A Fresh Start

Chapter 5

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Frank POV

I leaned back in my leather recliner and smile contentedly. Stephanie has been through a lot and survived. She is resilient as I always believed, but she now knows how to fly. She is like the phoenix rising from the ashes. I am so proud of her.

Part of me feels guilty for not being there to protect my Pumpkin. Edna reassured me that Helen's deceit and treachery were to blame. Helen's manner was tamer while I was home. She disguised things and lied. Yes, who knew? Helen Plum is a pathological liar who blatantly manipulates others, even her own family, especially targeting Stephanie. Her deceit is boundless. How did I not see that coming? She tried to manipulate me at times, even to the extent of offering sexual favours, which was quite out of character.

I couldn't believe her mood swings especially when she didn't get her own way. Do adults throw tantrums? I became wary of her intentions. I made sure there was conversation at the dinner table, with Edna's help, ignoring Helen's furious stares, often cutting off Stephanie, especially when she had something positive or exciting to share. Edna and I ignored Helen's negativity, we were fully aware of the impact on Stephanie. Valerie often tattled on Stephanie to make matters worse. It was sad to admit that the girls had little in common.

While the wedding from hell kept her busy, making Valerie's wedding an exclusive Burg event, Helen was distracted. She tried to go way over budget, but I limited her funds. The bank contacted me when Helen tried to get an advance on my pay. Holy shit. She even tried to obtain a loan, but needed my signature. I found notepaper scraps in the bin, where she had traced and tried to copy my signature. When I confronted her about these, she made some pathetic excuses. I was surprised she didn't try to blame Stephanie first. They were totally unacceptable. I growled at her and reminded her how I detested liars, especially close friends who do things behind your back. She paled, wondering if I knew about her and Michael. That shut her up for a while. The new smarmy manner was sickening and so false. I shudder at the memory.

I didn't see much of the Blitz, as Michael made himself scarce, by transferring to a different division. He knew what I was capable of. I knew Stephen Michael was the name Helen chose for our second baby, but it had to be feminised once our little girl was born, hence, Stephanie Michelle. What a coincidence, Stephen was Michael's middle name. I should have figured that out earlier. But, I was dealing with a devious, conniving lying bitch of a woman. Much to her surprise, and a degree of false relief, Stephanie was born a month premature. She tried to justify Valerie's "early" arrival using that as her proof.

Stephanie was a fighter from the beginning. I had the pleasure of holding my baby girl, while Helen was mentally MIA. The neo natal nurse encouraged skin to skin contact, and I believe that's why we have such a tight bond, Stephanie and I. Edna too, filled the gap. Helen was suffering post birth trauma. Bullshit. Edna and I knew darn well, that Helen was still holding out for a boy baby. Post birth trauma, or post-natal depression, was more post-natal fury and Denial. She even tried to drop Stephanie but the clinical nurse was onto her. She had witnessed and overheard Helen chastising baby Stephanie in the humidicrib for being born a girl. She pressed the alarm and had Helen sedated. There was concern for Stephanie's welfare, even then. Helen had to prove she was a "sane" and worthy mother before they allowed her to leave with baby Stephanie.

Whispers of Munchausen syndrome by proxy were hinted at. Edna and I became aware and watchful. She settled for a while, but according to Edna, was nasty again when I was away or in the wind. That made my decision to work stateside a firm necessity. But she was sneaky. Not taking Stephanie in for medical treatment was her ruse in hiding her nasty deeds, but made sure to tell everybody how clumsy Stephanie was. Anyone observing Stephanie playing on the playground equipment would instantly see how agile and nimble she was. Clumsy, my ass!

Thankfully, Helen had no idea that my substantial military wages were in a separate account to which she did not have access, in a different bank. Oh, yes, she tried to manipulate and fenagle that information from me. Her promiscuity made me even more suspicious. I no longer trusted her. According to the bank statement, my post office wages were deposited fortnightly, looking genuine and official, which they were. I was planning to retire soon. With a couple of guys at the lodge, I decided to investigate working part-time as a taxi driver, a couple of us sharing the role.

Edna brought me a cup of coffee and some cake. We enjoy our afternoon tea together. It's something Helen and I never did, but this works for us. She smiled at me with a quizzical look. I was frowning, remembering another painful episode in Stephanie's former life.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Frank. It's not your fault."

"I was just reflecting on past events."

"Like the Tasty Pastry incident?"

"Yes, that too."

"Don't beat yourself up about it. You were in Georgia at the time, working. I am still reeling about that. Helen really is a piece of work. We thought that was bad, but it got worse. But, we did the right thing, Frank."

I frowned. I hope so. Well, I know so, truth be told. I just never thought it would come to that.

Yes, the Tasty Pastry incident. What a train wreck that was. I came home two weeks later to find my precious Pumpkin grounded. I was shocked.

"I bring up the children. You bring in the money. We agreed," Helen had snarked at me, like she was daring me to challenge her authority. I couldn't believe that Stephanie could do something so bad to be grounded, for the entire summer?! The summer was her favourite time of year, after Halloween. Hearing that my daughter was remonstrated so sternly got to me. I had to know and Helen was not elaborating other than harshly castigating Stephanie some more, calling her a whore and a slut, before she stormed out of the house to do her daily shopping. I was confused. Those were very specific offensive words.

Edna was furious and exasperated. She pulled me aside and sat me down, warning me that I was not going to like what I was about to hear. "Brace yourself, Frank." She explained why Stephanie was grounded. "Helen was shaming her in church so publicly, like the public flogging of a whore. She tried to direct Father Patrick's sermons to sins of the flesh and the wickedness of Mary Magdalene. Short of biblical stonings, Helen was making a martyr of herself by inflicting so much embarrassment and public censure on Stephanie, even dragging her to the shops where the greater audience would be. She was elevating her Burg status by the condemnation of her own daughter."

I was bewildered yet so furious. Wasn't she the victim? Stephanie was taken advantage of by some asshole fuckwit and she's punishing Stephanie?

"What the hell for?"

"You need to talk to your daughter. Go easy on her. It was not her fault."

I remember Stephanie nervously coming down the stairs from her room before running to hug me. She knew I would listen but she was so embarrassed. Edna did her grandma thing gently coaxing her along while I hugged her on my lap. I was close to tears myself.

"But Daddy, I said no. I kept saying no. He ignored me. Even though I was kinda curious, only at first, it didn't feel right. He lied. He tricked me. He hurt me. I thought he liked me. I was scared, really scared and there was no one to help me or save me. He wouldn't stop. He just left me on the floor as he zipped his jeans up. "Finally, gotcha, Plum. Sweet. See you, Cupcake." That was what he said as he left and locked the door. I cried. It hurt, and, and… there was blood. I was terrified, so I called Mum to pick me up, crying. When she arrived she only heard the first bit and started calling me a "whore, a slut, a filthy disgusting little harlot," after she slapped me hard on the face, knocking me to the ground. There were no hugs, no care, that I expected. I was so upset and her reaction frightened me even more. I was surprised. She just kept ranting about how appalled and ashamed she was of me, all the way home. How dare I embarrass her in that way. Why me? What will the neighbours say?"

I squeeze-hugged and rocked my girl. I am incredulous that Helen showed absolutely no love or concern whatsoever. Nothing. What a cold-hearted bitch! Stephanie needed her love and support at that time when her virtue was stolen and all she did was shun her. Oh, my poor baby girl.

I wanted to rage, the Beast within wanted to beat the shit out of him, and her as well. It took all my self-control not to lose it. Instead I soothed and calmed her sobbing. Not only had she been raped, but then censured so severely by her own mother who should have been caring, loving and supportive. I was so angry with Helen.

"It was obvious that Stephanie was in shock. She was traumatised," Edna explained. "It was confusing for her. Helen wouldn't even take her to the doctor, let alone the hospital. She banished her to her room, without dinner. She was told to shower before going to bed, calling her a filthy whore. It was awful, Frank. So, all evidence for a rape kit was ultimately negated. I gave Stephanie a couple of painkillers." Edna elaborated further. "We had a wing-ding argument but Helen stood her ground. I was stunned and nothing I said would change her mind. I was able to sneak some supper in for Stephanie while Helen was busy."

"Did he use protection?"

"Protection?"

"Yes, Pumpkin. Did he use a condom?"

"No. I'm so sorry, Daddy. I really am. I didn't mean –"

"It was not your fault. He's a predator. Sh, Pumpkin. You are safe and you are okay."

"While Mum was shopping, Grandma rang one of her friends who could drive and they took me to the hospital the next morning. After the doctor examined me, they gave me an injection, and some antibiotics. Grandma kept them hidden in her room. The doctor was sad, saying that I wouldn't be able to press charges. Because Mum insisted I shower, there was no evidence, except for the tearing and the bruises. He was so rough. I was in a state of shock, partly for what happened, but also how Mum treated me, so … unlovingly, so unkind and brutal. If it had been Saint Valerie I'm sure her reaction would have been completely the opposite."

I stood up, in a rush, gently put Stephanie in my armchair, kissing her forehead before I stormed into the kitchen. Suddenly, I had to release and vent, with a furious raging growl I opened cupboards and then had the satisfaction of smashing glassware and crockery, lots of crockery, special crockery, and bottles.

Five minutes later I emerged from the kitchen, feeling a lot calmer now.

Edna, always the curious one, peeked inside the kitchen and chuckled.

"Hot damn! Well done, Frank. Two bottles of Jim Beam, and a bottle of Jack. But best of all, Helen's favourite teapot with all those matching cups and saucers as well as the cake plates, her "Special Occasions" tea set. Ha! The entire tea set, her pride and joy, the show-off piece which she bought for herself, as a reward for being the stern mother, after Stephanie's "disgraceful" behaviour." She high fived me, leaving the mess for Helen to clean up. "How perfect!"

"What happened to the jerk who did this? Do you know who it was?"

"Nothing happened. The jerk was Joseph Morelli. He joined the Navy the next day. But he left all those horrible poems on the bathroom walls for everyone to read."

Shit. That fucking bastard! I've seen those messages at Pino's. My fists clenched tightly. He's just like his father, a cherry popper and proud of it.

"I'll never eat another cupcake ever again! I hate that name."

"Come on, Pumpkin. Go put on your favourite sundress and grab your swimsuit. We are going to Point Pleasant."

Her face lit up and for the first time since she came down the stairs, her eyes were sparkling. "Really? But, Mum said I…"

"Go on. Now."

I only had to say it once as she raced upstairs without hesitation, the joy on her face was wonderful to see after her traumatic ordeal.

Edna was beaming at me. Poor Stephanie never deserved all that censure and humiliation. She was the victim. I'm absolutely incensed with Helen's outrageous condemnation. How could she be so cruel to Stephanie?

"The time has come, Edna."

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