Forever Blessed (Women of Prayer) (2 page)

             
             
             
             
Chapter One

After putting Melanie in her car seat, Laney quietly used her hip to securely shut the door. The still night air did nothing to muffle the sound. She stood, waiting for him to come running out of the house to stop her. She said her last silent goodbye to the house that was supposed to be her dream house. She had dubbed it the house of horrors shortly after moving in. Goodbyes had never been easy for her. This time it was what she wanted most in the world.

She still had to get out of the driveway. She whispered to her oldest daughter, Joy, that it was time to do her job. Laney put the van in neutral and started pushing. Joy had her hands on the steering wheel and her foot ready to push the brakes. They made it to the street. Laney continued pushing until they were two houses down. She motioned for Joy to apply the brakes. Joy scooted over to the passenger seat. Laney jumped in the van and started it. She was two hours west of town when the lights in the big two-story brick house came on. She couldn’t possibly hear the shouting and cursing, yet her insides were knotted and her stomach churned. If he caught her, he would kill her. Of that she was certain.

Laney drove all night, only stopping to get gas. She paid with the cash she had safely squirreled away. She purposely drove hours out of her way. She had learned her lesson the last time she’d tried this. He had her followed. She hadn’t been able to walk without pain for days. She tried not to act differently or out of character. She tried not give any hint whatsoever of her plans, but she had to be sure she wasn’t being followed. Not again.

She didn’t drink anything for fear she would have to go the bathroom. The kids slept. They only had the pajamas they wore to bed and one change of clothes she had stashed the week before when she was doing laundry. She had managed to get their social security cards and birth certificates as well. If she had packed anything else, he would have noticed. She was wearing the sweats she normally slept in. She had nothing else. When she started planning her escape, she realized she would be giving up many things that held sentimental meaning to her. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered as long as she and her children were safe and away from the man she called her husband.

Laney watched her life disappear in the rear view mirror. If only the memories could disappear as well.

The sun was rising when she noticed her eldest daughter wrestling in the seat next to her. She knew the other two would be stirring soon as well, wanting something to eat. They still had several hours before they would arrive at their first resting spot.

Laney glanced at her daughter. With one eye on the road, she looked at Joy, wanting to see approval on her daughter’s face.

Joy smiled at her mom. “I love you, mom. You did the right thing.”

Laney teared up, hearing such grown-up words coming from her still-young daughter. “I love you too. You mean everything to me.”

Melanie started to whimper and Laney knew it was time to stop. She pulled into a truck stop. While she was cautious, she knew Paul had no idea where she was headed. She purposefully did not go to the obvious places, like her parents’ or her sister’s house. She didn’t let them know she was leaving. She thought it would be safer to wait and inform them later. That way, when he contacted them, which she knew he would, they wouldn’t have to lie to protect her.

Laney wiped away the threatening tears and concentrated on her children. Melanie was in a mood. She didn’t get a good night's rest and was sure to be cranky for the rest of the trip. Hopefully some breakfast would help. She looked at the face of her still-sleeping son, Matt. Such a sweet boy. Thank God he was such a hard sleeper. The night before, Joy had quietly led him outside and into the car where he continued to sleep. He would have many questions when he was fully awake. Only Joy had known ahead of time that they were leaving. Even then, it was only out of necessity that she had told her. She needed help to get the other two children quietly to the car in the middle of the night. Joy had saved her.

She gently shook Matt awake. “Matt, honey, wake up.” He was not going to be compliant. “Matt, come on, wake up. Do you want some pancakes?”

Melanie started to get excited. Pancakes were her favorite. “I want pancakes. Me too!”

Laney shook her son. “Come on, buddy, it’s time to get up.” She pulled him to a sitting position and began putting his shoes on him.

Matt rebelled. “Ah mom, I’m still sleepy. I’m not hungry.”

Laney corralled Matt into the truck stop while Joy held on to Melanie’s hand. At two, she wanted her independence and loved to walk. Joy, the eldest, was used to helping her mom. Laney got them settled into a booth, ordered a cup of coffee, and tried to relax. Driving all night was taking its toll. She was tired and still had to drive for several more hours. Coffee would do her good. Her adrenaline was beginning to subside. The farther away she got, the more relaxed she had become. Rest would come. Just a little while longer.

After breakfast all four of them went into the family restroom and dressed. That was when Matt realized they weren’t at home and dad wasn’t with them.

“Mom, where are we? And where is dad? He’s going to be mad.”

Laney wasn’t ready to answer his questions, at least not fully. “We are going to see a friend of mine. Kind of like a vacation. It’s going to be fun.”

“Why isn’t dad coming?” Matt loved his dad. Matt always forgave. It was his nature. He loved unconditionally.

“Well, your dad has to work. He couldn’t come with us this time.”

Joy smiled at her mom, encouraging her.

Laney continued, “We need to get going. Finish getting dressed. We’ll be at my friend’s house by lunchtime. She is really nice. You will like her.”

Once they were on the road again, it seemed more like a true family vacation. Joy and Matt played "I Spy" while Melanie played with her doll. Only Laney remained quiet, wondering what their life was going to be like. What was she doing? How was she going to provide for her children? How was she going to keep them safe? The questions continued to run through her mind as exhaustion set in.

It was eleven-thirty when she pulled into the driveway of a white two-story Victorian house. Sheila, her roommate from college, came out the front door and greeted her with a hug. “I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered in her ear. “You’ve done the right thing. You will be safe here.”

Laney took Sheila’s hand and allowed herself to be led up the porch steps and into the house. Joy, Melanie and Matt quietly followed their mother, taking in their surroundings as they went.

Once inside, Laney sat on the couch and managed to introduce her children to Sheila. “Sheila is one of my very best friends. She and I went to school together. We have known each other for a very long time.”

Laney was having a hard time keeping her eyes open. She smiled apologetically toward her dear friend.

Sheila came to the rescue. “It’s nice to meet you! I’ve heard a lot about you. Are you hungry? I have lunch ready. Why don’t we let your mom lie down while we eat? She looks really tired.” Sheila looked at Laney. “Your room is upstairs to your right…third door on the left. I’m sure you will find it just fine while I get these three fed.”

Once upstairs, Laney headed straight for the bed, crawled into the crisp sheets and laid her head down. With her children safely in the hands of her capable friend, she instantly fell asleep.

             
             
             
             
Chapter Two

Paul picked up Laney’s credit cards and checkbook and threw them across the kitchen.
She's gone. She left and took the kids with her. I'll teach her a lesson as soon as I find her. Now, to figure out where she went
. He sat down at the computer and started looking up names and numbers. He glanced at the clock. 6:34 am. He picked up the phone and dialed his in-laws' number. He’d interrupt their sleep.
Serves them right for having such an obstinate daughter.

His mother-in-law answered on the first ring. “Hello, the Andersons.”

Paul rolled his eyes. “Yeah, Barbara, this is Paul. Let me talk to Laney.”

“She’s not here, Paul. Isn’t she at home?”

“Do you think I’d be calling and asking for her if she were here? Now let me talk to her. I know she’s there.”

“I’m sorry, Paul, but she’s not here. I was just having my morning tea and reading the Word. Dave is still sleeping and there is no one else here. I don’t know what to tell you. I can’t imagine where she might have gone. Are you sure she didn’t let you know she’d be gone? Maybe a doctor’s appointment or something? I’m sure there is a reasonable explanation. She’ll be home before long.”

“No, Barbara, she’s not here and I don’t know where she is. You are right about one thing, she’ll be home soon. I’ll make sure of that.” He hung up the phone without saying goodbye. Stupid woman. Reading the Word. He couldn’t stand religion. Only weak people needed someone or something to tell them what they could or couldn’t do.

He dialed the next number. Laney’s sister, MJ, wouldn’t be up yet, he could count on that. Guaranteed she was out partying last night. No answer. He’d have to head to her house if he wanted an answer before noon.

Paul grabbed his keys and headed to his car. The van was gone. How had she gotten it out of the garage without him hearing? He had to hand it to her. She was wising up. The last few times she’d tried to leave, he’d caught her before she got out of the driveway. He thought he’d taught her a lesson she wouldn’t forget. Not even makeup covered up that mess. Guess she didn’t learn her lesson the last time. This time, he’d make sure she wouldn’t forget. She would never make a fool out of him again.

Paul drove slowly down MJ’s street. He didn’t see the van parked anywhere. It wasn’t in her driveway and it wasn’t parked on the road. Ok, so she wasn’t in her normal places. Where else could she be? Maybe MJ knew something. He pounded on her door. It was still early and he was beginning to attract the attention of the neighbors. He saw one old busy-body looking through the curtains. He’d have to be a little quieter.

After an eternity of knocking, MJ finally answered the door. Paul pushed his way in. “Where is she?”

MJ rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “What are you talking about? And do you mind? I was sleeping.”

It took everything Paul had to keep his tightened fists at his side. “You know exactly what I am talking about. Where is Laney?”

“No, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Get out, Paul. I’m going back to bed. Obviously she found some place to go to get away from you. It’s about time too.”

MJ walked to the front door and held it open. “Out, now, or I’m calling the cops.”

Paul gritted his teeth and walked outside. “I’ll find her. You know I will. And she’ll come back home like she always does. You can count on it!”

He pulled out of the driveway and sent black smoke spiraling through the air as he left. “Where’d she go? Where did that dumb stupid…? Oh great, that’s all I need!” Paul pulled over and came to a stop. The cop turned off his lights right behind him.

             
             
             
Chapter Three
             

Ella McCarthy opened her eyes and glanced at the clock by her bed.
Five-thirty. Old habits are hard to break. Lord. Another day? Really? I keep going to bed thinking I’ll wake up in your presence…yet here I am again. Still in this world where there is nothing left for me. Nothing for me to do. My body is wearing out. Can’t play the piano at church, my arthritis is too bad. Even if I could, that new music they play these days is too hard for me to figure out. No one wants to hear the old stuff anymore. My kids are off doing their own thing. Even the grandkids have ventured off and I rarely see them anymore. If there is still something here for me to do, some higher purpose, please show me. I’m getting tired.