by T. K. Chapin
The phone rang inside and Margret picked it up. Coming out the slider she handed it to Floyd. Floyd began to laugh and then said, “Just a moment.” Covering the speaker on the phone he looked at Michael, “Wanna help Roy catch a cow that got out?”
“Sure,” Michael let out a hearty laugh, “He really needs to install one of those cow grates in the driveway to fix those runaways. It’s been years now!”
Floyd smiled as he returned to his call. “We’ll be over in a minute.”
Jumping in the truck with Floyd, Michael saw Margret come out the front door. “What about your lunch?”
“Just toss it in the fridge; we’ll be back in a few. Roy had another cow get out.”
“I figured as much…” Margret replied.
Floyd got out of his truck and ran up to the front step that led off the front of the house and kissed his wife. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
He came rushing back over to the truck and hopped in. “Let’s go help Roy!” Floyd exclaimed, putting the truck into drive and heading down Elk Chattaroy Road.
Slowing down as they approached the cow that was wondering nonchalantly in the middle of the road, Michael couldn’t help but burst out in laughter.
“Been a while for ya… hasn’t it?” Floyd asked.
“Seen a cow walking in the middle of the road? Yes… It’s been a while…” Michael responded with a grin.
“No, being happy,” Floyd responded.
Michael knew what Floyd was talking about. Ever since his late wife passed away, Michael hadn’t smiled much or been very happy. For the first few months after her passing, he spent the majority of his time out at Floyd’s, staying in the guest room. Through months of counseling and help from Floyd, Michael was able to get to a solid place in life where he could function again in society. While functioning, he still felt the emptiness associated with his wife being gone. It was the forever kind of love that you assume you’ll only get once in a life. Trying to dodge Floyd, Michael said, “I don’t have any idea what you mean.”
“Oh come on, you haven’t stopped smiling since you got here… It’s that girl you met, isn’t it?”
Michael nodded. “I can’t help myself, I really like her.”
Floyd nodded. “I was the same way with Margret; she put a big smile on my face. And unevenly yoked can change… it did for us.”
“You mean she wasn’t Christian?”
“No, I mean I wasn’t. I eventually came around, but it took a long time. I’m not saying this gal will take that long or even come around at all… I’m just letting you know it takes a lot of work to make it work.”
“I know,” Michael turned his eyes back to the cow as the truck stopped. Hopping out of the truck, he shut the door and grabbed the rope from the bed of the truck. Gently roping the cow, he turned it around and began walking it back down the road. “Thanks for not resisting!” He said to the cow patting its side softly.
“I’ll pick you up down at Roy’s.”
Floyd took off down the road towards Roy’s farm while Michael led the cow down the road. Glancing up at the sun, he smiled as he took in its warmth.
Dear Heavenly Father, help me understand your will.
CHAPTER 12 ~ Rebecca
Friday night had arrived and Rebecca had just finished curling the last strand of hair. Looking in the mirror, she beamed with joy as she thought about the night ahead of her. She hadn’t heard much from Michael other than the text earlier that day confirming the evening plans.
Hearing the doorbell ring, she shut the light off in the bathroom and slipped on her heels on in the bedroom before heading out to answer the door. A furious knock came from the door. “Jeez! I’m coming!” She said annoyed as she went to open the door.
Pushing past her, Jonathan stepped in quickly and turned to her. “I need to talk to you.”
“You’re sopping wet. And what are you doing here?” Rebecca asked, peeking out her door down the hallways in both directions to make sure Michael hadn’t arrived yet. Shutting the door, she turned to see Jonathan sitting on the couch with his head between his knees sobbing.
“It’s over…”
“What’s over?” Rebecca asked, coming over to the couch and joining his side.
Looking up at her, his eyes were swollen and red. “Stacy and I, we’re done.”
Rebecca shook her head. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out, but-”
A knock came from the door, alerting them both. “Who’s that?” Jonathan asked, standing up.
Rebecca’s eyes widened as she motioned for him to look at her cocktail dress. In a loud whisper she said, “Can’t you tell I’m going on a date, Jonathan?!”
“Rebecca?” Michael’s muffled voice said on the other side of her apartment door.
“Just a moment!” Rebecca replied, as she shoed Jonathan out of the living room and back into the guest room.
Before shutting the guest room door, she said in a loud whisper to Jonathan, “Don’t do anything! Just sit here until we leave and then excuse yourself out, please!” He nodded as he took a seat on the bed.
Rushing back out into the living room, she relaxed her shoulders, took a deep breath and opened the door.
“Hello,” Rebecca said with a smile. When their eyes met, she felt her heart flutter with joy and a sense of happiness rushed over her. He set her at ease and made her forget the world, and even completely forget the fact that her boss was sitting in her guest room.
Michael stood in awe.
“What?” She asked, worried.
“You look… breathtaking,” Michael replied with a deep smile. “God’s creation at its finest!”
Blushing, she grabbed his arm. “I’m ready to go if you are.”
Suddenly the door of the guest room opened and Jonathan came waltzing out. Rebecca turned around, mortified that Jonathan had appeared in nothing but a pair of her black sweatpants he must have found in the guest bedroom closet.
“I gotta go,” Michael said sharply as he turned and quickly headed for the elevators.
Chasing him down the hall, Rebecca said, “It’s not what it looks like, I promise!”
Michael stopped as he shook his head and turned back to her. “It’s exactly what it looks like, Rebecca! You had some dude in your house half naked! There’s no excuse in the world to make that okay!”
“He’s my boss!” Rebecca snapped back at him.
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” Michael asked shaking his head. “Forget it. I’m leaving.” Michael made it to the elevator and pushed the button to call the elevator. “I really thought you were amazing, Rebecca…”
Rebecca’s heart twisted in anger and frustration with not only Michael, but herself. How could she have let Jonathan in? She could have forced him out, but those feelings she had developed over the years still lived somewhere in her heart, and a part of her still knew she wanted to be with Jonathan. Like Vivian had said the other day, she didn’t know Michael, she knew Jonathan.
Watching as Michael stood on the elevator and the doors shut, Rebecca felt her door to Michael close with it. As she walked back to her apartment, Jonathan stepped out into the hallway.
“Was that my fault?” he asked before taking a bite out of an apple. She remained silent as she walked past him back into the apartment. Her head was hanging low as she gave him a slight nod. “I’m sorry…”
“It’s fine.”
It wasn’t fine though. Rebecca had lost Michael and she was devastated. What if he was the one and I can never be with him now? I could have just lost the one man I was supposed to be with. Glancing at Jonathan, she smiled slightly. Maybe I am supposed to be with Jonathan. Ugh… I don’t know! She thought to herself.
“Let me make it up to you.” Jonathan came in, shutting the door behind him.
“How?” Rebecca asked as she poured herself a glass of water from the sink.
“I have reservations for tonight at that new restaurant called ‘
Raze,’ you should come with.”
“What, and you wear that?” Rebecca looked at the sweat pants he had on.
Laughing, Jonathan shook his head. “No, I need to swing by my place and grab a new change of clothes, but we should have time.”
“When is the reservation?” Rebecca asked as she debated on taking him up on the offer.
“Eight thirty.”
Peering over at the door as she thought about Michael, she wondered if she should go. He’s already upset with me… I have nothing to lose. “Alright, I’ll go.”
Rebecca didn’t want to sit at home and pout over the events that had transpired with Michael that evening. A night out with Jonathan should be enough to take her mind off Michael. How much could one night hurt?
Rebecca was drawn to the bright neon purple and blue lights that lit the sign of the restaurant as they pulled up to Raze. Joining Jonathan’s side on the sidewalk, she grabbed onto his arm as she saw so many other couples doing as they entered under the catch phrase for the restaurant: An experience you’ll never forget.
Vivian had told her a few months back that Lance took her there for the grand opening. She said the food wasn’t the best, but the painted divers made it worth the trip.
As Rebecca and Jonathan walked in through the entrance, young girls wearing brightly feathered outfits and skirts pulled open the massive oak doors at the entrance.
As they continued into the restaurant, Jonathan set his hand on the small of Rebecca’s back, sending chills up her spine. Smiling over at him as they came up to the counter, Jonathan looked over at her and grinned. Those pearly whites and defined jaw line was enough to make any girl melt, and Rebecca was no exception.
Approaching the counter, an exotic woman with make-up and a head full of feathers greeted the two of them in an almost Russian sounding accent. “Welcome to Raze… An experience you’ll never forget.” A set of dancers came into the lobby and removed Rebecca and Jonathan’s coats as they danced around them. “Name?” the exotic woman asked.
“Bateman,” Jonathan said as he watched the dancers take their coats over to a room.
The woman peered at her list on the counter and found his name. “Excellent. Would you prefer the floor level or the top?”
“Floor,” Rebecca chimed in.
“Floor it is,” Jonathan said.
Glancing over to a nearby wall, Rebecca noticed a painting that had to be at least six feet wide and tall of exotic dancers dancing around a bonfire. “Look at that painting,” she said pointing over to the wall for Jonathan to look.
Peering over at the wall, Jonathan quickly nodded and led her away to follow after the hostess who greeted him. Walking through the restaurant, they passed by a set of stairs that led up to the upper level dining floor that overlooked the falls.
Entering into the dining area for the lower level, Rebecca noticed a woman painted as a leopard atop a rocky cliff at least eighty feet up into the air. At the base of her feet was a waterfall that dropped down into a pool below. The pool itself ran along almost the entirety of the room except for the entrance into the dining area.
“This place is extraordinary!” Rebecca said, as the lady sat them at a table near the railing. Just over the railing sat white sand that led into the pool area below the falls.
“It really is,” Jonathan replied, looking up at the woman at the top of the waterfall. Just then, she dove off and into the pool below, making a small splash as she entered the pool.
The hostess left and a waitress came to their table. “Could I interest you in an appetizer to get started? Or maybe a cliff jump?”
“No way,” Rebecca replied. “I’m not interested in jumping.”
“And you, Sir?” The waitress asked as Jonathan’s eyes stayed glued to the divers up on the cliffs.
“I want to do it,” Jonathan replied as he turned to Rebecca smiling.
“Jonathan! You’re…”
“What? Too old? No, I’m not, I’m doing it!” Jonathan exclaimed standing up.
The waitress smiled. “Follow me.” Rebecca turned in her seat and watched as the waitress led Jonathan away and over to the stairs that led up to the top level. There’s no way he’s going to go through with it! He’s terrified of heights. Rebecca thought about the day trip to Seattle that the office had taken last year and how he wouldn’t even go up on the space needle.
A few moments later, she spotted Jonathan up top in a pair of trunks and waving down at her. Shaking her head, she realized he was really going to do it. Watching, she saw him grab onto the safety railing that ran along one of the waterfalls. Grasping on as he shimmied across the top of the waterfall, he kept smiling and waving at Rebecca down below.
Suddenly he slipped and smacked his head against the rock. “Jonathan!” She screamed, leaping up from her chair. Watching as he must have been knocked unconscious, his body slid with the water pushing him off the cliff and throwing his body down into the pool below. Leaping over the railing, Rebecca sprinted through the sand to the water.
Workers rushed from every direction by her side and stopped her as she tried to push through the water.
“Ma’am! You have to calm down! We got this!” a man said, holding her back as the workers pulled him from the water.
“Jonathan!” she shouted again. Fearful he was dead, she was crying hysterically as she tried to get closer. Seeing them pull him out of the water and into the sand, she watched as they checked for a pulse and saw blood gushing from his head and into the white sand.
Darting by the worker that was trying to hold her back, she pushed her way down to him and grabbed onto his shoulders. “Jonathan, can you hear me?” she asked, tapping his cheek with her hand.
“Ma’am! Step back!” A man said, pushing her back. “You can’t do that! He could have a broken neck.”
The workers pulled her back and restrained her from going back to him. This time they had several of them to make sure she couldn’t get to Jonathan. “That’s my date, please let me get by and to him!”
“I’m sorry ma’am, we can’t.”
The paramedics showed up a few moments later and put him on a stretcher. Glancing over at her, a paramedic stopped and told a worker something. The worker came over to Rebecca and told her, “he’ll be at Deaconess.”
Rushing outside, she saw the paramedics load him up into the ambulance. The one who told the worker to speak with her made eye contact with her and she mouthed, “Thank You.”
He nodded to her and shut the door on the back of the ambulance. The sirens fired up and the ambulance rushed off down the road.
CHAPTER 13 ~ Michael
Tossing and turning, Michael struggled to find slumber. How could she be so heartless? He thought, glaring out his apartment window at the moon. A dog began barking beneath his bedroom window outside and Michael rushed to the window. Jerking the window open, he yelled down at the dog.
“Stop it!”
The dog looked up at him and began barking more. If it wasn’t the construction bothering him it was that stupid dog.
“Ugh! Why are you so inconsiderate? How could you just sit there and do that when you know I want to sleep?”
The dog continued barking.
“You’re so selfish, rude and mean!” He shouted down at the dog shaking his fist. Glancing over to his left, he saw Mrs. Peddlewink wide-eyed and jaw-dropped. Michael turned beet red in embarrassment. “Sorry Mrs. Peddlewink…”
She pulled her head back into her window and shut it.
“Oh jeez…” Michael said as he came back inside.
Lying back down, Michael listened to the dog yapping for hours until he was so tired he fell asleep.
Not waking up until noon the next day, Michael realized he hadn’t eaten anything since lunch the day before. Putting his bathrobe on, he moseyed into his kitchen and to the fridge. Opening it, he leaned back as he glanced at the expired gallon of milk and the block of cheese with something green growing on the edge of it.
Why don’t you do something useful instead of just sit there? You disgusting and vile block of cheese! At least you two have the company of someone like you…
Glancing at the clock that hung in the kitchen next to the stove, he saw it was already twelve thirty.
I’ll just head over to Zed’s and get a turkey bacon club…
Getting showered and dressed, Michael grabbed his keys and headed over to Zed’s sandwich shop just a few blocks up.
Walking into the shop, he saw her. It was Rebecca, and she was sitting at a booth with some woman. Hiding behind a pillar just inside the shop, Michael was suddenly alert. Why is she here? Peering over at Rebecca and the lady, Michael became curious to what they were talking about. Could they be discussing what had happened? Luckily Rebecca’s back was facing him and he hadn’t ever met the woman she was sitting with.
“Sir, are you going to dine with us or is it carry-out?” a young gal asked next to him from a podium nearby.
“I’ll dine in, right over there.” He pointed to a booth a few tables away from Rebecca that was facing her back.
Glancing over at the seating arrangement that was taped to the podium, the girl nodded. “That should be fine.”
She took him over and seated him. “Water to drink,” he said, looking up at her.
“I’ll let your server know,” the girl replied.
Leaning back to get his ear closer, he listened in on the conversation that Rebecca and the mysterious woman were having.
“Traffic was insane getting here from the hospital, sorry I’m late,” Rebecca said.
“That’s okay, how is he?”
“He cracked a rib and has a concussion,” Rebecca replied.
“Well, at least it’s not too bad.”
“Yeah… poor guy…”
“Tell me exactly how it happened.”
“Welcome to Zed’s, what can I get ya, sir?” A waitress said at Michael’s booth, interrupting the conversation he was trying to hear.