Agape (AH-GAH-PEY): Chapter Two-The Inner Circle

By Darryl Montague

AGAPE: Chapter Two- The Inner Circle is the sequel to The Triangle. This is a heart-gripping story of forgiveness. The decisions of each character is a wonderful platform for the reader to look into his/her life and ask, “To what extent would I choose to forgive someone that has caused me pain?” When Robert is unconscious and in the hospital, he reminisce of his past, and in his moment of enlightenment, he decides on how to pursue Tiffany and Serena. When he learns that Tiffany didn’t just abandon the relationship but tried to protect him from hurt, Robert’s love for Tiffany resurfaces. Faced with Lucky and Terrance returning into her life, Serena is thrown into a whirlpool of decisions. Not only is she heartbroken that her relationship may end with Robert, but she has to decide whether to run because Terrance has returned to Philadelphia, or stay and fight for the new life she has created. Twenty-two years have passed, and Janet talks with her daughters for the first time. She is faced with explaining to them the truth for abandoning them or to continue the secret that kept her estranged from her family. Harry comes to terms with his mistakes, and wonders if Robert will ever view their friendship the same. He feels that he is the blame for Robert getting shot. AGAPE: Chapter Two - The Inner Circle strips to the core of human emotions and it challenges the concept of real compassion and understanding.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Darryl Montague
• Release date: Sep 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9780976584353

Darryl Montague

Darryl L. Montague is a gifted writer and motivator who is exceptional in capturing reader’s attention. Darryl utilizes words that tap deep into the hearts of readers, and provides them with the literary nourishment they desire. He is a diverse writer that expresses his writing through poetry, motivational essays, and fiction.Darryl studied literature and writing at Shenandoah College and Conservatory, and later Studied at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond Virginia.Mission Statement: To uplift, motivate and empower people for the possibilities of their lives.

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AGAPE~ The Inner Circle

Published By: Precious Seeds Media Group,LLC at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 by Darryl Montague

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of this author.

This Book Is Also Available In Print At Most Online Retailers

ISBN: 9780976584353

Chapter_One_Embrace

Chapter_Two_Testimony

Chapter_Three_Mission

Chapter_Four_Crossroad

Chapter One : Embrace

An act of holding close with the arms, usually as an expression of affection.

Serena

Terrence’s letter surprised me. It wasn’t what I was expecting to receive when I opened the door. With everything that had taken place over the past couple of hours—the last thing I wanted to worry about was Terrence returning into my life. Having Lucky chase after me was rough enough, but the thought of Terrence returning—frightened me. My heart began to pound, and the only thing I thought to do was to pack my things and escape as fast as I could. With every thought of him, my hands began to tremble, and my eyes started to tear. I could not get rid of the images that reminded me of him. In just a brief second, the pain of my past began to resurface, and I could hear his voice as if he had never left. Motionless, I sat on the sofa gazing into my past. It haunted me as if the last several years without him had never happened. I couldn’t explain the control he had over me, and all I knew was that I could not repeat my mistakes of yesterday. I could not allow the danger to take root in my life.

Not now, I repeated. Why is this happening to me now? Outside of my heart yearning for Robert, my life is going so well. Things are good for me now. I have to get out of here, I panicked. I stood from the sofa and dashed to the bedroom. It had been years since I thought of my exit strategy should Terrence ever returned. Just when I thought I would never hear from him again—this letter arrives. I didn’t care about his apology. And the money—well that meant nothing to me. I couldn’t take the chance that he changed. The risk of putting my children in danger was too great. Yeah sure—I believed that God could change people, but I wasn’t a fool. I believed that in the blink of an eye, God could turn a person from flesh to salt, and I believed that people could have redemption. I understood all of what was possible through God. God wasn’t my concern. It was Terrence. Too many times, I made the mistake of falling for his clever schemes, and this would not be another one. I couldn’t chance it.

Raven, I yelled from my bedroom.

Yes Mommy.

Get your brother some clothes out of the dresser and grab the blue bag.

When Raven heard me mention the blue bag, she knew what was taking place. Our first couple of years back in Philly, we rehearsed our exit strategy should Terrence ever returned. I grabbed my ready bag from the top of my bedroom closet, pulled the safe box down that had the survival cash, all of our personal identification, and the .38 Glock that I had prayed that I would never have to carry. Just as I trained her, Raven dressed Terrence, and was standing at the front door with her hand on the knob and ready to start life some other place. There wasn’t much time to do anything else, and just as I was about to leave—the telephone rang. I looked at Raven who stood like a runner at the starting gate, and she returned the stare.

Come on Mommy, she said with urgency. We have to go.

I don’t know what it was about that ring, but I knew I needed to answer the phone. I could not take any chances.

One minute Sweetie, I pointed to Raven to wait. When I looked at the caller ID, it was Alex. I had shared with her my plans for if Terrence should ever return, so I picked up the phone.

Hey, I answered.

Rene. Do you have on the news?

I can’t right now Alex. I have to go.

Take one second Rene, she demanded. Turn on the news. I think it’s your friend."

What are you talking about, Alex? I asked agitated and in a hurry.

Your friend, Robert—I think he was shot tonight.

What? I responded and grabbed the remote to turn on the television. What channel? I asked.

Channel 4, she responded.

When I turned to Channel 4, Stan was standing near a yellow do not cross tape reporting. The scene was hectic. The words Breaking News flashed on the bottom of the television screen.

Tonight is a senseless shooting of one of Philadelphia’s rising stars who was gunned down outside this convenient store just thirty minutes ago, Stan reported. I just got word that Robert Miller, President of Grayford Entertainment was shot and rushed to Pennsylvania Hospital. Officers on the scene reported that Mr. Miller is in critical condition. In addition, a night cashier was pronounced dead on arrival. Her identity has been concealed until her family is notified. Just in the wake of Harrisburg and Philadelphia city officials’ compromise on a new crime initiative due to the homicide rate for Philadelphia, another act of violence has taken place. The fatality this evening places homicide tolls to three hundred murders. As new developments unfold in this story, Channel 4 will keep you posted. I’m Stan Withers with Channel 4 news.

My eyes were glued to the television. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing or seeing. Raven continued to stand at the door with her hand glued to the doorknob and the other firmly gripping her brother.

Let’s go Mommy, she said once more and reminding me why I was leaving the apartment. The shock of Robert being rushed to the hospital had me standing in distress and not able to move.

Serena, Alex called through the receiver. Are you okay?

I didn’t respond. The world stopped for me. Without realizing what I did, I ended my conversation with Alex and sat with my heart racing as if tomorrow had come to an end. Terrence returning didn’t seem to matter at the moment. Raven had now moved away from the door and was tugging at my blouse. Even still, I couldn’t move.

Mom, she tugged. We have to go now.

It’s okay baby, I responded while patting her at the top of her head. It’s alright. You and your brother go back to your room.

I can’t explain the feeling, but the thought of losing Robert was more frightening to me than any harm Terrence could bring. I needed to know what was happening with Robert. I dialed Alex, and asked if I could bring the children over while I went to the hospital to learn of Robert’s condition.

Of course you can girl, she agreed. You go do what you have to do. I’ll wait on you to get here.

All I could think of as I drove to the hospital was never being able to say good-bye to Robert. The thought of not seeing his face, or listening to his voice saddened me. I loved him even more than I understood. My heart desired for him, and I didn’t want to imagine my life without him.

When I arrived at the hospital, Harry was standing at the emergency room desk and being escorted by the registrar to another room.

Robert

When I pushed Harry, I knew there was no way of escaping the bullet. It happened so fast that I didn’t even realize I had been shot. It wasn’t until I felt the second bullet hit my body that I knew I was in danger. Harry was beneath me, and I could feel his body shaking. My first thought was that he was also hit. It felt like a pot of scolding water was poured inside my body, and all I wanted to do was close my eyes and sleep.

Rob, Harry yelled. Rob.

He took his right arm and gently shifted my body so that I would lie on the ground. Again, he called my name.

Rob no! Rob no! Open your eyes for me man. Open your eyes. Somebody help us! he pleaded. Somebody please help us." I felt a tear fall from his face to my cheek. The heat of his breath intensified the burning that was collapsing my body. That was the last thing that I remembered until I was in the back of the ambulance.

He’s stable, but critical. I could hear the paramedics whispering as they covered my face with a plastic bag and pumped oxygen into my mouth.

You will not die on me tonight! The paramedic said as she continued compressing the bag. I have lost too many of my brothers to this city already. No one is dying on me. Not on my shift! Do you hear me, Robert? I know you do. Open your eyes, she said sternly. Just keep looking at me. Just keep your eyes on me.

I tried my hardest to keep my eyes open, but all I wanted to do was sleep. It felt as if my spirit was slipping out of me.

He’s crashing, she yelled. How far away are we? she screamed to the driver.

Hold on Robert. I need you to just hold on a little longer. Fight with me, she begged. Fight with me.

I couldn’t hold my eyes open any longer. I could hear her talking but I couldn’t respond. I wanted to fight. However, the weight of resting was too strong.

Give him strength Jesus, she then whispered in my ear. The way she said it was like the most romantic words I had ever heard. Let the Lord help you, Robert, she pleaded as she grabbed my hand. When I opened my eyes, it was as if I was staring in the face of an angel. I couldn’t see her, but there was a glow around her that was so radiant that the energy from it fixed my eyes on her—and I couldn’t let go of looking. The driver then yelled, We are here.

All of a sudden, everything went dark.

Harry

I rushed through the emergency room doors searching frantically for Rob. I prayed that he was still alive. I approached the emergency desk aspirated with my heart pounding so hard and fast that it felt as though it would leap through my chest. My hands shook as if I had drunk ten cups of coffee within an hour. I was out of my mind with fear holding me so close that I didn’t know what to do.

Can you help me, Miss? I asked while the lady behind the desk stood and braced from all the nervous energy I was releasing.

My friend was shot a little while ago, I explained while trying to catch my breath.

The paramedic said they would be bringing him to this hospital. Do you know where I can get some information on his condition?

Just as I made that statement, I remembered that I lived in Philadelphia, which was at three hundred and eight useless murders for the year. The emergency room was crowded, and noisy. It smelled like wet bleach from the mop that splashed across the floor from the night custodian mopping only ten feet away. As I glanced around the emergency room—my heart felt bad for the multitudes of people who were sitting in the emergency room as their primary care physician. I never understood how a country as rich as America could spend billions on a war, but couldn’t put together a national healthcare plan or house the homeless. Even in all my flamboyance, I always found ways to not take for granted the things I have, and whenever I could, I gave to programs for the people who were less fortunate than I am.

Come with me sir, the registrar commanded as she walked from behind her station with a clipboard in her hands. "I'm sorry to hear what happened to your friend. Fortunate for you we’ve only had two incidents this evening of gunshot victims, and the other person is a woman. The doctors have your friend in the O.R. I can’t tell you any more than that, but I can escort you to a waiting area where you can become more informed on the surgery. The doctors on staff tonight are great at handling cases like this, and I promise you that they will do everything they can to save your friend. As soon as I hear anything, I promise you I will make you known of it.

As for now, I need for you to calm down and have a seat in this waiting room."

Thank you. I responded in both gratitude and fear. It’s all my fault you know. It’s all my fault. She stared at me as I poured forth my remorse to her.

It’s going to be okay, she replied with comfort as she took my hand and guided me to sit.

I’m going to be just around the corner at my desk. My name is Carol. I am the on call trauma and grief registrar for tonight. Can I get you some coffee or anything to drink while you wait? I nodded my head no. The only thing I wanted was to know that my friend was going to be okay.

If you have any other questions—come and ask me. But for now, try to stay calm until you hear anything different. She placed her hand on my shoulder and exited the room.

I sat not knowing what to do. The impatience of not knowing if Rob was fighting for his life was unbearable to think. The more I tried to calm myself—the more I realized that it was my hot head that caused this to happen to him. I sat there hurt, afraid, and alone. I didn’t know what I should do. So, I did the only thing I could. I bowed my head and prayed that God would have mercy on my friend. The sound of the gunshot was constantly ringing in my ear. I couldn’t escape it. As much as I tried, the ringing wouldn’t leave me.

God help me, I whispered as the tears began to pour from me. God help my friend. It’s my fault. It’s all my fault. I took a deep breath and wiped the tears from my eyes. Just at that moment of calm, my cell phone rang. I fidgeted to get it from my hip.

Hello.

Tonya

Tonya, Marcus called. Isn’t this the guy who is working on our promotions? he asked as I walked towards the living room with two glasses of wine in my hand. I was excited about my evening with Marcus. It was the first time in many years since I had a real date with a man. I’d been so busy the past twenty years building my company that I didn’t take any interest to having any relationships. I realized I wasn’t making the best decision by pursuing his interest being that Trois was the first client of Grayford Entertainment. Somehow, in the course of that night when we introduced the group to Philadelphia, Marcus came off the stage and his eyes locked on to me. And to be honest, I was glad to return the stare. He nodded ever so romantically, as to say he had an interest. Once I completed my rounds for that evening and making sure that everyone was properly introduced, I stood in the corner alone waiting on him to make the first move. Not even three minutes had passed when he walked over and ask if it would be okay if he and I could share a conversation that had nothing to do with the group. The first time in years, I let down my guard and allowed myself to be pursued. Ever since that night, we’d been discretely visiting each other.

Marcus sat intense and glued to the television. Tonya, he called to me once more. I really think this is your guy they are talking about.

Who? I asked not really knowing to whom he was referring.

Robert, he said unsure if he was correct or not.

When I looked towards the television, Stan was reporting on some breaking news story.

No that’s Stan, I answered.

I stopped in my steps and focused all my attention towards the news.

It is a sad day in the marketing and advertising industry, Stan reported. One of Philadelphia’s rising stars in marketing and advertising was gunned down around eight o’clock this evening while shopping at this local convenient market. Only a few weeks prior, Robert Miller was appointed CEO of Grayford Entertainment. He was expected to introduce new and exciting solutions for the Grayford Agency. The expectation of his survival is reported as critical and unstable. Paramedics have rushed him to Pennsylvania hospital. Also, officers reported a fatality on the scene. The cashier of this convenient market was pronounced dead on arrival. Police officials have yet to release her identity in an effort to first contact the family. No one knows what transpired to cause this horrific shooting, but witnesses say the gunfire happened without warning.

My mouth dropped as Stan continued to report the news.

With an assertive tone, I said to Marcus, I have to get down to that hospital, and find out his condition. Oh my God, I repeated several times. What could have prompted such a thing? I rushed to my hallway closet to grab my coat. Marcus was looking at me as if I had lost my mind.

I’m sorry, I said to him. We are going to have to continue this some other time. Please accept my apology. He stood from the sofa as I placed my coat around my shoulders.

Do you want me to go with you? he asked.

No! No! Oh God no, I responded in a hurry. People will wonder what I am doing with one of our clients. And, trust me the last thing I need in this town is for rumors to surface pertaining to our relationship. You can see yourself out.

I dialed Harry from my mobile. If anyone knew what had happened, he would. The last conversation I had with Harry was earlier, when I told him to take Robert out for the evening to relax him from the shocking news of finding Tiffany. I didn’t know what to think. Robert had given me the run down on his and Lucky’s situation relating to Serena.

Oh my God! I thought to myself. What if Lucky shot Robert? I placed the car in gear and backed from my driveway. I had forgotten I had dialed Harry because I tossed my phone into the passenger seat