The Retreat Read Online Free Page B

knew he was not supposed to find pleasure in his brother Henry’s death. Well, technically, his brother was not dead yet.
    But the air was thick with the putrid smell of Henry’s frail body as Chauncey pushed open the hospital room door. Chauncey had forewarned his brother that the path he chose in life would eventually lead to destruction. Henry did not heed his older brother’s advice, and indulged in sex and drugs until he alienated everything and everyone around him; all except for sin.
    Now Chauncey stood over his brother a proud champion of the faith, with no trace of the fear he’d displayed in the park. Whenever Chauncey would visit his brother, he would bring his blue leather-bound King James Version Bible. This was the Bible out of which he had prophesized to Henry numerous times that the wage of sin was death. With only a thin layer of auburn skin over Henry’s bones, it was clear that sin would complete its work.
    Chauncey finally acknowledged his baby sister, Nicole, sitting across the hospital bed from him. The darkest one of the siblings, Nicole’s mocha complexion made her the desire of all the boys in Chauncey’s neighborhood. She did, however, have the signature McClendon lips, which seemed to be permanently in pout mode. At this moment, the pout almost seemed like a grimace. Chauncey turned his back to his brother. The Bible was so thick that it required him to hold it with both hands. He held the Bible midway toward his chest.
    â€œI’m having trouble keeping food down. All I feel is pain all the time,” Henry said before he swallowed hard.
    â€œThat’s because you don’t know that by His stripes you are healed,” Chauncey said.
    â€œChauncey,” Nicole pleaded from the other side of the bed. She shook her head as a sign for Chauncey not to get on his soapbox. Chauncey did not know how long he could stay in this room without being able to speak his mind.
    â€œThe doctors ain’t saying nothing either, and when that happens that’s not good. I’m having visions that in the end I’m alone in this hospital bed with the cancer and my demons,” Henry said, trying to hold back tears.
    Nicole got up and rubbed her frail brother’s bald head, bending to give him some water in a beige cup with a straw. Chauncey could see Henry’s throat take in the water.
    â€œThey aren’t the ones who have the final say. God is the author and finisher of your faith,” Nicole said with a forced smile that highlighted her full ruby lips.
    â€œNicole, don’t give him no half-truths. God is the author and the finisher of his faith. But you have to have faith first.” Chauncey’s eyebrows arched.
    Nicole used her dark brown eyes to cut into Chauncey’s chest. His little sister had a mean side, but this was about souls. For the sake of the Gospel, he could not be moved on what was the truth.
    â€œChauncey, could I talk to you outside for a moment?” Nicole stood up and headed toward the door.
    Chauncey extended his hand like an usher and followed her outside.
    â€œWould it kill you to come down from your mountaintop and show your brother a little compassion?” Nicole asked.
    â€œWhat do you want me to do, lie to him? You and I both know that if he ain’t saved, then none of the Bible’s promises apply to him.”
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    â€œYou’re not God, so you can’t judge him. God sees his heart and Henry knows better,” Nicole said.
    â€œYou Baptists are nuttier than fruitcakes. I don’t know what they teach at your church, but at my church we teach that unless you are born again, you will not see the kingdom of heaven.”
    Nicole put both of her hands up in a choking motion and grunted in disgust. “You act so high and mighty!”
    â€œHigh? He stole from both of us to get high! You act like he didn’t steal from you or mess up your credit. I can’t get a Macy’s credit