Forever Friends

by Murray, Tamela Hancock

  Kassia knew she could trust Dad not to be too hard on Teague. She nodded gratefully. “Is that okay with you, Teague? If you need to get home—”

  “No, I want to watch the game with your dad.” She knew him well enough by now to realize the way he grinned at her meant he was sincere.

  “Come on into the kitchen with us,” her mother told her.

  Since her family knew Kassia was not a baseball fan, she couldn’t beg off and escape to the study with the men. She gave Teague a weak grin and headed toward the kitchen.

  Situated in the back of the house, the kitchen was the picture-perfect image of modern technology and hygiene. Mother always cleaned up after each meal. No dish was allowed to remain dirty for more than fifteen minutes. Nary a crumb was missed by the ever-moving sponge.

  Deidre peered out of the kitchen window toward the driveway. “It’s a wonder that rattletrap car of yours made it here.”

  Since Kassia had resolved to be conciliatory and had already used up her snide quotient on the remark about Matt’s working for his dad, she was determined not to take the bait this time. “I know it isn’t new like yours, but it does okay.”

  As Kassia and her mother sat down at the table, Deidre wasted no time in cutting her sister a slice of cake. “Here. Try this. It’s my newest recipe.”

  “Deidre always was the best cook among us,” Mother said.

  “I know, Mother, but I’m full right now. I just had a big slice of your delicious pie. May I have some cake later?”

  “It will be gone if you wait,” Mother insisted. “Maybe you should take Teague a slice of your cake, Deidre.”

  “I can ask him if he’d like to try some.” Kassia welcomed the opportunity to escape and check on Teague. She carried a plate with several slices of cake on it and some napkins to the study.

  “How are you two doing in here?”

  “Great. The game’s pretty close,” Teague said, smiling at her.

  “Deidre wants everyone to try this cake she made. She said it’s a new recipe.”

  Teague took a slice. “Thanks. There’s nothing like a great meal followed by two desserts.”

  “It’s delicious,” Father said after taking a bite. “Deidre’s a great cook. Not that our Kassia isn’t. . . .”

  “Oh, I know she is. She’s been making meals for me since I’ve been laid up with this ankle.”

  Father’s eyes widened. “Is that so?”

  “I come over in the evening after work and stay a couple of hours,” Kassia hastened to explain.

  “Oh. Then good for you, Kassia. I’m glad you learned some compassion before you left this house.” She noticed a glimmer of approval she hadn’t seen in years.

  Kassia left before they could make any more observations. I’m not just being a Good Samaritan, Father.

  “So,” Mother said when Kassia returned to the kitchen, “Deidre tells me you’re going to church now.”

  “True. I think I’ve found a good place.”

  “Do they have a good women’s circle there?” Deidre inquired.

  “Uh, I don’t know.”

  “Well, you certainly should make it your business to find out!” Mother said sharply. “Deidre just got elected the head of the entire women’s group at our church.”

  Kassia put on her most congratulatory smile. “Good for you.”

  She listened to the litany of accomplishments in a like vein until her mother and sister exhausted their repertoire. She praised their deeds and recognitions, knowing in their opinion hers would never measure up to theirs. As usual, Kassia felt like a failure next to the golden daughters, even absent Mona. Her sisters were perfect in all their roles, doing their parents proud. Again Kassia was reminded she was the black sheep.

  As her mother and her sister talked, Kassia looked around the kitchen. The spotless room symbolized everything her mother was: orderly, formal, hardworking, and practical. They were so different; no wonder her mother didn’t understand Kassia. No wonder everything about Kassia frustrated her. If she was determined to change her part in the script, she had to realize the others had worked hard to hone their roles. They weren’t going to change, and as far as they were concerned, they had no reason to change. If she wanted a better relationship, she had to be the one who was willing to meet them halfway. Maybe even more than halfway.

  “I’ll bet you think I only visited to introduce you to Teague,” she ventured when they finally ran out of wind.

  “The thought did occur to us,” Mother said.

  “So it’s serious?” Deidre asked. “I’d be worried if he’s unemployed.”

  “You’ve already made that clear, thank you.”

  Deidre lifted her hands toward Kassia. “Okay. Don’t listen. But I’ve been married long enough to know how much a stable income means.”

  “I know. And you do have a point.” She swallowed. “Thanks for caring enough to mention it.”

  Time and time again.

  Deidre’s puzzled look told Kassia she sensed their family dynamics were changing somehow.

  Kassia decided to move on before she lost her nerve. She cleared her throat. “Anyway, I came here today for another reason.” Kassia studied an embroidered flower on the white tablecloth and said a quick silent prayer. After she finally gathered enough courage to look them in the eye, she spoke. “I want to renew my relationship with God—and with you.”

  “Really?” Deidre cast a doubtful look toward Mother.

  “Really.” Kassia’s voice was firm. “I don’t know what I’ll have to do to prove it.”

  “You don’t have to prove anything to us,” Mother said. “Just the fact that you came here today is a start.”

  Kassia nodded. For the first time, she realized her mother was unaware of the fact that she felt inferior around her and her sisters.

  “You’ve said things like this before,” Deidre said. “And you’ve always ended up falling away.”

  “Not too far, though,” Mother pointed out. She reached for Kassia’s hands and took them in hers. “Thank you.”

  “Um, yeah,” Deidre muttered.

  Despite her mother’s kindness, her sister’s doubt made Kassia feel worse. But she had always known any relationship with more than twenty-five years of wounds wouldn’t be healed in five minutes.

  She rose from her chair and motioned to her mother and sister. “Okay. Enough of this seriousness. Let’s see how Dad and Teague are doing in the other room.”

  Deidre was the first to enter the study, a room that still bore paneled walls from another era. The study was the only place in the house that was off-limits to Mother’s decorating whims.

  “Who’s winning?” Deidre asked.

  “It’s tied.”

  “Hmm,” Kassia noted. “Sounds like a good game.”

  “A bit slow, really,” Teague said. “Your father’s been giving me some job-hunting tips, though.” He threw Kassia a look that pleaded for a quick rescue.

  “I suggested he look for something else instead of traipsing all over the state.”

  Kassia tried not to cringe. Father meant well, but she felt certain Teague didn’t ride all this way with her just to listen to advice. She strode over to Father’s old recliner, where he sat like a medieval ruler, and kissed him on the forehead. “Thanks, Father. Teague’s talented. He’ll find something else soon. And he’s sent out a lot of resumes.”

  “In this economy, you can’t try hard enough,” her father pointed out.

  “Always the optimist,” Kassia said.

  “Remember Bruce?” Mother asked. “He didn’t have a job either, did he, Kassia?”

  Kassia groaned at the mention of an old flame. “That was a long time ago.”

  “He was a troublemaker, as far as I can remember,” Father added.

  “And Justin wasn’t much better.”

  “Now you’re really reaching,” Kassia objected.

  Teague shot Kassia a look that was both questioning and sympathetic.

&n
bsp; Grateful for his unspoken understanding, Kassia rolled her eyes at him and shook her head.

  “I hope you’re not like the rest of her boyfriends,” Mother observed.

  “Mother!” Kassia moaned.

  “I don’t know about her past boyfriends, but I do know your daughter has been good to me since the accident.” Teague grinned shyly at the family.

  “Well, I’m glad she’s finally found some missionary zeal,” Mother said. “Maybe you’ve brought it out in her. We certainly never succeeded.”

  With Teague’s silent approval, Kassia managed to steer them both out of the house before much more could be said. From the perspective of making Teague feel comfortable, the visit had been a total failure. Kassia tried not to let her distress show on her face. If Teague was even willing to speak to her after such a day, she would consider herself blessed.

  Fourteen

  As soon as they were in the car, Kassia turned on the radio. Since they had shared pleasant conversation on the way to her parents’ house, Teague suspected her interest in music could be attributed to a sudden disinterest in talking.

  Not that he blamed her. Finally Teague could understand why Kassia had always seemed so mysterious. Her family relationship was strained, at best. He had suspected her past failures were a result of misguided searches for love and acceptance. She was a woman in need of both. The question he needed to contemplate—was he the man to love her and accept her as more than a friend?

  Looking over at her as she drove up the highway, he believed he was. Yet he knew his feelings were based partly on gratitude. She hardly knew him, and yet she had selflessly spent time with him and cared for him throughout his recovery. She had earned a friend for life—that much was certain. But to base anything stronger on gratitude was a mistake he didn’t want to make.

  “It’s not too late,” Kassia noted as they reached the city limits. “Would you like to stop by my apartment for a bite of supper? It’s the least I can do.”

  Teague was hungry, and the idea sounded tempting. “Sure.”

  “I can make spaghetti if you like.”

  “Sounds like that will hit the spot.”

  Not long afterward, Teague and Kassia were sitting comfortably at her dining room table, enjoying the pasta and red sauce.

  “Look,” she said. “I’m sorry for the way my family acted while we were there. You can see why I don’t visit much. I’m a disappointment to them.”

  “I don’t see why you’re a disappointment. They should be proud of you.”

  “Really?” Kassia’s tone indicated she didn’t believe him. “Look at Deidre. She’s married to a great Christian guy, and she’s expecting her second child. Mona is on the dean’s list at college and holds an office in practically every club she’s in—and she’s a member of almost everything on campus except the fraternities. And she’d join those if they were allowed to take her.”

  Teague chuckled.

  “You can laugh, but it’s not much fun when you’re a sibling of a superstar.” She sighed. “It’s always been that way. I’ve been literally in the middle in both age and achievements. I’ve never been a standout in anything. How can I compete with them?”

  “Who says you have to compete?”

  She twirled a clump of noodles around her fork with more vigor than necessary. “I don’t. I gave up trying a long time ago.”

  “But you still resent their success.”

  “Not really. I want to be happy for them.” She opened her mouth as if to add something, when they heard a knock on the door. “I’d better see who that is. Excuse me. I’ll be right back.”

  Not wanting to be a busybody, Teague remained at the table. Yet in the small apartment he could easily overhear the conversation.

  “I left a message on your desk Friday that I’d be by at lunchtime today. Didn’t you get it?”

  “I got it.”

  “Then where were you?” The caller’s tone indicated disgust and something else—was it ownership?

  Teague wondered who would dare speak to Kassia that way. He felt the muscles tighten in his face. The voice sounded familiar. Who was it?

  “I was out.” Kassia didn’t sound like the sweet woman he knew.

  “Where?”

  “None of your business,” Kassia snapped.

  “You were with him, weren’t you?”

  Teague still couldn’t identify the man without seeing him. Whoever he was, he was no friend of Kassia’s. Since the distance was short, he left his crutches leaning against the table and limped into the next room.

  “Who I’m with is none of your business,” Kassia was saying.

  Teague spotted a tall, dark-haired man standing in Kassia’s doorway. Brad! What was he doing here?

  “Is that you, Teak?” Brad’s eyes narrowed. “No, don’t answer that. It’s just what I thought.”

  “And what did you think?” Teague wanted to know.

  “That you’ve been pushing yourself on her, even though you knew Kassia and I were seeing each other.”

  “Seeing each other?” Teague wondered aloud.

  “That’s not true,” Kassia said. “Brad and I went on a couple of dates, and that’s it. He wanted nothing to do with me until he saw us together in the restaurant that night, Teague. Now he won’t leave me alone. He’s been harassing me ever since.”

  “That’s not so,” Brad objected. “Kassia chased me for months before I took any notice of her. Now she claims she doesn’t want to see me. How do you like that?”

  “What do you mean, she chased you?” Teague asked.

  “We work in the same office complex. She had her eye on me for months.”

  “And you, like some kind of king or something, decided to grant her the honor of your notice?” Teague scoffed.

  Brad folded his arms.

  “Your highness, I’m afraid your subject Kassia has changed her mind. She no longer wishes to see you. Isn’t that right, Kassia?”

  “Yes, it is. I’ve been trying to get rid of him for weeks. I came home one night and found him waiting here in front of my door. I told him to leave then, but obviously he didn’t listen,” Kassia explained.

  “So this isn’t the first time he’s bothered you.” Teague wanted to be sure he had his facts straight.

  “That’s right.” Kassia looked at Brad with an unwavering gaze. “I was so upset the other night when you started an argument with me in the hallway that I prayed to the Lord, and He sent a neighbor to protect me.”

  “Say what?” Brad asked.

  Teague didn’t have to question Kassia. He knew exactly what she meant. He put on his toughest expression and looked squarely at Brad. “I suggest you leave her alone.”

  Brad nodded at Teague’s cast. “And I guess you think you’re going to make me?” He scowled. “I knew Kassia long before you did. You have no business interfering with us. I suggest you take your little helpless act and find another nurse.”

  “He is not helpless or putting on an act. It’s time for you to leave, Brad, and I mean it when I say I don’t want to see you.”

  “I don’t believe you. Do you know how many women in the office would love to be in your shoes right now?”

  “Then why don’t you take your pick?” Kassia suggested.

  “Because I told you I want to be with you. I think he’s the one who’ll be leaving.” He let his stare rove over Kassia. “Kassia and I want to be alone.”

  Teague felt blood rise from the pit of his belly to the roots of the hair on his head. He looked at Kassia. She was hovering in the nearest corner, watching with her eyes widened in obvious fear.

  “I don’t think Kassia wants to be alone with you,” Teague said.

  “That’s what you think.”

  “That’s what I know,” Teague said. “Didn’t you hear the lady? You even have her petitioning the Lord to help her get away from you.”

  “Then she’s crazier than I thought.” Brad narrowed his eyes and hunched toward Teague. />
  His temper rising, Teague said, “You’d better watch your step, or I’ll let you have it.” He balled his hand into a fist.

  “You just try it, and I’ll sue you. I can get you on assault and battery.”

  “Go ahead. But no jury will be sympathetic toward a common stalker.”

  “A–a stalker?”

  “Yes. From what Kassia has said, that’s exactly what you are. There are new laws on the books to deal with people like you. I wouldn’t take my chances in court if I were in your place.”

  Brad looked at Kassia. Teague looked at her, too. She appeared stronger, as if she wouldn’t back down.

  “All right. I’ll go. You can have her and her crazy God stuff.” Brad nearly spit out the words before he retreated down the hall.

  Kassia closed the door. She ran to Teague and embraced him. “Thank you!”

  He had never tried to take advantage of Kassia’s sweet nature by asking for a hug. But finally she was in his arms! And they felt so right together. He cupped her face in his hands. Gazing up into his eyes, she looked like a scared little girl. But she seemed to relax after a moment.

  “Why didn’t you tell me before that he was bothering you?”

  “You had enough on your mind with the youth group, and the accident, and then the surgery, and now your recovery. Speaking of which”—she took his hands in hers and broke away—“are you okay? I mean, all this might be too much.”

  “I’m fine.” He wished she could stay in his arms forever.

  “You’re a hero in my book, but I feel awful I got you involved in my problems. I’m not your responsibility.”

  “Really? That’s what I’ve been telling you about me. We’ve proven we wanted to be responsible for each other, haven’t we?” He took her hands in his and squeezed them.

  She nodded. “It’s not such a bad feeling. I’ll try not to get in trouble anymore. I have to admit I sort of asked for this. Brad was right. I did chase him around the office until he finally noticed me. And I found out he wasn’t all I thought he was.”

  “They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. That’s not an easy lesson for any of us to learn.”

  “I think I learned it this time.” She looked at the closed door. “Maybe now he’ll finally realize I really, really don’t want to see him again.” She turned to Teague, and together they went back to the kitchen.