The Thief Redeemer (26 page)

She knows her decision will determine the rest of her life.

DINNER ISN’T WHAT Claire had
envisioned. When she had called Nathan a week ago, she had hoped this dinner
would cure her thoughts of Brandon. But Brandon showing up at her apartment
tonight has ruined those chances.

She twirls the spaghetti around her fork at the restaurant
and focuses on the number of turns her fork is making. Nathan has been politely
trying to carry on a conversation the entire night, but Claire’s mind is
elsewhere.

“Claire!”

Her head snaps up at the mention of her name. There is a
worried expression on Nathan’s face.

“What’s wrong with you tonight? I asked you a question, and
you didn’t answer. Is it the Brandon guy? Are you afraid of him? Did he scare
you?”

At the thought of Brandon scaring her, Claire’s anger rises.

“Just because he’s an ex-con doesn’t make everyone afraid of
him, Nathan!” she snaps. Seeing the defeated look in his eyes, Claire’s anger
subsides. “Look, I’m sorry. Yes, seeing him definitely threw me for a loop. I
haven’t seen him or spoken with him in over eight months and tonight
was…difficult.” She turns her eyes back to her fork and continues to swirl the
pasta around it.

“Is it true then, what the media was saying? That you two
were an item? I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to pry.” Nathan’s voice is soft
and Claire exhales, looking into his face.

“Yes. I know it’s surprising, but we were an item.” She
pauses, expecting Nathan to jump up and run from the table, but he stays, his
eyes focused on Claire. “He’s really a good man with a good heart. I know you
probably don’t believe me, but it’s true.”

“And you’ve managed to keep a relationship going with him
being in prison?” His voice is incredulous, but Claire is already aware the
entire affair sounds stupid.

“For the first four years, yes, but then this last year, it
just became too difficult. Then I met you, and you have been so wonderful. It’s
just been hard, and my mind has been going a million different places. Seeing
Brandon tonight threw me right back to where I was eight months ago.” She waits
on a response from Nathan, knowing he finds it hard to believe she had
something going on with her kidnapper. This is way below Nathan’s standards of
behavior, and Claire feels smaller by the second in his presence. Admitting
this is difficult for her. Nathan is from an elite class in Atlanta, and she is
sure the knowledge that she was at one point interested in a criminal pulls her
down in his eyes.

“So where does this leave us?” Nathan asks simply.

She looks into his eyes, and for the first time all night,
gives him her complete attention. “You mean you don’t want to break up with
me?”

He lets out a laugh that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Why would
I break this off, Claire?”

“Because I’m in love with a ex-criminal. My kidnapper at
that.”

She sees Nathan’s eyes go wide and she realizes what she
just said.

“You’re in love with him?”

The atmosphere turns cold as she realizes her mistake, but
she won’t lie. “Yes.” She looks down at her plate and takes a deep breath.

“So why are you with me?”

“Because you’re perfect.”

Nathan’s lips curve up to a smirk, and a small laugh escapes
his lips. “I’m far from perfect, Claire.” His voice becomes low, and he leans
across the table towards her. “It’s nearly impossible to compete with someone
who already has your heart. I will let the decision be yours, but between
Brandon and myself, I know who will win. The one who has your heart will always
win.”

Claire reaches across the table and grabs his hands. “Thank
you, Nathan. You’re a great guy, and you deserve a girl who has your entire
heart. Thank you for your friendship over the past few months and for helping
me clear my head.”

He nods and they continue their meal. Claire feels as if a
million bricks have been lifted off her chest. Why did she think she could
erase the past by dating Nathan? As sweet as he is, he cannot change her heart.

Needing some more words of wisdom, she knows exactly whom
she should call. He will know what to tell her and what to say. He will save
the day just like he always has.

In a situation like this, a girl needs her daddy.

ALTHOUGH CLAIRE WORKS daily at the
office with her father, there is rarely any time for the two of them to talk.
Knowing this, Claire asks if she can meet him for coffee one night after work.
A full week had passed since she has seen Brandon, and the love letters are
continuing to arrive daily. She, however, still refuses to open them. Claire
knows she needs to have her head on straight before she makes her final
decision.

She pulls into the coffee shop with her dad following in his
car. They meet at the door, Philip holding it open for them to walk inside.
Once their orders are placed, they find a corner booth where their conversation
can be private.

“So, what’s on your mind?” Leave it to her dad to cut right
to the chase.

“Brandon.” Claire’s answer is short and simple. She doesn’t
plan to beat around the bush, either.

“I was wondering what was happening there, but I didn’t want
to interfere. I thought you were dating Nathan Lang?”

Claire pauses to drink some of her latte. “I
was
dating Nathan Lang. Past tense, Dad.”

“Oh…what changed your mind?”

“Brandon showed up on my doorstep a week ago wanting to
talk. I told him I’d call him, and I’m still receiving love letters everyday.”

The conversation between them slows as Claire looks to her
father for answers. After a few sips of his coffee he remains silent.
Frustrated, Claire decides to break the ice. “Well, what should I do?”

“I can’t give you the answer, Claire. You will have to make
this decision on your own. But I can tell you this. Don’t let fear of the
unknown dictate your future. Sometimes in life we have to take chances.
Sometimes these chances have a positive impact, and other times they have a
negative impact. You will have to make a decision and let time reveal the
answer to you.” Philip pauses for a minute before speaking again. “Do you love
him?”

Claire’s answer is easy. The word rolls right off her
tongue. “Yes.”

“Then proceed with what your heart is telling you. That’s
the best advice I can give. Will it be easy? Absolutely not. Will it be worth
it? Yes.” Philip continues to sip his coffee while Claire stares out the window
in thought.

Philip speaks again, breaking her concentration. “And let’s
not lose sight of what Brandon’s going through. He has a lot on his plate right
now, too. He’s started a new job, gotten his driver’s license reinstated and is
transitioning back into society, a society that he hasn’t been a part of in
almost a decade. This is just as hard on him as it is you.”

Claire cringes inside knowing her dad is correct. This is
actually more difficult on Brandon than it is on her, but she has been too
focused on herself to realize her selfishness.

“Dad, did you know this would happen? Did you know I would
feel this way while he was in prison?”

“I figured something like this would happen. Five years is a
long time to wait for someone. A lot happens and changes in five years,
especially when that person isn’t around everyday to be part of the change.
Don’t give up on him just yet, Claire. I’ve been following Brandon very closely
over the past five years, and he’s made some decent changes. Remember five
years ago how much confidence you had in him to make the right decision?”

Claire nods her head, remembering that exact conversation
with her dad.

“Well, now it’s me that has the confidence in him. I
wouldn’t be telling my daughter to give him a chance if I didn’t believe in
him.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Claire says, standing to give him a hug. She
knew he would have the right answers. He always does. Tonight she has some
decisions to make, and her starting point will be the opening of today’s love
letter.

“I’LL…CALL YOU.”

Claire’s voice echoes in my head on repeat. I have been
living in “real” society for over a month now, and for the first time in my
life, things feel right. Everything, that is, except Claire. I am trying to be
a good man and give her the space she asked for. I feel the ball is now in her
court. I want to be a gentleman, but I am running out of steam. It has been a
month since I have spoken to her, and my letters don’t seem to be doing any
good.

I keep seeing Nathan Lang’s image in my mind, and I wish I
was still the kind of guy who punches people for no reason. I would have
punched Nathan Lang straight in the face for just breathing if that were the
case.

I even Google him and discover he’s a self-made millionaire
with his own marketing firm. I was considering trying to visit Claire again,
until I read this bit of information. This is the type of guy Claire deserves,
the type of guy she needs to be with. Not some piece of shit ex-con guy like
me. And as much as it hurts, I will gladly let those two be together if that
makes her happy. At the end of the day her happiness is what is most important.

I continue to look at the ceiling, watching the moonlight
display shadows from the trees around my room. Some days I have a difficult
time believing I am free. And not only am I free, but I’m an honest man working
an honest job. The mechanic job Philip arranged for me is going well. My boss
and I get along, and I do have a knack for this type of thing. I’ve been able
to fix vehicles even
he
didn’t know how to fix, and perform services on
cars that even he wasn’t aware existed. It feels good to be wanted, and it
feels good to be doing honest work.

The only difficult part is learning to be an employee
instead of the boss. I find myself biting my tongue at certain times, but it
was all worth it when I received my first paycheck. It was like he handed me a
million dollars. I was so proud I even took my brothers out to dinner that
night.

I also discover that my dear cousin Richard has taken my
fake bank account and merged it with his own. All the years of hard
earned-money went into the hands of a corrupt politician. At first, I was sick
to my stomach, but after thinking about it for a while, I had realized that
this was dishonest money anyway. Even though it was a good amount, I don’t
really want that money. Also, I need to cut Richard out of my life for good.
After speaking to him once and learning about the fate of my money, I hung up
the phone and deleted his number. I am turning over a new leaf, and Richard
isn’t going to be part of this new life.

I lie awake in bed, my hands behind my head, trying to
pinpoint the exact moment I lost Claire. At what point did she start fading
away, and how had I been so stupid not to notice? It was during that last year
of prison. That’s when I felt her slip through my fingers, but I didn’t speak
up. The fear of ruining what little we had was too great within me.

Now that I’m free, I can’t force her to love me. And I don’t
stand a chance when pitted against Nathan Lang.

Deciding that sleep isn’t coming, I climb out of bed and
head to the kitchen. Crossing the den, I see Luke and Dayna snuggled up on the
sofa, their arms and hands interlocked.

“Sorry, guys. I’m only getting a class of water.”

“It’s no problem, man. What time is it?”

Luke and I glance at the clock to see it’s one am.

“At least tomorrow is Saturday. We can all sleep in,” I
mumble as I shuffle into the kitchen for a drink. After completely filling the
cup with tap water, I gulp the liquid down, allowing the lukewarm water to
quench my thirst. I know I won’t be able to find sleep right now, and lying in
my bed awake isn’t appealing either. I decide I’ll go sit on the stairs outside
our door and clear my head. I’ve always been a big advocate of fresh air. I
walk back to my room and slip on jeans to replace my pajama pants. Once back in
the den, Luke eyes me wearily.

“I’m going outside for a bit to sit and think,” I explain.

“Cool. Hey, sometime this weekend, would you like to go see
Marcus’s grave?”

I pause. I remember Claire telling me she gave Marcus a
proper burial, but I haven’t been to his grave. How sorry am I? I have been so
wound up in my life, I haven’t even thought of my best friend. “Yeah. That
sounds great.” It will be good for me to visit Marcus.

I close the door behind me and walk to the end of the
complex. I see the steps and sit there, running my hand down my face. I stare
into the distance, examining the stars and moon shining brightly in the night
sky. My peaceful surrounding is a mirror of my life, and I can’t help but
wonder how I got to this place. I have lived the craziest life of them all, so
how did I end up here? I know the answer but I refuse to acknowledge the name.

A car pulls into a parking space and breaks my moment of
solitude. I wonder which neighbor this could be. It’s one am, but it is a
Friday night, after all. The car door opens and I notice it’s Mark. He’s been
who-knows-where-doing-who-knows-what. Someone needs to straighten this boy out,
but he’s not going to listen to me. No, Mark is too much like his older
brother. It’s going to take a special kind of woman to tame this man.

“Hey, man,” he says, closing the door to the red Civic.

“Hey.”

“What’s going on out here?” He stops and takes a seat beside
me. He reeks of cigarette smoke and alcohol.

“I hope you didn’t drink and drive,” I scold. I might be
bumming off my brothers right now, but I’m still older, and like to think of
myself as being in charge.

“No, only one beer…or two. I’m really fine. It was an early
night.”

I smirk. Now that I’m working 8-5, I’m usually in the bed by
ten pm. When did I become so lame?

“Where have you been all night?” I ask, not knowing if I
really want the answer to this.

“I ate dinner at the Birch’s and then I went out with some
friends from work.”

“You had dinner with the Birch’s?” My one-track mind doesn’t
hear anything else. He saw Claire. “Was Claire there?”

Mark pats me on the back and turns in my direction. “Yeah,
she was there. She asked about you, and I discovered her and that Nathan Lang
guy broke if off.” He gives me a small smile and I exhale a huge breath I
didn’t realize I was holding.

“Interesting,” I think out loud, as hope surges through my
body. I really shouldn’t allow myself to hope, but I can’t believe she would
break it off with someone like Nathan. He’s every girls dream, and I’m…well,
I’m not. “Do you think I have a chance?” My voice is almost a whisper as I turn
to Mark. I don’t really know what I’m asking him, but I need some advice right
now concerning Claire. I’m scared I’m going to make the wrong move or say the
wrong thing and drive her away forever.

“There’s only one way to find out,” he answers softly, and I
look at him with hope shining brightly on my face.

“How?”

“Let’s figure something out and go bring her back.”

“As in…us?”

“As in, you, Luke and I. Let’s figure something out and get
that girl back here so I don’t have to see you mope around any longer.” He
gives me another smirk. “Between you and Luke, there’s too much estrogen in
this apartment.” I grab his head and pull him into a headlock. He tries to
fight against me, but it’s no match.

“You just wait, Mark Peoples. This will be you one day
soon,” I say as I release him. We continue our banter, our voices growing loud
in the night. I hear a door open as Luke sticks his head outside.

“I was wondering what was going on here,” he says, walking
to the curb.

“Your brother is being a wise ass,” I say tackling Mark and
bringing him to the ground. Luke jumps in and before we know it, we have formed
a dog pile in the front of the complex. A female voice causes us to stop what
we’re doing and act like the adults we are.

“Will you boys ever grow up?” It’s Dayna, and she’s scolding
us with a smile.

“I just discovered the best news ever, Dayna, so I’m
expressing myself in a healthy way,” I say.

“What’s the best news ever?” Luke asks while Dayna pulls him
off the ground.

“The best news ever is that Claire’s back on the market and
we’re going to bring that girl home,” Mark answers for me as Dayna’s eyes light
up.

“What are you going to do?” she asks, turning her eyes
towards me with a grin so wide it lights her entire face.

I think for a second and then the plan falls into place. I
know exactly what to do, and if this doesn’t work, I don’t know what will.
“I’ve got a plan, and I’m going to need everyone’s help,” I say, pulling myself
off the ground.

“We’re in,” Luke says and Mark nods his head. Dayna’s smile
makes it evident she’s in, too.

“Good. ‘Operation Get Claire Back’ is in full swing,
starting now.”

I DIDN’T SLEEP any last night. My
eyes want to close, but the excitement from the day is keeping me awake. My
brothers and I burned the midnight oil setting my plan into action. I look at
the pond, and its serenity is peaceful. I haven’t been here in five years, and
this is where Claire first gave herself to me. Our spot was slightly overgrown
when I arrived, but between the four of us, we cleared back the area and set up
a picnic. Just like Claire and I use to do.

My plan is to remind her of how she felt during those three
months together. Maybe, just maybe, if I can recreate the scenery, she can feel
something for me again. It’s a long shot, I know, but what else do I have?

Dayna made all the food and added some special touches I
didn’t even know were needed like fresh flowers and candles. I am clean-shaven
with a nice shirt on and khaki pants. I never dress up this much, but Dayna
insisted this was needed. I decided to listen to her since she is a female,
after all.

Mark texted Claire at one am this morning, telling her he
would pick her up for an emergency lunch. He should be back any minute with
her, and then the twins and Dayna are going to travel back home. I hope this
will end well since I’ll be the one taking Claire home.

I take a deep breath and run my hand down my face. I
shouldn’t be so nervous, but I am. I’m about to pour my heart out to a girl who
may or may not reject me. She said she would call me, but I’m done waiting.
It’s time to fight for her, and it’s now or never. This lunch will be our
chance to talk. If she tells me no, at least I can stop asking myself hundreds
of questions.

In the distance, I see Mark and Claire walking side by side,
slowly making their way to this spot. Claire has to know what’s going on, but
she seems oblivious as she talks with Mark. I start to sweat, but swallow back
my fear. I’ve dealt with drug dealers and criminals, but this small
blonde-haired angel rattles my nerves every time.

They approach the clearing and Claire’s eyes find mine. Mark
gives her a sheepish grin and then walks away, leaving Claire and I to
ourselves. We are once again in our own little bubble, away from the worries of
everyday life.

All my nerves seem to disappear when I’m in this moment with
her. We don’t say anything, just stare as the air circles around us. This
moment feels right, and my plan seems to be working like a charm. At least,
it’s working on me. I’m transported back to where we were five years ago and I
long for this moment never to end.

She breaks the trance by walking over. She stops right in
front of me. I can see her breathing and smell her scent.

“I thought we could talk,” I say, my voice quiet. I hear the
words echo off the trees and disappear into the lake. She hasn’t taken her eyes
off mine, and I can’t read her emotions. Is she happy to be here or does she
feel trapped? Will this have a happy ending or a final goodbye?

“Brandon,” she whispers my name, and I fall under her spell.
She’s hypnotized me so many times in the past, and this time is no different.
She grabs my hands and interlinks our fingers. I take this as a good sign, and
I will her to continue speaking. She does. “I withdrew because…having a
relationship with you became too difficult. I’m sorry. That makes me sound
shallow, but it’s true. I craved normalcy, and that’s why I quit visitations,
and that’s why I’ve ignored you this past month.” She looks ashamed and holds
her head down. “I know if we do decide to do this, it’s going to be difficult
and sticky and it’s going to be a ton of work…and well, I’m scared.”