Better Late Than Never Read online

  Curtis picked up the remote control and clicked off the television.

  “Dang!” Curtina exclaimed.

  “Dang, nothing,” Curtis said. “And what have I told you about using that word?”

  “I don’t see what the big deal is. It’s not a cuss word.”

  “Girl, I don’t care what it is. I’m telling you not to use it again. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yeah,” she mumbled.

  “What? I didn’t hear you.”

  “Yes,” she said, still looking at the television.

  “And I’ll tell you something else,” he said. “From now on, when we have meals together, I want you present. No phone and no pretending like we’re not sitting right here in the room with you.”

  For the next few minutes, Curtis and Charlotte ate their food and conversed about one thing or another, but Curtina still sat with her arms folded.

  Finally, Curtis couldn’t take it anymore. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Then why are you so upset and rebellious all the time? And walking around with such an ugly attitude?”

  “Because you and Mom treat me like a baby. You’re always trying to control me.”

  “That’s because technically you are a baby,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “I’m not. I’m twelve, remember? Or have you somehow forgotten that?”

  Curtis scrunched his eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

  Charlotte saw the look of regret on her daughter’s face right away, but it was too late for her to take back her smart comment.

  Curtis set his fork down. “Look, I don’t know who you think you are or what’s going on with you. But I’ll tell you this: You’d better fix whatever it is.”

  Curtina looked down at her lap, still sitting with her arms folded.

  “And eat your breakfast.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Fine. Starve if you want. That’s on you,” Curtis said, and then saw her eyeing her lit-up smartphone. She had an incoming text message, so Curtis reached across the island and picked it up. He typed in her four-digit code, but the phone wouldn’t open. So he typed it again. Still, nothing happened. “Didn’t I tell you not to change that passcode again? Did I or did I not tell you that your mom and I are to have access to your phone at all times?

  “It was an accident.”

  “What was an accident?”

  “Changing my passcode. I didn’t mean to.”

  “You must think we’re stupid. Now, what is it?”

  “What’s what?”

  “What’s the passcode, Curtina?”

  She frowned and hesitated, but then told him. “Nine three two zero.”

  Curtis typed it in and he and Charlotte saw a message from Taylor asking Curtina why she wasn’t responding.

  But when Curtis tried to scroll up to read previous messages, he frowned again. “Why is this the only text on your phone when we clearly saw you typing when you walked in here?”

  “I always delete my messages.”

  “Why? Because you’re texting about things you shouldn’t?”

  “No.”

  “Then why?”

  “No reason. I just do.”

  “Yeah, well if we keep having problems with you and you don’t start back bringing A’s in here, we’re taking this phone away. And then you really will feel like we make you sick,” he said, letting her know that he knew about that “Mom and Dad make me sick” comment Charlotte had told him about yesterday.

  “What?” she said, finally unfolding her arms and casting a dirty look at Charlotte. Then she looked back at her father. “Why?”

  “Because you have a nasty attitude, and using your phone is a privilege, not a necessity. Your mom and I have gone out of our way, giving you everything you need. And most of everything you want. But maybe that’s the problem. Maybe we’ve done way too much for you to begin with.”

  Charlotte watched and listened but still didn’t say anything. Because to be honest, she wasn’t in the mood for any of Curtina’s drama this morning. What she was in the mood for was a relaxing glass of wine—even this early in the day. Something that would take her mind off her ungrateful daughter. But she knew taking a drink was a big risk that might cause a huge uproar in her marriage—that is, if Curtis found out about it. So maybe it was best to leave well enough alone. Maybe it was best to fight this terribly strong urge she had to drink again, the one she now found herself struggling with each waking hour of every day. Yes, that’s exactly what she would do. Forget about alcohol and focus on something more constructive. Something that wouldn’t bring unnecessary trouble into their household. Because if she didn’t, she could only imagine the fallout that would result from her actions. Especially since Curtis despised all things alcohol, thanks to the awful way his drunken father had treated him as a child.

  So, no, she wouldn’t do this. To herself, to Curtis, or to their marriage. And most of all, she wouldn’t ruin things for their family.

  Chapter 6

  After Curtina left for school, Curtis kissed Charlotte good-bye, and now he was back on I-90 east, heading to see his sister. But what he thought about more than anything—at least at this very moment—was how rude and disrespectful Curtina had become. She was so different, and Curtis wondered what was wrong with her. Why she was acting as though she hated them? He and Charlotte hadn’t been perfect parents, but they’d loved her and taken care of her in every way they could. Yes, she hadn’t been born into this world in the most honorable way, what with Curtis having an affair on Charlotte with Curtina’s mother, Tabitha, but he and Charlotte had still given Curtina the best life possible. It was also true that, at first, Charlotte hadn’t been too happy about taking in a two-year-old little girl who was a product of Curtis’s cheating, but soon Charlotte had begun loving her as her own. So much so that Curtina had eventually become one of Charlotte’s greatest blessings. She’d loved Curtina, doted on her, and treated her as though she’d given birth to her. But for some reason, none of that mattered anymore, and Curtis couldn’t understand it.

  Curtis drove past the largest auto manufacturing plant in the area, crossed into the far-left lane, and accelerated a bit faster. Then it dawned on him that he still hadn’t called Alicia to give her more details about her aunt. Actually, he hadn’t told Matthew or Dillon either because when he and Charlotte had returned from visiting Trina, he’d been too mentally exhausted. He was still trusting God for his sister’s healing, of course, but he was also still very hurt about all the years he’d lost with her, thanks to his own selfish decision to walk away from her and their mom. He’d done so and hadn’t felt bad about it—until now—and he couldn’t stop replaying the whole scenario. Worse, he cringed every single time he tried to accept his daunting truth: He couldn’t change what he’d done, and he would always have to live with it. Forever.

  Curtis dialed Alicia’s number, and she answered on the second ring.

  “Hey, Daddy. How are you?”

  “I’m okay.”

  “You don’t sound okay, but I certainly understand why you don’t. I’m devastated, too.”

  “It just doesn’t seem real.”

  “No, it doesn’t. She was always so full of life.”

  “I’m really glad your mom decided to take you to meet your grandma and auntie,” he said, remembering how he hadn’t learned about that until the day his mom had died. His ex-wife, Tanya, had taken Alicia to see them behind his back, and while he’d been a little shocked about it, he was glad she had. “I’m also still sorry that I was never planning to do it myself. And I’m sorry that I lied and led you and Matthew to believe that your uncle Larry’s mom and dad were your grandparents.”

  “We all make mistakes, Daddy, and I hope you’ll eventually find a way to forgive yourself. I know you want Aunt Trina to forgive you, too, but you also have to find peace within.”

  “I know, and thankfully, Trina has forgiven me. She told me yesterday. And
she also said the same as you, that I have to forgive myself.”

  “I’m so glad to hear that, Daddy.”

  Then Curtis told her everything that Jason had told him about Trina’s illness and how she’d decided not to continue treatments.

  “Gosh,” Alicia said. “This is a lot. It’s so heartbreaking.”

  “That it is, and it’s the reason I’ve made up my mind to spend as much time with her as possible. I wasn’t there for her in the past, but I will be from here on out.”

  “Are you going back to visit her today?”

  “I’m on my way now.”

  “When you and I hang up, I’m going to call her. But Levi and I are also going to go visit her one day this week.”

  “She’ll be so happy to see you. And hey, how is your writing going?”

  “Fine, and I only have a few more chapters to write.”

  “I’m so proud of you, baby girl. I’m also very proud of Levi and glad to call him my son-in-law—well, actually, he’s more my son than he is an in-law.”

  “Thank you, Daddy. That makes me so happy, because more than anything I wanted you and Levi to be close.”

  “I know, and he’s a good man. Even when he was dealing drugs, he still had a big heart, but once he got out of prison he turned his life around for the better. And I have so much respect for him. So many people find God in prison and vow to become true Christians, but it doesn’t always happen.”

  “That’s very true.”

  “He’s also doing a great job at the church. Our jail and prison ministry was already great, but now that Levi is heading it up, we’re reaching so many more men and women. And we have a lot more volunteers.”

  “He did wonders with the addictions ministry at Dillon’s church, too. So I’m not surprised about how seriously he’s taking his dedication to helping people. He really cares about them.”

  “It’s very noticeable, and on top of that, he genuinely loves you.”

  “He does, Daddy, and I love him, too. He’s my heart and joy.”

  Curtis thought about his first two marriages and how he’d ruined them, and then he thought about the fact that Alicia had done the same with her first husband, Phillip. Likely as a result of the bad example Curtis had set for her. Then, if that hadn’t been enough, she’d allowed her great desire to have lots of money and material possessions to prompt her into remarrying—this time to a deceptive but successful pastor named JT. He’d given Alicia everything she could want, but he’d also slept around on her behind her back and done other things that weren’t worth mentioning ever again. But with Levi, even though Alicia had begun seeing him while she’d still been married to Phillip, she’d found true happiness. The two of them had made bad choices very early on, but now they were good.

  “Well, baby girl, I have a couple of business calls to make, but I just wanted to fill you in a little more about Trina.”

  “I’m glad you did. You drive safely, Daddy.”

  “I will, and I’ll see you soon.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, sweetheart.”

  Curtis rang Trina’s doorbell, and seconds later a sandy-brown-haired thirtysomething woman opened the door, smiling. She was dressed in light blue scrubs, so Curtis knew she was the home health nurse that Jason had told him and Charlotte about yesterday. “Please come in,” she said.

  Curtis walked inside. “Thank you.”

  “I’m Denise,” she said, reaching her hand out to him.

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Denise, and I guess you already know I’m Curtis.”

  “Yes, Miss Trina told me you were coming. She said she really enjoyed her time with you yesterday and couldn’t wait to see you again today.”

  Denise’s words warmed Curtis’s heart. “That’s really great to hear. And how is she doing this morning?”

  “She’s a bit on the tired side, but she’s comfortable.”

  Curtis half smiled and hoped the word comfortable didn’t mean that Trina was now being given morphine. Jason hadn’t said anything about hospice care being called in, but because of all the terminally-ill church members Curtis had visited over the years, he knew that this was normally what comfortable meant. So what if Jason had only claimed that Denise was from a home health agency because he didn’t want Curtis to know the truth?

  “So which agency are you from?” he asked before he realized it.

  “Interim Private Home Care,” she said, already heading down the hallway.

  Curtis followed her. “Well, thank you for taking care of my sister.”

  “Miss Trina is one of the best patients I’ve had. She’s so thoughtful and kind.”

  “She’s always been that way. Even when we were children.”

  When they arrived inside the family room, Trina smiled. She was sitting in her recliner, watching Gwyn Shepherd, who was local, but also known as a prominent female evangelist nationwide.

  Curtis leaned down and hugged her and sat on the sofa adjacent to her. “So you like hearing Gwyn. So do I.”

  “She’s awesome. Over the years, I’ve listened to her from time to time, but these last few months I’ve listened to her daily. Then on Sunday mornings, I watch Ever Increasing Faith.”

  Curtis smiled. “Apostle Price is in a class all by himself. A true man of God who I wish I’d known in my younger years. Because if I had, there’s a chance I wouldn’t have fallen astray the way I did.”

  Trina nodded in agreement. “And his wife, Dr. Betty, is special, too. I’ve never met her, but the first time I heard her speak, I knew right away that she loved God, her family, and mankind as a whole. And that says everything.”

  “They’re really good people. Such great examples for pastors, first ladies, and well, Christians, period.”

  Trina reached for Curtis’s hand. “You’re a great example, too. I know you’ve had lots of problems over the years, something the media had no problem reporting. But I also know you’ve changed. I’ve watched some of your sermons on YouTube.”

  “Wow, so you were keeping up with your big brother after all.”

  “I was. I never told anyone, not even Jason, but how could I not? Sometimes I would browse your church’s web site, and sometimes I would scroll through your social media pages. Just to see photos of you.”

  Curtis took a deep breath. “I know I keep telling you how sorry I am, but I really am. I’m sorry for everything.”

  “I know, and I believe you. So please don’t feel as though you have to keep telling me. Because you don’t. You and I are good. Really.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “I’m glad,” she said, turning down the volume on the television and changing the subject. “So how was Two Ninety-Four south?”

  “Not bad. I-Ninety was fine, too, but I’m sure it was because rush hour was already over.”

  “That always makes a difference.”

  They sat in silence for a few seconds and then Curtis said, “Can I get you something? Do you need anything?”

  “No, I’m okay. I’m comfortable.”

  There was that word comfortable again, and although he didn’t believe Denise was from hospice the way he’d originally been wondering, the word still reminded him of how sick his sister was.

  “Well, if you need anything I hope you’ll let me know. Anything at all. Even if I have to drive somewhere to get it.”

  “I will.”

  Trina glanced back toward the television, and Curtis looked at the large bronze-framed family portrait above the fireplace. In it he saw Trina, Jason, Amber, and Eric.

  “What a beautiful portrait,” he said.

  Trina gazed up at it. “We just took it a year ago…and little did I know it would likely be our last. At least when it comes to professional photos, anyway.”

  Curtis raised his eyebrows. “But you’re still trusting God to heal you, though, right?”

  “Yes, but if He decides it’s my time to leave here, I’m very much ready. I have th
ings completely right with Him, and I’m at peace about it. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I certainly don’t want to leave Jason or my children. Or any of you, for that matter. But if leaving here is God’s will, then at least I can say without any doubt that I know where I’m going.”

  Curtis smiled. “I’m really happy to hear you say that. I’m so glad to know that you have such an awesome relationship with God, because that’s what’s important. It’s the most important thing for any of us.”

  “It is. There was a time when my relationship with Him was lukewarm at best, but over this last year, I drew as close to God as I possibly could. I’ve gotten to know Him on a much deeper level, and I also know that I’ll get to see Mom again. I’ll get to see the best woman I have ever known.”

  Curtis understood every word she’d just told him because his mom had, in fact, been kind and loving to everyone she met. But sadly, he also couldn’t help thinking about the terrible resentment he’d felt toward her when he was a child—because of the way she hadn’t protected him from his evil father.

  Curtis stood in the short hallway that led to his bedroom, his sister’s bedroom, and his parents’, peeking around the corner. As usual, he saw his father sitting in the box-sized living room, drinking. But Curtis was hungry and wanted to go into the kitchen, where his mom was, to see if dinner was ready. They were having a rare delicacy, spaghetti and meatballs, and he couldn’t wait. So he darted through the living room as quickly as he could, and his mother smiled when she saw him.