by JR Thompson
Brock grinned from ear to ear. “We’ll receive all the help we’re offered, young man.”
Turning to face Alayna, Remmy hollered, “I can stay, Mom! See you after a while!”
Without saying a word, Alayna drove away.
“Presently we’re trying to dig the footer. Unfortunately, the backhoe’s broke down so we’re excavating by foot. Grasp a shovel and begin digging,” Brock told him.
“How deep do I go?”
“Well, stay right here by Titus and he’ll let you know when it’s deep enough,” Brock replied before heading over to his truck for a drink.
“I hear your dad’s having some problems,” Titus said, throwing some dirt out of the trench.
“That’s putting things mildly. He’s afraid of anyone and everyone. Sometimes I’m not even sure he knows who I—”
“Wait a minute!” Titus interrupted. “Who is that?”
Edward staggered over, drunker than a skunk. “Told ya I’d be here to help with the project,” he stammered.
Brock quickly put himself between Edward and the boys. “Have you been drinking, pal?”
“A little.”
“A little? How much is a little?”
“I dunno. Not much. I’m not drunk or anything.”
Titus watched — Edward was having a hard time even standing still. He wobbled around like he was about to fall over at any second.
“Edward, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave. You’re no longer welcome to be a part of this construction team.”
“Who do you think you are?” Edward grumbled. “The new guy in town reckons he can tell ole Edward what he can and can’t do. Heh. You don’t know who you’re messing with.”
“Are you threatening me?” Brock asked.
“I don’t make threats,” Edward replied before laughing and staggering his way back to the road. Glancing back, he yelled, “It sure would be a shame if something terrible happens to this site or to that house the Byrd family just moved into, wouldn’t it?”
Brock didn’t respond. Nor did he say a word about it after Edward’s departure. Instead, he made his way back to the truck, sat on the tailgate, and appeared to sink into deep thought.
“That sure brought back some memories, didn’t it?” Titus laughed.
“Yeah,” Remmy agreed, continuing to dig.
“That was a pretty short answer. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Remmy, come on. What’s eating you?”
“It’s just that… what we did was… wrong.”
“I know that, but you were tired of being seen as the kid that doesn’t know how to be a real boy, right? That day you proved you know how to live a little.”
“I almost died, Titus.”
Titus stopped working for a moment. “Do you mean to tell me you didn’t enjoy the thrill? I know it was a scary ordeal, but isn’t there a small part of you that’s happy about the fact you did something normal for once?”
Remmy took his foot off of his shovel. “It was inappropriate. Not only because I almost died. The whole thing was wrong. We made a bet and I know better. Not only that, but you cheated to win — and at Scottie’s expense. You lied on him and made him get a spanking and didn’t think twice about it. We sneaked out. We drank. We ran when that lady was gonna call an ambulance—”
Titus started shoveling again while trying to come up with a decent response. Sure, he had done wrong — but admitting it was a whole different ballgame. The way Remington was talking though, the older boy was afraid he might get tattled on and the last thing he wanted to do was get kicked out of the Pearson household. Titus had to think and think fast. “You know if you snitch on me, you’re gonna be snitching on yourself as well.”
“Yeah, I know,” Remmy admitted.
“And due to my age and the fact that I’m not Brock’s son, I’m probably just gonna get a long talking to and you’re probably gonna get your behind toasted.”
Remington shot him an angry stare, but didn’t speak.
“Your dad probably wouldn’t let you come over here and help with the ministry either. I mean, he already sees Scottie as a bad influence on you. If you make him view me poorly, you know he’s not gonna want you around either of us. Do you really want to have to stay in that house every evening with your dad acting the way he is? I sure wouldn’t want to.”
“Titus, I know what you’re doing. You don’t wanna get in trouble so you’re trying to convince me not to confess what I did wrong. I read my Bible every day and I know I’m supposed to make my wrongs right.”
“Even at the expense of your dad’s well-being?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Right now it sounds to me like your dad has basically fallen off of a cliff. Somehow he’s managed to cling to the edge. He hasn’t fallen so low as to make your mom run off and leave him yet. He still has the hope of pulling himself back up and not dropping to his demise. But… another untimely blow… that’s probably all it’s gonna take to make him lose it. Do you want to be the one responsible for that?”
The two boys worked in silence for the next fifteen minutes or so. Then Remington brought up the idea of moving in with his uncle. He had only met Uncle Brad one time and he was too young to remember that meeting thoroughly. All he knew is that Brad lived alone on a ranch somewhere in Montana. His family frequently told him Brad was a wonderful man and the reason they never heard from him was because he lived off of the grid. He was kind, but preferred to be alone. Ever since his wife and daughter had passed away, he never went to visit people and never invited company over. The man didn’t own a phone because he claimed it wasn’t worth having.
“How do your parents feel about you moving across the country?” Titus asked.
“I don’t know. But I believe it’d be better for everybody.”
“Including your dad? Including your uncle?”
“I suppose so. I’ve been praying and I truthfully think it’s something I need to do.”
“You’d be okay living with an uncle you don’t even know out in the middle of nowhere and having no communication with your family?”
“I could do it.”
31: Awkward Moment
Thursday morning Brock was startled when the phone rang at 5:30 am. In case it was vital, he jumped out of bed and sprinted down the hall. Grabbing the phone, he pretended to be wide awake. “Hello?”
“Well, poop on my boots if it isn’t the hero of Farmington!”
“Nikki?” Brock gasped.
“Bet you thought you’d never hear from me again, didn’t ya?”
“How did you acquire my number?” Brock asked in almost a whisper.
“Wasn’t too hard. Our local news media aired a story about Farmington the other day. Reported some arsonist is up there burning down houses and businesses. They said you’re leading some rescue mission or rebuilding ministry or something like that… so I researched the ministry, and there you are! I’m so proud of you!”
“Thanks,” Brock chuckled.
“Do ya miss me?”
Brock hesitated for a moment. “To be honest, yeah. We shared some delightful times.”
“Like that whole thrifting thing. Remember convincing that woman we had busted out of a nut house and that we’d drowned our caretaker?”
Brock chuckled. He couldn’t enjoy the memory for long though because he suddenly felt God’s presence. Deep inside something bellowed, “You’re married. Happily married. Don’t wreck your family over this girl. She’s not worth it.”
Brock tried to convince himself it was only a friendly phone call. But to play things safe, he decided he had better mention Victoria. “My wife and I have met a lot of great people out here.”
“Oh, her… How’s the bimbo librarian doing anyway?”
“Nikki, she’s my wife and she’s not a bimbo.”
“My bad. So are you two… happy?”
Titus sneaked into the room behind him; B
rock didn’t even notice his presence.
“We are happy. I can’t honestly say we never have a disagreement. Sometimes each of us gets on the other person’s nerves a bit.”
“Yeah, I can see that. To be honest, she doesn’t actually seem like your type.”
“Not my type, huh?” Brock chuckled nervously. “So I’m assuming you’re going to inform me you’re more suitable for me?”
Titus had a confused look on his face; Brock still had no idea he was there.
“Well, yeah. I mean, your wife seems kinda on the boring side. You’re more of the adventurous type. The kind of guy who likes to play around and have some vigorous times — like I do.”
Brock was quiet for a moment before saying, “Nikki, I’m an improved man. It was erratic of me to go on a date with you. I am and was married.”
Titus cleared his throat loudly. Brock, terrified, turned to face him and continued explaining to Nikki, “It was fallacious then and it would be equally fallacious to mislead you now. I am not going to depart from my wife. I adore Victoria with all of my heart and I made a vow to God that I would remain with her until we are parted by extinction.”
“Okay… I understand that, but couldn’t you and I still talk on the phone? Couldn’t we be friends at least?”
As much as he hated to do it, Brock hung up the phone and unplugged it from the wall. He turned to Titus, ready to provide an explanation.
Titus spoke before Brock had the chance, “I know how she feels.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Brock asked.
“Having your heart attached to somebody else who doesn’t seem to care that you’re alive.” Still wearing his pajamas, Titus stormed outside without offering any explanation as to what he was doing or where he was going.
✽ ✽ ✽
It was a bit chilly out that morning, but Titus didn’t care. Brock’s phone call upset him in more ways than one. He couldn’t believe Brock, a guy heading a Christian organization, had cheated on his wife. Nor could he believe how cold Brock could be to someone who obviously adored him. He didn’t know how he would have behaved if he was in Brock’s shoes, but still.
Not only that. His own heart was broken. The phone call made him think about Ericka — her adorable smile, her innocence, her desire to marry the man God wanted her to spend the rest of her life with and no one else, the way she strummed her guitar, and her brutal honesty. He didn’t just want to date her. Some girls were good dating material and some were marriage material. Ericka was definitely of the latter sort.
For a couple of hours, he lollygagged around town until he was confident the O’Malleys would be up and about. It was then or it would never be. It was time to make another move. Time to show Ericka he loved her and he wasn’t some guy who was out of control. He loved God just as much as she did and he had to prove himself to her.
His heart began to flutter as he knocked on the O’Malleys’ door. A few seconds later it opened and he was ready to pour his heart out to her — but it was Steve.
“Hey man, is your sister home?”
“She is, but I’m not so sure she’ll speak to you. Her feelings haven’t changed at all, bud.”
Titus glanced down for a moment and then back up at Steve. “Would you mind asking her if she’ll come out and talk to me?”
“Sure… ERICKA!” Steve yelled. “YOUR BOYFRIEND’S HERE!”
Titus turned red. “I’m not her boyfriend.”
“I know,” Steve laughed. “Just doing what brothers do best.”
One minute later Ericka appeared, glaring at Titus as if he had stolen her purse for the fifth time. “Titus, how many times do I have to tell you? I’m NOT interested. You ARE NOT the guy for me. Period.”
“Ewwww…,” Steve said. “I bet that hurt.”
Titus ignored his remark. “Ericka, can we at least talk?... One time? That’s all I’m asking. Hear me out. If you’re still not convinced I’m the right guy for you afterward, I’ll leave you alone. I promise.”
Ericka paused for a moment before asking, “Forever?”
Titus sighed. “If that’s how you want it.”
Ericka eyeballed him for a moment as she considered. “I’ll tell you what, Pajama Man. If you genuinely wanna talk to me, you can do so — but only if you’re willing to speak in front of my parents.”
“Your parents? Why? Don’t you trust me?”
“I trust you alright. I just want to see how serious you are.”
Titus grinned. “Have it your way.”
Ericka giggled. “Have a seat on the porch and I’ll get my folks.”
Titus eased himself up on the banister, dangling one leg off the side. It’s a start. She’s playing hard-to-get, but she’s willing to hear me out. Now, it’s all up to me. This is THE moment that’s going to make or break our relationship. I can do this. I know I can.
Waiting was the hard part. Titus had to sit there for more than ten minutes before Ericka and her parents came out.
“Sorry for the delay,” Ericka giggled, pushing the door open.
“My daughter’s one persistent girl, isn’t she?” Mr. O’Malley asked.
“She sure is,” Titus agreed, wanting to shoot her a wolf whistle. Refrain yourself, Titus. Refrain yourself.
Ericka sat on the porch swing and her parents eased themselves down on the glider across from her. “What is it you want to discuss with me?” Ericka asked.
Titus nervously stood to his feet and approached her. Dropping to his knees, he clasped both hands in front of him and pleaded for her forgiveness. “I… I have never met anyone like you. You’re beautiful, talented, and your sense of humor is astounding.”
Ericka fidgeted uncomfortably on the swing but kept her eyes on Titus’s.
“I know I messed things up pretty badly. I don’t know what I was thinking. I’ve never acted like that before and I’ll never do it again. I care about you — a lot! I do want to protect you as any guy should. Ericka, I know I don’t deserve you. You’re pretty much perfect in every way. I know you wouldn’t act out in anger. I know you wouldn’t hurt somebody. You wouldn’t say foolish things.
“I’m far from that. I’m nowhere near on the same spiritual playing-field as you. Even though I know I don’t deserve you, I would sincerely appreciate another chance — even if you’re not willing to consider me as a potential soul-mate, I will settle for just being your friend.”
Titus saw a tear in Ericka’s eye. She stood to her feet, directed her eyes toward her parents, and whispered, “I need a few minutes to myself.”
Without another word, she walked off of the porch and down the street.
What is that supposed to mean? Titus asked himself. At least she didn’t say no.
He sat back down on the railing; Mrs. O’Malley stood and ambled over to him. She placed her hand on his back and attempted to comfort him, “Honey, Ericka’s a bit confused right now. Inside, I believe my daughter has feelings for you. But she’s afraid of getting her heart trampled on. Ericka doesn’t want to get too serious about you if there’s even a remote chance you’re going to disappoint her or her family.”
“I would never hurt her,” Titus argued.
“Never’s a big word,” Mr. O’Malley interjected.
“He’s only giving you a hard time,” Mrs. O’Malley replied. “Listen, we know you’re an upstanding guy. You’re sweet, a hard-worker, you came to our daughter’s defense… and you’ve got good looks too I might add. Ericka knows you’re a catch. It just might take her a little bit of time to come around.”
Titus smiled. The O’Malleys had known Ericka a lot longer than he had. It sounded as if they knew sooner or later she was going to say yes. He could only hope and pray they were right.
“By the way,” Mr. O’Malley spoke, “I want to say thank you for leading Steve to the Lord. His whole life has changed more than we ever dreamed possible.”
Even though Titus felt awkward sitting on Ericka’s porch with her parents, he wa
s thankful their conversation was pleasant. Had he had to sit there in complete silence or had they been lecturing him or trying to scare him away… he may not have been able to control himself.
Fifteen minutes later Ericka returned with a covering of peace on her face. As she ascended the stairs, she told the group, “I spent some time in meditation and prayer.”
The porch was silent. After a brief pause, Ericka said, “I am 100% positive I know what God wants me to do.”
Another silence. Titus locked his eyes on hers. Please say you’ll give me another chance. Please.
“I am willing to… obey God and not my flesh. I cannot bring myself to be in a relationship with someone unless I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that he’s God-fearing. Right now, I don’t see that in you. I’m sorry, but no. I’m not going to offer you another chance — not now anyway.”
Titus was devastated. He climbed back up to his knees, clasped his hands in front of him like before, and wept bitterly. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I—”
Ericka wasn’t having it. She turned and marched inside, leaving the pajama wearing, brokenhearted Titus sobbing on the porch with her parents.
32: Answered Prayer
“Where have you been?” Brock growled when Titus returned to the house.
Titus slipped both thumbs into his pockets. “Out.”
“Why are your eyes bloodshot?”
“I don’t know,” Titus replied, looking toward the ground.
Victoria scowled at Brock. “Can’t you see he’s been crying?... What’s wrong, bud? What happened?”
“I don’t wanna discuss it,” Titus replied.
“Have it your way,” Brock retorted. “We won’t converse regarding what occurred. What we will address, however, is the fact that you are not permitted to depart from this dwelling anytime you desire without conferring with us regarding your whereabouts.”
“There is a God,” Scottie mumbled.
“What’s that?” Brock asked.
