CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The next day Hazel delivered a gift to Jed. “Lisa and I talked about it and agreed you could have this to keep you busy while you lie on the couch. But you must follow her rules about its use.”
Jed looked up at the two women standing together and opened the package. “For me? Really?”
“Yes,” said Lisa. “But as Hazel said, there will be rules about using it.”
Jed clasped the cell phone in his hands. “I’ve never had something like this. Thank you, Hazel.”
“It’s from Mike too. And he said to tell you that in a couple of days when you’re feeling better, he’ll come get you and take you to the Sports Center to watch some tennis matches.”
“That’d be super,” said Jed, smiling at her and then the phone. “This week won’t be so bad.”
“I’ll help you get the phone set up,” said Lisa. “I’ll put my name and number in as well as Hazel’s and Mike’s. You’ll be restricted from playing some of the games, but there will still be plenty of fun for you.”
Hazel gave Jed a quick hug. “I’ve got to go back to work. Have a fun time with your phone.”
Lisa walked Hazel to the door. “How can I ever thank you enough? That gift is as much help to me as it is for him.”
“We thought it might be used if any future separations take place,” said Hazel. “I haven’t told you, but Mike and I are applying to become foster parents. That might make it easier for us to help you out during your move if it becomes necessary.”
Lisa clapped her hands together. “How wonderful!” She studied Hazel. “I have to ask, why are you and Mike being so kind to Jed and me and my family?”
“I fell in love with Jed very quickly. And when I learned about his home situation and being fostered, I wanted to do everything possible to help. Mike was a foster child, himself. Though his experience was far different from Jed’s life with you, he likes being supportive, too.”
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, you two are a kind, wonderful couple,” said Lisa.
“Thanks. We’re only recently decided to be in a relationship, but it’s gratifying to hear your words,” said Hazel.
“I’ll let you know how the week goes,” said Lisa.
“We’ll call before Mike offers to pick up Jed,” Hazel responded. “See you later.”
###
The next few days were busy filling out forms, having medical exams, and attending more training classes for foster care certification. The only thing left to do was to arrange for a home inspection.
A week later, Hazel and Mike stood at the entrance to her guest room, giving it a thorough inspection. She’d been advised by Lisa to make the room look as if it were ready for a young boy.
They’d ordered and hung three big posters on the wall. One of Novak Djokovic, and two colorful generic ones with unnamed tennis players.
“This is a beautiful home. There’s no need to be nervous about it,” said Mike. “And Jed or any other child interested in tennis would love this room.”
Hazel looked at the queen-sized bed, the bureau, and the bedside table in matching cherry wood. “Right now, it’s pretty plain, but a child, like Jed, will quickly change that.”
She turned to Mike. “We know that we might have Jed for a short time while Lisa and her husband arrange for him to move with them. Are you going to be ready to have him forever if they can’t do it?”
“It’ll be easier if we have him for a short time, but I won’t let that boy go to another foster home where he might not receive the care Lisa and her husband have given him,” said Mike. “The thought brings back a whole lot of bad memories.”
“Okay, we’ll leave it up to fate, and no matter what happens with us, we’ll work together to help Jed.”
“What do you mean no matter what happens with us?” asked Mike frowning. “Are you having second thoughts about our being together?”
“Not at all. I just want to be sure it’s what you want,” said Hazel. Everything seemed backward. They’d agreed to raise a child together, but they weren’t even engaged. She needed assurance that she hadn’t let her heart lead her to a major disappointment.
Mike cupped his hands around her face and gave her a steady look. “I love you, Hazel. I was hooked when we first met. But I knew what kind of family you came from and our differences. Would you have even listened to me back then?”
Hazel knew she had to be truthful. “No. That was before I knew what kind of man you are. Now, I know better.”
“Are you willing to take a chance on making us and this commitment to help Jed work?”
“Yes, Mike. I love you, too.” Her lips quivered. “I really do.”
Mike’s cheeks flushed, and his eyes moistened. Then, his kisses told her all over again how much he loved her.
###
When they met with the instructor the following week, Mike and Hazel were told they passed the house inspection with flying colors. “Any child that would be staying with you would be very lucky indeed.”
“Thanks,” said Hazel. “Anything else?”
“For the moment, we’re waiting for the paperwork from both of you to be processed. You might want to think about the fact that you both work. How will you arrange to be with a child if you’re not at home?”
“I’ve lined up a reliable babysitter,” said Hazel.
“She’s a delightful woman who’s worked for a friend of mine and lives at The Woodlands.
But during the summer months, when a child is not in school, I’ll work out a schedule with Mike.
If we have Jed, he’ll get to spend even more time at the Sports Center. ”
“And if you don’t get Jed?” the instructor asked.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” said Mike.
Hazel knew neither of them was ready to consider that.
The instructor studied them. “Yours is an unusual situation on a personal level. I understand that. If things don’t work out now for fostering, you’re the kind of parents we’re always looking for. Perhaps after your relationship is stabilized.”
Hazel and Mike exchanged glances.
Hazel sensed Mike’s reluctance to feel pushed, and she understood. Between them, they knew how they felt about one another. Surely, the timing for something more serious should be their own.
###
Over the next weeks, as Jed healed, Hazel and Mike grew even closer.
When Hazel’s mother suggested that she and Hazel’s father wanted to visit Lilac Lake to see both Hazel and Mike, she readily agreed. She knew Mike well enough to know nothing would move their relationship forward without a meeting between the two men closest to her.
“When would you like to come?” Hazel asked her mother.
“Dad and I looked over our social obligations, and as a matter of fact, we’d like to come next Monday. We’ll be able to stay for just four days. We’ll fly into Boston and drive up from there, so you won’t have to pick us up. I know how busy you are.”
“I’m happy to have the chance to see you again and to show Dad around the town,” said Hazel.
“Your father wants to meet Mike,” said her mother. “We were wondering if we could sign up to play pickleball for a game or two. That will be a way to show Dad how special the Sports Center is.”
“I agree. I’ll arrange something for you both,” said Hazel.
“Your father also wants to look into fishing in the area. If he doesn’t get the chance to do that this time, he’ll have all the information for future visits. I fell in love with Lilac Lake and love having the opportunity to visit you.”
“Okay, can’t wait to see you both,” said Hazel, realizing this was a big step toward the future.
When Mike heard the news, he said, “It’ll be nice to have more time with your mother and to meet your father. After all, you’re their only child.”
“Growing up, I wished for a sibling, but that couldn’t happen,” said Hazel. “Maybe that’s why I’m eager to help other children. The more the merrier, thing.”
“Really? You know what they say, ‘practice makes perfect’, said Mike, drawing her into his lap as they sat on the deck.
She leaned against him, loving the feel of his arms around her. For someone who grew up without a lot of love, he luxuriated in it now. She’d never realized that about him before. But it made sense. It was one of the things about him that she admired.
“I suppose we’ll have to tell them about our being certified for foster care,” she said.
“Yes, it’s important. Even though we might not need it for Jed, we’ll have that for the future when we might be in a better position to do it.”
“Of course, I want children of my own too.”
“Yes, the more than merrier thing,” grinned Mike, and they laughed together.
###
The day her parents were due to arrive, Hazel freshened the guest room, leaving the tennis posters on the wall. She put bottles of water in their room and filled a vase with fresh flowers from Petals, the florist downtown.
She wiped down the kitchen and made sure the deck was swept and the furniture was ready for guests. She loved spending time on the deck, but sometimes the wind-ridden debris that ended up on it was a nuisance.
During a break, her parents called from the airport and gave her an estimate of when they’d arrive.
Mike arranged to come to the house to be able to greet them with Hazel as a couple, something Hazel thought was important.
Later, they were outside checking over some rhododendron bushes in the front of the house when her parents’ rental car appeared.
She turned and faced them with happiness. Ever since her mother’s earlier visit, Hazel felt closer to her, more like friends than mother and daughter. And as always, just seeing her father filled her with joyful knowledge that she’d always be Daddy’s little girl.
Hazel waited beside Mike for her parents to get out of the car. Her mother kissed her hello and then gave Mike a quick hug.
Her father threw his arms around her, keeping an eye on Mike before kissing her on the cheek. After he released Hazel, he held out his hand. “So, you’re the tennis pro. Hi, Mike, I’m Raymond Belmont. Nice to meet you.”
“Mike Dawson,” he said, shaking hands with him. “Let me help you with the luggage.”