Dishonor Thy Wife

by Belinda Austin

  “For being so rough on you.”

  He hangs up the phone without even saying goodbye. He sent the flowers more than four months ago. What got into me to ask about the note now?

  I do not care!

  I slam the receiver on the cradle so hard that a piece of plastic flies off and slides across the floor.

  Odd, the broken piece is heart-shaped.

  Chapter 78

  RONNI

  The next Saturday morning Traci waits on the porch, her suitcase beside her, her head hanging low, and her stringy blonde hair brushing the sidewalk. It is eleven in the morning.

  I just knew Jayden would do this to Traci.

  I sit beside her on the front porch. “Honey, why don't you come into the house?”

  Traci shakes her head and hugs her Tigger tighter.

  The phone rings and I run into the house and answer.

  “It's me,” he says. “Sorry I couldn't call sooner. Tell Traci I will be there around one. I have an emergency at the hospital.”

  “I'll tell her.”

  “Thanks.” He hangs up the phone.

  After lunch, Traci goes outside to play with Millie's daughter, Joanie.

  I clean out the freezer. My refrigerator and freezer, a side-by-side, is broken and a deliveryman is bringing a new one late this afternoon. I am cleaning out the mess of defrosted food and throwing away food from the refrigerator. I was able to save most of the meat by transferring it to Riley's freezer.

  I lose track of time and the doorbell rings.

  I should have showered and dressed before Jayden caught me looking like something the cat dragged in out of the rain. Well, I cannot keep him waiting while I pretty myself up. He does not act attracted to me any more anyway. I swing the door open and scowl at him.

  “Is Traci here?” he says in a cool voice.

  I walk around the house and check the backyard but Traci is nowhere around. Then I remember Traci had been playing with Joanie in the front.

  Jayden stands outside, tapping his shoe against the porch floor.

  “Traci was playing with Joanie at Millie's house.” I drag the other woman's name from my throat and swallow. “I'll go get her. You stay here.”

  Jayden sits on a porch chair, tapping his fingers together and staring aimlessly.

  I come back from across the street with Millie.

  Jayden smiles at Millie as if glad to see her, unlike me.

  Millie must have timed Jayden's visits. She probably grilled Traci about her uncle and knew he was going to be late. She appears to have just come from the beauty parlor. Her skirt is short and tight. Millie wears high-heels at home on a Saturday afternoon. “I don't think the girls could have gone very far,” she says. “They were on their bikes but Joanie knows she is just supposed to just go up the street and back.”

  “Traci wouldn't wander very far either,” I add.

  We walk up and down the street calling the girls' names.

  There is no answer but an older boy; a fifth grader saw the girls. “A while ago.” He points. “They were headed in that direction.”

  We walk faster, calling out for the girls.

  After about eight minutes, Joanie rides her bike towards us crying. The little girl is muddy.

  Traci is not with her.

  Chapter 79

  RONNI

  Millie calms Joanie down and she tells us, “Traci fell into the creek.”

  Jayden grabs the little girl by the shoulders. “Take us to where Traci is, Joanie.”

  Jayden calls the police on his cell phone while we follow Joanie, running as fast as the little girl's short legs can pedal her bike.

  Traci's bike is abandoned on the road.

  Jayden reaches out and grabs my hand. I am shaking and crying. “The creek must be full. It's been raining so much.”

  “Hush,” he says. “It may not be that bad.”

  There are woods in the area and after wandering for about four minutes in the mud, Joanie points to an embankment that is about 25 feet high.

  Traci has not fallen into the rushing water below but is stuck, knee-deep in mud. She is crying and filthy but otherwise seems okay.

  “It's alright, honey,” Jayden yells at her. “I'll come get you.”

  “Here.” Jayden hands me his phone. “Call the police again and tell them where we are. Just do it,” he snaps harshly. It is clear that he is still worried.

  He begins the difficult task of maneuvering down the embankment in the thick mud.

  Finally, he reaches Traci and she hugs him around the legs.

  Jayden digs Traci out of the mud. All the while, he is sinking into the mud.

  I sigh with relief at the sound of sirens. There is no way Jayden is going to be able to climb out of the mud without help.

  Two police officers and several firefighters form a human chain down the embankment, handing Traci from man to man until she is safely on top of the embankment and no longer in danger.

  However, the men cause the mud to loosen even more and Jayden slides towards the creek.

  With a splash, he falls into the rushing water and hits his head on a rock.

  Chapter 80

  RONNI

  “Jayden,” I scream. A firefighter holds my arms to prevent me from jumping into the creek. His body rocks in the water face down.

  I watch helplessly as the police and firefighters attempt to get to Jayden.

  His body knocks against the sides of the creek, stuck between rocks keeping him from being swept away.

  More sirens sound and firefighters run to the embankment equipped with ropes and proceed to rescue him.

  Jayden appears unconscious from the blow to his head. The water is slightly red and I have never felt so scared in all of my life.

  Please God let him be okay.

  Finally, one of the firefighters, a brave man, slides all the way down to the creek, risking his own life, and manages to pull Jayden from the water. “He's not breathing,” he yells up to the other men.

  My heart stops and I collapse. My world goes black until someone throws her little arms around my neck. I had forgotten about Traci. My daughter buries her face in my neck and we both sob. I hang onto Traci as if she is a lifeline to Jayden. Please do not let her lose him again. Not again. Do not let my little girl lose her uncle she loves so much. It will break Traci's heart.

  A firefighter ties a rope around Jayden and they pull his body from the creek. I shield Traci's face so that she cannot see her uncle, just in case...in case...

  He appears like a corpse. Tears flood my eyes.

  I leave Traci with Millie and rush over to Jayden; only I cannot see anything because the firefighters are standing around while a medic works on him.

  Finally, Jayden coughs and I sigh with relief, bow my head, and thank the Lord for saving him.

  I grab Jayden's hand and squeeze but get no response. Jayden is still unconscious and pale. Who knows what the damage is to his head. There is a nasty cut. He looks like death. “Where are you taking him?” My voice shakes and I can hardly get the words out.

  “The closest hospital is the Heart Hospital in Austin,” one firefighter answers. “We have to get him to the hospital as soon as possible and check out his lungs and his head.”

  “His name is Jayden Tremblay.”

  “Are you coming?” the firefighter asks when they put Jayden in the ambulance. “Are you his wife?”

  I was his pretend wife. “He's my brother-in-law, and yes, I am coming with him.”

  I climb into the ambulance and cling to Jayden’s cold hand.

  Chapter 81

  RONNI

  I curl up on a chair in Jayden's hospital room with dried mud all over my clothes. I watch him sleep, wishing he would wake up. The doctors are uncertain if there is permanent damage to his brain. They will not know until he wakes up although his x-rays reveal nothing alarming. Like any head injury where the victim fails to wake up, there is always the danger Jayden might remain in a coma
indefinitely. His chest rises with blessed breath. His lungs are okay, probably a little scarring.

  Guilt overwhelms me remembering the hurt look on his face when I told him he did not know what love is. Jayden treats Traci with so much love and kindness. He watches her silly shows with her and takes her to children's movies that must make him squirm in his seat. He is willing to give up every other Saturday and part of his Sunday to be a surrogate father.

  Jayden even bought a child car seat for Traci so she rides safely in his Mercedes, a red devil's car, but Jayden is not so much a devil. He is missing a tail and not perfect, like myself.

  I doze occasionally and then wake with my throat tight and rasping for breath. I only relax when his chest moves.

  Just after sunrise, Jayden moans. His eyelids flutter.

  I run to get the nurse and yell out, “He’s waking up!”

  A doctor and nurse walk briskly into the room and Jayden opens his eyes fully.

  “Good morning, Dr. Tremblay,” the doctor says.

  Jayden mumbles.

  “Can you excuse us?” the doctor asks me.

  I hang my head and shuffle out the door like an old woman.

  After about half an hour, the doctor walks out of the room and closes the door.

  “Will he be okay?” I say.

  “He has a slight concussion, but nothing serious, Mrs. Tremblay.”

  “I'm not his wife!” Everyone always assumes our relationship forcing me to explain, “I'm his sister-in-law.”

  “Oh?”

  The doctor looks at me strangely because I spent the night at the hospital in his room, which seems very devoted for a sister-in-law. Nevertheless, I say, “Did he ask you not to let me see him?”

  “He said nothing about you. Good day.”

  Jayden is out of danger and I press the elevator button.

  Chapter 82

  RONNI

  I pull my car up the driveway next to the red Mercedes, intending to make sure his car is locked, and his possessions protected, but instead I climb into the Mercedes and sit on the front passenger seat. I look over at the driver's side and imagine Jayden sitting behind the wheel. His arm is against the seat and he leans into me. His eyes fill with desire and my heart pounds with fear.

  I have never been frightened of Jayden; I am scared of his power over me.

  My heart twists like a pretzel, consumed by visions. My skin tingles with remembrances, and my senses fill with Jayden. What has he done to me? Oh, God, what has this man done to me? The slight odor of aftershave in his car causes me to feel weak and dizzy.

  I climb from his car, press the lock button and my skin jumps in panic. Jayden locked me in his car. For one moment, I thought he was going to rape me, and he was instead gentle. I hated myself for being weak and giving into him in Canada. I moaned and groaned under his hands that could work magic on a woman’s body. I had wanted him so badly despite the tricks he played on me and his harsh spoken words. I had still desired him even though he broke my heart.

  Traci runs across the street. “Mommy. Mommy,” she yells.

  “Traci. Oh, Traci.” I almost lost my baby.

  “Uncle Jayden?” Her lip trembles.

  “He's okay.” I blow my nose on my blouse. “Your uncle is in the hospital, but he's fine.”

  Traci claps her hands and we both walk into the house, my hand clenching her shoulder.

  Millie had bathed Traci, washed her hair, and loaned her some clothes of Joanie's. I make a mental note to remember to thank Millie.

  The kitchen is a mess. The new refrigerator and freezer were not delivered yesterday since I was at the hospital.

  I spend the next morning grinding up spoils in the disposal.

  No one should ever put the beauty of a rose in a garbage can. The kitchen counter is a better place. And like the red rose that had been in the freezer, my heart begins to thaw. Jayden! I sway, clinging to the counter. He could have drowned, and I never thanked him for saving Traci. I simply ran away from him at the hospital as I always do.

  Quick, I phone Riley who is in a bad mood from waking up. She worked until 2:30 in the morning last night at the bar and got home around 3:30.

  “You have to take care of Traci,” I plead.

  “Why?” Riley is instantly awake, her grumpy mood forgotten.

  “I have to go to the hospital and visit Jayden.” I explain to Riley what happened.

  “I'll be right over,” she says.

  I pace on the front porch, my purse slung across my shoulder, and keys dangling from my hand.

  Riley raises her eyebrow at my short skirt and heels. “You’re dressed more like you’re going to a nightclub than a hospital.”

  I am arguing with Traci so ignore Riley’s remark.

  “Why can't I come?” Traci stares defiantly.

  “Because I told you, Traci, you're not allowed to visit your Uncle Jayden in the hospital because you are too young.”

  “Well, sneak me into his room then.”

  “No. You stay here with Aunt Riley. Do you want me to buy flowers for him and say they are from you?”

  “Give him this instead.” Traci reaches up and kisses my cheek.

  I look at Riley with dismay. She chuckles. “Try getting out of this.”

  “Uh, okay, Traci, I’ll kiss your uncle for you.” I cross my fingers behind my back. “I have got to go now.”

  I make a quick stop at a department store and then drive to the hospital. I dart into the gift shop and then punch the button of the elevator that will take me to Jayden's room.

  Chapter 83

  RONNI

  Flowers engulf my arms and my head peeks out from a huge heart-shaped balloon.

  I feel like the biggest fool who ever lived. I rushed over here to the hospital, driving like a bat out of hell, only to find Jayden lying against some pillows, his arms behind his head, flirting with a blonde nurse. She sits on his bed, swinging her foot, her white nurse's uniform halfway up her thigh.

  Jayden throws back his head and laughs as if the nurse just said the funniest thing.

  Not once has he looked in my direction. I turn around to leave.

  “Hey, Ronni!”

  I spin.

  “Uh, excuse us,” he tells the nurse who looks disappointed.

  “Are those for me?” He raises an eyebrow at the vase of white flowers in my arms, white for truce.

  I set the flowers down.

  “I would have thrown myself in the creek a long time ago if I knew you'd bring me flowers, Ronni. Is there a note?”

  “A note isn't necessary since I'm delivering the flowers in person.”

  “Thank you for the flowers, Ronni. That is kind of you.” He stares with a curious expression on his face. “What would you have said if there was a note?”

  “How's your head?” I cannot stop my voice from shaking. He got the nurse all hot and bothered so Jayden is not near death, but a concussion can be deceiving.

  “My head is fine, a little sore perhaps but nothing a couple of aspirin won't fix. You, on the other hand, are trembling and your face is pale.”

  “How's your heart?”

  “So how come you're suddenly so interested in my heart, Ronni?”

  “Well, you are at a Heart Hospital. I figured they would check out your heart while you were here.”

  He appears deflated by my answer. “I have been hallucinating. I could have sworn you were in my room last night or early this morning, but it must have been the coma. When I woke up, I was all alone.”

  “You must have imagined I was here.”

  Again, he appears slightly depressed. “What's in the bag?”

  “I figured your clothes were pretty muddied so I brought you some.”

  “Not a funeral suit, I hope?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Good, because it will be some time before you dance at my funeral, Ronni.”

  What have I done to make him even think such a cruel thing? His eyes are laughing
. Damn him—why did I even come? “Thank you for what you did for Traci.” My voice is as small as he makes me feel.

  “There is no need for thanks.” He shrugs his shoulders and appears hurt.

  “Well, it was a heroic thing to do.”

  “How is she, my niece?”

  “Traci is fine. She is with my friend, Riley.”

  He swings his legs over the side of the bed. “The doctor was just in here telling me I can go home.” He looks at me expectantly.

  I remember what happened last time I was alone in a car with Jayden. I offer in a reluctant voice, “Well, do you need a ride?”

  “That would be convenient since my car is over at your place.” He adds in an exasperated voice, “Are you going to watch me get dressed?”

  “No!” I yank the curtain around the bed.

  After a few of minutes, he emerges from behind the curtain fully clothed. “Just my size.” He grins. “You must have my body memorized.”

  I feel like throwing the flowers at him but instead say, “Well, you are the same size as Brad was.”

  Jayden actually blushes.

  You wore his Comfyballs underwear and made me feel uncomfortable. You wore his coat and left me out in the cold. You wore his gloves and choked the life out of me. You wore his shoes and trampled my heart.

  “Let’s go.” He limps towards the door.

  “You never told me you injured your leg.”

  “My ankle, but it’s just a slight sprain.”

  “Aren’t we supposed to wait for the nurse to bring a wheelchair or something?”

  “Screw a wheelchair. I’m fine.”

  I roll my eyes and offer him my shoulder to lean on.

  He clings to me as we make our way over to the elevator, pulling me closer and breathing on my scalp. “You once asked me if it was possible for two people to begin again,” he says.

  “Yes.” I punch the button and the elevator pops open.

  “Yes, it is possible or yes, you remember?”

  I simply step into the elevator.

  Jayden hesitates. He appears weary, I suppose from the accident. There is a look of reflection on his face, and he says in a somber voice with no trace of laughter whatsoever, “Ronni, I apologize for the masquerade. I am soulfully sorry that Brad and I hurt you. I never wanted the lawsuit but there was no way you would ever let me see Traci. Do you think it possible you can ever find it in your heart to forgive me?”