Twelve
JENNY SAT ON THE FRONT PORCH AND LISTENED TO HER OLDEST son Connor sing his heart out. He was trying out for American Idol at the end of the summer … something he’d decided just a few weeks ago. The show was making a stop in Indianapolis, and though ten thousand people were bound to show up for the audition, Connor wanted his chance.
“God only opens doors we knock on,” he had told her when he made up his mind. “I have to try.”
She loved that about her kids, that they were willing to go after their dreams. It was a bittersweet joy, because in time their dreams were bound to take them to vastly different places. Bailey already in New York, and now Connor. If he gravitated toward a singing career he would live in Nashville eventually, or maybe Los Angeles. Certainly not here in Bloomington. She smiled to herself. American Idol was a long shot, no matter how great he sounded singing at their family’s piano.
But the possibility that Connor’s dreams would take him far away was very real.
She had a five-page document in her hand, her latest article for Christian Family magazine. This was her newest writing position, and she liked it better than the other magazines she’d worked for. This one allowed her to talk about the things most dear to her, the challenges of adoption, the task of raising kids who would develop a strong faith of their own, the importance of laughter around the dinner table. Today’s article was on another topic close to Jenny’s heart: the decision to have an open door to the people God brought into their lives.
Jenny smiled, remembering the many kids who viewed the Flanigans as their second family. None more so than Cody Coleman. She focused on the first paragraph of the article and began to read. But she wasn’t halfway down the page when she heard a car coming down the hill. She looked up and squinted. It was the last day of June, and the heat was getting intense, the humidity causing a buildup of clouds along the horizon. The glare of the sun made it hard to see, but as the pickup grew closer, as it slowed and turned into their driveway, she had no doubt whose it was.
“Cody Coleman,” she whispered out loud. How long had it been? She watched him park, and as he climbed out of the truck and walked closer, Jenny felt her heart hurt at the way she’d missed him, the way they’d all missed him.
He saw her, clearly. His hands in his pockets, he made his way up the porch steps and over to her before he said a single word. She stood to meet him, and they came together in the sort of hug usually reserved strictly for family. A hug that held on and gave absolute unconditional certainty that love once here, was still here now.
She stepped back and they sat down on the porch swing.
“Hi.” He smiled as he spoke for the first time. With the Flanigans, he already knew he didn’t need words. “It’s been a long time.”
“Too long.” She set her document down beside her. “You look good.”
“I am.” He nodded, confident. His face looked older in a good way, more mature than before. “I’m coaching and teaching … at Lyle High … halfway to the Ohio border.”
“Yes.” Jenny smiled at the irony. Cody here beside her when she’d just finished an article about having an open door. “Ryan Taylor told us.”
“I thought he might.” He looked uncomfortable for a moment, like maybe he felt guilty for not calling. “I thought I’d come by and talk to Coach … see if he had any advice about summer camp. I’ve never run one before and … well, it’s coming up. I have a lot to learn.”
“He’ll be home soon.” She smiled, hoping to erase any awkwardness he might feel. Especially in light of the situation with him and Bailey. “He’d love to help you.”
“I figured.” Cody relaxed. “I miss him … I miss all of you.” His eyes held an aching that made Jenny feel good. Like the time he’d spent with their family mattered to him. Even if he hadn’t been in touch lately.
“I heard about the car accident … your friend.” She wanted him to know he could talk about his life. How he had moved on. “What’s her name?”
He hesitated, and for a moment he looked across the expanse of their front lawn, the sun on his face. “Cheyenne.” He turned back to Jenny. “She’s doing much better. We … we spend a lot of time together.” Again he looked slightly out of sorts. “I guess you know … I haven’t talked to Bailey since she left.” He turned slightly so he could see her better. “How’s she doing?”
“She loves the show.” Jenny had to be careful. Bailey wouldn’t want her saying too much. If Cody wanted to know about her life, he could text or call her. She’d told Jenny that a number of times. “She’s keeping busy.”
“Her and Brandon?” Cody almost winced, and there was no denying the fact that he didn’t really want to know the answer. “Are they … are they together?”
“I’m not sure they have a label.” Jenny studied him, how right it felt that he was back. “Brandon’s a part of her life.”
“Yes.” Cody set his jaw and nodded. “I’m glad she’s happy.” He stood and took a deep breath. “Well … are the boys out back?”
“They are.” Her heart hurt at the look in Cody’s eyes, the way he so obviously still had feelings for Bailey. But there was nothing she could say to help the situation, no advice or wisdom that would be appropriate. The relationship between Cody and Bailey was something only God and the two of them could figure out. “Come on.” She grabbed her document and together they walked inside. “They’ll be thrilled to see you.”
Connor was first to notice him. He got up from the piano and gave Cody the sort of hug usually reserved for the closest teammates. “It’s been too long …”
“I know.” He nodded toward the piano. “Listen to you, man, … you sound amazing. You going out for American Idol this year, or what?”
Connor laughed. “Actually … yeah. This summer.”
“No way!” Cody gave Connor an enthusiastic pat on his shoulder. “That’s awesome, bro, … you’ll blow ‘em away.”
Jenny watched from a few feet away. She loved this, how with Cody it felt like no time had passed. This was their reward for opening their home and hearts to Cody in the first place. He would always be a part of them — regardless of time passed.
“You gotta keep me posted.” Cody shook his head, his grin reaching easily to his eyes. “You’ll knock it out of the park. Seriously … you sing like that and we’ll be watching you on TV.”
They were halfway down the hall, Jenny tailing the guys and headed toward the kitchen when Ricky spotted Cody. “What?” He shouted the word and jumped up. Ricky seemed to grow taller every day, and now he lumbered up to them, all big feet and long legs. “I can’t believe you’re here!” He threw himself in Cody’s arms and the two hugged and slapped each other’s backs.
“What happened to you? You’re huge!” Cody stood back and studied Ricky. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of passing me up.”
“He’s six-foot-two.” Connor laughed. “Crazy for a thirteen-year-old.”
“Yeah,” Ricky laughed, his expression proud of the fact. “You still have me beat by an inch, but not for long.”
Cody raised his brow. “Not if you’re this tall at thirteen.”
“Come on … Shawn and Justin are playing football out back.” Ricky ran ahead. “Wait till I tell them!”
Cody grinned at Jenny and Connor. “I guess I’m playing football.”
“Me too.” Connor ran for the stairs. “I’ll change and be right down.”
“Like old times.” Jenny hoped he could see in her smile how glad she was that he’d come. “It’s good to have you home, Cody.”
“Thanks.” He started toward the back door. “It’s good to be here.” With a quick step he jogged off to the backyard.
Jenny watched him go. Ricky gathered Justin, Shawn, and BJ, and like he’d never left, Cody organized them and threw the first pass to Ricky.
“And,” Ricky shouted, “he catches it for a first down!”
The other guys clapped, and Shawn began to run, his hand outstretched. “Hit me up, Ricky, … right here!”
Connor came running down the stairs dressed in shorts and a T-shirt and flew out the back door to join the others. Jenny couldn’t pull herself away. The scene was like being back in the past, as if she’d taken a ride in Devin Blake’s time machine — the one Ashley had told her about — to one of the happiest moments of her life: when Cody lived with them and growing up seemed like a lifetime away for all her boys. So much had changed, and now Connor was ready to take on his senior year, ready to head into the world and pursue his dreams. And the other boys were only getting taller and older, closer to the front door and the plans God had for them.
But for now, the boys out back reminded her of God’s goodness, His ability to give her gifts like this when she least expected them. There was a sound behind her, and she turned to see Jim walk in through the garage door. “Hey,” he grinned at her. “Is that Cody’s truck outside?”
“It is.” She turned and watched the boys again. “Like he never left.”
Jim joined her and gave her a quick kiss as he looked at the game of catch going on outside. “He looks good.”
“He’s growing up.” Jenny leaned her head on his shoulder. “He wants to talk to you. About football.”
“Really?” He looked touched by the fact. “Sometimes enough weeks pass I wonder if he even remembers us.”
“Jim …” She raised her eyebrows at him, her voice softer than before. She tapped his chest a few times. “You know deep inside here that could never be true. Cody won’t ever forget us.”
He looked past her to the boys once more. “You’re right.” He smiled. “I’m glad he came by.”
Jenny set about making dinner — leftover chicken and rice. She’d made enough that she easily had plenty for Cody to join them, and once it was heated up she called out to them. She lingered at the doorway, enjoying once more the look of her boys laughing together with Cody, the way they slung their arms over each others’ shoulders and laughed while they headed inside with the football. She looked at Cody as the boys filed past. “Stay for dinner?”
He hesitated, but only for a few seconds. “You have enough?”
“Always enough for you.” Ricky put his arm around Cody’s neck and gave him a light punch in the arm. “Even if I caught more passes than you.”
“He was easy on you, bud, …” Justin grinned. “Don’t get a big head, now.”
The boys made their way to the back bathroom to wash up, and Cody spotted Jim in the other room reading the newspaper. Cody went to him and immediately Jim set his paper down and hugged him, much the way Jenny had. Like Cody was their long lost son — which after this much time, was close to the truth.
They ate dinner then, laughing over stories from Clear Creek High. “We miss you on the field.” Connor took a forkful of rice and waited until he had swallowed it. “No one coaches us quarterbacks like you, Cody. Coach Taylor’s too busy with the rest of the team.”
“He’s a very good coach.” Cody looked from Connor to Jim. “I keep thinking how lucky I am to have played for you … and to have coached with Ryan Taylor. It’s amazing how much I learned.” He raised his fork in the air. “And how much I still have to learn.”
Jenny watched Jim to see if he might say anything about Ryan Taylor and the possible promotion he might be getting. But when Jim said nothing, Jenny kept quiet too. The Colts were looking to bring in a new coach. Ryan was a former NFL player, with state play-off success at the high school coaching level. He was definitely being considered for the position. Something even Ryan didn’t know.
Like always, the kids made short order of dinner, and the cleanup began with all the Flanigan boys working together. As they did, Jim and Cody headed to the game table in the family room. Jenny couldn’t hear everything they said after that, but Jim pulled out paper and pencils and for an hour the two of them talked intently — taking turns drawing up what must’ve been plays and drills, ways Cody’s summer camp could be productive and effective.
Jenny took a spot at the kitchen bar where she could keep them in view. How would Bailey feel about how easily Cody had fit back into their lives? If only for a day? Once he was gone Jenny planned to call her. She would be on stage still at this point, but later they could get on Skype … talk face to face.
As Jim and Cody finished their talk, as they laughed together and put their heads together, and dreamed about football side by side, Jenny prayed for Cody. That God would continue to bring him back, and that Cody would work things out with Bailey. So that at the very least they might be friends. Because of all the things Jenny could imagine about the future, there was one thing she couldn’t think about.
The idea of never seeing Cody Coleman again.