A Deal With God: The Power of One (7 page)

Deana and Luke played soccer on the beach. It was too cold to swim but the water was pretty. They ran around in the sand and had a blast. By the time they got back to Deana’s place, Luke was exhausted. While Luke enjoyed a much needed nap, Deana practiced her guitar.

Deana had borrowed a few children’s books from Delores. Luke’s diction and word annunciation were poor for a 3 year old. Deana read to Luke and had Luke read to her. Deana could tell it would be a slow process, but one that she’d enjoy.

It was time to head back to Leon’s. The boys would be home soon and she needed to start dinner. Tonight’s meal would include pork chops, baked apples, yellow rice and peas.

Deana was thankful the meal was easy to prepare. She wanted to help Matthew and Mark with their homework; both boys had quite a bit. Deana showed them how to organize their assignments; this would help them focus on the task at hand.

She called Mr. Vito to see if she could come in a little late. He gave her an extra half an hour.

Both boys seemed very bright. They did their work without asking too many questions.

Leon was surprised to see Deana still at his house. She explained how important it was for the boys to get caught up as quickly as possible.

“Speaking of getting caught up,” Leon said. “I went to the bank and did as you said. I’ll have your one hundred and fifty dollars back to you tomorrow and I’ll make another mortgage payment on the 23rd. But how do I repay you for all of this food?”

“Don’t worry about it, Leon. I would have had to buy most of it for myself anyway and much of it would’ve been wasted. I’m glad food doesn’t get wasted here; it makes me feel good that someone enjoys my cooking.”

Deana changed into her work uniform in Leon’s bathroom. She then took the PlayStation and controllers from her car, and reconnected the system. “Leon, if the boys study and work hard until 8pm it’s all right with me if they play video games until they go to bed. Is that all right with you?”

“Sounds good. I know tomorrow night you don’t get off work until after 10pm, but since it’s Friday night do you think you might be able to come back over after work?”

“I’d really like that.” Deana replied with a smile.

She kissed the boys goodbye and drove to Vito’s. Deana was flattered Leon wanted to see her tomorrow; but, she was still unsure about his feelings toward her.

On Friday, Deana’s routine was similar to the day before. She and Luke walked Matthew and Mark to their bus. Luke earned another quarter. She helped the boys with their studies as she prepared pot roast, potatoes, and carrots for dinner.

When she left at 4:35pm for work she told the boys they could play video games tonight if they agreed to let her tutor them tomorrow morning. The boys were happy with that.

For the first time since she started working at Vito’s, it was actually busy. Time flew by and before Deana knew it, it was ten o’clock. She cleaned her station and sped home to shower and change.

She got to Leon’s by 10:50pm.

“I didn’t think you were going to make it,” Leon said. “I have something for you.”

Leon handed her an envelope and a lovely bouquet of flowers. “The envelope has the money I owe you.. The flowers are my way of saying thank you for all your help. I really appreciate everything you’ve done.”

Deana almost cried. But, she kept her composure and told Leon she was glad to help out. She thanked him for making her feel so comfortable and welcome.

Deana said she’d be back tomorrow morning around 10am to tutor the boys some more. She asked Leon if they could watch a college football game together in the afternoon. Leon smiled and nodded ‘yes.’

Just before midnight, Deana drove home and put her flowers in a clear glass vase with water. It felt nice to receive flowers.

While Deana was tutoring the boys on Saturday, they asked her if she would come over early Sunday morning before church so they could have breakfast together. Deana realized they were getting tired of cereal every morning.

On Sunday morning, Deana arrived at 7:45am and fixed the Samuels a real Southern breakfast with eggs, biscuits, grits and country sausage. Instead of driving separate vehicles to church, Deana rode in the truck with Leon and the boys. The five of them entered the church together with Luke in Deana’s arms. Leon was clean shaven and the boys looked picture perfect. Members of the congregation could see they really were a beautiful family together.

Monday morning, Deana made the Samuels her chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Leon left first for work; then Matthew and Mark headed for the bus stop. Luke and Deana did their workout then went to the grocery store. This was usually Luke’s nap time so he was cranky.

While they were in the check–out line Luke grabbed a bag of Craddles. Craddles are candy coated sugar tarts. When Deana told him ‘No,’ Luke threw a fit.

People in the store were waiting for Deana to scold or spank Luke. She did neither. Instead, she took out her cell phone, pressed a button and pointed it at Luke as he yelled and screamed. When Luke finally stopped, Deana apologized to everyone around her and promised it would never happen again.

She paid her bill, carried Luke and her groceries to her car and drove home. She did not look at Luke or say one word to him; it was silent the entire way home.

When they got back to Deana’s, she got out her lap top computer which had an eighteen inch screen. She connected her cell phone to the computer and pressed a button to play the video of Luke’s tantrum on the computer screen.

Luke was horrified. Deana took full advantage of this.

“When I show this video to your brothers, what do you think they will say about this?” Deana asked.

“When I show this video to your father, what do you think he will say and do? Your father told you to cooperate for me. Do you think this is appropriate behavior?”

“No Ma’am,” Luke said fighting back his tears. “Please don’t show this to them. I will do gooder next time.”

Deana did not want to laugh. “Tell me you will do ‘better’ next time. I also expect you to do better every time. If you ever do this again, I will tape your next tantrum and edit it with this tantrum to make one long video. I will then show it to everyone on the big screen television.”

Luke never challenged Deana again.

Around 2pm, Deana sent Leon a text message:
If I may use your stove again tonight, I will make my fried chicken you guys liked. I’m off work again tomorrow so I can stay up late. I would love to have someone to watch the football game with.

She did not need to wait long for Leon’s response:
That would be great.

Luke was already asleep in her bed. Since she’d be staying up late tonight, a nap seemed like a great idea. She set her phone alarm for 3:30 and dozed on the couch.

Luke, Deana, Matthew and Mark all got to the Samuels’ house at the same time. Deana cooked fried chicken and the boys studied and did their schoolwork. After dinner, Deana cleaned up and then played Luke in soccer on the PlayStation. Later, she helped Matthew and Mark finish their assignments.

At 8pm Matthew and Mark were allowed to play the video games. Deana read a book to Luke and put him to bed. Just after 8:30 the football game came on. At 9:00 she kissed Matthew and Mark good–night.

Deana walked into the living room. “Well it’s just the two of us.” She took a seat in a chair next to the couch Leon was on.

Every time Leon watched football with Deana it never ceased to amaze him how well she understood the game. She recognized many of the players and appreciated the strategy. Plus, it was pretty cool to watch football with someone that could give the cheerleaders a run for their money in the looks department.

Late in the fourth quarter, the game was out of hand. With about four minutes left, Leon got up which Deana took as a cue to head for home. Leon went to kiss her good–night but she was exhausted and missed his signal. She walked right past him and out the door.

It wasn’t until she was sitting in her car that she realized what had just happened. She thought to herself: I hope I didn’t hurt his feelings. It might be a good idea if I show him at least some affection. I’ll have to see what I can come up with tomorrow.

The next morning Deana picked up Luke and they did their usual routine. For dinner, she’d fix hot dogs for the boys and a rib eye steak for Leon. She wanted him to be in a good mood.

At 9:30pm all three boys were in bed. Deana and Leon watched TV together until eleven. As Deana was getting ready to head home, she took the initiative to kiss Leon good–bye. Leon was sitting on the couch and looked pleasantly surprised when Deana approached him.

Deana put her left leg in between Leon’s legs and leaned over to give him a very small kiss on the lips. Deana completely lost her balance and realized there was no way for Leon to keep her from tumbling onto him without having to grab her in a very private part of her body.

She knew it was all her fault and she was preparing to be completely humiliated. Deana had no idea how Leon did what he did. He somehow got his right arm all the way around the small of her back. His large strong hand caught her in between the top of her hip and bottom of her lowest right rib. Deana’s mouth was now three inches from Leon’s.

Deana was so grateful. Instead of a one second kiss, she gave Leon a ten second kiss. It was Deana’s way of rewarding the most chivalrous act any man had ever shown her.

With most twenty–five year old women the above incident would not have been a big deal. With Deana things are different. Because of what had happened to her in her past she had trust issues with men.

By treating her with respect, what Leon had just done went a long way to alleviate those trust issues.

CHAPTER 7
MEET THE IN–LAWS

It was 4:55pm, Wednesday night. Deana was back at Vito’s. Thanksgiving was only eight days away. In previous years the Friday, Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving were particularly slow. Mr. Vito said he’d only need two waitresses on those nights. Besides getting Thanksgiving off, each waitress would get a bonus day off.

Peggy had the most seniority and wanted Sunday off. Delores chose Saturday. That left Deana with Friday off. With two days off in a row, she would have time to drive back to Tampa early Thursday morning, have dinner and spend Friday with the Wilsons like she usually did. She could drive back Saturday morning and be home in time for work Saturday night.

But, something was telling Deana to stay in Georgia. The six hour drive really made her nervous. Recalling the drive up three weeks ago still gave her the shakes.

Also, Deana was hoping Leon would invite her to spend Thanksgiving with the Samuels. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to stay home, catch up on her sleep and practice some new songs on her guitar.

Saturday morning would be the next time she would have time to talk to Leon. Due to their work schedules, Leon and Deana did not get to see each other that much Wednesday through Friday.

At the restaurant, Mr. Vito had been noticing a change in his customer base. The number of families and couples was about the same. But a lot more single people were stopping in. It wasn’t just young single guys either. It was a mix of men and women; young and old.

When Deana first started working at Vito’s three weeks ago, she did something he had mixed emotions about. If the restaurant was slow and a single person came in Deana would make an extra effort to talk with them. Perhaps, more importantly she would listen to them; kind of like a bartender for people that didn’t go to bars.

One day Mr. Vito asked her about it; he wasn’t sure he liked one of his servers chatting so much with the customers.

Deana explained, “No matter how good our food or service may be, there are only so many times a family can afford to eat out. Single people, however, can afford to dine out more frequently. As a matter of fact, sometimes they can even save money because they aren’t buying food at the grocery store that ends up getting wasted. Being single, I can empathize with anyone who would prefer not to eat alone. It’s nice to have a place to go and have a friend who will listen to you and your problems. With the holidays coming up, single people may be our best customers.”

After hearing her reasoning, Mr. Vito nodded his approval.

On Saturday morning, Deana arrived at the Samuels at 9am. She had not seen Leon since Tuesday night. Leon had gotten a haircut. He was starting to look more like the attractive man in the photograph that had caught her eye.

She made breakfast and helped the boys with their schoolwork. For three solid hours they studied. Deana focused on math and how to construct sentences. She also gave them some pointers on how to take good notes.

By 1pm, major strides had been made. Deana let Matthew and Mark play video games while Luke took a nap. Deana peeked into the living room and noticed Leon was watching football on TV. “Could you stand a little company?”

“Absolutely” Leon replied. “By the way, have you decided what you’re doing for Thanksgiving? Are you going home to Tampa or staying here?”

“I haven’t decided yet. Next week is going to be strange. I’m off Monday and Tuesday. I work Wednesday and I’m off again on Thursday and Friday; but I have to work all weekend.”

Leon nodded. “I have a favor to ask you. We always go to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving. My folks are in their early seventies and my mom doesn’t really cook much anymore. Claire, my sister– in–law, and Rebeccah always cooked turkeys and sides at home so we could bring all of the food prepared to my parents house.”

Leon continued, “You’re so great in the kitchen; I was hoping you might be up for handling the cooking and spending the day with us. I understand how much work it is and I understand if you say no, but you are such a great cook and I would love to spend Thanksgiving with you. The boys feel the same way. I know it’s a lot of work, but I promise to make it up to you.”

“I’m pretty sure I can put together a decent Thanksgiving dinner for you. You do have my curiosity going though. What did you have in mind when you said you’d make it up to me?”