Broken Things (Faded Photograph Series) (38 page)

“Think so?” He grinned. “Wait until you hear what my ex has to say.”

The elevator’s door slid open again and they walked off.

“I should warn you, Cynthia looks nothing like the person in the pictures Logan showed me. You won’t recognize her. I guarantee it.”

“Given her illness, I can imagine.”

Reaching Cynthia’s room, they entered the room and found the woman asleep. The only sound came from the hissing oxygen tank. Allie walked to the foot of the hospital bed to allow Jack some space. Seeing his shocked expression, Allie could tell she hadn’t sufficiently prepared him.

“No, way,” he whispered, “this can’t be Roxi.”

“It is.”

“Can’t be!”

Propped up slightly, Cynthia stirred. Her eyes fluttered open. They seemed to focus on him for an instant before closing again. She muttered something and Allie came around to the other side of the bed. Carefully, she pulled the mask off her hollowed face.

“Did you want to say something, Cynthia?”

The dying ghost of a woman in a baggy blue and white checked hospital gown looked at Allie, then at Jack. “I said…” She gasped for a breath. “Jack Callahan…I’d know you anywhere…you haven’t changed…not one bit.”

Allie caught his gaze and mouthed a
told you so
.

Jack placed his hands on the guardrails and peered down at the woman who once bore the title of his wife.

“Hi, Roxi.” His tone was nondescript.

“What…what are you…doing here?”

Allie replaced the mask to ease Cynthia’s intake of air while Jack replied.

“I’m here as a favor to―”

He cut himself off and Allie watched as his features went from steely to sympathetic. “Actually,” he began again, “I’m here because the Lord told me I needed to come.”

Cynthia’s eyelids flittered as though it were a great struggle to stay conscious. Something inaudible passed her lips.

Allie pulled back the mask again.“Say that again, Cynthia.”

“I said…” She sucked in a wheezy breath. “…so, you’re a…a holy roller again, eh?”

“It’s to my shame that you’re so surprised.” Jack leaned forward, his forearms resting on the rails now. “I wasn’t much of a Christian when we were married, was I?”

Cynthia closed her eyes. Each breath seemed like an act of labor. Allie replaced the mask.

“I owe you an apology, Roxi. I expected you to behave like someone you weren’t. I wish I could have accepted you for who you were and where you were at. I should have showed you Christ-like love…the way a husband should.”

She pawed at the mask until Allie took it off. “Our marriage…was a sham…from the get-go.”

“Not to me it wasn’t,” Jack said softly.

Allie grew misty at the exchange.

“I really thought it could work.”

Incredulity widened Cynthia’s eyes. “You…you hated me.”

“Not at first. I wanted ours to be the kind of marriage my parents had.” He glanced at Allie and she saw his guilt-ridden expression. “But I guess I let a lot of things get in the way of making that happen.”

“It doesn’t…matter…anymore.”

“Maybe not. But I’d like it if you’d forgive me.”

A knowing look crossed her illness-battered features. “So that’s why….why you came…so you could…show yourself…the big man…in front of…your precious Allie.” A loud wheeze and a cough wracked Cynthia’s body. When the spell ended, she laid against the pillows looking weak and exhausted. Somehow she found enough strength to add, “It’s her you loved…from the start.”

“I won’t argue.”

Allie prayed Jack’s defenses weren’t on the rise. She set the mask over Cynthia’s nose and mouth. With one hand, she stroked the dying woman’s light brown hair back off her forehead. “The three of us have made our share of mistakes, haven’t we? You, Jack, and me. But now it’s time to forgive…and to be forgiven.”

For a time, Cynthia laid very still, her eyes closed. Had Allie’s words been all but lost on her? But then Cynthia turned her gaze on Jack and lifted her first two fingers in what was once a popular sign among young people.

Jack gave her a wry grin. He understood. “Peace, Roxi.”

He reached for her bony hand and held it between the two of his. A tear trickled down Cynthia’s cheek and Allie brushed it away.

Several long moments lapsed. Allie gazed at Jack. He winked at her, then looked back at his ex-wife.

“You still with us, Roxi?”

She answered, but the words were muffled by the oxygen mask.

“Logan’s a great guy, isn’t he?” Jack said.

She gave him a feeble nod.

“Well, he turned out despite my lousy parenting, so don’t think I had anything to do with it.”

Cynthia laughed―a shoulder-shaking laugh of all things! But unfortunately it sent her into a coughing fit.

When it was over Jack grinned at her. With her free hand, Cynthia motioned for Allie to take off the mask again. She did.

“You…you were the best…the best husband…I had.” She sounded more winded now since laughing had taken the extra breath she didn’t have to give.

“I’m sorry,” Jack told her with a facetious smirk. “You must have married some real winners if I was your best husband.”

“They were…terrible.”

Sincerity rounded Jack’s eyes. “I am truly sorry, Roxi.”

She looked up at him in almost a trance-like stare. “I…I believe you,” she finally stated.

“Good.” He gave her hand a pat and set it on the bed. After a deep breath, he said, “Now, there’s another order of business we need to get settled. It’s the matter of your soul’s resting place.”

* * *

“Logan, do you want my pudding?” Marilee offered. “I think it’s supposed to be banana.”

“You don’t want it?”

“No.” Marilee winced.

“Sure, I’ll eat it.” Sitting in the chair beside her bed, he leaned forward.

She handed him the spoon and the clear plastic bowl filled with a whipped yellow mixture. For herself, she wasn’t very hungry. But her thirst seemed unquenchable.

“When you’re done, will you get me another can of juice or a soda?”

“Absolutely.” He took a bite and then another. “Hey, this stuff isn’t bad. Wanna try just a little?”

She waved off his offer. He stood and put the spoon to her lips, so she forced herself to eat it. It tasted okay.

“How ‘bout one more bite?”

“No, Logan.” Marilee turned her head away. He had already spoon-fed her a good dose of the blandest chicken and rice soup she’d ever tasted.

He took a seat on the edge of her bed. “When Ronnie was a baby, I’d feed her sometimes. I’d have to pretend the spoon was an airplane and it was coming in for a landing in order for her to open up.” Logan tried those antics on her, complete with sound effects.

Marilee pushed his hand away. “I’m not a child. Stop treating me like one.”

Without a word, he stood and set the pudding back on metal dinner tray. “I’ll be right back with your juice.”

As he left the hospital room, Marilee’s eyes filled with tears. She hurt all over. She felt like screaming. Her head ached, and she wished Logan would go home and leave her alone. She hated for him to see her like this―at her ultimate worst.

All too soon he returned with a can of grape juice and Marilee grimaced. She couldn’t stand grape juice.

“I’m going to hit the road, okay? I have some studying to do for tomorrow and I should probably try to get a good night’s sleep.”

“Sure.” But suddenly she didn’t want him to go. Up and down. She’d been riding an emotional roller coaster all afternoon. Her mother had warned her that this might happen. Already, her hormones were off balance.

“I’ll stop by tomorrow after church.” Logan collected his jacket.

Marilee swatted at the tears on her cheeks.

He froze. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh, Logan, I’m a mess.”

He tossed his jacket into the chair and came to stand at her bedside. “I wish I had the perfect answer for you, but I haven’t said anything right in the past two hours.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Me, too. And I’m beyond tired right now, so I need some sleep.”

There was an edge to his voice that broke Marilee’s heart. But she understood. She’d feel crabby too in his position.

She closed her eyes so he wouldn’t catch sight of the fact that she was still crying.

“Your parents should be back from dinner any minute.”

She swallowed

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Marilee listened to his footfalls as he left. Once she couldn’t hear them any more, she pulled the sheet up to her face and released the sob she’d been holding inside. She cried for the baby to whom she’d never give birth. She cried for the fiancé who didn’t understand. She cried and cried until she didn’t think she had another tear left.

When it was all over, she didn’t feel a single bit better.

Staring up at the ceiling, Marilee forced herself back into some semblance of sanity. Feeling sorry for herself wouldn’t change her situation. She had to accept it.

The memory of a song she’d sung with her students just the other day at music time came to mind.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Marilee croaked out the chorus. “Count your blessings name them one by one.” She cleared her throat. “Count your blessings―see what God hath done. Count your blessings―name them one by one; Count your many blessings―see what God hath done.”

She began the second stanza. “Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?” More tears suddenly filled her eyes. “Count your many blessings every doubt will fly…”

She couldn’t go on. Her voice gave way.

A familiar, masculine voice finished the song for her. “And you will be singing as the days go by.”

Surprise and a twinge of embarrassment filled her. She turned her head toward the doorway and saw Logan standing there. “I thought you went home to bed.” She drew in a ragged breath and pulled the tissue box onto her chest. Then she wiped her face.

He hurried forward into the room. “I had to come back and share the news.” He grinned like one of her eight-year-olds.

“What is it?”

He leaned over her bed. “My dad called. My birth mother became a Christian tonight.”

“That’s…that’s great, Logan.” Marilee wished she felt more elated, but her own sadness loomed over her like a dark shadow.

“Get this―Dad was the one who led her to the Lord.”

Now
that
was a miracle!

“Know what I think?”

“What?”

“Had you not been in that car accident last night, Marilee, my dad’s heart would have never been moved to the extent it was. He would have never agreed to visit my birth mother. Not in a million years.”

“God…God used my accident? Is that what you’re saying?”

“It’s my belief that He did. Another soul is born again and the angels are rejoicing in heaven. And just think, Marilee,” he added, leaning toward her, “this is only the beginning. Who knows how many other lives might be impacted by the trial we’re facing.” His eyes darkened with emotion. “God has a plan for our lives, and he’s going to use us. You and me. The dynamic duo.”

His vehemence and optimism were contagious. She especially liked his use of the words “we,” “our,” and “us.” For the past twelve hours, he’d promised over and over again that he would stick by her. Somehow Marilee didn’t believe him. Somehow she thought Logan would want to reconsider their engagement since she could no longer have kids. But suddenly she knew for certain that such was not the case. She could practically see the devotion shining in his brown eyes.

“Oh, Logan…I love you with all my heart.”

“I love you with all my heart too. And I’m so happy right now, I think I could stay up for another two days.”

Smiling, Marilee reached for him and he took her hand. In that moment, her skewed world righted itself. In time, everything would be fine―just fine.

Chapter Thirty

The heels on Allie’s flats echoed through the empty parking lot as she traipsed to the extended-stay hotel. Once inside the main entrance, she waved to Jack who’d followed her in his car, insisting on making sure she arrived to her temporary home safely. The big worry wart.

Smiling to herself, Allie marveled at this incredible night. Cynthia had confessed the wrongdoings of her past to the Lord Jesus Christ and believed in her heart that God raised Him from the dead on what Christians celebrate as Easter morning. Having done that, Cynthia could trust in the biblical promise from Romans chapter ten verse nine:
thou shalt be saved
.

And if that weren’t enough to thrill Allie―which it had been―Jack agreed to sign on with Lakeland Enterprises and develop a training program for its security personnel, beginning at Arbor Springs. He shared some of his ideas with her and they sounded fabulous.

Evan and the rest of the Board would be pleased.

Reaching her suite, she kicked off her shoes and entered the bathroom. A bubble bath was in order. She turned on the hot water in the tub, adding some fragrant soap. Minutes later, while she soaked her tired and still quite sore body, she thought back on the pleasant dinner that she and Jack shared tonight after Cynthia had fallen asleep and they’d left Arbor Springs.

At the restaurant, with its peaceful ambiance, Jack said he felt like a man set free from years of bondage. He admitted the hatred he’d felt toward his ex-wife all these years had enslaved him. He’d never known just how much until tonight. But that same hatred had vanished when he’d seen Cynthia’s withered form. How could he hate such a helpless creature? Jack said it was as if God’s Holy Spirit took over from that point on.

Allie smiled.
What a miracle! Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to be a part of it!

Feeling relaxed and drowsy now, she stepped out of the tub and put on her nightgown. She crawled into bed and prepared to drift off into a contented sleep but then her cell rang, startling her. She reached for it, nearly knocking over her alarm clock in the process.