Stepping to a New Day (21 page)

Riley peered past him and sure enough Dalton was down by the road. Parked in front of the patrol car was Scarsdale's familiar blue truck. A large metal trailer was hitched to the back.

“I'm calling my lawyer!”

Scarsdale shrugged. “Go right ahead. In the meantime, Cletus and I are heading home.” He pulled a silver whistle out of his shirt pocket and blew into it twice. A minute or so later, Cletus came trotting around the side of the house.

Riley snarled, “Clete, go back and finish your breakfast.” He leaned toward Scarsdale to let him know he meant business. “He's not leaving.”

“Sure he is. Watch.”

Scarsdale waved his arms toward the road and a man Riley knew to be the trainer's assistant stepped out of the blue truck. He moved around to the trailer, opened the back, and unfolded the heavy ramp. Down the ramp came the white sow, Cleo. Riley's eyes went wide. She was the sow Cletus had been sweet on in California. Upon seeing her, Cletus raised his snout and squealed. She squealed in reply. Cletus set off toward the road.

“Cletus, get back here!” Riley demanded.

Cletus turned, eyed his
former
owner for a second, and kept going.

“Cletus!” Riley ran to stop him, but he was no match for a
six-hundred-pound hog. When Riley tried to grab him, Cletus grunted angrily and bit him on the hand. Riley yelped with pain and jumped aside.

Upon reaching the truck, Cletus followed Cleo up the ramp. Once the hogs were inside the assistant closed them in.

Scarsdale walked over and cracked, “True love is a beautiful thing, isn't it?”

“Please don't take my hog, Ben,” Riley pleaded. “He's all I got. Please, I'm begging you. Let me pay the bill over time. Please.”

“See you around, Riley.”

A minute or so later, Ben's truck pulled off, followed by the sheriff in his patrol car. With tears in his eyes, a devastated Riley watched them drive away.

Eli and Wyatt were going to spend the afternoon at the skate park, so Eli came downstairs to let his dad know he was leaving, but the only person there was his grandfather, who was watching the Sunday news programs and reading the Franklin Sunday paper. “Hey. Where's Dad and Gram?”

“Out driving around. He's showing her the sights.”

“Not much to see.”

“I know, and maybe once they're done she can drop this whole moving to Henry Adams idea.”

Eli was surprised. “You don't want to move?”

“Of course not. I like the town and the people here, but my life and hers is back east.”

“So why does she want to move?”

He shrugged. “We're getting up in age and our friends are dying pretty regularly now. I think she's just feeling a little lost. Not handling being an old lady very well. And she misses your father.”

Eli sort of understood. “So is your house really on the market?”

“It is, but I'll be calling the Realtor when we get back. This charade has gone on long enough. I love my wife, always have, but you get to the point where somebody has to be the adult and pull the plug on silliness. And that's what this is.” His grandfather set the paper down. “So, back to California, huh?”

He nodded and sat down.

“Excited?”

“I am.” Eli spent a few minutes telling him about his plans and Rita Lynn's offer.

“That's pretty nice of her.”

“Yeah, it is. Nice of Dad to let me go, too. He was worried at first that I might not be mature enough.” Eli then told him about the circumstances that made his dad change his mind.

Jack Sr. nodded approvingly. “My son is a better dad to you than I was to him.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I never had time for him—too busy being college president, which meant he had to spend his life being the son of the college president. Instead of letting him play ball and do the stuff normal kids got to do, his mother and I pushed him to excel academically because of who we were.”

Eli nodded. “It was pretty embarrassing having the only dad who didn't know a shortstop from a wide receiver. He's better now. Rocky's a big sports fan, so he's had to learn in order to keep up with her.” Eli then asked something he'd been wondering about. “Do you not like her, too?”

His grandfather chuckled. “Are you kidding me. She's as gorgeous as a sunrise and rides a hog. I'm just surprised she's choosing to be with a nerd like my son.”

“So is he. I like her a lot.”

“That's the only thing that matters. Your grandmother always wanted your father to marry someone who could trace their bloodlines back to the
Mayflower
, but her blood's not that blue and neither is mine. More silliness.”

“Are you two still flying home today?”

Jack Sr. nodded. “Flight's at five. Your dad's taking us to the airport when they get back. Are you going?”

“I'm supposed to be spending the day with one of the younger kids at the skate park, so I may not be back in time. Do you mind if I don't?”

“No. Go have your fun. It's been good being with you this weekend.”

“Same here.” The past few minutes had been one of the best moments. They'd never talked alone like this before.

“In case you don't make it back, give me a hug,” Jack Sr. said.

Eli didn't hesitate.

When they parted, he said, “See you next time, kiddo.”

Eli nodded. “Have a safe flight. Give Gram my love.”

“I will.”

Eli went to the garage and started his car. He sent his dad a text to let him know where he was going, then backed out of the driveway and drove over to pick up Wyatt. When he got to the house he hit the horn a couple of times. Wyatt came out right away but Eli noticed he didn't have anything in his hands but his board.

“Where's your helmet and pads?” Eli asked when he got in.

“Don't need them.”

Eli looked to heaven for strength. “Go get your gear.”

“I don't need it!”

“Yeah, you do.”

“You don't wear any.”

“That's because I'm a boss. You've been riding less than a month. Go get your damn gear or we don't go.” He wondered if this was what it was like to be a parent and have a kid.

Wyatt huffed, stormed out of the car and went back in the house. A couple of minutes later he returned carrying his helmet and pads.

“Happy?” Wyatt asked.

Eli rolled his eyes and drove them away.

In spite of the tense start they had a good time. Wyatt fell and busted his butt a couple of times but Eli refrained from referencing the necessity of safety gear or saying, “Told you so!”

Eli also knew that as a responsible person he should be home to see his grandparents off, so after ninety minutes in the bowl he and Wyatt headed back to Henry Adams. As they rode, Eli said, “Just so you'll know, I'm going back to California for school in the fall.”

Wyatt looked stricken and the reaction pulled at Eli's heart. “Brain's getting his driver's permit in a few weeks so you'll still have a way to get to Franklin and ride your board.”

Wyatt didn't reply.

Eli glanced over and the mutinous set of the kid's jaw made him decide to never ever have a kid. “Maybe you can fly out and see me while I'm there. I'll teach you to surf. Can you swim?”

“Yeah. Learned at the Boys and Girls Club. Why are you leaving?”

It was hard not to see the hurt in his eyes. “I miss it. Bad.”

“I miss Chicago.”

“Then you understand.”

“Yeah.”

For a moment there was silence. Wyatt's attention was focused on the passing landscape. Eli wondered if he was thinking about his old hometown.

“Can I really fly out to California and see you?” Wyatt asked.

“Yes. We'll figure out how to pay for it when the time comes. Maybe we'll get Miss Big Bucks Zoey to loan us some paper.”

Wyatt smiled. “She probably would. I'm going to marry her one day.”

Eli almost drove off the road. After recovering he asked, “Really? Does she know?”

“Nah. She will though, eventually.”

“Okay, then.” Eli realized there was a lot more going on in Wyatt's cartography-centered brain than he let on.
Marry Zoey?
Eli vowed to move back to Henry Adams just to be able to watch that play out.

By then they were back on the street where they lived. Eli pulled up in Wyatt's driveway.

“Sorry for being a pain in the ass before,” Wyatt said.

“No problem. Thanks for hanging with me.”

“You won't tell Zoey what I said.”

“And have her punch me out? Not a chance. The conversation was just between us.”

“Okay. Thanks, Eli.”

“You're welcome.”

He went inside.

Eli drove home and arrived just in time for the ride to the airport. His dad was pleased.

E
arly Monday morning, TC drove Roni Garland to the airport. When he mentioned to her again how much she resembled the singer Roni Moore, she finally confessed that she and the singer were one and the same. TC felt like an idiot but she just laughed and said, “Gotcha!”

He was still smiling about that when he arrived at Genevieve's place for his first reading lesson. The memory momentarily chased away his jitters but as soon as he pressed her doorbell they returned.

“Morning, Terence,” she said when she opened up.

“Morning, Genevieve. How are you?”

She stepped back to let him enter. “Doing good. Do you want some coffee before we start?”

“That would be good.”

“Have a seat.” She crossed the room to the kitchen. “Your book is there on the coffee table. The title is:
Yes We Can Read
.”

He picked it up and checked out the sunset-colored cover. On it was a circle encasing the silhouettes of three people who
had their arms raised and legs tucked up as if jumping for joy. He guessed they were celebrating being able to read. He hoped to be jumping with them soon.

Genevieve returned with their coffees, spoons, and a small, gold-colored sugar bowl. “Not sure how you take it. I have some artificial sweetener if you prefer.”

“The real stuff is good.” He doctored his brew, took a sip, and sat back against the sofa to savor the pretty lady seated by his side. “How come nobody told me that Roni Garland was superstar Roni Moore?”

She smiled over her cup. “Finally figured that out, did you?”

“Yeah.”

“There aren't many secrets here but she's one. She even built a recording studio in town so she wouldn't have to leave her family. We love her a lot.”

“She seems pretty regular.”

“She is. Are you ready?”

He nodded. “Nervous, though.”

“It's okay.” She reached over and rubbed his forearm supportively. “It'll be fine.” She picked up the book. “As I said earlier the title is—
Yes We Can Read
.” And she put her finger on each word as she spoke them. She moved her finger down to the white words below the title. “This says:
The one to one reading scheme for learners 8 to 80
.”

“That's me.”

She smiled. “The book comes from England and I find it to be super helpful for getting people started. I have a video from them that I want you to see.” She opened her laptop. When she was done typing and clicking he watched and listened to an Englishwoman explain how much the book
and her tutor helped her overcome her deficiency. Her testimonial was followed by a few more. Each person gave various reasons why they were coming to reading as adults and the challenges they faced beforehand. TC found their stories moving and as they went on to talk about how they felt once they were able to overcome their deficiency he was inspired by the pride and happiness they displayed.

When it was over Gen said, “This will be you very soon. Promise.”

He had no doubts.

She scooted closer so they could both see the book. Her nearness was pleasantly distracting so he forced himself to concentrate on the task at hand and not on the faint heady scent of her perfume.

The first page was filled with pictures of objects representing each letter of the alphabet. It started with an apple and ended with a zipper. She had him name each picture. Some, like the orange, rainbow, and snake, were no-brainers. Others took a bit more thought. The picture of the dragonfly actually stood for the word
insect
and the letter
i
and she had to turn the book a bit so he could identify the picture of a pan which represented the letter
p.

“The neat thing about these pictures is that they also have the shape of the letter they represent. This apple for instance—notice the shape?”

He did.

“It's shaped like a lower case
a
. The little leaf on the bottom of the apple represents the tail the
a
has when you see it in print.”

He studied the pictures. He knew his letters and thanks to her explanation understood the concept almost immedi
ately. The recognition made him smile. “That's pretty clever.” The duck was positioned to look like a
d
. The egg had a crack across its front that made it resemble a lower case letter
e.

She continued, “And each picture also gives the sound of its letter. Reading is as much about how a letter sounds as it is about knowing the letter's name.”

So they spent quite a while going through the sounds. She had him repeat each one a number of times until they covered them all.

“And that, my Terence, is your first lesson.”

Surprised, he checked his watch. Sure enough, the hour was over. Time had flown by.

“You have homework, however.”

He grinned. He was half in love with her already.

She handed him three color copies of the picture page. “I want you to spend some time tracing the shapes of the pictures with your finger. Do it four, maybe five times. Then use a pencil directly on the sheets. It will help you visually connect the shape of the letter with the sounds once we start actually reading.”

He studied the sheets. “Okay.”

“Bring them with you for next time.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“How do you feel?”

“Like I can do this.”

She gave him a nod.

Their gazes held and when his attraction to her rose and reasserted itself he leaned over and slowly kissed her. A few lazy seconds later he pulled back. She opened her eyes and whispered, “The school frowns on students kissing the teachers.”

“I'll remember that for next time,” he said, adding, “I figured we'd get this first one out of the way. Yes? No?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

In a voice as sincere as his intentions he said, “Thank you for the lesson.”

“Thank you for the kiss.”

“Anytime.”

“What's on your agenda for the rest of the day?”

“Picking up the colonel at the airport. He went to some kind of security trade show in Phoenix and then Gary wants me to go with him to the Dads Incorporated meeting tonight. He said it's like a support group for the dads here?” TC was still thrilled by the sweetness of the kiss and he wanted another.

“Yes, they meet, drink beer, and try and come up with ways to keep the kids and the Ladies Auxiliary from taking over the world.”

He laughed. “Sounds like it might be fun.”

“They have a good time, or so I'm told.”

He gathered up his sheets. “I should get going. Thanks again.”

“Here to help.”

She walked him to the door. He placed a kiss on her forehead. “I'll text you later.”

“Bye.”

Feeling like a million bucks, TC stepped out into the late-April sunshine.

Later that afternoon, TC was so engrossed in his homework at the dining room table, he didn't realize the girls were home until Tiff asked, “Hey Unc. What are you doing?”

His first instinct was to hide the sheet of pictures but he
decided to tell the truth because there was no shame in what he was doing. “Homework.”

She looked confused. “Are you taking a class?”

“Yes. Learning to read.”

He watched Leah stop on her way to the coat closet and turn his way. “Read what? Are you taking a Spanish class?”

“No. English.”

Now both girls looked confused. “Are you talking like English Literature?” Leah asked.

“Nope. I'm just learning to read, period.” Because Tiffany was closer to him, he handed her the sheet.

“This is the alphabet.”

“Have to start at the beginning.”

Her eyes went wide as dinner plates and she whispered, “You really can't read?”

Leah made her way to his side. “Quit playing,” she warned, sounding like Crystal. But when Tiff showed her the sheet, she studied it and went still as a post on the side of the road.

She too whispered, “Oh my goodness. You weren't playing.”

He shook his head. “Ms. Gen is tutoring me.”

“Wow,” Leah said, viewing him intently. “That takes a lot of guts, Unc. I'm really proud of you.”

“Me, too,” Tiffany added. “Do you need our help?”

“Maybe later. Right now I'm still learning shapes and sounds.”

“We can drill you if you want.”

Their caring spirits touched his heart. “I'd like that. My next lesson is Wednesday, so how about we do the drilling tomorrow. I want to get my bearings with the sheet first.”

Leah handed it back. “Sure. Just let us know.”

Tiff asked, “Does Daddy know?”

TC nodded. “I told him a few days ago.”

“Okay. Let us know when you're ready for help.”

“Will do.”

They headed to the kitchen for their after-school snacks.

“Ladies?” he called.

They looked back.

“Thank you.”

They grinned.

Glad to have them in his life, he went back to his sheet.

TC found the Dads Inc. meeting pretty interesting. Gary invited him because of the semi-dad role he was playing with Leah and Tiffany. The men met at the Dog, and over munchies, beer, and soft drinks for Mal and Bobby, they talked about a bit of everything. The news that Genevieve's ex had had his hog repossessed made for quite a few chuckles followed by a semi-serious debate as to whether to offer him help in rehabbing his trashed house.

Trent said, “After being handcuffed and taken to jail in front of everybody in the area because of him, I say let him rot.”

Mal said, “Understood, but you got your pound of flesh with his two black eyes. I say we give him a hand. He's pretty low right now and he is a good barber.”

Reg said, “Kindness over rightness, right?”

Luis Acosta said, “I'm still trying to understand how you re-po a hog?”

Laughter followed that.

In the end, nothing was decided about helping Curry.

The next topic made TC's ears perk up.

Trent asked, “Does anybody know what our kids are up to? There's been a lot of sneaking around lately. Meetings with the Ladies Auxiliary. Meetings in my basement that supposedly have to do with something Tamar has assigned. Lily insists I'm imagining it, but I can smell it when Amari has something cooking.”

Barrett agreed. “Preston asked me if I was going to make a family crest, what would be on it. When I asked him why, he played dumb and said—school project.”

Jack smiled. “Liar, liar, pants on fire. I haven't assigned anything of that nature.”

Mal said, “As long as whatever they're up to doesn't involve the police I'm good.”

TC knew the mystery had to do with the kids' Father's Day extravaganza but he kept his mouth shut. He didn't want to be known as Uncle Snitch and besides, the men would find out soon enough.

They talked next about the newly formed fire department, the ground breaking for the pool, and a host of other items. For a small town there was a lot going on and TC was glad to be in the mix.

When he and Gary got home he went up to his room and called his daughter.

She answered on the second ring. “Hey, Daddy.”

“Hey there, baby girl. How are you?”

They spent a few minutes talking about her job and the weather before he told her about his lessons.

“Oh, Daddy, that's wonderful. I'm so proud of you. I think I'm going to cry.”

He smiled.

“I'm serious. I'm searching my desk for tissue as we speak. So tell me about the lessons, the tutor, all the stuff.”

So he did.

“She sounds great.”

“She is. I like her a lot. In fact, we're dating.”

“Get out! You? Dating?”

He laughed.

“Have you told the boys?”

“Not yet.”

“Oh my goodness, I may faint now.”

“You are such a drama queen.”

“Please. It's not every day I hear you use the word
date
in a sentence. In fact, you've never used that word. Ever.”

“Things have changed.” Genevieve's face floated across his mind and he sighed inwardly. “You're going to love her, Beth.”

“Hold up. Listen to your voice. Daddy, are you in love with this lady?”

He laughed again. “And if I am?”

Her end of the line went silent.

“Beth?”

He heard her blow her nose, then say, “If these people fire me because I scared off the clients with all this mascara running down my face it'll be your fault.”

“Stop playing. You are not crying.”

“Want to bet? I'll send you a picture after I hang up. I'm so happy for you. When do I get to meet her?”

“I'd like to bring her to Hawaii with me this summer if she'll agree, and you don't mind sharing me.”

“You know I won't. Wow. My daddy's in love. You know Mom's in heaven smiling.”

“I know. She made me promise to go on with my life and find someone. Took me a while but I have.”

“Awesome.”

They spoke for a few more minutes and after sharing
I love you
s, ended the call.

A few seconds later, her picture arrived on his phone—red eyes, runny mascara and all.

Paula, having all but made her peace with her Blackbird, was preparing for bed, when she got a text from her uncle Calvin.
Need you here asap. Lisa's skull found. Della in jail.
Stunned, she read it again and when she could breathe, she called Bernadine.

Bernadine's pilot Katie Sky landed Paula at the Tulsa airport the next day. Calvin met her outside the terminal. “Who do you know that owns a private plane?” he asked. “This is the first time I've ever been to this terminal.”

“The lady I work for.”

“Wow.”

“I wanted to get here quickly.”

He stashed her suitcase in the backseat of his truck, and a few minutes later they were on their way to the interstate.