Natasha's Legacy by Heather Greenis Page B

judgment?”
    “No, but it is my hope you will contact me
tomorrow.”
    He smiled and nodded. He gave her a gentle
kiss and walked out of her building and toward his automobile. His
smile lit his face the entire journey home.

     
    * * *
     
     
    Momma was sitting in the dining room, holding
her shawl over her dressing gown when he entered the room. She
placed her cup of warm milk on the table. “You’re home. Did you
enjoy the concert?”
    After the kiss at Sarah’s apartment, he had
almost forgotten the evening began with the concert.
    “Yes. Sarah is talented. I have never heard
anything as beautiful.”
    “It’s pleasing to see your smiling face. You
are … you are glowing.”
    Poppa walked out of the kitchen with his cup
of warm milk in his hand.
    “You are glowing,”
he confirmed.
    Heat rose in Alex’s face. He rested his hands
against the chair across the table from them and looked at the
floor. “Elaine attended the concert.” He looked back up at his
parents.
    Poppa adjusted his sleeping gown and sat
beside Momma.
    “I hope you simply noticed Elaine among the
crowd,” his momma responded.
    “Elaine spoke with Sarah and me.” He took a
deep breath, puffed out his cheeks and exhaled slowly. “She
approached and I had to introduce them.”
    His parents glanced at each other. Poppa
remained silent, but Momma, being a true Donovan, did not.
    “You have been courting Sarah for over six
months. Have you kissed her?”
    “Hope!” Poppa’s eyes bulged. “That’s
personal.”
    “Yes, but I like Sarah. I must know.”
    Alex’s attention shifted from his momma back
to the floor. The events of the evening would have been avoided if
he and Sarah had shared their first kiss at an earlier date. His
confidence level would have been higher and Sarah less intimidated
by Elaine’s presence. Unable to reverse time and erase the kiss, he
kept still.
    “My heart aches for Sarah,” his poppa
responded. “Have you spoken of your emotions?”
    Alex glared at his father. “How could I
possibly vocalize something I’m still confused about? I was
emotionally naive and became engaged to a woman who humiliated me.
Now you’re asking me to trust myself. I have not spoken of my
emotions.” He placed his hands over his face. If
they hear about the evening, it's best if they hear it from
me. He spread his fingers and peeked through the spaces. “I
kissed Sarah this evening. In Elaine’s presence.”
    “Ugh!” Momma gasped. She buried her face in
her palms. “Please say you kissed her hand.”
    Lowering his hands from his face, his
attention moved between his parents. “I cannot … it’s my judgment
that requires improvement, not my aim. A large number of Sarah’s
admirers were present and able to see the kiss.”
    “Oh my!” His poppa chuckled. “I assume this
will be a night you won’t forget.”
    Momma raised her index finger and motioned
for Alex to come closer. Alex leaned over the table.
    “It’s acceptable to show affection by a kiss
on the hand, Alex.” She pointed to the top of her own hand; above
her knuckles. “Our family is more affectionate than others, but
your poppa and I are mindful of the children and volunteers, as are
your papa and Izabella. Adam doesn’t recall seeing his parents
share a kiss on the cheek or lips.”
    “Never in my presence. Their affection was
only visible through their eyes. How did Sarah respond?”
    Alex took the seat across from his momma,
able to picture Sarah’s expression. “She appeared shocked,” he
remarked.
    “Shocked? Sarah isn’t shy, but I’m certain
she was embarrassed, not expecting a public display of affection
from you,” his poppa replied.
    Alex tilted his head down into his cupped
hands.
    “We sympathize,” his momma admitted. “Nana
Venderkemp witnessed our first kiss. Papa Stewart and Izabella were
aware it occurred. You didn’t enter this building overcome with
grief. Quite the opposite in fact. Your eyes were sparkling. Were
you