Inside the Beauty

by Joan Fennell Carringer

  The more she thought about it, the more excited she became. Maybe she could take Evie and Ricky to Disney World. Why on earth that thought came to her, she had no idea. She loved her adopted niece and nephew but hadn’t spent enough time with them to get to know them really well. It would be the perfect opportunity to change that. If she took them, she needed to take Suzi, too, since she was their cousin. She laughed aloud at the thought of spending a week or more with three children. Jackie would have to go with them. She wasn’t sure she could handle them by herself.

  She thought of her friend Grace who had moved to Florida several years before. Although they called each other and texted back and forth, she hadn’t seen her since she left. Grace was always begging her to come and visit. How many times had Grace told her how much she’d love going to Disney and that her husband Don could get her huge discounts on tickets? Sharris’ excitement mounted even higher. It would be so good to renew the closeness she’d once had with her friend. Not only that, but Grace had ten year old twins, a son and daughter, Donny and Donna, almost the same age as Suzi and Ricky. Sharris laughed. The kids would have a ball! Ricky and Suzi both already spoiled little Evie rotten, so a couple more children helping them out wouldn’t matter! She laughed again. Poor Taryn and John when they got back home! Maybe Taryn would like to go, too. John not only worked a full-time job, he also did some counselling and ministering. It would do her sister good to get away for a while.

  If she asked Taryn, she needed to ask Marna, too. It would be so much fun, all of them being together, just relaxing and not worrying about anything for a while.

  All her ideas ran around and around in her head. Grace had once told her that her neighbor used her home there as a vacation rental. She wondered if she still did that. If so, would it be available immediately? The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became.

  She had to call Taryn and Marna. That was the best starting point. Then she’d have to talk to Josie. And Jackie. Maybe she should call Grace first to check on the rental house. No, she’d wait until she talked to her sisters.

  She couldn’t remember when she’d been so excited about anything! The only thing that could make it any better would be if Crew was going, too. She couldn’t believe she thought that. It was all the more proof that, no matter what happened or what was on her mind, he was there, too.

  Both Marna and Taryn told her they’d talk it over with their husbands and get back with her. That was one reason she was glad she was still single, Sharris thought as she hung up the phone after their conversations. She didn’t need anyone’s permission other than her own to do whatever it was she wanted to do. Even though her sisters had seemed excited about the idea, neither would commit to anything without the approval of her mate.

  It turned out there was no way Jackie could go. She was in the middle of a huge project at work and wouldn’t be finishing it up for at least another week, maybe two. Sharris was so thankful she was self-employed. She rarely ever had a problem scheduling or finishing up jobs and could usually arrange free time whenever she needed it.

  That might change if she were to get married. Even though her sisters had promised they’d still work as much as they ever did, they were becoming increasingly slack. If she had a husband she loved dearly and wanted to spend more time with him, wouldn’t she feel the same way? Before long, there’d be no business to worry about. To keep customers, you had to keep their work done and keep them satisfied, and that required a lot of time and attention.

  She thought about all the time she’d spent with Crew the last few weeks. Even though she’d enjoyed every minute of it, she’d wound up staying up late many nights trying to finish her assignments. She smiled, despite everything. She would do it all over in a heartbeat.

  She needed to get her mind off Crew. She dialed Grace’s number.

  When her own phone rang the minute she finished the call, the first person she thought of was Crew. Could it be him? Taryn’s number came up.

  “Aunt Sharris, this is Ricky.”

  Ricky? Her eyes widened. Was something wrong?

  “Mama says you’re taking me and Evie to Disney. We’re so excited! When are we going?”

  She laughed. “Let me talk to your mom, okay?”

  “I couldn’t tell them no,” Taryn said when she came on. “John and I both agree they need a little vacation before school starts again. And, don’t worry. I’m coming, too. I honestly don’t know if you could manage Evie without me.”

  She was probably right. Sharris hadn’t considered the little girl wasn’t yet three years old.

  “So when do you want to go?”

  “I just got off the phone with Grace. Her neighbor’s house is empty right now. Isn’t that wonderful? All I have to do is let Grace know the exact days we want it and it’s ours.”

  “Well, I’m ready. So is Marna. I think we all need a little getaway.”

  “I haven’t talked to Josie, but I don’t think there’ll be any problem there. Let’s plan to leave Monday morning.”

  “Day after tomorrow?”

  “I’m ready to go right now!”

  Taryn laughed. “Monday’s fine. I have a little more packing to do than you have, with two kids. Let me get off here and get started.”

  Sharris immediately called Grace back. All the arrangements were made and the house would be ready for them Monday evening.

  ∞ SIXTEEN ∞

  THE BLACK SUV sat hidden in the shadows but close enough that the driver could see Sharris running back and forth from her house to her neighbors. She stood outside with the little girl for a long time. They were laughing and carrying on like they were excited about something or other, but there was no way he could hear what it might be about. Finally, he’d gotten out of the vehicle and inconspicuously walked close enough to hear a little of the conversation. Something about going to Florida and visiting Disney.

  He yawned and went back to the car. So she was taking a vacation. Maybe that was why he hadn’t seen the black woman the entire time he’d been there. Maybe she wasn’t going to be there while she was gone. Maybe she’d left for good. Maybe he’d scared her off. If only she hadn’t awakened that night and let out that God-awful scream! This would all be over now.

  But it wouldn’t be over until it was over. If he hadn’t seen Crew – oh, yes, he knew all about Crew Everton - with the blonde that day at the pool…...He stopped and sighed. Yea, he’d totally lost them that day. Some kid had run into him as he was getting ready to follow them out, spilling coke all over him and actually knocking him down. By the time, he was up again, they were gone.

  It was sheer luck when he’d seen her driving down the highway a couple days later. He’d been in one of his rare, playful moods and just wanted to give her a good scare. Things went better than he could’ve imagined when she led him right to her house.

  Especially when he saw the black woman there. He grimaced, quickly switching his thoughts back to the blonde. She was a looker, no doubt about it. Crew knew how to pick them, but he wondered what she saw in somebody like him. Guess it was just proof that there weren’t any brains inside that beautiful head of hers.

  Where was Crew anyway? He figured he’d be back, that he wouldn’t stay away from the blonde for long, but he hadn’t been there all day.

  He started his engine. He’d lay low while she had her fun in Florida. Maybe Crew was going with her. If they were taking kids with them, there was nothing he could do. He sighed. He’d have to sleep a few nights in the SUV. He couldn’t afford the motel room any longer and what money he’d already paid for it had gone up in smoke. Nothing had been accomplished. For some reason, he didn’t think the time was right to carry out his plans just yet. He’d been waiting for a long time. He could be patient a little longer.

  He was closer now than he’d ever been. Very soon now, he would have his revenge.

  ▬ ▬ ▬

  SHARRIS WAS GETTING READY for church the next morning, staring into her closet
and trying to decide what to wear, when she started humming her favorite hymn, Amazing Grace. The words followed, and then laughter. Thank goodness only the Lord could hear her. Her singing left an awful lot to be desired.

  She thought of how Crew had sang at the birthday party and in church when he’d gone with her. The remembrance of his beautiful voice brought a smile - as did the thought of the twinkle that always seemed to be in his sky blue eyes, and the gorgeous wave in his silky blonde hair. She sighed and her mind added, as well as everything else about him.

  Her phone rang.

  “Hi, Sharris. It’s Judy.”

  It surprised her to hear Judy’s voice, but delighted her as well. They hadn’t talked since Judy left. “How are you, Judy?”

  “Right now, I’m missing one of my sons desperately, but I’ll get used to it, like I did when he left to join the army in the first place. I was just thinking of you and wanted to check and make sure everything is okay.”

  “Everything’s fine. I wish you’d come back. Not only do I miss you, but I need you. I can’t make coffee half as good as you can.”

  Judy laughed. “Anybody can make coffee. You haven’t had any more scary episodes, have you, dear?”

  Sharris wouldn’t admit, even to herself, how she’d had a sensation of being watched the day before. It hadn’t been an overpowering feeling, but just the same, it had made her a little uncomfortable. Making all the plans for her vacation had helped ward it off, but she was slightly nervous when darkness settled in and she was reminded that she was in the house alone. Just the same, after reading one of her favorite verses in Psalms, about sleeping in peace because the Lord would keep her safe, she’d slept soundly through the night.

  Judy’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “I am thinking of coming back, though.”

  She smiled. “I’ll tell you what. My sisters and I are going on a little vacation to Florida. We’re leaving in the morning and we’ll be staying for a week. Will you think very seriously about coming back when we return?”

  “Yes, I will.” Judy paused for a moment and then continued. “To be truthful, I called for another reason, Sharris. I just wanted to talk to you. You always seemed to care about my feelings and, well, I’m a little disappointed this morning and slightly down hearted. The pastor at my church has come down with the flu or something and they’ve cancelled services today. I don’t feel right not going to church.”

  Sharris didn’t even think about her response. “Why don’t you come with me?”

  Judy hesitated. “Oh, I don’t know.”

  “Why not? We have a very good, uplifting service every week. You’ll like Pastor Tom. He’s getting up in years but he’s still got what it takes to get the message across.”

  “But….I – I’m black……”

  “It doesn’t matter. God is no respecter of persons and neither is my church. Why don’t you come on over and we’ll go together?”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Very sure.”

  She was smiling when she hung up. She would be happy to have Judy with her in church. Sadly, there would be a few people there who might give them some strange, quizzical looks but most of the congregation – the ones who were there because they truly loved the Lord - would welcome her warmly.

  She smiled for another reason when the unexpected thought came to her that Judy might someday be her ‘adopted’ mother-in-law. Her eyes widened. Oh, my goodness. She had to stop that kind of thinking.

  There was no way for Pastor Tom to know Judy would be in church that day. The Lord must have inspired him to give such a deep and inspiring message on salvation, especially when he stressed so boldly how the Bible taught that whosoever called upon the name of the Lord would be saved. It didn’t matter how bad they’d been, what color they were or whether they were the ugliest person in the world or the most beautiful. God loved them all – and He wanted them all in the Kingdom of Heaven someday.

  Sharris glanced at Judy when he made the remark about the color of our skin and smiled. When she saw a tear on Judy’s brown cheek, she reached over and squeezed her hand. She loved this woman, just as God did. She would love her even if there was no Crew drawing them together.

  ▬ ▬ ▬

  CREW SAT ALONE, studying his Bible. Rather, he tried to study it but he was finding concentration difficult. All he could think about was Sharris. She was probably in church right now. He’d gone with her a couple times and had really liked her church. The people had been friendly and the pastor seemed very sincere about his love for the Lord.

  He had no idea his thoughts would bring an unexpected vision to his mind. The church was decorated with flowers and filled to the brim with smiling faces, all of them anxiously waiting for something special to happen. Then the music started and before long it turned into the wedding march – and Sharris came walking down the aisle toward where he was waiting for her at the front. She was so beautiful in a gorgeous, lacy white dress….

  Whoa there! His eyes widened and his heart sped up. Just the same, he couldn’t help smiling. He’d liked his vision. He’d liked it a lot. What harm was there in it? It wasn’t as if it was ever going to really happen.

  ∞ SEVENTEEN ∞

  Thank goodness for the large SUV Taryn and John had recently purchased. Sharris hadn’t taken into consideration that three adults and three children – one of them in a car seat - would be going on the nearly ten hour trip. As it turned out, they had plenty of room, and with the three sisters taking turns driving, the miles passed quickly. By seven pm, they were pulling into Grace’s driveway.

  Grace ran outside to meet them, grabbing each one and hugging them and kissing them in welcome. Even though she’d never met any of the children, she acted as if she’d known them forever and quickly had them inside eating homemade cookies.

  “I can’t believe you’re really here!” the tall, slim, dark-haired young woman kept saying over and over. “How many years have I been trying to get you to come, Sharris Cord? You have no idea how excited I am that you and both your sisters are finally here.”

  Evie, squirming a little as she approached Grace, grabbed her hand. “Miss Grace? I have to pee. Do you have a bathroom in your house?”

  Laughing, Grace stood up and led the little girl down the hallway.

  “She hasn’t changed a bit,” Sharris said to her sisters. “I was always a little jealous of her because she was older than me and more mature, as well as the perfect height to be a model. You know how I used to dream of being one myself.” She laughed. “Funny, how we change, isn’t it?”

  Marna smiled. “One thing that hasn’t changed is that you’ll never have to be jealous of anyone else’s looks.” She turned away quickly, reminded acutely of her own scarred face. Even though it didn’t bother her anymore, there were still times when she couldn’t help thinking about it. She’d noticed the expression on Grace’s face when she’d first seen her. Grace had smiled warmly, but Marna knew what she was thinking when she quickly turned away.

  “And neither do you,” Taryn said, looking directly into Marna’s eyes. “Your beautiful spirit makes you beautiful inside and out.” She yawned. “I’m tired. If nobody minds, I’d like to try out one of the beds in that house next door.”

  Sharris gasped. “At seven o’clock?”

  Marna grinned. “You have to remember her condition.”

  “What are you going to do with another child?” Sharris wanted to know.

  “Love it just as much as I love Evie and Ricky.”

  Sharris smiled. “I knew that. I just wanted to hear you say it.”

  Grace returned, still holding Evie’s hand. “I can’t wait til Donny and Donna get home. They went to the store with their dad and should be here any minute now. Those two kids of mine will love these kids of yours, Taryn. You, too, Suzi.”

  Ricky looked at Suzi and grinned.

  “Come to think of it,” Sharris said, “I haven’t even introduced you to them.”

  Grace w
aved her hands. “No need. Evie told me all about her brother Ricky and cousin Suzi.” She ruffled the little girl’s short dark hair as she spoke.

  She’d barely finished speaking when Donny and Donna ran into the room, their voices loud with excitement.

  “We saw the car,” Donna said, her dark eyes flashing. “When did you get here?” She and Donny looked just alike. With their dark eyes and dark hair, inherited from both their parents, they were strikingly beautiful children.

  When Sharris glanced at Ricky, she caught him smiling shyly at Donna. Oh, my goodness. Was he old enough to be noticing pretty girls already? Her gaze went to Suzi to see if she was looking at Donny but Suzi didn’t seem the least bit interested in anything except the cookie going from her hand to her mouth.

  It surprised Sharris when she saw Grace’s husband Don. The last time she’d seen him was at their wedding and he was thin as a rail. Although he still wasn’t heavy, he’d filled out a lot. It reminded her of John and how thin he’d been when they’d first met him.

  “What happened to you?” she asked him teasingly as he hugged her. “I could feel your ribs when you hugged me at your wedding.”

  “Your friend is a great cook and a great cook is highly insulted if her food isn’t appreciated. So she cooked it and I ate it, and boy did I appreciate it.” He rubbed his lean, firm belly.

  Taryn yawned again.

  “Looks like somebody is tired,” Grace said. “Taryn, I’m sorry. I forgot about your being pregnant. You’re probably exhausted.” Standing up, she pulled some keys from the pocket of her jeans. “Let me show you to your home for the week,” she continued, smiling. “I think you’ll be very comfortable there – and if you aren’t, just let me know and I’ll put you up here.”

  An hour later, Taryn was down for a nap, all the kids were outside playing and Sharris and Marna were sitting around the kitchen table of the rental house with Grace and Don. They talked about the things they wanted to do while they were there and made plans as to how they could get everything into a week’s time.