Learning to Live Again
Chapter 8
Mike actually felt badly about tricking Libby into a marriage. She had suggested it, but he had led her into it. He might not like her or was attracted to her, but he could recognize she was basically a good person. Mike helped Bobby organize his room and got him tucked into bed. The little boy was exhausted and was sound asleep before Mike turned the third page of his book. Mike settled down on the couch with a beer and a movie on the TV when his doorbell rang. He was shocked to see Joey on the porch.
"Sheriff? Come in." Mike asked. Joey stepped in and from his demeanor, Mike knew he was in for it.
"So, my sister made the announcement of your engagement tonight at dinner and she did tell us why. I can't say that I am exactly thrilled. She says it was her idea, but I think you can be persuasive when you've a mind to. You could convince her that it was her idea, even." Joey said. He was pacing around the room and his voice was raised.
"It was her idea. By the way, I just got Bobby to sleep. Please lower your voice." Mike asked.
"You do realize that you are using her? All Libby has ever wanted was someone to love her. Her entire life, that is what she's searched for. She had found it with Matt, but then he died. And then there was Oliver. That creep slept with Libby's best friend the entire time he and Libby were dating and engaged. Two hours before the wedding, he texted her that they would not be married. Why would he marry a size 20 when he could have a size 2? Its not even her fault that she can't lose weight. She's tried, believe me." Joey ranted.
"I am not going to hurt her." Mike answered.
"So you say. Let me ask this, what does she get out of it? You get to adopt Bobby." Joey asked.
"She will be on the adoption papers as well." Mike said.
"And you get a wife for a while. You'll screw her, you'll screw with her head and then you'll leave her alone." Joey said.
"As I said, I will not hurt her. She is going into this willingly. I have not coerced her in anyway and she is an adult. She has free choice. Now, settle down before you wake that little boy up. Sit down. Can I get you a drink? I have soda, beer, juice, milk and water." Mike asked.
"Water." Joey answered before sitting down on the couch. Mike got the water and sit down in the recliner.
"Now, she mentioned that you and she weren't so different then Bobby. Can you explain that?" Mike asked. He was taking a chance because Joey might shut him down, but he could hope to get a straight story.
"She told you that, huh?" Joey asked.
"Yes, but she didn't go into any detail. Care to explain?" Mike asked.
"Like Bobby, our mom died when we were young. Thyroid Cancer. She knew she was having some problems, but our dad refused to let her go to the doctor. By the time it was found, it was too late. Had hit her lymph nodes and then all over. It was in her lungs, brain, stomach. She died in agony. Our dad remarried six months later, but our stepmom was…a monster. Joan hated Libby with a passion. I don't even know why. I tried to protect her when I could, but Joan was sneaky. I remember her putting her cigarette out on Libby's foot once and my dad was oblivious." Joey started.
"Were you all in foster care though?" Mike asked.
"In time, yes. My father was killed in a work-related incident. When the police came to do the notification, they noticed the squalor we lived in and all of Libby's obvious injuries. They removed us from Joan's care. I wish I could say that our placement in foster care gave us any peace, but it didn't and again, Libby was victimized. Our first foster dad sexually molested her, the next beat on her and the next was mentally abusive. Finally, when I was fifteen and Libby was twelve. We were put in a group home, together. As soon as I was eighteen, I got out of there, joined the military and got Libby out as soon as possible. It was rough, but we made it work. I got out of the Army, become a cop, married Tamara, become sheriff and we started our family. All along, I kept Libby with us. Every house, we had an extra room for her. We bought our current house and had the garage apartment. Other then when I was in the Army, I have never lived separate from Libby, so you understand my problem with this?" Joey explained.
"I do now. I promise though, she will never be hurt. I will protect her as much as possible. I know this is not anyone's idea of an ideal situation, but I will do my best to take care of her. You understand why I want to adopt Bobby?" Mike asked.
"So he doesn't end up in the same situation as Libby and I did." Joey said.
"And that is why she suggested marrying me?" Mike said.
"I suspect so. I really thought this was all you." Joey remarked.
"No. I might have wondered about it, but I never suggested, and I am not certain I would have worked up the courage to ask her. The only thing I can promise, is that I will not harm her in anyway, when she is done; I will sign the divorce papers." Mike said.
"I can tell you this, Libby is a very loyal person. If…if you can hit it off in a real way, you might never have to sign divorce papers. I know she is never anyone's first choice, but she is a good person, and she will love that little boy and if you allow it, she will love you. Just be patient." Joey said.
"I don't think she'll ever love me, but we can reach an understanding for Bobby's sake." Mike agreed.
"That's all I am asking. Don't make her do all the work. Put something into it. Libby is a good woman, but few have realized it. Just take care of her." Joey said before standing up.
"I will. I was married for fifteen years and I had two daughters. This whole business makes me feel dirty, but I will try my best. She will be treated well." Mike promised before extending his hand for Joey to shake it.
"You'd better, or I will make your life miserable." Joey said. He walked about before shaking Mike's hand. Mike sat down on the couch and rubbed his face. He was going to have to figure out a way to connect with Libby. He couldn't be one more person who hurt and used her.
