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I was out of my element and out of my league with this family. They were cultured and educated and they had so much going on. I stayed quiet a lot when they were all together because I was just trying to take it all in. They had two big dogs who were older and lazy, and I made friends with them and spent time each day getting canine affection. It was therapeutic for me.
It was currently Saturday night, and we had just eaten dinner together. Caroline was going out with some of her friends, and I didn't want to be in Charlie and Denise's way, so I excused myself after dinner. My room was a gorgeous guest suite on the first floor, and I was sitting on the edge of the bed with one of the dogs, Sonny, at my feet when Denise knocked on my door.
"Come in!" I said, even though my door was cracked.
I smiled at Owen's mom because she was already smiling broadly at me when she appeared in the doorway. I saw Owen in her facial features, and in his dad's too. I missed him. I thought of him when I saw her smile. She peeked in the door, and I gave her a wave, inviting her inside.
"Caroline was saying that you could go with her and her friends tonight if you wanted to. They're just going to see a movie, I think. You'd be fine on crutches."
"Oh, that's so nice. Thank you. I'll probably wait until I can get around better, but that's sweet of her to ask."
"She really likes you. She said you told her you wanted to learn how to swim. She can't wait to teach you."
"She's such a good swimmer."
"You should see Owen. I mean no offense because Caroline is a great swimmer, but Owen did it competitively for a little while."
"That's what Caroline was saying. I don't know how you guys make time for everything you do."
"Sometimes I don't either," Denise said, smiling and shaking her head a little.
She slowly meandered over to the bed where I was sitting. She sat on the edge of it with me, a couple of feet away, absent-mindedly straightening the comforter.
"Charlie was telling me about how much you're helping out at the clinic."
"Oh, it's the least I can do."
"No, really, it's such a big help… and it's unbelievable timing with Addison being on maternity break."
"I'm happy to help out," I said.
"Charlie said you already have that scheduling software mastered."
"I'm trying," I said with a smile.
"Well, we're all so thankful. I know he's going to ask you about working full-time if that's something you'd be interested in. He loves having you around there."
"That's so nice, thank you."
"It's food for thought. I know you worked with jewelry before. We actually know someone who owns a really nice jewelry store here in Memphis. I'm sure we could get you a job there. But I know Charlie wants to hire you at the clinic." She reached out and patted me on the leg. "I think he's planning on talking to you about it tomorrow after church, I wanted to give you the evening to sleep on it."
"Thank you," I said. "That's amazing. That's really nice of him."
"Are you coming to church with us?"
She asked me that every Saturday, and every time, I said the same thing.
"No ma'am."
"You're more than welcome. It's a casual place. You don't have to wear a dress or anything."
"Oh no, it's not that. I like dresses. It's just, other reasons. Did you n-need me to go?" I asked a question in a reluctant way because I did not want her to agree.
"Oh, I don't need you to. I was just thinking about what it could be that was stopping you. I was wondering if it was something you needed or wanted to talk about."
She stared at me with such genuine kindness and compassion that I felt compelled to share something with her. I found myself saying Stanley's name even though I certainly didn't plan on it.
"Stanley. The guy who I grew up living with, the guy I considered to be like a father figure or really a grandpa figure… he was a preacher." I shrugged. "I grew up with him quoting scripture, but it was really only the scripture that applied to some point he wanted to make. Looking back, there just wasn't a whole lot of joy with him. I just kind of associate church with this guy named Stanley, and that's not such a good thing."
