Last Piece of the Puzzle

By Jessie Carr

Going from one foster home to another, Sammy Backer hated her lonely life. Quitting school, getting a job and her own apartment, made life more bearable, but meeting Linda and Pam, made it worth living. The three girls became best friends. Every Saturday morning they've got together for coffee, and kept that tradition going for many years.

Being an orphan, Sammy dreamed of having a big family of her own. Marrying Ted Steel was going to make her dream a reality, she was sure of it. However, by marrying Ted, she inherited a father-in-law from hell. He was the nastiest man Sammy had ever encountered. Having money and power, John Steel was able to pull a perfect scam. When he got his mistress pregnant, and she refused to keep the baby, John switched his son's newborn daughter with his own. It took sixteen years, a divorce, and John's death before Sammy learned that all those years she was raising her husband's half-sister, and a total stranger was taking care of her real daughter.

The next chapter of Sammy's life unfolded following a string of events, which landed her in the hospital. With some damage to her vocal cords, she was left at a mercy of a stranger claiming to be her husband. Her efforts to convince the doctor, the nurse and the stranger that she wasn't the person they were claiming her to be, were quickly accredited to her memory loss due to the bump on her head. Sammy had no way of letting them know that her memory was fine.

When the stranger took her to his home and his real wife walked into the room, everything started to make sense, the last piece of the puzzle of Sammy's life, was put into place.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jul 5, 2007
• ISBN: 9781425196929

Jessie Carr

Jessie Carr was born in Poland and came to Canada in 1973. She has made Kelowna, B.C. her home for twenty-five years. Since 2001, she has worked as a medic in northern parts of B.C. and Alberta, and calls Smoky Lake her home away from home. She started writing novels in the fall of 2005.

Book preview

Last Piece

of the Puzzle

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JESSIE CARR

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©

Copyright 2006 Jessie Carr.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Note for Librarians: A cataloguing record for this book is available from Library and Archives Canada at www.collectionscanada.ca/amicus/index-e.html

ISBN 1-4120-9242-6

ISBN 978-1-4251-9692-9 (ebook)

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Offices in Canada, USA, Ireland and UK

Book sales for North America and international:

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Victoria, BC V8T 4P4 CANADA

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Book sales in Europe:

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phone [phone] (local rate 0845 230 9601)

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Order online at:

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Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

This book is dedicated to two very special people; my sister Irene, and my cousin Donna. Thank you ladies, your support and encouragements are well appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters and incidents are a product of my imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is entirely coincidental.

J.C.

CHAPTER 1

Tell me what you’re doing, Sammy.

Feeding Ashley a cookie.

Who’s Ashley?

"My dolly…..awwwch!"

Sammy, what happened? Why are you crying?

She bit me! Shhhhh…he’s coming!

Who’s coming?

Shhhhh! Don’t look at him. Look at the angels.

Are you looking at the angels right now, Sammy?

Yes.

Where are the angels?

In the picture.

How many angels do you see in the picture?

Two. No! Don’t! Don’t touch her! No!!!

The young woman’s body started to shake. She arched her back and her fists struck the air. Dr. Connors checked his notes—the same thing had happened every time. "Why can’t I get her past this scene? " he thought. As much as he wished he could let his patient continue the battle with the demons or whatever she was fighting, the old doctor worried about how violently she was reacting.

Sammy, I’m going to count to three and then you will wake up. You’ll feel rested and safe. One…two…three, he clapped his hands. You are awake.

Sammy’s eyes flew open. For a brief moment she felt scared, confused, and ready to do battle again. Realizing where she was and what was happening, she forced herself to relax.

Did we make any progress today Dr. Connors?

No, I’m afraid not. It was the same as always—you’re feeding your doll, she bites you, someone comes in, you look at the angels in the picture, and then you fight someone or something. I really don’t see the point in continuing our sessions, Sammy. We can’t even establish whether this is your memory of something that actually happened or whether it’s your imagination. We could call it a memory but that doll biting you.well.it just doesn’t make any sense. The doctor’s voice had a note of helplessness.

So you think I should give up?

Well, it’s been five months since we started and we’re stuck in the same place and the same event every time. I really don’t think this will get us anywhere. Maybe you’re not ready. Maybe one day the fog will lift all on its own. Give it a break and try again next year. Maybe a change in circumstances will help. Important thing is to stay positive.

So that was it—all those months hoping for a miracle and she had reached another dead end. Connors was right. It was time to give up. Thanking the doctor, Sammy left the clinic.

Outside, she glanced at her watch. It was ten past six and Ted wasn’t there yet. She sat down on the bottom step. Last night he promised to pick me up at six o’clock but as usual, he’s late. And today, of all days, was not a good day to be late! Today, they were going to tell Ted’s parents about their plans to get married. Sammy dreaded this evening. Ted’s parents, John and Deborah, were not your normal, every-day couple. The very thought of facing Ted’s father made her cringe. John was a rude, selfish man, who had no regard for anyone’s feelings. He took a great deal of pleasure in embarrassing and harassing Sammy. Not that he singled her out or anything—he was just as nasty to other people, including his own son, Ted.

Ted’s mother Deborah was nice enough but in Sammy’s opinion she had no backbone whatsoever. She acted more like John’s servant than his wife; she’d jump into action at his every whim. Sammy had met Ted’s parents seven months ago and not once had she seen Deborah stand up for herself. She was nice to Sammy but it was painful to sit there and watch her shrink every time John said something nasty to her.

Ted had an older sister, Bonnie. Bonnie didn’t seem to notice her mother’s embarrassment. She loved her father unconditionally and in her eyes he could do no wrong. In return, everyone knew that Bonnie was her father’s favourite child and she was never the target of his abuse. Bonnie’s husband, George, was one of the kindest people Sammy had ever met. He had tried to shield his mother-in-law from John’s rudeness on several occasions but his efforts only put him in the same boat as Sammy—on John’s hate list.

Are you okay?

Startled, Sammy looked up to see the receptionist from the clinic standing next to her.

Uh…yes…yes, I’m fine, she stammered.

You don’t look fine. Do you need a lift somewhere? Or maybe I could call someone? The receptionist sounded genuinely concerned.

No, really, thank you. My boyfriend is coming to pick me up, Sammy assured her.

Well, Dr. Connors is still inside if you need anything.

Thank you.

Sammy watched the receptionist walk away. Craning her neck to the left, then to the right, she scanned the streetfor Ted’s truck. Come on, come on! Where the heck are you? Nervous as a cat, she worried that if Ted didn’t show up in the next couple of minutes, they’d be late. She hated the idea of being even one minute late because she knew there would be hell to pay. She had witnessed it before, many times.

Every Sunday, John and Deborah Steel invited their children for dinner. Since Sammy was dating Ted, she was expected to be there as well. If there were any excuse for not going, Sammy would find it. She absolutely hated being around John.

Today was different. It was Friday and she was going to the Steels’ house of her own free will, well, sort of. Earlier in the week, Ted had phoned to tell his father that he and Sammy were stopping by to have a chat. John ordered him to be at the house at six-thirty sharp!

Sammy looked at her watch again. Jesus, it’s twenty-five past six, we’re late already! I’m gonna skin him alive! Come on already! She was panicking. She knew that Ted wasn’t looking forward to telling his father their news. It had taken him a month just to work up the courage to schedule this meeting. Being late would make matters even worse. It was hard enough for Ted to communicate with his father. No matter what the subject was, John had something nasty to say about it and if it was Ted’s idea or suggestion, in John’s opinion, it was automatically a stupid one. Ted was a target for his father’s harassment at any time. He often said how much he hated the way his dad treated him, but everyone knew that Ted was afraid of John and, like his mother, he seldom corrected and never contradicted him.

Away from his parents, Ted was a totally different person. He was a rebel. All his friends knew him as a hotheaded, bad-tempered loudmouth, with a little sensitive side. Sammy liked that bad boy image. With her, Ted was gentle and kind but, at the same time, she felt safe and protected knowing that not too many people would want to mess with this guy. Not many people would believe that he was the same person if they saw him at his father’s house.

Sammy understood Ted. Living under John’s roof for twenty-four years, being pushed around and ridiculed, it was no wonder he acted tough once he was on his own. She had fallen in love with him over eight months ago and for the past two months he had spent more time at her apartment than he had at his own.

Last month they started talking about getting married. It was a mutual agreement. Spending all their time together, it made no sense to keep paying for two apartments. Telling Ted’s parents about their plan was an entirely different matter and neither of them was looking forward to it.

At six-thirty, Ted pulled his truck in front of the clinic. Sammy got in and kissed him.

You’re late, she said accusingly.

Ted kissed her on the lips, then on her nose, and presented her with one of his irresistible smiles.

Sorry, babe. I stopped at the liquor store and picked up some vodka. Have a feeling we’ll need a drink after. when we get home. He winked at her.

Sammy forgave him instantly. She always did. Thinking of the ordeal ahead of them, she knew that he was right; they would definitely need something to ease the pain of facing John. Ted put the truck in gear and pulled into the street. Silence fell, each of them deep in their own thoughts about the challenge awaiting them.

The Steels’ house was only a short distance from the clinic and before long Ted was parking the truck in the driveway. John Steel was a successful businessman and, looking at his house, there was no doubt about it. With him, it was all about show, sparing no expanse on anything that said, ‘Look at me! I’m rich.’ The house was massive. White pillars on either side of the entrance made it look expensive and elegant. The contrast of the black, six-foot tall, wrought iron fence that surrounded the perfectly landscaped, manicured yard, added to the curb appeal. Expensive flowerpots and statues were placed expertly for best display and a huge fountain in the center of the circular driveway made the house look like a small castle. Ted parked his truck in front of one of the four garage doors. After ringing the doorbell, they had to wait for a good two minutes before Deborah came to open the door.

Hello. Come in. We’ve just started eating, she said, and stepped aside to let them in.

All three went into the kitchen where John was sitting at the table, a plateful of food in front of him. He gave a quick glance at the newcomers and lowered his eyes to his plate.

You’re late, but then you always are…no respect for people. You know very well that we eat at six-thirty, he growled.

They’re only a couple of minutes late, dear. No harm done, said his wife, trying to calm him down. He gave her one of his Mind your mouth, woman looks, and she quietly sat down in her chair. Ted and Sammy took their places at the table and filled their plates. Ted started to talk about the reason for the visit.

Dad, we came to….

Not while I’m eating! Whatever you want from me will sure as hell give me indigestion! John snapped at him. Ted and Sammy exchanged looks and ate their dinner in silence.

Deborah was a good cook and the food was always delicious. Today, however, Sammy couldn’t have told you what she was eating. Feeling very nervous, she wanted this evening to be over and done with as soon as humanly possible. She swallowed her food without tasting it.

By seven-thirty, dinner was finished and the kitchen cleaned up. Deborah made some tea and everyone went into the living room. John sat down in his easy chair and looked suspiciously from Ted to Sammy and back again.

So, let’s have it. What do you want this time? he said, sucking his teeth.

Sammy looked away, disgusted. Sitting beside her on the love-seat, Ted took her hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze.

We came…to…to tell you guys that…that we’ve decided to get married. His voice sounded timid. John set his cup of tea on the coffee table with a little too much force. Cup and saucer rattled, spilling some tea in the process.

Oh my! gasped Deborah.

So, we have a bun in the oven, hey? How many times did I tell you boy—keep your hands in your pockets and your pecker in your pants? Do you ever listen to anything I say? No, of course not! You’re just like your mother—no brains! Just because you’ve knocked her up, doesn’t mean that you have to run out and marry her. There are other ways you know. He finally paused for a breath.

Dad, Sammy’s not pregnant. We want to get married, that’s all.

If she’s not pregnant, then why the hell would you want to marry her? Like I always say, why buy a cow when your milk is free? There’s no need to rush into something you’re sure as hell gonna regret later! John was losing his temper, his voice getting louder by the minute.

Deborah sat quietly, wringing her hands. From the expression on her face, Sammy couldn’t tell whether her future mother-in-law was for or against the marriage.

Dad, we’re going to get married with or without your blessing. We have two choices here—we can go away and get married quietly or have a real wedding with family and friends. It’s up to you. One way or another, we’re getting married soon.

Ted was standing up to his father for the first time. He sounded sure of himself now and Sammy noticed that John was surprised—angry—but surprised.

"Sounds to me like you’ve made up your mind and won’t listen to reason. It doesn’t matter to you how I feel about it. You’re determined to ruin your life, eh? Well, you’d