I was flabbergasted. I've never heard such words in my entire life. Granted, I have heard words like "I don't believe in any god," or even, "I have never heard of God," but I have never with my own ears comprehended these words. I suddenly understood the dream I had had a few weeks ago. I understood every word the angel was saying. I sighed. I guess I understood his reasons, his mother dying in the very building that he sat crying in. What a way to end the season. Poor Kenna had tears in her eyes when she saw her brother and cousins playing without her. I felt so bad for her. Seeing her propped on the couch reminded me of my days as an almost-invalid. Luckily for me, those lasted only a short time, (though each day felt like an eternity). I couldn't bend my leg much for weeks. But I healed, I thought. And so will Kenna.
New Years Eve was only a week away, and the Rodrigues' didn't have plans for the occasion. So I asked Mr. and Mrs. Rodrigues if they would like to spend some more time here in the Avé Maria B&B. I thought it would cheer their daughter up a little. They readily agreed and now I was on the floor with a plethora of cook books and magazines laid before me, each page turned to the desserts or cookies section. I had bookmarks disguised as pieces of paper tucked between the pages of each of the possibilities that I would send home with my sisters. Kenna, propped on my favorite armchair, looked over and eyed me curiously.
"What are you doing?" she asked, grazing over each book laid open. I saw her eyes widen at every recipe, until her eyes were the size of, well, the size of your eyes when their as wide you can get them. I didn't think they could get any bigger. But they did. I picked up the page she was staring at. 'Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies' it read.
"How 'bout these for a 'Please get well soon' treat?" I asked.
"Will you make them?" she squealed.
"Absolutely! There are some upsides to being the only girl and having a sprained ankle on the holidays," I smiled. She smiled back, "Besides, I haven't baked on such a long time."
"I thought you baked those?" She pointed to the kitchen where the last of the holiday cookies were laid out.
"That was for Christmas, so that doesn't count. And I didn't bake the cookies, Hazel did." Just then Guen walks in. I told her about staying for a few more days.
"Oh! Wonderful!" She exclaims. She spots the recipe magazine in my hand and asks about them.
"I was just about to start making them," I said, standing up. My knees were complaining, forcing me to slow my movements. I made a mental note not to sit cross-legged for so long ever again. Though I was in good shape, my joints gave me trouble sometimes, thanks to having juvenile arthritis as a child. I made my way to the kitchen with Kenna's arm around my waist, to keep herself up while walking with me, Guen close behind. I set Kenna on a stool by the island and set to work getting a bowl out onto the island. Destiny, and Heidi come out of hiding in the den to watch. I supposed the men were out on the veranda discussing whatever they can when we women are not around. I turned my gaze at the floor where Jack Matthew, Sebastian, Xavier, and Jack Michael were playing our old game of Risk. I ask Guen to get the first ingredients out while I get the aprons. We hardly ever needed them, when your making cookies for the whole family with your two aunts, I figured Kenna would enjoy them. I give her Hazel's and Guen, Shiloh's. I found that ironic, because Shiloh and Guen were the best of friends growing up, and still are. We followed the recipe like good little girls and end up with a deliciously good looking batter. So good that when Savannah walked in she couldn't resist sticking her finger in the bowl despite our complaints. I sighed, and Kenna made a face at her mother's cousin. I gave her a warning look which she interpreted as 'Nice girls make nice faces, otherwise they get in trouble.'
"Mmm! That's good!" Savannah's comment won Kenna's smile. While the first batch of those Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies were in the oven, we started another mix of sugar cookies. I chose these because I love using the cookie press and so did Kenna. We chose a variety of shapes of wreaths, stars, and Christmas trees. I took the chocolate cookies out and gave Kenna and Guen each one.
"Careful, they're hot." They devoured them so fast that I was afraid they would burn their tongues. Fortunately they knew not to do that again. In the next few hours the chocolate and sugar cookies finished baking, the sugar ones got decorated, and set out on pretty plates, and passed among the party. I sent some home with my twin sisters, and mom and dad, and said 'Good-bye' to them and the boys, including Tim.
That night Heidi, Juliano, Kenna and Chester were sitting in the living room when I came in with the boys. I had to call them in from playing outside. These boys would stay outside until dawn if we let them. We snacked on cookies, and hot chocolate while talking about the old days. Some of the memories brought tears of laughter and made cheeks blush. When we sobered and the moment was gone, we listened to a story from Jack Matthew. A story of a family moment about when and why his parents decided to go to the movies. It was a treat for doing well in school, cleaning his room and being an all around good boy. I was in tears for some of it, but tried not to show it. Then he finished by asking no one in particular, why did his mom and dad have to die? I tried to keep the sob from my voice when replying,
"Because He thought it better now then later." He had a puzzled expression and I guess Chester thought it best to tell him about his mother now. And he did, "Your mom was sick Jack. Her illness was going to be painful and their was nothing the doctors could do. But when she-" He couldn't bring himself to say it. "She was in no pain at all."
"God is merciful," I said. "Your father might've been heart broken to see you mother pass away in pain. The car accident was a blessing in disguise." Understanding dawned slowly. As slowly as the dawn itself, but he did understand.
"I guess so. Maybe there is a God, but I don't like him." I sighed. Well, I thought to myself, at least he doesn't deny Him anymore. An idea popped in my head.
"Who want's to take a walk tomorrow?"
Where is he I need to know!!!! I love your writing!!!!
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