Facing Redemption

by Kimberly McKay

  “When do you want to go shopping?” Anne’s eyes twinkled.

  “Ahhh! I can’t believe we’re doing this!” Chastity grabbed the steering wheel tightly and hunched her shoulders. “Let me ask you something.”

  “Anything.”

  “There are only a few more months till the wedding. Why don’t you just stay with me until then? Then you can find your own place.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes! It’ll be fun. It’ll be like college again. I miss you roomie!”

  “Okaaaay. You asked for it.”

  They both giggled at the prospect of late night movies and burnt popcorn. Chastity cranked up her radio and smiled at Anne when their favorite song came on. Unwritten, by Natasha Bedinfield, crooned through her car speakers as both girls started singing as loud as they could. Anne knew this is where she belonged for now and felt peace for the first time in a long time.

  Chapter 39

  Chastity’s wedding was quickly approaching, and he knew he had no claim to her. John had no right to ask her of anything. Even with this knowledge, it was killing John Mikale that he couldn’t walk his daughter down the aisle. As far as he knew, she’d read none of his letters.

  By mid morning Andie had had enough of his sulking. She walked into his office and rolled her eyes. He still had on his rumpled scruffy pajamas and was sitting in his easy chair staring out the window.

  “You know there’s a perfectly good game on ESPN Classic.” Andie smiled.

  John rolled his eyes. “Since when do you pay attention to sports?”

  “Since when do you not?” Andie walked across the room to sit on his lap. Her arms went around his neck. “Watch out. I might scrunch you.” Andie laid a hand on her very pregnant belly.

  John wrapped his arms around her and leaned in to gain comfort, but still said nothing.

  “Are you going to get worse? Or are you going to do something about it?”

  “About what?”

  “The wedding. Your daughter.”

  “I don’t have the right to call her that. I am not invited to the wedding.” He said softly.

  “So?”

  “What?” He popped his head up to meet her eyes.

  “So what if you’re not invited. And you know she isn’t going to come around tomorrow but if you continue to try she might come around sometime…sometime soon.”

  “What are you suggesting I do? Show up and announce myself?”

  “Well that’s not such a bad idea…the showing up … not the announcing yourself part. No – but other than walk the bride down the aisle, which you can’t do, what other obligations do fathers of the bride hold?”

  “I don’t follow …” John’s eyes held confusion.

  “Do I have to spell it out?” Andie laughed and put her hands in the air. She stood up and leaned over him. She took his face in her hands so that they were close when she continued. “Pay for the wedding.”

  “What? How would I do that? I have no idea what to pay for? I don’t know what she’s planning.”

  “Um yeah, but you know who does – don’t you?” Andie wanted to laugh at her husband’s face. It held utter confusion. “John, c’mon. Your brother - and his wife? Lauri has been helping with the planning right? And you and Jesse have been on speaking terms again, right?”

  John’s eyes lit up. He instantly perked up and smiled. He reached for her face and smacked a kiss on her lips. “You’re a genius! I knew I married a smart woman.”

  “Good because for a minute there I was beginning to wonder if I married a man with a rock for brains.”

  John laughed and reached for his phone. He quickly dialed Jesse’s number. As Andie struggled to get up, she felt her husband’s strong hand on her behind giving her a lift. He chuckled at her strenuous efforts to stand. Andie pretended to glare at him on her way out.

  The phone rang a few times before Jesse answered.

  “Hey there. I know you weren’t expecting a call from me, but I wanted to run something by you. You may be totally against it, but I just had to ask.” John rambled on.

  “Spit it out John.” Jesse laughed. He’d not heard him this excited since they were kids.

  “I know Chastity wants nothing to do with me …” John started in. Jesse’s internal alarm started sounding. The last thing he wanted to do was to maneuver anything that would hurt his niece, or betray her trust.

  “John I’m not sure I like the sound of this.”

  “Jesse, just hear me out.” He paused. “Please.” John’s voice dropped.

  Jesse drew a breath. “Okay.”

  “Like I said, I know she wants nothing to do with me. And I accept she may never come around. But, what if I wanted to help pay for the wedding?”

  “I don’t know John.”

  “Really, it would be anonymous. I know you and Lauri are helping plan it. What if I just give you a large donation? And you could call it the wedding fund? She wouldn’t have to know it was from me?” John stressed.

  Jesse’s mind quickly went to work. The idea had merit. “It might work but I don’t want to be dishonest with her John.”

  “You don’t have to be. I’m her father. It’s my duty to take care of her wedding whether she wants me there or not. She doesn’t have to know I’m paying for it.”

  Jesse silently nodded his head. “Let me think about it. I’m not opposed to it. I just need some time to mull it over. Chastity has been through so much betrayal in the last year. If I agree to this, I would have to tread lightly.”

  John breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay. Let me know what you decide. I just want to help. I just want to be able to do something for her.”

  “I understand.” Jesse smiled. His brother had definitely changed. “I’ll call you back this week, okay?”

  “Thanks big brother. I really appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

  “I haven’t done it yet. I didn’t say yes.”

  “I wasn’t referring to the wedding. I meant I appreciate you allowing me to be a part of your life again.”

  Jesse’s heart was filled. He had his little brother again. “Don’t mention it. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  John hung up with teary eyes, thankful for a second chance with his brother.

  Chapter 40

  Jackson lifted his hand in greeting when Lauri stepped into his room. In seeing how clear his eyes were, she felt her whole body release the tension she always had coming here. Today she could relax, because it was a good day. He had direct eye contact and seemed to recognize her.

  “Hey there dad.” Lauri leaned down for a hug. “Your son sends his best.”

  “When is he going to get his butt in here and see me?” Jackson grumbled.

  “Soon.” She promised and sat down next to him. “I brought you some more pictures. See?” She handed one over of Alex. “He’s getting bigger by the minute.” Lauri said wistfully.

  “They do that.” Jackson’s smile was sad. She saw regret in his eyes.

  “They do.” She pulled out a few more from her purse. “Here is a couple more for your wall.” Lauri looked above Jackson’s TV. He had started taping all the pictures Lauri brought him, which now spanned the gap between the television and the ceiling. He said it helped him remember.

  “Now who’s this handsome looking young man?” Jackson pointed to Timothy’s face. Lauri noticed how much older his hands were looking. They shook when he lifted them. She’d seen so many more signs this year that he was aging faster.

  “That’s Chastity’s new fiancé, Timothy. They’re getting married.”

  “Oh, I know her.” He smiled down to Chastity’s face in the picture.

  “Of course you do, I’ve been bringing pictures of her for months now. Good! I’m glad you remember. Remember, I told you that she wasn’t lost anymore? She’s finally part of the family, like you’ve wanted for all these years. I brought you a picture when she finally contacted us, last summer.” Lauri reminded him.

  “No, I kno
w her. I’ve met her.”

  Lauri sighed and gave him a sympathetic look.

  Jackson frowned and grabbed Lauri’s arm. “Oh don’t look at me that way. I’m here today Lauri. I’m here.” Jackson lifted his finger and tapped his temple. “And I’m telling you we’ve talked. She sat outside the nursing home on that bench not too long ago.” He said pointing out his window, “At the start of my therapy. And we had a chat.”

  “Really?” Lauri couldn’t believe it, but Jackson sounded so convincing.

  “Yes, and I remember thinking how lovely that young lady was and how she reminded me of Marilyn.” Jackson smiled sheepishly. “And I admit I may have confused her for my late wife. It didn’t click for me until today.” Jackson could see Lauri still wasn’t convinced. “Ah!” He said waving his hand. “Don’t believe me, I don’t care.” He said cantankerously.

  Lauri smiled and looked him deep in the eyes, which looked clear. “I believe you Jackson. I think it’s very nice that you finally met your granddaughter.”

  He grabbed her hand and smiled in thanks. “Do you think she’ll come back to see me? She looks a lot like Marilyn.”

  “Well, she came once didn’t she? She’s making progress. I see her softening some, especially now that she’s engaged. I wouldn’t be surprised if she came again.”

  “Ask her will you? Will you tell her I asked about her? Are you sure I can’t go to wedding?” Jackson’s eyes pleaded.

  “Jackson, I love you but the problem is we never know if you’re going to have a good day or a bad one. Chastity’s been hurt by our family for so many years…” Lauri’s voice softened. “I promise I’ll ask her to come see you again though.”

  Jackson nodded. “I understand. Well, at least she came once.” He happily picked up the picture and smiled down to Chastity. “Can you hand me my scotch tape?”

  Lauri happily handed him the tape and helped him out of his chair to tape up his new pictures. When he was done, he touched Alex and Chastity’s faces on the wall and then struggled to sit down by himself. She reached to assist him. He was feebler than either wanted to admit.

  “Thanks.” Jackson sighed as he finally got settled into his chair. It made Lauri’s heart ache a bit. A month ago he would have refused her help. The fact that he let her help him now spoke volumes.

  Thunder shook the windows of his room. “You’d better not get caught in this storm.” Jackson’s brow furrowed and he looked out his window.

  Lauri kissed him on the head. “See you soon.” She said quietly and left. Even with the shift in mood at the end, Lauri drove with a light heart. He remembered! It was amazing that he so clearly remembered Chastity.

  Thunder rumbled so hard above her, she felt the tremor through her car. As rain started pelting harder on her windshield, she turned her radio on to make sure they were playing music.

  Like everyone else in Oklahoma, Lauri knew that during a storm – as long as the music is still playing – you’re safe. It’s when the broadcast switches over to the local weatherman’s live broadcast that you have to worry. Before He Cheats, by Carrie Underwood, blared from her speakers and Lauri breathed a sigh of relief.

  Within seconds another bolt of lightning cracked, splitting in different directions overhead. It danced from cloud to cloud and was loud enough to be heard over the radio. Lauri jumped in her seat.

  “Easy Lauri,” she murmured. “It’s just a storm…and a little rain.” After letting out some air, she realized how tightly she was holding her steering wheel. She let off her gas, as she was speeding a little too fast in the rain, and loosened her grip.

  Living smack-dab in the middle of tornado alley, meant dealing with treacherous storms through the month of May. And as much as she loved this state, she second-guessed her sanity on staying here when this type of storm started brewing. Lauri looked up to gauge the sky. Here, grey skies could quickly turn to sickly green, which meant tornados. So far she didn’t see that tell tale green color or any clouds that looked ominous enough to become wall clouds.

  Cars around her were struggling to navigate through the high waters that were starting to build. Flooding was common, and she was on a road where some areas dipped a little too low for her comfort level, so she veered off and took the turnpike to get home.

  As she merged in traffic to access the toll road, a large truck sped by sloshing through a large puddle. Water splashed up covering Lauri’s entire view. If that wasn’t bad enough, the rain was coming down hard enough that she really couldn’t clearly see out her windshield. Lauri didn’t even know how much room she had between her and the car in front of her.

  “This is crazy,” she told herself. Getting caught in a downpour was not on her agenda today, and she debated on the best course. She still had to meet with the wedding planner and get home by 4:00, when her son came home from school.

  Lauri quickly made the call to pull under the overpass, and wait it out. If I can’t see in front of me than no one else can either… It’s an accident waiting to happen.

  She pulled over to the far right in order to stay away from any oncoming traffic that may come through. As she slowed to a stop, she heard the pounding of hail coming down onto the bridge above her. She watched as ice rocks the size of golf balls bounced on the ground on either side of her and bound toward her car from both ends. Thank you, she silently prayed. Thank you for making me stop. She was just far enough inside the overpass to be protected.

  Her hands shook and she pulled her phone from her purse. She dialed her home number hoping Ms. Adams would still be there. Ms. Adams, Jesse and John’s life long caretaker, left the Mikale estate just recently once Jesse put his father’s home on the market. Ms. Adams agreed to help out Jesse and Lauri a few days a week with cooking and cleaning.

  Lauri put her finger in her ear to block out the sound of the storm around her. She struggled to hear the phone ring.

  “Mikales …” Angela Adams cordially answered.

  “Hey Ms. Adams. It’s me.” Lauri said loudly.

  “Lauri! My goodness – it sounds like a battle going on out there. Where are you? You sound like you’re in the middle of it.”

  “I’m okay. I pulled under an overpass until the hail stops. Can you get a weather report?”

  “I was just watching. It looks like it’s getting ready to leave the Edmond and OKC metro area – and head east pretty fast.”

  “Whew…that’s good. Listen, I’m running late and need to see if you can stay a little later this afternoon until Alex gets home from school.”

  Angela warmed at the thought of spending time with her favorite little guy. “Of course. You know you don’t have to ask that. I would only go home to my apartment and watch Jeopardy.”

  “Great! Thank you. As soon as this stuff passes, I’m heading to meet with the wedding planner. Chastity’s rehearsal dinner is tonight. Can you have Alex ready for me so when I get home, his homework will be done and I can pick him up to leave?”

  “Sure! Do you want me to come with you tonight too so I can watch Alex in case you need to attend to wedding details? You know in case of a wedding emergency…”

  Lauri felt sorry for Ms. Adams. After years of being the one who ran everything in the absence of a mother to both Mikale boys, now she felt a little useless without anyone to attend to.

  “That would be really nice. Thank you. Can you call Jesse to give him an update, so I have one less call to make in this weather?”

  Ms. Adams smiled to herself. “Of course.”

  Chapter 41

  Timothy slowly pulled into the arrival area of the airport and parked. The storms had delayed his groomsmen’s flights for over an hour. It felt like an eternity before he finally made the trek to pick up Guy and Scott.

  He pulled back through the passenger pick up, hoping to see his two friends, but had to pull back out to make another pass around the airport. He circled back through for the second time with not a second too soon, because from the looks of the sky it seemed as
if another storm was about to move through. Timothy shook his head and looked up through his windshield at the clouds.

  “What else could go wrong?” He asked himself. Timothy slowed down as the rain started slowing pelting his windshield.

  So far the wedding plans had taken a slight turn from the expected. Timothy’s mom received a phone call last week, to let her know that the pastor, who was going to marry him and Chastity, had passed away. Timothy was shell-shocked. This was the man, who dedicated him as a baby and was still very close to the family. It was going to be hard to fill those shoes, but they already had a call into a local friend to perform the ceremony.

  Now with the storms getting ready to hit, it seemed like a dark cloud had permanently set over his wedding. Receiving Guy and Scott’s texts, today when they disembarked from their planes was the shot in the arm he needed. The tension in his chest eased a bit, knowing he was going to pick up his groomsmen.

  Guy and Timothy had been college roommates and friends since their sophomore year. Their history went back further than his and Scott’s, which was only from law school. Scott was stand-up and responsible, while Guy was off the cuff and a little bit of a loose cannon. Guy was the exact person Timothy needed to help lift his spirits today, but both friends would be a welcome distraction.

  Throughout school Guy was always the life of any party, but he studied hard too. His hard work and dedication paid off in full when he was accepted into one of the top medical programs in the country. Now his friend was a cardiologist on the east coast, which was too far away as far as Timothy was concerned, but they managed to stay in touch through the years.

  Timothy’s former law partner, Scott, bought his portion of their practice when Timothy moved to Oklahoma. Scott liked to think of himself as a fun guy, but he was a little more on the serious side. Scott, although dated some, held an eternal torch for his paralegal, who was back home in California.