Chapter 5 #5
“He’s got such a big heart,” Lily replied. “Collen’s made it clear she doesn’t want those girls, but she’s got Tiff so messed up she can’t see straight. And poor Nori. I’m guessing it’s pretty tense at their house this evening.”
Trent nodded. “You’re probably right. Not the way to start a new marriage.”
“One the one hand, I feel sorry for Tiff,” Amari said. “I know what it’s like to have a mom who doesn’t care about you, but for Tiff to tell people Ms. Nori is an evil stepmother? That’s not right.”
Lily said, “Tiff is just modeling what she saw growing up. Collen has been manipulative and hateful her whole life. She’s always demanded the world dance to her tune or else. I’ve never met a person so entitled before or since.”
Trent added, “Sounds like Gary needs to see about some family counseling. Maybe Reverend Paula can help when she and Thorn get back.”
Devon hoped so.
That night, as Devon lay in bed in the dark, he thought back to Tiff’s drama and the discussion his family had about it.
What stayed with him was his mom’s description of Tiff and Leah’s mom Collen.
She’s always demanded the world dance to her tune or else.
I’ve never met a person so entitled before or since.
If he were being honest with himself, could those words also apply to Devon Watkins July?
He knew he wasn’t as entitled-acting as that, but he wondered if his friends still saw him that way.
Hadn’t he admittedly thought of himself as anointed, and that being anointed made him always right?
Hadn’t he felt he had the right to make Zoey change the band’s name because it was what he wanted, and even when his parents and everyone else pointed out how misguided that thinking was, he continued to insist he had the right?
He didn’t like where this train of thought was leading.
Amari said part of the Spirit Quest was to make you think about stuff.
Did the questions he’d just asked himself qualify as that?
He thought the quest wasn’t supposed to begin until the actual day he and Tamar set out.
Had it somehow started now without his knowing?
In one of Reverend Paula’s sermons, she said God puts people and events in your life when you need them.
Did God also do that with thoughts? He didn’t know, but he sensed the importance of this internal conversation despite how uncomfortable he found it to be.
He didn’t want to look behind the curtain of himself like in The Wizard of Oz, because he didn’t know who he’d find there.
Something told him he was going to have to, though, whether he liked it or not.
As the month of April wound down and spring arrived for good, life returned to what passed for normal in Henry Adams. Reverend Paula and her chef husband Thorn returned home, much to everyone’s delight.
After the town’s celebration of their marriage, and catching up with all the goings-on with Bernadine, one of the first things Paula did was contact Gary and Nori to set up a counseling session for their family.
Tina Craig’s B then she returned her attention to Luis and Anna, who were introducing her to Reverend Paula and Thorn.
“They make a nice couple,” Bernadine noted. Both were tall and lean with dark hair and eyes.
“They really do. Anna’s probably already ordered the wedding cake.”
Bernadine agreed.
Luis and Felicia finally wound their way over to Bernadine and Lily. “Surprise!” Felicia cried out and gave them both a hug.
“Welcome back,” Bernadine said. “It’s wonderful to see you again. Hey, Luis. Anna.”
He nodded. Anna did, too, but couldn’t seem to stop smiling up at the taller Felicia.
“Isn’t she lovely?” Anna exclaimed.
Felicia appeared embarrassed. “Anna’s been very kind. Everyone I’ve met here has been. It’s one of the many reasons we chose Henry Adams.”
Lily replied, “And we’re so glad you did.”
Bernadine had dozens of questions—like, where was she staying, how long was she staying, were she and Luis serious?
—but decided it was too early to grill the young woman and that the answers would be revealed in time.
Instead, she said, “Go get your snacks and a seat. We can chat later if we get a chance. Movie starts shortly.”
Lily added, “Great to see you, Felicia. Good job, Luis.”
He chuckled and led Felicia and Anna away.
Bernadine watched them go. “Do you think she’d like a storybook-type wedding?”
Lily eyed her. “Don’t even go there. You have no say in what happens. None.”
“I’m just asking.”
“Uh-huh. Here’s your soda back.”
Laughing, Bernadine took the cup, and Lily departed with a smile.