by Joy Redmond
She watched the beautiful moon as it danced, and its light shimmered off the crystal water as it traveled across the Gulf of Mexico. This view is more splendid than my special place that Purple Angel used to lead me to, back when she still came to rescue me from the torture of my retched life of pain. She heaved a sigh of joy and longing for Purple Angel. I really need to get back to Wanda’s house and get that resume typed up. And here’s hoping it gets Dr. Barrow’s attention.
Mandy gently tapped on Wanda’s door. She could hear little footsteps running across the floor, then the door opened and she was staring at a beautiful little girl. “Hi, there. I bet your name is Debbie.”
“Yes it is. Are you Abbie’s mama? Where’s Abbie?”
“I’m Abbie’s mama and she’s not with me tonight, but she’ll be your neighbor soon. Is your mama home?”
“Come on in, Mandy,” Wanda called out. “I’m in the kitchen, elbow deep in dishwater.”
Mandy walked into the kitchen. “I thought I might have waited too late. I was on the beach watching the beautiful sunset and kinda lost track of time.”
“You’re right on time. Let me drain the water, then we’ll go to my bedroom, which is also my office. I’ll have it typed in no time flat. You just feed me the info and I’ll put the fringe edges on it as we go. Then I’ll take it to the office with me tomorrow. I’ll make sure it goes on top of the pile. However, nobody has turned in a resume except RN’s and Dr. Barrow isn’t going to hire one. He said he wasn’t going to pay what the ‘highfalutin' nurses’ think they’re worth. He’s an ol’ Tennessee boy and he’s different. But he’s a sweetheart and a darn good doctor. You’ll like him.”
“I hope I get the chance to meet him. But I won’t be back to Florida for another month. I’m sure he’ll want to hire somebody before I can get back down here and be ready to go to work.”
“He’s leaving for a long vacation the first of July and he won’t be back until mid-August. So that’s no problem. And when I hand him your resume, I’ll tell him that you and I are good friends and neighbors and I’ll highly recommend you. That’s no lie. Just a little fringe around the edges.” Wanda laughed. “I think we will become great friends. And I’ll show you the hot spots in town when you need a night out to let down your hair and have some fun. You haven’t mentioned a husband, so I’m assuming that you’re a single mom too.”
“Oh, yeah. It isn’t easy being a mother and daddy, but we’ll survive it and so will our kids. And we need a little fun. So, we’ll hit the hot spots and get loose.”
“Good to hear. It sure is gonna be nice having you for a neighbor and Debbie will have a friend too. I’ve got a thirteen-year-old son. He loves to fish off the pier. It’s the only time he and his dad spend any time together. How many children do you have?”
“I’ve got three. Kati is sixteen, Tony is thirteen and Abbie is seven.”
“Great! Todd, my son is also thirteen. If your son likes to fish, Todd will be glad to take him along on weekends. I think this is gonna work out wonderfully.”
Wanda sat down at her desk and Mandy told her about her jobs and her education. Wanda worked fast and soon the resume was finished. Mandy read it and was amazed how good it was and how it made her look good as well.
Mandy looked at her watch. “My goodness, it’s eleven o’clock. I’m sorry to keep you up. I know you have to get up in the morning and get to work.”
“I’ll be fine. I usually don’t get to bed before midnight. I need a little me time, after the kids are in bed.”
“Well, since Dr. Barrow is taking a long vacation, I guess that means you’ll have some time off too.”
“Are you kidding? I have to be there to answer the phone, schedule appointments and answer stupid questions. The office keeps running, even when the doc is out of town.”
“I’ll be on my way. Thank you so much. Oh, how much do I owe you for the resume? I got so carried away talking about other things, I forgot to pay you. I’m so sorry.”
“I just charge seven dollars. And I feel badly about charging you, but I’ve got hungry mouths, you know.”
“That’s a fair price, and yes, I well know.” Mandy took a ten dollar bill from her purse, pressed it into Wanda’s hand and said, “Keep the change. Goodnight. I’ll see you soon.”
She walked out to the car and deeply inhaled the saltwater air, and was invigorated. Florida. Home, sweet home. How I love you!
Mandy drove back to the motel, anxious to go to sleep so she could head back to Kentucky, come morning. She took another shower, wondering if she’d be taking two showers a day once she became an official Floridian. The humidity seemed to wrap around her like a steamy wet blanket, but she loved it. At least she would never shiver from the cold again.
She lay down in bed and her mind took her on a journey of an amazing set of happenings since she had gotten there. Joy filled her heart and her soul soared like an eagle. She was about to doze off when she felt something slither across her feet.
“What the hell!” she exclaimed as she jumped out of bed, turned on the lamp, then pulled back the sheet. She blinked several times, frozen to the spot, not sure if her eyes were deceiving her as she gazed upon a lizard, sitting on the side of the bed, blowing out its bright red throat.
“Well, did you follow me? You don’t live here, big boy.” She picked up her flip-flop and lifted him off the bed and balanced him on the toe of the flip-flop. “Now don’t try to run or I’ll have to grab you by the tail.” She carefully eased her way across the floor, staring into eyes that seemed to be staring back at her. She unlocked the door, opened it, then set the little creature on the concrete walkway.
“Go home. And goodnight.” She watched, thrilled and amazed as it headed down the steps as if it had understood.
The next morning, the bright sun seeped through the thin curtains and kissed her eyelids. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table and the glowing red light let her know it was 7 am. She got out of bed, walked over to the window and just as she was about to pull open the curtains, there on top of the window unit air-conditioner, sat a lizard, blowing out its red throat. “Well, good morning. I’m going to call you Houdini. There’s no way you could have come back through that door.” The lizard just sat and stared. “I do believe you understand me.”
She dressed, packed, and did one last eye sweep around the room, then pulled the suitcase across the floor and flung her purse strap across her shoulder. “You hold down the fort until I get back, Houdini.”
Just as she reached for the doorknob, the phone rang. “Is that your little friends calling, wanting you to come play?” she said and laughed as she picked up the receiver. “Hello.”
“Good morning. I hope I didn’t wake you, but I thought you’d like to know we’ve got a closing date set. We’re to meet at the lawyer’s office, July twenty-seventh at nine o’clock. Is that satisfactory?”
“You betcha! Please give me the address where I’m supposed to meet you.” She opened the drawer of the bedside table, picked up a piece of motel stationary, then fumbled through her purse and found a ballpoint pen. “Okay, I’m ready.” As Brad read her the address, she quickly scribbled it down. “Got it. See you then. And thanks for finding me my dream home.”
“My pleasure. See you soon.”
Mandy hung up and did a jig all the way to the door. The red-throated lizard followed her movements and his eyes never left her until she closed the door behind her.
Ten hours later, Mandy was driving through Chattanooga, when she saw a sign: Cleveland. Next 3 exits. “Cleveland,” she said aloud. “Don lives there. I’m tired and I think I’ll swing by for a while.” She hadn’t realized she was only thirty miles from Cleveland. She took the first exit, stopped at a gas station, took her address book from her purse and asked for directions. As the man pointed this way and that, Mandy did her best to scribble down which way he was telling her to go.
Twenty minutes later, Mandy pulled into the driveway. Oh my G
od. I’ve got on shorts, a tank top, and flip-flops. Don will flip out and I’ve gotta watch my potty mouth. Since Nikko has taken the lead, she just lets it rip.
Okay, Mandy. You need to come out. Nikko will have Don and Anne standing on their ears.
Mandy got out of the car, stretched and looked around. Don had a beautiful home and the neighborhood seemed to be high class. She broadly smiled and joy filled her heart. You’ve come a long way, brother. You pulled yourself up from nothing and got to where you are by brains, guts, determination, and faith. Mainly faith. And a good woman beside you, supporting and encouraging you.
She drew in a deep breath. All I ever had were men who tore me down. And they were anchors who pulled me further down into the muck and mire of life. I’d take one step forward and they’d drag me ten steps back. She headed toward the front door.
Mandy felt Nikko crawling into the deep, dark crevices of her mind as she tapped on the door, and her heart raced as she heard footsteps.
Don opened the door. “Sis! What are you doing here? Come in.” He yelled over his shoulder, “Anne, Sis is here!”
Don grabbed her in a bear hug. Mandy couldn’t hold back her tears and as Don held her, her memories of him flooded back, and she was hugging the little boy who ran through the front yard with her, picking white clover so Mama could show them how to make clover chains, which they later used for jumping ropes.
She dabbed her eyes as Don held her in a tight embrace, her mind still in the past. Little Evan never had to endure the heartache and hardships as we did. Evan is happy in Heaven with Mama.
Mandy’s reverie was broken when she heard a happy voice. “Sis!” Anne cried, as she threw her arms around her sister-in-law. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Me either. And I would have called but—it’s a long story. Fix me a glass of ice water and I’ll tell you all about it. Please excuse the way I’m dressed, but I just drove up from Florida. It’s hot down there.”
“Florida!” Don exclaimed.
“I said I’d explain. Let me wet my whistle and I’ll begin. Where are Danny and Darla?”
“They’ll be home soon. They’re at church, setting up for the program tomorrow night. I hope you can stay and go with us,” Don said.
“I wish I could, but I’ll have to head out in the morning. I can spend the night if that’s okay? I’m tired and I’ve got so much to tell.”
“You’re more than welcome to spend the night. You can spend the rest of your life with us and we’d be happy,” Don said.
Mandy’s throat constricted. She remembered the many times that she and Don and Lee had often said, ‘When we’re grown, if one of us has a home, the rest will always have a home.’
Mandy caught the scent of roses. Mama is here, she thought. But nobody else seemed to smell the sweet aroma.
Chapter Fifteen
The night zipped past and soon it was time for Mandy to leave. The next morning, she hugged her brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew, feeling the pain in her heart as raw as it ever had been when she had to tell her family goodbye, never knowing when she’d see them again.
She held her brother close and whispered to him that she loved him. He nodded but said nothing, his tears falling on her face as she held him. They promised to keep in touch, like they always had. She figured that was as good as it would ever be.
Five hours later, she was back in Kentucky. She was anxious to see her children, but she dreaded the showdown she knew was coming from her parents. Nikko, stay quiet unless I call on you. I’ll try to make this visit as pleasant as possible. When we’re headed back to Missouri, you can take the lead.
Mandy pulled the car to the curb in front of her parents’ house. Before she opened the car door, she heard Abbie’s sweet voice, “Mommy! Mommy!”
Mandy hurried to her sweet daughter and scooped her into her arms. “How’s Mommy’s baby? I sure have missed you.” She kissed the sweet rosy cheek. Just as she stood Abbie on the ground, Kati and Tony came running toward her.
“Oh, my goodness! I wasn’t expecting to see you two here,” she said as she hugged them to her body.
Kati said, “We figured you’d be back today. I’m ready to go back to Missouri. I’ve had all the bossing from grandparents that I can stand.”
Tony said, “I wanted to stay another two weeks, but I don’t want you to have to make a trip back just to get me. So, I’ll go on back home with you too. Did you find us a house in Florida?”
“I’ve got so much to tell you children, but I’ll tell you all about my trip on our way back to Missouri. Let me get in the house and get my lecture, then we’ll all head out.”
Mandy went inside and the children followed her. Iris met her at the door, hugged her, and then the waterworks began. “I can’t believe that you’re going to take our grandchildren and move further away. Florida is a horrible place to live with the heat, humidity, and all the insects. But I know you’re going to do what makes you happy and not consider our feelings.”
“Can we just have a nice visit without all the guilt trips? Please.”
Iris dabbed her eyes. “Come on in the kitchen. I’ve cooked a big lunch. I figured you might be hungry by the time you got here. And we’re all hungry.”
Mandy followed her mother into the kitchen where she found Otis sitting in his chair, his head hung down with a look of despair on his face. “Sit down, Amanda. Let’s enjoy this meal. It’s probably the last one we’ll have with you and the three children at the same time. I’m not going to give my opinion on your move. Nothing I’ve ever said has ever changed your mind.”
Mandy sat down and the children took their seats. They bowed their heads, Otis said the blessing, and they all repeated, “Amen.”
After the meal, Mandy helped clean up the kitchen. “Mother, the children and I will spend the night with you, if you won’t cry and carry on. That upsets the kids, and, well, it doesn’t do my insides any good either. Can we make it a pleasant night? We can all play board games.”
“We’d love for you to spend the night! We figured you’d be out of here as fast as you could eat and gather up the children and their suitcases. I can’t promise that I won’t cry. I can’t stop my tears – they come when they want to.” She wiped her eyes. “But, I’ll do my best.”
Mandy found herself enjoying playing the games with her parents and children. And nobody wanted to play Monopoly. If the phantom farter showed up, Iris and Otis would have been incensed, thinking the children had cut the cheese.
Mandy was up with the sun, packing the children’s belongings and was about ready to go when Iris walked into the front bedroom. “Amanda. I know you want to hurry and get out of here – you always do. But I was wondering if you would stay one more day and night. This is July the third and Abbie’s birthday is the seventh. I thought we could have an early party for her and get to enjoy her seventh birthday. I can bake a cake and decorate it. I’ve already bought her presents. I—”
“Yes, Mother. We can stay another day. I think Abbie would enjoy having an early birthday with you and Dad. But I really have to leave tomorrow. I’ve got a lot to do.”
“Thank you,” Iris answered, wiping her eyes.
Mandy had fun helping bake and decorate the cake, and Otis dragged out the crank ice cream machine and made homemade ice cream. Kati and Tony made a banner out of notebook paper, then taped it on the wall. Abbie’s eyes bugged out as she read Happy Birthday, Abbie. She clapped her tiny hands and her smile broadened as Grandmother lit the candles on the cake.
“Make a wish and blow,” Mandy coaxed.
Abbie blew as hard as she could, a bit of spittle flying, but she blew them all out. Everybody clapped. Iris cut the cake and Otis filled bowls with homemade ice cream. Abbie opened her presents and was thrilled with her new Dr. Seuss books, crayons, and coloring books. Iris had also made her a couple of dresses and she had a package of hair ribbons to match the dresses. Mandy sighed as she looked at her family, and though she w
as never at peace being with Iris and Otis, this day was the best day and most fun she had ever had with them.
Mandy had called Billy’s house, hoping he’d want to come to his daughter’s birthday party, but nobody answered the phone. She was thankful that Abbie didn’t mention her daddy.
The next morning, they loaded the car, said tearful goodbyes, then headed for home. “Hey, kids. As soon as we get back to Missouri, we’ve got to start dumpster diving, find boxes, then start packing. We’ve got three weeks to get it done. Now settle back and listen to a story about a mama named Mandy, and she’ll tell you all about Florida and our new home.”
The children listened and were enthralled as Mandy told them about her trip and what was waiting for them.
“What about our summer vacations in Kentucky?” Tony asked.
“Well, son, we’ll have to get that worked out later. If your grandparents can help out with plane tickets, you can fly up and back. I can’t make that long a drive to take you and come back and get you. I’m sure it’ll all pan out. Right now, we need to concentrate on getting moved. The rest will fall into place.”
Three hours later, Mandy pulled under the carport and it was good to see home. She felt a pang in her heart, knowing she would soon be leaving. But her heart was telling her she had made the right decision.
Mandy called Bekins Moving Company and set up a date for July 24th and the furniture would be delivered July 28th. “One day after closing,” she mumbled as she hung up the phone. “Now start gathering boxes and start packing.”
Two days after they were back in Missouri, Amos and Jillian knocked on the door and Mandy’s heart danced when she saw them. Amos folded Mandy in his arms and she felt his body tremble as he held her. She fought back her tears. But when she hugged Jillian, she couldn’t hold back anymore. After a long moment, they all got their emotions in check. Later that afternoon, Amos headed out to Kentucky Fried Chicken and he brought back two buckets of chicken with all the trimmings.