So, this is what he’d been stewing over the past couple days. She was so proud of him just for thinking it, even if they couldn’t actually carry it out, but also scared. You didn’t mess with these men and get away with it.
“You’re right. We’ll find the hole.”
* * *
A week later, she had seen a birthday card in the pile of mail. How come he hadn’t told her, she wondered. She guessed that couldn’t have come up easily. ‘Hey, let’s smuggle the girls away from the crazy men, putting ourselves in danger. Oh and by the way, it’s my birthday. Let’s celebrate.’
Yeah, she understood.
She wondered if he had anything planned, with his parents maybe. She still had not met them. She was ok with that. The thought of seeing his mom who had been tortured for 29 years made her shudder. What do you say to a person like that?
She was almost done making her grandmas chili when he peeked around the corner.
“Hey,” he said smelling the chili and walking over to peer into the pot.
“Hey, it’s about done. Hope you’re hungry.” She cooked the chili today because of the strong smell. She had quickly whipped up a batch of blueberry cupcakes and didn’t want him to smell them and give it away. It seemed to be working. “Why don’t you go have a seat and I’ll bring you a bowl.”
He did what she asked. She pulled a cupcake out of the cooled oven. Removed the wrapper and topped it with Cool Whip and a cherry. There was no way of getting candles without him seeing so, she just made do.
She rounded the corner smiling, wearing the new dress he had picked out for her, with her apron over it.
“Happy Birthday, baby.”
He laughed surprised, covering his heart in a fake heart attack.
“How did you know?”
“I have my ways...ok, I saw the birthday card you left on top of the mail on the desk.”
He looked up at her as she set it in front of him.
“Nobody has ever made me a birthday treat before.”
“What? You’re kidding me? Your mom never...?”
“My dad doesn’t like sweets, therefore no sweets in the house.”
“Alex. That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. Even I got birthday cake. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, this is great. Thank you.” He got up and hugged her, his arms wrapped tight around her waist.
She kissed him and things quickly made a turn. His grip tightened as he deepened the kiss. He picked her up and gently set her up on the table edge, pushing his papers to the side, letting them flutter to the floor. She was leaning back, his lips on her neck, his hand pushing her dress up her thigh…when the phone rang.
He grunted in frustration and gave her a look. She tried not to giggle at his expression, and failed, as he lifted her back up and set her on the floor. He walked over to pick up the old off white receiver.
“Hey, Mom.”
Mom? He said Mom. Elena was listening intently.
“Thanks...I did get it actually...Yeah...she’s...she’s great...Really?...Um, Ok. Well...Yeah, sure I guess...Ok, be there in an hour.” He hung up and looked at her apologetically. “Do you think that chili would make a good lunch tomorrow? They want us to come over for supper. I’m sorry. My dads really spur of the moment.”
“It’s ok. Yeah, the longer it sets the better it is actually. So, I’m going to meet your parents then, huh? Hmmm.” She tried to look calm, but inside she was freaking.
Big time.
“El, you dazzle everyone you meet. It’ll be ok. I know for a fact my mom will love you. I wouldn’t concern yourself with whether my dad likes you or not.” He was already sitting back at the table, smiling. “Before we go though, I’m going to eat my treat, I sure won’t get one at my parents house.”
* * *
“El? You ready, babe?” he said in the nicest tone possible to tell someone they’re taking too long.
“Yeah, just a sec,” she called.
She loved it when he called her El.
One last glance in the mirror and she was coming down the hall. She knew she was freaking but couldn’t stop herself. Her hands were shaking. He saw her distress and grabbed her face to pull her close.
“It’s ok. It’s not like meeting normal parents I’m sure. They don’t exactly have a choice, seeing as how we’re already married and all,” he smiled smugly and playfully.
He was right.
She took a deep breath, kissed him quickly and grabbed her favorite sweater of his out of the closet as they headed out the door.
“How should I act? Should I act happy around your mom? Is she expecting me to be...a certain way?” Elena’s endless questions poured out at him as they drove.
“Um...I don’t think so. Mom’s pretty...chill. I wouldn’t go into detail with her but just...be yourself. Just don’t speak to dad and you’ll be fine.”
He was pulling into their drive now. She was stiff with fear, scared to death of the stories about his dad. Worried she wouldn’t be able to keep her composure around his mom. He put his hand on hers and squeezed, looking at her green eyes with his blue ones.
“Let’s go,” was the only thing left for him to say.
Alex’s dad met them at the door. He looked past Elena and shook hands silently with Alex. She was use to this behavior and didn’t think twice about it as she stepped in through the open door. The table was already set and the house was immaculate. Very old fashioned and earthy, but Elena was sure that was Alex’s dads idea. There was an antlered buck head hanging over the entertainment center and a tasseled cowboy bear hide blanket thrown over the loveseat.
Alex introduced Elena to his father and he waved her off, dismissing her without another word.
Alex motioned for Elena to follow him to the kitchen.
“Mom,” he called, when she turned she beamed at him, he introduced her. “Mom, this is Elena. Elena, this is my mother, Rachel.”
She was a small woman, a bit shorter than Elena.
She was wearing a cotton dress and apron with daisies on it. She reminded Elena more of her grandma than her mother. Her hair was brown, but graying and pulled back in a disheveled bun and her eyes were full of twenty nine years of worry and anguish. She crossed the kitchen towards Elena.
“Well, let me look at you.” She took Elena’s arms and stretched them out to get a better look. “Well, you are a pretty young thing aren’t you.” Elena smiled shyly not knowing what else to do.
“Nice to meet you,” Elena said.
“You too, though I wish it wasn’t under these circumstances.”
She then turned and walked back to the stove and resumed her stirring.
Alex looked at Elena, squeezed her hand and headed for the living room. Elena had no parent experience, even though these weren’t normal circumstances. She walked over and asked what she could do. Rachel said to grab some glasses and fill them with ice. She did and soon they both were getting everything on the table and taking their seats beside the men.
Alex’s dad dug in first waiting for no one or nothing. Rachel had prepared lasagna. No salt, probably the way Alex’s dad liked it. Dinner was quiet except for Alex asking questions about things, general conversation, taking turns between his dad and mom. She only spoke in response to a question and then resumed looking at her very interesting plate.
After dinner, Alex’s dad motioned for Rachel to grab something on the bakers rack behind her, then handed Alex a small wrapped package. He opened it and inside was a key. His dad proceeded to tell him that the old boat in back that Alex rode as a kid was now his.
“It needs lots of work and the motor doesn’t run anymore but, you’re good with your hands. It’ll give you something to do,” his father said gruffly and curtly.
“Thanks, dad,” Alex said still looking down at the key, he seemed to be grinning tight lipped.
The second he was done with his gift, Rachel was up and clearing the table. Elena jumped up to help and gathered all the glasses. Th
at waitressing job in Tennessee when she was seventeen was paying off now more than ever.
She headed to the kitchen and loaded the dishwasher while Rachel put leftovers in containers. When she turned she was surprised to see that she was so close. She looked sad and weary as she spoke quickly and quietly.
“Elena, how is my son?”
“He’s fine,” Elena answered not fully understanding where she was going with the question.
“No. No, I mean....how is he with you?”
“Oh, um, fine. Everything’s fine.”
“Elena, please, I’m not a member of this community and you have nothing to fear from me. I tried my best with him, with what I had to work with. I just want to know if he’s...if he’s like his father.”
She thought for just a moment and decided Rachel deserved to know. After all she’d been through, she just wanted to know if her son was a good person.
“Rachel,” she whispered quickly, “your son is amazing. He is so sweet and...gentle and has been nothing but gentlemanly with me since I got here. He hasn’t hurt me. Hasn’t made me do anything I didn’t want to.”
“And yet he still chose this life, though it’s not like he had much of a choice.” Rachel was crying now. She reached for Elena and hugged her tight. “Thank you, child.”
Elena wanted so badly to tell her everything, how good her son actually was but she felt a tug on her arm. She finally pulled enough from her embrace to see Alex and his dad standing with them. Alex looked confused as to his mothers’ upset but said nothing. They hugged and said their goodbyes. Alex murmured his thanks for the dinner and the gift.
It was raining now. They rushed to the truck and when Elena looked back, no one was watching them go.
Chapter 7
When they pulled into the driveway he asked what had happened with his mother. Elena told him the truth.
“I answered her question. I told her you had been a gentleman and hadn’t hurt me. That you were a good man.”
He understood now. She thought he was a monster like all the rest and now was relieved by Elena’s confession. He was grateful. His mother had tried so hard over the years to bring him up the best way she new how. He recognized that.
“Thank you, Elena, for giving her some peace.” He spoke softly and caressed her cheek.
She smiled shyly.
“She’s seems like a great lady, nothing like my mom. You’d think after all these years she’d be numb but, she cares about you so much. I feel bad for her,” she said looking out the window at the beads beating down on the glass.
He stepped out and ran to her side of the truck opening the door. It was pouring still and there was standing water everywhere. Elena stepped out...slipped, tripping him, they both fell right in the puddle beside the front tire.
They gasped and then laughed so hard they could barely get up. He helped her once he finally got to his feet. He shut the open door and pushed her easily against the side of the truck. Taking her face in his hands and pressing his body against her. He kissed her, so much more passionately than he ever had.
They were drenched and muddy but didn’t care. He was so thankful to her, for more than one reason. Elena had given him something he never expected.
She pulled her fingers through his side belt loops, crushing him to her, showing him how much she wanted him too. The wind was blowing and the rain had not let up. He was still kissing her, water dripping down their faces, washing away all the mud and dirt.
He lifted her up against the truck side and ravished her mouth with his. With not a care in the world, for the moment, he made love to his wife in the rain.
* * *
Alex asked Elena to make a grocery shopping list, as they would head into town that Saturday afternoon. They went shopping once a week. He liked her to make whatever she wanted for meals as he liked her cooking. She loved to cook and make new things and he loved to try new things so, it was perfect.
Elena was good at it too, often spicing up and tweaking her grandmother’s recipes. She was writing the list out, thinking of what to make tonight. Alex loves my ziti. She liked the fact that he never complained, about anything. He was laid back and easy going for the most part. He loved her cooking and odd cleaning methods and often found it humorous.
She liked to have specific days for specific chores. She was definitely a list and schedule person. She had spotted him laughing at her before on more than one occasion, her trying to remember what day it was, for what chore. Monday? Laundry? Or bathrooms?
She could be more lax but preferred to just have a plan. That’s why she was so worried about Alex’s plan. It really wasn’t a plan at all. It was an idea that seemed so far fetched to her and open and crazily unhinged. She didn’t see how they could actually carry it out.
She wanted to, desperately. Her heart ached for the girls. She just didn’t want to put them in any more danger by doing something shaky.
Alex, on the other hand, hadn’t stopped the wheels from turning, constantly thinking about it, plotting. He was set and determined that doing something was better than doing nothing. Elena admired that but couldn’t apply it to herself. She knew he was a good man, and she so loved him for it. It reminded her of something her Grandma used to say. It’s amazing to see how the Big Man pulls goodness and grace from adversity. Grace...
She smiled at that thought and a hint of sadness hit her as she remembered her grandmother. She was glad she wasn’t here for this though. She would have never understood, and never stopped looking for her. Another blessing in disguise.
She had received good news today though. Amy, the brunette, the first wife she met who’s married to Roger, had called her this morning and told her that things were so much better in their house.
She had done what Elena said, though fought it in the beginning. Once she gave in and committed to it, to just trying to be his wife - whatever than meant to him - it got better almost instantly. Roger was even being nicer to her. She said he even did the dishes for her the other day when she wasn’t feeling very well. This shocked the heck out of Elena, remembering him and his gruff ways and his hard hand.
Elena was so happy to hear this and surprised that Amy was allowed to use the phone. Things must be going very well. Amy also told her that another wife who had had dinner with Elena already said things weren’t a lot easier but smoother in her house thanks to Elena’s advice. This was the most Elena could have asked for.
* * *
Alex left their home alone on occasion, to run small errands, not gone too long at one time. It was a little tedious trying to keep up appearances, but she understood. It was more important now than ever to pretend like she was adjusting to her new life. It actually wasn’t pretending at all. She’d had adjusted quite well to Alex.
She often wondered how all this had happened. He was her soul mate, if there was such a thing. He was funny, and liked to play and make her laugh. He was smart and down to earth. He liked to relax, read, listen to music, watch old movies. He was her ideal man.
Ideal husband.
Growing up back in Tennessee, she never really had any boyfriends or many friends for that matter. She was kind of a loner. Not in the same class as everyone else. There were no secrets in a small town. Everyone knew about her family, especially her parents, who felt no need to hide anything.
Elena’s best friend was whoever was new in town. She always felt bad for the new kid.
Then, once they settled into whichever clique they had been accepted into, she was a loner again. Never fitting into the only town and people she had ever known. She graduated, barely. Smart but school definitely wasn’t her forte. She felt like a prisoner forced to dig ditches. She would have rather dug ditches that sit, hour after hour listening to someone say that if you didn’t learn why electrons orbited the nucleus of an atom, you would never go to college or get a job, and you would live in the streets with the rest of the high school drop outs.
She had always chuckled to herself at
the mental picture and the atrocious exaggeration attached to it.
Alex on the other hand, had been great in school. He was home schooled, as all the kids are in the community. Loved to read then as well, and when he got into a subject he delved head first full speed, until he could learn no more about it. He had a few friends. The families hung out together on weekends sometimes.
What was normal and a big deal to outsiders wasn’t necessarily normal and grand to them. They led simple lives. From the outside it would look like a great place to raise a family; friendly neighbors, nice homes, nice families, nice community. It was the perfect facade. Alex didn’t feel much about anything when he was young. He didn’t understand that there was something outside this life.
When he got older his own conscience began to gnaw at him. He couldn’t put his finger on it but knew this wasn’t the way, the right way. He could only thank his mother for planting the seed somehow.
* * *
Alex stood at the door, watching her making her list. She hadn’t heard him come up. He loved watching her. She was open and real, never pretending to be someone else. She glanced up to the ceiling, closing her eyes, as if looking in her brain for something she was forgetting. He chuckled at her and she turned to look at him.
“Home already? I haven’t even started dinner yet,” she proclaimed, shoving the list to the side and heading for the kitchen. She stopped, turned and walked toward Alex. She kissed him running her hand through his hair. It was raining again and his jacket was wet. “I’m glad your home.”
“Well, I’m glad that you’re glad. Did you get done with everything on your list today?” He was fighting a smile.
“Of course, you know me.”
“Yes...I do.” He was certain he did.
The past few months had flown by. He did know her and she knew him. They were always honest with each other, open books. They had talked all about their past and families and mistakes and jobs. He didn’t understand why he deserved her but, she was perfect for him. If he had believed in a God, he would’ve thought He must’ve sent her to him, his angel full of grace. Grace for him and his community of monsters.
Stealing Grace Page 12
