Journey Back to Living: Second Edition: Second

By Drusella Thomas

This is the story of Mary Beth.

She had never been alone before. She had married Roy Parker right after graduation. He was a high school golden boy, the captain of the football team in his senior year. Every girl in school wanted to date him, for he was tall with light brown hair and very dark violet eyes. He was the most hands

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gotham Books
• Release date: Dec 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798887751665

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Journey_Back_to_Living_Front_Cover_Final.jpg

Journey

Back to Living

___________________________

SECOND EDITION

by

Drusella Thomas

Gotham Books

30 N Gould St.

Ste. 20820, Sheridan, WY 82801

https://gothambooksinc.com/

Phone: [phone]

© 2022 Drusella Thomas. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means

without the written permission of the author.

Published by Gotham Books (December 22, 2022)

ISBN: 979-8-88775-165-8 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-88775-166-5 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet,

any web addresses or links contained in this book

may have changed since publication and

may no longer be valid.

The views expressed in this work are solely those

of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views

of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims

any responsibility for them.

Mary Beth sat alone in her bedroom, trying to think of what to do. She had never been alone before. She had married Roy Parker right after graduation. He was a high school golden boy, the captain of the football team in his senior year. Every girl in school wanted to date him, for he was tall with light brown hair and very dark violet eyes. He was the most handsome boy for miles around. For reasons Mary Beth never understood why he picked her. She was overjoyed for she did not realize she was one of the most beautiful girls in school. She was quiet, reserve, very shy and a straight A student. She didn’t date much before Roy, because all the boys thought of her as untouchable because of her high grades and her quiet ways. She had intended to go on to college, but after they were married Roy wanted her to stay home and start a family right away. Janet was born at the end of their first year of marriage. Then came Maxine, Vivian, Ida and Alice. By then with five kids and almost thirty years old, she wove her life around the kids and Roy.

Roy began working longer hours so there would be money for college. Years passed. Now little Alice was going off to college. She was the most petite of Mary Beth’s girls at five-foot one inch and one hundred pounds. She had made her light brown hair honey blonde. The only one of the girls to change the color of her hair, but it went well with her dark blue eyes. The older girls teased her about it. She just smiled and said. This is me. As Mary Beth watched her baby drive away there was such an empty feeling in her chest.

Roy dropped his bomb then. He was moving out. After thirty years of marriage, he was just walking away. She looked at Roy in stunned silence.

I have met someone else. She is all you are not.

What am I?

All you can talk about are the girls. I can’t talk about my work to you for you know nothing about the world outside of house and kids.

I thought you wanted me to stay home with the girls. You said as much every time I mentioned taking classes, or a part time job.

That is so like you. Everything is my fault. Well, you are on your own now. She followed Roy back into the house. He went to the hall closet and took out a suitcase. I’ll send for the rest of my things later.

She watched Roy drive away still in shock. When he was out of sight, she slowly closed the door. As she turned around, she saw her reflection in the hall mirror. She still had her dark brown hair and eyes, clear complexion with no wrinkles, medium height and slim build. She turned away and slowly mounted the stairs to the bedroom she had shared with Roy all those years. Alone now as she often was, she picked up a pen and began to write.

Tossed aside like an old used kettle

Dented and scared, a burnt hole in the middle

No use for her now, not good enough to stand by his side

Alone in her bedroom, she lay down and cried.

‘No!’ She thought. ‘I’m not going to sit here and feel sorry for myself. That is just what Roy would expect me to do.’ Anger began to well up deep inside her chest. ‘I’ll show him I am capable of more than housework and taking care of kids.’ She paused, looking down at the lyric she had just written. ‘That just might work. Mother always told me my poetry was as good as any coming out of Nashville. First, I must see to business.’ Picking up her handbag she looked to see that she had her checkbook. Going to the desk she took out a savings book and safe deposit key then drove to the bank.

I would like the balance on this account. She said to the teller.

There is $10,040.00.

I’ll take $500.00 in cash and $9,500.00 in a cashier’s check. Also see what is in this saving account. She handed the teller the passbook. Is today August 15th?

The teller answered, Yes. Mary Beth wrote out a check for$10,000.00 while the teller looked up the other account. There is $20,000.00 in this one. The teller looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

I’ll take that also in a cashier’s check. Her checks and money tucked away safely, she headed for the safe deposit room. Taking the box into a small booth, she started going through the contents.

She laid the title to her car aside and a few pieces of jewelry that was her mother’s. Thumbing through a stack of papers, she came across a bundle wrapped in brown paper and taped securely. She tore open the package and found bearer bonds. ‘This is really interesting.’ She thought. She hesitated a moment, then crammed the bundle into her purse along with the car title and jewelry. Replacing the other papers in the box she returned it to its slot. As she left the safe deposit room, she saw Roy coming in the front door. She made a quick turn out the side door, through the side parking lot to the front where she had left her car. Driving out of the lot she breathed a sigh of relief.

Back at the house she threw some clothes in a duffel bag, grabbed the poems she had written over the years, and hurried back to the car. As she opens the car door, she looked back at the house that had been home for the last twenty years. It was not as fancy as some, but had been a comfort to her in the days she had spent alone after the girls were in school. Don’t start getting sentimental. She said softly as she drove down the drive. When she reached the street, she looked back one last time and said. This is what you call burning your bridges.

As she drove her thoughts turned back to the bonds. ‘I wonder if they are Roy’s or if they are stolen. Whom do I know that could find out and not ask to many questions? The people where Roy and I bank are out, but there is always Vi Overly.’ A smile played around her mouth as she remembered her old school friend. They had been close in high school. Vi had gone on to college, but they had kept in touch over the years. She pulled into a pay phone at the 7-Eleven and called.

Vi! Have you made plans for lunch?

Mary Beth is that you?

Yes.

You sound so different.

It is I. Will you meet me for lunch?

Yes. How about Bob’s Bar and Grill?

O.K. I’ll be in the back booth.

She didn’t have long to wait. Vi came in, a tall willowy woman with blond hair cut short in the latest style. Large intelligent gray eyes found Mary Beth and slid into the booth. Looking her square in the eye, she said.

What’s wrong?

Roy has left me, or I should say Roy left, then I left. Mary Beth felt her throat grow tight as she fought back tears. Vi reached for her friend’s hand and held it tight while waiting for Mary Beth to regain her composure.

What are you going to do? Vi asked. You are not equipped to support yourself.

I know. That is why I cleaned out the bank accounts. Mary Beth laughed sadly, still fighting tears.

Good for you. Vi answered patting Mary Beth’s hand. I always thought you should have been doing something for yourself after the girls were in school.

Thank you Vi. It makes me feel better to know you think I am capable of doing something other than housework. I found something I want you to look at. She looked around. No one seemed to be paying attention to them. She handed the package containing the bonds to Vi. After Vi had looked them over Mary Beth asked. Can you find out if they are stolen without giving away who is asking?

Yes, I think so. But you shouldn’t be walking around with that kind of money on you. Vi looked worried.Can I get a safe deposit box at your bank under a false name, or do I have to have ID?

No, just don’t forget what name you put it under. They both laughed.

After lunch of steak burgers and fries, Mary Beth felt better.

At VI’s bank, she rented a box under the name of PEARL ACUFF. She thought with the name of two country music icons she would not forget. In Vi’s office she said. I want you to be able to get in the box.

No, so if I’m asked, I can say truthfully, I don’t know where the bonds are. I don’t want to know what name, or the number of the box.

Well then, I’m off. I want to be a long way from here by dark.

I don’t want to know where you are going either.

Would you call Janet for me? Vi nodded. Tell her I’ll be in touch in a day or two. She paused at the door. Vi! If those bonds are stolen, find a way to give them back. I don’t want Roy in jail.

I don’t know why you should care. Look what he is doing to you.

If it was just him, I wouldn’t care, but I don’t want my girl’s father branded a thief.

Still the same old Mary Beth, always putting others first.

You would do the same, if you had children.

You are probably right. Now give me a hug and be on your way.

Mary Beth felt tears in her eyes as she hugged Vi.

Letting go Vi said. Call me. I should have something to tell you in a day or two.

*****

She left San Bernardino on Interstate 15 North. At Barstow, she turned east on Interstate 40. The sun was going down and highway fatigue was catching up with her as she neared Flagstaff. Mumbling to herself. I had better stop for the night and get an early start in the morning. She pulled off the interstate and found a Big 6 Motel. After checking in, she walked to a fast-food restaurant down the block. Settling for a salad and french fries with a milk shake to drink, she sat at a table. After eating very little of the salad, and a few of the french fries, she decided she was not hungry. Taking the shake with her she headed back to the motel. Her thoughts turned to Janet, her oldest, as she was preparing for bed. In her mind’s eye she could see her looking at her mother with disapproving eyes. Those eyes were dark violet like her fathers, but her hair was dark brown like Mary Beth’s. She was taller than Mary Beth five foot five inches with a medium build. Sighing she thought. ‘I have to talk to her sooner or later. Might as well get it over with.’ Not knowing how to explain her leaving, Mary Beth dialed Janet’s number.

Mother! Where are you?

I am where there is not much chance, I’ll run into your father.

Father said you just left. What happened?

I guess he forgot to tell you he was leaving me for someone else. I beat him to the bank. Maybe whoever she is, did not like him so well broke. She said bitterly.

I see. I thought he might have left something out. What are you going to do?

I’m still thinking about that.

Mother you know you have no experience working outside the home.

Yes, I know. I have enough money to take care of myself for a while. Something will turn up.

I’m worried about you, Mother. You don’t know what pitfalls there are in the business world.

I will learn. Tell your sisters I love them and I’ll be in touch.

Mary Beth lay looking at the ceiling for a long time. The conversion with her daughter had gone better than she had expected. When she finally drifted off, her sleep was troubled by dreams. She relived Roy’s betrayal, but this time he told her to leave. As she walked away from their home, Roy kept shouting at her angrily. When she woke with a start she was crying, but could not remember what Roy was shouting at her. Sometime later she slept again. This time no dreams disturbed her rest.

*****

Mary Beth was up before daylight, got a cup of hot tea to go at an all-night grocery store, then headed east again on I-40. The land the highway wound through was desolate. A desert so barren yet so beautiful. It had a haunting air as if ghosts walked through the cactus and sagebrush. She stopped outside of Albuquerque for a late breakfast-early lunch, walked around a little to get the kinks out, then back on the road. She tried not to think of the life she was leaving behind. Of course, after what Roy had done, life would never be the same no matter where she was. Midafternoon she stopped at a scenic look out. Turning off the car she stepped out to stretch her legs. The heat was like an oven. What little breeze there was had picked up sand and tossed it into Mary Beth’s face making the temperature seem even hotter. She had the place to herself, so she walked to the rail fence that marked the best view. Looking at the desert with giant cactus marching toward the horizon, she subconsciously reached for pen and paper that she always carried.

Heated air rippling like a raging storm

Giving cactus an allusion of waving arms

In the shade of a rock the lizard safely lies

No breeze doth stir this cruel desert sky.

Beauty some see in this barren harsh land

Stretching on and on only hot blazing sand

I long for grass, a flower, and a tree

A