Kelsey rubbed Hannah’s stomach, breathing a sigh of relief that the medicine had calmed it.  Before, it felt hard, and her daughter moaned when she touched it.  Kelsey sang to her while waiting for the medication to work.  Now Hannah was sleeping loose as a noodle.  Kelsey kissed her daughter’s forehead.

             Hearing Parker yell at the TV, reminded her she still needed to talk to him.  Dread enveloped her.  Every time they spoke, it ended in a fight.
             Walking out of her daughter’s room, Kelsey shook her head.  This time, no matter how Parker makes me mad, I won’t fight with him.

             She let out a little chuckle, knowing she was kidding herself.

             When she entered, Parker was sitting on the couch, watching ESPN with his coat off and his necktie undone.  Clearing her throat, Kelsey got his attention.  He clicked off the TV and put the remote down on the side table.  “Is Hannah settled down?  She was hurting so much and was tight as a tick.  I’m glad I was here to help you to get her into bed.  Sorry that I left when she vomited.”

             Kelsey sat and sighed.  “Yes, she’s asleep.”

             “Good.”  He rose.   “Listen, my dad called before you came, and he wants me at the office to go over new evidence for the case I’m working on, so I don’t have much time.”

             “Okay.”  She got up and folded her arms.  “Why don’t you say whatever you want to say and leave?  I’m tired, and you have things to do.

              He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet.  Opening it, he pulled a check from its folds.  “Here’s the child support check I owe you.”

              She arched an eyebrow.  “Thanks.  Is this all?”

              Shifting from one foot to the other, Parker shook his head.  “Something is going to happen that will affect Hannah’s life.  Well, a part of her life.   The one with me in it.  I know it’s not much, but-“

              “You’re rambling.  Just spit it out. “

              “This is the sort of thing that is hard to tell an ex-wife.”  Parker exhaled.  “I’m getting married again.”

              Shocked, Kelsey stepped back, feeling for the love seat before flopping down.  “Isn’t it sudden?”

              “No, Victoria and I have known each other for a year.   That’s six months longer than we knew each other.”

              “Does Hannah know about her?”  She leaned forward, trying to remember if her daughter had ever mention Victoria to her.

              “Yes.  Hannah does, but she hasn’t met Victoria yet.”

              “I can’t believe this.  You proposed to this woman without having her meet your daughter.”   Her brows knitted together.                        “Wait, you had Hannah every weekend this summer.  How’s it possible she hasn’t met your girlfriend?”

              “Victoria’s a corporate lawyer and an ambitious one at that.  She’s busy, but Hannah talked to her on the phone, and I’ve shown her pictures of Victoria.”  Parker shook his head.  “I wonder why our daughter hasn’t told you about her.”

              Kelsey couldn’t help but roll her eyes.  “Can you blame her?  You had countless girlfriends, and you weren’t serious about any of them.”  She tilted her head.  “Your parents haven’t mentioned her either.”    

              “Mom and Dad don’t like Victoria.  They say she’s too controlling and bossy.”  He rubbed his chin in irritation.  “It doesn’t help that they put you on a pedestal.  You can do nothing wrong in my parents’ eyes.  I believe one of the reasons why Victoria hasn’t made a real effort to meet Hannah is because she thinks Hannah won’t give her a chance.”

              “I’m sorry Maureen and Howard don’t like your fiancée, and they like me, but our daughter will give her a chance.  Sure, Hannah will be shocked when she finds out you’re remarrying, but she loves you and wants you to be happy.”

              Parker’s cell phone beeped.  After reading the text, he said, “I have to go.  I’ll call you later.”

              Her mind reeled from the shocking news.  Parker was getting remarried.  She shuddered, thinking about how many times the next Mrs. Parker Schell would have her heartbroken.  Kelsey had lost count how many times he had broken hers.  She still lived with the pain of thinking she wasn’t enough and that she failed somehow.  However, Parker just might have met his match.  If her ex-parents-in-law proclaimed Victoria to be “controlling” and “bossy,” then they were probably right.

              How will she be towards Hannah?  Like Joan Crawford?  Surely not.  Maureen and Howard would have told me if she was abusive, right? 

              Her cell phone buzzed.  She huffed when she read Parker’s text.  Be sure to get that dent fixed.

I’m not an idiot.

              Hearing Hannah moan, she made a mental note to take her van to her cousin’s auto shop as she went into Hannah’s room.

 

***

                       

              “Mama, can you help me with my math, please?”  Hannah drove her wheelchair toward the display case in the bakery area.  “It’s the last of my homework.  After that, I’ll be all caught up.”

              Kelsey stopped talking to her cousin, Nick, who just came in and glanced at her daughter.

              The natural rosy color of Hannah’s cheeks, the sparkle of her eyes, and her infectious bubbly, fun personality had returned.  The day before, she had played with her best friend, Brianna, and then sang and chair danced to a new Florida Georgia Line song, her upper body twisting and her head bobbing to the beat. 

              It’s a far cry from a week before.  I’m sure glad my baby’s better.
            “Mama, my math homework?”

            “I can’t help you now, sweetie.  It’s almost supper rush time.”  Kelsey went to the kitchen and came back with a batch of chocolate chip cookies.  Seeing Nick reaching for one, she smacked his hand and put them on a shelf of the display case.  “I’ll help you tomorrow afternoon after we get home from the church picnic.  Besides, you worked hard today.  You deserve a break.”

            “Okay.”  Hannah closed her math book with her good hand.  “I am tired.”  She blew her bangs and turned her head to Nick.                   “When are we going to get our van back?”

           “In two weeks, kiddo.”

           “Aw, man.”  Hannah frowned.

           “It’s not that long.”  Kelsey waved her hand.  “We’ll make it.”  Turning back to her cousin.  “Oh, the insurance company called and I should get the money soon.”

           “Don’t worry.  Give it to me when you can.”  He wiggled his eyebrows.  “Besides, I know where you live.”

           Kelsey chuckled.

           Hannah pouted.  “But I wanted to go to Six Flags before it gets cold.”

           “I thought your dad took you last month,” Kelsey said.

           “I want to go with Brie.”

           “We’ll still have time to go.  It will be a while before it gets cold here.  You know that.”

           “I guess I can wait a few more weeks.”  Hannah rubbed her stomach.  “I’m hungry.”

           Kelsey’s mom emerged from the kitchen carrying a plastic bag with a to-go box in it when she heard Hannah’s statement.  “How about I make you a jelly bread and pour you some chocolate milk?”

           Hannah grinned. “Thanks, Meemaw.”  She turned to Kelsey.  “May I watch a movie in the back room?”

           “Yes, but use the headphones so that you don’t bother your papaw.  He’s working.”

           “’Kay.”

           “Kelsey, this is for Dr. Ramsey,” her mom said.  “The hamburger steak meal.  He should be here in a minute to pick it up.”

           “Okay, Mom.”

           Nick shook his head.  “I can’t believe he hit your van.”

           “Please behave when he comes.”  Kelsey wagged her finger at him.

           “Yes, and don’t lose that Meyer temper, Nicholas Bradley.”  Her mom turned her attention to Hannah, prompting her to go to the back room.

           “First and middle names, boy.”  When Kelsey glared at him, he puffed his cheeks and breathed out, holding his hands up.                       “Okay.  I promise.”

           “Good,” they said in unison.   

           “Well, cuz, how are you holding up?” Nick asked after Hannah and her mom left.  “Aunt Gwen and Mom said you had a tough week.”   He brushed back his blond hair from blue eyes.

           “I’m fine.”  She pulled a diet coke from the small refrigerator and popped the tab.  “Still tired, but that’s part of being a mom.  I’m glad Hannah is well again.”  

           He tore the corners of his napkin and pursed his lips.   “I-um, I also heard that Parker paid you a visit.”

           “Yeah.”  She saw genuine concern in his eyes and covered her hand with his.  “Don’t worry.  It was okay.   He gave me his child support check and told me that he was getting married.” 

           “He is?”  He scratched his chin, shaking his head.  “Poor woman.”

           “Well, from what he told me, I don’t think she will take his wandering eye, and he doesn’t seem to mind.”  She took a sip of her drink.

           “Who’s he marrying?”

           “Victoria something.”  She ran a hand through her hair.  “He was going to tell Hannah tonight, but last night he called and asked me to tell her.”

           “When are you going to tell Hannah?”

           “Tonight.”  She leaned on the display case with her hands under her chin.  “I hope she’ll take it well.”

           “She’s strong.  Just like you,” Nick reached over and patted her hand.   “She has the Meyer blood in her after all.”

           “I hope you’re right.”

           The bell chimed, and Wade entered the restaurant, making Kelsey stand up straight.  He had on a red long-sleeved shirt and black jeans.  His clothes were tight enough so that anyone could appreciate his muscles, broad chest, and shoulders.  Kelsey’s pulse up-ticked as she studied him further.  His short, wavy raven hair looked soft and thick and had a sheen to it.  He had a chiseled face with a cleft chin, blue eyes, and black eyebrows. 

           Was Wade this handsome last week?  I wonder if he’s single.  Kelsey gasped.  What am I thinking?  

           Nick’s hand waved in front of her face.

           “Hmm."  Kelsey jumped a little.  “What?”

           “Where did you go?” Nick laughed.  “You spaced out for a minute.”

           “Nowhere.”  She pointed to the door, “Dr. Ramsey is here.”

           “Oh.” Nick stood as Wade moved toward them, frowning.  He extended his hand, eying Wade up and down.  Kelsey half expected her cousin to evaporate him with his gaze.  She shook her head, wishing he would behave.  Nick didn’t like it when somebody hurt one of his loved ones or their property.

           “I’m Nick Meyer, Kelsey’s cousin.”

           “I’m Wade Ramsey.”  He shook Nick’s hand.  “Nice to meet you.”   When Nick only grunted his response, Wade nodded at Kelsey and threw her a smile that made her insides tingle.

           “I’m glad to see you again, Ms. Meyer.  How is your daughter?”

           “Call me Kelsey, please.” She hoped it didn’t sound flirtatious.  “And Hannah’s much better.  Thanks.”                      

           “That’s good.” He smiled.  “And call me Wade.”

           “Um, here’s your meal.”  She gestured to the bag.  

Wade pulled out his wallet.  “How much do I owe you?”

           “Ten dollars.”

           When he pulled out two fives and handed them to her, Nick’s folded his arms.  “Well, you should be lucky Kelsey’s okay.”

           Kelsey gasped.  “Nick, you promised me you would behave.”  She leaned closer to her cousin and said through gritted teeth, “I’m fine.”  She should have known.  Men in her family couldn’t hold their tongues when they had something on their minds. 

           “I’m sorry,” Wade said, running a hand down his face.  “I can’t believe I was so stupid.” 

           “I forgive you,” Kelsey said.  She turned to her cousin.  “You of all people know people aren’t perfect.  Let it go.”

           Nick grunted.

           “Don’t you say you needed to go to your parents’ ranch soon and help them?”  Kelsey checked her watch.  “It’s five-thirty.”

           Her cousin sighed.  “I’d better go.   I’ll see you at church tomorrow.”

           She took out a peach cobbler from the display case, boxed it, and handed it to Nick.  “Here’s the dessert your mom ordered. “

           “Thanks.”  He sniffed the box.  “Smells great, Cuz.”

           “Thank you.”

           Nick rose from his stool.  “Bye.”

           After her cousin left, Kelsey looked at Wade.  “I’m sorry about Nick.  I’m like a little sister to him, so he’s protective.”

           “I understand.”  The sadness in his gaze pierced her soul.  He whispered, “People should be able to protect the people they love.”

           “I agree,” she cleared her throat. “I also want to say that I’m sorry for yelling at you after you hit me and being curt with you at the clinic.”

           “You don’t have to apologize.”

           “Yes, I do.”  She sucked in a haggard breath.  “I was worried about Hannah, and then I was anxious because my ex-husband was here.   I was stressed, and I took it out on you.  I’m sorry.”

           He lifted his hand.  “I deserved it.  I was careless.  Your anger was justified.”

           Before she could reply, the humming and clicking sound of Hannah’s wheelchair interrupted her thought.

           “Hey, sweetie.” Kelsey went into her kitchen and re-emerged carrying a wet washrag.   “I see you got your snack.”  She wiped the evidence of peach jam and chocolate milk from Hannah’s face.  “I thought you wanted to watch a movie.”

           “The Sound of Music isn’t here,” Hannah said and spotted Wade.  “Who’s that, Mama?”

           “This is Dr. Wade Ramsey,” Kelsey said.  “You met him last week at the clinic, remember?”

           Hannah tilted her head and seconds later, widened her eyes.  ”Oh, yeah.  Hi.”

            “Hi, Hannah.” Wade paled and twisted in his chair, unable to look straight at Hannah.  “I’m glad you’re better.”

            I wonder why Wade acts strangely towards Hannah.  He was shaken when he met her last week, and now he can’t look at her.

           “I’ve got to go,” Wade said and picked up his meal.  

           “Will you be at church tomorrow?” Hannah asked.  “There’s going to be a picnic afterward to continue to raise money to add on to the Sunday school building.  It’s going to be neat.  There will even be a band.  Mama is going to sing with them.  My grandparents and uncle are catering.   Isn’t that right, Mama? “   

           Kelsey smiled at her excited daughter.  “Right.  The church needs to hire you to promote its events.”  She glanced at Wade.  “All are welcome.”

           “I’ll have to see.  I might have things to do around my house.” 

           Hannah frowned.  “Oh, okay.”

           Wade walked to the door.  “Bye.”

           As she watched him leave, Kelsey wondered why he had sadness in his eyes.

***

           Later that night, Kelsey stood in the doorway of Hannah’s room and scanned around.  With the pink walls covered with cat pictures and the posters of Florida Georgia Line and Carrie Underwood, it was a typical girl’s room.  The white furniture took some attention from the pink.  The books on the shelves ranged from C.S. Lewis to L.M. Montgomery.  Hannah's favorite dolls and stuffed animals sat on the window seat.

           Her gaze stopped on the canopy bed and watched her daughter looking so peaceful as she watched The Sound of Music.  It made her hate she had to ruin it by telling her that Parker was getting married.  Kelsey wasn’t sure how Hannah would react.

            Kelsey reminded herself of what she had to do.  Closing her eyes, she breathed in a deep breath.     

            She rapped on the doorframe, making Hannah’s head pop up.

            “Is it bedtime already?”

            “Not quite.“  Kelsey sat on the edge of Hannah’s bed.  “I have something to tell you.”

            “Okay.”  Hannah sat up straighter in her bed, pulling the pink comforter under her arms.  “The movie is almost over anyway.       They’re hiding from the Nazis in the convent's cemetery.”

            Kelsey clicked off the TV and turned back to her daughter.  “I have news about your dad.”

            Her daughter scrunched her eyebrows together.  “What about him?”

             “Last week, remember when he came to see you when you were sick?”

            “Yes.”

            “He wanted to tell you that-”  Kelsey stopped and glanced at the cat poster above Hannah’s bed, struggling on what to say next.  Lord, please help me through this.

            “Mama, what did daddy want to tell me?”

            Kelsey, just say it.  She caressed Hannah’s cheek.  “He wanted to tell you he is getting married.”

            Hannah remained silent for a full minute with her head hanging down before talking.   “So Daddy asked Victoria to marry him.  He talked about her and showed me pictures of her.”  Hannah’s body trembled a little. 

            “Sweetie, please look at me.”  Kelsey placed a finger under Hannah’s chin and lifted her face to look into her eyes.  “What’s the matter?”

            Tears brimmed Hannah’s eyes.  “I guess Dad won’t have time for me anymore once he marries Victoria, and they have kids.” 

            “Your Grandpa and Grandma Schell, and I will make sure that doesn’t happen.”

            She hit her mattress with her fist.  “I hate Cerebral Palsy!  I bet if I were normal, Daddy would have spent more time with me when I was younger.”

            Kelsey’s heart tightened.  She scooted up further on the bed and drew Hannah to her.  “Your dad and I were young when we had you.  You were a blessing, but he wasn’t prepared to be a dad to any child.  Handicapped or not.  You know for the past year, he has been trying to be a dad, but he still needs more practice.  Just be patient.”

            “I’ll try,” Hannah said, against Kelsey’s shoulder. 

            Kelsey rubbed her daughter’s back. “As for having CP, I believe that God has a special plan for you.  I don’t think you know how many people you have inspired.  They tell me all the time they admire you for overcoming.  The people who pre-judged you are amazed by the hurdles you have faced so far.  You’re smart and determined.  I wouldn’t put it past you to become a scientist and find a cure for a disease because you won’t ever give up proving to the naysayers that a person with a disability can do anything.”

            “I know, Mama.”  Hannah paused, but then admitted through her tears, “I feel selfish.  I want Daddy to be happy, but I want a dad like Brie's every day; not just on the weekends.”

            Kelsey kissed her hair as her tears fell.  “I know.”

            Hannah settled down, pulled away from Kelsey, and lay down.  “I’m tired.  I want to go to sleep.”

            “All right.”  Kelsey bent and kissed her forehead.  “Are you sure you’re okay now?  Do you want me to stay until you fall asleep?”

            “No, I’m fine.”

            “Okay.”  After wiping both of their tears away, Kelsey stood and started to leave.  “Goodnight.  Sweet dreams.”

            “‘Kay.  Night, Mama.”

            After Kelsey flipped the lights off and shut the door.  Leaning against it, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

            Her calico cat, Sadie, rubbed against her legs and purred.  She smiled and picked the cat up and rubbed her cheek in the soft fur.  “How do you always know when I need cheering up?”  She petted Sadie as she went down the hallway to her bedroom.  When Kelsey put her down, the spoiled feline jumped on the queen-sized bed and made herself comfortable. 

            After Kelsey dressed for bed and brushed her teeth, she reached for the new romance novel she had bought on the nightstand, but she changed her mind.  She wouldn’t enjoy it.  Not when Hannah’s words about wishing she had a real father kept echoing in her head.

            “I want a dad like Brie's every day; not just on the weekends.”

             Scott Becker was a great husband and father, and Kelsey wondered if Tracey knew how lucky she was to have him.  Two years ago, he had been elected as the county sheriff, but no matter how busy he got, he made sure he spent time with his family.  It blew Kelsey’s mind that she and Tracey got married around the same time, but her marriage ended, and Tracey’s hadn’t.  She had to remind herself Scott and Parker grew up differently.  Scott was the eldest of five in a lower-middle-class family, and Parker was an only child who got everything he wanted.  Scott valued his family and everything he had.  Parker wasn’t quite there yet, but he was making progress.