Welcome to Last Chance (24 page)

Lainie pulled Elizabeth's pickup into its usual spot in the church parking lot and checked her watch. She knew she'd get a look from Lurlene for getting to the choir room late, but Elizabeth had insisted that Sunday lunch would be the perfect time for Fayette to talk to Brother Parker about the wedding plans, so this morning there was chicken to fry and cobbler to make.

A crowd had gathered on the church steps, and she could see Fayette's blonde topknot in the middle. Lainie couldn't help remembering Brother Parker's sermons on the lost lamb, and the lost son, and all the rejoicing that went on when they were found again. Fayette hadn't exactly been lost. Everyone knew where she'd been, but she was home again, and if the fatted calf hadn't been killed, a fatted chicken was waiting at home under a foil tent.

Les's battered old truck wasn't there, though. Maybe Evelyn had talked him into staying home this morning. Since the accident, Les had never missed a shift at the diner and was, in fact, one of the hardest workers. Evelyn, on the other hand, wore shame like a clammy blanket and rarely ventured from home. “Poor Evelyn and the heavy burden she was called to bear” was often the subject of conversation when the church ladies got together, Lainie always wondered when Elizabeth, who had the kindest of hearts, never seemed to sympathize but always briskly changed the subject.

She was right about the look Lurlene gave her when she shrugged into her robe and slipped into line just as the choir began filing into the choir loft. Juanita, just in front of her, turned her head
and whispered, “Where were you?” Lurlene said, “Shhh!” and then they were in the sanctuary, and the service began.

Elizabeth had claimed Fayette, and the two sat side by side in the third row. Steven was nowhere in sight. No surprise there. More and more, he evaded Elizabeth's “everyone under my roof Saturday night goes to church Sunday” edict by not coming home Saturday night.

The small congregation shuffled to its feet as the pianist played the introduction to the first hymn. The voices filling the church covered the sound of the door in the back opening, and since everyone had their noses in the hymnbooks, almost no one but the choir knew that Les Watson had slipped in and was sitting alone in what was becoming his regular spot in the back row.

Brother Parker gave Fayette a special welcome and gave her a minute to give an update on Matthew. Fayette blew a kiss to the choir as she mounted the few steps to the podium, and her smile as she turned to face the congregation was relaxed and filled with joy. Lainie couldn't see her face as Fayette told of Matthew's amazing progress and gave her thanks to the church for making it possible to stay in Albuquerque with him, so she didn't know if Fayette's expression changed when her eyes landed on Les, but if she was at all disturbed at finding him there, her voice gave no clue.

The rest of the service went by in the usual order. Evelyn never did turn up, and Lainie half expected Les to slip out before the altar call, but he stood to his feet with the rest of the congregation and joined in the first verse of “Just as I Am.” By the second verse, he was no longer singing but shifting restlessly from foot to foot, and Lainie expected him to bolt for the door at any moment. Sure enough, when Brother Parker instructed the congregation to close their eyes and pray while the choir sang the third verse, he put his hymnal down and stepped out into the aisle. But instead of heading
out the door, he walked down the aisle to the front of the church. Brother Parker took his right hand and placed his left arm across Les's shoulders while they whispered their conversation.

When Brother Parker finally nodded to Lurlene as a signal to end the altar call, most of the congregation had peeked and knew that Les was at the front of the church. You could have heard a bulletin float to the floor.

Brother Parker stood with his hand on Les's shoulder. His eyes swept the congregation for a long moment before he spoke.

“Les Watson has come this morning to make a public profession of his faith in Jesus Christ. This moment has not come quickly or easily, but I've talked with Les at great length and prayed with him, and I believe in the sincerity of his confession. Will you join me in welcoming Les into the kingdom of God?”

Lainie watched Fayette as the congregation erupted in applause. She clapped politely with the others, but her face was expressionless. Les, however, was clearly ill at ease. He shook his head and grabbed Brother Parker by the shoulder to mutter something in his ear. Brother Parker raised his hand to quiet the congregation. “Les has something he'd like to say.”

The church fell silent again and Les cleared his throat.

“I appreciate it. I really do. I don't deserve your kindness, but I appreciate it all the same.” He glanced at Brother Parker, who gave him an encouraging nod. “Brother Parker can tell you that I was planning to do this this morning even before . . .” He glanced at Fayette. “Even before Fayette came home. And to tell the truth, I thought maybe I should put it off for another day. You know, I didn't want to cause more hurt than I already done. But Brother Parker told me that once you take the step to follow Jesus, well, the best thing is to tell folks as quick as you can, so here I am.”

He broke off for a long moment. When he spoke his voice was
shaking with the effort to control tears. “I'm so sorry. I've messed up so many lives. Fayette's, that boy in the hospital up in Albuquerque, and who knows how many I don't even know about. Evelyn, for sure she didn't deserve everything I've put her through. I wanted her to be here this morning so I could apologize in public, just like I've disgraced her in public all these years, but she has a bad headache.”

He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and blew his nose. “Anyway, I know Jesus forgives me, but I need to ask your forgiveness too. I want you to know I haven't touched a drop since Christmas Eve. I can't promise I'll never slip up again, but with your prayers and God's help, I'm taking it a day at a time.” He stopped talking and looked out at the stunned faces. “Thank you.”

He tried to walk away, but Brother Parker took his arm. “Stay up here, Les. Your brothers and sisters want to welcome you to the family.”

Les turned to face the congregation. For a long moment no one moved. Les looked at Brother Parker and shifted his feet again. Lainie caught movement from the third row as Fayette pushed past Elizabeth. Elizabeth was right behind her, but Fayette was the first one to reach Les. She put both arms around him, and as the Church of Last Chance lined up down the center aisle to welcome him to the family, Lainie heard her murmur, “I forgive you with all my heart. Can you forgive me for taking so long to do it?”

M
mmm, smells good in here!” Fayette smiled at Lainie and gave Elizabeth a squeeze, and Lainie noticed again how happy she looked. “Hope I'm not late. I waited around so I could talk to Les a little bit after everyone left.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “No, you're the first one here. Brother Parker and Ray should be here in a few minutes, and I'm not sure about Steven. He's sort of his own man these days.” She pulled the pan of fried chicken out of the oven where it had been warming and turned up the heat for the biscuits. “How did things go with Les, or do you mind saying?”

Fayette dropped in a kitchen chair and propped her elbows on the table. “Good, I guess. I had no idea what he'd been putting himself through since Matthew's accident. Of course, I knew he blamed himself, and part of me was glad, I'm ashamed to admit. I blamed him too, at first. But I've had people around me to help me see things different, and he's just been going through the torments of you-know-where.”

Elizabeth nodded. “It hasn't been easy for him. But Brother Parker's been right beside him every step of the way.”

“Do I hear my name? I hope that means you're calling me to dinner.” Brother Parker came in, followed by Ray. “I met this young man on the front walk. Hope you don't mind if I brought him along.”

Elizabeth held up her cheek for Ray's kiss. “Hello, honey. Thought we might see you in church this morning.”

Ray caught Lainie's glance and rolled his eyes. “Yes, I hoped I'd make it, but I had some work I had to finish before I could come over this afternoon.”

Elizabeth's voice was low but clear as she ushered everyone to the dining table. “Six days shall a man work, but on the seventh . . . Now, Pastor, you sit there at the head of the table. Fayette, you sit here.”

She went on assigning seats, and Ray bumped Lainie's shoulder with his own. The message was clear: “Help me out here!” Lainie gave him her most innocent smile and took the seat Elizabeth indicated.

Steven didn't come in until after dinner. He spoke to Elizabeth, Brother Parker, and Fayette, who were still seated at the dining room table discussing wedding plans, and came through to the kitchen where Ray and Lainie were doing dishes.

“Anything left over?” He stuck his head in the refrigerator and came up with a chicken wing. “Wings and backs. And all the cobbler's gone. Thanks.”

“Sorry, bro.” Ray picked up a wet glass off the drain board and polished it with his dish towel. “If I had only known, I never would have taken the last drumstick. We haven't seen much of you around here lately.”

Steven took a long drink of the glass of milk he poured for himself and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Is that supposed to be a dig?”

Ray shrugged. “All I'm saying is whether you're up to speed or not, I'm out of here in ten days. If you want to make a go of the place, I'd suggest you show up.”

Lainie handed Ray a dripping plate. “What are the chances that Steven could take over this Friday? Fayette's given me the day off. Maybe we could do something.”

Ray's face lit up. “That sounds great. I don't remember when I've taken a whole day off in the middle of the week.” He looked at Steven. “What do you think? Ready to try another solo run at the bar on Friday?”

Steven tore the last remnants of meat off the chicken bone with his teeth and threw the bone in the trash. “You should have thought of that before you hogged all the chicken.”

Ray bristled and opened his mouth to speak, but Lainie beat him to it. “Come on, don't be a jerk. You've been telling me I need to get to Juarez for the day. This is my chance.”

“Wait a minute. Who said anything about Juarez? No way we're going to Juarez.” Ray turned from the cupboard still holding the plate he was going to put there.

“Oh?” Lainie leaned against the counter and folded her arms. “Really. So where are we going?”

“I don't know. There are lots of places we could go. It might be fun to pack a picnic and go out to the ranch and ride up into the hills. We could go up to Silver City and see some galleries. But Juarez is off the table. Don't you read the papers? It's a war zone.”

“Oh, come on. Don't be such an old lady, Ray.” Steven perched on the kitchen table and plopped his feet on the seat of a chair, glancing into the dining room to check if Elizabeth could see him. “You know that's all media hype. Bogeymen sell newspapers.”

Ray looked angrier than Lainie had ever seen him. “Some of those bogeymen were arrested between here and the border Tuesday, and a bunch more last month. This is serious. I know most of those poor fellas are just looking for a way to support their families, but there are some bad dudes out there.” He looked at Lainie. “Drop the idea. Pick someplace else, because we're not going to Juarez.”

Lainie stared at him. No one told her what she could do. “Excuse me? Maybe you don't want to go, but what makes you think you can order me around?”

Ray tried to backpedal. “Okay, I put that wrong. I should have said it's just a really bad idea right now. Pick someplace else for us to go, and we'll hit Juarez when things calm down. I'm just trying to take care of my girl.”

His smile was pleading but ineffective. Lainie's voice was cold. “I'm a big girl, Ray. I can take care of myself just fine without your help. And I think I want to go to Juarez Friday. Are you going to take me? Because if you won't, I'll bet Steven will.”

“Sure, I'll take you.” Steven had been following the conversation like a spectator at a tennis match. He grinned. “This whole thing is blown way out of proportion. You can stay out of trouble if you know what you're doing.”

Lainie looked at Ray, willing him to change his mind. The angry set of his jaw was easy to ignore. The hurt in his eyes, not so much, but she was too mad to stop there. She turned a brittle smile on Steven. “All right then, what time do we leave?”

It hadn't taken long after Ray left Sunday for doubt to start nibbling at her righteous indignation. She didn't even like Steven all that much, and now here she was spending the only day off she'd had in months going to Juarez with him in a car he'd borrowed from Manny, while Ray . . . Well, what about Ray? Had she messed things up forever with Ray?

Steven turned up the radio. “This is a great song.” In another moment he was singing along and slapping the steering wheel in time with the music.

Lainie couldn't help laughing at his falsetto. “You've got a really rotten voice, you know that?” Steven glared at her in mock umbrage but didn't miss a note. “No, I mean it. You're really bad.”

Steven continued to sing as if she hadn't spoken, and the childlike
exuberance of his voice coupled with the sunshine spilling down the rocky hillsides lifted her spirits. She even tried to harmonize with his ever-changing key.

They reached the outskirts of El Paso in late morning. Lainie's breath came faster as they drove past the sprawling suburbs toward a skyline that loomed from the desert floor. She had never realized until now how much she missed the city. When they joined the line of cars to cross the bridge into Juarez, she was jazzed and ready to go.

“It doesn't look like a war zone.” Lainie craned her neck and looked all around them.

Steven laughed. “Nope, I told you it was all hype.”

“Why are all those people walking across the bridge?”

“More weenies. They're scared something might happen to their cars, or they're afraid someone might pull a scam and they'll wind up in jail.” He snorted in derision.

“That stuff never happens?”

“Not if you know your way around.” Steven grinned at her and eased onto the street. “And I know my way around.”

The day they spent in Juarez was everything Steven had promised. He parked the car, paid a kid to watch it for them, and took Lainie's hand as he led her from shop to shop through streets filled with tourists. It seemed odd to have vendors calling after them and even following them down the street, but Steven spoke easily in Spanish and mostly waved them off. The first time someone asked if they wanted to get married and offered to help, he looked at Lainie in thoughtful consideration.

“What do you think? That would really shake them up back home. Want to go for it?”

Lainie's mouth flopped open and shut before she gasped, “No!”

Steven laughed and squeezed her hand. “Chicken.”

When the sun disappeared behind the buildings and the shadows
filled the streets, Lainie glanced at her watch. “Don't you think we should be heading home? We have quite a drive ahead of us.”

“After dinner.” He steered her into a cantina where the music had already begun to pour out onto the streets. “This is one of the best places in town. You can't come to Juarez and just pass it by.”

Lainie reluctantly allowed herself to be led inside. With the setting sun, her desire to be away from home had evaporated. The day had been fun, but it was over and time to go home.

Steven didn't hide his annoyance when Lainie insisted they head for the car as soon as they finished their dinner. Clearly he had planned to continue their tour of Juarez's nightlife, but this time Lainie was adamant.

“You told everyone we'd be home by bedtime, and that means Elizabeth will be waiting up. I don't want her to worry.”

“Gran always worries. She's as much of an old woman as Ray.” Steven put down his empty glass and signaled the waiter for another. Lainie stood up.

“I'm not even going to try to answer that, but we're done here.” The waiter arrived with the fresh drink, and Lainie picked it up off the table and put it back on his tray. “No. The check, please.”

Confused, the waiter hesitated and looked from Lainie to Steven. Steven glowered and reached for his wallet. His irritated expression quickly changed to one of alarm as he jumped to his feet and began searching all his pockets.

“It's gone. My wallet's gone. I can't believe it. It's got to be somewhere.” He slapped all his pockets in turn.

The waiter's expression changed from confused solicitation to hard suspicion. He wrote out the ticket, placed it on the table, and stood watching Steven do the missing wallet dance.

Finally convinced that his wallet wasn't hiding from him, Steven dropped his hands to his side and stated the obvious. “Someone took my wallet.”

The waiter cleared his throat. “Señor . . .”

Lainie opened her purse. “I'll take care of this. We need to get on the road.”

The car was waiting where they had left it and from a quick examination appeared to be in good shape. Lainie held out her hand.

“I'd better drive. Hand me the keys.”

Steven dropped them in her hand. “That's right. I lost my driver's license with my wallet.”

Lainie opened the driver's side and got in. “Yeah, right. I'm worried about your driver's license. All the tequila shots don't mean a thing.”

The line of cars snaked slowly toward the border, and the butterflies in Lainie's stomach started doing the Macarena. Something about having an officer stick his flashlight in your car and ask questions did things to your breathing—like stop it altogether.

The border crossing proceeded without a hitch. Lainie glanced at the instrument panel and merged onto the freeway.

“I hope we have enough gas to get us home. Paying your bar bill cleaned me out.”

“Yeah, well, I'll pay you back for that. I'd pay you for a tank of gas too, if you want to put one on your credit card.”

“I don't have any credit cards. We have two dollars in my wallet and whatever change you have in your pockets to get us home, so pray nothing else goes wrong.”

They came around a curve on the freeway to find traffic stopped and a sea of flashing red lights ahead. Lainie hit the brakes, praying the borrowed car had good ones, and brought the vehicle safely to a stop. She barely had enough time to breathe a sigh of relief, however, before the squealing of brakes suggested that the car behind them was not similarly equipped and the grinding thunk that threw them against their seat belts confirmed it.