by Paula Mowery
She rubbed his back. “It won’t be forever.”
“Then there’s rehab for this shoulder.” He heaved a sigh.
“Maybe the next scripture passage is for you.”
“Oh, yeah?” He looked her in the eyes.
She nodded. “The one about our light affliction being only for a moment.”
He chuckled. “Isn’t that the same one that talks about not looking on things that are seen?”
“Yes.” Her voice lowered.
“Hey.” He rubbed her arms, turning her toward him. “What’s up?”
“Nothing’s up.” She turned on a weak smile.
“Kenzie, you stiffen when I speak of the wedding. Have you changed your mind?”
“No, no. It’s just, I almost lost you. How do I face that every time you go off to work?” Her voice cracked.
He pulled her to his chest. Maybe his mom should talk with Kenzie about how she had handled it all these years.
~*~
Being released from the hospital to go home was like trading one cage for another. Trevor paced his small home. His only approved outing was to the therapy center for his shoulder rehabilitation, which was going slower than he’d hoped. Kenzie’s latest verse flitted through his brain often, and he reminded himself that in the scheme of things, this was temporary.
But, October was already half over. Fall and the holidays put a strain on the police department. Trevor’s presence was needed.
His phone rang.
“Trevor Wallen.”
“Mr. Wallen, this is Dr. Hardin. I spoke with the rehab people. They report you’re making progress. Could you possibly come to my office on Friday? I want to check that shoulder for myself.”
“Yeah, I can make it. Does this mean I can return to duty?”
“That’s what I want to assess. I’ll switch you to the receptionist to nail down the time.”
“Thanks.” Trevor made the appointment for nine.
Kenzie had some kind of open house at school, but he’d call to let her know about the appointment and ask her out to dinner on Friday evening.
~*~
Kenzie’s excitement about a night out with Trevor on Friday evening dampened with the reality that he might be freed to return to work. How could she function with Trevor back in danger? Maybe she wasn’t cut out to be a police officer’s wife. But her heart ached, imagining her life without Trevor.
On Friday evening, a hearty knock rang from the door. Kenzie opened it, and Trevor stood there bearing flowers and a grin. She reached for the bouquet, but he pulled them back.
“Hold it. Kiss me first.” His eyes twinkled with mischief.
She obliged. His kisses melted her. Every time. He handed her the flowers and slipped inside.
“I take it from your demeanor that your appointment went well.” She motioned him to the kitchen and stooped to retrieve a small vase from under the sink.
“Yep. The shoulder’s doing much better.” He twisted it around as if demonstrating. “Dr. Hardin said I can return to duty the first of November.”
“That’s only like a week away.”
“I know. Isn’t it great?” His eyes danced with excitement.
She nodded and focused on arranging the flowers.
“I say we go to dinner to celebrate and talk about the wedding date.”
Kenzie’s stomach knotted. “OK.”
“Babe, come here.” He lifted her to one of the barstools at her kitchen counter and looked her in the eyes. “Honey, I know you’re not thrilled about me returning to duty.”
“No, it scares me to death to think of you out there in danger. The next time you might not be as…” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the thought.
“Kenzie, you can’t think like that. None of us know when our day is. We can’t look back. We need to press on.”
Kenzie’s breath stuck in her throat.
“What? Your eyes are wide.”
“Wait right here.” She hopped down from the stool and jogged to her bedroom, snatching Nana Nita’s Bible from her nightstand. She returned to Trevor’s side, opened the marked passage, and pushed it toward Trevor, pointing at the outlined passage.
Trevor’s eyes darted across the page. He raised his head. “Well, there you go. Paul says the same thing. Forget what is behind and press on.”
“Easy to say.” She hadn’t meant for her voice to have that bit of harsh tone. “Sorry. I love you and …”
Trevor drew her into an embrace. “I love you too. But the same way you felt a calling to teach, I am called to be a police officer.”
“I know.”
“Can we get some supper? I’m hungry.”
She chuckled. “Of course.”
After eating, they sat in the booth of the Mexican restaurant, sipping their sodas. Kenzie propped her arms on the table. “I’ve been wondering about Christmas. I don’t want to upset your parents, but you haven’t met mine yet.”
“My folks will understand that I need to meet the new in-laws.” He winked.
20
November passed in a blur, and the first weeks of December zipped by with the flurry of holiday activities at school and church. Kenzie’s parents decided to come to Tennessee for Christmas. Kenzie and Trevor had decorated her small apartment for the occasion during the first two days of her Christmas holidays from school. Now Kenzie headed to the airport to meet her mom and dad. Trevor’s shift ended at six, and he planned to stop by for introductions.
The airport terminal buzzed with holiday travelers. From the information displayed on the screen, her parents’ plane was on time.
A small group of people emerged from the gate. Kenzie strained and stood on her tiptoes to catch a glimpse of her mom and dad. There they were. Her heart fluttered. She scurried closer, meeting her father first. They embraced.
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too, sweetheart.” Her father glanced around. “So, where’s this fiancé we’ve heard so much about?”
“Still on duty. He’s coming by after, at six.”
“Your face beams when you speak of him,” her mother said.
Heat rose to Kenzie’s cheeks. She nodded.
Kenzie drove to the hotel to get her parents checked in. “I’m sorry I don’t have enough space at my apartment for you to stay there.”
“No problem,” her father said. By the time the luggage was secured in the hotel room and they headed to Kenzie’s apartment, they met Trevor in the parking lot.
“Hey, perfect timing.” Trevor smiled and met Kenzie’s gaze.
Kenzie joined him on the sidewalk. “Mom, Dad, this is Trevor. Trevor Wallen.”
Trevor extended a hand and her father shook it, followed by her mother. “It’s so good to finally meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Murrah.”
“Likewise, son.” Her father gave an emphatic nod.
“Have you all eaten?” Trevor said.
Her parents shook their heads.
“No. I guess I could whip up something.” Kenzie motioned toward her apartment.
Trevor wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Why don’t we go grab something?” He glanced at her parents. “My treat.”
After a moment of protesting, Trevor won out with, “I insist.”
The foursome sat in the restaurant for a little over three hours, regaling Kenzie’s parents with tales of how she and Trevor had met and their engagement.
Her father propped his elbows on the table. “Now, how are you doing after that shooting incident?”
“I’m almost back to normal. Just a little stiffness associated with the shoulder area sometimes.” Trevor patted Kenzie’s shoulder. “Your daughter here doesn’t really like that I’m back to my police job.”
“I can understand how she might worry about you,” her mother said.
Had that really come from her cold-hearted mother’s lips? From Miss “don’t-make-a-scene” herself?
Her mother’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Truth be told
, I’ve worried about Kenzie here alone. I’m so glad she has you and Lila and a good church.”
Kenzie couldn’t help but stare at her mother after that declaration.
“Unfortunately, I come across like I don’t care. I learned that from my father. Keep people at a distance and you won’t get hurt.” Her mother’s eyes met Kenzie’s gaze.
Kenzie reached across the table and grasped her mother’s hand. “Mom, I never knew that.”
Her mother smiled weakly. She covered Kenzie’s hand with her other one. “I’ve had to crash some of those walls down.” She glanced at Kenzie’s father.
“Yep, I think we’ve both learned a lot since my heart attack.” He looked directly into Kenzie’s eyes. “I’m so glad you had Nana Nita to instruct you in the ways of the Lord when we failed to do so. I truly apologize for that.” He sniffed. “My focus was in the wrong place.”
Kenzie’s eyes filled with tears and her chin quivered.
“So, I have you to thank for the worrier in her?” Trevor asked in a teasing tone.
Her mother chuckled. “I guess it’s somewhere in the genes.” She glanced from Trevor to Kenzie. “You two are gonna be just fine together. You’re starting the foundation and focus in the right place.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Now, I fully understand that the hour is late and I am on a special diet, but I could sure use a good sweet dessert,” her father said.
Trevor reached his hand across the table and shook hands with her father. “I can make that happen.” They let go of their hands. “And by the way, sir, I would like to marry your daughter. Would that be OK?”
Kenzie’s cheeks heated and so did her heart.
“Son, I would count it an honor if you would.” Her father stretched his hand across again.
The two men shook firmly once again. A tear slid down Kenzie’s cheek.
Trevor turned toward her and swiped the tear away with his thumb. “I believe you are now stuck with me.”
“Looks that way.”
He grinned. “This calls for sharing that big monster dessert. Do y’all like chocolate?”
Her father rubbed his hands together. “Do I!”
Kenzie’s heart would surely burst. She needed no other Christmas gifts.
~*~
Trevor checked his watch again. Just about an hour and he would be off duty and headed to Kenzie’s to spend Christmas Eve with her and her parents.
“Man, you must be really eager or really dreading what you have planned after you get off work.” Kevin shook his head and chuckled. “That probably makes about ten times in the last half hour you’ve checked your watch.”
Trevor sighed. “Yeah. Sorry. Don’t mean to be so distracted. Christmas Eve with the to-be in-laws.”
“Gotcha.” Kevin pointed out the windshield. “Whoa. That one’s barreling through town at break-neck speed.”
“Hold on.” Trevor engaged the lights and siren and raced to catch up with the speeding car. He followed it for a while before the driver relented and pulled to the side of the road.
As soon as the young male driver lowered the window, the odor of alcohol and something else billowed out. Trevor swiveled toward his car and motioned for Kevin to join him.
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask that you step out of the car, and that includes your passengers.” He peeked inside and spotted two other males.
The three complied and Trevor sent them back with Kevin who requested they put their hands on the hood of the police car.
Trevor poked around inside the car. Two empty liquor bottles rolled from under the seat. He patted under the driver’s seat. Some type of plastic bag crinkled and he pulled it out. “No wonder they didn’t want to stop.” He mumbled to himself. He sauntered to the back of the car. Holding up the small bag, he waved it in front of the three young men. “Whose is this?”
All three diverted their eyes from his and shrugged.
“Am I going to find more if I search the rest of your car?” Trevor propped a hand on his hip.
Again, his question was met with shrugs.
“Kev, let’s cuff them and get them in the back. We’ll call it in and search the rest of the car.”
Kevin nodded.
Trevor wasn’t going to make it to Kenzie’s on time now, and there was no time to let her know. Soon, more cruisers joined them. A thorough search of the car and its trunk produced a couple more bags of drugs. They transported their cuffed passengers and went through the protocol.
Two hours later than he had expected, he pulled into a space at Kenzie’s apartment. Before he could jump out and close the door on his car, Kenzie stormed into the parking lot. “Are you OK? I’ve been worried sick.”
He sighed and grabbed her hand. “Babe, it couldn’t be avoided. Routine traffic stop ended up being much more involved.” Was her hand trembling?
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m so glad you’re all right.” Her voice squeaked.
Trevor took her shoulders and held her at arm’s length to look into her eyes. “These things are going to happen. You can’t expect the worst every time I’m late.”
“It’s hard not to.”
He cupped her cheek. “Try. Now, let’s not keep your parents waiting.”
~*~
Kenzie hated to watch her parents leave. Retirement agreed with them.
Only two more days remained before she would return to school. Trevor requested a quiet evening with her after his shift tonight. She promised him her best attempt at comfort food with meatloaf and mashed potatoes. She would surprise him with one of Nana Nita’s fudge pies.
Everything was ready so she plopped onto the couch and reached for her Bible, opening to the next passage. She skimmed the verse from 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and her heart nearly stopped. A tap on the door caused her to spring from the couch as if ejected.
She whisked the door open to a smiling Trevor. He studied her face and his expression changed. Laying his arm around her shoulders, he guided her to the couch arm and insisted she sit. “Are you all right? You’re so pale.” His brow crinkled.
Kenzie attempted to shake off the terror emitted by reading the verse. She nodded. “I’m fine.”
Trevor narrowed his gaze and gazed into her eyes. “Kenzie, what is it? What are you not telling me?”
“It’s nothing.” She shook her head.
“What’s nothing?”
She retrieved Nana’s Bible and handed it to Trevor.
He concentrated on the book, his eyes skimming the page. His head popped up. “I think I’ve heard this verse before.” He tapped the page with his finger. “It’s the comfort and reassurance that we have when a loved one passes that even though we’re sad, there’s hope of seeing them again if they’re Christians.”
Kenzie whirled around and sank onto the couch, letting out a heavy sigh.
Trevor eased down beside her. “Oh, I get it. You think this could be me.”
Kenzie shrugged.
He slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. “Babe, you can’t go through life with this fear.”
“I know. It’s just so hard for me to make peace with the danger involved in your job.”
“Well, I don’t face the same level of danger as with the drug dealer shooting through the door everyday.”
Kenzie pivoted to look him in the eye. “But that was supposed to be just a noise disturbance call anyway.”
“Kenzie, none of us are promised another day. We make the most of each one God grants us.”
She bit her lip. Her cell phone vibrated on the table, jolting her. Being in a serious and necessary conversation with Trevor, she almost let it go to voicemail. Glancing at the screen revealed the caller was her mother. She held a finger up to Trevor.
“Mom? Hey.”
“Kenzie.” Her mother’s voice was barely audible amid sobs.
“Mom, what is it?”
“Sweetheart, your father had another heart attack.”
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“I can be there soon. Is he in the hospital?”
“No, dear. He’s gone.”
All the air whooshed from Kenzie’s lungs. Her mouth hung open and she covered it with her hand.
“Kenzie?”
She shook her head to stave off the shock. “Yes, Mom, I’m still here. I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
Trevor tapped her arm and raised his shoulders, questioning what was wrong.
Kenzie tilted the cell phone away from her mouth and whispered, “It’s Dad.” She pressed her lips together and shook her head.
Trevor rubbed her arm. He jumped to his feet. His voice carried from the kitchen. “Captain, I’m going to need a couple of days off. I need to take Kenzie to Maryland.” He paused. “Her father has passed. Thank you, sir.”
“Mom, Trevor and I are coming.”
~*~
Kenzie laid her hand on her father’s casket as people filed away from the completed graveside service. Trevor’s fingers intertwined with hers.
“It is true.”
Trevor stepped closer. “What’s true, hon?”
“We do sorrow but not as those who have no hope.” She pivoted, facing him. “I totally get it.”
Trevor brushed her cheek with his hand. A faint smile upturned his mouth. She squeezed his hand and turned to her mother. “Mom.”
Her mother smiled and engulfed her in a hug. She pushed back and brushed Kenzie’s hair off her forehead. “Now, go back home with Trevor and teach those children. They don’t know how lucky they are to have such a dedicated teacher as you.”
Kenzie’s lip quivered. “Mom, do you need...?”
Her mother shook her head. “I’m fine. I have my church family and friends.” She glanced at Trevor and then focused again on Kenzie. “Let me know what I can do to help plan this wedding.”
Kenzie engulfed her in another embrace and they held on, sharing a few more tears.
Kenzie reached for Trevor’s hand and pulled him along to a nearby grave. She spoke toward the headstone. “Nana, I wish you could have met Trevor in person. I know you will someday when we’re all reunited. You’d love him.” She glanced up at Trevor. He smiled. She turned her attention back to Nana. “But you need to know that I’ve learned what I think you were trying to teach me through your little scavenger hunt in your Bible. I can trust God and His Word to lead me in the right way.” She paused and swallowed the lump in her throat. “But I still miss you something awful.” Tears streamed.