Redemption Lake (28 page)

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Authors: Monique Miller

BOOK: Redemption Lake
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Chapter 35
Phillip Tomlinson
Sunday: 6:00
A.M
.
Phillip took his time rising from bed, trying his best not to wake Shelby. At the end of the bed he kneeled to say a silent morning prayer.
Dear Lord in heaven. Thank you for this another day you've blessed me to see; thank you again for eternal life. And thank you, Lord, for my new brother in Christ. Lord, I pray that you put Godly teachers and people in his path, especially during this, the infancy of his salvation.
Dear Lord, I pray that you watch over each of these couples as they make their way back home. Please bring back to their remembrance most, if not all, of what I've tried to impart to them this past week. Lord, you are all knowing, and only you know the beginning as well as the end.
Lord, I have a heaviness in my heart where the Highgates are concerned. I pray that you will guide them in the direction they should go—and that your will shall be done. My hope is that they'll be able to work through any problems they are having. And that if there are any other words of impartation you have for me to tell them, you will let me know so that I can do so.
I also pray that you will continue the work that has been started here at this retreat in regard to the Joneses and the Knights. Thank you so very much for using me as your vessel in these two couples' lives.
And last, but most certainly not least, Lord please continue to bless Shelby and me as we do our part in assisting with the growth and development of your Kingdom.
I praise you, Lord, and I thank you, Lord, in your Son Jesus' name
. In a whisper, Phillip then said, “Amen.”
Upon standing, he heard movement coming from the kitchen area. It sounded like the refrigerator closing. He slipped on his robe to see who was there. He hoped it was Travis, though he doubted it because he was always known to be late for breakfast each morning. Phillip guessed he was sleeping until the last possible minute, pushing to get as much sleep as possible.
Stepping into the kitchen, Phillip saw Travis standing in front of the sink, drinking the last of the sparkling white grape juice.
Phillip said a silent thanks to God and greeted the man. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Travis mumbled.
“You're up a little early,” Phillip said.
“Yeah, I couldn't sleep last night, and I was thirsty.” Travis downed the remaining juice in the glass, rinsed it and placed it in the sink. “I'm going to try and get a few more Z's. I'll see you in a couple of hours.”
“Hey, Travis, hold up,” Phillip said. “Can I have a word with you for a moment? I wanted to talk without anyone else around.”
Phillip saw a dread-like dismay cover Travis's face.
“Right now? Can it wait until after breakfast? I'm still a little tired,” Travis complained.
Phillip wondered what reason Travis had to be tired. He hadn't lifted a hand to help with the cookout the day before. As he thought about it even more, the man hadn't offered a helping hand with anything that didn't benefit him.
“Yes, right now.” Phillip wasn't going to be able to act like this was just a casual conversation. He felt like he was talking to his teenage son—like someone who needed to be guided and told what to do. “Why don't we have a seat in the living room?” Phillip said.
Travis looked toward his bedroom with longing in his eyes, but Phillip wasn't budging. This man needed straight talk. He didn't need innuendos or someone being passive aggressive in order to try to get him to do the right thing.
Once they were seated, Phillip said, “Look, I'm not going to beat around the bush and waste my time or yours.”
Travis yawned, slumping back in his seat. “Okay, so what did you want to talk about?”
“Travis, you have got to wake up to what your wife is trying to tell you. I don't know what you are hearing when you talk with her. But I hear her silent cry loud and clear. She's screaming that if you don't get it together, or at least even act like you've got it together before you leave this retreat, she's probably going to leave you,” Phillip said. He hoped he wasn't reading Beryl wrong, and he also hoped he hadn't stepped completely out of line, but deep down his gut told him he was right about what he was saying and doing.
“Aw man. Is that all you wanted to talk about?” Travis said. He waved his hand as if swatting a fly.
“Is that all?”
“Yeah, you don't know Beryl like I know her. She complains about stuff I do and don't do sometimes, but she is all bark and no bite. She ain't going to leave me. She loves me. And she ain't the type of woman who wants to be without a man. Besides, she wouldn't be able to take care of those kids by herself. So don't you even worry about my wife leaving me, because she ain't. She's said it before, and we are still together. She keeps nagging me about getting a job, and I'll get something when I get home to make her happy.”
“Do you hear yourself? You'll get a job if it will make her happy? How do you feel having your wife take care of you?” Phillip asked.
“She ain't taking care of me. I work sometimes, but things happen, you know. And I know how the system works, so I normally collect unemployment, so she ain't footing the whole bill. I do contribute.”
“Oh, really? Do you even know how much it cost to attend this retreat?”
“Nah, she said she wanted me to come so I told her I would, but I wasn't going to pay for it. She paid for it, just like she pays for other things when she's claiming she doesn't have any money. I know she's got a secret bank account somewhere. I just haven't figured out where it is yet.
“But it's all good. Don't sweat it, man. I got this,” Travis said.
Phillip shook his head. He couldn't believe this man's audacity. And if he weren't sitting there live and in person, hearing the nonsense that was falling out of his mouth like the water at Niagara Falls, he wouldn't have believed it.
“Are you done?” Travis asked.
“Yeah, go ahead and get some rest.” Phillip wasn't going to waste anymore time or words with him.
Travis stood. “Thanks for all your concern, and this vacation was pretty nice. I've always wanted to visit the mountains.”
Phillip wanted to literally take the man and shake some sense into him. He'd heard of people getting book sense and other people getting common sense, but he hadn't been aware of the group of people that got neither. Phillip figured he'd met the first person in that other line.
Chapter 36
Phillip Tomlinson
Sunday: 10:20
A.M
.
“Thanks again for everything. Are you sure I can't help you pack up some of this stuff in the kitchen?” Charlotte asked.
“No, but thanks for offering. We aren't leaving until tomorrow, so Phillip and I will take care of it.
“Thanks, man, for your help. And thank you for helping me start my walk with Christ,” Xavier said.
Phillip gave Xavier a firm handshake and hug. “It was a pleasure, my brother. Make sure you seek Godly advice when you get back home. My e-mail address is in the back of your packet. Feel free to e-mail me. I'm no expert, but I'd be glad to offer any advice I can.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that,” Xavier said.
Phillip helped the couple take their bags to their SUV. Upon ascending the front porch steps, George and Nina walked out of the front door.
“Hey, you need some help with your bags?” Phillip asked.
“You know we do,” Nina said. “You know I'm traveling like Eddie Murphy in
Coming to America
.”
Phillip laughed. “You said it, I didn't.”
“Shoot, I said it too,” George said. “Thanks, I could use the help.”
Phillip stepped onto the front door and picked up two of the suitcases. Once George and Nina's SUV was packed, Phillip and Shelby said their goodbyes to them also.
“Nina, you let me know how everything goes with your doctor, and if you need to talk, I'm a phone call away,” Shelby said.
Nina patted her purse. “I've got your number, and thank you. I don't know what I would have done the last couple of days without your help.”
Shelby gave Nina a firm hug. “Don't worry about that. Everything will be fine, and you are both going to get through this.” Shelby gave George a hug also.
“Phillip, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me. God does have great things in store for you, my brother; just get ready,” George said.
“Thanks, man.” Phillip gave George a brawny hug.
With that, George and Nina, left to head back to Greenville.
Almost ten minutes passed before Beryl and Travis emerged from their room.
“Hey, where is everybody?” Travis asked.
“The other two couples left about ten minutes ago,” Phillip said.
“Ah, I wanted to say goodbye to them. And I wanted to get both George and Xavier's autograph. Oh well.” Travis hunched his shoulders.
“Thank you, Phillip and Shelby, for all your work this week. I really appreciate all you did,” Beryl said. She gave Phillip and Shelby hugs as if not wanting to let go. “Well, I guess we'd better get on the road.”
“Hey, Beryl,” Shelby said. She looked around for a pen and piece of paper. “Here is my cell phone number and my e-mail address. Call me sometime and let me know how you all are doing. We can swap tips on raising kids.”
Beryl smiled for what seemed like the first time in days. “Sure, Shelby, I'll do that. Thank you.” With downcast eyes, she picked up her suitcase and purse and headed for the front door.
“Beryl, let me get that for you,” Phillip offered, taking the suitcase into his hand.
Suddenly Travis spoke up. “Ah, no; I got it, man.” He took the case from Phillip. “Thanks anyway.”
Phillip took a deep breath.
“Have a safe trip,” Shelby said.
“Thanks, we will,” Travis said.
Phillip and Shelby stood on the front porch as they watched Travis and Beryl's car pull off. With no surprise to Phillip, Beryl was in the driver's seat.
“Is the door locked?” Shelby asked.
“Yep.”
“And are you sure Reverend and Mrs. Nelson are not due to come back until tomorrow?” Shelby asked.
“Yes, honey. It's just me and you here, and God willing, we won't be interrupted.”
“Okay then.” Shelby pulled out an armful of blankets and comforters and placed them on the floor in front of the fireplace. Then she pulled out a tray she'd made with cheese, crackers, cantaloupe, honeydew, and pineapple chunks.
After setting the tray on the floor next to the blankets, Shelby pulled two glasses out of the cabinet and poured a bottle of chilled sparkling grape juice. “Now where were we seven days ago?” she asked.
Understanding exactly what Shelby meant, Phillip said, “I believe we were ...” He placed his hands on Shelby's cheeks and began to kiss her. “Right here,” he whispered.
Shelby smiled. “So that's where we'll take it from.”
Epilogue
Phillip Tomlinson
8 months later
“Just a minute,” Phillip called out toward his front door. Upon opening it, he saw his best friend. “Will, what's up, man?” Phillip greeted the man with a firm handshake and hug. Will stepped into their foyer.
Seeing the mailman pull up, Phillip asked Will to hold on for a second and left to retrieve the mail. Upon returning, Phillip again asked his friend what was up.
“Nothing much. I just had a question for you.” Will paused. “I tried to call but your cell phone keeps going straight to voice mail and so does your home phone.”
“Kids, man,” Phillip said. “Phillip Jr. has put my cell phone in a secret hiding place and we've been looking for it a couple of days. If I can't find it soon, I'll have to just get another one.”
Phillip noticed his friend was acting a little strange. “Come on in and have a seat.” He turned to lead his friend toward the family room.
“No, I can't stay long. I just wanted to ask you something real quick. I've got to get back home. Morgan needs me to do some things for her.”
“Oh, okay. What did you need?”
Will paused for a moment, visually struggling to make the words form in his mouth. “You know when you and Shelby were having problems a few years ago and you went to that couple's retreat?”
“Yeah. The retreat was wonderful. You know I was able to lead one of the retreats a few months back. It did wonders for Shelby and me, and it also did wonders for some of the couples I taught. I'm thinking about going up there again to lead another retreat within the next few months.”
Phillip wondered why his friend was asking. “Why do you ask? Do you know someone who is thinking about marriage counseling?”
A far off look formed in Will's eyes, like he was concentrating hard on something. Then he said, “Yes, I do know of someone who would like more information about the retreat.” Will paused again, “Me.”
“You?” Phillip asked in bewilderment. “You and your wife are having problems?”
Will nodded his head. “I don't really want to get into it right now. I'm still trying to sort some things out. But I know the retreat worked wonders for you and Shelby, and I was thinking maybe it will work for our marriage.”
Phillip didn't know what to say. It did make sense now though. Will hadn't been acting like himself in recent months. He wondered what kinds of problems they could be having. From the outside looking in, Will and his wife, Morgan, had what seemed like the perfect marriage. He didn't think his friend had been stepping out on his wife; the man had been a virgin until he got married. He wondered if it were the opposite, and Will's wife was stepping out on him. Then Phillip cut his thoughts off. He shouldn't be thinking anything bad about his friend's marriage.
“Will, I'm here for you if you need me, not only as a friend and fraternity brother, but also as a man of God and your brother in Christ.”
“I know,” Will said. Looking at his watch and with urgency, he said, “Can I get that information from you? I really need to be getting back to my house.”
“Oh, yeah. Just a second.” Phillip left his friend standing by the front door to retrieve a sheet of paper to write down the information.
After he handed it to over, Phillip reiterated, “I'm here if you need me.”
Will looked at the piece of paper and held it as if it were gold. “Thanks. If I need to talk, I know exactly who to call.” He turned toward the door.
Reaching for the doorknob, Phillip gave his friend a hearty pat on the back. “Hang in there.”
“I'm trying,” Will said. “Talk with you later.” Then he left.
Closing the door behind him, Phillip looked upward. “Dear Lord, if it ain't one thing, then it's another.”
“Found it,” he heard Shelby exclaim from upstairs.
“Found what?” Phillip asked, calling back upstairs to her.
“Your cell phone.”
“Great,” Phillip said his voice void of enthusiasm.
A few moments later, Shelby descended the stairs. Phillip hadn't moved from the spot he was standing in deep in thought about his friend.
“The mail came?” Shelby asked.
As if coming out of a trance, Phillip said, “Yeah. I put it on the kitchen counter.”
“Oh, look,” Shelby said with excitement in her voice.
Phillip joined his wife in the kitchen.
“It's a letter from Charlotte and Xavier. The retreat forwarded the postcard.”
“What does it say?” Phillip's ears perked up.
Shelby read the letter,
“Dear Phillip and Shelby, we hope this card finds you doing well. We just wanted to thank you again for being a part of our life changing moment and helping mend our broken family. Xavier and I are doing well. We took all you taught us at the retreat to heart and have studied the scriptures you gave us.
We communicate throughout the day about big and small things. We strive for agreement between us, but when we don't agree on something, we pray about it and find a middle ground.
And Xavier has been getting professional help for his problems.
We have some good news to share. Xavier and I are expecting a baby! I am about three months pregnant and as ecstatic I don't know what. And if it's possible, Xavier is even more ecstatic!
I encourage you to keep on doing what you are doing to help marriages and families. Stay blessed always, Charlotte and Xavier Knight”
Shelby closed the letter. “That is wonderful. See, I told you the retreat was successful. Now we know the status of all three couples.”
Phillip shook his head. “That is wonderful news.”
“Then why are you shaking your head?”
“I am glad Nina has been totally weaned off the valium. She and George are on that second honeymoon as we speak, right?” Phillip asked.
Shelby nodded her head. “Yeah, they are. They were supposed to have left yesterday for St. Lucia.”
“Two out of three ain't bad, I guess,” Phillip said again shaking his head as he remembered the e-mail Shelby had received from Beryl a month before.
“No, it isn't bad. So stop shaking your head like that.”
“I just wish all the couples could have been helped by this retreat. It is a sad thing that Beryl and Travis weren't able to stay together,” Phillip said.
“Remember the e-mail she sent me said the retreat had been a blessing to her. The retreat helped her to evaluate many aspects of her life, including the problems in her marriage. So even though they didn't stay together, you still helped her.” Shelby placed her hand on Phillip's forearm.
“She said even before the retreat that she'd done all she could do to try and keep the family together. The retreat helped her to be more at peace with her decision.”
“No word about Travis, huh?”
“Nope. She didn't mention how he was doing,” Shelby said.
“I haven't heard anything from him either.”
“Maybe no news is good news,” Shelby said with optimism.
“Maybe no news is just that; no news. I don't want to judge the man, but I don't think Travis gave it his all. He was a fast talker and seemed like the type who just liked to take the easy road. There are some strongholds where he is concerned. And at some point, he is going to have to have a come to Jesus meeting with himself,” Phillip said.
“Amen to that,” Shelby said as she nodded her head in agreement.

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