Unexpected Wedding (28 page)

Rocky poured cereal into the bowl. She’d mentioned her work responsibilities a lot. Helping Ty was her way of moving forward, but was she up for it?

“You never know what they’re going to ask you to do. You’re on your feet most of the day. You can’t play strenuous games yet or—”

“I know. And think about it. They didn’t know I was pregnant, and I was able to avoid lifting heavy things and the basketball court. I can continue to do that until I’m completely well.”

He nodded. “I... I’m only worried about what the doctor said about excessive bleeding.”

“I think I’d know if I was having a problem, Rocky, and I’d rather not talk about that at the breakfast table.”

“Sorry. I’m concerned for your safety. I know you can take care of yourself.”

“Thank you. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, don’t ever think I’m not extremely grateful.”

He dropped his spoon. “Why does this sound like we’ve taken ten giant steps backwards?”

She closed her journal and pushed her coffee cup away. “I was going to talk to you about this tonight.”

He was scared. Really scared. At first, they’d pulled together. They were in pain, but they were in sync. Now she’d put distance back between them. He could see it, feel it, and almost taste it. He knew for certain he could not handle it.

“Spit it out, Gia, what’s on your mind?”

“I was wondering what you want to do next.”

“What do you mean?”

“This marriage. I can’t blame you if you don’t want to continue this arrangement. It was based on the pregnancy and the fact that the marriage would be mutually beneficial for both of us.”

“You need to stop right there.”

“I’m not trying to start a fight or upset you, Rocky. I only want to let you know I understand if you want to get out of this somehow because everything’s changed.”

“Everything has not changed. It’s still you and me. I told you all along I had more than one reason to marry you.”

“But the child was a big part of that. I saw how excited you were. I watched you with the kids at that party. You need to be a dad and that’s not happening now.”

“Maybe not in January like we thought, but...I don’t know what to say to you. What kind of a man do you think I am?”

“You’re a wonderful man. The best. That’s why I want you to be happy, and I’ve failed to live up to my end of the bargain. You deserve better.”

It took a lot to make him mad.

That pretty much did it.

His fist came down hard on the table. He knew the power behind his fist. He knew never to use it in anger, but suddenly he was striking the surface, accentuating each bitter-sharp word.

“I can’t. Believe. We are back. To this.”

She was frozen in her chair, clearly too scared or too stunned to react. The cereal bowl had bounced to the floor, a clear casualty. The coffee mugs didn’t fare well either.

An ugly mess, an ugly situation, an ugly outburst.

She absently reached for the dishtowel on the counter nearby.

“Don’t you dare clean this up,” he said. “I’ll get it later.” He swiped milk off his arm. “Whatever you want is fine with me, Gia. I don’t think you’re concerned about what I want anyway. Maybe it’s about what you want. Maybe you want out because you don’t need me anymore.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Otherwise, it’s clear I can’t convince you how I see you or how others see you. I can’t show you your own self-worth. Only God can do that and help you finally erase whatever baggage you carry around that makes you think you’re so unlovable. And if I’ve failed to convey to you how I feel about you, then I don’t know what to do because I really tried to show you.”

He left the house so fast, the door stood open behind him. It took him seconds to get in the truck, stow his chair, and race to the end of the block. He pulled over and rubbed the side of his hand as he rested his phone on his shoulder and waited for an answer. Max could be immature and distracted at times, but that’s because he worked so much with the youth—it was a prerequisite. Still, he was a good friend. A sturdy friend. A spiritual friend.

“Max. I need prayer.”

“Is Gia OK?”

“I think so physically, but things are not good.”

“What happened?”

“I’m in love with my wife.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“I’ve lost her.”

****

Gia cleaned the kitchen and left for work.

It felt odd to be clocking in and stashing her lunch in the fridge when everything was coming apart. She’d hurt her husband, cut him to the quick because she was barely functional in an adult relationship. She’d been careless with her words and his emotions, and had driven the most gentle and easy-going man she ever met to destroy a table. She was ashamed, desperate, and still reeling from his stinging answer to her ill-timed and not-well-thought-out evaluation of their situation.

Her recent loss still withered her heart. The thought of losing Rocky only added to her pain.

She’d let this happen. She would have to fix it.

If only he would pick up the phone or answer her texts.

Misty passed her in the hall between the time clock and the gym. “Hey, girl. Feeling better?”

“I’m getting there,” she lied. She felt way worse by the minute—emotionally, if not physically, too.

“You look a little pale.”

“I wanted to try and work. I’m not contagious or anything. Please tell Coach I made it back and will start on that project he put me on today.”

“Sure will. Let me know if you can’t stay. I can juggle some people.”

“I appreciate that.”

By eleven o’clock, she didn’t feel any worse. That wasn’t possible. She didn’t feel that much better either. She could only breathe because she’d heard from Rocky.

Please forgive me
she’d texted.

I’m sorry I lost my temper
he replied.

At least he’d finally answered and there was hope in his response.

She hadn’t seen Ty either and wasn’t that the whole point?

At lunchtime, Misty tracked her down to send her home.

“I don’t need to leave.”

“Yeah, you do. You’re not fooling anyone.”

“I can’t lose this job, Misty.”

“You couldn’t lose this job if you drove over the fourth generation of friendly squirrels that live behind the pool. Even if you did it in front of the four-year-olds.”

“Stop.”

“Coach thinks you’re great. He said to get better. He needs you well.”

“All right. I’ll go, but I’m going to swing by the game room first and see if I can spot someone I need to talk to.”

“OK, girl. Don’t stay too long.”

Gia headed down the long hallway to the pool. The game room was on the way and it was empty. She headed back and noticed someone huddled along the wall down an adjacent hall that led to the tennis courts. It was someone in a wheelchair, and he was so engrossed with spying through a split in the dance room observation window curtain, he did not hear her approach. She checked the posted schedule. Level Three Jazz—Twelve- to Sixteen-Year-Old Girls. So far, Ty was behaving exactly as any thirteen-year-old boy should.

“Do you know someone in the class?”

Ty jerked and spun away from the window. “No, Miss. I was on my way to the game room.”

“No hurry,” she said and peeked through the same tiny opening. “There are so many better things to do around here than play video games in that stuffy game room. You know,” she said and leaned against the wall, “they open the curtain twice a week for parents and friends to observe the class. It might be a little more appropriate if you came by then. Or you could take a class and join them.”

He gestured wildly at his chair. “I’m in a wheelchair, Miss. And I’m a guy.”

“Ppffftttt,” she said and waved his words away. “Wheelchair users dance all the time. I saw it happen the other night. There are classes in adaptive dance.”

“Do I look like that pasty white guy on Glee? I’m not dancing, Miss.”

“OK.” She extended her hand. “I’m Gia, by the way. And you must be Ty.”

He extended his blistered hand. They shook and she slid down the wall and stretched her legs out in front of her.

Ty was a cute and spirited wreck of a kid with a near-shaved head and light brown eyes. He was small for his age and clearly didn’t take very good care of his chair or his clothes. He didn’t smell that great either.

“Did my uncle send you to find me?”

“I’m new here, you’re new here. He thought we should meet.”

“Why?”

“I have a lot of camp experience with kids your age. He thought maybe I could help you find some activities to participate in here.”

“Why?”

“Because you need more exercise than sitting in that game room all day.”

“I’m in a wheelchair, Miss.”

“Not really an issue, Ty. You can participate in about everything they offer here. At the very least you should be in the pool. You need to be moving to help your muscles.”

He dropped his gaze. She could tell he’d thought about the pool but it was too overwhelming for him.

“Perhaps you and your uncle could check out the pool after hours when you’re alone. You can see how it goes. There’s a lift that will help you in and out. Or you could do like my husband and transfer straight out of your chair and hop in. You have to experiment to see what works for you. Then when you’re comfortable you can go when the other kids go and there’s a lifeguard on duty.”

“Your husband’s in a wheelchair?”

“Yes.”

“That’s why my uncle sent you.”

“Nope. Coach doesn’t know my husband uses a chair.”

“Did he have a car wreck?”

“No. His spine was injured in a fall. He was on a balcony that collapsed when he was in college.”

“And he swims?”

“He does anything he wants to do. Is it my turn to ask a question now?”

He looked down with a crooked grin and nodded.

“Where is your cushion?”

“It’s in Tennessee.”

“You need that cushion, Ty. Surely someone explained to you the dangers of pressure sores and the importance of back support.”

He shrugged.

“You need to ask your uncle to send for it.”

“Does your husband use his cushion?”

“Yes. He uses all kinds of cushions. Gel, foam, inflatable, cooling. It depends on what he’s doing and how his back feels. Promise me you’ll mention this to your uncle or I will.”

“Geeze, Miss, it’s a pillow.”

“Ty...”

“Yes, Miss. I’ll mention it.”

“You need to be using your gloves, too.”

“They’re hot.”

“Whatever. But here’s the thing. I’m guessing you’re hanging out at this window because there’s a girl in there you like. I can guarantee she’s not gonna want to hold that calloused paw of yours. I’m also guessing you’re starting high school in the fall. You need to get in shape for that.”

He looked away and smirked.

“Ty?”

“Yes, Miss,” he grudgingly agreed.

She stood and dusted off her shorts. “I have to go now, but I’m going to call your uncle about setting up your pool experiment. I’d also like to talk to you about some other activities and maybe plan some things with some other people. Are you game?”

“Sure.”

“OK. I’ll see you in a day or so. I’ve got some things to take care of. In the meantime, you should go online and research some sports you’d like to try and refresh your memory on how to take care of your body and keep yourself healthy. You have some choices to make, right?”

“Right.”

She extended her hand. “See you later then.”

He offered his and then pulled it back with a smile. “Nope. Too rough for the ladies.”

This made her truly smile for the first time all day. “Nice.”

****

Gia changed her sheets and gathered all her belongings. She put everything in two boxes by the bedroom door. Amazing what she’d accumulated during her time in her husband’s guest room. She also cleaned her bathroom, packed an overnight bag, and wrote a note. Rocky would be furious, but how else was she supposed to fix her messy past and save her marriage? If she’d learned anything in the last few months, it was that God was always ready to help, heal, and repair. Even when it hurt beyond measure. Even when it didn’t make sense. Wasn’t it time to let Him finish the job? And wasn’t she tired of holding grudges and letting her own sense of shame decide how happy she should be?

Something had happened and was happening still.

Rocky, the baby, Ty, her new family, her new friends, the secrets in the garage, her work with kids, Rocky’s blossoming work with the youth... The list went on, but kept coming back to the first thing God told her.

Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?

She taped the note across the crack in the kitchen table.

Rocky:

I’m sorry about this morning. I need to see my dad and take care of some things, but I’ll be back as soon as possible.

Gia

She hurried for the door. If she didn’t get out before he got home from work, it would be a hard sale to let her leave on her own. Another thought crossed her mind. She returned to the note.

P.S. I snooped in the garage. It started out as an accident. The door didn’t close when you took the trash out last Thursday. I’d really like to hear about hand cycling.

P.S.S. Romans 8:28.

18

Gia made it through the complex’s gated entrance by following too close to the car in front of hers that used a working entry code. A headache brewed near her right temple as the eyelid on the same side twitched intermittently. Her whole body thrummed with anxiety as she passed one lookalike building after another.
Building A… Building D… Finally Building G…

She slipped into a space near the main stairwell and paused to let freezing air from the vent cool her face. The peace she longed and fought for was within her reach.

It was about to be so easy.

It was about to be so hard.

Apprehension faded to peace and fear gave way to resolve as the slithering rapist came down the steps and walked toward a car. She clutched the gift she brought for him. The whole thing would be over in forty-five seconds.