Chapter 15
Two months later…
Creeping along the side of Bailey's house, the mystery person sees everyone leave and lies in wait to enter the house. Five minutes later, the coast is clear and he/she uses the bathroom window in Bailey's room to enter. The mystery person gathers all possible weapons in the house and hides them under Bailey's bed. Then walks down the hall and slips quietly out the door. "This time tomorrow will be the perfect time to go through with the plans." The mystery person reaches in their pocket and pulls out their cell.
"It's me…no, I hid all of the weapons…no, there will be no problem…I know…be patient!" the person on the other end screams into the phone. "Tomorrow, tomorrow…yes ma'am…I know…John too? How…ok…I will try…" The mystery person slaps the phone shut and walks down to the coffee shop where the car is parked.
"This is turning out to be one cluster of trouble!" Mystery person says out loud.
1
Bailey and the girls leave the house early for coffee and a little breakfast that morning. As Bailey set her cup of coffee on the table, someone grabbed Bailey from behind covering her eyes with one hand and another on her shoulder.
"I suppose I have to guess who this is, even though I can smell the cigarettes on your hand and your jacket." Bailey said a little sarcastic.
Bailey turns smiling at John who drops his hands in mock disappointment. "Damn, you have a good nose!" John said as he sweeps Bailey into an embrace. His lips tease hers long enough to elicit giggles from Cara and Emily. John released Bailey and stuck his tongue out at the girls. John reached into his pocket and pulled out two small boxes of candy for the girls. He leaned in close to Bailey and whispered, "Your present later, I don't think you can unwrap it now without the both of us being arrested." He teased and wiggled his eyebrows.
Bailey smiled and blushed in anticipation. "You wait old man, you haven't seen all I can do to you." Bailey smiled a wicked smile and winked as John cleared his throat and shifted from one foot to the other.
"I can't wait for tonight!" John smiled and kissed Bailey again. "I have to run, but I will see you soon…promise."
Bailey watched as John walked out the door. He has acted strange the last week since he has returned from crabbing. He called as much as he could while he was gone. That had helped with my worrying. Not that Bailey had worried too much. She believed that he was smart and capable and would return God willing. When he returned he was very loving the first few days, lavishing her with attention and plenty of mind-blowing sex. But he became increasingly distant in the days that follow. She didn't get it. She gave him the freedom that he wanted. He went out fishing with his brother, he spent time with his son and grand kids; he even went out with his friends. Not that Bailey minded Bailey had friends and her girls to take up the time he was out doing his thing. Bailey and the girls often went to the movies and rode their snowmobiles with friends. John was invited and often came along, which John always made everything a party from the start. Life was fun, life had laughter and less tears. Bailey was finally happy. John on the other hand, seemed distant from time to time, which lead Bailey to think he was getting ready to move on with out her.
2
John walked in to his house and grabbed a bottle of crown from his freezer. Not bothering with a glass, he sat on his couch and turned on the TV and started drinking. He was thinking about how he and Bailey met and how well they fit together. She was everything he was looking for in a woman. She is independent, fun, sensible, even-tempered, and beautiful. The feelings he felt for her were strong. He sat back and drank for a few minutes, still thinking of Bailey. He finished off the Crown and set the bottle to the side and slouched into the cushions of the couch and fell asleep.
He dreamed he was on the deck of the Time Bandit near where his father was buried. Rows of chairs filled the deck parting in the middle forming an isle. Bows and red and black flowers everywhere, from the arch over his head to the chairs. Suddenly, the chairs were filled with all of his and Bailey's loved ones. His mom's preacher was standing beside him to his right and Andy and Scott to his left. Cara and Emily in long flowing black dresses and holding bouquets of red roses to the preachers right were smiling at John. Enya's "Only Time" started playing over the speakers and Bailey in a long red wedding dress with white faux fur trim walked slowly towards him. Her hair blowing in the breeze and her face glowing with happiness, made her look like an angel. He felt so much love for this woman. But the closer she came to him, the more he started to panic. He wanted to run, but his feet and heart wouldn't let him. He was screaming in his head…"MOVE, RUN!"
John woke with a start. He sat running his hand down his face. He has had that very dream for the last two months and it scares the hell out of him. He can't get married not now not ever…he is the ultimate bachelor. He can have any one he wanted. But he wants Bailey.
John shook his head. "Enough with those thoughts." John said to his empty house. John got up quickly and grabbed his fishing gear. "That has been the one thing that could always consume my thoughts and keep these crazy marriage thoughts out of my head for the last two months." John sighed as he loaded his truck and took off.
3
Bailey returned home from work a little late, but since the girls got a part time job in town she often had time to relax before they came home. But this time John was waiting for her in the driveway. He looked strange. What ever was bugging him was bugging him now and he looked ready to talk about it. She waved him in and he followed. Once inside, he sat on the couch and motioned for her to sit. Bailey's heart dropped. She knew by the look on his face, that this conversation wouldn't be good.
"Bailey." John said gearing up for what he was about to say. Bailey sat waiting, unable to move or say what she knew she should.
"I think we should break up." John whispered. Bailey let out the breath she didn't know she was holding.
Pride stepped in and she sat up straight. "Fine. Go. Go now." Bailey growled fire dancing in the depths of her eyes. "Go and don't come back."
John clearly hurt by her words, rose from the couch and walked out the door. He stopped and thought about turning back but heard the dead bolt lock and Bailey slide down the door. It broke his heart when he heard he weeping inside. Accepting her wishes, he turned towards his truck and left, tears flowing freely down his own face. "Why did this hurt so much?" John thought as he drove away.
4
Bailey didn't know how long she lay on the floor by the door crying. She only stopped long enough to text the girls to tell them that since it was Friday, they could go out and not to be any later than 12 am. She was going to go out with a friend. She didn't need the drama that John had created and she wasn't going to fall apart because some man didn't want her. The statistics in this town were five men to one woman. She could find someone to either take home for a few hours or just to play with for a while at a bar. No problem!
Bailey dusted herself off and went to take a shower. When she got out, she decided to give Nick a call. They needed to talk any way. Bailey dialed Nick's number and on the third ring, he answered like always. They talked for a while and Bailey told Nick about the break up. They decided to head to the Oyster for karaoke night. They had quite a few nights with Paul at the local VFW back home and thought this would be fun even with Paul gone.
A few hours later, both Nick and Bailey walked in to the Oyster bar and immediately felt at home. Bailey felt like smiling for the first time since John broke things off earlier that afternoon. Bailey selected a table close to the stage and grabbed the binder filled with songs for karaoke. As she was looking through the folder, she felt someone watching her again. That feeling had been so prevalent in her life now, that she had learned to shake it off and ignore it. Nick came to the table and set a Coors down in front of Bailey and sat across from her. Bailey grabbed the beer and took a swig.
"Oh sweet baby Jesus, that is good!" Bailey said as she set her beer down. "The first swig is always good."
Nick smiled and shook his head. "You never change, do you?" He said, chuckling. "I have missed this, and you."
Bailey looked up from the play list and grinned. "Me too. I miss hanging out with you. Too bad things with Paul and I went sour. I think as soon as he started accusing me of things that I wasn't doing, our social life dropped off dramatically." Bailey said as she frowned a little remembering how Paul accused her of cheating. The thought never crossed her mind to cheat on Paul, not until he started pushing her away with accusations. All of those nights he accused her of cheating, of having feelings for this and that guy. That was the start of the end of their marriage. Even when he stopped accusing her of those unspeakable things, he would never have anything nice to say about her. It was sad really, she loved him dearly and to the end she loved him. Unfortunately, love was not enough to keep her from leaving.
"Such a waste." Bailey sighed as she continued to look for a song to sing.
Nick reached across the table and patted her on her arm. He wasn't always comfortable with emotions, but the simple pat reassured her and she smiled at him. "I have the perfect song." Bailey said as she got up and told the DJ what songs she would be singing. She started with a few rock songs and a few country songs. The more she and Nick drank, the crazier their song selections. Nick sang a lot of old Hank Williams songs. Bailey sang some No Doubt from "back in the day". The final song was a surprise for Nick and as soon as the song started, he knew their night was over.
"This is my favorite song, I hope you enjoy. This will be my last." Bailey said as the music started.
"Shit…" Nick said as he downed the last of his drink. He knew he was going to be drying tears again. Hatred for John filled his heart. "How dare he build her up like that and then tear her world apart." Nick mused.
The song started and Nick paid the bill. This was going to be a long night. He hadn't planned for this.
Bailey started singing Reba's How Blue. Everyone in the bar could tell she was trying not to cry.
"How Blue (how Blue) can you make me
How long till I heal
How Can I go on loving you when you're gone
How Blue (How Blue) can I feel
Oh honey why did you leave me
Ain't you got a heart left in your chest
I swear to you that I'm dyin'
'Cause my mind won't let my body rest
How Blue (How Blue) can you make me
How long till I heal
How can I go on loving you when you're gone
How Blue (How Blue) can I feel
If I sink any lower I'll go under
If I cry anmore I'll go blind
No there ain't no relief for this missing you grief
How long can you torture my mind
How Blue (How Blue) can you make me
How long till I heal
How can I go on loving you when you're gone
How Blue (How Blue ) can I feel
How can I go on loving you when you're gone
How Blue (How Blue ) can I feel"
Bailey ended the song and Nick grabbed her and swept her out the door. They caught a cab and Nick dropped her off at her house before heading home himself. She tried to get him to come in, but he begged off saying he had an early morning. Bailey went inside and fell onto the couch and cried herself to sleep.
5
John pulled in to Bailey's drive way an hour later. "To hell with her wishes." John said as he made his way in to the house. He saw Bailey on the couch snoring softly and sat on the chair at her head watching her sleep. Her girls came in a few minutes later and smiled and went to their rooms. He was grateful she had such good girls. They loved and respected her no matter what she did. As he looked at Bailey, he couldn't help but reflect on the night's events.
John couldn't believe his eyes when she walked in the Oyster with Nick smiling like nothing happened between her and John. He didn't make a move from the corner he was sitting in so he could watch how she interacted with Nick. There were moments of laughing and moments where she looked like she was thinking about something really hard. Then when Nick would march to the stage to sing, he saw it. He saw the sadness below the surface. He saw her masterfully hide the hurt and pain as Nick came back to the table. She was acting as if she was in a poker game never wanting to show her hand. She had one hell of a poker face! He smiled and laughed to himself. The moment she started singing that last song about being blue, John saw her pain in full force. Nick did too; Nick was smart enough to whisk her away, and John was glad he did. Funny thing was, John saw on that stage, the love Bailey felt for him. He can't let her go. She means too much to him.
6
The next morning, Bailey woke up on the couch with a hangover. Cara and Emily had already left for the morning. They had a date with their friends to go to the lake and ride their new snowmobiles the life insurance from Paul bought them. Bailey decided to get out and go shopping. The winter had snuck up on them and they didn't get a chance to get the correct heavy coats they needed. She hated the fact that her girls were out there in four layers of clothes and light coats for this weather.
As Bailey made her way home, she enjoyed the day and for a moment didn't think about John. As she got closer to home, she became sadder. She jumped as a text message popped up on her phone.
I want to talk to you. Meet you at your house? –JohnBailey sighed. She didn't want to talk, but maybe she could use some closure. She fired back a short text.
Sure.
As she pulled in to the house, John was already there. They silently made their way in to the house and Bailey set her bags down inside the door. She led the way in to the living room and sat in a chair by the couch. She didn't want to be so close that she would be tempted to reach out and beg for him back. She couldn't take the rejection if he said no. She sat silently waiting for him to start. He sat on the couch and removed his hat while leaning forward. Crushing his hat, he started to sniffle. Bailey resisted the urge to go to him. He hurt her; she didn't want to give him the easy way out of this. He gathered himself and started talking. He told her about last night and how he had watched her and Nick at karaoke. He told her he saw the sadness in her eyes and knew he put that there. He looked up at her and with tears in his eyes, asked her to forgive him and come back to him.
Bailey hesitated for a few seconds. She slowly stood up and pushed John back against the back of the couch. She straddled his legs and snaked her arms around his neck. "This time I forgive you. But you hurt me. Don't do it again." Bailey whispered.
John relaxed and grabbed her around the waist with one arm and pushed up with the other. Bailey squealed a tiny squeal and held on tight. John chuckled and carried her to her room. They languished in each other for the rest of the afternoon. They tore up her room giving and taking every part of each other's bodies until there was nothing left. An hour before the girls were expected to come home, they finally surfaced from the bedroom. Bailey decided she needed to run a few errands and John decided he should go get food for dinner. As they parted, they didn't see some one sneaking up to the house and slipping into the bathroom window.
7
Cara and Emily arrived home to what the thought was an empty house. They entered and shook of the cold. Shedding a few layers and throwing the outer layers in the laundry room, they didn't see the figure sneaking up on them. Cara was the first to sense the presence. She grabbed Emily by the arm and gave her a sideways glance that told Emily that they were in danger. Emily stiffened and from behind them they heard a voice.
"Don't move unless I tell you to. I have a gun."
The girls stood still like their captor told them to. They heard chairs scraping and the intruder moving things.
"Turn slowly and go sit in the chairs." The intruder told them.
Cara and Emily obliged him sitting in the dining room chairs. The intruder tied them up back to back and covered their eyes and mouths. "This is to keep you quiet until mommy comes home." The intruder sneered. Cara felt ill, she thought she recognized the voice. She will be good until her mom comes home.
8
Bailey arrived home from running errands. She walked into the house reading a text from John saying that he would be there in 5 minutes.
"Girls, if you are home, John will be here in 5 minutes with the food!" Bailey called as she set the mail on the kitchen counter. She looked up to see Cara and Emily bound and gagged. Bailey stopped dead still. She started to rush towards her girls when she saw a figure with a ski mask on step out of the shadows with a gun.
"Sit." The intruder sneered as he pointed with his gun to the empty chair by the girls. She did as she was told. She thought the intruder sounded familiar, but couldn't place who he was. She allowed him to tie her. "John will be here any minute." Bailey said as she slightly struggled against the ropes.
The intruder leaned in and sneered, "Good, then I can get him."
Bailey saw it then. His eyes, she knew those blue eyes with small brown specks. The shock had her spinning as she said, "You!"