by O. J. Lovaz
“Wow.” Anna shook her head in disbelief. This explained so much that she would almost have to revise her perceptions of her entire childhood. “I wish I knew what to tell you, Mom, but I’m stumped.”
“Well, then we are finally talking. I’ll answer your question now. Twice. He has hit me twice in almost thirty years. The first time, we had been married about four years. You and Frank were very little. We had a guest, a lady friend of ours. I was coming back from the kitchen with cookies I had baked, and right then I thought I saw something going on between them. They were looking at each other in a flirtatious way; at least that’s what I thought I saw. I was very jealous back then, and your father was a hunk. He still looks great, for his age, but back then he couldn’t walk into a bar without half the women turning to look at him. He was super athletic, and he had this sexy swagger—”
“Ugh, I get the idea. Please don’t make me puke.”
“I’m just trying to provide some context. Anyhow, that night I confronted him; I asked him directly if he liked her, if he wanted to…screw her. I was really mad, so I don’t know what else I might have said to him. But the next thing I knew, he had slapped me across the face pretty hard. I remember it so clearly because no one had ever slapped me before. It’s like time stopped and everything went quiet. At first, he looked surprised that he had done it, but in a moment, his face hardened, and he just stormed out. I think only a minute or two later I started feeling that side of my face really warm and tender, and I had the salty, metallic taste of blood in my mouth. I did think of leaving him, then, but I was crazy in love with him, and I had two little ones, of course. So, I just didn’t.”
“How awful. Did he come back asking for forgiveness or some crap like that?”
“He said he was sorry, but he didn’t beg or anything. Nothing was the same after that.”
Was Aunt Marlene that flirty guest? Anna sensed she was close to uncovering the whole truth. “Mom, who was that woman?” The question came out like a bullet.
Lydia’s face went pale, like that day in the garden. “Why would you ask me that? It’s no one you know.”
“Surely, you’d never forget her, that sleazy, treacherous woman. What was her name?”
“Um, Nancy, that was her name. A friend from college. Are you happy now?”
Lydia looked agitated. She stood up abruptly and, in doing so, flung back an arm which struck a fine porcelain tray and sent it flying off the counter. It hit the floor and shattered into a thousand pieces, making a remarkably loud noise.
“I’m pretty sure they must have heard that,” said Anna.
“Yes, I bet they did,” said Lydia, and then yelled out, “Everything is fine, just a broken tray; we got it.” She stepped away and came back with a broom and a dustpan. “At least, it was empty,” she said, while scooping up sharp chunks of porcelain from across the dining room.
“When was the second time?” asked Anna from behind the kitchen counter.
“What?”
“You said he hit you twice. When was the second time?”
Lydia came around to the kitchen and emptied the dustpan into the trash. She leaned back against the sink and gave a heavy sigh. “A month ago.” She smiled despondently.
“What? A month ago? And you said nothing?”
“Of course, I said nothing. And now, you will do the same. I want you to promise me. Frank cannot know any of this. I didn’t protect him his whole life to have him throw everything away now with some stupid, heroic act.”
“You said a month. Is that four weeks today? Because I was—”
“Yes,” Lydia cut her off. “You were here that Sunday. It was that night, after you left.”
“How did it happen?” Anna’s heart was pounding like a drum. If her mom said anything about Aunt Marlene, she would have to tell her about the text message. Then things could quickly get out of hand.
Lydia closed her eyes and sighed deeply. She snatched another tear before it could stream down her cheek. Then, looking down at the floor, she said with a broken voice, “I spoke to my sister on the phone after you left. She talked about Diane. She was crying, and…I told her that sometimes I feel…like I’ve lost my kids too, especially Frank, that my boy won’t set foot in this house again because his father is a monster.”
“You called him a monster?” Anna interrupted. “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say it.”
“Those were my exact words—and he was just around the corner, listening. I thought he was in the basement, counting the rent money.” Lydia stopped another two tears from ruining her perfectly dolled up face. “The moment I got off the phone he was there. And…oh, he was livid! He accused me of slander—what a word, right?—and I don’t know what else. I think he truly believes he was a perfect father, that he made you strong, prepared you for life, all that crap. I told him he was crazy and that I had said nothing but the truth. And that’s when his hand landed on my face.”
“Mom, you could come live with me. What are you waiting for? He’s going to kill you one of these days. Did you see his face out there? It sent a chill down my spine. That’s not a man who loves you. That’s a man you should fear.”
“And I do.”
“Well, then do something. I’m serious. Leave with me today.”
With misty eyes, Lydia gazed at her daughter in silence for a moment, then she threw her arms around her and hugged her tenderly. Anna teared up. Would this be the day she’d save her mother from a wretched life?
They heard the front door open and Victor’s heavy footsteps approaching. Lydia stepped back and gave Anna a little shove. They both tried to look busy. “The butter rolls will be done in another two minutes,” Lydia said just as Victor showed his face.
“Marlene’s here with your mother,” he said, coolly scanning both of them.
“All right. I’ll be there in a moment,” Lydia said.
Victor nodded, a jarring unfinished smile carved on his face, eyes like cobalt arrows. Anna had to look away; looked at her Mom, at her own feet—anytime now they’d become tiny, her hands too, and her voice would shrink, become a little girl’s, shrill and powerless. When she raised her gaze again, her father had left without saying another word, his heavy steps moving away toward the front, then the sound of the door opening, indistinct chatter outside, door slamming, then silence.
Her mother spoke softly now. “We’ll talk more after everyone leaves. Let’s put on a good face and try to enjoy the company of the people who love us.”
“All right, Mom. You go receive Grandma Rose and Aunt Marlene. I’ll finish up here.”
Her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek and left the kitchen. In another minute, Anna had taken the rolls out of the oven. She grabbed her bag and went upstairs to check the view from every window on the second floor. There was her old bedroom, her father’s office, a guest room, and Frank’s old bedroom. His electronic keyboard was still there. Memories started flooding in, but there was no time for that now.
She texted Frank, “Your old bedroom has the best view of the picnic table.” The office in the back had the best view of the garden, of course, but surely, she didn’t need to remind him of that very useful detail.
Anna peeked at the landing to make sure that no one had come upstairs. She opened her bag and took out a small pair of binoculars Frank had given her. She sent him another text, “Binoculars planted inside closet in your old bedroom.”
She received a text from Frank, “Got it. On my way there. ETA 5:25.” Her job there was done. Anna almost ran downstairs. It had been a while since she had last felt such an adrenaline rush. The time was 5:17. She took a few deep breaths, normalized her heartbeat, and headed out to the front porch.
Upon stepping out, she saw Aunt Marlene conversing cheerily with her parents and Michael. Grandma Rose came straight toward her with a big smile on her face. “Anna, my baby. Oh, am I happy to see you. Look at you. Oh, sweet Lord, you’re just gorgeous.” She gave her a warm hug and a kis
s on the cheek. “I met your boyfriend. Goodness gracious, he’s easy on the eyes, isn’t he? And so proper and well-spoken too.”
“Yes, I like him too, Grandma.” Her grandmother laughed. Michael had been darting looks at her. Now, a smile from him reassured her. He seemed in good spirits, in spite of what he had been put through.
Grandma Rose went and sat down by herself in one of two rocking chairs that were close together, with a small side table between them. Anna joined the others. She gave Michael a quick kiss and whispered to his ear, “I’m so sorry.”
Marlene wrapped her arms around Anna. “I’m so happy to see you. It’s been too long.” It felt strange being embraced by her aunt—Anna pulled out gently. Marlene continued. “I just met Michael a moment ago. He was telling us all about how the two of you met.”
Crap. “Oh, is that right?”
“It’s quite a story. I mean, you must have driven by that history museum a hundred times before and never stopped. Am I right?”
“Yes, you’re probably right.” Anna laughed to conceal her nerves. Could Michael have mentioned the photographs? “But there’s only so much you can do around here, so I was bound to go there eventually.”
“It just goes to tell there’s such a thing as destiny. Who knew that you would meet this handsome, classy guy in there? I must admit that I’ve never as much as stepped into one of those local museums. Perhaps, I should have, right?” Marlene got a little laugh out of her sister and an amused smirk from Victor. Michael blushed.
“Well, now,” said Lydia, “everyone else will be here shortly. Anna, would you help me bring out the food and get the table ready?”
“Sure, Mom.”
“I’m happy to help as well,” said Marlene.
“Great, this will be easy, then. All the food is in covered trays,” Lydia explained. “We’ll place them side by side at the center of the table, like a buffet line.”
“I could help too,” said Michael.
“Oh, I have the perfect job for you. See that cooler over there?” Lydia pointed to a large white cooler in a corner, close to where Grandma Rose had been sitting. “Hey, Mom, why are you sitting there all by yourself?”
“Don’t you worry about me. I love this spot right here,” said the old lady. “It really is a gorgeous day. I’m taking it all in. Maybe you’ll come sit with me later.”
“Sure thing, Mom. So, let’s fill up the cooler with a mix of beer, cola, juice, and water bottles; all of which are now in the fridge inside. We have three large bags of ice in the freezer. Should be enough. We’ll keep it over here where everyone can see it.”
“You got it.” Michael darted a look at Anna. She knew that he wanted to talk. He couldn’t have suffered through that godawful experience with her father earlier and not want to get a thing or two off his chest. It would have to wait, however, until they were by themselves, which might be hours later.
A flurry of activity followed, then everything was set in under ten minutes. Anna placed the last tray on the table and, precisely then, Frank arrived with Sarah. It was 5:29. She waited for them right where she stood.
Frank looked very tense. Conversely, Sarah had the expression of a curious little girl arriving at the county fair. Anna greeted them both warmly before whispering to her brother, “Take a deep breath. We are doing this for Mom. Whatever you do, don’t lose your temper. Let’s stick to the plan.”
“I can’t believe I’m here,” Frank whispered. “Do you think I might burst into flames the moment I walk in?”
“Very funny. You might, though.”
A muted laugh broke from Frank. He kissed her forehead. “It’s show time. Let’s go.”
Sarah observed them with amusement from a few feet away. She had been surveying her surroundings with interest. “That is one big house,” she said.
“And it’s haunted too,” Frank joked as they began their slow approach.
Lydia came out and met them by the picnic table. She hugged and kissed her son effusively, and then Sarah as well. Her eyes were brimming with emotion. “This is such a happy moment for me,” she said with her hands on the shoulders of Anna and Frank. “I’m so happy you could come, Sarah. Come on, I’ll introduce you to Frank’s father, and also my mother and my sister, who came here all the way from Baltimore.”
Victor came out of the house and greeted them at the top of the steps. He spoke to his son first. “Hey kid, it’s good to see you,” he said, and their hands met in a handshake that seemed like they would arm wrestle.
“Hi, Dad,” Frank responded coldly, and quickly gestured for Sarah and his mother to come up beside him. Sarah grabbed his hand as Lydia introduced her with a propriety that struck Anna as antiquated and contrived.
“It’s lovely to finally meet you, Sarah. I was told you were beautiful, but words couldn’t do you justice. Frank, well done, my boy, well done indeed.”
Frank’s face wouldn’t budge.
“Why, thank you, Mr. Goddard,” said Sarah bashfully, her cheeks blushing instantly.
“Oh, not Mr. Goddard, please. Just Victor.” He smiled like a suave British spy. Frank’s face appeared carved in granite. Lydia’s reminded Anna of very expensive porcelain.
Victor looked over Frank’s shoulder, and his face lit up. Mark Goddard, his favorite nephew, had just arrived with his wife, Jackie, and their twelve-year-old son. “Well, Frank,” he said, slowly stepping aside, “after Sarah meets everyone, you should give her a tour of the house. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Victor went to greet Mark and his family out in the front yard. In the meantime, Frank introduced Sarah to his grandmother and Marlene before going inside the house—for the grand tour, Anna presumed, but surely Frank would not miss the opportunity to examine the views from every window upstairs. No doubt, he would begin considering potential scenarios in his mind. They had agreed that Frank would be in charge of initiating their little operation, but only when they could get Victor and Marlene in a satisfactory position, in full view from his vantage point upstairs.
Anna looked around for Michael and spotted him getting something from the big white cooler. He was alone, which presented a rare opportunity for Anna to go talk to him about what had happened earlier. She dashed over there and kissed him before he could say a word.
“Well, I’ve missed you too, gorgeous,” said Michael when their lips parted.
“I’m so sorry you had to see that awful scene earlier with my father. I didn’t think anything like that was in the cards for you today. Perhaps…I don’t know. Promise me something—if at any point things get weird or uncomfortable for you, in any way, just take off. Don’t even bother to say goodbye. I’ll understand.”
Michael delicately tugged on her chin and kissed her lovingly. “Nothing is going to scare me away from you. There could be a dragon hidden in this house, and I wouldn’t care. You’re the most amazing thing that’s happened to me, ever.”
A warm sensation of pure joy overtook Anna. She threw her arms around him and buried her face between his neck and shoulder, taking in his sweet, musky scent. “I feel the same way about you.” She pulled back and looked him in the eyes. “I love you.”
He said the words back to her, his voice filled with emotion, eyes wide open, his face tender and shiny like honey-butter biscuits. The kiss that followed transported Anna to a place without troubles, without pain, a place hidden from time itself.
And then that moment ended. “I see your father coming back with a couple and a kid,” said Michael.
“That’d be Mark, my cousin, Uncle Rick’s son. Trust me: you don’t want to be stuck in a chat with him and Dad. Come, walk with me toward Mom.”
They stood next to Marlene. In front of them, Grandma Rose was rhythmically rocking back and forth while telling some story from when she was young, a period she referred to as a simpler time. Sitting on the other rocking chair was Lydia, who gazed at them with a tinge of warm suspicion.
Anna’s phone vibrated at 5:45. I
t was a message from Diane: “I’m here. Small blue car. I want to talk to Mom out here before going in there.”
Anna relayed the message in a whisper to her aunt. Marlene’s face brightened up. “Excuse me. I need to, um…Diane is here,” she said in a jittery voice.
“Of course, go, go, sweetheart!” said Grandma Rose.
Lydia became visibly emotional as her sister walked out to see her daughter. She gazed at Anna approvingly. Michael kissed her forehead. One thing was certain—she would end this day either as a heroine or a villain.
In another minute, Victor had come over with Mark, Jackie, and their son. Grandma Rose greeted them with a languid gesture—barely a nod and a half smile. Lydia managed to show a little more enthusiasm, though hardly convincing. Anna herself tried her best to look as though happy to see them, but Mark was everything she hated in a man—he was a backward, narrow-minded jerk. And her dad loved him.
“Michael, this is Mark, my nephew. This is his wife, Jackie, and their son, Richard.” From Victor’s affected tone, one would have thought that he was introducing the duke of Blake County and his illustrious family.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mark,” said Michael, and they shook hands.
Did Michael and Mark instinctively know that they’d hate each other’s guts? Some ideas have a way of permanently imprinting themselves on a person’s face. Michael’s reflected intellect and curiosity. Mark’s, on the other hand, was engraved with self-righteousness and intolerance. And, as if the guy needed to be framed in a more obvious context, his wife looked like a cartoon stereotype of a trophy wife; and little Ricky’s face belonged in a school poster about bullying.
“Darling, did anything happen to Marlene?” Victor asked when conversation ran dry.
“Why do you ask?” asked Lydia.
“Because she dashed past us like she didn’t even see us.”
“Ah yes, Diane just arrived. She went to see her first.”
“Oh, good,” Victor said. “I should go say hello.”
“No,” Anna said, “Please, we should give them space. Let them have this moment to themselves.”