Stealing Grace

by Shelby Fallon

  He turned to face her as she bit her lower lip. He smiled, rubbing her arm.

  “Well, as much as I’d like it to be Saturday, it’s a Tuesday. I’ve got to go to work. You want to come with me?”

  “Yeah. I feel so much better, I think I’m completely recovered.”

  “Good, we can stop and grab some breakfast if you want.”

  “Sounds good.” She kissed him and turned to leave but he grabbed her.

  “Nuhuh, get back here,” he demanded playfully.

  He kissed her again and again as she pulled and pulled away until she eventually was all the way up and pretending to run to the bathroom. He scrambled after her, bumbling his way, his leg getting caught in the sheets.

  He chased her down the hall to the bathroom and turned her quickly to kiss her and she marched backwards into the cold floored room, leading him in with her as she giggled from his tickles.

  * * *

  Alex had heard talk around town about Pam but no would had any thoughts other than she had been left alone for too long and decided to make a run for it. The next few days were spent watching the weather, and trying to figure out which girls needed to go next, based on accessibility to them and the extent of abuse they were receiving.

  It seemed wrong to pick and choose but, it was the only way at this point. Elena was even starting to feel sorry for the men. Seeing Alex and especially Roger, how they had turned around and made a life change. They had been brainwashed. Everyone had.

  Could you technically blame someone for the only way of life they’ve ever known? How had Alex come to the conclusion that it was wrong? Could they all, or at least some, change as Roger had if shown the right way?

  * * *

  The hurricane was fast approaching. Alex seemed to think this was their best chance for optimum damage. Elena had spent her time trying to see a way to end all of this, but nothing seemed to fit. If the government was in on it, then who did you go to for help?

  They had talked about going to the press, with proof anonymously, making a big stink, forcing something to be done for the publics’ eye sake. That may be their best bet but first they wanted the storm to pass and the local city news to have nothing to cover, so they would focus on the one story they had, theirs.

  One day left, it was certain the storm would reach them by morning. This would have to be a midnight job. After Alex called the bus station to see what time the last bus out would be, 11:30 p.m., he called Roger over to work on a plan.

  They were on a tight schedule, no slip-ups could be made. Elena was cooking some of Alex’s favorite chili when she heard the knock. She ran to greet Amy, not beating Alex.

  Roger came through the door first and hugged Elena like it was nothing new, like they were old friends. She saw the smile cross Alex’s face. He was happy that his best friend was now free to love his wife, as friends did. It was no longer uncomfortable and awkward and unhealthy.

  They were all friends now, more that that, accomplices for good deeds and they were in this together.

  * * *

  After the grace, the men scarfed the chili, and complimented on it, while the girls talked about Pam. Elena told them all the whole story about how Pam was resistant at first but only because she feared for Elena’s safety, how grateful she was.

  Amy couldn’t help but cry. Elena saw Roger rub her thigh under the table to comfort her which made Elena tear up too. It never ceased to amaze her, the grace of others.

  Once they were done with supper it was all business. The kitchen table was a floor plan of documents and maps. The den was a war room of sorts.

  They chose the women to set free and marked the houses so they could see how best to reach them. Roger was to be the diversion this time so as not to draw too much attention to Alex, who would do the driving. They all felt that Elena and Amy needed to go with Alex to get the girls because they would need to persuade them quickly and another husband would only scare them.

  Amy would call the husbands with the “distress” call to help Roger while the rest of them were already in place. It was all set. Everyone had their parts to play and they just waited for go time.

  Amy practiced and rehearsed her phone call script before she made the call to Lewis and now was to use it two more times on Frank and John.

  Since they were such a tight knit community, they all used each others services. Roger owned the mill, and they all bought supplies from him from cabinets, to plywood, to sheetrock, to concrete. They would go and help, if nothing else to keep from having to go into the city every time they needed something.

  Apparently it wasn’t good for concrete mix to get wet so, Roger said they would come running. Roger put his business on the line to help get those women out tonight.

  Elena and Amy worked fast to grab the three women, Alex waited in the truck for Elena as she got the two closest to them and Amy the one closet to her. Once everyone was in, Amy ran home in case someone called having heard about the ‘accident’ and Elena and Alex started the rainy drive to the city.

  The storm hadn’t officially hit yet, but it was definitely starting. The rain was torrential, but in the truck they were ok, and they had more time this time so they felt secure. Elena explained on the way everything as she had done before with Pam. They were resistant but in the end all would have done just about anything to get out.

  They all cried of course, and thanked Alex and Elena profusely, worrying about them getting in trouble or worse. Elena pulled the jackets and ball caps out for them to throw on and gave them their envelopes. Instructed them not to go back home and let the first one out to purchase her getaway.

  One by one they got their tickets and hopped on their bus, whichever it was and wherever it was going, all giving one last glance as to say thank you.

  The drive home was slow, the rain getting harder, bigger and standing on the road. Elena was snuggled up to Alex, his arm around her, both were incandescently happy and relieved. Elena’s cheeks were just now beginning to dry up. The women’s gratefulness was so overwhelming.

  * * *

  Alex loved the fact that Elena couldn’t see someone crying without crying herself. Not that he liked to see her with tears coming down, but it was real and honest and showed her compassion. She had even told him about how she felt sorry for the husbands, for not knowing any other life. Alex thought, she really is full of grace. That’s something you can’t fake.

  * * *

  The storm was in full swing when they finally got home and the power was already out, as well as the phone lines. Neither could sleep. Elena was taking a shower so Alex jumped at the opportunity and grabbed them wine, two glasses and some fruit and a knife.

  He laid their comforter on the floor in the bedroom. The moonlight always shined through that window just right at night. He lit a few candles and was just sitting down when he saw her in the door way. Her hair was tossled and wet and laying across her shoulders. Alex’s button up shirt lay loosely on her body.

  “What’s all this?” she said, looking pleased and surprised.

  “Come sit with me. I knew you wouldn’t be able to sleep so I figured we’d have a picnic.”

  “Wow,” she said smiling and bounced over to jump in his lap.

  “So you like it I take it?” he said laughing.

  “Um...yeah,” she jokingly said in her best fake ‘ditsy blonde’ accent.

  They both laughed.

  “And you’re happy here with me?” he asked looking right into her eyes and turning serious and sober.

  “Yes, this is very sweet. Thank you.”

  “No. I mean happy with your life...with me.”

  “Of course I am. I love you, Alex.”

  “No regrets?”

  “No, no regrets. You’re kinda scaring me, babe.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and sat up straighter. “What’s all this about?”

  She was not giddy anymore. She was looking wearily into his eyes.

  “I’m not trying to scare you, E
l, I just want to make sure that this is what you want. That your not only here because of the girls. That now you feel you have a purpose. Because you feel obligated or just making a good situation out of a bad one, with me.”

  “What? Why would you say that? If that were the case I could have run when I took Pam to the bus. I mean, I do feel for the girls, of course I do but, that’s not the reason I stayed, not the main reason. I love you, Alex and if we’d met at a gas station somewhere I’d still have fallen in love with you. You couldn’t order me away.”

  He blew a thoughtful sigh and sat quietly for a moment before reaching into his front pocket.

  “Well then, I thought...I might do this the right way.” He pulled his hand out, a silver petite ring in between his index finger and thumb.

  He had a crooked half smile and was looking up at her from under his lashes, his chin down.

  “Alex,” she breathed his name, glanced at the ring but couldn’t take her eyes off of his warm blue gaze. “I’m already your wife, silly,” she choked out, tears cutting off her force.

  “Yes, but not by choice.” He looked down quickly, a flash of guilt across his face.

  She knew any hesitation would only make him feel worse, make him think she was second guessing and besides, there was no need for any. She knew what she wanted.

  “Yes, of course I’ll marry you. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. Will you just trust me when I say that? I told you before, you couldn’t order me away now. You’re stuck with me. I couldn’t believe it myself in the beginning. I didn’t understand how I could love you, no offense, but I didn’t know how I was already falling in love with you, so soon. But it happened. And the reason isn’t because I had no choice. It’s because you are what I have always known was out there for me, but was afraid I would never find it or didn’t deserve it. I’m not going anywhere.”

  She was still sitting in his lap, him on the floor. They hadn’t taken their eyes from each others. She didn’t want him to have doubts about her. Had she not shown him over and over how much she loved him?

  Alex let out a sigh of relief, he almost looked as if he’d cry, just sitting there shaking his head back and forth, taking it all in. She put her hands on his cheeks and then he finally spoke.

  “I don’t deserve you. El, I’m serious about this. We are going to head out past the city, take a day trip. I’m gonna marry you...for real, and we can spend the rest of the day there. There’s a festival coming, I saw a poster for it in the city. It looks like it’ll be fun.”

  “That sounds perfect. I. Love. You.” She made sure to enunciate every word, burning a whole in his eyes with hers.

  “I know. I won’t doubt it again, I promise. I love you, too.” He pulled her hands down from his face, holding her left hand so tender, rubbing her ring finger with his thumb.

  “May I?” he asked timidly.

  “Yes, silly! I’m yours already!” Elena was crying her happy tears, the ones she could never hold back.

  He smiled as he slid the ring on her finger in front of her wedding band and they both gazed at it for a moment like it was magical. It was a band just like the first but it had tiny diamond hearts completely covering and surrounding the silver band. He wanted her to have both, for both weddings, each with a different meaning and purpose.

  Then he wiped the tears from her cheek with his finger, wrapped his arms around her, his face on her neck. She ran her fingers through his hair, scratching his back and shoulders, knowing how much he loved that.

  The storm outside was growing more angry, but they hadn’t even noticed. Forget the wine. They couldn’t let go. They lay down on the floor together, letting the candles burn down, and wrapping the other end of the blanket around them. Alex lay behind Elena with his arm around her and his other under her head. Perfect.

  She could feel his love for her when he touched her and it made her feel safe and tingly and...warm.

  They stayed like that all night as the storm raged on outside, but in their minds, it was only the dim moonlight falling on them through the window, casting shadows. It was all a sweet reminder of their life up until now, their journey of forgiveness and gratefulness.

  * * *

  They woke in the morning with it still drizzling but the storm had passed. Alex was a little weary to go and inspect the damage the outside. There would be a lot of cleanup and he was not looking forward to it. Elena turned into him.

  “Good morning, husband.”

  “Good morning, wife.” He chuckled and she smiled looking down at her newly adorned ring finger.

  “Is this ok? I mean, I can’t wear this out of the house can I?”

  “Ehhhh, no. It’s mainly for the future. One day, El, we are gonna get out of all this and live like normal people. I just wanted to you to have something physical, that you could touch, an anticipatory gesture of what’s to come,” he said looking smug at his cleverness and play on big words.

  “Yeah, I figured that,” she succumbed smiling pulling herself into his chest.

  He just laughed, allowing her to settle into him.

  “Did I ever tell you how much I love it when you call me El?” she told him, not opening her eyes.

  “Really? Hmmm. Well then, El, how about we get some breakfast?”

  She smiled widely, letting out a little groan of happiness. Then she remembered, she hadn’t thought about it all night what with all that had transpired. What had happened with the husbands? Did the storm hinder them from spreading the news of their wives escape? Power was still out she recognized. She popped up to look at Alex and he immediately knew.

  “Ok, let’s get up. I’ll go investigate.” He helped her to her feet then slowly grabbed her, his arms around her, heads together. “Thank you.” His eyes were closed and they were swaying back and forth.

  “For saying yes? How could I not? You’ve got to give yourself some credit, Alex. You pull some pretty smooth moves sometimes,” she said it jokingly but was totally serious.

  “If you say so.” He chuckled and actually blushed bit. “Alright,” he said reluctant to let go, “I’ll go outside and survey the damage, before making the calls.”

  She winced at that thought. Poor Alex is going to be out there for days cleaning up that mess. She made her way to the kitchen and started the coffee.

  Alex was getting dressed in the bedroom when they heard a knock at the door. Both came around their corners to look at each other. Alex, no shirt on, buttoned his jeans and with his bare feet padded to answer the door. Elena ran back into the kitchen, wearing only Alex’s button up green shirt.

  “Hey, Lewis, what can I do you for?” Alex was leaning against the door frame so their guest wouldn’t try to come in. “Some storm, huh?”

  “Yes it was, and apparently, we have a problem. Is your wife here?” Lewis asked, as if he knew the answer.

  “Of course she is. Where else would she be?” Alex asked folding his arms over his chest.

  “Some of the wives escaped last night. We don’t know how but they are communicating with each other somehow, to organize this. A couple of others and myself went to help Roger last night with a crisis at the mill and while we were gone, they escaped.” He banged his fist on he doorjamb. “All three! It’s a conspiracy!”

  “Hmmm, you hadn’t left her alone before that right?”

  “Well, no, I-” the man sputtered and huffed.

  “Well, then, isn’t it likely that she knew you’d be gone for a while and had time to run for it, especially with the storm last night? You’ve got to be more careful, Lewis. First Howard, now you and whoever else...” He trailed off, trying to look disappointed.

  “I know, I know. This has never happened in the community before. You’re right, it was careless but what was I supposed to do? The council is going to meet in a couple days to discuss it. Why didn’t you come to help? Then your wife wouldn’t be here either,” Lewis growled unhappily.

  “My phone and power have been off for a while.
I do live the closest to the river. Maybe he tried but couldn’t reach me. We were here all night.”

  “Can I see her? Just to make sure she is here, and you’re not bluffing.”

  “Now why would I do that, Louie?” Alex said smiling and speaking condescendingly.

  “Because it’s embarrassing. I know you, You’ve got your father’s pride. Just let me see her and I’ll be on my way.”

  “El?” Alex called sweetly.

  Elena peeked around the corner, trying not to show her half naked body, but sure he could tell anyway.

  “Yes?” she said, spatula in hand.

  “Oh...Well, Alex, you sly dog you. I’ll be off then. Keep an eye on her. Women are just...evil, Alex. This act could all be a trick for you to let your guard down and then she’ll be gone like the rest of them.”

  “Don’t worry, Lewis. I’m all over it,” Alex stated while pulling the door shut, forcing Lewis to step down. “Sorry about the wife, tough break.”

  “Thanks. Remember what I said. See you in a couple days.”

  Alex shut the door and turned to her.

  “You’re evil. Did you know that?” She just smiled. “Well I’ve got to say, you do look devilish in my shirt.”

  She bit her lip, nodded in playful agreement and turned to finish breakfast. He followed her in, grabbing a cup of coffee, then sprinting back to the bedroom to finish getting dressed. Once he was dressed in his fitting long sleeve t-shirt and tennis shoes, he slowly opened the door.

  “Wow.”

  Yes, there were a few limbs down. Yes, there were leaves everywhere. Yes, the yard had standing water, but that was it.

  “Really”, he wondered out loud to himself, “this is it?” Maybe the storm hadn’t been as bad as they had thought it had been.

  * * *

  After breakfast, Elena got dressed quickly in her perfect fitting blue jeans and pocket v-neck shirt. Alex eyed her as they walked down the porch, she noticed, and liked the way her looked at her when he thought she wasn’t looking. She liked it that he found her attractive. Nobody had ever seemed to before, except guys who were just jerking her around.