It was close to midnight when Suave’s cell phone rang. It was the Good Samaritan with instructions to get Joel. Suave was elated but still apprehensive. He would feel better when he sees Joel for himself. Please be okay, Joel. Please.
“Are you going to tell Nadine?” Daddy Lizard’s voice interrupted Suave’s thoughts.
“No. I want to wait until I get Joel back first. Just in case...” He didn’t finish the sentence. Just the thought of it was too much for him to bear.
“We’re on our way to get him back now,” Daddy Lizard encouraged Suave. “Come to think of it, Nadine and her husband are probably still at church where they’re holding a prayer meeting for Joel.”
Suave snorted. “Fools! What can prayer do for Joel? What can their God do to help my son? If He was the big Savior that they think He is, then why didn’t He prevent King Kong from taking Joel in the first place?” Suave was now getting worked up again. “God didn’t help my son—I did! It was me who put that money in that man’s bank account.” He pounded his chest with his left hand, the right hand still navigating the truck toward the Causeway Bridge. “Me! Not some fictitious God!”
Daddy Lizard listened but remained quiet. He knew anything about church and God always upset Suave. He wasn’t sure where it all came from, but Suave had been that way since he was a teenager living in Tivoli Gardens.
Suave continued to rant and curse for a few more minutes before he became quiet.
“We’re almost there,” Daddy Lizard said the obvious when the Causeway Bridge came into sight.
Suave’s heart rate sped up as they joined the light flow of traffic over the bridge at that time of night. His hand on the steering wheel shook a little. Was this a hoax?
Moments later, the truck got to the other side of the bridge, and Suave pulled over to a dark, quiet area where a lengthy line of fish stalls stood. He parked the truck and shut it off. “Well, here we are,” he said, looking over at Daddy Lizard.
Daddy Lizard nodded and pulled his gun from his waistband. “I think I see something up ahead.” He pointed in front of him.
Suave leaned forward, squinting his eyes as he peered through the windshield into the darkness and the distance. He made out two figures. “That must be them,” he said excitedly. “I’m going to get my son.” Suave reached for the door handle but paused when Daddy Lizard rested his hand over his.
“Be careful,” Daddy Lizard warned Suave. “We still don’t know who that is. You have your piece?”
Suave patted his side. “You know I do. Any problems, I’ll give you the signal.” The man had commanded that only Suave should come and get Joel from him.
“Okay. Go and get your son.” The men bumped fists, and Suave stepped out.
The sand felt soft and cushy under Suave’s sneakers as he strode toward the two figures. A few vehicles passed on the road, their headlights illuminating the area for a few seconds, but Suave was still unable to see any faces. He breathed heavily as he kept his eyes trained on the taller of the two. Suave didn’t feel any fear for himself. He was more concerned about seeing Joel alive and well.
“Daddy?”
Suave’s heart almost stopped when he heard Joel’s voice. “Joel. Yes, it’s me, son.” He broke into a little jog. He couldn’t reach Joel fast enough. He ran until he was a few feet away from Joel and the man—then he stopped suddenly. Suave’s mouth opened in surprise, his hand reaching for the gun on his waist.
“You don’t need your gun,” the man said, taking a few steps closer to Suave, one hand holding Joel’s.
“You?” Suave was shocked. “But... but I don’t understand.”
“I’m guilty of a lot of things, but I don’t hurt children,” replied Phil. “This has gone too far, and I don’t want anything to do with it.”
Suave looked at King Kong’s right-hand man and saw the sincerity in his eyes. “Thank you for saving my son.”
Phil nodded and released Joel’s hand.
Joel ran over to his father, and Suave grabbed him in a tight embrace. Tears filled his eyes as he felt Joel’s heart beating against his.
Suave looked up at Phil. “Joel, go and get in the truck. I’ll be right there.” He rubbed a hand over his son’s head and took a step back.
“Okay, Daddy.” Joel walked over to Phil. “Thank you, sir.” He held out his right hand to Phil, and he took it in a firm handshake.
Suave smiled, pride radiating from his body like rays from the sun. His son was such a respectful young man.
“I knew that the Lord would send somebody to save me,” Joel told Phil. “Psalm 46:1 says, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’”
The smile fell from Suave’s face.
“Okay.” Phil shifted uncomfortably, glancing over at Suave with raised eyebrows. “Well, uh, you take care of yourself now.”
Joel nodded his head and walked away toward the truck.
“That’s a special young man you have there,” Phil said.
Suave looked at his former enemy. “I’m still not too sure why you did it.”
“According to Joel, it was orchestrated by God.” Phil chuckled, and Suave sucked his teeth.
“But as I said before, I don’t hurt children. I have a son around Joel’s age.” Phil made eye contact with Suave. “King Kong and Saddam went too far this time. Plus, I’m tired of the game. It’s time to get out.”
“I hear you, man. Maximum respect for what you did.”
“Once King Kong and Saddam realize what I did, they’ll flip,” Phil replied. “I’m supposed to be watching your son while they take care of business. But I knew it was the right thing to do.”
“I transferred the money to your account.”
“Yes, I know. That and what I have stashed away
