The youngest, being two and finding humor with most anything, pointed and began to giggle. The five-year-old followed suit. Only the eight-year-old remained quiet. She stared at her mother for a moment then grabbed her school bag and headed for the door. The five-year-old ran to catch up.
When everyone had left for the day and the two-year-old was busy playing with toys, the woman sank to the floor and cried tears that flowed from the depths of her soul.
Chapter 1
After putting Melanie in her car seat, Laney quietly used her hip to securely shut the door. The still night air did nothing to muffle the sound. She stood still, waiting for him to come running out of the house to stop her. She said her last silent goodbye to the house that was supposed to be her dream house. She had dubbed it the house of horrors shortly after moving in. Goodbyes had never been easy for her. This time it was what she wanted most in the world.
She still had to get out of the driveway. She whispered to her oldest daughter, Joy, that it was time to do her job. Laney put the car in neutral and started pushing. Joy had her hands on the steering wheel and her foot ready to push the brakes. They made it to the street. Laney continued pushing until they were two houses down. She motioned for Joy to apply the brakes. Joy scooted over to the passenger seat. Laney jumped in the van and started it.
She was two hours north of town when the lights in the big two-story brick house came on. She couldn’t possibly hear the shouting and cursing, yet her insides were knotted and her stomach churned. If he caught her, he would kill her. Of that she was certain.
Laney drove all night, only stopping to get gas. She paid with the cash she had safely squirreled away. She didn’t drink anything for fear she would have to go the bathroom. The kids slept. They only had the pajamas they wore to bed and one change of clothes she had stashed the week before when she was doing laundry. She had managed to get their social security cards and birth certificates as well. If she had packed anything else he would have noticed. She was wearing the sweats she normally slept in. She had nothing else. When she started planning her escape she realized she would be giving up many things that held sentimental meaning to her. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered as long as she and her children were safe and away from the man she called husband.
Laney watched her life disappear in the rear view mirror. If only the memories could disappear as well.
The sun was rising when she noticed her eldest daughter stirring in the seat next to her. She knew the other two would be rousing soon as well, wanting something to eat. They still had several hours before they would arrive at their destination.
Laney glanced at her daughter. With one eye on the road, she looked at Joy, wanting to see approval on her daughter’s face.
Joy smiled at her mom. “I love you, Mom. You did the right thing.”
Laney teared up hearing such grown up words coming from her still young daughter. “I love you too. You mean everything to me.”
Melanie started to whimper and Laney knew it was time to stop. She pulled into a truck stop. While she was cautious, she knew Paul had no idea where she was headed. She purposefully did not go to the obvious places, like her parents or her sister’s house. She didn’t let them know she was leaving. She thought it would be safer to wait and inform them later. That way, when he contacted them, which she knew he would, they wouldn’t have to lie to protect her.
Laney wiped away the threatening tears and concentrated on her children. Melanie was in a mood. She didn’t get a good nights rest and was sure to be cranky for the rest of the trip. Hopefully some breakfast would help. She looked at the face of her still sleeping son, Matt.
Such a sweet boy
. Thank God he was such a hard sleeper. The night before, Joy had quietly led him outside and into the car where he continued to sleep. He would have many questions when he was fully awake. Only Joy had known ahead of time that they were leaving. Even then, it was only out of necessity that she had told her. She needed help to get the other two children quietly to the car in the middle of the night. Joy had saved her.
She gently shook Matt awake. “Matt, honey, wake up.” He was not going to be compliant. “Matt, come on, wake up. Do you want some pancakes?”
Melanie started to get excited. Pancakes were her favorite. “I want pancakes. Me too!”
Laney shook her son. “Come on buddy, it’s time to get up.” She pulled him to a sitting position and began putting his shoes on him.
Matt rebelled “Ah mom, I’m still sleepy. I’m not hungry.”
Laney corralled Matt into the truck stop while Joy held on to Melanie’s hand. At two, she wanted her independence and loved to walk. Joy, the eldest, was used to helping her mom. Laney got them settled into a booth, ordered a cup of coffee and tried to relax. Driving all night was taking its toll. She was tired and still had to drive for several more hours. Coffee would do her well. Her adrenaline was beginning to subside. The farther away she got, the more relaxed she had become. Rest would come. Just a little while longer.
After breakfast all four of them went into the family restroom and dressed. That is when Matt realized they weren’t at home and dad wasn’t with them.
“Mom, where are we? And where is dad? He’s going to be mad.”
Laney wasn’t ready to answer his questions, at least not fully. “We are going to see a friend of mine. Kind of like a vacation. It’s going to be fun.”
“Why isn’t dad coming?” Matt loved his dad. Matt always forgave. It was his nature. He loved unconditionally.
“Well, your dad has to work. He couldn’t come with us this time.”
Joy smiled at her mom, encouraging her.
Laney continued, “We need to get going. Finish getting dressed. We will be at my friend’s house by lunchtime. She is really nice. You will like her.”
Once they were on the road again, it seemed more like a true family vacation. Joy and Matt played
I Spy
while Melanie played with her doll. Only Laney remained quiet, wondering what their life was going to be like. What was she doing? How was she going to provide for her children? How was she going to keep them safe? The questions continued to run through her mind as exhaustion set in.
It was eleven thirty when she pulled into the driveway of a white two story Victorian house. Sheila, her dear friend from college, came out the front door and greeted her with a hug. “I’ve missed you so much.” She whispered in her ear, “You’ve done the right thing. You will be safe here.”
Laney took Sheila’s hand and allowed herself to be led up the porch steps and into the house. Joy, Melanie and Matt quietly followed their mother, taking in their surroundings as they went.
Once inside, Laney sat on the couch and managed to introduce her children to Sheila. “Sheila is one of my very best friends. She and I went to school together. We have known each other for a very long time.”
Laney was having a hard time keeping her eyes open. She smiled apologetically toward her dear friend.
Sheila came to the rescue “It’s nice to meet you! I’ve heard a lot about you. Are you hungry? I have lunch ready. Why don’t we let your mom lay down while we eat? She looks really tired.” Sheila looked to Laney, “Your room is upstairs to your right…third door on the left. I’m sure you will find it just fine while I get these three fed.”
Once upstairs, Laney headed straight for the bed, crawled into the crisp sheets and laid her head down. With her children safely in the hands of her capable friend, she instantly fell asleep.
About the Author
Darlene Shortridge’s writing endeavors are varied, as she has written Bible school curriculum and poetry in addition to
Until Forever
, her first novel.
You can visit Darlene at her website -
http://www.darleneshortridge.com
As well as connect with her at these places -
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorDarleneShortridge
Twitter
https://twitter.com/#!/ShortridgeD
Blog
http://darleneshortridge.blogspot.com/