Ruthless (19 page)
Authors: Shelia M. Goss
Chapter 44
David didn't care who was around. He kneeled down next to the incubator. He closed his eyes. With one hand on little David's small leg and the other on his forehead, David prayed silently. “Father God, I know that I've been disobedient. I know that I don't deserve to ask you to spare my child's life, but, Lord, I've done what you asked. I've repented. I've made amends. I'm trying to do right by providing for my wife and child.
“Lord, if it is your will, please let death pass us by. I give my son to you to do with what you may. I promise to bring him up in a way that's pleasing to you. Lord, have mercy on your humble servant.”
David was ending his prayer when he felt an arm on his shoulder. “I was told you were down here.”
David stood up. “Nathan, he's not doing too good.”
David rarely cried in front of anyone, but at this point, he didn't care. He turned and cried on Nathan's shoulder. Then David pulled himself together and followed Nathan out of the room. He kept looking back at little David.
“Sheba told me you were here. Delilah's in the room with her.”
“I can't face Sheba right now. Tell her I will be back later. I need to get out of here,” David said and hurried down the hallway.
“David,” Nathan called out to him.
David rushed past everyone and out the hospital doors. “Why, Lord? Why now? I thought you forgave me. You let me believe that things were going to be all right. Now this.”
David threw his fist up in the air in anger. His driver saw him and tried to calm him down, but it didn't do any good.
David heard a woman's voice say, “I got him.”
He looked up into the face of Delilah. “You're the last person I want to see.”
Delilah grabbed him by the arm. “Get in the car, David.”
He was in too much pain to argue, so he got in his car, and Delilah got in right behind him. She said something to his driver. David's driver closed the car door, and a minute or so later, he pulled off.
“Where are we going?” David asked.
“You tell me. You were the one running out on my sister when she needs you.”
“Look. My baby's dying, and I don't have time for your attitude.”
“Woe is David. I'm trying to get you to deal with this so you can be with Sheba. Sheba needs you right now. You say you love her. Then act like it. Don't bail on her right now.”
“I'm not bailing. This is just too much. My baby's being punished for something I did.”
Delilah said, “Don't beat yourself up.”
“Oh, you're not going to gloat. I know you overheard me and Nathan talking.”
There, David had said it. Everything was out in the open. No more pretenses between him and Delilah.
“David, I figured out what your plan was long before I overheard your conversation. I don't fault you, becauseâbelieve me when I say thisâI've done some things I'm not too proud of.”
“So you're not going to tell Sheba?” David asked.
“Sheba's not a stupid woman. If you think that, then you don't know the woman you married.”
David wasn't satisfied with her response, so he said, “Promise me you won't tell Sheba what you overheard. As her sister, I'll ensure that you are always well taken care of.”
“Really? I was going to keep the secret for free, but since you insist on sharing some of your wealth... .” Delilah looked around the back of the town car. “Share it with me, brother-in-law. I'm not even going to give you a dollar amount. Whatever your heart desires to give me, I'll accept.”
Delilah had to be one of the sneakiest, most underhanded women, besides his ex-wives, that David had come across. He had fallen right into her trap. If it would keep her big mouth closed, then he would do it. He would call his accountant as soon as he could and would have a nice amount of money transferred into Delilah's bank account.
“Let's do monthly installments, so the government won't be suspicious,” Delilah said. David looked at her like she was crazy. She went on to say, “I'm thinking about all those taxes I'll have to pay.”
“It'll be the same amount regardless if it's monthly or one large sum.”
“Oh, in that case, give me all you got, King David.”
David called his accountant and set up the transfer. Delilah seemed pleased. David had to hand it to Delilah. She had accomplished one thing. He had momentarily forgotten about his son and his wife, but now it was back to the issue at hand. He needed to convince God to spare his son's life. How? He had no idea.
Chapter 45
Sheba demanded to see the doctor. The nurses were calling her the patient from hell, but she didn't care. It had been seven days, and her baby was still hooked up to machines. He didn't appear to be getting better.
“Where is David? He was supposed to meet me here!” Sheba shouted.
Delilah replied, “He said he had to make a quick stop at the church and then he would be here.”
“He needs to hurry up. They must not know I'm David King's wife, or they wouldn't keep me waiting.”
“Calm down, sis. They are doing everything they can for little David.”
“It's not enough.” Sheba was a nurse. She knew they were providing him with the best care, but as a mother, she felt like there was more they could be doing.
The doctor had released her from the hospital four days ago, but she had yet to go home. Delilah or David brought her clothes to change into and food to eat. The food she barely touched, because since having little David, she hadn't had an appetite. How could she think of food or anything else when her baby was fighting for his life?
The doctor finally came into the waiting room. “Mrs. King, sorry to keep you waiting.”
Sheba didn't bother with the formalities. She didn't reach out to shake his extended hand. “What's the prognosis on my baby?” she asked.
Dr. Philips said, “Do you want to wait on your husband?”
“No. I'm standing right here. I need for you to tell me when you expect my baby to get better.”
“Mrs. King, his little heart is fighting, but I'm not sure of how long his heart will last. He was born with a defective heart, but I want to assure you that we're doing all we can.”
Sheba plopped down on the chair. Her hands flew to her face. “Lord, please. Take me, not my baby.”
Delilah sat in the chair next to her. She patted her gently on the back. “It's going to be okay.”
“No, it's not. It'll never be okay.”
The doctor continued, saying, “I'm sorry, Mrs. King. I wish I had better news for you.”
Sheba wiped some of the tears from her face. “Dr. Philips, thanks. What should I do now?”
“Do you have a pastor who can come pray over your son?” he asked.
Delilah pulled out her phone. “I'll call Nathan.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Sheba said, barely above a whisper.
“I'm so sorry. I wish there was more I could do.”
Sheba heard Delilah deliver the bad news to Nathan. She hung up with him. “He's on his way.”
“Where's David? I need my husband,” Sheba said as she bent down and wrapped her arms around her knees. She rocked back and forth as Delilah patted her on the back. “Sis, it's going to be okay,” Delilah said.
Sheba wished Delilah would stop saying that. If she lost little David, it would never be okay again. Her world was crumbling all around her, and there was no sign of David. She needed him here with her.
By the time Nathan arrived, Sheba and Delilah were in the nursery. The nurses allowed Sheba to hold the baby one last time. She sat in the rocking chair, with him in her arms, and she rocked him back and forth.
She heard Nathan tell Delilah, “David's on his way. We were at the church, praying. His car had a flat, but he'll be here soon.”
Delilah responded, “I hope he hurries up. Bathsheba needs him.”
“How are you holding up, dear?” Nathan asked, turning to Sheba.
“The doctor says my baby's dying, Nathan. His little heart's not holding up. I don't know how I'm supposed to deal with this. Look at him. He's so innocent in all of this.”
Nathan kneeled down beside Sheba. She stopped rocking as Nathan placed one of his big hands on little David. “Father God, we ask that if it is your will, you heal David and Bathsheba's child right now, Lord. Put your arm of protection around this child. Let him know that he's loved not only by his parents, but also by those of us who have had a chance to be in his presence.”
Nathan looked in Delilah's direction. Delilah was wiping her face with a tissue. He continued his prayer. “I know that this is not what we would have for little David, but you know best. Lord, be with his parents, and let them know, regardless of the outcome, that you are still in their midst. That you will never leave them or forsake them. That you will never put more on your children than they can bear. If you put them through it, they can make it through it.”
The alarm that was hooked up to little David went off. The nurses ran over to where Sheba sat and took him away from her. Sheba didn't want to release him.
Sheba yelled out, “No! Not my baby,” as they unsuccessfully attempted to revive him.
Chapter 46
David could hear the commotion going on in the nursery. He rushed inside. He knew from the expression on Nathan's face that he was too late. Little David was gone. He saw a doctor wrap him up in a blanket.
“I need to hold him. Can I hold him one last time?” David pleaded, choking on his tears.
The doctor saw the pain in David's eyes and motioned for the nurse to hand little David to him. The nurse did as instructed.
David unwrapped the blanket. He kissed little David on the forehead and on the cheek. “I love you so much. I'll never forget you, son.”
Nathan walked up to David. “Man, they need to take him. Give little David to them.”
David said, “I know. Look at him. He's so little. He looks helpless.”
Nathan placed his hand on little David's body and took him away from David. He handed the baby to the nurse. He placed his arm around David. “Come on, man. Your wife's over there. She needs you.”
When David had first entered the nursery, he had eyes only for little David. He didn't even think to look for Sheba. He saw her tearstained face. She stood up, and as soon as he reached her, she fell into his arms.
“Our baby's gone, David,” Sheba wailed.
The nurses and doctors around them allowed them their time to grieve. David motioned for Nathan to come near him. Sheba could barely walk.
David said to Nathan,” Can you take care of whatever needs to be taken care of? I need to get Sheba home.”
“Don't worry. Delilah and I will take care of everything,” Nathan assured him.
David used one arm to hold Sheba up and the other to dial his driver, alerting him that they would be coming downstairs. They left the nursery and got on the elevator. Sheba kept her head on David's shoulder as people getting on and off the elevator looked on.
“Can you give us some privacy please?” David snapped.
The driver had the car parked out front. David helped Sheba inside. Silence kept them company. The only sounds that could be heard were their sniffles as they each dealt with the death of little David in their own way.
The driver had alerted David's staff of the bad news. They were all waiting for him and Sheba when they pulled up in front of the house. David accepted their condolences.
“Mrs. King, I've drawn you some bathwater,” one of the maids said.
“I don't feel like doing anything but getting in the bed,” Sheba responded.
David said, “Help her up the stairs. I'll be up shortly.”
The butler and the maid assisted Sheba up the stairs. David headed to the kitchen. On the way, he said a silent prayer.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Your will has been done. I ask now that you comfort my grieving wife.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Your will has been done. I ask now that you comfort my grieving wife.
When he saw David, the cook said, “Mr. King, again, I'm so sorry about your baby.”
“Thank you, Jorge. I wanted to ask you to prepare some of the missus's favorites.”
“Bâbut ...” the cook stuttered.
“Prepare some of my favorites, too, while you're at it. We'll be having dinner at our regular time.”
The cook couldn't understand David's commands. “Mr. King, I would hate to cook all this food and no one eats it.”
“What we don't eat, you can take home to your family.” Without saying another word, David left the kitchen to go check on his grieving wife.
He stood in the doorway of the bedroom. The nurse had given Sheba a sedative, so she was sleeping. He sat in the chair and watched her sleep. He cried until he couldn't cry anymore. Not wanting to wake her up, he quietly exited the room.
By now Nathan and Delilah were waiting downstairs.
“David, we'll need to talk about funeral plans. But that can wait until later,” said Nathan.
Delilah asked, “How's Bathsheba?”
“She's sleeping, but you can go check on her again for me, if you like,” David told her.
“I'll do that.” Delilah walked away and headed toward Sheba's bedroom.
David led Nathan into his study, and they both sat down. “I know Sheba's not going to be up to making the plans, and truthfully, neither am I. If you can handle this, I will be grateful. We want to have the funeral as soon as possible. Tomorrow even. The sooner we have it, the quicker we can start the grieving process.”
Nathan asked, “Where do you want him buried? I know your family is buried back in Louisiana.”
“Never thought it would be used for this purpose, but there's a spot near the garden out back. I would like for him to be buried there.”
“You sure?” Nathan asked. “You'll have to get approval to have that done.”
“Yes. I want him buried out back, and I will take care of the legal aspects of it, trust me.” David stood up. “Follow me. I'll show you the exact spot.”
Other books
Shards of Glass by Arianne Richmonde
One Hot Mess by Lois Greiman
Safe Harbor by Judith Arnold
Puppy Fat by Morris Gleitzman
She's Not There by Joy Fielding
Quiet-Crazy by Joyce Durham Barrett
Memorias de un sinverguenza de siete suelas by Ángela Becerra
Mr Scarletti's Ghost by Linda Stratmann
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
Prime Selection by Monette Michaels
