Shaking, Kacey opened the box. Inside was a long silver chain with an oval charm. With a tug, the charm fell open. Inside was a picture of Kacey’s parents.
“It’s your something old,” Grandma whispered. “It’s been in my family for a very long time. It was my mother’s, and her mother’s before her.” She took the necklace from Kacey and undid the clasp. “When you feel afraid, I want you to remember that your parents are never far…” She attached it behind Kacey’s neck, and the oval fell directly between her breasts. “They’re right on your heart.”
With a sob, Kacey threw her arms around Grandma’s neck and held her tight. Never in her life had she expected this. It was perfect, and suddenly as if a weight had been lifted, Kacey felt alive again, excited, ready, and oh so done with being just Kacey. She was ready to be Kacey Titus.
“I love you, Grandma.”
“And I you, sweetheart.” Grandma sighed. “Now fix your makeup. We don’t want you looking like you’ve been crying.”
Kacey kissed her on the cheek and stood. “I think this calls for pink lipstick.”
“That’s my girl.” Grandma reached into her purse and pulled out a tube. “Use it wisely. I’ve been told pink lipstick also holds magical powers.”
“Oh, yeah? By whom?”
“Well, your grandfather, rest his soul, he loved the pink.” With a saucy wink Grandma rose to her full height and walked out the door.
“God bless her,” Kacey said aloud. “And keep her alive forever… I know you want her, but you can’t have her yet.”
Chapter Sixty
“Ready?” Jake slapped his brother on the back a few times as Travis looked in the mirror and cursed.
“Damn, I can’t stop shaking.” Travis closed his eyes and shook his arms, then jumped in place.
“Uh, first stop jumping.” Jake put his hands on Travis’s shoulders. “It’s not a basketball game. We aren’t in the state finals.”
“Right.” Travis stopped moving and nodded his head a few times.
“And stop nodding. You look insane.”
“Shit.” Travis sat down on the chair and hung his head in his hands. “I need to get out there before I lose it.”
“Agreed.” Jake reached into his front jacket. “But until then, take this.”
Travis didn’t look up. “Jake I hardly think this situation calls for Grandma’s infamous Benadryl remedy.”
“Not a pink pill.” Jake thrust the tiny bottle of liquor into Travis’s face. “Liquid courage, my friend. Drink up.”
Travis opened his eyes and took the plastic bottle. “Hmm, so it’s a Jake Titus remedy? I like.”
“Or just a Titus remedy, although mom usually goes for the wine.” Jake shrugged. “Either way, I don’t need all the credit.”
Travis twisted the cap and cringed as he drank the entire bottle of cheap vodka, all four ounces. “That tastes terrible.”
“Stole it from Grandma.” Jake nodded. “Figured it did, never seen a woman love cheap vodka like her.” He shrugged. “At any rate, it’s almost time to walk down that aisle. What do you say to growing a pair?”
After a few seconds Travis said, “Done.”
“Well, that was fast.” Jake smirked.
“Yeah, well, I just realized I get to seduce my wife in exactly forty-six minutes, possibly forty-four if I can say my vows fast enough.”
“There’s the spirit.” Jake patted him on the back. “Now, I’m off to find your future wife; seems I have a girl to help walk down the aisle.”
“She trips, you get a black eye.”
“Noted,” Jake called as he left the room and went in search of Kacey. He found her, standing all alone at the back door porch entrance, waiting while the music played softly in the background.
Char was standing next to her and they were murmuring in hushed tones; that is, until Jake made himself known by clearing his throat loudly.
Kacey turned first, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
“I’ll just, uh…” Char pointed behind Jake. “Go stand over there, until it’s time to walk down the aisle.”
Char’s perfume floated in the air as she tried to walk by Jake. Not happening. He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her on the mouth. “You can’t just walk by me without saying hi.”
Char’s lips met his again. “Is this how we say hi now?”
“Yes.” Jake opened her lips with his tongue. “Hell yes.”
Pulling away, Char gave him a saucy wink and walked off.