The Color of Hope (13 page)

Travis shook it. “You as well.”

“Okay, everybody, listen up.” Wood waved his arms on the top step of the back porch so people could see him. “I don’t have a microphone, so I need silence.”

It took a good two minutes for the noise to quiet down, especially from the kids playing on the swing set.

“Libby came up with a great idea to start a volleyball tournament this year,” Wood said. “And yes, I’m bragging on my baby girl again,
because I could tell even from the barbecue pit that everybody had big fun!”

A round of cheers went up.

“Competition was stiff,” Wood continued. “Seven teams signed up, and they came to
play
. But there can only be one victor—”

A group that included Marcus and Charley started cheering and pumping their fists.

Wood gave a hearty laugh. “They call themselves the Crush, and it’s obvious why.”

The Crush roared again.

“Winner of the first annual Sanders Family Reunion Volleyball Tournament is . . . the Crush! Come on up and get your trophies!”

Marcus, Charley, and five more players ran up, fists pumping, and collected the trophies Libby had bought from a supply store.

“Now, wait a minute,” Wood said. “We’re not done. I need Marcus and Charley to stay here. And I want my sister Gladys to come up.”

People started buzzing, wondering what was up.

“A lot of you may not know,” Wood said, “but we had our own little competition among Grandma Geri’s kids. Each of us had a team, and we’ve been giving out points all weekend based on participation in events and so on. And frankly, you know me . . . I wanted to win.”

Family members laughed and shouted back at him.

Wood continued, “For the record, I’m very proud of my team. Libby and Travis racked up most of our points this weekend.” He scanned the crowd. “I don’t know where they are, but a big shout-out to Team Wood!”

Travis and Libby waved at him. Neither shouted back. She could feel Omar staring at her.

“But I have to congratulate Team Gladys, because the basketball game yesterday and the volleyball tournament today put them at the top. Marcus and Charley, you are two serious athletes.” He turned
to the crowd. “Let’s give a big round of applause to these athletic dynamos.”

Marcus and Charley high-fived one another as applause went up. Gladys hugged them both.

Wood raised his hands to quiet everyone. “But wait . . .
wait
. . . there’s one problem. Team Gladys has the most points
at the moment
. And even though there’s nothing left to do but eat—no points for that—there
is
something that might knock them out of the number one spot. I think everyone will agree that we
have
to award big points for this.” He paused for effect, grinning. “Kory, come on up!”

Libby snapped her head around, looking for Kory.
What in the
world . . .

Kory emerged from the crowd with a grin of his own, joining Wood on the top step.

When the chatter died down, Kory began. “I was eighteen years old when I came to my first Sanders family reunion. It was there that I met Janelle.”

Everyone looked to see where Janelle stood in the crowd.

“I don’t know how it was possible, but by the end of that weekend, after endless conversation and getting to know the spirit within, I had fallen in love with that girl.”

Janelle was dabbing tears.

“We lost touch,” Kory said, “and I thought Janelle would forever be a distant memory. But our paths have crossed again. And my love for her has only grown deeper and wider.” He stopped to gather himself. “Estelle and Russell, can you come up here?” He smiled. “I’ve already had a long talk with them about this.” He looked to the front row. “My daughter, Dee, and Janelle’s son and daughter, Daniel and Tiffany, come on up—I talked to them too.”

Laughter rose, but it was soft laughter.

When they had all gathered on the porch, Kory walked down the steps and into the crowd. He led Janelle by hand to the porch
landing. Then he held out his hand, and Janelle’s father passed him a small box. Kory went down on a knee.

Janelle was in tears, and Libby realized she was too. She couldn’t hear the words clearly, but she had no doubt what Kory had said as Janelle blurted, “Yes,” and he took her into his arms.

The family celebrated with applause, cheers, and tears. Slowly, the crowd broke, many making their way to congratulate Janelle and Kory.

“You okay?” Travis said.

Libby swiped the tears. “Fine.”

Omar took her hand. “Walk with me a minute.”

When they found space to themselves, Omar stopped and turned to her. “Looks like I’ve missed a lot this weekend.”

Libby looked at him. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“I thought you didn’t want me here because you’d be busy with reunion festivities.” His eyes bore into hers. “But that wasn’t it at all. You’ve been busy with Travis.”

“Where’d you get that from?”

“Team Wood? You asked Travis to be on your team and not me? I thought I was the one you’ve been seeing.”

“Okay, really, Omar? You’re questioning me?”
Why does this happen
every
time?
“Travis has been coming to these reunions since he was a boy. My family knows and loves him. He helped with the planning, so I simply asked if he wanted to be on the team.”

“Your
family
knows and loves him. That includes you, right?”

Libby sighed. “Omar, I’m not doing this. I’m not in the mood. I didn’t invite you so you could grill me.”

“Why
did
you invite me, Libby? Looked like there was some tension between you and Travis. Something happened, so you called your runner-up, Omar?”

“It wasn’t like that.”

“I think it was exactly like that.” He looked at her, shaking his
head. “You know what? You told me you didn’t want a commitment, and I was fine with that. I didn’t plan to get my feelings involved, but I did. I actually cut other women back to spend time with you. And to be honest, with all the time we spend together, I thought you’d come around. But I won’t let you play me like this.”

Emotion welled up again. Was he about to walk away? Libby could hear her Raleigh friends telling her she was crazy not to commit to Omar, that he was handsome, made good money, and treated her well . . . and if she didn’t want him, she needed to get out of the way so somebody else could have him. But she didn’t want to get out of the way. She liked having him in her life, even if only a part of it.

A light entered Omar’s eyes. “I just realized what you said . . . that Travis has been coming here for years. You two have a history, don’t you?”

“A long-time-ago history. We dated in college.”

“Okay.” Omar laughed a little, but there was no humor in it. “All this time I knew you weren’t ready for ‘commitment,’ which I always took to mean you weren’t ready for marriage. But I thought I was still special to you. I thought I was the main guy in your life. But that’s Travis’s spot.”

“No, Omar, it’s not Travis’s spot.” Exasperation filled her voice. “Can we just . . . move on and forget all this?”

He stared into her eyes. “No. We can’t. I’m headed back to Raleigh.”

Her heart sank. “Aren’t you going to eat? We have ribs and chicken and—”

He held up his hand, taking a step back. “I’m good. Take care, Libby.”

“I’ll see you later this week?”

He shook his head, turned, and walked toward his car.

Libby couldn’t breathe. Should she go after him? Reassure him? She sighed. Reassure him of what? Her noncommittal stance?

Suddenly, in the midst of a gathering of over a hundred people, she felt desperately alone.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

C
harley began making the rounds early evening, saying good-bye. Most of the Sanders family she still didn’t know, but from hanging out at Grandma Geri’s house, she’d gotten to know those family members in particular—and was proud of herself for learning the names of aunts, uncles, and innumerable cousins.

Charley hugged Janelle and Kory again. “I’m so happy for you two,” she said. “So beautiful, the way you did it, Kory. I’m a sucker for love stories. And after all you’ve been through.”

In one of the late-night conversations, Janelle and Kory had shared more of their story. Charley couldn’t believe Kory’s wife had left him for another man, then returned a year later—after he and Janelle had found one another again—when that other man left her. Janelle refused to stand in the way, insisting Kory try to reconcile. Though reluctant, he did try, only to watch his estranged wife leave again weeks later.

“I didn’t think I could love again.” Janelle clasped Kory’s hand. “Words can’t even describe.”

Stephanie walked by, and Charley stopped her. “Hey, let me get my hug.”

“Are you leaving?” Stephanie said. “I thought you wanted to tell me something.”

“I did,” Charley said, “but there hasn’t been a good time. I’ll call you.” Then she waved the idea away as quickly as she’d said it. “Never mind, I can’t wait.” She grinned. “I told Marcus I’m taking the coaching position!”

Stephanie’s eyes widened. “No way! You’re staying? What made you decide?”

“It started with that newspaper article,” Charley said. “I hate to say this, but I’d never heard much about what life was like in the sixties in Hope Springs. Gave me a real perspective for the way things are today, and why this joint service is so important. Then when Pastor Travis preached on God accomplishing His purpose through us . . . I felt this stirring, almost an urgency, that this is where I needed to be.”

“Wow.” Stephanie nodded. “I would say I’m surprised, but I know that feeling.” She hugged her. “Now I can admit I pulled a Marcus—I was praying for you.”

Charley gave her a skeptical look. “What did you pray?”

“That God would keep you here.” She held up her hands in defense. “But I said only if it’s His will.”

“Uh-huh. Turnabout is fair play.” She spotted Cyd in the distance. “Let me finish my good-byes to everybody who’s leaving town.” She smiled. “I can see you any ol’ time.”

Charley hugged Cyd, Cedric, and Chase, who were leaving early in the morning. Next she swung through the kitchen, saying good-bye to the aunts who’d cooked up a ton of good food, including breakfast that morning. Then, remembering her overnight bag in Stephanie and Lindell’s room, she doubled back.

The bedroom door was slightly ajar, and Charley heard voices as
she entered, though those speaking couldn’t see her. When she realized the voices belonged to Stephanie and Marcus—with her name in the conversation—she couldn’t help it. She paused where she stood.

“She just told me,” Stephanie was saying. “I’m so pumped she’s staying.”

“Me too,” Marcus said. “Definite plus for the volleyball program.”

“And maybe a plus for someone else?”

Marcus hesitated. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, just thought maybe I detected a little teeny something between the two of you. You needn’t confirm or deny, but if I’m right, I’m tickled pink.”

Charley’s jaw dropped. Stephanie detected something? On both their parts?

“A little teeny something?” There was a lightness in Marcus’s voice. “I like Charley a lot,” he said, “but not in the way you’re thinking. More like a sister.”

“Mm-hm. That’s why you hung out over here till all hours of the night, two nights straight, talking to her. I may be many things, but I ain’t crazy.”

Marcus was quiet a moment. “You know . . . maybe I need to be honest with myself. From what I’ve seen so far, Charley has a lot of qualities I want in a woman. Maybe you did detect a little something. It’s just . . .”

“What?”

Charley was sure she could hear her heart hammering.

“Whenever I see myself with someone, it’s a black woman. That’s what I happen to prefer. Is that wrong?”

“Marcus, I thought you were bringing me my purse!”

The sound of Aunt Gladys’s voice startled Charley, causing her to step back—and into the door. She headed quickly into the living room, realizing she still needed her bag. Her feet kept moving anyway. She’d get it tomorrow. She just needed to get out of—

Someone grabbed her hand and turned her around, and she wished her heart hadn’t fluttered. Marcus.

“Please tell me you didn’t hear that,” he said.

“I heard enough.”

He sighed. “I didn’t mean—”

“There’s nothing to say, Marcus. Really. Everything’s cool.”

He looked at her. “But I can’t leave it like this, Charley.” He tried to make eye contact, to no avail. “Can we talk a few minutes? We could go for a walk.”

Charley tried to stifle her emotions. He had no clue what she’d been feeling all weekend, so no clue how much it hurt. She needed to keep it that way.

She shrugged. “Sure, I’ve got a few minutes.” She turned slightly toward the back door, and he opened it, holding it as she walked past.

They moved through pockets of people, out of the lighted backyard, and up the street. They’d never had a moment alone like this, and Charley’s senses were on hyper alert—aware of his slow gait, the fresh scent from his shower, the brush of his arm when he drifted too close. Why
now
was she feeling drawn to him more than ever? What a joke.