Chapter 29

As agreed, Chantelle and Denita met Rennie at his house Wednesday morning to collect the girls for shopping for the coming school year. Rennie would be taking Elizabeth and Jaxon to May Alice's, deciding that they would tire too quickly to keep up with the others and Elizabeth didn't seem to mind one bit and happily found her way to Rennie's truck. Rennie agreed to take Jaxon to shop for clothes on his own the following day, once everyone was registered at school.

The foursome enjoyed all morning together on the boat dock. Elizabeth colored, May Alice was writing yet another short story for an upcoming birthday, and Rennie was finally teaching Jaxon how to cast from the dock. While Rennie looked forward to the upcoming Saturday, to celebrate their last weekend all being together, he'd not have traded that morning for any other. He believed he was more content than he had a right to be.

The shoppers all returned mid-afternoon and the girls lugged every bag into the house. Each of the them wanted to show their outfits to May Alice and Rennie, which they did for nearly an hour. The remainder of the day went like most, with everyone spending various amounts of time in some combination of kids and adults. That evening however, following dinner, something unusual happened. None of the Boudreaux's really wanted to leave.

Acadia broached the subject with an exuberant, "wouldn't it be fun if we all had a sleepover?" Rennie looked a little embarrassed, not for what she said, but for the implication in his own mind, remembering what fun a sleepover with May Alice was like.

As if reading his mind, May Alice responded to the kids, "That is a terrific idea!"

The rest of the awake-hours were spent with popcorn, Kool-Aid, movies and a game. When it was time to put everyone to bed, Jaxon and Rennie were assigned the master bedroom, Missy and Sabine were in May Alice's childhood room, and Denita and Acadia were in Denita's room. Elizabeth had already fallen fast asleep in May Alice's bed an hour prior, so, it was agreed to let her stay there. All but Elizabeth, Rennie, and Jaxon had been lent various t-shirts to sleep in, and Jaxon found it kind of manly to get to sleep only in his undies.

Once she made it into her bed, although she was tired, May Alice didn't fall asleep right away. She was equally captivated by listening to Elizabeth breathing beside her and the lustful thought of a half-naked Rennie sleeping just above her on the second floor. Eventually, the soft breathing and noises coming from Elizabeth lulled May Alice to sleep. She was awakened some time later by Rennie moving Elizabeth from the bed. "I'll be right back," he whispered.

She was still mostly asleep and decided she'd dreamt it; but she hadn't and soon after, she was re-awakened by hot kisses on her neck and torso, and what followed was definitely better than any dream. She felt his warm, naked body as he pressed against her and heard his now-familiar low growls as he positioned himself over her. She felt his hand move down from her neck, first around her breasts, then after spending quality time there, proceeding between her breasts, his fingers tracing along her ribs, then down past her navel. She knew he was maneuvering his hand into a position to gauge her readiness for him. Moments later he smiled at her, lifted one of her legs over his and entered her. Soon his ministrations would provide the adequate movement and stimulation to the feeling parts of her body, and she'd join him in enthusiastic release.

Just before dawn, Rennie woke from his slumber, kissed May Alice and began to depart from her embrace and bed when she stopped him. "We need to break the news to kids," she whispered, "They need time to process it."

He kissed her shoulder and whispered back, "I know. Today. We'll do it today." He exited her room for the upstairs master bedroom where he'd placed Elizabeth next to Jaxon hours before, and where both were still fast asleep.

Everyone slept in that morning until, eventually, awakened by the smell of frying bacon, everyone was up and found their way to the kitchen for the mid-morning breakfast Chantelle had started for them. May Alice laughed at everyone's appearance. Save for the adults, no one had dressed or brushed their hair, and all but Jaxon, were still in their borrowed sleep clothes. It was exactly how she remembered her rare childhood sleepover mornings to be, and she was happy she got to be part of this first one for the Boudreaux clan. As conversation began to perk up with sleepiness departing, Rennie began the delicate discussion he needed to. He told the kids that their Maw was back in Lafayette, and that he had seen her, and that she asked about seeing each of them again. He waited for that information to set in, waited for the questions he assumed would follow.

Missy was first, and asked "When?"

"Anytime you're ready; and she would like to stay with you after school, until I get home."

That opened up the next question, from Acadia, "What do you mean, until you get home?"

Finally, Rennie explained that he and Arlene were no longer married, and with that came the need for different living spaces, and the need to spend time with them separately. Naturally, Jaxon and Elizabeth were not as clear on the subject, but the other girls seemed to understand. Rennie offered information on where Arlene was living, and how she was taking care of the ladies at a church, but not the church they all had known.

Missy asked, "Is Maw sad?"

Rennie said he didn't think she seemed sad. "She seemed real happy about seeing all of you, I know that."

Following that, there were very few questions that morning, but over the next few days, as the meaning set in about their mother being back, more and more would be discussed. Missy and Sabine both expressed an interest in seeing Arlene. Rennie assumed the other kids might have some interest by the time it was arranged, and would also join. Eventually each of the kids, except Elizabeth, had all found something they were curious about regarding the return of their mother, and Rennie answered as best he could. May Alice fielded some questions too, from the older girls, and much like Rennie, she did her best to assure them that Arlene's return was probably a good thing. She wouldn't have necessarily believed that except she'd seen Arlene that day in the diner. She kept reminding herself how much better the woman seemed to be and hoped that it was not a façade

Saturday as planned, was all about the family they'd been all summer. The Boudreaux family arrived by boat to greet May Alice, Chantelle, Denita, and Dr. Blades, who'd arrived from Chicago the day before. Rennie, as he had often through the summer, borrowed a friend's pontoon boat to allow everyone to ride together on the river that day. They spent a beautiful, and peaceful day on the water where Rennie pointed out wildlife and spoke about the area. Dr. Blades was impressed with the salt dome and how it made up Avery Island, and everyone enjoyed seeing the vast pepper fields that were cultivated for McIlhenny's Tabasco Sauce. Having never tried the sauce before, the Doc seemed pleasantly surprised to like it. The girls were amazed by the equally vast botanical gardens and the many varieties of flowers they'd never seen, even in Grand Coteau.

Rennie wasn't sure if it was the addition of Dr. Blades to the mix of the group, or something else, but no one brought up Arlene that day, until he did, briefly. During one of the few private moments he and May Alice found themselves with on Avery Island, he explained to her that the previous day, he had contacted Arlene and made arrangements to have her meet the children for a few hours on Sunday, following Arlene's commitments to the Church. He was struggling with where to have them meet. May Alice suggested neutral ground might work in everyone's favor. She said it might provide less pressure for Arlene, who would soon enough be stepping back into the house she'd abandoned, and that would, no doubt, be a cause of some emotion for her and she would already have plenty of that to deal with. She also suggested that it might help focus the kids, they would not have the distraction of their own toys and neighborhood friends to compete with the task at hand, which was welcoming their mother back into their lives. She and Rennie knew these kids well, yet neither had any idea what the reunion would be like for them.

On the voyage back Elizabeth had grown weary and reached out for May Alice. She held the girl so she might fall asleep, but for a while longer Elizabeth just rested her head against May Alice's. Finally, May Alice whispered, "You can sleep, sweetheart."

"Miss Ma, do you love me?" the child whispered back.

"Of course, I do."

"Daddy never lets me sleep before he says he loves me," she explained.

With a small kiss to the child's head May Alice said, "Miss Elizabeth, I love you more than there are stars in the night sky."

Rennie watched the exchange, one of many he'd seen between the two in their months together, and he suddenly became very worried for them, and he didn't know why. Still, the day was everything Rennie hoped it would be, and they stayed on the water until the last wisps of light faded. After unloading gear at May Alice's, the kids all said their good nights and everyone agreed to meet up again on Monday, their last day of summer before school.

Rennie moved to help May Alice out of her chair so he could move it to land. To accomplish that he would usually help her stand and she would hold on to whatever would hold her steady during the transition. In this case, she held on to the steering wheel of the boat until he returned for her. When he did, he faced her and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace instead of immediately moving to lift her out of the boat. They held each other for that moment, as though not another soul on Earth was near. When he finally released her, he kissed her full on the mouth and was immediately met with gasps and laughter from the kids. While the two had held hands, and shared little kisses here and there in front of the kids, nothing this passionate had previously been displayed. They both laughed too, having heard the reaction of the kids. He then moved her off the boat and wheeled her back to the house where he kissed her again, a private, lingering, deep kiss. He left her breathless, and she left him hopeful of a time when he'd no longer have to leave her after saying good night.

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At 2:00 p.m. Sunday, as arranged the previous night when they'd returned home from the picture-perfect day on the water, Rennie had the kids set up under a large covered gazebo in Girard Park when Arlene arrived. She approached quietly, after purposely having obscured herself a moment behind some bushes to observe the kids just before she was to meet with them. She was quickly overcome, however, with the need to hold each one, so, didn't stay hidden for any time at all.

Missy made first contact; she ran out with open arms and hugged her mother; but she was the only one. The other kids, it seemed, were perplexed about the appearance of the woman, maybe much like May Alice had been upon seeing her the previous week. Their mother appeared younger than who they recalled; her hair, always pulled back into a bun, was loose and fell to her shoulders. She had color to her formerly pasty skin and she was smiling. Rennie realized he couldn't recall the last time he had seen her genuinely smile, happy to see her kids. Arlene escorted Missy back to the gazebo where she said hello to everyone as a group. No sooner had she looked upon each face, she had tears welling in her eyes, overcome by what she knew she'd left behind for so long. She quickly composed herself, not wanting to frighten the younger kids. She approached Elizabeth first, with arms outstretched, but Elizabeth backed away and went immediately to Rennie and climbed in his lap.

"Say hello to your Maw, Elizabeth." The toddler looked at her father as though confused by the statement, she then looked around, and then back to Arlene but said nothing.

Jaxon blurted out, "She's looking for Miss Ma."

Awkward moment number one, complete, Rennie mentally check marked. To her credit, Arlene let it pass and moved on to Jaxon. "Well Jaxon, you are hardly my little boy. Look how big you are!" She didn't reach for him, but he did move to her and gave her a quick hug around the legs, and quickly returned to the table.

"You're all so grown," she said, making eye contact with each. When she got to Acadia, she moved to her, knelt down and took the girl's hand in hers and said, "Acadia, honey. I am so sorry for the trouble I caused you. I was not well then. I wasn't sick like you were, but unwell in another way, can you understand that?" Acadia nodded. "I know I said things to you during that time that were unforgivable, but I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me one day."

Acadia didn't know what to do, or what to say. She'd heard the word heart and realized hers hurt, and she was frightened by that. She could feel her family's eyes all staring at her and she wanted to run but she literally couldn't move her body, which frightened her all the more. Then she thought of May Alice, in her wheelchair, unable to move her legs. The thought of May Alice comforted her in that moment and allowed her to recall something important May Alice told her. The words found their way back into the girl's head and replaced the rising panic she was being consumed by, your mother was mistaken, she repeated to herself, she realized that and it's why she took you back to the hospital. The memory and comfort freed her enough to say, "I forgive you, Maw," and she reached for her mother with the sweetest embrace Arlene would ever feel in her lifetime. Even Rennie was not immune to the exchange. He found himself holding on to Elizabeth tightly and concealing a tear on her t-shirt. Acadia never ceased to amaze him and he was never more grateful to God for having spared the girl against so many odds.

Acadia's acceptance opened the door for each of the kids to begin to speak and question their mother about her sickness, and was she better now, and was she going to be all right. Rennie wasn't sure if it was by design, but having used the term "illness", the kids now had something tangible to blame their mother's absence on. It wasn't a lie, he knew, but it had been a choice, and it would be some time still before he would be able to forgive her. Regardless, he was happy the children were neither elated by, nor bitter of their mother's presence that day. Only Elizabeth never quite warmed up to the meeting. She would play with the girls in the presence of their mother, but never left one of her sister's sides and did not, as far as Rennie observed, ever acknowledge Arlene.

"Give her time," May Alice said later that night on the phone. "She's still so young. She can't possibly understand." He knew she was right, but he felt very guilty that deep down for two things. He had let May Alice take Arlene's place with the girl, and he was a little happy to think Elizabeth might prefer May Alice to Arlene. He cursed himself at the thought, and vowed to remove that blackness from his heart, one day.

In spite of the awkward and emotional meeting of the Boudreaux's that Sunday, Labor Day Monday was all about play time at the Culhane home and the excitement of the new school year beginning the following day. In addition to her having taken the girls shopping for clothes the previous week, Chantelle had also taken them to Woolworth's for school supplies. On that Monday, the kids had all retrieved the multiple bags of school supplies and brought them out where the girls would spend an hour divvying up pencils, crayons, paste, and paper and carefully preparing their individual new backpacks. They'd all decided on what outfits they would wear for their first day, too. Only Jaxon had no desire to participate in any of the activities. He'd already tolerated trying on new clothes that previous week, but only for about twenty minutes which, fortunately, had been enough time for Rennie to get his size. He was able to pick the rest of the shirts and pants without subjecting the boy to trying everything on. He'd also tolerated a haircut but only because Rennie had gone first.

May Alice worried about Jaxon. He had grown so close to Rennie, she didn't know how he would process being away from is Pa all day and then having to share him with the others at night. At least he would be at the same school with the other girls; which then made her worry about Elizabeth. She would be in the same day care as the previous year, but without Jaxon. For the first time in her life, Elizabeth would be alone. That hadn't gone so well at the Y, they all recalled. She tried to comfort herself with a reminder that Elizabeth was a little bit older now, maybe that would make a difference, and she could almost read, which might keep her entertained enough to not miss having her brothers and sisters around. She tried to encourage herself, but she couldn't bury her own sadness over not having Elizabeth with her every day.

Denita had an emotional parting with Dr. Blades in the early afternoon. She had taken so well to the Boudreaux kids, and to being with Chantelle, but she did miss her grandpa. She had clung to him more that visit than any before, and she was genuinely sad to say goodbye. He assured her he would see her again at Thanksgiving but she still cried that night before she went to sleep.

Bedtime at the Boudreaux's was not nearly as emotional, but the atmosphere was a little strained. Rennie had taken the kids home early, before dinner, which hadn't happened in months. They cooked and ate in their own home and during dinner, he reminded them of the routine he and Arlene had agreed to for them. He would prepare and deliver everyone to school in the mornings and they would all ride the bus home together. The bus was an unknown for them, never having taken it before. Mrs. Flower's however, assured them earlier in the day that she would be on duty and would help them to the right bus, which would always be the same number bus and the same one they would ride all year. Only Elizabeth would be picked up earlier by Arlene and both would be waiting their return at the bus stop. They would all stay at home and do homework or play until Rennie came home.

"Lizzie's gonna freak out," Acadia declared.

"Let's hope not," Rennie said.

As he tucked the kids in for bed, much earlier than they were used to now, he whispered something encouraging to each of them as he said goodnight. He was nervous for them, and for himself. He would have loved to relive their summer for the rest of his days on Earth, but knowing life simply goes on, he tried to find comfort for himself in the words he offered to them. He decided, before going to sleep he could use some comforting words too. May Alice was curious how dinner went; realizing also, the family had not had dinner in their own home in so long. She was happy that, at least, she and Chantelle still had Denita to make her own house feel less empty. She could barely remember the times before the kids' arrival and she couldn't imagine what she and Chantelle had done all day back then and the truth was she didn't want to.

Rennie gave her the highlights but it was clear that all the two really wanted in that moment was to connect with one another one more time that day. May Alice had encouraging words for him, that everything would be okay, and that the week would be over quick and they could all gather together again on the weekend.

"We didn't really discuss what would become of our Saturday mornings, you know?" Rennie pointed out.

She laughed a little, but commented with sincerity, "You need to see how much you miss the kids during the week before you decide what you want on Saturday mornings. And of course, we are adults. You can come here anytime," she added suggestively.

"How about now? I miss you already," he said.

She laughed again and said, "We're adults, your kids aren't. But I miss you too."

"Well, I have a confession. I didn't line up much work for tomorrow, y'know, just in case."

"I had a feeling you might not," she said with a yawn she tried to stifle. She was tired, but could have talked to Rennie all night long. He of course, heard it in her voice anyway, so, said he loved her and he would drop by sometime the following day.

He lay down in the bed that felt suddenly emptier than before. He fell asleep soon and was awakened much, much later by a dream he was sure he'd had before. When? He couldn't recall but he was certain he'd dreamt it before.

May Alice's driveway was before him, its familiar and welcoming dogwood trees lining both sides. He was approaching the house in his truck, mesmerized by the flakes falling in his path. As with the time before, he felt happy and like he was arriving for some designated festivity he couldn't quite remember. He looked to his right and saw May Alice sitting beside him, smiling at him. Although it appeared to be snowing, and should have been cold out, his window was down and her long hair was blowing across her face. He reached for her face to stroke her cheek, and woke up. Befuddled by the mix of emotions, what he was feeling in the dream, and the disappointment of waking without her, were compounded by the fact that he'd had the dream before. He could never recall having had that happen before. He wondered what his father might have told him about such things. He was quickly comforted by the first rays of morning light and the fact that if he had to have a recurring dream, that was a pretty good one to have.