Forgiveness and Second Chances (8 page)

Malanie was at work, buried in financial statements, typing on her keyboard, trying to forget what day it was, when Carmen, her sometimes-best-friend just walked right into her office without knocking.

“I guess a lot has changed since I moved out of town. You haven’t called me in over four months, and I can’t believe you broke up with my cousin.” She stood staring at Malanie.

Malanie wasn’t up for her shit today. “Hello to you too, Carmen.” Carmen was a beautiful woman with a huge ego. She frequently got on her nerves, but Malanie still loved her. “I’m not in the mood for your attitude right now. I tried to call you when I needed a friend, but your phone was cut off.”

“Whatever. You could’ve asked Luis,” she said, sitting down in the seat in front of her desk, taking off her sunglasses. “I can’t believe you broke up with him. Aren’t you due any day now?”

She took a deep breath. “Because of your cousin, I lost my baby. That’s why I fucking left him. You’re always defending him, even after all he’s done to me. Making excuses for him. Well, I’m done and I’ve moved on.”

“I’m sorry, Malanie. I didn’t know you lost your baby, he didn’t mention it.” She tried to look at Malanie’s stomach, but she hunkered farther down behind her desk. “How are you doing?” she finally asked with the requisite concern.

“I’m doing good, with the help of Alanie. She lifts my spirit every day.” She smiled, thinking of her daughter. “She calls me every morning to say good morning and every night to say good night. She’s so special.”

Carmen looked at her, a bit surprised. “So you’re gay now?”

“No, I’m not gay.”

“Well you said Ala—whatever her name is—is special, and she lifts your spirit.”

“Alanie is my daughter.” She paused, thinking. “The baby you tried to convince me to have an abortion.”

“You finally found your kid, after all these years?”

“Well, actually, Jeremy found me.” The memories of that day came back to her in a flood.

“I’m happy for you,” she said, smiling. “How?”

“It’s not something I really want to talk about right now. Just know I was reunited with my little girl.”

“Why won’t you tell me? Is it Jeremy? What did he do this time?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Jeremy hasn’t done anything to me. He has been wonderful. He saved my life from the hands of your cousin, and on that day, I finally met my daughter.” Carmen sat there, obviously in shock. “Yes, Carmen, because of your cousin, I had a miscarriage.” She had to look away.

“I bet he didn’t mean to. I know he’s sorry. Jeremy hurt you too. He practically raped you, or did you forget?”

“He didn’t rape me.” She raised her voice. “I thought I needed to prove to him that I loved him. The way he went about it was wrong, but he didn’t rape me.”

“Whatever.”

“I forgave him, but if you think about it, there’s nothing to forgive, because I gave in. I’m the one that needs forgiveness from them, for being so weak.”

“You forgave him, but you can’t forgive my cousin? Who’s being a hypocrite now?”

Malanie stood up. “I can’t believe what you just said. Jeremy was a kid, and he didn’t mean to hurt me, unlike Luis. He’s been beating on me and you knew about it, but for some odd reason that’s okay and you hate Jeremy.”

“He’s my cousin.” Carmen got up, too. “Luis loves you and he doesn’t mean to hurt you. He’s been through a lot. He is willing to go counseling.”

“Carmen, out of respect for our friendship, I’m going to tell you this in the nicest way possible. Get the hell out of my office!”

Carmen picked up her purse and walked out through the door.

Jeremy never liked to do it, but found himself reprimanding one of his men about an incident that had happened on his watch. His phone rang and he ignored it. “Chief, I need a report on my desk by the end of the day.”

“Yes, sir.” The chief turned and left.

He picked up his cell, and saw Malanie had called. He dialed her number.

“Hello?”

“Hey, sorry I missed your call. I was in a meeting.”

She sniffled. “It’s okay. It wasn’t important.”

“It must have been if you called me.”

“Are you free for lunch?” she asked.

“What time?”

“In about an hour. If you can’t, I understand.”

He could hear sadness in her voice. Even with all those years between them, he could still tell when something was bothering her. She’d never called him for anything else but for Alanie. “I’ll pick you up.”

“Thank you,” she said before hanging up.

“Andrew, I said I want those balance sheets on my desk by tomorrow!” She raised her voice. “I’m tried of hearing excuses.” She slammed the phone.

Jeremy knocked on her office door.

“Come in!”

He walked in and once she saw him, she threw the pen in her hand at him. He managed to duck out of the way. “What was that for?” he asked, surprised.

She stood, and took long strides toward him, and hugged him tight. “I’ve missed you.”

He held on to her. “Where is this coming from?”

She got up on her tiptoes, and whispered in his ear. “It’s been ten years and I missed you every single day. Ten years, Jeremy. I missed your friendship, encouragement, and honesty. You were my rock.” She lowered herself and continued speaking without watching him. “I blame you for taking all of it away from me.”

Jeremy didn’t know what to say. He pulled back and cupped her face with his hands. “Lanie, I’m sorry.” He wiped her falling tears with his fingertips.

“I’m not the crying type, but ever since you’ve been back in my life, that’s all I do.” She backed away.

He didn’t want her to hurt anymore. If he needed to, he would back away. “If it hurts to see me, Carolyn can drop off Alanie.”

“That’s not what I want. You misunderstood me.” She caressed the side of his face. “I didn’t know how much I missed you until you came back into my life. I want our friendship back. I want to get to know the adult you.” She chuckled.

“Really!”

“Yes, really.”

“No better time than the present,” he said, taking her hand and leading her out the door.

“My purse.”

“You don’t need it.”

They arrived at a small Chinese restaurant. He usually went there to eat lunch and he remembered how much she used to love orange chicken. He opened the SUV door for her, and she stepped out, showing off her toned, chocolate legs. She wore a black pencil skirt that came to mid-thigh, a white and pink button-down shirt, and black pumps.
Damn, she turned out to be sexier than I ever thought
.

She smiled, giving him her hand. “Thanks.”

The moment he took her hand, he felt tiny flickers of electricity. Those dimples, he thought, and that smile. It was a little lopsided, making her sexier.

They sat outside, looking at the ducks swimming in the small lake. “I hope you still like Chinese food.”

“Yes, I do. ’Specially orange chicken.”

“Lanie.” She focused her attention to him. “What’s wrong?”

She forced a fake-looking smile. “It’s been a rough day.”

“What happened?”

“I had a visitor, someone I considered a friend, but my eyes were finally opened today.” She reviewed the menu. “I should’ve listen to you back then.” She sighed. “It has always been about her.”

“I guess Carmen’s back!”

“Yes, but I don’t want to talk about her.”

The waiter came over, introduced himself, and took their orders.

Jeremy grabbed her hand in his. “After all this time, I still know you, Lanie. What else is wrong?”

“Today was my due date.” She looked away, trying to hold back the tears.

He just squeezed her hand in silence, trying to convey how he felt in just one touch.

After a few minutes, he asked. “What was her name?”

She smiled. “I was going to name her Annabelle after—”

“After your grandmother.”

“You remembered.”

“Your grandmother was always kind to me.”

“It meant so much when you showed up to her funeral. I know you felt uncomfortable, with everybody staring at you, but you stayed and held my hand. You never let go. You didn’t give a damn about how they felt.”

“Because I was there for you. I knew your mom would be mad, but I also knew she wouldn’t have the nerve to kick me out.”

“Grandma wasn’t fooled.” She giggled. “She knew we were more than friends. She always said we made a good couple.”

They just stared at each other.

The waiter, setting their meal on the table, interrupted their connection.

“Your grandma was a very wise woman.” They both started laughing.

“Yes, she was. If she were alive, I would’ve never given up Alanie.” She thought for a second. “So, tell me, what have you been up to the last ten years?”

He studied her and smiled. “You already know, Lanie.”

“Come on, play along.”

He gave a deep chuckle. “I joined the Navy, graduated from college, and traveled around the world with my beautiful, loving, sweet daughter. The daughter I had with an amazing woman.” He gazed at her.

“Awww, that’s so sweet. Who is she?”

“I’m looking at her….” He kissed her hand, making sure his lips lingered.

She pulled her hand back slightly. Clearing her throat, she asked, “Did you ever marry?”

“Almost did.”

“What happened?”

“She just turned out to be one of those women looking for a military man to support her. I’m not sure why civilians think we make so much money. She wasn’t with me for me. It was all about my status. Thank God I realized it sooner than later.”

“Me too,” she whispered.

“What have you been up to?” he asked. She raised her brow. “Remember, play along.”

The corner of her lip curled up. “Well, I went to college, became an accountant, but I’m still the same Malanie, with more scars and baggage than before. I had a baby with my high-school sweetheart, but I made terrible mistakes that I wish I could take back.”

“I’ve learned not to regret anything in my past, because it can’t be changed. We just learn from our mistakes.” He removed a strand of hair from her face. “I missed you, too.” Leaning forward, he started tracing the side of her face with his fingertips.

“Jeremy!” Someone called out to him. They both turned to the voice. “Jeremy….” Briana called from across the restaurant.

She was in her Navy working uniform, strolling over to their table. “They told me you left for lunch, and I knew I would find you here.” She sat next to him without waiting for an invitation.

“Excuse me.” Malanie glared at her. “I need to powder my nose. I’ll be right back.” She got up and walked to the bathroom.

“What’s her problem?” She rolled her eyes. “I called you. Why didn’t you call me back?” Briana asked, grabbing his hand.

“Briana, I’m in the middle of something right now.” He pulled his hand away.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said sarcastically. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your date.” She jumped up and glared at him, apparently waiting for him to deny what she’d just said.

“I’ll see you at work,” he said, between focused bites of his lunch.

“Whatever, Jeremy!” she said, almost running into Malanie.

“Excuse you!” Malanie said with a little attitude, and pushed past her.

Briana left the restaurant in a huff.

Jeremy stood up when she came back to the table.

“She didn’t have to leave,” Malanie said softly.

“I’m here with you.” He shrugged.

“Thank you, Jeremy. You don’t know how much I needed this.” She held his hand.

“I’ll be here any time you need me.”

“Your mom is coming over for dinner and movie,” he said, washing each of the dishes and handling it to Alanie to dry.

She got serious. “Daddy, do you think she’ll mind if I call her mom?”

“Why don’t you ask her?” He passed her the last dish, observing her.

“Daddy! You didn’t answer my question. You answered with another question.”

“Princess, you’re her daughter and I know she’ll love it if you called her mom. Now what do you think? Should we make her favorite?”

Malanie pulled up to their driveway and parked behind Jeremy’s SUV. His house and the landscaping were beautiful. She got out of her car, walked up to his front door, and rang the doorbell. She heard footsteps on the other side of the door. He opened it, smiling. His hair was still wet. He wore jeans and a blue T-shirt. Oh God, he still makes my heart flutter, she thought, touching her chest, trying to calm down.