Finding Kylie (20 page)

             
“Okay.”  Lauri casually picked up her drink, and talked loud enough to be heard from any direction. “What a lovely day.  Thanks for meeting with me today.” 

             
She casually turned to take the whole patio in and scanned the table in question.  As she turned back to him, she shook her head.

             
“No, I don’t know who she is, but she’s still looking over here.  Maybe she has a thing for politicians.  I know I do.” 

             
She grabbed his hand from across the table, and winked, giving him a beautiful smile.  His wife always had a way to make him feel better. 

             
“You’re probably right.  It’s nothing.”  He grinned, thankful she was with him. Jesse didn’t give the girl across the patio another thought.   

             
Chastity observed the strong connection between Jesse and the woman across the table from him, and realized how long she’d been staring.  She diverted her eyes, from an obvious private moment between the two of them.

             
What’s wrong with me?

             
Whitney poked her on the arm and asked what she assumed Chastity was thinking.

             
“They’re cute together aren’t they?”

              Chastity wrinkled her nose and smiled.  “Yeah.  Is that his wife?”

             
Whitney laughed.  “Of course. He’s one of the good ones from what I hear.” 

             
Chastity slipped a twenty in the folder, with their bill, as Whitney pushed her chair back. 

             
“You ready to go?” 

             
As she stood up to leave, she took one last look at her uncle.  It felt weird walking away from him, when all she really wanted to do was get to know him.  She knew at that moment that she would have to make contact someday soon.

Chapter 2
5 

             
Lauri parked her car and walked into the assisted living center, where Jackson had resided for the last five years.  She waved to the attendant, as she walked past the desk. 

             
“He’s in his room, Mrs. Mikale.”  The attendant signed her in. 

             
“Thank you.  Will you let the kitchen staff know that I’ll be helping him with lunch today and to serve it in his room?”

             
“Yes, ma’am.” He picked up the phone to arrange Mr. Mikale’s tray to be delivered. 

             
She rounded the corner and paused outside Jackson’s room. 

             
Okay Lauri, prepare yourself.  It may be a good day or it may not. 

             
The care of her father in law had not been easy.  Since they had him in the best facility available, she technically didn’t have to be there, but Lauri couldn’t sit by, leaving him all alone.  She knew her husband had deep rooted pain, where his father was concerned, but Lauri couldn’t be held responsible for neglecting a family member.  Blood relative or not, he was still family and had always been good to her.

             
On Jesse and Lauri’s wedding day, Jackson pulled her aside, and gave her the most special gift she could have ever imagined. 

             
“These are for you, my dear.  They belonged to my dearly departed Marilyn … my wife.” 

             
Jackson handed her a double strand of antique pearls with a diamond broach. 

             
“Oh, sir.  I can’t use this for my something borrowed. I can’t – its just too nice.”  She gently touched them with her white-gloved hands. 

             
“They’re yours.  She would want you to have them.”

             
“I don’t know what to say.” She was so touched.

             
Jackson motioned for her to turn around.  “Let me put them on you.  The most beautiful woman in the world wore these, on her wedding day, and as you wear them, know that you, too, are one just like her.  That’s why you should keep them.”

             
Lauri’s eyes misted just thinking about it.  He never talked about his wife again, as it was too painful.  But on that day, she saw into the depth of Jackson’s heart - and knew that it had been soft at one point.  It became clear that he closed himself off, so he wouldn’t feel the loneliness from the losing the love of his life.

             
It’s too bad he didn’t have the foresight to know that in shutting off that part of his heart, he would shut out his boys too. 

             
She put her hand on the door to his room. 

             
Okay Lauri, big smile ... here we go.

             
She put on her happy face and walked in.  “Good afternoon Jackson.  How are you doing?” 

             
He looked up from his reading chair and closed his book. 

             
“Hi there!  Care to join me in a good book?” 

             
Whew.  It’s a good day.  Thank you God for letting him have a good day.

             
“
Sure! What are you reading?”  She sat down next to him and looked his bookshelf over.  It was a large collection of all his favorites, from all different genres.  He liked everything from fiction and theology, to mysteries.  Today, he was reading ‘The Art of War’. 

             
Jackson held the book up and tapped the cover.  “Care to engage in a friendly chat on the subject?”

             
“No, thanks. That’s too heavy of a subject for me.  I’m all for peace today.”  She winked at him and took the book.  “I have some new pictures of Alex to show you.  He’s grown so much this summer.  He was the star on his soccer team, and is starting in football this year.”  Lauri dug through her purse and handed some photos to Jackson. 

             
Recently, she stopped bringing Alex to see his grandpa.  It distressed him too much if Jackson didn’t recognize him.  It was so unpredictable to know what to expect, and was too hard on Alex. 

             
“Ahh!  What a good lookin’ grandson I have.  He’s a Mikale all right.  Look at that football uniform.”  Jackson thumbed through the photos, grinning from ear to ear. 

             
Lauri couldn’t hold in her excitement over Jackson’s awareness today. 

             
“Those are your copies to keep.  I thought you could show Alex off to your buddies on poker night.”  She took a few and set them on top of his bookshelf.  “See.  I’ll even put a few up to remind you daily about how blessed you are.” 

             
As she turned back to face Jackson, she instantly recognized his blank stare and her heart fell.  He was fading away again.

             
Jackson tilted his head and blinked.  “Well, where are the pictures of my granddaughter?” 

             
Lauri stroked his back and sat next to him.  “You don’t have a grand-daughter.  Alex is our only child and he’s the only grandchild you have.  Remember?”

             
“No, I know about him.”  Flustered, he pointed to Alex’s picture.  “But where’s my granddaughter?” 

             
It was like someone turned off the light and Lauri didn’t know how to handle it.  For months now, he had been insistent on asking for his imaginary granddaughter.  Not knowing what else to do, she humored him but it didn’t seem to solve the problem.  Out of sheer desperation, Lauri resigned from the conversation. 

             
“I’ll tell you what – I’ll go ask someone, and if I find out I’ll let you know.”

             
“Lunch time!  It’s meatloaf, Mr. Mikale - your favorite!” 

             
“Thank you, Sheila. Put it right here.”  She motioned the attendant toward the table, near Jackson’s chair.

             
At least the food will provide a distraction. The man is obviously going down hill.

             
For now, Jackson forgot about anything except his hunger and gladly reached for his tray.  Even though Lauri felt like leaving, she pushed in his chair and sat down next to him for the duration.

             
I don’t know what to do anymore. 
She patted his arm, and watched him eat. 
Jesse needs to know how bad his father is getting.

Chapter 2
6

             
After his conversation with Lauri, Jesse concluded it was time to put his father’s house on the market.  After work, his first stop was the Mikale estate to inform Ms. Adams. 

             
This isn’t going to be easy,
he thought as he pulled into the driveway.

             
Angela heard the sound of the engine from the living room, and looked out the front windows, in time to see Jesse getting out of his car. 

             
Jesse, my boy!
   She hurried to the front door to greet him. 

             
“What a lovely surprise!” She shrugged her shoulders and clapped her hands in delight. 

             
Jesse opened his arms for a hug, and kissed her on the cheek.  “Hello, Ms. Adams.” 

             
She pushed away from him, frowning. “Don’t be silly.  You know you should call me Angela.  You’re not a child anymore.”  She then took his hand to pull him inside.  “So what can I get you?  You’re just in time for Wheel of Fortune, and I was about to have tea.  Care for some?” 

             
He smiled in remembrance of her six o’clock routine.  Once the family was fed and the housework was done, Ms. Adams always made time for her hour of television.  It was the only time she had on her own without anyone interrupting her.  Now that the house was empty, she welcomed the company. 

             
“No, thanks.  I actually just wanted to visit with you for a few minutes, and then I’ve got to go.” 

             
She gave him a quizzical look.  “What about? It’s not your dad.  He’s okay isn’t he?” 

             
Jesse smiled reassuringly. “He’s okay.  Please - sit down.” 

             
As she sat, she reached for a dishrag and nervously twisting around her fingers.  “Now that doesn’t sound good.  Tell me...” 

             
He sat across from her in silence, trying to formulate his words.  He then told her what he and Lauri decided earlier in the afternoon. 

             
“I want you to come and move in with us.  Lauri could use the help with Alex and the house, and I don’t like the thought of you being here all by yourself.” 

             
Angela started to protest but it dawned on her what was happening. “Who is going to take care of the house if I’m not here?  You’re going to sell it, aren’t you?” 

             
She knew this day would be coming, and couldn’t bear the thought of leaving the only home she’d known for over forty years. 

             
“Angela, dad isn’t going down hill any time soon, but he’s certainly never coming home again.  In fact, he’s drifting further and further away.  He keeps mistaking Alex for a girl and wants to know where his granddaughter is.  To be honest, Lauri isn’t really coping that well.  That’s why she needs your help, and I think it’s time to put the house on the market.”