Part 8
Kevin and Taylor returned to the house where everyone was waiting. They were surprised to see Kevin smiling…well, not his usual smile that he had when Tyler was around but it was an improvement. Mrs. Richardson took Taylor to the kitchen to feed her some lunch while Mrs. Dorough bustled around the kitchen preparing lunch for the rest of the group.
Joining his friends on the patio, Kevin took the bottle of water Howie handed him. "Thanks, 'D'."
"How did it go?" asked Brian.
"It was good…hard, but good. Taylor managed to make me laugh, as usual with her little sassy self."
"Just like her mother," snarked Nick.
Kevin nodded his head, "Definitely. Seems Tyler taught her one of our dances and she showed it to me."
"She'll have to show us," smiled Howie, glad to see that Kevin was able to talk about Tyler.
"I'm sure she will," smirked Kevin as the image of Taylor dancing played in his mind. "She's very much her mother's daughter. She loves performing."
"That's an understatement," snarked Alex.
"What else happened?" asked Howie, seeing that Kevin had more on his mind.
Kevin shook his head, "Y'all will think I'm crazy."
"Nah, come on…talk to us," urged Nick. "You can't keep holding it all in, Kev."
Kevin leaned back and ran his hands through his hair. "Taylor said Tyler came into her room last night to rub her back and sing her to sleep."
All four men reacted differently but Brian said, "The innocence and faith of a child. You've heard Reverend Thomas talk about it."
"Yeah, I have," answered Kevin softly, turning the bottle up to take a long swig of water. "At first, I just…I don't know…I just thought she was dreaming or something but then she started singing a song I only sang to Tyler when she was upset or couldn't sleep."
"Tyler probably…" Nick started.Kevin interrupted shaking his head, "No, Tyler wouldn't have sung it to the kids. It was kinda special to us…my way of reassuring her that I would always be by her side."
Howie said softly, "You sang it to her in the hospital."
"Yeah, I did," agreed Kevin.
A cold chill passed through all of the men.
"Then, we went into the chapel and Taylor started dancing around…like Tyler used to do…especially the first time I took her there. As Tay was dancing…she stopped and insisted that I looked at the altar."
"What was so special at the altar?" asked Alex.
Almost inaudible, Kevin said, "She saw Tyler dancing…wearing her wedding gown."
"She's seen the video of your wedding and reception, Kevin," offered Brian.
"But she was dancing with my dad."
All four men looked from one to the other.
"Taylor said Tyler was laughing and smiling as they danced," continued Kevin. Seeing the look on all his friends' faces, he said, "I told you you'd think it was crazy."
"Do you believe Taylor is really seeing Tyler?" asked Nick.
"I don't know what to believe," admitted Kevin. "I'd like to think Tay is seeing her mother because it seems to comfort her. She has only cried a couple times, when I first got home."
"Maybe you could talk to Reverend Thomas," suggested Brian.
"Yeah….maybe," and Kevin stared out across the yard. His thoughts were on Tyler.
Kevin sat on the beach staring out at the water. Tears slid down his cheeks as memories of his father crashed into him much like the waves were crashing onto the beach.
Tyler watched from a distance. Brian had called her to say Kevin had disappeared but she had known immediately where he was. It was a special spot for the two of them. She could tell by the way he sat that he was crying so she quietly made her way to him and sat beside him. She leaned against him just to let him know she was there.
"Hey, 'Tadpole'," he greeted softly.
"Hey, 'Boo'. Wanna talk or just have company?"
"Just some company," he replied.
The two sat in comfortable silence. Eventually Kevin began to sob, his whole body shaking, and Tyler took him in her arms. He wrapped his arms around her and she held him close, rubbing his back, and talking reassuringly to him.
When he had calmed down, he lay his head in her lap and took her hand in his.
"Thank you, Tyler."
"I'm always going to be here for you," reassured Tyler. "You need to have faith, 'Boo'. Your dad will always be with you. All you have to do is close your eyes and listen for him when you need advice. You'll hear him. You just need to have faith and believe that he is always with you in your heart and soul."
"Boys, lunch is ready," said Mama D from the door.
Alex, Nick, and Brian rushed inside but Howie hung back with Kevin.
Touching Kevin's arm, Howie said, "Kev, I don't think it's crazy….Taylor seeing Tyler."
"I noticed you didn't say much."
"Tyler used to see her parents…in different situations."
"How old was she?"
"I don't know…about Tay's age, I guess." Howie stopped, then said, "I don't know that she ever stopped seeing them, even until recently."
Kevin gave a soft smile, "She always did have a child-like faith…innocent…nothing seemed to shake it."
"She had her moments when her faith was tested. Trust your faith, Kevin. I know it's tough but Ty is here…in the house, the stables, the chapel, the children…but especially in your heart."
"Thanks, 'D'."
"Come on, Mama will be disappointed if you don't eat."
Kevin laughed as the two men headed inside to be met by Taylor as she raced down the hall to Kevin. He scooped her up in his arms to hug her tight. "I love you, Tay. Take a good nap and when you get up, we'll go pick up your brothers from school."
Howie gave her a kiss too before Kevin set her on her feet again and Mrs. Richardson took the child's hand to lead her up to take a nap.
Index Kevin