Hope Springs (8 page)

“Fast friends, for sure,” Becca said. “I doubt they remember the first time they met; they were only one or two. But they won't forget this time.”

“Can I, Mom?” Claire said. “Can I go outside?”

“Let's all go out,” Becca said. “It's such a nice morning. No sense waiting for Todd inside.”

The girls pounced on a big plastic ball that'd been left in the grass and began throwing it back and forth. Ethan stooped by the porch, fascinated by an inchworm. Becca kept an eye on him as she and Janelle sat in the porch swing.

“You've got perfect driving weather,” Janelle said. “What time do you think you'll make it back?”

“It'll be late, close to midnight. And of course we've still got toys to put together, so we could be up all night. But at least we'll be home for Christmas—Ethan, don't put that in your mouth.” Becca looked at Janelle. “Boys.”

Janelle smiled. “Yep. And this is boy country. I remember the summer when Daniel was three and thought it'd be fun to roll around in the dirt. He picked a dirt pile filled with red ants.”

“I remember that. Poor thing was covered with bites. Didn't David take him to the hospital in Rocky Mount?”

Janelle nodded. “I ran for a tube of anti-itch cream, but David wanted to make sure he didn't have some kind of reaction.” She laughed a little. “Several hours and several hundred dollars later, they left the hospital with a tube of ointment.”

Becca didn't know if it helped or hurt to talk about David. She hoped it was okay. She leaned closer to Janelle. “I'm sorry I haven't been in touch with you. How have you been? What's life been like for you?”

“Don't worry about that, Becca. I haven't been too good about
letting
people stay in touch with me . . . left the Bible study I'd been attending and cut back my involvement at church, missed two family reunions.” She sighed. “Been focused on the kids. Trying to adjust to our new normal.”

Becca wasn't sure if she should ask, but she plunged ahead. “How's it been financially? I imagine it'd be a pretty rough adjustment, since you left your job when Tiffany was born.”

“David was paranoid when it came to money and his family's financial future. Had to save up to buy a car and drive it till it dropped, mortgage had to be affordable on one income . . . Guess it was the accountant in him. He had
two
life insurance policies, through his job and an outside firm. So we're okay for now, but I plan to go back to work when Tiff starts kindergarten next year.”

“Don't remind me.” Becca looked over at Tiffany and Claire. “Next year'll be a big year for those girls.”

Janelle's eyes lit up suddenly. “And a big year for
you
. I haven't had a chance to tell you congrats on the Worth & Purpose speaker spot. That's awesome, Becca.”

“So you've heard of them?” Becca didn't take it for granted. There were lots of Christian women's conferences.

“Yeah, I went to a conference with some women from my church, maybe three years ago when they came to D.C. Loved it. Music was great too. I'm so thrilled for you.”

“Pray I don't freeze in place on the platform in the middle of my message,” Becca said.

“You'll be fine. I'll be praying.” She smiled at her. “God's really using you and Todd. So proud of you both.”

Becca sat forward. “Okay, you know I missed the service yesterday.” She'd told Janelle last night how awful she felt arriving when she did. “What was it about Todd's message that got people talking?”

Janelle thought about it. “Part of it for me was I didn't expect it. I've known Todd since he was little. He had his moments of mischief and all that. But for the most part, he's always been the background guy.” She crossed her legs. “But something happened up there. He just came alive. And what he said was exactly what I needed to hear. Made me think about changes I need to make.”

Becca pondered that a moment.

“Ha. We talked him up,” Janelle said.

Todd's car rolled into the dirt area that'd been fashioned over the years between the houses. Hardly anyone parked in the gravel driveways next to the respective houses. They had this end of the street to themselves, and used every bit of it. Ethan jumped up, ready to run to him.

“Ethan, wait, honey.” Becca rose quickly and grabbed his hand until the car stopped moving.

Todd got out, looking cheery. Becca wondered what it meant.

“Hey, buddy,” he said. He scooped Ethan up into his arms, regarding Becca. “Are we ready to hit the road?”

“All ready.”

“I'm not.” Claire was in the grass, arms folded in a huff. “I want to keep playing with Tiffany.”

“Honey, don't you want to get home for Christmas?”

“They have Christmas here too, don't they?”

So much for that
.

“You'll see Tiffany this summer,” Todd said, then glanced at the porch. “Uh, Miss Janelle, you
are
coming down for the reunion, aren't you?”

Janelle came down the porch steps. “You mean now that you've got our girls' hearts set on it? How could I not?”

Todd toted Ethan toward the Sanders home. “Everybody up and at 'em over there, Janelle? I want to say a quick good-bye.”

“You know the deal.” Janelle followed him to the front, beckoning the girls by hand. “They were just stirring when I left.”

Sofa beds with teen bodies sprawled in deep sleep greeted them in the family room when they walked in—as did the smell of bacon. They followed the latter to the kitchen, where Estelle and Gladys were cooking breakfast in their housecoats. Grandma Geri had her coffee at the table, sitting with family who'd camped there for conversation.

Todd stood in the middle of the kitchen and saluted. “Good morning to all—and good-bye. If I don't say it fast, I'll never get out of here.”

“I know that's right.” Gladys chuckled from her frying pan. “It'll be an hour later, and you'll still be trying to get on the road.”

“Boy, get over here and give me a hug,” Grandma Geri said. “When you coming again?”

Todd set Ethan down and bent to hug her. “Still got a lot to take care of with Dad's things, so I'll probably be back in a month, if not before.”

“I'm gonna really miss your dad,” Grandma Geri said. “That was a special man.”

The love for his dad showed in Todd's eyes. “Yes, ma'am, he was.”

“And you're every bit as special.” She took his hand. “You know that, right? God's gifted you.”

Todd's face was noncommittal.

“Believe it, Todd.”

He gave her a nod. “Yes, ma'am.”

Becca hugged Grandma Geri next, then moved person to person as she and Todd said their good-byes. A quick knock on the screen door made them all look. It opened and closed, and a moment later Dr. Reynolds appeared.

“Hey, Dr. Reynolds.” Gladys waved. “How is it every family get-together, you happen to stop by right at breakfast time?”

“Yeah, we've caught on to you, Doc.” Estelle was peeling potatoes for hash browns.

Gladys turned to Estelle. “We should talk to him about Momma's cough while he's here.”

Dr. Reynolds, a distinguished black man in his sixties, had a kind disposition that put people immediately at ease. He knew—and had probably treated—everyone in town, including Claire when she'd gotten severe constipation as a baby during a visit. He was known for stopping by the Sanders home to shoot the breeze during family gatherings, but this visit was out of the ordinary. He had his briefcase, and he had yet to speak. The family looked at him now with tentative expressions.

“Good morning, everyone,” he said. “I wish I were just stopping by for bacon and eggs, but I need to speak to Grandma Geri.” He stepped closer to her. “Is there someplace we can go for privacy?”

“Momma, what's this about?” Gladys moved closer too.

Estelle had been heating a pan for the potatoes, but she turned it off, set down her paring knife, and went to listen.

Grandma Geri had her hands clasped in front of her. “Right here's fine,” she said. “Don't matter to me at this point who hears what you got to say.”

Becca looked at Todd, who nodded, gave final hugs, and followed her out.

“What do you think is going on?” Becca whispered outside.

“Grandma Geri must have some health issue. Didn't look good, did it?”

“Whatever it is, looked like they're about to have a serious discussion.”

Todd paused. “Actually, Becca, I think we need to have one as well on the drive home.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

S
tephanie was folding the bedding she and Lindell had used on the pull-out sofa in the living room. Her dad had been right—bonding did take place late at night at her grandmother's house. She, Libby, Janelle, and others had talked and laughed into the wee hours. She'd tried to hang on to sleep as the kids began moving about this morning, but it was futile. Plus the food was smelling too good, and she didn't want to miss out.

Janelle came from the kitchen. “Hey, Dr. Reynolds is here,” she said. It was almost a whisper. “Something with Grandma Geri. Doesn't sound good.”

Lindell perked up from his spot in a nearby armchair, where he'd moved so Stephanie could make up the bed. He got up, stretching. “Let's see what's going on,” he said.

Stephanie went to the kitchen in what she'd slept in—sweat-pants and a T-shirt—and stood near the refrigerator with Lindell. Grandma Geri was at the kitchen table with Aunt Gladys, Aunt Estelle, Uncle Wood, and a man who must be Dr. Reynolds. The fairly large kitchen was growing more crowded by the second, with Libby coming now, half-awake, hanging by the door frame. One of the teens had ushered the kids into the family room. Stephanie could hear the sound of cartoons in the distance.

Dr. Reynolds took papers out of a briefcase and set them on the table. Everyone quieted as he cleared his throat and looked at Grandma Geri. “Geraldine, I've known you for more than forty years. Many in this kitchen have been under my care at one time or another. And of course, I had the privilege of taking care of your beloved Elwood up until he passed, rest his soul.”

Stephanie was practically holding her breath. What was this buildup about?

He continued. “We have a history that binds us, and I feel part of the Sanders family. So I want you to know I would not come here on Christmas Eve with this news if I didn't think it absolutely necessary.”

“I know that, Grayson.” Grandma Geri sat a little straighter. “Go on.”

Dr. Reynolds took note of the faces surrounding them. “Are you sure you don't want to discuss this privately first, then call everyone in?”

“I'm sure,” she said.

“I'll keep it as simple as I can. Dr. Peters called me earlier this morning with the results of the biopsy, and I asked that I be the one to share it with you.” His mouth seemed dry. He kept licking his lips. “Geraldine, you have lung cancer.”

A flurry of gasps sounded around the room.

“And it's what we call non-small cell lung cancer.”

“Have mercy . . .” Aunt Gladys picked up a New Jerusalem fan from the table and swished it before her face.

“Lung cancer?” Stephanie whispered it to Lindell. “I don't remember my grandmother smoking.”

“Doesn't have to come from smoking,” he whispered back. “But what about your grandfather?”

Stephanie shrugged. She barely remembered him. She was in her early teens when he died.

“I'm confused.” Aunt Estelle regarded her mother. “We knew you hadn't been feeling well with the coughing and fatigue, but why didn't we know about the biopsy? Who took you?”

“I took myself.” Grandma Geri seemed insulted that she'd presume otherwise. “Contrary to what y'all seem to think, I don't mind going to the doctor. I just didn't want everybody
knowing
I went 'cause you'd worry me to death until I got the results.”

Dr. Reynolds added, “From there, I ordered a chest X-ray, which led to the biopsy.”

“Momma, you still should've told us,” Aunt Gladys said. “But thank God you went when you did.”

Uncle Wood leaned forward. “How serious is it, Doc? And how soon will she undergo surgery?”

Dr. Reynolds looked him in the eye. “Very serious. Stage four. The cancer has already begun to spread, and the reality is it's inoperable.” He sighed. “Geraldine, you'll receive palliative care, as Elwood did.”

Stephanie leaned her head over to Lindell again. “What does that mean?”

Lindell's sigh was sad. “Means they'll try to ease the pain and extend her life as long as they can.”

“So chemotherapy, then?” Grandma Geri asked. “Like you did with Elwood?”