Seeking Safety

by Karen Ward

  ******

  Tom Christensen pulls his dark four door sedan to a stop in front of a modest one story ranch style home in one of Seattle's older neighborhoods just after five o'clock on the next Saturday afternoon. He notices the house appears to have a fresh coat of paint and the yard is well kept. The flower beds are all in full bloom. It is obvious the Brentwoods take pride in their home.

  As he approaches the front door of the house he takes a deep breath and a happy smile slides across his face. He knows he is about to change these folks lives forever. He loves delivering good news for a change. More often than not, he is forced to deliver sad news. He puts his sunglasses in his sport coat pocket and rings the doorbell.

  A tall man in his early fifties with graying hair and sad green eyes opens the door and asks, "May I help you?"

  Smiling warmly, Tom asks, "Hello, are you Mark Brentwood?"

  The man answers, "Yes I am. What can I do for you?"

  Tom takes a deep breath, clears his throat then continues, "My name is Tom Christensen. I am a private investigator from Los Angeles. I would like to speak to you and your wife about your daughter, Melanie."

  Mark Brentwood's face loses all its color and he leans heavily against the door frame. Tom is afraid the man may faint and is relieved when he finally stands back up straight. Mark Brentwood, his heart pounding with apprehension and his stomach twisted in knots, takes a deep breath and says, "Of course, won't you come in?"

  Tom Christensen steps inside the house and closes the door. On his right he sees a formal dining room with a large table polished to a high sheen. On his left he sees a formal living room with comfortable looking furniture and one wall of built in bookshelves loaded with books and several pictures of a young girl. The pictures must be of Melanie, he thinks. He follows Mark Brentwood down a long hall to the back of the house to a bright cheerful room best called a den where he sees an attractive older woman with graying blonde hair sitting in a comfortable recliner reading.

  As they approach the woman looks up, curiosity plainly showing on her face. Mark crosses the room to her chair, kneels at her side and grasps her hand in his. He says nervously, "Patricia, this is Tom Christensen. He's a private investigator from Los Angeles and wants to speak to us about Melanie." His voice cracks as he speaks his daughter's name.

  Patricia Brentwood's face loses all its color and she glances up at Tom Christensen. He is curious how she can be so pale and at the same time have a look of hopeful anticipation glowing from her eyes.

  "Please, sit down, Mr. Christensen. You have information about our Melanie?" she asks her heart pounding with both hope and fear. Her hands are shaking and she clasps them tightly together around Mark's hand in her lap.

  Tom takes a seat on the sofa next to Ms. Brentwood's recliner then takes a deep breath. He looks first at Mark Brentwood who is kneeling beside Patricia Brentwood's chair, a look of fear on his face. Then he returns his gaze to Patricia Brentwood, smiling warmly, he says. "Yes, I do. I was asked to contact you and tell you that Melanie is alive and well. She would like to see you if you want to see her."

  A look of sheer joy crosses both Mark's and Patricia's faces. Mark says with tears streaming down his face, "Of course we want to see her! She's our daughter, we love her!"

  Patricia Brentwood is sobbing openly and Mark puts his arm around her shoulders. She looks at her husband, tears streaming down her face, and says, "Finally, Mark, our prayers have been answered!" Looking back at Tom she continues, "Oh, Mr. Christensen, please tell us. Where is she? When can we see her? Where has she been? Oh, I have so many questions!" Her heart is pounding with joy.

  Tom's eyes fill with tears. He smiles warmly then says, "Let me start at the beginning. Melanie told us she ran away from home ten years ago at the age of fifteen. It is a decision she deeply regrets. She was hitchhiking to Spokane to meet her friends at a rock concert and was picked up by a man that drugged her and took her to Idaho where he imprisoned her in an anti-government militia compound. He held her captive at that compound for the past ten years. She only escaped a few months ago and has been in protective custody until very recently. She is now able to contact you because the danger to her from the militia group has been neutralized." He pauses as he lets the information sink in. Then he smiles and continues, "One other thing you should know, she has a nine year old son, named Eric."

  Mark exclaims happily, "You mean we're grandparents? Patricia, can you imagine?" His heart is pounding with joy. A grandson, he can't believe it!

  Tom speaks again, "I have been asked to fly you to her location if you are interested. I have a plane waiting at the airport that can leave whenever you are ready."

  Mark grabs his cell phone and makes a call while Patricia jumps up and runs into the bedroom and begins throwing clothes into two suitcases. Within half an hour they are on their way to the Seattle airport in Tom's dark sedan.

  Mark and Patricia Brentwood are beside themselves with joy, the daughter they were so afraid was dead is alive! They are on their way to see her! But when they see the luxurious private jet that is to take them to their daughter they are so surprised they turn and look at Tom Christensen, their eyes wide with shock.

  He smiles and says, "This is not mine, it belongs to someone I'm sure you've heard of, Barry Farrady. Melanie and Eric are guests at his ranch in Wyoming."

  A stunned look bordering on disgust passes over their faces. "What? How on earth did my daughter get mixed up with a famous movie star like Barry Farrady? I thought you said she is in protective custody," questions Mark.

  "No, I said Melanie and Eric were in protective custody until the danger they faced from the militia was neutralized. They actually met Barry several months ago. He rescued them from a blizzard during their initial escape from the compound in Idaho and then he personally arranged for their safety during the ensuing months," explains Tom. "If not for Barry, I doubt we would be here today."

  He sees the look of disgust on their faces and adds, "He is not at all what you are thinking. He actually is a very fine man that I am proud to call a friend. You'll like him too once you get to know him. I'm sure Barry and Melanie will answer all of your questions. Have a safe trip. A limousine will be waiting for you at the airport in Cody Wyoming to take you to Barry's ranch."

  Tom watches as the jet taxis to the runway for its short flight to Wyoming and a smile of satisfaction slides across his face. It is days like this that make his sometimes stressful profession worthwhile. He picks up his cell phone and calls Barry to let him know the Brentwoods are on their way to Wyoming.

  CHAPTER 12

  I have been a nervous wreck ever since Tom Christensen called to let us know my parents are on their way to the ranch. I have been pacing the floor and worrying about what I am going to say to them. How am I going to explain to them why I left that day? Will they understand? What if they don't? What if they are still angry with me for disobeying them? Oh God, please help me to know what to say!

  "Melanie, please sit down. You are going to make yourself sick worrying like this," says Virginia.

  Barry patiently explains, "Mom, nothing we can say is going to make any difference, she is going to worry until they get here and they get past the initial meeting."

  Virginia consoles, "Well, Melanie, dear, speaking as a mother, your parents are going to be so overjoyed to see you after all these years they aren't going to care why you left, or what you are wearing, or how your hair looks. They are only going to care that you are alive and well. Remember, they had quite a shock today. They haven't known if you were alive or dead for over ten years."

  I nod in acknowledgement. I know that Virginia is right. If my parents were mad at me, they wouldn't be on their way to see me. I take a deep breath and try to calm my nerves.

  Eric is sitting on the sofa watching his Mom. He has never seen her so nervous about anything in his life. He wonders what kind of people his grandparents are going to be. He hopes they are nice. He really hopes they don't d
o anything to hurt his Mom.

  ******

  Mark and Patricia Brentwood are absolutely thrilled. They are going to see Melanie! Their hearts are soaring with happiness. They are also apprehensive. They remember reading all about Barry Farrady's murder trial a few years ago. They still can't believe that he was acquitted. The pictures they saw of that poor girl clearly showed she had been beaten. Movie stars never pay for their crimes. It is a travesty!

  When they reach the airport in Cody Wyoming, a limousine is waiting to carry them to the ranch. They are still very skeptical about meeting Barry Farrady and are curious about the part he played in their daughter's rescue and what part he is playing now. If he is anything like what they read in those tabloid magazines they are not going to like him at all!

  As they approach the front gate of the Rock Springs Ranch and see all of the cars and vans belonging to the Paparazzi, they look at each other in total shock. How can anyone stand to live like this, constantly hounded by photographers? How can Melanie possibly be safe in a place like this? Then they see the armed security guards and razor wire fence. The place looks like a prison!

  ******

  Barry's cell phone rings, "Farrady," he answers. He listens for a minute then says, "They just turned in the gate." He takes my hand and Virginia takes Eric's hand and we walk out the front door to the circle drive. Barry can feel Melanie shaking and he smiles warmly and squeezes her hand. "Hey relax, Melanie, everything is going to be just fine."

  My heart is pounding with excitement and fear. I try to smile at Barry. What if my parents are still mad at me for running away? What if they are ashamed of me because I had a child out of wedlock? What if they don't want me and Eric to live with them in Seattle? What will I do then? Oh God, please help me to know what to do!

  Almost before the limousine comes to a complete stop, Patricia Brentwood is flinging open the door, tears streaming down her face, and wrapping me in a tight hug. Mark is right behind her enclosing both of us in a big bear hug.

  Observing the joyous reunion, Barry puts his arm around Eric's shoulders and squeezes. When he looks down at the boy he sees through his own tears, tears streaming down the boy's face.

  Eric is so happy for his Mom. These people, his grandparents seem really happy to see her. He hopes they will like him. He's never had grandparents before and he is not sure what to expect. He hopes they are nice like Barry and his Mom.

  After a few minutes, I pull away from my parents long enough to signal to Eric who walks forward and is enclosed in the family circle. Barry turns and takes Virginia's hand and they walk back toward the house. Barry is happy for Melanie but knows in his heart what it means now that her parents are here. It means that Melanie and Eric are leaving. Dread fills his heart. How will he survive? Will he ever even see them again?

  When we finally enter the great room of the huge house, I introduce them to Barry, "Mom, Dad, I want you to meet Barry Farrady and his mother Virginia. They literally saved Eric's and my lives. If Barry hadn't brought us into his home that snowy night back in January we probably would have frozen to death. If not that, Eric's father would have caught up to us and killed me. I was too sick and too weak to go any further." I look over at Barry and my eyes fill with tears.

  Then I take a deep breath and continue, "Barry and his friends from the Marine Corp have been instrumental in bringing an end to our nightmare and making it possible for us to live normal lives. They killed Eric's father when he broke into this house to kill me and take Eric. Then they rescued Eric when he was kidnapped by two of the militia members. They prevented four other militia members from kidnapping both of us the last time. To make a long story short, Barry and his friends kept us safe until the government was able to destroy the whole militia group. I'll never be able to repay them." Barry notices she has tears in her eyes.

  Mark Brentwood steps forward and shakes Barry's hand, "Thank you, Son. I will always owe you a debt of gratitude." Maybe he was wrong about the man. From what Melanie is saying, he is not at all like what he has read in those magazines.

  "I'm just glad I was able to help. Melanie and Eric have become very special to me. I want you to know that you are all welcome here anytime," responds Barry looking longingly toward where Melanie is sitting chatting with her mother and Eric.

  He tears his eyes away, looks back at Mark, and continues, "Mom has prepared a room for you next to Melanie and Eric. Let me show you where to put your bags. We are very casual here, everyone waits on themselves. Mom left a big bowl of chicken salad in the refrigerator if you are hungry. Please, make yourselves at home. I'll be in the study for a while if you need anything."

  After showing Mark where to put his and Patricia's suitcases, Barry leaves Melanie and her family in the great room to get reacquainted and Virginia retires to her bedroom. He sits behind his desk in the study and thinks back over the last few months trying to analyze his feelings for Melanie and her reactions. He and Melanie share a very definite sexual chemistry, no doubt about that. Physically he has never responded to a woman the same way as he responds to Melanie. He knows that she feels the same attraction but he's not sure she knows how rare a sexual attraction like theirs really is. While she is not physically afraid of him, she is afraid of his fame. She doesn't believe him when he tells her how beautiful she is or how much he desires her. She doesn't think she is worthy of his attentions. He is at a loss of how to convince her that he feels she is special. When he thinks about her leaving the ranch he is overcome by a deep sadness. It is as if all of the color leaves his world. What is he going to do?

  ******

  The next morning when Barry comes downstairs to the kitchen after a sleepless night he finds his mother sitting at the table chatting companionably with Patricia Brentwood. As soon as he enters the kitchen a wave of apprehension washes over him. His mother pulls him to the side and whispers, "Barrett, Melanie and Eric are leaving today. They are going back to Seattle with her parents."

  A deep gut wrenching pain takes Barry's breath away and he struggles to keep his reaction hidden. He nods and walks to the coffee maker and pours himself a cup of coffee giving him time to recover. He says softly, "I can't say that I am surprised." With a pained expression he looks at his Mom, "I can't stop her Mom. You can't possibly imagine how much I wish I could."

  She wraps her arms around him and says, "I know, Son. Give her some time. Things have a way of working out in the end." Virginia's heart is breaking for her son. She has seen how much Barry has come to care for Melanie and Eric. She prays that things will work out for them.

  Barry says longingly, "I hope you're right."

  Patricia Brentwood tries really hard to act like she didn't hear the exchange between mother and son, but she heard every word. The pain in Barry Farrady's voice was unmistakable and her heart aches for him. She understands that kind of pain. She felt it for ten long years.

  Barry takes his coffee and makes his way out to the wooden swing on the patio. He is sitting and staring out across the pasture when I approach him sometime later, "Barry? May I join you?"

  "Sure," he says, deliberately not looking at her because he is afraid she will see the pain in his eyes.

  "Barry, I want to thank you again for all you've done for Eric and me. I know I'll never be able to repay you. I've decided to go back to Seattle with my parents for a while. I hope you understand."

  "I know, I have already ordered the plane and the limousine," he replies, struggling to hide the pain in his heart.

  "You didn't have to do that," I am amazed again at how kind and generous this man is. He has done so much for us already.

  "I wanted to," responds Barry, his heart breaking.

  "Well, I guess we'll go now. Come say goodbye to Eric. He thinks a lot of you."

  "I love Eric too. I'm going to miss both of you," says Barry sadly.

  As they walk back into the house together, Barry's heart is breaking. He knows he can't make her stay, and he doesn't have any words to convince
her to stay. What is that old saying? 'If you love someone, set them free, if they come back to you they will be yours forever.' He can only hope she will come back.

  Barry gives Eric a big hug and says with tears in his eyes, "I love you little man. Come back and visit, all right?"

  Tears in his eyes, Eric replies, "I love you too Barry. I'll come back every chance I get, I promise."

  Barry stands in the drive and watches the limousine drive away with tears streaming down his face. He's not sure he will ever be happy again.

  ******

  Eric's heart is breaking. He doesn't want to leave the ranch. He doesn't want to leave Barry. He loves Barry and wants to live with him forever. He wants Barry to be his Dad. Why is his mother being so stubborn? What can he do to change her mind? He's going to miss Dani too. Maybe his Papa will at least let him call Barry and Dani from Seattle sometimes. He will have to ask him.

  ******

  As the limousine drives through the main gate of the Rock Springs Ranch, I am overcome with the feeling that I have just made the biggest mistake of my life. I saw the look of deep sadness in Barry's eyes and my heart clenched. The last thing in the world I want to do is hurt him. I owe him my life. What if it is true that he thinks I am special? What if I just walked away from the one man in the world that is the love of my life? I shake my head in denial. No, Barry Farrady is so handsome and so rich he can have any woman in the world that he desires. I can't compete with all of the beautiful starlets he is around all of the time. They are part of his movie star world, I'm not. This is for the best, for me and especially for Eric.

  CHAPTER 13

  The Brentwoods settle into a routine in Seattle. Mark returns to his job at Microsoft and Patricia and I spend hours refurbishing my bedroom and creating a new one for Eric. I allow Eric to pick out his bedspread and the color for his walls. After working so hard to paint his walls with his chosen color, I am shocked when I walk into his bedroom one evening and finds huge posters of Barry Farrady covering his walls. The pain in my heart takes my breath away when I see his smiling face staring back at me. I demand,