The Color of Hope (9 page)

Libby pumped her fist, jumping up and down. “Go, Trav, go! Team Wood! Over 30s!”

Travis tried to pass to Kory, but Kory was being blocked, so Travis took it to the net and dunked it, beating the buzzer.

A thunder of cheers rose from the sidelines and bleachers. The cheerleaders ran out onto the court. Stephanie found Lindell and bear-hugged him. “Babe, y’all did it! Y’all did it!” He was covered in sweat, but she was too excited to care.

Cyd hugged Cedric. Janelle and the little girls tackled Kory. And Stephanie looked around for Travis. Libby was high-fiving him, and they shared an excited hug. Stephanie’s gaze then moved to Trina, who was watching from the sidelines.

Travis held up his hands to get people’s attention. “I hate to break up the celebration—believe me, it
will
continue throughout the day—but we need to set up chairs and equipment for service tomorrow. We older guys want to thank you for cheering us to victory.” He wiped sweat from his brow. “If you have any Advil, we’d appreciate the donation.”

Stephanie made her way to Libby. “Hey, Lib, why don’t we all stay and help set up?”

“Steph, you know I’m not into the joint service thing. Plus, I’ve got a lot to do to get ready for tonight, which includes a quick nap.” Libby already had her purse on her shoulder, car keys in hand. “I’ll
meet y’all back at the house.” She stopped to say something to Travis and was gone.

Stephanie couldn’t help it. Her eyes followed Trina as she approached Travis. They didn’t hug, but the way she smiled at him, the proximity between them, the flow of conversation . . . there was a familiarity there.

Janelle joined Stephanie. “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”

“Yep.” Stephanie sighed. “You’ve been down here this summer. Had you noticed anything between them?”

“Not really.” Janelle had her eyes on them. “I’ve seen them talking at church, but Travis is friendly with everybody, so I didn’t think twice about it. But now . . .”

Stephanie sighed again. “You know Libby’s falling for him again, much as she refuses to admit it.”

“I know.” Janelle turned to Stephanie. “But remember that talk we had with Libby in the spring? She knows she and Travis can never be together while she’s running from God. He’s a
pastor
. And he wants to be married. His wife will be someone who loves the Lord. Libby knows that.”

“In her head,” Stephanie said. “Doesn’t stop her heart. She and Travis were right there with the rest of us, up half the night.”

“This thing with Trina is probably nothing,” Janelle said. “They’re just friends.”

Stephanie glanced at them again, now helping with setup. “You just had to invite her to come tonight, didn’t you?”

“I felt bad,” Janelle said. “I knew we couldn’t invite all of the Soul Sisters, but once she saw that Charley had come, my mouth just started moving.” She added, “But that was before we knew about her and Travis . . . or . . . whatever we want to call it.” She sighed. “If Trina comes, this could be a mess.”

“I don’t think it’s an
if
.” Stephanie glimpsed them laughing. “She’s coming.”

CHAPTER NINE

I
n the ballroom of the Rocky Mount Hilton Saturday night, Libby waited anxiously. She’d surprised the family by showing a video produced for the occasion, compiled of reunion photos and footage taken over decades of time. Priceless memories from the earliest years got them laughing and talking as hairstyles and clothing on the screen revealed changing times. Babies now grown and relatives now deceased drew comments of wonder and reflection. The latter were especially poignant, as the music changed and they remembered those who had passed, including Janelle’s husband, David. There was a photo of him at a reunion only four years ago, smiling big as he held baby Tiffany in his arms, little Daniel at his feet.

But none of this would compare to what was coming. The video appeared to be ending now, the music fading, and then—

“How’s everybody doing?”

Gasps sounded around the room and everyone leaned forward as Grandma Geri stared straight at them. She was sitting up in her bed, pillows propped behind, wearing the frailness of her last weeks.

“I bet y’all are in Rocky Mount, eating hotel chicken that don’t taste near good as mine.” A raspy laugh made Grandma Geri cough a little. “Y’all thought I wouldn’t be there to complain about it this year, didn’t you?”

Laughter broke out around the ballroom. Grandma Geri was known for saying what she felt, though her delivery was a little labored now.

“Well, I don’t have long. And I know you know that ‘cause I’m dead if you’re watching. But I asked Libby to tape this message for me and not to tell anybody till she showed it.” She leaned forward a little. “Wood, you spank her for me if she told.”

Libby’s dad looked at her from the other side of the table. He had tears in his eyes, as did Libby.

Grandma Geri continued, “In this family, we’ve had good times and sad times. We’ve done right, and we’ve done wrong. Amen?”

Heads nodded. “Amens” sounded.

“But one thing we always done—hold to His unchanging hand. It ain’t just a song. It’s what we do. I don’t want none of y’all to forget that. We ain’t nothing without the good Lord.”

She paused, and more “Amens” filled the space.

“I got to go. I’m tired.” Grandma Geri coughed. “I love you. But I’d be lying if I said I miss you. I told y’all I wanted to be with my Jesus and my Elwood, and that’s just where I am.” She held up her hand in a wave. “I’ll see you when you get here. All right, Libby, turn that thing off.”

The screen went black, and no one moved. Libby wouldn’t have known if they did anyway, because her head was lowered, tears streaming down her face. She’d seen the video a handful of times, but it had never hit her like this.

Travis leaned over and put an arm around her. “I miss her too.”

Libby missed her, and that was surely part of it, but there was more . . . even if she couldn’t put her finger on it.

At the table next to them, a voice started, “Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand . . .”

Travis immediately stood, adding his voice. “Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand . . .”

Seconds later the whole room was on its feet, which was quite a sight with a sea of olive-colored reunion shirts.

Travis led them into the first verse. “Time is filled with swift transition, Naught of earth unmoved can stand . . .” Everyone knew the next part: “Build your hope on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.”

Hands clapping now, they launched into the chorus again, “Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand; Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand. Build your hope on things eternal; Hold to God’s unchanging hand.”

Libby hadn’t sung that song in years, but the words were there. And she felt them. On her feet with the rest, she sang the chorus one last time. They ended with a hand clap of praise and took their seats.

Wood walked to the podium. His booming voice made him the natural emcee at these gatherings, and he’d played that role effortlessly tonight. Right now, though, he seemed at a loss for words.

“Wow,” he said finally. “I wasn’t expecting all this. But I should’ve known Mama would have the last word, even moving us to praise.” He paused as people chimed in their agreement. “We all know how much her presence is missed here this year. We’ve talked about it throughout the weekend. Hearing her voice one last time . . . that was . . . really special.”

Libby looked on, filled with emotion.

Wood looked over at his daughter. “I want to thank you, Libby, for producing such a splendid video. It’ll be a family treasure always. And I have to add that this entire evening has been
incredible. I know you worked hard pulling together all that talent for the talent show, even coaxing family members who
never
get up here to unveil their hidden talents.” He paused. “I’m proud of you, sweetheart. You went above and beyond this evening.”

Family members rose around the ballroom, giving her thunderous applause. Embarrassed, Libby waved it away, which made them clap all the more.

When they settled down, Wood continued, “The good news is the night isn’t over. The DJ is set up and ready to go, so let’s get the party started. But don’t party too much.” He looked out over the crowd. “Where are my pastors?”

Travis and Todd waved their hands.

Wood grinned. “They’re expecting to see every last one of y’all at the combined Calvary–New Jerusalem service tomorrow.”

The music kicked in and tables emptied as people got up to mingle or dance. Libby remained seated, turning over her father’s comment. She’d said she wouldn’t attend the service. But many in the family would. Couldn’t she treat it as a reunion event and just go? Suddenly she kind of wanted to. Travis was preaching tomorrow, and he’d been asking her to go for months. She nodded to herself, letting it jell. This weekend really did seem like a turning point for the two of—

She felt a tug on her arm and looked left. It was Travis. “Remember this song? We’ve got to go out there for old times’ sake.”

Libby tuned in now. She loved that song, a midtempo from the late nineties. But she wouldn’t budge. “Travis, I’m tired. I didn’t get a nap today.”

“Come on, we have to. This was our song.”

The butterflies stirred, along with a cavalcade of memories. She let him pull her to her feet and walk her by hand to the dance floor. The weariness melted as they transported themselves back in time, doing the same dances they’d done in college. It got silly when
Janelle and Kory moved beside them and the couples went
way
back, doing some version of the waltz that probably wasn’t the waltz at all.

Libby and Travis glided across the floor, hands clasped outward, his other on her waist. As the song ended, Travis and Kory dipped the women far back, to cheers and applause. They laughed as they left the floor, and Libby wondered how many in his congregation knew this side of him, the silly Travis. But then, they knew a side she didn’t . . . which reminded her . . .

She looked into his eyes. “I’m thinking about coming to the service tomorrow morning.”

He stared at her, his eyes soft. “I would love that. What made you change your mind?”

Libby shrugged lightly. “I think this weekend has changed me a little.”

“How so?”

She hesitated, not fully sure of the answer herself. “I don’t know. I just feel like I’m finally beginning to—”

“Hey, Libby, can you come here a minute?” her dad called from a few feet away. “People are asking how they can get a copy of that video.”

“Okay, Dad.” She looked at Travis. “Be right back.”

Libby walked to the table where her father and a few others were gathered.

Aunt Gladys spoke up. “We can’t stop talking about that video, Libby,” she said. “We’re wondering if we can get copies and how much it would cost. I think most of us want one.”

“Sure,” Libby said. “I should’ve made that announcement. If I know how many to order—”

Out of the corner of her eye, Libby noticed a woman arrive, the same one who had come to the gym that morning. She appeared to be a friend of Janelle and Stephanie—and Travis. He saw her first and went to greet her.

“Um,” Libby continued. “Yeah, if you give me an idea of how many you need, I’ll let you know the price.”

“Wonderful,” Gladys said. “That’s a keepsake for sure.”

Libby glanced at Travis and the woman as she joined Janelle and Stephanie. She didn’t know why, but she felt a little jumpy inside.

“Who’s that?” Libby asked.

Janelle and Stephanie turned. “Oh, Trina’s here,” Janelle said.

Libby was curious still. The woman was pretty and lively—and touchy-feely. “Who’s Trina?”

“She attends New Jerusalem,” Janelle said, “and Soul Sisters. Steph and I invited her.”

Libby’s insides settled somewhat. A member of his congregation. Of course they’d be friendly.

They walked over to her.

“Welcome to the Sanders family reunion, Trina,” Janelle said. She hugged her, then Stephanie did the same.

“Yeah,” Travis said, “their welcome is worth more than mine, since they’re actual family.”

“You’ve been to more reunions than I have,” Stephanie said. “You might be adopted, but you’re as much family as any of us.”

Trina smiled. “Travis was telling me he’s been coming since he was a young boy.”

Libby extended her hand. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Libby Sanders.”

Trina shook it. “Nice to meet you, Libby. Trina Wheeler.”

“You live in Hope Springs?” Libby asked.

“Wilson,” Trina said. “I heard about Pastor Travis and New Jerusalem last fall and started coming.” She smiled at him. “He’s made a huge difference in my life.”

There was an awkward silence until Janelle jumped in. “It’s great that you could come hang with us tonight.”

“I actually won’t be able to stay.” Trina looked at her watch.
“When you invited me earlier, I completely forgot my brother asked me to come to this jazz club where he’s playing tonight—oh, and he invited you again too,” she said, touching Travis’s arm, “but I told him you’d be at the reunion this weekend.” Hardly catching a breath, she turned back to the rest. “Anyway, it’s not far from here, so I decided to stop by real quick and say hello.” Pouting, she added, “But I need to run already.”