Crossed Boundaries

By Jennifer Johnson

Having no idea that the unexpected visit of her brother-in-law Darnell Parks would expose the truth of her loveless, abusive marriage, Gracie Parks had walked away from the only home her children had known. Pregnant with a third child, she truly believed that a life in her widowed fathers house would no negative effect on her young impressionable daughters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503563018

Jennifer Johnson

Jennifer Johnson is a sixth grade writing teacher and Christian fiction writer. She is married with three daughters.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by Jennifer Johnson.

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 05/12/2015

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

709345

Contents

Dedication

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

DEDICATION

TO LAWRENCE A. JOHNSON

A GOOD HUSBAND AND FATHER

WE STILL MISS YOU

FOR WHERE ENVYING AND STRIFE IS, THERE IS CONFUSION AND EVERY EVIL WORK.

JAMES 3:16

CHAPTER I

T HE BRIGHT SUNNY spring day in April created a vast difference in temperatures, for it was far cooler inside the big two story white shingled house than it was on the out side.

The warmth from the lowered embers of the wood burning cook stove was welcomed by five years old Diana Parks as she sat alone in the big clean kitchen softly humming the tune to Yes, Jesus Loves Me. Sunday school and church, an automatic existing entity, had fully endeared her to the soulful, trusting hymn. The familiarity and security of the wooden stump that Grandpa Will had placed in a specific location where she would be warm but out of harm’s way of hot grease or escaping smoldering ash served as a perfect seat for her small body; but did not lessen the fear that gripped the deep recesses of the worried, innocent, impressionable mind, attached to the tiny form.

Her father Daniel Parks, whom she had never met had come for a visit, but it held no joy for her because she was afraid of the unknown. No one had ever explained the reason why she, her mother and two older sisters lived at Grandpa Will’s house, but she had overheard enough small bits of conversation to know that her mother had left her father when she was pregnant with her, and her father did not believe she was his daughter. It was said he had last visited when she was two years old while she was taking a nap, so how could she possibly be excited about someone she could not recall and did not know, for her grandfather had been the only dominate male in her life. Now three years later her father had returned with a lady friend and his sister Ruth.

Earlier that Saturday morning, her mother Gracie Parks had made certain that Diana and her older sisters Dawn and Danielle were properly groomed and dressed as she continuously inspected her own image anticipating the arrival of her estranged husband. As the four females nervously waited in the spotlessly tidy living room, feeling uncomfortable Diana wandered away to the safe haven of the protective enveloping empty kitchen. She did not understand why Grandpa Will had left for the day rather than be there to take away her fears, or why she should meet a man who believed she was not related to him.

Hearing the loud knock on the front door, Diana’s tiny body visibly shook as an overwhelming dread overrode any curiosity she may have had regarding the identity of the visitors.

Come in, she heard her mother say as she opened the heavy dark brown front door.

Hello Gracie, she heard a deep male voice say. This is my friend Pauline Payne. Do you remember my sister Ruth?

Of course I do. Hello Ruth. It’s a pleasure to meet you Pauline, please come into the living room and sit down.

As Daniel spied Dawn and Danielle, he swiftly made his way to the two smiling pretty girls, who happily ran to greet their father. After exchanging kisses and hugs, they gaily talked non-stop as they occupied one side of the large floral covered sofa. In their excitement no one inquired about Diana, so she quietly sat alone in the kitchen on the tempered wooden stump.

Sometime later as her mother came to retrieve a pitcher of lemonade and a plate of finger sandwiches from the refrigerator, she encouragingly looked at her youngest daughter and said, It’s alright, you don’t have to be afraid to join your sisters. He’s your father too.

Timidly the frightened five year old child slowly made her way into the living room. Lifting her large brown eyes from the tips of her black and white saddle shoes, she looked into the face of a larger mirror image of herself. Noting the frown and creased forehead of the wide shouldered, handsome man, she stood perfectly still afraid to go any closer.

Come here, Diana, she heard the big man say in a soothing tone.

Hesitantly she cautiously went to him, as he held out his long strong arms for her to feel his embrace. Even though his touch felt warm and genuine, she still felt uncomfortable, for as far as she was concerned it was the touch of a stranger. As she sat in his lap, he did not kiss her or tell her he loved her, but reminded her that now that she was five she would be going to school with her sisters in September. Noting her obvious discomfort, he finally allowed her to leave him and go to her mother.

Seeing the blatant, rude, cold stares of the two female visitors, Diana desperately clung to her mother feeling like an unwanted object purposely displayed to be negatively scrutinized. Sensing their distant dislike, she had no idea the influence they would have over her father in regard to providing for her life and future and those of her sisters’ Dawn and Danielle. She was also unaware that the end of the strained two hour visit would be the last time that Daniel Parks would visit his daughters, although it would not be the last time he would visit their mother Gracie, for he was totally possessed and obsessed by the woman he refused to divorce.

Gracie Elaine Gordon, her parents, William and Lucille Gordon, and her younger brother William Gordon Jr. had felt the effects of WWII just like all other families, for there were certain items they had to learn to do without. Although such things as gasoline, sugar, coffee, butter and shoes were rationed, they were blessed to live on a small farm raising chickens, pigs, and vegetables, which were enhanced by a few peach and pear trees and two milking cows. Sharing what they possessed had literally saved the lives of others, especially widows and mothers who had been left to rear their children without any male help. Every Saturday her father had set out wooden crates so that she, her mother and brother could help him fill them with the vegetables and fruits they had carefully nurtured and raised, sometimes adding a chicken or ham or a side of bacon. On Sunday after church they distributed the goods to those having the greatest need.

It was during one of those Sundays that Gracie had met twenty-one year old Daniel Parks. He had moved to the small country town of Elmont to take care of his widowed Grandmother, Anna Parks. Living in a well populated urban location, but unable to join the Army due to anaphylaxis to stinging insects, he had answered his Grandmother’s desperate call to farm her land and see her through the difficult war times. It was Grandma Anna who had birthed a homemade remedy that kept the bees, mosquitoes and other pain inducing pest averse to his body, for at the age of ten he had experienced the shock of the life threatening ordeal. After enlisting he had taken the required authorizing physical examination, courageously answered all questions truthfully, never suspecting that the abnormal hypersensitivity would negate any military service. His good looks, quiet demeanor and exemplary work ethics made him a well liked individual, although the older men of the church and town saw the definite pain and insecurity in his eyes because he had been rejected as medically unfit for duty. He and his brother Darnell had enlisted at the same time, but whereas his brother had been allowed into the hallowed all black units of wartime volunteers, he had to return home alone. His parents now deceased, due to a cataclysmic train derailment had left the three aspiring young adults on their own without guidance or supervision as his older sister Ruth moved to the big city eventually attaining an apartment. Even though he had a job and car, he felt like a weakling and less of a man because he could not serve his country and go to war with his older brother. He truly believed the desperate letter from his grandmother Anna Parks had been a godsend, until he realized that no matter where he lived he still felt like an outcast, desolate and destitute, for most of the young men had joined some branch of the United States military. The only positive point had been in knowing he was the most eligible young male in the small rural town, and could have his pick of any unattached female. He had immediately set his sights on sixteen year old Gracie Gordon, even though her father had been very strict about him occupying too much of Gracie’s time. From the beginning Daniel knew that Gracie was not excited or enthusiastic about keeping company with him, but her indifference to him made her more attractive, so whatever spare time he had on Saturday or Sunday, he tried to spend it with the woman he hoped to marry. William Gordon had recognized his insecurities and did not want his daughter connected to a man who could not accept the hand he had been dealt in life and make the best of an unfortunate situation. He had no desire for his daughter to be used to fill a void that could only be appeased by seeing your own self worth. He knew Daniel Parks did not have those qualities, so did not want the less than confident young man to pursue his daughter who intended moving to a large out of state city under the guardianship of an aunt after graduating from high school.

But Daniel Parks had been a smooth talker, who believed his looks and charm could win over any female once he found the right approach to her heart. After consistently calling on Gracie for a year, he realized that whenever he talked about how the allergic condition had kept him from the army and seeing the world like his brother, she would feel pity for him and try to console him. Whenever he seemed sad or despondent, she would allow him to embrace her and feel the warmth of her body, as he placed small, gentle kisses on her forehead and cheeks, gradually making his way to her full lips. She had liked the close contact and kisses well enough, but she knew she did not love him or like him enough to marry him. However, by the time she had graduated from high school she pitied Daniel too much to reject his proposal of marriage. Her parents had begged her to go away as she had initially planned because she would be greatly enhanced and matured by the environment of a larger, more populated, sophisticated location. They believed she had not sufficiently experienced life or encountered enough people to exchange it for marriage, and a meager existence on a small farm, in a rural town with a self absorbed, insecure man. As Gracie rethought her decision and was about to tell Daniel she had changed her mind, his Grandmother died, and she became his sole consolation. Darnell was in France and could not come home, and his sister Ruth, estranged from their grandmother was cold and indifferent, so Gracie stood at Daniel’s side as they laid Anna Parks to rest. A month later they were married.

Even though her mother had explained in detail about the sexual expectations of her marital duties, she had not been prepared for her husband. Although gentle, Daniel was a man of great passion and desire who wanted to make love every day, several times a day. As a dutiful wife she was not adverse to his overabundant needs, and tried to satisfy her husband, but finally realized she could not substitute sex for love, for she did not love him. She was afraid and happy when she became pregnant with their first child, but life was moving so quickly, and Gracie was uncertain if she could handle the whirlwind that had suddenly taken complete control of her life.

Mama, I’m not sure I’ll know what to do when the baby comes. How will I know when to feed it or how to take care of it?

Don’t worry Gracie, mothering will come naturally. The baby will let you know when it’s hungry or needs changing or not feeling well. Just get to know the child and you’ll be fine.

Well I know I’ll be calling on you a lot mama to help me, Gracie had said as she closely looked at the woman she had depended on and loved her entire life. She had seen varying degrees of changes in her mother but had no idea that in less than two years a rare blood disease would take the life of the beautiful, knowledgeable matriarch. Although in poor health, her mother had stayed with her throughout the entire birthing process, and helped her welcome Danielle Lucille Parks into the world. It had been of utmost importance for the weak, sickly woman to assist her daughter, for she knew without a doubt that she would not be present for any future grandchildren.

Gracie, do everything the way I showed you, and you and Danielle will get along just fine, the thin woman had promised.

I will mama, Gracie had said, and everything had gone well even when Danielle had the usual childhood sicknesses. Instinctively the young mother realized that her problem would not be in child rearing, but sharing a life with a man she did not love.

Three years later Dawn Martha Parks appeared on the scene. Even though Daniel was not angered by the second pregnancy, he was disappointed about having to share more of his wife, for he wanted her for himself alone. As his sexual demands increased in intensity, he became more forceful and almost brutish in his actions. In spite of her tiredness from proficiently handling the responsibilities of a household and two young children, she acquiesced to his desires.

As Gracie determinedly adjusted to being without her mother, caring for a three year old and an infant, she tried to give a little time to her father now that Will Jr. had left home and joined the military. The death of her mother had taken its toll on all of them, but it had practically broken her father for he always believed that he would die before his wife. Stoically he held on to his faith and trust in God and weathered the grief and mourning, never desiring to remarry or have a close relationship with another woman. Will Jr. had been relieved to leave home after turning eighteen, for life was not the same without the warmth and tenderness his mother had constantly provided. As his long, informative letters arrived, Gracie knew he was enjoying the friendships and new life the Army had afforded him, allowing the strict military training to firmly thrust him into a rewarding, perfecting existence.

The years had slowly passed as Danielle now six and Dawn approaching three, quietly played with their dolls under the large shaded oak tree. Now that the girls were a little older and able to do a few things to help themselves, Gracie welcomed the thought of a time when the children would be able to assist with the more responsible household chores and necessary duties of living on a working farm. A loud knock on the back screen door, startled her into the present as she turned to see a lone, tall uniformed figure. Initially she thought her brother Will had come home on leave from the military, but quickly remembered that he was in Germany, and that the form of the black soldier was much larger and taller than her younger sibling. Seeing the smiling handsome stranger who strongly resembled her husband, she instantly knew that Darnell Parks had come to visit his brother whom he had not seen in almost ten years.

You must be Gracie, the young man said. Although my brother has not deemed it necessary to answer any of my letters, our sister informed me of his marriage. I’m Daniel’s brother Darnell Parks.

Please come in Darnell, Gracie said a little overwhelmed by the visit and the visitor’s undeniable likeness to Daniel. Daniel is in the north field, he won’t be here for a few hours.

I’ll find him, he said as he slowly examined the almost forgotten inside of the house he had not visited since he was a teenager. I see that not much has changed since the last time I was here, except Grandma has passed on and Daniel has added a wife and children. I assume that the perfect little girls under the tree are my nieces.

Yes, they are. Come outside and I will introduce them to you.

As Darnell followed closely behind his sister in law, he felt a small twinge of envy since he did not possess a beautiful family, but he was also very happy for Daniel who had not been afforded to travel the world as he had.

Danielle, Dawn, this is your uncle Darnell. He is your daddy’s brother.

Wide eyed and a little stunned by the man they had seen approaching the back of the house, the little girls were still confused that somebody who looked so much like their father was not their father, but a man they had never met until today.

Hello Danielle and Dawn, Darnell said seeing the almost frightened looks on the children’s faces. "Your father and I spent a lot of time here when we were little like you.

We used to have picnics under this tree and play lots of games."

What kind of games Uncle Darnell, asked Danielle being the spokesperson?

Games like tag; hide and go seek and guessing games.

Will you play some of those games with us, inquired the older child?

Of course I will, said Darnell with a huge smile on his face. I will be here for a few weeks, so we’ll have plenty of time to play. Okay?

Okay, both girls said in unison.

I’ll be back a little later; I’m going to look for your daddy. Turning to Gracie he said, If it’s alright, I’ll leave my bags by the door and take them in when I come back from the fields.

That will be fine, said Gracie curiously wondering about the man who had unexpectedly made his presence known after so many years.

As Darnell slowly passed the huge barn and made his way on the tire worn dirt road that led to the north field, he unbuttoned and removed his jacket, carefully folding it and slinging it over his right shoulder. He had discarded his hat at the house so the children could fully see his face and his friendly demeanor. Seeing the flourishing crops and noting the care and hard work Daniel had put into the farmland, he smiled for he was proud of what his younger brother had accomplished. As the tractor and rider came into view, he quickened his pace, for he eagerly desired the long awaited reunion. The hurt and disappointing look on Daniel’s face when he was rejected by the armed forces, stayed with him a long time, for the brothers had diligently dreamed of the honorable and satisfying life they would have as a part of a military unit. When he learned that their grandmother had summoned Daniel to take over the farm, he had written to his brother stating that he believed that God had a better plan for his life, especially if it meant their grandmother’s survival. Daniel had never answered that letter or any of the many others he had sent from various parts of the world, so Darnell knew that a face to face meeting was his only recourse in conversing with him, even though he had put if off for a long time.

As Daniel effortlessly turned the tractor around and began the fluid rotation of the soil in the adjoining piece of ground, he saw the approaching figure and immediately knew it was Darnell. Stopping the vehicle, he carefully placed it in gear and then hurriedly jumped from the seat and ran to meet his brother. As tears welled in their eyes they warmly embraced and allowed time, hurts and disappointments to fall away as they recaptured the true meaning of brotherhood and abiding family ties.

I was wondering how long it would be before you decided to visit, Daniel said as he backed away to closely inspect the man who had lived the life that had been planned for the two of them. The Army has really agreed with you. You’re in great shape, but I think the farm work has given me the same body without taking orders, he laughed.

Yes, you look like you are in good shape. It seems like farming has agreed with you. You’ve done a good job on the fields. If you don’t mind, for the next few weeks you’ll have a free worker because I have a thirty day leave.

That sounds good to me. Now we’ll really find out if you’re in good shape, or just look the part, Daniel teased his older brother.

I met your wife and two little girls, Darnell said. They are beautiful. You must be very proud of your family.

Yes, I am. They mean everything to me. I guess that’s why I work so hard, so they can be proud of me too.

Even though Darnell found the mysterious statement a little self degrading, he didn’t bother to comment. With a glad heart he climbed on the tractor with his brother as Daniel decided to call it a day and celebrate the unexpected homecoming.

By the time the two men arrived at the house, Gracie had thoroughly cleaned and aired an already tidy spare room, placing freshly scented, lightly starched white sheets on the full size bed. Using one of Grandma Parks’ lovely multicolored, floral designed homemade bedspreads, she was pleased at the homey effects she had purposely desired to create. As she closely examined her daughters’ room and the master bedroom to be reassured of their pristine condition, she was suddenly relieved that Darnell’s room was not in close proximity to the room she shared with Daniel. It was one thing to have her young, innocent sleeping children nearby, but a worldly adult who could possibly hear and recognize the nightly sounds coming from their bedroom reduced her to a state of expectant dread. Satisfied with the orderly condition of the upper level, she hurriedly made her way down the back stairs to the kitchen and the jovial male voices as they sat relaxed at the plastic clothed old fashioned wooden table