Sitting up from his chair, Paul clears his throat. “Tisha have you ever completed any type of advertising before?”
Tisha looks at him and starts shaking her head no, “No sir, I just always seem to have a passion for it. I never knew the name of it, until I got to school.”
Paul raises his eyebrow, “You are in school?”
Sitting up proudly, Tisha answers Paul, “Yes I go to Busbee University right here in town.”
“Ok what year?” Paul asks as he sits back in the chair.
“This is actually my senior year.”
Reaching in his coat pocket he pulls out a business card and hands it to her. “When you are in your last month there at Busbee call me, I may have a job for you.”
The nurse comes from the back, “Tisha Carter, Tisha Carter.”
Standing up in a state of shock, “Thank you!”
Paul shaking his head and raising his hands, “No thank you. Many of the ads I had you to critique were for my own company. I am Paul Carson, CEO of Walsh Interfacing Company and I am looking for new blood to come into the company and I think you would be a good addition.”
Tisha starts crying, “Thank you, Thank you.”
The nurse comes over and gets her, “Tisha Carter I need you to come on.” Looking back over her shoulder she mouths thank you again to him as she is rushed to the back. She had been there two hours but had already been back there once for tests and were awaiting the results of the tests. As she sat on the ER table, the doctor came in.
“Ms. Carter, I am sorry to say that you have lost your baby.”
Tears started to swell in her eyes. “Ms. Carter is there anyone that we can call? We must perform a D&C which is a legal abortion. If we don’t hurry and get this baby out of you, it is possible that it will start to release harmful toxins into your body which can kill you.”
With tears rolling down her face, “I don’t have anyone to call. I am alone.”
The doctor clearing his throat, and looks around thinking of possibilities of whom she may call, “What about the baby’s father?”
Looking at him, “There is no one.”
The doctor looking confused, “Ok well do you have somewhere to go that we can call a taxi to get you to? This is an outpatient procedure, so you can’t stay overnight.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Ok I will tell the nurse to prep you for this procedure. Once again I am sorry.”
“Sir, Can I have the ultrasound image?”
Opening the chart back up, he hands her the ultrasound picture. Seeing the hurt in her eyes, he points, “You see this is the head, the hands, and from the looks of it, it was a girl.” Tisha lets out a cry, “I am sorry Ms. Carter and I wish it was someone that we could call so you wouldn’t have to go through this alone. Are you sure it’s no one?”
“Yes, there is no one.”
Sighing, the doctor leaves the room.
Coming out of her day dream
Sitting back in the tall office chair and looking out of the large windows July 1, 2008. It was the day she lost her baby girl, but gained a job. Opening the top drawer of her office desk she reaches all the way to the back and pulled out the ultrasound. Looking at the ultrasound at what seemed like a perfectly healthy baby, the tears began to form in her eyes as she remembers the hurt from that day turning around quickly and grabbing a Kleenex.
“Not today!”
Placing the ultrasound back in the drawer, she closes it and grabs her mirror. Correcting her makeup and putting on more lip gloss, she takes one more look in the mirror to make sure that her makeup was still intact. Mr. Graves should be here in a minute.
She didn’t know what the doctor did, but her overnight procedure turned into a week stay at the hospital. Tisha knew the doctor was doing it because he knew she didn’t have a place to stay she was too drained to even fight it. Being thankful to have a safe place to sleep and a warm bed she slept and planned while she was there. Still only having the money that Don had given her and the money from her part time job that she had she knew she almost had $5,000. Tisha was glad that she had opened that second bank account that her sister knew nothing about.
On the last day at the hospital, Dr. Hopkins came in, took one look at me and said I think you have a plan now. We are going to send you home unless you need an extra day. Stunned at the ploy of the doctor Tisha goes to say something, but nothing but sobs could come out. Closing the door, the doctor sits down in the chair.
“I don’t know what's going on, but Charles asked could we keep you a couple of days. Charles was your ER doctor. Because your blood pressure was slightly elevated he used that as an excuse to get you admitted, then put you on my floor to give you some time.”
“Thank you so much and yes I have a plan.” I really needed the time to get myself together. Thank you again.”
“Ok, well Tisha I am Dr. Hopkins and I will be praying for you, but if you will allow me to I would like to pray with you right now.”
“Yes sir, please do.” Extending her hands Dr. Hopkins grabbed her hands and immediately went into prayer. After the prayer was finished, Tisha no longer felt burdened and knew that she would be alright. Leaving the room Dr. Hopkins sent the discharge nurse in to get her situated to leave the hospital. Calling a taxi, she headed to Mr. Graves’s house to talk to him about the car.
Mr. Graves never showed any signs that he believed what her sister had said. He was one of the very few people who didn’t. Two of her teachers and Mr. Graves were some of the very few people who believed in her. One of her teachers found out where she was and contacted one of the deans at the school and got them to allow her to come back on to campus early. While the other made sure that she ate. Both of her teachers opened their home to her, but she refused to accept their offer, knowing it would mean that she would have to return to Deerville. She could not endure taking a chance of seeing the ones that had hurt her. When she showed up on Mr. Graves’s doorsteps he never asked a question. Don had already talked to him and he had a 1988 Black Crown Vick ready for her. He gave her the keys and not only was it in good condition, but it had a full tank of gas. She offered to give him some money, but he shook his head and told her that Don had already taken care of it.
From that point on, he was the bridge from her new life and her former life. Mr. Graves made sure she had everything she needed. He even showed up on her graduation day. Mr. Graves became a father to her. Grinning, she remembered how he came to her graduation and after everyone had left, he walked up to her. Finally seeing someone who had come to see her graduate had brightened up her day. She had worked very hard to graduate with honors and was deemed with the honor to lead the entire senior class into the ceremony.
“Well, well, well! Look at what Deerville has produced!”
“Hearing the familiar voice, she immediately lights up. “Mr. Graves,” going to him and hugging him.
“Yeah it’s me. I am so proud of you. I know if …”
“It’s ok, I know.” An awkward silence stood in between them.
“Well I am here, and I am proud. Let me take you out to eat.”
“Ok.”
They ended up eating at one of her favorite restaurants. As their meal was coming to an end, the waitress brought out a lemon crème cake.
Placing the cake in front of her, “Congratulations!”
“Thank you, thank you.” Tears rushed to her eyes as she looks at the cake.”
“There, there, it’s ok. I know that you have been through a lot this year, but you still overcame it all.”
“Thank you,” Getting up and hugging him she goes back and sits down in her seat. “Do you want some?”
“No, no, that is just for you.”
Picking up the fork and eating the cake it was so delicious. After eating the cake Tisha leaned back and rubbed her stomach. “That was great.”
“Well you deserve it.” Reaching into his back pocket he grabbed a card. “Here is a card that Don sent you. Looking
at the card, she takes it and opens it. ‘Congratulations Baby Girl. Here is a little something to help you with your new life.’ Inside was a cashier check for $1,000 dollars.
“I wonder how he got this pass Georgie.” Taking the check, out of the card she looks at it before handing the check to him to look at it.
Taking the check out of her hand and looking at it. “After everything went down, Don came to me and gave me some money to put open an account. This is the money from that account.”
“I guess this means I won’t be going home after graduation.” Looking down at her hands she knew this check confirmed what she feared. She would be homeless again living on the street unless God worked a miracle. As if reading her thoughts, Mr. Graves taps a card on the table.
“This calls for celebration, we won’t be getting sad today. Here this is from me.” Handing her another card, she opens it and finds a check for $3,000.
“Mr. Graves, you have done enough.”
“Look I don’t have any children or a wife. I make all that money and no one to give it to so consider it a gift.”
Tearing up, she leaps across the table and hugs him. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Just take it. You know Tisha you remind me of me when I was your age. I defied the odds and became successful. With both of my parents dying at a young age, I ended up staying with my aunt and her husband. I used to get tortured in that house. They took my check and spent it on their children, the stories that I could tell you, but that’s in the past. That is why I never questioned you. I know how it is to be lied on and to be left with nothing. I never charged your father for the car. I just wanted to help you out.”
“Mr. Graves…”
“It’s ok. I know you probably wondered how all that money used to come in your bank account. Well I made it a habit to put some extra money in it. I know with how whipped Don is with your sister, he wouldn’t be able to do a lot, so I helped out.”
Putting his hand up when he saw her attempting to speak. “It was my pleasure and plus I see it went to good use. You graduated with honors! I felt like my daughter was walking across that stage.”
“I am so glad you came.”
“I am too. You know back in the day me and your sister used to talk.”
“You did?”
“Yep, but it didn’t work out. I ended up introducing Don to her a couple of years later after I met Mattie. That was my honey. I wish she was still here, but God knows best.
Getting up from the table, He threw some money down. “What are you going to do now that school is over?” As both of them walked to the doors of the restaurant.
“Well I am waiting to hear about an apartment. The dean got them to let me stay a couple more days, but I only have a week. So, I have to go apartment hunting tomorrow.”
“Well how much do you have in your account?”
“Well I have a little over $5,000 in my account.”
“$5,000?! I need to be borrowing money from you.” Both laugh, “Well now you have $8,000 and instead of looking for an apartment go ahead and get a house.”
“A house?”
“Yes, get something that no one has the right to tell you to get out of with the exception of the lender.”
Leaving him that day, she took his advice. She found a room to rent and looked for her house. Within 45 days she closed on her house. Going to the only furniture store in town she had found out that Mr. Graves had opened a line of credit for her to furnish her house. Laughing at the cunning older man she hears a knock on the door.
“Yes?”
Beverly opens the door slightly, “a Mr. Graves is here for you.”
“Yes, send him on in.”
“Right this way Mr. Graves,” as he comes in the door and Beverly shuts the door behind him.
“Tisha,” It has been a couple of years since he had seen her in her office, walking up to her and hugging her as she got up out of her chair to greet him.
“Well I say,” turning around and looking at her office. “You have done very well for yourself.”
Shaking her head in agreement, “God is good. What’s up??” Tisha takes her seat and he takes the seat near her desk.
“Well I know we normally meet on Thursday, but I needed you to know this.”
“What is it? You have me scared? You aren’t dying, are you?”
Shaking his head, “Not me, but Don.”
“Don?” Tisha said as she sits up in her chair.
“Well, he is not doing too well. He has been sick the last couple of months. I know that the circumstances that you left was about him, but you don’t have long.”
“What do you mean Mr. Graves?” Tisha says in almost of a panic.
Looking down at the ground and playing with his finger. He lets out a long drawn out sigh. “Tisha, they have given Don two to three months to live. It seems as though he has been battling lung cancer. The cancer wasn’t caught in time and there’s nothing that the doctors can do.” Standing up as Tisha lets the tears fall, he grabs her, and hugs her. “I know the circumstances that kept you away, but I know that you need to get closure. Baby don’t let the lies of the past control your future. It’s time to stop running and for you to face this lie!”
Pulling away and wiping her eyes, “Thank you but I don’t think I would be welcome back even under these circumstances.”
“I know you probably have another appointment, but Tisha look at me.” Tisha looks up at him, “You need to forgive. You remember that I told you of how my aunt and her husband made my life a living hell?” Seeing her shake her head yes, he continued with his story.
“Well I would still be living right where they had left me if I hadn’t forgiven them. I was married, and Mattie got tired of me. I was trying to make Mattie pay for the mistakes that my aunt and uncle had done to me. Mattie left me for three months. I was about to miss out on the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
Getting up and walking to the door.
“Tisha, just think about what I said, I don’t think you want your father to leave here and you never get peace with this situation. Don’t let what others think about you trap you from a future of happiness. I am about to head on out, so you can get back to work. I will see you on Thursday, ok”
Turning away from Mr. Graves, she whimpers out ‘ok’ hearing the door close behind him she let the tears fall freely. As she quietly asks God ‘Why’
Chapter 3
The Negotiation
Paul waits downstairs of his building for David. David was 10 years younger than him, but an encounter years ago put the two together closer than brothers. David had been his best man as he wedded Ashley and even the godfather to his three-year-old daughter Heather. Paul considered David to be his brother and finally felt as if he could help David out as he had helped him out before. Spotting David coming through the doors, Paul waves to get David’s attention.
“David, David over here.”
Spotting Paul waving his hands at the bar of the restaurant, he still could not believe how he and Paul ended up being friends. An almost 50-year-old white male is his best friend. He still thanks God for putting Paul in his life.
10 Years Earlier
David was at a time in his life where he felt as if everything was going anywhere, but straight. He and his girlfriend of almost three years with whom he shared a little boy, was having issues. His plans to go out of town had changed and he ended up coming home sooner than expected. Going to one of his favorite hole in the wall restaurants, ‘Willie’s,’ he pulls up to see his girlfriend’s car. “Great! Now we can get something to eat and then head home.” Getting out of the car and thinking of how in sync he and Tiffany were. Even with the increase of arguments lately, they were still thinking in sync. He felt like Tiffany was the one and planned to propose to her on her birthday. Picking up the phone he calls his sister Diane.
“Hey Diane,”
“Hey Dav, what's going on?”
“Nothing much. H
ey, I came back into town a little early and wanted to know if possible could you watch your favorite nephew?” David knew that Trey was her only nephew, but he loved to butter her up. Diane and Frank had been trying to have a child for three years and had been unsuccessful. Trey was just as much as Diane’s as he was his. He knew that if anything was to ever happen to him, his sister would make sure his son was taken care of.
“Now you know you don’t even have to call and ask. I would love to see my nephew. What time are you bringing him over?”
“In about an hour. I am about to pick some food up from Willie’s do you want anything?”
“Yes, a cake.”
“A cake for what?”
“To celebrate”
“Ok Dianne, your birthday is in two months, no anniversary, so what are we celebrating?”
“I’m pregnant!”
Stopping dead in his track, David starts to scream. “You are pregnant! Tell me God don’t answer prayers! I have been praying for you and Frank!” Tears start to roll down his face as he remembers the agony that his sister and Frank had gone through. Two miscarriages and one that only lived a couple of hours after he was born; it was heartbreaking to see his nephew had already passed by the time he had gotten to the hospital. He never knew they could make a coffin that small, but as he set out to do the funeral arrangements because his sister and her husband were too distraught to do any of it, he found out a lot that he wished that he didn’t have to.
In fact, that was how he met Tiffany. Tiffany worked in a children's clothing store at the time and had helped him pick out his nephew’s burial outfit. Barely being able to handle the task that he had been given, Tiffany had not only picked out the outfit, but came to the funeral and stood in the back for moral support. He was so surprised by her attendance after the funeral that he instantly took a liking to her. Even though his sister was grateful for Tiffany’s assistance during their time of need, she felt as if Tiffany was an opportunist and that everything up to that point had been to get in his pocket. Diane didn’t like Tiffany but tolerated her for him and especially for her nephew.
Torn apart Tisha's Story Page 3
