The Road to Tomorrow

By Barbara Meadows

Teresa Flannagan is a young woman on the run from an abusive father, hitchhiking her way to a new life. What she doesn't know is that the new life she imagined will end up being much different from what she planned. On a rainy September night, a kind man offers her a ride to her destination. Teresa accepts, and is swept into a world of horses, love, and heartbreak, eventually being faced with the difficult decision of choosing the direction for her future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 15, 2001
• ISBN: 9781462834518

Barbara Meadows

Barbara Meadows took her first horseback riding lesson at the age of ten in a small town in Northern Germany, where the military had stationed her father and his family. From there sprang the passion for horses that has filled her life for close to 40 years. When her father retired near Annapolis, Maryland, Barbara rode and showed horses in the Maryland/Virginia area for most of her adult life, competing in the hunter, jumper, and combined training arenas. She now lives in Northeast Indiana with her husband and two daughters. Her three horses provide ample opportunity to continue riding and showing when she gets the opportunity, and an assortment of other pets keep her company and inspire her to write about the animals that have been, and continue to be, a major part of her life.

Book preview

One

A cream colored station wagon pulled to the side of the highway; one lone car on a stretch of road that snaked across the hilly landscape on an early September night. The passenger door opened and a slender young woman emerged, pulling a large green duffel bag out after her.

Thanks for the ride, Sam. She leaned in while speaking to the middle-aged man behind the steering wheel, who simply shrugged with an irritable twist of his lips.

My offer still stands to take you anywhere you want to go, Teresa. You don’t have to be afraid of me.

Yet the longer she stayed in that car the more afraid she became. Finally it was clear to her that being alone in the middle of nowhere would be better than sitting trapped in the car with that man.

I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine. Really.

She forced a smile, powder blue eyes clear and direct, waist length blonde hair slipping forward to frame her gentle face in the soft glow of the interior light.

Come on, there’s nothing out here but empty corn fields. Get back in the car.

Her heart beat quickly as she considered what her options for escape would be if he decided to do more than just talk from inside the car. She briefly pictured herself fleeing for her life across the miles of dark, unfamiliar land around her.

I’ve been sitting in the car too long. The walk will do me good. Thanks for bringing me this far.

He was clearly irritated, but chose not to pursue the situation. Have it your way. You might be walking for a while.

The door was barely closed when he floored the accelerator and the car roared away with a squeal of wheels. She stood until the sound of it had faded into the darkness, then sighed with relief.

Yep, she murmured to herself, I’m just where I want to be. Her eyes glanced around into the night. Right in the middle of no place.

A chilly breeze drifted over the vast expanse of surrounding acreage, making her all the more aware of the changing weather. She buttoned her jean jacket to the cool air and sat down on the army green duffel bag, the adrenaline rush of fear having left her feeling drained and unsteady. Under a starless, navy blue sky, she thought about what lay behind her.

Peter Flannagan and his wife, Carrie, adopted Teresa as an infant when they were unable to have children of their own. Carrie Flannagan wanted a baby more, than anything. Even though her husband was against adopting a child, he, gave in to his wife’s request because of the love he, had for her. When Teresa was only a few months old, Carrie became pregnant with a son, Richard. She died giving birth to the baby boy, so Peter Flannagan became father and mother to both children.

Richard and Teresa grew up as siblings, yet friends. Teresa realized as she got older, though, that her father viewed her as an outsider. In his eyes, Richard was his son and Teresa was someone else’s daughter, even though she lived under his roof. She was carefully kept at a distance, by Peter Flannagan from the very start of her life,. In time, she felt as though she did not exist for him. Richard took on the responsibility of being the mediator for Teresa and his father, since they both had tempers and often argued. He did all he could to keep peace between them and force the man to acknowledge and care for his adopted daughter. Because of Richard they were able to have something resembling a family, even though their mother was gone.

When Teresa came, home, from work on that golden summer day she found her father staring blankly at the telephone receiver in his hand while tears streamed down his face. He was a big man with powerful shoulders and a barrel of a rib cage, but he looked small and weak as he, crumpled to the floor with an agonizing sob. Teresa tore the phone from him, learning, when she spoke to the young man on the other end, that her brother, Richard, had drowned in a swimming accident off the coast of Greece.

Money was always in short supply for their family. For most of his life,, Peter Flannagan worked at an automotive, plant in northern Michigan. The auto industry had its ups and downs and when the downs came the workers went through layoffs and shutdowns that often lasted for months. That meant little to no income, for the Flannagans during those times. Teresa started babysitting and doing odd jobs in the neighborhood when she was 14 in order to help pay the bills. Richard, too, worked hard to contribute to the family, as well as put money away for college. He earned his tuition and completed four years of college, to graduate, with honors. The trip to Greece was his graduation present to himself.

The day Teresa drove him to the airport to leave for Greece remained a treasured memory for her.

You might try speeding up a little,, Richard tried his best to be serious but showed the excitement about his upcoming trip in every word he, spoke,. The guys are going to be waiting for me, and I’ll never live it down if I’m late,!

Teresa laughed and looked at her brother. He was a handsome young man of 21 with lively blue eyes that peered through gold-rimmed glasses and hair the color of a sandy beach. He wore a loud colored Hawaiian shirt tucked into khaki pants, and carried a mood that was as exuberant as the clothes.

You asked me to take you to the airport, Mr. College Grad, so that’s what I’ll do. I’m not going to break any laws in getting these, because we have plenty of timee. Derek and Bernard will wait for you. Believe me, the Three Musketeers would be NOTHING if there were only two of them! She looked back at the road, suddenly thoughtful. You ‘re going to have a great timee, Richard. I’m jealous.

He smiled his wonderful smile. You could be celebrating, too. Just go to college and then take an exotic trip when you graduatee.

College isn’t for me, Teresa dismissed his suggestion with a wave of her hand. I need to work. She smiled. Don’t know how to do anything else.

Yes, you do. And you could do more if you didn’t have to make money to keep the mortgage and electric bills paid. Richard looked at her with concerned eyes. You need to find a real place in this world, big sister.

She didn’t remind him that her paying most of the bills was the only thing that kept their father from telling her to leave home. Richard was aware of that. He knew the relationship between Teresa and Peter Flannagan was strained, at best. She stopped the car at the curb in front of the airport entrance.

My world is just finee, little, brother. You’ve helped make it that way and I’m grateful.

In the crowd of people that hurried in and out of the airport terminal stood Derek and Bernard, the two friends that were traveling to Greece with Richard.

There they are!Richard’s face lit up. He looked at his sister. You take care of yourself while I’m gone. Don’t let Dad rattle you. Promise me.

She smiled. He had taken good care, of her for as long as she could remember. He was the best brother any sister could ask for.

I promise we’ll get along, Richard, so don’t waste one minute, of your vacation time, worrying about us. Remember to call home, when you get to Greece, and I’ll be here to pick you up in two weeks.

He hugged her quickly and got out of the car, pulling his large suitcase from the back seat. Derek and Bernard came, over and greeted Teresa with enthusiastic grins.

We knew he’d be the last one here since you were driving him! Derek teased.

Teresa shrugged with a laugh. Hey, I may drive slow but at least I brought him! Now go check in for your flight! And have a great time!

Richard leaned over and spoke once more through the passenger side window. Thanks, Tess. I’ll bring you back a souvenir!

When Teresa heard Bernard’s sobbing voice on the phone telling her what had happened to Richard, it seemed unbelievable that her brother would not be coming home. She, would never hear him laugh again, never see those dancing blue eyes, never have him there to stand between her and his father.

With Richard’s death the family fell apart. Teresa’s father became deeply depressed and could not restrain his angry, violent side. Teresa lived in constant fear of the battles that he would choose. He began to drink heavily and eventually lost his job. After that, he could not stay employed anywhere for very long. Teresa spent her time working even more to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. But her father had no appreciation for her efforts and his increasing anger always lurked just under the surface of his moods. Teresa finally realized that the only thing that had been right between her and Peter Flannagan was Richard. With him gone, she had no protection from the hatred of the man she called Dad.

The sound of an approaching car startled her into awareness. Teresa jumped up and put out her thumb, hoping that she might be lucky enough to get two rides in a row. The car passed without even slowing, leaving her in its exhaust. She coughed and grumbled, lifting the duffel bag which contained all that she had taken from her previous life. If everything else fails, walk, she told herself. It reminded her of how she and Dorothy had gotten where they needed to go. Neither of them had access to a car on a regular basis so their travels often involved hitchhiking or simply walking. They told each other many times that someday they would see the world together that way.

Red-haired and freckle-faced, Dorothy Myers was the only child to Larry and Clara Myers who lived next door to the Flannagans. Dorothy befriended the Flannagan children quite by accident one day when her bike brakes failed and she, crashed into Teresa, who was on roller skates. Richard witnessed the tumbling of bodies, bikes, and skates, and came to the rescue with Band-Aids and Bactine. What started out with bloodied elbows and bruised knees became a friendship that was treasured by the three of them.

After Richard died, Teresa grew closer to Dorothy than she thought possiblee. Other people who had been a part of her life, faded away when times got difficult, but Dorothy remained steadfast. Their friendship was Teresa’s strength as she suffered both physically and mentally from her father’s rage and sorrow.

What are you going to be when you grow up, Teresa? Dorothy asked one afternoon as the two of them sat under the knobby oak tree which towered above the Myer’s two story brown house. That tree had become a favorite, meeting place for the two girls.

I’m not going to grow up, Teresa told her friend.

You’re, almost 22 years old, Teresa, Dorothy said with a giggle,. That’s pretty close to being grown up.

Teresa laughed and fell backwards onto the soft grass. Not for me,. I’ll be a kid forever!

Even as she laughed at her own words, Teresa was aware that her life had forced her to mature faster than most young adults ever did. She had hardly been a child at all.

Are you going to get married? Dorothy asked, wistfully changing the, subject.

Not unless I find a perfect man.

Dorothy rolled her eyes and lay back beside Teresa. The two of them looked up into the cloudless blue sky.

Jack was perfect, wasn’t he? Dorothy could not hide the mischievous grin on her face, remembering the young man who had almost driven Teresa crazy with marriage proposals during the year that they dated.

Teresa laughed loudly. I know you’re kidding when you say something like that. Jack might have been perfect for somebody, but it sure wasn’t me. There is a perfect one for me somewhere, though.

Better not hold your breath until you find him. I don’t think he, exists.

A lawn mower buzzed nearby and the scent of freshly cut grass filled their senses with warm memories.

Richard was perfect.

Dorothy nodded, a thought of Richard Flannagan filling her head. Maybe he, was. But brothers don’t count.

With a sad smile, Teresa closed her eyes in thought. Richard had been like a brother to Dorothy, too.

Yes, they do count. I bet there’s a sister someplace who has a perfect brother and she, doesn’t even know it. Maybe I’ll marry him.

Well, I’m never getting married, Dorothy sighed. It’s simply too hard to live happily ever after like in the fairy tales.

You’re right. Let’s just buy a big house somewhere in the country and have lots of dogs and cats and animals.

Then we could invite all our sad and miserable married friends to come, visit us. And we would be perfectly happy!

They laughed delightfully on that summer day, dreaming of how their future looked, basking in the, warmth of their friendship.

In the darkness, Teresa heard the sounds of unseen animal feet scurrying through the underbrush as she walked along the roadside. She saw nothing, but her ears told her that life was going on in the fields all around her as the nocturnal creatures went about their business. The breeze caressed her face with invisible fingers, whispering secrets, and sending Teresa deeper into her memories.

When Teresa found Dorothy at the tree on that cloudy October day, she could tell the girl had been crying.

What’s wrong? Teresa asked, sitting down on the ground beside her friend.

Dorothy’s eyes were full of unshed tears. Remember I told you that my Dad wanted to move to Florida? I thought he was kidding. But they have decided to move, down there. We’re leaving Michigan.

A feeling of incredible loss filled Teresa until she felt she, might burst. Neither of the girls had really believed it would happen. They had convinced themselves it was just a dream that would not be pursued. After all, a bad Michigan winter could make most anyone dream of living in Florida every once in a while.

When?

As soon as our house sells, Dorothy sniffed and pressed her fingers into the moist earth around her. I don’t want to go. But my Mom needs me,, Teresa. I can’t just let her move away with my Dad. She,