A Beautiful Purpose

by Alicia Rae

  “Just wanted to remind you what you’re missing out on.” I smirked, cocking a wicked brow at her.

  “You’re evil,” she hissed playfully.

  I started sauntering toward the great room and glanced over my shoulder. “You did call me Devil.” I winked. “I’ll be back.”

  I could feel her heated eyes burning in my back, and it made me chuckle.

  Who knew breaking up would be so much fun?

  Once I reached the threshold of the great room, her father peered up at me over the back of the brown rocking chair he was sitting in.

  “Yeah?” her father asked.

  “Mr. Hampton, right?” I asked, not wanting to call the guy by the wrong name.

  “Just Tim.”

  I glanced at the television to see that the Packers were playing the Bears. “Who are we rooting for?” I asked, sitting in the empty rocking chair on the opposite wall, still facing the TV.

  “Eh,” her father debated out loud before swallowing a bite of his chip dipped in salsa. “Either one I guess. It makes no difference to the Cardinals this game.”

  “I see.”

  “What about you?”

  I shrugged. “Well, I grew up in Denver, so the Broncos have always been my favorite.”

  Her father made a face of acknowledgment before going back to watching the game. Since he hadn’t kicked me out and he’d actually talked to me, I would take his small gesture for now.

  It was halftime in the blink of an eye.

  “So, I take it you and my daughter are dating?” Tim asked out of nowhere, catching my full attention.

  Since Audrey’s feelings were back and forth on having a relationship, she would probably feel dating was a strong term. But I didn’t think so in the slightest, and I was still a man on a mission to get my woman, so I answered, “Yes.” To me, it was the truth.

  In the few times I’d seen Tim from a distance, an emotion other than grouchiness crossed the planes of his face, reaching his eyes. I would almost say it was a look of happiness.

  “Then, I wish you well. Audrey’s a good kid.” Tim’s smile faded, appearing to somber. “Just don’t make the same mistakes I did”—he appeared lost in his own thoughts, regret overcoming his soft tone—“with both of them.”

  Not waiting for a response, Tim shifted his gaze back to the TV in time for the Packers to score a touchdown. Cheering blared from the speakers.

  I could only assume he had been talking about his wife. Audrey had made it sound like he didn’t love them, but her father’s voice translated something different.

  I knew it was none of my business, but I couldn’t help but say, “It’s never too late to change the future.”

  He stared over at me, that same emotion filling his eyes, and then he looked back at the game. “Maybe. But I don’t deserve forgiveness for all the years of heartache I’ve caused.”

  I knew her father was a longtime Marine, a soldier, so I bravely told him, “A soldier would never back down or give up in combat.” Trying to reach him on his level, I added, “As a Marine would say, improvise, adapt, and overcome. Now, you just have to apply the same principles to your family.”

  His eyes landed directly on mine, and I could see understanding in them.

  “Semper Fi,” he breathed, which was the motto for the Marines, meaning always faithful. “So, you served?” he asked.

  “Yes”—I nodded, proud of my service—“for eight years.”

  “Are you going back?” he asked.

  “I’ll be stationed here at the Mountain Training Center when my unused leave is up.” Honesty was just a roll off my tongue. “I want to put down my roots here and start a family while still doing what I was meant to do in life.”

  “And where does my daughter fit into that?” he asked. “I won’t stand by and watch history repeat itself. God knows, she has suffered enough.”

  Hot damn, this guy gets right to the point.

  “She’s the center of it,” I admitted, putting my thoughts into perspective. “My world revolves around her. It only works with her.”

  “Then, you have my blessing.” Her dad actually laughed a little. “And there is no reason to show you my gun collection in the backyard.”

  “No, no need for that!” I threw my head back, chuckling hard. “But someday, I’d love to shoot with you at a range.”

  “We just might be able to do that,” he responded.

  We fell into a comfortable silence while watching the game. For the first time since meeting the guy, I thought we might stand a chance at being friends. First, I hoped he would make things right with his family.

  Audrey came into the room at the start of the third quarter. The Packers were now losing by more than three touchdowns. I took another handful of chips and passed the bag back to Tim.

  “Hey,” Audrey said, walking into the room. She came to a dead halt at seeing us each sitting in a rocking chair, watching the game. “Aren’t you two peas in a pod?”

  Her father spun around and tipped his head up to see Audrey. “He can stay.”

  “Good to know,” Audrey mumbled, seeming to be at a loss for words.

  When her father looked back at the screen and went about his business, Audrey glanced at me in wonder. I offered her a shrug.

  “Okay…well, I have to run out and get something quick for Mom. Would you mind checking in on her for me?” she asked me.

  “Sure.” I pulled my truck keys out of my pocket and handed them to her.

  “Oh, thank you.” She grasped them in her hands. “I’ll be back in about fifteen to twenty minutes tops.”

  “Take your time,” I said.

  With a smile, she walked off. A few minutes passed, and the game went to a commercial. I rose from my seat to go check on Audrey’s mother. Now, this lady, I was nervous to meet because I had never encountered someone who could affect a child so deeply.

  Though, I supposed it was in our nature to remember the bad rather than the good in more detail. I could remember countless times of falling out of trees, fistfights with my brothers, and other dangerous activities that entered my mind faster than the good.

  I knocked on the door and opened it after I heard a soft, “Come in,” from the other side.

  I slowly proceeded inside, seeing Audrey’s mom propped up in the bed with pillows surrounding her. I instantly noticed how much Audrey looked like her. They even had matching green eyes, except her mom’s appeared tired and restless. Her mom was extremely thin and frail. I didn’t know much about the medical field, but I could see that this was a woman who was profoundly sick.

  My heart constricted painfully and sank into the pit of my stomach. No one should have to endure so much, no matter what kind of person he or she was.

  “Hello, Mrs. Hampton,” I said, sitting in the chair next to her. Then, I leaned forward on my elbows.

  She turned her head to get a look at me. “Rosanne,” she stated quietly. “Please call me Rosanne. And you must be Blake?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I thought so.” She smiled a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ve wondered about the man who managed to catch my daughter’s eyes.”

  “How are you feeling?” I asked since I didn’t know how to respond to her statement. “Is there anything I can get for you?”

  “No, thank you.” She pulled her arms out of the blanket and crossed them in front of her. “Except time,” she breathed. “Can you give me time?”

  I wasn’t sure I fully understood the question. It seemed to have multiple meanings, so I offered, “I can stay with you, if you’d like.”

  “I’ll take that.” She gave me the impression that she had something on her mind. “So, tell me about yourself. You’re the first man Audrey has ever brought home. I find myself curious to know…why you?”

  Whew, talk about interrogation. Here goes round two.

  “It’s quite simple actually.” I smiled down at my hands, thinking over my time with her daughter. W
hen I met her gaze again, it was with confidence. “I love her,” I said simply. “But I need her to love me back, to trust what we can be together without doubts or walls between us.”

  “Love is a strong word, boy.” Rosanne’s voice was just as strong. “It’s not one to be tossed out lightly.”

  “Yes, I understand that, and I also stick to my words. I won’t apologize for loving your daughter.” I kept hold of her stare. “I just wish she would lower her guard and let me in.”

  “A woman has a right to guard her heart,” she retorted. “Love can destroy us, make us vulnerable and weak, to where we can never heal.”

  I knew that happened to some, but it didn’t have to be that way. “I would never do anything to hurt Audrey.” My inner anger suddenly rose, so I tried to calm myself as I chose my words wisely. “Your feelings toward love itself have hurt Audrey more than anything. You’ve affected her life in so many ways. She needs a mother, not someone who pulls her into the gutters. I wish you would reconsider your feelings toward her.”

  Rosanne’s chin snapped down, touching her neck, looking as though I’d offended her. I was pretty sure I had.

  “I gave her tough love. Life isn’t all hearts and flowers, my boy.”

  “No, I never said it was. Sometimes, tears bring us to the next wave of true laughter, but there needs to be more of the latter.”

  “Audrey changed my life, my marriage with Tim, my entire existence.”

  “Yes, kids do that,” I said evenly. “But you made the choice to be a mother, so be one.”

  Rosanne gawked at me, so I tried to rein myself in. My intentions were to be firm, not disrespectful.

  “You still have time to have a relationship with her, you know.” Rosanne’s face finally showed some emotion, so I continued, “You could spend five minutes with Audrey and tell her you love her and show her you care. That would be all she would need because her heart is that big. I know because I’ve seen it.”

  Tears streamed down Rosanne’s face. “You seem so sure of your words, yet you have no idea how much pain, suffering, and lasting scars I’ve caused her.”

  “Scars heal…with time,” I replied hopefully, thinking of my own that had troubled me during my military days. My family and Audrey had cured all of them without a second thought. It even amazed me.

  “I don’t have time,” she countered.

  I stood to my feet at hearing the sound of the front door opening. I gave her one last look and said, “Start with today. It’s all any of us can do.”

  With that, I walked to the door just as Audrey was sauntering in.

  “Hey,” she said, searching the both of us. “Everything okay?” she asked anxiously.

  “Yep,” I responded, praying that it would be. “I’m going to head out, okay? I have to stop by Kyle’s and pick up your car. I’ll have him follow me back in my truck.”

  Audrey scowled. “You don’t have to do that. I can get it later.”

  “You’re busy with your mom, and it’s no trouble at all.” I bent forward to capture her mouth just once. “See you soon.”

  I walked out before she had the power to change my mind. The whole time I was gone, I knew I’d be worrying about how Audrey was doing, if she would speak with her mother and father in my absence. I could only pray the conversation would go well. I was only trying to help, but with my loose tongue, I hoped I hadn’t caused a firestorm of an argument between the three of them or hurt Audrey in the process.

  Only time would tell.

  ~Audrey~

  I stood in my spot, speechless, listening to Blake’s footsteps down the hall until I later heard the door shut.

  “Audrey?” my mother asked. The vulnerability in her voice had me redirecting my attention to her.

  “Yes?”

  She patted the empty side of her bed. “Would you mind joining me for a minute?”

  Dumbfounded, I tried to make sense of her rapid shift in demeanor.

  “Please?” she added.

  I made my feet move and carry me to the bed, mindful not to sit too close to her fragile body. I didn’t want to risk hurting her in any way. “Are you okay?” I inquired, my eyes assessing her. I lifted my hand to feel her forehead. She didn’t seem any warmer or look any paler than when I’d left.

  Something had to be wrong though. I could see many emotions across the planes of her face.

  “I’m fine, Audrey.” She shooed my hand away. “You always were such a worrywart.” She chortled.

  Oh my God…my mom actually made a joke! A joke!

  “Sorry, it’s kind of in my nature,” I admitted sheepishly.

  “Yes, it is.” She smiled over at me. “You were always a different breed than me.”

  “Breed?”

  “Uh-huh. There is something I want to say to you.” She paused as if gathering her feelings.

  My pulse spiked uncontrollably at the unknown. It wasn’t like her to be vague or speechless.

  “Okay…” I responded, eager for her to continue.

  “I’ve been a horrible mother.” She sighed deeply and shook her head. “You have this glow about you that is full of life, happiness, laughter, tenderness, and love. You were raised so differently than I was. I just didn’t know what to do with you. When your father and I started having marital problems, I think part of me was jealous. I wanted to handle myself with grace, like you always could do so naturally, yet I found myself doing the opposite.”

  Oh…

  I inhaled and exhaled deeply, wanting the tears to stay at bay. “It’s okay, Mom.” I reached forward and rubbed her arm in the most tender, soothing way. “I know you love me in your own way.” I wanted to reassure her.

  “Yes,” she murmured. “That’s another thing I’ve always loved you for—your heart, Audrey. No matter the circumstance and how much you deny it, your ability to forgive and love knows no bounds.”

  She started to cry, and dang it, so did I.

  Did I miss something her doctor said? Is she going to leave me sooner than I’ve prepared myself for? Fuck, I can’t bear to say good-bye.

  “Are you dying?” I whispered bravely on a soft cry, needing to know. “The doctor said I had six months with you.” I shook my head, feeling my heart shatter into a thousand tiny pieces. Her lung cancer was so actively aggressive. “It has not been six months.”

  “Not any sooner than I know of.” She lifted her hand, and it trembled slightly as she reached to brush my hair over my shoulder. “But someday, Audrey, it’s going to happen, and you’ll have to let me go.”

  “No, I need more time,” I confessed for the first time out loud.

  “This wasn’t the original direction I planned for this conversation to go.” Mom drew her brows together. “Audrey, I don’t even know where to start asking for your forgiveness for all the hurt I’ve caused you over the years, and I realize it’s twenty-five years too late.”

  My eyes were so blurry that I couldn’t see her.

  “But I’m so deeply, deeply sorry for imposing my terribly negative beliefs on you and for also taking my feelings out on you. I will spend the rest of my days trying to make it up to you. I know it’s not much to offer after my behavior, but I hope you can find it in your heart to spend some time with me. Please, think it over. And if not, I’ll understand—”

  I cut her off, throwing my arms around her in the gentlest fashion I could. It was one of the longest, most memorable moments I could recall having with her in my life.

  “I know that I have so much to make up for—” Mom started to say.

  I cut in again, “We have lots of time, Mom, because I’m not ready to let you go.”

  Just then, my father walked into the room, witnessing our hug. For the first time in my life, I watched tears fill my father’s eyes and storm down his face. He didn’t even bother wiping them away.

  “God,” he breathed. “I don’t even know where to begin apologizing to both of you for a lifetime of mistakes, but hearing you two in here, I
just have to try.”

  I climbed off the bed, hearing my mom sob louder at my back. Then, I paused in front of my father. He lifted his hand and wiped my moisture away.

  “Audrey, I’m so, so sorry.” He briefly closed his eyes as if in shame. “There are an endless list of things I’ve done wrong in my life. I only hope I can begin to make it up to you.”

  “It’s okay.” I hesitated for a fraction of a second. “It’s okay, Dad. We are all going to work together…and be a family.”

  He reached forward and hugged me. He hugged me so hard that I could barely breathe. I closed my eyes, deliberating over what on earth had overcome my parents.

  And then it hit me, like a thousand steel pliers opening the barriers of my heart.

  Blake.

  My mom, dad, and I had ended up talking for hours, and while we still had a long way to go in our relationships, we had made the first step.

  After having one of the most emotionally driven nights of my life with my parents, I said, “Good night,” to both of them. I actually left the room with my father lying down next to my mom as they talked to one another.

  Without a second thought, I slipped on a pair of flip-flops and barreled out the door, planning to run the short distance to Blake’s house. It was well past dark and pouring down rain. I instantly wished I had brought a raincoat or an umbrella, but I was on a nonstop mission to Blake’s. I had to see him and thank him for what he had done for me, for my family. It was something I would be forever grateful for.

  I reached his door, panting and out of breath. Drenched from head to toe, I knocked on his door a tad loudly for the hour. Blake opened the door. I took in his messy dark hair and sleepy eyes as he leaned against the doorframe in a pair of lounge pants and, of course, a Marines hoodie. It was the very one I had worn once before.

  “Audrey?” he asked in a rough, tired tone.

  I drew in a swift breath and smiled. “Hi.”

  He eyed my clothing. “What on earth are you doing here, soaking wet?” His hands came to his sides, and he lifted his hoodie over his head.