By the late Patsy Maxfield
Edited by Tufani M
A wooden shack in East Waco was home to Myra Stewart and her two daughters; Tia age 3 and Dara age 5.
Frog Town, the nickname given to the community where the Stewarts lived earned it's name from the small tree frogs and lizards that invaded the lawns and fields in the neighborhood. Myra worked hard to feed her family and keep the cold wooden structure from falling apart around them. She did a slow walk through the house each night when the wind and cold seemed to close in bringing the winter and frost inside. The only heat source in the house was a small, tin, potbelly stove that doubled for cooking meals.
When it was time for bed during the winter, the kids dressed in warm clothing and huddled together in bed while their mother ironed home-made quilts until they fell asleep. Myra was happy to see her girls sleep wrapped in warmth when the weather turned so cold that the house became impossible to heat with a small wood burning stove..
Myra often sacrificed warmth and sleep to keep the girls warm. She was only able to sleep after they were asleep. The nights were lonely for Myra. She still cried herself to sleep because she missed her husband who died in an accident at the steel mill where he worked. It was two years ago, but the pain still kept her awake at night. She slept and dreamt of Troy as she often did since he died. The deadly fire took six lives including Troy's in an inferno. Myra was awake early the following morning. The girls were still asleep until she had breakfast ready.
"Mom! Is breakfast ready?" Dara called out as she jumped up and washed her face and hands in the metal wash basin on the table near the bed. "Almost ready! Is Tia awake?" "Not yet, Mom!" Myra finished the pancakes and set the table. "Wake your sister, we don't want to be late to church!" Myra yelled as she poured glasses of milk for the girls and a cup of coffee for herself.
Both the girls went in for breakfast after dressing for church. They ate their pancakes and helped clear the table.
"Let's get a move on girls!" Myra yelled out. They all made their beds, put out the fire in the stove and ran outside to the car.
When they arrived at church, the girls joined their friends in sunday school class and Myra joined the women's Bible study group. When the class was over to discuss the community garden plans for spring planting. Myra made a list of plans for the years community gardens and personal gardens. She shared her ideas with the group and offered to be in charge of planning ways to earn funds for mamilies in need. She kept notes and recruited several women to join her.
"Everyone benefits from the community gardens but when there is a need for cash for some family emergency, there isn't any! I have a plan for that!"
"We will have two community gardens and each family will have small backyard plots of vegetables that we haven't planted before!"
"Those who know how to can in jars will get together and can what we grow in our back yards!"
"These canned goods will be sold from booths in the community. This will require a special permit!"
The women began to applaud Myra's idea. They were all in agreement! When the meeting ended, eight women had signed on to help. Two of them already owned canning equipment which would be enough to handle the volume of the goods planned for the booth sales.
"First things first! Susan, Joanie and Kay will collect seeds and cuttings for planting." Myra announced.
"The fruit orchard was pruned and cared for by the men in the neighborhood. They will continue to monitor the trees through spring budding. When the fruit is ripe and ready to harvest, the men will pick and separate the fruit and the women will can fruit for pies and other desserts. Jams and preserves will be made by the canners who will also reserve grapes and berries for wines which the men will handle.
"I think we should pray for a plentiful harvest and great weather!" Joanie suggested.
"I second that"; Kay followed up as everyone joined hands for a prayer asking for great weather and great harvest.
The meeting went well and spirits soared as they wrapped it up.
Myra called her girls and prepared to stack up the volunteer forms and written suggestions from the group. She would organize them later.
"I hope to see you all at the wednesday meeting! We will go over our plans!"
"Good night all", Myra yelled as the girls ran ahead to the car.
"Myra, Myra!"
She turned to see who called her as she and her girls walked to the car.
"Oh Cecil, how are you?"
"I'm glad I caught you! I have a volunteer form to give you!"
"Oh thanks! We need all the help we can get."
"I can make fliers for the booth sales when it's time!" Cecil said. "I can also help with the fruit trees!"
"Great, that's wonderful! I'm really excited about the project this year! The brothers should do well. We have some expert canners!"
"You're not haslf bad yourself!" Cecil said.
"Thank you!" Myrah replied as she unlocked the car door for the girls.
"How are you girls doing today?" Cecil asked.
"Fine," Dora said as she hopped up on the back seat.
"I'm fine too; I found a quarter on the front step and took it back in the church and gave it to Mrs. Gauldin!"
"That's a good girl, Tia."
"Well I'll get back and let you all go;" Cecil said. "Why don't you stop by for dinner; We're having smothered chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and peach cobbler!" Myra said.
"Well that sounds mighty good but I've got a leak to fix for Ms. Wright. She called this morning and said her bedroom floor is soaked from that rain we had yesterday! I promised I'd come by after church!"
"What a mess! Ms. Wright's house needs a new roof! I'll put her on our list for immediate help!" Myra said.
"That's a great idea! She has no family to help. That's why I gave her my number to call if she needs anything." Cecil said.
"Cecil, you are a God send to us all! This community would be lost without you!"
"Oh, thanks Myra, I know plenty of people who would help an elderly woman like Ms. Wright."
"I'll see you later Cecil! We need to get home to start dinner. If you finish at Ms. Wright's and want dinner, come on by!" Myra yelled out her car window as she drove away.
Myra's mind reverted back to the tragic fire and explosion that killed her husband Troy and five other men. Four others were seriously injured including Cecil who tried to save the others. He and several coworkers were caught up in the inferno at the steel mill but stayed to help rescue as many as they could. The fire was so intense that it melted the safety helments of the men. Cecil and the other injured remained hospitalized for several weeks. Some had severe burns and several had bone fractures and concussions. Cecil had a back injury. He carried injured men on his back to safety along with the first responders who cared for those with serious burns and broken bones.
Myra's mind was sometimes overwhelmed by the painful memories of the Steel Mill explosion. She was contacted on her job at the Marks Hotel where she worked the morning shift. She was only informed that there was an explosion and fire, and several men were injured. When she arrived at the plant fire trucks and rescue units were there.
One of the men who knew Myra ran over to stop her before she was told about Troy's death. He wanted to guide her to the social worker who was there to inform the wives of the deceased. Myra guessed that the news would not be good news. Her hands began to shake and sweat as she walked what seemed like miles to the tent where the responders worked on the slightly injured and the social workers talked to the wives of the deceased and seriously injured.
"Are you Myra Stewart?" asked the social worker.
"Yes; is my husband Troy one of the workers killed today?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so, Mrs. Stewart, I'm so sorry!"
Myra collapsed and fell into the easy chair next to her as tears flowed down her cheeks. The social worker gave her a box of tissues and the medical responder offered her an anti-depression tablet.
"This can't be real!" Myra whispered. "He was supposed to meet me for lunch at 12:30pm today! How did this happen?" Myra asked.
One of the first responders explained how the explosion happened. He also told Myra how Cecil Watson saved lives and attempted to save Troy whose injury was so severe he would not have survived even if he had made it to the hospital. "Cecil never gave up! He alone carried out eight injured workers including Troy who died as he was transported by ambulance to the hospital. He was pronounced dead upon arrival."
"How is Cecil?" Myra asked through tears.
"He's in the hospital. He had a small burn on his neck after his safety hat caught fire and his back is out after carrying eight men to safety including Troy. He's worried about the families of the deceased and injured."
"That's Cecil for you." Myra said. "He is a jewel!" He reaches out to people in need. That's how he's always been. We were in the same class all through school and he was the same person then. He hasn't changed!"
Myra started to leave but went back inside to ask about the wives of the other deceased workers. She collected their names and went home to tell her girls that their father had died. She didn't know how to do it, but she knew it was her responsibility. When Myra made it home she made dinner and waited for the girls to get home. They were kept after school because of the accident. It affected the entire community since almost every adult male who lived there worked at the Steel Mill. Everyone in the community knew everyone who was killed or injured in the Steel Mill accident. How would they ever survive the tragedy? Its the saddest day we've ever experienced; Myra thought.
Dora and Tia ran up the steps to their front door. "Goodbye Ms. Powell, thanks for the ride home!" Tia yelled as Ms. Powell drove off with a quick wave. She knew there would be no more smiles that day. Her heart ached for the children who lost their fathers. She had grandchildren but their father, her son, taught school. They were spared the pain because of their fathers profession. There was a time when my husband worked in the mill, she thought. He's retired now, has been for five years. He's taking the accident personally. He still identifies with the men who work for the Steel Mill; she thought. As she drove into her garage and closed the door. She perked up before she entered the house. It's not good to bring in bad vibes by lamenting over the tragedy; She thought. My Harry is having a hard enough time identifying with the men who were suffering. No sense in making it worse, she thought.
Myra set the table and met the girls at the door. "Hello girls, how was school?"
"It was about the same but after school was fun! We played games and drew pictures." Tia said. "I played cards." Dara said.
"Go wash up for dinner!"
"What are we having?" Dara asked
"Spaghetti and meat balls!"
"Yeah! I love spaghetti! Tia said."
Dinner was very good and the girls enjoyed it.
"There's leftover peach cobbler from yesterday."
"Oh I'm too full for cobbler," Tia said.
"So am I Mom. I ate too much spaghetti!"
"Okay. I need to talk to you before you dress for bed. There was a terrible accident at the Steel Mill today! Lots of men were hurt and some died."
"What about Daddy?" Tia asked, her eyes big.
Dara stood up and walked around the table to her mother who opened her arms for both girls.
"I'm sorry, your Daddy didn't make it! He's dead and I'm so sorry to have to tell you that! Tears rolled down Myra's cheeks as both girls began to cry. She held them tight as they all cried together.
After they calmed down, they wanted to know how their father died. They asked questions and Myra explained the best she could what happened at the Mill. She told them that Cecil tried to save their dad but he was hurt too. "Dad died on the way to the hospital."
They cleared the table and washed dishes together. The girls talked about their dad and remembered funny things he said and did. They both slept with their mother that night and talked about their dad until they fell asleep. Myra was unable to sleep. She stayed in bed and held her girls all night.
The next morning, Myra allowed the girls to decide whether to go to school or not. It was up to them. They wanted to stay with their mom and help plan the funeral. They talked about the ideas for their dad. It seemed that they had ideas and wanted to share them with their mom.
Myra was scheduled to visit the local mortuary to work out a program. The girls wanted to help. She called and made appointments with the Steel Mill administrator to access whatever benefits were offered by the company. She reviewed Troy's employment benefit papers and found that they provided benefits when an employee was killed on the job and that included financial help for the family. She was just beginning to worry about how she would handle the upkeep of the household and continue to pay half the cost of Troy's mother's expenses for the care center where she was admitted a year ago. It was a real relief to know that she would receive money from the company. It would be a tremendous help.
The first thing would be to get the funeral planned and get through it without giving over to the pain, and anxiety that threatened to send he to her room to hide from the world. If she could move past that, she believed she could handle most anything.
The funeral home attendant was patient with the girls who were quite leary of the formal atmosphere. They had never attended a funeral or visited mortuary before.
"Mrs. Stewart, would you and your girls like to view your husband now or wait for the funeral?"
"I'll ask them. Tia, Dara, would you girls like to see your Dad now or wait for the funeral tomorrow?"
"I want to see him today, Mom! I want to remember his face! Dora said.
"What would you like to do, Tia? Are you going to see him today or wait for tomorrow?" Myra asked.
"I want to see him today too, and again tomorrow!"
The attendant gave them each a package of tissues and led them to the room in back where the husband and father lay in a gold and white casket in the middle of the room. The room was decorated in white and red carnations and roses.
Myra held both girls hands as she walked in the middle with the attendant leading the way. They stopped at the casket and waited for the attendant to fold back the cover and escort Myra and Tia to the head of the casket. He then pulled up a chair and lifted Tia onto the chair so she could see her dad's face.
"Daddy, I love you! I'm going to miss helping you in the community garden! I will never forget you daddy!"
The attendant lifted Tia down and removed the chair.
Dora, much taller than Tia, did not require the chair to see her father's face. She held her mom's hand and stood at the head of the casket to say goodbye to her dad. She cried and said she loved him and would never forget him. When she was ready, she turned away and followed her mother back to the visitors sitting room.
The girls waited in the lobby while their mother went in to say goodbye to her husband of nine years. The attendant waited for her and gave her space to say hey goodbye in private. He kept an eye on her to be sure she was okay before leaving her alone.
Everyone was ready to leave the morturary and stop by the local diners for homemade pizza. It was their dad's favorite place to eat. The girls turned their notes in to the church program attendant for the funeral the next day. Myra and the girls made it home around 8:00pm after a very emotional evening. They talked about viewing their dad's body and expressed the sadness that brought tears to their eyes.
"Dad didn't look the same." Dora said. "I have never seen a dead person before!"
"Me neither", Tia said, as her eyes filled with tears again.
"It's a very sad time for us all. We know that Jesus has plans in place for all of us! We will die and see your dad again some day." Myra explained.
"Its been a long day! Let's get our clothes together for tomorrow and go to bed early." Myra said.
The phone rang just as Myra put the girls to bed. "Hello, Stewart's residence, Myra speaking."
"Good evening Myra, this is Cecil, I have an envelope for you! The courier from the Mill gave it to me to deliver but you were at the Mortuary. I didn't want to disturb you."
"Oh Cecil, I'm so happy to hear from you. Thank you for trying to save the men in that horrible fire! Especially my Troy! I worried about you in the hospital. How is your back?"
"Oh, it's fine! I went through hours of therapy; it seemed to help. I was discharged last night. I went by the Mill early to see if I could do anything to help the injured or families of those who died. They asked if I would deliver emergency checks for the families who were planning funerals. They knew they would need money for funerals. The injured will receive their checks after the company determines the extent of each of the individuals' injuries and recovery time. The decision to permanently close the Mill, will allow funds to be spent on the displacement of employees rather than rebuild the plant." Cecil explained. Most employees will receive checks as a sort of buy-out from employment! I was surprised at their decision to close down. Most workers were counting on their jobs being there when the company rebuilds. The cost of rebuilding plus the cost of employee disability is not feasible. The cost for both is prohibitive; I was shocked at the president's generosity!" Cecil explained.
"The Steel Mill here was the top earner of all six mills in the country! It was top earner for the last four years! That's why the workers received bonus checks for four years straight." Cecil explained. I'd better get there with your check so you can get some sleep. I'll see you in about 10 minutes."
Myra hung up and went in for as shower. She thought about what Cecil said. Closing down the Mill? Where would they find jobs?
After her shower, Myra dressed for bed, put on her robe and turned on the porch light just as Cecil drove up.Cecil knocked twice; Myra opened the door. "Hi Cecil, you look like you lost weight!"
"Just a few pounds"
"Come in! I have a few beers Troy had in the fridge. Would you like one?"
"Yeah I believe I would."
Myra led Cecil to the kitchen and took two beers from the refridgerator. "Have a seat!"
"I shouldn't keep you" He handed Myra the envelope and took a big swig of beer.
"Thanks for bringing it over. You don't need to rush. I don't think I can sleep right nowanyway. She put the envelope in the top drawer of the cabinet and sat down at the table. Cecil sat in the chair across from her and took another big swig from his beer. He saw sadness in her eyes and covered her right hand with his in an effort to comfort her. She couldn't contain her tears. Her face was flooded instantly. Cecil took a napkin and blotted her face as tears flooded her cheeks. She just let all the pain and agony out at once. Cecil stood and rounded the table to hold Myra and soothe away her pain. He felt every bit of pain she felt at that moment. The memories overwhelmed him as he recalled his wife's death and relived the hurt and pain he experienced. They were married only two years when Addie was expecting their first child. She had a difficult pregnancyand could barely walk by her seventh month. Her doctor hospitalized her twice to treat an infection. Cecil recalled the doctor's recommendation that they take the baby at the beginning of the seventh month. Addie was convinced her would not be strong enough because of her ongoing illness. She feared the baby could not survive.
Cecil begged Addie to listen to the doctor. He wanted her to allow the doctor to induce labor at seven months. Addie began to feel better and the infection cleared up. Everything seemed to get better. Cecil breathed a sigh of relief and all the baby excitement returned. Two weeks into the ninth month of pregnancy, Addie begand to hemorrage. Cecil rushed her to the hospital. The dctor had to take the baby to save Addie. The baby died 24 hours after birth. The tragic death of the baby hit the whole community where they lived pretty hard. Cecil was beloved by any and everybody who knew him. He fell in love with her in the ninth grade and dated her through their junior year.
Myra went on vacation to visit an aunt in California the Summer after 11th grade and fell for Troy Stewart a senior in high school. The Summer was fun and exciting but she had to go home to prepare for her senior year. He would then move to Texas and find work. Myra had already registered at Paul Owen College in Waco when she earned a scholarchip. Cecil was heartbroken over the loss of Myra. He finished his senior year and moved to Dallas to attend College. He lived with two cousins until he met Addie. They were both in college and lived off campus until they married the following year. Cecil loved Addie, but the love of his young life was Myra. He made a home in Dallas with Addie, finished college and went to work for a communications company. Addie found work with the Social Security Administration. They did well there, but Cecil worried about his mother who still lived in Waco in the house where he was born. He was an only child and felt responsible for his mother. She refused to leave her home which Cecil understood. He and Addie packed up and moved in with his mother that summer.
Cecil landed a job as an administrator at the Steel Mill which was operating in an old abandoned building while the new Mill under construction. They were happy in the community, but Addie fretted over being childless. She wanted children desperately but was unable to conceive. She was broken hearted. Her health declined quickly until she literally died of a broken heart. She was only 30 years old. Addie gave up on life after two miscarriages. She lost her will to live. The community pulled together to provide food and companionship for Cecil and his mother. He took Addie's death with a calm understanding that was surprising to his friends. He saw Addie gradually givig up on life after loosing two babies. He could feel it. She started leaving after they buried their son.
Cecil's mother Martha was very fond of Addies. She reminded her of her own life. She lost two babies before Cecil came along. She fretted over her losses but was always hopeful that the Lord would bless her and Robert, her husband with a healthy child. And He did! "He gave us a jewel in Cecil. Addie gave up! She didn't trust Him enough." she said to Cecil one day.
Cecil believed his mother. Addie gave up because she didn't trust the Lord. She couldn't believe in him after she lost her second baby. Cecil saw hopelessness in Addie's eyes every day. He knew she would die soon because she wanted to die. Cecil was at peace himself after seeing Addie waste away day by day. He would miss her but she didn't care for him enough to live. He just wasn't enough to live for. It was painful to accept that truth.
Myra and Troy came by to offer their condolences. Cecil stayed involved with the church and community activities while working at the Steel Mill and helping work the gardens. He and Troy became good friends. The church and the mill were places Cecil could go for support when he felt depressed and alone. He admired Troy and respected him for the way he treated Myra with love and devotion. He secretly envied him but also respected his values. Myra deserved a man who loved and respected her.
The funeral for Addie was quiet and simple. Her family came from Dallas and Houston to say goodbye to their sister, daughter and aunt. Cecil was fond of the family and liked to visit when Addie was up to it. They knew she changed when she lost her child and they tried to make up for it by showing love and attention. They would come and take Addie home with them on weekends and holidays to give him a reprieve. He appreciated that thoughtful gesture and he loved them for it.
When the family headed home after the funeral they invited Cecil and his mother, Martha, to visit them in Dallas in the summer. They always had a great time together.
Myra and her girls were awake early the day of Troy's funeral. They rehearsed the speeches they wrote for their father and continued to recite them while getting dressed. Myra sewed both girls' beautiful dresses of red and white to match the flowers around their father's casket. Myra couldn't resist commenting on how beautiful they looked in their new dresses. They couldn't believe their mom mad the dresses while they slept the previous night. Myra also made a white dress for herself. She would wear white with a red rose pinned to her lapelle. "Girls! It's time to go! The funeral starts at eleven!"
When Myra and the girls arrived at church they were greeted by the same attendant they met at the mortuary the day before.
He spoke to each of them and complimented them on their beautiful dresses. He led them down front to the first row and had them sit in the first two seats. He then seated Myra next to the girls on the end seat.
Cecil was serving as an attendent or usher for the funeral. He went down front to speak to Myra and her girls before the guests were seated. He couldn't keep his eyes off Myra. She was beautiful. He noticed her hair was in the same style she wore last week at church. She had allowed her hair to grow longer than she had wore it in the past; it was attractive. He found himself looking at her often instead of paying attention to the guest he was supposed to seat. He hadn't fooled himself, he knew his feelings for Myra had gfown since high school. He also knew that she had just lost her husband and she was greiving.
The church was full. Cecil had the junior ushers retrieve folding chairs from the storage room downstairs. After they set up the chairs, the standing guest were seated and the choir stood to sing and opening song.
"Mom, do you think daddy can still hear the singing?" Tia asked Myra.
"No honey, people can't hear when they die."
"Well why can't they? They still have ears!"
"That's silly Tia!" Dora whispered; "They still have ears but they don't work any more!"
"Girls, lower your voices!" Myra whispered.
"Its time for us to go out front and say our speeches for dad now!" Dora said. She and Tia walked up front. Tia recited her speech first and went back to be seated while Dora began her speech. Both speeches were touching. There wasn't a dry eye in the church when Dora finished. The girls both did a great job.
Cecil went over to compliment the girls. "You girls did a wonderful job!" Your dad would be very proud!"
"But he can't hear!" Tia said.
"There is a spiritual hearing that only people who love each other can understand. Your dad has that; It's a gift from God! Cecil explained.
Tia's face lit up with joy. She gave Cecil a big hug.
Myra was so enamoured by Cecil's effort to make Tia's experience with her dad's death pleasant rather than filled with sadness. She felt so much love for Cecil in that moment that memories of him in junior high school flooded her mind and heart. She still loved him in spite of the love she had for Troy. The most earth-shattering secret Myra had protected for eight years was her's and her's alone. Only Troy knew that she was pregnant with Dora when they married. Dora was Cecil's child. Troy was adamant that no one should know except the tow of them. "It should be up to you and Cecil whether to tell Dora or not." Troy said. "Its up to you to tell Cecil."
Myra and Cecil got carried away when she returned home after her vacation in California. They both knew they would always love each other, but she would marry Troy as she had planned to. It was accepted by the three of them. Myra visited Cecil's mother one day after she returned from California and admitted to her that she still loved Cecil. Martha had always known that what they shared would always be there in spite of her love for Troy. She just thought they would never get together after she married Troy. No one ever thought her marriage would end with Troy's death.
Cecil had confessed to Myra that he could never move past his love for her. He cared for Addie a lot, but the love he had for Myra had soaked deep into his soul. She was a part of him and it would never change. He just learned to live with it. Her girls also had a special place in his heart. They were all he would ever want in a family. They needed him now more than they would ever need anyone except their mother. He had so much love to give because he had no family of his own to share it with.
Cecil caught up with Myra after Troy was buried and invited her and the girls to join him and his mother for dinner. "The girls are pretty tired now. It's been a long day. They just want to go home!"
"I understand. Why don't I pack up some food and bring it over?" Cecil said. "You need to eat!"
"Alright; We'll meet you at home!" Myra said.
"Mom is Mrs. Marshall coming over?"
"I don't know Dora, she's probably tired too! We'll have plenty food at home. The women from church are there setting up the food now. She and Cecil will probably come over."
"Good! I love Mrs. Marshal!" Tia said.
They headed home and Tia fell asleep on the back seat. Both girls were exhausted.
other but the circumstances were such that they could not be together. Myra loved Troy and wanted a future with him. She decided to tell him about her pregnancy when she got home. She was surprised to learn that he knew. "I'm the father." he said. "I have a right to know."
Myra felt relieved that she didn't have to tell him. "Do you still love me Myra?" Troy asked.
"I never stopped loving you, Cecil."
"Then marry me. I want to raise Dora as my own."
Myra hugged him tight. "I will marry you."
Troy put his arms around her and held her close. "I'm going to adopt her too."
Myra was overwhelmed by Troy's gesture. "That would be wonderful! She needs a father's love. I know she'll be happy with you as her dad."
"I love you both, Myra. I want you to be my wife."
"I want to be your wife, Troy. I love you too."
The girls heard them and came running into the room. "Are you two going to be married?" Dora asked.
"Yes sweetheart, we are going to be married." Troy said.
"Are you going to be our dad?" Tia asked.
"Yes I am. I'm going to adopt you both. That means you'll have my last name instead of Stewart." Troy said.
"That's wonderful!" Tia said as she hugged Troy.
"Does this mean I'm going to be your sister now?" Dora asked.
"Yes you are, sweetheart." Troy said as he hugged Dora tight. "I love you both."
"We love you too, Daddy!" Tia said as she hugged Troy. "We love you, Daddy!" Dora said as she hugged Troy.
Myra felt tears well up in her eyes as she watched the love between Troy and the girls. She was so happy to have him in their lives. She felt blessed to have such a wonderful man to call her own.
Myra woke from her daydream and found Cecil looking at her. "I'm sorry, Cecil, did you say something?"
"No, I was just watching you. You looked so peaceful in your sleep."
Myra blushed. "Thank you. I was just thinking about something."
"About Troy?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"I could see the sadness in your eyes. You had the same look when you came back to school after your trip."
Myra's face turned red. "I didn't know you noticed me."
"I've always noticed you, Myra. I just never had the courage to tell you how I felt."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I've loved you since the ninth grade. I was heartbroken when you left for California."
"I didn't know, Cecil. I thought you were mad at me for leaving."
"I was hurt but I understood why you had to go."
"You did?"
"Yes, I did. I just wish I had told you how I felt before you left."
"What would you have said, Cecil?"
"I would have told you that I loved you and that I wanted to marry you someday."
Myra's heart skipped a beat. "Really?"
"Yes, really."
"I didn't know you felt that way, Cecil. I thought you only saw me as a friend."
"I saw you as much more than a friend, Myra. I saw you as the love of my life."
Myra's eyes filled with tears. "I never knew, Cecil. I never knew."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Myra. I was afraid of rejection."
"I would never reject you, Cecil. I've loved you since the ninth grade."
"You have?"
"Yes, I have."
Cecil wiped away Myra's tears. "I love you, Myra. I always have and I always will."
"I love you too, Cecil. I always have and I always will."
Cecil leaned in and kissed Myra gently on the lips. It was a kiss filled with love and longing. A kiss that sealed their fate as soulmates. A kiss that mended a mother's broken spirit and healed a community's broken heart.
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