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Her sorrow rubbed off on him. “You never know when an accident will strike… Annette went to a teacher conference for the first time. See what happened? There’s nothing we can do, but keep their memories alive and raise the kids the best way we can.” He heaved a deep sigh. “I’d better run now before we cry on each other’s shoulders.” He chuckled, and she joined in his laughter. “Down from your perch, buddies.” He set the screaming boys inside their stroller.
“I’ll pick up Brianna at three. Bye, buddies. See you soon.” He waved to the twins.
Eventually, he and Erin would have to turn the page and start living again. Could they help each other on the path to recovery?
Chapter Two
March
Over the next month, life became less stressful for Erin, thanks to Tim Kent who ended up coaching not only David but also Rachelle, Debbie, and Brianna in basketball and soccer, and tutoring them in math. Her kids had jumped up and down when they’d made their respective teams, and proudly displayed severalA’s on their report cards.
Erin walked to the fridge and inspected the clean half empty shelves. “We still have some leftovers for tonight’s dinner and—”
“Just for one day. You need to go grocery shopping. The fridge is getting empty.” Her mother’s sigh could be heard from the street.
“I know, Mom. I’ll stop by the supermarket tomorrow.” A shudder of humiliation shook her. She’d never imagined she would be counting nickels and dimes every time she had to buy food for her family.
“Something else dear, don’t you think we should invite Tim and his daughter for dinner? He’s gone out of his way to help your kids.”
“Yes, we should.” Erin fell into a chair and laid her head on the kitchen table. They owed Tim so much and yet … She sighed and shook her head. “How do you expect me to organize a sumptuous dinner for a man who’s used to eating in restaurants on a daily basis? I can’t afford it, Mom. Not even if I work longer hours.”
“No one asked you to prepare asumptuous dinner. I’ll make a green pea ragout, a pan of potatoes au gratin, and my famous lasagna with spinach. I’ll bet he hasn’t eaten homemade food in ages. Trust me, girl. That dinner won’t cost you an extra dime. We’ll have leftovers for the next few days.”
“Mom, you’re a genius. What would I do without you?” She leaned toward her mother and kissed her cheek. “I’m sure Tim will love your cooking. I prefer to let you handle the invitation.”
Her mother peered at her and shrugged. “What are you afraid of?”
“I just lost my husband, the love of my life. I can’t give him the impression I’m trying to start something. It’d be really tacky, especially when he’s lost his beloved wife.”
“I’m sure he won’t get any wrong ideas. He’s proven himself to be a decent man.”
“That he has. Maybe I’m overreacting.”
Tears ran down her face. Life had been so hard without her dear Ben. Her head buried in her crossed arms she sobbed. Why had he been taken away from her? They’d started dating in their freshman year in high school and had married at the beginning of his last year of college. They’d decided they wanted a big, loving family. Ben had been such a good father.
“Sweetie, calm down. I know it’s difficult.” Her mother caressed her hair. “Eventually things will get easier. Time heals all wounds.”
“No, Mom,” she snapped. “It’ll never get easier. I miss him so much. I’ll never love another man.”
Thank God, the kids hadn’t returned from school yet and couldn’t see her in this shape. Ethan and Nathan played in their playpen, unaware of the drama. Poor babies, deprived of their daddy at such a young age.
She pushed her chair back and stood. “I’d better get ready for work.”
To think that she used to complain because Ben traveled and wasn’t around much. “We don’t see you anymore. I miss you, the kids miss you,” she’d often whined during the past year.
“I have to work, make more money to support our noisy brood.” He would kiss her and go.
Now, she understood what he’d given up. She too wasn’t seeing much of the children. They had their after-school activities, and she had to work to put food on the table for her large family. How else would they survive?
There was no time to indulge in self-pity when one had to feed eight people, including her mother and herself. She blew her nose, swallowed the last of her tears, and splashed water on her face.
Two days later, David announced his team would play its first match next week. “You have to come, Mom, please.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She hugged the beaming boy and suppressed a sigh. She would have to re-organize her schedule and prayed her supervisor wouldn’t give her a hard time.
The day after, her mother reported. “I called Tim. He sounded delighted and accepted my invitation right away. He’s coming on Saturday at noon and will bring a chocolate cake for dessert. We’ll have plenty of time for lunch and even a chat before you leave to go to work at three.”
On Saturday, Tim and Brianna arrived at noon. Brianna disappeared upstairs with the girls, leaving her dad with Erin at the door.
