Acknowledgement: Thanks to all my readers and their unwavering support.

Part Two

Mary-Lou knew that tomorrow she would have to disguise the bruises on her face and neck. Jethro had been as aggressive as usual striking her immediately when she and the boys had arrived home. On the silent journey home she wondered how they had known she was having lunch with someone instead of eating alone as she had been instructed by Jethro from the first day she worked there. Once she arrived home it was clear who had told her husband. A couple of the men she knew by sight, but not name that had been having lunch in the diner were sitting on the porch sharing a jar or two with Jethro. Why had life been so cruel to her? What had she done in her thirty-four years that caused her to spend it in purgatory? The expression, catching a break, had a different meaning to her as Jethro forcibly pushed her into the house then beat her soundly until she collapsed in a heap on the floor. He left her there with the words ringing in her ears never do it again or he wouldn’t be so lenient.

Sometimes she wished he would do them both a service and finish her off once and for all. Except, in the back of her mind, through all the pain and hurt Andrew’s face would come to mind and she knew that she had to go on at least until he was out of the clutches of his father and brothers. She checked over the bruises on her body and bit her lip at the sharp pain she felt from another broken rib. At least for an hour today she had actually enjoyed herself talking with someone instead of immersing herself in inanimate objects like the books. Through all the pain and suffering it was a wonderful cherished memory that made her smile just as Sheryl Appleby had done. No matter what had happened or would in the future she was glad she’d taken up the woman’s offer to share lunch. For once she felt she was a normal human being and not simply one of Jethro’s chattels.

She wasn’t a masochist or anything like that but in her heart she hoped that Sheryl would take the chance to speak with her again. Though she wondered how she dare even think that after her son’s behaviour in the diner. Maybe Jethro scrambled my brains this time. They were going to be very lucky if Sheryl Appleby didn’t press charges and the sheriff didn’t arrive on the doorstep.

As Mary-Lou returned to the kitchen to prepare a meal for the men outside on the porch, a picture of Sheryl Appleby’s face swam before her. She smiled a smile that travelled to a secret place in her heart.

* * * *

Sheryl looked despondently over at the diner. She hadn’t ventured inside the establishment after the incident four days earlier. To her, it had been a prudent move. One that she hoped would work and cause Mary-Lou to seek her out in the relative privacy of the bookstore. It was apparent that her husband and elder sons didn’t know she used the bookstore for some privacy. Perhaps they do, but don’t want to cause a scene in front of the Sheriff’s wife. Guess that is something that only Mary-Lou knows for sure.

“I’m going now Sheryl. Are you going to use the ticket your aunt bought for the barn dance on Friday?” Cathy asked her stand-in boss with a smile.

With an answering smile Sheryl shook her head. “I think I’ll pass. My aunt will be home on Saturday and I think I should ensure her house is habitable.”

“If you are anything like you are here then the house will look like it hasn’t been lived in. I’ve never known such a neat freak in my life, no offence meant. Miriam is going to wonder what’s happened to her store when she gets back.” Both women glanced around the neatly packed shelves mostly in alphabetical and category order.

“None taken, I think she’ll appreciate the order, at least I hope so.” Sheryl gave the shelves a satisfied shrug. In the hours she’d been in the store it had been a natural thing to achieve, otherwise she would have been bored stupid with having nothing to do.

“Okay. Anyway, if you change your mind I’d be delighted if would come along with Larry and I…oh and girls of course. See you in the morning.” Cathy left with a cheery wave and Sheryl considered the offer. It was really welcoming of the woman and she did actually like Cathy and had immediately felt at ease with from the beginning.

Glancing over to the old clock on the wall it was quarter after three and she didn’t expect much trade from now until closing time. Not that there was much activity on the sales front, apparently it suited her aunt. As she skimmed over the neatness of the place she saw a package on the floor and bent down to pick it up. Then realised what it was the book Mary-Lou had been reading. Around the World in Eighty Days. I wonder what it must be like to wander the world at leisure and see all the marvellous things there is on this planet we called Earth. Her thoughts were so lost in the premise that she was surprised when a timid voice said hello.

Sheryl moved upwards so quickly she had to prevent herself from colliding with the corner of the counter. She was pleasantly surprised to see Mary-Lou standing there but not alone. A boy, or perhaps he should be termed a youth, stood at her side. Sheryl had no doubt it was Mary-Lou’s child as his grey eyes mirrored his mother’s. There was a studious manner about him that hadn’t been present when she had briefly been acquainted with Mary-Lou’s elder sons.

“Andrew needs a couple of literary works for school,” Mary-Lou explained as she shyly traded glance for glance with Sheryl Appleby.

“Well I guess this is place to be. Take your time.”

“Thank you, we won’t be any trouble.” The emphasis was definitely on the no trouble part.

Sheryl smiled warmly. “I know. Help yourself and let me know if you need my assistance.”

Mary-Lou turned to her silent son and motioned for him to find the books he needed. For her part, Mary-Lou didn’t move as her son left them to peruse the shelves.

Neither woman knew what to say as they silently waited for the other to begin a conversation. Clearing her voice finally, Sheryl was about to say something when the boy rushed back.

“Mom, Mom you are not going to believe this.” His face had a huge smile as both women turned to the excited child.

“What is it Andrew?”

“We won’t be here for hours looking because it’s all in order, I can’t believe it. Look Mom, look.” He dragged his bemused mother over to one of the shelves and pointed to the rows of books in category and alphabetical orderly fashion.

With a tousle of his sandy hair she smiled. “I guess we won’t will we.” He shrugged away her affectionate touch with a grin and wandered to the other shelves.

“Does Miriam know you’ve changed her store?” Mary-Lou asked with another shy smile.

Sheryl grinned. “Hey I had to have something to do with my time. I wasn’t exactly rushed off my feet. My aunt has been duly informed she approves in principle. Oh by the way this is yours.”

Nodding her head, Mary-Lou looked at the book which was being slid across the counter. When she saw what it was she coloured slightly realising that she hadn’t been in to pay for the book. I thought she wrote on the back of hercheck that there wasn’t anything to pay. Guess she forgot. Opening her purse, she pulled out her bill fold and with a barely audible sigh began counting out the twenty-five dollars “I’m sorry about being so late to pay…”

Sheryl immediately realised what was happening and she placed a hand on the counter to give back the money. As their hands touched each woman felt a surge of electricity travel through their bodies. Pulling away slightly, Mary-Lou stared into the brown eyes of Sheryl Appleby and saw they were just as she recalled them in her dreams.

“It’s okay. I was going to tell you at lunch that day…well that is…Cathy fixed the damage. I wanted to say I was sorry and give you the book as an apology. Didn’t you get the note I wrote you?”

Mary-Lou didn’t understand why she would do such a thing, especially not after junior assault. “Yes I got the note but even so…I don’t understand.”

Pushing the book towards Mary-Lou Sheryl smiled. “I guess it was my way of saying sorry. Look if you don’t want the book…” She slowly pushed the book away and this time Mary-Lou’s hand stopped hers and that same sensation of electricity passed through them again.

“I want the book. Thank you I will treasure it always.”

Sheryl heard the sincerity in her words and wondered why she made such an insignificant gift sound like she’d been given a fortune in gems. “You’re welcome. Would you care to share a coffee? It’s not the same quality as in the diner…” Sheryl trailed off as she waited for the answer.

Mary-Lou glanced at her son and with a motherly look of love she saw that he was engrossed in a book. In many ways he was like her - he loved books and spent as much time as he could, reading at home. Most times it annoyed Jethro but fortunately the two elder boys were around to take his mind of what he called his weakling son. That left Andrew to his own devises although he did get a barbed comment or two about him being a mama’s boy and he probably wasn’t even his son. She knew it hurt Andrew but not as much as having to watch his father and occasionally his brothers beat her. She had made a pact with him that if he didn’t intervene she would promise that one day they would leave together when he was old enough to go to college. Although he didn’t like it he had to sense to know that if he did stop his father it would only be once. His brothers would skin him alive and beat him to a pulp then they would turn their anger on their moth er her safety was paramount to him.

That was her dream and all her dreams were trapped in a jar on the diner counter. Everyone assumed that the tip jar was always that level, when in fact Eddy had opened an account for her in his name. He knew that if she took the money home Jethro would drink, or shoot it away as he did every other cent she earned. This way when she needed it the most it would be there. And, Eddy was the only one she had entrusted with her dream of Andrew going to college.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?” Sheryl asked again. She had watched several expressions flit across Mary-Lou’s face as she appeared to be lost in thought.

“Yes, I’d love a coffee. I think with your changes my son has found a whole new world.” A wistful tone followed closely behind with an equally wistful expression.

“Give me a minute I’ll be back. Oh will…Andrew want a drink? I think I have something in the soft drink line in the refrigerator.”

Mary-Lou, whose heart was beating like a tom-tom drum, beamed a smile at Sheryl. . “He’s fine, thank you for asking.”

“My pleasure,” Sheryl disappeared behind the small door that led to the tiny kitchen area. As she left she felt that the word pleasure was absolutely perfect because right now she was as happy as she had ever been. And, she wasn’t going to do anything but enjoy it while the feeling lasted.

* * * *

The next three days were wonderful for both women. Mary-Lou spent at least an hour, prior to the lunch and dinner sessions at the diner in the bookstore. Sheryl looked forward to every second they spent together. They conversed about everything under the sun and found they had much in common on how each viewed certain aspects of the world. Everyday, as the hour came to a close, neither wanted it to end.

“Have you ever just wanted to sprout wings and fly away Sheryl?” Mary-Lou asked her new friend in a whisper.

With a warm smile Sheryl winked. “Yep every time one of my clients proves difficult. What about you?” she asked knowing that her reasons were tepid in comparison to why her friend would want to do such a thing.

“Every day,” Mary-Lou said sadly before adding, “although, if by some miracle it happened I’d have no place to go.” Her voice held a tone of resignation to her fate that Sheryl wanted very much to change.

Placing a hand on her friend’s that was idly playing with the paper bookmark in the book they had been discussing, Sheryl smiled. “You’ll have a place to go Mary-Lou. I promise you that.” The words spoken with complete conviction not only held a promise but an invitation.

Grey eyes held brown and once again they felt the current of electricity surge through them as their hands rested together. In the time they had known each other Sheryl had gone from annoyance at Mary-Lou’s inadequacies or so she had thought. To this incredible electrified sensation as soon as she thought of Mary-Lou, an experience that she had never felt before in her life and her heart was telling her not to forsake it or she would regret it the rest of her life.

“Thank you, but we both know it’s impossible,” Mary-Lou sadly replied.

“Nothing is impossible if it’s the right thing to do Mary-Lou.” Sheryl held the grey eyes in a concentrated glance that tried to give support to her friend.

Mary-Lou mused over the simple statement. How easy it sounds when Sheryl says it. In reality, uprooting herself and Andrew with no money except the tips in the jar was too hard to contemplate. The image of Jethro and the elder boys chasing after them to bring them back flashed through her mind. It would be virtually impossible to leave the town without someone telling him - she found that out when she and Sheryl shared lunch. “He’ll never rest until he brought me back.” Mary-Lou whispered into the silent store.

The heartbreaking words had Sheryl’s heart shedding tears. This isn’t right. Being a prisoner and taking a beating virtually everyday of your life is no way to live. There has to be a way to help Mary-Lou. It is just a matter of finding Jethro Carter’s Achilles heal… everyone has one.

“Perhaps we ought to make it worth his while not to want you or Andrew back. He’d leave you in peace then wouldn’t he?”

Mary-Lou smiled. How naïve her friend was. Jethro wouldn’t let her go because she was his possession and that meant no one else was going to have a part of her. “It’s a wonderful dream Sheryl. However, I’ve lived with Jethro for over eighteen years and I know his reaction to anyone or anything that takes me away from him for even a minute. He won’t allow me to leave.” She stared intently at her friend conveying the truth of her words. “Trust me.”

“This evening there’s the local barn-dance in town and from what Cathy says everyone from all around will be there. Will you?”

Mary-Lou gave a definite negative shake of her head, “Jethro will be there with the older boys. I work until ten and I’d rather go home and have a few hours of peace with Andrew along with some personal time of my own. You probably think that’s nuts, but if you knew…” she trailed off her thoughts already relishing the few moments of luxury. Then her body trembled with fear as she clearly saw the horrifying vision of Jethro walking the floor boards waiting for her to arrive home. It was hardly something that could be explained easily, unless you had experienced the brutality of living in the domestic violence front. She knew or supposed Sheryl had never had experienced that.

A hand tenderly stroked the loan tear that ran down Mary-Lou’s cheek. Sheryl was hard pressed not to pull the woman into a comforting embrace but right now that would probably create more problems and Mary-Lou had enough of those. One giant leap at a time is what we have to concentrate on.

“After your late shift would you…” Sheryl saw the confusion on Mary-Lou’s face. “…look, everyone else will be otherwise engaged. Please meet me, we can go someplace private and talk about your options.”

Wide eyes stared into the eager ones of her friend. “Do you know what you are asking me?”

“I know and I promise I’ll protect you. No one will know. Please Mary-Lou this could be your only chance.”

Mary-Lou saw the genuine compassion for her predicament in Sheryl’s eyes and nodded in agreement. “I’m just not sure it will work out as easily as you think.”

“Do you want to let this go?” The urgency in Sheryl’s words, were apparent to anyone listening.

There was silence for a few moments. “No I never want to let this go. Where shall we meet?” The tingle of excitement surging through her body at the thought of the illicit meeting was strangely soothing.

“Past the railway line, beyond the graveyard, Eisenhower’s road is just along there. Do you know where that is?” Seeing Mary-Lou shake her head positively she continued. “There’s a large oak with a bench tucked away off the road. I’ll meet you at ten past ten. It will be dark and everyone will be in the opposite direction.” Sheryl searched Mary-Lou’s eyes for any negative reaction. Unfortunately it appeared immediately. No one said this was going to be easy with all Mary-Lou had gone through in the past. “Please don’t let me down.”

As Mary-Lou left, her softly spoken words drifted towards Sheryl, “I’ll never let you down ever!”

Sheryl’s face beamed at the quiet words, as her eyes followed her friend to the opposite side of the road and the diner. She would come up with a solution she would her heart was begging her to do so. Even though her brain was telling her that all good intentions did not always bring the desired happiness.

Cathy walked into the store at that moment after her early lunch break. “Hey there how you doing? Was that Mary-Lou I saw leaving? She’s been in twice a day for most of the week must have been all the changes you made to the inventory.”

Sheryl smiled briefly as she picked up her jacket. “Must be. I’ll go visit my aunt now and be back by two. Then you can have the rest of the afternoon off to prepare for the festivities of this e. Cathy grinned happily. “Sure boss thanks. It will help a lot I need to press the girls’ dresses for this evening. Give my love to Miriam.”

“Will do,” Sheryl left the store and climbed into her car with her head filled with numerous plans and remedies for Mary-Lou’s situation.

* * * *

Miriam Appleby looked at her niece closely observing that something was on the young woman’s mind. No doubt it is a problem that she is having difficulty solving. “Care to share Sheryl?”

Sheryl gave her aunt a startled glance before turning away and walking over to the window in the small private room. “Nothing to share, why do you ask?”

“Well…you look just like your father did when he was having trouble with a decision. You and he have the same expression. You’re very like him in many ways Sheryl.”

With a warm smile of gratitude Sheryl returned to the bedside and sat in the visitor’s chair. “I found some letters that dad wrote before he’d past away. They indicated that you and he used to have a private thinking place when you were growing up.”

With a gentile peel of laughter from the older woman her expression changed to one of reminiscence. “Oh yes we did. Your grandfather built a tree house in the old oak tree at the bottom of the yard and that was our special place. We made many plans from there when we were growing up. If I remember correctly your father even spent time there thinking before he proposed to your mother.”

Sheryl’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Why did dad have doubts?”

Another peel laughter was Sheryl’s answer as the small birdlike hand of her aunt placed a soothing one on her much larger, stronger one. “No, not at all, quite the opposite. He was besotted with your mother but there were obstacles and he wasn’t sure she would give up her life here in town to live in the big city.”

Pulling her chair forward, Sheryl looked at her aunt intently. “They never mentioned any problem. Mom always looked happy in the city. To be honest I didn’t realise that they both came from this small town until…well until they had the accident.”

A lost look overcame Miriam Appleby’s face as she recalled the old days. Some memories are better left in the background. As she glanced at her niece she wondered if it was any use dragging up the old stories. Obviously her bother and his wife hadn’t seen fit to discuss it with their only child but then again why would they? It was all a long, long time ago now, with their unfortunate death, it was buried with them.

“I think it is better left alone Sheryl. If they wanted you to know they would have told you.”

For a few moments Sheryl digested the information and then gave her aunt a serious glance. “Why didn’t I know about you until they died?”

Miriam wondered when that particular question would be brought out into the open. “Because I stayed behind and your parents agreed that it was best that when they left here there would be no contact at all. It was safer that way for us all.”

“Please Aunt Miriam tell me. I didn’t know there was any problem. It’s like you’ve dredged up a missing part of my life and then refuse to fit it into the jigsaw.”

Miriam smiled. What will it hurt after all these years and there isn’t anyone but me left to care anyway. “You mother’s family were reclusive farmers around here. It was a precedent that Alice be allowed to go to the local school. That is where she met your father Harry. They were friends and I think soul-mates from the first moment they met. When they were eighteen Harry was offered a scholarship at a college in the city. My parents were ecstatic because they didn’t want either of us living our lives in this small town unless it was what we wanted. Harry had a sense of adventure that had to be assuaged and going to college was his ticket out of the town. Alice wasn’t as fortunate. Her family wouldn’t have allowed it even if she had won a scholarship. Harry went of course but he never forgot Alice and from what I heard he wrote her everyday. After college he went into the Army and when he came back at twenty-five h is one goal was to take Alice with him.” Miriam stopped and reflected for a few moments on her memories.

“Well he succeeded because they did go to the city and I’m living proof of what happened,” Sheryl stated matter-of-factly.

“Oh my dear yes, you are living proof. However, it wasn’t as easy as you might think. Alice had been married off by her father to a distant cousin who owned the nearby farm. When Harry he was gutted and couldn’t believe it. After being here a week he decided to go back to the city and move on with his life. I knew his heart was broken. What he didn’t know was that I knew Alice ventured into the bookstore were I worked once a month like clock work. I feigned an appointment with the dentist and persuaded him to help me out since I needed someone at short notice to cover for me. He did and the rest well, all I know is that in less than a week they had run away together and the marriage was dissolved a couple of years later.

Your mother’s parents never got over the shame of what she did and tried to pressure your grandfather into telling them where his son was. Pop’s was of the old school and he, for the general townsfolk, disowned his only son. In many ways it was the only way we could all function in such a small town. I think the shame killed your grandfather but he wasn’t alone - your mother’s parents died within a five year span after she left. Your father had given me the name of a lawyer as the only contact and I wrote to him over the years about what was happening back home. I knew about you of course from this lawyer and then of course when your parents died.”

Sheryl was reeling from the news that the perfect relationship that she had always thought her parents had now had a blacker side to it. What about my mother’s first husband? What had happened to him? “My mother’s ex-husband, does he still farm in these parts?”

“His family does. Your mother’s parents, to save face, willed their land to him in compensation. Jeremiah died in a farm accident a couple of years ago. He was a very bitter man and if he had known where your mother had gone he would have tracked them down and done something stupid. He was a rather hot headed young man back then.”

“What kind of life did this bring for you?” Sheryl felt for her aunt who had been in the crossfire.

“I love the town and the folks in it. I didn’t want to wander far. Though now after spending time here in this hospital bed I’ve decided that I’d like to see something of the world before I die. Cathy can take care of the book store for me and I might even take you up on an extended visit to see how my niece lives.”

Sheryl’s thoughts took flight as she gave her aunt a warm smile. Not only was she pleased with her aunt’s decision but it also helped her solve her own problem. “Thanks Aunt Miriam.”

Miriam looked at her niece in surprise as she saw the frown that had been on her features earlier disappear completely. “For what my dear?”

“I’m more like my father than I thought and you’ve helped me to see that. If I pose a hypothetical story to you will you give it some thought and let me know if the plan holds water?”

With a smile of indulgence Miriam nodded her head. A part of her already knew that this wasn’t hypothetical. She had heard things from the town’s folks that visited her muttering things about a certain favourite waitress of hers. “Go ahead my dear. I’ll give you a genuine answer.”

Sheryl began to relate her plan…

* * * *

Mary-Lou paced around the bench it was fifteen after ten and Sheryl wasn’t anywhere in sight. Have I mistaken the place where we arranged to meet…No, this is the only bench around these parts. It had been donated at the turn of the century by one of the townsfolk who loved to sit and watch the trains arrive and leave from this vantage point. Some folks even said the place was haunted. Her eyes quickly scanned the area. She didn’t believe in ghosts although right now eerie was a good word to use. The sound of the dance music from town could be heard and it made her feel calmer as she ceased her constant pacing and sat down on the old bench with a slump of her shoulders.

“Hey Mary-Lou why the glum face?” Sheryl’s tone was up-beat and the smile that flooded her face made Mary-Lou smile back with the infectiousness of her expression.

“I thought you had forgotten. No, no that wouldn’t be right I was early or my watch is wrong. I’ve never been able to get anything right!”

Sheryl heard the berating and hesitation in her friend’s words. She was late, when she had left her aunt’s house around nine forty-five she had been amazed to see several people in the street who stopped her for a chat. Not wanting to attract any attention, she had casually talked for a few minutes until she finally was free of the street and heading to her destination. “I’m sorry I’m late. Would you believe I’ve never talked with so many of the town’s people until I left the house this evening? It was a real weird feeling.”

With a warm smile, Mary-Lou nodded her head. She was feeling strange too but in a totally different way. “I’m glad you’re here.”

The simple words struck a cord in Sheryl’s heart as she reached out and placed a gentle hand on her friend’s which were hanging loosely in her lap. As she did, their eyes searched each other for words that explained this incredible sensation they had every time this happened.

For a few moments they allowed the peaceful consciousness to wash over them. Without giving up the hand she was holding their fingers intertwined naturally, Sheryl began to speak. “I went to visit my aunt today and we had a good chat about a few things.”

Mary-Lou heard her friend’s voice fill with what she thought was astonishment. “How is she? Is she still arriving home tomorrow?” Perhaps Miriam had a relapse.

With a gentle smile Sheryl continued, “She’s very good actually. In fact so good she’s going to take a trip…a long trip.”

The words held two meanings for Mary-Lou - one bitter-sweet and one a terrible scenario. The terrible scene repeated in her mind, did this mean that she was going to lose Sheryl and Miriam at the same time? How much more horrible could her life become if that fate crossed her path.

“You’re not interested in where she’s going?” Sheryl peered closely into Mary-Lou’s face and could feel her friend’s breath fanning her cheek. The tempo of her heart beat like a drum as she felt herself drowning in the sensations she was experiencing.

Mary-Lou wanted to speak but the words stuck at the back of her throat. She was scant inches from her friend and saw the slight amusement change to an intense expression she was sure she mirrored. Then it happened, their lips touched and a flame as intense as any raging fire consumed them as they lost themselves in the sensual stirrings that had been beckoning them for days. Finally, they broke apart in a bewildering yet strangely satisfying way.

“I’d like to say I’m sorry for what just has happened Mary-Lou, but I can’t.”

The honesty of the emotion packed words rang out in Mary-Lou’s head as she shook her head. Tears were trailing down her cheeks. How can life be so cruel to allow me to feel this much joy and then wrench it away from me at the same time? “If only things were different.” What else could she say, because that was the truth. If only I didn’t have a husband!

Sheryl had tears of her own brimming in her brown eyes. In all her years on this earth she had never felt this way about anyone. In truth, she had never dated much since high school and she could count on one hand the number of dates she’d been on in the last ten years. “Things can be different.”

Mary-Lou gave Sheryl a gentle tear-filled smile. “For you maybe. For me I have Jethro to consider and the boys…well Andrew.”

Excitement welled up in Sheryl as she heard what she wanted to hear in the woman’s voice. There was a longing so acute it was shredding her emotions.

“What if I told you that I have a plan and if you want it as badly as I do we can make it work?”

Mary-Lou shrugged her frail shoulders feeling the bruises of another beating from Jethro the previous night. Not that she was going to say anything. What good would that do? It will only make things even more difficult…especially now. “What’s your plan?”

Sheryl’s face lit up like a child in a candy shop as she clutched Mary-Lou’s hand and squeezed it lightly. “I said my aunt was going on a long trip right?” Mary-Lou nodded her head wondering where this was taking them. “Well, she needs a companion and I couldn’t think of anyone better to look after her and care for her as I would. What do you say?”

Blinking at the suggestion, Mary-Lou wasn’t sure she heard right. Did Sheryl ask me to be Miriam’s companion for a trip? “You want me to go with Miriam as her care-giver until she comes back?”

“Yes. Don’t you think that’s a great idea? It will solve the problems of getting out of town and give you an independent income.”

She gulped back tears knowing that Sheryl was trying to be helpful but she didn’t see how this could help. There was no way this will work. “And what happens to me when Miriam comes back to town? What about my family and what about Andrew? I can’t leave him.”

Closing her eyes for a few seconds, Sheryl berated herself. How had she been so stupid to not to explain herself properly. With gentle fingers she lifted the despondent face of her friend and with a tender smile kissed her in the gentlest way possible. The response to their lips meeting was electric on both sides as Mary-Lou instantly responded deepening the kiss taking as much as she could. She feared that this could be the final time they would ever have the chance to be this intimate.

Pulling away from the kiss, Sheryl smiled fondly. “I’m sorry Mary-Lou for not explaining myself. Andrew is part of the deal. Miriam wants to see the world and what better way for a young man to see it than with people who care about him. When Miriam is ready to come back home if you want to return then that’s your choice. Although I’m hoping that her extended stay at my place might convince you both that there are other options in the world for you…” Sheryl trailed off. She didn’t want to say it outright but she was offering Mary-Lou and Andrew a new life with her. Even though the concept of sharing her private life with another was alien to her, at this moment in time it the only thing she thought about.

Astounded at the plan that had been hatched, Mary-Lou wondered just how much Miriam had been cajoled into this. “Did Miriam have a choice in any of this?”

With a grin that almost split her face, Sheryl chuckled at the expression on Mary-Lou’s face. “If you want to know she said it was about time and wished she’d thought of it years ago.”

Sitting there in silence Mary-Lou clutched Sheryl’s hand tighter. Her heart wanted her to accept the offer immediately but her mind wondered how they would manage to get away without Jethro knowing. “If I agreed, how can I escape from Jethro? He won’t agree. He’d probably half kill me for even thinking about such an action?”

Sheryl knew the truth behind the words but already had thought it out. If they were going to do this it had to be now…tonight. The barn dance still had another hour to go and she’d made general enquiries about what happened after it was over. Cathy said most of the men folk who were not with a partner usually drank until the early hours. Some, if they were too rowdy, would end up on the other side of the sheriff’s best room with a view through iron bars. “I was thinking that right now might be as good a time as any. Andrew will probably still be awake and I’ll fetch the car over to the other side of your property out of sight. We could be heading for a hotel I’ve booked in my mother’s maiden name a hundred miles away and I’ll be back in town tomorrow before anyone is the wiser. It’s a window of opportunity if you want to leave here and Jethro for good. You don’t even have to take me up my plan to go with Miriam or stay with me. I’ll help you start a new life anywhere you want.” Sheryl’s heart raced as she spoke. It was true she would do all those things and more for Mary-Lou but she hoped desperately that wasn’t the way her friend wanted to go.

Standing in front of Sheryl, Mary-Lou held out her hand and pulled her up to stand in front of her. “Since I was a child of eight no one has ever wanted to help me without any gain. For that I thank you with all my heart Sheryl. You have given me a chance to make my dreams come true and I’m not going to waste it. I think we should go and see if Andrew wants to go on a long, long trip.”

“Oh god yes.” Sheryl’s heart-felt words rang around them as they snatched a brief kiss before Mary-Lou headed for home and Sheryl went to fetch the car.

* * * *

Next Day

Cathy Sidney rushed into the store and closed the door behind her with a thud. She raced to the counter and breathlessly mumbled several words all of which Sheryl found completely un-intelligible.

“Slow down Cathy, where’s the fire?”

“You are never going to believe this?” Cathy’s face was a picture as she quickly related the news that was travelling like an epidemic through the small town.

“She’s gone? Are you sure? I wouldn’t trust that husband of hers or her older kids not to have done something bad to her.” Sheryl replied after hearing the news that Mary-Lou Carter and her younger son had gone missing.

“He’s like a raving lunatic. He’s going to every house in town to see if anyone is putting her up. Like anyone would tell him anyway. All I can say is way to go Mary-Lou. I didn’t know she had it in her.” Cathy’s eyes turned to Sheryl and gave her a speculative look.

Sheryl saw the glance and with a slight smile said, “Yes?”

Cathy half closed her eyes as she gave the woman her full attention. “You didn’t have anything to do with it, did you? I know you and Mary-Lou are friends or at least…”

“If I had any thing to do with her disappearance do you think I’d still be here?” Sheryl picked up a book that was lying on the counter and idly gave it the once over.

“I guess not. Did she mention this to you at any time?”

Sheryl smiled as she placed the book on the shelf at her right side, “I can honestly say that Mary-Lou never spoke to me about such a plan. In fact I’m as surprised as you are that she’s actually done such a thing but I’m glad she has.”

A few minutes later as Cathy was about to leave, the door of the shop was almost pulled off its hinges. A man who looked like a mountain bear entered the premises. Sheryl had never seen him before. From what she could see he looked like he had a menacing streak as his eyes glinted and narrowed as he furtively scanned the book shelves.

“Can I help you?” She realized it was Jethro Carter for she had seen that same malevolent look in the eyes of his two sons when they accosted her in the diner.

“I want my wife! Where is she you city slicker troublemaker?” His voice, echoing off the walls of the shop, was harsh and deep.

Sheryl wanted to laugh out loud at the expression; sure she was from the city, but a slicker and troublemaker that were a new one on her. “If I knew who you were then I might know who your wife is and perhaps I might be of some assistance. Though to give you an idea I sell books here not people.”

The large man moved to within inches of her as he growled the next sentence out, “Carter. You know my Mary-Lou. My boys told you to stay clear.”

His breath stank of stale tobacco and ale. If his bloodshot eyes were anything to go by, he had obviously drank a few too many the night before. “Have you tried the diner? From what I know of Mary-Lou, which is very little, she spends most of her waking time slaving there.”

Sheryl had seen Cathy shrink to the background when Jethro Carter entered the shop. Therefore, he hadn’t seen her as he struck out at the smart reply from Sheryl. Unfortunately she didn’t have the time to dodge as the man’s fist hit the target and cut her lip, which began bleeding profusely.

“You smart assed city bitch see how you feel when you get a dose of good old country town welcome. If I find out you had anything to do with her leaving me I’m going to see you pay.”

Struggling with her composure, Sheryl faced the thug squarely as she replied, “If you were any kind of man at all you would have kept your fists to yourself and maybe she wouldn’t have left you.”

It was the wrong thing to say as a red stain crossed Jethro Carter’s face and his angry eyes flashed hers as he attempted to punch her again. This time she saw it coming and quickly moved out of its range. “You know you really should take anger management classes. Maybe when you have to cool your heals in prison they might let you take that course.”

The man’s eyes glinted with loathing; he gave her a cynical smile. “Not a chance of that lady. Who’s going to believe you around here? You’re a stranger, I live in these parts.”

Cathy stepped out into the open as she glared at the man and stood beside Sheryl. “I’m a real good witness Jethro Carter and believe me it will be a pleasure when Ms. Appleby presses charges.”

His bulging eyes almost popped out of his head as he saw the sheriff’s wife. He closed his eyes briefly knowing that his goose was cooked this time. With his previous record he would be in jail for a long time. Damn Mary-Lou it is all her fault!

“I meant nothing by it. Are you going to press charges?” As he spoke the Mary-Lou’s older boys entered the shop to check out what was taking their father so long.

“Pa is everything okay?”

Cathy spoke before Sheryl could, “your father is in trouble boys and if you have any sense you’ll take him home until my husband arrives to talk with him.”

The two boys looked at their father who hadn’t taken his eyes off Sheryl.

As they led their father out of the shop Sheryl shouted out to them, “If you leave well enough alone and don’t do anything about Mary-Lou and Andrew I’ll consider not taking this any further.”

All eyes swivelled to her. She as much as admitted that she knew something about his wife leaving town. With a ferocious growl from the man the door swung shut behind them.

Cathy passed Sheryl a wet towel that she had grabbed from the kitchen to place on the bleeding lip. “You do know something don’t you?”

Sheryl gave Cathy a slight smile. “Let’s say Mary-Lou and Andrew have gone on a well earned vacation and when they return it will be up to them if they return here.”

“You sly dog. She’s such a timid frail thing how did you get her to leave?”

“Ah well that’s something else I need to tell you.”

“Yes?” Cathy was glued to the counter waiting for all the news.

“My aunt has gone on a long, long vacation with a friend. She wondered if you would take over the shop until she gets back. If it’s too much I’ll advertise…”

“No, don’t be silly I’ll do it gladly. Even more so now. What about you? When are you leaving? And are you going on a long vacation too?”

Cathy’s wink made her smile broadly as she replied, “I’ve had my vacation time here. I need to go back to work but you can call me and I can be over here at a weekend if there are any problems.”

“What about him?” Cathy pointed to the sorry looking threesome having an avid discussion in the street.

“I guess I’m going to leave that in your hands. After all you are close to the sheriff and I’m sure he can ensure that Carter keeps to the agreement.”

“He didn’t agree though did he? Hell, I feel sorry for those boys…what a life they have decided to follow.”

The door to the bookstore opened and Jethro Junior popped his head inside. “You can tell her that she better not step a foot back in this town because she’s not wanted here.” He departed as suddenly as he appeared.

Sheryl was glad that her friend hadn’t heard her son speak like that about her. Though she suspected that she knew already and that was why she had made the choice to run away with her youngest child. “I guess we have an agreement.”

Cathy pulled the towel away from the split lip and whistled, “Hmm that’s going to hurt for a while.”

Nodding her head Sheryl whispered, “Some times a little pain is worth it in the long run.”

* * * *

Epilogue

Sheryl Appleby mused over the last few hours as she recalled her reaction to the day and the scene that had enfolded before her. Even though there was no blood relationship between her and the young man who had just graduated from the university she had as much pride as any parent. In the ten years she had been in his life she couldn’t help but be proud for she had watched him change from a shy thirteen year old to the confident intelligent young man he was today. Now he was about to embark on his own journey of life’s opportunities. She had no doubt in her mind that his life was going to be filled with happiness and joy.

She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t hear him step up beside her until he spoke into her ear. “Penny for your thoughts, Sheryl.”

With a happy smile Sheryl wrapped her arms around the broad shouldered man and kissed him on the cheek. “They are worth more than a penny young man. Now how does it feel Andrew to have your whole life ahead of you and an honours degree to boot?”

He laughed and swung her up in his arms hugged her. “It feels absolutely marvellous and I owe it all to you.” The last was said with complete sincerity and feeling.

“Now will you please put me down. I hate heights and you know it.” He did as he was told and gave her a wink as she grinned at him and gave him a long serious glance.

“You never said that there was someone special in your life. Her eyes tracked over to an attractive young woman. ‘You’ve been keeping things secret I see.”

Andrew switched his gaze to a young woman speaking avidly to an older woman with her eyes sparkling as she talked. A look of love entered his eyes as he stared at her. “She isn’t a secret exactly. I only met her a few days ago. Do you know, Sheryl, from the first moment we met I was drawn to her. It was like electricity.”

His words found a special place in Sheryl’s own heart as she looked over at the two women. Her own eyes filling with love as she gazed at the older woman who was indulgently listening to the young woman’s ramblings. “I think it runs in the family Andrew. How about we go rescue them.”

* * * *

The lounge was becoming gloomy as Sheryl slipped her feet out of her slippers and placed them on the lap of her lover. As she did she sighed contentedly for this was her idea of sheer heaven. As her feet were rubbed in all the right places as currents of electricity were sent to strategic areas of her body. With a knowing smile she reached out and pulled her lover closer and followed the action with a tender kiss. “I love you more and more each day. Did you have a great day today?”

Grey eyes moistened slightly but tears didn’t fall as Mary-Lou nodded her head. “You know I feel so old, where have all the years gone.”

With a soft chuckle, Sheryl kissed Mary-Lou again. This time it lasted longer as their passion ignited before pulling away to hold each other as close as possible. “The last ten years my love have been very good to us both don’t you think so?”

She carefully reflected on the love they had shared together and the life they had lived since she’d escape her abusive husband. Mary-Lou had to admit that now she could look on her life and say happiness had been brimming over for her ever since she had trusted the woman who had miraculously changed her life.

The first year had been difficult for them all. Initially she had spent three months travelling with Miriam and seeing the world or as much as one could in that time. It had been a shock to find she had to make decisions that didn’t involve Jethro in any way. What had really helped was that Sheryl had been as good as her word. Her friend had found an apartment for her and Andrew in the city. Over time they realised that the bond they shared was love with all its wonder, and in their case, problems. However, she had been surprisingly stronger than Sheryl in the early days of their romance. How, could she not be after her life with Jethro? People’s jibes about them being lesbians, turned out for her to be literally water of a duck’s back for it didn’t have any power to hurt. All she knew was that Sheryl loved her and would never hurt her. In turn she had helped Sheryl overcome the perceived stigma of their relationship in the early years . What mattered in life the most was the people you loved and those that loved you.

Andrew had taken to Sheryl immediately and he loved living in the city. He had adapted easily and thankfully hadn’t seemed phased in anyway by their changing relationship. When he was eighteen he had admitted that Sheryl was the best thing that had ever happened to his mother and he was proud of them both. With those words came a release for Sheryl who finally lost all her inhibitions about their new life together. It also remarkably helped her business which had been a bonus. Miriam had, and still was, the loveliest woman besides Sheryl on the planet. The older woman had gone home and kept them up to date about what was happening particularly in respect of Mary-Lou’s two older boys. Even Cathy Sydney and her family came into the city once a year for a week to indulge the luxury of living in Manhattan. Cathy’s girls in particular razed their parents constantly about moving to the city.

The hardest part for Mary-Lou was to hear about the eldest sons. For all she cared Jethro could rot some place if he wanted but Mary-Lou always hoped the boys would fair better. Junior had a family of his own but the rumour had it his wife was treated no better than she had been. Saul had moved away two years after Mary-Lou had left and no one seemed to know or care what had happened to him. No one but Mary-Lou. One Christmas after they had been together five years, Sheryl said she had a special surprise. And it was. Saul came into the room with a pretty young girl and his two-year-old daughter. He said he had seen the light after his mother had left and was ashamed of his own complicity in her harsh and terrible life at home. So he left home and tried for a better life elsewhere. He was now a garage mechanic in a slightly larger town across the state. Mary-Lou was proud very proud. The one thing that had always astonished Mary-Lou was that Jethro let her go w ithout a fight. Of course she hadn’t cared for relief had been her prime emotion on the matter. On the only occasion that she had mentioned it to her lover Sheryl had gone quiet and simply stated he knew when he was beat. From that moment on she knew she had been freed forever.

“Yes they have darling and we have many more to look forward too. Now I have a marvellous idea. How does an early night sound?”

Sheryl laughed as her eyes moved to the mantle over the fireplace and looked at the clock. It was only five-thirty in the evening. “Sounds perfect to me love a wonderful end to a magical day.”

Mary-Lou grinned as she was pulled up into the strong arms of her love. Her eyes danced over the mantle and settled on an object that had pride of place. It was the bottle that held the tips from her days at the diner. Sheryl had never actually explained how she had managed to bring that out of town. “You know you never did explain the last few days you were in town and how you managed to persuade Eddy to give you the bottle not to mention the check in the account he had for me?”

With a sparkling laugh Sheryl picked up her lover and began a steady but satisfactory kiss for every word she spoke as they entered the privacy of their bedroom.

“Ah my love, wasn’t it you who said they were your dreams in a jar, how could I possibly leave them behind.”

* * * *

This story was inspired in part by the song ‘Meet me in the dark’ by Melissa Etheridge from the album Lucky. Long may her music continue to speak volumes to my muse!

The End

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