by Tara Wentz
****
The solitary figure knew there wasn’t much longer. Hate had a way of making you do things and there was no way this hatred would be corralled. It was just a matter of time…like a ticking time bomb. If ever there was a time for action, it was now. Long enough had gone by and opportunity presented itself. He had to be stopped. Walking up the driveway and closer to the front door wasn’t the hard part. The hand reached out but couldn’t bring itself to ring the bell for it was shaking far too much. After a few deep breaths, it reached out again and this time made contact. Now it was just a matter of waiting.
****
The doorbell rang again and Kellen jerked her head towards Joshlyn. She shook her head and sat still.
“Who now?” Jeff bellowed. “For someone who wasn’t expecting anyone you sure have a lot of company.”
“We weren’t expecting anyone, that’s the truth.”
“I’m tired of the bullshit, little girl. Get rid of them or I will.” He shook his weapon at her.
Kellen stood once again and headed to the door. This time there was no delay in her response. She swung the door open. Now she was really confused. “Yes, may I help you?” The woman looked vaguely familiar but Kellen could not place her.
“Kellen?” the woman whispered.
Kellen would recognize that voice anywhere. She grabbed the doorframe because she felt like she might faint. A wave of dizziness enveloped her and her legs felt like they might give away at any minute. “M…Mother?”
Joshlyn covered her mouth, trying to hide the gasp. She wanted to run to Kellen and be there for her because at this moment she looked like she was about to pass out. She glanced at Jeff and he had gone a little pale as well, but immediately recovered.
Jeff walked briskly to the door and pointed the weapon at Anne. “You might as well come on in since you are just as responsible as your good for nothing daughter.”
Kellen couldn’t move. Her legs felt frozen to the ground. The resemblance between them was more than enough for her to know this really was her mother. She’d have stood there a lot longer if Jeff hadn’t grabbed her arm and jerked her back towards the living room.
“I said, get back over there.”
Kellen sat next to Joshlyn and her mother sat in the chair. The three of them just kept looking at each other. Joshlyn lightly squeezed Kellen’s hand for reassurance and when she looked at her, she smiled as well. Kellen gave a slight smile then looked back at her mom.
“Well, isn’t this all just sweet and cozy.”
Anne slid forward in her seat a little and gestured with her hands. “Please Jeff, put the gun down and let’s just talk. You don’t have to do this.”
“What the hell do you know, Anne,” he emphasized with sarcasm. “You left, remember?”
“I didn’t leave willingly, Jeff. You made me leave.”
“You had a choice and you chose to leave!”
“How is that a choice? You threatened to hurt Kellen if I didn’t just leave and disappear. It was the last thing I ever wanted to do. You never loved her so why, why would you do that?”
Jeff looked at Kellen’s startled face and smirked. “Because you wanted her, that’s why. If you couldn’t love me anymore then you wouldn’t love anybody. You got that?”
“Just because I left doesn’t mean I didn’t or don’t love her, Jeff. You are mistaken if you think that just because I left I quit caring.”
“Then why couldn’t you love me, huh? I told you I was sorry and for years, I tried to make it up to you. Wasn’t that enough?”
“It might have been enough if it were the truth, Jeff.” Anne glanced at Kellen with sympathy. She didn’t want to hurt her any more than she already knew this was hurting, but it was time the truth came out. “You cheating with Wanda was bad enough but to find out that it didn’t stop and you sired a child with her was more than I could bear.”
Kellen’s eyes were now wide open. It was all making sense now. That had to be the reason that Billy hated her because he was actually her half-brother. Now she just felt sick and really wished she could either throw up or pass out.
“At least she loved me…or at least she did until that bitch there got involved.” Jeff was pointing his weapon at Kellen and scowling. “It was all her fault that everybody who meant anything to me left.”
“What…why is it my fault?” Kellen couldn’t understand his reasoning. To her knowledge, she had never done anything to Wanda and was too young to remember any of it anyhow.
“Because of you, Wanda decided that I wasn’t stable and that she couldn’t handle it anymore. Plus Billy decided to take matters into his own hands.”
“Because of me?” Kellen’s voice raised. “What happened is your own damn fault for being a lousy drunk who only cared about himself! I didn’t tell you to get into a fight with Bill, which by the way, did he know that Billy wasn’t his?”
“What in the hell do you think that fight was all about? Why do you think that piece of shit killed himself? Hell, he wasn’t even strong enough to ignore the whispers and the finger pointing.”
Chigger slowly made his way back out from the bedroom and cowered in the corner where he could still see Kellen.
“You are a real piece of work,” Kellen taunted. “Not only did you lie to my mother, but you also ruined another man’s life because that’s just what you do!”
Jeff grabbed her by the front of the shirt and jerked her up to his face. “Don’t. Push. Me. Little. Girl. I got nothing to lose!”
“Do what you’re going to do, Jeff, because I’m not giving you a dime!”
He shoved her back and raised a hand to slap her. Chigger darted out at him and started growling and barking.
Jeff raised the gun in Chigger’s direction and just as he pulled the trigger, Kellen lunged at him.
Chapter Twenty-three
Sydney heard the gunshot and slammed the sliding glass door open. She moved through the kitchen at a fast yet calculated pace and took an open stance in the living room.
“Freeze, FBI!”
Jeff rolled from his spot on the floor and brought the gun up in Sydney’s direction. Before he could get a shot off, she fired first. The bullet caught Jeff straight between the eyes and he hit the ground.
Sydney walked over and kicked the gun away from Jeff’s hand. She knelt down and felt for a pulse, knowing there wouldn’t be one.
Joshlyn and Anne went over to help Kellen sit up. “Honey, are you okay?”
Kellen groaned but looked at Joshlyn. “Did you get the number of that bus that hit me?”
Joshlyn chuckled. She glanced up into the eyes that were so much like Kellen’s and nodded. “Hi, I’m Joshlyn,” she said, extending her hand.
Anne smiled. “Hi, Joshlyn, I’m Anne.”
Joshlyn took in Kellen’s position before sliding a hand up under her arm. “What say we get you off this floor, huh?” Anne put a hand under her other arm and they both helped Kellen to her feet.
“Can I get anything?”
“How about a glass of water, Syd.”
Sydney acknowledged with a nod of her head and disappeared into the kitchen. Kellen took a seat on the couch and blew a puff of air up through her bangs. “Wow, what a craptastic day!”
Joshlyn laughed and sat down beside her. “You aren’t kidding!”
Sydney returned with the glass of water and handed it to Joshlyn. “Are you ok, Joshlyn?”
“Me? Oh yeah, I’m fine. It’s tough stuff here who took the brunt of it all.” Kellen grinned but didn’t respond.
There was a knock at the front door and Sydney got up to answer it.
“Good grief, who else could possibly be here next?” Kellen was exasperated and way beyond all the crap going on. She was ready for it to be over…well, all except for the fact that her mother was sitting in her living room. My mother?
Sydney opened the door to two uniformed police officers. “Well, I’m glad you boys could be so prompt and all.”
“Sorry ma’am, we were told that it wasn’t an emergency.”
“Yeah, I could see how, ‘I’m concerned a woman is being held against her will’ would not seem like an emergency,” Sydney grumbled. She walked over to where the other three were sitting. “I’ll be back in just a minute. I’m going to brief these guys on what happened and get a truck down here to remove the body. When that’s done, we need to talk, Joshlyn.”
“Ok, we’ll be right here.”
After Sydney left the room, Joshlyn turned back to Kellen. “Now, how are you really feeling?”
“I’m all right, Josh. None worse for the wear after all we’ve been through.” Kellen wasn’t really sure what else to say. She didn’t hurt any more than she already was, although hitting the floor didn’t feel very good.
“Kellen, may I ask what happened to you?” Anne asked.
“I was in a car accident,” Kellen started, but stopped. Staring at Anne, she realized she knew absolutely nothing about her. She remembered bits and pieces from her childhood, but the only thing that stood out was the one evening when dinner had not been ready. “I don’t know if you remember Mason or not, but he taught me how to drive. I drive race cars.”
“You might actually be surprised to know that I’ve kept tabs on you. I know that you drive cars and I also know that you are very good. I know that you own your own business, I know about your friend Kerri, and I also know that you’ve been seeing Joshlyn. What I don’t know is how you feel about knowing that I am alive. I know it’s a shock, Kellen, but I swear I wouldn’t have done it if he hadn’t threatened your life.”
“What happened, because I really don’t understand how all this came about.”
They stopped talking for a bit when two men came in to remove Jeff’s body from the room. Kellen looked away as he was wheeled out.
Anne placed a hand on Kellen’s arm. “None of this was your fault. I caught Jeff with Wanda and he promised it wouldn’t happen again. That lasted maybe a month and then they were back at it. The final straw was when I found out that Wanda was carrying his child. I didn’t find this out immediately though. It wasn’t until I saw Bill out one night and we were talking when he mentioned how ecstatic he was about the baby. He said they had been trying for years and was finally told he was sterile. I put two and two together and when Billy Jr. was born, I did something I shouldn’t have and looked at the records. Being a nurse, I had access to them and Billy’s blood type did not match Wanda’s or Bill’s, however it did match Jeff’s. I confronted Jeff about it and he became furious over it. He told me to leave and never come back. When I said fine and started packing our stuff, he said that I could not take you with me. He threatened to hunt me down and kill you if I did. So I did the only thing I knew how to do to keep you safe.”
“What about after he went to jail? Why didn’t you come to me then?”
“I went to him at the prison once he was incarcerated. He told me he had people on the outside that were keeping tabs on me and that he would know if I made any attempt to come back into your life. I couldn’t take that chance, Kellen.”
Kellen stared at her mother and couldn’t decide how to feel about it all. Before she could ask another question, Anne continued talking.
“It wasn’t too long ago that I realized his ‘people’ on the outside was just Billy. Once I found this out I didn’t hesitate any longer. I was just waiting for the right moment to get in contact with you.”
“I am so sorry,” Kellen whispered.
Anne leaned a little closer and leaned down so Kellen had to look her in the eye. “I never stopped loving you, Kel.”
Tears immediately sprung to Kellen’s eyes. It had been so long since she heard that name come out of her mother’s mouth and the ache in her chest was overwhelming. She tried to hold back the sob that was threatening to spill out, but she couldn’t contain it. She starting crying and didn’t feel like she’d be able to stop.
Anne looked at Joshlyn. She wasn’t sure what to do. Joshlyn nodded her head towards Kellen and mouthed, “Go on.”
Anne pulled Kellen to her and held her. The sobs continued and Anne whispered consoling words into Kellen’s hair. “It’s all going to be okay, Kellen. I love you and I’m never leaving again. I’m here for you.” Anne stopped breathing when Kellen’s arm circled her and hung on tight.
Joshlyn stood up and quietly left the room. She wanted to give mom and daughter a chance to talk and bond. She stepped out onto the front porch as Sydney made her way back up the driveway.
Sydney stopped in front of Joshlyn. “Wow, what a day. Do you always like to have this much fun?”
“It has been a rather interesting past few weeks, I’ll give you that. I’m glad you were here, Syd. I’m so sorry I didn’t call you sooner.”
“I’d like to say I should have come sooner, but if I had I wouldn’t have been here for today so it all worked out for the best.”
“What did you need to talk to me about?”
“Here, have a seat on the step.” Sydney sat down and waited for Joshlyn to do the same. “We found the other brother. I was trying to contact you to tell you that you might have to come back for a trial, but he was murdered in prison. There was an investigation, but nothing came of it. Essentially hon, you are in the clear. They are all gone now.”
“No more hiding? No more looking over my shoulder?”
“Nope. Which is a good thing since I see you aren’t wearing your contacts.” Sydney grinned.
“Mmm, yeah, well, Kellen really likes me without the contacts.” Joshlyn blushed.
“I just bet she does,” Sydney teased. “Seriously though, you look happy.”
“I am, Syd, I really am. She’s the one.”
“Ahh, I am so happy for you. You deserve this more than anyone I know.”
“I had long since lost hope of it ever happening. I just accepted that this is the way life is supposed to be and that was that.”
“So what changed your mind?”
“Do you even have to ask? You’ve seen my girlfriend, right?” Joshlyn laughed.
“She is a pretty hot little number.”
They laughed together for a minute before Joshlyn continued. “Really though, she was under my skin before I had a chance to put up any barriers. If I’m being honest though, I didn’t and wouldn’t have fought too hard against them. I about ruined it though.”
“How so?”
“When Kellen won a race awhile back it made some national headlines and somebody I know saw me in the interview. I freaked out, said some really awful things to Kellen, and then broke up with her.”
Sydney just stared at Joshlyn with a slack jaw. “I wish you had returned my calls because I could have at least alleviated that fear for you.”
“I know, I know.” Joshlyn sighed. “I was scared, Syd. My mind conjured up all these things you could have been calling me about and they were, of course, the worst possible scenarios.”
“Well, at least it all worked out okay. Kellen doing all right?”
“I think she will be. It’s been a big shock for her what with her mother showing up. All this time she thought she had died.”
“Damn, that poor woman has been put through the ringer.”
“You know something? You’re right and I think it’s time she gets a little rest and relaxation.”
“Uh oh, I hear some major planning in your near future.”
“You got it! C’mon, let’s head back inside and I will give you a formal introduction.”
“Before we go, I wanted to give you this. It was in Jeff’s pocket.” She handed a picture to Joshlyn.
Joshlyn took the picture in her hand and uncurled the edges on it. It was an older picture of Kellen and she had a gorgeous smile on her face. “Thanks, I’m not sure I should give her this. It might creep her out to know he was carrying it around. Don’t mention it to her, okay?”
“Good idea and my lips are sealed.”
Joshlyn hooked her arm throu
gh Syd’s and pulled her to the house.
Chapter Twenty-four
Kellen rubbed her thumb across Joshlyn’s and rolled her head to the side. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“You will just have to wait and see, my love. I promise you won’t be disappointed though.”
“Promises, promises.”
They were finally headed out on the vacation that Joshlyn worked tirelessly to plan. If anyone deserved a much-needed vacation, it was Kellen. In the last two months, all the details finally wrapped themselves up. Kellen found out that her mom had been sending the threatening letters. Her hopes were that Kellen would get nervous or afraid and go to the police about it, thus forcing them to give her some type of protective custody. Anne knew that Jeff was due to get out of jail and knowing how vindictive he was made her afraid for Kellen’s safety. The authorities had picked Billy up after Kellen told them what Jeff had said about him taking matters into his own hands. After hours and hours of interrogation, Billy finally admitted that he tried to kill Kellen during the race and that the accident long ago with Peetie was meant for her. He found out that Kellen was his half sister and hated her for it. Everything was always about her and he blamed her for never having a father figure in his life. Billy went on to say that he was in the truck the day Bill Sr. had killed himself. Billy told Bill over and over what a worthless piece of shit he was and kept goading him to just pull the trigger…to be a real man for once and do it. In the end, Bill did do it and Billy walked away. No angrier, yet no happier either.