A Better Man - A Lovedare Story

By Claude La Vertu

A much anticipated follow-up to the novel, LoveDare, A Better Man is a truly exciting, heartfelt journey into the tumultuous life of an international superstar who takes on the LoveDare challenge several times over, and who pays the price and reaps the benefits that come with wielding LoveDare's awesome, divine power. From a very young age, Gabriel St. Germain was taught how LoveDare has been part of his family for several generations, and thus, he takes on LoveDare by embarking upon a personal journey of becoming a better man by doing all the things a better man would do to change the world for the better; all in the name of Love. From its turbulent first chapter to its unexpected, magical finale, A BETTER MAN - A LoveDare Story will keep you thinking, feeling and believing that all is possible, and it will remind you that love conquers all...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781387175437

Book preview

A Better Man - A Lovedare Story

A BETTER MAN - A LoveDare Story

______________

Claude La Vertu

Copyright © 2014 Claude La Vertu Media Collective

Also by Claude La Vertu:

-LoveDare

-GiraffeNeckSoup

A Spherical Perspective into the

Betterment & Advancement of Humanity

-The Affirmative Companion

A Meditative Introspective Workbook & Journal

-The Relationship Companion

A Relationship Introspective Workbook & Journal

-The Success Companion

How To Succeed At Anything

With One Key, In One Year (Or Less)

-Claiming & Maintaining Peace Of Mind

A Guide To Attaining A Perpetual Sense Of Wellness

A BETTER MAN: A LoveDare Story

By Claude La Vertu

ISBN: 978-1-387-17543-7

Author’s Photo: Ian Lee (www.ian-lee.com)

Cover Design: Tina Burke-Morgan & Claude La Vertu

All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, facsimile, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author and/or publisher.

All character names and events mentioned in this book are fictitious and any similarity between these characters and events, and actual people and events, is purely coincidental.

FOREWORD

Several years prior to writing this book, I’d just completed writing my first novel, LoveDare. Although I had brought to a close the story of characters that I had created and had grown to love, I felt something more had to be written. Along with a great feeling of accomplishment for having penned my first novel came an underlying sadness when I realized I would no longer be participating in the adventures of the unlikely family I had come to know and love. Although I knew that the LoveDare story had had its say, the family seemed to be tugging at me, wanting to live on. Not knowing how to respond to them however, I simply abandoned their calls.

Shortly after LoveDare went on sale and started reaching readers, I began receiving mail; more than half of it asking about a sequel. At first I didn’t see a need for a sequel. I had, after all, included an epilogue which implied that the surviving characters lived happily ever after, so I ignored the sequel requests and I got busy working on my series of personal development books. Beyond the letters I received, I had also met countless individuals who had shared how LoveDare touched their lives; some quite profoundly, and that they, too, hoped for a sequel. And so the idea of a sequel gnawed at me now more than ever.

In my spare time I tried writing a sequel, but no matter how much I tried, I just couldn’t get into the natural flow of storytelling with my previous characters, and so I’d just scrap what I’d written and start over. Finally, I simply gave up on a sequel altogether and I started writing a new story that had been constantly arising from within me and would not relent; a story about a young musician with a life so tumultuous that only true love could get him through it. As time went on and as the story started to take form, there came a sudden familiarity about the main character’s personality and sense of compassion, and then one fateful night I had an awakening. All at once, a sequel was born.

The LoveDare novel itself was a personal triumph for me, and quite possibly the most painful artistic endeavor I had ever accomplished–for reasons only few really know. Where this current book was written for the readers, LoveDare was written for me; to help me heal and move on and bring closure a past that, in my estimation, should never have been. It was something that, although I didn’t know how I was going to do it, I knew had to be done.

LoveDare’s first edition went to print with typos and other issues, but the story itself was well received, and it remains in my eyes, perfect as it is. Clearly, several others felt (and feel) this way, for nothing implies appreciation for what one does better than a request for more.

LoveDare is not the great American novel, but it wasn’t intended to be. In the culinary world it would not likely be considered worthy of sharing a table with the likes of caviar and soufflé, but, LoveDare is that dish of nourishment we refer to as soul-food; that one dish which soothes us most on a cold rainy day when a hug is not available to remind us of how much we are loved.

With the LoveDare novel several years behind me, I do hope that my writing skills have improved, but moreover, I hope that this story; this quasi-sequel to my beloved LoveDare, touches you as a reader and as a human being, and that it does as it’s intended to do: Remind you of how much you are loved, and of what you can accomplish...

Namaste

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

When all is well in life there is no shortage of friends, but when we’re down and out, our number of friends tends to dwindle. I am fortunate to have several true friends who have stood the test of time and circumstances, and have stood by me throughout all my–and all their–highest highs, lowest lows, and everything in between. During the process of writing this particular book, my life’s circumstances were not what one would necessarily refer to as ideal, but it had modest impact on my true friendships because we all came together, supported one another, and we made the journey worthwhile. The friends who especially stand out are the following; to them my gratitude is immeasurable:

-Denise Hickey, for taking time away from the husband, the kid, the family & friends, and for giving me some much needed undivided attention and coffee-time.

-Amber Juba, for being the same person whether we speak weekly or monthly, and for sharing our world of immature silliness that keeps us both sane. Thanks especially for bringing me to Nashville, to help me bring the essence of that city to this book. You’re a true BFF! 

-Marie Kettle, for being just about the kindest person I’ve ever known, and for loving me just as I am.

-Ryan Lange, for being the ultimate Yes-Man in my life who never once looked at why something should not be done, and for sharing a belief in possibility and probability.

-Shannon Lawrence, for your immense support of my writing career, and for your friendship.

-Olivia Perkins, for being the biggest Jesus-fanatic in my life, and for being such in the True Jesus Way: With Love!

-Skye Bryne, for caring so profoundly about humanity, and for setting the LoveDare example for the rest of us.

-Mr. Yvan Makarios, for your friendship and kindness, and for being a truly fantastic business associate & colleague.

-Tina Burk-Morgan, for your support and encouragement, and for your assistance in developing this book’s cover.

-Sharon Meade, for your invaluable input with this project, and for our magnificent friendship.

-Angela Kettle, for a friendship beyond any description, and for being there for me when I needed you most.

-A special thank you to those friends who played a major role in one way or another in my personal life during the writing of this book: Versandra Kennebrew, Laura & Gino DelCiancio, Marie Kettle, Mary-Ann Kren, Barbara Robbins, Les Scott, Sylvia Butler, Patricia & Alan Greer, Stuart Fillo, Sue Cheek, Lori Evans-Manning, Shelley Izzard, Ian Lee, Catherine Bailie McGrath, David Hill, Colin McGurk, Linda and Kevin Kelly, Heather Merchant, Rowena Hou, Karen Tesolin, Pat Corby, Linda Morrison, Karen Moore, Joanna Lugarini, Chantal Smith, Sue Hay.

-Thank you to Suzanne, Nadine, Samantha, Bianca, Julie, Judy and Claudine. Your love and hospitality and friendship has always meant so much to me, especially during the time I wrote this book.

-My mother Marcella, and my sisters Suzy and Patty, for instilling in me your deep love of books and of reading. And to Suzy, especially, for buying me my first typewriter.

-Aunt May, for our last, and our most beautiful conversation we had before heaven took you home. And for your immense love. I will always, always always love you!

-Thank you, especially, to God.

For Shannon Preston-Lawrence

PROLOGUE

There is a divine gift so sacred, so pure, so powerful that it can only be wielded by the good, and wielded for good. This gift is a selflessly wielded act with no conditions, no expectations and no limitations, and yet, it is impossible to wield the gift without also reaping the benefits of its celestial return. This gift begins and ends in a place which is well recognized as The Word. It is through wielding this gift that we invite The Word to live through us, for this act; this gift, is the quintessential, omnipotent embodiment of what it means to love.

This gift is called, LoveDare...

_______________________________________

This is a love story.

It’s also a story about integrity.

Ah, integrity; a state of being in action created by of the deep rooted matter imbedded within the axis of one’s soul. The measure of one’s integrity is always in direct proportion to the manner in which one rises to life’s ultimate challenging moments, and to the lengths of which one is willing to go for the ones they love...and for the ones they could love.

One family’s ultimate challenging moments were numerous, but none were more terrifying for them than the day he went away.

Let me take you to that bright, sunny, happy day...

CHAPTER 1

In the blink of an eye...

"You just went diamond, Gabriel! the voice of Carlo, a business manager, announced over the speakerphone as all of the van’s occupants cheered with excitement. It’s a phenomenon, Carlo added. That means over ten million album copies sold...Can you believe it?"

No, Carlo, I can’t, Gabriel replied excitedly as he adjusted the speakerphone’s volume from the front passenger seat where he sat. With his wife at the wheel, driving them towards one of the most prestigious automobile dealerships in the area, Gabriel added, Listen, Carlo, I’m in the car with Angel and the kids. Can I call you back later?

I gotta go anyway, Gabriel, the voice of his manager continued. I really just wanted to give you the good news before you heard it on the radio. I’ll catch up with you at the press conference tomorrow. And, Angel, please make sure that Gabriel gets there on time. If he misses this press conference like he did last week in Pittsburgh-

Hey, Carlo, that wasn’t our fault, Gabriel interrupted. You should have used a local chauffeur instead of our guys; the local guys know the side streets. Besides, I gave the fans an extra hour at the concert, so what’s the big deal?

"The big deal is the bad press you get when you actually ignore the press, replied the manager. And just because you can sing for three hours straight doesn’t mean the musicians can play for three hours...Ravi has blisters-"

Blah, blah, blah, Gabriel interrupted once more. Ravi needs to toughen up...

Don’t worry, Carlo, Angel interjected with a laugh as she slowed the van down and looked for a safe place to bring the van to a stop. "I’ll make sure he’s there on time. I’ll drive him there myself if I have to. And please, tell Ravi we’re sorry. And DO NOT tell him to toughen up... We love him just the way he is!"

Okay, guys, Carlo replied, I’ll see you tomorrow. And congrats again, Gabriel. You did real good...We’re all very proud of you!

Angel finally brought the van to a complete stop in the parking lot of a gas station, then she shifted into park. She then sat with her hands still on the steering wheel and was now looking at her clearly overwhelmed husband, but she remained silent. Her piercing dark, emotional eyes however, spoke volumes of her pride in what her husband had accomplished. Everything they had been through together as a couple, and as a family with the children, led to that one moment. All the sacrifices, all the risks, all the gambles, and every brand new start in the face of yet another let-down or break-down or other seemingly impossible hurdle, challenge or tragedy life threw their way, finally gave way to that moment right there in that van: The dream.

Gabriel now kept his eyes fixed on the middle of the glove compartment in front of him while his wife and children continued to watch on in silence.

I can’t believe it, he finally said, with just barely more than a whisper. Then, turning to look at his wife with obvious deep emotions running through him, he repeated, I just can’t believe it...

Well, believe it, sweetheart, she replied softly. You did it...

The children remained quiet at first, but then a soft voice repeated the mother’s words. Yeah, Daddy, you did it...

Gabriel smiled now, his eyes glazing over. No way, he said in a more playful tone, now looking towards the back of the van. "We did it, sweetheart! We all did it!"

We didn’t do anything, Daddy, replied the same young girl. You’re the star...you’re the one who sang.

Yes, princess, I sang, but you all loved me, and that’s what makes me sing.

Well, let’s not forget the fans, Dad, said another child; a sixteen year old boy named Dex, who was sprawled across the last row of the rear seats. Our love, and your fans.

You’ve got a really good point, Dex, replied his mom as she reached over and caressed her husband’s cheek, he now bringing his eyes to meet hers as she added, but don’t underestimate the power of your love.

Oh, Mom, Dex replied, don’t go gettin’ all mushy...

She has to get mushy, Dex, Gabriel said as he looked deep into his wife’s eyes, first romantically, then crossing his eyes in a goofy, playful sort of way. "She wouldn’t be Mom if she didn’t." The children laughed and Angel rolled her eyes and smiled, and she playfully pushed his face away. Finally she put the van in gear and proceeded to drive off again.

Moments later, while driving down a boulevard–just as Angel was about to apply the brakes at the approaching stoplight–the engine surged and the van sped swiftly past the red light, and it soared through the intersection.

OH, NO! Angel yelled as Gabriel held his breath and spontaneously placed his arm across the two front seats in an instinctive gesture to ensure that none of the children would fly forward if they were to have a collision.

No! No! No! Angel shouted out as the van blasted through the busy intersection without hitting anything. In seconds, the surge relented, and Angel regained control of the vehicle.

What was that!? Gabriel asked, stunned and now looking behind him at the kids, and then back over at Angel.

Damn! Angel said, all flustered. That’s the second time that’s happened, Gabriel. Something is wrong with this thing!

What do you mean, second time?

I mean, it just surges like that, she replied. The engine just guns itself. My god, I could have killed us all!

But you didn’t, he replied, doing his best to calm himself. You handled everything perfectly, so just relax and breathe...Everything’s all right. He looked back at the children, who were all calming down again, and then he looked back at Angel and added, When we’re done at the dealership I’ll get Carlo to arrange for a limo to take us home.

I’ll be okay to get us home, she insisted. It’s only the second time it’s happened. It just catches me off guard. Besides, we’re almost there. I’ll just be super careful.

Are you sure? he asked. We really shouldn’t take any chances.

Yeah, I’m sure. I’ll just take it slow on the way back. I’ll get us back home, and the garage can come and get it in the morning.

Angel had just received the van a few weeks earlier as a gift from Gabriel. She had wanted a larger vehicle so there would be space for their kids, and their kids’ friends, to get comfortable on family outings and on their longer trips to watch their father’s concerts. When Gabriel couldn’t find a large enough normal automobile, he’d bought a full-sized, custom-ordered, luxury passenger van with every possible accessory and safety gadget. He wanted his family to be safe and for his wife–who rarely ever asked for anything–to be happy, and so he spared no expense.

The van was purchased from a regular dealership but was then brought to a limousine manufacturer to be transformed into an ultimate luxury limo-van, but in Gabriel’s mind, when it came to his family, safety came first, so the van had also been outfitted with the ultimate in advanced safety equipment. Clearly the van had now developed some kind of mechanical issue and would require immediate attention. Although he really would have preferred to call for a limo now, he placed his trust in his wife’s decision and in her ability to drive the van in its current state, so he dropped the issue altogether.

Eventually they arrived at the dealership where they were scheduled to meet Angel’s best friend, Katie, who apparently wanted Gabriel’s help in selecting a new Jaguar; since there was nothing about Jaguars that Gabriel, an avid automobile aficionado, didn’t know. As they pulled into the driveway and drove around towards the back of the building, Gabriel was abruptly taken aback when he noticed a rare, vintage C-Type roadster that took his breath away.

Oh, for the love of...Angel, did you see that thing? he asked, almost unable to get his words out. I think I’m gonna have a heart attack! That’s a 1962 XKS C-Type!

How could I miss it? she said, smiling.

What are the chances? he said in awe. Do you know how much I love that car?

"I know exactly how much you love that car," she said, nodding with a smile.

I’m gonna get Katie to buy that one, he said.

Katie hates convertibles.

"Then I’m gonna buy it!"

It can’t be for sale; it’s in the service area, Angel pointed out. It obviously belongs to someone.

I don’t care! I’m gonna find out who owns it and I’m gonna buy it. You know how much I’ve wanted that exact car.

Well, you can’t buy it; we have a deal about our budget, remember? she reminded him. Besides, look at it; it’s stunning! The owner will never part with it.

What do you mean? he asked, perplexed by Angel’s matter of fact response. How would you know?

Because, she said as she stopped the van and shifted into park and then looked at him. The owner is you!

Gabriel was stunned. What? he said, now looking at Angel with an expression of uncertainty.

Congrats on the diamond disc, Gabriel...The roadster is my gift to you!

You didn’t!? Gabriel replied with much skepticism in his voice. I know you didn’t do this...

Yes, I did, she said proudly.

But how? he asked. Where did you find it?

I’ve got connections...

But...what about our budget?

Somehow with a diamond album status, I think we can afford this one. She winked at him.

He looked perplexed and asked, What about Katie?

Oh, Gabriel, Katie hates cars, you know that. She’s a truck-girl.

Yeah, but she told me-

She told you what you wanted to hear! It was all part of the set-up. I had to get you to come out here somehow.

Now looking back at the car, admiring its shiny coat of British racing green that no classic Jaguar should ever be without, he said, I don’t know how you do these things, Angel, but you’re astonishing.

Yeah, she said with a confident smile. I am!

All right then, Gabriel said as he looked back at his kids who were all observing quietly as they had promised their mother they would so that their father could enjoy the moment. Who’s going to be the one to take the first drive with Dad?

Just as all the hands went up and the silence was broken with desperate appeals of, Take me–Take me! Angel turned around and said, No, guys, wait a minute! The van was once again silent, for when Mom spoke, nobody dared interrupt. This is a very special day for Dad, she continued. For both the music and the car, so I want you all to keep your belts on, and we’re going to let Dad take his first ride on his own. When we get home you can all scrap it out to see who goes next...Okay?

After about twenty minutes, papers had been signed, plates were affixed to the bumper of the roadster, and Gabriel was finally sitting in his dream car. He got in and started up the engine, and the sound was that of a well maintained, perfectly tuned V12 engine. Finally, he put the car in gear, and, slowly and proudly, he maneuvered the automotive jewel out of the parking area and made his way down the driveway where he signaled to make a right-hand turn onto the street. He then stopped to allow any oncoming traffic to pass by.

He sat for a moment with his brilliant future before him, and the most important things in his life behind him in the limo-van, now visible through the small rearview mirror. He was a happy and complete man, and this was simply a perfect day. The moment couldn’t have been better, and in his mind, nothing could change the way he felt.

Finally, just as he was about to pull out of the driveway, Angel, with her limousine-van full of kids, was taken aback when the van’s engine surged yet again, causing the van to charge forward at full force and slam into the back of the C-Type, sending the roadster, with Gabriel in it, out into the middle of the road where it was immediately broadsided by an oncoming transport truck.

The crash would be over in seconds. The children’s screams of panic, fear and terror, however, would go on for what seemed to Angel like an eternity...

CHAPTER 2

Early in the aftermath...

No one could be consoled after a wife and mother, along with her children, witnessed a beloved husband and father disappear in a catastrophic eruption of glass and metal right before their very eyes. For the children, it was terrified sadness and paralyzing fear, but for their mother, sadness and fear were just the surface of the guilt that plagued her heart and mind. Guilt not only for having slammed into the car, and for not having left the van and taken a limousine as Gabriel had suggested just minutes before the accident, but guilt also for buying him the car in the first place.

Angel and Gabriel had made a deal several years earlier, during a time when they were struggling with his career and with their finances, that no matter how wealthy they’d become, they’d never spend money in obscenely lavish ways as do many wealthy celebrities, and as they themselves had done during the good times. Gabriel had made an exception with the limo-van, reasoning that by spending seventy-five thousand dollars on the van, they were saving literally hundreds of thousands of dollars on airline tickets, limousine services and hotel suites, and that he also did not want his children riding around in limousines where lewd acts and perversions had been carried out by previous occupants and where remnants of such acts could still be present. He also wanted his children to be well-rested during their road trips so that there was never any excuse for being too tired to study while on the road or at school. In his mind, it was an investment, and because they were now millionaires who rarely spent any money on unnecessary big-ticket luxuries, and who regularly made countless large contributions to numerous charitable organizations and humanitarian endeavors in an effort to do their part to make the world a better place, Angel had agreed. In truth, she was the one who brought the idea of acquiring such a van to Gabriel’s attention. Having asked for the van was just one more thing to add to her endless list of things for which to feel guilty.

The roadster she’d bought him now, however, was not in any way necessary, and it went against the deal they had made long ago. When she bought the car, she reasoned with herself that he’d worked so hard and never asked for anything, and she knew that the price of the car, although extremely high, wouldn’t even make a dent in their current finances. Still, that reasoning meant nothing now because she knew very well that if she hadn’t bought that car, they would have celebrated Gabriel’s diamond-disc success at home, together as a family, with the telephone turned off and everybody eating pizza and playing board games as Gabriel would have really wanted. In Angel’s heart and mind, this tragic catastrophe was entirely her fault.

Since the crash, Angel remained by Gabriel’s bedside while the children were at home with Dilly, a close family friend. As Angel now sat in a chair next to the hospital bed with her eyes closed, she thought about how miraculous it was that the accident had not killed her husband.

Not only had the accident not killed him, but he didn’t have so much as one broken bone. He was badly bruised however, and the scrapes and cuts were plenty; all over his body. His face survived it all, somehow, but even with all of that good news, he was still in a coma, and each time a doctor entered the room, it was just to deliver more bad news: He may never walk again; he may not know you if he ever wakes up; prepare to make a decision about whether or not to continue life-support endeavors.

It all seemed so very surreal to her now, and the plague that was her immense fatigue was also what ironically seemed to be helping to hold her together. It was as if she was too tired to care, in spite of the fact that all she had the energy to do was just that, and only that. Care.

Mrs. St. Germain, the doctor’s voice said softly from just inside the room’s doorway. Are you sleeping?

Angel sat up and opened her eyes and ran her fingers through her now mussed and somewhat greasy hair. No, I’m awake, she replied, trying to focus on the doctor’s face through the room’s dimness. I was just resting...

The doctor entered the room and stood at the foot of the bed with a file folder in his hand. I have some more information for you, but, I can come back later.

No, it’s all right, she said, now folding her arms as if she knew nothing good could be part of the information the doctor had come to relay.

I just wanted to tell you that there haven’t been any changes. The re-tests are all yielding pretty much the same results.

She sighed and said, I figured as much.

I am sorry to inform you however... he paused, not wanting to lay more bad news on her.

It’s okay, she said, tilting her head slightly to better see the doctor through the dimness. The sooner I know what we’re dealing with, the sooner I can prepare myself.

Well... the doctor continued. After running our last tests, we have confirmed that your husband...well... he hesitated, and then he said, Your husband has lost his vision...

Her expression barely changed as she slowly brought her face into her hands, too exhausted to cry over yet another declaration of more terrible news. She was quiet for a long moment, and then after rubbing her eyes, she looked back up at the doctor and asked, Permanently?

As far as we can tell...yes.

And there’s nothing you can do?

The damage is deep inside; more to do with the brain than with the eyes. It’s not something that can be surgically altered...or, at least, not at present...

She nodded but kept silent.

I’m sorry, the doctor said.

Thank you.

For what it’s worth, Ma’am...my partner and I are huge fans. Your husband made a big difference in our personal world...He really changed our lives. I promise you, I’ll do everything I can. I owe it to him...

That’s very kind, she replied, now looking at the young doctor with a faint smile. Thank you.

Meanwhile, is there anything I can do for you?

Yes, actually, she replied, looking over at Gabriel and then back at the doctor. Please don’t let the press know anything...I just can’t handle that right now.

I promise, the doctor replied, and then he left the room.

Angel looked at her husband as tears welled up in her eyes. Apparently you’re blind, Gabriel, she said. But you’re still alive...and you’d better stay alive, because if you leave me and the kids... She trailed off briefly and then added, Just stay with us...Okay, baby? I promise you, I’ll do whatever it takes...

She sat motionless for what seemed like an eternity, her gaze fixed upon the delicate contours of his face and the peaceful appearance of his unsought, ill-timed slumber. She felt helpless to his needs, and to her own, and she suddenly felt alone and scared, and she wondered what she would do next. What would she say to the children? What details would she tell his parents, his brothers and sisters, and his grandparents? How could she bring herself to tell Carlo, his manager, who considered Gabriel like a son? She