The One. (The Girl #2)

by Laura Lee Fall

  Even a few older Wiley’s when Shawn and Saul argued over the game and shaking her head, Jennifer told Ella, “Acting worse than the kids”. Ella giggled.

  Rodney making some strikes winked at Danny Ray that said, “Aw competing time huh”, smiled.

  The youngest grandchildren had their own separate lane set up for bumper bowling and everyone heard crying and tantrum throwing, rushing up bends down asking, “What little sugar?” Pouting face, noticed asking, “What Hope?”

  “I knock nothing down Nana, she did”, looked at Kayla says, “What, I can’t help it”.

  Heard Ashley yell, “All right I made a strike”, saw her jumping up and down, Hope folds small arms stomps foot saying, “Me don’t like this game”.

  Stood up looking around rose eyebrows high saw, other children playing in a room filled with many fun things for them to do.

  Waving her hand yelled, “Jake”, rushing up, “What Nana?”

  “Mind taking Hope into the playroom?”

  “Aw why me?”

  One eyebrow high says, “Because I asked, you might have fun to”.

  “Ah doubt it”.

  “Take her before I get your daddy”.

  “All right, come on Hope”, grabs her hand Brenda smiling mumbled, “He will have fun to”, listening to arguing over the bowling competition.

  A few lanes down heard the Wiley’s, glanced saw them, Max grinning with a few thugs and his boys Ryder with Lucas are bowling.

  Aggravated over the bowling contest Shane walking to the bathroom went in and on his way out two thugs bumped into Shane roughly literally pushing him up against the wall, “Woe slow down huh”.

  One light haired thug grinned and when Shane went to walk away stuck his foot out tripping him, falling on the floor.

  Watching, Max stood grinning and saw Shane jump up saying, “Aw heck no buddy!” Sat watching her family bowling, suddenly saw her four sons with Rodney rush by fast, mumbled, “Guess when you have to go you go”.

  “Aw Brenda”.

  “Yes dear”.

  “Your sons are not going to the restroom”.

  “Hungry, huh?”

  Looking down towards the other end of the bowling alley saw his nephew and a man face-to- face arguing and the man was pushing Shane.

  Standing around, his brothers with Rodney watching and the man pushed Shane powerful knocking him down to the floor again.

  Jumping back up, threw his hands up saying, “Aw let’s finish this outside”, and the man grins replied, “Let’s roll”, hurried out the front doors with his five brothers right behind. Shaking his head, “Shoot I knew it” and taking her eyes off the grandkids bowling now looking at Danny Ray, asked, “Knew what, my sons eating?”

  The women heard looking at him and he said, “Aw no sweetheart your one son is fighting outside”.

  All eyebrows rose high and Brenda said, “Good grief, always a fight with my sons”. Upset, Ella asked, “Who is fighting?”

  “Shane”, and shook her head saying, “What someone steel his quarter again”. “Not funny dear”, waves hand says, “Well, at least he did not break a promise”. “You warned him not to fight?” no, never thought he would today”.

  “Well he is I better go check”.

  “Go ahead dear, I never liked to watch my sons fight”, glanced at the grandchildren having a good time mumbles, “At least their having fun, not my poor son about to have swollen eyes.

  Brenda’s words exactly when the family stood around watching Jared blowing out the candles on his birthday cake, Brenda rose her eyebrows high looking at Shane’s eyes swelling shut by the minute.

  Noticing, Ella felt nauseated and hurried away heading towards the restrooms went in fast knelt by the toilet vomiting.

  Stood by the sink washing her hands, Jennifer heard and asked, “Ella?” Walked out of the door and Jennifer said, “You okay or pregnant?”

  Splashing cool water onto her face with Jennifer standing next to her saying, “You been rather sick lately”.

  “The fight made me sick” and Jennifer rose her eyebrows real high saying, “Ah huh, right”.

  Wiping her face with a damp paper towel tears rolled and said, “Yes Jennifer, I am two months pregnant”.

  “Does anyone know?”

  “Only daddy”.

  “Is it Saul’s?”

  Shaking her head, “No”, and told her about Shane, as Jennifer almost went down to the floor.

  Jennifer sworn to secrecy and Ella knew her secret was safe they walked out of the ladies room, heard Brenda yell, “ALL RIGHT!”

  The grandsons gave her a high five saying, “Nana got another strike”. Meanwhile.

  At the hospital, the person Shane fought had a broken nose with a few ribs and even his wrist was broken.

  Eyes swollen shut and standing in the treatment room, Max snarling out,” Those darn Wiley’s!”

  A few months pass and few days before Christmas Eve, Shane took Ella to the county holiday festival and stood looking at the glistening lights, she glanced over noticing the twinkle in his eyes.

  Realized that he was happy again, after losing Tara and thought I could never hurt him. Dressed warmly, wearing a blue ski jacket, pink knit hat on her head and black knee high boots.

  Shane wore a brown corduroy jacket, black leather gloves and black steel-toe boots Turned looking at her and asked, “Hey want to get some hot chocolate it’s the best here?”

  Smiling replied, “Sure Shane”, walked away heading to the stand, grabs hold of her hand glanced at him winked.

  A few minutes later, stood sipping on hot chocolate slowly as it was sure hot. “This is very good”, blew into the cup.

  “Yeah it is, huh”. Standing by the concession stand nudging each other, and one light haired man said, “Hey boss”.

  “Aw what?” Pointing said, “Look its Wiley that broke Eddy’s bones”, smirking replied, “Time to break his bones”.

  Another dark haired man huffed saying, “Hey Max he’s with the red head”. Eyes huge, says, “My strawberry tart”.

  “Yeah with another Wiley”.

  Fingers rubbing his chin remarked, “Not for long, but for now let’s have some fun, round up the fellows”.

  “Okay boss”, running off Max stood grinning saw Shane and Ella walking away and going to watch the lightning of the Christmas tree which was a yearly tradition.

  Standing there among the crowd, Ella looked at Shane and said,

  “I have everything I want this Christmas”, and large hands place against her face, replied, “Me to darling, you are the greatest gift ever and sure brought joy into my world of sorrow”.

  “Oh Shane”, tears filled her eyes.

  “I meant every word Ella, I want you to be with me always”.

  Suddenly, the big Christmas tree lit up heard the crowd clapping and staring hearts beat fast when hands placed against Ella’s face, kissing her deeply.

  Coming up for air, the tree lights shining, eyes big said, “Oh my god the baby moved, I felt him or her,” and smiling places his hand against her stomach saying, “Aw I felt the little munchkin”.

  Snow lightly falling, hand against her stomach, staring said, “I never thought, I could love another woman much as I loved Tara”, and placed hand on top of his adding, “But I do so much more”.

  “I love you Shane, you’re a wonderful man, kind, gentle, funny, and with the biggest heart, everything I want”.

  “Not the only thing biggest, huh”, wiggled eyebrows laughing out, “Oh my so true”.

  Walking through the snow covered parking lot heading to the truck was dark, held hands approaching the vehicle, tight hand holding letting go and scared said, “Shane”. “Yeah”.

  “Do you see what I see”.

  “Hey, wasn’t that a song”.

  “No time to joke, there are six men standing around your truck”.

  “I noticed”.

  “You can’t fight them all”.

  “Aw
, guess I might have to somethings up”.

  “You worried?”

  “Heck no, dreading it that’s about it”.

  “I am to”, turns facing Ella and said, “Go back”.

  “Back where?” Panicky.

  “Near the front gates”.

  “No Shane”.

  Hands on her shoulder says, “Listen to me your pregnant, I’m probably going to take a pounding, I don’t want you to see”.

  Hands against her face upset says, “You’re going to lose?” Glanced back replied, “Bad”. “Oh Shane no”.

  “Go now Ella”, walking away tears rolling and walking near the truck held arms out asked, “What’s up fellows?” From behind kicked in the lower back, crumbled down mumbled, “Yeah I’m gonna lose”.

  Walking fast heard shouting, when suddenly grabbed, eyes large saw a person wearing a ski mask shook in fear asking, “What do you want, please don’t” .

  Deep low voice replied, “Soon we will meet and you’ll be mine”.

  “What?”

  Let Ella terrified go, running away, she let her deep breath out hurried near the front gates waiting for Shane a bloody mess, slammed roughly against the truck. Blood dripping taking repeated punches and gasping, suddenly grins noticing help. Swiftly, reached in the back of the bed of the truck, grabbed up a 2 x 4in piece of lumber.

  Ten minutes later, driving home hands shook holding the steering wheel kept glancing at Shane sitting in the passenger seat battered, head laying back and asking, “Sure you’re okay”.

  Rose hand up quietly replied, “I’ll be fine”.

  Saw blood dripping from the gash on his forehead said, “Maybe you should go to the hospital”.

  “No let’s get home”. Hand against his stomach.

  Drove saying, “You won against six men, so fearless”.

  “Nah, took a beating Ella”, glanced in the mirror saw the blood covered piece of lumber, deep gulp shivered.

  A week pass, one morning, and apartment two, standing by the sink arms folded upset looking at Missy sitting by the kitchen table said, “Tell me the truth?” Looked at Seth and replied, “It’s not your baby”.

  Turned around hands placed against the counter grinding teeth, said, “Done this to me again, how could you Missy”, crying, no reply and upset, saying, “Letting me believe lies”.

  “I have nowhere to go Seth”.

  “Well better find someplace today”.

  “Please Seth”, spun around said, “You are nothing but a lying sneaky whore”. “I’m no whore”.

  “Really a second kid, by two different men and making me think I was the daddy”.

  Hands covering her face and angry said, “Yeah I’d hide under a rock”. “Don’t kick me out Seth”.

  “Oh you’re out of here and this time never coming back”.

  “Don’t be heartless to a child”, hand rose against his head says, “It’s not my kid and my wife got pregnant by another man”.

  “So you love another woman”, nodding, “Oh that’s why you got knocked up”. “No, I stood by my husband all these years knowing his hearts with another and always will be”.

  “Well I’m not with her, huh”.

  “Your heart is”.

  “I gave my love to you and you throw it away”.

  “Don’t go there Seth”.

  “What?” Hand on waist.

  “Tell me the truth when was the last time you snuck off to be with Ella?”

  Hand to forehead replied, “Last time was when you caught us in the laundry room right after my paw died”.

  “You’re such a liar Seth”.

  Leans close in her face says, “So are you and I’m not going to argue about this anymore you got by the end of the day to pack up and get the hell out”.

  “Please Seth, I really have no place to go”.

  “You should have thought of that before you spread those legs for another man”. “I’m sorry, but was tired of hearing Ella and just wanted to hear my name once”. “What are you talking about, I don’t do that”.

  “Yes, you do, in your sleep, during sex it so obvious you’ll never let her go”. “I want you to go that’s for sure”.

  “Go where?”

  “Back to the guy that fucked you”.

  Grabbed a glass cup throwing it against the wall yelling, “I want you out of my site before I ring your neck”.

  “Yeah right”.

  Shouts, “I WILL THROW YOU OUT!” Stormed out door slams.

  Later that day, returning to the apartment, noticed Missy was gone saw a note on the table, Hi daddy sleeping over Lily’s house remember told me I could after practice, Love you bunches sleep tight my daddy your sweet girl Sammy. P.S, like how I ended that but I am sweet goodnight daddy.

  Walking through the house picking the lamp up throwing it against the wall shattering glass. Walking down the steps heard ruckus mumbled, “What?”

  Leans head against the door hearing Seth crying and knocks on the door, opens and standing there, “What’s up Ella?”

  Saw tears rolling, “You okay?” “Does it look like I am”, and huffs waving hand said, “If you’re going to be smart-alecky forget I asked”.

  Walking away hears, “Hey I did not mean to be, but Missy” and cried, turning around saw him sliding down onto the floor leaning against the open door walking over to him asked, “What happen?”

  Brought knees up, leaning forearms down onto each knee says, “She’s a lying cheating whore”, eyes big, “What, were talking about Missy, right?”

  “Shocker, huh”.

  “Yes, I am shocked”.

  “I am done, never want to see her again”.

  “Where is she going to go?”

  “Not my problem, if she can get pregnant by another man, let her live with him”. “What, the baby is not yours?”

  Head of long curls hung down staring at him said, “I’m so sorry Seth, that’s awful”. “Missy sure is”, glanced up added, “Guess no one can ever replace you Ella”, teary eyed. “I’m tired of pretending, my life is nothing without you”.

  “Oh Seth”, crying and kneeled down before him, looking says, “My heart holds only one woman always has and will forever”.

  “You are just saying this because Missy left”.

  Hand against chest, rose forwards, says, “I am, huh”.

  “Yes, you seemed happy.

  “Yeah so happy kicked out of the bed”.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You need to ask Missy she booted me out of bed when we were doing it, I see your face every time”, eyes big, I called out your name, she got ticked”.

  No response expressionless.

  “My whole life will always be loving you”.

  “Oh Seth”, placed against her face added, “The way it should be Ella”, tears rolling brushing them off says, “Don’t cry”.

  “I need to go”, slightly stood up and grabbing onto her arm, “Don’t go”.

  Later that night, sat up on the bed crying and next to her wearing no shirt only blue jogging pants, Seth points saying, “There’s some tissues in the drawer”. “I’m so sad”.

  “Why, made me feel good”.

  “Talking about the past and first time we met made me sad”.

  Arm around her said, “Fond memories”, and cries out, “The best”, cried reaching for the tissues pulled a harmonica out asked, “You still play this?”

  “I haven’t in a while”.

  Reached it out to Seth and said, “Play me a tune”, took the harmonica.

  Drying her eyes, “I use to love hearing you play”. “I’m probably rusty”.

  Wiping it off and watching said, “Let me be the judge Seth”, playing perfectly and lay smiling.

  Pausing holding the harmonica, “No don’t stop, you’re not rusty at all”. “This is for a very special girl”, reaching hand out sung to Ella giggling,

  Until hearing him singing touching words, “The most beautiful w
oman in the world is here at my side not about to let her go”. Listening swaying.

  “I have long for this moment loving her so”, and tears rolled down her face, as Seth sure could sing, gave her goose-bumps.

  Hand against her fluttering heart listens to Seth serenade her, playing the harmonica and singing, “Oh how I love you, could never live without you, tell me you’ll stay here in my arms”. Tears flowing, “Oh Seth”, stopped asking, “What?”

  “So beautiful”.

  “Really?”

  “Yes”, sniffling.

  “I made the words up”, eyes huge said, “You did”.

  “Yes, meant every word”. Leaning forward asked, “Sing a few more words to me Seth?”

  Placing hand against her face sings, “Ooh, Ooh, I know this beautiful woman my heart holds, must leave as dawn is near, please, ooh please, I need her loving me, be mine until morning comes, I just wanna hold you in my arms, never letting go, I love you so, ooh baby, don’t go ”.

  Stopping looks at Ella frozen, waving hand before her face Ella said, “I will be yours until morning”, laughs out, “What?”

  “Oh that was toughing, such tender words, you should have been a singer, gave me chills”.

  Waving hand says, “Nah”. Swung head of long dark locks back.

  “Bravo”. Both smiling.

  Bows head, “Thank you, glad you enjoyed the show”, and fell back onto the bed laughing, tickling her laughing heavily, “Oh my god”,

  “Stop Seth”.

  “Will you stay in my arms all night?”’ Leaning over her, hand placing against his face replied, “After that amazing song, how could I not”, hearts beat fast and face-to- face, asked, “Can I have your autograph”, both laughing.

  Morning comes and stretching Ella turns over, eyes huge noticed a red rose lay on the pillow next to her there was even a note. As the sun rose I kissed your nose and you had a glow from hearing me tell you that I love you so. Softly I whisper in your ear, “Have no worry my dear, as I will always be near. Waking to see your bright smile brings sunshine all around, thanks Ella for making my day so bright and letting me hold you tight all night. Love Seth.

  Rolling over on the bed held the card against her chest saying, “Such tenderly written words, oh Seth killing me here, could never live without you, near, never”. Reaches picking up the rose smelling them did have such a glow.