Second Chances Four

I stood in the doorway of the kitchen for a little while, just watching and listening. Matthew was teasing his sister about something and she blushed a bright red before punching him in the shoulder. Quiet a feat with William on one hip clinging tightly to her.

Behind me the door burst open and the dog, followed by Mark and Jason went careening past me, into the kitchen and around the table.

“Outside boys and take that beast with you.”

Susan's voice was soft, but stern as she shooed them back outside. A chuckle from behind me made me jump. I turned to see Matthias watching the boys, eyes dancing merrily.

“It's good to have children in the house again.” He said, then turned to catch my eyes.

His eyes were dark, nearly black with flecks of gold and green scattered throughout them. Though they sparkled with laughter, it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

“Susan will make a good mom someday.”

There was a odd undercurrent to his words. A tone that made me wonder if he knew about my promise to Julie, but there was no way he could. He hadn't been to see her in months. Not that he didn't send messages by Susan, but with his bad leg he was seldom up for travel and seemed to prefer staying at home.

As kids I could remember coming here to visit. Matthias was a strange man even then, but we loved to come here and listen to his tales about the war. He taught us too of balance in all things. He was a good man and always made time for us. He went out of his way to make sure we were prepared for adult life by teaching us responsibility and hard work. I was grateful to him for that. Not that my dad hadn't tried, but he worked long hours and was seldom home. Mom did too so Matthias' house became our home away from home. My older sister was best friends with his daughter, Susan and Matthew's mom.

Like my parents, she was off in another town working. Coming home most weekends when she could, but leaving the children here for her parents to raise. It was a odd family relationship. One that I didn't really understand, but it seemed to work for them. Over the years they had taken in and raised numerous children belonging to relatives and distant kin, some even from out of state.

“Penny for your thoughts.”

With a start I came out of my memories. Matthias' odd eyes were watching me closely. Sometimes when he watches me like that I feel much like a small animal being watched by a snake.

“Just remembering. This is a good place for children.” I found my self saying aloud.

Matthias nodded, “Yes, it has always been welcoming to children.” Then he muttered under his breath, “Not always to adults though.”

The laughter faded from his eyes as a far away look took it's place. There was a secret about this family. I'd heard whispers about them all my life, but had never figured out what it was that was so secretive about them. The old folks spoke of them in hushed and disapproving whispers that always stopped when we kids came into the room. Once I walked in unseen and heard the town busy body talking.

“Shameful. That's what it is! Her voice raised in ire reached my ears, then someone saw me and everyone went silent.

Not that they were ostracized, far from it, but the old men and women in town always seemed to look at them as being unfitting and improper. I hadn't really thought about it in years, why should I? But suddenly I wondered what it was those old biddies whispered about.

Susan was exotic looking, not exactly beautiful, but pleasing. Her hair a rich dark brown that sparkles with mahogany highlights in the sunlight. The high cheekbones and a square, strong jaw are nearly masculine in shape and proportion, but somehow, on her it looks feminine. It is those emerald green eyes that always come as a shock. They seem completely out of place looking out at you.

As if reading my mind she looked my way. Her eyes laughing, but full of some hidden expression.

Matthias gave me a gentle push into the room then followed close behind me. For a moment I felt trapped by the old man, then he moved past me and sat down in his place at the table and pushed out a chair, motioning me to sit down.

We sat in silence, pouring coffee and drinking it leisurely. There was a peaceful solitude in this place. Thinking back, I suddenly realized there had always been peace and acceptance here. Maybe that was why so may of us came here to visit and help during our teenage years. We were always welcomed and accepted for who we were. No notice of our different walks of life, even when a African friend came with us one summer he was warmly welcomed.

That is what stood out in my mind about this place. It had become a fortress against the world. No wonder Julie loved coming here. No wonder she felt it part of her duty to help in the teaching of Susan and Matthew. No wonder . . . . no wonder she chose who she chose. I understood, but it didn't make me feel any better. It didn't make me want to honor that promise, but I was no longer angry with Susan for the promise Julie coerced me into making.

It was obvious that our boys were as welcomed and loved here as we had been. Looking out the door I could see William sitting on top of Matthew's hound, pulling the poor creatures ears. The dog had a big tolerant smile on it's happy face, and his tail wagged from time to time. Finally when William got off of him he streaked off to be with the older boys, but periodically he ran back to the baby to cover him in wet doggie kisses.

Slowly peace descended on me, a peace that I hadn't felt in a long time. The sadness was still there, but it was as if Julie was whispering to me that all would be well.

The banging screen door brought me back to the present with a jolt. William came into the kitchen carrying a wilted dandelion in a soil stained hand. Making his way across the room, he reached out to grab Susan's shirt in his other, even dirtier hand and tugged. When she turned around he put his fist in his mouth and held the dandelion out to her. Kneeling she put both arms around him.

“Is that for me?”

“Ya, pretty flower for pretty Suan.”

She made as big of a deal of hunting a vase and displaying the wilted thing as Julie would have done. I could feel a smile start at the thought.

When William rushed back outside, Matthias chuckled. He didn't say a word, but his eyes twinkled and the way he was looking at me made me nervous.

Excusing myself I left the room and went outside to be with the boys . . . and to get always from the knowing looking on the old man's face.

Jeremiah 29:11 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.

Reviews

[A.Lee]

Sweet. Sounds like he's beginning to appreciate Susan, without letting go of Julie. A little bit of hope to a sad story.

[Larry Dyson]

please enter this in my "Balance of Life" contest...very nice...