Grace was surprised her aunt was willing to share.
“I’d love that!” Dorothy went to get her day planner. As they decided on a date, Dorothy came up with another idea. “Why don’t I bring Samuel with me?”
“Miranda would love to see him.”
Grace wasn’t ready to relinquish him for a daylong excursion to another town, nor did she want to hurt feelings. “I’m sorry, ladies, but my son is too young to be hanging out with older women.”
Dorothy and Aunt Elizabeth laughed, and didn’t press.
As they all chatted and enjoyed the afternoon, Grace thought over the past few months and counted blessings. God had provided all her needs. She had a livelihood, friends both new and old, and a church family. Aunt Elizabeth was now involved in her life in a loving, nondictatorial way. Only one thing kept Grace from feeling at peace: Roman Velasco. He’d changed a great deal, if the most recent feature article was any indication. He had told the reporter about his new life, his work, and even his near-death experience in hell. Pastor Brian Henley had been at the interview and was quoted several times. Shanice had told Grace the two men had become close friends.
Perhaps her love for Roman was the cross she’d have to bear. Or so she’d thought since moving to Merced. Move on, Grace. Stop asking what-if. But now, she felt the nudge to rethink her decision. Maybe it was time to call and talk to him, wish him well. His phone number came to her immediately, warm tingling temptation at a touch of her cell phone screen. And then what? Closing her eyes, she prayed. Should I call him, Lord? Should I open the door?
Silence. She didn’t expect to hear God’s voice, but she wanted to feel right about it. When she didn’t, she knew the answer.
Wait.
Roman awakened when his cell phone vibrated on his bedside table. Groggy, he reached for it, knocking it onto the carpeted floor. Caller ID, Shanice. She wouldn’t call unless it was an emergency. Coming fully awake, Roman grabbed it. “Brian okay?” His voice sounded hoarse from sleep.
“Brian’s fine. He’s with a grieving family at the hospital, and can’t go with me to a nightclub to help a friend. He said to call you.”
“What’s the problem?”
“My ex-roommate, Deena. She checked herself into a six-month recovery program a while back, and then found out yesterday that her fiancé is cheating on her. She’s gone AWOL. She called me from a club. I’ve got to get her out of there before she does something she’ll regret. I’ve already gone down that road and don’t want a repeat scenario. Can you go with me?”
“Where are you now?”
“I’m pulling up in front of your apartment.”
“Okay, but only if I drive.” She sounded so uptight, he didn’t think she should be behind the wheel.
“Fine, but hurry up! Please.”
It took him five minutes to dress. He used the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator and jogged to the car, where he found Shanice already buckled into the passenger seat. The engine was running and waiting to be put in gear when he opened the driver’s side door.
“Thanks, Roman. Brian said you’d come through for me.”
“Where are we going?”
“After Dark. I can give you the address.”
He muttered a foul word under his breath. “I know where it is.”
“Oh.” Shanice looked at him. She winced. “Unhappy memories?”
“Just a reminder of who I was not so long ago.”
“Well, don’t feel like you’re the Lone Ranger. Three years ago, you would’ve seen me there every Friday and Saturday night. Brian knows, in case you’re wondering. I like to have fun. The band is awesome, and I love to dance.” She gave him a wry look. “Is that why you were there?”
“I can dance, but no, that’s not why I went to that club.”
Roman felt her studying him.
“You went to hook up.” She looked straight ahead. “I imagine you had your pick of willing women.” She didn’t say anything for a minute, then glanced at him. “Was Grace the reason you stopped going?”
I asked for three, Lord, and here’s Shanice bringing up Grace. One more, Lord. Oh, Jesus, please, one more. “No. I stopped going before I met Grace.” He merged onto the freeway and accelerated, slipping easily between cars until he reached the fast lane.
“What made you quit going?”
“I wanted more than what I found there.” They drove for ten minutes in silence. Pulling off the freeway, he spotted a familiar parking structure, turned in, and pulled a ticket from the machine.