LETHAL OBSESSION

by Carey Regenold

  Suddenly Ellen knew what she had to do. This was something between her and Gene. It was time for her to have a serious talk with him.

  Gene looked at the guard in shock. "Who did you say was here?"

  "Mrs. Ellen Anderson."

  Gene shook his head as his heart pounded. Even after all that has happened, she still had this profound effect on him. Would it ever go away?

  He wondered why she came alone, and what she wanted to say to him. A part of him wanted to run and hide. Another part of him wanted to feast his eyes on this exquisite woman just one more time.

  She probably hated his guts at this point. But she was here which meant she had something important to say to him. "I wish to see my visitor, Guard."

  When Ellen saw Gene escorted out, she went to the window and picked up the phone.

  Gene sat down and stared. God, she was so beautiful. So close and yet so far away, he wished he could touch her. Gene picked up the phone.

  "Hello Ellen."

  "Hi Gene." She gave him that thousand watt smile and his heart turned over. He felt happier at this moment looking at her than any other time since he got here. "You have helped me in the past and I need your help again."

  Of all the things for Ellen to say to him, he never expected that. "Okay, I’d like to but I'm a little tied up as you can see."

  "You can still do this where you are, and I want you to promise me that what I say to you will be kept strictly confidential. I don't want Martha to know I've been here."

  Gene wrinkled his brow wondering where she was going with this. It sounded awfully mysterious considering how close Ellen was to Martha. "Okay, I promise."

  "Martha has fallen in love with a wonderful man who returns her love."

  Gene knew he had a look of incredibility on his face. "Really!" Once again this was the last thing he expected Ellen to say.

  "He's an ordained Anglican Priest from England who I’ve hired as our spiritual advisor for the shelter. He's divorced with two young sons. They go to church together and I believe he wishes to marry Martha."

  "I don't know what to say, Ellen."

  "Say you will do a very loving thing for your wife and give her a divorce. Martha will never leave you, Gene. It's not her way. She will stay married to you even if you don't love her, even if you cheat on her. And you and I both know she deserves much better than that."

  "I do love her, Ellen. Why couldn't she tell me she wants out?"

  “Gene, Martha couldn’t tell you because she loves you too much to hurt you like that." Gene continued to gaze at Ellen totally at a loss for words. "I can remember a time you were willing to divorce Martha so you could be with me."

  "Yes, and I still would if I thought you would have me."

  "At that time I told you no. Now I'm telling you yes. Do it, not for me, but for her, so Martha can have a chance at life with a loving man who will truly cherish her."

  "I'll think about it."

  "Don't wait too long, Gene. This is your chance to do the most loving and unselfish thing you could possibly do for a woman who has devoted her whole life to you."

  Ellen got up from the chair and hung up.

  "Wait, don't go." Gene still ached to look at her.

  She turned back and picked up the phone. "I'll know your decision when Martha is served with divorce papers. Good-bye, Gene."

  Ellen walked away as Gene, with his hands on the glass, watched her go. If only, if only. With a heavy heart he turned away from the glass and summoned the guard.

  Martha came into Ellen's office a week later, her face suffused with sorrow and shock. "I was just served divorce papers."

  Without a word Ellen got up to embrace her friend and just let her cry. In her mind she said, Thank you, Gene.

  "I never thought Gene would do this to me. Why do you think this happened, Ellen?"

  "I think this happened because the man you are supposed to be with has finally come, a man with whom you can share your soul. You know you couldn't do that with Gene."

  "But Gene has no way of knowing about Shawn."

  "Martha," Ellen held her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Think about it. Even when Gene gets out of prison, after all that has happened, is there any marriage left to salvage?"

  "I don't think so."

  "Gene must've known that. Dwelling on the past is pointless. Nobody knows that any better than me. Looking to the future is where hope lies. This is what we both need to do." "You're right." Martha smiled. "I always feel better after talking to you, my wonderful friend."

  Ellen smiled. "I'm glad."

  "What's the big surprise, Mom? You're dressed like you're going on a date."

  Eugene bent his tall, lanky body to peruse the contents of the fridge.

  "Eugene, I know you're hungry but I'm serving a nice dinner in just a few minutes, can't you wait?"

  "Yeah, I guess. So who is this mystery guest? You've only been divorced a week. Don't tell me you're dating already."

  "That isn't your concern, Eugene."

  Martha's heart was ready to pop out of her chest, she was so nervous. She wanted her son to like Shawn.

  "The guy coming to dinner, is this the preacher you work with?"

  "Yes it is."

  The doorbell rang and Martha hurried to answer it as her son wandered in behind her. Shawn, so handsome in his suit, handed her a dozen red roses.

  "They're beautiful, Shawn, thank you. Come in and meet my son. Eugene, this is Shawn Cobblederry."

  "Hi."

  "It is very nice to meet you, Eugene. Your mother has spoken very highly of you."

  "Nice to meet you too, Sir."

  The three enjoyed a delicious southern dinner of fried chicken, corn on the cob, green beans with ham hock, and homemade, fluffy, buttermilk biscuits.

  “Martha I’m already aware you are an excellent chef but I promise you this is the tastiest dinner I have ever eaten. At the risk of seeming piggish, I would enjoy a second serving of everything.”

  “Eat as much as you want Shawn and feel free to take some home for you and the boys to have later. But you need to leave room for desert. I have fixed my special chocolate pecan pie ala mode.”

  “Ah,” Shawn put his arm across his face. “I may have died and gone to heaven.”

  After dinner, Eugene and Shawn sat in the living room while Martha tidied up the kitchen.

  Shawn, being raised very proper, knew what he wanted to say to this young college man, but the words were difficult coming. So far their conversation continued rather stilted. Finally Shawn cleared his throat to work up some much needed courage. “Eugene, there is something I wish to say. I’m afraid it is of a serious nature."

  "Okay."

  "I wish you to know that I love your mother very much." The words came out in a rush. Shawn felt his face heat up. "What I mean to say is this. I wish to ask for Martha's hand in marriage and I want to ask your permission for the privilege."

  Now it was Eugene's turn to get embarrassed. "Really?" His voice came out in a croak. "Gosh, I’ve never had anybody ask my permission for anything. I don't think that's my place"

  "It is your place because you mean the world to your mother, and I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy. So you see I do need your permission."

  "Well, okay then, you got it."

  "What are you men talking about in here?" Martha came in wiping her hands on a towel.

  "Sit here and I will tell you," said Shawn. As soon as Martha was sitting, he went down on one knee in front of her. He looked over at Eugene and winked.

  "Shawn?"

  Taking Martha's hand, he said. "I have just asked your son permission for your hand in marriage, now I am asking you. Marry me Martha and make me the happiest man in the world."

  "Oh Shawn," she grabbed him around the neck and they both nearly toppled to the floor with fits of laughter.

  The June twenty-fifth, the anniversary of Mark’s passing was celebrated with a quiet ceremony at the crash
site. After a year, nature had healed so much of the scorched earth, it was impossible to see that a plane had actually gone down there.

  Ellen and Rick together with their best friends, Martha and Shawn, visited the site. Ellen had a special wreath made with Mark’s favorite flowers. The fragrant, multi-colored carnations tickled her nose as she walked onto the hallowed ground where her love had died.

  Ellen carefully laid the wreath on the ground, put her hand to her lips and touched the grass inside the wreath. Rick came up behind wrapping his arms around her in a loving embrace. Together these four people stood silently, thinking of how much their lives have changed in just a single year. And then they each counted their blessings.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  It was a perfect day for an October wedding. The Smoky Mountains National Park was wearing its most colorful attire. The fall air was still balmy with a hint of winter. Orange, crimson, and gold leaves floated and fell like a rainbow snow storm.

  All the staff and many of the residents were busy in the back yard decorating. Even the children got into the spirit. A snowy, white gazebo was the center attraction. Long tables with lacy white cloths were set for the wedding feast. Joy and excitement crackled in the air.

  Martha and Ellen were getting dressed in her office. Ellen opted for a simple, white silk dress that swirled around her slender figure. Her unbound hair would be graced with a wreath of white flowers minus a veil. Martha was wearing a tangerine dress of flowing organza.

  Ellen took her best friend's hands. "I want you to know I love your brother very much and I will spend my life making him happy."

  "I do know that and I'm so grateful the two of you found each other. I know Richard well and I can see how happy he is. Come on, sister of mine, let's get you married off so we can start planning my wedding."

  "Oh Martha, Shawn asked you? I'm so happy for you." She grabbed her in a hug.

  "Shawn asked me last night, in fact, he asked permission from Eugene."

  "That's so sweet."

  Rick and Shawn were in his office preparing for the ceremony.

  "Are you nervous?"

  "Not a bit, Shawn. Ellen is the other half of myself."

  "Martha told me how the two of you met and the tragedies you have both been through. I don't know if I could be that strong."

  "You would be because you are strong. Sometimes betrayal is harder than death. Ellen's husband and my wife died loving us." Shawn nodded in understanding. "I also want you to know, I'm very happy that you are in my sister's life. Martha means a lot to me and you are a good man for her."

  "I love her, Richard. My utmost desire is to see her happy. And I will let you in on a little secret. I have asked your sister to marry me."

  "Rick grinned. "I see another wedding in this yard."

  "Absolutely"

  Holding their bouquets, Martha and Ellen made their way to the gazebo as two friends played their guitars. Shawn wore a roman collar and white satin stole as he stood waiting to marry the couple.

  Rick and Ellen joined hands and gazed at each other.

  "I, Richard Carrington take you, Ellen Anderson to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to spend the rest of my days loving you, caring for you, and cherishing you. You were my salvation in a time I thought my life was non-existent. With your love I was pulled from the depths of despair. My life is your life, my love your love for now and forever."

  "I, Ellen Anderson take you, Richard Carrington to be my lawfully wedded husband. You were my counselor and became my mentor, my friend and finally my love. I promise to keep your frigid toes warm at night." Everybody chuckled. "I vow to love you and cherish you for the rest of my life. Thank you for coming into my life. You complete me."

  Martha handed them the two rings as they were exchanged. Shawn held his hand over the couple. "With the giving of rings, Richard and Ellen have agreed to enter into a loving union for life. With the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife."

  All the residents and staff clapped and cheered while Rick took Ellen in his arms for their first kiss as a married couple.

  Later that night as they lay contented in each other's arms Ellen gazed at her husband. "I'm so happy. Thank you for that."

  "Me too, happy that is. Let's make a baby."

  “Maybe we just did.”

  “That’s a wonderful thought.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  THE END