Micah thought his heart would burst at the sight of his little buddy. Micah ignored the throbbing in his foot and squatted to Matthew’s level. He embraced the child so tightly, he was afraid he would break something. Matthew returned his embrace and laid his head on his shoulder.
“Are you all right?” Micah asked him. Matthew was smiling, but Micah could see the fear in his little brown eyes.
“I’m okay now,” Matthew nodded. “What happened to your foot?”
“I’ll tell you about that later.” Micah looked up at the shocked expression on Pamela’s face. He guessed she was stunned that her son, the child she birthed, came to him first and not her. “Your mother and I were very worried about you.”
Matthew finally looked up at his mother and saw her tears. He reached for her.
“I’m okay, Mommy.” Matthew hugged her around the legs. “I’m not scared anymore.”
“Mr. Stevenson, Ms. Roberts, follow me,” Officer Townes offered. Neither had seen him walk up. “I’ll fill you in on the details. Matthew can wait out here with one of the other officers.”
“No!” Matthew screamed and shook his head vigorously. “I want to stay with my dad.”
Officer Townes glanced from Pamela to Micah. “Normally, I wouldn’t allow this, but since Larson has confessed, Matthew won’t be asked to testify.”
Micah gritted his teeth and stood upright. Matthew released Pamela and leaned against Micah’s leg. They held hands as they slowly followed the officer down the long, carpeted hallway. Pamela dragged behind. Once inside the stale-smelling consultation room, Matthew sat on Micah’s lap with his head resting on Micah’s shoulder.
Pamela’s worry turned into hurt. She couldn’t understand why Matthew wouldn’t come to her and let her comfort him. Matthew loved Micah, but she’s the woman who suffered through long hours of hard labor to give him life, not Micah.
“Mr. Stevenson, you have a very special little boy,” Officer Townes began. “You have done a wonderful job with training him.”
Micah squeezed Matthew. “Thank you.”
“Officer, what happened today?” Pamela asked. She felt like an outsider and didn’t like it.
Officer Townes opened the manila folder in front of him and cleared his throat.
“According to Matthew, your neighbor, Steven Larson, approached him while he was playing outside on the patio. When asked where you were,” the officer pointed at Pamela, “Matthew told him you were asleep. Larson left, but returned a short while later to say you called and asked if he could take Matthew to the movies because you were too tired.”
“What?” Pamela said. “How did he know I was planning on taking Matthew to the movies later?”
“Lucky guess, I suppose. Anyway,” Officer Townes continued, “Larson took Matthew to the movie theater on Solano Avenue. Matthew wanted to sit in the middle of the theater, but Larson said he would be able to see better from the balcony. They sat up there alone. At the end of the movie, Larson asked Matthew to play a game with him. If he played the game, Larson promised he would take him to a baseball game. But first Matthew had to promise to keep the game their little secret.”
Pamela laid her head on the table and cried as Officer Townes explained how Larson fondled Matthew. Micah didn’t say anything; he was too angry and hurt. His grip on Matthew tightened, and his jaw flinched.
Officer Townes continued. “Then Larson made the perfect mistake by asking Matthew to touch him.” Pamela sobbed louder. “Matthew told him he needed some more popcorn first, and Larson bought it. According to witnesses, as soon as they stepped into the concession area, Matthew started pointing and screaming, ‘Help, help, he touched my private!’ He caught the attention of everyone. Larson didn’t know what to do. Matthew screamed until Larson finally took off running. Some movie patrons caught him at the exit door and pinned him down until we arrived.”
Matthew lifted his head from Micah’s shoulder. “See, Dad, I was listening. I did just like you told us to.”
Pamela was confused. She stopped crying. “Us? Were there other children involved?”
“He means the T-ball team,” Micah clarified for Pamela. “I try to teach all of my players how to look out for and how to respond to sexual predators.”
“Oh.” Pamela couldn’t think of anything else to say. At the moment she felt like a fool. The man she tried to keep away from her son turned out to be the one who saved Matthew from the man she gave him to.
Officer Townes turned to Micah. “You’re doing a good job, Mr. Stevenson. This could have been much worse and could have gone on for a longer period of time. From the moment we picked him up, Matthew insisted that we call you. He said that was what he was supposed to do if anything like this ever happened.”
“I also gave the kids my cell number,” Micah explained for Pamela who was still speechless.
Officer Townes stood. “We’ll be working with the Berkeley Police Department on this. If we need to talk to Matthew again, we’ll be in touch. I strongly suggest that you get Matthew some counseling. He appears to be fine, but you never can tell how something like this can affect a child emotionally.”
“I will.” From an unknown source Pamela found the strength to stand. She saw the grimace on Micah’s face as he tried to keep his weight off his right foot and stand while holding Matthew. “I can carry him.” Pamela offered, but Matthew wouldn’t loosen his grip on Micah’s neck.
Back inside the elevator, Pamela, with grief, observed how Matthew clung to Micah and wondered if her son still loved her. Did her son blame her? Outside of the brief hug, he hadn’t touched her. Once inside AC’s Explorer, Matthew sat in the backseat with Micah. From the front seat, Pamela silently prayed that both her son and Micah would one day forgive her for her futility. Steve Larson may have violated her son, but she committed the biggest monstrosity of all. She opened the door that gave him free access.
She thought back to an earlier conversation with Micah about his mother. At the time, Pamela swore she would never put her son in danger the way Micah’s mother had done with him. Pamela looked down on Helen Stevenson, whom she had never met, because Micah had to rely on others for his basic needs. Today, Pamela learned she wasn’t any different from Helen. They both were controlled by something. Helen, alcohol, and Pamela, fear. Pamela’s fear drove her to make a bad decision that could scar her son for life, just like Helen had done to Micah.
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Those two verses rang loudly in her head all the way home.
The gearshift hardly rested in the park position before Matthew was bombarded with hugs and kisses from his grandparents and godmother, along with Pastor Jackson and the first lady. The group had been waiting outside for AC’s SUV to drive into the complex. Matthew joyfully received the affection, but kept Micah in view at all times.
Jessica prepared a celebratory dinner, courtesy of the local favorite BBQ spot. Just before everyone sat down to eat, the group held hands in a circle, and Pastor Jackson prayed until he was sweating. He thanked God for bringing Matthew back safely and for the predator to be freed from his demons. It was during the prayer that Micah was finally able to release the emotions he’d been holding in since first receiving Pamela’s call. Micah cried, and so did everyone else, including Matthew.
After dinner, with Matthew sitting between them, Pamela and Micah recapped the details of Matthew’s ordeal.
“That was a very smart thing you did,” Pastor Jackson told Matthew.
“That’s what my dad told me to do,” Matthew said, smiling back at Micah.
An uncomfortable quietness filled the room until Pamela said, “You have a very good dad.” She said the words to her son, but looked at Micah.
Pastor Jackson sat straight up. Dorothy and Jessica both prayed Pamela really meant what she was implying.
Micah refused to get his hopes up; his heart was still
bleeding from her earlier stabs. He focused his attention back to Matthew. He was the only person that mattered to him. Today had proven to him that no matter how things worked out between him and Pamela, Matthew would always be a son to him. “It’s time for you to take a bath.”
“Okay,” Matthew said. “But can you stay with me tonight?”
Micah was taken by surprise at Matthew’s request. He didn’t know how to answer him.
Dorothy offered assistance. “Grandpa and I are staying over tonight.”
“Okay, but I want Micah to stay too,” Matthew insisted.
Pastor Jackson cleared his throat. “Sister Dorothy, can you take Matthew upstairs? I want to talk to Micah and Pamela.”
“Come on, baby; let’s take a bath.” Dorothy quickly took her grandson by the hand, but before they made it to the staircase, Matthew called over his shoulder to Micah, “I’ll be right back, Dad. Don’t leave.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” First Lady said once Matthew reached the top step. “That baby has made up his mind.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t say this,” Pastor Jackson began, “but under the circumstances, I think what Matthew suggested is a good idea.”
“So do I,” Henry added.
“Matthew has been violated by a male, and he needs to be with a male he trusts so he can feel safe again,” Pastor Jackson explained.
“Matthew doesn’t trust anyone more than he trusts Micah. You heard for yourself. In his eyes, Micah is his father, and tonight he needs his father,” Jessica added.
“You noticed that child hasn’t left Micah’s side since you picked him up?” First Lady jumped in.
“How can I not notice?” A touch of jealousy laced Pamela’s words, but no one in the room seemed to care.
“Won’t nothing that ain’t supposed to happen go on with me and Dorothy here, anyhow.” Henry stared hard at Micah.
“Micah, I’ll pick you up after service tomorrow,” AC offered.
Pamela blew the stray hair strands that dangled in her face. They had everything figured out. “Is that all right with you?” Pamela finally asked Micah. “My son needs you.”
“I’ll do anything for Matthew, but are you okay with this? Do you mind me being here with Matthew?”
Pamela could hear the pleading in his voice. Micah wanted to stay, and she wanted him to stay. Matthew wasn’t the only one who needed the presence of a man in their life. Of course, she couldn’t admit that with everyone staring at her mouth. “Would you like one pillow or two?” she asked with a smile as if everything were perfect.
“One is fine.” Micah didn’t grin or blink.
Pastor Jackson slapped his knees. “Good. Now that everything is under control, we should go home and let them spend some quality time together.” Everyone agreed and stood for one more prayer circle, and then said good-bye.
Matthew returned downstairs after his bath, slightly damp, with a book in his hand. He positioned himself under Micah’s arm and listened attentively as Micah brought the words on the pages to life. Before sending him back upstairs, Micah prayed with Matthew. Pamela followed him upstairs. It was then Matthew finally allowed his mother to hold him for a while.
With Henry and Dorothy retired to the extra bedroom upstairs, Micah assumed he had the living room all to himself for the rest of the night. He removed his pants and button down shirt, then stretched his long body over the couch. He covered himself with the blanket Pamela had left for him and waited for sleep to come. Startled, he gasped when Pamela lifted his right leg. He hadn’t heard her enter the room.
“This should be elevated,” she said and placed a pillow underneath his foot. Pamela got on her knees in front of him to inspect the foot more closely. “I’ll rewrap this for you tomorrow.”
“Sure. Whatever,” he said and closed his eyes.
Pamela moved upward near his face and stared at him lying there, big, yet gentle. The eyelashes she loved so much concealed the eyes that revealed the depth of the pain her irresponsible actions inflicted on him. Her heart ached for him, and her soul longed for the contentment his presence once gave her. Pamela made a decision. She wanted Micah, flaws and all. Pamela didn’t know how, but she was going to try to move past his history. Jessica and her mother were right; the Micah she loved was not the same man who engaged in those illicit acts. The man she loved was kind, considerate, sensitive, compassionate, and God-fearing.
“Thank you. Micah, thank you for everything, especially for being here today when I . . . when we needed you. Thank you for teaching Matthew what to do and for loving me even though I blatantly distrusted you.” She whispered the words as she traced his cheek with her fingertip.
Her touch shocked him, and his eyes popped open. “I love you,” she said softly.
“Is that enough?” he questioned. He was a long way from being over his hurt. “Are you really in love with me? Or are you just happy because your son is home?”
That wasn’t the reaction she expected, but figured she deserved as much. She continued to stroke his cheek. “I am happy Matthew is safe, but I’ve been in love with you long before today.”
Micah remained cautious. Pamela had taught him not to assume anything. “But is that love enough for us to move forward?”
“I want it to be,” she answered honestly.
Micah reached for her, but she pulled away. He sighed deeply and closed his eyes again. “Good night, Pamela.”
Pamela arose to her feet and stood over him. “Micah, I have to pull back this time. The way I feel right now makes it unsafe for me to be this close to you, especially with you being impaired.” She took a step backward.
His eyes opened in time to watch her retreat another step. He smiled and nodded his understanding, but didn’t verbally respond. He watched her walk backward halfway up the stairs. Then she turned and ran the rest of the way.
Here we go again, he thought while lying on his back.
Pamela awoke in the middle of the night and went to check on Matthew. When she didn’t find him in his bed, she ran downstairs only to find him cuddled under Micah’s arm. Pamela turned out the light and went back to bed.
Chapter 18
“Father, I thank you because on this morning I know where my son is. I thank you because even when I make mistakes you still love me. Father, forgive me for putting my son in danger. Show me the people and the things I need to protect him from. Then show me how to trust the people you have placed in his life. And Father, please show me how to accept the man you have sent to me. In your son Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
After her morning prayer, Pamela showered and prepared herself for the day. It was only 8:30 A.M., but already her day felt strange. She hadn’t spent a Sunday morning at home in a very long time. The last Sunday she remembered spending at home, she was too high to go to church, couldn’t even point in the direction of any church. Today, she planned to stay home to look after her men. The opportunity brought a smile to her face. Matthew needed to be around family, and Micah needed to stay off his foot so it could heal properly. She was certain the stress he placed on it yesterday had set back the healing process.
Pamela intended to be at his beck and call all day long. Micah deserved that and so much more. He deserved her love.
Pamela bounced down the stairs, and then trotted into the kitchen. She stopped when she didn’t see anyone but Dorothy. “Where is everybody?”
“Good morning to you too,” Dorothy snapped.
“Sorry, Mama. I expected to find my men waiting anxiously for me to feed them.”
Dorothy raised an eyebrow. “Your men?”
Pamela blushed. “Yes, my men.”
“Henry and Micah are watching Matthew outside. Breakfast will be ready soon. You can help me finish.”
Pamela looked toward the patio. “Micah needs to stay off his foot.”
“I know,” Dorothy agreed, “but he said he needed some fresh air, and you know wherever he goes, Matthew follows.”
Pamela smiled. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? How close they are?”
“I want to hear how close you and Micah are.” Dorothy handed Pamela five plates from the cabinet. “Are you ready to accept him?”
Pamela walked to the table and began to arrange the setting. “Mama, I love Micah. He’s my soul mate, of that I’m certain.”
“But . . .”
“There are no buts, Mama,” Pamela said. “If I can get past his history, I’m going to marry him.”
“I hope you can.” Dorothy passed her five glasses. “Micah is a good man. I watched him yesterday. He put Matthew and your needs before his own and didn’t complain one time, and he had plenty right to, but he didn’t. He hobbled around carrying both you and Matthew on a broken foot.”
“I know he’s a good man, but I’m afraid he’ll keep going back to his old lifestyle, like before,” Pamela admitted. “If that happens, then what?”
“Baby, don’t let a bad, dead man keep you from the love of a good living one.”
Micah’s Mission Impossible ringtone prevented Pamela from responding. She hurried into the living room and pulled the phone from his jacket pocket just before the call went to voice mail. “Hello, Micah Stevenson’s phone.”
“Pamela, is that you?” the female caller asked, then added, “It better be you. Shouldn’t no other woman be answering my son’s phone this time of morning.” The caller paused. “It’s not even ten o’clock in California. You shouldn’t be answering his phone this time of morning either.”
Pamela laughed. “Hello, Mrs. Stevenson; it’s me, Pamela. It’s nice to finally speak to you.”
“I’ll tell you how nice it is. What are you doing with Micah this early in the morning? I talked with my brother this morning, and he didn’t tell me y’all got married.”
“No, Mrs. Stevenson, we didn’t. Micah spent the night at my place last night.”
“Oh Jesus!” Helen exclaimed. “Go get Micah. I want y’all to repeat this prayer after me.”
Pamela laughed out loud. She remembered what Micah had told her about his mother and her daily recital of the sinner’s prayer. Pamela went on to explain that her parents also spent the night and that Micah had slept on the couch.
Right Package, Wrong Baggage Page 15
