He admired her crimson-colored nails when she placed cheese and crackers onto a plate for herself, his heart skipping upon realizing that Lionel’s engagement ring was now absent from her finger.
“You know, my mom told me to give my anger over to God.”
“And that’s why you came forward?”
She nodded.
“Do you still feel angry?”
“Yes. But Aaron told me it would probably take some time for my anger to go away completely. I do feel better about returning to church, and I’m going to start reading my Bible again.”
“You haven’t read your Bible since Lionel disappeared?” He found this hard to believe.
“Keith, I’ve all but forsaken God after what happened. I feel bad about it, and I know my anger and resentment toward God, Lionel, and Michelle was making me bitter.”
He touched her shoulder, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms. “Don’t feel bad about it, Karen. The Lord’s already forgiven you.” He dropped some cheese and crackers onto his own plate, suddenly feeling awkward. “I know it’s hard to lean on God during difficult times. There are things that have happened to me over the last six months that have tested my own faith.”
“Like what?” She looked at him, her dark eyes full of curiosity.
“Mostly issues with my family.”
“Are you talking about the death of your father and the situation with your brother?”
He frowned. “How do you know about the situation with Kyle?”
She shrugged, immediately putting him at ease. “I don’t. I just sensed things were not well between you two. When I commented on the photo of you and Kyle, you didn’t say anything. I almost felt like you were hiding something.”
“I wasn’t hiding anything. I just don’t like talking about it. I’ve been praying about it, though.”
“But it does bother you.”
“How did you know?”
“Because I know you. You’re so intent about getting me to renew my faith in God and not let my anger toward Lionel control my life. You’ve also told me you’re concerned about other people in your congregation. If you’re so concerned about me, my mother, and the rest of your congregation, then I sense that you care a great deal about your brother simply because he is your brother.”
He was silent as he thought about her words.
A few seconds later, she asked, “Do you ever talk to him?”
He didn’t like the way this conversation was playing out. “No.”
“Why not? Maybe the Lord wants you to call your brother and try to rectify the situation.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” she asked again.
He didn’t feel like mentioning that his brother never wanted to speak to him again. Karen wouldn’t understand, and he didn’t feel like ruining their Easter lunch by rehashing the family drama that had spanned the last several months. “I don’t think Kyle wants to hear from me right now. I know my brother, and when he’s ready to talk, he’ll let me know.”
“I hope things work out with you two. I’ll be praying for you.”
Doris entered. “Keith, I’m glad you could join us.”
“Thanks for inviting me, Ms. Doris.” He stood. “Do you two need help carrying the food from the kitchen?”
Doris shook her head. “Karen and I can handle it.”
The mahogany table was soon filled with the delicious-looking food.
“Keith, before we eat, would you say grace?” asked Doris.
As they bowed their heads and joined hands, he asked the Lord to bless their food.
Six
A couple of weeks later, on a Friday night, Keith rapped on the back door of Karen’s house. This would be her first night helping him with Devo.
When Karen opened the door, she smiled warmly.
He touched her arm, entering the house. “Hi.”
“Hi, Keith.” She brushed his hand with her fingertips. “I’ll be right back.”
He watched her go, his hand still burning from her touch. There was something about this girl that sent his heart and mind whirling. Karen, do you have any clue what you do to me?
Minutes later she returned, holding her purse and Bible. “I’m ready.” Her velvety smooth voice broke into his thoughts.
“Okay, then,” he said, smiling. “Let’s go.” They headed out the back door and into his car. Pulling the car onto the street, he said, “You know, I’m glad you agreed to help me with this.”
“My pleasure.”
“How’s the job going?”
She rolled her eyes. “One of my coworkers gets on my nerves, but otherwise, it’s fine.”
“Maybe you might want to look for a job at another salon if this one doesn’t seem right.”
She groaned.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I know I should feel blessed to have a job, but I’m tired of working in salons.”
He stopped at a light. “You don’t want to be a hairdresser?”
“I love doing hair, but I’m tired of dealing with crazy coworkers.”
He pulled away from the light. “Well, if you had your choice, what would you do?”
She stared out the window, hesitating. Then she turned to him and said softly, “I–I’d like to own my own salon.”
He couldn’t help smiling.
She slapped his shoulder. “What are you smiling about? You don’t think I can do it?”
“I know you can. Tell me all about it.”
“What?”
“Tell me how you envision your salon.”
“Well. . .it would be large and roomy. Glossy pine floors, great lighting, with plenty of mirrors. We’d have somebody specializing in natural hair. Then the others would focus on doing perms and touch-ups, maybe a weave or two. We’d have high-quality hair dryers and blow dryers. There’d be a washer and dryer in the back to wash the tons of towels we’d use.” She settled back into the seat, and when he pulled into the church parking lot, it appeared that Karen barely noticed their surroundings as she continued. “My stylists and beauticians would be so good that we’d be booked solid weeks in advance, and word in town would be that my place would be the best place to go to get your next touch-up or perm.”
Pride filled her voice and her full, pretty lips curved into a delicate smile. Keith longed to kiss her. His eyes on her lips, he asked, softly, “What would you name your shop?”
Her grin widened, her dark eyes shining with warmth. “I’d call it Karen’s Classy Salon.” She grabbed his forearm.
“Karen’s Classy Salon.” He returned her smile, loving her enthusiasm. “I like that.”
She still held his arm in a tight grip, and he didn’t want her to let go.
Her smile faded as she glanced down at her hand clamping his arm in excitement. She released him, looking away. “I’m sorry. I get so excited when I talk about my dreams that I don’t always pay attention to what I’m doing.” She turned back to him with an uncertain smile.
He stared at her lovely face, wondering about the cause of her mood swing. “There’s nothing to apologize for, Karen. I like seeing you so enthusiastic.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I do,” he said quietly.
“Lionel never liked it when I got excited.” She frowned. “He hated when I spoke about my dream of owning my own salon.”
He sounds like the biggest fool who ever walked the face of the earth, Keith thought to himself.
“Mr. Keith, are you coming inside or are you going to sit in that car all evening?” Amanda, one of the teens, shouted at him from the steps of the church. Keith inwardly groaned, saddened that the romantic mood had been shattered.
Keith opened his door while Karen exited the car.
“Hi, Amanda.” He squeezed the young girl’s shoulder.
“Hi, Mr. Keith,” Amanda greeted.
He gestured toward Karen. “This is Karen Brown. You know Ms. Doris? This is her daughter. She’
s going to be one of the youth group volunteers.”
“Hi, Amanda.” Karen smiled, trying to put the girl at ease.
Amanda muttered a hello and fidgeted, so Keith took her a few feet away from Karen. “Amanda, what’s the matter?”
Tears came to the girl’s eyes, and she grabbed Keith’s elbow. “My foster parents are getting a divorce. I’m so tired of them arguing all the time. I don’t know what to do about it.”
“I’m sorry.” He didn’t point out that he wasn’t surprised.
“I feel so worthless at home. I’ve been listening to them argue for the last few years. They get on my nerves.” She pulled a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose. “My eighteenth birthday is coming up, and you know what that means.”
“I know, Amanda. I’ve already spoken to the pastor, and we’re checking around to see what we can come up with within the church.”
“I’m so scared. Everybody else looks forward to their eighteenth birthday, but I dread it. The only person who makes me feel good about myself is Ron. He loves me, and he just wants me to be happy.”
Gently he advised her, “Amanda, be careful about Ron. Don’t hang all of your hopes of happiness on him. Remember to focus on Jesus. All of us here at church who care about you—”
She shook her head, cutting him off. “It’s not the same. I’m special to Ron. He focuses on me. He makes me feel good about myself.”
Keith sensed impending doom. He’d met Ron and was not pleased with Amanda’s choice of a boyfriend. “Amanda, why don’t you come out to the church one day after school so that we can talk? I can arrange for Melanie, Karen, or the pastor’s wife to be there.” He couldn’t meet with her alone since their church forbade one-on-one counseling with opposite sexes.
She pushed one of her plaits behind her ear. “I’ll think about it.”
“Do more than just think about it—I want you to pray about it. How about I ask the youth to say a prayer for you tonight?”
The girl looked mortified. “No, don’t let them know about my problems!”
“Okay. But I’ll be praying for you.”
“Okay,” she mumbled before she entered the church.
Karen approached. “What’s wrong?”
They headed for the stairs. “That’s Amanda. She’s upset because her foster parents are getting a divorce and her eighteenth birthday is coming up.”
“What happens when she turns eighteen?”
“When you’re a foster kid, who knows?”
Karen held her hand over her quivering mouth. “Oh my goodness. Her foster parents won’t be getting paid from the state anymore.”
Keith nodded. “That’s right. I’ve been trying to find out what I can do for her through the church, but so far I’ve come up empty. You know, I would let her live with me, but that wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“I’m assuming she’s graduating from high school this year?”
“That’s right. But she’s not sure what’ll happen after that.”
“Is she looking for a job?”
Keith sighed, the problem weighing heavily on his mind. “I think the whole situation is so overwhelming that it’s hard for her to focus on what to do.”
“Has she been a foster child her whole life?”
“Yes, she’s been through a lot of homes.”
“The poor girl.”
“Don’t let her hear you say that.”
Karen furrowed her brow. “Say what?”
“What you just said about her being poor. She hates pity. And being a foster kid already makes her feel like a misfit.” He shook his head, the thought of Amanda’s boyfriend making him angry.
Karen touched his arm, her cool fingers calming his frazzled nerves. “Keith, what’s wrong?”
Her voice sounded soothing, and for a brief moment, he daydreamed about Karen being by his side when they mentored the youth of the congregation. “I’ll tell you later,” he mumbled, entering the church. The youth stood in the foyer, several greeting him by name. He shook hands with several of the teens, beckoning them into the sanctuary so they could begin their devotional time.
Seven
Once they entered the church, the band warmed up, holy notes filling the sanctuary. “I’m surprised you have a band here tonight,” Karen commented.
“A few of the teens play instruments, so they accompany us during praise and worship.” As Karen and Keith headed to the front of the sanctuary, they were stopped by a striking woman with brown skin and midnight black hair that cascaded down her back. The woman smiled at Keith, draping her hand on his arm.
Karen stared, jealousy slicing through her as Keith and the stranger spoke in low voices. Feeling like an intruder, Karen began to step away.
“Karen, don’t go!” Keith took her hand, glancing at the beautiful woman beside him. “This is Melanie Richards. She’s one of the most awesome women you’ll meet at this church.” His voice filled with pride. “Melanie, this is Karen Brown, Ms. Doris’s daughter.”
Melanie shook Karen’s hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Karen. How long will you be in town?”
“I–I’m not sure. I just needed to get away from Ocean City and spend some time with my mother.”
Melanie’s eyes widened. “Oh, well, I hope you have a nice visit.” Somebody beckoned Melanie, so she left Karen and Keith to walk to the front of the sanctuary.
Keith led Karen to a seat, continuing to praise Melanie. “She’s really a great woman. I don’t know what the youth ministry would do without her.” Karen wondered if Keith was interested in Melanie romantically.
More teens arrived, filling the sanctuary with noise. When the band strummed the notes to a popular gospel song, the young people swayed, singing to the music. After the praise and worship, a few of the young people stepped forward, telling of recent battles they had been facing. Keith then stepped to the front of the stage, Melanie beside him, gazing at him like a woman smitten.
Keith spoke. “I just want all of you to remember never to give up. Most of you know what I went through as a teenager, and I want to remind you to stay focused on God. Let Him lead you in your life.”
As Melanie said a few words to the large group, Karen barely listened. Her mind was full of curiosity about Keith. . .his younger years. . .his family. . .his relationship with Melanie. She realized she knew so little about her mother’s next-door neighbor, and she longed to find out more.
After Devo, a middle-aged woman approached Melanie and Keith, telling them that the pizzas had been delivered and were awaiting them downstairs. Karen assumed the woman was a church employee or a volunteer. After Keith made the appropriate announcement, the group trekked down to the basement. Melanie and Keith set the pizza boxes in a row on the long table, then set out plates, paper cups, napkins, a bucket of ice, and sodas. Watching them work together, Karen felt like a third wheel.
After Keith said grace, everybody got plates of food and broke up into groups to share the meal. Since Karen didn’t know anybody, she sat at a table near the end and was surprised when Amanda sat beside her with her plate of pepperoni pizza and cup of orange soda.
“Hi,” said Amanda.
“Hi, Amanda.”
“I usually sit with my best friend Cassandra, but she’s not here today.”
“Oh. Well, thanks for joining me.” Hoping they could get better acquainted, Karen asked, “So where do you live?”
As they feasted on pizza and sodas, Amanda told Karen about the neighborhood she lived in, how she’d been best friends with Cassandra since she’d entered high school, and about her impending eighteenth birthday. “I just wish God would open up the sky and money would pour into my lap.”
“If that were to happen, what would you do?”
“I would buy myself a place to live. Then I wouldn’t have to deal with crazy foster parents. I would take care of myself.”
“Then what?”
“What do you mean?” The girl furrowed her brow.
“I
f you were living alone, what would you do with yourself during the day? Would you want to go to college or get a job?”
The girl, attractive but wearing too much makeup, shook her head, looking at Karen as if she were crazy. “Oh no! You’ve got it all wrong. I wouldn’t be living alone.”
“Oh? You’d have a roommate?”
Amanda again gave Karen a befuddled look. “No, I’d have Ron with me.”
Karen didn’t like the way this conversation was playing out. “Who’s Ron?”
“He’s my boyfriend. We’d get married and then we’d live in the house together.”
Karen inwardly groaned, finishing her pizza. “Well, Amanda, even if you were to marry Ron, it would still be a good idea for you to think about what you’d like to do for a living.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Maybe I could get a job as a waitress.” After a few bites of pizza, Amanda asked, “What do you do?”
Surprised, Karen began telling Amanda about being a hairdresser, winding up her shoptalk with, “One day maybe you could come down to the salon. I know they’ve been advertising for a shampoo girl.”
“Okay, I might do that,” Amanda agreed.
Sometime later, the teenagers assisted Melanie, Keith, and Karen with cleanup. Once the youth left, Karen heard Keith telling Melanie to go home and rest, his deep voice full of concern, and Karen again wondered if Keith was interested in Melanie.
Soon, when Keith and Karen were alone in the empty basement room, he checked to make sure everything was put away then locked the doors on their way out. Touching her shoulder, he said, “Thanks so much for coming tonight.”
“You’re welcome. But I felt a little like a third wheel. I mean. . . Well, why did you need me when Melanie was here to help you?”
He raised his eyebrows, leading her to his vehicle. He opened her door before sliding into the driver’s seat. “I wasn’t sure if Melanie could come. I told you that she doesn’t make it very often anymore.” He started the engine. “This church is so blessed to have Melanie helping to lead the youth.”
“You’re a great youth leader, too. The kids really seem to look up to you. And it’s obvious how much they like you.”
“Yes, but it’s nice to have an extra pair of hands.” He played praise and worship music as he drove the short distance home. Gravel crunched when he pulled the car into his driveway. Cutting the ignition, he asked, “Do you mind if we sit on my porch for a while?”
Bittersweet Memories Page 6