“Hey, man,” he says, closing the door to the red Civic.
“Hey.”
“What’s going on out here?” He stops and takes a seat beside me. He reeks of cigarette smoke and alcohol.
“I hope you didn’t drink and drive,” I scold. I might be bumming off my brothers right now, but I’m still older, and like to think of myself as being in charge.
“No, only one beer…or two. I’m really fine. It was an early night.”
I smirk. Now that I’m working 8-5, I’m usually in the bed by ten pm. When did I become so lame?
“Where have you been all night?” I ask, not knowing if I really want the answer to this.
“I ate dinner at the Birch’s and then I went out with some friends from work.”
“You had dinner with the Birch’s?” My one-track mind doesn’t hear anything else. He saw Claire. “Was Claire there?”
Mark pats me on the back and turns in my direction. “Yeah, she was there. She asked about you, and I discovered her and that Nathan Lang guy broke if off.” He gives me a small smile and I exhale a huge breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
“Interesting,” I think out loud, as hope surges through my body. I really shouldn’t allow myself to hope, but I can’t believe she would break it off with someone like Nathan. He’s every girls dream, and I’m…well, I’m not. “Do you think I have a chance?” My voice is almost a whisper as I turn to Mark. I don’t really know what I’m asking him, but I need some advice right now concerning Claire. I’m scared I’m going to make the wrong move or say the wrong thing and drive her away forever.
“There’s only one way to find out,” he answers softly, and I look at him with hope shining brightly on my face.
“How?”
“Let’s figure something out and go bring her back.”
“As in…us?”
“As in, you, Luke and I. Let’s figure something out and get that girl back here so I don’t have to see you mope around any longer.” He gives me another smirk. “Between you and Luke, there’s too much estrogen in this apartment.” I grab his head and pull him into a headlock. He tries to fight against me, but it’s no match.
“You just wait, Mark Peoples. This will be you one day soon,” I say as I release him. We continue our banter, our voices growing loud in the night. I hear a door open as Luke sticks his head outside.
“I was wondering what was going on here,” he says, walking to the curb.
“Your brother is being a wise ass,” I say tackling Mark and bringing him to the ground. Luke jumps in and before we know it, we have formed a dog pile in the front of the complex. A female voice causes us to stop what we’re doing and act like the adults we are.
“Will you boys ever grow up?” It’s Dayna, and she’s scolding us with a smile.
“I just discovered the best news ever, Dayna, so I’m expressing myself in a healthy way,” I say.
“What’s the best news ever?” Luke asks while Dayna pulls him off the ground.
“The best news ever is that Claire’s back on the market and we’re going to bring that girl home,” Mark answers for me as Dayna’s eyes light up.
“What are you going to do?” she asks, turning her eyes towards me with a grin so wide it lights her entire face.
I think for a second and then the plan falls into place. I know exactly what to do, and if this doesn’t work, I don’t know what will. “I’ve got a plan, and I’m going to need everyone’s help,” I say, pulling myself off the ground.
“We’re in,” Luke says and Mark nods his head. Dayna’s smile makes it evident she’s in, too.
“Good. ‘Operation Get Claire Back’ is in full swing, starting now.”
I DIDN’T SLEEP any last night. My eyes want to close, but the excitement from the day is keeping me awake. My brothers and I burned the midnight oil setting my plan into action. I look at the pond, and its serenity is peaceful. I haven’t been here in five years, and this is where Claire first gave herself to me. Our spot was slightly overgrown when I arrived, but between the four of us, we cleared back the area and set up a picnic. Just like Claire and I use to do.
My plan is to remind her of how she felt during those three months together. Maybe, just maybe, if I can recreate the scenery, she can feel something for me again. It’s a long shot, I know, but what else do I have?
Dayna made all the food and added some special touches I didn’t even know were needed like fresh flowers and candles. I am clean-shaven with a nice shirt on and khaki pants. I never dress up this much, but Dayna insisted this was needed. I decided to listen to her since she is a female, after all.
Mark texted Claire at one am this morning, telling her he would pick her up for an emergency lunch. He should be back any minute with her, and then the twins and Dayna are going to travel back home. I hope this will end well since I’ll be the one taking Claire home.
I take a deep breath and run my hand down my face. I shouldn’t be so nervous, but I am. I’m about to pour my heart out to a girl who may or may not reject me. She said she would call me, but I’m done waiting. It’s time to fight for her, and it’s now or never. This lunch will be our chance to talk. If she tells me no, at least I can stop asking myself hundreds of questions.
In the distance, I see Mark and Claire walking side by side, slowly making their way to this spot. Claire has to know what’s going on, but she seems oblivious as she talks with Mark. I start to sweat, but swallow back my fear. I’ve dealt with drug dealers and criminals, but this small blonde-haired angel rattles my nerves every time.
They approach the clearing and Claire’s eyes find mine. Mark gives her a sheepish grin and then walks away, leaving Claire and I to ourselves. We are once again in our own little bubble, away from the worries of everyday life.
All my nerves seem to disappear when I’m in this moment with her. We don’t say anything, just stare as the air circles around us. This moment feels right, and my plan seems to be working like a charm. At least, it’s working on me. I’m transported back to where we were five years ago and I long for this moment never to end.
She breaks the trance by walking over. She stops right in front of me. I can see her breathing and smell her scent.
“I thought we could talk,” I say, my voice quiet. I hear the words echo off the trees and disappear into the lake. She hasn’t taken her eyes off mine, and I can’t read her emotions. Is she happy to be here or does she feel trapped? Will this have a happy ending or a final goodbye?
“Brandon,” she whispers my name, and I fall under her spell. She’s hypnotized me so many times in the past, and this time is no different. She grabs my hands and interlinks our fingers. I take this as a good sign, and I will her to continue speaking. She does. “I withdrew because…having a relationship with you became too difficult. I’m sorry. That makes me sound shallow, but it’s true. I craved normalcy, and that’s why I quit visitations, and that’s why I’ve ignored you this past month.” She looks ashamed and holds her head down. “I know if we do decide to do this, it’s going to be difficult and sticky and it’s going to be a ton of work…and well, I’m scared.”
I haven’t said a word because I’m letting her do all the talking. I’ve said everything I need to say in the letters. Today I need to hear what she has to say.
“And then I met with my dad and he brought it all into prospective for me. So, I had to make a decision. Was I going to be all in or out for good?” She looks up at me with those blue eyes, and I’m lost again. How does she have this power over me?
“What happened with Nathan?” I hate to bring his name up in our moment, but I need to know.
“We broke it off. It wasn’t serious, but he figured out I was still in love with you.”
My heart stops beating but I try my damnedest not to display my emotions. “You’re still in love with me?”
She slowly nods her head. “If you’ll take me back, Brandon, I promise to be there for you. I know this has got to be hard on yo
u, too, and I lost sight of us. I was only focused on me. I’m sorry.”
I grab her into my arms and bury my face into her neck. She smells just like I remember. I try not to suffocate her with my embrace. I’m just too excited that she’s back. I hear her start to cry and notice a few tears of my own. I smell her hair and run my hands down her back. I’m trying not to hurt her, but I don’t think I can keep my hands off her body. Not in a sexual way, but in a way like she’s my air to breathe.
Claire has returned to me.
“Claire. Do not apologize. We had a crazy start. We are both to blame and commend in this relationship. I’m just glad you’re back. Please tell me you’re back for good.”
She starts to run her fingers in my hair and kisses my forehead. “Brandon, we will need to take things slow and start over. Do you think you can do that?”
“We’ll do whatever you need, Claire. I’ll take you on dates, and we can learn about each other. Neither of us will be a prisoner this time around. We’ll be side by side in this relationship. We can start over. I can be a good boyfriend, Claire. I swear I can. I love you, too, Claire. It was love at first sight.”
She giggles and I see that light I love return to her eyes. I lean in for another embrace and slightly kiss her neck. She lifts her chin to widen the access as I bury my nose into her hair. Oh, how I’ve missed her scent.
“Brandon.” She whispers my name and I pull back to look in her eyes. “Do you regret anything between us? I know we started off on the wrong foot and it’s been a rollercoaster ride ever since, but do you have any regrets?”
I think for a minute before deciding to pour out my heart. This time it will be different between us. I can feel the change circling around in the atmosphere. This time around, we will be partners, and this time around, I can be the man she deserves. This time around, I will be the good guy.
“I don’t regret anything, Claire. If I had to do it all over again, I would. Maybe a different way would have been more ideal, but we can’t look back and re-wish the past. I want to focus on the future…and you are my future. I’ll give you everything I have, Claire. This isn’t saying much, but I’m a changed man. I’m a changed man because of you and because of your love. Your compassion is the reason I’m standing here today and not dead.”
I see her eyes glisten with water while strong emotions overtake my body. She’s really here. She’s chosen me, and I’m allowed to be part of her life. I’m the luckiest man alive.
“Brandon?”
“Yeah.”
“Kiss me,” she whispers.
She doesn’t have to ask me twice.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON IS upon us. I stand dutifully at Marcus’s grave. I wipe my tears away and take a deep breath. What an emotional weekend. I can’t believe Claire gave him a proper burial…for me. This girl has done more for me than anyone else ever has. I’m more in love with her today than I ever was when we first met. I’m a believer that Claire’s “love at first sight” definition is true.
Time grows love.
I wonder what Marcus would think of me now? I smile at the thought because I’m sure he wouldn’t recognize me. Jail will do that to you. I’m a different man today, but I’m a good different. I’m a matured man with a controlled temper and a reasonable head on my shoulders. These past five years have been a learning experience. I’m a secure man with renewed priorities and a new lease on life.
I glance once more at Marcus’ headstone and tightly squeeze the hand of the woman standing next to me. She is beauty and she is light.
I’ve fought like hell for her. I wrote poems, letters, and everything else you could imagine to display my love. I thought I might have lost her for a while, but I never lost hope. Today, as I stand with her and my brothers, I know it was all more than worth the effort.
I look inward at myself to see a man in his thirties with years beyond his age. A beautiful angel stands firmly beside me. I also see twenty-three year old twins with college degrees and solid jobs. I’m so proud of my brothers for all they’ve done and accomplished. Our parents would be beside themselves if they saw us today.
Words can’t describe the feeling of family. There’s no definition that does it justice.
The past fifteen years of my life have been a rollercoaster of love, loss, and pain. Yet, I’m always assured of love’s existence and second chances.
People can be redeemed. All it takes is love and encouragement from the right person. Because I made the right decision, I will finally be able to fulfill all her dreams…as well as my own. It’s ironic that a life full of wrong decisions and wrong turns can be redeemed by one right decision. She saved me from myself.
She is the redeemer of thieves. I turn to her and pull out a piece of paper that I wrote a poem on last night. My brothers have walked away, giving Claire and I the space we need.
“Can I read you something?”
“Of course.”
I open the paper and stare at what I’ve written. It’s amazing how you can sum up your life inside the words of one poem. While writing to Claire, I discovered the hidden mystery of script. I discovered how words and emotions I couldn’t express through speech could be formulated directly into poems and lyrics. If my life could be understood in seven short paragraphs, this is what it would be.
It has taken me thirty-three years to arrive at this moment, but today I stand here in a place of peace. I will no longer live an angry life full of unforgiveness and hate.
Over the past five years, I have finally made my peace with God.
“Claire, I’m in love with you. You showed me the light. You gave me a second chance when nobody else would. You believed in me.”
I struggle to start, but relax as the words take on a life of their own.
“I survey the man as he hangs from the tree-
I see he’s a criminal, just like me.
Should I ask him to show me the way?
My life is a mist, ticking away.
I question the man as he hangs from the tree-
“Who is to blame for this decree?”
I don’t like his answer, he’s made a mistake!
So, I act on my own, giving others my fate.
I scream at the man as he hangs from the tree-
Where lies his compassion, does he even see me?
I hurl at him insults and more, as I swear.
His response is to bow his head in prayer.
I ignore the man as he hangs from the tree-
I fight for survival; I can never be free!
He seems not to care of my life’s decrease-
And yet he continues to offer me peace.
I stare at the man as he hangs from the tree-
His answer was right…my sin is of me.
I’ve wasted so long passing the blame-
Maybe I do hold the key to my shame.
I gaze at the man as he hangs from the tree-
Faith, hope and love, in a beautiful sea.
Peace is delivered in the form of a dove-
But he reminds me, the greatest is love.
I accept the man as he hangs from the tree-
Second chances exist amongst misery.
I’m starting to think, life is not what it seemed.
The irony’s not lost, a thief can be redeemed.”
I turn to face Claire, placing a kiss her on her forehead. Five years ago when I turned myself in, I was wrong.
Today starts the beginning of the rest of my life.
LEIGH CLARY ABDOU is a graduate from the University of Georgia and wrote her first book in the third grade. That story, along with a collection of poems and other books, can still be found in their original location - a purple Trapper Keeper.
When Leigh isn’t writing, she’s reading or watching reruns of Friends and Sex and the City.
She considers being a wife and mother her life’s greatest accomplishments.
The Thief Redeemer is her debut novel.
Leigh loves to connect wi
th her readers!
•www.AuthorLCA.com
•www.facebook.com/AuthorLCA
•www.goodreads.com/AuthorLCA
•www.twitter.com/AuthorLCA
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
About the Author
The Thief Redeemer Page 25