26. Savannah
Ispent the rest of the afternoon with Aiden down by the water, telling him the rest of my childhood stories. After calling him “Number One,” we playfully argued over which is better, Star Trek or Star Wars. Personally, I love them both, but Aiden is a die-hard Star Wars fan, so I batted for Team Star Trek.
I shared with him my love for all manner of weapons, even though I’m best with a gun. We swapped stories, and I shared some of the crazy adventures I’ve had with my team. It was enlightening for me as I realized that my life turned out pretty great despite its rocky start and that I’m truly content with the path I’m on.
When Aiden’s rumbling stomach growled louder than his words, I couldn’t help but laugh. I pulled out the chunked chicken sandwiches I had made, along with a cranberry-walnut salad topped with feta cheese. I had debated on whether or not to make a charcuterie board but decided that fresh-cut fruit would be better. I made a plate for Roger as well, who had been keeping an eye out for us.
Telling Aiden my story wasn’t easy, but deep down, it felt right. My feelings for him have been growing day by day, and his compassion only made me stronger and braver. In the past, I had contemplated sharing everything with my friends, but I don’t think I could have done it without letting my anger rise to the surface. Now that I’ve forgiven my mother, the anger isn’t there. It has been replaced by pity. I never asked Gretchen why she treated me the way she did, but I’ll get my chance soon.
Aiden and I walk slowly back to the house, holding hands along the way. I can’t keep the shy smiles from emerging, but that’s in part because Roger is behind us, whistling a happy tune.
When Roger starts in on the next song, I burst out laughing. “Are you seriously whistling The Search is Over by Survivor?”
“What? It’s better than belting out the lyrics. Trust me, that would not set the ‘mood’ for either of you. My singing voice can make the happiest of babies cry,” he replies.
Roger continues serenading us until we reach the house. When I walk inside, I see a bunch of smiling faces. I don’t understand why everyone looks so happy until I notice what their gazes are locked on—Aiden and my clasped hands. Aiden brings them up to his lips, smiling at me.
“I think they’re happy for us,” Aiden says.
Jessie wraps her arms around us both, “Happy doesn’t begin to describe it. This is cause for celebration. Group hug!”
Penny wants to get in on the action, so she ducks underneath Jessie and squeezes our legs as tight as she can.
Jerry taps me on the shoulder, “Anna, can I speak to you for a moment?”
I follow him out of the kitchen and into the living room. “What’s up, Jer?”
He places his hands on my shoulders and stares deep into my eyes. He does this for at least half a minute before I finally ask, “What are you looking for, Jerry? Do I have a booger?”
He chuckles. “No, you don’t have a booger. But do you know what else you don’t have?”
“Patience?”
“Ha! You’ve never had that! But no, I’m referring to your baggage. Did you lose it out by the water?”
“Yeah. Up until a few hours ago, Ethan was the only one I’d ever confided in, and at the time, I had so much anger. This time, telling Aiden my story felt cathartic and freeing. I can’t explain it, but I was at peace by the time I was through. Aiden listened and didn’t run. He didn’t get disgusted with me. He was pretty amazing.”
Jerry does his grunting thing. “I have to admit, Aiden is a decent guy. You’re different around him. Your sparkle is brighter, and your smiles are genuine. I hope he makes you happy, Savvy. If he doesn’t, then you let me know. I’ll sic Jessie on him.”
“Aw, Jerry, are you going soft on me?”
Jerry lifts his shirt, showing me his six-pack abs, slapping them hard. “Nope. Not an ounce of softness to be found. I plan to keep it that way for as long as I live.”
“Don’t say that! I know there’s a woman out there who is going to break through that tough exterior and melt your heart.” I shut my eyes and touch my temples, mimicking a psychic. “I can see it now. You’re going to fall in love with a woman and have six kids!”
Jerry looks horrified. “You take that back! Words have power, and you’re going to speak it into existence! Do I look like the type of guy that can handle six kids?”
“I’m tellin’ you. Your days are numbered!” I tease and begin humming the Jeopardy theme song.
The smile falls from Jerry’s face, only to be replaced by a more solemn demeanor. “Seriously, Savannah, don’t get in the way of your own happiness. Embrace the fake engagement, and maybe down the road, it will turn into something more.”
“It’s already turning into something more. I can feel it. But my life isn’t here, Jerry. It’s back in New York. I can’t expect Aiden and Penny to leave all this just for me,” I say, gesturing to the beautiful home we’re standing in.
“That’s the thing, Savannah. You don’t see what we all see in you.”
“And what’s that?”
Jerry’s lips quirk up ever so slightly. “That you’re absolutely worth it.”
The remainder of the week goes by quickly, with Aiden having practice on Wednesday and Saturday with back-to-back home games on Thursday and Friday. Roger has been working with Scott, Jeremy, and Jack not only to protect Aiden but also to help them hone their skills. I’ve dubbed them the “Shaw Squad,” while Jerry, Jessie, and I are the “Penny Patrol.”
Since we couldn’t attend the games for safety reasons, the family watched from the living room on the big-screen TV, listening to the commentators trash Aiden for not playing as much as they thought he should. The pundits speculated whether the additional bench time was due to an injury or if Coach Dorn was keeping Aiden in reserve for the playoffs.
We all groaned as Swank played abysmally, even when Aiden was on the ice. It wasn’t so much that his puck handling was bad; it was his attitude. Swank started several fights, which resulted in major penalties and time spent in the penalty box. Aiden and the rest of the team had to pick up his slack since those infractions caused the Rockets to play with a man short each time. Both games ended with a loss for the Rockets. Suffice it to say that Aiden was not a happy camper when he came home each night, and Saturday’s practice was merciless.
Aiden’s attitude is much more positive and upbeat this morning since today is a day of rest for him, having neither a practice nor a game scheduled. With church service only an hour away, the whole family is buzzing with excitement.
I pull Aiden aside, “Now might be the time to tell Penny who I am. The chances of running into Gretchen are high, and with the recent article, word is bound to spread. Penny shouldn’t be surprised when people refer to me as Savannah.”
“I agree wholeheartedly, but you should be with me when I tell her. She’s going to have questions that I might not be able to answer.” He kisses my cheek and drags me behind him to where Penny is sitting. She looks adorable in her unicorn T-shirt, black leggings, and her favorite pink sparkly tennis shoes.
When Aiden and I sit beside Penny, everyone else gets the hint and heads for the kitchen to give us some privacy. Aiden takes her little hand in his and holds it gently. “Penny, do you remember last week when Mrs. Gretchen thought that Anna was her daughter Savannah Jones?”
“Yeah, but I made sure to correct her politely. You always said if someone needs to be corrected, it’s better to be done with care.”
I smile down at her. “You were very polite, and Mrs. Gretchen wasn’t offended by what you said.”
Penny looks confused. “Then what’s the matter?”
Aiden is unsure how to continue, so I jump in to help him out. After all, it’s my mess to clean up. “My name isn’t Anna Blackwood, Penny. It’s Savannah Jones. Mrs. Gretchen was right. She is my mother.”
“Why would you lie?” Penny isn’t mad, but she is sad that I kept the truth from her.
“Coming here wasn’t an easy thing for me, Penny. Mrs. Gretchen wasn’t always the sweet woman you know. I didn’t know she had changed, and I was scared that she was the same person I remembered.”
“But she’s super nice now! She’s got Jesus in her heart!” Penny exclaims.
Aiden pulls Penny into his lap and gives her a quick tickle to make her giggle. “You’re absolutely right! Anna has Jesus in her heart, too, which is why she doesn’t want to hide anymore!”
“Does that mean Mrs. Gretchen can come over and visit?” Penny fiddles with the hem of her T-shirt, afraid the answer might not be what she hopes for.
“That’s the plan, Pumpkin,” Aiden tells her.
The question that remains is whether the visits will continue while I’m still here or resume once I head back to New York. When growing up, all I ever wanted was a positive and loving relationship with my mother, and I gave up hope the day she turned her back on me.
The “Shaw Squad” drives the family and me to church in two separate vehicles, while the rest of the “Penny Patrol” follow along in the Suburban. Once we enter the sanctuary, Jessie and Jerry sit in the last row at opposite ends of the pew while Roger and Scott position themselves two rows ahead of us. Jeremy and Jack stand in the back to escort Penny down to children’s church when the time comes.
Several older ladies come up and introduce themselves, already well aware of who I am.
“We’ve heard so much about you, Savannah, at the ladies’ luncheon we had last Wednesday. Congratulations on your engagement to this stud,” one woman says, side-hugging Aiden affectionately. I might be a little jealous if she wasn’t pushing 70 and had an impish grin. The spry lady points to herself and then her friends. “I’m Wendy. This is Mary Lynn and Harriet.”
I extend my hand for them to shake while telling them, “Please don’t believe everything you read in the paper.” Not a single one of the women shake my hand.
“Don’t you know that we don’t shake hands around here? We’re all a bunch of huggers who are too old to care about personal space, or whatever you youngins are calling it now.” They pass out hugs, not only to me but also to Aiden and anyone within a five-foot radius.
Mary Lynn says earnestly, “Savannah, we don’t believe any of that trash you find in the grocery store tabloids, but that doesn’t mean we don’t talk about it. Your mother said, and I quote, ‘There is no way that my Savannah would ever marry someone for money. Savannah has a heart of gold and one of the purest souls.’”
Wendy and Harriet bob their heads in agreement. Wendy pinches my cheek and says, “I’m so sorry, Baby, for what you had to endure. Oh, don’t look so shocked! Your mama told us some of the stories to unburden her heart, and we prayed over her for healing and forgiveness. Don’t worry. She didn’t give us any of the nitty-gritty details, but enough to know that she didn’t make your life an easy one.”
My eyes are wide as saucers, and I’m utterly floored. I don’t know what’s more astonishing, the fact that my mother stood up for me and said nice things or that she admitted her own wrongdoing to her friends. The woman I knew would never admit she was to blame for anything. I have to keep reminding myself that the mother I had is long gone, only to be replaced by a stranger.
The Gretchen that everyone has come to love and adore sounds like a woman I would want to get to know.