Chastity saw him hang his head, and knew she should not be there. This was a private moment between him and his family. It was as if Mrs. Banks could read her mind, because before she could turn to leave she felt her tiny but firm hand slip into her own.
“Stay,” she whispered into Chastity’s ear. “He needs both of us. You’re family too.”
“No.” Chastity started to rebut.
“Yes.” Mrs. Banks eyes were nothing but strong and assuring.
“You know,” Timothy started in almost a whisper. “Heart monitors are funny … you know they’re necessary. They’re a good sign that the heart is still working, but the constant beeping makes me think his heart will stop at any moment.”
Timothy’s eyes watered up. And suddenly this strong confident man Chastity knew showed something she’d never seen before – vulnerability. As he started to cry, she quickly strode across the room. He opened his arms and she quickly tried to give him any support she could. She gave back to him what he’d always given to her.
This time, Mrs. Banks felt as if she were the one interrupting and turned to leave.
“I’m going to go get the doctor to get an update.” Mrs. Banks quietly said.
“No, mom.” Timothy lifted his head from Chastity’s embrace. “Let me. I need to get a breather anyways.” He said before looking back down at his dad. “Dad, I’ll be right back. Can you hear me?” Timothy desperately looked to his mom.
“He’s on medication sweetie, not in a coma. He’s going to be fine. I promise.”
“I know mom. I just haven’t ever …” Timothy’s voice broke. He stroked his dad’s hair back from his face.
Mrs. Banks crossed the floor and stood on the opposite side of the bed. She put her hand on her husband’s arm and smiled down at him.
“I know sweetie. I haven’t either. But he’ll be back up and bossing me around in no time.” Even though Mrs. Banks had a smile on her face, Chastity could see the concern.
Chastity squeezed Timothy’s hand before dropping it. “Why don’t you both go visit with the nurse while I stay in here with your dad?”
Timothy nodded. “Thanks babe.” He leaned down to kiss her on the forehead before walking out the door with his mom.
Chastity sat in the chair at the foot of the bed. Her first impression of Timothy’s dad obviously wasn’t a fair one. He was in a hospital bed after all. However, she could easily see where Timothy got his looming stance. Mr. Banks looked almost too big to fit in the bed. In fact, he overtook it.
As he lay there, his head turned to the side as he slept. His mouth was slightly open. Chastity was sure that if Mr. Banks were healthy and able to visit with her, she’d see he had a warm smile and eyes.
Chastity smiled at him, as if he could see her. She already felt love for the man who raised Timothy. After meeting Mrs. Banks, and loving Timothy – it was easy to do.
As if he knew she was there, Mr. Banks slowly closed his mouth, and opened it back up. His eyes slowly opened and he pursed his lips.
“Here.” Chastity quickly jumped up for the glass of water next to his bed. She gently lifted his head, and helped him sit up. Mr. Banks took a slow sip. He made a concentrated effort to swallow before laying his head back down.
“Thank you.” He whispered. He looked Chastity over, confused.
Chastity smiled in response. “You’re wondering who I am?”
Mr. Banks nodded.
“I’m Chastity. Timothy’s … uh, girlfriend.”
Recognition showed in his eyes. Mr. Banks knew she was coming to town. It started to click in place now. He started to open his mouth.
“Shhh.” She softly urged. “Don’t worry about speaking. There’s plenty of time for that. Just get your rest. Timothy and your wife are down the hall getting an update on your condition.” Chastity slowed and smiled down at him. “You’re going to be fine you know. You know that right?”
Mr. Banks blinked his eyes and almost nodded. This time he did speak.
“You … better … believe it.” He said before closing his eyes and drifting back to sleep.
Chastity giggled. She knew the two of them had already bonded. She quickly left to find Timothy. She thought he could use some good news.
Chapter 24
After pouring another cup of coffee, John almost felt human again. Lack of sleep was beginning to be a constant these days, and he wasn’t sure how to solve the problem short of taking the meds that his doctor recommended. John hated taking an aspirin, let alone fill a prescription for a sleeping pill that would knock him out. Feeling out of control … even for a night … was not an option.
“Hey Mikale. Another rough night?” John’s co-worker, Lane, stood next to him holding out an empty cup.
John poured him coffee and watched the steam rise. He nodded before lifting his mug, savoring the taste of the Kona blend. He couldn’t stomach the brand they provided so instead; he brought his own bag of coffee in each week. If John had to go through each day with a menial job as a security manager, at least he’d do it with premium coffee in the morning.
“You sure make a mean cup,” Lane said and then sipped. “That’s a piece of heaven right there.”
“That’s why I bring it,” he said smiling. “Yours tasted like mud.”
Lane laughed and walked out the door. John leaned back to survey the week ahead of him. Lifting his cup for one more sip, he looked over the dry erase board that consumed most of the wall in front of him. John lifted his cup to toast the wall.
“And I left a high paying job in D.C. for this,” he grumbled to himself. No, you moved so that your wife could have her baby near family. John’s conscience kicked in. He leaned in defeat against the counter. He knew it was more than a fair trade off.
Before he met Andie, he was living alone and bitter, while living the dream life on the outside. As an advisor on the hill, he had access to any venue he wanted with any number of available women. Since meeting Andie and marrying her, he was happy for the first time in his life. And now instead of being the life of the party, he was managing a staff to secure high profile parties.
As a manager for Long Beach Protective Services, he ran security detail for many high profile celebrities and dignitaries. Each event was a new venue, environment, and detail, but one thing stayed the same – John got to use his military training to secure the variables to ensure a safe and controlled environment.
Today was an average day of background checks and staffing for the next event, a 21st birthday party for an heiress. For any normal young adult, turning 21 was a right of passage with lots of alcohol and dancing; however for a young adult who had enough money to buy an island – it would be a whole lot bigger. John was already getting a headache thinking of it. Finishing off his cup, he left the break room for his office.
“Mr. Mikale!” John’s assistant jogged down the hall after him. “Sir?”
“Yes?”
“Your brother called early this morning. I thought I’d give you the message before the next staff meeting. He sounded disappointed that you weren’t in yet.”
John drew back and cocked his head. “Are you sure he said he was my brother?”
“Positive.” She nodded and started recalling her conversation, which she did quite often when talking to others. “I remember asking him because I had never taken a personal call for you from anyone other than your wife … or when a doctor’s nurse calls in.”
“Maddie, you’re babbling.”
“Well I asked him if he was sure he was your brother, and he laughed. Yeah,” Maddie slowed enough to drag a deep breath in. “He has a great laugh. Is he single?”
John rolled his eyes, and started moving back to his office. “No, he’s not.”
“Oh,” she let out softly before trailing after him.
“Well he told me he was sure he was your brother. Here’s his number.” She handing the slip to him with questioning eyes.
“That’s okay. I know it.” John turned to wa
lk in and before he shut the door, he heard Maddie cough in an effort to get his attention.
John turned and cocked his eyebrow at her.
“You say I babble.”
“Yes?”
“Well, I say that you never say thank you.” She frowned at him and walked away.
John, although taken back, was impressed Maddie had a backbone. “Thank you!” He softly replied. She turned back and gave him a large smile.
“Now was that so hard?” She threw back at him.
“Yes, yes it was.” All he heard was Maddie’s laughter floating down the hall.
Within seconds, he was seated and staring at the phone. He was disappointed that I wasn’t available? His mind was swirling with possibilities. Maybe Jesse’s lost his mind. Maybe he was knocked over the head?
“You’re never going to know if you don’t just pick it up and call him back,” he grumbled to himself. John crumbled the message slip, tossed it in the basket, and picked up the phone to dial. He was prepared to leave a message. He was hoping to leave a voicemail. John had no such luck. After a couple of seconds, Jesse picked up.
“Hey little brother.” Jesse said quietly.
Now John knew something was wrong. “You’ve not called me that since I was ten. What’s going on?”
Jesse sighed, not sure how to start this conversation. “Well I don’t know. I …” Jesse was at a loss for words. “Well for starters, let me begin by apologizing for the last time we met.”
John’s jaw dropped. “Okay?”
“I know what I did was done out of anger and it was heartless. To dangle your daughter in front of you and threaten you … well that wasn’t very Christian of me. It goes against what I’ve been taught, and even though I hate what you did to Kylie …”
John started squirming in his chair. He wasn’t ready for this conversation. He didn’t want to have it out with his brother over his past.
“… I know what you did was wrong, and I also am aware of how much you hate yourself for it. I get why you are who you are based on,” Jesse’s voice trailed off.
“Based on what?” John interjected, not sure whether to be mad or relieved that his brother was probing into his life. It shows he cares which is more than he’s done for the last 20 years.
“Chastity told me to read your letters.”
“What?” John yelled. “Those were for her!”
“I know.” Jesse replied softly.
John’s heart sunk to his knees. “So she won’t read them? I knew not to hope for it. I guess I was just hoping she could see who I am today, and maybe recognize that I’m a different person than I was back then.”
“She read the first one. I mailed her one and gave her the option to read the others. I didn’t encourage her to read the first one, but I thought she should have it. I didn’t read your letter till she mailed it back to me. She told me to read them if I wanted.”
John felt ill. He put his head in his hands.
“Are they sincere?”
“What?”
“Are your letters for real?” Jesse urged.
“Yes! Do you think I’d lie to my daughter? I’m not that much of a jerk.” John calmed, and sat back in his chair. “So you’re telling me she has no interest in reading them?”
“She read the first one.” Jesse reassured.
“What are you doing Jesse? You haven’t said two words to me in years, unless forced to, and now you almost sound like you’re trying to help. Pardon me if I don’t quite buy this friendly older brother bit, especially after the last meeting we had. You were pretty clear I was pond scum, and you told me to stay away. Now you’re trying to mend fences?”
“I’m sorry John. Your letters … they had an effect on me.” Jesse sighed and breathed in the phone. “They made me realize how alone you’ve been all these years…first mom, dad, and … me. I know I should have been there to help you, and now I realize instead of helping you adjust - I sat back in judgment.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am – dead serious. I know I’m one of the ones who failed you in life. Now I’m not suggesting we sit around, hold hands, and sing camp fire songs – you’ve messed up a lot.”
“I know,” John interjected not wanting to be reminded again.
Jesse continued, “But I’m trying to mend the fragile relations we do have.
Maybe with one conversation at a time?”
John cynically laughed. “You sound like you’re one day short of a meeting.”
Jesse ignored his reference to Alcoholics Anonymous. “I need to know that you’re serious though. Are your letters heartfelt? Are you sincere in what you wrote?”
“I already gave you an answer.”
“Okay.” Jesse let himself trust. “Well just so you know, your daughter is doing well.”
“Can you tell me more about her? Anything?” John prayed.
“Not without her permission – but she’s a lovely young lady who reminds me a lot of mom.”
John’s heart ached in hearing that. He never knew his mom, and currently he’d never had any connection to his daughter. He would give anything to change both of those circumstances.
“What I can tell you is that she’s currently visiting Oklahoma City, with her boyfriend.”
“She has a boyfriend? Have you met him?”
“Yes, and I approve of him.”
John nodded, grateful. The jealousy that his brother was forming a bond with his daughter was melting away, and a small piece of joy centered into his heart. Maybe there’s a chance for me.
“Jesse?”
“Yes?”
“I never thought I’d say this, but thank you.”
“Okay.” Jesse let out a breath.
“Do you think there’s hope? For me and my daughter?”
“I don’t know, but I do know there’s hope for us. I’d like to get to know you again.”
“I’d like that. Hey, did you know Andie was pregnant?”
“Yes, Lauri told me. Congrats. My first thought when my wife told me was how badly you were going to screw it up.” All Jesse heard was a breath being let out on the phone. “But now I think you’ve grown up and maybe ready for fatherhood after all.”
“Gee thanks. Ya think?”
Jesse laughed. “We’ll talk again soon. I promise.”
“Okay. I have to admit I’m a little shaky right now.”
“That’s okay little brother. So am I.”
Both brothers hung up with a little lighter heart than they started the day with. It’s funny how forgiveness will do that to a person, and both felt the effects of it.
Chapter 25
By the time Chastity and Timothy checked into their hotel room, both of them were worn thin. What was supposed to be a joyous first meeting of the parents took a crazy turn, but that’s what happens when you’re fully invested in someone and their life. You get to take all the turns with them, whether they’re all fun or not.
They’d been in town for six hours, and almost all of it had been by Mr. Banks’ bedside. Timothy didn’t want to leave until his dad woke back up. He wanted to see his father, and know that his father saw him. Mrs. Banks had to finally ask Timothy to take her home to get Timothy to leave. It wasn’t a far stretch for Mrs. Banks to feign being too tired, because she was. Chastity knew though that for the most part it was to get her son to get some rest.
As they dropped her off, he walked her in. He stayed for a few minutes. Chastity wouldn’t expect anything less. From the car, she could see them inside the foyer. He gave his mom one last hug, and she put something in his hands. He looked down to whatever it was, and kissed his mom. She nodded and then turned to wave out the window to Chastity.
Chastity wanted to ask what Timothy was given, but didn’t dare. After the day they’d had, she thought it best to just let Timothy be. He was quiet the entire way to the hotel, and she saw how defeated he was.
Once in the room, Chastity watched Timothy unpack his suitc
ase. He looked rumpled. All she wanted to do was to make him feel better somehow. She had always been the one who needed to feel better. With their history, Timothy was always the comforter in the relationship. This time, she knew it was her turn; however she didn’t know what to say to make the situation any better.
Chastity slowly walked across the room with her bags still in tow. She set her suitcase on the bed next to his, and put her hands on his, to stop him from unpacking. She pulled him in for a simple hug. He pulled her in and let a breath out. He wasn’t sure what to feel. He was so torn apart. He knew his dad would recover, but seeing him there today threw him for a loop. He knew sex wasn’t part of the equation for him and Chastity right now, but it was the only thing he could think of to get his mind off his dad. The only thing that would make him forget about the pain he felt right now - was her. He needed her.
Timothy sat down on the bed next to her suitcase and pulled her down to straddle his lap. She quietly pulled his head down to hers and wrapped her hands around his neck. With his free hand, he pushed her suitcase on the floor. Neither noticed, nor cared about the mess.
Timothy could easily let his emotional havoc be overshadowed by where this could take him. Her kisses were enough to let him forget about his dad, and a large part of him needed the comfort she was offering. Timothy’s hands quickly ran up her sides to the back of her sweater, but they stopped short of sliding underneath. He couldn’t let his emotions get the best of him to where he was just short of using her for an emotional release.
Timothy knew Chastity was a good girl, but in this position he was having a hard time focusing on that fact. They had a deal - not have sex before they both were ready. And it wasn’t that he wasn’t ready, because what guy wouldn’t want to spend the night with Chastity. She was beautiful, sexy, intelligent … the list could go on. But Timothy was trying to honor their relationship without screwing it up with sex. Call it old fashioned, but he wanted to do things the right way. And that little voice in the back of his head, his conscience or maybe his 5th grade Sunday school teacher, warned him that it wouldn’t be right.
Facing Redemption Page 10