First Mates (15 page)

T
he following Friday, Winston graced Rainy's doorstep, glancing at his watch. He sighed, relieved that he arrived on time. He grinned with anticipation as he rang her doorbell. Amber opened the door. “Hi, Mr. Winston.” She grabbed his leg.

“Hi, squirt.” He lifted her and kissed her chubby cheek.

“Yuck!” She rubbed her face.

He chuckled as he returned her to the floor. When Rainy strolled out of her bedroom, he whistled. She sported a bright orange sundress that accented her slim yet shapely figure.

“Winston.” Her voice was a bare whisper as he took her in his arms. She smelled like spring flowers after a cool rain.

“It's so good to see you again. This'll be our first real date in a long time.”

She nodded, her long soft hair tickling his face. Moments later, they deposited Amber at his aunt and uncle's house, where his aunt welcomed them with open arms. Gladys smiled as she embraced Rainy. “So you're the reason my nephew has been so moody lately. It's nice to finally meet you.” She released Rainy and quietly complimented Amber on her outfit.

Winston chuckled as he hugged his aunt. “Aunt Gladys, I haven't felt this good in years! You take good care of Amber for us tonight. Hey, where's Uncle Greg?” He glanced around the living room.

“Oh, he had some church stuff to do tonight, but he'll be back later. I've got things to keep Amber busy all evening.”

Rainy embraced Amber and kissed her cheek before Winston led her back out to the car. As he drove through the streets of Miami, he found it hard to concentrate on his navigation skills. The night was warm and breezy, so he opened his sunroof.

She crossed her legs. “Where are we going for dinner?”

When he tried to pull a CD from his case, he accidentally brushed her leg. He wondered if Rainy was the woman God intended to be his wife. Being around her was like a ray of sunshine on a cold cloudy day. She haunted his dreams, and he craved her company daily.

“Winston?” He pulled his eyes from the road and stole a glance in her direction. Her mocha-colored eyes were full of excitement as she eagerly gazed at the passing scenery.

“Uh, it's a surprise. You'll see in a few minutes.”

Minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant. Jesse's Seafood House was packed; however, for a nominal fee, they had small rooms for diners who wished to eat in private. He held her soft hand as the hostess led them to the private room he'd reserved. Rainy laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. Her eyes sparkled with joy as she gazed around the festive room.

Minutes later, the waiter offered a shrimp cocktail. She brushed the crystal bowl with her long slender fingers. “But we didn't order this.”

“I know. We're not ordering anything. I already told them what to serve us tonight. I hope you don't mind.” He gazed around the private dining room. Tiny white lights twinkled against the dark walls, reminding him of a Christmas tree. Soft music chimed from the speakers, and a vase of roses decorated the table.

“This is so nice.” Her voice was barely above a whisper as she gazed around the room. “But why did you go through so much trouble? This isn't a special occasion.”

Before he could respond, the waiter returned with their entrées. After they said a brief prayer, he took both of her hands and massaged her fingers. “You're wrong.” He paused. “This
is
a special occasion. This is the first date we've had since we've decided to try this relationship. I'm hoping and praying this'll work out. I just want to tell you that I'm pleased you have faith in me.”

“You mean have faith that you won't return to your former drinking problem?”

He shook his head. “No, not former. I'll always be an alcoholic. The urge to drink never really goes away. I've just learned that I need to lean on God. We all have things we need to overcome when we become Christians.” He gazed at their hands. His mocha skin blended nicely with her cocoa-brown complexion. “You know, if we ever work everything out, I'm sure we could have some pretty children.”

“Winston!” Her brown eyes widened and he squeezed her hand.

“I'm just speaking freely. I think you're a good woman, and in spite of what you think, I believe you're doing a good job caring for Amber. I think we're right for each other, I really do.”

He watched her during the entire meal. Her delighted squeals echoed off the velveteen walls as she tried each luscious dish. The soft music played, engulfing them in the sweet notes of the classical songs.

After dinner, he took her to the Black Comedy Theater downtown. When he pulled the tickets from his wallet, she gasped. “That show's been sold out for weeks. How did you get tickets?”

“Well, when you want something bad enough, you find a way to get it. I've got my connections.” He confidently placed his arm around her waist and led her into the crowded theater. He enjoyed the show, and he laughed so hard his throat was hurting after the performance.

They stopped at Candace's Creamery for dessert. Teenagers sporting shorts and bathing suits assembled at the round, vanilla-colored tables. Their loud howls of laughter exploded in the small ice-cream shop. She stared at the huge tubs of ice cream lining the refrigerated display cases, brushing her slim fingers against the glass. “Even though I work a few blocks from here, I never thought to come here for ice cream. There are so many flavors, I don't know which to choose.” Ice cream in every color of the rainbow was available. After much deliberation, she touched his arm with her now-cold fingers. “Why don't you choose for me?”

He chuckled as he pulled her into his arms, relishing her sweet floral scent. He ordered two banana splits. Since each dish had three scoops of ice cream, he chose six different flavors. The shop was devoid of empty tables, so they carried their treats outside.

The night breeze ruffled the leaves on the palm trees as it whispered through the sky. Her hair lifted in the wind before it settled upon her slim shoulders.

He sighed as he took a second bite. “Man, this is so good!” Nuts, caramel sauce and ice cream mingled on his tongue as he enjoyed each luscious bite. He was so enthralled that he barely heard the automobiles as they passed on the busy Miami street. Sweet notes filled the air, and he recognized the familiar tune playing from the jukebox inside the creamery. “I'm glad those teenagers picked a good song to play.” His spoon scraped the bottom of the yellow bowl. “Do you want to dance?”

He stared at her mouth as her tongue swooped her lower lip, catching a drop of melting ice cream. She scraped the bottom of her bowl as she spooned the last bite into her mouth.

She licked her lips and frowned as she glanced at her watch. “Look how late it is. I don't think we have time to dance. We'd better get back. We promised your aunt we wouldn't stay out too late.”

He huffed as he held her hand while walking to his car. Warm, glowing feelings covered his entire being. The buildings that rose against the midnight black sky, the palm tree leaves as they fluttered in the wind, the raucous laughter in the creamery, the taste of chocolate, vanilla and bananas…he would remember all of this for as long as he lived. Most of all he would remember how pretty Rainy looked in her tangerine dress. Her brow furrowed with worry as she thought about her beloved niece.
Lord, I hope she is worried and concerned about me like that…eventually. Oh, please, Lord, please make it happen!

Before he opened her door, he pulled her into his arms. He held her so tight that he could feel her ribs beneath her cotton dress.

“What's wrong?” Her dark eyes were laced with concern as he touched her cheek.

I love you, that's what's wrong with me.
He caressed her flat stomach and held her slender arm. “You've lost weight. I hope you're taking care of yourself.”

“Since we arrived at the creamery, you've been acting strange. Maybe they put something in that ice cream.”

She entered the car and he strolled to the driver's side. Driving to his aunt Gladys's house, he drove slowly, savoring each minute of this wonderful evening. He opened his sunroof again, glancing at the stars at every stoplight. He glimpsed at Rainy as she ran her fingers through her long dark hair. He watched her chew her lower lip as she anxiously checked her watch. Their journey finally came to a close as he pulled into the driveway, the car crunching pebbles of gravel. He pulled her hand into his as they entered the house.

Aunt Gladys pushed her glasses on her nose as she looked up from her needlepoint. “My, don't you two look like you had a good time. Winston, I'm glad to see you smiling so much.”

Rainy squeezed his hand. “How's Amber?”

Gladys placed her needlepoint into a tan wicker basket. “The Little Miss is fast asleep. I put her in the spare bedroom.”

The rich scent of chocolate filled the living room. He sniffed as he buried his hand in his pocket. “It sure smells good in here. Don't tell me you were showing Amber your secret brownie recipe.” He turned to Rainy. “I ate so many of those once that I got sick.”

Heavy footsteps pounded on the hardwood floor. Uncle Greg stepped into the room, embracing Rainy in his large arms. “I'm so glad to finally meet you, young lady.” Rainy returned his hug.

“It's nice to meet you, too. I've heard some nice things about you.”

When he released her, he turned to Winston. “Why
don't you come back into my office? I just got some new additions to my stamp collection.”

Winston rolled his eyes. “Uncle Greg, I'd love to see them, but Rainy has to take Amber home.”

Gladys folded her arms. “You two don't need to worry about that! That child's sleeping so hard that it won't matter what time you take her home. Go on back there and look at your uncle's collection.”

Winston sighed and squeezed Rainy's hand before he followed his uncle out of the room.

 

Rainy smiled at Winston's aunt. “I really appreciate your keeping Amber for us tonight. Winston had a special night planned.”

Gladys served coffee in the living room. Rainy sniffed the fragrant brew before she took a sip. “I hope I'll be able to sleep tonight. It's after twelve o'clock, and I've had a full dinner, ice cream for dessert, and now this coffee.”

“Oh, I'm sure you'll be okay. Both of you deserved a night of romance.”

Gladys sipped her coffee and offered Rainy a brownie. She declined as she continued to enjoy her drink.

“It was no trouble at all keeping Amber. I know how hard it can be to take care of a young one. So you and Winston had a good time?”

She nodded. “We sure did. I was so surprised that he planned such a special evening.”

“I can tell you're special to him. You're a good Christian woman and that's what he needs. You know, I was
so touched when he told me about his decision to live his life according to God's laws. That was one good thing that came out of his twin sister's death.”

Rainy wrinkled her brow as she placed her cup back onto the china saucer. “I'm afraid I don't understand.”

“Oh, you know what I mean.” Gladys's eyes softened with respect. “I know his sister's death hit him pretty hard. It was hard on the whole family. But at least Winston cleaned his life up.”

“Cleaned his life up?”

“Why, yes. I'm sure he told you he got baptized shortly after his sister's death. He hasn't had a drink since. His parents raised him in the church, and he's always believed in God, but he never took the big step and got baptized until she died.” She paused and stared at the picture of Jesus adorning her wall, her voice wavering as she continued. “He'd turned to drinking again while she had breast cancer, and we were all so worried about him. But we're proud of the way he's gotten his act together. I'm sure you've realized just how deep his faith has become since she died.”

Rainy sighed as she stared at the wall. Disbelief, shock and apprehension coursed through her veins as she digested this piece of news. How deep could Winston's faith be if he was baptized so recently? Why hadn't he mentioned this before?

“Rainy, you're frowning. Is something wrong?”

She shook her head. “Are you sure Amber's okay? I wonder how much longer Winston will be.” She glanced at her watch. “I want to get Amber to bed.”

“Oh, let me go and see what's taking them so long. You know how talkative some men can be when they get together. My husband babbles on forever about his stamp collection.” She left the room, her light steps fading down the darkened hallway.

Rainy squeezed her hands as she waited for Winston to return. Why hadn't he told her about this? Minutes later, he walked into the living room, carrying the slumbering Amber in his arms. Gladys and Greg followed close behind.

Rainy clenched her teeth, wondering how she would make the trip home and not lose her reserve. She said a brief farewell to Gladys and Greg, while still trying to digest this newfound information.

Winston pulled onto the highway as Amber's soft snores filled the silent car. “Why are you so quiet?”

“I'll tell you once we're home and we've put Amber to bed.” She twisted the leather strap on her purse so hard it almost snapped.

When they arrived at her house, Winston deposited Amber into her room. Rainy removed Amber's socks and shoes and changed her into her pajamas. Minutes later, they returned to the living room.

Winston shoved his hands into his pockets. “Did my aunt scare you away?”

“Something like that,” she murmured.

His smile faded as he touched her face. “What's wrong? What happened?”

“Why didn't you tell me you'd just been baptized fairly recently?”

He dropped his hand and stepped away. “Fairly recently?”

She nodded. “You were an alcoholic when your sister had cancer. You didn't dedicate your life to Christ until she died. Yet you led me to believe you'd been saved a long time ago.”