I smiled. “I guess a little bending is allowed.”
Ben didn’t seem to agree with our plan to get up. When I looked over at his doggie bed, he gave me a sleepy look. That look conveyed everything. He’d had a busy day, and he was ready for some down time. After a moment of staring, he went back to sleep.
Watching little Ben snooze so contentedly, I was reminded of last Christmas. When I least expected it, Stanley came home with a surprise gift, a tiny white puppy. I named him Ben. I’d always wanted a dog as a kid. Holding little Ben and looking into his bright, black eyes, I knew my wish was finally fulfilled. Ever since, Ben’s continued to bring me joy.
The thought made me more agreeable to Stanley’s offer of cocoa. By the time we’d gone downstairs and I’d settled into a kitchen chair, I felt better about my mom and the Bickermans. Maybe it was because Stanley was at the stove, warming milk. Ever since we’d met, his presence was comforting. In the middle of what I considered a disaster, he remained calm and came up with simple and helpful ways of dealing with the situation.
I rearranged my Christmas tree salt and pepper shakers and let out a sigh. “Stanley? Honey?”
Stanley continued to stir the milk and glanced at me. “Yes?”
“Why do I get so upset while you remain so calm? Sometimes, your attitude is very helpful, but sometimes it’s annoying.”
Stanley turned off the flame under the pot and came over to the kitchen table. “Glory, do you know why I look up to you?”
Stanley had changed the subject, but I liked the new direction he took. “You better remind me,” I blushed.
“A while back, I told you the story about our high school days.”
I played ignorant and hid an inner smile. “I can’t remember what you said.”
Stanley laughed. “Very well, let me repeat myself. Back then, I was a little like my mom. I lacked self-confidence. But you always seemed to have a sense of yourself. You knew what you wanted, and you went for it. It made me want to do the same.”
I shrugged. “I just wanted to be the best when it came to a food drive. But that seems silly now.”
“Not really, you made that food drive a success and helped a lot of people. Now, I see how you look at our moms. You want them to succeed too.”
“Of course, I do,” I said.
“I’m sure they will, but in their own time,” Stanley said. “Some things can’t be rushed.”
I began to grumble. “That’s my problem. I’m impatient. But what you’re saying makes sense. They’re on a different time line, right?”
“Exactly, your mom has already taken a lot of steps to create a better life for herself. My mom is at the beginning of her journey.”
“It’s kind of exciting when I think of it in that way.”
“Glory, I hope you realize something about yourself. You inspire people. You inspired me when you were still a teenager. Even as a senior in high school, you were already a leader. As for me, it took time to achieve your kind of confidence. However, you remained my inspiration even when I felt I wasn’t measuring up.”
I scowled. “And now? Am I a terrible disappointment with all my complaints?”
“That’s not possible. I love you, Glory, from head to toe.”
Stanley voiced the statement with such conviction, I felt a burden lift. The tension in my body began to ease, and my heart did a little leap. Sitting quietly and taking in the cozy kitchen and Stanley, I knew how lucky I was. “Whenever I’ve been scared, you believed in me. Now, you’re helping me to believe in our moms.” I paused. “Don’t let this go to your head, Stanley, but you’re my rock.”
Stanley bent over and kissed my forehead. “Good, I like being your rock. As for our parents, I know they’ll all be wonderful grandparents.”
“That’s what I want for our baby,” I said. “I want people around our child who are positive and happy.”
Stanley went back to the stove and turned on the flame under the pan. “Then let’s start now, with us. Let’s enjoy some cocoa and be happy.”
His suggestion and tone was filled with the confidence that he said he learned from me. But now, we’d switched places. I was the one who was inspired. I realized the only thing I had to do was relax and enjoy a cup of delicious cocoa with Stanley. The peppermint stick that Stanley handed me would make it extra special.
Seventeen
THE FOLLOWING WEEK, I put a call into the real estate office where I work. I wanted to catch up on the latest happenings. I was told that business was very slow, just as I expected it would be. However, I noticed that Stanley stays very busy. Perhaps he needs to do something so he doesn’t think about his parents’ problems.
I don’t know much about how the Bickermans are getting along. Stanley said his father took a couple of weeks off from his job and his volunteer commitments. The man seems determined to save his marriage. However, Barbara’s refused to go back home and is still staying at the motel. At least the two of them are talking about their situation.
