The Fall of the Prodigal

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  “You asked me a stupid question, you get a wise answer. How am I supposed to fall asleep that fast?”

  In a swift move, Keith moved Gina’s body beneath his and rocked his hips.

  “Was this a part of God’s message too?” she asked, fully alert.

  He could not help the deep rumble in his chest as he tried not to laugh. “It’s been awhile.”

  She pushed against his chest. He barely felt her tiny hands but complied. “It’s a hard road to travel,” he sang loud enough for her to hear.

  Gina’s body shook with laughter. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise. Trey and E.J. both have dental appointments at eight a.m. tomorrow.”

  “I know you’re hands-on. So am I, but this is God’s business. Josie can sit with them and drop them off at school when they’re done.” Keith poked her on the nose. “You’re on the spiritual clock tomorrow. We’ll go to the church and break our fast in the evening. I’ll invite Michael. This will be a spiritual boot camp experience for him.”

  “Don’t expect too much.”

  “I’m not wet behind the ears, lady. Of course, I know that. Michael can do what he can, but what better way to learn how to move God’s hand? We need God to fight this battle or Michael’s going down.”

  “I wish I’d known.” Gina yawned.

  “Known what?”

  “That I’d be fasting tomorrow. I would have eaten those shortbread cookies and had my pistachio ice cream earlier tonight.”

  “Well, you’re always saying you need to lose weight.”

  He was granted a hefty punch to the stomach.

  “Are you calling me fat?”

  Lord, couldn’t you have bridled my tongue? There was only one way out of this pickle. Diversion. “Of course not. I know how you could burn a good five hundred or so calories.”

  That got her attention. “How?”

  “I can show you,” Keith suggested with a wiggle of his brows.

  She gave him a playful slap. “Game on.”

  He did not need any further encouragement.

  Now that what he wanted for the past three years was within reach, he was not sure.

  In Keith’s home gym, Michael started a slow jog on the treadmill intending to hit the five-mile point.

  He was engaged to Lauren.

  This meant she would need a very large token on her left hand. He increased the pace. Problem was he was confined here. He went a little faster. He could not ask Verona to use his funds to purchase a ring. He pushed it until sweat dripped from his body.

  Grabbing a towel, Michael hit the stop button. Keith had entered the room just as he finished his pushups. Keith headed straight for the weights. Michael spotted for him.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’ve worked up quite the appetite from this workout. What’s Josie cooking for breakfast?”

  Keith had a sheepish expression on his face. “I should’ve mentioned this earlier. Josie is out of commission for the next three days. Gina and I will be fasting. The kids will eat cereal or something.”

  Michael’s stomach chose that precise moment to signal its distress. He banished the visions of Josie’s pancakes floating around his head. “I’ll help myself to cereal as well. No problem.”

  “Well, Gina and I hoped you’d take up fasting and prayer with us. Fasting and prayer are the keys to communicate with God.”

  No food. Michael wasn’t feeling that idea. He loved his meals and snacks. “I don’t think I can go without food for three days.”

  “We break in the evenings,” Keith pointed out.

  “I suppose,” Michael agreed. “What would we be doing exactly?”

  “We read the scriptures. Share on the Word. We pray. We’re seeking God’s face on Mindy’s behalf.”

  “Mindy?” That was his way out right there. There was no way Michael was going to give up his favorites for the girl responsible his getting tossed in jail not once, but twice.

  “This is not about Mindy alone. Giving up your food shows God you’re willing to make a sacrifice as He did for us.”

  Michael nodded, though he did not fully comprehend.

  Keith added, “I know some of what I’m saying will go right over your head, but God directed me to go into prayer for Mindy. I want this case over and done with so you can begin a new path with God. “

  “I want that too,” Michael said as they left the room.

  “You don’t have to go all day. Do what you can. God is pleased with any genuine sacrifice you make for Him.”

  “As it happens, my schedule is clear,” Michael said, attempting humor. He gave Keith a small pat on the back. “Speaking of new paths, I think this is the best time to tell you I asked Lauren to marry me last night.”

  Chapter Forty

  “I’m not punching you in the face again. Don’t bother to ask.”

  Mindy pushed at the door but Finn was using his foot as a doorstop. She had taken a cab into the city specifically to see him and she was not leaving until she did. Her father had kept her under tight security for the past month. Today was her first opportunity to get away. “Let me in. That’s not why I’m here.”

  She felt the door give way and strutted into Finn’s apartment. He lived above his nightclub. This was the first time Mindy had entered his space.

  “Consider that the first and last time I put my hands on a woman. I may be many things but a woman beater isn’t one of them.”

  “Finn, quit the nonsense. The couple punches you gave me didn’t put me in the hospital. Obviously, I had help from another friend,” was her blithe reply before she mumbled, “Not that it did any good. They thought Michael did it.”

  Finn must have heard her. He gave Mindy an odd look. “Why would you want to hurt yourself? Why would you want to mar your lovely face? I don’t get you, Mousie . . . er, Mindy.”

  “If it’s any consolation, I don’t get me either.” Mindy plopped her foot on his couch. “I have a problem. One I can’t explain right now. But, I’ve taken care of my dad.” She stopped, wondering if she had said too much.

  Finn must have decided he did not want to know because he let her cryptic comment slide. “Fair enough. Why are you here?” he asked.

  “I need to know what you plan to do to Michael.”

  He turned away from her. “That’s none of your concern. You messed up the plan anyways. Your father wanted his head on a platter. Now Michael is staying with his brother so plans are on hold. Bill doesn’t want to mess with a preacher.”

  Mindy smiled. “I’m glad I was able to help thwart the plan. I know Michael doesn’t see it that way, but I saved his life.”

  Then, Mindy did something she had never done. She initiated contact. She walked behind Finn and circled his waist. With her head rested on his back, she said, “I don’t want you involved. It would hurt me if you were arrested or took the fall doing my father’s dirty work.”

  Finn faced her with wide eyes. “Are you saying you care about what happens to me? In all my twenty-seven years, I haven’t had anyone care about me.”

  It took every ounce of will she possessed, but Mindy knew she could do it. She could reach out and love and be loved. “Yes, I care.”

  “May I touch you?”

  Her heart thumped. Don’t back out now. She nodded. As Finn’s head lowered, Mindy held her breath. Tentative, he placed his lips on hers.

  Mindy blinked. Nothing happened. Had she been worried for nothing?

  After several seconds, Finn lifted his head. “Are you okay?”

  Breathe, girl. “Yes.” Mindy turned so Finn would not disappointment plastered on her face. She swiped at a tear forming under her eyelids. She was unlovable.

  Suddenly, two strong hands clenched her arms and twisted her around. Finn lifted her chin. He made her look at him. “Not what you expected?”

  She shook her head.

  “Was that your first kiss?”

  She nodded.

  “Well, the second will be better. I promise.” Thi
s time Finn kissed her so good Mindy’s toes curled. She groaned when he pulled away.

  He laughed. “Better?”

  She nodded. “More.”

  “Tell me what’s wrong with you first.”

  Mindy took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. She needed to say the words. Even if it meant he freaked out. Even if it meant threw her out. Mindy needed to tell another human being. Her father refused to entertain the discussion.

  “I have suffered from dissociative identity disorder since I was a young child,” she said.

  Finn took one step back. “What kind of disorder?”

  “I have multiple personalities. I’ve been taking my medications. I’ve been good the past couple of days.”

  He eyed her like she was the girl from The Exorcist. Mindy took a step toward him. He took two steps back. No, please don’t reject me. She felt her helpers waiting to take over. No, she needed to stand.

  “I’m not contagious, Finn. Please don’t run from me,” Mindy pleaded. Every ache she felt at feeling alone in the world resounded in her words.

  “What do you want from me?” Finn asked. He put more distance between them. “I thought you were crazy. I didn’t know you were crazy crazy.”

  Mindy’s shoulders slumped. Let me have at him, Mousie demanded.

  Mindy closed her eyes. No. Overcome with pain, she whispered, “I am flawed. I might be crazy. But, I’m a human and I deserve to be loved.” She walked up to Finn. “I want you to love me. Love me.”

  She saw fear in Finn’s eyes. She lifted a hand and he flinched. Still, she pressed on. “I need to know someone in my existence loves me.”

  “I don’t know if I can,” he confessed. “Who am I, God?”

  Mindy shook her head. Whatever she was looking for was not here. Gathering her belongings, Mindy left Finn’s apartment.

  The temptation to cut herself was strong, but she resisted. Mindy wandered the streets going over her conversation with Finn. Was there a better way she could have told him? Naw. There was no easy way to tell someone you have a mental illness. You had to come out and say it.

  Mindy leaned up against a parked vehicle to rub her aching feet. “Who am I? God?” She kept hearing that question. She repeated the question aloud many times.

  Then in a split second, it clicked. Mindy stilled all movement. She tuned out the honking horns, the cars whizzing by, the child wailing for his mother to pick him up, the couple chattering, and the street drummer.

  The stillness surrounded her.

  I am God.

  Goosebumps rose and it was not because of the cold December air. God. God. He was who she needed. God was her last chance. Mindy held back her cackle. Finn had helped her. With a snap of her fingers, Mindy hailed a cab. She was going to see the only man of God she knew.

  Chapter Forty-one

  Keith left Dr. Nancy Forrester’s office unsuccessful in his mission. The doctor had refused to break confidentiality as he figured. But still he had to try.

  He then tried to reach Verona. It went to voicemail. That girl sure loved to run.

  “God, you need to bind her feet,” he uttered. With a nickname like Tiger, he had expected a little more spunk. However, it appeared her predator skills were limited to the courtroom and not to her personal life.

  On impulse, Keith decided to stop by his church office. He felt an inexplicable urge to head to Zion’s Hill. He did not know why. Maybe he would spend some quiet time with God. Finish up the Book of Zechariah. That was one of the books Gina, Michael, and he had read while they were in fasting and prayer. Keith wanted to zone in on Zechariah 4:6 in particular. “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts,’” he recited. That verse had a message in it for him and everyone else.

  Michael had done quite a bit of praying as well. The first day, he had said two lines. But by the end of the third day, Michael was praying like he had been doing it for years. The fasting would take him some time to get used to.

  Keith cracked up remembering how Michael had convinced his secretary, Dianne, to order pizza. He and Gina had opened their eyes after praying to find Michael missing in action. They searched and searched for him; worried he had broken the judge’s orders. Keith would never forget the look on Gina’s face when they discovered Michael in Keith’s private bathroom wolfing down his fourth slice.

  Keith parked in his designated space. A Yellow Cab pulled into the space next to him. Who could be coming to the church today? Curious, he waited inside his car to see who would be exiting the vehicle.

  It was Mindy.

  What’s she doing here? he wondered before the thought hit. Answered prayer.

  Mindy wrapped her coat about her, strutted over to his vehicle, and tapped on his window. Keith rolled down the power window.

  “Perfect timing.” She grinned and held out a hand. “I need cab fare.”

  Keith settled her tab and tipped the driver. He hurried them into the building. It was about thirty-six degrees, which for mid-December was high temperatures. He nodded at Dianne and left the door open. Once Mindy was seated across from him in his study, he asked, “How did you know I’d be here?”

  “I didn’t,” Mindy answered. “I was worrying, too. Especially once I realized I didn’t have enough cab fare.”

  “Why didn’t you use one of your father’s vehicles?”

  She broke eye contact. “He doesn’t want me driving. He’s afraid to let me behind the wheel though I’m a very good driver. For the most part, I don’t mind using cabs because it’s easier. Sometimes, Elle G shuttles me around, if she can.”

  “Who’s Elle G?” he asked. Distracted because he was sending a text to Gina, Keith did not hear her response. When he looked up, he saw Mindy eyeing him. “Sorry. I was sending my wife info about my whereabouts.”

  “I’m good,” she assured him.

  Gina responded: OK. Thx. Michael is working out.

  Keith hit the silent button and placed his cell phone face down on the table. He opened his mouth to share that he had been expecting her. The Spirit urged him not to speak.

  Listen.

  Obedient, Keith said, “Why don’t you tell me why you’re here?”

  Mindy straightened her spine as if she was gathering her courage. Then in a tiny voice, she said, “There are three people inside me.”

  Keith’s ears pricked. He had been expecting a confession, not a revelation. “What do you mean?”

  “I have multiple personalities,” she explained. “I was diagnosed when I was a child.”

  Lord, I invite your presence and your power. Though he knew the answer, Keith asked, “Are you seeing someone?” The lawyer in him wanted to hit the record button on his phone, but this conversation wouldn’t be admitted in court.

  “I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist, Dr. Forrester, but my father made me stop going. He doesn’t believe in it, calls it psychobabble.” She gave Keith a sly look. “He doesn’t believe much in God or church either.”

  “Yet, you’re here,” he noted.

  “I am. I watch your shows. You talk about how God is a healer. I want healing. I want to be normal like everyone else.”

  Keith took in Mindy’s expectant face. For a moment, he felt out of his league.

  She wrapped her arms about her. “You think I’m weird. Are you going to be scared and treat me like a pariah like everyone else?”

  Lord, help me. He opened his mouth and spouted a Bible verse: “‘For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.’” Thank you, Holy Ghost!

  “A sound mind. A sound mind,” Mindy repeated. Her body straightened. “For a second there, I thought you’d be like everyone else. Is that in the Bible? Where can I find it?”

  “It’s here in Second Timothy 1 verse 7.” Keith walked over to the large oak chest in the corner of his office and pulled it open. Taking out one of the wrapped giveaway Bibles, he tore off the plastic coating. Within seconds, he located the passage b
efore handing it to her. This time he sat in the chair next to her.

  Mindy read the verse with the enthusiasm of a thirsty wanderer who had found water. She repeated the verse at least three times. Then she pierced him with an enraptured gaze. “I want this. I want it. How can I get it?”

  “You have to seek the One who gives it,” Keith explained. God was filling his mouth with words. Mindy’s facial expression was akin to an eager baby bird waiting for the worm. God used that moment to teach Keith a lesson. People were still hungry for the Word and he had to be ready to share it whenever, wherever.

  He shared, “Mindy, I’m not like most preachers. I’m not going to anoint you and pray over you for hours.”

  She squinted her eyes. “You’re not?”

  Keith chuckled. “No, I don’t have a magic wand to wave away your problems. Do you know what Jesus did with hungry people?”

  “What?” Her eyes were round and eager.

  “He fed them. He took care of the physical body first. That’s where we’ll start.”

  She drooped. Keith actually felt her disappointment.

  “When Jesus heals, He makes you completely whole. This is the first step,” he said.

  Keith was about to go in preaching mode when Mindy changed lanes.

  “There’s another reason I’m here. I’ve been taking my medication. It dulls my thoughts. Taking pills is not the answer. Dr. Forrester told me I needed to confront my past. Even though it’s painful,” she said, gripping his arm.

  Like an experienced car driver, Keith followed Mindy’s conversation shift. “Did you ever take Dr. Forrester’s advice and talk about it?”

  She shook her head. “No. Dr. Forrester felt my father should be there with me. He refused. He called her a quack and banned me from going. But I’m nineteen now. I can go without his permission.”

  Keith nodded but did not egg her on. Whatever move Mindy made had to come from her.

  “I want to see Dr. Forrester. But, I don’t want to go alone. I . . . I want to help Michael. I want to remember what happened that night. But, I need Mousie and Baby to tell me.”