The Redemption(75)

Sitting back, I sigh. “Life is complicated. Even when you think it falls at your feet, there’s always something more, something just out of reach.”

“Is Rochelle within reach?”

“Now she is.” Smiling at her, I say, “She has two kids. Sons.”

“Oh. And the father?”

“He’s passed.” I don’t go into details. It still hurts me to think of Cory and face the fact that he’s gone forever.

“You were close?”

“He was one of my best friends. He was in the band.” I should be offended that she seems so careless in regards to knowing about my life. But I didn’t share with her either and it’s not worth the argument now. “They’re great kids too. I’m teaching them to play drums. The older one, Neil, he’s good. Natural talent. The younger one is four. CJ can charm the socks off anyone with his smile.”

“You love them.” A statement.

I shift, then smile. “Yeah,” I say, “I do. I love Rochelle too.”





It’s ten at night when I call Rochelle. I’m hoping to catch her in bed before she falls asleep so she can talk. She answered after the first ring. “Hi there.”

“Hi there yourself.”

With a chuckle, she asks, “How’s Diablo?”

“Umm…” I scratch my head, then look at the TV, which was keeping me company before I called her. “I’m not sure.”

“Interesting. Are you doing okay?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Do I need to be worried because you’re totally worrying me right now.”

“I’m not sure.”

“Stop saying that, Dex.” Her voice gets pitchy. “You’re freaking me out.”

I close my eyes, draping my arm across my forehead. “I’m kind of freaking out myself.”

Her words are rushed and demanding. It feels good to know that she cares so much. “Tell me what’s going on.”

But scaring her was not my intention. I’m just unsure how to tell her everything or if I should. “I called because I need to ask a favor.” She’s patient and lets me speak. “Is there any way you can fly up here tomorrow and spend the night? I’ll drive you home the next day.”

“You want me to be there with you and your family?” Her tone is now light, unbelieving.

“You’re my family.” It sounds so matter of fact, but she’s right. We’re family. “Will you come?”

There’s a long pause before I hear her, her voice wavering with emotion. “Dex…” She sucks in a shaky breath and I can tell she’s trying to stop from crying. “If you need me, I’m there. Always.” Tapping is heard. “I’m looking up flights now.”

“I’ll buy your ticket,” I say.

“I can afford the ticket. No worries.”

“I know you can, but I want to buy it.”

“Okay,” she relents. “There’s a flight into Oakland that leaves at one I can make.”

“I’ll send the confirmation to you.”

“Thank you.”

I yawn, worn out. “You’re welcome, but really I should be thanking you.”

“You’d do it for me… You’ve done it for me. You were there when I needed you most.” She yawns.

“I’ll let you get some rest and I’ll pick you up from the airport. I’ll be in the Challenger outside of baggage claim.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Until then…”

“Until then…”





As soon as I see Rochelle walking out of the terminal the following day, I pull to the curb, throw the car in park, and run around to greet her. She’s beautiful as always, her long hair flowing over her shoulders. Her eyes bright and her smile big—just for me, so I kiss her, savoring the feel of her skin, her lips, the way her tongue caresses mine.

Leaving her breathless was my single motivation. I think it worked because she sighs, then whispers, “It’s good to see you too.”

After opening her door for her, I take her bag and put it in the trunk. I slide into the driver’s seat and say, “Welcome to hell.”

Fastening her seatbelt, she looks up and says, “And here I thought Diablo just meant devil.”

It doesn’t take long to get to the estate, less than an hour’s drive with traffic. Rochelle’s mouth opens when we pull up the long driveway. “This looks like what I imagine Hearst Castle looking like.”

“My grandfather hated the Hearst Castle. I wish he was here just to hear the comparison.”

“Do you want to talk about him?”

I park the car and look at her, the air vents blowing her hair wildly behind her. “I used to think he was this stuffy old man, then I found he was worse.”

“What happened?”

“I found out he called my mom a liar and a whore after she was raped.” I get out not wanting to see Rochelle’s face or tears, her sympathies. I need to be strong and right now, I don’t have enough strength for both of us. Grabbing her suitcase from the trunk, I set it down as she joins me. “Let’s not talk about it. Okay?”