The Fall of the Prodigal

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

Verona sought refuge in her childhood room after her talk with her parents. She used to spend countless hours in here worshipping and talking to God. Verona loved praise and worship. All through her pregnancy she begged God to change her parents’ minds. When she had been forced to give her son up to “people who will love and care for him” she still kept her faith. However, when she heard her two-year-old son call Sister Smith “Mommy,” she had run away. Verona vowed never to return to her parents’ California home.

  Now, look at her.

  Verona heard a knock on her door. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was close to midnight. At her signal, Louisa entered, holding an ice cream sundae treat.

  Her mouth watered. Verona held out her hands.

  “Tell me more about Michael,” Louisa said.

  Snuggled under the warm blankets, Verona devoured her chocolate chip ice cream. Mmm. She loved whipped cream. “You still make the best sundaes.”

  “Thanks.” Louisa lifted the blanket and got under the covers. She reiterated, “Tell me about Michael.”

  “Michael is handsome, rich, arrogant, insufferable, demanding, and totally wonderful.”

  “Your eyes are shining. He sounds positively dreamy.” Her mother sighed. “That’s how it was when I met your father. Noel was all that and more. I still get the jitters when I see him.”

  Verona touched her cheeks. “TMI. TMI.” The two women shared a laugh.

  “Does he feel the same way about you?”

  “I think so,” Verona hedged. “Michael kissed me. I know he cares but he’s been harping over his ex, Lauren, for years. I just found out she has his children. I can’t compete.” She took another scoop to finish off her sundae. Then, she divulged her real fear. “Michael’s a father to twins. A boy and a girl. That’s when I ran. I’m not fit to be anybody’s parent. Not after what I did to my own.”

  “Oh.” Louisa drew her close. “Your father and I didn’t believe you when you told us you would be a mother. You said we would find a way to make ends meet. We shouldn’t have forced you to give up your child. Experience has a way of making fools of decisions we thought were wise.”

  “A part of me knew you meant well.” Verona inhaled and then smiled. “You still smell like Johnson’s Baby Powder, even after all these years.”

  “I know I said this earlier, but I’m glad you’re home. Your father and I hope you’ll stick around for a while. There are a lot of people at Mount Moriah who’d love to see your face.”

  She stilled. Elijah was there. “I don’t know if I can face him, Mom. I’ll think about it.” Which meant no. Verona had broken her rule and was back at home. But she was not stepping foot back in Mount Moriah. They would want her to sing and carry on the pretense. Like they all did not know Elijah was hers.

  Her mom left shortly after that. Try as she might, Verona could not fall sleep. She dragged her feet down the stairs to get a glass of water. She knew her father was up. Verona debated for a moment before rapping on his study door. Hearing his permission, she entered.

  “I’ve been waiting for you to show up.” Noel said once Verona was fully inside the room. She ran her hand across the furnishings as she walked around the small space. It looked the same to her. They had had many good talks in here. She inhaled, loving the scent of vanilla musk.

  Eventually, Verona made her way to sit in the armchair across from Noel. She wiggled her foot out of her slippers and snuggled deep into the worn leather. She gave her dad a warm smile. He opened the tiny drawer on his desk and pulled out some pictures. “I want you to see something.”

  As he walked around his desk, for some reason, her heart rate escalated. With shaky hands, Verona grasped the pictures he held. She looked at the person featured knowing she was looking at her son. With rapid-fire speed, she tore through the pictures. She could not get enough: Elijah at the park. Elijah at the zoo. Elijah in church. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She sniffed several times.

  Verona croaked a single word. “Elijah.”

  “When you left, we asked the Smiths to consider an open adoption. They agreed.”

  Did that mean what she thought it meant? Her heart thumped inside her chest.

  “He spends the night with us, his Pop and Nana,” Noel informed her with a gravelly voice.

  Choked, she asked, “Does he know me? Does he know who I am?”

  “He knows he’s adopted. He has a picture of you by his bedside. Ronald and Edith made sure of that.”

  She studied his most recent picture. Elijah looked like a happy and contented fifteen-year-old. He was dressed in a baseball suit. He held the bat with a confidence she did not remember having at his age. Her heart expanded. Her chest felt like it was on fire.

  Verona gripped Noel’s hands. Never in her life did she think she would be given the opportunity to say her next words. Verona let out a heartfelt request. “I’d like to meet him. I’d like to meet my son.”

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  “How long will he be here?” Gina asked Keith, her impatience already evident.

  “Not long. I hope. The judge released him in my care. He warned it’s my career if Michael doesn’t comply. Thank you for agreeing to let him stay here,” Keith said.

  “Thank God. It was His doing.” Gina gazed at him with troubled eyes. “I’m anxious that Michael could be living here for months. We were planning to take the kids to Florida, remember? Now, we’ll have to change our plans because of your brother.”

  “I understand your frustration, honey. We can always go to Disney and Universal. Michael needs us. He’s fighting for his freedom.”

  Like a runaway train, Gina was on to something new. “Verona didn’t show up.” She pulled her gloves from her hands with agitation. “We were supposed to have dinner before Bible Study. She stood me up.”

  Keith creased his forehead. “She had every intention of coming. That was until the officer showed up with a prophylactic saying it was found in Michael’s garbage bin.”

  Gina’s mouth popped open. “What? Who was he with?”

  “According to him, no one. He says he hasn’t been sleeping with anyone.”

  She gave him a “what you talking ’bout” look then said, “You seriously expect me to believe that? Michael and monogamy only have one thing in common: the letter M. Did you forget about Karen?” she asked. When Gina and Michael dated, he had slept with his crazy ex-girlfriend, Karen Newton.

  “Did you forget he’s been pining over Lauren?”

  “Lauren? I thought Michael was trying to get with Verona,” was the cheeky comeback.

  Keith caved. “I see your point. My brother doesn’t have a good track record when it comes to women.” Keith did not care for the “I told you so” look Gina had written all over her face. He changed gears. “I think his being here with us is a good thing. We’ll use his time here to help him build a relationship with Christ and family.”‘

  “I agree. God needs to work on Michael real fast,” Gina said. “I’m going to give Verona a call.”

  “You like her,” Keith observed.

  “She’s all right.”

  “Admit it. You’re the ex-wife who likes the next wife.” He chuckled at his spin on words.

  Gina swatted his arm. “You think that’s funny?”

  Keith grabbed her hands and pulled her into his chest. Her little head barely rose above his midriff. In a deft move, he lifted her so she straddled his waist.

  “Why do you always seek to distract me with your fine body? I want to argue.”

  “And I want to . . .” He whispered a suggestion in her ear. When he pulled away, Gina’s cheeks were beet red. She could not even look him in the eyes.

  “We’re having a movie night, remember? Your idea will have to wait. I have to go oversee the popcorn or the alarm might go off again. I don’t know how Trey messes up microwave popcorn.”

  “Let me get the blankets. Whose turn is it to pick the film?”

  “Epiphany’s.”

  He groaned. Ell
a Enchanted. That’s what they were watching. Good thing he knew how to keep himself occupied.

  Gina was a mind reader. “Michael’s here. You’re not sitting next to me to feel me up under the covers.”

  Keith should have known she would be a prude. “But . . .”

  “I’m cuddling with E.J.”

  Great. I’ll bring my Bible with me.

  Gina read his thoughts again. “And, no scriptures during the movie. God rested. So can you.”

  He lifted his hands in the air. “You hear that, God?”

  Michael felt a pang of envy watching Keith and his family all wrapped together. He stretched his legs in front of him. E.J. had her head on a pillow in his lap. He patted her little head. Michael never knew he would see this day. He had treated Epiphany like crap when she was younger. Now here she was, trusting him. Michael closed his eyes. This was the epitome of the fruit borne by forgiveness.

  Michael pictured John and Olivia watching the movie with him. He and Lauren would be wrapped under the blankets. Or, maybe it would be he and Verona under blankets? Michael was not sure. But whoever it was, he knew he would be doing some naughty things. Unlike Keith and Gina, who sat apart from each other. Michael figured it was since Keith was now a preacher and all that. Maybe he and Gina saved all the affection for behind closed doors.

  Well, he for one knew he could not be a stuffy Christian. Being married and saved meant he could get legitimate nooky with a high five from God.

  As soon as the movie ended, Michael excused himself. He wanted to visit his children, but he could not leave Keith’s home. That was the condition of his release. He was to remain in confinement at Keith’s residence. The only other places Michael was allowed to go were the church and court. But Lauren could bring the kids over. It was only nine p.m. He would give her a call. Michael would love to see John and Olivia even if it were for five minutes.

  “I can’t.”

  Michael wanted to scream. “Why? Do you have a date with Martin?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  Liar. “Lauren, I know you don’t have a date with Martin because he doesn’t exist. You made him up.”

  “What if I did?”

  Michael had not expected that sharp comeback. He counted to five. He changed the topic. “Did you mean what you said the other day?”

  He knew his conversation shift had thrown Lauren. “What did I say?” she asked.

  He smiled at her confusion.

  “You thought we should get married. Now that I know there’s no Martin, I’m asking you.”

  “This is how you propose to me? Don’t I deserve a better proposal than this? What about that funny-eyed lawyer you’re seeing?”

  Michael lowered his voice. “Verona won’t be a problem. I assure you. You deserve the world for what you’ve given me. You’ve given me two gifts no amount of money could buy. I’m asking for your hand in marriage. I promise to cherish you, provide for you, and give you the best of what I have left.”

  He heard the sharp intake of breath and waited.

  He waited.

  And waited.

  As Michael was about to ask Lauren if she was still on the line, he heard, “Yes, I’ll marry you. I’d be honored. You’d better straighten things out with Verona. I’m not about to tolerate any drama.”

  Thank God. “I’ll make you the happiest mother in the world. Thank you,” he said.

  Michael swiped the end button. His first thought was, I’m engaged. His second was he could not believe he had proposed to a woman over the phone. It was borderline ghetto. However, due to his present circumstances, it could not be helped.

  His last thought before he hit the pillow was, how do I tell Tiger?

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Verona entered Mount Moriah Baptist Church with her head held high. There was a hush before recognition rippled through the crowd. She ignored the whispering and talking behind the hands and even the not-so-subtle finger pointing. As she walked to the front pew, she reminded herself she had a higher purpose for being there.

  Each time she clapped and said amen to her dad’s message, her eyes had roamed the crowds searching for Elijah. Verona spotted a blue-haired, lanky teen with double pierced ears. Her mother whispered, “That’s him.”

  What happened to the clean-cut kid in the pictures she’d studied all night? She wondered about the Smiths’ parenting skills. But, of course, Verona was in no position to say anything. She was the runaway parent, the absentee mom. She had no rights.

  She barely made it through the service before dragging her mom in tow.

  “Oh, I forgot to tell you he goes by Jah,” Louisa said.

  “Jah?” Verona enunciated the word like she was speaking Chinese.

  “Yes, he prefers to be addressed that way now.” Her mother pulled her forward. On wobbly legs, Verona made her way over to where Elijah stood. He had his hands shoved into his pockets and stood with his chest puffed out.

  “Hello, Mother,” Elijah said, and stuck out his hand.

  Verona froze when she saw something on the back of his hand. A tattoo. She did not relish the idea of a fifteen-year-old sporting a tat. Nevertheless, she took Elijah’s hand in hers and made her first contact with her son.

  Her heart leapt and her mouth formed a perfect O. Wonderment filled her being. Verona was holding her son’s hand.

  With her free hand, Verona touched her chest. “My son,” she whispered. Tears filled her eyes.

  He gave a gawky grin. “Elijah,” she said, testing his name out on her lips.

  “Jah,” her mother corrected.

  Verona released short raspy breaths. “Jah,” she said.

  A crowd was forming behind them. Verona did not care. Self-conscious, Elijah pulled his hand away. She quickly released her death grip.

  “I’m sorry. I’m just . . .” Verona trailed off. “I don’t know what to say. You’re much taller than I remembered.”

  He chuckled. “Yes. Grandpa said I’d probably be taller than he is, soon.”

  Her Cheshire cat grin was a bit off-putting. Verona knew that. But she could not stop her cheeks from spreading. “I dreamt of this day!” she exclaimed. She placed a hand on his cheek. Grazing her hand down Elijah’s face, she felt signs of stubble. “You shave?”

  He bent his head, his embarrassment evident by his slight blush. “Yes, I had to grow up sometime.”

  Verona’s brain had frozen a different picture. This was not the two-year-old running through the choir stands she had left thirteen years ago. Elijah was almost a man. Fully grown.

  “I think we should go,” Louisa said. “Your father’s waiting. We’re going to Golden Corral for lunch.”

  Verona nodded. They walked toward her father’s car. She took Elijah’s hand. Savoring the feel of holding her son’s hand. “Are you coming with us?”

  Elijah froze midstride. “No, I’m meeting up with friends. My mom said I could. I didn’t know . . .” Verona didn’t miss he was looking at his grandmother. He was still very shy to address her. She understood. Even if her heart ached because of it.

  “It’s okay, Jah. We’ll see you later.”

  “I’ll see you later. Uhm, yes, Mother. I’ll call you or something.” He said “Mother” as “Moth-er.” The endearment was stuck in his throat. Verona made a move to follow him. Her father held her arm.

  “He’ll come over to the house this evening,” Noel said. “Remember yourself at that age?”

  She nodded. She watched Elijah sprint across the parking lot. Verona pined for him already. “I wish he were coming with us. This is a special day for me. Why did the Smiths say he could go out with friends? Maybe they don’t want him around me. Maybe he really doesn’t want me popping up in his life now.” Doubts filled her mind. Verona swayed into her father’s chest.

  Noel peered into her face. “It’s a special day for him too, honey. He needs time to process. The Smiths will drop Elijah off later. This isn’t good-bye. Don’t get dramatic about it.”
>
  Verona stood, watching. Elijah went over to a group of kids. He piled into a car along with them. He had dismissed her already. She exhaled. As the car drove by, Elijah pinned her with a gaze. Then he lifted his hand in a small wave. He turned his head to watch her until the car was no longer in view.

  Verona’s heart lifted. This was not the end. This was just the beginning.

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Keith bolted awake. He shook Gina from her slumber. “Three days and three nights,” he voiced in the dark of the night.

  “Who are you? Jonah the Prophet? Go back to sleep,” she grumbled.

  He shook her again. One evil eye popped open to zoom in on him. “God wants us to fast and pray for three days and three nights, beginning tomorrow,” he told her.

  Gina yawned. “For who? And, how is it ‘us’? Why isn’t it ever just you? How do I end up in the mix?”

  He squeezed her thigh. “We’re a team, baby. Mindy needs us.”

  “Mindy?” Gina propped up her body with her hands. Then glared at him. “You mean to tell me God wants us to do three days of praying and fasting for the girl who put your brother in jail? You sure you got that right?”

  “Yup.”

  Gina rolled her eyes.

  “Don’t hate the messenger.”

  She smirked. “For the life of me, I don’t understand why God can’t talk to you at a decent hour.”

  “It’s near the breaking of the day. Don’t you know this is when God does His best work? Remember when Jacob wrestled with the angel? When do you think he received his blessing?” He tilted her body back and forth with his hand to tease her. Gina was cute when rattled.

  “Listen, save the Bible trivia for someone who cares, vampire preacher,” she protested and burrowed deeper into the covers.

  Keith chuckled. He knew despite her protests, Gina would join him. She was a prayer warrior when she was awake. Right now, she was most concerned with getting back to sleep.

  All that squirming took Keith’s thoughts in a different direction. “Babe, are you asleep?”

  “Yes.”

  “Now you know you couldn’t answer me if you were sleeping.”