Crystal Lies - Melody Carlson [25]
“I wish I could do that,” I admitted. “But I get tied up in knots with worry. And I lie awake in bed just trying to come up with answers and solutions, ways to help Jacob get back on track.”
“Maybe it’s a timing thing.”
“Timing?”
“Maybe God will put the letting-go prayer in your heart when you’re really ready to let Jacob go.”
“Let him go?” I tried to imagine such a thing. “You know, and let God look after him.”
“That sounds good, Sherry. But maybe you’re right. Maybe it is a timing thing, because right now I feel like Jacob doesn’t have anyone who loves him or cares about him anymore. Except for me.”
“And God?”
“Yes, I suppose God cares about him too.”
“But not Geoffrey?”
“I don’t think so. I really felt like Geoffrey was completely washing his hands of Jacob. Like that was it. Finished, over and done with.”
“Maybe just temporarily.”
“Let’s hope so.” I unwound the napkin from my finger and set it aside. “How about Sarah?” I rolled my eyes.
“Still acting as if she doesn’t care?”
“I don’t think it’s an act, Sherry. She really seems to dislike her brother.”
“I’m sure she just dislikes how he’s acting.”
“Don’t be so sure. Sarah is my daughter, and I love her dearly, but she can be a little narcissistic at times. She and her father react in a similar way when it comes to someone, even a member of their own family, inconveniencing them or making them look bad.”
“Like the time she brought her college friend home, and Jacob came home plastered.”
I wanted to say,“You mean stoned,” but didn’t. “Yeah, little things like that.”
“Well, I’m sure she was embarrassed.”
“Of course, we all were. But it’s no reason to disown your brother.”
“No, but she’s still young. She’ll probably grow out of it.”
“You mean like her father has?” I could hear the trace of bitterness in my voice.
But Sherry didn’t seem to notice. Or if she did, she didn’t mention it. “Despite how perfectly miserable this looks and feels to you right now, Glennis, I know you’re going to come out on top. You’re going to be just fine.”
“How do you know that?”
She smiled. “Let’s just say it’s a God thing.”
“I hope you’re right, Sherry. Because, to tell you the truth, I don’t exactly feel like God is looking down and smiling on me right now.”
After three days in the apartment, I still hadn’t heard from Geoffrey I wasn’t sure if this was good or bad or if I even cared. I seemed to be in survival mode, trying to get my life into some kind of order. As a result, I’d spent most of the day hunting down the items I felt I would require in order to continue living on my own like this.
After just two nights of sleeping on the floor, I had gotten up stiff and sore and with the full realization that I would need an actual bed to make it in my new habitat. So, armed with my plastic cards, which I hoped still worked, I’d set out shopping at the various discount stores, places where Geoffrey would never allow me to shop for home furnishings before. I was surprised at the bargains I unearthed, and by the end of the day, I’d not only purchased a full-sized bed but a futon as well, in case Jacob decided to make an appearance. I even purchased a few other pieces of inexpensive furniture that I figured I might as well get before Geoffrey canceled all my credit and bank cards, which I knew he would do eventually, maybe had already done. I’d brought some of the items home with me, and others would be delivered within the week. But I was exhausted by the effort.
By that evening Geoffrey finally called. As usual, I jumped when I heard my cell phone ring. Hoping it might be Jacob, I quickly answered only to discover it was Jacob’s father, and he was angry.
“Where on earth are you?” he demanded.