Prologue

Alonzo Moretti Davis was looking sharp in his black tux as he stood
waiting for his wife to kiss the children goodbye. They had waited for
this night out for the last few years. Miriam didnt seem to trust any one
person with the children, and it had made it difficult for them to go out
alone. Tonight was different. Alonzo had the perfect venue picked for their
anniversary. He had looked forward to it and had planned it down to the
second of each activity he wanted to share with her. If it had been up to him,
they would have taken at least the night to spend together. They hadnt been
alone since before the birth of their son. He missed the time he had been able
to be alone with her, but he loved that she embraced motherhood. He loved
his children, and Miriam would have given her last breath for them.
He watched her with a grin as he listened to the instructions she ticked
off to Mrs. Rosen. Each instruction was laid out in order of importance.
Alonzo had to laugh as he listened to his overly protective wife. Miriam,
if we dont leave, we arent going to be on time. Besides, Mrs. Rosen knows
what shes doing. His wife had smiled, and her brown eyes danced as she
admired him. Assisting her with her coat, she shrugged it on. His son had
looked up in wonderment of him as he assisted his mother. He had always
tried to teach his son to treat the women in his life like a delicate flower.
From the time he was able to understand, he had told him that women
were strong, but they needed attention and love. It was their job to see that
they were protected and well taken care of. He winked at his boy and knew
that he had gotten the message when he had given him a sheepish grin and
saluted his father as they walked out the door.
As they drove toward the Riverfront Restaurant, Alonzo talked with
Miriam, and they both had smiled and laughed as they remembered how
they had met. The ice on the windshield had reminded him of the day she
had walked into the cafe where he was sitting after a class. She had walked in
10
Teresa L. Arrowood
the little caf, preparing for her shift at Whitecaps Java. She had just rounded
the counter when he had noticed her. He had known her shift by then like
the back of his hand and had made a point to be there. He had never gotten
up enough courage to ask her out, but he was determined that was going
to change. He had watched her all through their freshman year of college,
just waiting his turn between boyfriends, and this was his chance. He had
thought many times over that she hadnt noticed that he was around, acting
mostly like the young men didnt matter, but they were attracted to her like
bees to honey.
Walking over to the table next to him, she had slid on a patch of water.
The iced coffee she carried had spilled on the floor at her feet. Before she
had hit the floor, he had reached out to catch her, and she had fallen back
into his arms and against his chest. I guess you could say that the opportunity
had inadvertently fallen into his lap. She gasped as she had seen him looking
down on her. Her doe-brown eyes were large and hypnotizing, leaving him
unable to speak a word for a moment. I am so sorry, she had said and had
tried to push up from where she had landed. He wanted to assist her up,
but he couldnt let go of her. She hadnt offered to get up again, and he had
bent down and kissed her. The tray that was now empty skidded to the floor
among the coffee and ice. Her kiss had left him breathless. She had him from
the moment she looked at him. Her eyes remained wide as she remained
silent and had caressed his cheek. I guess I have to marry you now and make
an honest woman of you. Miriam wasnt sure how to react. She was stunned
from his remark and continued to hold on to him as the patrons of the shop
looked at them. The stares hadnt made much difference as she was cradled in
his arms. All had become right with the world from that moment.
Picking up her hand, he placed it to his lips and pressed a soft kiss
against it. I love you, Miriam. I would have never thought that you would
have gone for a guy like me.
And what was wrong with a guy like you? Miriam had prompted him.
You know I didnt have much at the time and I was so backward.
Yes, but that was part of what made you so charming. The material
things didnt matter to me. I would have gone out with you anytime.
You hadnt noticed me before that day in the cafe. He laughed. You
were too busy with Bob, Bill, whatever his name was.
Brandon, and yes, I was. You just hadnt ever gotten around to asking me
out.
Well, Im glad I did. I cant imagine my life without you.
Or I you. Miriam squeezed his hand as he studied the road in the
darkness of that winter night.
What do you think of Elijah? Isnt he becoming the charmer?
11
Stilling the Thunder
Hes a carbon copy of you, Alonzo. Even at his tender age, I am
surprised that the little girls arent falling all over him. You have taught him
well.
Yeah, the lady killer. Alonzo had laughed, and he could see the smile on
his wifes face from the corner of his eye. I just hope when he grows up, he
knows how to love and appreciate a young lady.
Im sure that you will teach him well. You havent done so bad yourself.
You are the charmer, Mr. Davis.
Well, it wasnt because my father was there to teach me.
You cant blame him, Alonzo. He was just a boy when you were born.
My mother was a young girl without any support, but she managed
without him. My father doesnt even know where I am or my name. I am not
sure that hes alive. All he ever did from the time I remember was drink.
Give him a benefit of a doubt. It wasnt easy to raise a child at his age.
Momma was fifteen, Miriam. My father had a responsibility, and he
walked out on us. Im surprised that I turned out as well as I have.
Alonzo reached over his chest and adjusted the sidearm he had strapped
against him and continued driving through the snow and slush of the
semidark night. The lights approached him at a rapid speed, and as he tried
to adjust his thinking of what was happening, he placed an arm over his wife
as if she was a child. Miriam had not noticed, as she was placing lipstick
over her pale lips. Move. Alonzo gritted his teeth as he had seen there was
nowhere to go but off the road. The driver of the car was headed straight
for them, the high beams of the lights reflected on him as it illuminated the
interior of the car like daytime. Hold on, Miriam, Alonzo had said in a cool
voice. Her scream had filled the car as it skidded. Alonzo had tried to veer it
out of the path of the oncoming vehicle, but it had been in vain. The car hit a
patch of ice, and it had thrown them directly in the other cars path sideways,
being hit on the passenger-side door. The impact had thrown Miriam over
into Alonzos lap, snapping her seatbelt in two pieces. Alonzo had tried to
protect his wife as he held to her, trying to steer the car out of the path of the
driver. He had died instantly. The car had been pushed once it was hit into
a ditch. The impact had broken his neck. Miriam had survived but for only
minutes after the crew arrived to retrieve her from the twisted vehicle. The
last thing that she had said prior to her death was Elijahs name.