Macie Comes to Terms

By Mariliz Ischi

This book continues with a character found in Luke Faces the Truth. Macie lives a vicarious lifestyle before losing her young son to a congenital heart defect. Never being much of a mother, when she finds his Christmas gift sitting on her kitchen table, she realizes that she must change her careless ways or sink into a pit of depression from which none can draw her out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685704612

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Macie Comes to Terms

Mariliz Ischi

Copyright © 2022 by Mariliz Ischi

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

A Rough Night on the Town

Christmas Tragedy

Saying Goodbye

The Parent that She Couldn’t Be

Parenting Advice

Where There’s a Will

Finding Help

Pressing On

Digging Up Roots

What Can She Tell Him?

Grit and Determination

The Call

The Shepherd Leads Her

The Arrival

Please dedicate this to all unwed mothers needing to make an important decision.

1

A Rough Night on the Town

I’ll be back later this evening, Joshua, Macie told her son. There’s food in the refrigerator if you want to make yourself something. It’s cold outside so don’t go out running around with your hobo friends this evening, she said in parting. She headed out the door to once again spend the evening carousing and enjoying the night life. The fact that it was Christmas eve didn’t faze her.

Like so many nights before, her son waited for her to leave and decided how to spend another night alone. With no adult supervision, he was on his own for another evening. She never approved of the friends that he had made when he left their home. He waited half an hour after she had departed to go on another tour of the local bars before venturing out himself. Tomorrow, it would be Christmas, but you couldn’t tell it should you come to their house this night.

She was going to meet her boyfriend, Darryl Chetworth, this evening to tell him that he was going to be a father. He was usually at Jake’s Place, sitting on a stool, belly up to the bar, with a cold beer in hand. Walking through the cold stillness of the evening, she approached the tavern, hesitated before entering, then opened the door and stepped inside.

A few Christmas decorations were on display behind the bar, and miniature decorated trees were in place on the small tables. The room was smoke-filled from the multiple lit cigarettes, most of which lay on ashtrays near a patron more interested in the drink in their hand. As suspected, Darryl was sitting at the bar with a half-empty stein of beer, like most others; a lit smoke was smoldering nearby. She approached and took a seat on the bar stool next to his. He acknowledged her presence, lifting his mug toward her, then finished off the brew within. He slammed it down against the cigarette-burn-stained wood as a gesture to gain the attention of the bartender. Hey, Randall! he yelled above the noisy crowd. Send a couple more my way!

Gladly accepting the beer set in front of her, she made small talk, building up her nerve to tell him the news. Halfway through the second brew, she knew that she had his attention. Garnering the initiative to breach the subject, she spoke. I need to tell you something very important,. she began. He took a drink, picked up his cigarette, and drew a long breath inhaling the smoke, slowly exhaling he allows the smoke to casually drift out of his partially open mouth. As the smoke wafts towards her, not being one to mince words, she began. We are going to be parents, she blurted out.

Taken aback by the news, he sat up straight on his stool and leaned forward toward her. "Where do you get this we business? he questioned snidely. I’m not the one sitting there with a baby in my belly! Who says that it is even mine?" He turned back to the bar and picked up his mug and took a drink.

Macie, obviously hurt, tried to find the words to respond toward his coolness. I thought that it would make you happy. You always said that you would like to have a big family someday.

Well, someday is not now! he snapped back. Take care of it yourself, one way or another. Don’t get me involved.

But you are involved! she cried. She turned back toward the bar and took a long drink of her beer.

You already have one kid that you don’t want! he remarked in a nasty tone. What makes you think that you need another one?

Heartbroken, she knew that he would not be a willing participant in the raising of this child; she got the message that he would prefer that she rear the baby on her own or get an abortion. She would have liked to protest but knew by his reaction that he was finished with his end of the conversation; nothing that she could say would ever change his mind.

He ordered another beer, but this time only one for himself. He turned his back to her and began a conversation with another patron seated on a stool on the other side of him. She made another attempt at restarting the conversation with him, but he kept his back to her, totally ignoring her. Eventually, she conceded, got off of the stool, and prepared to walk away. Before retreating, she stepped between him and the man on his other side to inform him that she was finished with him for good.

Good riddance! he yelled at her. He stood up from his seat and shoved her away from him. I never really liked you anyway. I just hung around with you for what I could get when I was in need of a woman’s touch.

You’re not a man, you’re a worm! she shouted back. A rotten stinky worm that even the most desperate fish would reject! she let out a huff, spun on her heels, and turned to leave.

Embarrassed by the harsh words directed at him in a public place, he lashed out and slapped her hard against the face, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the floor. Walking over, still fuming from the harsh statement directed at him, he pulled back his left foot and kicked her in the midsection with all of his might. Maybe that will get the message to you that I don’t want to see you ever again. Maybe this will make that parasite dislodge from your womb to spare you the expense of an abortion! He turned his back on the writhing woman, now laying prostrate on the floor grasping her abdomen in pain, and returned to his stool. Callously, he took another drink from his mug downing the contents in one long swig. He slammed it down on the bar, almost breaking the glass from the force of the impact. Hit me again! he yelled the bartender. He rocked the mug side to side, creating a rhythmic clunk.

Macie carefully rose from the spot on the dirty floor where she landed and trudged to a table near the back of the bar. She flopped down on a chair and waved a waiter over to her table; this time, she ordered a much stronger drink. Her head began to pound from the blow received when Darryl slapped her and from the lump which was beginning to form where it had hit the floor. An intense pain pulsated through her gut from the vicious attack delivered by a man whom she had previously adored.

Clutching her midsection, she leaned over in her seat and felt the need to empty her stomach. Rocking back and forth, the sensation eventually subsided, and she sat up to receive a small glass from the waitress. It contained ice cubes that were floating in an amber liquid; she placed it on the table in front of her.

The bartender observed the commotion and went to a back room where he called the police to intervene. The last thing that he needed was for his establishment to get a bad name because of this kind of activity.

Soon, four police officers arrived in two separate vehicles to quell the disturbance which had been reported. Domestic violence calls are always volatile, and where alcohol is also involved, the danger level is increased. Having been apprised of the participants, two policemen approached Darryl where he was seated at the bar. The other two officers, one a female, headed to the table where Macie was seated.

The bartender moved to the far end of the bar in an effort to distance himself from the situation which could possibly turn violent as Darryl was confronted. The man next to Darryl had also left his stool and retreated to an empty stool as far away from the action as possible. Seeing the officers approach, Darryl turned his back to them and leaned closer to the bar. Currently awaiting trial, he wasn’t even supposed to be in such an establishment.

Familiar with the man, the policeman cautiously approached him. Mr. Chetworth, he began. I need to speak with you outside. He reached his hand toward Darryl in an attempt to bring him to his feet.

Pulling back and rising from the stool, Darryl got into an aggressive stance, spreading his feet, and lowering his center of gravity. His fists were clenched by his side at the ready should he need to defend himself.

Observing his aggressive move, both officers stepped toward him, one with his hand on his Taser, and the other reaching for the handcuffs attached to his duty belt. Don’t make this difficult, Mr. Chetworth, the first officer stated as he neared his charge. We’re just here to talk right now, but if you don’t calm down, things could turn out much worse for you.

I don’t have anything to say to you, he bellowed. He reached toward a nearby bar stool for balance. I’m just in here to have a couple of drinks, then go home, he stammered.

That’s not what we hear, the officer replied. There’s been a report of an incident here where it was reported that you assaulted somebody. We are just here to find out what happened.

Don’t look at me! he exclaimed. She’s the one who started it. He pointed in the direction where Macie was seated, talking to officers.

Observant to his unsteady footing, the second officer removed his hand from his weapon and came up behind Darryl. Now flanked by the two officers, Darryl once again mustered the strength to prepare to defend himself. Take it easy, mister, the second officer demanded, once again resting his hand on the Taser.

The first officer reached out and grasped Darryl’s left arm in an effort to restrain his building furor. In doing so, it elicited a hostile reaction, and Darryl yanked away from the officer and pushed him; he made an attempt to flee from the tavern. As the policeman stumbled to the ground, he made an attempt to grasp his assailant as he moved past. The second officer gave chase, following close behind Darryl as he was able to evade capture and fled out the door.

The other officer, still inside, rose from his position on the floor and followed his cohort in the chase. Once outside, he saw him rolling on the ground in a struggle with Darryl, attempting to restrain him. Although Darryl was face down on the ground, he struggled with the officer, kicking and attempting to bite him. Spittle and swear words flew from his mouth as he found himself in a losing battle; both officers were finally able to restrain him and place him in handcuffs. They are able to bring him to his feet and escort him to the waiting police vehicle.

Secured in the back seat, he continued to curse and made a futile attempt to kick out the window. He knew that the next stop would be a jail cell from which he would not have an easy time of convincing the judge that he could control himself should he be released on his own recognizance.

Back in the bar, the female officer sat in a chair next to Macie as she tried to get her side of the story. We were called because there was a report of a man assaulting a woman, and you must be the one.

I’m fine, Macie stated emphatically. It was just a misunderstanding between my boyfriend and me. I’ll be all right once I finish this. She lifted the glass swirling the ice cubes within before bringing it to her lips and finishing the liquid within.

Reaching toward her face, the female officer pushed back Macie’s hair to reveal a contusion on the side of her temple. Macie flinched and pulled back to get away from the officer’s touch. This doesn’t look like the result of a little misunderstanding to me! she remarked. You need to go to the hospital and get that thing checked out.

I’ll be all right, Macie assured her. It won’t even be a problem in the morning.

We need to take a statement from you about what occurred here this evening, the male officer interjected. You were assaulted, and there’s a room full of witnesses who saw it all happen.

That’s nothing new with Darryl, Macie informed him. He doesn’t like to be confronted with things that he can’t control.

That doesn’t mean that he can just slap people around and kick them when they’re down! the male officer explained. Turning to the other officer, he allowed her to take over the conversation.

Despite the situation, no man has the right to put his hands on a woman. You need to get away from him when it looks like he could turn violent, she advised. We need to get your statement about this whole affair, then take you to the hospital for some tests on your injury.

I don’t have a statement, she curtly replied. I made him mad, he hit me, that’s all that there is to it!

That’s it? the female officer quizzically responded. She felt her temperature rise as she had become enraged at this woman’s casual reply when explaining an assault which had left her with such an injury. All the same, you still need to come with us.

Rising from her seat, she carefully took Macie by the arm and helped her to her feet. Whether it was from the effects of the alcohol or her injuries, she could barely keep her balance. Her knees buckled under her weight. The two officers assisted her out the door and led her to their car. They opened the back door, and she willingly climbed into the seat, putting on her safety belt.

*****

At the intake area of the police station, Darryl was removed from the car and escorted into the building. Resigned to his fate, he put up little resistance as he changed into the orange and black striped uniform of an inmate. All items in his pockets were surveyed and listed on a property form. Among the items in his jeans were his wallet, in which were various forms of identification, and thirteen dollars cash. A pocket knife, a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, and a small envelope containing a rocky substance later identified as methamphetamine were also found. A half-smoked marijuana cigarette was in the pocket of his shirt. The narcotics were placed in a separate envelope to be presented as evidence in his upcoming court appearance. His picture was taken by the Mug Master machine, and he was escorted to a cell where he would remain until his preliminary hearing.

The door clanged shut behind him, and he climbed onto the top bunk as the bottom one was already occupied. There weren’t any blankets, so it would be rough falling asleep in the chill of the room. What Darryl was unaware of was that the other inmate in the cell had taken them all for himself. Merry freaking Christmas, he mused as he laid his head back on the stiff plastic-covered pillow.

*****

Macie was taken to the emergency room and evaluated; she hoped that she would not be admitted as she realized that tomorrow was Christmas. First, she was called into a room where her vital signs were taken, and her medical coverage was confirmed. The officers remained in the waiting room, watching for her to come back out. When an examination room came available, the full extent of her injuries would be assessed.

In the waiting room, Macie leaned back in a chair with her feet outstretched, blocking the aisle. She drifted off for a short nap as she waited her turn; the female officer, who was seated next to her, looked at her watch and tried to make herself comfortable for what may turn into a significant period of time. It was just another one of the aspects of the officer’s job that she found mundane.

Macie Green, she heard through the fog of her nap, making her jolt awake. She stood to her feet and followed the nurse to an antiseptic-scented room in the hospital. You need to change into this. She placed a hospital gown on the bed. The doctor will be in to see you shortly, she stated. Before exiting, she pulled the curtain closed and exited the room.

All this because Darryl couldn’t contain his anger, Macie thought. If I hadn’t talked back to him, I would probably be home getting ready for bed. She removed all of her clothing with the exception of her brazier and underwear. With less clothing, she quickly got cold and covered up with a sheet that was sitting at the foot of the bed. Not knowing how long that she would be sitting here until a doctor arrived, she lay back and rested her head on the pillow. Wanting to sleep, she was prevented from drifting off due to the throbbing in her head and the brightness of the lights glaring above her. Instead, she mulled over the events of the evening in her mind; tomorrow she would most likely have to go to the police station and answer a myriad of questions. Maybe since it was Christmas, they would wait until the following day.

After Darryl assaulted her child a few months prior, she wondered why she even stuck with him. Now, with his child on the way, the stress of motherhood weighed heavy on her mind. Joshua’s father had deserted her when he found out that she was going to have his child. Now the same thing was going to happen with Darryl. At least she got some financial support from him, and he did come and spend a couple of days with his son when time permitted. Darryl, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with her and denied paternity. There would be no support coming from him as he would most likely be spending a significant amount of time in prison with another assault charge pending. If she lied on the police report or failed to press charges, maybe he would come around and accept some responsibility.

She heard the door open, and the nurse and a doctor stepped in. I’m Dr. Nardei, he stated in a thick accent. He extended his hand to her in a greeting gesture. The last name was displayed on a badge which was clipped to his shirt pocket, followed by a first name that she could barely distinguish and which looked like alphabet soup. He approached and stared at the lump above her left eye and the discoloring that accompanied it. It looks like you took quite a spill!

Does he not know what has happened to me? she thought. Obviously, if I was brought to the hospital in a police car escorted by two officers, he should know that it was more than just a fall.

He pushed her hair back and palpated the knot above her eye; she winced at the pressure. Are there any other injuries that you received besides the obvious contusion? he asked.

Although a sharp pain ran across her lower spine, she was apprehensive about revealing it to him. She had been here long enough, and all she wanted to do was leave this place and go home where she would be left alone in her physical and mental misery. No, just that, she replied. She hoped to placate his concern.

When asked if she was pregnant before