CHAPTER 25
S upper was going far better than Jonny’d expected. First off, his grandmother was now offering some healthier options to be eaten alongside her usual cheesy potatoes and soup-laden casseroles. He no longer was feeling like he’d entered a minefield every time he sat down at the table. He hadn’t wanted to hurt his grandmother’s feelings, but also hadn’t wanted to ignore the doctor’s directions.
This evening’s choices had been perfect. Baked chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, fresh broccoli, and a green bean casserole. There was also a bowl of applesauce and a plate of whole wheat rolls. It had been a really good meal.
But even if the food hadn’t been to his liking, Jonny knew he would’ve enjoyed the company. Kennedy had changed everything.
He still could hardly believe it. At long last, his father had a serious girlfriend. Jonny had never given much thought to his father’s love life, mainly because their mother had fallen instantly in love with someone soon after their parents divorced. Then, several years later—and every couple of years after that—she’d fallen in love again.
One parent constantly in search of romantic happiness had been enough for him. After his father had been in a very casual relationship for one or two years that had never seemed to go anywhere, he’d seemed to have settled into perpetual bachelorhood.
Jonny remembered Beth occasionally worrying about their father, but Jonny hadn’t. He’d been selfishly pleased to not have to worry about anyone new in his dad’s life.
Maybe that was why he couldn’t seem to stop staring at Kennedy all evening. Yes, she seemed sweet and was pretty, but Jonny knew that those things weren’t what drew him to her. It was that his father was different around Kennedy. Honestly, he seemed kind of smitten.
He’d also been rather tentative around Jonny and his grandparents, too. Like he was really worried about how they got along with Kennedy.
He hadn’t expected that. His father was a lot of things, but “tentative” had never been one of his traits. Without a doubt, his father was trying to change for the better.
“Jonny,” his grandfather prompted, jerking Jonny away from his musings. “Did you hear your father’s question?”
“Hmm? Oh. No, I’m sorry.” Feeling all four pairs of eyes settle on him, he fought off his embarrassment. “What did you ask me, Dad?”
“I asked how things were going at the shop.”
“Oh. All right.”
“What kind of shop is it?” Kennedy asked.
Turning to her, he attempted to become more engaged. “It’s a bicycle shop. We sell a variety of things but mainly electric bikes and all the items that accompany them.”
Her eyes widened. “No offense, but you’re far away from the city. Is there really much need for electric bikes?”
“Oh yes.”
“Really? Who buys them?”
“Amish and English. They’re really popular. We sell several every week.” Then, remembering the way he’d encouraged Treva to give one a try, he winced. “But, ah, they take some getting used to. They aren’t for everyone.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Are you warning me off of them?”
Great. Now he’d offended her. “Not intentionally. If you’d like to try one of those bikes, I’ll be happy to set you up with a test drive.”
His father stared at him with concern. “Are you thinking about Treva?”
“Yes. I can’t help it.”
“Treva is Jonny’s girlfriend,” Mommi added.
Was she officially his girlfriend? He wasn’t sure. “She’s more like a close friend. We’re, um . . . courting. Treva owns her own coffee shop near the bike trail. It’s called the Trailside Café.” Realizing he had no choice but to continue, he added, “Unfortunately, she, uh, was just out for a ride on one of the bikes and broke her arm.”
“Oh no!” Kennedy exclaimed. “Is she okay?”
“For the most part, except she might need surgery. The doctor wants to take another set of X-rays as soon as more of the swelling goes down.”
“Jonny’s been beside himself,” his dawdi said.
“I’m not beside myself. Just worried.” And yes, they were probably the same thing.
“She’ll be okay,” his father said. “Remember what we talked about, son? Accidents happen.”
“I know we talked, and I believe you. But I still can’t stop feeling responsible.” Turning back to Kennedy, he added, “I’m sorry about the conversational turn. One minute we’re talking about my job, and the next we’re focusing on my guilt.”
Kennedy’s expression warmed. “As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing wrong with talking about things that matter.”
“Well said,” Mommi murmured.
“I’m sorry it happened.”
“Thanks.”
Turning to his father, Kennedy said, “Do we have plans tomorrow morning?”
“Not yet.” He smiled. “Do you want to see more lambs?”
She chuckled. “No. But . . . maybe we could visit Jonny’s bicycle shop?”
“I’d like that. After, we could visit Treva’s coffee shop. Not only does she make great coffee, she’s got some amazing scones and bars, too.” Looking at Jonny, he added, “Is that okay with you, son?”
“Sure.” And it was okay, though he was starting to feel a little like they were in the twilight zone. “Mommi, Dawdi, would you like to join us?”
“ Danke , but I think we’ll let you young people trot up and down the bike trail without us,” his dawdi said.
“I understand,” his daed said.
“I’m excited,” Kennedy said. “It sounds like a lot of fun.”
Taking a sip of water, Jonny tried to wrap his head around the changes that were taking place. Somehow, over the last couple of months, he and his father had gone from speaking on the phone once a month to meeting each other’s girlfriends. They were talking about things that mattered instead of the weather.
And how could he forget that not once had his father mentioned that he should be going to college instead of living at his grandparents’ house and managing a bike shop?
And, while he was at it, shouldn’t he be concerned about how his grandparents were taking everything? So far, they hadn’t acted as if anything was different or out of the norm. But everything was!
Maybe it was time to regroup. “Since Treva has a splint on her arm, I doubt we’ll actually see her at the café.”
“That’s perfectly understandable. But you’ll be at the store, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Let’s plan on it, then.”
Jonny didn’t want to make things more awkward for each other than they already were—especially not with Kennedy watching their exchange. “Okay. Sure. Do you have a time in mind?” He didn’t suppose it actually mattered, but he needed to find some kind of control in the situation.
His father turned to Kennedy. “Is nine o’clock too early for me to pick you up in the morning?”
Her smile was bright. “Not at all. I’ll be ready.”
“Looks like you three are all set, then,” Jonny’s mommi said. As she stood up, she frowned. “Well, what do you know? I could sure use a hand carrying some of these cups to the kitchen. Would you mind helping me out, Kennedy?”
“Of course not.”
Now what was his grandma up to? Jonny glanced at his grandfather, but he was acting like his wife asked for help all the time.
Only when they were out of sight did he speak.
“I’m proud of you two boys,” he said in a low tone. “It’s time to put aside your worries and differences. It’s much better to concentrate on the future than the past.” He stretched his arms out in front of him. “And your relationship. One step at a time.”
“I’d like for us to do that, Jonny,” his dad said in a quiet tone. “Not only are you my son, but you’re a good man. I want to know you better. I want to know all of you better.”
“I want that, too.”
“How about we continue to give it a try, then? One step at a time doesn’t sound too difficult.”
“I can do that.”
Standing up, his father walked right over and hugged him tight. “Thank you.”
“Nothing to thank me for, Dad. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
When his father walked to his grandfather’s side and whispered in his ear, Jonny felt a lump form in his throat as his grandpa lumbered to his feet and hugged him tight, too.
God was at work in their family. He was helping all of them, one step at a time.
And the blessings that were occurring were amazing.