Hidden Blessings

by Kim Cash Tate

  Lord, I pray You give Kendra long life, that You would give the two of us long life together on this earth. I’m praying for the miracle.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

  KENDRA HAD PUSHED FOR THE MEETING. HER DAD HAD BEEN back only a day—not a long time—but too much time had already passed. A year and a half, to be exact. There was a little girl who needed to see her daddy, who needed to know her daddy.

  Besides, this was Kendra’s wedding week. And this wedding week she was determined to enjoy as best she could. Which meant she wanted all her loved ones around. She’d figured after church would be a good time to bring it up. When Marlon returned with Lance and Trey, she said simply, “Brooklyn needs you. I’d love to invite her over today.”

  Marlon had hesitated, and Kendra was certain his thoughts encompassed Ellen, whether he was ready to see her. But his response came quickly, and it was short. “Yes,” was all he said.

  Ellen had been another story. When Kendra called, she wanted to know how things would go and what Marlon would say. Kendra tried to reassure her that he really did want to see Brooklyn. At least she thought he did, though he hadn’t outright said it. Next, Ellen asked whether an apology would be forthcoming, saying she couldn’t imagine a meeting without one.

  Kendra suggested that both she and Marlon put aside their own issues and let Brooklyn be with her dad, and Ellen finally agreed.

  Trey had Brooklyn’s favorite games at the ready. Kendra wasn’t sure if it was meant to help their dad or if her brother was preparing to step in himself, if need be. Kendra only had energy enough to hang on the sofa, but she intended to stay awake for that same reason. Brooklyn would have a good time regardless, if they had anything to do with it.

  The doorbell rang a little past four o’clock. Kendra expected Brooklyn would ride her bike down as she always did when it was light out, but when Trey opened the door, Kendra heard both Brooklyn’s and Ellen’s voices.

  When Brooklyn came into view, Kendra did a double take. She’d never seen the little girl in a dress. It was a chic-looking, green-and-blue, color-blocked fabric, with matching socks and navy ballet flats with glitter. Her hair was neatly coiffed, with a blue ribbon tied around her ponytail.

  “Brookie, I missed you!” Kendra extended her arms. It had only been two days, but it seemed like weeks.

  Brooklyn’s eyes darted around before she came running to Kendra for a hug.

  “You look so pretty,” Kendra said. “Is that a new dress?”

  Brooklyn beamed. “Got it today.”

  Ellen walked over, giving Kendra a look. “She insisted we run to the mall.”

  Something about that hurt Kendra’s heart. Did Brooklyn feel she had to look a certain way to be loved?

  Heavy footsteps sounded on the stairway, and everyone seemed to pause. Ellen cleared her throat, bringing Brooklyn near.

  Marlon walked into the living room, and Ellen stared him down. He approached anyway, and Brooklyn moved behind her mother, looking away.

  “Ellen,” Marlon said, “there’s a lot we need to discuss. I’m sure we agree now is not the place or the time, but hopefully very soon. Is that okay?”

  Ellen eyed him. “I’ve been looking forward to a discussion, so yes.”

  Marlon took a floor seat next to Kendra. “Brooklyn, may I talk to you?”

  Brooklyn shifted slightly, peeking out from behind her mother.

  “Brooklyn,” Marlon said, “I haven’t been a good dad. I haven’t called you like I should. I haven’t seen you in way too long—and look at you, you’re so much taller . . . Brooklyn, I’m sorry . . .”

  Kendra looked down, surprised by her dad’s tears, which started her own.

  “I’ve asked God to forgive me,” Marlon continued, “and one day, I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me too.” He let the tears slide. “You’re my daughter, and I love you. I hope you’ll allow me to be in your life, to get to know you.” He glanced at Kendra. “When Kendra was your age, she used to beg to get ice cream from Maggie Moo’s or pizza from Imo’s. I want to learn the things you like and enjoy them with you.”

  Brooklyn pulled on Ellen, and she bent down and listened as her daughter whispered.

  Ellen looked over at Marlon. “Brooklyn says she likes Maggie Moo’s too.”

  “Yeah!” Trey said, smiling.

  “I don’t know if you’ve had Sunday dinner yet,” Marlon said, “but how would you like to go right now, with Trey and me?”

  “Umm . . .” Brooklyn twisted around without moving from her spot. “I think I’d like it okay.” She looked at Ellen. “Can I, Mommy?” Ellen’s face had the makings of a no. “You haven’t eaten yet,” she said, staring into her daughter’s pleading eyes, “but go ahead.”

  “Thank you, Mommy!” Brooklyn hugged her waist. “And I can just eat here.” She took her hand and led her to the door. “Okay, Mommy, I’ll be fine now.”

  “Oh my goodness, Brooklyn, you’re ushering me out?”

  “No. Just saying you can go home.”

  Trey laughed. “I guess she’s back in the saddle, Ellen. We’ll make sure she gets home safely.”

  “Thanks, Trey.” Ellen looked at Marlon.

  “Call you tomorrow?” Marlon said.

  “That’ll be fine,” Ellen said.

  She walked out, and a moment later Brooklyn ran to the door.

  “Wait! Mom? Can you bring me back a change of clothes? I can’t play right in this dress.”

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

  October

  KENDRA WAS BANISHED FROM HER OWN HOUSE.

  She’d been bedridden more than usual and unable to wedding-plan the way she wanted. Simplicity was all she was after, but even that took energy and focus she couldn’t muster. In frustration she’d finally said, “I need a fairy godmother who can wave a magic wand and make a wedding appear.”

  Without missing a beat, Lance had replied, “Your wish is my command. A wedding you shall have.”

  Kendra laughed. “If only you could plan a wedding.”

  “Oh?” Lance said. “You don’t think I could do it?”

  “I think you could plan a ceremony,” Kendra said, “as in, call the justice of the peace and ask what hours they’re open.”

  “Okay.” He nodded, smiling revenge. “I’m planning the wedding.”

  “You’re not planning the wedding.”

  “I’m planning the wedding.”

  She didn’t believe him until he picked up the phone and implemented the first part of his plan—her exile. He asked Cyd if Kendra could stay at her home the Friday before the wedding, so whatever plans were made could be a surprise. And now that Friday was here, Cyd’s chariot had whisked her away in the early evening.

  Kendra glanced at Cyd as she drove the three blocks to her house. “Any idea what Lance is up to?”

  Cyd smiled at her. “Not totally.”

  “Can you give an inkling of what you do know?”

  “Not a bit.”

  Kendra glanced around as Cyd pulled into her driveway. “Are all these cars at your house?”

  Cyd cut the engine. “You’re always looking for evidence, aren’t you?”

  “And you’re always responding without responding.”

  Cedric came out the front door. “I’m charged with making sure you get safely inside.”

  “Lance is ridiculous,” Kendra said. “Please tell that man I can walk.”

  “Nevertheless,” Cedric said, “I’m doing my duty.”

  He opened her door and helped her out as Cyd grabbed her bags from the trunk. Leading her inside, they stepped across the threshold—

  “Surprise!”

  A small army of women greeted her in the entryway. Kendra saw Molly, Jess, Darla . . . and lots of other faces she didn’t recognize, all of them smiling.

  Kendra smiled back at them. “What is this?”

  “We’ll explain that very shortly,” Cyd said from behind.

  Cedric whispered to his wife, “If you al
l are okay, I’ll head on over to the Woodses’ home.”

  Kendra turned. “Why? What’s happening at my house?”

  “Oh, never you mind,” Cedric said.

  Cyd took over, looping Kendra’s arm in hers. “We have a special place for you in the family room,” she said, leading her there.

  The women parted so they could pass and followed behind.

  “Where’s Chase?” Kendra asked.

  “He and the dog are giving my dad more gray hairs right about now,” Cyd said. “Mom is in that crowd of women behind us.”

  Kendra stopped when she saw the room—festive white balloons filled the ceiling, trays of food and assorted beverages were on a table in the corner, and the focal point of the room was a cushiony recliner outfitted with a plush white blanket, a white pillow, and white fuzzy slippers at the base.

  “This is so beautiful,” Kendra said.

  “Let me escort you,” Cyd said.

  She helped Kendra get settled into the recliner and exchanged her shoes for the slippers.

  “What can I get you to eat and drink?” Cyd asked and told her the choices.

  Kendra smiled. “I’ll take the peanut butter crackers”—she knew they were specially ordered for her—“and water will be great. Thanks.”

  The other women got appetizer plates and drinks and filled the sofa, love seat, and floor space. Molly plopped down on the floor by Kendra and grinned up at her.

  When everyone was seated, Cyd stood in the middle of the room. “I’m so excited about this evening,” she said. “And I’m moved by your presence because many of you don’t even know Kendra personally. But you know her family, and when I shared her story with you, you wanted to be here.”

  Cyd walked closer to Kendra. “Ken, I wanted to give you a bridal shower, but I knew you’d said no gifts.”

  Kendra nodded. She’d done a registry with Derek and had to return gifts to people who’d sent them early. This time around, material gifts weren’t a priority. Celebrating love with friends and family was their gift of choice.

  “Most of the women here are from Living Word, and I’ve known many of them for years. And instead of showering you with gifts,” Cyd said, smiling, “we’re going to shower you with wisdom!”

  Cheers went up around the room, and Kendra got goose bumps. These women didn’t know her, but wanted to take part in this?

  When they quieted, Cyd continued. “As you all know, Kendra is battling a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer called inflammatory breast disease. It has already spread and is considered incurable. Thus, Kendra is very aware that tomorrow is not promised and that every day is a gift from above to be treasured.”

  Kendra felt the eyes around the room on her. But she felt the love behind them as well.

  “But here’s the thing,” Cyd said. “Shouldn’t we all live with that awareness? Tomorrow is not promised for any of us, though we tend to live like it is. I know for myself—I don’t treat every day as a gift. I don’t ask how I can make the most of it, to the glory of God. But in watching Kendra, I’m learning, and I’m thankful for that. And that’s what inspired the idea for this shower.”

  Cyd picked up a Bible from the coffee table. “Molly, will you read our two shower verses?”

  Molly jumped up and turned to a bookmarked page. “From James chapter 4: ‘Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.’ And”—she turned back a few pages—“in 1 Timothy 6 we are told to fix our hope on God, ‘who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.’ ”

  “Thanks, Molly,” Cyd said. “So, knowing our life is a vapor and we should enjoy the days God gives us, each woman was challenged to come up with a wisdom gift.” She smiled, looking at Kendra. “They’re going to share their wisdom as to how you can enjoy every day God gives you—in life and, in particular, in your marriage to Lance.”

  “Ooh, I’m looking forward to hearing these,” Kendra said.

  “They’ve written their wisdom nuggets on keepsake note cards for you to take with you as well.” She looked around the room. “Who’s going first?”

  A hand went up. “I’ll go.” The woman stepped forward. “Kendra, my name is Dana. I grew up with Cyd at Living Word, and I think I remember you. Were you in a Christmas play the teens put on one year—one of the worship dancers?”

  “Oh wow, I forgot I did that,” Kendra said. “And I can’t believe you remember it!”

  “Yes, it was awesome,” Dana said. “Okay, this is very simple wisdom from a woman who’s been married eighteen years and dealt with a very public ordeal of my husband cheating on me, yet experienced God’s faithfulness.” She opened her note card. “God is faithful every single day. In the sun and in the rain. In the chirping of birds outside your window. In the embrace of your soon-to-be husband’s arms. Look for His faithfulness daily. Be blessed by it.”

  Dana put the note card in a basket on the table. “I knew I couldn’t do it without crying,” she said, grabbing a tissue as she sat down.

  Kendra slid a finger under her eyelid. “If this is any indication how the evening will go, I need two boxes of tissues over here.” She looked at Dana. “Thank you.”

  Another woman got up and came forward. “I won’t even try not to cry,” she said, “because I’m so moved by all of this.” She smiled sweetly at Kendra. “My name is Kelly, and I’m Cyd’s sister-in-law—”

  “Oh, Cedric’s sister?” Kendra said. “I’ve heard so much about you and your husband’s music ministry.”

  Kelly nodded. “Then you might know that in our concerts we talk about how we aborted our baby back when we were teens.” She paused, exhaled. “And it’s given me a unique perspective on life. So . . .” She looked at her note card. “Every day of life is a day purposed by God, a day purposed for you. Ask what He wants to do in you. Whose life does He want to impact through you? And whatever the day brings, know that God loves you fiercely, cares for you completely, and watches over you zealously.”

  Kendra was playing back the words already. She tended to dwell on the days she wouldn’t have. But living for today, knowing it counts, has purpose . . . “Kelly, that was on time. Thank you.”

  “I’d like to go next,” a woman said.

  Kendra wondered how she’d missed her. It was Pastor Lyles’s wife.

  “Kendra, I’m Thelma Lyles, and I’m so blessed to be here.”

  “I’m blessed to have you here,” Kendra said. She’d never really known Mrs. Lyles, but the pastor’s wife had always been kind. She’d seen her last at her mother’s funeral.

  “I don’t know if you knew this, Kendra, but I had breast cancer in my forties,” Mrs. Lyles said. “It was Stage II, and I had a mastectomy and radiation. My wisdom stems from that perspective.” She put on her glasses and opened her card. “God will love you through your husband. He will care for you through your husband. He will even spoil you through your husband. When Lance anticipates your need, even when he overestimates your need, receive it as specially packaged by God. Lance is your gift, specially packaged by God. Enjoy your gift, girl.”

  Mrs. Lyles’s words seemed so simple. Kendra knew God had blessed her with Lance. But she’d never thought of it as God’s loving her, caring for her, even spoiling her through Lance.

  Kendra held her tissue. “I can’t wait to show Lance this one, Mrs. Lyles. Are you sure he didn’t write it?”

  Mrs. Lyles chuckled as she dropped the note in the basket and went back to her seat.

  Two hours later, Kendra had been saturated with such wisdom that it felt like her soul was sloshing in the goodness of God—as if He’d arranged the night, the words, the love, just for her. Which He had. But it was hard to wrap her mind around it.

  As much as Kendra’s spirit soared, though, by the time the women had gone, she was beyond fatigued. Cyd showed her to her room and made sure she had everything she needed.

  “Don’t you hesitate to call out i
f you need anything else,” Cyd said. “And if your mouth hurts too much to call out, pick up your phone. I’ll come.”

  “I’m so overwhelmed by what you did tonight,” Kendra said. “I’ll never forget this.”

  “As Mrs. Lyles said, this was God loving you through every woman who was here,” Cyd said. “You probably have no idea how much it blesses all of us to witness the love you and Lance share. It’s beautiful, Ken.” She grinned, shoulders hunched. “And you’re getting married! Tomorrow!”

  Kendra smiled, her eyes closing on their own, her thoughts stretching toward the man she missed greatly, only a couple blocks away. Lance Alexander.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

  THE LAST THING LANCE EXPECTED TO BE WAS NERVOUS. HE knew he’d be worried about everything coming together. He’d bitten off way more than he could chew.

  But wedding plans wouldn’t make him nervous. It was marriage that was making him nervous. Being a husband—a good husband—that was making him nervous. He’d never seen it modeled in the home. And he’d never known anyone who married “in sickness” like this. How would he know what to do? It was one thing to come up to Kendra’s room and ask what she needed. Now he’d be responsible for her, before God. That was huge.

  Lance stared out the kitchen window at the workers who’d gotten started early in the backyard. He’d been careful to clear every phase of planning with Mr. Woods. But that was another thing—he wasn’t sure how he felt about being here. He always figured he’d have his own house when he married. A small one, sure. But it would be his. Theirs. Would it be weird to live with his father-in-law? Was it okay to stay here for free, work less, and care for Kendra?

  That’s what he wanted to do, care for his wife. Like a job, but not a job. He wanted to give himself to it, learn what he needed to learn, help however he needed to help. Which also made him nervous. What if he failed?

  Marlon came downstairs and into the kitchen. “Today’s the day,” he said, smiling.

  Lance turned to him. “Yes, sir, it is.”

  “How are you feeling?” Marlon asked.

  “Truthfully?” Lance said. “Nervous.”