The Fall of the Prodigal (19 page)

“Verona? Verona!” Louisa Stachs eyes were as large as saucers.

Standing by the front door, Verona acknowledged she didn't know why she was at her parent's doorsteps. When she'd left thirteen years ago, she vowed never to return.

Her mother's green eyes took in her unkempt appearance. Verona wiped her puffy face. The waterworks had been in full effect all the way to the airport, through the flight, and in the cab until she had rung the doorbell.

Louisa stepped aside and motioned for her to enter. As if years hadn't passed, Verona walked into her childhood home. Louisa hugged her.

Verona welcomed the feel and smell of the slighter woman. In her mother's arms, Verona released her pain. She felt a large palm settle on her back. Pulling away, she turned to face her father, Pastor Noel Stachs. After a slight hesitation, she plunged into his chest. More tears flowed.

“I can't believe you are here, standing in front of me.” Louisa gazed at Verona as if she were seeing a ghost.

Noel reached to touch her arm. “Welcome home, daughter.”

“I needed to return home.” She hiccupped, unable to expound on her thinking. When she had left her penthouse this morning, Verona had no idea she would end up here. The California sun was a direct contrast to the wet and cold of New York. She had to stop and buy sunglasses.

Within minutes, Verona was settled between her parents, reminiscent of old times.

“I've been following the case on television,” Noel stated. “Mainly to get a glimpse of you.” He turned to face her. “You're a beautiful and gifted attorney.”

“We're proud of you, honey,” Louisa chimed in before standing to get them tissues.

Verona squirmed under such praise. It did her heart good to hear those words, but she was not about to stray from her main reason for coming. “I'm in love with him. I fell in love with my client, who appears to be as guilty as sin,” she said.

“This is not like the last time. We will be here by your side,” Noel said.

His firm sentiment washed over Verona's heart. Years of resentment, though, weren't easily buried. “Why now?” she asked. “Why didn't you believe and support me then when I was helpless, and . . . and . . .” She could not continue.

“We were younger, dumber, and less faithful. Your father and I had both lost our jobs. We were living on government assistance. Your child would've been one more mouth to feed,” her mother confessed. “I've been praying to God for your return, for a second chance.” Louisa took her hand in hers. “I'm sorry, Verona. I've waited thirteen years to look you in your face and apologize. I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me most.”

Verona's shoulders hunched over. From the corner of her eye, she saw Noel slash a tear from the corner of his eye.

He cleared his throat. “Your mother's telling the truth,” he said. “We've been praying nonstop for this day. I hope you'll hear me out.”

Overcome, all Verona could do was nod. She wiped her nose surprised she had ducts left to manufacture more tears. It was time. Time to talk about Damien Foster, and Elijah.

“I'm sorry I threw Damien in jail.” Noel hung his head. “I overreacted. I shouldn't have handled things the way I did, but he was six years older than you, an adult. I didn't know Damien would get four years.”

Verona took deep breaths. Maybe she was not ready to revisit the past. “Dad, I don't think—”

He held up a hand. “No, please let me do this. I've practiced this speech for . . .”

Verona covered her face with her hands before choking out, “Damien was the reason I went into criminal law.” Once in prison, Damien's original sentence had been lengthened after a fight with an inmate. The inmate succumbed to his wounds. “I was devastated when his sentence had been extended to ten years. I felt it was my fault. I practiced for a year before I tried to reopen his case. That's when I learned Damien had died in prison. Payback.” She shuddered. Learning of Damien's death had crushed her.

But it was another male who tore at her heart. She continued, “I try not to think of him. I try not to think of Elijah. But, not a day goes by I don't wonder what he looks like and if . . . if he hates me for giving him up.” A sob broke loose. “My son. My son.”

Verona felt her mother's touch. She flung her mother's hand away. “You allowed them to take my child from me. I didn't even get to kiss him good-bye. You stood by and watched your only grandchild hoisted off into another couple's hands. How could you?” she raged. “I know I was young but to give him to Minister Smith and his wife was cruel. I had to see them every week in church and I couldn't . . .” Oh, God, this was too much. Tears smudged her face. Pain sliced through her body down to her very soul.

Verona clenched her fists. She looked up to heaven and released her anger toward God. “Where were you! Where were you?” Silence greeted her. “Answer me! Answer me!”

She zoned in on Louisa who fidgeted with her hands. “I blame you the most!” she screamed. “You went along with it. You're a mother! What kind of mother were you?”

Louisa cupped her mouth with her fist. With a cry, she ran from the room.

“That's enough!” Noel yelled. “We're sorry, but you're not going to disrespect us. You're still our child. You will speak to us in a civil manner.”

“No, I'll speak however I please!” Verona's chest heaved. She stomped over to her father until she was in his face. “There is no going back for me. Do you get that?”

Noel squinted his eyes. “What do you mean there's no going back for you? Is this about Michael?”

Verona exhaled and willed herself to calm down. Louisa reentered the room. Verona held out her hand and mouthed, “I'm sorry.” Her mother took timid, tentative steps until their hands were joined.

“Answer me. What do you mean there's no going back?” her father asked.

“I . . .” The words felt stuck in her throat but she gathered her courage and verbalized her deepest pain. “I might not be able to have any more children. Elijah might be it for me, and I gave him up.”

Her father rebuked her. “We taught you better. Whether you have a child or not is up to God. He ultimately holds life in His hands. He decides.”

 

 

Verona sought refuge in her childhood room after her talk with her parents. She used to spend countless hours in here worshipping and talking to God. Verona loved praise and worship. All through her pregnancy she begged God to change her parents' minds. When she had been forced to give her son up to “people who will love and care for him” she still kept her faith. However, when she heard her two-year-old son call Sister Smith “Mommy,” she had run away. Verona vowed never to return to her parents' California home.

Now, look at her.

Verona heard a knock on her door. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was close to midnight. At her signal, Louisa entered, holding an ice cream sundae treat.

Her mouth watered. Verona held out her hands.

“Tell me more about Michael,” Louisa said.

Snuggled under the warm blankets, Verona devoured her chocolate chip ice cream.
Mmm.
She loved whipped cream. “You still make the best sundaes.”

“Thanks.” Louisa lifted the blanket and got under the covers. She reiterated, “Tell me about Michael.”

“Michael is handsome, rich, arrogant, insufferable, demanding, and totally wonderful.”

“Your eyes are shining. He sounds positively dreamy.” Her mother sighed. “That's how it was when I met your father. Noel was all that and more. I still get the jitters when I see him.”

Verona touched her cheeks. “TMI. TMI.” The two women shared a laugh.

“Does he feel the same way about you?”

“I think so,” Verona hedged. “Michael kissed me. I know he cares but he's been harping over his ex, Lauren, for years. I just found out she has his children. I can't compete.” She took another scoop to finish off her sundae. Then, she divulged her real fear. “Michael's a father to twins. A boy and a girl. That's when I ran. I'm not fit to be anybody's parent. Not after what I did to my own.”

“Oh.” Louisa drew her close. “Your father and I didn't believe you when you told us you would be a mother. You said we would find a way to make ends meet. We shouldn't have forced you to give up your child. Experience has a way of making fools of decisions we thought were wise.”

“A part of me knew you meant well.” Verona inhaled and then smiled. “You still smell like Johnson's Baby Powder, even after all these years.”

“I know I said this earlier, but I'm glad you're home. Your father and I hope you'll stick around for a while. There are a lot of people at Mount Moriah who'd love to see your face.”

She stilled. Elijah was there. “I don't know if I can face him, Mom. I'll think about it.” Which meant no. Verona had broken her rule and was back at home. But she was not stepping foot back in Mount Moriah. They would want her to sing and carry on the pretense. Like they all did not know Elijah was hers.

Her mom left shortly after that. Try as she might, Verona could not fall sleep. She dragged her feet down the stairs to get a glass of water. She knew her father was up. Verona debated for a moment before rapping on his study door. Hearing his permission, she entered.

“I've been waiting for you to show up.” Noel said once Verona was fully inside the room. She ran her hand across the furnishings as she walked around the small space. It looked the same to her. They had had many good talks in here. She inhaled, loving the scent of vanilla musk.

Eventually, Verona made her way to sit in the armchair across from Noel. She wiggled her foot out of her slippers and snuggled deep into the worn leather. She gave her dad a warm smile. He opened the tiny drawer on his desk and pulled out some pictures. “I want you to see something.”

As he walked around his desk, for some reason, her heart rate escalated. With shaky hands, Verona grasped the pictures he held. She looked at the person featured knowing she was looking at her son. With rapid-fire speed, she tore through the pictures. She could not get enough: Elijah at the park. Elijah at the zoo. Elijah in church. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She sniffed several times.

Verona croaked a single word. “Elijah.”

“When you left, we asked the Smiths to consider an open adoption. They agreed.”

Did that mean what she thought it meant? Her heart thumped inside her chest.

“He spends the night with us, his Pop and Nana,” Noel informed her with a gravelly voice.

Choked, she asked, “Does he know me? Does he know who I am?”

“He knows he's adopted. He has a picture of you by his bedside. Ronald and Edith made sure of that.”

She studied his most recent picture. Elijah looked like a happy and contented fifteen-year-old. He was dressed in a baseball suit. He held the bat with a confidence she did not remember having at his age. Her heart expanded. Her chest felt like it was on fire.

Verona gripped Noel's hands. Never in her life did she think she would be given the opportunity to say her next words. Verona let out a heartfelt request. “I'd like to meet him. I'd like to meet my son.”

“How long will he be here?” Gina asked Keith, her impatience already evident.

“Not long. I hope. The judge released him in my care. He warned it's my career if Michael doesn't comply. Thank you for agreeing to let him stay here,” Keith said.

“Thank God. It was His doing.” Gina gazed at him with troubled eyes. “I'm anxious that Michael could be living here for months. We were planning to take the kids to Florida, remember? Now, we'll have to change our plans because of your brother.”

“I understand your frustration, honey. We can always go to Disney and Universal. Michael needs us. He's fighting for his freedom.”

Like a runaway train, Gina was on to something new. “Verona didn't show up.” She pulled her gloves from her hands with agitation. “We were supposed to have dinner before Bible Study. She stood me up.”

Keith creased his forehead. “She had every intention of coming. That was until the officer showed up with a prophylactic saying it was found in Michael's garbage bin.”

Gina's mouth popped open. “What? Who was he with?”

“According to him, no one. He says he hasn't been sleeping with anyone.”

She gave him a “what you talking 'bout” look then said, “You seriously expect me to believe that? Michael and monogamy only have one thing in common: the letter M. Did you forget about Karen?” she asked. When Gina and Michael dated, he had slept with his crazy ex-girlfriend, Karen Newton.

“Did you forget he's been pining over Lauren?”

“Lauren? I thought Michael was trying to get with Verona,” was the cheeky comeback.

Keith caved. “I see your point. My brother doesn't have a good track record when it comes to women.” Keith did not care for the “I told you so” look Gina had written all over her face. He changed gears. “I think his being here with us is a good thing. We'll use his time here to help him build a relationship with Christ and family.”‘

“I agree. God needs to work on Michael real fast,” Gina said. “I'm going to give Verona a call.”

“You like her,” Keith observed.

“She's all right.”

“Admit it. You're the ex-wife who likes the next wife.” He chuckled at his spin on words.

Gina swatted his arm. “You think that's funny?”

Keith grabbed her hands and pulled her into his chest. Her little head barely rose above his midriff. In a deft move, he lifted her so she straddled his waist.

“Why do you always seek to distract me with your fine body? I want to argue.”

“And I want to . . .” He whispered a suggestion in her ear. When he pulled away, Gina's cheeks were beet red. She could not even look him in the eyes.

“We're having a movie night, remember? Your idea will have to wait. I have to go oversee the popcorn or the alarm might go off again. I don't know how Trey messes up microwave popcorn.”

“Let me get the blankets. Whose turn is it to pick the film?”

“Epiphany's.”

He groaned.
Ella Enchanted.
That's what they were watching. Good thing he knew how to keep himself occupied.

Gina was a mind reader. “Michael's here. You're not sitting next to me to feel me up under the covers.”

Keith should have known she would be a prude. “But . . .”

“I'm cuddling with E.J.”

Gina read his thoughts again. “And, no scriptures during the movie. God rested. So can you.”

He lifted his hands in the air. “You hear that, God?”

 

 

Michael felt a pang of envy watching Keith and his family all wrapped together. He stretched his legs in front of him. E.J. had her head on a pillow in his lap. He patted her little head. Michael never knew he would see this day. He had treated Epiphany like crap when she was younger. Now here she was, trusting him. Michael closed his eyes. This was the epitome of the fruit borne by forgiveness.

Michael pictured John and Olivia watching the movie with him. He and Lauren would be wrapped under the blankets. Or, maybe it would be he and Verona under blankets? Michael was not sure. But whoever it was, he knew he would be doing some naughty things. Unlike Keith and Gina, who sat apart from each other. Michael figured it was since Keith was now a preacher and all that. Maybe he and Gina saved all the affection for behind closed doors.

Well, he for one knew he could not be a stuffy Christian. Being married and saved meant he could get legitimate nooky with a high five from God.

As soon as the movie ended, Michael excused himself. He wanted to visit his children, but he could not leave Keith's home. That was the condition of his release. He was to remain in confinement at Keith's residence. The only other places Michael was allowed to go were the church and court. But Lauren could bring the kids over. It was only nine p.m. He would give her a call. Michael would love to see John and Olivia even if it were for five minutes.

“I can't.”

Michael wanted to scream. “Why? Do you have a date with Martin?”

“Yes, I do.”

Liar.
“Lauren, I know you don't have a date with Martin because he doesn't exist. You made him up.”

“What if I did?”

Michael had not expected that sharp comeback. He counted to five. He changed the topic. “Did you mean what you said the other day?”

He knew his conversation shift had thrown Lauren. “What did I say?” she asked.

He smiled at her confusion.

“You thought we should get married. Now that I know there's no Martin, I'm asking you.”

“This is how you propose to me? Don't I deserve a better proposal than this? What about that funny-eyed lawyer you're seeing?”

Michael lowered his voice. “Verona won't be a problem. I assure you. You deserve the world for what you've given me. You've given me two gifts no amount of money could buy. I'm asking for your hand in marriage. I promise to cherish you, provide for you, and give you the best of what I have left.”

He heard the sharp intake of breath and waited.

He waited.

And waited.

As Michael was about to ask Lauren if she was still on the line, he heard, “Yes, I'll marry you. I'd be honored. You'd better straighten things out with Verona. I'm not about to tolerate any drama.”

Thank God.
“I'll make you the happiest mother in the world. Thank you,” he said.

Michael swiped the end button. His first thought was,
I'm engaged.
His second was he could not believe he had proposed to a woman over the phone. It was borderline ghetto. However, due to his present circumstances, it could not be helped.

His last thought before he hit the pillow was,
how do I tell Tiger?