I glance over my shoulder and fear ripples through me as I see a man coming towards me. I rush over to the packets of seeds. I don’t see the pictures, the words – I just move closer to the bench and take hold of the garden scissors – a weapon.
“This here is Jason,” Annie says proudly. I don’t loosen my grip on the scissors. They’ll have to pry it from my dead hands.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you miss … ahh…” he leaves it open and they both wait.
I turn slowly keeping my eyes on his feet. His feet will move first.
“Nonsense, Boy. Just call her Karen. The child might as well be from my own rib,” Annie steps in for me and I love her in that moment.
He reaches a hand out to me and I stare at it for too long before I step forward and lift mine. It’s the hand with the scissors. I drop it and start to sputter like an idiot. “I’m…sorry.” I glance up quickly and take in his uniform. Law enforcement. Shit! “Hi,” I squeak and I know, I just know if I was him I’d be suspicious of me.
“Jason Williams,” he smiles, and my stomach coils into a knot.
“Karen Weston,” I give my name and I feel my newfound freedom slip away.
He’s going to arrest me! He’s going to take me away from this little piece of heaven. Shit!
“I didn’t know you had a guest, Annie. Now ain’t that something,” he says. I take a step back, letting his hand hang in the air.
I turn back to the bench and grab the first pack of seeds I see.
“Those are chili, Honey.” Annie comes closer and she places her hand over mine, squeezing it real tight. “Why don’t you run on up and go get me my hat? I feel that ball of fire scorching the gray right into my head.”
I nod and go. I don’t look back, I just go. I don’t know what hat she’s referring to but I take the gap she’s giving me to get away.
“Annie,” I hear him ask and I quicken my pace, “where’s that girl from?”
“I told you, Jason,” she snaps, “my rib. Now hand me the tomato seeds.”
“Shit! Shit! Shit! He’s going to bust me,” I chant all the way to the house.
His car comes into sight and it reads state police on the side. It takes everything I have not to break out into a mad race up the road.
Why can’t I just have peace? I just want a home. As soon as I think I’ve found it someone comes along to ruin it.
I hide until I hear the car leave. Annie comes into my room and to my surprise she hugs me real tight. I can’t keep all the stress and feelings bottled up any longer. Tears well in my eyes and spill over my cheeks. I cry because I don’t want to lose her as well. I don’t want to be pregnant with a rapist’s child. I just want some peace. Is that too much to ask?
“It’s okay,” she coos. “It’s okay, Honey. I should’ve known better. The boy is as harmless as those pigeons pooping up a storm on the porch. He won’t hurt a fly. I have you tucked in tight under my wing and this old heart won’t let anyone take you away from me. I’ve been alone too long myself,” she sniffs. “We’re a family now, and family sticks together.”
I hold her tighter and I know in just eleven days I’ve come to care for this woman dearly. I won’t give her up without a fight. I really want this to be my home.
That night I look up at the stars as Annie’s chin rests against her chest. She always falls asleep out here. I glance up again and whisper, “I was eighteen when my parents died. It was a boating accident. We always went out on the dam, just drifting, talking, sleeping. That day I woke up to a loud bang. There was blood and then the pain came. When I woke up again, my uncle told me they were dead. I didn’t even get to go to their funerals. The propellers of the boat had sliced through my back. People saw what happened and fished me out. They said I was lucky.” I take a breath and launch right back in. “My uncle gave me my mother’s name, said they would come back to finish us both off if we didn’t disappear. He gave me money and told me to run … and I did. I disappeared for so long. For seven years all I did was run. But then I forgot what I was running from. I was stupid and they found me.”
I hear an owl hoot and listen before I finish, not knowing if it’s even worth talking to the stars.
“He saved me in so many ways. I didn’t see it at first. He saved me from certain death. He’s the scariest person I’ve ever met, but for some reason I felt safe with him. Now I’m just a fading star amongst all the bright ones.” I sigh. “All I want, ever wanted is to belong and to have someone who will be just mine. Life really sucks.” I laugh bitterly. “All I want is love and all I get is people trying to kill me and take away what peace I manage to find in between.”