Melanie bit her lip. A small measure of doubt surfaced. She could be wrong. “I need to ask Janet. She should know.”
Rhoda nodded. “I think that’s a good idea. Why don’t you search online to see if there’s a picture of Chase’s dad? Janet might not remember his name, but she’ll remember his face. By the way, have you spoken to Chase?”
Melanie sniffed. “He’s been calling and texting but I have nothing to say to him. I just told him I loved him. You know how major that was for me to do? Then, this …”
Rhoda tucked her under the chin. “Chase isn’t his father. You can’t punish him for something he didn’t do. He was a kid when all this went down. Do you love him?”
Melanie’s heart twisted. The admission flew out of her mouth. “So much it hurts. I love him. I didn’t realize how deeply I felt until now. The thought of not seeing him again … it’s too much.”
“Why are you making Chase pay for his father’s crime? Speaking of which, are you going to press charges?”
Melanie shook her head. “I don’t know what to do. I’m not making Chase pay but I can’t be in Chase’s life. Not with that monster around. Plus, how can I put Chase’s father in jail? That’s if the statute of limitations hasn’t run out.”
Melanie rubbed her temples. A massive headache threatened.
“You should at least speak to Chase,” Rhoda said. “That man loves you.”
“I think his love would fade if I opened a case against his father. Ted is the only relative Chase has left in this world. No, I can’t do that to him.” Melanie lowered her head. “But, I can break all ties with Chase. Pretend like I never met him …” Even as she said the words, Melanie knew that would be an impossibility. She would never forget Chase.
Melanie reached for some tissues, but Rhoda had the box in her hand. Gently her mother wiped her face.
Rhoda made Melanie look at her. “Honey, my heart pains for you. You have a lot to think about and I wish I could help you. The only thing I will say is that it’s entirely possible Chase is as hurt as you are. Imagine learning his father caused his girlfriend to lose her hearing? Imagine how he must be feeling?”
Melanie knew her eyes showed her misery. “I have thought about that, which is why I was tempted to call and check on him. Chase and his father rebuilt their relationship. I hate knowing I’m the one who could ruin it.”
“That’s why you should call him,” Rhoda urged.
She shook her head. “I think the best thing I can do for Chase now is to leave him alone. I can’t make him choose between his family and me.”
“That’s not your decision to make. It’s Chase’s.”
Melanie changed the subject. “Can you come with me when I go see Janet? Maybe she’ll tell me I’m all wrong about Uncle.”
Rhoda nodded. “Of course, I’ll come. You didn’t have to ask.” Then she held both hands out. “Gary and I have been praying for you all night through this morning. But now, I want to pray with you. This problem is bigger than us. We have to take it to God.”
Melanie took her mother’s hands and lowered her head. She would not be able to read Rhoda’s lips, but she knew her mother was a prayer warrior. To her surprise, Rhoda squeezed her hands. Melanie opened her eyes to look at her mom.
“Keep your eyes open. I need you to see what I’m saying.” Rhoda closed her eyes. “Lord, I come before You because You’re the author of love. No one loves like You do. You’ve watched out for Melanie all her life. You’ve been her protector and guide. That’s why we’re seeking Your face. She has found love. After all these years, she has opened her heart to someone. I prayed and asked You to bring a good man into her life and I know You’ve answered my prayer. So, I’m depending on You to show Melanie what to do. At this time, Lord, I ask You to expand her heart. Give her more love and a heavy dose of forgiveness. Help her to overcome her scars of the past. Comfort her. Enfold her in Your arms. I pray for Chase as well. Speak to his heart. Cover him under Your wings.” Rhoda swallowed.
“Finally, Lord, I pray for Chase’s father. Forgive him and … be with him as well.” Rhoda began to weep. Melanie’s tears blinded her but she kept reading her mother’s lips. She could see her mother struggled to say the words. “Help me forgive him. Help Melanie forgive him,” Rhoda said. “Send Your healing love to wash away our pain. I pray this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Rhoda opened her eyes. Melanie hugged her mother for a moment. Then she said, “Mom, if I didn’t know you were saved, I know it now. Thanks for being an example to me. Thanks for saying the words I couldn’t say.”
Rhoda nodded. “God will do it. He’ll see us through. There’s nothing impossible with Him. When the doctors told me I would never have children, God brought you and Tricia into my life. God gave me children. As the song says—I’m paraphrasing here—I’m saying to my soul not to worry. The Lord will make a way, somehow.”
***
“Take your sorry butt home,” Judd said from behind his desk. “Don’t come to work tomorrow with that attitude.”
“I don’t have an attitude,” Chase bit back. It was about 6:30 in the evening and it had been a rough Monday. He and Judd had spent most of the day investigating a murder-suicide. Chase did not understand the phenomenon. It was like it was in style.
“Your attitude’s so bad, it’s stinking up the place.” Judd scooted over to Chase’s desk. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing’s going on. I’m trying to get my paperwork done so I can go home.”
“Got a hot date tonight?” Judd fished.
“No. If you must know, Melanie doesn’t want to see me anymore.”
Judd narrowed his eyes. “Why?”
“I don’t want to get into it,” Chase mumbled. He pushed his chair to the furthest end away from Judd.
“You might as well tell me because I’m not going to stop until you do.”
Chase plopped his hand onto the desk. Might as well. He needed to talk to someone. “Melanie thinks my father is the reason she’s deaf.” Chase recounted Melanie’s horror story.
Judd’s eyes widened. “That’s crazy. Ted is a decorated officer of the law. I don’t believe it. What did he say when you asked him about it?”
“I didn’t ask,” Chase said.
“What do you mean you didn’t ask?”
“I told my father off. Pretty much told him to hang himself.” Chase lowered his eyes with shame. He had never disrespected his father and his cruel choice of words bothered him.
Judd stood and folded his arms. “Let me get this straight. You told a recovering alcoholic who blames himself for your mother and brother’s deaths to go hang himself?”
Chase straightened as the implications of Judd’s words sunk in. “You don’t think he would? I didn’t mean it.”
Judd strode to his desk and snatched up his keys. “Well I’m not waiting around to find out. I’m going to see Ted.” Chase felt the heat of Judd’s glare. “Do you think the God you serve would tell you something like that?”
Without waiting for Chase’s response, Judd rushed out the door. Imagine God had to use Judd to reprimand him.
“I’m sorry, Lord,” Chase whispered. He grabbed his belongings and raced to catch up with Judd. When he burst through the door, Judd was waiting in his car next to Chase’s Jeep.
“Knew you’d come to your senses,” he said.
Chase jumped into his Jeep. “I’ll be right behind you.”
“Put on your light bar.”
With a nod, Chase complied.
Judd put on his flashing lights and the men sped out of the mall. They arrived at Ted’s house in exactly eighteen minutes. Two car doors gave a heavy slam as they jumped out of their vehicles.
“Thank God, his truck is here.” Chase crooked his head at the F-150. “Dad!” he called out.
Judd scurried to the back of the house while Chase dashed inside.
“Dad!” he called again, running through the house. He went through every room an
d bathroom. He even searched the closets. It was empty. Ted was nowhere in sight.
Chase heard a bang on the back door. With his heart hammering in his chest, Chase went to let Judd inside. He craned his neck hoping Ted was behind him.
“He’s not out there,” Judd said.
“Then where is he?” Chase closed his eyes. “I didn’t mean it.”
Judd slapped him on the back. “Ted could be out for a walk. We’ll wait him out.”
Chase made his way into the living area and sat on the couch. Judd sat in the armchair across from him.
“What kind of Christian am I? I could have listened, hear my father’s side. But, I was hurt because Melanie couldn’t stand the sight of me and I lashed out at him.” Chase shook his head.
“Is it that you believe he did it? Is that what’s bothering you?”
“The fear on Melanie’s face was real. She is so sure.”
“You know until you have no proof or reasonable doubt, Ted is innocent. That’s how it works. You can’t take the word of a hysterical woman.”
Judd’s words rang with sense.
“It’s in my gut. I saw the look on my father’s face. I heard his hesitation. I have a sinking feel in the pit of my stomach that Melanie is right and it’s killing me,” Chase said. “I tried calling her but she’s avoiding me and I can’t say I blame her.”
Chase’s shoulders shook.
“Take some deep breaths and settle down,” Judd advised. He picked up the remote and turned on the television to the sports channel.
“What are you doing?” Chase asked.
“We’re going to wait here. We’ll wait him out. Ted has to come back home sometime. And, when he gets here, we’ll ask him. This could all be a mix up,” Judd said.
Chase nodded at Judd’s hopeful tone.
“In the meantime, why don’t you put that faith of yours in action and pray.”
Chase arched an eyebrow. “You’re advising me to pray?”
Judd shrugged. “We have nothing else to do.”
“You’re right. Thanks, brother, for reminding me. I do need to seek God’s face.”
“You’re welcome. I know you’re not yourself because Melanie has you all twisted. I’m only telling you what you would say to me.”
“Mute that,” Chase commanded. He dropped to his knees. “Heavenly Father, I’ve failed You. The minute things get tough for me, I grab onto my old ways. But I thank You for using Judd to speak to me. I’m not that man anymore and I thank You for that. I ask for Your forgiveness for the cruel words I said to my father. Lord, I’m worried about my dad. I don’t know where he is and what condition he is in. But, I plead for You to dispatch a special angel to bring my father home. Lord, my dad has come a long way. Please don’t let the devil triumph over him. Please remind him of Your love and Your mercy.” Chase broke. “I can’t lose him, Lord. I’ve lost too many already. Please bring Dad home. I need to tell him I love him. I pray this prayer, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
“Amen,” Judd said. “Now we wait.”
Chase relaxed his shoulders. “Yes, we’ll wait.”
Four hours later, Ted staggered into the house. Rip-roaring drunk. Chase sprang to his feet. He could smell the liquor from where he stood.
“I messed up, son. I messed up real bad,” Ted said, when he saw Chase standing there.
Chase did not care Ted had compromised his sobriety. Chase did not care he was a monster. All he saw was his father. A father God had returned to him alive and safe. Chase opened his arms.
Ted shook his head. He scrambled to maintain his stance. “No. I’m drunk. I can barely stand. I’m a sorry mess,” Ted wailed. “It’s okay if you hate me, forever.”
Chase struggled to maintain control. “I don’t hate you. God still wants you and so do I.”
Chase kept his arms extended and walked over to his father. He did not care that Ted reeked of alcohol. Instead he enfolded his father into his arms. Ted sagged against him.
All Chase could say then was, “Welcome home.”
24
“I didn’t expect to see you again so soon,” Janet said. She coughed into her hand.
“What’s the matter with you?” Melanie asked.
“I have this cold that I can’t shake.” Janet clutched several tissues in her hand. “Never mind me. I’ll bounce back soon enough. So, what brings you here?”
“She’s here to ask you about Uncle,” Rhoda said.
Janet stole a glance at Rhoda. “You look as if you haven’t aged. Thanks for taking care of my baby girl.”
“It’s the favor of God why I look the way I do,” Rhoda said. “And, in case you haven’t noticed, Melanie’s not a baby anymore. We’re here because she needs answers. You’ve got to tell her everything you know about Uncle.”
Melanie took Rhoda’s hand. “Thanks, Mom,” she whispered.
“Uncle was what I called all the men I slept with,” Janet said. “I had to tell you something. I didn’t want you to think I was loose.”
Melanie squinted her eyes. “I remember one Uncle—the one who beat me so hard it deafened me for life. The one who pushed you against the wall and knocked you out while I screamed and yelled for you to help me.”
Janet covered her face with her hands. Rhoda tapped the table and Janet resumed eye contact. “I was hoping you didn’t remember any of that.”
“How could I forget when I’m living with the consequences?” Melanie yelled. She saw a guard step towards them and lowered her voice. “I was there when the cops dragged you away from me. When I woke up, I was deaf. I remember asking the doctor to fix my ears.”
“He paid me money.” Janet squared her shoulders. “He gave me six hundred dollars not to mention his name.”
Six hundred dollars? Her mother had sold her out for a few bucks. Janet reminded Melanie of Esau from the Bible. Esau had sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a measly bowl of porridge.
Melanie clenched her fists. “What did you do with it? Snort it up your nose? Is that what my life was worth to you?” She cut her eyes at Janet and looked at Rhoda. “Mom, I don’t think I can do this.”
“We can do all things through Christ,” Rhoda said, squeezing her hand.
“Six hundred dollars was a lot of money then.” Janet twisted her hands. “Even now. Yes, I used it to get high. Back then, I loved you but I loved the drugs more.” She shook her head. “I don’t expect you to understand but it’s the life of an addict.”
“I don’t understand,” Melanie said.
Janet leaned forward. “Uncle and I were addicts. He was an alcoholic. He was such a good man when he wasn’t drinking. He bought you clothes and candy. But once he had a few in him … He was mean. If he were sober, he never would have put a hand on you.”
Melanie squinted. “Are you defending him?”
Janet shook her head. “I’m trying to explain. But, you’re not giving me a chance.”
Rhoda patted Melanie’s hand. “Hear her out, honey. Just keep reminding yourself Janet was different then.”
Melanie addressed Rhoda. “Mom, I was normal. Normal. Don’t you get that? I was born with nothing wrong with me but now I’m deaf for the rest of my life.” Melanie pointed a finger to Janet. “She sold me out. She caused this.”
“I’m surprised to hear you use the word normal,” Rhoda said. “Your deafness is your normal. You represent others with disabilities and they would be hurt to hear you say that.”
Melanie nodded. “I’m proud of my accomplishments but I didn’t know how to put it so Janet would understand.”
Janet tapped the table. “I do understand. I’ve been sorry for twenty-two years. A few months after that night I tried to see you. I stalked the social worker and threatened her because I wanted her to tell me where she had you. I was arrested after that. And while in jail, I tried to kill myself.”
Melanie’s eyes widened with horror.
“Thank God you didn’t succeed,” Rhoda spoke and signed.
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Melanie nodded. “I—I …”
Janet gave a sad smile. “I’m here. God had plans for me. But back to my story. I confronted Uncle and told him all about what he had done to you. He cried until he vomited all over the floor of my room. Uncle said he didn’t remember any of it. He thought I was lying until he heard about it on the news. He was a decorated officer. I was going to turn him in, but he paid me off. He said he had a wife and sons who needed him.”
Melanie’s heart plummeted. Janet’s description sounded like Ted Lawson.
“What is his name?” Melanie asked.
Janet shook her head. “I can’t tell you.”
“You said he was a police officer. How did you meet him?”
“Cops are the worse adulterers. I met him while he was combing the streets. I might not look like much now but I had body and hips. Lot of men hollered at me.”
Melanie shifted. She thought of a cop she loved. “Not all cops are cheats. Some are honest and good men.”
“I never met any when I was out there.” Janet scoffed. “Why? Is your man a cop?”
Chase was not ‘her man’ anymore but Melanie saw no need to tell Janet that tidbit. “He’s a police officer and he’s a man of God.”
Janet scoffed. “You know how many preachers I had in my day?”
Melanie glared. “No, and I don’t want to know. What I want to know is the name of this police officer.”
Janet eased back into her chair. “Why?”
“I need to know.” Melanie’s lip quivered. “I need to know if he’s Chase’s father.”
Janet’s mouth dropped open. “Well if that don’t … I thought nothing could surprise me but …” She folded her hands. “I doubt it. That would be a big coincidence.”
“Or an act of God,” Rhoda interjected.
Melanie signed as she spoke. “Why would God do this?”
“We pray all the time and ask God to forgive us as we forgives others. How He does it is entirely up to Him. God allowed all your paths to cross but He has already forgiven each of you. All of you are saved. That in itself is a miracle. Now, God brought you together for you to keep up your end of the bargain.”
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