Forever Blessed (Women of Prayer) (25 page)

That was when she realized she’d fallen asleep and was appalled that she’d drifted off right there, in the sunroom in plain sight where the housekeeper and the boys could see her drooling on the pillow. She picked it up and looked for a stain. Nothing. Whew. That would be embarrassing. It would probably need dry cleaning. But, they probably did hear her snoring.

Ella followed the scent of baked cheese to the kitchen. Maria was just pulling the casserole out of the oven. She had already set the table with chopped tomatoes, lettuce and onions as well as sour cream and extra cheese for topping. Then she pulled out another casserole dish from yet another oven, some kind of yellow corn bread. It looked funny but it smelled pretty good.

The boys came in, washed their hands and started making their plates. Ella nodded her head in approval. They had been raised with some manners. That was a good thing. She noticed they both started to eat without praying. She’d have to work on that while she was here. “Brandon, Braydon, do you mind if I pray before we eat?”

They both put their forks down; a bit embarrassed. They had forgotten their grandmother prayed before she ate. Ella looked to Maria, wondering if she was going to make her plate. Instead, she saw Maria digging her car keys out of her purse. “Goodbye Mrs. McCarthy. I will see you tomorrow. Enjoy your dinner.” Then she left.

Ella sat down with the boys at the kitchen table and made her own plate. After praying a quick prayer, for both their dinner and Cliff, she followed their example and topped her casserole with the lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cheese and sour cream then took a bite, not sure what to expect. “It’s delicious.”

The only confirmation she heard coming from the direction of her two grandsons was smacking lips and forks scraping the plates. She was going to have to learn to make chicken enchilada casserole.

The next morning they left for the hospital before the sun rose. The message on her phone had been Marsha telling her she had to be back to the hospital by seven. Everyone was up, though not fully awake and ready to go. Marsha swung through Starbucks and ordered coffee for both of them.

“Three dollars for a cup of coffee? I could have made a whole pot for fifty cents.”

“I take it you’ve never been to Starbucks?”

“On my income, no. I’d go broke.” She took a sip of the hot coffee. Begrudgingly she had to admit it was pretty good.
Still not worth three dollars though.

They waited for hours in the waiting room. Marsha brought her a cup of coffee from the vending machine. At that moment, she’d gladly pay another three dollars for another coffee from that fancy coffee shop. This stuff tasted like mud. She drank it anyway.

Ella took the boys to the cafeteria. The granola bar and yogurt they grabbed from the fridge at home didn’t hold them over for very long. Growing boys needed their food.

When they returned from lunch, Marsha was on the phone, crying. That couldn’t be good. Ella went to her side while the boys looked on, concern showing on their young faces.

She patiently waited for her daughter’s phone conversation to end before asking, “What happened?”

Marsha turned toward her mother. “Apparently they almost lost Cliff in surgery. But, he is okay now. They stabilized him. The surgeon removed the tumor, or at least most of it. I guess he’s going to need some radiation to get the rest.”

“But, he’s okay now?”

The boys looked relieved, picked up their hand-held games and started pushing buttons.

“Yes, he’s in recovery. He is pretty heavily sedated. They said it would be awhile before he woke up. I think now that my stomach is settled; I’d like to go get a sandwich. Did you eat with the boys?”

“No, I was too worked up to eat. Maybe I’ll join you.”

After a short visit with their dad, Marsha took the boys and Ella home. She was in desperate need of a shower and a nap, not necessarily in that order. They ate leftovers from the night before, which suited everyone. They were all tired and cranky.

Ella ended up staying for two weeks. Although she enjoyed spending time with her daughter, she was looking forward to going home. She’d never been away for so long.

Before she boarded the train for the northern suburbs and the last bus station, Marsha pressed the cell phone and some money into her hand. “Mom, things are going to change. I won’t have it. I make too much money to have my mother living on next to nothing. And I want you to keep the phone. I added it to my plan. You need a phone in case of a power outage or you are out and about and need some help. Promise me you’ll learn how to use it?”

Ella started to protest but Marsha wouldn’t hear it. So, she tucked the money into her pocket book without counting it, gave her a hug and climbed into the passenger train. She waved goodbye, her heart full. She could die today a happy woman.

             
             
             
Chapter Thirty-One

Laney was sitting in the driveway of Austin and Sheila’s new place waiting for them to arrive. The kids were getting antsy. They’d get over that as soon as the truck arrived and they had to help carry in boxes.

She relented and let them get out of the van. They were peeking in the windows when the truck finally pulled up.

“Hey, what took you so long?”

Austin rolled his eyes as he climbed out of the truck. “Sheila got pulled over. Apparently, she was following the vehicle in front of her a little too close. Which of course was mine.”

He continued. “Personally, I think the cop saw the Illinois license plate and figured he had a live one, if you know what I mean. Imagine his surprise when she handed him a Wisconsin license. He let her off with a warning and driving instructions. Give one car length for every ten miles per hour.”

Sheila joined the conversation. “At least he gave me a warning and not ticket. We have that to be thankful for. I really don’t remember being that close to you. Oh well, it’s his word against ours. Besides, it’s a moot point. It’s over.”

Austin unlocked the front door and gave the grand tour. The boys were excited to see their new home. Jeremiah, the oldest, put dibs on the biggest bedroom and was quickly ousted by his father. “Nope, buddy, that is mine and Sheila’s room. Nice try, though.”

After deciding whose room was whose, they started unloading boxes. It took the better part of the afternoon to get them all unloaded. The floors were a mess from all the snow being tracked in. Laney was glad she brought her cleaning supplies. After cleaning the kitchen floor, she started in on washing down the counters and cupboards. She had a strange sense of déjà vu when she looked up and saw Sheila standing in the doorway. There was only one person missing, Keisha. Laney brushed back the tears and turned back to her work. She didn’t want to discuss it.

Austin ordered pizza and everyone took a break. The boys already had their game system set up so they disappeared with Matt shortly after devouring the pizza. Joy brought a book and collapsed on the living room floor, and Melanie fell asleep. That left the three adults to discuss everything that had been happening.

“There was another yellow rose on my windshield. This time he left it while I was working.” She picked an olive off her pizza. “I don’t understand what he is doing. If he knows where I am, why doesn’t he just confront me?”

Austin tried to explain. “He is toying with you. He is playing the game of cat and you are his mouse.”

“But, what is that going to prove?”

“It will show you he is boss. He’s trying to intimidate you. He wants you scared and anticipating his next move. If indeed it is Paul that burned down the shelter and threw a rock through Ella’s window and sprayed graffiti on the church walls, then he is only biding his time until he steps up his game.”

Sheila piped in. “Don’t forget the restraining order we filed. He should have been notified of that already as well. He doesn’t like to be told what to do. He likes to say what is and what isn’t going to happen.” She stole Laney’s discarded olives. “I’m really proud of you. You have let him know you aren’t going to take his nonsense anymore.” She popped the olives in her mouth and followed them with a gulp of soda.

“Well, I don’t feel like I am accomplishing much right now. I just want this to be over. I want him out of my life, or at least in it as little as humanly possible, seeing as we have three children together.”

Austin recruited the boys to help him put the beds together while Sheila, Laney and Joy got back to work in the kitchen. At least they would have a place to sleep and a way to cook a meal or two while they organized the rest of the house.

In the master bedroom, Laney heard the air mattress blowing up and glanced at her watch. “It’s nine o’clock already? I better get these kids home to bed.” She bundled up her sleeping princess while Matt complained about having to leave.

Sheila assured Matt that as soon as they were organized, maybe even by next Friday night, he could spend the night. That helped motivate him to get ready to leave.

Laney looked out the window to make sure her remote start worked from the road and was relieved to see exhaust. The van would be warm.
Thank you, Jesus.
She couldn’t wait until Spring. 

She hugged Sheila and Austin carried Melanie to her car seat.  Once she was home and the kids were tucked in, she pulled out her new Bible. “God, am I doing the right thing?” She began to read, hoping to find clear direction for her life. She fell asleep holding the very book that could at least point her in the right direction.

The next morning Laney was up before she wanted to be. The sun was just peeking through her curtains. She glanced at the clock, it read 6:30. “Old habits are hard to break.” She turned on the water in the shower and stood beneath the pelting hot water. It felt so good to be able to relax. She had no place to be and nothing on the agenda for today. She wanted to catch up on some reading and just be with the kids. No schedules, no lists, and no chores. Just hang out. That was the goal.

She defrosted the bacon and mixed the pancake batter. Today was a day for chocolate chip pancakes.

At the smell of food, the kids started wandering into the kitchen. Of course Matt would be first. “Mom, I’m hungry.”

“You’re always hungry, Matt.”

“I don’t think I’m hungry when I’m sleeping. I just wake up that way.”

Laney shook her head. Kids could be so literal. “Did you brush your teeth?”

Matt grimaced.

“Yeah, I didn’t think so. You allowed your stomach to lead you. Go brush. Breakfast will be just a few minutes.”

A couple of minutes later, she heard Matt state from the living room. “Mom, you might want to see this.”

She followed the sound of his voice to the front window and the scene he was speaking of. She gasped. Written in what appeared to be blood all over the snow in their front yard was foul language.

“Mom, that is a bad word.”

“Yes, Matt, I know.” She reached for her phone. She called the police, although she didn’t know why she bothered. They would chalk it up to neighborhood kids again and let it go.

Laney fed the kids breakfast while she waited for the police. She no longer had an appetite.

Just as she thought, the police told her there had been an increase in destructive activity in the neighborhood lately. The difference was, this time they said they added an extra patrol car to keep a watch. Maybe next time they’d get lucky and catch the kids in action.

Laney wouldn’t let Matt help shovel up the mess. She pulled on her boots and coat and grabbed her shovel. “So much for no chores today.” The police said it was red paint made to look like blood. Even so, it made her sick to her stomach. Was this here last night when we got home and I didn’t notice? Or did he do it while I was sleeping? The thought creeped her out. She started turning the red snow over, trying to cover up the mess. Her landlord came out and worked with her until the job was done. They couldn’t get it all, but at least the words were unreadable. She wondered how many neighbors saw the offending words before she did. How embarrassing.

She’d tried to tell the police about her husband. They wouldn’t listen. It made no sense. Why would a grown man paint vulgarity in the snow? He knew exactly what he was doing. The stuff he was pulling would never lead the authorities to him.