South of Heaven

by Ali Spooner

  Kendra squeezed her hand. “Hopefully he’ll come around eventually. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dad talks to him at some point, to break the ice a bit.”

  “You’re blessed to have him as a father.”

  “Yeah, I am. He’s been my best friend for most of my life.”

  †

  Kendra began removing the gear from storage while Lindsey cooked breakfast. They would have just enough time to eat before the supplies arrived. When Lindsey called her inside to eat, her stomach answered the call with a loud growl in anticipation of the meal.

  “Would you like juice or more coffee, Kendra?”

  “Both actually.”

  “That sounds good to me, too.” Lindsey brought the coffee pot over to refill their cups and then poured glasses of juice.

  “I think I’ll start doubling the egg order. These omelets are fantastic,” Kendra said.

  “It’s a good way to use leftovers when we have them.”

  “With Charlie around, we don’t have to worry about them often.”

  “Did I hear my name being called?” Charlie stuck his head inside the galley.

  “Hey, Charlie. We were just talking about leftovers or the lack thereof,” Lindsey teased.

  “Mama always told me to clean my plate.” He grinned sheepishly.

  “You learned that lesson well. What are you doing here today?” Kendra asked.

  He shuffled his feet. “I’ve got a case of cabin fever, so I thought I’d come down and see if you needed any help.”

  “We have supplies coming soon, and I want to get the rest of the equipment back in place,” Kendra told him.

  “Would you mind some help?”

  “I’d love to have your help. Did you have breakfast?”

  “Yes, ma’am, but those omelets sure look good.”

  “Pour yourself a cup and you can split this one with me, and if you’re still hungry, I’ll cook us another,” Lindsey offered.

  “I don’t want to take your breakfast, Lindsey.”

  “Just let me grab another plate.”

  Charlie poured a cup of coffee and joined them at the table. He watched as Lindsey cut more than half of her omelet and passed it to him. From the way he ravenously attacked the food, Kendra suspected that Charlie’s wife wasn’t much of a cook, or they didn’t have much in the way of groceries. At least during the week she knew he would eat well.

  “This is really good, Lindsey.”

  “Eat up and I’ll fix another,” she told him.

  Lindsey cooked him an even larger omelet and four slices of toast.

  Kendra was surprised to see that Charlie eyes had tears in them when Lindsey placed the plate in front of him. She nodded her head toward the door as she locked eyes with Lindsey, who nodded an answer to her wordless question.

  “I’m going to check something in the wheelhouse. I’ll see you on deck when you finish eating.” Kendra stood.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Charlie answered between bites.

  Lindsey returned to her seat at the table after Kendra left the galley. She looked at Charlie. “You can tell me to mind my own business, but is everything all right at home, Charlie?”

  Charlie shocked her by breaking down in tears.

  She rushed to place her arm around his shoulders. “I didn’t mean to upset you, Charlie.”

  “It’s not you, Lindsey. I’m sorry. Things have just been hectic at home.”

  “I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “It’s my fault,” he sniffled. “I should have paid closer attention to our finances, but I thought Lucy was paying the bills, until I came home early and found a pile of past due notices. It’s taken everything I’ve made these last few weeks to catch up on the bills. I can barely feed my wife and son.” He broke down in tears.

  “Are you caught up yet?”

  “I made the last payment Saturday, but it’s left almost nothing for groceries. I feel guilty for eating this breakfast, but I haven’t eaten much since we got home.”

  Lindsey reached into her pocket and pulled out her wallet, removing four one-hundred-dollar bills, and placing them on the table beside him. “I want you to finish your meal then go buy some groceries for your family. Kendra and I can handle what needs to be done here.”

  “I promise I will pay you back,” he replied, choking back his tears.

  “A little bit at a time, but make sure you cover your bills and groceries first,” she instructed him.

  “I’m embarrassed to take this from you.”

  “You are family to me, Charlie. All you need to do is ask if you need help. We’ve all had our ups and downs. It’s okay to ask for help,” she said in a comforting tone.

  “I didn’t come down here to beg, but I could kiss you.”

  “Whoa, Charlie, no need for that.” Lindsey patted his hand. “This will stay between us. There’s no need for anyone else to know.”

  He looked at her curiously. “What about the captain?”

  “We’ve got this covered between you and me, so there’s no need to bring her into this unless you think it’s necessary.”

  “Thanks, Lindsey. I hate taking money from you, but I’m at my wits’ end.”

  “Just make sure you stay on top of things moving forward. We’re going to make enough money this summer to allow you to put some back in savings.”

  “If it weren’t for the checks we’ve gotten from the reds, I’d probably be losing my house.”

  “We won’t allow that to happen, I promise.”

  He gobbled down the last bite and took to his feet. “Thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome. Now go get that shopping done. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “See you, Lindsey.”

  She watched him wave to Kendra as he rushed across the deck. Then she took the dishes to the sink to wash them.

  †

  Kendra looked up from her task to see Charlie exiting the galley. He smiled and waved at her before rushing off the boat. She returned his wave and finished the task she was working on. When Lindsey didn’t follow him from the galley, she went in search of her.

  Lindsey was standing at the sink, washing the dishes from breakfast when she entered the galley. “Charlie left out of here like he was on fire.” Kendra walked over next to her.

  “He had something come up that he needed to take care of, so I told him we could handle re-stocking the boat.”

  “There’s more to it than that, but you aren’t going to tell me, are you?”

  “We handled a situation, so there’s no need to bring you into it and cause him embarrassment.”

  Kendra wrapped her arms around Lindsey’s waist, hugging her from behind. “Thank you,” she whispered in her ear.

  “You’d do the same thing, but you’re welcome. We’re family and have to take care of one another.”

  “Yes, we are, and yes, we do.”

  Kendra heard the squeal of brakes and looked out the window to see the delivery truck arriving.

  “I guess it’s time for us to get to work.” Lindsey placed the dishtowel on the counter before turning in Kendra’s arms for a quick kiss.

  Kendra smiled. “I’m blessed that you’ve come into my life.”

  “We are both well blessed by fate,” Lindsey stated. “Would you mind if I cook some dinner while you’re gone after your dad? I’m sure he’ll be starved by the time you get home.”

  “That would be great. Thanks.”

  †

  When they returned to the house, Kendra said, “I think I’m going to take a quick shower before I leave for the airport.”

  “Is it okay if I take your Jeep to the store before you go?”

  “Go ahead. Do you need some money?”

  “No, ma’am, I’ve got this.”

  “I’ll see you in a few then.”

  Lindsey watched Kendra climb the stairs before picking up the keys and heading for the garage. Lindsey hated missing an opportunity to shower with Kendra
, but it was so much easier to carry groceries in the Jeep than on her bike. She wanted to cook a hearty meal to welcome Kevin home, and knew exactly what she needed. The shopping went quickly. She returned home, placed the groceries in the refrigerator, and just as she was finishing, Kendra was walking into the kitchen.

  “Are you all set?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll have a hot meal waiting on y’all when you return.”

  “Are you going to tell me what to expect?”

  “No, ma’am, it will be a surprise. You’ll be home around four thirty, right?”

  “If he arrives on time, yes. I’ll call you if there’s any delay.”

  Lindsey took her in her arms and kissed her softly. “Be safe, but hurry home to me.”

  “I’ll be back as quick as possible.” Kendra plucked the keys from the table and went out the back door.

  Lindsey watched her go before brewing a fresh pot of tea and placing it into the refrigerator to chill. She prepared the supplies she needed for the meal and set the table. With plenty of time before she needed to start cooking, she decided to call home and talk with her dad.

  She debated about telling her dad about her decision to stay in Florida, and the reason for her decision, but she couldn’t get the words out of her mouth. Instead, they chatted about the storm and made small talk about the season’s catch. When he asked how she was doing, she couldn’t help but smile as she thought about Kendra and their growing relationship. Then her dad dropped a bomb on her.

  “Kevin asked me to come down next weekend. I’m going to let your brother take over and come for a visit.”

  “That sounds great, Dad. Could I ask you to bring more of my clothes with you?”

  “Sure. I’ll pack up what I can and bring it with me.”

  “Thanks, Dad. I especially need some jeans and work shirts.”

  “Not a problem. Just let me know if there’s anything else.”

  “I will, Dad. Thanks, and drive safely.”

  Wow, I wonder what Kevin and Dad are cooking up? She doubted Kendra had any idea her dad was coming to visit either. She drained her glass of tea and returned to the kitchen to begin the meal.

  †

  Heeding Harvey’s warning about the highway damages from the storm, Kendra decided to head north to pick up the Interstate. She left with plenty time to reach the airport even if it took extra time to get through the tunnel in Mobile. The bright sun beat down on the pavement and she dropped her shades to cover her eyes. The wind blew through her hair as she picked up speed on the nearly vacant highway. I’ll be lucky if traffic stays this light.

  She arrived at the airport early, pulled the Jeep into the parking lot, and walked inside the small terminal. She saw Kevin’s flight would arrive on time. A miracle. She grinned and went in search of something to drink.

  She watched as air traffic arrived and departed. When they announced Kevin’s flight had arrived, she walked to the baggage claim to wait on him.

  Her dad’s face lit up when he saw her and wrapped her in an embrace. “Hey, honey. What happened to your cheek?”

  “A little accident during the storm, but it’s healing well.”

  “Henry sends his love. He’s doing great at home and his doctors are amazed by his recovery.”

  “It’s those strong Drake genes.”

  “That must be it.” He grinned and reached for his bag.

  “You want me to get that?”

  “Nope, I’m still capable of handling a bag.”

  Kendra threw up her hands. “Handle away.”

  They walked into the bright sunshine. “Hello, humidity.”

  “I imagine it was very different in Arizona.”

  “It was hot, but it was a dry heat.” He chuckled at using the worn old cliché.

  They walked to the Jeep and Kendra placed his bag in the back.

  “Where’s Lindsey?”

  “She’s at home, cooking a special meal just for you.”

  He rubbed his hands in anticipation. “What’s she cooking?”

  “I have no clue. She didn’t say, but you can guarantee it will be good.”

  He nodded as he buckled his seat belt. “Yep, she’s a good cook.”

  “That she is.” Kendra backed the Jeep from the parking spot. “Home, here we come.”

  “It’s great to be home. How are you two doing?”

  “Things are going great, Dad.” She smiled.

  “Perfect.” He leaned back in his seat for the ride home.

  †

  Lindsey was pulling out a pan of biscuits as she heard the Jeep turn into the driveway. “That’s pretty good timing.” She grinned as she turned back to stir the gravy. A bowl of rice and a platter of pork chops were waiting on the counter.

  She watched out the window as Kendra grabbed her dad’s bag from the back of the Jeep and they headed for the back door.

  “Something smells delicious,” Kevin said as he stepped inside the door.

  “Welcome home. I thought you might be hungry.”

  “You figured right. My in-flight peanuts are long gone.”

  “Let me drop Dad’s bag in his room and I’ll be back to help.” Kendra stopped to kiss Lindsey before walking away.

  Lindsey blushed and Kevin chuckled. “What can I do to help?”

  “Um, you can pour some tea,” she managed to say, as she walked past him with the gravy and rice.

  Kendra returned to the kitchen and took the platter of pork chops to the table. “Is there anything else we need?”

  “Nope, we’re good.”

  “Thanks for cooking such a great meal.” Kevin speared a pork chop and passed the platter to Lindsey. “I haven’t had rice and gravy in ages.”

  “I think it makes a good combination with the pork chops,” Lindsey replied.

  Kendra moaned as she took a bite. “I’ll have to agree with you on that.”

  They made small talk during the meal, and when they were all stuffed, Kevin pushed his chair back. “I probably should have talked to you both before now, but I’ve invited Lindsey’s dad, Paul, down for the weekend.”

  “Dad told me earlier when I called to check in with him,” Lindsey said.

  Kendra looked at Lindsey and then at her dad. “I feel like I’m missing something here.”

  Lindsey smiled at her. “That makes two of us.”

  “Okay, Dad, spill it. What are you up to?”

  “What? I can’t invite an old friend down for a visit?” he protested.

  “Of course you can, but that twinkle in your eyes tells me you have an ulterior motive for this particular visit.”

  “Well, for starters, I think it’s time for Paul and I to have a Dad to Dad talk about our daughters’ happiness and their choice of life partners. Even an old dog like me can see how much you love one another.”

  “Well, I’ll admit that would be an easier conversation to have in person,” Kendra agreed. She looked at Lindsey. “Are you okay with this?”

  “It’s a conversation we’ll have to have eventually. I also need to tell him I’m not coming home at the end of summer, so yeah, I’m good with it. Nervous about it, but I’ll deal with my nerves.”

  Kevin beamed. “I’m hoping that once he sees the two of you together, it won’t matter to him about your sexuality. All I want is for the two of you to be happy, and you seem to do that for one another pretty well.”

  Kendra reached over and covered Lindsey’s hand. “We do, Dad. Thanks for your support.”

  Lindsey looked at her with tears welling in her eyes. “I just want both of you to be prepared. Dad won’t take the news well.”

  “That’s where I hope my experience will come in handy.” Kevin grinned.

  “He may be glad I’ve decided to stay here when he realizes my sexual orientation isn’t just a phase I’m going through.”

  “Don’t judge him too harshly yet. He may be upset, but you’re still his daughter and firstborn,” Kevin soothed.

  Kendra was silen
t for a few minutes. “With our late start this week, we probably won’t be in until late Friday.”

  “That will give us a chance to catch up on life and maybe break some ice on the relationship issue.”

  “I trust that you know what you’re doing.”

  Kevin grinned at them. “Let’s clean the kitchen, then have a couple cold ones out on the back porch.”

  †

  They chatted about their experience of riding out the storm. “It sounds like you did everything just the way I taught you.”

  “I did, Dad. There were a few tense moments clearing the narrows in the channel, but after that, I thought all went well.”

  He looked at Lindsey. “That was really your first experience riding out a storm?”

  “Yes. Dad usually sends me in to care for the house.”

  “I’m actually pleased we had this storm,” Kevin said. “It seems to have brought the two of you together.”

  “It has,” Kendra agreed. “I think the time alone together was what we needed.”

  “Now she’s stuck with me, at least until next year’s red season,” Lindsey replied. “Then you’ll have to deal with me moping around the house until she comes back in.”

  “It just so happens I’ve been thinking about that. With the second boat, we can run both until red season starts,” Kevin said.

  “Yeah, we should do well on the local runs with two boats,” Kendra agreed.

  “I’ve got an idea I’d like to run by you. I’ll have been retired for a year by then, and I can only play so much golf. What would you think of me using the boat for fishing tours during the red season?”

  Kendra looked at him and then Lindsey. “Wow, Dad, that’s a great idea.”

  “I’ve spent all my life on the water, and I think it’d be fun taking folks out to some of the local fishing spots. It won’t take much to equip the boat, and it’ll give me something productive to do for at least a few months each year.”

  “We’ll need to hire you a crew,” Kendra stated.

  “Hank has a couple of teenage boys who would be perfect.”