Leaving

  He didn’t know how to respond, so he said nothing. He wasn’t sure if Cheyenne was comparing him to Art or to guys she had known in school over the years. But one thing was sure about the man she’d lost to war: he had a kind heart. Cody was honored that Cheyenne would think him the same as Art.

  They reached her room and stepped inside. Sure enough, an older man sat in the chair beside Kassie’s bed, and there — with wires running into her from a number of places — was little Kassie. She sucked her thumb, her sweet eyes turned toward the man who had to be her grandpa. Cheyenne took hold of Cody’s hand and led him into the room. She stopped to use hand sanitizer, and Cody did the same thing.

  In a flash, Cody tried to process the way he was feeling. Overwhelmed with sorrow for the darling girl in the hospital bed, and conflicted by the feelings stirring within him at the touch of Cheyenne’s hand against his. She was only trying to make Kassie comfortable, he realized that. But still he had to catch his breath over the conflicting emotions hitting him.

  Cheyenne kept her voice low, appropriate for a hospital setting — especially at night. “Ivan,” she led Cody to the spot beside the older man. “This is my friend, Cody.” She released his hand. “He wanted to visit Kassie tonight, too.” She smiled at the little girl. “Is that okay, sweetie?”

  Kassie gestured with her hands in a way that Cody was pretty sure meant he could stay. Then she turned pretty eyes toward him and smiled, smiled so big and bright that Cody understood what Cheyenne meant when she said that Kassie spoke with her smile. No question, the girl’s heart could be seen in the way her whole being lit up.

  “Hi, Kassie,” Cody came up alongside her bed. He wanted to touch her hand, show her some sign that he cared. But he wasn’t sure of the situation with germs. So instead he returned her smile. Then he walked to the other side of the bed and the man stood so they could shake hands.

  “Ivan Garman,” the man said. He had eyes that spoke of the painful journey he and his family had walked — much of it in this hospital room, if Cody had to guess. “Thank you for stopping in.” He looked at his granddaughter. “She’s my little angel. Visits my wife Charmaine and me as often as she can.” He nodded, a catch in his voice. “She’s getting better. Right, baby?”

  Kassie nodded at her grandpa and slid her thumb back in her mouth.

  “Where’s everyone else?”

  Ivan settled back in his chair. “Charmaine and the family are in the cafeteria — having coffee and dessert.” He smiled, and some of the weariness faded. “You should’ve seen Kassie and her brother. They unhooked her and she and that boy tore around the room with that push toy Kassie loves.” He nodded to the corner of the room where the toy now stood. His eyes found his granddaughter again. “I never heard you laugh so hard in all my life, Kassie girl.”

  She giggled and again her thumb came out. This time her smile stayed, and she moved her hands in a way that Cheyenne seemed to understand.

  “Is it sign language?” Cody returned to his place on the other side of the bed, and so did Cheyenne. They took the two open chairs on that side and Cody watched while Kassie continued using her hands — this time to talk to her grandpa.

  “Not really.” Cheyenne shook her head. “But I’ve learned what she wants — and generally she figures out how to convey her needs.” Cheyenne put her hand on the bedrail. “You want a story, right baby girl?”

  Again Kassie nodded big, and Grandpa Ivan chuckled. “That girl has your number, for sure.”

  Cheyenne didn’t have a book, so Cody wasn’t sure how she was going to meet Kassie’s request. But before he could offer to find one from the front desk or a hospital library somewhere, Cheyenne began telling a different sort of story. One she seemed to make up as she went along.

  “Once upon a time,” Cheyenne slid to the edge of her chair, her eyes focused on Kassie, “there was a beautiful fairy girl, and her name was Kassie.”

  Kassie clapped her hands and rolled slightly onto her side so she could see Cheyenne better. She gestured in a way that made it clear she wanted more. Again Grandpa Ivan chuckled. “She loves this.”

  “One day, Kassie was playing near the frog pond when the very biggest frog in all the land came hopping over and sat beside her …”

  The story went on for ten minutes, and involved not only frogs but a small deer, a royal queen, and a handsome prince. In the end, through many plot twists and turns, the fairy girl Kassie was swept away on a white horse by the handsome prince and rescued. “And the handsome prince took Kassie back to her parents where she was safe and where she grew up healthy and strong … the most beautiful girl in all the land.”

  Cody was glad he wasn’t called upon to add a finishing thought to the story. He couldn’t have talked if he wanted to. He stole a look at Grandpa Ivan, and caught the man wiping a tear off his cheek. Kassie, though, was smiling as sweetly as ever, captivated by the story. She made hand signs that Cody understood. She wanted another story.

  But this time Cheyenne stood and gave the girl a sad smile. “We have to go, sweetie.” She grinned at Grandpa Ivan. “Your grandpa here will tell you the next story.”

  “Oh, sure.” He laughed. “Like I could follow that act.”

  Kassie turned to her grandpa and nodded, excited and certain — as if she definitely believed her grandpa was capable of a story at least that good. Cody joined Cheyenne and they bid both Kassie and her grandfather goodnight. Outside in the hallway, Cody took a few steps and then stopped. “She’s so precious …” He pinched the bridge of his nose, staving off the tears that stung at the corners of his eyes. “How did you find her?”

  “I know about this place,” she smiled. “There’s not enough days in the week to visit all the kids that need to hear a story of hope.”

  They walked back to their cars, quieter than before. So many kids needed help. The guys on his Lyle football team and sick little girls like Kassie Garman. He had no idea where God might take the friendship he felt for Cheyenne, but he knew this much. Their passions were the same. And if nothing else, he had found a friend in Cheyenne. A friend he admired deeply, one he wanted to see more often.

  Whether it was his time coaching or the half hour with Kassie, or simply the way Cheyenne made him feel, he wasn’t sure. But that night for the first time in weeks, Cody didn’t wake up once with nightmares of prison cells and Iraqi soldiers. He slept in perfect peace, and when he woke he could only think one thing about his wonderful evening with Cheyenne and his perfect night’s sleep.

  There had to be a connection.

  Twelve

  THE FLIGHT TO LOS ANGELES WENT SMOOTHLY, AND NOW JENNY watched from the backstage wings of the Tonight Show set as her husband hurried their boys into seats near the front of the audience section. The premiere for Unlocked was set for tomorrow night, but first Bailey would appear with Brandon Paul on the talk show—an opportunity that had only come up yesterday.

  Ricky turned back to Jim and said something, probably about wanting to be near the aisle. Whatever the concern, Jim positioned himself in the middle of the boys and with a calm look and gentle mannerisms he put an end to the discussion and got everyone seated. Jim saved a seat for her, right next to him. She had promised Bailey she’d stay with her until the show was about to start — or at least until Brandon Paul arrived. They had fifteen minutes until show time, so Jenny hoped Brandon would hurry.

  For now, Bailey was changing her clothes, getting into an outfit she had brought with her. Jenny studied the full auditorium and shook her head, amazed. Dear Lord, You sure have given us a crazy life … a life we love, of course. But still … so crazy. She thought about the times they’d spent watching Jim coach the Indianapolis Colts, and how often he’d been shown on a national TV screen. Then the thought that Bailey would be chosen to star opposite Brandon, and now this. Please, Father, let her shine for You. And let people see You when she’s on the Tonight Show. This isn’t about her or about our family …

  It was an opportunit
y to be a light to the world — that’s what Jenny and Jim talked about with Bailey on the flight here. But no question there was added interest when the producers of the Tonight Show figured out Bailey was the daughter of a successful NFL football coach. Talk show hosts liked that sort of thing.

  Bailey came up behind her. “Okay …” she sounded nervous. “How do I look?”

  The vision Bailey made took Jenny’s breath. “Honey, … you look stunning.” Bailey wore a sea-blue dress with short sleeves and a modest skirt that came to her knees. The dress was cut close to her body, but not in a way that was suggestive.

  “Really? You like it?” Her doubts made her sound younger than she was. “You’re sure this is the right color? I brought another one …”

  “No.” Jenny smiled and gave her daughter’s hand a squeeze. “This is perfect. You’ve never looked more beautiful.”

  A woman in a black pencil skirt walked up and checked her notepad. “Bailey Flanigan?”

  “Yes?” Bailey turned.

  “Time for makeup.” She smiled at Jenny. “You’re Mom?”

  “Yes.” Jenny wasn’t sure if they’d let her tag along. “Can I watch?”

  “Certainly.” Again she smiled. “We’re pretty low key back here. As long as you make it out to your seat before the show starts.”

  Back in the makeup room, Jenny sat off to the side and watched. She could hardly believe this was her little girl — all grown up and ready to take on the world. Something about the combination of the dress and the way her hair fell around her face as the makeup artist curled it … Bailey looked like a classic beauty, the sort of timeless superstar the world would love to elevate to cover-girl status. Jenny was grateful again that this wasn’t the life Bailey wanted. No matter what sort of impression she made tonight, no paparazzi would follow her back home to Bloomington.

  A commotion sounded in the room behind her, and she heard the familiar voice of Brandon Paul. She turned just as he hurried into the makeup area. “Where is she? Where’s my Bailey?”

  The woman doing Bailey’s hair had a thick hot curling iron near her face, so she didn’t move. But she waved her hand. “Here … I’m in here.”

  Brandon saw Jenny first, and he jogged the last few steps to close the distance between them. “Jenny!” He hugged her for a long time. “I’ve missed you so much! I’m definitely coming back to Bloomington.” He pulled back and searched her eyes in a hurry. “That’s okay, right? I mean, you’re my family away from the insanity of Hollywood.”

  “Of course, it’s okay.” Jenny loved the energy Brandon brought into a room. No wonder he was becoming even more of a household name. He had a way of lighting up the silver screen the same way he lit up a room. From what producers of his next picture said, his acting ability had gotten even stronger. Jenny figured that had something to do with the new depth she saw in his eyes, the result of his ever-increasing faith.

  He moved to Bailey’s side and waited until the makeup artist released the curl from the iron. Then she stood and the two of them hugged for a long time, so long that again Jenny didn’t have to wonder what Brandon’s feelings were for Bailey. He cared for her very much. Jenny had always believed Brandon might even be in love with Bailey. But nothing would ever come of it. Not as long as Brandon lived and worked in Los Angeles.

  As they pulled apart, Brandon looked her up and down. “You are absolutely gorgeous, Bailey Flanigan. Wait till the public gets a look at you.” He winked at her and took the makeup chair beside her. “They’ll talk about how I’m your co-star. It’ll be, ‘Brandon who?’” He laughed, completely teasing her.

  “You haven’t changed.” Bailey didn’t look nervous. She never had been around Brandon. Maybe because they were such good friends with the Baxters — and the Baxters’ oldest son was Dayne Matthews — one of the most famous actors to ever grace a movie screen. Or maybe because her father worked around famous athletes all the time. Whatever it was, Jenny loved her daughter’s level-headedness. It was like Jim always said: There wouldn’t be autograph lines in heaven. Might as well not get used to all the attention here on earth.

  “The minute one of my guys starts believing all the adoration, he’s done,” Jim had said a number of times. “Fame destroys the people who believe it.”

  Bailey certainly didn’t believe it. Even now Jenny knew her enough to know she was playing a role … the role of budding new actress, thrilled to be starring opposite Brandon Paul in the anticipated smash hit Unlocked. The truth was, she was a girl from Bloomington who loved God and her family and who saw Brandon Paul as a friend, not a celebrity. For that reason, she would be calm once she took the set of the Tonight Show, and she would shine for all the world to see.

  Jenny had no doubt whatsoever.

  HER SPOT ON THE TONIGHT SHOW was slated for fifteen minutes, and Bailey had no idea how she’d fill that much time on national television. The makeup session was over, and they were being set up with hidden microphones. Then one of the production staff led them to the wings, and they waited for the cue. The band played the intro music, and the host welcomed her and Brandon to the set.

  Though they walked out together, they didn’t hold hands — the way Brandon suggested. “We can’t give the magazines any fuel,” Bailey giggled with him backstage.

  “Even if I want them to talk?” Brandon looked like a little boy asking for his favorite Christmas toy.

  “Even then.” Bailey wagged her finger at him, playfully.

  Almost as soon as they sat down and made it through introductions, the host ran the trailer for their movie. Bailey had seen it twenty times, easily, but it still choked her up. The movie would bring hope and healing to a generation who needed it—and with God’s help the message would cause people to be kinder to others. Something desperately important for their culture. When the trailer finished, the host bantered a little with Brandon, asking if there was anything to the rumors about him and Bailey.

  For a second, Bailey worried that Brandon might tease that yes, there was something to it. But instead he allowed his smile to fall off a little, and he gave Bailey a longing look. “I wish I could say there was, Jay, but truthfully … Bailey’s my friend.” He paused. “Her family introduced me to Jesus while I was on set in Bloomington.”

  The Jesus comment made the host nervous, and he made a lame joke about whether Jesus wanted his autograph when they met. But Bailey couldn’t keep from beaming at her friend. Here on national television with all the world watching, as easily as he might’ve talked about surfing or hiking or any other new part of his life, Brandon Paul was talking about Jesus. She couldn’t wait to hug him later.

  The discussion of Brandon’s faith turned the interview back to Bailey, and the fact that she was the daughter of Jim Flanigan, NFL coach. “Your father’s always had a strong faith, he’s always shared that with his players, wouldn’t you say?”

  “Definitely.” Bailey felt more relaxed than she had all day. She smiled, and she could feel the way her eyes sparkled. “My mom and dad built our family on faith in God. It’s the most important part of our lives.” There. She’d done it. She’d found a way to work her faith into the conversation without sounding forced or preachy. It was exactly what she and her parents had prayed for.

  After that, they discussed the film for a few minutes and talked about the powerful message of treating people with respect and stopping bullying. The host spent a few minutes asking Brandon what was next. He didn’t turn the same question to Bailey, which didn’t surprise her. She was the “no-name” in the interview. It was enough that she had a part in Unlocked. Besides, what answer could she give? That she had just recently lost out on a Broadway role?

  The interview ended with the host giving a plug for everyone to get to a theater that weekend to see Unlocked. He cut to a commercial break and shook both their hands. “Stop in any time,” he told them. “Brandon, you make sure to see us before your next film releases.”

  With the cameras still off and t
he commercial still playing, Brandon held Bailey’s hand and led her off stage. She didn’t fight him this time. No one but the studio audience was watching, and clearly they had established that their friendship was rooted in faith — deeper and stronger than most Hollywood friendships.

  Backstage, Brandon picked her up in his arms and swung her around in a full circle. “You were amazing! Please, Bailey … don’t tell me you’re done making movies. You do every aspect of it so well. The acting, the connecting with people on set … your humility. All of it.” He was talking fast, his words practically running together. “Bailey, please … do another movie. One with me.” He let his head fall back and he laughed out loud. “You were absolutely a pro out there. I was more nervous than you.”

  The excitement of what had just happened, the way they’d showed the world a fresh side of moviemaking and the way it could connect to Christ was still working its way through her heart. She buzzed with joy and the thrill of the moment. “What about you? Telling Jay how you met Jesus, like it was nothing unusual?” She laughed, thrilled. She never dreamed the interview would go this well.

  There were still two segments to the show, but at the commercial break Bailey’s family had been allowed to exit to the wings. She could hear her brothers in the green room, and she laughed. What a wild experience for all of them — being here at the Tonight Show. The boys would have quite a story when they got back to school after the weekend. Girls in their classes still asked for autographs from Brandon, and so far none of her brothers had complained about the attention.

  They met up around the snack table, and a producer motioned for quiet on the set. After the show, the host came back and visited with all of them, even taking time to sign autographs for Bailey’s brothers. The show had taped around five that evening, and by the time they all left out the back door, it was nearly eight o’clock and dark outside. Bailey had been looking forward to the quiet outside the studio after a full day of travel, her appearance on the Today Show, and the three-hour time difference. But they stepped from the backstage quiet to absolute chaos, because gathered out back were too many cameramen to count.