A Husband for All Seasons (12 page)

“Because it seemed that was the only way we could ever have a child,” his mother said. “We didn't marry until we were in our midthirties, and after two miscarriages, we approached adoption agencies. That wasn't as easy as we'd hoped because we were in our forties by then, and most agencies prefer to find a home for babies with young couples. We could have had any number of older children, but we were set on having an infant.”

“Then we had the opportunity to adopt you,” Mr. Reece said. “Lorene's father was the one pushing the
adoption and he wanted it done as quickly as possible, fearing Lorene would change her mind. We were the only parents our agency had who met the requirements for immediate adoption. It happened so fast, it was like a dream come true.”

“It was the proudest moment in our lives when we brought you home, and you've never given us cause to regret it. You came from good stock from your parents and heredity does have an impact on the outcome of a child.”

“Yes, but thanks to you, I had a good home environment, too. I've never regretted having you for my parents, either.”

“We didn't meet Lorene during the adoption, and I think you should know that she held out for several days. But her father was too strong-willed for her. We were watching through a window when her father took you from her arms. I've never forgotten how she cried! That haunted me for months. I felt so mean taking her baby, for I believe, if given the opportunity she would have been a wonderful, caring mother.”

Chad's gaze suddenly clouded with tears, and he cried as he had never done in his life. If any resentment still remained in his heart against his biological parents, his tears washed the slate clean.

 

For the remainder of their visit, Vicky saw to it that Chad had a few hours alone with his parents each day. Part of that time she walked around the small town enjoying the warm climate, the blooming flowers, green grass and birdsong that weren't a part of Columbus's winter landscape.

Other times, she stayed in her room reading, but more often she found herself looking at the mementos of Chad's life before she knew him. She returned again and again to stand before the small oval school pictures of Chad—from the time he entered kindergarten until he graduated from high school. Mrs. Reece had grouped them together in a large frame.

Now that Chad had come to terms with the changes in his life and his physical, emotional and spiritual healing was almost completed, Vicky was convinced that he would soon go out of her life. That was one reason she had agreed to make this trip to Alabama with him. God obviously had great things in mind for Chad that would take him far from Columbus. Vicky must realize that the time loomed closer and closer when Chad and she would take different paths. In her heart she was storing up memories to last a lifetime.

After a light supper of soup and sandwiches on Christmas Eve, the Reeces gathered in the family room to open gifts in their customary manner. The poinsettia Vicky had ordered was delivered on December twenty-fourth, and Mrs. Reece was obviously pleased with it. Their gift to Vicky was a set of bath and body lotions, which she considered a luxury for she couldn't afford that quality on her budget. Vicky was also pleased with the scarf, hat and gloves Chad bought for her. He really liked the gift she'd given him.

At eleven o'clock they walked three blocks to the Reeces' church. The small candlelit building was filled to capacity by the time the informal service started. The congregation sang favorite carols upon request. A trio
of young women sang, “O Holy Night,” prior to the pastor's message. He focused on Mary's willing response to the Angel's message that she would become the mother of the Messiah.

The minister closed with the words, “And the call goes out to all of us tonight. When God calls us to a particular task, will we, like Mary, be able to say, ‘I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said'?”

Chad reached for Vicky's hand and squeezed it, and she sensed that, as she had, he had accepted the words as a personal commitment. He continued to hold her hand throughout the closing hymn and the benediction.

 

During the time Chad was alone with his parents they talked over the intimate details of his childhood years. These hours with his parents convinced Chad that they had set him free to do what he wanted to do.

He had delayed telling them about his spiritual experiences with Oliver and how God had dealt with him until they were at the airport ready to go back to Columbus.

“I've put myself at God's disposal,” he said. “I'm His ambassador—willing to do what He wants me to do and go where He wants me to go, no matter what it costs me in money, or even if it takes my life.”

“We're behind you in whatever decisions you make,” his father assured him. “You've never done anything yet that hasn't made us proud of you, and you won't in the future.”

“Please forgive my attitude of the past two months and my rejection of you right after the accident. I shouldn't have done that, and I'm sorry.”

“You were hurting so much—it was a normal reaction,” Mrs. Reece said.

When they said goodbye before Chad and Vicky went through security, Mr. and Mrs. Reece hugged Vicky and insisted that she was welcome to return at any time. Chad held both his father and mother in a strong embrace to say goodbye. He wondered if they sensed, as he did, that this parting was different from all others. Whatever God had in mind for his future would supersede the loyalty he had to them. Tears blinded his eyes as he followed Vicky down the skyway.

 

After they'd arrived in Alabama, Chad had decided to let the hat, scarf and gloves pass as his only gift for Vicky. He believed he had convinced his parents that he and Vicky were platonic friends, which they might have questioned if they saw the expensive earrings he'd bought for her. He put the small box in his carry-on luggage when he packed to leave, but after they went through security, he put the box in his coat pocket.

They had a long walk to reach their departure gate, and when they passed a waiting area that was empty, Chad said, “We have plenty of time to reach the gate before the plane takes off. Let's sit here for a few minutes.” They found seats that looked out over the busy runways. He took the box from his pocket.

“I still have one gift to give you,” he said. He didn't make any explanation as to why he hadn't put it under the tree in his parents' home. How could he when he wasn't even sure himself?

“I hope you like it,” he said, handing the box to her.

For one poignant moment she wondered if he was giving her a ring and what her reaction would be if it was. She was so relieved when she saw the earrings instead of a ring that she didn't protest the expensive gift.

“They're beautiful. Thank you.”

“I don't know anything about jewelry,” he said nervously. “Are they the kind you can use?”

“Yes, of course.”

She immediately removed the large gold hoops she wore and replaced them with his stunning gift. She inspected the gift by looking in a small compact mirror she carried in her purse. The earrings were quite a step up from her usual jewelry, but her parents had taught her as a child to be gracious when people gave her something and not to depreciate their kindness with a negative response. In this instance, it wasn't a comfortable policy to follow.

“They're beautiful. Thank you. And thanks for inviting me to come home with you. I feel as if I know you a lot better now than I did before. Your parents were lovely to me. I don't know about you, but I rather dread going back home—not knowing what's waiting for us in the future.”

“This is the saddest I've ever been to leave home. Always before home was an anchor for me, but this trip cut the apron strings. I'll go back, of course, but only for visits. It's time I put my personal roots down, established a home of my own.”

“And you don't want to do that in Alabama?”

He shook his head, and he was silent most of the way to Memphis. Realizing that Chad was contemplating his
future, Vicky looked out the window, enjoying the changing landscape below, yet wondering how his decision would affect her.

C
had left his apartment and ran down the steps to knock on Grace's door. He heard her call from the laundry room at the end of the hallway and he headed in that direction. His landlady was removing clothes from a dryer.

“Hi,” he said, and he leaned over and picked up a towel to fold. “I got home last night.”

“I thought I heard water running up there about midnight. Did you have a good visit with your parents?”

“Yes. How about your Christmas?”

“Good. My family left yesterday and I feel awful lonesome today.”

“How would you like to have some more company then?”

She slanted a suspicious glance toward him. “How's that?”

“My friends from California are coming to Columbus next week. Perry is the one who donated the kidney that saved my life, and the surgeon wanted him to come back for a checkup. They have a daughter who's
almost three now. If your rooms across the hall from mine are going to be vacant, I thought you might want to rent them for a week to Perry and Lorene. I could see them more often that way, and you could take in some extra money.”

“Sounds all right to me,” she said. “When will they be here?”

“Five days from now. I'm sorry I didn't let you know sooner, but I wasn't sure when they would be here.”

She shrugged off this apology. “No problem. That will give me plenty of time to get the rooms ready. I've even got a child's bed that my granddaughter uses. Will they use the bathroom in your apartment?”

“Yes, no problem there.”

“They can also have access to the powder room on this floor, too,” she said, taking a towel from his hands and refolding it.

“They'll agree to whatever is convenient for you.” Favoring her with a pert look, he picked up another towel to fold.

“Had your breakfast?”

“Such as it was.”

“Which means you didn't have anything fit to eat! Do you want me to fix your breakfast?”

“Yes. I'm afraid that two-week-old bagel and a cup of coffee won't last me long.” He laughed.

“Come in. I've already eaten, but I had French toast and there's still some batter left.”

He followed her into the kitchen that was cozy and cheerful in spite of an overcast sky that kept the sun from shining in the windows over the sink.

“My daughter and I had words before she left,” she said as she turned on the heat under the skillet.

“You mean you quarreled?”

“Not exactly, but she's annoyed with me because I won't move closer to her. The older kids want to stay home for Christmas, but she thinks she should come to see me. Her husband had to work and he didn't even come, so their family was separated.”

“And that made you feel guilty? Have you ever considered going to visit them on Christmas?”

“I'm afraid to fly.”

“So you're at an impasse with your daughter.”

“Yes. I've insisted that she just stay home for Christmas and forget about me, but she won't do it.”

“Is it Columbus you don't want to leave? Or this house?”

“The house. I've always lived in this city and I would hate to move. But the house has been in our family for years. All my memories are wrapped up in these walls.”

“You could make new memories.”

“Maybe. I did tell her I'd think about it. I wouldn't mind so much if I could be sure that the people who bought my home would take good care of it.”

While he ate his breakfast, Grace quizzed him about his visit. She reported that they had snow on Christmas Day, which was a far cry from the seventy-degree temperatures they'd enjoyed in Alabama.

After he went back to his apartment, Chad started thinking about Grace's problem and his need to establish a permanent place of residence. Was it logical for
him to live in Ohio when his parents were in Alabama? A few years from now, he might have to provide a home for them. And was this huge house a good choice for a bachelor? But he was almost sure that he didn't want to remain a bachelor—that would depend on Vicky.

 

Chad parked his car in the garage adjacent to Columbus International Airport, and with springing steps, walked across the main terminal. He had an hour to wait before the plane arrived from California. He was looking forward to seeing Perry and Lorene. When he'd told them goodbye in the OSU Medical Center, his spirits were so low he wasn't sure he would ever want to see them again. Time had changed many things, including his attitude toward his biological parents.

He took the escalator to the second floor and stopped for lunch in the restaurant near the entrance to the gates. He finished his lunch and had a forty-five-minute wait before their plane's arrival was announced.

Lorene exited security first, carrying Amy, and he called to them. Perry followed, his hands full of their luggage.

“It's sure great to see you,” Chad said, hugging Lorene around the shoulders.

Amy held out her arms. “Chaddie! Chaddie!” she cried, and he took her from Lorene.

“Hello, sweetie,” he said, smiling warmly at his baby sister.

“Yes, and she's nearly driven us out of our minds all the way across the continent by saying it every five minutes or so,” Perry said, putting the luggage on the floor.

Chad kissed Amy on both cheeks and handed her back to Lorene and shook hands with Perry.

“I'll help Perry with the bags,” he said. “We'll take the escalator to the first floor where we can pick up the rest of your things. Did you have a good flight?”

“It was smooth flying,” Perry said.

“We saw lots of snow as we crossed the Southern Rockies and the plains.”

“We have a little snow on the ground,” Chad said, “and more is predicted, so you may see some here, depending on how long you can stay.”

“Having lived in the Northeast for most of my first forty years, I've seen all of the snow I want to,” Lorene said. “But it would be fun for Amy to be able to play in it.”

“I've made arrangements for your housing with my landlady as I mentioned,” Chad explained as they waited for the luggage to be unloaded. “I thought it would be more fun for you to be right across the hall, rather than going back and forth to a hotel. You can use my car, Perry, when you go to the surgeon.”

“I can rent a car,” Perry said, “if you need yours.”

“I don't use a car often. I still go to the wellness center at OSU, but I've been walking or running up there. It's several blocks away, but I want to keep in shape.”

“You're looking so good,” Lorene said, with admiring eyes, “it's hard to imagine what has happened to you.”

“God has been good. He's not only given back my health but I'm healing otherwise, too. I'm scheduled to have my first television interview in Chicago the middle
of January. If that turns out all right, I think I'll be able to put the past behind me and focus on the future.”

Lorene and Perry had seen very little of Columbus during their traumatic trip when Chad had been injured, and Lorene, in particular, was delighted with the Victorian homes on Neil Avenue.

“What a lovely street! It's almost like we've gone back a century.”

“I feel like that late at night when the traffic is almost at a standstill and a fog settles in and dims the electric lights. Quite a few of the residents walk then, and I have occasionally.”

Instead of going around the house to park, Chad stopped along the street. “It'll be easier to take in the luggage through the front door. I'll introduce you to Grace first and let you see your rooms.”

Perry had been sitting in the rear with Amy strapped in the car seat Chad had rented so they wouldn't have to bring one with them. He stepped out, opened the door for Lorene and unbuckled Amy. By that time Grace was standing on the front porch, and Chad was reminded of the time he'd come looking for an apartment. Grace had seemed formidable, intimidating then—not the friend she was today.

After the introductions, Grace said, “Chad, you can show your friends upstairs. I've taken the liberty to provide a meal for you. After a long flight, I didn't think you'd want to be going out for dinner.”

Chad hugged her. “That's nice of you. But I know your real reason—you were afraid I'd try to cook for them. Now admit it!”

She shook off his embrace. “Humph! I'll have the food ready in an hour if that suits you.”

“We appreciate that, Mrs. Lashley,” Perry said. “I believe Chad found a good place to live.”

“But you won't believe how she bullies me,” he protested.

Turning on her heel and heading toward the kitchen, Grace threw a glance over her shoulder and had the last word. “You've been such a challenge to me.”

After dinner, Lorene put Amy in the bed that Grace had provided. She left the doors open between their quarters so she could hear if Amy wakened and then joined Chad and Perry in his living room.

“We need to pay Grace for that meal, Perry,” she said. “It was delicious.”

“I think you'd insult her if you even offered,” Chad answered. “I'll think of some way to help her—maybe invite her to go out for dinner with us some evening. She might like that. Sometimes when Vicky is here she comes upstairs and eats with us.”

“Vicky?” Lorene said.

“Oh, I'd forgotten that Mom and Dad know Vicky, but you don't. Vicky Lanham does volunteer work at the hospital and she sat with me several nights after my surgery. After all of you left, she was the only one I knew here, and she's been wonderful. She found this apartment for me and she drove me around Columbus until I rented a car. Mom invited her to spend Christmas with us in Alabama and she did. If she isn't working, we'll have lunch together tomorrow.

“And since you won't ask, I'll add that you
shouldn't place any significance on our association. At this point, we are friends and nothing more. I don't know what the future holds.”

“It's so hard not to give you advice unless you ask for it,” Perry said plaintively.

“Oh, jump right in,” Chad said with a laugh. “I'm so used to it from Grace that I take all advice and criticism in my stride.”

“If you do fall in love with Vicky, or someone else, don't wait for twenty years like Lorene and I did to get married. The past three years have been the happiest of our lives.”

“Strange as it might seem, I'm happy, too. I can watch a football game and sports network now without any hint of remorse. I'm actually looking forward to the interview in Chicago.”

Lorene walked across the hall to check on Amy, and when she returned, Chad told them about the interviews he'd agreed to and the contributions he'd made to various charitable organizations.

“When I went home for Christmas, Mom and Dad gave their go-ahead for the publication of my biography. And to use my discretion on what I wanted to tell. Now we must discuss how this book would affect you. Or would you rather wait until tomorrow when you aren't so tired?”

“We have had a long day,” Perry said, “but our bodies are still on Pacific time, so we won't go to sleep for a while yet.”

“We don't expect you to suppress our youthful love for each other, or even the fact that I put you up for
adoption. That's part of your life, which might have turned out much worse if I'd kept you and tried to raise you as a single parent. The Reeces gave you what I couldn't at that time—security.”

“As I mentioned to you on the phone, I can't decide what to do with the money I'll receive on the book. I have more now than I need. Whenever I give away a large sum, what I have left seems to multiply. I'm praying for God to reveal a project to spend that money on.”

“He will.”

“In the meantime, I feel like I need to put down some roots. I lived in Alabama when I went into college, then in Pittsburgh during my NFL career, but I don't want to make my permanent home in either of those places. When the lease runs out on the apartment in Pittsburgh next month, I won't renew it. But I feel like I'm drifting around somehow.”

“Are you asking for advice?” Perry said grinning.

“Not really—I'm just thinking out loud.” His brows shot up in amusement. “Were you going to suggest California?”

“No.” Perry sighed. “Now that I've retired from my university post, we don't have any reason to stay in California. If we move, it will be somewhere east of the Mississippi. My parents live in Illinois and Lorene's live in New Jersey now. We want to be somewhere so Amy won't have to go clear across the continent to visit any of her grandparents.”

“Why don't you come to Columbus? That would be about halfway between your parents.”

Lorene lifted her eyebrows. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. I've sort of fallen in love with Columbus, and this house in particular. I might buy it.”

“What does Mrs. Lashley think about that?”

“I haven't asked her,” Chad said, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. He explained about his landlady's financial status and her daughter's desire to have her mother closer.

“Her grandparents built this house, and it's always been in the family. She won't sell, fearful it won't be taken care of or that the wrong people might buy it. She likes me—I think she will sell to me.”

“It's such a large house for one person.”

“I doubt that Grace will sell it to me unless I promise to get married and raise a family,” he joked, but he could tell the way Lorene looked at him that she thought he was being serious. “If I did that, you'd want to be close to your grandchildren, wouldn't you? And I'd like to see my sister grow up.”

Perry and Lorene exchanged hopeful glances. Perhaps they were wondering if this was his way of telling them that he'd forgiven them for the unsavory circumstances of his birth. But Chad wouldn't leave them to wonder.