Finding Kylie (31 page)

             
Timothy rested his hands on her hips and leaned in again.  He brushed his lips across hers before dipping down for deeper kiss, which was slow and smooth.  As his tongue gently played with hers, it was the perfect balance of passion and control.  It was aggressive without taking over, and it left Chastity with unexpected emotions. 

             
His kiss transitioned her from secretly wanting him, to openly needing him.  She never knew what it meant to be connected to someone.  She’d heard about it, but never truly understood until now. 

             
Unexpected sounds of giggles interrupted them from across the fountain.  When Timothy and Chastity finally pulled apart, they noticed a small group of teenage girls, who were curiously staring at them. Chastity was tempted to laugh along with them.  She certainly felt like a teenage girl at the moment.

             
“They probably think we’re too old for this sort of behavior,” she teased.

             
“C’mon Ms. Wayne.  Let’s go,” he took her hand to walk back to his car, where an audience wouldn’t be welcome.

Chapter 4
1

             
Before packing the last of her belongings, Chastity picked up her phone to text Anne her flight information.  As she dropped her phone back onto the side table, she sat down on the bed to contemplate her time in Oklahoma.  Although she’d been there only a month, it seemed like a lifetime, as she uncovered a part of her she never thought possible. 

             
Her biggest achievement was that she could now close the door on the emptiness in her heart, and fill the void with family she’d always wondered about.  In the last two weeks, she spent quite a bit of time with Jesse and his family.  She even brought her sketchpad their home, to start a new project.  She wasn’t finished yet, but planned to mail it to Alex when she was.

             
Timothy left after his weekend home, but kept in contact via phone every day or night depending on their schedules.  They made plans to see each other as soon as she came back to California.  She was slowly sinking into a routine with him that she didn’t want to give up.

             
Jesse and Lauri had invited her to come stay with them next time she was in town, but Chastity wasn’t sure when she’d be back, she didn’t want to put off her someday trip any longer than necessary.  It was one of two life long dreams she needed to fulfill.  She’d marked one of her list, and now it was time for Venice.

             
Well, I didn’t find my dad.  It turns out that I don’t want to, but I got the next best thing,
Chastity smiled. 

             
Now, she could leave in peace, as Jesse and his family had given her exactly what she needed.  They made her feel like a part of their family, which took her one step closer to being complete.  Finally, she could breathe without pain in the center of her being. 

             
I have family. You were enough mom, but I’m glad I’m not alone.  It helps somehow to know that I can reach out and the three of them are there.  I hope you understand.

             
Chastity’s thoughts were interrupted when her phone beeped with text from Anne, which read: ‘call me when you arrive.  I’ll be there!  Can’t wait to see you.’ 

             
She smiled in anticipation, and stood to finish packing. She missed her best friend, and couldn’t wait to get home and return to her routine. 

             
It won’t be for long though.

             
She set both suitcases by the bedroom door, and did a last minute checklist.  All that was left was her carry-on and her mom’s journals.  She’d been reading one at a time, little by little. 

             
The last of the journal held letters to Chastity from Kylie.  Her mom was cataloging her weekly growth and monthly progress. Last night she read another entry that deeply touched her heart.

Dear little one,

             
You’re growing up so fast. You’re such a little helper.  You’re 18 months old now, and are 23 pounds.  Good for you! 

             
I used to have to wait until bedtime to write to you, but you’re next to me at the moment with a crayon, drawing on scrap paper.  You like red best right now. It was the first color you reacted to as a baby. 

             
I’m glad that right now you’re content to scribble as long as we’re next to one another.  You like to draw so much.

             
You’re also quit the speaker … talk about a vocabulary!  It only has to be said once and you’ll mimic it.  Your favorites right now are: hole, purse (pur), cracker, and I love you.  The words aren’t perfect, but I know what you’re saying.

             
Oh, sweetheart! You’re holding my arm with one hand while you’re drawing with the other.  Pat-pat-pat on my arm and back.  You have no idea how wonderful that feels to me. 

             
You’re so affectionate and I love you so much.  I never knew I’d feel this way.  I didn’t know if I had it in me to feel this for you.

             
Now, if I could only get you to sleep through the night, and stop throwing everything away in the trash.  I hope I will have time to write to you next week.  You’re starting to keep me so busy.  Seems like lately all you want to do is play. 

             
Oops!  Up you just went and I have to go get you to make sure you don’t get into any trouble. 

Much love to you,

Mommy

              Chastity finished the journal entry, with bittersweet resolve.  With only a few pages left, she wasn’t ready for it to be done yet.  She packed the journal in her carry-on, and zipped it closed.

             
When I finish reading, how will I feel close to her?

             
“Hey, I’ve got these.”  Dave popped in the room and reached for her bags.  “After all the shopping you’ve been doing, I’m surprised you didn’t have to buy another suitcase.”

             
Chastity sheepishly smiled. “I mailed some back to Anne to store for me until I return.”

             
“Ahh!  I knew you weren’t that good at packing.  I wondered where it all went.  You ready?”

             
“Yeah, I think so.  Is Whit coming with you guys to drop me off?”

             
“No, she had youth group, at church, tonight, but she said she loves you and she’ll see you soon.  I think she wants to come visit you out there.”

             
“She’s welcome!  You all are Uncle Dave.” She hugged him, and then grabbed her purse.  “I’m going to miss you guys.  Thank you for letting me stay.  I know I’ve been here a while.”

             
“Forget about it,” Dave said in his best Italian mafia voice.  “Besides it’s been good for Cheryl.  She needed this visit almost as much as you did. Come on kiddo.”  He nudged her out the door.

             
Cheryl was already waiting by the car, when they got there. “You ready to go home?” She wrapped an arm around Chastity’s waist. 

             
They leaned against the car, as Dave loaded Chastity’s luggage in the trunk. 

             
“I think so.  I’ve done everything I’ve come for.” Her face softened with appreciation.

             
“What about seeing your grandfather?”  Cheryl raised her eyebrow.

             
“No, I’m not interested at this point.  Jesse asked me if I’d go with him before I left, but I just couldn’t make myself do it. I can’t even make myself say my grandfather.  Anyways, Jackson is so much a part of what happened to my mom … I’m still too angry.”  She took a deep breath before finishing. “I’ve overcome most of it but I’m not ready to meet someone who did so much to hurt us.”

             
Cheryl was secretly glad to hear it.  Even though forgiveness was healing, meeting Jackson wasn’t something she thought would help the healing process at this point in her life.   Jesse was one thing, but Jackson was another.

             
Cheryl didn’t think it would be good to open herself up for more hurt.  If John found out his daughter had visited the nursing home, he’d be on the next plane to find her.  She knew Chastity wasn’t read for that.

             
After she said her goodbyes at the airport and made her way to her gate, she dialed Timothy for a quick pre-boarding call.  She couldn’t believe how much she missed him.  She was set to arrive in California at 4 p.m. and he was flying in the next day. Neither one could wait.

             
To her, it felt like love even though she’d never experienced it before.  Her mom certainly never fell in love, but always told her she’d know it when she saw it.

             
To make it even crazier, she knew her mom would have approved of Timothy … and she didn’t approve of anyone.

             
You chose him to handle your account, so you surely approved of him mom.   You just didn’t know you were approving of him for me, or did you? So, thank you. 

             
As his voicemail picked up, she spoke softly into the receiver, to keep those around her from hearing.             

             
“Hey, you … sorry I missed you.  You’re probably out deliberating or something.  Maybe when I get back you can hold me in contempt of court.  Call me.” She smiled as she hit the end button on her cell and picked up her overnight bag to board.

Chapter 42

             
After connecting through Dallas and landing in L.A., Chastity felt like she’d been traveling for days instead of hours.  The finality of her trip hit her when she got her bags from the baggage claim and headed to meet Anne. Although she missed her friends and family in Oklahoma, there was no place like home.

             
“Chastity!”  She heard from behind, spinning around just in time to see Anne, before she tackled her into a big hug. 

             
“Hey you!”  Anne squeezed her tight, before reaching for one of her bags.  “Brent is circling with the car.  I made him drop me off so I could surprise you.”

             
“Brent?”  Chastity narrowed her twinkling eyes.  “You’ve been keeping something from me?”
          Anne smiled in return.  “Not really.  There just hasn’t been much to tell … besides, you’ve had your hands full with family matters and I didn’t want to bore you with anything that may or may not be happening back here.”

             
“Whatever!”  Chastity smirked back.  Her cell phone started to blare her new ring tone, which played ‘
Love Shack’
by the B-52’s.  She glanced down at the side pocket of her purse, and saw Timothy’s face popping up on her caller ID.  She quickly pushed the button to silence it, and tucked it down deeper within her purse, out of view.

             
“So?” Anne asked, noticing the handsome mug on her friend’s phone before she could disguise it. “That’s a new ring tone you’ve downloaded, and…”

             
Chastity rolled her eyes and changed the subject.  “Man, it’s good to be home.  I’ve missed you!” 

             
She pulled Anne in for another hug, hoping she’d let the subject drop.

             
“No, it’s not that easy miss Chaz!  It looks like you’re the one who’s hiding something from me?”  It was Anne’s turn to stare down her friend, and she loved every minute of it.

             
Chastity smiled and wrinkled her nose.  “It’s nothing … really.”

             
“Nothing!” Anne’s eyes were the size of half dollars.  “Okay, now I know it serious.”

             
“It’s maybe a little something.”  Chastity couldn’t keep herself from smiling.