Broken (Endurance)

by Thomas, April

  Max and Mei were not alone. Many other students walked like zombies to the registration hall. Tidbits of conversation came to Mei’s ear and she soon realized everyone had been left stranded on various locations around the island and all had to hike their way to the college.

  Mei spotted two other couples with young children. They argued amongst themselves as they walked towards the campus steps. Mei knew what that felt like. If she and Max hadn’t been so exhausted by their trek, they’d most likely be arguing right now as well.

  Walking under the boiling heat of the sun was causing people to want to kill each other. Tempers rolled high and patience was all but gone.

  Grateful that they had pre-registered, Mei smiled when a staff member led them to a private meeting room with other couples who also had young children with them. Max and Mei found a seat in the class while everyone waited for a staff member to explain what was happening.

  A professor entered through a side door. Everyone grew quiet as the professor called everyone’s attention.

  "Good morning," the professor greeted loudly. In his fifties, he was an average height man with a slim build.

  He walked to the front of the room with a sure and confident stride. He cleared his throat and began to speak. "First I would like to welcome you all to King Solomon's College of Divine Wisdom. My name is Professor Adam Boyd and I have taught at this college for over twenty-five years. I will be your spiritual warfare professor. This year we are trying something new. Normally we do not allow young children at this college for safety reasons. However, the board has requested we temporally change our policy and allow young families to attend. Our campus is not equipped with the necessary facilities for children. Changes are being made as we speak to correct this. In the meantime, I will be assigning the first mission." He looked around the room. "I want all the fathers to stand."

  All the men hesitated, but eventually stood up. The professor looked at each one of them carefully, nodding his head as if speaking to himself. "How many of you knew that you would be in this situation?" he asked.

  No one raised their hand.

  "Sometimes, God chooses the most unlikely to carry out his important missions." He stated. "Okay, sit down. I know you are all tired."

  Everyone sat down without a word. You could hear toddlers getting fussy in the background and mothers trying to comfort them. Uriel was no exception as he threw himself back is his mother’s arms, no doubt frustrated and hungry. Mei handed him to his father as she quickly searched for toddler snacks for him. Max rocked and gently calmed his son as Mei finally found a box of animal crackers, Uriel's favorite snack.

  "I will make this quick,” Professor Boyd went on. “We don't have coed dorms so until the dorms are built you will have to stay in separate dorms."

  A mixture of groans, sighs, and cheers circled the room. Max and Mei looked at each other. This would be a problem. Uriel was used to sleeping in the same room with both his parents. In the middle of the night he would only want his father to rock him back to sleep, or insist on sleeping between his parents. They watched as Uriel contentedly ate his cookies. He was now happy in his own realm.

  "I don't know how you will want to work out your schedules, taking turns and whatnot, but this will be a part of your second assignment from my class."

  Everyone began to talk amongst themselves.

  "Yes, your first assignment was last night and, telling by the fact that you are still here, I know that I have succeeded in weeding out the weak and have found the strong ones. Over the past two days sixty young families have been left stranded on the beach or in the forest and you guys are the first to stay and stick it out. I am very proud and eagerly look forward to working with you all."

  Everyone was quiet, shocked by what they’d heard. They could see that this college would test them when they least expected it. A student in the back of the room raised her hand to ask a question. The professor nodded to her.

  "Professor, what will we do when we need to go to class?"

  "We have an on-campus childcare center. It is brand new and we have an excellent staff." The professor answered then turned to point to another student. "Yes, you in the back there."

  "How long will it be before a coed dorm is built?"

  "When you come to class on Monday, I will be able to answer that question for you."

  Mei leaned over to Max and whispered to him, "What are we going to do?"

  "Let me take him tonight. You really look tired. Besides, if he cries for me in the middle of the night, it won't be a problem."

  "Okay," Mei whispered, but she felt a profound sadness pass over her. This would be the first night she’d sleep without her two favorite men. Already she felt lonely and sick to her stomach.

  "Are you okay?" Max asked.

  "Yeah, babe, I'm fine." He always had a knack for seeing right through her and though she tried to hide her sorrow, she knew Max could read the sadness in her eyes. Nothing he could say would take that away.

  The professor pointed out that the two faculty staff members at the back of the room would guide them to their dorms. Mei reluctantly handed Max the baby bag, kissing her son and Max goodbye as if she would not see them ever again.

  "Baby, stop it,” Max said in a soft hush. “I'm just going to see the dorm and settle in. Maybe bathe him with me and then we can meet in the cafeteria for something to eat."

  "Okay, I'm sorry, I know. It's just hard for me. I’ve never spent the night apart from Uriel and you. It's going to be odd." Mei complained.

  Max leaned down and kissed her. "We always have our dreams." He smiled before turning and leaving with his group.

  Trinidad

  The sun was beginning to set when they decided to call it a day. Makayla was relieved to know that she could catch a month-long break after today. She was exhausted, starved and upset that Tamarius hadn’t stuck around to see the rest of her shoot. He wasn’t even there when she wrapped up her last shot.

  Makayla thought he most likely needed a break from her.

  She stepped into her trailer to take off her make up and change. Before she could lock the door behind her she heard a knock on the door. She opened the door to see a messenger holding a note. "Thank you." She said taking the note and closing the door.

  While working, a call had come in from her father. The note read: Makayla, we need your help back home. The orphanage your cousin owns is in danger. Can you please call me when you get this message?

  Makayla quickly reached for her purse and pulled out her cell phone to call her father. No one answered and, as she was hanging up, she felt large hands slide around her waist while soft lips kissed her neck. "Mmmm," she groaned. "Is that who I think it is?" She smiled and turned to face Tamarius who was grinning from ear to ear. "Oh no, it's just you." Makayla teased, pulling away from him and laughing.

  "Wow, that was cold. I knew you had someone on the side. Who is he? I’m going to kill him," Tamarius said with feigned anger.

  "Stop it. He's just a kid." Makayla played along while she began to pull off her bathing suit.

  Tamarius rushed to lock the trailer door then turned back to Makayla. "Please, always make sure the door is locked before showing everyone my gifts." He smiled and Makayla smiled in return.

  He was everything she was looking for in a man; charming, funny, romantic and sincere. Of course this is what also scared the crap out of her. "I'm..." Makayla began, stopping to sigh and scratch her head.

  She stood there naked and was amused by the difficulty Tamarius was having paying attention. "I'm sorry about earlier. I was...I don't know. Tamarius, I've been through a lot."

  "I know," he said. Walking up to her, he pulled her close. "You better put some clothes on before we break this trailer." His smile was slow and sensual as he lifted her chin to kiss her lips. "I made reservations for us at a great Polynesian restaurant on the other side of the island."

  "Aw, is it because I got mad? You don't have to do that." Makayla felt her
cheeks heat up and pulled away. "Tamarius, you know I'm not pregnant. You don't have to like... freak out and marry me or nothing crazy like that." Makayla reached into her bag and pulled out the clothes she wanted to change into.

  "Makayla, I don't care if you are or if you aren't, I just want to be with you. Can I just be with you?"

  Makayla turned her head to look at him. She knew he had a quick temper and could see the anger and shock he now tried to hide, but she also admired his passion. Why do I always go for the big hot-headed hasty ones? she joked to herself. "Okay, don't pop a blood vessel. All I’m saying is that I have tried in the past to get pregnant and nothing happen. I don't want you getting your hopes up or what ever. I know I should have told you before, but things are getting serious now." Makayla said as she finished putting on her clothes.

  Makayla hated thinking about the fertility problems she’d had in the past. She’d learned to not get her hopes up over a missed period or nauseated stomach. She’d fought her urge to rush to the nearest convenience store and buy out all of the pregnancy tests.

  "Did you ever go to a doctor?" he asked with concern.

  "Yeah, he told me to just lose weight. He didn't see anything wrong." She slipped on her shoes.

  "Then you really don't know. It may have been the other guy who was sterile or something," Tamarius said, reaching out to help with her bags.

  "Well, he knocked up the girl he cheated on me with," Makayla replied, fighting back her tears.

  "Kay, that doesn't mean anything. All it could mean is he wasn't the right guy for you." He let the bags fall to the floor and swept her into his arms for a tender hug.

  "Well, I’m on birth control. We don't need to be talking about this anyway. It's too soon. Makayla pulled away from his embrace and headed towards the door.

  Tamarius sighed. He would have to reconsider proposing to her tonight. He was afraid Makayla would run. She wasn't ready and he could sense her fears. Stooping to once again grab her many bags, Tamarius knew he would give her all the time she needed. He was willing to wait for her.

  With the last of the bags hooked onto a few fingers, he rushed out of the trailer and caught up to Makayla as the limo driver opened the car door for her. They got in and got comfortable.

  "I'm glad this job is over. I need a break." Makayla said resting her head back.

  Tamarius leaned over to tell the driver where they were headed, but Makayla cut in.

  "I want to pick up something else to wear. Do I have time to like take a shower?"

  "Yes and no. You’re beautiful as you are, but we can stop on the way if you like. The shower part... I'll just try not to stand too close to the smelly chick," Tamarius said with a teasing squeeze of her shoulder.

  "Oh, I wasn't smelly in the trailer." Makayla laughed.

  "Yeah, but you didn't let me rub my scent on ya, so now you stink of the cabana boy."

  Makayla burst out laughing. "You’re so stupid."

  "Yeah, but you love me." He looked into her eyes.

  Makayla was breathless as she stared into his loving gaze. Her lips would not form the words that her heart was screaming. Yes, yes I do love you, she wanted to say. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked away and tried to think of something else to talk about. "So what kind of place is it?"

  Tamarius chuckled to himself. "You’re going to love it."

  Makayla looked down at her hands. Is this real love? She thought.

  "What's bothering you, love?" Tamarius asked.

  "Nothing, I just...." Makayla didn't know what to say. She was still overwhelmed by her emotions. She hated holding back all that she felt for Tamarius.

  "Don't be afraid of me. I'm not here to hurt you," Tamarius said softly.

  "I know that we are meant to be together.”

  "You do, but because of what happened in the past you’re fearful. You told me that you dreamt of me, right?" Tamarius asked.

  Makayla looked up at him. "Yeah, you remember that?" she smiled, warmed by the notion that he remembered.

  "How could I forget? I was blown away. I thought I was losing it before I met you."

  "I understand where you’re going, but I just don't know how to fit you in." Makayla said.

  Tamarius was dumbfounded and suddenly afraid to lose her. "I don't even know the right words to say to that. You mean so much to me...." His words came out in a feeble mumble as he looked into her eyes. "Just let things happen naturally."

  Makayla was so lost in the love she saw in his eyes that she didn't even realize she’d begun to speak again. "I know you’re the one for me. There is no doubt in my heart."

  Tamarius pulled her close. There were so many things he wanted to say to her. He couldn't find the words to express how he felt. As the limo pulled up to a shopping plaza, Makayla pulled away from him and got ready to exit the limo.

  "Tamarius, you have no fears about us?" Makayla asked.

  "Only one," Tamarius replied while he gazed at her.

  "What is it?"

  "That we’ll walk away from what we can be because of your fears."

  Makayla smiled as she teased him. "What if I die?"

  Not pleased by what he’d just heard Tamarius frowned. "Well, then when it's my time, I pray that you will be the one to greet me."

  "Promise me you will always put God first."

  "I promise God I will always put him first," he quickly answered.

  Makayla smiled at him. Though she didn’t yet seem to realize that her walls had begun to collapse with him, Tamarius could see a glow around her and he began to hear some of her thoughts. He was elated by this new development. The only other time he’d been able to read her thoughts was when they’d made love.

  The driver opened the door and Makayla stepped out. Standing on the curb, she waited for Tamarius.

  "Okay, we have one hour." His warning implied she needed to make some quick decisions.

  "You’re coming with me, right?" she asked.

  "Only if you promise to model for me," Tamarius teased.

  "Let’s go. This will be quick." Makayla grabbed his hand and pulled him into a nearby boutique.

  Makayla tried on numerous dresses, finally deciding on a black silk charmeuse dress with black high heels.

  Tamarius, being a typical man, found a chair to relax in while she shopped. Once she’d found everything she needed, he quickly paid for everything while Makayla dressed in the fitting room. He was breathless when she stepped out in her new dress. "Oh, my goodness. You look absolutely beautiful. You’re stunning." He smiled at her.

  "Thank you." Makayla blushed and looked over at the sales associate who had helped her.

  "Your husband took care of everything," the woman said.

  "What? Oh, we aren't married." Makayla blushed even more. "Tamarius you didn't have to. I got it."

  "Does it really matter who pays? We are both fine and I will not let money be an issue in our relationship. Just let me be a gentleman, please." He walked over to her and extended his arm. "Now come on before it's too late."

  Before Makayla could slip her hand under his forearm, her cell phone rang. She quickly answered the phone and heard her father’s voice. "Daddy!"

  "Hello, baby. How are you doing?" her father asked in Chinese.

  "I'm good, just doing some shopping before dinner with Tamarius." Her cheeks were suddenly hot with blush again. Her father always made her feel like she was five years old and she hated to admit how she loved it.

  “How’s my favorite daughter?” Fa Li asked.

  “Daddy, I’m your only daughter, remember?” She smiled as she played along with the line of questioning her father never seemed to tire of. “How’s Trinidad?”

  “With Coretta at my side, Trinidad is always worth having left China for.”

  “And how is Lin Li?” Her aunt now lived in the Martinez mansion leaving Makayla little opportunity to see her.

  “Like usual. Her granddaughter, Mei is out at the island which should make her happy
.”

  “How nice.”

  "So, Tamarius is with you?”

  “Right here.”

  “Put him on the phone and let me say hi," her father ordered.

  Makayla smiled at Tamarius and shrugged as she handed him the phone and inched closer to him to listen to the conversation.

  Tamarius seemed suddenly nervous as he took the phone. "Good evening, Mr. Li."

  "Hello, Son. Things going good?"

  "Yes, sir. We're doing good. I took Makayla to meet my cousins. They fell in love with her and I think they are plotting to steal her from me."

  "Hold onto her." Fa said with a hearty laugh. "Well, you take good care of her. She is my one and only."