Where Promises Die: A Second Chance Romance

by R. C. Stephens

  “We’re cousins.” The blond one finally answered when he noticed that Eisav had completely abandoned the conversation. Eisav didn’t respond. He had barely heard a word the boy said. Instead, Eisav turned back to the nurse’s station and begged for some more information.

  “She had some broken bones that they’re resetting. They’re running tests. Looks like there’s some swelling in her brain. The doctor hasn’t been able to leave yet. They are doing everything they can,” she answered with heavy eyes. “When we know more, we’ll inform you.”

  Eisav began to walk back to the seat next to Greta. She could hear the update from where she was seated.

  “Sir, I said we’re cousins,” the blond boy quipped again.

  “Cody, stop it. Eisav is worried right now,” Greta cut in, berating her son.

  Eisav noticed how the dark-haired boy remained quiet and through his haze, Cody’s words finally registered in his mind. “What did you say, Cody?” He tilted his head to the side in question.

  “We’re cousins,” little Cody repeated in a quiet and respectful manner as he had been taught by his parents.

  Eisav’s gaze cut to Greta. He couldn’t mistake the look of mortification on her face.

  “Greta?” he asked questioningly as his eyes landed on little Cain with his dark eyes and long scruffy dark hair. “Who does Cain belong to?” he asked, feeling his insides shake. The feeling felt completely foreign to him, but he had a feeling something monumental was happening.

  “My mommy,” Cain finally answered quietly. He looked like he was about to cry.

  Eisav took a few slow, easy steps toward the boy and tilted his chin forward. He felt like he was walking through some parallel universe or time zone, maybe another planet. He also felt speechless.

  Greta put Cody down on the chair beside her and asked the boys to sit quietly for a second. Then she took her brother abruptly by the arm and shoved him over a few feet.

  With a scream-whisper she snapped at him. “Look, I know you don’t mean to be acting like a Neanderthal right now, and I know your mind isn’t clear.” She let out a breath and looked up to the sky. “Please, God, forgive me.” Then she placed her glare back on Eisav. “Brother, I didn’t want you to find out like this. It was Grace’s place, but I see God had his own plans tonight so it leaves me no choice … Cain is your son.”

  Eisav’s eyes turned wide as he looked at his sister as if she were crazy. Then he began to make calculations in his mind. The boy looked young; he was walking, talking a bit. He wasn’t sure what that meant exactly.

  “I’m confused.” He took a step back, feeling like he was in a free fall for the second time tonight.

  Greta moved close to his ear. “Listen here. Put a damn smile on your face,” she ordered. “Now keep it there.” Greta never swore so the fact that she used the word damn meant she was very irritated. “Okay, we all know what you and Grace were up to the night you got thrown out. When you do those things, it can lead to a child,” she explained in simple terms since Eisav was clearly distraught with everything going on.

  Eisav fell back a step, feeling winded. “I’m his father? Cain?” he whispered. “But you told me when I arrived that you named him after me.”

  She rolled her eyes at him. “I said no such thing. Trust me, I chose my words carefully. I simply said he was named in your honor. By Grace …” she emphasized. “The boys are only a month apart, they’re close. When father found out Grace was pregnant, he pulled her out of school and kept her home all the time.”

  “Grace didn’t finish high school?” he asked in shock as his chest grew tight. He felt the need to gasp for air but there was none, so he depended on quick, shallow breaths that made him feel lightheaded.

  “No.”

  “That’s why I didn’t take her with me … I mean … I thought … it would be the only way she could finish school.”

  Greta placed her hands on Eisav’s shoulders, hoping to steady him. “And when Grace comes out of that operation and she’s all better, you two will have a lot to discuss.”

  “But the whole situation with Father Joseph … the abuse …” Eisav muttered, trying to piece a broken puzzle together.

  “That happened after Cain was born. Father took her to him hoping to redeem her. He had no idea how evil Father Joseph was Eisav. He didn’t know,” Greta answered, defending her dead father.

  Eisav did not appreciate the way she was defending him. Then he repeated the words in his head. Cain was his son. Cain was his son. None of this felt real. Why was he blaming his dead father for taking him away from his son? As he thought the word son again, his heart beat a little faster in a good way. Cain was a piece of Grace. He pulled his attention away from Greta and walked slowly over to Cain. He couldn’t believe that Grace had called him Cain. She did always see the good in him. He kneeled down in front of the boy and extended his hand. He was clearly not very good around children.

  “Hello, I’m Eisav. I’ve heard all about you Cain.” Eisav smiled warmly at the boy, who looked at him with suspicious eyes. “I’m an old friend of your mommy’s,” Eisav continued.

  “I want my mommy! I want my mommy!” Cain responded as his eyes grew red.

  Eisav’s heart fractured down the middle. “Cain, your mommy was hurt but she’s going to be okay,” he said, hoping he wasn’t telling his son a lie. “Do you want to come sit on my lap?” he asked. He could see Grace in him. Cain had his dark hair, oval face, and dark eyes but the rest of him was clearly Grace. So this is what Grace and I look like together, he said to himself. Beautiful boy. Beautiful, beautiful boy. Cain stood up from his chair and walked into Eisav’s arms. Eisav picked him up and gave his forehead a kiss, surprising even himself. For not knowing what to do with a child, it suddenly came naturally to him.

  “I’m tired,” Cain said, placing his face on Eisav’s chest. Eisav was surprised how quickly the boy relaxed in his arms.

  “He’s usually shy, Eisav,” Greta said taking a seat beside Cody.

  “I’m tired too, Mommy. Can I sit on you?” Cody whined.

  Eisav had a million questions. With Cain resting peacefully, he knew he wasn’t getting answers now. He would once again have to be patient and wait for Grace to provide those answers. In his heart he felt like she had no choice but to be okay. They were already a family and he hadn’t even known. How had she been taking care of Cain on her own? How? How? How? He was losing his mind his son’s slow breaths drifting across his face were the only thing keeping him sane.

  “Maybe you should go home with the kids, Greta. They need to rest. I’m not going anywhere. There’s nothing to do but wait,” Eisav suggested.

  “Dave is just finishing up at the plant. He’ll be here soon so he can help me get the kids to the car. He just texted me. The storm seems to be easing up now,” Greta whispered softly. Then she placed a hand on Eisav’s shoulder. “He reminds me of you. Quiet, intuitive … he likes to sing.” She looked him straight in the eye and her features grew serious. “She’s going to be okay. She has to be.”

  Dave came through the double doors moments later. He was exactly how Eisav remembered him: tall, blond hair, blue eyes, and a warm smile. Eisav had a feeling that Dave had done a lot of good things for his boy and so he stood up to give Dave a sturdy handshake.

  “Please, don’t get up on my account. You have a sleeping boy in your hands. I know what it’s like.”

  Eisav forced a smile but it was hard to focus with the dull throb at the back of his head

  and the crushing feeling he felt in his heart.

  “I can take him,” Dave offered, referring to the sleeping Cain. A wash of protection blanketed Eisav, and he suddenly wanted to keep the boy close to his heart. He knew better since the boy was tired and needed a bed.

  “Thanks.” Eisav passed him over to Dave’s open arms while Greta stood beside them, carrying Cody. “I would help you out to the car, Greta, but I’m scared to leave … what if the doc shows up?”

&nbs
p; Greta tilted her head to the side and gazed at her brother lovingly. “It’s okay. I’m used to this. You stay and update us. I’ll be waiting by the phone.”

  Once Dave, Greta, and the kids left for the car, Marie entered the waiting room along with Ilana and took a seat beside him. He was tempted to ask Marie some questions, but he held back for the simple reason that he needed Grace to be okay so she could explain herself.

  “You two look beat. You should take the car and head home.” Eisav pulled the keys from his pocket and passed them to Marie.

  “I can stay,” Marie offered.

  “It’s really okay. I appreciate the support, and I know you’re worried too. I’ll call the minute I have news.”

  Marie smiled and gave Ilana a nudge to wake her up. “Come on, let’s go.”

  Ilana garbled something that didn’t make sense and rubbed at her eyes.

  “Come on. Eisav will keep us posted,” Marie repeated.

  Ilana completely opened her eyes and frowned at Eisav. “We can stay.”

  “It’s okay. I think I prefer to be alone anyway. I have a lot to process. You know … I’m a dad.” He smiled sadly and his eyes began to burn.

  Ilana pushed out her bottom lip. “I know, big man.” She placed her hand on her heart. “I have no doubt that you’re going to make the world’s best dad too.”

  “That means a lot.” Eisav forced a grin. “Now get outta here. Both of you,” he ordered with a firm but playful tone.

  “’Kay.” Ilana leaned forward and gave him a hug. “I’m praying for her.”

  “I thought you don’t believe in that,” Eisav quipped.

  “Now I do.” She gave his hand a squeeze and left with Marie, out the double doors.

  Now that Eisav was sitting alone, staring at the sterile white walls and inhaling that sterile hospital scent, his mind went into overdrive. Life had been a series of promises, choices, mistakes, and regrets. It had also brought him a gift: Cain. He pictured Cain as a baby, and it physically hurt to think of Grace raising him on her own. No wonder she was a bloody mess. No wonder she reacted the way she did about the news of him fathering a child.

  The hours ticked by as his restlessness grew. He stood up and paced the halls, giving the nurses a quick glare and hoping for some news. Grace will be okay, he repeated in his mind. He would send her positive thoughts, and she would fight to be okay. In his mind he planned their future, wanting to make every promise a reality, every dream come true. With too much time on his hands, he began to research the best art schools in the country. He had to do something because losing hope was not an option.

  Four hours later a man dressed in blue scrubs finally made his way over to Eisav. Eisav’s heart slowed to a dreadful thump. It was like watching a bad scene play out in slow motion. He shot up from his chair as adrenaline spiked in his blood. It had to be good news. It had to be.

  Three days later

  As sunlight spilled through the hospital window, Eisav sat by Grace’s bed. He hadn’t left her side for a moment. The doctors had worked endless hours to reset her broken bones, stitch her shredded skin, and inflate a punctured lung, but the swelling in her brain proved the greatest challenge. There was no instant remedy at the doctor’s disposal, only an induced coma with the hopes the swelling would subside and she would wake. With the devastating news, Eisav took to her side, held her hand in his, and wouldn’t leave.

  His sisters and Ilana had come and gone. They’d brought him food and fresh clothes. He was grateful to have their support. It had been too long since he felt part of a family. The feeling of having someone be there for you had been swept away when his father banished him. Despite his familial support, he still felt like a broken man while his other half lay quietly in a hospital bed with ventilators and machines attached to her, helping her breathe and monitoring her heart. Her pale skin looked dull, her beautiful jade eyes closed and sunken. Eisav felt so hopeless that he did the only thing he knew how to do. He sang to her.

  “Gracie, I was walking in the shadows alone until I found you. You’re my everything! Everything! You’re the air I breathe. You’re my destiny. Oh, Gracie! Please come back to me!” His voice was low and raspy, singing close to her ear, praying she could hear his words. As the hours ticked by, his songs turned into strangled pleas. “Grace, please,” he begged as tears streamed down his face. Still holding her fragile hand in his, he used his other hand to swipe the tears away. “Grace, I told you I met Cain. He’s perfect, Grace. I can see you in him, and I fell in love with him instantly. If you had any doubts about that, I want you to put them to rest because from the moment I laid eyes on that boy, something tugged at my heartstrings. Just like the first day I met you, Grace. I felt that same tug, and dammit you were only eleven years old … The thing is, Grace, I’m not sure it’s normal, but the first time I saw you I knew you would be my friend forever. As I grew up, I knew you would be my lover and my soul mate. There’s no one else but you in my frayed heart, Grace. You possess me completely and totally.” Eisav paused, pressing their joined hands to his forehead as he gave up trying to control the tears streaming down his cheeks. He felt a lifetime of regret sitting on his shoulders. He had lots of time to think these last few days, and he realized he made so many mistakes. He’d been a helpless kid, but maybe he could have and should have done more.

  “I know I failed you, Grace, believe me I know, but please give me the chance to make it up to you. I need you to open those beautiful eyes and look at me.” He let out a harsh breath and braced himself. “Do you know what you to do to me with just your stare?” He laughed through his tears. “You undo me. I love you, Grace. I always have. I know you’ve been through too much these last few years, baby. I want to work hard to move past it. I want to marry you. I want to live with you and Cain in the city of your choice. Marie mentioned you were doing night school to finish your high school diploma. I’m here to help and support you in any way you need. I was looking into art schools on the internet. There are so many to choose from: Yale, University of California, School of Visual Arts in New York, School of the Art Institute Chicago … I’ll go anywhere you want. I’m sure they’ll all be honored to have you because you’re so talented.” Eisav took another breath. He had been talking to her like this for days, hoping she could hear him.

  When night fell Eisav felt was in such despair, his mind went blank before he actually began to pray—something he hadn’t done in a long time. His whole idea of religion was skewed thanks to Father Joseph and Isaac Duncan, but the more he spoke with his sisters when they stopped in for visits, Greta especially, he realized how wrong he had been about the power of prayer. He only prayed God would hear his words and wake his angel up.

  “Eisav.” Ilana came into the room and tapped his shoulder. He had been hunched over Grace and hadn’t heard his friend enter the hospital room.

  “Hi.” He forced a smile.

  “I think you should leave, maybe take a shower. I’ll stay with her. I promise I won’t leave. Marie’s here too. She just went to grab some coffee from the cafeteria,” Ilana said sorrowfully. “Um, Eisav, I heard Marie speaking with Greta earlier and Cain is pretty upset. He was living at the Duncan farm before you arrived. Everyone thought it was better to break all the news to you slowly …”

  Eisav cut Ilana off. “They were scared I would react badly?” he asked, feeling angry with himself. “My boy had to go live with his aunt because they didn’t trust I would react well,” he raked his fingers through his hair, drawing his own conclusions.

  “Your mom had to tell you about your paternity, and Grace was engaged to Jacob. They didn’t want Cain to be around all that commotion. That’s how Marie explained it, at least. Anyway, Grace had been disappearing to Greta’s ranch every night to take care of Cain, so he still got to see his mommy. Problem is now he knows something is wrong. He’s small, Eisav. He’s been crying a lot.”

  Eisav stood from his position at the bed, his eyes swollen with tears as he stared down
at his Grace. It hurt his heart to think his son was aching for his mother, just as he was. He turned to look at Ilana. “I’ll go to him. Although, I have a lot to learn,” he grimaced. Then he turned to look at Grace, “Angel, our son needs you. Did you hear that? He’s waiting for his mommy, Grace. He’s waiting for his mommy to put him to bed at night,” Eisav repeated, his voice cracking on the last words. This was all too painful. Watching Grace lie in bed for the past three days was torture.

  Ilana gave his back a rub. “Go ahead. I’m here. I’ll talk to her. I’ll tell her how much you love her,” she said reassuringly.

  He was so grateful for her that he pressed a kiss to her forehead and whispered, “Thank you.”

  “Uh, Eisav! Wait!” She stopped him at the door. “I almost forgot. Someone must have notified the reporters. There’s a good dozen of them at the front door to the hospital. Good thing they’re not allowed inside.”

  “Shit!” Eisav hissed. The last thing he wanted to deal with was reporters.

  “Who notified them?” he asked.

  Ilana shrugged. “Could be anyone that recognized you. Probably another patient. Sorry, big guy.” She frowned. “Do you want me to contact anyone from security to come out here?”

  “Nah. Let’s see how bad it gets. Then I’ll decide,” he replied. He went to Grace and placed a soft kiss on her forehead before leaving the room.

  He asked the cab driver to meet him at the back entrance of the hospital, and he slipped out seamlessly. Then he directed the driver to Greta’s ranch. It was early in the morning. He had no clue about Cain’s routine, but he hoped to spend a little bit of time getting to know his son before heading back to the hospital.

  He called Greta from the way, and she had just dropped off the boys at daycare. He completely forgot what day of the week it had been. He directed the cab driver back to the Duncan farm so he could shower and change. Leaving the hospital had only increased his anxiety because he feared Grace would wake up, and he wouldn’t be the first thing she saw.