Love, Alabama (Alabama Series Book 2)

by Susan Sands

  She laughed and wheezed at the same time. It was a horrible sound that made him shudder.

  “Since when did you become such a whiner?”

  “Watching you become like this makes me sick to my stomach, truth be told. Mom, you used to take care of our home and keep things clean. You’d never have smoked in a million years. I’m looking around and I can’t believe it.”

  His mother’s hair looked like a small animal had taken up residence and was nesting there, and her shirt was stained and wrinkled. She took a long drag on her cigarette and looked around, then nailed him with a glare. “You don’t have an opinion here.” Her voice was raspy and bitter.

  The air was still, as the smoke hung in waves, and the sharp silence created a tension that squeezed Matthew’s heart and his lungs. She was right. He’d sent her money to appease his guilt, but he’d not allowed any emotional investment in several years. He’d cut her off.

  “You’re right, Mom. I left and I pretended I didn’t care. I don’t blame you for being angry with me,” he said.

  She didn’t respond to his statement. “If you think being a woman alone in a town like this is easy, think again. They judge you and they laugh at you because you’re not good enough.”

  “Who laughs at you, Mom?” he asked.

  She pointed to nothing and no one in particular. “All of them. All the old gossiping biddies out there.”

  “Mom, how long has it been since you’ve left the house?” He ventured. An awful thought came to him.

  “What do you care? You’re doing your big shot thing out in the world. I’m just your stupid, sad old mother who can’t find the courage to go out in public and face people.”

  “So, you’re not gambling at the casinos?” Relief and dread flooded in at the same time.

  “I haven’t been anywhere in ages.” She stubbed out her cigarette and put her face in her hands and sobbed.

  He felt like the Grinch whose heart melted and grew a few sizes in his chest. An overwhelming sadness and empathy overcame him then. He moved toward his mother, who now seemed frail, and he took her gently into his arms as she wept. She continued to cry as if her world had ended. And he guessed it had, maybe a long time ago. Probably, when his dad left them to go and die alone.

  Tears rolled down his cheeks, and he wondered how this kind of sadness could hole up in hearts and stay for such a long, long time without being released.

  Then, he thought of Lisa, and how she must have taken on their mother’s burden alone, not wanting to worry him after his physical injuries and PTSD. She’d managed this as well as she could, he guessed.

  She’d quieted, so he asked, “Is Dub having an affair or were you just trying to get me to come home?”

  She hiccupped. “I’m a terrible person. I figured you’d come back if you thought Lisa needed you.”

  “So, Dub isn’t having an affair?” he asked again, carefully.

  She shook her head, but didn’t lift it off his chest. He should have been angry, but he wanted to laugh with relief. Thank God.

  So, his mother was an unemployed agoraphobic and a chain smoker, but she wasn’t a gambling addict, and his sister’s marriage was still intact. Somehow, that was better.

  He began to laugh. And laugh. Daniel the Cocker Spaniel got excited and ran over to see what the fuss was about. “Oh, no you don’t.” He gave Daniel a stern look and the dog responded by wagging his nub of a tail.

  His mother’s head popped up and she looked at him as if he’d lost his ever-loving mind. “Are you alright, dear?”

  “Mom, thank you for manipulating me to come home.” He grabbed her and kissed her cheek.

  She looked puzzled. Certainly, his response wasn’t what she’d been expecting. “Uh, you’re welcome. You mean you’re not mad at me anymore?”

  He stopped laughing. “No. I was worried you had a gambling problem and that you were wasting your hard-earned money. But what I realize is that you’re sad and scared and lonely. Those are things we can help you with. But the smoking needs to stop because it’s going to kill you.”

  “I can stop smoking—well, I’m willing to try. But I don’t know how to get things back on track. It’s all such a mess. I don’t even think I have any friends left.” She shook her head, then looked down at her hands twisting in her lap.

  “I’ll bet you’ve got more going for you than you think. And you’ve got two kids who love you and believe in you.” He smiled at her.

  “That’s what Lisa always says.”

  “We’ll take it slow. Do you feel up to taking a shower?”

  She looked at her stained clothing. “Yes. I do need to bathe. And Lisa dropped off a bag of clean clothes yesterday, so I’ll put on some clean pajamas.”

  “I’ll run by her house while you’re showering, then I’ll stop by the grocery store on the way back. I’m assuming you don’t have fresh vegetables and fruit in the house?” he asked in a kind tone.

  “Lisa tried and tried, but I kept letting them go bad, so she gave up. So, no, I don’t have any.”

  He walked over to the refrigerator and looked inside, appalled at what he saw. So, he shut it and turned back to her. “No worries. I’ll pick up some things at the store and we’ll have some nice, healthy meals for the next couple of days.”

  “I eat pretty well because Lisa drops off dinner and her leftovers to me most days.”

  That was a relief to know she wasn’t eating pizza every day. “I’ll get to work helping you get things cleaned up when I get back.”

  She looked around as if she was looking at the mess with new eyes. “I’m not sure how it got so bad.”

  “Mom, we’re going to get you back on track, okay?”

  “Do you really think I can do better?” she asked.

  “I do.” He hugged her again.

  “Oh, and honey, Lisa is happier than a pig wallowing around in a mud hole. And you ought to see your niece and nephew. They’re just the sweetest things.” A light came back into her eyes as she spoke about her grandchildren.

  It gave him a renewed hope that this would all work out. “I can’t wait to see them all.”

  *

  “So, what did you think about Mom?” Lisa asked him. His little sister, who no longer wore pigtails nor sported continuously scraped knees. Lisa was a grown woman now, and she was beautiful. Matthew could see the resemblance to their mother in her dark hair with its auburn highlights.

  “Why didn’t you tell me, Lisa? I thought she was losing her paychecks at the casinos in Biloxi.”

  “She couldn’t bear for you to know. And I didn’t quite know how to tell you that she’d slipped so low. I’ve been trying to get her to take better care of herself and her house, but she just kept getting more and more hopeless. I was glad that she even bothered to call you and ask for money. It meant that she was still trying to reach out. If she’d stopped trying to contact you, I wouldn’t have had a choice but to not honor her wishes. But I held out hope that she would come out of it eventually. I’ve been dropping off food and gathering her dirty clothes and washing them, but she wouldn’t let me clean the house.”

  “We had a pretty good talk. She’s agreed to try and stop smoking.”

  Lisa’s mouth dropped in pure shock. “You’re kidding. Well, I guess the prodigal son’s return made all the difference. I don’t mean to sound bitter, but do you know how many times I’ve tried to discuss her quitting?”

  Matthew understood how that might have gone. “I can only imagine. She was pretty angry until we both broke down,” he admitted.

  Lisa frowned, then came over and put her arms around him. “I’m sorry it came to that. But don’t you think it was about time the two of you broke down the wall, big brother?”

  He gave her a hard squeeze, then pulled back. “Yeah, it was. And it’s time I came back here and faced you, too. I’m sorry I left you to handle things with Mom. That was really shitty of me.”

  She smiled at him. “Um. Yes, it was, on the one ha
nd, but I didn’t blame you, you know? I remember you stepping in front of me when Frank was ready to rip a strip off somebody for something, and taking the blame for things I’d done so he didn’t come after me.”

  He’d pretty much forgotten. “I hadn’t even thought of that. Frank was a mean bastard. There was no way I’d have let him lay a hand on you.”

  “Well, you took enough abuse for both of us; don’t think I don’t remember. And I don’t blame you for hating Mom for looking the other way.”

  “I didn’t hate her, exactly, I just wanted her to find the guts to leave him so we could be happy again. And I have to admit; Frank was brilliant when it came to the sneak attack while mom was gone to the store or not looking.”

  “I’m a mother now; she knew. If someone were hurting my children, I would know—and I wouldn’t hesitate to kill them,” Lisa said with a calm finality that convinced Matthew without a doubt.

  “Speaking of your children, when do I get to see them?” he asked, suddenly having an intense urge to protect and love them as his own.

  Lisa smiled. “Jordan is five now, and loves soccer and Star Wars Legos and action figures. Claire is three-and-a-half; don’t ever forget the half, by the way. She adores anything Hello Kitty and wants a real kitty of her very own to love and squeeze and play dollies with.”

  His eyebrows went up at the thought of a real cat being forced into a pinafore. “That better be one docile cat or she’ll be hacked to ribbons.”

  Lisa giggled. “Exactly. Kitty better sharpen his claws if he means to take on Claire for tea party time. Oh, and she loves Star Wars Legos, too. So, there’s some contention there with big brother.”

  “So, she’s to be a star ship commander as well?” He laughed at the idea of his curly-haired little niece commanding from the bridge.

  “She wins more than half the time. Jordan is already intimidated by her interminable will. Lucky for him, he gets to go to school and have friends outside his own starship.”

  “So, I guess they’re already asleep?”

  She nodded. “They begged to stay up to see you, but meanie that I am, said no.”

  “Is everything alright with you and Dub? Mom lured me home by telling me she thought he was having an affair.”

  Laughter burst forth from Lisa before she covered her mouth to quiet it. “Oh, my. Is that how she finally got you back here. That was really creative of her, I must say.”

  “She admitted tonight that it was a ploy. Said the two of you were happy as pigs in the mud.”

  Lisa grimaced. “Icky analogy, but we’re fine. He’s crazy about the kids and still crazy about me. I miss him so much while he’s away, but offshore work pays good money and it’s solid, dependable employment since his degree is in petroleum engineering.”

  Matthew let out another sigh of relief he didn’t realize he’d been holding in. “I’m so glad to hear it. I didn’t know if there was some truth to what she was saying. You can never tell with Mom.”

  “Well, you can put that worry to rest, brother. We’re fine. He comes in next weekend. I know he wishes he were here to see you.”

  “Please give him my best.” He stretched and yawned, just now realizing how tired he was. “Well, I promised to stop by the grocery store on my way back to Mom’s house.”

  “Better hurry or the sidewalks will roll up on you.” She checked her watch. “The Buy-Low closes in twenty-five minutes.”

  “Gotta run. I’ll see you and the kids tomorrow.”

  “We’re planning on it. We’ll come over to Mom’s house. Now that you’re here, maybe we can work together and make progress with her.”

  “So, what are her finances like?”

  Lisa sighed. “I really don’t know. I know she still gets Dad’s pension pay and Social Security. Frank couldn’t get his hands on that. But I swear I don’t know. Hopefully, she’ll share that info with you.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “I’ve missed you.”

  “You, too. I’m glad to be home.” And for the first time ever, it was true.

  *

  Sadie’s parents were worried sick by the time she arrived to pick up Sarah Jane. Ben had said he would call them and she should focus on driving and her next moves.

  “Honey, do you want us to follow you?” Her mother hovered as she snapped a napping Sarah Jane into her booster.

  “I knew that boy was no good from the minute we set eyes on him. But you loved him, so we went along,” her father muttered.

  After quietly shutting the car door, she turned to her parents. “Momma and Daddy, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I’m worried and scared. Tad is a little bit crazy, and I need to protect me and Sarah Jane right now by heading straight over to Evangeline House. I can’t explain everything right this minute, but I need you to not say anything to anyone, can you do that?” They both nodded.

  “You know y’all are the most important people in the world to us. We wouldn’t do anything to put you at risk,” her mother said.

  “Can we follow you to Evangeline House?” her dad asked.

  “Yes. In fact, I’d appreciate it.”

  “How about we let your momma ride with you?”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  Her mother climbed inside her car, and Sadie’d never felt so loved as she did right then. This was awful, but it would all be okay. One way or another, she would make it through with the help of family and good friends. People could say what they liked about small towns, but right now, she was very happy she lived in one, surrounded by those she loved and trusted with her life—even though she understood Tad was just as close and might mean her harm in just a few hours.

  They made their way through town toward Evangeline House, and Sadie breathed a huge sigh of relief when she pulled into the drive. Sarah Jane woke up then and asked, “Mommy, why are we here?”

  “Honey, we’re going to go inside and have a talk about some things. I don’t want you to worry, okay?”

  “Grandmomma’s here, too, honey. Remember Miz Maureen? We’re at her house. She has the prettiest house. Did you know they have weddings here?”

  They sounded rather like they were trying to convince her to take medicine. “O-okay. But are we going back home later?” Sarah Jane wasn’t a fool. She could tell something was up.

  “Let’s go inside now, honey, and we’ll talk about everything,” Sadie just wanted to get inside the house. Inside meant safety from Tad.

  *

  Ben got word that Sadie and Sarah Jane had arrived at Evangeline House. He also knew that Tad was at city hall, which was right across from the courthouse. Ben called Judge Boudreaux’s cell phone. “Boudreaux.” The judge’s Cajun accent came through the phone with authority.

  “Judge, I’m sorry to bother you. This is Ben Laroux calling with a matter of vital importance and urgency—and sensitivity.”

  “What are you trying to sneak around and do, son?”

  Ben understood that the judge minced no words and he appreciated it. “I need an order of protection for the mayor’s wife—against the mayor.”

  Ben heard a soft whistle on the other end of the line. “Boy, do you have any idea what kind of shake-up this will cause in this town?”

  “Yes, sir. She’s made her deposition and signed the papers. He has no idea he’s to be served, and she’s in a secured location.” Ben took a breath. “And, sir, the mayor has broken more than a few laws against our citizens for which his wife has provided inarguable proof.”

  A low rumble of laughter came from the judge. “I’m coming to your office with Elizabeth, the county clerk. I won’t even tell her what’s going on until it’s done. Then it’ll be indisputable, even by our corrupt mayor.”

  “Thank you, Your Honor. Most of all, Sadie Beaumont thanks you.”

  “No, thank you. I’ve been trying to figure out how to bring this clown down since the day I was elected. You’ve just handed him to me on a plate. I’m in your debt.”
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  “I hope all goes as planned. He’s a slippery one.”

  “Tell me about it. Most folks around here think he’s the second coming. Or, maybe they’re afraid he’ll have his police department plant drugs on them if they don’t behave that way. Either way, I’m happy to do my part to cause some real trouble for the puffed up pissant.”

  The judge wasted no time dragging the unsuspecting clerk over, who was clearly giddy over causing Mayor Tad some embarrassment as well, once she realized what was happening. The judge instructed her to remember her oath as a fellow elected public official and not leak a word to anyone regarding this filing. Ben felt confident by the gleam in the woman’s eye that she only meant to celebrate the downfall of the mayor and wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that.

  Elizabeth Jones, Clerk of Court, shook Ben’s hand and nodded. “My lips are sealed, of course. I was elected to serve this county with the utmost professionalism, and I take my job very seriously. Sadly, there are others around here that do not.” She sniffed, her posture rigid and unyielding.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Jones,” Ben said.

  Mrs. Jones nodded, her job done here.

  Ben would only be able to breathe again once he was at Evangeline House with his eyes on Sadie Beaumont when this all went down. So, he thanked the judge again, assured this would be filed with the court immediately.

  Ben grabbed his briefcase and his cell phone and headed out to his car, and straight home to Evangeline House, calling Emma on the way.

  She answered on the first ring. “Hey, brother, what’s up?”

  “What time can you get away?”

  “Well, hello to you, too. What’s going on that’s got you all het up?” she asked.

  “Emma, Sadie came by my office and filed an order of protection against Tad. She’s headed to Evangeline House now where I assured her she would be safe.”

  “Oh. Oh, my. Okay, but what does it have to do with me?”

  “She found a journal he’s been keeping since the two of you met. Emma, honey, you need to see what’s inside. I don’t want to discuss this over the phone. I haven’t read it yet, but Sadie says he’s committed criminal acts against you that she’s not sure you even know about.”