Keeping Faith by Cindy Bradford (serial 13)
Chapter 4 Part II
Cindy Bradford
She ordered the small catfish platter with fries and hush puppies.
“Okay, here goes. I’ll take the large order with coleslaw on the side. And would you bring us another beer and wine, please?”
When the waiter brought the food, it was so heaped with small, crisp filets of fish that a couple fell off on the table.
“Why didn’t you tell me this was going to be so big,” Patrick asked with his eyes wide with surprise.
“You’re a big boy. You can eat that.”
“Ummm, this is really good. Now I’m sorry I was so mean. What’s the name of this lake?”
“Indian, Indian Lake,” she responded.
“Any Indians around here? Everything seems to have some kind of Indian connection.”
Sue laughed, “Well, I guess there were at one time, although I don’t know that. I really never thought about it. I know there was never any major tribe or anything or we would have studied about it in Texas history. There was a small tribe up by Nacogdoches or Lufkin, about 75 miles southeast of here. I remember studying about it. I think there’s still a reservation or something there you can tour.”
“I hope I don’t get so full I can’t have a dish of that peach cobbler with ice cream,” he said, licking his lips and grinning. “I’m becoming quite an East Texan, don’t you think?”
“I don’t think I’d stretch it that far, but I love you anyway,” she said, reaching over to pat his hand.
When he finished the cobbler he made a double handed gesture to indicate time out. “I’m stuffed, but it was great.” Looking at the reflection the moon was making on the water, they noticed the line of people congregating outside, anxious now to get a table inside, out of what had now become the cool night air.
“I guess we’d better go. It looks like these people could get vicious.
“I enjoyed that Patrick. Thanks for agreeing to try it.”
“Hey, I’d do this again.”
“Me, too. Would you mind if we brought Alice sometime. I know it’s been a long time since she’s been here and she really loved it.”
“Okay, we can do that,” he said with a slight frown. “I need to practice my sparring.”
“Oh Patrick, you’re just jealous because she can match your sarcasm. Neither of you really mean it, I don’t think.”
Softening, he responded, “I know. I guess she’s the bossy big sister I never had. God knows I didn’t need another sibling.”
“It’s funny, you know. She never bosses me, never really has.”
“Bossing me is her way of protecting you,” he offered.
“I guess you’re right. I don’t know what I would do without her. She’s been my rock since Mom died.”
“She’s one tough cookie, that’s for sure.”
“Yeah, and life hasn’t been too positive for her lately, but she’ll be okay. She’s a survivor. She’s always said I was the strong one, but she’s really the one.”
Taking her hand as they were leaving, Patrick and Sue trudged up the small hill to the car. “It sure was easier going down wasn’t it?”
“We were lighter,” Sue smiled, moving closer to him, feeling safe and comfortable. Once in the car she said, “To get back to Townsend we go that way. It’s a little further back home. I’ll direct us, just don’t go too fast so I can watch.”
He drove with his arm around her, pulling her over toward him as close as he could.
“Turn at that next road to the left.”
He did and then onto a smaller curved road.
“No, not here, you’re supposed to go straight.”
But Patrick eased down the narrow passage and turned off the engine and lights. “I’m not missing my chance,” as he covered her mouth with his.
She responded by putting her arms around him tightly. “Just hold me, Patrick. I want to feel your heart beat.”
They sat in the car talking and kissing until it began to get cold. “What do the kids do when it is really cold here?”
“They leave the engine running, then turn it off a minute and watch the windows fog up. As soon as it gets cold they run the engine again.”
Starting the car, he said, “I think I know a better place for this,” driving back to her house.
≈≈≈
Before he left for Indiana, Patrick apologized to Sue for not having time to pick out her Christmas gift, but he promised to bring it when he returned second semester. Hoping for an engagement ring, Sue was afraid that might be premature. Besides she reminded herself, she had his promise ring that she never took off.
Unlike other visits home, Patrick only called three times during the holidays causing Sue to worry.
Hoping he was busy with family, she tried to stay busy making ornaments for the Christmas trees at the nursing center and the hospital. Sue made a mental note to remember to drive to Rose Hill with Alice to pick up birth-control pills but then decided to call her sister.
“I need to go to Rose Hill this weekend,” she told Alice. “I ran out of pills a couple of days ago, but Patrick won’t be back for two more weeks anyway.”
“Okay, just let me know when. You don’t want to take any chances, little sister.”
However, in the rush of Christmas, Sue forgot.
≈≈≈
When January came, Sue drove to Dallas where Patrick was waiting, holding two small packages for her and his heavy, worn suitcase.
“I missed you,” he said, handing her the gifts and apologizing for not calling more often. In one was her favorite bottle of perfume, Youth Dew, with a smaller purse-sized bottle and in the other box was an eight track tape by her favorite duo, The Righteous Brothers. Hiding her disappointment about a ring, she kissed Patrick softly.
“Thank you, Patrick. I’ve missed you so much.” She handed him his presents which he opened excitedly. The first contained a gold money clip engraved with “I love you, Sue” and the second was a dark green cardigan sweater.
“Hey, this will look great at Notre Dame,” and though not sure he was being offered a scholarship, it was clear he was counting on it.
≈≈≈
Even before the semester started Patrick was busy with basketball practice, leaving less time for them to be together.
When Sue questioned him about seeming distant and removed, he told her he had a lot on his mind, plus he needed to spend more time studying to improve his grades.
Although they continued trying to see each other almost every night Patrick began leaving earlier than he had in previous months. When they made love, he appeared to be the same thoughtful, gentle Patrick but Sue wondered if he had the same interest and passion that he had once displayed.
In late March Patrick received the call he had been waiting for and immediately afterwards he phoned Sue. “I got the scholarship; I got it Sue,” sounding out of breath.
“Oh, Patrick, I’m so happy for you, for both of us.”
“Let’s go celebrate tonight at Seafood Inn. Can you pick me up at 7:00?
“Sure,” she said, a little surprised since they rarely went out anywhere special on a school night. Excited, but a bit nervous, she wanted to talk about her plans for joining him in Indiana and was anxious to hear his suggestions.