Misconceptions Page 11

  “And you found out they were all Christians?”

  “Not right away. To be completely honest, I wasn’t looking for anything spiritual. I was looking more for an environmental connection.” She sipped her coffee.

  “Then you met Joe.”

  “Yes. We worked together on a different case and became friends. He shared your story, and it intrigued me. I’ve interviewed several families—some of them I met at church. All of them were Christians. As hard as it is to believe, I can no longer deny the spiritual connection.”

  Samuel raised his good arm. “Praise the Lord!” He touched her arm. “What did your boss say when you told him? I’m sure you’ll be the lead story.”

  “Well … that’s where it gets complicated. I told him what direction I was heading, and he highly encouraged me to find another one. He doesn’t want to run with this story; he says it’s offensive. So now I’m focusing on the baby snatchings.”

  “But it’s the truth.” He slammed his hand on the table. “Isn’t he interested in the truth?”

  “Apparently not.”

  The disappointment on Samuel’s face mirrored her own emotions.

  She placed her hand on his. “Samuel, I’m not listening to him. I’m still wrestling with this spiritual connection and why God would do such a thing. I’ll continue to dig and find some way to get the truth out.”

  Samuel’s blue eyes held hers for an uncomfortably long moment. He seemed ready to say something, then the moment passed and he picked up his sandwich awkwardly with one hand.

  A companionable silence passed as they finished their lunch, then Dominique gathered the empty plates and placed in the sink.

  “What’s holding you back, Dominique?”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “From reporting the truth?”

  He shook his head. “ I mean what’s holding you back from the Lord?”

  What was keeping her from the Lord? She rubbed her temples. The answer seared her conscience. The abortion. Did she dare share the truth with him? She had never told a soul. She looked into Samuel’s gentle eyes and knew he wouldn’t judge her the way her mother did. Somehow, she knew she could trust him. She returned to her seat next to him. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’m not so sure God would want me.”

  “I happen to know for a fact He would. Besides, if He would have the likes of me, I know He would welcome you into the fold.”

  “I can’t imagine what you could have done, Samuel, but believe me, I have a lot of regrets in my life.” She warmed her hands on the mug.

  “We all do.”

  She stared at the floor until her longing for forgiveness overrode her reservations. “I’ve had an abortion,” she blurted. “I heard a Mandy’s testimony and I know she believes God forgave her for the abortions she had, but I don’t know if I can believe that for myself. I killed my own flesh and blood. How can God possibly forgive me?” Tears streaming down her face, she mustered up the courage to look at him, but his eyes held no condemnation.

  “Can I share something with you?” He grabbed a well-worn Bible from the end table next to his chair. “I’m not going to pretend I know the anguish you’re living with, but I do understand the emptiness.”

  Without responding, Dominique focused on Samuel. He seemed deep in thought for a moment, then looked her straight in the eye. “Did you know I’m an alcoholic?”

  Her heart skipped a beat. How could this gentle, understanding man be an alcoholic? Her brain couldn’t reconcile the two images. Joe’s family had seemed so perfect. “I didn’t know that.”

  “I haven’t had a drink in over twenty years,” he continued, “but that didn’t stop me from causing a lot of damage. In fact, my relationship with Houston suffered the most. It’s still damaged to this day.”

  “I’m sorry, Samuel. I had no idea.”

  “Well, I don’t want you to feel sorry for me, I just wanted you to know I’m not some perfect person. What I am is an old man who still has to rely daily on God’s grace to make it through life. God isn’t looking for people who are perfect, He’s looking for people who are broken.”

  She smiled. “Now there’s something I can relate to.”

  “We’re all broken, Dominique. There’s nothing worse than a broken person who thinks he’s perfect. The truth is, God loves you, and there’s nothing you’ve done that He isn’t willing to forgive. All you have to do is ask.”

  “You make it sound so simple. Why has it always seemed so hard?”

  “Because of our pride. We want to do something to earn it.” He shook his head. “I remember thinking I would straighten up my life first, make myself a little more presentable for the Lord. That doesn’t work either. If it did, I’d still be working at it.”

  Memories of her mother words, pointing out her every flaw, flooded her mind. You’re a sinner, Dominique. You want to spend eternity in hell? You better change your ways! The words haunted her. “Can we change the topic, just for a moment?” She ran her hands over her khaki skirt. “I need to ask you a few questions.”

  He spread his good arm in front of him. “Ask away.”

  “What purpose can this whole pregnancy crisis serve? If God is behind this, why would He do it? What point could He be trying to make?”

  “Life!”

  “What?” Her eyebrows shot up. “I don’t understand.”

  “Life is so precious. We are all so very valuable to God. He makes each one of us unique. Scripture say we are knitted together in our mother’s womb—lovingly and fearfully made. And yet, in our pride and selfishness, when we are inconvenienced with what we term as an unwanted pregnancy, we put our own desire and needs above that of an innocent, helpless baby.”

  She let out a slow breath. “And now we’ve become desperate.”

  “Exactly.” He nodded. “People finally see the value of children. The same people who campaigned for choice now pay large sums of money trying to conceive, or worse, seek illegal ways to obtain a baby and raise it as their own.”

  Tears streamed unchecked down Samuel’s face. “Have you seen the pictures or studied the statistics? We’ve destroyed human life and acted as if it were our right. It breaks my heart, Dominique. I can’t imagine how much it grieves the Lord.”

  She shook the images from her mind. After her abortion, she continually read over the pamphlet the clinic sent home with her. Its contents assured her she had not destroyed a human life, she had just removed the product of conception. Really? How could she have been so easily deceived? What else could the product of conception be other than a human life? Exactly when did they think that happened?

  Her heart knew the truth; it ached with the truth. She would never witness her child’s first steps or words or birthdays or graduation. Nothing. Only empty arms. Her throat filled, making it difficult to speak. “How could He forgive me, then? I let them destroy my baby. Deep down, I knew the whole time it was wrong. How could I do that to my own child?”

  She curled up in a ball on the chair, and sobs wracked her until her sides ached. She snatched several tissues from the box on the side table. Her eyes were sore, and her nose was completely stuffed up.

  She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she heard Samuel softly praying. His well-worn hand gently stroked her back. Slowly, she raised her head. “I’m sorry. I’ve never told anyone about my abortion. I never wanted to face the truth.”

  “I didn’t mean to upset you. I believe the Lord brought us together for a reason. Don’t you see, honey?” Samuel paused, seeming to choose his next words carefully. “You’re valuable, just like your baby. The doctors and nurses who work in the clinics, they’re important too.” He squeezed her hand. Life is a precious gift from the Lord. It should be embraced and cherished. God values and loves you so much that He sent His son Jesus to die in your place, to pay for your sins. He longs to be with you. He went to a lot of trouble … jus’ for you! Make no mistake, sin is serious business, but the Lord has a solution for that problem.”


  Silence filled the room.

  Dominique’s shoulders relaxed. This wasn’t the first time she’d heard the gospel, but somehow the way he explained it offered hope that God would actually desire a relationship with her. She was a sinner—that fact had been drilled into her since her early teens. What held her back? The abortion. She could never wipe that clean.

  Samuel shifted in his chair. “I wish I could say the right words or recite the perfect verse to show how much the Lord loves you, and how much He longs for you to ask for forgiveness. I can promise you I will pray for you, Dominique. I will pray that you accept His forgiveness.”

  Joe’s friendship, Mandy’s testimony, time spent with Christians during her investigation all served to soften her heart to God’s truth. Samuel’s kind and wise words further melted her resolve. Slowly, she took his hand. “Would you pray with me, please?

  He squeezed her hand. “It would be my privilege.”

  She cleared her throat and bowed her head, shutting out everything around her. Verses from her youth, Joe’s steady faith, and Samuel’s words of encouragement spurred her on. “Lord, forgive me …” They were the only word’s she could vocalize through the tears. She raised her head and took in the joyful smile on Samuel’s face. His eyes brimmed with unshed tears.

  The telephone ringing interrupted the quiet moment.

  Dominique quickly grabbed the handset from the table before it could wake the napping toddlers. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Dominique, it’s Becky. I have news about Audrey.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Travis paced along the row of windows in the hospital waiting room. Why did they always make them so cramped? The doctor’s words jumbled in his mind. We're trying to determine the extent of the brain damage. We don’t know when, or if, she’ll regain consciousness. The CT scan was inconclusive. These next hours are crucial. He hadn’t been able to offer them any words of hope.

  Cindy rubbed the back of her neck, then massaged her expanding belly. She looked so uncomfortable sitting on the faux leather couch. In the past he would have offered to massage her neck, anything to help relax her. But earlier today she had pulled her hand away when he tried to hold it, and whenever he looked at her, she turned away. They’d barely said two words to each other since they’d arrived at the hospital. Clearly, she didn’t want to be in the same room as him, let alone have him touch her.

  Becky sat beside her and draped a sweater over her shoulders. “Can I get you anything? How about a cup of coffee?”

  “No, nothing. Audrey is scared of heights. What was she doing in the loft? I just don’t understand how this could have happened.” Cindy glared across the waiting room at him, her unspoken words louder than the ones she’d voiced.

  Megan plopped down next to Cindy.

  “How about you, Megan? Can Aunt Becky get you something?”

  “I want a milkshake,” she responded with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  “Travis?”

  “No, I’m okay. Thanks anyway.” He reached for the Sports Illustrated on the side table and sat in the chair across from the couch.

  “One milkshake coming up.” Becky headed out the door.

  Cindy reached for the small pile of coloring books, crayons, and markers provided by the caring staff at the hospital. She presented them to Megan, then sat in the chair beside Travis. “We need to talk.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “It’s not my fault, Cindy. Accidents happen every day.” He tossed the magazine back on the table. “I know what you’re thinking. First Max, and now Audrey.”

  She crossed her arms. “I’m not saying it’s your fault. I just want to know what happened.”

  “She fell from the loft. I didn’t see it happen, I only saw her lying on the ground.”

  “How high up was she?”

  His mouth was dry, and a pressure headache throbbed behind his left eye. He lowered his voice. “I told you. I didn’t see anything.”

  She took in a deep breath. “Did you know she was up there? Did you see her climb the ladder?”

  “Daddy was on the phone,” Megan said as she continued to color. “I told him she was climbing, but he said the call was important.”

  Travis leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hands. He hadn’t paid attention to what Megan said. All he heard was “climbing,” then he tuned her out. Since Audrey was afraid of heights, he thought she wouldn’t go up more than a few steps … ”

  Cindy glared at him.

  Megan looked up from her coloring. “I told her to get down, but she wouldn’t listen. Then she fell.” Megan sobbed. “I’m sorry, Mommy.”

  Travis’s heart broke. How could Megan blame herself?

  Cindy scooped Megan into her arms and planted kisses all along her forehead and hair. “It’s okay, sweetie. It’s not your fault. You did the right thing telling Daddy.” She set Megan on her lap and gently rocked her back and forth.

  Once Megan’s crying had slowed, Cindy sat her down at a small table in the corner and took out a book. After several minutes, she made a beeline for the seat next to Travis. Voice low and seething, she let her accusation fly. “You were on the phone? You told me you would watch the kids. Tell me, Travis, who were you talking to? What could be so important you would neglect your own child?”

  Audrey hung onto life by a thread—all because he had to make a phone call.

  “What’s happening to us, Travis?” The question was so quiet, Travis almost didn’t hear it.

  He had no answer, only regrets.

  She walked over to the window. “Does the baby make you that unhappy?”

  “I can’t talk about this now.” He stood. “I’m going to get a cup of coffee. I’ll be right back.” He pulled the door open, and a middle-aged woman wearing the customary navy blue blazer of a hospital employee stepped into the room. She held a clipboard and wore a determined expression, “Excuse me, is Travis Montgomery in here?”

  His heart picked up its pace. “I’m Travis Montgomery. Is there a problem?”

  The woman’s eyes scanned the room, as if taking an inventory of the people. “I have a private matter I need to discuss with you. Is this a good time?”

  Travis followed Martha down the long hallway and into a consultation room. The plate hanging on the door at a slight angle read Private, please do not disturb.

  Martha sat in the wooden chair behind the desk and gestured for him to sit in one of the overstuffed chairs across from her. She cleared her throat. “I know this is a difficult time for you, Mr. Montgomery, but we’ve had a problem with your insurance provider.”

  “What kind of problem?” He asked the question because it was expected, but he had a feeling he knew where this conversation was going. They’d only received a few late payment notices, not a notice of cancelation.

  “Your insurance provider said your policy has been cancelled. Perhaps you gave us an expired insurance card? It does happen quite frequently.”

  He leaned forward. “Which card did I give you?”

  “PrimeHealth America.” She slid a photocopy of the card across the desk. “Their representative said you aren’t covered under their COBRA plan either. Do you have a new provider?”

  He rubbed his temples against the persistent tension headache he’d been fighting since he arrived at the hospital. Apparently, the headache was going to win. Why hadn’t Scott had taken care of the matter, or at least let him know?

  “I don’t know what to tell you, Martha. I’ll have to look into this. Do you have a business card, or a way I can get in touch with you?”

  She handed him her business card. “Please let me know as soon as you have any information. We need to get this cleared up. I apologize for the timing, but if you don’t have coverage, we’ll have to see if you’re eligible for the National Healthcare Plan.”

  National Healthcare? The words hit him like a physical blow. How much time would they give Audrey? “As soon as I know somethi
ng I’ll contact you. I apologize for the mix-up. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to my daughter.”

  He left the room, but instead of heading back to the trauma waiting area, he walked toward the cafeteria. A cup of coffee would help clear his mind. What could he do? How could he pay the bills with no coverage? There was no way he was going to tell Cindy. She was already upset enough without adding financial worries.

  In the cafeteria, he mechanically filled the Styrofoam cup with coffee, paid, then added two packets of sugar. With his brain barely functioning, he felt like a zombie as he lumbered to a table in the corner of the room. What was he going to do? The hospital bills would be astronomical with no insurance. His shoulders slumped and his head fell forward. He could only think of one person who would be able to help him. What other option did he have?

  He dialed the number on his cell phone and hoped he could get a hold of her. She answered on the third ring. “Angelica, this is Travis. I need help.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Houston slammed on the brakes as three deer darted in front of his car. It was bad enough he had to leave the rest of his family at the hospital while they waited for news on Audrey. The last thing any of them needed was another accident. At least Audrey was holding her own, even though she wasn’t responding yet.

  He tightened his grip on the wheel and accelerated. Another pregnant mom murdered. This time the baby hadn't survived either. The heartless thugs had discarded both bodies in an abandoned farmhouse on the west end of town.

  Houston took a sip of coffee Becky had poured for him from the thermos she’d taken to the hospital, anticipating a long night. The good-bye kiss she had given him made it even more difficult to leave. Come on now, I’ve got to focus if I’m going to be of any use.