A Deal With God: The Power of One (13 page)

“I know it’s not ideal.” Leon stated. “But to be fair, many people work on Saturdays now, so Sunday was our best option. I guess we’ll have to drive separately and you can leave when you need to for work.”

“By the way,” Deana asked. “What did your brother Lester say about our engagement?”

Leon gave her the blank stare he uses when he doesn’t want to answer a question.

“Let me rephrase my question.” Deana said. “Have you told your brother you wanted to marry me?”

Deana got another blank stare.

“Leon!!” Deana said; frustrated by the lack of response she was getting. “I hope you’re not waiting for your mom to tell him.”

More silence.

“I’m so disappointed.” Deana stated. “You need to call him later and tell him. Please, it’s important to me that you do this.”

There was silence the rest of the way to Macon. In four months this was the first rift between Deana and Leon. Deana was concerned. She knew they wouldn’t always see eye to eye, but she needed to know Leon had a backbone. She had a feeling Lester was going to try to talk Leon out of getting married. And judging by Leon’s silence, she knew Leon was thinking the same thing.

When they got to Macon the Johnson’s were very cordial. They congratulated Leon and Deana. Mrs. Johnson even complimented her ring. Deana was happy that all the boys seemed fine with what was going on.

Deana had been considering giving Leon an engagement gift. She knew he had pretty much spent his last few dollars to buy her the ring. She was very touched.

Deana had one last ace in the hole she hadn’t utilized yet. She had come so far with Leon; she didn’t want to lose him. She needed a knock–out punch.

Deana was extremely photogenic. She decided on a professionally done photo album with six or seven 8 � x 11 photos of herself. She did not want to do sexy pictures; she wanted a book he could show off to everyone. Her new ring would be on display in the pictures.

When she got to work she showed the ring to everyone. She was so proud. It was just over a quarter carat in size, but as far as she was concerned, it was as good as a carat and a half.

The following morning, after Matthew and Mark went to school, Deana went online to find a photographer. The one she liked the best was in Atlanta. She dreaded the long drive with Luke it would require, but she was determined to give Leon a gift he’d never forget.

“What did you have in mind Miss Murphy?” The photographer asked.

“I was thinking something spiritual,” Deana replied. “I’d like six or seven photographs for my fianc�. A photo album he can show to everyone. We met at church, so I’d like at least a couple that make me look angelic.”

“Do you like animals?” the photographer asked.

“Very much so,” Deana answered. “I would love it if you can show my soft side.”

“I have the perfect first picture,” the photographer told her as he handed her a Labrador puppy. “Hold the puppy’s face next to yours. It will make the cutest head shot you’ve ever seen.”

The puppy they gave her was white and the blouse he had her change into was black. This gave an amazing color contrast. The picture was gorgeous.

“I have another idea that will give us three more great pictures. This will require you to do some homework,” the photographer said. “You’ll need to buy the best denim blue jeans you can find and a green satin blouse as close to your eye color as possible.”

“For your two spiritual pictures,” the photographer continued “buy an ivory, prom–styled knee length dress. We can alter the shade and design enough to use the same dress in two separate photos. Tomorrow meet me at this address at eleven o’clock.”

He handed Deana a piece of paper with an address and a map.

“We can knock out three beautiful pictures in one venue,” he concluded. “Wear the jeans and green blouse with boots. It will look amazing.”

Deana left the photo studio and immediately took Luke for lunch. She did not want him to fall asleep in his car seat yet. She needed to go to the mall to buy the new clothes. She wanted Luke to sleep on the way back to Dothan.

They ate briskly and then headed to a big department store. She tried on jeans, green tops and ivory dresses. She bought the outfits she liked the best and headed back to her place. She let Luke finish his nap and she called Mrs. Jarvis to discuss this Sunday’s song. She downloaded the chords and rehearsed until Luke woke up.

Luke and Deana got to Leon’s just as Matthew and Mark were getting home.

“I got an ‘A’ on my Math test we studied for last week” Mark said proudly.

“I got a ‘B+’ on my English exam” Matthew boasted. “We’ve been doing really well.”

Deana went in the kitchen and started making dinner. She loved Monday nights. It was the first night of her two nights off.

The following morning, Deana and Luke headed back to Atlanta. The address the photographer gave was to a horse paddock. Deana had on the new blue jeans, green blouse and her brown tassel boots. She had not worn jeans in almost a year.

The photographer wanted to do three photo shots. The first shot would be from the front. Deana would be walking a beautiful mare from her stable to an open area.

The second shot would be of Deana on top of the mare. She was to lean forward with a very small smile. She would be holding onto the reins of the horse with her hands in a position to show off her new ring.

The third photo would be from the back. It would be either the last or second to last photo in the album. The photographer had noticed what an amazing posterior Deana had and wanted to take advantage of this. The picture would be of Deana walking the mare back to the stable.

Tomorrow they would be back at the photo studio. They would shoot the two spiritual pictures. Deana was most excited about these.

Deana and Luke headed back to Dothan. Like last night Deana got to have dinner with the boys and spend the entire evening with Leon. At eleven O’clock she went to bed with Leon.

It was now fourth consecutive night Deana and Leon had been fully intimate together. Leon was pleasantly surprised how assertive and physically aggressive Deana was.

“I said no to quite a few boys in high school and college. I said no to a couple of men after college,” Deana stated. “None of them offered me the kind of commitment I needed to be comfortable with them. I wasn’t sold they had my best interests in their hearts. That is so important to me.”

“I thank God for giving me the strength and discipline to wait for the right man and right time. I realize I am almost twenty–six years old. I understand I am different. I have many years of pent up passions, desires, and emotions built up inside me. I hope you find this to be a positive and not a negative.”

Wednesday morning, Deana and Luke headed back to the photographer’s studio in Atlanta. Deana was impressed with what an amazing facility it was. He was going to use something called a green screen; which allows you to superimpose an actual image onto any backdrop you want.

Deana was wearing a beautiful, flowing, ivory dress. She was holding both a Bible and a Christian cross. The picture would be of her kneeling and praying. It would be the last picture in the book and the only picture with a caption at the bottom of the page. It read: “I’m praying you love me forever.” The green screen backdrop was similar to an old biblical movie set. It was very beautiful.

The next shot would be of Deana releasing two doves, one from each hand. The lens the photographer used was able to shade the ivory dress to make it look light brown. His assistant cut and hemmed the sleeves on the dress which allowed her to extend both arms as she released the doves. The release of the doves was intended to symbolize love and peace.

The photographer, Mr. DeRoberts, suggested the book have seven pictures. He wanted to take a picture of Deana at a local botanical garden. Mr. DeRoberts knew the owner. The backdrop with all the flowers would add a beautiful element to the album.

Like Tuesday, he gave Deana an address and a map and told her to meet him there tomorrow at eleven. He’d then have seven beautiful pictures he’d arrange in the album on Friday; ready for Deana to pick up Saturday morning. It was a great plan. Deana would have the beautiful gift to give to Leon at their engagement party.

Unfortunately, late Wednesday night Mr. DeRoberts’ mother was taken ill. His assistant called Deana early Thursday morning to postpone all work. Mr. DeRoberts probably wouldn’t be back until Monday morning; Deana was crushed.

She did get a call Friday confirming they would do the last shoot Monday morning and have the album finished Monday night.

Friday night was very busy at work. Mr. Vito was serious about his St. Patrick’s Day promotion. He made the waitresses wear ugly green shamrock print bandannas. When Mr. Vito first showed Deana the bandannas she gave him a look of displeasure which Mr. Vito didn’t appreciate.

The restaurant did so well they did not close the doors at 9:45 like usual. They kept the doors open until almost eleven. She did not get home until close to midnight. Deana went to her place to shower and change and get clothes for tomorrow. She needed some alone time. She called Leon and told him she needed a little down time. He sounded upset with her.

The week started out so well, and slowly disintegrated. She got out her guitar and turned on the Top 20 countdown on music television. She played five songs. It took her half an hour to unwind.

Deana didn’t get to Leon’s until after one. Leon apologized to her. He could see how tired she looked. He could see the exhaustion in her eyes.

Early Saturday, Deana and Leon spent most of the day on the couch. They watched the College basketball tournament until Deana had to leave for work.

Deana punched in at 3:55pm and had another busy seven and a half hour shift. She made good money, but she preferred to spend her Saturday nights like she did last weekend, at the beach or doing something fun.

Deana had put her Sunday church clothes in the back of her Stratus so she wouldn’t get to Leon’s as late as last night. Sunday morning she made breakfast for the boys and they went to church together as a family. Her new song with Mrs. Jarvis went really well. After church, in separate vehicles, they went to their party in Athens.

Deana met friends, relatives and co–workers of Leon’s she had never met before. Everyone was cordial to her. She did her best to be polite and friendly to everyone. As three o’clock approached, she excused herself so she could get back to her place to shower and change real quick. Mr. Vito wanted her there at the restaurant again at 3:55.

Around 5pm all of Leon’s guests had left. It was just Leon, the boys, Gracie, the Colonel, Claire and Julie.

“Why do you want to get married again so quickly, Leon,” Lester asked. “The ink is barely dry on Rebeccah’s death certificate. I know Deana seems great now, but you barely know her.”

“Women can change when they get married.” Claire added. “You see it on television all the time. They put on a big act to get what they want. But over time, their real personality comes out. It can be very scary.”

“Honestly,” Lester asked. “How much do you really know about Deana? Maybe she left Florida to get away from the cops or an abusive boyfriend. There could be all kinds of skeletons in her closet. Admit it, you really don’t know her. Plus, the fourth of July is awful soon. Let’s take Deana out of the equation. After all you’ve been through, do you really want to sprint to the altar again?”

Leon hesitated to answer.

“That’s exactly what I thought.” Lester stated. “You’re not ready. The dirt on Rebeccah’s grave is still fresh. Please tell me you’ll postpone this mistake at least a little longer than the beginning of July.”

Leon nodded affirmatively.

“Good!” Lester and Claire said at the same time. “We agree.”

Leon, like he did many Sundays, left his cell phone in his truck on his charger so his battery would be full for work on Monday. His niece Julie knew this and also about her parents’ plan to try to stop the July wedding. She snuck into Leon’s truck and got his cell phone. She scrolled to his text function. Julie found Deana’s number and Leon’s texting style.

She sent this text to Deana from Leon’s phone:
The July 4th wedding is off. Can we just B friends. L.
After sending the message, Julie erased the text from the cell phone’s memory. She then turned Leon’s phone off and put it back on the charger in the truck.

Deana had a full station when she heard a text message come into her phone. She had an ominous feeling and was hesitant to pull her cell phone out. She quickly made sure her customers had what they needed. She snuck into the kitchen where only Robert could see her. She opened the text and started to cry. Food came into the window but she was too distraught to serve it.

Delores saw Deana and scooted her into the break room. Deana completely broke down. She couldn’t speak; she could barely breathe and couldn’t stop crying.

Delores got Deana’s cell to call Leon to figure out what happened. The call went straight to voice mail. “Leon, you need to call back right away.” Delores commanded.

Delores had to help Peggy take care of three full stations. Deana sat alone at a small table in the break room. She cried for over an hour, leaving a small pool of tears on the table. She finally cleared her eyes so she could see to drive her Stratus back to her place.

Deana did not know Delores had kept her cell phone. Delores wanted to have a little talk with Leon. Leon got her message just after 7pm when he loaded up his truck to come back to Dothan.

“Delores, why do you have Deana’s cell phone?” Leon asked.

“Never mind why I have Deana’s cell.” Delores answered angrily. “What the hell did you say or do to her? I’ve never seen anyone that upset in my entire life.”

“I was considering postponing the wedding a little bit,” Leon said. “But how did she know that?”

“You need to get down here; we need to talk,” Delores demanded.

Half an hour later Leon’s truck pulled up to Vito’s. The restaurant had cleared out considerably. There were only a few patrons left. Delores put the boys in her station and sat them at a table. She took their food order and took Leon back into the break room.