There Comes A Season

“After you drink your milk, you may.” Carrie moaned aloud while Laura called the boys to dinner and continued her story. “Since a parent was here, the kids decided to test the limits. Carrie started playing the piano. The two-year-olds pulled all the toys off the shelves. Jeffrey left the basement door open when he went to find his lost dinosaur. Rachel moved like a centipede toward the stairs. Letisha just kept on talking. When I tried to get around her, I dropped Jacob’s bottle, the top flew across the room, and formula splashed from the ceiling to the floor. I did reach the door before Rachel took a nosedive down the stairs.”

“Is that all?” Barb said in a sarcastic tone.

“Of course not. T.J. and Chad burst through the door fighting and screaming. Then, to make matters worse, the phone rang, and the school principal called about a fight Chad had been involved in. I’m so glad it’s Friday.”

After dinner, Chuck turned on a movie for himself and the kids, suggesting Laura and Barb escape to the family room to visit. Laura sank into the sofa and leaned her head back.

“You need to take a break.”

“Right, a vacation to my island paradise, huh?” She gave Barb a knowing glance.

She and Barb were more like sisters than friends. Barb knew Laura better than Laura did herself, and that in itself created some difficult situations. But what was worse, was Laura wanted to reach out, to talk, to feel again. And she knew Barb knew it, too.

“Talk to me, Laura,” Barb said quietly. “You have something on your mind.”

“Why do I bother trying to hide anything from you?” After a lengthy silence, Laura looked at her friend. “I have to learn to cope, as much for the kids’ sake as my own,” Laura murmured. “I have never understood how single parents deal with everything.”

“I think they learn to accept help when it’s offered,” Barb suggested.

Laura straightened her back and lifted her chin. “I will not become dependent on anyone again.”

“It’s hard now, Laura, but it’ll get easier. There are more important things than work. Let yourself relax every now and then. Even God took a day off.”

“I used to enjoy throwing around the football, kicking a few goals and pitching a few home runs. Now there’s no time or energy for that. It’s a constant struggle to keep up with the day-to-day stuff.”

“I’m sure it is. Something has to give.”

Laura rolled her head from side to side. “But what? I can’t ask any more of the kids. They’re already starting to notice we’ve cut most of the fun day trips from our schedule.”

“Then let’s take the kids to the zoo one of these weekends.”

“That would be good for us. Get outside, walk, and of course, I have to get some cotton candy.”

“Now you’re talking like yourself.”

After they’d finished the dishes, Barb hugged Laura.

“What was that for?”

“I just have this feeling.”

Laura laughed. “Don’t do this to me. The last time you had one of your ‘wonderful’ feelings, I ended up sick for nine months.”

“Admit it. You wouldn’t know what to do without Chad keeping you on your toes.”

“That’s an understatement. At least that won’t be the case this time. Maybe I’m going to win the lottery. Of course, since I don’t play, I couldn’t win.”

“No, that’s not it I see a change in you.” She looked at Laura, studying her. “You’ve become stronger.”

“You mean more stubborn. It couldn’t be physically, I haven’t had time to work out or walk since before Todd died.”

“I don’t mean either. It’s emotional. God must be preparing you for something.”

This time, Laura laughed aloud. “Oh please. You’re being ridiculous.”

Barb wagged her eyebrows, then smiled. “And whatever it is, you’d better hang on to your hat, because it’s going to take everything you’ve got, and more.”

Chapter Five

Two weeks later, Laura, Chad, Jacob and Carrie sat on the portable bleachers cheering for T.J.’s team. Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought of Todd missing his son’s first football game. Oh, Todd. You were supposed to be here. Watching him, coaching him. Who’s going to…?

Laura’s thoughts were interrupted when T.J. recovered a fumble and took off down the field. Laura jumped off the bleachers. “Go T.J.! Cut right!” She stopped yelling, suddenly remembering the baby beside her. She prepared to soothe him, but he slept through all the noise from the game.

The Mustangs had a strong offense, but their defense lacked the size to stop the opposition from scoring more touchdowns. They played hard, and Laura was proud of them.

Bryan walked across the field with his hand on T.J.’s slumped shoulder. “I promised T.J. I’d take you all for an ice-cream cone after the game.”

Laura croaked, “Thanks, but I need to get home. Why don’t we take a rain check? You did a great job, T.J.”

“We didn’t even win, Mom,” T.J. answered, clearly disappointed.

“Can I go with Bryan, Mom?” Chad interrupted.

Bryan motioned Laura aside and pushed his son’s stroller, smiling lazily. Laura tried to ignore the fluttering in her stomach. She cleared her throat before trying to talk again. Again, a raspy reply was all she could manage. “Not today, Chad.”

“Sounds like you need a double-decker ice-cream cone. What’s so important at home?”

Laura’s voice was barely a whisper. She motioned to Carrie to tell him, but Carrie shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know why we can’t go! You never let us have any fun since Daddy died.” Laura watched as Carrie stomped away, a sudden stream of tears flowing. “All we ever do is work!”

T.J. and Chad looked at Laura, then chased after their sister. Laura turned to Bryan, guilt laying its burden on her again.

“Yours must have been the voice I heard encouraging the boys. I appreciate it.”

Laura nodded, thankful that he didn’t mention Carrie’s tantrum. “Thanks for the offer, but I have cakes to decorate for a wedding shower. They’ll be picked up in a few hours.”

“A talented woman. Well, since you’ll be busy for a while, why don’t I take the kids for lunch and bring them home later? I’m sure you could use a little peace and quiet.”

Laura shrugged. “I can’t give in to her tantrum.”

“Everyone’s entitled to change their mind once in a while, even mothers. Take a few hours off.”

Laura was puzzled by this side of Bryan. The careerminded executive was offering to take her children to lunch.

“Thank you anyway Bryan…”

“I believe it was you who said that this child care contract was like a partnership in parenting. That should work both ways. I may not be Superdad, but I can handle burgers in the park.”

She wanted to argue, but recently coping with the effects of her husband’s death kept her in a constant state of turmoil, and right now, her emotions were quickly gaining control. She met the kids at her van and sent them to meet Bryan.

When they arrived at the house an hour later, Laura was finishing the cakes. Without prompting, the kids thanked Bryan and got their mother’s permission to go to the park.

“Be back in an hour. And be careful.”

Bryan held Jacob, and sat across from her at the table. “The kids said your favorite is an old-fashioned chocolate soda. I hope they were right. I also brought you a burger and fries, in case you didn’t take time to fix lunch.” He looked at the cake and back to Laura. “Mind if I watch?”

“That’s fine.” Laura drank the soda, letting the ice cream slide slowly down her sore throat. “This tastes wonderful. Thank you.”

He watched as she added borders to the cakes and put them into boxes. “You seemed to enjoy the game.”

“I wanted to strangle a coach or two, to be honest.”

“Present company excluded, I hope.”

She smiled apologetically, “You did a great job with the boys, Bryan. Not all coaches share your philosophy, though.”

“Warning taken. I’ve already talked to Kevin, but I’ll mention it again. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about doing me a favor. The company has offered their block of seats for me to take the boys to a Bronco game. What do you think about helping?”

“Weekends are pretty busy at our house.”

“I bet they are. I need one more chaperon, and I’m sure having an experienced mother along would comfort the other parents. Carrie and Chad would probably enjoy it, too.”

She stole a glance at him. “I appreciate the invitation. It’s been hard for the kids to understand some of the changes we have to make without Todd, but they’ll get used to it. I’m sorry about Carrie’s outburst.”

Bryan set Jacob on the floor and set a brightly colored toy in his view. “A daddy’s girl?”

Laura nodded. “I just begin to think we’re making progress, when something else happens. I can’t figure out what makes her act like that.”

“Try not to let her get you down.”

“Easy for you to say.”

Jacob rolled into the next room. Bryan caught him and brought him back. “I think she’s acting pretty normal for a pre-adolescent girl who’s just lost her father.”

“It just seems I can’t do anything right anymore. She argues with everything I say.”

“Maybe she’s ready to make a few decisions on her own.”

“She’s ten years old!”

“Ten going on twenty, right? I’m suggesting you start with small decisions, nothing monumental. Let the responsibility grow with her.”

“And what makes you an expert on raising kids suddenly?” Leaning back in her chair, she crossed her arms defiantly.

He stood up, smiling with satisfaction. “I guess not as much as I thought. I think I’ve overstayed my welcome. See you Monday.”

As he walked out the door, Bryan overheard her muttering. “Uncomplicated, Bryan. Let’s keep it that way!”

The next Monday Bryan watched in fury as Kevin pushed the boys, stressing the importance of winning even more than before. After the practice ended and the kids were gone, Bryan pointed out that they should be teaching good sportsmanship, teamwork and skills, not just winning.

“It’s the reason we play.” Kevin turned and walked off.

“Where’d you come up with that?” Bryan flung the ball into a duffel bag and zipped it closed.

Kevin’s eyebrows lifted, and he pointed at Bryan. “You’re not going to tell me winning, at anything, isn’t just as important to you. Are you?”

Bryan faltered, unable to deny the accusation. “Who are we here for, them, or us? Half of these boys haven’t ever touched a football.”

“And what about the few, like T.J. Bates, who have the raw talent to go all the way with this? Don’t they deserve more than what this team has to offer?”

“They all need the basics. Not one of them, including T.J., are so good they can’t strengthen their form.”

“Winning is the goal, in case you’ve forgotten.”

“One goal, but not the priority at this level. Didn’t you look at their faces during the game? They were having fun out there whether we were winning or not. Let’s not put that fire out.” Bryan couldn’t believe they were having this argument. For months they’d planned and anticipated the fun of coaching these boys.

“If you think you can do a better job of it, the position’s yours. No problem.”

“Oh, no, you don’t! You’re the head coach, I’m just helping.”

“Not any more. You don’t like the way I’m coaching, you do it. I’ll just sit back and take a few lessons from the pro.”

Bryan opened the trunk and dropped the bag inside. He slammed the lid, venting his anger on it instead of his friend, who seemed to have changed his coaching philosophy overnight. Sure, they’d both been aggressive players, but Kevin had never talked or reacted like this before. “If you won’t do it right, then I guess I’d better. Another week of your attitude, and we won’t have a team left!”

“Then maybe they don’t belong here in the first place,” Kevin muttered, as he climbed into his truck and drove away.

Bryan discovered he’d fallen into another one of Kevin’s schemes. This one was geared to show Bryan that kids were a lot more fun than hassle. It was as if his friend knew exactly what Bryan was thinking.

He also realized something Kevin didn’t. Being a coach, and being a dad, were not synonymous. Just because he knew how to teach beginners football, didn’t mean he would be able to transfer that talent into teaching his son about life.

Chapter Six

Bryan scanned the garage and walked back into the house. “Where’d you put the ladder, Kevin?”

“Still in the truck. What’re you doing?”

“Mrs. Richards needs some help picking apples before the frost gets them. She’s going to watch the baby, so don’t worry.”

Kevin met him at the front door. “Every time she sees me she offers to take care of him for us. Her ladder’s a little rickety, so I’ll run get another one from the warehouse and help.”

Bryan stopped him. “Fine, but the pie’s mine.”

“You haven’t seen her pies, bud.” He opened his hands to show several inches. “If she asks, we want the Dutch apple.”

An elderly woman walked across the driveway and reached for the baby. “It’s such a tragedy about this little one’s mother. I hope you found Jacob a good sitter. He needs a mommy.” Jacob went without a fuss, while Bryan and Kevin smiled at one another.

“My secretary helped me find a wonderful child care provider. He’s very happy there.”

“It’s not one of the big places that you see on those scandal reports, is it?”

Bryan laughed openly. “Not at all. Laura watches a few kids in her home. She’s been doing child care for several years.”

“You pick a sack of apples for her, too, then. Dutch apple as usual, Kevin?”

Wrapping his arm around the woman’s shoulders, Kevin gave her a gentle hug. “You make the best, Lil. Need any other jobs done while we’re here?”

“Bribery. So, one pie’s not enough anymore, huh?”

Bryan had carried the ladder back to the yard and returned for the boxes to hold the apples, just in time to hear the woman’s remark. He looked to Kevin, silently scolding him for begging for more. “I was joking, Kevin. One’s plenty.”

“Oh, pshaw. You two could use a few more calories. No wonder Kevy can’t find a nice girl. Nothing to hold on to.” Then pinching Jacob’s cheek, she turned back to her house. “And your daddy shouldn’t have any trouble finding you a suitable mother.”

Once Lillian Richards was inside the house, Kevin pinched Bryan’s cheek. “No trouble, at all. Bless her for not placing her spell on me!”

“I take it that means I don’t need the extra calories, huh?”

The door opened again. “Kevin, I do need the deep freeze moved to clean under it, if you two wouldn’t mind.” The two men looked at each other and grimaced.

When Kevin returned with the second ladder, the jibing resumed. “Yup, all you need to straighten your life out is a wife.” He roared with laughter.

“At least I can get one,” Bryan returned.

“Thank heavens, I can’t.”

Bryan picked a rotten apple and threw it at Kevin, hitting him in the stomach as he reached to the top of the tree for more apples, the surprise knocking him off the ladder. As expected, Kevin popped back up, both hands loaded, and ready to fire.

“If you weren’t so skinny, you wouldn’t have even felt that.”

“Boys,” a high-pitched voice hollered. “The baby’s diaper needs changing. I don’t know how to use these paper things.”

“He’s your son,” Kevin bragged. “I’m only the uncle. That means, I don’t have diaper duty.”

“Kevin, since you’re already on the ground, why don’t you give his daddy a break,” Lillian called.

“Yeah, give me a break.” Bryan chuckled.

At dinner that night, Kevin placed the meat loaf on the table and sat down. “The football team’s doing great You’ve taught them a lot, Bryan.”

Sprinkling his food with salt and pepper, Bryan eyed his friend. “They’re eager learners. And the game’s still fun.”

“Imagine that.” Kevin chuckled, pouring himself an over-size glass of milk. The ragged University of Colorado shirt, left over from their college days, was evidence of his friend’s dedication to the sport.

Bryan knew that Kevin wanted to rub it in that he’d staged the entire winning fanatic episode on purpose. He wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of saying, “I told you so.” In his own mind, there was no comparing coaching three days a week to being a father.

Jacob sat in the high chair next to the table, playing with a set of plastic keys while Bryan shoveled spoonfuls of strained fruit into his hungry son’s mouth as quickly as he could.

“I have to be out of town Tuesday night. Do you want me to ask Laura to watch him?”

“I can handle it. Pick him up after work Tuesday, then take him back to Laura in the morning, right?” He scooped another bite of mashed potatoes into his mouth. “No problem.”

Bryan finished his bite then added, “You’ll go through his whole routine, won’t you?”

“Yeah, yeah, bottle, play, diaper, eat cereal and fruit, play, then bed. We’ll be fine.”

“No, it’s bottle, eat, bath, play, read a book, music, then, bed. Want me to write it down?” Bryan pulled a pen from his shirt pocket along with a pad of paper.

“I don’t have to sing, do I?”

“Whatever you do, don’t sing. You want him to sleep, don’t you? Laura gave us some lullaby tapes. I turn them on before he goes down.”

“No bottles during the night?”

Bryan shook his head.

“Piece of cake.”

Tuesday night, Bryan called from the hotel to check on his son and Kevin. They were getting along fine. It was him that was having difficulty. He used to enjoy the traveling. Since his son had arrived, he’d reassigned the accounts that required overnight stays to the junior executives. He hadn’t felt right flying off when he was just getting to know his little boy.

This account was different. The owner of the company had requested Bryan, and his boss had given him no choice in the matter. Though he was grateful that his superiors had given him time to adjust to his new circumstances, he’d realized that it couldn’t last. Traveling was part of his job, an aspect that he could no longer delegate to others.

It created a difficult situation that he’d ignored up until now. Expecting Kevin to fill in as daddy wasn’t fair. He’d already welcomed them into his home while Bryan looked for something to reinvest the money from his and Andrea’s home into.

The arrangement was working well for both of them so far. When Bryan had learned about his son, Kevin discouraged him from finding a place of his own right away, claiming the adjustment would be easier with two of them. He’d been right. Bryan didn’t know how he could have managed alone.

In the meantime, Bryan had invested his profits into the expansion of Kevin’s construction company. At the rate business was booming, Kevin would be paying back the money ahead of schedule.

Bryan loosened his tie and kicked off his loafers, then turned on the evening news. After three reports of rising crime, he changed the channel, stopping to listen to the catchy children’s tune. What was he going to do when he had to be away for a week, or like the job in Sweden, a month? Something had to change.

Chapter Seven

Thanksgiving reminded Laura that even with all she’d lost this year, she still had much to be grateful for. That still wasn’t enough to ease the loneliness Todd’s death had created.

Much about the day had been the same as always, family had gathered, the air was crisp, and the television continued to offer the traditional parades and football mania. Though everyone missed Todd, no one talked about him. That, too, had become a tradition in the short time since he had died. Pretending that everything was okay. That the pain, no matter how intense, would disappear if ignored.

It didn’t.

Even the call from Kevin had been a welcome break. After hanging up, Laura turned to her mother. “Bryan’s roommate just called. It turns out Bryan and Jacob stayed home alone today and Kevin seems concerned. Since we have so much food left over, I thought I’d take him some.”

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate it, honey. Your dad and I’ll watch the kids. If he’s a football fan, maybe he’d like to come keep your father and brother company.”

“Can’t hurt to ask.”

Laura wrote down the address and got into the car. A few minutes later, she pulled into the driveway of Kevin’s home. She grinned at the image of two bachelors living here. Gathering the plates, she climbed the steps and elbowed the doorbell.

Bryan answered after a long delay. “Laura! What are you doing here?” Before she could reply, Jacob tried to jump out of Bryan’s arms and into hers.

“Happy Thanksgiving.” She held up the plates. “I thought you might enjoy this.”

Bryan motioned her inside. His eyes narrowed. Laura set the plates of turkey dinner on a coffee table, then took the baby and snuggled him close. “Hi, Jacob. Are you and Daddy having fun?”

“Just having a few beers and watching the football games,” Bryan mumbled, reaching for dirty dishes strewn across the table.

“Sounds relaxing.” Laura handed him another empty beer bottle, then offered him a warm smile.

“So, does your child care service always include complimentary, holiday dinners? Or am I a special case?”

Puzzled by his mockery, she replied, “If you don’t want it, I’ll be glad to take it home. I’m sure someone there would enjoy it.”

“Did Kevin ask you to check on us, or was this your idea?”

She didn’t know how to answer. If she claimed credit, he’d think that she had a personal interest in him. If she admitted Kevin had called her, she’d break the confidence he’d placed in her and possibly create problems between the two men.

Before she could answer, Bryan made the decision for her. “No matter,” he said turning into the kitchen. “Thanks for your concern, but as you can see, Jacob and I are doing fine.”

Laura heard the clamor of dishes and empty bottles. She hugged Jacob, letting his small warm body soothe her nerves as she followed Bryan.

Watching Bryan from the doorway, his clenched jaw confirmed her suspicions. “What’s wrong, Bryan? You haven’t been the same since Friday…”

His dark eyes filled with a burning, faraway look.

“Bryan…?”

He dropped a baby bottle into the dishwater and raked wet hands through his hair, then slammed his fists on the counter.

“I guess I shouldn’t have come. I just thought, well…I thought that I was a little harsh Friday night about you not calling to let me know you’d be late.” She handed Jacob to him and turned to leave.

He took hold of her arm and motioned for her to go into the living room. “Don’t go. We need to talk. I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you.”

Laura sat on the sofa and hid a toy rabbit from Jacob, urging him to find it. She raised her eyes to find Bryan watching them.

“If I’ve done something…”

“You haven’t done anything. It’s about Jacob. He’ll be staying with my sister after Christmas.” Bryan walked to the tall, narrow window and gazed into the fading sunset.

“Oh,” she whispered.

“I expect to pay until you can find another child. I know this must be a difficult time to find a new client.”

“You mean he’s staying there permanently?”

He shrugged, lowering his head. “This isn’t an easy decision.”

“I’m sure it isn’t. You’re giving your son away?”

“It’s best for him,” he snapped.

“I know the adjustment was hard for you at first, but the roughest part’s past. Are you sure about this?”

When he didn’t answer, she knelt beside Jacob, who was reaching for a photo album. Rescuing the open book, she saw photos of Bryan and a woman standing before an elegant white stone fireplace. She wore a stunning cream sequined dress with diamond-and-emerald jewelry that matched her green eyes.