Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
T wo weeks later, on the last day of school, Emily was in the teachers’ lounge during lunch. As she dipped her plastic spoon into her pudding cup, she tapped Ryan’s name on her cellphone. She was eager to see how he was doing since finally being released from the hospital after his additional shoulder surgery and physical therapy.
“How’s home?”
“It’s not home without you . It’s just a house. How’s work going today?”
Glancing around the empty teachers’ lounge, she let out a sigh. “I had a teacher stop me in the hall earlier and explain to me how to discipline one of my kids in class. I guess Johnny shoved one of her kids and she thought it was best if he skipped recess.”
“What’d you say?”
“I told her I’m not doing that, but that I would deal with it and be sure to speak with him.”
“And?”
“She wasn’t impressed. Then she and the other teachers gave me nasty looks at recess. It wasn’t great. I’m just tired of working in a Christian school where teachers don’t act like Christians.”
“Christian or not, they’re still sinners.”
“True. How’s the pain?”
“It’s starting to come back since my medicine is wearing off, but I’m really relaxed and just want to chill in my bed and watch this Western a bit longer.”
“Don’t wait too long. I’m really glad you’re home now.”
“I agree. And soon, I’ll be out of the sling and all healed up. Steven is being so cool. He came over earlier today and brought me my favorite breakfast burrito.”
“That’s so nice of him.”
She attempted to hide the wave of uneasiness filling her at the thought of his being fully healed and back working the grill and doing website work. The last couple of weeks had been wonderful. They spent a lot of time together up at the hospital. It had felt like a glimmer of what used to be between them.
“What, Em?”
“Nothing.”
“I promise it won’t go back to the way it was before. God has been teaching me so much these last two weeks I’ve been lying on my back.”
“Okay, Ryan . . .” She hoped but held doubt in her heart.
“I think I'd better get up and to the restroom and take some medicine. I love you.”
“Love you too.” Pitching her trash near the door in the lounge, she exited into the hallway and headed for the restroom. As she began to push open the door to go in, she could hear two teachers inside. Miss Betty and Mrs. Letz. She paused before entering when she heard Ryan’s name on their lips.
“I heard they found booze in the car at Tom’s wrecking yard.”
“Psh.” Mrs. Letz replied, “I wouldn’t doubt it, and her daughter doing drugs at school? This family is not good for Cedarwood Creek.”
She took a step back, her heart breaking apart in the moment. Keeping herself from crying, she went down the hall and found a side door that led out into the courtyard of the school. Seeing Sarah across the courtyard sitting over on a bench, she ventured over to her and sat down.
“You look upset. Everything okay with Ryan?”
“Yes. He’s fine and resting at home now.” Wiping her cheeks, Emily let out a heavy sigh. “ Let’s . . .” She paused for emphasis. “Just say I’m happy it’s summer break after today.”
Sarah nodded lightly as she looked forward into the courtyard. “And let’s just say some teachers weren’t invited back. Bet you didn’t know that.”
Smiling at her, Emily shook her head. “I’m sorry. Just a little emotional today. Hearing people gossip about my family just breaks my heart.”
“Oh. The booze rumor?” Sarah lifted an eyebrow.
“Yeah . . . that’s the one.”
“People are misguided without the power of Jesus Christ actively in their heart. That’s just the truth.” She stood from the bench. The breeze outside pushed strands of hair across her face, causing her to slide it behind her ear. “You’re a remarkable and strong woman of God. You’ll get through this and come out stronger.”
“I’m not that strong, Sarah.”
“You are when you let God be God in your life. Look at how God has answered your prayer about Ryan. He’s interacting with the kids more. He asks how your day is going.”
Emily laughed as she looked at her. “He’s bedridden.”
“It doesn’t matter. God is using the circumstance, and He will continue using the events in your life. The good ones, sure, but especially the difficult ones.”
“You’re right. I’m just scared.”
“Of what?” She folded her arms and tilted her head as she waited for Emily to answer.
“Failing. Failing at being a good mom, a good wife, a good teacher. I just don’t want anything bad to happen, and I feel like I’m one bad thing away from losing my mind entirely.”
“Maybe you are.” Sarah sat back down and turned toward her. “For me? God had to break me down to nothing and get me to the end of myself before He could really do the work He needed to do in my heart and life. I’m not saying that is what is going on for you, but it could be, Emily. I hope this summer is good for you, but I also pray God uses it to teach you what He has for you.”
“Thank you.”
While pain still coursed through his body, he couldn’t help but be thankful to God for finally being home. Walking out of the bathroom, he paused in the hallway and looked at the pictures of his family that hung in frames on the wall. They were snapshots of the moments of his life. Seeing himself in one of the pictures, he couldn’t help but notice the smile on his face. It was large and vibrant. It was real. Then he looked at the most recent picture of him on the wall. He was with his kids in the pool at the hotel on the move up to Cedarwood Creek. Again, he was smiling, but something was different. He looked sad even though he had a smile.
Smoothing his free hand, not in a sling, over his face, Ryan’s heart ached. Even though the last two months had revealed a lot of not so great things about his father, it didn’t stop him from missing his dad. It didn’t stop him from loving him, either.
He let a sigh escape his lips and then turned and traveled out into the kitchen area.
His mother, Veronica, was putting on a pot of tea as he entered.
Alerted by his presence, she turned toward him with a half-smile. “Hello, my son. How are you?”
“In pain.”
Lifting an eyebrow, she looked at his sling. “I bet.”
As he reached for a cup in the cupboard, he felt a wave hit his shoulder, causing him to drop his arm, even though it was his good arm.
His mother walked over and grabbed the cup for him.
“Thank you.”
As he tapped out a few of the painkillers into his hand, he noticed her eyes lingering. Taking a drink of his water to wash the pills down, he set the cup on the counter and turned toward her. “What’s on your mind?”
“How mad would you be if I weren’t around here anymore, Ryan?”
Furrowing his eyebrows, he shook his head. “I don’t follow.”
“Well . . .” She peered out into the living room and then back at Ryan. She adjusted her footing, an uneasiness about her evident.
“Come on. Out with it, Mother.”
“I’m moving to Buffalo to live with my sister, Carol.”
Leaning against the counter, Ryan nodded slowly. “You’re leaving?”
“This house is full of memories with your father, and I’m just . . . done.”
Ryan tilted his head the other way. “Maybe take a minute to think about it.”
“Actually, I’ve had this plan for a while. I was going to tell you the day of the accident, but I held off since you were under enough stress.” She came closer, looking into both his eyes. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Ryan. And for your father. He’d be proud of the man you are today.”
“Okay. When are you leaving?”
“Not sure, but soon.”
His mother grabbed her cup of tea and purse, then left the house. Ryan walked into the living room. A wave of sorrow washed over his heart as he sat down and raked a hand through his hair. He felt like he was losing another parent. Part of Ryan’s grief had been relieved just by being near his mother. It was like a part of his father was still alive whenever she was around. With her moving to Buffalo, Ryan knew he wouldn’t see her much, if at all. Possibly, once or twice a year for the rest of her life if he was lucky.
The medicine for the pain started to kick in. He felt more relaxed than usual after a dose. Thinking back to the kitchen, he realized he had taken three, not two.
A knock sounded on the door.
Standing up, he went over to answer the door with ease. At least the pain is gone, he thought.
It was Jason.
“Jason! So good to see you. Come on into my humble abode, Brother.”
Lifting an eyebrow, Jason walked in as he kept his gaze on Ryan. “You alright?”
“I’m great! How are you?”
They came into the living room and sat down on the couch. “I’m fine. Listen, why do you seem strange?”
“I’m not strange, you’re strange.” Ryan smiled from ear to ear. “I’m fine. I accidentally took just a little too much pain medicine.”
Keeping his eyes locked on his brother, Jason pulled out a piece of paper. “Can you talk, at least? Answer a question for me?”
“Yeah. I just feel a little loopy is all. I can talk.”
“Okay. So, there was a withdrawal a couple of weeks ago for $6,000 on the business bank account. I checked the date, and it was the date of the accident.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Do you know anything about it?”
“Of course.” He took a drink of his water and set the cup down on the coffee table. “That was for Linda and Tiffany.”
“Who are Linda and Tiffany? Wait.” Jason stood up. “ Linda. That lady in Spokane?”
Ryan nodded slowly as he let out a heavy sigh of relief. “Yes, Brother. Her and her daughter, Tiffany. I got the money to help them out. They were facing eviction. I mean, come on. What would a Christian do? WWJD?”
Jason touched his forehead. “I’m confused. I thought the transfer was for the rescue mission?”
“No. It was for Linda, Bro.”
“So, wait. Did Dad cheat on Mom? Why would Dad help her? Why would you help her too?”
Lying over to one side, Ryan shook his head. “It’s just the right thing to do, Bro.”
“What? Why?” Jason’s voice edged up in tone.
“I don’t know why I said anything. You seem upset.”
“You need to talk to me.”
“Well . . .” Ryan shook his head with his eyes closed. “I’m not.”
Pulling into the driveway at home, she was surprised to see Jason’s truck. Once inside, she could tell by the look on his face that he wasn’t happy.
“Boys, you can watch a show. I’m going to talk to your uncle outside.”
As the sliding glass door shut, Jason shook his head. “Did my Dad cheat on my mom with that Linda woman in Spokane?”
“Uh . . .”
Jason took a step closer to her. “Tell me what is going on, Emily.”
“I don’t know.”
Jason turned away from her. “I thought of you like a sister.”
His words sliced through her heart and caught her in a moment of weakness. “They were separated when he slept with her, but it was fifteen years ago.”
“My father slept with another woman? The deacon? The pillar of faith in our family and this town? Come on . . .” Jason shook his head, sorrow filling his expression more by the moment. Then he asked, “Why was he sending her money?”
“Listen, I don’t know why you’re asking these things.”
“Ryan told me.”
Scrunching her eyebrows together, she shook her head as confusion filled her thoughts.
“Yeah, he was loopy on painkillers and let it slip. I can’t believe you both lied to me. Does my mom know?”
Sighing, Emily felt there was no way out of the conversation. Walking over to the chair at the patio table, she sat down. She explained everything she knew about the situation. The letter, the transfers, the fact that their mother knew, and even that Tiffany was their half-sister.
Jason was quiet and distant as he looked off. Silence lingered in the air to the point of awkwardness. Then, he looked over at her. “So, what Ryan said makes sense now.”
“What do you mean?”
“He said the $6,000 he withdrew from the bank the morning of the accident was to help them out with rent. They were going to get evicted.”
Her eyes widened.
“Oh. You didn’t know that piece of the puzzle?” Jason scoffed and let out a sigh as he stood up. He glanced toward the sliding glass door. “My brother, your husband, is a sneaky and untrustworthy man. Good luck with that whole thing. I’ll keep you two in my prayers.”
As he went out the side gate, Emily was left alone with her thoughts. Ryan had lied about losing his memory. Not only that, he helped Linda behind her back.
Tears from her broken heart spilled out onto her cheeks as a breeze pushed through the back yard and patio. Her heart broke into tiny little pieces as she felt not only betrayal from her husband, but also the fact that the last two weeks had just been a fa?ade, done probably out of some guilt he felt for lying to her. Who was this man she was married to now? She felt her husband had been buried right along with his father. She wasn’t sure of anything anymore. He wasn’t the trustworthy man she had married and committed herself to all those years ago. No. He was different, he was changed, and she didn’t like him at all.