Martha Mason - Two Rings, One Heart

“See ya,” Mitchell called after her. Like old times.

Megan heard him, but she chose not to respond. Feeling in her heart that old empty ache of love gone wrong. “’Bye, Mitch,” she whispered to herself.

Inside Zack was waiting to ambush her, wanting to tell her all about the afternoon. “Mom, it was so great! Dad said…Dad did…Dad likes…” He went on and on as Megan listened patiently.

“He asked if he could see you both again tomorrow,” she added, when he took a breath.

“You told him yes, didn’t you?”

“He’s picking you up at two.”

Jess was coming down the stairs and overheard them talking. She rushed into the room. “Oh no, not again. I’m not going out with him! ” she roared.

“Ah, Jess, you know you had a good time today,” Zack said. “Stop acting like such a baby!”

“What’s the problem, Jess?” Megan asked, feeling guilty for forcing her.

Her daughter shrugged and made a face. “I don’t know.”

“So, nothing’s really wrong. You just don’t want to go. Right?”

“Mom,” she began to whine, but the look on her mother’s face told her it was a waste of time.

“I believe you need to at least give him a chance. Don’t you?” Megan asked.

Jess nodded slightly.

The next morning at church, Megan heard little of the service. She was too busy asking God why, then not listening for His reply.

That afternoon Mitchell took the children roller skating. He felt that was safe, since Jess came out in jeans that looked well worn. Unbeknownst to him, skating was one of her favorite pastimes.

Jess had decided ahead of time that this wasn’t going to be any fun. When there was a couples skate, she refused to skate with Mitchell. Zack went off with a girl he knew from school.

Later, she fell skating. When Mitchell rushed to help her, she shrieked, “Leave me alone!” loud enough to turn a few heads in their direction. From then on, she made him as miserable as possible. He ended up bringing them home early.

“Come on in, I want you to see my science project,” Zack said, dragging his reluctant father inside.

Megan was nowhere in sight, so Jess began searching for her. She found her on the swing on the back porch. “Mom, I fell and hurt my leg really bad,” Jess moaned as she limped over.

“Let me see,” Megan said, making room beside her.

Jess sat down and pulled up the leg of her pants. Then she stuck her leg in her mother’s face for her to examine closely.

“Oh! You really bruised that, didn’t you,” Megan said, knowing Jess wanted sympathy, even though there was hardly a mark.

“It hurts a lot. I wanted to come home, but he made me stay,” she said pitifully.

Megan grabbed Jess and hugged her firmly. “You know something?”

“What?” Jess growled.

“I love you,” Megan giggled and gave Jess a kiss.

Jess wasn’t giving up yet. “I missed you. I kept thinking about you here all alone. Maybe next time Zack could go and I could keep you company.”

“I was fine. I.got some reading done.” Megan held up her book.

Jess was trying to figure out her next maneuver, when Mitchell came out the door. “I just wanted to tell you goodbye,” he said quietly.

“I was showing Mommy my leg,” she said, glaring at him accusingly.

“I’m sorry you got hurt,” he said.

Jess was having none of it. She got out of the swing and started to march inside, then remembered to limp.

Megan saw Mitchell’s bewildered expression. “Hold it, young lady! Don’t you have something to say?”

Jess swallowed her arrogant attitude. “Thank you for taking us skating,” she said, then quickly escaped.

Mitchell watched until she was inside. Then he turned his attention to Megan, who had a frown on her face. “What?” he asked, confused.

“She really has you hopping,” Megan commented.

“She hates me. She as much as told me so.”

“She still might. She’s no angel. She may look like one, but inside beats the heart of a true cynic, or so she’d like us to believe,” Megan said knowingly.

“You’re very smug,” he said.

“Well, if she keeps this up, you’ll be dancing to her tune. That will suit her fine.”

“I’ll call about the next time,” he said, flustered, and started off the porch.

“After two visits are you running scared?” she asked haughtily.

He turned back to face her. “You know, I never remember you being spiteful!”

“I never remember you being a coward!”

“A coward!” he said, amazed by the accusation.

“You’re having second thoughts because a child you neglected for ten years hasn’t taken to you right away! If you’re truly interested in a relationship with your daughter, it will take more than two afternoons of fun and games. You’re the one who came back and started this. So don’t blame Jess! Make up your mind if you really want to be a father, because neither one of them needs to be hurt again,” she said bitterly.

Megan’s words stung. Jess wasn’t like Zack, who was ready to welcome him home. Jess wanted nothing to do with him. His shoulders sagged as he thought of what he would have to face to build a relationship with her.

Megan noted his defeated look. “Look, she doesn’t want a father or a mother or a grandmother or anyone else telling her what to do or how to do it. It’s not just you.”

Mitchell looked perplexed. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I know Jess. She’s a pro, you’re not. She’s made teachers cry. She has this knack for making people feel guilty and unworthy, and she does it well. Most of it’s a facade—she’s really a sweetheart underneath. Don’t give up on her too easily. She’s worth the effort.” Megan’s expression softened.

Mitchell leaned against the porch railing. “I apologize for calling you spiteful.”

“Don’t make any rash decisions,” she warned.

“Do you still consider me a coward?”

She raised her eyebrows. “We’ll see.”

“I’ll be out of town on business for the next week. That’s why I said I’d call about the next visit,” he explained. “If you should need to get in touch with me for any reason, call See Life. They’ll know how to locate me.”

“Lucky them. We’ll manage,” she added dryly.

“How well I know you can manage alone. I’m reminded of that fact every time I come out here. Regardless, if an emergency comes up, call me. Please.”

Megan shrugged. “If that’s what you want. Who should I call, Sea Fish?”

“See Life,” he repeated. “It should be a new listing.” He started to leave, then he turned back to enlighten her a bit. “You know Jess gets it from you.”

“Not all of it,” Megan said, giving him a look that made him realize he was on shaky ground. She picked up her book, letting him know he could leave now.

“I’ll call while I’m gone,” he repeated.

“Suit yourself,” Megan answered without looking up. Thank goodness she wouldn’t have to deal with him for a few days. Maybe he wouldn’t bother to come back.

“See ya,” Mitchell said quietly, and left.

Megan relaxed a little with Mitchell out of town. Then she began thinking. Maybe he had left again for good. She decided to call Sea Weed, or whatever, to see if he had been telling her the truth.

She dialed information. “I’d like a new listing, Sea something-or-other.”

The operator gave her the information and she punched in the numbers. “See Life. May I help you?” a friendly female voice asked.

“Yes. Do you have a Mitchell Whitney employed there?” she asked.

“Oh, yes. But Mr. Whitney is out of town. Could I take a message?”