Between Rains, page 15
Goodness, he felt like a schoolboy with a crush on the prettiest girl in class.
Even Ben and Cam noticed when he’d met them yesterday for a quick beer down at the Sea Star Tavern.
“Okay, that’s the third time you’ve brought up Diane Jeffers’s name in less than fifteen minutes. What’s up with that?” Ben leaned and removed his wallet from his pocket. He opened it and slipped out his credit card, then handed it off to Axel. “This round is on me.” He turned his attention back to the table. “I mean, you got the hots for her or something?”
When Rhett didn’t deny the assertion immediately, Cam’s eyebrows shot up. “Hey, what gives? You holding out on your old buddies?” He slapped Rhett on the back. “Time to come clean, bro.”
Rhett shook his head, reached for his beer. “It’s nothing like that.”
“Sure. And that’s the only brew you’re going to drink this week.” Cam laughed.
“Rumor has it, she might feel the same way about you,” Ben confided.
Rhett’s eyebrows drew together. “Why? What did you hear?”
Ben took a long draw off his beer. He set the bottle back on the table. “Well, Olivia tells me she’s mentioned your name a few times. Olivia thinks you two would make a cute couple, and she told Diane that.”
Cam chuckled. “Allie thinks so, too.”
Rhett couldn’t believe these two. The town gossips had nothing on these guys sitting across from him, cackling like old women.
Rhett crossed his bedroom, buttoning his shirt. He looked out the window at the fog building across the bay.
Let them have their fun, he thought. Fact was, they weren’t that far off nailing the truth. It delighted him to know Diane’s good friends were assessing the situation as well and were perhaps nudging her in his direction.
He smiled. It was true. Despite the passing years, in many ways, they were all still back in high school.
Downstairs, his mom and sister were busy in a flurry of activity. “Shoo,” his mother said, waving him away as he approached. “Get your coffee and head out. We’ve got a lot to do.”
His sister took pity. “There’s a box of donuts next to the pot.”
He gave her a grateful look. “Thanks. I’m glad I don’t have to go hungry.”
His mother huffed. “No one is going hungry today. I guarantee it.”
He leaned and kissed her cheek, risking a slap of her towel on his backside. Then he carried his mug of coffee and donut out the back door.
“Don’t forget to wear a jacket,” his mother called out. “Don’t want you getting sick.”
He laughed to himself, moved back inside, and slipped a light coat from the hooks just inside the back door. “Got it,” he called back.
Rhett took a bite of donut and made his way to the dock. There were only three days a year when Pop shut down operations—Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. He believed the men needed to be with their families on these special holidays.
The processing shed was quiet as Rhett strode past the wash pumps, the tumblers, and the shiny metal sorting tables. The air smelled faintly of sea algae and brine, of the tang of oysters. While others might lift their nostrils in disgust, he loved the smell. Rhett smiled, remembering Pop often claimed it was the smell of money.
He wandered through the long shed to the other end where an open sliding door led to the moorings and the long wooden pier where Pop and Jared stood looking out over the channel lined with man-made reefs holding clumps of growing oysters.
“We’re getting another shipment of spat next week, Pop.” Jared took a sip from his mug. “From that new company in Canada we used last summer.”
Pop nodded with approval. “That crop had deep cups, meaty oysters.”
Rhett joined them. “Hey, you two.”
Jared tossed the remaining liquid from his nearly empty coffee mug out over the water. “Hey, bro. We were just chatting business.” He smiled at his brother as if to say Pop was having a good day. He was engaged and his memory clear.
Funny how the entire family had learned to communicate in looks, grunts, and sighs.
Rhett squeezed his dad’s shoulder. “Gonna be a good harvest, you think?”
Pop rubbed at his chin. “Might be the best one in years,” he claimed. “God’s been good to us.” He pointed to the reefs. “Those babies are growing at a rate I haven’t seen in a while. Something in the water.”
Wylie glanced between his boys. “I have a secret,” he said.
Both Rhett and Jared stiffened. They shared a worried look. “Yeah, what’s that?” Rhett asked, hoping they weren’t about to face another surprise that would need dealt with.
“I’m going to take your mother on a cruise to Alaska,” he announced. “She’s begged me to go for years. Never could get away.” Wylie let his gaze drift across the channel where tips of tall ponderosa pines peeked above the fog bank. “Well, now I have you two. You have proven you are more than capable of holding down this operation for a short time. And, besides—” Pop paused. “Well, we all know time’s short. If I don’t take her now, I might never have the opportunity.”
Jared blinked away sudden tears. “I think that’s a great idea, Pop.”
Rhett found himself wanting to argue. There were many reasons a trip like that might not be advisable given Pop’s condition. Could his mom handle things if Pop took a turn for the worse? Still, he couldn’t bring himself to try and convince his father not to go on the excursion. If it came to that, Jared or he could drop everything and go get them. That was the way life was now. He took nothing for granted.
Less than a few months ago, Rhett left Chicago on what he thought was a short vacation. His plan was to join in celebrating his father’s birthday, then he was going to return home and close the big Markowitz deal.
Look how that had turned out.
He still hadn’t told his family of his plans to move back. There was time for all that. Right now, he simply focused on staying in the present. Diane taught him that.
The three men stood at the end of the pier, chatting about everything, and nothing at all. Seemed time was a gift these days, and none of them were in a hurry to end their conversation. Especially when it meant going back to the house and encountering busy women.
Jared rubbed the back of his neck. “So, Mom tells us you asked Diane Jeffers and her family to join us for dinner.”
Pop warmed at that. He nodded. “Good move, son. Ellen Jeffers is a good woman. She raised a good daughter. Diane certainly had her share of detours, but that gal is a fine example of what it means to turn your life around.” He looked at Jared as if to punctuate his sentence. “Seems there’s a lot of that going around these days.”
Perhaps Rhett should have cleared the air, clarified just what their relationship was—and wasn’t. Yet, it didn’t really seem all that important. Let them think what they would. If he had his way, the relationship would turn to one far more intimate. Sooner rather than later would satisfy him in that regard.
“Well, hey, I need to go take a shower and get this stink off me,” Jared said, turning to walk back to the house.
“Sure that’s possible, bro?” Rhett teased.
Jared laughed and waved off his comment. “See you up at the house.” He sauntered away, carrying his empty coffee mug in one hand with his other deep inside his jeans pocket.
Rhett decided to take the opportunity to tell his dad about his recent decision. “Pop?”
“Yeah, son?”
“I’ve decided to move home.”
Before he could explain his reasoning, his father whipped around with a big scowl. “Oh, I was afraid of that.” His pop ran his hand over his balding head. “Moving home to take care of all of us isn’t a good idea. In fact, it’s a very bad idea.”
Rhett suddenly felt like a scolded kid. He shrugged. “My decision makes sense for a lot of reasons. Granted, you do all need my help—well, given your diagnosis. But, then—”
“Hogwash!” his dad barked. “That’s just why your mom and I kept all this from you initially. We knew you’d do something stupid and topple your own life, your career. You’d make some pious, sanctimonious sacrifice for the good of the family at a huge cost to you personally. No, son.” Wylie shook his head. “I won’t let you do it.”
“It’s already done, Pop,” Rhett told him. He altered the truth a bit and explained how his job had consumed everything he had to give, suggested it was his decision to leave the firm. It was, of course. He was also given a mighty hefty shove toward the door. “My work wasn’t healthy, Pop. I slaved away nearly twenty-four seven. I went through two relationships. I didn’t have any friends. Never saw any of you more than once a year, if that. My bank account was growing, but my soul was shrinking.” He looked his pop in the eyes. “Yes, the timing with your Lewy’s coincided and was the thing that pushed me over the cliff, but believe me—it really was only a matter of time before I eventually woke up and made a change.” Rhett wasn’t sure he believed that himself, but the story was close to the truth and sounded convincing. “It’s the right thing for me to do, on many counts.”
Rhett let his gaze meet his Pop’s.
He’d heard it said before that age was a cruel mistress, or was that time? He couldn’t quite recall. He hadn’t fully understood the meaning back then, but now the cruelty of his pop’s dementia and how it seemed to be transforming his dad before his very eyes was sadly becoming apparent. Rhett couldn’t help but notice his pop’s once purposeful stride was now replaced with an unbalanced amble. Liver spots crept over the backs of his hands and his confident eyes were often now filled with doubt—or was that fear?
Pop had been spry and mentally alert, then the downhill slide came as rapidly as a winter wave crashing onshore. It had knocked all of them to their knees at some level.
Pop cleared his throat. “Listen, Rhett. I’m proud of you, son. I don’t think I’ve ever really told you that. I should have.” Pop fought to keep his lip from quivering. “And, I’m sorry.”
“Sorry, Pop?”
“For leaving you like this. For leaving all of you.”
22
“Pass the gravy,” Rhett’s little nephew demanded, reaching across his plate for the bowl.
“Hey, buddy. Manners,” Leila scolded. “And wait your turn.”
The little guy sunk back in his chair, sporting a forlorn look. “But Dad’s taking it all.”
His grandmother chuckled. “Don’t worry, Billy. There’s plenty more in the kitchen.”
Grace had been up since well before dawn. She’d stuffed an enormous turkey and placed the holiday bird in the oven before anyone else in the house had risen. In her mind, holidays were meant to be special, especially Thanksgiving. Despite Wylie’s diagnosis, they all had much to be thankful for.
Moments earlier, her eyes had been filled with tears as Wylie stood to offer the blessing. When he stumbled over finding words, he got extremely frustrated and dropped his linen napkin to the table. “Oh, never mind. Jared, you do it.”
Everyone around the table nervously glanced at each other as Jared slowly nodded. He scraped his chair back against the dining room floor and stood. Those at the table took their cue and bowed their heads again.
“Father, thank you for the pleasure of gathering around this table with beloved family and friends. We give thanks for this food prepared by loving hands. We give thanks for life, the freedom to enjoy each and every day, and all the blessings you’ve provided. Give us hearts filled with appreciation, and don’t let us take any of your blessings for granted. As we eat today, we pray for health and strength to carry on and live as you would have us.” He paused, swallowed the emotion building. “Amen.”
A hardy “amen” was cited from those sitting around the table.
Rhett and Jared’s eyes met. Rhett gave a slight nod of approval and Jared sat.
“That was a wonderful prayer,” Pastor Riggin said. “Heartfelt and spot on.”
“I agree,” Grace said, looking proud. She stood and took the gravy bowl in her hands. “Keep eating. I’ll be right back.”
“Could you get us some more of those rolls?” Wes asked as he scooped a large mound of dressing and plopped it on his plate next to the generous slices of turkey.
Little Levi folded his arms and let his back fall against his chair. “I don’t like this stuff. Can I just have punkin’ pie?”
Leila rolled her eyes. “Sorry, everyone.” She turned to her youngest son. “Honey, you have to eat some of this first. Otherwise, how will you grow big like your Papa and Daddy?”
“But I don’t like it!” he whined.
Wes lifted his eyebrows and shrugged. “I’ll eat whatever he doesn’t.”
How that man didn’t gain a ton of weight, Rhett didn’t know. His brother-in-law consumed enough for three men his size.
Ellen Jeffers tucked her napkin on her lap. “Grace, all this looks delicious. We appreciate this invite so much. Truly a wonderful thing, celebrating with all of you.”
Diane nodded in agreement. “Yes, we are so tickled to be here. Thank you.” She lightly nudged her daughter, who was busy gazing at Nolan.
“Uh, yeah,” Stacey offered. “Really nice of you, Mrs. Duvall.”
Nolan clapped his hands together. “I can’t wait to try that sweet potato casserole.”
As was tradition, Rhett’s mom had whipped the sweet potatoes with brown sugar and then mounded the top with toasted marshmallows. It was a favorite every year.
As was also tradition, everyone ate until stuffed. And then, out came the desserts. By the time Rhett pushed back from the table, his stomach actually hurt.
The table was cleared, dishes cleaned and put away. Everyone helped, even the youngsters. “You all eat, you all help clean,” Grace often said. When the kitchen chores were finished, the men retired in the den to watch football while the women poured cups of coffee and gathered around the table to chat.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Cleveland Browns had pulled sufficiently ahead that a win was assured. Rhett could stand it no more. He lifted from his spot on the sofa and wandered into the kitchen where the women were now discussing upcoming Christmas plans.
The outdoor nativity would have to be put up on the church lawn, complete with donkeys from out at Scott BeVier’s tiny farm. Decorations would be erected all over town, with real pine garlands strung over the windows of the retail shops. Pots filled with fall chrysanthemums, the bloom edges now turning brown, would be replaced with bright red poinsettias.
Wylie often played Santa down at the town gazebo. This year, his condition would force changes. Despite his protests to the contrary, Mayor Anthony strongly suggested that her son would make the ideal replacement. Few others in town agreed with her choice and suggested they open up nominations and vote. Even so, Rhett was putting his money on Craig Anthony ending up the winner of that contest. Mayor Anthony seldom lost a campaign.
Diane looked up and their eyes met. Rhett tilted his head toward the door. She smiled and pushed her chair back. “I think I’m going to take a walk,” she said.
The others at the table glanced between Rhett and Diane, then at each other. Grace’s face broke into a wide smile. “Shoo, go! Enjoy yourselves.”
Ellen waved them toward the door. “I agree. Go!”
The reluctant couple faced three expectant faces. Big eyes. Wide grins.
Embarrassed by the attention, Rhett grabbed Diane’s jacket and held it for her as she slipped her arms inside the sleeves. “We won’t be long,” he promised.
“No hurry,” Leila told them. She, too, sported a huge grin.
As soon as they were outside, Diane shook her head. “I think our family believes this is a little more than we intend.”
“What? You mean our friendship?” he teased.
She gave his shoulder a playful nudge. “You know what I mean. They are pushing far ahead of what is going on between us. Frankly, I’m surprised my mother is doing that, given my history.”
Rhett grinned. “She likes me.”
They wandered toward the far end of the bay. “Oh, you think so, huh?”
Rhett gave an exaggerated shrug. “What can I say? I’m very likeable. Some say I have all the qualities of great boyfriend material.”
“Boyfriend?” Diane laughed. “What are we—back in high school?”
They made their way down the path that led along the water’s edge. “Speaking of boyfriends, looks like that Nolan kid is pretty smitten with your daughter,” Rhett mentioned as he bent and picked up a tiny stone and tossed it onto the water’s surface. The motion created a ripple, which circled the water, spreading slowly. “He could barely pull his eyes from her all through dinner.”
Diane let out a sigh. “Yeah, you’re probably right. She’s at that age. That scares me,” she admitted.
“What? Seems to me she couldn’t find anyone better than the pastor’s kid. He seems polite and respectful.” Rhett tossed another rock. “Can’t ask for much more than that.”
Diane found a large rock, brushed it off and sat. “I know you’re right. I’m just not ready for that stage in her life. I mean, I know she’s got a good head on her shoulders. I think the world of Nolan Riggin. He is a good boy. I know that. It’s just…” She let her voice drift off.
Rhett watched a seagull swoop and land on a wooden piling. “So, what are you really afraid of?”
“Well, a lot of things,” she quickly insisted. “First, I’m scared Stacey will follow in my footsteps. Relationships are not to be entered into lightly. Missteps have consequences.”
Rhett turned and gazed at the woman beside him, taking in how pretty she looked in the sweater and how great her legs looked in those knee-high leather boots. “Are we still talking about your daughter?”
His question was met with momentary silence. Finally, Diane met his gaze. “Maybe not,” she admitted. She picked up a twig and drew in the wet sand at her feet. “I’m working on all this.”
“In group?” he asked.
She nodded.
“With Jared?” Rhett didn’t know why he added that. He knew instantly from the look on her face that he’d crossed a boundary. No one in Alcoholics Anonymous broke confidences and shared what they talked about in meetings. “Sorry, I just—”
