The Favorite Son

by Tiffany L. Warren

  “Five years of pent-up aggression. Not good.”

  “Exactly. Blaine actually called me a couple weeks ago. I didn’t answer.”

  “Why didn’t you? Maybe he was calling to invite you to the anniversary celebration.”

  Camden scoffed. “The fact that I need an official invitation is annoying. He needs to call and apologize to me.”

  “You still need an apology after all this time?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “What if you never get it? You just gonna stay angry?”

  Camden sighed. “I don’t know. I guess one day it won’t bother me anymore. It’s not today.”

  “Lord, Jesus. I need to pray.”

  “You do that, please. I don’t know how to pray about it. I stopped trying.”

  Amber reached out her hand. “Give me your hand, Camden.”

  “What? You’re about to pray right here?”

  She nodded. “Yes. You need deliverance. We’re about to pray it up.”

  Camden was surprised by her boldness, but he offered his hand. She prayed, “Dear Heavenly Father, I am coming to You right now asking healing for Camden. Lord, allow him to be released from his brother’s transgressions. Allow him to be freed from the unforgiveness he has in his heart. Lord, touch him in a mighty way. Let him know that his anointing is being blocked by the bitterness in his heart. Let him know joy again. Let him live the lyrics he’s written. Oh, Lord, once Camden wrote, ‘I am free.’ Let him walk in it. You gave him the lyrics ‘born to worship.’ Let him remember his birthright. God, we know that Blaine, Dawn, and his father have broken his heart in pieces. Lord, be the glue. Put him back together. In the matchless name of Jesus we pray.”

  The words of Amber’s prayer shocked Camden. Every word she said was true. He didn’t flow in his gift like he once had. There was a blockage in his spirit when it came to the music, but Camden thought he just needed to buckle down and spend more time with God. It wasn’t fair that someone else’s sin was impacting his anointing.

  “Thank you,” Camden said.

  “I’ve been praying that prayer for you for the past two years, Camden. I’ve been praying for God to be the glue, but I think my prayers aren’t enough. We need to touch and agree on this. Don’t you believe the songs you write?”

  “I do.”

  “Well, you wrote that song for Ivy. Your lyrics said it all. All you need is two or three, and God will come in. Pray with me. Invite him in, Cambreezy.”

  “Cambreezy,” Camden said with a smile. “You haven’t called me that in a long time.”

  “You haven’t been him in a long time. I want you back. I want the whole Camden, not the fractured one. He’s the one I love.”

  “You don’t love the broken me?”

  “Yeah, I do. But I’m not sure if the broken Camden can love me back. Not the way I need.”

  Amber hugged him and whispered more prayers in his ear. He let her words penetrate his spirit and deal with him on his bitterness. He couldn’t promise that he would let it go this weekend, but he could promise to try.

  CHAPTER 54

  After arriving in Dallas, Blaine dropped Dawn and the kids off with his mother and took Pastor Wilson to a pre-anniversary dinner at Buttons. It was one of his dad’s favorite restaurants, and on Friday nights the women came out in droves. Pastor Wilson could enjoy his smothered pork chops and Blaine could enjoy the view.

  “This rain is really coming down,” Pastor Wilson said as they were seated at their table. “I hope it doesn’t delay some of my guests from getting here.”

  “I had Akil check on flights coming out of Atlanta. Most have been canceled until morning. We’ve got a few artists coming out of there, but they should be able to make it in time for the dinner.”

  “Storms clearing by the morning?”

  Akil nodded. “Yes, that’s what the weather report said.”

  “Good, good. We can’t have it raining on the red carpet. You know how many hair weaves and wigs are going to be on that red carpet?”

  Blaine laughed. “Yes, I do. That would be a catastrophe.”

  “A hairtastrophe!” Pastor Wilson said, laughing at his own joke. “I’m a preacher. I can make up words if I want to.”

  “I do it all the time. I must get that from you,” Blaine said with a laugh.

  A cute waitress came to the table. “Hi, Pastor Wilson,” she said. “Would you like your usual to drink?”

  He nodded. “Thank you, baby.”

  “And what about you, Pastor Junior?” the waitress said with a smile.

  Blaine smiled back. “I’ll have a glass of Pinot Noir. I’m in the mood for some red wine tonight.”

  “Okay. Bourbon for the pastor, Pinot Noir for the son. I’ll be back right away.”

  Blaine and Pastor Wilson watched the girl in her extremely short and tight spandex skirt as she put their order in at the bar.

  Pastor Wilson laughed. “I am too old for all that. She’d probably put me in cardiac arrest.”

  “Speak for yourself, old man. She’s just about my speed.”

  “No, son. Not her. She’s the type to get attached. She’ll cause problems for Dawn. You don’t want that.”

  Blaine’s expression changed. His father’s advice reminded him of Kenya. She was still spending time with Dawn, even after their conversation. After his threats. He told her that he was calling her bluff, but apparently she was calling his.

  “I’ve already got one that’s attached. I can’t afford to have two.”

  Pastor Wilson said, “You haven’t handled Kenya yet?”

  “She’s been spending time with Dawn. Started taking her to the gym and out to eat. I came home and she was in the house.”

  Pastor Wilson frowned. “That ho done lost her damn mind. They don’t make ’em like Delores anymore. No loyalty at all.”

  “None! After all I’ve done for her.”

  “Son, you’ve got no choice. Tell Dawn about her. Come clean and beg forgiveness.”

  Blaine’s eyes widened. “What? You want me to tell her?”

  “Yes. That ho plans on outing you. It’ll be better if it comes from you. Wait until you get back home, though. I don’t want you ruining my anniversary celebration.”

  Blaine shook his head and laughed. “Okay, Dad.”

  The waitress came back to the table and sat their drinks down. “I know what Pastor wants for dinner. Smothered pork chops, right?”

  Pastor Wilson nodded.

  “What about you?” she asked Blaine.

  “Chicken and waffles. And bring each of us an order of the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer.”

  “I’ll put that order in for you.”

  As soon as the waitress walked away, the restaurant manager walked out into the center of the restaurant.

  “Good evening, guests. I’ve just received word that there is a rain-wrapped tornado on the ground and it is coming in our direction. It’s not safe for you to leave, so we ask that everyone please shelter in place. Please, move quickly and get under your tables facing the wall and cover your heads from debris! This is not a drill.”

  Blaine jumped up and moved the table out of the way. The tornado sirens roared outside as he helped his father to the floor. Pastor Wilson prayed out loud as everyone in the restaurant panicked.

  On the floor next to Blaine and Pastor Wilson was a young woman who looked terrified. She looked over at Pastor Wilson and said, “We’re okay, right? The man of God is in the building.”

  Pastor Wilson smiled. “God’s got us, daughter. Just make sure you cover your head.”

  Someone screamed as the wind whipped outside. Blaine thought of his wife and his children and hoped they were safe. It sounded like a train was right outside the restaurant.

  Suddenly, the roof was torn off the restaurant. Furniture and people were tossed through the air. It seemed that the tornado was directly on top of them.

  Frightened for his life, Blaine screamed out, “Lord forgive me!”
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  No sooner had the words come out of his mouth than an airborne car landed directly on top of Blaine. He cried out as a searing pain ripped through his body. Then everything went black.

  CHAPTER 55

  Camden rushed through the hospital hallway, searching for his mother. He and Amber had come directly from the airport, having gotten word of the accident from his mother while they were still in Atlanta. His mother had no details at the time, only that he needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible.

  As soon as First Lady Rita saw Camden, she broke down in tears. He sat down next to her and enfolded her in his arms. Amber sat down on the other side of her and patted Rita’s back.

  “Mom, what happened?”

  “T-they were at dinner. At Buttons, and a tornado touched down and blew the restaurant away. There’s nothing left.”

  “Dad and Blaine were there? What about Dawn and the kids?”

  “They’re fine. The babies are at the house, and Dawn is sedated. They had to put her under.”

  “Is Blaine …?”

  Rita shook her head. “No, thank God he’s still alive. But he’s paralyzed from the waist down. They had to pull him from underneath a car.”

  “Oh my God!” Amber said.

  First Lady Rita sobbed into Camden’s chest. He rocked her back and forth.

  “What about Dad?” Camden asked, not sure if he wanted to know the answer.

  “They found his body several hundred yards away from the restaurant. He … he didn’t make it, Camden. He’s gone.”

  “Dad is dead?”

  Camden was in shock. He wanted to comfort his mother, but he couldn’t form words. Pastor Wilson was dead. He hadn’t spoken to his father in over five years, and now he would never see him again.

  Amber switched sides and sat down next to Camden. He was shaking. He didn’t realize it until Amber grabbed his hands.

  “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” Amber chanted quietly. “Oh, sweet Jesus.”

  A doctor appeared in front of them, Camden had no idea where he’d come from.

  “Are you Blaine Wilson’s mother?” the doctor asked. “His wife is unable to make a decision on his behalf, and we need consent.”

  “Consent to do what?” First Lady Rita asked.

  “Blaine’s right leg was severely crushed by the car, and we’re unable to repair it properly. We must, however, have consent to amputate.”

  “Oh, dear God!” First Lady Rita cried. “What now, Lord?”

  First Lady Rita went into hysterics. She slid out of her chair onto the floor. Camden barely touched her fingers as she went down because he was completely useless as well.

  Amber rushed to Lady Rita and then looked up at Camden. “You have to decide. He’s immediate family, Doctor. This man is Blaine’s brother.”

  “You’re Camden?” the doctor asked.

  Camden nodded.

  “Please, there isn’t much time. They’d like to remove the leg while they’re in surgery trying to repair his spinal cord injury. If they wait, the leg may become infected.”

  “There’s no chance of saving it?” Camden asked.

  “In all my years of orthopedic medicine, I have never seen a leg this badly mangled. Some sections of bone were completely ground into a powder.”

  Camden prayed for strength. He could fall apart later, but now he had to be strong for his mother and for Dawn.

  “Do it. Do whatever you need to do to get him well,” Camden said.

  The doctor nodded and rushed back to the operating room. Camden shook his head and let a few tears fall. Amber tended to his mother. She pulled her up into the seat and fanned her.

  Akil hurried down the hallway with a cup of coffee in his hands. He tried to hand the cup to First Lady Rita, but Amber took it from him when she was unresponsive.

  “I’m so glad y’all are here,” Akil said. “This is too much.”

  Akil hugged Amber and Camden. He lingered with Camden, gave him an I-haven’t-seen-you-in-five-years hug.

  “I’ve missed you, bro,” Akil said.

  “Missed you too,” Camden replied.

  If tragedy hadn’t struck, Camden was sure his reply would’ve been different. But the reasons they hadn’t spoken seemed so trivial now. Every moment seemed precious.

  “People are gathered at the church for the anniversary celebration,” Akil said. “It was too late to turn them away. What should we do? Should we make an announcement?”

  Amber looked at Camden. “That’s up to you.”

  “Yes. I think you should have Stephen make an announcement, if he can.”

  “Man, he’s catatonic,” Akil said. “He blames himself. He said he should’ve been with Pastor Wilson. He thinks he failed somehow.”

  “So Assistant Pastor Brennan then. He needs to get ready anyway, since he’s probably gonna end up being the pastor.”

  “B. C. wouldn’t want that,” First Lady said. “He’d want you or Blaine to take over.”

  Camden shook his head. “In the interim, let the assistant pastor do his job. We can decide on everything else later.”

  Camden didn’t care what anybody said, he wasn’t taking over that church. His father’s shoes were ones he never wanted to fill.

  “Akil! Tell me something! What is going on?” Kenya ran down the hospital hallway with a frantic expression on her face. “Is he okay?”

  “Are you talking about Blaine?” Amber said. “He’s in surgery now. His wife is resting two doors down.”

  Kenya glared at Amber. “I was talking to Akil. Is he going to be okay? What is his prognosis?”

  “Last I heard, he was paralyzed from the waist down….”

  “And now they’re amputating his leg,” Amber said.

  Kenya’s legs buckled and she stumbled into the wall, which gave her support. “Amputation?”

  “You’ve got your update,” Amber said. “You should probably leave the hospital before his wife wakes up.”

  “I’m Dawn’s friend. She’ll want me here,” Kenya said.

  “Not when I tell her you’re screwing her husband. You need to go,” Amber said.

  “I’m not leaving this hospital until I know Blaine is going to be okay.”

  “Learn the rules,” Amber said. “Sideline hos don’t make bedside hospital vigils.”

  Kenya lunged toward Amber, and Akil held her back.

  “Honey, you do not want to go there. I will drag you in this hospital. Blaine is my brother and Dawn is my sister. You are messing with my family.”

  “Blaine is my family too,” Kenya said.

  “Fly away, bird, before you get them wings clipped!” Amber rose to her feet and slipped out of her shoes.

  “Come on, Kenya,” Akil said. “Let’s leave. I’ll keep you updated on Blaine. I promise. Now isn’t the time for this.”

  Camden looked over at Amber for an explanation.

  She shook her head. “He’s been messing with her for over a year now. They thought I didn’t know, but I saw him creeping up out of her hotel room once when we did a show.”

  “Was he going to leave Dawn for her?” Camden asked.

  “Probably not,” Lady Rita said. “He is your father’s son. I guarantee he wasn’t going anywhere.”

  First Lady Rita stopped crying for a moment and took the cup of coffee from Amber. “I need to take a walk and clear my mind. I’ll be back,” she said.

  “You want Amber to come with you?” Camden asked.

  “I’m fine. I want some time to myself. Thank you, though, honey.”

  Camden felt as if someone had dropped an anvil in his lap and then pushed him overboard. His father’s death and his brother’s critical injury were too heavy a burden; too insurmountable a mountain. He had no idea how he was going to make it to the other side of this.

  Amber moved over one seat and placed her hand inside Camden’s. “I’m here for you, honey. If you don’t want to say another word or make another decision, you don’t have to. I’ve got you.” />
  It felt good to know that Amber had his back. More than anything, he now knew that she would be the perfect wife for him. He would marry her as soon as this drama passed.

  Even though Amber had his back, Camden knew that he would have to stand up and lead his family. Ready or not, he was the man of the family in this crisis. He couldn’t let his mother down. But he needed every bit of Amber’s help … and God’s.

  CHAPTER 56

  Camden sat next to Blaine’s bed in the intensive care unit. He had not yet awoken from surgery, and Camden wanted to be there when he did. Dawn was still sedated, and Lady Rita couldn’t bear to see her son lifeless in the hospital bed. Camden was the only one who had the courage to break the news to Blaine about his condition and about their father’s death.

  Finally, Blaine began to stir. His upper body, at least. His lower body was deathly still—the paralysis still in effect.

  Blaine opened his eyes, and looked around the room in a panic. “Where am I?”

  “You’re in the hospital, Blaine. It’s me, Camden.”

  “C-Camden? Wait … where’s Dad?”

  “You and Dad got caught in a tornado at Buttons. Do you remember?”

  Blaine blinked rapidly. “Yes. Yes. The entire roof was torn off the building, and a car …”

  Blaine looked down at his legs and screamed. “I can’t feel my legs! Camden, I can’t feel my legs.”

  Camden pulled in a deep breath and then exhaled. “The car that fell on you crushed your legs and injured your spinal column. The doctors believe they have repaired the damage to your spine, so you should be able to feel again soon. But they couldn’t save one of your legs.”

  Blaine broke down and sobbed like a baby. Pity filled Camden’s heart. No matter what they’d been through, this was his twin. He hurt for his brother. He hurt with his brother.

  “They took one of my legs? Oh my God. Where’s Dad? Was he hurt too?”

  Camden nodded. “Dad didn’t make it. The tornado hurled him far from the building. Just about every bone in his body was broken in his fall.”