A Deal With God: The Power of One (17 page)

During the ceremony, Mr. Vito got the food ready while the Jacobson brothers set up the stage for their performance. Since Edwin Jacobson played rhythm guitar, all Deana would have to do is sing. They opened with the song “My Kinda Party.” The crowd loved it. Deana then sang the ballad “Lost in the Moment.” It’s a fantastic wedding song and Deana dedicated it to Leon.

When the second song was over, Deana with microphone still in hand, talked to the crowd. “When I went to a wedding a few years ago in Florida, people had to pay to dance with the bride. I feel I should have to pay to dance with you. Y’all have been so wonderful to me the past year. I could not have been made to feel more comfortable and welcome.”

“Since most of us are on a budget,” Deana joked, “how about we skip the money exchange and I’ll dance with every one of you for one minute. Whether you are male or female, young or old, let’s share a dance together.” Of the eighty people there, Deana danced with seventy–eight people. She even danced with Lester; he was one of the first in line. Unfortunately, Claire and Julie had run off, nowhere to be found.

Over an hour later, Deana finally got to sit down with Leon at the Bride and Groom’s table to have dinner. The sun was starting to set. It was a beautiful evening.

“I can’t believe you were able to dance for over an hour straight without a break,” Leon said to Deana.

“It’s one of the perks of all the training I do,” Deana explained.

By now Deana was starving. She filled her plate and sat back to soak in the celebration. The Jacobson’s had some elaborate lighting so the party could go on pretty late. Everyone seemed to be having a great time.

After Deana ate, she went back into the church to change into the tassel vest, skirt and boots she wore for Leon at Kenny’s birthday party back in January. She waited for her cue to sing two more songs before she left with Leon. They were going on a two day honeymoon to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. While she sang, she looked into the crowd. She saw people she thought didn’t even like each other dancing together or at least socializing together. The party seemed to bring the people of Dothan closer together.

When she was done singing, Leon brought the truck around just as Deana yelled into the microphone, “God Bless you and thank you so much. I love each and every one of you!” She ran off the stage and hopped into Leon’s truck.

“I wore this outfit for you to let you know even though we are married, I will still dance for you and party with you just like when we were courting. If anything, things will be even better.”

Leon looked out the window. What an incredible day and celebration it was. The tone and feel of the day was so festive, a complete contrast from his first marriage.

“Deana, I had the most amazing day,” Leon reflected. “It was a blast. It was so much fun. You throw a heck of a party. You are, without a doubt, the most remarkable person I have ever met. I’m very proud you are my wife.”

“Leon, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your love for me made all this possible.”

CHAPTER 14
DEANA SAMUELS

After Deana and Leon left for Hilton Head Island for their honeymoon the Johnson’s took the boys back to Macon to celebrate the remainder of the Labor Day weekend. They would all meet back at the newlyweds’ house Monday night. Matthew and Mark had school Tuesday and Leon had to work. Deana would start to move out of Mr. McGee’s and fully into Leon’s.

Hilton Head Island is a perfect place for a honeymoon; famous for its pristine beauty. Its South Carolina beachfront is one of the most beautiful on the Eastern Seaboard. The view from Leon and Deana’s hotel room was breathtaking. It was a wonderful beginning they would cherish forever.

Sunday afternoon the happy couple explored the backwaters and salt marshes of Hilton Head aboard a Skimmer Nature Charter. A Skimmer is a twenty foot boat with a canopy over it. The Captain knew where dolphins frequently swam and realized his passengers would be interested in this encounter. Deana and Leon were able to watch and enjoy the dolphins and other wildlife at relatively close range.

Deana and Leon got back in time for an early dinner. The restaurant featured outdoor dining overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. As they enjoyed their meal and each other’s company, they were treated to a magnificent sunset.

“Leon, why don’t we go down and build a sandcastle together. I have never done that before. I saw some children building one earlier and it looked like so much fun.”

Three hours later, an impressive sand structure was erected. It was two and a half feet tall with a molded, tiered roof. It featured a large moat.

“Not bad for our first time,” Deana boasted. “Leon, what do you think?”

“I think we make a pretty good team,” Leon stated. Then he scooped Deana up and carried her into the ocean. The stars were bright and the water was warm. The newlyweds were off to a good start.

Monday was the day Deana was excited about. She hadn’t been able to go fishing with Leon since his birthday in April. One reason they chose Hilton Head Island for their honeymoon was because they would have the opportunity to go fishing together again. They booked an Egret 18’9” flats boat. Its engine was incredibly quiet and lightning fast. They could get to any fishing spot in no time at all.

They decided to fish inshore on the flats. They wanted to catch redfish. During September, the redfish were in tailing mode with their heads down and tail up. It’s a beautiful act of nature. Leon easily caught a twelve pound redfish. He then helped Deana pull in a ten and a half pound red. She was thrilled.

Unfortunately, the honeymoon had to be cut short because they had to get back to Dothan before eight o’clock to meet the Johnson’s. Despite its brevity, they had the time of their lives.

On the way home Leon had a little surprise for Deana. One of the drivers Leon worked with and was good friends with had come to the wedding two days ago. While Deana was doing her thank you dances during dinner, the young driver told Leon he desperately wanted to get Leon and Deana a wedding gift but he had no money. Leon gave him twenty dollars and told the young man what he could do.

On the way back, Leon parked his truck in front of the big water tower everybody passes on their way into town. In big red letters painted on the water tower were the words: LEON LOVES DEANA 4EVER AND EVER. Deana almost started to cry. But, before she could Leon asked her to get out of the truck and for her to sit on the roof of the cab. He positioned the truck so he could photograph Deana and the water tower and the sun going down all at the same time. It was a remarkable photograph.

Tuesday morning, Deana got Matthew and Mark off to school. She and Luke did a quick workout. Then they went into town. Using the money she got as wedding gifts and some of her savings, she bought a brand new bedroom set. She had made sure it was all right with Leon first. Then she proceeded to buy a new larger dresser. She bought two new end tables and a bigger bed with a brand new mattress. The old mattress had always made her feel uncomfortable.

She cleaned Rebeccah’s belongings out of the closet. In a show of respect, she never threw any of Rebeccah’s belongings out. Deana put Rebeccah’s things in storage with her own belongings. In time she would try to sell most of the things she owned that she had kept at the duplex she’d been renting from Mr. McGee. Financially things would be better for Deana and Leon. Deana would no longer have to pay rent, cable or electric. The storage unit was inexpensive so they’d have more disposable income.

Later, Deana went to the bank. Leon had been doing pretty well keeping the mortgage between twenty days past due and current. She direct wired $712 to General Mortgage. She wanted the mortgage paid current all the time from now on. Now that they were going to have joint credit she wanted their score to be as high as possible.

After dinner, Deana joined Leon on the couch. She wrapped her arms around him and exclaimed: “I finally have a family and a home!” Later that night when she made love to her husband, it was truly special. Physically, nothing was different. Emotionally, everything was different. She was with her own husband, in their own home, and in their own bed.

That Saturday, Luke’s team won its third straight game. Mark got a red card in his game and was very upset. A boy from the other team and Mark went for the ball at the same time. Mark was much bigger and stronger than the other boy; he flattened the kid. They had to carry him off the field. Mark was ejected from the game and his team had to play the entire game down a man. They lost the game and Mark got a mandatory one game suspension. The referee sent Mark away from the field.

Deana caught up to Mark in the parking lot. She wanted to calm him down.

“I can’t believe that stupid kid and that idiot referee,” Mark griped. “The kid ran into me more than I ran into him. My coach didn’t even say anything to defend me. What’s up with that?”

“Mark, red and yellow cards are part of the game, other players will deliberately try to draw fouls. Sometimes they’ll exaggerate the foul to draw a card against you. That’s why your coach didn’t say anything. It’s all part of the game.”

“Well, it’s a stupid game.”

“If you still feel this way next spring, I’ll honor our agreement and you can play football. You just have to finish this soccer season and keep your grades up.”

“Done,” Mark responded emphatically.

Deana smiled. She had to agree with Mark that he was more suited for football. Mark was a natural hitter. Watching him play football was going to be exciting.

When Deana lived at the orphanage in Tampa, something cool Mr. Wilson did for the children was called “Special Day.” One day a year, not a birthday or holiday, each child had a day to pick something fun to do away from the orphanage. Usually it would be dinner and a concert or a sporting event; Deana preferred concerts.

Since the boys birthdays were in the spring and summer, fall would be perfect for “Special Day.” She asked the boys to pick an upcoming concert they wanted to see. It could not be on a Friday or Saturday. She would take them to dinner at the restaurant of their choice, even if the restaurant and concert was in Atlanta.

Deana asked them to pick an event between the end of September and mid December. Matthew picked a country concert. Deana helped Luke pick out a country concert too. Mark wanted to go to a rock concert. The good news was that Mark’s concert was on a Tuesday night. She wouldn’t have to miss work. Mark’s event came up first. On Tuesday, October 1st, at five o’clock Deana and Mark jumped in the Stratus and headed to Atlanta.

Mark wanted to eat at a pizza restaurant with a huge video game arcade. After eating, Mark got in a solid half hour of video games. At the concert, Mark ran into one of his friends from school.

“Wow, Mark, is that your new step–mom you were talking about?” the boy asked.

“Yes,” Mark said laughing. “This is my step–mother Deana.”

“Man, how do I get me a step–mom like that?” the boy continued. “That’s so crazy.”

Deana looked embarrassed but Mark was smiling. After the concert, Deana asked Mark if going out with his step–mom was uncomfortable. “No way,” Mark replied. “I like seeing my friend’s responses when they meet you.”

“Oh,” Deana replied and continued: “I always pray that you boys accept me as your step–mother and that we become a happy family.”

“You don’t have to worry. Before you came to us, I used to get teased by some of the kids at school. My first mom didn’t always get us decent haircuts or clothes like the other kids wore. She really didn’t care how we looked. Many times our clothes weren’t even cleaned. The one night when you and my dad broke up, we thought you might not come back. We were all scared and crying.”

Deana was surprised but did not respond. There was a long pause, and then she told Mark what a nice time she had. “I really loved the concert. It was a great show.”

Three and a half weeks later it was Matthew’s turn. It was a Thursday night. Mr. Vito said it was all right to take off. Mark had told Matthew how cool the pizza and arcade restaurant was, so he chose that restaurant also. The concert was fantastic. It featured three of the most popular artists, all in one show. Matthew and Deana danced in the aisles together and sang along to all the popular songs. They had a great time. On the way home, she had a similar talk with Matthew to the one she’d had with Mark.

“I’ve been praying,” Deana began, “that you boys will think it’s a good thing having me as your step–mom.”

“So far, it’s been great,” Matthew explained. “Our first mother wasn’t always there for us. When she was there, she’d often yell at us or get upset about something. She was also intimidating. She was almost as tall as our dad; and sometimes she’d scare us.”

“When I was growing up, I never saw being shorter as an asset,” Deana replied, “but I’m glad it helps you feel comfortable with me.”

“I think the most important thing is you are consistent,” Matthew continued. “You tell us what you expect and if we have trouble you are there to help, not criticize. You make the difficult things easier for us. You also helped us be a family again. Thanks!”

Deana was touched. It was more than just a fun evening. It was also a bonding experience.

“You’re welcome Matthew,” Deana replied. “I can’t wait for next year.”

Luke’s turn was next. It was mid–November. He chose to see Deana’s favorite band in concert. Also, it was a Monday night so she didn’t have to miss work. Luke never really cared where they went, if he was with Deana, it was fun.

Deana took Luke to the same restaurant as his brothers. All three boys loved it there. This concert was the best of the three. Luke and Deana laughed, danced and sang the whole night.

When Deana and Luke were out together, they looked and acted like mother and son. Deana was twenty–six, Luke was four. The time line fit. Deana and Luke even shared many physical features.

On the way home, Luke fell asleep. It was fine; Deana didn’t feel she needed to have the same talk with Luke she’d had with Matthew and Mark.