This Time Forever Page 21

  Rebekka was gorgeous, as usual, but tonight Damon barely noticed. He thought, She is so young. Not like the furious Mrs. Hansen, who had to be nearer his own age. “I’m going swimming,” he said, shaking away the thoughts. “Want to come?”

  “What about Belle?” Rebekka’s beautifully shaped brows rose expressively.

  He shrugged. “If we’re going to date, she’s going to have to get used to it sooner or later. Besides, it’s family night, and at least for now you’re part of the family, aren’t you? I think it’ll be okay.”

  In the end, no one went swimming that night except Damon. Belle had fallen asleep, and Tanner was on the phone with a girl in one of his classes. “Can’t we do it tomorrow?” he mouthed with one hand over the receiver.

  “At least we got in the lesson part,” Damon said with a laugh. He bent to pick up the sleeping Belle. In her arms she hugged not the brown teddy bear that often accompanied her around the house, but a plastic, cream-colored horse that resembled the real horse she wanted him to buy her. “I’d better get her to bed.”

  Rebekka touched Belle’s cheek. “Good idea. I guess I’ll go play the piano.”

  Damon tucked Belle into bed, who then awoke and demanded a story. By the time she was asleep and he had gone to bid Tanner good night, Rebekka had retired to her room. Damon found that while he was exhausted, he had no desire for sleep.

  He went to the pool house, which was connected to the main house by a covered walkway. There, he changed into his suit and dove into the warm water. He began to swim laps. Swimming was one of his favorite pastimes and the primary way he stayed in shape. Pretty good shape, too, he thought, although he doubted that Mrs. Hansen had noticed.

  Where did that come from?

  What did he care what she thought? She was a greedy, no-good, lying— He stopped himself. No need to call her names.

  Mrs. Hansen had said she was going to take him to court. Many times in his life he’d been faced with that possibility, and it certainly didn’t bother him now. He had nothing to hide, nothing at all. He would do whatever was necessary to protect his son.

  It could be a spirited fight. There had been sparks in her eyes, he remembered. Sparks of anger, defiance, and indignation. Well, no matter, he had justice on his side . . . didn’t he?

  Taking a deep breath, he swam underwater to the far side of the pool. When he touched the wall, he did a half-somersault under the water to position himself to swim again to the other side. Without taking a breath, he continued on. This time he made it only halfway across the pool before he had to come up for air.

  Abruptly, he wondered what it would be like to see Mrs. Hansen laugh.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  On Tuesday morning, Mickelle had planned to go outside and work in the garden. But by the time the boys were off to school and she had the kitchen straightened, she had replayed the confrontation with Mr. Wolfe in her head so many times that her fury and sense of helplessness had returned in full force. She wished she could simply forget it and move on, but she had to get her car fixed before the metal grinding against the rubber ruined her tire.

  She picked up the phone and dialed quickly. Maybe if she shared her feelings with someone who loved her, she could get on with her life.

  “Hello?” Brionney’s voice was a welcome sound. How grateful she was that her sister and Jesse had settled in American Fork, so close by.

  “It’s me, Mickelle. Got a minute?”

  “Sure. The kids just left for school, and the boys and Rosalie are playing in the toy room—peacefully for now. Forest hasn’t found anything to scream about yet.”

  “I’m just frustrated,” Mickelle blurted out. “And angry. It’s eating me up inside.”

  “What happened?” Brionney sounded genuinely interested.

  “Last night I went to see the father of that boy who crashed into me, and he didn’t listen to anything I said. He refused to take responsibility in the matter.” Mickelle described the confrontation in detail, including the smirking. “I was completely humiliated, and so angry I couldn’t see straight! I mean there he was, defending his son and practically calling me a liar! Who’s the liar here, anyway—a boy who drives without a license and insurance, or a woman who happens to be driving straight through an intersection? With the right of way, I might add.”

  “What a jerk!” Brionney exclaimed sympathetically. “I mean, I believe in defending my children, but this is utterly ridiculous! Can’t the guy see what a mess his son has caused? How is he going to teach him a lesson if he doesn’t allow him to suffer the consequences? Boy, this makes me so angry, I’ve half a mind to go out there myself!”

  Mickelle felt vindicated at her sister’s support. “It won’t do any good. He’ll just treat you the way he did me. He’s so arrogant. And you know, I felt he didn’t give a darn what happened to me, so long as he saved his precious son from any inconvenience. It’s not like he couldn’t afford to pay for my car repairs, from the looks of the mansion they live in.”

  “So what now?”

  Mickelle sighed. “I don’t know. The car is terrible the way it is. Because of the damage, the handle wouldn’t open and I broke it. Now I have to get in from the passenger side. I can still get out of the driver’s side, but it’s so embarrassing. That car was embarrassing anyway, but now it’s worse.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us yesterday at dinner?” Brionney’s voice grew a little sharp. “Or sooner? The accident was a week ago. You’ve been driving like that for a whole week?”

  “That’s not the worst part. Whenever I turn left, the metal scrapes into the wheel and makes this terrible grinding noise. I’ve straightened it the best I can, but it really needs something more. I tell you, I’ve been driving myself crazy trying to figure out how to get everywhere without turning left.”

  “You should have told someone. We could have helped. That’s what families are for.”

  Mickelle felt a tear trickle down her cheek. “I am telling you.” She paused and took a deep breath. “What I want to do is tell Riley. I want him to deal with it. But he’s not going to. Even if he were here, I don’t know that he would deal with it unless it was his truck. He wouldn’t even fix the wipers, for Pete’s sake. I have to learn to do it all on my own. I have to. I need to. Don’t you see? I can’t be running to my family every minute.”

  “I know that.” Brionney’s tone was subdued. “I mean, I see it now. But we need you to rely on us occasionally . . . please?”

  Mickelle wiped the tears from her face. “That’s why I’m calling you. I was so angry I couldn’t function. Now I’m feeling better.”

  “The guy is obviously an idiot.”

  Mickelle gave a short laugh. “You said that already.”

  “Well, he is. I can’t believe he’d treat any woman that way—especially my sister!”

  As though Brionney had taken some of her anger, Mickelle felt lighter. The compassion she had previously felt for the motherless child crept back into her heart. “Apparently his wife died, and it’s hard raising children on your own. Besides, the child did look like a good boy. I wonder—”

  “I don’t want to hear it! I’m too mad! Besides, it could all be a lie. The mother could be very much alive. Maybe she’s in Italy, picking out a new gold necklace or another diamond ring.”

  Mickelle laughed aloud, a real laugh this time, remembering her similar thought. “See? I knew calling you was the right thing to do. But don’t be too upset.”

  “You have to take him to court!”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  They talked for a few more minutes until Forest started a fight with his brother and Brionney had to hang up. “Call me if you need me again.”

  “I will.” It was comforting to know that help, should she need it, was only a phone call away.

  Instead of going outside to the garden, Mickelle went to her room and found her scriptures. On Sunday after church, she had decided to begin her study on prayer by looking up every
scripture about the subject in the Bible’s topical guide. She had looked up many scriptures but still had many more to read. Certainly she needed the inspiration. She didn’t want to go to court. Aside from the fee she knew they charged to file a claim and serve papers, the time and energy involved were too much to consider. Perhaps prayer could solve this problem better than her instinct for revenge.

  She knelt near her bed, the scriptures opened in front of her. A light from the window fell on the Bible as though highlighting the words. She found her place in the topical guide and looked up the next scripture in Matthew. At once she recognized it: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you . . .”

  Mickelle’s heart rebelled, but the whisperings of the Spirit were too strong to deny. Before she had talked to Brionney, there was no way her anger would have allowed her to follow this strong prompting. No way at all. But now she remembered the boy looking wistfully at his ruined car, and the father staring after her from the porch like a lost soul.

  Mickelle prayed. First she gave thanks for her blessings, then she prayed for herself and for her family, and finally she prayed for Mr. Wolfe, his son, and the unseen little girl Tanner had been going to pick up at the school.

  The rest of the anger and frustration in her heart faded, and the lust for revenge dimmed. Somehow, everything would work out. It was in the Lord’s hands now. She would focus on fixing her car and being happy.

  Maybe today would be the beginning of a miracle.

  * * * * *

  Damon was in Jesse’s office, discussing the latest addition to their program, when Brionney strode into the room. Jesse looked up from the computer. “I’ll be ready in just a second, hon. Do you mind waiting a minute?”

  “Not at all. The twins and Rosalie are at my mother’s, and she said to take as much time as we want for lunch.” She smiled, but Damon thought her sky-blue eyes didn’t shine with their usual good humor.

  Jesse glanced at Damon. “Ah, a peaceful meal for a change.”

  Damon chuckled. With five small children under the age of nine, they certainly had their hands full. Maybe exhaustion explained the difference in Brionney’s eyes.

  “So, as I was saying,” Jesse continued, “all they have to do is type in the patient’s name, and . . .”

  Damon listened, but couldn’t help noticing how Brionney paced the room, as though she had too much energy and didn’t know what to do with it. He had come to know her well enough to see that something was eating at her.

  Jesse had stopped talking and also stared at his wife. “Bri, are you okay?”

  She looked at them, surprised. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Well, you look kind of . . . well, mad.”

  She sighed and flopped into the stuffed chair against the wall. “I guess I am.” Then she hurried to add, “But not at you. It’s Mickelle.” She jumped to her feet again and started pacing.

  Jesse’s brow rose. “You’re mad at your sister?”

  “Goodness, no.” Brionney stopped pacing and faced them. “I talked to her this morning, and she was really upset about the accident. Last night she went to talk to the father of the boy who caused it.”

  “What happened?”

  “The father just brushed her off. This dumb guy believes his son instead of my sister. It makes me want to kill him!” She made a fist and hit it forcefully into her other hand. “Can you believe that a father would excuse his son’s driving without a license or insurance? And then make matters even worse by not taking care of the problems his son caused by breaking the law? He should be grateful for the opportunity to teach his son a lesson. I mean, this is a relatively minor incident. No drugs, no unwed pregnancy. We’re talking minor stuff here but big enough for a great teaching moment. But no, this guy bails his son out once again. I bet he’ll keep doing it until finally it’s too big a problem to bail him out of. It’s disgusting! How are children supposed to learn values when parents won’t let them pay the consequences? Five hundred bucks would be nothing to this guy, if his house is any indication. But no, he won’t take responsibility. My sister’s already suffered so much, and now this. Ooh, I’m so angry!”

  “It’ll be okay, Brionney.” Jesse stood up and went around the desk. He put his arms around his wife. “We’ll help her. I’ll fix her car myself.”

  “When are you going to have the time? Besides, she’s determined to do everything herself. Meanwhile, she’s having to drive around in that sorry excuse for a car.” Brionney wiped tears from under her eyes. “It was bad enough before the accident, but now she has to get in from the passenger side because the other door won’t open. People stare at her and laugh. And every time she turns left, the wheel scrapes against the metal. Can you even imagine what driving that thing must be like?”

  “I’ll go over there tonight,” Jesse promised.

  Damon listened to the exchange with growing remorse. Stories he had heard about Brionney’s widowed sister came back to his mind, and they made his guilt even heavier. “Uh, can I insert something here?”

  The Hergarters looked at him, and Damon returned their gaze miserably. “Well, I—it seems . . . uh, Tan got in an accident the other day, and—”

  “Wait a minute. You’re the insensitive jerk?” The anger in Brionney’s eyes changed to sudden understanding. She put her hands on her hips, glaring at him. “Well, now you know the truth. My sister was not at fault, and she needs help. What are you going to do about it?”

  He looked at her sheepishly. “Buy her a new car?”

  To his relief, she smiled. “Well, you don’t have to do that. But you could at least take care of the repairs.”

  “Give me her address and number,” Damon said decisively. “I’ll get right on it.”

  Looking satisfied, Brionney left for lunch with Jesse, and Damon decided to do the same. First I’m going to take a detour to the high school. There was obviously more to the accident than Tanner had let on, and he was going to get to the bottom of it. Now.

  He went to the school office, and was directed to Tanner’s math class. “I need to speak with my son for a moment,” he told the teacher.

  Tanner came out into the hall quickly, his face pale with worry. “Is Belle . . .?”

  “She’s fine.”

  “Rebekka?”

  Damon smiled. Tanner’s crush on Rebekka was apparently stronger than ever. “Everyone is fine.” He put his hand on Tanner’s shoulder. “But I do want to discuss something with you.”

  “What?” Tanner’s face was the picture of innocence.

  “About the accident.”

  Tanner’s smile vanished.

  “I want to hear again what happened.”

  Tanner began talking. Damon stopped him when he got to the part about the music. “So your friends were fighting over the music. You really didn’t see if the lady was moving or not.”

  “She wasn’t! And then Randy said to go, and I looked at Amanda—”

  “Who was in the backseat, I understand.”

  “Then I started to go—”

  “Did Amanda do anything?”

  “When?”

  “When you looked at her.”

  “She smiled. She’s really pretty when she smiles—”

  “So you were looking at Amanda’s smile when you crashed into the lady?”

  “Well, I looked back to the road, and there she was, right in front of me. I couldn’t stop!”

  “You do know that she had the right of way—no matter how slow she was?”

  Tanner looked at the floor. “No. I didn’t.”

  A couple of students passed by them in the hall. Damon smiled at them and waited until they were out of earshot to continue. “You didn’t know the person going straight ahead has the right of way?”

  Tanner met his eyes. “Maybe I did, but I was worried about getting Belle on time.”

  “Oh, yes—the
reason you took the car in the first place.” Damon started to twist the ends of his moustache, but remembered to rub his chin instead. “Did you really think Rebekka and I would forget Belle?”

  Tanner stared back down at the floor. “You could have.”

  “We wouldn’t. Even if we had, there were other options open to you. For instance, you could have called the school and told them to ask the teacher to watch out for Belle.”

  “I didn’t know the number,” Tanner muttered.

  “Oh, come on. I raised you to be more intelligent than that! I’ve seen you look up your stocks on the Internet. Getting the number of the school would have been a piece of cake. The bottom line is that you knew there were other options, but you wanted to drive your car. Am I right?”

  Tanner said nothing, but clenched his fist against his stomach as though it pained him.

  “Well?”

  “Yes,” Tanner answered softly.

  “Did you or did you not know that you were breaking the law?”

  Tanner nodded.

  “Did you or did you not go somewhere other than the school?”

  “I did.”

  Damon’s heart ached for the distress in his son’s face, but he remembered Brionney’s words about taking the opportunity to teach Tanner. He wanted his son to become a man the Lord could be proud of, a man who would be true to others and himself.

  Damon squeezed Tanner’s shoulder. “Thank you for admitting that, son. I know it’s not easy. But you know what? Together we’re going to make this right. And someday we’re going to look back on this as a learning experience. To that end, I think we’re going to have to restrict you from hanging out with Randy and Eric for a while. And you have to come up with a way to fix the lady’s car.”

  Tanner met his gaze, and Damon was touched to see the tears shimmering in his eyes. “I want to help the lady,” he said. “I really do. When I talked to her on the phone, she was nice. And I did feel guilty.” He blinked hard. “I wish it hadn’t happened. But it did—so maybe we can fix her car before mine. I’ll even use my savings to pay for parts.”