Anika's tears can't be held back as she rushes past Glenn and into the hallway. Sobs rip from the depths of her soul, and she can only stumble into the nearest room to cry out to her God.
“Help me understand,” she whispers in the dark.
Chapter 5
“Glenn,” Sue struggles to catch her breath, “I need to tell you…” she gasps in pain and closes her eyes.
“Let me take the boys,” but she immediately squeezes them closer to her body with her frail arms.
“NO!” Sue starts coughing, and Glenn grabs the drops off the nightstand and pours a spoonful as instructed. When her spell subsides, he offers her the medicine and tries to stop the trembling of his hands.
“Thank you,” she whispers. Glenn grabs a cloth and dips it in the bowl next to the bed. He wipes her mouth, smiling when she closes her eyes at his gentle touch.
“I wish…” she looks at him, “I wish I could stay with you. Glenn, please don’t be mad at me.”
Glenn stretches out beside her on the bed with an arm around her shoulder and stares down at their sons resting in her loving embrace. “How could I ever be mad at you, Sue. You gave me two miracles.” Sue turns her face and rests her head on his shoulder.
“I wanted you, Glenn. When we were children, I would watch you…” her voice fades as the memories flash. “So tired,” she murmurs and her eyes close for a second. Her breathing is labored, and her skin is ice cold.
“Rest, then. Don’t try to talk.”
“No time,” she mumbles. “I knew it was wrong, to love you. I was never for this world. I just wanted to know love before…” Glenn lifts her chin and kisses her silent.
“You are loved.”
She sighs and smiles against his mouth. “Liar.” Her brown eyes open wide, and she is frantic for a moment, “Promise me, that you… will not let anger grow in your heart.”
Tears fill his eyes as he stares at her. “I promise, Sue.” She relaxes at his words.
“Talk to me, Glenn.”
“Close your eyes, my love.” Sue presses a kiss to each dark head smiling at the contented sounds.
“The sun is shining Sue, and if you listen, you can hear them teasing each other. Grass and dirt fly up into the air as they race across the field on two horses. Identical brown-haired boys, laughing and racing to see who can get back to the barn first. The dogs chase behind them, barking and trying their best to keep up. They are strong, healthy, and rambunctious… do you see them, Sue?”
Sue smiles and nods. Her breathing grows slower, as her heartbeat stutters and stops for the last time. One moment she is struggling to stay and the next all her pain is gone. Looking down on the man she loves and her children, she feels the light of God surround her as he calls her home. It is warm, loving, and waiting. When she turns to go, all worry, fear, and guilt is wiped away as she runs freely into the arms of Heaven.
Glenn feels the moment her heart stops but can’t bring himself to let go of her just yet. He prays that God will guide his wife home and help him be the man he needs to be. “Go in peace, My Angel.”
Chapter 6
Anika keeps the boys in the nursery upstairs during the wake and funeral. The doctor believes they are still too weak to be exposed to that many people and she is relieved. Sue was loved by the Ward family and a large church family, but she is still healing herself.
On the third night after Sue’s funeral, Quinton’s cries wake her. Though her bruises have healed some, her ribs and back still cause her trouble. She moves as quickly as her body will allow her to. Delaney sleeps soundly in the double bed they share as she grabs her wrapper. Quietly, she pulls the door cracked to their room so Delaney can rest.
“Hey little man,” Anika calls softly. His cries slow when he hears her voice, and she smiles gently, as she reaches in and places a hand on his belly. Chilled, she pulls her wrapper over her chemise and whispers, “No need to work yourself up, I'm here.” Quinton kicks his feet and begins rooting around on his fist. As she lifts him to her shoulder, he turns his little face towards her cheek, and she giggles when he tries to suck on her face.
“Sweet boy,” she coo’s and just as she turns towards the rocker a shape looms in front of her causing her to clutch the baby protectively to her chest. Anika doesn’t scream, but instead curves over the child, turning partly away, with her eyes squeezed tight and waits for the first blow.
“Easy, now. I didn’t mean to scare you, Mrs. Coltrane. I heard his cries and came to help.” Glenn lights the oil lamp on the side table and stares at her as she attempts to control her shaking.
Mortified, Anika straightens up and faces him in the soft glow. “Forgive the interruption… I didn't know you were in here.” Quinton begins to fuss, causing Anika to pat him and walk the floor on trembling legs. Allen hears his brothers cries and wakes at the same moment.
“No apologies needed.” Glenn looks away, not sure if she realizes the picture she presents at that moment. Dressed in a tattered white dressing gown and wrapper which has clearly seen better days, bruised and embarrassed, yet willing to protect his sons. Anika is a puzzle to him. He picks up Allen
