Ever since the divorce, he’d considered himself Mom’s little helper and did his best to fill the void in the family unit that had resulted from his dad’s departure. He helped with the dishes after supper, kept his room picked up and his bed made, and brought in the groceries for Mom on market day. He’d matured beyond his tender years since the divorce, and she’d been proud of that, while at the same time quietly saddened. He was her “little man,” yes, but there was still too much childhood left. He would grow up soon enough and far too fast even under the best of circumstances. She didn’t want that hastened due to something that had happened between Chris and herself. The happiness of her children had become paramount in her life. They had become her life and her whole world.
Yet, as she stole glances toward the newsfeed, she felt the hollowness of that old void deep inside her. It always seemed to rise up from nowhere to gnaw at her at the worst times. After the divorce, she’d resigned herself to the belief that she no longer needed a man. Men were undependable. Men always left. She swore she would never need a man again … ever. She had become financially independent. Her years of experience with the now-defunct NASA had landed her a lucrative job with the interplanetary transportation giant, Shooting Star Express. As Chief Dispatcher for their operations at Von Braun, she was next in line for promotion to Region Manager. Her salary, along with the child support from Chris, would ensure a comfortable living and a secure future for her children. The generous severance package she’d received from NASA would guarantee a college education for both. She had everything under control. Yet, still there was that hole that she could never fill. The one shaped like a handsome, dashing spacer.
She beckoned Blake to her and he eagerly obliged. She pulled them both into a bear hug, squeezing them tight, relishing the feel of them in her arms. “I love you, guys!” she said as she kissed both lovingly on the cheek.
“I love you too, Mommy,” Brittain leaned her head against Lulah’s shoulder. “And I’m sorry Mr. Tiger wasn’t able to come tonight.”
“It’s ok.” Lulah smiled, trying to dab inconspicuously at the moisture in the corner of her eye.
“Will he come by tomorrow night? I liked meeting Mr. Tiger.”
She was now having a hard time swallowing the lump in her throat. “I doubt it, sweetie.” She glanced at her PDC. She was really in need of a good breakdown right now. She needed some alone time. “Ok, guys. It’s time to be getting ready for bed. I need y’all to get your showers please.”
“Ok, Mom,” Blake responded. She found herself caught off guard. There would be none of the usual protestations tonight against daily acts of hygiene. The kids knew something had upset their mom … something more than a VR game. They were now intent on being on their best behavior the rest of the night. She sensed and appreciated this.
“Thank you! You guys are the greatest.” Again, she felt pride surge up. They truly are great kids. And I … Damn you, Tanner … truly … I really need you right now … am blessed. I thought I had all the answers. I don’t. As long as I have you around I know I have a safety net. Please … just be ok.
As the kids started upstairs to get their showers, she was tempted to drop her head and say a silent prayer. She’d never believed in that Higher Power her grandmother had so much faith in. This was a new age. An age of technology, science, and information. The time for superstitions and religious fairy tales had long since passed. But maybe, just maybe …
Dear God … please …
The knock at the door almost caused her to jump out of her chair. Suddenly, she found herself more frightened than she’d ever been in her entire life. Just seconds earlier, all she’d wanted was closure of some kind. Now, she was not so sure. She found herself frozen, unable to move, as the knock was repeated.
From the stairs, Blake and Brittain looked to her questioningly. “Mom?” Brittain spoke up.
Spurred into action by her daughter’s voice, Lulah knew she could no longer just sit there in distress. With a sigh of dread, she rose slowly, unable to look anywhere but the floor.
“Mom? You ok?” Blake asked.
“Fine,” she replied. Her voice was flat, as if she were in a trance. She suddenly shook herself out of it, visibly regaining her composure, as she looked up, shaking the fear from her head. “Fine!” She repeated, more coherent now, as she pointed to Blake. “You keep your sister there. Understand?”
“Yes, Mom.”
She turned to the door. As she did, a crazy thought hit her. She never got around to finishing her prayer. Had her grandmother’s God answered it anyway? Would He answer a non-believer? And if so, in what way?
Make me a believer … she prayed, as she reached the door and pushed the intercom button.
“Open the door, beautiful! It’s chilly out here!” A voice emanated from the tiny speaker before she could even speak. A smile, like the sun breaking through the clouds, brightened her face instantly.
Tiger!
***
Just ten minutes earlier, Tex had pulled up to the curb in front of the well-kept, little bungalow in South Huntsville. “Is this the place?” he asked, looking up into the rearview.
In the backseat, Tiger hadn’t realized he’d dozed off on the ride over. Once he’d gotten still, after the hours of adrenaline-filled excitement, it hadn’t taken long for sleep to overtake him. Beside him, Amber’s head rested heavy on his shoulder. She too, had dozed off and was even lightly
