The Keepsake (Love at the Crossroads) (11 page)

Michael gave her a bewildered look. “Are you sure?”

Was she sure? “Yes, on the couch.”

***

Michael hadn’t realized four inches of snow had fallen while they talked until he trekked through it to retrieve the backpack with extra clothes out of his car. His heart pounded with excitement at his wife’s unexpected invitation. He didn’t know what it meant, but he wasn’t turning down any quiet time with Desi.

Desi led the way to her second floor apartment. What was going through her mind? Humph, reconciliation was going through his. Kiss and makeup to be exact. Michael chided himself for getting carried away. He would follow her lead and pray every step of the way.

At the doorstep of apartment two-ten, Desi stomped her boots to knock off the excess snow, but it was piled up against her door. Once they entered, Michael’s heart dropped at her meager surroundings. His actions had forced his wife to flee the luxury of their two story home to this place that was one large studio. He should have left—no he should have resisted.

“Where’s your broom?”

“Why?”

“I want to sweep some of the snow away from your door.”

Desi smiled and pointed to the corner. Michael performed the task in record time and came back inside to see her turning on the gas fireplace. They had two real ones at home—in their living room and master bedroom.

“Hungry?”

Michael shook off his coat and rested it on a hook. “What ya cooking?” He grinned and found his way into her bathroom and washed his hands.

“I made chili last night and I have some leftover cornbread.”

He strolled back in and sat on a stool at the counter and watched her shift things around in the refrigerator. She pulled out a pot and placed it on the stove. He missed the harmony they shared in the kitchen. “Is there anything I can do?”
Say yes, I want to be close to you.

“I don’t think so—well, I guess you can grab that bag of lettuce and make us a salad.”

Beaming, he gave her a military salute and followed her orders. In fifteen minutes tops, they were sitting at her two chair table. Michael gathered her hands in his. He missed their softness. “Father God, in the mighty name of Jesus, we come to You with thanksgiving for another day and another moment. Bless us, our meal and sanctify it from all impurities. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

“Amen.”

Desi said very little as they ate in silence. Maybe she was all talked out from earlier, but he didn’t push her. As they finished up, he offered to clean up and load the dishwasher.

She looked surprised by his offer, but nodded. “Do you want to watch a movie?”

“Whatever you want to do.” Michael tried to appear calm, but inside his spirit was rejoicing for this very moment with his wife.

After two movies, one a comedy, the other an adventure, they began to doze. Desi yawned and stood. He watched emotions play on her face. “Ah, let me get you a sheet, some cover and a pillow.”

Nodding, Michael hid his disappointment. They had never slept apart until she walked out—for good reason. Even when he cheated on her, Desi would find her way to his side of the bed to snuggle in his unworthy arms. It was at those times, the guilt ate at him. He had had everything he wanted and needed in his own bed.

“There’s only one bathroom, so I’ll go first,” she said, handing him items for his makeshift bed.

While she brushed her teeth and dressed for bed, Michael grabbed things out of his backpack. When he had packed it earlier, he never dreamed that he would be spending the night. As a matter of fact, Michael didn’t know what kind of reception Desi would give him, especially after she warned him not to come uninvited. But when the snow was forecasted, he risked her wrath to be with her and it paid off. “Thank You, Lord.”

Not long after coming out of the bathroom, Desi went straight into her bedroom and called from behind closed doors that he could go into the bathroom. Gathering his pajama bottoms, he wondered what she was wearing. He found out when he came out the bathroom. She was walking around in plaid two-piece flannel PJs.
Ugh
.

He watched as she checked the door and turned on the night light above the stove. In the shadows of the room, they stared at each other. Michael waited for her to make the first move and she did.

“Good night.” She walked passed him, went into her bedroom. Seconds later, the lock clicked on the door.

That action caused his heart to drop. He flopped onto the sofa. He folded his hands and rested them on his forehead. “Jesus, Your Word says You will complete the work You set out to do. Lord, please remember us in Your work.”

Michael prepared the sofa and stretched out. He didn’t know how long he tossed and turned. Of course the couch was uncomfortable, but it was Desi locking the door that kept him awake. Finally, with determination, he drifted off to sleep.

A faint sound stirred Michael from his slumber. He blinked and took in his surroundings, remembering where he was. As he shifted on the couch, he heard it again. Straining his ears, Michael stood. He quietly moved closer to Desi bedroom door to confirm that she was crying.

CHAPTER ~14~

“You cheated on me…” Desi hadn’t had that nightmare in a while. Why tonight? she wondered as she sprung up in bed, panting. She scanned her bedroom. Yes, she was still in the extended stay hotel, but something was different. She looked to her closed door, then remembered.

Michael was on the other side, sleeping. Wait a minute. She frowned. It sounded like he was whispering. Her first inkling was that he was on his smartphone talking to another woman. Enraged, she was about to kick him out in the snow, when she cracked open the door to see his back to her. He was sitting at her small table praying. She strained to hear parts of his private prayer.

“Jesus, this isn’t about me, but Desi. Bless her abundantly for the pain I caused her…”

Quietly closing her door, this time she felt safe enough to keep it unlocked. Her heart melted at his concern for her. She climbed back under the cover, wishing that the past months had been nothing but a dream.

The next morning, Desi woke to the smell of coffee and bacon. At first, she panicked that someone was in her apartment. Then she remembered Michael had stayed the night. Desi snatched her robe off the chair and headed to the bathroom and reappeared refreshed. When she rounded the wall to the kitchen, Michael was there bare-chested making pancakes. And just think, at one time, he was all hers. Desi dismissed the melancholic mood as she spied the cover and sheets on the couch. They had been neatly folded and put aside. Glancing up, a sexy smile stretched across his face. “Good morning. I hope you don’t mind me taking the liberty to cook you breakfast.”

Tilting her head, Desi studied him. He looked tired despite the smile he gave her. She thought about him praying last night. “I don’t. I’ll set the table.” Michael had already done it. “Do you want me to take those out while you freshen up?”

“Sure, I’ll jump in the shower if you don’t mind. You can eat without me.”

“I’ll wait.”

“I’ll only be a sec.” Michael got his clothes and headed toward the bathroom, then pivoted on his heel. He walked toward her and kissed her forehead. “You’re still beautiful in the morning.” He was gone before she could respond.

Desi kept the pancakes warm on the griddle as she sipped on her coffee, then shook her head in amusement. Her husband never could make coffee right. It was always too strong. Desi doubted she would ever drink coffee again without thinking about him. In record time, Michael reappeared nicely dressed and pleasing to her eyes.

They sat. This time, she blessed the food and they dug in. Their eyes spoke volumes whenever they caught the other staring at them. Michael finished first and wiped his mouth. When he reached for her hands, she didn’t snatch them back. “Desi.” Squeezing her fingers, he stared into her eyes. “I heard you crying last night.”

Desi looked away. “And I heard you praying last night,” she said to his shocked expression.

Releasing her hands, Michael leaned back and rubbed his jaw, definitely a sign that he was in thought. “Desi, I love you more now than I did when I first married you.” He held up his hand to keep her from interrupting. “I know I hurt our marriage and you. I can never erase that. If one of us has to have regrets in life, I don’t want it to be you. If you decided to take me back, I don’t want to put you through wondering if you can trust me when I leave your presence.

Patting his chest, Michael seemed to struggle. “It’s me who should have the regrets. And I will have them, knowing I messed up and lost the one woman who loved me unconditionally. That’s my regret to live with. My prayer is for you to be happy and I don’t think you can be with me anymore.”

Michael exhaled. He uttered the sentiment she had been feeling and saying all along. So why did she hurt? She refused to cry, but that didn’t keep her eyes from watering. For a distraction, Desi stood and began to gather their plates. When he offered to help, she was about to beg him off, then thought again. This very well might be their last time together as husband and wife.

CHAPTER ~15~

Hours after Desi’s guest left, Michael’s cologne lingered in her apartment. And that night, she hugged the pillow he used to rest his head. Days later, she received flowers on her job with a message:
Because you’re simply beautiful.

Sitting at her desk daydreaming, Desi accepted that they had come a long way over the months. She knew within her heart that Michael had truly repented and that she had truly forgiven him. So where was her peace?

When the bittersweet court date arrived, Desi entered the judge’s imposing courtroom. Attorney Rush was already there, sifting through paperwork. Desi slid into the second row from the front and exhaled. Bowing her head, Desi closed her eyes and prayed, but the words never came. A caress on her shoulder caused her to look up into the brown eyes of the man she had vowed to love forever, which she always would, but from afar.

“Ready?” His eyes were filled with sadness and his voice low.

How could one ever be ready to divorce the husband she loved? It was his unfaithfulness that put them there. Desi had never been inside a courtroom in her life, not even for jury duty.

“Well, I guess I better get behind enemy lines.” Michael gave her a weak smile and went to the other side where he met with his attorney. The woman was young, slightly overweight and wore a wedding ring. Desi sighed. Would she always zoom in on a woman’s right hand?

“All rise,” the bailiff instructed the courtroom as the judge entered.

Attorney Rush advised Desi that her case was number six on the docket. Great, so she had to wait and witness the bickering and heartaches of five other couples before hers. Some lifelong contracts seemed to be dissolved with a snap of the fingers while a few spewed venom across the room. Couples fought over assets, children, even pets.

The hostility scared her. Michael glanced over his shoulder at her. He offered a kind smile. That gesture calmed her nerves.

Too soon, her case was called and Desi stood next to her attorney and Michael did the same with his. “Your Honor, my client feels there is reasonable possibility that her marriage cannot be preserved and it is irretrievably broken. Therefore, we are requesting dissolution of marriage.”

Desi’s palms were sweaty. She exhaled, not realizing she had been holding her breath. Her legs felt weak. 

“It’s nice for you two to join us at this time,” Judge Mims said, looking from her to Michael and back to her. “I understand you both attended marriage counseling.”

“Yes, Your Honor.” Desi bowed her head. Why did she feel ashamed?

“Attorney Fillmore, I understand the defendant was contesting the divorce. Is that still the case?”

“No, Your Honor. He is in agreement with the plaintiff.”

The judge twisted her mouth. “You two approach the bench.”

Desi couldn’t get her legs to move. She was so nervous. Her attorney nudged her forward. When Michael reached out his hand, she latched on to it and stepped forward. All of a sudden she burst in tears and sobbed uncontrollably. As Michael wrapped his arms around her, Desi leaned into him.

“Baby, it’s okay,” Michael whispered in her ear.

“Order!” The judge slammed the gavel on the mammoth desk. “Is there a problem, Mrs. Bishop?”

“I don’t want…hiccup…” She shook her head. “I don’t want a divorce.”

Michael tightened his arms around her. “Me either.”

“After two continuances, I am not surprised. I’ll take that under advisement. I recommend more counseling to be sure. Do not come into my courtroom again unless you intend to follow through with the petition.”

As Michael steered Desi around, both their attorneys wore amused expressions. Desi was stunned by a couple of applauses they received until the judge slammed the gavel. Michael led her to an unoccupied bench outside the courtroom.