by Rena Janssen
Chapter 10
Granger couldn’t believe it had been a week since he found out he had a daughter. He and Beth decided to extend their honeymoon from a week to three weeks. It would use up all of their vacation time they had accumulated but it was well worth it. He thought to himself.
Tonight was a family dinner where Beth’s dad would meet Allie and since it would be a new experience for her, they had invited Carly to come also. Granger was surprised that the old man had given them that long before he came banging down the door.
Beth had opened up a bit, even getting Allie a pink giraffe as a gift for tonight. Granger was happy about that. The only issue she had was that Carly had been invited. Granger tried to stomp down her jealousy but it seemed to only get worse when he tried to talk to her about Carly being his past so he stopped saying her name around her.
They were finishing up getting ready when Granger noticed that Beth had definitely overdone it. Although she was stunning in her little black dress that hugged every curve and her high hills, this was a family dinner not a date. He knew it was because Carly was coming so he didn’t ask her to dress down a bit.
“Wow!” he said taking her hand and spinning her around to see the back also. “You look amazing!” He pulled her back into his embrace and whispered into her ear, “Oh baby, if we weren’t expected at your father’s house in a few minutes, we wouldn’t be leaving this room until morning!” He kissed her neck under her ear and noticed the chill bumps rise on her exposed shoulders.
The smile on her face as she spun around told Granger that he had said the right thing. She backed away from him and smacked at his arm. “It took me a while to look this good so no messing this up…until later.” She smiled a sexy smile over her shoulder as she looked around for her small hand bag.
Granger spotted it and handed it to her. It was a bit heavy feeling. Good Lord! He thought. What on earth do women put into their purses? He just shook his head. I guess it took a lot to keep the maintenance up. He wasn’t willing to think about the complicated routine of a woman. It was too much for his male mind to comprehend. He smiled and handed the clutch to her.
“Thank you Grangy.”
“You are most welcome. Come on beautiful. You look too good for a cab ride; let’s walk so I can show you off. It is only a couple blocks to your dad’s condo. I can guarantee I will be the envy of the boardwalk!”
Granger held open the door with a flourish, bowing type motion. She apparently loved it if her smile was any indication. He breathed a sigh of relief; he knew the night was going to go great.
As they walked the few blocks, he noticed the heads turning to watch Beth’s progress, he felt pride. She was a vision and he felt so luck that he had such a hot wife. Her body was model worthy. The only thing that he didn’t like was the way she needed the attention but it wasn’t something that bothered him too badly.
“You see, I am the envy of the boardwalk.” He whispered in her ear pulling her close to his side. “I am getting a bit jealous of all these men staring at you. I may have to cause a scene like kissing you right here and ruining your lipstick.”
“Don’t you dare! We can get to that later when it is just us.” Beth said giggling and caving into his side.
Granger smiled at his wife. His heart grew when he looked at the pink gift bag for Allie. She was coming around. I knew she would. Everything is going to be alright. He thought to himself as he grasped her free hand giving it a squeezed.
They walked the final block in silence listening to the waves hit the beach shore. The white condo was right on the shore line. It took on a reddish orange glow as the setting sun bounced its rays on it. It had to be around two thousand square feet and Granger knew that big of a house right on the beach was very expensive and this man owned it. He knew he was loaded but this proved it.
Beth’s father had every light in the house on along with patio lights with soft music playing. What surprised Granger the most was the stuffed animals on the porch resembling a small zoo that waiting on Allie. They had agreed to meet there at least thirty minutes before Carly and Allie got there so they could prepare together but from the look of it Beth’s father had been preparing for the whole week. It was no wonder that he had waited that long.
Granger couldn’t help the smile that lit his face but when he noticed Beth’s frown and how she stiffened up, an eerie feeling swept into his bones. He squeezed her hand as she took a deep breath and walked into the front door.
The old man had out done himself. He had the place decorated like a princess palace including hanging fairies on the fans as if they were flying. Pink tulle was swaying in the breeze through the patio door along with twinkle lights weaved though the stairs.
“Dad really!” Beth exclaimed. “We are supposed to just have dinner together not all this!”
“Now girl, don’t be raining on my parade. I got to make a good first impression on my grandbaby.”
“She is your step grandchild! S-T-E-P! She isn’t really mine! You should have just got her chocolate ice cream or something. This is just ridiculous!”
“Don’t be that way baby girl.” But Beth had already stomped off throwing her gift in the bushes before her father was able to finish his sentence.
Granger and the old man just looked at each other.
“For what it is worth, I think it is awesome. Allie is going to love it!” Granger said.
“Well maybe I did go a bit overboard. I have been looking forward to this for a while now and couldn’t help myself.”
Granger patted the old man on the shoulder and went to find Beth. It took him a few minutes to find her because she was in her upstairs bedroom, staring at herself in the mirror taking deep breaths.
“Are you alright, sweetheart?” Granger asked. She looked at him but the strange look in her eye told him that she didn’t really see him. It scared him a bit.
“I have never seen Daddy act this way over some kid.” She calmly said. “I mean never. Yeah, he was a doting father on me but I am his only child.”
Granger heard the jealousy in her voice and wrapped her in a hug and she leaned into him. He knew she was jealous of Carly but this new jealousy over Allie threw him a bit.
“I am a bit overwhelmed.” She said.
“Don’t you worry sweetheart. Your dad is just excited. Tell you what, after Carly and Allie leave, why don’t we go to that club down the street. The one you like so much. We will stay as long as you want.”
Beth looked up at Granger and he kissed her on the forehead, each cheek, and her nose. He knew better than to kiss her lips. She wanted her makeup to stay perfect. He glanced into her eyes and seen the storm start to dissipate, as she thought it over.
“Really? Just you and me? No more talk of children or exes?” she asked.
“Yes baby. You can dance until you drop and I will carry you home. You are so hot in that dress I may have to beat some men off though. You may have to come bail me out of jail in the morning.”
“Alright.” She said with a smile and she was back to her bubbly self and started to walk out the door. She stiffened as she heard the door bell ring announcing their guest.
Granger heard her say, “I can do this.” And she started to walk down the stairs. Granger patted her bottom as she took her first step down and she giggled swatting at his hand. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself you are just too hot!”
“Behave, we have guest now.”
Granger shook his head as he followed her. He knew she was high maintenance but this was wearing him out. He had only loved three women in his life. His Alice was a sweet laid back woman that loved everyone, Carly was well Carly, and Beth was what one calls a trophy wife.
They had reached the landing as Beth’s father opened the door, bringing him out of his thoughts.
The old man was practically jumping up and down when he seen Allie’s little head peak around from her mother’s legs.
“Come in, Come in!
I’m so excited to meet you both.” He said as he tried to temper his booming voice but it still carried. Allie slid back behind her mother but Carly just smiled lifting her hand to Beth’s father. “I am Carly and this is Allie. You must be Beth’s father. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am so sorry that she is being shy. She will come out of it soon and will be running amuck.
Carly went to grasp the old man’s hand but he just wrapped her in a bear hug. “You are most welcome here! I have been so excited to meet you both and finally get to spoil my grandbaby.” He got down on his knees and played pick-a-boo with Allie until she started giggling. He handed her a big pink elephant that was half the size of the child herself, to coax her out. She took the elephant and came around to play with it when the old man picked her up in a big hug. “You may call me Papa if you want to.
The still silent Allie looked to her mother for confirmation and after Carly smiled and knodded yes, she wrapped her little arms around the old man and said, “Thank you, Papa. I love the elephant. It is like Henry my pink hippo Daddy and Step Mommy got me. I think I will name him George.”
Granger watched in awe as the old man’s face just melted and he knew his daughter just wrapped the man around her little finger. There was something about little girls that just can just squeeze your heart so quickly.
“For God’s sake! Come in and at least shut the front door!” Beth said practically shrieking. “We are in Florida and the mosquitoes are horrible. Let’s eat, I’m hungry.” Beth stomped off mumbling to herself. Her outburst had shocked everyone, even her father.
“Well, she does have a point. The mosquitoes are horrible this time of night and from the smell of the food, I’d have to say my tummy is starting to talk to me too.” Carly said breaking the silence, trying to lighten the atmosphere. She looked Allie and asked, “What about you pumpkin?” She poked Allie in the tummy causing the child to squirm and giggle in Conner’s arms. The man kissed Allie on the forehead and sat her down.
At the same time, they heard a scream coming from the hallway entrance. No one moved as Beth stood in the hallway with a small gun pointed at Carly and Allie. Terrified, Allie scooted behind her mother and Carly made her short frame as big as possible to block her.
Beth’s father was the first to speak. “What on earth are you doing girl! Put that thing away!” His tone was loud and condescending, as soon as he saw her eyes change and shift to him, he realized his mistake.
“You are my Daddy! Only mine! I can’t take this anymore.” Beth’s eyes glazed over as she yelled. A shot rang out and the old man fell to the ground moaning.
“Oh Daddy, Daddy. I’m so sorry! Get up Daddy. I will fix it. I will make it all better. You will see.” Her crazy eyes shifted back to Carly and Allie as well as the gun. “This is your fault. You are a nurse, fix him!”
Carly didn’t move. It seemed that she didn’t even breathe. Ice cold terror shot through Granger’s body as Beth leveled the gun and held it steady at Allie. “I said fix him! Now or I will shoot her!”
“Beth, honey, look at me.” Granger said swallowing his fear. “Look at me beautiful.” Beth looked over at him but held the gun steady on Carly and Allie. Granger pasted a smile on his face. “That’s it gorgeous. We are going to call the ambulance for your Daddy. He is going to need more medical attention than we have here, honey.” Granger kept the smile on his face and hoped he sounded calm and reassuring. He held out his hand toward her and noticed her eyes soften a bit. Granger took a step to put himself between Carly and Allie and the gun. Just as he tried to take another step, the old man moaned painfully.
Beth’s eyes snapped to her father and she screamed again. “I said to fix him.”
“I can’t do that here. Granger is right we need more equipment to save your father’s life. He will need an IV and blood transfusion. He is losing a lot of blood as we speak. Please do as Granger asks.”
“Shut up you slut! This is all you and your brat’s fault. Granger is mine; don’t ever say his name again! This was supposed to be my honeymoon, but no you have to come along and ruin our lives. Just shut your mouth!” Beth leveled her gun at Carly’s chest and smiled. “You and your brat have caused enough damage and I did say I would fix this. Don’t ever let it be said that I am not a woman of my word. You and your brat will be six feet under, me and my Grangy can be happy again. Just us! He will forget all about you and her! I will make sure of it!” Her voice had taken on a high pitch screeching sound. “But you go first. What? You don’t think I see the way you look at each other or that look in his eye when he talks about her. He is mine now and forever!” Beth screamed as she squeezed the trigger. Granger didn’t hesitate as he jumped in front of Carly and Allie, knocking Beth to the ground and landing on top of her causing the gun to skid across the room under the couch.
“No!” screamed Beth and Carly at the same time. Beth pushed Granger off of her and held her hands up to her face. They were covered in blood. She started screaming in alarm, looking from Granger to her father. “What have I done?” She stood up staring at her blood covered hands and ran out the door into the night.
Granger knew he was shot and felt the warmth of his blood spread across his chest, but strangely he felt no pain. He felt his chest for the wound and looked at his hand. He saw the blood and knew he should at least feel a bit of fear but he felt calm. The world slowed as he seen Carly rush over to him with her phone to her ear. She was spouting all kind of medical jargon that his befuddled mind wasn’t picking up.
He heard a child crying behind her but his mind wouldn’t connect the dots. His body felt as if he were floating. He noticed Carly was putting pressure on the bright red stain spreading on his shirt and she had tears streaming down her face. He lifted his hand and touched her cheek to try to comfort her. She was sad and it was his fault. He always hated seeing her sad.
“Oh Carly, I am so sorry.” Granger said as he left smears of his blood on her face. “I love you Carly. I always have.”
“Stay with us Granger. Help is coming. Fight it!” Granger heard sirens in the distance and he turned his head to the right. Allie was there crying hanging on to the pink elephant that was recently given to her. “Oh my sweet Allie, I love you baby. I haven’t known you for long but you have my heart. I love you baby, don’t cry. Everything will be alright. You will see.”
Granger’s vision started to narrow as he looked up to see Carly crying even harder. He tried to lift his hand to brush the pain from her face but his arms were so heavy and he was just too dang tired. The darkness closed in as two people in all blue came through the door.
Granger saw, felt, and heard no more.
Epilogue
“Come on sweetheart. We don’t have much time to visit your dad.” Carly said to Allie as she stopped to pick yet another dandelion to blow and make a wish. Carly couldn’t help but to smile at her. She had grown so much since the accident and seemed happy despite the horror of that night.
“Okay, mommy. Do you think daddy would like my dress? Pink is my favorite color.” Her pink dress had a princess like quality with its flowing design and her matching bows that held up her pigtails made her look entirely too cute.
“I know he would.”
Allie turned a few turns as they made their way down the path. Her dress flowed with each turn making Carly smile. “There he is!” She jumped up and down and raced away.
Carly smiled and then sighed as the first of the raindrops hit her nose. “I’m sorry baby we can’t stay. The rain is coming in. It is supposed to be a bad storm. Give your dad the gift you made and we will come back another day.”
“Awe mom! We just got here. It’s just a little rain. Daddy won’t mind.” Allie pouted as she leaned down to kiss the hard granite stone that marked Granger’s final resting place. She kissed the same spot every time they visited. “I love you daddy. I hope you like my dress. I made you something at school. Mommy said you would have loved it.” Allie sat the small paper angel o
n her father’s tombstone. “Mommy said that you are my guardian angel now and that you will always be with me.” She twirled away causing her dress to flower out and she giggled. “Watch this daddy. It’s so cool when I spin; mommy says I look like a flower blooming.”
Carly smiled at her little girl’s antics and placed flowers on his grave. She gently touched the cold stone and then placed flowers on Alice’s stone that was beside his. “Rest in peace my friends. I visited Beth at the hospital yesterday. They will be moving her to the prison soon but she is getting the help she needs. Her father was there and says hi. He still comes and spends time with Allie, all the time.”
Carly looked up as the rain started in earnest then. She opened her umbrella and gathered Allie close. They laid flowers on Frankie and Justin’s graves also and with a blown kiss they started to leave.
“Mommy?”
“Yes sweetie?” Carly looked down into the sea blue eyes that were so much like Granger’s.
“They are in Heaven right?”
“Yes.”
“Are we going to see them again?”
Carly smiled at her question. “Of course we will.”
Just as she spoke the words, there was a break in the clouds and the sun shone down on the mother and child as if confirming Carly’s words, causing them both to laugh.
About the Author
Rena Janssen has lived in a small town in Tennessee for the majority of her life. She considers herself a jill-of-trades. She attended Chattanooga State Technical Community College receiving her diploma/license in Cosmetology. She loved the way her work it would help people feel better about themselves and still occasionally has clients. She also holds her diploma in Wildlife Conservation, and has trained in medical transcription but has always had a love of the literary world. Rena’s father-in-law introduced her to photography where she grew to love that art also. She is married to her soul mate and is the mother of two beautiful children. She decided to become a stay at home mom and pursue her calling in writing.
She loves feedback from her fans. Her email is [email protected]