Stretching, Stiles said, “I enjoyed myself tonight.”
“So did I.”
“I guess I better get ready to head back across the bridge,” he told her, standing up. “Are we still on for tomorrow?”
“Yes, I’m still going to the scholarship prayer brunch with you.”
“Great, I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning, say around nine-thirty?”
“Nine-thirty will be fine.” Rena walked him to the door.
Stiles turned around and faced her again. He leaned over and kissed her on the tip of her tiny pointed nose before moving to her waiting lips.
“Goodnight.” His voice simmered with barely checked passion.
Rena opened the door. “Goodnight, Stiles. Drive safely.”
“I will.” Stiles jetted down the walkway, climbed in his car and sped off. Rena watched him until he was out of sight before closing the door.
She locked the door then leaned against it, closed her eyes and traced her lips with her fingers.
Rena walked in a trance back into the living room and began clearing the table. When she finished, she settled into the deep cushions, caressing the spot where Stiles sat minutes earlier. Without saying her prayers, Rena fell asleep with thoughts of Stiles dancing in her head.
14
Love seeketh not itself to please, nor for itself hath any care, but for another gives its ease, and builds a heaven in hell's despair. -William Blake
The following morning, First Lady Audrey’s eyes sparkled when she saw Stiles and Rena walking into the brunch together. Neither of them would admit it, but Audrey didn’t need anyone to tell her that Stiles and Rena were in love. She recognized love when she saw it.
After enjoying the brunch, Rena and Stiles agreed to accept Audrey’s invitation to come to the house.
“Do you think they suspect there’s something between us?”
“I wouldn’t think so. We haven’t said or done anything for them to assume that we are.”
Rena said a silent prayer. God, you know that I’m uneasy about the relationship between me and Stiles. One part of me wants to see how far a relationship with Stiles can go. The other part of me is terrified of what Frankie will do if she even suspects that me and Stiles are involved. Help me, God. I’ve got to figure out a way to get things right in my life. I’m tired of betraying you, myself and those I love. I need a way out. I know your word says that you won’t allow us to be tempted without giving us a way of escape. Lord, I need a way of escape.
“You all right over there?” he asked Rena as he drove down I-240 toward Emerald Estates.
“Yes, I’m fine,” replied Rena, mere seconds after finishing her prayer.
“I was thinking.” He chuckled like he was enjoying happy memories.
“Thinking about what?” Rena grinned.
“About how thankful I am that God brought you into my life. I mean, we share the same Christian values, we both love our families, and our families love us. We certainly love God.”
Rena looked at Stiles. He seemed to be peering at her intently. “Where is all of this coming from?”
“What I’m trying to tell you, Rena. Okay, listen. We’ve been seeing each other for what, three months or so?”
“Uh, huh,” responded Rena.
“Rena, I’m just going to come out and say it.”
Rena’s head tilted back and she laughed. “Boy, will you just say what it is you have to say?”
Stiles felt like his throat was closing up. He removed one hand from the steering wheel and grabbed hold of Rena’s delicate hand. Pulling it toward his lips, he kissed it lightly over and over. “Rena, I love you. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I love you, girl.” He looked at her with a steady gaze.
“I…don’t know what to say, Stiles.”
“You don’t have to say anything. The look on your face says it all.” Stiles focused his eyes on the car ahead of him with a broad smile plastered on his face.
Stiles approached Emerald Estates. Rena turned and smiled at him again before leaning over and kissing him on the cheek.
“What was that for?”
“I felt like doing it, that’s all. You bring out the best in me, Stiles.” Rena’s cheeks turned crimson.
Arriving at Emerald Estates, Stiles pulled up in the circular drive. Turning off the ignition, he jumped out of the car and went to the other side to open the door for Rena. Taking hold of her hand, he helped her exit the car. Hand in hand they went up the walkway to the front door. Stiles rang the doorbell and Audrey came to the door with her robe on.
“Come on in. I was just changing out of that dress. Pastor is in the study. I’ll be back out in a minute. “
“No problem, Mom,” Stiles told her. “I think I’ll go in and speak to him.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Rena, darling. Why don’t you go in the kitchen and pour us a glass of tea. I’ll be done in just a sec,” Audrey told her as she disappeared into the bedroom.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Looking around to make sure Audrey was gone, Stiles pulled Rena toward him and kissed her quickly before turning and going to Pastor’s study.
Audrey came out of the bedroom with the phone up to her ear. She laid the cordless phone down on the chair in the family room.
“Are you all right?” asked Rena as she brought two glasses of iced tea into the family room.
“I guess.” Audrey met Rena and reached for one of the glasses, and practically emptied it. “That was Frankie,” she finally said when she put the glass down. “I refused to accept her call. I can’t keep doing it. Pastor and I aren’t rich and we can’t afford to have a $450 phone bill every month because of her. Those calls are way too high. If she would get her life in order, she wouldn’t have to be calling us with one sob story after another. All that girl does is make empty promises and keep up mess. Always talking about how she’s going to get her life together this time. There’s always something when it comes to that child. I’m sick of listening to one excuse after another.”
Rena remained silent. She sat in the chair and slowly sipped some of the tea. The beverage, as well as the conversation, chilled her insides.
“Pastor is supposed to go and visit her this week. Maybe he can get through to her. But I can’t do it. She’ll have my blood pressure sky high. I already have to deal with the members at the church whispering about her. You know how that must look. Pastor’s daughter is locked up in jail, not to mention the other thing.”
Rena popped her head up quickly. “What other thing?” she asked, afraid of the answer.
“You know what I’m talking about,” she huffed, as she focused some of her anger toward Rena. “I know we don’t talk about it around here, but that doesn’t make it go away.” Audrey paced across the stained concrete floor.
“What is it, Audrey?”
“Frankie is gay. You know it. I know it. Shucks, everybody practically knows it. Pastor doesn’t want to accept it. But I know it’s true. I don’t care what he says.”
“What makes you think she’s gay?” Rena squinted her eyes like she was totally unaware of what Audrey meant.
“Don’t play dumb with me, Rena. You know better than anyone else that I hate to be patronized. All you’re trying to do is keep it hush-hush. But it’s too late for that. Every one knows that Pastor and I have a lesbian for a daughter. It’s humiliating.” Audrey cried, putting a hand to her mouth.
“Audrey, I mean, if she is a lesbian, then that’s her. Frankie has her own life to lead. I’m the last person that can judge another individual.”
Audrey stopped pacing and sat down on the couch near Rena. “You’re right about that. But I get so angry. I don’t understand why Frankie does the things she does.”
“We all have something we’re ashamed of. Everybody falls short. That’s what the word of God says. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God.”
Audrey moved over closer to the chair where Rena sat. She took hold of one of Rena’s
hands. “That’s why I love you so much. You’re such a sweet spirited young lady. So forgiving. So understanding. No wonder Stiles is crazy about you,” Audrey told her.
Rena gasped. “What on earth makes you say that?”
“Child, you know that boy likes you. Why, I see it every time you’re around him. And when you’re not around him, it’s like everything that comes out of his mouth is something about you. The boy is hooked. And I think you feel the same way, don’t you?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged her shoulders slightly.
“Oh, yes you do. Don’t play coy with me.”
Rena decided to confide in Audrey. She was dying to tell someone. She flashed a huge smile. “You’re right. I do like Stiles. I like him a lot. I think I might even be falling in love with him,” Rena whispered and looked around to make sure there was no one in the room but the two of them.
Audrey squealed. “I knew it! I knew it!” She still held on to Rena’s hand and began raising it up and down in the air.
“You’re going to be my daughter-in-law. Watch what I tell you,”
“Audrey, wait, I think you’re going way too far.” Rena tried to retrieve her hand. “Who said anything about marriage?”
“Mark my words, Rena Jackson. You are going to be my son’s wife.”
“Son, tell me something.”
“What is it, Pastor?” Stiles asked as the two men sat in the study that brimmed over with what Stiles imagined had to be almost every biblical book and Bible concordance there was.
“What do you think is going on with your sister? I want to know what I should be expecting when I go to the prison. The last time I tried to visit her, she refused to see me. Frankie has me baffled. But even a man of God gets confused sometimes. You know, we’re not perfect. We’re called to carry out God’s message, to bring in the lost sheep. Sometimes I ask the good Lord, how can I be an effective shepherd when I can’t reach my own daughter?”
Stiles listened intently.
“God knows what he’s doing. I don’t doubt him one iota. I just wish I could do something, anything, to help my child. She’s hurting and has so much rage built up inside of her. It all started when she was a teenager. I know that much. But what could have happened to make her change like that? Your momma wants me to believe that Frankie is gay. I’m no fool, son. I know your momma’s probably right. But I don’t want to claim that for my baby girl.” Pastor rubbed his hands back and forth over his thinning gray hair. Staring out of the picture window, he raised his eyes skyward as if expecting God to usher down a stream of answers right then and there.
“Pastor, I worry about her too. All I know is what I’ve been taught since I was a little boy. You taught me that God doesn’t make mistakes. You told me no matter what, to keep the faith and keep on trusting. Everything will work out. There’s nothing too hard for God. Isn’t that what you’ve always said, Pastor?”
Pastor turned around and looked proudly at Stiles. “You’re going to make a great pastor. God has truly blessed me. I have two wonderful children, a lovely wife and a great congregation. The Lord has really bestowed his favor upon my life. So why am I sitting here allowing the devil to have me worried and fretting? You’re right, son. God has everything already worked out. So enough of that kind of talk for me. Tell me something.” Pastor said, flipping the subject to something cheerier. “What’s going on with you and that young lady out there that your mother is probably grilling for answers as we speak?” Pastor quipped, slapping his hand on his knee.
“Rena? What can I say about her?” He turned up his smile a notch. “The girl is all of that. I’m in love with her.”
“Is that right?” A flash of satisfaction crossed Pastor’s face.
“Yes, sir. I can’t explain it. I just know it, that’s all. I’ve prayed about the situation and I’ve asked God to guide and direct me. I want to be with whomever God wants me to be with. Pastor, I believe with all of my heart that Rena is supposed to be my wife.” Stiles’s eyes glowed as he talked about her.
Pastor saw a look of love spread across his face with every word his son said. “How does she feel about you?” asked Pastor.
“I really can’t say. I know that she worries about Frankie so much that she can’t seem to concentrate on her own life. The two of them are so close. But to me, Frankie seems to take advantage of Rena’s friendship. She hassles her all the time, and I think she’s being selfish.”
“I hear what you’re saying. But you can’t allow your sister to hinder you from doing what you know God has placed on your heart to do. If Rena is the woman for you, then you should tell her. The two of you can work this out with Frankie. Maybe after you talk to Rena, you and her can go and visit Frankie together. Once Frankie sees how happy the two of you are, she’ll understand.”
“Yeah, maybe she will. I love you, Dad.” Stiles stood and walked over to his father. Pastor rose from the chair too, and father and son embraced one another.
When Stiles and Rena prepared to leave, Pastor and Audrey walked outside with them. They chatted for a few more minutes before Stiles and Rena got in the car and drove off. Audrey and Pastor stood in the driveway with their arms encircling one another’s waist. Audrey smiled as she said to herself, it’s only a matter of time, Rena, before you become my son’s wife.
15
There is no disguise which can hide love for long where it exists, or simulate it where it does not. La Rochefoucauld
Stiles and Rena arrived at Jail East Women’s Facility a little after four-thirty. After being thoroughly probed by a less than friendly guard, they were directed to the visiting area. Nervously, Rena sat down in the one chair positioned in front of the dirty window while Stiles stood directly behind her. It took almost forty five minutes before Frankie, along with some of the other inmates who had visitors, were escorted into the cramped visiting area.
When she approached the window, Frankie stood frozen instead of pulling out the chair.
Rena watched as Frankie’s eyes slanted and narrowed like the eyes of a serpent, when she saw Stiles next to her. She sensed the barely controlled power that was coiled in Frankie’s body. Dang, she looks like she can spring through that glass and choke the life out of me. I’ve made a mistake bringing Stiles with me. Rena felt a wave of momentary panic until she remembered that Frankie was behind bars, and unable to reach her.
Trying to keep from looking Frankie in the eye, Rena shifted her gaze toward Stiles. “Look who’s here. We thought we’d surprise you,” she tried to say lightly.
“Definitely did that.” Frankie yanked the chair and plopped down. “I guess the joke’s on me,” she retorted sarcastically.
“How are you, sis?” Stiles asked bending down to speak through the circular microphone built into the glass.
She shrugged dismissively before focusing back on Rena.
“So, what’s the happy occasion, Rena?”
Frankie’s eyebrows raised and her stare was one that sent shivers up and down Rena’s spine. Stiles couldn’t help but notice the look his sister gave Rena. Before Rena could answer, Stiles knelt down next to her and placed one arm around her shoulders.
“We wanted to come together, sis. Rena and I want to let you know that we’re going to stick by you, and we’re praying for you everyday. When you get out of this place, we’re going to do whatever we can to help you. I’ve been taking good care of your apartment. I even added a few touches to it that I think you might like.” Stiles giggled.
“Hardly,” Frankie mumbled. “I didn’t get an answer, Rena,” Frankie emphasized. “What’s the occasion? Looks like you two are playing the happy couple or something.”
“Uh, I don’t know what you’re talking about, Frankie. I told you.”
Again, Stiles butted in. “Look, Frankie. What’s up with the third degree?”
Rena watched and listened. She saw Frankie’s jaws clinch. Stiles gritted his teeth and inched as close as he could to the window that separated him from
his sister. “Look,” he pointed at her. “I don’t know what your problem is, but I’m sick of feeding it. I don’t know why you’re trying to put Rena on some kind of guilt trip when she’s the one who sticks by your trifling tale.
Frankie’s jaws puffed out so big she looked like a blow fish. Before she could make a come back to his stinging remarks, he spoke up again.
“We came here…”
Rena squeezed his arm to try to stop him from saying what she knew he was about to say, but he ignored her.
“We came here because we wanted you to be the first to know about the two of us. But you’re too busy thinking about yourself, as usual,” he blasted at her.
“And what exactly is it you want me to know, brother?” Frankie responded sharply.
Stiles placed his arm around Rena’s shoulder and kissed her hair. “We’re in love, sis.”
Rena remained speechless, shielding her own surprise at Stiles remarks. She forced her lips to part in a curved, stiff smile. He loves me? My God, he loves me?
“Is that so?” Frankie remarked angrily.
“Yes, Stiles is right.” Rena reached up and grabbed the tips of his fingers and tried to make light of what she believed was about to become an unpleasant situation. “I’ve fallen in love with my best friend’s quirky brother.”
Stiles grip tightened around her shoulder when he heard Rena admit that she loved him too. Frankie jumped up and startled the rest of the inmates. The guard rushed over next to her and pushed her shoulder down so hard that she almost fell to the floor. With a string of expletives gushing out of her mouth, Frankie demanded that the guard take her back to the pod.
As the guard led her away, Rena shivered when she saw a vile, evil-like stare erupt from Frankie’s bloodshot eyes.
Stiles couldn’t move. “Where did all of that come from? She acted like a mad woman.” Stiles turned toward Rena. “What’s wrong with that girl?”
“I…I don’t know. Frankie can be like that sometimes. You don’t know her like I do. None of you do,” Rena said, standing up with tears flooding her eyes. “Let’s get out of here.” Without waiting on him to respond, she rushed out of the visiting area.
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