A Beautiful New Life by Susan Irene Read Free Book Online

the reality that mommy may not come home.
    “Now come on, she just wants to help until mommy gets home.” They all got out of the truck and walked into the house. She must have been there a while Arlin thought as he walked into the aroma of fresh baked bread and steaming spaghetti waiting to be served.
    “Hi dear.” She said as she walked up to him and took him in her arms. “Things will be okay.” She gave him a warm hug and then turned to the boys. “My look at how much you have grown. Come here, give grandma hugs.” The boys ran to her and gave her hugs. She did not visit often as her and her new husband w ere always taking some trip to tropical islands or taking long pleasure cruises in the Caribbean.  She was living the life Arlin hoped to have one day. His day would come she would tell him and he always replied, not soon enough.
    They all sat down and ate the wonderful dinner Grandma had made for them. She even made an apple pie for dessert and the boys devoured every bit e . After dinner, she herded them off to get their baths and once tucked in bed she went into the kitchen to help clean up the supper dishes.
    “Here, Arlin, let me do that.” She took the dish out of his hand that he had been holding. He did not know how long he had been standing there with it in his hands. The events of the day w ere catching up to him .
    He turned to his mother. “Thanks Mom for being here for me, for us.” He hugged her tight against him.
    “No thanks needed dear. Before you know it, she will be home and this will all be behind you. I’m here for you as long as you need me to be.”
    He let go of her, wished her goodnight and headed off to bed. He was exhausted and for the first time since Louise had not come home he fell asleep with out the help of Jack or Valium, b ut his dreams would not let him rest peacefully. He would wake throughout the night not sure what woke him. He had thoughts of Louise lost, alone, and afraid. He would see her running, crying out for help. Her beaten and battered body bruised and cut almost beyond recognition. Her chest falling as she exhaled ; she was gone. Her body snatched away by an unseen force. Arlin wakes with the feeling of not knowing; is she dead or alive?

Chapter Five
     
    Louise woke up from her interrupted sleep. When the alarms stopped fazing her, they played blood curdling screams and flashing the lights. She finally closed her eyes and held her ears as tight as she could. Now awake and the quiet taking charge, she realized what they are trying to do to her.
    “It won’t work. I won’t let it. I won’t let you win.” She yelled out to no one. She got up from where she lay and started to run around the small room. “I have to stay physical. Stay in shape. They will not beat me.” She ran until she tired, but pushed herself some more by doing crunches and pushups. The work out made her feel good but the lack of food soon took its toll. When she could not pick herself up from the last pushup, she lay on the floor face down letting the cool concrete penetrate her hot sweaty body. She did not even move when the door opened.
    When she realized that no one had walked in, s he looked up and saw the light from the hallway shining in but no one was around. She lay there a moment longer. Was this a trick? Trick or no trick, she could not pass up a chance to get out of the room. She pushed herself up and made a run for the door. As she got closer the door started to close, she pushed herself harder and as the door was about to close she reached out with her right hand.
    The pain was excruciating. Her fingers hung awkwardly on her hand. She fell to her knees and screamed out in pain. The door had slammed shut just as she slipped her hand between it and the door jam. She had screamed out and the door popped open just enough for her to pull her hand out and then it slammed shut again. She rocked back and forth on her knees, the tears darkening the gray t-shirt she wore.
    “HELLO!