Uh-oh. Keith saw Lauren’s words take effect. Gina gave him a widened stare. She bit her lip. Doubt filled her face. Another minute and Gina would fold.
“I have the Spirit of God within me,” Keith intervened. “He leads me and guides me. I can discern Michael’s genuineness.” He tucked Lauren gently under the chin. “Michael does play a good game, but he can’t outplay God. I’m assuring you, with the authority of God on my side, God Himself placed Michael in this position to lead him home. I’ve been praying for Michael’s salvation for years, and this is God at work.”
His words took root. With trembling hands, Lauren scooped her hair out of her face and granted him her first shaky smile.
Gina stood. “Let me get you some water.”
“I’ve never seen Michael at church.” Lauren assessed him with a sharp gaze. The reporter was back. Good, Keith thought. He could talk to this Lauren better.
“He attended our Bible Study.” He phrased his statement in a way to make it seem like Michael had been to a lot more church services. “Michael will be there again this Sabbath. I hope you’ll meet with him before then.”
“I knew this time would come,” Lauren whispered. “But I was prepared to fight it tooth and nail.” She shifted focus. “Keith, if it weren’t for you and Gina, I don’t know where I would’ve ended up. I was one of Michael’s chief helpers in destroying your reputation. I couldn’t believe how you both opened your doors and heart to my children and me. I’ll forever be grateful.”
Gina returned while Lauren was speaking. They had heard this thank-you speech countless times. “Lauren, as we’ve told you before, you don’t have to thank me. You’re family. It wasn’t anything for me to lease you my home.”
Lauren snorted. “One dollar a month. That’s not rent, Keith. You could get at least three thousand a month for this.”
Closer to five, but he would never tell Lauren that. Keith held up his hand. “Water under the bridge. I don’t want to hear anything about this house.”
“Imagine the irony that all the time Michael’s been looking for me I’ve been here in your former home.”
“I borrowed the idea from him,” Keith said.
“I was out of my mind when he kidnapped Trey and Epiphany all those years ago,” Gina said. Realizing the implications of her words, she stammered, “Kidnapped is a harsh word. I misspoke. This is different.”
“I understand,” Lauren said, addressing Gina. She then looked at Keith. “You don’t know this but before I sought you out, I was holed up in this tiny apartment. I was heartbroken, lost, and confused. Then I started watching the tape of that awful show. I watched it over and over, replaying the part where you talked about your feelings for Gina. I thought to myself I want a man to love me like that.”
He gave his wife a wink. She cut her eyes. She had not forgiven him for Michael’s invasion into their home, into their life.
“Anyways, I started watching your show, Second Chances, and I fell in love with God.”
Keith nodded. His mother had met the Lord through his show too. How he missed her! “I’m awed at how He chose to use me,” Keith shared.
“If God can change me,” Lauren said, “I believe Michael deserves the same chance to meet Him. I can’t believe I’m saying these words. Keith Ward, you have been gifted with the power of persuasion.” She took a deep breath. “I’m ready. Tell him where I am. Tell him it’s time he met his children.”
Keith and Gina held hands and prayed with Lauren. By the time they left Lauren’s home, the temperature had fallen well below thirty degrees. On the drive home, Gina rejoiced. “Hallelujah. God is amazing!”
“I was wondering how you held it for so long.” Keith grinned. “I could see the praise bubbling up inside you.”
“Lauren’s right, you know. You do have a gifted tongue.”
The man in him rose up. Keith’s voice dropped. “I’ll show you what I can do with it later,” he promised, cracking up at her openmouthed expression.
“How can you switch from praising God so fast? One minute you’re praising. The next you’re saying kinky stuff.” She squirmed.
“You like it when I do,” he teased.
She folded her arms. “I’m still mad at you.”
Keith drummed the steering wheel. He would let that comment slide. “I prayed for an hour this morning for God to soften Lauren’s heart.” Gina’s too, but he kept that to himself. He lifted a hand off the wheel and pumped it in the air. “Lord, you’re good! You’re better than good!”
“Watch the road and don’t go off speaking in tongues like you did before,” Gina cautioned. She fiddled with her scarf. “Talking about Jesus take the wheel while I’m screaming for my life.”
Keith cracked up. “I wasn’t that far gone, Gina,” he said, holding back his praise. “But wherever I am, I’m going to praise God when my spirit bids.”
“Well let your spirit bid you when we’re at home.”
How he loved this woman! Keith reached over to kiss Gina on the cheek.
“Listen, will you keep your eye on the road?”
“Gina, who you fooling? You know you like it. I can’t hold my praise. This is the modern-day version of the prodigal son returning home. But, unlike that older brother, I’m not jealous. I’m ready to throw a party.” He gave a little dance by moving his shoulders up and down.
“Did you forget the court case? Hold on to your rejoicing for now.”
He knew Gina was trying to keep him from getting his hopes up too high, but Keith was a preaching man and he was fired up. “You must not know my God like I do. Tell me, when did the Jericho wall come down?”
“You know when.”
He slanted a quick glance her way. She rolled her eyes. Keith would not be deterred. “I’m going to start praising because the wall is coming down, Gina. Mark my words. It’s coming down!”
Chapter Twenty-four
Three minutes passed.
Three whole minutes.
Michael stood transfixed in the doorway of Keith’s former home in Jamaica Estates and, still, he could not get his fill.
He released short, staccato breaths. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. Yet, he stared. Lauren had addressed him at least four times, but he had not spoken a single word.
The tears rolling unheeded, streaking his face and chin, provided a clue as to the magnitude of emotions he felt. Then he cracked, bending slowly to his knees. With both hands to the floor, Michael lowered his head and uttered his first words: “Thank God.”
Lauren zapped into motion and closed the front door. He registered the click of her heels and her rapid movement before she dangled tissues in his face.
“Thank you.” He wiped his face.
“Can I get you a cup of coffee?” she offered.
Michael rubbed his hands. “Thank you. It’s brick cold out there. With these temps, we might get snow before Thanksgiving. Coffee would warm me up.”
Lauren went to fetch two steaming mugs of coffee. When she returned, Michael stood to relieve her of one.
“Come,” she commanded and led him into Keith’s—no, her—living area. Michael surveyed the room while he gathered his wits. She had changed it up a bit. He liked it.
He wiped his face and neck. Feeling warm from nervous sweat, he removed his jacket and slinked onto the couch. “I’ve waited for this day for years. I prayed, I hoped. But I never thought it would happen. I searched for you everywhere. Not once would I imagine you would be in Keith’s old home.”
“Seems fitting doesn’t it?” Lauren returned testily. Though her voice held spirit, she did not stop moving her hands: a sure sign she was nervous.
Michael understood what Lauren meant by those words. He’d “hidden” Gina’s children in their former home. What a payback. “Touché,” he said, with a slight nod. While he spoke, he listened for the sound of little feet. He bit his tongue to keep from asking for the children.
Surely, she hadn’t left two-year-olds unattended for
this long? Michael’s heart thumped with worry. He knew Lauren was prickly and didn’t want to scare her off by demanding to see the twins. Patience. Lord. I need it now.
“I . . .” Lauren cleared her throat, and began again. “I know you want to see the children, but I want you to promise me you’re not going to try to take them from me. I’m stepping out on faith here because after the way you threw me out—”
“I’m sorry,” Michael interrupted. He read the pensive look on her face, and repeated, “I’m truly sorry.”
Lauren’s shoulders heaved with tears. “Good. Because I’m tired of running, of hiding, of wondering if today will be the day the monster takes my kids from me.”
Monster? Michael’s heart slammed into his chest. Who said words didn’t hurt? “Monster?”
She quickly reframed her words. “Sorry, in my mind you were the Big Bad Wolf . . .” Lauren trailed off. She must have realized calling him a wolf didn’t sound much better.
Michael grimaced. He deserved it. He had been a monster, a wolf seeking to devour any who stood in his path. “Lauren, you’re right. A few months ago, I probably would’ve swooped in and who knows? I can’t say for sure what I would’ve done, but I can speak for now. I’m a changed man. God is changing me.” He looked at his watch. He did not want to make small talk. He did not want to drink coffee. He wanted to see his children.
“I want you in John’s and Olivia’s lives. I haven’t told them you were coming. I figure you could meet them, and we’d play it by ear. I debated if I should tell them, but . . . this is new to me. I don’t know the protocol of saying, ‘kids, here’s your daddy who’s been missing for two years of your lives.’ Luckily, they’re too young to know any better.” With a shaky breath, and a decisive pat on her flower-print skirt, Lauren jumped to her feet. “Come, meet your children.”
Taking deep breaths, Michael struggled to walk slowly behind her. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants, before allowing them to dangle by his side. His body shook. The walk up the flight of stairs and down the hall seemed infinite. With each step, doubt grew.
What if they didn’t like him?
Once they were outside the door, Michael grabbed Lauren’s hand. He could hear little voices. Happy voices. “Wait,” he frantically whispered. “I . . .”
She looked at him with warmth in her eyes. “You’ll be all right. They’re children who want to be loved. Can you do that?”
Could he? Could he open his heart and love again? Let people inside knowing there was the possibility of feeling pain and rejection? He exhaled. “Yes, I can.”
“Okay, then.” After a firm nod, Lauren opened the door.
“Mommy!”
“Look, Mommy!”
Rooted by the entrance of their playroom, Michael froze. His body was statue still, but his eyes scanned the two children in their playpens. He saw two sets of watery mouths, gapped teeth, lopsided grins and fell in love. They were perfect—perfect miniatures of a blend of his and Lauren’s best traits.
“Hey, babies! Let Mommy see what you’re doing.” Lauren rushed to take them out of confinement. She dropped to her knees and started playing with the children.
Lauren waved him over. Michael bent on all fours and crawled on the toy-filled floor, trying to remember when he used to play with Trey. So far, he was drawing a blank. As he drew closer into their space, the twins took notice of him and huddled into their mother. He saw Olivia’s chin quiver and John’s eyes widen. Within seconds, both of them were pointing and wailing.
Michael stopped moving. Unsure. He had commandeered million dollar deals with finesse but here he was out of his element. In that moment, he felt what Keith must have gone through with Epiphany. He had kept her from Keith on purpose. Lauren was right. He was a monster. Crushing thoughts whirled around his head. He might be the worst thing to happen to these children.
“Hush, now,” Lauren cooed. She kissed them both on their cheeks and tickled their tummies. Grabbing a toy, she distracted them by pulling it so the music could play. Then, in an excited voice, she said, “John, Olivia, I’d like you to meet your daddy. Daddy’s here. Daddy’s going to read you your favorite story.”
“Daddy.” John tilted his head to look at Michael. John’s facial expression mirrored his. It caught Michael off guard.
“Yes, that’s Daddy.” Lauren crooked her finger at him. Michael followed her cue to join his family.
“Daddy?” Olivia said, batting long lashes at him. She was going to be a heartbreaker. Fatherly pride rose within him.
“Get the I’ll Love You, Forever book off the rocking chair,” Lauren said.
Michael quickly complied. It took him a minute to realize she intended for him to read the story. He drew a breath and opened the book. He had just finished reading the first line when he felt a thump on his leg.
Olivia and John sat on his leg with expectant grins. He scooped them into his lap and waited. No cries. He relaxed. Thank you, Lord.
Lauren shuffled closer like a mother hen guarding her chicks. Even though he wanted to howl with joy, Michael began to read. He read the story three times. By the end of the story, he had cramped legs, slobber on his cheek, and several popped buttons; but he was in heaven.
He had a slight kink in his neck and his back protested from his crouched position, but Michael had no complaints. He had loved spending this time with his children. An hour had passed. On leaden feet, he trudged down the stairs. He had helped Lauren get the twins settled into bed and now faced the dreaded moment.
“I wish I didn’t have to go,” he said.
Lauren nodded, but didn’t say anything.
“If the court agrees, may I move in here?”
Lauren stepped back. “Move in? Michael, that’s crazy and too fast. You need to slow down.”
Slow down? Slow down? After all these years, he had plenty of time he needed to make up for. Michael asked God for patience, again. “It was a stupid question. I don’t know if you’re even seeing anyone or anything. I shouldn’t have asked,” he conceded, already counting the hours until he could return.
“I’ll see you at Thanksgiving,” Lauren said. “We’ll work something out.”
Next Thursday. Thanksgiving was next Thursday. She was talking about waiting a whole week. Michael sighed. What choice did he have? “All right. How about I come for an hour tomorrow?” he asked. It was worth a try. He missed John and Olivia already. A vision of two little bottoms perched in the air had been impressed upon his heart.
“One hour.”
“Do you need help feeding them breakfast?”
“No, I’ve been managing fine on my own all this time. I think I’ll be just fine.” Lauren came to him. “Michael, your children will be here. You’ll be in their lives forever, but you have a serious court case and I still want to protect them as much as I can. If it were to get out you had children, reporters would be camped outside my door. I don’t want Olivia’s and John’s faces plastered all over national television. The press would eat this up and sensationalize it. As a former reporter, I know, because I would do the same thing.”
“You’re right.” Michael bunched his fists. This case was ruining his life. He wondered if it was time he took matters into his own hands. “I didn’t do it, Lauren. I didn’t hurt Mindy.”
She tossed her hair back. “I know. If I thought you were a rapist, you wouldn’t be anywhere near my children.”
“Our children,” he corrected.
“Right. One hour. Eleven good?”
She had gone all businesslike on him. Michael wondered if Lauren harbored any feelings for him or if he had crushed them to pieces. He knew though, this was not the time to ask. Small steps, he told himself as he departed.
But, as he drove away from his family, he vowed to do all he could to get this thing with Mindy handled. Michael pressed the Bluetooth to activate his cell phone. It was time to give Frank a call.
Chapter Twenty-five
“She cuts herself.”
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“On a scale of one to ten, Daniel, how certain are you about the pictures?”
“In my professional opinion? Eleven,” Dr. Daniel Northman replied. “I’m certain.” He flipped through several frames where he’d zoned in on cut marks on Mindy’s inner thighs.
“I knew it.” Keith pumped his fists. This was his first break in Michael’s case. It was worth leaving his house during the first snowfall of the year. Mindy was unstable and, from the look of things, she was one unhappy girl. “Can I get a forensics psychologist to speak to her and gauge her mental state?” Keith asked.
“I imagine her father will fight, but even he can’t override a subpoena. She’s most likely seeing someone already. Start there. I’ll be happy to see her myself.”
Keith gathered his files and shook Daniel’s hand. “I appreciate your offer. How was Argentina?”
“Beautiful. The country and the women,” Daniel answered with a smile.
Keith gave a noncommittal reply. He knew the doctor considered himself a ladies’ man. From the pictures on Daniel’s desk, Keith guessed the women agreed. He did not care about the doctor’s personal life. His professional reputation as an expert was unparalleled. Daniel’s exorbitant fee was well worth his testimony. Dr. Northman never swayed in a cross-examination.
“I’ll be in touch,” Keith said. He dug into his briefcase and retrieved a small card. He slid it across Daniel’s desk. “That’s the address to my church again. In case you’ve lost the other one. You’re welcome anytime.”
“One of these days.”
Keith nodded. He had heard that one too many times to count. He left the office and entered his car. He called Gina to let her know she had the evening off. He was going to pick Trey and Epiphany up from their respective schools and take them to play laser tag. He had been promising to take them. Well, today was the day.
But, first, he would pop over to see Bishop Combs. His former mentor had been avoiding him. Bishop Combs had not delivered the first payment. Natalie threatened to alert the board. Keith held her off. He wanted the chance to confront Combs. No time like the present.
The Fall of the Prodigal Page 11