A Legacy for Bryan

by Marlene Bierworth

  They were almost upon Jerrod when Katelyn braked hard. A lion had emerged from the trees and was watching the boy who hadn’t noticed and was carrying on his merry way as if all was right in his world.

  Bryan went pale, for in his mind’s eye, he witnessed his night terrors in living technicolor; the lion crouched, ready to strike, and sure enough, a shadowy figure was sitting on his back. Bryan blinked his eyes and tried to refocus. He refused to bow to the paralyzing fear he’d known during his nightmares, but when the man on the animal’s back twisted his head and locked eyes with Bryan, he shivered uncontrollably. There was a message planted in the eyes of whom he perceived to be his father, but now was not the time to figure it out. He shook himself free of the man’s hold.

  He jumped out and grabbed the rifle in the back. Bryan was a marksman, and he aimed at the crouching animal. Instead of viewing the fury of a wild beast about to devour the boy, the lion gazed beyond Jerrod to another prey, ready to pounce on his other side: a lioness. The two animals stared each other down, and the king of the jungle won. When she turned and wandered back through the thick foliage from which she had come, the lion and the ghostly figure on its back turned to focus on Bryan once more. They locked eyes through the lens of the rifle, and Bryan witnessed what he could only liken to kindness in both of their faces, a “come-to-me” message which Bryan could no more ignore than his ragged breathing. The man waved—and strangely, it satisfied his heart as if it was the final goodbye he’d not shared physically with his father—and then the image appeared to disappear in a puff of smoke. The lion turned away and disappeared behind a tree.

  Jerrod marched on, oblivious to the whole scene, and Bryan collapsed to the ground, buried his head in the fold of his arms, resting from the ordeal while attempting to figure it all out.

  Katelyn was there in an instant. “Bryan, are you all right?”

  His tear-filled eyes met hers, and then something within him broke loose and he cried like a baby, unable to stop. She rocked him in her arms.

  When he gained control, he pulled away. “Well, that was unexpected.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “The lion had been my biggest nightmare of late, right down to my father perched on its back.”

  “I saw the lion, but your father…he’s dead.”

  “No idea how it all works, but I saw him, clear as day, smiling at me as he waved goodbye. Somehow, I don’t think I’ll see him in my dreams anymore. Do you think that’s strange?”

  “I never question what the Lord does. The Spirit is unique in His dealings with man.”

  “They want me to come. At least, that’s what I gathered from the message. Do you know where?”

  “Right where you are…on your knees,” Katelyn said. “Are you ready to accept Jesus into your heart and follow your father to heaven when your day is called up?”

  Bryan managed a chuckle. “Guess they thought you needed a back-up plan in your efforts to lead me to the Lord. I am rather stubborn.”

  She grinned. “I can pray with you if you’re ready.”

  “I am.”

  And that’s when Bryan’s life took a giant step in a new direction. The old passed away, and all things became new. He felt strangely reborn. His mind felt fresh and clean, and the dark cloud of sorrow for the life he’d wasted drifted behind the whitest cloud he’d ever seen. It all happened in an instant, and when he got off his knees, he knew life would never be the same.

  Katelyn appeared to know, too. “Your face is aglow, Bryan Charter, and I believe that party is winding up in heaven right now, celebrating another lost soul saved from eternal damnation.”

  “Why did I fight it for so long?” he asked.

  “We’re human and have our own will, and as I said before, we can’t rush God.”

  Bryan suddenly remembered Jerrod, and he scanned the area. “The boy is gone.”

  “He’s just beyond the next knoll, enjoying some fresh river water.”

  “I need to tell him how to say goodbye to his parents. Oh, Katelyn, a whole new world is buzzing inside my head. It’s hard to keep it all straight.”

  “Slow down and enjoy the ride,” she said. “God’s Spirit will teach you. He’s not going anywhere.”

  “And his timing is perfect. Got it.” Bryan said with a sigh.

  Bryan reached for Katelyn’s hand as she moved to the driver’s side of the car. When he grasped her hand, she looked at him, and he knew in his heart that she felt the same magnetism as he did. One gentle pull and she was in his arms. If he thought the first kiss was great, this one quadrupled in pleasure. Now, he not only felt the attraction—a human curiosity—but he knew that the instant their lips connected, so did their spirits. She was his soulmate, his Eve in this garden of paradise, and Bryan could not be happier.

  When they had caught up with Jerrod, his eagerness to pour out his grief seemed a supernatural gift for the two Christians comforting him in two sets of loving arms. Tears of mourning turned to joy that day in the middle of the open land, with all of nature roaming about them.

  “I don’t really want to leave, but my brother is the eldest, and he will take over the small herd and build his livelihood. There is nothing left for me there except pain without my parents.” Jerrod looked upwards, at the misty mountain in the far distance. “I will start new somewhere else, but I shall miss you, Nurse Katelyn.” Although he did not say the same to the man he’d recently met, Bryan could see the boy’s hurt when he looked at him.

  Jerrod bowed his head, apparently embarrassed that he’d revealed his feelings to the white Americans.

  “I have an idea,” Bryan said. “I know the two doctors and nurses at the foundation in Nairobi carry a huge load when all the patients line up at the gate for treatment, and I think they might appreciate a strong boy to help them with some of the tasks when the teams are off visiting the villages.”

  “Only when school is out,” added Katelyn. “Everyone needs an education before striking off to fulfill their dreams. You will have one, too.”

  Bryan smiled and squeezed her hand, pleased she had grabbed hold of his idea and ran with it. “Exactly! And maybe you can tag along on some of our mission trips outside the city. I know I’d love to have you along.”

  Katelyn bit her lip and stopped the grin from spreading across her face.

  He had everything to make him complete standing at his side now, both Katelyn and surprisingly enough, young Jerrod. The boy had touched a place in his heart, and Bryan felt certain it was as close to fatherly awareness as he ever imagined in his life.

  When the threesome climbed back into the Jeep, the clouds above parted and the warmth of the sun shone down on them as they headed back to the village. Bryan couldn’t wait to finish the work there and get Jerrod settled in his new life at the foundation.

  Before the medical team left to regroup in Nairobi and head off to some backwoods location, the Maasai threw a celebration to thank their guests for healing many of their sick. The Natives participating in the event dressed in their finest traditional clothing, and women brought platters of food to the ones they chose to honor. Their number had grown from the original four to an additional eight new recruits who had landed at the airport in their absence and were directed to their location upon arrival at the medical compound in Nairobi.

  Jerrod squeezed between Bryan and Katelyn and offered a breakdown of the lively traditional entertainment. “Maasai music is all about the rhythm,” Jerrod said as he moved his body and tapped his fingers to get into the groove. Charise is the olaranyani tonight, like your song leader at the big church in the city. She has the best voice of all the villagers and leads the melody in most of the songs given in your honor tonight.”

  “We appreciate it very much, and I believe you must be right about her being the best for she sings like an angel,” Katelyn said.

  Bryan noted the boy swell with pride as he gazed upon his neighbors. As much as he looked forward to all the advantag
es city life had to offer him in Nairobi, Bryan realized that Jerrod’s heart would always be there, with his people.

  When a chorus of vocalists joined in with the rhythm, singing harmony to the main melody, Bryan knew he’d never been so moved by music before. Of all the operas and live musicals he’d enjoyed, none matched the raw honesty of these Maasai singers. The leader sang the main line—or the “namba” according to the little tour guide sitting next to him—and the group responded with a unanimous call in acknowledgement. The combination gave him goosebumps.

  “My mama used to recite lullabies and hum songs of praise for her sons as we fell asleep at night. I shall remember her always.”

  “And so you should,” Katelyn said as she planted a quick kiss on his head.

  The next day, the medical team pulled out of the Maasai village while the people hooted and chanted their goodbyes. Jerrod sat proudly in the back of the Jeep, waving furiously at his tribe, yelling, “nitarudi kutembelea”—I will be back to visit!

  His mercy has no limits, His love has no bounds.

  Chapter 11

  Exactly three months after his previous visit, Bryan, accompanied by Katelyn, landed on the helicopter circle aboard the Sea Winder. They would meet with Frank Bennis again, to begin whatever his father had lined up for the next three months of Bryan’s probation. It didn’t matter anymore what happened to him. He knew his destiny, and he would give his life to it with or without his father’s wealth, but he did hope that Katelyn would get her billion-dollar inheritance, for he knew it would be put to good use within the foundation.

  Bryan hurried over to Frank when he entered the room. “Good afternoon. It’s a fine day to be back in New York’s waters.”

  The older gentleman did not reply, but he looked beyond him with a puzzled expression to Katelyn.

  “Welcome back to civilization, you two.”

  Bryan glanced at Katelyn and winked. “Civilization means different things to different people.”

  “And what does it mean to you, young Mr. Charter?”

  “I’ve gained a new perspective, sir, and have come to understand that the life my father lived here was simply a means to an end, a way to bless the not-so-privileged third world country that he loved.”

  Again, the lawyer glanced at Katelyn, somewhat befuddled before turning back to Bryan. “Well, come sit down, you two, and we will read the second sheet of conditions your father set up in his will.”

  The three of them sat, and Bryan could not help but remember the arrogant young drunkard who’d occupied the same chair not so long ago. It nearly brought a tear to his eye when he thought of the pit from which God had saved him. He sat poised to listen to the lawyer.

  Frank Bennis took a second manila envelope from the file—marked Bryan Charter IV—and broke the seal. The single page shook slightly within his fingers as he scanned the contents. Bryan was amazed at how relaxed he felt, simply trusting in the next step of God’s plan for his future.

  The lawyer cleared his throat and said, “The first part is addressed to Katelyn Simms, so bear with us, Bryan, while we deal with that end of the inheritance.” He began to read:

  “‘My dearest Katelyn,

  “‘I hope that my son has not caused you too much grief these past three months, but I knew you were capable and strong enough not to buckle under his foolhardy and persuasive influence.’”

  Bryan heard her slight chuckle, which she attempted to smother, and he wanted more than anything to whisk her into his arms and validate that, yes, she had fallen under his persuasive influence but not in a foolhardy matter. They were totally secure in their relationship and future ambitions, and he suspected his father would be pleased to know he had picked the girl Bryan would marry. She actually wanted him—for richer or poorer—and that made his heart do flip flops.

  “‘Frank Bennis has a check for you, and I know that you do not need it for personal gain but will use it to bless the less fortunate.’”

  Bryan raised his eyebrows. “Congratulations, Miss Simms. It appears you must spend your money on others and not use it to bask in personal luxury.”

  She could not hold back her grin. “I never said that I needed your father’s money. He needed to give it, and he derived great joy from working and contributing his finances to the foundation.”

  “Penance for his life of sin?” Bryan asked.

  “Perhaps in the beginning, but that was not the case after he came to visit my Kenya,” she said. “For your information, I am heiress to more wealth than I could spend in an entire lifetime.”

  Bryan was silenced. To think, as a pauper, he’d hooked a multi-billionaire, but, if she’d have been as poor as a church mouse, he’d love her no less. “So, why did you put up with me if you didn’t have to?”

  “I promised your father, and besides, I was curious about what the Lord would do with the playboy-son. I’m pleased to see his mercy has no limits, and his love has no bounds.”

  The lawyer cleared his voice, “Yes, this is all quite interesting, but shall we continue with the reading?”

  “Please do, Mr. Bennis,” Katelyn said as she took the check he offered. “Made out to the foundation,” she said, waving it under Bryan’s nose.

  “’As for my son, Bryan Charter IV, whom I love with all my heart and pray God’s miraculous blessing on his life, I thank you for humoring your old man in obeying my final wish. I so hope you have learned to love Kenya as much as I. For your inconvenience, I leave you one-million dollars, to do with as you wish.’”

  All faces turned toward the young man who should have been worth billions, more greenback than a party animal could spend in a lifetime. He smiled politely while taking the check Frank Bennis offered, removed a pen from the desk, leaned over, signed it, and handed it to Katelyn. “For the foundation.”

  “All of it?” she asked. “That will leave you with nothing.”

  “I could say I’m a lucky man to have fallen in love with a wealthy heiress, but honestly, it wouldn’t matter if you were my original pain-in-the-butt—I’d still donate it to the work in Nairobi.”

  “Me—your pain in the butt?” she exclaimed. “Au contraire.”

  “Ah, so you are in love, young Bryan?” the family lawyer asked.

  “For the first time in my life, and it feels perfect,” Bryan said, unable to take his eyes off Katelyn.

  “And you, Miss Simms—so you feel the same way? I am surprised.”

  “You underestimate our God, Mr. Bennis. When He moves on hearts, there is no turning back.”

  “So, you have joined the ranks of the Christians?” Frank directed the question to Bryan.

  “I have, and that change feels perfect, as well.”

  “Your father would have been thrilled to have lived to see this day. He talked of you often, in a kindly way toward the end, reasoning more like the father he should have been in your younger years.”

  “I gathered that, with the disinheritance, and all,” Bryan said, “but to be honest, I do not deserve to benefit from my father’s hard work and planning, and am equally certain he has designated it to worthwhile causes.”

  “Whatever have you done with Bryan Charter IV, Miss Simms?” the lawyer asked.

  “I’ve done nothing. It was a Damascus Road meeting.”

  Both Bennis and Katelyn nodded their heads, and Bryan was confused. “As I remember correctly, we were not on any road at the time, unless, of course, you are referring to the ghost and the lion.”

  Frank Bennis leaned back in his chair. “This is getting better by the minute.”

  Katelyn explained. “Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, and his life was changed from a disbelieving murderer who preyed on Christians, to a strong believer who ministered to the Gentiles. His name was changed to Paul, and although his service to God was not a bed of roses, the man excelled in his faith, and because of Him, the Gentiles—you and me—were adopted into His eternal plan, originally designed for Jews only.”

 
“Clear as mud,” Bryan said. “The Bible is a big book; mustn’t have gotten to that part yet.”

  Katelyn regarded Frank Bennis. “So, are we done here?”

  “I am done with Bryan for the moment, but you do recall that you both have one final meeting with me in three months?”

  “I’ll be here…if my new boss will give me the time off,” Bryan said, ducking from Katelyn’s playful swat.

  “Would you give me a moment with Miss Simms? Just some things she needs to sign off on,” Frank said.

  “Certainly,” Bryan said, bouncing to his feet. “Need to say hello to Jude. Won’t he be surprised when I ask for soda pop?”

  Ten minutes later, Katelyn joined them at the bar.

  “What did you do to my best customer here?” Jude asked her. “There’s no skill needed to pour a glass of cola.”

  “I showed him a better life, that’s all,” she said. “Can I have a lemonade, please?”

  “I’d expect that from you, not him.”

  “Perhaps I was just a late bloomer,” Bryan said. “Feels good to finally join the adult population.”

  When Katelyn received her lemonade, they lifted their glasses and toasted, “To a new life.” The crystal clinked, and Bryan’s non-alcoholic beverage never tasted so good.

  “So, what now, boss lady?” Bryan asked. “We have a good backing to see the foundation through for a while, but how will we keep the fund growing? Do you invest or just spend until it runs dry?”

  “I have monthly supporters who believe in what we do over there, and my workers don’t get a paycheck, just room and board.”

  “You run a tight ship, my lady. Hats off to good organization.”

  “When I’m in America, I usually do a round of speaking engagements to encourage and update the ones who already give their support, and most times, end up picking some new donations. Sometimes its because they believe in the cause, and other times secular businesses are simply looking for a tax break.”

  “I have an idea,” Bryan said. “Let’s take a flight to Bermuda. I know a lot of wealthy people who hang out there, typically looking for tax cuts, but I wouldn’t mind them seeing the new me.”