  His mother, stirring sauce at the oven looked up and grinned when he walked in. “You’re back already?”

  “It’s a zoo out there.” After dutifully hugging two aunts and one niece, he kissed her on the cheek. “You’re better company than most.”

  She pressed a hand to his cheek. “That’s why you’re my favorite.”

  She said that to all of them. After briefly chatting with his aunts, he leaned back against the kitchen counter next to his mother. “So, this little get together has gotten pretty big.”

  “What can I say? Twenty people turned into fifty in a heartbeat.”

  It looked like the number was closer to seventy. “How are you feeling? You haven’t been cooking all day, have you?”

  “People helped, don’t worry.” She smiled. “You know I’m happiest when everyone comes over. And today is such a good day, don’t you agree?”

  “Of course. Especially since you’re happy.”


  “Of course, I’m happy. We’re going to have Marie. She’s the perfect woman for Tony.”

  With anyone else, he would have said something snarky about her being the only woman to put up with his brother. Instead, he just smiled. “I need to go find them.”

  “They’re in the basement.”

  “On my way.”

  Just as he turned, she said, “Matteo, get ready.”

  “For what?”

  “They’re planning a fast engagement, son. Three months.”

  “For real?” Amy had been right.

  She nodded.

  “There’s a story there, yes?” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Mama, is she pregnant?”

  “No. Well, not that I’m aware of. It’s a different story, and one that’s just as good.”

  His mother’s eyes were sparkling and there was something in her voice that sounded pretty fishy. He didn’t exactly appreciate that. “Mama, you know I don’t like surprises.”

  “I do know. But, this isn’t about you, is it? It’s Anthony’s news.” She paused, “Well, his and Marie’s.”

  “Sounds like I better go find them right now.”

  She held out a hand. “Don’t go charging over and pester them with questions. Let your brother give you his news in his own time.”

  If he hadn’t been fairly certain that she’d whack him with the end of her wooden spoon, he would have rolled his eyes. Instead, he simply turned and headed toward the basement.

  It took another fifteen minutes to get to his brother and future sister-in-law. But when he did, he had to stop for a moment to take in the sight. His normally all-business brother was lounged in their father’s favorite chair and laughing with two of their cousins. Marie was perched on his lap and giggling, too. They looked happy. Exuberant.

  Like they were meant to be together.

  Marie caught sight of him first. “Matt! Hi!”