The Diaspora Returns Ii, the Healing Continues: The Healing Continues

By O.F. Willisomhouse

About the Book
The Diaspora Returns II, the Healing Continues is the fourth part of a fictional series that continues to trace the movement of this group of outcasts. After two and a half years of hiding out while performing their own investigation, the bureau have located their exiled location and the outlaw agent-group has been summoned by the bureau to return home to answer some questions about their private ten-year bounty hunting business. The focused questioning is on the death of one of the groups via internet security guards that the sub-agency hired for their families. The bureau believes that the outlaws have confiscated tapes and downloads that will help them solve other open and troubling cases. An unfair trade is about to take place between the group and the bureau in the form of information for leniency, on Slapps behalf. The ole Catholic Priest hasnt lost faith in the renegades as he continues to intercede for them with prayer and counseling. Personal relationships have been affected and now getting their lives back in order has finally reached to top of the priority board. There is another generation watching them, inside the bureau and at home. Continue to witness their enlightenment and healing process as they get their lives back on solid ground in The Diaspora Returns II, the Healing Continues Amen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 6, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483643199

O.F. Willisomhouse

O.F. Willisomhouse is a fictional novelist who also enjoys writing poems, prayers, oaths and other inspirational literature. She has recently completed this title, which is the fifth book of her first series collection.

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The Diaspora Returns II

The Healing Continues

O.F. Willisomhouse

Copyright © 2013 by O.F. Willisomhouse

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, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 08/09/2013

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Contents

Dedication

Max And Milani’s Prayer

My Brother’s Keeper Oath

When Monique Came Out To Play Song

Prayer Pledge

Preface

Introduction

Chapter One   Max And Milani’s Prayer

Chapter Two   Late Night Talk

Chapter Three   A Gift From Daddy

Chapter Four   Fred’s Intoxicated Truth

Chapter Five   Last Meeting In Exile

Chapter Six   First Day Back

Chapter Seven   Locker Room Debrief

Chapter Eight   Private House Call

Chapter Nine   Officer Man Down

Chapter Ten   Stone Cold Carl

Chapter Eleven   Slapp In The Hot Seat

Chapter Twelve   Missions Update

Chapter Thirteen   The Winning Ticket

Chapter Fourteen   Come Sunday Morning

Chapter Fifteen   The Anointed Returns

Chapter Sixteen   Father Caleb’s Retreat

Chapter Seventeen   First Lady In Our Lives

Chapter Eighteen   Slapp Calls A Round Table

Chapter Nineteen   Let The Games Begin

Chapter Twenty   Second Chair

Chapter Twenty One   Preparing For Holiday Magic

Chapter Twenty Two   Ghosts From Christmas’ Past

For All The Test Of Time (Old Lang Syne Tune)

About The Book

Dedication

This book in the series is dedicated to members of my family that made the earlier portion of my life’s journey easier by showering me with a love that is only surpassed by the agape love from the Master. I’m not sure if they realized or understood the affect that their stern yet never-altering kindness had on my decision making process as a young adult. The one-on-one talks about life, as they understood it; and the lessons that were sometimes conveyed to me in a catchy phrase that was easy to store to memory and repeat in my head when clarity was required, had a greater empact than I initially realized. These indivisuals listed below went above and beyond to make sure that all my needs were met and life was enjoyed by a child growing up below the poverty line.

To these I serender a heart-warming salute as I remember their teachings and their protective love, as I prepared for life’s journey. Amen

Martha Wise Counts

Geneva C. Johnson

Eliza C. Livingston Clark

Elizabeth ‘Cousin Lizzy’ Fleming,

Louise Counts Woods

Aramintha ‘Aunt Winnie" Norman

James A. Curley

William Albert Woods

Other previous works by the author and preceding

books to this fictional series:

My Brother’s Keeper, Secrets of Tarnished Shields

Copyright by Olivia F. Counts Willis July 2010

Hong Kong by Moonlight, Exiled to the Orient

Copyright by O.F. Willisomhouse October 2011

The Diaspora Returns, a Healing for the Soul

Copyright by O.F. Willisomhouse March 2013

Coming Soon

Beneath the Kintai Moon, the Journey of Life

Copyright by O. F. Willisomhouse TBA

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Max and Milani’s Prayer

Thank you God for this day, again,

tomorrow I will pray

And just in case I forget so later on, I won’t regret

Focus my eyes to stay on you and

teach my lips to tell the truth

Tame my tongue so I may speak words

of wisdom and not defeat

Instruct my mind, sins to confess

and train my hands to do their best

Guide my feet on righteous path,

protect my spirit from evil wrath

Heavenly Father high up above teach

my heart how to love,

Amen

My Brother’s Keeper Oath

The Lord God is my Shepherd;

Therefore, I am my brother’s keeper

I will do everything in my power,

with God’s help, not to become a slave to sin

I will meditate often, so I will recognize

the Shepherd’s voice when he speaks

I will attempt to restore all the lives I have disrupted

I will reward all whom I have inconvenienced

I will not judge my brother, for his

journey is not my own

I will embrace and appreciate our differences,

and allow God to chastise his faults

I will pray to overcome my fear of death,

for death is only another phase of life

I will respect my body, as I respect the Temple,

for it is not mind to abuse

I will shield my spirit from greed, lust, arrogance

and unjustifiable acts of survival

For each and every life is precious

I will focus on my purpose and not my past,

for it is over and I can never go back

I believe great self-sacrifice will

reap great spiritual rewards

Therefore I shall forever be My Brother’s Keeper

When Monique Came Out To Play Song

It was a warm April day when

Monique came out to play

Her cheeks were red as fire and

so filled with life that day

But her mother never heard her cry

And her daddy never wiped a single tear from her eyes

And that is how this story all began

*Chorus*

*You have to find a friend you like

and love them-don’t quit.

And when the two of you fight, just

learn how to grin and bear it

Keep all your heartfelt secrets for a very rain day

And that’s how it was when Monique came out to play*

Well months turned into years as

the days just rolled away

Monique grew up and found a new role she had to play

Some how she found a friend and

loved them to the end

And that’s how her story all began

*Chorus*

Well her father just grew old and

the story was never told

And everyone just prayed that

that day would stay away

But old hearts can’t take much pain

When there are lies between friends it leaves a stain

And this is how the story always ends

*Chorus*

Now the hearts have all been broken

and the friendship is just a token

Of an oath taken on that warm April day

Now the truth has to be spoken, to mend

hearts that have been broken

About that day that Monique came out to play

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Prayer Pledge

We are Christian Sisters of Faith with the belief that we can improve our lives and the lives of others through prayer. We acknowledge and embrace God’s power over our existence. We will meditate and study His word often so we will recognize his voice whenever He speaks. We understand that our lives are divided into individual and single journeys with a collective goal and a sole-purpose destination. Yet we understand and believe that it is unwise to travel life’s road alone. Therefore, we wholeheartedly welcome the anointed Spirit that He has sent to guide us. We are not perfect, nor do be believe that this is a requirement to receive His transforming gifts. Nevertheless, we have made a pledge to strive to become more like His Son in every way. We pledge to keep our minds, hands and hearts open so we can freely share our gifts and His resources. We Christians of faith display this portion of cloth as a united pledge of our mission to spread the good news.

I drape this sash around me and wear it proudly as a reminder that grace and mercy is a portion of my life’s compass. I am not alone; for my sisters and brothers in faith share my struggles and pray for my weaknesses as I pray for theirs. I will strive to become a more persuasive guide towards the brighter beacon of hope and to the one and only True Light. For Christ alone searches and knows the heart of every man.

The twin beads displayed at the ends of this cloth is a reminder that I’m paired with a prayer partner that I can call day or night. The red bead represents Christ’s blood and confirms that I’m a consummated heir of the Holy Family. The silkiness of the cloth is symbolic of the peace-of-mind I am awarded when I obey the protective and guiding messenger. The visual texture of the sash is a confirmation that our path may not always be a smooth one to travel, yet it is possible to stay the course with His gift of mercy. Today with limited understanding, I take this pledge. Tomorrow, with Christ’s help, I pray to take a stand, amen.

Preface

The Diaspora Returns II, the Healing Continues is the conclusion of a four book series. The story begins twelve years earlier while several of the characters were entering their mid-life crises. Despite the fact that they were each from different walks of life, exhibiting created traits from various backgrounds, while displaying inconsistent ethnic mixers; it appeared to be their destiny to meet, share and travel a portion of the same journey. During their voyage some lost hope, a few experienced diluted passions, while others deserted their dreams and begin to question their spiritual guidance (The Word). Everyone secretly carried their own demons while drawing their strength to go on from the uncertainty of what would happen if those haunting detrimental beliefs were aloud to be exposed to the Light or to be conquered from within. Liberation from the past and its pains surely was the first thought in their plans to positively move forward; but it proved to be easier said than done as it seems, for this group of outlaws.

Several in the group embraced an unsociable private demeanor as a means to keep their distance from others, while protecting their personal tormentor. Deep trust issues was an obvious item on some of their resumes by being forced to experience abandonment, due to their caretaker’s choices for their lives when they were yet too young to interject into the decision-making process. Unfortunately, a select few had lived their whole life under the shadows of lies. The people that they trusted had protected those untruths as they relabeled them as ‘necessary-secrets’ to ease their own pain of conscience dishonesty and guilt.

Now after uniting for a common cause, mainly to stay alive and or out of prison, this group of exiled misfits discovers how they can be spiritually restored with a little help, understanding from each other and Divine Intervention. Each person holds a piece from another man’s truth-puzzle as they grow closer out of pure necessity. Hope is now cautiously returning, passions are being rediscovered and new dreams are at last a possibility as they seek a deeper understanding of the Divine One’s guidance. For this entourage, life has completed a full circle in many ways for them as they come to realize that their lives could have been different if only they had not relied upon their own selfishly-motivated understanding of the Divine One’s purpose for their lives.

Their offspring, ‘The Next Generation’, is keeping a close watch on every decision that is made by this menagerie of new caretakers. Let us relentlessly pray that they have become wholesome role models, for these two children that have endured so many losses early in their lives; by not repeating their mistakes or the oversights of their predecessors, Amen.

The next generation will have some serious choices to make on whether or not they want to follow in their parents and caretaker’s footsteps and work for the secret service bureau. There is also the question of if they will be allowed to make that decision with the blessing of the previous renegade group members. Life has proven, on many occasion, to repeat itself if precautions are not taken. We pray that the next ten years will pass very slowly as we follow up on this group in "Beneath the Kintai Moon, Amen.

Introduction

‘The Diaspora Returns II, the Healing Continues is the fourth part of a fictional series that continues to trace the movement of this group of outcasts. After two and a half years of hiding out while performing their own investigation, the bureau have located their exiled location and the outlaw agent-group has been summoned by the bureau to return home to answer some questions about their private ten-year bounty hunting business. The focused questioning is on the death of one of the group’s via internet security guards that the sub-agency hired for their families. The bureau believes that the outlaws have confiscated tapes and downloads that will help them solve other open and troubling cases. An unfair trade is about to take place between the group and the bureau in the form of information for leniency, on Slapp’s behalf. The ole Catholic Priest hasn’t lost faith in the renegades as he continues to intercede for them with prayer and counseling. Personal relationships have been affected and now getting their lives back in order has finally reached the top of the priority board. There is another generation watching them, inside the bureau and at home. Continue to witness their enlightenment and healing process as they get their lives back on solid ground in ‘The Diaspora Returns II, the Healing Continues’ Amen.

Chapter One

Max and Milani’s Prayer

You can learn something from anybody, even from a fool if you just listen closely enough. My grandfather had several phrases that he repeated frequently to get his point across or to teach a lesson that he believed required a clearer grasp. There were a few idioms that I can remember that were mimicked by others, long after he had passed on. He would repeat with deep conviction as I recall, ‘Whenever a man does something for you that you can’t do for yourself, then he or she deserves to be paid. However, if he turns down your offer; then all minds and hearts are clear.’ Another saying of his was ‘Anything that you weren’t born with, you can go on living without.’ My all time favorite one, in which grandmother never cared for was ‘Always live your life where you can look a man in his eyes when you are dealing with him; that way he will totally understand why you feel it’s necessary to whip his ass when you catch him in a lie. The news reporters always leave out the background.’

Well, I have tried to apply these instructions to my life, after I became old enough to decipher their meaning. The repeated quotes seemed to become clearer as I matured. At any rate, I was just glad to see that Miss Beasley was attempting to instill some values into our recently adopted two little children, while using a method in which I was quite familiar with,—one short sermon at a time.

Looking after Max and Milani, from time to time, appeared to have given Miss Beasley or Nana Carrington, if you were eighteen or younger; a new lease on life and two more reasons to keep the faith and believe that we would all return home safely, while experiencing a joy that all of our hearts had longed to witness.

Earlier that evening I had dropped Max off at a branch of the American Embassy, which was conveniently located downtown Hong Kong. Miss Beasley had agreed to become our babysitter for the night. She and Max had formed an understanding relationship by now and Max was getting some well needed tutoring about life, as she saw and understood it. Miss Beasley loved watching him because it was like getting a second chance at being a mother to a little son. Max on the other hand could take or leave the situation, because now there was another person that wouldn’t allow him to get away with anything. It was as if Miss Beasley was beginning his training from where the priest, Father Caleb, had left off. Max’s best behavior was all either of them would tolerate from Max. He felt that this was cramping his style, since he was the only child in the immediate circle, until his cousin Milani’s adoption paperwork was finalized. So he was trying to live in the moment and be as spoiled as possible. He knew Milani would be the next in line to take this position. After all she was a girl, cute, smaller and missing both parents. Surely, that would place her at the top of the ‘needy’ board. Now Max felt that Miss Beasley was shortening the spoiling time that he had left in the spotlight, with her personal life-training sessions whenever they were together. The agents and their immediate love ones had been ordered to stay in or near the American consulate compound until some serious issues could be resolved. These arrangements had caused Nana Carrington to be Max’s sitter for the evening in her temporary sleeping quarters, inside the embassy.

There sat Nana Carrington on the side of the bed as she placed a few large pink sponge rollers in her hair. Max felt that the hair rolling was more of a ritual than a requirement, because Nana Carrington’s hair looked the same every day to Max. She wore it up in a tight french-roll, pulled tightly on both sides and with loose loopy Shirley Temple curses on top. Her hair was long and very easy to manage. Although without the hair coloring Clairol Natural Instincts number 22, it was sure to be sprinkled with a lot more gray. Max sat with his feet up in the large recliner that was positioned at the foot of her bed, while playing with one of his hand-held games. It was now getting late. He was trying to stay up until his Uncle Slapp returned from his last nightly embassy chauffeur’s run. If Slapp came back earlier enough, then Max was sure that Miss Beasley would allow him to sleep in the bunkroom, in which was only two doors down from were they both now waited.

Max, do you have prayers that you say every night before you go to bed? Max didn’t answer because he was too involved in his game. She called out to him again, but this time with increased volume and with more formality. Master Maximilian are you listening to me? I’m asking you about your nightly prayers. Come, come over here. She spoke quickly as she waved her hands briskly for Max to come over to her. Max placed his game in the chair and went over and stood in front of Miss Beasley as she continued to sit on the side of her bed. Max, I asked you do you know any nightly prayers. Max answered slowly as if he knew where this was all leading up to or going, depending on your choice of speech. It was now time for another one of Miss Beasley’s little life seminars. Max made a mental note to himself that he had to find another babysitter. Perhaps the Ole Korean lady that worked in the cafeteria of the embassy could watch him. She stayed late sometimes and lived alone. There was no reason for her to rush home. Max felt that these present arrangements with Nana Carrington as his caretaker just weren’t working out between him and Miss Beasley. He had school, martial art classes, and homework and now life lessons according to Nana Carrington. When was he going to have time to just be a kid? He dropped his head for a moment and then brought it back up slowly.

Yes, Nana Carrington. The priest, Father Caleb taught me a prayer to say every night. Sometimes I forget and I still screw up the words a little bit. Sometimes I mix the night prayers with the food blessings you suppose to say before you eat. Miss Beasley quickly suppressed her amusement before she responded.

Well that’s fine about getting it mixed up Master Max, for God knows the heart of every man. Max interrupted her as his eyes became wider with a surprise look. Wow, that’s what Father Caleb always says; did you and him go to the same school or something, Nana Carrington? She smiled briefly before answering.

No Max, but the important thing is that we keep trying to remember to pray every day and never forget to thank God for all that he does for us; understand? Now tell me the prayer that the priest taught you and maybe I can help you out. There is a chance that some of our schooling was the same. Max looked down to think and say a few words real quietly to himself, to see if he was about to reveal to her the appropriate prayer for the occasion, which in this case was the one before bed.

Oh, God is good; no wait Nana, that’s the wrong one. Wait, wait I think I got it now. He taught me the one that goes ‘Now I lay me down to sleep. Miss Beasley stopped him abruptly, while she tried to conceal her laughter, as she pretended to clear her throat.

Hold on Master Max; that is a prayer and a good one if I might add. However, because you are older now and quite the man about town, you need to increase your resume, so to speak. Max looked puzzled as Miss Beasley held on to both of his arms at the wrists. The word ‘resume’ was a new addiction to Max’s vocabulary. Miss Beasley continued I know a good one for a man of your status. Are you willing to learn it? It might take a while, but you are turning into a well-rounded young man and we want every aspect of you to be up-to-date. Very well, listen and repeat after me. I will write it down for you tomorrow so when you are not here, you can still practice because what… . ? Max finished her thoughts from a previous life-lesson session.

I know Nana Carrington, practice makes perfect. Okay I will try. Now Uncle Slapp will have something else to tease me about when I mess it up.

"No Max, don’t worry about him, I can handle Alvin and I will, I promise. Now let’s start, kneel by the bed, put your hands together and close your eyes.

Max and Milan’s Prayer

Thank you God for this day

Again, tomorrow I will pray

Just in case I forget

So later on, I won’t regret

Focus my eyes to stay on you and

Teach my lips to tell the truth

Tame my tongue so I may speak

Words of wisdom and not defeat

Instruct my mind, sins to confess

Train my hands to do their best

Guide my feet on the righteous path

Protect my spirit from evil wrath

Heavenly Father high up above

Teach my heart how to love, Amen

"That was very well done Master Max, I want you to learn it and teach it to your little cousin Milani. I will write it down for you, I promise. Max spoke up quickly to correct Miss Beasley’s knowledge as it related to his and Milani’s relationship.

She’s not my cousin any more. She will be my little sister as soon as the papers are all filled out. That’s what my dad said. He asked me how I felt about having a little sister. I said it would be okay. She doesn’t have any parents, you know. I guess I can lend her mind for a little while. I hope she’s not a lot of trouble, ’cause girls can be a lot of drama’.

Who told you that girls can be drama? inquired Miss Beasley, as she frowned ever so slightly.

Uncle Slapp told me that Nana Carrington.

Perhaps I should be holding these little nightly etiquette and social-grace sessions later, so your Uncle Slapp, my son can attend them as well. That son of mind is way off the mark sometimes. I know that some of it is my fault; well, I will just have to work with what I have created. Okay Max, time for lights out. You can crawl in the back and play your game a few more minutes, while I read over these pages for the ambassador’s briefing. Now hold still Max; my eyesight isn’t as precise as it once was.

Max crawled into his usual spot in the rear of Miss Beasley’s queen-size bed and continued to play his hand-held game. He had turned the sound off on the game earlier, upon her request which had cut the pleasure of playing it in half, now she was asking him to operate it without the sudden jerking movements of the body, which the game required. Yeah, Max thought to himself as he looked away, something has to be done about my babysitting options. After only a few moments, Max was fast asleep as his game came to rest on his chest. Miss Beasley glanced over at him warmly, pulled up the covers and stroked his cheek and forehead, before removing his game from his hands.

She read and highlighted a few more pages, and them she noticed Slapp footsteps coming up the back staircase. She waited patiently for him to knock on her sleeping-quarter’s door. Since she and Gayle had been persuaded to move into the embassy, for safety sake of course; she had memorized the sound that each staff-member and houseguest made as they walked the corridor outside her door. Mr. Charlie walked with somewhat of a limp from his leg injury that he had sustained in the war. It was like a full step and a short scuff drag of the other leg. The ambassador rarely came onto this floor level at night, but when he did it was to go to the vending machine room that was two doors down and across the hall from the bunkroom’s door. He wore slippers that made a scoot-slide noise as he walked. Tate on the other hand was light on his feet and scarcely made a sound at all, except when he stepped on that squeaky floorboard that was right in front of Gayle’s in-house bedroom door, in which was immediately on the other side of the bathroom that she and Miss Beasley shared. The guys from the security booth, while making rounds at night, always used the front staircase and walked closer to the wall, because they knew where all the loose floor planks were located and didn’t want to wake anyone up. Slapp, however, made a heavy quick stepping sound as if he was always in a hurry to be somewhere else. There was a rhythm to his steps, but awaking someone was the least of his concerns. This was only one area of Slapp’s etiquette-defect that Miss Beasley felt she needed to address in her son—awareness concern and respect for others and the boundaries they may set to feel comfortable. Growing up in an orphanage that was over crowded and privacy was unheard of, it tends to make you open and a conditioned product of your environment. It was true that Miss Beasley and her son Slapp had been separated most of their lives, still Miss Beasley believed that it was never too late to improve ones social graces by showing more consideration for your fellow man and what he or she believes and holds true.

Chapter Two

Late Night Talk

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As Slapp arrived on the third level, he looked down to see if he could observe any light radiating from underneath Miss Beasley’s door before he knocked and called to her in his quiet voice. Nana Carrington, he called sarcastically and then waited for a reply. She smiled because she knew that he was being stubborn by addressing her by that name that she had agreed to answer to, from Max and Milani. Slapp had problems with coming to terms with the fact that he had to forgive his mother for leaving him before if he ever wanted to heal and move forward. So he pretended to hold on to the anger to make her suffer, as he believed that he had for the passed thirty-five years. Slapp called again; this time as he tapped on the door lightly.

Ma, are you still up? She sprang to her feet and opened the door quickly as she welcomed him inside with a wide smile.

Hello Alvin, please come in. I was only going over a brief for the boss. Talk low because I have Max tonight and he is asleep. Slapp ignored her warning, entered and spoke in a regular tone because he knew Max better than Miss Beasley.

Oh, don’t worry about him mother; the only thing that will wake him up is if you call his name or if he smells food cooking. Slapp sat in the big recliner at the foot end of her bed where he had slept a few times before as Miss Beasley returned to her position on the side of the bed. She removed her glasses and took a quick glance in Max’s direction as she continued to whisper.

Alvin, tell me how you know so much about this little fella?

Well Ma, I used to date his mother. We were together for about six months before Thomas arrived from California and stepped back into the picture. I think they knew each other from before.

Wait Alvin, I can’t keep up with all the dynamics. I thought Max’s mother was Stacey and that Max’s father is Alex. She was an informant that he became involved with and then they separated?

That is correct, but when she came back years later, I began dating her. This was years later and Alex didn’t know anything about Max until she returned. She must have known Thomas before she met and became Alex’s snitch. You know that Thomas is Gayle’s daughter’s father. That’s why we are so serious about solving the mystery. The bomb killed Max’s mother and Gayle’s daughter’s father. Miss Beasley waved her hands to signal Slapp to stop his explanation.

"Okay Alvin, please stop, this is information that I don’t need to know. I would like for you to tell me about your life at the orphanage. I came there many times over the years while you were living there and hovered outside like a stalker. I often sat across the street from your school and watch you for hours on the playground. I had to keep my