August 27, 2013

 

               Country music played throughout Kix's Tex-Mex restaurant.  Kelsey Meyer hummed as she balanced a tray filled with steaming quesadillas and enchiladas.  After serving several customers their meals, she glanced around the crowded place. 

              People she had known her entire life and some visitors ate their lunch at tables draped with red and white checkered tablecloths.  The window curtains matched them.  Paintings of bluebonnets and cowboys hung on the maroon walls, and the Texas star iron napkin holders were on every table. 

              There was a large bay window where people could look out and see the hills, trees, and a pristine pond that sparkled in the sunlight.  Nestled in the middle of Texas' Hill Country, the inhabitants of Kirchville loved the hills because they made people feel calm.

              Sometimes Kelsey had mixed feelings about her life since she'd planned it differently when she was younger.  But she didn't have it so bad. She had a wonderful family and friends who supported her and had the best nine-year-old daughter ever.

Between waitressing and the sales from her bakery, Delectable Delights, she got by.  Barely. 

               I wish I could give Hannah the life that she deserves.  She'll have a hard enough time with her Cerebral Palsy.

               "Kelsey, this sweet lady wants more chips and Picante sauce."  Her mom, Gwen, hollered over the chattering patrons and pointed to the woman with gray hair.

               Grabbing the bowl of salsa and another basket of chips, Kelsey headed to her.  "Here you go, ma'am."  She put the bowl and chip basket down and picked up the empty plate.

               "Thank you."   The older woman smiled.

               "Do you want anything else?"

               "Yes, a half a dozen ginger snaps and white chocolate chip cookies."  She handed Kelsey a twenty-dollar bill.  "I think that will cover it."

               "Yes, ma'am."  Kelsey put the money in her apron. "Thanks.  I'll bring your cookies to you right away."

               As she boxed the cookies, the phone rang in the other room.  A moment later, her mom emerged from the central kitchen, frowning.

               "Excuse me," Kelsey said to a customer and went to her mom.  "What is it?"

               "Honey, the school nurse called.  Hannah is sick."

               Kelsey sighed and scratched her forehead.  "She felt warm this morning, but didn't have a fever, so I thought it was because of the covers."

               "Don't be hard on yourself."  Her mom rubbed Kelsey's back.

               Kelsey cast her eyes down to the wood floor.  Hannah rarely got ill, but when she did, it was terrible.  Especially with her CP because whenever Hannah had a fever or a pain, her body would tighten up, making it hard to walk with her.

               Kelsey glanced at her mom and shook her head.  "I hate when my baby's sick.  I hope it isn't the flu again.  It's always rough on her."

               "I know."   

               When the customers gasped and whispered behind their menus, her mom's eyes strayed to where people were pointing and puckered her lips.  "Oh, what is he doing here?  Just what we need."

               Curious, Kelsey turned and followed her mother's gaze and stiffened.  Standing by the cash register was her ex-husband, Parker Schell, with his slicked-back blond hair and in his black business suit.

               Running fingers through her chestnut curls, she let out a haggard breath.  "Not now."  

               Parker walked toward them, glowering.  Putting his hands in his pant pockets, he said, "I need to talk to you."

               Kelsey put her index finger up.  "Whatever it is, it will wait.  Hannah's sick.  I'm fixin' to pick her up."

               He furrowed his brow.  "What does Hannah have?"

               "I don't know, and I won't until I take her to the doctor."  She pushed him aside.

               He caught her arm, making the customers jeer.  "I still need to discuss something with you and Hannah.  It's important."

               Breaking free, she breathed a heavy sigh.   Wanting to leave, but not wanting her dad to discover Parker was there, she racked her brain for a solution.  Suddenly it hit her. "Then just go to my house and let yourself in.  We'll talk when I get our daughter settled down.  The spare key is under the plant by the door."

               He nodded.  "I guess that'll have to do."

               Her mom folded her arms.  "If I were you, I'd hightail it out of here before Kix sees you."

               Nodding, he turned and strode out of the restaurant.

               "He was always gutless."  Kelsey went to the backroom to take off the apron and retrieve her purse with her mom in tow.   Peering through the circular window on the kitchen door, she breathed a grateful sigh, seeing her father busy cooking.  Thank God none of the waitresses told him about Parker being there. 

               Kelsey turned to her mom.  "Please, don't let Dad find out he's in town.  Even though Parker's finally trying to be a father to Hannah, you know he won't be happy."

               "Don't worry.  I'll tell everybody not to say anything.  They all know your dad hasn't forgiven him for leaving you and Hannah." 

               "Thanks."  Kelsey gave her mom a small smile and then left.

 

***

               Kelsey hit every red light.  She couldn't get a green one to save her life.  While she waited, Kelsey's mind drifted to Parker.

               She ground her teeth.  Her stomach churned as she recalled how he left them eight years ago.

               Parker marched down the steps of their house, suitcases in both hands.

               Kelsey hurried after him, juggling a thirteen-month-old crying Hannah on her hip.  "Wait!  Don't leave!  We can work this out.  We could go to a marriage counselor or our pastor."

               "Why?"  He furrowed his brow.  "I'm too young to be a husband and a father.  Now that Hannah has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, I'm overwhelmed.  I can't take on that burden right now."

               Her blood boiled.  "How can you say that?"  Hannah cried harder, and Kelsey tried to comfort her.  "Parker, Hannah's a blessing.  If you can't see that, then leave.  I was willing to work on this marriage for our daughter's sake, but I forgot how selfish you could be."

               "I'm twenty-one.  This is all-."  He rubbed his neck and sighed.  "I do love Hannah, but it's just too much.  I need time."  He flung his suitcases in the truck and hopped into the driver's seat, slamming the door.

               After he drove away, Kelsey wiped Hannah's tears while ignoring her own.  "Don't worry.  No matter what, you will always have me.  I love you.  God gave me a special angel."  She kissed her daughter's wet cheek and continued,  "with His help; we will get through this."

                Kelsey forced herself back to the present and remembered what was important.  Hannah.

                Rubbing her palms on the leather of the steering wheel and shifted in her seat, she prayed Nurse Hoffmann could handle Hannah. 

                If she couldn't, her best friend and Hannah's aide, Tracey Becker, could.  She had known Hannah since she came into this world.  Tracey was like a second mother to her.  It had thrilled Kelsey the school district hired her to be her daughter's aide.

                Thank God for Tracey.

                A block away from the school, Kelsey was thrown forward into the steering wheel.  The horrible sound of metal against metal rang in her ears.

                Pulling onto the shoulder of the road, she took a deep breath and exited her van. 

                A tall, dark-haired man came to her side, frowning and shaking his head. "Are you okay?"

                "Yes, and you?"

                "I'm fine."

                Kelsey turned to her van.  Seeing a dish-sized dent on the right side of her bumper, she stomped her foot in anger and frustration.  

                "I know," he said.  "I'm so sorry.  My insurance will pay for the damage, or if not, I will."

                Kelsey put her hands on her hips.  "What the heck were you doing when you plowed into me?"

                He lowered his eyes, averting her angry gaze.  "I was in a hurry and wasn't paying attention."

                "Apparently."  She rubbed her forehead.  "Let's exchange our information right quick.  I need to be somewhere."

                "Ah, sure," he said, plucking a pen from his shirt pocket and pulling out his wallet.  He took out a business card, wrote on the back, and then handed it over.  "My name is Wade Ramsey.  I just moved here from Dallas."

                She put the card in her jean pocket after glancing at it briefly and arched an eyebrow.  "A city slicker, huh?  That figures."

                "You don't like city folks?"

                "I didn't say that.  It just seems y'all drive a bit recklessly."      

                He rubbed his eyebrow.  "I'll try to do better."

                "Thanks." Kelsey gave him a curt nod. She opened the van door, fished a business card from her purse and gave it to Wade.

                "Thanks," he said.  "Again, I'm sorry."

                A police officer came, and they told him what happened.  After he had given Wade a ticket and said he would file a report, Kelsey hopped into the driver's seat and drove to Hannah's school. 

​

***

​

                Kelsey stopped in the doorway of the nurse’s office and knocked.  

                Nurse Hoffman spun around with a weary smile.  "Ah, Kelsey, there you are."

                It never ceased to amaze her that Nurse Hoffman still looked the same as she did when Kelsey went to Kirchville Intermediate School over twenty years ago.  

                Standing at five feet four inches, Nurse Hoffman was plump, and kids loved to snuggle up against her when they were sick.  Her dark red hair was still short and spiked up.  She wore the same blue eye shadow and red lipstick as she did in the early nineties.

                Noticing Hannah's empty wheelchair, Kelsey scanned the room.  "Where's Hannah?  How is she?"

                 "She's back here, lying down on a cot," the nurse told Kelsey.  "Tracey is with her.  She's a very sick little girl."

                 She followed Nurse Hoffman past the curtain, where Hannah lay on a cot, curled up on her side in a ball with her face scrunched, holding onto Tracey's hand.

                 Squatting next to the cot, she pushed Hannah's damp, blonde hair away from her face.  "Hey, baby."

                 Her daughter lifted her head a little and opened her eyes. "Mama, I feel awful."

                 "Oh, I know, sweetie." Kelsey caressed Hannah's cheek.  She looked at Nurse Hoffman.  "What do you think she has?"

                 "I believe she caught the stomach bug, but have Dr. Werner check her out to be sure."

                 "Hannah vomited three times and soiled her pants," Tracey informed Kelsey.  "We put clothes from the lost and found on her."

                 "Okay," Kelsey said.  "I'll wash them and send them back when she's well."

                 "No rush.  I don't think anyone is looking for that Hanson shirt anymore," Nurse Hoffman replied with a laugh, and gave her a plastic bag, with Hannah's dirty, smelly clothes.

                 "Great.  I'm going to have that song, Mmmbop, stuck in my head for the rest of the day," Kelsey said.

                 "Mama, can we go home now?" Hannah whispered.

                 Kelsey bit her lip.  She hated to see her daughter in pain.  "We'll go home after our friend, Dr. Werner sees you and gives you medicine."

                 Hannah sighed.  "Okay."

                 "That's my girl."  Kelsey smiled. 

                 "I'll go and get her wheelchair."  Tracey rose to her feet. 

                 Kelsey heard Tracey pushing down the levers, so the power chair could be in push mode and heard the seatbelt hitting the lower sides of her armrests as she rolled it near the cot.

                 "Hannah, are you strong enough to stand and pivot to your chair?" Kelsey asked gently.

                 "I think so."

                 Kelsey swung Hannah's legs off the cot and lifted her upper body.  Hannah put her arms around her neck, and as she stood up, she pivoted with Kelsey to her chair and then sat down.

                 "Do you want me to go to the store and buy you some cans of soup and Popsicles?" Tracey tightened Hannah's tray.  "I can go after school."

                 Kelsey glanced at her best friend and smiled.  "No, thanks.  You have your own kids to take care of.  My mom can get those items for me."

                  "Okay.  If you're sure. "

                  Kelsey pushed Hannah out of the nurse's office. 

                  When they reached the van, Tracey gasped.

                  "Kelse, what happened?"

                  Kelsey groaned.   "Ah, someone who wasn't paying attention hit me.  That's why it took me a while getting here."

                  "Eck, it looks bad," Tracey said.  "I would hate to know how much it will cost to have it fixed."

                  "Oh, he promised that his insurance company is going to pay to fix it."

                  As Kelsey pushed the button on the keypad to open the back, she prayed the door would open, and the ramp would come down automatically.  They did.

                  Kelsey glanced heavenward.  Thank you, Lord.

                  Tracey helped Kelsey roll Hannah in the van and tied the wheelchair down.

                   After thanking Tracey for everything, Kelsey got in the van.  Before she turned the key, her cell phone beeped.  She fished it from her purse and read the text from her mother.

                   Kelsey breathed in a quick breath after reading.  The text read: "Your dad found out Parker is in town.  Don't know how, but luckily we're too busy for him to go after Parker."  

                   "Great."  She slammed her head against the headrest as questions flooded her mind.  Why is he here?  What does he want to say to us?          

                   Hannah's moans broke Kelsey's reverie and looked back at her daughter.  "Sweetie, I'm sorry.  We're going now."

                   Pushing all thoughts of Parker aside, she headed toward the clinic.