Route 66 Reunions

by Mildred Colvin

  “Sounds good. How many are in your class?”

  “We live in a small town.” Trey stepped aside to let Kevin go in the arcade ahead of him while a group of kids walked out. “I think we have about a hundred and twenty graduating this year.”

  “That’s a good size.” Kevin longed to ask if he invited Sarah, but he couldn’t. Did he even want to know? If she came, he wouldn’t have to see her. How hard would it be to get lost in a crowd that size? He’d have to think of something special to give Trey for a graduation gift, and he didn’t know what Trey liked.

  Kevin stopped beside Trey as they watched some kids at the games. “Would you like to play?”

  Trey’s smile appeared sheepish. “Actually, I don’t care much for stuff like this. I mean, I play video games once in a while with my friends, but I’m just not into it like some guys are.”

  “Really?” They turned and ambled from the store. “What sort of things do you do for fun?”

  “I play football at school.” Trey’s eyes lit up. “I went out for track my freshman year and got hooked on running. I guess I’m more interested in something with a little action.”

  Kevin shook his head, amazed at what Trey had unknowingly revealed. “Sarah ran in high school. She won second place in district her sophomore year and first place the next year.”

  By the summer after her junior year, she was pregnant with his baby—with Trey. He didn’t mention the obvious. “From her looks now, I’d guess she still runs for exercise.”

  Trey gave Kevin a searching look but only said, “That must be where I got that. Did you play sports?”

  “Yeah, I played football, was a quarterback all through high school, and I played a little in college.” They stopped back at the table in the food court. “Hey, would you like a drink of something? My treat. Iced tea sounds good to me, but I think they have pretty much anything here.”

  “Sure, thanks.” Trey followed him to the counter. “Tea sounds good.”

  They settled in with their drinks on the table and relaxed as they talked, getting acquainted. Then Trey asked, “What do you do for a living?”

  “I work for an accounting firm here in the city. I’ve been with Parker Accountants for about eight years. I also buy and sell real estate on the side.”

  “Sounds interesting.” Trey’s light gray eyes seemed a reflection of his own.

  Kevin laughed. His heart warmed with knowledge that this boy was the baby he and Sarah could have raised if things had been different. “It can be interesting. I’m either rolling in profits or I’m broke. That’s why I’m still an accountant.”

  Trey laughed with him. “I don’t know what I’d like to do. I’m going to college this fall. Maybe I’ll figure things out then.”

  “Are you good with math?”

  Trey shrugged. “Not bad.”

  Pride swelled in Kevin’s chest. He’d bet Trey was a whiz at math, just like him. “You could be an accountant. Or a math teacher. You’ll find something.”

  “Yeah.” A grin lifted the corners of Trey’s mouth and his eyes sparkled. “One thing I know. I’ll be playing football.”

  “Is that right?” Kevin grinned. Just like he’d done. “Where are you going to college?”

  “Illinois State University.”

  “That’s great. So you’ll be a Redbird then.”

  Trey laughed. “Looks that way.”

  Kevin took a swallow of tea. “I played at SIU in Carbondale. The Redbirds were worthy opponents back then. How about baseball? Or is that too tame for you?”

  “Sure, I like baseball.”

  “Have you been to a White Sox game?”

  “Actually, no. Dad’s been intending to take me, but our schedules never have meshed just right.”

  “Maybe I can take you and your dad.” Kevin shrugged. “Your mom, too, if she’d like to go.”

  Trey grinned. “Yeah, to be honest, she’d probably enjoy a game more than Dad. I think that’s been one of the problems with our scheduling conflicts.” He pulled a wrapped package from his backpack. “I hope you don’t mind. I brought you a gift.”

  Kevin hesitated before he took the package. “I didn’t bring you anything.”

  Trey shrugged. “I didn’t expect you to. Hey, if you get me into a White Sox game, I won’t complain.”

  They laughed together, and Kevin tore the wrapping from a dark blue leather-bound Bible. Kevin ran his hand over the cover and across his name in the lower right corner. He looked up, meeting Trey’s gaze. “This is really nice, Trey. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” Trey seemed suddenly shy. “I know gifts aren’t supposed to come with conditions, but I’d really like for you to read it at least a little each day.”

  A lump formed in Kevin’s throat. He didn’t know what to say. Would he read from the Bible? He didn’t know, and he didn’t like making promises he couldn’t keep. He searched his brain for a way to agree without committing.

  “So, how’d it go?” Tom Miller’s unexpected voice behind him brought a welcome interruption.

  Kevin stood and turned to greet the older couple. “You have a great son, Mr. Miller.”

  Sarah glanced out the window where she browsed through blouses she had no interest in and didn’t need. She had tried to leave the mall. Twice she got as far as the entrance and turned back both times. She wouldn’t interfere with Kevin’s visit, but she couldn’t make herself leave either. So when she saw Kevin and Trey step out of the arcade, she’d darted into this department store. Now she was stuck here for fear they might see her if she left. She occasionally drifted near the window and glanced out to see if they were still there.

  They were, and they seemed to have hit it off great. Too great. But who wouldn’t get along with Trey? Kevin, on the other hand…If she had her way, Kevin wouldn’t get within ten miles of Trey. How could he sit and smile at her son after telling her to get an abortion?

  She made a disgusted sound and picked up a blouse for a better look. But instead of seeing the blouse, she saw Harold’s face and heard the words he’d said, “People change, Sarah. He has as much right to see Trey as you do.”

  She glanced out the window again and saw Trey’s parents heading toward the table. They stopped and Kevin stood. He would be leaving soon. Surely she could slip out without anyone seeing her.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Kevin saw a woman leave the store across the way, and his heartbeat increased. No other woman had ever affected him the way Sarah did. As quickly as possible, without seeming to hurry, he told Trey and his parents good-bye, promised to get in touch with them when he could set up a date to go to the stadium, and left.

  Had he lost her? No. Her long blond hair flew out as she pushed through the front doors. He broke into a fast lope to catch up. At the doors, he paused when she crossed the parking lot. Keeping well back, Kevin followed Sarah until she stopped beside a late model forest green sedan and got into the driver’s side.

  All right! He had her now. He turned and retraced his steps to his own car, parked not far away. But as he slid behind the wheel, he stopped. What was he doing? Why did he want to follow her? Even if he caught her or found out where she lived, what would he do? Seeing her after all this time brought her back to life in his mind. Touching her had broken through a barrier against her he’d built around his heart when they were teenagers. But so what? They had nothing left for each other. Their love had died more than eighteen years ago. He slumped in the seat. Nothing remained to resurrect.

  He started his car and drove from the mall, turning to the south, the opposite direction from the way Sarah had taken.

  Chapter 3

  Y ou have a call on line one.” Tricia’s voice cut through Sarah’s concentration. “Darlene at the shelter. No doctors lurking today.”

  Sarah answered the intercom. “Thanks, Tricia, for that uplifting bit of info. I’ll take the call.”

  She heard Tricia giggle, and her phone rang. She lifted the receiver to her ear.
“Darlene, hi. How are things going?”

  “Oh, the girls are fine right now.” Darlene’s voice sounded harsh, which was unusual for the soft-spoken woman. “Of course, they may be homeless by evening.”

  “Homeless?” Sarah straightened in her chair. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about some heartless developer who’s coming in here and tearing our home down.” Darlene sniffed. “I’m holding the paper in my hand.”

  Sarah shook her head, trying to make sense of what her friend said. “That’s insane. Why would anyone want that old building in the first place? And how could anyone be heartless enough to throw five pregnant teens out in the streets just so they can tear it down?”

  “Six, Sarah.” Darlene sounded tired all at once. “We took in another girl over the weekend.”

  “Oh.” Sarah propped her head into her hand with her elbow on her desk. She could never understand the heartlessness of some businessmen. Someone with money wanted their building, or more likely, the land it sat on. Why would he care if six young, scared girls lived there? No doubt, he’d never made a mistake so far reaching and irreversible that he had to grow up overnight. Or had to make decisions that would affect another totally innocent human.

  The girls had to have a home. Several had been kicked out of their parents’ homes, and others had been placed by parents who didn’t want the burden of a pregnant teenager. Some had been referred by the state.

  Sarah knew she was being unfair to the unknown man when Kevin’s face took shape in her mind. Her anger and resentment were toward Kevin, who had participated in her mistake. Yet, now that she’d met Trey, she felt torn in her anger. She could never call her son a mistake. Trey was everything and more than she’d expected. Without Kevin, he wouldn’t exist. If only they’d waited until they were old enough to marry. Then they could’ve kept their child, and this ache in her heart would’ve been replaced with joy.

  “Sarah, do you know of anything we can do? Is there any legal action we could take?” Darlene’s soft voice returned. “Should I call a lawyer? I’ve got the papers, and I don’t think there’s a thing we can do other than look for another place.”

  “I’ll come by on my lunch hour.” Sarah tore her thoughts from Kevin and Trey. “I’m sure you’re right, but I want to see the letter.”

  Sarah hung up the phone and rubbed her forehead. How could this happen to those girls? Only two were giving their babies up for adoption. The others planned to keep their babies and raise them. With help they might make it. With no shelter for support and a place to stay after the babies were born, they probably wouldn’t.

  Sarah stopped by Tricia’s desk on her way out at noon. “I may take a long lunch, but I’ll be back in time for the meeting at two.”

  “Well, I hope so.” Tricia grinned. “I’m no good with budgets and charts and such.”

  Sarah smiled over her shoulder as she headed toward the door. “Part of the job, Tricia. I’m starting to get used to it.”

  In the hall, Sarah couldn’t believe her bad luck when she saw the tall man walking toward her. When he smiled and greeted her with more enthusiasm than she deserved, she wished she could feel more than friendship.

  “Dr. Jenson, what brings you here?”

  He fell into step with her as she continued down the hall. The warmth in his eyes frightened her. “I’m hoping you’ll have lunch with me.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” Sarah turned the corner to the elevators. She pushed the button and waited for the door to open. “I may not have time to eat. I’m on my way to the shelter.”

  “The shelter?” Harold Jenson gave her a sharp glance. “As in the girls’ home you’re so fond of?”

  “Yes, Harold.” Sarah spoke with an edge to her voice. “The home I’ve supported for the last ten years. The home I believe supplies a great need for young pregnant girls who might end up begging on the street otherwise. Actually, that’s probably the best scenario. I can imagine so much worse that could happen to girls who have no family support when they need it most. Someone has to be there for them, and that’s what the shelter does in a small way.”

  He held up his hands as if in surrender before opening the outside door for her. “Hey, I never said anything against your shelter, did I?”

  She walked past him into the brisk breeze outside. “I guess not. Sorry I’m so touchy, but someone’s going to tear the building down and toss six girls out on the street. I’ve got to do something to stop them.”

  His sharp, quick laugh annoyed her, as did his question. “And how do you propose to do that? Does the shelter own the building?”

  “No, they lease it. They’ve leased it for the last ten years I’ve been involved. Why would anyone take it away from them now?” Sarah unlocked her car and realized Harold waited on the passenger side.

  He grinned over the hood. “Unlock the door for me, Sarah. I’m going with you. We’ll stop at a greasy, fast-food joint on the way back. My treat. Does that appeal to you?”

  Sarah laughed and unlocked the door. So what if Harold didn’t stir her blood the way Kevin used to—and still might? Harold was a nice man, and he could be fun. At least he was comfortable. Unlike Kevin, who’d invaded her mind all weekend no matter how hard she tried to shove him out.

  She drove several blocks to an older business section of town and stopped beside a large, two-story frame building. Sarah looked at the building with objective eyes and had to admit a bulldozer rammed into the side would probably topple it without a problem. But that didn’t matter. This was home to six girls, and had been home to many girls and their babies over the years.

  A private institution, Marilee’s Home began twenty years before, primarily supported with a trust fund from a donor whose daughter died alone on a city street after giving birth. The grieving parents, whose daughter had run away rather than tell them she was pregnant, started the home as a way to help other girls. The original donors were no longer living, but their vision continued with people like Darlene and Sarah, as well as those who had been helped, and others who believed in the work.

  They never turned away a girl in need, and Sarah hoped they would never have to. If she could just get the name of the man responsible for this threat, maybe she could talk to him. Maybe she could at least get him to wait while they found another place to call home.

  “We’d better go in.” Harold touched Sarah’s back, and she realized she was still staring at the old, dilapidated building that suddenly looked like a white elephant to her.

  “Yes.” Sarah moved toward the back door and pulled it open with easy familiarity.

  Inside the kitchen, the aroma of stew aroused Sarah’s appetite. She sniffed the air and smiled at an older woman standing at the stove, stirring the contents of a large aluminum pot.

  “Hi, Grace.”

  “Well, if it isn’t Sarah and the doctor.” Grace’s wide smile welcomed them. “Just in time for lunch, too. Go on into the dining room and pull up a chair. I’ll have this in there, lickety-split.”

  Sarah glanced at Harold’s amused expression and said, “This would beat that greasy fast-food you were talking about.”

  He laughed and swept his hand out toward the door leading into the next room. “By all means, let’s not pass up home cooking. You can always talk business as you eat.”

  “Grace, is there any way I can help?” Sarah turned from Harold to ask.

  “Not a thing.” Grace turned the stove off and slid the large pot to the side. “The girls already set the table. I’m bringing this in now.”

  “Let me carry that for you.” Harold plucked the pot holders from her hands and positioned one on each handle. “Why don’t you lead the way?”

  Grace smoothed the apron over her ample middle. “Sarah, you should grab this man before someone steps in ahead of you. He’s one of a dying breed. Not many charming gentlemen left in this world.”

  Harold gave Sarah a pointed look, although he didn’t speak. Sarah laughed of
f the comment and said, “Yes, you’re probably right, but for now I’m starving and, as usual, can’t wait to taste your cooking.”

  She took Grace’s arm, and together the women held the café doors open for Harold. Several young women stood around the room or sat talking at the long table that filled the center floor space.

  “Sarah, hi,” several of the girls called out. “Are you eating with us?”

  “Looks that way.” Sarah included all of them in her smile. She saw Darlene standing to the side with a girl she didn’t know. A girl who looked way too young to be expecting a baby. But most of them were too young. She remembered Molly, the twelve-year-old who almost died giving birth last year because her body hadn’t developed enough for the demands placed on it. Her baby had died.

  Grace helped Harold set the stew on a side table, while Sarah skirted the dining table to meet Darlene and the new girl. But before she could, Grace called out, “Come and get it.”

  Sarah joined the girls at the table while Harold sat across from her. She would’ve loved to linger over the savory stew and the friendly conversation, but she wanted to talk to Darlene in private. She emptied her bowl and declined a refill when Grace offered.

  Darlene stood, pushing her chair back. “Sarah, if you’ve eaten your fill, I’d like for you to look at some paperwork in my office.”

  This was the signal Sarah had been waiting for. “Yes, I’m afraid I have. If you gave out doggy bags, Grace, I’d take a bowl home for supper tonight. As always, the stew was delicious.”

  “Very,” Harold agreed. He stood and moved to the side table, where he ladled out another bowl for himself. “You go look at your paperwork.” He sat back down and snagged another light roll from the basket on the table. “I don’t get to eat like this often enough.”

  Grace appeared pleased with his praise. Sarah smiled as she and Darlene left the room. Harold had won another admirer, even if she was old enough to be his mother.