Courageous: A Novel

  “Did you talk to your mom about us?”

  Jade nodded. “She’s sort of open to us spending a little time together.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Well, she knows you’re a good student.”

  “That’s cool,” Derrick said.

  “She still thinks you were rude when you dropped by our house.”

  “Your dad was rude. I was just mindin’ my own business.”

  “You know how he feels.”

  “Well, girl, you need to decide how you feel. I like you, Jade. But I can’t just wait around for you a couple of years until your daddy lets his little girl out of the nursery.”

  “We can talk here at school. And we can still text.”

  “Does your dad know we’re havin’ lunch and textin’?”

  “No. I guess he doesn’t have to know. I mean we’re not datin’ or anything.”

  “But I want to be datin’ you.”

  “Yeah, but . . .”

  “Then let’s do it, Jade. Tell your parents you’re spendin’ the night at Lisa’s Friday. I’ll pick you up from her house.”

  “But . . . I don’t want to lie to them.”

  “What’s the big deal? There’s nothin’ wrong with us having a good time together, right? They don’t own ya, girl.”

  “No. But . . .”

  “You need to decide. I been holdin’ out for you. You can’t expect me to sit on my hands and not have a girl for another year. I’m movin’ up in the world. I’d like you to move up with me. Don’t you want that?”

  “Yeah, I do. But . . .”

  “You keep sayin’ but, girl. Your daddy’s got a problem. Don’t let his problem be your problem. I’m livin’ my own life now, makin’ my own choices. You need to live your own life too.”

  “You keep sayin’ but, girl. Your daddy’s got a problem. Don’t let his problem be your problem. I’m livin’ my own life now, makin’ my own choices. You need to live your own life too.”

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  “Fried green tomatoes?” Adam asked as he sat at Aunt Bea’s, joining Nathan, Javy, and David.

  “Kayla’s got me back on them,” Nathan said. “I’ve been thinking. Here we are—a black man and a brown man and two extremely white men—sharing this table as brothers. That is exactly what Martin Luther King dreamed about.”

  “An Albany diner?” David asked.

  Nathan smiled. “In one of the greatest speeches ever made—Washington, DC, 1963—King said, ‘I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.’ Well, I’m a descendant of slaves. You two both grew up in the South, so you’re likely descendants of slave owners.”

  “Really?” David had never thought of that. Of course, he could never know who he descended from on his father’s side.

  “My mother’s great-grandmother was a slave,” Nathan continued. “Paul says in Ephesians 2 that Christ has broken down the barriers that divide the races. If Jews and Gentiles can be one, then blacks and whites and Hispanics and Asians can be one. The Flint River divides Albany, but it doesn’t have to divide the people of Albany. You know, Adam, William Barrett told me that your church was the first one to help his when the last flood hit. And they’ve never forgotten that.”

  Adam nodded. “It was just a few years ago I heard that Martin Luther King was arrested in Albany, then run out of town. The police carried out their orders. I’d like to think I would have refused on the basis of principle. But given the times, I doubt I would have. That bothers me.”

  They talked awhile longer. Thanks to the jukebox, they had to raise their voices over the Beach Boys, Herman’s Hermits, and Three Dog Night. Eventually the conversation turned to the Resolution.

  Nathan asked, “It’s just plain hard work, isn’t it?”

  “You’re telling me,” Adam said. Each man nodded and laughed, relieved to get it out in the open.

  “It’s tough,” David offered. “But I like the challenge. It’s kind of like football. Sometimes I find myself thinking like I used to, and I have to remind myself I’m a new person now. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that.”

  “And without God’s strength, we won’t make it,” Adam said. “Our own resolve isn’t enough. Shane signed the Resolution just like we did. It humbles me to realize that on my own, I’m no better than Shane. I could go down, maybe in some other way than he did, but I could definitely go down.”

  “We all could,” Javy agreed.

  Nathan nodded. “I heard Shane say that Rome is falling and the barbarians are winning.”

  “He said that often. But I’ve heard the Romans’ own moral corruption took them down. If they hadn’t let themselves become morally weak, they wouldn’t have been defeated by the barbarians. And if we’re not careful, we could self-destruct too.”

  Nathan folded his hands on the table. “We can’t surrender to the culture. We’ve minimized the role of fathers, so we’ve created a generation of barbarians—children who become men without growing up. They stay in boyhood through their twenties and thirties, sometimes their whole lives. They think of themselves first, indulge in pornography, do what they feel like, and leave their wives and culture and churches to raise their children.”

  Adam said, “Unless we stand up and win back some turf, guys, we’ll lose this war. Maybe we can’t turn around the whole culture—we can take hold of our own lives and families. But we need each other’s support to press on.”

  Nathan said, “You know, four of us have talked about our fathers. But, Javy, we haven’t heard much about your father.”

  Javy hesitated. “I feel nervous saying this . . . My dad was a great father.”

  “Why are you nervous?”

  “Perhaps because you have all said your fathers were not there or that they frustrated you. And I am the only one at this table not carrying a weapon.”

  They laughed.

  “My father was not perfect. But he loved me and Jose and Charro.”

  “The Snake Kings?” Adam asked.

  Javy laughed. “We were the toughest brothers in northern Mexico, so we thought. Our father was kind and fair. He disciplined us, but only when we deserved it. He would tolerate no disrespect for our mother. He showed us what it meant to love a woman. If I am any good as a husband or father, it is because of my papá.”

  The table was quiet. Each man hoped that one day his children would say the same of him.

  “Did your father listen to you?” David asked.

  “Always. And he asked me questions to find out my dreams and plans. He never discouraged me. When I told him I wanted to come to America and work to send home money to help the family, he told me I was an honorable son.”

  David had trouble imagining what such a relationship would look like.

  “When did he find all that time to talk with you?”

  “He worked alongside us. When you work together, you talk together.”

  Adam nodded. “Like you and I did, working on my shed.”

  “Yes. He showed me how to work with my hands. And to take pride in what I did. It wasn’t just about money. You did your best for your family and for others.”

  “I can vouch for how well he taught you to work,” Adam said.

  “Thank you.” Javy lowered his head. “We had fun together too. He took us fishing. And always he took us to church. Some of my friends, their mothers were godly, but their fathers didn’t go to church. And those friends are not followers of Jesus today.”

  Nathan nodded. “I read that if boys grow up with mothers who attend church and fathers who don’t, a huge percentage stop going. But when the father goes to church, even if the mother doesn’t, the great majority of boys attend church as adults.”

  Javy hesitated a moment, then spoke again. “One day my father came home discouraged. He drank too much and got angry. He didn’t hit any of us, but he yelled at our mother an
d us. Charro cried. So did my mother.

  “The next day my father sat us down and got on his knees and wept before us. He told us he had begged forgiveness of our mother and she kindly forgave him. And now he asked our forgiveness. He wanted to hear it from each of us. Never once did he bring alcohol into the house again. He knew it was a problem for him and didn’t want to take a chance.”

  There was a long pause. Nathan said, “God can even use our failures for good.”

  Javy said, “I have heard people here in Georgia talk about growing up dirt-poor. I am not sure they know what that means. But my father does. To this day his life is not easy. But it has helped the last month that I have been able to send most of my check down to my parents.”

  “Most of your check?” Adam said. “That must have been quite a raise.”

  “It was. We have more for ourselves now, but I will not have more unless my mother and father have more.”

  “‘Honor your father and your mother,’” Nathan said. The Scripture required no explanation. Javy was its commentary.

  David volunteered to take Javy back to work. Nathan had to get to the station, so Adam took him. David and Javy talked as they rode and continued their discussion outside the Coats & Clark factory.

  “When you told us about your dad drinking that night, it really hit home. The alcohol thing, I mean.”

  “You’re brave to admit you have a problem, David.”

  “I thought it would just go away when I became a Christian. It’s better, but . . . some nights it’s still difficult.”

  “Some things remain temptations as long as we keep them near. In his moments of strength, my father removed from the house what would have ruined him in his moments of weakness.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “I know some churches have group meetings for this. Talk with one of your pastors. They will know how to help you.”

  “Thanks, Javy.”

  Javy extended his hand to David. “I hope one day I can introduce you to my father.”

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Kayla sat on the couch reading a piece of paper.

  Nathan sat in a chair opposite her. “What do you think?” he asked.

  “I know she’s fifteen, but do you think it’s time for this?”

  “Kayla, one thing I believe is that we’ve got to have our children’s hearts. Adam’s winning Dylan’s heart back. I’ve got to go after Jade’s. If her dad doesn’t have her heart, it’s an open invitation to a string of boys to try to take it.”

  “I just want to make sure a fifteen-year-old will take care of it.”

  “And that her little brother won’t put it down the garbage disposal.”

  Kayla winced. “You had to put that picture in my mind, didn’t you?”

  “Jade’s becoming a young woman. I believe she’ll take care of it. Besides, the biggest thing isn’t the symbol itself. It’s what it symbolizes. And that’s something even Jordan can’t heist.”

  Kayla nodded. “Okay. I’m in agreement.”

  “I’ll go invite her now.”

  “I did tell her she could spend the night at Lisa’s Friday.”

  “How well do we know Lisa?”

  “Jade says she’s a good girl.”

  “Is Jade the best judge of that?”

  Kayla frowned. “We have to trust our daughter. Otherwise she’ll rebel.”

  “Well, I’d prefer Friday, but if not, we’ll do it Thursday.”

  “Why not Saturday?”

  “Because . . . I don’t know. I just don’t want to postpone it.”

  Jade was texting in her room when she heard a knock on her door. “Go away, Jordan.”

  “It’s your father.”

  Jade came to the door, cell in her hand. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, I just want to ask you about something.”

  Her phone beeped. Text message from Derrick.

  “Jade, would you please turn off your phone for a few minutes while we talk?”

  “It’s okay; I won’t look.”

  “No, I’d rather it was off.” He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, raised it in the air, and pressed the Off button. “Join me?”

  Jade reluctantly complied.

  “May I sit down?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Jade, I want to invite you out on a date with me Friday night.”

  “But . . . what do you mean, a date?”

  “Dinner at a really nice place. Just you and me.”

  “But Mom already said I could spend the night at Lisa’s Friday.”

  “I know; maybe that could be Saturday night instead. Then Lisa could go with you to church Sunday morning.”

  “Why couldn’t you take me Saturday?”

  “I already made reservations for Friday night.”

  Jade thought about it. “Dad, I really need to be at Lisa’s Friday night. A commitment is a commitment.”

  Nathan nodded. “Okay, I’ll respect that. Would you go with me to dinner on Thursday?”

  “Okay.”

  “Thank you.”

  Nathan walked out of the room, looked back at her and smiled, then closed the door.

  Jade exhaled. Friday’s plans were still together. Not that Lisa would have minded since her plan was to go out with her boyfriend Damon while Derrick took Jade to dinner, the mall, and a late movie. Jade dreaded the thought of telling Derrick he couldn’t pick her up at Lisa’s Friday afternoon because she was going to dinner with her dad. He would have been really mad.

  Victoria looked at Adam. “You took Maggie to the vet?”

  “She wasn’t feeling well.”

  “I had the flu a week ago and you didn’t take me to the doctor.”

  “You didn’t look at me with soulful eyes or I would have.”

  “And you made her waffles?”

  “Comfort food. She appreciated the butter too.”

  “I smell bacon.”

  “You can’t have waffles without bacon.”

  “You put waffles and bacon in her dog dish?”

  “Not exactly. I . . . hand-fed her.”

  “You hand—”

  “She wasn’t feeling well!”

  “She seems fine now.”

  “Did it occur to you that maybe she’s fine now precisely because I took good care of her? Okay, I’ll make you waffles and bacon Saturday.”

  “And hand-feed me? You’re on.”

  They laughed; then Victoria asked, “So when will you get a new partner?”

  “I hope it won’t be soon.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m afraid who it’ll be. They replaced Jeff, so Riley Cooper’s covered. Now who’s the only cop on my shift, besides me, who’s missing a partner?”

  “Bronson? But he’s a sergeant.”

  “Top brass think they need to get Bronson a partner who will keep him under control.”

  “Could you do that?”

  “Iron Man couldn’t keep Bronson under control. I’m telling you, Victoria, the man . . . he just . . .”

  “What?”

  “He scares me. There are things he needs to hear but . . . I’m afraid to tell him. That’s not easy for me to admit.”

  “It takes courage to admit fear.” She leaned toward him. “But you said Bronson rescued Diane Koos, right? And they’re on good terms?”

  “To the point of sharing sweet nothings together at Pearly’s and being on a first-name basis with each other’s dogs. But that doesn’t change Bronson’s record. Koos is only an adviser. The sheriff’s senior staff will make the call whether he gets a partner.”

  “They wouldn’t put a sergeant and a corporal together, right?”

  “Stranger things have happened. Though I can’t think of anything stranger than having Bronson as a partner.”

  “Who knows? Maybe that’s God’s plan.”

  Adam’s face deflated. “Thanks. Just what I didn’t want to hear.”

  Late at night, after he tucked Isa
bel and Marcos in, Javy said to Carmen, “I need to write a letter to my papá.”

  “Por qué no escribes a tu madre?”

  “Mamá hears from me often. I ask her to greet Papá for me. But this time I want to write directly to him.”

  “That will mean a lot to him. Good night, mi amor. I’m going to bed.”

  Javy sat down at the kitchen table and took out a writing tablet and pen. Javy scrawled, feeling the pleasure of writing in his mother tongue.

  Dear Papá,

  I meet often with the amigos I have mentioned to you and Mamá: Adam and Nathan and David are honorable men. As I told Mamá, they are deputies. Please explain to her that no, I did not meet them by being arrested. Rather, I met them through something miraculous that God did. God’s ways are amazing!

  We have talked about our papás. I was surprised to learn that none of them have a relationship with theirs that has brought great happiness.

  But I was very proud to tell my friends about mi papá.

  You taught me the importance of working hard and taking pride in my work. You taught me to honor Mamá and love my brothers. Above all, you taught me and Charro and Jose to love God.

  I know, Papá, you will tell me that you were just doing your job. And while I would say the same thing, the fact is that if not for your example and your words, I could not say it.

  Mi Dios has blessed me far more than I deserve. Just when I think that Carmen could not be a better esposa, she continues to amaze me. Isabel is beautiful. The photos Carmen has sent you do not begin to do her justice.

  Marcos is a boy who wants to conquer the world! I think he may give me as much difficulty as I gave you. If I can be half the padre you were to me, Papá, then my son will be privileged.

  I told you about my job and the promotion and raise. I am honored to share with you and Mamá from the dinero I am paid. I know you use some of it to help your neighbors and the church. I am glad for that. Please buy yourself a new fishing pole.

  Mr. Tyson has told me that as long as his factory is open, he will have a place for me. So after many years of dreaming of this, I have something I wish to propose. I want to send dinero for you and Mamá to take a bus to Guadalajara. I will buy the tickets to fly you to Atlanta, Georgia, where I will pick you up at the aeropuerto.