“Thanks for meeting.” She seemed less comfortable than she’d been the other night. The shooting had deeply affected them all. “Last night, after I visited with Shamika, I went to the chapel.”
“On the ICU floor?”
Mary Catherine nodded. “It’s small. I was the only one there. At least at first.” Her tone was intent, as if whatever was coming was very serious. “When I finished praying, I opened my eyes and there was a police officer there. Sitting across the aisle from me.”
“Charlie Kent?”
“No.” She put her hands around her cup of coffee. “His name was Jag. Officer Jag, that’s what he called himself.” She shrugged one shoulder. “I didn’t get his full name.”
Marcus wished he’d worn a sweatshirt. The morning had been cold for Southern California. Not quite sixty degrees yet. They were inside, but a chill hung over the Whole Foods booth. “Jag. Sounds familiar.”
“He said he wasn’t from here.” She looked out the window and then back at Marcus. “He told me about a new program. It’s called Last Time In. He wanted me to tell you about it.”
Strange, Marcus thought, that he’d find Mary Catherine and ask her to bring the message. “Why didn’t he come tell me himself?”
“He was in a hurry.”
“Oh.” Marcus wasn’t sure where this was going or why the officer wanted him to know. “Tell me about the program.”
Mary Catherine pulled some paperwork from her purse. “I stopped by the police station on my way here.” She spread the documents on the table in front of her. “Charlie Kent gave me this. It looks amazing.”
For the next ten minutes Mary Catherine went over the information. The program was created by a couple of police officers, looking for an alternative to the Scared Straight program. “Prison is always scary, of course.” Mary Catherine sounded more relaxed than when she first arrived. “But this takes kids beyond the scared part.”
The program involved a prison tour with volunteers acting as chaperones. Police guards would introduce a group of young offenders to actual prisoners. “So they get a realistic picture of prison?” Marcus liked that part. There had to be a sense of reality if the program was going to make a difference.
“Definitely.” Mary Catherine turned to the last page of the paperwork. “What makes it different is the group meetings after the prison tour.”
Apparently the meetings were run by the same people who volunteered as chaperones. “I’m assuming the volunteers have to be cleared by police?” Marcus looked up, straight into Mary Catherine’s eyes. She was more beautiful every day. At least it seemed that way.
“Yes, and trained.” Mary Catherine took another drink of her coffee. “It’s freezing in here.”
“I know.” He held his cup and let the steam warm his face. “I have an idea.” He stood and nodded to the store. “I’ll be right back.”
Marcus jogged to the clothing section at the front of the store. His leg didn’t hurt as bad as it had this morning. In no time he found two navy blue sweatshirts with white writing that said simply, “Live Life.” Perfect, he told himself. He grabbed a small for her and a large for himself, paid for them, and hurried back to the booth.
“Here.” He handed her the small one. “Maybe now we can actually think.”
She laughed and the sound was music to his soul. There hadn’t been a reason even to smile since last night. “Thank you.” She took it from him, removed the tags, and slipped it over her head. “Mmmm. Much better.” Her smile remained. “I love impulsive.”
“I figured.” He put his sweatshirt on and instantly felt better. “Okay. Where were we?” He had to be careful around her. She had a way of making him forget what he was doing, what he was saying.
“The program.” She furrowed her brow, like she was trying to find the serious place from a few minutes ago. “So, it’s all voluntary. The kids have to sign up, and they have to agree to the weekly meetings. Volunteers can share their faith as long as they’re clear about it up front. It’s up to the kids and their guardians if that type of counseling will work for them. The group meetings are very loosely structured. More of a time for kids to open up.”
Marcus was starting to understand. “So Bible study could be a part of the group meetings?”
“Exactly. It’s a private program. Police involvement is voluntary and outside official work hours.” She looked at the paperwork on the table and then at him again. “As long as the kids agree to be led by that volunteer, then the group can take whatever direction of encouragement everyone agrees on.”
“Wow. Amazing.” Marcus hadn’t heard of anything like it. “So this officer, he wanted me to know?”
“He did.” Mary Catherine took a sip of her drink and then sat back, pensive. “Last Time In costs around ten grand. Without that there’s no program. Maybe Officer Jag thought you could help.”
“Of course.” Marcus leaned forward, his arms on the table. Mary Catherine looked adorable in her sweatshirt. She could’ve designed it herself. He forced himself to focus. “I can get the money to Officer Kent today. Is that how it works?”
“Actually”—she smiled—“it’s taken care of. Don’t worry about it.”
Marcus was surprised. But the topic seemed off limits. Maybe one day he would be close enough to Mary Catherine to know where the money had come from and what other secrets she hadn’t shared. He guessed there were many. “Great.” He nodded. “So how do I help?”
“You chaperone.” Mary Catherine looked straight at him. “Charlie Kent says most of the kids from the streets love you. Whatever you tell them to do, they’ll do it.”
“Not Dwayne Davis.” He raised his brow.
“But his girlfriend, Lexy Jones. She’s a different story.” Mary Catherine began folding up the papers in front of her. “Police think she made the call, the one that tipped off the department about the fact that someone from the WestKnights wanted you dead.”
“His girlfriend?” Marcus tried to imagine that life.
Over the next few minutes Mary Catherine explained more of the details. The police wanted to offer Lexy a chance at the Last Time In program. “It’s either that or she serves five years. At least. She was in the passenger seat when Dwayne fired.” Mary Catherine frowned. “Even if she tried to save your life by tipping off the police.”
“Has anyone talked to Lexy about it?” Marcus liked the idea. If someone could reach the girl now, it might change her life. It might save it.
“No. She’s in jail for now.”
Marcus remembered something he hadn’t asked Charlie Kent. “How old were these kids?”
“Dwayne’s eighteen. They have evidence he committed at least two other murders. He can be tried as an adult, so he’s probably looking at life.” Mary Catherine sighed. “Lexy . . . she’s just sixteen.”
“Man.” Marcus shook his head. He looked down at his empty cup. The problem was so much bigger than he ever imagined. God, whatever You want me to do, I’ll do it. He met Mary Catherine’s eyes again. “If you’re asking if I’ll volunteer, the answer is yes.”
“Good.” Her smile started in her eyes. “I told them I would, too. I’ll talk to Sami and Tyler later. They’d be perfect. The whole program takes about four weeks. It’s one Saturday and then eight weeknights.”
“Perfect. I leave for spring training February eighth.” Marcus felt his hope surge. He checked the calendar on his phone. “The timing couldn’t be better.”
“So . . . that’s why we had to meet today.” She looked hesitant. “Training starts tomorrow at noon and again Friday night. Saturday is the prison tour. Not a lot of warning.” She paused. “I guess usually the volunteers are family or friends of the kids who go through the program. The police volunteers oversee it, but the others who help out usually have a personal reason why they’re involved.”
Marcus uttered
a sad chuckle. “I guess after last night we’re qualified.”
“Yes.” Mary Catherine slid the folded documents across the table. “Look these over.” She checked the time on her phone. “I have to run. If you don’t hear from me, I’ll see you tomorrow night at the police station a few blocks from the youth center. The one on Fourth.”
Apparently their time together was over. Marcus stood and waited while Mary Catherine stepped out of the booth. Again she seemed in too much of a hurry for a hug. She did smile, though. “Thanks for meeting. I think this will help. Really.”
“I hope so.” Marcus didn’t have time to say anything else. She was already distancing herself from him. “Thanks for including me.” He raised his hand. “See you tomorrow.”
She waved and then turned and headed for the exit. Before he had time to think of what to do next she was gone. He picked up the papers from the table and slipped them into the back pocket of his jeans. There was still so much more he wanted to say. He would’ve wondered whether the last hour had happened at all if not for two things. His navy sweatshirt with the words “Live Life.”
And the faint smell of her perfume.
SHE COULDN’T HAVE stayed another moment. Mary Catherine rushed across the parking lot to her car and left in record time. Another minute with Marcus and she would’ve cracked. She would’ve asked him why Shelly had been there last night and what he was doing with a girl he didn’t really care about.
Her eyes would’ve given her away and Marcus would’ve known for sure what she was feeling. How she had never felt more drawn to a guy in all her life. She had tried to talk herself out of everything she felt for him. Nothing about it made sense, and most certainly nothing would ever come from it.
But until she could figure herself out, she couldn’t allow Marcus to know any of this.
Not until she was home did she remember the sweatshirt. She looked down and thought again of the sweet, impulsive moment. Marcus running through the store getting them both warmer clothes. Once she was inside she looked at herself in the mirror.
Marcus had no idea how apropos the message was. “Live Life.” Yes, that’s exactly what she needed to do. And she needed to do so without thinking about Marcus Dillinger. Especially over the next few days. Treat him like a brother, she told herself. Yes, she had to learn to think about Marcus differently, stop herself from reacting every time she was with him.
No matter what her heart had to say about it.
16
TYLER WAS THRILLED when he heard about the Last Time In program. It was the first time since the shooting that he and Sami felt there was something they could do. Something that might help the kids on the streets. The youth center alone wasn’t enough. Tyler agreed with Marcus.
Mary Catherine had presented the idea, and now Sami was on board, too. Tonight, though, Tyler didn’t want to think about the prison program or the little boy still fighting for his life at Cedars-Sinai. Even if only for a few hours.
Tonight was the double date with Marcus and Shelly.
Marcus had talked about canceling. He didn’t seem as into Shelly as he’d been at the beginning. But Tyler had talked Marcus into sticking with the plan. Now Marcus and Shelly would meet Tyler and Sami at the restaurant in just a few minutes. Cherry Lane, it was called. A beautiful place situated in the hills above Los Angeles. Tyler walked with Sami through the dining area to a table by the window.
A balcony just off the back gave people a place to admire the view, so after they had their lemon water, Tyler led her outside. He put his arm around her and they looked at the stars. “Reminds me of that night on your grandparents’ roof. All those years ago.”
“Feels like yesterday.” Sami looked into his eyes. “I sort of wish we were having dinner alone. It’s been so crazy.”
“I know.” He took gentle hold of her face and kissed her. “I think Marcus needs tonight.”
“With Shelly?” Sami was clearly trying to be nice. But she couldn’t hide the disdain in her tone. “I don’t get it with them.”
Tyler laughed. “No one does. That’s why he needs tonight. I have a feeling being around us . . . you know, it’ll help him see.”
“See what?”
Certainty filled Tyler. “That she’s not the right girl.”
“I hope so.” Sami looked out over the city. “He never looks at Shelly the way he looks at Mary Catherine.”
“I wondered about that.” Tyler put his arm around her again. “We haven’t had time to talk. Feels like weeks.” He thought about the two of them, Marcus and Mary Catherine. “Does she like him?”
Sami hesitated. “Everything is complicated with Mary Catherine. She hasn’t said, but I can feel it.”
“Time will tell.” Tyler put his hands on her shoulders and faced her. “You look beautiful. If I haven’t told you lately.”
“Not since we pulled into the parking lot.” She grinned at him. “What if I hadn’t found you?”
“What?” He pulled out his most surprised look. “You didn’t find me, baby. I found you. Remember? On Facebook.”
Sami laughed. “You have a point.” She swayed in his arms. “So what if you hadn’t written to me? Where would we be?”
Times like this Tyler could easily be overcome with the impossibility of all that had led them to this place. His blown out shoulder, his time being homeless, and then his job as a maintenance worker at Merrill Place. But nothing really turned around until Tyler met Virginia Hutcheson. The fact that her daughter knew Marcus Dillinger and would think to contact him on Tyler’s behalf? No one could’ve seen that coming, or the fact that Sami would break up with her boyfriend after her few hours with Tyler in Florida.
A movie script with everything that had happened would have been tossed in the trash. Too impossible.
Yet God had done it all.
“Which reminds me.” Tyler had asked Marcus to be a little late tonight. He had his reasons. “I know it hasn’t been long, you and me. We only found each other a few months ago.”
“That’s not true.” Sami linked her hands around the back of Tyler’s neck. “We found each other when we were kids.”
“True.” Tyler loved her more every day. He let himself get lost in her eyes. “I mean, we’ve only been seeing each other a few months this time around.” He caught her face in his hands. “But I want you to know something.”
“What?” She grinned. The stars overhead had nothing on the sparkle in her eyes.
“I love you, Sami . . .” His words stacked up in his heart and he couldn’t stop himself. “I know you want things between us to go slow. I understand. You and Arnie were serious and . . . well, I don’t want to rush you. But . . . I love you. I do.” Suddenly he stopped and at the same time he started laughing. “Maybe I could let you talk.”
Sami’s smile took up her whole face. “I was wondering.” She laughed and the sound mixed with the music to become the most beautiful thing Tyler had ever heard. “First . . . I love you, too.” Her laughter faded, and her eyes held his. “I’ve always loved you.”
Tyler looked down. Just to make sure he wasn’t floating. He turned to her again. She loved him? “Really?”
“Always.” She brought her lips to his and kissed him. “Every day I wake up and thank God for bringing you back into my life.” She searched his eyes. “I don’t want to think about what would’ve happened if you hadn’t written to me.”
“Me either.” Tyler wanted to raise his fists in the air and shout for joy. But he controlled himself. “So . . . I know you said you needed time . . . you just got out of a relationship. But . . . I can’t wait to ask you.” He searched her eyes. “Would you be my girlfriend, Sami? I mean, I’d like to ask you to be more than that.” He grinned at her. “But first things first.”
She dipped her head for a moment, laughing again. When she looked up he saw nothing but absolute
assurance in her eyes. “Yes, Tyler. I’d love to be your girlfriend.” She hugged him and the two of them swayed some more. She whispered close to his face. “I thought you’d never ask. With you I’m myself. I feel like I can breathe.”
“You believed in me when no one else did.”
“Always.” She put her head on his shoulder. “Don’t ever leave me.”
“I won’t.” Just then one of their favorite songs came on. James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend.” “Dance with me?”
“Forever.” They waltzed around the deck, and Tyler could picture where this would go. The wonder of it all filled his heart. But then, wonder was part of the process. Choosing to see and believe, to hold on to faith even when nothing made sense. The way he’d felt a year ago. But all of that might as well have been a lifetime away. Someday soon he would ask her grandfather for her hand in marriage. And one day in the not too distant future they would dance like this at their wedding.
Tyler could hardly wait.
MARCUS AND SHELLY were fifteen minutes late to dinner, just like Tyler had asked them to be. They reached the table just as Tyler and Sami were returning from the deck out back.
“Hey, guys!” Marcus hugged Tyler, then Sami. Shelly did the same. “You two look happy.”
“It’s official!” Tyler held Sami’s hand as they sat down. “We’re in love.”
Shelly looked confused. “I thought you two were already . . .”
“It’s a long story.” Tyler laughed. “But it’s all good now.”
Marcus looked from his friends to Shelly. He figured she might need more of an explanation, but she was checking her phone. No longer interested in Sami and Tyler. Marcus hated the way that made him feel about her.
Shelly looked at him. “Sweetie, order me a glass of chardonnay. Whatever the waiter recommends.” She winked at him. “Restroom break.” And with that she left the table and headed for the back of the restaurant.
Marcus watched her go. Was she serious? Shelly was only nineteen. He looked at Tyler and put his elbows on the table. “She’s not twenty-one.”
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