23 Miles

by Renee Mackenzie

  “Of course. You were one of the few mothers in the neighborhood who was always nice to me.”

  “How have you been?”

  “Ah, I’m fine. You?” She couldn’t help but think the small talk was inappropriate.

  “I was sorry to hear about your father dying and your brother’s problems. I read about that in the newspaper,” she added in a rush. “I still read the news from that area.”

  “Okay.” Ask her about leaving her family, Talia pleaded with herself.

  “How is your mother, Talia? Did she ever remarry?”

  “Yes. And she’s fine. I—ah—I don’t want to sound judgmental, but shouldn’t you be asking me about your own family?” Her question was met with silence on the other end of the phone. “Mrs. Hunter?”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. Are Kate and April doing okay? Do you see them still? Did Roger ever remarry?” she blurted out.

  “I don’t know about your husband. I do see Kate and April around, though.”

  “The girls are doing okay then?”

  How in the hell did she tell this woman that no, they weren’t okay, and no, they hadn’t adjusted to being abandoned by their mother? “I think you should be asking them these questions.”

  “I can’t,” she said as she sniffled. “How could I?”

  “Easy. You call them up. You arrange to meet. You tell them you are sorry for disappearing off the face of the earth for all of these years. It really isn’t that complicated.” Talia stopped her rant. “Oh, my God, I am so sorry, Mrs. Hunter. I have no right—”

  “You have every right. You’re there with them. I’m not.”

  “Will you see them? They really want to know that you’re—well, alive.”

  “I don’t think I can do that.”

  “I don’t think you cannot do that.” Talia took a deep breath and continued in a softer tone. “You owe it to them.”

  She could tell Mrs. Hunter was crying.

  “I can call them for you. I can arrange for you to see them.”

  “Will you come with them?”

  “If that’s what you want,” Talia said.

  “I do. Maybe you can all three meet me somewhere.”

  “I can bring them to Roanoke Rapids, if you’d like.”

  “No. Please. Let’s meet somewhere neutral.”

  Talia took down Mrs. Hunter’s phone number and told her she’d call as soon as she could work out a day and time that was okay with Kate and April.

  The first thing Talia did when she got off the phone was call Shay. As she told Shay about the conversation, her words rushed out faster and faster.

  “Can you tell Kate? I think this should come from you. Then I can make the arrangements,” Talia said.

  “Okay,” Shay said. “You are still coming to the class this afternoon, aren’t you?”

  Talia smiled. “You aren’t nervous about teaching self-defense, are you?”

  “I’m not nervous. Well, maybe a little. I’ve never done anything like this before.”

  “You’re going to be great. Now we both have to get off the phone so we’re not late.”

  “Drive safely. See you soon.”

  “Yep.” Talia hung up and smiled. She couldn’t wait for Shay to teach her how to kick some butt.

  †

  Talia opened the door to the bar and stopped short. She’d never seen it so well-lit nor had she ever seen so many women dressed in sweats—except after a softball practice. She walked in with her gaze glued to Shay. In a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, she looked very nice.

  Shay looked up and smiled, causing several women to turn to look where the smile was directed. Talia had never felt so engaged by someone in her entire life. She walked up to the edge of the thick mats that covered the entire dance floor.

  “You made it,” Shay said.

  “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.”

  “Is this a date or a class?” Brit asked from Talia’s left. “Time to teach us your best moves, Shay.”

  “Okay, everyone.” Dee’s voice boomed from the microphone in the DJ booth. “Let’s get started. I want to start by saying thank you to Shay Eliot for sharing her vast knowledge of self-defense with us. And I want to thank everyone who signed up for the class for coming in and learning how to protect yourselves. Now I’ll hand it over to Shay.”

  “Thanks, Dee. Thanks everyone for coming out—pardon the pun.”

  Everyone chuckled. Talia smiled.

  “Come on over and join me on the mats. We’re going to start with some warm-up stretching exercises.”

  “I can see it now,” a voice came from the back corner, “wait Mr. Rapist, I haven’t stretched yet.”

  There were a couple of nervous chuckles, but everyone else was silent. Talia looked over her shoulder, trying to see who the voice belonged to.

  “I’m pretty sure at least some of you will be doing things today with muscles you don’t normally use.” Shay looked around. “There’s no sense in taking the risk of pulling something now. If you pull something while defending yourself, that will be a lot better than being assaulted—or killed. So for now, we’ll be smart and get warmed up.”

  She led them through some exercises. Talia was surprised how out of shape she was. The way the muscles in the back of her legs and butt were tightening up, she figured she had better do as much stretching as she could.

  “I feel empowered already,” the voice in the back quipped.

  “Tracy, shut up,” Dee called out.

  “Next week, you can do some stretching before we get started instead. Let’s move on,” Shay said.

  Shay had all the women line up on the edge of the mat, facing her. “When it’s all said and done, the best defense is avoidance. Be aware of and avoid potentially dangerous situations.”

  “In other words, no screwing on the Colonial Parkway,” Tracy said.

  “Out!” Dee yelled as she rushed toward Tracy. “Get out of this bar and do not come back!”

  “Bunch of stupid bitches,” Tracy called back over her shoulder as she left.

  “So,” Shay said, her voice a little flatter. “Where were we?”

  “Avoidance,” Talia said. She hated that anyone would try to make light of how every other person in the room felt. She looked around. Everyone in there wanted to feel safer.

  Shay smiled at her, then turned to the rest of the women. “So, you find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation. If you can—run. If prevention and running away are out of the question or aren’t an option, your next step is to get loud and push back,” Shay said. “As soon as you know escape isn’t an option, shout as loud as you can, ‘BACK OFF!’”

  Talia and several others jumped.

  “See there, surprised you, didn’t I?” Shay asked. “When you shout like that, you not only draw attention to yourself and possibly alert someone who can help, you also surprise your attacker. Give a shove when you shout.” She looked around. “Ginny, come at me like you’re my assailant.”

  Ginny walked toward Shay, squaring her shoulders and acting cocky. “Hey little girl, let me show you som’fin’,” she joked. She reached for Shay.

  “Back off!” Shay yelled as she shoved Ginny hard, making her almost lose her balance. “See, I’m not such an easy target, am I?” She motioned toward Ginny.

  Ginny started toward Shay again, and again Shay yelled and shoved. Ginny would have fallen if two women hadn’t kept her from tripping backward.

  “For the record, I’m letting you do that to me,” Ginny quipped.

  “Of course you are, pal,” Shay said. “If she was to keep coming at me after I yelled and shoved, it would be the time to commit myself one hundred percent to causing injury to my attacker. There is no room to be indecisive or tentative. Go for the eyes, nose, neck, groin, knees, or shins.” She looked at all the women as she spoke. “Let’s pair up and take turns practicing being loud and shoving. But remember it’s just an exercise. Don’t try to land your partner on thei
r butts, okay? There will be plenty of that in future classes.”

  There was a slight rise in the noise level as the women murmured while pairing up. Ginny took Talia by the arm and led her a few feet into the center of the mat. “Come on, show me what you got,” she said.

  Suddenly the noise level went through the roof. Eleven pairs of women took turns shouting and shoving. Talia tried to concentrate on what she was doing, but was so engrossed in the sounds of women being empowered that she got a little distracted and almost fell when Ginny shoved her.

  “Very good everyone,” Shay called out over the roar. “Now let’s talk about the most effective places to hit your attacker because as I said, you must commit to hurting your attacker at this point.”

  Talia was fired up. Yes, she could hurt someone if they were trying to hurt her or someone she loved.

  “To cause the most damage, go for the eyes, nose, neck, knees, shins, and groin. Hit them to hurt them, to incapacitate them, then get the hell out of there.” She looked around at all the women. “So, for the eyes—poke, gouge, or scratch. For the nose—use the heel of your palm to strike up under the nose.”

  “Dee, your turn.”

  Dee approached her. “Hurt me and you’re fired.”

  Shay laughed. “Just stand right here in front of me. I won’t even make contact.”

  Dee moved closer.

  Shay demonstrated the hand position for hitting with the heel of her palm in an upward motion. “Just like that. For a blow to the neck, hold your hand like this,” she said as she held up her hand with fingers extended, and showed them a fake chop motion to Dee’s neck. “Or you can force your elbow into their throat.”

  Dee took a step back.

  “Damn, Dee, have some trust in me.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “For groin, knees and shins, you kick, punch, elbow, whatever you can and do it hard.”

  “Very hard,” someone added.

  “Yes, very hard,” Shay agreed. “Next week, we’ll go over different moves to defend against common holds. Okay, ready to stretch some more?”

  There were a few groans, but everyone fell right in with the stretches Shay was demonstrating.

  “Thank you all for coming out. Thank you for wanting to learn to protect yourselves. Please remember that by keeping your bodies in good shape you are helping to protect yourselves as well. Good night.”

  †

  The next day, Shay watched Kate’s expression carefully as Talia told her about the conversation she’d had with the woman who was probably her mother. She and Talia had already discussed the possibility that Karen Stephens wasn’t really Karen Hunter and was just playing some sick game with them. Talia had thought the voice sounded like her, but couldn’t be sure after all these years.

  “If this isn’t her, and we drag April out there, it could devastate her,” Shay said, wanting to be sure they thought it out completely.

  “If it is her, it could devastate April.” Kate massaged her temples. “I don’t know what to do. If I don’t say anything to April and meet her and it is Mom…what if she says to not come back and I cause April to miss her only chance to see her?”

  “Ultimately it’s your decision, Kate. But I really think excluding April would be a huge mistake. I know she’s fragile, but she has a right to decide for herself if she wants to go see if it is your mother,” Talia said.

  “She’s right,” Shay said. She was so impressed with how Talia had handled the situation so far. Even when Kate’s initial reaction was that Talia might be lying about the whole thing, Talia shrugged it off.

  “I’ll call April tonight and see what she wants to do. Can you arrange a time and place?” Kate asked Talia.

  “Just give me the word.”

  Shay saw Kate out and then rejoined Talia in the living room where she was on the sofa petting Poke.

  “He really likes you,” Shay said.

  “He’s a sweetie.” Talia looked at Shay with pursed lips.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “I hope this thing works out with the Hunters. It sure would be nice to have some good closure what with everything else still open, you know?”

  Yes, Shay knew. She studied Talia and a warmth spread through her. The young woman was really growing on her. Shay had made a point to keep things uncomplicated with her, especially given the fact that Talia had been stalking her at one time. However, she now felt that they’d moved well beyond that in their friendship.

  “I should get going. Brian’s phone time was switched to tonight since Thursday was Thanksgiving.” Talia moaned as she stood and stretched. “Damn, I feel like I’ve had my ass whipped.”

  “You did.” Shay laughed. “You’re a good sister. And you’re being a good friend to Kate as well. I forgot to ask you how Thanksgiving dinner went with your brother.”

  “It was pretty nice. The penitentiary did a good job with the dinner. Your holiday at your parents’ went well?”

  “Yeah, it was good.”

  Talia started for the door.

  Shay met her there and before Talia could open the door, Shay turned her around and gave her a light kiss on the lips. “Drive safely.”

  Talia smiled. “I will.”

  Shay followed her out to her car and stood in the driveway watching the Honda move down the road. She shook off the queasiness that threatened her when the back of Talia’s car brought back the memory of a different silver Honda, one jammed into the brush on the side of the parkway in one of the crime scene photos. She forced the image out of her head.

  When Talia turned at the intersection and drove out of sight, Shay went inside. She sat on the edge of the sofa and reflected on the vulnerability she saw in Talia during the class. It made her feel as if she wanted to teach her everything she knew about staying safe and to always be there to protect her.

  †

  “Hey, thanks for meeting me,” Lana said as Shay approached her in front of the Chinese restaurant for lunch. Lana had suggested meeting for lunch to help keep her occupied while Kate went to meet the woman who claimed to be her mother.

  “So, I’m finally going to get you to try some Chinese food, huh?”

  “I’m not making any promises,” Lana said.

  Shay looked her up and down. “You’ve been painting.”

  “Yeah. Sorry, I lost track of time and didn’t get a chance to shower and change.”

  When the waitress brought menus, they ordered sodas then Shay leaned across the table to point out a few items she thought Lana might like.

  “I’d better go with the vegetable fried rice,” Lana said.

  “That’s very good here. I think I’ll start with an eggroll and also have the fried rice,” Shay said.

  Lana checked her watch. “Do you think they’re in Emporia yet?”

  Shay glanced toward the clock on the wall behind the hostess stand. “Probably not quite there.”

  Their drinks arrived and they ordered their lunch. “I guess Kate was nervous?”

  “That’s an understatement.” Lana took a sip of her soda. “She hardly slept at all last night.”

  “I hope she’s not disappointed.”

  “Mrs. Hunter will show up, won’t she?” Lana asked.

  Shay shrugged. “Nothing people do or don’t do surprises me anymore.”

  Lana leaned forward. “So, tell me about you and Talia.”

  “What about me and Talia?” Shay asked.

  “Come on. The looks between you two are too obvious to deny.”

  Shay could feel the heat spreading up her neck, lingering at her cheeks.

  “Well, for the record, I really like Talia, and I think you two would be great together,” Lana asserted.

  Shay had a fleeting thought that maybe Lana was just glad Shay was looking at someone other than her girlfriend. Then she felt a surge of guilt because Lana had never been anything but a good friend and had never said or done anything that would suggest that she harbored that kind of tho
ught.

  “So?” Lana prompted.

  Shay smiled. “Thank you for being a good friend. I do care a lot for Talia, and it means so much that you acknowledge that and, well, give us your support.”

  A group of four guys came in, talking loudly.

  “Lana?” Shay and Lana both turned to look at one of the young men.

  “Benji?” Lana stood up and gave him a hug.

  Shay heard him mumble, “It’s Ben now.”

  “Ben.” Lana stepped back and gave him an appraising look. “You’re all grown up.”

  Ben smiled. “Yes, I am.” He seemed to grow shy. “I’ve missed you, Lana.”

  “I’ve missed you too.” She turned to Shay. “Shay, this is Benj—I mean Ben Davis.”

  Shay stood and extended her hand. “Shay Eliot. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Um, Ben is Richie’s brother,” Lana said.

  “Oh.” Shay didn’t know what else to say. An image of Lana’s boyfriend, Richie Davis, bloodied and barely alive, rushed at her. She was at the scene of the assault on him. It was the last time she would see Richie alive; he died from the massive blunt force trauma shortly after.

  “Did you know my brother?” Ben asked Shay.

  “Not exactly.” She held his gaze and hoped he wouldn’t want an explanation.

  He cocked his head but brought his attention back to Lana. “Where’ve you been? What are you up to?”

  Shay could tell the wheels were spinning as Lana struggled to find the words.

  “I see you’re still painting, that’s good,” Ben said as he nodded toward her paint-splattered jeans.

  Lana looked down at her Levi’s. “Yeah, I’m still painting.”

  “Dude, you eating or what?” one of the other guys called out to Ben.

  “Yeah, I’m eating.” He turned back to Lana. “It was great to see you. Can I get your number? You know, so we can talk about Richie sometime?”

  “I, ah—” She looked down as she stammered.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. I better get over to my buddies.” He gave a half-hearted smile and walked away.