Rebel Soul (23 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Tues 24th July

Billy was ready to put his plan into motion, the plan to leave with Emily, the plan to either save their lives, one of their lives, or kill both of them, but if either lived they would leave Chestnut County, well off. Emily was the love of his life and he had thought long and hard about this. This was the only way he could think of to get them both out alive. His conscious was bothering him about this though, and his nerves were on edge. Why is she even with me he thought? I don’t understand.

Get your mind off her Billy he told his self, you have to concentrate, now that you have ruined her life you have to get her out of here. Dam what am I doing? He ask his self as he looked at the pot around him. He had been walking through the Turners pot patch for hours with a stick, finding their traps and setting them off. After looking at the Adam’s patch, the Canton’s patch and now this one, he was afraid he would have to get Emily to help him. He was going to try to do it on his own first. He didn’t want her involved unless he had to have her help, but I am doing this for her, he said to his self. Why he ask his self can’t we just fight the family and make it here. Dam-it.

* * *

After Emily had gotten home from jail the evening before she had text Billy right away, and waited to hear from him in her room. Then after not hearing from him she had walked to the cave area texting him again and had waited till after dark. He still hadn’t showed or text her, maybe out of shame she had though. He should be ashamed, but she had to talk to him, soon and very soon.

Dam-it she thought as she crawled out of bed, then walked to the mirror. And touched her jaw, it looked awful. She heard the knock on the door “Come in” she yelled. It was her Mom with a freezer bag of ice.

"You really shouldn't have jumped in the middle of them Emily” her mother told her as she held the homemade ice pack to her swollen stinging jaw.

Emily thought about telling her Mom what she had learned at the jail, but had decided to break the news to Billy before telling her. That is if Billy will talk to her, she was confused as to what was up with him.

Emily had spent much of her four hours in jail in the nurse’s office, after failing or passing the required pregnancy test they gave all incoming female inmates. She had laughed when they told her she had passed the test, because hell, she didn’t know what that meant and looked at the nurse and ask “Will am I pregnant not?”  She then set with the ice pack on her jaw listening to the nurse lecture her about the use of drugs and alcohol, and the effects they have on the unborn child.

The look between her Dad and Mr. Johnson was also on her mind and she was curious about it. "Mom, what was that look all about between Mr. Johnson and Dad, yesterday did you see it?"

"What look Honey?" What are you hiding from me, Mom, Emily thought, when she seen her Mom flinch at the question.

"Come on Mom, it was so noticeable, as if they had been in that situation before, I’m so tired of these secrets, there’s more to this argument between the families then, us kids have been told and I'm tired of it running my life." Emily threw the baggy of ice on the floor and stood up.

"Oh Emily,” Judy took a deep breath, then said, “They had been there before honey, the fight broke out in the same location, your dads brothers and Andy’s brothers, only that time, each had a brother killed, during the fight, the trial was over some land and the girl they were fighting over wasn't a Canton or a Johnson, it was me.” Emily was shocked, and listened as Judy continued. “I had dated Andy before I dated your father, and Andy couldn't let me go. Even the cop that took you to jail was there that day, only he was a lot younger.” Emily waited for more but Judy was finished.

"I didn't know Mom, I can’t imagine, what you felt." Emily said, “But I think I want to lay down now."

"Ok honey," Judy kissed her on the cheek and left shutting the door softly.

Emily picked up her phone as soon as she heard the door shut and send Billy a message, I really need to see you, it’s important, why want you answer me. Surprised to hear her phone vibrate, she jumped at the sound.

“Ok” was all he sent. She knew he was up to something but what she ask herself as she quickly typed in another text.

“Can you meet me at the cave?”

“See you soon” he sent back.

Emily walked to the kitchen and gathered some food then slipped out the back door, toward the cemetery. She stopped at Joe’s grave, “I love you bro, and I guess you will be the first to know that I’m pregnant." She stared at his headstone for a minute, remembering his crooked smile and the good times she had with him, then kissed her hand and laid it on his tombstone.

Then she headed toward the cave entrance leaving the joint and the shine on his grave, she would take care of this baby, no more drugs and alcohol for her.

She found the flashlight and climbed in the trapdoor then headed through the tunnel.

She found the blankets Billy had left there and spread them out. Then set down and waited on Billy.

It seemed like she had been waiting for hours, as she watched the sun move, and she thought it was getting close to dark. Emily was beginning to get scared, what’s taking him so long? She picked up her phone and sent a text, are you coming?

Soon, he sent back. Was he mad at her she wondered, this wasn’t like him.

    As Billy walked through the bushes? “What’s wrong” he ask, Emily was worried and he sounded mad.

“What’s wrong with you,” She snapped back at him.

“Nothing, I'm just tired of the drama” He snapped at her.

“Me to Billy, me to, who would have thought since the day you took off your shirt then pulled your pants down showing me your butt, posing for me,” She stood and threw her arms in the air. “I would have started smoking pot, and drinking moonshine,” she stopped and paced the ground, throwing her arms in the air again angrily “then Billy” She turned toward him “I destroyed my brothers shine cellar, and stole his shine,” she took a deep breath tears in her eyes. “My brother died Billy, by the hands of your brother, I shot you, and then you came to my house drunk yelling at the top of your lungs, about how much you loved me.” Then she stopped and smiled “I lost my virginity, jumped off a rope, and, climbed the falls in a car,” she smiled again. “I ran out of a restaurant without paying my bill, drove a get a way car, got a tattoo, won a karaoke contest and the same night won a poker game. That I almost had to shot my way out of it” then she took a breath and looked at Billy sternly. “I killed a man Billy, we got so drunk neither of us could drive, parked in someone’s driveway because we couldn't even walk, and got taken home by the cops” She looked at him angrily, “we got run over by an eighteen wheeler, got in a fight on the court house lawn, I was hit in the jaw by my brother, that you almost beat him to death, I went to jail, and found out I was pregnant while I was there, and you know what, I couldn’t even tell you last night because you wouldn’t answer my text. Did I leave anything out Billy Johnson?" She shouted as she watched his mouth drop to his chest, “Your what, pregnant by me?" She laughed sarcastically,

"Really Billy, I’m pissed, you really have to ask me that." She wasn’t just mad now, she was hurt.

"No Babe I’m sorry, I don't have to ask. I’m just in shock." Oh are you really she thought and laughed, "Your in shock, what about me, I go to jail for assault and they apparently do a pregnancy test on all women for their unborn babies protection" she bend two fingers on each hand, “and they told me I was pregnant, I'm in shock and you are a daddy to be.”

“Dam-it Emily, how could you get pregnant at a time like this.” He picked a pillow up and threw it.

“What do you mean Billy, we both knew this could happen, and neither of us thought twice or even once about it. Did we?” She was in his face angry. That’s when she seen it, the anger in his face as his hands come at her. He pushed her, and she hit the ground hard. She was shocked, hurt, and she couldn’t believe his anger could turn on her like that. She jumped up and started to walk off, as she felt him running behind her,

“No Emily, I’m sorry, I’m sorry Emily. Please Emily stop.” She could hear the pleading in his voice, she loved him, but she knew, she should just walk off. Instead she stopped and turned toward him, the look on his face, melted her anger, it was a look of hurt and desperation.

“Emily” he started calmly, “I have so much on my mind, I don’t know if I’m coming or going, I don’t know what to do or how to protect you, all I know is I love you.” Emily didn’t know why he thought she needed protection, but he had said it before, and she felt he meant it. Her dreams had been screaming danger at her also. She wanted to ask him, but so much had happened in the last couple of days she decided it could wait.

"Come here he put out his arms" The love in her heart pushed her toward him as she took that step into his arms. She cried as he held her. “What are we going to do now?" She ask.

"We will leave, I have some money saved and I can get more, you will have to give me about a week, though" He told her as he smoothed the hair on her head.

"I need to go to the health department in the morning to confirm it" She told him as she looked into his eyes.

"Ok I will take you" He kissed her gently.

"Did you know my mother and your dad dated?" She laughed

"No that’s news.” He pulled away from her and laughed.

"Yeah she told me, they had fought right in the very spot, of the fight today, your dad and his brothers and my dad and his brothers, only they both had a brother killed during that fight, and that cop that took us home the other night was there then to.”

"Really no one ever said anything about it" Billy said but Emily thought his mind was drifting.

"Yeah, and my great aunt took off with your great uncle" Emily added as she stroked his hair.

"I knew about that one, they have never came back, that’s why I’ve been so insistent on trying to stay, I can’t imagine leaving and never coming back" Emily knew he didn’t really want to leave, she felt bad and wondered what would happen if they stayed.

"I know, but we can, come back and visit, I want our baby to know Mia, Kendal and Chris" She told him as she felt his hands rubbing her belly.

"Yeah, that’s the way it should be" he smiled and hugged her tighter as they set down and watched the moon and the stars.

"What do we do now Billy?" She was scared, scared of everything including bringing a baby into this situation.

"We go confirm the pregnancy tomorrow, then make plans from there." He told her.

"Let’s sleep here tonight" She said as she kissed his neck.

"Ok, I'm sorry about hitting your brother like that, I lost it, when he disrespected you and then when he hit you, accident or not, I went off. I love you more than that, I have to protect you.”

She knew he meant it but, she was still upset at how angry he got, that anger worried her.

Billy kissed her and she responded, they made love, sweet and tender. Then Emily rolled over while he held her and thought about the events of the day before, and the words so many have said. This won’t end well, you will get him killed Emily, the voices echoed in her head.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Wed 25th July

Emily woke up wet from the morning dew, wrapped tightly in Billy’s arms and stretched, “Good Morning babe” He hugged her, pulling her close to his body and kissed the back of her neck.

She felt her stomach growl, “I'm hungry I wonder what time it is” she said smiling and rolled to face him.

“Still early” He laughed as he hide her phone under the blankets.

“Billy I need to look at the time” She tried to crawl across him, to get the phone.

“No, no you don't” he joked as he pulled the phone out from under the blanket and held her it away from her.

“Give me a kiss first” he laughed, she kissed him and he grabbed her pulling her down on top of him. She melted into his arms, and didn't want to leave him not even for a minute. They just laid there holding each other and she looked into his dark brown eyes. She felt concerned, they looked a thousand miles away, like he was in a daze, somewhere in a faraway place.

“Were are you Billy, what are you thinking?” She held his head steady between her hands looking into his eyes.

“I’m thinking about our future Baby.” At that moment, she felt as if he were looking right through her instead of at her.

“What about our future Billy?” She felt that chill again move across her body, the one she had felt a lot lately, the one screaming danger.

“Survival and giving you the life you deserve and our baby’s life,” Billy set up “We need to get going, you go eat, and get ready then text me. I will walk you to the creek, ok.” Then he stood.

“Ok Billy” she was worried, now he sounded strange. “What’s up Billy?”

“Nothing Babe.” He grabbed her hand and helped her up. They folded the blankets setting them inside the cave. Then he held her hand and quietly walked her to the creek. He smiled then kissed her bye, “See you in a while Billy.” She thought her voice sounded shaky, but she couldn’t change it.

“Sure Babe, I love you.” Then he turned and walked away.

“Love you” she waved, he’s acting strange, she thought as she walked up to her house. She sit on the porch swing for a while, thinking and wondering. Something was up with Billy, she could sense it, and thought it might be guilt.

"What has he done?" She whispered to herself. Then got up and walked into the house, toward the kitchen.

"Where have you been?" Josh spoke as she entered through the kitchen door. She didn’t feel like dealing with this, as she looked around the room, at her family staring at her with hatred in their eyes.

"I went and talked with Joe a while, Why?" She tried not to look at him.

"All night" Her Dad exclaimed.

"Then I walked and just camped out." She felt frozen where she stood, as the fear stiffened her body.

"With Billy, look at what he done to my face." Josh yelled, pointing at his face. She looked, no she didn’t like what he had done to Josh’s face, and was concerned about the anger Billy had displayed in front of her lately. A side of him she wished she had never seen.

"Look at what you done to mine Josh, you shouldn't have disrespected me in front of my boyfriend, Josh" she screamed, and knocked over a chair. Dam now I’m displaying anger she thought.

“That’s enough" Jack yelled “This family as feel apart, I’m done with this. Emily if you want to be with him go on, but you won't be a part of this family any longer.”  His words sent darts at her heart. She ran from the room losing her appetite, and threw herself face down on her bed. Her daddy, she was always special to him, she thought, how could he make her chose, between her family and the love of her life? How could he, the voices inside her screamed. She laid their crying for a while, then walked to the shower and just stood there letting the water flow down her back and over her face as she cried. Her life was in a shambles and she didn’t know how to fix it, except to break it off with Billy and she wasn’t ready to do that. He was the love of her life and her family needed to accept that fact.

She stepped out of the shower and brushed her teeth then walked to her room, found a faded pair of jeans to wear then through on an old tee-shirt. She was still hungry and didn’t want another confrontation with the family, but her stomach was making a million different noises, so she went down stairs to find some food. The kitchen was empty, thank God, so she fixed herself a bowl of cereal and some grape juice. Thinking she was alone, she jumped at the sound of her Moms voice.

"Leaving again Emily?" She ask. Shit Emily thought. What should I tell her?

“I have an appointment.” Emily told as she set the glass on the table.

“Appointment where?” She sounds almost harsh, Emily thought, but told her,

“At the health department.”

“Without me.” Judy pulled out a chair and set down beside her.

“Yes” Emily simply answered, without looking up from the cereal she was scooping down like she would never get another bowl.

“Emily do you mind answering my questions and quit being so invasive” Judy demanded of her. Shit I’m going to have to tell her Emily thought, then answered.

“Mom, they told me yesterday at the jail, that I am pregnant, so I'm going to the health department to confirm it.” Emily couldn’t look her Mom in the eyes.

"Oh my god" her mom set back in the chair so hard Emily was afraid it would fall over. Judy’s hands covered her face, “Oh my god, Jesus Emily, when, how, why Emily?" All the questions Emily thought, dam.

“Sometime in June, because I love him, and I’m sure you know how.” Emily looked at her smartly, “Don’t tell dad yet ok mom.” Emily, was afraid form her Dad or her brothers to find out, she shook inside just thinking about it.

“Oh I won’t, I’m leaving that little bit of info up to you” Judy told her, then stood up, “And I’m going to play ignorant little girl.” Emily watched as she left the room, relieved the conversation was over.

Finished with her cereal. Emily text Billy then walked out to the road to wait on him.

She was irritated as she set down on the grass by the road, it was taking him longer than usual. This had been happening a lot lately and wondered why.

  “Dam-it Billy” she said after setting a while, "What’s taking him so long?” she ask herself. She thought about walking back up to the porch when she seen him driving down his driveway, in Ed’s Camaro.

She got up and walked to the driver’s side, slamming the door as she got in.

"Sorry," he said "I was helping my Dad." He pulled away throwing dust everywhere.

"What’s up with you Billy?" Emily tried to keep her voice calm, but she was mad. "You have something on your mind."

“I told you, I have yours and my baby’s future on my mind, we have to leave here Emily, our families will never, ever let us stay here.” He hit the steering wheel as he drove, a little erratic she thought. She could see his anger also as it twisted his face.

“I’ve been saying that for a while, Billy.” Emily exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air.

He looked at her, the rage showing in his eyes, "I know but we have to secure our future first.” Just calm down Emily she told herself.

"Billy 30,000 dollars is a lot of money." Emily tried to calm her voice as she spoke. She could tell he was trying to calm down also.

"No not for your college, a home and now a baby." He shook his head.

“I'm sorry, Billy I should have been smarter and not gotten pregnant.” She starred at the road, his driving had slowed to the speed limit.

"Babe, it's ok, that’s my fault to, and I love you." He smiled at her weakly and pulled her next to him in the seat. “Do you think your Mom will sign for you to get married?" Billy smiled a little brighter and ask.

"Maybe, all I can do is ask." She looked closely into his eyes and seen that distant look again, and wondered if this was the right thing to do.

Billy turned into the Health Department parking lot, then, “Let’s go find out, if we are going to be parents" he smiled and kissed her.

She worried about how distant and flat he was sounding. Maybe it's because he's sober she thought, but she had been with him sober a few times and he has never been this distant. Billy took her hand and helped her out of the car.

“I’m pregnant Billy not crippled.” They both laughed, as he put his arm around her and walked her into the Health Department. Billy walked up to the front desk with her,

“I’m here for a pregnancy test,” she told the red haired lady behind the desk. Emily noticed out of the coroner of her eye Billy gazing around the room, as if he were looking for somebody. She looked also, there was a couple of young women with kids, and an older man, but no one else.

“Fill these papers out" the lady told her. Emily took the papers and they set down in the plastic clinic chairs.  Billy put his arm around her shoulder, “Babe you know I love you right." She looked at him and smiled, he seemed his self at the moment.

"Yes, I do, Billy but I can't figure out why you seem so distant, lately." Emily talked as she filled out the papers with the stupid questions.

"Do I seem distant?" He ask

"Yes lately" She looked at him and said.

"I lost my cool the other day at the court house, I was furious, I have never felt that way before, I could have killed Josh, I was so angry." She thought she saw hurt in his eyes, but his face still looked twisted with anger.

"I was angry to Billy, and Josh was wrong." She started to work on the papers again.

"I know, I just don't ever want to kill anyone, and if we don't leave soon, someone else is bound to get killed." he hugged her again, “And I'm not letting you go, I love you too much." Then he gave her a peck on the lips and smiled.

Emily finished filling out the papers and turned them in, this way Miss Canton, the lady said. Billy and Emily followed the nurse to a room at the back of the building then she handed Emily a cup, then showed her the bathroom. Billy set down in the room and waited on her.

She didn’t think she would ever pee, she had to turn the water on, nerves I guess, she told herself. She stuck the cup full of pee into the little window and walked back into the room.

“Dam its cold in here,” she said crossing her arms and rubbing them. Billy set her on his lap and wrapped his arms around her as they waited on the results. Billy looked frightened and she knew she was.

   Emily couldn’t stand the waiting and stood up nervously pacing and Billy did the same.

    “Maybe we shouldn't go back home, maybe we should just leave now “Emily told him.

"We can't do that Emily, we have to plan" Billy said as the doctor walked into the room.

"Well Miss Canton congratulations, you are Pregnant. Are you the Dad" he looked at Billy and ask

"Yes I am the Dad” Billy smiled proudly ear to ear.