by Linda Apple
“I can and I do.”
“Well,” Cladie put her hand on AJ’s arm, “Levi’s word is as good as gold with me. If you want work, you’re hired.”
AJ’s jaw fell open. He looked from Cladie to Levi then back to Cladie. “Thank you, ma’am.” He ran his hand over his head and blinked back tears. “Thank you.”
Levi lifted Junie in the air over his head. “Did you hear that, little lady? Your daddy has a job.”
Jema couldn’t help it. The joy at seeing such hope in a deserving family made her vision go all misty. Now they could get an apartment or maybe even rent a house. A house? Wait. She had a house that would be empty for well over a year. Maybe two. Cladie and Felix had promised to look out for it. But…. She tapped Levi on the shoulder and whispered something in his ear. He set Junie down and faced her. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
She nodded vigorously. “Yes, more than anything.”
Levi faced AJ. “My amazing wife has just offered you a place to live, rent free, if you want it.”
“I…I don’t understand?”
“You can live in her house, for as long as you want.”
Jema knelt down and smiled at Junie. “Would you like that?”
Junie turned pleading eyes on AJ. “Can we daddy? And can we get a puppy?”
AJ was too overcome to speak. He only nodded. When he found his voice, he looked from Levi to Jema, then Cladie. “Man, I can’t believe this is happening. To me…” He reached for Junie. “To us. There are no words…thank you doesn’t seem enough.”
Cladie crossed her arms. “Let’s see what you say when you’ve worked so hard you fall in bed with your clothes on.”
“I like hard work, Miss Cladie. You’ll see.”
“Good. Maybe I’ll get back on Felix’s good side. He’s been such a crank since Levi left. Now come over Monday morning for breakfast, say around seven, and we will talk particulars.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll do that.”
“Felix is here somewhere. Let’s go find him, and I’ll introduce you.”
AJ smiled at his daughter. “Junebug, it’s just like I always told you, isn’t it? Tomorrow is another day to hope. Well, baby girl, tomorrow has come. Daddy has a job, and we have a home.”
“Can we have a puppy, pweese?”
“Well, I don’t know if Mrs. Jema wants a puppy in her home.”
“Of course you can have a puppy. Any kind you want. That will be Mr. Levi’s and my present to you.” Jema turned AJ. “Find a puppy, any breed, and we will buy it.”
“Aw, that’s not necessary. I think we will go to a pound and find a puppy there. After all, we’ve been given hope and a home. We can do the same for a little shelter dog.”
Cladie patted AJ. “Good man. I like the way you think. Now, let’s find Felix. Junie, while your daddy and Mr. Felix are talking, I have some toys to show you.”
Jema watched as Cladie led AJ to meet Felix when she noticed Lexi snooping around the closed bar. She and Levi had made the decision the only alcohol served at the reception would be champagne for a toast. She held her finger up and said to Levi, “I’ll be back in a moment.”
“Take your time. I see the mayor over there, and I’m going to ask him to give the invocation.”
“Good idea.”
With kitten feet, Jema approached Lexi from behind. She tapped her shoulder and said, “What’cha doing there, Lex?”
Lexi whirled around with her hand to her throat. “Lord in heaven, you scared the cats out of me. But now that you ask, I’m looking for vodka. I have this nice glass of tomato juice and it needs something.”
“Go in the kitchen. I think you’ll find something there. And while you are at it. I could use some orange juice.” Jema bobbed her eyebrows. “If you get my drift.”
Lexi pointed her finger and clicked her tongue. “Gotcha.”
In no time, she returned from the kitchen and handed Jema her drink.
“Thanks. By the way, where’s Nathan?”
“He stayed at the house.” She tilted her glass to her lips and drank. “Um, that is good. Hair of the dog, you know.”
“Why didn’t he come?”
“He said it was your day, and if he came someone,” Lexi wiggled her fingers with her free hand, “even in this little town might recognize him.”
“I know of one fan who will be sorely disappointed.”
“Skye? No, she won’t. She’s coming with Ava and Ty to my place for drinks this evening.”
“I hope he can handle her.”
“Hey, no problem; he handles me.” Lexi frowned. “What’s Sid and Levi doing over there?”
“Sid is going to pray over the meal.”
Levi had the mic and lifted his hand in the air. “Everybody hungry?”
The crowd answered with a resounding, “Yes.”
“Good. Before we eat, Mayor Campbell has consented to give the invocation.”
Sid peered at the gathering through his John Lennon glasses. He looked like an aging hippy with his snow-white curly hair tied in a ponytail. His smile was genuine and pleasant. Jema hoped to know him better one day.
He smiled and said, “Let’s pray. God, we are so grateful for Levi and Jema. For everyone in this room. For the abundant food we are about to enjoy and for the hands that prepared it. Thank you for the peace we have in this momentous day and may we be the purveyors of this peace when we leave this room. Amen.”
In about two beats, Cladie said, “Amen and let’s eat. Come on y’all. Don’t be shy.”
While the line formed at the buffet table, Jema watched with deep satisfaction. The rich mingled with the poor, all smiling and laughing together. The professional conversing with the homeless. A prayer rose in her heart that this rooting forward would be the cornerstone for everyone’s year.
Ty drew her attention as he inconspicuously moved among the people with his camera taking candids. Avalee joined Jema and admired her fiancé’. “He’s wonderful, isn’t he?”
“Yes, hon. You did good.” Jema smiled and said to Avalee, “And so did he.”
“Molly Kate told me you were about to become a member of the Mile High Club.”
“Yes, ma’am. Tonight will be a first for me.”
“I’m jealous.”
“Don’t be. I’ll make sure Levi’s jet is part of your honeymoon package.”
“Oh goodie, I was hoping you’d offer.” Ava side-hugged Jema. “By the way, you’d better eat something if you plan on having the strength to rock the heavens.”
“I’m not hungry, but I guess I’d better eat a little something what with it being good luck and all. Come on, let’s fix us a plate.”
When most were finished eating, Jema and Levi stood on the platform with the jazz band. All chatting quit and everyone watched as Levi approached the microphone. “Jema and I want to express our deepest heartfelt thanks for all of you, for coming to share with us the first day of the New Year and the first day of our lives as husband and wife.”
Applause and cheers broke out. After the clamor subsided, Levi continued. “The waiters are serving champagne, or sparkling grape juice if you so prefer, for a toast to your health and happiness.” When all were served, Levi lifted his glass and fixed his gaze on Jema making her feel weak with love and desire. “To my bride,” he looked up, “and to all of you. May this year be the best year of your lives.”
The guests raised their glasses and shouted, “Hear, hear!”
Lexi called out, “Okay, let’s cut that cake, and make mine extra thick.”
Jema laughed as she took Levi’s hand and led him to the cake. Just as they had the night before, they cut a slice and fed a piece to each other. It was delicious, especially when Levi kissed her with buttercream frosting on his lips. One would have thought they were on the red carpet from the spontaneous applause and camera flashes. While all this was going on, the band struck up a rousing rendition of “Blue Skies”.
Jema hummed along wishing she were
in those blue skies. When four o’clock finally came around, she was anxious to say goodbye. Molly Kate had everyone grab a sparkler and put on their coats to form a line for Jema and Levi to walk through to the waiting limousine. When the line was formed and the sparklers lit, that is when it happened. Snow. It had snowed, not one time, but twice in Moonlight, Mississippi. The children squealed with delight. Large flakes swirled among the glittering sparkles. The perfect touch for enchanted memories.
As the limo pulled away, Jema rolled down her window to wave. Children ran across the lawn trying to catch flakes on their tongues. The adults waved then hurried back inside. All except Avalee, Cladie, Lexi, and Molly Kate. They watched with their arms intertwined. Jema waved once more then closed the window and laid her head against her husband’s chest. It was time to hit those blue skies to Italy.
Chapter Twelve
Dreams ebb and flow with life.
~Avalee Preston
Snow. What a perfect way to end Jema’s wedding celebrations. My throat tightened as I waved goodbye to my friend and watched the limo drive away. In the short time I’d gotten to know her, I knew I’d miss her terribly. By the time they were out of sight, the snow stopped. It was a dazzling kiss from heaven.
When the party wound down, and as the guests left, I stood by the door passing out the gift bags Jema and Levi had put together. Most of the bags contained a thank you note, a gift certificate for two at the country club restaurant, another for Preston Gardens secured to a pack of seeds, and one for A Taste of Heaven secured to a box of Molly Kate’s delicious truffles. Those in the tent town received more practical items. Their bags also contained a thank you note and a box of truffles, however their certificates came from Walmart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. Jema also thought to include some from local movie theaters with a note that if there were not enough certificates for everyone in the family to let Ricci at Life Source know and more would be provided.
Junie and AJ were the last to leave. The little girl skipped past us and took her father’s hand. “Daddy? When can we see our new house?”
“I don’t know, honey.”
Momma leaned over and shook the house keys. “How about now, little one?”
Junie jumped up and down while clapping her hands. “Can we, Daddy? Can we? Pweeze?”
AJ nodded. “If Miss Cladie says we can, I guess we can.”
“We can.” Cladie took Junie’s hand and waved at the shuttle driver. “They are going with us.” She handed the keys to AJ. “Felix has the truck all warmed up, so how about he take you to get your things first and then bring you to your new home?
“Sounds good. Thank you Miss Cladie.”
“Fine. Oh, and I’ll have supper on my table at six-thirty. I expect you and little Junie to be there along with Felix. We won’t discuss business tonight. Let’s just take some time getting to know each other.”
AJ picked Junie up and nodded his head. “All right, then. And thank you, again.”
Junie blew a kiss. “Mr. Webi told me you were nice. But you are nicer than nice. You’re nice as…as…Santa Claus.”
As I watched this New Year’s miracle unfold, I had never been as proud of my momma as I was at that moment. Her name should appear in the dictionary as the definition of altruism. I thought about Mrs. Armstrong, the person who embodied the exact opposite of my mother. Having a black family move into the neighborhood was sure to give her heartburn. Thank the Lord times have changed, but change comes hard for some old timers. On the other hand, I felt sure Junie would win her over. How could all that preciousness not melt the most stubborn of hearts?
Molly Kate strolled over with her cat-child in her arms. “Let’s call it a day. I’m slap tuckered out.”
Momma looked around. “Sugar, we can’t leave you with this mess.”
“Yes, you most certainly can.” Molly stroked Gypsy’s black fur. “The caterers are cleaning their mess, and I have a crew coming in tomorrow. Go on now.”
“All right then. But I need to find Ty first.”
“He’s in the kitchen with Stan.”
“See ya, Gyps.” I reached over and scratched under Gypsy’s chin. She stared at me contentedly through green slitted eyes and murmured, “Merrowr.”
“Okay ladies.” Ty sauntered toward us. “Your chariot awaits, all warmed up and ready to go.”
Kricket scampered toward us, all wags and wiggles. Stan followed her and slipped his arm around Molly Kate’s waist. “Krickers wanted to say goodbye, too.”
“Sure she does.” I rubbed the puppy’s head. “There is more to your wanting us to leave than your claim to being tired, I’ll bet.”
“Shoot.” MK winked at Stan. “They figured us out.”
“Happy honeymooning.” I blew them a kiss and hurried to Ty’s warm truck wishing it were already May.
****
Before Ty, Skye, and I went to Lexi’s we dropped mom off at the house. While Skye and I waited for him to return from helping Momma inside with all her dishes, the girl nearly drove me crazy. She sat behind me jiggling her legs. The constant bounce made me want to scream. She leaned forward and gripped my headrest. “I’m so nervous; I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Oh pfff. He’s just a guy.” I turned to face her. “And don’t let him hurt your feelings. He has a pretty dry wit. Lexi learned that the hard way.”
Skye fell back fanning her face with her hands. “Oh god, oh god.”
Ty opened the truck door and slid onto the seat. “What’s up with you, baby girl?”
Her voice soared four octaves. “I can’t believe this. I’m actually meeting Nathan Wolfe.”
“Oh, brother.” Ty rolled his eyes, put the truck in reverse, and backed out. “Don’t make yourself a pest, okay?”
That comment set her on fire. She gripped my headrest again. “Avalee, don’t let me be a screw up. Don’t let me totally fangirl him. Give me a sign or something.”
Ty said, “I know, how about if I stick my finger down my throat.”
Skye hit the back of his seat. “Funny, dad.”
“How about if I fan my face?” I thought that was a pretty good idea.
“Perfect.”
Skye sat still a full second and then started fidgeting again. The two blocks to Lexi’s house felt more like two miles. We should have walked no matter how cold it was so she could have worked off all her nervous energy.
When we made our way to the door, she held onto my hand as if she were hanging from a cliff. By the time we were inside, my fingers had gone totally numb. Nathan and Scott sat on the couch talking. He stood when we entered the room, and she squeezed even harder. Eager to be released from her vise-grip, I hurried to make introductions.
“Skye, this is Nathan.”
“I…I, I mean, I’m very pleased to meet you Mr. Wolfe.” Thank God in heaven she let go of my hand in order to shake his. I should have warned him to be careful.
Rubbing my fingers to get the circulation going again, I said, “And this is Scott Allen.”
Her eyes never left Nathan. “Nice to meet you.”
Scott lifted his eyebrows, then shook his head and grinned at me.
Lexi walked between Skye and Nathan. “Hello Skye. Sugar, the last time I saw you, you were in diapers. My, how you’ve grown.”
Skye frowned. “I’m sorry, your name is?”
“I’m Lexi. I work with your dad.” She cocked her head. “Are you old enough for a glass of wine dear?”
“I’m twenty-two.” Fire ignited in her eyes. “And yes, I’d love some.”
“Nate? Another salty dog?” Lexi was actually acting jealous. I glanced at Ty and could tell this little interaction hadn’t missed his notice.
When Lex left to make the drinks, Skye gushed. “Mr. Wolfe, I have to say your investigative reporting on human trafficking in Bangladesh was brilliant. I mean, you are so balanced. When you report on political issues, I can’t tell which way you lean, conservative or liberal. You are one of the most object
ive reporters I’ve ever studied.”
I believe the man was actually flattered. He straightened and said, “Studied? Why, thank you, Skye. By the way, call me Nate.”
Up went the voice. “Really?” I fanned my face and she backed off. “Nate, it is then.”
He sat and patted the cushion beside him. “By your comment about your studying me, I assume you are into journalism?”
“Yes. And I have so many things to ask you.” From that point on, Skye and Nate were totally engrossed in conversation to the exclusion of everyone else in the room. Skye hardly acknowledged Lexi when she handed her the wine.
Ty strolled to the bar and grabbed a long neck. “Hey, Lex. I’ll tell her to back off if you want.”
“No.” She flourished with her hand. “Let him enjoy his little fan.”
Scott, obviously tired of the nonstop conversation between Nate and Skye stood and joined us. “His groupies get younger and younger.”
Ty took a long drink of his beer. “Probably because he is getting older and older.”
Lexi snorted. “Now Ty, that’s funny right there.” She fixed another bourbon and Coke Zero.
The evening passed without a let up between Skye and Nate who sat huddled on the couch. Lexi tried to pretend it didn’t bother her, but she watched them and ate everything in sight.
“Hey.” I tapped her shoulder. “We are leaving and taking Skye with us so you can have Nate back.”
Lexi sighed. “I’m okay. Well, no, I’m not, but it isn’t her. It’s me. Watching them makes me realize I need to know more than I do. Shoot, I don’t even know where Bangladesh is, and I have the vocabulary of a sixth grader. And even though I know he is a news god, I certainly haven’t studied him.”
“Oh, poo. That’s silly talk. You are an amazing woman.”
She waved me off. “Pssh.”
Ty helped me slip on my coat and called to Skye. “Come on kiddo time to let these folks get some rest.”
Stricken wouldn’t begin to describe her expression. In a brave effort to keep from appearing juvenile, she graciously held her hand out to Nathan. “It has been wonderful talking with you, Nate.”