Chapter 11

Chapter 11
I head back upstairs to my room and begin running the bath water. I go and sit on my bed to call my mother while the tub is filling up. We talk for a while before I remember the water is still running and I run into the bathroom and stop it right before it overflows. I reach in and pull the stopper to let some of the water out, and I return to my phone call. We are talking about a recent dream that I’ve had.
“Mama, it really scared me to wake up and find them both missing. My heart started racing and beating so fast in my chest. I thought I would have a heart attack. I just knew someone had gotten into my home and kidnapped them. Thankfully it was just a dream and when I woke up they were asleep in their beds, but I can’t go on feeling like this and I’ve come to realize that I can’t be in this house anymore. I am going to talk to Jay about moving out of this house tonight when she gets home.” My mother sits silent for a second.
“Sweet heart I think that is a good idea. I was going to suggest it, but didn’t know if that was my place. I’ve watched you and you always seem happier when you’re away from that house than you are when you’re home. Maybe a move would be a nice change and a chance to start over with your family, besides you have two kids now and could use more space.” I couldn’t agree with her more about needing more space. I have a six year old and a five year old and there’s already stuff everywhere.
“Thanks for watching them tonight. I hope they don’t keep you up all night. Nicholas can be hard to get to go to sleep and Alexa usually sleeps through the night, but there are rare occasions when she either won’t go to sleep until it’s late, or she gets up when he does in the middle of the night and stays up.” My mother just laughs.
“Did you forget that I raised two children already? I can handle these children, so you just try and get yourself some rest.” I laugh and tell her that I will try my best. We hang up and I strip out of my clothes and climb into the warm relaxing water. My muscles ache but in a good way from the water massaging them. I lie back until the water just about reaches my chin and start thinking of how good it feels to be able to just relax. I had no idea how wound up I was until the warm water started relaxing my muscles. I lie there with my eyes closed breathing in the lavender and chamomile scented oils that I’ve put in the water.
“Mmmm this feels so good.” The phone rings but I can’t get to it without getting out of the tub and there is no way that I am going to do that right now. It rings again but this time it is telling me that I have a text message.
“It is probably just Jay telling me that she is on her way home.” I tell myself that I’ll call her back if I get out before she gets home. After another twenty minutes in the tub, I decide to wash and get out before the water gets cold. Once I get out of the tub, I dry myself and get into my night clothes. I head downstairs for a glass of water and check the missed call log on my cell phone to see that it was in fact Jay that called. I take a seat on the couch and call her back. She answers on the first ring which is new. She usually lets the phone ring at least twice before answering.
“Baby, where have you been? I’ve been calling and leaving messages on your phone for the past thirty minutes.” She sounds scared and panicked which are two things that she doesn’t display often. Now I’m worried. Did something happen to the kids? If so, then why hasn’t my mother called me? I need to try to stay calm and just find out what is going on first.
“I was taking a bath like I told you I was going to do. Jay what is going on? Why do you sound like you do?” She takes a deep breath before telling me that she’ll be home in about two minutes and we’ll talk when she gets here.
“Keep the doors locked and make sure the alarm is set until I get there. Oh, and pack us a bag too. Pack enough clothes for at least a week. You know what, don’t worry about packing. Get dressed and be ready to go when I get there and tell Gary to be ready as well.” I don’t understand what is going on. I feel like she’s talking in riddles or something.
“Baby, I don’t understand. What is….” Before I can finish the sentence she cuts me off.
“Renee’ please just do as I ask. I’ll explain everything, but I need you to get dressed and be ready when I get there.” I can hear the fear and urgency in her voice and decide not to push any further. She’ll tell me when she gets here.
“Okay I’ll be ready when you get here.” We hang up and I take off the night clothes and start putting on a t-shirt and pair of jean shorts, socks, and sneakers. She said not to pack anything but I get the biggest purse I own from the closet and pack a few of the kids’ favorite toys and then head downstairs. I turn the television on, not that I’m going to watch it, and sit on the couch waiting for my wife to get home. Gary is standing by the back door watching for possible intruders. Seconds later, I hear keys in the lock and being too impatient, I begin unlocking the door from my end and swing the door open. She is standing there looking worried and I move so that she can get further into the house locking the door behind her.
“Are you ready to go?” she says as she looks me up and down.
“Yes I’m ready. What is this all about?” I can’t take waiting any longer. She runs into the kitchen and grabs a few bottles of water before returning to the living room with me. She opens one and takes a few sips before setting the alarm and telling me to go to the car. I do as I’m told and she quickly follows me after shouting at Gary to join us before jumping into the drivers’ seat.
“Jay! I need you to stop moving and start talking. You’re scaring the hell out of me. Now tell me what is going on.” I guess my tone snaps her out of whatever trance she has been in cause for the first time it looks like she is actually registering that I am here.
“I’m sorry Renee’. Well we have a problem and I need to get you and the kids away from here for a while.” What is she talking about?
“What do you mean we have a problem? What happened?” She takes another sip of water, and a deep breath.
“The detective handling the case called and told me that Terrence’s sentence has been reduced from the previous sentence to 20 to 30 years with a chance of parole after 25 years.” This isn’t happening. How? What? I can’t form a sentence yet so I’m just sitting here staring at her. Finally my brain catches up with my mouth and I’m able to speak. I haven’t even noticed that we are already down the street and heading in the direction of my mother’s house.
“I don’t see how that could have happened, but still that isn’t enough to get you this upset. What’s wrong?” She just shakes her head and I can see anger all over her face.
“Apparently he was offered a deal. He said that he didn’t act alone in your kidnapping and they told him that if he gave them names, that they would reduce his sentence. Of course he took the deal. It must have been true because the police are going after some other guy. There is proof that this guy was backing Terrence in the kidnapping scheme. Terrence never wanted my company for himself, but for the person he is or was working for, he claims that kidnapping you was a part of it, but he never thought that he would end up falling in love with you.” I almost vomit at those words. He doesn’t know what the hell it means to love anyone.
“Okay I understand that part but why are we leaving?” She takes another deep breath.
“Well, somehow the person they are looking for got wind of what happened and is on the run. They don’t know if he or she will come after you or me or any of us really, so we’re going to go away for a little while until the cops find whoever it is that has been threatening you. I’d stay and help, but I just can’t stand the thought of being away from you or leaving you somewhere by yourself. I don’t think either of us would make it without the other again.” She’s right about that much. I know that I would lose my mind if I had to be away from her again. I just got my family back and my life on track and I’m not interested in being separated from them again. Twenty minutes later we are in front of my mom’s house and she puts the car in park and we hop out. Gary stays out front keeping watch while my mother opens the door and lets us in before we even get to ring the doorbell.
“The kids are sleeping so I’ve been waiting for you. I didn’t want you to ring the bell and wake them. You’re going to want them to sleep as long as possible when taking a trip. Believe me.” We walk into the house and take a seat in the living room. Jay fills my mother in on what has happened and my mother sits patiently listening to everything.