Chapter Five

David's other job, and flashing back to Nick's beginning of the end

February 9, 2010

“The speaker had to cancel because of a family emergency,” the man told David over the phone. “There are four lined up to speak total, about fifteen minutes each. Invitations indicate we have four, but with Collins unable to make it, we only have three.”

“And the fundraiser's for Haiti?”

“We had the idea of combining the celebration of Valentine’s Day, enjoy a nice dinner with your friends or your date while you’re reaching out to earthquake victims. The costs for dinner plates go to two nonprofits that are sending doctors to Haitians living in the tent cities.”

“Wow, nice, “ David commented as he sat back in the black leather chair at his desk. Mancuso would be here soon , and then he had three other clients to see. But he had a few minutes to spare on this call. “That is so cool what you’re doing for Haiti.”

“We’d love it if you would speak with us in place of Peter Collins. I checked out your Web site for Finding Faith and read some of your background. Considering that you survived the Indonesian Tsunami, I knew you’d be good candidate to speak about the impact of disaster.”

“I’ll do it, Mr. Conners. You can even take what you were going to pay me and give it to Haiti.”

“Wow…” Conners began chuckling slightly. “Thank you. You have strong faith in God. I love that. Talk to our audience about what you saw after the disaster, and how God ministered to you, how it affected your family - “ David gribbed his arm chair as he listened to Conners speak. “ �" and especially how surviving has inspired you to help others. We want our attendees to see how they too can be motivated to serve, just as you have been.”

“Sure,”

After they hung up David relaxed and drew up his Web site on the Internet. It portrayed a smiling picture of himself dressed in a blue shirt and black tie, his hair combed back, with his hazel eyes sparkling. The background included a serene view of a hillside by the ocean, with a silhouette of a cross on the hilltop. The top banner read; FINDING FAITH: One man’s discovery of a new life after a catastrophe.

He’d have to talk to Leon, the Web site designer, about changing the layout. It struck him as too commercial, too slick.

He took a deep breath and prayed that God would help him reach those at the dinner, only to have the inner voice scream at him for being a hypocrite. Thankfully the phone's ring interrupted the intrusion.

“Jack Mancuso’s here to see you.”

“Great, send him back.”

Jack was a big man with broad shoulders, a wide face, pepper-grey hair and a raspy voice. He chatted often about growing up in the Silicon Valley, working in the IT industry for eighteen years, and his wife and kids. Today, Jack showed pictures of his son’s homecoming football game.

“He’s a senior this year. And he plays lineman,” he flipped to another picture of his son on the field line. The young man stood tall and broad-shouldered, just like his father.

“Mike’s your oldest?”

“Yep. My oldest,” Jack sat down now. “ Jake’s a sophomore. Allison’s in eight grade.” He chuckled. “It’s hard living with three teenagers.”

“I’m sure they they appreciate what you do for them.”

“They do. Sometimes they act like they don't,” he chuckled and switched the subject. “This whole mortgage thing doesn’t make it easier, and work ain’t going well either,” he sighed and sat back in the other leather chair.

“Want some coffee?”

“No thanks. People are scared, David. Our company’s going through an acquisition, so now we’re facing possible layoffs.”

“That’s awful.” David drew up Jack’s financial accounts on the computer.

“They’re making the announcement in a week.”

David printed Jack’s financial statements and handed a copy to Jack. “ “How’s your family holding up with the mortgage issue?”

“Well, Diane knows, but we’ve kept it low-key with the kids,” he paused. “I know I wasn’t that good with the mortgage at the beginning �" I just couldn’t afford it. I mean the interest was so high.”

David nodded, then smiled “Well guess what? You got it.”

Jack sat up. “You serious?” He jumped up. “This is great! This is great!” Some people in the credit union turner their heads as he grabbed David a gave him a huge bear hug.

When he released him David delivered the disclaimer. “Now, you understand, as I’ve explained before, as your lender has noted here - “ he handed Jack a document. “that this is a temporary modification“

Jack nodded enthusiastically and repeted the terms like a diligent schoolboy “Yes, it’s just a temporary mod. I have to make my mortgage payments on time for three months. Tthen the bank will decide whether or not to make it permanent..”

“Exactly.”

“Yes�"yes,” Jack jumped up again and looked at the financial records. “So this begins with this month, then?”

“Yes, this month,” David pointed to the numbers. “Your mortgage is usually due on the 20th of each month �" so your first payment is Feb. 20^th.”

He nodded and pulled David into another bear hug. “This is great! So great! Thank you, man, and thank you fore representing me in this with the lender. Thank you for your prayers.”

“Hey man, any time.”

.”**************************************************************

Feb. 11, 2010

He sat on the couch of the Rollins’ residence acutely aware that Stella would not show as she promised. He felt like an idiot.

“David, I'm so sorry,” Max said. “She is usually here, but not today.” He looked at the clock. “My wife told me how it was the last time. She’s having a hard time. I’ve always wanted the best for Stella, even though I’m not her biological father.”

“You’re her stepfather?” he asked.

“Yes,” Max nodded. “The girls’ real dad took off when they were young, so I try to be the best father I can. This shooting? It was hard for Carla and I, and Rachel. But it’s like the rest of us have moved on and Stella hasn’t, or maybe she’s choosing not to.”

David’s eyes narrowed. “Choosing not to?”

Max nodded. “Stella knows the psychology of trauma. But more than that �" I sometimes sense that if she really allowed herself to talk about what happened, and face it, she would heal. Maybe she's afraid to heal. ”

After another five minutes David stood up, doing his best to hid the anger on his face. “I’ll have to get going. But have her call me when she comes back.”

“Yes, or course.” Max said.

David shook Max’s hand and walked back to his car.

He hit his steering wheel and sighed.

David just looked at his phone, not sure he should try Nick’s number again. Maybe he got it fixed this time. He dialed it.

This time it went through to voicemail.

“Hey Nick, it’s me. Just checkin’ on you. Call me. .”

He put his Blackberry down on the passenger seat. Nick had steadily gotten worse over the years. There were signs that things weren’t right at the end of 2005, when Nick complained of headaches, became irritable, and quit his teaching assistant job. He even tossed away the pictures of himself with the children in Chiapas and threw away his camcorder. He stopped going to church and began missing family meals during the holidays. He dropped out of William Jessup in December. By April, he had dropped out of San Jose State’s credentialing program. It was then that the family realized he was drinking, and it only grew worse over time.

***********

“Nick come with us,” David remembered saying to Nicolas Christmas of 2008. “Janet says Tan and Michael sent floating lanterns. We want to light them for the Remembrance.”

“Don’t want to come,” he told him curtly.

“Please Nick.”

Nick pushed him away. “I said, no.”

“Nick, please,” David lowered his voice.

“I said no!!”

David could smell the vodka on Nick’s breath. He turned and saw Alexandra, his cousin, standing by her brother Carlos. Both of them looked shocked at Nick’s sudden outburst.

Mom, who had been near the buffet table, came over quickly.

“Nicolas, let’s go walk this off, OK.”

“No Mom, I don't want to walk anything off!” Nick hollered. “I want to have fun, it’s the holiday!” More relatives from the living room turned. Dad stood in the corner, shaking his head.

“Nick you need to stop this. This isn’t cute, let’s go walk.” Mom grabbed him by the shoulder.

Nick shoved Mom back so hard she stumbled back. David grabbed her arm to keep her from falling, but they both hit the floor with a thud and heads turned. David quickly jumped up, helping Mom to her feet.

“What the heck’s wrong with you man!” David hissed. “You crazy?!”

People mumbled and Nick peered at everyone.

“What are you looking at!” he yelled. And then he grabbed the ambrosia salad Grandma had made and flung it floor with anger. It hit the floor with a SPLAT! Several gasped.

“Go do your stupid Remembrance! I want no part of it!” Nick whined. “Ain’t nothing bringing him back! He’s dead! Get it? Robert is dead! He’s some shark’s dinner!” He burst out laughing, and half stumbled, half stomped past David and Claudia. “He’s some fish’s dinner! We eat the fish and the fish eat us!”

“That’s enough Nicolas!” Dad shouted. “Get out of this house, now!”

Nick turned and pushed past everyone, closing the door with a final slam. David remembered hearing Janet crying in the living room.

David clinched the steering wheel memory, and at the thought of Nick's deterioration.

He cursed and drove off. It was better than falling apart. .

Author's Note

Let me know what you think, including whether the story is loosing steam or if more needs to be added. I tried to format it again, but I'm not having good luck with this.