Taking What Is Mine

By CJ Vermote

Sara’s life has moved on since she was forced to defend herself that day six years ago. She now has a wonderful husband, a beautiful little girl, a child on the way...and a woman hot on her trail.
Ann knows who Sara is, and what she did. The pain radiates through her as she plans out her revenge. Time doesn’t matter, today, tomorrow or even next year...it will happen and soon Sara’s life will take a turn for the worst.
Hell bent on getting even, Ann hunts Sara down and cunningly becomes a part of the family. At times Ann feels the joy of family, while at the same time feeling the pain of her family being ripped away.
Will Sara see Ann for who she really is? Will she trust her...with her child?

• Language: English
• Publisher: CJ Vermote
• Release date: Jun 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496137951

CJ Vermote

CJ Vermote (CJ is short for Cecily Jane) is originally from Washington State. She and her husband are currently living in Cornell, Michigan. Her favorite vacation spot is Seaside, Oregon, so it’s only natural she would write with the greater Pacific Northwest as her center zone for her books.She also loves photography and when not writing, she is capturing moments in time. You can find her photography online through her website, or under Cecily Vermote Photography with FineArtAmerica.com. Retired and enjoying life as a writer, she views her life as a journey and is enjoying the ride.

Book preview

Revenge

Will it ease the pain

I hold in my heart

Maybe make it go away

At least it’s a start

Will my revenge bring me joy

As it brings others pain

Will it open new doors

At least it’s a start

Will sweet revenge heal

My broken soul,

Maybe not, or so I am told

Maybe it will make

my pain become cold

Stop the searing of my heart

At least it’s a start

by

CJ Vermote

Chapter One

"I can’t believe I’m leaving. Are you sure I should be doing this?" Ann asked Julie.

Ann Scranton, you have lived here for six years…that’s four years past the end of your program. If you hadn’t started working in the kitchen, the organization would have sent you packing. You’re lucky they opened another treatment center; otherwise they would have needed your room long before now. I don’t know what you are afraid of…you’ll be fine. We’ll get you all moved and you’ll still have a couple weeks to get settled before August rolls around. Just think about spending the most beautiful summer month in your new home. Oh, I stopped by my neighbor’s house and got some old newspapers he had stacked in his garage. I’m always scolding him about keeping a fire hazard like that, but now I’m glad he did. I’m going to run out to my car and get them…I’ll be right back.

It took a court ordered treatment process to get Ann to realize she had a problem, which was when she met Julie. Ann started drinking when her son, Rob, was just a couple years old. Her husband, Jamison, was always at work leaving her to deal with Rob on her own. They liked to party with the neighbors when invited, but life wasn’t what she had expected and in time her depression got the best of her. She didn’t realize she had become an alcoholic, even though the fights between her and Jamison became a daily routine due to changes that were taking place within their lives. Then as life would have it, Jamison lost his job. As all attempts to regain employment failed, and not even a glimmer of hope for tomorrow, Jamison started running drugs for local dealers. When her son, Rob, was eleven years old, his dad was found dead. He’d been shot, likely related to a bad drug deal. The circumstances had been suspicious, but not enough for the authorities to go past the suicide theory since the revolver was still in his hand when they found him. Either way, Ann sank further into depression, filling the recycle bin with a record amount of vodka bottles and becoming a poor excuse for the remaining parent Rob had. Though she couldn’t blame him, eventually Rob couldn’t take it anymore and was emancipated at sixteen years old. Ann fell even deeper into the dark hole that bound her heart.

She waited every day for her son to come back to her, but that didn’t happen. There were no letters, no phone calls, no Sunday dinners as a family…nothing. She had no idea where he went or who he was with. No matter what time of day it was, her heart ached for her only child. Then when she should have been celebrating her son’s twentieth-fifth birthday with him, she found herself behind bars after receiving a DUI. Ann was distraught over missing her son, and became combative with the officers. They weren’t listening to her sadness; they wouldn’t help her find her son. Instead, her pleas landed her a stay in jail for the weekend and a court appearance that following Monday.

Ann had been told Julie worked closely with the courts when treatment was ordered. Julie apparently had a knack for picking out people she thought were good candidates for her program. When she saw Ann and heard her story, she told Ann it became a mission to get her situation turned around.

Along with court ordered AA meetings, she was ordered to attend weekly sessions with Julie at her therapy center after completing the evaluation process. One of the days Ann had an appointment with Julie she woke up not feeling well, so she called Julie’s office to reschedule. Before she knew it, Julie was at her door. Ann wasn’t happy about Julie showing up to spy on her, but let her in regardless. Within a few minutes, Julie told Ann it was apparent she would need more than a weekly session…she needed in-house treatment. The house was a mess; dirty dishes all over, garbage overflowing…it appeared housekeeping had been forgotten altogether. Julie made a call to Fairhaven House in North SeaTac to see if they had a room available. Ann heard her talk to someone named Stan, who said they had a studio apartment available right now. The rent was affordable and the recovery rate with the center had a high success rate.

Julie sat down next to Ann and talked to her about what she thought would be best for her recovery and potential success.

What about my house, if Rob comes back, he won’t know where to find me. Ann pleaded.

Ann, one thing that is important to your success is a change in scenery. It’s getting rid of all the triggers that keep you prisoner in the Hell you have yourself in right now. I’ll help you sell the house; the proceeds will be waiting for you when you get out of treatment. I’ll even help you find a new home when you are released, but you have to commit to the two-year program they offer. There is no turning back Ann. This is meant to save your life, and give you a fresh start. I’ll figure out something in case your son does show up, don’t worry. Ann, I take this seriously, so think before you answer…do you want to get better?

Yes Julie, I’m sick more and more often. You’re right; it’s not good to be here. I hate this house; it’s a constant reminder of my pitiful life…I don’t want to go on like this. Ann said as she broke down in tears.

Ann had let Julie take over her life that day. She registered Ann into the Fairhaven House, determined what furniture would be taken, packed up all the necessary household items she would need, along with clothes, and memorabilia. Ann signed papers to put the house on the market, and sold or donated any items she couldn’t fit in the studio apartment at Fairhaven. Ann had Jamison’s social security pension and a small union pension she had been receiving over the years. The house had been paid off, leaving the sale as pure profit. With the income she had, she would have not trouble paying rent at Fairhaven, or any of her other bills and would still have some left over. Julie offered to help her manage the expenses and put the rest in a savings account along with the profit from the house.

During the process of moving, Ann continued to worry Rob wouldn’t know where to find her, but Julie assured her the new owners had all the information and would send Rob to Fairhaven.

That one hope is what kept Ann going. She became so focused on Rob’s return that she started working in the main kitchen so she could stay at Fairhaven. During her first year there, Ann had suffered two relatively minor heart attacks, but her recovery from both heart attacks and her drinking appeared to be successful.

Now here she was at a new turning point. Ann celebrated her sixtieth birthday two days ago along with six years of sobriety. As she started gathering items off the shelf to pack, she picked up the picture of Rob when he was a baby; she had to admit she was beautiful when she was thirty. Her baby was a little version of his father, except Rob had her dark hair and dark eyes. Drinking had taken a toll on her looks now, but that wasn’t her focus, she had a new outlook on life and that was all that mattered. She had something to live for, and she prayed to God daily to help her find her son. Maybe he is married with children, the thought of being a grandmother made her smile. Her first task would be to find Rob and start over with him. Julie and the other counselors at the house, along with other patients had let her know rebuilding her relationship with Rob may be harder than it was to quit drinking…that she would need to be strong and let Rob heal, as well.

Julie continued to work closely with Ann on top of the program she was involved in with Fairhaven, and Ann trusted her. They had gone out a couple weeks earlier and found a nice little apartment in the Mukilteo area with a park close by Ann could walk around and enjoy. Ann had earned her driver's license back about four years earlier, but she had kept to a ten-mile radius from Fairhaven. Now for the first time in many years Ann had the confidence to move on with life.

Julie came back with plenty of old newspapers for wrapping breakables. As she put them on the table, she noticed Ann was staring at her.

What…what is it? Julie asked.

You know Julie, I’m thinking about getting a new couch for my place, do you think the house might want to keep this one? I’ve had it for God knows how long and I’m ready for a few new pieces.

I haven’t ever seen you this happy Ann, I think that’s an awesome idea. How about if we wrap up these dishes, call it a day and do some furniture shopping over at the South Center Mall?

Works for me…but don’t you have a meeting?

Oh, wow…I lost track of time, Julie said as she looked at her watch, I shouldn’t be more than an hour. How about if I come back here when I’m done and we’ll go then. If you don’t get all the breakables wrapped and packed, we can work on it later when we get back…okay?

Sounds good, I’ll work for a while and then clean up so I’ll be ready when you get back.

Ann walked over to Julie and gave her a hug, Thank you for everything. Ann said.

You are welcome…but just so you know, you don’t have to keep thanking me…you are the success story here…you did this all for yourself; you should be proud and acknowledge that.

Julie headed out the door for her meeting, and Ann returned to the task of packing. Grabbing another box and setting it next to the table, she picked up a pile of papers and laid them out open to start wrapping dishes. She worked on packing the plates, stacking them carefully in the box.

Ann turned as she heard a tap on her door.

Doors open, she said.

Hi Stan.

Stan was an employee, and recovering alcoholic, of the house and the first person to greet her when she came to stay at the center. Ann found him to be sweet, and not just because he told her often how much he loved her cooking.

Hi Ann, he said as he looked around the room, I suppose I should be thanking you for leaving Stan hesitated before continuing, at least now I can drop these extra pounds.

Ann walked over and putting her hands on his face, smiled and kissed his cheek. Stan looked at her with some confusion.

Really? You are going to act surprised? You know I’ve wanted to do that for about a year now, Ann smiled.

Then why only a peck on the cheek? Stan said as he moved his lips down towards hers.

Easy there big guy, Ann said putting a hand on his chest as she pulled her face away, I think a slow start is best, don’t you?

Ann walked back over to the cupboards to finish packing cups she had been working on.

I guess, he said, though I’ve always thought you were the most beautiful lady living here, and now you’re leaving to start a new life. Guess you don’t need an old man interfering…at least not right away, Stan said with a smile.

I tell you what. Once I get settled in my new place I’ll have you over for dinner. We wouldn’t want you to wither away to skin and bones, now would we?

Promise?

Promise. In fact, you have my cell phone number. Just give me about a month or so before you call. If I don’t feel my place is ready for company, at least I’ll have a better handle on how I feel, and we can set a date. I’m not trying to stall, I need some time to adjust to the outside world again, and my land legs are a little shaky right yet. How does that sound?

I can live with that. In the meantime, I’ll suffer through finding another cook for the house to replace you, Stan said smiling.

Before he left, he walked over to Ann and put his arms around her pressing her into his chest in a warm embrace. She hadn’t had a man hold her in so many years, she had forgotten how safe it felt…how warm it felt. As they pulled away, Stan took her hands. They looked at each other, but said nothing for a minute…their hands lingering in touch.

Well, I guess I better let you get back to work. I’d stay and help, but I’m like a bull in a china store when it comes to packing. Besides, I need to get back to my apartment and mark my calendar for the day I plan to call you, Stan said as he blew her a kiss from the door.

Ann stood smiling, knowing her new life was going to be great. Getting involved with someone wasn’t on her agenda, but when and if the time came Stan was on the top of the list. Once she was settled she only cared about finding Rob. Life was now going in the right direction and no matter how many years she had left in her, she would be happy. If everything went as planned and she started rebuilding her relationship with Rob, it would be an added bonus to have Stan, or maybe someone else, be a part of their new life.

Smiling at the thoughts running through her mind, she started to wrap a coffee cup up in a piece of newspaper, but stopped, blinking as if it would erase what she was seeing. Looking at the face staring back at her, she felt horrified, stunned and shaken. She started to read the article once she could pull her eyes away from the picture above the words:

Rob Tranton, twenty-five years old and a local attorney, was fatally shot by his wife in a domestic dispute earlier this afternoon. His wife, Sara Tranton, is claiming it was self-defense. After some onsite questioning, Mrs. Tranton was taken into custody as a standard procedure for further questioning. There is some question as to the victim’s true identity, but at this time no further information was obtained. No charges were filed and Mrs. Tranton was release by dinner.

Ann read the date on the paper; 1998 - it was over six years ago. She read the small article a second time, then a third…her mind reeling as she realized her world was crumbling around her.

That is my son, I’d know him anywhere…but that is not his name.

Chapter Two

Ann felt the words of the article stabbing at her core with a pain she had never experienced. Her mind started shifting between sadness and anger as the words rolled around in her mind. Why didn’t anyone tell her about Rob, she was sure someone had to have known? Instead, they all acted like Rob would be coming to find her.

If that’s how they want to play their game, fine, she said. I’ll play along and keep my discovery about Rob to myself. Vengeance doesn’t need a crowd.

The need for revenge became stronger every minute. This was life for her, one minute she was happy, and then next it was Hell…as it had always been.

She knew she needed to pull it together before Julie got back to take her shopping. She stopped working and got in the shower to refresh herself, all the time thinking Julie had to have known, but probably worried it might start her drinking up again. Julie was more than a counselor for substance abuse, she had continued working with Ann through the years to help her manage her depression. Now, standing there with water cascading over her, Ann promised herself she would not let this put a bottle back in her hand. Instead she focused on her new life, and her new goal to avenge her son’s death as any mother would.

 ***

A week after reading the article, she was in her new apartment. She quickly dived into making it her home, so she could get started working on the research needed. The next test of her silence regarding the situation came before she knew it. Julie had called and asked if she could stop by.

I’m impressed Ann, Julie said as she stepped into the entry way of Ann’s new apartment, it’s only been three weeks and you look like you are all settled in. I’ve lived in my house for a couple years, and I still have unpacked boxes in the garage.

Yes, but I only had a couple dozen boxes and no job. If I had even one box left to unpack I’d be scolding myself pretty hard, Ann said with a chuckle.

Ann gave Julie a hug and then stepped aside to let Julie enter further into the living room. Ann gave her the grand tour, and as they went into the guest bedroom, Julie commented on what a nice room it was, and how she hoped that soon Rob would came to visit, or maybe grandchildren some day.

Ann just smiled and nodded in agreement. She turned and walked to the kitchen to fix some coffee. Maybe Julie really didn’t know Rob was dead. Maybe there was no follow-up story regarding his true name…maybe no one at Fairhaven knows. Either way, they’ll find out soon enough, she thought.

You know I was a little concerned that day I came back to your old room at the center to find your eyes red from crying. You told me everything was overwhelming, but you appear to be in good spirits now. Does that mean you realize you made the right decision in moving? Julie asked.

Yes, I’m fine…I guess it was jitters that got to me that day. Now that I’m all settled, I’m thinking about going over to the Apple store and picking up one of those MAC computers like we had at Fairhaven. I think I got pretty good at using it. I was never much into hobbies, unless you can consider drinking a hobby, Ann said jokingly, but I would also like to get a good camera and maybe see what online classes I can take for photography. You know a long time ago my mom taught me how to crochet, Ann continued as if the memory had just flooded back to her, maybe I’ll pick that up again too…so you see, I have enough new interests to keep me more than busy.

I think that’s a great idea. Ann, I won’t lie to you…I also stopped by to check on you. I feel confident in your recovery and how well you’ve managed your depression. You’ve learned all the tools needed, and without medication, which proves that your depression was manifested by alcohol. From the looks of everything, and your progress over these few years, I was right. With that said, I want you to know I’m more than willing to continue working with you as your therapist, but I think you are ready to transition to more of an as needed basis instead of monthly sessions, Julie said, not waiting for Ann’s response, I think you are doing great, and I’ll always be available for you, but you don’t need me like you did before…hovering like a prison guard.

Ann laughed at Julie’s remark and said, You are so right, I’m really doing fine, and I’m sure there are people that could use my slotted time. You’ve been so supportive over these past six years; I could never thank you enough. I was so excited to have you come over today, and see for yourself how good I’m doing. I’ve missed out on so much over the years. I was always a bit nervous to venture out much over these past six years, but now…well I’m ready for all the simple things like a walk in the park, or taking in a movie. You know the old saying…you can’t see the forest through the trees…well, trust me when I say, I can see clearly now.

 ***

Damn this stupid thing, Ann swore as she tried to get the printer hooked up to her new computer. The next day after Julie’s visit, Ann had gone computer shopping and was now setting up her new iMac in the guest room. It was a smaller room than she thought, and the desk was a bit bigger than it looked in the store, but she was determined to make it work.

Okay…so we will move you over to the other wall. Ann said as she pulled the printer table out and moved it. She plugged the cord into the strip, the cable into the computer and had a connection. Ann knew she needed to slow down and take her time, but she wanted to get her research started and get on with some sort of plan.

The minute the reality of the article had set in that day, Ann had felt more than just grief for the loss of her son. She wasn’t an evil person, but she felt the chill of revenge stab her heart like a knife. Thoughts of hate and anger began filling her mind and hardening her heart. No matter what she did to persuade her brain to let it go…it didn’t happen. She needed to find out what happened that day, and the days leading up to it. She couldn’t rest until the answers were revealed, thoughts of revenge tickling the edges of her mind.

Touch-down…it’s about time, Ann said as she started up the computer, and started typing in information as the prompts came up. It wanted her picture for the administrator. Thinking this one through, she took the picture of Rob when he was three years old, and held it up for the camera.

I want to remember what this is all about, seeing your face on the computer when I start it up each morning will give me the motivation needed. I promise you, my son; I will get to the bottom of this. I may not have been a very good mom, but I was the one that brought you into this world…one pain at a time. No one has the right to take what is mine…no one.

Ann opened her Internet connection through the Safari program and decided to start with the Seattle Times. She brought up the newspaper and in the search box, she typed the words past news articles…the next screen to come up had what she needed. The right side of the screen had a section to search by year. She chose six years earlier, 1998, and starting at the top began the search for the original story.

Finally, she found it…her son’s face staring back at her. He was so handsome, so much like his father. She could see the high cheekbones, regal nose and strong chin, but it was her dark hair and dark eyes that showed Rob’s strength…something his father lacked.

As memories of her past flooded back she knew she had been an awful wife as well as a shitty mom. Jamison started out as a good man…he worked hard to provide for the family. He worked long hours at the factory, grabbing overtime when offered. There were many weekends he worked both days on top of the ten-hour days during the week, because the money was good, something he needed to help with the heavy financial load he carried. He bought Ann the house of her dreams in a neighborhood filled with young families. Their social life zoomed and as with many young couples, they love going to neighborhood parties. Soon the parties grew more frequent…one party after another…then another…and another. By the time Rob was five, Ann was going to the bars with friends after Jamison went to bed…that way she didn’t have to hire a sitter. Unfortunately, Rob was her daily responsibility and getting up with him in the morning after a night of drinking didn’t start her day out on a positive note. But soon enough she discovered a shot or two of vodka helped get her moving.

Three weeks before Rob turned seven, Jamison came home early one afternoon. She turned to find him standing in the kitchen doorway. She knew something was up when he was staring at her, saying nothing. He stood studying her - looking at her bloodshot eyes. Her hair was a mess, and she hadn’t done anything to clean the house.

Why are you looking at me like that? Ann asked.

What are you drinking and where is Rob?

He’s at school, where the Hell do you think he is this time of the day…and why are you home?

I’m home because I thought it would be nice to have a late lunch with my family today. I also asked what you have in that glass…and I expect an answer.

It’s a vodka tonic...if you must know, what’s the big deal? Ann answered defensively.

Well…let me think, you had two drinks last night before bed, its early afternoon, and you already have a drink in your hand…what am I missing here? Jamison asked with a sinking feeling he already knew what her answer would be.

Well, it’s five o’clock somewhere, Ann said with a smirk.

Oh, my God…how in the Hell did I miss this? You’re drinking a few drinks every night…you seem to live in a fog when it comes to the basics of this household. Closing his eyes, he lowered his head saying "When you love someone, you find yourself making excuses