Page 66 of A Twist of Faith
Her mother’s head perked up and she quoted a large sum.
“Then promise me one thing.”
“Anything you want.”
Dee ached everywhere. “If I give you this money, you will not speak to me again unless I contact you first.”
Her mother’s lips quivered and a look of pure grief distorted her face. “I never wanted to hurt you, girl. Never.”
A sudden surge of compassion took the edge off Dee’s anger and shocked her quiet for a moment. Perhaps the counselor’s words stung true—there lived a little girl inside Dee longing for a parent’s love and acceptance. Could her mother change?
She pulled out her checkbook, scribbling out the sum. Maybe, observing the beauty of true love set a new standard for her? Grace Mitchell came to mind, urging her to follow the softer part of her feelings. Reese’s gentle persistence, even when she deserved much less than his pursuit, tempered the edges of her hate with a newfound touch of gratitude. Dee handed her mother the check but didn’t let go immediately.
“If you are truly sorry, Mother, take this money and find some help.”
Her mother’s eyes widened.
“If your memories are anything like mine—if you feel lost like I have for so many years, don’t stay where you are. Find help.” Dee leaned in, almost reaching to touch her mother’s wrinkled hand. “I’ll pay for it, if you’ll go.”
Her mother pulled the check free from Dee’s hold and stood, head bent low and hands shaking. “I will. You wait and see.”
The hollow words hung in the silence as her mother walked to the door. With barely a good-bye, her mother left, and a strange sense of peace blended with a wave of sorrow. Dee lowered herself into a chair. Anger ebbed to its constant ache and a swell of sadness took its place. She tried to hold on to the peace a little longer, the sensation an addictive calm in the storm of her heart, but it drifted beyond her grasp. What would she have to pay or face to find it again?
Mrs. Mitchell stepped into the house and sat down in the chair Dee’s mother had occupied only a few moments before—the two women a stark contrast of lost and found. Mrs. Mitchell’s soft hand covered Dee’s. “I told your mama I’d drive her to the bus stop.” Mrs. Mitchell patted her hand.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know she needed—”
“I think I can do her some good.” Mrs. Mitchell gave Dee’s fingers a squeeze, her rosy cheeks dimpled. “Every moment is an opportunity.”
“Thank you for being so kind to her … and to me.” Dee wiped a hand across her misty eyes. “She needed money, as usual.”
“She needs a whole lot more, but trying to help her out of her predicament was a start. People like her, they’ve been wearing the same old clothes so long, they don’t even know how to buy new ones no more.” Mrs. Mitchell stood and brought Dee with her. “You saw her. It ain’t easy, but she needs your compassion a whole lot more than your anger.”
“I feel like she’s jerked me around for so long. She zaps any happiness right out of my life.”
Mrs. Mitchell brought Dee into a hug so precious, the tears spilled over.
“Oh, sweet girl, your Mama only has the power you give her.” Mrs. Mitchell stepped back and cradled Dee’s face in her hands. “You’ve carried anger around for a long time, and what good has it done? It ain’t going to provide any happiness either. Don’t let the pain of your past steal this hope in your present.”
Mrs. Mitchell wiped Dee’s tears with her thumb and shuffled out the door, as if it was the most natural thing in the world to give a lost woman a sense of coming home.
Time and tearspassed as Dee found control again. Mrs. Mitchell’s calm and Reese’s words mingled in with her fresh self-awareness. Who was she and what did she want? She looked out the window at the blue-hued skyline. Love. She wanted to know what love really looked and felt like. She dried her face and stepped out on Mrs. Mitchell’s porch, scanning the yard and field.
Reese sat on the hay bailer, Brandon perched on his lap, the little ball cap on his blond head lopsided. The ache left from her mother’s visit dimmed at the sight. The afternoon sky behind them shone a patchwork of sun and cloud and painted the ground with rosy hues to the distant mountains. Dee looked from Brandon to Reese, and tenderness squeezed in her chest. No, she wasn’t alone anymore and maybe … maybe love was closer than she thought.
She glanced up at the sky and then started a slow walk toward the adorable pair down the hill.
Could she ever have a family like that?She didn’t expect an answer really. She hadn’t talked to God in years so why would he answer, but the vastness of the sky held her captive in thought.The hope in her presentMa Mitchell had said. Hope?
As if in silent answer, Brandon’s giggle brought her attention back to the two on the bailer. Reese looked her way, tipped the bill of his cap and followed it with a wink. He pulled the machine up beside her and turned off the engine.
“I don’t have any more cows to birth right now, Dee, but if you’ve come out to help put up hay, I can fix you right up.” He examined her suit from top to bottom, and focused on her heels. “And I see you came dressed for work.”
“You’re a regular joker, you know that?” Dee shaded her eyes from the sun and looked up at him. “As tempting as it is, I have to get back to my nice, clean job at the university.”
Reese leaned toward Brandon. “Did you hear that, son? Dee thinks we’re a dirty pair.”
Dee shrugged and scanned over Reese’s clothes, then looked at Brandon. “Dirt never looked cuter.” She held Reese’s gaze, her pulse tripping to a new rhythm, andhopemarked the theme. “I have a favor to ask.”
