Sleeping Beauty (22 page)

Were real athletes, you and I, always jumping to conclusions. I moved across the gazebo and took my place beside him. Maybe Id better explain what precipitated this.

Now it was my turn to blush. I woke up early the morning after the tests in your clinic and started down the hall to find the technician. Thats when I overheard you talking to someone about real-life examples for your book.

So? They had nothing to do with you. Dr. Fielding has been a great help to me in that area.

But I didnt know that. I bowed my head and stared at the planked floor. My voice was only slightly above a whisper when I spoke again. You see, when I was a child, I, too, knocked over a set of shelves in my fathers garage. I dreamed I was rescuing a kitten and they toppled onto my fathers car.

I recall you mentioning it. A remarkable coincidence, David murmured, but not impossible. Many of my patients report similar night activities. Usually it involves rearranging furniture or removing clothing from a closet and strewing them around the house, but Ive heard of rescuing small animals before. The brain is a mysterious entity. The more we know about it, the more we realize we dont know.

When I overheard the conversation, I thought you were talking about me.

He looked horrified. You thought it was you we were discussing?

I hung my head.

And that Id betrayed your privacy?

Im sorry, David. I should have known better. Youve never given me any reason to believe that youre anything other than a consummate professional. I realize now that Ive been so hung up on this issue that its skewed my thinking on several things. Im so sorry I doubted you.

I didnt want tears to come to my eyes but I couldnt stop them. Id messed things up royally now.

Worst of all, I realized, my lack of trust in Davidor anyonehas spilled over into my relationship with God. Whats happened to me? When had I quit clinging to the verses that had guided so much of my life? Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

It all seemed so clear now, the way that, these past weeks, I had edged God out of my life. When had I last prayed about what was happening to me? Other than church and Sunday school for the boys, Id put my relationship with Him on a back burner and hadnt even noticed. Shame leaked through me. Id let my disorder rule and overwhelm me. Oh, me of little faith! I paraphrased aloud. And look where it had gotten me.

A showdown Id had with Terry yesterday popped into my mind. He, not wanting to listen to my instruction to turn off the television, had spun to face me as he stood in front of the tube. With cartoons playing behind him, he struck a pose, hands on hips, stubborn resistance on his babyish features. You arent the boss of me! he informed me. My moms the boss of me.

Well, Gods the boss of me and Ive been just as stubborn and resistant as my little nephew.

I looked up, hoping for some type of absolution and forgiveness but none was forthcoming.

That was, in part, because another disturbance seemed to be brewing in my backyard.

I glanced out of the doorway of the gazebo in time to see Darla clutching Chester to her bosom and struggling to back down the ladder to terra firma. My father, who was helping her, nearly knocked her off the ladder when my mother let out a piercing screech that left small children deaf in three counties.

My first thought, my only thought, when someone screams these days, is that the twins are either in trouble or causing it. David, apparently on the same wavelength, jumped to his feet. He grabbed my hand and we raced to the source of the ruckus.

My mother had her back to the twins, who were sitting angelically in the molded plastic pool of puppies. It wasnt them, then. They were actually as well behaved as Id ever seen them.

She was staring at the patio door.

I have got to lock my front door, I muttered to David. Too many weird people are getting in that way.

These weird people are your family, he reminded me.

But weird, nevertheless. I looked at him hopefully. You can see now why Im such a basket case. Its environmental. All my role models are wacky, too.

Im beginning to believe youre right. He frowned and stared past my mother to the house. Whos that?

The impetus for mothers screams stepped out of the house and onto the porch.

Mickey, holding a plump pink bundle in her arms, and Jeff, stepped into view.

Hallelujah! Praise be to God! They were home safely with my new little niece.

The second thing for which I was immediately grateful was the fact that the boys were no longer my responsibility. Id kept them alive all this time! And me, I was alive, too. Oh, yes, suddenly there was much to be thankful for.

D avid and I had entered the gazebo as antagonists and emerged as allies. Now it was us against them. Them, being Darla, Charley and my family, who collectively lost their minds at the sight of the new baby. The twins, on the other hand, were not terribly interested in either the baby or their parents. They were, of course, being licked by ten small pink tongues and inhaling the heady and distinctive scent of puppy breath.

My mother hugged Mickey and simultaneously maneuvered the baby out of her arms, leaving Mickey free to rush to the boys.

Mommys home, Terry! Mommys home, Tommy! Come to Mommy.

The boys shifted their attention to the madwoman racing at them. Terry began to squeal with glee and Tommy joined in.

I hung back with David at my side until the shrieks and tears subsided and Mickeys gaze fell on me.

She charged toward me with such fervor that I was tempted to step behind David to protect myself. When she reached me, she squeezed my cheeks between the palms of her hands. You are the most wonderful sister in the entire world. The boys look amazing. Theyve grown two inches since Ive been gone. And I love their new haircuts but it makes them look so grown up. Were they good? Did you have any trouble?

There are some questions that are best left unanswered.

Then she grabbed Davids hand. You must be Dr. Grant. Ive heard so much about you. Youre even more handsome than my sisterOuchWhat did you do that for, Suze?

I removed the toe of my shoe from her instep, hoping my hint would shut her up but it was not to be.

You must be very special. Before I left, Suze told me she was giving up men.

He looked at me. No kidding?

You can talk to me later, sis. I want to hear everything but right now, I just want to hold my new niece.

It was past the boys bedtime before Mickey and Jeff made their move to leave. The twins had spent most of their time trying to wear the soft black and fuzzy hair off little Marias head with kisses. The baby, apparently gifted with both patience and a cheerful disposition, took it all in stride.

Isnt she beautiful? My brother-in-law leaned over her as she lay in her bassinet.

Incredible. And perfect. Look at those fingers, and that nose.

Jeff unexpectedly gathered me into his arms. Well never be able to repay you for what youve done for us, Suze. It was you who made it possible for us to take the time we needed to get Maria. When you have kids, youre never going to have to hire a babysitter. Were here for you, kiddo.

I noticed David watching this touching scene with a mysterious smile on his face. Maybe he was thinking what I was. I have a lifetime supply of babysitting to count on and no present or future opportunities to marry. Perhaps I could suggest Mickey and Jeff get me a day at the spa as a thank-you gift instead.

After everyone had gonethe boys to sleep in their own beds for the first time in weeks, my parents to recharge so that they could spend tomorrow with Maria, and Darla and Charley to the coffee shop down the streetDavid and I took seats in my suddenly silent living room.

I didnt know quite what to say and he seemed content with the silence so we simply sat, watching each other, waiting for what would come next.

David spoke first. Perhaps I was a little too quick to judge. You did have good reason not to trust me.

But you didnt deserve it. Youve never been anything but kind and forthright with me. It wasnt fair and I was wrong. I paused. David, will you forgive me? I know I dont deserve it, but I would feel so much better.

Remember, he quoted with a smile, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And there isnt anything to forgive. It was a misunderstanding, thats all.

Suze, he continued. How do you feel about the life I live?

It was hardly a question Id expected but it didnt take me long to formulate an answer. Its too perfect.

What do you mean?

I made a sweeping motion with my hand to indicate my living room. The twins toys were everywhere. Id put my wildly painted chairs near my fireplace and Chester had pulled several scraps of quilt fabric out of a basket and into the center of the room. What do you think of my life?

Eclectic. Out of the ordinary. Creative.

Somewhere you could live?

He shifted in his chair. Not easily, he confessed.

Well, there you have it, I concluded glumly. David and Suze, the human equivalents of oil and water.

Emulsions, he said softly.

I stared at him. I dont understand.

Its the mixture of two unblendable substances, like there are in mayonnaise or margarine.

So it can be done?

In a sense, with effort.

Youre getting a little too technical for me. I work for an insurance company, remember? Youre the doctor.

Its like you and me, Suze. Theres no way were going to blend our lives without effort.

Who said anything about blending lives? I could barely believe that David was still talking to me.

He saw my confusion and smiled. Darla gave me your lecture.

Which one? I have so many, I joked weakly.

The one about compromise. The one that made Darla and Charley decide they could make it as a couple.

She told you that? I was surprised. I wonder why.

Because she said that if she and Charley could do it, anyone could, even us.

Us? A couple? Even after the bumbling Ive done?

Especially because of the bumbling youve done. A playful expression flickered on his features. Imagine how much helpful information I might gather for my other patients and their spouses now that Ive fallen for someone who exhibits their problem.

Had I heard him correctly? Fallen for someone? That someone being me?

Its one thing to be an expert in sleep disorders and quite another to fall in love with a woman who manifests them, I reminded him, wanting him to be very clear about what he was proposing.

If we compromise, I think we can make it, Suze. What do you think? Do you want to give it a try?

Oh, boy, do I!

M arriage? Its all about compromise.

Our wedding was amazing. The Terrors were ring bearers and they didnt set anything on fire, topple any flowers or even really misbehave. For the briefest moment, I almost missed their old behavior, but I came to my senses within minutes.

Baby Maria stole the show but I didnt mind. I was too busy crying with happiness and giving thanks to God for all the amazing things Hed brought about.

Darla and Charley were our attendants and spent most of the day taking notes for their own wedding. They were trying to compromise about where to hold it. Charley wanted to get married at the zoo and Darla in a large downtown church. I think theyll settle on the cozy church I go to.

David and I both sold our homes and purchased a warm, inviting but contemporary home on a small lake. Its the best of both worlds. The public rooms in our housethe living and dining rooms and foyerhold Davids beautiful angular leather furniture. The kitchen, the craft room and spare bedroom were mine to decorate. The two painted chairs look fabulous in the guest room.

He drives a BMW and I a van that David calls my purse on four wheels. Its filled to the brim with things I might needsun block, a shovel, books on tape, mittens, newspapers, even a snack or two. And David thinks his BMW is cluttered if his sunglasses are lying on the seat.

Ive agreed not to foster any pets that are not of the cat and dog variety. This did prevent me from fostering one adorable pot-bellied pig, but Charley wanted him at his house anyway. In exchange, David lets me have as many cats and dogs as I can manage.

Thats one fewer now that Ive adopted Chester and given him his forever home.

Of course, Ive got my forever home now, too.

Its in Davids heart.

STEEPLE HILL BOOKS

ISBN: 978-1-4268-0740-4

SLEEPING BEAUTY

Copyright © 2007 by Judy Duenow

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