The Winter Reunion

by Rhonda McKnight

  “My boss,” I mumbled the interruption.

  “You thought it was your boss. But if you really didn’t want to take this step, you wouldn’t have gotten on that plane. I know you. You’re my daughter. You’re stubborn. Don’t give her more credit than she deserves. She was just a tool of God’s.”

  The scripture Stephen quoted skittered through my mind.

  What man meant for evil. God meant it for good.

  Had God used Eva? Even Kim had said he had. God had been all around me, working things out in little ways and I was so angry and blind and bitter that I couldn’t see Him.

  “I’ve got one more confession,” Daddy said.

  My shoulders dropped. “I don’t think I can take anymore confessions today.”

  “I have to say this one because we just left your mother’s grave.” There was a hint of sadness in his voice. “The week leading up to your mother’s death, I had been angry with her and she was maaad at me.”

  I tried to recall the mood in the house the week prior to her accident. “I don’t remember that.”

  “Of course not. Your mother and I hid our fights from you, but believe you me; I was getting the silent treatment. But something silly happened, we laughed and put it behind us. As I’ve thought about you being gone all these years, I’ve prayed for God to bring you home so we could laugh and put it behind us.” Daddy shifted in his seat. “Tomorrow is not promised to us, Tamar. God means for us to understand that or He wouldn’t have put it in His word. I never would have forgiven myself if you mother passed and she was angry with me or I with her.”

  Love does not insist on its own way, slipped into my mind and my heart.

  “You don’t know that you have tomorrow. Forgive Stephen, Tamar.” Daddy reached for my hand and squeezed love into me. “You want the rest of the ice to melt around your heart. Forgive him. It’s that simple.”

  Chapter 14

  I put on my makeup. Forgive him. I pulled on my dress. Forgive him. I parked in front of Linecrest Hall. Forgive him. My father’s plea would not leave me, nor would God’s words about restoration. God could make it new. I had to have faith.

  By the time I laid eyes on Stephen, I’d forgiven him. He was center court, or center field as he’d like to think, talking to a few people. Reporters. I knew the look.

  Like a cliché, our eyes met across the room and Stephen departed from the crowd and strode towards me. If he could make hall of fame for swagger, for his walk, he’d already have the honor. He’d take the trophy with a unanimous vote.

  “I hope you haven’t told them anything.”

  He blew out a breath of frustration. “They’re working me, but I haven’t said a word.”

  My smile was slow and playful. “Good. I was promised an exclusive.”

  He reached up and stroked my cheek. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”

  “Maybe you’ve said enough. Maybe you did what you said you were going to do – you’ve proven yourself.” I smiled.

  Stephen smiled with me. His tone was hopeful. “Really?”

  “Really.” I slid my coat down my arms. “If you’ll take care of this, I’ll dance with you.”

  Stephen’s smile widened. He accepted my coat. “You’ve got yourself a deal.” But then he called a name. “Ace!”

  Ace Lumpkin, one of his former high school teammates answered the call. “Hey, Tamar, good to see you.”

  I nodded.

  Stephen tapped him on the shoulder. Ace pulled his eyes from mine “You know that fifty you owe me from the Vikings spread?”

  Ace nodded. “The fifty I don’t have because it’s Christmas?”

  Stephen shoved my coat at him. “Check this for us and your debt is clear.”

  Ace smiled. “Happy to do that.” He walked away with my coat.

  I gave Stephen a chastising stare.

  “Baby, I’m not trying to waste time in the coat check line. Not if you’re ready to dance with me.”

  He swept me onto the floor. After the third dance and more talking than I’d done in years, we took a seat at a table. Cameras flashed. The reporters furiously took notes. I could imagine the headlines. “Stephen Pierce reunites with ‘Video Virgin’ at Class Reunion,” and others like it.

  He held my hand and although I couldn’t believe I was sitting here with him like this, it felt right. Forgiving him felt good. I needed to tell him so, but before I could speak, he looked over my shoulder.

  “Pete.”

  We both got up and walked toward the entrance where Pete stood.

  “I saw you come in, Tamar. It took me a minute to get up my nerve to come in.” He looked around. Then looked down at his clothing. “I went to school with them, too.”

  People were staring. He wasn’t as dirty as he’d been yesterday, but he wasn’t presentable.

  “Let’s go to Dell’s,” I offered. “If Pete’s been outside all this time, he could use a hot cup of coffee.”

  Stephen picked up our coats and the three of us left the building and walked across the street to Dell’s. Stephen asked her if he could have the private room in the back that she used for parties. Dell agreed, turned on the light, and let us in. Once settled at a table, Pete ordered a meal and coffee.

  Stephen spoke. “So, Pete, you said you needed to tell me something.”

  “I do,” Pete said. He had answered Stephen, but he was looking at me. Looking ashamed and guilty.

  I realized what he had to say. I raised a hand to cover my gasp. “You?”

  Tears welled in his eyes and he nodded.

  “What is this?” Stephen asked.

  I placed an arm across Stephen’s chest. “I need you to be calm. You promise you’re going to be as calm as you have ever been in your life?”

  He released a nervous chuckle. “What don’t I know here?”

  Pete spoke up. “What you’ve always tried not to know.” He hesitated for a moment. “I made the video, Stephen.”

  At first Stephen froze. Then he dropped his head. I felt his anger rise. I reached for his hand and squeezed. “Look at me.” He was struggling. I could see it. He eventually looked into my eyes. I whispered, “Man meant this for evil.”

  He squinted. He was trying to see through his anger.

  “Don’t let your temper take over.”

  Stephen nodded, but his lip trembled when he spoke to Pete. “Why would you do that? Why did you do that to us?”

  “You left for the prom and your parents left to go to Philly for that thing your dad had to do. I knew the house was empty. I was looking for your iPod. I needed to score some drugs so I was going to steal it. You told me that you guys were going to come back to the house because you knew your parents wouldn’t be back until the next day. You remember.” He cleared his throat. “You asked me about the condoms and stuff.”

  Stephen’s face turned a little red. He avoided my eyes. “Go on.”

  “I was jealous. I always kind of had a crush on you, Tamar. I knew it was wrong, but still, I figured I’d turn on the cam and check out the video myself. I watched it. Thought it was hot. I figured you might want it yourself later, Stephen, so I uploaded it to my YouTube account. I thought I put it on the private setting. I mean, I really did, but later it was all over. It was out there and I couldn’t take it back.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Pete reached for a roll and shoved it in his mouth. He spoke through chews and swallows. I couldn’t imagine how he could eat right now, but I guess I’d never really been hungry. He continued his story. “I stole some money from your dad’s drawer. I knew if I told you I was in the house, you’d put two and two together.”

  Stephen stood. He walked around a bit and then came back, snatched and dragged Pete out of his chair. “Do you know what this cost?”

  Pete shrank. “I’m sorry about your money, man. I didn’t know you was going to go on CNN and stuff and tell everybody.”

&n
bsp; “I’m not talking about my money. I’m talking about her. Look at her, Pete.”

  Pete flicked his eyes to mine. He was pitiful.

  Stephen drew back his fist. “I could kill you.”

  I stood. “Stephen don’t. Let him go.”

  He released a heavy sigh and let Pete crumple to the floor. “Not wanting to come clean about stealing from my dad is an excuse. You could have told me.”

  “I thought it would die down, but then you went pro and it was like no one would let it go. By then, I was too deep in your pocket to tell you the truth about anything.”

  “But you knew how I felt about Tamar.”

  “It was too late, man. I was on the stuff bad by then.” Pete stood. He hesitated before taking his seat again.

  Stephen looked like he wanted to cry. He fell back into his chair. “So why now?”

  “I saw Tamar yesterday and I realized I owed it to her. I’m trying to clean up and one of the things we talk about in the program is making amends. I’ve been a coward. When I saw how brave you were on the news, I thought the least I could do was tell you that it was me. I can’t give you guys your years back, but I could give you the truth.”

  Stephen looked at me. I gave him the best little smile I could manage. “It’s okay. At least now we know.” God was already restoring things. He was making wrongs right.

  ***

  Dell wrapped Pete another meal to go. Stephen gave her money to pay someone to take him to the Mulberry.

  Stephen and I sat in that back room looking at each other, but not speaking for a long time. Finally, he stood and offered me my coat. “I’m not spending my time with you thinking about Pete or anyone else.”

  “A lot of drama for two days.” I stood. “Are you going to be all right?”

  He seemed to know that I was talking about more than Pete. “Yeah, baby. I’m always all right. God is my strength.” He opened my coat and I slid my arms in. “I’m guessing you don’t want to go back to the dance.”

  “I didn’t want to go in the first place.”

  He smiled. “You look beautiful. I was hoping you’d wear a dress like you had on at prom, but uh – this will do.”

  I chuckled. “There was not going to be an updated picture of me in a black mini-dress.”

  Stephen’s eyes spoke before he did. “One of the problem with small towns is there aren’t many places to hang out.” He shook his head and released a sigh. “I don’t want to let you go yet.”

  I moved closer and placed a hand flush against his chest. “Do you still need help with that tree?”

  He smiled. “I sure do.”

  I scrunched my nose up and tilted my head back. “I think I’m ready to decorate now.”

  “Before we go. I have something else to apologize for.”

  I frowned and waited for him to go on.

  “If I hadn’t told Pete about our plans, he wouldn’t have known we were coming back to my house after prom.”

  “That doesn’t matter,” I said. “I’m over this. All of it.”

  “I don’t want to leave anything out there for you to slap me about.”

  “Well, you don’t get to just apologize,” I said. “There’s money involved.”

  Stephen chuckled. “This was a big mess-up. Definitely worth two dollars.”

  I shook my head. “Add it to your existing debt. You already owe me four dollars and seventy-nine cents.”

  He frowned. “Inflation?”

  “Interest. Two dollars with compound interest monthly for twelve years.”

  He stroked my chin with his finger. “I’ll make it an even five.”

  My lip trembled when I spoke. “That sounds reasonable.”

  “I know you think this is unreasonable, but I still love you, Tamar Johnson. I never stopped.”

  I draped my hands around his neck. “It sounds reasonable to me because I still love you too.”

  A satisfied smile filled Stephen’s face. I felt his chest fill up before he released another breath. “I was hoping I would hear you say that again.”

  “I’m glad I realized it before it was too late.”

  “Never too late, baby. I wasn’t giving up on you. I told you a long time ago. We were meant to be together.”

  I thought about my father’s words and even about Stephen’s – about people not being here forever, but decided I could share that with him later.

  “So,” Stephen continued, “I guess I can have that kiss now.”

  I pursed my lips and rolled my neck. “As long as you don’t put an announcement about it on social media.”

  He chuckled. “You never have to worry about me putting you on the Internet without your permission again.”

  “Then the real Stephen Pierce can go for the touchdown.”

  Stephen pointed heavenward. “I pray before all games.”

  I giggled. “Then do what you do.”

  When his lips touched mine, I thanked God, too.

  The End

  The Winter Wedding available now. Keep turning the pages for an excerpt. I hope you were blessed by Tamar and Stephen’s story and will consider leaving a review. Please also tell a friend or two about the book.

  Consider joining my newsletter list. I’d love to keep you updated about other books and offer you special deals from time to time.

  If you’re looking for another Christian romance, please consider my Jordan Family Series (first book is Give A Little Love) or the Second Chances Series (first book is Breaking All The Rules).

  Discussion Questions/Bible Study

  Tamar and Kim seemed like polar opposites. They likely met as hairdresser and client. Do you believe that God strategically places people in our lives to encourage us and/or remind us of who we are? Why do you think some people are more prone to have these types of relationships than others?

  Tamar’s father indicated that he believed the video recording was a prank. Why do you think Tamar was unable to consider that Stephen had not made the recording?

  Do you think you would have been able to forgive Stephen? Do you believe that his not confessing he was the man in the video made it worse for Tamar?

  What do you think of Stephen’s choices over the years? Was he a hypocrite? Or was he within his rights to deny he was in the video while claiming to be a Christian?

  Tamar is angry and bitter with God about the way her life has turned out? What could have happened 12 years prior to make the ordeal better for her?

  Tamar studies Colossians 3:13 and Joel 2:25-26 which lead her to more understanding about forgiveness and restoration.

  Colossians states: Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

  Joel states: And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

  How do you define restoration? If God has asked us to forgive and promised us restoration, why do you think so many Christian’s choose to hold on to bitterness rather than trust God’s promise?

  Tamar blamed herself for the video because she committed the sin of fornication. Kim reminds her that stuff happens. How hard are you on yourself about mistakes you make? Do you think we’re more adapt to believe God is judging us for our sins? Are we harder on ourselves in this respect than we are on other people?

  The Bible is filled with accounts regarding how God used and changed people’s names in powerful ways. Tamar’s son, Perez, went on to become the ancestor of king David, and thus Jesus Christ. Tamar is one of four women mentioned by name in the Matthean genealogy of Christ. But in our culture, the name Tamar is connected with sorrow. Read Tamar’s story in Genesis 38 and consider Tamar’s father’s words in the
book. Do you have a different perspective on her name since reading the story? Do you think names have significance?

  Other scriptures mentioned in the text: Genesis 50:20, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Philippians 3:14, and Proverbs 27:1

  What happened to Tamar probably could have happened to any of us. How do you think you would have handled the scandal?

  There are many people who have had their entire lives destroyed by social media activity or videos. How careful are you about how you use the social media? What can we do to teach our young people about the dangers of the viral effect of social media?

  Email me author to let me know what you’d like to see happen next in Tamar and Stephen’s story. rhonda@rhondamcknight.net

  Available Now!!!

  Prologue

  Run!

  Adrenaline laced with fear propelled Tamar through the parking lot. Snow crunched under the weight of her boots. Barely breaking her fall with the side of someone’s car, she slid across a sheet of ice.

  Slow down, girl. She wouldn’t have to deal with this problem if she killed herself.

  Suddenly she paused. She had to try, again, to remember what her car looked like. It was silly. She’d been driving it for months and still, the sleek, silver Range Rover was foreign to her. It was a gift from Stephen that she wished she’d never accepted. In the end, she kept it, because she couldn’t explain why she wouldn’t accept it. NFL players with forty-five million-dollar contracts gave their women big gifts.

  Tamar fished around in her handbag for her keys. She pushed the alarm for the car and followed the noise two rows over and pushed the button to stop the noise. Her cell rang. She removed it from the bag as she slid in behind the steering wheel.

  “Mrs. Pierce, this is Vehicle security.”

  Annoyance. “I’m fine. I couldn’t locate my car.”

  “Would you please give us your personal security code?”