He heard Max slam the car door and call his name and Rogers opened the door a bit.
“In here!” Roger’s said, disguising his voice. He looked back at Matthew and smirked.
“What on earth is wrong with your voice?” she asked walking toward the door.
Rogers opened the door and pointed the gun at her head.
“Hello, Maxine.”
Max got out of the shower and dressed. She hadn’t planned to go into the gym until later that evening and she debated on whether or not to go to Antioch church and meet her family there.
She was still debating when she heard a knock on the door. She opened it and was surprised to see her Pastor, Reverend Jackson from First Antioch standing there.
“Hello, Maxine,” he said with a smile. “May I come in?”
“Sure,” she responded surprised. “What brings you over here Pastor? I would have thought you were already at church. In fact, I was heading to my parents’ house to attend services with them. My sister and her husband have already gone to church.”
“I heard from your father that Nadine has joined her husband’s church. We miss you at First Antioch and I was wondering if your absence was due to personal reasons, or if you felt that we weren’t meeting your needs and that you have decided to worship elsewhere. I asked your father, but he only said that I should talk to you. I was on my way to church and the LORD led me here to talk to you.”
Max stared at the man who’d been her pastor all her life. His head was now entirely gray and she could see the concern on his face. “Come on in and have a seat,” she sighed leading him to the sofa. She then sat in a chair directly across from him.
“I’ve been dealing with a lot lately,” Max admitted. “I haven’t been back to church mainly because I’ve been working or if I’m off, I’ve been accompanying Nadine to church. After my father cut Nadine off… I don’t know, I just didn’t feel like coming anymore.”
“But it’s my understanding that they have reconciled,” he said.
“Yes, they have.” Max nodded. “I don’t know, I mean I have to be honest Pastor, I haven’t felt close to the LORD since my attack. How could he let that happen to me? Where was he when I needed him? I guess I’ve been angry with God for years. I still came to church, but I haven’t sung in the choir for a long time now.”
The pastor took her hands in his. “I had a feeling that this may be why you’ve stopped coming once you were an adult, Maxine. I understand you’re getting help and I’ve offered to counsel you on numerous occasions.”
“I didn’t want to talk to any man,” Max said, pulling her hands from his. “I’m sorry.”
“No need to be sorry,” Reverend Jackson replied. “The important thing is that you get the help you need.”
“I am.” Max said with a smile.
“Good.” He nodded standing. “I have to get to church in time for Sunday School, but I just want you to know that we at First Antioch miss you and we’ll always be your church family for as long as you want.”
“I appreciate that,” Max said, walking him to the door. “In fact I had just said to Nadine that I was coming back to visit. I mean it’s not your fault what happened with me or with my father. I’m not mad at God anymore; I’m just disappointed that he allowed that to happen to me.”
“Maxine, I can’t begin to explain why bad things happen to good people, they just do.” He sighed. “However I’m willing to pray with you and seek God’s direction. Ask him for what you want, what you need and I’ll be in agreement with you.”
Max allowed him to take her hands. “I want to be whole. I don’t want to be broken anymore. I’m getting there with my therapy, but I’m not there all the way. I want to have a normal relationship.
Reverend Jackson smiled at her, squeezing her hands as he held them. “Let us pray.”
Max sat back on the sofa and closed her eyes after Reverend Jackson left. She realized that his visit had affected her more than she realized as an hour passed and she found herself still sitting in the same spot.
She thought back to the Reverend’s prayer and wondered if anything would happen as a result of it. All her life she’d heard that God answers prayer and had heard many testimonies over the years and she couldn’t help but wonder when God was going to hear her prayer.
“I want to be normal,” she said aloud to no one in particular. “What is it going to take? What is it going to take for me to let Matthew in and get over what Rogers did to me? How much longer must I live in fear?”
Silence answered her demand instead of God and she sighed in defeat.
Just then her phone buzzed signaling a text message. She glanced down at it and saw that it was from Matthew.
Matt had told her that he had something to do that morning and she was surprised to receive the text from him asking her to meet him for a surprise. She was pleased and quickly left the house, abandoning her plans to attend services. She smiled wondering what he was up to.
She had not been to Aynor in a while and wondered why on earth he asked her to meet him there. There weren’t any stores there and it was basically a ‘one stoplight’ town.
Still she was excited about the surprise he was planning and she wondered if this was the first step forward because of her earlier prayer with Reverend Jackson. She remembered her mother saying that God works in mysterious ways.
Her mind went back to the previous evening at Matthews and the episode that she’d experienced. She was determined to move forward and knew that Matthew was going to stick by her. Together they would get through this somehow.
She wondered how much longer it would take for her to recover from what Rogers did to her.
When she pulled off of Route 501 to 319 she wondered what surprise Matthew could have in store for her. She couldn’t imagine what he was up to as she traveled down the dusty road called Old Tram. Did he pick some secluded spot for a picnic? That would be so sweet! She had programed the address he’d given her in the GPS on her phone because even though she’d been to Aynor, she didn’t know the town that well.
She wondered if she was going the right way when she found herself driving back into the woods. It was so far off the road, but she relaxed when she saw Matt’s car in front of the shed. Why would Matthew be in an old shed? It didn’t make any sense to her.
What romantic thing could he be planning way out here? She got out the car and called him and heard him respond. His voice sounded odd and scratchy and she thought that maybe he wasn’t feeling well.
She walked up to the door and was shocked when a man opened it and pointed a gun directly at her head.
“Hello, Maxine.”
For a moment she was confused looking at the man before her. How did he know her name? Then he grinned revealing that lewd grin she remembered. She realized that she had buried her memory of that face away in her subconscious hoping that she’d never to see it again.
Dread filled her and she felt as if she was suffocating when she realized that the man standing there with the gun was Rogers! It was James Rogers! She was frozen on the spot unable to move. She began to hyperventilate. He grabbed her pulling her into the dimly lighted shed.
“Let me go!” she shrieked. He slapped her soundly.
She heard a muffled noise and saw Matthew sitting on the dirt floor with his hands tied behind his back. His head was bleeding and a dirty rag was stuffed in his mouth. His eyes locked with hers for a moment.
“What are you doing?” Max cried out loudly. “Why are you doing this? Let him go!”
“Now Maxine,” he said, shoving her on the cot. “You don’t think that I would come all this way and not see you did you? That would be impolite.”
“Don’t hurt him! He’s bleeding. Let me see what I can do.” Max pleaded glancing at Matthew.
Rogers laughed looking down at her trembling on the cot.
“Oh, I wouldn’t be worried about him if I was you. He’ll be all right. Now as for you, get undressed.”
> Max’s eyes got big. “Please, no.” Tears began to run down her face. She couldn’t relive her childhood horror. She knew that mentally she’d never survive the assault. God please help us! She prayed closing her eyes.
Rogers laughed and looked at Matthew to gage his reaction. He turned back to Max.
“Come on now Maxine. Don’t behave like a scared virgin. We both know that you are not that anymore. Get undressed.”
“No!” she shrieked trembling harder.
“I will shoot him dead right here, Maxine. I have nothing to lose.” He remarked dryly.
He put the gun to Matthew’s head and cocked it. Max closed her eyes as she heard the click. She realized that he would kill Matthew and still rape her. She had to buy them both some time.
“No don’t hurt him! All right. I’ll do it,” she said quickly.
Matthew began to shake his head negatively for her not to comply.
“I’ve got to, Matthew. I don’t want him to kill you.”
“Very smart girl,” Rogers replied, grinning, his eyes roaming over her.
He watched her as Max began slowly taking off her clothes. She was unable to control the tears as they ran from her eyes. Where was God now? Why would he allow her to go through this all over again? She was down to her bra and panties now hoping that she wouldn’t have to get completely naked.
“Take everything off,” Rogers said firmly, dashing her hopes.
Max slowly removed her underwear keeping her eyes closed. She could feel her knees knocking together and she sat down on the cot. He was going to rape her again, in front of Matthew! She wouldn’t be able to face Matthew if Rogers were able to do that to her.
Matthew struggled against the ropes he was tied with knowing that it was useless, but he had to do something. He couldn’t just sit there and watch that pervert rape Max! His stomach churned as he helplessly watch her undress and stand naked in front of Rogers. The man seemed to have a sick fascination with her fear. She was shaking like a leaf with her eyes closed and tears running down.
Matthew’s eyes roamed over her, wishing that there was some way to cover her nakedness. Her full breasts shook as she sobbed at the humiliation he was sure she must be feeling. She was beautiful, more than he imagined during all those sleepless nights he’d lusted after her. Now he could hardly stand looking at her shaking body knowing that she was about to be violated again.
“Don’t worry, Maxine. Now that you are a grown woman, I promise it won’t hurt as bad. In fact, I think you’ll like it.” Rogers walked over to her and fondled her breast. Matthew watched as she shrank back from him and began to whimper like a hurt animal.
Matthew struggled and pushed his back against the wall as he willed his legs to come to a crouching position. He wasn’t going to sit there and watch this fool manhandle his woman! He’d die first before he sat there and did nothing.
“Ah, Maxine. You sound like you did at thirteen. Nothing’s changed much, has it?” Rogers asked, laughing, his full attention now on Max.
“Please, don’t do this. I’m trying to get better,” she pleaded, though she knew it was useless.
“With him?” Rogers asked jerking his head toward Matthew but not really looking at him and then laughed again. “Oh, I don’t think he can handle you, Maxine. You’re too much woman.” With that he reached between her legs, and she smacked at his hand. He held the gun to her head.
“Lie down and be a good girl!” he snapped pushing her back on the cot.
He slipped the gun on a nearby shelf and began unbuckling his pants. Since his back was now toward him Matthew saw his chance and seized it. He quickly threw himself into the back of Roger’s legs causing him to lose balance and stumble falling on the floor in front of Max.
Matthew tried to catch Max’s eye and then looked at the gun on the shelf. Max looked frozen on the cot as Rogers quickly faced Matthew who was still crouching on the floor.
“Oh, so you want to play, do you,” he said, quickly standing and kicking Matthew in the face sending him flying backwards.
Max quickly jumped off the cot and grabbed the gun that was still on the shelf.
“Stop!” she yelled as he was about to kick Matthew again. Rogers quickly turned around, shocked to see her with the gun.
She held the gun, her hand shaking uncontrollably.
“Now Maxine. You don’t want to shoot me,” he said slowly. “Give me the gun.”
“No,” Max said firmly, though she was still trembling.
Max had never held a gun in her life. She didn’t know what to do. Her finger was on the trigger. Suppose the safety was on? What was she supposed to do? She quickly pulled the trigger and the gun went off hitting Rogers in the leg.
“You bitch!” he screamed, grabbing his leg.
“I should kill you for what you did to me!” she said bravely. “Now, sit on that cot.”
She quickly walked over to Matthew and pulled the rag out of his mouth, not taking her eyes off Rogers. She was completely nude, but she no longer felt ashamed. Anger coursed through her as she glared at Rogers though she was still trembling. She looked at Matthew and could see his eyes filled with worry.
He began to cough trying to catch his breath. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” Max reassured him.
“Untie me Max.” Matthew insisted. “I have to be able to do something!”
“I’ll have to put the gun down to do that,” she said, looking at Rogers who she knew was looking for a chance to jump her as he sat on the edge of the cot.
“Grab your clothes. I know you don’t want to continue to be naked in front of him,” Matthew spat angrily.
It galled him that Rogers was still leering at her body even as she held the gun on him, but he was proud of Max that she no longer seemed fearful though her body still trembled. He had no doubt that if Rogers made a move she’d shoot him dead on the spot.
“I don’t trust him. I’ll have to shoot him dead, Matthew. “Max was saying.
She stood there naked and Matthew knew that she wanted her clothes but he also realized that she wouldn’t take that chance. She quickly picked up her purse which was on the floor never taking her eyes off Rogers. She grabbed her phone allowing the purse to drop to the floor.
Max unlocked her phone and dialed 911 with one hand. Matthew crawled closer to Max with his hands still tied behind his back and Rogers waited for her to look down at the phone as she dialed. He quickly jumped up on his one good leg and lunged at her knocking her backwards causing the gun to fly out of her hand.
“You bitch. I’m going to fuck you good and then I’m going to kill you.” He growled still holding his leg that was bleeding.
Just then the shed door opened and Greta walked in surprising them.
“James what’s going on?” she said, looking at Max who was naked while Rogers was sitting on her holding her down.
“He’s trying to rape me again.” Max said. “Please help me! Please!’
“Again? What are you talking about?” Greta asked.
“Shut up Greta and get the gun!” Rogers spat pointing to the gun that was near her feet.
“He raped me when I was thirteen. That’s why he went to prison. Now he’s trying to do it again. Matthew tried to stop him.” Max yelled before Rogers slapped her again.
“Shut the hell up,” Rogers spat angrily.
“What?” Greta said. “I thought you told me that you went to jail for robbery and that this man wanted revenge against you.”
She walked over and picked up the gun. “Where did you get this gun, James? You’re not supposed to have a gun!”
“Just give me the gun, Greta!” he snapped. “We’re way past being politically correct now.”
She pointed it at him looking at Max and then at Matthew who was still tied up.
“Untie me lady!” Matthew demanded. “He’s a rapist and a pervert. You’ll be in a lot of trouble if you help him!”
“Don’t listen to him,” Rog
ers said angrily. “Give me the gun!”
“Not until we get a few things straight. Get up off of her,” Greta demanded. “Why is she naked, James? I thought you said you and this guy were going to just talk. Why is he tied up?”
“He was going to rape me again! Please, help us!” Max pleaded.
Rogers got up, eying her. “Don’t listen to her, Greta. You know I love you.”
“No, he doesn’t,” Matthew said. “He wanted to rape her again, just like she said. He used my cell phone to text her and get her out here. I came out here to talk to him and to get him reassigned so that he wouldn’t be near her.”
“Shut up!” Rogers demanded angrily.
“I was only thirteen,” Max sniffed, still crying.
Greta looked at each of them. “You raped a kid, James?”
“Shut up, bitch,” he said, grabbing for the gun.
Max and Matthew watched in horror as he struggled with Greta for the gun. Rogers tried to wrestle it from her, but she was strong and he pushed her against the wall of the cabin. Max and Matthew couldn’t tear their eyes away from the two of them hoping that Greta would come out on top. Suddenly the gun went off and Greta fell to the ground and didn’t move.
He turned and pointed the gun and Matthew and Max. Max threw her arms around Matthew wondering if this was going to be the end.
“I see that there’s going to have to be a little change in plans now,” he said, looking at the two of them pointing the gun in their direction.
“You bastard!” Matthew growled.
Rogers ignored his outburst and concentrated his attention on Max as he pointed the gun at Matthew.
“I think we’re all about to have a bit of fun,” he said, licking his lips and giving her that lewd grin she knew all too well.
CHAPTER 23
The LORD will preserve you from all evil. He shall preserve your soul. Psalm 121:7.
Rogers pointed the gun back and forth between Max and Matthew as he appeared to be trying to decide his next move.
Broken: The sequel to THE PREACHER'S SON Page 28