From The Dead by John Herrick

Author:John Herrick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, romance, hollywood, suspense, mystery, home, religious fiction, inspirational, california, movies, free, acting, dead, ohio, edgy, christian fiction, general fiction, preacher, bestselling, commercial fiction, prodigal son, john herrick, from the dead, prodigal god
Publisher: John Herrick

CHAPTER 36

Late that Tuesday afternoon, Jesse crisscrossed the church’s rear lawn in a riding mower. Even with the low humidity of the upper Midwest, the sun felt hot after an hour. Drops of perspiration trickled down his cheeks and crawled to his neck.

His last conversation with Eden brought perspective to his situation. No wonder Caitlyn shielded their son like she did.

With further reflection, Jesse imagined the rough times Caitlyn must have endured alone. Then, by contrast, he thought about his own status during one of those moments: A brief stint as an extra on Love and Errors, a dark romantic comedy. The day he and Jada moved into their Sherman Oaks apartment, the upgrade from Hollywood and Vine. And one Christmas Eve, courtesy of a credit card, he took Jada to an expensive French bistro in Pasadena, where they ate in a corner by candlelight.

What value he’d placed on things that now meant nothing, watercolor paintings that had faded with time.

All while Caitlyn and Drew struggled.

And to think, mere weeks ago, Jesse felt screwed because a film role had fallen through.

* * *

When he walked through the church building’s back door, the air conditioning prickled his skin like the fresh chill of spring water. Around the corner, at the end of the corridor, he poked his head in Mel’s office to say good-bye before he headed home.

Eyes drilled to a repair-in-progress, Mel beckoned with an absent wave behind his back. “Hold on a second!”

Already out the office door, Jesse backed up and poked his head back in as Mel reached inside a desk drawer.

“Technically, you report to me,” Mel said, “so technically, I’m supposed to be the one to give this to you.”

He fluttered a flimsy, letter-sized envelope, which Jesse took. Confused, Jesse gave it a perfunctory look. Through the envelope’s window, Jesse’s name appeared above Eden’s street address.

“What’s this?”

Mel snorted. “Your first paycheck, what else!”

With the recent developments in his life, Jesse had forgotten all about money.

Tired, Jesse walked out of the building and toward his car. But halfway there, he stopped. He grinned at the thought that dawned on him, and then slapped the unsealed envelope against his palm. Jesse jogged the rest of the way to his car.

If he hurried, he could get to a bank before it closed.

* * *

Jesse heard a basketball bounce across the street but didn’t think to look for its source. He had walked all the way up Caitlyn’s driveway when he heard footsteps approach behind him. Before he had a chance to turn around, Drew pounced on him from behind.

“Hey Jesse!” His skinny arms wrapped around Jesse’s shoulders and met on the other side before Drew hopped off. At least the kid appeared excited to see him. And it made Jesse’s whole day worth living. How many of these spontaneous gestures had he missed as his son grew up?

Drew panted rather heavily, Jesse noticed. Hadn’t Drew mentioned he doesn’t play basketball much because it made him tired? And Caitlyn had concerns as well.

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