Chapter 20 Meeting Carry On Tour #2
Greg looked at Thomas for a moment then around the table. “Harry, if you would please.”
“Certainly,” he said and without being asked, everyone bowed their heads.
“Heavenly Father whose great mercy we’ve seen so many times, we thank you for this family you’ve made through Greg, and for this wonderful meal.
May it be nourishing to our bodies the way our closeness has been nourishing to our souls.
And may I also ask that You send Your Son back soon to put an end to all the evil that we’ve seen around us. Amen.”
“Alright everyone, let’s dig in,” Thomas declared as he sat down next to Greta.
“You would be the first one to eat, Mr. Tumnus,” Greta said with an endearing sound to her voice. “I love you,” she said firmly, then kissed him.
“Now, that’s the kind of love I miss from my Nobuko,” Norikuko said from Greg’s left. “Tell me that you are going to find that yourself?”
“I have been working on it,” Greg replied picking up the dinner roll to put some butter on it and looking over at Erica.
“We thought that would be us,” he said looking Erica directly in the eye.
“But it doesn’t seem like we would be able to achieve that now,” he said and lowered his head.
“We’ve lost too much to try to get back to where we were before Denver, but we’ll always be close.
” Erica smiled at Greg, realizing just how much he had been hurting from the loss of their child.
“Norikuko,” Erica said from beside her. “I have to admit something here, that I finally admitted aloud while he was in the hospital. Greg and I lost a child that neither of us knew we’d made.”
“How is that possible?” Norikuko asked with concern.
“I didn’t know I was pregnant when I left and then I got sick and lost our baby before I’d even known I was carrying her,” she said with soft sadness.
“When I told Greg, it shook him and I knew it. Only now do I realize how deeply he felt the pain of that loss. I would love to comfort him, but I’ve no idea how. ”
“At this point,” she said softly. “Just be there as his friend. The man may never heal from that loss because he never had a say in the matter.” That hit Erica so hard she leaned back from the table.
“That shook me too,” Greta admitted. “When you told me at the hospital about that, I realized that you were hurting too. We talked about everything after that, and now,” she paused. “Now I consider you a friend.”
“Thank you, Greta. I’m grateful to have you as my friend.” Erica smiled.
“Speaking of friends,” Thomas interrupted with the dinner roll in his hands as he flopped them about. “Kelly enjoyed going to Phoenix, San Diego and Miami in your place.”
“Really? And who covered the rest?” Greg asked with curiosity.
“I got to be in Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and Atlanta. Mark’s covered the rest.”
“So, Mark went to Raleigh, Charlottesville and Richmond?” Greg asked.
“He just got back last night. He was thrilled with the tour and all the shoots for Veronique.” Thomas smiled brightly. “That Tina girl she added, Miss Honeysuckle Rose,” he slapped the table. “MAN! Mark’s all about how gorgeous she is and how she loved spending time with him.”
“Really?” Greg retorted with a raised eye. “I find talent and Mark’s trying to date it?”
“Not just trying,” Thomas confirmed. “He’s officially dating her.”
“I’ve missed so much, Aunt Janet,” Greg said as he looked to his right.”
“Don’t worry Greg. You’ll get cleared tomorrow and then we’ll fly out to D.C. to join my daughter on her tour.”
“I’m looking forward to that. I can’t wait to see how things are since I’ve been gone.” He smacked and rubbed his hands together. “I might not like the paparazzi, but I do enjoy the photo shoots, dining and dancing and the concerts, especially when Billy gets to open for Veronica.”
“You’ve missed it,” Thomas interjected. “Billy only opens on weeknights, but he’s getting standing ovations, even when he plays one or two of his Contemporary Christian songs.
They seem to love that Veronica steps out after that and gives her testimony about how she loves being a Christian and being able to sing about love.
” That hit Greg in a way he hadn’t expected.
“She’s got Billy playing with the Open Heart Band on weeknights.
He just doesn’t play on Friday nights or Saturdays. ”
“What can you expect from a Messianic?” Greg laughed. “His faith is so much a part of him that it’s almost his whole identity.” He shook his head as Thomas stuffed the whole roll into his mouth. “Don’t you ever change?”
“It’s great to get the whole thing in at once,” Thomas bragged. “All that butter and lovely soft bread just make my mouth shout for joy.”
“Thank you for the compliment on my rolls,” Tilly said. “I have worked hard on them all summer break.”
“They’re absolutely delicious. I’d take an entire tray home if I could.”
“I’ll be more than happy to bake you a set,” Tilly said gleefully.
“Hold on,” Greg interjected. “You aren’t about to do that without doing a set for Harry also,” he corrected.
“Absolutely,” Tilly said with a big smile. “I’m just glad they like my rolls.”
“Well I love this steamed broccoli,” Greta chimed in. “It’s still crispy yet tender at the same time. How do you do that?”
“I use an air fryer first, then steam them,” Susan replied. “Jill showed me that.”
“How interesting.” Greta spun a broccoli floret on her fork in front of her face. “I’d have never thought of that.” She brought the fork to her mouth and the floret disappeared within. “Mmm-hmm.”
“Did she tell you that she puts Tuscan seasoning on it also?” Jill chimed in. “That’s what adds that flavor burst.”
“Ah, that’s why they taste so good,” Keith observed. “You girls really know how to cook, I’ll grant you that.”
“You’ve been a bachelor way too long Mr. Dankard,” Genevieve said with a smile. “You need to settle down.”
“Only if the right woman were available,” he said as he looked beside him at Erica. “That’s the only thing that stops me. The right woman has never been available.”
Greg looked at Keith and Erica sitting side by side and suddenly realized what Keith had just said. He dropped his head and Janet noticed. “What’s wrong child?”
“I may have been in the way all this time,” he admitted in a loud whisper. “Look at them.”
“Yeah, but she’s always been about you, Greg. She never even noticed Keith.”
“Can we change that?” he asked quietly. She looked at him for a long moment.
“I’m not sure, but now that’s she’s started on the road to healing herself, there might be an opportunity in the future.” Janet leaned back in her seat. “So, Thomas, tell me more about this Billy Blake kid.”
“He’s becoming quite popular. Fans love him and he’s even got merch selling.”
“Really? How interesting. How did he end up with Veronica?” she asked and Thomas pointed directly to Greg.
“He introduced them after hearing Billy play at a church up north with Tessa and his Aunt Willamina. After that, Billy started getting gigs and then all of the sudden he’s joining her tour.”
“He’s quite talented,” Greg observed. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see him rising on the charts one day, especially if he sings more about how Mia broke his heart.”
“Mia?” Janet said with confusion. “I don’t know about any Mia.”
“She’s a girl from Mississippi that Billy met. He brought her to the Erronts and Reed reception but they broke up just before David and Tessa got married.” Greg shook his head. “It hit him hard. Good thing is that since Carry joined Veronique, they’ve been really good friends.”
“So TRUE!” Thomas exclaimed. “They hang out everywhere on the Tour, especially at the Veronique photo shoots.”
“Really?” Greg said, then ran his hand through his hair. “Well, you’ll get to meet him when we get to D.C. to join the tour there.”
“That is, providing Darren gives you your medical clearance tomorrow morning.”
“That’s a done deal,” Greta replied. “He just has to do the final review for the insurance to sign off on the payments for his treatment plan.”
“So, this is just a paperwork drill?” Janet asked and Norikuko looked up.
“Pretty much. Greg’s last physical follow up last Friday really showed he was ready to get back. We just had to wait for the insurance requirements.”
“Now, that makes me feel even better,” Greg said as he lifted his glass of wine. “Here’s to joining the tour in Washington DC with Aunt Janet!” He swigged the last of the glass and reached for the bottle to refill his glass.
“Careful Greg,” Erica cautioned him. “That opioid is still lingering in your system. And we don’t want it to have an adverse reaction again.”
“Definitely not!” he proclaimed as he poured half a glass. “That’s why I’m only having half a glass more. Everyone, I’d like to thank you for joining me tonight.”
That next morning, Harry was right on time to get Greg to The General Clinic for his final appointment.
Darren reviewed everything with Greg, giving him one last physical check over.
Mary, Greta, Tilde, Steven and Erica were all there for support.
Greg was beaming as Darren gave the final signature of release from his treatment plan.
He was as happy as he’d ever been there, and Darren pulled him aside.
“Greg, you are still slightly weak after both the shooting and the poisoning. I need you to take it easy for the first few days. Please limit your activities and slowly rebuild your stamina like before.”
“Darren, for once, I’m in complete agreement with you. I’m feeling much better, but I’m finally realizing that my body isn’t that of a teenage basketball player any longer.”
“Now, do me one other favor.”
“What’s that?”