Chapter Thirty-five
The Tuesday before Kendra’s court appearance, Gracie spent time with Kendra, Dillian, and Marcus. The four had brunch and discussed Dillion’s upcoming, news conference.
“Sean and Michelle? How’d that happen?” Kendra questioned. When Gracie told Dillian and Kendra about Michelle representing Sean, Kendra couldn’t believe it.
Gracie shrugged her shoulders. “Who knows? Michelle is capable of a lot, I’ve learned. Marcus and I pretty much figured it was Michelle to begin with. She gave him the information so that he would start questioning me himself.”
“I knew something was fishy with that little Miss Prissy,” Kendra said with her nose in the air.
“Yep,” Gracie agreed. “You were right.”
“Don’t worry about it, Kendra,” Marcus said as he patted her hand. “No matter what happens in the courtroom, we’ll all be in there to back you up.” “Yes, we surely will,” Dillian chimed in. “I’m ready.
Last week, I sent memos to my clients letting them know about my status. All but two remained under my training. One of my clients even came forward and told me that he was HIV positive as well. His story gives me hope.”
“Well, I don’t know how much hope I have,” Kendra said, “but I am very thankful that you can be as strong as you are.” Kendra looked directly at Gracie and gave her a small smile. “I’ve always known you were strong. You’re the best. Though I have failed you as a friend, your forgiveness and support shows the kind of person I’ve always known you were. Most people wouldn’t, well, couldn’t do it. I thank you, Gracie.”
“Gracie, I thank you too,” Dillian said. “I let you down and I’m paying the ultimate price for it. I’m still wrestling with what I have done, of course. Lord knows if it weren’t for your initial concern, I don’t know if I would be here at this moment. But mostly, if you hadn’t forgiven me, I know I wouldn’t have found strength so early in my battle.”
Dillian patted Marcus on the back and added, “Marcus, you’re a lucky man. You two belong together.”
Marcus reached for Gracie’s hand and smiled.
“It’s all about Gracie,” he said. “I just want to see her happy. She’s worth a million, you know? She’s a good woman, and I’ve always known that.”
“Oh you have?” Gracie asked through tears.
“Yes. I have.”
“Well. Thank you, Kendra. Dillian, just so that you know, it’s a journey. You guys have hurt me deeply. Real deep. My life has changed dramatically because of you. Thankfully, God has and is helping me through this trial.
“Praying to God helped me forgive you two. And honestly, I knew that one day I would forgive you, but I thought it would be years from now. Then He spoke to me and told me now was the time to forgive. Not because you two are sick, but because I know not the day of my own departure. I had to forgive for my own sake.” Dabbing her eyes, Gracie continued.
“Honestly, after this ordeal, I don’t know what can become of this, but just to let you know, I’m letting the Lord lead me. That doesn’t mean I won’t have love for the two of you, but I do believe this was a season I had to go through. If God says otherwise, you’ll be the first two to know.”
They all joined in a group, roundtable hug.