Robert was silent for a moment as he listened to what God wanted him to say. He sat forward with his elbows on his legs.
“Do you believe in God, Pedro?”
Surprise crossed Pedro’s face. He looked for a minute like he didn’t know how to respond. “Sure. Doesn’t everybody?” he said tentatively.
Robert and Brian shared a look.
“No,” they answered in unison.
“Okay, here is the thing, Pedro,” Robert said. “What happened to me was a God thing. It had nothing to do with me.”
“Huh?” Pedro replied.
“When I had the accident I was helpless. There was nothing I could do to save myself. I had no control over that situation. All the training I had, all the defense moves I’d assimilated over the years, even the safety practices I’d learned, couldn’t prepare me for that fall. In that moment it was just God. It was all about God and his mercy,” Robert said.
He paused here, not sure if it was the right time to deliver a sermon. But he wanted to be obedient, even if it meant looking foolish. So he pressed on.
“It’s like salvation, Pedro. I can do nothing to save myself. All that I’ve done means nothing when I get before God. I can site living a pretty decent life, I can speak of good works, but those things will never be enough to save me. In that moment, the only one who can save me is Jesus Christ. Like he saved me during that fall.”
Pedro looked down at his feet and nodded.
At that moment, Mrs. Velasquez reappeared carrying a tray with glasses and a pitcher of juice. Robert took the glass she offered and, after a couple of gulps, asked Pedro, “Do you go to church?”
Pedro shrugged. “Can’t say I do. Around Christmas and Easter I go to make Mama happy.”
His eyes shifted to Brian.
“What about you, Mr. Brooks? Do you go to church?”
Brian cast a meaningful glance at Robert, then ran a hand over his brown face. “Not as much as I should. But I realize I need to change that.”
During the drive to South Central, Brian had revealed to Robert that he hadn’t been to church in years. They had a little discussion about that, and Robert had encouraged Brian to live out his faith. He shared how God had convicted him that the Christian walk wasn’t just about giving away money but about being obedient to God in all things. It felt good to know that their conversation had struck a chord in Brian.
The boy’s attention was suddenly focused on something around Brian’s neck.
“Nice crucifix,” he said as he reached inside his shirt and drew out a similar one. “Like mine. We’re perhaps not so different.”
He inclined his head towards Robert. “You Catholic too?”
“I’m a Christian. I don’t worry too much about labels. I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe that he’s God’s son, and that he died to save me from my sins. I believe that through grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone I am saved. Ultimately, that’s all that counts,” Robert said.
“What he means is his wife is Protestant so for the sake of peace he’s one too. But he was raised Catholic like us,” Brian said with a laugh.
Robert elbowed Brian in the ribs.
“You know nothing about it, man. So stop blabbering.”
Pedro doubled over in a fit of laughter.
When the laughter died down, Robert said, “Look, not too long ago I was just like you, Pedro. I showed up at church around Christmas and Easter to make my mother happy. I walked around with a crucifix around my neck like it was a good luck charm and called on God when things went wrong, but I didn’t care about serving Him or submitting to His will. To me, He was just some impersonal figure who had nothing to do with the choices I made in my life.”
Robert stopped, suddenly concerned that he might be saying too much. He was really baring his soul here. To a complete stranger. Somehow, though, he sensed he was doing the right thing. He inhaled deeply and continued.
“After my accident, I realized that God is as real as you are, as Brian is. He cares about each one of us intimately. He has a plan and purpose for every one of us. You know how I know? I should be dead, that’s how. Contrary to what my movies portray I’m not superhuman. I’m flesh and blood. I can die. The doctors are still mystified that I’ve recovered so quickly. I know it’s a miracle. The only reason I didn’t die that day was because God wanted me alive. He has given me a second chance to serve him and I’m taking it. God spared you for a reason too, Pedro. Your mother told me if the bullet had struck a half inch lower you would have bled out. He gave you a second chance. Will you take it?”
Pedro had gone silent. His head was bent and Robert wondered for a minute if he had lost him. Then he saw a tear trickle down the boy’s cheek. Followed by another and another. Pedro made no attempt to wipe his face. When he raised his head, he turned his red rimmed eyes to his and took a shaky breath.
“It really was no accident I was there. This is a gang area and for years I’ve been encouraged to join. I tried to stay out of it, but last year papa lost his job at the factory. From then things have really been tough with my family, with money, you know. I really wanted to go to college so bad, get outta this place, but I don’t have the money. Some guys I know told me if I joined their gang I could sell some drugs and things would get better. I wasn’t too comfortable about the whole thing, but I decided to go for it…”
Pedro continued softly, casting a glance backward, “Please don’t tell anyone. Mama doesn’t know. It would kill her if she knew. That night when I showed up to join they told me that part of my initiation was that I had to rob the liquor store down the street. I didn’t want to do it but the gang leader said if I didn’t he’d shoot me. I’ve known the liquor store owner all my life. I wore a mask so he wouldn’t recognize me. After I’d taken the money and was about to leave, the owner pulled out a gun and shot me in the leg. When I fell to the ground, he raced around the counter and pulled off my mask. He was shocked and disappointed. Told me he had a son at my school and had seen me play football. He said I could be a great football player instead of wasting my life. Then he said he would give me a chance to turn it around. He dropped me off at the hospital instead of calling the police...it’s because of him I’m not dead or in jail. I don’t want to be in a gang anymore. I’m really good at football, even thought about playing college ball, but those dreams seem so foolish now. Do you think it’s too late for me? For God? For football?”
“No I don’t, Pedro. It’s never too late for God. As far as football goes…?” Robert glanced at Brian.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Brian said. “I’ll organize a tryout for you. See how good you are. We can figure out where to go from there.”
“And your dad, have him come see me. I’m sure I can find him a job,” Robert said.
~*~*~*~
On his return to Crescent Drive, Robert thought about his two other close friends, Matt and Corey.
Matt had a role on the soap opera, Young and the Restless, and Robert had stopped by the set to visit him a couple of days earlier, but, to date, he hadn’t seen Corey. They’d spoken over the phone, and Corey had told him that he was busy with work and would come over soon. He decided to give him a call and see if he could pop over to see him right then.
On the sixth ring, just as he was sure the voicemail would kick in, Corey answered.
“Hi, Robert.” His voice sounded flat.
“Corey, hey, I was on my way home and will be passing near your office. Can I drop by?”
Corey sounded hesitant.
“Umm. Actually, I’m home today. Just started vacation. You can come over.”
“Can you remind me where you live?”
“Umm…sure.” Corey gave Robert his address which he promptly keyed into the GPS. Twenty minutes later he was at Corey’s door.
“Wow, look at you. Someone’s been keeping up his workout regimen,” Robert said taking in Corey’s buff physique.
“Look who’s talking.”
�
��Why haven’t you visited?” Robert asked as he followed Corey.
“I sent flowers.”
“Flowers? Do I look like the kind of guy who gets excited about flowers?”
“Still as ungracious as ever I see,” Corey said drily.
“Really, though, I was expecting you to visit. I’ve been home for almost two weeks.”
“I wanted to give you a little time. Brain surgery doesn’t sound like a walk in the park. But you look great. I had expected you to be in bandages and stuff. And driving? I guess you’re really back to normal.” Corey shook his head. “Only Robert Cortelli could take a fall like that and show up weeks later unscathed.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say unscathed…”
“Have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?” Corey asked, inclining his head towards the bar in the spacious entertainment room.
“Nah. I’m good,” Robert replied.
“So, can I see it?”
“See what?”
“The incision.”
Robert shrugged. “Sure.”
Corey got up from his seat and came over to him. Robert lowered his head and gently parted his thick hair. “Right here. Don’t touch, please. It’s still sensitive. I sometimes forget when I comb my hair, and the pain makes me wish I’d never been born.”
Corey peered at Robert’s head for a few seconds and then took his seat opposite him. He shook his head.
“You really are one lucky bastard. I heard you fell from a fifty-foot wall.”
“Thirty feet. It was thirty feet.”
“That’s high, dude. When I got the news, I totally flipped. I was sure they wouldn’t be able to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.”
The words weren’t offensive in themselves, but there was something in Corey’s tone that bothered Robert. Silence stretched out between them for a spell. Eventually, Corey broke it.
“So…I hear you’ve lost memories.”
“A huge chunk. Yeah.”
“That’s tough. How are you dealing with that? How’s Dana dealing with that?”
“By God’s grace,” Robert said simply. It was the truth.
~*~*~*~
That night after he and Dana had put the kids to bed, Robert joined her in the bedroom.
“How’d the visit go?” she asked as she brushed out her hair
“Which one?”
“Didn’t you go to see Maria’s nephew?”
“Oh, yeah. It was good. I also swung by Corey’s place. Didn’t stay long, though. He was acting a little weird. Seemed a little uncomfortable. I don’t know how else to explain it, but I was picking up a negative vibe. Is he okay? Have we been getting along okay?”
Dana shrugged and picked up her tablet. “Sure.”
Robert continued to watch her.
She glanced at him and then back down at the tablet.
“I mean honestly, Robert, in the last couple of years you’ve had less and less time for friends and family, so naturally you two weren’t as close as you were, say when I first met you, but you’re still pretty close. You consider him to be your best friend.”
“Has he been seeing anyone since his divorce?”
“How should I know?”
He narrowed his eyes.
“Why are you so irritable?”
“Nothing. I’m just tired that’s all. Anyway, I met with Anna today.”
“Anna Terranova?”
“Yeah.”
“What did you talk about?”
“You. Mainly. I know that we haven’t discussed it, but she thinks you should speak to the press about your accident. Obviously, they contacted her, and they want to see you, but we were holding them off. Now I think it would be good for the public to know how you’re doing. You could even talk about your growing relationship with Christ and how the accident prompted that.”
He nodded. “I like the sound of that.”
“Another thing.”
He looked at her expectantly.
“Sandy Brown has been calling.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. He wants to see you. Discuss contracts, the new film, stuff like that.”
“Okay.”
“He sent me the script for the movie you’re supposed to be shooting in a few months. I assumed you had the previous one, but I don’t know where you put it. You may want to take a look at it. I left it on the table in the library.”
“That’s fine. I’ll take a look at it, but I can’t meet with him now. I’ll meet with him when we get back from Barbados.”
Chapter 20
Robert’s eyes were glued to the window as the Gulf-Stream jet made its slow descent into Barbados. As he took in the azure blue water flashing in the sun on their approach to the tiny Caribbean island, he had a feeling of déjà vu, like he’d enjoyed this same panoramic view countless times before.
The excitement he felt about this trip was shrouded in apprehension. While it presented an opportunity for him to regain his memories and renew romance and intimacy with his wife, he was afraid that it might not yield the anticipated results. He said a silent prayer asking God to give him the strength to trust him, dispel all despair and doubts and replace them with his peace.
Robert eventually began to feel a little more relaxed and by the time he and Dana had been expedited through Immigration and Customs and into a waiting limousine outside Grantley Adams International Airport he was feeling quite mellow.
“This weather is wonderful,” he said to Dana, who had never looked more beautiful to him in a short, white dress with a long, fat braid dangling over one shoulder and large sunglasses covering her eyes.
She had been gazing out the heavily tinted car window as the car made its way down the ABC highway and now turned her face to him with a slight smile.
“Yes, it is. I love this time of year. It’s nice and cool. Not too hot. Does anything seem familiar to you?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I feel like I’ve been here before.”
Robert tentatively reached across the white vinyl seats and engulfed Dana’s hand in his larger one.
“I’m so happy to be with you. Thank you for agreeing to this.”
“You say it like I’m doing you a favor.”
He shrugged.
She turned her body to face his and pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head with her free hand.
“Bobby, I want you to recover your memories as much as you do. I want you to be fully back to yourself.”
“And then do you think you’ll want me again. See me as a whole man and want to be my wife in every way?” He hadn’t meant to say those words. They had just popped out of his mouth untethered.
She shook her head and gulped. “That’s not why…”
“I’m sorry. Forget I said anything.”
“No. You’re wrong. The reason I don’t want to…the reason I can’t…the reason I won’t...”
“Just say the words will you ‘The reason I don’t want you to make love to me…’” he snapped. He bit his lip. That had come out a tad more angrily than he had intended.
Dana’s whole face went red. She looked away for a moment. Then she looked down at her hands and said quietly, “I just want to know that the man with whom I’m intimate loves me. Is that so awful?”
“Who says I don’t love you?”
“You haven’t said you do.”
No, he hadn’t. Why was that? What was stopping him? He knew deep in his heart that he loved her. Even before he’d gotten to know her again, her presence in the hospital had been such a comfort to him although he hadn’t understood why at the time. Just knowing that there was someone like her around looking out for him had made everything seem like it would be alright.
“I love you,” stumbled from his lips like a revelation. “I may not have remembered you when I first awoke, but I can tell you for a fact that I’ve fallen in love with you all over again.”
He saw her bottom lip tremble. She blew out a shaky breath.
“I love y
ou too, Robert.”
“Come here,” he said softly and reached for her. In an instant, she was in his arms and his mouth covered hers.
They kissed for so long that they didn’t notice the car had stopped until the driver opened the door.
Dana shifted her head to look out at the driver.
“We’re here,” she said against his lips.
“We missed most of the view along the journey,” he said, not wanting to tear himself away from her.
“We’ll have other opportunities to see the island,” she said.
Robert now looked out the window and noticed that they had stopped directly in front of a beachside property. It was a large white house.
The chauffeur helped out Dana, and Robert followed.
“Wow,” he said as he surveyed their getaway. The grounds were immaculately landscaped with a plethora of tropical trees and flowers.
“This is lovely.”
“Isn’t it, though,” she said with pride as she laced her fingers between his.
“Did I choose this house?”
She laughed.
“You? We chose it. After we saw a few properties, we kind of knew this was the one for us.”
A woman hurried down the steps to meet them.
“Welcome home Mr. and Mrs. Cortelli,” she said.
Dana detangled her fingers from his and embraced the heavy set woman.
“Thank you, Jean.” She turned to him. “Robert, this is Jean Bourne. She manages the property when we aren’t here and sees to its upkeep.”
Jean Bourne was a pleasant-looking woman with skin the color of smooth milk chocolate, a wide, ready smile and short, curly hair. Robert figured that Dana had already alerted her to his condition because the woman had not batted a lash at the fact that the man whom she had obviously seen on countless occasions now held no remembrance of her.
He shook her hand and was met with a firm handshake. They followed her into the house where the chauffeur had already deposited their bags. A man took their bags up the stairs. Another woman welcomed them with glasses of juice on a tray.
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