A Deal With God: The Power of One (21 page)

Nonetheless, she wanted to have fun with the boys over Christmas break and spend time with them. Together they enjoyed fishing at the lake; Christmas shopping and watching some new movies at the theater. Like Deana had told Luke, you have to make the most of your time off.

The following Monday night, Deana and Mark went for a walk and a chat session. Deana told Mark about Matthew sharing the old man McCarthy story. Mark replied that his friends had pulled an even bigger prank at school three and a half weeks ago.

“There’s a 7th grader named Myron who is in three of my classes. He’s a real goober. Very few of my friends can stand him. For some reason, he always puts his cell phone in his locker during classes. We figure his mother tells him to do this so he won’t be tempted to text during class and get his phone taken away.”

“Mark, I hope you never pick on this boy.”

“I always ignore him, but two boys who really dislike Myron played the ultimate prank on him and our Math teacher. One boy looked over Myron’s shoulder when he was opening his lock on his locker. They got his combination code and got into his locker after he had walked away to his next class. They took his cell phone and lock, and then went to an old part of the building where no one goes anymore. There were a couple of lockers in this abandoned room. They activated the record function on the cell phone and utilized a twenty five minute stagger. They banged on the lockers and yelled, “Help me, let me out. You’ve got to help me. I’m stuck in here and I can’t get out. Please! I’m claustrophobic!”

Mark glanced at Deana to make sure he had her attention before continuing his story.

“They took the cell phone to Math class. The one boy distracted the teacher while the second boy put Myron’s cell phone into an empty locker and put Myron’s lock on the locker. About twenty minutes into the class everyone hears a banging from the back lockers. Then they heard: “Help me, let me out. You’ve got to help me. I’m stuck in here and I can’t get out. Please! I’m claustrophobic!”

“The teacher went to get the maintenance man while all the students laughed hysterically. He brought big bolt cutters and busted Myron’s lock. The Math teacher was furious and confiscated Myron’s cell phone.”

Mark grinned triumphantly as tears of laughter streamed down Deana’s face.

“I told you my prank story was funnier than Matthew’s.”

After completing their Holiday musical performances at church, Mrs. Jarvis, Deana and Gary all admitted they didn’t sound as good as they would have liked. They hadn’t practiced enough. The three agreed, as a New Year’s resolution, to work harder during the new year.

Every Monday and Tuesday at 10am they’d meet at church to rehearse. Both Gary and Mrs. Jarvis were retired; and, with all three boys in school Deana now had the time to practice with them. Gary loved Classic Rock and Blues music and he taught Deana some intricate guitar licks. Deana enjoyed expanding her musical horizons. Gary joked she would be less of a yahoo now.

Deana did the extra Special Night again with the boys in the spring. Like last year Deana attended concerts with Matthew and Luke. She then went to Turner Field again with Mark to see another pro baseball game. On Mother’s Day, Leon and the boys had a surprise for Deana. Leon purchased five tickets to a Memorial Day bash featuring four of the most popular country bands on tour. Deana was ecstatic. It ended up being her favorite concert. It was also the first concert she ever attended with Leon.

It was now the end of another school year and Matthew was graduating from Middle School. Next fall he would start High School. The boys’ summer vacation was Deana’s favorite three months of the year. She enjoyed helping Matthew and Mark with their football training and getting Luke ready for soccer season. She loved having the boys at home and not being alone during the day.

Tuesday June 7th, 2016 Matthew was looking forward to talking with Deana on their walk. They left the house earlier than they usually did.

“Matthew, what’s wrong?”

“Cherie told me she wants to go in a different direction; she wants some kind of change. I have no idea what she’s talking about, I was hoping you might know.”

“I have a feeling I may know what she’s thinking, but I’d hate myself if I gave you my opinion and then found out I was wrong.”

“Deana, even if you’re wrong, I’d still like to know what you think.”

“OK, here it goes. You and Cherie will both be starting High School next fall. Lots of guys will probably be interested in going out with her. She may feel if she comes into High School with a boyfriend she’ll be limiting her options. I hope I’m wrong.”

“To be honest, I kind of get the feeling you’re right.”

“Will you still be talking to each other over the summer, even if it’s just over the phone? The best way to find out the answer to your question is to ask her.”

“That sounds like a good idea, thanks. I really like taking these walks with you.”

Matthew did a really mature thing that greatly impressed Deana. There was no way Deana and Leon, even with the help of Mrs. Richards, could get all three boys to separate practices. Matthew had one more year of eligibility to play city league football again with Mark; but playing High School football was more prestigious. However, High School football practice was 4 to 6pm every week day. To make matters worse, the games were Friday nights when Deana was working. Plus, there would be no one to pick Matthew up Thursday nights unless Deana missed work.

On top of that, Leon would have to drive extra every day of the week instead of the usual three days like last year if Matthew played school ball. After Leon spent all day driving at work, it was asking a lot for him to shuttle the boys back and forth to practice each day.

Being a team player, Matthew skipped his freshman year of High School football and played one more year of city ball with Mark.

With the boys’ busy schedules, it was getting harder and harder for Deana and Leon to get away. But, they did the best they could. Leon’s birthday in April was on a Friday and he took off from work to celebrate it with Deana at the lake.

Deana’s birthday, August 22nd, was a Monday. Leon took the day off from work to celebrate with her. Their anniversary was on a Wednesday. They both took off from work. On both of their birthdays and their anniversary, Deana packed an extra special picnic lunch and she and Leon celebrated at the lake together, just the two of them. They were three of the most fun and wonderful days of Deana’s life.

Luke was now turning seven and playing U8 soccer. He was bigger and taller than most of the other boys and had more experience playing soccer. Because of Luke, his team was very good. The coaching director at Luke’s soccer club wanted Luke’s team to play in a competitive tournament. He signed Luke’s team up to play in a Columbus Day Weekend tournament October 8–10. The tournament would be held in Atlanta. Luke and Deana were excited about the opportunity to go up against some very high quality teams.

September 12th, 2016, was a sad day at Vito’s restaurant. Robert the cook was leaving Dothan to move to Columbus, Georgia. He’d met a young lady who owned a graphics design company in Columbus and they were going to get married. Since it would be easy to get a job as a cook in Columbus and too difficult for his fianc�e to move her business to Dothan, Robert was moving to Columbus. Columbus is about a two hour drive from Dothan.

Deana had mixed feelings. She was thrilled for Robert, but good cooks were hard to find. Plus, she considered Robert a close friend and hated to see him leave. Robert had treated Deana with respect from day one. He looked after her like he would his own sister. She also appreciated his help at her wedding.

“Robert, I’ll never forget all of the wonderful things you’ve done for me.” Deana wiped a few tears from her eyes as she spoke. “Thank you so much for saving my wedding and being such a good friend and co–worker.” She gave Robert a big hug and then went into the break room to compose herself. She was really going to miss him.

Luke’s soccer team had won seven games, lost only one and had two ties during the regular season. The tournament in Atlanta was a bonus for doing so well. It would give them a chance to see how they measured up to top level competition.

Luke’s team lost the first game 3–1. They seemed surprised by how good the other team was. His team played much better the second game and it ended in a 2–2 tie. Luke, however, was frustrated because he hadn’t scored a goal yet.

In the third game, Luke did score, as did two of his teammates. They won the game 3–2. The win and the tie qualified them to advance to the semi–finals. Luke’s team lost 2–0, but it was a very well played game by both teams. Deana was pleased to see Luke play so well against such good opponents.

In Athens, Matthew and Mark’s city league football team had a rough season. Their starting quarterback was hurt in game five and had to miss the rest of the season. The offense, with a new quarterback, struggled mightily. The defense, however, was the best in the league. Mark had sixteen sacks, Matthew had eleven. The run defense allowed the least amount of rushing yards in the league. The fact they finished with a winning record, six wins, four losses, was a huge statement of how well their defense actually played.

Mr. Vito hired a new cook. He was a man in his mid–forties named Leo. Leo really had his hands full trying to replace Robert. Mr. Vito would sometimes have to go into the kitchen and help Leo when the restaurant got really busy. Weekends, in particular, were very chaotic.

Delores and Peggy frequently complained to Mr. Vito about Leo. Deana never did. She knew Leo was doing his best and it was only a matter of time before he’d settle in. Leo was grateful for Deana’s patience. Slowly, but surely, Leo did improve. He never forgot which server showed him compassion.

By the time Thanksgiving arrived, Deana definitely needed a few days off. Leon had been promising her something extra special this year. Deana awoke just before 6am Thanksgiving morning. Leon slept until 10am so he would be nice and rested for all of the driving he would be doing over the course of the day and night. Deana cooked a beautiful 16lb turkey. As she did every year, she made her bread, celery and onion stuffing. She boiled and mashed real potatoes. Deana put the mashed potatoes in a very large casserole dish then proceeded to bake cheese into the potatoes. She finished her part of the meal by boiling three pounds of green beans which she flavored with butter.

Claire made another pitiful Thanksgiving turkey. This time it just sat on the table. No one even tried to eat it.

Leon, Deana and the boys left for the Johnson’s even earlier than usual. Deana slept in the truck as Leon drove to Macon. After they dropped off the boys, Leon headed the truck north toward Tennessee. The happy couple was heading back to Gatlinburg like last year. This year, however, Leon had something special planned for Deana.

When they arrived at their cabin in Gatlinburg, Leon prepared the living room fireplace. Soon, the firewood became golden embers emitting heat. Deana and Leon fell asleep in front of the fireplace wrapped together in blankets.

Friday morning, Deana and Leon woke up to a gorgeous Smoky Mountain sunrise. It was breathtaking; but also very cold. Over the years Deana had tried to adapt to a colder climate than what she’d grown up in. But the truth was, she still had a lot of cracker in her.

Leon’s big surprise was that they were taking a three and a half hour jaunt to Nashville, Tennessee. Deana was overjoyed. She’d wanted to visit Nashville since she was a teenager. Nashville is the home of country music. Leon told her they were going to Music Row. Music Square East and Music Square West combine to make Music Row. Leon was going to take Deana on a studio tour so she could see where some of her favorite music was made.

The drive through north central Tennessee was stunning. Leon and Deana drove through the Appalachian Mountains, Cumberland Plateau, the Eastern Highland Rim and finally the Nashville Basin. Their directions led them to 16th and 17th Avenue South and Division Street. This section of Music Row serves as the headquarters of America’s Country Music industry.

Deana was thrilled at the thought of visiting RCA’s famed Studio B, where hundreds of famous musicians, including Elvis Presley, have recorded.

The Music City Walk of Fame on Demonbreun Street is across the street from the Country Music Hall of Fame. It pays tribute to Nashville’s legendary musicians. Leon and Deana had a blast taking in all of the sights and sounds. The music made in Nashville played a very important role in Deana and Leon’s lives and their relationship.

Deana did not care how much Gary at church teased her, she was proud to be a yahoo!

CHAPTER 18
DEANA TURNS THIRTY AND OTHER MILESTONES

Christmas and New Year’s were on perfect days this year. Christmas Eve was Saturday, so Deana was off Saturday night. Christmas was on Sunday, so she had only one church service to prepare for. Most importantly, she wouldn’t have to be back to work until Wednesday night.

Christmas day was another interesting event at the elder Samuel’s house. As agreed to, Claire would bake and bring the ham and Deana would make the sides. Deana baked a beautiful macaroni and cheese casserole along with a broccoli and cheese casserole. She fried four pounds of okra. She concluded by baking an extra large, out of this world, peach pie.

Claire showed up with a pork shoulder that looked and tasted like a big piece of Spam. Even Lester and Julie seemed embarrassed by Claire’s lack of effort.

“Deana honey, may I ask a favor of you?” the Colonel asked in a very polite way.

“Yes sir.”

“Will you please make the Christmas ham from now on? Claire’s ham really sucks.”

As a family Christmas gift, Leon bought tickets for himself, Deana, and the boys to a huge theme park in Atlanta. Leon would take them Monday, the day after Christmas, because he got it off work as a vacation day.