CHAPTER TEN
Several days later, when Elliott pulled into Hazel’s driveway and got out of the car to stretch, Hazel’s breath caught. She’d forgotten how handsome he was with his blond hair and blue eyes, trim but muscular physique, and classic features.
“You’re here!” she cried, rushing toward him.
He opened his arms, and she ran into them.
They hugged and swayed together for several minutes before Hazel pulled away and stared into his face. “You look exhausted. Come inside and sit on the deck with me to rest before you bring your things inside.”
He followed her into the cabin and gazed around. “This is nice and cozy.”
“Come out to the deck with me. The view is lovely.”
They went through the kitchen and onto the wooden deck overlooking woods and beyond to the river. The call of a cardinal filled the air.
Elliott turned to her with a grin. “The real outdoors. I like it.”
“I’ve grown to love it. What would you like? Water? Coffee? Beer?”
“A cold beer sounds fantastic,” said Elliott, standing at the deck's rail. He sighed. “It feels soothing to simply stand right here.”
“I’ll be right back,” said Hazel, glad she’d taken the rest of the day off. She could see how much Elliott had needed to get away. There were circles beneath his eyes, and even as he smiled, she could see the tension on his face.
Moments later, she returned to the deck and handed Elliott a cold bottle of beer.
She clicked her bottle against his and said, “Here’s to best friends.”
“Ah, Hazel, you truly are my best friend,” he responded. “All these years. Thank you for allowing me to stay with you until I get my life squared away. It isn’t like I haven’t tried to talk to my parents, but they refuse to believe their only child isn’t the person they think he is.”
“You’ve done so much to please them. Baseball, football, and swim team at the club.”
“Being gay doesn’t mean you can’t be a sports professional,” said Elliott. “But I’ve worked hard to give nothing away.”
“There’s someone I want you to meet. Craig Evans is the financial manager of the Sports Center and is a person you can talk to about your situation. But no rush. Give yourself time to relax and see why I like Lilac Lake so much.”
“Sounds appealing. I need lots of rest.”
“I thought we’d grill up some chicken for dinner and have a relaxing evening.
I get up early to practice tennis with a ten-year-old boy I’ve taken under my wing.
He’s a foster kid who’s adorable and very talented.
Mike Dawson, the tennis pro at the Center, thinks he has a natural ability to do very well. ”
“That sounds like the Hazel I know,” said Elliott. “Let’s get my things inside. Your mother sent some of your favorite foods and treats. I’ve packed the frozen ones in a cooler.”
“What a lovely surprise,” said Hazel. There was no better food than that found in and around New Orleans. She loved it all.
They unloaded the car, and Hazel helped to store things out of the way in the large guestroom closet.
Elliott opened the window and breathed in the pine-scented air Hazel loved. “This is spectacular. I have a feeling I’m going to sleep like a baby.”
“I promise not to wake you up in the morning,” said Hazel. “Now, let’s see what food my mother sent.”
Hazel unloaded frozen containers of gumbo, crawfish etouffee, red beans and rice, a box of pralines, and even a box of well-packaged beignets.
“Let’s skip the chicken. I’ll make us some rice, and we can choose what New Orleans food we want for dinner,” said Hazel.
“That sounds both delicious and easy,” said Elliott, taking another bottle of beer out of the refrigerator. “One of these nights I’ll make you some barbequed shrimp.”
“I think I’m in heaven with all this delicious food,” said Hazel, gazing at the packages of food he’d brought.
###
After dinner of rice and crawfish etouffee, Hazel quickly cleaned up. After seeing that Elliott was comfortable for the night, she went into her bedroom to read. She found reading was the best way for her to fall asleep, and she didn’t want to be late in the morning.
Sometime in the night, she heard a noise coming from the guestroom and reminded herself it was just Elliott. Soon it was quiet, and when she opened her eyes, it was morning.
Quietly, Hazel got out of bed and dressed for tennis practice with Jed.
The practices had become very important to her for several reasons.
Her appearance meant that Jed could trust her to keep her word and her interest in him.
Having Mike back that up from time to time with his presence was priceless.
When Hazel walked into the kitchen, she was surprised to see Elliott sitting at the table.
“You’re up early,” she said. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“A couple of different kinds of birds were singing, and in the quiet, they woke me up. But it’s all good. I’ll relax around here today and take a couple of naps.”
“If you feel up to it, we can have dinner at Jake’s, the place where I hang out with my friends. It’ll be an enjoyable way for you to meet some other people,” said Hazel.
“Okay. Sounds good. You’re off to tennis?”
“Yes, and then I’ll go right into my office. While you’re here, I’ll try to take some time off so we can do some things together.”
“Don’t let me interfere. Your mother says you have a boyfriend here,” said Elliott.
Hazel groaned and gave him a helpless look. “Not really. It’s something that slipped out while I was trying to get her off my back about you.”
He winked at her. “You can introduce him to me.”
She laughed. “ ‘Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.’”
“Oh, yes,” he said, and Hazel caught bitterness in his tone of voice.
###
When Hazel rushed to the tennis court to meet Jed, he wasn’t there. She checked her watch. Usually, he came a few minutes early, and today she was a little late.
Frowning, she took a seat on the bench to wait for him.
After fifteen minutes had gone by, Hazel tried Lisa’s number, but Jed’s foster mother didn’t answer.
Hazel decided to go to the house to see why Jed hadn’t come.
Concerned, she swiftly walked the block and a half to Lisa’s house. Before she even climbed the front porch steps, she heard crying children.
Worried, she walked to the front door and rang the bell.
Jed answered the door carrying the youngest while a toddler followed behind.
“Hi, Jed. What’s going on?” Hazel asked, seeing the frantic look on his face.
“Lisa is sick in bed. I need to stay here,” Jed said.
“How about I help you? Would you like that?” asked Hazel.
He opened the screen door and let her inside. “I gave the baby a cookie and Harry some cereal, but I can’t take care of Lucinda. I need you to help me.”
Unsure what was needed, Hazel stepped inside.
The living room was a mess, with toys strewn about, an open cereal box on the coffee table, a half-full glass of juice nearby. In a crib in the corner, Lucinda lay on her back, staring up at her. It was obvious that she had a dirty diaper. The smell was awful.
Hazel gulped at the sight. “Jed, you need to show me where to find new diapers and lotion for Lucinda. In the meantime, let’s get Harry in his highchair and see if we can put the baby in his bouncer seat. First, I’ll let Lisa know I’m here.”
He nodded and placed the baby in his seat, and stood by as Hazel found her way to Lisa’s bedroom.
She stopped at the doorway and peered inside. Lisa was lying in bed on her back.
“Hi, Lisa. Do you remember me? I’m Hazel from the Sports Center,” she said, walking over to her. Lisa’s face was flushed, and Hazel noticed beads of sweat on her forehead.
“Yes, I know you. I’m sick with some kind of flu. I’m burning up. My husband is coming home as soon as he can, but it won’t be for a while.”
“I’m going to help Jed see that the other children are fed and taken care of,” said Hazel. “Lucinda needs to have her diaper changed. Tell me what to do with her.”
“She’s usually very compliant, but when you change her diaper, you need to sing to her to calm her. You can give her a bottle of special formula until I can get up and feed her more food myself. Jed knows I keep an emergency bottle for her in the refrigerator. Heat it until it’s lukewarm.”
“Harry. What does he get? Cereal and what else?” asked Hazel.
“I cut up some fruit for him or scramble an egg,” said Lisa, her voice growing weaker. “The baby can get by with formula and some teething cookies.”
Hazel noticed a bathroom nearby and went to it. She soaked a washcloth with cold water, wrung it out, and brought it to Lisa. “See if this feels better. Can I bring you a glass of water? Aspirin?”
“Yes, to both. Thanks. I’ve never been this sick. I’ll get up in a while. In the meantime, please go ask my neighbor to come help. She’s a nurse, and she and I have an arrangement to help out one another from time to time.”
“Okay. If you need anything, please call out.” Hazel took care of the water and aspirin, which she easily found in the bathroom, then backed out of the room and turned to face the disaster awaiting her.
“Okay, let’s give the baby a bottle and Harry more cereal and some fruit,” said Hazel. “Then I’m going to change Lucinda and give her a bottle.”
Jed went to the refrigerator to get out two different bottles. “This one is for Lucinda.” He pointed to one and ran the other bottle under warm water in the sink. “This is for Baby Simon.”
“This is a lot of work for you,” said Hazel, amazed at how calm and capable Jed was.
“Living with Lisa is a lot better than the other foster homes I had,” said Jed. “Is Lisa going to be all right?”
“I think so. I need you to run to your neighbor’s house and ask her to come.”
Jed handed her the bottle for the baby and took off.
Hazel had just settled Baby Simon in his playpen eagerly sucking on his bottle, when a gray-haired, energetic woman followed Jed into the house.
“Hi. I’m Hazel Belmont, Jed’s tennis teacher from the Sports Center. Are you the nurse?”
“Yes, I’m Janis Tolland.” She tied the sash on her robe. “Jed tells me Lisa’s sick.”
“She’s in bed with the flu. A moment ago, she was burning up. I’ve given her water and aspirin.”
“Okay, let me check her, and then I can help you with Lucinda. She’s used to me, and she can be a handful,” said Janis.
Hazel felt a rush of relief. She’d always pictured herself with perfectly behaved, easy-going children one day. Seeing the reality of everyday life for Lisa, she knew she wasn’t ready for them.
Still, Hazel went to work straightening the living room and then tackling the mess in the kitchen.
Harry spoke and offered her a Cheerio.
She pretended to take it and eat it, sending Harry into peals of laughter.
It became a game until they both tired of it.
Gazing at that sweet, brown-skinned boy, she reconsidered her thoughts about having children as long as it wasn’t too soon.
Janis carried Lucinda into the kitchen. “Where’s her bottle? Will you feed her?”
Hazel held up a bottle. “It’s ready for her. Where do you want me to feed her?”
“On the couch in the living room. She likes to feel a part of the family,” said Janis. “It looks like you have everything cleaned up. I’ll check on Lisa. I’ll leave to go home, but I’ll be right back after I get dressed.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that. I’m already late for work,” said Hazel.
She went and sat on the couch and allowed Janis to lower Lucinda’s body into her lap. Lucinda’s dark eyes never left her face even as she took to the bottle that Hazel held for her.
Jed came and sat beside them.
Lucinda’s eyes brightened at the sight of him.
He reached over and took hold of Lucinda’s hand. “She’s been eating some food lately. She’s getting stronger every day on the shakes that Lisa makes for her.”
Hazel nodded, too touched to respond. Jed was one of the sweetest people she’d ever met.
Janis came back and stood smiling at them. “Lucinda loves Jed.”
“I can see why,” said Hazel. “Did you know he’s also a terrific tennis player? He’s very talented, which is why the Sports Center is sponsoring him.”
Janis smiled at Jed. “That’s wonderful news, Jed. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks,” said Jed shyly.
“I’ll take over from here,” Janis said to Hazel. “Thank you so much for your help. Lisa is such a dear woman, I’m glad to step in whenever I’m needed.”
“She certainly works hard,” said Hazel, allowing Janis to take Lucinda from her.
“An angel on earth,” agreed Janis. “Jed, after Joe gets home, I’m sure you’ll be able to join your tennis class.”
He walked Hazel to the door.
“I hope to see you at the Center later,” said Hazel. “If you need me for anything else, you can call. Okay?”
He nodded and gave her a thumbs-up.
Hazel walked back to the Center, hoping she wouldn’t be called upon to help with any entitled kids. Not after being with Jed and his family.
###
When Hazel returned to the Sports Center, Tracy approached her. “Where were you? I needed you to help teach my beginners’ class.”
“I’m sorry. Jed’s family had an emergency, and I was helping them out. I didn’t think you’d mind. It’s a small, early class,” said Hazel as Mike approached.
“I heard you. Is everything all right with Jed and his family?” he asked Hazel.
“Lisa is sick, and things were in a bit of a mess. A neighbor is now helping out, but I had to lend a hand.”
“She was supposed to be with me, teaching a class,” said Tracy. “Not with our little tennis star’s family.”
Mike blinked and straightened. “Hazel was helping them, Tracy. You have no idea what Jed’s family is like. If I were you, I’d back off.”
“I give up,” said Tracy. “No matter what I try to do to help you, it backfires. I’m not even sure l should stay.”
“I’ll see you two later,” said Hazel. “I’ve got to go change.” She didn’t want any part in the argument brewing between the two of them.
###
Later, Mike approached her. “Thank you for caring about Jed and his family. It’s kind of you.”
“He’s an exceptional kid. And when I see how hard Lisa works every day, I am in awe of her. The neighbor who came to help says she’s a true angel.”
Mike looked down at the ground. When he caught her gaze, there was a sadness in his eyes that touched her. “Many foster parents are like that. Unfortunately, some are not.”
“I’m sorry you had some bad experiences,” Hazel said. “You must be very proud of how well you’ve done to overcome them.”
Mike studied her thoughtfully. “I’m off for a private lesson. See you later.”
Hazel watched him go, thinking how much she admired him.