“A nurse will come out once he’s settled in his room, but no more than two at a time.”
I nodded. “Understood. Thank you so much, doctor,” I said.
He smiled. “It’s my pleasure. He’s a lucky man.” He nodded and left us to continue our celebration. However, the celebration was short-lived, when no more than fifteen minutes later Officer Prescott was walking back our way.
“That’s very good news,” he said. I waited, knowing that he would soon inquire about the statement again and sure enough he did. “So, once I get this statement I’ll be gone and out of your hair. How about right now?”
My dad jumped to my defense. “My daughter has been through enough today. Surely your statement can wait a day,” he said.
I reached out and touched his arm. “No! Now that I know Channing is going to be okay…I’ll give you the statement that you want. I want to put them behind bars and that means going over this with you. So, have a seat.”
Officer Prescott sat down next to me and I started by telling him everything, realizing that my parents would hear it all too, but I couldn’t hold back.
“Channing’s father and brother have always held the belief that white people should only partner up with other whites and blacks were nothing but low-lifes that deserved nothing out of life, especially happiness. Channing, along with his dad, and brother belonged to this Neo-Nazi hate group that supported the killing of blacks.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my dad’s face get distorted as he grabbed my mom’s hand and they stared at us. I kept talking. “When they found out about me, they both would have done anything to keep me away from Channing.” I heaved a sigh, before continuing. “I came home to a note and I thought it was from Channing, so I went to find him. I got kidnapped by his brother and father and they took me to that building.”
I closed my eyes as the memory was so vivid. I felt like I was under a ton of weights. I continued to tell the officer what happened blow by blow, including how they tied me up, threatened to kill me and his father trying to kill me.
“If it wasn’t for Channing getting to me in time, then I know that they would have killed me. Those two men deserve to rot in jail for putting me through this and I believe that the group needs to be closed and the hate needs to be stopped once and for all.”
Office Prescott nodded, jotting down his notes. “And do you know where we can get ahold of this group?” he asked me, looking up.
“I’m sure I can assist in bringing them down,” I said. “But mostly…I just really want to keep Mr. Holloway and his son, Damon, behind bars, so they can’t hurt Channing anymore.”
“Of course,” Officer Prescott said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. “Keep in touch, if you can think of anything else, but this statement should help to make sure they aren’t able to bother you or your boyfriend.”
“Thank you!” I said.
We stood up and I said goodbye to him. When I turned around, my dad stood up. “What in the hell do you mean that Channing belongs to a Neo-Nazi hate group? He put you in danger on purpose?”
“Dad…stop!” I went over to him. “Keep your voice down. Channing used to belong to this group. He stepped down and denounced the group, because he loves me. He got out of it for me and it was never something he wanted to do. His father forced it upon him,” I argued. I then pulled back, nearly forgetting that Mrs. Holloway was sitting there. “His mother saved me, by telling Channing what was happening. She is a good person, and I don’t want you to put down Channing, because he is the man I always thought he was.”
At that moment, Mrs. Holloway stood up. “I know that this comes as a shock. I’ll admit that my husband and son’s attitude is shocking. If I could have stopped it before it happened, then I would have. I never wanted Kemara or Channing to get hurt,” she said.
My dad and mom turned to her. The waiting room went still and Mrs. Holloway spoke again.
“You have a very special daughter. From the moment I met her, I knew that she would be the perfect partner to my son. I would have done anything to protect her from my husband. Through the years, he has hardened. I can’t even tell you when it happened, but he was a good man. His family has just come up with wrong theories on people, and I’m sorry that your daughter was caught in the middle. You have to believe me when I say that Channing truly loves her. He’s nothing like his father, and I’ve always known it.”
I watched her pour her heart out. I praised her silently for taking the stand. I turned to my parents. “My love for Channing is real and his love for me is too. Don’t blame him, because his father did this to him and he did it to Damon, Channing’s brother.”
“Excuse me!” Mrs. Holloway said.
I turned and saw her heading off to the corner to cry. I could only imagine what was running through her mind. I turned back to my parents. “She’s lost her husband and a son tonight, because of their actions. But she didn’t want this for Channing or myself. She protected us, choosing us over her husband. That says something.”
Dad slowly nodded, understanding that I was right. Mom left us and I watched as she went over to Mrs. Holloway. She was there comforting her and I was thankful for that. “This is a lot to take in. I do like him, Kemara, but you have to understand that my first duty as a father is to protect my family. So, we’re going to have to start over Channing and I, to get an understanding of where his head is at. I can’t stand idly by and let this happen to you again,” Dad said finally.
I nodded. “Thank you! Another chance is all I’m asking you to give him,” I said.
I heard the door open from the outside, and I turned to entrance to find Tameka coming in. Thankfully, she missed the announcement I’d just made about Channing’s past affiliations, or she would still be punching the walls. She ran over to me and hugged me. “I came as soon as I could,” she said. “I’m so glad you’re okay!” She pulled back and looked at me. “How’s Channing?” she asked.
I nodded. “He’ll be fine. I’m just waiting for them to tell me I can go see him.” I held her hand and smiled. “Thank you for coming!” I looked around the waiting room and thought about what I had to be thankful for and that was the love of family. We would get through anything.
***
When the nurse came out to tell me that we could see him, I looked at Mrs. Holloway. She squeezed my hand. “You go see him first. I can wait. I know you’ve been waiting for this moment.”
“Thank you!” I hugged her quickly, then turned to the nurse. “I’m ready,” I said.
She led the way to Channing’s room. She stayed out, while I entered the room. I took in a deep breath, when I saw him lying there. His eyes were closed. I couldn’t tell if he was just resting or sleeping. I sat down on a stool next to his bed, then pulled myself closer.
“Channing?” I whispered. He moved and I reached out and grabbed his hand. “I’m here,” I softly said.
I felt him squeeze my hand, then moan again. I pulled myself up, so I could look down at him. “Baby, I’m here,” I said.
His eyes slowly fluttered. He finally opened them, and I rejoiced in that moment.
“Hey,” he softly said.
I placed my finger to his lips. “Don’t exert yourself by talking. I love you so much, Channing,” I said. “You’re my hero.”
He smiled, and I placed a soft kiss against his lips.
“I love you,” he said, between the kiss.
I enjoyed hearing the words that I wouldn’t deny him the chance to say. I crawled up into bed with him. I wrapped my arm around his good side, and he snuggled against me.
“We’re going to make it, Channing. I just know we are,” I said.
He grunted a sound that sounded like he was agreeing with me. With love, I knew that anything was possible and being with Channing was the only place I wanted to be. I placed a small kiss on his forehead and was careful not to bump his shoulder. I closed my eyes and we stayed in that embrace, because that’s all that mattered. It only b
rought us closer together.
Chapter Twenty
Kemara
One Year Later
It’d been a long year and I didn’t know if I would ever get here. Rehab for Channing was a long road, but one that we fulfilled together. He had some recovery to do on his shoulder, but all in all, he was very lucky.
His father and brother were charged with a hate crime and attempted murder and went to prison. With all luck, they wouldn’t be bothering us for a long time. We owed his mother for that and thanked her every day for turning on her husband. It wasn’t easy for her to go through the divorce, but she said it was the only thing she could do. She had loved Chad through some painful times, and she wasn’t willing to overlook the hatred in his heart any longer.
Right after that nightmare at the abandoned building, I started to have nightmares about the incident. It was rough. Every time I closed my eyes, Channing’s father and brother were there degrading me and chiding me with nasty remarks. I loved Channing with all my heart for risking his life for me, but it was a struggle afterward to discover if I felt worthy enough for that love.
Through some perseverance on Channing’s part, he convinced me we always belonged together and I didn’t take any part of the day for granted. When a year passed, it was truly hard to believe that much time had gotten by us.
On the year anniversary of the shooting, Channing and I went out to celebrate that we made it this far and we made it this far…together. We went to the place that we called, our place, Moss Tavern. It felt good just to have the opportunity to be there together. Channing and I didn’t waste time talking about the hard times that occurred that attempted to tear us apart. Instead, we liked to focus on the good.
We were leaving the bar and going back to his truck, when he stopped me at my door. “I have something to show you,” he said.
I tilted my head. “You have something to show me? Like a surprise?” I asked.
He laughed. “Definitely a surprise.” He leaned in and brushed a soft kiss on my lips, then opened up the door to the truck. “Hop in. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
I smiled and was giddy to think about what he wanted to show me. We jumped into his truck and he drove me thirty minutes outside of town. We pulled into this developing community and I admired the houses in the area. They were all large and beautiful. I couldn’t imagine what he wanted to show me, because all I saw were miles and miles of expensive houses.
He turned down a street that led to a dead end and a large house at the end of the road. He stopped in front of it and I looked at him. He held a stupid grin on his lips. “What do you think?” he asked.
I turned to look at the house that we were in front of and there was a big red bow on the front door. I looked back at him. “Um…well, I think it’s unique to have such a large bow on the front door of a house. It’s not Christmas, so what’s going on?” I glanced at him and he laughed.
He opened up his door and I watched him, with confusion in my glance. He walked around to my door and opened it up, then held out his hand for me to take it. When I stepped out of the vehicle, he shut the door and started talking.
“Well, I have been working on this residential housing project for the past few years. I built this one for you,” he said. He grabbed my hand and we started walking the long path to the door as I tried to let the news settle inside of me. He then cleared his throat. “I built this one for us.” We stopped at the porch and he turned to me.
My mouth hung open. “You built this house for us? Are you kidding me?”
He reached into his pocket and retrieved a set of keys. He shook his head, dangling the keys in front of me. “Not in the least, Kemara. You are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. I have loved you more and more every day that you have taken care of me over the past year. When we start a family, I envision this as the place we would all live. But I need you to want that too. So…do you?” I couldn’t have been happier in that moment.
I literally jumped in his arms, and he twirled me around on the front porch of our brand new home. “Oh my God, Channing, this is amazing,” I said.
He lowered me to the ground and moved in. We kissed. The love I felt for Channing was something out of a romantic comedy. And this was exactly how the girl and guy in one of those movies would end their story, ready to live happily ever after. I moved in closer to him and wrapped my fingers around his neck, then kissed him softly.
“I love it.” I spoke between kisses. “I love you!”
As we kissed, he fumbled with the keys and opened up the door of our brand-new house. When he achieved that, we wrapped our arms around one another and he lifted me up and carried me over the threshold. He slammed the door behind us and carried me into the living room, where a large bay window overlooked the front yard, but it was the banner that hung from the ceiling that had me dazed and the rose petals that formed a heart on the living room floor. I looked at him.
“Channing?” I whispered. I looked back up at the sign. The banner read, Will You Marry Me? I couldn’t believe that my happiness was about to bring everything full circle. “Are you serious?” I asked, looking at him. He was down on one knee and a box was now in his hand.
“Kemara we’ve been through so much this past year and I don’t want this date to always bring sorrow and sadness. I want more than that. I want you to be my wife and marry me on this exact date one year from today. So, will you? Will you marry me?” I knelt in front of him and looked at the ring in his hand.
“Channing nothing would make me happier,” I said, between tears.
He smiled and pulled the ring from the box, then tossed the box to the side. He laughed as he put the ring on my finger and I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into a hug. “I love you, Kemara,” he said between our passionate embrace.
“I love you!” I mumbled between his lips.
I snaked my fingers through the back of his hair as we parted from the kiss. “Do you want a tour first?” he asked, laughing..
I laughed and shook my head.
He wrapped his arm around me and lowered me to the floor of our living room. It wasn’t furnished, but that would soon be rectified. As we made out on the floor, with his large frame overpowering my body, my whole body lit up with warmth and affection. I grabbed onto the bottom of his shirt and lifted it up and over his head, then tossed it to the floor. This was definitely how I wanted to christen our home. I couldn’t wait to do that to every room of the house and I was anxious to get started.
“No, we can do the tour later. Right now, this living room floor is demanding some love and attention.”
Channing smiled as he kissed me. “I love you so much, Kemara. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.”
Chapter Twenty One
Kemara
I took a deep breath and splayed my hands out over my dress. This is exactly what I’d been waiting for my whole life. I’d never been confident that I would get it, until I met Channing, then I knew that all my dreams could come true.
“Beautiful!” I turned around, when I heard Tameka’s voice. Tameka was dressed in her wine-colored Maid of Honor dress and I blushed as I heard her words.
“Will you help me with my veil?” I asked.
She smiled and picked it up off the chair, then walked over to me. “How’s the nerves, sis?” Tameka asked.
“Honestly? I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous. Is that common?”
Tameka laughed. “I would be concerned if you weren’t nervous.” We laughed, and I felt my hands starting to shake, so I ran them down my dress and tried to focus my attention on my reflection in the mirror. “If it makes you feel better, I ran into Channing out there and he’s nervous too.”
I snickered. We had spent the evening talking, Channing and I. I understood that he was also nervous, but we both agreed that as soon as it was over, then the evening would only bring excitement.
“Well, I’m glad I’m not the o
nly one nervous,” I said, laughing. “Did you see the church filling up with guests?” I asked.
“Phew…kidding me? Looks like you invited the whole town.” She smirked and winked at me.
I laughed. We didn’t invite that many.
“Everything is running smoothly. I told you that I’ve got your back,” she added.
I turned around and pulled her into a hug. We’d come a long way since the first time she knew that Channing was white.
“I love you, sis,” Tameka said.
“I love you!” When I pulled away, I felt that tears could be close behind. “Darn it, I can’t cry, my makeup will smear.”
Tameka laughed. “Girl…I’ve given you all the finest water-resistant makeup I could find.”
I chuckled. “Okay…well that makes me feel better.” I looked at my reflection and she came up behind me.
“See…what did I tell you? Beautiful.”
I smiled at her words. “Thank you!”
We were finishing up the touches, when there was a knock on the door. “Who is it?” Tameka asked.
“Mother!” she responded.
Tameka went over and opened the door, careful not to keep the door open too long. We didn’t want any superstition hanging over us, even if I didn’t really believe in that. I felt like nothing bad could happen between us that would keep Channing and myself from getting even closer. Mom looked at me.
“My baby is getting married.” She already started sobbing and I chuckled.
“Mom…come give me a hug.”
She hurried over and hugged me and then Tameka joined in. I laughed as the three of us hugged one another. “You look beautiful,” she said.
“Told you so,” Tameka said, pulling from the embrace.
I laughed. “Thanks Mom. Everything alright out there?” I asked.
“Yep. The wedding is about to start and I was just sent here to grab the bride. Your father is getting antsy.” I looked at the clock and my stomach started to turn. It really was time for the wedding to start. I couldn’t believe how quickly the time had gone.
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