Two Decisions

© 2023 Robert E. Bryant. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Published by AuthorHouse 10/19/2023

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1636-0 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1635-3 (e)

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CONTENTS

I Saw!

Journey To Forgiveness

I SAW!

C ora was standing at her kitchen sink when she heard a loud sputtering sound coming from outside. She walked into the living room and cracked open the front door just wide enough so she could see out through the screen door. An old, dilapidated station wagon, that appeared to be on the brink of disrepair, was parked in her driveway.

Cora could see a man and woman in the front seat. She stood at the door and watched. The man and woman sat there for a few minutes until the station wagon sputtered and shut off.

The passenger side of the car opened and a woman got out and stood looking toward the house. She was thin and frail and looked like she didn’t have the strength to walk three feet. Her blouse was hanging off one shoulder as if it was several sizes too big. Her hair was long and gave the appearance of not being brushed nor washed in days.

The woman began to slowly make her way toward the house. When she reached Cora’s car, she had to stop and support herself.

Cora opened the screen door and walked out. She stopped when she reached the steps and called out, Who are you and what do you want?

Granny, it’s me, Cindy.

Cora’s eyes scanned Cindy’s body from head to toe and said, Goodness child, the last time I saw you, you were 15, using drugs, and pregnant. From the way you look, you are still using. If you are here for money, you might as well get back in that old car of yours and leave.

No Granny, I’m not here for money. I only want to talk to you about something.

Cora turned her back to Cindy and started toward the front door. Granny don’t go. It’s very important that you hear what I have to tell you. Please, wait.

Cora turned around and watched as Cindy slowly walked back to her car. She opened the back door, reached in, and took the hand of a little boy.

Cora stood looking at them, arms crossed, with a scowl look on her face as they approached the porch steps.

Granny, this is your great-grandson. I know you and mama weren’t that close and I never got a chance to know you or Grandpa that well. When this little guy was born, the first name to pop into my mind was Grandpa’s name, Johnny Paul.

Cora made no comment. She looked at him and shook her head in disbelief. His clothes were tattered and dirty. His tennis shoes had no shoestrings and you could see his big toes sticking out of cutout holes because the shoes were too small.

Johnny Paul, this is your Great-Grandmother. You can call her Granny.

He looked up at Cora with his big blue eyes, smiled, and slowly said, Granny.

Good lord child how long has it been since a toothbrush has touched your teeth.

That statement from Cora took Cindy back to when she was a little girl. She remembered stories her mother told her about growing up in a home with no affection, only criticism. She was beginning to understand the saying, like mother, like daughter. Cindy, too, grew up in a home with no affection from her own mother, Cora’s daughter. She now understands why she never felt loved but she couldn’t let that stop her from doing what she must do.

Cindy had to sit down on the porch steps. She motioned for Johnny Paul to sit beside her but Cora kept her stance.

As they sat with their backs to Cora, Cindy reached over and brushed Johnny Paul’s hair out of his eyes. She told Cora, as she looked at Johnny Paul, I know I was a big disappointment to mama and you when I got hooked on drugs and then pregnant.

I didn’t see you at your mama’s funeral, Cora jumping in as she interrupted Cindy.

Why? Mama didn’t want me around when she was alive. I just figured she wouldn’t have wanted me there embarrassing her at her own funeral. Besides, I didn’t want those people who knew my mother and who, I’m sure, knew about me, looking at me, judging me, and talking behind my back. Why can’t people love unconditionally, like Johnny Paul does? It doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, where you came from, or what you’ve done. He will love you anyway.

Cora had no response. Instead, she looked at Cindy and asked, Exactly what do you want if you are not here for money?

"Granny, I was pretty much on my own during my pregnancy and didn’t have any money for a doctor or hospital. If it had not been for a friend, I would have been all alone and on the street when Johnny Paul was born. That friend is the one sitting in the car. He drove us here.

"Johnny Paul was born in my friend’s apartment. There is no official record of his birth and no birth certificate.

"This little guy is one of the sweetest little boys and well-mannered, no thanks to me. He is so smart in many ways. He is a visual person. He learns by watching. He can look at something and figure it out himself. He had to learn that because he’s been by himself most of his life, which I admit is my fault, I know. Because of my drug use, I’ve had to keep him sheltered in fear of him being taken away from me.

Johnny Paul has difficulty speaking. He cannot get the words to come out right sometimes. He struggles when he tries to form a sentence. It’s easier for him to say one, two, or three words at a time. He has learned to count to about 30 and he can recognize simple words and point them out in a book when he hears them.

Cora stopped Cindy. Why are you telling me all this? What’s all that got to do with me?

Cindy stood up as she held on to the porch pillar, looked at Cora, and said, I needed you to meet your Great-Grandson. Granny, I’m dying.

Although Cora tried not to show it, Cindy could see the look of shock on her face.

Johnny Paul reached and grabbed hold of Cindy’s legs and held on tightly as she explained, I don’t have much time according to the doctors. The drug abuse, over time, damaged my heart to the point it could stop any moment. The doctor said that I already had a preexisting condition and the drug use made it much worse. Apparently, it’s what mama had and I inherited it.

Cindy leaned in toward Cora and spoke softly, I’m getting worse each day. I’ve told Johnny Paul the truth. He knows what dying is. He has been around death too many times. I don’t want him to see me die and remember me in that way. You will be the only family he will have left when I’m gone.

Cindy, if you are suggesting I take him, I’m almost 75 years old. I work part-time at a little market to help add to my small social security income. I can’t be taking in a child like him. What about the father or the father’s family? Why can’t he or they take him?

Cindy looked down in shame and replied, "Because I don’t know who the father is. I’m so sorry to be putting you on the spot like this but I don’t know what to do. I want him to be with family. He won’t be any trouble at all; you’ll see. He is so quiet; you won’t know he’s around. He knows how to take care of himself. He’s been doing that for a while with my health the way it is. He can be a big help to you around the house. Just show him how to do it, and it will only take one time and he’ll remember it. Johnny Paul remembers everything he sees and hears. It’s as if he has a photographic memory or something.

Granny, you know more good people than I do. If you can’t take care of him, find someone who can and who will make sure he gets the education he needs.

Cora’s house phone was ringing and she said, I’m expecting an important call and I need to get that. I’ll be right back.

*       *       *

Cora had been on the phone a while when she heard the car start up and began to sputter. She thought to herself, "Good, sounds like they’re leaving."

After Cora’s phone call ended, she walked out onto the front porch and found Johnny Paul standing there holding a stuffed pillowcase.

Cora looked toward the car as the driver began to back out of the driveway and she called out, Cindy, you come back here and get this child! That phone call, there’s something that you now need to know. Cindy! Cindy! Come back here!

Just before they drove off, Cora could barely make out the movement of Cindy’s lips, Granny, I’m sorry. Take care of him.

Cora looked down at Johnny Paul. Showing frustration and anger in her voice, she said, Child, what in the world am I going to do with you? Get in the house before someone sees you. I sure don’t know how to explain you to anyone right now.

Regardless of how Cora sounded, Johnny Paul looked at her and smiled. He followed her into the house and through the kitchen. She opened a door and said, I don’t have another bedroom. Here’s where you can stay until I figure all this out.

Cora took Johnny Paul down to a small basement. As he stood clutching his stuffed pillowcase against himself, he looked around in awe. He had never seen anything this nice and clean. The basement had been remodeled into a laundry room and storage, where things were neatly arranged on shelves.

Johnny Paul walked over to the washer and dryer. Cora watched as he carefully inspected each one. He put his face up against the washer door. He looked at his reflection staring back at him in the glass door. He looked back at Cora and smiled. She shook her head in disbelief when she realized that Johnny Paul did not know what he was looking at.

So, you like what you see, do you? Watch me and learn. This machine will wash your clothes and this one will dry them.

Cora took the pillowcase from Johnny Paul and dumped its contents on the floor. A small baby book was among the contents. She reached down, picked it up, quickly glanced at the front, and tossed it on a cot. There were also a few small toys along with some worn and torn children’s books. The remaining contents was a t-shirt, a pair of ragged jeans, and a pair of underwear. She gathered up the clothes and threw them into the washer. She threw the baby book, toys, and books back inside the pillowcase and tossed it under the cot.

Now, take off those dirty clothes, your shoes, socks, and put them in this washer. One thing you need to remember, always check your pockets before putting your clothes into the washer.

Cora walked over to a plastic bin, moved around some clothes, and pulled out a t-shirt. She handed it to Johnny Paul and said, You need something to wear while your clothes wash and dry. This belonged to your great-grandfather. That cot belonged to him and now it will be your bed.

Johnny Paul carefully watched as Cora put the detergent in the washer and closed the door. Now, for your clothes, everything is all set. All you do is push this button here to turn it on. Do not touch the other buttons.

Cora began to walk up the steps. She stopped when she noticed that Johnny Paul had followed. No, you stay down here. I’ll be back when the clothes have finished washing.

He watched as the door closed behind her. He turned around; his eyes scanning the basement. After standing there for about a minute, he began to explore. He opened a door that revealed a small bathroom with a small shower, toilet, and sink.

Johnny Paul walked up to a small window but couldn’t reach the latch. He pushed a chair up against the wall and under the window, which gave him the height needed to unlock and open it. He looked out but couldn’t see anything or anyone. While standing on the chair, Johnny Paul turned around to get a better view of the basement. There were some tools on some shelves that he had to check out. He quickly lowered the window and jumped down without locking the window back.