Ruthless

by Shelia M. Goss

  Nathan stood up. “You can kick me out, but it still doesn’t change the facts.”

  David watched Nathan walk away. In the doorway stood Delilah. Their eyes locked. Had she heard their conversation? David would figure out a way to find out. He had to. He couldn’t risk Sheba ever learning of his past plans that resulted in Uriah being sent to Afghanistan.

  Chapter 43

  Sheba sensed the tension between David and Delilah. She had hoped that her sister would get along with her current husband. Up until the past few days, they had. She wondered what had happened to cause the rift.

  “David, why are you and Delilah always going at it?” she asked when Delilah left to go shopping.

  “Delilah has to realize I’m the king of my castle, and if she wants to take over something, she needs to go back to Shreveport, to her own place.”

  “But, baby, having Delilah here helps me out a lot.”

  “I know that, and that’s the only reason why I haven’t asked her to leave.” David went inside the master bathroom.

  Sheba sighed. Not déjà vu. First, Uriah and now David. Her baby kicked. “Little man, what are we going to do with your daddy and aunt?” Sheba’s stomach felt like a knot. She doubled over in pain. “David!” she yelled.

  David ran out. “Sheba, hold on, baby.” He pulled her up in his arms, but Sheba couldn’t sit up straight. David yelled, “Where’s your nurse? I’m paying her all this money, and she’s nowhere to be found.”

  “I heard you down the hall,” the nurse said as she entered the room.

  “What’s wrong with her?” David shouted.

  The nurse asked Sheba, “Were you experiencing pain prior to this?”

  “It came all of a sudden. I feel like someone hit me in the stomach with their fist,” Sheba said and cried out in pain.

  “We should get you to the hospital,” the nurse advised.

  Sheba looked at David. Fear was written across her face. She could feel something wet in between her legs. “Yes, get me to the hospital now.”

  “What’s wrong, baby?” David asked.

  “I think it’s time.”

  An hour later Sheba had her heels in the stirrups. Due to the medical complications and David’s overbearing personality, which seemed to irritate the hospital staff, the doctor had convinced David that it would be best if he waited in the waiting room. The pain shooting through Sheba’s body had subsided some, but not completely, after they gave her a shot in her spine.

  The doctor said, “I need for you to concentrate on something good and close your eyes and do as I tell you.”

  Sheba’s mind was only on her baby. She couldn’t think of anything else. “God, I know at first I didn’t want this baby, but now I do. I love him more than life itself. I love him. Please don’t let anything happen to him. Take me, if you have to, but please spare my baby’s life,” she pleaded.

  The doctor whispered, “He’s not breathing.”

  His whispers weren’t low enough that Sheba couldn’t hear him. “No, please don’t tell me my baby’s dead,” Sheba said as a bout of pain hit her body. A few seconds later she heard her baby’s cry. “Let me see him. I need to see him.”

  The baby was cleaned up and then handed to Sheba. She cried as she held her five-pound baby in her arms.

  The doctor said, “He’s not breathing like I would want him to, so we’re going to need to examine him and put him in an incubator.”

  “What do you mean, he’s not breathing right?” Sheba asked as the doctor took her baby and began examining him more thoroughly. “What’s wrong with my baby?” Sheba yelled frantically.

  “Nurse, give her something to calm down,” the doctor requested.

  The nurse did as she’d been told. It took two of the nurses to hold Sheba down so they could administer the shot.

  Sheba, calmer, said, “My husband. Where’s my husband?”

  David was escorted in. “Sheba, I could hear you outside, but they wouldn’t allow me in.”

  Sheba held on to his hand. “Our baby’s in an incubator. He wasn’t breathing. I need to see him. I got to hold him only for a few seconds.”

  David said, “I’m going to check on him. You just get some rest, my queen. Little David is going to be okay.”

  Sheba didn’t believe that her baby was going to be okay, and she could tell by the scared look in David’s eyes that he didn’t, either. She had to hold on to his words, though. Little David had to be fine. She’d already lost two people she loved; she couldn’t lose another one. God wouldn’t be so cruel as to let her carry him eight months and then take him from her. Not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Moses. No, he wouldn’t do that to her.

  Sheba fell into a deep sleep. She woke up a day later and demanded some answers. “Where is my baby?” she asked David.

  “Little David’s not doing too good, Sheba.” David’s voice shook.

  “I want to see my baby. They can’t keep me from my baby,” Sheba yelled.

  “Mrs. King, we need you to hold it down. You’re disturbing the other patients,” one of the nurses said, peeking her head into the room.

  David stepped in to intervene. “Can you get a wheelchair so I can take her to see our son?”

  “I’m afraid we can’t do that. We have strict instructions that she’s supposed to remain in her bed.”

  “Please. If this was your child, you would want to see him,” Sheba said.

  The nurse showed compassion. She looked at Sheba and said, “Fine. Don’t tell anyone I did this. If you feel dizzy at all, let me know.” The nurse then looked at David. “Mr. King, I’m going to need your help.”

  David assisted in getting Sheba in the wheelchair. He took a blanket out of the closet and placed it around her. The ride down the hallway didn’t take long. The nurse showed them little David. Sheba wasn’t allowed to hold him in her arms, but she was able to touch him.

  “Your mama is right here. I love you. I love you so much. You’re going to get stronger. You’re going to grow up and be just like your daddy.”

  David said, “And you’re going to marry a woman just as beautiful as your mama.”

  Sheba didn’t know she could love a man as much as she did at that moment. Watching David being gentle with their baby touched her. “Little David, you have to get better because Mama needs you.”

  The nurse reappeared. “I have to get you back. The doctor’s making his rounds, and I don’t want him to find you here.”

  David said, “You go on, baby. I’ll stay here with little David, and then I’ll meet you back in the room.”

  “Okay.”

  Sheba squeezed his hand. David leaned down and gave her a peck on the lips. Sheba looked back at David, who stood by the incubator, rubbing little David’s leg. She loved them both.

  Chapter 44

  David didn’t care who was around. He kneeled down next to the incubator. He closed his eyes. With one hand on little David’s small leg and the other on his forehead, David prayed silently. “Father God, I know that I’ve been disobedient. I know that I don’t deserve to ask you to spare my child’s life, but, Lord, I’ve done what you asked. I’ve repented. I’ve made amends. I’m trying to do right by providing for my wife and child.

  “Lord, if it is your will, please let death pass us by. I give my son to you to do with what you may. I promise to bring him up in a way that’s pleasing to you. Lord, have mercy on your humble servant.”

  David was ending his prayer when he felt an arm on his shoulder. “I was told you were down here.”

  David stood up. “Nathan, he’s not doing too good.”

  David rarely cried in front of anyone, but at this point, he didn’t care. He turned and cried on Nathan’s shoulder. Then David pulled himself together and followed Nathan out of the room. He kept looking back at little David.

  “Sheba told me you were here. Delilah’s in the room with her.”

  “I can’t face Sheba right now. Tell her I will be back later. I need to get
out of here,” David said and hurried down the hallway.

  “David,” Nathan called out to him.

  David rushed past everyone and out the hospital doors. “Why, Lord? Why now? I thought you forgave me. You let me believe that things were going to be all right. Now this.”

  David threw his fist up in the air in anger. His driver saw him and tried to calm him down, but it didn’t do any good.

  David heard a woman’s voice say, “I got him.”

  He looked up into the face of Delilah. “You’re the last person I want to see.”

  Delilah grabbed him by the arm. “Get in the car, David.”

  He was in too much pain to argue, so he got in his car, and Delilah got in right behind him. She said something to his driver. David’s driver closed the car door, and a minute or so later, he pulled off.

  “Where are we going?” David asked.

  “You tell me. You were the one running out on my sister when she needs you.”

  “Look. My baby’s dying, and I don’t have time for your attitude.”

  “Woe is David. I’m trying to get you to deal with this so you can be with Sheba. Sheba needs you right now. You say you love her. Then act like it. Don’t bail on her right now.”

  “I’m not bailing. This is just too much. My baby’s being punished for something I did.”

  Delilah said, “Don’t beat yourself up.”

  “Oh, you’re not going to gloat. I know you overheard me and Nathan talking.”

  There, David had said it. Everything was out in the open. No more pretenses between him and Delilah.

  “David, I figured out what your plan was long before I overheard your conversation. I don’t fault you, because—believe me when I say this—I’ve done some things I’m not too proud of.”

  “So you’re not going to tell Sheba?” David asked.

  “Sheba’s not a stupid woman. If you think that, then you don’t know the woman you married.”

  David wasn’t satisfied with her response, so he said, “Promise me you won’t tell Sheba what you overheard. As her sister, I’ll ensure that you are always well taken care of.”

  “Really? I was going to keep the secret for free, but since you insist on sharing some of your wealth... .” Delilah looked around the back of the town car. “Share it with me, brother-in-law. I’m not even going to give you a dollar amount. Whatever your heart desires to give me, I’ll accept.”

  Delilah had to be one of the sneakiest, most underhanded women, besides his ex-wives, that David had come across. He had fallen right into her trap. If it would keep her big mouth closed, then he would do it. He would call his accountant as soon as he could and would have a nice amount of money transferred into Delilah’s bank account.

  “Let’s do monthly installments, so the government won’t be suspicious,” Delilah said. David looked at her like she was crazy. She went on to say, “I’m thinking about all those taxes I’ll have to pay.”

  “It’ll be the same amount regardless if it’s monthly or one large sum.”

  “Oh, in that case, give me all you got, King David.”

  David called his accountant and set up the transfer. Delilah seemed pleased. David had to hand it to Delilah. She had accomplished one thing. He had momentarily forgotten about his son and his wife, but now it was back to the issue at hand. He needed to convince God to spare his son’s life. How? He had no idea.

  Chapter 45

  Sheba demanded to see the doctor. The nurses were calling her the patient from hell, but she didn’t care. It had been seven days, and her baby was still hooked up to machines. He didn’t appear to be getting better.

  “Where is David? He was supposed to meet me here!” Sheba shouted.

  Delilah replied, “He said he had to make a quick stop at the church and then he would be here.”

  “He needs to hurry up. They must not know I’m David King’s wife, or they wouldn’t keep me waiting.”

  “Calm down, sis. They are doing everything they can for little David.”

  “It’s not enough.” Sheba was a nurse. She knew they were providing him with the best care, but as a mother, she felt like there was more they could be doing.

  The doctor had released her from the hospital four days ago, but she had yet to go home. Delilah or David brought her clothes to change into and food to eat. The food she barely touched, because since having little David, she hadn’t had an appetite. How could she think of food or anything else when her baby was fighting for his life?

  The doctor finally came into the waiting room. “Mrs. King, sorry to keep you waiting.”

  Sheba didn’t bother with the formalities. She didn’t reach out to shake his extended hand. “What’s the prognosis on my baby?” she asked.

  Dr. Philips said, “Do you want to wait on your husband?”

  “No. I’m standing right here. I need for you to tell me when you expect my baby to get better.”

  “Mrs. King, his little heart is fighting, but I’m not sure of how long his heart will last. He was born with a defective heart, but I want to assure you that we’re doing all we can.”

  Sheba plopped down on the chair. Her hands flew to her face. “Lord, please. Take me, not my baby.”

  Delilah sat in the chair next to her. She patted her gently on the back. “It’s going to be okay.”

  “No, it’s not. It’ll never be okay.”

  The doctor continued, saying, “I’m sorry, Mrs. King. I wish I had better news for you.”

  Sheba wiped some of the tears from her face. “Dr. Philips, thanks. What should I do now?”

  “Do you have a pastor who can come pray over your son?” he asked.

  Delilah pulled out her phone. “I’ll call Nathan.”

  “Thank you, Doctor,” Sheba said, barely above a whisper.

  “I’m so sorry. I wish there was more I could do.”

  Sheba heard Delilah deliver the bad news to Nathan. She hung up with him. “He’s on his way.”

  “Where’s David? I need my husband,” Sheba said as she bent down and wrapped her arms around her knees. She rocked back and forth as Delilah patted her on the back. “Sis, it’s going to be okay,” Delilah said.

  Sheba wished Delilah would stop saying that. If she lost little David, it would never be okay again. Her world was crumbling all around her, and there was no sign of David. She needed him here with her.

  By the time Nathan arrived, Sheba and Delilah were in the nursery. The nurses allowed Sheba to hold the baby one last time. She sat in the rocking chair, with him in her arms, and she rocked him back and forth.

  She heard Nathan tell Delilah, “David’s on his way. We were at the church, praying. His car had a flat, but he’ll be here soon.”

  Delilah responded, “I hope he hurries up. Bathsheba needs him.”

  “How are you holding up, dear?” Nathan asked, turning to Sheba.

  “The doctor says my baby’s dying, Nathan. His little heart’s not holding up. I don’t know how I’m supposed to deal with this. Look at him. He’s so innocent in all of this.”

  Nathan kneeled down beside Sheba. She stopped rocking as Nathan placed one of his big hands on little David. “Father God, we ask that if it is your will, you heal David and Bathsheba’s child right now, Lord. Put your arm of protection around this child. Let him know that he’s loved not only by his parents, but also by those of us who have had a chance to be in his presence.”

  Nathan looked in Delilah’s direction. Delilah was wiping her face with a tissue. He continued his prayer. “I know that this is not what we would have for little David, but you know best. Lord, be with his parents, and let them know, regardless of the outcome, that you are still in their midst. That you will never leave them or forsake them. That you will never put more on your children than they can bear. If you put them through it, they can make it through it.”

  The alarm that was hooked up to little David went off. The nurses ran over to where Sheba sat and took him away from her. Sheba d
idn’t want to release him.

  Sheba yelled out, “No! Not my baby,” as they unsuccessfully attempted to revive him.

  Chapter 46

  David could hear the commotion going on in the nursery. He rushed inside. He knew from the expression on Nathan’s face that he was too late. Little David was gone. He saw a doctor wrap him up in a blanket.

  “I need to hold him. Can I hold him one last time?” David pleaded, choking on his tears.

  The doctor saw the pain in David’s eyes and motioned for the nurse to hand little David to him. The nurse did as instructed.

  David unwrapped the blanket. He kissed little David on the forehead and on the cheek. “I love you so much. I’ll never forget you, son.”

  Nathan walked up to David. “Man, they need to take him. Give little David to them.”

  David said, “I know. Look at him. He’s so little. He looks helpless.”

  Nathan placed his hand on little David’s body and took him away from David. He handed the baby to the nurse. He placed his arm around David. “Come on, man. Your wife’s over there. She needs you.”

  When David had first entered the nursery, he had eyes only for little David. He didn’t even think to look for Sheba. He saw her tearstained face. She stood up, and as soon as he reached her, she fell into his arms.

  “Our baby’s gone, David,” Sheba wailed.

  The nurses and doctors around them allowed them their time to grieve. David motioned for Nathan to come near him. Sheba could barely walk.

  David said to Nathan,” Can you take care of whatever needs to be taken care of? I need to get Sheba home.”

  “Don’t worry. Delilah and I will take care of everything,” Nathan assured him.

  David used one arm to hold Sheba up and the other to dial his driver, alerting him that they would be coming downstairs. They left the nursery and got on the elevator. Sheba kept her head on David’s shoulder as people getting on and off the elevator looked on.

  “Can you give us some privacy please?” David snapped.

  The driver had the car parked out front. David helped Sheba inside. Silence kept them company. The only sounds that could be heard were their sniffles as they each dealt with the death of little David in their own way.