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Lacey watched her mom purse her lips and blink back tears. “Well, I did have a little help. God placed some amazing people in my path along the way.”
She wondered whether or not to broach the question she’d wanted to ask for years. Then went for it. “What did the congregation say when I basically disappeared that summer, never to be seen from again?”
Her mother drew in a deep breath. “Oh, my. That was one of the hardest summers of my life.”
Surprised, Lacey froze then turned to look at her. “Why?”
“Why?” Her mother gave an incredulous laugh that held no humor. “Because I had to send my baby girl away.” Tears filled her eyes and she looked away. “I didn’t want to but your father convinced me it was for the best.”
“He had an image to maintain,” Lacey said angrily. She couldn’t help it. The words came out wrapped in hurt and bitterness.
A resigned sigh filtered from her mother. “Yes, there was that. But it was more. He felt like you betrayed him—us—and everything that we taught you. He felt like you betrayed yourself.” Her mother shrugged and swiped a few more stray tears.
“Well,” Lacey admitted, “I suppose I did, but I think the punishment didn’t really fit the crime.”
“I agree.”
“So what did the church say?” Her mother had avoided answering that one.
The woman sighed. “Your father told them you’d decided to go to school in North Carolina.”
“Hmm. The truth. At least part of it.”
“Yes. Of course it was the truth. He would never lie, you know.” Surprised, Lacey wondered if she didn’t detect a hint of bitterness in her mother’s voice. With a start, she realized her mother had her own regrets. She poured the milk into the saucepan and turned on the stove. “Knowing what you know now, would you have done things differently?”
Her mother looked her in the eye. “In a heartbeat.”
Lacey expected to feel satisfaction, a surge of victory that she’d managed to make her mom regret sending her away. Instead she just felt sad for all the missed years, missed family time, and the missed granddaughter/grandparent time Bethany should have experienced growing up.
On impulse, she threw her arms around her mom and gave her a hug. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m sorry I was so stubborn and unforgiving. I’m sorry I waited so long to come home and share Bethany with you.”
Her mother’s arms enclosed her in that embrace she remembered from childhood. “I know. I’m sorry, too.” When she pulled back, she cupped Lacey’s face and said, “But let’s not think about what we missed. Let’s think about what we have in front of us. A lifetime of love.” She tightened her lips. “As soon as we get Bethany back.”
“Deal. It’s not going to be about what was missed. It’s going to be about the future.”
Her mother patted her arm. “I’ve got to get your father’s medication for him.”
Lacey rubbed her bleary eyes. “I’m going to lie down for a few minutes.”
With one last hug, the two parted and Lacey started down the hall to her bedroom with her mug.
Settling on the bed, she pulled her laptop toward her. Might as well work while she could. Just as she powered up the machine, a knock on her door sounded.
“Come in.”
The door swung open and her father entered.
Surprised, she could only stare at him with one brow raised. He rarely sought her out since she’d been home. “Hey.”
“Hi.” He looked uneasy as he stood in the entrance.
Taking pity on him, she motioned him inside. “What is it?”
Blowing out a sigh, he raised one hand to rub his balding head. “I have something I need to tell you and it’s going to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “I’m working up my nerve.”
Puzzled, she simply looked at him.
“All right,” he said, moving to the chair by the small desk on the opposite wall. “I guess there’s nothing to it but to come out and say it.” She waited.
