The Healing Quilt (28 page)

Star was usually uncomfortable when someone else was driving, and today was no exception. It didn’t help that Kim kept glancing at Dad as they held a conversation. It was sickening to watch her dad smiling, nodding, and hanging on every word Kim said. Kim was no better. She kept laughing at the stupid little jokes and corny stories Dad told as they traveled along. Star would be glad when they got to Venice so she could get out of the car and be on the beach.
If Dad keeps acting like a teenager with a crush, I’ll lose my appetite
.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Emma said, gently patting Star’s arm. “Are you feeling okay today?”

“I’m fine. Just tired is all.”

“That’s understandable. We did get up pretty early this morning, not to mention the hours you traveled yesterday on the plane.”

“I’ll be fine.” Star studied Emma. She was wearing a navy blue dress, black shoes, and black stockings, and her white head covering was neatly in place.

Lamar was dressed in a pale blue shirt and a pair of denim-looking trousers held up with black suspenders. His straw hat rested in his hands and would no doubt offer him shade when the sun heated things up later today.

Star’s dad, on the other hand, had on a pair of jeans, with his swim trunks underneath. He also wore one of his biker vests, which covered his back and chest, leaving his muscular arms showing. Star wondered if he’d worn it to show off for Kim.

She glanced down at the black shorts she’d worn, along with a light beige tank top. At her dad’s insistence, she’d brought her swimsuit along but doubted that she’d wear it. She’d rather lie on the beach and soak up the sun than go swimming. Star thought she might also try some songwriting. She’d brought along a notebook and pen, in case she became inspired by the sound of the waves or seagulls that would no doubt be soaring overhead. If she kept busy with that, maybe she wouldn’t be expected to make conversation with Kim.

“I should have let you sit by the window,” Emma said, breaking into Star’s musings. “You’ve never been to Florida before, and there’s so much to see on this route we are taking. Have you ever been along a coastline like this?”

Star shook her head. “I saw it from the plane when I was flying down here, but I’ve never been to the beach on the gulf before.”

“Today should be fun for you then,” Lamar interjected. “Before too long, you’ll be able to walk right out and put your feet in the water.”

“I’m anxious to see it,” Star admitted. “The closest thing to big water I’ve ever seen was Lake Superior when Mom and I lived in Minneapolis. It was only one time, though, when Mom was dating some guy from Duluth. He took us to a place called Two Harbors for the day.”

“The lakes make up a large body of water, too,” Lamar said. “It’s a lot like the ocean when you’re looking out toward the horizon and all you can see is water. Ocean waves are a lot bigger than what you’d see on a lake, though.”

Star nodded. “I remember there were small waves on Lake Superior.”

“Going to the lake sounds like a nice memory for you,” Emma commented.

“It was a memory alright.” Star remembered how she’d felt like a nuisance that day, so long ago. It had been pretty clear Mom’s boyfriend Eddie wanted Mom all to himself.
Thank goodness Mom broke that relationship off quickly
.

Star wondered how things would go today between her dad and Kim. Would Kim resent her and act like she was in the way? Well, Star would make sure she wasn’t in the way, because she had little to say to Kim. And if she said what was really on her mind, she would upset both Kim and Dad.

Feeling drowsier, Star leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. “Wake me when we get there,” she murmured.

Venice, Florida

“According to my GPS, this is the place,” Kim said, pulling into the parking lot at Caspersen Beach. “And look, there are restrooms and a place to wash the sand off our feet, so that’ll be handy.”

Everyone climbed out of the car, and while Emma and Lamar stretched their legs and Star headed for the restrooms, Jan went around to open the trunk, where they’d stowed all their beach supplies and picnic basket. He and Kim had purchased some beach chairs, in addition to two special scoops with long handles they could take turns using when they searched for sharks’ teeth in the shallow part of the surf. Jan could hardly wait to try out one of those contraptions.

“I’m glad I brought plenty of sunscreen along,” Kim said, joining him at the back of the car. “From the looks of the sky, and feeling how warm it is already this morning, I’m guessing we’re in for a pretty hot day.”

Jan patted his jeans. “Which is why I am wearing my swim trunks under here—so I can get cooled off in the water if I get too hot and sweaty.”

“I’d thought about bringing my swimsuit,” Kim said, “but I knew Emma wouldn’t be wearing one, and knowing that the Amish dress modestly, I didn’t want to offend her or Lamar.” She glanced down at her turquoise shorts and rose-colored, sleeveless top. “Even this outfit, I wasn’t too sure about.”

“Aw, you look fine,” Jan said.
More than fine
, he mentally added. “Star wore shorts today, too, so you’re not alone, and I’m sure neither Emma nor Lamar will be offended.”

Kim smiled. “Your daughter’s a pretty young woman, Jan.”

“Yeah. I think she got her mother’s good looks, ’cause I still have mine.” Jan chuckled and winked at Kim.

She swatted his arm playfully. “Seriously, I’m glad Star’s here. I hope she and I will have a chance to really visit today. Since you and I were talking in the front seat on the way here, and she was sitting in the back, I didn’t get the opportunity to ask her any questions.” She paused while Jan reached into the trunk and took out the beach chairs. “I took US 41 so Star could see more of the scenery along the way. Maybe I should have suggested that she sit up front with me. Except for what I overhead her telling Emma and Lamar about the lake, I don’t think she said much else.”

Jan removed the rest of their things from the trunk. “Since we plan to spend a good portion of the day on the beach, you two will have lots of time to get acquainted. I’m sure you’ll get to know her, so don’t worry.”

Between them, Jan and Kim managed to grab most of the things. Lamar carried the beach umbrellas, Star had the picnic basket, and Emma tucked an old quilt under her arm as they left the parking lot and headed down the path to the beach. “Good thing we thought to bring the umbrellas along,” Jan added. “It’ll be nice to have a shady place to get out of the sun for a while. And just listen…Think I can already hear the waves calling to me.”

Sarasota

B.J. stared at the painting he’d started a few days ago. It was another beach scene, with the sun setting over the water in a rainbow of glorious colors. If he got it finished in time, it would make a nice thank-you gift for Emma and Lamar, which he hoped to give them at the last quilting class. So far, the seascape looked pretty good, and he was happy that he’d captured the colors just right, but something seemed to be missing. He just needed to figure out what and then add it in. Well, if he didn’t get it done before the last class, he’d finish it when he returned home and mail it to them. He hadn’t noticed many pictures on the walls in the Millers’ house, but hoped Emma and Lamar would like this one. Trouble was, he had so little energy this week.
Probably the cancer taking its toll on me
, he decided. He’d felt better when he’d first arrived in Sarasota, and thought there might be some hope for him after all. But for the last few days, he’d felt his body weakening, and it made him wonder if it had been a mistake to leave Chicago and come here. Maybe he should have continued with his cancer treatments. The vitamins and herbs he’d tried so far hadn’t done much to make him feel better. Perhaps he just needed to give them more time, or maybe he’d waited too long after his cancer diagnosis to try the more natural approach. Either way, B.J. knew he was in trouble, because he had coughed up blood the other day, and that wasn’t a good sign. But he had to keep fighting and pressing on. In addition to the wall hanging he wanted to finish for his granddaughter and the painting for the Millers, B.J. had a son out there somewhere whom he wished to meet.

B.J. left his easel, turned on the CD player for some relaxing music, and reclined in his chair.
I just wish Noreen would talk to me without getting hot under the collar. I wonder what would happen if I looked up her phone number and gave her a call. But that might make her even angrier than she already is
.

Just then, B.J.’s cell phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw that it was his daughter, Robyn. B.J. hated to ignore Robyn’s call, but the last thing he wanted to do was deal with her asking how he was doing. He dreaded the thought of telling his daughters the truth about his cancer, but sooner or later it would have to come out. He wasn’t sure what would be worse: explaining that his cancer was spreading, or telling Jill and Robyn they had a stepbrother, who until recently, B.J. had known nothing about.

Finally, the phone quit ringing, and B.J. sat with his eyes closed, thinking things through. If he didn’t get anywhere with Noreen this Saturday at the quilt class, then he would follow her home so they could talk.

The phone rang, startling Noreen as she sat in her recliner, half-asleep. She pulled herself out of the chair and went to answer it. “Hello.”

“Hi, Mom. How’s it going?”

Noreen yawned. “Uh, fine. How are you, Todd?”

“Doin’ good. I didn’t wake you, I hope.”

“It’s okay. I was just resting my eyes a bit. It’s good to hear your voice, Son.”

“Same here, Mom. Say, the reason I’m calling is Kara and I have some time off, and it’s been awhile since we’ve seen you, so we thought we’d come to Sarasota for a visit.”

Noreen’s heartbeat quickened. As much as she wanted to see Todd and his wife, now wasn’t a good time. Not with Bruce asking so many questions about Judy’s son.

“Mom, did you hear what I said?”

“Umm…yes, I did.”

“So, is it okay if we come down to see you?”

Think, Noreen, think
. She swallowed hard. “Well, I’m kind of busy right now.”

“Doing what?” he questioned.

“I’m taking a quilt class, and there are still two more lessons, so…”

“Are you tied up with the class every day of the week?”

“Well, no, but…”

“Kara and I can fend for ourselves while you’re at the class. It’ll give us some time to hang out on the beach or explore a few things in Sarasota that we haven’t seen before.”

“O–okay, if you’re sure,” Noreen finally conceded, unable to think of any other excuse. Her son and daughter-in-law meant the world to her, and she really did want to see them. It had been way too long since their last visit. Noreen just hoped Todd hadn’t noticed her hesitancy. She would just have to make sure Todd and Kara never met B.J. while they were visiting, because she certainly wasn’t going to mention him.

Venice

Y
our dad mentioned that you sing and play the guitar,” Kim said, in an attempt to make conversation with Star. The women had been sitting on the old quilt Emma had brought along, while the men took a walk up the beach. So far, Star hadn’t said more than a few words, not even to Emma.