Criminal Defense
Page 16
“You did put me through many years of misery, but my love for you has never died. You are more beautiful today than the day I first laid eyes on you. I have missed you and still love you. You are still my wife. If you will have me, I’d like to come home,” said Nate.
Tears were flowing down Zola’s eyes and she almost fainted when she heard the words ‘I still love you.’
“Nate, I have someone you need to meet. His name is Derik and he is your son. He is the baby I was carrying when I left Louisiana. Whatever you did to yourself, it did not work. God has given us a chance to start over. Derik was sick as a baby and needed a blood transfusion. His blood type did not match mine. Therefore, I called the man that I thought was his father and his was not a match either. I called your doctor and he sent your blood type to Derik’s doctor and it was a match. In fact, he told me you were the father. You and Derik have a very rare blood type. He looks just like you,” said Zola.
“Where is he now? I want to meet my miracle son from God,” said Nate.
“You will meet him tonight at dinner,” said Zola.
“It is nice to have all the family here for dinner. Nina would have loved this moment. In remembrance of the relatives before us, will our priest, Kevin, say the prayer?” asked Nick.
“Our Father in heaven, this family has taken a long route around the house of God. We are blessed by your forgiveness of all our sins. This meal represents all that is good. Keep us from evil and guide through the light, that we will find peace in our belief in you. Amen.”
“That was wonderful. What I would like is for the family to tell a little bit about them because it has been many years since we have sat at a table for a meal,” said Nick.
“I will go first,” responded Aunt Lulu. "I am the matriarch of the family. I am seventy-six years old and the youngest of fifteen children. As you can see I am black. My sister who was your great-grandmother married a Frenchman in France. They only had one child and, from that marriage, one granddaughter who is Zola. Even though some of you look white, we are black. We have been proud of our mixed heritage.
“I have always been in the church and can’t remember not going to church. I married Bert at a young age and he became a minister. We never had any children but we have been blessed with a wonderful church, good family, and good friends. Thank you, Lord,” said Lulu.
“I’d like to say something,” said Ted. “I am not related but would love to be part of this remarkable family. Lola has told me the family story based on the information she read in her grandfather’s and grandmother’s papers. After all, you did survive. Not only did you survive, but you also have become honest and caring,” said Ted.
Nate was ready to take his turn. “I have been a criminal most of my life. After Zola and I parted, I found God. I used my money to open up a group home for seniors in West Virginia. These seniors do not have much but my staff and I take good care of them. I love my new profession and Zola has agreed to go back to West Virginia and work with me. We both feel good about each other and only want the very best for our children and family. Taking care of seniors is our calling and we will devote the rest of our life doing just that,” said Nate.
Turning to Lola, Ted said, “Lola, in plain words, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” said Lola.
Everyone clapped and was happy for the two of them. This was truly the high point of the family dinner.
“Okay. Okay, now it is my turn,” said Zola. I am black and proud of it. I married a white man and he loves me. I have had some rough times but was blessed by God to be here for the good times. I am serving God now and not myself. I will serve him until my spirit passes up to God. I love my family," said Zola.
“I am a priest but was once lost in sin. The devil had me but God won the battle. God will always win the battle. I was the worst of all sinners. I have destroyed many lives. I pray that God has saved them,” said Father Kevin.
“I’m next,” said Eva. “I married into this family. I was an FBI agent investigating Zola’s parents. I fell in love with Nick and we are having a wonderful life together. That is all I need to say.”
“After I speak, I want to tell the family my news. I have always loved the lord. I realized at an early age that crime was not for me. I did not have stomach for that lifestyle. It was in the genes, for I had to fight like an alcoholic every day to keep from following that road of crime. I understood what my niece and nephew were going through. Therefore, I loved them and told them so. I was devoted to them. Today will be a new chapter in Lola’s life. My plan for her will develop all her gifts that have been given to her. She is the one who brought all of us together. May God be with her always!” said Nick.
Nick got up and pulled a white sheet off his replica of his dream palace. “This is Harrison Paradise Club. Lola put her home up for sale and I purchased it. I got all the required licenses which included a liquor license. As you can see, it has a pool regulation size with cabanas all around, a bath house, eating areas, bar area, and fifty hotel rooms with tennis courts and a golf course, which is what Redd and Buddy always dreamed about. I am giving it to Lola. She and Ted will be the owners. It will be their wedding present. Tomorrow is the grand opening of Harrison Paradise Club. I have hired all the staff and we are fully booked for the hotel. The penthouse is for Ted and Lola. The guests will start arriving at 11:00 a.m. The guests include local lawmakers who are paying their own way. No freebies are going to be given out at this club. Everyone pays their way. Congratulations on being the new owners of the Harrison Paradise Club!” said Uncle Nick.
“Thanks, Uncle Nick,” said Lola. “Thank you for sticking by me for all these years. You have always been positive in your approach to getting my brother and me through those difficult teenage years. We were blessed to have an uncle like you on our side,” said Lola.
Everyone got up early to go to the club. Lola said she could not sleep because she was so excited. They had all planned to eat breakfast at the club together.
Harrison Paradise Club was located on thirty acres with a large lake for boating and fishing. As you approached the club, it looked like paradise, with large columns as you entered the main building. The lobby of the hotel was fantastic. A huge glass chandelier hung from ceiling and a winding staircase took you upstairs to the dining room or you could take the elevator. All the hotel rooms had kitchenettes with a wet bar for entertaining. On the thirty acres was a golf course with eighteen holes. The golf course was the prettiest in the state.
Lola could not believe this all belonged to her. She just stood there and looked. “This is where I would like to get married. The family is all here. Ted, let’s get married this week. I want my family to be here for my wedding. Kevin can perform the service,” said Lola.
The club was so beautiful that it did not need much of anything done to it. The family agreed and Kevin also agreed to perform the wedding. A few friends were invited but it was mainly family.
It happened that Saturday and the weather was perfect. The wedding took place down by the lake. Lola looked more beautiful than words could express. Ted was the most handsome man there. Lola had lived a life as a criminal but developed into an honest, loving, and lovely young lady.
As the wedding music played and the bride walked down the carpeted path, everyone was crying. Kevin said, “Continue to cry, for they are not tears of sorry but tears of joy, Amen.”