Chasing Circumstance (19 page)

“A nursing home?  What are we doing here?”  I looked out at the building we had just pulled up in front of.

“Well, I volunteer here at least one night a week, and I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had a chance yet.  Come on, there are some people I’d like to introduce you to.”  He got out, came around to the passenger side and opened my door.

“This is fantastic!  I didn’t know you did this.  Why didn’t you tell me before?”  I helped him carry the bags in from the trunk.

“It’s no fun to tell you everything right away.  Some things are better to be shared personally, in the flesh.”  He winked at me as we walked through the front door.

“Hey, Anne, we’re here for game night.  I brought some homemade sugar-free cookies for everyone if that’s alright.”  He stopped and talked to the woman at the reception desk.

“Of course, Chace, and this must be Amia.  Hello, Hun, it’s nice to finally meet you.  Chace has said so many good things about you.”  She smiled a warm smile at me.

“Hello, Anne, I wish I could say the same thing, but all of this is a surprise to me.”  I sat down a bag and reached to shake her hand.

“You’ll get to know all of us.  Chace is our favorite visitor.  You’re a lucky woman.”  She picked up some papers and stood up.  “If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

“It was nice to meet you, Anne.  I hope to see you again soon.”  I waved as she walked away. 

“Come on, Gorgeous; let’s go meet my extended family.”  With his hands full, he nodded toward the door just past the reception area.

“Oh, by the way, nice job with the whole ‘glimpse at our future thing’.  You’re so funny.”  I laughed as I followed him into the next room.

“Hey everyone!  Look who I brought with me?”  His voice boomed across the room as he announced our arrival.

“Uncle Chace, Uncle Chace!  I miss you!  I no know if you was coming.”  A little boy ran up to him and hugged his leg.

“Hi, Connor!  I would never miss seeing you!”  He sat the bags he was carrying on a table and hugged Connor.  “Hey, Buddy, there’s someone I want you to meet.  This is my girlfriend, Amia.  Say hi.”

“Hi, Miss Amia.”  He reached to shake my hand.

“Well, hello Connor.  It’s such a pleasure to meet you.  I see you take after your uncle.”  I leaned down and shook his hand.  “What a very polite young man you are.”

“Uncle Chace tole me dat manners is impoetant and I always ‘ad to do my bestest to bemember dem.”  He smiled the biggest, sweetest smile at me.

“Well, that’s a good thing to remember.  Your uncle Chace is a smart man and you’d be wise to listen to him.”  I put my hand on Connor’s shoulder, looked up at Chace and winked at him.  “So, what do we do now?”

“Here, Connor, would you pass these cookies out to everyone, please?  I think there will even be enough left over for you to have a couple of them.”  Chace handed a plastic container of cookies to Conner.

“Sure will, Uncle Chace.  I be wight back.”  He ran off to do as he was asked to do.

“I thought you were an only child.  Whose son is he?”  I stepped closer to Chace and whispered in his ear.

“Oh, he’s not biologically my nephew.  He is the grandson of one of the residents here.  He comes to visit Margaret a couple days a week.  His mother died, and no one knows who his father is.  His grandmother raised him until she had to come live here.  Now, the poor kid is in foster care waiting for a permanent home.  I know his foster parents really well.  I do respite care for them once in a while, and when they have things to do, he comes to stay with me.”  He watched Conner pass out the cookies.  I noticed the smile on his face.  It was soft and gentle.

“You just keep getting better and better, Love.”  I nestled against his chest and put my hand over his heart.

Wait, did you just call me ‘Love’?”  He looked down at me with the same smile he wore when he was watching Conner.

“I guess I did.  Is that okay?”  I smiled back.

“Of course it is.  I kinda like it.”  He leaned down and kissed me.

“Ew!  No kissin’, Uncle Chace.  Dats gwoss!”  Conner had returned with the cookies.

“It’s okay, Conner.  When people are in love, they get to kiss each other.”  He looked at me as he spoke to the little boy.

“Yep, Conner, your uncle is right again.”  I reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Oh, okay.  If you say so.”  Conner shrugged his shoulders before taking the last three cookies out of the container.  “Here ya go.”  He handed us each one of the cookies.

“Thank you.”  I touched his nose and smiled at him.  “When do we play games?”

“Wight now!  It’s game time folks!  It’s game time!”  Conner started running around making his announcement.

The rest of the evening was spent playing cards, bingo, and working on puzzles with the residents of the home.  I saw another side of Chace that night that made me fall even more in love with him.  As we were packing up to leave, Conner’s foster mother showed up to pick him up.

Chace introduced us, and I told her how much of a pleasure it was to meet Conner and how wonderful of a little boy he was.

“Cindy?  Do you have plans tomorrow with Conner?”  I asked her as she was buckling him into his car seat.

“No, why?”  She made sure the belts were tight before closing the back door.

“Well, I know we just met, but I was wondering if Chace and I could pick him up and take him out for a little while?  I had so much fun with him tonight that I would love to spend more time with him and get to know him better.”  I stood next to Chace and held his hand.

“That would be fine with me if Chace is in agreement.”  She looked at Chace.

“Sounds like the perfect day.  My favorite woman and my favorite little man?  How about we stop by and pick him up around noon?”  He pulled me close and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

“Perfect.  See you then.”  She got into her car and waved at us as she left.

“Ready?  I need to get you home so I can get to the bar.  Max has to leave around eight o’clock for his daughter’s band concert, and I promised him I would be there to take over for him.”  He opened the trunk to put the empty containers in the back.

“Yep, let’s go.  I could use a quiet night at home, and with Jo out on her date with Sam, it’s the perfect night for me to soak in the tub, drink a bottle of wine and write in my blog.”  I opened my door and got in.

We talked about Conner the entire way back to my place.  I could tell how much he loved that little boy and I loved the fact that he did.  I had never wanted children because of the way I grew up, but spending time with Conner made me think twice about that decision.

We pulled up in the driveway and Chace got out to walk me to the door.  “I’ll call you later, Gorgeous.”  He leaned down and kissed me.

“I’ll be waiting, Love.”  I smiled and unlocked the door.  Turning, I watched him walk to his car and pull away.  I closed the door and locked it behind me before heading upstairs to write in my blog and relax in the tub with soft music and sweet wine.

“Dear You,

Have you thought about your future self?  What you will look like?  Act like?  What type of person you will be? 

What about your past self?  Are there still traces of that person in the one you are today?  Do you laugh the same?  Walk the same?  Think the same as you did when you were younger?

I believe that as we grow older, we have a tendency to lock away the innocent parts of us deep in our minds and forget what it is to be a child.  We need to make time for those parts of us to roam free in the sunshine and remember what it is to laugh freely and love deeply.

So tonight, dear readers, I leave you with this question…

What will your inner child do today?

~ Amia”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“I can’t believe how tan you got when we were in the Bahamas!  Aren’t you scared of skin cancer?”  I sat down in the chair across from Jo.  She sat behind her desk going over the list of the vendors we had pulled together that were going to help us with the pub.  It was now October 31st and it had been just over a month since we had come up with the idea.

“At my age, I have no fear.”  She flipped through the papers checking off both lists as she went.

“So, what do we still need to do?”  I reached for the copies of the list Jo passed me across the desk.

“It looks like we have everything covered.  The fixtures will be delivered tomorrow afternoon after you and Chace leave on your vacation, and the new television is already downstairs in the storage room.  The contractors will also be there tomorrow around mid-day to start tearing out the wall between the two halves of the building.  That’s going to make a really nice seating area for the restaurant part of the pub.”  She tapped her pen against her forehead as she read on.  “The restorer is going to meet me at the bar Monday afternoon to pick up the jukebox and he promised me he will have it done and back to me by Thursday.  The dining room furniture will be delivered and put together on Friday morning, and I have the cleaners coming in that afternoon.  The contractors promised to be done with all of the construction by Thursday night even if they have to stay there all night, every night.  I know the head contractor personally, and I believe him when he makes a promise.” 

“What about the barstools and the walls and floors?” I looked at my list but didn’t see them checked off.

“Oh right, the guys for the woodwork will be in Monday morning as well, and the barstools will be picked up Monday afternoon and returned on Wednesday, so we have plenty of time to get everything in place.  I took the whole week off from work and have Nancy filling in for me, so I can oversee everything.”  She picked up her bottle of water and took a drink.  “Oh, and Sam took the week off as well and is going to help me out.”

“How are things between the two of you?”  I sat my copies on her desk and picked up my own bottle of water.

“We’re doing really well.  We don’t see each other as often as we would like to, but it’s moving right along.”  She tried to hide her smile but it didn’t work.

“That’s fantastic, Jo!”  I was so happy she had decided to pursue a relationship with Sam.  Somehow, the two of them just seemed to fit together.

“Do you and Chace have plans for tonight?  Some big party at the bar?”  She pushed back from her desk and put her feet up on it.

“Well, there is a party at the bar, but we’re not going.  We’re taking Connor trick or treating, and then going home to finish packing since our flight leaves out so early tomorrow morning.  I’m going to stay at his place tonight, so I won’t see you until we get back.”

“Where is Conner going while the two of you are on vacation?”  She tapped her feet together on top her desk.

“Oh, he’s staying with his former foster parents for the week, and we’ll pick him up when we return.”  I loved talking about Conner.  He was such an amazing child and his youthful energy was contagious.

“How is operation adoption going?”  Jo giggled at her pet name for the adoption proceedings.

“It’s going exactly as it’s supposed to.  Chace and Conner are getting along like they’ve always known each other, and he’s only lived with Chace for about two weeks now.  It’s a beautiful thing to not only witness but to be a part of as well.  Chace is even looking for a house to buy because he wants to give Conner everything he’s never had, including a backyard to play in.”  I spun around in my chair like a little girl on a merry-go-round.

“I absolutely could not be happier for all of you.  Would you like me to talk to my realtor friend about houses that are available?”

“Yes, thank you!  That would be wonderful!”  I stopped spinning around and faced Jo.  “I’m so nervous about our vacation.”

“I don’t know how you do it.  There is no way I could date a man for almost two months and not have sex with him.”  She took her feet off her desk, sat up straight and laughed.

“You can’t date a man for two hours and not fuck him.”  I laughed so hard that I knocked my bottle of water over, spilling it on the carpet.  “Fuck, I’ll grab some paper towels and get that cleaned up.”

“Don’t worry about it.  It’s just water, it’ll dry.”  She put her cell phone in her purse and stood up to grab her jacket.  “Ready to go?”

“Yeah, just let me grab my things from my office and lock up.  Again, thanks so much for dropping me off at Chace’s before you head home.  I’m going to miss you.”  I stood up and hugged her.

“You know I love you.  I’m gonna miss you, but I’m glad the two of you are finally gonna play Hide-N-Seek… Naked!”  She put her arm over my shoulder as we walked out.  I waited for her as she locked her office. 

We walked down the hall and as we approached Nancy’s office, Jo stopped in to give her the keys and the folder with all of her instructions in it.  I waited out in the hall while she took care of it.  “Don’t forget, you can call my cell anytime if you need me.  I’ll be right across the street, so I can get here in just a few minutes if needed.”  She waved at Nancy and closed the door.

We strolled arm in arm down to my office and she came in to look around while I gathered my things.  “You know, Amia, your office could use an overhaul as well.  It’s so clinical in here.”

“No, absolutely not!  I like my office like this.  I like things perfectly orderly.  I forbid you to touch it!”  I watered my plant, picked up my purse and jacket and walked over to the door.  “Come on, let’s go, Miss Busy Body.”

We headed out to her car and left.  When we pulled up in front of Chace’s apartment, he and Connor were waiting outside for me.  “Amia’s here!  Amia’s here!”  Connor jumped up and down. 

“I’ll see you when we get back.  I love you, Jo.  Thanks again so much for taking care of all this.  I can’t believe we pulled it off.”  I reached over and kissed her on the cheek.

“We haven’t yet, but I’m sure there won’t be any problems.  If something happens that I can’t handle, I’ll call you.  Have lots of fun, and I love you too!”  She kissed me back.  I got out of the car and she pulled away.

“How are my two favorite guys?”  I leaned down and hugged Connor.

“I’m not a guy, Miss Amia, I’m a lil’ boy.”  Conner put his hands on his hips and wrinkled up his nose.

“That you are, Connor.  How’s my guy then?”  I walked over to where Chace was sitting on the steps.

“Much better now that you’re here.”  He stood up and kissed me softly on the lips. 

“Better?  Is everything okay?”  I whispered to him so Connor wouldn’t hear me.

“Yeah, I’m just gonna miss the lil’ guy.”  He put his arm over my shoulder, took Connor by the hand, and we all headed upstairs to get ready for trick or treating.

“Why did you choose to be a Prince, Connor?”  I helped him put on his costume while Chace was busy in another room.

“Cuz Daddy Chace taught me ‘bout manners and Pwinces have gooder manners.”  He looked in the mirror while I straightened his cummerbund.  “Where you cos-sume, Miss Amia?” 

“It’s right here, Conner.”  Before I could answer him, Chace stepped around the corner and presented me with a plastic bag that was concealing a costume.

“What’s this?”  I stood up and took the bag from Chace.

“It’s your costume.  Why don’t you go put it on?  I’ll help Conner finish up and then put my own costume on.  Go on now, we got this.”  He kissed me and then playfully pushed me toward the door.

“This is so sweet!  I’ll be right back.  Don’t the two of you run off without me.”  I winked at Chace and Connor.

“We no go nowhere wid-out you, Miss Amia, we wuv you!”  Connor called out after me as I walked down the hallway to Chace’s bedroom in order to change.

“I wuv you too, Connor!”  I yelled back down the hallway.  “And you too, Chace!”  I laughed and closed the door so I could get dressed.  Laying the costume on the bed, I removed the plastic bag to expose it.  It was a stunningly beautiful gown, train and crown.  I was going to be a Queen… Chace’s Queen.  I picked up the gown, held it against my body and looked in the mirror.  It was white and silver with delicate lace around the neck and wrists.  “Stunning, simply stunning.”  I whispered to myself before disrobing and putting it on.

A few minutes later, I pulled the bun out of my hair and watched as it fell in soft curls around my face.  I placed the crown on the top of my head, gathered up the train and walked back down the hall to where my guys were waiting for me.

“You wook pwetty!”  Connor was completely dressed and sitting on his bed waiting for us.

“Why thank you, Sir Prince.  You look very handsome yourself.”  I curtsied to the little Prince.

“And my Queen is the fairest in all the lands.”  Chace walked up behind me and handed me a baton.  “What is a Queen without her scepter?”

“Thank you, Dear King.  Might I ask your assistance in pinning my train to the back of my gown?”  I handed him the material and pin.

“Why of course, My Queen.  Your wish is my command.”  He lifted my hair and pinned the material to the top of the collar.

“What ‘bout my wish?”  Connor tugged at the tails on Chace’s jacket.

“And what is your wish, My Little Prince?”  He picked him up and held him in his arms.

“To go and get lotsa candy!”  Connor yelled loudly and raised his candy bucket in the air.

“Your wish is also my command, Connor.  Let’s go!”  Chace took me by the hand and still carrying Connor, we walked down the hall to the front door.  “Would you lock that please, My Queen?”

“Of course.”  I locked the door before closing it and the three of us were on our way.  After we were all in the car, I asked Chace where we were going.

“I thought we would go to the nursing home first and show off our costumes, and then head over to your part of town so Jo can see us.  I bet you have better candy over there anyway.”  He pulled out and we were off.

Connor talked non-stop on our way to the nursing home. He told us stories of how he slayed dragons to keep us safe and that he was the only one that could pull the sword out of the stone.  His imagination worked almost as fast as his words did.

As soon as we pulled into the nursing home and parked the car, Connor started yelling, “Yay!  We get see Gwamma!  She gone wuv my cos-sume!”  He had already taken off his seatbelt by the time Chace opened the back door to get him out of his car seat.

The three of us walked hand in hand into the nursing home with a bag of sugar free cookies we had made for the residents that looked like ghosts, pumpkins and bats.  There was never a time we went there that we didn’t bring treats with us.

“On behalf of the entire staff, I would like to welcome the Royal Family to our humble home.”  Anne was dressed as a scarecrow and bowed to us as we entered.

“Why, thank you, Miss Anne.  You may rise.”  Chace played along.  He was such a good father and there was nothing he wouldn’t do just to see Connor smile.

Connor handed Anne a cookie and said, “You spose to say twick o tweet.”

“Trick or treat.”  Anne accepted the cookie from Connor.  “Thank you young Prince.”  She bowed again.

“You welcome.”  Connor skipped ahead of us as we waved to Anne and smiled.  Connor ran right up to his grandmother and hugged her tightly.  “Wook Gwamma!  I’m a pwince!” 

“I see, Baby!”  Margaret held tight to Connor.  “I’m so happy to see you.”  She kissed him on the cheek.

“Prince Connor, would you please pass out these cookies to everyone?”  Chace handed them to his little Prince.

“Suwe ting, Daddy Chace.”  He took the cookies from Chace.  “Here ya go, Gwamma.”  Connor handed a cookie to Margaret and then skipped around passing the rest of them out yelling, “Trick or treat!”

“Chace, I can’t tell you how happy I am that he’s living with you.  I know how much you love my grandson and it does an old lady’s heart good to see him loved that much.  And you, Miss Amia, you are going to make a wonderful mother.”  Margaret reached to hold my hand as tears flowed down her cheeks.  “I don’t know how much longer I have, but you’ve made the last of my time here on earth very happy.”  She squeezed my hand and shook it a little.

“Don’t fret about such things, Miss Margaret.  You’re not going anywhere, anytime soon.”  I sat next to her and hugged her.

We walked around and talked to the residents while Connor gathered candy from them.  A happier child could not have been found that night.  After about an hour of hanging out at the nursing home, we said goodnight and headed out to finish our excursion.

As we pulled up to the block I lived on, I looked in the back seat and saw that Connor was fast asleep.  “Love?  I think maybe we should just take him over to Cindy and Dan’s.  He’s passed out cold from all the excitement.”

“Ah, how adorable is he?”  Chace looked in the rearview mirror and smiled.  We kept driving until we reached Connor’s former foster home.  After parking the car, Chace got out and carried Connor to the front door.  I got his bag out of the trunk and followed him.  Cindy answered the door and let us in.  After explaining what happened, we brought him inside and tucked him into his old bed.  Kissing him on the cheek, we each said goodnight.  When we got back downstairs, we thanked Cindy and Dan for looking after him, shook their hands and headed toward Chace’s place.