Chapter 47
“Leaving already, Mr. Barnes?” Ms. Beverly asked while descending the stairs.
“Buck’s staying for a few days, but I miss Lilly.”
Ms. Beverly wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. He held her until she pulled away.
“Thank you,” she said while drying her eyes. “We can never repay you for what you’ve done.” She studied his face and finally put a hand to it. “Do you still care for her?”
“Yes,” Ellis said, “but she loves Jake. She’ll always be Jake’s.” He sighed and playfully nudged Ms. Beverly’s shoulder with his own. “So what are you doing next weekend?”
She laughed almost flirtatiously and nudged him back. “I’m flattered, Mr. Barnes, but I’m afraid I must decline. I’ve recently begun seeing someone else.”
He cocked his head inquisitively, but then a throat clearing at the top of the stairs drew his attention. There, Ellis found Percy Helton propped against the wall with his arms crossed. A large, muttonchopped grin was plastered on his face.
“Well way to go, bartender.”
Percy simply nodded and tipped his hat before returning to the others. Ellis noticed a playful glow about Ms. Beverly, happiness she had only feigned, but then something else came to mind.
“When I first met you, we discussed my disdain for churches,” he said. Ms. Beverly’s eyes narrowed curiously. “I was angry because Mandy’s parents refused the Zolpidem treatment; it was God’s healing or nothing. Then, after she died, they declared our daughter an abomination and refused to be a part of her life. I grew bitter after that and blamed their faith, but you told me faith was individual.” He looked upstairs and envisioned Sara with Jake. “I think Sara taught me that without so many words.”
“So you’re saying you’ve made your peace?”
“I’m saying I’m getting there—and thank you.”
“You are very welcome, Ellis. I look forward to seeing you again and possibly even meeting your daughter if you’ll allow me.”
“I’d like that,” Ellis said. Then he nodded and tipped his hat. “Thank you for having me, Ms. Beverly.”
“Just Beverly is fine. There’s no more need for formalities.” She smiled and they hugged once more. “Good bye, Ellis.”
He stepped out onto the porch, closed the door behind him, and took in the sound of the cicadas singing. He found that he no longer hated their song but rather enjoyed it, so he closed his eyes and drank it in. Their melody, however, was interrupted by the song of another type.
“Hello?” he said as he answered his phone.
“Hey, Daddy!”
“Lilly! How’s my little girl?”
“I miss you, Daddy. When are you coming home?”
Ellis glanced at an upstairs window and envisioned all those inside. They each had a place in his heart, but his time in Anderson was finished.
“I’m leaving right now,” he said. “I’ll be home tonight.”
Cicada Song Page 48