Never Look Back (Coming Home Book 2) (3 page)

Then, the night this most recent situation happened, I took Todd for his word and called upon him for help. I asked if he had a place I could stay for a little while and he told me not to worry, he would figure something out. He never questioned or doubted me, just said he was on his way. I could have made the five hour drive on my own, but Todd felt I was too upset to be driving alone nor was it safe especially being upset. He wanted me to stop at a safe place and wait. So I had pulled off at a rest area to wait for him and his dad to arrive. I’m not sure why I chose to call him instead of Rebecca or even my parents, but, looking back, I’m glad I did. I needed to get as far away from Brian as I possibly could and right now, five hours away from Brian seemed to be distant enough for me to feel safe in order to figure out my next move. This time, I would not be going back.

The most assuring part of all was he had no idea where to even begin to look for me once he figured out I was gone and not coming back. This, of course depended on when he would return back to the apartment; it could be hours, days or even a week, but he would come back looking for me and for a place to stay. Knowing Brian, he probably assumed he could just show back up at the apartment and everything would be fine. But not this time. I had had enough.

Since the rest area didn’t have an attendant on duty Todd figured it would probably be safer for me to drive on to the next exit and park at a well-lit gas station. Although he had wanted to keep me on the phone the entire time he drove to get me, I had convinced him this wasn’t necessary and we finally agreed to call every hour or so just to check in.

When I noticed his familiar big, white pick-up truck turning into the parking lot at the gas station, my heart rate quickly increased. Not because there was any kind of attraction, after all I’m still married to Brian, but because I knew Todd would safely protect me just like he had done earlier when Brian’s temper had flared.

Todd wasted no time leaping from the truck and had quickly ran over to my car. I had opened the car door, prepared to hear questions about the condition of my face, but instead he had wrapped his arms around me and held me. I began to sob and he embraced me tighter all the while stroking my hair with his fingers. “It’s okay now. I’m here to help you. He can’t hurt you anymore.” I remember his words so clearly. I can only imagine what his dad must have thought as he watched us standing in the gas station parking lot with Todd consoling me. 

After what seemed like forever, Todd placed his hands on my shoulders and pushed me back enough to look down at my face. “What the heck happened? You’ve got a pretty nasty cut there.” While he didn’t touch the cut, he tilted my head to the side and allowed the light from the gas station to give him a better view.

I explained to him it wasn’t as bad as it looked and that I was okay. Rather than ask tons of questions, even though I knew I owed him answers, Todd motioned for his dad to come over so he could make introductions.  I was fairly certain, on the drive here, Todd had filled his dad in on how we knew each other and about the previous incident involving Brian weeks ago. It was really awkward for me meeting his father under these circumstances.

“Hi Jennifer. I’m Rick Williams, but please call me Rick. It’s nice to meet you.” Todd’s dad extended his hand out to shake mine and I gladly accepted. His voice was very pleasant and sincere. “Please know that Todd and I will do whatever we can to make sure you are safe.”

“Thank you so much, Mr. Williams. And I apologize for disturbing you in the middle of the night.” I brought my hand up towards my face, embarrassed for him to see the cut.

“I’m just glad we could help.” Rick said with a genuine concern.

Todd and his dad shared similar features, dark brown wavy hair, broad shoulders and olive skin tone. It was obvious they were father and son.

“We’ve got a guesthouse on our property you’re more than welcome to stay in for as long as you need.” Rick continued. “My wife Beth will have it ready for you by the time we get back to town. I’m sure you must be exhausted and in need of some rest.”

“Please, don’t put yourself through any trouble for me.” I told them both.

“It’s not any trouble at all. My family is always willing to help.” Rick assured me.

“If it’s okay with you, I’ll drive us back in your car and my dad can follow in my truck. That way you can get some sleep if you want to. I need to fill my truck up and I can take care of yours as well if you need any.” Todd suggested.

Not wanting him to scold me for filling up when I first arrived here at the exit, especially since he had been so concerned about my being alone, I told him, “I’m actually ok. I stopped a little while back and filled up. It should be enough gas to get us there.”

Todd’s dad went inside the gas station and grabbed three cups of coffee for us while Todd pumped the gas for his truck. The gesture from his dad was nice, but I was very much wide awake without the extra caffeine. The only thing the coffee was going to do for me was add an extra to stop down the road for a bathroom break.

When Todd was finished, his dad climbed up inside his truck while Todd got behind the wheel of my car. As I buckled my seatbelt, I looked over at Todd, hardly believing I had gained enough courage to finally leave Brian for good. I couldn’t say anything and the look on Todd’s face assured me he understood. I still can’t believe I had called Todd to come and get me. I knew this was rash thinking on my part, but I needed to make a quick decision and this seemed to be the best. Not once did Todd hesitate to come to my rescue.

At some point tomorrow, I knew I needed to make the dreaded phone call to my parents.  After all, they still didn’t know about my marriage to Brian or about the baby. I just hoped I could reach them first before Rebecca did. I also needed to contact Rebecca to make her aware of everything that had transpired overnight. I was fairly confident she would be the first person Brian contacted once he discovered I was not at the apartment. Since he’ll probably think I’m with her, I just hope he doesn’t do anything drastic when he finds out that he’s wrong. 

I was also thankful he had made no attempt to contact me yet. But something tells me I might not be so lucky tomorrow.

We had been on the road for probably thirty minutes or so sharing small talk between the two of us. At the time, even though I still hadn’t known very much about Todd, it felt like we were old friends catching up on lost years. Fortunately, the nights we had spent texting getting acquainted with each other made this conversation not so awkward. I still questioned why Todd was placed in my life.

He hadn’t mentioned Brian yet, and I assumed he was waiting for me to bring it up when I was ready. I watched the green mile marker signs, one by one, as we drove past them. I found myself glancing in the mirror a time or two. I told Todd I was just making sure his dad was behind us, but I knew, deep inside, I just wanted to make sure Todd wasn’t following.

I cleared my throat and figured it was time. It was time to confess everything to Todd. I needed some reassurance that I’d made the right decision. After all, Todd had driven all this way to help me, and I owed him an explanation.

I started at the beginning, going all the way back to when the cops first discovered Brian in the parking lot at work sound asleep. As I replayed every vivid detail of the last few months to him, I realized I had been caught up in a fantasy world. My parents would be ashamed of such poor decision making on my part. The entire time I had been blindsided; it had not been love at all, but merely lust. Lust of the cruelest kind. No one should ever have had to tolerate the ups and downs I’d been going through the last couple of months. It was enough to drive a sane person crazy.

Todd listened and never once put me down for the choices I had made.

“And there’s something else I need to tell you.” I had turned my head to look out the window at the darkness. I couldn’t hold back the tears that had filled my eyes. I reached into the glove box and pulled a few napkins out. The cut on my cheek began to sting as the salty tears flowed. Thank goodness for the darkness right now because admitting to him I was pregnant was probably the hardest part of all. My poor decision making was one thing, but I could only blame the pregnancy on stupidity. I knew better than to have unprotected sex.

Todd sensed my hesitation. “You okay?” He asked, his tone full of concern.

“I will be.” I replied. I took a few moments before I continued. “There is one other thing. I’m pregnant, Todd.”

The car was silent, the only noise heard was from the tires as they made contact with the pavement.

“I didn’t want to say anything, but I thought you looked a little different from the first time we met.” Todd said.

“Yeah, a few pounds heavier.” I added, jokingly. It felt good to laugh.

“No, I didn’t mean it like that at all.” He told me. “I’ve always heard pregnant women have a certain glow about them.”

I knew he was just trying to be nice. “It’s okay. You can scold me all you want.” I told him. “Besides, its night time, and I know you can’t possibly see me “glow”, as you put it.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.” He apologized.

“My parents are going to be so disappointed in me.” I paused momentarily. “It’s bad enough I’ve not told them I got married, but to throw in being pregnant too is just going to push them both over the edge. Talk about being a big letdown.”

“From what you’ve told me about your family, I think they’ll be pretty understanding.”

I take in a deep breath. “I hope you’re right.”

“Jennifer, my family will do what they can to help you, but knowing them the way I do, they are going to encourage you to tell your parents as soon as possible.”

“I just can’t believe I was so niave. That idiot used me. He took advantage of me and I couldn’t see through him.”

Todd reached over and placed his hand on top of my leg. His touch was comforting, reassuring. I placed my head against the back of the seat and closed my eyes needing a moment to contain my emotions. Sleep soon overtook me.

When I woke up hours later, I realized we had just turned off the interstate at the exit I remembered so vividly from that horrible night with Brian. Driving by the Waffle House, the only positive thing about that weekend had been meeting Todd.

“Jennifer.”

I look around to find where the voice is coming from and realize I have been daydreaming, staring off into space.

“Jennifer, are you okay?”

Todd is leaning against the railing of the steps.

“Did you say something?” I ask, not aware I had been so lost in thought.

Todd walks up the steps and sits down in the chair beside me. “Don’t you just love the view here?” He asks not asking what had me so engrossed.

“It’s gorgeous.” I reply. “There is nothing any better than taking in the sunrise while listening to all the sounds of nature.”

The first week or so after I arrived, I was scared to death to come out on the porch. I felt I was being watched. Todd assured me no one knew I was here, except for the ones I had confided in, and the sounds I kept hearing belonged to the birds and the squirrels.

Todd’s family’s home sits on the side of the mountain overlooking the valley. It’s a two-story traditional brick home that was built before Todd was born. He’s lived here all of his life, and even though he’s graduated from high school, his parents told him he was more than welcome to stay here while attending college especially since school was just a short drive away.

The guest home that I’m staying in sits off to the side of their property but is still visible through the trees to the main house and within walking distance. It has its own private drive in addition to the one that was built to connect both houses. His parents had the place built several years ago when his grandmother became ill. They had hoped his grandparents would relocate here, making it easier for his mom to assist in taking care of her, but his grandmother had passed before they could be convinced to make the move. Even to this day, his grandfather refused to leave his home and still lives down in the valley. I’m sure the house reminds him of his memories he shared with his wife and no one should try to take that away from him. He stops by Todd’s house often, but he insists he’s doing okay alone. Because I stand at the window so often looking out, I see his grandfather’s car once or twice a week show up to the main house.

There was no question about my staying here. His parents were very sympathetic upon learning what I had been through and never once frowned at my situation.

The following evening after I had arrived, I finally mustered up enough courage to call my parents. My mom had been so upset she was unable to finish talking to me, leaving my dad to absorb everything I had told him. I can’t say that I blame them for reacting this way, but there was no changing what had happened and we had to make the most of the situation at hand. They were grateful Todd’s family had been assisting me and we made plans for them to come into town soon. The driveway was big enough for them to park their RV and Todd’s parents said they could park it there for as long as they needed. My parents also spoke with Rick and Beth Williams personally about my living in their guest home. My dad made some kind of financial agreement with them to cover any expenses I would be having while staying here. I’m thankful my parents are able to financially assist me since I made a big dent into my savings account assisting Brian with the purchase of his car. I don’t expect to ever get any of that money back but I’m thankful I didn’t’ use any more of my savings to support him.