Read Anchored Online

Authors: Tracey Hoffmann

Anchored (2 page)

Sunlight pushed its way through the gap in the blind, persuading Mia to open her eyes.

She sat up, and minutes slipped by as she thought of her mother. Frustration gnawed at her stomach. Running her fingers through her hair she swung her feet onto the floor, she’d go for a walk, seeing the expanse of the ocean would bring things back into perspective.

Floating sounds merged together and splashed all around her. The melody of morning lightened her step. A Bible verse her mother helped her memorize as a child popped into her mind. Something about not being afraid and being worth more than sparrows. The words were somehow nice. It seemed idealistic to think God knew you in this way and for a moment she wished she believed like her mother.

Mia stopped and her gaze lifted to watch a scene unfolding in the clouds. Her interest evaporated as the cloud dispersed. Turning, her eyes widened as a huge animal jumped towards her.

A piercing scream ripped through her body, and she toppled over onto the dewy grass. Captured beneath the massive animal, Mia kept her eyes closed tight. She could smell its meaty breath and feel moisture soaking through her clothes from the damp grass.

The animal shifted slightly, encouraging Mia to sneak a look. The Rottweiler angled its head, seeming curious. Mia tentatively raised a hand to its shoulder.

“Hello, where’d you come from?”

The dog lowered its head.

Mia tensed and pushed back into the grass. The roughness of its long pink tongue swept over her chin and the dog nudged her with its paw. The look on its face calmed her.

“There’s a good boy.” She pushed at him. The dog’s only response was to squat down beside her. One paw remained holding her captive. Mia decided to try and slide away.

A man appeared behind the dog, his hand grabbing frantically at its collar. 

“Bruno, get off!” the man commanded.

Mia felt the blood return to her shoulder as the dog obeyed. She watched as the man wrapped the lead around his hand.

“Down. Bad dog. Are you all right?”

Bruno crouched down and rested his head on his paws, his eyes not moving from her.

The man extended his hand towards her and she stared at it for a moment before allowing him to help her up. She rubbed at her chin with the back of her other hand.

“Thank you.” She could feel her heart racing.

He stood staring at her and seemed to forget to let go of her hand.

Embarrassed, Mia stepped back and pulled free. She laced her fingers together to hide their trembling and studied him. He was athletic, bronzed and his height made her feel tiny. A strong angular face, with eyes as blue as the ocean on a clear day. A strong man, she thought, one who knew what he wanted and went after it.

“I’m sorry. Bruno doesn’t normally do this sort of thing. He yanked the lead out of my hand and took off. Are you hurt?” he enquired softly.

“No I’m fine.” Turning towards Bruno, Mia noticed his whole body seemed to wag. She squatted down and held out her hand. 

“I’m David O’Malley and you’ve met this crazy animal.”

Without looking up Mia said, “Hello.” The dog was easier to talk to than this handsome stranger. Mia forced herself to smile and scratched Bruno behind the ears.

“You can’t go around scaring people Bruno. I thought you were a monster out to get me.”

“Lick you to death more likely. He may be big but he’s a pussycat. I’d like to make it up to you. Can I buy you a coffee? The Corner Café should be open by the time we walk there.”

“That’s not necessary.” Mia avoided his eyes. “I’ve got to get going.”

Standing, she brushed her jeans off and turned to go.

“Wait. What’s your name?” he asked quickly.

She deliberated not telling him. Manners won out and she turned back slightly.

“Mia.” Lifting her hand she waved and headed off.

He called after her. “Until next time, Mia.”

She looked back to see him salute her and heat burned up her neck.

She walked down the street until she came to the narrow beach access. Once on the beach Mia walked to the water’s edge. The tide was going out and she noticed the sand had been vacuumed clean. She slipped off her shoes and allowed her toes to dig into the wet grainy sand. Waves fizzed around her feet and cooled her nerves.

A sob escaped her.
Why do I act this way? Why do I freeze up and make a fool of myself? Why didn’t I stay and talk to him?
What’s the matter with me?

This walk was not having the effect she wanted. She turned and headed home.

Mia stepped into the kitchen and was surprised to see her father making toast. She watched him lift down a cup and pour himself a black coffee. “Where’s Mum?”

Her father glanced towards her, took another cup out of the cupboard and placed it on the bench. “She’s gone to a prayer meeting. Do you want some coffee?”

“No thank you.” Mia answered stiltedly.

“What about some toast? I can put a couple of pieces in for you.” Her father turned towards her with the question and Mia stopped her retreat from the kitchen.

“Sit down, Mia. I’ll pour you an orange juice.” Quickly he placed two pieces of bread into the toaster.

“I’ll pass on breakfast, thanks. I’m going to get ready for work.”

Her father diverted his eyes and nodded.

“Did Mum say what time she’d be back? I’d like to see her before I leave.”

“I don’t expect her back before I leave for work,” he stated dully.

The toast popped and Mia smelt the alluring aroma of heated bread. Only the thought of eating alone with her father silenced her. Moving back home was a mistake. Her mother had convinced her it was a good idea, saying they could spend more time together and that she’d be able to save to pay off her student loan. She’d planned to keep an emotional distance between herself and her father, but what surprised her were his random acts of kindness. They came from nowhere and confused her. Now the look in his eyes angered her. She was not the one who should be feeling guilty.

“Please tell Mum to phone me.” Turning, she stormed out of the room.

 

Chapter 3

Jonathan walked towards his car. Shame consumed him. He’d lied to Margaret again last night and gone out to meet Judy. It had to stop. He was drowning in deception. With Mia back home he wanted the chance to make things right with her. If Margaret or Mia found out about Judy he’d lose everything.

Arriving at his car, he unlocked the door and was startled when someone touched his arm.

Judy. He hadn’t heard her approach.

Annoyed, he jerked away, his jaw tightened and he clenched his fist. The car keys dug into his hand. What had he ever seen in her?

“Jonathan what are you doing here?”

“Business, I didn’t expect to see you.” Angling his body away from her he scanned the car park. The last thing he needed was someone seeing him with her. “Do you need a lift home?”

“Yes please. It’ll save me catching the bus. I get my car back tomorrow.”

“Hop in, I’ll drive you. Hurry up, will you?” Jonathan got in the car and turned on the engine.

As he backed out of the parking space the car door flung open and Judy struggled to pull it closed.

“For goodness sakes, Jonathan, I wasn’t even in the car. What’s the matter with you?”

“I was thinking what a fool I’ve been for putting my marriage at risk and then you materialize beside me. Great timing, Judy,” he stormed.

“Your marriage! Don’t make me laugh. Your marriage is nothing and you know it,” Judy snapped.

“I have to consider Mia.” He kept his eyes on the road and waited to see what she’d say. A slight smile lifted at the corner of his mouth and he felt pleased with the way things were going. He would end it with Judy and concentrate on Margaret.

The silence began to feel heavy and he glanced at her. Jonathan felt a moment of disquiet as he waited for her reaction.

They arrived at her house and Judy sat looking down at her hands. Jonathan wanted her out of the car.

“Look, I’m sorry for the way it’s worked out. I would have enjoyed spending more time with you, but the risk is too high. I’m sorry, it’s over.” 

“Please don’t do this; you don’t realize how much I love you. She can’t mean as much to you as I do.”

Reaching over, she grabbed his arm and started to pull. Her action startled him and he lunged towards her.

Judy kissed him.

Instinctively Jonathan moved into the kiss. Seconds elapsed before his mind cleared. His eyes hardened and he pushed her away.

He glared at her. “Get out of the car! Either you get out now or I’ll throw you out. I don’t want to see you again. It’s over.” His face felt on fire and heat torched his neck.

Judy smiled and moved her hand up his arm. “I’ll get out now, darling, but don’t think you’ve seen the last of me. I don’t let go of what’s mine. Your wife is a minor problem, that’s all, but we can sort it out.”

Jonathan looked at her and thought she seemed deranged. Her eyes were fixated on his face and she seemed not to blink. It was like looking into the eye of a storm.

“What do you mean, a minor problem? She’s my wife! You are the problem!”

He flung her arm off and scrambled out of the car. He was going to make her understand. “Don’t you ever threaten my wife. I want nothing more to do with you.”

Jonathan grabbed Judy’s arms and brought his face close to hers. Looking into her eyes, he sneered. “Do you understand?”

“Darling, you don’t mean that. I know you’re upset and I’ll let you go now. I love you. It’s going to be okay.”

Reaching up, she ran her fingers over his cheek and turned in his arms, causing his hands to drop away.

As she reached the front of her house she turned and blew him a kiss.

~~~

The peace in the room warranted silence. Prayer had become a sanctuary to Margaret, breaking through the unknown and bringing relief. Glancing up she saw others preparing to leave.

Closing her eyes, she longed to extend her time here.

“Maggie what have you got on today? Have you time for coffee?” Klara’s voice beckoned her. Her friend’s smile was contagious.

Smiling back she nodded. “Coffee sounds good.” Standing, Margaret took her friends arm. “Let’s go.”

Walking arm in arm they entered the Café and found a table.

“Prayer and coffee, what a nice way to start the day,” Margaret exclaimed. “I miss you at the prayer meetings, Klara. Why have you stopped coming?”

Klara shrugged and muttered something about having difficulty getting out of bed and saluted Margaret. “Will Jonathan still be home?”

“No. I told him I wouldn’t be home before he left for work.” Margaret gave an easy smile, her eyes warm as she looked at her friend’s face.

“How’s he coping with Mia moving back home?” Klara enquired.

“He’s home more. Seems like he’s hoping to spend time with her.” Margaret lowered her eyes and a slight frown touched her brow.

“Goodness. What’s her reaction to that?”

“I don’t think she realizes. She barely tolerates him, answering him if he talks to her but nothing more. I long for them to talk.” Shrugging she sighed.

“Does he talk to you about how he feels?”

“No, but I can see he has regrets.” Margaret’s eyes misted.

“Give it time. They’ll work it out.”

“Mia’s like a pot ready to boil over. I let her down, Klara. I should have protected her from his anger.” Regret tore at her heart.

“You did what you could. We all make choices and you’re not responsible for Jonathan’s actions,” Klara stated harshly.

“But I am responsible for mine. I allowed him to hurt her. I’m responsible for that. I could have left him and her childhood would have been free of fear.”

“You know why you stayed. Come on Maggie, this isn’t helping. What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to hang onto the Lord with everything I have. Something is happening in Jon and I’m praying things will come to a head and force him to his knees.” Pausing, she swallowed. “Mia’s another story. It breaks my heart to see the coldness in her where he’s concerned. She needs Jesus, needs to forgive.”

Her stomach churned and Margaret tilted her head. Why couldn’t she cling onto the security that prayer gave her?

“One minute after the prayer meeting and I’m worried. See how quickly I fall?”

Rummaging around in her handbag, Margaret pulled out a small notebook. Flicking through the pages until she found what she wanted.

“Listen to this. Isaiah twenty-six, verse three. ‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.’ That’s what I’m going to do, Klara. Keep my eyes on him and not let my thoughts lead me down the path of hopelessness.”

“Perfect peace?” Klara avoided Margaret’s eyes and picked at her fingernail.

“It’s conditional though—you have to keep your thoughts on what God says, it’s not easy.” Margaret stared across the street and watched a woman and a child alight from a car. Where had the years gone?

“I’m going to talk to Mia. Can you pray for me Klara? Pray I have the right words and that she’s receptive.”

Lifting her cup Klara swallowed the last of her coffee. “Of course I can, although I’m not sure what good rehashing the past will do.”

 

Chapter 4

Seven hours of bedlam. The silence was like music to Mia’s ears. The consistent throb behind her eyes wouldn’t let up and she lifted her hand to massage her forehead. The children had left a rainbow of color splashed all over the benches. Sighing Mia began scrubbing.

“You okay? You look a little pasty?” Jackie scanned the area and smiled.

“Slight headache, that’s all.” Her hand moved to her head and pressed her right temple.

“Poor you. What a day. Did you put sugar in the water?” Jackie sighed.

“It certainly seemed like they were buzzing. Maybe they had a secret stash of candy bars in the bathroom,” Mia suggested.

“Mia, I can finish up here,” her boss offered. “You take off home and get rid of that headache.”

“I’m fine Jackie. How about you give me a hand here and I’ll help you set up the reading area.”

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