Better Late Than Never

by Kimberla Lawson Roby

  Curtis had never felt so relieved. “So she’s going to be okay?”

  “Yes, for the most part.”

  “Praise God,” Curtis said.

  “She’s not completely out of the woods, though,” Dr. Tisdale continued, “because in addition to her lacerations, she has a concussion and two fractured ribs.”

  “Oh my,” Alicia said.

  Matthew sat back in his chair. “Gosh.”

  “Will she need to stay in the hospital long?” Dillon asked.

  “No, but we are going to keep her overnight. Then, if all looks okay tomorrow, she’ll be released.”

  “That’s good to hear,” Curtis said.

  “You’ll also be able to see her very soon, but do you have any other questions?” Dr. Tisdale asked.

  Curtis dreaded bringing up the alcohol issue, but he had a feeling that this was the reason they’d had a tough time with her bleeding. “Did she have alcohol in her system?”

  “She did. And it was after we received her blood alcohol results that we understood why her blood was so thin. And why it wasn’t clotting properly.”

  Curtis wasn’t surprised, and neither of his children looked too shocked, either. They all knew Charlotte’s history with drinking. Curtis had told her a long time ago that she was an alcoholic who needed inpatient treatment. But when she’d gone years without drinking anything, he’d thought maybe she would be okay. Now he knew that she still needed professional help. Curtis wouldn’t try to force her to do something she didn’t want to do, though—not this time. So all he could hope was that her injuries and DUI-related charges would be enough to wake her up. Curtis loved Charlotte with all his heart, and he wanted to be there for her, but only if she surrendered. He couldn’t ride this vicious cycle with her again. Not when life was way too short to be miserable. So bottom line, he wasn’t willing to compete with alcohol. Not on any day he could think of. Not ever.

  Chapter 36

  Charlotte lay in her bed with tears rolling down both sides of her face. She hadn’t been in her room for more than twenty minutes, but as two of her nurses worked to get her settled in, she couldn’t stop thinking about what she’d done. She’d almost killed herself. And she could’ve killed someone else in the process. All because she’d started drinking again. She’d known how things had turned out in the past whenever she’d thought she could drink socially and keep things under control, but for some reason, she’d honestly believed she could do it this time. Other people certainly did, so why couldn’t she? Why did she have to have a problem with alcohol? But then, even if she didn’t, Curtis still wouldn’t be okay with her drinking socially. He’d been through so much with his father that he just couldn’t stomach being around anyone who drank. He’d been this way the entire time she’d known him, and she didn’t blame him. But Charlotte liked alcohol and the way it made her feel. She loved how it eliminated all her problems, even if just for a while.

  But after today, none of that mattered anymore, and she was done. She would finally get the help that Curtis had insisted she needed years ago.

  “Are you having any pain?” one of her nurses asked.

  “Just a little. I’m more sore than anything else, though, and it hurts to cough or turn over.”

  “That’s because of your broken ribs, and sometimes it feels worse when you’re lying down. But here’s your button for pain medication. The dosage and frequency is controlled, so just push it when you need it.”

  Charlotte looked to the side of her to see where it was located. “Thank you.”

  The other nurse checked her IV and made sure her blood pressure and pulse readings were registering correctly. “We should be able to leave you alone for a while, but you have a lot of people here to see you.”

  “I’m sure,” Charlotte said, and both nurses laughed with her.

  “Your husband has already made it clear, though, that only he and your children will be coming in to see you tonight. And only for a few minutes.”

  “Sounds good. I can’t wait to see them.”

  When the nurses left, Charlotte thought about Curtina and everything she’d said to her. It was hard to fathom what it must have been like for Curtina to learn that there had been a time when Charlotte hadn’t liked her or wanted her. And that Charlotte had conceived a baby with another man. Curtis and Charlotte had worked hard to make sure Curtina never heard about either scenario, yet some woman in the church had told her own daughter and the daughter had told Curtina. Charlotte knew it wasn’t the girl’s fault, but she still hated that Curtina had heard so much painful information from a stranger. It wasn’t fair, and now Charlotte wondered if hearing that Charlotte had once been mean to her was the reason she’d suddenly begun acting out.

  Charlotte saw the door to her room opening and smiled when Curtina rushed in. Curtis walked in behind her.

  “Mom, are you okay? Daddy said you were, but that I couldn’t hug you because you have broken ribs. I’m so sorry about all the terrible things I said.”

  Charlotte grabbed her daughter’s hand. “I’m sorry, too. I’m sorry you had to hear the things you heard and for feeling the way I felt when you came to live with us.”

  “It’s okay, Mom. You will always be my real mom, and I only said that you weren’t because I was so hurt and angry. But I didn’t mean it, though. You have to believe me.”

  “I do believe you, and we’re going to get through this. We’ll work everything out.”

  “I won’t ever try to hurt you again, Mom, and I love you so, so much.”

  “I love you, too, sweetie. More than you’ll ever be able to understand, and you will always be my baby.”

  “And I’m sorry about what happened at school today,” Curtina said, casting her eyes at her father. “But I haven’t told Daddy about it yet. Mom, he’s going to be so mad.”

  “Mad about what?” Curtis asked.

  Curtina quickly looked at him but didn’t respond.

  Charlotte didn’t want to tell her daughter how right she was. Because Curtis was, in fact, going to be outraged when he learned that his twelve-year-old daughter was having sex. But in time, Curtis would get over it. He would forgive his daughter, and life would go on. What Charlotte worried about more was whether Curtina was telling the truth about that boy using condoms, because the last thing she wanted was for Curtina to be pregnant or for her to have some deadly disease. So even though Charlotte wouldn’t be able to get around as easily for a while, she would ask Alicia to take Curtina to the doctor for a full examination. Curtis could certainly take her as well, but Charlotte wanted a woman to be with her.

  “Okay, young lady,” Curtis said, “why don’t you let me talk to your mom for a few minutes before your brothers and your sister come in.”

  Curtina kissed Charlotte on her forehead. “I love you, Mom, and I hope you have a good night.”

  “You too, and I love you back.”

  When Curtina left, Curtis leaned over and kissed Charlotte on her lips. “How are you feeling?”

  “As well as can be expected.”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “I know you’re angry,” she said.

  “Yeah, but I’m more disappointed than anything else.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry. But I’m finally going to do something about it. While I’m healing up from this accident, we can even look for a treatment facility together. Then I’ll go admit myself as soon as I’m better.”

  Curtis looked at her as though he wasn’t sure he believed her.

  “I know you’re probably skeptical, and rightfully so, but I mean it this time. I know I could be dead or I could’ve killed an innocent bystander, and I’ll always have to live with knowing that. Dr. Tisdale also told me that if they hadn’t gotten my bleeding to stop I could have bled to death.”

  “Exactly. So when did you start back drinking?”

  “Four weeks ago. I went to a restaurant in Schaumburg the day after we first went to see Trina. I had some wine, and then
I bought more from a liquor store, but it wasn’t long before I wanted something stronger. That’s when I bought vodka and brandy.”

  Curtis folded his arms and shook his head. “I’m really at a loss for words. I mean, why, Charlotte? Why after all this time? And how many more relapses are you going to have?”

  “If I can help it, none. I know I have a problem now. I’ve always had a problem, but it wasn’t until today that I realized it and knew how serious it was.”

  At first Curtis just stared at her. Then, he leaned his shoulder against the wall with his arms still folded. “I so want to believe that you’re going to get help this time, but right now, it’s hard for me to believe anything you’re saying. You and I have been through so much. For nearly two decades, we’ve experienced everything imaginable. For years, it was either me doing something to hurt you or you doing something to hurt me. It’s been a constant and very vicious cycle…but baby, I’m tired. I love you, I always have, and I always will. And as a pastor, I certainly know how important the sanctity of marriage is, and that we agreed to stay married for better or worse. But something has to change. Life is way too short to be miserable and way too precious to keep struggling through the same painful drama. I’ve always known that. But with my sister being so ill, I’m that much more aware of it.”

  “I know, baby, and I’m sorry. I don’t want to keep saying that, because I know my words don’t mean very much to you, right now, but I really am. I promise you with all that I have, that I’m going to get help. I’ll do whatever it takes. For me, you, and the rest of our family. It’s time I deal with all my issues. The drinking, my unhappiness…everything.”

  Curtis lowered his eyebrows. “What are you unhappy about?”

  “Being first lady. But I don’t want to talk about that until I’m better physically. If it’s okay with you, I just want to work on one thing at a time.”

  “It’s fine, but I hope you’re serious about getting professional help. I hope you’re not just saying what you think I want to hear, because I won’t be letting up this time. I won’t pretend that today didn’t happen and simply move on business as usual.”

  “I hear you, and I don’t blame you for feeling the way you do. But baby, I’ve never been more serious about anything.”

  “There’s something else, too, though,” he said.

  “What’s that?”

  “Your blood alcohol level was over the legal limit, so you’re going to be arrested on three charges.”

  Charlotte was so ashamed and hurt. She’d known there was a chance of this happening, but hearing it made her feel much worse. And as much as she’d decided that she didn’t care what people thought of her, she wasn’t looking forward to having anyone see her photo displayed on the Mitchell Mugshots web site. But she’d also brought every bit of this on herself and had to face consequences.

  “Oh, and I called your mom and dad to let them know you’re in your room, but I told them I would call them back so you could talk to them. Before I do, though, what was Curtina talking about? What happened between the two of you earlier today, and why was she saying I was going to be mad at her?”

  “It’s a long story, so why don’t we talk about it tomorrow?”

  “If you say so, but it sounds pretty serious to me. Did something else happen at school?”

  “Like I said, it’s a long story.”

  For whatever reason, Curtis stopped pressing her about Curtina, and she was glad. Then, as he prepared to dial her parents, his phone rang.

  It was his brother-in-law calling.

  “Hello?” Curtis answered. “…Yes, she’s doing well. She has a concussion and two broken ribs, but the doctor says she’ll be fine…Yes, they’re keeping her overnight…When?” Curtis said, and Charlotte saw his face turn sad. “As soon as Charlotte is released and I can get her home and settled, I’ll head that way. But please call me if you need me before then…Okay, Jason, you take care and I’m praying for your strength…I’ll see you soon.”

  Curtis ended the call and looked at Charlotte.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “Trina isn’t doing well, so hospice will be starting tomorrow. Jason had already decided to make today his last day of work, and she was very weak when I left this afternoon. She’s declined a lot in just the last four days, so I have a feeling it won’t be long now. It’s just a matter of time before my baby sister leaves here and makes her transition.”

  Chapter 37

  Curtis and Charlotte exited the highway and turned down the main street leading to his sister’s house. As planned, Charlotte had been released from the hospital two days ago, so Curtis had driven over to see Trina that same afternoon and again yesterday. He’d felt bad about leaving Charlotte behind, partly because she was still recovering from her accident and partly because they’d had to report downtown so she could turn herself in. The police had booked her, fingerprinted her, and taken her mug shot, but thankfully Curtis had been able to bond her out right away. She’d already decided to plead guilty, pay the $2,500 fine, and accept the one-year license suspension she knew the judge was going to punish her with. So, needless to say, while she’d accepted her unfortunate fate, she’d been very depressed about it.

  But nonetheless, she’d still insisted that Curtis go spend as much time with his sister as possible. There had also been a few moments when Curtis had prayed that Charlotte wouldn’t start drinking again, but so far, she seemed serious about being in recovery, and she and Alicia had already begun researching treatment centers, both in and out of state. Then, even though Charlotte and Dillon had never been very close, he’d come to see her and had brought her a copy of Alcoholics Anonymous, the primary book that was used to help recovering alcoholics. Dillon had also given Charlotte a schedule of local meetings, which he attended at least four times per week.

  So, for the most part, all was well with Charlotte, and even though she still had pain and soreness because of her fractured ribs, what she’d discovered was that sleeping in a recliner at night versus lying down in bed was helping her heal a lot faster.

  Curtis turned the corner and looked at Charlotte. “Baby, how’s your pain?”

  “It’s actually pretty good. Sometimes when you hit a bump it hurts a little, but it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. Still, I wasn’t going to miss coming to see Trina today. So I’ll be fine.”

  “I’m really glad you were able to come,” he said, and then looked through his rearview mirror at Curtina. Curtis focused his attention back on the road, but just thinking about those text messages Charlotte had shown him made him cringe all over again. He’d known Curtina was acting too grown and unruly for her own good, but not once had he thought she was having sexual intercourse. To tell the truth, when Charlotte had told him about it, he’d almost wanted to call her a liar, even though he’d known she would never lie about something this serious. She would also never lie on their youngest daughter, and as it had turned out, it was Curtina who had been the one lying every time she opened her mouth. Then, on top of that, she’d been having sex right inside her school and had gotten expelled. His twelve-year-old-daughter. It was still very hard for Curtis to comprehend, but this had all helped make his decision to send her to a Christian boarding school a whole lot easier. Even Charlotte now thought it was the best thing they could do for her, and while Curtina wasn’t happy about going, she also wasn’t dead set against it.

  Curtis turned onto the street that his sister and brother-in-law lived on, but as he drove closer to their house, tears rolled down his face. Ever since leaving Trina last night, he’d tried to keep it together, but now harsh reality had hit him. There were cars everywhere, including those that belonged to all three of his adult children. Yesterday morning, Trina had told him that she wanted her family to spend the entire day together, and he was glad everyone had honored her request.

  Charlotte touched Curtis’s arm. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m good. Just having a moment is
all.”

  Curtis pulled into the driveway and was glad there was still space available, so Charlotte wouldn’t have to walk so far. When they got out, Curtina carried her mom’s purse and Curtis helped her up to the door. Then Curtina rang the doorbell.

  Eric opened it and smiled. “Hey, Uncle Curtis, hey, Aunt Charlotte, hey, little cousin.”

  They all hugged Eric and went into the family room. Everyone was gathered around Trina’s hospital bed, the one the hospice organization had delivered on Thursday. Trina smiled when she saw them, but it broke Curtis’s heart to see how fatigued she looked and how pale her skin had become.

  “You know you shouldn’t have come all this way,” Trina told Charlotte. “You should be home resting and taking care of yourself.”

  Curtis noticed how weak and raspy his sister’s voice was. Tomorrow would mark five weeks since they’d first come to see her, and her condition had deteriorated very quickly.

  “I’ll be fine,” Charlotte said, stepping closer to the bed and grabbing hold of Trina’s hand, “and I’m so sorry I can’t hug you. But even though you’re sitting up, it still might hurt if I try to lean too far forward.”

  “No worries at all. I’m just glad you’re here,” Trina said, looking at Curtis. “Hey, brother.”

  “Hey, sis,” he said, hugging her for a few seconds longer than normal.

  “So did you get any sleep last night? You left here pretty late.”

  “Just a little. But I’m okay.”

  Curtis glanced around the room, watching his children, their spouses, his grandson, Porsha, Jason, his niece and nephew, and Jason’s parents, who Curtis had had the pleasure of meeting yesterday. Charlotte was across the room chatting with them now, and they were such wonderful people.

  Over the next couple of hours, everyone laughed and talked and ate some of the food that Amber had ordered in from one of the gourmet delis in the area. Curtis had expected Trina to sleep through most of their visit, the way she’d done when he’d come to see her yesterday, but she was wide awake and chatting with anyone who came to her bedside. He especially paid attention to the way she smiled when she was talking to all four of his children and his grandson. Then he saw her beckoning for Denise and telling her something.