Island Love
Page 20
Getting off at the fifth floor he made the short trek to his nephew’s former office. An additional chair had been placed in front of the main desk. Walking over to the window he looked across the street and got a bird’s eye view of the layout for the memorial services. It was a poignant moment for him for he knew that his nephew loved to look out of this same window at the beach and the ocean. Now he was gone.
A second later the phone rang.
Sitting down at the desk, he picked up the phone and placed it near his mouth.
“Hello, Mr. Douglass speaking,” he said. “Thank you Juanita. Yes, please escort them in.”
Rising up he walked around the front of the desk to greet Tina and Leïla with a generous hug. Both entered wearing black dresses and black pumps, though different in style. Both women wore dark shades. Both wore long solemn faces. The quintessential gentleman that he had inspired and taught his nephew to be, he introduced the two women to each other, then assisted both of them into the two chairs. He returned to his seat at the desk.
“Ladies, I have invited you two here because first, you agreed to meet with me and each other, and because I think it befitting that the two women who meant the world to Marcus are here to attend his memorial service.
“I’m going to be the first to say how torn up inside I am over this untimely tragedy. I can only imagine how you two feel. I know not why things like this happen. I can only hope that they happen for a reason.
“Now, it is my understanding that the two of you are each carrying the child of my beloved nephew. I believe that in light of his untimely death it is befitting that he has left a part of himself with you. I know that he loved to buy gifts for you. But none of the gifts he has given to you will ever equal the precious gift you both find yourselves nurturing inside.
“Know that if there is anything you may need, just let me or his aunt know. And I will see to it that it is taken care of. That I promise. I just ask that you let my wife and I see our grandchildren whenever it can be reasonably arranged. My hope is that they will grow up knowing one another and also have a relationship with one another. That’s my sincere hope.
“I also hope there is little or no animosity between you two. I’ve spoken to my nephew on numerous occasions about the pain he suffered while trying to deal with the complex situation that he found himself in. Fate dealt him a hand I never want to see come my way. No, I don’t envy what he had to go through. And I know you two have been through a lot as well. And I commend you both for the way you handled it.”
Pausing he reached over and handed a box of tissues to the two women who had begun to tear. After a few seconds, he continued.
“You both are very beautiful looking women and very intelligent young women and I know that both of you loved Marcus very much. May you honor his memory always and cherish the love he had for both of you. Trust me; I know how difficult and all-consuming it can be to love one woman. I love my wife dearly but there are times I want to pull my hair out.”
That statement brought a smile to their faces.
“Look, my nephew was blessed with enough love in his heart to love both of you. That is a testament to the big heart he had inside of him. I miss him and love him. May he forever rest in peace. That’s all I have to say ladies on that.
“As you know, his funeral will be in Tampa tomorrow evening. I hope to see both of you there. You are a part of Marcus’ family now. And his aunt and I are proud to welcome both of you into our family. I guess that wraps it up for me. Please feel free to speak if you care to.”
Leïla leaned forward saying, “I just want to say that I loved your nephew as few women can love a man. From what Marcus shared with me about Tina, I know that she loved him as much as I have. I have no ill feelings towards her, none at all. I believe we were all victims in this at some point in time. But I believe we were also beneficiaries as well. I got the opportunity to know love as I never have before. That I have Marcus to thank for,” she concluded turning towards Tina and reaching out to touch her hand.
Facing Leïla, Tina leaned forward and spoke. “I too, want to emphasize that I have nothing but the highest regard for Leïla and what she went through on that island and what she went through afterwards not knowing what had happened to Marcus. The child that I carry inside of me will never be lacking for love, as I know that the child Leïla carries will never be deprived of love. If anything ever happened to Leïla I want to be the one to raise her child.”
“And likewise, the same with me,” Leïla replied. “I know that every time I look into my child’s eyes and face, and Tina’s child, I will see Marcus. I just know that I will,” she said, breaking down and crying. Tina joined her as the two embraced and sobbed.
Rising up, Kurt walked around the front of the desk and kneeling, embraced the two women and had a good cry with them.
Juanita rapped on the door to let them know that it was time to head over to the memorial service. Seeing the three sobbing she broke down as well, crying as she walked over and joined them.
On the desk sat an 11”x 8” color photo of Marcus looking down on them. And with a peaceful, warm and infectious smile.
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