A Deal With God: The Power of One (15 page)

“Oh, by the way, dad,” Leon continued, “Deana said her foster father, Mr. Wilson, in Tampa has been ill. She asked if you would give her away at the ceremony.”

“Of course I will,” the Colonel stated. “I’d be honored. You know, Leon, you were a real chicken spit for not standing up to Lester and Claire the other day. Neither one of them knows what’s best for you. They both act like they’re still in high school.”

“Deana gave me something to show you,” Leon said as he got up to go to the truck. He came back with the photo album. “These pictures will blow you away.”

Gracie and the Colonel slowly went page to page, stopping at page six.

“My lord, look at the butt on that girl,” the Colonel remarked. “That is one fine woman.”

“Of all her fine qualities, it’s her butt that does it for you?” Leon asked.

“It might not be her most important quality,” the Colonel explained, “but it sure alleviates any shortcomings she may have.”

“That’s the point, dad,” Leon proclaimed. “We’ve been together almost five months. She doesn’t have a whole lot of shortcomings. She’s great with the boys, a great cook, she’s smart, likes sports, plays music, and looks like a model. I’m pretty sure I’m getting a decent wife this time.Tell Lester and Claire when we come back for Easter, I don’t want any problems from either one of them. Our decision is final.”

The day before Easter Deana spent hours in the kitchen working hard on the next day’s dinner. She was roasting a ten pound pork loin. Everyone had liked her cheese mashed potatoes and fried okra, so she was making them again. Claire was going to bring a few of her sides.

Deana was not really looking forward to another trip to the elder Samuels’, but she wanted to be a team player. If she was going to be part of this family, she had to figure out how to co–exist with Lester, Claire and Julie. The restaurant was closed for Easter so she couldn’t leave early to go to work. It could be a long day.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, Leon and Deana arrived in Athens just before one o’clock. Deana’s dinner looked phenomenal and everyone was impressed as Leon, Matthew and Mark brought Deana’s food into the Samuels’ kitchen. Deana was walking with Luke, holding his hand.

Julie and Gracie had the table all set. Claire brought corn and apple sauce. Deana didn’t think it was really fair she had ten times the expense and had to do ten times the work, but she didn’t say anything.

Dinner was fantastic. It was one benefit of minimizing Claire’s participation. Everyone was complimentary towards the meal and everyone seemed happy. There was even an Easter egg hunt put together for the children after dinner.

Later in the afternoon, Lester pulled Deana aside. He asked if he could talk to her. He seemed more polite and subdued than usual.

“I know you are probably mad at me,” Lester began. “You have every right to be upset. I interfered in your affairs and I apologize for that. But, Leon is my little brother, my only sibling. I have always been the one who looked out for him. I wasn’t trying to break you two up. He loves you too much for that. I just thought he was going too fast with you.”

“To be honest, Lester, I would be disappointed if you weren’t concerned about your brother. I know it seems like I came out of nowhere and because of that maybe there is distrust. I wish I was the girl next door from your childhoods. I wish I was someone you were comfortable with. I don’t have that luxury. All I can do is promise you this; I won’t be just a good wife to Leon, I will be a great wife. I won’t be just a good mother to your nephews, I will be a great mother. I don’t do things half way or half hearted. I excel at everything I do. That’s who I am.”

Lester had no response. After a minute or two he just walked away.

The following evening, Deana and Leon were watching television. Leon was watching a fishing show.

“From what I’ve been learning at the restaurant,” Deana said, “an awful lot of Georgians like to fish. Leon, do you like to fish?”

“When I was in my teens, my dad bought a used johnboat. We would take it out on the lake up by our house two or three times a week,” Leon reminisced. “I absolutely loved it. Our little fishing excursions were some of the best times of my life. I really miss the relaxing days out on the water dropping a line. It was a great way to get away from the rest of the world for a little while.”

This gave Deana an idea. It was Leon’s birthday on April, 29th. She had four weeks to put something together for him.

When Deana was fifteen and living at the orphanage, Mr. Wilson took a few of the boys and Deana on a small fishing trip. She had so much fun and always wanted to do it again, but she was never able to.

“Leon, your birthday is on a Monday this year,” Deana said. “Is there any way you can get the day off from work? There is something special I would like to do for you.”

Leon submitted a request form at work for his birthday off and it got approved. Deana went to work on her computer. She found a resort just northwest of Athens and northeast of Atlanta. It was only half an hour from Leon’s parents’ house. It had beautiful cottages on a big gorgeous lake that offered private fishing excursions. Deana made a deal with the manager for a one day package. It wasn’t too expensive so she booked it.

April 13th, was Matthew’s 11th birthday. It was a Saturday. Because Easter and Matthew’s birthday were so close every year, Leon and Rebeccah would go to the elder Samuels’ for Easter and the Johnson’s for Matthew’s birthday. There were two boys in the Johnson’s neighborhood and they would always come over every year for a little party. Because Deana had to work tonight, they got an early start to Macon.

Deana got up at 7am to start work on Matthew’s birthday cake. Matthew loved cherries and he loved chocolate. Deana baked a double layer chocolate cake with two bottles of Maraschino cherries in it, topped with chocolate frosting. It was brilliant. She made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Everyone got cleaned up and dressed and they were off.

During the week, Mrs. Johnson called Deana about Matthew’s gift. Matthew had requested a violent combat game. Mrs. Johnson wanted to clear his request with Deana first. Deana explained her feelings to Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Johnson respected them. Deana suggested the college football video game. The boys had practically worn out the pro football video game.

Deana thought it was very classy and respectful of Mrs. Johnson to call Deana first, instead of buying something Deana would be uncomfortable with and making her have to deal with it.

Leon and Deana bought Matthew a new baseball glove, a baseball bat and a baseball that looks like a hardball. The baseball is foam instead of thread so if it hits you it doesn’t hurt. When they got to the Johnson’s, the boys wanted to play with the ball, glove and bat right away.

The neighbor boys were named Sam and Elliot. They were eleven and twelve years old respectively. Deana agreed to be the designated pitcher and Luke the designated catcher. The older boys alternated hitting and fielding. They played for over an hour. It had been a long time since Deana had played baseball. It was a lot of fun.

While they were playing, Leon told the Johnson’s their unusual engagement, un–engagement and re–engagement story.

It was Sunday, the day before Leon’s birthday. Deana was nervous with anticipation. She wanted everything to be perfect. Matthew, Mark, Luke, Leon and Deana went to church. Deana and Mrs. Jarvis had another solid performance. Four weeks ago, Easter Sunday, the church was almost full capacity. Many of the members that only went to service on special occasions were coming more frequently. The improved music gave the service an energy filled vibe. It made service less boring and it appealed to the younger people.

Leon, the boys and Deana left quickly after service finished. They were going to leave the boys off with Leon’s parents. If something were to go wrong, Leon and Deana would be only half an hour away. Deana had called the boys’ school in advance. It would be all right if the boys missed first period on Monday. As long as they were in school by ten, the absence would be excused. Since November 8th, the boys had perfect attendance.

Deana and Leon got to the resort just before 1pm. They had their own cottage on the lake. Inside the cottage there were rose petals everywhere, especially on the king–sized bed. The attendant said a stocked 16–foot johnboat was ready for them to take out on the lake. The boat contained a large cooler with beverages, sandwiches and fried chicken that Deana special ordered for Leon. They were given high quality fishing poles and the boat had a live well full of shiners. Shiners are little silver fish used for bass fishing.

Leon helped Deana onto the boat and started the engine. The magnitude and beauty of the North Georgia lake was stunning. Being the end of April, all nature was in full bloom. The rolling hills were deep green and lush.

Leon found a quiet, scenic part of the lake he thought would be the best place to “drop a line”. The lake they were fishing on was famous for being plentiful with bass. Bass fishing is extremely popular in both Florida and Georgia.

Leon got Deana’s hook baited and she got a bite quickly. She was very excited. Leon helped her reel in a very small one and a half pound baby bass. Deana didn’t care. She made a catch. At the resort, they had a catch and release policy. Deana had Leon unhook the fish and gladly sent it back into the water.

The next four catches went to Leon. The bass he caught were adult. They ranged from three to five pounds. Evening was approaching and Deana was getting discouraged. She knew it was getting close to time to bring it in. She looked at Leon and made a face at him. He was feeling bad for her.

Just as Leon was getting ready to put everything up so they could get back to their cottage, Deana got a huge tug on her line. She screamed for Leon to help her. Leon motioned for her to spin the reel. Deana spun her hand and reeled the large bass into the boat. Leon grabbed the bass by the bottom lip to show it to Deana.

“Deana, get out your phone and take a quick picture,” Leon instructed.

Deana took her shot at an angle that would show off the bass, the lake and the gorgeous green hills in the back–round. Then Leon put the largest catch of the day back in the lake. Deana was ecstatic.

They got back to the cottage around seven and took showers to get ready for dinner. Deana had another surprise for Leon. During the week she had gone into town and bought a little black dress for this specific occasion. When Leon came out of the shower and bathroom, Deana was already dressed. She looked stunning. Leon was absolutely elated.

Dinner was at a five star restaurant at the resort. It made even her cooking pale in comparison. The food was amazing. The restaurant was open air and the view over the lake and mountains was breathtaking. The waiter had brought a special wine for Deana and Leon to sample. It was a house specialty. It was half strawberry wine and half champagne. The waiter jokingly called it rich redneck’s delight. Deana loved it, Leon tolerated it. He didn’t want to upset Deana so he played along he loved it too.

After dinner, the engaged couple walked through the beautiful gardens of the resort. Every bush, every shrub was manicured perfectly. The sky was filled with stars. It was a beautiful Georgia night. The smell of the late evening air coming off the lake was wonderful. When Deana and Leon were alone on a hidden path, he kissed her. He kissed her with all the passion he had. He kissed her with all his heart and soul. He thanked God he made the right decision and he thanked God for sending her to him.

Deana and Leon had been fully intimate with each other now for over seven weeks. Every time it had been great, especially the first time. But tonight had been different. Leon was more passionate than ever. He was on fire. He was like a man with something to prove. This time, it was Deana who was pleasantly shocked and amazed.

Early Monday morning, Deana gave Leon one more of his many birthday presents, before they had to go to Athens to pick up the boys. Leon had never had anyone in his life make a big deal about his birthday. This was, without a doubt, his most special one.

CHAPTER 13
FINALLY THE WEDDING

Early Sunday morning, May 12th, 2013, it was Mother’s Day. Leon and Deana were awoken by a loud knock on their bedroom door. Deana was exhausted because the restaurant had been very busy the night before. Still, she was overwhelmed by what she saw when she opened the door. Matthew and Mark held trays of breakfast food and orange juice. Luke was carrying a large handmade card.

Deana tried not to cry, but when the boys in unison said “Happy Mother’s Day, Deana” she lost it. Her eyes filled with tears. So did Leon’s, although he would never admit it.

“I love you boys so much,” Deana said “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“We love you too Deana,” they each replied.

A few Sundays later it was Father’s Day. Deana and the boys made sausage, scrambled eggs and corn potato pancakes. The corn potato pancakes were something new, but she was confident Leon would like them. She needed to have a big talk with Leon that afternoon.

Deana put the food on a big plate. Each of the boys carried handmade cards they’d made for their dad. They woke Leon up and gave him breakfast in bed.

After lunch, Deana sat down with Leon, who was waiting for the baseball game to come on.

“We need to talk,” Deana started. “I may be making a big mistake in bringing up this subject, but this is very important to me. The wedding is eleven weeks away. I’m at a point where I need to start putting deposits down for my dress, the band and for the food.”

“This is your opportunity to get out of your commitment to the wedding if you so desire,” Deana continued. “If you don’t want to get married, I need to know now. Are you 100% sure you want to marry me or do you still have any doubts?”

“I’m 110% sure I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you,” Leon replied with a smile.

“That’s the answer I was praying I’d hear,” Deana said as she gave Leon’s hand a squeeze. “There is, however, one more issue I need to discuss with you. In a few weeks I’d like to go to the attorney’s office to start the paperwork to adopt Matthew, Mark and Luke. Do I have your permission? Also, I’d like to legally change my name from Murphy to Samuels.”