No Wasted Tears (38 page)

“Soon, Adam,” was all he said as he turn to walk
away.

It was after midnight before she was given a room and the family was allowed to see her. She still hadn’t regained
consciousness.

Adam was the first to go in to see her. His emotions were all over the place. He stared at Destiny, filled with overwhelming relief that she was still alive. From the side of the bed he saw a woman who still captivated him despite the bruises, swelling, and the cast encasing her arm and
leg.

He couldn’t get past the constriction in his throat. He wanted to cradle her close to his heart and hold her until the fear of her dying finally went away. All he wanted was for her to open those eyes and then everything in his world would be
righted.

As the others came in one by one, he settled in a chair in the corner of the room. He was out of the way but he wasn’t going anywhere until she opened her eyes. He would silently pray until that
happened.

The first day went by without any signs of Destiny’s condition changing. Her eyes still had not opened. Watching the clock only reminded Adam that hours were turning into days. The ladies as well as Willie took turns sitting at her bedside, holding her hand. They prayed to God and pleaded with her to open her
eyes.

Adam stayed in his same spot in the room. Everyone else took turns going home for a change of clothes, a meal, and rest but he stayed. He found himself constantly interceding with a host of fighting angels that she’d soon open her eyes. He refused to leave when Marvin stopped by and urged him to go home and get some rest. Although he was exhausted, he was determined to stay. After three stressful days, they all were showing signs of strain, even
Adam.

He was rounding the corner, coming from the bathroom when he saw Tina and Cynthia rushing toward him in the hallway Adam could feel his heartbeat speeding up and the sweat forming on his brow as his gaze went from one to the other. He became even more nervous when he saw their tearful faces. Silently, he stood waiting for them to tell him the news about
Destiny.

“What’s wrong?” he asked looking at both of
them.

“It looks like Destiny is going to be all right, she opened her eyes, Pastor.” Tina gushed looking at
him.

Adam closed his eyes giving God a silent “thanks” as he felt new tears run down his cheeks. “Are you sure, Tina, what if…” his voiced trembled as he looked at
them.

“Nothing is wrong, the doctor just checked her out and all of her vital signs are good. As a matter of fact, she asked for you.” Cynthia said, giving him a reassuring hug. “Oh, Pastor Wheeler,” Tina cried, wrapping her arms around him and
Cynthia.

“She’s gonna be okay. Our prayers have been answered. We won’t lose
her.”

The tears began to flow in earnest between the three of them. Then without warning, he bowed his head holding each of their hands to give a word of thanks to God. He acknowledged them, and then he turned and walked toward the
exit.

Chapter 39

Even before Destiny opened her eyes, she knew she was in the hospital. At the blurred edges of her consciousness she vaguely registered the sound of shoes squeaking on polished linoleum and the swish of curtains and voices, both male and female, speaking in low hushed tones. She was sure she heard her family and friends. She blinked her eyes again trying to focus. It was then that she saw all of them as they surrounded her bed. From the moment she opened her eyes she was never alone. If it wasn’t her family it was a doctor or nurse checking her vital signs. She’d been given every test known to man from x-rays, cat-scans, and blood
test.

They told her she’d been in a car accident three days ago, which lead to her being in a coma. Upon first hearing about her ordeal it made her heart jerk like she’d been kicked in the chest. She frowned when she raised her head to see the cast on her leg and then wished she hadn’t as it made her head ache unbearably. She put a hand up to her forehead, her fingers encountering a thickly wadded bandage positioned there. Upon further inspection she found that she had broken an arm as well. It frightened her when she couldn’t remember the accident but the doctor assured her that it, as well as the headaches, were perfectly
normal.

Tina told her about Stanley. “I am sorry to be the one to inform you of this, but Stanley did not survive the accident,” she said without any trace of emotion in her
voice.

Destiny blinked, shaken by the news. No one deserved to die like that. She vaguely remembered some of the events of that day. Shock had to register on her face when they informed her of Adam’s vigil for her, staying by her bedside until she regained consciousness. She struggled to conceal her disappointment when she was told he’d left rather than staying to see
her.

The accident was one thing not to remember but she knew distinctly what had transpired between Adam and her. In no uncertain terms she had indicated that she didn’t need his help. But every time the door opened she couldn’t help but to glance over, hoping it would be him. This time when
it opened, it was
Sara.

“You should be trying to get some rest.” Sara gave her hand a gentle squeeze after walking over to the
bed.

“I can’t sleep, not with this headache, plus I’ve been sleeping for three
days.”

“We can ask them to give you something for it. What about the pain in your leg and arm?” she asked. “Because I could go talk to Willie. Maybe they will reconsider if he
asks?”

“No, I don’t want to be a bother. My nurse told me earlier that they were being careful about using strong medications with this concussion. It’s not too bad. I’d rather suffer a little pain rather than risk going to sleep and never waking
up.”

Sara patted her hand. “You had us
worried.”

“I know, I’m
sorry.”

“Stop it. I’m just glad you’re getting better. That’s all I care about. I’ve been here a while so I guess I’ll leave and see you in the morning.” She leaned over to kiss her forehead. “Sleep well, I’ll be praying for those
headaches.”

“Goodnight,” Destiny said, yawning.

She was glad to be alone because it gave her some time to reflect on what happened that day. What must Adam think of her now? Restless, sleep seemed to be evading her. It was so difficult to relax with her bruises and sore body. Her mind kept asking questions.
Why had Adam stay
ed the entire time e
specially after ever
ything that had happ
ened with Stanley?
Every time she thought about it, her head would pound perfidiously, forcing her to push those questions
aside.

With her eyes getting heavy, she shifted, moaning from the pain. Laying hands on her head she prayed for the pain to
subside.

“Can I join you in
prayer?”

That was the voice she wanted to hear since she opened her eyes.

Turning she saw him, “You
came…”

Chapter 40

She watched Adam walk closer to her bed as he was taking off his jacket. “Is the pain
terrible?”

“At times it has been,” she
admitted.

“Have they given you
anything?”

“They’re being careful with the meds because of the
concussion.”

Adam sat down in the chair by her bed. With his hand extended, he gently laid it on her head being careful not to cause her unnecessary pain. He silently prayed for her headache. Then looking at her he said, “I’m just happy your eyes are
open.”

“They’ve been opened since you left.” Destiny stated flatly. She could see from his expression she had thrown him a
jab.

“I had to leave at the time,” he said in return. “You had all of us scared to
death.”

She felt, rather than saw, his eyes moving over her bruised and swollen face. She was grateful Tina had brushed her hair. Using her good hand she tried to make sure it was still in
place.

“Don’t worry about that, Destiny,” Adam said. Destiny knew he was trying to make her feel better about being in such disarray. “It’s nothing a few weeks of rest won’t cure. The Lord blessed you. It could have been much
worse.”

She fiddled with the blanket covering her injured
leg.

“Thank you for watching over me the entire time I was unconscious. They told me you never left, is that true?” When he remained silent, she finally looked at him. It wasn’t until their eyes connected that she felt the power of the Holy Spirit overwhelming her with the fact that God had truly kept her
alive.

“I couldn’t leave you, Destiny. I had to
stay.”

“But why? We both know you weren’t happy when you left my house. Why did you come? And why did you stay away today?” She tried to ignore the way her heart hammered in her chest and the way her head pounded as she waited for his
response.

“It was the God in
me.”

She didn’t see a trace of humor on his
countenance.

“Although I wanted to see you I was tired, almost dead on my feet. So, after hearing that you were awake, I praised God and went home to rest. I needed a shower and sleep arrested me after that.” Shifting in his chair he continued, “I didn’t know everything about Stanley but what you told me that day did not agnate the fact that you mean a lot to
me.”

He leaned forward, studying her. “Your head hurts, you’re tired. Maybe this is not the place or time for this discussion. I don’t want to cause you to become
upset.”

She absently rubbed her injured arm as she fought the urge to cry. “I’m so sorry Adam. I should have told you about my past before all of this happened. Being here has given me a reality check. Tomorrow is not promised. I could have died, never seeing you
again.”

Watching him from her bed she noticed him fidgeting with his hands. “Would it have mattered, Destiny?”

“Yes, it would have mattered!” She shouted although she immediately regretted it because of the strain she put on her head. “I need to tell you about me, Adam.” She pointed her finger at her chest to emphasize her
point.

Adam shrugged. “As I drove home all I thought about was
us and what would have happened if you’d been the one to die instead of Stanley in that accident. I thought about where I wanted our relationship to go. But I feel like you’ve been holding some things back. I want you to be sure about this…” Using his hands, he pointed to her and himself. “Because I’m sure you know where we were headed before all of
this.”

When he stood, he towered over her bed. Then he seemed to brace his feet for what he was going to say next. “Your accident really got my attention. Thanks be to God we still have time to deal with our
problems.”

Destiny bit her lip. He was right. She knew from the moment that they met this relationship was more than just a casual friendship, even if she wasn’t ready to admit it to herself. “Okay, you’re right,” she said, wiping a tear. All of the events of the day were catching up with her
emotionally.

She took a deep breath before blurting out, “You see, when I was a senior in college, I was
raped.”

She watched as he dropped back down in his chair.
The fine lines at the corners of his eyes showed signs of his concern. His
gaze grew shuttered. “Oh, my God, Destiny. I’m so sorry,” he
muttered in a gravely voice. Adam moved closer to Destiny, but he did not touch her. He wanted her to know that he was there for her. “I had no idea you were dealing with something like
this.”

“No one but Tina, her husband, and Auntie know about it. It’s been my secret for all of these years.” She was leaning forward, trying with shaking fingers to reach the box of tissues on her bed tray to wipe away the tears that were flowing. “I can’t keep all of this stuff inside anymore, Adam. I just wanted to be free. That experience caused me to hide behind everyone, even Stanley, because I thought I did something to deserve
it.”

“Your fault? No, Destiny, rape is never the victim’s fault.”
There was deep concern in his voice as he touched her hand lightly with his own. Destiny was struggling to control her crying because she could feel her headache getting worst. “I went to a couple of counseling sessions in Charleston but never
finished.”

“But why? Didn’t your aunt or Tina suggest it? Even the doctors could have assisted you with that, Destiny. My God, I cannot imagine what you had to deal
with.”

“I need you to take your time, Destiny, and tell me
everything.”

Dropping her gaze, she clasped the tissue with trembling hand. “I didn’t think I needed it at the time. All I thought I needed was someone to adopt the baby. Tina agreed to do that, so I thought I’d be fine. I was going to graduate and move on with my life.” She glanced over at him with eyes filled with tears; she could tell he understood by the way he squeezed her
hand.