Chapter 18
Faith
Faith’s nerves were surprisingly calm as she ushered Carmen into the ranch. They didn’t stop until Carmen’s butt was planted in a kitchen chair.
“You okay?” Faith asked, filling a glass with cold water. Carmen looked beyond angry.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” Carmen replied, her jaw tensed.
“I’m not the one who looks like my head’s about to explode,” Faith chuckled.
Carmen’s shoulders dropped. “Shit, sorry, Faith, this can’t be easy for you. I’m fine, are you?”
“Surprisingly, yes. I thought I was going to vomit when I saw their car but then, I don’t know, when he started yelling, the fear left me. I had you and Mateo in front of me. I could hear Molly, and then it hit me. I’m not alone now. Not like when I lived in their house. I think that’s why he had so much power over me. I was alone, and the longer they kept me from people, the easier it was for them to keep me locked in that fear.”
“But you got yourself out.”
“Yes, only because I knew I had an aunt out there somewhere. For once, I had hope. Since meeting you and Mateo, and then Molly, that fear has slowly drained. I just didn’t know until I was faced with them again.”
“You’re an amazing young woman, Faith. Really, you should be so proud of how you dealt with that… unlike me,” Carmen chuckled. “I’m sorry, I just saw red.”
“Never apologize for wanting to protect me, Carmen. I… I see you as family. You and Mateo. Molly’s my aunt by blood, but you guys are… how did you phrase it, my chosen family? Family in every way but blood.”
Faith yelped as Carmen shot out of the chair and scooped her up into a mammoth hug. “You have a place with us, always. Remember that you never have to be alone ever again.”
“Hey,” Molly’s soft voice echoed through the kitchen. “Everyone alright?”
Faith gave Carmen one last squeeze before stepping back and heading to Molly. “Thank you, Molly.”
“Nothing to thank me for. You were more than capable of handling the situation.”
“Yeah, but that couldn’t have been easy for you either?” Faith thought it might actually have been harder for her aunt. Molly had waited for closure for nearly twenty years. Faith knew it wasn’t the end result Molly dreamed of, but she hoped her aunt could put her past to rest now.
“I’m good, really. It had to happen and even though it’s not what I expected, I wouldn’t change the result. I got you out of it, didn’t I?”
“You sure did,” Faith beamed, taking Molly into her arms.
“Well, that was a dramatic end to the show,” Enid barked, walking in and taking Faith and Molly in her arms.
“Enid,” Molly rasped. Faith giggled. Enid was holding them both so tight it was difficult to breathe.
“Right,” Enid bellowed after a few more seconds. “Let’s eat and drink. Erase all that bullshit and enjoy our day.”
“Hear, hear,” Mateo called from the doorway.
“Sounds great, but can I just steal Faith for a few minutes?” Molly asked.
“Sure, let’s go.” Faith followed Molly, noticing Carmen’s gaze. She looked a little sad. What’s that about?
Faith walked quietly next to her aunt. The day was just as beautiful as every other day they’d had since turning up in California. The sunflowers had their colorful heads tipped to the sun. Faith mirrored them, enjoying the heat on her face.
“Are you really okay?” Molly finally asked.
“I am. Like I told Carmen. The fear I once had is no longer wedged in my chest. Having so many people around me, shook it loose. I’ve experienced so much and learned a lot about myself. There was nothing that could make me go anywhere with my parents. I just wish Mom would open her eyes.”
“Me too, Faith, me too.”
“I’m sorry he spoke to you that way,” Faith sighed.
“So am I, but I’m sorry for him. I can’t imagine living with such hatred inside.”
“No, it’s poison,” Faith commented. There were times she wished and prayed her father would wake up one day and be a different man. A man that loved his wife and child, but that was a fantasy. Today showed Faith he was beyond her wishes.
Maybe one day he would wake up, but Faith wouldn’t hold her breath. It was her mother that weighed on her mind. The defiance she’d shown today by simply stepping out of the car when she’d clearly been given instructions to stay inside was a glimmer of hope for Faith. Maybe losing her only child was the catalyst to spark a change. “You said my mom was outgoing once. I just can’t see how she got from that to this?”
“Maureen was a sweet and adventurous girl. I can only imagine how Alan’s behavior, views and opinions have affected her, changed her. I have no clue if she truly agrees with him or if she’s just so terrified of him she goes along with it. You’d know better than me, sweetie.”
Faith let her mind travel back to her childhood. Had her mom ever shown signs of being different from her father? Possibly, but Faith’s childhood memories were overshadowed by loneliness and sorrow, so even if her mom didn’t agree with him, the woman did nothing to let Faith know she wasn’t alone.
“Well, it doesn’t matter now,” Faith began. “I need to concentrate on me and my life. I truly hope she leaves him.”
“What do you want to do now?” Molly asked, her feet scuffing the dirt road.
“What do you mean?”
“Um, well,” Molly cleared her throat. “Do you want to stay here with me?”
“Do you want me to?”
“I’d love you to, Faith. I’ve missed so much of your life. There is always a home for you here with me.”
Faith stopped Molly with a hand on her wrist. “I can’t tell you how long I have wanted that Molly. The thought of finding you kept me going for so long. But can I think about it? I’ve got Nathalie to consider now. Plus Carmen and Mateo.” Faith’s heart was pounding. She didn’t want Molly to think she was rejecting her, but Nathalie meant a lot to Faith, as did the Ruizes.
“Of course, take your time.”
“Do you want to walk longer?” Faith enjoyed the quiet moments with Molly. Even though they hadn’t had a lot of quality time, just the two of them. Faith recognized that they both liked silence. They both enjoyed listening to the birds, contemplating things as they wandered aimlessly. Maybe that was a Parsons trait?
“Absolutely, let’s go.”
They walked for another forty-five minutes. Faith smiled every time Molly stopped to plant her face in a sunflower, completely content. The buzzing of her phone interrupted their blissful peace. Alice’s name flashed across the screen.
“Hey, Alice.”
“Faith, oh my God, your dad, he knows where you are and it’s my fault. I’m so sorry. The pastor went through my phone. I didn’t know he’d done it. I left it on the church pew by mistake, after the service. When I came back to get it, it was gone. Bonnie saw him going through my messages before he called your dad and then threw the phone in the bin outside the church. I didn’t know until an hour ago when Bonnie brought me my phone.”
“Wow, calm down, Alice. It’s okay—”
“No, it’s not. You have to go. He’s going to catch you.”
“He already did,” Faith replied calmly.
“What?” Alice screamed.
“It’s okay. Molly, Carmen and Mateo helped me deal with him.”
“Shit, Faith, I’m so sorry. Can you forgive me?”
“What are you talking about? There is absolutely nothing to forgive. Alice, you have been the best friend anyone could ask for. Please stop panicking, everything is good.”
Alice’s heavy breathing filtered down the phone. Faith was sure she heard a little hiccup. “O-okay. So what happened?”
Faith spent a few minutes filling Alice in on all the details. Molly wandered further down the track, leaving Faith to talk. “Can you tell your parents what happened? And thank them again for everything they did for me.”
“Of course,” Alice answered, her voice wavering with emotion. “Does this mean I’ll never see you again?”
“What? No, Alice, I’ll visit you, I promise. And when I know where I will be, you can come and visit me. You need to meet Molly, Carmen and Mateo.”
“And your hot girlfriend, Nathalie,” Alice chimed in, sounding a lot lighter.
Faith laughed. “Yes! You do have to meet my hot girlfriend.”
“I love you, Faith. And I’m so proud of you.”
“I love you too, Alice. I’ll call you when I know what’s going on.”
◆◆◆
“Where is everyone?” Faith asked Lisa, who was sitting swinging her feet from the deck railing.
“Carmen and Mateo took Micah and Liam into the city. Courtney is in her room. Bessie and Enid… I have no idea and I don’t think I want to know,” she laughed.
“Molly is in the field working. I thought I’d come back and have some lemonade inside. It’s so hot out here.”
“I’ll join you if that’s cool?” Lisa chirped, dropping to her feet.
Faith nodded and headed inside. The coolness of the ranch was heavenly. How Molly was working outside was a mystery and a little nuts. Lisa sat at the kitchen table, bringing one knee up, resting on the seat, her knee tucked under her chin. “Do you… do you think Courtney is nice?” Lisa asked. Faith stifled her grin as she poured them both a drink.
“Yeah, she’s cool. Why?”
“Just wondering.”
“Any reason?”
Placing Lisa’s lemonade on the table, Faith sat opposite. Lisa shuffled in her seat, biting her lip, clearly deep in thought. “No, just… just thinking.”
“Do you think Courtney is nice?” Faith wanted to giggle at Lisa’s doe-eyed expression. Her face turned a light shade of red.
“Um, well yeah, she’s cool.”
“Wow,” Faith laughed.
“What?” Lisa shot.
“You have a crush on her, don’t you?” Faith needed to move them both along. Courtney was pining over Lisa and Lisa was crushing over Courtney. Left to their own devices, the pair would still be clueless this time next year.
“What? No!” Lisa shot.
“Okay,” Faith singsonged, taking a sip of her lemonade.
“Anyway, it doesn’t matter,” Lisa mumbled.
“Why doesn’t it matter?” Faith knew what was coming. Lisa was going to say that even if she had a crush on Courtney, Courtney wouldn’t feel the same way.
“Even if I had a crush—”
“I’m going to stop you right there, Lisa.” Faith smiled at Lisa’s shock of being interrupted. “I heavily suggest you talk to Courtney before you say another word.”
“Has… has she said something?”
“Oh no, I’m not being the go-between. Please, just talk to her.”
“Talk to who?” Courtney asked, strolling in and grabbing herself a muffin from the counter.
Faith looked between Lisa and Courtney, deliberating what she should do. She was in the process of opening her mouth to tell them she was going to make herself scarce when Lisa blurted out, “Court, will you go on a date with me?”
Courtney blushed, but then the most beautiful smile blossomed on her face. Faith couldn’t help but squeal in delight. “Yes, I’d love to,” Courtney answered rather breathlessly.
“You two are adorable,” Faith laughed.
“Shut up,” Lisa mumbled through her smile.
“Should I leave you alone?” Faith asked seriously. She didn’t want to be the third wheel.
“No, actually I wanted to ask if you were doing alright. You know, after earlier events?” Courtney asked, dropping to the chair next to Lisa.
“Actually yeah. I know everyone is worried about me, but there’s no need. Honestly, I’m doing fine. It was a shock and I don’t like what was said, but it needed to happen. I feel like a weight has been lifted. It’s no fun having someone chase you, always wondering, looking over your shoulder. I’m more worried about the future.”
“In what way?” Lisa asked, stealing half of Courtney’s muffin.
“Molly has offered me a place here, with her.”
“That’s awesome, isn’t it?” Courtney questioned.
“Yes, it’s everything I wanted.”
“But?”
“But I have Nathalie to think of. Plus, I was thinking about asking Rita, Nat’s aunt, about working with her. I know it was only a few days, but I feel like I made a home in Seattle with Carmen and Mateo.”
“Have Carmen or Mateo said anything?”
“Carmen told me I would always have a home with them. I don’t know what to do, guys.”
Lisa tapped her finger on the table absentmindedly. “I think you should do what feels right to you. Don’t feel you owe it to Molly to stay here Faith, she wouldn’t want that. If you have prospects in Seattle and you want to make a go of things with Nat, then maybe you already have your answer.”
“I need to talk to Nathalie.”
“Yeah, go call her.” Courtney was side-eyeing Lisa. Faith rolled her eyes playfully.
“Yeah, I’ll do that. Have fun, you two,” she called over her shoulder. Faith was still chuckling when the call to Nathalie connected.
“What’s funny?” Nathalie asked playfully.
“Oh, Courtney and Lisa finally figured out that they’re into each other.”
“Ah, sweet. It’s good to hear your voice,” Nathalie replied, her tone soft.
“You too. It’s been a day.” Faith filled Nathalie in on the fashion show and her parents showing up. As usual, Nathalie was the perfect girlfriend. Also perceptive.
“Why do I feel there is something bothering you that isn’t to do with your parents crashing a fashion show?”
Faith sighed. “Molly offered me a place to stay, here with her.”
“Is that what you want? No pressure, Faith. I want you to be happy. You deserve that.”
“I think I want to live in Seattle.”
“As much as that excites me. Please don’t base your decision on me. I’m happy to do long distance, if that’s what it takes.”
“You’d really do that?”
“Yes, without a doubt. Faith, I like you a lot. I’m not letting you go, even if you live in a different state.”
Nathalie giving her the space to decide was all Faith needed to know what she wanted. A chance to build something in Seattle with Nathalie. They might be young and their relationship new, but why should that matter? Faith had spent long enough tempering her wants and needs. Now she was free to take control and decide based on what she needed for herself.
“Thank you, Nat.”
“No worries, babe. Listen, I need to run to the store for Rita before she gets all pissy. I’ll call you tonight before bed. Maybe we can… you know, catch up.”
“It’s a date.”
Okay, now the decision to go back to Seattle was made, Faith just had to tell Molly. Even though she knew it was the right decision for her, it didn’t stop the sick feeling from rolling around in her belly.
Molly was just walking up to the ranch, filthy from her work, but a wide smile etched on her face. “Hey, honey,” she called.
“Hey, Mol. Um, can we talk?” A sudden nervousness crept over Faith’s body. What if she offended Molly to the point her aunt didn’t want to know her? No, that was stupid, old insecurities raising their ugly heads.
“What’s up?” Molly finally asked.
“Um, I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier. About living here with you.”
“You want to be in Seattle, right?” Molly grinned.
“I… I just feel that’s the place I’m supposed to be right now. I’m sorry.”
“Hey,” Molly began, taking Faith by the shoulders. “You don’t have to apologize to me. I want you to be happy, and if that is in Seattle, then that’s where you should be. I can visit you, if you’re good with that, and we can talk on the phone.”
“Yeah?” The relief Faith felt was immeasurable.
“Of course,” Molly chuckled. “You’re my niece, and you’re pretty friggin’ awesome. I want you to thrive, and I know Carmen will look out for you.”
“Yeah, she will.”
“That’s all I want. To know you’re happy and safe.”
“But, I feel… I don’t know, like I’m throwing your kindness back in your face.”
“Well, that’s dumb,” Molly stated matter-of-factly. “My love and kindness aren’t conditional, Faith. I can’t wait to get to know you better. We don’t need to live together for that.”
“Do… Do you think Carmen meant what she said?”
“What did she say?”
“She said I’d always have a home with her and Mateo.”
“Then yes, absolutely. If I know Carmen, and okay, I don’t know her well, but I think she only says what she means.”
“You’re really not upset?”
“Not in the slightest. Sweetie, you found me. The hard part is done. We’re in each other’s lives.”
“You rock, Aunt Mol,” Faith sobbed.
“C’mere,” Molly laughed, hauling Faith into another behemoth hug. “Everything’s going to be okay, Faith, I promise.”
This time, Faith had no trouble accepting such a promise. Things would be okay. Faith could feel it.