“Yeah, I do, and because I don’t know everything about your past. Those phone calls could be connected to it. But I want you to remember that you’ve got a friend who will listen if you need it.” He rose from the sofa and gently helped her out of her seat. Reaching for her hand, he gave it a slight squeeze to reassure her.
“I’ll remember,” she said quickly. “I just don’t want to bother you with all of my baggage.”
Adam didn’t want to sound impatient. “Just remember what I said if they persist: call the police.” He looked down at her now, wondering if she had any idea of the war going on inside him. She was cautious around him, which was understandable given she seemed to have given so much of herself to someone who gave her a limited amount of themselves, which only leads to frustration.
He hesitated a moment longer. But she was right. Maybe he was taking on too much too soon. She’d even admitted that she had baggage. Heck, he didn’t even know everything about her yet, and he certainly didn’t want to turn her away. Not wanting to wear out his welcome, he reached for his jacket and slipped it on before turning around to face Destiny.
“I want to thank you and Miss Sara for a wonderful evening. I had a nice time tonight,” he said politely, squeezing her hand beneath his.
“I’m glad you were able to come, and I hope we’ll be able to do this again,” Destiny confessed.
Adam took her into his arms. Taking a deep breath, he looked into her eyes before lowering his head but he didn’t kiss her he pulled her to him in a light hug.
“I’ll call you tomorrow. Maybe we can make plans for later this week. I want to take you to a special place that means a lot to me, okay?”
Adam was pleased to see her nod in response; he was looking forward to their day together.
Pausing, his hand on the knob, he turned to face her one last time, studying every detail of her face as if he wouldn’t see her again.
“How long have we known each other?” he asked her.
“It’s been over five months at least.”
“It’s been incredible, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, Destiny, but I want you to trust me as well.” Adam stated.
“I want that as well,” she said. “I’m getting there, and I know things are going to get better.” Destiny returned the smile she was receiving from him. She walked over to where he was standing at the door.
“Don’t forget, in all of this you’ve got to learn to trust yourself.” He kissed her on the cheek and walked out the door.
After Adam climbed inside his car and started his engine, he noticed how Destiny clung to the door with her hand clutched tightly around the doorknob. There was still a lot he needed to know about her.
Adam pulled his car onto the expressway, rubbing his head, pondering the conversation he’d just had with Destiny. Before tonight he felt like they had made a connection but now it seemed as though they had a set back.
Adam was glad that he didn’t accept the invitation he had received on Sunday from Sister Deloris Green to have dinner with her family tonight. Deloris had been trying to set him up with her daughter, Barbara, since he had come to Greater Community. He knew that her invitation came with strings attached that he had no intention of untying.
He had dated since coming to Greater Community, but never anyone from his ministry. None of the relationships were what he was looking for. They were too overbearing, too loud, too argumentative, too needy, too materialistic, or carrying too much excess baggage.
He knew that he didn’t want to deal with any additional baggage. He had enough of his own and was still unpacking a lot of it. Destiny wasn’t perfect, but he also knew that with God’s help, they would be able to work through any issues she was dealing with from her past.
Adam didn’t dare relax. He couldn’t help but think about what he knew he shouldn’t, “Lust, lust and more lust,” he said out loud in the car. “Lord keep me delivered.”
He recalled one of the conversations they had about the progression of their relationship. Destiny had pursed her lips, she seemed to hate the fact that she was blushing, or it may have been the fact that she hated him in that moment for watching her with such amusement. Then she told him in the most serious tone, “I can assure you I would never fall in lust with someone,” she said. “I would only love someone I admired as a man, for his qualities as a person, not his possessions or social standing. And I most certainly wouldn’t marry a man on physical attraction alone. If I didn’t learn anything else in my past, I know this with everything in me.”
Yes, he and Destiny still had a long way to go although it had only been five months, he knew God wasn’t finished working on either of them. He had time, and he knew how to pray.
Tapping his fingers lightly on the steering wheel to the beat as he pulled his car into the driveway of his condominium. After pulling his key out of the ignition, he continued to sing the words to Jason Nelson’s song “Shifting the Atmosphere” that he had been listening to in the car and couldn’t help but smile. The song helped to push the negative thoughts to the back of his mind. Tomorrow was going to be a good day.
At home on Tuesday, Adam headed straight for his bedroom. He was tired, and it had been a long day of counseling. It was amazing that the week was going by so fast. There were no dinners with Destiny or her aunt to relax him. As a matter of fact, Destiny was the reason he was so agitated. He had known there was something she hadn’t been telling him from the lags in their conversation today.
He could hear Destiny sigh on the phone, obviously not sure how to tackle her conversation with him. Adam wasn’t surprised. After all, he didn’t know what was bothering her. He could hear her hesitation right through the telephone.
“You don’t have to tell me what’s bothering you if you don’t want to. I’m not going to force you, but I thought…” His voice trailed off, trying to find the words as he held the phone to his ear.
Apparently he wasn’t the only person struggling to get their conversation started. Adam was surprised when he heard Destiny’s breath catch through the phone. “You thought that we’d be further along in our relationship?” she asked softly. “I don’t know what’s going on,” she said. “I don’t know what’s what any more…”
He had been curious about her unfinished sentence in spite of himself. Hadn’t they just had this conversation a couple of days ago? Surely they had made some headway? “You don’t know about what, Destiny?” he asked, his tone a little stronger than he’d meant.
Destiny sounded like she may have been hurt by something. “Us, Adam I don’t know if I want us right now,” she confessed.
“Hmm, I see,” he responded. He decided to remind her of that fact. Adam had been confused by her concern. Odd, he’d have expected her to be ready for something new since moving here. But that wasn’t the case. His efforts to get her to talk to him hadn’t worked. He’d tried everything. Whatever it was, it had him concerned about her. Adam sat on the edge of his king-sized bed, bowed his head, and prayed.
Chapter 14
Shaking almost uncontrollably, Destiny awoke to the sounds of shattering glass. Her nightgown was soaking wet and fear immediately gripped her when she saw pieces of glass scatter on the floor from her bedroom window. It was in that instant she saw what appeared to be the shadow of someone move quickly across her bedroom. Her whole body froze as she slowly turned her head in the direction that she saw the shadow move.
Not realizing that glass covered her bed until she felt a sharp, piercing pain on her cheek, her hand rose to touch the side of her face where it came in contact with a wet substance she assumed was blood. Refusing to yell, she slowly rose out of the bed to move to the door. Putting one foot down she felt a hand wrap around her ankle causing her to trip and fall on the floor. She yelled with all of the strength she could muster, but the hand on her ankle was so strong she couldn’t move any further. She felt more pain as her knees came in contact with the glass on the floor. Terrified, her legs went into automatic kick mode. Usi
ng all of her power, she freed herself and she pulled her herself across the floor.
Then she heard it, the sound of Stanley’s laughter, as he stood over her body. Reaching for her, he pulled her badly aching body toward him. His hand began to run through her hair as he snatched her head back to look her in the eyes. His nose was flaring like it did every time he’d ever gotten angry with her. Leaning down, he smelled her neck, then without warning, he bit her. Again she yelped out in pain, bringing no response from anyone in the house. Struggling, she tried to free herself from his grasp only to feel a slap across her face. His eyes were filled with the evilness she had become accustomed with while living with him. How did he find her? She could taste the blood from the cut on her face as it was pooling at the corner of her mouth.
Finally, she heard someone banging on the door. With a renewed sense of strength she twisted around to fight back. He must have heard the noise coming from the door as well because she felt his death grip on her arm release, and she collapsed to the floor. Looking up for a brief moment she saw her rescuer as he burst through the door.
Shaking the cobwebs from her head she looked again making sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her. It was Adam! Praising God silently she didn’t have time to figure out what he was doing in the house because Stanley rushed him, slamming his body against the doorframe. Frantically she began to scan the room looking for anything she could use as a weapon.
Catching Adam’s eye she saw him shaking his head mouthing “no!” Then she heard his voice say, “This kind of demon can only be driven out through prayer and fasting.” Something resituated in her spirit when she heard those words that gave her spirit a peace. She felt her body release the fear she was feeling.
In an instant her eyes stung from the light that flooded her room. Her eyes were blurred from the tears that had been falling but her nostrils were filled with the scent of roses, letting her know it was her aunt’s arms that were gently rocking her back and forth. Her arms felt like dead weights as she stretched them out to wrap them around her aunt. A sigh of relief caused her body to relax even the more.
“Thank you, auntie.” Time seem to stand still as she lay on her aunt’s chest. She pushed back all of the negative vibes she’d been feeling during her nightmare. It felt so real but she couldn’t help but to praise God that it wasn’t. Something had to be done because her life was at a stand still and she couldn’t move forward without getting some counseling soon.
Chapter 15
“Auntie Destiny?”
Destiny had to listen again because her name had been spoken so softly.
Taylor usually went to bed on time when Destiny baby-sat but not tonight. She seemed unusually restless earlier. It took a while but she had finally gotten her comfortable with watching a Disney movie, but now her eyes were drooping as her head was bobbing a little bit more, trying to stay awake. The pajamas she had on were adorable—purple with pictures of little dinosaurs all over them.
Destiny pulled her closer as she called her name, “what is it, precious?”
“I’m sleepy.” A huge yawn escaped her as she tried to cover her mouth. “But I want my daddy to put me to sleep.”
“He’s still out with your mommy, baby.” Destiny stood, scooping her up in her arms. “Let’s get you to bed and when they get home, I’ll tell them to come and say goodnight.” Destiny started for the bedroom. “How does that sound?”
“You, promise?”
“Have I ever broken a promise to you?”
Taylor shook her head and then laid it back down on Destiny’s shoulder. Destiny opened the door with one hand as she held on to Taylor with the other. Gently she pulled back the covers, lowering her into the bed.
“Now doesn’t that feel better than sitting up on that sofa?”
“Yes.” Taylor sighed before her eyes starting to close. Destiny had to wonder what her life would have been like if Tina and Richard had not been apart of it.
Her life had been nightmare living with Stanley—never knowing what she would do or say that would set him off. But she made up her mind that she was leaving after one of his brutal assaults left her in the hospital. It had been so terrifying and alarming that it almost left her deaf because he punched her so hard across the side of her face. Sara had broken down into tears when she saw her in the hospital bed.
But now, a year later, she was in a different state, changing her life for the better.
“Goodnight, Taylor.” She gently rubbed her hand across her brow as she closed her eyes.
Small hands touch hers, grabbing her pillow as she pulled the covers up around her. Destiny patted the comforter as a last reassuring gesture and Taylor smiled.
As she walked back toward the living room, Destiny felt a sense of peace. She had made some tough decisions as a young woman but this one was a blessing. Taylor was a special child and one day she would have a family just as Tina did and she would love them with all of her heart. In her soul she knew that God had a plan for her life. Her faith was growing everyday. It was becoming as solid as a rock. So she knew that one day she would have this dream of children and marriage.
She checked the locks on all of the doors then settled down to finish watching the movie. Her cell phone began to ring and not wanting it to wake up Taylor she reached for it saying, “hello?” No one responded so she hung up and laid it on the arm of the sofa. Picking up the television remote, she turned off the television, and laying her head back she closed her eyes.
The chiming security system alerted her to the arrival of Tina and Richard. Sure enough she heard them giggling before she saw them. They must have had a great time because the happiness on their faces filled the room with joy.
Tina tossed her purse on the sofa and sat down next to Destiny.
“How did everything go?” she asked while struggling to pull off her shoes. Destiny watched Richard kneel down to assist her. He massaged each foot as he removed a shoe.
“Taylor and I had a great time together. She fell asleep in the middle of The Princess and the Frog.”
Destiny couldn’t help but laugh as she watched as Tina lay her head back on the sofa while Richard massaged her feet. “A girl could get use to this.” She signed.
“How was your dinner?” Destiny inquired as she watched the interaction between the both of them.
“It was wonderful when no one was asking for his autograph.” There was a hint of aggravation in her voice. “I don’t think I’ll ever get use to it but some people do respect our time.”
God had blessed Tina and Richard tremendously. Richard’s professional football career had provided them with a lifestyle that many people would never experience. They were not caught up in the lifestyle of the rich and famous. They both had a humbleness seen by all who came in contact with them. God had been gracious to both of them.
Destiny wondered where she would be today if she’d never gotten involved with Stanley.
“You seem to have a lot on your mind.” Tina adjusted her body on the sofa.
“Is there something troubling you? You always get that troubled look when Stanley had done something stupid. Have you heard from him?” Destiny heard the concern in her voice.
“I’m not sure but I have been getting some harassing calls. You know calling and then hanging up.” She watched the expression on Tina’s face register some shock at that revelation.
“Well, I remember when I visited you two summers ago, and he was relentless in keeping tabs on you. Calling the phone every five minutes or so.”
“If it is him I don’t know how he found me.” She ran her hands through her hair showing her frustration.
“Have you asked who was calling?”
“Yes, but I never get an answer. One time there was laughter but I couldn’t tell if it was a woman or a man.”
“Well, it could be some kids playing with the phone. Stanley has to know that it is officially over.”
Destiny laughed when she saw Tina roll her eyes.
“And you know it!” She almost yelled but stopped herself before she woke Taylor.
“Don’t worry, I’m not the same silly woman I was a year ago, full of fear. It’s so over, I’m taking back everything the devil has stolen!” Glancing around the room, Destiny searched for signs of Richard.
“Where did Richard go?”
“He’s pretty tired as well especially with spring training coming soon. He’s been working out with some of his teammates. Probably just giving us some girl time.”
“He’s always been good to you.” Destiny pulled her feet up on the sofa as she got more comfortable.
“I know. Everyday I thank God for him.” Destiny loved to hear Tina talk of her love for her husband.
“Are you ready for your counseling to begin?”
The one thing Destiny didn’t want to talk about was her past. Having to talk about the phone calls was enough.
“Oh, let’s not talk about that now,” she answered. “I should be asking you if you’re okay.” She noticed Tina rubbing her stomach, which had grown even larger with the baby.
Taking both hands she laid them across her swollen belly. Looking at her, Tina said, “We’re fine. You’re the one that looks like you haven’t gotten enough sleep.”
“I’m fine, things have been crazy at the lab but all is well.”
She grabbed her bag and keys. “I guess I should go. If you all need me again just call.” Bending slightly, she kissed Tina’s cheek and rubbed her belly once more. “Good night, Tina.” She motioned for her not to get up and went out the living room. Making sure she locked the door, she headed for the car.
She enjoyed spending time with Taylor. Leaving the subdivision, she turned onto Clifton Street taking a different route home. She’d learned that in one of her self-defense classes to never travel the same route. This was the first time since moving to Seattle that she actually put it to practice, but after all of the voiceless phone calls and dreams she decided tonight was a good time to start.
No Wasted Tears Page 12
