by J. R. Grant
Once I’m done, I stand up and push my chair in, and leave the room as fast I came in. But this time, there’s one difference… I. AM. FREE.
Chapter Nine
Lani
The doctors said Kade is showing more brain improvement every day, but still no amount of time seems fast enough. I know I’m being highly impatient considering the circumstances¸ but I’m ready to go home. I refuse to leave without the man I gave my heart to years ago.
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and it’s lonely around here. Instead of going home for the holiday, I decided to let the boys stay with my parents so I could be with Kade. My mom was upset with me, but she’ll have to get over it. I can’t leave my husband alone, cooped up in this room on Thanksgiving Day by himself.
The staff here at the Shock Trauma Center have been very considerate to accommodate my family’s needs. On Thursday, a couple of nurses brought me in a few different plates of pies and turkey, along with a few different kinds of stuffing, deviled eggs, and other side dishes they made at home for their families. Without a doubt, I was incredibly stuffed. I guess without eating more than a meal a day for several weeks, and then shoving my face with food in a twelve hour setting, outdid me.
“Hey Lani, can I talk to you outside for a minute?” Parker asks, peeking his head through the door.
It took me sometime to walk out of the room away from Kade. I had to force myself. I’ve still been getting dizzy spells since I fainted the night of the accident, and with the help of the doctors here in the hospital, Parker’s been able to make me take a walk every once in a while. I would definitely be lost without my best friend pushing and nagging me along the way.
Kissing Kade on the check, I walk out of the room, closing the door quietly behind me, and make my way over to the bench where Parker’s seated in the hallway next to the elevators. Taking a seat, he grabs my hand and brings it up to his mouth and kisses it before turning his body around toward me.
“I know you don’t want to deal with any of this, but there are some very important things you need to be made aware of,” he says. Pulling a few papers out from his bag, he hands me a letter from the mortgage company, insisting I read it. “Here,” he says, “You’re not going to be very happy.”
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Kade Foster,
Thank you for being a valued customer with Countrywide Home Loans. Unfortunately, at this time, we have not received a payment toward your monthly mortgage in order to keep your credit line clear and up to date. Your mortgage is currently behind more than a four month consecutive period, totaling an amount of $5,559.08.
Please be advised of your delinquency, and take immediate action.
You can reach our customer care department Monday through Friday from 8am to 8pm MST for your convenience.
Our toll free number is (866) 888-6688.
If you are having trouble or need assistance, we are here to help.
If we do not hear from you within the next seven to ten days, further action will be taken against your account, which will put you in default and foreclosure proceedings will begin.
Sincerely,
Ronald McIntire
CEO Countrywide Home Loans
Wonderful. This is just what I need to deal with right now. I’m almost certain we’ll have a lot more of those coming from all of our other creditors, if they’re not already there.
“I’m sorry, Princess. I found the notice in a pile of mail last night when I went by your place and thought I would bring the most important one to you. The last thing you need right now is to lose your house in the midst of all this shit,” Parker says, his voice full of nothing but concern, “Do you have any money in savings? Or know where Kade keeps the safe?”
Shrugging my shoulders, I reply, “I don’t know, Hawk. I don’t handle any of this stuff. It’s always been Kade who takes care of our finances. He makes the money and handles the bills, while I take care of the house and the kids. When I need money, he hands me a card or cash. So, I don’t have a clue how much is in all of our accounts.”
Resting my elbows on my knees, I tip my chin down to my chest and allow the tears to fall, not caring this time who or what’s around me. Because right now, I’m on the verge of completely losing it.
What am I supposed to do? Everything’s falling into shambles.
Rubbing my back, Parker gets up and walks to the front of the bench, and squats down directly in front of me. “Don’t worry, we’ll handle everything. Do you at least know the account number to the bank account or savings account? Or do you have the checkbook on you?”
“I don’t have a checkbook.” I sit up and look at him. “I haven’t written a check in years. Kade just gave me a credit card the night before the accident. It’s in my purse. I’m sure all of our banking information is in his office, in the basement, if you want to look for it when you get back. I don’t mind.”
He reaches for my hands, and I allow him to take hold of me.
Giving me a hug, Parker dips his head down to my ear and whispers, “I’m sorry to throw all of this on you. I am. I had no idea you both worked your finances this way. I’ll take care of it though. Just try not to worry about anything, okay?” Kissing my cheek, he picks up his bag and walks down the hall toward the elevators.
Chapter Ten
Lani
Christmas and New Years have come and gone, and Kade is still showing very little progress. Nothing will ever be enough until my husband finally wakes up. I just need him to open his eyes.
Our boys have been slowly settling into a somewhat normal routine these last couple of months. Thank God I have such a loving, caring family, or else I’d be in a whirlwind of trouble.
Today, the boys and I have been by Kade’s side praying for a change in his recovery. We have read books, played games, and of course my oldest son, Justin, has gotten me addicted to that damn Angry Birds game on my phone. Earlier, when I got up to my highest score and then lost all my birds, I was ready to chuck my cell phone at the wall. I honestly think the damn game was specifically made to torment me.
“Lani, I know you don’t want to talk about any of this, but I think you need to hear me out. Too much time has gone by and I’m starting to get a little worried, sweetheart.” Dad places his hand on my leg.
“Your bills are piling up rather quickly, and everyone in the family has helped Parker in some way or another by paying what we could. But now….now we’re all running out of options and low on funds ourselves, so I think we need to come up with a new plan.”
Setting my Kindle on the table, I lean back into the recliner and stare out the window, not wanting to hear where this conversation’s going.
“Have you thought about putting the house on the market and coming back home with the boys for the time being, to our house? Let Mom and I help you and Kade get through all of this, for however long you need?”
“No,” I blurt out. “I can’t just uproot my boys away from the only house they’ve ever known, Daddy. That’s not fair,” I cry, “What about Kade? What happens when he wakes up and I’ve done sold the house he helped build for us? God…” I shake my head, trying to push all of the crazy thoughts away. “He’d kill me, Daddy. Hell, I’d kill me if it was him. I can’t do that the boys.”
“Well, sweetheart…You’re gonna have to do something. We’re running out of options here,” he says, and makes his way out of the room, slamming the door closed behind him.
My mind doesn’t want me to think about doing this to my family. My boys. Am I just supposed to get up and move everyone from the only place they have ever known? See, this is where I feel useless- like I should have been prepared or something. Instead, I had no backup plan in case of an emergency and look where we are now.
When I opted not to go to college the year I got pregnant with Justin, Kade practically begged me to stay home and raise our son. His exact words were, “No wife of mine is going to work, pretty girl. That’s the man’s job. You better kick out a football team o
r you’re going to be bored all day because I’ll always take care of my girl. You’ll never need or want for anything.”
Kade had stayed true to his word, and after all this time, I’ve not held any type of employment or career for myself. I’ve been a mom and a wife…that’s it. Occasionally I’ve helped Ryder by watching Lauren while she worked when she was an infant, and I helped Parker start up his accounting business until Kelly came in and took over. Other than that, I have stayed home and taken care of my husband and our two little boys, exactly what my husband asked of me.
Reaching into my bag, I pull out my cell phone and call the one person I would be lost without. He always seems to make everything in my life better, no matter where he is or what’s going on in his own personal world.
“Lani…Is everything alright?” Parker asks, as he answers the phone.
“Everything’s okay, I guess. You got a minute? I need to ask you a few questions.”
“Give me a second, I’ve got to lock the office up. I’ll be right back.”
While he places me on hold, I pull out my Kindle and click on Pretty Little Lies by M. Leighton while I wait. This series has totally rocked my world since I started it a few weeks ago. Even though I’ve not been able to focus much these past couple of months, reading has become a very good escape for me not to ponder on my reality.
I used to read one book a month, but lately, I’ve been reading one every week or two. At least it keeps my mind occupied while I’m in the room, waiting patiently for my husband to show some sort of sign that he’s waking up.
“Alright. What’s going on? You sound upset.” Parker breaks the silence, ready to hear me rant.
I know he worries about me, and I love him for it, I do. I’m just exhausted and would do anything right now to have my life back to normal and to get a good night’s rest. Nevertheless, the decision I’m about to make could only make or break me in a matter of time. If I don’t need to rush on it, Parker will tell me and not hold back. I can always depend on straight honesty from my best friend.
“Well, I just got done talking with my dad, and he seems to think we need to sell the house and move in with him and mom for a while. Or at least until Kade gets home and gets better.” Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, and prepare myself for the answer I’m about to get. I know something feels wrong about our money situation, and yet I’ve been too afraid to ask. I know…stupid. But it was one more thing I could not have handled the last couple of months, on top of everything else shoved my way, especially not knowing if my husband is going to make it.
<> * <>
“What are we doing here, Kade?” I ask confused as he parks his car.
“I have a surprise for you, pretty girl. Just trust me, okay?”
Nodding my head, I’m a little skeptical as he smiles and walks around to my side of the car, opening the door for me. Stepping out, I look around us still confused as he leans in and kisses me, giving me goosebumps.
Whenever Kade says to trust him, I get flutters in my stomach. Albeit, things have been good between us two, I never know what to expect with this man. I’m almost afraid something bad will happen to our relationship one of these days. We can’t always be this happy, can we?
After he pulls back, Kade takes my hand and leads me through an open lot where his father’s truck is parked. It almost looks like a foundation of a house being built, and Erik and Owen are standing outside of it.
“Are you ready?” He asks with a goofy grin plastered on his face.
“I guess so.”
Taking me further in, by the concrete bricks, Erik, steps up close to me, and hands me an tan folder. Looking back and forth between my husband and father in-law, I reluctantly take the folder in my hands and open it.
Immediately gasping at what I see- my surprise in writing- I jump up into Kade’s arms, wrapping my legs around his waist.
“Oh my God, Kade. Oh my God!” I squeal in excitement. “Is this serious? Are you for real?”
Laughing, he pulls back and plants another kiss on my lips. “Dead serious, pretty girl. This is for you!”
Setting me down on my feet, I rush over to Erik and Owen, and hug them as well.
“I take it you approve then?” Erik eyes me in question.
“Hell yeah, I approve. Are you kidding me? This is the best present in the world, well, besides my little man that is,” I reply, rubbing my swollen belly.
With the baby due in September, these last couple of months Kade and I have been searching high and low for a new place to live. Not just a house, but a place to call home. Nothing is wrong with the apartment we are currently renting, because it’s perfectly fine. Nevertheless, Kade and I want a home to raise our family in, not at the top of a three-story building where I would be out of breath carrying a car seat, groceries, and everything I take inside when he’s not home to help me.
“Over here,” Kade points to the right side of the foundation, “is going to be the living room with a bathroom off to the left. It’ll be a half bath down here, not a full. Beside the bathroom will be the door to a two-car garage. When we walk to the left, the kitchen and living room combo will sit right about here. The walls will be fully open, pretty girl. The space is unreal. I can’t wait for you to see it when it’s all done.”
Taking my hand again, the four of us move over to the other side of the foundation while Kade explains where the steps to the upstairs will be, how the four bedrooms will look and be laid out, and where the bathrooms will be. He also agreed to give me a giant hot tub to relax my body in at night, promising to rub me down in all the right places when our children are asleep. Of course, my father in- law didn’t hear that part of the conversation, or I would have been humiliated.
Once the three of them finish going over the details and Erik gives Owen and Kade the construction guy’s schedule, the guys all agree to meet back at the lot tomorrow to get more work done, promising me that we’ll be able to move in before Justin is three months old.
“I can’t believe you did this, Kade. We are finally going to have our own home!” I exclaimed, ready to pounce on him. But no matter how much my body craves my husband right this second, being six months pregnant and having sex in our little car just isn’t going to cut it. At least not this time. We need to get home quick, as in ten minutes ago!
“I did it all for you, pretty girl. You are the love of my life. I could never imagine raising our family inside the tiny apartment we’re in now,” he replies, taking a hold of my hand.
The smile on my face is contagious. I can feel it. I’m ready to jump up and down and yell from the rooftops, “I’M GETTING A NEW HOUSE!” Instead, Kade takes me back home and makes incredible, passionate love to me. I will never forget how special my husband made me feel.
<> * <>
“What do you think? I mean, what were you so uptight about when we were talking about mine and Kade’s finances a couple of months ago? Is it bad? Or do I really not want to know?”
“First of all, take a couple of deep breaths, not just one, while I pull up your accounts,” Parker says, as I listen to the sound of his fingertips typing away.
“After I left your house, the day I brought you the past due notice from the mortgage company, I came in and logged all of your accounts in the system, and ran a general ledger, so I could take care of everything like a regular client. It was the only way around me helping you get your bills paid since you or I aren’t on any of the accounts, and Kade’s in a coma. Otherwise, you would have been thrown out on your asses a long time ago.”
“Wait….What? I’m not on any of the accounts?” I question him confused. He must not have read the statements right. I saw my name on them not too long ago. I know for a fact.
“No you’re not, Lani. I was shocked too. Trust me,” he says remorsefully. “I went through every file Kade had in his office and in the safe. I even called The Bank of Ocean City and explained the situation to Veronica Mall, the office manager. Fortunately, she h
elped me dig around a little and said you’ve never been on any accounts Kade’s had at that particular institution, since they were opened.”
None of this makes sense. Albeit, I shouldn’t be surprised. Apparently, I’ve been oblivious to a lot of things in my life regarding my husband and our marriage these last couple of years. But still, this one tops it all by far.
It’s just not my year- to have to go through all of this shit. I mean, come on. What the hell has happened over the years that made me so naïve to what my husband has done in secret and behind my back? Absolutely none of this sounds like something Kade would do. He wouldn’t leave me out of our money. We are married for God’s sake. He tells me everything, or at least I thought he did.
“I’m sorry, it caught me off guard as well. At least Veronica was able to help me get into the accounts and get everything squared away for the time being,” Parker says, trying to reassure me.
“Okay, so…I was able to shift some of the money around from savings to checking, but your bills have been piling up every month with very little deposits being made from Kade’s short-term disability. After this month is up, he will no longer receive a monthly check since he only signed up for short-term, not long-term disability. Why he did that? Truthfully, I have no idea. Kade probably wasn’t thinking something like this would ever happen. But right now, you have around two grand left before Kade’s final disability check hits the account. Once it’s in there, you’ll be lucky if it’ll cover the following month’s mortgage, if anything at all.”
“You’re joking right? That’s all we’ve got left?” I reply stunned. “He had thousands, Hawk, thousands. Where’d all the money go from the side jobs he’s done over the years? Kade told me we were banking it for our future. Now you’re telling me this is all we’ve got?”
“That’s it. Since the first month disability kicked it, I’ve paid the past nine months of your mortgage with every dime he had put away on top of the current electronic deposits made. The money from the accident won’t clear until it goes to trial since Geico is fighting the amount State Farm and your attorneys are suing the driver for. Your parents and Kade’s parents have paid your car and truck payments, utilities, and car insurance. And once I make this next mortgage payment, both accounts will be wiped dry, including the cash he had in the safe. So to answer your question honestly, if it were me in this situation, and you don’t want to move back in with your parents, I’d say call Ryder’s friend, Kristy, the realtor at Long and Foster, and put your house on the market. Find a rental like we discussed before and once Kade’s out of the hospital and ready to go back to work, you guys can start over. In the long run, it’ll help not only your sanity, but get you back on your feet, and the boys can have you under the same roof, even if Kade’s still in the hospital.”