“I want to go home. I need to be alone for awhile.”
So much had transpired so quickly that Stiles didn’t rebuff her demands. He went to the church to talk to Pastor about his sister’s odd behavior.
Listening to his son, Pastor replied, “Stiles, people in prison often experience loneliness and isolation. The two of you remind Francesca of how she’s made a mess of her life. It’s normal. Seeing you and her best friend happy, and in love was too much for Frankie at the time.”
“Maybe you’re right, Pastor. But if she would understand how much Rena and I care about her, then she wouldn’t have to feel the way she does.”
“Give her some time, son. Let me talk to her. I’m going to visit her and a few other inmates tomorrow morning. She’ll be fine. You’ll see.”
Stiles left the church and headed home. He called Rena a couple of more times but she still didn’t answer her phone.
“Rena, it’s Stiles. I’m on my way home. I thought I’d try reaching you again, but I guess you’re already sleeping. I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you. Goodnight.” I guess she needs some time to sort things out too, after Frankie’s behavior. After Pastor talks to Frankie, maybe things will be better for everybody. Stiles thought.
Rena lay across the bed and listened to Stiles’s message. Falling down on her knees beside her bed, she prayed. “Lord, I can’t talk to Stiles. Not after the way things went with Frankie. What do I do? I feel like I’m backed up in a corner without a way of getting out. Help me get out of this mess, please.” When she finished her prayer, she climbed between the bedcover and fell asleep.
The next morning, unable to convince Audrey to go with him, Pastor drove alone to Jail East Women’s Facility, arriving there in time for morning visiting hours.
Pastor walked in and sat down in front of the plate glass window. Unspoken pain glowed in his eyes when he saw his frazzled looking daughter enter through the narrow corridor. She sat down in the rickety chair in front of the glass partition.
“Hey, Pastor.” Her eyes glistened and tears formed.
He pressed his hand against the window. She matched hers against his.
“Hello, sweetheart. How are you?”
“My life is so messed up. ‘I’m always screwin’ up. I make one bad decision afta anotha. Everyone I’m ‘roun ends up mis’rable. I can’t keep a job. I’m in and outta jail all the time. My own motha can’t stand me.”
“Francesca, baby that’s not true. Your mother loves you. We all love you.”
“I love you too. Being a disappointment to you was never on my list of things to do in life. I swear.”
“Remember, you shouldn’t swear. His smile deepened into laughter.”
“Oh, yeah, forgot.” She smiled back at him. “Pastor, rememba when I was a lil girl and you took me places with you?”
Pastor nodded his head.
“It would be just me and you. What happened to those days? Why do things got to be like they are now?”
“Frankie, life is made up of a series of events and situations. Sometimes they’re unfortunate and are caused by the decisions we make. Other times, it’s not of our own doing, things just happen. But the important thing to remember is that life is for living, baby. Sure, sometimes we choose the wrong path, but honey, you can’t beat up on yourself for the mistakes you’ve made. If I took an inventory of all the things I’ve done wrong or beat up on myself for all the bad decisions I made, honey I would be crazy. But I refuse to do that. I’m human. You’re human. We all make mistakes. In the book of Philippians chapter three, Paul says, ‘I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.’ Honey, that’s what you have to do. Stop clinging to the mistakes of your past. Serve your time here, and move on from this place. As for your brother and your best friend, you have to find it in your heart to be happy for them instead of angry. They love each other, and that’s a good thing, sweetheart.”
“Yea, I guess.”
The guard yelled, “Visiting hours over. Return to your cells.”
Frankie stood up and pressed the palm of her hand against the glass. Pastor laid his palm against the glass to match hers.
“Bye, sweetheart. Stay strong, and remember that you are loved.”
Frankie tilted her head and leaned it against the window. She mouthed the words, “goodbye” to Pastor and then walked away.
Lying in her bunk that night, Frankie thought about the things Pastor and her talked about. She smiled when she thought of how he had a way of soothing her troubled spirit. When she drifted off to sleep, she was awakened by the same, terrible nightmares. Screaming out loud, the only response she heard were the yells from the other inmates for her to shut up.
Three days after her and Stiles’s visit, Rena went alone to see Frankie, but she refused Rena’s visit. Rena, though hurt, still left money for Frankie so she would be able to buy toiletries, snacks and magazines. Frankie hadn’t called either, something she used to do almost everyday.
Rena told Stiles about Frankie’s refusal to see her.
“Take my word for it, Frankie will come around,” he tried to reassure Rena.
“I hope so. We’ve been friends far too long for it to come to end because of our relationship,” Rena countered.
Deep down inside Rena wanted to tell him that it wasn’t the friendship she was afraid of losing. It was the fear that was nestled inside about what Frankie would do once she was released from prison.
16
The story of a love is not important-what is important is that one is capable of love. It is perhaps the only glimpse we are permitted of eternity. Helen Hayes
Audrey couldn’t be better since being told Stiles and Rena were in love. Stiles had confided in her and Pastor that he was going to ask Rena to marry him.
Stiles told his parents of his plans to visit Mr. and Mrs. Jackson. He wanted to do things in the proper manner. Although Rena had already told her parents about them being in love, she had no idea that he wanted her to become his wife.
Two days before he was supposed to fly to Andover, Stiles told Rena that he had to go out of town on business.
“Son, I’m proud of you for going about this the right way.”
“Thank you, Pastor.” Stiles’s smile broadened at his father’s approval.
“It’s right to seek the blessing of a woman’s parents before you ask her to become your wife. They’ll respect you for it.”
“I wouldn’t feel right if Mr. and Mrs. Jackson didn’t know my intentions. I not only want their blessing, but I want them to know that I love Rena,” explained Stiles.
When he arrived in Andover, the Jackson family greeted Stiles with open arms. Mr. Jackson had gained a tremendous amount of respect for Stiles Graham. Nowadays, there weren’t many men who asked for a daughter’s hand in marriage. But Stiles wasn’t like many men. He had been raised to be respectable, to treat others the way he wanted to be treated. Stiles assured Mr. Jackson that he intended to spend the rest of his life showing Rena just how much he loved her.
Two days later, Stiles returned to Memphis with the full blessing of Rena’s parents. If Rena accepted his proposal, he would be sitting on top of the world.
No sooner than his plane touched down, and he retrieved his bag, Stiles hurried outside to wait on Rena to pick him up. It wasn’t long before he saw her driving into the airport pick-up area. He dashed toward the car, threw his bag in the back seat and jumped inside. His lips found hers and he embraced her with fervor.
“I’m glad to see you too,” remarked Rena as he released her lips.
“I can’t help that I missed you.” That irresistible grin danced at the corners of his mouth.
Pulling away from the curb, Rena stole a look at him and smiled. “How was your trip?”
“Better than I could ever expect.”
She viewed him a bit curiously, and shrugged her shoulders offhandedly. “You never said wha
t it was about.”
“I had to tie up some loose ends, that’s all.” He reached over and caressed Rena’s thigh without her putting up a fuss.
She loved the feel of his touch. She never dreamed a man’s hands would feel so warm and so gentle.
The next afternoon, Stiles called Rena. Everything was planned and he hoped tomorrow night would be perfect.
“How’s the girl of my dreams?”
Rena blushed over the phone and returned with her own quirky response. “Absolutely wonderful, now that she’s talking to the man of her dreams.”
“Ah, hah, so you do know how to get to my soft spot? Am I going to see you later?”
“Do you want to see me?”
“I can’t think of anything I’d like better.”
“What time?”
“Well, I have a few members to visit this afternoon and a minister’s meeting. After that, I’m free. What about sevenish?” remarked Stiles.
Rena laughed lightly into the phone. “Sevenish, it is. Bye, sweetheart.”
“I’ll see you tonight.” He ended the call and returned to taking care of church business.
Pastor walked into his son’s office.
“How is everything coming along with the development of the Men’s Ministry?” Pastor inquired.
“I believe it’s going to be a positive ministry, Pastor. We met last week, and we’re going to meet again Saturday morning. I’ve been getting some great cooperation from our men. We’ve had some productive brainstorming sessions. Once we put everything together, I believe we’re going to have a powerful Men’s Ministry.”
“Good, son. Real good.” Pastor patted Stiles on his shoulder. “Would you like to come to dinner this evening? Your mother is preparing your favorite, carrot soufflé.”
“That sounds good, but I have to pass tonight. I’m supposed to pick up Rena at seven.”
“You know she’s always welcome at Emerald Estates. I know Audrey wouldn’t mind. She’s still swooning over the fact that you and Rena are in love and that she’s going to be your wife.” Pastor chuckled light heartedly.
“Tell you what. Let me check with her. If she doesn’t have special plans for us, then we’ll stop by. But if we don’t, tell Mom to set aside some of her delicious soufflé for her son.”
Pastor threw back his head and chuckled again. “Will do.” He turned around and walked toward the door, still talking. “I’m going to my office to study some more for Sunday’s message. We’ll talk later.”
“Sure thing, Pastor.”
Seven-fifteen Stiles arrived at Rena’s apartment. Before he could ring the doorbell, she opened the door and ushered him inside.
“Hello, beautiful.” He kissed her fervently on the lips, as his hand positioned perfectly around the coif of her neck.
Rena accepted his kiss eagerly.
“Don’t you think we need to be leaving?” Rena asked, putting space between them.
“Just where are we going, anyway?” Stiles viewed her curiously.
“It’s such a beautiful evening, I thought we should do something outside,” suggested Rena.
Stiles cuffed his chin with his left hand. “Let’s see. What can we do?” He paced across the floor a couple of times. “Hey, I know. There’s a Redbirds game tonight.”
“I’d like that. Let me grab my purse and phone. I’ll be right back.”
Stiles couldn’t pass up the opportunity. He followed her.
“What are you doing?”
He answered by walking up on her and pulling her into his arms. His kisses ravished her body and sent shivers coursing up and down her spine. It was hard for her to pull away because she didn’t want him to stop.
“Stiles,” whispered Rena. “We have to go. We need to go.” Her words turned into soft moans.
Stiles was quickly losing control until his spirit jolted him. He pulled away from Rena. “You’re right. Let’s get out of here before there’s no turning back.” His breathing was heavy and other parts throbbed with desire.
Driving back across the bridge after the game, Rena and Stiles enjoyed each other’s company. Their constant chatter proved that they had much in common. Being around Stiles, there was never a time of boredom. Hating to compare him against Frankie, she tried not to think of the friction that often arose between them whenever they were together. There was always something that the two of them disagreed over. But with Stiles, everything went smoothly. She hated to admit it, but it felt good not having Frankie around. Not that she wanted her to be in jail, but knowing that she wasn’t free to wreak havoc in her life, at least for now, made life for Rena that much easier.
Excitement dripped from Stiles’s voice. “I made reservations for the two of us for tomorrow night at Chez Philippe.”
Rena’s eyes glowed as the joy of excitement bubbled forth. “Oh, Stiles, did you? I hear that it’s top of the line.”
“Nothing but the best for my girl.”
17
For one human being to love another; that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks, the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation. R. Rilke
Stiles was a man of elegant taste. The 18-karat white gold engagement ring with a two carat round bezel set diamond revealed his exquisite taste even more. Encircled by ten glittering round diamonds, when he showed it to his mother, she almost fainted. It was absolutely stunning.
When Stiles arrived to pick her up, he was in awe of Rena’s beauty. The rose print organza silk dress accented her milk colored skin. Stiles loved her even more at that moment. The wintry February evening gave Stiles a welcome excuse to cuddle against the woman who he hoped would soon become his wife.
With each arm folded inside the other, Rena huddled underneath her wool and cotton waist length jacket. Stiles opened his stylish wool flannel trench and cradled it against her coat, providing extra warmth for Rena’s thin frame.
When they arrived at Chez Philippe, they checked their coats in. A hostess led them to their table. Stiles noticed Rena’s brows drew together in an agonized expression. He placed the menu on the table. “Would you like me to order for the both of us?”
“Yes, please.” Rena laid the menu down and sighed with relief.
Stiles chose the braised shrimp and turnip salad with fresh thyme for the appetizer to be accompanied with a glass of white wine. With the engagement ring tucked safely away inside his pant pocket, he waited patiently for the perfect time. They talked about everything from high school to college. The environment was relaxing and upscale.
“So this is the famous Peabody’s Chez Philippe. The food is delicious,” Rena praised him then pointed out the beautiful restaurant decor. It felt sensational to be treated like she was the only woman in the world. Stiles was able to bring out the very best in her. For the first time in her twenty-five years, Rena admitted to herself that she was someone special. She’d never really thought about her feelings toward herself before. But sitting across the table from Stiles, listening to him compliment her and pamper her, was the best feeling in the world. She felt worthy of love and not the rollercoaster treatment she’d grown used to receiving from Frankie.
Frankie, oh my goodness. Frankie would explode if she could see me now, Rena thought. As soon as her mind ventured toward Frankie, Rena dispelled the thoughts. Shaking off thoughts of Frankie was becoming easier. Tonight was no different. Nothing was going to ruin her evening, not even Frankie.
Stiles raised his glass. “To us.”
Rena raised her glass and echoed, “To us,” and smiled. As he made a toast to their future, he discreetly reached inside the pocket of his black designer’s suit, using his fingers to caress the tiny gold box. Pulling it out as they both sat their glasses back down, with one swoop Stiles stood, then knelt down on one knee next to Rena, and tenderly took hold of her hand.
“What in the world are you doing?” She looked around to see if any one noticed the tall figure bending down before her
. Trying to shield the embarrassment she felt at that moment proved to be rather difficult.
Stiles didn’t bother saying a word. He allowed his baby brown eyes to do all the talking. Rena was transfixed. Everything appeared to be moving in slow motion as she eyed the gold box in his hand.
This can’t be. Oh, my God, it can’t be. She watched in utter stillness as Stiles cautiously opened the box and said the four most life changing words that could ever be spoken by a man to his woman, “Will you marry me?”
Cresting in her eyes were tears that the dim restaurant chandelier made sparkle as brilliant as the diamond he held in his hand. She leaned over and wrapped her arms around Stiles’s neck, rising only slightly so she could place butterfly kisses over his face.
“I hope this means you’re saying, yes, to my marriage proposal.”
“Yes, yes, yes,” was Rena’s response.
Several people in the restaurant oohed and aahed the couple when Stiles placed the sparkling engagement ring on Rena’s finger. Rena’s eyes scanned the diamond then she looked into Stiles’s with appreciation for being appreciated.
“My God, this is beautiful, Stiles.” The cry of relief that she had been holding broke from her lips. Rena raised her tear filled eyes, caught his and held this moment in time.
Stiles, still on bended knee, used his thumb to delicately wipe a tear from her cheek. “You got me on my knee, girl. He had to find some humor so he wouldn’t get emotional.
“I plan on using the rest of my life to see that you’re just as happy as you are right now, love of my life.”
A bottle of wine was placed on their table, compliments of Chez Philippe. They picked up the bottle and left. Stiles drove to the park on the river. The icy breezy coming from the Mississippi forced Rena to find warm refuge underneath Stiles’s arms. While cuddling in the car, she examined her ring over and over again.
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