“Dad, Mom, I’m not understanding.” I dart my eyes between the three of them.
“Sit down. Both of you.” Dad points to the chairs.
Garrett and I sit down and they follow. No one says anything for too long. After an eternity of my dad gathering his thoughts, he finally speaks up.
“The man, the one you helped. The man with the flat tires? He was my dad’s best friend. Frank Bartee. They served together. He was like an uncle to me. We even called him Uncle Frank. They were always together. He was on his way to visit us. We were visiting my parents with Isabella and Victoria,” he explains.
“Uncle Frank? Are you saying I was there?” I’m thrown into so many emotions knowing I was there and now we are here.
“Yes, you were only six and Victoria was nine. I’m not sure you’d remember.” My mom explains.
But I do remember. As my dad and mom go on, I start remembering. I remember something happening out front. I remember my dad and grandpa running outside. I remember them coming back in and grabbing their guns and taking off. Oh, my God. They were going to save Garrett. My Garrett. My eyes fly back to my dad. I want to run to him. Thank him over and over but I sit quietly, listening.
“Frank, Uncle Frank was sick. He had cancer and was going through chemo at the time. His wife was visiting their daughter in Galveston or she would have brought him. We were going to see him but he insisted on coming to see us,” Dad continues. “Said he needed to get out of the house. Told us to stop fussing over him.”
Mom takes Dad’s hand, gripping it tight before giving into her emotion, lowering her head, her body jerking in a sob. Dad holds her tight for a few moments. Finally she nods against his chest, and then gives him a shaky smile.
“When Uncle Frank got there his car jumped the curb and he pulled right up into lawn. He almost hit the house. He was laying on his horn. We rushed out to see what was going on. When we made it outside, he was stumbling from his car yelling and pointing back down the road. Finally, my dad got him calm enough that he told us what was going on. He told us he took the shortcut down that back road. Thought he could make it through before sundown. When the car started acting funny, he pulled over, and found the flat tires. He tried changing them, but didn’t have the strength. He told us you came out of the woods like an angel. Changed the tire fast and got him out of there. He kept repeating over and over you were an angel. When he took back off down the road, he saw two pickups full of men heading towards you. He saw you watching him instead of running off. Like you were making sure he was safe. He said he wanted to help you but didn’t have the strength. He knew he had to get to us. He almost turned around when he saw the men jump from the truck and tackle you. He prayed you’d keep fighting long enough for him to get help. He knew you were just a boy, but inside a man. Before he lost view of you, he saw them dragging you off on the other side of the road and into the woods. He knew it wasn’t going to end good for you if he didn’t get help.”
My dad rubs his hands up and down his face in frustration. I’m not sure I’m breathing as I try to gauge Garrett's reaction. I'm torn between my anger, pain and pride for him.
“Your dad, Bobby…doesn’t come any worse,” my dad says through a clenched jaw.
“What?” Both Garrett and I say at the same time.
“I knew your parents,” my mom confesses.
“What are you talking about?” I demand, confused.
“I grew up in Divor. My parents, your grandparents, they were Klan members, Bella. I never wanted you or Victoria to know. I’m sorry,” she admits, hanging her head in shame.
“Mom. I’m not understanding. Dad?” I give him my attention waiting for an explanation.
“I grew up one town over. It was like night and day. Our town was full of diversity. But Divor, racism ran rampant. Sadly, Divor isn’t the only town, but it was and is the worst. A town of hate.”
“Garrett, your grandfather had his sights set on me for his son, before your daddy met Jolene.” My mom stands from the table and walks over to the kitchen window. “Mr. Cooper, Bobby’s daddy wanted us together and nobody went against him, ever. I’m pretty sure the devil himself would be scared of Elijah Cooper.” She shivers and takes a deep breath. “I didn’t want that life. I was planning to run away, far away. One night, I overheard a conversation and afterwards I did what I set out to do. I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. Didn’t pack a thing, just ran.”
“What did you hear?” I ask, my entire body aching with sadness for her.
“My parents were planning to give me to the Cooper’s. Give me to Bobby. He was at our house with his daddy and they were striking a deal. They were going to sell me for a few acres Dad had been wanting along with a few thousand dollars,” she tells us with a bitter laugh.
I can’t help it when I stand up in anger and go to her.
“They were going to sell you?” I can't hide my disdain for her parents.
“Yes.” She gives me a sad smile, reaches out and touches my cheek. “So I ran.”
“Well, what happened?” I demand.
“I ran through the woods towards the city line. I had convinced myself that line would protect me like a force field. People in the town didn’t like outsiders coming in, and they didn’t like leaving town even more, so I always thought they’d stop when they hit it. I was running as fast as I could when I came upon a house. I wasn’t sure exactly where I was or how far I had made it so I became terrified. I was about to keep going when a dog came out of nowhere and I froze in fear as it barked at me. Several cars were heading my way. They’d realized I’d run away and were coming after me. I could see the lights coming up the road and I panicked. I was about to take my chance with the dog and run back into the woods, when I was grabbed from behind and a hand clamped over my mouth. The person ordered me to hush and I calmed down and so did the dog. The dog moved to our side in a protective stance.”
My mom glances at my dad and gives him a soft smile.
“About that time two men came out of the house with shot guns. The person pulled me backwards until we were in the woods towards a work shed, the dog on our heels. Once inside, I was pushed up a ladder into a small attic where I was left in the dark. I remember I was so terrified. I was sweating and I couldn’t breathe. Loud voices from outside were coming closer and not long after that, the doors were thrown open. Bobby and a few others came in searching the shed. The dog started barking and growling like crazy. I knew I had to stay quiet. I could have sworn they’d hear my body shaking, but I think the dog’s growls covered it. The boards weren’t flush so I could see through the gaps. When something crawled across my hand I jerked causing my foot to thump against the boards. Bobby's eyes flew up and began to scan the ceiling and for a moment they stayed on the spot I was laying. I could have sworn he was looking right back into my eyes, but then he looked away and I let out the breath I was holding. The person who pulled me into the shed pulled a gun from the back of his jeans and told him to get out and if he ever came back on that property he was a dead man. After a few moments tense moments and a stare off, Bobby left and took the men with him.”
“Mom?” My mouth is gaping as I look between them.
“One of the men that came out on the front porch holding a shotgun was your grandpa. The other one was the man I would come to call my Uncle Frank. The man who pulled me into the shed and hid me was your daddy and that dog was Bo. Bo was a good dog, but old and passed away not long after that night. I had made it just out of town and into Lighten, the next town over.”
“What?” I feel like my head is going to explode with all this information. Garrett sees my distress and comes over to comfort me.
“The next day we talked about options. We knew they’d be back so we had to be quick. Something had to happen to make it impossible for them to bring her back. I had to make her mine. Our plan was drastic, but I was more than okay with it. It was my idea.” Dad admits.
“The moment I saw your mom in the woods, ter
rified, I knew I was going to do whatever I had to in order to keep her safe. She wouldn’t talk for the longest time. She was frightened so badly it took me almost an hour to convince her she was okay and get her to come down from the attic. From the moment her foot hit the bottom rung, she latched onto me and refused to let go. I carried her into the house that night and held her while your grandma set up the guest bedroom. I got her to lie down but she was still shaking so I sat next to her on the bed, close enough to her that she could reach over and feel me there and Bo sat on guard right outside the door. After three hours she finally whispered her name to me. Skye. My Skye.” His eyes are full of so much love that my heart melts.
“Even though I knew Uncle Frank and your grandpa were out front with their shotguns, I kept my gun in my hand aimed at the door. I stayed as close as your mom would let me that night. Finally her trembling settled and she fell asleep. I watched her all night. As crazy as it sounds, I fell in love with her and made a vow to protect her that night. The next day I told her my plan. She tried to argue. Said it was crazy and she didn’t want to be a burden. Didn’t want to cause me or my family trouble. I told her that it was already done. She was mine. She reluctantly agreed. We drove to Lake Charles and got married. I had always contemplated joining the military like your grandpa had. After we got married, we went to the recruiter and I joined the Marines. Before I left, I took off the cross I always wore around my neck and put it on her. It would have to do until I got back and bought her a ring.”
My mom pulls the chain from her blouse and shows us a cross made out of obsidian. There’s never been a time my mom hasn’t worn it and she told me my dad gave it to her but I didn’t know the story. My mom and I share a soft smile before returning our attention back to my dad.
“Within twenty-four hours I was in training. Your mom stayed out of sight in Galveston with Uncle Frank’s daughter, Veeta, until I was able to come back for her. For three months we just spoke on the phone and only for a few moments each time. Enough to ask her how she was and for her to ask me how I was. I sent flowers as often as possible but that was it. When I finally made it to Galveston, I was worried sick. Thought maybe she’d regret what we did. I didn’t worry too long because the moment I stepped out of my car, she came flying out of the house and into my arms. I haven’t let her go since. The next week I got her name put on me. Then Victoria and finally you.” He smiles at me as he places his hand over his heart.
“Years later I’d get a boy angel on my back.” he confesses giving Garrett a look while swallowing back emotion.
I take in a sudden breath. I’d always seen the angle on his back. It’s just the upper torso of a boy facing away with beautiful angel wings and a few red feathers falling from the wings. I asked my dad and he said it was for an angel he’d never met. I thought it was something to do with the military. I never understood the red feathers, till now. It was blood. Garrett’s blood.
“I’m calling Victoria.” I get up, leaving Garrett in shock while I grab my phone and walk in the other room.
“Hey, how’s Garrett?” Victoria asks softly when she answers.
“Where are you?” I ask.
“Just got off work. Why? What’s wrong?”
“How soon can you be at my place, Victoria? Mom and dad are here. They’re telling me things about the past. I don’t know. Her parents. You need to be here.”
“I’m not far. Be there as soon as I can.” She hangs up without asking what’s wrong.
“Hey, Victoria's on the way. Do y'all want to go into the living room?” I ask, and my mom and dad move, but Garrett doesn’t. We all wait and still, nothing.
“Garrett? Do you want to come in the living room?” I start towards him.
“Bella, I need to go.” He stands and goes to step around me.
“Why? Where are you going?” I grab his arm and pull him back to me.
I notice my mom and dad come up behind me.
“My family has caused your family pain for decades. I didn’t know this. I can’t allow it to continue. I need to rid you of me.”
“Garrett, hold on…” I go to wrap my arm around him but he jerks back violently and bellows out his pain for us all.
“Bella get a clue, your mom ran from my father, his father, from that hell on earth. Learn from her. She hid in an attic. Wouldn’t come down she was so damn terrified. Took your dad an hour to get her out. Bella, my father is the devil and I am his spawn. I’m tainted. That town it tainted me. I’m not good...”
“Garrett, sweetheart, that’s enough.” My sister commands softly from behind us and we all turned surprised, having not hearing her come in. Her eyes are full of pain only for Garrett. “I wasn’t much older than Isabella but I remember. Over time I’ve listened and I eventually began to understand what was going on. I learned part of mom’s story when I heard her and my grandma talking one day. Talking about her dad dying and how she was relieved. Relieved for Divor. Later, I looked into things on my own. Learned her history. Their history. Your history. Now I know the whole story. Will you please let me tell you?”
Victoria still has her purse on her shoulder so she pulls it off and drops it on the kitchen counter, moving to Garrett's side. He looks down at her and I’m almost scared for her. Garrett’s breathing is heavy and his hands are clenched into fists but Victoria stands her ground.
“My bedroom is not far from my parents. They kept their business quiet. I never knew what was going on behind their closed doors. The only time I did know was when the house was so silent you could hear a pin drop. That’s when I heard their secrets,” she whispers.
Both my parents are listening to her with confusion and concern etched on their faces. “Usually it was about three in the morning. That’s when everyone and everything was finally asleep, even the moon and stars. I’m a light sleeper. The slightest wind blowing thru the trees would, and does still wake me. I can hear everything. One night I heard something else. After that night, for years no matter what time I went to sleep at night, three in the morning, I would open my eyes and lay awake listening, wind or no wind, waiting." “Waiting for what?” Garrett asks.
“My mom’s nightmares to wake her,” she explains. My mom takes in a shocked breath. “Want to know what else I waiting for?” she asks.
Garrett nods his head.
“My dad’s nightmares to wake him,” she mutters and lowers her head.
“I’m so sorry my family caused yours so much pain,” Garrett offers, trying to move past her.
“I’m not done, Garrett.” She steps in front of him.
The air in the room is so thick it feels like wading through water as I slowly make my way to Victoria. Garrett gives her his full attention. I take her hand and hold it tight. I never knew any of this. I always thought we were your average boring family.
“I heard their whispers. Their secrets. The ones they kept just between them trying to shield Isabella and me. I heard my mom soothing my dad when he woke up crying for the boy in the woods. The one he tried to save but wasn’t sure if he had.”
All our eyes go to my dad and he’s looking at Victoria with such tenderness that I want to cry.
“There were times when my dad was soothing my mom. She was crying for her husband and the boy too,” she confides to Garrett, and mom jerks in a sob.
“Where you that boy, Garrett?” Victoria asks Garrett.
Garrett looks at my parents and back at Victoria before nodding, just once.
“So let me make sure you understand what I’m saying. In all the years I heard their cries, whispers and secrets, not once did my mom cry for her parents or because of what happened to her or where she came from. My dad went off to war. He’s a Marine. He’s was one of the best snipers the military had, and I know he saw things. I’ve never heard him wake once from a nightmare because of a flashback from those days. No, he woke terrified for you. She woke worried sick for you and my dad. For her husband who risked it all for the boy. For the boy in the woods that r
isked it all to help our Uncle Frank. Finally, after all these years you’re going to give my parents peace. Please, don’t give them nightmares again. Let them sleep the same as the moon and stars at three in the morning. Garrett, you have done nothing wrong. You are not the spawn of the devil, although your father is. From my research, his father, your grandfather Elijah Cooper, he is the devil. You’re not, and never will be, the devil.”
My mom breaks from my dad, cupping Garrett’s face all the while giving him a beautiful soft smile. “Garrett, you can’t be like them. I know because you were Uncle Frank’s angel. He called you his salvation at sunset,” my mom whispers.
Garrett can’t take it anymore. He drops his head and starts sobbing. Victoria rushes forward and pulls him into a hug. She holds him as his body jerks with sobs. I stand back, unable to talk as I watch my family mend the soul of the man I love.
After a few minutes, Garrett stands and makes his way to me. He pulls me into a hug so tight it’s hard to breathe but I’d gladly give up my breath for Garrett.
We all make our way into the living room and settle. My dad goes first.
“Victoria, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you could hear us. If I would have known…” he offers, but Victoria stops him.
“Dad, I know. I knew you and mom’s pain ran deep and I wanted to understand, so I talked to Grandpa and Grandma. They told me enough that with their information and research, I was able to put it together. I’m sorry I never told you I knew. I just wanted to let you leave all that in the past.” Victoria turns her attention back to Garrett.
“My Uncle Frank and Grandpa were so proud of you. I remember hearing them talk. They said you were the bravest young man on the planet to do what you did for a stranger. You have a beautiful heart, Garrett. As a nurse, I can tell you many diseases are passed down from generation to generation. Ones that harm us from the inside. No matter what we do, we’re going to inherit them and they’ll hurt us.” Victoria reaches over and touches Garrett arm. “But, Garrett, hate isn’t one of them. Hate is taught. Hate attacks us from the outside, not the inside. You were attacked with hate but your heart; it stayed pure and beautiful inside you. I want you to forget whatever notion you have about being destined to turn out like your dad.
Salvation At Sunset (A McGinty's Of San Antonio Series Novel Book 5) Page 11