Forever Country (15 page)

“
Thank you, Abel
Lee.”

“
Savannah Mae.” I look down
at her and take a deep breath. “Would you like to go out with me on
New Year’s Eve?”
We’ve been hanging out
lately, and I think it’s time I asked her out on a real
date.

“
I’m sorry, I can’t. It’s
my holiday to have Sawyer Jackson.”
Oh
yes, the divorce stipulations or maybe this is a polite way for her
to say no.

“
If I can arrange the best
sitter in town to babysit, would you go to the American Legion with
me in Roseville and bring in the New Year, country
style?”

She laughs. “In country style?”

“
In country style,” I
repeat. Because country style is a style of its own.

“
Abel Lee, if you can get a
sitter for Sawyer Jackson on New Year’s Eve, I’ll be happy to go
out with you.”

The way she said that
sounds like it will be almost impossible to do.
How hard is it to find a sitter on New Year’s Eve?

“
Good, I’ll be in
touch.”

“
And not just any
babysitter,” she adds.

“
No, ma’am. Wouldn’t dream
of leaving your son with just anyone.” I open the door and say,
“Good night, Savannah Mae.”

“
Good night, Abel
Lee.”

When I get home, I take my guitar and head
out to the barn. Bluebelle and Colonel are standing at the stall
door. “Hey, girl, did you miss me?” I stroke her and feed her a few
sugar cubes.

Colonel stands there and patiently waits his
turn. It’s probably the only time I’ve ever seen him calm. I
cautiously raise my hand to pet him. He moves slightly but allows
me to stroke his nose. “I didn’t forget about you, ole boy.”

Colonel takes the sugar cubes from my hands
and eats them. I walk over and prop myself on the hay bales that
sit in the corner of the barn. I form chords, strum the strings,
and play a few songs from Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton. I think
of Savannah Mae and our possible date on New Year’s Eve.

The next morning at breakfast, I ask Momma
about their plans for New Year’s Eve. She tells me that she and
Pops will be going to the American Legion. “What’s on your mind?”
she asks.

“
If I was looking for a
babysitter, where would I find one?”

“
Abel, you got a child out
there we don’t know about?”

I quickly shake my head. “No ma’am, no kids.
I was thinking about taking Savannah Mae to the Legion for New
Year’s.”

“
Findin’ child care on New
Year’s Eve can be almost impossible.” She looks at Pops and says,
“But I do know that Mia and Levi are stayin’ in that night. With
her bein’ pregnant, they don’t want to be out in a
crowd.”

Mia? She’s friends with Savannah Mae. I think
this might work. “Do you think she would watch Sawyer Jackson?”

“
I can’t say. You can
always call her and ask.”

I make plans to call Mia later. “I’ll do
that, thank you.” Pops and I head out to talk to the township about
purchasing the old Rose Farm school.

Later that night, Mia and Levi come over for
dinner. They called Momma and Pops and said they had something to
talk to them about. I feel like it’s important, but Momma and Pops
don’t say anything.

At dinner, Mia begins to talk about the
pregnancy. It looks like she is about to cry and Levi holds her
hands. Momma, Pops, and I stop eating and give them our undivided
attention.

“
As you know,” Levi says,
“Mia had a test done to see if she’s at risk of carrying a baby
with Down syndrome.”

“
This was the routine test
they do with your pre-natal care?” Momma asks.

Mia nods, but doesn’t say anything. Levi says
in a shaky voice, “The test revealed that Mia is at risk and the
baby may have Down syndrome.”

I run through my mind all of the things that
I know about the syndrome. It’s not hereditary, and Mia isn’t over
the age of 35 to put the baby at risk. The severity of the syndrome
varies. I soon realize that I know very little about it. “Are they
certain?” I ask.

Mia tries to smile. “Just because I’m at
risk, doesn’t mean the baby has it.”

Levi explains they did a blood test and Mia
had some abnormal blood levels that indicated the baby may have
Down syndrome.

“
Are there more tests they
can do so you know for sure?” Pops asks.

Mia pipes up, “There are.”

Levi looks at Mia and says, “We talked about
it, and whatever the test reveals won’t change anything. Mia’s
pregnant and we’re thrilled about it. If our child has Down
syndrome, we’ll still love him or her and we’ll take care of her,
no matter what.”

I’m not surprised by his statement, and I
don’t doubt they’ll love and care for their child no matter the
severity of the problem. I just hope the test is wrong.

Momma says as she holds Pops’ hand. “You’re
right, Mia and Levi. It doesn’t matter and we’ll all love the baby,
no matter what.”

The rest of the meal goes by with us talking
about the baby and the pregnancy. Momma and Pops have a way of
making everything seem all right. I know this diagnosis could be a
problem, but if they aren’t concerned, who am I to dwell on it.

I do know that later on that night, I’ll
research Down syndrome.

Savannah Mae

When Abel Lee asked me to go out with him on
New Year’s Eve, I got butterflies in my belly. The good, excited
kind of butterflies. I don’t want to get my hopes up because I know
that childcare will be a problem. Not many people stay home on New
Year’s Eve, and if they do, they are already babysittin’ their
grandbabies or for someone they know. He said he’ll be in touch. I
hope so.

While I work, Ethan, Samantha Marie, and my
parents keep Sawyer Jackson for me. Childcare has never been a
problem for me. I’m grateful for that. I spoke to Ethan and asked
him if he could start pickin’ up and droppin’ off Sawyer Jackson at
my house. I don’t want to have to see Heather Sue if I don’t have
to. I know one day I won’t have a choice, but today, I do.

I work today and I pray for a busy shift,
although I know it’s not likely. Everyone is catchin’ up on their
bills from Christmas. I have a few regulars come in and I’m working
with Mia. A winnin’ combination, although she’s been gettin’ sick
and spendin’ a lot of time in the bathroom.

“
Why don’t you go
home?”

“
It’s just mornin’
sickness. It should pass soon,” she says as she holds up one finger
and runs into the bathroom. 

We aren’t busy, but
business is
steady. After an hour, Mia is
feelin’ better. I forgot how quickly mornin’ sickness comes and
goes. We talk about her pregnancy, and she seems reserved. I wonder
why, but I don’t ask. If it’s something important and she wants me
to know, she’ll tell me. I share with her some things about a
pregnancy, but I don’t tell her everything. The pain, she’ll have
to experience that on her own.

Abel Lee, Nelly, and Bud come in for lunch. I
hug Nelly and Bud like I always do. I want to hug Abel Lee, but I
don’t. I leave and let Mia attend to her table. I have a few
customers and I’m glad for the distraction. Abel Lee said that
he’ll be in touch. He hasn’t, so I’m assumin’ he couldn’t find
childcare.

I glance over at their table a few times and
I catch him watchin’ me. He doesn’t look away like most guys, he
holds my look. I smile but quickly look away. My cheeks warm, and I
hope he can’t see the blush on them. There’s something about him
and the way he looks at me. I like it. I’ve missed the feelin’ of
attraction.

I’m standin’ at the register cashin’ out a
customer when Abel Lee and his family stand to leave. Abel Lee
walks up to me and asks, “What time should I pick you up?”

“
For what?”

“
For our date on New Year’s
Eve.

“
Did you find a
sitter?”

He stands tall and puffs his chest out. “I
did,” he says, proudly.

I can’t help but smile. “Who did you find on
such short notice?” He looks behind him and my eyes follow in that
direction. Mia is standing at the coffee pots. “Mia? Mia is your
babysitter?”

He looks back at me. “What time should I pick
you up?”

We talk it over and decide on a time. They
leave and I’m still smilin’. Mia rushes over and hugs me. “You’re
datin’ my brother-in-law.” She squeals, “One day, we could be
sisters-in-law.”

“
Stop it. We are not
getting’ married.”

“
No, but you are
datin’.”

“
Mia, it’s one date.” I
want her to understand that one date does not mean marriage.
Throughout the day, we talk about what I should wear. Mia is the
fashionable one out of the two of us. She tells me that she’ll be
over to help me find something unforgettable to wear.

Abel Lee

Pops, Momma, and I leave the restaurant and
head to the farm. I’m excited about my upcoming date with Savannah
Mae. It won’t be like other New Year’s Eve celebrations I’ve
attended over the last decade, then again, Savannah Mae isn’t like
the other women I’ve dated.

It’ll be nice not wearing a tuxedo and
spending a few thousand dollars in one evening. I’ll need to find
out what the dress code is for the American Legion.

Mia and Levi haven’t told anyone about her
test that came back abnormal. They are both going about their lives
as excited expectant parents. I was reluctant to ask Mia about
babysitting Sawyer Jackson on New Year’s Eve, but when I mentioned
it, she was excited and eager to keep him. I’m not sure if it’s
because she likes Sawyer Jackson, or she likes the idea of me
dating Savannah Mae. Maybe it’s both.

Momma makes a pot of coffee and we all sit
down at the table. We discuss the meeting with the township over
the Rose Farm School. The school was actually up for sale with no
interested buyers. I put a cash bid in and they accepted it fairly
quickly.

“
So, Abel, what are your
plans for the school?” Pops asks.

“
I’m not sure, to be
honest. I want to do something to benefit everyone in the
township.” I look at Momma. “I want to put in a playground and some
benches, for sure.

“
There’s a lot you could do
with it to benefit the community. A park and playground would be
enjoyable for everyone. I’m sure you’ll decide on something
wonderful,” Momma says.

“
I’ll need to return home
for a while. I’d like to get my condo on the market.”

“
You still plannin’ on
startin’ to work on it this Spring?” Pops pushes aside his empty
coffee cup.

“
Yes, as soon as the
weather breaks.”

I get a rental truck to get through the next
week. I have a date with Savannah Mae and I definitely need my own
vehicle for that. I’ll also need a vehicle to get me to the
airport. I have a truck in New York, and as soon as the condo
sells, I’ll load the truck up with some of my personal belongings
and drive it home.

It’s New Year’s Eve and Momma and Pops left
early to help the American Legion set up for tonight. I’m beginning
to wonder if there isn’t anything that Momma and Pops aren’t
involved in. I decided to wear a pair of jeans, brown boots, a
white button-up shirt, with a brown winter blazer. A little cologne
and I’m ready to pick up Savannah Mae.

I leave a little early to allow time for us
to drop off Sawyer Jackson at Mia and Levi’s house. I’m surprised
to be feeling this excited about seeing Savannah Mae. When I knock
on her door, she yells for me to come in. I stand at the door and
wait.

“
Abel Lee, I’ll be just
another minute. Grab a beer from the fridge if you want, and have a
seat,” she yells from the other room.

I wish that with the killer
still loose, she would be more careful about inviting strangers
into her home.
“How did you know it’s me?”
I stand by the door, not sure if I should make myself at
home.

“
I saw you pull up. Who
else would be knockin’ on my door on New Year’s Eve? You’re early,”
she adds, still from the other room.

“
I wanted to allow enough
time to drop off Sawyer Jackson.” I look around the room and decide
to pass on the beer and have a seat on the couch facing the
hallway. I want to see her when she enters the room.

“
Mia picked him up a couple
hours ago.” Her voice fades deeper into the next room.

“
I didn’t expect Mia to
pick him up.” I stand and walk closer to the hallway, but I still
stay in the living room. If we’re going to have a conversation, I
think I should be closer to her. There’s just something about
yelling from room to room that doesn’t seem right.

I hear footsteps and I move away from the
hallway. Savannah Mae walks into the living room, adjusting her
belt. She’s wearing a pair of skinny jeans with a white button-up
blouse, a brown belt, and a pair of brown cowboy boots. She looks
hot. When she sees me, she begins to laugh. She looks at me and
then she looks down at herself.

“
Should I go change?” she
asks, still laughing.

“
You look beautiful. Why
would you go change?”

She laughs again. “We’re dressed just alike.”
I look at her and then I look down at myself again. We sure are.
White shirt, jeans, brown boots. I smile. It looks like we’re a
couple who color coordinated our outfits.

“
Are you wearing that
jacket?” I nod toward the blue jean jacket she’s holding in her
hands.