by Ali Spooner
“You’ve done good things for so many people,” Terri said. “Most will never experience in a lifetime what you’ve done in a matter of weeks.”
“It’s a good start, and now I think I know where I want the foundation to go, so it’s time to go home.”
“I hope you’ll take some time off for you before rushing back to work,” Miss Betty said.
“A few days yes, but I’m eager to get back to work.”
“It will be there waiting for you when you return.”
“How well I know.” She grinned.
Cadin noticed Lexie’s eyes getting heavy and realized it was later than she thought. “What time do you get out of school tomorrow?”
“I’ll be home by three,” she said.
“I’m going to head out to get some rest and so you can go to bed to be fresh for school. If it’s okay with Miss Betty, I’ll come back tomorrow.”
“You are welcome at any time.”
“Is there anything I can help you with?”
“You can run the tiller for me in the garden if you must get your hands dirty,” she teased.
“Sounds like a plan.” She hugged them all goodnight.
†
As promised, she shared coffee and breakfast with Sister Frances. “I’m going to do some tilling for Miss Betty today. Is there anything I can do for you while I’m here?”
“No, Cadin, you’ve done enough, but thank you for helping Miss Betty. Will I see you tomorrow?”
“You bet. I can’t leave without one of your breakfasts to send me on my way.”
“I will send you off with a full belly then,” Sister Frances said.
†
When she arrived at Miss Betty’s, the woman was already working in the garden.
“I have her all gassed up and ready to go,” Miss Betty said when she saw Cadin.
“I’ll get to it then,” Cadin said and cranked the tiller. By lunchtime, she had the entire garden spot turned and mulched for the winter.
“If you don’t mind, put the tiller back in the shed and come in for a sandwich.”
“Thanks, and then if you don’t mind I’m going to go back and clean up before Lexie and Terri come home. What plans do you have for dinner?”
“I’ve got a pot of chicken and dumplings cooking and planned to bake some fresh biscuits. Is there something in particular you wanted?”
“I was going to invite you all to dinner, but I won’t pass up your home cooking.”
Miss Betty chuckled. “Ham and cheese okay for lunch?”
“Perfect,” Cadin answered. “I’ll be there in just a few minutes.”
†
Cadin was sitting in the swing when the bus pulled up to drop Lexie home from school. She rushed up to her and sat in the swing beside her. “Did you have a good day in school?”
“Yes, ma’am, I kicked in the winning run in kickball today too,” she said.
“That’s awesome! You know what I’d like to see?” Cadin asked her.
“What?”
“Show me what pictures you’ve taken on your camera.”
Lexie raced inside the house and returned with her camera. She climbed back into the swing and handed Cadin the camera. Miss Betty followed her out of the house carrying a small tray.
“I thought you two might care for a snack,” she said as she placed the tray on the swing beside Lexie. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Thanks, Miss Betty,” Lexie said sweetly.
They ate the snack and then Cadin scrolled through the pictures Lexie had taken as she described each one to her.
Terri pulled up from work, just as they were finishing. “Hey, you two,” she said.
“Welcome home, Mommy,” Lexie said and rushed over to kiss her. “Did you have a good day?”
“I did. How about you? How was your day?”
“It was great. I kicked home the winning run in our game.”
“I’m so proud of you, honey.”
Terri looked at Cadin. “How was your day?”
“Good, I got the garden tilled and ready for winter. I have a feeling I’m going to be a bit sore tomorrow though, but it felt good at the time.”
“I hear Miss Betty has chicken and dumplings on the stove for dinner.”
“Word does travel fast in small towns,” Cadin teased.
“It does, but, actually, this time Miss Betty told me before I left for work today,” Terri said with a chuckle.
“I see,” Cadin said with a grin.
“Do you two mind if I join you? It’s so pretty outside today.”
“No, not at all,” Cadin answered.
“I’ll go change clothes and take that tray back if you’re done with it. I’ll check on Miss Betty too, while I’m in there.”
They watched as Terri walked inside and then resumed swinging. “She’s right you know. It’s a beautiful day. It’ll turn cold soon and I bet we get snow this year.”
“I’ve never seen snow,” Lexie said.
“It’s cold and wet, but beautiful all at the same time. A lot of fun to play in too, but you have to be dressed warmly.”
Terri walked back outside and joined them on the swing. “Mom, Cadin says we’re going to get snow this year.”
“That will be fun. I hope it comes on my day off, so we can play in it,” Terri said. “It’s nice to see the changing of the seasons. There is nothing but a sea of green in Florida. The gold and oranges of the leaves is a nice change.”
“It’s a lot warmer in Florida though.”
“That’s true. We’ll have to go coat shopping for you soon,” Terri told Lexie.
They enjoyed the warm sun of the autumn afternoon until Miss Betty called them in for dinner. Lexie raced ahead to wash her hands. “Do you really have to leave so soon?”
“Yes, I don’t want to get stuck riding in the wet and cool weather. It’s coming soon. I can feel it in my bones. I didn’t bring my leathers to keep me warm when I ride.
“I can understand that, but I still hate to see you go.”
“I’ll be back,” she said as she held the door open for Terri.
When Cadin left that night, she hugged Lexie tightly. “I won’t see you tomorrow before you leave for school, so tonight’s goodbye for now. You have the phone now, so call me when you want.”
“I will call you every weekend,” Lexie said as she began to tear up.
“Be strong for your mommy and Miss Betty. Help out when you can.”
“I will,” she said between sniffles. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Lexie. Sweet dreams tonight.”
“Go ahead and brush your teeth while I walk Cadin out,” Terri told her.
“Hurry back to us, Cadin,” Miss Betty said with a hug.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” she answered.
Terri held the door open and they walked out to her bike. “I wonder if I can ask one other favor of you?” she said.
“Anything I can do,” Cadin answered.
“I want to ask you to be Lexie’s godmother in case anything happened to me. Mind you, I don’t plan on going anywhere, but it doesn’t hurt to plan. I know how much she loves you, and I know you would give her the moon if you could.”
Cadin felt a lump form in her throat. What she was asking was a complete surprise. “I would be honored,” she answered. “What do you need me to do?”
“Would you draw up papers to give you guardianship of Lexie, if anything happened to me? I’ll get them notarized or whatever I need to do on this end.”
“Yes, that is a simple request.”
“Thank you, Cadin.”
“You’re welcome,” Cadin said and hugged her. “Take care and I’ll send those papers soon, so relax.”
“Goodnight. See you soon,” Terri said and turned to walk into the house.
Cadin pulled the bike onto the road and saw a small shadow in a bedroom window. She knew that Lexie was watching her leave. Wow, a godmother, no one�
�s ever asked me that before.
Chapter Ten
With a stomach filled with bacon, eggs, and toast, Cadin mounted her bike and left Greensboro for the second time. This time, though, she was heading home. For the first time in several months, the word home sounded good to her ears. Far too long after Missy’s death the home they built together had felt like an emotional prison for her, painful memories of Missy stalking every room, every corner of the apartment.
Eager to return, she felt confident that the time she had spent on her journey had made her strong enough to co-exist with the memories of Missy, and understand that nothing or no one could ever replace the love they had shared. Would she love again? Possibly, but it would be an entirely different love than the one they shared.
†
Cadin’s luck held out and she reached her building before rush hour traffic had snarled every street in town. She parked the bike in her assigned spot and removed her duffel, then covered the bike to protect it until she again felt the need to have the wind in her face. Shouldering the bag, she walked to the elevator and rode it to her floor as thunder rumbled in the distance. In addition to beating the rush hour traffic, it appeared she also escaped an approaching thunderstorm.
She unlocked the door, carried her bag into the bedroom, and dropped it on the floor. The first thing she wanted to do was take a long, soaking bath. The exertion of using the garden tiller and the long ride home left her body aching and exhausted. She turned the water on for the bath and stripped out of her riding clothes. Pouring scented bubble bath into the water, she reached for a bath pillow, and stepped into the hot water, sinking up to her neck in the silky bubbles.
The warm water relaxed her muscles while the scent of the bubbles soothed her mind, Cadin soaked until the water turned cool and her skin began to prune. She released the trap and stepped from the tub, drying with a large towel before wrapping her body in a plush robe. She poured a glass of wine and walked to the glassed-in balcony as the storm raged in full force. Taking a sip of wine, Cadin felt her hand lift and touch the glass, tracing the path of a raindrop as it streaked down the glass like a tear and fell to the earth, many floors below. “Like the thousands of tears I have cried for you, Missy,” she spoke into the silence of the apartment.
†
During the next two months, Cadin shipped a framed photograph of Missy to Emma, and forwarded the guardianship papers to Terri. The Missy Foundation flourished and she, Missy’s sister, Marilyn, and her law partner, Pam, waded through hundreds of applications for assistance, to find those that called to their hearts.
She and Renee also started down the path of a new relationship. Her first weekend home, she spent touring the city with Renee, showing her all the places she loved. They spent several hours sitting in her favorite park, enjoying a beautiful late fall day. She told Renee about her life with Missy.
“I can’t imagine losing anyone that way, especially my partner.”
“It has been, by far, the worst experience I have endured in my life. For a long time I wasn’t sure I would survive the heartache. When my business partner suggested I take a sabbatical to find myself again, it was the best thing that I could have done.”
“So that’s how you made it to Greensboro?”
“Yeah, I put a map on the wall, threw a dart and it landed on Greensboro.”
“Are you serious? That’s how you ended up there?”
“Yes, it is. It worked out well, so when I finished what I needed to do there, I pulled the map out again, and that’s how I ended up in Bogalusa.”
“You really did put yourself in fate’s hands.”
“The people I encountered on my journey made me realize I have so much more left to do, and how much love I have to give.”
“I hope I can help with that,” Renee said, a blush rising to her cheeks.
“You are,” she answered.
†
Cadin cooked them a delicious meal and they sat for hours on the balcony talking, getting to know each other as they finished off a bottle of wine.
At one point, Renee looked at her, smiling and her lips begging for a kiss. Cadin felt her body lean forward and then stop.
“I hope you don’t find me boring.”
“Not at all,” Renee answered. “I understand that you’ve been through a very traumatic period during the last year.”
“I’m very interested in you, but—” she said.
“But you need to finish mourning for Missy. I understand that, and I will wait as long as it takes.”
“Thank you for understanding and being patient.”
“If you haven’t already figured it out Cadin, you are a very special person. I knew that from the first time we met at the hunt, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”
Cadin leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. “I hope I won’t disappoint you.”
“I doubt that you could,” Renee answered.
†
When they decided it was time to retire for the evening, they walked into the apartment. Renee had placed her bag in the guest room, planning to sleep there. She turned to walk into the room and Cadin took her hand to stop her.
“Will you stay with me tonight?”
“Of course, just let me get ready for bed.”
Cadin dressed in shorts and a T-shirt then climbed into bed to wait for Renee.
When Renee entered the room, Cadin pulled back the covers and waited for her to climb into the bed. “Would you mind if we spooned tonight?”
“Not at all,” she answered with a smile as she turned onto her side.
Cadin wrapped her body around Renee’s and draped her arm across her waist. Renee reached to take her hand, entwining their fingers.
At first, Cadin felt tense lying so close to Renee, but her body slowly relaxed as she buried her face in Renee’s hair and breathed in her scent. A smile played across her face as she closed her eyes and slept peacefully wrapped in Renee’s warmth.
†
During the next month, they spent every weekend together. Cadin realized how much she enjoyed spending time with Renee and felt her heart opening to her.
When Renee invited her to spend the weekend with her in Stone Mountain, Cadin was ready to take the relationship to the next level.
†
Renee had soft music playing on the stereo during the meal and after they finished eating, Cadin held out her hand.
“Dance with me.”
“I’d love to,” she said, taking her hand.
Cadin took Renee in her arms. She could feel Renee’s body trembling as they moved fluidly together around the small room, her face buried in Renee’s neck. Her lips couldn’t resist the temptation of kissing her neck. When her lips continued their exploration, she found they had sought out Renee’s lips and they kissed, softly at first. As the kissed deepened, Cadin felt her body responding and allowed her hands to explore Renee’s body.
Renee’s moan vibrated in her mouth as their tongues danced sensually. When Cadin broke the kiss to look into Renee’s eyes, she found them sparkling with excitement.
“Are we ready for this?”
Renee answered by taking her hand and leading her into the bedroom.
†
Renee’s soft lips kissed her awake the next morning.
“Wow, that was incredible,” Cadin said as she stretched on the bed.
“You were definitely not a disappointment,” Renee said as her tongue swirled around an aroused nipple.
Cadin’s soft moans echoed through the room as her hand filled with Renee’s hair and she pulled her mouth down to cover her breast. “I hope you don’t have plans to leave this room today,” Cadin said with a grin.
“Not a one,” Renee answered as she kicked the covers off the bed.
†
On the anniversary of Missy’s death, she received two items. First, the painting from Serena had arrived at the office during the early morning. She had captured the spirit of
Cadin’s journey in the painting. She cleared a wall in her office to hang it there. The second arrived by courier just after lunch. Cadin looked at the outer envelope for several minutes before opening. The bastard didn’t have the courage to face her and deliver it himself, but he did deliver it as ordered. She opened the envelope and removed the check for one hundred thousand dollars.
She let the check drop onto her desk. “It will never be enough, but it is a start,” she said and walked out of the office.
Epilogue
Each year in August, Cadin and Renee took two weeks off to attend the annual dove hunt, and to visit Bogalusa. The dove hunt was as festive as ever and each year they celebrated for those who had passed on to a different journey. Terri and Lexie never moved out of Miss Betty’s home. They had become such a tight-knit family there was no sense in renting or buying another house. The rent money, saved as startup money was now a college fund, even though Cadin knew in her heart that her goddaughter would not pay a cent toward a college education.
Lexie was blowing through elementary school and well on her way to junior high. She had grown nearly as tall as Cadin on Miss Betty’s home cooking and was turning into a beautiful young woman. Terri was now the manager of the grocery store after her former boss retired, and Sister Frances still opened her home and her heart to women in need. Her age was creeping up on her and she relied more on Miss Betty and Lexie for help, but she refused to close the shelter.
The trips to Greensboro were highlighted not only by the annual dove hunt but also the harvesting of the pecans, which had brought Cadin and Lexie so close together. It was a tradition they would continue for many years.
Meagan graduated with honors from LSU and began teaching second grade in Bogalusa. The day of her graduation was a very proud moment for Cadin. Without the benefit of the foundation the world would have missed out on a beautiful teacher. The second year she taught, Cadin sat in on her classroom for a day and wasn’t surprised at how much the students adored their teacher. Meagan had found her calling.
The diner was still a thriving business and a landmark in Bogalusa. Emma and Johnny had fallen in love and they were married on Cadin’s third trip back. It was a beautiful event and she was so happy it made Cadin’s heart smile.