Please read the previous chapters prior to this one to understand the story to this point. None of these chapters are stand-alone. Remember, this is fiction.
Enjoy.
I heard the alarm scream at 6:00am and struggled with the bedcovers to reach it. Pam turned to me and opened one eye, trying to focus on what just happened. "Damn, that alarm's loud."
We both collapsed back into our pillows and stared at the ceiling. The room was dark at this time of the morning. She asked, "Do we have to get up yet?"
"Why don't you lay here a bit longer and I'll turn the coffee on."
I donned my robe and house shoes, headed to the bathroom and began to empty my overloaded bladder. Pam must have heard my water running as she came quickly. "Hurry, I've got to go." She began fidgeting and kind of dancing from one foot to the other as she waited. I watched her breasts bouncing up and down and took my time.
"Hurry Tom!"
I finally got out of her way; she quickly lowered the seat and let it fly. She looked at me and I grinned. She asked, "I suppose this is not too romantic, is it?" All I could do was laugh. We had only known each other four days and she was already comfortable enough to pee in my presence.
While she was wiping, I walked to the kitchen and hit the "on" button. I always prepared the coffee for brewing the night before. Just as the brew cycle was ending, Pam walked in. She again had on that beautiful robe that'd belonged to Lydia.
We finally kissed and she wrapped one arm around my waist and laid her head on my chest. I handed her a cup. She reached up and kissed me again. "Thanks sweetheart."
I asked, "Did you have any dreams last night?"
"Not that I remember. Yesterday was mentally exhausting and I just collapsed into a deep sleep, I suppose. What about you?"
"No. I thought about Lydia for a long time before dozing off. I was surprised she never told me about confiding in Susan. We talked about everything, I thought, during those last two years but she never talked about those dreams."
"You said that she seemed happy and unconcerned about her pending death."
"Yes, she was. I attributed that to her faith and trying to put up a good front for me. I knew she was concerned about me and worried about what I'd do after she was gone."
Pam conjectured, "Maybe by doing it the way she did, she was making sure you knew it was for real and not just some hallucination caused by the chemo. Both of us know there's no way this could be faked. For some reason, God brought us together. I don't know why He chose me, I sure wasn't being a good little girl."
"And I certainly don't know why I was allowed to meet such a wonderful young lady."
Pam thought for a few moments, as if trying to make sure she wanted to say something. "Tom, do you really, really think I'm all that wonderful? I mean, I've slept around with several men, disobeyed and dishonored my parents and hardly even have a family because I chased them all away. I probably was the major cause of my dad dying so young. I was selfish and egotistical and, to be frankly honest, I was dumb as shit."
I could see tears welling in her eyes. I wrapped both arms around her and pull her head to my chest again.
"I admit, you've probably had your moments, but we all have in one form or another. What matters is the future. I think God sees in you some of the things I see in you. You love people. You have a great compassion for others who are struggling. You realize you did make mistakes and are working to move past them. I think you've asked for forgiveness in your own way and He forgave you."
"I truly hope so. I've done a lot in my past that needs forgiveness."
We kissed again and walked hand-in-hand to the bedroom to shower and dress.
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As soon as we reached Interstate 85, we started looking for a place to eat.
I asked, "Any place special you like?"
"Not really. Cracker Barrel is usually pretty good if we can find one."
We finally saw one at Exit 129 and pulled off into the parking lot. It was fairly busy but we were seated right away.
Pam opted for a western omelet and I had the Old Timer's breakfast with turkey sausage, scrambled eggs and grits.
As we sipped coffee and waited for the food to come, I said, "You seemed very quiet in the car this morning. Are you worried about going home?"
"Yeah, I am. The last time I was there, my mom and I got into a really big argument about my lifestyle and my future. She was right and I was wrong, that's what hurts so much. I have to look her in the eye and apologize and tell her that. She didn't deserve any of the abuse I gave her."
I reached across the table and held her hand. "She will forgive you and love you unconditionally, Pam. I remember some of my rebellious periods and how I put my mom and dad through hell with my words and actions. Thankfully, that stuff is behind us and we learned from it. Moms and dads seem to have an infinite supply of forgiveness."
After leaving the restaurant, we made our way up I-85 and finally saw an exit for Greenville. Pam said, "Take the next exit and then turn left."
I followed her turn-by-turn instructions for another six or seven miles as we drove farther into the foothills. The mountains here aren't as tall as the Smoky Mountains but are still stately. Finally, we arrived and she directed me up a long gravel lane to the house.
Her mother heard our car coming and came out on the porch as we drove up. She waved as I parked the car.
Much to my surprise, Pam burst from the car and ran at top speed to her mom. They stood on the porch, hugged and kissed for several minutes; exchanging whispered thoughts that I couldn't hear. I gave them the privacy they needed but Pam finally turned and yelled for me to come.
Mrs. Davis started greeting me as I walked up the steps. "Welcome! Thank you for bringing Pam home." Both had tears rolling down their cheeks.
Between sniffles, Pam formally introduced us, "Mom, this is Tom Sumter. Tom, this is my mom Ruth." We briefly hugged.
"I'm very pleased to meet you Tom."
"Ruth, I am very happy to meet you. Pam has told me a lot about you and this farm. It certainly is a pretty place." I glanced at Pam and she appeared to be very relieved.
"Thank you. Please come in out of the cold." We walked into the living room. This was obviously an old and very traditional farmhouse. The ceilings were quite high which helped cool the house in the summer before air conditioning was invented. There were fireplaces at two locations in the large living room. Just beyond and to the left appeared to be the kitchen. I could smell various spicy fragrances from the lunch Ruth was preparing.
"Please have a seat Tom. I have some cooking on and just need to check it." Pam and her mom walked together to the kitchen.
I walked around the room and looked at photos, mementos and all the little knickknacks that tend to find their way into our lives. Several photos were of the two girls at various ages. Both Pam and Jerri were beautiful, even as young girls.
Only one of the fireplaces was burning. I stood with my back to it and the flames warmed my trouser legs and hands.
Occasionally, I could hear snippets of the conversation in the kitchen.
"Well, he sure is handsome."
"Chattanooga?"
"Oh, I'm so happy for that."
