When Love Comes Around (Love Conquers All) (27 page)

No sooner than the prayer left her lips, the door swung open.

“My, isn’t this a wonderful surprise.” Holding the door open, the sweet woman beckoned, “Come on in here out the cold, sweetie.”

Starr quickly stepped into the warm living space. Closing and locking the door, she embraced the older woman. “Hi Momma, how are you?”

Returning the warm embrace from her daughter-in-law, she beamed, “I’m fine honey. To what do I owe this wonderful visit?” Beverly loved having one of her daughter-in-laws living so close by. As much as she loved her sons, she’d always wanted a daughter. Her sons had chosen well. She adored their wives.

Since that night Kevin shared with her, Beverly had been harassed Starr had taken to calling her every day and popping in on her regularly. She wanted to make sure she was okay and hoped she would catch Trina lurking. She was still itching to get hands on her one good time.

“I just wanted to stop by to see you before Kevin and I go visit my mom this weekend.”

“That’s good you’re going to see your mom. I hope everything works out.” Starr had mentioned to Beverly what was going on with her father. Though she never met the man, she didn’t like him. What decent man would treat his wife and children that way? Going into the other room she mused
they sure don’t make them like my Richard anymore.
She thought it was wonderful how protective Starr and her sister were of their mother. She prayed if their mother showed the slightest hint of going back to a man like that, that Starr and Kevin would be able to dissuade her if possible. Beverly let out a small sigh.
Love can make you do some crazy things.

Taking off her coat and hanging it in the hall closet, Starr went into the kitchen where she was sure Beverly had gone and was waiting for her. They had set up their own little routine every time she came over. After washing her hands, she proceeded to take down two mugs from the cupboard then handed Beverly the canister containing several herbal tea bags.

“What flavor?”

“Vanilla.”

Beverly smiled. “Good choice.”

The two women worked in comfortable silence enjoying each other’s company as they prepared their tea.

“Momma, do you have any more of that lemon pound cake?”

Beverly softly giggled. “Your husband ate the last of that the other night when he popped up over here.”

Beverly was so blessed. Many of her friends’ children could care less about their elderly parents, let alone coming to visit. Most of their children had spouses who pressured them into throwing their parents into state managed nursing homes because they’re less expensive than privately owned elderly assisted complexes. Thank goodness, Beverly didn’t have to worry about that. Her children understood how important her independence was to her. What her husband’s pension didn’t cover her sons gladly paid the difference without hesitation.

“But there are some chocolate chip cookies I baked earlier in the cookie jar.” Beverly had sensed Starr would be coming to visit when she called earlier wanting to know if she would be busy later in the evening. Wanting to have a snack prepared for her, she baked her secret recipe chocolate chip cookies.

“I tell you that son of yours eats like there’s no tomorrow.” Starr joked as she removed two cookies from the snowman on the counter. It’s a good thing Kevin was active and worked out on a regular basis, otherwise he might end up as round as the snowman on the counter. If she didn’t watch it, she would end up the same way, too. That’s why she only took two and not three or four of the sweet treat.

“He’s always had a healthy appetite. He was the greediest baby and chubbiest little thing. When he started walking he would topple over because he was so fat.” Beverly chuckled “His little legs could hardly hold him up.”

Starr laughed imagining the chunky baby from all the pictures she looked at falling on his rump every time he tried to stand. “Well, he better cut it out before he becomes a chubby old man.”

Biting into the thick cookie with huge chunks of chocolate, Starr moaned. “He couldn’t help but to be a fat baby with the way you cook and bake.” She knew it was rude to talk with your mouth full, but she couldn’t help it. Beverly cookies were delicious. “Momma you’ve got to give me the recipe for these cookies.”

“It’s a secret. Momma can’t give you the recipe right now,” Beverly said as she brought the mug to her lips hiding a smile. Starr looked rejected by her mother-in-law’s refusal to give her the recipe.

“Why?” Starr asked in a pitiful voice.

Beverly sat the mug down looking directly into the younger woman’s eyes. “Well, because it’s not for you.”

“Oh.” Starr mumbled dropping her gaze, feelings hurt, wondering what she had done to the older woman.

Placing her hand onto top of Starr’s to soothe her hurt feelings. “I said I wouldn’t give you the secret recipe now. You want to know why?”

Nodding her head, “Yes, ma’am.”

“I can’t give it to you until after you have my first grandchild.” Gently squeezing her hand she added, “That’s the only way you’ll get my secret chocolate chip cookie recipe is to make them for my grandbabies.”

Relieved, Starr smiled. “Not even for my big baby, your son?”

Chuckling, shaking her head, “Nope. Not even for our big baby. My recipe is for a new baby.” Lifting her brow, she inquired, “Y’all are working on some grandbabies for me… aren’t you?”

Blushing with embarrassment Starr lower her gaze again, she didn’t want to tell this sweet elderly woman they were going at it like a couple of rabbits. That would be downright tacky.

Starr mumbled in total humiliation, “Yes, Momma we’re working on it.”

Beverly stood up and wrapped her arm around the younger woman’s shoulder. “Sweetie, you don’t have anything to be embarrassed about. There’s nothing wrong with loving your man and making some grandbabies for me in the process. I’m an old lady. I’m just trying to make sure y’all aren’t sleeping on the job.”

Standing, Starr laughed all embarrassment fading as she hugged her mother-in-law. “Believe me we’re trying real hard to give you those grandbabies.”

Stepping back from the embrace Beverly’s keen eyes zeroed in on the spot on Starr’s neck right above her collarbone. With a wink, she teased, “I see how hard the two of you’ve been working.”

“Momma!” Starr squealed embarrassed as her hand flew to her neck shielding the passion mark.

♥♥♥

Starr twisted and turned, trying to get comfortable, but it was no use. No matter what position she settled into she couldn’t get comfortable. Most of her restlessness was due to the fact that her mother didn’t know she was coming for a visit. She intentionally hadn’t contacted her because she was afraid she would’ve refused her visit.

After talking with Karen, Summer and Ava, they all agreed the element of surprise would be best. However, she was now second-guessing her decision. She hoped this didn’t blow up in her face. Or better yet, that her father hadn’t gotten to her mom first. Starr would just die if she got there and her father was already there with his feet propped up, acting like he owned the joint.

Taking his eyes off the road briefly, he glanced over at his wife’s restless form. “You all right baby?” He could tell something was up with her from the time they hit the road. The entire time she was supposed to be sleeping, she was fretful.

Opening her eyes, she rolled her head to the side and studied her husband before she spoke. Realizing how blessed she was to have a man to support her was giving her the strength needed to confront her mom. She had so desperately wanted her sister to come with her. The two of them together had a better chance of getting through to their mother if their dad had showed up working his voodoo.

However, she understood Karen would have her hands full with Kyle and Alicia’s weekend activities. When she insisted on getting a sitter for the kids, Starr assured her she would be able to handle things. She wouldn’t ask her to sacrifice her children. That just wouldn’t be right.

Needing to draw comfort from him, she rested her hand on his thigh. Letting out a deep breath, she voiced what was troubling her. “What if my mom gets upset when we show up unannounced?”

“Why would she be upset?” He asked quickly glancing at her, briefly taking his attention away from the road. He hadn’t said anything before because he didn’t want to pry, but he wondered why Donna would only see her family once a year. He just couldn’t shake the feeling that she was somehow punishing them because of her husband’s past sins. He prayed that wasn’t the case.

Hunching her shoulders, she truthfully answered, “I guess she likes to be alone, away from everybody.”

Slowly he nodded his head as if he understood when really he didn’t. “I see.”

Starr frowned bunching her perfectly arched eyebrows together. “No, you don’t.”

Kevin chuckled. He couldn’t put a thing past Starr. “You’re right, I don’t understand.”

Feeling a wave of sadness wash over her, she confessed, “I don’t understand myself Kevin why I’m so nervous about popping up seeing my own mother. I know part of it’s because I’m terrified that she may want to work things out with my dad. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been down this road before. Now that mom has finally got up the courage to serve him with papers, he wants to talk this
we’re a family crap
again.”

Placing his hand on top of hers, he gently squeezed her hand then brought it to his lips for a tender kiss. “Baby, I don’t know what to say other than I’m sorry you and Karen had to go through all of that growing up and still have to deal with it as adults.”

He paused for a second trying to organize his thoughts before he spoke again. He prayed Donna wouldn’t succumb to her husband’s sweet talk and finally kick his sorry butt to the curb. However, he was a realist; there was a possibility that she may allow him back into her life. As much as it would hurt her, he needed Starr to realize this as well.

“Baby, you know you’re mom might decide she wants to try again with your dad.”

Dropping her face into her hands, she moaned, “I know. That’s why I’m so scared.”

Lifting her head up, tears threatening to spill over the lids, she whispered, “I don’t want her to see us coming down here as interfering in her life. I don’t think I could take it if she thinks I’m trying to stand between her and my father.” Wiping away a tear, her voice quivered. “I never told this to anyone but sometimes I think my mother blames me for my dad leaving.”

Kevin maneuvered the car to the side of the scarcely traveled dirt country road. Turning on the hazard signals, he put the vehicle in park and turned off the ignition. Leaning over he curved his hand around the back of Starr’s neck and rested his forehead against hers. Tenderly kissing her lips and massaging the side of her neck with his thumb, he wanted her to understand something. “Baby, don’t do this to yourself. You were an innocent child and there’s no way you could’ve been responsible for the actions of two grown adults. It was your mother’s choice to keep letting a man back into her life time and time again, who did nothing but abuse his family’s love.” Again, he paused carefully selecting his words. “I’m not saying your mom blames you, but if she does, it still doesn’t make it your fault. Baby, you can’t carry that burden. It’s too heavy.” Kissing the tip of her nose, he said, “I won’t let you carry it.”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gazed into his eyes. She shivered from what she saw in their dark depths…Love and protection. Not only was this man willing to love her, he was willing to protect her, even from herself. For years, she carried the guilt of having played a role in her parents’ rocky marriage. Many times she thought if she hadn’t been born and Karen remained an only child, things would’ve been different. Perhaps they would have been happy without the pressure of having to raise another child.

Pressing her lips to his, she whispered, “Thank you for loving me.”

“You’re welcome.” He huskily whispered back as he traced the outline of her lips with his tongue, and then gently pried her mouth open. Starr let out a soft moan as he rolled his tongue around the tip of hers and then lovingly suckled it. When his hand traveled up the front of her blouse and squeezed a firm breast, she grabbed his hand pulling it away like a shy teenage virgin girl.

“What’s wrong?”

“They lock you up around these parts for making out on the side of the road.”

Kevin laughed as he started up the car, pulling away from the side of the road. “Let’s get moving then. A brotha can’t afford to get locked up.”

Starr laughed. “I know that’s right.”