Page 6 of Christian Clause

“No, Hope. I insist you come home. Please. Ray and I will help you figure things out.”

Scratching the back of my neck, I weigh my sister’s words. What does Cedar Crest have to offer? The small community I grew up in featured mountains, trees, and few businesses. What can I do there? Set up a business? A computer firm? Where do I stay? Surely I can’t encroach on Debra and her family.

More questions race through my mind.

“Look, Hope, I know you love Georgia, but please come home. I miss you. If you’re worried about getting a job, Ray told me that his boss might need an assistant at Clause Enterprises.”

A job! The words are like music to my ears.

“And you know you don’t have to worry about where to stay, don’t you? Staying with us is not up for debate. You can stay here until you’re back on your feet again.”

“Deb, I don’t know. I wouldn’t like to be an inconvenience to you, Ray and Aria.”

Laughter rumbles from Debra’s throat. “Are you serious? Aria has missed you, so have I. Ray would be delighted to have you stay with us.”

Silence descends between the two of us. I don’t want to be a burden to her and her family. I miss my four-year-old niece, too. But after living with Alice and Becky, I long for my own space. Not that Debra will ever treat me like an unwanted pet.

“Hope, don’t forget this is your home, too. Mom and Dad left it for us, but you let Ray and I have it,” Debra reminds me in a soft tone.

That was because I thought I had a life in Georgia and only holidays would get me back to Colorado.

Debra quietly adds. “I will never forget your generosity.”

I sniff. Debra and Ray had been having a tough time. It was the only thing I could do to help them at that time as Debra had refused to take money from me.

“It would delight Aria to see you. She talks about you all the time and asks when you will come visiting again.”

A soft gurgle of laughter bursts from my throat. “Emotional blackmail, too, huh?”

Debra giggles. “You know it. Oh, come on, Hope. If you don’t like it here, then you can always go back there or somewhere else. Just give it a try.”

Tears wet my eyes again. When I called her to inform her of what I was going through, I hadn’t expected her to suggest I come home with the promise of a job.

Feeling vulnerable at that moment, I agree. I tell her all that I’ve been going through. It shocks Debra that Terrance left me.

“I thought it was a match made in heaven.”

I can’t help laughing and crying at the same time because I had thought so too.

Debra and I talk for a while. I no longer mind if Alice or Becky comes home. I have some money from pawning my things. I’ll pay them for the call, even if they don’t walk in on me.

“Please don’t give up, Hope. Dad used to say when one door closes, another opens. You’ve got to believe that, girl. Those words have got me through tough times.”

I nod as more tears spill down my cheeks.

“And you’re better off without Terrance. You don’t need a disloyal man in your life, anyway. Don’t you worry; I bet your Prince Charming is right here in Cedar Crest, waiting for your return.”

Laughter bursts from my throat. Memories of when Debra and I used to play with dolls and create imaginary characters flood my mind. She’s lucky that she found her own Prince Charming. I don’t know if I’ll ever find mine, but that’s the least of my worries at the moment.

I feel infinitely better after my phone call to my sister. I’ll go home for Thanksgiving. I don’t know yet if I’ll apply for the job. But then, what do I have to lose after weeks of searching for a job?

Perchance I get it, I’ll definitely stay in Cedar Crest and build a life there.

Home sweet home, here I come.

Chapter Three

Hope

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