Her prayer was simple. Let him live. She wanted to make promises to God. She wanted to promise that if Sin lived she’d make the ultimate sacrifice and never see him again, but she knew that she would be lying. Instead, she kept vigil by his bedside. The only promise she made was that her face would be the first one that he saw when he awakened.
She stayed at the hospital day and night. Carla brought her changes of clothes. Nedra slept in the chair in his room and ate in the hospital cafeteria. Outside the world continued to exist, but it didn’t matter to her. This was home as long as Sin was here.
Day Four was dawning, and Sin had been making progress through the night. He showed signs of awakening from the coma. The ashen look on his handsome face had lessened. Nedra breathed a sigh of relief. He was going to make it. For the first time in days she could say those words with certainty.
She glanced around the room. It was silent except for the steady bleep of the equipment that monitored his vital signs. The room was bare except for the necessities, but when he was able to move into the private room reserved for him, she planned on filling it with the many flowers and cards he had received from well-wishers. For a man who claimed that he had no one in his life, the past few days had proved him wrong.
There were a dozen people who worked for his company in Oakland and each had called the hospital, seeking information about his welfare. Mrs. Cosley, Sin’s secretary, spent the first two days of his confinement in the hospital waiting room. Forced, by day three, to return to Bayland to tend to the business in her boss’ absence, she called frequently for updates on his progress.
There were calls from Bob Kirk and his son, Todd, who expressed their concern for him. The Simpsons called, as did Arnella Cotter and Jason Rich, who remembered Sin’s kindness as a chaperone at the amusement park. There were cards and letters from customers who conducted business with him at Bayland. A beautiful flower arrangement had arrived yesterday from his employees in his East Coast office. Each person had signed a gigantic card with personal notes included. It seemed that Sin had touched more lives than he knew, especially those of the Johnson boys.
How Colin and Trevor found out about Sin being shot wasn’t hard to guess. The media was having a field day with the story.
When the nurse on duty summoned her to take a call at the desk described as “an emergency”, to Nedra’s surprise Colin was on the other end. No amount of bravado could conceal the fear in the young boy’s voice as he demanded not be lied to about Sin’s condition. Nedra complied.
Sin loved the boys and treated them with respect. She could do no less. She told him that Sin’s condition was grave, but she had faith that God would pull him through. She asked Colin and his brother to pray for their friend. The boy hung up without a word.
Sin’s most mysterious visitor had stopped by this morning. Nedra had been heading to the cafeteria to get something to eat when she passed the nurses’ station and heard a man asking the duty nurse about Sinclair Reasoner. She stopped and introduced herself to the tall, imposing man with a head full of gray hair that matched his eyes. He looked to be around sixty, and identified himself to her as Mr. Tyler.
After scrutinizing her carefully with an approving gleam in his eye, he said, “I’ve heard about you, Reverend Davis. After seeing you in person, I’ve got to say that Reasoner has very good taste.”
Nedra eyed him warily. The compliment was gracious, but there was something about him that put her on instant alert. The hospital had put extra security on duty to keep the media from intruding on Sin’s privacy. Was this a reporter who’d gotten through?
“How do you know Sinclair?” Nedra challenged.
He responded as if his answer had been rehearsed. “We’re business acquaintances from the East Coast. I just happened to be in the Bay Area and read about the shooting. I wanted to stop by and see how he was doing.” He added, “According to all accounts, my friend, Reasoner, is a hero.”
He paused expectantly, as if waiting for Nedra to fill in the blanks. She didn’t, but his concern seemed sincere.
“Every day brings a new challenge, “she told him. “He seems a little better today.”
The look on her face told him, clearly, that he’d have to accept her word about Sin’s progress. He wouldn’t be entering his room.
Mr. Tyler didn’t push. A faint smile crossed his lips. “I’m glad to hear that. He’s a good man.”
Nedra agreed, but uncertainty about his intentions kept her vigilant. “What company did you say you were with, Mr. Tyler? Perhaps you have a business card? I can give it to Sinclair so he’ll know that you came by.”
There was the slightest flicker of surprise in Mr. Tyler’s eyes before he answered smoothly. “I’m afraid I didn’t bring one with me. Just tell him Tyler, from New York stopped by. He’ll know who I am.” He nodded a farewell. “Good day, Reverend Davis. It was nice meeting you.”
Nedra watched as he walked away, straight and tall, almost military in his bearing. His presence left Nedra with an unsettled feeling that there was more to Mr. Tyler’s appearance than he had revealed. She returned to Sin’s side with the feeling that she needed to protect him—from what she wasn’t sure.
Nedra’s thoughts drifted back to her surroundings, and to Sin. She started in surprise as her light eyes looked into familiar dark ones. Sin had awakened from the coma. With tears of gratitude, she thanked God as she caressed his cheek.
“Hello,” she offered quietly, before hovering over his parched lips to hear him weakly utter the sweetest words that she had heard in days.
“Hello, yourself.”
****
The air felt good on Nedra’s face as she took her first step outside of the hospital in four days. Sin’s awakening from the coma had caused a flood of activity by the medical team monitoring his progress. While they did their jobs, Nedra had retreated from the room to call Carla to share the good news.
Her friend convinced her to come to her house for a hot bath and a home cooked meal. Reassuring herself that Sin was resting well, Nedra had agreed.
Carla picked her up from the hospital, and as they drove toward the Berkeley Hills, Nedra was filled with a mix of emotions—euphoria at Sin’s medical progress and sadness about the events that had put his life in danger. Nedra learned that the past few days had been a roller coaster not only for her, but for Carla and her family. Richard had put them through hell.
Arrested on a variety of charges, including attempted murder, he had turned state’s evidence against Lynn Trellis. That helped reduce some of the charges against him, but the judge had set his bail extremely high. Carla’s parents refused to pay it. So did Sharon.
On hearing about the shooting, she had returned to Oakland determined to face the truth about herself and about Richard. His pleas for help from her were denied. It appeared that his hold on her was over.
When Nedra arrived at Carla’s house, she was welcomed with a surprise celebration, welcoming her return to “civilization”. The dining table was set with Carla’s finest crystal, china and silver. She and Sharon had prepared Nedra’s favorite dishes.
After dinner, Nedra called Colin and Trevor to tell them about Sin’s progress. As usual Colin received the news with restrain. Trevor’s cheers were so loud that they could be heard by the other occupants in the house. His exuberance brought much needed laughter to them all.
A call to the hospital confirmed that Sin was resting comfortably and his condition had been upgraded. Hearing that news, Nedra was able to enjoy the rest of the evening with her friends. They filled her in on the news she had missed during her self-confinement.
The media were now turning Sin the villain into Sin the conquering hero who had saved his lover from a mad man. Between his heroic actions and his being suspected of laundering drug money, the reporting was schizophrenic to say the least.
Carla reported that Esther Costello was still out of control.
“She’s leading a campaign to replace you as the c
hurch’s minister,” she told Nedra. “They need you. Mount Peter is falling apart.”
The news regarding Esther’s intentions didn’t surprise Nedra, but she disagreed with Carla that the church was falling apart. Mount Peter was stronger than most of its members realized and she had faith that it would survive this crisis. She was at peace with letting the church weather this storm without her guidance. Its purpose was greater than one person’s visions.
As for Esther, Nedra had plans for the woman, and they didn’t encompass the good book’s definition of Christian charity. There were things that she was saying about her that were untrue, and had been repeated in the media. She would not stand by and allow her character to be attacked unfairly. Just as she was ready to accept responsibility for her actions, Esther Costello had better be ready to be held responsible for her behavior as well. Nedra was going to see to it that she did.
She turned to Jacob. “I need to make an appointment with you in the near future.” Conversation in the room stopped. All eyes turned to her. “I’ve got some business to take care of,” she continued. “And I need your advice.”
****
It was Nedra’s intention to go back to the hospital that evening, but she made the mistake of taking Carla’s advice and resting for a “little while”. Carla was to wake her up in an hour. She didn’t. Physically and mentally, exhausted, Nedra slept for eighteen hours.
When she awakened, a frantic call to the hospital brought the good news that Sin had been moved to a private room. Nedra arrived at the hospital in time to find the man named Mr. Tyler coming out of Sin’s room. How had he slipped past hospital personnel? Heads were going to roll!
She planted herself squarely in his path as he walked down the hall. “And just what do you think you’re doing?”
It was obvious that Mr. Tyler was surprised to see her, but he quickly regained his composure. “Reverend Davis, it’s good to see you again.”
She greeted him coolly. “I wish I could say the same, Mr. Tyler, but I’d like to know who gave you permission to go into Sinclair’s room? Do the nurses know you’re here? Does the doctor?”
Mr. Tyler ignored the questions. “Reasoner is doing much better today. I think seeing you will be the best medicine that he could have. ”
He patted her arm indulgently and continued walking down the hall. Amazed at his audacity, a fuming Nedra watched as he stepped into the elevator and the doors closed behind him. Now she was certain that he was a reporter! Who else would have the nerve? She meant to get to the bottom of this!
Spurred by anger, she rushed into Sin’s room not knowing what to expect. What she saw stopped her in mid-stride.
Sin sat propped up in bed supported by pillows. His face was still gaunt, but a hint of color had begun to replace the grayish tint his skin tone had taken when he was unconscious. Although he still appeared weak, the sparkle had returned to his eyes.
“Where have you been?” His voice was raspy, but to her he sounded like a million. He reached out to her. “I missed you.”
Hurrying to his bedside, Nedra took his hand and planted a slow, sweet kiss on his lips. He responded eagerly. God certainly did answer prayers.
Feeling bereaved of his warmth as their lips parted, she cocked her head and gave him her biggest grin. “Oh, I’ve been around, and that’s where I plan on staying.”
Her words were like salve for Sin’s soul, but a shadow fell over his features as he brought her hand to his cheek. “If only you could, but, you really shouldn’t stick around too long. Nothing has changed.”
Nedra gave a frustrated sigh. Not this you-must-leave-me nonsense again. “Don’t even go there. How are you feeling? Did that guy, Mr. Tyler, disturb you? I ran into him outside. Who is he anyway? Do you really know him?”
She noted how his eyes became guarded at the mention of Tyler’s name. Who was this guy anyway?
“Yes, I know him.”
He offered no further explanation. She decided not to pursue one. At least the man wasn’t a reporter. Their conversation turned to other things.
Night was falling over the city, and the hospital had slowed its frantic pace when the orderly brought Sin his dinner. He still couldn’t eat solid foods and he resisted the soft, unidentifiable concoction the hospital served, but she managed to coax most of it down him.
Later, she dozed off in the chair in his room. When she awakened she was in for another surprise. Colin was sitting on Sin’s bed talking to him.
Nedra rubbed the sleep from her eyes to assure herself that she wasn’t dreaming. Children weren’t allowed on this floor. How had he gotten here? “Colin?”
The boy turned his attention to her. “Hi, Reverend Ned. How you doin’?”
“What are you doing here? How did you get into this room?”
Sin was looking at Colin, but addressed Nedra. “He’s a resourceful little man, that’s how. He’s here to see for himself that I’m still alive.”
He tweaked Colin’s nose and was rewarded with a rare grin that lit up the boy’s handsome face. It was the first time that either of them had seen him smile.
Colin slid from the bed. “Gotta go now before they miss me at the Center. Trevor’s waitin’ to hear how you doin’. I couldn’t work it gettin’ him in here too. Maybe next time.”
Nedra and Sin exchanged amused glances at his last statement. If anyone could pull it off Colin could.
“You don’t have to run on my account,” she assured him. “If you want to visit longer I can stand outside the door and watch for the nurse.”
He shrugged his thin shoulders. “Naw, I been here a half hour already. You just been sleepin’. He’s got to get his rest. By my count, I got five minutes before the nurse comes by checkin’ on things.” He turned back to Sin. “So you really okay?”
Sin smiled at the boy who was trying so hard to be a man. He had been so touched by his appearance that it had been difficult to keep his composure. Their chatter had been mostly small talk, but beneath it was the child’s unspoken fear that he might lose his friend.
Sin sought to soothe his fear. “I’m still in a little pain, but I’m feeling better every day. You give Trevor the word from me that I’m going to live through this, okay?”
Colin nodded and started toward the door. “Later.”
“Hey, Colin.” With some effort, Sin pulled himself higher in the bed. “Come here a minute, will you?”
Colin returned to Sin’s bedside.
“I want you to give Trevor something for me.” Without warning, he hugged the boy to him, and planted a kiss on his brow.
Surprised by the display of affection, Trevor stiffened. The adults watched him to see what he would do. Sin suspected that this was the first time in the boy’s life that he had been shown affection by a man. He knew it was the first time in his own life that he had expressed affection for a child. Since being with Nedra there had been a lot of first in his life.
Still holding Sin’s gaze, Colin backed toward the door, unsure of how to respond. He glanced at Nedra to gauge her reaction, and saw the same warmth that he saw in Sin’s eyes. The child’s bewildered expression showed his dilemma. Love was a mystery to him. Showing emotions was unexplored territory. Yet, with these two people, maybe—
Bumping into the door, he muttered, “See ya”. Groping for the door knob, he opened the door and made a hurried exit.
Nedra and Sin exchanged smiles. “I think I’m jealous, Mr. Reasoner. I’ve got a rival for your affections.”
She sat on the bed next to him. Sin cupped her chin and looked into her eyes.
“I want you always to remember that no matter what happens there will never be anyone in my life who could be your rival. I will love you forever.”
The look in his eyes was so serious that Nedra felt a shiver of apprehension. They kissed, and the uneasiness vanished.
A week later he disappeared from her life.
CHAPTER 23
Months Later
The large
car pulled up in front of the old red brick building and stopped. The front and back doors opened simultaneously. Nedra stepped out of the front. Colin and Trevor tumbled from the back of the vehicle. Dressed neatly in jeans, t shirts, and brand new sneakers, the boys looked at Nedra with eager anticipation.
“Is this it?” Colin’s eyes raced over the structure. It was well kept. The small lawn in front was neatly trimmed. Rows of bright flowers lined each side of the walkway leading to the front door. A colorful mural of African-American heroes and heroines was painted across the front of the building. Under the mural, in large, bold letters was printed the words: Pride Community Center.
“Is this where we gonna play basketball?” Trevor’s voice was filled with awe, as if the edifice held the wonders of the universe.
Nedra smiled down at the faces of the two beautiful children who had become her life. “Yes, this is it, and I’m also enrolling you two in karate, and swimming lessons. You’re going to have a pretty full summer while we’re in Kansas City.”
She turned back to the car where the smooth brown face of Marva Davis peered up at her from the open window.
“You’ll enjoy your visit here, daughter” she said with a mysterious smile. “I assure you, there’s something inside that you need.” With a wave goodbye, she drove away.
Entering Pride Center, the three of them were pleasantly surprised. The contrast between the exterior and interior was dramatic.
Outside was neat and well kept, but the brick building was over fifty years old and showed its age. Inside, the interior was exquisite. It was modern in design and awash with skylights, lush greenery and highly polished floors. At the circular information desk in the center of the lobby an attractive young woman, greeted the trio with a welcoming smile.
“Good morning, may I help you?”
Nedra returned her smile. “Yes, I have an appointment with your Executive Director, Grant Calen. My name is Nedra Davis.”
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