by Rhonda Bowen
Portia bit her lip. “Just thinking about how things will probably change a lot next year.”
“Change is a part of life, hun,” Yvonne pulled eggs and vegetables from the fridge.
“I know,” Portia said. “And I am learning to be more flexible with things. But I think, that for you,” she looked at her brother. “Next year will probably be...exciting.”
Derek kept his eyes focused on her. “What are you getting at?”
Portia shrugged. “I don’t know, you and Morgan maybe getting married.”
He kept looking at her as if he knew there was more. She took a deep breath. She might as well tell him now.
“And with me leaving Solid.”
Derek’s fork clattered to his plate. Her mother dropped the green peppers.
“Where you think you going?” Yvonne asked, ignoring the vegetables on the ground.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Even though she answered her mother, Portia’s eyes remained fixed on her brother. “I just...I need to take a break.”
“You’ve been thinking about this a long time.”
Derek’s words were more statement than question. Portia nodded.
He sat back and sighed, rubbing the stubble on his chin. “Why?”
She shrugged. “It’s not fun for me anymore, Derek.”
And there it was. The truth she fought for the better part of the last year. The stress underneath all the stress related to Solid. The thing she had been unwilling to admit, because of all that admitting it would mean.
“I’m always tired and frustrated, feeling like I need to catch up. But most of all, we’re always fighting.” She stepped towards the counter. “I don’t want anything to get between us. You’re my brother, my twin and I want to be able to share and celebrate life with you. I want to be able to support you when you have a problem and not be against you. But I feel like in the last year, maybe longer, we have been against each other more than we have been for each other. And most times it has to do with Solid.”
He raised his hands helplessly. “Okay, so we’ll restructure. Take some of the pressure off you.”
Portia smiled, shaking her head slowly.
He sighed. “You really want out?”
She nodded.
“Even if I told you I agreed with you and we’re only looking at a thirty percent investment with Triple Crown?”
Portia’s smile widened. “Even then - although I am very happy to hear that.”
He reached across the counter and squeezed her hands. “You sure about this, P?”
“I’m sure.”
He scrubbed his face with his hands briefly. “Okay. If this is what you want. If this is what makes you happy, we’ll make it work.”
“Really?” She straightened a little. “You’re not mad?”
“Mad? No. Scared that I can’t do this without you? Yes.”
She walked around the counter and put her arms around his neck. “You’ll do fine. And you’re not without me. I’m still here for you. Always will be.”
She planted a loud noisy kiss on his check. He cringed and eased her away. “Alright, alright, no need to slobber all over me.”
She laughed and went back to the pancake, barely keeping it from burning.
“So what are you going to do?” Yvonne asked. She’d been beating eggs silently as her children discussed their company.
“Whatever makes me happy,” Portia poured batter into the pan.
“Which is?” Derek grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter.
Portia glanced behind her at her brother and grinned. “Right now? Cooking.”
He grunted. “Should have seen that one coming.”
“And I want to take some time for myself. Figure out what works for me. Probably gonna spend some time with Casey too.”
The apple rolled out of Derek’s hand. He barely caught it before it hit the ground. “You want to tell me all the surprises you got in store before I start trying to eat again?”
Portia laughed. “That’s the last one. She came to visit me in the hospital a couple times. It was okay talking to her. Weird, but okay. We had to set some rules, however.”
“Really, P?”
“Hey, they weren’t that bad. I just told her it would be hard for me to talk about Douglas so I needed to avoid that topic for a while.”
“What did she say to that?” Yvonne asked.
“She said she understood,” Portia said. “We’re supposed to meet up after the new year.”
“Well, baby sis, it sounds like you’re turning over a whole new leaf,” Derek walked into the kitchen and put an arm around Portia’s shoulders. “I just want you to know that whatever happens, I’m here for you.”
Yvonne reached over to touch Portia’s arm. “We both are.”
Portia blinked back tears. “Thanks guys.”
“You’re ...oww!” Derek pulled back his hand as a hot spatula slapped his hand before he could grab another pancake.
Portia laughed out loud as her mother glared at him.
“No touching the pots!”
Chapter 25
“So what is this about anyway?” Portia slipped on her sunglasses. “I thought the Christmas service was last night on Christmas Eve?”
Derek pulled his car into the parking lot of their church in Queens. “This is more of a...private service. We were all invited.”
Portia waited for her brother to come around and open the door before she continued her questioning. “Who’s we?”
She looked around the parking lot and got part of her answer. She spotted Morgan’s black Lexus parked a few spots over as was Milo’s old clunker which Portia was shocked had even turned over in this cold weather.
“Mom, do you know what this is about?” Portia glanced back as Derek opened the door for their mother.
Her mother shook her head. “No. But you can never have too much of the Lord’s house.”
That was all Portia got as she walked with her mother and brother towards the church entrance. The morning continued to be dazzlingly bright, with the sky blue and clear. The cold was just as dazzling and likely responsible for the crunchy snow that was still on the ground. But as Portia held on to her brother’s arm for support on the occasionally slippery driveway, she had no complaints. A few days earlier, she thought she would have to spend Christmas day inside a hospital room. But God had brought her home to spend the day with her family. It was a Christmas blessing she was grateful for and she was happy to spend a few moments inside His house on a weekday to thank Him for it. He had been so good to her, how could she ask for more? How could she offer any less?
A single usher stood in the foyer. He smiled and welcomed them inside. When they opened the doors, Portia saw that the crowd was small, roughly a dozen people, many of whom she already knew.
Her eyes widened when she saw familiar green eyes meet hers with a smile.
“Kristoffe?”
She let go of Derek’s arm and hurried to the front, hugging the taller man like he was an old friend.
“It’s great to see you again, Portia. We’re glad to know you’re okay,” he said when she stepped back. He reached out his arm and a shorter woman with smiling eyes and brown shoulder length hair moved to his side. “This is my wife Mandy.”
Portia grinned and reached out a hand. “Hi, I’m—”
“Portia. I know,” the woman laughed and folded her into a hug. “The number of times I’ve heard your name, I feel like I know you already.”
Portia squatted to eye level with two little blonde boys, clutching their mother’s legs. “And you must be James and Jason. Your uncle talks about you all the time.”
“Are you my uncle’s girlfriend?” the slightly taller one asked, still holding on to his mother’s leg. “Your picture is on his phone.”
From behind her, Portia heard Derek cough back a laugh. She smiled at the boys. “I am a girl and I am a friend of your uncle, so yes.”
&nbs
p; Derek snorted. “I don’t think that’s what they meant— oww!”
Portia looked up to where her brother stood, rubbing his arm. Morgan was beside him. Portia shot her friend a grateful look and gave Morgan a hug.
“Merry Christmas,” Morgan whispered in her ear. “I am so glad you’re home.”
“Me too,” Portia moved back to meet the woman’s smile. “Best Christmas gift I have gotten so far today.”
Morgan’s eyes twinkled. “You never know, the day is still young.”
Portia was about to ask her what she meant when a throat cleared from the front to gather everyone’s attention.
“Merry Christmas everyone and thank you for coming.”
Portia looked up surprised to see her pastor at the front in his robe.
“I know some of you may be wondering why you were invited here today,” Pastor Greg grinned. “But today, on Christmas day, we will be having a very special service for a special young man who is close to all your hearts.”
Portia’s mouth fell open as Khai walked out from the side door. He was barefoot and wore a robe similar to the one Pastor Greg was wearing. Portia’s heart pounded in her chest. Was this what she thought it was?
Her eyes followed him as he made his way over to where Pastor Greg stood, grinning with every step. His eyes flowed over the crowd and stopped at her. When he winked at her, Portia knew that it was indeed.
“I met Khai a couple weeks ago,” Pastor Greg said. “And the moment I met him, I knew something was special about him. But I could see he was in a struggle. I know all of you have been praying for him and in the few weeks I have known him, I have seen him have a life-changing encounter with God. It’s the kind I hope everyone can have. And because of it, he has chosen to give his heart to God and to show it through the symbolic act of baptism. I want you to know that this was his choice. He wanted it done today. He wanted to start the new year right. And when God moves someone to Him, we don’t dare stand in the way.”
Portia covered her mouth. She blinked rapidly, willing the moisture back and stilling her heart from exploding. She couldn’t believe what was happening. She couldn’t have prayed for this. She would never have been so bold. But her God was a big God, and when He answered prayer, He answered big.
Khai cleared his throat as he moved to the mic. “I just want to thank you all for coming. You all have been…really important to my life. And you are a big part of why I am here doing this today. Kristoffe, Mandy, Dad, Pamela, Morgan,” His eyes met hers once more. “Portia. All of you. Your faith was the testimony I needed. And I thank God for bringing all of you into my life.”
“You’re welcome.” Kristoffe called out and a murmur of laughs broke the heaviness of the moment.
Portia’s heart was still heavy though. Heavy and overflowing with emotion. She couldn’t speak. She held her mother’s hand tightly as she watched Khai and Pastor Greg enter the pool.
“Because you love the Lord, because you have accepted him as your Savior, because you desire to a be a part of His family, I now baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
There were cheers and whistles as Khai went down into the water and came up drenched, but somehow looking lighter than he had moments before. This time, Portia couldn’t stop the tears that flowed down her face. Someone shoved a tissue into her hand. She looked up to find Mandy drying tears of her own.
She pulled Portia close and whispered quietly. “I know what you’re wondering, and I can assure you, he didn’t do it for you. You might have helped him along the way, but he chose this for himself.”
Portia hugged the woman and nodded. “Thank you.”
“He set me free one day. He set me free...”
Morgan started singing and soon everyone else joined in. Kristoffe played the piano accompanied by clapping and the harmonious blend of voices. When was the last time Portia had experienced this? Real, genuine, spontaneous praise. Real joy from being in the presence of Jesus and seeing the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing a heart to Him. Was this what it was like in heaven when someone gave their heart to God? If God loved everyone else as much as Portia knew He loved her, and she knew He did, then it was a party every time.
They sang one song after the next, with Portia, her mother and a woman who had to be Khai’s stepmother taking turns starting new selections. The voices blended seamlessly together and for a moment Portia felt like she was in heaven. They sang until Khai came back dressed and dry and continued to sing as he went around hugging and receiving congratulations from everyone present.
“Happy tears?” he asked as Portia threw her arms around him, holding tight.
She nodded against his neck. He laughed. When she finally let go, he grabbed her hand and tugged her across the room with him. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
“Dad, Pamela, this is Portia.” He met Portia’s eyes. “Portia, this is my dad and my stepmom Pamela.”
Portia looked at the tall stocky man. It seemed like the men’s hair got lighter as they got older because his father’s hair was an even lighter blonde than Kristoffe’s, almost white. With his athletic build, the man looked like he could still be in his late fifties. Maybe it had to do with the equally fit looking mahogany toned woman standing beside him. Portia smiled. Now she knew where Khai’s preference of chocolate over vanilla came from.
“So you’re the reason I barely see my son anymore.” The older man’s eyes twinkled as he took Portia’s hand. “Bill Rochester. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Portia slid her eyes over to Khai and grinned. “Mr. Rochester.”
Khai rolled his eyes before giving her a half smile. She knew they were thinking the same thing.
“Pamela Rochester, but you can call me Pam.” The woman put her arms around Portia. “So nice to finally meet you. I love the effect you’ve had on my stepson.”
“Not me,” Portia shook her head as she pulled away. “That’s all God.”
“Well, I want to hear everything.” Pamela’s eyes brightened as she squeezed Portia’s hands. “You have to join us for Christmas dinner tonight,”
“Oh, I couldn’t leave my mom—”
“Yes, you can,” Yvonne called out from a few feet away. “The house will be full with your aunts, uncles and cousins. Ain’t nobody gonna miss you.”
Everyone chuckled except Portia who threw her mom a look.
“Okay, fine I’ll be there.”
Khai eased her hand from Pamela’s and tugged her closer to his side. Portia went willingly.
“They’re all staying at my place for Christmas, so it’ll be a full house. Come by anytime after five,” He grinned at her. “Or earlier if you want.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Five will be fine. I’m sure everyone wants to spend as much time with you as they can while they’re here.”
She reached up and encircled him in an embrace. “I’m so proud of you. You know that right?”
He nodded. His beard tickled the soft skin of her cheek. “I know. So much has happened...there’s so much I want to tell you.”
She touched his cheek, unable to draw her eyes away from his, which were shining bright with a joy that had nothing to do with her.
“I know.” She smiled. “And I want to hear all about it. I hope you can make some time for me later.”
“Oh, I definitely will.” He held her hand against his cheek. “Because we have a lot to talk about.”
Shivers ran across Portia’s spine at his words and the meaningful look in his eyes. Yes, there was a lot she wanted to say to him, but now was not the place. Later. Definitely later.
Chapter 26
She could barely wait for later to come as she lounged around the house, helping her mom put the final touches on dinner, greeting her family members as they arrived at the house. She kept waiting for the right time to leave, discreetly checking the clock every few minutes.
“You know it’s not going to go
faster just because you keep looking at it.”
Okay, maybe not so discreetly.
Portia looked over at Morgan and grinned sheepishly. “I can’t help it.”
Morgan laughed as she set the table in the living room with placemats and cutlery. “If you’re that anxious, you should just go now. Clearly, you can’t wait to see him.”
Portia tried to frown. “I can wait. Besides, I have to leave at four fifteen so I can get there a little after five. I don’t want it to look like I’ve been waiting all day just to go.”
“But you have been waiting all day,” Morgan folded the napkins. “And, I can guarantee he is over there looking out the window as much as you are looking at the clock.”
Portia grinned. “Yeah, I know. He texted me three times to ask me if I’d left yet.”
Morgan put down the napkins, grabbed Portia’s arm and eased her towards the hallway. “Hey everyone, Portia’s leaving.”
“It’s about time,” Derek called out from the couch where he was watching the game with their cousins. Portia took off her fuzzy slipper and threw it at him with impressive aim. He dodged it and laughed. “Don’t go throwing your shoes over there, making people think we didn’t raise you right.”
When Portia finally made it there it was a quarter to five. She pulled down the visor and checked her makeup. She swiped on an extra layer of lip-gloss. There was a knock on her window. When she saw the pale face and red cheeks on the other side, she smiled and rolled down the window.
“You know you’re wasting your time with that,” Khai pointed to the lip-gloss in her hands. “I’m just gonna take it all off you anyway.”
Portia’s heart stopped completely as her stomach took a dive to her toes. Khai’s eyes were mischievous, but she knew he was absolutely serious about his last statement.
Oh my. This was going to be interesting.
With nothing but a smile on her lips, she wound up the window again and took her time placing an extra layer on her lips, which was pretty challenging given the way her hands were shaking. She then dropped the gloss into her purse and reached over to the passenger side of her car to grab the blue and white wrapped package.