Destined

by Patricia Haley

  chapter

  80

  Don wasn’t able to gauge his mother’s emotional state. She took a nap during the seven-hour flight, talked sporadically, and ate a little. His mother was feisty, aggressive, and he appreciated the way she was. Witnessing the meek Madeline seemed too weird.

  The flight landed safely as the morning light ushered them in. The line of traditional black British cabs lined the curb. “There’s no need to wait for a private car,” Don said.

  “If you say so.”

  They grabbed a cab and settled in for the hour ride into the English countryside. Twenty minutes into the ride, Don asked, “Mother, are you okay? You’re awfully quiet. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you’re too quiet.”

  She giggled softly. “This is a major trip for me,” she said, patting the back of his hand as it rested on his leg. “Thank you for doing this.”

  “I benefit, too. Having my mother and sister talking again takes the pressure off me.”

  “It’s more than that and you know it.” She patted his hand again. “You are an amazing man, not because you’re my son.” She gazed out the window as the car rolled along the countryside. “We’re this close,” she said, pinching her thumb and index finger together, “yet this far away,” she added, spreading her arms farther apart. “I can’t get my hopes up only to be crushed when Tamara runs away again.”

  “We have to have faith. God is able to work miracles, right?” he reminded her, not having recovered yet from his CEO appointment. “I have a good feeling about this. She’ll be there, watch.” Yesterday was the beginning of a new era for the Mitchell family. It had taken decades to dismantle the family. An enormous dose of forgiveness and grace saturated with time would be the building blocks to their healing.

  The taxi pulled up to a very modest, almost dilapidated-looking building. The other four-story buildings on either side didn’t look much better.

  “Not exactly what I was expecting,” Madeline said, and left it at that.

  Don settled the bill and asked the driver to wait for their return. Secretly, he hoped to come back and tell the driver to go on without them. He and his mother would be visiting with his sister for the rest of the day. He hoped, prayed silently, and believed it possible. Madeline didn’t jump out of the car. She remained seated. “Come on, Mother,” he said extending his hand to her. “We’re here. This is what you’ve wanted for a very long time. Don’t freeze on me now. Let’s go,” he said, taking her hand and gently giving a tug.

  “All right, all right, don’t pull for goodness sakes. I’m getting out.”

  Don chuckled. “You have brutally raked Joel over the coals for years, but you get within a hundred feet of your daughter and can’t move.”

  “Oh, funny, funny. Let’s go, I’m ready, one way or the other. I have to get this over with. Either Tamara is going to see me or she’s not. You’re right, I’m not going to stand out here pining. Let’s go. Which unit is it?”

  “Twelve,” he said, squinting at the tiny piece of paper extracted from his pocket.

  Madeline went first. They calmly walked to flat number twelve. Madeline raised her hand to knock and then drew it back. She beckoned for Don to knock instead as she stepped to the side.

  A few knocks and the door opened.

  “Don, what are you doing here?” Tamara shouted with a glimmer of enthusiasm.

  “I had to come see you.”

  “Come on in,” she offered.

  “I brought someone with me.” He reached for his mother. “It’s been long enough,” he said as Madeline stepped into view, “don’t you think?”

  Tamara didn’t move, Madeline either. They stared at each other in silence. Don had lit the flame. Keeping it burning required their effort.

  “Hello, Tamara,” Mother said, more guarded than Don had ever dreamed possible.

  “Mother,” Tamara responded. They continued standing, neither budging nor attempting to close the divide. “I’ve been expecting you.”

  “You have?”

  “I have from the moment I left Detroit. One day I knew you would find me.”

  “You haven’t made it easy.”

  “But one day I knew you would.”

  “Did you want me to find you?”

  “I think everybody wants to believe there is someone in the world that cares enough to never give up on them.”

  “Sweetheart, I’ve never given up on you,” Madeline said, taking two steps toward Tamara. “I’ve never stopped loving you, never,” she said, taking the third step, slowly erasing the gap.

  Madeline did away with courtesies and grabbed Tamara as she crossed the threshold, holding on for a while before it was reciprocated. Don was content watching them. He squeezed past them, unwilling to disrupt what had taken fourteen years to form. The flight back to Detroit and the road to total family restoration were long and possibly filled with turbulent times, but so long as God was navigating the course, Don was willing to hop aboard. Life was good and getting better. He’d tell the cab driver to go on. It looked like they would be staying for a while.

  Reading Group Guide

  MAKES YOU GO HMMM!

  Now that you have read Destined, consider the following discussion questions.

  Do you believe that Don’s feelings for Naledi are genuine or more of a rebound situation? Is it fair for Don to pursue Naledi if he has unresolved feelings for Abigail? Who is most likely to end up with Don? Why? Do you think Naledi will let Don go without a fight?

  Joel went on a roller-coaster ride from being obscure to a highly popular and successful businessman to one of failure and disgrace. What did he learn? What could he change?

  Will Madeline ever accept Sherry? Is she justified in her bitterness toward Sherry? Did Madeline still love Dave? If so, is it realistic for her to maintain feelings for an ex-husband after so many years, in spite of their public disagreements and failings? Will either woman remarry?

  Tamara mentioned that she was the oldest child. What are the pluses and minuses associated with her return to town? What role in DMI does she deserve? Is she coming back purely for financial reasons? When she returns, do you think she’ll help Don keep the peace or create new problems?

  Do you see Joel fostering a legitimate relationship with his wife? Will he stay and have children or divorce in three years? What about Sheba: do you see Joel giving her up? For biblical drama, read about the Queen of Sheba’s visit to see King Solomon. (1Kings, chapter 10)

  Do you want Madeline to stay and help Don stabilize the company or leave so that Tamara can have the space she requested?

  Does Don have to worry about a comeback from Joel? What would it take for Joel to be back on top? Was Uncle Frank correct: will Joel be back for more money from the “private investors”? What about Zarah—can she be strong enough to take control of her part of the business and become a threat to DMI?

  What is Abigail going to do now?

  What is Madeline’s best and least favorite attribute? What is Joel’s?

  King David was a mighty warrior who defeated the giant (Goliath) as a young boy. He was honorable but also a man plagued by horrific challenges and sin that fell upon his family. Yet David is not remembered for his shortcomings. He’s revered as “the man after God’s own heart.” Why isn’t he framed by his mistakes? Does forgiveness always, sometimes, or never erase consequences? (Question also posed in Chosen study guide.)

  Dave Mitchell created horrific chaos in his family. Do you believe he suffered to the same degree as his family?

  What was Big Mama’s (the church mother) message to Don? Why wasn’t Joel interested in her advice?

  Abigail was hurt by Joel’s rejection and marriage to Zarah. What do you think about Joel moving another woman into the house that Abigail designed? Will Abigail ever be freed from Joel emotionally? What do you think about a woman harboring feelings for two brothers? Does their being half brothers and/or estranged brothers affect your answer?

  For
giveness is liberating, as evidenced by Don and Nelson Mandela. How about you—is there anyone you need to forgive in order to move forward? What’s the difference between forgiving and forgetting? (Hint: One acknowledges the decision and the other represents the actual act of making it happen.)

  Acknowledgments

  I extend a heartfelt thank you to my readers. I pray this novel will inspire you to use your talents, discover your purpose, and embrace forgiveness.

  In addition to my Haley, Glass, Tennin, and Moorman family, I’m blessed to have a long list of supporters. Thank you for the constant encouragement. Big thanks to the ones who consistently cheer me on while I’m writing, editing, and promoting. They include my best friend and devoted husband Jeffrey Glass, our beautiful daughter, my family Rev. Fred Haley, Gloria, Freddy Deon, Daisy, Frances, Deacon Rome, Deacon Bob, Emira, Leroy, Dee, Toby, Robert, Rena, Roscoe, Pat, Eddie, Regina, Dr. Leslie, Eldridge, Susan, Larry, Jeraldine, Kenny, Tasha, Lori, Coleman, Leslie, Audrey, and my advanced editors: Emma, Laurel, Dorothy, Tammy, K.D., and Renee. Special thanks to my agent, to the Simon & Schuster team, to David Almack, Shirley Brockenburough, Beulah Grove, Milwaukee Alumnae-DST, New Orleans Alumnae-DST, to many book clubs, and booksellers.

  While I was editing Destined, my mother (Fannie) was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I couldn’t have finished this book without the support of so many who helped us through that time. That includes my family, friends, New Covenant Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority sisters (especially my own chapter—Valley Forge Alumnae), readers, literary colleagues, and fellow believers. Words can’t express my appreciation to those who prayed, called, visited, and gave so much support. I couldn’t possibly list you individually, but you know who you are. I do, however, have to personally thank the ‘A’ team (my family) who volunteered to drive hundreds of miles each way to get my mother home since she was out of town when this happened. Thank you to Uncle Ben, Aunt Ada, Michele, Nic, Liz Glenn, and Katie Jordan. Your act of love was overwhelming. Thanks to the Lord, my mother had immediate surgery and a miraculous full recovery with no long term affects.

  I will always honor the memories of my father, ‘Luck’, and brother, Erick, in my writings.

  P.S. Happy 80th birthday to Uncle Cliff Tennin and 75th to John Foots, Sr. Congratulations Dana Reed, Brittany O’Neal, Kayo Bakare, my niece Ashley Tolbert, and goddaughters Rochelle Burks, and Nicole Prothro on their graduations. Much continued happiness to Donald and Mary Bartel on celebrating over sixty years of marriage and to Uncle Charlie and Aunt Mary Lou for fifty years. Life is grand and God is good.

  Author’s Note

  Dear Readers:

  Thank you for reading Destined. I hope you found the story entertaining. Perhaps you’ll get an opportunity to read one of my other novels, like Chosen, which kicks off the drama in this series. Also look for the third book, Broken. The family battle takes a twist when the estranged daughter returns to stake her claim.

  I look forward to you joining my mailing list, dropping me a message, or posting a note about the book on my website. You can also join me on Facebook (Patricia Haley-Glass).

  As always, thank you for the support. Keep reading, and be blessed.

  www.patriciahaley.com