CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE #2
Her mother grabbed her purse from the car, and while the men unloaded the luggage, Hazel and her mother went inside.
“You and Dad will be staying in the guest room. I’ll explain about the posters later.”
While her mother freshened up and the luggage was brought in, Hazel took out the fruit and vegetable platter she’d ordered from the Café and placed it on a table outside. It was late enough in the day to start cocktails or simply have iced tea, sweetened the way her parents liked.
Her parents opted to have a glass of wine, so Mike opened a bottle of a light rosé perfect for the afternoon.
Her father looked around at the woods and beyond them to the river. “Does the river have fish?”
“I don’t know if it’s a good fishing river or not,” said Hazel. “But there are plenty of places to go. Mom said you wanted to find out information about it.”
“Yes, I think that might be a great way to relax,” her father said. He turned to Mike. “I thought that’s something we might want to do together.”
Mike’s look of pleasure was touching. “Yes, we can see what’s out there. Some of the guys in town fish and hunt.”
“I told Hazel we wanted to play pickleball,” her mother told her father.
“Yes, but as long as I have a pro to play with, I’d like to play a tennis game with Mike.” Her father smiled at him. “I brought my racket.”
“Sure. Let me know when you’re available, and I’ll work it around my schedule,” said Mike.
Hazel and her mother exchanged glances. It was clear that her father was making an effort to get to know Mike.
“Tell me about the posters in the guest room,” said Hazel’s mother.
Hazel caught her breath and then said, “You know about Jed, the boy that I’ve grown very fond of?
He’s in the foster care system and has a safe home with his foster parents.
But his life with them may be in jeopardy.
Both Mike and I want to take him in if he can’t move to Pennsylvania with the rest of the family.
Even if he can move with them, there may be a time when we would need to care for him until his move. ”
“I see,” said her mother. “So, the boy would stay in your guest room?”
“Yes, but there’s more to it than that,” said Hazel. She looked at Mike.
“I grew up in the foster care system in Florida,” said Mike. “When I learned that Hazel was interested in fostering a child, Jed in particular, I was deeply touched. I guess you could say that the boy brought us closer. Now, we’re thinking that we want to do it together.”
Hazel’s father frowned. “Are you even engaged?”
Mike looked very uncomfortable.
“We’ve talked about a future together,” said Hazel. “We just haven’t had time to put our lives in order.”
“In truth, I was waiting to meet you,” said Mike to her father. “Isn’t that how it usually goes?”
“We need to be able to do things in our own time,” said Hazel. “It’s a bit upside down, but that’s how we want it.”
“Are you saying you would foster a child before you were even committed to one another?” asked Hazel’s mother with alarm.
“Only Jed,” said Hazel. “If we’re not needed for him, we’ll hold off on taking in other children until we’ve had a normal engagement, wedding, and time to settle. Mike has bought a home in The Meadows and will take ownership of it soon.”
Her parents turned to him.
“What about your work as a tennis pro in Florida?” her mother asked Mike.
“It doesn’t mean I won’t travel there from time to time, but I’ve decided to make Lilac Lake my home,” he said.
“And he could travel to other places as well,” said Hazel. She knew he was going to play in some smaller tournaments.
“Well then, we guys will make an effort to spend some time together while I’m here,” said her dad amiably.
Hazel didn’t realize her hands had become sweaty until she almost dropped her wine glass when she lifted it to take a sip.
Her mother gave her an understanding look and held up her glass in a kind of salute. “We women need some time together, too.”
After her parents got their things settled in their room, Hazel and Mike prepared dinner.
Mike grilled the steaks, and Hazel made a salad and heated a potato casserole.
“I told your father you were learning to cook,” Hazel’s mother said to her as they ate. “This is delicious. And I love that Mike did the grilling.”
Dad said to Mike, “It’s a man’s job. Right?”
Mike nodded, but Hazel could see the surprise on his face at being included.
“Elliott wants to have you for dinner. Maybe tomorrow night,” said Hazel. Her parents glanced at one another.
“I think it’s wise for Elliott to spend time with your father. It certainly helped me,” said Helena.
“You know, people might think I had it easy growing up in my family where they determined my future and I had no financial worry,” said her father. “But I’ve had to earn my spot in the company, start at the bottom, and work hard to get where I am.”
“You’ve given us a very comfortable life,” said Hazel’s mother. “And we appreciate it.”
“Well, I appreciate how Mike has worked hard for his professional career,” said Hazel, giving him a look of approval.
“Yes, that’s very admirable,” said her father. “So, you were in the foster care system most of your young life?”
“Yes, sir,” said Mike. “It’s one reason Hazel and I have such an interest in helping Jed and others in the future.”
Hazel’s father studied her and then gazed at Mike, before nodding.
Pleased by her parents’ open attitudes, she glanced at her mother, who gave her a subtle wink, and Hazel knew she was thrilled with the idea of a future wedding.