A Prayer for the Devil (14 page)

She burst out crying. “When I saw how late it was, I checked to make sure you came home. I couldn’t find you in your room. I didn’t know if something happened to you or if you decided not to come back. I ran to the wall, climbed the ladder, and saw your car. Then I came back and began searching the house. I saw you lying on the floor.” She began sobbing. “The wine looked like blood.”

Realizing what she must have thought, he said, “I’m so sorry, Deb. I really am. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I had no right to tell you not to drink. Look at me. Who am I to give anyone advice?”

She hugged him as tight as she could, whispering, “I thought I lost you.”

He returned her embrace. Looking at the floor over her shoulder, he released his grip and began picking up the pieces of broken glass. She bent down to help.

“I hope I didn’t stain the marble.”

She dismissed his concern. “It doesn’t matter.”

As they both stood together, Luke took the broken glass from her hand and placed it in the garbage can next to Aaron’s desk. She led him to the couch and said, “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” A few minutes later, she returned, holding a big glass of water and two Advil. “I know from experience—this is the only thing that will help you feel better.” He smiled and took the pills.

When she sat down next to him, he noticed that her short satin nightgown exposed her naked thighs. As he glanced at them, he saw her look down also. Realizing what he was looking at, she surprisingly made no attempt to cover up.

“Luke, we should get to bed. Remember, tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we have to get up early to cook.”

He held his head and smiled wobbly. “Is that tomorrow already?”

She smiled. “Can we try to make it a normal day? I just want to forget for one day.”

Luke said without much conviction, “OK, we can try.”

 

“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.”

—Lewis Carroll

 

HEARING LAUGHTER NEAR HIS
bed, Luke slowly opened his eyes and felt the children tickling his feet. He pretended to be asleep, waiting until Alessa walked toward the head of the bed to look at him. Opening his eyes quickly, he grabbed her by the arms and hoisted her over his head. She erupted in laughter, and Abel did the same as he jumped into the bed on top of Luke. Sensing someone else was present, he sat up and saw Deborah laughing from the open doorway.

“OK, let’s leave Uncle Lukey alone so he can get dressed.”

The children protested until Luke pulled Abel close and hugged him tight. “Go with your mom, and I’ll meet you in a few minutes.”

After a quick shower, a shave, and a few more Advil, Luke walked into the kitchen. Most of the servants were busy preparing food for the Thanksgiving feast. Seeing Luke, the children ran to his side and each one hugged one of his legs. As he walked to the other side of the room with a child still attached to each leg, he was handed a large bowl and a mixer by Ethel, the head cook. Everyone was smiling, laughing, and having fun. Luke decided that he wasn’t going to think about reality today, he was just going to enjoy the moment.

Plugging in the mixer, he strategically placed the bowl full of cake mix on the counter next to the backsplash. Propping it up so it balanced on the edge of the bowl, he turned the mixer on and watched as it began mixing without any assistance. Proud of his invention, he called across the room, “Hey, Ethel, what else do you need me to do?” Everyone in the kitchen looked as the normally grouchy cook turned and smiled. At that moment, the vibration caused the mixer to fall, still running, shooting cake mix across the room. Luke and the children got the worst of it; they were covered. Wiping the thick yellow paste from his eyes, Luke began licking it off his fingers. The children, watching him, began doing the same as the entire kitchen erupted in laughter. Hearing the commotion, Deborah opened the door and yelled, “What’s going on in here?” The kitchen went silent until Luke swiped some of the mix from Alessa’s hair and licked it off his finger. Then everyone howled as Deborah began laughing. Reaching into the bowl, Luke took what was left of the mix and hurled it toward Deb. She quickly closed the door as the mix splattered on it. For the next hour, Luke and the children cleaned the kitchen as the cooks cooked. The cake mix fiasco set the jovial tone for the day.

Luke cleaned up the kids the best he could, although Alessa still had sticky spots of batter stuck throughout her long, dark hair. He returned to his room to find a clean shirt, then he chose a sweater from Aaron’s vast selection. When he walked back through the dining room, Deborah was setting the table. She looked up at him, and her eyes immediately filled with tears. “What’s wrong?” Luke asked.

She smiled. “That’s the same sweater Aaron wore every Thanksgiving Day.” When he began removing it, she rushed over and stopped him. “Please leave it on.” He complied. For the rest of the morning, the children stayed by Luke’s side. The mood in the house was lighter than it had been in weeks.

In the early afternoon, Luke, Deb, and the children stood by the front door and welcomed the servants’ families. Most of the visiting children had been at the house before, and they immediately rushed to the large playroom on the far end. Sounds of laughter filled the house for the first time in months. As the children played, Luke and Deborah prepared to serve the appetizers. The adults sat at a long antique table in the elegant dining room. The children’s table was located in the adjoining room, although they had no interest in eating at the moment.

Before beginning the meal, Luke watched as the servants’ families all held hands. Realizing what was about to happen, Luke’s mom nudged his father, who reluctantly held the hand of the smiling lady sitting next to him. Luke and Deb rushed to sit down. Johnny, a longtime employee and one of the older men seated at the table, took out a small piece of paper and began speaking in heavily accented English. “Thank you, dear God, for the food we are about to eat and for all of those who prepared it. Thank you for the children, as we see you in their loving eyes every day. Thank you for Deborah and Luke; they are very good to us.” His eyes filled with tears as he looked around the table. “And most of all, please, God, bless Aaron.” His voice cracked as he added, “We miss him so much.” At this point everyone was drying tears from their eyes. After gaining his composure, he continued, “With all of our troubles, we have so much to be thankful for. We give glory to God. Amen.”

While everyone was preparing to eat, Luke’s father spoke sharply, trying not to cry. “I have nothing to be thankful for—absolutely nothing.” Seeing the surprise and shock of everyone at the table, he put his head down. Embarrassed, he stood and walked out of the room. When Luke’s mother got up to follow him, Luke interceded. “Mom, let me go. You stay here and eat.”

Luke headed down the long hallway to the guest room, where he knocked gently on the oversized door. When there was no answer, he turned the knob and peered inside. His father was sitting on a chair, blankly staring out the window. Luke pulled another chair close and sat next to him. When his dad didn’t acknowledge him, Luke leaned over and grasped his hand. Looking straight ahead, his father finally spoke. “I’m sorry that I ruined your day.”

Luke smiled and squeezed his hand. “Dad, everyone understands. Can you please do one thing for me, just one thing?”

The father turned to face Luke. “Anything.”

Luke took a deep breath and sighed. “Remember how much Aaron loved Thanksgiving? It was always his favorite holiday, and it made him so happy to have his family and employees enjoying a great meal together. I know it’s hard, but please think about what he would want us to do. I know he’s watching us now and is happy that we’re carrying on the tradition.”

His dad wiped his eyes and forced a smile. Then he said something sobering. “Luke, if you honestly believe that Aaron is watching over us, please remember that when you’re making decisions regarding your future. Your mother and I are moving back home tomorrow.” Luke pondered that thought for a few seconds and then convinced his dad to return for dinner.

WHILE LUKE HELPED SERVE
the main course, his cell phone began vibrating in his pocket. He placed the large platter of turkey he was carrying on the dining room table and rushed into the library to answer it. Seeing the number, he became concerned.

“Is everything all right?”

The security guard answered calmly, “Yes, Mr. Miller, but there are two people here to see you.”

Luke’s mind raced. Someone from the church? Sal and Rebecca? Who could it possibly be?

“Who?” he asked impatiently. He could hear the guard talking but couldn’t tell what he was saying. A few seconds later, the guard spoke into the phone. “It’s a Mr. John Daly and another man. He says he knows you and that you gave him this address. He insisted that I call you.” Then he whispered, “They look like a couple of homeless guys to me. I can get rid of them if you want.”