Page 30 of Resisting Temptation (Men of Honor 3)
My dad’s expression turns somber once again. “Everything will work out, Faith, you’ll see. Sometimes God knows what’s right for us before we do. In the meantime, focus on your goals and dreams for what we have in store here. The rest will fall into place, and like I always say… have faith.” Giving my hand one more squeeze, he kisses my cheek then picks up his box and heads to do whatever it was he was doing when I arrived.
I decide to sit for a little longer, and when my gaze moves to the beautiful, pearl white statue of Jesus I begin to pray. I pray to God for strength, for guidance and most of all, I pray for all of us to heal.
Suddenly, the sound of a throat being cleared breaks my attention, and I turn to find Christopher standing behind me. I quickly wipe away any remainder tears, and his usual brooding expression turns a little softer when he notices I’ve been crying.
“Uh, sorry,” he apologizes quietly. “You didn’t hear me come in. I just need to know where you want me.”
I stand up and force a smile on my face. “It’s no problem. Let me find out what my dad needs done.”
As soon as the reply leaves my mouth, my dad walks back in. “Oh, hi, Christopher.” Christopher barely acknowledges his greeting, but my dad pretends he doesn’t notice. He isn’t one who is easily offended.
“What would you like Christopher and me to do?”
Christopher stiffens, probably hoping it won’t be something we will both do together, since he usually avoids me like the plague. Thankfully though, my dad knows I’ve been trying to get to know him.
“Well, the entrance is ready to be painted, if you guys could start on that so I can keep working in my office that would be great.”
“Sure,” I agree easily. Christopher is less than enthused with the idea, but he follows anyway and we quickly get everything set up.
I bring in the old church stereo so we can listen to music while we work. I’m just about to ask him what station he listens to when he says, “Look, you don’t have to help me do this. I can manage on my own, and get a good portion done before I have to leave.”
“Oh that’s okay,” I reply, acting as if he only said it to be nice, rather than trying to get rid of me. “I’ve had a really crappy day so I’d like to work, to keep my mind off things.”
He grunts. “Yeah, I’ll just bet you know how crappy life can be.”
I try not to let that remark sting, knowing he has no idea, but before I can stop it a small bitter laugh escapes. “Oh, Christopher, you have no idea.” I feel the weight of his stare, but I don’t look over or elaborate. Instead, I turn on the radio and put it to a station I think he might listen to. Since he isn’t in any kind of mood to talk, I stay silent and paint. When Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” comes on a few minutes later, I begin to sing.
I turn to pour more paint in my tray and see Christopher watching me in utter disbelief. “A church chick like you knows Coldplay?” he asks doubtfully.
I ignore his church girl comment. “Of course. I know all genres of music. I am seriously the queen of music,” I brag proudly. He grunts, not believing me. “It’s true. Name any band and I’ll tell you everything about them.”
After watching me for another moment he decides to give in and play along. “Okay, fine. Metallica.”
“Metallica is a heavy metal band that was formed in 1981, with members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo. ‘The Unforgiven’ is my favorite song of theirs. The band has won nine Grammy Awards and has had five consecutive albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200.” I pause and smile smugly at his shocked face. “Shall I keep going or do you have another for me?”
He glares at me challengingly, while he tries to think of one that I won’t know. Oh, he really has no idea who he is challenging… “Guns N’ Roses.”
“Hmmm,” I muse and tap my lip with my finger as I pretend to think about it. He smiles when he thinks he has stumped me.
Taking a deep breath I recite, “Guns N’ Roses is a hard rock band that was formed in 1985. Its members consisted of Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff Mckagan and Steven Adler. Today though, Axl Rose is its only remaining original member. My favorite song of theirs is ‘Paradise City’. They are one of the world’s best selling bands of all-time, selling over 100 million copies worldwide.” I pause and smile again, “Next.”
He gapes at me with his mouth hanging open. “Holy shit. How does someone like you know that? You’re like a walking, talking, breathing music dictionary.”
My smile vanishes and I shake my finger at him. “First off, watch your mouth when you’re in here. It’s disrespectful.” He rolls his eyes, but nods.
“Secondly, I told you, I know all music. I have loved music since I was a little girl, and I love all genres, though my favorite is country and oldies. Like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley or the Beatles.” He quirks a brow at me. “Hey, no dissing Johnny, Elvis and Lennon or you and me are going to have some major problems.” He grunts, not fearing me in the least.
“Have you ever listened to any of their songs?” His ‘you have got to be kidding me’ look says it all. “Well then, you can’t judge. I tell you what; I will bring in my iPod and let you take it home. I want you to listen to my favorite songs for one night and give them a chance. If you don’t like them, then okay. But I have a feeling, Christopher, you know good music when you hear it.”
