“Eduardo!” I was terrified. “Just let them be, let’s not get into any trouble here. Why don’t we just go back and go another way?” Eduardo made a face in response to my outburst. I began to shake as the men diverted their attention from the Cadillac to Eduardo. As they approached the car, he lowered the window, and threatened them in Spanish. Suddenly the Cadillac moved, and Eduardo quickly drove off. Frozen in our seats, Paulo and I were speechless.
Eduardo spoke in a casual tone. “Hey Paulo, did you take your medicine today?” Still breathless with fright, neither Paulo nor I answered him.
A mile or two down the road, we located the address Ellen had given us. Within seconds, she was on the sidewalk beside the car. “Ellen!” Paulo called as Eduardo spotted her.
“Paulo, stay right where you are. I’ll get her.” He saw to it that Ellen was safely seated beside Paulo. She said hello to me and kissed Paulo, as he reached to hug her. Encouraged by her kiss, he pulled her closer, and passionately pressed his tongue into her mouth.
“Paulo!” Eduardo had returned to the driver’s seat. I just shook my head.
***
Seated at our table at last, Paulo looked nauseous. He quickly excused himself and headed to the rest room. Eduardo grunted in my direction, took the medical kit, and followed his brother. Confused, Ellen wondered aloud about their sudden departure.
I took her hand. “Paulo just gets nervous sometimes, honey. It’s like we discussed – he’s inexperienced when it comes to dating and social skills. As a matter of fact, this is his first real date. I know he was so excited to be going out with you. I think it just hit him. He probably didn’t know quite what to say, so he ran off.”
Eduardo
“Paulo! What’s goin’ on?” Eduardo came through the door to find his brother leaning against the sink. He took him by the shoulders. “Are you okay? You look pale.”
“I’m okay.” Paulo put his arms to his stomach.
“Just sit here a minute” Eduardo directed him to a chair and opened the medical kit.
“No! No Eduardo, I’m fine! Really.”
“Look, it’s been a long day. Better safe than sorry. Don’t worry, okay? Everything’s gonna be fine.” Eduardo prepared the factor and gave his brother the infusion. He rubbed his back in a calming gesture. Paulo seemed relieved that he was being kind. He’d regretted his short temper earlier.
“So what’s botherin’ you little brother?” Eduardo took care to keep his voice low.
It was a while before Paulo could speak. “I – I just am worried. What if she doesn’t like me?”
He burst out laughing, and the harder he tried to stop the harder he laughed, and the redder his brother’s face grew. Eduardo was out of breath. “Paulo. You signed a freakin’ contract today that’s gonna make you a rock star. You had every celebrity in town come to meet you and kiss up to you. And you’re out to dinner with a candy striper from the wrong side of the tracks. She’s probably never in her life even been in a restaurant like this. And you’re worried she won’t like you?”
Tears came to his eyes. “I love her! I don’t want to mess up.”
Unable to control his laughter, Eduardo reached for his brother and held him.
It was a while before the two reappeared at the table. They did not offer an excuse for their prolonged absence, but at least Eduardo felt better. Nita had ordered Merlot and some appetizers. Ellen nervously played with a stuffed mushroom.
His hand shaking, Paulo took the wine, and went to pour a glass for Ellen.
“Yeah, sixteen is a problem here, Paulo.” Eduardo grabbed for the bottle, and Paulo jerked it back. Wine shot across the table. Eduardo and Nita, both sprayed red, broke into waves of laughter, as the waiter rushed to their rescue with a damp cloth.
Ellen’s wide-eyed shock gave way to a giggle. She shyly looked over to see Paulo watching her, slowly relaxing as the laughter continued. She took his hand. They smiled at each other.
The Merlot incident behind them, the two couples had an enlightening and enjoyable evening. Paulo was fascinated to learn Ellen would never touch alcohol of any type, because her mother and father were alcoholic. She was terrified she would succumb to that disease.
Although Ellen had told Paulo that her father had left her mother when she was a small child in Georgia, Paulo did not comprehend until this evening, just how alone in this world Ellen really was. He admired her self-sufficiency and her positive attitude. He had not realized the dire poverty and abuse she had survived. He had not realized Ellen spent most nights at her girlfriend’s apartment to avoid her mother, who usually returned home intoxicated.
Unfortunately, Ellen and her mother would often argue, mostly about her drinking and her habit of bringing home men. Ellen said she found it easier to dodge these issues by avoiding coming home.
Although much of their conversation was serious, Nita saw to it that most of the evening was devoted to humorous tales about family members, particularly Eduardo, who had managed to spend most of his youth in some sort of mischief. But there were enough stories about Paulo and his amazing musical genius to keep Ellen engrossed. Fortified by a few sips of Eduardo’s Merlot, Paulo was able to join in the conversation, and even told a few stories of his own. He took Ellen’s hand at every opportunity.
The evening passed too quickly for Paulo. He consoled himself with Nita’s thoughtfulness in arranging another date for them, and he looked forward to seeing Ellen over the coming weekend. Of course, he would still be able to see her occasionally at the hospital, but Joe and Doug had quickly booked his schedule for the week. And David would be discharged soon. The family would be relocating to a hotel. Security measures were already underway.
Chapter Fifteen
David
It was 5:30 AM on April 14th and David sat in the recliner, staring out the window, contemplating how he might have a most special birthday present from Debbie. The noble idea of waiting until marriage was growing very old.
“David.” He could see her smile in the dim light, as she came through the door. He felt like Little Red Riding Hood’s wolf.
She deposited an oatmeal concoction with a candle in it on the table and dove into his waiting arms. “Happy Birthday!” She giggled.
He kissed her. “It’s the best one yet.” He meant it. Tears welled up in her eyes, and he pushed them away with his thumb.
“David, I know you’ve been through the worst time of your life, but I know things will get better now. Cat said God is with you. And with me, too. I say my prayers every day now, and I know it’s helping. She said God will never leave us or forsake us. Even if things are really really bad, He’s there with us. It’s kind of hard to understand sometimes, but I know she’s right. I feel like God is helping me. And you.”
“I think so, Sweetheart.”
“Well, I’ve always heard: the darkest hour is just before dawn. Do you think God made that up?”
He chuckled. “I suppose so.”
“Well, I just make sure to ask God for help every day now. Cat said as long as we have faith, and trust God to take care of everything, He will. So mostly now, I ask God if I could have faith and trust as strong as Cat’s. That’s probably what I need most now.” She nodded for emphasis.
***
As Cat came through the door with the rest of the family, he realized his birthday was also Good Friday. How appropriate. After all the “Happy Birthday” wishes, he was invited to a birthday breakfast and Good Friday services. Apparently God had a sense of humor.
By 6:00 that evening he was worn out, and Debbie dozed in his arms in the recliner. He was grateful George and Marion had mostly left them alone today.
Cat came through the door, pulled up a chair and took his free hand. There was a strange mix of fervor and peacefulness in her eyes. He’d never seen anyone like Cat, no matter where he went in the world. She was unique. Those eyes confounded him.
“Good Friday is such a solemn day, and such a hopeful one. How amazing y
our birthday has fallen on Good Friday this year.”
“Amazing,” he said. He could wait to hear why, but he knew he wouldn’t have to.
“Jesus, the one perfect human, and son of God, gave His life to save us all from sin and death. He’s washed us clean with His Precious Blood. I picked up my Bible this morning, and it opened to 1 Corinthians 6.”
“Amazing.” He felt compelled to egg her on.
Cat returned his sarcastic smirk. “It reminds us we are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought at a price. A huge price – it takes my breath away. His blood paid for us. We are not our own, and we honor God with our body, His temple. With Christ’s sacrifice, we now walk in light as His Children. We can now focus on all the positives, the light, rather than the darkness.”
“Sounds good to me.” He stroked Debbie’s hair. She was his light, his gift.
Cat was in another world. “Philippians 4 is one of my favorite chapters. ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.’ God can give us peace in a troubled world. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we can have peace beyond all understanding.”
“How do you always know the right prayer, the right Bible passage?” he whispered.
Her gaze returned to earth. “When I have the right words, it’s the grace of God. That’s all. I hope you’re encouraged.”
He smiled. “Debbie is all of those things – true, noble, pure, lovely – all those positive things. How did I get so lucky all of a sudden? How did it happen?”
“It’s all the grace of God. Today we remember His sacrifice so on Easter we may celebrate this grace, all the wonderful gifts we have through Him. Happy Birthday.” She stood and kissed his cheek.
Debbie
“Debbie, dear, where is David?” Mama came through the door without knocking, like she always did now, and Daddy was right behind her. It was a few days after Easter, and David was getting stronger by the day.
I looked up from my painting. “He’s at the shooting range, Mama. He said he’ll be back soon, though.”
“Debbie, we’ve got most of your things all packed up, dear.” Daddy made an effort to sound upbeat. “We just need to get your paints together. I imagine you want David to keep the paintings here. Anyway, the car will be here shortly. And the whole family will be visiting us on Sunday for a nice barbecue. I think the doctors will probably let David come for a time. He seems to be in excellent shape at this point.” Daddy clapped his hands in anticipation of my obedient response.
“No, Daddy.” I looked up at him with a shiver. “I’m staying here with David.”
He glared down at me.
Mama put her hands to her face in distress. “Debbie, you can’t stay here forever, dear.”
“I know Mama, just till David is well. Then we’re going to be married.”
“What?” Daddy roared.
I deliberately tried to keep my composure, and avoid my father’s furious eyes. I stared into Grammy’s heavenly face. She smiled back at me from the canvas. “I… I’m staying with David, Daddy… But… but we can come and… and… visit you on Sunday, I think.”
“You’re coming home with us now, young lady!” Daddy grabbed me by the arm, pulling me from my seat and out the door. My paintings scattered on the floor.
David
He was relieved that his shooting skills were unchanged, but unhappy that he was far too easily exhausted. He looked forward to relaxing in the fresh air with Debbie.
But there was only a mess in his room, and concern turned to heaviness in his chest. He found his parents alone on the deck, and he sensed an uneasy conversation. His father met him with a hug.
“David, the Aldridges invited all of us to their home this Sunday. You’ll be able to see Debbie then. I’m sure you can make arrangements to see her on a regular basis. She’s just not ready to be married. She needs time to grow up a bit.”
“She can grow up with me.”
“David. Please.”
“No, Papa. It’s her father that’s keeping her sick and unhappy enough to want to starve herself to death. You see how she cowers when he’s around. And Marion certainly won’t stand up for her. All she’s worried about is what’s proper. They can’t see any of it. They can’t even see what they’re doing to her.”
“And you’re going to rescue her?”
“I guess so.”
“David. Is that any way to begin a marriage? It’s enough of a challenge between two adults who love each other. Don’t cause yourself heartache.”
“The only heartache I have, Papa, is to be without her.”
“Look, for now, just spend time with her, dating. Don’t worry about marrying her.”
Overcome with nausea, David sunk into a chair and held his head in his hands.
Glori
I sat by the pool with a magazine and my phone while Cindy and Raphael splashed around. Dottie ran out to us looking pretty flustered. “Cindy! Glori!”
“Are you okay, Mom?” Cindy sat on the step, wiping her face with the towel Raphael gave her.
“I just got a call from Bud. The Aldridges got back home today, and they weren’t there an hour when Debbie had some kind of heart attack. Arrhythmias or something like that, he said. I’m on my way to the hospital. Your father is there with them.”
Cindy clasped her hands to her chest in panic. “Is she going to be okay, Mom?” Cin could barely speak.
“I don’t know, honey. I don’t think they know yet. When Bud called, he said they were still working on her.”
Raphael pulled Cindy to him, to comfort her. We all got dressed and then drove to the hospital in a procession of cars and bodyguards. Debating with himself throughout the trip, Raphael finally decided he’d call Eduardo when they spoke to Debbie’s doctor. He worried what David would do when he heard the news.
***
Dr. Gallagher came to the waiting room, not long after we arrived. George stopped his pacing to glare at him, and Marion wrung her hands. “Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge, Debbie’s condition seems to be stable at this point. Her cardiologist is still with her. He thinks she can pull through this, one more time. He’ll be out to talk to you in a little bit. I’m not sure when you’ll be able to see Debbie. She’s going to be asleep for a while, I expect.”
George began to cry. Startled by his response, Dr. Gallagher excused himself. He probably had enough of old George’s tirades the last time Debbie was here. But George must’ve realized everyone was shocked to see tears, so he left the room next. Bud and Dottie offered Marion what reassurance they could.
Cin and I went with Raphael to the lobby to make the phone call to Eduardo. Raphael explained the situation, and worried about David’s reaction. He winced into the phone.
“What’d he say?” Cin couldn’t wait.
Raphael smirked. “It really boils down to who you want dead. If he tells David about this, he’ll kill George Aldridge. If he doesn’t tell him about this, he’ll kill Eduardo.” Raphael laughed out loud. “So now you know why I called you first, Eduardo.”
Raphael was serious again. “So what do we do?”
“You’ve got to tell him.” Cin whispered at him, and I nodded.
“Yeah, I know he’s gonna flip out.” Raphael nodded, trying to conduct a four-way conversation. “Yeah, right. George and Marion will realize the error of their ways and beg David to marry their daughter immediately. Eduardo!” Raphael raised his voice, “Let’s be realistic.”
Eduardo
He spoke with General Pearson and Dr. Earle. Both men agreed Eduardo could drive David to Beverly Hills for a brief visit with Debbie. Grateful for their cooperation, he reluctantly went to find him to deliver the news.
He found David in his room with Cisco and Cat. Momentarily perplexed, he noticed Cat was holding David’s hand to comfort him. Then he knew Cat had prepared the way for him.
“David, I ne
ed to talk to you.”
“It’s Debbie, isn’t it?” David’s voice was remarkably calm.
“Yeah. Yeah, I guess she’s having problems with her heart again.”
David swallowed hard and coughed into his sleeve. His voice was barely a whisper. “Will you take me to her?”
“Sure.”
***
Raphael stood in the hall with his arms around Cindy. “Her condition is better. The doctors think she’s doing pretty well now.”
“That’s great.” Eduardo drew a sigh of relief. Wordlessly, David walked into the Mildred Walcott suite, and the others followed.
He walked passed George and Marion to Debbie’s bedside and took her hand. Her eyelids fluttered and her eyes half opened. “David.” She smiled at him.
David spoke to her softly. “Sweetheart, I’ll be right here with you. You mustn’t worry. I shan’t leave you again.” He straightened the loose ring on her finger.
***
Raphael yawned. “Eduardo, it’s almost nine o’clock. We need to get going. I’ve got an appointment first thing in the morning.” He helped Cindy and Glori from their seats.
“Yeah, sure.” Eduardo rubbed his eyes. “Have fun in San Diego. And don’t worry about things here. It’s gonna be okay.”
“Well if you need me, just call.” They walked to the elevators and said their good-byes.
Eduardo wandered back to Debbie’s room. Peering in the door, he found the Aldridge’s had left. David sat silently watching Debbie sleep. He noticed Eduardo at the door, and motioned him in.
“You don’t need to stay here, Eduardo,” David whispered.
Killer Cupid (The Redemption Series: Book 1) Page 17