Melanie did a high kick. “I’m going to own the Guys and Dolls! I can’t wait to tell Mom and Dad. Mom will probably tell me it’s about time.”
“Yes, she will.” Tricia grinned. “April 27th can’t come fast enough!”
Melanie froze. “April 27th. That’s Rachel’s court date,” she whispered.
Tricia tapped her nose. “Are you sure?”
With a hollow stomach, Melanie sunk into the couch. She signed the words as the breath had left her body. “Yes, I’m sure. Same date. Same time.”
“You need to go. This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Tricia signed.
“When I saw Rachel, she was broken. She’s scared to face the jury. I promised her I’d be there.”
“I can go,” Tricia said.
Melanie shook her head. “You can’t put your baby in danger. Your health is important.”
“So is your dream.”
The Guys and Dolls studio flashed before her mind. Melanie could already see the eager young girls’ faces as she greeted them for class. Suddenly, she had never wanted something so much in her life.
Tricia waved a hand. “Your attorney can go in your place.”
“No, I have to be there. I need to,” Melanie said. “I’ll speak with Rachel. I’m sure she’ll understand.”
27
“Don’t bother coming,” Rachel said.
“It’s only one day. I’ve been by your side. I need to buy that studio.”
Rachel pursed her lips. “While I’m in here rotting away, you’re dancing. I need to have one friend in that courtroom. I understand why Tricia can’t be here but to get tossed aside for a block of wood is reprehensible.”
“Rachel, you’re not being fair. I didn’t set the date. I promise you, I’ll head here as soon as I’m done.”
Rachel folded her arms. “If you don’t come April 27th, then don’t come back.”
“How can you be so selfish? Were you always this selfish and I just didn’t see it?” Melanie knew she was yelling and drew a breath to hold her temper in check. “I’ve been here to see you twice a week. I’ve paid your attorney fees and put money in your commissary. Now this is one thing I must do for me.” She jabbed a finger into her chest. “I need to do this.”
Rachel glared. “Then go ahead. Do you. I’ll do me.” She jumped to her feet and gestured to the guard.
“Rachel, please …”
“I’m done,” Rachel signed. Without a backward glance, she returned to her cell.
Melanie looked around the room. An elderly lady smiled at her. Her eyes held sympathy. Melanie knew her cheeks were on fire. With as much dignity as she could muster, Melanie exited the visiting room.
Hurt pierced her chest and tears flowed down her cheeks. After all their years of friendship, Rachel was all about Rachel. Melanie reasoned that Rachel was in the fight of her life. Then Melanie shook her head. Rachel knew what dancing meant to her. She should have at least understood.
Melanie pulled into her driveway but did not want to be alone. She walked around to her parent’s entrance and used her key to enter.
Wandering through the house, Melanie called out. “Mom! Dad!” She headed to the patio and poked her head outside.
Gary was sitting in the lounge chair. He looked her way. “Hey, honey. Your mother’s at Publix.”
Melanie’s chin wobbled. She headed straight into her father’s arms. Melanie breathed in his Old Spice scent as Gary patted her on the back. Melanie released her pain in gut-wrenching sobs.
Several minutes later, she pulled away. “I’m sorry, Dad. I think I’ve lost Rachel as a friend.”
Gary furrowed his brows. “What do you mean?”
“I told her about the auction. It’s the same date and time as her court date. Rachel’s furious because she thinks I’m turning my back on her.”
“Baby Girl, Rachel has turned her back on God. Don’t think for a minute God wasn’t telling her not to get involved with a married man. She made the choice to hold a child for ransom. She could’ve called the police but Rachel saw dollar signs. Don’t feel guilty about doing something for yourself.”
“I still feel bad,” Melanie said.
“That’s because you care so much for others. Everything you do, you do with someone else in mind. It’s okay to think of yourself,” Gary said. He touched Melanie’s cheek. “Rhoda and I rejoice that you’re finally seeing yourself as worthy. Melanie, your wants and needs are important and it’s time you realized that.”
Melanie lowered her eyes. How could her father know her so well? Gary’s hand grazed her chin.
“You suffered so much trauma as a little girl. Rhoda and I wondered if you would ever recover. We prayed for you every day. We did our best and we’re so proud of all your accomplishments.”
Melanie sniffed back tears. “You and Mom saved me.”
Gary shook his head. “No. God did that. If anything, you helped increased our faith.” He laughed. “Rhoda and I didn’t know about praying until God blessed us with daughters.”
Melanie smiled.
“No matter how much love we gave you, we felt you held back. It was like you were afraid to love. It was like you felt you didn’t deserve it.”
Melanie’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”
“It’s the parent’s job to make their child feel secure. Your mother put you out of her bed and made you sleep in a closet. That has deep rooted effects which play out in ways you can’t even imagine.” He held her arms. “But, I want you to know you’re worthy. Worthy enough that God closed Rhoda’s womb because He knew you would need us. Your counselor was the one who made us put you into dance.”
“I didn’t know that. You never told me.”
Gary nodded. “Yes, she did. Melanie, you may not remember this but your first two weeks home, you didn’t say a word. All you did was follow us around with sad eyes. You didn’t leave Rhoda’s side and you had nightmares. Some nights we had you in our bed and others, Rhoda slept with you in your room. Your room had everything a little girl could want but you were scared to sleep in your bed. Rhoda cried every night. That’s when the counselor suggested dancing. Dancing would give you a way to express your feelings since you didn’t have the words.”
“How come I can’t recall any of that?” All Melanie remembered was a happy childhood filled with love and dance.
“Coping mechanism.” Gary smiled and put a hand on his chin. “I’ll never forget your first class. You executed a plié and your arm swooped in the air. I felt chills. I knew you had found your thing. That night you slept in your bed alone with no nightmares.”
Melanie gulped. What a testimony. “Thanks for telling me,” she whispered.
“Dancing is in your bones. When Christ returns, I’m sure you’ll be in the praise dancing section. I get a glimpse of heaven when I see you perform.” Gary wiped his eyes. “That’s why it hurts that you gave up Juilliard because of me. I knew how much it cost you…”
Melanie hugged her father tight. “It was a price I paid willingly. I love you. I have no regrets. If I had to, I’d do it again.”
She excused herself to use the restroom and wash her face. Melanie had never seen Gary so emotional. She grabbed the tissues from the end table in the living room on her way back to the patio.
When she returned, Gary was more composed. He pulled several tissues from the box, dabbed at his eyes, and blew his nose.
“Get that studio,” he said. “Not just for you but for me.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Melanie said.
Gary rubbed his chin. “You said something I want you to think about. You said you loved me so much you willingly sacrificed your career. Do you love Chase that much? Is he worth the sacrifice that comes with forgiveness?”
She tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
“Is your love for Chase greater than the pain his father caused?”
Melanie narrowed her eyes. “If I remember right, Mom and I had to beg you not to go after T
ed Lawson. You wanted me to press charges. In fact, I’ve never seen you lose it like you did when we came back from the prison. Now you’re telling me I need to forgive him.”
Gary nodded. “I’ve had three months to calm down. I’ve been watching you and your eyes are sad again. You’ve lost weight and you’re not sleeping but you’re grown so I kept my mouth shut and prayed. Ted Lawson ripped your security blanket and all your past hurt resurfaced. That’s why you’ve been dancing so much. Even at church, you’ve been going through the motion.”
Goodness. Her father was very observant. He had read her right, too. “I didn’t know you were seeing all that. Most of the time your eyes are glued to the TV screen.”
“Pretense.”
Melanie chuckled.
“Anyway, once I saw what being without Chase was like for you, I’ve been praying for God to heal your heart. You told me Ted’s saved. Melanie, this is going to sound strange but God turned your sorrow into joy. He won the war using His own weapon. Salvation. God has slain your monster. It took me a minute to see it, but God showed me that. He works in mysterious ways and His ways are past finding out. It’s the only thing that eased my anger.”
Melanie straightened. God had slain her monster. He did it His way, without bloodshed. That revelation gave her goose bumps. “You’ve given me a lot to think about. Thanks, Dad.”
“Pray and fast. It’ll help you.”
Melanie left Gary on the patio and went into her apartment. She sat on her bed. God had opened her eyes. Melanie’s past flashed before her. She saw Him there each step of the way. God was there with her through all her trials.
Melanie experienced a great sense of awe. She could not understand that kind of love. A verse from Romans 8 teased her senses. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”
Melanie received the word. All things worked for her good. She looked heavenwards and asked, “God, do you love me that much?”
Yes, I do.
28
“Nadine’s pregnant,” Judd said.
Chase stomped on the brake. He and Judd were in his Jeep driving down US 41 when Judd broke the news. They were on their way to Best Buy to purchase Ted a new television. Ted’s older floor model gave out the night before.
Judd’s body jerked forward. A car honked at Chase. Chase lifted a hand to say, “Sorry.” He could see the driver behind him flailing his hand and changed lanes.
Chase turned into the Chick-fil-A and parked. “Don’t drop news on me like that when I’m driving.”
“I’m sorry,” Judd said.
“How long have you known?”
“Since that night Nadine called.”
Chase’s eyes bulged. “That was three months ago and you’re just now telling me?”
“I … I needed time to process. I’m going to be a father. It took me three months to come to terms with that.”
Chase leaned forward. “You needed three months to accept your child?”
“No, it took me all this time before Nadine would bring herself to speak to me. She’s slammed the door in my face twice and hung up on me more times than I can count,” Judd said. “When Nadine told me about the baby, I asked if she was sure I was the father. I mean I wore a condom and all …”
Chase laughed. “Please tell me you didn’t say that to a classy woman like Nadine. You’re experienced enough to know nothing but abstinence is foolproof.”
Judd lowered his eyes. “Those words flew out of my mouth before my common sense kicked in.” He chuckled. “You should have seen Nadine’s reaction. Her anger was a sight to behold. As big as I am, I don’t know how she did it but Nadine threw me out of her house. My butt literally hit the curb. I was too ashamed to tell you.”
“You’re my best friend, Judd. Of course I’d stand by you.” Chase opened his car door. “Let’s grab something to eat since we’re here.”
“I’m not that hungry. I’ll get a lemonade.” Judd opened his passenger door.
They walked in step toward the entrance. Chase said, “I thought you and Nadine were in love. The timing might be off, but a baby’s still good news. Any child is a blessing from God.”
“Children are also a million dollar investment. I’m in love with Nadine. I’ve never felt that way about a woman before. But, I wasn’t ready to have another child. Look how things worked out with my last baby mama. I promised myself any other children I brought into the world would be when I’m married.”
Chase opened the door to the restaurant. He and Judd stepped aside so a young mother and her toddler could exit. “That could still happen.”
As usual the place was packed with the lunchtime crowd. There was a ball pit for the toddlers to play in on his left. Chase scanned the rest of the place. There were two booths and two tables available. Since there was only one person ahead of them, Chase did not worry about seating.
Judd rubbed his chin. “I couldn’t agree with you more. Nadine’s divorce has been finalized for about six weeks but she won’t marry me.”
Chase’s nose welcomed the smell of fried chicken. He stepped up to the counter and ordered the deluxe chicken sandwich combo with lemonade. Then he glanced at Judd. “What you want?” He tapped his feet to the gospel music playing in the background.
“I’ll get my own but thanks,” Judd said.
With a nod, Chase paid for his meal. To his surprise, Judd ordered two of the 12-count nugget meals.
“I thought you weren’t hungry,” he said once Judd returned to his side. They stood waiting on their orders.
“Yes but I’m eating for two now,” Judd joked.
Chase poked him in the ribs good-naturedly. “Keep eating like that and your stomach will show it.”
“Nope. That’s why I work out. So I can eat what I want.”
Their orders came up. Both men held their trays and walked to the condiment stand. Judd grabbed barbecue sauce for his nuggets while Chase snagged two ketchup packets and mustard. By mutual consent they headed to the booth in the back of the room. They settled into the seat and blessed their meal.
“Why won’t Nadine marry you?” Chase asked, spreading the mustard on his chicken sandwich.
Judd used his fork to capture his nugget then dunked it in barbecue sauce. “I think her parents are influencing her. They weren’t too thrilled about our, uh, affair.”
Chase took a bite of his chicken sandwich. “She doesn’t seem like the type whose parents could push her around.”
Judd nodded. “If I hadn’t acted like an a— an idiot, she would be with me. But as you warned me, she was vulnerable. She hasn’t said it in so many words but I think Nadine thinks I’m only asking her because it’s the right thing to do. I don’t think she believes I’m in love with her.”
“Then you have to make her believe,” Chase said. “You can’t let her slip through your fingers.”
Judd stared. “Same goes for you. Why haven’t you reached out to Melanie?” He sipped on his lemonade. “This should have been tea,” he said, referencing the current trend on the Internet with Kermit the frog. Kermit sipped tea while spilling the plain truth.
Chase shook his head. “Me and Melanie’s situation is way different than yours and Nadine. We loved each other but asking Melanie to overlook what my father did would be way too much.” He jutted a chin toward Judd. “You and Nadine both have pride standing in your way. You can boot that out with one swing of your leg. Mine takes a bulldozer.”
“Or some good old-fashioned fasting and praying,” Judd said. He took another sip of his lemonade and stared.
“I have been praying,” Chase said.
“And fasting?” Judd asked.
Chase sipped his lemonade. Judd cracked up.
“You’re a church man. You know about that better than me. My mother fasted and prayed for me and look how good I turned out.”
Chase chuckled then confessed what was in his heart. “I miss Melanie
. Every day I think of her. I’ve picked up my phone countless times to call but changed my mind. What can I say to make her feel better?”
Judd shook his head. “There’s nothing you can do to make Melanie feel better. But you can love her. Love her so much that it covers all the bad of her past.”
Chase’s heart leapt. “I can do that.” He tilted his head. “Come with me to church this Saturday.”
“What time should I be there?”
Chase had opened his mouth to lecture Judd on why he should be in church when Judd’s words sunk in. “You’re coming?”
Judd nodded. “I’m trying everything else and it’s not working. I need to be in church plus some prayer and fasting.”
Chase shifted. “Tell you what. Let’s go all in and do a sit-in. You, me, and my dad at my place. Friday night. Come around nine. The three of us will demolish the devil’s plans. Love will conquer all.”
Judd laughed. “You sound like a Disney character.”
Chase covered his embarrassment by eating his fries. He knew his face was all shades of red but for the first time in weeks, he had hope.
They finished their meals and tossed their trays.
“Thanks for coming to Chick-fil-A,” one of the workers said.
Chase and Judd waved and left the restaurant.
“I feel at home every time I go in there,” Judd said. “They have the cheeriest staff on the planet.”
Chase nodded. “I feel it too.”
They zigzagged through the pick-up-line and Chase clicked the unlock button to deactivate the alarm. The men got in and Chase started up the Jeep. As he backed out he said, “I’ve been whittling.”
Judd slapped his arm. “What? When? We’ve been working some serious cases of late. When do you find the time?”
“I haven’t been sleeping well,” Chase admitted. “I’ve been making dancers. Well, one dancer in particular.”
“That’s great. You haven’t whittled since your mother and brother died. Chase, that’s awesome.”
“I used pictures I had of Melanie dancing as inspiration.” Chase cleared his throat. “I’d love for you to see them. Get your thoughts.”
Silent Praise Page 16