My Mother Grows Wallflowers

by C. L. Howland

  “Surprise,” he whispered near her ear.

  Mina didn’t move; she couldn’t. She was afraid this was all a dream.

  “Mina?” He pulled back. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

  Squeezing him tighter, Mina fought for a few seconds to get herself under control. Drawing in a deep breath, she still couldn’t believe it.

  “Mina, look at me.” He slowly lowered her to the floor.

  Mina wiped her eyes and looked up. Sam’s hair was cut short and his face was leaner, but his eyes told her everything she needed to know as he leaned in to kiss her.

  “PDA’s kids; PDA’s.”

  Mrs. Wheeler?

  “Well actually, you’re alumni now, so I’m not sure it counts.”

  Sam and Mina pulled apart and turned to see the older woman smiling at them. Mina had never seen her smile; it was a little scary. “Sorry, Mrs. Wheeler.”

  “I’m not.” Sam laughed, leaning over to give the older woman a peck on the cheek. “I’m home to see my girl, and you might as well start writing me up because there’s going to be a lot more PDA’s.”

  “Sam Miller.” The woman blushed, but momentarily rested her hand on his chest. “You certainly look grown up and very handsome in that uniform, I might add.” She smiled up at him.

  Careful, Mrs. Wheeler, I might have to write you up for a PDA, although Mina couldn’t help but smile too. Was this really happening? She kept stealing glances at Sam out of the corner of her eye. The short hair would take some getting used to, but that wasn’t the only thing that was different. The uniform he wore looked as if it had been custom made to accentuate his well-built frame. That was it. He had always been muscular, but on the lean side. Not anymore. He’d gone away with a boy’s physique and returned with a man’s, and one that looked like he worked out—a lot.

  “Thanks. It was nice seeing you, Mrs. Wheeler.” Sam gave her a quick squeeze before stepping away. “Mina?” He lifted his head in the direction of the other end of the gym.

  Dad! Mina had forgotten her father. Following Sam’s gaze, she turned to see her father slowly working his way toward them, using his cane and the aisle chair of each row to steady himself. Sensing he wouldn’t want her help, she waited nervously beside Sam. As he left the last row behind, her father steadied himself on his cane and extended his twisted hand toward Sam. “George Mason.”

  “How do you do, sir? Sam Miller.” Sam shook the older man’s hand in a firm, but gentle grip. “I’m a friend of Mina’s.”

  George Mason smiled. “If all of Mina’s friends greeted her the way you just did, I don’t think we’d be able to let her out of the house.”

  Mina’s face warmed. “Look Dad, it’s not what you think--”

  “Yes, it is,” Sam interrupted her. “No disrespect, sir, I know this may seem abrupt, but it’s not really. Mina and I’ve been friends for years. No, that’s a lie, more than friends for a couple of years now. I love her, and I hope she still feels the same way about me.”

  Sam was direct as always. Mina held her breath, unable to read her father’s face or gauge his reaction to Sam’s words.

  “Well then, I’d say maybe we better sit down for a few minutes here and a have a talk.” Her father indicated the abandoned chairs behind him. “Mina, could you lend an arm?”

  Helping him to a chair in the last row, Mina sat down next to Sam in one of the two chairs he’d turned around from the row in front. This is more surreal than Sam being here. Mina hoped her father wouldn’t be too mad. No one said anything for a couple of minutes, and Mina wondered if he was going to use her mother’s tactics.

  “Where’re you stationed?”

  “Fort Benning, sir. Georgia.”

  They’re talking military? Mina sat there. She had nothing to add to this conversation.

  “Infantry? Me too, a long time ago,” her father said. “I was a just a grunt though. That’s an Airborne patch on your sleeve there. You Ranger?”

  “Working on it, sir.”

  When did Sam start saying sir so much? She’d have to pay attention.

  “Good enough.” Her father nodded. “Not an easy choice though, son.” Her father sounded so serious Mina looked up.

  “Yes sir, I know.”

  Yup, he said sir again.

  “You one of the Miller boys from out on Gooseneck Road?”

  Sam nodded.

  “I thought so. Your folks have done a lot to that house. You’d hardly know it’s the same place. It looks good.”

  Mina shifted in her seat, drawing her father’s regard. She couldn’t help it, nervous energy was making her unable to hold still. “Well, I guess we need to talk about this.” Her father sighed. “Mina, how come you never told us about Sam here?”

  Mina swallowed and shrugged. “I tried to talk to Ma about dating once, but she said I was too young.”

  “You, too young?” George shook his head. “Mina, you were born old. Always far too serious. Never played with toys. Even as a baby, you hardly ever smiled.” He rubbed a distorted hand along the back of his neck and sighed again. “I’m afraid your mother and I took advantage of it over the years. But I never meant for you not to have fun. I’m sorry your Mother told you that. I didn’t know. She has odd ideas sometimes.”

  Ya think? Mina wanted to say it out loud, but kept quiet.

  “Probably her upbringin’.”

  “What do you mean?” Mina’s curiosity was piqued. Her parents never talked about their lives growing up. But then again they never talked about much of anything. They never talked period. Should I ask him about Richard?

  George held up his hand and shook his head. “It’s not important now. I assume from your greeting you like Sam too?”

  “I love him.” Saying it to Sam was one thing. Saying it out loud to one of her reserved parents felt awkward and uncomfortable.

  “Well good. I thought as much. I had my suspicions a while back, but you never said anything, so I didn’t mention it.”

  “What?” Mina asked.

  “Well, Jack Winslow told me he ran into you and your sister at the drive-in with one of those Indian boys. No offense. Emma’s schooled me on the correct term; I’m using Jack’s words. And then I think I saw Sam here giving you a driving lesson once. Blue Ford pickup? Your hair was quite a bit longer then.” At Sam’s nod, he continued. “You two passed me going the other way on Route 5 one day. I probably wouldn’t have even noticed, except the truck was moving so slow, I thought you were having engine trouble.” Her father laughed. “Did you ever get enough practice, so you can take the test? We can go anytime, if you think you’re ready.”

  “I, ah, already have my license, Dad. Sam helped me get it before he left. I knew you were busy,” she explained in a rush, not wanting to hurt his feelings.

  “I pushed Mina to get it, sir. I wanted to make sure she was all set before I left. My plan was for her to drive the truck while I was gone, but she wouldn’t take it.”

  “Why not? No Insurance?”

  “No sir. Insurance is all paid,” was all Sam said.

  “Mina?”

  “Ma would’ve never stood for it.”

  George nodded his head. “You’re probably right. Well, that’s okay. You’ve got your license, that’s the important thing.” He sat there for a minute. “Listen, we’ll figure out a way to tell your Mother about this.” George waved his hand to indicate the both of them. “But let’s not worry about that right now. How long are you home for, Sam?”

  “Two weeks.”

  “Well good. And I take it you didn’t know?” He directed his question to Mina.

  “I had no idea.”

  “It almost didn’t happen. I got here late. Military hop,” Sam explained, and her father nodded in understanding. Reaching over, Sam gave Mina’s hand a squeeze. “I thought I’d lost you for a second. One minute you were in the receiving line and the next you were gone. I knew one way to get your attention—”

  “Sam!” Sarah and Emma barreled into
the gym, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Miller. With a laugh, Sam stood and gave each of them a bear hug in turn. “Wow. Look at you two, all grown up. The local boys aren’t going to have a chance.” Both girls giggled. “Hi, Dad, Ina.” Sam leaned down to give his mother a hug. “Did you have a chance to meet Mr. Mason?”

  “There wasn’t time before the ceremony began,” his mother explained. “I’m Lilith Miller and this is my husband Jack.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Jack Miller shook hands with George.

  “Likewise. I was just telling Sam here how nice your place looks. Far different than when old Don owned it,” Mina’s father offered. “I have to say though, there were always some good lookin’ deer hanging in November.”

  Jack grinned and nodded in agreement. “Some of the best. My uncle was quite the hunter. It turns out Sam’s a crack shot too, or at least the Army thinks so.”

  “It’s nice to finally meet you,” Lilith said. “The kids have all been friends for years. I understand from Emma your wife is sick. That’s too bad, especially with Mina’s graduation and all.”

  “Yes,” George agreed. “I’m sure she’ll be back on her feet in no time.”

  Mina could sense the Millers’ unease. “Sam already told him about us.”

  “We told him,” Sam corrected and reached for her hand again. Mina could see a visible relaxing in their posture.

  “I take it you already knew?” Does Dad sound hurt?

  “Yes.” Lilith lifted her chin in resolution. “I battled with myself over whether it was the right thing to do, but they’re good kids and have never given me a reason to doubt my decision.”

  “I don’t doubt it. I know Mina’s a good girl, and Sam seems like the good sort from what I’ve seen of him,” George reassured her.

  “Dad?” It was Emma. “Can I go to the Millers too? They’re having a combination party for Tom and Mina’s graduation and Sam coming home.”

  “They are?” Mina asked. “How come I didn’t know about this?”

  “Because it was supposed to be a surprise.” Winona gave the girls a chastising look. “Hi, I’m Winona, and this is Tom.”

  Mina’s father nodded at the introduction. “George Mason.”

  “Can I?” Emma asked impatiently.

  “It’s all right with me, if it’s okay with her parents.”

  “It’s fine, of course,” Lilith assured him. “In fact, I’d love it if you’d come too. It’s nothing fancy. Hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. Salads. The usual.”

  Mina was shocked when her father agreed. Later in the Millers’ back yard, someone had started a small fire in the fire pit, and Mina sat near it, perched on the end of a lounge chair while Sam went to change out of his uniform. Mina kept an eye on her father, even more amazed as she watched him sitting in a lawn chair with the Millers, his face animated as he told them stories about Mr. Miller’s uncle and the town in general, while he balanced the paper plate Mina had brought him on his lap. He looked years younger as he’d teased Emma, Sarah, and especially Winona about eating so much of Mrs. Miller’s cake. Why isn’t it like this at our house? Her mother occasionally cooked on the grill, but they always went inside. Ma didn’t like to eat outside.

  Joe came out of the house. He is home.

  “Hey, Mina.” He came to sit by her on the lounger. “How ya doin’?”

  “Good now. How about you?”

  “Not bad. Not bad.” Joe had just finished his second year of college. He was a bit thinner, but otherwise he looked much the same as he had in high school. “Glad school’s over for the summer.”

  “Wait a minute. I meant to ask you, what’re you doing here? I thought you were getting a job near school again this summer.”

  “Well, I was at first. But then I was home on spring break and ran into Heather Philips.”

  “And?” Mina inquired when he said nothing else. Heather was in Sam’s senior class and had always seemed friendly.

  “And we ended up going out; it was fun. I wanted to go out again, but she was busy. Twice. That bugged me. I’ve called her a couple of times at school. Anyway, I decided I’d come home and work at Night Cross again and see if I can, I don’t know...” He shrugged, “Make up for those times she was busy.”

  A girl actually turned Joe down? That was a first. And instead of moving on, he came back for more? Interesting. “Good. I’m glad you’re home.” She meant it.

  The screen door slammed. Joe threw his arm around her shoulders and gave a squeeze. Mina caught her father watching from across the fire, a confused expression on his face.

  “Joe. Knock it off. My Dad’s here, and he doesn’t understand you,” she warned, not missing Joe’s mischievous smile.

  “It’s okay, Mr. Mason. I’m Joe. Sam’s older brother.” He waved to her father.

  “Oh brother.” Mina shook her head.

  “Yup. Here he comes.”

  Mina looked up to see Sam coming across the back yard. She just stared. Jeans and a t-shirt only accentuated his size.

  “Close your mouth, Mina,” Joe whispered in her ear.

  “Up.”

  Joe rose and put his hands up, palms out. “No problem, little brother.” They were about the same height, but Sam now had about sixty pounds on Joe, all of it solid muscle. Mina couldn’t believe Joe seemed oblivious to that fact. “I was just keeping Mina company ‘til you got back.”

  Sam’s glare had Joe laughing outright. Leaning in, he said in a low voice, “You’re so easy. You’ve had it bad for this girl since we were kids. Not that I blame you. If I’d seen her first,” Joe shrugged. “Who knows?” With that final jab, he headed toward their parents.

  Sam’s eyes tracked him around the fire. “Idiot.” He straddled the lounger behind Mina and pulled her back into his arms. “He’s right though…it’s always been you.”

  Mina leaned against his chest, studying the large biceps curled around her. This was Sam, but it wasn’t the Sam who’d left a year ago. Though he’d done nothing to foster it, there was an air of intimidation about him Mina had never sensed before.

  Sam leaned in to nuzzle her neck. “You smell so good. Sometimes, I missed you so much, I’d have to go buy a bottle of that stuff you wear, just so I could smell it before I sent it to you.”

  Mina smiled. That accounted for the six bottles she’d received from him over the last year.

  “None of it anywhere near as good as this.” He kissed her neck.

  His warm breath sent shivers down Mina’s arms. She longed to turn around and wrap herself around him, not bothering to come up for air. Instead, Mina closed her eyes and tried to commit this moment to her memory cache. Willing herself to relax, she concentrated on how his hand felt through the cotton of her dress, pressed flat against her abdomen, his fingers unconsciously massaging the skin above her navel; how his thigh felt rock hard under the palm Mina rested there, the muscles rolling individually as he shifted his leg; how his torso remained ramrod straight with no back support and her added weight.

  “Your Dad seems to be having a good time.”

  Mina languidly opened her eyes. Her father still sat across the fire with the Millers and Joe. Some of Joe’s friends were there now too. One had a six pack of beer dangling from his fingers. Mina tensed when he pulled one of the cans out of the plastic ring and offered it first to Mr. Miller, who declined and then to her dad. He declined too. She exhaled in a gust, only then realizing she had been holding her breath.

  “He’s a pretty cool guy.”

  “Yeah, he is,” Mina agreed. She’d seen a side of her dad tonight she’d never witnessed. A constant grimace usually etched his face from fatigue and arthritic pain. In the warm glow of the firelight, Mina barely discerned any lines marring his countenance as he’d chatted with various people. If Ma had come to graduation, would they have come over here? Mina already knew the answer to that question. No way.

  A while later Mina glanced over at her father. He was trying to rise without drawing too much at
tention to himself and having a hard time of it in the low, lightweight chair. “I gotta help him up,” she said in a quiet voice. Sam let her go. Moving around the fire, she came alongside of her father. She bent slightly, hooked a forearm under his armpit and pulled, a routine they’d perfected over the last few years. It was boost enough for him to be able to slowly rise to his feet. She held on for a few seconds more, while her father steadied himself. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome, Dad. Anytime.”

  “I think I’ll be headin’ home now. I should check on your mother.”

  “Ma’s probably in bed.”

  “I know, but it’s almost dark, and I’ve been having a hard time seeing at night to drive lately.”

  “Do you want me to drive you home?”

  “No. I’ll be fine.”

  “Thanks for coming, Dad. It meant a lot to me.”

  “I’m the one who should be thanking you. They’re good people.” Her father glanced around the group. “I’d forgotten what it’s like to socialize. Your Ma don’t go in for it.”

  He sounds so sad. “I know. And thanks for understanding about Sam and me. I know it’s a lot to spring on you.”