“It taught me how to work towards something with a purpose. I can do one thing at a time. What gets me in trouble is when I get overwhelmed with too much stuff pulling me in different directions. My current promise is to save enough money to buy a house.
“I want you all to go home and make one promise to yourself. It can be big or small. No rules. But make it something that you feel will make a difference in your life,” he concluded.
When we had sermons like this, I really liked church. Maybe I could talk my mom into doing Sunday evenings instead of dragging our butts out of bed.
◊◊◊
On my way home from church, I sent Scarlet a text to tell her I would be back at my apartment shortly. I said goodnight to my mom and went upstairs. A few minutes later, Scarlet walked into the living room, wearing a nice dress. She seemed nervous, as if she were afraid I might be upset with her.
I smiled softly and silently motioned her over to me. She walked to me, her hands clasped in front of her. I indicated I wanted her to sit next to me on the couch. Scarlet sat down, curled her legs under herself, and laid her head on my chest. Wrapping an arm around her, I reached up with my free hand to gently stroke her soft hair.
I started talking to her softly, telling her how much I cared for her and stressed that I would always keep her and Carol safe. Scarlet didn’t say a word but kept her head on my chest.
Cindy was right. Scarlet looked truly happy and content. It was as if all her troubles had fled, and she was finally able to let go of whatever had been worrying her.
I relaxed with her in my arms. After a while, I realized she’d fallen asleep. I gently eased her off my chest, placed a couch pillow under her head, and covered her with a throw blanket. It was the most peaceful moment I’d had all weekend. I felt my heart do the Grinch thing and expand in my chest. I promised myself that I would figure all this out so Scarlet would be happy.
Then I smiled. It was funny how the sermon came into play so soon after hearing it. What I had to realize was all of my family needed various things from me, unique to each of them. If I wanted this to work, I would have to find out what those were so they could be happy.
Family relationships were a give and take. I was no longer alone in the center of my universe; others had joined me. What I knew was that I wanted them all to be there with me. My life would be empty without them.
◊◊◊ Monday March 13
Manaia drove Cassidy and me to school. We were in the back seat, and I was checking social media on my phone. I was impressed that nothing about me being at a strip club seemed to have leaked out. Frank would be disappointed he didn’t get to gouge me for extra money as my PR guy.
“Hey,” Cassidy said to get my attention.
“What’s up, Buttercup?” I asked.
“Is it always like that for you?”
“Sorry, but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I’m trying to figure out why I threw myself at Hayden. It may have been a mistake,” Cassidy admitted.
Several responses ran through my head. Logically, she should have known that if she hooked up with him, it would never go anywhere. Long-distance relationships never worked, as far as I knew. Especially when they’d just met, and she was still in high school, and he would turn pro in a year.
I was a great example. Brook and I cared for each other deeply, and we separated when she moved to Cincinnati. But this clearly wasn’t a matter of logic for Cassidy.
“Did he mistreat you? We can rent a plane after school, and I can have a one-on-one talk with him for you,” I said, acting tough.
“No. It wasn’t that. I think he’s secretly in love with Tawny.”
She did pick up on that.
“You may be right.”
That didn’t make her happy, but I wasn’t going to lie to her.
“Hey,” I said. “I don’t think he has a chance with her, if it makes you feel any better.”
“Why’s that?” she asked.
I chuckled.
“You know, what I was about to say would end up making you kick my butt.”
“Just say it.”
“I didn’t get the impression that she would be interested in someone like him. She doesn’t want a guy to just sleep with her, and her to become another notch on his bedpost.”
“Are you saying I’m …”
“Hell, no!” I said, interrupting where that was going.
She looked me in the eye to see if I was telling her the truth. Then she slumped back in her seat.
“Honestly, I thought he would be a lot like you.”
“But he had small … uh … hands,” I said with a straight face.
That earned me a slug in my arm.
“Shut up! I’m not talking about that,” she complained and then slugged me again when I got a big smile.
“I can’t help that he came up short in the bedroom … ow!” I yelped.
“Don’t make me come back there,” Manaia said from the front seat, doing his best dad impersonation.
That cracked us both up.
I reached over and pulled her into my arms.
“You know I love you,” I said.
“Yeah, I do.”
“Next time, just treat it as a hookup and have fun.”
“Like you and Lexi?” Cassidy asked.
“Exactly like that.”
