Into Each Life

by Shelia E. Bell

  Cutting Fantasia off, Teary spoke up. “Look, Fantasia, thanks for letting me know. I’m glad I called. I have to go now.” Teary said again still in a daze.

  “Okay, we’ll talk again soon. And don’t wait so long to let me hear from you. By the way, maybe you can reach Prodigal. You’ve always been able to get through to him when no one else could.”

  “Maybe. Bye, Fantasia.”

  In shock, and reeling from what she’d just heard, Teary hung up the phone and began to cry. She cried for all that Prodigal was going through. She cried for herself, for all the times she had been hurt, for not being able to make her marriage work, for not being able to bare children, for all the pain she and Prodigal had endured throughout their lives. Tears streamed down her face until she began to resemble a puffed up water balloon. When she finally stopped, the house was dark and her pets were asleep. She looked over at the clock sitting on the mantel. It was three thirty in the morning. She turned over to the other side of her bed, picked up the phone from its cradle and dialed Prodigal’s number.

  The phone rang until she heard the all too familiar sound of his answering machine. This time, she screamed incessantly into the receiver.

  “Prodigal! Prodigal Runsome! I know you’re there. Pick up the phone,” she cried. “Pick up the phone I said. If you don’t, I’m going to keep calling back until you either answer the darn phone, get your number changed or whatever; do you hear me,” she continued to scream. Still there was no answer.

  The incessant ringing of the phone had awakened Prodigal. He listened as Teary screamed into the answering machine. She would just have to keep on screaming because he wanted nothing to do with her or anyone else.

  Why can’t people just leave me alone? He thought angrily. He listened to her ranting and raving but still had no desire to pick up the phone. She must have found out. Dang, who could have told her? I know. I bet she called Fantasia or Hope. I don’t need her pity. I don’t need anybody’s pity for that matter. He shifted his position in the bed, turning away from the voice booming over the answering machine. He started to turn off his ringer but since the twins were sleeping over one of their friends’ house, he didn’t want to do that. Anything could happen and they would need to get in touch with him. He should have signed up for memory call service. That way he could determine when or if he wanted to play his messages or not. He’d definitely have to call the phone company and look into doing just that.

  Less than five minutes later, the phone rang again. It was Teary again. This time Teary yelled even louder and her anger was quite apparent.

  She must be losing her mind or something, Prodigal mumbled. To avoid her incessant calling, he gave in and answered the phone.

  “You’re full of it, you know?” he shouted into the phone as soon as picked it up.

  “I told you that I was going to keep calling until I reached you. Or until you became sick of me calling and changed your number,” she shot back. “I was worried about you. I’ve been emailing you and calling you and I haven’t heard a thing from you. I called Fantasia and she told me what happened. Prodigal, I am so sorry.”

  “See that’s exactly what I don’ want. I don’t need yours or anyone else’s sympathy. It’s just one of those things. I’ve come to the conclusion that life hates me and God hates me even more. You know what else I’ve come to realize?” he asked sarcastically.

  “No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

  “I think God created me just to have someone he could tease and mock. You know, like a puppet or something. I mean, he took my daddy to test my reaction. Then he kept the first girl I ever loved always out of my reach,” said Prodigal without admitting he was talking about her. But that was only the beginning of the game. You see, next he let me believe my life had changed for the better by giving me a wonderful woman who loved me and who I could love in return. What does the man upstairs do? Boom, he takes her away from me too. I’m sure he gotta kick out of that. Then he says to himself, let me destroy him further by taking his leg and see how he does with that.”

  “Oh, come off it, Prodigal. Talking about somebody pitying you. You’re doing enough of that yourself. You know good and well that God doesn’t operate like that. You’re just angry, hurt, you’re still grieving and you’re lonely,” she said.

  In a harsh voice he replied, “Sure, you know everything. I guess that’s why you’re still alone, unmarried and barren.”

  His words cut her like a knife but she refused to internalize what he was saying. The Prodigal she had come to know and love would never intentionally hurt her. He would never try to destroy her. It was the enemy talking through him, trying to keep her away from him. She couldn’t listen to him, wouldn’t listen to him. Instead, she stood up to him, and refused to be chased away from her best friend’s life.

  “Say what you want to say because you’re right. I am alone, unmarried and I’ll never be able to give birth to a child of my own,” she said as calmly as possible so as not to let him know how his words stung her. “But, there’s one thing I do have. I have you, Prodigal. You’re my best friend. You always have been and you always will be. You can try to be mean to me if you want to. You can try to use your words to hurt me and shut me out. But it’s not going to work.”

  She heard a familiar agonizing silence. Then deafening sobs quickly took its place. He couldn’t hold back any longer. They rushed forward like a mighty waterfall.

  “Prodigal, I’m coming to see you,” she said and hung up the receiver before he could respond.

  Entering her manager’s office that same morning Teary was prepared to resign if she didn’t get what she wanted. She was quite thrifty and had accumulated a nice size nest egg over the years. After all, what else was she going to do with her money but save it for a rainy day?

  “I have a family emergency and I need some time off,” she explained. “I wish I could give more notice, but I can’t.”

  “Do you know how long you’ll be gone?” The stockily built gentleman asked.

  “I’m not sure. Probably a few weeks.”

  Without hesitation, he gave his approval. She cleared up some last minute assignments before heading home to pack. She went online when she got home and purchased an e-ticket leaving for four forty-five that same afternoon. She glanced at her watch. Eleven forty five. I don’t have much time. She called Patricia and made arrangements for her to take care of her pets and her house. Sifting through the mountain of items in her hall closet, she found her luggage and hurriedly packed several pieces of clothing. If this isn’t enough, I’ll just have to go shopping when I get there.

  She dialed his number and the answering machine came on. She began to speak.

  “Prodigal, my flight will be arriving at 9:05 tonight. I expect you to be at the airport to pick me up. I’ll be downstairs outside of the baggage claim area. If you don’t show up, I’ll get a cab or whatever. But rest assured, I will be there one way or the other whether you want me to or not.”

  ♦

  Prodigal glared at his clock. He didn’t have much time. Hoisting himself out of the bed and into his electric scooter, he went into his specially equipped bathroom. To accommodate his new disability the house had been remodeled to make things more accessible for him. He had also purchased a specially equipped Yukon XL with a custom designed motorized wheelchair lift and hand control so he could drive himself and the boys wherever he desired, though he very seldom drove or ventured outside anymore. He had taken the boys to a drive in movie once or twice and to McDonald’s, but he refused to be seen out in his scooter. Shame and self-consciousness replaced his once self assured, sometimes arrogant disposition. How is she going to react when she sees me? Why is she so determined to humiliate me even further by coming here? he asked himself.

  “Kevin, Kaleb,” he called out. They came running from the direction of their playroom. They’re growing up fast, he thought. How he wished that Faith were here to see them.

  “Hey, you t
wo. Guess who’s coming to visit?”

  “Who, Daddy?” Kevin was the first to ask.

  “My best friend, Teary, that’s who. I have to go and pick her up from the airport tonight. Okay?”

  “Okay, Dad,” they both said.

  “Can we go with you?” Kaleb asked.

  “Sure, you can. I was hoping the two of you could help get her luggage loaded. You know, be the fine gentlemen that you are,” Prodigal laughed.

  This time Kaleb responded first. “We sure will. Is that all, Daddy?” he asked.

  “Our friends are in the playroom. We were playing the pinball machine,” Kevin added.

  “Yeah, go ahead.” He was glad the boys had friends. As they were getting older, their friends spent more time at the house. It had been a good idea to add the recreation room when he had the house remodeled.

  ♦

  Prodigal and the twins sat in the SUV waiting for Teary’s plane to arrive.

  “Kevin and Kaleb, when Teary gets here, I want you to be on your best behavior,” Prodigal instructed.

  “Dad, don’t worry about us. We’ll be good.” said Kevin boldly..

  The boys each played their handheld Game Boys while he fidgeted with the steering wheel. He glanced at his watch every few seconds then strained his head forward to look toward the luggage area.

  A raspy voice spoke over the outdoor intercom. “Flight 1289 arriving from Memphis is now unloading. Flight 1289 arriving from Memphis is now unloading,” it repeated.

  “Okay, boys, that’s her flight. Hurry, go to the baggage claim area right through the automatic doors.” Prodigal pointed at the doors. The boys scurried out of the truck while Prodigal opened his door, and then pushed the remote control button that operated his lift. He steered his scooter on to the lift, and within minutes, he was lowered to the pavement. He proceeded in the direction of the baggage area. Well here goes, he thought. I don’t know how this is going to go but I guess I’m about to find out. When Prodigal saw Teary coming down the escalator, an automatic smile stretched wide across his weary, unkempt face. She was still as pretty as ever, full of laughter and life. They spotted each other at the same time. She looked at him and at once ran to meet him.

  “Prodigal!” said Teary, reaching out to hug him. “Am I glad to see you.”

  He drew her close to him, inhaling her familiar scent and welcoming her warm embrace. God, she smells good. Kevin and Kaleb ran up.

  “Hi, Teary.” they exclaimed.

  “Hi, guys. Boy have you two grown up.” Kevin and Kaleb giggled.

  “Come on, sons. Grab Teary’s luggage so we can get out of here.”

  “Sounds good to me,” she responded.

  They hurriedly loaded the three piece vintage luggage into the SUV with ease.

  “All aboard,” Prodigal teased. Teary raced to his side and asked, “What can I do to help you?” Her face was complete with genuine concern for her friend.

  He turned abruptly, shooting her a deadly stare like she had committed the unpardonable sin.

  In a frustrated voice he told her, “If you’ve come all this way because you feel sorry for me, then you can turn right back around and take your tail back to Memphis. I don’t need or want your pity, Teary. Don’t give me that.” He swerved the electric scooter around so quickly that it almost went into a tail spin, missing her foot by a hair. He proceeded to press the button to the automated lift.

  Teary skipped out of the line of fire at the same time, letting his words roll off her like water on oil.

  “My, my, don’t we have our shorts in a wad this evening? Come on, boys. Climb in,” she said ignoring Prodigal’s attitude. “Hey, I’m starving, Mr. Meany-weeny. Can we stop and grab something to eat on the way to the house?”

  Kevin and Kaleb laughed out loud. Prodigal, however, failed to see the humor. “Whatever,” he grumbled.

  “Teary, can we get pizza?” asked Kaleb.

  “Pizza sounds good to me. What about you two?” she said looking first at Prodigal and then Kevin.

  “I’d like pizza too, with extra cheese and pepperoni,” Kevin said.

  “Whatever,” Prodigal mumbled again.

  “They do deliver pizza here, don’t they?” Teary asked.

  “Yeah, why?” Prodigal replied. His tension was cooling down somewhat.

  “I was thinking that we could call it in now, and by the time we get to the house and get settled, the pizza should be arriving. How about it you guys?”

  “Whatever,” Prodigal griped once more.

  Prodigal pulled his cell phone from the side compartment on the door. “What kind do y’all want?”

  Kevin, Kaleb and Teary looked at each other. Right on cue they answered in unison, “Whatever.” Prodigal looked at the three of them, and they all broke out in laughter.

  Once the pizza was delivered, they gathered around the kitchen table and devoured it. Afterwards, the boys took their baths and went to bed. The house was quiet.

  “How long are you planning on hanging around my neck of the woods?” Prodigal asked Teary as the two of them sat in the beautifully furnished family room.

  “For as long as you need me or want me here, or until I’m satisfied that you’re doing okay.” she shot back. She laid back in the sandalwood recliner and sipped on her raspberry tea, savoring every delicious drop. “Why didn’t you answer my e-mails or my phone calls? Why didn’t you let me know about your accident?”

  He remained quiet. Several seconds later he spoke.

  “I just couldn’t. Don’t you see?” he answered somberly. “The past two years have been like two years from hell. I couldn’t begin to tell you all the stuff that’s been going on inside my head. I mean, losing Faith and now losing my leg. I just don’t know. I’m still in a daze. I’m still hoping against hope that one day I’ll wake up and find that I’ve been living a bad dream or something, that none of this is real. But you know what, Teary? It is for real, isn’t it? It really is for real.”

  “Yes, unfortunately it is. But we can make it. We’ll face it together. I’ll always be here for you, you know that. Just like you’ve always been here for me. Everything’s going to work out just fine. You’ll see. I don’t know why things happen the way they do. I’ve been told repeatedly that everything is supposed to work out for good to those who belong to the Lord. That’s all I can say about this.”

  She reached for the lever on the side of the recliner, bringing herself up to a full sitting position. She stood up and went toward him, then knelt down sitting at the foot of his scooter. She planted her head on his thighs, as if doing so would make everything all right in his world and in hers too.

  ♦

  The next few weeks moved at great neck speed. The boys enjoyed Teary and quickly became accustomed to her being part of their everyday lives. She made it a point to get up early every morning and fix their breakfast before sending them off to school. Dinner was always ready when they arrived home. At night she tucked them. She did all the things a mother would do. Almost every Sunday morning, she gathered the boys in the SUV and headed to church. Sometimes Prodigal would join them, other times he stayed behind.

  Lying alone in her bed at the close of each day, Teary thought about how much she loved her role as surrogate mother. At times a pinch of sadness revisited her when she thought about not being able to have children of her own, but then she remembered how God was continually blessing and enriching her life.

  Since Teary’s arrival to Bonsai Bay, Prodigal felt some happiness slowly reclaiming his life and his attitude took on a change for the better. He started his physical therapy and gained new strength each day. He slowly began to use his prosthesis more. Most days, Teary accompanied him to therapy. She made an effort to learn everything she could about his amputation and the effects it could cause.

  Like always, the two of them proved to be good for each other. She had her own challenges in life complete with battles that sometimes kept her feeling bound and saddened, but he was th
e one who could bring a smile to her face.

  Teary still held that special place in Prodigal’s heart; yet throughout their lives they somehow found themselves seeking love, attention and affection from someone other than each other. But when his world was cold and gray, he could count on her to add a sprinkle of sunlight. The two of them had seen each other through some rough times but with each other they waded through the storms of life.

  From the first time he saw her, all of those many years ago, she was destined to play a special part in his life. He could still vividly see her pigtails swinging back and forth underneath the bright blue skies. His little boy eyes were mesmerized by her as she looked over from the side of the moving van, waving as if she had already known him. He remembered waving back and a smile spreading across his face. From that moment on, they were the best of friends.

  He recalled the time he asked her to be his girlfriend. They were playing hide and go seek with some of the other kids. They found a good hiding spot in the bushes behind Debra’s house. While Debra counted, Prodigal and Teary tried hard to keep from laughing out loud. From out of nowhere he suddenly said, “If you’re my girlfriend and I’m your boyfriend, give me a kiss.”

  She didn’t hesitate but instead replied, “Okie dokie.” They kissed each other on the cheek and started giggling again. Debra rushed into the bushes and tagged them both.

  “You’re out. You’re out!” she screamed.

  ♦

  “Teary, why do you have to leave?” Kevin asked the night before she planned on going back home.”

  “Honey, I have to go back home. I have a job and I have two cats and a dog who I miss terribly and who I know miss me too,” she answered him.

  “But you could bring your dog and cats here to live with us,” said Kaleb.

  She knelt down next to his bed and stroked his hair while she spoke. “But baby, my home is in Memphis now.”