She finished eating her sandwich, then cleaned up the kitchen. Dave vacated one chair and took up residence in another, the recliner in the living room, and read the evening newspaper.
Barbara watched her husband from the corner of her eye. He was a good man. He had worked and had taken care of his family all these years. He didn’t hit her often, just when he thought she was being obstinate, and the violence definitely had decreased over the years. She wondered if this would be a good time to read some scripture with him. If she asked him to read her a verse, would he? And if she feigned ignorance, would he look into it and study it? He just might. That might be just the ticket, have him discover his behavior on his own.
She approached him cautiously. “Dave, is this a good time to talk with you?”
He sighed and set the paper aside. “As good a time as any, I suppose. What’s on your mind?”
She took out her worn Bible and asked him to turn to 1 Timothy Chapter Five. “I have been reading and I don’t quite understand everything. Can you explain it to me?”
“Sure, I can do that.” He opened his Bible to Timothy. “Let’s see here. Ah, here it is.”
He glanced over the scripture with his eyes. “Is there a certain part that is stumping you more than the others? Or are they all stumping you?”
“Well, I was reading the first few verses and it seems to me like he is talking about our relationships in this passage, you know, how we are to treat one another. I just got a bit confused when I read verse eight. It seems pretty harsh. What if a man loses his job or is disabled?”
He read the verse out loud. “Well, maybe it means something different, maybe it isn’t talking about money.” He looked thoughtful. “Tell you what, I’ll look into it and get back to you on it. All right?”
She nodded her head, hoping she had done the right thing. She didn’t always know for sure what the “right thing” was. She did her best.
Chapter Forty
Paul pulled up in front of the little house Laney now called home. He had a right to be here. These were his kids.
He approached the front door and knocked. No answer. He didn’t see the van. They must be gone. Well, he certainly wasn’t going to leave the gift and not see the boy open it. He was his father.
He decided to wait. It was a nice day so he walked around the yard trying to see in the windows, trying to glimpse into his wife and kids’ lives. He had just stepped back from the girls’ bedroom window when he heard a voice behind him.
“Can I help you with something?”
He turned around, about to tell the person who interrupted him to mind his own business but thought better of it when he saw the person doing the speaking.
“Uh, yeah, sorry. I was hoping Matt was home. I knocked and no one answered. I thought for sure he was supposed to be here today so I thought I better make sure everything was okay.” The lie floated out of his mouth as easily as it had crossed his mind.
“Well, they aren’t here. I can give it to him for you.” The big black man started to take the gift from him but Paul pulled back.
“I’d like to give it to him myself, if it is all the same to you.”
“Suit yourself, but if I see you looking through any more windows, you’ll be talking with the cops. You hear?”
That grated. He didn’t care to take orders from anyone, let alone some black guy. “Uh yeah, whatever.” He turned and walked back to his car and then sped off. Who did that guy think he was? And where is Laney? Does she think I want to spend my day off sitting around waiting on her? Stupid woman.
He had passed a small café on his way into town so he stopped in for a bite. Might as well eat. He looked over the menu and grumbled. “Not exactly five-star dining, now is it?”
“Excuse me?”
He looked up to see the waitress. “Oh nothing, I was just talking to myself.”
“Yeah, that is what I thought.” She smacked her gum. “Now what can I get you?”
He looked over the menu, not sure where to begin. There were salads and sandwiches, hot American dinners, Mexican and oriental food all in one place. Hungry for some home cooking, he settled for the meatloaf dinner, which the waitress assured him was very good.
Sipping his diet soda, he waited for his meal.
He was tired of this life. He was tired of cooking his own meals. He was tired of his co-workers asking him how Laney was. He was tired of her destroying his life. He was tired of her keeping his kids from him. He was tired of her selfishness and her disloyalty. She was his. She was his to do with what he wanted. And her rebellious behavior was going to stop. The waitress clanked his plate down in front of him so he scowled at her. He hoped she wasn’t looking for a tip. That wasn’t happening.
* * * *
Laney stuffed the balloons into the van. If one slipped out into the atmosphere, they would pay dearly. She was careful to hold them while the kids got in and shut their doors. “All right guys, you have to hold those balloons down so I can see to drive.”
Choruses of agreement rang from the back seat.
It didn’t take very long to reach home. She grabbed the balloons to make everything easier and had Matt carry the leftover pizza box. “Matt, put that in the fridge, okay?”
“Sure mom.”
She heard the knock on the door from the bathroom. What a pain. She washed her hands just in time to run out and see Paul standing in their living room. The kids were excited. She had to be careful.
“What are you doing here?”
The smirk on his face told her exactly what he was doing there, purposefully doing the opposite of what she desired. That was his aim, that and causing her as much pain as humanly possible. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
Matt was tearing open the gift that Paul had supposedly sent. Yeah right. He was lying as usual. She reminded herself of those words that she had prayed. Then she reminded herself that it was okay to love from a distance. This close was very questionable.
She walked to her front door and opened it. “Paul, I want you to leave. And don’t ever come back here again. Do you hear me?”
He tightened his fists.
Matt jumped in before Paul could respond. “Ah mom, can’t he see me open my present?”
Joy stood off to the side holding Melanie. She didn’t want Melanie in the middle of things if her dad starting hitting their mom.
Laney responded to Matt. “Matt, if you want your father to see you open your gift, then take it outside.” She turned her attention to Paul. “I want you out of my house, now!” Her voice was getting louder.
A deep voice interrupted them. “Is everything okay here?”
Both Paul and Laney turned toward the front door. Paul was the first to speak. “Yeah, I was just leaving.”
He started toward the door and hissed to Laney as he was passing, “This isn’t over.”
She watched him leave, thankful that her landlord had heard them and came to her rescue. She wasn’t sure what Paul would have done had he not stepped in.
She thanked him, then closed the door. She was more than certain she had not heard the last of him.
Laney heard a loud pop and screamed; terrified he’d come back with a gun. Melanie busted out crying. Her balloon had just popped.
Laney was still standing against the wall with her hand on her heart when Matt interrupted her attempt at slowing her heart beat.
“Mom, it’s a Bear’s helmet. Do you think it’s okay to tell dad I’d rather have a Packer helmet?”
“Matt, I don’t think that is such a good idea. Why don’t you just put the helmet in your room and we can discuss it later, okay?”
Even though Matt and Melanie had lived through their father’s tirades, they were quick to forgive and forget. Joy on the other hand was just old enough to remember everything they had been through as a family.
The two younger kids were already playing and over their father’s visit, while Joy sat on the couch trembling.
L
aney sat down next to her daughter and put her arm around her. “Are you okay?”
Joy shook her head then laid it on Laney’s shoulder. “Mom, how did he find us? We were so careful.”
“He has his ways. Your father is a very smart man.” Laney sniffled, trying to hold back the tears that threatened. “It was only a matter of time, honey. I couldn’t run from your father forever.”
“I don’t want him in our lives. I prayed that he would never find us. Why didn’t God answer my prayer?”
Laney grimaced. She had only just come to terms with God’s will not always lining up with her will a short time ago. How could she explain this to an almost twelve year old?
“Honey, I know it’s hard. But, God knows what is best for us. He knows the right things for us as well as the wrong things for us. So, if we pray for something that he knows will hurt us, or not be good for us, he isn’t going to answer our prayer the way we want him to. Does that make sense?”
“Yes, but daddy is the one who hurt us. Why would God want that to happen again? Should we find a new place to live, where he won’t know where we are?”
“I’ve thought about that and I believe God wants us to be strong and do what is right. I don’t want us to be afraid for the rest of our lives. We could run and hide, but your dad would probably find us again. Don’t you think we should stand up to him and tell him he can’t treat us that way?” Laney swallowed hard. This pep talk was as much for her as it was for Joy. “We would have to leave all our friends, your school, our church. What about Miss Ella? She has been like a grandma to you. Do you want to have to leave her?”
“I didn’t think about that, mom. That would make me real sad.” Joy looked up at her mom. “But mom, he hurt you the worst. I want you to be safe.” She started crying all over again.
Laney placed her hand under Joy’s chin. “Hey, I’m going to be okay, you’ll see. God has given me a peace in my heart about all of this. He has a plan, Joy, and I know everything is going to work out. Can you trust me on this? Can you pray about it and learn to trust God, that he can take care of us, no matter what?”
“I’ll try.”
“I know, sweetheart, it is hard after everything we’ve been through. But I promise you this. I know that God is bigger, stronger, and wiser than you and I put together. He knows how to handle your dad and we are going to trust him. Deal?”
Laney extended her pinky; Joy half-heartedly wrapped her pinky around her mom’s. “Deal.”
Chapter Forty-One
Spring had officially arrived. Sheila opened up her house windows, exchanging the stale winter air for air that was laced with the smells of the season. She could smell her neighbor’s hyacinths on the gentle breeze that was dancing with her curtains.
She looked around their little dining room, wanting everything to be perfect. She had set the table with her best linens and her new china.
Laney had volunteered to have the boys spend the night and had picked them up right after school, so she had the whole day to herself.
The lasagna was ready to go in the oven, the salad was made and she had even put together a lemon meringue pie earlier. He would think he’d died and gone to heaven.
She couldn’t wait. Austin had spent the day in Chicago finishing up some business he had there. He was on his way home and should be home in a couple of hours.
She laid out her clothes then took a quick shower. Tonight was going to be perfect.
The lasagna smelled delicious and she had just put on her diamond studs when she heard the car door. She greeted him at the door with a glass of red wine.
He stood paralyzed on the doorstep. “Wow, what’s the occasion?”
“Can’t a woman do something special every now and then for her man?”
“Honey, you can do this kind of special any time you want.”
She pulled him close and whispered, “Why don’t you take a quick shower and get cleaned up. Dinner is almost ready.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.”
He disappeared through the hall and it wasn’t but a minute before she heard the shower running. She grinned and shook her head.
Sheila had dinner on the table when he emerged fifteen minutes later. “Lasagna, my favorite.” He pulled the chair out for her and went to pour her some wine.
She put her hand over her glass. “None for me, thanks.”
Austin refilled his glass and sat back, enjoying the scents and scenery of the evening, especially the scenery seated directly across from him, his wife. “You are beautiful. I am so blessed to be your husband.” He lifted his glass. “A toast to you.”
She sipped the water from her own goblet, remaining quiet, enjoying the moment.
He looked around then noticed the table was only set for two. “Where are the boys?”
“They are spending the night with Matt. Wasn’t that nice of Laney to volunteer?”
He grinned, appreciatively. “I’d say.” He raised his glass again. “Here’s to Laney!”
They both laughed.
He picked up his fork, which was so small he wouldn’t have been able to pick up a pea. He looked at it questioningly, but she had to give him credit, he didn’t say a word. He went to the kitchen and retrieved a different fork. Sheila wondered what he was thinking.
He ate his meal without mentioning the silverware. He had to retrieve a new spoon for his dessert as well. “This is delicious.” He didn’t notice she was picking at her food, pushing it around on her plate without really eating it.
She started cleaning up the table and he chipped in. He approached her from behind and whispered in her neck, “Can the dishes wait till later?”
Sheila laughed. “No, I’m just going to rinse them off really quick. It won’t take me but a minute.” She had their plates in her hand so she motioned with her head. “You go ahead and sit down, I’ll be right in. I got us a movie to watch. I thought it would be nice to be able to watch a whole movie without interruptions.”
He made himself comfortable on their reclining love seat and turned on the television and DVD player while he waited for her. She had already put the movie in. “Nine Months?” He tried to remember this one. “Hey Sheila, have I seen this movie? I don’t remember what it is about.”
She poked her head around the entryway of the living room, “Hon, we’ve only been married for five months. How do I know if you’ve seen the movie or not?”
He grinned and stood up, taking the dishtowel from her hands and tossing it on the dining room table. “Good point. Now get in here and sit with me.” He untied her apron and led her to the love seat. “Now this is nice.”
They both reclined and he started the movie.
Hand in hand they laughed their way through the ups and downs of finding out a couple is having a baby. Austin loved Dr. Kosovich. “Robin Williams is so funny. I’m glad you got this movie. You know, I don’t think I have ever seen it before.”
Sheila agreed with him, while watching him intently.
At the end when Hugh Grant was holding his baby, Sheila was crying full force. Austin grabbed the tissues. “Honey, are you okay? It’s just a movie.”
“It’s not just a movie. You don’t get it.” She sobbed. “I’m pregnant.”
“You’re what?”
“I’m pregnant. I had this whole evening set up with clues so you would get it and you don’t get it.”
“You’re sure? You ‘re really pregnant?” He jumped, then scooped her up in his arms. “We’re having a baby?”
She nodded yes.
He wiped away her tears. “Then what are you crying for? You have just made me the happiest man alive. I love you, Sheila. And I love our baby.” He placed his hands on her stomach then looked at her like she alone set the stars and moon into place. He carried her into their bedroom and closed the door behind him.
* * * *
The next morning Sheila sat at Laney’s table, sharing the good news with her and telling her all about Austin’s
reaction as well as her own emotional reaction.
“It’s normal. You’ll cry about anything when you are pregnant.”
“Really, how do women stand it?”
Laney laughed. “When you hold her in your hands, you’ll know why.”
Sheila raised her eyebrows. “A her?”
“Or a him, I guess. I’m sticking with a girl though.”
“So is Austin. He is sure of it.”
“Daddy knows best.”
“You should have seen him. He was so careful. He was treating me like I was made of glass. I told him I’m still me.”
Laney looked wistful. After everything she had gone through with Paul, it was a miracle she had healthy babies. “Some guys are like that.”
Sheila placed her hand on Laney’s arm. “I’m sorry, that was insensitive.”
“It’s not your fault my husband was a lousy one. Don’t you dare be sorry for having a candidate for the best father of the year. You hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The two friends spent the rest of the afternoon making lists and talking about doctors.
“I’m so glad you’re here. With my mom gone, I wouldn’t know who to turn to with all my questions.” Sheila gave Laney a hug. “I better get the boys and get going. Austin’s parents are coming up and spending the night. I have a ton of lasagna left. I wonder if they’ll mind eating leftovers?” She called the boys. “We need to tell the boys when we get home. I hope they are okay with having a new baby brother or sister.”
“They’ll be fine.”
The boys thanked Laney for having them then followed Sheila out.
Laney waved. “See you tomorrow at church.”
Chapter Forty-Two
The next morning Laney slipped into her regular pew and waited for Ella. Sunday school let out a little late today and she knew Ella tried to get to the bathroom before service started. She hated to leave during worship and be an interruption.
Forever Blessed (Women of Prayer) Page 22