**This is an excerpt from a story I wrote 2 years ago. I decided to get back into this, and finally finish a story about learning the values of patience, persistence, and finding true, real love.
From "Micki," by M.V. Written originally Feb. 2, 2007.
PS- Thank you Vanessa for staying up w/ me last night until the wee hours of the morning, listening to my silly story telling. :) I credit you in getting me back into finishing my long, lost works. <3
“My heart aches like it’s going to burst!” squeals Jada Caiden. She just heard the news from her mother over the phone.
It’s been four years away from home and life has been nothing short of dramatic. Majoring in Biochemistry at the same university both her mother and father went to, she seemed to follow in the footsteps of her late father Brad Caiden. A respected scientist and intramural sports coach, he was a devoted father and husband until he was struck ill with multiple sclerosis. This year in February will be the second year anniversary of his passing.
Despite the upcoming vigil of her father, Jada couldn’t believe the luck her mother Micki had finally found someone new to spend her life with. It has taken her awhile to get back to her center and let in another soul. Her heart still belonged entirely to her Brad. Jada remembered how hard her mother fought to keep Dad in spirits, and never let him feel as if he were ever a burden to the family. When his health got to the point where she could not keep up, it was a hard time for them all to let him go to a permanent facility for his last remaining days. Ever since she was a little girl she could remember how much her mother and father loved each other. Regardless of all their faults, they made it through and through. To Jada, they were the epitome of a couple that could have lasted forever.
Just to works of fate, the surprising engagement of her mother to her Uncle Evan goes to show that some people are meant to have more than one love of their life.
Back in Eldridge, Micki was in the kitchen baking up a new potpie recipe when her son Willis came in. Humming her favorite tune with the radio, she didn’t notice that Willis was in odd spirits of sorts. He went rummaging around in the fridge for something to eat, making enough of a ruckus to finally get Micki to turn around and see what was up. One look at her son and she knew an old fear of hers surfaced. Putting down her oven mitts, she goes over to Willis and hugs him. He closes the fridge and buries his face in her shoulder.
He was thinking about the upcoming vigil. Micki can understand his pain. She missed Brad ever more everyday. From the sound of his shoes on the linoleum when he just walked in from work, to the their late night food binges. The smell of him has diminished almost entirely, and his overall presence silently settling away, only to resurface in old pictures or photo albums.
Micki just let him cry. She was glad that finally after so long, Willis was letting himself feel what he had been holding back from since his father’s death. Smoothing back his chestnut hair, she coos to him softly that everything now is okay.
Still a little despondent, he settles on the island stool and looks away in the distance. Micki doesn’t try to speak as much as he is trying to stay silent. He is at that age where emotions are hard to decipher and everything seems to be against you. Sighing to herself, Micki resumes with her previous escape. Turning the oven off first, she pulls out the potpie and sets it aside on a coaster to cool. One whiff of the flakey crust and cream of chicken and vegetables immediately changed Willis’ non-eating attitude to that of a hungry bum. Laughing to herself, she happily cut a slice for herself and her son, and the two ate in content.
“Hey mom,” Willis starts. Micki looks up from her pie.
“Yes Will?” She can tell he wants to ask her something but can’t seem to formulate the right sentence. She gives him time to think.
At first he seemed to forget the thought entirely, until the last piece of pie was finished. With a burp of satisfaction, he continues from earlier.
“I just heard through Jada, that Uncle Evan proposed to you.”
Micki’s eyebrows arch in surprise that the word had gotten out so soon. She told Jada to keep it on the down low! Sighing to herself, she puts a hand to her forehead and closes her eyes. For a brief moment, she is back twenty years when she was just eighteen. A day she would remember to cause the confliction of what true love really is.
It was summer in Eldridge, and the county fair had just come around. As usual, (she was with her girlfriends and Brad and Evan were vying for her attention.) She hated it. Brad took her into the tunnel of love where he tried to kiss her… but that wasn’t her style. Evan took her to go watch the fireworks ontop of the ferris wheel. He kissed her that night and from then on, she knew it was possible to be in love with two different people.
Back to the present, she smiles at Willis and nods. He seemed a bit unnerved over it all. Confused as to why he would be so disapproving, she asks him what is wrong. He clunks his fork down and looks her in the eye,
“Ever since that day Uncle had kissed you, I knew. I was only seven then, but I just knew you and Uncle were meant to end up together. Although at that time you and Uncle couldn't be because you were trying to figure out things after Dad's mess up, his infidelity. But I know you loved Dad more than Uncle then, and stayed together for Jada's and my sake. There's no mistake you loved Dad with all your heart to forgive him for everything. I understand that now and respect all that you've gone through.
I just think it’s crazy how after all this time Uncle and you still are so close. Mom, you’ve made me realize that no matter the length of time, the one who truly loves you will come back around. I give you my blessing at being so lucky finding two loves in one life, and also apologize to you for being so hard about past events in time. I didn’t realize the entirety of the situation… and that in turn is what has kept me distant all this time. Mom, I just want to say, I approve of Uncle Evan being the person to take care of you and love you as much as Dad did. I am happy you have found someone who loves you entirely again.”
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