Love Me ~ Through the Storm (13 page)

“That’s how you deal with obstacles in your life, too.” She waves for me to follow her into the house. “You seem to put people, your emotions, problems all into different corners. You take them out one at a time and when you get tired of dealing with them, you put them back. You can have more than one important woman in your life. Let Deb out of her corner, you’re no longer a little kid.”

“It’s not that I can’t have more than one important person, Mimi, I don’t want to get hurt any more by Deb. I’m done with her; I decided that on my sixteenth birthday. She had promised to be here and celebrate with me, but once again, she didn’t show.”

“Do you want to know why? Your pop and Deb never got along and when she left at seventeen to follow those guys in a band around, he had a fit. They had a huge fight and he told her to never come back here. She took that to heart for a long time. When she brought you back here so you could go to school, he told her she wasn’t welcome.”

I reach for the door and hold it open for her.

“Pop told her that she was leaving you and that was final. The only way she could live with us, is if she stayed clean and paid half the bills every month.”

“So, she didn’t try to get clean for me.”

“Do you think it’s that easy to get off drugs? She was an addict, Kane. She would show up here in the middle of the night, and every time Pop would send her on her way.”

Ruby’s given me a lot to think about, but it doesn’t change the fact that Deb left me to begin with. I think I need to head to Alabama because I have some kissing up to do.

20

Oakley

The drive back to Alabama seems to take longer than usual. I normally love the solitude, but today even the radio can’t help my mood. I’m not mad with Kane. I’m more or less concerned about his relationship with his mom. It’s upsetting that he has a mom, a mom that’s alive and wants to love him, and he’s totally disregarding her like she’s trash.

I would do anything in this world to have my mom back. Even if sometimes she wasn’t the best mom. She had her moments when she was distant and depressed. But, she was my mom and when she was having a good day, I was there to be with her. The days she was in bed and couldn’t get out due to being depressed, I understood it.

I want to understand Kane; I want to be in his life. But, Kane keeping the knowledge of his mom from me, hell from all of us, bothers me. It’s just unfathomable to me that he doesn’t want anything to do with her. Maybe if I go and talk to Deb by myself, I’ll have a better understanding.

I finally arrive at Crossroads—the ranch that my brother and Lizzie run for children with disabilities. I enjoyed volunteering here and helping these kids

I’m going to check in with Lizzie then go to see Bailey’s grandparents, the Jacksons. I hope that this can help get my mind off Kane, at least for a little bit.

The Jacksons are some of the best people I’ve ever met. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson practically raised Lizzie and her mom. When Clay and I moved here last year, they treated us like family. They insisted that we call them Granny and Papa and they give us a fair talking to, if they think we need it.

“Oakley!” Lizzie runs out of the house when I pull up. “I’ve missed you!”

Chico her puppy is yapping at her heels. Today, she has a tiny sweater on him.

“Missed you, too.”

She nearly squeezes me to death.

“Granny said for us to come right on over. She has Margie cooking us some dinner. Bailey and Cash are going to be there, and Bay said she has something big to tell us.” Lizzie picks up Chico and walks with me to my car, “You can drive. Chico likes to ride perched on my shoulder.”

“Does he think he’s a parrot or something?” I laugh. “What’s going on with Bailey and Cash? What’s the big news?”

“Heck if I know, but she has been moody as crap here lately. Ever since the wedding, there’s not much that doesn’t set her off.” Lizzie rolls her eyes.  “And don’t start with Chico, he’s my baby.” Lizzie takes the dog off her shoulder, holding him up in the air and talks to him in her baby voice, “Aren’t you my baby? Yes, you are.”

Chico looks away, in what I would guess is embarrassment.

We chat non-stop to their house and catch up on what’s been going on.

“Well, I guess we might as well go in and see what all the hub-bub is all about.” Lizzie opens her door, almost before I get the car stopped and in park.

After we walk up the steps, Lizzie walks on in the house without knocking. “Hey, y’all!” Lizzie gives Granny and Papa each a kiss on the cheek. “How y’all been feeling today?”

“With my fingers.” Papa says, wiggling his fingers on both of his hands.

He has dementia, and sometimes he takes things literally.

“Y’all didn’t get a chance to meet my new baby,” Lizzie holds Chico up so everyone can see him.

“He’s the ugliest baby I’ve ever seen, kinda looks like a dog to me.” Papa says.

I can’t help but laugh because he always says what’s on his mind and doesn’t worry if it hurts your feelings. Lizzie said that before he got sick, he was the kindest man. Always doing for others and putting himself last.

“Aw, Papa, this is my new puppy. I just call him my baby,” Lizzie says.

“Oakley, come give me a hug, sweetheart. How’s college going?” Granny holds out her arms in welcoming.

“I’m loving my deaf studies class. I’ve learned so much already.” I tell her, walking over. Bending down, I say, “My other classes are okay but not near as much fun.”

“You’re taking a little time to have for actual fun, aren’t you?” Margie asks, coming over to hug me, too. “It can’t be all work and no play.”

“I’ve met some great friends already.” My cell phone buzzes in my pocket. I don’t bother checking it because it’d be rude.

“How about Quinn? Lizzie told us that he left for the Air Force and quit college. I bet you’re missing him already.”

“Granny, I decided that Quinn may not be the best choice for me. He wanted me to marry him and I’m too young for that.”

“Good girl, you finish your education. The hearing impaired community around here needs a good teacher.” Granny says with a feisty flair.

“I thought he gave you a ring and asked for you to wait until he got back to give him your decision?” Lizzie asks.

“He did, but I’m not in love with him and there’s no need in leading him on,” I say.

“That’s using your head, Oakley. You did the right thing.” Granny nods then takes a sip of coffee.

“So, are you dating one of those cute college boys then?” Margie wiggles her eyebrows.

“Um, not really.” I don’t want to get into it with everyone about dating Kane.

“You need to date and go out with friends, just don’t tie yourself down again so quickly. Live a little, Oakley.” Lizzie nudges me. We’re sitting by each other on the love seat.

I sigh. “I think I’ve got it covered.”

“Bailey and Cash will be here in a few minutes,” Granny says.

“Yes, she said she’s got a surprise,” Margie adds.

The front door opens and the couple in question come in with huge grins plastered on their faces. These two are the epitome of true love; you see it written all over their faces.

“Hey, everyone. Oakley!” Bailey comes over and greets me with a kiss on the cheek.

“Spill it,” Granny says. “You’ve kept me waiting long enough.”

Bailey walks over and hands Granny and Margie each a small rectangular-shaped wrapped package. They both eye her suspiciously as they carefully unwrap their gifts.

Margie stares down and takes the photo album out of the box. She looks up at Cash and says, “Does this mean what I think it means?” She wipes away the single tear that has formed at the corner of her eye.

Cash nods while he walks over then puts his arms around her. “Yes, you’re going to be a grandma.”

Margie holds up the album that says
Grandma’s Brag Book
on the front. She looks over at Granny and says, “Addie, we’re going to be Grannies together. This baby won’t even have a chance, it’s going to be so spoiled rotten.”

Bailey had left college to take care of Granny and Papa when Papa got to be too much of a handful for Granny, but now Margie takes care of them. She moved in with the Jacksons a few months ago after Cash and Bailey got married.

“Why haven’t you told me?” Lizzie stands with her hands on her hips. “Bay, I’m so happy for both of you.”

“I’m going to be an aunt? Eeep!” I stand and cover my mouth. “I’m so excited.”

“Does Clay know about this yet?” Lizzie narrows her eyes at Cash.

“Um, well,” Cash rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, I called him this morning. In his defense, I made him promise not to tell you, Lizzie.”

“Oh, he’s had it!” Lizzie crosses her arms over her chest.

“Lizzie, you leave that boy alone!” Granny wags her finger. “Well, let’s eat before it all gets cold.” She leads the way to the table where there’s enough food to feed an Army.

I got up early this morning, I wanted some time to think before the ceremony for Mom and Dad. Even with this being a little informal service in our backyard, the whole band shows up to pay their respects. Some of Bailey and Lizzie’s families come, too, plus Denise from the ranch. Bailey’s cousin, Mercy, is taking pictures of everything and will make a memory book for us.  “The garden you planted, Oakley, is really doing well. You did a great job in honoring their memory,” Granny says.

“Thank you, I did that before I left for school. Clay bought the stones and fence. It did come together nice, didn’t it?” The stones are similar to concrete pavers, and we had them engraved with their names and dates of the accident. 

“I’ll help take care of it while you’re away at school,” Bailey says.

“That would be awesome, Bay.” I look at Clay. “Thank you for getting the bench, Clay. I like having a place to sit out here.”

“Every single detail is exactly like we planned, Baby Girl. I think they would be proud of both of us right now.”

Clay, calling me Baby Girl like Daddy did, comforts me like nothing else. Reminds me of being his little girl. Mom called me sister. I guess I grew up with a lot of different names.

With my heart overflowing with emotions, I wrap my arms around my big brother’s neck and give him a tight squeeze. “Thank you, Clay, for the bench.” I feel the hot tears running down my cheeks and I bet I look a mess. I look up at the strong man he’s become, and I wipe away the moisture at the corner of his eyes. I hope this helps us both heal. While I’ve had a hard time dealing with my grief, Clay has kept everything bottled up. I’m afraid that when he lets it all out, it will be even harder, but I guess time will tell.

“Oakley, I’ll make two copies of these pictures, so you’ll have your own set,” Mercy says, while thumbing through the shots on her digital camera. “I hope you like them.”

“Mercy, thank you. I’m sure that maybe one day we can look back on today and see our healing process,” Clay says.

I didn’t think about wanting pictures. It seems odd to document this day, but maybe Clay has a point.

“I’m not a professional, this’s just my hobby,” she says. “Police woman by day, photographer by night.”

“I’d love to have some family pictures made for my mom,” Denise says.

“Here, call me and we can set something up,” Mercy hands Denise a business card.

“What about boudoir photos? I want some pictures of Bailey when her belly starts to swell,” Cash says, standing with his arms wrapped around Bailey. 

“There’s no way on God’s green Earth are you getting a picture of me all fat and bloated,” Bailey says, looking up at him.

Clay wraps an arm around Lizzie. “Oooh, do you do couple boudoir—”

Lizzie has elbowed him in the gut and is tilting her head toward Granny, who’s giving him the stink eye.

“I’m ready to eat, you said we were going to eat, Addie,” Papa says.

“I guess that’s our cue to take this inside,” Cash says, saving us from having to discuss any more embarrassing topics.

Margie and Bailey outdo themselves on the meal for everyone. It’s tasty, but I just don’t feel like eating, knowing what’s coming next.

Papa decides he needs to stay inside and take care of the baby, which is now how he refers to Chico since he takes everything literally. He walks around cradling the puppy like a baby, and Chico actually lays there and lets him do anything he wants to do to him.

We all go outside, and thanks to Lizzie and Bailey, I know the memorial service they planned will not only be meaningful, but also beautiful.

“Oakley, how did you get everyone to wear suits and dresses?” Mercy says, as she snaps away with her camera.

“Clay and I wanted to show our parents the utmost respect, so we asked everyone to dress nice.” I say, flattening out my new dress that I bought on my shopping trip with the girls.