Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise (29 page)

A
fter we revived Suzy, we helped her back to my trailer, where I got her a change of clothes. She had fallen into the mud in Hazel's yard, so I tossed her dress in the wash. We gathered in the living room, and I supposed it couldn't have been helped, but we all circled around Suzy like cowboys circle their wagons when Indians attack. It was a little hard to tell if she minded or not. She was on the shy side.

"Are you all right?" Ginger asked. "Maybe you should go see a doctor. Did you hurt that arm?"

"No, no," Suzy said. "I don't need a doctor. I don't know why that happened. Maybe I just need to eat."

"You look skinny," my mother said. "When was the last time you ate anything?"

She shook her head. "A day or so ago. I just haven't been hungry."

"Well, that's understandable," Mother said. "Look at what you're going through. Charlotte, get this girl some food."

Suzy pulled her fingers through her scraggly hair. "But that's what's weird. He hasn't hit me since the day before the barbecue. He says he's changed. But it's making me even more nervous. I haven't had much of an appetite."

I went into the kitchen to warm some chicken noodle soup. I chose a pretty bowl with purple flowers on it and my prettiest tumbler, the one with the ivy vines trailing around it.

Ginger clicked her tongue. I could hear her clear to the kitchen. "You mean, it's true, Suzy? Fergus hits you?"

She nodded. "But not lately, like I said. Lately he's been real nice. Calm, you know." Her eyes glistened with tears. "Too calm."

"There's always calm before a storm and it is not to be trusted," Mother said in only the way my mother could."Yesterday was a grand day and now look."

Suzy's body language told me she was feeling uncomfortable. She wiggled her backside into the sofa and folded her arms—cast and all—across her chest.

"Why is he making you stick so close to him then?" Rose asked.

Suzy shrugged and sipped a glass of water. "He just is. Says he can't let me out of his sight right now until things blow over a bit. Says he's worried about his job."

"You realize it's only a matter of time," I said. "I remember when Herman would—" I stopped talking. "It's nothing."

"What were you going to say?" Rose said.

"Yes, Charlotte," Mother said. "What were you going to say?"

Tears pooled in my eyes.

"You're crying," Suzy said.

"Herman used to hit me too," I said. "Not as much as Fergus, but . . . "

Rose put her hand over her mouth and then pulled it away."I had a feeling. I had a feeling there was something you were hiding."

"Like your tattoos," Mother said. "And those scars. Why are you hiding?"

"Can't anymore," she said. She stood up and removed her sweater. "See that, Charlotte? You're the one who said I shouldn't hide my scars. Same goes for you."

Tears came a little harder as my mother wrapped her arms around me. "Oh, honey, I knew. I always knew something wasn't right, but I thought he just yelled a lot and ordered you around like you were some buck private in his army. If I had—"

"It's . . . it's okay, Mother. I wanted to tell you. But it's hard, and just so you know, I think sometimes the yelling and name-calling hurts as much as the hitting—maybe even more. Bruises heal, but some words just linger forever."

I watched Suzy nod her head so hard I thought it would jump right off her shoulders. "That's true. That's true. Fergus can say just terrible things. Things that would hurt in a way his fist doesn't, hurt way down deep."

"He has no right," Rose said.

Suzy looked away and sighed. "But sometimes I think I deserve it when I do dumb things. Like the time I accidentally knocked some of his stamps off the table."

"Stamps?" I said.

She nodded. "Oh, yeah, Fergus has a very valuable stamp collection. He's always fiddling with it. Staring at those little pictures under a magnifier. He buys them and sells them and even goes to stamp shows. He hates it when I make fun of them."

She cracked a smile. "Sometimes I do it just 'cause I know it makes him mad. See how I am? It's my fault."

"It is not. He never has a right to hit you. Ever!" Mother said. "No matter how mad you make him."

"But he says he's helping me not be so stubborn."

I wiped my eyes and nose, and then Rose grabbed my hands."Really? Herman hit you? I thought he just yelled a lot."

I shook my head. "Yes. Especially if a sales call didn't go well. Somehow it was my fault and . . ."

"The Lord dealt with him but good," Ginger said.

"Let's not say that," I said. "Herman just ate too much butter and ice cream."

I looked at Suzy and took her hands in mine. "But it is better. I feel like a real person now."

Suzy started to cry. "But I love him. I don't know why, but I do. Still sometimes I feel like I don't. Like I want him to just go away."

"I know. I know," I said. "It's crazy. We love men who hurt us."

Lucky sidled near Suzy and put his head in her lap and whimpered. Suzy patted his side.

"Lucky knows," I said.

We talked for a good long while until Fergus came back. He leaned on his horn. I opened the door. He stood near his truck with his hand through the window poised to blow it again.

He seemed nervous. "Where's Suzy?" he called.

Rose whispered to her. "You don't have to go."

She nodded. "I'll be okay. Don't worry."

"Why's she wearing that?" Fergus hollered. "Where's her dress?"

"She fell," I said, "in Hazel's yard. She's wearing one of my dresses. I'll wash hers and bring it by."

He waved his hand. "No, no. Just keep it."

Suzy turned back and looked at us just before she climbed into the truck. "Don't worry," she mouthed.

It had been a difficult day, and time flew by at breakneck speed. It was already nearly four o'clock when Suzy left.

The phone rang.

"Hey," Ginger said. "They got the phones back up."

"Hello," I said bracing myself for anything. But it was only Cash Vangarten.

"We're all okay," I said. "Hang on." I put my hand over the mouthpiece. "He just wants to see how we made out in the storm."

"Oh," Rose said. "He's checking on you."

"Now, stop that. He's just concerned. His boss does live in Paradise."

I went back to Cash and listened while he asked about Hazel and the men.

"She's fine. A tree fell on her trailer but never touched her. She's at Willow Way. Most of the men came home and were out helping clear trees and branches."

Cash expressed his relief and then changed the subject.

"Yes. We'll still be able to play next week. Don't see why not."

After I hung up, Rose said, "That man likes you, Charlotte."

"He does not. And I don't care if he does like me. I am not ready for any relationship."

My mother whispered to Rose. They laughed. But I didn't dignify it by asking what was so funny, even if it did help relieve some tension in the room. For the next few hours we stayed close to home and made light of the storm and played Scrabble. By nine o'clock the power was still not restored, so we went to bed.

My watch read midnight, and I still had not fallen asleep. I could hear Lillian's nose whistle through the wall. It was so loud that I thought it was what kept me awake. But, no, the truth was that I had a hundred and one thoughts leapfrogging in my brain. Thoughts about Herman, the game, Suzy, moving to Florida, all manner of worries.

At one o'clock I went to the bathroom, got a drink of water, and sat at the kitchen table in the glow of two candles and cried as quietly as I could. I thought it was monster grief again rearing its ugly head, but it didn't feel the same as before. I rolled my wedding band around on my finger. "Why am I keeping you? Maybe it's time."

It stuck a little at the knuckle and I twisted and pulled so hard I thought I might dislocate my finger, but it came off and I held it in my palm.

"Herman," I whispered, "it needs to be over now. I can't hang on to you anymore. This ring was supposed to be a symbol of unending love, but it never really was. So, like the reverend said, till death do us part."

At that moment the power came on, and the two lights over my stove came on and cast a glow in the kitchen. I took the ring to my bedroom, opened my jewelry box, and dropped it inside. "Goodbye, Herman. I did love you. Too bad you never knew it."

Lucky, who was lying in a circle on the floor near my bed, suddenly perked up like he heard something strange.

"Oh, no! Don't tell me that maniac is making another midnight ride through Paradise." I waited, but I didn't hear any hoof beats or gunshots.

Lucky still seemed alarmed. "What's wrong?"

He took hold of my pajama pant leg and pulled.

"What? You need to go out?"

He barked.

"All right, all right. Can't sleep, anyway."

I pulled on my robe and slippers and took Lucky to the door. I opened it. He grabbed my sleeve and pulled.

"I don't want to go out, you do. Now go on. I'll make some cocoa."

Mother must have heard us. "What's happening?" she called from the hallway.

"It's just Lucky. I thought he needed to go out, but he won't go."

He ran to Mother and pulled the hem of her nightgown.

"He's upset about something," she said. "He wants us to go with him."

"Okay, Lucky. Show us."

He bounded out the door. We followed with my flashlight.

The moon was full and high in the sky, so it cast a generous light on the street. Lucky moved fast. I tried to keep up. He'd run out ahead. Stop. Turn back to make sure we were still there and then run. It looked like he was heading for the Wrinkels's.

"Where are you going?"

Then he veered off and headed toward Angel Field. I followed as fast as my legs could carry me. My slippers kept coming off until I finally just left them in the woods and went barefoot over the rough ground and twigs and leaves. But then, just at the edge of the woods before the grass started, I saw Suzy lying in a heap.

Lucky licked her face and whimpered.

"Suzy. Suzy." I ran to her. "She's still alive."

"But she's badly beaten," Mother said. "I'll stay with her. Go get Asa."

I looked toward the Frost Sisters' house. No lights.

I patted Suzy's cheek. "Wake up. Wake up, Suzy. Suzy."

She opened her eyes as much as she could. They were nearly swollen shut.

"Oh, Suzy. I'm so sorry. I should have made you stay."

"Not now, Charlotte," Mother said. "Go get Asa so he can help carry her home."

I took Lucky's head in my hands and spoke directly into his eyes. "Asa. Go get Asa."

He took off like a bullet through the woods.

Tears streamed down Suzy's face. "I ran. I ran out the door, only I didn't know where to go."

"It's okay," I said. "You just stay quiet." I dabbed at the blood running from her lip with my robe.

She tried to get up.

"No. Just stay. We should get you to the hospital."

She shook her head. "No. No. Please."

"Okay. But at least let me get Marlabeth," I said.

She nodded and closed her eyes.

"Don't let her fall asleep," Mother said. "She might have a concussion. She could go into shock or something. Keep her talking." She patted Suzy's hand and rubbed her arm and brushed her hair out of her face.

We didn't wait long before we heard Asa and Lucky tramping through the woods.

"Asa, look what he did," I cried. "He really hurt her this time."

Asa knelt near Suzy. He scooped her up with his one arm."Come on, let's get you out of here. Can you walk?"

She nodded.

"Take her to my place," I said. "I'm going to get Marlabeth and Rose."

M
arlabeth treated Suzy's wounds with a variety of ointments and tea. She bandaged the cut on her cheek and even stitched a gash in her forehead. Then she checked the cast on her arm, all without saying a word.

When she finished, she said, "You can't go home now, Suzy. I'm going to send Jacob over there with Rube and Charlie Lundy. They'll fix his wagon."

"No. Don't," she said. "They'll kill him."

Marlabeth patted her hand. "Right now you need rest and chamomile tea. Let the men handle it."

"She's right," Mother said. "It's high time that man got his just deserts."

"But don't be like him. I don't want the others to be like him."

"Then call the police," Mother said.

Marlabeth dropped gauze and tape in her medical bag."They won't do nothing for her. Up here police believe a man has a right to do this. Maybe not in the big city. But up here."

"That tears it," Mother said. "Charlotte , you're coming home with me for certain now."

"Mother. It's not the time."

I could tell Rose was trying to keep from talking, but she couldn't help it. "What? Are you moving away, Charlotte?"

"No. At least"—I looked at my mother—"I don't know. Now is not the time."

Lucky and Asa stayed at Suzy's side as she lay in my bed until she fell asleep. I didn't know what Marlabeth gave her, but it did the trick.

"Valerian root," she said. "It'll knock an elephant out. She'll sleep for a good long while."

I walked her to the door. "Thank you." I kissed her cheek.

"Call me if you need me. But I'll come by and check on her in a few hours."

Rose and I sat at the kitchen table. "It's my fault," Rose said."I should have done something. I knew what was going on long before you got here."

"Don't do that. What we need to do now is convince her not to go back."

"She will, you know," Rose said.

"I know." I patted her arm—the one with three crosses etched into it in purple ink.

We talked until dawn, when Rose decided to go home and try and sleep. I watched her walk down the street, and when I went inside, I found her heavy brown sweater on the sofa.

I grabbed it and ran after her. "Rose. You forgot—"

"Don't need it anymore. Suzy can't hide, you can't hide, and I'm not hiding anymore. Jesus paid the price for us all—me, you, Suzy, Fergus, even Herman. Who am I to think my sin or my brand of suffering is worse than anyone else's?"

I swallowed and choked back tears.

"Hardest thing in the world is to forgive your enemies," Rose said. "Second hardest is to share it with those who need sharing. Third hardest is leaving them behind."

When I went inside, Asa was filling the coffeepot with water and Mother was slicing apple pie.

"How is she?" I asked.

"Sleeping still," Asa said.

"What now?"

"I'll need to go over there," Asa said. "I need to see if the boys did anything to Fergus."

"Do you think they did?"

"Pretty sure they might have beaten the tar out of him. If not last night, then soon. Marlabeth will tell them to."

I got cups from the cupboard. "Funny. When I first moved here, I didn't think anyone cared about anyone else around here."

"We take care of our own. We might not talk a lot, or have lots of barbecues, but we care about each other."

"I see that now. I'm going to go peek at Suzy."

She was still asleep. Her eyes were so swollen I figured she wouldn't be able to open them when she woke up. Lucky still sat at her side. I patted his head. "Good boy. You are our hero, you know. Who knows what might have happened if you didn't find her."

I started to walk out the door, but first I took Herman's picture and dropped it in the trash can. Then I turned back to Lucky. "Only, how did you know?"

He smiled and blustered.

I reached into the trash can and got the picture. "Hardest thing in the world is to forgive." I put the picture in my top drawer. "Maybe someday I'll be able to look you in the eye again."

It turned out that the men did visit Fergus. The next time I saw him, later the next day, he had two very shiny black eyes. It was also the day Suzy decided to go home. Mother and I tried to talk her out of it. But she was determined. Maybe I shouldn't have told her I saw Fergus.

"He'll be good for now. And as long as I don't do nothing to make him upset—"

I shook my head. "This is wrong, Suzy. Very, very wrong. At least wait until the swelling goes down."

"Or until he comes looking for you," Mother said. "Do you think he's even been looking for you?"

Suzy lightly touched her cheek. "I . . . I don't know. I reckon he might have looked. Maybe Asa or one of the other guys told him I was here."

"Please think about it," I said. "You can stay here as long as you need."

She took my hand. "Thank you, Charlotte. But don't worry. I have a feeling it's all going to be okay."

Mother and I walked her to her trailer. We stopped at Rose's on the way. She was under the hand tending to her petunias.

"Suzy," she said. "I was just up in the palm praying for you. How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," she said. I could see that she was looking up at the hand, even through swollen eyes. "I don't understand about the hand. Fergus says he hates it. Says it gives him the creeps. Says he's gonna take a sledgehammer to it one of these days."

"That's because he doesn't believe," Rose said. "But imagine it, Suzy. Imagine that God has you, Suzy Wrinkel, in his hand, right now, today."

I looked up at the statue. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees with a beam landing right smack dab in the middle.

"God doesn't have hands," Suzy said, and she started on her way down the street. Mother and I had to hurry to catch up with her, the determination evident on her face.

That was when we saw Fergus. He met up with us, took Suzy by the hand, and led her home without saying a word. Not a single word. My stomach tightened. "Mom, he's gonna kill her."

"Let's call the police," she said. "At least we can talk to them. Beg them to arrest him. Surely they will do something."

"Okay, let's go call. But I have a feeling the others are right. I think they're just going to blow it off, like that big wind the other day. Just leave more destruction."

The Angels waited at the trailer.

"What gives, Charlotte?" Clara said. "We ever playing ball again?"

"Yeah. I feel like I need to slaughter that ball," Gwendolyn said.

"You bet. We're playing the Thunder again next week. It's all arranged. Right here on Angel Field. Seven o'clock, Tuesday." I tried my best to sound upbeat.

"What about some practice time?" Frankie asked.

"Tomorrow. One o'clock. That okay?"

"What about a babysitter? Fleur de Lee can't do it now."

"I'll think of something."

The team wandered off, and I grabbed my mother's sleeve."Come on, let's go make that call."

Lucky met us at the door but ran right past us. He had other things on his mind.

I dialed the police and spoke with Officer Flegel. He pretty much gave me the brush-off. "Sorry, Ma'am, but unless the victim makes the call, there is nothing we can do."

"Hear that, Mom? They don't even care. It's like getting a marriage license gives the husband the license to kill. It isn't right."

Mother hugged me. "No, Charlotte. It's not. Maybe that will change someday."

After dinner I started to think about the game again and drew up a new batting order. "I think I'll let Rose lead off this time," I said. "She can be a powerhouse. Maybe she'll knock one into the cornfield."

"That could give your team some gusto," Mother said. "And then maybe Ginger, put the Thunder off their guard, and then Gwendolyn."

"Mother," I said. "You do care."

"You were right, Charlotte. There's just something about Paradise."

"Who are we going to get to watch the children for practice now that Fleur de Lee is busy with her own Angel?"

Lillian flipped through a copy of the
TV Guide.
"Don't look at me. I'm too old to watch a bunch of kids. I'm afraid I couldn't keep up. I don't move as quickly as I once did."

"I wonder if Asa's cousin will come down again," I said."He's such a nice man. Claims he was the recipient of a miracle. Got cured of cancer."

"Oh, that's rubbish," Mother said.

Rubbish or not, Asa managed to talk Studebaker into watching the children.

I arrived with Rose and Ginger around one o'clock. The others were already there, including Marlabeth, who had a great report on Fleur de Lee and our littlest Angel.

"They are all resting at Willow Way," she said. "Hazel Crenshaw is keeping watch. Have you ever seen that mansion? It's got fifteen rooms; five bathrooms; the biggest kitchen I ever saw, with copper-bottom pots hanging from the ceiling; and, get this, there's a bowling alley in the basement—if you can call it something as ordinary as a basement."

"A bowling alley?" Greta said. "I knew it was huge, but—"

"I heard it burned down," Clara Kaninsky said. "And that's why Hazel came to live here. We heard it burned down right after Birdy died. He left the factory to her, you know."

"No, it didn't burn down," I said. "It's still out there on— wait a minute, you know about Hazel Crenshaw?"

They cracked up. "Of course we do, Charlotte. The husbands don't know. But we all do." She pointed with her thumb around the circle.

"I didn't," said Ginger.

"That's because she don't sign your paycheck."

They laughed. "She's a good old bird. We're going to miss her around here."

"She'll be back," Marlabeth said. "I was talking to her just a little while ago. She bought a new trailer. It's going to be delivered in a couple of weeks."

"Good," Frankie said. "We need her around here."

"But that's not all," Marlabeth said. "She gave Willow Way to Haven House. They all moved in. The whole group. I think there were six others besides Jaster and Fleur de Lee. She just needs someone to take charge, you know, run the place."

I sighed. "I wish I could get her to help Suzy."

The team grew quiet and thoughtful. Rose raised her hands like she was about to pray.

Frankie pushed her arm down. "Hold on. If she won't, maybe we can. Maybe this bunch of kooky ball players can get Suzy to leave that rat fink of a husband."

They all started talking at once. Tossing ideas out. Clara suggested they sneak her out under cover of darkness and take her to the new Haven House to live. "She can take care of them. Lord knows she'd fit in."

"I could send her to my cousin in Idaho," Greta suggested."She could help out on the farm."

The ideas sputtered out until I quieted them down.

"Those are all good ideas, but we can't make Suzy leave until she's ready. We have to help her make the decision herself."

I tossed a softball in the air and caught it. "But right now, we have a game to get ready for. Cash Vangarten and the Thunder pulled a fast one on us. But we're going to get them this time," I said. My voice rose a little.

"You really think we can beat them?" Edwina said.