Overprotective

Chapter XVII

"You did what?" Aunt Gwen shrieked so loudly I feared she might cause the roof to cave in.

"I left Spencer." I repeated to her again.

"Meredith Wynne Lowe Welch! How dare you leave him! After everything, why would you do something so irresponsible?" She continued to yell, and I could clearly hear the welsh accent she had tried for years to slip out of, but it still managed to come out when she was angry.

I had appeared on her doorstep that evening, with my bag in one hand and my son in the other. I had taken a train back to New York, and then a taxi to her house. I thought she'd be more enthusiastic to see me, but I was wrong.

"Didn't you think about your son at all? You have to go back!"

"Gwen!" I screamed over her. "That is enough!" she looked at me, shocked. "I was thinking about my son. AJ is my top priority, which I why I took him with me. And so is my other child." I saw her staring at me, wide eyed. "Yes, before you ask, I am once again expecting. I'll do anything to protect my babies. I left Spencer because he was out drinking with his coworkers nearly every night, he was becoming uncaring and rude, and he was having an affair with the cook."

"That's just how men are."

"How they are? Aunt Gwen, you expect me to go back to that? He changed, and I can't stand it."

"You just have to be tolerant. Let these things roll off your back. A lady always stands by her husband, no matter how terrible he may be. Cry in private and keep your emotions to yourself, and be submissive. It's how my marriage was too. Then I learned how to keep it going. This is what many women have to go through, and leaving is not the answer. He has money and he has taken care of you. Go back, Meredith."

"No! This is absurd! Why should I? I thought marriage was about love, not hiding feelings and receiving unjust treatment. My father never did this to my mother. They actually love each other."

"Because they chose each other. They don't have money or power. They're not in society like we are. We're in a whole different world."

"I didn't ask to be in this world."

"Well, it's too late, Meredith. You're in it."

I was quiet for a moment, and allowed the tension to ease a bit between us. "So, I guess this means I can't stay here."

"No. What kind of aunt would I be if I turned you and the baby away? My brother would kill me. Go take your bag upstairs and go to bed. We'll find a crib for you tomorrow to put AJ in."

"Thank you, ma'am."

I went back to my old room that I hadn't slept in for over a year. I placed my bag on the floor, and put AJ on the bed. I laid down on one side of him, and placed a few pillows on the other side of him so he wouldn't roll off.

"Goodnight, my sweet boy." I kissed the top of his head, and placed my hand over him protectively, before drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, I awoke slowly, and then suddenly noticed AJ was no longer next to me. I began frantically looking around until I saw a bassinet in the corner. Aunt Gwen must have had somebody bring her one and the maids must have brought it up and placed him inside while I was asleep. I sighed a breath of relief to see he was safely asleep.

I went over to the desk in the corner and pulled out a bit of paper from the drawer along with a pen and began to write.

Dear Harry,

I left Spencer. I am staying at Aunt Gwen's for the time being. I'll explain more whenever you're able to get to New York again. I miss you and I hope all is well.

Love, Merry.

I would mail that out later. I needed my brother with me.

I picked up AJ from the bassinet and brought him downstairs to the dining room. I sat in a chair and held him on my lap. He smiled at me, and in his face I saw Spencer. My eyes teared a bit, but I wiped them away quickly. Perhaps if I just stayed busy, I'd be fine.

So that's what I did. I offered my assistance to the maids, which they graciously accepted. They allowed me to change bed sheets and sweep the parlor floor.

Aunt Gwen entered the parlor and stopped the moment she saw me. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Cleaning." I answered simply, and continued.

"I can see that, but what I want to know is why."

"Just trying to keep myself occupied, you know?" I responded quickly, sweeping with more determination than before. My anger causing the dust to become airborne.

She walked over to me and put her hand on the broom, stopping me. "You need to stop, Meredith. I pay people to do work like this. You are my niece, and a guest. What you need is to relax, please."

I slumped down onto the couch and allowed the broom to clatter on the hard wood floor.

Aunt Gwen sat beside me, and placed an arm around my shoulders. "How about you go out for a nice walk with the baby? I was able to find a stroller when I arranged for the bassinet to be delivered here. I think AJ would fancy a nice walk in the sunshine, don't you?"

I smiled slightly. I would really rather continue being helpful, but because Aunt Gwen insisted, I went to wake AJ up from his nap, and carry him down stairs. Tracy brought the stroller into the hallway, and I placed him inside. It was made of brass, and the basket was covered in maroon velvet. The interior was comfortable, and perfect for AJ to continue his nap in.

I wheeled him outside into the sun, and lifted the hood on the stroller so he would have some shade.

I missed New York. I missed having Harold nearby, and having the old Spencer to hang out with.

There was a park up ahead, and I found a bench that looked clean. I parked Adam's stroller beside it, and took him out, sitting him on my lap. "Hey, handsome." he smiled at me. His smile would definitely make a few girls weak in the knees one day. He was looking more and more like Spencer every day. I couldn't help but let a tear slide down my face. Why did he do this to me? I tried to be a good wife…

My one tear must have turned into loud gasping sobs, because soon somebody had rushed over to me.

"Excuse me, miss. Are you alright? Can I help you with anything?" He was tall, with auburn curls on the top of his head.

I replied with another sob.

He sat down beside me. "Is there anything I can do?"

"No." I choked out.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

AJ began to cry on my lap. I attempted to calm him down, while still crying. This only seemed to make everything worse. The man took him from me, and bounced him on his knee gently, until he finally settled down.

I wiped a tear from my eye. "Thank you."

"It's nothing." he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to me.

"No, it's fine."

"Please." he then wiped my face himself. "There. You're looking better already. Come with me. Let me buy you a cup of coffee, and you can tell me all about this little guy right here." he pointed to my son, and then offered me his hand.

I went with him to the coffee shop around the corner. He paid for two cups, and carried them over to our table. "Now that you seemed calmed down a bit, what's your name?"

"Meredith Welch." I answered, taking a sip from my mug.

"I'm Sam Havens." he shook my hand. "I sense an accent in your voice. Are you from the United Kingdom? Wales, am I right?"

I nodded. "Yes, I'm from northern Wales."

Then, in a Welsh accent, he responded, "I was born there. Lived in Wales 'til I was ten. Then my parents moved here."

"I was there until last year. April, 1912. I came over with my Aunt."

"April of 1912? Damn, that was a crazy time here. Were you around when the Titanic came in? It was a madhouse."

I thought back to that crowd at the pier when the Carpathia docked. Madhouse was a very good term…

"Meredith?" He waved his hand in front of my face. "Are you alright?"

"Yea." I snapped back to reality.

"Did I say something bad? Did you lose any relatives in the disaster? If you did, I'm sorry I brought it up. It was something that affected everyone."

"Some people more than others… Yes, I did lose a few people. Friends of mine."

"I'm sorry." he replied sincerely. But this sounded muffled to me because I was mentally far away. Clarissa had been pregnant, and she and Adam could have had a lovely future together. James and I could have tried a relationship. He would have probably been better than Spencer. Emma had a whole family back home to support. Now they were probably all split up in orphanages. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I jumped.

"Meredith?"

"I tried to save them. I really did." I said plainly. Then I noticed a few tears had rolled down my cheek.

"Are you alright? Honestly?"

"Yes. Just… I… I don't know." It's like the pain Spencer caused me was also causing the pain of the sinking to come back.

He was quiet for a few seconds. "You can tell me. I just want to help."

"I was on the Titanic. I don't wish to talk about it now."

"Oh. I apologize. I didn't mean to bring it up. I had no idea."

"It's fine. I was Meredith Lowe then, and I married another survivor." I looked down at my mug. "That sure worked out…" I commented sarcastically.

"Whatever happened, it's the past. You seem like a smart girl and you can definitely move on from this."

I slightly smiled. "I'm just worried I'll be unable to care for my son now that I've left my husband."

"Any guy who would let you go must be an idiot. You'll do fine with your son. He looks happy now." he pointed at AJ, who was sitting happily on my lap, staring out the window. "And you'll find someone else. Someone who cares and appreciates you for the lovely young woman you are."

I found myself smiling more genuinely.

Sam walked me and AJ home, and over the next few days, he and I would take walks in the park. Sometimes I'd even leave AJ with my aunt. It took me a few days, but I found him trustworthy, and amiable. He was somebody to talk to.

One afternoon as we walked through the park, he stopped to pick a flower. "It matches your blouse."

"Well look at you being so fashion savvy."

He put it in my hair. "There. Beautiful."

"Yes, it is."

"I didn't mean the flower." he grinned.

Over the week, he made me forget mostly about my problems with Spencer. When I was with him, I was happy and distracted. When I was home alone, I cried. So I just hung out with him everyday, and the more I was around him, the more I felt like I almost needed him. Like a drug, since without his companionship, I was miserable.

At home, I heard the doorbell ring and I rushed down the stairs smoothing down a few wrinkles on my skirt. I got to the door before Iris did, and opened it to see Sam. We were going to dinner.

"You look lovely."

"Thanks." I smiled, looking down at my lavender blouse, and long purple skirt.

We walked three blocks to a small tavern, where we took our seats at a oval shaped wooden table with a little candle on it.

"This is cozy." I commented. The atmosphere of the place was very warm and inviting, and the chattering of conversations around the room took away any sort of awkward silence there could have been in the background. But the candlelight upon both of there faces at the small table made it seem like it was only them in the room.

We ordered a few glasses of beer, and sipped them. I wasn't very hungry. The fact that I was expecting another child was causing my stomach to be upset.

"What would you like to eat?" he asked, while looking over a menu.

"Actually, Sam, I'm not that hungry." I answered, while putting my hand over my stomach subconsciously.

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked, worriedly.

"Yes, I'm fine." I smiled. "But I will get another glass of beer." I didn't want to think about the baby at the moment, or about Spencer, or about anything. For one night, I just wanted to forget.

And forget about everything, I did. After who the hell knows how many glasses I consumed, Sam was escorting me to a tall apartment building a few streets away, and we were giggling like schoolchildren the whole way.

"Shhh… You'll wake my neighbors." he said as he put the key in the door of room 12. Once he pushed the door open, he led me inside. After he'd closed the door, he kissed me strongly, and I returned it with such enthusiasm, he ended up against a dresser. I could feel him smiling against my lips. His arms slipped around my waist, and his fingertips were lightly crawling one by one up my back, causing me to shiver and giggle uncontrollably. The laughter ceased when he pressed his lips to mine again, and moved his hands up my torso and around to the front of my blouse, where he then attempted to undo my buttons.

I looked down and watched his hands work quickly on my buttons, as he undid a few, revealing cleavage. He smirked, and looked up at me. He stopped with the buttons for the moment, and cupped my face in his hands, then next thing I know, I'm laying on my back on his bed in the other room, with him beside me. He was still kissing me, and had his hand resting on my hip.

Suddenly, we were interrupted by a knocking at the door. He groaned, and kissed me quickly, "Excuse me for just a second." he got up, left the room, and shut the door. I could still hear him though, yelling irritably at his visitor. Then they must have been speaking in hushed tones, because I couldn't hear a thing.

I sat up, and saw a bedside table beside me. Out of curiosity, I opened it, to find a stack of torn envelopes and letters. All addressed to a man named Richard Grolin. I picked up a letter, and even in my drunken stupor, I managed to read it. It was from a woman named Kristen, who was begging Richard to come back home. I looked at a few more, and all were the same. Then I found a picture under the stack of letters. It was of a family of five. Beside a very plain looking woman, and behind three adorable young kids, was Sam. I turned the photograph over to see "The Grolin Family. 1911. Richard, Kristen, Richie, Billy, and Amelia."

My hand flew to my mouth. It couldn't be…

I heard footsteps approaching, and I threw everything back in the drawer, and shut it before the door opened.

"Sorry about that. An acquaintance of mine stopped by. I sent the jerk home." he began to unbutton his shirt, and took it off, throwing it to the floor. He came towards me. 'Now where were we?" he asked seductively, leaning in for another kiss.

I put my palm against his chest to stop him. "I was just leaving." I stood up, but he pushed me back down.

"Why? We're having fun."

"You're a liar." I hissed. "How's the family doing, Richard?" I asked, angrily. He just stared at me, scared. "I found the letters from your wife. The one you never mentioned. You left her, and your children! What kind of man are you, coming to the city to trick young women?"

"Listen, that man isn't me. It's all some sort of misunderstanding. Merry, please-" he took a step near me, but I put my knee up and stopped him.

"Move one more inch closer to me, and you'll find my fist dug so far into your face, nobody will even have a chance at identifying you." he stepped back. "Now, explain."

"Fine." his voice suddenly sounded squeakier. "I'm Rich Grolin, from Michigan. I left my family, and came here. And I'm pretty much a conman. Happy?" he stared irritably at me, "By the way, I've never even been the Wales," then in a perfect mockery, "But I can fake the accent pretty well, eh? I had you going. Even got you in my bed. If you hadn't been snooping through my drawers, I'd had gotten what I wanted."

"You make me sick." I stood up, and pushed him out of the way. "Rot in hell." I spat, before storming out of the apartment. As I rushed down the stairs, I buttoned up my blouse again. Once outside, I ran a few blocks, and stopped with my back against a brick wall to catch my breath. Then the tears fell, and I sunk down to the sidewalk. How dare he… I had almost done things with him. I had almost fallen for him. I…. I had used him to help mask my pain. Now, the very thought of him makes me sick. All I could think about at the moment, was how badly I needed to see AJ and hold him. His angelic face could make anything bad go away for at least a moment.

I hurried down the street, walking several blocks until I was outside Aunt Gwen's house. The gate was locked, so I grasped the metal bars tightly and shook them. "Somebody! Please. It's Meredith. Let me in!"

A butler, hearing the racket, came outside and let me in. I thanked him, as he escorted me inside.

Aunt Gwen was standing in the entrance hall. "Meredith? What are you doing here?" she asked curiously.

"What do you mean? I came home."

She was silent. I ran upstairs to go to my bedroom and see my son. "Meredith! Wait!"

"One minute, Aunt Gwen!" I yelled back. I threw open my bedroom door, and approached the bassinet. It was empty. I looked around and saw my bags opened and their contents thrown around on the floor.

I ran out into the hall, and bumped into Iris. "Have you seen my son?" I asked her worriedly.

"No, ma'am, I haven't." she replied.

I hurried down the stairs, "Aunt Gwen!" She was right where I left her. I took a deep breath. "Where is AJ?"

"Oh dear…" she muttered, placing her hand to her head.

"Where is my baby?"

"Meredith, Spencer came by. He told me he had found you, and you both worked everything out. He told me he had come to pick up the baby and a few of your things, and that you'd both be heading home to New Hampshire tonight."

My jar dropped. My husband had kidnapped my child. "Aunt Gwen," I brushed away a tear, "I haven't seen Spencer since I left. He lied to you."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know-"

"Just stop." I interrupted her. Then I sighed.

After a moment, she decided to speak again, "What are you going to do?"

"Harold is supposed to arrive tomorrow. I'll take him with me. We're going to New Hampshire, and getting my child back." I stated determinedly, placing my hand over my abdomen to protect my other child.

Yea, I know this chapter is terrible and it has been a long wait. Things have gotten bad again. But I am trying. I wasn't sure what to do, so I created a sleazy sort of character to create a bit of action. I hope it is alright to all of you. The next chapter will be posted as soon as I can write it. Please review. Good or bad. I just like feedback. Thank you. Love, Kelly.