The Lying Mirror

by alvinna edwards nwoko

  Yep.

  Chapter

  11

  Jack wheeled into Ms. Eevan office after an hour and a half. Linda’s back was turned to the door and she was looking into a mirror as Ms. Eevan was looking at her, watching her reaction, studying her.

  Well Lin you ready to go?

  Linda placed the mirror down on a nearby table, stood from her chair and gave Ms. Eevan a hug, turned and faced Jack without her sunglasses and scarf on.

  Jack, surprised could not respond to what he was seeing. Speechless Jack stared and gave thanks to God for Ms. Eevan talents. But still remained speechless and unmoving.

  Well Jack whata you think?

  Jack just sat there in awe, without answering.

  Jack, Jack, do I still look that bad?

  You look… look…you, like… you…you look like a million dollars. The one time Jack needed a true compliment and this was the one time he stammered his way into stupidity.

  Ms. Eevan, how should I thank thee, let me count the ways.

  Jack! Jack! Take your thanks and get out of my office. She has an appointment with me again in two weeks. Close your mouth Jack, take your thanks and Linda and get out of my office.

  Linda smiled back at Ms. Eevan, thanked her again and left Jack sitting in his Jack-Mobile starring at Ms. Eevan.

  Two minutes later Ms. Eevan held the door open for Jack, told Linda to take this fool home, and laughed at Jack as she was closing the door.

  Jack didn’t say two words to Linda on their way to the pizza place. He was still in shock, in awe and still starring at Linda. And he could not come to grip with the blessed hands of Ms. Eevan.

  Three large pizza later and back at the apartment Linda could not hold back her curiosity any longer. Jack! Yes or no?

  Yes, yes, yes, and if the Lord don’t mind this one time hell yeah.

  Everyone is coming over tonight. Tonight is when we have our Bible study, not heavy, just conversation and pizza. You up for it? No pressure.

  Yeah, why not, so far so good.

  Just so you have some kind of idea what it’s like. We start our conversations with what happen during the week, how we handle it, and what we could have done better. If we need, and we always do we use the Bible as a reference. Still okay with it.

  Yep.

  There you go again, one word sentences. Did you know you do that all the time?

  Yep.

  Jack and Linda had a good laugh while Linda gave one example after another her one word sentences. She explain that was her way of getting in and out of a conversation quickly so fewer question would be asked and she can make a quick get-a-way.

  Jack laughed hearty when Linda explained her one word sentences did not work at all with him, he wouldn’t leave her alone to save his life, annoying guy you were.

  And now? Jack asked.

  Now you’re still annoying, laughed Linda.

  You want to go with me to get some waters and sodas. This time at the campus store, it’s closer to the apartment and we have less than an hour before people start showing up.

  This time Jack didn’t have to tell Linda where to sit. She jumped into his lap with such force, Jack had to chuckle when the Jack-Mobile swayed just a bit.

  The pizza was in the oven staying warm, sodas and waters in the freezer getting cold and two Bibles on the coffee table.

  Ready? Jack asked Linda.

  Yep.

  Jack why are there only two Bibles on the coffee table?

  Because one is for you. The black one, the one with the racing stripes is mine.

  Why racing stripes Jack?

  Come sit with me, and I’ll tell you a story I’ve not told many people. You, I think need to hear this before the others get hear.

  Linda looked at Jack as she walked around his chair and took a seat on his sofa, not sure if she wanted to hear what he was about to divulge.

  Linda, before I was in this chair, and just about the age of thirteen I hung out with the wrong crowd, bad boys, fast boys. I also wanted to be popular, I wanted people to like me and I thought I needed to be noticed.

  Jack paused for a long moment. He thought if he tell the story again it might bring back bad memories he tried so hard to forget. But he went on anyway. This just might help Linda or maybe it will help me.

  Linda look at my face. I’m not handsome, not really close to good looking. I had good grammar, I made good grades and I had my way with the girls, lots of girls.

  Soon I found a girl I really loved and thought I needed to impress her. So I found out, and I had always known, I could make fast money selling drugs and alcohol to the kids at school and in the neighborhood.

  One of the older boys in my hood I knew said it would be no problem for him to supply me with what I needed to start selling. He also told me that he will not tolerate cheats and liars.

  One day he made a mistake and gave me too much drugs for the money I had paid him. I didn’t give him back the excess drugs and he wanted it back quickly because it had belonged to someone else.

  Another pause from Jack almost made Linda stop him from his telling of a story she was not sure she wanted to hear.

  Well… I had spent the money from the excess drugs on my girlfriend and had no way of replacing the drugs or the money form the drugs sell.

  She didn’t know I sold drugs, I didn’t want her to know. It was just for a short time anyway, I felt she didn’t need to know, you understand?

  You see Linda she may not have wanted to be with me if she found out I was selling drugs, and worse to children.

  Jack’s eyes started to gloss over and he struggled to hold back his emotions.

  She was in the car with me and one of my drug dealing friend with his girl.

  Jack lost the battle to hold back his tears. His throat got creaky and he fought to tame his anxieties, but he wasn’t having much success. Jack choked up with unbridle sobering when he told Linda the rest of the story.

  We were at McDonalds when the guy who I owed the drugs or the money, drove by in a car with his friends. You could hear the sound of gun shots all around us and all around the car. The car was riddled with bullet holes.

  It seems they didn’t care who else was around me, he actually stopped his car and all the guys spilled out and started shooting. I have never stopped hearing the sounds of those bullets passing over my head, into the car and a thud that just didn’t sound right.

  My girlfriend and I were in the back seat, kissing and loving on each other and my drug dealing friend and his girl was up in the front seat, finishing their meal.

  When the shooting started they manage to duck down into their seats well out of the way of bullets. And the bullets sailed passed them taking out all the windows and landing in the cushion of the seats, everywhere. It seems we were under fire for thirty minutes.

  But I was told it was less, far less than I thought. One minute, one is all it took for them to do their worst to me.

  Jack stared in to a place no one was allowed but him. No blinking of the eye, just a place of regret he’s having a problem with forgetting.

  But in the backseat, where T.T….

  And… I was… Well… we were not so lucky, sobbed Jack.

  I sustained one bullet, one single bullet, to the upper neck, paralyzing me for life.

  And T.T…T.T. Jack looked up at Linda as if he was asking for her forgiveness, tears streaming down his face, trying to finish his statement, he was struggling to finish the tale. Jack, breathing heavily, slowly told Linda the rest of his story.

  T.T. received five bullets to her head and died in my arms, arms that couldn’t feel a thing. She laid there in my lap and I couldn’t move, couldn’t hold her. She and I was just there, in a back seat full of bullets.

  T.T. parents thought I was a good boy, thought I was good for their daughter, how wrong they found out they were during the trail.

  And you know what was so heart breaking?

  Linda just sat there not knowing what to say, no
t knowing how to comfort, she just sat there stiff as a board. Remembering what she had done to her own life. Knowing she was the cause of a lot of people misery and so she just sat there.

  Jack continued, without an answer for Linda. Tear soaked eyes redden by the hardship he face nightly, tear soak eyes strain with frustration of never being able to forget. Jack mind wander off just for a moment. His frustration, his pain, his guilt, stayed with him as a reminder, life is too short and made shorter by the sins you commit.

  Nightmares took on new meaning for Jack. Actually his nightmares gave him a new beginning.

  Jack needed to finish his tale so he might be able to sleep without or with a small measure of regret.

  I was just like you Linda. I tried to leave this world and the sorry mess I had created. I would not be left alone. T.T’s Parents were always in my face, over to our house. I didn’t want the reminder and certainly didn’t want the pain anymore.

  Instead of hating me, instead of shunning me, T.T’s Parents embarrassed me as if I was their son, they forgave me. Not because I asked them to, for I never did and to this day I never have. And because of their love and forgiveness, I hoped and tried to be the substitute life for the death of their daughter.

  Thank God my parents understood and thought it was the right thing I was doing. Little did I know, T.T’s parents were also working on me, it wasn’t an easy task to make me a better person.

  The way you’re working on me. Right?

  I guess... but…

  I hated my wheelchair, I hated my life, I tried to kill myself twice before they were able to get through to me.

  They gave me a Bible, that’s the one I’m giving you. And when you’re ready you will give it to someone else you think might need it. That’s what T.T.’s mother told me. Now it’s your turn Linda.

  Here give me a hug so I can stop all this crying. My life is fulfilled now, God have forgiven me and that’s all I care about, Jack said trying to smile.

  Linda gave Jack a big hug and never would have guess, Jack had such a back-ground. It only proves, life is a rough community, and you cannot live in it alone.

  Linda looked into Jack’s eyes thanking him in her thoughts for bringing her back from the dead, and she kissed and hugged him tightly till the point Jack was relieved when the doorbell rang.

  The first of Jack guests arrived and Jack welcomed them in and introduced them to Linda as a dear friend. They kissed Linda on her scared face, never batting an eye and went straight to the kitchen.

  The next few came in and this time it was Ant and some of the lab rats from campus that had been caring for her during her desperation.

  They stood in the middle of the living room starring at Linda as if she had just pronounced to them she was a man all these years. They could not believe, the wonderful job Jack’s therapist had done on Linda face and neck.

  Either, sit down before you fall over me, or go to the kitchen where everyone else is, Jack teased them. Jack then looked over at Linda and gave her a wink of approval.

  Something in side of Linda was beginning to stir and she wasn’t sure if she liked the feeling.

  Chapter

  12

  Pizza boxes with half eaten pizzas rested on the tables and shelves next to Bibles. Ice slowly melted in half drank sodas as Jack guest prepared for the Bible study by telling their day or weekly trials.

  Ronnie worked for an airline and told of her trouble trying not to get upset by lazy passengers and employees.

  Vina, had an addiction to cigarettes, even though she knew her health was at risk, she haven’t been able to quit.

  Greg was proud, arrogant and a know it all. The study group has been working on him for weeks, just when they think their making head way with him his refusal to care compromises all of his improvements, and Ant told of his change from being prejudice.

  After everyone had a chance to testify Jack choose to read from Psalms 24:4-5 (He that hath clean hands and pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord.)

  A hush came over the group as they looked to one and another. How perfect was that passage for the evening’s Bible study.

  Linda looked around the room at the faces of all Jack’s guess. Then she looked into Jacks eyes.

  She understood why Jack had chosen that particular passage and now it was time to show Jack he was correct by starring into his eyes, and without a word spoken Jack stared back, acknowledging to Linda to start the conversation.

  From pent up emotions, a single tear fell from Linda’s eye, rolled down her cheek onto her neck revealing her scars of vanity.

  Linda removed herself from the group and rushed into the bathroom. The faucet was turned on by her trembling hand and she held it there waiting for the water to turn warm. She then held her tear soaked face down over the sink and with both trembling hand filled with soap scrubbed violently removing the makeup which had hid her shame.

  Once satisfied she had removed all of the makeup from her face, she returned to the group in the living room where Jack’s guest sat unmoving and speechless from Linda’s reaction to the passage.

  Linda came back from the bathroom bearing all of her scars and her soul. Something took control of her and Linda allowed it.

  I’m sorry everyone, as you can see I have a problem with vanity. My face is scarred because vanity led me to try and destroy the love that one had for another and not for me.

  All of what Jack read applies to me. I have lived a very long life thinking that beauty was everything and my vanity manifested into rudeness and disrespect for my fellow man.

  I never had any friends because of my vanity, no one has ever shown me love because of my vanity.

  Linda lost control of herself and sobbed piteously as she tried to continue her testimony.

  I… I.., Linda focus her stare into Jack’s eyes and found the strength to go on, she was still depended on Jack’s strength, she need Jack’s strength.

  I wanted to destroy a person whom was loved by all, I was jealous, this person, in my eyes wasn’t handsome. This person was confine to a wheelchair, which I thought was ugly and repulsive.

  Linda continued her stare into Jack eyes and everyone knew who she was talking about. Jack tried to stop her before she mentioned his name, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to, she had to say it, and she had to get it out before she could continue forward with life.

  This person, Linda finished, is Jack. It was always him, from years ago he knew me and tried to be my friend. But I wouldn’t let him, here at this university he didn’t give up on me and again Jack tried to be my friend, and again I wouldn’t let him.

  The pain Linda had exposed about herself drew tears from the group and Jack. They sat quiet allowing Linda to expel all of her sins. Allowing God to enter, finally enter into her very soul.

  I saw how popular Jack was on campus and I hated him for it. I plotted to change things, to take away his popularity, to take way his smile and the love everyone had for him. I wanted to make him suffer as I was suffering.

  I followed Jack one evening and waited in darkness for him to pass by me from his errand of taking Cassy home. Not knowing he was returning with Cassy, I heard the Jack-Mobile returning and stepped out from the darkness to deposit my formula into Jack’s face. Not knowing Cassy was with Jack, her cane tripped me up and the majority of the formula spilled back onto my face, ergo I am scared for life.

  Jack? Linda questioned with pleading eyes, can you forgive me? I couldn’t stand the thought of not being beautiful like some of the people I had disrespected.

  I gave up, I wanted to die because of vanity. But you Jack, you found me on my death bed, you again would not give up on me even though you knew it was me who had attacked you and Cassy.

  Jack, these scares will forever be with me as a reminder of my sins and I pray you and Cassy forgive me and allow me to show you I can be a friend, that I can be a better person and I want to b
e a better person. Linda broke her stare with Jack and placed her scared face in her hands and wept.

  You Linda, have already been forgiven by me and God, and once forgiven, forever forgiven. As for living with your sin… Jack trail off looking towards Ant, giving him a nod of his head signaling it’s time to give Linda the good news.

  Wiping the tears from his face and smiling Ant told Linda the good news about her formula.

  The professor would not have failed you Linda if you had returned to his office and discuss your formula with him. What we found Linda is that your formula was too strong for human skin.

  Linda while you were in recovery, we at the lab by the Professor’s request work on your formula. The Professor knew your formula was correct but also knew it was too strong for living tissue. He wanted you to work on your recipe, to give you a second chance. And so, that’s what we did for you. You my dear are going to be a very, very rich person.

  Linda lift her head from her hands and with confusion and frowned at Ant.

  What?

  What indeed Ant replied. Your formula was correct, just too strong. We changed your recipe, tested it for two week on pigs, got the Professor approval and now wait for your signature for marketing.

  You my dear will be our human test subject. We found in two weeks your formula completely removed all signs of scarring even scabs. There is no other application that can do this. And with your permission we can start tomorrow.

  Tomorrow? Linda asked Ant shocked.

  You knew about this Jack? Linda asked with Joy.

  Yes.

  And you waited to tell me?

  Yes.

  You know you are having a one word conversation with me Jack.

  Yep.

  All from the Bible study group were relieved of the tension when the laughter started and Jack and Linda started to smile and tease each other.

  You knew I wasn’t ready and had to be sure. If I had received the treatment from my formula too early I would have been no better off and still filled with vanity.