Inside the Beauty

by Joan Fennell Carringer

  He sighed. So why was he sometimes still afraid he might someday turn into his father? How could he profess to love and trust the Lord and still be in fear?

  Lord, I believe. Help thou mine unbelief.

  The scripture jumped into his mind. Was he not the only one with doubts and fears? Even in the days when the Lord walked the earth, there were those who must have felt the same way as him. Why else would they say such a thing?

  All things are possible to those who believe.

  He was starting to feel better. He had to keep his mind on God and off his worries. If he did, he wouldn’t have the worries! He smiled at the thought. Wasn’t that the truth?

  Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

  Yes! Maybe what he needed to do was sit down and read the Bible for a while. Who knows how many more enlightening scriptures would come to him?

  Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

  He smiled. More, Lord.

  God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

  “I’m not like my father. I’ll never be like him because I love God and He loves me. Just the same – I’m glad I’m going back to the base. It’ll be easier to get over Sharris if I can’t be seeing her all the time. Look at her. She’s the most beautiful woman in the world. She can have her choice of any man on earth. Why would she ever want me?”

  He sighed deeply. Why was he thinking such things? Even if, by some unlikely stroke of fate, she was to fall in love with him, she would fight it every bit as hard as he was doing. She didn’t want it to happen any more than he did. How many times had they talked about it?

  She had everything she wanted. Why would she even consider giving it all up for him?

  ∞ ELEVEN ∞

  A blood-curdling scream pierced the air and awoke Sharris with a jolt. Jumping to her feet, she started running from the room, but stopped quickly. Thank goodness her instincts always kicked in to let her know what she should do in an emergency, even when she wasn’t fully awake. Moving quietly toward her nightstand, she opened the drawer to retrieve the pistol she kept for emergencies. Even though it had been there for years, she’d never had to take it out and hoped and prayed she’d never have to use it. She fervently whispered another prayer.

  Her hand shook and her breathing was fast and irregular as she made her way through the darkness. Slowly and quietly, she opened her bedroom door and stepped into the hallway. She couldn’t take the chance of turning on a light. Luckily, the small night lights, even though dim, were enough to guide her.

  Judy met her in the hallway before she ever reached her room. “Oh, Sharris! Somebody was trying to get in my room! I think my screaming scared him away.” Her voice was trembling so badly she could hardly speak.

  Sharris swallowed. “Are you sure of it?”

  Although Judy nodded, the movement couldn’t be seen in the darkness. “I was sound asleep and suddenly I heard a noise. I can’t believe I heard it, it was so soft, but I guess the good Lord gave me super ears for the moment. When I looked at the window, I saw a shadow in the moonlight of someone trying to open it.” She stopped and took a deep breath.

  Sharris had trouble controlling her own trembling. “But you’re pretty sure he’s gone? He didn’t actually get the window open, did he? Oh, Judy, the windows are always locked!”

  “I had it open this afternoon. It was so warm and the breeze felt so good. What if I forgot to lock it back?”

  Sharris reached over and flipped the switch to the hall light. Immediately, everything was illuminated in brightness and both of them had to shield their eyes for a moment until they adjusted.

  “What are we going to do?” Judy wanted to know.

  Sharris looked at her. Even as her heart still raced, she couldn’t help being tickled. Against the darkness of her skin, the whites of Judy’s eyes were as wide as saucers. Her long hair was down, falling over her shoulders and she was dressed in a huge, pink granny gown, her bare black feet protruding from beneath the hem. It was hard to remain solemn but promptly reminded of the situation they were in, she managed to keep her composure. “I’m going to call the police. I’ll lock your bedroom door, just in case the intruder still manages to get through the window, and we’ll stay together til the police get here. Maybe I should call Jess, too.”

  “I would love for my son to be here! But…..Jess works all night. I’ll call Crew.”

  A warm feeling surged through Sharris. “Yes. He’ll come over. You need him right now.” She couldn’t add the rest of her thought, that she needed him, too.

  Crew arrived almost immediately, running into the house in panic. “Are you both okay?” he asked, hugging first his mother, who’d opened the door for him, and then Sharris.

  Sharris couldn’t help herself. She wrapped her arms around him and held onto him tightly. She felt safe for the first time since she’d heard Judy’s terrifying scream. There was no telling how long she would’ve stood there like that if the flashing lights of the police car hadn’t pulled into the driveway at that moment.

  It was then she realized she was wearing her shortie pajamas and her hair was tousled all over her head. She must look a sight! One glance at Crew let her know he was enjoying what he was seeing. As his eyes moved from the top of her head to the bottom of her bare feet, a smiled covered his lips. A smile he quickly tried to hide as he remembered the gravity of the situation.

  “I need to put my robe on,” she whispered, turning toward her room, “before I let the police in.” Even as she spoke, she couldn’t help thinking how cute he looked with his messed up hair and his shirt haphazardly pulled on and untucked. As a matter of fact, it was even buttoned up crooked. It was all she could to stop herself from reaching over and fixing it.

  They took a report, checked the window to be sure it was secure, as well as all the doors and the rest of the windows. They walked around outside, flashing their bright lights, but even though they seemed to be out there for a very long time, they saw nothing.

  Sharris’ neighbor and good friend Josie was at the door the minute they left. “Sharris, what’s happened? Those police lights woke me up and scared me to death! Is everything okay?” She, too, was wearing pajamas and a robe and big fuzzy slippers.

  Josie’s husband, Ted, wearing only pajama bottoms and slippers was beside her. “Is there anything we can do?” Ted worked away most of the time and had gotten home earlier that evening.

  “I think everything is okay now,” Sharris answered, as a mixture of feelings ran through her. It made her feel good that she had close friends who were concerned enough to run over and check on her, but it bothered her that she’d disturbed their sleep. Ted had driven over a hundred miles to get home, after working a full day, and he had to be exhausted. “Somebody tried to get in Judy’s window. Luckily, Judy woke up and saw the shadow and screamed and scared whoever it was off.”

  She hadn’t realized until she was nearly finished talking that Crew was still standing very close to her and his arm was around her. No wonder her heart was still racing, even though the terror was over.

  “You’re sure we can’t do anything?” Josie asked, leaning closer to Ted.

  “I’m sure. I’m sorry you were so frightened.”

  “Don’t worry about us,” Ted said, his eyes on Crew as he spoke.

  “Oh, Ted,” Josie said then, “I forgot you haven’t met Crew.” Ted had been off on the job the night of the birthday party, when everyone else had been introduced to Crew. “I told you about him. He’s Judy’s son.”

  Reaching out, Ted shook Crew’s hand. “It’s good that you were close enough to get here so fast.”

  Sharris had the distinct impression that Ted was wondering if Crew had been there all along. “Yes, it is,” she said quickly. “He’s staying with his brother Jess and he’s only five miles away. Would – you and Josie like to come inside for a minute?”

  “Oh, no,”
Josie answered. “As long as we know everything’s okay, we’ll head back home. Suzi’s by herself and if there still might be a prowler in the area, I don’t want to leave her for long.”

  Sharris watched them as they turned and walked away. There were only two adjoining driveways between their houses and it wouldn’t take more than a few moments for them to get back home.

  Judy approached as Sharris closed the door. “I know I shouldn’t drink coffee at this hour, but I need something. I don’t know when I’ve been so frightened.” Her mind quickly reminded her of the night Crew came home with blood pouring from his nose, pain racing through his shoulder and bruises all over his body. She forced away the thought. “Will you two join me? Please? I – just don’t want to be alone.”

  Crew walked closer and put his arm around her. “You aren’t going to be alone. I’m spending the night, what’s left of it anyway.” He glanced at his watch to see it was nearly two a.m., then looked at Sharris. “That is, if it’s all right with you.”

  If it was all right with her? At that particular moment, it would have been all right with her if he stayed for the rest of his life!

  ∞ TWELVE ∞

  THAT HAD NOT GONE WELL AT ALL. The man sat on the edge of the bed in his rented motel room. He thought he had it all planned out and this morning’s news would be ablaze with the report of a break-in and murder.

  His conscience retaliated. Did he really want to do this?

  Yes, he did. It had been brewing in his heart for years now and he couldn’t stand it any longer. It was the only way he could get his revenge for the way his own heart had been ripped to shreds because of what she’d done.

  There she was, sitting in the lap of luxury and being treated like some kind of queen or something. And here he was, alone with nothing to call his own. Because of what she’d done.

  The more he thought of it, the angrier he became. He never should’ve scared that little blonde slut with the stupid car chase. All it had done was make her aware that she might be in some possible danger, so naturally, she’d take immediate precautions. It had prompted him to act quickly. He couldn’t believe it when the window was unlocked. When that happened, he was certain everything was going to be done and over with by this morning.

  Why’d the black woman have to wake up? That scream had been loud enough to arouse the dead and he knew anyone else in the house would be there in moments and the cops would be alerted. For all he knew, that guy might even still be there and he wasn’t ready to tangle with him yet. He barely had time to make it back to his car and hightail it out of there before he heard the sirens in the distance.

  He’d have to lay low for a little while, at least until her protector – he laughed at the thought – was satisfied that she was safe and left her alone again. That guy was certainly going to get what he deserved, too. And soon.

  The only problem was the rented room was getting expensive.

  He laughed again. It would be worth it, no matter how much it cost him.

  ▬ ▬ ▬

  WHY HAD SOMEONE been trying to break into the house? Sharris couldn’t stop her mind as she took a long shower the next morning and got ready for the day. Was it the same person who’d been driving the SUV that nearly ran into her? She felt certain someone had been watching her at the pool not long ago, as well as when she was entering her house after Crew left the day of the road scare. Was she being stalked?

  Her eyes widened fearfully. By whom? Why? She caught an unexpected glimpse of herself as she passed her mirror. Was it some crazed man who thought he had to have her? She shuddered. Sometimes she wished she hadn’t been born so beautiful. A lot of men wanted her, but there’d never been one who had tried to frighten her into surrendering to him.

  She had to call her sisters. The thought occurred to her that they needed to hear about what had happened from her, rather than through the grapevine by some stranger who would wind up scaring them to death with exaggerations that weren’t true.

  Nervously, she dialed Taryn, told her briefly what had happened and then called Marna. As soon as she managed to get off the phone, which wasn’t easy when both her sisters wanted to keep asking questions, she forced a composure she didn’t feel and went to the kitchen to join Crew and Judy.

  Judy immediately poured her a cup of coffee and then sat back down at the table. “I think I should move out, Sharris.”

  Sharris’ eyes widened. “Why?”

  “Because I’m putting you in danger.”

  “You think that incident last night was because of you?”

  Crew met her eyes. “She does, and she might be right.”

  “No, I refuse to believe it. Some crazed person is after me and Judy has nothing to do with it. Or else somebody figures there’s a lot of valuables in this house and simply planned to help himself to some of them.” She repeated, “You have nothing to do with it, Judy. Why on earth would you think you did?”

  Crew sighed. “She thinks it, because it’s happened before. Once, when we lived in Atlanta, someone threw a rock through the window. There was a note that said blacks and whites were not equal and we better think long and hard about our futures. It wasn’t in those words. I won’t repeat what it really said. Not long after that, someone tried to beat up my dad. Luckily, someone saw it and stopped it.”

  “Times have changed. People are more acceptable now to…….”

  “Some are. Some aren’t.”

  Judy spoke softly. “Nothing ever happened like this before I came, did it?”

  Sharris didn’t answer.

  “I’ll move in with Jess for a while,” Judy said. “I would never stay if I thought for a minute you might be harmed because of it.”

  “No! I don’t want you to go.”

  Crew sighed and looked away from either of them.

  “Crew, I don’t want Judy to leave.”

  He said nothing.

  Reaching over, she grabbed his arm. It was definitely the wrong thing to do. She knew it the minute the fire started burning in her heart and emotions began churning throughout her entire body. When she raised her eyes and they met his, she could swear she saw a reflection of her own feelings.

  He turned away quickly and stood up. Not looking at either of them, he said, “I’ll be leaving next week, and I want to be sure both of you are safe.” His eyes again met Sharris’. “Let Mom move in with Jess and see what happens. If things calm down and there’s no more trouble…….”

  “…..then Judy can come back.” She looked at Judy. “Will you agree to that?”

  Judy nodded, then stood. “I’ll go pack.”

  “Don’t take everything. You’ll be back soon.” Sharris felt like her heart was breaking. She would never have believed how much she would come to love Judy. She was going to miss her.

  Judy left the room and Sharris and Crew were alone.

  Sharris stood up and walked over to him. “Do you believe all that or were you just agreeing with her?”

  “I don’t want to believe it.”

  “But you do?”

  “I don’t know what to believe. I’d hoped, after we got out of Atlanta, there’d be nothing more to worry about. I guess it just goes to show there are troublemakers everywhere, even in small towns.”

  “But there are good people, too. I don’t know anyone around here who would be prejudiced over your situation. I still think someone just wanted to rob my place.”

  After a long moment of silence, during which time he kept looking at the floor, he raised his eyes and they met hers. “Sharris…..”

  She waited, her heart racing wildly.

  Their gazes locked. Neither smiled nor frowned, but simply looked at each other, both wondering what the other was thinking. He hoped it wasn’t love he saw in her eyes, but at the same time, he hoped it was. She, in turn, didn’t know exactly what she wanted to see.

  He turned away abruptly, just as Judy appeared in the doorway, toting her suitcase. “I’m ready now.”

 
How had she packed so quickly? Was she prepared to leave at any given notice?

  No sooner had they left than she heard a truck roaring up the driveway. There was no mistaking who it belonged to. She’d heard it every day when John was staying with his sister Josie. Even though he now had a new one, he still wouldn’t part with what he referred to as ‘old faithful’.

  She looked out the window. John and Taryn, Ricky and Evie were getting out. They didn’t even have the doors closed behind them when Marna and Devon pulled up behind them.

  She should’ve known her sisters wouldn’t be satisfied with a mere phone call. She couldn’t help smiling, but the smile froze on her face when she saw John and Devon both reaching into the back of John’s truck and lifting out some lumber. What on earth?

  “They’re boarding up your windows,” Marna told her when she saw the quizzical expression on Sharris’ face.

  “Boarding up the windows?”

  “Until we’re sure you’re safe again,” said Taryn.

  “But I don’t want boards on my windows!”

  “Either that or you and Judy come stay with one of us for a few days,” Marna quipped.

  “Judy’s gone to stay with Jess for a while.”

  John looked at her. “Then you’ll be here by yourself. We’re for sure securing those windows. If Ted wasn’t home with Josie right now, I’d do the same to hers.”

  “But it might be better,” said Devon, “if you just come stay with us for a while. We have plenty of room.”

  Little Evie clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Aunt Shars needs to stay at our house.”

  Ricky grinned. “We have two empty bedrooms.”

  “And we’re gettin’ a dog!” cried Evie.

  What on earth did a dog have to do with anything? Sharris smiled, then started to laugh. She couldn’t help it. How wonderful it was to have such a loving and caring family.

  ∞ THIRTEEN ∞

  It took a lot of persuasion before Sharris had her sisters convinced she would be safe staying in her own home, without boarding up all the windows. She promised to have a security system installed as soon as possible, but until it happened, she’d be sure everything was locked up tight and her pistol was always within easy reach. Since she was a light sleeper, she didn’t think there was any possibility of her not awakening to any unusual sounds. Just the same, even after all her protests, her two brother-in-laws would not leave until they’d secured her bedroom windows, as well as added a deadbolt lock to both main entrance doors and her bedroom door.