Whom the son sets free, p.1
Whom the Son Sets Free, page 1
WHOM THE SON SETS FREE
“MY SON’S WIFE” SERIES
BOOK THIRTEEN
SHELIA E. BELL
ALSO BY THE AUTHOR
1. The Threshold
2. Shattered
3. Say It Ain’t So
4. Does Joy Come In the Morning?
5. Beyond Repair
6. That’s What Friends Are For
7. Family Matters
8. That’s What Enemies Do
9. Change Is Gonna Come
10. So It Goes
11. Revenge In Motion
12. Hard Head – Soft Behind
13. The Other Side
14. Running on Empty
15. Open Your Heart
16. Betta Have My Money
17. Revenge Is Bitter & Sweet
18. The Time Has Come
19. Fresh Steps
20. Accepting Change
21. Let the Game Begin
22. Running On Empty
23. Face the Music
24. A Dose of Forgiveness
25. But the Flesh is Weak
26. Weak In the Knees
27. On My Own - Once Again
28. Feelings
29. That’s What Friends Are For
30. N-Ticed
31. The Day Nor the Hour
32. The Call
33. Unconditional Conditions
34. Those Ties That Bind
35. Every Man Needs a Dad
36. Surprise!
37. Easy Like Sunday Morning
38. Love Child
39. Second Chance Plea
40. It’s Gone Be Alright
41. Home Sweet Home
42. Justice Best Served Warm
43. I’ll Be There
44. Preparing to Give Thanks
45. A Day of Thanksgiving
46. All You Need Is Love
47. Last Dance
Words from the Author
More Perfect Stories About Imperfect People Like You…and Me
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“Perfect Stories About Imperfect People Like You…and Me”
WHOM THE SON SETS FREE
Book 13
“My Son’s Wife” series
National Bestselling Author
Shelia E. Bell
Copyright © 2024, Whom the Son Sets Free, My Son’s Wife series, Shelia E. Bell
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No portion of this book may be reproduced mechanically, electronically, or by any other means without the publisher's prior consent, except brief quotes used in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people living, dead, or real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is purely coincidental.
Cover designed by: Germancreative
www.sheliawritebooks.com
Aurora, Colorado
Holy Rock Chronicles Shorts 4-6
Christian Black, Esq.
If Your Price Is Right
Love Shoulda Brought You Home
“Holy Rock Chronicles” is a spinoff series of short stories that take you on an addictive journey into the intriguing lives of the notorious members of the Graham and McCoy families from the national bestselling “My Son’s Wife” series. These shorts are specially crafted to provide an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the characters’ lives. I suggest you read the following shorts before reading “Whom the Son Sets Free,” but it is not required.
To all literary supporters who have made this series, these characters, and these stories come alive and stay alive.
1
THE THRESHOLD
"Though it may be painful, embrace the endings, for they often mean the arrival of new beginnings." Shelia E. Bell
Hezekiah unfortunately spent his 55th birthday in the confines of prison. He was deep in his feelings, overwhelmed by his circumstances. Here he was, another year around the sun, and he was distraught and depressed about how his life was playing out.
“Ahh,” he bellowed, his voice rumbling through the cellblocks. A man once skilled at manipulating both hearts and pockets dropped to his knees and onto the filthy, grimy cell floor.
"God, help me! Get me outta this hell hole!" he cried. Each word, a desperate plea for mercy. Okay, so he’d done his share of wrong. The weight of his past pressed upon him like an unforgiving burden intensified by the reality of where he had been the last three years. The chilling echo of cell doors slamming shut and other inmates' screams and turmoil was a cruel and constant reminder of his fate. He’d been low-down and dirty to a lot of folks, but only if they deserved it. But this time, he was innocent.
He removed his phone from the hidden compartment inside the walls of his cell. He looked around, ensuring no one approached his door, and caught him. To get himself out of his foul mood, he called Stiles, his one trusted connection to his family and what was going on in the free world.
“When you get out of that place, don’t worry, we’re going to celebrate number fifty-five right.” Stiles said, trying to sound positive and lift his brother’s spirit.
“Thanks, but when I get out of this place, celebrating a birthday will be the last thing on my mind. Forget my birthday, tell me, what’s the latest on Black’s wife? It’s been a minute since I talked to him.”
“She’s doing good, considering what happened,” Stiles said.
“Yeah, man, I hated to hear that,” Hezekiah said.
Christian Black had been and remained an answered prayer for Hezekiah. The former New York powerhouse attorney was quickly establishing a name for himself in the Memphis legal arena. Black was highly confident that he would get Hezekiah released from prison, and Hezekiah believed that if anyone could make it happen, it would be Christian Black.
“Yeah, He is. Anyway, physically, she’s healing. But emotionally and mentally? Let’s say I think she still has a ways to go. They haven’t been back to church since it happened. When I leave here, I’m going to go see them. You know, say a prayer and see if there’s anything me or the church can do for them.”
“Good, good. They come from New York. All kinds of outrageous crimes occur there, yet they were safe there.” Hezekiah sighed, shaking his head. “Memphis has to do better.”
“I agree. But I thank the good Lord that they found her alive.”
“I know that’s right. Now tell me…what about my son? Any word on his whereabouts?”
“No more than what you already know. He’s still MIA, and now his phone is off.”
“Yeah, it was going to voicemail. Now I get that message you hear when your phone is disconnected,” Hezekiah said. “I still can’t imagine where he is, and what could have made him leave his family, especially the boys?”
“That’s the million-dollar question.”
“I pray to God he’s not out there hurt somewhere or worse...” Hezekiah sighed as his voice trailed off.
“That’s unlikely. I told you he told Pepper he was leaving because he needed time to sort some things out. Sounds like he may have had this planned.”
“I don’t understand, man. What can my son be thinking? He wants to be a punk that bad?”
“See, that’s probably why he felt he had to leave. He feels judged by his own family. You and Fancy have never accepted him for who he is. I’ve heard him say that on more than one occasion.”
“I won’t go against what the Good Book says. If he has a problem with that, that’s between him and the Lord. I don’t see what’s so hard about that.”
“I understand what you’re saying, but what I’m saying is the kid has a lot on his shoulders, Hezekiah. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for him to deal with his issues and everything happening around him.”
“A lot on his shoulders? Like what?”
“You’re his father. You should know what I mean. The guy is struggling with his self-identity while trying to be a good father and husband, and you and I know Xavier worked his tail off for New Holy Rock. If it wasn’t for his help in the office, not to mention he’s the financial administrator, I don’t know what I would have done.”
With Stiles in control of New Holy Rock Ministries while he served his time, Hezekiah couldn’t be more grateful for his son and brother’s help. It was one less thing for him to be concerned about while he petitioned God for Christian Black to get him released, but today, he was not in the frame of mind to be all cheery and positive, not today. His hand trembled as he ran it over his balding scalp.
“I need to get out of this place,” he seethed, hitting the wall with an open palm. “I have to get out!”
“Chill, bruh,” Stiles told him when he heard his brother’s outburst. “What will getting yourself upset solve? Absolutely nothing.”
“Look, Stiles, that boy has issues, and so does that conniving brother of his.”
“Come on, now. Don’t you think it’s time to work things out with Khalil? Especially with Xavier missing. You should try to draw closer rather than continue this bitter father-son rivalry.”
“If he wants to talk like a man, I’ll listen.”
“He’s young, Hezekiah. You and I—we’ve both been young, stupid, and irresponsible—until we learned better.”
“But to steal from me? You know he’s wrong. I guess you forgot he also tried to lock me up for embezzlement. But let’s not stop there. He stole Holy Rock from under me, Stiles.”
“Need I remind you that you were once a thief? Out of your own mouth, you said you and Fancy served time in prison back in the day for embezzling church funds in Chicago. Am I right?”
Hezekiah emitted a grunt.
“And you say he stole Holy Rock from under you? I beg to differ. You served as senior pastor after I left for Houston. When you had a stroke, your health became the priority. Khalil stepped up and filled your shoes. Overall, he’s doing a good job at Holy Rock. All I’m saying is that you messed up badly when you were younger. Believe it or not, you and Khalil have more in common than you may realize. When you got out of prison in Chicago, you said that’s when you turned your life around and answered God’s call to preach. Khalil has done the same. He went from stealing cars and purses to serving God. Even now, you’ve made mistakes along the way. You being in prison again is proof of that.”
“So, you’re saying I should just let Khalil slide? Give him a pass because he’s a young cat?”
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying. The young man is still learning. He’s still fumbling the ball. The same is true for Xavier.”
“I don’t care how you want to explain his actions by saying Khalil is young and doesn’t understand some things. I’m telling you, he’s not a kid anymore. He’s a grown man. He knows the kind of game he’s playing. Come on, now. What’s wrong with you? He got you on his little payroll or something?” Hezekiah checked.
“You know what, I’m not going down that path with you. Not today. I’m about to head out here to see Black and his wife. I’ll call Pepper on my way home and see what’s the latest she’s heard, if anything, about Xavier.”
“Thanks. I’ll try to call her again later this week. Man, I can’t get over this one. Where could he be?” Hezekiah’s voice dropped.
“He’s going to turn up. And he’s going to be fine. I know it,” Stiles said.
“Yep, you’re right. God’s protecting him wherever he is.”
“Right, well, we’ll talk later. Oh, before we hang up, what’s the latest on your situation? I know Christian’s mind is on his wife’s well-being right now, but you said he felt positive about your release the last time you two spoke.”
“Yeah, he did. We’re still playing the waiting game. Black seems to think a decision could be coming down at any time. I’m telling you now if they don’t let me out of this place, I don’t know if I’m going to make it. There’s so much happening on the outside that I need to be helping you and my family with. My son has disappeared. Nobody knows where he is...if he’s safe or even alive. God, I need out,” he cried.
“Hey, what did I say? It’s going to be all right. Everything is going to work out. Xavier’s going to be good. Your relationship with Khalil is going to be restored. And you’re going to get out of prison. You’ll see. God’s been taking care of you and our family all this time. He’s not about to forsake you, me, or any of us now.”
“I gotta go,” Hezekiah said after a few seconds of silence. “I’ll try to call tomorrow.”
“Okay, but tell me you’re going to be straight,” Stiles said.
“What choice do I have?”
Hezekiah ended the call and returned the phone to its safe place. He laid back on his bunk, rested both hands behind his head, and stared at the concrete ceiling.
†
On the drive to see Christian and Luna, Stiles turned up the volume when he heard the song by gospel artist LeAndria Johnson. The words resonated in his spirit as she sang, “Better days are coming. It’s only a season…”
Stiles swayed his head in tune with the music as the words ushered him into a place where it was just him and God. He thought about all he had experienced in his life. All that God had brought him through. He felt for his brother being behind bars and feeling helpless and hopeless. He prayed that Xavier was safe and would return home soon and that better days were coming. Stiles did not want anyone to experience the indescribable pain that came with losing a child. He still lived with the painful memory of the death of his little girl. Her senseless death made him think about her mother, Detria. Seeing her walk around with only a damaged arm from the accident caused by her jealousy while his baby girl lost her life was still hard for him sometimes. He had found it hard to forgive her and the others who had hurt him. Yet, God had not given up on him. God would not give up on Hezekiah either.
As he continued the drive and the song faded, his thoughts turned to Luna Black. He began praying for her mind to be healed and for God to give Christian the right amount of patience, understanding, and love for his wife during this difficult period.
2
SHATTERED
“Happiness in the present is only shattered by comparison with the past.” Douglas Horton
The couple sat on the sofa facing Stiles in their spacious family room.
Luna’s physical wounds had long since healed. However, she was still experiencing trauma from the abduction and assault and the knowledge that life for her and Christian was far different than the couple had expected.
“Are you sure you don’t want something to drink? I can make you some coffee, and we have soda and bottled water in the fridge,” Luna offered, looking much thinner than Stiles was used to seeing.
“No, thank you, I’m good,” he said, raising a hand to stop her.
“I have some fresh baked oatmeal raisin cookies. Would you like some of those?”
“No, I’m good. Tell me, how are you doing? The last time I came by, you weren’t feeling well.”
“Oh, I’m all right,” she said, looking away briefly and then back at him.
“She went back to work this week, something I was hoping she wouldn’t have done. At least, not now. And especially under the circumstances,” said Christian.
“Maybe going back to work will be good,” Stiles said. “I mean, I’m not a doctor; I’m just saying maybe work can help you heal, take your mind off what happened.”
Luna and Christian’s eyes locked. Christian grabbed hold of her hand.
“There’s something we haven’t told you, something we’ve been praying about,” said Luna humbly.
“And we’re still praying about it,” Christian said, squeezing his wife’s hand tighter.
“What is it?” I want you to feel comfortable talking to me.”
“We do, we trust you,” said Christian.
“You’re our pastor,” said Luna. “But what happened to me,” she paused and looked at her husband, “affected both of us. It’s different from anything we’ve ever experienced.”
Stiles sat silently, waiting patiently, not wanting to make Luna or Christian feel forced to talk.
When she learned she was pregnant from the brutal attack, the couple faced a huge decision—to keep the baby or not. Their staunch Christian beliefs, especially Luna’s, forbade her from having an abortion. She could not justify that in her spirit. Was this a sign from God? Christian could not produce children, and Luna had longed to feel the love and warmth of carrying a child. The couple, before the assault, had accepted that would never be—until now.
“I’m pregnant,” Luna said quickly, looking at her husband.
“Pregnant?” Stiles repeated and frowned. “But…I thought y’all couldn’t….” Stiles shifted his eyes from Luna to Christian.
