Charmed Life (28 page)

Damian dug her spoon and lifted a huge mound. “I like that.”

“You won’t feel better until you get to the bottom. I think there’s a secret, special feel good ingredient down there.”

“The whole thing?” Rhoda asked. “Like I’m not fat enough.”

“Hey.” Grace grabbed her hand. “Stop that.”

Rhoda looked down to her hands.

“Can you girls keep a secret?”

They both nodded.

Grace stood up from the table and ran to the bedroom. She returned. “I need some pinky swearing.” She held out her finger. Both girls locked fingers with her. “I was saving this secret and I think this is the perfect time.” She produced a photograph and laid it on the table.

Damian hovered as Rhoda lifted it.

“Who is this?” Rhoda asked.

“Me.” Grace replied of the picture of a very heavy little girl.

Damian smiled. “You were pretty.”

With a giggle, Grace ran her hand down Damian’s face.

“This is really you?” Rhoda asked.

Grace nodded. “I was your age.”

“Did you go on a diet or something?”

Grace shook her head. “Nope. I outgrew it. I grew up. So will you. If you don’t, we’ll worry about it in a few years. Because sweetie, you are not fat. Not by a long shot. This…” Grace pointed to the picture. “This is fat.”

Rhoda drew up a peaceful smile. “I’m really glad my dad married you.”

“Me, too, Sweetie.” Grace bit her bottom lip. “Can I tell you something?”

Rhoda nodded.

“Beauty comes in different ways. But real beauty, it comes from in here.” She laid a finger on Rhoda’s chest. “Deep within you.”

“But you’re lucky. You have it in both places,” Rhoda said. “Inside and out.”

Grace grabbed Rhoda’s hand and brought it to her mouth. She kissed her fingers and leaned into her. “So do you. So
 
... do you.”

+++

Holding empty dinner plates, Grace spun clockwise when Damian ran passed her. “And this is why,” she told Bobby. “We didn’t eat until eight. None of us were really hungry. After the ice cream wore off we had Ramen noodles.”

“Grace, I want to talk to you about the magazine.”

“Can you believe what the principal said? Insensitive prune.” Grace put the dishes in the sink.

“I have been waiting all night to discuss this,” Bobby said.

Damian ran into the kitchen. “Mrs. Thomas was scared. Grace threw all kinds of stuff at her.”

“You threw stuff at the principal?” Bobby asked. “Is that a good example?’

“I don’t care.”

Bobby held up his hands.

“Night, Grace.” Damian jumped up for a kiss.

Grace lifted her and set her down. “Say good night to Daddy.”

“Night, Daddy.” She darted Bobby a kiss.

“Grace? Can we talk about this?”

“Bobby …”

“You and these kids are my life. You need to know I will do whatever I need to do. OK. Whether it’s move, stay, build a fort …”

Grace giggled. “You’re cute.”

“I’m serious.”

“Night, Grace.” Rhoda came into the kitchen.

“She called you Grace.”

Grace nodded. “We made big progress today.” She bent down and kissed Rhoda.

Rhoda kissed her father and rushed out.

“I think we did good today,” Grace lifted more items from the kitchen table. “The ice cream really did wonders for the mood and …”

“Grace.” Bobby grabbed her arm. “Stop. Right now. Stop. You’re avoiding this. Talk to me.”

Grace exhaled. “I don’t care.”

“What?”

“OK, not that I don’t care. Rather I’m not worried.”

“How can that be?”

“Because Bobby,” Grace said with a smile. “It doesn’t even look like Freddy at all. Me? Only people who know me really well will recognize it. And I’m not worried. I’m not. Neither should you. Even Agent Adams said to wait and see. Right?”

“Tell me why you aren’t worried.”

“Because I built a life here. People know me. They know us. Our family,” Grace said. “No body would turn me in. No body.”

+++

“Price of food sucks,” Louise punched in numbers into the calculator as her and Tina waited in line at the grocery store.

“All part of the budget,” Tina said.

“One day we’ll be rich.”

Tina laughed. “You planning on hitting the lottery.”

“Maybe.”

“Louise, you don’t even play. Besides, things aren’t that bad.”

“Wouldn’t hurt to be rich.”

“No, it wouldn’t.” Tina started placing items on the belt. “But unless you have an easy way to do so, it might be a while before we’re rich.”

“Holy hell.”

“What?”

“We’re rich,” Louise said.

“What are you talking about?” Tina asked.

Louise answered by handing her a copy of the National Enquirer.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Of all places for her to be, working at a Bargain-Mart was last on his list. Alfonzo Carlotta looked out of place walking into the Medina store, wearing a long black boat, expensive dress clothes and a cologne that cost more per ounce than any Bargain-Mart worker made in a week.

He walked about ten feet ahead of the four suited men, all dark haired and big.

“Welcome to Bargain-Mart,” Louise said crass. She halted in handing him a cart. “Like you look like you should be shopping at Bargain-Mart.”

“Do you know where I can find Grace?” he asked.

“That your entourage?” Louise tipped her chin.

“Can you just answer the question, please?”

“Hot Dog, the fucking Mafia’s come to Medina.”

“Ma’am.” Looking forward, and not at Louise, Alfonzo extend a hundred dollar bill.

Louise took it. “Children’s clothing.”

“We have some stuffed animals,” Grace explained to a customer. “But the toys are in the toy department.”

“Thank you,” the customer said.

“No problem. Merry Christmas.” Grace smiled and returned to placing clothing on the rack.

“Cara Mia why?” the male voice sang out.

Grace looked up.

“Must we say goodbye.”

Her heart sunk. A sickening feeling shot through her body and then she smelled the cologne. She knew.

Turning, she gasped.

“Cara Mia.” Alfonzo held out his hands.

Grace backed up, bumping into the rack.

“Why are you scared of me?”

Grace swallowed.

“I have to tell you this …” he reached out and touched her smock. “This isn’t a look for you. Where’s the lipstick.”

Her shoulders heaved up and down in nervousness.

“You know why I’m here, don’t you?”

After a shift of her eyes, Grace took a step to bolt.

“Don’t,” Al said hard. “Don’t.” he stepped to her, close, whispering in her ear as he grabbed hold of her arm. “I’ve got men watching you. I’ve got men watching Freddy right now.”

Grace closed here yes.

“I’ve missed you. I’ve been looking all over for you.” He brought his lips softly to her cheek then back to her ear. “You’ve been away too long. It’s time to come home.”

“No.” Grace pulled away, shaking her head. “No. I’m not going anywhere. I have a life. I am home.”

“You have a life?” Al asked. “Really? Well, I know about your life. Your precious job here at Bargain-Mart. Your painter husband and three step children. Your life. Are they really your life, Cara Mia?”

“Al, please. What do you want from me?”

“It’s pretty simple. Not much at all. Just walk away from the rack, get in the car with me and we’re off.”

Grace shook her head. “I can’t. I can’t leave my life here.”

“Your life given to you by the witness protection?” Al asked. “I’m not stupid. And right now, you don’t have a choice. How much do you love them all, Cara Mia? How much. Like I said. It’s pretty simple, your life, your testimony. For theirs.”

Grace closed her eyes.

“What will it be?”

“Let me go to my house and get some things and I’ll go with you.”

“There’s nothing you need there. You’ll just get in the car.” Al took hold of her arm again.

“No,” Grace said stern. “I’ll go, but I have to get some things first. Then … then I’ll go.”

“Fine. We’ll stop at your shack.”

“Let me tell my manager I’m leaving the …”

“I don’t think so. You’ll just go now. The car’s waiting.” Al gripped her arm tighter and led her from the store.

+++

The line was long. Longer than Bobby expected.

Rhoda huffed. “Why couldn’t we go see Santa like other kids? Weeks ago?”

“Because it feels more like Christmas now.” Bobby balanced Regan on his hips. “Santa’s more in the spirit.”

His phone rang.

Releasing Damian’s hand, he juggled Regan and answered his phone. “Hello.”

“Bobby,” Chip gushed out. “I am so glad I caught you.”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s Grace,” he said. “Some man. Some man came into the store and just took her out.”

Bobby’s heart sunk.

“Freddy ran out and followed. I just had to let you know. Bobby, what’s going on?”

“I … I don’t know. Thank you. Thank you very much.” Flipping the phone closed, Bobby rushed from the line, explaining nothing to the girls as he did.

++++

“We’re on Route Eighteen now,” Freddy said, on the phone. “I’ve seen Miami Vice. I’m following at a safe distance. He doesn’t know I’m behind him.”

“Is it him, Freddy?” Bobby asked, strapping the baby in the car seat.

“It is. I caught a glimpse.”

“Where are they headed?”

“I think back to Lodi.”

“Ok, I’m on my way. Keep following. Keep me posted. But after we hang up, call your agent buddy. I’ll call the chief.”

“Bobby, why did he take her? Not me?”

“I don’t know, Freddy,” Bobby said. “But I’ll tell you this. He’s not taking her any further than he already did.”

+++

When his son called and said there was trouble, Clyde didn’t hesitate. He told Bobby that they were working on the phones in the area and maybe George just didn’t have a connection. He offered to run down to George’s house, get him, then head to find Grace.

Grabbing the shotgun from under the counter, Clyde drove the two blocks to where he knew George lived.

He knocked only a few times on the door and then tried the knob.

It was open.

Clyde called out an ‘hello’ as he stepped in, but didn’t have to step in far to see that it was useless.

George lay face down in a puddle of his own blood on the living room floor.

Clyde lifted his phone and dialed. “Bobby. You have a problem.” After he finished talking to his son, Clyde called the chief.

+++

Bobby drove a hell of a lot faster than Freddy, that was for sure. And when Freddy said they headed straight to town, Bobby picked up the pace.

“Why we driving so fast, Daddy?” Damian asked. “Where we going?’

Bobby didn’t answer.

“Is Grace OK?” Rhoda questioned.

Bobby reached over and grabbed her hand. With screeching tires, he pulled onto their street. He could see the black car in his driveway and Freddy pulling up.

Bobby was right behind. He brought the truck to an abrupt halt. It had barely stopped when he tossed it in gear and opened his truck door.

Freddy stepped out of his car at the same time. Clyde pulled up, as well. Bobby wasn’t waiting, he headed up the driveway.

Damian and Rhoda jumped from the truck.

“Daddy?” Rhoda called out.

Bobby turned with a pointing hand. “Stay there.” No sooner did her spin back around, he found himself faced with a wall of three men.

They stopped him and Freddy.

“Don’t go any further. In fact, get back in your truck,” the one man said. “Your kids are watching.” He opened his coat, exposing a revolver.

The shifting of the shotgun caught their attention.

Clyde held aim. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

+++

Al peeked through the curtains and smiled. “Hurry up.”

“I’m hurrying.” Grace returned with a black bag.

“I don’t understand what you have to take. Everything can be replaced. And better.”

“Not this stuff.” She grabbed photos from the table and shoved them in the bag. “Not this stuff.”

“Pretty pathetic.”

“Shut up.”

Al walked to her, stopping her as she grabbed the wedding picture of her and Bobby. “Not this.”

“Without a doubt this.”

Al snatched it, and with a swoop down of his hand, smashed it on the table. “Not this.” He grabbed hold of her. “Let’s go.”

“I’m not done.”

“I don’t care.” He dragged her to the door and opened it.

He shoved Grace to the porch, then stepped outside behind her.

“Bobby!” Grace called out.

Bobby charged forward, only to be shoved back.

A ‘bleep’ of a siren rang out as the Chief of Police pulled onto the grass.

Al whispered a ‘fuck’, holding onto Grace’s arm. “What is this, a three ring circus?”

“It’s my family.” She tried to pull away without success.

Stew stepped form the car. “What is going on here? Clyde, put down that shotgun.”

“No can do, Chief, these men have guns.”

“Put it down!” Stew ordered. “Now.”

“I’ll lower my weapon when you guarantee me that man on the porch isn’t taking my daughter in law.”

Stew pulled his revolver. “Step away from the woman,” he called out.

Al lifted his hands. “I’m not doing anything wrong here. She’s just coming with me. My men are assuring that she can leave safely that’s all.”

“Grace?” Stew asked.

Grace didn’t answer.

“As you can tell, Sheriff,” Al said. “None of these people are making it easy for her. She wants to leave her husband. Plain and simple. I’m helping her leave her husband.”

“Grace is that true?” Stew asked.

Al whispered to her. “If you know what’s best, you’ll answer the man.”

Grace barely peeped out the word. “Yes.”

Stew lowered his weapon. “Then there’s nothing I can do, Bobby. This is just domestic. She’s leaving. I’m sorry, son.”

“May we get through now?” Al asked.

Stew nodded.

Damian murmured. “He ain’t taking my mom.” And then she yelled. “You ain’t taking her! That’s my mother!”

Before anything could be said or done, before Al could take a step off that porch with Grace, a single pebble sailed through the air and with high precision, beamed Al directly in the eye.

He fell backwards.

Damian lowered her slingshot.