A Deal With God: The Power of One (9 page)

When the kitchen was clean, Deana and Claire joined everyone else in the living room. All of the chairs were taken. Leon, however, had left about a three and a half foot space between himself and the end of the couch. Deana was exhausted. She sat next to him on his left, like she did on Monday night. She put her sandals in front of the couch below her. She tucked her legs up and in with the flare of her skirt pinned between her knees. She put Leon’s arm around her. She took his left hand in her right hand. She kissed the back of his hand and went to sleep in the safety of his embrace.

Sometimes body language is stronger than the written word. They belonged together. You could just tell. It was the way they fit.

CHAPTER 8
GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS

Deana slept the whole ride from Athens to Macon. After working Wednesday night, then getting up at 5am to cook the Thanksgiving dinner, Deana was wiped out. She wanted to make a good impression on the Johnsons, but was sound asleep when they arrived. She stayed in the truck the whole time as Leon unloaded the boys. She awoke in time to catch what sounded like the end of a conversation between Mrs. Johnson and Leon.

“She’s very beautiful, Leon, but she looks so young.”

Leon shrugged his shoulders. “Deana is twenty–five Mrs. Johnson and the truth is she’s more responsible and mature than I am.”

“You already sound quite taken with her.”

“Yes ma’am, she’s wonderful.” Leon’s voice reflected his admiration for Deana. “I don’t know how I would’ve gotten by without her.”

As Leon got back in the truck and drove towards Dothan, Deana pretended to still be asleep. Up until she heard what Leon said about her, she thought she was having a bad day. Leon’s kind words he had just said to Mrs. Johnson made Deana’s Thanksgiving a whole lot better.

As they approached Dothan, Deana heard a song on the radio she liked and started singing along. She hoped Leon would like her voice.

“Your singing is really beautiful Deana. Where did you learn to sing like that?”

“At church. Back in Tampa my church had quite a bit more music and singing than here in Dothan. I kind of miss it.”

Leon was now entering Dothan. They were close to his house. “If you are too tired to drive home, you are more than welcome to spend the night with me.”

“I would love to spend the night with you, Leon,” Deana replied. “But I can’t. I have to get up early tomorrow. Remember, I have a big date tomorrow night. Please pick me up at six. Thanks again for including me in your Thanksgiving.”

She leaned over and kissed Leon. Leon held her tightly and kissed her back, not wanting to let her go. But, he knew he had to. She jumped out of his truck and into her Stratus. He watched her tail lights get smaller as she headed to her duplex.

I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve been out on a date, Deana thought to herself. She wanted to make the best of it. Last night alone with Leon in his truck was fun. She enjoyed the singing, kissing and talking; boyfriend and girlfriend stuff. She hoped the momentum would carry over into tonight.

She went into town and got her hair done. She had removed the quad braid earlier that morning and went back to the center part.

Deana found a really cute pair of ankle boots with a big heel. She liked that they made her look taller. She was unhappy when Lester insinuated she was short.

Around four o’clock she started to get ready. She wore more make–up than usual. Combined with her new hair style, it made her look more mature. For the first time since she moved to Georgia, she wore her dark denim jean skirt along with a green sweater top and the new boots. She wore a special perfume.

It was 5:40pm, Deana was ahead of schedule. She got out her guitar and played two songs. She was about to start a third song as she heard Leon’s truck pull up; he was early. Deana didn’t mind. She grabbed her purse, locked the door and went out to greet him.

“I guess I was a little over anxious,” Leon apologized. “The house was starting to creep me out. I haven’t been alone in a long time.”

Leon had to do everything in his power not to gawk or overreact to how Deana looked and smelled. She was intoxicating.

“It’s all right if you throw me at least a little compliment,” Deana coaxed. I thought you’d like seeing a little different look from me.”

“Oh my God, Deana, you really do look beautiful. I just didn’t want to sound like my brother did yesterday. I felt really bad about what he said.”

Leon reached into the back seat and pulled out a Teddy Bear. “I know it’s not much, but I didn’t want to come empty handed.”

Deana hugged the bear. “It’s so cute, Leon, thank you.”

Leon had made reservations at the nicest restaurant in Athens. The sun was going down. Dusk was beautiful this time of year in Georgia.

They shared an incredible meal and a bottle of wine. Deana liked that she got to be waited on for a change. Conversing with Leon was easy and never forced. They seemed to have a natural chemistry. Leon was a good listener and Deana felt comfortable talking to him.

After dinner, Leon told Deana there was a unique place he’d like to take her. She was curious and quickly agreed. He took her beyond where the paved road ended; into a clearing in the woods. He parked in a spot that overlooked the most beautiful lake she’d ever seen.

It was very cold. Leon put on the heat and her favorite radio station. When a slow, romantic song came on they kissed. He held her close and kept her warm. It was a wonderful night.

“I know you have to work tomorrow night,” Leon said, as he dropped Deana off at her place. “Could we do something together during the day?”

“I haven’t been to the movies in over six months, if you want to pick me up around eleven, we can catch the first matinee. As long as I’m back here by 4:30, I’ll have plenty of time to get ready for work and be on time.”

“Is there any way you can do that braid thing you do with your hair?” Leon asked. “It looks so good on you.”

“You actually liked the quad braid?”

Leon nodded yes.

“Your niece told me I looked too much like your daughter; I did every trick I knew of to look older for you tonight.”

“Don’t get me wrong,” Leon said. “You looked amazing tonight. I just think the coolest part about you is how unique you are. The braid is part of your mystique. Whatever you decide is fine. I’ll be back here at eleven. Thank you so much for going out with me. I had a great time.”

“Thank you. Leon.” Deana gathered her purse and Teddy Bear. “I’ll redo my hair and look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

Deana was ecstatic. She couldn’t believe what a good time she had with Leon. It was hard to believe they had only known each other about three weeks. Talking to Leon was like talking to an old friend. It was disappointing their date had to end; she wished she was still with him.

The next morning she re–did the quad braid and got ready for the movies. She had only one outfit left she had never worn in front of Leon. It was the 19” faded denim skirt with the frayed bottom that buttoned waist to knee.

Deana wore the orange tank top, which she did not tuck in. It made her look longer–waisted. She put on the short sleeved shrug over the tank top and wore her new boots.

She heard Leon’s truck come up the driveway. With purse and keys in hand, she jumped into the passenger seat next to Leon. Leon’s eyes lit up when he saw Deana. She knew he would like this look.

When they got back later that afternoon, Leon said, “I’ll be back here tomorrow at 9am. I’ll bring breakfast and we can go to church together.”

“Thanks Leon.” Deana wanted to call in sick to work in the worst way. She’d rather be back in Leon’s truck, finding somewhere picturesque like last night. But she knew Delores was already off, and it would be unfair to leave Peggy alone.

She got to Vito’s a couple of minutes late, but she punched in before five, so it was okay.

“Deana Murphy, what has gotten into you?” Peggy asked. “I’ve never seen you smile like that or look so happy.”

“I’ve been on a dating spree. I had a Thanksgiving day date, a Friday night dinner date, a movie date this afternoon and I have a church date tomorrow morning,”

“I guess you and Leon have been really hitting it off. I kind of thought y’all were an unlikely couple, but Delores kept telling me I was wrong.”

“Why do you see me and Leon as unlikely?”

“Leon looks so much older than thirty–two and you barely look twenty–five. But I do have to admit, when I saw y’all walk into church last Sunday together, all five of you; it looked very natural and meant to be.”

Just after 8:30 the dinner rush subsided. Deana had only one couple in her entire station. When no one was looking, she sent Leon a text. It read:
I miss you. Please come to Vito’s for dinner or dessert. Your choice, I’ll buy. D.

Leon texted her back, it read:
Miss u 2, b there in 20. L
. And he was there in twenty minutes. Deana got Leon his food. When he was done Peggy said it was all right if Deana left a little early.

Deana asked Leon if he had any more special spots like last night. Leon said he knew of a place she might enjoy.

They found another scenic clearing in the woods. It was very remote. They turned the radio up loud. They laughed and danced. Deana sang her favorite song to Leon. Leon put the tailgate down. He had brought a blanket; he wrapped Deana in the blanket and in his arms. Then he kissed her for a very long time.

Nine o’clock the next morning Leon brought coffee and donuts to Deana’s. She thought it was sweet of him.

After service, Deana and Leon had lunch together and then watched the football game. Just after four o’clock Deana went home to get ready for work and Leon headed to Macon to pick up the boys.

Monday night, after dinner once the boys were in bed, Deana and Leon were on the couch watching football. During half time, Leon asked her why she made it sound like she didn’t date much back in Tampa.

“Because I didn’t date much back in Tampa,” she answered. “My circumstance can make long term relationships complicated. You realize I’m about to drop a bomb on you right now don’t you Leon?”

Leon looked befuddled. He was not sure what Deana meant.

“When I was in college I dated guys between eighteen and twenty–five.” Deana explained. “We would go out on our first date and it would go great. The guy would say he never met anyone like me and how special I was. I always got a second date. On the second date the guy would start talking like he wanted a long term relationship with me. Before things went too far, I would tell him my situation. Then I never heard from him again.”

“I don’t understand, Deana,’ Leon responded. “What is your situation?”

“I can’t have biological children. When I want to have a family I’ll have to adopt. I’m fine with that, but finding the right guy is complicated.”

“Maybe someone that already has children would be a good match for you. I just might happen to know the right guy.”

“Well Leon, now that you bring it up, it is one of the things that drew me to you three weeks ago in church. You were cute. You were also patient in the way you handled the boys. I like the fact you’re older. I was hoping you’d have the maturity to deal with someone like me.”

“To be honest, finding a woman that can’t have children takes a lot of pressure off of me. There were three times in my eleven year relationship with Rebeccah where she really got upset with me. It was the first time she got pregnant, the second time she got pregnant and the third time she really went off.”

Deana was surprised when Leon said that.

“After Matthew was born, obviously Rebeccah got pregnant again quickly,” Leon continued. “I really wanted a little girl. But when Mark was born he was healthy and so great. I was so happy. It was the same when we had Luke. Having the three boys the house was, literally, full.”

This was the first serious heart to heart conversation she’d ever had with Leon. The talk was over and his arm was still around her. They were still holding hands. She took this as a good sign.

Wednesday night at Vito’s Deana had an interesting customer. The restaurant was slow, and like she did with most single customers she spent time talking to him. His name was Paul.

“Where are you from?” Paul asked. “I can tell you’re not from Georgia.”

“I’m from Tampa, Florida. I moved up about a month ago.”

Paul was in his late twenties, handsome and articulate. He said he worked for a large pharmaceutical company as a sales representative. He was well spoken and interesting. Deana, as usual, let the customer do most of the talking. She sat across from him listening intently. It was almost an hour before he was done talking and eating.

When he was finished, Deana said, “give me a quick second and I’ll prepare your bill.”

As she was getting up from the booth Paul looked her right in the eyes and said, “Deana will you marry me?”

Deana was hoping he was joking. She was so surprised. But what surprised Deana the most was the way she replied to his proposal.

“I already have a wonderful man in my life that I hope to marry.” As soon as she blurted that out she hurried to the back to be alone for a second. Oh my gosh, she thought, I’ve known Leon less than a month. Even if it is what I believe, it is way too soon to talk about it. Maybe I need to slow things down; maybe things are going too fast.

Paul’s bill came to $9.52. He gave Deana thirty dollars. “Please keep the change Deana.”

“Thank you so much,” Deana replied. “Please come back again.”

On Saturday morning, Deana got to the Samuels’ extra early. She hadn’t seen Leon since Tuesday night. She made a big breakfast and she tutored the boys.

“Leon there is a fourteen year old girl named Jenny who is supposed to be a good sitter. If I can get her to stay with the boys tonight, maybe I can get off early and we can go for a drive in your truck.”

Leon really liked the idea and agreed to have Jenny over. Deana was able to get off work at nine and brought Jenny to Leon’s. Luke was about to go to sleep and the boys were playing video games. Deana and Leon headed toward the clearing by the lake.