The Prodigal Son (A Reverend Curtis Black Novel)

by Kimberla Lawson Roby

  Neil didn’t say anything and barely moved.

  “I really appreciate the offer, but it’s time I work things out with my parents. I’m actually relieved to be going home.”

  “But you know how controlling your mother is,” Vanessa reminded him. “She only cares about herself, and she’ll make life miserable for you. Not to mention, she’s a terrible example for MJ.”

  Matthew looked at her, and it was funny how even though he knew his mother-in-law was telling the truth about his mom, he didn’t want to hear any more of her comments. They were making him uncomfortable.

  “And what about Racquel?” Vanessa said. “Are you going to be there for her? I know it’s a lot to ask, but she needs you, Matt.”

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t. Not after what she did.”

  Vanessa’s face fell somber. “I’m not trying to excuse her actions, but she needs help. She’ll be arraigned tomorrow, and we’re going to ask the judge to send her to a psychiatric facility. We want her to be evaluated.”

  “I’m glad she’s gonna get some help, but I can’t be with someone so abusive. I can’t subject MJ to that kind of thing either.”

  “But she wasn’t herself,” Neil finally added. “She’s been very depressed, but I believe she’ll be so much better once she gets treatment.”

  Matthew felt bad for Racquel, but he wasn’t sure what else to say. Then, if things weren’t awkward enough, his parents walked in. Tension flooded the room like a tidal wave, and Matthew wished he could crawl under his bed. He prayed there wouldn’t be any drama.

  “Good morning,” Curtis said, shaking Neil’s hand.

  “Good morning. Good to see you.”

  “How are you, Curtis?” Vanessa asked, hugging him.

  “I’m good.”

  Matthew waited for his mother and Vanessa to speak, but they ignored each other. Actually, this was probably a good thing because no words meant no arguing.

  “Hey Curtis,” Neil said, “we’ve already apologized to Matt, but we’re really sorry about Racquel.”

  Curtis nodded. “Thanks.”

  The room fell silent, and everyone pretended to watch television. Matthew loved his in-laws, but he hoped they would leave soon. If they stayed, there was no telling what might happen.

  “Well, I guess we should get going,” Neil said, and Matthew was grateful.

  Vanessa walked over and picked up her handbag. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider, Matt?”

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  Vanessa looked sad again, and though Matthew felt bad, his decision was final. There was just no other way.

  “We’ll be checking on you, son,” Neil said, smiling.

  “You take care of yourself,” Vanessa said. “You, too, Curtis.”

  “Take care, both of you, and we’ll be praying for Racquel.”

  When they left the room, Matthew exhaled. He was surprised his mom hadn’t already started asking questions, wanting to know what his mother-in-law had wanted him to reconsider, but she didn’t. Matthew knew, though, that she didn’t want to anger him, so this was likely the only reason she kept quiet.

  “How are you feeling, son?” Curtis asked.

  “Okay. Ready to get out of here.”

  “Now you know how I felt the last two times I was in the hospital.”

  Charlotte laughed. “But that’s only because you’re such a bad patient. Such a busybody.”

  Matthew couldn’t help smiling because his mom was right. His dad hated being confined or told he couldn’t do certain things because of an illness.

  “When we dropped Curtina off at Aunt Emma’s, we saw that beautiful grandson of ours,” Charlotte said.

  Curtis folded his arms. “He’s definitely a handsome little thing. Looks just like his grandfather.”

  “You’re a trip, Dad.”

  They all laughed.

  “Well, he does. He looks like you, and you look like me, so what do you expect?”

  Matthew smiled, and though he never imagined he would be this happy to be with his parents, he was thrilled. He was plowing his way through a major life storm, but his mom and dad made him feel better about things. Their love and support gave him hope, and he felt a strong sense of peace. There was nothing like family, and from now on, Matthew would never forget that.

  Chapter 29

  Baby, I am so, so sorry,” Racquel said. “I don’t know what came over me. It was almost like I was having an out-of-body experience. But you know I didn’t mean it.”

  Matthew listened as his wife apologized and pleaded, but he regretted answering her call. Actually, the only reason he’d taken it was because she’d caught him off guard, and he’d hit the Send button by accident. It was only one in the afternoon, so he certainly hadn’t expected to hear from her anytime soon. He’d known she was being arraigned this morning, but he’d assumed the judge would honor her parents’ request and would transfer her to a treatment center. He could tell from her conversation, though, that she was nowhere near any mental facility.

  “Matt, I really need to see you. I need to talk to you.”

  He walked into MJ’s nursery and picked him up. MJ smiled happily, the same as always. “Racquel, I really don’t want to do this right now.”

  “Why?”

  “Because there’s nothing to say.”

  “I know you’re upset, but if you’ll just let me explain things to you. Baby, I really am sorry. Ever since MJ was born, I’ve been under a lot of pressure, and I wasn’t myself. For months now, I’ve felt like I was having a nervous breakdown, but I didn’t know what to do about it.”

  “Really?” he said. “Well, what finally made you realize that today?”

  “Matt, I spent two nights in jail, and then I had to go before a judge this morning. I had two full days to think about everything.”

  “And he let you out? Just like that?”

  “No, my parents had to pay five thousand dollars.”

  “That’s all?”

  “My bond was fifty thousand, but the judge allowed them to post ten percent of it. You sound like you’re disappointed. Like you wanted me stay locked up.”

  “Racquel, how would you feel if I’d treated you like a dog for more than a year and then physically abused you? What if I’d stabbed you with a knife? Would you be happy I was out of jail?”

  She didn’t say anything.

  “That’s what I thought. You’d be doing everything you could trying to make sure I was sent to prison.”

  “I would never want that for you.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “Matt, I’m really gonna get help. I wanna be a better wife and good mother to MJ. There’s something wrong with me, and I can’t help what I did. I’m really, really sorry.”

  “I’m sorry, too, but I’m done, Racquel.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Our marriage is over.”

  “What?”

  “I hope things work out for you in court, but I’m getting a divorce.”

  “Baby, you’re just upset, and I don’t blame you. But things won’t always be like this.”

  “You’re right. Eventually, you’ll move on and so will I, and that’ll be that. We never should have gotten married in the first place. We were way too young last year, and we’re still too young now.”

  “I can’t believe you’re doing this.”

  “I don’t know why. Just last week you were hanging out at bars, drinking, and offering me a divorce. And you were planning to leave this fall for school.”

  “I told you I wasn’t myself. I wasn’t thinking straight, and I’m finished with all that.”

  “Good for you, Racquel. But hey, I have to go. MJ’s hungry.”

  “I can’t believe you moved back with your parents. After all the trouble your mother caused us. After all the horrible things she did to me.”

  “She’s still my mother, though.”

  “Well, I don’t want my son around her. I don’t wan
t her poisoning his mind the way she’s already doing with you.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Matt, please. The only reason you’re talking about all this divorce stuff is because of her. I know she’s the one who’s pushing you to do this. She couldn’t wait to turn you against me. She tried and tried before, but this time she’s going to do everything she can to make sure it happens.”

  Matthew walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. His mom looked at him strangely, and he could tell she knew who he was talking to. “I’ll talk to you later, Racquel.”

  “Whatever,” she said and hung up.

  “You wanna hold him while I pull out some baby food?” he asked.

  “Of course,” Charlotte said, reaching for him. “Hi, sweetie. So did Nana’s baby have a good nap? Huh?”

  MJ smiled at her and pulled at her necklace.

  “Where’s Dad?” Matthew asked.

  “In his study. You need something?”

  “No, I’m fine.”

  “You don’t seem to be as sore as you were yesterday.”

  “I’m not.”

  “I’m glad. This could have turned out so much worse, Matt.”

  “I know, but let’s not talk about that, Mom, okay?”

  “I’m not trying to upset you. I’m just grateful is all.”

  Matthew knew she meant well, but he was so used to her controlling attitude and negative comments that he couldn’t help analyzing everything she said. He guessed he was afraid she would return to her old ways, and he didn’t want that.

  “I can feed him if you want,” she said.

  Matthew passed her the jar of green peas and a bottle filled with apple juice, but then his phone rang. It was his mother-in-law, and he debated answering it. If he didn’t, though, she would leave a message, expecting him to call her back, so it was better to talk to her now and get it over with.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey Matt, how are you?”

  “Good, and you?”

  “Well, I was doing fine until Racquel came into my office crying her eyes out.”

  Matthew wasn’t sure what she wanted him to say.

  “I know you’re upset,” she said, “and you have every right to be, but Racquel really is very sorry. We’ve known for a while that she was depressed, but I believe her when she says she never meant to hurt you. She just needed help.”

  “Well, why didn’t the judge send her to a facility then?”

  Vanessa paused but finally said, “She called us last night from jail and begged us not to do it. Being arrested really traumatized her, so she just wanted to come stay with us for a couple of days. Then, she’ll go wherever we want her to.”

  “So the judge doesn’t know about her being depressed and how she hasn’t had anything to do with her own son for over a week?”

  “Our attorney didn’t mention any of that to him. We decided it was best to get treatment for her on our own, and then when it’s time to go back to court we’ll be able to document her progress.”

  Matthew didn’t respond.

  “The reason I’m calling you, though, Matt, is because Racquel really needs to see you. She wants to talk things over.”

  Matthew looked at his mom, who was staring straight at him, so he left the room.

  “It’s like I told Racquel when she called,” he said. “Our marriage is over. We tried to make it work, but we couldn’t.”

  “But you can. All marriages have problems, and you know yourself that your mom didn’t help things. She made life very hard for you and Racquel before you were even married.”

  “Yeah, but that’s all in the past, and my mother didn’t make Racquel stab me with a knife.”

  “Maybe you just need some time.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Well, can you at least think about not pressing charges?”

  Matthew raised his eyebrows. It wasn’t as though he was dying to see the mother of his son go to prison, no matter what she’d done to him, but he was shocked to hear his mother-in-law’s request.

  “I know it’s a lot to ask,” she continued. “But Racquel is practically a baby, Matt. I know she’s an adult, but she’s way too young to be locked up.”

  “I’ll have to think about it,” was all he said, hoping this would get her to hang up.

  “Even if you do drop the charges, the prosecutor can still charge her and try her in court, but it won’t look as bad. Our attorney has also advised us that, as the victim, you can sign an affidavit of nonprosecution. This can make a huge difference, and there’s a chance that Racquel won’t have to serve any time. She could get probation.”

  Matthew didn’t know much about the law, and he certainly had never heard about any nonprosecution affidavit, but he could tell Vanessa knew was she was talking about. Racquel had only been out of jail for a couple of hours at most, but it sounded like they’d come up with a well-thought-out plan.

  “I’ll have to talk to my parents.”

  “We really need you to work with us, Matt. We’ll do anything you ask. Just please don’t send our daughter to prison,” she pleaded.

  “I have another call,” he lied.

  “Please think about everything I said, okay, Matt?”

  “I will.”

  “You take care.”

  Matthew walked back into the kitchen and looked at his mother, but he didn’t say anything. She would go ballistic if she knew what Vanessa was asking him to do, and he didn’t want to upset her. His dad, of course, would be more understanding because that was just the kind of man he was, but Matthew wasn’t even sure how he felt about things himself. On the one hand, he did want Racquel to pay for what she’d done, but on the other, he didn’t want her doing time in prison. More than anything, he just wanted this whole mess to go away. What he wanted was to just be a normal young person with normal problems, period.

  Chapter 30

  Dillon was finally only twenty minutes away from Mitchell. It had been a rough few days, but he had made it through the funeral and was almost home from the airport. He hadn’t realized his aunt knew so many people. She didn’t attend a large church, but there must have been at least two hundred people who’d come to pay their respects, and it was mostly her church members and coworkers who’d filled the sanctuary to capacity. It was clear that she was loved by many, and Dillon was happy about that. Everyone who’d approached him, both during the visitation period and after the funeral, had spoken very kindly about his aunt, so she had certainly touched a great number of people in a very special way. One woman had told him how Aunt Susan had been her greatest confidante and that she’d come to love her like a second mother. Then there’d been a young single mother who’d told Dillon that the only reason her children had Christmas was because Aunt Susan had bought all three of them clothes and toys for three years straight.

  Dillon had listened to one story after another, but after a while, all they’d done was make him feel guiltier. How could he have walked away from such a wonderful woman and acted as though she didn’t exist? He’d tried his best to justify his actions, but in the end, he knew he’d been wrong for the way he’d treated her and that it would likely haunt him for the rest of his life. He just wished he could have another chance, a few moments even, just so he could tell her how much he loved and appreciated her. No one had ever loved him as unconditionally as she had, but he’d still packed up his things and moved to Illinois like it was no big deal. He hadn’t thought anything about it, because he’d always figured that once he built a great relationship with his dad, he’d be able to spend all the time he wanted with his aunt. Sadly, though, that would never happen.

  Dillon gazed out the limo window and was glad he had on sunglasses because his eyes were watering. It was bad enough that Aunt Susan had loved him and done everything she could for him, but even in death, she was still looking out for his best interest. Yesterday, Dillon had gone to meet with her attorney to review her will, and that was when he’d learned
that she’d made him the sole beneficiary of two insurance policies that totaled one hundred fifty thousand dollars. Her funeral expenses would be deducted from the fifty-thousand-dollar one, but the rest would be sent to him. She’d also willed him her home, which she owned outright. Dillon would never sell it, though. Her house—his childhood home—was the only real thing he had left of her, so he would keep it and stay there whenever he visited Atlanta.

  As the driver continued west on I-90, Dillon leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He so wanted a different kind of life than the one he was living. In a perfect world, his father would love him more than anything, he would have grown up side by side with Alicia and Matthew, and he would have gotten to know Curtina as soon as she’d been born. All three of them would have loved their big brother, and he would have loved them back and protected them from everything. His mother would also be alive, and she would never have stooped low enough to be a stripper. She would have been a woman of integrity and one who’d had a lot more respect for herself. Dillon didn’t think on this level often and he’d certainly never shared his true feelings about his mother with another living soul, but this was the real reason he had very little respect for women. To him, they were all tramps who flaunted their bodies and slept around with as many men as possible, and he’d never trusted one woman he could think of—that is with the exception of Aunt Susan. Other than that, he tended to expect the worse of all women, and he wasn’t sure any woman could ever make him feel differently.

  Dillon’s phone rang, and when he saw that it was his father, his spirits lifted. His dad had called to check on him Monday, a couple of hours before the funeral, and then again that night. He hadn’t spoken to him yesterday, though, so he was glad to hear from him now.

  “Hey Dad.”

  “Hey. So you landed safely I see.”

  “I did, and I’m almost home. Maybe another ten minutes or so.”

  “Good. And how are you doin’?”

  “As well as can be expected. What about you?”

  “Well, son, I tell you. I haven’t felt this good in a long while. Matthew and MJ are home, and I’ll finally be able to get all my children together at one time. Since Memorial Day is next Monday, Charlotte and I are thinking about having a cookout. It’ll just be for family. You don’t have any plans, do you?”