Mirrored Hearts: Sealed by Fire (Encounters of the Heart Book 2)

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Mirrored Hearts: Sealed by Fire (Encounters of the Heart Book 2) Page 8

by Ann Marie Bryan


  Rozene snuggled closer. In her mother’s arms was exactly where she needed to be.

  Her mother was quiet for a moment before she began to make declarations over Rozene’s life.

  “You are God’s masterpiece, a treasure in an earthen vessel. Your covering is the righteousness of Christ. You are like a tree planted by rivers of water that will bring forth fruit in season; your leaf shall not wither; and whatsoever you do will prosper. Length of days is in your right hand and in your left are riches and honor.

  I declare blessings over your life – “Blessings shall come on you, and overtake you. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.”

  The favor and anointing of God are forever on your life. Fear will not, will not capture you and paralyze your strengths. You will keep on hoping, you will keep on praying, and you will keep on believing that God will make every crooked path in your life straight. He is God and He will do it. The Lord bless and keep you, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.”

  CHAPTER 10

  Larry descended the double-helix stairs at Chateau de Kanate, wondering if he was spending too much time by himself, which was making him self-absorbed. For what else could have brought on that episode with his mother concerning his father.

  He paused to roll his eyes to the sky before moving on. What was I thinking? His mother had been through enough. Yet, he had to admit he was glad to get it all off his chest, even if he had suddenly become a small boy during the process. He was glad too that his mother took it so graciously. But what else was she to do when her eldest child flipped out on her.

  Still, he liked being at the Chateau, for only then could he stock up on his sleep without the malignant nightmares about his marriage that kept nibbling away his heart.

  A few minutes later, Larry veered left of the kitchen and entered the sunroom. After greeting his mother with a kiss on her cheek, he took a seat across from her at the table. He prayed and they placed generous portions of food on their plate and began to eat lunch.

  Since conversation was flowing between them, Larry decided to mention his infidelity, hoping to get another perspective. Pastor Fotola was still adamant that he should have that conversation with Rozene. Again, for the record, Pastor Fotola, I have no intention of taking her back.

  Yet, Larry had to “fess” up to someone else that he trusted because he was tired of being miserable. Tired of pretending he was happy. Tired of wearing the, I’m-good smile. He didn’t like being home alone. No, sirree. Rozene was a fixture, a constant in his life and he felt unbalanced without her.

  Oh, God! As soon as he presented the situation to his mother, he regretted it. Apparently, he’d uttered the unforgivable. Perhaps, this would go down as the saddest Saturday morning in his life.

  He’d witnessed his mother’s transformation from shock to annoyance then anger and finally, disappointment. Even now her eyes accused him.

  He felt like a small boy all over again. Like the time when he’d beaten up Zadan and she’d told him, ‘Shame on you. You should be protecting him.’ He’d never forgotten the look of disappointment in his mother’s eyes. He was the oldest of the flock and she had always expected him to be the guardian.

  Larry gave up a shamefaced expression as his mother continued to glare at him. Trying to explain the purpose of his existence on earth occurred to him, but when he opened his mouth no words came from his lips. Only her love and respect for him was keeping her this quiet.

  He wondered if he was expecting too much from her. “Mama, I’ll see you later,” he told her, struggling to mask his disappointment.

  Finally, she spoke. “Son, sit with me for a few minutes. I know you have the time.”

  “Mama, I know what I did to Gabrielle was wrong,” he choked out. “I tried talking with her but she still refuses to take my calls. I cannot undo the past but I would like her to know that I’m sorry, from the bottom of my heart. It doesn’t matter whether I tell Rozene or not. It’s over between us.”

  Darlene frowned. “Are you seeing anyone now?”

  Surprised, he looked at her for a moment, before responding. “No, I’m not. I have never cheated before. Never. I love …”

  “I know you love Rozene,” his mother filled in. “I remembered the glow on your face the morning after our Thanksgiving charity ball where you laid eyes on her. You told me you had met a “gorgeous flower” but after breakfast, you said, ‘Mama, she was an amazing experience. I’m going to marry her.’”

  Larry remained silent.

  “Son, I know what she did to you was wrong. But look at how you are treating her, when you did the same-”

  “I did not …” He stopped, realizing that he’d raised his voice at his mother for the first time. But he was red hot. “It’s two different situations. She was in a relationship with that man.”

  “Larry, you don’t know that. You didn’t hear her side of the story.”

  “What’s there to tell, Mama? She played me like a fool.”

  “So your feelings are hurt.”

  “I gave her everything. Everything. I can’t believe she of all people - Holy Ghost filled, water baptized, Jesus on her mind - did that. If anyone told me she did anything remotely like that, I would have called him or her a liar. Without a thought. Flat out - a liar. But what can I say?”

  “Son, I want you to leave Rozene out of this for a moment. Think about yourself, your life. This is not good. The way you are denying that you mirrored her sin.” She held up her hand as he began to protest. “You did, son. You know Mama loves you. It would be wrong of me not to point this out to you. I mean you no harm. You need to check yourself. And you need to find it in your heart to forgive her, for your sake.”

  Agitated, he stared beyond her out the window.

  “Son, I know she did you wrong. Sure, she did. But you did her wrong too. How do you think she will feel if she ever found out what you did? You practically threw her out of the house.” She paused, seeing he had morphed into some kind of stature. “Son,” she said gently, “please, let the Lord lead you.”

  “Okay, Mama.” He rose stiffly from his seat. “I’ll talk with you later.”

  “Okay, love. Later then. God bless you.”

  “You too, Mama,” he said, lightly kissing her cheek, before leaving the room.

  Fifteen minutes later, Larry drove away from Chateau de Kanate, still miffed. He was at least hoping for a little compassion from his mother, even if she did not understand his situation. Mirrored sin, huh? The thought made him angrier.

  But he had been raised right…

  He was raised to be a gentleman, so after conducting the seminar at the Learning Center, he would call and apologize to his mother. Her intentions were honorable, but she was mistaken.

  CHAPTER 11

  Shivers of anxiety hit Don’s stomach as he stood waiting for Rozene in her parent’s living room. It seemed like Rozene was now permanently at her parents’ home. He feared the worst. This was not good. He hoped his predictions were incorrect.

  “Don,” Rozene called out to him, disrupting his thoughts.

  “Praise the Lord, dear lady. Good to see you.”

  “Praise the Lord. Good to see you, too.” She hugged him warmly before releasing him.

  He smiled fondly at her. “The pleasure is all mine. Absolutely wonderful to see you. It’s been a while you know.” He shuddered playfully. “I almost called the FBI. You had me running scared for you.” Seriously, I am worried about you, he wanted to say. Her spirit was different so he knew she was going through something. He was thankful her winning smile remained even though her eyes lacked the usual vibrancy.

  Smiling, she patted his back. “No need. Here, I am. Would you like something to drink?”

  “No, but thank you. I want to get down to business. Time for us to hit the road again, right?”

  She gave him a tight smile. “We’ll see.�
�� Then, leading the way, she told him. “Let’s use Dad’s office.”

  A few minutes later, they entered the office and sat on two huge, brown leather sofas that gave them a great view of the backyard.

  “Hope you’ve been looking at the reports,” Don remarked, smiling. “The ministry is growing just as we’ve been praying. God has been super goooood. And I must tell you, my wife is really enjoying filling in for you. She has become mini you.”

  “Way to go, Marianne.” Rozene couldn’t help but laugh. “She and I have been chatting. Glad she’s loving her new role in the ministry.” Rozene became still, looking down at her hands where her fingers were locked in a tight ball in her lap. “Thank God for,” her voice broke with gratitude, “you and her.”

  Don touched her shoulder. “And we thank God for you too. We love being a part of your ministry.

  “Thanks, Don.” She gave him a taut smile.

  He smiled back at her. “Now, let’s get down to business.”

  She nodded.

  As customary, he prayed, then he opened his black portfolio and filled her in on what was happening in her Ministry. Things were going great as he had mentioned but as he droned on about the increase in book sales and her growing viewership and readership, her heart sank. How can I in all honesty teach about love? About faithfulness? Family life? Marriage?

  “I responded to an email from a lady,” Don told her. “Her name is Delly, I believe. She said she heard your session about loving your husband and you were so profound, she got the courage to return to her marriage.” He clapped his hands, elated. “Isn’t God great and -”

  “I can’t do this anymore, Don,” she blurted.

  “Roz, don’t say that. You’ve been on a break for over four months. You can’t hide away forever,” he said gently. “It’s called Rozene Kanate Ministry, you know. Remember, we’re publishing, Letters to Wives so I’ve been busy planning your book tour for the fall. I have a few press releases for you to go over and I’m renegotiating your contract with TBC Television Station. The station wants you desperately.”

  Her shoulders slumped. “As you know, I’m having family issues. I don’t know when they will be resolved.”

  That much he’d gathered. He’d even tried several times to reach out to Larry, but he’d been away for a while, and ‘couldn’t talk’. He knew Larry was just making up excuses. The last two times he’d called, Larry told him he was at Chateau de Kanate.

  Rozene flashed Don a woebegone look, hanging her head in shame. “I’m not-not … I have no right to be doing this.”

  Don was silent for a moment before asking, “Are you staying with your parents … permanently?”

  “Yes.” She decided to be honest with him. He and Marianne had been nothing but devoted, kind, and trustworthy. After all, he could be affected if all of this went south. Tears brimming, she continued, “I know you always wanted me to write about the other side of love … unfaithfulness, lust of the eyes … now I might be able to do all that and more, perhaps divorce.”

  Don listened, hardly believing his ears. That was the last thing he expected to hear from her. He jumped from his seat and looked out the window, trying to contain his anger. He swung around to face her. “Ugh! I want to hurt him for doing this to you. Rozene, I’m so sorry. I have known Larry for years. All he talks about is you. I can’t imagine how he could have done this to you.”

  She shook her head at him, opening her mouth to speak as he moved towards her. “Don …” She paused as he knelt before her and held both her hands in his.

  “So sorry, Rozene,” he said. “I never expected this from him.”

  She wished she had the heart to blame it on Larry so she wouldn’t see the disappointment in Don’s eyes when she made her confession. But, alas. She knew a part of the healing process was acceptance of the sin she’d committed.

  “It’s not Larry’s fault, Don.”

  He eyed her puzzled. Then, shock and disbelief covered his face as the truth dawned on him.

  “Yes, I am the one who committed adultery,” she confessed, staring above his head. “But I’m not in the situation anymore.”

  He released her hands, and moved to sit on the sofa; and then he too began to stare ahead.

  Rozene glanced at his stoic frame. She would understand if he decided to leave her ministry. He was a man who upheld Godly principles. God help us all, when the others from the ministry find out. She couldn’t help the tears that spilled down her cheeks.

  Don pulled tissue from the box on the small table next to him, and handed a wad to her.

  She took the tissue and wiped her eyes.

  Don watched her and his heart broke. I need to pray for her daily.

  “I’m so sorry, Don. Please forgive me,” she pleaded.

  The kindness in his eyes brought fresh tears to hers. She was glad he did not pry further. For he probably would have passed out if he’d found out it was Chandler. Not that she would ever tell him.

  “There is nothing to forgive. I want you to focus on taking care of yourself and your family. Are you getting help to heal?”

  “Yes. I-I have had counseling sessions with Dr. William Thayer for about two months. Not sure if you know the name. He’s a world-renowned marriage and family therapist. Now, Mom has taken over. She has been praying me through.”

  “Great. Glad your mother is taking care of you. Glad too that you choose a faith-based therapist. Dr. Thayer is very good.”

  Her head swung in his direction and her eyes held a surprised look.

  He smiled encouragingly at her. “Hey, we all have issues that need to be resolved. What about…” He stopped short, unsure whether to ask.

  “Truthfully, Larry is pretty much hating me right now. Rightly so.” She let out a defeated sigh and Don could see her withdrawing into the comfort of her protective shell. “He has done nothing to deserve this.”

  “Rozene, you are a mature believer. This situation will not destroy you. You are on the path to being whole. Stay with God’s plan and let Him work it out. I know you are praying for His guidance and direction, and I will definitely continue to pray for you and Larry. You are going to make it through this.”

  She eyed him gratefully. “Thanks, Don.”

  He stood. “We are going to keep things afloat as long as we can, so take all the time you need to sort yourself out.”

  She rose and hugged him. “Thanks for everything.”

  “You are welcome. Always.”

  She walked with him to the front door, and was looking at him descending the steps when he turned to face her. “Don’t go,” he said, “Chandler gave me an envelope to give to ...” He watched the color drain from her face.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, rushing to her side.

  “I’m okay,” she told him trying to regain her composure but not meeting his eyes.

  “Are you sure? You look like you were about to faint. It’s just an envel …” The word died on his lips, and he turned away from her. “Let me get it for you.”

  Don legs felt as heavy as logs, but somehow they managed to take him to his car. He opened the door trying to regain a normal breathing pattern. Rozene and Chandler? No. Error. Delete now, he commanded his brain, feeling sick in his stomach. What on God’s green earth? But he couldn’t shake the feeling as he rummaged through the glove compartment and found the envelope. He wondered what was inside. Is Chandler forcing or threatening to expose her? No. That was not Chandler’s modus operandi. He had more of a love-them-and-blow-them-off style. His ego was too big to go there. Plus, what would he gain from that. He would not only ruin her, but himself.

  Don quickly closed the glove compartment and walked back to Rozene who had now regained her mask. He dared not probe her, especially since she had not divulged that pertinent bit of information when she was spilling a while ago. Just as well. He didn’t think he could handle it anyway.

  He handed her the envelope and she gave him a brief smile. “Thanks.”

&nbs
p; Her hands were shaking as she took the envelope but he pretended not to see. “Chandler has been out of state,” he told her. “The job, you know.”

  No. I don’t know. “Okay.” She tried to keep her voice light, hoping she sound more like - That does not concern me.

  “Take care, Rozene,” he told her in a voice he thought was too firm, before turning and heading to his car.

  “I will,” she said quietly. “Bye.”

  Soon afterwards, Rozene marched into her bedroom and flung the envelope into the small garbage bin next to the desk. She hissed her teeth when she missed and the envelope landed on the floor near the bin. She glared at the envelope wishing it was Chandler so she could wring his neck.

  Annoyed, she stomped off towards her bed and fell face down on the bedspread with a loud groan. She could only hope Don didn’t pick up anything. Jesus, fix it. Lord, please fix it.

  She rolled on her back, staring blindly at the oval shaped ceiling. I must keep focus. Too much to do. With that she reached for her cell phone on the nightstand to call her children. For in this season, it was critical that she continue to build an even stronger, more secure relationship with them.

  CHAPTER 12

  Larry spread out in the chair around the desk in the study, and gave himself a much needed stretch. Then, yawning widely, he powered down his laptop. He would definitely be ready for leadership meeting tomorrow at work.

  He was about to lift himself to full height when his cell phone rang. He retrieved it from the desk and let out a loud groan when he looked at the screen. It was Rozene. He watched it ring, and ring some more, and then he remembered his mother’s words - ‘What if Rozene was calling about the children?’

  This had better be good. He sank deeply on the chair and answered, “Hello.”

  Rozene was overjoyed he’d answered. Better still, he’d moved on from answering with that dry ‘Yes’.

 

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