She looked at him squarely and asked quietly, "Whom are you marrying?"
"Whom am I marrying?" he nearly shouted at her. "I'm marrying you!" His eyes were huge with shock, but Kelly didn't feel like laughing.
"Were you going to let me in on this?"
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"Kelly," he responded in his lawyer's voice, "I talked to you about this; I know I did."
"A woman," she began with a measured tone, "does not forget when a man has talked marriage to her. You haven't said a thing, Nick."
He looked totally bewildered, his mouth opening and closing, but at that moment the doorbell rang. Kelly was completely shaken and stayed in the kitchen. She heard Nick greet both couples and then show them into the living room. When he got back to the kitchen, Kelly was once again working over the salad. Nick came up and put his arms around her. It was the first time he'd done anything more than hold her hand. Kelly turned in his embrace.
"You don't want to marry me," he stated softly.
"I didn't say that, Nick; I just said you didn't ask me." "And if I asked you now.;"
Kelly looked into his eyes. "There's a little fear in me that I'm just what you're into right now. I worry that as soon as we're married, and that's taken care of, I'll be yesterday's news."
"Then we need to wait awhile," he told her immediately,
"so I can show you that's not going to happen." "And you're willing to wait.''
"Forever," he told her and leaned to kiss her for the first time.
Kelly's heart sighed. How long had she waited and prayed for this, and now her heart was uncertain.
"Are you going to be all right." Nick wanted to know. Kelly nodded and looked into his eyes. What she saw there gave her hope and joy. I am going to be fine, she told herself. In fact, eer, ythin is going to be wanderful.
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"You're being intense, Nick," Kelly told her hus band of almost two years. It was certainly not the first time she had said it during that time, but he always took it in and tried to adjust; indeed, she was very proud of the man he had become.
"How am I being intense this time."
"I know you have a thirst for knowledge, but I think 15 books on the growth and development of infants is a little extreme."
"Yes, it is," he agreed with her.
Kelly now had to fight laughter. "And then yes terday you told the doctor that I always sleep on my
right side and asked if I should switch to my left." He looked very contrite.
She was smiling when she said, "I worry about you, Nick. The baby isn't due for two weeks, and I'm not sure you're going to make it."
Nick nodded. "Roger talked to me about it too." "He did?" Kelly was surprised.
"Yes. Lately it's all I've talked about, and he's come to recognize the signs."
Kelly reached up and cupped his cheek. Nick cov ered his hand with her own, and they leaned simultaneously to kiss. It was during this lovely dis traction that Kelly's first pain hit. She jerked and
looked so surprised that Nick nearly panicked. "What is it.''
"I think I'm starting labor."
"It's not supposed to happen yet," Nick exclaimed, voicing Kelly's own thoughts as the pain subsided.
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With an effort, Kelly very calmly reminded him that this might not be the real thing.
However, she was wrong. Four hours later Kelly was in so much constant pain that Nick was calling the doctor and rushing her to the hospital. Forty-five minutes after they arrived, Kelly delivered a beautiful baby girl. She was round and pink, and her parents were utterly taken with her. For the first time Kelly had a taste of what intensity felt like.
"Have you ever seen anything so tiny in your whole life." The new mother asked as she held up the baby's right pinky for inspection. Nick enjoyed the tiny digit as well, but Kelly suddenly covered the small hand with her own.
"I can't stand the thought that she'll go offto school in a few years, Nick. And then after that, the time will just race." She looked at the hand again. "Some man will put a ring on this finger and take her away from us forever."
Kelly nearly had herself in tears, but Nick was just barely holding his laughter.
"How dare you laugh at this, Nicholas Hamilton!"
"Kelly," Nick gasped when he could hold it in no longer. "Which one of us is being intense now.''
Kelly's mouth dropped open with surprise, and then she laughed herself. Her whole body convulsed, causing the baby to start. She finished with a long sigh, her eyes on her husband.
"I never really understood, did I."
"No, but that's all right. A little intensity is good, especially for each other, and a lot of intensity is great, if it's directed toward Christ." They smiled at each other, and Nick said, "We'll just keep at it, Kelly, until we both get it right."
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They leaned across their daughter and kissed. The nurse headed into the room to check on Kelly and the baby, backed out slowly, and closed the door behind her.
"Aren't you going in.'' another nurse in the hall asked.
"No. They're having a little time with their baby, and what I need to do can wait."
The other nurse smiled. "It's like that with all first- time parents. Intense for a time, but then it passes."
Kelly's nurse didn't comment as the other woman moved off, but she didn't agree. The experienced nurse had seen something special in that room over the last few hours. She couldn't have put a name to it, but she knew it wasn't going to pass away.
A Note from Lori:Having grown up in Santa Rosa, California, I've spent many hours in San Francisco. I lived in California until I was 26years old, so I've experienced the cable cars, dined in the wharf area, seen the aquarium and the Exldoratorium, and of caurse, gone down Lombard Street. In fact, I recently did some of those things with my own children. I'm not, familiar with all of "The City"as locals call it, and San
Francisco has done a lot of changing, but it was fun to picture Nick and Kelly, in the city I remember.
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The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Psalm 19:1
"Mom, you're not even trying," Chad Farrell said in mild disgust, throwing himself down in the nearest chair.
"What exactly did you want me to do, Chad?"
Hilary Farrell asked her 13-year-old son.
"My coach is a Christian."
"So you've said, but you also mentioned the fact that he's nearing 60."
"No," Chad replied with some frustration. "That's the assistant coach. The head coach, Coach Maxwell, is only in his forties."
"Forties or not, honey, don't get your hopes up. I've told you before, Chad, men my age are not looking for a woman whose car won't start most mornings and whose house still has a mortgage. Not to mention the fact that you and your sister are always telling me I can't cook."
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The humor did not work as it usually did. Hilary put the laundry basket down, sat on the bed, and looked closely at her son. He was so much like his father it almost hurt to study him.
"I want to understand what's going on, Chad, so why don't you tell me what this is really about." Hilary's voice was soft and coaxing, and it surprised her to see tears fill her son's eyes.
"The baseball camp-out is only three weeks away." His whisper was tortured. "I'm the only one on the team who doesn't have a dad to go with him."
Hilary nodded and hoped he couldn't tell how tormented she was inside. They were both on the verge of sobbing and for a moment she weighed the need for such a release. Praying swiftly, she decided against it at this time and then used some levelheaded logic to rescue them both.
"Will you allow me to look at this rationally.'' Chad nodded, and Hilary continued in a kind tone. "If I were to meet a man this very moment and think he was the one, three weeks is hardly enough time to get married and get him on that camp-out with
yOU."
Hilary waited f
or Chad to nod again. "I do want to marry again if God has someone for me. And I do want him to be a man who will love you and Lisa and want to do special things with you. But for now, I think we'd better leave this with my assuring you that I will try harder, or at least be praying more often about a mate.
"Why don't I phone your Uncle Jack tonight," she concluded. "Maybe he's free that weekend."
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It was not exactly what Chad had wanted to hear, but Hilary could see he was beginning to accept the situation. Uncle Jack was a lot of fun, but as a pilot for a major airline, his weekends were rarely free.
Chad gave a final nod, hauled himself out of the chair, picked up the laundry basket, and preceded his mother out of the bedroom. The simple gesture was so like what his father would have done that Hilary felt on shaky ground all over again.
"What's wrong.'' 16-year-old Lisa wanted to know as soon as her mother entered the kitchen. "Has Chad been on a father kick again.''
"Mind your own business, Lisa!" Chad grumbled to his sister.
"All right," Hilary cut in. "Let's not start something right now. There is laundry to be done and grass to be mowed. That leaves no time for arguing."
Chad started the washing machine, and Lisa went to the garage for the lawn mower. Hilary stood at the kitchen window but didn't focus on anything in particular.
It's been four years, Lord, her heart prayed. Help us to wait on You. Help us to trust. And right now, please touch Chad's hurting heart.
"I'm just really trusting the Lord for this, Dad; in fact, my Bible study group is praying for you."
Adam Maxwell stared at his 25-year-old son with horror. "That was a joke just now, wasn't it, Brad?"
"No. You need a wife, and I've asked the guys to pray with me about that."
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"I don't want another wife." Adam's voice was calm, even as his insides squirmed with embarrassment over his son's disclosure.
"Dad--" Brad's voice was as calm as his father's. "Greg is in his senior year, and I've been offered a job in Florida. We're not going to be home forever and--"
"Florida." Adam sounded pleased. "You didn't tell me that. When do they--"
"You're changing the subject. Greg and I are not going to be around forever." Brad stopped when he saw a look of total confusion cross his father's face. His voice was gentle as he went on. "Mom's been dead for a long time, Dad, and you've never complained or been bitter. You learned to cook, clean, and even sew, but you need someone, someone to--"
"There are women at church," Adam cut him off, as though this explained everything.
"Dad, I love our church, but it's so big that the president could be sitting in the pew in front of you, and you wouldn't even meet him."
Brad turned away, and Adam watched as the
younger man's hand covered his eyes.
He's charged up over this, Adam thought in amazement.
He would have spoken, but Brad went on without turning.
"Greg met someone special a few weeks ago, and as I'm sure you've noticed, I'm very serious about Jenny." Brad finally turned, his eyes suspiciously wet. "Our leaving for college was only the first step to an empty nest. Greg graduates in a few months, and I'm probably moving out of the state. We want you to have someone
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to take care of you, someone who would love you as we
do."
Now it was Adam's turn to be choked up, and he couldn't speak, even though Brad was waiting for some type of answer.
"I guess I've said enough," Brad said in a resigned voice. "She doesn't have to be the woman of your dreams, Dad--just someone you care about and who cares for you. Will you at least think about it?"
"Sure," Adam returned, finally able to speak.
"I've kept you too long," Brad continued. "You'll be late for practice."
"Right," Adam acknowledged, glad to be rescued. He picked up his hat and the equipment bag from the kitchen table and headed out the door. Not until he was behind the wheel of his van did he realize that he and Brad had not parted very well. It was tempting to go back and hug him, to let Brad know he appreciated his caring, but he was already late.
She doesn't have to be the woman of your dreams had been Brad's words. Adam couldn't stop the sad smile that crossed his face as he pulled up next to the baseball diamond.
She couldn't taossib be the woman afro), dreams, son. That woman has been dead for ten years.
"Hey, Chad," Coach Maxwell called to his youngest player as he readied to leave the field.
Chad, who would normally have been thrilled to be singled out, hesitated before moving back to the bench where Adam sat with his notebook.
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"Yeah, Coach?" the boy said, trying to smile.
"I just wanted to check with you about the camp- out. I don't have your money yet. Is there a problem?"
"Well, not really, but I don't know if I can go. You see, my dad's pretty busy, and I just don't know if we can fit it into our schedule."
Adam had to fight to keep his anger concealed. This boy was so obviously protecting his father, a father who probably didn't deserve that protection, Adam figured. Didn't these men know how much their sons needed attention?
"Well, you see what you can do. I need the money next week, okay?"
"Sure. Thanks, Coach." Trotting in the direction of his bicycle before the older man could say another word, Chad told himself he had one week to come up with a good excuse.
Adam sat in his van outside the Farrell house, feeling surprised at its shabbiness. As soon as Chad had spoken of his father's busy schedule, Adam's mind had conjured up a picture of a wealthy, fast-moving businessman with little time for home and family. By the time Adam reached the front door, however, he'd decided that the man Chad was protecting must be a bum.
"I'll get it," Lisa called to the household in general when the bell rang. She had never met Chad's coach, so the man beyond the threehold was a stranger to her.
"Hello," he said briefly, "I'm Adam Maxwell, Chad's baseball coach. May I please speak to your father?"
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"My father?" Lisa sounded uncertain, and Adam could have kicked himself. Chad's parents must be divorced. Why hadn't he realized that before?
"My mother is here," Lisa offered in the uncomfortable silence.
Adam smiled at her understanding. "May I please speak with her?"
"Sure." Lisa held the door wide, and Adam stepped into the living room. The interior was clean but as worn as the exterior, and Adam felt a wave of compassion for Chad. He watched the attractive young woman who had opened the door disappear into another room. Adam turned to take in the entire room, and so was unprepared when he looked back to see Chad's mother. He realized in an instant that even if he had watched her come into the room, he would not have been prepared.
Vulnerable. It was the first word that popped into his head at the sight of her small form and huge brown eyes. He knew from the hesitant look in her eye that he'd have to tread lightly.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Mrs. Farrell. I'd really hoped to see your husband about the camp-out."
Chad entered the room at that moment, so Adam missed the surprised look in Hilary's eyes.
"It's really not my practice to interfere, but this team camp-out means a lot to the boys, and Chad said his father was too busy to attend. I came today to encourage your husband to join us. We always have a great time, and like I said, it means so much to the boys."
Adam stopped when an unreadable look came over his hostess' face. He watched Hilary give her son a
176 long, loving look before turning back to him and speaking with great compassion.
"Chad is usually a very honest boy. In fact, there have been so few lies that I can tell you every time he has lied to me in 13 years. When he does lie, he does it to protect himself."
Adam felt as though he'd come into the third act of a bad play, but he watched as Hilary turned to her son once again.
"I really do u
nderstand," she said to him, "but you owe your coach an explanation."
When Chad's eyes met Adam's, they were filled with tears. "I'm sorry I lied about my dad, Coach. My dad's dead. We called my uncle to see if he could take me, but he said he had to work that weekend. I don't know why I didn't tell you, except that I'm the only kid on the team who doesn't have a dad."
Adam's heart broke just a little over this admission, and he responded quietly. "Thank you for telling me the truth, Chad. As it is, you're not the only boy whose father cannot attend."
"I'm not?" Chad was genuinely surprised.
"No. There are three others. One does bring his uncle, but the other two come as my boys. I have a large tent, so I'll just plan on having three boys this year."
"Really?" Chad's eyes were full of wonder. This was better than Uncle Jack.
"Really." Adam's smile grew large at the boy's look of delight. 'I'll get out of your way now," he said to Hilary while moving toward the door.
"Thank you," she said softly as he was on his way
OUt.
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Adam looked at her and realized they hadn't even been introduced. "By the way, I'm Adam Maxwell."
Hilary took his outstretched hand. "I'm Hilary Farrell," she responded with a smile.
"Are you by any chance free for dinner this coming week?" Adam would wonder for days where that question
had come from, but it was too late now.
"Oh, well, I'm, that
"That means yes," Chad cut in from somewhere over her shoulder.
"Great." Adam's smile had become very amused.
"I'll pick you up on Thursday, seven o'clock." Hilary shut the door in a state of shock.
"It's just a date, Mom." Lisa's logical voice drifted
through her fog. "He didn't ask you to marry him." "But he might," Chad interjected.
"Be quiet, Chad," his sister told him, "and come into the kitchen with me."
"Stop grinning at me, Brad."
"I can't help it. If you could see how many times you've straightened your tie, you'd know what I find so amusing."
"Don't you have something else to do." Adam growled.