Rescuing Vanessa (A Little Bit of Coffee, Flowers, and Romance) (14 page)

Chapter 20

Vanessa couldn’t remember the last time she had had so much ‘girl fun’. Without even trying, she had made some real friends. It felt good.
Really good.

As they all sat around a small table at the Coffee House, Guinevere said, “I almost feel guilty dumping the guys.”

“I know what you mean,” said Violet stirring the whipped cream into her mocha.

“I see we single gi
rls have to stick together.” Ivy wrapped an arm around Vanessa’s shoulders.

“Sorry,” said Violet.

“You’re right,” said Guinevere. “Besides, it’s good for our men to do without us for a bit. It will make them appreciate us more.” She grinned widely as she took a sip of her white chocolate cappuccino.

“More likely, they’re having a great time with
those action packed video games at our place and won’t remember we exist until they’re hungry,” said Violet.

“Oh, you’re terrible,” said Guinevere, b
atting Violet’s arm, “but probably right.”

They all laughed
and the time flew by.

“So, Vanessa,” said Violet. She sounded all business, but there was a constant, distinct twinkle in her eyes. “Do you think you could do a similar print like the one you did of your dinner only with this place as your setting?”

Her eyes sparkled.
“Oh yes. Would you like a daytime scene or nighttime?” Her fingers already itched to sketch.

“For this particular murder, I
think nighttime is best. Then again, for future books, I might want a daytime scene. We’ll have to see.”

“You are such a
nutter,” said Guinevere.

Violet
laughed and didn’t seem to mind one bit. “Comes with the job. It’s a lot of fun! Especially using the excuse to come here, eat, drink amazing coffee, and all in the name of research.” She grinned, then sobered significantly. “But, I prefer murder only in fiction. Real life isn’t nearly so entertaining.”

Vanessa
saw her shiver. What was that was about? But, the conversation continued and she didn’t get a chance to ask.

“I’m afraid I really do need to get back,” said Guinevere. “I’ve got an early student tomorrow. Bless him, he’s a dear boy, but I have to admit, I’m only half awake before school in the morning.
7 o’clock in the morning is too early for a violin lesson.”

“How is Jesse with this? He was never a morning person growing up,” said Ivy.

“He’s a good sport. He mumbles as he rolls over. I’ll be glad when this semester is over. I’m going to tell the mum, ‘Never again.’”

They all stood and gathered their things. Violet and Guinevere rode in Violet’s car and Ivy had driven Vanessa.

“You’re sure you don’t mind bringing me home?” Vanessa asked as they walked out the door.

“Absolutely not,” said Ivy, unlocking the doors and getting in her car. “I’ve wanted to get to know you better for ages. And not only because you’re the kind of artist I dreamed about being when I was a child.”

“But you
work with children. You’re making a real difference with your art.”

Ivy shifted into reverse and drove out of the lot before answering. “I love teaching. Those children and teen-agers are amazing.
But you. My goodness, your painting was breathtaking. I would love to be able to paint like that.”

“I
don’t know what kind of real difference it makes.”

Ivy was qui
et for a moment. “I prayed all the way through this. From my job at the police station to my major in college, I wanted to be sure it was the Lord’s will, His calling. He gave me the talent. He would know best how He meant for me to use it. It is hard to work with people who have been hurt so badly, especially children. I feel like the Lord gave me a gift beyond simply drawing. He gave me a discernment that helps me to minister. I’ve had several come with their families to church.”

“I’m not sure what the Lord wants me to do. I’m still praying about it.”

“I know He will lead you in the way He wants you to go. He doesn’t give gifts for no reason. Jesus has a plan for your life that is absolutely amazing. Keep following wherever He leads. He’ll make it all clear in His perfect timing.”

Vanessa smiled and nodded.
“You’re wise beyond your years, Ivy. Thanks.”

Ivy glanced at her an
d smiled back. “One thing is sure: Following Jesus is never boring. You wouldn’t believe some of the funnier things that happened directly or indirectly, just by being where the Lord wanted me. While I was still working for the police department, there was this one really crazy lady who got mugged, but she sure didn’t make it easy. Half the time, I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. When she saw the mugger being led to an interrogation room, before anyone could stop her, she marched over to him, wound up, and hit him in the side of the head with her huge purse! The police had to restrain her and place him in protective custody!”

Vanessa laughed. Then, t
he two girls spent the rest of the way to her house sharing funny stories.

***

When she got home, Vanessa knew what she had to do.

Pulling out her cell phone, she punched in some numbers.
“Hi, Mom. Are you guys busy?”

Her parent
s were both free and within moments, they could see each other through their computers’ cameras via Skype.

“Mom, Dad, I’m sorry.”
Vanessa nervously clutched her hands in her lap and rubbed her thumbs together.

Her parents seemed surprised by the
abrupt apology, but before they could say anything, she hurried on. “I know I’ve been a disappointment to you. You were right. I never should have gone to LA. It was a mistake. And, I know that now. Grandpa says he needs me to help him with the coffee roasting. He says I have a natural eye for it, he thinks it is from all my in depth understanding of art and complex colors. He seems to have developed an allergic reaction to the green beans.”

“An allergy to
green coffee beans?” said her father. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Some sort of
rash,” said Vanessa. “Even when he touches the burlap bags the coffee comes in, he breaks out all over, starts to sneeze and wheeze.

“
Hmm. I’m still not comfortable with you staying there. Your grandmother always feels like she has to take care of guests,” said her mother.

“
I appreciate your concern, Mama. I’ve been doing everything I can to help.”

“Actually,” her grandmother
appeared behind her and chimed in, “she’s a little sneaky girl. She keeps getting to the dishes before I can and won’t even let me near the vacuum. The house is tidier now than even when Bobby was growing up. The two of you trained her well. I’m quite proud of our ‘Nessa!”

Her pa
rents’ eyes widened and they leaned forward.

“Also, she’s managed to
get one of her paintings to be sold on commission for a fund-raiser auction for the Archaeology Department at Daniel’s college for a hefty sum and she’s got another commission for a series of book covers for best-selling author, Violet Givens.”

Grandma continued her glowing report in a way only a proud grandmother could.
“Violet saw it and absolutely fell in love. Vanessa’s paintings will bring her substantial income and now be seen all over the world!”

“We are happy for you,
Vanni,” said her mother. 

“
Check out our web page.” Grandma was not done. “Vanessa has some new ‘coffee art’ designs for mugs, mouse pads, and T-shirts. They’re not only selling well, they’ve generated some ‘buzz’, our coffee sales have risen nearly 8% since their release.” Grandma practically beamed and Vanessa’s cheeks heated up.

“
We are thankful it is all working out and you have seemingly found your calling,” replied ‘Bobby,’ aka Dr. Robert Bennett, Vanessa’s father.

“We were extremely concerned when you started to drift away from us in high
school, and in hind sight we perhaps were not there for you at certain critical moments and I am sorry for that. When you left for California your mother and I were devastated, you were walking off to waste your life and throw away all the opportunities we had worked so hard to give you. We assumed, maybe wrongly, that your art was part of that willful rebellion, but really all we wanted was for you to commit to something, ANYHTING, and to find purpose and direction for your life. Of course your mother and I would prefer you in some scientific, but only because it is what we know, and we feel we can help you learn the ropes and climb the ladders necessary to succeed. Art is something totally out of our field of expertise. We haven’t the foggiest idea of what is available to you in that field, but it looks like you have found your way.” Her Dad smiled.

For the first time Vanessa saw things from her parents
’ point of view. Growing up, an only child, a child of privilege, who had everything she needed,  and with two adoring grandparents to give her almost anything she wanted, she’d become inadvertently spoiled. She didn’t realize that with great privilege comes great responsibility. When her parents tried the best they could to teach her that, she took their rebuke as harshness, their stern direction as control, and their push to succeed as never being good enough. Her parents weren’t perfect, but the image of them being insensitive, tyrannical, micromanaging, not wanting her to have any fun was melting away, being replaced by real people, who made real mistakes, and tried the best they could to give the daughter the best opportunities this world could offer.

“Thank you, Daddy. I know you tried your best, and I let you down. But Daddy, all of those years, I didn’t really need your expertise. Not that I didn’t want it. You and Mama are the best of the best. I sometimes found it fascinating all the things you’d come share with me, and how you wanted me to have the same love for
mitochondria, and DNA, and phenotypes as you and mom, and academics, how I should study hard and strive harder, to win all of those science awards and extra things at school, and I know I tuned you out Daddy, and I wish Daddy, oh how I wish that I followed after you and Mamma harder, and how I wish I did the things you said, oh how I wish I did, Daddy, but all those years Daddy, I didn’t want your structures or lectures, or  your directions in an email, or you lecturing me on Skype while you and Mama were half way around the world studying some bug, I just wanted YOU Daddy, I just wanted YOU. I just wanted time with YOU.”

Vanessa was shaking by the time she had finished. She hugged her knees in close, and looked down from the computer screen. Grandma gently rested both hands on Vanessa’s shoulders in a gesture of comfort.

Her m
om moved slowly on the screen. She raised her right arm, bringing it to rest on her husband’s right shoulder. Her left came up to her face to wipe away the tears that started rolling down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry Baby… I’m so sorry,” was all she could manage, she momentarily reached out toward the screen as if trying to touch her daughter through it. Vanessa’s left hand came up in reflex toward the image of her mom’s hand, then both mom’s and Vanessa’s dropped, with sighs on both sides when they realized they were still thousands of miles away from each other. Her mom covered her mouth as began to sob, with her husband rubbing her arm and shoulder in comfort.

Vanessa couldn’t remember too many times she had seen her dad get emotional. Every once in a while at church, when he was praying for someone else and the Spirit moved, there might be tears, or sometimes during the preaching when something resonated that was dear to his heart, like stories of redemption from drugs and alcohol, or stories of God’s love reaching into the darkest places.
And sometimes Missionary stories. Or Disney movies.

But this was one of those times. He had a look on his face, something so familiar,
something she cherished. The look when she was his cute little girl, knee-high to a grass hopper with messy, long, wavy carrot-top curls,  playing out in the yard, and he’d come back from the lab, walk out into the back and just watch her for a moment. And before he’d say anything, she’d see that look on his face, that look that said ‘Papa’s home! Come to Daddy! Pappa’s home!’ And he’d scoop her up into his arms and nibble on her cute little arms and they’d snuggle on the couch reading books and she could snuggle up into his lap and feel all safe and secure. Oh how she longed to do that one more time!

 
Oh how I wish I could have done so many things differently
, Robert Bennett thought, “I’m so sorry, my little Nessi-Girl, Will you forgive your Papa?” he said tenderly. Everyone was crying now.

Vanessa nodded, wiping tears from her face with her forearms, still sitting huddling with her
knees, her grandma taking her hands from Vanessa’s shoulder’s to wipe away her own. Restoration. God’s way. It felt really good.

Chapter 21

Vanessa wanted to know one more thing before her parents hung up. Grandma decided it best to excuse herself and went downstairs to make some tea.

“Mom, Dad, why didn’t you ever take me with you?”

Their bodies stilled
, surprise clear on their faces. “When you were little, it was too dangerous,” said her mother. “When you were older, we thought
you
didn’t want to go.”

“I did want
to be with you, but I thought you didn’t want
me
.” Her voice became a soft wail.

“
Oh, Sweetheart.”

Tears ran down her cheeks. For the first time
since she was really little, she felt like she was wanted by her parents. It was like a dam broke and she was being flooded with pure love.

“Y
our father was hurt that you seemed so uninterested in our work. When you wanted a career in art, we had no idea how to help you. We should have talked about it.”

“I wasn’t the easiest teen-ager,” Vanessa said.

“No you weren’t,” her parents both laughed.

At a slight lull in the conversation, Vanessa took the opportunity to say something heartfelt. “I love you Mama and Papa
,” she said.

“We love you too,” said her
Mama and Papa.

“Did you know Vanessa means ‘butterfly’? We named you after the most beautiful butterfly in
South America,” said her Dad.

Now she could hardly see for the tears
again. “I didn’t know that.”

“It also means ‘star’. We thought you were as lovely as any star in the sky,” her mother said.

I think Daniel would agree with that. I certainly made him see stars the first time we met!
Vanessa chuckled at the thought.

“There’s also something called the ‘butterfly effect’ where a small butterfly beats her wings and causes a tsunami somewhere in Asia,” her father
added.

“I believe that,
” she replied ruefully.

“What your father is trying to say is that we think you’re a
wonderful gift from God. You have gifts and talents that you haven’t even discovered yet. The Lord wants to use you in a great way.”

“I want to walk with the Lord and follow where He leads. I know I didn’t do that in the past, but I mad
e things right with Him and I want to stay right with Him.”

“
That’s wonderful, Vanessa. I’m proud of you and I want you to know that,” her father said.

“
I’m proud of you, too,” said her mom.

Her parents needed to go and Vanessa was starting to feel how tired she already was. But it was a good tired. She couldn’t wait to see them. They couldn’t do the last 15-20 years of their life over again, but they sure were going to try to make up for lost time. They were going to start over. They were a family
They batted around the idea of having her join them overseas very soon, but Vanessa needed to fulfill her obligations to Violet and keep helping her grandparents. She definitely wanted to work out something so she could go on a trip with them at some point.

Before she fell asleep that night, Vanessa knelt down next to her bed and prayed. “You have restored me and given me my family back, better than it was before. You have given me life and hope. Thank you, Lord. Praise You, Jesus!”

***

Daniel rolled over for the fifth time in as many minutes. No matter how much he tried, he simply could not sleep.
Raising himself up on an elbow, he punched the pillow then flopped down. After a few seconds, he rolled over again.

Final
ly, he gave up. Maybe water would help. He went to the small kitchenette and took bottled water out of his tiny refrigerator. Unscrewing the cap, he poured the cold water down his throat. Then, carrying the bottle into his living room, he sat down on the couch. He didn’t bother with a light.

“Lord, I’ve got a long day teaching tomorrow. Why can’t I sleep?”

The answer hit him so fast and hard, he nearly spilled his water. He fell onto his knees and put his face on the carpet pleading desperately for Vanessa’s safety.

“Lord, I know you hold her in the palm of
Your hand. You have every hair on her head numbered. You love her with a great and everlasting love. Protect her, Jesus. Keep her safe. Surround her with Your warrior angels. I don’t know what kind of trial she is about to face, but oh, God, let her feel Your presence and guiding. Let her know that You are with her. You will never leave her nor forsake her. You will always be with her. Your name is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.

“She laid her burdens down at
Your feet today. I saw it and rejoiced. I know she finally tore that wall of guilt down and dropped that despair from off her back. Lord, I saw her get right with You now.”

His voice caught
and his hands fisted in the carpet. He couldn’t pray what he knew the Lord was asking.

“Please, Lord, not that. Please.”

He didn’t feel a release. He had to give up—everything.

“Lord, I don’t want her to die. I love her now more than ever. I don’t want to give her up, Lord.”

Tears dropped from his eyes onto the rug. “Please, Lord,” he tried again.

He still
didn’t feel a release.

“All right, L
ord. I yield. If she doesn’t live, if it is Your will to take her, please hold her for me. Tell her every day that I love her and I will love her as long as I live. I love You, Jesus. I trust You, Lord.”

He coul
dn’t speak anymore.

When he was finally spent, he knew he was exhausted enough to sleep. He still hoped that
Vanessa wouldn’t die. But, no matter what happened, he would trust the Lord. Jesus often took messes and made them into miracles. As Abraham trusted the Lord with his only son, Isaac, when the Lord asked that he give him as a sacrifice, Daniel chose to trust the Lord with Vanessa. Abraham did receive back his son. Jesus made a way. He would watch and see His Lord work.

Chapter 22

Denny woke up late on Monday morning, as usual, but instead of holding his head and moaning about all the ‘fun’ he had had over the weekend, he grunted, then smiled. Today would be his last day in Chicago. Leonard had worked his magic and he had the gun and bullets all ready. He even got him a license for it, imagine that? He was going to get that vase even if he had to tear apart her house room by room.

In the bathroom he splashed water on his face and grinned at himself in the mirror.
Last night had been a wild night, all right. When the bar closed, the party moved to his hotel room. They were so loud, the hotel manager had threatened to call the police. Denny didn’t care. His fun was first priority. Who cared if he made a little noise?

When the hotel manager saw the damage to the room, he had been visibly angry. The bill would be much higher on his credit card.
He almost got kicked out, but he assured him he’d pay, and the manager walked away grumbling. Oh well. Today was his last day. He might lose the credit card and not worry about it. Leonard made sure the credit card appeared real enough, but eventually the money faded away.

On the nightstand, he
picked up one of leftover needles filled with fun from the weekend. The liquid inside sparkled in the sunlight. He had a bit of revenge in mind for little Vanessa. He would enjoy watching her take flight. Maybe he wouldn’t kill her. He would decide that later. For now, he had a vase to get.

***

Vanessa put the last of her clothes into a drawer and sighed. The rest of her things would go to the attic until she moved to her own place someday. Outside the sound of thunder unsettled her. It had been sunny moments ago. She was glad to be warm and safe at home today.

“Oh, Vanessa,” said her grandmother. “
I just got off the phone with the pastor’s wife. Constance Givens, Sam, Jesse, and Ivy’s mother, was in an accident.”

“Is she at the hospital?”

“Yes.” Her grandmother wiped her eyes. “She’s going to be all right, but…”

“But, you real
ly want to see for yourself?”

“Yes, but I don
’t like to leave you. I already dropped your grandpa off at the office.” She frowned at her watch.

“
I’d go with you, but I really need to start some of those preliminary sketches for Violet. I want to be ready when she asks to see the first drafts. I’ll keep my cell with me and all doors locked and bolted. I’ll be fine.”

“When does Daniel get home?”

“I’m not sure. He mentioned coming home for lunch though.” Vanessa reached over and gave Grandma a hug.

“Okay. It’s 11 now.
” Her voice sounded marginally better. “That means he should be home in about an hour.”

Vanessa
smiled at Grandma’s overprotectiveness. “Everything will be okay, really.”

Mrs. Bennett
finally relaxed. “All right. The Lord can take much better care of you than I anyway.” She found her purse walked toward the side door. “Keep that cell phone with you and lock up after me.”

“I will. Don’t worry.” Vanessa
shut the door after her and waved from one of the windows.

As she let the curtain fall back, she
chuckled. It was sweet. Actually letting herself be taken care of was nice, and there was the added bonus of not feeling guilty about it. She wasn’t silly enough to think she deserved it, but she was finally willing to allow herself to receive the love that was so freely given.

***

Denny sat out in the cul-de-sac and watched Mrs. Bennett drive away. While the garage was open, he was reassured there weren’t any other cars. Good, Vanessa was probably alone. Even so, her grandfather was certainly no threat and he had no doubt that he could take that wimpy professor guy. A bouquet of white roses lay on the seat next to him. He rubbed his hands together and grinned.
This is going to be fun.

Ding Dong.
Who could that be? Maybe Grandma forgot her key? Vanessa went to the front door and peeked out the long side window. What on earth? Denny Delaney stood on her front porch holding flowers—roses, white roses! Her eyes widened and her mouth formed an ‘o’.

Seeing her, he smiled and gestured with the roses. Should she open the door? Wouldn’t it be rude not to?

***

Daniel felt sick. It was the same feeling he had had the other day when Vanessa was in trouble. Was something wrong?

Lord?
The answer he received made his blood run cold. He needed to get home—now!

Daniel’s class had been canceled that morning because of a
computer mistake in room scheduling. He hadn’t minded. It gave him time to get some much needed office work done. He had scheduled a test for the day, so his students weren’t at all upset to have that be postponed. As he gathered up his things, he prayed trying to prepare for whatever he would face.

He jogged through the building, but as he came outside, he ran into
Dr. Thomas arriving.

“Daniel, just the man I wanted to speak to. I heard you had a piece of art to donate to the Archaeological Society Auction.”

“Hello, Dr. Thomas. No, actually, I have an art piece of which the artist has donated half the proceeds from the auction to the Archaeology Department Fundraiser Auction. The money will help fund deserving students go on a study in Israel this summer.”

“Oh.
Same thing.” She waved her hands in a dismissive gesture. “I want to hear more about this artist. Where did you find him? Is he any good?”

Daniel tried no
t to grit his teeth. “She is quite good. Recently, she was commissioned to do cover art for one of Violet Givens’ books. She’s a best-selling author.”

“Yes, yes. Commissioned, you say? What sort of piece is the work?”

How could he
gracefully hurry this conversation along? His stomach tying itself in knots, Daniel tried to answer her questions. “It’s impressionistic. She did it from the Archaeological Dinner party. It’s a scene from when we were all eating desserts and listening to the string quartet.”

“Oh. Am I in it?” A breeze moved her perfectly concreted hair. She patted it in place
.

“I b
elieve you are.” Was she? He couldn’t remember. If not, maybe he could ask Vanessa to paint her in somewhere. Was that hard?

“Well. I can’t wait to see it then. I must be going. See you at the Fundraiser.”

“Good morning, Dr. Thomas.” He held open the door for her.

“Good
afternoon
, Daniel.”

He gave a tight smile
and nodded. As soon as she went through the door, he sprinted for his car.