A Mother for Michael

By Michelle L. Benanti

Lacey leaves her small town life in Capsule Cove to attend Triton University, where she falls in love with Kevin. Lacey and Kevin live in emotional bliss believing life is full of possibilities and endless love. That is, until Lacey is asked to foster a child. Kevin may love Lacey, but at 24 he has no desire to be an instant father. Lacey must decide between her heart for the lost one and her heart for Kevin. Will she follow the leading of her spirit or the passions of her heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512737615

Michelle L. Benanti

Michelle L. Benanti lives with her husband Jayson and their two children in Winchester, California. She loves her family, friends and serving those in her community and church. Her love of creating stories came as a young girl entertaining the children in her mom’s in-home daycare. Those stories have grown and developed into various aspects of her books. She is also excited to share her heart for God through her writing.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Course of Life

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

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L acey attended Triton University and lived within the dorms her freshman year. Cassidy, her best friend from grade school, took the chance to get out of Capsule Cove and away from her controlling parents to see how life was lived in the big hair, fast-talking, southern drawl south. Chris, their friend and Cassidy’s next door neighbor, didn’t go too far. He just went north a bit and got to see life from the other side. Chris moved to the state capital.

Lacey, Cassidy, and Chris remained in constant contact and even planned weekends together visiting each other’s college. Upon such a visit to Triton University, Chris met Lacey’s roommate Marianna, a beautiful girl from Alabama who stole his heart in the first few moments.

I can’t imagine leaving all of you beauties, Chris joked Sunday morning just after breakfast.

Cassidy laughed at him and teased, "Hey, I am leaving too. I go to school in the south, remember, or has love blinded you of that fact?"

Lacey and Cassidy took bets on how long it would take for Chris to find a way to move back to Capsule Cove and attend Triton.

I say he transfers here next year, Lacey said.

Oh, I bet he’s back here before the term is up, Cassidy stated.

That’s less than three weeks. We start winter break in a month, Lacey clarified.

Ok, then I bet he is over here this winter looking for housing and such, Cassidy smiled. What do you say we bet on it? Ten bucks?

Deal. Together they shook hands and laughed at the thought of their lovesick friend.

Finals ended and they returned to Capsule Cove where life could start to relax for a few weeks. I am so happy you decided to start your break with us here in Capsule Cove, Lacey told Marianna.

You know she is here to see Chris, not to continue to hang out with you, right? Cassidy said with a smirk across her face as she and Lacey picked up the appetizer trays to clear the table for dinner.

Marianna blushed and made her way across the room towards Chris.

Yeah, but it’s still nice to be the one to bring them together. Lacey looked across the room. Look at them, they are so in love it makes me want to get sick.

Or love sick yourself, Cassidy said with a soft hip bump to Lacey’s side.

Yeah, don’t remind me, Lacey snickered.

Just as they were setting the dinner dishes on the table a far off voice captured both of their attention. Ben Jacobson, Chris’s older brother, was back home having just graduated from college and was full of surprises. Chris shrieked as he heard his brother state he was moving back to Capsule Cove to intern as a graphic designer as of January 3rd.

That settles it. I have been hating life in the big city all semester and have wondered if moving back was the best option, but now I know. Tomorrow before the campus is closed for the holidays I will go and see about transferring to Triton next term, Chris announced.

Pay up! Cassidy nudged Lacey with her shoulder and the two girls laughed as they headed back to the kitchen.

What, my moving back here is funny to you? Chris teased as he tackled both girls.

No, just utterly predictable, Lacey joked.

Nah, she gave you until the end of the year to transfer. I am the one who called the end of the term. I win, I win, I win, Cassidy teased as she broke free and ran to the other side of the kitchen island.

I, for one, am pleased you will be moving here, Marianna blushed. I have missed you.

Oh man, all of you out of the kitchen if you aren’t going to help. Some of us want to eat before the sun goes down, Lacey’s dad, Adam, joked as he moved past the young ones to gather the last of the dishes for the table.

In turn, each one of them grabbed a dish and headed to the table.

Dinner was amazing, as always Mrs. Franderman, Ben thanked her.

Marianna stopped Lacey just outside the door on her way to the car where Chris was waiting to take her to the airport to thank her. Your family is so amazing. The love of God, family and friends is so evident in all you do. Your parents are so in love with each other. They are the most caring people I have ever met.

Awe, thanks. I kind of like them too, Lacey teased.

And your home is so lovely. I know my parents live in a mansion, but it is nothing like this. There is no home there, Marianna admitted with sadness in her voice.

You are welcome here any time. I know a few people who wouldn’t mind you visiting more often, Lacey said looking towards Chris.

Chris drove Marianna to the airport with promises to stay in touch while they were apart. Ben walked Cassidy home even though it was just up the street, and Lacey helped her parents clean up and then enjoyed the quiet conversations of their upcoming weeks around the fire pit in the back yard.

With both you and Chris back here this coming term, do you think Cass will transfer to Triton too? Patricia asked Lacey.

I wouldn’t doubt it, but she does seem to like school in the south, so who knows, Lacey answered.

Maybe if she meets some tall, dark and handsome stranger this break, she might, Adam teased as he started to put out the flames so they could all retire inside for the night.

CHAPTER 2

Family Holidays

The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

Luke 2:11 (NLT)

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C assidy knocked on the front door just after eight on Christmas morning. Patricia was just pulling the muffins out of the oven as Adam was prepping the coffee tray for the unveiling of the various presents under the tree.

I could smell something amazing all the way down the street, so I had to come investigate.

Help yourself. Patricia placed the tray of muffins before her.

Good thing you are here. This one has your name on it. Adam held a present toward Cassidy.

Smiles were abundant all around. Presents were opened and breakfast was shared. Patricia, Lacey and Cassidy were cleaning up dishes and Adam was clearing the debris of the chaos of the living room when Cassidy burst out, UGH, UGH, UGH!

What happened? What’s wrong? Adam ran in arms full of torn paper and tissue.

I think I have a really HUGE problem! Cassidy paused and fell to the seat next to her in a slump. I think I am in love with Ben Jacobson … I mean did you see him yesterday … Oh my Oh my … he has become quite gorgeous, Cassidy stated with an exhausted breath. I mean WOW! I haven’t seen him in almost two years. Remember last year my mom made me go to camp for the summer and he wasn’t home for the holidays much. Lacey, I am in trouble!

All those in the room shared smiles and looks of wanted laughter as Cassidy buried her head in her hands on her lap. Moments of silence passed.

Guess I was wrong, Adam began, It wasn’t a tall, dark and handsome stranger that would change her life … it was a tall, dark and handsome Ben Jacobson.

That did it; the room erupted in laughter. Cassidy was mortified and exhausted all at the same time. She waited in anticipation for Lacey or anyone to tell her what to do, but as silence continued to fill the room, she exploded, What am I supposed to do?

What do you want to do? Patricia asked.

Do you know how he feels? Lacey asked bringing the focus back to a sliver of reality.

Cassidy explained how she and Ben talked all night until the sun rose this morning about growing up next door, life away from Capsule Cove and the life they both wanted for their futures.

Do your life plans seem to include one another? Lacey asked.

That’s the thing, I think they do.

Why is that such a bad thing? Lacey asked as Patricia quietly took Adam into the other room.

He is interning in Capsule Cove for the winter session and will be a fully licensed graphic designer in the spring and looking to move to Mayorton to open a shop, Cassidy began. I guess I could transfer to Triton and see where this is going, at least then I would still be in college if it didn’t work out. I am sure my mother would love me to be closer, then she wouldn’t have to pay the out-of-area-tuition on my college. Cassidy snuffed at her mom’s lack of compassion for her own daughter, and unhealthy attachment to money.

Ben and Chris filled the doorway bearing gifts for the Frandermans and one special one for Cassidy.

Your mom told us you were here, so we brought you a little something too, Chris told Cassidy as he held out her present. But then again, I think Ben here seems to be present enough. He teased as he saw the locked eyes of one of his best friends and his brother. Ben and Cassidy both blushed as everyone made their way into the living room and exchanged presents.

The Christmas spirit was in all as they left for the various additional family adventures.

Are we heading over to Grace Mission to help with the overflow of people and the shortness of staff for the holiday afternoon to serve lunch again this year? Lacey asked.

As soon as you get ready, Adam teased.

Ready! Lacey grabbed her coat and headed towards the door.

Might want to grab shoes, sweetheart, Patricia stated looking at Lacey’s feet dressed in wool socks and nothing else.

The day was filled with service, love, laughter, family and friendship, but the night was set aside for just them … the Frandermans—Adam, Patricia and Lacey. They kept their Christmas tradition of leftover Christmas Eve dinner snuggled up on their living room couch with a movie marathon planned to take them into the wee hours of the morning.

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Christmas morning in the Richardson home was met with a single present for each member to be opened at the end of their quiet and quick breakfast before heading downstairs to catch up on the various end-of-the-year books and budgets they were expected to have finalized by this time next week. Walter and Nancy had never once held a Christmas party in their home, and church was not heard of. Very rarely, as a child, Kevin remembered attending the block holiday gatherings or the Community Center’s tree lighting ceremony, but not in a long time. Not since the business had taken off about ten years back, in fact. The holiday break for others was the busiest time for the Richardson household. Walter made sure that the whole house knew of the importance to their financial well-being in the coming year if the books and budgets of each and every client was not top notch by the 30th of this December.

Kevin went to the rooftop to take a few moments to himself and write in the journal his mom had given him that morning.

From this day forward:

I, Kevin Richardson, will no longer be a slave to the working stagnant of my father’s home. I will be graduating college and will finally be free to be my own man. A man living and breathing as a productive member of society, but not of any society so obsessed with money and status that it cannot even take Christmas off to celebrate as a family.

I, Kevin, will no longer be a co-working slave to my parents, but do hope one day soon, to be their son again. I miss my mom. I miss my dad.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight…

now, as my father would say… back to work… this year is not done!

P.S. This next year, I will find a home, not just a four-story walk-up house.

CHAPTER 3

Breaking Free

"Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come

from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ."

Colossians 2:8 (NLT)

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T he years had gone by so fast. Kevin had graduated and was all set to move into a small studio apartment, not the home he promised himself, but it would be his own. Kevin knew he was destined for a life of numbers and end of the year budgets for himself if he did not start to make some serious changes. Kevin wanted more. Triton University had given him that place to call his own without the pressures of having to work alongside strangers he called family, and moving out and into his own apartment was the next step.

You move out now, you are cut off from this money, Walter, Kevin’s dad, stated the day Kevin announced his move to Mayorton, the town just north of Triton University.

Kevin hated that his dad’s only connection to people was their money or the thought of money. Dad, I am not moving to a third world country. I am just moving out of this place. I will still help you and mom when I can. I have a great internship at an architectural firm during the day and yes, I will still work nights at The Café.

Then you have made your choice, Walter snapped.

Nancy, Kevin’s mom, interrupted, Are you coming to help with the year-end budgets in two weeks? The school will be closed so The Café can do without you, can’t they?

Mom, I am not sure. I was hoping to keep up the hours at the Café, plus I have my internship to attend still, Kevin admitted.

Tell that boy he needs to be here to help this family get through. The man I raised knows his place in this family. Walter addressed Nancy as if Kevin was not even there.

Kevin’s frustration got the better of him and he stated, Mom, I am sorry, but I am staying in Mayorton and working at The Café on campus this year. I will be here for Christmas breakfast, but I must return after.

Don’t bother! Walter’s outburst startled both Kevin and Nancy. I declare; I don’t know who that boy is anymore, Walter yelled out in disgust as he left the room.

Kevin took a deep breath and let out a breath of peace, before continuing, Mom, I am sorry.

Don’t worry about it. It is just another day around here, Nancy stated.

Kevin prayed it wasn’t just another day, but he knew in his heart it would be for them.

It was the Friday night before crunch week to winter finals and Cassidy was determined to avoid studying just yet. She decided it was time to cut loose and relax a little.

You girls up for a girl’s night? Cassidy asked as she walked into the room where Kelly and Lacey were.

Does that include husbands? Kelly asked the newly married Cassidy.

Ben and Chris are heading out for a guy’s night tonight so it’s just us girls, Cassidy stated.

Well then, let’s make tonight a night to be remembered, Kelly laughed in her mysterious about-to-get-in-trouble laugh.

The Café was crowded, but they got a table in the back section within a half hour.

Check it out! Kelly rejoiced. Super cute waiter heading this way. Kelly gawked at him as he approached.

Hi, my name is Kevin, I will be your server tonight. Can I get you started with something to drink? Kevin asked.

The constant flirtation from Kelly seemed to do nothing for him, but manifest his attention on to Lacey, the quieter one in the corner. Kelly was persistent in her pursuit though. She asked endless questions and added various comments. Even though Lacey was curious about the fact that his nametag read Joe Doe when his name was obviously Kevin, yet she still said nothing. Kelly was doing enough talking for everyone.

You are shameless tonight, Lacey teased as Kevin left the table for more water.

Well, I wouldn’t mind bringing him home for the holidays. Maybe then my mom would stop worrying about me, Kelly complained.

She still on your case to ‘find a man’? Cassidy took a bite of the bread left on the table.

Yep, and she thinks if I do not find one by graduation I will be destined to be a spinster the rest of my life. Kelly smiled and stole the bread off Lacey’s plate with a smile.

Yeah, I hear that. Ever since you and Ben got married last year, I have been getting the ‘how wonderful it would be to be planning a wedding’ hint every time I talk to my mom, too, Lacey stated.

Well, Lacey, after tonight, maybe you might just have those wedding bells coming up, Cassidy said as she glanced over and noticed Kevin staring directly at Lacey.

Hey, we just met the boy, give me a first date at least, before you start picking out china patterns, Lacey laughed before adding, besides, we have finals to concentrate on or graduation isn’t going to be an option this year either. I need to pass these finals to get out of here.

I could stand to hang out here for another year and put off life for a while … maybe I should hook up with the travel squad and live off the land for the next year. Kelly nudged Lacey nodding her head to the group across The Café.

Both girls looked over to the group calling themselves the travel squad who were planning on living out of backpacks and off the land for a whole year then deciding what was best for their futures.

Back to reality, let’s go, Lacey said as they gathered up their respective checks Kevin had left on the corner of the table just moments before.

Lacey placed all her belongings on the table just inside the front door when she noticed writing on the back of her receipt. Call me some time, with a number attached. Lacey made a mental note to do just that—call Kevin soon, but for now it was time to study!

Weeks went by while finals happened, holiday homecoming occurred, and back to school setting in was finished before Lacey realized she had forgotten all about ‘calling some time’ and looked for the receipt. The receipt was nowhere in sight and gone with it her thoughts of seeing that cute waiter again. She was bummed for a bit, but the business of school and final semester syllabus for each of her classes seemed to take precedence and distracted her further from calling anyone. Graduation was in sight, and the process of getting there seemed a bit overwhelming at the beginning of January.

CHAPTER 4

Soul Mates

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)

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L acey was sure her grandmother would be proud of her use of the inheritance she left her to purchase her own condo in Capsule Cove, but Lacey still missed her very much. With Kelly and Marianna as roommates the expenses were manageable. Kelly was usually held up in the archeology building doing research or meeting with her research team and professors, so she was not much of a distraction. Now that Chris and Marianna were engaged, study sessions at Lacey’s condo were more about wedding planning than finals prep. Lacey found the library the best place to get studying done. The library proved very valuable when research needed to be done. She was determined to not let anyone derail her plans to graduate with honors come June.

One late afternoon in February life took Lacey into the wrong restroom in the campus library. What a dunce she was, yet the amazingly hot guy was so kind. Lacey got the feeling that she should remember him from somewhere as he pointed to a sign on the door MEN.

Lacey was mortified! She made haste to