Faith (13 page)
Authors: Michelle Larks
Chapter 15
Around 11:00
A.M.
, Marcus and Wade returned to the bar, or the scene of the crime, as Wade solemnly informed his friend. Marcus talked to Lee Otis, who gave him two estimates he'd gotten to clean up and fix the place.
A.M.
, Marcus and Wade returned to the bar, or the scene of the crime, as Wade solemnly informed his friend. Marcus talked to Lee Otis, who gave him two estimates he'd gotten to clean up and fix the place.
Marcus was shaken when he realized how out of control he had been the previous night and vowed to leave liquor alone. Lee Otis reassured him that he wouldn't have any problems with the punks he'd tangled with trying to file charges against him or anything because they all had criminal records.
“Lee Otis, I'll have your money this afternoon,” Marcus told the older man.
Lee Otis replied crustily, “That will be fine. I'll jist close down the joint for a couple of days. Ya need to lay off the sauce, man, cuz ya get crazy.” He continued sweeping debris like he'd been doing when Marcus and Wade arrived.
Marcus and Wade walked outside and two blocks down the street to Marcus's silver Chevy Blazer. Marcus was about to get into the vehicle when Wade asked him, “Where are you going?”
“I don't know. I was thinking about staying at the Extended Stay in Alsip, or in Blue Island for a few days until I can get my head together. Or maybe I'll stay permanently,” Marcus said. Alsip and Blue Island were suburbs located on the outskirts of Chicago.
“The quickest way for you to get things together is to go back to Monet and work things out with her,” Wade advised.
“Monet has made it clear that she plans on continuing the pregnancy, so there's nothing for us to work out. My position is that I'm not going to stand by and watch her body swell with another man's seed.” Marcus had a tinge of anger in his voice, clearly peeved with his friend, who he perceived as taking Monet's side. “I appreciate your concern,” he said through clenched teeth, “but this is my dilemma, and I will deal with it as I see fit.”
Wade threw up his hands in surrender. “You're right, it's your dilemma, and it's up to you to work it out. You and Monet have been married a long time. You can't just drop out of her life and not talk to her about it. I know you love her, and that you will work this out. We've always been able to talk to each other about anything before. I guess this topic is out of bounds.”
“It is for now. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate your support and you taking the day off of work today for me, but I need to figure this out on my own.” Marcus waved his hand and unlocked his car door. “I've got to go. I'm pretty sure that I'll see you at work tomorrow.” He got in his vehicle and drove off.
Wade nodded and walked back to his jeep. After he entered his car, he nodded his head and said, “Humph. Marcus is going to learn the hard way. But that's okay, Lord, Liz and I will be there for him and Monet, just like you'd have us be.”
While he was sitting at a red light, Marcus watched Wade activate his right turn signal. Seconds later, Wade pulled into traffic and drove in the opposite direction. Marcus followed his progress until he could no longer see the jeep. His light turned green, and he pulled into a parking space, turned off the Blazer and punched the steering wheel until he cringed from the pain.
He whispered, “Why did this have to happen to us? Nay-Nay used to always say she was going to have a baby, but she failed to mention it would be with another man. I can endure a lot, I'm a strong black man, but I refuse to be a father to another man's baby, especially a rapist.”
Marcus rubbed his head, and then reached into his glove compartment and pulled out a pair of dark sunglasses to put on his face. He drove to the bank to get a cashier's check for Lee Otis. After taking the check to Lee Otis, he drove out to Alsip and checked into the Extended Stay.
He took the elevator to the second floor to Room 208. He paid for the room for a week. He realized he didn't have any clothing with him and walked over to the bed and lay down across it. A longing for Monet stung his soul. He sat up and turned on the radio. When he heard Luther Vandross singing, “A House Is Not A Home,” a frown marred his face, and he quickly turned the radio off.
That is definitely not a song I want to hear right now
.
That is definitely not a song I want to hear right now
.
One part of his brain realized Wade was right, that he did need to talk to Monet. The other side of him didn't want to see her at all because he knew she hadn't changed her position any more than he had. Marcus decided to take a nap. His head still wasn't straight from the drinking binge the night before, and he decided after his nap that he'd go out to get some clothing, food, and a replacement cell phone. His had been damaged during the melee at the bar.
He fell asleep thinking about Monet with a swollen belly, and groaned even while he was asleep.
At the Caldwells' house, Monet and Liz were sitting at the kitchen table. They had just finished eating lunch, soup and tuna sandwiches, when Monet told Liz, “You can go home if you like. I'll be fine.”
Liz had errands that she needed to tend to and a meeting at the church that evening. “Are you sure?” she asked. “I can stay another night if you want me to.” The doorbell sounded. “I'll get it,” she said. She walked to the front door and looked out the peephole to see Wade. A smile spread across her face as she opened the door. “Hi, honey,” she chirped, after she closed and locked the door.
“Hi, Lizzie,” Wade greeted his wife, and then kissed her on the lips.
“Is that Marcus?” Monet called out. She wrung her hands together anxiously. She looked up at the doorway to see Liz and Wade enter the room.
Wade walked over to Monet and bent down and hugged her. Then he sat on the chair across from her. He didn't miss the look of disappointment on her face.
“I guess you couldn't talk Marcus into coming home,” she said sadly.
“I tried, Monet, with all my might, but he's hurting right now and not thinking straight. Give him time, he'll come around,” Wade said as upbeat as he could manage.
“I understand,” Monet said, although she really didn't. She looked down at the floor. “Why hasn't he called me?”
“He misplaced his cell phone last night. He said something about going to get a replacement one today, so I'm sure he'll call you later,” Wade said.
“Did he say when he was coming home?” she asked hopefully.
Wade struggled as he decided whether he should give Monet hope, or just tell her the truth. “He really didn't say when he was coming home, Monet. He mentioned staying in a hotel tonight. But I know once he has time to think about things sensibly that he'll be back.”
“You think so?” She chewed on her nail.
“Yes, I know he'll come back. We just need to give him time to get himself together.”
“I agree with Wade; he'll be back.” Liz stood up, walked over to Monet and rubbed her back.
“Did he tell you where he was going?” Monet asked. She wanted Liz and Wade to go home so she could go upstairs and cry. And when she was done crying, then go find her man and bring him home where he belonged.
“He said something about staying at an Extended Stay in Alsip or Blue Island,” Wade answered.
“Okay.” Monet nodded as wheels began turning in her mind. “Why don't you two go home? I'll be fine.” She crossed her ankles to keep from jumping up, grabbing her keys and running out of the house.
Liz assumed incorrectly that Monet was devastated by the news Wade had told them, and she said loyally, “I can stay with you another night, or you could stay with me and Wade. We'd love to have you.”
“That's okay,” Monet protested. “Wade, take your wife home, and I'll talk to you two later.” She stood up and tried to discretely shoo them out of the house.
Monet quickly ushered the couple to the front door and opened it. Instead of making small talk like she usually did, Monet, to all intents and purposes, kicked the couple out, albeit graciously. As Liz was buttoning her coat, she finally figured out where Monet was going. It wasn't like her friend to rush her and Wade unless she was plotting something. Based on her unusual actions, both Wade and Liz figured out Monet's plot to visit Marcus.
Liz was thrilled at her friend's initiative, and she was sure Marcus wouldn't be able to resist Monet's pleading with him to come home. Wade, on the other hand, knew how obstinate Marcus could be.
He stood up and said clumsily, “Monet, I'm not sure if it's a good idea for you to go see Marcus. He really is in a bad state.” Wade tried to advise his friend.
“I didn't say anything about going to see Marcus,” she said innocently. She nervously ran her fingers through her hair.
“Don't say I didn't warn you.” Wade shook his head in capitulation. “Well, I guess I'll head home. Don't hesitate to call us if you need anything,” he said. “I'll see myself out.” He hugged Monet and departed.
Liz looked at Monet, who was still standing by the end of the sofa. “You're going to see him, aren't you?”
Monet nodded. “I know Marcus is hurting, but I'm going to do what I can to bring him home.”
“Just be prepared for the possibility that he might not come with you,” Liz cautioned her friend. “I'll call you later.” She squeezed Monet's arm, and like Wade, departed.
Monet walked to the door and locked it. Then she rushed upstairs to her bathroom and quickly showered. She put on a pair of jeans and a teal colored sweater. Monet scurried back downstairs to her office. She powered on her PC and did a Google search on Extended Stay locations. She called the hotel in Blue Island, and was told that Marcus Caldwell wasn't registered there. Then she called the Extended Stay in Alsip and hit the jack pot. The reservationist asked her if she wanted to be connected to Marcus's room.
“No, that's okay, I'll call back later,” Monet answered, with a smile and purpose on her face. Mitzi trotted into the room. Monet looked at her and said, “I forgot to give you your treats. I'm sorry, baby.” She went into the kitchen and put a handful of cinnamon and honey treats into Mitzi's bowl and filled the water bowl. “Mommy's going to bring Daddy home,” she informed the dog.
Mitzi barked and wagged her tail and resumed lapping the water, while Monet went back upstairs and got her purse. She came downstairs to the hall closet and took out her brown leather jacket and put it on. She walked back into the kitchen, blew Mitzi a kiss, and went out the back door, on a mission to bring her man home.
Chapter 16
A loud knock on the door awakened Marcus. He turned over in the bed and banged his head against the headboard. He groaned and put his hands over his eyes and stood up. Rata-tat sounded at the door. He walked over to it, and peered out the peephole before opening the door. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Monet standing there looking forlorn. It took all the will-power that he possessed not to pull his wife into his arms. He took a few steps backward, and Monet walked into the room.
She stopped and stood on her toes and touched Marcus's puffy cheek. “I don't have to ask you how you feel. You look terrible. What happened to your face?” Monet walked to a chair and sat down. Her eyes roamed over Marcus like she hadn't seen him in years.
Marcus sat on the bed. He moistened his dry lips. “I've had better days. My face is fine,” he said in a low voice. He looked out the window, and then back at Monet. “Why are you here?”
“Because you're my husband, I love you, and you should be home with me,” she said fervently, leaning forward in the chair.
Marcus sighed heavily. “I can't come home with you, Nay-Nay. We talked about it, and I'm not changing my position.”
“I can't believe you're being this way.” She looked at him, and disbelief screamed from her eyes.
“You have no idea how cruel people can be. Your pregnancy will fuel the gossip mill, and I want no part of that. And I can't pretend to love that baby. I think it's best we go our separate ways.” Marcus tried to defend his position.
“Since when have we cared about what the world thinks?” Monet asked as her heart plunged down to her feet.
“Since you were raped and your beating was on page two of the local newspapers, and the lead story on the local television stations,” he answered brutally.
“I don't believe you.” Her hand drifted to her abdomen.
“Believe me.” He snapped his lips shut.
“What can I do to convince you that it's your baby I'm carrying?” Monet cried.
“There's nothing you can do or say.” Marcus presented a tough exterior, but inside, he was hurting just as badly as Monet.
Monet sat upright in her seat. “You're just going to throw away twenty years of marriage like that?” She snapped her fingers.
“Actually, as far as I'm concerned, you're the one throwing away our marriage for that kid inside you. You chose the rapist's baby over me,” Marcus announced tersely.
Monet stood up and walked over to the bed and sat next to Marcus. “Is that what you think?”
“If you aren't having an abortion, then I guess that says it all,” he proclaimed. He folded his arms across his chest.
“Marcus, there's something I probably should have told you twenty years ago. I've tried over the years, but now I have to be firm and make sure you understand just what I'm saying.”
Marcus didn't reply. He just watched Monet with a stony face.
“Remember me telling you how I sense things?” He nodded reluctantly. “I wasn't totally honest with you. I'm intuitive, and I have dreams about events and people.”
Marcus laughed harshly, and the sound echoed off the thin walls. “I think you've been watching too much Psychic Detectives on Tru TV,” he mocked.
“Don't make fun of me,” she said testily. “It's a gift that's been passed down from mother to daughter. I sort of have psychic abilities.” Monet's voice trailed off.
Marcus tuned her out and thought,
Poor baby; she's worse off than I thought. The shock of the attack has obviously scrambled her brain. Psychic, yeah right.
He shook his head skeptically.
Poor baby; she's worse off than I thought. The shock of the attack has obviously scrambled her brain. Psychic, yeah right.
He shook his head skeptically.
Monet stamped her foot on the carpeted floor to get her husband's attention. “Marcus, are you listening to me? Have you heard a word I've said?” she yelled.
“Yeah, you think that you're psychic. Nice try, Nay-Nay,” he said.
She squared her shoulders, clearly exasperated. “You're not funny, Marcus. I'm serious. My mother had the gift, she passed it down to me, and I'm going to pass it down to Faith.” She patted her tummy.
“Did you sense you were going to be attacked that night, Monet?” he asked frostily. He walked over to the desk to the ice bucket and dropped a few cubes inside a glass. He went into the bathroom and filled the glass with water. Then he returned to the room and sat on the bed.
“Ouch, that hurt. But the answer to your question is no. I rarely sense anything bad happening to myself, only to other people. God told me that one day, I was going to have your child, and I believe Him. Still, I've had feelings about you, and I've warned you over the years to be careful,” she shot back.
“I have no recollection as to what you're talking about.” Marcus scratched his head. “All of the men's wives tell them to be careful. Are they psychic too?”
“Sure you do, if you'd stop to think about what I'm saying. Remember when I called and asked you to check your gun, and later you told me how it had misfired. You are being ultra stubborn, Marcus Ezekiel Caldwell.” Monet pointed her finger at her husband and tightened her lips.
“It doesn't have to be this way,” he whispered softly. “All you have to do is take care of the problem. Then our lives will be back on track after I find your attacker and the sperm donor.” He looked down pointedly at Monet's midsection.
“Lord, forgive him for he knows not what he says.” Monet put her hands in front of her as if in prayer. She felt like her husband was ripping her heart apart bit by bit. She moved close to Marcus, slid her arms around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. “Marcus, I love you dearly. You are my soul mate, the man God sent me to spend my life with, but I'm not having an abortion.”
He took her trembling hands in his own. He eased her back onto the bed and lay down next to her. He pulled her tenderly into his arms. Marcus inhaled strawberry bath gel from her neck and held her tightly.
Monet spoke tenderly. “Darling, can't you just put your trust in Jesus? He won't fail us. Marcus, I can't do this without you. Please just come home with me. I'm scared to stay in the house alone. What if the attacker comes to our house? I'm begging you to stay with me until paternity tests can be run. If she isn't your baby, then I'll move back to Alabama. Would you do that for me? Just stay with me until after the baby is born. Please, I'm begging you,” she pleaded.
His grip around her waist drew tighter. “Yes, I'll do that, Monet,” he whispered. “I vowed on our wedding day to protect you, and I will. I won't rest until I find the man that did that to you. I will stay in the house in the basement until you've had the ba . . . ba . . . kid.” Marcus's mouth didn't want to say baby. His throat seemed to tighten up saying that word.
Monet snuggled closer to him. She always felt at peace and protected in his strong arms. Marcus's light breath on her neck felt so familiar. She closed her eyes.
Lord, I know that life is hard sometimes, and this is one of those times for me and Marcus.
Her eyelids fluttered, and then her expression became serious.
A lot of times people talk about couples being unequally yoked, and I want to say that our yoke is a bit tilted right now. I know that life comes at us that way sometimes. It can be because of illness, financial strain, or an addiction. And sometimes a partner has to shoulder the load, emotionally or financially, for the other. That's what happening with me and Marcus. I know that I'll have to bear the brunt of our burdens right now. But you know what, Lord? It's all right. We all have to play that role a time or two if we keep living. Lord, you answered my prayer, Marcus is coming home. I know I just have to have faith, keep leaning on your everlasting arms, praying for your help, and you will deliver us from this dilemma. Father, keep me strong as I go through this journey, and I ask you to walk with us. I can do all things through God, who strengthens me. Amen
. Monet sighed and pulled Marcus's arm tighter around her waist.
Her eyelids fluttered, and then her expression became serious.
A lot of times people talk about couples being unequally yoked, and I want to say that our yoke is a bit tilted right now. I know that life comes at us that way sometimes. It can be because of illness, financial strain, or an addiction. And sometimes a partner has to shoulder the load, emotionally or financially, for the other. That's what happening with me and Marcus. I know that I'll have to bear the brunt of our burdens right now. But you know what, Lord? It's all right. We all have to play that role a time or two if we keep living. Lord, you answered my prayer, Marcus is coming home. I know I just have to have faith, keep leaning on your everlasting arms, praying for your help, and you will deliver us from this dilemma. Father, keep me strong as I go through this journey, and I ask you to walk with us. I can do all things through God, who strengthens me. Amen
. Monet sighed and pulled Marcus's arm tighter around her waist.
For a long time Marcus and Monet lay entwined in each other's arms. Then they came together with a rhythmic urgency that seemed to inflame both of them. Monet fell asleep with Marcus's arm around her waist.
An hour later, Marcus awakened, and he gazed at Monet, who was still asleep. She had a look of peace on her face that had been missing for a long time. He caressed her face and closed his eyes, wondering how could something that felt so good hurt so bad at the same time. Then he fell back asleep.
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