The Single Mom's Second Chance

by Kathy Douglass

  He’d always had a head for business, but she’d never imagined he’d be so successful so quickly. “Impressive.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I hope being here isn’t harming your business.”

  “It isn’t. I have a good team. They don’t need me looking over their shoulders in order to do their jobs. And we communicate well, which keeps misunderstandings and errors to a minimum. But you know something about the danger of miscommunication, don’t you?” He blew out a breath. “I just wish you would have told me.”

  Told him what? About Terrence? Why would he mention that now? No good would come from that discussion.

  Perhaps that was why they stuck to surface topics where there was no danger of dredging up emotions. You couldn’t get your feelings hurt if you never got close to them. Now they were sitting in awkward silence, with no knowledge of how to fill it.

  Mercifully, his cell phone rang. “I’ll let you get that,” she said. “I’m going to sit outside for a while.”

  He nodded as he answered the phone and headed to the kitchen. When she reached the porch, she sat on the swing. Her mind replayed what he’d said and she began to read between the lines.

  He’d felt betrayed. That had to be it. He’d been angry when she’d married Terrence. At the time, she’d thought she no longer mattered to him. After all, he’d stopped calling her and was never around when she called him. Now she wondered if he’d really cared about her back then. Even though it shouldn’t matter now, and it didn’t change the past, she still felt better believing that he hadn’t just forgotten about her.

  At the time, she’d felt so alone. So lost. Believing that she’d been easily forgotten had damaged her soul in ways that, even now, she couldn’t voice. Knowing that it wasn’t true was the balm her heart needed to help her heal from a hurt she’d tried to, but never could, overcome.

  * * *

  Why did he just tell her that? Although they’d been living in the same house for over a month, he’d seen to it that they’d never discussed anything personal. At least not pertaining to him. Yet for a reason unknown to him, he’d found himself sharing his past with her. Luckily for his pride, he hadn’t told her how distraught and grief-stricken he’d been.

  Before Paul had met Stuart, he’d never told anyone about his relationship with his brother and father. It had hurt his soul to be the insignificant second son of the second wife. In a way, Stuart had become the father Paul had always wanted. If not for him, Paul doubted he would have any type of relationship with his father. But he’d gotten over the bitterness and come to accept his father for who he was. Edward wasn’t going to change, so Paul had needed to adjust his expectations.

  Even now, his father mourned Terrence’s death in a way that made it clear he’d lost his favorite child. Paul understood how devastated his father must have been when he’d learned of Terrence’s death because he’d been hurt himself. But there were times over the past year when he’d watched Edward wall himself off from his family that Paul had wanted to yell at him and remind him that he still had a son.

  Of course, that would have been futile. Edward didn’t want Paul’s comfort. He’d wanted Terrence. So Paul had left Edward to grieve in his own way. It was only in the past few months that Edward had begun to live a little, and taking the delayed cruise was a big part of that. Paul’s mother sent postcards and pictures from just about every port, so Paul knew his father was enjoying himself. Getting away had been good for his parents, even if their vacation had come at an inopportune time.

  Andrea had made a couple of phone calls to check on Roz’s health. Both Roz and Paul assured her that things were going well and encouraged her to enjoy the rest of the once-in-a-lifetime cruise. Paul could take care of everything.

  Speaking of taking care of everything, the kids would be home soon and there was dinner to prepare. He shut off his computer and then went to the kitchen. Roz was in there, grabbing things from the refrigerator and placing them on the counter. He leaned against the wall and silently watched her. Though she moved slowly, she still possessed the grace that had always entranced him. She was humming a song he didn’t recognize.

  She glanced up and spotted him. “Hey.”

  He pushed off the wall and took a seat at the table. Though it would be polite to offer to help her, he knew she wouldn’t take his offer in the spirit it was intended. If positions were reversed and he was forced to accept help, he’d probably feel the same. “What are you making?”

  “Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread and peas. That’s something everyone can agree on. Well the spaghetti and bread anyway. The peas will be a battle.”

  “I wasn’t a fan of vegetables as a kid either.”

  “They used to eat them. Now...” Her voice hitched. “Now they’re changing. I understand the reason they’re acting out, but it’s not making my life any easier.”

  He didn’t know what to say. Roz’s illness really was taking a toll on all of them.

  “And school starts in about a month. I’m not sure whether that will make life better or worse.”

  “It’s hard to know. We’ll just have to do our best to support them. Remember, you aren’t alone. I’m not here just to do laundry and cut grass. I’m here for the emotional stuff, too.”

  She blinked rapidly, as if keeping tears at bay. He hoped she was successful. Her tears cut him to his core. He was discovering that when she hurt, he hurt. “Thanks.”

  “I know you can cook dinner by yourself. Do you mind if I keep you company?”

  “I’d like that.”

  They talked about inconsequential matters, but he felt as if they were communicating in a way they hadn’t since he’d arrived. When he heard the kids’ voices floating through the open windows and the sound of their feet pounding on the front porch, he let them in. Nathaniel was holding a gigantic bouquet of flowers.

  “Wow,” Paul said. “Where did you get those?”

  “Miss Camille helped us pick them,” Megan said. “They’re for Mommy.”

  “Who’s Miss Camille?”

  “She lives at the ranch.”

  “Your mom’s going to love them,” Paul said.

  “Where is Mommy?” Suzanne asked.

  “I’m in here,” Roz called.

  Paul followed the children into the kitchen. Although Roz had started to wilt while they’d been talking, she perked up when she saw the kids.

  “My goodness. Where did you get those flowers?”

  “We picked them,” Megan said. “Do you like them?”

  “I love them.”

  Suzanne and Megan each held a plate filled with treats. “We have cookies and cake, too.”

  “Wonderful. We can have some for dessert. Now wash your hands and let’s have dinner. I want to hear all about your day.”

  There was commotion as the kids ran into the powder room to wash their hands and Roz began to put the food on the table.

  “Where do you want these?” Paul asked, picking up the vase Nathaniel had set on the table.

  “How about on my dresser?”

  He nodded. When he reached her closed door, he hesitated before opening it. Although he’d been inside her room on several occasions since he and the kids had helped her change rooms, it felt strange to step into her private space when she wasn’t in there. After placing the bouquet where she would be able to see it from her bed, he returned to the kitchen.

  Everyone was sitting down, so he quickly took his seat. Once they’d blessed the food, everyone dug in. As expected, Nathaniel and Megan chattered about the great time they’d had riding the horses. Suzanne confessed that she’d been scared of the big animals, then began to talk about playing with the rancher’s dog. It was the most Suzanne had talked in weeks. Roz was smiling broadly, and Paul noticed that she’d eaten more than she had in quite a while. It still wasn’t as much as h
e would have liked, but it was an improvement.

  After they’d eaten and each kid had chosen the dessert they wanted, they continued to talk about their day for twenty more minutes. When Suzanne’s head began to bob, Paul suggested that the kids take their baths and then read or watch television until bedtime. He’d expected some pushback, but the kids nodded and headed upstairs. He followed and filled the tub for the girls. When he returned to the kitchen, Roz was gone. He heard her moving around in her room and realized she was just as worn-out as her kids. Still, no matter how tired she was, he knew she was happy. That made him happy, too. And wasn’t that an unsettling thought?

  Chapter Four

  Roz read the number on the phone’s caller ID and grimaced. It was the school. Though school had only started three weeks ago, it had been rough going for Suzanne. Suzanne had clung to her before Paul hustled the kids out of the house that morning, so Roz wasn’t entirely surprised by the call. Still, Roz had hoped that Suzanne would be better once she was in class.

  Suzanne used to love school. She’d always been the first person awake and dressed, sitting at the breakfast table every morning. Last year, when she’d been in kindergarten and still learning the days of the week, she’d often been ready to go on Saturdays.

  She had a wonderful teacher and all of her friends from kindergarten were in her class. Despite that, Suzanne was not enjoying first grade. According to her teacher, Mr. Reed, Suzanne was becoming more withdrawn each day. She didn’t answer questions in class, nor did she play with her friends at recess. Instead, she sat alone on a swing, twisting her foot in the ground.

  Roz had made the school staff aware of her health challenges and they agreed that Roz’s illness was probably the reason for Suzanne’s behavior. Although they’d been working together, they hadn’t figured out a way to help her.

  “Ms. Martin.”

  Roz sighed upon hearing the principal’s voice. “Yes.”

  “I’m calling about Suzanne. She’s having a rough day. Are you able to come to the school this morning?”

  “Of course.” After setting a time, Roz hung up and stared at the phone. She was running out of ideas, but she still had plenty of hope.

  “What’s up?” Paul asked, coming into the front room. Now that the kids were in school, he used the kitchen as his office and spent most of the day working there. She’d gotten used to the piles of paper and the two computers he used, but she still hadn’t quite gotten used to seeing him day and night. Dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt, he looked so good she couldn’t help but stare.

  “That was the school. They want me to come in to discuss Suzanne.” She blew out a breath and adjusted the scarf covering her head. All of her hair had fallen out and she was completely bald. “I need to get going. I told the principal I’d be there in twenty minutes.”

  Paul grabbed his keys. “I’ll drive.”

  “You don’t have to come. I feel good enough to drive.” It had been a week since her last chemo treatment. Though feeling good was a distant memory and often seemed like a fantasy she’d created, she was feeling okay, all things considered. Just knowing that she’d be having surgery once all of the chemo was out of her system, gave her hope that she would soon be feeling like her old self. “Besides, this is your work time. I feel guilty enough for disrupting your life as much as I have.”

  His eyes narrowed as he stared at her. “Stop apologizing for upsetting my life. Yes, you asked for my help, but I could have said no. I chose to come to Sweet Briar. And I’m choosing to stay. If I wanted to leave, I would be gone and nothing you said or did could stop me. Suzanne is in trouble. We both can see that. And it’s going to take both of us to help her.”

  Relief flooded her. She wasn’t alone. She didn’t have to handle this by herself. “Thank you.”

  “We’re family. And families take care of each other.”

  Family. She could remember a time not that long ago when he’d come right out and said they weren’t family. She and Paul had come a long way.

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  The ride to the school took fifteen minutes, but it seemed longer. Worry about Suzanne was only part of the reason time stretched. The other was sitting beside her, his strong hands confidently gripping the steering wheel. Once more, Roz reminded herself that what she and Paul had shared had gone up in flames, leaving only the ashes of bitterness behind. Sitting so close to him that the warmth from his body drove her chills away, she was tempted to fantasize about regaining what they’d once had. But she swatted the imaginings away. She was a realist who recognized the impossible when it smacked her in the face.

  As Paul pulled into the parking lot and switched off the car, Roz cleared her mind of everything but her daughter. Suzanne needed a focused, present mother, not one living in a dreamworld where fairy tales came true. Paul held out his hand as they walked into the school and she took it without a second thought. She wouldn’t reject his support when she needed it most.

  They checked in with the school secretary, who led them to the principal’s office. Mr. Reed and Ms. Hawkins, the school psychologist, were also present, sitting side by side at the round table.

  “Ms. Martin.” The principal stood as he greeted her.

  “Mr. Bennett.” She nodded to the other people. “This is Paul Stephens, Suzanne’s uncle.”

  “Please have a seat,” Mr. Bennett said, indicating two empty chairs. Paul pulled out a chair for Roz, then sat. Their chairs were so close together that their arms brushed. Though it had no business doing so, her rebellious heart skipped a beat at the casual contact.

  “We’re concerned about Suzanne,” Ms. Hawkins said, getting directly to the point. Roz had met with the other woman before, and while Roz was impressed by Ms. Hawkins’s competence, she found the other woman a bit brusque. She was no-nonsense, from the top of her no-frills hairstyle down to the tips of her sensible pumps. But Roz didn’t care that the psychologist dressed as if she were in her fifties instead of her twenties, as long as she could help Suzanne.

  “We are, too,” Roz said.

  “Of course you are,” Mr. Reed added, his tone soothing. No wonder the kids all adored him. He might be built like a Mack truck, but he was a big cuddly teddy bear.

  “We all need to work together to help Suzanne,” Paul added. “Since you have expertise, we’re eager to listen to any suggestions you have. Hopefully, you’ll have ideas that we haven’t considered.”

  Ms. Hawkins nodded her head as if surprised by Paul’s attitude, making Roz wonder just what the other woman had expected. The counselor picked up a file and flipped through several pages. “Mr. Reed recently requested that I visit his classroom. I’ve spent several hours observing Suzanne over the past week. She cries easily. The other children and Mr. Reed try to comfort her, but she’s become more disconsolate with every passing day. She’s definitely different from the happy child she was last year.”

  Roz’s eyes filled with tears at the thought of her baby being in such pain. She didn’t know a tear had escaped until she felt a tissue being pressed into her hand. She flashed a grateful look at Paul as she wiped the dampness from her face. Crying was not going to help her little girl.

  “Do you have any suggestions?” Roz asked. “We’re trying everything we know, but we’d appreciate your help.”

  “Actually, I do,” Ms. Hawkins replied. “Suzanne is worried about you, of course. But she’s also worried about herself. She doesn’t know what will happen to her if you’re no longer here. She’s afraid her family is going to disintegrate and she’ll be left alone. You need to show her that her family is strong. Eat meals together, play games and watch movies together.”

  “We already do that,” Roz said.

  “Good. Keep it up.” The counselor looked first at Roz and then at Paul. “And of course, the less tension there is, the better off she’ll be.”

 
; Although Ms. Hawkins didn’t come out and say it, Roz wondered if Suzanne had sensed the tension between her and Paul and mentioned it to the counselor. That would explain her surprised expression earlier.

  “There are several activities underway in Sweet Briar and more scheduled in the upcoming weeks. I’m aware of your health challenges, Ms. Martin, but if you’re able to participate, they’re worth considering.”

  Ms. Hawkins flipped through her file once more, and this time she pulled out a typed piece of paper and handed it over. She also gathered several colorful brochures. “I’ve taken the liberty of getting information on activities that might appeal to you and your family. Not all of them are in Sweet Briar, but it gives you a lot to choose from. A few happy family occasions will definitely help. Of course, all the excursions in the world won’t work miracles, but they can help to lower her stress.”

  “Thank you for your help,” Roz said. “I’m grateful for all the people in Suzanne’s life who care about her.”

  Ms. Hawkins smiled. “She’s a wonderful girl. Together we can help her work through her emotions and reach a happy place. I’ll be meeting with her on a regular basis. But don’t set your expectations too high. This will take more than a couple of weeks. Suzanne is experiencing feelings she doesn’t understand and can’t explain. She’s confused and frightened.”

  As Roz listened to the counselor, she stiffened her spine. She needed to be strong for her child. For all of her children. Because even if Nathaniel and Megan weren’t displaying the same signs as Suzanne, she knew her illness affected them, as well.

  After thanking everyone for their concern and help, Roz and Paul walked to the car without speaking. Roz didn’t know what to say and imagined Paul had the same problem. She glanced over the typed list of activities and flipped through the brochures as Paul drove home.

  “Anything look good?” Paul asked as he pulled onto their block.