Kaleidoscope

Chapter Forty

Jen's graduation was just two weeks away. She had been so reclusive lately, it almost came as a surprise to the family when she came by one day to show them the announcements she had chosen.

"Why didn't you let us help you with this?" Rose asked, feeling once again left out.

"Oh, I had some input from someone, and I didn't want to bother you with it. What do you think? Do you like them? I thought I'd send them out to some of our family and my friends."

"I think we need to have a party, Sweetheart," Rose said after composing herself.

"I agree," said Theresa, having just heard the tail end of the conversation on her way into the kitchen.

"Really?" Jen said.

"Absolutely. We'll have it here in the backyard, and you can invite anyone you want. This is cause for a celebration."

"You know I'll want Dad here, too, Mom. Can you handle that?"

Rose, embarrassed that her daughter seemed to be lecturing her, said that they had been continuing with their counseling and they were fine being around each other now. Jen winked at Theresa without Rose noticing.

"Do you think Danny will be able to come?" Theresa asked.

"He's not restricted, Theresa. He can come and go if he wants to. He's really on the honor system. If he wants to get better, he'll stay with the program, but he's free to leave whenever."

"I hope he's doing well, Jen. I want this so badly for him. I want us to be a real family again."

The words were not lost on Rose.

"Let's get the planning started now," said Theresa. When is graduation, anyway?" she said referring to the announcement. "Wow, we don't have much time to get this planned. Jen, you make up a guest list, and I'll take care of sending out the invitations."

"Thanks, Sis, that would be a big help. I still have one more final to go, and then I'll be done."

Rose looked tenderly at her two girls interacting just like they did when they were little. Hope rose in her for the first time in two years that life might be getting close to normal again. Theresa was taking some online courses, and Jen would be working close by, Danny would be back home again, and their family would feel like it once did. Except for Tom. And Rose didn't even want to go there. They had persisted in the counseling and were beginning to understand each other a little better, but she wasn't ready to open the door to him just yet. Nor was she sure she ever would be. Her only hope was that they would maintain a civil relationship, especially around the children. She knew Tom was hoping for more—he had made it abundantly clear in therapy that he wanted to come back home. But, she couldn't think about that right now. She had a party to plan!

Jen was so excited to see Theresa become involved in her celebration. Her little sister was joining the world again. She had seen her drive her van the other day and was so proud of her accomplishments. Perhaps this would be the time to introduce Brad to everyone. That would be step one. Step two would be to let them know how serious the relationship was. And she couldn't even think of step three—Chicago. She could tell just by her mom's conversation that she fully expected her to stay around the area. She was seeing some hope in her mom for the first time in a long time, and now she was about to burst her bubble. But, Jen knew her life was important, too, and she couldn't keep her plans a secret. She just wasn't sure how to drop the bombshell that would explode her mother's dreams.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Theresa suggested that she drive them all downtown to pick out the party invitations. So far, Theresa had never had any passengers with her except for her dad and she had stuck close to town. Jen very enthusiastically headed for the van. Rose stalled, making excuses until Jen gave her a look that said get on board with this, Mom, and she finally agreed to the ride. Theresa loaded up her wheelchair, started up the van and pulled out of the driveway like a pro. She was on her way.

Rose kept looking at Theresa out of the corner of her eyes, braking with her foot every time Theresa used her handbrake. She wasn't sure she would ever get used to the independence her second child had developed. Was she about to lose her, too?

An hour later, with the invitations chosen and sent to the printer, the Foster women came back home. Jen was a bit overwhelmed with the support and enthusiasm her mom and sister had with her graduation and began to feel extremely guilty about the secret she was keeping from them. She knew it was all going to come out very soon, but for today, she just reveled in the closeness she was enjoying with her family. She gave out hugs and kisses and went back home to study for her last final. She needed to talk to Brad.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Brad was on his rounds, so Jen left him a message to call her when he got the chance. In the meantime, she opened her laptop and dove into reviewing for her last exam. It was on pharmacology, and she recognized so many of the symptoms of drug abuse that she had seen in her brother. She was so glad he hadn't gotten in any deeper. She hadn't heard from him and wondered how he was doing. She would text him later to let him know about the graduation and see if he could make it.

Mozart rang on her phone, and she jumped to answer it.

"What's up, pretty lady?" said Brad when he heard her mellow voice on the other end of the line.

"Everything, now that I'm talking to you."

"Now that's what I like to hear."

"I just came from my house, and I had a chance to ride in Theresa's van with her. It's awesome, and she's doing so well. I can't wait for you to meet her. Anyway, my family is planning a party for me after the Graduation, and I want to make sure that you can be there."

"I'll go anywhere with you," Brad answered, then suddenly realized the ramifications that statement made. "Sounds like a plan," he quickly continued. They had been skirting the issue of her leaving soon after graduation. Reality would strike soon enough.

"I haven't told anyone about you, yet, Brad. I'm waiting for the right time, and it may just never come. So, I think I'll just have to bite the bullet and introduce you then. You can't be a phantom anymore."

"That could be a bit intimidating—meeting your whole family at once."

"They'll love you, Brad. They just may not love that I love you, too. I'm not sure when to tell them about Chicago. I think they want me there sometime in August. I have to give them some time to adjust."

I need some time to adjust, too, thought Brad, then chased away the thought. This wasn't about him. This was about the two of them, and they would adjust together.

"I'm glad that we'll be getting 'us' out in the open. Sometimes I feel like our relationship is illicit the way we're always in the shadows."

"I'm so sorry, Brad. I warned you my family was complicated and this is the only way I knew of to handle us. It will be a relief to me, too. I don't like having secrets. First, we'll tell them about us, and then I'll figure a way to work in the Chicago bit."

"If they love you, Jen, they'll be happy for you." Despite how hard it is, he thought.

"I hope you're right, Honey. Anyway, I have to get back to the books. After tomorrow it will all be over, and then the real work will begin."

And then we'll be apart, she thought, her heart heavy.