by Linda Warren
“You feel love, Maribel. I know you do. Every time I see you looking at Chase, I see it. I see it when you’re helping Grandpa with something. I see it even when you’re laughing at me. I see it all the time in your eyes. All you have to do is admit it. Let it out, Maribel. Don’t let Ira win this battle.”
She pushed hair away from her face. “What?”
“If you keep all that pain inside you, you’ll never be completely happy. And Ira wins. His cruelty wins. Don’t let his cruelty destroy you. You have a wonderful son and you have me, loving you no matter what. Do something about it, Maribel, or you’re going to lose everything.”
He got up, slipped into his jeans and reached for his shirt. “If you don’t, we have nothing. Without love, this marriage is nothing.” He walked out the door.
Chapter Sixteen
Maribel sat on the floor and wrapped her arms around her legs. What had she done? Had she destroyed her marriage? She wanted to cry, but tears wouldn’t come. Crying would mean she was weak and she wasn’t. She knew she had a problem and she could handle it.
The sound of the truck had her jumping to her feet. She looked out the window and saw Elias’s taillights pulling out of the driveway. Was he leaving her? No! She trembled from head to toe and admitted for the first time that she needed help. She couldn’t lose her marriage. She couldn’t lose Elias.
She hurriedly slipped on jeans and a blouse. Grabbing her purse, she ran for the garage. She knew where she was going. Mrs. Peabody was the only one she could talk to, but it was late and she might be asleep. She drove to her house and saw the lights were still on. Pulling out her phone, she searched for Mrs. Peabody’s number and tapped it. In a few seconds, she was on the line and Maribel asked if she could come in for a minute.
Mrs. Peabody’s white hair was in sponge rollers and so many memories of her childhood flashed through Maribel’s mind. Her mother used to use those. Her mother...
“Come in, Maribel.” Mrs. Peabody wrapped a flowered robe around herself.
“I know it’s late and I don’t mean to disturb you, but I really need to talk to someone.”
“Have a seat. Would you like something to drink?” Mrs. Peabody’s voice reminded her of Miss Vennie’s. It had a soft undertone that drew people to them.
“No. Thanks. I’d just like to talk.”
She sat on the tweed sofa. “You knew my mother better than anyone and I’d like to talk about her.”
“Sarah was a sweet and timid soul and no one understood why she’d married Ira. Her parents were in their forties when she was born and as their only child they protected and sheltered her. I guess she was looking for adventure and excitement and hoping she could change a bad man. She found out quickly that wasn’t possible.”
Maribel told her about the beatings and the I love yous. “It’s not love when you stand there and watch your child who is pregnant being beaten. After that, I don’t feel love anymore.”
“Oh, Maribel.” Mrs. Peabody scooted closer and patted Maribel’s leg. “Sarah loved you with all her heart and she loved you the best way she could. She was weak. She couldn’t stand up to Ira. He beat her so much he broke her spirit. But she stayed because of her children.”
“That’s not love.”
“When I saw her at the grocery store, she always asked about you and the baby. I showed her pictures you sent of Chase when he was born and I asked her if she would like to keep them. She said no. If Ira found them, he would kill her. And she had the twins and Rosie to think about. But every time I saw her, she wanted to see those pictures, Maribel. You may not understand that kind of love, but sometimes people love the only way they can.”
A tear slipped from Maribel’s eyes and she thought of all the years her mother had sacrificed to make sure they had clothes and shoes to wear. She’d sold eggs and vegetables from her garden to make extra money and all of it had gone to her children. She’d stayed in an awful marriage because of them. Another tear slipped from her eyes and then another and then she was bawling like a baby.
Mrs. Peabody wrapped her arms around her. “Now, now, everything’s going to be okay.”
“She had a terrible life and I did nothing to make it better.” She hiccupped and wiped away tears with the backs of her hands. “I was only thinking about myself. I never considered what she was going through.”
“You made it better by just being in her life and she was so happy you found a good home. After Rosie got out of that disastrous marriage, she gave her money so she could rent an apartment and after she made sure Rosie was okay, she died quietly in her sleep. Her spirit couldn’t take any more.”
“Why didn’t she ever call me?”
“When your parents were first married, Ira refused to let Sarah see her parents so she snuck off to visit with them. After Gunnar and Malachi were born, she would take them to visit. One day, Ira found out and he beat her to within an inch of her life. She stayed four days in the hospital and the sheriff at the time did nothing about it.”
Maribel’s eyes opened wide. She’d never heard that story. “And she went back?”
“She didn’t want Ira to raise her babies and she was sure he would take them away from her. So, you see, she would never make that mistake again because of the twins and Rosie. She knew you were well and safe and being taken care of and away from Ira.”
“I just...just...”
Mrs. Peabody pushed back Maribel’s long hair. “Dry those tears and look at the life you have now. A wonderful son, a good husband and you’re a business owner. Don’t let the past break your spirit. Don’t let your father break your spirit like he broke your mother’s.”
Maribel drove home with her head spinning. So many years she’d had bad feelings toward her mother and now she wasn’t sure what to feel, but she was clear on one thing: she was beginning to feel those deep emotions like she should. Her heart was opening up and love was there. She could almost touch it.
* * *
ELIAS HAD TO get out of the house or his temper was going to get the best of him. She was so stubborn. How could she not see how much he loved her? How could she not admit to everything they had? He’d given her time and time had run out for him. He wanted a full and complete marriage with a woman who loved him and he wanted her to say the words. It surprised him that he needed that. He’d always thought he wasn’t like his brothers, but he was.
He went to Rowdy’s for a beer. When he walked through the door, everyone shouted, “Elias!” and raised their beers. He nodded and sat at the bar.
Bob came over. “What are you doing in here? The honeymoon over?”
“Beer, please.” He wasn’t answering that question. It was nobody’s business but his and Maribel’s.
Bob placed a Bud Light in front of him. “Good to have you back.”
“Yeah.” Elias looked around at all the men and women drinking, talking, laughing and some dancing to the jukebox. This was his life before, but now he felt out of place. This wasn’t his life anymore. He laid some bills on the bar. “See you later.”
When he drove into the garage, he saw Maribel’s car was gone. His heart took a nosedive. Had she left? Where would she go at this time of night? And why? He walked into the house and it was dark and empty. And lonely. Without her, life had no meaning.
He sat down at the kitchen table and waited, glad Grandpa wasn’t here tonight. He’d had supper with Paxton and his family and was coming early in the morning to go to Dallas with them. Chase was already in Dallas. Moonlight streamed through the windows and he didn’t turn on the light. He couldn’t stand the quiet. It was eating away at him. He pulled out his phone to call Phoenix, and then he heard her car. Unbelievable joy filled him and he knew he loved Maribel more than anything in this world. But how were they going to make this marriage work without love? Without her love?
She came into the kitchen, her hair all around her. “Where have you been?” he asked.
“Where have you been?” she countered.
“I went to Rowdy’s for a beer.”
She placed her purse on the table. “You didn’t stay long.”
“No. That’s not my life anymore. Did you go to Rosie’s?”
“I went to talk to Mrs. Peabody.”
“Did it help?” He was hoping beyond everything that it had. At least she was trying and that meant a lot.
She pushed her hair away with a nervous hand. “I just need time, Elias. Please.”
Oh, man. When she said please, he melted and realized he would do just about anything she wanted. “Okay.”
“Okay,” she said, and headed for the bedroom. After a moment, he slowly followed her and saw she was already curled up beneath the comforter. Usually, he would have wrapped his arms around her and they would have gone to sleep together. As much as he wanted to, he didn’t reach out for her, though. He wasn’t caving. He was serious about this. She had to come to grips with the past so she could live in the future. He just didn’t know if he had that much patience.
* * *
MARIBEL COULD BARELY crawl out of bed the next morning. She’d been silently crying when Elias had come to bed. The relief she’d felt at his presence had only made her cry that much more, soaking her pillow with her tears in order to keep Elias from hearing her. She’d wanted to curl against him, but she resisted. Her mind was a mass of confusion.
After Elias was in bed, she’d thought back to the years of her childhood and had remembered all the times her mother had protected her from her father. She would make them turn down the TV and go to their rooms when she would hear his truck come home. She had never wanted them to get hit. Her mother could sew beautifully and she’d made a lot of Maribel’s and Rosie’s clothes. She had taught them how to sew and it was one of Maribel’s fondest memories of time spent with her mother. So many things went through her mind and by the time she had finally fallen asleep, the resentment had ebbed away with the tears on her pillow.
She’d wanted to talk to Elias this morning, but there wasn’t time. It would have to wait until after the game. Right now their focus was on Chase and the championship. She fixed breakfast, packed and then rushed to the diner to get things started for the day. Most people were headed for the game and there wouldn’t be much traffic. Tomorrow, the diner would be closed as most businesses on the square would be, even the courthouse.
Grandpa was pacing in the breakfast room when she returned. She grabbed her bag, a couple of pillows and a blanket for Grandpa. It was a chilly December day and he’d probably go to sleep in the back seat.
Finally, they were on their way. Grandpa talked most of the time, but as expected, he was soon snoring. Elias didn’t say anything, just drove steadily toward Dallas. She didn’t feel like talking, either. She was tired. She pushed back the seat and thought about Christmas. They still had to get a tree and she had to go shopping. The easy movement of the truck lulled her into a relaxed state. In her mind, one word kept humming: tomorrow, tomorrow. She and Elias would talk and hopefully she could open up and say exactly what she was feeling. Tomorrow.
* * *
IT WAS LATE afternoon by the time they got to Dallas and checked in to their rooms. They all went over to the hotel where the football players were staying and visited with Chase. He was nervous about tomorrow, but then they all were.
The next morning, they were up early, had breakfast and headed for AT&T Stadium. They found their seats and soon the whole Rebel family arrived. Grandpa sat by him and his mother sat by Maribel. The rest of the family sat around them. Wyatt and Hardy and their families, including Bubba’s family, the Wiznowskis, were to their right. Judge Henley’s family and friends were to the left. The McCray clan gathered behind them. The town of Horseshoe was well-represented. Just about everyone was there.
Since Horseshoe was a small school, the game started at 11:00 a.m. The bigger schools’ championship games were later in the day. Chase waved to them from the field, but now his focus was on football. The Cowboys were in blue and white. The Oakridge Cougars were on the other side of the field in red and white. They hadn’t lost a game, either and that worried Elias. They were going to be a tough team to beat.
The Cougars won the toss and elected to receive. The first half was a nail-biter. By the time it ended they were tied at 14–14. The Cougars were shutting down Billy Tom and he was having a rough time getting the ball off to Chase. Plus, he was getting banged-up. The second half was just as tense. The Cougars scored in the third quarter and they were up by seven. The Horseshoe Cowboys were struggling and Elias felt like he had acid in his stomach. Then Billy Tom got away and lobbed a pass to Chase and they tied it up. But the Cowboys were getting tired and the Cougars still looked fresh. They were down at the ten-yard line ready to score again, but the Cowboys held them to a field goal. The score was 24–21 and time was running out. With six seconds left on the clock, they had the ball on the fifty-yard line. Coach Pringle called a timeout.
“Chase is going to be devastated if they lose,” Maribel said.
“It’s not over yet,” Grandpa replied. Elias was too nervous to speak. The Cougars on the sidelines were already celebrating. They were holding up signs that read State Champs.
“What can they do?” Maribel asked. “They’re too far away for a field goal to tie it and they keep sacking Billy Tom.”
“They have to get the ball to Chase. That’s what they have to do,” Grandpa told her.
The guys were in a circle on one knee and Coach Pringle was in the center with a clipboard and paper. He was drawing plays and the guys were listening. They needed a miracle.
“It has to be a Hail Mary pass to Chase.” Elias finally found his voice. “That’s the only way they can win this thing.”
Nobody responded because they all knew the team had been trying to do that most of the fourth quarter and had been unsuccessful. They had Chase covered like a blanket.
The teams lined up again for the last six seconds. Everyone was on their feet and holding their breaths. The center hiked the ball to Billy Tom and the Cougar defense was fast on him. He quickly tossed the ball to the running back, Pee Wee Polansky, Brandon’s younger brother. Pee Wee drew back and threw the ball as hard as he could toward the end zone and Chase. Everyone watched as it spiraled, spiraled and spiraled toward Chase. Three Cougar players surrounded him.
Elias watched with his heart in his throat. “It’s over his head,” Elias shouted. “Dammit.”
Maribel grabbed his hand and squeezed. He held on as the ball came down over Chase’s head. But with his right hand, he reached back and tipped it forward. It bobbled in the air and everyone leaped for it. Chase’s hands were there first and he brought it down to his chest and fell to the ground.
The referee signaled touchdown. The clock ticked to zero. The Horseshoe Cowboys had won in a last-minute thriller. Pandemonium ensued. The team piled on Chase, but he wiggled out and ran toward Elias and Maribel. He climbed over people, benches and into the stadium. He grabbed Maribel and Elias and hugged them.
“We did it, Dad! We did it. Did you see?”
“You bet I did.” He hugged his son so tight his arms hurt.
“This is for you, Dad.” He handed Elias the football. “I’ll sign it when we get home.”
His throat closed up and words eluded him as he took the football.
“Do you think the scouts were watching?” Chase asked.
“You know they were,” Grandpa replied, holding on to Chase with all his strength. Scouts were already recruiting him. They’d gotten several calls and offers. Chase was going to play college football. He just had to make up his mind where he wanted to go. People were shaking his hand and patting him on the back. Elias noticed Coach Pringle trying
to get their attention.
“Coach wants you back on the field,” he said to Chase. “And you ran right by Jody. She was waiting for you.”
“Oh, man. Oh, man. I gotta go.” He leaped from the stands back onto the field and ran straight toward Jody, grabbing her and swinging her around in a bear hug.
Elias looked toward Wyatt and he was frowning. Get used to it, Wyatt.
He was finally able to relax as he watched his son being interviewed on television. It was a day Elias would never forget. They stayed and watched all the festivities. Chase received the Most Valuable Player award and the team raised the championship trophy high with smiles on their faces. Zane was snapping pictures like crazy, as was Maribel. There would be a lot of pictures and reminders of this day for a lifetime.
* * *
THEY ARRIVED BACK in Horseshoe at around eight o’clock that night and Maribel was exhausted from all the excitement. People had already put signs along the highway: State Champs. It was the first state championship for this small town and everyone was elated.
She got a call from the principal’s secretary. The kids were getting the day off tomorrow from school. They had to show up for their first class and check in and then the town was throwing the football players a big party in the gym. She’d asked if Maribel could bring food and Maribel had agreed. The whole town was excited.
A honking of a horn alerted them that Chase was home. Elias ran for the back door and Chase came through it, smiling. More hugs and smiles. And then Chase talked on and on about the trick play.
“How did you catch that thing?” Grandpa asked.
“I don’t know,” Chase admitted. “I saw the ball in my peripheral vision and I just tried to reach it. When I touched it, I tried to bring it down, and I don’t know, I managed to get it in my hands.”
And on and on it went, and then the phone calls started. Everyone in the family wanted to congratulate Chase. It was midnight before they even thought about going to bed.
