Southern Comfort: Chandler's Story (The Southern Series Book 1)

by Shelley Stringer

  “Yeah, I could definitely use a nap.” I smiled back at her.

  Upon returning home we found John and Banton were gone, so we all decided to rest while Ava took her nap. Claudia, Julia and I took her upstairs and piled up on my bed to read a book. Brie slipped into John’s room, and Aunt Sue and Mrs. Elaine stayed downstairs visiting with Constance.

  When I woke a couple of hours later, I was the only one on the bed. I could hear voices and laughter from downstairs. I rose, and had to steady myself beside the bed. Waves of nausea swept over me again as I stood up straight. What was wrong with me? One minute, I would be fine, then the next, like this morning when I woke...

  I rose and flew to my purse lying on the dresser.

  The gray plastic package containing my birth control pills lay on top of my billfold. It held a three month supply, and as I followed the bubbles around the pattern, I realized the five pills I took during my cycle were gone, and I had taken ten pills past them. I was fifteen days late. It couldn’t be possible. I had never missed a pill one day since I started taking them. And I wouldn’t be having morning sickness already, anyway. It would be too soon, wouldn’t it? I put the pills back in my purse, and sat down on the bed to steady my nerves. Was it possible? Was I pregnant?

  The bedroom door opening startled me. I looked up as Banton crossed the room and sat down on the bed next to me. “Hey, sleeping beauty. You had quite a nap, how are you feeling?”

  “Good, I feel good this afternoon. I’m just tired, we were up late last night, you know.”

  “Yes, I seem to remember a late night.” He kissed my neck, and wrapped his arms around me. “Mrs. Sue and Constance are leaving, I thought you might want to tell them goodbye.” He studied my face curiously, seeming not to believe my I’m just tired explanation.

  “Oh, yes. Let’s go down.” I was suddenly terrified at the thought I might have to tell Banton about my suspicion. I had no idea how he would take the news. He’d been so protective of me when we’d first been intimate, and had worried about how young I was. I would just have to slip out, and take a trip to the pharmacy later to ease my mind.

  Downstairs we found Colin, Ty and Ben visiting with everyone in the living room. Constance broke off with a conversation with Ty, and hurried over to whisper in my ear, “It wouldn’t hurt my feelings one bit if you paired me up with Ty during the ceremony! He’s a doll!”

  “Oh really, and what about Chase?” I asked, astonished she’d fallen for one of Banton’s friends so easily.

  “Chase who?” she joked. “I’m kidding. Seriously, we’re taking a break from each other. I’m not sure about him, he fights all the time, and can’t seem to control his temper…” She trailed off, and then waved at Ty again as she and Aunt Sue went out the door.

  Banton took us all to a nice restaurant that evening, so it was late when we returned to the house. John graciously offered to stay over at Brie’s so Julia and Mrs. Elaine could use his room, and Claudia and Ava Grace stayed in Banton’s. Banton discreetly took the living room sofa.

  I sat curled up in my window seat for a long time, worrying about what I was going to tell Banton, and when. He had so much on his mind, with his recent transformation, and dealing with his raw feelings and anger issues. I wondered if I could sneak out and make a trip to an all-night pharmacy and settle the issue, once and for all. Motion outside drew my attention away from my thoughts, and I focused on a small figure standing in the alley. It looked like the same small creature I’d seen last night. She hovered by the back gate for a few moments, seeming to search the house for activity. Then just as swiftly as last night, she vanished down the alley. Her presence disturbed me, although I couldn’t decide if I was really frightened of her, and I didn’t understand that emotion. Was it because this Orco creature was a female, and not a male? I wanted to tell John, but since he was at Brie’s there was nothing I could do.

  I was still wide awake at midnight when my door creaked open. Beau raised his head to check, and his tail beat against the floor. It was Banton. He closed the door behind him and then slipped into the bed beside me, pulling me in close to him.

  “Shame on you, Banton! What if your mother catches you in here?”

  “Then I guess I’ll be grounded,” he whispered as he kissed my neck, sending tiny chill-bumps and shivers down my arms.

  “I always knew you were the rebellious type. I’m drawn to that type, you know.”

  “Who, you? The twenty-two year old surrogate-mother furniture refinisher?” he laughed.

  “I’m glad you came up, I couldn’t sleep without you beside me.” I snuggled closer into his arms.

  “Me either.” He kissed the top of my head. “You were awfully quiet at dinner. Is anything bothering you?”

  “Banton? I think I might, well, I…”

  “What is it?”

  I just couldn’t tell him about my suspicions about being pregnant. I was terrified of his being disappointed in me, and he was still fighting his nerves and his control. “Oh, nothing. It can wait till morning.”

  And just like that, I was able to relax enough to fall into a deep sleep with the knowledge that as long as he held me, everything would work itself out.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Banton’s mother and Julia left after breakfast the next morning, leaving Claudia and Ava behind to spend a few days with us. Will was to come up later in the week since they needed to meet with the state child protective services as part of the adoption process. Ava Grace was making the transition amazingly well, but it still bothered me how much she clung to us. It didn’t matter who, she just always had to be near one of us. I hoped once she knew Claudia and Will’s home would be permanent, she would relax a small amount.

  We spent the next couple of days in quality time at home. Claudia, Ava and I baked Christmas cookies and cupcakes for the guys. I began to call myself Aunt Chandler when I talked to Ava, hoping she would pick it up, but she was stubborn. Uncle Banton was easier for her. On the third day of our girl time, Everett paid us a visit, bringing surplus Christmas decorations from his shop and a real tree.

  “Mommy Andler, wook! Unca Ebret’s got weindeers, wook!” Ava called excitedly from the hallway as I stood at the kitchen window washing dishes from lunch. I dried my hands off on my mother’s apron, and hurried down the hallway to the entry hall.

  “I certainly hope she meant reindeer and not some body part I don’t know about!”

  Everett looked at me over the top of the massive fir tree, and laughed one little “Ha.”

  “Wow, Everett, I don’t think that thing is going to fit in here. It’s huge!” I exclaimed, watching while he and Claudia fought to get it through the front door.

  “Oh ye of little faith. Here, hold the door open, you are useless!”

  I pushed the door wider as he pulled the massive tree through and stood it up on the stand nailed to the trunk.

  “It’s beautiful, I have to admit.” I inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh pine scent. It reminded me of Christmas in Texas, when we would go out to the local tree farm, and my dad would cut the perfect tree down. My eyes began to water, and I wiped them on my apron.

  “How are you ever going to fill it with ornaments? It’s your first Christmas in your house. You are just starting out collecting,” Claudia worried, surveying the tall tree. The tip would reach well over Banton’s head standing at the top of the landing.

  “Oh, Darlin’, you don’t know Uncle Everett at all yet, do you? Come here, sister, and see what I’ve brought.” Everett took Claudia’s hand in his as he proceeded to drag box after box in from the porch, and the aforementioned reindeer Ava was so excited about. It was a small herd of grapevine deer, in different poses, with twinkle lights running through them. We spent the rest of the afternoon decorating the massive tree with all sorts of antique replica ornaments and papier-mâché Santas and angels, snow globes and glass balls. Everett even supplied a Christmas CD with many of my old favorites on it, and I popped it into the
CD player in the living room. Everett took bundles of sticks he sprayed with snow out in the yard, and then stuffed them like sprays into the branches all over the tree. Instead of stringing lights, he hung large balls of twigs and snow massed together, and these contained clusters of lights.

  “Ok, are we ready? Ava, count down for us.” Everett winked at her.

  Ava stood on a small stool, helping decorate the lower branches. “One, two, fwee!” she squealed, as Everett plugged the lights in.

  “Oh, that is absolutely beautiful. Everett, would you please come home with me to decorate my house? I’ll pay you anything you want!” Claudia exclaimed, gazing at the large illuminated fir.

  Beau raised his head to contemplate the lights over his head, having stretched out on the massive pastel tree skirt underneath, and then lay it back down with a groan.

  “Puppy Beau wikes it, Mommy Andler!” Ava squealed again as she jumped off the stool she’d been standing on.

  “Aunt Chandler” I corrected her. “Yes, I think Beau has found a new place to sleep!” I winked at her.

  “That’s where the deer are supposed to go. Now what will I do?” Everett put his hand up to his cheek, and fretted over his light-up herd. Claudia snickered at him, and glanced over at me. I had long since gotten used to his comical over-the-top reactions to every situation. I smiled back at her and rolled my eyes.

  “Ober here, Unca Ebret. Wight here!” Ava pointed to a place in a corner, next to the door between the entry glass and the dining room doorway.

  “I think Miss Ava Grace might be a budding decorator! Here, come help Uncle Everett set them up.”

  “Is he always this much fun?” Claudia nodded over to Everett, as he urged Ava to climb on his back. He danced around the room with her as “Rocking around the Christmas Tree” played in the living room.

  “Yeah. You ought to see his enthusiasm during Disney musicals!”

  I went back to the kitchen to turn the heat up on a prime rib I had been slow cooking in the oven for the past three hours. Quickly tossing a salad, I then put some loaded twice-baked potatoes in the oven to bake. Enlisting Ava’s help, I asked her to help me set the table and gave her the forks and spoons to put at each place.

  “Go ask Uncle Everett if he can stay for dinner.”

  Returning breathlessly around the corner, Ava exclaimed, “Come wook, Mommy Andler, Wook!” I followed Ava into the foyer to find Everett had wrapped the entire banister and doorway with yards of garland, white tulle, and white twinkle lights. The lights bounced off the antique glass in the windows, making the entire front of the house sparkle. On the center of the round table in the foyer an antique angel, the one my mother had used on our tree since I was born, stood amid cascades of angel hair and lights and antique linens. The tears threatened as I ran to hug Everett.

  “Thank you, so much. It’s like she’s here. You have no idea.”

  “Yes, I do, actually. And you are entirely welcome.” He kissed me on the forehead. “I found it in one of your boxes in there.” He pointed to the dining room where I was still unpacking things from my mother’s house.

  “Wow, did the abominable snowman throw up in here?” John burst through the door, carrying his large Navy duffle bag, with Banton close behind him, struggling with the same.

  Banton set his bag down, and then took in the tree. “How on earth did you do all this today?” he wondered, circling the tree in appreciation.

  “We have elves who bear gifts.” I smiled at Everett.

  “Now, it really seems like home. Christmas decorations and what is that wonderful smell?” Banton came over to me, and hugged me tightly.

  “Prime rib. And I need you to slice it, if you would.”

  “Wow. Of course, that’s the least I can do…” He leaned over, and wrapped his arms around me, drawing me up to his lips.

  “Mmm. Hey, Beautiful,” he murmured, tugging my bottom lip playfully with his teeth.

  “Hey, you…I missed you today. How was your workout?” I smiled up at him, elated he was home.

  “It was great.” He took a deep breath, seemingly pleased. “I seem to work out more of the stress every day.”

  “I’m glad. And I’m glad you’re home!” I hugged him tightly as I buried my head in his chest, suddenly remembering my apprehension about my missed period.

  Banton astutely sensed my unease, and tipped my chin with his finger to meet my gaze. “What is it, Andie? Is something wrong?”

  I paused for an instant, and almost worked up the courage to tell him. We stood alone in the foyer. John had drifted upstairs, and everyone else was in the living room. As he studied my reaction, I lost my nerve. Shaking my head, I replied, “No, nothing. I just missed you this afternoon, that’s all. I’m glad you’re home.” He paused for a moment, and I caught the shadow of doubt crossing his face. Now was not the time, so I took his hand in mine and drew him into the dining room.

  We had a wonderful meal and visited late into the night. I went to bed feeling so blessed I had found Banton and his family, and my wonderful friends. I said a prayer of thanks before I drifted off to sleep, Banton’s arms around me as usual.

  I woke early with the same queasiness that had plagued me the last several mornings. I decided today was the day I needed to go to the pharmacy, but I would have to go after the guys left. As soon as Banton left in the early afternoon with John to go work out, I slipped out, telling Claudia I needed to run a quick errand. I returned thirty minutes later, and after checking on Claudia and Ava, I ran to the bathroom, and locked myself in. I was suddenly so nervous I couldn’t read the instructions on the box.

  After finishing the test, I sat the small plastic strip on the sink, waiting for the results. Whatever the outcome, it was meant to be, I decided, closing my eyes. After what I knew was plenty of time, I opened my eyes and looked. A small plus sign appeared in the window. I sat and stared at it for several minutes, processing the information.

  I had no idea how I’d conceived while on birth control, but hadn’t we been taught nothing was completely safe except abstinence? I was in that tiny two percent the pill didn’t protect. I let out the breath I’d been holding, and teared up as I held my abdomen. I was carrying Banton’s baby. I panicked, thinking of the lengths he’d gone to handling the situation with Ava, pointing out we were just starting our relationship, my age…he wouldn’t be thrilled about this. My heart sank. I had no idea how I was going to tell him.

  Claudia and I spent a quiet afternoon playing with Ava, and it occurred to me the relationship growing between Claudia and I seemed almost sister-like. I’d always envied other friends with siblings, and cherished the relationship I had with Laurilee and Constance. Claudia and I shared so many interests, and like the rest of Banton’s family, Claudia was extremely affectionate and loving. Feeling like a bundle of nerves, I suddenly wanted so badly to tell her about the baby, but it would have to wait. Banton came first.

  We sat in the living room, waiting for Banton and John to return home. I’d put a roast and vegetables in the crock pot earlier in the day, so dinner was ready. Beau was on his usual spot on the rug in the entry hall, but he jumped up and began pacing back and forth between me and the front door.

  “Looks like somebody needs to go outside,” Claudia commented.

  Following Beau back to the door, I opened it and he bounded down the stairs, and began his ritual sniffing of the bushes, running around the front yard to find the perfect spot.

  Claudia’s cell rang in her purse, and she went in the dining room to retrieve it. “Hello? Oh, William, I’m glad you called…”

  I went back to the kitchen to give her some privacy. As I pulled the hot rolls out of the oven, I realized Ava hadn’t followed me like she usually did. It was really quiet, and I became anxious. Hurrying back down the hallway, I found the front door ajar. I glanced into the living room and found the sofa where Ava had been sitting was empty. I then checked the dining room, and Claudia was sitting in a chair with her back
to the door, still involved in her conversation.

  Blood rushed to my head, seeming to pound in my ears

  “Claudia, have you seen Ava?” I interrupted her, suddenly panicked.

  She paused, and stood to turn to me. “No, she was on the sofa.”

  “Oh, my gosh! She’s gone out the front door after Beau.” I hurried out the door and down the steps, searching the yard and down the street. Neither Ava nor Beau was anywhere to be seen.

  I turned back to Claudia, who was standing on the porch with a look of horror on her face. “Call Banton, and call the police. Stay here, in case she comes back. I’ve got to go find her!” Claudia nodded, and flipped her cell open. I ran the direction of Mr. Jackson’s, thinking that was the route Beau usually took. I met him stumbling down his apartment steps, hurrying to catch me.

  “Miss Chandler, you be a-looking for Ava?” he asked, out of breath.

  “Yes! Have you seen her?”

  “I wuz a ‘coming to get you. I seen her a’runnin after that mutt, up de road. I couldn’t find my phone to call you, so I come to get you.” He pointed down the road, toward the gates of the old cemetery.

  “Tell the others where I’ve gone when they come, I’ve got to go after her!” I started to run down the road.

  “Miss Chandler, be careful. It be dusk now, and dem dead ones, the loogaroo, dey crawl at night!”

  I shuddered, and put the thought out of my head. I had to find Ava. Running down the road as fast as I could, I shouted for Beau. I knew if Beau was in a mile radius, he would hear me. But as I called out time after time, I could hear nothing.

  Now I was frantic, and the tears of frustration threatened. What if I couldn’t find her, what if one of them found her first? I ran on, through the cemetery gates into a maze. Like in New Orleans, many of the graves were above ground tombs, with concrete slabs over the top of the plots. It was getting dark now, and it was making it impossible to see.

  “Beau! Where are you? Come here, boy! Ava, Ava Grace!” I stumbled blindly between the rows, hearing a faint whimper. I rounded a corner, and ran right into Beau. Relieved, I fell down on my knees in front of him. “Beau, where’s Ava? Where’s Ava, Beau?” I asked him, anxiously trying to communicate with him. He plodded down a path between the massive headstones, like he knew what I needed. I ran after him, forgetting the danger of being in the cemetery after dusk. My side began to ache, and I became winded, but I pushed on, frantic to find her before something happened to her. Following Beau around a corner, I could make out a tiny form, huddled beside a small headstone. Relief flooded over me as I fell down beside her and wrapped my arms around her.