Every Sunrise

by Tricia Goyer

  Charlotte looked at the display board. Over the last few weeks, she’d watched the progress of the project. That included viewing the rocket’s launch from her spot at the kitchen window a few days ago when Christopher, Emily, and Pete set it off in the driveway. Toby had even gotten into the act, barking and carrying on as if the rocket was a toy Christopher had picked out specifically for her. But Charlotte hadn’t seen the completed display since she had gone to bed before Christopher had finished it. She was impressed. There were photographs of the different types of rockets; a hand-drawn picture of the rocket-launch liftoff, thrust phase, coast phase, and ejection; and a map printed off the Internet indicating rocket landing areas. She smiled, imagining Sam on the computer “Googling” the right information for his brother. Charlotte was sure her older grandson could find a way to order cheesecake from New York and pizza from Chicago over the Internet—and have it shipped to their house by morning.

  “Mrs. Ste—I mean Charlotte—you’re welcome to stay if you’d like. I assigned each of the kids a time to give their science talk, and Christopher just happens to be first this morning. He’ll be meeting with the judges in less than ten minutes.”

  Charlotte glanced at her watch. She’d thrown a load of clothes in the dryer before she’d left. They were most likely done and wrinkling in the dryer at this very moment. Then there was the shopping she still had to do and the tractor part she was supposed to pick up for Pete at AA Tractor Supply Store. She’d already heard his speech twelve times at home.

  Then again, she glanced around, realizing that through all the science projects over the years she’d never stuck around for this part. Her excuses most likely had been all the ones going through her head at this moment.

  “Sure, I’d love to stay.” Charlotte placed a hand on Christopher’s shoulder. “If it’s okay with you, that is.”

  His face brightened. “Yeah, cool.”

  “Okay.” Charlotte pointed to the end of the row. “I’ll wait down there so I won’t be in the way.”

  Ten minutes later, Charlotte watched as Christopher gave his presentation.

  He explained reasons he chose this project and the books he read in his research. He stated important key dates concerning rocket development, and then turned the attention of the judges toward the video he’d created with an actual rocket launch.

  Christopher clicked a few buttons on the computer, and seconds later the video played. It was Pete’s voice that Charlotte heard first, talking to Christopher as he shot the video.

  “Okay, tell me what you’re doing again?” Pete’s voice asked.

  On the video, Christopher knelt on the cold ground. He pulled off his gloves and laid them on the dirty snow next to his rocket, then he began fiddling with the wires at the rocket’s base. “First, I’m clipping the hooks onto the igniters of the rocket. Here’s one and here’s the second one.” He glanced at Pete videotaping only briefly, then returned to his task. “But the first one is a little bit loose so I’m going to tighten it.

  “And then after I get them clipped on, I’m going to move my gloves away from the rocket base,” Christopher continued. “I don’t want anything flammable very close by.”

  “How come?” Pete’s voice asked.

  “Because the hot exhaust could catch something on fire. Now, I’m attaching the igniter and the plug. The plug keeps the igniter on and when it is launched the igniter and the plug come off.

  “Then I have to put the rocket on the stand. Then I have to unwind the cord.”

  “Uh, Christopher, do you think we should stand back?” Pete asked. Charlotte chuckled to herself as she watched the shaky camera move backward.

  “Come on, Toby,” Pete added.

  “And now, since the hooks are clipped on, I will put the key into the hole. Press it down until the light comes on, and then it’s countdown time!” Christopher grinned at the camera.

  Charlotte heard Christopher, Pete, and Emily count in unison. “Five, four, three, two, one …”

  “Wahow!”

  “There it goes!” Emily’s voice said in the video. The video followed the rocket into the air and then back down again.

  “There it is,” Emily called out. “It’s landing on the snow!”

  “Wait, Toby, no!”

  Charlotte chuckled as she watched Toby pouncing on the rocket, then she trotted back to Christopher with it in her mouth, her tail wagging. The video clicked off and the team of judges burst into laughter.

  “And that is my project. If you look close you can still see Toby’s teeth marks, which just goes to show that rocket science is something you can really bite into. Thank you,” Christopher said with a wave of his arm and a bow.

  All of the judges clapped, and Charlotte clapped the hardest, much to Christopher’s embarrassment and delight.

  After she had given Christopher a thumbs-up and waved good-bye, she walked to the car, remembering how just a few weeks prior Pastor Evans had given a sermon on the power of positive words. It was one of her flaws, she knew, to see all the problems rather than focusing on what was right. Fixing problems seemed to work for things like gardening, and chores, and the hundred and one things that broke down on the farm every week. Yet she could see by the look on Christopher’s face that praise was necessary. Perhaps she could concentrate on offering him more praise—and Emily too.

  And Sam—she still had to figure out what would help him.

  Chapter Two

  The scent of coffee and cinnamon rolls greeted Charlotte as she entered Mel’s Place. Melody had outdone herself with her decorations this time. Large red hearts hung from the ceiling, spinning slightly with the cold breeze that had entered with Charlotte. Red tablecloths draped the tables and large heart-shaped lollipops sat in jars that were decorated to look like big gumdrops. The centerpieces reminded Charlotte of something Willy Wonka might come up with for his chocolate factory.

  Melody was cleaning the display case with glass cleaner. She turned and smiled at Charlotte with cheeks as rosy as her red apron. “Charlotte Stevenson! Good to see you. You have the look in your eye.”

  “The look?”

  “The look that says you’re in need of a cup of coffee and a fresh cinnamon roll.”

  “Decaf please and half a roll.” Charlotte patted her middle, which bulged slightly over her jeans. “It’s been a long winter already, and I need to start watching what I’m putting in my mouth. It’s too easy to nibble on a cookie as I’m packing the kids’ lunches.”

  “You’re telling me. I have the same problem.” Melody walked behind the counter and pulled a clean coffee cup off the glass shelf.

  “Imagine cooking pastries and snacks all day. I’ll tell you, I can’t wait for spring so I can do some laps around the block. In fact, that’s what I told Ashley I want for my birthday—new walking shoes. She’s heading to Harding with her dad next weekend to go shopping. Funny how they always do that right before my birthday.”

  Melody winked. “Puts them a little closer to my favorite shoe store.”

  Charlotte nodded. “Yes, I remember. Your birthday is right after Valentine’s Day, right? Sam’s birthday is just a few days before—on the eleventh.”

  Melody poured two cups of coffee and cut a cinnamon roll in half, setting it on two plates. Then she put the plates across from each other on the nearest table as if meeting for coffee had been the plan all along.

  Melody settled into the seat with a smile. “I remember when Sam was born. It was early in the morning, and Pete mentioned it to one of his friends at school. Five minutes later news had spread around the whole town. Even though I was out of high school, at the time it seemed impossible that one of my friends could be a mom. It was only a few years later that I had Brett and then Ashley—wow, how old does that make Sam now?”

  “Seventeen. Practically a man.” Charlotte could hear Bob’s voice in her head as she said those words: Which means it’s time to treat him like a man, Char. No letting him do kids’ chores any
longer. He’s old enough to do the work of a man.

  Charlotte took a large bite of her roll. It was soft and warm, and the frosting had the perfect amount of sweetness. The corners of her mouth curled into a smile as she chewed.

  As she took another bite, though, the subject of Sam brought to mind his, well, whatever it was that was bothering him. She had to admit how much she still struggled with asking for help. She didn’t want people to doubt her ability in raising these kids. She also didn’t want them to think she was complaining.

  “Do you know what you’re getting Sam for his birthday?” Melody asked, her large blue eyes peering over the top of her coffee mug as she took a sip.

  “Who knows? I was used to sending money to California for him to buy what he wished. But I don’t want to do that now. I know if I gave him a couple of twenties in a card that he’d end up spending it on his car.”

  “Well, that doesn’t seem too bad to me. Boys love their cars.” Melody set her coffee mug on the table.

  “The car isn’t the problem. The problem is that even after more money is poured into it I have a feeling that thing still won’t—”

  The chime of the bell on the door interrupted Charlotte’s words. She glanced up to see her longtime friend Hannah hurriedly entering. Hannah wore a brown corduroy work jacket similar in style to the one Charlotte wore. Like her, Charlotte knew Hannah had a larger, nicer parka in her closet, but also like her, it seemed silly to dress up and look all fancy for a quick trip to town.

  “Did someone plan a girlfriend party and forget to invite me?” Hannah asked, walking over with her arms wide, giving Charlotte a quick hug.

  Hannah’s hands were cold, and Charlotte took them between her own and rubbed them together. Then Charlotte scooted over and patted the bench beside her. Without asking, Melody retrieved another cinnamon roll and another cup of coffee.

  Once the pastries were placed on the table, Charlotte knew she needed to step out of her comfort zone. If she didn’t take this chance, she might not get another one soon.

  Charlotte blew out a breath. “On cold days like this nothing beats a hot cup of coffee, a tasty treat, and some advice.”

  “Advice?” The word caught Melody’s attention. Hannah too glanced over at Charlotte.

  “Ladies, I can beat around the bush, or I can just spill it. Sam’s been acting very moody lately, withdrawing from the rest of us, and I’m not sure what to do.”

  She let out another slow breath, thankful she’d gotten it out. For too many days over the past months she’d held everything inside, letting it burden her down like a million bricks. At least now her friends would be able to help.

  “He’s withdrawing, huh?” Melody rose to grab a little pitcher of cream for Hannah’s coffee. “Maybe it’s the winter weather—I know I get gloomy this time of year. Or maybe he’s just going through another phase of missing his mom. Or maybe it’s a combination of both. Everything this year has been new for him. He’s probably thinking about what things would be like if he were still in San Diego.” Melody pointed her chin toward the window where a scattering of snowflakes were starting to blow downward. “I would bet it’s nothing like this.”

  “And sometimes we can get so focused on what we don’t have that we forget about what we do have,” Hannah commented. “Like that episode of Gilligan’s Island when Gilligan found that he had a winning sweepstakes ticket in his pocket. A ticket he couldn’t cash in—can you imagine the bad luck of that?”

  Charlotte nodded, trying to figure out how Hannah’s analogy applied. After a long pause, she finally sighed. “Yes, but unlike Gilligan, who couldn’t leave the island, all Sam has to do is cash it in. I wish he realized how much we love him. Even if we don’t know how to show it sometimes …” Charlotte let her voice trail off.

  “Or maybe it’s more than that. Maybe it’s Valentine’s Day,” Melody said, adding cream to Hannah’s cup—just the right amount. The gesture made Charlotte realize that little details did matter to her friends.

  “For some, Valentine’s Day is the greatest holiday in the world, and for others it just plain stinks,” Melody added. “I can’t imagine not having someone to share such a romantic day with.”

  Charlotte nodded and smiled, but she knew that wasn’t Sam’s problem. He didn’t care about Valentine’s Day. Most boys didn’t. No, there was more going on inside his head than wishing he had a girlfriend. Much more.

  The front door bell jingled again. Melody’s head waitress, Ginny, walked in.

  Melody offered Ginny a wave, then leaned toward her friends to resume where she’d left off. “Take that flower fundraiser as an example. I can’t believe the school still carries on that tradition. Maybe because we’re all romantics at heart?”

  “Not that true love is found too often in high school,” Charlotte said, slightly disappointed that the conversation had already turned away from Sam.

  “Sometimes it is. Remember Bonnie and Chuck Greene, who got married right after high school? I think they were in Bill’s class. Well, she didn’t even know he liked her until she received a rose and a note from him during the fundraiser. I got a card from them just last Christmas and they’re still happily married with five or six kids.”

  “Oh, yes, and the youngest Scott girl too,” Hannah added. “Remember the one who worked part time at Fabrics and Fun? I was invited to their wedding last summer, and they talked about that flower fundraiser in the ceremony. Said it was the thing that brought them together.”

  A chuckle burst from Melody’s lips, and Hannah’s nose scrunched up as if she was trying to figure out what the woman was laughing about. Melody patted Hannah’s hand. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing at you. I just remembered when I was in school and the big fight broke out between Pete and Denise. I mean big. Do you remember that, Charlotte?”

  Charlotte furrowed her brow and tried to think back. She remembered many, many fights—mostly with Denise— but she couldn’t specifically remember one that had to do with flowers. “Well, maybe. Why don’t you remind me.”

  The phone rang and Melody turned to Ginny. “Can you get that? I just have to tell one more story.”

  Ginny nodded unenthusiastically and answered the phone: “Mel’s Place, how can I help you?”

  “Yes, surely you remember,” Melody patted Charlotte’s hand. “I think it was Denise’s junior year, and Pete was just a freshman. Well, during the flower fundraiser Pete got more flowers than she did. Pete teased her, as only Pete can, and Denise paid him back by supergluing his locker shut. It took the custodian the rest of the day to figure out how to get it opened.”

  Suddenly a memory fluttered back as Charlotte remembered the phone call she’d received.

  “Oh, yes, I remember. The principal called, and Denise got a half-day suspension. She also had to use some of her savings to pay for the cost of fixing the locker. The consequences could have been worse, but the principal said he was going light because they were brother and sister.”

  Melody laughed and shook her head, her eyes twinkling as the memory replayed in her mind. “It wasn’t right, of course, but you should have seen Pete’s face when he pulled and pulled on that locker and it didn’t budge.”

  “I don’t know what would happen these days if the same situation happened with Sam and Emily.” Charlotte tried to turn the conversation back to Sam’s struggles. “And it could—or at least something like it,” she quickly added. “Like I was saying, these days Sam—”

  “Melody?” Ginny called from across the room, interrupting Charlotte. “That was Martha—she needs to add some extra pastries for the tea you’re catering today because she got some last minute RSVPs.”

  “The tea!” Melody jumped up and glanced at the clock. “Where has the morning gone?” She hurried toward Ginny. “Sure, not a problem. I’ll throw in a few more scones.” She hustled around the display case.

  “Speaking of running, I need to go too.” Hannah rose. “Frank has a nasty cold and sent me in to t
own for some medicine. I just came in to pick up a sticky bun to cheer my poor hubby up.”

  She bent down and gave Charlotte a quick hug. “It was nice seeing you though. I’ll call you later.” And with one last wave she hurried out the door. Charlotte considered chasing after her, reminding Hannah she’d forgotten the pastry for Frank, but decided maybe she’d just take one by their house herself. The day outside the window looked too cold to rush into.

  As Melody chatted with Ginny about the daily specials, Ginny rewiped the display case Melody had just cleaned.

  Charlotte turned her attention to the paper hearts fluttering overhead and tried to remember just what did happen between Pete and Denise after that incident. It was little things like that she wished she’d taken more time to connect with Denise about. Denise no doubt had gotten a lecture from Bob and maybe a few more chores.

  And what was my response? Did I ground Denise? Excuse her behavior? Punish Pete? Charlotte honestly couldn’t remember.

  Charlotte wondered if she ever considered asking her daughter what was going on in her heart. Obviously the flowers had meant much more to Denise than just a simple gift. It could have been a hint that Denise was seeking the love and attention of the guys in her class. And maybe, if Charlotte would have taken the time to talk to her about the desires in the heart of every young woman and the importance of waiting on the Lord for the perfect man, then Denise wouldn’t have gotten so wrapped up with Kevin Slater. Maybe so much pain, heartache, and loss could have been prevented.

  Charlotte glanced down at her coffee, realizing it was cold. She quickly finished her cinnamon roll and grabbed her purse. She asked Ginny to box up another cinnamon roll for Bob and one for Frank, then she paid for her purchases.

  She waved to Melody, who was preparing the pastries for the tea, as she headed toward the door. Charlotte paused, taking in the cold world and wishing that she had one of those car starter gizmos that she’d seen around town. With the push of a button she could start the car and have it warm up. The fact was she’d be halfway home before she’d feel any heat coming out of the car’s heater.