Save Me

by Waitrovich, H. M.

  chapter 3

  I was not sure if I was awake or still asleep. I was back in our home, Max’s, that we shared together and mine. It was dark down the hallway and quiet. I slipped into the bedroom and removed the bags that I stashed away just in case. I grabbed them and went for Annabelle’s room. Just as I was about to open her door I felt his hands around my neck. “Where in the hell do you think you’re going?” He gripped my neck tighter. I could see the whites of his knuckles as he squeezed tighter around my neck.

  “NO!” I shouted. “You will not touch me anymore!” I could feel his breath on me, I could smell the bourbon, and he always chose bourbon. I do not know how the people at his office could not smell it. Stepping anywhere near him, I get an immediate whiff of the stale bourbon on his breath. It makes me sick.

  I looked around me for something I could use to hit him with to get his hold off me. “Grace you are not going anywhere. Do you know why? Because I own you, and Annabelle, you are mine! You could run, but you cannot hide from me, I will always find you.” I could not breathe. “No not this time Max, this is over.” I could barely get the words out and my vision was blurry. I heard Annabelle screaming from her room. “Daddy please don’t hurt mommy, it hurts her. Stop it!”

  “Annabelle, you shut your door and shut up,” he screamed. “NO,” I yelled. “Belle run, run to the spot where mommy showed you, go hurry. I will meet you there.”

  My three-year-old daughter was so smart. She was more like a ten year old. I had told her to run to the neighbor’s house. Angela, my neighbor, was an ex-marine. She was tough and she wanted to help me. She said she would keep Annabelle there for me until I could escape and get her to run if I had to, Annabelle instantly remembered. She ran like hell and got out of the house. Dear God what now?

  I woke up shaking, I sighed in relief that it was a dream. A nightmare even, but I was glad it was over. I was not reliving it. Just then, Annabelle came running into my bedroom. “Mommy, Mommy, this house is so pretty! I want to stay here. Can we mommy?”

  “Sure baby, we can stay here,” I said. “Oh yay! Can we decorate my room?” I chuckled. I think we can do that sweetie.” It was good to see her smiling again like a normal child. She needs to be a normal child or as normal as possible.

  I decided to take her into town with me. I needed to see if Gloria knew any daycares or sitter’s in the area. I do not want to leave her, but I have to work and I told Gloria I could start today.

  “Come on Belle we need to run to see Gloria. Do you remember that nice old woman who let us borrow this house? We need to go see her, up, up, up, let’s get dressed.”

  I did not have many cute dresses for Belle. She loved nothing more than to twirl in a dress. I had a little ballerina for sure. I could not take all of her dresses. I had to pack as light and small as I could. I made a mental note to buy her some dresses in town if they had a boutique.

  Once we got to Gloria’s, I noticed a police car. I immediately panicked. Are they here for me? Calm down Grace, it is ok. I kept telling myself. I walked into the store holding Annabelle’s hand, she seemed shy today, and maybe she was just tired.

  “Hi Gloria,” I said. “Oh Grace, dear, how did you like the house? Did you sleep all right? I promise it’s not haunted,” she laughed. “We slept great Gloria,” I lied; I would probably never sleep well again. However, Annabelle, this kid could sleep through a hurricane.

  I looked over at the man she was talking to and he looked familiar. “Hi Grace,” he said. “It’s nice to see you again.” He was wearing a police uniform; it was Oliver, the creeper from last night. “Hi Oli, thanks for checking up on us last night, I am sorry if I was jumpy. I was exhausted from the trip here.” He smiled slightly.

  “Oh it’s alright, where did you travel here from?” Great there it was. Lie. No do not lie. Be honest there is no way he will know anything about you. “We are originally from Boston, just needed a change,” I said hesitantly. His eyes were full of questions, of course, he is a cop that is what they do, ask a million questions. “Will your husband be joining you then?” Damn there it was, the nosy bastard.

  “No my husband is no longer with us.” I left it brief.

  “Oh I am so sorry, that must have been hard.” I gave him a small smile. It is best to leave it at that, instead of telling him that he is just a psychopath or that he is dead, I know that is what he thought, is that he is dead. Nevertheless, I did not care now. It is not as if we would become great friends. I did not want people to know what happened. The less I say, maybe the less they ask.

  “Gloria, I know you wanted me to start today, but I am afraid I haven’t had time to find somewhere to go with Annabelle. She has some separation issues. I wondered if you knew of any daycares in the area,” I said looking down and my sweet Belle. “Has she ever been to a daycare dear,” Gloria asked concerned.

  “No mam, she has always been at home with me.” Mainly because my husband is a control freak psycho and did not let me work. “Well, why don’t you keep her here with you today and I will ask around town,” Gloria said. “Oh Gloria are you sure? She will not be a bother. She is a great kid and listens very well.”

  “Oh honey, I have eight grandchildren. She could paint the walls with magic marker and smack me in the face and she still wouldn’t be as bad as the hellions my children brought onto the planet.” I laughed. “Ok well thanks again. Where should I start?”

  “Well, you can start with the register. It is very easy, but old. It needs to be handled with care like me,” she smiled. “Then once you figure that out you have pretty much mastered it. It is dull around here sweetie, but that’s how we like it.”

  “Oh don’t worry, dull is great with me. It would be a nice change.” I could see Oliver looking my way. I know he is suspicious of me, but what can I say? He looks at me as if he wants to fix me. Well back, it up friend, I cannot be fixed, the damage is done and the scars are too deep. It must be the cop in him. It is as if some of them have this overbearing need to save people and I did not need to be saved, I saved myself. I watched Oliver give Gloria a hug and then turn to leave, damn he looked in that uniform, I blushed slightly.

  It was late afternoon. I could tell Annabelle was getting tired; she had played so well by herself for over six hours now. I knew that Gloria closed the store down at five and I was so thankful that the clock said 4:48 pm. I felt bad for my Belle. She needed to be somewhere else, anywhere but here. However, she just sat quietly coloring pictures as she had all afternoon.

  I cleaned up the store and made sure that I locked the register. We had four customers all day. I am not sure how Gloria makes any money here or better yet how she can afford to pay an employee. Either way I am still so grateful. She was paying me eleven dollars an hour to not do much. I tried to be productive to help her. She needed to have this place organized. I did not mind doing it, I was happy to, it was the least I could do.

  I pulled the open sign to closed and told Annabelle to pack up her coloring books. I grabbed my purse and I heard the door open. “Sorry were closed,” I yelled from behind me. “Oh sorry Grace, I just wanted to see if you and Annabelle needed a ride home?” It was Oliver. He must be getting ready to be off for the day too. “Oh hi Oli, a ride would be nice, but aren’t you on duty?”

  “I am, but I am the town sheriff Grace, I can drive you home and not get into trouble,” he grinned. It sent shivers up my spine. Why did a nice grin from a nice man make me uncomfortable? Let it go Grace. He wants to help. “Sure I would love a ride.” I picked up Belle and followed him to his car.

  We headed for the house, which was seriously a half mile down the way. I remembered that once we got in the car. Why did he want to take us such a short distance? Geez Grace maybe to be nice, why was I so nosy and so negative? Oh maybe because my husband sucks. Yep that was it.

  Once we got to my new house, I saw that Annabelle had fallen asleep. Oliver looked over at me and said, “Grace I know it seems strange that I wanted to drive yo
u home, but I can’t help but feel slightly protective of you. I do not know why. It is not a usual feeling for me. I mean do not get me wrong, I am the town sheriff I am here to be protective. However, I do not really have to be. We don’t get a lot of crime here,” he confessed.

  His confession made me blush, why I am not sure. “Well I appreciate it Oli, I do, but I don’t need anyone to protect me or Annabelle, I have it covered. But thank you for the ride.” I went to open the car door and he grabbed my hand. Normally this would make me jump, but it actually felt nice.

  “Grace, I wondered if you might want to let me help you out.” I stared at him. “Well my sister lives down the road and she has two kids. They are four and six. She babysits sometimes and I asked her if she might be able to take on watching Annabelle for you while you worked at Gloria’s. She loved the idea. She said she would love to help.”

  “Oliver she doesn’t even know me, and I do not even know her. Why would she agree to that,” I said slightly annoyed. It was a nice gesture of him, but why was he doing this? People are not that nice.

  “Grace, she is a very caring person. She genuinely wants to help you, I told her about your situation and she wants to help.” My situation, he was really starting to piss me off.

  “And what situation would that be Oli?” I felt my face go as red as tomato.

  “No, Grace let me explain, I told her that you were new in town, that you did not know anyone and managed to get a job, but was in need of a sitter for Annabelle. She really loves kids and her husband is the supervisor at the glass factory the next town over. He makes enough money that she does not have to work. She enjoys being with the kids, she wouldn’t even charge you a dime.”

  Oh, now I just felt bad. Why was I so rude? “Oh, I couldn’t let her do this for free; I have some money saved up, I can pay her,” I said eagerly. “Well you can try, but I doubt she will take it. She is stubborn and wants to help you. So don’t be surprised if she puts her hands up and says no when you try and pay her.”

  I felt so grateful to the people in this town. I had not met many, but they were all so generous. I guess that is why I am so paranoid. Where I am from, no good deed comes without having to return something to the giver. I was happy, happy to accept the help.

  “Ok well do you think I could drop by her house around nine tomorrow morning? I have to be in to help Gloria around ten and that would give me time to meet your sister and see if Annabelle is comfortable.” He smiled and sighed at the same time.

  “Of course, I will tell her that you will be there around nine.” He handed me a folded piece of paper with an address on it. “This is her address. Her name is Maggie, she will be so happy to see you.” I was happy that she was so excited.

  “Ok thanks Oli, I really appreciate all of your help. I don’t really know why everyone is going to such trouble to help me, but I appreciate it.”

  I opened the door to the car and climbed out. Oliver followed behind me and reached in to help pick up Annabelle and carry her in. It was almost six pm, I wanted to wake her up to feed her dinner, but I could not bring myself to do it. She had been traveling with me for weeks, not sleeping in a bed every night and I could not take it if she was over tired. Oliver looked so comfortable and natural holding Belle. It was comforting.

  We walked up to the front door and I unlocked the door with the key. We walked in and Oliver said, “I can put her in her bed for you if you’d like.” I smiled because it was so nice of him. “Sure that would be nice, thanks.”

  Once Annabelle was tucked in bed, I came back into the kitchen and Oliver was standing by the back door. “Well I guess I will be on my way then.” I do not know why, but my mouth was faster than my brain and I said, “Oli, do you want to stay for some coffee or tea? Or I could make some dinner if you are hungry?” He looked at me with surprised eyes.

  “I actually already had dinner; I wouldn’t want you to go to the trouble.” My head dropped, I felt almost, what? Disappointed I guess, shake it off girl! I quickly told myself. “But I would love some tea!” Oh, thank goodness. That would have been awkward. I smiled and nodded toward the kitchen.

  “Sure. Let me get the kettle.” I reached up to the top of the fridge and tried to reach it. I was a hopeless 5’3 and it sucked. I was struggling and I think Oliver could tell. I heard him let out a small laugh. Then he reached behind me to help me grab it, it startled me and I jumped when his arm brushed up to my face. Oliver could tell I was frightened by the way he pulled his hand back.

  “Grace I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you; I was just trying to help.” I knew he was, but I guess once you have been hurt by a man repeatedly, especially physically, then it is a hard habit to break, jumping at the touch or feel of another man. Max had not put his hands on me in any way but violently since Annabelle was born. I did not know any other way. I had never had any boyfriends in school so being with Max was normal to me, his bipolar mood was normal.

  “It’s ok Oli, I didn’t mean to jump. I don’t know why I am so easy to scare lately,” I said with caution not wanting to draw too much attention to that statement. “It’s ok; you don’t have to apologize to me.” I filled up the kettle and we sat down at the kitchen table and waited for it to boil. “So Grace, tell me about you,” he said. Oh, crap, he just could not resist. Why was this man so eager to know me? If he only knew, he would not want to.

  “Well there isn’t much to tell. I mean my husband is gone; I got married at twenty-three mainly because I got pregnant with Annabelle. I didn’t really know my husband, but at the time it worked.” There was that good enough for Mr. Nosy?

  “You said you were from Chicago? Is that where you were born?” Ugh. “No, I wasn’t born there,” I said annoyed. I could sense frustration in his face; I do not know what you want me to say. Oh my husband is nuts, he tried to kill me several times, so here I am!

  “Look Oli, I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t have a happy back story. I have never had a normal life. Trust me it’s not that interesting,” I said this time sternly, trying desperately to make my point that I did not want to discuss my life.

  “I disagree Grace, for some reason that I cannot figure out, you are very interesting. Even though you have rather seemed irritated with me from the day we met. I cannot help but wonder more about you. Like I said, it’s new to me to want to protect and want to know so much about someone, especially a woman.”

  I was not sure what to say to that. “Ok, Oli why don’t you tell me something about you,” I said surprisingly eager to know him. “Oh me, well I am an open book. What do you want to know,” he said with a grin. “Start with whatever you want,” I said rolling my eyes. I was really just making conversation. To be honest I do not have many friends and I do not know how to make small talk.

  “Ok, well I have lived in this town my entire life, but when I was twenty, I went New York. I had graduated high school and went to college online. We do not really have a university nearby so I got lucky to be able to go online. Once I graduated, I wanted to get away for a while so I went to New York. I actually decided to go to the police academy there. Before I knew it, I was a graduate and offered a position with the NYPD. It was like a dream come true. I had always planned on moving back, but once I was offered a job, I couldn’t resist.”

  Wow, I would have never thought that he was a city person. He definitely did not seem to fit the part. “So why did you come back?” He looked at me and smiled but this time it was not his normal smile. It was mischievous and fun.

  “Ah, who’s eager for info now?” I scowled at him. “Ok, Ok. I am sure it is not as interesting as you would think. However, I met a girl there. She was working as a psychologist on a case I was working on. Her name was Lindsay and she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life. Eventually we started dating and before I knew it, we had gone to the courthouse and gotten married. Our entire relationship was fast, but it was right. My family, especially Maggie, was outraged. It was not like me to m
ake decisions so rash like that. They had only met her once when they came to visit for Christmas. They liked her, but I am sure they would like her better if we would have waited,” he said. I could see the slight pain behind his eyes. I had to admit, the story tugged at my heartstrings a little.

  He is married, interesting. “So what happened? You and Lindsay decided to move back to town to make your family happy,” I said sarcastically. Why am I such a bitch?

  “No not exactly, Lindsay got sick. She was tired all of the time and I thought it was all the cases she was working on. There were times that we both would work twelve-hour days. It never dawned on either of us that it was more than being tired. One day at work, she collapsed. When I got to the hospital, she said it was probably because she had forgotten to eat, I believed her. Then the Doctor came back with her results. She had leukemia, a very rare form. It all happened so fast. They did test after test and none of them were good. About a month after doing as many tests and going over as many treatment options as we could, the doctor told us that no matter what we did, it would only buy Lindsay a few more weeks or months. Without the treatments, she had maybe a month. Before I knew it, she was gone. I moved back home shortly after because Maggie insisted and stalked the hell out of me until I did. It was good that I did though because I was about to lose my job. I had gotten sloppy and I was so blinded by grief that I was messing up cases. I think that my boss felt sorry for me because he kept cleaning up my messes. Therefore, I packed up and moved home. Maggie needed my help here anyways. Moreover, as luck would have it, the Sheriff was retiring. So there you go, that is my sob story. I told you it wasn’t that interesting.”

  Oh my, Oliver was wounded too. Why was I so hateful? This man had been through a lot like me, a different type of pain, but it was sad. “I’m sorry Oliver, I am so sorry about Lindsay. I can’t imagine what that must have been like,” I said quietly. “I am sure you do. How did your husband die,” he said. Crap!