Renewed (The Fractured Series Book 3) (10 page)

I scooped up some egg and shoveled it into my mouth. “What are we doing today?”

“Everything,” Rob smiled. “When you wouldn’t tell me what you wanted to do, I asked your mother what she thought would be on your list.”

I brushed my teeth again, and then got dressed. After calling my brother to wish him a happy birthday, too, Rob and I spent an hour at the creek. Then Rob drove to an art museum in the city. It was wonderful to see the works of so many of the artists I admired, and to share the experience with Rob. He even knew a few things I didn’t about one or two of them.

“You can thank my mom and my Aunt Rachel for infusing me with all of these useless facts,” he said. “We used to go on intellectual field trips all of the time.”

We had a beautiful lunch in a park adjacent to the museum. It was from a hot dog vender. It reminded me of the first meal we technically shared together: the hot dogs he bought for Dillon and me in the park. But it wasn’t the food that made it so wonderful – I would have eaten dirt – it was that I was with Rob that made it great. We sat on a bench that overlooked a path. Several people walked, skated, and rode bicycles past us. Mothers pushed baby carriages, and sunbathers worshipped their god. Children played ball, and bums slept on benches and under trees. The air was warm enough to be comfortable, but not humid as the end of June sometimes is.

“So, have you decided on what kind of wedding we should have?” Rob asked.

“Finals have had me occupied. Not to mention this incredible guy I’m engaged to.” I looked at him with a seductive smile.

“Oh, I bet he’s a real tyrant?” Rob asked in a playful tone.

I continued in his teasing manner. “Oh yes. He makes me take road tests, and pose for pictures for him, and he won’t let me keep any clothes on.” I crawled across the bench toward him. He welcomed my advances and wrapped his arms around me. We made quite a public display, although I doubt any of the other people noticed or cared.

During the drive back home, I fell asleep. I woke when Rob pulled into his garage.

“I’m sorry,” I said, stretching my arms out.

“I guess the museum wore you out,” he said, turning off the ignition. “I’ll bring you upstairs and you can continue your nap.”

I had another thing in mind. Pretending to still be sleepy, I followed Rob up the stairs to his room – the one he used to stay in before he renovated the master suite. The shades were already drawn, but a small hint of sunlight filtered through the crack where the heavy curtains met.

Rob walked over to the bed and pulled the comforter back, while I stood at the foot.

With one hand, I unbuttoned my blouse; with the other, I pulled the clip out of my hair. Rob turned to me and stood motionless, his eyes fixed on me. I walked over to him, wearing just my underwear.

His mouth moved, but no sound came out. I pressed my lips to his
, and he returned the favor. His strong arms circled my waist and pulled me close.

“I guess you aren’t sleepy
anymore.”

“Guess not,” I said, then pulled him onto the bed.

“Are you sure you want to spend your birthday like this?” he asked.

Is he kidding?
“This is how I want to spend every day.” I kissed him so he couldn’t ask any more questions.

Chapter Fifteen

While I was blow-drying my hair, Rob knocked on the bathroom door. “Can I do
it for you?”

Handing him the brush and blow dryer, I adjusted the towel around my body. “What is it about my hair that you find so attractive?”

“It’s just beautiful – the color, the texture, the smell of your shampoo floating in the strands, the way it falls around your shoulders when it’s down.” He always knew what to say to make me feel pretty.

Gently, he ran the brush through my hair. His light strokes caused my skin to pimple. When he was done, I stood up and thanked him. Reaching to remove my towel
, he stopped my hands before I could reveal anything.

“I would
love to be distracted again, but we’ll be late.”

“Late?”

“Yes, we’re going for dinner.”

Again
, my hands started to undo the towel. “I don’t care about dinner.”

He stopped me a second time. “But what will we tell our families?”

My mouth opened. “Our families?”

He nodded. ‘They’re meeting us at that Italian restaurant we went to on our first date.”

My mind flashed back to that wonderful night, when he kissed me for the first time under the star-filled sky. With a hint of disappointment in my voice, I said, “Oh, all right. I’ll get dressed. But you owe me.”

He smiled.

**
*

With a final glance in the mirror, I decided I was ready to go for dinner. As I walked down the stairs, I heard voices coming from the kitchen. I strained to recognize the voice. It was Chelsea. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and hid behind the wall adjacent to the kitchen. Their reflection bounced off the screen of the television across the family room giving me a clear picture of where they both were in the room. Chelsea was sitting at the breakfast nook, while Rob poured her a glass of soda.

As she looked at Rob, she flipped her beautiful auburn hair behind her shoulder. It bounced, almost in slow motion, like in a shampoo commercial.

“I thumbed through the book, but I don’t think this one is the right one. I wanted to return it so I wouldn’t forget.”

Yeah, right
.

She looked out the window. “Remember when we used to hang out in
the clubhouse in your yard?”

A small cloud of anger formed around me. He had told me it was only his dad, Eric
, and him who played in there. Then I found out Chelsea delivered Rob’s first kiss in the clubhouse.

“Well, we didn’t really hang out. It was really only for the guys.”

“That’s because you and my cousin wouldn’t let me in. You said no girls were allowed, but we hid in there for hide-and-seek. Remember?” Her voice was flirtatious.

“Yeah, I remember.”

“That’s where we had our first kiss.”

Rob was quiet. I felt like dragging her out of the house by her hair and beating her until she was purple, but I stayed where I was.

“You said you liked my cherry lip-gloss. Remember?”

Still, Rob was quiet. I could feel the bubbles boiling larger in my blood.

The reflection in the television screen was a bit distorted, but I saw her reach into her pocket. She lifted something out of it.
Was that cherry lip-gloss?
“I still have it, see? We could go out to the clubhouse right now, Rob.”

My fists clenched and I drew in my breath.

Rob smiled and looked down at the counter. “There are no girls allowed.” He looked down at Chelsea. “Except Mandy. Mandy’s allowed any time.”

That made me happy. I walked into the room
, over to Rob and gave him a big, passionate kiss on the lips, minus lip-gloss. He returned the favor.

Chelsea sat back in her seat.
Strike three. You’re out. Don’t try to lure my fiancé away again.

“Well, you might as well ride with us, Chelsea,” Rob said. “We’re meeting everyone at the restaurant.”

I spent the next fifteen minutes gloating in the car over how
I
was allowed in Rob’s clubhouse.             

Both the
Bowmans and the Stewarts were already seated at the restaurant when we walked in. Silver Mylar balloons, with ‘Happy Birthday’ written on them in both pink and blue were anchored on the table by a wrapped weight. Rob and I made the rounds and said hello to everyone. Chelsea sat next to Eric. She didn’t look too happy about striking out with Rob again.

The Suttons arrived shortly after we did. Although Mrs. Sutton was now my brother’s mother-in-law, I still couldn’t like her. Not while she continued to have sex with my father behind my mother’s and Mr. Sutton’s backs.

Bryan and I were each seated at the ends of the long table that accommodated our growing family. Jennifer looked a bit bigger than I expected.
Was it possible she was further along than I thought?

Several conversations were going on at one time when our meals were served. Everything was going well until a woman with blonde stringy hair and green eyes tapped my mother on the shoulder. Mom turned. “Joyce, how are you?”

Every muscle in my body tightened, including my lungs. My stomach lurched, and my head filled with memories of Jimmy attacking me. It sickened me to think his second attempt almost succeeded.

On either side of her, Joyce Dalton’s daughters and wimp-of-a-husband stood. “I’m fine, Dina. I see you’re doing better.” Joyce’s attempt at embarrassing Mom in front of our entire family didn’t work. Mom held her head high. Mrs. Dalton’s daughters were stoic and quiet, supporting their mother’s demeanor.

Mom sat upright in her chair and pushed her long wavy brown locks behind her ears. “Yes. I’ve been in recovery for ten months now. Dr. Hoffman has been wonderful.”

A light film of sweat covered me.

“I understand congratulations are in order.” The Daltons shifted their gaze to Bryan and Jennifer.

“Yes. This is my new daughter-in-law, Jennifer.” Mom said it proudly. “But you’ve known Jennifer since the kids were in the first grade.”

“Yes.” Joyce looked down her nose. Then she turned to look at me. “And I hear there’s another wedding in your future.”

Rob grabbed my hand under the table. It helped me to feel more secure.

Mom shifted in her seat toward me. “Yes. Mandy and Rob have recently gotten engaged. We’re aiming for an August wedding so it won’t interfere with their college plans.”

If death could be administered by looking at someone, then Joyce Dalton’s glare would be killing me a thousand times over. Icicles hung off of her next comment. “Well, you enjoy all the
wonderful things that are happening to your family. I’ll make sure to send Jimmy your best at my next visit to see him in jail.” Poison filled her sentiment.

Everyone at the table held their breath.

“Good luck to you, Mandy,” Joyce Dalton said with a cutting edge, before she motioned to her daughters to follow her. Mr. Dalton trailed behind all of them.

No one spoke for a very long minute after Joyce and her family left.

I had to focus to slow my breathing. My heart was banging against my ribcage.

“Well,” Dad spoke. “Let’s order dessert, okay?” He tried to return our thoughts to the reason for the gathering
, but I was not in the mood to celebrate any more. I remembered the letters I had received from Jimmy.
Although he was locked up now, what would happen when he was released? What if he got out for good behavior? Didn’t he tell me he was making progress in therapy? Maybe it was all a ruse.
I ate my cake, but I don’t remember tasting it.

I’m sure Chelsea enjoyed the show.

Chapter
Sixteen

That weekend, Mom, Jennifer, Rob’s Aunt Rachel, and I went to look at wedding dresses. Chelsea tagged along because she didn’t have any other plans. I would have preferred if she didn’t come. I wasn’t as fortunate as Jennifer was, who wore her mother’s gown. My mother got married in a black suit. Maybe
it was a sign.

Jennifer started out with a lot of enthusiasm, but then had to sit down because she was tiring quickly.

“That’s because you’re pregnant,” Mom explained.

I tried on dress after dress, but couldn’t wrap my head around any of it. I was afraid  Jimmy would get out of jail. Chelsea didn’t help with the snide comments she made under her breath, loud enough for only me to hear. “Makes you look fat; so unflattering; that’s good if you want everyone to know
your family are carnies.”

When I was just about to accept I’d be getting married in a burlap sack and call it a day, Mom clasped her hands together
, and a huge smile filled her face.

“I think this is the one,” Mom said, looking at Jennifer, who was nodding enthusiastically. It was a beautiful Jasmine gown, with a sweetheart neckline. Beaded embroidery covered the bodice down to the inverted
basque waistline. A line of buttons hugged the back from the top of the dress, down to the bow at the top of the trumpet chapel train. I stared in the mirror at a very beautiful girl.
Was that
me
?

Rob’s Aunt Rachel hugged me. Jennifer started crying. It triggered Mom as well. Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face, too. Chelsea sat with her arms crossed over her chest. Everything else dissolved. I was in my wedding dress.

The woman helping us told me they could have the dress in by the first of August, and she didn’t think I needed many alterations.

“You have the perfect figure,” she said. I was glad Chelsea was there to hear it.

I didn’t want to take it off, but I had to help Mom and Aunt Rachel look for their gowns. Jennifer was already trying on the ones she liked, and could fit into.

“Remember, you’ll be another two months pregnant by mid-August,” Rachel reminded Jennifer. “I’d go with an empire cut.”

Jennifer pouted, but adjusted her search for dresses with a high waist seam. We agreed on a simple lilac satin gown, with beading encrusted along the seam. Jennifer couldn’t make anything look bad, even if she was pregnant.

At lunch, we talked about our choices as Jennifer finished off what everyone left over on their plates.

**
*

“So, how’d it go?” Rob asked as I cooked in his kitchen.

“I found it. I found the dress.”

His eyes lit up. “Tell me about it.” He closed his eyes so he could imagine it as I described it.

“No, I can’t.
You aren’t supposed to know.”

“I’m not allowed to
see
you in it before the wedding. I can
know
about it.” His sparkling blue eyes melted me.

I shared some minor details about the dress. “Now we have to pick the where.”

“I had a thought,” Rob said. “Do you think Mr. and Mrs. Handly would be okay with us having the ceremony at the creek?”

My heart fluttered. “Oh Rob, that would be a perfect place. Do you think we could fit everyone in that small space?”

“We could try.” His arms circled around me. I would never tire of the way I felt in his embrace. His eyes reached deep into my soul. I was going to be with him forever. I couldn’t have been happier.

***

There was another letter for me when I got home. The same handwriting was scrawled across the front. I wasn’t going to open it. I was going to throw it directly into the trash, except I noticed the return address. It wasn’t from the jail; it was from Jimmy’s mother’s house.

My heart started to hammer and sweat formed on my hairline. Mom had come into the kitchen and was putting up a pot of coffee. I couldn’t let her know Jimmy was contacting me.
Was he out of jail and living back at his mother’s house? Wouldn’t someone have told me?
I ran up to my room, and before the door was completely closed, I tore open the seal. I yanked the letter out as if there was a snake in the envelope. It was longer than the previous ones I had read.

Dear Mandy,

 
My mother told me about Bryan. I’m happy for him. Jennifer is a great girl. I’m sure they’ll be very happy together. Mom also told me of your news. I know this is what you want, so I’m happy for you, too. I just wish you would have given me a chance. I could have spent my whole life making you happy. I was just late in telling you. I shouldn’t have waited. I should have told you how I felt about you when I first realized I loved you. That was when we were ten. I’m learning so many things about myself in therapy – mostly about how my behavior has probably affected you. I’m sorry. I never meant to cause you pain. Maybe one day, you’ll come to visit me and tell me you forgive me.

This time, it was signed: Jimmy.

I chose not to throw this one away. I put it in my drawer and collected my sketchpad.

**
*

It was the first time I had been to the creek without Rob since before I first showed him my special ‘alone place’. It felt strange to be there by myself now. So much had changed in the past year. Propping myself up on the rock I always sat on, I thought about those changes: I met Rob, fell in love, lost my virginity, learned how to drive, became a sister-in-law, and soon to be an aunt, got engaged… and almost got raped, twice. Up until then, my life had been boring.
What a year. Is that what ordering potato salad can do to a person’s life?
I laughed to myself.

My concentration was broken by the sound of a twig cracking in the distance. My ears perked up and my heart pounded in my chest.
What if it was Jimmy? Where could I run?
My back straightened. Sweat started to form at my hairline.

Rob emerged from the trees. He was my knight in shining armor, always.

“Hey, what are you doing here all alone?” he asked.

I waited for him to sit next to me on the rock.

“I was just thinking about how wonderful our wedding will be when I marry the most incredible man in the world, in the most beautiful place in the universe.”

He looked around in marvel at the trees and the stream of water, the way he did the first time I brought him there. “It
is
the most beautiful place on earth, isn’t it?”

My finger stroked his jaw line. It was perfect, just like him. His eyelids flashed up and his deep blue eyes made my body react. I willed him to move closer
, and he read my mind. His mouth opened slightly. The perfect lips invited me in. I moved my mouth to meet his. Before we connected, he whispered, “I love you,” and he sealed that thought with a perfect kiss.