Wisdom Seeds (28 page)

“Hopefully soon,” I replied, unsure myself. “Maybe by Friday.”

Sheila was my next call so I could tell her my news and find out the details of Doug.

“Guess what?” I could hardly contain my excitement.

“What?” Sheila was surprised that I had some news for her, too.

“I bid on the house!”

“Which house?”

“The house on Sonny Street. The house I wanted!”

“What happened to the couple who bid on it?”

“They couldn't get a mortgage. I called Mrs. Crosby and made an offer right before I called you.”

“I'm so happy for you. I know that's the house you wanted.”

“Hopefully, I'll know something by Friday.”

“Congratulations girl, the house must be for you!”

“Well girl, tell me about your friend Doug. Have you heard from him?”

“He called this morning,” Her tone was joyful. “We met at church.”

“What!” I was shocked. “So you told the girls?”

“Yeah, I told them I had a friend I wanted them to
meet.”

“How'd they take it?”

“Syd, of course, was very excited. She's been trying to get me to date forever. Shae hasn't said much.”

“How was she when they met?”

“She gave him a dry hi, but Syd was very cordial.”

“So when do I get to meet the mystery man?”

“Well actually,” she hesitated. “Isaac suggested we go to the movies and to dinner next weekend.”

“That would be nice.” I totally missed the implication.

“No silly,” she laughed. “You and Isaac are going to come with us!”

“Me and Isaac?”

“Girl I told you he liked you a long time ago. You've just been acting like de-queen-of-de-nial!”

Isaac was my friend. It had only been a little over a year since Jason died. “Okay,” I nervously agreed. “I'll go as friends.”

“You'll enjoy it. Girl, trust me, it will feel good going out with someone.”

I listened. Guilt interrupted my concentration. How could I think of going out with anyone?

“Dani,” Sheila's voice was raised. “Are you listening to me?”

“Yeah.”

“It's okay Dani.” Her tone softened. “We're going out to have a good time. I'm not asking you to marry him. Really, it's okay.”

“What time next Saturday?”

“Six o'clock. Put that on your calendar!”

I went upstairs and told Josh about my plans to go out with Isaac. He listened as I reassured him, repeatedly, that we were just friends going out to have a nice time.

“I like Mr. Isaac,” he finally said. “He's cool.”

“What do you mean?”

“He came with Salvation Soldiers when we went rock climbing and he plays ball with us.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah, he can be funny, too. I like him.”

“We're just friends,” I repeated again. “Friends going out to have a nice time.”

“I want you to have a nice time, Mom.” He turned over on his bed and resumed his video game.

I felt a little better although I knew my anxiety would build as Saturday approached.

Isaac picked me up promptly at six-thirty. We met Sheila and Doug at the movie theatre in Monroeville and ate at TGI Friday's afterward. I had a nice time and couldn't remember the last time I had laughed that much. Isaac could have been a comedian and his personality was engaging. Sheila and Doug seemed to have a good time, too. I caught Sheila's eye as we were leaving to let her know I saw them staring at each other.

“I had a really nice time,” I told Isaac as he walked me to my door.

“So did I,” he smiled. “Can we do this again?”

It had been so long since anyone flirted with me and I wasn't sure how to respond. “I don't know, Isaac.” I stopped to face him. “I enjoyed myself. I just don't think I'm ready for any kind of relationship.”

“I'm not talking relationship.” He was still smiling. “We had a nice time and I'd like to do this again.” He hesitated. “You did have a nice time, didn't you?”

“Yeah.” I could feel myself blushing. “I, um. . .”

“Don't want to lead me on.” He finished the sentence for me.

“No, I don't. And I want us to stay friends.”

“We will, but does that mean we can't go out and have a nice time?”

“No, I guess not.”

He grabbed my hand and squeezed it gently. “No strings, just a nice time.”

“Thank you for such a nice time.”

“Any time.” He smiled and turned to walk away.

I watched his Explorer drive down Jackson Street before going inside.

“It's after midnight young lady!” Josh startled me from behind the couch.

“Josh, what are you still doing up?”

“Waiting on my mom.”

“I had a really nice time,” I said locking the door. “We all did.” Before he could ask another question I disappeared upstairs.

The summer was a welcomed break. I enjoyed the privatized school concept even though it was a lot of work. Not only had I functioned as the Guidance Counselor, but I also became the queen of assessments. I completed more hours than I cared to remember on the new state assessments and felt confident to give the training myself.

In spite of his initial disdain from having to transfer as a junior, Josh's school year ended positively. He raised his QPA to 2.8 and seemed to be adjusting. He also seemed to be enjoying school and I hoped his academic slump was over. His sophomore grades consisted of C's and D's and his interest in completing high school had diminished. I wasn't sure if those grades were solely the result of Jason dying or a reflection of his motivation. At any rate, I was thankful for the change.

Josh was looking forward to spending two weeks at a
college basketball camp. One of the speakers at a Salvation Soldiers meeting gave out information about John Cheney's program at Temple University. Josh was meeting Danny and John there for the first session.

Sheila and the girls drove with us to Philadelphia. We were spending the night in Smithtown after getting Josh settled.

“Wasn't Syd born here?” Shae asked as we were leaving Temple's Ambler campus.

Sheila bit her bottom lip. “Yes.”

“Where does my dad live?”

“He lives outside of Philly,” Sydney interrupted. “He just works in Philly.”

Sheila put her head back and closed her eyes. She appeared to be praying that Shae didn't have any more questions. Syd began singing songs from the Wiz and Shae joined in. They had natural harmony. I let Sheila enjoy the temporary mental solitude.

My dad was out of town at a convention and Mom welcomed our company – even if just for one night. I tried to persuade her to come back to Pittsburgh for a few days as we were leaving.

“Your dad will be home on Tuesday.” She tried to smile as we were getting in the car. I knew that look. It was the mask to hide the sadness that her heart was really feeling.

“Why did your husband die, Ms. Dani?” Shae asked as we pulled onto the turnpike.

I answered without looking at her. “He had colon cancer.”

“Is that like breast cancer?” Her questions were sincere and she sat up between the seats.

“Cancer is cancer.” Sydney rolled her eyes and
frowned her face.

“I didn't know, that's why I asked,” Shae retaliated.

“Girls!” Sheila's voice was authoritative. “Don't start.”

“But, Ma,” Shae continued.

“Shae! No buts,” Sheila interrupted her.

We rode in silence for a few minutes.

Shae whispered, “Did you cry?”

Sydney sighed out loud and Sheila shook her head.

“Yes baby, I did,” I answered her. “I was very sad and I still miss Jason.” That seemed to satisfy her query, at least for the present.

Shae went to sleep, Sydney read The Bluest Eye and Sheila and I talked about my new house. I was excited about moving and glad to have the entire summer to get settled. My anxiety about Josh coming home on the Greyhound bus with John was gone. Sheila, being the true friend that she was, repeatedly told me I needed to start letting go. Most of my maternal guilt was relieved at not having to drive back to Philly.

When Josh came home two weeks later, I surprised him with the keys to our new house. Moving in would have to wait because we were leaving the following week to visit Alicia in Raleigh. Shae and Sydney were coming with us to give Sheila some down time.

Alicia's daughter, Ashley, and Shae were the same age and became fast friends. Most of their time was spent out back at the pool or playing jokes on DJ, Alicia's nine-year old. While in Raleigh we visited North Carolina State, Duke and UNC at Chapel Hill. Dennis took the kids to Charlotte to visit his Alma Mater, Johnson C. Smith. Josh decided that he wanted to attend Johnson C. Smith or NC State. Syd really liked Duke and NC State although she was still considering
Tennessee.

Four days passed quickly and the visit was bittersweet. I missed my cousins and our girl talks. Time was moving, the kids were growing up and our lives were becoming so busy. As I lay in bed on our last night in Raleigh, I thanked God for that first summer with my cousins.

Before we drove off, Alicia made us promise not to let too much time pass before we returned. Andrea and I agreed that the kids needed to see each other more often and we needed a ladies trip one weekend just to go shopping.

After returning home I spent two weeks preparing to move. I was pleasantly surprised when the Single's Ministry showed up with the movers on Saturday morning. I made a pot of spaghetti and we concluded the evening with a few rounds of Bible Trivia. Before everyone left, we had prayer to bless my house. I smiled thinking Jason and Nana were happy for me, too.

Isaac and I continued to date over the summer and we occasionally doubled with Sheila and Doug. Although we had been out several times, Isaac had never tried to kiss me. I wasn't sure that I wanted him to and was equally unsure about the absence of his attempt.

Josh was enjoying working at The Sanctuary's summer camp and a few mornings I let him drive my car. I spent my days putting the house together and promised myself I would unpack every box before going back to work.

The Youth Ministry's yearly fundraiser for the Food Pantry was a musical. The play, Cindy, was an adaptation of Cinderella and had been written by one of the advisors to the
Youth Ministry. Josh would be playing The Royal Son formerly known as Prince who changed his name to Charles.

My parents came in to see the house and, of course, the play. My dad's appearance startled me when I met my parents at the airport – he had aged. His hair was almost completely gray and his eyes looked weary. His body looked too small for his suit. Mom did not look any of her sixty-five years. She was still meticulous and the colors in her outfit were coordinated and matched exactly. I hugged them and was alarmed at how heavy my dad was breathing. Not wanting to spoil the moment, or the weekend, I decided to ask questions later. Isaac was joining us at the house for dinner and I only had the car ride home to inform my parents and answer their questions.

My dad was silent.

“Well how long have you been seeing him?” I could see my mother smiling in the rear view mirror.

“I'm not really seeing him. We're just friends.”

“Is it serious?” Mom pressed the issue.

“I wouldn't call it serious. We're friends and we have a nice time when we go out.”

“I'm sure he's a nice person.” Mom had the last word.

Isaac was sitting in front of the house when we pulled up and I introduced him to my parents. My dad was flat, as I expected, and Mom gave him a hug. Isaac told my dad he would get their bags while I showed them to their room. After a quick house tour I told them to get comfortable on the enclosure while Isaac helped me with dinner.

“Dani, this is a really nice house,” Mom told me as I set the table. “I could stay out here all day.”

“I knew when I saw it that this was my house.”

“You've done very well Danielle.” My dad smiled as
he complimented me. “I'm proud of you.”

He was rarely sentimental and I was caught off guard. Unable to respond, I smiled.

Josh joined us after his rehearsal. He hugged my parents and greeted Isaac with their usual Fresh Prince handshake.

“And how long have you been acting?” My dad teased Josh. “Do your plans include New York or Hollywood?”

“I'll check with my agent.” Josh sat next to his grandfather. “Maybe you should wait until after you see me tomorrow.”

Our dinner conversation was superficial and comfortable. Neither of my parents grilled Isaac and he seemed to flow along with whatever was being discussed. Isaac left around eight-thirty that evening and my anxiety decreased ten notches. I reminded myself to enjoy the weekend with my parents. My dad usually insisted they stay at a hotel, and the fact that he agreed to stay at the house was sentimental.