by Bree Cariad
“Oh, no. We’re not courting. He’s just a good friend of my dad’s.”
The half-smile that came her way let her know DeLynn understood. Curtis might not be interested, but Deeka was.
“Okay,” Chrissa said, walking into the tent in a t-shirt and a longer pair of Deeka’s jeans shorts. She dumped a huge bag of groceries in the middle and collapsed onto one of the foam mattresses.
With it being just the three of them, Deeka, and it seemed to her also DeLynn, was able to forget everything that was going on in the outside world as all that existed was the three of them. Even when her dad brought out a large pizza, handed it over, and left, it didn’t stop the feeling.
When Chrissa’s mass of information was expunged and the three were laid down ready for bed, the conversation turned to a more personal topic.
“So, Deeka,” Chrissa said from the opposite side of the tent.
“Yeah?” Deeka yawned, already half asleep.
“Are you interested in that guy?”
“What guy?”
“The guy who is a friend of your dad’s.”
Oh. That guy. “Well, sort of. Curtis is really nice and smart and well-travelled and funny and…” Her voice trailed off as she let out a long sigh. “And he’s not interested.”
“Ugh,” Chrissa groaned. “That’s not very fair. Though, maybe it’s a good thing.”
“Why’s that?” DeLynn asked. “He seems like a really nice guy.”
“Yeah, but…” For a few minutes there was complete silence except for the crickets outside the tent. “I know we’re all innocent and everything but I hope my husband and I will be intimate. Don’t you?”
“Well, of course we do,” DeLynn answered, sounding exasperated. “What has that got to do with anything?”
“He’s, well, he’s crippled,” Chrissa hissed.
“Don’t call him that!” Deeka snapped, suddenly awake and sitting up. “He has a genetic problem that has forced him to use a chair. He isn’t crippled.”
“Deeka, I’m not meaning to be rude,” her friend insisted. “But you know he probably has no interest in sex, right? I mean, that’s probably why he has no interest in courting.”
In complete confusion, Deeka snapped on one of the automatic lanterns her father had left in the tent and stared at her friend. “What are you saying?”
Grimacing, Chrissa sat up. “People who are…usually those who…” Groaning, she shook her head. “I don’t know how to say it without making you mad at me.”
“Just say it.”
“People like him have no interest in sex,” she said quickly, staring at the wall of the tent.
“What?” both DeLynn and Deeka said in surprise.
“They’re different. No physical drive. It’s nature making sure it doesn’t pass on defective genes.”
Well, now, that was too much. Jumping up, Deeka marched out of the tent and into the house, her entire body shaking with anger. Defective. Curtis wasn’t defective. Was he? With it being the middle of the night, Barrett had left a few lights on for them to find the bathroom and Deeka found herself pacing back and forth from the living room to the kitchen.
For some reason it hurt to hear Chrissa talk about Curtis this way. She didn’t know him. But then…her friend was much more knowledgeable about sex than Deeka was. Could she be right? And if she was, was that why his former girlfriend broke up with him?
Unbeknownst to her, she had been crying. It wasn’t until the tears dripped onto her lips that she realized it.
“He must find it hard to find real relationships,” she murmured, wondering if he’d been rejected more than once because of it.
“Deeka, honey? What’s wrong?” Turning at her father’s voice, she ran down the hall and into his arms, her shoulders shaking with her sobs. Lifting her up, he carried her into the living room and sat down, holding her close. “Shh, honey. Everything’s going to be okay,” he murmured, rocking her back and forth.
Sniffling softly, she leaned against his chest. Deeka and her father had discussed a lot of things but sex wasn’t one of them. Her mother had still been around when Deeka started growing up, so they had been spared that embarrassing topic. But now? “Daddy?” she mumbled. “Is Curtis lonely?”
Pausing in his rocking, he leaned his chin on top of her head. “Lonely?”
She nodded. “Chrissa says people who are disabled have no sex drive and—”
“Deeka,” he interrupted quietly, “a lot of people make that assumption and it’s wrong.”
Peeking up, she asked, “So he…um…has he had many girl friends?”
“Curtis? A few. He’s a friendly individual, but while he has dated, I only know of two women that lasted longer than a few weeks.”
“Because he can’t be with them?” she asked in a whisper.
“Be with them?”
“The way a woman and man are when they’re married.”
His arms hugged her tight. “Definitely not. He’s just like every other red-blooded male. I can guarantee you he’s not asexual or celibate. What’s brought on the tears?”
“I was angry because of some of the things Chrissa said and then I got to wondering if that’s why his ex-girlfriend broke up with him and how many times that might have happened and then I thought that maybe he felt isolated because of it. He’s too nice to be alone,” she said, feeling the tears fall again.
“Ah, Deeka,” he said, hugging her tightly. “You really like him, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” she whispered. “Dad, he’s amazing.”
He held her for a good hour before she felt calm enough to go back out to the tent. As she stepped inside, the light was still on and both DeLynn and Chrissa were awake.
“Deeka?” Chrissa said meekly. “I’m so sorry. You know me. I say things sometimes, blurt them out just because I heard them once and took it as truth. Please forgive me?”
Sitting back down, Deeka shrugged. “He’s not defective.”
“Yeah. DeLynn just debunked that myth,” Chrissa said dryly. “Plus, I’m sorry because I didn’t realize how much you liked him. I won’t make that mistake again. Forgive me?”
As Deeka opened her mouth to give Chrissa the words she wanted to hear, DeLynn shook her head, a twinkle in her eyes. “Oh, no. Don’t let her off easy. I think she needs to work for it.”
“Shut up,” Chrissa said in embarrassment. “You know me. I’ll just dig myself in further.”
Grinning, because that was a definite truism, Deeka said, “I forgive you. But please don’t speak badly about Curtis. You don’t know him.”
“I’ll do my best. And if I say something wrong, just correct me. For instance? What am I supposed to say? I definitely got the feeling cripple was a bad word.”
“It is,” Deeka affirmed. “Just call him Curtis, but if you have to use something in reference to his condition, he’s a paraplegic and disabled is a workable term though I’m still not sure I like it. There is nothing not able about him.”
“So are we good?” DeLynn asked, looking from one to the other. When they both nodded, she moaned and lay back down. “Good, cause I want some sleep.”
Both Chrissa and Deeka looked at one another and in tandem, grabbed their pillows and hit her over the head with them. The pillow fight commenced and their squeals and laughter rang through the clear night for a good hour before they actually got some sleep.
Chapter 5
“See you tomorrow!” Deeka called over her shoulder as she walked back up the path.
“Bye, Deeka.” Jerod’s deep voice resounded through the air making her smile. After four weeks of working with Jerod Kinsley three days a week on ridding his land of brush and getting to know him, she finally felt comfortable with calling him by his first name. He had asked her to since their second week working together, but it had taken awhile to feel comfortable doing so. Even though he was only a couple years older than Curtis, he just seemed like someone she should call Mr. Kinsley.
S
he never expected to get paid and was thrilled when he handed her fifty bucks the first week. Since then, fifty dollars was pressed into her hand once a week and as she, Chrissa, and DeLynn hadn’t taken any shopping trips lately, her money was stacking up at the bank.
But today started a celebratory four-day event. Fourth of July. For the next two days, the main street would be filled with revelers for the parade and then the sidewalk sale. On Saturday was the huge picnic in the park, which was big but nowhere near as big as the Memorial Day one. And definitely not as showy. Deeka didn’t remember a time when any of the girls came in dresses. Which was a good thing. After all, they would be there all day long and then through the evening to watch the fireworks.
While she had asked, so far her father hadn’t given her a yes or no on her spending the day with her friends. She hoped he had made up his mind as the three of them had kind of been making plans. As she walked out of the woods that bordered their property, her eyes alighted on Curtis’s car and beaming, she sped up. He had been gone the last week—travelling she assumed—and she was thrilled to see him again.
But as she stepped inside the house, she heard raised voices from out back, making her pause and close the screen door quietly.
“I’m saying you have to make up your mind,” Barrett snapped. “It isn’t fair to her.”
“I know,” Curtis replied, quieter than his companion and yet still loud. “You don’t think I know that? What do you think I’ve been doing over the last three weeks, Barrett? Trying to get my affairs in bloody order so that I have something to offer your daughter.”
“Curt! You have plenty to offer and Deeka adores you. What do you have to get in order?”
Slowly and almost as though she couldn’t stop herself, Deeka made her way to the backdoor, standing just inside where she could hear better.
“Answer me,” her father said in a rough voice.
“Look at me,” Curtis said, his voice rough with emotion. “Take a good look at me, Barrett. I’m a good man and in every way but one I have everything to offer a wonderful girl like Deeka, but I’m trapped in this wheelchair for the rest of my life. The rest of my life!” he said louder when her father tried to interrupt him. “Don’t you think she deserves more than to be with a man whose legs will keep getting worse and worse until I can’t even use the crutches anymore? Do you really want your baby girl saddled with a man who one day will have absolutely no ability to stand at her side? She’ll be saddled with an invalid if she ends up with me,” he spat.
There was barely a moment’s pause before he continued, his voice softer, duller. “And that’s not the only thing. Barrett, when I realized there was a large possibility I could pass this on to my child if I ever made one, I knew I couldn’t do that. I had myself snipped. I won’t be able to give her a child if we did get together. No baby for her, no grandchild for you.” Deeka’s heart ached for the poor man. Did he truly think that mattered to her? If they wanted kids, there were tons of children the world over who could use a good home.
There was a long silence before her father spoke again, his voice dropping, tired but resolute. “You do Deeka and myself a great disservice by saying that, Curt. I know that’s Wren talking because that has never bothered you in the past. What Deeka needs is a strong man who’s willing to take up the mantel of head of house. She needs,” he stressed, “a man who will love her like no woman has ever been loved. She also needs a man who has no trouble with taking her over his lap and paddling her backside on occasion. I see nothing about your condition that would hinder any of the above things. And believe me, I’ve done my research on your genetic disorder. Curtis, Deeka needs a good man who will uphold the values we hold dear. I screwed up and married a woman outside of Hyacinth. It was a mistake, but one I will never regret because it brought me the most amazing daughter any man can ask for.”
Deeka peeked out the door where Curtis slumped in his chair staring off into the distance while her father sat at their table with his head in his hands. “Curt,” he said, quieter still. “The question you have to ask yourself is this: ‘Do I think I can come to love Deeka? Is she the kind of woman I may want to take as my wife at some point?’ If the answer to those questions is yes, court her. If the answer is no, then I’m going to have to ask you not to come to dinner until after she has either been courted or goes off to college. Seeing you constantly hurts her because she’s falling in love with you.”
Curtis muttered something and groaned. “I don’t think I could stand to see that look in her eyes, Barrett. The one that says ‘I don’t want to be saddled with taking care of you.’”
“Deeka would never do that. She’s selfless and would never see it as being burdened. True love and marriage are about supporting and taking care of one another. I know you’re looking at the negatives and I can’t blame you. It’s what we, as men, do. But you have built it up into a mountain that no woman would ever want to cross. And mostly because of what Wren said to you. I know my daughter. She’s smart and caring. If you care for her at all, let her be a part of this decision. My little girl survived her flighty mother flying the coop. If you ask me, she’s come out stronger because of it. She sometimes tends to act first and think second, but if she says she can handle it, she can handle it.
“I know you’re thinking about the what ifs, and I’ll agree, I’ve had a few of them myself. Which is why I researched your condition. Curtis, we both know you’ll end up confined to the chair one day. But it won’t affect the rest of your life. Remember that. It’s just your legs. Your head, your hand, your mind, your ability to laugh and write and make her happy in all the ways that count mentally and physically? That will all still be there.” He paused before continuing. “Deeka means more to me than anyone else in this world. I would do anything for her never to hurt again. And if I thought that your condition, in any way, would make her unhappy, I would not condone it. But so far, you haven’t given me any reason to change my opinion on the matter. If you feel you could love her? Give her the truth and give her time to make a decision. Then you two can create an informed relationship. I know you, too. You’ll take care of the monetary and her emotional needs. Part of what you’re worried about is letting her take care of you as well. Curtis, it’s not unmanly to let the person you love, love you back.”
Realizing she was snooping, which was against every rule she’d been taught, Deeka grasped that she had two choices. Confront the man she had come to care far too much about and tip the scales one way or the other. Or go hide in her room and hope everything turned out in her favor. With her future in the balance, there was only one choice.
“I don’t care about the chair,” she whispered, walking out onto the deck. His head whipped around and he stared at her in surprise as her father looked up. “I don’t care that your legs are going to get worse. Because your legs aren’t you, Curtis. You’re the man I’ve been getting to know over the last month, the intelligent guy who writes incredibly intriguing novels, the amazing man who has travelled the world and even if I lived to be a hundred would always have something interesting to tell me, and the gorgeous guy,” she whispered, knowing her tear ducts were overacting again, “I look forward to seeing every time you come over. I don’t care about the wheelchair, Curtis. I just don’t care.” Tears dripped down her cheeks but she kept staring into his deep green eyes.
“Deeka,” he said softly. “It’s a lot to ask of anyone.”
“No, it isn’t,” she disagreed. “It’s a lot to ask of someone who cares more about herself than anyone else, maybe, but being with someone I loved? The chair doesn’t matter. I’ve worked with people who have lost their freedom of movement and it didn’t make a difference to me as they were still the same people. And I don’t care that you can’t make a baby, either. There are tons of adoptable children out there.”
“See?” Barrett said. “I told you Deeka was a very special girl.”
Sighing, Curtis nodded. “I know. I mean, sure, you’re a good friend,
Barrett, but I’ve been coming back to see Deeka.”
“Then don’t let the chair get in the way,” she begged softly. “Please.”
His eyes softened and he held his hand out. Cautiously, she looked over at her father, who nodded. She walked up to Curtis and took his hand, loving the warmth and the strength it held. “These are the hands of an amazing man,” she whispered, gasping as he tugged her onto his lap. Giggling softly, she looked up at him, happy to see the incredible warmth in his eyes.
“I don’t do anything halfway,” he said quietly. “When I do something, it’s with full intent and complete commitment. Do you understand, Deeka? If I ask your father and the town council to court you, it’s a guarantee that I’ll put my full effort into this. You will see me. All of me. At my worst. My most demanding. When my legs are out of control and shaking like mad. You will see all of it. Are you ready for such a promise?”
“Yes.” Deeka’s heart was full to an overwhelming amount. There was just no way anyone should be this happy. It didn’t seem humanly possible.
Leaning his head forward, his forehead touched hers. “Then I guess I have a town council to meet.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned into him and held on as he wrapped his arms around her. It was like being nestled into warm comfort. Completely unlike her father’s hugs, still filled with warmth but more exciting somehow.
“All right. Until the council okays the courting and she has signed the agreement you two are going to need to stay a few feet apart,” Barrett said, his voice firm. The look of absolute happiness on his face belied his tone, though.
Curtis stood her up and nodded. “Agreed.” Taking her right hand, he pressed a kiss to the back of her hand while pulling a small piece of leather from his pocket. “This is a bracelet I received from a freedom fighter. It was a sign of his trust in me and of his loyalty. I wish you to wear it.”
Beaming, she nodded as he tied it around her wrist, securing it easily before pressing another kiss to the back of her hand. “I had best go. When is the next council meeting?”