Inseparable: Even Through the Storm

By Barbara Rykard

Inseparable is a novel about unshakable faith and love that even through the storms of life cannot be broken. Follow Sandra as she and Steven battle forces both natural and spiritual that came upon them and try to tear down what God had established when He brought them together. They are taken on a journey of separation, sickness, betrayal, and deception, but their love is rooted in Christ, and in the end, He makes all things work together for their good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781098026325

Book preview

Chapter 1

What We Had Come To

As the car cruised across the Popular Street Bridge, Sandra anxiously bit her lip while peering out of the window at the Mississippi. You could see the arch in the background. It was cloudy outside, and it had been raining. All of the leaves were just about nonexistent on the trees by now; it was the time of year when autumn was taking a firm grip on the environment. Thanksgiving was eight days away, and Sandra had not planned anything. In fact, she barely knew that the holiday was approaching; she had been in St Luke’s Hospital for two weeks. The pressure she had been under for the last eight months had finally taken its toll on her, and she had succumbed to the mental abuse and cruelty that she had been subjected to for years. Sandra had finally been driven into a psychosis.

Sandra was used to this. The psychiatric ward had a revolving door; she seemed to spend as much time there as she did in her own home. The staff was so familiar with her that she was on a first-name basis with many of them. Stephen was trying his best not to talk about the white elephant that was in the car. Sandra and Stephen had been doing this dance for almost thirty years; it was a miracle that their marriage has survived her mental relapses, but the Lord wouldn’t have it any other way. If it were not for the hand of the Lord working in their life, their marriage would have ended years ago. Their deep abiding faith in the Lord Jesus is the glue that had been holding their marriage together. However, Stephen was at his wit’s end; he didn’t feel like he had any more faith to exercise. Trying to work and take care of Sandra was a full-time job. Since Sandra had graduated from Southern Illinois University, she had not been able to secure a job in her chosen profession as a teacher. She had been subbing for nearly four months. The blessing with that was that Sandra could pick and choose when and where she wanted to work.

Stephen had retired from the Air Force a year or so earlier. He had been able to secure a job with a top management and construction firm in St. Louis, so they decided to remain in the community that they had moved into when Stephen was still on active duty. Stephen and Sandra had three children: Stevie who was twenty, Sophie who was eighteen, and Samuel (who they called Sammy) was sixteen. Sandra wasn’t diagnosed as being bipolar until after the birth of Samuel, when she experienced postpartum depression so severe that she had to be hospitalized for two months. The kids had lived their entire lives with Sandra being in and out of psychiatric hospitals.

When they left I-64 at the Shiloh exit, they made a right turn and traveled one block to Aladar and drove to the corner of Aladar and Walnut to where their home sat. The guilt that Sandra felt was overwhelming. This was supposed to be a happy time of year: Stevie was a sophomore at Southern Illinois University Carbondale majoring in computer science, Sophie was a freshman at Washington University majoring in special education, and Samuel was a freshman at O’Fallon High School.

From the outside, looking in it seemed as though life was peaches and cream, but underneath the surface, there was trouble looming. Things started to unravel when Sammy was born. Up until that time, life for the Racomands had been relatively normal. Stephen was busy making his way through the ranks in the Air Force, and Sandra was busy raising the children. Sandra had been in the Air Force herself; in fact, that’s where she met Stephen.

Chapter 2

Where It All Started

Sandra and her roommates, Tasha, Danielle, and Audrey, would rotate cooking duties. The girls had rented a house together; it was so much better than living in the dorm. The subdivision they lived in was woodland terrace. The girls had rented a four-bedroom ranch-style house with a large backyard, a pool, and a bonus room, which the girls used as a den. Each week, they rotated cooking duties, so on one of the days Sandra was supposed to cook, she decided that she’d make all the sides and buy the meat course. There was a Churches Chicken not far from the house, so when Sandra arrived home from work and began to prepare dinner, she cooked greens, yams, mac and cheese and baked some corn bread. Once dinner was nearly completed, Tasha rode with Sandra to pick up the chicken.

While waiting for their order, an Audi pulled up, and three guys emerged from the car. Tasha spoke to them when they exchanged a greeting, but Sandra said nothing; she had decided that after the breakup of her last relationship, she would stay away from men. She didn’t even want to speak to a man, no less date one. She hesitated becoming familiar with any men besides the ones she already knew, and they were just friends. The five stood there having a conversation, or at least four of them did because, as far as Sandra was concerned, the men did not exist. However, Sandra did remember one of the guys in particular was quite handsome, but she wasn’t willing to risk investing time in any guy then getting her heart broken again or having her emotions taken on an emotional roller-coaster ride. Once their order was ready, Tasha said her goodbyes, and the girls got into their car and drove off. Tasha asked, Girl, what’s wrong with you? You acted as though those guys weren’t even in the room.

As far as I was concerned, they weren’t, responded Sandra.

Tasha said, Well, one of them seemed to be pretty interested in you!

Really, Sandra exclaimed, I hadn’t noticed. Which wasn’t true because she noticed him also.

Tasha’s response to that was Well, if you didn’t have your nose so far in the sky, you would have noticed that he was trying to get your attention. Anyway, they’re here TDY going through a class, and they just wanted some information on what happens around here on the weekends. I gave some names of some of the clubs in our area. One of the guy’s name was Warren. He asked for our phone number, I am supposed to show them around on Saturday. You really should consider joining us, said Tasha.

Right now, the only thing I am interested in is getting dinner on the table, was Sandra’s answer to that comment.

The two young women returned to the house, and Sandra finished preparing dinner. The hot topic at dinner was the story of the three guys that Tasha had met at churches. She shared with Danielle and Audrey that she had given the young man named Warren their number and that they were going to get together on Saturday so that Tasha could show them around. Now Tasha was in a relationship, so she wasn’t really interested in seeing anyone, but she did enjoy going out, and besides, she would probably have her boyfriend, Fred, meet them there at the club. Audrey was engaged and in the throes of planning the wedding of the century, so that left Sandra and Danielle, neither of whom were dating or otherwise involved. Danielle asked, So where are these guys from, or did the conversation get that far?

They’re from Arizona, and they’ve been here two weeks. They have another three to go before they’ll be gone and are just out to have some fun, said Tasha.

Dinner was just wonderful that night, Sandra had out done herself as usual; it was a meal fit for a holiday table. Sandra loved to cook; she was always trying out new dishes on her roommates. What’s the special occasion? Audrey said as she took another fork full of candied yams.

No special occasion, said Sandra, I just wanted to share some love.

Well, girl, you can spread the love as much as you want because you know we really enjoy your cooking, said the girls. Then they continued their conversation about the mystery men.

By the weekend, the young man Tasha had met named Warren had phoned to find out where the group would meet up. Tasha thought she and Danielle would have the guys come to the house and head to Walden’s one of the local clubs where most of the singles frequented on the weekends. Tasha asked Sandra if she had thought any more about joining the group that evening. Tasha said, Hey, girl, why don’t you come on out with us tonight? It’s not like you’re going on a date or anything. It’s just a few of us getting together to have some laughs. Why do you always have to be so serious?

I don’t know, Tasha, I had decided that after my breakup with Marshall, I’d steer clear of all men as friends or otherwise, said Sandra. Then she trotted off to her room. When the doorbell rang thirty minutes later, Sandra thought nothing of it. She went to the door looking like she had been doing some heavy-duty cleaning. She had on a pair of sweatpants that she had worn when she painted her room, a T-shirt that was two sizes too big for her, and she had her hair pulled up on a ponytail. When she opened the door, the first face her eyes fell upon was Stephen’s. Sandra was a little embarrassed at her appearance when she saw how handsome Stephen was. She said, Hi, I guess you all are here to pick up Tasha and Danielle. Come on in, they’ll be right out. Sandra showed the threesome to the living room and motioned for them to have a seat. I don’t believe we had a chance to introduce ourselves. I’m Sandra.

Stephen was the first one of the guys to speak up. Well, I’m Stephen, and these two other guys are Warren and Alfred. The two men said hi in unison. They all stood there for an awkward moment, then Sandra excused herself and went back to her room. She passed Tasha in the hall. Hey, said Sandra, that Stephen guy is pretty cute, but he’s off-limits to me. Have a good time tonight, okay? Sandra continued on down the hall. Tasha, Danielle, and the three guys headed out the door.

Later that evening, Sandra found herself knocking on Audrey’s door. Hey, Audrey, are you busy?

I’m not too busy to spend a few minutes talking to you. What’s up?

I just laid eyes on my baby’s daddy, said Sandra.

What do you mean, San?

I mean I just met my husband, Audrey.

Yeah, and I am the Tooth Fairy. What makes you say that? Audrey asked as she pointed to a chair sitting in the corner of her room just in front of the window.

I can’t explain it, said Sandra. When I looked at him, I saw myself standing in the kitchen baking cookies, with him sitting at the table reading the paper.

Girl, you’ve been watching too many of those old movies you like to spend Saturday afternoons watching, said Audrey as she walked over to the dresser and picked up her notebook.

Am I disturbing you?

No, girl, I needed a break, said Audrey. I am in the process of trying to formulate a guest list for Travis and my wedding. We have ended up with a guest list of two hundred people, but our budget will only allow for us to invite a hundred and fifty for our reception. So spending time talking about you and your baby’s daddy is a good diversion for me because when I think about cutting fifty people from our guest list, it gives me a massive headache, said Audrey as she threw the notebook on the bed and began to chuckle. What makes you think he’s the one? Audrey asked Sandra. What makes you feel like he has that certain something?

I don’t know. I just have a feeling that the Lord is telling me I need to get to know this young man. It’s a feeling that I’ve never had before when I’ve met a young man.

Audrey looked up from where she was sitting on the edge of the bed. Well, what now?

I don’t know. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, said Sandra.

And maybe you’re right, said Audrey.

How did you know about Travis when you met him, Audrey?

Girl, Travis and I couldn’t stand one another when we first met, but we were paired up to work on MSGT Needle’s retirement ceremony. It was through working on that project that we realized that we had a lot of things in common, more things alike than different. After the retirement ceremony, we started dating, and that was two years ago, said Audrey. Just then, the doorbell rang again, Audrey said, Hey, I’ll get it since I am closer to the door. She took off down the hall. When she came back to the room, she had a puzzled look on her face. I don’t know how to tell you this, she said as she came around the corner, but your baby’s daddy is at the door. I think you better go and see what he wants, said Audrey as she sheepishly looked at Sandra.

Sandra exclaimed, How do I look? As she jumped up from the chair, she ran toward the mirror.

You look just like you did about an hour ago when you let him and his buddies in.

Well, I didn’t know then that he may have had an interest in me, said Sandra.

Well. Your Romeo awaits, girl, don’t keep him waiting, said Audrey, chuckling.

Sandra ran her hand over her hair and took off down the hall. When she rounded the corner, there he was. Hey, I know this is unusual, and if you ask me to leave, I’d understand, said Stephen.

Well, did you leave something behind when you all took off earlier?

No, I didn’t. Actually I was wondering if I could speak to you?

Really, said Sandra. I am not really into the club scene, and the only reason I agreed to go was because I thought you’d be going. Actually, I attempted getting your attention the other night. However, I couldn’t seem to get a response to any of my advances toward you, so I asked your girlfriend about you. I came along tonight, hoping that you would open the door when we rang the doorbell, and sure enough you did, and I knew from the way you smiled at me that I just may have a chance at getting to know you, so you see I couldn’t go to the club because that’s not why I came in the first place. When I found out that you weren’t coming along tonight, I had to think of some way to get back here to talk to you, so I left my glove, see it’s over there on the couch. Stephen pointed over toward the couch. Sure enough, there sat the glove.

So what if I refused to see you? What would have happened then? said Sandra.

Well, I hadn’t figured that part out, said Stephen.

Well, since you did come all the way back here, I guess I’ll have to let you come in and talk with me. I am going to have to ask you to excuse my appearance. I’ve been bumming today, said Sandra.

I think you’re beautiful just the way you are, said Stephen.

Well, did you drive back here by yourself?

Oh no, I had them to bring me back and drop me off since your friend Tasha was driving. Would you like to go out for coffee or something?

Sandra looked around, then she said, I’m not really in the mood for going out, but I make a pretty mean cup of coffee, and I think there’s a couple of pieces of sweet potato pie left that I had baked the other day, so if you’d like to join me in the kitchen, I will make us some coffee and warm up the pie. Excuse me for a moment please. Sandra excused herself and practically floated out of the kitchen and down the hall to Audrey’s room. She tapped on the door where Audrey answered. All Sandra did was smile and say: The Lord is good.

So, maybe he is your baby’s daddy, Audrey said, laughing. Now go on back in there, girl, and claim your man, girl!

Sandra didn’t see any reason why she should try sprucing up now. Stephen had seen her at her worst, and he was still interested. She went back into the kitchen and put the pie in the oven and made the coffee. Sandra pulled the cups and desserts plates out of the cabinet, while Stephen took a seat at the table. As Sandra worked, she began the conversation that lasted four hours and two pots of coffee. Stephen shared with Sandra that he had just graduated from college that summer and had entered pilot training because he had gone to school on an ROTC scholarship. He happened to be where Sandra was stationed because he had to attend a six-week training to prepare for training. Stephen had met Warren and Alfred the first week of training, and they had become fast friends. After the course was finished, they were supposed to move on to Arizona where their actual pilot training would begin. So that’s how I ended up here, said Stephen. So what’s your excuse?

Well, I’ve been stationed here for two years. I dropped out of college because I encountered a problem that I just wasn’t able to overcome, so I joined the Air Force as a reservist, and I am actually not active. I am a reservist on an active duty assignment that will end in about six months. I work as an administrative specialist in the human resources division. As Sandra spoke, she put teaspoon after teaspoon of sugar in her coffee.

Stephen finally said, Excuse me, but if you put any more sugar in that coffee, I am going to have to ask you to make some pancakes to go along with that syrup.

Oh, said Sandra, I guess I just got caught up in the story, maybe I ought to pour this cup down the drain and start all over.

That sounds like a good idea, said Stephen. They both laughed, and Sandra went over to the sink and poured the coffee out.

Maybe it would be a good idea if I didn’t have any more coffee, four is my limit. As it is, I’ll probably be up all night with as much caffeine as I’ve consumed, said Sandra. It’s really been nice talking to you. Do you realize it’s twelve o’clock?

Well, you know what they say? said Stephen, Time flies when you’re having a good time.

Sandra said, I hate to admit it, but I am having a wonderful time. I had sworn off the opposite sex. I just got out of a relationship that lasted about two years, and I had said that I wasn’t even going to have any male friends after our precipitous breakup. I never saw it coming. He told me the week before his wedding to someone else that our relationship was over, which was a double whammy to me because not only did I not know he was seeing someone else. I thought that if he ever did get married, it would be to me. Imagine how shocked and hurt I was when he finally told me. I decided then and there that I would never allow anyone to hurt me like that again, said Sandra, by now tears were running down her cheeks.

Stephen reached over across the table and wiped a tear that was rolling down her cheek. I am sorry that happened to you, said Stephen.

Enough about me, said Sandra.

Why are you navigating these treacherous waters by yourself? I guess my story is similar to yours, except for the fact that we came to a mutual agreement that our relationship wasn’t fulfilling either of our needs. For one, it was a long-distance relationship, and second, she wanted to test the waters, so we agreed splitting up was the best thing to do. In a way, I am glad that happened, otherwise I wouldn’t be here having this conversation with you, said Stephen with a wide grin.

Well, I hate to run you off, Stephen, but it’s getting late, and I need to get started on my Sunday school lesson for tomorrow, said Sandra.

Oh, you’re a teacher?

Yes, said Sandra, I am the youth leader for the Protestant worship service, and I teach a teen Sunday school class. How would you like to accompany me to church tomorrow, or excuse me? said Sandra. It was very presumptuous of me to assume that you were a Christian or that you had any interest at all in church.

Well, Sandra, to be honest, my family isn’t very religious, but my mother is a member of the AME Church, but it might be nice to see what the service is like that you attend, said Stephen. Just how religious are you?

Well, I don’t perceive myself to be religious at all. I do believe that I have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. However, that doesn’t stop me from enjoying myself. I love to dance and go to movies, so I am far from being the perfect Christian. The thing that I feel most important is that I know Jesus to be Lord, and I believe that He died for my sins and He rose on the third day and now sits in heaven interceding for me. And I do believe that He will return one day to take those of us who believe to heaven with Him, said Sandra.

Wow, you take this thing really serious, don’t you?

Yes, I do, Stephen. I know I may do a lot of things that I shouldn’t, but I make sure I always go before the Lord and make amends, said Sandra.

This then is a very big part of your life, and it’s real to you, said Stephen.

Yes, Stephen, it is. I don’t know where I would be right now if it had not been for grace and mercy covering my life. My roommates tease me all the time, but they come to me when it’s spiritual advice they need. Sometimes I even have Bible study with them. I try to keep a healthy balance in my life. My ex said that I was too serious about life. He said I was a thirty-two-year-old woman in a twenty-year-old body. I just look at it as knowing what I want out of life, said Sandra.

I think I’ll take you up on your offer to attend church with you tomorrow, said Stephen.

I’ll meet you over at the chapel. Sunday school starts at nine o’clock, and church at ten thirty, said Sandra.

With that, Stephen said good night, and Sandra walked him to the door. Tasha had driven her car, so the car the guys had come in was parked out front. Do you think you will be able to find your way back?

Yeah, piece of cake. Thank you for sharing your evening with me, said Stephen.

Oh, the pleasure was mine, said Sandra. Sandra stood at the door and watched Stephen until he had gotten in the car and pulled off.

As soon as he was out of sight, Sandra closed the door and whispered a silent prayer. As she turned to head down the hall, Audrey came out of the bathroom; she had just taken a shower. I won’t ask you how your evening was because I can tell by the glow on your face that you enjoyed yourself, said Audrey.

Is it that obvious girl?

Yes it is, said Audrey. When are you going to see him again?

Tomorrow I’ve invited him to church, said Sandra.

Girl, don’t run him away, said Audrey. Get some time to know him before you start preaching to him. They both laughed, and Audrey went into her room. Sandra went in to clean up the kitchen and study her Sunday school lesson. That Sunday went just as planned; Stephen met Sandra at the Chapel Annex. He was able to see Sandra in a sitting that she felt most comfortable in. From that Sunday until the day Stephen departed to report back to his base in Arizona, they saw each other every day. The friendship that had begun the night Stephen returned to the house for his glove had developed into a relationship. Two months after Stephen returned to Arizona Sandra was reassigned to March Air Force Base, California, she and Stephen had planned to continue their relationship via telephone and letter writing.

By now, it was early spring, and just as the weather warmed up, so did the relationship between Stephen and Sandra. Sandra had about two months left on her active duty assignment commitment. She was preparing to move back into her parent’s home in order to finish her last year of college. Living with the girls had been the most rewarding year-and-a-half of Sandra’s life. She had always kept to herself, and the fact that she had been able to live with three other women and have it be a successful experience was a definite blessing. There had been memories made while living with her girlfriends that Sandra would carry in heart for the remainder of her life. The fact that four women who were so different from one another would be able to live under the same roof and do it successfully was a tremendous blessing for Sandra. However, now it was time to put all of that behind her because Sandra was preparing to go back home and, yes, back to school. The fact that she was going to be able to see Stephen on a regular basis was a plus.

Chapter 3

The Visit

Sandra chose to leave San Antonio on a Wednesday morning. That way, she would make it to El Paso by dinner that night, then on to New Mexico the next day, and by Friday afternoon, she would be rolling into Arizona. The drive to Arizona was pleasant; getting away from the house that morning was the struggle. All the girls had taken the morning off so that they could be there when Sandra took off. Audrey had prepared a special breakfast for her, and Tasha and Danielle had constructed