Love & Lies

by Kimberla Lawson Roby

  “Well, thank you.”

  “What we have to do is keep our faith strong, and as a matter of fact, let’s step outside for a word of prayer,” Curtis suggested.

  We left the emergency room and Curtis prayed for Janine’s survival and her soul. He asked God to save her and to give all of us the strength and understanding we needed. Then we went back inside.

  “What’s taking them so long?” I said as soon as we took our seats.

  “I don’t know, but all this waiting is driving me nuts,” Carl admitted.

  “If only someone would just come give us an update.”

  “I’m sure they will pretty soon now,” Curtis said, glancing at his watch. “I guess maybe I should check on Matthew and Marissa to make sure the pizza arrived.”

  “That’s probably a good idea,” I said, but I knew Curtis’s real reason for wanting to call home was to make sure Marissa wasn’t taunting at her brother or, worse, trying to set something on fire. Normally this would have been my worry, too, but right now I was completely focused on Janine. I was trying to imagine what I would do without her and at the same time figure out why this had happened. I knew it wasn’t right to question God, specifically in terms of why He’d allowed such a catastrophe, but I needed answers.

  When Curtis stepped away, Carl and I sat silent for a minute but then he spoke.

  “What in the world was Janine thinking?”

  “You mean when she met Antonio?”

  “Yes. She and I briefly discussed it, but I just don’t get it.”

  “I never wanted her to be with him but she believed it could work. I know she shouldn’t have, but I realize now that sometimes we can’t help the mistakes we make.”

  “I guess, but she deserves only the best. A man who will treat her better than he treats himself.”

  “Well, after this, I don’t think we’ll have to worry about Antonio ever again, or at least not for a long while.”

  “Let’s hope not, because I can’t be responsible for what I might do to him.”

  “You really do care about her, don’t you?” I said.

  “I do. I don’t want to say it was love at first sight because it sounds far too ridiculous for any grown man to even consider something like that, but I do think I’m in love with her.”

  “Being in love isn’t ridiculous at all, and I think you should tell J just how you feel. You should tell her the first chance you get.”

  “Maybe, but I guess I’m just a little concerned that she might not feel the same way.”

  “And that’s the very reason so many men end up losing perfectly good women, too. All because they have so much pride that they won’t risk showing their true feelings.”

  “You’re right. So we’ll see.”

  When Curtis returned and sat back down, I asked him how the children were doing.

  “They’re fine. They already ate and they’re watching some movie.”

  “Does Matthew have any homework?”

  “Not a lot, but I told him to start on it right now.”

  “Both of you must be proud,” Carl said.

  “We are,” Curtis told him.

  “There’s nothing like having your own family, but Greta just didn’t want that. At least not with me.”

  “I’m sorry to hear things didn’t work out,” Curtis said.

  “I’m sorry, too,” I added.

  “Actually, we never had a chance, because as soon as I met her, I immediately started thinking I could change her.”

  “That happens a lot,” Curtis agreed. “Over the years, I’ve done premarital counseling for hundreds of couples, and you hear this more often than not.”

  “Greta loved to party all times of night and do a few things I won’t even mention, but still none of it fazed me because I knew I could mold her into the woman she should be.”

  I didn’t say anything, but at this very moment I realized that this philosophy probably applied to Janine as well. None of us had understood her connection to Antonio, but maybe she’d thought he would change for the better over time. Maybe she really had thought he would get a job and become the responsible man most women dreamed about.

  The three of us were chatting when a doctor in full scrubs walked through the doorway. I panicked. I knew he was on his way to give us news about Janine.

  “Are you the family of Janine Turner?” he asked.

  “Yes, we’re her closest friends in the area.”

  “I’m Dr. Weisman, and if you’ll come into the conference room here, I’ll give you an update on her condition.”

  We followed him inside and took seats around the table.

  “We’ve had to make a lot of intestinal repairs, both the upper and the lower, and remove a small portion of her stomach. Then, because of all the blood loss, we had to start a transfusion. Her heart is also not beating the way it should be, so we need to monitor that as well. And then, finally, I regret that we’re going to have to remove her left kidney. There’s no laceration in that area but there are a number of severe bruises.”

  “The guy that did this to her had on pointed-toe cowboy boots and he was kicking her everywhere,” Carl said.

  “Then that explains it, because her kidney is now damaged beyond preservation. But the good news is that people have kidneys removed every day and they live full and normal lives.”

  “So is she going to be okay otherwise?” I asked.

  “Her status is critical, but if we can get her through the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours, I think she’ll be fine. She’ll have a long recovery and a few problems along the way, but her chances are very strong.”

  “Can we see her?”

  “Maybe in about an hour, but only for a few minutes because we need her to rest as much as possible. She mentioned the name Char and Carl, but I’m thinking she was a little confused and meant the same person.”

  “No, she’s right,” I said, smiling. “I’m Charlotte and this is Carl. Oh and this is my husband, Curtis. And the only immediate family member she has is her father, but he’s sickly and lives in Ohio.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’re here for her. And you say some guy did this?” he asked Carl.

  “Yes. An old boyfriend, but it’s a long story.”

  “Senseless,” Dr. Weisman declared.

  “My words exactly,” Curtis told him.

  “Well, unless you have other questions, that’s pretty much all I have.”

  “Thanks so much, Doctor,” I said.

  “Yes, we really appreciate it,” Carl said, shaking his hand, then Curtis did the same.

  “We’ll get you in to see her as soon as we get her situated.”

  “Oh, and how soon will you need to remove her kidney?”

  “Once we’re sure her heart is able to withstand it, so hopefully in a couple of days or so.”

  “Thanks again,” I said, and Dr. Weisman left the room.

  “I know it’s not right, but I wish I’d taken Antonio completely out,” Carl said, standing and pacing back and forth.

  “Man, you’re going to have to let that go because the angrier you get, the more this whole thing is going to tear you apart,” Curtis responded. “And I’m here to tell you that it’s not worth it. That fool is locked up where he should be, so what you have to do is let the police and the prosecutor handle their business. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I know exactly how you feel, but trust me when I say you’ll feel better trying to forget it.”

  “I just hate that he did this to her. She’s all messed up because of him and now she’s going to lose a kidney. All because she wanted him to leave her alone and he wasn’t hearing it,” Carl continued.

  I sighed deeply and tears filled my eyes again. I was so tired of crying, tired of waiting to see what horrific thing was going to happen next, and tired of trying to understand why bad things happened to good people like Janine. I also wondered why my life seemed to be filled with so much grief, but I couldn’t deny that in my case it was because bad
things also happened to bad people. After all these years with Curtis, I was still keeping a major truth from him, he was still sleeping with other women, and I wondered when we would finally stop trying to hurt each other. Especially now, with what had happened to Janine, because her predicament screamed loud and clear just how precious life really was.

  We went back to the waiting area and waited for not one but two hours, and then one of the nurses escorted us through the ICU doors and into Janine’s room. As soon as I saw her, my knees weakened and Curtis grabbed hold of me. It was bad enough that multiple tubes flowed from her body and various monitors surrounded her bed, but when I moved closer and saw how badly she was cut, I turned away from her. Yes, they were only minor, but what hurt me so much was that I knew she’d tried to defend herself.

  “J,” I said, leaning toward her, “sweetie, it’s me, Charlotte.”

  She didn’t speak but she did move her head slightly.

  “J, can you hear me?” I asked, and she nodded affirmatively. “Carl and Curtis are here, too.”

  She tried whispering something but she couldn’t.

  “Janine, baby, we’re all here for you,” Carl said from the other side of the bed, and she nodded again. This time it even seemed like she was trying to smile.

  “God’s going to take care of you, so you just keep your faith in Him and you’ll be out of here in no time,” Curtis said.

  “J, I love you and we’re going to let you rest now,” I said, kissing her forehead. “But I’m not leaving the hospital. I’ll be here all night, so don’t you worry about anything.”

  “Let’s have another word of prayer,” Curtis said and we locked hands.

  It wasn’t usual for the ICU to allow three visitors at one time, but I was glad they’d made an exception because Janine needed to know that we were all here for her together.

  When he finished, Curtis patted Janine’s hand and we turned to head out. But then Carl went back over to her.

  “Janine, baby, I know this isn’t the best time for you, but I can’t leave here without telling you how I feel. You see, the reason you have to get better is because I’m in love with you. I didn’t plan for this to happen, but that’s just the way it is,” he said, sniffling, and while Janine’s eyes were still closed, tears streamed slowly down both sides of her face and I honestly wished I’d had a camcorder. I wished I’d been able to record such a priceless, genuine confession of love because most people would never witness or experience anything so beautiful. Few women would ever have a man look at them the way Carl was looking at Janine right now, and it was sad.

  Curtis and I left the room so that the two of them could share a few moments alone, but I could still hear Carl’s words. I heard them over and over and I knew I would never forget them. Better, I hoped Janine would never forget them either, and that chances were, she’d finally found what she’d been looking for.

  Chapter 28

  CHARLOTTE

  I’d slept in a chair in the waiting room, waking almost every half hour, and my back was killing me. But still, if I’d had it to do over again, I wouldn’t think twice about it. Curtis had left right after we’d gone in to see Janine, Carl had left around midnight, and now it was 6:45 A.M. and I was making my way past the ICU nurses’ station.

  When I walked in, I saw one of her nurses changing her IV bag and another drawing blood.

  But to my surprise, Janine’s eyes were open.

  “Have you been here all night?” she asked in a weak, groggy tone.

  “Now, where else would I be?” I said, and she smiled.

  “Don’t you have to get the kids off to school?”

  “Curtis is home, so they’ll be fine.”

  She didn’t respond until the nurses left the room.

  “Did they arrest him again?” she asked.

  “Yes. And this time I don’t think he’ll get out.”

  Tears rolled down Janine’s face as they had last night when Carl had told her he loved her. I grabbed her hand and caressed the side of her face. I was trying my best to stay strong, but seeing her emotional state was making it extremely hard for me.

  “I’m so sorry that this happened to you.”

  “I always knew he was going to hurt me. I knew it but I didn’t see where I could do anything about it.”

  “Well, he’s the least of your worries right now, and what we have to do is concentrate on getting you well.”

  “Where’s Carl?”

  “He was here for a long time, and I hope you remember the wonderful things he said to you.”

  “I remember him saying that he loved me.”

  “And I really think he does, J. Normally my skepticism kicks in big-time whenever any man claims he’s in love this quickly, but Carl is different. He’s a good man and I honestly believe he means what he says.”

  “I believe him, too, but I don’t know what good I’m going to be to him or anyone else after this.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Just before you came in here, Dr. Weisman told me that one of my kidneys has to be removed and he told me I may have stomach problems for a long time.”

  “But after all that has been taken care of, you’ll be completely back to normal,” I said, hating I’d missed her doctor. I’d been wanting to speak to him but I guess he’d decided to make rounds earlier than I’d expected.

  “We’ll see,” she said.

  “J,” I said, gently turning her head back toward me. “Sometimes life throws some crazy curves, but it’s not the end of the world. So what we have to do is stay positive. I know this is a very tough time for you but I’m going to be by your side every step of the way. Curtis and I already decided last night that when you leave here, you’re coming to stay with us for as long as you need to.”

  She looked at me and seconds later her eyes watered again.

  “I love you and I promise we’ll get through this,” I continued.

  “I love you, too, but I feel so bad about having to inconvenience you in this way.”

  “It’s no trouble at all, and I’m glad to do whatever I can.”

  “I’m going to need to call my father to let him know I won’t be coming this weekend.”

  “Do you want me to call him now? I thought about that last night.”

  “No. This will kill him, so I have to come up with some other reason for postponing.”

  “When is Dr. Weisman planning to do your surgery?”

  “First thing tomorrow morning, so I’ll call Dad tomorrow night or on Friday.”

  I didn’t agree that she should wait to tell him, but I didn’t want to debate her decision because the last thing she needed was to be upset.

  “Is there anything else I can do?” I asked.

  “I need you to call the university, although I’m sure by now the whole incident is plastered all over the newspaper. How embarrassing.”

  Janine was right, but I didn’t acknowledge her comment. It hadn’t been on the front page the way she was thinking, but there had been noticeable mention of it in the local section.

  “And my purse. I think I dropped it in the garage, so can you stop by my house to get it?”

  “I’ll do it once I go home and get cleaned up. Curtis is picking me up after he gets Matthew off to—” I said, and Janine coughed deeply. “Are you okay?” I asked, but she continued coughing. She held her stomach and I knew she was in severe pain.

  I called in one of her nurses and after a while Janine settled down. Maybe I had held too long a conversation with her, but I was just so happy to see her alive and happy to hear that Dr. Weisman had scheduled the kidney surgery because this meant her heart had stabilized the way he’d wanted.

  Before the nurse left again, she pressed a button to release what must have been some sort of painkiller, the kind that was administered intravenously, because Janine drifted off to sleep.

  I kissed her good-bye and then went back to the waiting area to call my mother to tell her what was going
on, and then I called Curtis to come and pick me up. I hated leaving Janine but I would be back as soon as I changed clothing, did the couple of tasks she’d asked me to do, and made sure everything was situated at home. If need be, I would even spend the night at the hospital again. I would do whatever I had to in order to keep her mind at ease.

  When we arrived home, Marissa went straight to her room, Curtis went to his study, and I immediately shed my clothing and jumped into the shower. Right afterward, I dressed in a velour sweat suit and went downstairs to see if Curtis had spoken with Dr. Mason.

  “Her secretary called just before we came to pick you up, and I have to take Marissa in at one o’clock,” he said.

  “What about the rest of the week?”

  “Same time, but then it will probably change after that.”

  “She was awfully quiet in the car,” I said.

  “That’s because she’s not happy about having to see Dr. Mason again.”

  “Did Matthew ask why she wasn’t going to school?”

  “Yeah, and I told him the truth.”

  “What did you say?”

  “That his sister isn’t well and we want her to see a doctor.”

  “You didn’t say that in front of her, did you?”

  “Of course not.”

  I sat on the edge of Curtis’s desk. “I’m so overwhelmed.”

  “Come here,” he said, and I slid onto his lap. “Just remember that weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

  “I’m trying to believe that, but right now it seems like joy is taking a long time to show up. First it was the Larry disaster, then you told me about this Tabitha woman being pregnant, and now Janine is suffering in a hospital. And I’m worried sick about Marissa.”

  “But in the end, everything will work itself out,” he said, kissing me.

  “I should head over to Janine’s to pick up a few things for her and then run a couple of other errands.”

  “Will you be here when Marissa and I get back from her appointment?”

  “Yeah, because I’m planning to spend the night at the hospital again and I want to see Matthew at least for a little while when he gets home from school.”