The Enigma

By Phyllis Bigelow

To the authorities: You won't need to investigate any further. I apologize for the mess left behind. I am sure it will be an awful scene, but it had to happen.

Losing her husband in a tragic storm changes Suzanne. Seen from her point of view, she focuses on her faith which is her key for endurance.

When she chose to find hapiness again in another marraige, it is more different that she ever thought it could be.

Sometimes a perfect life isn't always perfect at all. Each of us has our own rules for happiness, but should we?

Perfection is not found in our professions or our social entertaining, it is sharing life with our spouse and loving our children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479726004

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Copyright © 2012 by Phyllis Bigelow.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgement

The Enigma—Innocent Or Guilty

The Family Scene

Disaster Strikes

The Funeral

The Aftermath

A Day For Fun

Seven Years After

The Relationship

The Last Winter Living In Oklahoma

Settling In

The First Summer

Life Later On

A Tragic Winter

The Muddy Road

The Ultimate

Back At The Wilds

Back To Tulsa

About The Author

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my husband who may have

enjoyed the silence and lack of interruption while

I spent weeks at the computer in writing this book.

The truth is, I greatly appreciated his silence, also,

which is my thanks to him in offering my silent

partner this dedication.

I, also, dedicate this book to my sister, Charlene,

for persisting that I write a novel.

Phyllis Bigelow

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank those caring

people for giving of their time and talents in helping

bring this book to reality.

Firstly, I thank Donna Holdefehr for her expertise and

diligence in putting my manuscript in proper order for

publishing.

Secondly, I thank my second cousin, Richard Wood,

for offering his God given gift of artistic talent in

creating the design of the book covers.

Phyllis Bigelow

THE ENIGMA—INNOCENT

OR GUILTY

It had been fourteen years since Suzanne suddenly found herself, seemingly, alone in a cold world not long after the funeral of the man she so deeply loved. The circle of friends that had been so close to Suzanne and Jeremy McCoy had ebbed until the phone calls finally came to a halt.

It had nothing to do with Suzanne, herself, as she was a fine lady of good repute. It had everything to do with the fact she was single, and by no fault of her own. It became blatantly obvious that the women did not want their husbands available for giving her a hand at anything needing a man’s help. They were not willing to have her in the presence of their husbands, now that her husband was gone. It almost felt like a conspiracy to Suzanne who was so undeserving of her ostracism. She was to shortly turn fifty, and Jeremy was only fifty-two at his death, still so much at the prime of his life.

It took courage for Suzanne to dare ask herself if she would behave in the same manner, even though nothing ever occurred in the years of friendship among all the couples to cause her to feel good reason to be threatened. The best she could do was to try to be understanding, but was never convinced she would, also, be guilty of the behavior of her former girlfriends. Being about to turn fifty made no difference regarding her gradually becoming ostracized. Her son and daughter were twenty-four and twenty-six, and both attorneys living on the East and West coastlines, with Susanne about half-way between in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

It was after becoming part of a single women’s group at church that she found it was a common occurrence among single women. She was, then, able to conclude it was a problem within some married women, and it was their problem; and she became determined not to allow it to become hers with self-pity and useless tears and depression.

The hurt Suzanne felt still ran deep. She found it hard to pray for her former friends as she had for years. She asked the Lord to forgive her, and help her really mean it when she told the Lord she had forgiven them in her heart. She even asked that He forgive them, as though standing in for them. After that, she had greater peace that added more comfort to her daily life.

She enjoyed her sessions with the single women’s group in her large church. Some had never married, some were divorced, and some were widowed. The age range was between twenty-one and sixty-four. The goal together was to learn and be of help in making life better for the other. They never left God out of it, either.

Getting better acquainted offered some fun times in getting out together once a month. Sometimes it was dinner and a movie, one time it was an overnight visit to Branson, Missouri to enjoy seeing and hearing Dolly perform, and doing other things like a ride on the tilt-a-whirl or something a little more daring. Some of the ladies had to watch their money, and a picnic at a lake was fun. The zoo was fun too, and being such a large group, they were given a nice discount on entry tickets. They always followed such events with a big picnic. It saved them money and offered them a nice period of time for a good gab session with them all together, unlike a few riding in separate cars.

Suzanne felt very blessed in her financial situation, and her heart went out to some that were in financial struggles. She would always do the driving on their long journeys, inviting those gals to ride with her, and letting them know that she was not accepting a cent for gasoline, as she didn’t need it, and understood their struggles, and really cared. She never flaunted her money, or came off as arrogant.

Her husband had made good money as an attorney, and left her with a large insurance benefit as well as a nice home, well furnished, and a nice car, and with no debts. All the ladies really enjoyed and admired her. There had to be other vehicles used besides hers. The gals with bigger cars or vans would rotate with supplying vehicles. Everyone seemed to want to do their fair share. All of them always had a good time no matter what they did together.

Despite her newer friends, Suzanne missed the expressions of love exchanged between her husband and herself. Somehow, she was able to remember all their wonderful times together with a spirit of gratitude. She had learned that such a marriage is rarer than most. She didn’t conclude that they worked harder at their marriage than most, but it just seemed to be a naturally easy relationship for the couple. She couldn’t help but consider that their marriage was highly blessed from their wedding onward. She, too, considered that it was highly possible that the Lord had a hand in the couple finding each other. It seemed just a fluke to them that they met so strangely.

Suzanne was working as a young registered nurse on the surgical wing of a big hospital. Jeremy had come in with an acute appendicitis straight from work as a young lawyer. His surgery was far from expected, as that was his first bout with the condition. She was assigned to him as one of her patients during his hospital stay, as she happened to work on the ward of his admittance. That was how their dating started. It lasted for a year, then, they married. It later became a joke between the two of them with him saying it was all worth it to him, or they likely would never have met in such a big city. Suzanne strongly felt the likelihood of them ever meeting with them given any chance to become acquainted was almost certain, unless it was a setup from God. The couple’s relationship was very special to each of them.

Within around two years a son was added to the family. He was dubbed the name of Jason Jeremiah McCoy. About one and a half years later a baby girl joined the family, and was given the name of Annie Sue as sort of a reversal of her mother’s name of Suzanne. After their children were born, both parents agreed that it would be nice for their mama to stay home with them, and not work outside the home in nursing. They became a very close family with their own choice of hands on rearing.

THE FAMILY SCENE

Jeremy functioned very well at his job as an attorney. He was honest and upright in his practice. He had earned an excellent reputation. At the top of his list were good ethics, knowledge, and performance.

He provided well for his family in every way. He was a top notch husband and father. The couple came to have an especially nice home in the upside of the city. Their home was well furnished in tasteful décor and fine quality furnishings. Their lawn and back patio area lacked for nothing, either. Suzanne enjoyed caring for flowers and shrubs, and these areas became show places, even being featured in a popular magazine.

The couple each had their own late model Cadillac, lavished with all the finery Cadillac offered. They were very grateful for what they had, including two healthy, bright, and beautiful children.

The physical appearance of both Jeremy and Suzanne were outstanding. One could never miss them, even, in a crowd. Jeremy was six feet one inch tall, with a slender build, with his abdominal muscles in great tone. His biceps and triceps offered very attractive, masculine arms. It was obvious he was a runner as his leg muscles, and well developed glutes revealed that. He worked out at the gym on his lunch hour or after work almost every day.

His deep blue eyes, surrounded by long black lashes, and very dark, thick, slightly wavy hair that was always well groomed were extremely complimentary. The combination blended perfectly with his medium olive skin tone. His slightly squared jaw enhanced his masculine appearance, and was very becoming.

He was always dressed in good taste for whatever the occasion, be it sports clothes or dress wear. He wore his attire so well that Suzanne loved buying clothing for him, taking eye color and the total picture in consideration. He was always pleased with her choices. She always said he was model material; and just plainly a hunk. She appreciated the fact he didn’t let it go to his head. She always told him that God blessed him well.

Suzanne was stunning in appearance, herself. She had blue-green eyes that would appear more greenish or bluish depending on the color she wore. She was fortunate to have fairly dark eyebrows and lashes that enhanced her already beautiful large eyes.

Her skin, like her husbands, was without blemish over all her body. Her complexion was fair with an ivory tone, and soft peachy colored cheeks with high cheek-bones on an oval face with nicely shaped full lips.

Peach was a great color for her to wear, as it brought out the peach tone in her cheeks as well as in her slightly curly, just below shoulder length blond hair that, in the sun or right lighting, produced a slight peachy highlight.

She was five feet and seven inches tall, and her stature not easily over-looked. She, too, worked out and jogged. She had a waspy build, with her waistline being especially small, yet, her hips and shoulders in great proportions. Her upper torso, one could say, was a bit over the top with an alluring bust line. She was careful not to wear low cut necklines. She was an elegant lady. Her clothing choices depicted that as well as her poise.

Her arms had feminine—looking developed muscles, with no sags under the upper arms. Her legs were long and with small ankles and well developed calves. She, too, was model material. She knew how to dress in lady-like casual or dressy styles, as well as sportswear. It was natural for people to do a double-take when they met her on the street or anywhere; even while working on her lawn plants.

Her husband was as proud of her as she was him. They were humble people, just the same, and taught their children the same ethics as they lived by. They never failed to have their children hear them say that they very most grateful to the Lord for what they had. They were both exceptionally good looking people, having a beautiful combination of their parents’ good looks. It seemed they were an ideal family that had it all.

They were careful not to just give their children everything they wanted. When they were old enough they had paid jobs outside the home beside some routine chores at home that did not contain a pay-check per se. They were part of the family and that meant taking some responsibilities in being part of it.

They were taught to tithe to their church on a regular basis. It had been well explained to them that the first ten percent is to go to the Lord, just as the Bible tells. Both of their children had the potential for using their brain to benefit mankind. Suzanne and Jeremy both wanted their kids to know how to work, and be organized so they would do well in their college educations.

Their careful rearing of their offspring paid off. Both kids did well through school, and became well rounded in being active in many and varied extra-curricular activities in Junior High and High School, without that spoiling their great scholastic averages. They, also, were very well liked by not only their teachers, but by their classmates.

By the time they were starting college, each had saved enough money to buy used, but reliable cars that would be compact enough to fit inside the family four car garage. Their parents were pleased that each of them decided to live at home in their college years. They all felt it advantageous to be in an environment conducive to encouragement and learning with few distractions during their young adult lives.

Both had plans of going to law school that would require some intense study. They did it, and did it well. They both passed their bar exams easily and landed good jobs soon.

Suzanne had considered getting back into nursing during their years of law school, but she had a big house and flower beds to keep up, and liked keeping everything neat and clean. Her husband had told her it was her call, and he didn’t want her to feel it a necessity.

They could help put their offspring through law school. They decided it would be good experience for them to take out a loan for one half of the cost with their father only as a co-signer.

Suzanne made the decision to stay home as she was aware how greatly nursing had changed over the years where she was no longer involved. The equipment had changed considerably, as had many of the methods of treatments and medications. Her nursing journals she still subscribed to had proven that. She could still perform as a nurse at home if or when the need arose, and might be of help to friends and neighbors if the need ever arose.

She never deemed it a lost cause that she went through nursing school, and was grateful for all she had learned. She had seen enough unwelcome surprises happen in people’s lives that she was very aware that one never knows what one may unexpectedly face.

DISASTER STRIKES

On this particular very wintery afternoon Suzanne was inside making homemade bread and vegetable beef barley soup and apple pie. It was one of her husband’s very favorite wintertime meals. She was certain that just the aroma itself would be enough to make him drool as soon as he walked in the house. She planned to have the timing just perfect for allowing the aroma to peak at the best time for his arrival. Little did she know what was going to change the scene almost beyond her ability to comprehend.

As the doorbell rang Suzanne quickly wiped the flour off her hands. She had just finished her re-kneading of the bread dough and had divided it among two greased bread pans when the doorbell rang. She quickly brushed the flour from her hands onto a paper towel, and rushed to the front door.

As she glanced out the windows along the way, she saw the snow was really coming down and swirling wildly in the cold fierce wind. She really had not noticed quite how bad it had become as she was so busy in the kitchen work area. She was almost dreading to open the door because of the miserable weather outside.

The moment she opened the front door, she froze, but not because of the cold, though it was brutal. It was who she saw standing there that sent an icy chill straight through her. Before the state trooper spoke a word a sudden Oh, no! was what fell from her mouth. The state trooper suggested they quickly step inside. Suzanne was speechless, and just stood and stared at him with them both in the lovely entry area. The officer quickly pulled off his snow covered outer boots. He rather forcefully escorted her further inside and told her Jeremy had been in an accident.

As soon as the words were spoken, Suzanne helplessly slumped to the floor. He pulled her up and suggested she sit down in the living room, helping her there and onto a cushy and gorgeous chair. It seemed Suzanne couldn’t speak a word. She just stared at the officer, as the tears began to roll down her peachy, beautiful cheeks. He hated it, but had to tell her the truth.

He told her he was sorry to inform her that at four fifteen her husband had been in a horrible accident and didn’t survive. She had not spoken any immediate word even after that devastating message, but it was obvious she had heard what the state trooper had told her. The tears suddenly began to pour out in a furor. The officer spotted a box of tissues and brought it to her, having pulled a couple from the box and putting them in her hand. He left the box on her lap. Still not a word was uttered from her mouth. It was so unlike Suzanne not to even offer any thanks for that.

It was nearing four in the afternoon, and because the storm was greatly and rapidly escalating in furor, Jeremy must have decided he was in a position at work where he could leave the firm early and get ahead of much of the freeway traffic and make it home, but Suzanne made no mention of wonderment about why he was on the road at that time. The trooper moved behind her chair with hands on both shoulders as Suzanne sobbed completely beyond control.

In this strange moment, though a seasoned trooper, Officer Roland Goodheart blurted out, It really smells good in this house. You must have been cooking and baking when I interrupted you with such stupefying news. He knew he had to get her talking. He had some important questions for her. She only nodded.

He, then, decided to ask who he could call for her to come and be with her. She responded in a most feeble voice, It is too awful outside to ask anyone to come over. Goodheart responded by saying, I will speak with them, and warn them to be very careful. Who might you want with you here that might be close by? In an almost inaudibly, weak voice Suzanne uttered, My pastor and his wife.

She remained in the chair while pointing to an elegant phone on a lovely table that was placed near another chair of beauty with a lovely small book that contained a list of their most often called people. The fancy book offered its own complements to the furniture. Pastor Paul Cook and his wife, Sarah were at the top of the list. He asked if he had the correct people. She only nodded.

He made the call revealing his identity, and gave them the sad news, stating only that Jeremy had been killed, and Suzanne asked him to call and ask if you two could come over. He warned them to be very careful as the roads and streets were very hazardous. He corrected himself, saying, Actually Suzanne said the weather was too bad to ask anyone to get out in it, but I insisted.

He hung up the phone, and walked back to where Suzanne was sitting, carrying a lovely wastebasket that he sat beside her. He told her that the pastor and his wife would be right over. Suzanne didn’t even bother to throw the used tissues in the basket. The officer knew she was in bad shape, but left them in her lap to see if she would toss them in the basket. She didn’t.