“There are a few of us out here. I’m with a group of female investors made up of women of all races and creeds.”
“The fact that you stopped by says a lot to me about your group’s moral values.”
“We try to do no harm.”
The reverend nodded understandingly.
“I have one more request,” Bernadine said to her. “And then we’ll leave you in peace.”
“Sure. What is it?”
Bernadine fished around in her tote for the picture of Zoey and handed it to the priest.
The reverend’s eyes widened. “Where’d you get this?”
Lily and Bernadine sat straight up, and Bernadine said warily, “Please, tell us that you know her.”
“I do,” she responded softly. “Is she alive?”
“Alive and well.”
There were tears standing in the reverend’s eyes. “Oh, my goodness. Zoey. I was so worried when she and Bonnie stopped coming around. Where’re they living?”
“How well did you know them?”
“I knew them very well. Bonnie played the organ here on Sundays, with Zoey sitting right beside her.” She met their eyes and came to her own conclusion. “Bonnie’s dead, isn’t she?”
They nodded.
She solemnly crossed herself and finally looked up from Zoey’s smiling face. “Bonnie had a gift. She made our decrepit old organ sound like Carnegie Hall. Even when she showed up here some Sunday mornings so cracked out she couldn’t walk straight, she’d sit down on the bench, put her hands on the keys, and you’d swear it was the angels playing. How’d she pass away?”
Bernadine and Lily related all that they knew. When they described how and where Zoey was found, the lady priest cried softly. Finally gathering herself, she said, “I used to run a soup kitchen here, and one morning, a few years back, a young woman came in with her pale-as-chalk, big-eyed daughter. Bonnie wasn’t high that day, but I could tell by the rotted teeth that she was on crack. It didn’t matter—she and her child were hungry, and I was there to feed them.”
She paused a moment, as if the memories were taking her back to that time. “She said she wanted to pay me back for the meal. I knew she didn’t have any money, but when she asked if she could play the organ on Sunday as a way to say thanks, I said sure. I didn’t think for a minute that she’d actually show up, but she did, and her skill blew us away.”
“Was Zoey mute when you knew her?”
“Mute? That chatterbox? Of course not.”
Lily said, “She is now. Hasn’t spoken a word in the two years she’s been with us.”
She looked puzzled. “Was it the trauma of the rats?”
Bernadine shrugged. “The doctors think so. They can’t find anything physically wrong.”
“So where is she living?”
They gave her a thumbnail sketch of Henry Adams and Bernadine’s foster program.
The priest asked with wonder, “You own a town?” She turned to Lily. “How rich is this woman, Lily?”
“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.”
Paula shook her head in amazement.
“Tell me a bit about your background, if I’m not being too nosy,” Bernadine asked.
They learned that Paula was a native Oklahoman. When she mentioned her degrees in child psychology and that she’d run her own practice, Lily’s heart began to beat with excitement. A quick look Bernadine’s way showed her that the Boss Lady was experiencing the same rush.
“So you’ve no immediate job prospects?”
“None. Your town wouldn’t need a woman of the cloth, would it?”
Lily and Bernadine shared a knowing smile.
Bernadine finally replied, “Presently, we don’t have a church, but I can get one built. How big do you want it to be?”
Paula waved off the remark. “I’m just kidding.”
“I’m not.”
Paula’s smile faded. “Excuse me?”
“You just said you’re unemployed, right?”
“Ever been convicted of embezzlement?” Lily wanted to know, wearing a big smile.
“No.”
“Ever been convicted of anything?”
“No,” Paula said, glancing between the two visitors as if she wasn’t real sure what was going on.
Bernadine declared, “Then at the conclusion of a positive background check, consider yourself hired.”
She stared dumbstruck. “Just like that? Wait a minute.”
Lily’s eyes were dancing with laughter. “Welcome to the world of Bernadine Brown, Reverend Grant. Glad to have you aboard.”
While Bernadine continued to reassure the priest that they were indeed serious about hiring her, Lily pulled out her phone and speed-dialed a three-way between Roni in New York and Reggie in Henry Adams to tell them who they’d found.
Chapter 4
True to her word, Tamar had left the keys to the trailer on the kitchen table. Once Trent and Gary were inside, Gary glanced around and whistled appreciatively.
“Wow. When you said trailer, I wasn’t expecting anything this classy.” He peeked in at the kitchen area, then walked to the rooms in the back. “There are three bedrooms,” he called out excitedly.
“Yep. The girls won’t have to share.”
Gary came back to where Trent stood. “I like this. They’ll like this.”
“How are they handling the split between you and Colleen?”
“Leah seems okay, nothing really throws her, and to tell you the truth, she and her mother have never connected. Now, Tiff? She’s having issues. Keeps asking me when Colleen’s coming back. No matter how many times I tell her the truth, she doesn’t want to believe me. Tells me that if I just apologize to Colleen for whatever it is I did to make her mad, she’ll come back.”
Trent shook his head sadly. “That’s rough.”
“Yep. Tried explaining that her mother is the one driving all this, but she won’t believe that, either. Tiff’s always been Colleen’s favorite, and she’s devastated, as well she should be.”
“I’ve been divorced twice, and as much as I wanted kids, I’m glad we didn’t have any.”
“And now you’re going to have what, three sons.”
“Yep. Going from zero to sixty in a blink.” Although Davis was grown and wouldn’t need Trent’s hand in his life, Devon and Amari would be his to parent for some time to come.
“That has to be a little weird.”
“It is, but it’s a good weird. I’m kind of excited, to tell you the truth.”
“Me? I’m scared to death. I don’t have a clue how to raise those girls.”
“First, you might start by claiming them. They’re no longer ‘those girls,’ they’re ‘your girls.’ ”
Gary nodded. “Point taken. Colleen’s done all the parenting up until now. All she ever allowed me to do was stay out of the way.”
“Now you are the way, and remember, there are plenty of females around here who’ll help. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Tamar is always looking for someone to give fits to.”
Gary chuckled. “Man, she wore us out back in the day.”
“Yes, she did. She’s doing the same to Amari and Preston. They try and sneak by her, hoping she won’t see them and give them something to do, but they’ve learned. She sees all.”
They shared a smile.
Trent said, “How about we pick up some lunch at the Dog and take it over to the garage so I can show you the car Amari and I are going to be working on?”
“Sounds good.”
Trent watched Gary take one last long look around the trailer’s interior as if he was enjoying the prospect of moving in, then the two left to drive over to the Dog.
Over lunch they sat and talked about the old T-Bird Trent planned to restore and about life. “We have a fathers’ support group here, too, now,” Trent informed him. “You might want to come to a meeting and check us out.”
“A support group?”
“Yeah,” Trent repli
ed before taking a bite out of the big burger known as Rocky’s Deluxe. “We meet once a week. Keeps us from going insane while we raise these kids.”
“I may need that.”
“You will need that, trust me,” Trent countered and told Gary where they met and when.
“I’ll see if I can make the next meeting.”
Later, after more reminiscing and talk of the future, Gary glanced down at his watch. “School lets out in a bit. I need to get back over to Franklin and pick up the girls. Last day for them at the school there.”
“Hope things go well when they start here tomorrow.”
“Me, too.” Gary stood and said quietly, “Thanks, Trent. For everything.”
“No problem. Let me know when you’re ready to move. I’ll help.”
“Will do.”
“Looking forward to kicking your butt in horseshoes when summer rolls back around, too.”
“You wish,” Gary replied with a grin. “I’ll give you a call in the morning.”
Gary departed, and Trent was left to ponder the town’s newest resident. They’d been best friends growing up; close as brothers, folks would say, then separated by life and time. Now they were on the road to renewing their friendship. In a way, it mirrored Trent’s relationship with Lily; the old and the new.
His reverie was broken by the arrival of Amari strolling in with Devon and Zoey.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, you.” Trent turned his smile on Devon and Zoey. “Hey, you two, too.”
All three kids grinned.
“How was the day?” he asked
“Can we have juice boxes first?” Amari asked.
“Sure can.”
While Amari went to the old stand-up fridge Trent had resurrected from Tamar’s barn, Trent gestured Zoey and Devon toward the old leather couch against the wall. They took seats. Amari passed out the juice and then pulled up one of the ancient lawn chairs that also served as seating. Trent could see Zoey’s eyes darting around as she took in the orderly but still chaotic interior of his domain. He couldn’t remember if she’d ever been inside, but the way she was looking around made him think she hadn’t. In the center of the room, hidden beneath a large brown tarp, sat the car he and Amari were restoring. He watched as she studied that, too. Devon, on the other hand, looked very uncomfortable. Why, Trent didn’t know.
“Was that Mr. Clark I saw leaving?” Amari asked, bringing Trent’s attention back.
“Yeah.”
“Preston says the Clarks may be moving here soon.”
“He’s right. In fact, the girls will start school here tomorrow.”
Alarm filled Amari’s eyes. “What! No! Why?”
“Because kids who live here go to school here. They’ll be moving into one of the trailers on Tamar’s land.”
“How long are they staying?”
Trent shrugged. “Forever, maybe.”
“No! I hate that girl.”
“Hate’s a pretty strong word, son.”
“I know, but it’s how I feel. Leah’s okay, but what’s her name? Tiffany Adele. She still sounds like a store in the mall, and she’s mean.”
“I understand, but cut her some slack if you can. She and her family are having a rough time right now.”
Amari slumped down in his chair. “She’s going to be meaner than ever then.”
“Maybe, maybe not. Coming to a new school, she’ll need some friends, though, probably.”
“Better find her a pen pal, because I’m not it.”
Devon piped up, “Zoey and I will be her friends, Mr. Trent. Won’t we, Zoey?”
Zoey nodded enthusiastically around the plastic straw between her lips.
Amari responded with a roll of his eyes. “You’re too young to even know what this is about.”
Trent ignored his son’s grousing and replied to Devon’s offer, “Thanks, Dev. You, too, Zoey.”
“You’re welcome, Mr. Trent.”
Amari shot Devon a withering look before asking, “Is this family trouble something a kid like me can be told about?”
“I suppose. Their parents are getting a divorce.”
Amari paused. “Oh. That’s rough.”
“Which is why I’d appreciate it if you’d try and be nice to her when you see her in school tomorrow.”
“Okay, but if she goes off on me, all bets are off.”
“That’s fair, but sometimes you have to keep offering the olive branch.”
“Olive branch? What’s that got to do with this?”
“Stands for peace.”
“Anybody ever get smacked with one?”
Over on the couch, Devon and Zoey were signing back and forth, and it looked as if they were having a pretty heated argument. Bernadine had arranged American Sign Language classes for everyone who wanted to better communicate with Zoey. Reg, Roni, and Bernadine were very good, but Trent was a long way from mastering it. Devon, however, ruled. Trent asked Amari, “What’s going on over there?”
Amari watched them for a moment. “Not sure, they’re moving too fast, but whatever it is, Zo isn’t feeling it. She’s saying, ‘No, you dummy!’ ” Amari laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair.
Trent grinned, too. “Devon,” he called. “What’s up? What are you and Zoey arguing about?”
Devon turned to Trent, “I told her it’s time for us to go to her house now.”
“And what is she saying?”
Zoey quickly held up her hand in a silencing motion and scooted off the couch. She walked over to Trent’s cluttered desk, where she picked up a pad of sticky notes and a pen and took a moment to write something. Done, she handed it to Trent and waited while he read: I want to stay here and work on cars!!
He looked down at her determined face and matching folded arms. “Yep. When you grow up you are going to fit right in with these wild women around here. Has to be in the water.”
“What’s it say?” Amari asked.
Still looking down into the pleased brown eyes of Miss Zoey Raymond Garland, he handed the note to his son.
Amari read her words and crowed, “Go ’head, Zoey. Can she help, Dad?”
“I don’t see why not.”
Trent looked over at Devon. “Ever worked with your hands, Devon?”
“Just to preach the Word and to pray.”
“Good grief,” Amari mumbled under his breath.
“You might like working on cars.”
“I can’t get dirty.”
“Why not?”
“I have on my suit,” he pointed out, as if no other explanation was necessary.
Trent could see Amari watching him and waiting to see how he’d respond. “I don’t think you’ll get that dirty. Take off your coat, and you can work over here with me. Amari, you get Zoey.”
Amari responded with, “Cool. Grab that bucket, Zoey, and then I’ll get you some gear to put on. Safety is top dog around here.”
It pleased Trent to hear Amari introducing Zoey to the work with such concern and care. Rocky’s father had once owned the garage, and she had worked with him on everything from fancy sports cars to big rigs. He’d have to remember to tell her that Zoey appeared to be following in her footsteps.
Devon, however, was a whole different model. He was removing his jacket, but if his tight-set jaw was any indication, he wasn’t liking it. That was okay with Trent. At least the boy was showing some emotion. Like Lily, Trent respected Devon’s desire to spread the Gospel, but he also agreed that the kid needed to work on being a kid first.
Amari returned with Zoey, now decked out in gloves, safety glasses, and a long apron. Everything was way too big. If her interest in cars proved true, Trent would get her some gear that fit. “Looking good, Zoey.”
She shot him a grin and held up her gloved hands.
Amari handed Devon an apron, gloves, and glasses, too. “Put ’em on.”
Devon studied the pile of items in his hands, looked up miserably at Trent, and woodenly followed Amar
i’s instructions.
“You’d think I was making you face a dragon, son.”
“I don’t want to do this, Mr. Trent.”
“I get that part, but life is about trying new things, Devon.”
“I don’t like new things.”
“I can see that.”
Amari asked, “Can I take off the wrap now, Dad, please? Zoey and I are ready to get to work.”
Trent nodded permission and watched Amari slowly draw back the canvas tarp to reveal the beat-up old car hidden beneath.
“This, Zoey,” Amari announced with a flourish, “is a 1964 Thunderbird.” As he went on to regale her with the T-Bird’s manufacturing specs and history, Zoey glanced back and forth between him and the car.
“It might look a hoopty now,” Amari continued, “but once we Julys get through with it, it’ll be sweet and good as new. Right, Dad?”
“Absolutely.”
Zoey’s large eyes filled the goggles.
Devon, on the other hand, looked bored, or put-upon; Trent couldn’t decide which, but that was okay, too.
The old relic belonged to Bing Shepard and hadn’t run in decades. Trent had been trying for years to convince Bing it would be roadworthy again once it was restored. Bing remained skeptical but had given Trent permission to try. First thing they needed to do was remove all the old hardware, like the door handles, mirrors, bumpers, and hubcaps. That would be Amari and Zoey’s job. Amari had worked with Trent on the restoration of Black Beauty, Trent’s old high school ride, so he was confident that Amari could do his part without much oversight.
Trent’s focus would be the engine. It would have to be taken out and replaced. “Devon, go inside and pop the hood.”
Devon looked at him blankly.
Amari glanced up from the mirror he and Zoey were removing, put down his screwdriver, and said to Devon, “Come here. I’ll show you.”
Devon walked around the car, and Amari opened the door. “See that lever right there? Pull it.”