“I’m nervous,” Octavia whispered as she stood next to Landon at Lambert Airport, waiting for security personnel to check their IDs. Landon squeezed her hand, and she responded with a smile. If he stared long enough, Landon was sure he would see a glimpse of her love for him. At the moment, he was searching for it.
Although it was rather early, Octavia was alert. She smelled like peaches, and her attire was casual. Not one curl of her blondish brown hair was out of place until he tugged at a strand. “I know why I’m nervous, but why are you?” He lowered his voice to shut out everyone around them and focus on her.
She jutted her chin and Landon smirked, bracing for a snappy response. “I don’t want anybody to mess with you.” She lifted a brow in a sign of defiance.
“Thank you.” Her honesty humbled him. “Believe me, I can take whatever they dish out. I’m sure they have questioned my DNA to the family, so I have to earn their trust.”
“You earned mine.” She stepped to the podium and handed the TSA worker her ticket and driver’s license.
For a quick minute, Octavia’s fearlessness reminded him of Garrett’s wife, Shari. Before the woman married his cousin, she wasn’t fooled by his church-mimicking antics. Shari had rebuked those devils right out of him for bringing a false prophet to the hospital to minister to his grandfather after a heart attack, which he had indirectly caused.
Looking back, Landon accepted he was on his way to hell with no regrets. Jesus’ grace, which persuaded him to repent, was invaluable.
Once his group cleared security and were situated at their gate, Landon observed Octavia as she chatted with Karyn about clothes, hair and other female topics that lost Landon’s attention.
Rossi and Levi suggested they take a walk around the terminal to kill time. Dori jumped up. “Can I go with you, daddy?”
Levi smiled and reached for her hand, but Landon hadn’t stirred. He was fine right where he was, sitting across from Octavia, but not wanting to come across as a sick puppy, he stood. As he trailed the cousins, Landon overheard Octavia telling Karyn, “Hopefully, I can do some shopping with you, but I plan to stay close to Landon, in case he needs me.”
Landon hid his smile. The woman gave him a level of strength that couldn’t be measured. It was a spiritual boost that only his heart could feel. Once they boarded their flight, Landon gave Octavia the window seat. As their plane took off, Landon closed his eyes, praying for mercy from those he’d wronged. He had tested the mothers of his children beyond what was humanly possible.
They will never forgive you…the devil taunted him.
As Landon rebuked the devil, Octavia squeezed his hand, then she whispered, “It’s going to be all right.”
Landon’s spirit stilled. She was that in tune with him. Opening his eyes, Landon faced her and linked his fingers through hers. “In Jesus’ name. I accept that.”
That gave him peace to doze until they arrived at Logan Airport. Landon stirred and was surprised to find he had a grip on Octavia’s hand. When he met her eyes, she was smiling.
“It’s going to be okay.”
Landon took a deep breath and looked around as passengers began to gather their belongings. “I have faith in God and hope in God, but that’s where it ends.” Landon shrugged. “My family may forgive me, but a scorned woman will be out for blood.”
“No woman deserves what you did, so I’ll be praying that the Lord Jesus gives you a double dose of grace,” she didn’t try to sugarcoat it.
They got off the plane and made a pit stop to the restrooms. When everyone was ready, Landon led the way to the baggage area. As he exited the terminal, Landon stumbled, but recovered when he caught sight of a small welcoming crew. Some held balloons and signs: Welcome home.
Landon had to will his feet to keep moving as his heart pounded. He did a quick head count as his grandfather stretched out his arms. The welcoming gesture was enough to make a grown man cry, but Landon didn’t as he loosened his hand from Octavia’s and walked into the embrace as if he was a boy again. Once Landon had reached puberty, he insisted on handshakes as the norm, but not today. His pride was gone. “Grandpa.”
One by one, his greeters bestowed him with hugs and kisses. Landon was living in the moment until he realized the attention was no longer on him. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said, making introductions.
“Octavia, Rossi, Levi, Karyn and Dori, this is my grandpa Moses, my grandmother Queen, my mother, father and one of my two sisters.”
His grandfather stepped up and gave Rossi a hearty pat on the back. “I’ve heard good things about you. Thanks for being instrumental in my grandson’s life.”
Rossi squeezed his shoulder. “He’s like a brother to me.”
Landon had to ask, “Do the others know I’m here?”
His mother didn’t make eye contact with him as she answered, “Yes… it’s too soon. They want nothing to do with you. Sorry, son.”
Nodding, Landon accepted their rejection. He would need a triple dose of God’s grace.
Once everyone retrieved their luggage and secured a rental SUV, Landon gave them his parents’ address. The plan was for Rossi and the others to check in at the hotel then come to his parents’ house for refreshments.
Settling into the backseat of his father’s car, Landon thanked his parents for coming. Although they had spoken since he returned to God, they held back, expecting that the old Landon would probably surface. His sister, Zion, was snuggled next to him with her hands linked in his. No one would ever guess by her display of affection that she was five years older than him.
“You’re our son,” his father stated while his mother nodded. “We still love.”
“Your grandfather has called a family meeting in a few hours and advised everyone to be there,” his mother told him.
The family meeting, aka Miller tribunal, was usually called when there was bad news to deliver. Landon swallowed. He was it. “I expected as much. Rossi and the others will want to be there.”
“Of course.” His mother nodded, then angled her body to face him in the back. “Son, I’m glad you’re here and you’ve repented, but this hasn’t been easy for any of us. The Miller name is tainted at church, your cousin’s ex-fiancée made sure of that before and after she had the twins. Even though she no longer attends our church, the gossip resurfaces every now and then.” His mother had aged in the past few years from his ordeal. Although he was fair-skinned like his father, he received his “pretty-boy” features from his mother: long lashes, wavy hair and high cheek bones.
“The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy…” his father mumbled.
“Well, I’m glad Satan didn’t destroy you,” his mother said. “I’m praying that Brittani will come back to God before the devil causes her to die in her sins.”
“I don’t need to tell you that being a father is a privilege. Children have short memories. They take their fathers at face value, willing to remember the good while forgetting the bad. You can still have a place in their life,” his father stated as they pulled up in front of their Roxbury home. For once, Landon didn’t question his father’s counsel, but accepted it.
As they waited for the others to arrive, Landon was the center of attention, but not as the boastful man he once was as he shamefully disclosed all the misfortune that befell him. There were a few sniffs. He decided to wait to tell more once the others arrived. Some would be glad to see him, but probably only because they wanted to hear what lie he would spin this time. He sighed. His reputation truly preceded him.
“Even though I disowned you, I never wanted you to be homeless.” His father choked back his emotions.
“Have you reconsidered moving back here? You’ll have a place to stay until you get back on your feet,” his grandfather said, then offered his home.
He wasn’t ready for a big move just yet. “Thanks, but I have a place to stay at the men’s transitional shelter. I’m working at Walgreens in the evenings and at Rossi’s office during the day to earn enough money for three months’ rent. Octavia is going to help me find a one bedroom or a studio. Rossi keeps me busy with real projects for his firm in between assignments while I wait for something full time.”
“Do you need help?” his sister asked.
Landon smiled and pulled his sister into a hug. “I got it.”
Soon, his grandfather led them in prayer. Landon had always taken moments like this for granted. He was always a spectator when the family prayed. Now his spirit rejoiced as he lifted his voice in praise and petitions. Before long, God filled the room and began to speak to them, filling their mouths with His heavenly tongues.
When the final Amen was whispered, everyone was wiping their eyes, including Landon.
“Well,” his mother said, smiling, “I feel better. I’d better warm up the food before more family and your guests arrive.”
His grandfather held him back while the others went into the kitchen to help. “I’m not one to mince words. I know Jesus has redeemed you, but the devil doesn’t like to let go and give back, so I have to ask about Octavia. She’s very pretty. Are you using her, and I’m saying this delicately?”
“No, sir. I’m not.” Landon felt so good to confess that. “I love her.”
“I see. You’re going to have to work extra hard for her.” Moses gave him a stern look.
“I know.”
“Good. Remember, second chances are never promised or guaranteed.”