Kerry leaned back and braced a knee against the dashboard. “It was just something Dar said, before I left. She said next year we’d have Thanksgiving on the Island. It surprised me, because she’s someone who really values her privacy, you know?” She exhaled. “But when we’re together, it’s like there’s no…personal space, if that makes sense. She doesn’t get on my nerves or make me uncomfortable to be around, and I don’t make her that way, I don’t think.”
She paused reflectively. “I know that when I woke up this past Sunday, I realized I wanted to wake up with her next to me for a long time to come.”
Angela slowed to turn into the church. “Well, don’t take things too quickly. I know you guys really like each other, but that’s a big step, Ker.”
Kerry laughed gently. “I have to wait for her to ask, you know? It could take months, and I was trying to figure out how she’d do it. Probably really matter-of-fact… ‘You know, Kerry, it would be more cost efficient to use one car to go to work, and my place is closer. What about it?’ ”
Angela laughed. “Really?”
408 Melissa Good
“Oh yeah, that’s Dar—no flowery speech or anything. She’s very practical and straightforward,” Kerry assured her, then paused. “Though I did come back from lunch to find a rose on my desk once,” she amended thoughtfully.
Angela parked the car and sighed. “Sounds pretty darn romantic to me, Sis,” she commented wistfully. They got out and walked across the parking lot, joining several groups of other people heading for the church’s entrance.
It was a tall, brick building with inset stained glass windows and mahogany pews burnished to a rich glow. Kerry joined Angela in greeting several long-time neighbors, and took some good-natured kidding about her suntan before they seated themselves to listen to the choir. The room featured a huge organ and a triple semi-circle of singers, who delivered a more than creditable performance of some old and well-known hymns. Kerry felt the familiar sounds relaxing her, and she was able, for a few minutes, to forget her surroundings and simply enjoy the music.
“Nice recital,” Kerry murmured as it ended, the last booming tones of the organ echoing softly against the building’s interior. “I liked that last piece a lot.”
Her sister smiled. “Me, too. C’mon, let’s go talk to Pastor Robert.” She edged out of the row and headed back towards the administrative part of the church, waving a little at several friends who waved back and called out greetings to both her and Kerry. She led Kerry to a small door and knocked on it.
“Come in,” a soft, vibrant voice answered.
Angela pushed the door open and poked her head in. “Pastor Robert?”
“Angela. What a nice surprise, come in.” The pastor waved at her.
She opened the door fully and pulled Kerry in with her. “Look who I brought.”
The pastor stood. “Kerrison!” He smiled at her.
Kerry moved forward, smiling back. Pastor Robert was a huge bear of a man, easily six and a half feet tall and perhaps two hundred and fifty pounds.
His bearded face took on a look of delight as she came closer. “Hello, Pastor Robert.”
“Kerrison, goodness, let me look at you.” He took her by the shoulders and beamed at her. “You look wonderful. I can hardly believe it.”
Kerry smiled. “Thanks, you look great, too.” She patted his arm.
“Um, I’m going to get some recipes Mrs. Van Ardyn owes me. I’ll be right back, Ker.” Angela was gone before she could even turn around, and she spared her sister a wry roll of the eyes.
“Sit down, sit down,” the pastor was saying, motioning her to a bench next to the one he’d been sitting on, arranging sheets of music. “Are you home then for good?”
“Just for a visit.” Kerry shook her head. “I’m…very happy down in Miami.”
“Oh.” He seemed surprised. “But I thought your mother…well, never mind.” He sat down and patted her knee. “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing fine. I got a new job, that I really like, and a whole group of really good friends. It’s been great,” Kerry answered quietly. “How about you?”
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He lifted a large hand and let it drop. “As always, the seasons turn, it gets colder, gets warmer, but it’s my favorite time of the year, so I can’t complain.”
He sighed and leaned back. “Things are good in the congregation—prices are steady; we’re not at war. All in all, not bad.”
Kerry regarded him. “That’s good to hear.” She hesitated, then searched his eyes. “Pastor, can I ask you something?”
He nodded. “Yes, of course. Are you having trouble finding a community down there? Can I help? You know you’ve always been one of my favorite people, Kerry.”
She settled her elbows on her knees and interlaced her fingers. “I remember when you used to preach on Sundays, every once in a while you’d talk about…um, something you called soulmates.” The word rolled around her tongue in utter familiarity.
“Yes. In fact, I discussed it at pulpit just last week,” he agreed. “The old fable of each person being born with two heads, and four arms and legs, then being split in two to roam the world ever after looking for the other half.”
“Mmm, yeah.” Kerry rubbed her thumbs together. “Do you believe in that story?”
He paused a moment before answering. “Yes, I do. If what you mean is, do I believe in that special kind of love in which two people seemed to be destined to be a part of each other, yes. Not that I’m rewriting the creation history, you understand.”
Kerry smiled wryly. “I understand.” She patted his arm. “But, how do you know if you’ve been lucky enough to find someone like that?” she asked.
He reached over and tipped her chin up, gazing into her eyes somberly.
“Because when you look at them, you see everything you need in this world to complete yourself.”
Kerry closed her eyes. “Oh,” she uttered softly.
“Have you found someone like that, Kerrison?” His voice was very gentle.
She opened her eyes. “Yes, I think I have.” She exhaled. “It’s someone I met not too long ago, but who I’ve become very close to. And it’s like you said, when I look at them, it’s like I feel their hands closing very gently over my heart.” She paused. “Holding it safely.”
“I never knew you for a poet, child.” A slow, sweet smile crossed his face.
“But it’s not my friend Brian, is it?”
“No,” Kerry replied softly. “He’s one of my best friends, and I love him, but…no.”
Pastor Robert blew a long breath out. “And you haven’t told your parents, I take it? No, of course you haven’t. Your mother still thinks… Ah, what a web of tangles we have here.” He pondered. “Well, perhaps you should consider explaining as you have to me. I’m sure your parents, once they get to know this person, will be happy for you.”
Kerry shook her head sadly. “No, Pastor Robert, they won’t. They won’t accept this person.” She looked down again. “Except for my sister, I’m not close with my family, but this will put something between us I don’t think any amount of time will heal.”
He sighed. “God has a way of healing even the worst of wounds, my 410 Melissa Good friend. How bad can this person be, that they would give up a daughter?”
Kerry hesitated, then took a deep breath. “She’s not a bad person at all,”
she stated simply and let the comment fall between them.
He went quite still for a few breaths, then reached up and tugged on his beard. “Ah.” His voice was quietly reflective. “That’s a toughie.”