The closeness Octavia had felt with Landon earlier in the day was gone by the time she made it back to their hotel Saturday night. They broke their fast with prayer and thanksgiving at Landon’s parents’ house, but she could tell by his body language that he was numb as his parents peppered him with questions about their grandchildren.
“I can’t…” Landon said, piling his plate with turkey and dressing as if it was Thanksgiving. He was going through the motions, but Octavia doubted he had an appetite after a day charged with emotional baggage. “Sorry, mom and dad, I need to process today before I can even talk about it.”
With that statement, he excused himself from all conversation until it was time for Octavia, Rossi and Levi to head to the hotel. “Thanks for being there for me,” Landon stated with little emotion in his voice.
Octavia wanted to reach out and hug him and will life back into his body, because the events of the day had literally been sucked out of him.
Days later, Octavia was not the same after returning from Boston, and neither was Landon. The experience left her shaken, witnessing the bitterness, hurt and lingering feelings that Landon had played a hand in. She also saw the hunger in his eyes to reach out and connect with his children. Octavia’s heart didn’t choose sides. She hurt for all of them.
She was glad she had been proactive in researching agencies to help fathers who were behind on their child support payments, especially after Landon told her about Kim’s threat to have him jailed for lack of financial obligations when they were in Boston.
In addition to working like crazy to save up money to send back to his children and pay for another plane fare to visit them, Landon was participating in the St. Louis Chapter of the National Fatherhood Initiative.
The love he professed in Boston seemed to be on hold in St. Louis. Every minute of their time seemed limited. Octavia had begun a routine of sharing lunch with Landon at Rossi’s office. Today, they were crowded in his work space, eating Arby’s fish sandwiches, which was his treat.
“I can’t wait until I finish this two-month Fathers and Families program; then the agency will pick up my back child support payments that totals thousands of dollars. It will give me a second chance to pay from my heart and not because of obligation.
“Not to mention jail. Kim could’ve made good on her threat to have you arrested.”
Landon sighed. “Yes, and then I would have a felony on my record.”
He reached for her hand and caressed her fingers. His lips parted, and Octavia waited for something to come out. She didn’t notice when he sucked air into his lungs, but his sigh was audible as he shook his head. “Thank you, baby,” he said with such tenderness she could see why any woman was drawn to him. “God really blessed me when He sent you into my life.”
“And don’t you forget it,” she teased to mask the fluttering of her heart from hearing the endearment, but Octavia remained cautious. Did they have a future, especially with his recommitted bond with his children?
They hadn’t kissed yet, and if and when they did, Octavia didn’t want to experience it in the confines of a closet of an office. She busied herself with gathering their discarded trash and stood. “I’d better head out. I have an appointment with a widow I met at a luncheon who wants to sell her home in historic Webster Groves. When we chatted, I had no idea she would be in the market.”
Landon got to his feet. “I’ve been praying for you.”
Those words were like saying he loved her. For her, that was the language of love. She stared into his eyes. “Can I ask what you’ve been praying for me about?”
“For you to reach that Million Dollar Club level; I hope God gives you the desires of your heart, because you’re the most giving woman I’ve ever met outside of my mother and grandmother.”
“Now you’re going to make me cry,” she said, looking away.
“If you cry, I’ll wrap you in my arms and kiss you like I love you.” Landon didn’t blink.
Don’t tempt me! Octavia sniffed and backed out of his office. It won’t be here. “Bye.” As she walked away, Landon whistled. She whirled around. He leaned against the door post, folding his arms and grinning like a boy with a new toy. She always thought a man whistling at a woman was insulting. Landon made her feel attractive and…giddy. She playfully stuck out her tongue and hurried to the bank of the elevators.
By late afternoon, Mrs. Kerr signed the contract, making Octavia her listing agent for her historic home. Silently she praised God and thanked Landon for his prayer. The next step was requesting an appraisal on the thirty-five-hundred-plus square foot, renovated two-story, five-bedroom house. Judging from the property value of the neighborhood and what comparable homes sold for, Mrs. Kerr’s asking price could be in the upper four-hundred thousand, if not five-hundred thousand.
As soon as Octavia got into her car, she texted Landon the good news before driving off. Thank you for the prayers. I got it. I’m heading to the office to do the paperwork!
Octavia almost floated into the office less than a half hour later. Once her colleagues heard the news, it was pure jubilation in the office. Terri lifted her hand for a high five.
“You’ve been on fire since you returned from Boston. See, the right connections can make all the difference. Congrats, sis.” Terri paused when Octavia’s phone rang. “We’ll talk later,” she mouthed as Octavia answered the call.
She had barely said hello when someone entered the office lobby and slammed the door. Glancing over her shoulder at the offender, Octavia was surprised to see James. Evidently, he had come to visit with Terri, who was across the room, since Octavia had called it quits more than a month ago. She turned her attention back to her caller, but James stopped at her desk. Ignoring his presence, Octavia patiently answered the potential client’s inquiry.
“Yes, I do remember you from the seminar a few months ago…Your loan approved for what amount?”
“One hundred and ninety thousand dollars,” Mrs. Scales said.
“What area were you thinking about living?”
“My husband and I think Bridgeton and Maryland Heights are centrally located.”
“Good choices.” Octavia made notes, wanting to engage the buyer in small talk, but Mrs. Scales left her contact number and ended the call. With James’s figure looming over her desk, Octavia had no choice but to acknowledge him. “Hello. Can I interest you in some new property listings?”
“I can’t believe you,” he managed through gritted teeth as he continued to tower over her desk, since she didn’t offer him a chair.
She’d had a thing about people talking down to her ever since she was in the first grade. Her teacher, Mrs. Elsberry, stood over her, making sure the entire class knew she had an accident before she could make it to the bathroom. How was she to control a stomach virus? Octavia got to her feet, almost reaching his chin in her stilettos. She tapped her manicured nails on the desk, waiting him out.
Maybe she shouldn’t have baited him, but James had made two mistakes, showing up at her workplace with an attitude, then bringing that attitude for a show in front of the other agents.
“Women are always talking about how they can’t find a good man, and you had one.” He thumped his chest. “But no, instead you go after a bad boy.”
She squinted. What is he ranting about? Octavia counted to ten to nick whatever camp fire he was trying to start with two sticks. “Excuse me.”
This is a test, God whispered. Satan wants you to fail and mock Me. I can keep you from falling.
“I invited you to a weekend getaway to Jamaica with the works.” James fanned his arm in the air. “You turned me down like that.” He snapped his fingers. “I had time to think about what I could have said wrong. I stopped by the office to apologize that I had been out of line not to respect your choices only to find out you had skipped town with some lowlife—”
“Watch it. Stop right there.” She held up her hand as she rolled her neck. “Your tailored suit can’t dress up your lowlife mentality. If you’re referring to the company I prefer to keep, then it looks like you’re going to owe me another apology. Landon has been where you are—past tense. He buried his pride like you should that green suit. His best quality is he has firsthand experience about God’s goodness and—”
“And I know how to talk to a lady,” Landon’s terse voice made heads turned. Where James had made a grand entrance, Landon had quietly walked in. “If you’ve got a problem with me, step outside. I want to hear it.”
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Octavia began to silently pray as she walked up to Landon. “Don’t do this,” she whispered, nudging him toward the door. She turned back and shot James an evil eye, then in one blink, softened her look toward Landon. With little resistance, Landon obliged, but once outside, Landon paced the perimeter around her car and looked at the entrance as if silently daring James to take him up on his offer.
Every stride toward his restoration with God would be tainted if Landon took the first swing. Octavia had let James taunt her, now Landon was falling prey to the enemy. Lord, help us not to make You ashamed. In Jesus’ name, please keep us from falling in the devil’s snare, Octavia prayed, hoping James wouldn’t make an appearance until Landon calmed down.
Blocking Landon’s path, she reached for his hand to hold him still. “Hey, hey,” she said softly. “I like surprises.” She smiled.
“I don’t.” Landon scowled and looked at the door again.
“I’m not talking about James, but you. Please don’t let the devil steal your joy. You have nothing to prove. You’ve done that with God. I made the choice to go with you.” James didn’t need her, but Landon did.
He grunted and eyed the door again. “The moment I heard a bellowing voice and saw who it was directed at, I made a choice that nobody was going to talk to you like that. Yes, I’m serious about my salvation this time, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit back and let the devil be the life of the party.”
“And what were you going to do, beat James with your fists? He’s an attorney—think lawsuit. He could have you charged with assault and battery,” she said, trying to reason with him, rubbing his arms. She could feel the tightness in his biceps.
“Would you prefer I use my pocket Bible to beat him down?” Landon didn’t flinch.
At that moment, James strolled out of the building. Terri was behind him, and some of her colleagues were gawking out the window. Octavia stood in front of Landon in a weak attempt to hold him back as he and James engaged in a stare-down duel.
“I’m done here,” James spat. “I don’t have to fight over a woman, especially not one whose standards are lower than mine.”
Landon made one step forward, and Octavia dug her nails into his arm to hold him back. “Think of your children. Set an example,” she whispered.
He growled before shouting, “Man, you’re out of your league. You don’t know Octavia’s worth. She’s one of those women whose standards are so high that any man would fight for her.”
James said nothing as he slipped behind the wheel of his Benz and sped off. Octavia put both hands on Landon’s face, pulling him away from watching James’s tail lights. Once she felt she had his attention, Octavia smiled. “Thank you for saying that.”
“I meant that because it seems as if I’ve been fighting to have you before we even met.”
Instead of her heart fluttering, it did somersaults. “You’re trying to make me cry again?”
Completely relaxed, Landon smirked. “Go ahead.” He taunted her with a nod. “I’ve got a remedy for that.”
Giggling, she glanced over her shoulder as Terri shook her head before stepping back inside. She turned back and softly scolded him. “Humph. I can handle myself. I’ve got God’s protection.”
“Hmm.” He twisted his mouth and stared at her with so much intensity that she shivered. “He sent me.”
She wanted to melt in his arms, but she restrained herself. “Really? God sent you in Minister Rossi’s car?” She attempted to joke, but Landon didn’t seem to share in her humor.
“When you texted me, I wanted to say congratulations in person, and I was willing to ride on the Metrolink, then transfer on the bus to tell you. Rossi had pity on me and let me use the company car. I have no candy, flowers or—”
“You’re the best gift.” She stood on her toes and puckered her lips. They weren’t in a closet, but she felt he needed to be rewarded for good behavior. He delivered the softest peck that made her want more.
The brief encounter seemed to leave both of them dazed. “I’d better go. I have to work tonight. Congratulations, baby.”
Octavia noted his swagger as walked back to Rossi’s car. If Landon Thomas had no class, then no class was the new black.
***
As soon as Landon was out of Octavia’s sight, he pounded the steering wheel in frustration. Fighting over a woman was beneath him, but so was begging for spare change when his residence was any available park bench. “Jesus, please forgive me for almost stumbling,” he mumbled.
Once his repentance was out of the way, Landon did an instant replay of the scene. His reaction to the other man surprised even him. In his old world, women had fought over him to his amusement, but he had never felt that territorial. He couldn’t claim Octavia with nothing to offer—no car, no home, no steady employment to woo her, but she was the exception to the rule. He would beat down man or beast that tried to disrespect her.
But you have her heart, God whispered, reminding him that she chose him over the other dude.
Yes, she made it seem as if it didn’t matter and that’s what caused him to love her more. That thought kept him grinning until he pulled into the business park where Rossi’s company was located. He dropped the keys off at the receptionist’s desk and strolled back to his office. With the incident forgotten, it was back to business as usual. He had one remaining project he had to review for a local chain of cafes before sending it to the lead executive on the campaign.
At the end of business day, he and Rossi walked together to the elevator. “So was Octavia surprised by your visit?”
“Yep. Me, too.” Landon didn’t go into any details. “Thanks for letting me use the car.”
Rossi nodded as they stepped inside and pushed the button. When the doors opened, Landon declined Rossi’s offer for a ride to Walgreens for his evening shift. The brother had done so much for him; Landon could never repay him.
In the lobby, they usually parted ways: Rossi veering left to the employee parking lot, Landon going toward the front entrance to the bus stop less than a block away, but this day, Rossi fell in step with him. “Do you have a plan?”
“What do you mean?” Landon kept walking. He had seven minutes until his bus arrived. The trek would take him four, but Landon didn’t want to lose track of time if the driver was ahead of schedule. Either they would have to pick up the conversation the next day or Rossi would follow him to the bus stop.
Rossi seemed to do the latter. “I know that trip to Boston was a turning point in your life. Have you decided how Octavia fits into your plans?”
Landon rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t have an easy answer for how to give the children and Octavia equal time. Right now, everything I’m doing is to re-introduce myself to the children as their father. I’m working to pay child support again, to return to Boston to see them…”
“Bro,” Rossi looked down the street, “Here comes your bus. Someone has to be a priority. Even in a marriage, the wife has precedence over the children. I’m not saying you want to marry Octavia or she’ll marry you, but either way, make a decision and follow your heart.” He pivoted on his heel and strolled back in the direction of the building as Landon boarded the bus.
Rossi didn’t even have a wife, so what did he know about a woman being a priority? He nodded at an elderly gentleman before snagging the seat next to him. As the bus turned to exit on the Poplar Street Bridge into downtown St. Louis, Landon thought about family again. Landon’s reconciliation was in the works in regards to his children, but there still was another wronged party. He had put off contacting Garrett. His cousin called Landon’s apologies “disingenuous,” and Garrett had been right. Landon had been going through the motions, not taking full responsibility that he had lured Brittani away from her fiancé, preferring to spin the story that Brittani had seduced him.
That night, on his dinner break, Landon would make the call. Garrett no longer lived in Boston, but had relocated to Philly soon after Landon and Brittani’s secret was out.
Forty minutes later, Landon stepped off the bus. Walgreen’s parking lot was packed, and when he cleared the doors, cashiers manned two registers trying to shorten the long line. He hurried to the back and clocked in. Slipping on his smock, which had his name badge pinned to it, he checked his appearance, then walked out front.
With a new cash drawer in his arms, Landon relieved the weary-looking pregnant woman. “I’m glad to see you,” Amanda said and didn’t stick around to chitchat.
Customer traffic was non-stop for hours before Landon could take his dinner break. His mother had gotten Garrett’s number from his aunt, so it was now or never he decided as he popped in a TV dinner and punched in Garrett’s number. His heart pounded, when who he assumed was Garrett’s wife, Shari, answered.
“Hello?”
Clearing his throat, he asked to speak to Garrett. Of course, she asked who was calling, and of course, there was a pause when he told her. Although Shari muffled the phone, Landon could hear Garrett in the background refusing his call. Really, what did he expect—open arms as their grandfather had given him? Evidently, Shari won the tug of war and Garrett got on the phone.
“Yes.” His cousin made it clear he didn’t want to talk to him.
Landon didn’t go for the “hey cuz” greeting. He had lost that privilege. “I’m sorry.” Garrett was quiet, so he continued, “I was home over the weekend.”
“So I heard. I’m glad my family and I don’t live there anymore.”
“I repented, Garrett—really repented. God accepted my forgiveness and chased the devil out of my temple and filled me with His Spirit. I cried and spoke in tongues so long, I was hoarse. As God gives me strength, I’m going to try and be a better son, grandson, brother, father and cousin, if you’ll let me.”
Unless his family told Garrett about his homelessness, Landon wasn’t about to use that as a trump card to garner sympathy. “Anyway, thank you for taking my call—or rather thank Shari. If our paths ever cross in the future, please remember that I’ve changed.”
There was silence, so Landon waited. He had eloquently apologized to the family in the past. This time, he didn’t have a prepared speech.
“I’ll remember. Take care, cuz.” The call was done, but the endearment was remembered.
Landon blinked away moisture from his eyes. Garrett hadn’t called him cuz in a long time.