The long, desperate seconds ticked away. “I’m getting a faint pulse,” said the paramedic who was performing CPR and hastily put the oxygen mask over Suave’s nose.
The other paramedic hooked up IVs to Suave and yelled, “We have to go. He has lost a lot of blood.”
Suave was lifted onto the gurney. A cervical collar was put on him, and his head secured with towel rolls and tape. He was then loaded into the ambulance, which peeled out of the parking lot at record speed, lights flashing, loud siren crying.
Alwayne watched the ambulance until it disappeared. He knew in his heart that only one person could save Suave now—the God that he had resented all these years but was getting to know over the last few weeks. Would Suave get a chance to experience God’s redeeming mercy?
At the University Hospital, Suave was immediately rushed into surgery. He had lost a lot of blood and was in critical condition. It was touch and go a few times, but the dedicated doctors and nurses worked feverishly to save his life. By the wee hours that Friday morning, Suave was finally stabilized and placed in intensive care under strict supervision.
His heart rate dropped a few times over the next forty-eight hours, but he recovered. By the fourth day after being shot, Suave was moved to a regular room for recovery.
“Who did it?” Daddy Lizard angrily asked Suave when he was finally allowed visitors. “I’ll mobilize a few soldiers and head out now.”
Suave looked at his friend, his brother from another mother, and gave him a weak smile. “There’s no need for that. It’s over now.”
Daddy Lizard stared at Suave like he had lost his mind. “I think something got messed up in here.” He pointed to his head. “I’m going to ask the doctor to run a few scans and stuff.” He walked toward the door.
“Man, come back here.” Suave coughed and winced at the sharp pain in his stomach.
Daddy Lizard walked back over to the bed. “Well, stop talking rubbish and tell me who tried to kill you.”
Suave glanced down at his hand, a few emotions flicked on and off his face before he met Daddy Lizard’s eyes. “I didn’t see their face,” Suave lied again. This was the same thing he told the detectives who had visited him earlier. “He was wearing a mask.” God forgive me, but it ends right here.
“Mask?” Daddy Lizard spat in disgust. “The coward came at you in a mask?”
“Knock, knock,” Alwayne said from the doorway before he, Annette, Bishop Hudson, and eight other church brothers entered Suave’s hospital room.
Daddy Lizard gawked at the visitors in surprise, while Suave beamed with gratitude.
“Brother Suave,” Bishop Hudson greeted, and Suave grimaced at being called a “brother” as if he were a member of the church.
“It’s great to see you on the road to recovery.” Bishop Hudson grabbed Suave’s hand and shook it passionately.
“My turn.” Annette moved closer to the bed, a big vase of white roses in her hands. Without asking, Annette sat down on the edge of the bed facing Suave. “These are for you,” she told him, her eyes filled with tears. “They express respect, pay homage to new beginnings, and signify hope for the future. That’s what I want for you, Suave Brown. I want you to start over brand new with Jesus Christ at the center of your life.”
Suave lost it then. He lowered his head and cried. These people actually care about him, and it felt good.
As Annette got up to place the roses on a small table in the room, Alwayne walked over to Suave, handing him his handkerchief. “I spoke with your doctor a few days ago,” Alwayne said after Suave wiped his face and looked at him. “He was surprised you didn’t die in that parking lot after losing so much blood.”
Suave used his finger to beckon Alwayne closer. “You know I prayed before I passed out,” he whispered in Alwayne’s ear, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the others. “For the first time, I felt that this time, He would help me. I actually believed it, man.”
Alwayne gleamed like a proud father. “He did help you, my friend. God gave you a second chance. The question is, what are you going to do about it?”
“Trust me. I got it.” Suave winked at Alwayne and said to everyone, “Thank you all for coming.”
“We know you’re still weak, so we won’t be staying long,” Bishop Hudson remarked. “Let’s hold hands and pray.”
Daddy Lizard silently tiptoed toward the door.
“Don’t take another step, son.” Bishop Hudson stopped Daddy Lizard in his tracks. “Come on and join us.” He held out his hand to Daddy Lizard.
Daddy Lizard glanced from the bishop’s hand to Suave, then back. He sighed loudly before he took it, feeling a little embarrassed. It had been many moons since Daddy Lizard had prayed. Maybe this was the beginning of something different for him too.
The group held hands, formed a circle around Suave’s bed, and prayed. Suave lay in the middle and closed his eyes in reverence, with a heart full of thanksgiving for the Lord.
* * *
Suave was released from the hospital two weeks after being admitted. Monica flew back to Jamaica with the kids to take care of him in their home. Suave met his new son, Rayan, for the first time. This was an extra boost for Suave to implement the changes he intended.
Joel also packed a suitcase and told his mother that his father needed him, and he would be staying with Suave for a while. Nadine readily agreed, although she doubted she could have stopped him. Almost losing Suave was a very traumatic experience for Joel. Nadine now realized that Joel needed his father, as much as Suave needed him.
Over the next few weeks, Suave’s five-bedroom house was filled to capacity. At any given time, there were at least
