Page 98 of Resisting Temptation (Men of Honor 3)
“I’ve heard of her but I know nothing about her except she was like a nun or something.”
“Mmm yeah, but she was more than that. She was a woman who dedicated her life to helping the sick and feeding the poor. She spent her entire life trying to make the world a better place. Anyway, not everyone thought her intentions were good, and when I was younger, my grandmother read me this script by her and it goes like this:
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
“That always stuck with me because it made sense. After Iraq happened, and yes, you are right it was horrible, it was my faith in God and the support of my family that helped me begin to heal. Every morning I would begin my day by saying that quote. When I moved here it was for a fresh start, not just for me but for my entire family. I’d hoped that starting over somewhere new would help me lay to rest the remainder of my pain.”
“Did it work?”
I smile, “Yes, I have finally healed but not because I started over somewhere fresh.” He looks at me perplexed. “It’s because of the people I found here. It’s because I found Cade again, and because of you and Ruthie. All three of you have healed my soul more than anything or anyone ever could have. Which is why I ask you not to leave me, because I need you, Christopher, just as much as you need me.”
He looks away, clearly uncomfortable by my admission, but he also gives me a nod and I watch him swallow thickly. “I won’t leave.”
I let out a breath and give his hand a squeeze. “For the record Alissa is heartbroken.”
His gaze snaps to mine again, “What do you mean? Did you talk to her?”
“Yes. I went to her house to talk to her mother.”
“Why?” he asks quietly, staring at me in shock.
“Because I had hoped you were wrong, and if you weren’t wrong I was going to lay into her. Which I did. I even used some pretty harsh words.”
He rolls his eyes and smirks but his expression becomes somber when he asks, “And you saw Alissa?”
“Yeah. She was crying and fighting with her mom. She’s really heartbroken and she told me to tell you how sorry she was that her mother was doing this. She said she likes you a lot.”
He looks away. “Yeah, well now that jerk Ryan is going to get to take her.”
I shake my head, “No. She said if her mother doesn’t let her go with you then she isn’t going at all.” I watch relief flicker in his eyes before he hides it. “Look, the best advice I can give you is this: if you guys like each other that much, and I think you both do, then be patient and wait for her. Don’t give up, Christopher. This is her mother, not her. And I do have faith that this will all work out in the end… No pun intended,” I add with a smile.
“Well let’s hope you’re right.”
“I’m always right.” I giggle when he rolls his eyes again. “In the meantime though, here,” I toss him back his phone, “take this back in case she tries texting or calling you. Now you need to go apologize to Cade for throwing it at him and not answering his phone call.” He looks away guiltily. “You can’t do that again, Christopher. When you are expected to be somewhere you have to let us know if something has happened and you aren’t coming. Cade was worried about you. I know things with your father and Spike have been quiet for weeks, and nothing will probably ever come of it, but Cade is the kind of guy who wants to know you’re always safe and so do I.”
“I know. I’m sorry I shouldn’t have done it and I won’t do it again. I’ll apologize to him.”
I smile. “Good. Come on let’s go eat. Cade and Ruthie ordered pizza.”
He gets up to follow me then grabs my arm before I can leave the room. “Wait, hold up. I, ah…” he stutters nervously. “I’ve been thinking and I decided that if you still want me to sing with you I will.”
I stare at him in shock. “Are you serious?” He nods. “Why, what’s changed your mind?”
“It’s the least I can do after everything you have done for me.”
My excitement deflates, “Oh, Christopher, you don’t owe me anything. I don’t want you to do it just for me. I want you to do it for yourself.”
He shrugs, “Well I’m uncomfortable in front of people, especially since my father made sure I knew what a pussy I was for wanting to play music. It’s something I want to get back, but I’m not singing any churchy stuff. Sorry, I mean no disrespect, but that just isn’t my genre.”
I smile, “That never even crossed my mind. I actually have the perfect song picked and I do think you will like it, especially when we make it our own.”
He nods, “Okay then.”
I return the gesture with a smile, “Okay.”
He slings his arm around my shoulder as we walk out of the room, causing me to falter in surprise, but I quickly recover not wanting him to get uncomfortable and remove it. We walk into the living room to see Cade and Ruthie on the couch, eating pizza. I bite back a smile when Cade glares at me, his heated gaze promising retribution. I am very excited for whatever punishment he has in store. I love getting him worked up…
