Merry's Marauders (Book #2 ~ Scenic Route to Paradise, refreshed 2016 edition)

by Andrea Aarons

  Merry was in bed all day. One by one the house inhabitants stopped by her bedside for a visit. She was pale and weak as an infant. Merry wanted a shower. Her hair smelled awful and she felt really dirty. She was really dirty.

  Junior came in carrying her cowboy boot. He handed it to her. The other boot was lying next to the nightstand where Mac dropped it when he pulled it from her foot in the very early morning. Sarah had taken over after that.

  Junior apologized and left a moment later when Mac tapped on the door frame. The door was opened and Mac came in passing Junior, as he left.

  Merry’s hair was pulled up on top of her head, held with a clip. The over-sized shirt and other things from the misadventure along with the dark velour blanket, lie in a pile in front of her night stand. The nurses’ quarters had a double row of the cubed glass blocks that were left untouched by Lenny’s window coverings. They ran along the upper wall just below the ceiling and although set into the north wall, outside light kept these rooms well lit during the sunny southwestern days.

  Merry wore one of Sarah’s long-sleeved, buttoned down collared shirts. Mac could see bruises just behind her collar. He averted his eyes from her neck and looked at her face.

  Smiling, he said, “Hung over? Or you just being lazy today?” Merry still held the boot, Junior had returned to her.

  “According to my sister Kate, I am lazy but my brother Dale would definitely describe my lethargy as hung-over, both meaning to jibe me for ditching any household work whether I have a reasonable excuse or not,” she answered trying to sound light. She smiled too but she was very tired and wanted to go back to sleep.

  “Still holding your boot, I see,” he said.

  Merry looked at him questioningly and then grinned. She stuck her hand into the cowboy boot and pulled out her tiny Beretta. The extra clip was in her hoody back at the drug house.

  Mac’s eyebrows shot up in astonishment. “Is that where you hide your pistol?” he asked.

  Merry told him, no and then plucked her Bible from the nightstand. Laying the Bible aside she painfully reached for the geometry book and opened it. Once the small gun was refitted inside she closed the bigger book and rested the Bible on top of it.

  When Mac had overheard that Merry possessed a gun, he covertly searched her room in the following days and not finding it, he gave up for the time being. He nodded. He should have looked there but Mac underestimated Merry... again.

  “I suppose, you were planning to use it last night? But didn’t?” Mac asked her.

  Merry intended to answer him but she decided to get her thoughts formulated first. Closing her eyes, she rested her head on the pillows piled behind her. Some of the more vivid scenes played across her mind. She hadn’t been raped but she hoped she would never come so close again.

  Catching up and then following within eyesight behind Junior, she came out of the arroyo right onto the corner of the drug house street before she realized she... they had arrived at the destination. This was where Angel was staying.

  A car and motorcycle were parked on the corner and suddenly she had three obnoxious men surrounding her. When she cried out at the manhandling by Snake’s homies, Junior heard and turned to see her caught by them. He ran inside to tell Snake, knowing full well, he wouldn’t let his men mistreat such a fine catch. Both Angel and Junior feigned not knowing her and in the meantime, she watched for an opportunity to escape but then, her mind began to go. She couldn’t seem to make her body obey. She hid her pistol in her cowboy boot early on but then...

  Merry fell asleep trying to figure out what happened after her boots were off and the music was blaring.

  Mac waited a moment for Merry’s answer. Her face said it all. Merry was reliving the night before. She touched her neck and her arm and then her neck again. Her brow furrowed and relaxed more than once and then she slept. Mac sighed, moving closer to her bed. He gently pulled the collar back from her neck to examine the elongated marks that looked like fingers.

  Behind him at the door, a cough. Mac turned. Patsy and Sarah were crowding the doorway. Mac went to them closing the door behind him as he stepped into the hall. Patsy stood wringing her hands.

  Mac asked, “What’s the prognosis, Doctor Sarah? She doesn’t look too bad and I would guess whatever drug she has in her system is lingering.”

  “You’re cold,” Sarah said although she grinned. “Cold, but accurate. She is banged up and tired. I don’t know what drug is now the flavor of the month that these ghetto gangsters are using but Junior said Merry didn’t have much from the glass she was drinking from... The other guy, Snake downed most of it including, the dregs which means he and not Merry got most of the drug in his system.”

  Patsy said, “You know Sarah, Merry has never been involved in drugs and she isn’t even one to pop an aspirin. I assume even a tiny amount might have a strong effect on her. Don’t you think?”

  Sarah nodded. “Yes and I think that is exactly what has happened. She’s slim and her body is reacting to a foreign substance which has never been encountered before and she is exhausted. We’ve all been going hard and steady since Monday. I’m sure she’ll sleep it off,” she told both Mac and Patsy.

  “We’re leaving tomorrow,” Mac said firmly.

  Sarah put her hand on her waist and responded, “You actually mean, we’re leaving tomorrow. The word is out, you know Mac. You aren’t going. We’re stuck with a couple of boys, poor little rich kid, Lenny and a disbarred Judge - Tom Biggs!”

  Mac said, “I am leaving too but I’m going in another direction. All of us need to get out of town before we cannot!”

  Patsy and Sarah jumped when Tom spoke up from behind them. “I was not disbarred. That’s a lie and you know it. I retired... You little red-headed woodpecker!”

  Mac said, “That’s enough, Tom.”

  Tom appeared as if he was going to grab Sarah and she dodged behind Mac and Patsy. “Oh, no you don’t!” she said.

  “She was always a quick one... but remember this missy, you’re never too old to get a whumpin,” Tom said with a chuckle. “Don’t be spreading no more lies,” he added and then turned away from his prey to Mac. “How’s the little Merry Maid? Is she going to be up to traveling tomorrow?”

  “She just needs rest. She’ll be fine by the time were ready to close up shop tomorrow evening,” Mac told him. “Now Patsy, I need to talk to you,” he said and motioned her to follow him.

  Patsy followed Mac through the kitchen. The pantry was emptied and the counter and tabletop were covered with various mealtime goods, leaving the room in disarray. Most everything was being sorted for the ranch. Mac snatched a pack of opened crackers as he passed the counter on his way to the patio. He slid the door closed behind them as they went through. They sat down in the shade at the far corner of the patio next to the metal gate that opened onto the handicap ramp. Mac put his back to the adobe wall and his face toward the roof. He decided he did not want the watch on the roof to overhear him again and spread any news before he returned inside, as happened on Monday.

  Patsy was seated and propped her left leg on the adjacent chair. The leg was sore from walking almost four miles the night before. She took a cracker from the pack as Mac offered.

  Mac said, “I know you have things to do. We both do but I don’t foresee another time when we will be able to have a real talk.”

  “Yes, we will be going our separate ways tomorrow and it doesn’t look like our paths will cross again anytime soon,” Patsy replied. She hadn’t thought much about what it would mean to leave Santa Fe or to part from Mac.

  “Exactly. So, although I’ve spoken in great detail with Lenny and Tom Biggs about managing this group and protecting themselves, I realized I needed to speak with you too,” he told her.

  “Me?” Patsy asked. Rubbing her leg muscle, she groped about in her mind trying to make the connection.

  Mac popped another cracker into his mouth, nodding. “Yes. You see it finally dawned on me that it has been Go
d who assembled us as a group. Each of us has had something to offer the others,” Mac said. He thought about the infant, Manny and how the baby’s need had softened the jaded demeanor of Kelsey. Patsy said nothing but continued to knead the muscle of her left leg.

  “Originally, I imagined your role as disciplinarian to Merry’s halfway house... Your presence would keep those women in line but I got that wrong. Right off the bat when they got into the whiskey stash, I realized my idea was off. These women, all of us and Merry are not cut from one pattern. Here in the confines of this house at this time, I sense God let me really see that. In all my years, I always viewed people as either from D’Almata or not or maybe rich or not and then also, a man or not... meaning, a woman,” saying this Mac stood and leaned against the wall.

  “Anyway, I realize that God has made so much variety but we all have one common dilemma... and especially, me. I have been busy chasing my own tail trying to get a life, make myself happy and to find my purpose. I tell you Patsy, you and Merry too have shown me my big mistake. I knew not God! I shudder to think what may have happened had I died and had to stand and give my account without acknowledging Him beforehand. Last night, sitting in the moonlight, I had a very deep talk with God and I can say, I have made my peace with Him.” Mac tapped his head. “I knew all about this Jesus up here but now I have him in here,” Mac said as he moved his hand to his chest. His grin held no guile.

  “Eeeh, Mac!” Patsy exclaimed with smiles. “I had hoped you would respond. Merry will be really happy, too.”

  Mac put up his hand to quiet her. “There is more. I am not going north but you are. Just like the men have a big responsibility - you do, too. Your prayers, your Bible studies and I think - I know, your life will allow God to keep, and influence, these precious souls. I have watched them as my children in the flesh but you and God will keep them as His children. I will not worry about any of you as I sensed last night... early this morning as I prayed that God will keep you. My burdened lifted... My worry for all you went with my sins, like a bird - they flew away,” Mac said as he continued to smile.

  “Eeeh, Mac!” Patsy said again. His words were very refreshing and she received the same calming peace Mac sensed under the Piñon.

  “I have one problem,” Mac said. The giddy smile vanished and a sobering seriousness filled his eyes. “I leave tomorrow to make my way to D’Almata but I am taking Merry with me.”

  “Eeeh! That is a problem,” Patsy retorted, alarmed.

  Mac looked at her questioningly. “No, that is not the problem! She is going but the problem is now I cannot make her go! You see?”

  If Mac had been confused by Patsy’s statement, she was really flummoxed by his words. She said cautiously, “I think I understand. Do you mean that you have been planning to take Merry with you all along but now you cannot make her go and so, if she does not decide to go with you... You have a problem?”

  “What? No... I mean she is going with me! There is no question about that! But now that I have chosen to live with God in here,” Mac said this and thumped his chest with his fist. “I realize I cannot make her go. You and I must pray that she wants to go. God will hear us and tomorrow will be a lot less problematic.”

  “Eeeh, Mac!” Patsy said again, flustered.

  Mac waved his hand. “No more ‘eeeh;’ just pray,” Mac ordered. He closed his eyes and bowed his head. Patsy looked at him for a split second and then closed her eyes.

  “Lord,” she began. “You know all things and we acknowledge this. You’ve made a plan so we can have a good life and eternal life too in spite of our enormous shortcomings and in spite of the circumstances that loom large before us. Mac and I ask for Your gracious and loving hand to be on us as we leave this place tomorrow. Mac has determined to take Merry with him as he strikes off for his homeland, D’Almata. If this is also Your will, move upon Merry’s heart that she will want to go with him even as Rebekah wanted to go with the servant to a strange land to be a bride, as is written in the scriptures. Thank you and amen.”

  She opened her eyes and Mac was staring at her. He said, “That was a nice touch about Rebekah. I like that. I think God likes that too. I sense it here.” He thumped his chest again.

  “How is your leg? Did we walk you too fast last night? We did. I know it and I am sorry, now. Last night? No! But now I am sorry,” Mac said as he came around the chairs to her. He extended his hand to help her up and with a grunt she dropped her leg and stood. Mac kissed her forehead.

  “I need to get busy but I thank you Patsy,” he said with a faint smile. She was really touched until he added, “Now if Merry puts up any argument, use the same Rebekah line on her that you used on God; that should work.” He turned and walked away.

  The patio doors had closed behind him when Patsy said, “Eeeh, Mac!”

  Chapter 19 A Memory Lost and Found

  Merry was wide awake.

  Why am I awake? She wondered and then she remembered her outlandish predicament in following Junior to Snake’s drug den. Shivering, Merry got up and went into the bathroom. She would have to wait until the generator went on before she showered.

  For now, she brushed her teeth and groped about for her hairbrush.

  Merry was hungry!

  Going to the door, she saw that the hallway and to the left where the kitchen was located were pitch black. Usually, there would be a flashlight or kerosene lamp sitting atop the kitchen counter. Merry felt her way along the wall, past closed doors until the hallway opened into the kitchen. From the glass skylight, the moon lit-up the counter and there was Emily Ortiz’s glass lamp and matches. Merry lit the lamp and tightened the wick down.

  In spite of Mac’s threat about firing the cook, Mrs. Ortiz had gone back to making tortillas. Not seeing any, Merry went to the refrigerator and broke the household rule of opening the door when the generator was not on. There was a container of cold posole` and Merry was so hungry that it seemed exactly what she wanted. She plucked it from the refrigerator shelf and after closing the door, found a fork.

  Merry left the lamp burning low on the counter and went out to the patio sunroom and scooted some chairs about. In the shadows, she sat down in the corner on one and lifted her feet to the other and began on the posole`. After a few minutes she looked out on the patio. The moon was almost full and the outside was lit as if with a street light.

  A moment later behind her, a clatter against the kitchen ladder meant someone was descending from the roof. Lyric went right by Merry, opening the glass doors. Continuing to eat, Merry watched as she moved the patio ladder up the wall and then pushed it over. Lyric came through closing the sliding doors behind her and then into the kitchen, clamoring up the ladder without noticing Merry.

  The sunroom was lit up but Merry had somehow put her chairs into the only dark corner in the room. She set her bowl down under her chair and dropped her feet to the floor. She waited motionless to see who was coming over the wall.

  Sarah came up from behind the adobe wall. Balancing on the wide edging, the ladder came up next to her and she shifted it in front to climb down. She pushed it up and over the wall like Lyric had done and Mac climbed to the top of the wall. Holding a bag over his shoulder, he leaped down next to Sarah. Merry was shocked to see Sarah take Mac’s arm companion-like as they walked toward the sliding doors. Suddenly, Merry realized the awkwardness of the situation but it was too late to skip out.

  Behind them, Junior topped the wall balancing with two smaller sacks. He pulled the ladder up and climbed down into the enclosed patio. Mac and Sarah were standing by the doors watching him. Merry couldn’t hear through the double-pane glass but when Junior passed them, the sliding door was opened and remained open. Junior didn’t see Merry. He went by her carrying his bundles. Mac held the third.

  For early May it was a nice night, not cold but cool. To Sarah, Mac said, “You need to go to bed. We have a busy day before us.”

  “Yes, you said that already but I am not tired although my feet
do hurt a bit... All that walking!” Sarah replied. She continued to hold Mac’s arm and Merry felt her heart thumping unreasonably. Sarah asked, “Don’t you have anymore of that whiskey? We could have a little fare-thee-well party.”

  In the light, Merry saw Mac’s eyebrows go up in surprise. “That is a splendid idea,” he said propelling her into the sunroom before him and closing the door behind them. “Except for one thing,” he added.

  “Oh,” Sarah said with a quiet laugh. “And what is that?” Merry was mortified and she closed her eyes hoping that neither Sarah nor Mac would look a mere 10 feet to their left and spot her - eavesdropping!

  “You’re a day too late... Yes, I have vowed to my Big God in Heaven that I would not drink again. I don’t think He likes it,” Mac told her bluntly.

  What?!?

  Merry’s eyes shot open. They were moving toward the hallway that led to the kitchen.

  “Really?” Sarah said unfazed. “I’m not much of a drinker myself but we could still have a bit of fun... You know what I mean.” She slapped his chest playfully.

  They stood at the entrance of the hallway. Why don’t they leave? Merry lamented. Although she could see them only from the corner of her eyes, she closed them again. Not wanting to draw their attention, she resisted moving her head to get a better look.

  Merry squeezed tight her eyes when she heard Mac chuckle. He said, “Maybe you did not hear already? But tomorrow I am leaving... Yes, and I am taking Merry with me as my wife!”

  Merry opened her eyes and looked over at them. Mac was facing her but he was looking into Sarah’s face. Merry’s peripheral vision captured them clearly with the assistance of the soft lantern glow from the kitchen and the full moonlight pressing in from the sliding doors. Sarah’s back was to her.

  “What? Oh, don’t tell me! And after all we’ve been through,” Sarah said and laughed nervously. “I suppose better her than me! After all, I shall be snug as a bug in a rug at my Uncle’s ranch while you and Merry dodge danger at every turn. And you’re going to marry her?” Sarah laughed again.