A Family of Their Own(39)
“Some men like flowers, but all men like candy.”
“See, Mom. Let’s buy him a box of chocolates.”
Kelsey stretched her mind and recalled a drugstore not far away. She gave Ross directions and soon they were back where they’d started. When they pulled in front of Doug’s house, she drew in a calming breath. “I’ll walk you to the door, Lucy, but I’m not going to stay.” She dug into her purse and pulled out a slip of paper. “Here’s my cell-phone number in case you’ve forgotten it, and—”
“Mom.” She rolled her eyes. “I know your number.”
“Okay.” She dropped the scrap into her purse. “I hope that’s all right.”
Lucy shrugged. “I’d rather you were there, too.”
Air emptied from Kelsey’s lungs. “I know, but it’s better for you and your dad to spend time together without me there. I’d just be in the way. You know that your dad and I—”
“But he’s sick now.”
Guilt shriveled her argument. “Ross drove us here, because he knew we were upset. I don’t want to leave him alone while—”
“Kelsey, don’t worry—”
She flashed him a scowl. “You’d be waiting a long time alone, Ross. I can’t do that to you.”
“It’s okay.” Lucy’s voice slid into the conversation. “I understand.”
Relief swilled over her cowardice. Where was her spunk? She’d never hurt Doug or Karen. They’d hurt her, and why couldn’t she let it die? The word stabbed her. Die. Doug. She peered at the house and noticed the front door open.
“They’ve seen us.” She faced Lucy. “Ready?”
She nodded and unlatched her seat belt. As she did, an unexpected prayer slipped into Kelsey’s thoughts. A prayer for her attitude and a prayer for Lucy’s day. God would protect her.
Ross opened his door, and she grasped his arm. “Not this time.”
He seemed to understand and closed the door.
She clutched the door handle and stepped out, hoping her legs would hold her steady. Lucy waited on the sidewalk, clutching the box of chocolates. She looked too young to bear this difficult visit alone, but Kelsey sensed it would be for the best. Her scars were still raw after so many years, and she feared that hiding her bitterness would be impossible. This wasn’t a time for resentment, but compassion—and she didn’t have it.
Ahead she saw Karen standing behind the storm door. When they were friends, she would have waved and smiled, but today her arm clung to her side, her lips straight as a razor and just as sharp.
Karen pushed open the door. “Lucy.” She crouched and gave her a hug. “Your daddy is so anxious to see you.”
Lucy lost her voice and only gave a nod, staring ahead as if she wanted to get inside and see her father. Karen stood back and waved her in. “It’s good to see you, Kelsey. You look well.”
“Thank you.” She took a step back.
“Aren’t you coming in?”
“No. This should be time for Lucy and her father.” She motioned to the car. “I have a friend who drove us here.”
Karen’s head jerked toward the minivan, and she squinted. “That was nice of him.”
“He’s a wonderful man. Very thoughtful and caring.” She wanted to add trustworthy to the list, but she stopped herself.
“I’m glad for you.” Karen’s eyes searched hers. “I really am.”
“When Lucy’s ready to leave, would you let her call my cell phone?” She should have said thank you or acknowledged her glad-for-you comment, but the words wouldn’t come. Animosity proved to be a horrible emotion, and letting it go hadn’t happened.
“She’ll have lunch with us, if that’s okay.”
Kelsey took another step back. “It’s fine. Just have her call when she’s about ready and we’ll come back to pick her up.” She turned and took a step.
“Kelsey.”
She spun around.
“Thanks for bringing her today. It means a lot to Doug.”
Deep in her core, she seethed with the violence of a volcano ready to erupt. The burning smoke filled her chest and scorched her throat, waiting to spew her frustration into Karen’s face, but she lifted her eyes to Ross, and did what she had to do. Keep the festering fire inside. As she strode away, she sent up a prayer of thanks that God had given her a friend like him, and she prayed for her heart’s healing. She’d licked her wounds long enough.