“Who would we invite to come? Since we have been staying here, we haven’t really seen anyone from the streets.”
“Let me take care of that.”
“Sure, why not? I could use a pick-me-up. I’m going to shower, and save some of that for me,” I say, nodding to the bowl of crushed pills.
“Sure thing, Doll.”
I shower, dress in my old dirty clothes, and walk out of the bathroom to see Bobby passed out on the bed with the needle still stuck in his arm. I walk over to him and pull the needle out for him, and I also unloosen the belt he used for the tourniquet.
I look at the bowl on the nightstand — it is empty. I knew Bobby would use everything he crushed. Deciding he will be out of it for awhile, I get my car keys, pocket a few pain pills lying on the nightstand, and leave.
I stop by Walmart and pick Bobby and me up some new clothes and some snacks for later. Next I drive by my old house I shared with my husband and daughter and stop when I see the FOR SALE sign in the yard. I look at the quaint house Alec and I picked out together for our family home.
“Molly, close your eyes, I have a surprise for you,” Alec says, smiling his toothy white smile.
“Alec, you know I hate surprises,” I say, unable to control the smile on my lips.
“This is one surprise I think you’ll love.” He leans in and kisses me on each side of my mouth.
He holds up the black-striped tie that he is intending to use as the blindfold. “Close your eyes, Molly, or no surprise.” I pretend to pout and he says, “You do realize I find pouty Molly very sexy, don’t you?” He secures the tie around my eyes and ties it in the back. “Can you see anything?”
“No I can’t see anything, and I didn’t realize you liked pouty women,” I say, pretending to pout again.
“I don’t like pouty women, I like a pouty Molly.” I get goose bumps as he leans closer to me and I can feel his breath on my neck. “No peeking and we’ll be there in just a few minutes.”
“Where are we going?” I ask, sitting back in the seat of the car.
“It’s a surprise, so if I tell you, you won’t be surprised.” He holds my hand and interlocks our fingers together. We drive the short distance before he stops the car and puts it in park. “Stay right there, and no peeking.”
I don’t say anything, and he doesn’t wait for an answer. He opens my door for me and helps me out of the car. “Be careful,” he says, as he holds my hands and walks me through a grassy area. He turns me around and kisses me again before he removes my blindfold. I blink a few times and stare at the white house in front of me with red shutters. It has a large porch and a very large moss tree in the front yard. The sidewalk is cobblestone lined with red and white flowers. A large three-car attached garage has a basketball hoop over the center door.
“I found this house and thought it would be perfect for our family. I wanted you to see it first before I make an offer on it.”
I look up at him and say, “It’s perfect, I love it.”
“You haven’t seen the inside yet.”
“I don’t need to see the rest of it, I love it.”
Alec bends down and swoops me up in his arms before carrying me into the empty house. We made love in the house before we even bought it.
I wipe away the steady stream of tears from my face. How could I have messed up the best thing that has ever happened to me? I take the pain pills I put in my pocket earlier and chase it with some tequila I have in my purse.
I watch as a beautiful dark-haired woman walks out of the house. She locks it up before walking to her car and driving off. I stare at the FOR SALE sign in the yard before going home to Bobby.
Alec
“How is everything going?”
I look over and see Brice getting a beer from the cooler.
“It’s going better than I expected,” I admit.
“What do you mean?” Brice asks, while opening his beer and taking a long drink.
“Truthfully, I didn’t think Emma’s friends would take too kindly to me. You know, they were very close to Max. I thought they might look at me as the other man, or someone she was cheating on Max with.”
“I was afraid of that, too, so I called them and told them she was seeing someone.”
I smile at him and raise my beer to his, “Good thinking, Brice.”
“Just between us, they were relieved to hear that she was seeing someone. They were afraid she was still in mourning over losing Max.” He takes a drink of his beer and adds, “The last they knew, she was in pretty bad shape.”
I nod and look over at Emma. She is talking with several of the guys while they play with James on the jungle gym. She looks up at me, smiles, and waves. “I hate that she had to go through that.”
“Me, too. She was always the go-to-person for the ‘Army wives.’” He laughs and uses air quotes. “They always went to her for support or advice.”
“I can see them doing that — I know that she has inner strength. Just look at her today.” I watch Emma before looking back to Brice.
“After Max’s death we didn’t get to return home for his memorial service. We all sent sympathy cards to her, James, and the family.” He takes a drink of his beer and says, “When we did return home, she and James were already gone.”
“Gone? What do you mean they were gone?” I watch him and give him my undivided attention.
“Brooke said that Max’s parents and her parents packed them up and moved them back to Florida right after his memorial service. Emma didn’t have much time to say goodbye to anyone or anything.”
“Why are you guys looking so serious? This is supposed to be a party.” Emma smiles and wraps her arms around me.
“I was asking Alec if he wanted to help me clean out the gutters tomorrow,” Brice says with a serious face.
“Unfortunately I have work and won’t be able to. Sorry, Brice, I really wish I could help you with that.” I laugh and take another drink of my beer. Good thinking, Brice.
When everyone leaves for the night, Emma and I get the kids bathed and ready for bed. Brooke and Brice stayed over and helped us with the cleanup in the yard. I have work tomorrow morning and have arranged for mom and dad to keep Raelynn. Emma’s friends will still be in town, and Emma and James will do something with them. I shower in the guest bathroom while Emma takes a bubble bath in the master bath. It has been a long emotional day for James and Emma.
Emma comes to bed, wearing a white tank top and blue sleep shorts. I lift the covers for her to climb under. She leans over and kisses me. “Thank you for being here with us today.”
“You’re welcome. Did you think I wouldn’t be?”
“No, but I’m just glad you were here. I was afraid maybe you would feel out of place or uncomfortable,” she says, wrapping her small arms around my stomach as she rests her head on my chest.
“You’re welcome. I thought it was a very nice party, and it was exactly what Max would have wanted.” I kiss the top of her head and say, “Emma, I was looking over the list Max wrote for you to do and I was thinking, would you like to go on a sunset dinner cruise with me next weekend?”
She lifts her head from my chest and looks at me, “I would love to go with you.”
“Good, I’ll call Marina Jacks tomorrow and make the reservations for us for Saturday.”
“I’ll see if mom and dad will keep the kids for the night,” she says, smiling at me.
“For the night, as in the entire night?” I ask hopefully.
“That is usually what ‘for the night’ means: all night long, until dark to daylight, nighttime until daytime.” She laughs at me.
“I know what it means,” I roll over until I am lying on top of her. “I’m just a little excited to think that I’ll have you for an entire night alone.” I kiss the tip of her nose, before kissing her on her lips.
The next morning Emma asks me if Raelynn can stay with her at the house. She tells me that whatever plans the girls make, she would like Rael
ynn to be included. She also tells me that the guys are renting a charter fishing boat for the day and won’t be around.
On my way to work, I call mom and tell her I won’t be needing her after all. I get a call from Madison, who tells me she has an offer on the house and it is just below the asking price. I tell her to accept it and do whatever needs to be done to get the sale finalized. I am seven months into the year, and I am ready to move forward with my life. I call Marina Jacks at lunch and book a sunset dinner cruise for Emma and me. Excited to have her to myself for an entire night, I text her and tell her to arrange child care for the kids for Saturday night.
Work goes by quickly. We have a stroke victim, an older couple in a motor vehicle accident, along with a male brought in from a jet skiing accident. People should not drink while boating. I give report to the on-coming shift and shower before heading home. Emma calls me and asks what I want for dinner, so I stop by Bob Evans and get one of their family meals.
When I walk into the house, Emma, James, and Raelynn are playing the game Operation at the dining room table.
“Hi, daddy,” Raelynn says, smiling with red cheeks.
I smile, walk over to her, and say, “Hi, Rae, did you have a good day today?”
“Yep, we went to the beach today and Brooke built the biggest sandcastle ever!” she says, excitedly.
I kiss Raelynn, ruffle James’ hair, and kiss Emma after I place the food on the table. “That sounds like fun.”
“We went to the beach and took all the kids. The ‘Army wives’ wanted to go to the beach before they leave to return home, so we spent the day swimming and building sandcastles.”
“James, did you have a nice time today?”
“I did, and I found another lucky rock.”
“Wow, another lucky rock, good for you.” I lean over and see that he is holding a black sea rock in his small hands. “That sure looks like a very lucky rock.”
I follow Emma into the kitchen with the food to get some plates, drinks, and silverware. We sit around the table and share events of the day. Emma is returning to work tomorrow after taking a couple days off. I am off the next two days; I’ll watch the kids since they are out of school for the summer.
The next night we meet everyone at the Cheesecake Factory at the University Town Center, where we have dinner. Emma’s Army family is leaving to return home tomorrow and they vow to stay in touch and to get together again next year. Emma cries as she says her goodbyes to everyone.
“To the beginning of a new tradition,” Lanford says, holding up his water glass.
“Until next year,” Wilson adds. “We’ll have it at our place next year. July 4th is a great time to party.”
We clink our glasses to the toast and a new tradition. We talk excitedly about doing this again next year, but finally we must say our goodbyes.
On Saturday, Millie and Gene pick up the kids at noon. Emma and I don’t have plans until this evening for the sunset dinner cruise. Millie and Gene are planning on taking the kids to the movies, out for pizza, and then play a round of mini golf.
“Raelynn, I should assume you’ll be a good girl while you’re away.”
“Yes, daddy. I’ll make you proud of me.” She giggles, and it reminds me that she doesn’t need to be reminded to be good.
“James, should I also assume you’ll also be a good boy while you’re away?” I say, jokingly.
“Yes, Rae’s daddy, I’ll make you proud of me, too.” James giggles.
Emma and I kiss and hug each of the kids before they leave. We stand on the front porch and wave as they back out of the driveway and leave. I hold the door open for Emma, but she stops in the doorway. “Do you hear that?”
I walk in behind her and listen, “No, I don’t hear anything.”
“I know, I think it’s a first. No noise, nothing but silence. Aww, I love this sound.”
I close the door behind us and Emma and I have a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade. The fruit trees in the back that she and James planted are producing a small amount of fruit. We stay in the house in the air-conditioning and just enjoy the silence. Once it becomes too much, Emma turns the music on low.
“You couldn’t take the silence any longer, could you?” I smile at her.
“No, I couldn’t. I know I’m pathetic, but I miss the kids. Besides, whenever it is too quiet, I think that James is getting into something he should not be getting into.”
“We still have time to cancel on the dinner cruise for tonight.”
She leans into me and whispers, “I miss them, but I don’t miss them that much.”
My phone rings and I stand to answer it. I am shocked to see it’s from Molly’s mom. “It’s Bridget,” I say to Emma.
“Hello, Alec here,” I answer.
Bridget says, “Molly is here!”
“What does she want?”
I look at Emma as she stands and walks over to me with concern in her eyes.
I say, “Whatever you do, do not give her any money.”
I listen to Bridget and then say, “I’m on my way, and I’ll be there soon.”
I hang up and look at Emma, “Molly’s at her mom and dad’s house.”
“What does she want?”
“I have no idea, but we need to get over there.”
“Alec, I think you should go over there alone. I’m the last person she wants to see.”
“I’m not going without you; do you have everything you need?”
“Just give me a minute.” Emma walks into the bedroom and returns a few minutes later wearing a pair of jeans and a tee shirt.
We pull up at Sam and Bridget’s house and I hold Emma’s hand as we walk the short distance to the porch. I hear crying coming from inside the house. I open the door and hold on to Emma’s hand with her safely behind me.
Bridget and Molly are sitting on the couch and they are both crying. Sam is standing in the doorway with his arms crossed. “Bridget and Sam, is everything all right?”
Molly and Bridget looks up at me with tears on their faces. “It’s a bit of a mess, I’m afraid, Alec,” Sam says, moving away from the doorway.
Emma stands beside me, not letting go of my hand. “Molly, what’s going on?” I ask, not moving from the doorway.
Sam gestures to the loveseat and says, “Please sit down.”
Emma and I walk further into the house and we sit side by side on the loveseat. I lean forward and rest my elbows on my knees.
“Alec, Molly’s here for help,” Bridget announces through sobs.
“Molly, is this true?” I ask, not taking my eyes off of Molly.
She nods her head and wipes away the steady stream of tears from her eyes and cheeks. “I am, I miss my daughter.”
I know I should feel sympathy for her, but this is nothing new. Molly has asked for help on several different occasions and has never followed through with any of the drug programs. “And why is this different from any other time?”
“Alec?”
Bridget starts to talk, but Molly interrupts her, “No, mom, Alec has a right to be leery of me.” Molly turns in her seat so she is facing me. “Emma, I’m sorry for showing up at your son’s birthday party, and your job…,” she says, before she is interrupted.
“Oh, Molly, please tell me you didn’t?” Sam asks.
“I did, dad, and I am so sorry. I am a mess and I need help. I want to get help.” She wipes away the tears without taking her eyes off of Emma. “I have been stalking you, and I have no idea why.”
I look at Emma and she nods to Molly.
“And what about the threats you made the day you showed up at James’ party?” I ask.
“What threats?” Emma whispers.
“Molly, what threats is he talking about?” Sam asks, sternly.
“Alec, I wasn’t well when I made those.”
“But you remember making them,” I say, looking directly at Molly.
She lowers her head and whispers, “I do; I remember what I said and I�
�m sorry.”
“Molly, what did you say?” Sam walks from the doorway to the fireplace.
Molly looks around the room and then looks at Emma. “I’m sorry, I said I was going to hurt you.”
“Molly, no,” Bridget cries.
“I didn’t mean physically.” Molly says, looking at her lap. “I was going to tell everyone what a home wrecker you are.”
“What else did you say? Tell them the rest!”
“Please, Alec, don’t make me say the rest.”
“What else, I want them all to hear all of it. Tell them everything.”
“I’m sorry, Emma.” She looks at Emma with remorse in her eyes. “I said I would go to your son’s school and announce how you destroyed my marriage.”
“Oh, Molly, no!” Bridget cries.
“I’m sorry, I need help. I never meant any of it, and I never would have done that. I was just mad and hurt.”
“You would go to my son’s school and tell lies like that? Lies that could potentially destroy me and my son?” Emma says, barely above a whisper.
“Please forgive me. I watch you and you are so good to my daughter, and I appreciate that. I didn’t realize how much I needed help until I got the get-well card from Raelynn. She looks so happy, and she is so beautiful. I love and miss her so much. Emma, I think you are responsible for her making me that card.”
“It was her idea to make it. Alec and I just got the craft items out, and then she and Alec mailed it for you.”
“I know, I watched them as she placed it in the mailbox.”
Bridget hugs Molly and I can see hope in Bridget’s eyes. I’m afraid she is getting her hopes up for nothing.
“Molly, you have been watching Emma’s house?” I ask, a little louder than I wanted.
“Yes, I’m sorry. I know I have a problem, well, two problems, and I want help. I need to get help. I have nowhere else to turn.”
Sam walks over to me and asks, “Can you help her, Alec?”
“Molly, where have you been?” I ask, not taking my eyes off of hers.
“What do you mean? I just told you I have been watching Raelynn.”
“No, before that. You left over a year ago and have just recently returned. Where did you go? I thought you were dead, your parents even thought you were dead. You just left and never contacted anyone until recently. Where were you, and where did you go?”
Broken Lives Page 12
