Jodie's Song (6 page)

 

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“Time out. You mean to tell me you actually like mussels?”

Jodie giggled. “Yep. I'm of Celtic blood. Dad got me hooked on them when I was a little girl. I'm weird like that.”

She slid a morsel into her mouth and sighed. They were seated across from one another, bathed by candlelight, their locale a linen draped table at Viviano's. A small white plate, artfully decorated by purplish black shells rested between them. The shells were half opened to reveal small chunks of yellowed sea-meat that, to Jodie, tasted divine, especially bathed in white wine sauce and perfectly blended seasonings.

“Amazing.”

His astonishment only made her enjoy her appetizer all the more, though she gifted him with a sweet and heartfelt smile. “Thanks for letting me order them.”

“No problem.”

Kevin had sampled the appetizer with a less than enthusiastic reaction. Jodie wiped her fingertips on the napkin spread across her lap. “So, back to our discussion. Angels.”

“Yep. Uncle Andy is somewhat of a legend around here because of them.”

“You mentioned something about that a while back. Care to explain?”

Kevin relaxed against the back of his chair and sipped from a goblet of water. “He talks to the angels that seem to always be present around Heart's Haven.”

“Really?”

“Oh, it gets better. You see, when it comes to matching up soul mates and helping people find their way to love, and faith, you can't beat the track record to be found at the complex he created.”

It was Jodie's turn to be astonished. “Fascinating. I could probably dedicate an entire show to the topic.”

“Yeah, you could call it truth is indeed much stranger, and more amazing, than fiction.”

Jodie paused from eating. Folding her hands against the tabletop, she leaned toward him. “It seems to me your spirit is pretty finely attuned to the brushstroke of those wings. You pick up on nuance. That's a beautiful thing.”

Kevin edged forward as well. “Do you think you might ever embrace a mystery like that? A world full of angel-speak, romance, and a call to faith that's led by heaven itself?”

Air caught in her lungs. She went still, lost to him. “Given the right circumstances, yes.”

“Meaning?”

Jodie attempted a smile, but her lips wobbled. Emotional longings, a wish for love that even her practical side couldn't completely refute, rode in on a strong wave. “I'm still finding my way, so I don't see the angel theory holding true for me in particular, but that's OK. That doesn't mean the truth doesn't exist. After all, look at Kaci and Ryne. Something wonderful is being created there. Love stories are fine, for some.”

“Fair enough, but would you answer a question for me?”

“I'll try.” A second, powerful undercurrent sailed into place, enveloping Jodie's body in no more time than it took to look deep into his dark brown eyes.

“Why not you? In spite of the obstacles, why not you?”

Kevin reached for her hand where it rested against the tabletop and took loose hold of her fingertips. The gesture was casual enough that Jodie stayed put, allowing the connection to linger. Still, vibrations of uncertainty crept into the moment. They slid closer and closer to territory of the deepest heart, and she wasn't certain of what should…or could…come next. She nipped at the inside of her cheek, hesitating, and her heart flipped a couple of times, beginning to pound a bit faster. Jodie tried to still her spirit but failed miserably. She drew in a breath, shuddering, trying to wrap her head around his challenge, and the beautiful way he made her feel.

“Because what I want most in my life are friends like you and Kaci. I need wonderful people to share with—not romance. At least…not right now. Besides, I wouldn't want to shortchange a potential relationship by not being everything they want or need. I've got too much shifting sand built up along the ground floor of my life. No one would be interested in sharing my crazy life. At least, not at this point.”

By deliberate design, she kept her tone light and easy, especially at the end, but humor covered a multitude of truths that resided in her soul—truths Jodie couldn't confront while in the company of this remarkable man.

Needing to ram her point home, for herself as well as Kevin, she formed a conclusion to her statement. “I enjoy the companionship I've found since moving back to Angel Falls. Now I realize I need more than just me and my television set.”

“Friendships are great. So is companionship, but don't close off your mind to the possibilities that come your way, OK? God's speaking to you even in circumstances you find to be chaotic. Look beyond what you think you know, and what you think you need. You just might discover that despite all the outward chaos of your life and all the shifting sands you've talked about, that you're being given the opportunity to find an even deeper happiness.”

Slow and steady, Kevin slid his thumb against the back of her hand. A betraying layer of gooseflesh skimmed against her arms, vivid testimony to her pleasure, and his effect on her searching spirit.

He tilted his head, intensity morphing into friendly care when he concluded. “Evidently we're meant to travel this shaky road together and support each other through whatever comes next. Whatever the reason our lives came together, I don't even truly care—I'm just glad it happened.”

 

 

 

 

7

 

A few days later, Kevin knelt before a freshly placed wooden plank that now framed in the front flower beds of the community center at Heart's Haven. Jodie's show had just concluded. He leaned back on his heels and adjusted the volume on the nearby portable radio. He kept the unit handy now, especially during the cool, dew-kissed mornings when he worked the soil and her program aired. At present, a set of music played, headed by a sassy tune from Beckah Shae. While Beckah sang of putting on love glasses and living the full and glorious life, Kevin relived his dinner conversation with Jodie.

Friendship. Companionship.

Why was it that her analysis of what she wanted most in life acted upon his psyche like a blast of icy air?

The short answer was simple. He wanted more than that, and she didn't. That realization didn't please him, but it didn't deter him either. In a half hour or so, she would be next to him; he couldn't wait until she arrived.

Reaching into a nearby thermal cooler, Kevin's fingertips bumped past a selection of fresh fruit until he latched on to a water bottle. Twisting the cap, he drained a cold, quenching swallow. At that point, his cell phone came to life with a vibration that alerted him to an incoming text. Following a startled jump, he slid the phone free from the front pocket of his jeans and polished off a bit more water. The message was from Jodie.

So sry. Can't make it today. Dad taken to ER by ambulance an hour ago. Lost his footing on the porch step. Tumbled. Scratches n bruises. Nothing broken—docs r monitoring his heart n a nasty bump on his head. He went into AFib. Prayers, please. TTYSoon. J.

AFib. Atrial fibrillation. Kevin was familiar with the term because of Andy's recent health episodes. Her father's heart had launched into an irregular and dangerous pattern that would require medication and observation until stabilized. Add to that the complication of a frail body battered by a fall and Kevin's concern mounted.

During the concluding hour of her show, Jodie had given no indication of trouble. She had masked and banked what must be a solid wall of fiery terror. He breathed deep and sharp, still staring at the view screen of his phone. He marveled anew at the way God caused their paths to intersect.

He took that blessing to heart and surveyed the grounds. Everything, for now, was under control and more than on schedule. Toward that end, Jodie's help had been instrumental. Lifting to his feet, Kevin turned toward the entrance of the community center. Inside were the business offices for Heart's Haven. He took the stairs at a smooth, fast clip, making his way to Andy's office, where he knew he'd find his aunt and uncle.

“Andy…Viv?” He strode into the main office, Andy's unquestioned domain, and found his uncle resting his head in both hands, oblivious to Kevin's arrival.

“Can you…can you please keep the dark ones away from me for now? Just for a little while longer?” There followed a pause wherein Andy seemed to listen. “I know you always fight the good fight. I'm just askin' for a bit of time—enough to get a few more things straight and right.” Andy kept his tone low, and he seemed to snicker. “I know, I know. That's what we all say as we sense our own mortality, right? Well, not me. Me? I love the idea of coming home for good and for all, but—”

Kevin couldn't listen any longer. The conversation felt way too private, and way to ominous. “Hey…Uncle Andy?”

Slowly his uncle lifted his head, a wan smile quirking his lips. A sense of reluctance radiated from the man, and Kevin instantly regretted intruding. “Ya' caught me. Conversing with my favorites.”

The angels, just as Kevin suspected. These were the protectors of Andy's Haven and the older man's spirit as well if the truth be told. Kevin never mocked or questioned Andy's communion with heavenly bodies. Some newbies to the complex who didn't cleave to, or understand, the power of God's army might write Andy off as eccentric and unbalanced. Not Kevin. Not by a long shot.

That's why the tone of Andy's prayerful conversation alarmed him so. It rippled with the onrushing tide water of finality.

Kevin stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “I've got the flower beds under way along the front of the building, but I just got a message from Jodie. Her dad's in the hospital, and I think I…I know I should…well, I want to be there for her.”

Andy's tired though flashing eyes took on an injection of pain. “You're good stuff, Kevin. Go. Do it. She's already handling so much.”

The pallor of Andy's skin, the pronounced lines that creased his features, drew Kevin up short. Was his uncle OK?

“Sometimes,” Andy continued, pushing himself to a stand with slow, labored efforts, “the good and the bad go to war. I've sensed it happening all over the grounds of this place. I wish I weren't so blasted tired all the time. I could put up more of a spirit-fight. I could certainly be doing more.” He heaved a sigh and straightened to his full, indomitable height. “After I rest up a bit, I'll handle the rest of the plantings out front.”

“No. Really. We're ahead of schedule for the wedding and the grounds are beautiful. Everything is set. You don't have to worry about—”

“Did I say I was worried?” His uncle's voice was rumbling thunder. “No. I said I want to help.”

Kevin didn't respond to the pointed interruption. Like he and Jodie had discussed days ago, Andy was fighting for his legacy. No way would Kevin stand in the way of that effort. And, as far as the spiritual warfare Andy alluded to, Kevin sensed turmoil as well. But he also recognized the hope that bloomed beyond. After all, the darkness of Good Friday, which wasn't far away on the calendar, could never hold out against Easter's rebirth and joy.

So, he smiled at his uncle and rested a hand on his shoulder. “I'll be back as soon as I can. However, I'm obligated by your beautiful bride to say the following: if you work outside, don't get overheated, don't overdo it, and take your time. There's fruit and water in a cooler right by the landing. I prepped it for me and Jodie. You help yourself, OK?”

Andy gave him a gruff, affectionate shove. The older man failed to stem a grin. “Get outta here, would ya, please?”

“See you in a couple hours.”

 

****

 

The weather outside was sticky warm and humid, but inside Falls Memorial Hospital, chills skated up and down the skin of Jodie's arms, against her legs and spine. Perched stiffly in a chair in the waiting room of the ER, she hugged her arms to her midsection, staring across a small, utilitarian table at the doctor who had just admitted her father.

“Let's start with the basics.” He shifted, leaning forward against his forearms. “Atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heartbeat that occurs when one or both of the upper heart chambers beat erratically. This puts them out of sync with the heart's lower chambers—the ventricles.”

Adorned in scrubs, the kind-eyed, middle-aged man continued their consult by quoting treatment procedures along with recovery plans. Jodie tried desperately to absorb his words, but her head pounded, and dread held her in a grip.

“Ms. Cunningham, let me assure you, he's stable now, and he's resting comfortably. I'm taking the precaution of admitting him for overnight observation due to the fact that he hit his head. There's swelling and bruising, so I want to be sure he gets through the next twenty-four hours without complication. After that, I'm confident he'll be back to normal.”

“Thank you, doctor. When can I see him?”

“I'll have the admissions receptionist let you know when he's settled in his room. Shouldn't be more than fifteen or twenty minutes.”

Jodie stood in tandem with the physician who extended his hand, concluding, “During the exam and treatment process, I got the impression he's a tough individual. I wish you and your dad all the best. From this point on, he'll be monitored by his primary care physician.”

She nodded, bereft and alone once he swept out of the waiting room and disappeared through a set of sliding steel doors that led to the interior of the ER. Jodie trembled. She had alerted Tracee, but they were on their way north with every worldly possession in tow. Jodie would never ask or expect them to change their plans; besides, the situation didn't warrant a full-scale turnabout. So, she had assured her sister and brother-in-law that the situation was under control and promised continual updates.