Jackie Jasmin Westley surrendered the promised money to her friend, Bethany, with a sigh and a thank you.
“Are you sure about this?” Bethany asked. “I mean, look at this place. It’s quite beyond graveyard creepy. Anyway, who ever heard of such a name for a hotel? Grub Hotel. Really? Like yuck. Look, friend, I’ll take you back home and give you the money back. I don’t feel good about this now.”
Jackie held a hand in both of hers. “I’m sorry, but no matter what the place looks like, this is where I need to be. Glenna recommended it because of its remote and unheard-of name. It looks weird, but it is the first and necessary stop of my journey. I can’t stay or go back to Connecticut. It would only lead to disaster. I’ll draw on my Girl Scout training and knack for finding lucky outs and surviving. When I get to where I’m going, I’ll send you a letter explaining it. Thanks, and bye now. Drive carefully going home.”
With a sad smile, Bethany got her suitcase from the trunk and hugged her goodbye before she drove away.
Once inside the office and meeting the manager, Jackie had her assurance deflated.
“I need a room for one night, sir,” she said.
“I see. Could you fill out a registration card? We need your home address and vehicle information for our records.”
“Uh, I really don’t want to give out my address, and I have no vehicle information.”
“Then how did you get here?”
“A friend drove me, but she had to go back home. Can’t you just trust me that I’m okay? I can pay in cash. I don’t have credit cards.”
The man considered her, her statement, and her demeanor and felt she was scared, nervous, and near a breakdown. Her friend leaving her was not good enough news. He thought she was underage but was trying hard to act as an adult, and that was a sore point for him. Still, he loved cash payments and overrode all objections.
“Are you sure it’s only for one night?”
“Yes, sir. I have someone coming to get me tomorrow around noon. I need one night, please?”
“Well, it seems I have little choice, doesn’t it. Can you afford $55 for the night?”
She sighed with relief, counted the cash, and laid it on the counter. She looked at him, smiled, and laid down $20 extra. “That’s for a tip and not filling out paperwork.”
He returned the smile with a wink. “Thank you very much, miss.”
He took down a key with a blue plastic house tag and handed it to her. “Room Eight is prepared and waiting for you, miss. Checkout time is 11:00 a.m. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call us. And good luck on the rest of the night and your journey.”
Inside Room Eight, with the door closed and locked, intense relief settled into her weary mind, and she leaned against the door with an enormous sigh.
“So far, so good,” she said, moving her suitcase to a web stand beneath a coat hanger.
She washed her face and hands and sat on the bed to view the room. “Not bad for $55 and a tip. I hope I wasn’t scammed in the deal.”
She saw her trembling hands and suddenly felt lonely. “What am I doing here?” she asked herself. “Was I foolish to disregard Bethany’s offer to take me home? That’s debatable. Home was bad and about to get much worse for me. At least this way, I have a chance to live without oppression. But is here better for me? I guess I’ll find out because I’m not going home.”
After changing into pajamas, she checked the time, slipped under the covers, and turned off the light.
“Might as well see what happens here. I’m exhausted. Sleep was getting difficult at home. Why wouldn’t Mom listen to me?”
Sleep arrived soon, and so did nightmares to wake her. She fell or was shoved off cliffs into bottomless pits, burned at the stake, hanged, died on a firing squad, and men flung her from the roofs of tall buildings. And each time, she apologized for being born.
“So much for that,” she said, wiping sweat from her face and neck.
A tiny light caught her attention near the door, and she sat mesmerized as it grew and expanded and developed into a beautiful woman with golden hair and a red robe.
“What are you? Where did you come from? How did you get into my room? Please leave. I don’t need or want you here!”
“You need me, Jackie Westerly, no matter what you say. I came through the door because I could. I will not leave at your say or order. I’m here to help you because you need it. I will protect you from the evil ahead of you. After all, you are unaware of the rights and wrongs of what you wish. Do pay attention to me, darling Jackie.”
“That makes little to no sense to me.”
“I’m aware of that. To put it simply, you left one bad situation to put yourself into a much worse situation. You are lucky that I am here to help you. I perform my tasks faithfully, and the lurking evil will tremble when I block all the harm they wish to heap on you.”
“Okay, I understand that. Who are you? Why do you have one blue and one green eye? It enhances your beauty, but I’ve never seen that before.”
“My name is Zipporah, and I was born this way. I do not question it. I live with it because it does not bother me. It does not deter my mission or hamper my will to do what I must.”
“Okay, if you know my mission, what I want to do, do you truly know my situation at home?”
“I do. I’m aware of the complications, miscommunications, and misunderstandings.
I’m not here to hinder or stop your mission but to protect you. And in doing so, I must interfere when you are doing wrong.”
“Am I doing wrong now?”
“Yes. You are going in the wrong direction, but that will change shortly. I cannot stop your fears, but I request that you do not fear my abandoning you. I will not. Please trust that I will watch over you and keep you from harm.”
“Okay, that seems like a good offer to accept. I don’t like getting hurt.”
Zipporah moved to the bed, sat beside her, put an arm around her shoulder, and rested one hand on her forehead.
Jackie felt heat, love, and peace flowing through her whole body, and anxiety was sent on a long break. “Wow, that is comfortable. I haven’t felt this good for a long time.
Thanks.”
“You are welcome. Questions?”
“Why wouldn’t Mom believe me?”
“Many mothers are the same as her. The love and trust is so deep that it can blind the mind and heart to truths.”
“Will she ever believe me?”
“Oh, yes, my darling, she will. And when she does, she will go into an awesome frenzy to behold. But she will get over it, and nothing will be held against you.”
“Good. What evil thing is going to happen to me? Can you tell me that? Can you stop it before it happens?”
“I cannot tell you that, Jackie. I know it will happen on Friday morning. And remember that I will be with you and not disappoint you.”
“I won’t be here then. I’ve got bus tickets to Denver, Colorado, and I only paid for one night.”
“It does not matter to me. People change. Situations change. Events change. You must delay until Friday morning to ensure your safety.”
“At the expense of another $55. I don’t have that much money available for long delays and changes in my travel.”
“Do not stress yourself, precious one. I will talk with the manager, and he will kindly adjust his attitude. Stop fretting over minor malfunctions. Rest and enjoy life.”
“I can’t rest. Sleep, good sleep is as missing as alien life truths.”
“Get comfortable under the covers, and I will help you.”
Jackie complied, and Zipporah kissed her forehead and flipped her right temple.
She was instantly asleep and breathing peacefully.
*
The manager watched a game show and frequently dozed until the door opened and closed. He jerked awake and nearly fell from the chair when he saw the gorgeous woman in a red robe staring at him.
“Uh, hello there, sweet thing. Where did you come from? I didn’t hear any car or taxi or anything outside.”
“That is correct, George Kelsey. I can go and come without vehicle transportation.
How is business lately?”
“Damn, you scared me. Uh, business is slow, usually. Sometimes, I get busy; other times, I make up for it when it’s slow.”
“That’s backward, but fine with me.”
“Do you need a room? How long will you be staying?”
“About five minutes is all I need, George.”
“How do you know me? I don’t recall ever seeing you.”
“I know what I need to know. Who is in Room Eight?”
He shrugged. “Some young girl. She paid cash for one night.”
“Of course, you did not get any information on her because you know she is underage, and it is not your business. Right?”
“Hey, how did you know that?”
“I’m paid to know when I’m working. Your wife is Estelle, and she is ugly. Your mother died of cancer four years ago. Your father died of a stroke eight years ago. You have no children, brothers, sisters, aunts, or uncles. It is just you and Estelle who you insult frequently and think it is funny.”
George sobered and put out his cigarette. He rested both hands on the counter and asked, “Yes, that’s me. What do you want, a room or something else?”
“I want you to do what is right this time. Her name is Jackie Westerly, and she must stay here for free tomorrow night. You will take care of her regarding food and do not hassle her. Then, early Friday morning, you will call Child Protection Service and tell them about her stay here but only mention Thursday night. Then you will maintain silence, and nothing evil will happen to you. Do you understand?”
He nodded and shivered. “Yes, madam. I understand, and I will do it.”
*
Jackie enjoyed the room service, the naps, and the great night of sleep. Nothing was said about payment for the extra night, and she woke to a hard knock on her door. She rolled out of bed, chose not to dress or put on her robe, and opened the door.
Outside stood a large woman with a no-nonsense scowl, a man in a brown suit, and a police officer.
“Who are you?” asked the woman.
Self-defense kicked in, and Jackie said, “I’m me, and this is my room until 11:00.
Who are you, and why are you disturbing me?”
“I’m Hillary Strait from Child Protection Service, and we received a call about an underage girl in this hotel. So, I’ll ask you again, who are you?”
She thought swiftly, “Dang, he ratted me out. What a lazy dork.”
She studied the three stern faces and realized she could not barge past them or succeed in any resistance.
“Who are you?” Hillary asked again.
She sighed and turned to sit on the bed.
“I’m Jackie Westerly.”
“Where is your home?”
“Hartford, Connecticut.”
“Why are you here? Are you a runaway?”
“I’m spending the night in a hotel like millions of people do every day. Does that make you happy?”
“Where are you going?”
“Denver, Colorado, to meet up with a friend of the family.”
Hillary shook her head. “Well, your plans have changed, Jackie. You’re coming with us until we can verify who you are, where you are from, and who authorized you to
travel across the country alone. We’ll also check missing person reports to see if you’re on the list.”
Jackie sighed in disgust. “Rats! You won’t find me on the list. No one cares about me except me.”
“I care,” Hillary said.
“So do I,” said the man.
“Go and change clothes, and we’ll take you to our office. You’ll be safe there and can get some food until we get enough information to help you back home.”
“I’m safe here. Sorry, but I won’t thank you for that. You’re wasting your time and mine.”
“Just get dressed, and let’s go,” said Hillary.
When she left the bathroom, her suitcase was packed and waiting for her pajamas.
“Very efficient,” she muttered.
The man put her suitcase in the back seat and motioned for her to follow.
When the door closed, she thought about jerking the door open and running when the car moved forward. That is when she noticed no handles to roll down the window or open the doors from inside. There was also a metal screen across the back of the front seat to prevent exit that way.
“Rats and darn their efficiency,” she muttered.
“Why don’t you just help yourself and talk to us? We’re not bad people.”
“I regard this as kidnapping because you took me by force, and there is no way to escape. If that’s your plan, Mom and Dad won’t pay a ransom or care if and when you call.”
Hillary tsked and advised her to be quiet if she could not help herself.
She did, and then Zipporah appeared with her finger across Jackie’s lips. She voiced a silent command to be quiet and settled beside her.
Twice, Hillary turned but saw only Jackie and shook her head at the silent mass.
The car was about a mile from the destination when Zipporah moved Jackie’s hand to her suitcase and kissed her forehead.
For Jackie, the heat was incredible, and she felt dizzy like she had run around the school track five times. She closed her eyes when they watered, and when she opened them, she sat on a wooden bench at a bus station in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
“What the dickens?” she shouted and clutched her chest.
“Ah, a phrase that your mother uses frequently. You must care a lot about her since you copy her speech.”
“Wow, what a trip! Uh, thanks, Zipporah. I appreciate the rescue. That scared me.”
“You are welcome, my precious child.”
“What if they try to find me and create a huge fuss?”
“They will not. Trust me on that. They will be like you in the back seat, silent. You are safe on that front.”
“What do I do now?”
“Continue your journey until you get detoured and sidetracked with a much better offer. Be patient. It will happen soon; when it does, your life will improve, trust me.”
“I’m finding that I’m very trusting when it comes to you. Uncertainty unsettles me, but I guess I can and will learn. Are you leaving me now?”
“Until the final event settles your dilemma, I will observe your progress and intervene if necessary. With your constitutional toughness, I doubt I will have to do that often. You’re one wonderful girl, Jackie Westley.
*
Cierra Randy Westley backed her car into the driveway and stopped a few feet from the screened patio and outdoor sitting room. It had screens for insect protection in the spring, summer, and autumn and double glass panels with some opening windows for the winter. The Westley family mainly enjoyed the cool weather, but in the winter, they would heat the patio with a pellet stove and often dine there while the snow fell around them and drifted both lawns and the driveway. It was the shortest route between the driveway and the kitchen pantry for unloading groceries.
She carried the first bags inside the house, juggling them with both arms and opening enough doors to leave them next to the pantry counter.
She took a moment to move to the kitchen stairs leading to the second floor and yelled again for her daughter to help.
“Jackie? Will you come down and help me, please? This was a heavy shopping day, and I could use the extra hands! Come on! Yo, strong girl! Help me!”
She got no response, chose not to check on her room, and returned to the car for another load of bags.
She checked the time when she placed the last bag on the floor.
“Still have plenty of time, so put them away and start dinner.”
She set about her task, started humming and singing an old rock song that stuck in her head, and danced and shimmied her butt as she worked. Finally, she dusted her hands, bowed, thanked the audience, and checked the time.
Shaking her head, she went to the stairs again and yelled louder for Jackie. Once more, silence returned down the carpeted steps.
“Well, on rare occasions, she falls asleep before dinner. So check her out to satisfy your motherly copasetic meter, and then start dinner.
“Wake your butt up, Jackie,” she shouted as she used the railing and hurried up the stairs to her bedroom.
She opened the door with a slight knock and pushed it against the wall.
She started a quick scan of the room and froze at the white desk and the object on the top. She sluggishly moved as if she walked into a swimming pool to the desk and stared at the old Odin Cigar box that was open and currently empty. It was never intended to be on Jackie’s desk. It came from her father and held her emergency funds.
It was always stored in the main bedroom, in her walk-in closet, on the top right rear shelf under a pile of quilts and blankets.
She noticed a folded paper under a Hello Kitty Stapler when she closed the lid. She picked it up to read:
“I’m sorry, Mom. I’m acting on your advice now. I didn’t want to run; I couldn’t stay here anymore. So try not to worry too much about me. I’ll write when I get to where I’m going. The only problem is, I don’t know where I’m going yet. I just know I can’t stay where I am and be smothered by life and the people I love. I do love you, Mom, and it breaks my heart that I’ll cause you grief, but I can’t help you or myself now. Please realize you’ve created a strong daughter, and I know how to take care of myself, but I’ll
most likely find some help until I get settled down and can make it on my own somewhere. Love, Jackie Jasmin Westley.
“P.S. I’ll pay you back for the money I took without asking. There are many things that I don’t feel too good about, but I promise that they will get better. Remember your saying, my word is my bond, and you have my word on that.”
With the note in hand, she raced down the stairs to the living room and involved herself in a frenzy of phone calls to the police, the school, the bus driver, and as many of Jackie’s friends as she could remember. With every call, frustration increased to make her want to explode.
The police promised to send a car to the house since a note was left behind. The school was a waste of breath: she was not in detention; she was not in any sports program; she had not been seen by any of her afternoon teachers. The bus driver verified that she did not get on the bus at school as she should have. None of her friends remembered seeing her after lunch. However, they all said she appeared unhappy and not her usual fun-loving self for the past few days.
She ended the last call and lay the note and phone on a cushion beside her. She sighed and stared numbly at the opposite wall and a huge family portrait from a professional studio.
“Why did you do this, Jackie? What do you mean by being smothered by people you love? Where are you? What are you thinking?”
She heard the kitchen door open during her miserable and lost feeling and ignored it until her husband, Roger Aaron Westley, shouted for her attention.
“Damned, man! Why must he bellow like a castrated bull? Why not search the house, find me, and keep it quiet?”
He shouted again, louder.
“I’m in the living room, Roger! Can’t you even try to be quieter?”
“Someday, my love. No dinner tonight?”
“No! I lost my appetite for eating and living. If you’re hungry, open the fridge and find some leftovers to nuke.”
His tall, lanky frame appeared in the arched doorway and leaned against the right wall.
“What’s got into you to create such a bawling, battered mess?”
“Thanks for your positive strokes when I need them most. I love you too.”
She held up the note for him to see. “This is what did it. Read it for yourself and see what sense you make of it. I don’t want to reread it. It makes my brain and heart hurt.”
He sat beside her, took the note, rubbed her back with the other hand, and kissed her cheek.
“Relax, honey buns. It can’t be all that bad.”
She stayed silent but resumed her blank stare across the room and waited.
He experienced deflation, and worry smacked him in the head.
“I take that back. It could be that bad. Have you made any calls?”
“I made many calls already. I cried on shoulders long distance, cursed a few, threatened a few, and promised a few obituaries in next week’s paper if they didn’t help me. Don’t ask how many of each or a total. I dialed and begged and cried and pleaded until now.”
“How much did she take?”
“She took it all. Everything. I had $675 that I stashed away from saving money with coupons. If I saved $4 in coupons or store sales, I added that amount in cash.”
“What does she mean by being smothered? I don’t think we do that to her. We give her a pretty free rein to make decisions and such.”
“I’m not sure about that or much of anything else.”
The front doorbell rang, and he started to stand. “Relax, honey. I’ll get it. It’s probably the police. They promised a car and trooper would stop by the house since she left a note. They want to analyze it.”
She paused and kissed him. ‘Sorry, Roger. I didn’t mean to be so abrupt with you. I was in quite a bit of shock.”
“It’s okay. I’ll live through it.”
He ran a hand over her hips as she stood and then gave her a soft pat.
“Relax, honey. She’ll be okay. She’ll be found. She’ll come back in a few days.
Promise. Cross your butt and hope to die.” He made an x on her other hip.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
Trooper Manfred spent close to an hour asking questions and making notes. He had many items written down: her best friend was Mary Jo Delaney, the bus driver’s name was Mrs. Helen Sanders, and the number for the Junior High School. Then, he requested to search Jackie’s bedroom without a warrant.
Cierra jerked like she was stuck with a needle. “What? Why? This isn’t a suicide note! It’s a running away note! Why would you want to do that?”
“Calm down, Mrs. Westley. I asked to see her room with you to see if we could determine how much clothing she took, some travel brochures, transportation ticket receipts, or anything like that. I didn’t mean to upset you. If I thought it was a suicide, I’d approach the matter differently and have a support team. Instead, I want to gather as much information as possible to help us analyze where she might go. Also, do you have a current photograph of her?”
With a deep breath, she relaxed slightly.
“Sorry, I panicked like that. This is so far out of character for her that it boggles my mind, and my mother's mind is still running over many reasons and where she might go that it’s ridiculous.”
She stood and adjusted her shorts. “Let’s go, Trooper Manfred. I’m back from my lunch trip. I won’t promise I won’t do that again in her room, but I’m okay for now.”
*
A search of her room netted travel brochures for Kentucky and Colorado, a receipt from Walgreens Pharmacy, a bus schedule, and some crumbled papers from her trash can with a few starts of the final note she left and several had tear stains. The last one had a few doodles: Midwife Training and a phone number with a 720-area code.
“Well, that gives us something to work with, and it also presents a problem, and I’ll be honest with you about that. This will probably end up with the FBI since it will involve multiple states. And since there is no sign or hint of kidnapping, they may or may not get involved. If they do, that’s fine. If they don’t, the harsh reality is that the case will stop here and depend on her to make contact and return. We wish we could, but we can’t cross state lines and do much. Do you understand, Madam, Sir?”
Cierra answered for both. “We understand, Trooper Manfred. At least I have only two states to canvass for her location instead of the whole continent.”
“It’s my turn to understand now, Mrs. Westley. I’d strongly advise against that, but I won’t stop you if you do. I’ll investigate everything I can here in Connecticut and get back to you on what I find.”
He handed her a business card with his information and asked her to do the same.
My final word of advice, and I hope it won’t sound cruel, but I’d ask you to start adjusting to life without her. It might be many years before she ever contacts you.
Runaways have an adaptation process to let go of their past and build new lives elsewhere. They don’t do it to hurt the people they leave but to keep from damaging themselves. It’s like a mental purge to save themselves and remain sane and functional, and it must work. There are over 100,000 missing children without kidnapping indications. They disappear, with or without a note.”
*
Jackie Westly sat on the window seat, one row in front of the back seat of the uncomfortable bus. She spent most of the time looking outside without enjoying the view. The only thing that pleased her was that she had no fellow passenger, and she kept her bare feet curled up in the aisle seat to notify anyone who got on at any stop that she wished to be alone.
That lasted until the bus stopped in a barren countryside station near Somerset, Pennsylvania. A young girl got on the bus, and when she reached Jackie’s seat, she set her suitcase on the floor and moved Jackie’s feet to the floor.
“Excuse me, miss. Sorry to disturb your serenity and silent ‘Get lost’ statement to the rest of the world. I need to sit in a seat, and this one is the last one on the bus for now.”
Jackie sighed in annoyance and adjusted herself rather than instigate a fight.
“Help yourself,” she muttered, twisting her body in her chair so her back mostly faced the new rider.
The bus pulled away from the stop, the new girl got herself situated, and the seat adjusted to her liking.
“Hi there, stranger. I’m Joy Kasey Adams. Will you share yours, travel-mate?”
“I’m tired and don’t like anything or anyone in my life or the world. Doesn’t my silence and body language say, leave me alone? That’s what I want.”
“Yes, it does, but I like to see what your body language doesn’t say. It says you’re lonely and worried over something, and instead of isolating yourself, you need to open up and share your problems with someone who cares. You know, someone like me.”
“Darn, my luck! Out of everyone in America who has problems, I must get stuck with a newspaper therapist’s daughter to pester me instead of leaving me alone!”
Joy held up a hand. “Okay. Sorry, you found someone who does care about nearly everyone in the world. However, I’ll make an exception for you and let you suffer alone.
When the first seat becomes available, I’ll move, and you can sit here and die alone. Just remember, I tried, and you rejected.”
Jackie neither turned nor offered a response. Instead, she stared out the window, and soon, the face of the angel or spirit appeared outside the glass. The face and the
person had bothered and loved her for two nights and days before she finally eluded capture and sat on the bus alone.
“You again? When I want to be alone, all I get are busybodies? Why weren’t you there when I needed you? You said and promised so much in Room Eight of Grub Hotel.
Why didn’t you wave your wand or your hand to stop it? Why didn’t you rip him to shreds or fling him into the atmosphere a thousand miles above the earth to be forgotten and never missed?”
“My poor darling Jackie. You have a lot to learn in life, and I waved my hand for you and opened doors for you that others can’t see or understand. There is a sequence of events to happen in life. If you stop one of them, that event is gone and can’t be retrieved and replayed. I did much for you and will continue doing it for you, whether you appreciate it or not. So, farewell for a time.”
“What? You won’t flip me in the head and make me sleep soundly?”
“No, because that’s not what you need right now. It would help if you jumped for joy when she told you how high. Goodnight.”
Suddenly, Joy’s hand touched her turned shoulder and gently squeezed it.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Jackie shook her head and turned as she wiped her tears away.
“No, I’m not okay. I try to be, but all I do is fail so far. I’m sorry if I seem grumpy.
I’m usually the joker and make people laugh. But right now, I can’t do that because life has kicked the crap out of me for no apparent reason. There is a reason somewhere, but it won’t be revealed here on this bus tonight.”
She wiped more tears and looked at Joy’s hand, held up and visible.
“Just do it, Jackie,” she heard the angelic voice whispering.
She moved her left hand and locked her fingers inside it.
“Jackie Jasmin Westley at your service and your pestilence. Hope you’re as strong as Abbey seems to be.”
Joy squeezed the hand gently. “I am. You seem rather young. I know I am. I’d say you’re about fourteen years old. Is that close?”
“Within two months, close. I’ll soon be fifteen, and you?”
“I’m seventeen, and like you, I’m running. But, for me, there’s a difference. Care to guess what that is?”
“Easy answer. You know where you’re going, and I don’t. I’m just running aimlessly, hurting like I don’t want to, and feeling lost, unsavable, and unfindable, and that’s scary.”
“I know. I can feel it. So, my most important question to you is, will you hang with me, and we’ll help each other until life is under our thumb instead of where we are now?”
“You got it, Joy.”
“Good. Why were you headed west?”
“Seemed like a good direction. I have a few friends who came from the Denver area of Colorado, and they talked the country up, so I decided to check it out for myself on a whim. How about you? You’re headed west, aren’t you?”
“Yes, but not quite that far. I’m going to Elwood, Indiana, to visit my Aunt Cecilia for a few days and then back to Romney, West Virginia, for the duration of my misery and possibly my life.”
“West Virginia, the Almost Heaven place.”
Joy squeezed the hand again. “Yes, it is. So, can you adjust your itinerary to hang with me? I’ll make room in my life for you until you can make it alone.”
“It sucks, but I’ll accept your offer, Joy. So, who’s waiting in Romney? Friend?
Boyfriend? Fiancé?”
“Good guesses, but not close. I know her name. However, I don’t know her. She’s a half-sister from Dad’s first family. He left them for Mom, and they made me. Neat, huh?”
“I guess. There seems to be something wrong with so much of that happening.
There’s no commitment to anything anymore and no morals or ethics.”
“What an insight from such a young woman. However, I agree with you. Now, why are you running? I’m just tired of oppression and being told that everything I do is wrong. How about you?”
“Um, I’d rather not talk about that right now. I don’t want to throw a tantrum and have a cursing and crying fit on the bus.”
“Oh, boy. Is it that bad?”
“Worse than bad. I’ll tell you when we’re settled and not on a crowded bus.”
“Good enough for me. Turn around and lean against me.”
Jackie obeyed, and when she did, an arm went around her and held her tenderly as the angel had before in Room Eight at the Grub Hotel.
“Rest and go to sleep, my friend. I’ve got you, and I’ve got your back. So just relax and sleep, my friend.”
Sleep came faster than expected, and Joy rested her chin on her curly hair when Jackie was there.
“What am I doing, Lord? This is silly at best. I’m lost and hopeless, and I promised to lead and help the lost and desperate. I have a big mouth to go with my big heart, but sometimes I wish you would just shut it for me.”
She gazed out the window at the landscape dimming in the crepuscular sky. “I’m going into an unknown and a flaky situation at best after I leave Elwood, and I might land both of us into a homeless community if I’m not careful. Did you notice I stopped with homeless and not a cemetery plot?”
*
The bus connection for Joy required a two-hour layover in Wheeling, West Virginia, and they took the time to change Jackie’s ticket from Denver to Elwood with an open return east to Romney.
“I wish they had showers available at bus stops.”
Joy leaned close to her and sniffed. “You’re okay for now. You don’t stink yet.”
She grinned and stood to stretch her arms and legs.
“Joy, this is strange for me to be trusting of strangers, but it feels good. You feel good. Mom says I can be a handful most of the time. I’ll try to do better from now on.”
“Good for her. Is now a reasonable time for why Jackie ran away?”
Her face darkened, but she sat back on the bench with Joy and looked around. They were alone on the rear platform with nothing except buses in sight.
“I’ll try to be as quiet and neutral as possible.” She took a deep breath. “I’m running away because I’m pregnant, and since I have no boyfriends, the only sex I have had was with my father. The first four were forced, very frightening, and painful. After that, I
stopped fighting, and the rest didn’t hurt at all, at least not physically. How’s that for a healthy, high-quality, grand old American family?”
“Oh, grimalkins! That wasn’t what I wanted to hear.”
“Well, most of the time, you must hear what you hear, whether you like it or not. I’m sort of glad you happened when you did. I thought I might have no one to help me survive it. I guess I thought wrong.”
She grabbed the girl and hugged her tightly.
Joy held her, let her cry, and watched people pass them by. Most of the passers disregarded them after a cursory glance. They were ignored like last week’s clothes in a hamper.
After a few minutes, she straightened up and wiped her eyes. “Sorry about that.
Didn’t mean to cry on you.”
“Don’t worry about that. It’s human; it’s expected, and it’s not a problem. But, it’s better to confess it than to keep it inside and let it boil over until you commit suicide or become catatonic and worthless to yourself and the world.”
“You don’t hate me?”
“Why would I do that? You did nothing wrong unless you kept it hidden at home.”
“I let it go once, and nothing happened. I guess I wasn’t convincing enough, and he used condoms to prevent any accidents or leave evidence. It happened after I told Mom.
I had no absolute proof, and he put on a good defense and made me the horny bad girl, but he had never touched me. And he won the case against me. Then I missed a period and tested twice, and then I laid out a plan to escape the mess that won’t remain hidden too much longer.”
Joy squeezed her tight. “Man, I’m so sorry. Let’s stop with that for the moment. I don’t want to hurt you more by asking personal things.”
“Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t share that, but I’m too uncertain of what will happen to me. So, it’s like if I don’t make it, I want someone to know what happened that caused my death.”
“I understand. I don’t like it much, but I’m glad you opened up to me. Do you feel safe enough to go and wash your face while I make a call to my half-sister?”
“Yes. I’ll be back in an instant. Come and get me if I’m gone too long for your peace.”
Joy waited until she was inside the women's restroom and dialed the number she took from her father’s phone.
“Hello, Samantha Adams. How are you doing on this fine West Virginia day?”
“Uh, leery, right now, stranger. Rather hoped it was a wrong call, but not since you know my name. So who are you, and what do you want?”
“I guess an introduction would be proper, huh? I’m Joy Adams, and you’re Samantha Adams. We share the same father, yet different mothers. Pleased to finally hear your voice, sister.”
“Uh, you are joking, right?”
“No, Dad married your mother, Sophia, and had you. Then, he left her and married Jennifer, and they had me. And if you want more proof, we both have an Aunt Cecilia in Elwood, Indiana, on Dad’s side of the family.”
“You’re right about all that. Wow! I’m glad I’m sitting down. How old are you?”
“Seventeen, and if the math, divorce, and remarry are right, you should be twenty-two this year. Is that true or false?”
“It’s the truth. I often wondered if Dad had any other children out there in the world, but I never expected to hear from one in my lifetime. So, where are you going with this? Why call me now? Isn’t it a tad late to get to know each other? I’d have loved to have you around when I was growing up basically on my own.”
“Where I’m going right now is Elwood to visit Aunt Cecilia for a few days. Then, I’m headed to Romney, West Virginia, to find and visit you for a few days. Are you married?”
“Not yet. I have a man I have dated a few times, and he often calls for more dates, but nothing serious yet. Why?”
“Have you got your midwife certification yet?”
“Hey, Joy, how much did you investigate me before you called?”
“Not too much, but enough not to be stupid when I contacted you. So, have you? Yes or no?”
“I have. I pushed myself, and it helped that the school said I had a natural ability. It happened last year. I still do some weekend bar-girl service and occasional waitressing, but midwife can keep you busy once you get a good reputation, as I have.”
“So, you’re single, and you won’t mind if we visit you?”
“We? You said you, and now it’s we?”
“Oh, that. Well, I picked up a fourteen-year-old runaway with a problem, and I’m in no position to help her, but I think you will be perfect. What do you say, sister? Can we get to know each other by helping out a needy girl who is getting desperate?”
“Well, uh, man, what a spot this is. Does Dad know you did or are doing this?”
“Nope, he’s clueless. I swiped your number from his cell phone because I heard him talking to you once, long ago.”
“Oh, I get it now; you’re a runaway also. Is that right?”
“Yes. Both parents are going crazy about now, if not sooner.”
“Well, I’d like to meet you, even if it’s under strange and disturbing circumstances.
Tell you what I’ll do, sister. I’ll prepare a room for you. Can both of you share one room?”
“And one bed. We can do that.”
“Okay. I’ll put you up for one night and see what happens, but it still feels weird.
Okay. We’ll try it one night and take it from there. Call me again when you’re a day out if you can, and I’ll arrange transportation for you. And try to be a little cold, and don’t pick up any more strays, please.”
*
Aunt Cecilia opened her house, heart, and kitchen to both visitors. She fed them well and, after a 30-minute sit, put them to work with her.
Jackie enjoyed feeding the chickens and ducks corn, using a pitchfork to fill the cows’ bins from the hayloft. She even enjoyed feeding the hogs and laughed at the younger version fiercely squealing when trotting on stubby legs between buildings.
“They do that because of the heat from the sun. They don’t like the heat and protest a lot when they make that move. The thing that gets me, though, is they do it every day and never think of staying where they are and get fed.”
“Well, maybe you need to get them together and tell them what it will be like if someone slaps their butt in a hot skillet or drops a hunk of them into a pot of boiling water. Now that’s hot.”
Cecilia chuckled and clapped her on the back. “Now that’s a good plan, and it might just work. You’re a very thoughtful child for being fourteen, but you’re in trouble, aren’t you?”
Jackie jerked, forgot the noisy piglets running, and faced the older woman.
“Yes. Did Joy tell you, or was it a lucky guess?”
“You and your body told me.” She patted the top rail of the fence that formed a small corral. “Up here. Climb up where you’re closer to eye level, and I don’t have to bend over so much.”
Jackie hastened to do that and did not flinch when her weathered hands rested on her legs.
“Child, I can sense that you’re strong, but you’ll have to become a lot stronger than you are right now, and you most likely won’t have all the leisure time in the world to get there, but you must. Where did you come from?”
“I started in Connecticut and met up with Joy in Somerset, Pennsylvania.”
“Pennsylvania, did you say? That’s too uncanny. Did you spend any time in Room Eight at the Grub Hotel?”
Jackie’s eyes widened, and she felt chilled.
“How did you know that?”
“I’m paid to know things, darling. Didn’t the angel promise you to help and restore you? What about eventual peace and love beyond your expectations?”
“Yes, she did, and so far, Joy is close. She has a tough constitution to put up with me.”
“Where’s Joy taking you when she leaves here?”
“To her half-sister’s house in Romney, West Virginia.”
Cecilia cackled and slapped her legs. “Lord, have mercy!” she shouted, raising her hands to heaven. “Thank you, Lord. Your love is infinite, merciful, and full of wisdom.
Of all the places in this vast country to go for help, you let her choose Samantha. I love it. Thank you, Lord, you are so wonderful.”
“Why did you say that? Joy said she never met Samantha.”
“That’s right, darling Jackie. Most likely, if you never spent time in Room Eight at Grub Hotel, she never would have contacted her. Joy did because you have a need, and people and situations moved to clear you a path. Never mistrust or second guess what an angel will do to complete the mission.”
“You’re acting kind of strange to me.”
“I’m fine, child.” Cecilia pulled up her dusty dress hem to wipe her face. “Samantha is a natural nurse; you could call her a doctor. On top of that, she’s an excellent earth-wise midwife now that she’s certified. And she’ll help you, just not in the way you might expect.”
Jackie stiffened. “Hey! Stop that! Don’t go there!”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to think about that. I’m sick enough of it. I wake some nights and puke when the house is sleeping. Please just shut up! That angel in Grub Hotel bugged me half crazy about doing this, that, following instructions, letting sequences go unbroken!
I’m fourteen years old! I’m not a seasoned and world-wise woman. I’m a baby, and I don’t want any of this pain! I didn’t ask for it! Please stop! Or else run me through with a pitchfork and end all this senseless trauma!”
Cecilia’s hands, rubbing her arms and legs and touching her cheeks, worked to calm her, and she never complained as she used her dress hem to clear her eyes.
“I never intended to cause you that extra stress, darling Jackie. I know you’re young and don’t want anything that has already happened. Please listen to me, honey. When you reach the end of your pain, insist a DNA test be done, and afterward, walk away and let it clear from your mind as best you can. Don’t let this break the beautiful woman you will become.”
Jackie sniffed and rested her hands on Cecilia’s shoulders. “Okay, I’ll do that. Will you tell me why?”
“Because DNA can set people who were unjustly convicted of crimes free from prison. It can also slam dunk people into prison who scream their innocence. The DNA will be irrefutable proof and become a millstone around the guilty party’s neck. And you’ll have no part or parcel in what happens. Except for this one thing, darling Jackie, vindication, and peace will rest upon you and your spirit.”
“Does that mean I’ll not wake in the night crying and puking from anxiety?”
“Yes, darling, that will be all behind you. Will you do that for you and your angel?”
“For that relief, I will do it. Just ask for it to be done and then nothing else?”
“That’s right. Once you do, heaven, hell, and earth will kick up such a huge storm of acquittal that you’ll be set free. But woe be unto the guilty.”
“Great! What is Samantha? Why did you get so happy we’re going there?”
“You’ll find out when you meet her. She’s a physician, a lawyer, a detective, an angel, a demon, a seductress, a chaste warrior, a jailer, an executioner, a spy, your worst nightmare, or your most wonderful dream. She’s a multi-talented woman who hasn’t matured yet.”
“Well, thank you for allowing this visit and letting me do what I never thought I would. I loved the work I did today.”
“You’re quite welcome, Jackie. And I like you enough to add you to my prayer chain, and I’ll invite you to come and visit me as a family member any time you wish. Is that a good deal or what?”
*
Joy made the call, and Samantha had a car and a friend waiting for the bus when it pulled into the huge awning attached to the Trailways Bus Station in Romney.
Samantha waited at her home for them, and she and Joy stared at each other for several minutes as ohs and ahs flew and finally settled down to words and facial touches.
“Unbelievable!” said Samantha. “I’m glad you called ahead of time. What a shock it would have been if you just showed up. Looks like Dad’s genes were powerful and dominated two women to make us close to twins. Wow! You look so much like me.
You’re beautiful. Lucky you.”
“Right on. I’m just happy that I have a real sister, even if she’s only half-baked.”
“Oh, you prankster. Come on in! Come in! Take a load off your feet.”
“And sit on your mind for a while,” Joy said.
“Hah! I see that Dad stayed the same when he left us; however, come inside and sit for a moment.”
Jackie looked anxious. “The bathrooms are where? We need that first.”
“Down this hallway, second door on the left. Fresh towels and washcloths are in that one, and you'll share the one in the room.”
Both the girls disappeared, and Samantha admired her face in a mirror. “So far, so good. That intro took a major worry off my mind. Joy’s okay, but the youngster has some problems, and I mean mega problems. Walk carefully around her. She’s going to cause you some pain.”
The girls returned, and Samantha served them cookies and milk. She annoyed Jackie by telling her she was pregnant and wanting to touch her stomach.
“Your hands are soft and warm instead of cold.”
“Hmm. You’re about two months along in the process. Your uterus is filling out nicely but not enough to pressure the stomach muscles. Another 4 to 6 weeks, and you’ll have a visible bump here.”
“No, I won’t! Before that time, I want an abortion.”
Samantha raised her face to stare at Joy.
“Are you sure about that? You’re young, but your body is solid enough to have it without major complications. I’ll hook you up with healthy vitamins and get you on a good nutrition program, and you’ll do fine.”
“Thanks, but no thanks, Samantha. I realize you can’t or won’t do that. However, you can refer me to the best people who will do it and leave no complications. Nothing happens by chance. There is a sequence to all things and providence in all actions. So just do what you do the best in life and put me in touch with the right people, and don’t worry your beautiful mind anymore about it.”
The room was deathly quiet, and all Jackie could hear was Samantha and herself breathing.
“Okay, Jackie. Although I’m opposed to that procedure, tell me why, and there will be no limit to helping you.”
*
Cierra Westley established a routine of rising early and praying while the coffee was brewed and preparing cereal with milk and berries for her and Roger, even though he seldom ate breakfast. She would dump the bowl in the garbage disposal when he didn’t and then go to work. After work, she would come home, empty the mailbox, and enter the house through the patio to go through the mail and place unwanted items in the fire pit. On the day her life and routine changed, she shouted for joy when she found an envelope addressed to her in cursive lettering, with no return address and a forever stamp. She tore open the return address end and slid out the one sheet of paper to read:
“Dear Mom,
“The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity, and I’ve had little rest.
Remember I told you I would most likely find someone to help me until I could make it alone. Well, Joy Adams did that. She picked me up on the bus to Pittsburgh and made room for me in her life. And I had a lot of fun. I went with her to Elwood, Indiana, to her aunt’s farm, where I fed chickens, ducks, and pigs and used a pitchfork to feed hay to the cows. Then I slept in the hayloft in the barn. It was awesome!
Then, it was off to my destination, Joy’s half-sister’s home. I had plans to end up in Denver, Colorado, but Joy changed my mind, and I went with her. That was a wise
decision because the bus we would have been on crashed and had only five survivors the next day. Ouch!
Samantha, Joy’s half-sister, looks so much like her; it's unreal. They have the same father but different mothers, but they’re so alike. Samantha has offered me to stay with her on these conditions:
“One, I must get my GED. Two, get my associate degree. Then, she will help me get through number three, a college here for midwives. And after I’m certified and licensed, she’s agreed to take me on as a partner in the business. Isn’t that great? Looks like my life will be good starting soon. Love, Jackie.”
She shouted again and called Trooper Manfred.
*
Trooper Manfred heard her excitement, and he watched Trooper Ruby Johnson enter his office with the pharmacy receipt stapled to a report.
“Okay, Mrs. Westley. Trooper Johnson and I will be by very soon to investigate the letter for you. You’re welcome.”
He hung up, and Ruby sat before his desk. “Do you have good news for me, partner?”
“I do, and I don’t. The cashier remembers the girl from her photo, being in the store twice, about five days before this receipt and on this day. The only thing she purchased was an EPT tester.”
“And the item code on the receipt and the tester match?”
“It matches. It also gives her a reason to bolt if the baby comes from too close to home or a disliked boyfriend."
“That’s a possibility, and if it’s a boyfriend, we should have another missing person soon.”
“Right on. Are we going to the mom’s house?”
“Yes. She got a letter from the runaway."
“What? In only about two weeks, she’s homesick?”
“I wouldn’t say that before I read the letter.”
*
Cierra was a bundle of nervous energy when she let Manfred and Johnson into her patio and handed the reason for happiness to Manfred. “I’m excited! Can you tell?”
“I’m sure the neighbors are aware of it, Cierra.” He sat and read the letter.
“It reveals her emotional state. It’s happy, but a tinge of sadness is under the surface. There's no return address. The letterhead has Grub Hotel, Lancaster, PA? Never heard of it. That's a bizarre name for a hotel.”
He handed the letter to Ruby and viewed the Post Office Meter Mark. “So, the zip code is 26757. We’ll check the number to get us in a general area. Other than that, this is still a stalemate.”
Ruby folded it and tapped it against her left hand. “Not completely a stalemate, Dale. This leads me to believe that the Adams she mentions is from this area. I wonder what his name is? I’ll follow up on that tomorrow morning. I seem to recall an Adams who got busted a few years back. It was all over the news, but I don’t remember why.”
“That’s a long shot, Ruby. That might be right, but it could be from somewhere else.
From Hartford to Pittsburgh is a long distance, and it doesn’t say where Joy got on the bus.”
“I’ll trust my instincts on this one, thank you.”
“You’re getting into FBI territory. They won’t be happy with you doing their job.”
“Then they’ll have to get used to it. If I can tie Joy and Samantha to a messed-up father here in Connecticut, then so be it. I’ll turn it over to the FBI when they might show up.”
*
In West Virginia, Samantha woke a half-hour before her alarm went off and lay in the bed shivering, even under the blankets.
“What are you doing, strange girl? Is this the warm-up for when you build your own coffin? Do you have any sense at all? Is your smartphone wiser than you? You can still stop what you’ve started. There’s time to save your ass and all the attached parts that we’ve grown to love. Good for Joy to find me. She should never have brought the excess baggage with her.”
She tried and failed to sleep until the alarm sounded but gave up after two minutes and rolled out of bed. She pulled her light blue robe over her lavender pajamas and went to the kitchen to start the coffee early. She leaned her elbows on the sink, stared out the window at her backyard, smelled the coffee, and began talking to herself.
Jackie peeked around the corner at the babbling mess of a woman and could not hear what she said at what she determined to be a mile of words per minute. She stepped into the kitchen, approached the sink silently, and was three feet away when she spoke.
“Good morning, Samantha. Is this the way you start every morning?”
Samantha squealed, jerked into the air, and turned with clenched fists, prepared to attack the source of her fright.
“Oh, good morning, Jackie.” She sighed as she relaxed slightly.
“What’s the mumbling for? Are you having second thoughts about us or me in particular?”
“It’s not that.” She smacked herself in the forehead. “Wrong. It is that. Last night, I was high on meeting my mirror image and your problems. Now, I woke in bed in a panic as I realized what trouble I could be in if people in authority started asking, and they will. People above and around me won’t be silent. You’re bad news for me. You’re a runaway. You’re an escapee from the Pennsylvania Child Protection Services. You’ve crossed 5 or 6 states to avoid being captured or found. You’re fourteen and well under the legal age, and I’m going to arrange an abortion for you without parental consent or notification. Just harboring you is enough to damage me and get me busted. If you add the extras, I could get thoroughly fucked over for doing what I think is right. Why?
Because the law doesn’t care what I think is right or wrong. It’s black and white. You do this wrong; here are the consequences, sucker. POW!”
“You can always save yourself, Samantha. Just tell us to go, and we will. There will be other options waiting somewhere for us.”
Samantha studied the small, committed girl beside her and shook her head. “Come here.”
She put her arms around Jackie and rested her chin on her head.
“Look, dear Jackie, I might panic occasionally when I open my alligator mouth and commit myself to doing something dangerous that I haven’t done before. I say that because my butterfly ass can’t support my big mouth.”
“Well, I like you, and I like your spunk. And I forgot one thing last night: Aunt Cecilia told me to have a DNA test done when it's over.”
“Great! Do you and Aunt Cecilia want to help me lug my coffin from the basement and clean it up? Why would she say that?”
“She mentioned that DNA could set innocent people free and slam dunk guilty people into prison no matter how much they screamed innocence.”
“Ah, yes. Way to go, Aunt Cecilia. Hammer another nail in my coffin!”
“You want to know what I think? I remember what she said to me about you.”
“Might as well, sweetheart.”
“She and I both think it’s time for you to turn loose your chaste warrior side and establish who you are and what you stand for in this world of darkness. What you’re going to do will be a golden opportunity for that. It will gain you a lot of respect and dignity and an unforgettable name for yourself.”
“It could also gain me a tiny cell on death row, but so be it. I committed myself, and I’ll add that fight to the mix, and it will be a fight. The hospital powers will tell me to pack sand on the first request and find a bigger beach on the second. So, Jackie, please don’t pay too much attention when I vent like that. I feel better now that I have had the chance to get it out in the open, and I can’t wait to use my invisible sword of justice to lop off a few alligator heads or tails. It will be interesting to see if the balls I grow will be permanent or temporary.”
“You’re welcome, and we’ll hope and pray for the latter of that last choice. You don’t need that burden added to you.”
“Good. “Go and get Joy up, and we’ll have breakfast and then do something radical to wake up the snoozing country folks in Romney. There’s no need to wait for moss to grow on our butts.”
*
The trio returned to Samantha’s house for lunch with a firm appointment for Friday afternoon, three days away, with Linda Grove, which took nearly an hour of arguing to schedule. The DNA test took longer, but Samantha persevered and won that argument over Linda’s second objection. The afternoon was spent on manicures, pedicures, and hairstyles. The whole day ended with the three watching movies and eating popcorn.
Jackie finally tapped Samantha’s leg. “Hey, aren’t you going to try to talk me out of it?” “Nope. If that’s what you’re waiting for or wanting, do that elsewhere. I was done with that last night. That’s why we went this morning to schedule it to happen. Do you want to back out now? You can, but don’t turn to me for help.”
“No, I just thought you might try to reason with me or something. I don’t know. It just, well, never mind. Disregard that train question that jumped the track somewhere.”
Samantha kissed the tip of her finger and touched it to the end of Jackie’s nose.
“Just stop and let it go. You’re not backing up even an inch. Let it go. I’ll be your courageous and mean dominatrix so you can love me later. Let it go. Not one more word
about it, not one more what if, not one more will I, nothing. Let it go, and let your heart rest. You’ll be okay with this. I insist.”
Jackie slid closer and hugged her. “Thanks, Mom. I owe you one for that.”
“You owe me nothing for all I’m doing for you. I don’t want an indentured servant. I want a good daughter and a best friend for life. As for the other, I’ll do the worrying, the fretting, the gritting of teeth, the anxiety-induced pacing, the tears, the everything for you because I love you. You’re a wonderful addition to my life.”
*
It was 2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon when Jackie awoke, and the first face she saw was Samantha’s. She felt her face and hair being stroked, and soft whispered prayers. It took her a few moments to be able to speak.
“Is it over?”
“It’s over, sweetheart. It’s over.”
“I remember counting to three, and then I was gone.”
“Yes, you were.” She reached the call cord, and Linda Grove swiftly responded.
“How’s my patient?”
“Groggy.”
“That’s a good thing, and it's better that you’re awake and can respond even if it’s slow.”
“Did it go well?”
“Nothing but perfect, Jackie.”
“And the DNA test?”
“Done. Waiting for results, which will be delivered to Samantha.”
She turned her face to Samantha. “Linda, what about my chances of doing that on purpose?”
“Oh, about 100% chance. Everything was perfect, so relax and heal yourself. Wear a napkin for about a week. There can be some spotting on occasion while everything returns to normal. You might miss a period, but don’t worry about it unless you’ve had sex.” “Okay. Samantha, where’s Joy?”
“You forgot? She’s home preparing for your return. She lost it and couldn’t come with us.”
“Oh, yes. I recall that now. When can I go?”
“In about an hour,” said Linda. “Right now, I’m releasing you, but take a nap, and Samantha will be back to help you dress and take you home in about an hour.”
*
Time seemed to slow down to a crawl for Jackie. The nightmares and bad dreams ended after the abortion, but she grew more distant and kept adding to her wall. She stayed that way until Samantha had the DNA test results and prepared to leave.
“I wish you’d tell me what you’re doing, Samantha, Mom. They are my family.”
“I know that, sweetheart. But, for your mother, I’ll treat her with respect and kindness. First, I’ll roll the report up as tiny as possible for your father and shove it up
his penis. Then I’ll call the police and let them deal with him. That’s my plan, and I hope I don’t have to deviate from it. You sent the letter, right?”
“I surely did. It should be there in two days.”
“Good. I’m out of here. Wish me luck, and remember, no calls to me. Call 911 first and tell me when I get back.”
Jackie held up a hand to wave. “Drive carefully, Mom. And I love you. I do. Good luck.”
Samantha held back the tears and left the room with a blown kiss.
*
Cierra felt overjoyed when she saw the familiar envelope with no return address.
She got comfortable on the patio to read it.
“Dear Mom, Happy Birthday. I’ll bet you thought I forgot, but I didn’t. I wanted that to be first. Now, the heavy hurting stuffs. I have read some, but not all, of the Bible. And I recall one passage that says something like this: God is a loving God, but when a man sins, He will visit the father's sins upon the children even unto seven generations.
“I’m not sure of His forgiveness, but I’ve been highly defiant of God. I will not, will NOT let that happen to my generations! My father's sin will stop right here with me and right now. And I know it goes against your beliefs and training me, but I had to do it.
“I had an abortion two days ago. I didn’t want to, but I did NOT want to tell my child later in life that my father was also his father. I refuse to do that, ever.
“I’m sorry, Mom, that you weren’t here when it happened. I was scared, but Samantha held me and held my hand and loved me through it.
“I’m okay physically, and the doctor assured me that I can get pregnant again later in life when I want that from my husband and not my father. Mentally, I’m still iffy.
However, the nightmares have faded, and I can sleep all night now even when they happen because Joy or Samantha, sometimes both are constantly at my side, and the fear is gone.
“It just sucks that I had to do it without you. I hold you no ill will. I don’t hate you.
And even though I’d love to have a hug from you right now, it’s better that you’re not here. I’m not sure if I could behave and be nice if you tried. That sucks too, but I’ll get over it soon. I give you my word, and my word is my bond.
“Love, Jackie Jasmin Westley.”
“Oh, fuck me to tears!” Cierra screamed and dropped her cell phone twice, trying to call.
“Manfred! Please help me! Please come here right now and go with me! I need you with me so I won’t kill him on sight!”
“Who? What happened?” He signaled Ruby to pick up the line.
“Just got a letter from Jackie. She had an abortion and said she had to because it was Roger’s baby, and she couldn’t stand to tell the baby that its father was also her father. And I want to hurt him badly!”
“Okay, Cierra. Ruby and I are on the way. Are you in the house?”
“Yes. On the patio at the end of the drive.”
“Then stay there until we get there.”
She disconnected without an answer and reviewed the letter again. “What the hell?
Wasn’t I enough?”
She retrieved her handgun, checked that the cylinder was filled, put it in her purse, and returned to the patio. Someone knocked on the door as soon as she sat on the lawn chair.
She unzipped her purse and had a hand on the gun when she approached the door and looked at the woman on the other side of the glass pane.
“May I help you?”
“I hope so. I need to talk with you about Jackie Jasmin Westley. You’re her mother, aren’t you?”
“Yes. Who are you?”
“I’m Samantha Adams, her choice for a new mother. May we talk, please? I’ve driven a long way to get here.”
“I know! You came all the way from Romney, West Virginia. I want to talk, but I must go and talk with my husband.”
“No, you don’t need that. If you do, all you’ll succeed in doing is interfering with what has already started and net yourself a room on death row. Isn’t that a wonderful legacy to leave for your daughter? Wow, what a loving super mom you are. The whole world will recognize her because of your restraint.”
“What the hell do you want?”
“I want an hour of your time to discuss some important things for Jackie’s sake. And I want to save your life. So please put down your purse with the loaded gun and let us talk. Please, Cierra?”
She zipped up the purse, tossed it on the chaise, and unlocked the door. “Come on inside, Samantha. You look pretty good to be her mother. How old are you?”
“Twenty-two, going on twenty-three. I’m sorry. I didn’t ask for it. That was what she asked of me, and I was shocked, but I had to say yes under the circumstances. I will care for her and be her mother, friend, and partner. I won’t steer or guide her wrong. I promise that.”
Cierra said nothing, walked away to a small fridge in the patio corner, and returned to Samantha with a water bottle.
“Would a visit to the bathroom be good about now?”
“That would be the greatest. Sorry. I’m a little stressed out about this.”
“So am I.” She pointed to the inside door. “Right through that door and turn left.
You can’t miss it. I’ll wait for you.”
Samantha returned, and Cierra did not hesitate.
“Were you there for the abortion?”
“Yes. I pissed off many people, came close to being decertified and fired, but I insisted I be with her. She was scared half to death, and I didn’t want her to feel abandoned for something like that.”
“This might sound crass, but was it a boy or a girl?”
Samantha did not think the question appropriate but chose to answer to keep the peace.
“Boy.”
“And that was it?”
“Most of it. Before she got to my house, she and Joy went to Indiana to visit an aunt.
The aunt told her to demand that a DNA test be done on the fetus to entrap the father.
That was done, and I delivered the expected results to Trooper Manfred before coming here.”
Cierra sat up and stared at her harshly. “I just talked to him before you got here.”
“I know. He’s acting on the results of that report. That’s why I want and need you to stay here where you are, so you are not involved.”
“Are they going to confront him?”
“Yes, even though it will do no good. Before that time, he will know why they are there, and he will suicide. It will look like an accident, but he’s a dead man now, and his life insurance will pay, and his retirement will pay, and the world will still turn for Cierra Randy Westley in the morning.”
“How do you know all that? What the hell are you?”
“I’m many things, but to resolve one right now, will you let Jackie live with me as my daughter until she can make it on her own? All three of us need that to happen.”
“How can you ask a mother that?”
“Just like I did right now.”
Cierra eyed the purse and judged if she could make it to the bag and put a bullet in her nemesis before she could escape the patio.
“That’s not nice, Cierra. I have no weapons at all except my love. I want you to live.
She needs to stay with me as my daughter, but she still needs her biological momma for a while. Don’t destroy something so beautiful and intelligent as she is.”
“You’re right. If I agree, will you tell me how you know so much?”
“Of course I will. I’d love to do that.”
“Then she’s yours. From this brief meeting, I can tell you’ll be a better momma for her than I have been or can be. You exude great love, purity, power, and honesty for such a youngster.”
“I appreciate that. I don’t often get compliments like that, and I blush even less.
From the bottom of my heart, Cierra. Now, get comfortable, and let me tell you about her experience in Room Eight of the Grub Hotel in a shady part of Pennsylvania.”
“When she ran from here, she hadn’t made her choice of destiny. She arranged for a friend to be silent and take her to Grub Hotel near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Or so they advertise. She talked the owner into renting her a room for cash for one day to relax and decide a course of action. He did so without any paperwork or information on her at all.
He just knew she was underage and alone.
“She settled in, and for two days and two nights, she had dreams and visitations from angels and other spirits. She was sure of her pregnancy and who the father was and wanted to escape badly and quickly. The angel who talked to her the most, convinced her to go to Denver, Colorado, and set many activities into motion to connect her with my half-sister, who suddenly just had to find me.
“The owner worried about what he did because of her age, and out of desperation, he called Child Protection Services to save himself if anything went wrong. They arrived, and they took her into custody when she opened the door and shuttled her away from the hotel. When they got to their office and prepared to remove her from the car’s back seat, which was like a police car and offered no escape, the back seat was empty. Jackie and her luggage were gone, and the two people in the front seat and the people in the car behind them never saw her leave. However, she was gone. They swore themselves to secrecy versus facing an investigation and abided by it.
“The angel rescued her, and the next thing she knew, she was sitting on a bench in the Lancaster Bus Station with a ticket to Denver. She took it and kept silent about everything that had happened.
“The two connected, and Joy convinced her to go to our Aunt Cecilia’s. Aunt Cecilia talked to her and told her about the DNA test and then remained silent again about why.
I knew why, and I took it and did what was necessary. And the trap is about to close on Roger Aaron Westley. And he will pay the price for what he’s done to his family.”
Cierra shivered and shook her head. “What a trip my daughter went on to arrive in your life. I’m sorry she had to experience so much heartache, but that is a part of life and growing up. She’ll be good with you, and I trust you now. Will you stay, have dinner with me, and leave in the morning after we hook you up with a Power of Attorney to be her everything and make decisions concerning her?”
“After you stow your weapon in a safe place, I’d be delighted to do that, Cierra.”
Cierra’s phone rang. “Hello, Manfred. Did he? Man, that’s a long fall. Did he survive? Big ouch! That’s a shame, but being a riveter on new construction is always a hazard.
“Yes, she’s here, and we discussed some of the finer details. So, yes. I’ll take care of that in the morning.”
She disconnected and gazed at Samantha. “Roger just slipped and fell twenty-seven stories when his safety harness failed. He didn’t survive it. I’m glad that Jackie did. Let’s relocate to the kitchen.”
STORY FIVE:
Jacob Brazile waited outside the door and a few feet into the parking lot of Grub Hotel.
He alternately stared at the door to Room Eight and the hotel entrance, anticipating his taxi's arrival. Half of him wanted the door to open and everything to return to normal.
The other half wished it to remain closed and spare him another fit of anger or disbelief in the demon he almost married. The second wish came true as the same taxi that dropped them off, Number 37, pulled to a stop beside him. He tossed his small suitcase in the back seat and slammed the door.
“So soon? The way you two were loving and kissing in the back seat, I figured a week before returning.”
“Yeah, so did I, but it’s weird, man. The fluff bunny I loved since fourth grade just became a demon instead. I was in shock, and I still am. Why do women turn like that?”
“I’m not sure but look on the bright side of the situation. You found out before you married her.”
Jacob hunched his shoulders and repositioned himself in the seat.
“That’s a dark side that surfaced, but I know what you mean.”
“So, where too, mate?”
“A hotel close to Lancaster Airport. I have to report to Holloman Air Force Base in two days. I’ll wing it from there.”
*
“Inside Room Eight, Angel glared at her shaking hands.”
She had to use both hands to pick up her drink.
“Why did you do that, idiot? Why ruin something so beautiful? This life together was something you both wanted since you first met. Why blow it over something insignificant as relocating to Arizona? Where you are is not important. Who is with you there matters.”
She took a second sip and felt calmer.
“Way to go, dumbass. That fiery ultimatum just ruined your future. You’re done, and you know his willpower. He’s not coming back.”
Outside the hotel, a storm announced itself with lightning, thunder, and high winds that rattled the windows.
She looked to the ceiling and raised her glass.
“Thanks. I love you, too. You might as well rain on me and strike me with a lightning bolt to roast me. I’m done.”
After a few claps of thunder, she asked, “What? You’re not going to do that? Well, you should know that I have a Plan B in mind and in stock. Sorry, but, well, you know.
It’s nothing personal, just my will to stop living.”
She opened her purse, took a third drink, and then swallowed the whole bottle of her Plan B.
She lay on the bed, watched the video display of lightning, and wished Jacob a fond farewell and a good life. She grew dizzy swiftly, but not before she heard the loud crack of lightning and the willow tree outside her room crash through the ceiling, destroying the room and Angel’s hope.