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One in a Billion Chapter Sixteen “Day Sixteen” Jim woke the next morning at 6 and got up
quickly as he had things to do before Donna got up. After he showered and
dressed he went to the kitchen and cooked breakfast for the two of them. He
then found a bed tray in the pantry that he placed Donna’s breakfast on. He had
fixed scrambled eggs, bacon and toast and ate his quickly so he could take hers
up to her. He found a vase and put some water in it then took one of the roses
that were in an arrangement sent to Donna because of Chrissy’s death and put it
in the vase. He got a cup of coffee and set it on the tray as well, then took a
clean dish towel and lightly covered the whole tray so as to keep it warm. He
took it to Donna’s room and sat it on the dresser. He turned to the bed and see how peaceful Donna looked
while she slept. He hated to wake her but knew she needed to get up and start
getting ready for the funeral. He gently kissed her on the check as he shook
her shoulder lightly. As she started to stir he told her good morning and
kissed her again. She sat up in the bed and smiled real big at him as he sat
the bed tray with her breakfast on it straddle of her thighs. He removed the towel
and she just looked amazed at the tray with the food, coffee and the rose in a
vase on it. She told him he was so thoughtful and kind for doing this for her.
Jim just kissed her and said he wanted to do all he could to make her feel
better. Jim told Donna to eat and he would return shortly for the
tray and then she could shower while he cleaned up the kitchen. She started
sipping her coffee as he left the room. Jim went to Josh’s room where he had
slept at the night before and made the bed. Then he went into to the linen
closet and selected a clean set of sheets for Chrissy’s bed. After going into
Chrissy’s room Jim proceeded to change her bed clothing. He was putting on the
fitted sheet when he raised the corner of the mattress at the foot of the bed
and found a small diary. He picked it up and with out opening it laid it on the
nightstand. After he had finished making the bed and putting the comforter on
it along with the decorator pillows he placed the doll that Chrissy usually
slept with right in the middle of the bed leaning back on the pillows. Chrissy
usually placed the doll there after she made her bed when she made it. Jim then
picked up the diary and headed back to Donna’s room. He saw Donna was finished eating and asked if she wanted
more coffee or anything else. She told him she would get more coffee after she
showered and dressed. He then set the rose in the vase on her nightstand and
handed her the diary. He told her he had made Chrissy’s bed and found it under
the edge of the mattress and figured she should have it so no one else would
find it and read it. She thanked him with tears in her eyes as she held it tightly
to her chest. Jim picked up the bed tray and excused himself explaining
he would be in the kitchen when she finished getting ready. He then closed the
door on his way out and headed to the kitchen. He had just sat the tray on the
table when the phone rang. He answered it quickly and found it to be Connie.
She told him the family was going to the restaurant for breakfast and wanted to
know if she needed to bring them anything from there. He told her he had fixed
breakfast for Donna and himself and they had just finished with it. She told
him then they would be by the house in about an hour or so and she would let
him go for now. Jim thanked her for the offer and then said good bye and hung
up. Jim washed, dried and put the dishes away and had just
poured himself another cup of coffee when Donna came into the kitchen. He
poured her a cup also and sat them on the table. Then he turned and gave Donna
a big hug and kiss. She returned the kiss and pulled him tighter to her. She
whispered to him that she loved him and thanked him for the breakfast in bed.
She then told him as they sat down that she had read a little of Chrissy’s diary.
She said in her last entry that was Thursday night Chrissy had planned to tell
her and Jim that she would watch Josh this weekend so if they wanted to they
could go out on a date. Donna was in
tears as she spoke and Jim reached out to hold her hand. He told her Chrissy
had told him of that Friday evening when they had talked. He was also in tears
by now and the two of them sat leaning towards each other hugging around the
corner of the table crying. They heard the door bell and Jim wiped his eyes and told
Donna he would get it. He went to the front door and opened it to find Janet
standing there. She had a package with her and asked if she could see Donna,
Jim led her to the kitchen and asked if she wanted a cup of coffee. She told
him that would be nice and sat down by Donna and told her she wanted to give a
present to Josh if it was ok with them. She opened the box she had and there
inside was a suit that looked brand new and it even had a pair of socks and
shoes in separate bags lying in the box. Janet explained it had been bought by
a friend for her son to grow into and he never got the chance to wear it now
she wanted to let Josh wear it to the funeral and have it to keep if Donna
approved and it fit him. She also told Donna she had it dry cleaned and pressed
on Saturday after hearing of Chrissy’s passing so it was ready to wear. Donna
with tears in her eyes said if Josh wanted it she would let him have it. She
thanked Janet for the thoughtfulness and they sat chatting as Jim excused
himself for a few minutes to put the box in Josh’s room. Jim sat down in Josh’s chair for a minute and looked around
the room at all his belongings. He noticed there were no pictures of his dad
anywhere in the room. He though this a little odd and decided to look in
Chrissy’s room also. Once there he looked over her stuff on the desk and
shelves, there were no pictures of her dad either. Jim wondered why the kids
didn’t have a picture of their dad in their rooms. He then went to Donna’s room
and looked over all the pictures there; none were of her late husband. Jim went
back to the living room and looked over every picture there and the ones on the
wall in the hallway. Nowhere could he find one picture of the late Harris
Clifton, husband to Donna and father to the kids. He headed back to the kitchen
wondering about this. Janet was telling Donna she would see her at the funeral
and that she needed to go for now. Jim walked Janet to the door and said he
would see her at the funeral later also. He then went back to the kitchen to
ask Donna about the pictures. When he did Donna told him that he must have
overlooked them for she had two in her room and the kids both had a large one
hanging on their walls. She went to the hallway and then the living room with
Jim following close behind. She then went to her room and then the kids’ rooms
looking for the pictures she knew should be there. Jim asked her when she last
noticed the pictures were there and she said about midweek she guessed. Jim
then asked if she thought the kids could have taken and hid them to make him
feel more comfortable in the house. Donna didn’t answer but went to her room
and as Jim came into her room she told him she found what happened and he was
right. She was
reading some more of Chrissy’s diary and it stated that Chrissy had removed the
pictures of her dad in the whole house and had put them in the back of Donna’s
closet so Jim wouldn’t feel like he was intruding and then maybe he would ask
Donna to marry him quicker. They both stood amazed at what the girl had done
just to ensure that they would be married. Donna said she never noticed them
missing until Jim had mentioned it and was shocked she hadn’t. Jim told her
that he didn’t know why Chrissy would think that a picture of her dad might
make him feel like he was intruding as he knew they loved him very much. The
two of them headed to the living room as they heard the doorbell ring. Jim opened
the door to find the family on the porch with Josh that had rang the bell. He
asked why they rang bell and why didn’t Josh just come in as it was his house.
Josh told him he didn’t know if they were doing something that no one should
see or not. Jim just smiled and told him that they weren’t doing anything at
all except talking. Josh just smiled a little and everyone came into the living
room. Donna told
Josh of the suit Janet had brought by and after he tried it on he decided to
wear it to the funeral. He asked Jim to help him get ready and Jim complied
with the request. After Josh had dressed and was ready to go they all decided
to head to the church as the funeral home was going to move Chrissy’s body to
it at Once there
they sat in the vehicles for a few minutes as the funeral home workers were
just unloading the casket and placing it in the church. Jim went ahead in just
to see if any help was needed and to make sure everything was ok. After they
had set the church up with the flowers and had opened the casket and all, Jim
came out and got Donna and the rest of the family. They all went in and were
told that the first four pews on the left were marked for the family and if
they needed more to just let the preacher or funeral director know. When the
friends and other visitors started coming in at 10 it started getting crowded
in the church quickly. Jim was feeling a few tears slip out of his eyes every
so often. He wiped his eyes and held Donna tightly on his right and had his arm
around Josh’s shoulder on his left. He felt as if he had definitely lost his
own child for he was almost sick at his stomach from the pain and emptiness he
was feeling. Donna was crying steadily as the music started about 15 minutes
before the funeral was to begin. She was shaking slightly and Jim didn’t know
for sure if he was going to be strong enough to help her and keep his self
under control both. Connie was sitting beside Josh and she turned to Jim and
told him if Donna got too bad that she would see after Josh so he could devote his
full attention to Donna. Jim thanked her as the preacher stood and walked to
the podium. Friends,
relatives and visitors we are here today to show our support and sympathy to
the parents and family of ten year old Chrissy Yvonne Clifton, who has passed
from this life, the preacher started with. Jim heard only a few words from then
on as Donna and he were crying too much to hear anything else. As the service
was ending the preacher walked to Donna and Jim and told them he was truly
sorry for their loss and was there for them if they needed to talk or sought
support. As he said this the funeral
director stepped up beside him. After the preacher had finished talking the
director asked that they remain seated until the rest of the people had came by
the casket and paid their respects. Jim nodded he understood and so did the
other family members. After the
long line of people passed the casket and had left the church, the director
asked the family to please go outside also as they loaded the casket and moved
it to the grave site. The family went outside and all of them walked across the
road to the church cemetery and stood around near the grave, but far enough
away to not hinder the funeral workers. They watched the hearse back up in the
direction of the grave and saw the pawl bearers carry the casket to the stand
that was sitting over the open grave. The director motioned for the family to
come and sit and they did. Then as the preacher started to speak once again all
the other visitors gathered around the grave area. The service was nice thought
Jim and Donna both, but neither could recall much about it. When the
time came and they started lowering the casket Jim thought Donna was going to
jump from his arms and into the grave. He held her firmly until she said she
was ok she just wanted to do one thing and as Jim let his grip lighten a little
Donna stepped to the graves edge. When the casket was completely lowered she
removed a piece of paper from her handbag and opened it. She tried hard to read
it through teary eyes and a sobbing voice. Dear Mom, I
am sorry for getting hurt at school and for making you miss time from work to
stay with me in the hospital. I am so sorry that you and Jim did not get to
have a date this weekend as I had planned to surprise you with. Mom he is a
keeper and I will be so happy if he will adopt Josh and me after you two marry
and I know you will marry him. He is not my real dad that is true, but he makes
me feel as daddy used to, loved and special. Mom please don’t be mad at Jim for
wanting to stay with me tonight at the hospital or for me wanting him to, as I
want to get to know him also. Mom he does love you more then anything in his
life, he just doesn’t know how to propose yet. I have mentioned a few things
you like so he can surprise you every now and then. Maybe he will propose soon.
I will see you tomorrow morning when you come back to the hospital. Jim is
asleep and Ms. Lena has offered to write this for me and give it to you as soon
as she sees you. Mom I love you so much because you are the greatest mom a girl
could have, Chrissy. Everyone within hearing range was in tears as Donna
finished reading the letter and looked at the casket in the grave and said,
Chrissy, I love you too and thank you. Jim was standing behind her and he
wrapped his arms tightly around her and slowly they moved away so the workers
could fill the grave. They were both still in tears as Josh came up to them. He
hugged Donna and told her he was still here for her and he loved her also. He
then hugged Jim and told him he also loved him. After they saw the grave was filled in and the flowers were placed on it properly the family headed back to Donna’s house. Jim, Donna and Josh arrived first and then the rest of the family. Connie asked if Donna wanted her to help her change from her funeral clothes, Donna said yes as she figured her sister wanted to talk more then help her change. Jim offered to help Josh change and they headed to Josh’s room as Connie and Donna headed to her room. Josh asked
Jim if they could talk as he changed and Jim told him yes. Josh said that he
felt special and loved around Jim as he had with his real dad, just as Chrissy
had said in her letter to their mom. He told Jim he would do anything at all to
help with him being able to marry his mom if he would just tell him what he
wanted him to do. Mom told me the other night when you stayed Chrissy that she
believed she loved you truly and would really like to be your wife and make us
a family he said. He then told Jim that he would be honored to have him as his
dad and with that he hugged Jim tightly and had tears in his eyes. Jim hugged
him back and told him would make him proud to have him as a son, but wanted to
know if Josh understood that by adopting him after he married his mom did he
knew it would mean losing the last name of Clifton and taking the name of
Davies. Josh said yes he and Chrissy had talked of that and he wanted to do it.
Jim held him for a while longer feeling as proud as a man that had just become
a daddy for the first time. He then stepped back and told Josh they needed to
return to the living room and visit with the others before they left. They
returned to the living room to find everyone talking in small groups with the
kids being out on the porch swinging and talking. Connie and Donna were sitting
on the couch talking with Juanita and Daniel Clifton. As Josh told him he was
going to the porch Jim heard his named being called. He turned towards the
couch and seen Donna motioning him over that way. As he sat down between Donna
and Connie she told him that Daniel and Juanita wanted to speak to him. Juanita
started it off by saying she was very glad that they had met and that he was
there for Donna and Josh during all this. Then she went on to say that Daniel
and she had discussed some things the night before and they knew that Josh and
Chrissy were both their son’s children. They also knew that if Donna and he
married and he adopted Josh then it would mean the end of the She told
Jim that if Josh wanted to carry the Davies name for life it was ok with them
as they only requested that they be allowed to still interact with him as they
had in the past. Jim assured her that by no means would he ever try to come
between Josh and his grandparents for he knew how valuable a relationship they
had built with each other. Donna spoke up and said that was it then everything
was settled on the adoption if it took place. Connie spoke up and laughing
slightly asked hadn’t they better settle the marriage arrangements before
worrying over the adoption. Everyone laughed a little and Donna blushed heavily
as Jim just smiled at her. Jim then spoke up and told everyone that he would be
happy to settle the marriage arrangements in the very near future. This made Donna blush again but she realized
in a way he was saying he would marry her so she smiled really big while
hugging him tightly. The
Cliftons announced that they needed to be on there way as it would be late by
the time they got home. So they stood to leave and that is when Donna’s
brother, Roger, and Emily, his wife, said they also need to be going. When the
ones leaving had gathered their stuff and kids and were finally gone Donna and
Jim sat back down on the couch, both realizing just how tired they were after
the days events. Billy and Connie were in the kitchen with Candace, Jane and
Josh getting something started for supper as it was a little past Jim held
Donna close and he asked her what she planned on doing the next day. She said
she didn’t think she was ready to go back to work for sure and didn’t really
have any plans at all. He then told her he had been thinking of how quickly
Chrissy had gotten hurt and died and was worried to be away from Donna for very
long at all as he didn’t want to lose her at all. She had tears in her eyes as
she told him she didn’t want to lose him either. He then stared into her eyes
and told her he had decided to change his ways and if she wanted him to he
would spend the night here with her tonight. She told him that would be ok as
he spent last night and nobody would say anything at all. He then said he
wanted to spend the night with her not just in the same house but in the same
bed. She squealed out so loudly with happiness as she hugged him tightly that
Connie came running it to see what was wrong. Donna
laughed and said she was sorry but Jim had made her so happy by telling her he
was spending the night with her that she screamed in happiness. Connie just
smiled and winked at them both saying that she would take Josh with them again
if he wanted to go so they would have some time alone to get to know each other
better. Donna and Jim both blushed like a couple of school kids caught kissing
by their parents. After
eating the supper that Connie and Billy had fixed Donna and Jim said they would
clean up the kitchen. Connie told Billy and the three kids she guessed they had
better get going to the motel as everyone needed to get showers and get some
sleep. Billy winked at Jim and Jim realized Connie must have told him of their
plans as well. They all said their good byes and Donna walked them to the door
as Jim started cleaning the dishes. He had them washed and was drying them when
Donna returned to the kitchen saying she was going to get a shower and would
meet him in her bedroom when he finished. Jim nodded and told her he was going
to also shower before coming to bed. Jim heard a
knock at the door as he was walking through the living room turning out lights.
He opened it and there was Billy with his suitcase and laptop in his hands. He
handed them to Jim saying that Connie had gotten all his stuff from the motel
room and turned in the key as he had requested her to. Jim thanked him and they
said good night to each other. Jim stood at the door and watched Billy back out
of the drive and take off before he closed and locked the door. He then toted
his suitcase and laptop upstairs to Josh’s room as he turned out the lights on
his way. He showered and put on his clean pair of pajama pants with a clean
t-shirt. He went to
Donna’s room and noticed the door was open; still he knocked gently before
entering. Donna was lying in the bed in her gown. She told him to come on in
and patted the bed beside her. Jim walked to the bed and sat on the edge of it
while he slipped his feet out of his slippers. Then he slid over next to Donna
and put his arm around her pulling her next to him snugly. She turned facing
him laying her head on his chest and putting her arm across his stomach. She
yawned and told him she was somewhat tired. He was massaging her shoulder with
his hand and told her he also was very tired. They lay there like that for about
15 minutes and both drifted off to sleep. |
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