Kelly's Journey Chapter 2: Revelations   By Stanman63   Edited By Nora Adrienne with Special Thanks To Terry Naut and to Heather Rose Brown for the Illustration!   After the funeral, Kelly and her momma start dealing with their loss as they mourn the death of Kelly's daddy. On the way to visit relatives, Kelly discovers a few things about herself. While at her Grandparents farm, she discovers an uncle she never knew she had, and her aunt holds a secret in her heart.

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When we got home from the funeral, we stopped outside of the Wood’s Guest House, "Terri, I know that your old place is a bit much for you two ever since Stu died. Please move into the Guest House and sell Stu's," offered Mister Woods.

Then Momma began to tear up at the kind offer, "You're right, but according to Stu's will, I am to keep it for Kelly. We decided that when we bought it, and now it's paid for along with his log cabin."

"Then at least accept the Guest House as yours Terri. Please do it for us," pleaded Mrs. Woods.

"Very well you two, but it'll be a chore to move the furniture," momma surrendered in grace.

Then Johnny spoke up, "Uh uh! The Guest House is fully furnished Mrs. Moore.

Then Julie spoke up too, "Yeah Mrs. Moore, we kids play there all the time."

"Then I guess that you urchins need a new playhouse," added Mister Woods.

"Yes daddy," they chorused.

"OK you scoundrels, I accept, but we will need to get our things unless you have already got them."

"Yep, while we were gone, I had your stuff brought over and Stu's place cleaned from top to bottom."

"Then I offer Stu's as OUR Guest House," momma declared.

"OK. lets go out and celebrate at one of my restaurants."

Then we headed off to dine out and when we got home, I slept with momma again to keep nightmares away.
 
 

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Momma took me up to see her parents and sister Debbie because she needed their support and comfort now that she was a widow. We were in momma's black Pinto wagon heading to Grandpa's farm when we stopped at a rest stop for a toilet stop.

['I don't know how my son will react when I tell him the news, *sigh*, Please LORD, give me the Wisdom that I need to break the news.'] "Kelly, they are worried about us, they want us to move in with them."

"But Momma, I don't wanna move. I love the Woods." ['Johnny, I'll miss you most of all if we move.']

I know, but now that I'm a widow, they think that I shouldn't stay in that old house." ['They mean well, but I must not let them take Kelly away from his friends.']

"Don't they know that the Woods gave us the Guest House?" ['Is that why? Sheesh!! We have a nice place to live.']

"No they don't. They think that since I sold our old home that I needed the money and that we live in an apartment." ['Living there would be way too much, we both needed a fresh start that the Woos gave us.']

"Well, if they saw the Woods Estate and our new home there, they'd be surprised. ['Especially at our new home. The balcony outside my bedroom makes a great place to camp out under the stars.']

"True Bozo, true." ['Kelly always loved that clown.']

"If I'm Bozo The Clown, does that make you Ronald Macdonald?" ['Well, my favorite 'jammies look like his costume.']

"Kelly, I'm a girl, not a guy," she replied haughtily.

"Then you could be Ronnie Macdonald, his daughter," I giggled.
 
 

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Let me tell you about the Guest House; it's built over a four door car garage with each of the four doors housing two cars. The Woods have a camper and camping trailer in the first one, Mister Woods Thunderbird and Mrs. Woods Aerostar in the next one. The third one is for car maintenance and repair. The last one is for momma's Pinto wagon and everybody's bikes.

The Guest House itself is accessed by stairways on both sides of the garage and a rear stairway in back. The right hand stairway leads into the living room and the left hand into the kitchen. our bedrooms and bathroom are in the rear where the bodacious balcony is. Momma and I have spent many a summer night there stargazing and sleeping in our sleeping bags.
 
 

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Then while we were laughing, a Catholic Priest and Nun came up to us, "Hello, my name is Father Peter Downing and this is my assistant Sister Mary Angello." ['It is good to see a family laughing in these sad times.'] Then he held out his hand.

Then Momma took his hand, squeezed it and let go, "I am Mrs. Andrea Lynn Moore and this little rascal is my son Kelly Lee." [He could be Santa Claus and she an elf, her being so tiny like me.']

"We have a Chapel here for weary travelers, would you like to come?" asked Sister Mary. ['I can see sorrow in their eyes, yet they are full of laughter. Only True Love can do that.']

I tugged on momma's arm, "Please Momma, I'd like to see the Chapel." ['Father Patrick would love to come here. I wanna see it and give a good report.']

Then Momma smiled at me, "Well, I don't see why not." Then she looked at Sister Mary," We are grateful for your kindness, I was recently widowed and we are going to visit relatives," Momma sighed.

Then Father Downing placed a gentle hand upon my Momma's shoulder, "Dear child, to be widowed at such a young age with a child to raise is a tragedy. We will help you as much as we can." ['So much like my sister who died last year. Oh, how I miss her.']

"Thank you Father, my son Kelly & I miss my husband, Stuart." ['There'll never be another man like him.']

"How did your husband die?" ['Dear God, please not a drunkard, that's how my sister died, run over by a drunkard.']

Then I spoke up, "Daddy died saving a baby from a fire. He died a hero." ['Daddy YOU are MY hero.']

"Yes Kelly, a hero, if only he had lived," turning to the Priest, "Father, why did Stu have to die? Why didn't God save him?" ['Lord, I need some reassurance in this, my Faith is weak.']

"My child, I don't have the answer, and I will not try to give any pat answers. But do you blame God?" ['I have seen so many turn bitter towards God from such pain that at times I dread my calling.']

"No,[sigh] not really. I just need an answer." ['At least he is honest, very much like Father Patrick.']

"Ask Him for the answer," he replied pointing up to Heaven.

"Momma, maybe God took daddy up so that he can watch over us." ['Hope I can help momma.']

Kneeling down before me, she placed both of her hands upon my shoulders, "You believe that?" ['Dear God, are you using my son to comfort me? Thank you.']

I smiled at momma with tears in my eyes, "Uh huh, ever since the funeral, I've felt that daddy was watching over us in my heart." ['Daddy, I miss you something awful you know.']

Then tears started flowing freely down my momma's now worry free face," Oh Kelly, I've needed to hear that ever since your daddy passed on! I can never thank you enough for freeing my heart of its pain." ['Thank you Lord for Kelly.']

I too started crying, "Your welcome momma." Then we hugged each other as our hearts were refreshed.

Then I heard the others crying, "My child, never have I seen such a pure and simple display of Love! I have been needing to see that ever since my sister died. You have helped to restore my Faith. Thank you." ['Oh Lord, you have chosen a child to lead me back to you.']

"Yes Kelly, Father Downing was about to retire, now I daresay that he will continue to serve."

"Indeed I shall."

Then momma carried me over to the Priest and he gently took me in his arms, "My sister Veronica, Daphne was run over by a drunk driver as she was escorting children to the playground at the nursery where she worked. Her husband Alexander Murray Scott is in the seminary studying to be a Methodist Pastor."

"Yes, poor Al was left without Hope, so he quit and went back to his fathers business as a carpenter."

"Is there a way that I can help him?"

Then from the nearby Visitors Building came a most happy voice, "Don't worry about me young man, what you just said spoke to my heart. Now I am ready to go back." ['It took a child's simple Faith to renew mine, Thank you God.']

Then I saw a man about daddy's size with black hair, blue eyes, wearing a red sweat suit, Thanks Kelly for opening my heart again." ['Such a sweet boy and his mother is pretty too.']

"Your welcome, but I did nothing," I blushed.

By that time, we were on the front steps of the Chapel, the outside was made to look like a log cabin with wooden shingle roof. Who ever built it was a craftsman because I could see attention to detail that only the best could create.

"Nonsense Kelly, by your words, you have helped me to Hope again. Without your coming here, I'd never have wanted to go back." ['This child is so selfless and giving, God, please protect him.']

Then the Priest looked at him with renewed Hope in his eyes, "You mean?" [Has the Lord used Kelly to bring us both back?']

"Yes my brother, I'm returning to the fold," then they hugged deeply.

"This is a truly Blessed day!!"

Then we went into the tiny Chapel. The wooden paneling and stained glass windows gave it an air of peace and quiet. We were led to Father Downing's office behind the pulpit where there was a buffet set out for us.

Momma was looking at the marvelous china with awe, "Father Downing, your Chapel is beautiful. I can see why you are here. And Sister Mary must be a wonderful help." [I'm glad that Kelly wanted to come.']

"Thank you, we love it here ourselves. Would anyone wish to pray?" ['I can see that Kelly is a loving child, To lose his father and still love shows a truly strong spirit.']

['I wanna thank God for today.'] "May I pray please?"

"Go ahead and pray Kelly," said Sister Mary for a weeping Father Downing.

"Jesus, thank you for Father Downing, Sister Mary, Mister Scott, and for lunch. Momma and I miss daddy, please help us to cope, I Love You! Amen."

"Kelly, [sniff,sniff] the Lord will most definitely say yes to your prayer,[sniff,sniff], he wept. ['The prayers of a child's pure heart, thank you for Kelly.']

"Why are you crying Father? Was it something that I said?" ['I seem to be making a lot of people cry.']

"Kelly, you and your Mother remind me of my sister. She died a year ago." ['I still miss you sis.']

Then Momma spoke up, "How sad for you, we know your grief. As you know, my husband was a policeman, he died saving a baby boy from a building." ['Funny how talking about it now I am more at peace.']

"Were there any harsh words spoken that you regret?" ['Such a fiery spirit, Scotty needs her and she needs him.']

"The only thing that momma and I regret is that Daddy was called in to replace a sick policeman."

"Your lucky, My sister Angela and I had a bitter fight before she was run over. Now I can't ask her for forgiveness."

Then Scotty and Sister Mary both placed a comforting hand upon his shoulders, "Brother, my sister forgave you before she left to safeguard the children. You weren't ready to accept her forgiveness, are you now?"

Yes Scotty, I am," then turning to Sister Mary, "I guess that I've been a bit pigheaded, haven't I?"

"A bit Peter, but now you're back on track, and even during your grief, you served admirably."

"Thanks Mary, but I'd still like to say Goodbye to her," he sighed.

"Then why not let me be her stand-in?" ['I know that Stu won't mind, besides, this way I can say Goodbye to him.']

"Thank you, Sissy, can you forgive me for not trusting you?"

"I forgive you big brother. Can you forgive me for being so stubborn?"

"Always Sissy, Always," Then they hugged and wept as healing tears freely flowed.

After that, we ate lunch and cleaned up, Father Downing led us back to momma's Pinto, "Thank you Mrs. Moore for letting me get closure with my sister."

"Glad to be of service Father, and thanks for letting me say Goodbye to Stu."

"But what about Kelly?"

"Don't worry Father, I said goodbye at the funeral."
 
 

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Then we headed on to Grandpa's. On the road, I saw lots of different types of farms, but none were like Grandpa's. His was a combination of different types. It was always fun to visit because there were always baby farm animals to ply with and I even had me a Shetland Pony to ride when I was little named Midnight due to her all black coat.

"That Priest is a nice man, almost like Daddy, Momma."

"I know sweetheart, it was like being with your Daddy again for me."

"Is that why you agreed to pretend to be his sister?"

"I'm not really sure, all that I know is that I'm glad that I did it."

Then I saw the farm, "Look Momma, Grandpa's farm! Looks like he's been busy building a new barn."

"Knowing him, more than one," she smiled as she remembered her dad's busy ways.

As we turned into the driveway, I could see a new barn and a greenhouse next to it. Grandpa Joe was always busy and Granny was too. They may have been retired, but they still worked on their farm.

As we parked, Granny ran up to the Pinto and hugged us both as we got out. "Welcome home Lynn, it's been too long, follow me to the house," exclaimed Granny. Then she turned and led us to the farmhouse.

"Thanks Momma, Feels good to be home."

"And this must be Kelly, My you are a wee thing."

Momma saw me about to tear up, "Now Momma, please don't make fun of him, I don't want him to be hurt by name calling."

Then Granny knelt before me and gave me a hug, "Kelly, I didn't mean to hurt you, it's just that you look like your Momma when she was your age."

"That's O.K. Grandma, I like looking like Momma, but please don't get a dress out for me, I smirked. ['I'll teach her *wee thing*, chuckle.']

"Why not Kelly, I've got your Mom's stuff put away." ['I can tell that he's setting me up, might as well go with it, giggle.']

"Because I am a boy, want to see?" ['Gotcha!!']

"KELLY!! You scamp!! I guess that I deserve that!!" she laughed. Then she gathered me up in her arms and hugged me, "You are so much like your Mom, it's like seeing her grow up again." ['Just like my daughter, Kelly has that silly side that loves to spread happiness.']

Then Grandpa arrived, carrying a pail filled with ears of corn for our lunch, "I agree Lizzie. Kelly is Lynn as a boy." ['Stu and Linn did a very good job of raising Kelly so far, but will she accept our help, stubborn girl.']

Then I noticed that I had no uncles, daddy was an only child, and his parents had died when he was a baby, so Granny and Grandpa adopted him, "Grandpa, why didn't you have a boy? I wish that I had an unca to play with," I sighed

Then I hear them cry as Grandpa handed the corn to Granny as he picked me up, "We had a son Kelly,[sniff, sniff] but he isn't here now", Grandma sighed. ['Lord, the pain is still fresh, but it's time for him to know.']

Then I looked all around, "Where is he then?" ['I wonder if he's he a Park Ranger like daddy wanted to be.']

Then Grandpa let me down as Aunt Debbie paled in fright, "Oh, he's here now, want to see him?" ['Debbie, be strong my child, he doesn't know.']

I saw Granny and momma try to comfort Aunt Debbie as she wept, "Sure Grandpa, what's wrong with Auntie?" ['If he's here why is she so afraid? Maybe they had a fight.']

Then he led us to a small fenced in garden with a stone cross embedded in the ground. On the cross was written an inscription:'
Jonathan Murray Moore
Born March 1, 1966 Died October 31, 1980
Beloved Son And Brother

"What happened?"

Everybody was crying when Aunt Debbie came up, "It was a terrible accident that took my brother's life.[sniff, sniff] We still mourn his loss," she wept. ['How can I help him with his loss? Will he become Kelly girl? I see the signs.']

Then I started to tear up as I thought about daddy, "Like my Daddy?" ['Jesus, why was he killed? Was he a Police Officer like daddy?']

Then grandpa responded with a whisper because he was hoarse from crying, "Yes, but unlike your Daddy, my son Jon was attacked by other boys, he died from the attack." ['There's no need to tell Kelly why, he's too young to understand.']

Then I balled up my tiny hands into fists and made like I was punching someone, "Were they punished?" ['Daddy had instilled in me the concept of 'Right and Wrong'.']

Then his voice grew firm and hard, "Your Grandpa made sure they were." ['Debbie, you were born when Jon died, if I'd been there, you would still be Jon.']

Then Grandpa picked me up and hugged me, "I did it only after they got out without being punished. I couldn't let them get away with it," he sighed. ['Only Debbie's voice kept me from killing them, as it is, they died soon after in prison.']

"You mean like that policeman that caused Daddy to die?"

"Exactly, but that cop is not in prison, or is he?" ['If I'd been there, I'd have thrashed him, but good. As it is, I've made sure that no farmer up here will hire him.']

Then wile looking at the marker, an idea came to me, "May I say something to my Uncle Jon?" ['I know that daddy will like what I'm about to do.']

"Sure sweetheart," replied Grandma as Aunt Debbie smiled at me as momma opened the gate for me.

Then Grandpa let me down, and I came up to the cross, "Uncle Jon, I guess that you're up in Heaven with my Daddy, looking down on us. I wish that I could've met you, I think that you, me and Daddy would've had fun playing. Bye now."

When I turned around, I saw everybody crying again, then Aunt Debbie picked me up and we all headed to the farmhouse, "Thanks Kelly, Jon was my twin brother." ['Now I will look after you, because I can tell that in time you will become Kelly girl.']

['I wonder if he was like daddy.']

Was he like you?"

"Yes, very much like me."

Then we headed back to the house for dinner, as we entered, Grandpa asked, Should I boil or nuke the corn?'

"Just put them in the pot after you shuck 'em. And put shucks in the can for the hogs," ordered granny. ['he knows what to do, the scoundrel.']

Then grandpa saluted granny, "Should I do any push ups Sarge?' he asked in a mocking tone. ['She's still my sweetheart after all this time, I was lucky to find her in Basic training. One of the few good things to come out of the Vietnam War for me.']

"No, but you are to report to my quarters tonight, Soldier." ['After all this time, the old goat can still excite me, too bad I couldn't have more children after Terri, but cancer ended that for me.']

Then momma exclaimed, MOMMA!! Please remember that Kelly is a baby!!" ['Those two are still active after all this time, no wonder they are so young at heart.']

Then Granny giggled, "I doubt that he knows what I mean Terri."

But Grandpa chuckled back, "Don't be too sure you two, he was smiling after you ordered me to bed." ['Guess she forgot about how smart our kids were, the rascals.']

Then momma looked at me with a smirk, "Well Sport?" {'I learned not to take him for granted when he learned to talk.']

Then I smiled sheepishly, "Momma, Grandpa is to report to Granny for some cuddling," then I looked at granny, "Sorry granny, but I may be a kid, but I know because momma and daddy used to play "Cop and Convict" in their room."

"KELLY! THAT'S NOT TO BE SAID AGAIN!!" momma giggled.

"Yes momma," I smirked as my grandparents laughed at us.

After dinner, Momma and I went home with loads of Grandma's and Aunt Debbie's cooking. After we put everything up, we went to bed, grateful for the visit.
 
 

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Momma hated having to work as much as she did, she wanted to be there for me, but since Daddy died, she was responsible for paying the bills. Even though she could have stayed home and let the Woods support us, she couldn't do that and live with herself.

But the first night that Momma came in late was when I started to finally deal with my grief. I was with Julie and Johnny When it happened. We were playing outside when my clothes got muddy after I fell as we played catch. I can still remember Mrs. Woods face when she saw me.

"KELLY, WHAT HAPPENED??" [As if I can't see, she laughed to herself.]

"I fell in the mud Mrs. Woods." I laughed. [I don't think that she's mad at me.]

"Well child, get your muddy self to the shower and clean up."

"But I don't have anything to wear except for spare undies."

"Don't worry, you can borrow from Julie or Johnny, Now get to the shower." she giggled.

I learned that Mrs. Woods was thinking about my small size compared to Johnny; [ Kelly is so small that Johnny's clothes are way too big, but Julie and Kelly are the same size. Looks like it's Julie's clothes. Good thing that she has some that she tore up. Won't take long to mend.]

Then she began sewing on Julie's torn clothes when Julie came to her., "Whatcha doing Mom?"

I'm fixing a few of your torn tops and shorts for Kelly."

"Cool, can I help?"

"If you don't mind, please sort out the plain tops and shorts, no lace or ribbons."

"Sure Mom, only my dresses and skirts have lace or ribbons on them."

When I got out of the shower, Mrs. Woods helped me to dry off and then led me to her bedroom where I donned my briefs and white top and shorts. Then I went to the bathroom where she was waiting for me," Here you go Kelly, we have a nice outfit for you and It’s not the least bit girly."

"Cool Mrs. Woods. I don't mind Julie or you wearing lace, but not me," I laughed.

Then I donned my undies, and the top and shorts. Even though they were girl’s clothes, they looked like boys to me.

"We have another shirt for you to sleep in of Johnny's for you."

"Why a shirt?"

"You have no pajamas here, that's why."

"Oh,."

That night, I slept peacefully with my friends. The Woods were ready for me to have a nightmare that night, but wearing Julie's clothes helped me.