The Fall of the Prodigal

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  Keith arched an eyebrow but said nothing.

  Verona’s face was beet red. Without another word, she gathered her purse. From behind Keith’s back, she flipped him the bird. Michael shrugged. It was not the first time. He had better uses for that finger and as soon as he could, she would find out.

  What Verona didn’t know, at first, was his brother must have seen her through the mirror. Keith lifted his chin and folded his arms. Her eyes widened with horror when she discovered he had indeed seen her. She bolted through the door.

  Wow, what sweet payback. Despite Keith’s baleful look, Michael laughed so hard, a tear slid from his eye. He loved that woman.

  She just flipped the bird in a pastor’s house. Her finger could have wilted or something. Verona hightailed it out of Keith and Gina’s house. As she skittered down the steps, Gina’s car came into view.

  Would her humiliation never end?

  “Where are you running off to?” Gina lowered her window to greet her.

  Verona skidded on the ice, falling bottom first. It was too much. She keeled over with laughter.

  She heard the car door slam. Gina scurried to where she sat and helped her to her feet. “I’m glad I ran into you,” she said, giving Verona a warm hug.

  “I was going to call a cab,” Verona said.

  Gina’s eyebrows arched. “You should’ve waited inside instead of coming out here in those impractical shoes. Didn’t you listen to the weather? We’re expecting snow tonight.”

  “I was in California visiting my family,” she explained.

  “This was my first destination after exiting the plane. I wanted to see Michael. Keith barged in on us and asked me to come back later.” A little fudge on the truth, but Verona would never admit she had been kicked out for bad behavior.

  To her relief, Gina did not question her further. Although, Verona thought she saw Gina hiding a smile.

  “How about we grab an early dinner?” Gina asked.

  Verona nodded her assent.

  About twenty minutes later they were being seated at Café Baci. Verona looked around the establishment, admiring the cozy feel of the earthy décor. “What a lovely restaurant.”

  “Keith took me here when we were . . . dating.”

  Dating? What a way to pretty up two-timing brothers. Gina had been “dating” Michael then too, but Verona kept her opinions to herself. She was no fool. Verona was not about to let her mouth get her stranded in West Hempstead without a ride.

  Once they ordered and their meals arrived, Gina said, “Tell me about your trip home.”

  Verona gave her a detailed description of the events. She showed her a selfie she had taken with Elijah.

  “What a handsome young man,” Gina exclaimed.

  Verona agreed, grateful the other woman had not commented on his blue hair. Come to think of it, not once did she see any judgment in Gina’s face. Instead, it reflected understanding. There was something about Gina that made her open up because forty minutes later Verona was still talking.

  The waiter cleared their plates and soiled linens and she kept on talking.

  He brought them pies and sherbet and she kept on talking.

  And through it all, Gina listened. She should have been a psychologist. She would have made a fortune. For a tiny woman, she had big shoulders, Verona thought as they left the restaurant.

  “I’m going back this weekend to talk with Elijah and hear him sing,” Verona said, concluding her tale.

  Gina studied the ground for several minutes. Then she asked her only question: “Was there another reason your parents didn’t help you raise your son?”

  What an insightful question. “I don’t think so. We were in dire straits and about to lose our home. My parents didn’t want Elijah to suffer,” Verona said.

  “Hmm, sounds logical. But most parents I know wouldn’t give up their blood so easy, even if they’re dirt poor and on the streets. I think you should ask,” Gina advised. “When you mentioned that, I felt a gut reaction. Dig a little deeper when you go home. It may be nothing, but I’d ask the question. Your father is right. You must talk everything out with your son if you want to build a good relationship moving forward.”

  Of course, Verona could not wait until she was home. Gina had waited with her until her cab arrived. As soon as Verona entered her apartment, she was on the phone. Louisa answered. “Mom, was there another reason why you and Dad pushed the adoption?”

  Before her mother could offer a reply, her doorbell rang. Verona kept the cordless to her ear and opened the door.

  “Ms. Stachs? I need your signature to okay a future purchase from our store.”

  Verona waved the courier inside. “Mom, I’ll call you back in a minute.” She tore open the envelope and quickly perused the contents.

  What! She gulped. It was an open purchase order from Tiffany’s. Her heart sang. “Yes. Yes. I’ll gladly sign on his behalf.”

  She gave the courier an exorbitant tip though he stressed it was not required. “Go buy yourself something,” she said.

  When she closed the door, Verona sashayed into her bedroom. She was so giddy she floated. Michael was going to ask her to marry him! She was so excited she forgot all about calling her mother back.

  Instead, Verona spent hours planning her wedding. In bed that night, she tried out her new name for size: “Verona Stachs Ward.” No, that was too stuffy sounding. “Verona Ward Stachs.” That didn’t sound right, either. It sounded like a sentence. She could imagine the gibes: “Verona Ward Stachs what?”

  “Verona Ward.” Now, that was just right.

  Chapter Forty-five

  “Daddy!”

  “Daddy!”

  Michael hugged John and Olivia tight. He lifted them in his arms, cracking up at their squeals of delight. “Thank you for bringing them,” he said to Lauren. The twins headed to the backroom to visit Epiphany’s playroom.

  She held up her left hand. “How do you like my engagement ring?”

  Michael eyed the bread tie crudely wrapped around her finger. Oh, no. That would not do. He opened his mouth to protest, but Lauren was not done talking.

  “I was glad when you called, actually. I need to go to Nordstrom and check out their gowns. I’m thinking a champagne color would be suitable for the courthouse. Valentine’s Day is clichéd but appropriate, don’t you think?”

  Lauren was moving with intense speed. Michael waved at her to get her attention. He dipped his head to meet her eyes. “I need to let you know something.”

  She raised curious green eyes to his. “Are you backing out of the wedding?”

  “No, I . . .” He planted a quick kiss on her lips. When he would have pulled away, Lauren gripped his head and deepened the kiss. The old him would have jumped on that invitation and they would be doing more than locking lips. Key words being “the old him.”

  The new Michael was walking a new path. The new him heard Keith’s words beating in his head. The new him did not feel right kissing one woman when he was in love with another.

  Whoa! Michael broke the kiss. He took a step back and wiped his mouth.

  “Excuse me, but did you just wipe away my kiss?” Lauren asked. Her rapid blinking eyes was a telltale sign of her displeasure. Something else was written on her face. He had better answer right or she would have no problem setting things off.

  Michael knew he had messed up big time. “No, I’m distracted. At this very moment, Keith is at the district attorney’s office trying to get the charges dropped. Mindy went to the police station to give her statement of what happened that night. Keith was there with her for everything at her request. We expect full exoneration.”

  Lauren’s jaw hung so low he could see her tonsils. “Why didn’t you tell me? How did this happen?”

  Michael shrugged, still reeling from his own disbelief. “A few days ago, Keith told me and Gina that God had directed him to fast and pray for Mindy. He asked Gina and me to join him. I was reluctant but when it comes to God, w
hat do I know? Keith’s the expert.”

  “God told him?” She sounded a bit jaded. “As in, he heard a voice?”

  “Yes, God spoke to him,” Michael defended. “I don’t know if he heard a voice. I didn’t ask him all that as I was too busy protesting giving up my food.”

  Lauren looked dubious but Michael now believed God had led Keith. There was no other explanation for the quick turn of events. He said, “I thought something would happen the same day. But nothing. Then Keith calls and says he dropped by the church and Mindy pops up to talk with him.”

  She squinted her eyes. “What did she say?”

  “Mindy told him she’s mentally ill and Keith offered to go with her to therapy. It was when she visited with her doctor that Mindy was able to piece it all together. Mindy remembered everything from that night.”

  “Everything?”

  Why was Lauren questioning everything he was saying? Irked by her habit, Michael’s annoyance grew. He supposed it was from her reporter days, but it was getting on his last nerve. “Yes, everything,” he emphasized.

  Lauren let out a big whoop and danced a little jig. “Yay! Now we can put the shotgun wedding idea to rest. Forget the gown; I’ll get a wedding dress. I’m thinking Olivia can be the flower girl and John the ring bearer. Ooh, maybe your brother will let us have the wedding at his church? I’m sure Keith won’t object. Maybe he can announce it to the church.”

  Without waiting for answer, she rubbed her hands. “And I can replace this bread tie with a real ring!”

  Michael lifted Lauren’s hand to grin at the twist tie. “It’ll definitely be replaced.” Once Verona approved the Tiffany’s purchase . . .

  Oh, no. Verona might think it’s for her. Might think? Of course she would think it was for her. He was an idiot!

  “Why do you have a look of horror on your face?” Lauren fussed at him. “Wipe that frown off your face. Women aren’t the only ones who can get wrinkles.”

  Michael complied with a wide smile. On the inside, he was already working out making two purchases instead of one. He would buy Verona a pair of earrings to match her eyes. Lauren patted him on the arm and Michael redirected his attention to her words.

  Again Lauren was moving ten speeds ahead of him. Michael kept silent as she rambled on about caterers and decorations. He would just show up.

  There was something Michael needed to say. He took Lauren’s hand to get her attention. “Before you go shopping, I wanted to let you know how grateful I am you were willing to marry me when I was on my face.”

  She gave a slow nod. “You’re the father of my children, Michael. I know I ran from you and I kept them from you, but I was wrong.” She waved her hands. “Anyways, none of that matters now. What matters is I have you and everything is working out the way I’d . . . I mean, the way God planned.”

  Michael was not sure why but warning bells were ringing. Why did he feel something was not right, like a piece of the puzzle was missing? Michael did not understand his gut feeling. He should be on cloud nine, but something about this seemed too convenient. Was he being paranoid?

  Why couldn’t he give God thanks without doubt creeping in? Maybe he was too jaded to accept God handing him his freedom on a platter.

  Michael pushed the negative thoughts aside. “I can’t wait to put this nightmare behind us forever. I imagine the reporters will be camped outside my penthouse once they hear about this, but that will die down in time as well.” He injected enthusiasm in his voice and told Lauren, “In the meantime, go plan the wedding of your dreams!”

  “Don’t worry, I know how to handle reporters. And as for the wedding costs, I’ll charge it to your account,” she said before the door clicked upon her departure.

  Once she exited, Michael exhaled. Lauren had so much energy it was draining. He welcomed the quiet before running to check on his children. They had been back there too long without supervision. All sorts of scenarios played through his mind until he rested eyes on them.

  They were fine. Epiphany’s toy room was another matter. He carefully made his way through strewn toys—cars, dolls, stuffed animals—and stooped to watch his children at play.

  “Daddy, come play,” Olivia demanded.

  Michael’s heart expanded. “I’d love to have tea with you.” He picked up the pint-sized teacups and squatted next to her.

  He had been around several tables with some of the biggest names in construction. He had attended power lunches and deal-making dinners. But, as he drank from a play cup and ate a piece of pretend pie, Michael acknowledged he had never felt this level of satisfaction and belonging as he did straddling a forty dollar plastic table.

  Michael’s eyes strayed between John and Olivia. He had done the right thing asking Lauren to marry him. Seeing them sealed his decision. Once they were married, he’d have a family.

  But, what about love?

  Chapter Forty-six

  “I don’t like being lied to,” Bill roared.

  Mindy kept silent.

  “I don’t like being played for a fool,” he yelled.

  She lowered her head. Her father was right. She had tricked him and played him too many times to count.

  “And, I don’t like being drugged,” he stated, in an ominous tone.

  How did he know? She had been careful. Mindy’s head shot up. She wondered if he had discovered the other thing she had done. She took a step back and Bill advanced toward her. His face held menace and she knew she was in for it.

  “Did you think I wouldn’t find out? Do you think me so stupid I wouldn’t figure out what my only daughter has been doing to me?” he roared. Bill grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a vicious shake.

  Mindy could not hold her tongue. “Yes, I did it! I wasn’t trying to kill you or anything. I wanted, no, I needed to be free. I wanted to get help.” She pressed. “What about what you’ve been doing to me?”

  “Wha . . . What?” he asked. “What have I done to you, more than love you?”

  “You don’t love me,” she spat. “You treat me as if I’m a possession, a prized doll. You pretend as if there’s nothing wrong with me when we both know I’m sick. I haven’t been the same since the day I found Carl. I . . .” She broke. “And, you won’t let me talk about it.”

  This time Bill was the one to back away. He shook his head. “No, I refuse to accept what those quacks, who’ve never experienced anything in their lives, have to say. You have an active imagination. I only gave you the pills to put your mind at ease, but I know the truth.”

  Mindy lifted ravaged eyes to his. “I went to see Pastor Keith and we went to see Dr. Forrester.”

  Bill leaned forward and cupped one ear. “Did I hear you correctly? Did you say you went with Keith? Keith Ward, Michael’s attorney and brother?”

  Mindy trembled. She rubbed her nose, wiped her eyes, and then grabbed her head. Answer him. “Yes, I went to see Dr. Forrester with him. Pastor Keith was nice to me. He listened to whatever I said. He was nice.”

  “Ha! Of course he was nice, as you’ve mentioned twice. He was taking advantage of you.”

  “No, he helped me!” Mindy forcefully replied. She lifted her chin. “I’m not sorry I asked him. And, Dr. Forrester helped me.”

  Mentioning Dr. Forrester again took Bill’s mind off Keith. “Did she spout all that psychobabble so she could take more of my money? The only way to deal with your brother’s, um, what happened to him is to move on.”

  Mindy held her hands out toward him. “Why can’t you see you’re wrong? Say the word, Daddy. Suicide. Carl killed himself. He was ill and he didn’t get help. I’m afraid I’ll do the same thing!”

  “Don’t. Ever. Utter. Those. Words. Again.” Bill gritted his teeth. “Going to a shrink is not going to bring Carl back.”

  “I know. I’m ill, not stupid. And, you’re wrong! I spoke about Carl. Then, Dr. Forrester helped me remember that night.”

  Her father looked at her with pain in his eyes. He did not withhold
anything. Mindy knew she had pushed him enough with the subject of her brother’s death. Time for a conversation change.

  “I was stripping for a while,” she confessed.

  Bill craned his neck toward her. “What did you say?”

  “I’ve been going to Finn’s for a while, off and on. I made good money. He didn’t know who I was.” Her body shivered with fear, but Mindy felt it was time for full disclosure. She needed to take responsibility for her actions and her alter egos. Pastor Keith had advised her to speak with her father and tell him everything.

  Bill studied her like he had never seen her before.

  She gulped. “I’m not your sweet little girl. I—”

  Her father snatched her hand and gave her a beseeching look. “It’s going to take me some time to process all of this. This is the first real conversation we’ve had in years. I feel like I’m speaking to you, if that makes sense. And, I much prefer the ugly truth over being drugged any day.”

  Mindy gave a wistful smile. “I’m sorry, Daddy. In my defense, I wasn’t always in my right mind. I’ve got a journey ahead of me, but I intend to try God. Pastor Keith has shared some scriptures with me, and I know God can heal. I really believe God can heal me.”

  For once Bill did not criticize her. He nodded his head.

  “Now that I know the full truth, Michael will be off the hook. He can begin to pick up the pieces of his life I destroyed.” She jutted her chin to keep from crying but the tears came anyway.

  In a surprising move, Bill encircled her with his powerful hands. “You didn’t destroy his life, Mindy. You were afraid and confused.”

  She sniffed. “I did. I almost put an innocent man behind bars.”

  “Now, he might not have done this, but Michael Ward is no innocent,” her father corrected with a pat on her head. “He’ll bounce back in no time. He’ll come back bigger and better. I’m the one who should be worried.”

  For the first time since she had known her father, Mindy heard him distressed. She noticed the bead of sweat around Bill’s forehead. “What do you think he’ll do to you?”