Nobody’s Child (New Life Tabernacle Series Book 1)

by LaShonda Bowman

  What she hadn't imagined, however, was that on the eve of her revenge being fulfilled, the woman whom she'd set out to destroy, the woman she thought she'd hate until the day she died—that very woman—would hand her a gift.

  "Open it."

  Robin slid the small rectangle box across the mahogany and leather coffee table. She was so full of excited anticipation, she could hardly sit still.

  ”What is it?"

  Robin cocked her head to the side and grinned. "Do you really think I went through all the trouble of wrapping it, only to tell you what's inside? You better get to tearing that paper, girl!"

  Makayla hesitated. If Robin knew what was coming... If she had any idea what awaited her in the morning...

  Suddenly, Makayla's mouth felt so dry, she could hardly swallow. She took a long drink from her glass of lemonade.

  "You've already done so much for me. Too much. I can't accept this."

  For a moment, Robin’s smile faded. Then, gently touching Makayla's hand with her own, she said, "But that’s what today was all about." She held up the box. "This is what parents do. They give to their children. I could never do too much for you, baby. I thought you understood that."

  That was another thing Makayla had never imagined: Robin being so…good.

  It wasn’t supposed to be like this…

  Robin set the box down in front of Makayla again and watched her, her eyes sparkling with expectation.

  Makayla made herself look at the box. The wrapping paper was an intricate foil stamp design that reflected all the light sources in the room. A beautiful satin ribbon was wrapped around the box and tied into an intricate bow. Makayla reached out and touched the ribbon with the tips of her fingers, but couldn't bring herself to do any more than that.

  ''Well?"

  When Makayla didn't respond, Robin shook her head and laughed. "I see the next thing we need to work on is your receiving.''

  She picked up the box and pulled at one of the bow's tails. Within seconds, she’d torn through the paper and opened the box it concealed. Robin took out the glittering platinum bracelet inside and put it on Makayla's wrist.

  "There.” She leaned in to admire it. “Perfect."

  All Makayla could do was think about how much she wished there was a rock big enough for her to crawl under.

  "Look," Robin said, turning the platinum and diamond studded heart over so Makayla could see the inscription on the back. "It's today's date. To commemorate the christening. When you look at it, I want you to know what this day means to me. What you mean to me."

  A wave of nausea passed over Makayla and she clenched her jaw and held her breath. Seeing the pained look on her face, Robin pressed her lips together.

  "Don't you like it?"

  Makayla attempted a smile and nodded.

  “Sure. Yeah. I love it. I just—could you give me a minute?"

  Without waiting for a response, Makayla jumped up and rushed out of the room. Running down the hallway, she headed straight to the bathroom.

  Shutting the door behind her, she took out her mobile phone and dialed the same number she'd been calling all evening.

  "Please, please..."

  If only someone would pick up, she’d be able to stop the wrecking ball set to level Robin's life.

  As she waited, she did something she hadn't done in over five years—she prayed.

  "Makayla?”

  Makayla flinched. She looked at Robin, sitting on the other end of the couch, remote in hand. Makayla saw she’d paused the DVR playback.

  "Girl, what's wrong with you?"

  I'm thinking about how much you’ll hate me this time tomorrow.

  "Nothing."

  Robin gave her a sidelong glance. “Makayla.”

  Makayla didn't have any defense, so she remained silent, chewing on her lip. Robin watched her, eyes narrowed.

  “Have I done or said something?”

  "Why would you think that?"

  "Well,” Robin said, folding and tucking her legs under her. "Let's see… At dinner, you barely said more than two words. After you got your christening gift, you hid in the bathroom for I don't know how long. For most of the evening, you've been sitting about as far away from me as humanly possible. And every time I try to talk to you, it’s like you’re million miles away."

  "Sorry."

  "No, no, no. You don't have to be sorry. Just— Talk to me. Something's obviously bothering you. Maybe I can help."

  For a split second, it seemed the obvious solution. To tell her. Tell her everything. Maybe it would be okay. Maybe it’d even be like Makayla had dreamed when she was a girl. That moment when she finally got to look into her mother's eyes, feel the touch of her hand across her face. It was the hope she’d laid her head on every night as she went to sleep. The one and only comfort she’d had to cling to when Kim went into one of her rages or the kids at school whispered about all she didn’t have.

  This could very well be that moment.

  Or it could be that other thing. The thing she dreaded, expected and, truthfully, deserved.

  Rejection.

  What were the chances it’d be anything else? The odds certainly weren’t in her favor. The way Robin looked at her? That would change. Instead of beloved goddaughter, she’d see the face of the man who had hurt her. And Makayla was pretty sure she'd rather die than see that reflected in Robin’s eyes.

  And then there was the rest of it. The complete and total mess Makayla had stirred up for the interview in the morning. She’d thought she could fix it. She’d really believed it was possible. Now that she knew it wasn’t, she felt numb.

  No. She couldn't tell the truth. She couldn't say a word. All she could do was try to memorize every moment of the evening because after tomorrow, memories would be all she had left.

  "Makayla…” Robin's voice was soft. "I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but just in case, I want to clear the air and apologize—”

  "For what? You haven’t done any—“ Makayla's voice broke and she didn't trust herself to finish the sentence.

  Robin moved closer and rested her hand on Makayla's shoulder.

  "That day at your apartment, when I brought up your parents, I need you to know it wasn’t my intention to embarrass you. If I’d had any idea what a painful subject it was… I never meant to hurt you. You know that, right?"

  Makayla nodded, but couldn't bring herself to look at Robin as she did.

  "And if I ever say or do anything that makes you feel that way, please, tell me. If something is bothering you, even if that ‘something’ is me, you can say so. Understand?"

  Again, Makayla kept her head down, but nodded.

  Robin sighed and lifted Makayla's chin so she could look her in her eyes. "Little girl, little girl. What am I gonna do with you?"

  She grabbed a nearby throw pillow, put it on her lap and patted it.

  "Come on."

  Using the hand still on Makayla's shoulder, she guided her down until her head was resting on the pillow.

  She stroked her hair and said, “Right now we're just gonna veg out and watch some of that atrocious reality TV you love and whatever is bothering you won't seem so bad come tomorrow morning." She leaned over and kissed Makayla on the cheek. "I promise."

  Chapter 30

  Robin was wrong.

  Makayla only became more anxious with every hour that brought her closer to Monday morning. It got so bad around three o’clock, she thought she was having a heart attack. Her chest felt like an elephant had sat on it and her heart was beating so hard, she feared it would burst. At one point, she hoped it was a heart attack. That would have been preferable to what was coming.

  Unable to be still, she got out of bed and spent the next hour pacing the room, trying to think of something—anything—she could do to keep Robin from the radio station.

  She considered faking serious illness, but that would only put them in the emergency room without a real emergency. Fooling Robin was one thi
ng, a room full of experienced nurses and doctors was another.

  She thought maybe she could do something to Robin's car, but Makayla knew less than nothing about cars and Robin would probably just call a car service anyway.

  Her ideas went from the ridiculous to the completely implausible and she kept coming back to one simple fact—there were only two choices.

  One: She could say nothing, go to the interview, watch Robin get sandbagged and pray to God it never came out she was the confidential source. While Robin would never know she was the one at fault, she’d discover who Makayla was and, no doubt, want nothing more to do with her.

  Two: She could tell Robin everything. Makayla would have to own up to the part she’d played in it, but it would keep Robin from going to the radio station. But even that wasn’t guaranteed to solve anything.

  Even if she could get Robin to cancel the interview, who's to say Wallace wouldn't spill everything on-air anyway? He liked to catch people off-guard, yes, but even without Robin in-studio, it was a juicy story. Perhaps too juicy to pass up.

  Makayla could picture it already. The story would be all over the internet, maybe even the news shows on TV. Rape. Abortion. Abandonment. How would Robin face all that? How would she face Robin?

  Makayla buried her face in her hands. She would have given anything to just disappear.

  That’s when a thought dawned on her. And the more she considered it, the more she realized there was a third choice.

  She could just disappear.

  It was cowardly. She knew that. But really, with all the mess she'd already done, what was one more offense?

  Makayla took out her phone, did a quick Google search and called a number. Moving as quickly and quietly as possible, she got dressed and stuffed what little she brought with her back into her messenger bag.

  She scribbled a note for Robin.

  I'm sorry. I lied to you. Please don't do the interview.

  Then she left the house and met the cab she had waiting for her down the street.

  Chapter 31

  After a quick stop at her apartment to grab her duffel bag, Makayla finally made it to the Dallas Greyhound Station and for the first time in days, felt she could breathe.

  After purchasing her ticket, she located an empty bench in an area with few people. After settling in, she reached in her duffel bag and took out the balled up piece of paper she’d retrieved from the trash and stuffed inside before leaving her apartment. Careful not to cause any rips or tears, she opened the paper, then smoothed it out over her knee.

  She let herself look at the Jones family only until the familiar sting of tears pricked at her eyes. She reopened her duffel bag, took out her manila envelope and added the picture to the other treasures it held. Then she unzipped the side pocket and took out the bracelet she’d put inside.

  She kept her hand around it, making sure no one in the bus station saw the platinum or diamonds sparkle. If she hadn’t been in such a hurry, she would’ve thought to leave it with the note. Once she was settled and had the money, she’d send it back to Robin. Until then, she’d keep it safe in the manila envelope, as well.

  Maybe it was hardly sleeping for the past few nights. Maybe it was the relief of finally escaping the pressure, but Makayla suddenly felt exhausted. Exhausted and hungry. She took out her wallet and looked inside. That's when she remembered why spur-of-the-moment decisions were such a bad idea. She didn't get paid until Friday and most of her money had just went to rent. Add to that the ridiculous amount she’d just spent on cab fare, not to mention her brand spanking new, nonrefundable bus ticket…

  Makayla leaned her head back on the bench. "Stupid…”

  Then she remembered the tuna and water she always carried with her. In a matter of minutes, she devoured all three packets. It wasn't much, but it took the edge off. But with the hunger no longer gnawing at her, the exhaustion became irresistible.

  She checked the clock on her phone. With plenty of time before her bus left, she decided to take a nap. Using her duffel bag as a pillow, she stretched out on the hard, blue bench and set the alarm on her phone.

  For a little while, she could sink into the blissful darkness of unconsciousness. For a little while, she could forget.

  When Makayla woke up, it was due to an announcement about a three bus delay and not her alarm. The area around her had become crowded with travelers and their possessions. She sat up and stretched, then she picked up her phone to cancel the alarm.

  When she turned on her screen, she found several texts awaited her.

  Where are you?

  Would you please call me back?

  No idea what's happening. Worried.

  At apartment. Where did you go???

  Please let me know you're okay.

  Interview prep in half hour.

  Will leave phone with producer.

  Call or text, PLEASE.

  Even after reading every text, the phone’s notification light continued to flash. There were voice mails.

  Makayla stretched out her leg to stuff the phone in to her jeans pocket. She didn't want to listen to the voice messages. They would only weaken her resolve. She kept her eyes fixed on the big clock on the wall.

  One hour.

  Sixty minutes.

  All she had to do was sit tight for another hour and she’d be free. Free to be anyone she wanted to be. Anyone else other than who she was.

  One hour.

  One hour.

  One hour…

  She inwardly chanted the words like a prayer but, try as she might, other thoughts crept in.

  She imagined Robin waking up to find her gone. She remembered the one night when Robin was out of town and called thirty minutes later than usual. It was the longest thirty minutes of Makayla’s life. All she could think about were the dozens of bad things that could’ve happened.

  She took her phone out of her pocket.

  Maybe one text.

  Just to let Robin know she was okay.

  Makayla looked at the phone in her hand, but remained still.

  It shouldn't matter that Robin was worried. The best thing she could do for her was disappear from her life forever. Robin didn't understand that yet, but in about an hour and a half, it would be crystal-clear.

  Makayla looked back at the clock, tapping her foot anxiously.

  You're doing the lady of favor. Put it behind you. In the long run, it's what's best. For everyone.

  Makayla let out a breath she wasn't even aware she’d been holding and nodded. It was for the best.

  She long pressed the button to power off her phone and just as she did, her text notification sounded. It showed the sender as Robin. But instead of a regular text message, it was a photo. Makayla tapped the notification several times, but it was too late. The phone was already shutting down.

  After what seemed like an eternity for it to power back on, Makayla anxiously opened her messages to get a look at the picture.

  It was one she’d never seen. One of the dozens taken of her and Robin at the christening. In it, Makayla looked into the camera, obviously unhappy about the whole thing. But Robin looked at her. And the joy on her face made it luminous.

  It was the kind of picture Makayla used to daydream about.

  When she was a kid, she cut a picture out of a mother-daughter article in an old Ebony magazine. She carried it around with her wherever she went. Each night, she looked at it and tried to imagine her face and the face of the woman she’d come from.

  She didn't have to imagine anymore. She was looking at it. She was looking at her childhood dream come true, and it was nothing short of beautiful.

  Short-lived.

  Impossible.

  But beautiful.

  Makayla knew there was no way Robin would want anything to do with her once she learned the truth. And who could blame her?

  Rape.

  The word made her skin crawl. But there it was. And there she was, as a result.

  Robin could'v
e chosen not to have her. The Planned Parenthood pamphlet was evidence the thought had crossed her mind. But she did have her. And if not for anything other than that difficult choice, Makayla owed her.

  She looked at the clock.

  Yes, in just a little while, she could get on a bus and put the dunghill that was the truth of her beginnings, behind her. But something had happened. Something she’d never expected.

  For the first time in a long time, Makayla realized she loved her mother.

  Chapter 32

  When Makayla busted into the lobby of the radio station, she didn't wait for the flabbergasted receptionist to ask her what she needed. She ran right past the brunette and down the first of two corridors.

  She kept running even when she heard the woman request assistance from security.

  Past a break room, open office doors and confused workers, she ran.

  When a security guard called out to her to stop where she was, she ran faster.

  When she got to the end of the hall and it split in two directions, she asked the God that Robin believed in to help her choose and immediately veered left.

  She looked over her shoulder to see the security guard gaining on her, now joined by two other station employees. And just when she thought they might catch up to her, she saw a placard that read The Wallace Davis Show and above it, a bright-red, digital display with the words, On-Air.

  Dropping her duffel and messenger bags to gain speed, she shot for the door, busting in on Bree and a guy at the board. Seconds later, her abrupt entry into the studio also had the attention of the people in the booth—Wallace Davis, his sidekick cohost, and Robin.

  Everyone was so shocked by her sudden entry, no one tried to stop her as she raised the engraved heart pendant she'd been holding in her hand and held it to the glass.

  Her heart in her throat, she watched a wide-eyed Robin as understanding and, then, recognition, swept over her. Slowly, Robin stood and came to the glass between them. She stared at the pendant, then Makayla.