Wings of Love (25 page)

“Are you hungry?”  Amy carried a
crock pot of baked beans from the house.  “I have
pancakes and bacon waiting for you inside.”

“Thanks.  I am
starving.  Good morning babe.”  Adam took the
crock from her as he gave her a kiss.  “Where do you want
this?”

“Right over there is good.”  She
pointed to a spot between the potato chips and the hamburger
buns.  “I’ll need you to carry the jug of lemonade out
after you eat.”

“We sure have a nice day for a
barbeque.”  Adam squinted towards the
sky.  “What time are the kids coming?”

“Bob and Crystal are bringing them over
around noon.”  Amy spotted the multi-colored donkey on
the picnic table.  “That reminds me.  We still
have to put up the piñata.”

“I’ll do it after I eat.”  Adam
walked with her back towards the house.

Adam took his work boots off and sat down at
the kitchen table.  He relished the smell of his
breakfast Amy set in front of him. 

“Morning mom.”  Adam poured some
syrup on his pancakes and cut a bite with his
fork.  “How’s dad this morning?”

“He is doing great.”  Mrs. LaPointe
removed the mayonnaise from the refrigerator.  “He is
looking forward to seeing all the family and friends today.”

“I peeled and cut up the potatoes and eggs
for the salad.”  Amy placed the bowl on the counter for
Mrs. LaPointe.

“Thank you Amy.”  She started
tossing them with the dressing she made.

“I’ll take the lemonade
outside.”  Adam set his plate in the
sink.  “Thanks for breakfast.”

Adam carried the five gallon igloo cooler out
to the garage.  He followed Amy over to the tree where he
threw the rope over a sturdy branch and tied the piñata
up. 

“I almost forgot the most important thing of
today.”  Adam ran back into the garage and brought out
the American flag.  He clipped it onto the rope and
raised the flag to the top of the pole.  “Now it is
official.”

“It is what today is about.”  Amy’s
gave a moment of silence with Adam in respect to the flag which
waved proudly in the breeze.

Adam looked up hearing a horn beep from a
distance.  He saw a large blue van come into view down
the road.  Adam wrapped his arm around Amy’s waist as
they walked to greet the van when it pulled in.

“Let the festivities begin.”  Adam
waved at Bob and Crystal.  The van door slid open and all
the kids piled out excited to be released and run around the
yard.

“Hey, can you kids help me
out?”  Adam walked over to his truck and grabbed a brown
bag out of the back.  “I need you to empty that pool over
there with these.”  He tossed each kid a squirt
gun. 

“You’re good.”  Amy laughed as the
kids ran screaming over to the wading pool. 

“I made a pasta salad,” said Crystal as she
handed Amy a large, green Tupperware bowl.

“Where do you want the
chicken?”  Bob heaved a large cooler out of the back of
the van.  “We already cooked it so you’ll just have to
throw it on the grill with some barbeque sauce.”

“Follow me.”  Adam led them into
the garage.  “There’s a refrigerator in here.”

Adam finished putting the chicken away when
the kids came running into the garage.  They held Bob
under attack with a barrage of water and hysterical
laughter. 

“You little twerps are in trouble
now.”  Bob opened the cooler and filled both his hands
with ice chasing after them as they ran out of the garage.

“Hey!”  Joey shouted as one of the
kids squirted him when they ran past him.  “You want to
mess with me 
and
 Bob?”  He set the two
watermelons on the table, grabbed some more ice cubes and joined
Bob to bombard the kids.

“I swear those two are worse than the
kids!”  Angie laughed as she came in carrying a cake.

“That looks good.”  Amy admired the
cake decorated as an American flag. 

Adam brought his dad out in his wheelchair so
he could share the day with all the neighbors and relatives that
stopped in to see them.  The afternoon was full of fun
and activities for young and old.  Adam watched while he
grilled the chicken and hamburgers as Amy organized the games which
included a three legged race, an egg toss and a watermelon eating
contest. 

Adam announced dinner was ready by ringing
the bell which stood by the milk shed.  “Come and get
it.”  A crowd of people headed towards the garage not
needing a second invitation. 

“Before we start eating, my dad asked me to
say a few words for him.”  Adam spoke as he read the
words his father written.  “This is a great holiday and
it honors our nation.  Independence Day.  The
4th of July. Our nation declared its independence in
order for our families to live free-not just for one generation but
for future generations.  Let’s not forget what Old Glory
stands for.  Enjoy you freedom but never forget how hard
it was to earn.  Now dig in and enjoy your food!”

Every one applauded the words shared by Mr.
LaPointe as Adam wheeled his dad over to be the first in line at
the buffet table.  When he finished helping his dad Adam
sat next to Amy on the front porch while they ate their
dinners.

“Everybody is having such a good
time.”  Amy wiped some barbeque sauce off his
cheek.  “I am so happy your dad is able to share the
holiday with all his family and friends.”

“I know babe.”  His chin quivered
as he continued.  “I will never take anyone for granted
ever again.”

“Awww….honey.”  Amy wiped the tear
that rolled down his cheek.  “I love you.”

“I love you too babe.  Now let’s do
the piñata!”  Adam changed the subject and jumped off the
porch handing her his dirty plate.  He reached for the
stick decorated with streamers he had hidden up in the rafter
earlier.  “Who is the youngest?”  Adam hollered
getting everyone’s attention.

Tonya coaxed little Tanisa to come forward
and Adam placed the blindfold on her.  He spun her around
three times as he lowered the piñata down to her level.

“Where is it?”  She giggled as she
missed.

“Next?”  Adam asked helping each
and every child to make sure they all got their chance to bust it
open.  Little Bobby came up last swinging with all his
might to hit it.  He cracked the piñata open on the
second attempt.  All the kids ran to get handfuls of
candy and trinkets.

“Good job, Bobby.”  Adam ruffled
his hair. 

“I slap shot it, just like Bob told me
too.”  Bobby grinned up at him.

“Since you are the oldest, do you want to
help me start the bon fire?”  Adam rested his hand on his
shoulder. 

“Yeah!”  Bobby ran along to keep up
with Adam’s long strides.

Adam threw another log on the fire as
everyone gathered around the bon fire.  The children were
roasting hot dogs and s’mores while the adults kicked back and
enjoyed a few beers.  It was a nice way to relax after a
long fun-filled day.  Adam walked behind Amy and wrapped
his arms around her and the baby.  He kissed the top of
her head as they watched Angie and Crystal helping the kids with
sparklers.  Off in a distance bursts of colorful
fireworks could be seen periodically for miles around. 

“You still can make me see
fireworks.”  Adam whispered in her ear.  He
caressed her protruding belly.  “Did you just feel
that?”

“I sure did.”  She leaned back
against his chest sharing this special moment between them as the
baby kicked again.  “I think the baby is saying it wants
its freedom.”

“This is awesome.”  Adam beamed
down at her.  “My first tangible interaction with our
baby.”

Adam didn’t know how long they stood there,
off to the side, sharing the secret of their little one introducing
itself to its daddy.  He couldn’t have chosen a better
time or place to feel the wondrous sensation of being a father.

***

“This is even better than the zoo trip,”
shouted Bobby as he saw Bob score a goal for the Motor City
Blades. 

“I liked the zoo!”  Tanisa defended
the animals she adored.

“You know what I think?”  Amy asked
Tanisa.  “I think I liked both trips.”

“Me too.”  Tonya smiled up at Amy
looking adorable in her knitted purple, owl hat that her
grandmother made.  “I think we better remember to thank
Mr. Prusinski too.”

Amy glanced back and saw Adam, Angie and
Crystal carrying a variety of food and drinks from the concession
stand.  She smiled to herself thinking about the plans
her brother cooked up for tonight.  Only Adam and she
knew about the surprise and she couldn’t wait for the moment to
arrive.

“Yeah!”  Billy gave Adam a high
five as the 2nd period ended with the Blades taking the lead
from the Blackhawks 4-3.  “Bob taught us what a hat trick
is.  Did you ever do a hat trick?”

“Yes, I scored my first one in junior
hockey.”  Adam answered as he took a bite of his hot
dog.  “You like playing hockey?”

“Yeah, I love it.”  Billy looked at
Adam with a gleam he recognized only too well.  “Someday
I’d like to play pro.”

“Anything is possible if you set your mind to
it.”  Adam crumpled up the hot dog
wrapper.  “We have a pond in the back on our
land.  In the winter when it freezes I’ll have you come
over and we can play some hockey.”

“Cool.”  Billy pointed to the
center faceoff circle where Bob stood hunched over his
stick.  “The third period is starting.”

Amy watched the game in between taking kids
to the bathroom and cleaning up a few spills.  She loved
spending time with them and was able to help out a lot more now
that she was not working at the grocery store.  It not
only was a blessing in disguise for the kids when she got laid off,
but it was just as rewarding for her.

Their section cheered as Joey spotted an
opening in the defense and moved down the ice advancing the puck
and ultimately scoring the final goal of the game.  “We
won!!”

  Bobby watched as the teams exited
the ice.  “Can we go now to see Bob and Joey?”

“Let’s wait a few minutes.”  Adam
said as he glanced at Amy.  “I think they have a special
announcement to make.”

The team’s public address announcer spoke to
the crowd.  “This is a special message for Miss Angela
Nicole Deville from one of our own Motor City Blades, right winger,
Mr. Joey Makowski.”

“Oh, my god,” Angie
exclaimed.  “What is he doing now?”

The music of 
Lady
 by Styx
soared to the rafters of the stadium.  Joey came out
still in his hockey uniform holding a stack of white poster board
signs.  He skated over to her and pointed at Angie
holding the first sign up.  It read,
“Angie”.  Joey tossed the card on the ice as he proceeded
through the
rest.  “I.  Love.  You.  You’re.
My.
Angel.  Will.  You.  Marry.  Me?”

Angie’s hand trembled as she wiped the tears
from her cheeks.  Adam helped her walked through the
aisle, down the stairs and opened the door escorting her out on the
ice to Joey. 

Joey got down on one knee and opened the box
of the engagement ring he had bought over a year
ago.  “Angie, I love you with all my heart and
soul.  Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” Angie nodded her head as she held out
her hand that was visible shaking. 

Joey slipped the ring on her finger, stood up
and lifted her in his arms, kissing her deeply while the crowd
cheered them on.  He skated around with her until the
song ended and they slipped out through the other exit to be
alone. 

“Eww.”  Bobby uncovered his
eyes.  “Are they done kissing?”

“I don’t think so.”  Adam chuckled
as he caught Amy’s eyes. 

“Now we can go.”  Amy gathered up
all the empty containers as she took a head count. 

Adam was waiting with the boys by the time
Amy came out of the restroom with the girls.  She noticed
the boys and him were deep in conversation as they walked up to
them.  Adam was going to make a great
father.  He knew how to have fun with the kids but could
also keep them in line.  Only a few more months and they
would have a family of their own. 

Amy thought about all the new and exciting
changes in the upcoming year.  She was thrilled that her
brother and Angie found love and happiness with each
other.  She not only found a friend in Angie but now they
would be sister-in laws. 

***

“Morning babe.”  Adam sat up in bed
and slipped his jeans on.  He stood up and zipped them as
he reached for a flannel shirt out of the closet.  “How
are you feeling?”

“I didn’t sleep much last
night.”  Amy rolled over and sat up
slowly.  “My back is killing me.”

“You take it easy today.  I’ll get
done as soon as I can.”  Adam crawled back onto the bed
and rubbed her shoulders and back.  “Remind me to call
the Grifka boys when I get back.  I need to hire them to
help me load the bales of hay.”

“I can call them this morning for
you.”  Amy turned around and stared into his gray eyes
loving these early morning chats and how sexy he looked. 

“Sure that would be great.”  Adam
hugged her before standing up and slipping his shirt
on.  “I should be home by lunch time.”  He gave
her a kiss.  “Why don’t you go back to bed babe?”

“I think I just might.”  Amy lay
back down and pulled the covers up to her chin. 

“No, invitation?”  Adam teased as
he sat down beside her.  “You must not be feeling
well.  Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”  Amy ran her
hands through his curly hair.  “I’ll make you a hot roast
beef sandwich for lunch.”

Adam ran down the stairs, thinking about the
lunch Amy promised him.  He sauntered through the living
room and went into the kitchen grabbing his camouflage cap and
placed it on his head. 

The familiar sound of the door slammed behind
him as he jogged over toward the tool shed.  He climbed
up on the John Deere tractor his father used to drive and started
it up.