ANA Reborn by Carl Facciponte - HTML preview
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Chapter 31
wo months after Ralph’s death, Martha T continued her three times a week counseling sessions in the rectory living room.
"Alexi," Paul said, "you know you aren't supposed to come in here when daddy is seeing someone."
"Is that what we are doing, Paul? Seeing each other?" asked Martha.
Paul shifted uncomfortably on the couch next to Martha. His face began a slow change to red.
"Er, well, not exactly," he stammered." Martha cocked her head. Paul continued," Yes, you see, what I meant was..." His voice trailed off in confusion.
Martha laughed softly.
"Well, yes, I guess we are sort of seeing each other," Paul finally said.
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"Along those lines, Martha, I'm in a spot for Thursday. I'm speaking at a conference in the morning, and my sitter just called saying she can't watch Alexi. I hate to do it, but do you think you could hang out with her for a little while?"
"Sure thing. Whatever I can do. shouldn't she be in school, though?"
"School is out for the day because of another district teacher's meetings."
"Not a problem. Work lets me take off whatever time I need."
"It would be wonderful if you could do that.
How does 9:00 sound? That would give me time to get across the bridge to Queens."
"No problem. I'll see you then."
"You're an angel, Martha," said Paul.
...
Paul answered the door an instant before she rang the bell the following day. He enveloped her in a relieved hug when she stepped in. Martha's eyes widened at the sudden familiarity.
"I saw you walking up," he said with a relieved tone. "I'm a little stressed today. Some 240
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nationally known Christian speakers will be there, and I'm the young local kid. No pressure there," he winced.
"Relax. Normally I tell nervous speakers to picture the audience in their underwear. That takes some pressure off. But, since this is a pastor's conference, it's probably not the best idea in the world. Come here, let me return that hug."
She held her arms out for him. He stepped in, rested his head on hers, and gave a sigh of relief.
Conference panic faded. Martha held him close until she felt him relax.
Paul released her slowly.
"So what would you like us to do today?
Anything special?" Martha asked.
"No, nothing in particular. She should do her homework early, but I'm willing to bet that isn't going to happen, so just have fun. It's a beautiful Summer day for a trip to Central Park."
Paul hugged Alexi, told her to listen to Martha, and was out the door.
Martha put her arm around Alexi's shoulders.
"Alexi, I've never done any babysitting in my life, plus, you're no baby." Alexi smiled at being 241
recognized as a big girl. "So, what do you do when you have no school?" Martha asked.
Alexi thought for a moment. "Sometimes I study my science lesson in the morning. Dad says math and science are the fingerprints of God. I don't understand, but I'm still little," she said with understanding beyond her years.
"Alexi, it's a nice day today. Would you like to go to Central Park?"
"Sure thing. Can we go now?"
"Right after you get out of your PJ's and put on your play clothes."
Alexi squealed and ran to her bedroom to change. They flagged a passing cab.
"Playground, please," she said to the cabbie.
He smiled and turned in his seat. "So which playground do you want to go to, young lady?"
"Heckscher
Playground,
please,"
she
responded. "That's my favorite. It has rocks!"
"My grandkids like that one too," responded the cabby. "And we're off," he said, pulling back into the traffic stream. They arrived in short order.
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"So why do you like the rocks, Alexi? Did your Mom and Dad used to bring you here?"
"I was little when Mom went away, but I think I remember it was just my Dad that climbed the rocks with me. I like to pretend I'm a mountain climber. Sometimes wild animals are chasing me."
"Really?" Martha responded as her eyebrows raised.
"No, silly. I was just kidding. There aren't any wild animals in the park," Alexi said with a giggle.
"Okay, then what about the squirrels and ducks? They're wild. What if you're an explorer climbing a mountain and came across a killer duck? What then?" Martha said.
Alexi cocked her head, stared at her for a moment, and gave a belly laugh. "It's hardly a wild animal if it eats out of your hand. I like you, Martha. You're silly and can pretend."
Martha shook her head. "Okay, Alexi, let's climb those rocks you were talking about!"
Martha scurried up the small rock outcropping. "The last one up buys lunch,"
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Martha shouted. She moved slower than usual to let Alexi beat her to the top.
"I beat you, Martha!" Alexi shouted.
"No, you didn't. It was a tie."
"Na-ah. I beat you by this much," insisted Alexi, spreading her little arms wide open.
"Okay, you got me. That was fun. What next."
"Can we climb around the rocks and explore?"
"Sure thing," said Martha, "Let's do it. There must be pirate treasure buried in there somewhere."
She was surprised when Alexi stretched their rock climbing out for over an hour.
Martha scrambled across the rocks slower and slower. She finally said, "Okay, young lady. It's lunchtime. We need to stop and get something to eat. What's your favorite?"
"A plain cheeseburger, please, please? And can I have bacon with it?" Alexi pleaded.
"You got it! Would you like anything to drink?"
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"Well, Dad doesn't let me get soda this early in the day. But may I have a root-beer? Pleeease!"
Big blue eyes blinked as they pleaded with Martha.
"Well, young Missy, you certainly have the power of persuasion down pat. But if you shouldn't have one, we should follow his rules, right?"
"I guess so," Alexi said, hanging her head. "But it sure would taste good!"
"Okay, we can cheat today, but I have to tell him when he gets home. Okay?"
"Sure. I'll just make sad puppy eyes at him, and he'll cave in."
Martha laughed. "OMG, Alexi. How old are you really?"
"Dad says I'm seven going on twenty-three. I don't understand that, but it must be okay."
Martha felt a sudden flush of maternal love and kissed Alexi's forehead.
"Yes, it's okay. Your Dad is a pretty good guy."
A food vendor was positioned next to a gate into the playground. Aromatic smoke from the 245
grill swirled the air. "One plain bacon-cheeseburger, one sausage with onions and peppers, and two root-beers, please," Martha said.
"That'll be $28," said the vendor. Martha gave him thirty-five and startled him when she said,
"Keep the change."
He thanked her, adding, "And God bless you."
"He has," she responded with a full smile. "I learned the right way to tip from a friend."
They found a shaded empty bench and sat to eat.
"This is fun, Martha. I did almost the same thing with Gabriella the last time Dad had a conference. She said you were a very good friend."
A tear formed in Martha's eye. "And she was my best friend. Now, what would you like to do next?"
"Well, I asked Gabriella to brush my hair. Do you think you would like to do that for a while? I liked it so much I fell asleep in her lap." They both smiled at the intimacy of the thought.
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Martha dug around in her purse. "I have this little folding brush. Slide on over, kiddo. Does your Dad brush your hair?"
"He always gets something tangled, but he does his best."
"Well, nobody but my Mom ever brushed my hair," said Martha. "My hair is a little coarser than some and is harder to brush. Your's should be a piece of cake."
"I have an idea," Alexi said, shrugging her little shoulders. "Can I try brushing out your hair first?"
Martha handed the brush to Alexi with hesitation. The little girl stood up on the bench and asked Martha to turn her back to her.
"You won't hurt me now, will you?" Martha asked.
"I don't think so, but you never know," Alexi replied with a young girl laugh, adding, "Don't worry. I'll be careful."
"Wow, that does feel good," exclaimed Martha, her eyes closed in pleasure as the tiny fingers ran through her hair.
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"Thank you, Alexi," Martha said after a couple of minutes of pampering. "Now, let's switch while I brush your hair."
Martha combed the curly blonde head without snagging any hair.
"You're better at this than Dad. I like it a lot,"
the little voice said. "That's why boys keep their hair short. They just don't know what to do with it."
I never knew kids could be so much fun, Martha thought. I'm loving this.
After the combing, Alexi turned sideways and cuddled into Martha's side. She looked up and mumbled, "I like you a lot. Will you be my friend, too? Just like Gabriella?"
Martha almost, but not quite, stifled a sudden sob. "Yes. I would like that very much. I would love to be your friend," she said as she drew the little girl into her.
Comforted, Alexi napped for a few minutes snuggled up. Martha noted the clean smell of her hair and the extra warmth she radiated as she slept. Her still baby cheeks were soft to the touch.
Martha wanted this time with Alexi to go on. Is 248
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this what it is like to have a family and fall in love with a child? It's so tender and sweet. I don't want to let her go.
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