The Fall of the Prodigal

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  “Ruin me.”

  Mindy could not believe he had actually answered her. Bill was treating her like she was a real human being. Awkward, she bit her lip and touched him on the back. “Michael’s not going to do anything. He doesn’t blame you. He knows I’m sick. It will be all right.”

  “I should’ve killed him when I had the chance,” Bill moaned covering his face with his hands. “Now, he’s going to come after me and what’s going to happen to you? Who’s going to take care of you?”

  Mindy could not believe her ears. Her father was fretting over her? “Michael’s got religion. He’s been going to his brother’s church.”

  It took her a minute to realize her father’s shoulder was shaking. Laughter bubbled up within him and Bill clutched his stomach. He landed on the floor, laughing until tears filled his eyes.

  “Daddy, have you gone mad? Control yourself,” Mindy commanded. Wow, how the tables had turned.

  “You really believe that hogwash?” Bill howled. “It’s all an act. Michael’s pretending until he’s in the clear. Then he’s going to go back to his scheming ways. You mark my words, Mindy. I give him two weeks max and he’ll back to his old self.”

  What if her father was right? Mindy wondered. He and Michael had been best friends for years. He knew him. There was only one way to find out. She held her hand out to help him to his feet. “I’m going to Pastor Keith’s church this Saturday, Daddy. I think you should come with me.”

  “I don’t—”

  “Scared?” she challenged. Her heart pummeled in her chest. Who was this new person emerging from within? She was proud of her. She liked her.

  Bill brushed his pants. “Never met a challenge I didn’t accept.”

  “You invited Mindy to our church?” Gina asked as they folded back their bedspread. “I don’t think that was a good move. Mindy can receive the same Word from Terence and Colleen’s church.”

  “Must we argue over every move I make?” Keith retorted with a heavy sigh. “First of all, it’s not my church. It’s God’s church. I am only his vessel. I can only do what He asks.”

  “God asked you to invite your brother’s accuser to church this Sabbath?” She tossed the pillows on the floor.

  “Not in so many words, but Mindy came to me for help. She needs God just like everyone else.”

  “I agree. I’m not saying that,” Gina said.

  “Will Verona be there? I remember you said you invited her.” Keith undid his cuff links and unbuttoned his shirt.

  “She’s going back to California for the weekend.”

  Gina wandered off into their shower. Keith finished undressing and plopped into bed.

  Thank God, Verona would not be there. Keith planned to announce Michael and Lauren’s engagement and that would have been awkward. Keith shook his head. When Michael informed him of his engagement, Keith had questioned him at length. He had urged Michael to slow down, to take time to be sure of his feelings. Keith reminded Michael about his catching him and Verona in a compromising position.

  But Michael was adamant about “doing the right thing.” Whatever that meant. There was no way Keith was marrying someone for any reason other than love.

  Boy was he glad he was settled with a wife. Keith would not want to be in Michael’s shoes. When would single men realize how marriage freed you? Keith had a ready date. He had a friend. He had a lover. He had everything he needed wrapped up in one pint-sized, feisty package.

  The next morning, Keith’s front lawn was covered with reporters. He knew Michael’s acquittal would be big news but he forgot how sensational it would be. Trey and Epiphany had not made it out to school. They were all quarantined inside the house.

  Keith waited with the entire family for the press conference. The police commissioner came on and gave a perfunctory speech. He didn’t stop for questions, closing with, “The City of New York wishes Michael Ward the best in his future endeavors. If you don’t mind, I have six other pressing cases waiting on my desk.” With that, the case closed and it was on to the next one.

  Everyone gathered in the family room breathed a sigh of relief. Keith pumped his fists in the air. “Hallelujah!”

  Gina clapped her hands. E.J. joined in with exuberance, though she did not fully understand what was going on. Trey gave his uncle a hug.

  Michael rushed over to Keith. “Thank you, brother. Thank you for helping me.”

  Keith shook Michael’s shoulders. “Thank God. God gets all the credit. He did this for you.”

  “I say we throw a party,” Gina suggested.

  “Why not a wedding instead?” Michael grinned.

  Chapter Forty-seven

  “I’m telling you, Mom. Michael plans to ask me to marry him.”

  As they strolled the Westfield Fashion Square mall, arm in arm, Louisa gave Verona a wistful smile. “In my umpteen years here on earth, I’ve learned not to count chickens.”

  “I’m not counting chickens, Mom. I know he’s making a large purchase from Tiffany’s. What else could it be? Michael said he loved me. Granted, we were fighting at the time, but . . .” Verona was not about to tell Louisa about her and Michael’s passionate make-out sessions. Some things a mother did not need to know.

  “Did you speak about when it you were in New York?”

  Verona shook her head. “We didn’t verbalize our feelings, but I know how he feels. Why do you think he’s against me quitting? Michael needs me, and I need him.”

  Louisa stopped to look at the blouses in Ann Taylor. “I don’t want you getting your hopes up for nothing.”

  “Too late,” Verona confessed.

  They made their way down to the ice cream spot. Each ordered a cone. Once they were munching away on the cold treat, Verona remembered she wanted to ask her mother a question. “Mom, I wanted to ask you a question. Was there another reason why you and Dad pushed for the adoption? I mean I know things were bad, but I’m still asking.”

  Her mother’s eyes flittered like a butterfly. She was looking everywhere but at Verona, which made her hackles rise. “Mom. What is it?”

  Her mother set glassy eyes on hers. “Your father is sick. Noel hasn’t been well for years.”

  Verona clutched her chest. “But, he doesn’t look sick.” She balked. “What’s wrong with him?”

  “He has hypertensive heart disease. For years, he had high blood pressure. While he’s done everything right, he could still suffer from heart failure. Right when he received the news, you became pregnant. At the time, we weren’t sure.” Louisa coughed and took a sip of water before continuing. “We weren’t sure he’d make it past five years.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Verona asked. “I can’t believe you both kept something this big from me. To think I blamed you, I blamed him.” She stood. Oh, Lord. She was the most selfish human being on the planet. Louisa grabbed her bag for them to go, but Verona held up a hand. “I need a minute, Mom. I’ll be right back.”

  Verona raced toward the bathroom. Her chest heaved. She peered into several stalls before finding one clean enough. She made it into the tiny compartment before she broke.

  Her body shook. She put a fist in her mouth to keep from crying out in agony. Her father could die at any minute. She had wasted years shutting her parents out of her life. What if she had never come home? What if she had never reconnected with them?

  This was all too much. Verona tilted her head and saw the paint chips in the ceiling. “God, I didn’t know. I didn’t know,” she cried.

  She heard a rap on the stall door. “Verona, are you in there?”

  Verona wiped her face and pulled several tissues off the roll to blow her nose. How long had she been gone? Ten minutes? An hour? She did not have a clue. Pain filled her heart like shooting darts.

  “Verona, please come out, honey,” Louisa urged.

  She knew her mother was worried, but it still took Verona several minutes before she could command her feet to move. Numb, she opened the door and collapsed into
Louisa’s arms.

  “He’s lived with it for all this time and he’s still here.” Louisa ushered Verona out of the public restroom.

  Verona sniffed. “Yes, but he could die.”

  “He’s not dead now.” Her mother was firm. “Get yourself together. Noel and I brought you up to have faith and to believe in God. God sent you home. You’ve rekindled your relationship with your father. Come what may, all is well.”

  By this time, the two women were seated in Louisa’s car. The hymn “It Is Well,” came into Verona’s head. Though her cheeks trembled, Verona began the refrain: “‘It is well, with my soul.’”

  Louisa hummed along as she navigated her way out of the busy mall. Verona’s voice strengthened with each line and by the end she believed the song. Noel had missed out on her graduation from law school, but he would not miss her wedding. As soon as Michael put that ring on her finger, she would be in major planning mode.

  Hold on. Why wait? Verona already knew Michael planned to ask so she was not jumping the gun. “Mom, can we stop by the bridal store before going home?” Verona asked. “I think it’s time I go dress shopping.”

  Verona followed closely behind her mother hiding the gown. She knew she was doing the cart before the horse thing but she could not leave this number in the store.

  Verona wondered how Gina would feel about standing in as her matron of honor. She scrunched her nose. She did not care for that term. “Matron” sounded too old, archaic. Lady in waiting. Yes, she liked she sound of that.

  Louisa kept her mouth closed. Verona knew she wanted to say something but was biting her tongue. “I know you think I’m moving too fast, but this dress was a bargain. I couldn’t let it go. It’s chic. It’s classy. It’s me.”

  “I’m not worried about the gown,” Louisa fretted. “Call me old-fashioned but I certainly wouldn’t jinx things by buying a dress when no one has asked me to marry them.”

  Verona plodded behind her mother up the stairs, holding the gown high in her hands to keep the train from snagging. “He’s going to ask, Mom. This purchase is faith in action.”

  Louisa lifted her hands. “Okay, honey, I’m done arguing with you. You know better than I do, but I for one won’t be plunking down a fortune on a gown until I get the official invite.”

  “Where’s Dad?” Verona wanted to show off her gown to someone else. She felt a strong need to hug him and never let go.

  “He’s in our room. It’s his usual rest time. I know you want to talk to him but, sweetheart, please give yourself a day to process.” Louisa strolled down to their bedroom and Verona a faint smile.

  Verona nodded. Louisa had reassured her that Noel exercised and maintained a healthy diet but she had visions of her father collapsing at her feet. Hearing about her impending nuptials would give her father a boost, a reason to keep well. If only Michael would hurry up and ask her already.

  Verona entered her childhood room and closed the door. Her head was filled with wedding cake ideas. Maybe she should go with cupcakes; they were all the rage. She tapped her chin. Her mother was right. She was getting ahead of herself. She needed to secure a location first. Verona did not want to get married in Keith’s monstrosity of a church. But wedding season was upon them and pickings would be slim.

  With extreme tenderness, she unzipped the garment bag to gaze at her gown. The silky material felt smooth in her hand. She fantasized about how Michael’s eyes would pop when he saw her in this ensemble. Paranoid about damaging or soiling the delicate material, Verona re-zipped the bag and hung the dress in her closet.

  She dug into her jeans and pulled out her cell phone. There was a text from Nigel, but Michael had not called. However, Verona was not concerned. Michael was most likely searching out engagement rings. Good, because she could not wait to see her father’s face when she told him she was settling down.

  No matter what her mother said, all she could think about was her father dying suddenly and not seeing her as a bride. Verona straightened. Her father was not going to miss another milestone in her life. Not if she could help it. Noel would walk her down the aisle. As soon as Michael slid the ring on her finger, Verona was moving full speed ahead with her plans.

  Chapter Forty-eight

  “Let me look at those again?” Michael asked Raoul, the clerk chosen to wait on him. He was seated in a small room designed for clientele with particular tastes and the money to satisfy them. It was Thursday evening and he wanted to get this off his to-do list.

  The young man was quick to do his bidding. Michael marveled at Raoul’s patience.

  He had already chosen Lauren’s wedding ring. Correction. She had sent him a picture of what she wanted. Michael found it ostentatious and borderline gaudy, but he was going to grant her every wish. How much was too much for the woman who had borne his children?

  “Let’s see if any of these earrings appeal to you,” Raoul said, before carefully depositing the tray in front of him.

  Michael waved him off. It had been close to an hour but finding the right pair to match Verona’s eyes was a challenge. Nope. He did not see anything he liked.

  Raoul poked his head in.

  “I want you to look at this.” Michael swiped the camera app on his phone and searched for a picture of Verona. They had been at lunch. She had been laughing at something. On impulse, he had snapped the photo. Her eyes sparkled. Michael smiled whenever he pulled it up, which was often. He held up his phone to Raoul to see. “Can you match her eyes?”

  “Your fiancée is beautiful,” Raoul observed. Michael did not correct him. Raoul snapped his fingers. “Aha. I have exactly what you’re looking for.”

  When Raoul returned with his vision, Michael immediately nixed the earrings. In his hand was a tiger-shaped pendant engraved with golden bronze-colored stones. He slanted Raoul an eerie glance before clutching it in his palm. It was as if whoever designed the gem had read his mind and made this as a custom piece for his Tiger. Well, Verona was not his Tiger. That would not stop Michael from buying her this gift. “Wrap it for me. I’ll take it.”

  “Do you want it delivered by messenger, sir?”

  He shook his head. “No, I’ll do it myself.”

  Raoul gave him a knowing smile before running off to prepare the package.

  Why are you marrying Lauren? The random thought attacked his psyche. Michael shrugged away the question.

  He exited the back room and meandered his way through the other customers until he found Raoul. He did not know what possessed him to scan the engagement rings on display. His eyes locked onto an exquisite five-carat yellow diamond solitaire. Like a siren, it beckoned him over to the case. Michael needed to feel it in his hands.

  Sensing another sale, Raoul hovered. “Our yellow rose has entranced many but no takers as yet. You want to take a peek?”

  Michael gulped then nodded. Yes. He was looking at Tiger’s engagement ring. He could visualize it flashing on Verona’s hand, getting caught in that wild hair of hers. Someone needed to buy her that ring.

  He accepted the ring with slight embarrassment at his emotional connection. Michael knew it sounded sexist, but he thought only women felt that way. Standing there, though, Michael admitted there was no way he could leave it behind. His heart pounded.

  You realize she’ll know it’s an engagement ring? There’s no passing that off as anything else.

  Who said I cared?

  “Ring it up, Raoul,” Michael commanded. He massaged his temples. There was no excuse for what he was doing: buying two rings for two different women. He could not live in denial another day. It was obvious who had his heart. Why was he marrying Lauren?

  As he drove to his penthouse suite, Michael debated the question. He could not even tell when his feelings for Verona had morphed into love. For years, he had thought Lauren was the one. He had scoured the United States to find her and his children. Now, he had all three and he was undecided. Who did that?

  And, what about John and Olivia? Michael
wanted to be a full-time father in their lives. No. He had to marry Lauren. It was the right thing to do.

  He groaned. But, he could not picture making love to any other woman for the rest of his life but Tiger. He craved her all day long. During the day he could fool himself, but at night his dreams betrayed him. He could not pretend for the rest of his life, could he?

  Why couldn’t he have two wives? Didn’t Adam? No, it wasn’t Adam but Abraham. Michael had read about the patriarch in the book of Genesis. Abraham had a killer time managing Sarah and Hagar.

  Michael chuckled, picturing Lauren and Verona scratching and mauling each other. There would be no peaceful cohabitation with those two. No, he was not made out for polygamy and neither woman would settle with being a sidepiece. Besides, Michael would land in jail and . . . why was he even entertaining this dumb idea? It was a waste of his brain cells.

  The fact was he was already engaged. To Lauren.

  He could live with Lauren. He could be the husband she needed. He knew that. But could and want to were not the same. He wanted to be with Tiger. He wanted to be Verona’s husband. There was a big difference.

  Michael pulled up to the valet in front of his building. His head whipped left and right. There was no press waiting. No cops waiting. In fact, everyone he saw was going about his or her business. He released a deep breath. It would be awhile before he could accept he was a free man.

  Michael entered his building with a wide smile on his face. It was good to be home.

  “Good to see you, Mr. Ward,” Aisha, the front desk clerk, greeted him.

  “It’s good to be back,” he said.

  In the elevator, Michael saw a text from Verona saying she was in California. She would be back Sunday night. He glanced at his watch. Keith was going to announce his engagement to the church this Saturday. He could fly to California and back within that time. He could ask Verona to marry him and if she said no, he would marry Lauren. Problem solved.

  Disgust filled his being. He was bargaining with two women’s lives. Gina flashed before him. When would he learn? He had married Gina knowing deep down in his gut something was wrong. He had ignored that feeling. The same one he was having about Lauren. Michael knew he was marrying the wrong woman even if it was for the right reasons.