BOOK ONE: DECEPTIONS
Chapters One to Twenty Six
Vignettes 1 - 140

BOOK TWO: YESTERDAY ECHOES
Chapters 27 to
Vignettes 141 -

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Chapter 39: Father's Day

“How could you let this happen?” Lucille was all but shrieking.

“How could I let this happen?” Turner shot back. “Who the hell put me in control?”

“You’ve always been able to control her before.” Lucille slapped the year old Time magazine back on the table.

“Look, everyone just calm down.” James Redfield finally spoke after hours of total silence. “This is a mess, but we’ll figure this out. Hopefully, she’s fine and we can go ahead and get the picture finished. Then all of this angst will be for naught.”

“Finish the picture?” Lucille almost threw one of the magazines at him. “That’s the mess I’m talking about. You’ve seen the dailies!”

“It’s not that bad.” Turner bit his lip. “Okay, it’s not great, but it’s fixable.”

“The music’s good.” Redfield tried to look on the bright side.

“Of course the music’s good.” Lucille sniped. “The lunatic can sing like a canary.”

“Maybe this little episode will bring things into perspective for her.” James made another attempt at being positive.

“Or send her completely over the edge.” Lucille mumbled.

“Okay, let’s tinker with the plan a little.” David finally stepped back in. “We’ll get her scenes completed for the film, then send her off on a vacation while we shoot things our way.”

Lucille and James smiled. “Bring her back for the premiere. She’ll never know.”

“Fine smart guy.” Lucille looked at Turner. “What if she starts making demands again?”

David hated to admit it, but she was right. “Maybe now is the time to just end it. Once we get this picture opened, I think we need to discuss long term options.”

“Long term options?” James looked up.

“We have to face things, Jamey. She’s out of control.” Turner couldn’t believe how much that hurt.

“We certainly have enough to get her taken care of.” Lucille nodded.

“Taken care of?” Redfield started to boil. “She’s not a dog to have put down. For God’s sake, she’s a human being.”

David scowled at his friend. “We’re not going to have her put to sleep, Jamey. She needs help…and I just can’t do this anymore.”

“Let’s talk to Herman. He’s always been able to get to her before.” Redfield almost begged.

“I’ve already called him.” Lucille told him. “He’s on his way.”

“I know that most of it is the diabetes. It’s medical, not mental.” Turner said to convince himself. “Granted, she always been a bit unstable, but she was never like this before.”

“I hate to admit it, but I certainly prefer the timid little mouse who cried every time you pointed a camera at her.” Lucille shook her head. “Now it’s like trying to control one of those Super Ball things, bouncing out of control.”

“One minute crashing on the ceiling, braying like a banshee,” Turner looked out the window from his chair. “The next smashing on the floor glazed over and trembling.”

“She’s such a sweet frail thing.” Jamey said to no one in particular.

“Sweet, frail thing?” Lucille turned to him in exasperation. “She’s got us by the balls, she knows it and she’s squeezing with all her might.”

Her husband started to respond, but attention was grabbed by the man in the white coat who suddenly entered the room.

“How is she?” David Turner, despite his desperation, was still deeply concerned.

“She’s fine, getting dressed.” He smiled. “You can take her home.”

“You don’t need to keep her?” Even to Lucille, she sounded disappointed.

The doctor laughed. “No. No, she’s fine.”

“But she passed out.” David stepped forward. “We’ve tried so hard to keep her sugar under control.”

The doctor held up his hand. “Actually, you’ve been doing a good job. That’s not to say that the next few months aren’t going to be difficult.”

“Doctor, forgive us, but what’s the problem then?” Redfield asked. “What brought on this episode?”

The doctor turned when the waiting room door opened. He smiled. “I think I’ll let her tell you that.”

“Thank you doctor.” She smiled timidly and nodded her head as he passed her by.

The three stood there looking at each other and back at each other. “How are you feeling, honey?” Lucille smiled.

She nodded her head. “You’re not feeling sick any more?” Redfield asked her timidly.

“No.” She said quietly, reminiscent of the sweet little thing she used to be.

“I’m so glad.” David smiled and stepped toward her. “The doctor said we could take you home. Are you ready?”

She cocked her head, smiled and then decked him with a surprise right hook. Lucille and James Redfield looked stunned as the woman strutted over and looked down at David Turner still reeling from the surprise punch.

“I’m pregnant, you son of a bitch!” She wailed.

“Good Lord.” Lucille rolled her eyes.




There was so much going on, but he refused to let it spoil the day. It was his first real Father’s Day. He didn’t expect much, but for the first time the day didn’t throw him head first into a fan. Ian looked at Billy. “Where did you put Aunt Hil’s pitcher?”

Billy turned a few shades in the crayon box. “The water pitcher?”

“Yes.” Ian almost laughed. “You said you found it and brought it back, didn’t you?”

“Umm…about that.” Billy gulped. “There’s something I forgot to tell you.”

Ian stopped rummaging around and leaned against the counter in the kitchen. “It’s okay, Billy. It’s ruined isn’t it?”

“No. It’s perfectly fine.”

“Then go get it for me. I want to use it for dinner today.” Ian smiled.

“Look…” Billy tried to explain.

“Bubba, just go get it for me. Please?” Ian turned back to the cabinets. “Nothing will spoil this day for any of us. I just want my Aunt Hil’s pitcher on the table, even if we have to stuff flowers in it and use it as a centerpiece.”

Billy nodded and headed to the garage. Ripley watched him go. “What was that all about?”

“Not sure, Ripley.” Ian said. “How are you doing?”

“Fine.” The man said as he poured a bag of chocolate chips into the batter. “Why do you ask?”

“You’ve been very quiet, not that you’re a powder keg of verbal energy, but you’ve been very silent since Kellen and I told you what was happening with Peyton Balouche and all.”

Ripley sighed. “I’m just watching every speck of dust hit the shelf, Ian. It’s my job to protect you and Ronnie. I promised you nothing else would happen on my watch, and I meant it.”

“I know.” Ian smiled and dripped a drop of water on the griddle. “Okay, I’m ready if you are.” He reached for the bowl.

“No.” Ripley pulled the bowl of batter out of Ian’s reach. “You go sit somewhere. It’s Father’s Day. Ronnie and I are making breakfast. Go play with the cat or something.”

“If you really wanted to make this a great Father’s Day, we’d be having the cat for breakfast.” Ian said. “So how can I ethically play with the cat knowing she’s going to end up wedged somewhere between my pancakes and bacon with syrup all over her?”

Ripley scowled. Ian smiled. “Fine. I’ll tinker around with some things for lunch. Just to be close if you guys need help.”

Billy emerged from the garage, pitcher in hand. “Here.”

“Thanks, Bill.” Ian inspected the pitcher. “This looks fine. I’ll pop it into the dishwasher with the breakfast dishes and it’ll be all ready for the family meal.” As Ian opened the dishwasher he added. “I don’t understand the big deal.”

“Look at the bottom, Ian.” Was all Billy said.

“Is there a hole?”

“Just look at it.” Billy said.

Ian pulled out the bottom panel of the dishwasher and flipped the silver pitcher to place it the rack. When he looked at the bottom, he gasped and dropped it.

The pitcher bounced off the plastic shelf and landed at Ronnie’s feet as he entered the kitchen. “Morning, Butter Fingers.” He giggled and picked up the pitcher. “Is this Aunt Hil’s special pitcher?”

Billy and Ian were silent. Ronnie shrugged and flipped it over to tuck it into the open rack of the dishwasher. He looked at the bottom. Immediately his head snapped up and locked eyes with his father. “Papa?”

“What’s going on, guys?” Ripley asked. Ronnie turned the bottom of the antique to Ripley so he could read it. “Ian…I thought you said that was…” Things registered in Ripley’s head. “Oh…”

“I’m sorry.” Billy turned to Ian. “I meant to tell you, but everything happened and frankly it slipped my mind until you asked where it was.”

“It’s fine, Billy, just a shock.” Ian took the pitcher, placed it on the rack and slid it in, closing the door with a click. “Aunt Hil, must have had that done. That’s all.”

“Of course.” Billy said. “It’s an awful expensive thing to do though. Sparky and I just wondered why she would do it after all these years.”

Ripley pulled a stepping stool over to the griddle and made sure Ronnie was secure before he let him start pouring pancake batter. “It’s not that expensive. Just three letters, probably cost her twenty dollars or so.”

“Not in Southwest, Virginia.” Billy told him to the sizzle. “She’d have to drive all the way to Johnson City or Kingsport to have that done. She rarely drove herself to the grocery store at the bottom of the mountain.”

“Sorry for reacting that way.” Ian distracted himself with puttering, any kind of puttering. “It was just a shock. Aunt Hil probably had it done.”

“Ian, I hate to say this but it really doesn’t look like it was done recently.” Billy finally said. “It’s too worn and uneven. It’s been there for years.”

Ian looked at Billy. “Then we just never noticed it before. I’m sure she had it done to make sure that whenever she passed it got to me. There is no other explanation.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re right. Just all the questions and mysteries.”

“We’re all seeing riddles where there are just nursery rhymes.” Ripley mentioned standing steadfastly behind Ronnie helping him with the pancakes.

Ian reached up into the cabinet to get settings for the table. One of the glasses tipped and crashed to the floor. “Butter fingers again.” Ian reached for his cane, Billy put his hand and his arm.

“I’ll get it. You go have a seat somewhere, let the morning meds kick in.” He smiled.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to have just one morning when I didn’t look forward to the fog?”

“Soon, Papa.” Ronnie flipped the first pancake on the plate. “Soon you’ll be all better and won’t need none of them pills at all.”

“You’re right.” Ian smiled. “I think I’ll go tinker at the piano a little while. That always relaxes me.”

The trio in the kitchen watched the man toddle out of the kitchen. He was getting stronger and better every day, but that knee still bothered him; more on wet days.

As soon as Ian was confidently out of sight, Ronnie handed Ripley the spatula. “Take over a minute.” Before anyone could blink an eye, Ronnie was off the stool, at the dishwasher and had the pitcher bottom up in his hand.

He looked up. “Uncle Billy, this is the same letters as on the locket.”

“I know, Ronnie. I know.”



Saxon reached for the doorbell.

“What you doin’ that for, honey?” Miss Inez asked. “Why don’t you just throw the door open and walk right in?”

“Miss Inez, I don’t live here.” Saxon blushed.

“Why not?”

“Because, I’m not…”

Miss Inez huffed. “Child, we all know what you think you’re not. Don’tcha go trying to pull some nonsense on ol’ Inez. When are you two gonna realize you’re not children and start havin’ some adult fun?”

“Miss Inez!” Saxon was rather flabbergasted.

“Oh get your mind out of the gutter.” Miss Inez shifted her weight on her walker and reached for the doorbell. “I meant adult fun, like fallin in love an’ walkin’ around holdin’ hands an’ lookin’ stupid at each other. That’s what I meant by adult fun.”

Saxon tried to think of what to say as the doorbell rang.

Inez shifted her weight again, and looked at the blushing blond from the corner of her eye. “Everyone knows but the two of you. If you don’t figure it out soon, I’m gonna have to knock your heads together.”

Fortunately, the door opened. Ian had on a huge grin and a hand painted tie that said ‘Papa’. “Good morning, why didn’t you just come on in?” He held the door open.

Miss Inez gave Saxon a look as she walkered her way in, stopping long enough to give Ian a kiss on the cheek. “Ian, you just get better lookin’ each time I see you. If I knowed you wasn’t taken I’d bat my eyes and treat you to some fine aged All American chocolate.”

Ian laughed. “Miss Inez, you are a big flirt, and I’m not taken so bring it on Sweet Mama, bring it on.”

“Says you.” She ushered her way in. “Now where’s my boy?”

“Miss Inez!” Her boy, in the form of Ronnie, doused her with the love of a ten year old.

“Like the tie.” Saxon smiled as she leaned against the freshly shut front door.

Ian grinned and held it out for her to see. “My first atrocious tie. I’m a father. I really, really am.”

“Actually,” she smoothed it back in place with his sporty black jacket. “It’s really quite beautiful. Ronnie’s going to be a fine artist.”

He looked back down at it. “Yeah, I think he really is and I’m glad you like it. You’re going to see a lot of them today. He made one for all of us; Jude, Billy, Colton…”

Saxon giggled. “I know. Wella bought him the fabric paint, and I helped him hand pick all the ties, but yours is special.”

“That’s cause I’m a Papa.”

She pulled a tiny wrapped box from her handbag. “Happy Father’s Day, Ian.”

“Saxon.” Ian blushed. “This isn’t necessary.”

“Oh shut up and open it.”

Ian nodded. He limped over to the couch and sat down, Saxon having a seat on the ottoman beside him.

“What’cha got, Papa?” Ronnie looked.

“Saxon brought me a little Father’s Day gift.” Ian said as he unwrapped a little blue velvet box.

“I hope that’s an engagement ring.” Miss Inez said under her breath.

“What?” Ian refrained from opening the box when he looked up at her.

“Nothin’, child.” She said. “Just open the box.”

The little box creaked when he opened it. I looked up at Saxon. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“It’s a little tie tack. I thought you could use one.” She said, looking at Ronnie.

“Now how did she know I’d need a new tie pin?” Ian looked at his son as well.

“Oh, she’s just really good at knowing what’s best for you.” Ronnie grinned. “It’s pretty. What’s the stones?”

“It’s a blue sapphire.” Saxon said.

Ian turned to Ronnie. “Your birthstone, Puppy.”

“It’s a Father’s pin.” She told them.

“The white ones you have replaced with the birthstones of your other children when they’re born.” Miss Inez smiled.

“Holy crap!” Ian snorted, realizing the number of zircons. “How many kid’s do you think I’m gonna have?”

“I didn’t really think about that.” Saxon blushed. “I just liked the design he brought me and commissioned it.”

“You had this designed?” Ian was impressed.

“Of course.” She made light of it. “I don’t know the difference between a hotty uppy thingy and a cold thingy, but I’m Saxon Allen; great designer jewelry I know.”

“Well, Papa will do the cookin’, you can pick out the accessories.” Ronnie said.

Ian lifted the pin from the box and carefully placed it on his tie. “How does it look?”

“Perfect.” Saxon said, ignoring the fact that the pin and the hand paint were rather garish together.

Ripley came into the living room wearing an equally loud hand painted tie proudly flashing ‘Uncle Ripley’. “Billy just called, they’ll have Vonnie tamed and secured in the van in about five minutes. Are we ready to go?”

Ian looked at Miss Inez. “Are you sure, your church is ready for my family?”

She laughed. “Ian, honey, they survived mine, they won’t bat an eye at yours.”

He slapped his thighs. “Alright then. Let’s herd ‘em up and head ‘em out.”

“Now hold on a minute, young man.” She motioned him to sit tight and pulled her purse up into her lap and started rummaging through it. “Miz Saxon there ain’t the only sexy babe who brought you a gift this morning.” She pulled out a wrapped package complete with hand tied bow and presented it to Ian. “Happy Father’s Day.”

“Miss Inez…really…” Ian started to refuse.

“A little something from me and Rose.” She hefted it towards him the second time. “After all you done for us, you think we wouldn’t remember you on such a special day?”

Genuinely touched Ian nodded and quietly murmured “Thank you” and opened the box. Lifting the lid, Saxon left out a delighted gush.

“What is it, Papa?” Ronnie looked excitedly into the box.

Ian pulled it out and held up am antique onyx box. “Miss Inez, this must have cost you…”

She waved her hands. “Ian, this didn’t cost me a cent. I’ve had it for years, sittin’ in the closet. I took it down once and a while to shine it up and put it back. Last time I pulled it down me and Rose decided that you should have it. It has a special meaning to us, and we want you to have it.”

“I am touched, Miss Inez.” Ian bent over, kissing her and give her a deep hug.

“What is it?” Ronnie’s curiosity got the best of him.

“Let me show you, honey.” Miss Inez took the box. “It’s a old what they call Chinese puzzle box. You’re supposed to figure out how to open it, and inside there’s supposed to be a prize.”

“Like a Rubik’s cube?” He said.

“That’s right. Now this is so old, I’m sure the prize inside is long gone, but people used to put precious things in there after they got the prize. Things they only wanted people who knew their secrets to find.”

“Cool!” Ronnie looked at the box.

“You said it had special meaning, Miss Inez?” Saxon gently prodded.

Miss Inez nodded. “Now, I’m not sure if you know this, but my Daddy used to work right here in this house.”

“No.” Ian said. “No, I didn’t know that.”

“’Course at one time or another, most of us black folks worked in one of these three houses.”

“Did you work here, Miss Inez?” Ronnie asked.

“No honey, but my Daddy did and when they closed down the house, Mr. Turner let everybody take a momento or two. This box was one of the things my Daddy was given. When he died there was one little gift from the house for each of us children.”

“Oh, Miss Inez. I can’t accept something your father gave to you.” Ian said placing the gift back in the box.”

“Oh yes you can.” She said. “Now let me tell you why.”

Ian nodded and let her continue. “Now, no one talked much among themselves about what all went on in these houses, but my Daddy said this wasn’t always a happy home. He said Miss Darla and Mr. Turner worked so hard to be happy, but it all ended much too soon. When everything happened, he asked specifically for this puzzle box.”

“Why this box?” Saxon was intrigued.

“Well, he said that it was like all the happiness and love was locked away in this place and it would take the right person to unlock it. He said Miss Darla would sit for hours and try to get that box open but never could quite manage it. So now, this box has come home to the hand of the right person to unlock all the love and happiness that’s the prize inside.”

Ian hoped he was holding in the tears aching to get out. Miss Inez took his hand, picking up the puzzle and placing it there. “Now all you have to do is let it all free.”

“We’ll do our best.” He managed to say.

Miss Inez smiled. “Aw honey, you got a good start, now just let it go and feel it wash all over you.”

He nodded squeezing her close one more time, then placing the box in the center of the coffee table. “Now, where is Rose?”

“She’s at the church already. She sings in the choir, so she gets there early.”

“Well, let’s get in the car and go hear that angel sing.” Ian accepted the cane from his son, took Miss Inez’ hand and together they hobbled out to the car.



Her face was covered in chocolate ice cream, but Vonnie was grinning from ear to ear. “Mmmm.” She fussed a little as Billy tried to wipe some of it off with a napkin. “Don’t Daddy. I wanna save some of it for later.”

“Angel, you look like a sticky calico cat.” Tippy said looking at her from her side of the table.

“Come here, Sweetheart.” Reese beckoned her with a finger. Her green eyes glittered as she slipped right into his lap, letting him dip a cloth napkin in a glass of water and wipe the sticky mess away. “Now, there’s that pretty face I was missing.”

“You missed it?” She said. “Where was it?”

“Hidden under all that chocolate.”

“Don’t you like chocolate? It’s my favorite.”

“Chocolate’s my favorite ice cream, but yours is my favorite face.” Reese squeezed her tight and kissed the top of her head.

“Daddy, may I be excused?” She asked politely.

“Honey, would you mind sitting with us just a teensy while longer? It’s so nice to have everyone around the table.” Billy looked around and all the friends and family.

“But I gotta go potty.”

“Oh…okay.”

“I’ll come right back.” She promised.

“Do you need some help?” Tippy asked.

“Na uh.” She said as she dashed off.

“Don’t forget to wash your hands!” Billy yelled to her, but shook his head knowing she was focused on something else.

It was a large group of family and friends, most had forgotten which was which and it no longer mattered. What mattered was that everyone around the joyous table we there to celebrate fatherhood, family, good food and chocolate ice cream.

“I wish Miss Inez and Rose could have stayed awhile longer.” Saxon licked the last drop of ice cream off her spoon.

“I think they would have but Miss Glo was getting restless.” Tippy smiled.

“Actually, I think Miss Glo was just an excuse.” Ian said stirring a little more sugar into his hot tea. “Miss Inez isn’t as strong as she likes to let on she is, but I think Miss Glo truly had all the excitement she could handle for one day.”

“She had a good time though.” Ronnie perked up. “I think. It’s hard to tell with her sometimes.”

“Yes, but I think I saw a smile behind that smirk a couple of times.” Colton said. “It was pretty obvious how touched she was when Ian showed her the room that Billy was going to remodel for her.”

“I’m hoping that getting her interested in decorating will encourage her to work just a little harder.” Ian sighed.

“Didn’t she used to be an interior designer?” Saxon said swiping a bit of ice cream from Ian’s glass.

“I’m sure that was she said she did, but she never had a license or anything.” Ian winked and slid the bowl closer to Saxon so no one would notice her eating the rest of his ice cream. “Basically she helped Southern ladies pick out wallpaper and arrange furniture, but it kept her busy after her husband died and she seemed to enjoy it.”

“Oh yes.” Tippy nodded her head. “One of those. I know of them well.”

“One of those?” Jesse said.

“Honey, in the Appalachians where we come from, not many have money, even those who have it don’t have nearly as much as they let on, so sometimes the faux do well would call upon other ladies of their class and pay them to decorate, so to speak.” She said.

“On other words, they’d say Miss Glo I want to spend this much money and make it look like this much money. Then they’d sit down, look through a couple of out dated magazines from the library, and anything under budget was Miss Glo’s to keep.” Ian nodded.

“Precisely.” Tippy giggled.

Vonnie came storming back out to the deck. “Did you wash your hands?” Her father inquired.

“Ya huh.” She wormed over to Ronnie.

“Before or after?”

She looked at her father. “Is that a trick question?” She looked a little guilty, holding up her hand and whispering something into Ronnie’s ear.

“What?” Ronnie seemed a little annoyed until she huffed and repeated the procedure.

“Oh yeah.” Ronnie looked up. “Excuse me, I’m going to go help Vonnie re-wash her hands.” The table all watched in silence and Ronnie took the little girl’s hand and led her back into the house.

“Should I be worried?” Billy asked.

“Aw, son, just let the kids ‘lone.” Jude smiled. “They prob’ly gots something planned.”

“That’s what I’m wondering if I should worried about.”

Reese patted Billy on the back. “It’s after dinner on Father’s Day. I know Vonnie actually asked Ronnie to help her with something.”

“She actually asked and didn’t grab him by the ankles, slam him to the ground and sit on him until he cried Uncle?” Billy said.

“She actually asked him.” Reese smiled.

Tippy beamed. “My Granbaby is growing up.”

“I knew there was a little girl in that monster somewhere.” Jesse said into his drink, making Saxon and Ian do spit takes.

“By the way, what happened to Ripley?” Colton looked around the table.

“He was sitting right there a minute ago.” Saxon pointed to his empty chair.

“He gathered a few dishes.” Ian said sipping his tea. “He’ll be right back.”

Actually it was almost instantaneously. He appeared at the door carrying several wrapped packages, followed closely behind by Ronnie and Vonnie each with grins on their faces.

“Me first!” Vonnie squeaked, dashing to her father and handing him a gift. “Happy Happy Daddy’s day!” She squirmed in his lap, barely giving room for Billy to hold the package.

“Is this for me?” He asked.

“Ya huh! Open it.” She could barely contain herself as her father ripped off the wrapping. “Do ya like it? Huh?”

“It’s beautiful, Vonnie.” Billy turned the frame around so the family could see.

“It’s me and Percy! Ronnie tuck it with his camera and I helped him print it out.” She beamed. “Granny put it in that thingy for me.”

“It’s a frame, Angel.” Tippy reminded her. “It’s called a frame.”

“Whatever.” Vonnie smiled. “Do ya like it?”

“I love it, sweetheart. I’ll put it right next to my bed.” Billy smiled.

“Okay, me second, too!” Vonnie seemed to beam over to Ripley, grabbed another package but this time went to Reese. “This is for you!” She giggled.

Reese didn’t know what to say. “For me? You got me a Father’s Day present?”

“Ya huh. You’re my other Daddy aren’t you?” She grinned. “Open it.”

Reese wasn’t sure if he should open the present or just bust out bawling. He opted for opening the gift. He pulled the frame from the wrapping and smiled, lips trembling. “I love it Vonnie. Thank you.”

“It’s my favorite picher.” Vonnie pointed to the corner. “See I aut-y-graphed it.”

“Yes, you did.” Reese said quietly. He handed the picture to his parents. Tippy almost cried when she saw in very childish handwriting very clearly saying “I love you Daddy Reese.”

“Did you know anything about this?” Reese asked Billy who shook his head.

“Okay.” Vonnie squirmed into Reese’s lap. “I’m done.”

Ripley looked at Ronnie. “Which one?”

“That one.” He said and Ripley handed him the package, which of course would be on the bottom. Ronnie walked over to Colton. “This one’s for you Poppy, and Granny, too.”

Colton’s eyes glittered. “Well, thank you Ronnie.”

“I know you’re just my Poppy by love, but that’s the most important thing.” He said as he handed Colton the large package, leaning into his arms as Colton tenderly ripped away the paper.

Everyone was leaning to see what was hidden. In a large frame, Ronnie had taken several pictures of Colton and Tippy, Jesse and Reese, as well everyone at the table, all smiling and laughing faces and made a collage. Using the computer program Jude had bought him he had expertly woven them all together. The matting was titled, “My Family”.

“That’s perfect.” Colton squeezed the boy close.

“I love you, Poppy.” Ronnie said as both Colton and Tippy, uncharacteristically speechless, hugged and kissed him.

Ripley appeared close to the table and handed Ronnie another package. “And this one’s for you.” In an instant Ronnie was at Jude’s side.

“Aw, Ronnie, honey. The tie was enough.” He pulled on the hand painted tie he sported around his neck.

“Just open it Grampaw.” Ronnie butted him a little with his hip. Jude nodded his head, ripping away the paper and revealing another framed photograph. This one was of he and Ronnie holding up a huge fish they’d caught on their last fishing trip together. “You remember when Uncle Jeremy took that?”

“I sure do. That the was the most fun we ever had together, Ronnie.”

“It took the two of us to haul that monster in, but we did it, together.” Ronnie kissed his grandfather.

“Thank you, sonny.” Jude was genuinely touched.

Ronnie looked at Vonnie and she giggled. She jumped off Reese’s lap and dashed over to a plant by the table, pulling out a package. She handed it to Ronnie.

This time Ronnie walked over to Ripley. “Okay, I’ll take that one, but you take this one.”

Ripley was a little confused but he handed the last package he held to Ronnie, and Ronnie presented him with a gift. “This is from Vonnie and me. Happy Father’s Day Ripley.”

The big man didn’t bother to hide his emotions. His bottom lip trembled and he wiped a tear from his cheek as he barely nodded his head. He had to pull his chair out and sit down before he could open the gift.

Vonnie crawled right in his lap as he revealed a picture of Ronnie, Vonnie, Rodie, Ralphie and Vonnie’s cat, Percy. Once again, Ronnie had used his computer to emboss the matting. It said, “Love is only this far away. Happy Father’s Day Uncle Ripley.” He could not speak, only hug the two children so tight they almost broke.

When Ronnie finally broke free, and the table seemed to have stopped sniffling and trying to wipe away happy tears before anyone else could see, the boy finally approached his father. “Happy Father’s Day, Papa.”

Ian smiled, took the package and slowly unwrapped it. Ian’s gift wasn’t a photograph, but a canvas. The man gasped in surprise and pleasure as he looked at a watercolor painting of himself sleeping on the couch, Rodie curled in his lap. “Ronnie this is beautiful.”

“I know you missed all the drawings for the refrigerator and stuff, but that’s okay. Saxon bought me the canvas and told me I should try actually painting. So the first thing that came to mind was well, the two things that make me the happiest in the world, my Papa and my cat, both peaceful and happy.” Ronnie said.

He had to swallow hard but he finally managed to thank his son. “I’ll have it framed. May I hang it in my new office?”

“Any where you want, Papa.”

Ian cleared his throat. “Okay.” He took a deep breath. “My turn.” He turned to Jude. “I never had a father.”

“I know son.” Jude nodded his head in sorrow.

“But I’ve learned something in the past six months and it’s that I was wrong, Jude. I had you. It seemed like whenever things got tough, you always seemed to spring up and give me hope.”

“I done the best I could.”

“I remember very vividly, sitting on the creek bank, black and blue and sniffling trying to catch a fish so Uncle Nate and I could have something for supper that night. I was sitting there, as usual struggling to get out of the blackness that just seemed to envelop me everyday.”

“Baby Doll…” Tippy said quietly.

“Then suddenly you appeared behind me. You’d left the farm and had your own family by then.”

“Janie and Taylor.”

Ian smiled. “Yes, and I though you’d abandoned me.” Jude started to speak. “I know, but when you’re ten that’s how you feel, but there you were. You never mentioned the bruises or the tears. You just sat beside me on the creek bank and fished in silence. Neither one of us caught anything until the sun started to set, and we both caught rock fish.”

Jude grinned. “Actually, I remember that day. Your face was so swelled I barely recognized ya. My heart just ached. I couldn’t think of what to say.”

Ian leaned on the table. “But what you finally said, has gotten me through some of the toughest days of my life. As we hauled in our night’s meal, you put your arm around me and said “Son, I don’t know how, but someday I’m gonna have a boat and me and you are gonna sail towards the sun. You hang in there and remember no matter how dark it may get, there’s a light behind all that and it’s my love trying to find you.”

He reached in his pocket and handed Jude a key chain. Jude looked at it and up at Ian. “Well, thank you Ian, but…uh…I kina already gots a key to the house.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Ian pulled out a snapshot from his pocket. “That key goes to this.”

Jude looked at the picture. His eyes got wide. “A boat?”

Ian smiled. “Now, you can take me fishing.”

“Me, too?” Ronnie’s eyes got wide.

“It’s your Granpaw’s boat. It’s up to him, but I’ve signed the three of us up for classes.”

“You shouldn’t a done this, Ian.” Jude tried to chastise him.

He held up his hand. “Jude, it’s not a yacht, just a small fishing boat Jeremy helped me find. I just want you to enjoy it. I know it’s something you’ve always wanted and I want you to have it.”

“This makes my little gift seem sa small.” Jude said.

“Jude, you did not have to get me a gift.” Ian insisted.

“Now hesh up.” Jude reached under the table and handed Ian a simple box. “It ain’t much, but I made a promise to ya, and right now this is the best that I can do.”

“A promise?” Ian said. “You’ve never made me a promise you didn’t keep.”

“Just open it.”

Ian moved his empty dessert dish to the side and lay the white box in front of him. Jude got out of his chair and stood behind him and put his hand on Ian’s shoulder. As Ian took the lid off everyone leaned in closely to see what it was.

As the top plopped on the table, Ian unfolded the paper around it and picked up another framed photograph. It was of a close up of a beautiful young woman smiling, nose to nose with a laughing baby. Ian turned to look at Jude.

“When we was closin’ up Miz Hilary’s I found this picture.” Jude pointed at the woman. “That’s you’re Mama.”

Ian’s lips trembled. “My Mama?”

Jude squeezed Ian’s shoulders and leaned down to say quietly in his ear, “And that laughin’ little ball a black hair? That’s you.”

Ian gently touched his mother’s face through the spotless glass. “She’s beautiful.” It was all the Ian could say through his tears.

Saxon put her hand on his. “You’ve never even seen a picture of her?”

He shook his head, tenderly wiping away the tear that splashed on the glass.

Tippy reached out her hand. “Baby Doll, may I see her?”

Ian smiled and handed her the frame. Jesse’s eyes instantly fixed on her face. Tippy looked at it and back to Ian. “You were such a perfect little baby, and your mother is…”

She stopped and took in a deep breath. Colton put his hand quickly to her back. “Tippy? Are you okay honey?”

Tippy waved her hands in the air and took in a deep breath. “Fine. Fine.” She said. “Ian your mother is beautiful.” She handed the picture to Colton and grabbed his hand.

Colton smiled and then turned white.

“Colton?” Ian said in concern.

“It’s Bethy.” His managed to say. “It’s my Beth Ann.”

Jude’s neck snapped his head back. “Bethy? Who’s Bethy?”

Colton looked at Jude and then slowly to Ian, reading the confused look on his face. “My first wife.”

“No, no.” Jude said. “That’s Lylah Justyn. Ian’s mama.”

“I understand that.” Colton said. “What I don’t understand is this woman was also my first wife.”

Jesse stood at the table, his chair screeching beneath him. Everyone’s head turned to him. He trembled and used both hands to wipe the tears streaming down his face. “Dad…Ian…I…uh…” He sighed. “Oh God.”

“Jesse, did you know about this?” Tippy asked him.

“Sort of…Jude showed me the picture. It was just a tiny faded photo and I used a program on our computer to blow it up.” He said reaching into his own pocket. He held a yellowing envelope in his hands. “Ian, remember when we looked through your Aunt’s jewelry box to get that little penny for Saxon?”

“It’s one of the few things I remember clearly.” Ian said quietly.

“And we found those envelopes just as she arrived.”

“Yes, but they’re all missing. The only thing we know for sure that…”

Jesse waved his hand. “Well, after I put the box back in the closet, I reached down to pick up Rodie, she was hiding under the bed.”

“Damned cat.” Ian mumbled.

The doorbell rang, and Ripley quietly got up and retreated.

“I guess we dropped this. Reese called me downstairs and as I picked up the cat, I shoved it in my pocket, intending to come right up to the bedroom and put it with the others. Then, I got distracted and everything happened.”

“What is it, Jesse?” Tippy said. “And what does it have to do with all this?”

“I’m getting there.” He turned the envelope over. “When we realized all the others had been taken, I remembered this in my pocket and I opened it. I haven’t said anything, because I wasn’t sure if it was real or not.”

“What’s real, son?” Colton asked.

“Here.” Jesse handed the envelope to Ian, which he opened and began to read.

“When Jude brought the picture to me, I thought it was her, but I couldn’t be sure. I figured if nobody recognized her, this was all…well…now we know the truth.”

Ian looked up at Jesse and then back at Colton. He was ashen, unable to speak.

“What is it, Baby Doll?”

Saxon looked from the paper to Tippy. “It’s his birth certificate.”

“The real one? See I knowed Miss Hilary had to have it somewhere.” Jude asked and quickly looked down to read it. He stood back up straight.

Ian handed it to Colton. “Happy Father’s Day.”

Colton and Tippy both read the paper, Baby name, birthdate, Mother’s name: Lylah Jane Justyn. Father’s name: Earl Wayne Grayson.”

Ripley appeared back on the patio clearing his throat. “Uhm…Ian…”

Ian turned as the whole table did. “I’m sorry, Ripley, but this really isn’t a good time.

“Oh just get out of my way.” A woman’s voice said and pushed her way past Ripley.

“Clair!” Ian said as she came into everyone’s full view.

“Happy Father’s Day.” She said.

Ian bolted up, knocking his chair backwards to the staccato.

Clair put her hands on her swollen belly. “I’m seven months pregnant. You do the math!”

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