“Hi Steph,” he said. He ignored her hand and hugged her while sitting on the edge of her bed. “Are you OK?” he asked in a voice of compassion.
“That’s what we’re trying to find out,” answered the female paramedic. “One thing’s for sure,” she continued, “we recommend that she cease taking these diet pills and discard them immediately. My daughter once took that stuff,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief. “I don’t know how the FDA ever allowed it on the market,” she continued. “I also think she should come in for a thorough examination.”
“I don’t want to go,” said Stephanie looking at David for support.
“Where’s Mom and Dad?” he asked.
“They’re in Mom’s bedroom discussing me,” she said.
“I’ll be right back after I talk to them,” said David. He hurried down the carpeted hall and stood in the doorway. It was obvious that they didn’t hear him coming or see him standing there because they kept talking. His Mom was sitting on her bed wiping tears while his Dad was turned with his back toward the door.
“I didn’t say it was your fault,” his Dad snapped. “I just said you should have known about her diet pills. After all, she does live with you. You might as well stop crying. It’s not going to help the situation. If we don’t send her to the hospital, you’ll have to watch her closely the next few days to make sure she’s alright.” His father reached into his pocket and handed a handkerchief to her. She lifted her head and extended her hand. That’s when she saw David.
“Hi baby,” she said, quickly fixing her face to smile. His father turned and said, “Hey, guy, when did you get here?” while he patted him on the shoulder.
“I’ve been here a few moments,” he said. “What’s the deal with Steph?” His parents looked at each other and then back at David. His father spoke first. “Well, your mother seems to think the diet pills caused a bad reaction.”
“That’s not what I said at all,” she responded, getting up from the bed. “I said she’s been taking them longer than she should have been and her body doesn’t need them and...”
“But a moment ago,” her father interrupted, “you said that-”
“Dad, it really doesn’t matter,” David said cutting him off. “What are we going to do now?” he asked.
The drive back home was rather disturbing. David wasn’t quite sure why. He was glad Stephanie was feeling better. She walked him to the door before he left. He made her promise to call him the next day to make sure there were no side effects. His father left before he did. His face showed signs of anger or was it guilt? It was eleven o’clock when David left. He had a very uneasy feeling. He came to a rather sudden stop at the traffic light when he remembered Rose. He couldn’t believe it. After he got the call from his Mom, visiting Rose completely slipped his mind. He pounded the steering wheel with his fists. He was completely angry with himself. How could she ever trust me again? he thought. I’ve disappointed her at least twice.
“Lord, what is it with me?” he said aloud. He pulled his car over and got his phone out of his briefcase again. He had placed it there at his Mom’s house, because he didn’t think he would need it. He convinced himself to call her in spite of the time. David got out of the car and leaned against it as he dialed her number. “Hello,” a sleepy voice answered after five rings. For a moment, he thought he had the wrong number, probably because he expected and wanted Rose to answer so badly. “Hello,” said David. “May I please speak to Rose?” he asked nervously.
“Hello David, this is Sister Marie.”
“I, I apologize for calling so late Sister Marie, but I had an emergency this evening,” he explained. “Are you alright David? You weren’t in an accident were you? Rose was pretty worried about you. She said you should have been here hours ago,” said Sister Marie in a voice that was both concerned and scolding at the same time. “Rose finally went to bed. She was rather angry, I don’t mind telling you.”
“It’s my fault,” David admitted. “I know she probably won’t speak to me, but I really was only a few minutes from your house when my Mom called to tell me something had happened to Steph,” he explained.
“Is she alright?” exclaimed Sister Marie.
“Well the paramedics believe her diet pills gave her a bad reaction. Mom couldn’t wake her up for the longest time. “But she’s fine now.”
“Why on earth is Steph taking diet pills?” she said bluntly, sounding more like the pastor’s wife he was accustomed to hearing. “Why that young lady’s already thin as a rail. But then again,” she said more calmly, “separations and divorces cause unusual reactions from children. But I don’t need to tell you that,” she said. “What do you mean by that?” he asked defensively.
“Oh David, just look at you,” she said. “Sunday you looked as if you hadn’t slept in God only knows how long and ...”
“My breaking off the engagement, Sister Marie, had nothing to do with my parents’ separation,” he interrupted. “Actually,” he said, starting to walk down the street, “I think I handled it as well as anyone could. And I don’t want people blaming my folks for my broken engagement,” he almost yelled. “It was not cold feet and it wasn’t Rose’s fault and...”
“David calm down,” said Sister Marie in a concerned tone. “You’re getting yourself worked up over nothing,” she said.
“Well it may be nothing to you, but to me it’s really serious,” he said. “No one seems to quite understand what I’m going through or rather dealing with,” he said walking faster, “I just...”
“David,” interrupted Sister Marie, “it’s been a long day and we’re both tired,” she said trying to bring closure to their conversation. “Why don’t you try to contact Rose later. She’s a pretty reasonable girl,” she said.
“Do you think she’d listen?” he asked more humbly. “I really am sorry,” he said in a softer voice that nearly broke up.
“I believe you are,” answered Sister Marie. “But I can’t fix things between you and Rose, I will tell her that you phoned and that Steph is doing better,” she said.
“I’d really appreciate it Sister Marie,” he said. “And would you pray for me?”
“David,” she said lovingly, “I know I’m not your mother or Rose’s real mother if the truth be told, but you both are always in my prayers,” she said.
When they had said their goodbyes and hung up, David realized he had walked nearly a block from his car. He had ended up directly in front of the Salvation Army. He was surprised to find that he had walked so far. The building was under renovation. Seeing it reminded him of the article he had read recently featuring the building in last week’s paper. The building was more than 80 years old. It was under Phase I of the renovation, the ripping out stage. There was ragged carpeting laying on the sidewalk awaiting the trash collectors to haul it off. There was also something shiny beneath the carpet that caught his eye. One corner was hanging out just enough to light the darkened area whenever a car’s headlight hit it. His curiosity moved him to lift the carpet, which was discarded in a very large roll to lie flat on the sidewalk near the curve probably to be hauled away before morning. David wondered why they hadn’t rented a dumpster for the material, as he stooped to touch the glimmering part of the object. He ran his fingers along the shape of this strange object which appeared to be a horn of some type. It was a little larger than his hand and covered in a gold color. He managed to pull the object from beneath the rubbish and discovered another matching horn on the other side of the plank of wood that was between it. It looked as though this was a mantle for a fancy fireplace. Yet, on second thought, David reasoned that it was probably placed on top of a table that belonged at the altar of the chapel. It looked more like a replica of the Ark of the Covenant.
He wondered why they were getting rid of it. Not that it was of any real value, but it had an antique design to it. He knew he had inherited a knack of collecting odds and ends from his father. When he was younger his father would take hi
m to garage sales, estate sales and cheap auctions. He used to hate going, but he found himself one day following in the footsteps of his father. He would stop at garage sales to make sure there were no bargains calling him by name. His father had a weakness for old tools and unusual items. Sometimes he would clean them up and resell them.
David lifted the table top from the heap of trash and began carrying it toward his car. Surprisingly, it was kind of heavy. He held it away from his clothes just in case there were splinters on the wood. What a night it had been. He wondered if he should be feeling guilty for acquiring such a find. Perhaps this is God’s way of letting me know all is not lost, he thought to himself. After all, if he hadn’t gone to see his sister, he wouldn’t have come down this street. If he hadn’t remembered that he had forgotten to call Rose, he wouldn’t have parked his car. If he hadn’t been angry and upset, he wouldn’t have walked down to the Salvation Army building.
“This must be an omen,” he thought. As he opened the trunk of his car, he said in nearly a whisper, “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are the called according to his purpose.” He adjusted the table top with horns, several times before it fit into the trunk of his car. As he drove home, he wondered where he would put it. He didn’t have a fireplace. But he did have the coffee table given to him by his mother. He kept it in the guest bedroom that he used as an office. It was too small to ever let anyone sleep in there. He used it to iron his clothes and work on his computer. Sometimes he evaluated clients and documented the information at home on computer. He would try that when he reached home. He was glad to have something else to think about other than his problematic relationship with Rose. “I hope I’m able to rest tonight,” he thought. “I just want to rest.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
When morning came, the sun seemed to tap David on the shoulder as blades of light peeked through the crevices of his bedroom blinds. He sat up in bed and looked around him as if in a strange place. Something was different. What was it? After a moment he realized what it was. He had slept completely through the night. Not once had he visited the pits of hell. He smiled, rested his head on his pillow and said, “Thank you Lord.”
The office was filled with clients when he arrived. They sat in the waiting area, anticipating being called by one of the three counselors that were a part of the system.
David spoke to the receptionist as he walked through the receiving area. It had been such a long time since he had felt rested. Today was a good day. He could almost forget all of the things that had happened last night. Perhaps he would accomplish his tasks today without being sidetracked. He perused the day’s schedule that had been conveniently placed on his desk. A few moments later he saw his first clients and advised them in domestic affairs. He saw client after client that day without taking a break. While he offered them good advice that was certainly according to the books, he felt in his heart that there were weightier matters at hand. Not that his concentration was interrupted, but he was compelled to pray for Darlene and her family intermittently that day.
When five o’clock arrived, David found himself driving out to see Aunt Tillie. Dinner was barely over, according to the schedule posted in the waiting area. At the six o’clock hour, residents would be given a chance to socialize in the activity room or return to their rooms or efficiency apartments. After giving the evening receptionist information, he waited for Aunt Tillie to come down. He was about to start reading again all the literature posted, when the telephone rang at the desk.
“I’ll be glad to do that,” the receptionist said before hanging up the telephone. “Goodbye” she said. “Miss Tillie has asked that you visit her in her apartment. She’s in Number 127, which is down the hall and to the left,” she explained while pointing with her long, newly manicured, red nails.
The living quarters were adequate for someone needing care, he observed as he walked. However, he still felt a little depressed at the same time. In one room, he could see two elderly men playing checkers. In another room a woman stared blankly at the television which aired a documentary on desert snakes.
When he turned the corner, he left the individual rooms and now entered small apartments. He was saddened by his next sight. An elderly woman saw him coming in the distance and began to wave at him. He waved back thinking the woman must have mistaken him for someone else. That always happens in nursing homes, he thought. A resident will think a visitor is her child or husband or neighbor.
He was nearly to the elderly woman, when he heard a familiar voice call his name. The voice was coming from the same elderly woman. “David!” the voice said. “How are you baby?” He was shocked as he looked into the eyes of this gentle creature and saw that it was Aunt Tillie.
She aged 10 years without the wig that he was accustomed to seeing. “I hope I didn’t scare you without my hair piece,” she laughed. “I sent it to the beauty parlor today and they haven’t sent it back yet.”
“It’s good to see you Aunt Tillie,” he said changing the subject. He realized she was gray through and through.
“Can we go into your apartment?” he asked.
“Sure,” she said, as she wheeled herself in front of him to lead the way. Her apartment was only five feet away. He was pleasantly surprised when he entered. Her apartment was one large room with a sofa, matching chair and coffee table. Behind the sofa was a small kitchen table with 2 chairs, a microwave oven and a small refrigerator. It reminded him an awful lot of his college dormitory room. The only thing missing was the smell of pizza and the noise of the other students.
“Make yourself comfortable,” she said, as she wheeled herself around to face him. “Thank God for these two-wheelers,” she exclaimed. “If I didn’t have this chair, I don’t know how I’d get around when my legs get weak. But some days I can stand just fine.”
“Were you surprised that I came today?” David asked.
“Not at all,” she said. “I’ve been praying for you all week. The Lord showed me your face when I was in my 5:00 o’clock prayer. Then he took me to the scripture where the Macedonians were praying for help when God sent Paul and Timothy to preach the gospel unto them. I don’t know how much help this little old lady can give, but the Lord wants me to try to help you.”
David gave her a big hug.
“When we talked before,” David said, “there was so much I wanted to share with you. I, I, well, Aunt Tillie, I have a burden on my heart. No matter what I do, it won’t go away. At first I thought it was just me. You know, after my parents separated, I was hurt. But I discovered it wasn’t just a hurt feeling for myself or my parents. I seemed to have a burden for others going through similar situations. I thought perhaps listening to the problems of other people might have caused it. Then I dismissed that theory because I keep having flashbacks to when I was a child,” he said, and paused.
“What happened when you were a child?” asked Aunt Tillie.
“I’m not quite sure how old I was, possibly ten. I had gotten on my knees to pray, at bedtime. Somehow I fell asleep on my knees. The next morning, while we were all having breakfast, I said to my Dad to drive carefully while going to work. Well, he was surprised and asked me why I said that. I answered that he should just be careful. That evening when I got in from school, Dad was already home. He and mom were sitting down talking. They called me into the room and asked me again why I had asked Dad to be careful. They had such strange looks on their faces that I immediately confessed that while on my knees praying, I overheard a conversation. A voice said “wreck Michael Edwards’ car. Another voice answered, “He’s one of three cars to be wrecked tomorrow.”
“Well Mom started crying and Dad just looked at me, smiled and said, “thanks for the warning son.”
“He went on to say that he barely had escaped a horrible accident that morning. After my warning, he prayed when he got in the car that morning that the Lord would protect him as he drove. A car ran a red light and caused two cars to lose control
while trying to get out of the way. He was able to swerve out of the way, but one driver was killed and another person was seriously injured. If it hadn’t been for my warning, he could have been in the middle of the whole thing. I’ll never forget what Dad said to me after that.”
“What was that?” asked Aunt Tillie.
He said, “the Lord used you son to save my life,” David recalled. “Aunt Tillie, that was the only time anything like that ever happened to me until now. I had really forgotten the incident, but the last few weeks have brought back exactly what I went through then.”
Aunt Tillie grabbed David’s hands and held them in hers. “It’s alright son. You’ve been chosen by God for a time such as this. That was just a sign of how he would use you later.” Tears filled David’s eyes as he looked directly at Aunt Tillie.
“Then this makes sense to you?” he asked sincerely.
“It makes perfect sense,” she said. “I know you remember the story of a young boy who was anointed by a prophet. Remember it was years later before he actually became king,” she explained.
“That’s true,” said David. “I don’t want to question the timing of God,” he said. “I’ve had three dreams that keep recurring,” he said. “I actually dream quite often, but there are three that I don’t understand. I won’t burden you by telling you all three tonight, but I thought you could give me insight on one,” he said. “The rest are on this paper. You can read them when you are ready to.”
David began to tell the first dream word for word just as he had told it to the pastor. But this time, there was no thunderous laughter, no mocking or hasty answers.
Aunt Tillie looked at him and said, “I’ll pray about it.” He knew from her tone of voice that she would go to God for answers. He hadn’t felt this relieved in a long time. He hugged her tightly and said he would be back whenever she summoned him.
Eating the Fruit of Lies Page 4
