Take Flight

by T. E. Price

  “Delivery for Hallie Reed,” he calls over the rain and wind, his back holding the screen door open.

  “That’s me,” I reply with a tilt of my head. “Who are they from?”

  “Uh,” he starts, looking down at a stapled mess of folded papers threatening to fly away, “Harrison and Isabel Reed. Can you sign here?”

  He hands me the folded papers and indicates with the pen where I should sign. A smile spreads as I scribble my signature and take the glass vase. The delivery guy jogs to his van as I use my backside to close the door. While taking out the card to read, I walk down the hall:

  We’re so proud of you! Wish we could be there to celebrate. God is in control!

  Love, Harrison and Isabel

  My grin widens as I slip the card into the front pocket of my hoody and gaze at the beautiful bouquet, accented with vibrant colors of lavender. I place the vase on the dining room table and move to the coffee table to grab my phone. “Thank you for my beautiful flowers,” I say the moment our call connects.

  Harrison laughs, “You’re welcome. I thought I would send something your way on this monumental day, so I asked Isabel what would be best. The flowers were her idea.”

  “Honestly—these flowers have been the highlight of my day, despite the fact that I’m now free from him.”

  “Well, good, I’m glad.” Harrison clears his throat, “Listen, I don’t want to steal you away from Mom and Dad, I’m sure they’re soaking up as much time as they possibly can with you before you return to Ann Arbor tomorrow. But, uh—”

  “Actually,” I interrupt. I run a tongue across my lips, “I’m all alone.”

  A pause, then Harrison says, “What? You’re joking. Mom and Dad left you? Where did they go?”

  I groan, “They went to see Grannie. She’s got some kinda special dinner tonight at the nursing home. I dunno—they said her health was declining, but—”

  “So, were they with you at the courthouse?” I search for words. What can I say that won’t make Harrison angry? “Hallie?”

  “No,” I finally mutter. “They left last night after they picked me up from the airport.”

  “I don’t believe it—”

  “Don’t worry,” I interrupt, “I’m safe, and things went smoothly at the courthouse. Honestly, I don’t need them holding my hand through this divorce, and it shows them that I’m strong when I can do things like this on my own.”

  “Wow, Hallie.” Harrison sighs, “I’m so sorry. Now I really do wish I was there.”

  With a small chuckle, I walk up to the blinds in the living room, peek through, and say, “I do too. We’ve got a serious storm brewing, and it’s only supposed to get worse. The rain’s been pretty heavy, on and off, but the winds are crazy. It was really hot all day until later this afternoon, around the time I showed up to the courthouse, and then the temperature dropped.”

  “Oh, that’s not good.”

  “Yeah, I was eating dinner when—” and just then, the lights go out and the TV cuts off, plunging my surroundings into immediate quiet.

  “Hallie, you alright?”

  My heart thumps, “Uh, we just lost power,” I whisper. Shuffling over to the other side of the room, I check through the blinds. “Yep,” I confirm in a hushed voice, as if Harrison is right here beside me, “no one has power. I’m just glad I haven’t lost cell service.” My stomach tightens. “And I hope I don’t.”

  Creak! My head snaps away from the window. What was that? I remain frozen on the spot as Harrison says, “Hello, you still there?”

  “Hold on,” I whisper behind a cupped hand, and I move down the hall. Is that the screen door banging in the wind? Did I lock the front door after I got my flowers? I must have. My free hand feels down the wall as my quivering body carries me past the hallway table. I lean into the door and twist the handle. It’s not locked. My breath catches in my throat. With Harrison still on the phone, I twist the lock and back away slowly. Every muscle of my body is wound as tight as a spring while my eyes strain to see the objects in my immediate surroundings. I crouch low into the shadows of the hall, my breath returning with heavy gasps echoing in the eerie silence. Is anyone here? Just then, a flash of lightening reveals the murderous silhouette of a man in the den, but the thunder that follows belongs to Jonathan’s treacherous voice, “Hello, again.”

  A scream sounds from miles away, yet it’s coming from my mouth. I race down the hall. “He’s here! He’s here!” I shriek as I fumble around the corner. Pow! A hit from behind crashes me into the wall. My cell phone is thrown out of my hands from the thrust of Jonathan’s contact, and I cry out from the blow to my head.

  Tumbling to the floor, my brain rattles for a split second, then instinct ignites my body, and I kick at whatever comes at me next. Through the ringing in my ears, my foot makes contact. Thump! Jonathan groans. In a flash, I rise, my body pulsing with such a fierce flood of terror that I can barely control my limbs. With a quick dash, I round the corner of the living room and duck behind the bookshelf. It’s dark … he won’t see me—he can’t. My heavy gasps punch through my lungs, and my brain falters from the blow to my head as I whip my hand over my mouth. I wait, my head vibrating from a surge that threatens my consciousness.

  “Now look, Hallie. There’s nowhere for you to go,” comes Jonathan’s jeering voice. His footsteps mark his movement as he rounds the corner of the hall. “Don’t forget, I know this house too,” he says, his voice accompanying him into the kitchen. Here’s my chance! I bolt for the closet on the far side of the room. I whip around the TV stand, using its bulk to hide me. “And I have your phone, too,” he taunts, still near the kitchen. I click the door handle open and flail my hands about. Where’s the shotgun? Dad used to keep it in here—where is it? “But it’s too bad,” he growls as another flash of lightening sparks behind the blinds, “whoever you were talking to is no longer on the phone.” My hands stop. That was it, my brother was my chance of making it out of this alive. Please, Harrison, call for help. My hands start thrashing around to find the one thing that could save me. Please be here.

  Crash! The shattering of glass sets my muscles on fire as I startle so harshly that my flesh pricks with a million needles. “I’m guessing those flowers were from your secret lover in Ann Arbor.” With a couple of belittling tuts, he drawls, “Hope you didn’t like that vase.” Glass clatters across the dining room table, as if he’s dragging his hand through the shards. He’s moving closer. “Didn’t I tell you that if I can’t have you, no one can?” His ridiculing voice is now heading in my direction. He’s loving this slow hunt, like a lion playing with its food. I bash through the closet as his movements carry him closer. I’ve got to find that gun! Blind, I turn and dive in as I can hear his lethal laugh getting closer and closer. Then, it stops. I swing back around, blinded by the light of my phone screen shining on my face. Cold iron brushes across my fingertips. Swoosh! My body is hurled off the wall, but I manage to grip the gun and drag it with me.

  Jonathan flings me to the floor. Ahhh! Something slices down my free arm and hot blood pours from the wound. The piece of glass in Jonathan’s hand comes at me again. I swing the gun as hard as I can at his head, and the crack of contact tingles through my arm. He stumbles back, the glass flying from his hand and clattering across the coffee table. A lightning bolt from outside illuminates the room just long enough to see his bloodthirsty snarl. He’s no longer enjoying the brutal circling of his prey, he’s coming in for the angry kill. But every ounce of my shaking body is ready to show this man that I’m a fighter now. I hoist the gun up the second he lunges at me as I fumble desperately for the trigger. He plows into me, driving my head into the carpet. Crunch! My ribs crack, and I scream. My cry reverberates through the room, louder than the thunder that rattles the house. He rips the gun from my grip and hurls it to the side. “I don’t need a gun,” he roars over the storm, “I’ll finish this the way I should have a year ago.” And in a flash, he hammers into me again. My body thrashes about
as I fight back, launching every possible blow at the man smothering me. I must fight! Where’s the gun? I need the gun! But it’s too late, his hands are around my throat. I throw kicks and blows, thrusting my body off the ground and twisting viciously. His grip locks into a deadly hold. My breath leaves me. I beat on his arms as I try to reach for his face. He’s so close, yet so far away. I can’t reach his face hovering above me, his menacing, drug-crazed eyes thirsty for revenge while his hands remain triumphantly latched around my neck. My vision begins to fade. This is the end. He’s finally going to take my life.

  He laughs and moves to straddle my body that can no longer thrash. He’s made a mistake. Bam! My foot kicks at his groin with all the might I have left. He falls back, his hands releasing as he rolls over and groans. My raspy breath returns with fierce drags. I roll over, one hand on my throat as I reach for the gun. Jonathan rises slowly from his knees. I push myself up to my feet, take a wide, steadying stance, grip the barrel with both hands, and swing with all my might. The stock connects with Jonathan’s face just as he’s reaching full height. He stumbles, then falls backward. Crash! His body smashes down on the coffee table and shatters the glass. I force another raspy breath as I secure my stance, but he’s not moving.

  My vision begins to grow dark. I collapse back on the floor. Just then, a woman screams, sending my mind reeling with the dissipating fog as I pull an anguished breath frantically into my lungs. Mom? Flashing blue lights from somewhere outside skirt my dimming consciousness. With the commotion that follows, my mind slips away to a sweet oblivion as my throbbing head sinks back into the sticky wetness of my blood spattered across the shag carpet.

  EPILOGUE

  The events from that night are still a blur. But I survived. God sent the storm so my parents would return home at just the right moment. It didn’t matter that they came back for the safety of the house, what they found was the real reason why I had to leave him. And that realization has made all the difference. God prompted Harrison to call the cops when our call was disconnected. Watching Jonathan being carried away in handcuffs was the reassurance I ultimately needed. I now know that God does have a plan for me, a plan to prosper me and not to harm me, a plan to give me hope and a future. When I eventually boarded my return flight to Ann Arbor—stitched up, bruised, and battered—I knew I would no longer be afraid. I knew I wouldn’t need to be looking over my shoulder for Jonathan anymore. And when the airplane took off, it was the first time in my life I was finally flying toward something and not away from it.

  * * *

  The mid-August sun disappears behind a cloud as I close my car door and smile. Nations Church has gathered on this Saturday afternoon for an outdoor baptism at Harrison and Isabel’s new, two-story home, complete with four bedrooms and a pool. With a quick glance at the time on my phone, I run a hand through my newly dyed hair. Ah, finally—back to blonde. My jet-black hair only reminded me of my fear. I breathe a sigh of relief at my freedom. It’s something I’ve become accustomed to over the past ten months, but I will never take it for granted.

  As I stroll toward the backyard, Sarah pulls up in her car, emerges from the driver’s side, and gives me a tight hug…or at least tries. “There’s still plenty of time before the baptism, right?” I nod. “Good—it’s just that Tom is picking up his brother, Vincent, so he can be here too.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand, “We’re finally doing this—we’re getting baptized today.”

  “It’s perfect timing, isn’t it?” I reply, reaching over to rub Sarah’s protruding belly, “I mean, Baby Romano will be here before we know it.”

  “Isn’t that the truth,” Sarah says, looking down at her swollen stomach with watery eyes. That look in her gaze is one I’ve learned over the last ten months, it’s the look of a mother’s love. “So, how about you? Other than Harrison and Isabel, do you have family coming?”

  “Oh yeah—I forgot to tell you. My parents decided to come after all. They flew in last night. They asked their neighbor to feed the dogs while they’re gone.” I heave a visible sigh of relief. Who would’ve thought my parents would be the ones to take the dogs? All it took was Jonathan behind bars, and those dogs finally got the lucky break they needed. “And I’m shocked, but they’re actually looking forward to being here for my baptism.”

  I push open the backyard gate with a smile and beckon Sarah through. Just then, a pound of thunder rumbles in the distance. We both glance up at the black clouds, then exchange a grimaced look. “This might be over before it begins,” Sarah says. “Those clouds don’t look good.” We walk past all the people mingling around the pool, some of them turning their gaze upward with similar twisted faces.

  Sarah and I climb the stairs to the screened-in porch. I inhale deeply. Hmmm. Do I smell jalapeño poppers? My mouth waters at the sight of the fold-up table covered in a yellow tablecloth. The twins run past, helping Isabel unwrap the plastic covering on a few of the dishes, and Bailey’s eyes light up at the sight of the mini cupcakes. She and Branson giggle with glee, and I can’t help but laugh as we enter the house. Harrison pivots in the kitchen at the sound of the door closing behind us. “Hey, you made it,” he gibes, “we were starting to get worried.” My parents, who are standing beside Harrison, move toward me.

  “Hi Mom and Dad,” comes my muffled greeting from their awkward hugs. They’ve started doing this, acting as if every time they see me it could be the last. “How was your flight?”

  “Good,” my dad starts, “Harrison picked us up last night, and we went straight to sleep as soon as we got back here.”

  “Yeah,” my mother says, “we wanted to come by and see your new apartment, but we were a bit tired. Maybe we can come and see it after the baptism. Oh—I forgot to say,” she adds, “congratulations on your promotion at work. You’re doing so well, and your father and I are so proud of you.”

  “Thank you,” I say, the edges of my face tingling with heat. “Oh, Mom and Dad,” I turn to Sarah, who is standing behind me, “This is my friend, Sarah. She’s married to Tom and they’ve been helping lead the Bible study that meets here mid-week. I think you’ll be around for it this week—so you’ll get to know them a little better.”

  Sarah extends a soft hand in greeting as my mother says, “You’ve got such a beautiful glow about you, Sarah.”

  “That must be this little one,” Sarah says with a laugh as she pats her stomach. I smirk. Sarah glows whether she’s pregnant or not.

  “Is it a boy or a girl?” my dad asks.

  “Actually,” Sarah begins, with a sideways grin, “we were so surprised with the pregnancy we thought we might as well stick with this idea of being surprised. We haven’t found out the gender, but we look forward to finding out in November.”

  “Oh, well that’s nice,” my mom replies, then her eyes move back on me, “babies are always such a blessing, and we’re hoping to one day have more grandchildren.” Her voice lifts with this comment, and I smile. My parents have definitely changed their tune.

  “Not from us,” Harrison adds with a laugh. “Isabel and I are done. She loves her work now that she’s back teaching, and I don’t think I could convince her to have any more children even if I tried. So, the pressure is on you, Hallie.”

  We all laugh as my mother interjects, “No, no—there’s no pressure. It’s just something to think about when the timing is right and when you’ve found the right guy to marry.”

  “And we hope you do find the right guy,” my dad adds. He clears his throat, almost as if he’s preparing to defend in court. “We now understand just how destructive it is when you’re with the wrong guy.”

  My father’s eyes get misty, so my mom redirects our attention as she nods, pats me on the shoulder, then asks my dad, “Should we get some lemonade?”

  As the two of them walk out of the back door, Harrison turns toward Sarah and me to say, “You know, Hallie—Mom and Dad are coming around. Their conversations lately haven’t been just about going to church, like they’
re ticking the box.” He tips his head forward, his eyes almost twinkling. “They’re starting to understand what it means to have a personal relationship with Christ. Last night, they told me that you have a lot to do with that. They said your humility about their confusion with Jonathan really caused them to see that there was something different with you.” His mouth turns up in a half-grin, “Your story and how you handled that whole year of waiting to get the divorce has ultimately led them to believe that there are some holes in their church-going ritual that can only be filled by actually getting to know who Christ really is, not by just showing up at church each Sunday. I mean, look,” he throws a hand up in the direction of the door, “they actually flew to watch you get baptized. That’s huge. They aren’t there yet, but they’re moving in the right direction.”

  With a small grin, my eyes move to the door, then back to Harrison. “They were pretty shaken up with what happened last October. Once I finally recovered, they didn’t want me to get on that flight, but I knew there was nothing left for me in Oklahoma—everything I had was waiting for me here in Ann Arbor.” I lower my head with a smile. My heart flutters. Next week is going to be an exciting start to a whole new journey. I nod, then add, “Their testimony is what helped put Jonathan away, and they stood by my side through that whole trial. I never thought it would end that way, but thankfully, God knew that was exactly what I needed for closure. Now, there’s no doubt in my heart that God can be trusted. He’s been with me through these last two years—guiding, protecting, and helping me. I can see that now, and that’s why I’m making the decision to get baptized today.”

  “On that note,” Harrison replies, “you guys brought a change of clothes, right?” We both nod in unison. “Good—there are a few others getting baptized first, but when I jump in the pool, Hallie, that’ll be your cue to get in as well. I’ll ask you a few questions about your faith, then I’ll dunk you.”