Stay Tuned (27 page)

“Brought some lattes from The Daily Grind,” Candace called out. “Dino says hello!” She set down a coffee carrier on the counter.

“Mmm, smells delicious!” I exclaimed, and watched Candace’s two girls scamper through our living room, out the French doors, and off into the back yard. For a late April day in Georgia, it was warm and sunny. “I can’t believe how much the girls have grown!”

“I think Marcus sprinkled Miracle Grow on them.” Candace sunk into the couch cushions. “Where’s Chris? And the little man?”

Darius. The miracle we never expected. Out of habit, I touched the pendant Candace gave me.

“Chris is picking him up. Darius was invited to a sleepover. He was so excited. He’ll be back soon; he knew the girls were coming over.” I grinned and checked my watch.

“He’s such a brave little boy. What do the doctors say?” Candace asked.

“The tests came back. Everything’s good so far. Darius is such a fighter. Sharice would be so proud of him.” I paused and pictured her face. “I think, somehow, she knows.”

Days before Sharice died a year ago, doctors discovered Darius had acute lymphocytic leukemia, or ALL, a type of blood cancer. ALL was curable, especially if caught early. After a long, long talk, some tears, and more discussion, Chris and I petitioned the court to allow us to serve as Darius’s foster parents. We decided we couldn’t let him get lost in the system.

Sharice had taken good care of Mother. We needed to take care of Darius. This sweet, loving boy needed a family. As it turned out, we needed him just as much.

We were able to get Darius in to see the specialists at Macon Medical Center’s Premier Cancer Treatment Center, the very place Chris’s parents helped create. Darius could get the best oncology care, right here at home.

Over the next months, Chris and I held his hands during endless blood tests and chemotherapy visits. When Darius would cry, I’d find myself crying along with him. When Darius had to stay in the hospital, Chris would sleep in one of the over-sized chairs and I’d curl up in the bed next to Darius’s little body.

During the day, we read books, drew pictures, brought in stuffed animals and funny cards. Joe, Drew, and the guys from the station brought balloons and cookies. Candace and the girls made cheery, colorful posters for the walls of his hospital room.

 
When doctors finally gave the okay, that Darius was in remission, we celebrated and brought him home, hopefully, for good.

I heard the creak of the front door opening. “Hey everybody,” Chris called out.

Darius ran into the room and hugged me. “Hi, honey,” I squeezed him to my chest, kissed his cheek, and rubbed his smooth head.

He turned to Candace. “Are Jaden and Allie here?”

“In the back, go on and see. They’ve been waiting for you.”

Darius trotted off as fast as his legs could carry him.

Chris wheeled Mother in the room. She lifted a hand to wave.

“Let’s put you over by the back window so that you can watch Darius and the girls.” I walked over to Mother, moved her wheelchair, then leaned over, and gave her a quick kiss. She moved away slightly at the touch, but didn’t seem upset.

“How are you feeling?” I asked in a quiet voice.

Mother drew in a quick breath and glanced around the room, looking a bit unsure of where she was. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it and rubbed her lips together. Her eyes clouded over and her hands fluttered together like a butterfly settling on her lap.

It was a warm and cozy corner, away from the shade of the porch, where the sunshine could filter in. Mother gazed out at the girls turning cartwheels in the yard. She smiled a tiny bit, and then closed her eyes. Within minutes, she fell asleep.

“She seems so much better,” Candace said in a low voice.

“Mother is better,” I agreed. “So much more calm on her new medication. She’s enjoying her new room at Magnolia Woods. You should see the place. What an amazing transformation! She has a big picture window now, overlooking the lawn and garden. The landscaping alone is gorgeous. All kinds of azaleas and crepe myrtles. I can’t wait to see them in bloom.”

“And she’s adjusted to the big news?”

“Better than I ever expected,” I said. “At first, Darius was pretty wary. The two of them kind of watched each other from their respective corners. But then, Darius would do a somersault or balance on one foot, or say something that made Mother laugh. I think they’ve kind of grown on each other.”

“And what does Kelly think?”

I smiled and thought about Kelly’s delighted reaction. “She’s been the best. She’s so excited; I think she may transfer somewhere closer to home. We’re not sure yet.”

Candace stood up and walked across the room to the window, where she glanced out at the girls. “Whew! I don’t know how you’re managing it all. Darius, the leukemia, your mother, Kelly.” She glanced back at me. “What did you decide about the adoption?”

“We’re going to go for it!” I rubbed my hands together. “Chris found a good attorney who’s helping with the paperwork. He thinks our chances are really good, especially since Sharice didn’t have any family and Darius seems to be adjusting well.”

“Fabulous.” Candace shook her head. “And Chris’s okay with all of it? With the adoption? It’s a huge step.”

I looked out the window at Darius and the girls. They were laughing and running in circles, chasing each other around the yard. The sight of him so happy made me melt.

“He is. We’ve talked about it and talked about it. He admitted he was worried, but Chris knows how much this means to me,” I replied. “It’s been an adjustment, but I think Darius surprised him. Chris loves having a little boy around the house.”

“He’s so sweet. And the girls act like he’s always been here. It’s like they’ve adopted him, too!”

“Darius walked in the door and stole Chris’ heart,” I explained. “It’s been really good for him. They play baseball and throw the football. They wrestle a little and tease each other. All of those ‘dad and son’ things.”

“Sounds like how Marcus would be,” Candace laughed. “If we tried for another baby, we probably end up with triplets—all girls. Marcus would kill me. I think things are super busy and too hectic now…”

I paused and thought about Chris and Darius. “We’re worn out, too, sometimes. I’m juggling the job at the station. Chris is still a workaholic—I’m not sure that will ever change. And going out on his own has been tougher than he thought. Definitely not for the faint of heart. But he’s making it work.” I reminded myself that it had only been a year. There was still time and the company was still young. If anyone could do it, it was Chris.

“Speak of the devil,” Candace glanced up as Chris walked back into the room.

“Hey, now. I’m a good guy,” my husband argued. “Did you tell Candace about your big news yet?”

“News?” Candace asked.

I scooted forward on the loveseat, just enough that the locket Candace gave me bounced against my chest. “I should tell you, first, that you’re the reason for me doing this.”

Candace looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “Reason for what?”

“After the crazy incidents with Alyssa, what happened with Chris at work, and the fire, Drew made a comment about me writing a book…a memoir.”

“Wow!” Candace exclaimed.

“At first, I didn’t take it seriously. Then, I kept thinking about what I found in Mother’s room before the fire—her journal about motherhood, her job, me as a child—and I decided I should write it up. After talking to Mother on some of her good days, I added a few chapters and a forward. It’s really about Mother and her life. A tribute to her work, the lives she touched, and the lessons she taught me.”

“She let me read it,” Chris interrupted. “And I loved it so much I talked her into sending it to a few agents. Melissa argued with me at first, but then I told her she should just
believe
in herself. Like the necklace you gave her.”

I grasped the delicate chain and folded my fingers around the pendant.

“That did it,” I said. “Once Chris said, ‘Believe,’ I couldn’t get it out of my mind. So, I did some research and sent out about a dozen e-mail queries.”

Candace pressed her fingertips to her lips. “So, what now?”

I held up my cell. “This e-mail came just before you brought the girls over. Chris is the only one who’s seen it.”

Candace grabbed my phone, turning it around so that she could read the screen.

Dear Mrs. Moore,

Thank you for the opportunity to review your work. We’ve enjoyed the first pages. Please send the rest of the manuscript at your earliest convenience.

Candace started hopping around Chris. “Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!” She grabbed a candlestick from the mantel. “Ladies and gentleman. I give you soon-to-be-author Melissa Moore!” She began to dance around the room, shaking the lampshades and picture frames.

Mother lifted her head and made a face. “What’s all the fuss?” she demanded sleepily.

Candace stopped and sunk down in the nearest chair. “Congratulations!” she whispered.

I dissolved into a fit of giggles. Chris turned red and bent over, trying not to laugh.

Mother clapped her hands at all of us. “You’ve all lost your minds. Can someone turn up the television? I can’t hear a word!”

Chris retrieved the remote, pressed the volume button until it reached a reasonable level and handed it to Mother. She craned her neck to see around Candace.

“Don’t let the girls hear this,” Candace warned. “They’ll be in here wanting to watch
The Disney Channel
. You’ll never get the remote back.”

Mother clutched the remote to her chest like it was the Hope Diamond.

“No chance of that,” I joked. “They’d have to fight Mother for it. When it comes to a show Mother wants to watch, they wouldn’t have a prayer.”

“Shh,” Mother hushed everyone. “I’m trying to listen.”

The WSGA six o’clock news promo ran. Rick and I beamed at the camera. Just as the screen faded to black, the strains of some familiar music peaked my attention.

“Oh, look, it’s the new promo, too,” I said to Chris.

A photo of a child floated to the center of the screen. Rick did the voiceover. “
There are no unwanted children.
”
Another picture drifted down and covered the first one. It was a family portrait, the child with his adopted parents and siblings. “
Just unfound families.
Join Melissa Moore and the WSGA team for a special series.
Adoption:
 
The Forever Gift.”

Mother pointed the remote at the television and turned down the volume. She shook her head and sighed happily. “That’s my daughter,” she smiled.

Stunned, I caught my breath and looked at Chris, then over at Candace.

My best friend in the world smiled and shook her head. “Well, wonders never cease.

 
What’s next, Melissa? Tackle the world? Go work for the
Travel Channel
?”

“Drew would have a heart attack,” I laughed. “But I
could
do a family travel show. Darius could help me rate theme parks and children’s museums.”

“He’d love it,” Candace joked. “And, while you’re at it, why not have your own talk show?”

“Right,” I said. “Look out, Dr. Phil.”

“Get Real?” Candace quipped.

“Nope. I’d have to call it
Stay Tuned
.”

My deepest gratitude goes to my husband, Mark, who believed in this book from day one. I love you.

I am indebted to my early readers:
 
Jennifer Freeman, Kelly Reese, and my mother, Maxine Kidder. Further thanks go to Emily Heckman for her invaluable editorial assistance and for giving me permission to have fun with the story.

I owe so much to my publicist and friend, Emlyn Chand, who took on this project with great enthusiasm. You’re the best!

Kira McFadden tirelessly proofread the manuscript in record time. Lee Libro created the superb cover design. Bill Pfeifer provided legal expertise.

I lift my coffee mug to friends, near and far, and those on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and the entire Novel Publicity network. It’s been such fun getting to know you all!

Big hugs to Lisa Daughtry, Ashleigh O’Dowd, Tracey Glover, and Yvonne Edeker. Mi casa es su casa.

Lots of love to my entire family, especially Mom and Dad.

Finally, to Patrick and John David—you are my world—forever and always.

Lauren Clark has been a voracious reader since the age of four and would rather be stranded at the library than on a desert island. In her former life, she worked as an anchor and producer for CBS affiliates in Upstate New York and Alabama. Lauren adores her family, yoga, her new Electra bike, and flavored coffee. She lives near the Florida Gulf Coast. Visit her website at LaurenClarkBooks.com.

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Acknowledgements

About the Author

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