Forever Blessed (Women of Prayer) (30 page)

She exited the room with a determination that spoke volumes and marched directly to where he stood. “How dare you show your face here?”

Paul was temporarily stunned. Where did this fiery creature come from? It certainly wasn’t his wife. He quickly recovered. “I’ll show my face where ever I feel like showing my face. He is my son too. I have every right to be here.”

“May I remind you of the restraining order? What are you doing here?”

“My son is here. That, as far as I am concerned, is as good a reason as any. And I have every right to see him. He’s my son too!”

Laney faltered for one second too many. Paul smirked then hissed, “I’ll do what I want exactly when I want and no one, especially not you, can stop me. Do you hear me?”

He turned and walked in Matt’s room. “Sheila, I presume?” He looked at his son. “Get out. I want to see my son alone.”

Laney called the FBI agent who promptly headed her way. “I’ll stay with him.”

He stepped in the room, then turned to Laney and nodded. He wouldn’t be intimidated.

Laney and Sheila went to the cafeteria. “At least Matt is sleeping.”

*  *  *  *

Paul watched the agent. He wanted to be alone with his son but Laney had seen to that not happening. He could intimidate Laney but he doubted this guy would bend to his wishes.

He looked at Matt, not sure what to think. The kid looked like his mother. He was weak too. If he had been abducted, he would have found a way out. Not only did he not try to get away, he did every math problem in his workbook. What kid does that?

He looked around for Matt’s schoolbooks. Not seeing them, he looked back at the agent who was watching his every move.

Time to get going.
A small voice interrupted his thoughts.

“Dad? Is that you?”

“Um, yeah, it’s me, buddy.” He hesitated. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m tired. How come you didn’t come? I thought you were going to come?”

Paul anxiously looked at the agent then back to Matt. “No, I didn’t know anything about you being taken. I think they told you that so you would go with them.”

“But, they told me mom said it was okay that I go and visit with you. They told me you missed me and wanted to see me.”

“No, you misunderstood, Matt. I don’t know those people. They don’t know me. I didn’t want you to come and see me.” Paul realized his mistake. “At least not that way. I would never do anything to hurt you.”

“But Dad ...”

“No buts, Matt. I have to go. I hope you get better soon.”

“Dad, did you bring me a present? Mom bought me a new football.”

Paul looked down. This looked bad. What parent doesn’t bring his kid a gift after an ordeal like this? “I had one sent to you. You should get it soon. I thought it would be easier that way.” He stepped toward the door. “I really have to go, Matt. Your mom will be back soon. Get better.” He turned and quickly left the hospital.

The agent waited by the door until Laney returned. She followed him into the hallway, questioning him with her eyes.

“There is something fishy about your husband. We’ll keep an eye on him.” He left her and Sheila alone with the boy, dialed his cell phone and walked away.

Sheila shrugged and turned to the room but Laney watched the man as he left. Did he really believe her? That Paul had something to do with Matt being kidnapped? And if he did, then what was it he heard that made him a believer?

             
             
             
Chapter Thirty-Seven

Jessi and Mark bounded through the hospital room door with balloons, flowers, and a present.

“Hey, dude. How are you doing? We’ve missed you!”

Matt was sitting up playing a video game. Laney motioned for him to put it down. “Ah, mom.”

“Remember your manners, young man.”

“Yes ma’am.” He said and then sat the controller on the side of the bed. He looked to Mark. “I’m doing good. I ate a whole plate of spaghetti. And I get to go home tomorrow.” He stole a glance at his game.

“That is great news. I’m so glad to hear it.” Jessi handed him his present. He tore into it. “I hope you like it. Our boys aren’t as old as you are so, we did our best.”

“Oh man, look mom. It’s a remote control truck. Cool.”

Laney coughed.

“Oh, yeah, right. Thank you.”

Jessi and Mark laughed. “You’re welcome.”

Mark offered to assemble the truck and get it charging. Jessi motioned for Laney to move to the hallway where they could talk in private.

“You look exhausted.”

Laney yawned. “I am pretty tired. A good tired, though, know what I mean?”

Jessi smiled. “You know I do.” She glanced at the two guys who were talking trucks. “Mark and I planned on being here for a while. Would you consider going home and getting a little bit of rest?”

“I couldn’t do that. You are busy and…”

Jessi cut her off. “We are not busy. We purposefully set this time aside to spend with Matt. Mark has been praying about how to help you. He really feels God put Matt on his heart. He wants to be a male role model for Matt. You know, spend some time with him. Play ball with him. That kind of stuff.”

Laney nodded her approval for Jessi to continue.

“He thinks the trouble Matt has been getting into at school is because he is looking for male approval.” She swallowed hard, not sure how Laney was taking this conversation. “We want to help. More importantly, Mark wants to help. Will you let us?”

She could hear her son’s giggle, a crash and male laughter.  She couldn’t deny it. Matt needed a man in his life, one who she could trust, who was a good example.

Jessi could tell Laney was considering it. “When I was sitting in the hospital, my aunt made me go home and get some rest. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.” She laughed. “The shower felt almost as good as the sleep did.”

That did it. Laney felt grimy and smelled like antiseptic. She did need a shower and if she could trust these two to lead her and her children spiritually, she should be able to trust them with his physical body.

“Alright. I’ll go. But, please, if anything at all happens, call me?”

“You know we will. I promise.”

Laney walked out to her van, beat. She had one foot in the door when she saw the yellow rose on her windshield. She was too tired to maintain control. Her emotions led her. She ran to the front of the van, snatched the wilted flower from its resting spot and threw it. “Leave me alone. Do you hear me? I said leave me alone!”

She sat in her car and cried on her steering wheel. “God, help me.”

She started her van and left for home, a hot shower and a comfortable bed. It was all she could do to think straight enough to get her there. She was thankful the hospital wasn’t too far from her home.

Laney stood in the shower, willing the hot water to wash away the confusion that clouded her mind. If only.

Was she wrong about her husband? Just because he could hit her without blinking, did it mean he was capable of burning someone’s house down? Or stealing his own child? She had to rest. She couldn’t think straight. She began to doubt her rationale. Was she jaded? Did she hate men? Did she automatically blame him because he was convenient to blame?

She climbed between the sheets. The need to sleep replaced the worry that was plaguing her and her eyelids closed of their own volition. She startled awake three hours later, a little confused but feeling better than she had in days.

Laney quickly dressed and took off for the hospital. There was a local coffee shop nearby so she pulled through the drive-up, ordered Mark and Jessi, as well as herself, a latte, then continued on to the hospital.

She stopped outside Matt’s room door and listened. He and Mark were having a conversation that stilled her heart.

“Why didn’t my dad want to come visit me? That is why I went with that man. He said my dad wanted to see me. And when I asked my dad, he told me ‘No, I misunderstood’.” Laney could tell Matt was close to tears. “Why didn’t my dad want to see me?”

Laney stood breathless in the hallway, eagerly awaiting Mark’s reply.

“Matt, I don’t know why your dad said those things. I wish I did, so I could explain them to you. I can tell you this. You are an awesome boy. It is not because of you that your dad said that. Sometimes dads do things that hurt their children. I wish it wasn’t so, but it is. We can pray for your dad. We can ask God to change his heart so he acts more like a dad is supposed to act. Would you like that?”

Matt readily agreed and Mark began to pray. “Lord, thank you for helping us find Matt. We give you all the glory Lord for bringing him home safe and sound. We thank you that he wasn’t hurt. Father, we pray for Paul, Matt’s dad. We ask that you change his heart, oh God. We pray that he would become a dad like you want him to be. And Lord, I ask that you help Matt be strong and understand he did nothing to make his dad angry or hurtful. Help him to understand that when a man has sin in his heart, it is hard for him to make the right choices. Lord, be with Matt. Comfort him. I thank you for this boy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Matt loudly agreed. “Amen!”

Laney entered the room, pretending she didn’t hear the conversation that took place. In one hand she had the drink carrier, in the other she had a stack of mail, half of which was for Matt.

She leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. “Hey there, bud, how is it going? Did you wear Pastor Mark out?”

“Nah, mom. He’s a guy, he can take it.” He started opening the cards. “Mom, this one is from Grandma. She sent me a twenty dollar bill.”

“Matt, did you read the card first?”

Since Paul knew where she was, Laney figured she could call her mom and let her know what was happening. Her father had answered the call and had nothing to say to her. Apparently, she had committed the cardinal sin and didn’t obey her husband. She would never understand her father.

Laney’s mother on the other hand was relieved to be able to speak to her daughter and let her know as much when Laney had called. It was good to have a better relationship with her mom.

Matt sounded out the words on the card and ended with “I love you, Grandma.” He waved the bill in the air. “Mom, maybe I have enough to buy a new game.”

“Is that all you think about, games?”

He smiled impishly. “Maybe.”

Laney followed Mark and Jessi into the hallway to say goodbye. “We’ll be heading home tomorrow. I can’t thank you enough for the break. I am so thankful for both of you.”

They both gave her a hug and headed out, promising to call on her and the kids tomorrow after they got home.

Laney turned back to Matt’s room just as the hospital’s psychiatric doctor reached the doorway.

She recognized Laney. “I was just coming to talk with you. Do you want to sit down with your coffee?”

Laney knew what it was about and she had to admit she was a little more than nervous. “My friend Sheila should be here any minute. I’d rather not leave Matt alone. Can we wait until she gets here?”

“Of course. I asked if one the volunteers would be willing to sit with him as well. Although I have no problem waiting for your friend if it would make you feel better.” A young girl, maybe twenty years old, approached them.

Laney didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She looked in the room and Matt was sound asleep. Pastor Mark was the one who had worn him out. “Are we just going to the lounge across the hall?”

“That will work perfectly.”

Laney turned toward the young volunteer. “A friend of mine should be here in a few minutes. Would you let her know where I am and that I’ll be back soon?”