The Decks and the Road
Renegotiating
Kaylin
Chapter 20- Permissions and Alterations
Monica Shepherd- I can see that she’s more happy than worried,
but they’re both coming thru. She sticks
her head in. I’m reading, but it doesn’t
bother me that she came. Instead I’m
trying to determine what brought her back so soon.
“Can we
talk?” It’s an unusual question. I don’t get many requests to talk.
“Come in.”
“Why didn’t
you tell me it was my husband? Can’t you
see this stuff?”
“What
stuff?”
“The
future.”
“Not like
you may imagine. Some things are
hidden. But tell me about what happened.”
“He
left. Then you said I needed to accept
that something had ended and that I should date.”
“Are you
Meg?” It was a strange impulse. I already knew her name and something about
her life, but I followed the impulse. I’d
learned that they weren’t stupid or as off base as they often wanted to appear.
“So you do
know.”
“Know
what?”
“About us.” Not the way you think. I must admit…
I’ve read your book and I do remember the first time you came to me, but
I don’t have a telescope into your life.
“Can you
tell me if we’ll be okay?”
“If you’re
Meg, you should accept and cherish what you’ve found.”
“Anything
else?”
“It’s a
book.”
“What’s a
book.”
“Meg and
the Body. Maybe a comic. There’s some static there, but… I don’t know.
Perhaps there’s still room for alterations.”
“What do
you mean alterations?”
“It’s a
permission. Permissions can always be
altered. You’ll decide I suppose.”
“Right.” I wasn’t sure she understood, but the way she
responded “right” was convincing. I
could feel some of her worry dissipating and her breathing was changing. I closed my eyes. There was something more to be said, but when
I opened my eyes she was gone. I
remembered her big tip and my eyes moved to the spot where she’d left it the
last time. It was bigger even than the
time before. I considered the things I’d
picked up, and made a note of them. I
didn’t know if she’d be back and how soon, but it would be waiting for her.
Chapter 21- "Proven"
Kayla- I hadn’t heard anything, but it was
hard to wake up expecting it may be the day you get the news that someone you
care about has died. Yet, it was now my
life. It’s a haunting thing to
experience every time the phone rings. To
keep it all a balance, I had the last sentence Wood and I had written together
in my mind right beside it. It was a
sentence I was hanging on to until I could see something familiar between us
again. I hadn’t forgotten about the
things he wanted, and they remained on my chest. We continued to check in with each other, but
I hadn’t seen him since he’d come to my rescue.
It was hard to determine if we were dating, engaged, or married, but I
no longer wanted to talk about it later.
I also didn’t want to be the first to make contact again, so I
waited. In the meantime I had to find my
big girl hat which would need to provide a foundation for my big sister
hat. It was Kaylin. She’d asked if we could meet for lunch. It was uncommon between us, and I just didn’t
know where it would go, but I could certainly tell that whatever it was, it was
important to her.
I’d gone
ahead and invited her to meet me at one of my favorite lunch spots. I was on time and she showed up just a few
steps behind me. When I saw her, I
almost couldn’t recognize her. She was
growing up and changing in a few different ways. It was hard to put a finger on, but still it
was undeniable. Although if I had to
choose a word, it would certainly be “in charge”. We didn’t see a lot of each other just each
other’s shadows. We came and went
freely, and I tried to give her the time and space she had needed. Her eyes looked wider than ever before. She was wearing a cute skirt with a pretty
expensive looking jacket. She carried a
small back pack; not like a school bag… a fashionable one. We hugged and sat and I checked my
watch.
“So what’s
going on? I like the look and I see you’ve
lost a bit more weight.”
“Yeah, I’m
on a roll.”
“Are you
being sarcastic?”
“Well,
there are some things I’m dealing with.”
“What is
it?”
“You and
Wood… How did you find him?” It was a more than interesting question. One I hadn’t prepared for. I had never forgotten the way he came into my
life, or the hour he did. As it stood, I
now had two very captivating stories of how I found him, but the latest one
wasn’t one I was ready to discuss.
“What can
I say… men like Wood come unexpectedly, stay surprisingly, and return
passionately. Why do you ask?”
“It’s the
guy I’m dating. I don’t think he really
sees me.” I should have stayed in line,
but I couldn’t.
“I thought
you would ask about Morgan by now. I
would rather hear your thoughts on that matter.”
“What
matter? He’s dying and he already knew he
would. Besides, what about everyone else
he’s hurt?”
“Do you
think he really saw you?”
“What?”
“Kaylin, I
couldn’t solve any of my issues chasing them, nor could I running from
them. If something violates you
acknowledge it; get some things clear about it, and then stand back.
“Are we
still talking about dad?”
“We’re
talking about life.”
“Why did
you forgive him?”
“He proved
that he wanted to be forgiven.”
“That’s
it?”
“Can this
guy you’re all mangled up about prove that he wants to be forgiven?”
“Anyway,
there’s something else I need.” I could
see that it was all more than she’d bargained for and the current road we were
on would leave her to full to eat, so I accepted her invitation to discuss
something else.
“What is
it?” We were interrupted briefly and she
seemed to use the time to contemplate whether she really wanted to let me in
any further. By the time we were alone
again she’d made up her mind.
“It’s one
of my songs. Someone stole it, and it’s
being played on the radio.” I tried to
process what she was suggesting. It wasn’t
an unfamiliar area, but I couldn’t just then see how I could help.
“Can you
prove it’s your song?”
“I think
so.”
“Did you
speak with Tayeton? He’s well connected,
and he has a variety of talent and resources under his command.
“I would
prefer if he didn’t know.”
“Why?”
“Can you
help me?”
“I’m not a
lawyer.”
“Everything
says you’re the one to help me.”
“Everything
like what?”
“Don’t you
pray?” Again I took a moment to consider
her suggestions. She was talking about
the voice, and it brought perspective to her persistence.
“I’ll need a
few weeks. I need to get through the
cruise I’m planning. Maybe afterwards I
can help.”
“Okay, but
no Maybes. Promise you’ll help.”
“I’ll do
whatever I can to help.” I could hear
the desperation in her voice, and see her devotion to the cause. We were both a little quiet after that. I was searching my knowledge on the matter to
see where I could be of help, and perhaps she was thinking about some of what I
had said. We ate, and scrolled our
phones until I asked, “What’s the name of the song?” The moment I knew, I could see it, and I also
felt that she could prove it.
I returned
to Simpleton and Fisher with lots on my mind.
At the close of the day I still hadn’t heard from Wood. I took the elevator and got into my car and
waited. Everything was saying I should
just wait a while, so I did. I wasn’t
staring at the phone when the notification came through, but it was him that I
thought of first.
“Want to
meet me for some ice cream?”
“Of course I
do.”
We’d long
finished our ice creams, and were just standing around; catching up I
suppose. We were standing side-by-side
but face-to-face. I could see
everything behind him and he could see everything behind me. I wasn’t the first to whisper. He was, but it became a thing.
“Meg you don’t
mind if we just go slow, do you?”
“No… but not
too slow.”
“Okay, I
promise to keep up.”
“So, you’re
still coming? On the cruise?” Now we were standing in front of each other,
and kissing between whispers.
“Only if you
promise to marry me.” I didn’t have time
to consider what was happening. There
was a heartbeat to the conversation and I didn’t want to disrupt it.
“Of course.” It was my new default.
“Really you
will?” He’d seen it as some kind of
longshot, but my answer reminded him to keep up.
“Yes. Then will you come home?” I didn’t expect the flood of tears, but they
were there.
“Yes… then I’ll
come home.” He rested his lips on my
forehead and I closed my eyes. I thought
about everything; the lower case everything and what the reader had said about
Meg. I took a deep breath and I knew I
would cherish him.
Renegotiating Kaylin, a novel
Copyright
2019 by Natisha Renee Williams and Grace Call Communications, LLC
All Rights
Reserved, including
the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
Comments
Post a Comment