Pink Flamingoed (4 page)

Cora ushered everyone out, said goodbye to Brad and
Amy, and closed the door.

“Thanks for all you’ve done. I know it had to be a lot
of work,” Brad said.

“Yeah, it was,” Amy answered, “but everyone always has
so much fun. Each year, we schedule our caroling early in December before
everyone gets too busy with other things. Since it was at my house this year, I
wanted to make sure that I had my trees up and the house decorated.”

“Well, I think you did a wonderful job,” Brad said as
his eyes did a visible sweep of the room. “Would you like some help getting
things back in order?”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m kind of looking forward
to waking up in the morning and having a reminder of all the fun we had.”

Amy made another mental note that her new neighbor
realized that the mess did not go away on its own. He had acquired several plus
marks in such a short time.

Brad’s next comment interrupted her thoughts.

“Well, I for one had fun. I never envisioned spending
my first night on the street quite like this.”

“I’m glad you didn’t wait until tomorrow to move in.
Well, it looks as if it’s just the two of us. Would you like to sit down?” Amy
asked as she motioned to the couch.

“I guess I can stay a few minutes longer, but I need
to leave soon, so I can get some sleep before the movers arrive.”

The two sat down and looked at each other. After
looking at Amy for a moment, Brad burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Amy asked, puzzled by his behavior.
“Do I have some parsley between my teeth, or something?”

“No, nothing like that. It’s Cora,” Brad answered.

“What about her?” Amy asked, still puzzled.

She hoped Brad was not going to say anything bad about
her mother away from home.

In his best imitation of Cora, Brad said, “Amy’s a
good girl, Brad. Well worth getting to know. You’re not married, and she’s not
married. Understand?”

“She said that?” Amy asked.

“Yes,” Brad answered, causing Amy to grin.

“To Cora,” Brad shouted as he hoisted into the air his
Styrofoam cup half-f of hot chocolate.

“To Cora,” Amy replied, as she lifted her cup to touch
his, careful not to spill anything on her sofa.

For a few moments, the young couple drank their hot
chocolate and drank in how their lives had changed in the last couple of hours.
They looked at each other and smiled. Then Amy broke the silence.

“Listen, I’ve been the tour guide all night. I’ve told
you about everyone. Now, it’s your turn.”

“You haven’t told me about
everyone
.”

“Oh, no. Who haven’t I told you about?” Amy asked.

“The tour guide remains a mystery,” Brad said, with a
silly grin plastered across his face.

Amy returned Brad’s grin with a smile.

“Maybe so, but the tour guide’s taking a break. Now,
it’s the new neighbor’s turn. All I know about you is that your name is Brad
Patterson.”

“Actually, you know less than you think. The
Pattersons were my mother’s parents. My name, fair lady, is Brad Forrester.”

“Yeah, right!” commented Amy.

“What do you mean, ‘yeah, right?’” Brad asked.

“Brad Forrester is a well-known mystery/suspense
writer.”

“Well, I don’t know about well-known, and I prefer to
call them whodunits.”

“You don’t mean to tell me that you’re
the real
Brad
Forrester, the author, do you?”

“Guilty, as charged, Dr. Watson.”

“Oh my gosh! I’m living next door to a famous author.”

“Don’t say that! I’m not famous. I just happen to
write books, and have been fortunate enough that a few people have bought
them.”

“Yeah, right! Quite a few people, I’d say.”

“Well, I’m able to pay the bills each month, but it’s
not like I’m on the
New York Times
best seller list.”

After he finished, Brad remembered that his latest
book did indeed make it on the
New York Times
best seller list. It just
did not make it as far up the ladder as James Patterson, John Grisham, and Mary
Higgins Clark. And the latest Harry Potter book was off the charts. That
reminded Brad. He hoped to work some of his magic on Amy.

“Yeah, but you sell thousands of copies. It looks like
my Mr. Holmes moniker was right on target.”

“Well, I would say a poor man’s Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
would be a little closer to the truth. Although my books more closely resemble
Agatha Christie’s with a bit more action.”

“So, how many books have you written?”

“My fifth book came out about a month ago.”

“So, you’re a prolific writer at an early age. Have
you started anything else yet?”

“No. I plan to take it easy until after the first of
the year. Then in early January I’ll begin to develop some ideas for my next
whodunit.  But, enough about me, tell me about yourself, Miss, uh, Miss…. You
know, I don’t know your last name, either.”

“Amy Carmichael, at your service.”

“And what does Miss Carmichael do to support herself,
or does Miss Carmichael not have to do anything?”

“Usually Miss Carmichael tries to support herself by
keeping her feet planted firmly under her torso.”

Brad shook his head. Cora had taught Amy well.

“Do you think this street can handle you, me, and Cora
all at the same time?”

“I think this street can handle all of us
magnificently,” Amy replied, smiling enough to reveal her perfect teeth.

“But you still haven’t told me what you do.”

“Amy Carmichael, photographer, at your service.”

“And what kind of photographer is Amy Carmichael?”

“Well, I’m prejudiced, but I think a good one.”

“I should’ve known I’d never get a straight answer out
of you.”

“Nor do I expect to get one out of you. Okay, here’s
the skinny. I take photographs, mostly scenery, but a few are of people. Then I
sell them on my website and in a few stores. I’ve been doing it long enough
that I have a regular clientele.”

“Where do you take these photographs?”

“Mostly around Hopemont, but, at some point, I plan to
travel around the country and take photographs. I usually take new photographs
at least once each season and try to capture the essence of each season in my
work.”

“I’d love to see some of your work.”

“I’d be glad to show you, but let’s save it for
another time.”

The two grew quiet for a moment, and then Brad’s eyes
started to tear up.

“Did I say something wrong?” Amy asked, concerned.

“Not at all. I was just thinking that when I go home
tonight I’ll have to thank God for bringing you and all of these other
wonderful people into my life.”

“And
we
must thank Him for bringing you into
our lives, as well.”

Both Amy and Brad were relieved to know that God was a
part of the other’s life, but then both of them expected as much.

“Speaking of God, the day after tomorrow, He will be
at The Church on Aylesford Place and I want to invite you to gather with us
that day and meet Him there.”

“I’d be delighted. But as for now, it’s getting late
and the movers are coming early in the morning. I must be going. Until Sunday.”

“Until Sunday,” Amy replied, realizing that she was
doing a poor job of hiding her joy.

+++

Amy put on her flannel pajamas and hopped into bed.
She slid under the sheet, wrapped the blanket and comforter tightly around her,
and snuggled up to her pillow. After a few moments she turned over on her back,
put her arms under her head with her elbows flailed out, and smiled at the
ceiling. Amy knew she had decent looks and a personality most people found
acceptable, but even though she knew times had changed, the closer she got to
thirty the more she wondered if she would travel through life alone. For the
first time in a few years, Amy smiled because she had hope. She wondered if she
had just met the man God intended for her to marry and thought maybe she had.
Amy blushed as she likened herself to a teenage girl who had encountered her
first crush, but she didn’t  feel  the  least  bit  guilty because of her
thoughts. As Amy continued  to  smile  and  think,  she  wondered if the man
next door was having as much trouble getting to sleep as she was having.

+++

The bottom of Brad’s shoes scraped against the snowy
sidewalk as he left Amy’s house, but he did not know it. He made sure Amy had turned
away from the door, then walked out into the street and took in a panoramic
view. The snow had tapered off to an occasional flurry. Barely an inch had
accumulated. But Brad’s mind was not on the snow. He did not leave his hometown
a frightened, young man, wondering if he would get by and if he would get
homesick. He left behind family he would miss, but he was mature enough and
financially secure enough to know things would be all right. But he expected
more of an adjustment period than he appeared to be experiencing.

His new life meant more than a new house, a large
house without a mortgage. It even meant more than a beautiful, young lady whom
he wanted to get to know better. Much better. There were other neighbors who
seemed genuinely interested in him. No, not Melanie, who merely wanted someone
to love her, but people like Barney, Allison, and Frank who wanted him to know
he was already one of the family. And then there was Cora. Brad could already
see the love she and Amy had for each other, and the way Cora talked to Brad,
it made him think that he was okay in Cora’s book.

Brad wanted to open his mouth and shout, “Thank you,
Lord,” but suspected that all but Amy were now asleep. Instead, he took one
last look at his new street, turned, walked to his new house, and inserted the
key in the lock. After that it was merely a matter of laying his pillow and
blankets on the hardwood floor, thanking God properly, and sleeping quickly
until the movers arrived.

After a long day of cleaning, decorating, and cooking,
Amy slept in the next morning. Finally, the ringing telephone woke her and she
rolled over to see who was calling. “Hello,” Amy answered sleepily.

“So, I woke you, did I? How late did he stay?”

“You’re awfully nosy, Cora.”

“You didn’t answer my question. How late did he stay?”

“Who says he’s gone?”

“Listen, Amy. I know you. You’re just like me. There’s
no way you’re going to let any man spend the night, no matter how much you like
him.”

“So, you mean Frank has to go somewhere else to sleep?”

“You know what I mean, little lady. So, I assume you
like this one. Do you think he’s a keeper?”

“I’d say he’s good for a week.”

“Only a week?”

“Probably so. After all, what chance do I stand with a
wife and four kids on the way.”

“Oh, that reminds me. The jig’s up. Melanie noticed
that Brad wasn’t wearing a wedding ring so we don’t have to go on pretending
anymore.”

“Does that mean I need to put on my boxing gloves and
get serious if I want to keep this one?”

“It wouldn’t hurt. You really like him, don’t you,
Amy?”

“Cora, if my first impression was right, then I’ve
never seen any man as special as Brad is, but I’m trying not to get my hopes up
too much until we get to know each other better.”

“Amy, you don’t really get to know a man until after
you’ve married him. That’s when the lights are brighter and it’s easier to see
the flaws.”

“Frank has flaws?”

“Not many. God really blessed me when He gave me that
man. But enough about flaws. You must be really tired. How can you sleep with
the movers making so much noise next-door?”

“So, they did come. What time did they get here?”

“A little after 7:00. I know because Frank and I had
just gotten up. Oh, by the way, I almost forgot the reason I called. How would
you like to come over for dinner after church tomorrow?”

“Sounds great! Will anyone else be there?”

“Well, I was thinking about letting Frank stay, if
that’s okay with you.”

“You know perfectly well what I mean, Cora.”

“You mean you won’t come if it’s just me and Frank?”

“Of course I will, Cora. But don’t you think it’ll be
better with four?”

“I’ll check and see if Melanie has plans?”

“You know perfectly well who I mean. Do you plan to
make it a foursome or not?”

“Well, I haven’t asked anyone else yet, but I do have
an extra chair, and three
is
a crowd. I guess I’d better let you go, so
I can see if I can get the barbershop quartet back together.”

“You do that, Cora. Bye.”

Amy hung up the phone, turned over on her back,
stretched a few times, and lay there thinking of her new next-door neighbor.
Then she remembered what Cora had said about the moving van being there, so she
hurried to look out her upstairs bay window. Then, she traipsed downstairs and
cleaned up the evidence.

+++

Cora didn’t want to go over to Brad’s and get in the
way of the movers, so she sent Frank over to see if Brad could use any help
putting things in order and to invite Brad to church and to dinner afterwards.

Frank eased around the moving van, looking carefully
to make sure he was not going to run into someone carrying a heavy load into
the house. Brad spotted Frank through the window and got to the door as Frank
was climbing the steps.

“Why, hello Frank. What brings you over this morning?”
Brad asked, with his hand stuck out to greet his new neighbor.

Frank took Brad’s hand and pumped it.

“Cora does. She sent me over to see if you need any
help moving things around.”

“Thanks for the offer, Frank, but I think between the
movers and me, we have things pretty well in hand. You’re welcome to come in
for a cup of coffee, though.”

“I’d like that. Besides, there was another reason Cora
sent me over. She wanted me to invite you to go to church with us tomorrow and
to see if you’d be willing to come to our house for dinner afterwards.”

“Well, I’ve already had an invitation to church,
Frank, but the dinner sounds nice. Do you go to the church down the street?”

“Sure do. We really like it there.”

“Well, so does the person who invited me, so you can
tell Cora that I’ll see her in church. Now, how do you like your coffee?”

+++

The movers finished before noon. By late afternoon Brad had his furniture in place and most of his belongings put away. He had
always been an organized person. He looked around, pleased that his place was
ready to live in in such a short time.

I’ll have to invite Cora over to see the place and see
if she likes it as well today as she did last night
, Brad thought, smiling.

Brad looked out his front window, trying to get his
bearings, to get acclimated to his new environment. Although Aylesford Place was a wide street, the lack of trees in the front yard and flat yards on both
sides of the street allowed him to see the houses across the street. He looked
at each house, recalling who lived there, before moving to the next house. When
he finished with the other side of the street, his thoughts brought him back to
his immediate neighbors.

In time, because he was an author, Brad’s thoughts
might return to the trees and realize how the trees symbolized the
neighborhood. All the trees were in backyards, not front yards, as if to say,
“We are protecting you from all outsiders, but we refrain from planting
ourselves in your front yards, therefore giving each of you access to your
neighbors.”

Brad was about to walk over to Frank and Cora’s when
he spotted Amy coming up the steps. He smiled at her, and she returned his
smile.

“Hi! Hope I’m not intruding, but I was just wondering
how moving went.”

“Fine. And you’ll never be intruding, Dr. Watson. Come
in and see for yourself. Looks a little different, doesn’t it?”

Amy stepped in and said, “Wow! It looks
a lot
different
than it did last night. I wonder what Cora would have to say
about this place now?”

“I was just thinking the same thing. As a matter of
fact, I was just about to invite Frank and Cora over to see the place when I
saw you heading up the steps.”

“So, you were going to invite
them
over before
you invited
me
. Me! The one who’s concerned about your soul. The one who
invited you to church.” Amy smiled and stepped toward Brad as she spoke, while
he moved away in mock horror.

“Actually, you’re one of two who invited me to
church.”

“You mean Melanie’s been here?” Amy asked, trying to
hide her fear. She relaxed only after Brad answered.

“No, Cora sent Frank over. Do you mean Melanie goes to
church at The Aylesford Church near Aylesford Park on Aylesford Place, too?”

“It’s just The Church on Aylesford Place, and yes,
Melanie goes there, too. Like I said last night, almost everyone on the street
goes there, as well as a few who don’t live on the street.”

“I should’ve known.”

Brad grew more excited about attending church the next
day. He also liked it that Amy appeared to like him enough that she was jealous
of Melanie.

“Oh, by the way, I don’t mean to be intruding, but I
was wondering if you had dinner plans tonight, since I doubt that you’ve had
time to go to the grocery,” Amy said, hopefully.

“None, yet. Would you like to go out?”

“I was thinking I could whip up something at the
house, if that’s okay.”

“That’s fine with me.”

“Okay, how about if you come over some time between 6:00 and 6:30.”

“Sounds fine, but I need to get home a little earlier
tonight than I did last night.”

“Yeah, we both need to get to bed earlier. After all,
we have church tomorrow, and I know you must be worn out from the move.”

“And you from all the cooking, cleaning, and
decorating.”

Amy smiled inwardly at Brad’s response. Most men would
not recognize all it took to entertain. Most men would buy a piece or two of
mistletoe and grab some drinks on the way home. Then, when it was almost time
for everyone to arrive, they would call and order pizza. Cleaning? What was
cleaning? Nothing more than opening a closet door and shoving junk in, and
leaning against the door until it closed. But Brad was different.

+++

Amy had barely closed her front door when Frank and
Cora trotted up Brad’s walk.

“Just the person I was thinking about. Hi, Cora, dear.
Hi, again, Frank. Cora, I had planned to come over earlier to see if you’d like
to check out the place and see if you approve of it.”

“So, what kept you away?”

“I had a visitor.”

“Was she about five foot nine and did she have auburn
hair?”

“That’s the one. Is she wanted for something?”

“I hope so,” Cora responded.

Frank and Cora went in and Brad gave them the royal
tour. Cora was impressed. Brad was a young man with taste. The chairs did not
look like early attic, an addition from the latest garage sale, or something of
a bohemian motif. Brad had real tables instead of crates, and accessories. Brad
actually owned furniture that Cora might put in her own home instead of
suggesting it for the homecoming bonfire. Cora awarded Brad the Cora seal of
approval, and she and Frank were about to leave as Melanie rushed up the street
to call on Brad. When Melanie saw Cora coming out of Brad’s house, she changed
her mind, slackened her pace, and continued toward the corner, as if she were
merely getting her exercise.

Brad ushered Frank and Cora out, looked at his watch,
and dashed to the shower so he could get to Amy’s on time. Although Brad
figured Cora would soon find out where he would partake of dinner, he had no
intention of providing the information. He was not yet ready to look out the
window and see Cora perched on Amy’s front porch, her fingers wrapped around a
pair of binoculars.

+++

Brad felt relieved when Amy opened the door. Dress had
not been discussed. Brad had not overdressed or underdressed. His chinos, sport
shirt, and pullover sweater went well with Amy‘s green corduroy jumper with an
embroidered Christmas tree. When Brad arrived, Amy had just finished preparing
some appetizers.

“You didn’t have to go to all that trouble. We
could’ve had leftovers.”

“Oh, don’t you remember? Harry was here.”

Brad placed the palm of his hand against his forehead.

“How could I have forgotten? I guess he and Ethel are
pretty well set for the next few days.”

“Highly unlikely. My guess is Harry devoured
everything before he went to bed last night. Besides, I needed to fix something
to impress you.”

“You did that last night, before we got back here.”

Amy did her best to hide how good Brad’s comment made
her feel, turned to get small plates for the appetizers, and made a pretense to
check on dinner. Still not under control, Amy bit her lip to keep from crying.
She was torn between wrapping her arms around Brad and tearing away from him to
phone a friend to let her know that if she was not in love, she was very much
in like. Amy excused herself for a moment and went to the bathroom to regain
her composure. In a couple of minutes, she returned, apologized, and hoped Brad
would not make any more comments that gave her warm fuzzies and cold chills,
both at the same time.

+++

Brad watched as Amy disappeared up the carpeted stairs
to the bathroom. He hoped he had not been too honest too soon. One of the ways
Brad and Amy were alike is that both of them had the ability to make friends
quickly, to feel comfortable around those new friends soon after meeting them.
Also, Brad was old enough that  he  had  dated many young women, and he was
wise enough to know that he had never dated one quite as special as Amy. She was
quickly becoming more than a new friend. Amy was someone who was becoming
special to him in a way no one else ever had. Brad thanked God that Amy was
right next door to him and promised to do his best not to mess up and run her
off. Then, he thought of the promise he had made to his parents, not to marry
anyone he had known for less than a year, and briefly wished he had never made
the promise. Then he realized that if Amy was the one for him, she would be
worth waiting for.

+++

While the food was not as plentiful as the night
before, it tasted just as good. Brad and Amy had an enjoyable Saturday night
dinner and some pleasant conversation. Each learned some things about the
other, until the conversation changed to the next day.