by Terry Fowler
“Hey, sweetie. I’ve missed seeing you around the office lately.” He hugged Leah and leaned to kiss Marty’s cheek. “Welcome home. I hear the trip was all you dreamed it would be.”
Marty flashed him a happy smile. “And more. Thanks, Peter. You’ll have to come over one night for dinner and look at the pictures. Ben took some interesting film footage as well.”
“Interesting?”
“It’s a bit choppy at the beginning but he got better toward the end of our trip.”
“I’ll do that.”
Her father’s partner glanced at the the Byrds, who were standing there. Leah introduced them. “Uncle Peter, this is Cecily Byrd and her son, Josiah.”
He shook Josiah’s hand and then held Cecily’s hand for longer than expected. “Cecily. Pretty name for a pretty woman.”
Leah saw Cecily color at his observation.
He lingered. “And how is it I’ve never met you at any of Ben and Marty’s bashes in the past?”
“I only recently learned Leah was my old high school friend’s daughter.”
His brows lifted. “Let’s get you a drink and you can tell me more.”
Josiah watched helplessly as Peter ushered his mother away.
“Uncle Peter is okay,” Leah said. “He’s Daddy’s partner at the clinic. Peter Leonard. He lost his wife to cancer about eighteen months ago. They were married longer than your parents.”
Josiah’s gaze followed the couple across the back yard. They stopped to pull sodas from a tub filled with ice, conversing as though they were lifelong friends. “I’ve never known Mom to act that way.”
“Uncle Peter is good with people.”
He looked at her. “Is he really your uncle?”
“No. We’re not related. It’s an honorary title. I’ve called him that since I was a little girl. He didn’t like Dr. Leonard and Mom and Daddy wouldn’t let me call him Peter so he came up with Uncle Peter. His wife was Aunt Molly.”
Josiah rubbed his hands together. “Well, since my mother is in good hands why don’t I offer my assistance in helping get these people fed?”
“That would be great, wouldn’t it, Daddy?”
“I never refuse an extra pair of willing hands.”
Marty picked up a tray. “Leah can help me bring the food out while you two finish up that batch. There’s more in the fridge underneath the counter.”
Inside, Marty looked at Leah. “Did you see the way she hugged your father? You’d think he was her best friend or something.”
The burst of jealousy astonished Leah. Women often paid her father extra attention but her mother had never been bothered by the occurrences. “Cecily didn’t mean anything, Mom. She’s excited about seeing Dad. She even pulled out their old high school annual and showed me photos of Daddy with Joseph.”
“I suppose she’ll want to know why we didn’t get in touch with them when we moved back to Wilmington.”
“If she does, just tell her life got in the way. Uncle Peter sure took to her.”
“Peter’s lonely. He misses Molly and their kids rarely come to visit. I’ve been meaning to introduce him to the eligible women I know but apparently Cecily has caught his eye.”
“You don’t mind, do you?”
“It never hurts when two lonely souls find each other.”
Leah wondered if her mother meant what she said. The partners and their families had always had a close relationship. What if Uncle Peter and Cecily became an item? Could her mother spend time with Cecily knowing she had been Joseph’s wife? “So you’re okay with Uncle Peter possibly dating Cecily Byrd?”
Marty crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. “I don’t have a problem with Cecily Byrd or with any of the Byrd family for that matter.”
Yeah, sure, Leah thought as she looked out the French doors to where Josiah and her father worked the grill. Their animated conversation was a good sign. “You think Josiah is okay with Uncle Peter? He’s very protective of his mom.”
Marty turned to look out the kitchen window. “Would you stop behaving like a mother hen? He’s not chasing them around the lawn. No, wait. He glanced in their direction. He’s going... Saved by your father. They’re back to chatting.”
Leah giggled at Marty’s teasing play-by-play. “Leave it to you, Mom.”
Marty cupped her daughter’s cheeks in her hands and kissed her forehead. “Your friends will be just fine, Leah. Stop worrying and help me get this food out so the party can begin. We’d better hurry. Knowing your father, when it comes to interrogating your young men, Josiah needs rescuing by now.”
They ate and mingled with the party guests. Leah was happy to find Josiah knew some of their friends. She introduced him to her friends Susan and Carrie and their husbands. Carrie was interested in opening a retail storefront and Josiah gave her his card and told her to call him when she was ready.
The men went off for soda refills and both women turned to Leah.
“He’s great.”
“I like him,” Susan said.
“Me, too.” Leah admitted to her friends and herself. “I’m trying not to push the situation, though. We’re taking our time getting to know each other.”
“Is he the one?”
Susan’s question forced Leah to consider the truth.
“He could be.”
“Good. It’s about time you found the man who deserves you.”
“Let’s hope he feels the same way.”
Later, after their guests had gone, Leah and her parents settled in around the fire pit with Cecily and Josiah. Surprisingly Peter stuck around to listen while Cecily and Ben caught up on old times.
Leah felt sorry for her mom when Cecily’s “remember when” stories, particularly those that had to do with her father’s high school girlfriends, irritated her. Sensitive to his wife’s feelings, Ben pulled her down next to him on the swing and placed an arm about her shoulders. She slumped against him, exhausted from the busy day.
Leah and Josiah sat in Adirondack chairs off to the side of the group. “You okay?” she asked softly when Cecily laughed at something Peter said.
He nodded. “Thanks for inviting us. Mom’s having the time of her life.”
“So you don’t mind her and Uncle Peter? He is one of the good guys. When Aunt Molly got sick he stood by her through it all. He was at her bedside when she passed away.”
Josiah’s gaze rested on the couple. “Is he over her?”
Leah shrugged. “As much as one can get over losing someone they love. Those feelings never go away but others come into our lives and we move on.”
“I like your dad.”
“He’s the best.” Her fond gaze lingered on Ben Wright as he shared a story about a high school game he and Joseph played in. “You should listen to him. You might learn something you don’t know about your dad.”
His smile was forced. “It all comes back to the one I did know. No sense in hearing tales out of school and wishing that guy had stuck around to be a real dad.”
Leah sighed. “Okay, have it your way.” She pushed herself out of the chair. “Anyone want cake?”
Ben and Peter said yes. “Josiah?”
“I’ll help.”
She sliced cake, placed it on plates and added plastic forks. “Not birthday cake but Mom’s icing is pretty good.”
Josiah forked a bite in his mouth and nodded. “It bothers you when I put my father down. Why?”
Leah looked up at him. Had she been so obvious? “I hate to see you make yourself miserable.”
She laid the knife back on the table and used a paper napkin to wipe away the excess frosting. Josiah sat his plate down and picked up a container of wet wipes. He pulled one out and handed it to her. “What do you mean?”
Leah w
iped her hands and tossed it in the trash container. “He’s gone, Josiah. He was your father and he was there for you. There are a lot of kids in this world who can’t say the same. Kids who don’t know who their father is. Kids who don’t know where their next meal is coming from or where they’re going to sleep tonight. Kids who would kill for a father, even a bad one.”
“Easy for you to say. You scored father-of-the-year material.”
Leah understood the hint of envy in Josiah’s words. “I’m blessed. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my father would give his life for me. I’m not saying that to hurt you. It’s just a fact I live with every day. And in some ways it’s just as restrictive as the feelings you struggle with.
“It’s like the love of Jesus. I can never totally deserve what He did for me. And nothing I do or achieve will ever put me in the paid column when it comes to all my parents have done.”
“It’s not an asset sheet, Leah. They love you. No matter what. You’re their daughter, warts and all.”
“Yes, but do you think that keeps me from wanting to make them proud, to give them something to brag about?”
“Your dad’s plenty proud of his girl.”
“And I’m sure your dad was proud of you. Maybe he didn’t show it in the ways you expected but you can bet he bragged about you every time he got the chance. That’s what parents do.”
Josiah looked doubtful but Leah refused to relent.
“Hey, where’s that cake?”
“Coming.” She picked up two plates and indicated Josiah should take the remaining two.
* * *
Later, Josiah lay in bed considering what Leah had said that evening. Had his father bragged about his son? He thought about the things he’d done in his life to win his father’s favor. The way he’d gone about it. As a kid, he’d idolized his dad. He’d trailed after him like a pup, tongue lolling and begging for a pat on the head. A good boy.
When that hadn’t worked, he tried other ways. Rebellious acts that got him into more trouble than anything else. He’d finally seen the light when his mom sat him down for the talk. When she’d come to pick him up at the store, Mr. B. said he wouldn’t file charges this time but if it happened again, Josiah would be arrested. She promised the store owner there would be no more trouble and yanked Josiah out of the store.
He hoped none of his friends had seen him that day as she grasped his hand in hers and pulled him along behind her all the way to her car. “Honestly, Josiah, if I could turn you over my knee and paddle you, I would. What were you thinking?”
He couldn’t look her in the eye. Josiah had no idea why he’d let his friend prod him into taking the candy.
Cecily took him to the park and made him sit on a hard concrete bench while she paced and ranted. “You’re making a major mistake and if you aren’t careful you’re going to do something that won’t end with a stern talking-to.”
He’d nearly cried like a baby when she told him she’d always been so proud of him and tears shone in her eyes when she added she’d never been as disappointed and angry as she was at this moment. “Do you think becoming a criminal will make your dad pay attention? It won’t. He’ll attempt to pay your way out and if he can’t, he’ll justify his actions by saying he’s always worked hard to give you everything while you suffer the consequences of your actions.”
Remorse filled him at her angry but sad words.
“Think about what you want from your future. Fortunately you won’t have a criminal record because of this incident, but if you continue, your past will follow you wherever you go. It will tarnish every good thing you hope to accomplish and in the end you’ll only be another spoiled brat who people will say doesn’t deserve all you have. Is that what you want?”
That had been the breakthrough moment in his life.
His actions had hurt his mother and that was exactly what Josiah didn’t want. She had loved him from the beginning. All his life, she’d been there for him and it was unfair to punish her and behave liked a spoiled child having a tantrum because he couldn’t have a relationship with his father.
From that day forward, Josiah concentrated on making her proud. She’d cheered him on at team sports, been in the audience when he was recognized for his high school achievements and worked with him to complete his college applications.
He had his choice of colleges but instead of being pleased that he’d chosen UNC, his father took it as a personal affront. Each time he wrote a tuition check, Joseph made a big deal out of how hard he’d worked to get his scholarship and behaved as if paying Josiah’s tuition was a major sacrifice.
Four years later when he received his degree, his parents had been there to see him graduate and his mother had been the one to make the event special by inviting his friends to join them for dinner.
Whatever the case, maybe Leah was right. His resentment of his father was a continuation of the resentment that fueled him to commit the rebellious acts of his childhood. Instead of showing the loving, lighthearted behavior his mom taught him, he became so bitter upon hearing his father’s name that he couldn’t say anything nice. He tried to cover his inability to forgive and forget by taking extra care with his mom and yet every time he flared up about his father, he hurt her with his behavior, just as he’d done as a youth.
Did his comments make him seem like an ungrateful brat? Probably. Leah made a good point. He’d never wanted for anything.
And every time he allowed those behaviors to surface he made his mother sad and upset just as he’d done that time all those years ago.
Josiah knelt and prayed for God’s help with this burden he carried. “Please, God, help me forgive my dad and please forgive me for being so resentful toward him. Make me a man deserving of the love You’ve shown me.”
Chapter 11
The following Friday, Leah climbed behind the wheel of Josiah’s truck. After adjusting the seat to her shorter legs, she reached for the rearview mirror. She hadn’t particularly wanted to borrow the vehicle but Cecily insisted it would be easier to load the boxes. Leah knew that was true but she understood a man’s feelings regarding his truck and feared she would be a nervous wreck until it was safely parked in the Byrds’ driveway.
They were nearing the end of Cecily’s project. She had decided to hold off on the attic, preferring to spend the time at the beach. She suggested she might want to resume working with Leah in the winter.
The reduced schedule and continued lack of new organization jobs prompted Leah to try other ways of earning money. She put together a leaflet of chores she would do, shared it with her fellow church members and posted it on the service board at the grocery store along with her cards.
Quite a few of the elderly members had benefited from Leah’s talents in the past when they did volunteer work at church. She’d worked in their homes, helping them sort and organize their things so they could find them and set up systems so they didn’t miss their medications and appointments.
Those ladies called on her for help but she felt badly about taking their limited funds. Over the days she did grocery shopping, cleaned, walked dogs and even house-sat for dog owners. She accepted any errand that she considered an honest task and added to her bank account. The money wasn’t as good as organizing but the extra funds in her bank balance made her feel more comfortable.
The dates with Josiah gave Leah hope for the future. She had fun whether it was working out at the gym or dining out. She’d noticed a difference in Josiah since the night of the party. He had stopped commenting on his father as much and Leah felt their bond strengthening.
She dreamed of a future with him. In her head, Leah could see them sharing a home, a life, and having a family together. She would even love her mother-in-law.
Josiah continued to surprise her on their dates. Some nights it was just dinner at one of the many
restaurants in the city. One night they took a cruise along the Cape Fear River on the paddleboat called the Henrietta. They’d taken in more concerts. And some nights they’d walked along the beach or traveled to Topsail Beach to have dinner with his mom.
Cecily sipped from her coffee mug and set it in the cup holder to secure her seat belt.
“Whew. I haven’t lifted boxes like that since I was a young woman.”
Leah glanced at her. “I wish you hadn’t lifted them today. You could have hurt yourself.”
“Don’t be silly. I nursed sick people most of my married life. They weren’t exactly lightweights. A few boxes aren’t going to be my downfall.”
Cecily reached for her coffee and splashed it on the console and her pants leg. “Ugh. I knew I should have poured this into a travel mug.”
She opened the glove compartment and rummaged for something to clean up the spill.
Leah’s breath caught when she withdrew the flowered envelope that had become the subject of her nightmares.
“What is this?” Cecily read the return address aloud, a question in her voice as she turned the envelope over and noted the open flap. “Why did your mother write to Joseph?” She started to remove the letter.
“You don’t want to read that.” The words gushed from Leah.
Cecily’s bemused expression contained much of the same concern Leah felt. What should she do? How could she handle this? She’d promised Josiah she wouldn’t tell his mother about the letter but here it was with her demanding answers. Why hadn’t he disposed of the letter as he’d said he would?
“I mailed it in error. I had no business messing with her things.” The words ran together as Leah spoke fast in her effort to explain.
Cecily frowned. “You aren’t making any sense.”
Leah drew in a deep breath, fighting her desire to rip the envelope from Cecily’s hands and shred it into a million tiny pieces. It was too late. The letter was in the exact place Josiah had never wanted it to be, right there in the hands of Joseph Byrd’s wife.
“My mom wrote that letter before she started dating my dad. She kept it under her desk blotter. It’s my fault.” Her words came out sounding more like a sob.