Stand by Me by Pat Simmons

Author:Pat Simmons
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2021-08-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Kym knew firsthand caregiving wasn’t easy, but for a child—a little girl too—Chaz needed a lot of prayers going up on his behalf to keep his sanity. According to her sisters, their experiences as caregivers had tried their patience. Not for Kym. Aunt Tweet had been nothing less than easygoing, heartwarming, and memorable during her stay. She would cherish their time together for a lifetime.

Her thoughts drifted to Chaz again. Despite the stress on her with the dissertation, Kym missed him. She couldn’t wait to get back to Chaz and Chauncy. Yet she had to recalibrate. Kym had been in college off and on for eight years, chasing the dream of reaching the top of the educational ladder.

At home, she tapped on her keyboard. The components of the introduction to her dissertation were preliminary background info—check; the precise focus of her study—check; value, aim, and objective of her research… Kym hovered on those sections and gritted her teeth. “A work in progress.” That was the meat of her project. She had to be so passionate and compelling that her conclusion would generate meaningful questions and discussions. Kym yawned and craved iced tea in her favorite tall clear glass with the illusion of sand at the base. She stood and stretched, then padded across her living room to the kitchen.

Leaning on the counter, Kym took a sip and stared out the window into the well-lit street. “God, please don’t let me fall short with my years of research,” she prayed in Jesus’s name and returned to her computer. Before she resumed, Kym came up with a brainy idea—another distraction, despite her resolve and prayers—and called her friend. “You up for a quick shopping spree tomorrow afternoon?”

“Aye aye, ma’am,” Judith mocked. “My last class ends at one.”

“Mine begins at one thirty. Be ready to go at three.”

“And what are we shopping for?” Judith asked.

“Chauncy. I don’t want to go back to Chaz’s without bearing gifts.” Kym was hyped. Little girls were meant to be spoiled, pampered, and anything else that made them feel special.

Judith giggled. “Bribing a kid. I love it! Maybe I’ll see something I like for Zeke.”

Kym snickered. “We’re going to have to catch up on you and Zeke.”

“Of course. He is my favorite subject.” Her friend laughed and ended the call. Without giving in to any more distractions, Kym refocused and tackled loopholes in her paper.

The next afternoon, the two friends were on a mission as they entered Children’s Place, where she had planned to buy a cute outfit for Chauncy.

“What do you know about what she likes?” Judith asked, tapping her cheek in thought.

Kym froze in her heels and twisted her lips, thinking. “Hmm. No idea, and I don’t want to ask Chaz because I want it to be a surprise.”

“Hey, don’t worry. Let’s skip the clothes.” Judith waved her hand.

“Man, I was hoping to doll her up with a cute outfit and matching purse. Never too early to start diva training.”

“Another time, girl.” Judith laughed. “Only you.

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