No Wasted Tears (19 page)

Then she heard it, the sound of Stanley’s laughter, as he stood over her body. Reaching for her, he pulled her badly aching body toward him. His hand began to run through her hair as he snatched her head back to look her in the eyes. His nose was flaring like it did every time he’d ever gotten angry with her. Leaning down, he smelled her neck, then without warning, he bit her. Again she yelped out in pain, bringing no response from anyone in the house. Struggling, she tried to free herself from his grasp only to feel a slap across her face. His eyes were filled with the evilness she had become accustomed with while living with him. How did he find her? She could taste the blood from the cut on her face as it was pooling at the corner of her
mouth.

Finally, she heard someone banging on the door. With a renewed sense of strength she twisted around to fight back. He must have heard the noise coming from the door as well because she felt his death grip on her arm release, and she collapsed to the floor. Looking up for a brief moment she saw her rescuer as he burst through the
door.

Shaking the cobwebs from her head she looked again making sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her. It was Adam! Praising God silently she didn’t have time to figure out what he was doing in the house because Stanley rushed him, slamming his body against the doorframe. Frantically she began to scan the room looking for anything she could use as a
weapon.

Catching Adam’s eye she saw him shaking his head mouthing “no!” Then she heard his voice say, “This kind of demon can only be driven out through prayer and fasting.” Something resituated in her spirit when she heard those words that gave her spirit a peace. She felt her body release the fear she was
feeling.

In an instant her eyes stung from the light that flooded her room. Her eyes were blurred from the tears that had been falling but her nostrils were filled with the scent of roses, letting her know it was her aunt’s arms that were gently rocking her back and forth. Her arms felt like dead weights as she stretched them out to wrap them around her aunt. A sigh of relief caused her body to relax even the
more.

“Thank you, auntie.” Time seem to stand still as she lay on her aunt’s chest. She pushed back all of the negative vibes she’d been feeling during her nightmare. It felt so real but she couldn’t help but to praise God that it wasn’t. Something had to be done because her life was at a stand still and she couldn’t move forward without getting some
counseling
soon.

Chapter 15

“Auntie
Destiny?”

Destiny had to listen again because her name had been spoken so
softly.

Taylor usually went to bed on time when Destiny baby-sat but not tonight. She seemed unusually restless earlier. It took a while but she had finally gotten her comfortable with watching a Disney movie, but now her eyes were drooping as her head was bobbing a little bit more, trying to stay awake. The pajamas she had on were adorable—purple with pictures of little dinosaurs all over
them.

Destiny pulled her closer as she called her name, “what is it, precious?”

“I’m sleepy.” A huge yawn escaped her as she tried to cover her mouth. “But I want my daddy to put me to
sleep.”

“He’s still out with your mommy, baby.” Destiny stood, scooping her up in her arms. “Let’s get you to bed and when they get home, I’ll tell them to come and say goodnight.” Destiny started for the bedroom. “How does that
sound?”

“You, promise?”

“Have I ever broken a promise to
you?”

Taylor shook her head and
then laid it back down on Destiny’s shoulder. Destiny opened the door with one hand as she held on to Taylor with the other. Gently she pulled back the covers, lowering her into the
bed.

“Now doesn’t that feel better than sitting up on that
sofa?”

“Yes.” Taylor sighed before her eyes starting to close. Destiny had to wonder what her life would have been like if Tina and Richard had not been apart of
it.

Her life had been nightmare living with Stanley—never knowing what she would do or say that would set him off. But she made up her mind that she was leaving after one of his brutal assaults left her in the hospital. It had been so terrifying and alarming that it almost left her deaf because he punched her so hard across the side of her face. Sara had broken down into tears when she saw her in the hospital
bed.

But now, a year later, she was in a different state, changing her life for the
better.

“Goodnight, Taylor.” She gently rubbed her hand across her brow as she closed her
eyes.

Small hands touch hers, grabbing her pillow as she pulled the covers up around her. Destiny patted the comforter as a last reassuring gesture and Taylor
smiled.

As she walked back toward the living room, Destiny felt a sense of peace. She had made some tough decisions as a young woman but this one was a blessing. Taylor was a special child and one day she would have a family just as Tina did and she would love them with all of her heart. In her soul she knew that God had a plan for her life. Her faith was growing everyday. It was becoming as solid as a rock. So she knew that one day she would have this dream of children and
marriage.

She checked the locks on all of the doors then settled down to finish watching the movie. Her cell phone began to ring and not wanting it to wake up Taylor she reached for it saying, “hello?” No one responded so she hung up and laid it on the arm of the sofa. Picking up the television remote, she turned off the television, and laying her head back she closed her
eyes.

The chiming security system alerted her to the arrival of Tina and Richard. Sure enough she heard them giggling before she saw them. They must have had a great time because the happiness on their faces filled the room with
joy.

Tina tossed her purse on the sofa and sat down next to
Destiny.

“How did everything go?” she asked while struggling to pull off her shoes. Destiny watched Richard kneel down to assist her. He massaged each foot as he removed a
shoe.

“Taylor and I had a great time together. She fell asleep in the middle of
The Princess and the
Frog
.”

Destiny couldn’t help but laugh as she watched as Tina lay her head back on the sofa while Richard massaged her feet. “A girl could get use to this.” She
signed.

“How was your dinner?” Destiny inquired as she watched the interaction between the both of
them.

“It was wonderful when no one was asking for his autograph.” There was a hint of aggravation in her voice. “I don’t think I’ll ever get use to it but some people do respect our
time.”

God had blessed Tina and Richard tremendously. Richard’s professional football career had provided them with a lifestyle that many people would never experience. They were not caught up in the lifestyle of the rich and famous. They both had a humbleness seen by all who came in contact with them. God had been gracious to both of
them.

Destiny wondered where she would be today if she’d never gotten involved with
Stanley.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind.” Tina adjusted her body on the
sofa.

“Is there something troubling you? You always get that troubled look when Stanley had done something stupid. Have you heard from him?” Destiny heard the concern in her
voice.

“I’m not sure but I have been getting some harassing calls. You know calling and then hanging up.” She watched the expression on Tina’s face register some shock at that
revelation.

“Well, I remember when I visited you two summers ago, and he was relentless in keeping tabs on you. Calling the phone every five minutes or
so.”

“If it is him I don’t know how he found me.” She ran her hands through her hair showing her
frustration.

“Have you asked who was
calling?”

“Yes, but I never get an answer. One time there was laughter but I couldn’t tell if it was a woman or a
man.”

“Well, it could be some kids playing with the phone. Stanley has to know that it is officially
over.”

Destiny laughed when she saw Tina roll her
eyes.

“And you’re celebrating
right?”

“And you know it!” She almost yelled but stopped herself before she woke
Taylor.

“Don’t worry, I’m not the same silly woman I was a year ago, full of fear. It’s so over, I’m taking back everything the devil has stolen!” Glancing around the room, Destiny searched for signs of
Richard.

“Where did Richard
go?”

“He’s pretty tired as well especially with spring training coming soon. He’s been working out with some of his teammates. Probably just giving us some girl
time.”

“He’s always been good to you.” Destiny pulled her feet up on the sofa as she got more
comfortable.

“I know. Everyday I thank God for him.” Destiny loved to hear Tina talk of her love for her
husband.

“Are you ready for your counseling to
begin?”

The one thing Destiny didn’t want to talk about was her past. Having to talk about the phone calls was
enough.

“Oh, let’s not talk about that now,” she answered. “I should be asking you if you’re okay.” She noticed Tina rubbing her stomach, which had grown even larger with the
baby.

Taking both hands she laid them across her swollen belly. Looking at her, Tina said, “We’re fine. You’re the one that looks like you haven’t gotten enough
sleep.”

“I’m fine, things have been crazy at the lab but all is
well.”

She grabbed her bag and keys. “I guess I should go. If you all need me again just call.” Bending slightly, she kissed Tina’s cheek and rubbed her belly once more. “Good night, Tina.” She motioned for her not to get up and went out the living room. Making sure she locked the door, she headed for the
car.

She enjoyed spending time with Taylor. Leaving the subdivision, she turned onto Clifton Street taking a different route home. She’d learned that in one of her self-defense classes to never travel the same route. This was the first time since moving to Seattle that she actually put it to practice, but after all of the voiceless phone calls and dreams she decided tonight was a good time to
start.

Shortly after turning onto the street, she noticed a dark sedan in her rearview mirror. If there had been any traffic to speak of she might not have noticed. But there wasn’t. The car had followed her every turn since leaving Tina’s
house.

There was a Mervin’s department store a few miles away so, she decided to stop there. She made the right into the Mervin’s parking lot. Going inside would provide the opportunity to prove that the car wasn’t following her. The idea that it was, she knew, was a bit over the top. She might not have thought anything of it but the self-defense class had mentioned never stopping in dark areas and choosing well-lit areas with heavy pedestrian
traffic.

There was never a reason for her to use any of this, but there was no need to take the chance now. The car drove past slowly as she emerged from her car. She didn’t recognize the make or model, but what was more important than that at the time was he or she had driven on. Destiny
relaxed.

Inside the store, she strolled the aisles looking for nothing, giving herself time to relax her nerves before going home. Maybe it was nothing. She was making too much out of
this.

By the time she pulled into the driveway, she was feeling better. There was a small shadow of something sitting on the front porch. She squinted into the moonlight and stopped the car. Looking around she saw no one so she got out. Someone left a package outside of the
house.

Getting a closer look, she saw it was a small chest. A little timid about opening it, Destiny peaked under the lid. There was
a Philip Stein watch with a note attached that read, “One-day at a
time.”