The Deception of Destiny: A Novel

by Jennifer Walters

  “Hey you, I was starting to get worried. How did it go today? I want to hear everything,” I said, plopping down on the couch next to him.

  He turned toward me with red eyes, wiping a tear that was stuck in the corner of his eye. Why did I feel so nervous all of a sudden? He looked so sad.

  “Well, when I left here, I went to Casey’s house. He gave me the paperwork Liv needed to sign so he could get custody of his son.”

  “Did he draft up the paperwork himself?”

  “No, his partner did.”

  “Oh,” I responded, flashing him a warm smile to show him I was here for him. I grabbed his hand as he continued.

  “Casey and I drove to Duluth. Liv was home.”

  “Was she surprised to see the two of you together?”

  “Oh yeah. The look in her eyes explained it all. Luckily, Travis was at the neighbor’s house when we got there so he didn’t have to hear what was going on. She apologized up and down, and quickly signed over custody to Casey. Then she asked to talk to me alone.”

  My eyes got big and I pulled my hand away from him, turning away so he couldn’t see the jealousy and fear in my expression.

  “It’s okay, Destiny, look at me.”

  I turned my head toward him and he wiped my tears.

  “She tried to kiss me, but I pushed her away. I don’t love her, Dez, I love you. You know that. I may have told you I wasn’t in love with you anymore, but I was fighting the strong feelings I have for you. You mean the world to me and always have. From the moment I first laid eyes on you in college, I knew you were the one. There was something about you. I just can’t explain it. I gravitated to you, could never get enough. You have my heart always and forever,” he said, grabbing my chin and pulling my face in to his.

  We rubbed noses as our lips touched just lightly. His big soft lips pressed against mine and neither one of us closed our eyes. We didn’t want to miss a moment by blinking. My heart no longer heavy with guilt and shame. I would never take this relationship for granted ever again.

  “I love you,” I whispered softly.

  “I love you too. It’s over, Destiny, it’s over,” he whispered back.

  “How do you know she’s not going to bother us anymore?”

  “I don’t know that, but I won’t let that happen again. She promised me she would never contact me again. She also promised to get help. Destiny, she admitted she’s bipolar. She’s been off her meds. She’s sick, she just needs help. Casey even agreed to let her take Travis whenever she wanted after she got the help she needs.”

  “Wow, I can’t believe he is the same person I was so scared of not so long ago,” I said, leaning back on the couch.

  “I know. Enough about Casey. How are you doing? I know this can’t be easy for you, after just losing your mom and then dealing with all of this.”

  “You’re right, it’s not easy, but I’m doing okay. I screamed in my car on the way to pick up Gabby this morning. I screamed at my mom, told her I hated her,” I confessed, laughing at myself.

  “That’s normal, Destiny. You are angry at her for being so reckless, for all those years she hurt you and your sister. You know there was nothing you could do to help her. She didn’t believe she had a problem.”

  He put his arm around me, squeezing me into him.

  “I know, I just wish I could have helped her.”

  “It’s going to take time. I am here. I won’t leave your side. I mean, other than work,” he teased.

  “I want to find another job. I want to work again. Gabby is in school now, I don’t need to stay home anymore.”

  “I think that’s a great idea, if that’s what you want. I support you no matter what you want to do.”

  I jumped on his lap, put my arms around his neck and felt my heart exploding with every second our lips met. He pushed my arms up in the air and pulled my shirt over my head.

  “What about Gabby,” I whispered, giggling.

  “Isn’t she sleeping?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “Then what about Gabby?” he asked, pushing me onto my back.

  His lips were soft as he made his way down to my navel, soft and wet kisses enveloped my body, leaving me gasping for air.

  We took it slow, enjoying every inch of each other’s bodies. His hands ran down my back, massaging its way down to my ankles. His touch was soft, light and left me desiring more. I squeezed every muscle in his body with my hands, appreciating every push-up and pull-up that made them this firm. His body was soft, I desired more of him, now. I stopped and stared into his blue eyes, watching his dimples appear in the shadows of the light. This is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. I felt like that young girl in college, running toward him with plans of bumping into him, just to touch him. I never thought we would get to this point. Now I’m his wife, holding his big, firm body in my hands, squeezing him.

  As we made love, all I could think about was our happy ending. I thanked God for sending him back to me. I decided then and there, I was the only one who could decide my happiness. It was my choice to seize the day or engulf my mind in negative thoughts, feeling sorry for myself. It was time to finally choose me.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  We spent the next couple of months training for Grandma’s marathon, the largest marathon in Minnesota. People came from all over just to run the race, due to the beautiful coastal view of Lake Superior along the majority of the race. So many spectators cheered the runners on, it was well-known for being one of the funnest marathons. Around nine thousand people ran the full marathon. It was named after Grandma’s Restaurant because it was the only business in Duluth that would sponsor the race. As a child, my dream was to run Grandma’s Marathon.

  We wanted to run our first full-marathon together. I found a job working for a local insurance company, making great money and finally feeling the happiness I long desired.

  On June twenty-second of nineteen ninety-seven, we drove to Duluth at four o’clock in the morning. We took a bus to the starting line on the North Shore, where it was cold, dark, and stinky from the port-a-john’s that lined both sides of the street. We watched the sun come up as we stretched each other out in the grass.

  As the announcer instructed everyone to get to the starting line, I felt quite sick at the thought of running twenty-six point two miles.

  “Do you know how a marathon became a marathon?” I asked him, stretching my arms behind my back.

  “No, Mrs. Fredrickson, how?” he asked, laughing at my nerves.

  “The legend has it that a Greek messenger named Pheidippides ran from the city of Marathon all the way to Athens to deliver a message that the Greeks won against the Persians in the Battle of Marathon.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Just let me finish,” I snapped, playfully. “The man made it the twenty-six point two miles and delivered his message, then fell over and died, died.”

  “Well, legend has it that they aren’t even sure exactly how far it was. It was estimated to be around twenty-six miles, and this happened in four hundred-ninety BC. That was before they had Gatorade,” he said, laughing. “And, you forget we have been training a long time for this, including a twenty mile run just two weeks ago. Don’t tell me you forgot about that, because I don’t think I will ever forget it.”

  “I’m just saying, he died. We’ve never ran that far,” I said, feeling my face growing hot as the countdown began.

  “Let’s just take it one mile at a time, okay? I will be by your side the whole way.”

  He kissed me, but I was too nervous to enjoy it.

  “Just remember, Gabby and Jill will be waiting for us at the finish.”

  I smiled and thought of her sweet face and how proud she will be when she sees us complete a marathon.

  As the gun went off, we tried not to think about how may miles we had to go and instead focused on appreciating every mile we made it. By mile twenty, I was pretty sure my legs were going to fall off, but Bryan ran
backwards, cheering me on. I rolled my eyes in response; I was dying.

  As we neared Canal Park, I could hear the music and cheering. I pushed harder than I have ever had to push. I thought about the man that fell over and died and I knew it had to be accurate. There was no way I could stop running and walk, for I feared the pain would set in and I wouldn’t be able to take another step. My legs felt so heavy, I mentally had to picture myself picking them up one at a time with each step. Almost there. My arms were chafing as I passed a man with two bloody circles on his white shirt where his nipples would be. I felt so horrible for him. I looked at Bryan to make sure his weren’t bleeding and was glad to see his gray shirt was just wet with sweat.

  We hit the twenty-six mile mark and I began to break down.

  “I can’t, I just can’t go any further,” I cried out to him.

  “You can do this, Dez. You have made it twenty-six miles and you only have point two of a mile left. Give it everything you’ve got, do it for Gabby.”

  As soon as he said her name, I dug some energy from somewhere so deep within. The pain was numbed, by my desire to finish and hug her. I pushed and pushed, focusing on swinging my arms faster, harder. Bryan stayed beside me. As we crossed the finish line together, he grabbed my arm and raised it in the air as we smiled at each other and slowed down. Tears streaked down my face at the feeling of accomplishment. The pain we endured, the hours of training. I was so proud of myself for pulling it together and finishing.

  The medal they placed over my head was heavy, and I wasn’t sure I could support the weight. I grabbed a bottle of water off the table in front of me as I scanned the crowd for my baby girl. Bryan kissed me, but I pulled away quickly, unable to breath. I began falling over, he held me up.

  “You can’t sit yet, you will cramp up. You just need to walk. Let’s find Gabby.”

  I focused on putting one foot in front of the other, but I was dizzy, everything hurt. I couldn’t feel my feet, yet I could feel all the blisters that stabbed me with each step I took. My toes hurt and I wondered if I had any nails left at all. A picture of them black and falling off seemed accurate right about now.

  I looked up and saw her smiling face as she came running right into my arms. I didn’t care about the pain and I didn’t even notice I was falling over as I leaned in for a hug. Bryan caught me, saving us both from falling to the ground. We all erupted in laughs.

  “I can’t believe you ran that far, Mom!” she shouted in excitement.

  “Congrats, girl. I don’t think I could ever finish a marathon. You didn’t let the miles beat you, good job,” Jill said hugging me. “Although you are very sweaty, yuck.”

  I laughed, still unable to talk as my body just felt utterly exhausted.

  “Can we go home now?” I asked Bryan.

  “What, you don’t want to stay for the band?” he asked, laughing.

  “If I had the energy, I think I would punch you right now for not being in as much pain as I am. Why did we sign up for this again?” I asked him sarcastically.

  We spent the next day in ice baths, extreme cramping in both of our legs. Although I could hardly walk from the blisters on my feet, it was definitely worth the feeling of accomplishment after running for five and a half hours.

  We headed out to our cabin, twenty minutes north of town, the following day. Casey and Travis met us out there for boating and waterskiing. Although we knew we’d never be as close to Casey again, we were still friends. I could never forget what he put me through, but I found it in my heart with some convincing from Bryan to forgive him for what he did. I knew deep in his heart he thought he was doing the right thing. Olivia was controlling him and it was much easier for me to blame her.

  Although Bryan forgave Olivia for what she did, I just couldn’t find it in my heart to forgive her. Bryan told me once I did, it would free my soul, whatever that means. I felt just fine hating her. It’s not like I’d ever have to see her again, or so I thought.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  AUGUST 1997

  “So, I was thinking about the three of us driving down to the Cities this weekend, maybe doing some school clothes shopping and going to Camp Snoopy,” Bryan said, acting all giddy.

  “Hmm, I think that sounds like a great idea. You don’t mind shopping with two girls all day?”

  “I don’t mind at all,” he said, kissing me.

  I grabbed him tighter, enjoying every second of feeling like a new bride in his arms.

  “You don’t mind if I skip the rides this time?” I asked, trying to hide my smile.

  “But you love the rides. Why don’t you want to go on any rides?”

  I cleared my throat and tried to look as serious as I could manage. “Because they won’t let pregnant women on the rides.”

  His eyes got huge as he picked me up in the air. I wrapped my legs around him as our kiss was deep and hard, his teeth knocking against mine in excitement. Although it hurt, I didn’t even let out a word because I couldn’t ruin the moment.

  “We are having a baby!” he screamed. “Does Gabby know?”

  I shook my head.

  “Can we tell her? Can we? She is going to be so excited. How long have you known?”

  “I knew I was late, but I didn’t know for sure until I took the pregnancy test just a minute ago.”

  He hugged me again, squeezing me a little too hard. “Let’s go tell Gabby she is going to be a big sister!” he yelled in excitement, grabbing my hand and pulling me down the hallway. I had to practically run just to keep up with him.

  He knocked on her door.

  “Gabby,” he said, walking in.

  She put down her Barbies and stood up.

  “Everything okay? Why do you guys look so weird right now?” she asked, pushing her eyebrows together in curiosity.

  “How would you feel about being a big sister?”

  “Seriously? Are you really having a baby?” she screamed, jumping up and down.

  “Yes, you are going to be a big sister,” I announced, picking her up in my arms. Bryan joined in on the family hug and we all fell onto her bed, laughing with excitement and tickling each other.

  “Is it a boy or a girl?” she asked, once we all stopped laughing and stood back up.

  “It’s too early to tell. You will be the first to know,” I told her, kissing the top of her head.

  “How would you like to celebrate by going to the Cities and going shopping at The Mall of America and maybe going on some rides?”

  His question was followed by some loud screaming, which left us both covering our ears.

  Bryan turned to me. “I guess that’s a yes.”

  She jumped up and down, making her way to her bed to jump up and down.

  “No jumping on the bed,” I announced, firmly.

  “Well, I’m going to work. You two best get packing, we are going to Minneapolis in just two days.”

  With that, the screaming continued and Bryan and I closed the door and escaped quickly.

  “Thanks for getting her all riled up before you go to work,” I teased, crossing my arms around his neck.

  His kiss was passionate and I felt butterflies again. I didn’t want him to leave.

  “We will finish this after I get home tonight.” He smiled, slapping my butt.

  I ran behind him and jumped on his back. He caught me and began spinning me around and then dropping me on the couch. He pinned my hands behind my head and came down just inches from my face.

  “I love you, Destiny. Always have and always will. I can’t wait to have another baby or four,” he said, kissing me before heading out the door.

  “Let’s start with one, okay. Be safe!” I yelled after him.

  I didn’t notice that he left his bulletproof vest on the counter in the kitchen.

  Jill and I met at Mom’s house to finish going through her things before we sold her house. She left it in her will for us, but neither one of us wanted to live there, be reminded of what happened ther
e.

  “So, where’s Gabby today?” Jill asked, throwing another sweater into the garage sale bin.

  “She’s at Bryan’s parents’ house. I figured this would be too much for her.”

  “Oh yeah, I agree.”

  “Did you hear that?” I asked, wondering what the loud noise was downstairs.

  “Yes,” she said, getting up and making her way toward the noise. I grabbed the bin and headed down after her.

  We walked into the kitchen and there he stood. I didn’t have any pictures of him, but he looked just like Jill. I knew it was him immediately.

  “Where’s Kim!” he screamed, pointing a gun at us.

  I dropped the bin on the floor and we both put our hands up in the air.

  “She passed away a few months ago,” Jill responded. “Dad, it’s me, Jill. Please put the gun away.”

  I could tell he was drunk, possibly high. His pupils were dilated, his eyes red, and the smell of whisky filled the room.

  “Jill?” he asked, slightly putting the gun down. It had been aimed right at her face.

  “Yes, Dad, it’s me.”

  “Where is she? I know she isn’t dead,” he said, his words slurred, gun raising back up.

  “Dad, put the gun down and I will talk to you,” Jill said, as calmly as she could.

  He pointed the gun down again.

  “Destiny, why don’t you go get Dad another shirt, it looks like his is all wet.”

  I nodded at her, understanding her hint. They stood there talking as I ran upstairs and dialed nine-one-one. I sat on the phone with the operator, telling her everything that happened and what I knew. Although the operator advised me against it, I hung up the phone and ran downstairs with a shirt for Andrew. I didn’t want her to be alone with him. My hands were shaky and Jill’s voice began to shake too as she tried talking Dad down and keeping his mind occupied until the cops arrived.

  Within minutes, Bryan poked his head around the corner of the kitchen.