“Whoa, I didn’t know it was like that.” Stiles smiled so big that all his front teeth showed. “Praise God, brother. I’ll be in prayer about it.”
“I appreciate that.”
“How much longer are you going to hang around?” asked Stiles.
“I’m not on a timetable. I want to make sure Francesca’s out of the woods before I leave for the night,” remarked Brother Tim. “I live in Dyersburg, so it’s no problem for me if I have to be here all night. I can easily run to the house in time to get ready for work in the morning.”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you, man. It’s good to know that Francesca has someone in her life who is genuinely concerned about her and who loves her. She’s a lucky woman.”
“I’ll be a blessed man if God grants me the desire of my heart. That woman in there”—Brother Tim pointed toward the ICU area—“has a giant slice of my heart.”
“I hear you. Well, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go downstairs and make a few phone calls, one being to my better half. I want to give her an update on Francesca. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Go ahead. I’ll be here. If you’d let the nursing staff know that I’m in here on her behalf, I’d appreciate it.”
“Sure. I’ll tell them,” Stiles said. He walked out of the waiting room and delivered the message to the nursing station about Brother Tim.
Stiles retrieved his BlackBerry from his side. He hit the number two on the phone, and it readily called his home phone.
“How is she?” asked Detria as soon as she picked up the phone.
“They say she has what is called an opportunistic infection, and she has AIDS now, too. She’s on a ventilator because the infection has caused serious problems with her lungs. They have her sedated, hoping that will allow her to rest and give her lungs time to heal.”
“Oh, Stiles, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Me too. Have you checked on Pastor?”
Detria stuttered. “No, but I will when I finish talking to you. I’ve been resting, and then I talked to Brooke. I was going to call, but then you called. I’m sure he’s fine. What time will you be heading home?”
“I don’t know. I’m thinking that I might spend the night. I want to be sure she’s out of the woods before I leave.”
Detria sighed into the phone. “Are you sure that’s all there is to it?”
Stiles’s mouth curved downward and a deep crease formed between his eyes. “Detria, not now. My sister is in ICU, it’s storming like crazy outside, my dad is in the hospital, and you still want to make this all about you? Please.”
Detria couldn’t seem to maintain her mild tone. “Look,” she yelled into the phone. “I’m not making this about me. I was just asking you a simple question, but I guess you just answered it. Honestly, Stiles, you are a real piece of work, you know that?”
“I don’t have time to argue with you, Detria. I thought I would call to give you an update on my sister and hopefully find out how my father is doing. But it seems like that wasn’t such a good idea. I’ll call you back if I decide to make the drive home later tonight.”
Stiles didn’t quite understand why Detria was aggravated so easily. The last couple of months had been tough on both of them. Well, at least they had been for him. If he had to give his two cents’ worth, he would say that Detria didn’t act like a woman who had miscarried her first child. Lately, she didn’t act like his wife half the time because she was always so busy doing her thing. The gym had practically become her life. She refused to discuss the miscarriage with him and how it affected both of them. And when it came to Pastor, it was like she was perturbed by his presence in the house. She rarely read to him like she used to, and the only time Stiles noticed her going into Pastor’s bedroom was when she had prepared food for him or needed to clean him up. Things around the house felt different. Where was the concerned, kind, giving woman he had married, the one Pastor adored? Stiles allowed his mind to drift to a place where he didn’t want it to go. Could she have . . .? No, don’t be ridiculous. He forced the dreadful thought out of his mind just as quickly as it had come.
Chapter 15
Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever
solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.
— C. S. Lewis
The week passed by swiftly for Stiles. Pastor was discharged from the hospital and admitted to Health South Rehabilitation Center for inpatient occupational and speech therapy. He was fortunate enough to have some of the same therapists who had worked with him after his previous two strokes, including the speech therapist. His health began to slowly improve, and there were few signs remaining of the physical abuse he had experienced.
Stiles talked to Detria about whether or not he should tell Pastor about Francesca. They both agreed that now was not the time. Stiles prayed that Francesca would continue to show signs of improvement before he broke the news to Pastor. Either way, Francesca’s AIDS diagnosis was going to be tough for Pastor to hear.
Detria left work and struck out to the gym to start her rigorous, two-hour workout regimen. Her figure revealed a woman with not only curves, but also well-defined muscles. For Detria, working out was her stress reliever. She didn’t want to tell Stiles, but not having Pastor to come home to every day had improved matters. She was able to let go of some of the rage that had built up inside of her. The guilt she felt for abusing Pastor was not rearing its ugly head as often. Her strained marital relationship seemed to be improving, too. Detria rode with Stiles to visit Francesca once. The sight of Francesca was almost too much for Detria to bear. Francesca had dropped a significant amount of weight in a small span of time, which caused her to look weak, thin, and sickly. She drifted in and out of sleep most of the time Detria and Stiles were there.
Detria thought Brother Tim was exactly as Stiles had described him—humorous, God-fearing, and one who did not hide his feelings for Francesca.
Detria was glad someone was interested in Stiles’s sister. It wasn’t every day that a person could look on another individual with love and not contempt, especially one with Francesca’s past. Detria didn’t condemn Francesca because of her sexual orientation and her past criminal history of petty thefts and assault; she was pulling for Francesca to turn her life around.
Detria moved from one piece of exercise equipment to the next. She laughed and talked with some of the other regular patrons. After an hour of strenuous workouts, she went to the lap pool and followed it with a stint in the steam room. She came out feeling the results of her daily regimen. Now she could go home and prepare a healthy meal for herself and Stiles—that is, if he was coming home in time for dinner.
Before she left the gym parking lot, Detria sat in her car and called Stiles to see what his agenda was for the remainder of the evening. After reaching his voice mail twice, she sent him a text message. She waited several minutes but received no reply. Detria shrugged her shoulders, started the car, and drove out of the parking lot at a faster speed than was legally allowed. She understood that at times Stiles would be unavailable because of his pastoral duties, but knowing that didn’t keep her from getting frustrated. She felt isolated and alone. It was hard to know who she could trust outside of her family.
If First Lady Audrey were still alive, Detria believed things would be far better. First of all, Pastor wouldn’t be living with them, and Audrey would make sure Stiles was putting in the time he should with his wife. But Audrey wasn’t there with her, and now she had no one she felt understood the emotional turmoil going on inside of her when it came to her marriage. Brooke was always willing to listen, but Detria didn’t want to sit her baggage of troubles on her sister’s front porch. She had to learn how to fend for herself. Somehow she had to find a way to get her life and her marriage back on track.
She was Stiles’s helpmeet, and she loved him with all her heart. But more and more, it seemed that Stiles’s time and attention were focused on the church, his students
, and his family, with her needs excluded altogether.
Detria opened the garage door. No car. No Stiles. She went inside and didn’t stop until she entered their bedroom. Her mind had totally disregarded her plans to prepare dinner. She stepped out of her clothes and then detoured to the luxurious master bathroom. Detria loved the smell of scented candles. It was another source of relaxation for her. She lit the candles that lined the rim of the Jacuzzi bathtub and then proceeded to the closet to retrieve bubble bath. She turned on the faucets full force, poured in some of the bubble bath, and watched as hundreds of bubbles formed.
She lay back in the hot tub of water, her head resting against the rim. With her eyes closed, Detria prayed out loud. “Lord, forgive me for all the wrong I’ve done. Forgive me if I’ve been selfish. I want to be a good wife. I want to be a good friend to my husband. I want to be a great supporter to him, Lord. Forgive me for what I did to Pastor. I need your help. I need a word from you, Father.”
Detria’s eyes remained closed, which kept back the tears that wanted to escape. She remained silent and breathed in the aroma of the candles. She lay in the tub until she heard Stiles’s familiar footsteps bounding up the stairs.
“Detria,” he called out.
“I’m in here,” Detria answered.
Stiles walked into the bathroom and stood at the entrance. “Hi there,” he said.
“Hi.”
“Sorry I didn’t call you back. I was in a staff meeting at the university, so my phone was off. I see you’re doing one of the things you love.” Stiles smiled at her.
Detria’s heart pounded. She loved Stiles so much. Seeing him standing in the door made her excited. His explanation of why he hadn’t returned her call or text was the farthest thing from her mind.
“No problem. I just got in from the gym. I was calling you to see if you were going to be home in time for dinner.”
“I’m here.” Stiles walked toward the tub. “I’m all yours.” He began to peel off layers of clothing. “Mind if I have my dessert now?”
Detria smiled. She reached out her soapy hand and welcomed Stiles as he removed his last item of clothing and stepped inside the tub.
“I’ve missed you so much,” she said after Stiles kissed her deeply. His hands expertly caressed her. He seemed to know every nook and cranny of her body. These were the times Detria missed. For the next hour, she wallowed in the comfort of her husband’s arms. If only for now, everything seemed right in her world. She wasn’t going to waste any more time thinking about the past, about the loss, or about when Pastor would be coming back. All she wanted was happening right now, and that was perfect for Detria.
Chapter 16
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you
encounter various trials, knowing that the testing
of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance
have its perfect result, so that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
–James 1:2–4, NASB
Rena had come to love each day in Andover more than the day before. With a boyfriend like Robert Becton and his children in her life, a satisfying career, a home close to her parents, and the pain of the past finally behind her, she felt revitalized and renewed. Her focus was on her life, and the happiness God blessed her to have showed in her upbeat personality. She was more involved than ever before in her career, and it felt absolutely wonderful. The Association for Library and Information Science Education was going to honor her for her work introducing youth to new media studies by incorporating it into the high school curriculum. Robert’s kids adored her. She had a church home she loved. Life couldn’t be better.
“What time did you say your flight leaves tomorrow?” Robert asked.
Rena smiled. “Three.” She picked over her salad before gathering a few green veggies on her fork and placing it in her mouth. “I think I’ve told you that, oh, about ten times since I planned this trip.”
They finished eating their lunch, something that had become a routine for them since they officially became a couple. They remained professional at school, but it was still no secret that Dr. Robert Becton and librarian Rena Graham were an item.
“I wish I could accompany you,” Robert said.
“I know, but you have to get your students prepared for the annual science exposition next week. And that’s no problem, Robert. I’m a big girl. Plus, Momma is going with me.”
“Well, make sure she takes plenty of pictures and records the event. I want to see you when you accept the Youth Services Award. ALISE is a prominent, well-known organization, and they’re lucky to have you as one of their members,” Robert complimented.
“Of course you would say that.” Rena giggled. “Even if it is true.”
“You are so full of yourself, aren’t you?” Robert quipped.
“I can’t help it. I got it from you.” Rena walked a smidgen ahead of Robert. “Aren’t you, Dr. Becton, the one who’s always telling me how wonderful and beautiful I am?”
Robert displayed a sheepish, boy-like grin. “True,” he answered.
“Okay then.” She spread both hands. “I decided to stop fighting you and begin agreeing with you.” Rena gave him a huge smile. “Especially since it’s all true.” She used the back of her hand to stifle her bubbly outburst.
They dumped their food trays in the proper area, then walked toward the door facing the science building, which curved gracefully around the immaculately landscaped courtyard. Few students enjoyed or probably even recognized the serenity and peace the courtyard offered. The sun was bright; the skies clear. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Days like this were what Rena enjoyed.
The needs of teenagers seemed so simple to Rena. Teenage boys would much rather stroll the hall casually between classes and eyeball the girls huddled next to their lockers. Girls enjoyed focusing more on the latest fashionista or cute guy.
Near the end of their stroll to their assigned work areas, Robert and Rena exchanged a light kiss and departed. Rena arrived back at the library ready to finish out the remainder of her workday. She sorted through several new books that had arrived, answered her e-mails, followed by entertaining a group of upper class students enrolled in her new media production video class. Toward the end of the day, she heard her cell phone ringing. It was her mother.
“Hi, Mom. What’s up?”
“How’s your day going, honey?” her mother asked.
“Great. I’ll be out of here in about an hour.”
“I didn’t want anything in particular. I just wanted to tell you that I just finished talking to Ellen Hunt in Memphis.”
“Ellen Hunt? Do I know her?”
“I thought you did. She was in my Sunday school class when I was at Holy Rock.”
“Okay. I don’t remember her, though her name does sound slightly familiar. What were the two of you talking about?”
“She calls every now and then,” Rena’s mother answered. “But she told me that Pastor Graham had another stroke. I believe this is his third one. She said he had been in the hospital, too.”
“Is he all right?” Rena asked.
“She said he just got out of the hospital, but he’s in a rehab hospital now. Like his first stroke, it affected his speech.”
“I am so sorry to hear that. And he’s not an old man, either. That’s the sad part.”
“Honey, a stroke can affect just about anybody. We have to keep him lifted up in our prayers. But that’s not all she told me.”
“Wait a minute, Momma.” Rena laid down her cell phone and assisted a student who approached her desk. “Okay, I’m back. Now, what were you saying?”
“I was about to say that Ellen told me Francesca is seriously ill and in ICU.”
“What happened?” Rena asked. She leaned back in her office chair, and suddenly sweat formed on her brow and she felt her hands lightly tremble.
“She said that she had some type of lung infection. They had her on a ventila
tor. She doesn’t know how long she’s been sick, but she said they announced it at church last Sunday. Of course, they asked for everybody to pray for the family. The Grahams have been going through so much. I feel sorry for Stiles, even though he did you wrong.”
“Momma, let’s not go there. Stiles and I are in the past. It’s over. I refuse to reflect on yesterday.”
Rena understood that her mother’s intentions weren’t to be vindictive against Stiles, but she knew that Meryl Jackson hadn’t taken it well when Stiles decided he wanted a divorce. Rena had finally come to understand that God does have a way of making the most evil things work out for the good of His children. She wouldn’t be where she was today if it had not been for the tests and trials of her past. But hearing that Francesca was ill did shake Rena up. What if it was related to her HIV? What if Frankie had AIDS? Rena wiped the fraction of sweat from her forehead with a tissue she found in her side desk drawer.
“Ellen said that Stiles didn’t preach Sunday. He was in Dyersburg with Francesca. That’s where she’s in the hospital. She also told me that Stiles’s wife had a miscarriage.”
“Sister Ellen knows everything, at least it sounds like she does,” Rena commented. “I am really sorry to hear all of this. I’m going to try to get in touch with Stiles. I need to find out how Francesca is doing, and Pastor Graham, too, of course.”
“Look, I didn’t call to tell you this so you’d get yourself involved with them again. I thought you’d want to know, that’s all.”
“I know that, Momma. And I’m glad you told me. Anyway, I need to get off the phone. It’s almost time for me to get out of here, and I still have a few things to wrap up before I leave. I won’t be back in the office until Friday.”
“Yeah, I know. I guess I’ll finish packing, too. Call me later after you get settled.”
My Son's Next Wife Page 13
