Love Will Find a Way (17 page)

"Maybe he feels the same way,” Emily answered. “You haven't exactly been a dutiful, supportive son."

"You don't pull any punches, do you?” Kevin pulled off the interstate and onto a residential street.

"Kevin, darling.” A pleading note crept into Emily's voice. “I'm not saying these things to hurt you, but to keep you from being hurt. I love you, don't you know that?"

"I know.” Kevin slowed for an intersection. “What should I do, Mom?"

Emily thought for a moment. “Maybe the two of you should meet on neutral ground and give yourselves a chance to iron out some of your differences. Robert wants to go through the things in the attic before I have Goodwill take them away. Would you like to drop by the house while he's there and say hello?"

"I don't know.” Kevin hesitated before saying reluctantly, “I guess so..."

Emily pushed down her own misgivings. “Good. I'll let you know when Robert will be at the house."

Kevin pulled his car into the driveway of the compact frame house with a for sale sign in the front yard. “The realtor is here. Let's have a look around."

Emily liked the house. The rooms were spacious and airy, one of the three bedrooms could easily be converted into an office and the kitchen was roomy and modern. When she opened the back door and saw that the backyard was fenced, Emily smiled at the chubby realtor. “I'd like to make an offer."

From behind her, Kevin questioned, “Are you sure this is what you want, Mom?"

"I have to have something. This looks good.” Emily had never before made such a weighty decision on such short notice. Maybe it was time she stopped being so cautious. “Let's discuss details. I need to get back to my office."

It was Thursday before Emily found time to call Robert's office. She spent several minutes on hold before he answered. “Sorry to keep you waiting. He sounded distant and cold. “I had about decided you weren't going to call."

Emily matched his stilted tone. “I've been busy.” She wondered if there was someone in the room with him. Was it Susan? “I talked to Kevin earlier this week. He's visited his grandfather twice since then."

"Dad told me.” Robert answered brusquely.

"I talked to Larry last night.” Stung by his cool reserve, she added in even more stilted tones. “He'll be home over the weekend."

"That's nice.” Impatience clipped Robert's words.

Emily made one more overture toward congeniality. “I signed the final papers on my house last Monday."

The voice on the other end of the line was as remote as the hills. “I know."

Of course he knew. He was a realtor. “And I bought a little house on Oakdale Drive in Northern Heights."

"You got a good deal."

So he knew that, too. “Do you think you could come out Sunday and take what you want from the attic? I'd like to have Goodwill pick up the rest on Monday."

"What time?” He didn't intend to give an inch.

Two could play that game. Coldly Emily intoned, “Any time that's convenient for you."

"Then I'll see you around four Sunday afternoon. Good-bye.” Robert hung up the phone.

Emily stared at the buzzing receiver, before she laid the instrument in its cradle and wondered aloud, “What got into him?"

Her mind quickly moved to more pressing matters. Larry would be home soon and to utter chaos. His room was bare, except for a bed and one straight-backed chair. Half of Emily's belongings were in crates and boxes, the other half were in piles or draped over pieces of furniture. In less than twenty-four hours she had a date with Dennis. Or to be more exact, she and her family would be going out with the entire Morrison clan. Emily sat down on the couch and kicked off her shoes. Boo settled on the cushion beside her and laid his head in her lap.

Thirty minutes later when Larry came through the door. Boo ran to meet him, his tail wagging furiously. Emily was curled up on the couch, half-asleep. Larry laughed and ran his fingers through Boo's thick fur. “Some watch dog you are."

Emily stirred and muttered, “I must have dozed."

Larry looked around him. “It looks like a hurricane hit this place."

Emily stretched and yawned. “Wait until you see your room."

"I've spent the last three months in a dorm.” Larry tossed his bag on the cluttered floor. “I can manage."

He keeps changing, Emily thought, as she studied her younger son's composed face. He's been away only three months and already he's different. Aloud, she said, “I hung the tux I rented for you in your closet.” She viewed Larry's muscular chest and trim waist. “I hope it's not too small."

Larry lowered himself into the only other vacant chair in the room. “I've been working out twice a week. Where's the rest of the furniture?"

"I sold the antiques and one load has already gone to the other house.” Emily frowned. “Maybe you should try that tuxedo on."

"After dinner.” Larry stroked Boo's head. “Tell me about this banquet. I talked to Kevin on the phone last Wednesday. He's really excited about us all going out together."

Emily had been afraid Kevin might have some reservations about going out with his mother and his younger brother. “Dennis, the Reverend Morrison, is to receive an award from a group that builds houses for the homeless. From what he and the twins say, it's going to be quite an event."

The mention of the twins brought a smile to Larry's face. “How are Kim and Amy?"

"Great, both of them; they have new hairstyles. You can tell them apart now."

"I already can,” Larry answered. “The moment Kim opens her mouth I know who's who."

Emily laughed as she stood. “Well, everyone can tell them apart now even before Kim utters a sound. Come into the kitchen. I'll make you a sandwich."

It was the next morning before Larry tried on the tux. Fortunately, it fit. Emily breathed a sigh of relief. She wouldn't have to worry about an exchange. That was good news because her schedule for the day was already too full. She had a luncheon to attend and some packing to do before the movers came for another load around five. Kissing Larry on the cheek, she promised, “I'll be home by three o'clock."

Larry hung his cummerbund over a chair. “When did you start working on Saturdays?"

"I don't usually but today I'm speaking to the Rotary Club's annual fund raising luncheon.” Emily hung her handbag over her shoulder. “Your dad will be out tomorrow around four, but maybe you'd like to call him today and say hello."

Larry had already shed his shirt. “I'm meeting Gus and Rocky at the mall around eleven. I'll see Dad tomorrow."

Throughout the luncheon and even as she drove home, a little fizzle of excitement bubbled through Emily's veins as she anticipated her coming evening out with her sons and the Morrisons. Even though she felt a sense of pride in her newfound independence, she had never completely lost the sense of isolation that had come with her divorce from Robert and the subsequent severing of her close ties with his family. A sobering concern took her. Was she risking another possible rejection and subsequent heartache by becoming so involved with the Morrison family? Her excitement dampened leaving a residue of sorrow.

Some of that excitement returned that evening when Emily caught a glimpse of herself in her bathroom mirror. Her hair, done in a simple upsweep, gleamed like copper in the soft light. The dress she had bought the day she went shopping with Kim and Amy was the exact color of the yellow flecks in her eyes. The bodice hugged her waist, leaving the skirt to fall in elegant folds around her ankles. Giving her hair a last pat, Emily checked her makeup before going downstairs.

"Guess what?” Larry called as she swept into the living room. Then he stopped and whistled through his teeth. “Mom, you look fantastic!"

Emily scanned the figure of her younger son. “And so do you."

He smiled. “We should look our best for this occasion. Did you know Reverend Morrison has hired a limo to take us to the banquet?"

Emily's eyes rounded in surprise. “He has?"

"Yeah, Kevin just called. They're on their way here now.” Larry offered Emily his arm. “Something tells me this could be a hell of a party."

Emily tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Our coach will soon arrive. Shall we go?” They exchanged smiles as they walked toward the door.

The ride to the banquet was like a celebration. The twins were ecstatic over their first trip in a limo and delighted to see Larry again. Even the usually shy Amy seemed to warm in his presence. Kevin sat with his arm around Stacy, looking handsome and proud as he smiled at his younger brother and gave his mother a sly wink. Emily felt a surge of gratitude toward Dennis Morrison for making all this possible. Smiling directly into his eyes, she whispered, “Thanks."

By the time the limo stopped in front of the banquet hall Kim and Amy were arguing over who would sit beside Larry. He assured the arguing girls that he had two sides and each of them was welcome to one of them.

The table reserved for Dennis and his guests was in the front and center of the hall and set on a slightly raised dais. Dennis observed, as he held Emily's chair for her, “It looks like we're to be on display for the evening. Do you mind?"

Much to her surprise, Emily realized she rather liked the idea. She gave Dennis a dazzling smile. “I don't mind in the least if you don't."

Dennis escorted Emily to the table and helped her sit down. As he pushed her chair forward, he let his hands rest on her bare shoulders. “I'm more than pleased to show off my handsome family."

In his own way Dennis was as isolated and alone as she was. Emily laid her hands over his and smiled up at him. “Shall we enjoy our fifteen minutes of fame?"

The meal, served in several courses, was surprisingly good. The conversation around the table was constant and affable. Kevin was in rare form, regaling the others with tales of his past week in court as he held Stacy's hand and occasionally raised it to his lips to bestow a kiss on her fingertips. Stacy, her eyes aglow with love, said she thought that Kevin must be the most brilliant trial lawyer in the entire state.

Larry told of his first days at the university and how he had spent more time looking for classes than he had attending them. Kim insisted that Larry was the bravest man she knew, to go off all alone to school and be able, not only to survive, but to excel. Amy smiled in agreement.

Emily watched as Kevin squared his shoulders and Larry positively glowed. Maybe all any man needed to be happy was the support and adulation of a caring woman. With swift insight, she realized that over the last years of her marriage, she had failed to let Robert know how wonderful and clever she thought he was. She laid her hand on Dennis's arm. “I think Dennis deserves a word of praise also. He's being honored tonight for his tireless efforts to help the less fortunate. That, too, is a noble feat."

Suddenly, they were all laughing. Dennis raised his glass, “A toast to us; one big happy family.” Of one accord seven voices chimed in unison, “Here, here” as they touched glasses and drank.

After dinner, Dennis was introduced in glowing terms, lauded for his tireless efforts in helping the homeless and presented with an award. As he rose to walk to the podium, Emily felt a glow of pride. What an incredibly handsome man he was.

Dennis's acceptance speech was an oratorical accomplishment. He spoke in deceptively simple terms, giving sympathy and tenderness to complicated concepts and abstract ideas. By the time he completed his speech and returned to the table, Emily doubted there was a dry eye in the house. She caught both his hands in hers. “You were wonderful."

Dennis held on to one of her hands. “Can we discuss this in detail later?"

A wave of warmth flowed from Emily's hand and up her arm. “I'd like that very much."

"Then I'll call you tomorrow."

All too soon the evening was over and the happy group was crowding into the limo to go home. Emily leaned her head against the upholstery and listened as Larry asked Dennis's permission to take Kim and Amy to a baseball game tomorrow afternoon. She raised her head to protest, “But your father will be at the house tomorrow. Don't you want to see him?"

Larry looked uncomfortable. “The game won't last that long."

Emily turned her gaze toward Kevin. “You are coming by to see your dad, aren't you? He's coming for the last of his things."

Kevin said, “I'll be there, but I can't stay long."

Emily didn't pursue the matter. It was enough for now, that Kevin had agreed to show up and talk to his father.

Later, lying in the king-sized bed she had once shared with Robert, Emily began to have second thoughts about insisting that Kevin and his father try to resolve their differences. Maybe she should have let well enough alone. The problem with that was as things stood there was no ‘well enough'. There was only a wrenching rift between father and son. If someone didn't intervene, it might never be breached. She wished for Thad's comforting words and sage advice. Turning over, she pulled the covers up under her chin. Dennis was a bona fide counselor. Maybe she could talk to him. With that comforting thought, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Emily awoke the next morning to the sound of rain on the roof. This would hamper the movers. She slipped into a robe and hurried to look out the window. Toward the west, the clouds were breaking.

Hastily donning battered old jeans and a baggy sweatshirt, she went downstairs. She was frying bacon when Larry came through the kitchen door. “Something smells good."

Emily pointed her spatula toward the table. “Sit down and eat your breakfast."

Larry obeyed, heaping his plate high with eggs and bacon. “This looks delicious. I miss your cooking, Mom.” He shoveled a forkful of scrambled eggs into his mouth. “I miss you, too. I'm getting over it, but I was homesick for a long time.” He chewed thoughtfully for a moment before asking, “Will you miss this place when you move?"

Emily poured coffee into a cup and sat down across from her son. “Maybe at first, but I'll get over it, just like you did."

"Would you like me to stay over an extra day and spend the first night with you in your new house?"