The Awakening (13 page)

    Frances’ face went as white as a sheet.

    “Adele run! Your legs are fast and strong. He’s liable to do anything to you.” Frances shoved her and she moved from the table.

    But angry Adele slammed her fists on the table. “No! I’m staying. And I’ll fight him. Where’s
Dad’s
gun?” Her eyes were sparked with fury.

    When her mother didn’t comment she didn’t waste any time. She seized the hammer from the counter and shoved it down the back of her pants.

     Sure enough the man stormed into the kitchen.

     His face dropped when he saw Adele.

    “Well, what do we have here? Why it’s Adele, with her mom. What a pleasant surprise to see your pretty face.” He scowled at her. He had a vile look of hate in his eyes.

     Adele nervously sped to the other side of the kitchen.

     Adele hadn’t time to answer as Isaac lunged for her, caught hold of her arm, hit her, and then pulled her hair, causing her to scream out.

    “Stop it, Ryan! Leave her alone,” Frances shouted.

      Frances distracted him and he immediately let go of Adele and turned his fists on her.

    Seizing the opportunity, Adele pulled the hammer out, raised it high, and when Isaac’s back was turned, thrust it at him. Unfortunately her aim was off and she missed his head, and instead, hit him on his upper arm.

    That day, was as if Adele was watching a horror movie in their kitchen; the most ghastly scene one could ever imagine, acting out a terrible crime with the most insane man imaginable.

    “You brat!” Isaac shouted, leaping away from Frances. His face was filled with rage and those cold dark eyes now turned on her. He grabbed her, flung her to the floor and slapped her hard across the face.

    Frances collapsed in a ball in the corner of the room and started to shake. There, she watched as Isaac flung  the hammer far across the room.

    “I’ll teach you,” he roared. “When I’m through with you, you’ll wish you never tried that.”

    “Mom!” Adele screamed, fearing the worst, looking at her mom and Jan from across the room.

    But traumatized Frances lay frozen in the corner of the room.

    Isaac ripped off his belt and began to lay a beating on Adele.

    “Jefferson!” she screamed. “Help me.”

    Isaac hoisted her up by the back of the hair, dragged her into the kitchen and opened the cellar door. He shoved her down the cellar steps, until at last she landed at the bottom. Her head ached. So did her back. When she saw stars, she assumed she had suffered a concussion. Every muscle in her body ached, every joint shouted pain and she thought her life was over. It wouldn’t be much longer. He’d soon kill her.
   When she opened her eyes, she saw him charging down the stairs and wondered what he could possibly do to inflict more pain?
    “Help Mom!” she tried to scream, but her voice had become but a whisper. “Why here?” she asked the monster.
    Isaac laughed. “Because this is where I keep my sharp things. Now shut up! There’s nobody here to help. When I’m finished, nobody will recognize your pretty face.”
   She lay helpless while the man glared at her with hate in his eyes. She closed her eyes and pretended she was with Jefferson. The day at the lake had been so wonderfully glorious. Even if she were to die today, nothing could take that memory away. Special things become magical. It’s meant to be that way.
    Her silent musing ended with the sound of her mother shouting from upstairs. Someone was outside.
    The cry was enough to make Isaac stop what he was doing. “What now!” he muttered.
    Leaving Adele, he rushed up the steps and raced outside. Adele heard the door slam and then footsteps.

   Frances hurried down the steps.

  “Good Lord!” she gasped, coming to her side.

   Somehow Adele managed to sit up. “Now do you believe me? That’s not Dad!” She pointed her finger to where Jan was sitting on the top step, trembling.

   Both of them sat for a moment, stunned, and then all three of them frantically searched for a place to hide.

    The noise outside was the police.
    Adele hovered over to the kitchen window. From there she could see two policemen.
    Isaac stumbled onto the front lawn appearing drunk. In a fit of rage he shook his fist at the officers.
   “What do you want?” he roared.
   “For you to come with us,” one officer ordered. “Heard you’ve been beating some women here.”

    Thankfully, the sight of the hand guns immobilized Isaac. And soon he was handcuffed and taken away.
   After the police were gone, Adele left home with her mom and sister to make the two mile walk to Bentley’s.

   Inside, Adele was itching to be reunited with Jefferson and her real father.

Chapter 19

October 27, 1971

   From a distance Adele could see her father as he walked toward Bentley’s front door. This was it— the end of the nightmare she had endured and now, the beginning of a well-deserved life.
   The gardens were just as beautiful as she had remembered only now even more so. She could see the morning sun, a heavenly blue sky like God’s canvas against the rich hues of autumn. The smell of autumn leaves in the air, like a taste of perfume on her tongue. And a breathtaking glorious mansion beyond the meadow. She spied Bentley, and Eva and then Jefferson as he came from the direction of the house to join them, and her heart leaped with anticipation.

    “Mom, see that young man?” Adele turned to her mother. “His name is Jefferson. He’s the man I fell in love with when I ran away.”

    Frances stopped dead in her tracks as though she’d seen a ghost. Tears began to fall from her face as she watched from a distance away.

    Adele was the first to cry out, hoping the whole world could hear her.

   “Jefferson, I’m back!”

    At the sound of her voice the men stopped and looked around. Frances and Jan remained behind watching, while Adele raced to meet Jefferson. Adele leaped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist.

    “Adele, it’s you,” he said, clinging to her. “Don’t ever do that. Don’t ever leave me.  It’s been hell here without you. I’ve been out of my mind worrying I’d never see you again.” He kissed her again and again.

    “I won’t. I promise,” she said, burying her face in his chest.

    While watching, Ryan suddenly had full memory of his family. Every detail of his life returned to his mind as if a miracle. He now looked at Adele with fresh eyes.

    For the first time in over a year he went to her and reached for his daughter.

   “May I?” he asked. “I’ve missed you, Adele.” Adele turned to look at her father.

    He enveloped her in his arms and gave her the fatherly hug she had so desperately missed.

   “I’ve missed you, too, Dad.”

   “So sorry honey for not recognizing you. Haven’t been able to remember much of my life, but I sure do now. And what a beautiful woman you are.” He kissed her forehead. “You’re a very brave girl, and I’m proud of you. I hear there’s going to be a wedding. Is that true?”

   “Yes, Dad, sometime in the future.” She buried her face in his chest and cried tears of joy.

    Ryan released her, his mind now fixed on his wife and daughter. He could see Frances standing with Jan, both looking lost. Frances looked like a statue. A very beautiful statue that had gone through hell. Ryan was determined to erase those memories, even if it took him the rest of his life.

    He watched her closely, noticing she had made no movement towards him. He remembered how paralyzed he’d been when he first arrived to Bentley’s, and figured she was in shock. Jan too.
    Bentley couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing. He nudged Eva’s arm. Adele had been telling the truth all along. The man he had hired a while back really was her father.
   
So he did have amnesia.

    Ryan walked to Frances, his eyes fixed on hers. He remembered those beautiful blue eyes now. And now, within arm’s reach, he wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let her go. The love of his life was back!
    All of a sudden little Jan raced to meet her real father.
   “Daddy!” she said, “it’s you.” She threw her arms around Ryan as he bent down to great her.
    “Yes, honey, it me.”
    Jan wiped her eyes and kissed him on the cheek. “You got here just in time.”
    “I know, honey. I know.” Ryan squeezed her and then stood up to look at his wife. “Let’s go get Mom, okay?”
     Jan nodded her head in agreement.

    As he drew closer he could see the terror in her eyes, and his heart raced. Frances’ face was so badly swollen. Stunned, he fell on his knees in front of her, and buried his face in her dress.

    “Frances,” he said. “How I’ve missed you.”

     Frances stared at him in bewilderment. He had the same gestures, the same humble disposition as he’d once had and she recognized him. Unbelievably, the man before her was Ryan. Nervously, she touched the softness of his hair, and watched in amazement as he rose to his feet.

    “I’m dreaming, right?” Her voice quavered as she spoke. “You’re not real. I mean there can’t be two of you…can there? I just left you… or who I thought was you. I thought you had a brain tumour.” Her face flushed and tears began to roll down her face.

    Ryan stretched out his hand to wipe the falling tears, but she ducked as though she were expecting a blow. Ryan backed away, shocked.

    “You’re not dreaming, Frances. Forget about the other man. He’s gone. Gone for good! Look, at my little Jan. She recognizes me.” He pointed to her. Frances turned to see her daughter.

   “I love you, Frances.”
    Still she stood feet frozen to the ground as if paralyzed.

    Adele, with Jefferson came to meet Frances.

    “I know it’s weird, Mom, but it’s true. Dad’s had amnesia,” Adele said, “but not anymore. We have our lives back.” Adele turned to Jefferson. “This is Jefferson. He’s asked me to marry him.” Adele glanced into his eyes. “I couldn’t say ‘yes’ when he asked me. I thought all men changed like Dad had. I was wrong.”

    Jefferson reached to shake Frances’ hand.

   “Pleased to meet you,” he said, “and glad you’re safe now. Your husband is a good friend of mine. If there’s anything I can do for you, just let me know.”

    Frances gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

   “Nice to meet you. I was so worried about Adele.”

    Ryan took a chance and slid his arm around his wife, scooping her up in his arms.

   “There has only been one woman in my life.” He gazed into her eyes. “That’s you, Frances. Will you come home with me?”
    Jan tugged her mother’s dress. “Say yes, Mom.”

    Frances melted in his arms. “Yes, Ryan, take me home.”
    And Ryan did. 

Chapter 20

September 15, 1972

The weather was gorgeous. It was an
unexpectedly
warm, September day with a gentle breeze circling the air. The perfect day for a wedding, Adele decided.
     She was in the living room fussing with the length of her veil thinking she’d never be happy with the way it looked.

“It doesn’t fit right,” she said. She fussed with it, and her gown, pulling and tugging with nervous hands until it felt right. She looked at her mother. “Is this the way it’s supposed to look? ”
     Frances came to help. “By the end of the day you won’t even notice.”
     Adele frowned. “Why do they make them so stiff?”
     “Don’t know, Adele. You look absolutely beautiful. Wait till Jefferson sees you.”
      Adel held her stomach. Her gown fit snug against her waistline. She was a bundle of nerves anticipating the ceremony, as well as the honeymoon, when she’d give herself to the man she loved.
     “Let me to help.” Tammy moved to her side. “Never thought I’d see the day. Remember how you used to think about men and marriage?”
      Adele smiled at her best friend who was dressed in a long pink floral gown which matched Jan’s. “I remember. Seems like ages ago, doesn’t it?”
    “Uh-huh.” Tammy gestured with her hand. “Look at Jan.”
     Just then Jan walked into the living room dressed the same as Tammy and looking as if she were twelve or thirteen. Everyone turned to look at her.
    “What do you think, sis? Do I look good enough?” Jan asked.
     Adele smiled. “Good enough to be the bride.”
    “You’re lovely,” Frances agreed. “Now, you know what you’re to do, right?”
     “Yup. Follow Tammy. How hard is that?”
     “She’ll do fine Mom, don’t worry.”
     “The guests are here,” Ryan called from upstairs.
      Spinning around Adele looked outside to where the wedding was to take place. She saw a host of unfamiliar faces march past the window and sit down on the rows and rows of seats.
    “Feel like I’m going to throw up,” she said. “This isn’t going to be one of those simple weddings.”
    “What and not have you spoiled?” Ryan said as he walked into the living room.
   “There must be a hundred people out there.” She turned to her mother. “Who are they?”
     Frances smiled. “A few friends, neighbours and relatives on both sides. Oh, and I invited Birdie, too.”

Adele covered her mouth whelming with emotions. “Never thought I’d be so nervous.”
   “Wait until you see lunch. There's enough for three or four weddings. And the cake is beautiful.”
    “You made it, didn’t you?”
    Frances nodded. “Uh-huh.”
    “I love you, Mom.”
She sighed. “I wish grand mother were here.”
     Ryan embraced her. “Don’t be sad. Not today. There’s too much to be happy about.”
    “You’re right. I have you back and just in time, too. My real Dad to give me away.”
    She straightened her gown, and admired the length of the train, the crystal beads, and the pearls. She gazed at the many guests outside, and then back at her family.
All of a sudden, she heard music playing, a live orchestra. She sped to the window to look, and sure enough, her parents had prearranged every single detail. 
    Five well-dressed men were standing at the edge of the gardens and she could see Eva as well.
     “Are you ready?” Ryan asked.
    “Yes of course.” Adele smiled sweetly, and slipped her arm through his.
    As she walked outside, she heard the wedding march.
    This was her day. She gulped, and continued down the aisle, past a sea of unfamiliar faces, to where Jefferson stood. Jefferson turned to admire her. He gazed at her with adoring eyes.

And despite her nervousness, she said her vows and kissed the man she'd come to love more than life itself, and became Mrs. Jefferson Quad.
     Now, she was related to Bentley, who was still one of her best friends.
    There was loud applause, then joyful laughter and music so divine she thought she was in heaven.