We WALK in FOOTPRINTS Book Three , livre ebook

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters and events in this book are the products of the author s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.
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We Walk in Footprints Book Three
Published by Gatekeeper Press
2167 Stringtown Rd, Suite 109
Columbus, OH 43123-2989
www.GatekeeperPress.com
Copyright 2020 by Ellyn Weaver
All rights reserved. Neither this book, nor any parts within it may be sold or reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.
The editorial work for this book is entirely the product of the author. Gatekeeper Press did not participate in and is not responsible for any aspect of that element.
Library of Congress Control Number:
ISBN (paperback): 9781662905919
eISBN: 9781662905926
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020949182
For all those who will come after.
The Mellowing Years
Expatriates
THE MELLOWING YEARS
Austin and Jenny
S now flakes, the first of the season, dance outside bay windows, light on window ledges; parched grounds drink the wine. As though it had always been there, inside the Burdette s solid, white Craftsman a dozen warm bodies gathered in celebration of Thanksgiving.
Jenny beside her husband, Austin stands at the head of his table surveying the feast set before him. The year before, he d learned of Daniel s adoption. The ultimate act of defiance-he lost it. Straining at the leash, Jenny had outgrown limits he d imposed; Dan had developed a mind of his own. For too long his authority challenged, betrayal, as he saw it, propelled him into a tailspin. He walked out on his wife and son - hurting them as they d hurt him. Some months back, he d turned a corner, let go of a wounded ego. A new world opened.
In the years he d been with Jenny, he d kept her family at arm s length. Determined to make amends, from this day forward, he would accept their long-standing, holiday tradition: words of welcome, words of tribute.
An infectious grin crossing his face, he opened his arms. Welcome to our home, and, our bountiful table. Nods of approval, he moved on. Seems we ve all made it through for me a pivotal year, a rueful pause, he continued, a bit humbled still standing.
The table erupted. Fist bumps. Right on! ... Yeah! The family knew of their recent troubles. Only he and Jenny knew the tangled truth.
A wave of pure affection he hadn t felt deep in his being until this moment swept into Austin. Remarks he d prepared now seeming trivial, he determined to wing it. Through it all, a catch in his throat, he revised. Through it all, this family has been there for Jenny and Dan and, for this petulant orphan. His chin wrinkled; moist eyes swept the gathering. I am truly grateful .
Caught off guard, the gathering fell silent, as Austin struggled for control. Placing his arm around Jenny, admiration in his eyes and his tone, he began. My wife created this fine , loving home, as well as a flourishing business. A wry chuckle escaped his throat. She keeps an erratic wanderer on the straight and narrow. Laughter rippled around the table as Austin caught sight of Dan. All that, and she s raised a boy any man would be proud to call Son.
Those at the table beamed on a boy-becoming-a-man. Austin paused, a poignant memory springing to life, he faced her. Jenny can name every star in the night sky. For me, she is the brightest, most beautiful of all.
As though they were alone in the universe, their eyes held a precious moment.
Oh! Ivy cooed, breaking the silence. That was perfectly lovely, Austin.
Bravo! Rob led a burst of light-hearted applause.
Snapped out of his reverie, a pleasing mix of aromas inspired hunger pangs, Austin s hand swept the table. Enjoy everyone.
Acknowledging a higher power, each in their own way engaged in a common prayer.
Serving platters, bowls, gravy boats passed, one to another, plates filled. In turn, each man, woman, boy-becoming-a-man, followed the family tradition: words of thanks, praise for an excellent meal, good-humored ribbing. Rich commented that Austin s tribute to Jenny put all the guys on defense. How do we top that?
When Jenny s turn came, she posed a question. How could she hope to keep her husband on the straight and narrow? The erratic wanderer so much a part of his charm.
Later that day, thankful for smooth sailing, Austin stepped out on the porch for a moment alone and a breath of fresh air, temperature mid-forties.
Wrapped in a sweater, Lita soon followed. Drawing a breath, she exhaled. So I hoped for a moment we could speak alone, she commented, beginning her thoughts.
Had her attitude towards him softened? Austin wondered. She d sought him out for a reason. I m glad all of you could be with us, he acknowledged. Gina recovering from a virus, Charlie and Gina remained back in Welborne.
Confirming gracious accommodations, and Austin s role as a welcoming host, Lita came to the point. This has been a wonderful holiday. You and Jenny made it so.
A nod, he acknowledged warm comments, no hint of an edge.
Gazing across a fresh snow-covering, she came to the point. She couldn t be more pleased that he and Jenny had worked through their differences and that he d come home. High emotion raking her voice, she looked directly into his face. All I ever wanted for my daughter was to be cared for and content A tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
Touched, his reply leaped from the heart. She s part of me. I love her.
You need her.
That too, Austin affirmed, and Dan. We re a family.
Another family Thanksgiving had slipped into the memory bank when Jenny walked into the parlor to find Austin resting in his chair. Warming to the sight of him, she settled in the corner of the couch, placed her book on the cushion. Since the holiday visit, she sensed a warming between her mother and Austin. After all the years of friction, she hoped for this trend to continue. Her Mom had been observing her interactions with Austin before she took Jenny aside. He respects you, and your marriage, Mom asserted as though that were a new facet of their union. What lay ahead, she was sure they d work through - together. Lita had put a name to changes in Austin- a mellowing.
Jenny took comfort in her mother s assurances, and her own belief that Austin had mellowed through their painful separation. She was yet to fully trust as lasting a radical shift in priorities. Their reunion had been desperately sweet, avoiding deeper troubles, a respite from conflicts so far unresolved. Settling in, he told her how right it felt to be home ; his family at dinner, climbing the stairs to their room, together in their bed-making love as natural as the next breath.
Sensing her presence, he opened his eyes, focused. A hand swept a tentative grin. Resting my eyes, he mumbled.
She smiled. You looked content.
He came forward, lacing his fingers in hers. I m a happy man. Can t figure now what the fuss was about.
Uneasy, she shifted. Putting that fuss into words is difficult. If not Impossible .
He twirled an index finger. Give it a whirl.
A moment of reflection, she channeled Gramp s words of wisdom. Expectations disappointments?
Yeah. He filled in the blanks. You had every right to be disappointed in me . I was off-the-wall, crazy.
Secure in the course their marriage was taking, Jenny made her own admission. I was angry hurting . I lashed out at you.
He scoffed. You handled this better than I did. Oh, you held my feet to the fire a few times. A wry smile crossed his face. Not that I didn t deserve it. Powerful as his embrace, his eyes held hers. When I was down, you were there. You ve always been there.
I need your strength. She pressed his hand.
And I need yours. We re good together, ya know. He raised her hand to his lips. My wife is an amazing woman.
Seduced, she let emotions rule her words. All the parts of me have come together, Austin. I feel it in my bones, my heart and soul. This is who I am.
His eyes drifted to the carpet, reflecting. Wow! Profound! I think that s the word I want. He looked into her face. I d better get on board.
What does that mean on board?
It means, choosing his words, he gave a quick nod, it means , I accept you , who you are. Looking into her face, he kissed her fingers. You accept me crazy bastard I am. Without you and our boy, I m less of a man.
Touched beyond words by this unexpected declaration, her eyes filled with tears.
Hey! His hand gripped her thigh. I didn t mean to make you cry.
Her heart full too overflowing, words could not express the depths of her emotions.
Again that nigh the dream came. Stripping bare her deepest yearnings, nocturnal stirrings mind and body spinning out the agonies of labor, ecstasy of birth; aching breasts to nurse a newborn. Abruptly, the dream ends, tears on her pillow. No newborn cradled in her arms.
Across the kitchen floor, Austin and Daniel laid out the results of a shopping trip: skis and poles, boots and jackets ready to step into. Come see, Mom.
Coming into the room from the foot of the staircase she d just descended, Jenny s eyes went wide. Astonished, she murmured, You said, sports equipment. That had been the mission when he and Daniel left the house.
Pleased with his purchases, Austin rubbed hands together. Early Christmas presents. He donned a pair of goggles, one of three he d purchased. Cross Country is the newest seasonal sport. Everybody s doing it!
For some time, a plan had been developing: At Austin s suggestion, Christmas holi