Rebel Soul (24 page)

CHAPTER FORTY

Thursday 26th July

"Meet me at the cave" Emily anxiously text Billy for the fourth time, without getting a response, as she set on the porch swing. Oh God Billy she thought, I hate these secrets he’s keeping from me. “Dam-it, this is bull shit” she said out loud, as she marched into the kitchen and pulled a flashlight out from under the kitchen sink then walked out the back door, slamming it behind her. She headed down the path past the shine cellar, the pond, through the cemetery and climbed into the tunnel, she was so upset, she felt like running through the tunnel and did for a bit.

As she approached the front of the tunnel she could see what looked like garbage bags, “What the hell,” she said as she counted ten of them. “What is in them she wondered as she opened one and shined the flashlight into it. “Pot" she picked some up to examine it, “Nice buds, with red hairs, wow, where did you come from my little pretty?” She looked at the bud and smelled it. “Um” She wondered were the bags of pot had come from then walked through the cave and laying out a blanket and set down on it.

Billy were the Hell are you? I’m worried, she text again. His not answering her and his absence had her nerves rattling, needless to say the pot was very troublesome.

I'll meet you soon, he text her back. Oh Jesus Billy where are you, she thought as she took in a deep breath.

I'm already here, waiting on you she sent the text to him.

Ok, he responded back.

She laid back on the blanket, she was so tired, exhausted even, and couldn’t hold her eyes open, as she drifted off to sleep.

She woke up to Billy singing with a boom box blaring, "Baby what ya trying to do"

    She set up and smiled singing a couple of lines with him.

"You know the music" he ask as she watched him trim a bud off a pot plant.

"Sure, I have parents close to their fifties, you know I grew up listening to Rock and Roll. Did you harvest your plants early Billy?" she ask.

"Sure, baby" he walked over and kissed her. She didn’t believe him, he wouldn't look in her eyes.

“Look me in the eye's Billy and tell me, that is your pot.” She knew it wasn’t, it didn’t look like his.

He set down next to her and put his arm around her shoulder and rolled his lips together.  “I can't tell you it's mine, because it's not.”

She felt Goosebumps raise on her arms as she shivered. "Then whose is it Billy?"

"It’s from four different patches Emily, it won't be missed." This was wrong and she knew he could get killed for this.

"Whose patches Billy?" Her voice was stern and high pitched.

"Shit, Emily, you don't need to know, whose. Just know that I love you, and I'm trying to secure our future. Soon I will have the money for us to leave, and be able to buy a place and things for our baby. Trust me babe." This is all dangerous, she knew in her heart there had to be another way, but she loved him.

“I do trust you Billy, I just think, we will be alright, without taking someone’s pot, you could get killed.” She wrapped her arms around him.

"Emily don't you realize we are already on a suicide mission, you know that don’t you, you have to know that?” He pulled away from her staring her in the eyes. “Emily if we stay here, one or both of us will get killed, we have to have enough money to give us a start. I thought we could head down to Nashville, in Tennessee, there’s a lot of small towns around there with land, maybe buy a little farm. What do you think?" He held her again, tenderly, and she buried her head into his chest, taking in the smell of his body, she didn’t want to lose him ever.

She liked the ideal of heading down to Tennessee, buying a place together, getting a fresh start with Billy and the baby she was carrying. Billy’s baby, the thought warmed her heart. But she was worried. “It sounds good but, how did you get all that pot here without being seen Billy? I saw at least ten garbage bags full."

Billy laughed, “So you came through the tunnel.” He laughed again, “There’s at least thirty bags there now Babe. One of those tunnels leads right into the middle of your brothers pot patch,” Her heart fell at his words, “another leads down by my dad’s property, and the other leads down to a road by the Turners." he laughed again “I can't believe those doors are so hidden, its remarkable. So what do you think, Tennessee bound Baby?” He sounded happy like he had no guilt at all about what he was doing. She didn’t feel right about it, not at all.

“Sure Billy” she said slowly and moved into his arms. Her brother’s pot, she felt guilty and who else’s, she wondered. She didn't know if she could face her brothers with a straight face ever again. He didn't say it was theirs, but she knew deep in her heart.

He was right though, they would get killed if they stayed and they really was on a suicide mission, they had been from the beginning. Oh Emily she thought, how could you get yourself into this mess. She was going to have to forget whose pot it might be and play tough.

"Is this why you have been so distant and hard to reach, and late to pick me up Billy?" she looked at him, starting to get upset. “How long have you been planning this Billy, who else knows?" She shouted, as she begin to wonder how long he had been planning this, had he used her she thought.

"No one knows, and yes I have been planning this for a while." She laid back and watched as the sun, was going down, the sunset was beautiful, a lot of orange and yellow color. She wanted to cry. To hell with crying, she wanted to hit him.

"Billy I love you,” she knew her voice was strained, but she couldn’t help it. “I need to know, was you planning this before we got together, or before we became serious?” Emily didn't know if she could handle his answer as she imagined he was only with her at the beginning to get to her brothers pot.

"Emily, I started planning this, after the video of the murder came out. I started planning this so we could leave together and actually have a life, we won’t be able to live together here, we have to leave or die, and you know that." He set beside her, his arms on his knees, as he looked at the ground, a marijuana stick in the corner of his mouth. The charm he had that had so messed with her heart, and it still did, as she tried to fight the feelings she felt inside.

“You was late picking me up before that, and you was in the tunnel while my brother was being buried in the ground" she shouted and stood. I wish I had a gun right now she thought as she fought her feeling of love for him.

"That night I was late, Emily, the night of the movies, I was arguing with my Dad about you Emily, you," he shouted back at her. “Yes I went through the tunnel the day of the funeral, but Emily I was and still am truly sorry about your brother and my baby’s uncle. I do love you" She loved him to, and knew that he was serious. She didn’t know what was happening with her emotions, they were all over the place.

"Do you still want to marry me Emily? I’m sorry, babe, but I see no other way to get us some money, and I am going to take this opportunity, if I have to die doing it.” He looked so sincere and hurt even, she started crying again, I’m becoming a big baby she thought to herself, the pregnancy was messing with her hormones and she knew it. She had been reading about it on line. “I love you Billy, please don't talk about dying and yes I do want to marry you." She fell into his arms and he pulled her tight.

"Ask your Mom if she will sign the papers tomorrow, I want to marry you soon, tomorrow if possible, ok" She felt his breath in her hair as he talked.

Why right away she thought, “Sure Billy" she answered him.

He wrapped her in his soft strong arms and kissed her, she knew he loved her but she felt he was still keeping secrets from her, and she felt hurt by that. She hated secrets, she had grown up in a house of secrets. She would somehow face her brothers and knew they would miss the pot. It didn’t matter if it was one plant or twenty, and she worried even more about where the other pot had come from. 

As she felt his hands move across her body she soon forgot about the pot, all the danger they were facing and the secrets he was keeping from her. She loved him so much, he made her feel good every time they were together, and she dreamed of spending the rest of her life with him. They made sweet passionate love then laid and talked for hours, before Billy told her she needed to go home.

“I want you with me Emily, but it’s not safe for you to be here with all of this pot." She didn’t want to leave him, as she heard the words in her head telling her, nothing last forever Emily. But I want him forever she told herself.

He reached for her hand and helped her up, her eyes were wet as she looked into his. He reached his finger to her face and wiped a tear away then let his finger drift down her face and she closed her eyes, as he gently kissed them.

“I love you baby, but I have to finish trimming this pot and I want you safe. I am doing this for you and my baby, ok Emily.” She had to wonder if it was as much for him as her. She didn’t need all of that money to live on, but what was done was already done and she would have to live with it, now, she couldn’t change it.

Billy walked her home, then kissed her, “Don’t forget to talk to your Mom, I’m excited about marrying” he smiled “I love you with all my heart Emily Canton" She melted at that moment and kissed him with all the passion she felt, he could be so sweet.

"I love you to" she said as she walked away from him and waved.

As Emily saw the lights coming from her house, the guilt hit her again, facing them would be hard, and she hoped her brothers didn’t read the guilt she would try to hide from them. She loved her family despite the problem she has had with them this summer. They are still her family. Right now though she needed to focus on her mother. She walked into the house ignoring everyone, except her Mom.

“Mom can I talk to you outside please.” Emily said as Judy turned from the TV show she was watching.

“Sure honey.” Judy said as Emily turned and walked back outside then down the steps away from the house, as her Mom followed. Do it Emily ask her, she told herself, as the butterfly’s danced in her stomach.

“Mom, I need you to go to the courthouse with me tomorrow and sign for me to get married.” Emily thought her Mom was going to pass out as she reached to steady her balance.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Fri 27th July

Emily and her Mom met Billy outside the court house. She had begged and pleaded with her mom the night before, to sign the papers. Judy had finally agreed to sign them after Emily told her “look Mom you know I’m pregnant, and I am going to leave with him regardless.” She felt ecstatic, but also a little nervous, as Billy kissed her then took her hand and they walked into the clerk’s office together. Billy smiling ear to ear.

When they walked in the clerk’s office they meant knowing looks, the whole town knew about the problems between the families. As they stood at the counter Emily felt the uncomfortable stares at her back, she turned to look around and could see the eyes as they quickly turned away. She noticed Billy doing the same, and pulled him closer to her side holding on to him. It’s not going to end well, Emily continued to hear in her mind, then blocked the voice, that was so trying to destroy her happiness.

She watched as her mother’s trembling hand took the pen and slowly scribbled her name on the paper.

With the papers signed and in their hands. Billy smiled then took Emily’s hand, “Let’s go to the church and talk with Pastor Jones, I want you to have a church wedding Baby, not here at the court house. She liked that ideal, and thought her Mom did to, cause she seen a small smile on her lips.

“Are you sure Billy?” She ask him happily unable to contain herself.

“Yes Baby I insist.” He was his old self again at that moment, the Billy she knew and loved, not the Billy full of secrets.

“Ok, let’s do it.” She smiled, and jumped a little.

Emily rode with Billy on the way to the church. He had bought Ed’s old Camaro, and she really liked it because she could set right up next to him, without having to set on the gear shift, or lean across it, like in the mustang.

“Baby I’ve got a special song for you” then he reached over and turned the CD on and (White Wedding by Billy Idol) began playing. They both smiled and sung as they listened to the music. Emily felt happy about this, even though she also felt the tucking in her heart, saying to her, be careful Emily. Just be careful. Shut up voice in my head, she told herself. I love him.

“After we talk with the preacher I want to go get Ed, ok, I want him to be there" Billy said as he watched the road, driving carefully. This surprised her, but she felt like he needed someone there and was happy about it.

"Sure Billy, are you ok with this" She didn’t want him to feel trapped, and wanted to make sure, he really wanted to marry her right now.

"Are you, I'm excited, I want to marry you but I wanted you to have a big wedding, so I'm a little down about that," He smiled and patted her leg.

"Well, while you go get Ed, me and Mom can go get some flowers, I can dress up and we will make the best wedding out of this that we can make." Billy smiled, and pulled her closer to him and kissed her, “I love you, let’s do this baby yeah" He shouted.

He seemed to be his self again, maybe’s he's been a little nervous she thought “I love you to, Billy, Yeah.” She shouted.

They turned into the church parking lot and Emily seen her Mom outside waiting on her. Emily ran up to her Mom and kissed her on the cheek, “Thank You Mom, I love you” she said and gave her a hug. Then took Billy’s hand as they walked into the church together.

“Were here to see Pastor Jones,” Judy told the church secretary. The secretary smiled sweetly at them.

“Have a seat over there Mrs. Canton, I’ll see if he’s available.”

They seat down on a pew, to wait. “Billy” Judy looked at him, “What are you two going to do, are you going to leave or try to stick it out here?” She ask. Before he could answer, the secretary was back.

“He’ll see you now mam.” She said and led them to his office. They walked into the pastors office together, “Judy” the pastor stood and said when he seen them “it's good to see you. Emily, Billy,” he nodded his head at them, “This is a surprise. How can I help you folks?” Emily fidgeted a little and tried to set up straight, but she felt small in his presence at the moment, although she couldn’t figure out why, nerves she guessed.

"We want you to marry us, Emily and me.” Billy announced with a serious look on his face.

The pastor rubbed his chin, and shook his head, then looked at Judy as if he were deep in thought. Emily’s nerves were jumping as she ask herself, would he, would he marry them? Then jumped when he finally spoke, Billy reached for her hand.

“Judy, how do you feel about this?” Pastor Jones looked at her.

Emily watched as her Mom took in a deep breath then said “Pastor they have their license, they will find someone to marry them, I'm sure, My Emily is pregnant and Billy seems to love her. He has even announce that at my home a number of times” she softy laughed “And” she continued “Emily loves him and we would be happy for you to perform the wedding today, it will just be us.”

"Actually" Billy piped in "Sorry Mrs. Canton I didn't mean to interrupt, go ahead" he looked at the floor as he continued to hold Emily’s hand and tapped a foot on the floor, Emily crossed her legs still fidgeting.

“I was finished Billy” she said “Go ahead.”

“I plan on going and getting Ed to stand by me and let Emily get some flowers and put on a dress if she wants to.” He smiled at Emily as he caught her gaze in his.

“So I take it Jack or Andy doesn't know about this.”

"No" they all answered at the same time almost shouting the word.

“And I guess you plan on keeping this a secret, you are asking a lot of me.” He nervously twisted his chair. He’s almost as nervous as the rest of us, Emily assumed.

“Sir Emily and I plan to leave, soon.” Billy told him and continued to tap his foot, which was beginning to make Emily even more nervous, agitated even.

“Ok, what time do we plan on doing this wedding?” he, almost shouted, smiling, as he clapped his hands together. “I’ve never performed a Canton, Johnson wedding before, and I’m excited to get started.”  He stood to shake their hands.

“Two hours is that enough time Emily?” Billy looked at her and ask smiling.

“Yes” she smiled and hugged him overjoyed.

They walked hand in hand out of the church and Billy kissed her as she climbed in the car with her Mom.

Emily thought her Mom seemed excited as they rode into town, she took her to a bridal store and Emily tried on a few simple dress's finally picking out a long straight white one with some shiny sparkles, it flowed when she turned and had a beautiful lace veil, she loved it. Then Emily went to Walmart and bought a simple, white pair of flip flops, bought some roses and decided to dress at the church. “Yes” Emily shouted as they rode back to the church.

“Emily, I’m happy for you, but I hope you two do the right thing. You need to leave, just long enough for everyone to get used to the ideal honey, but don’t keep that baby from me ok sweetie.” Judy told her with tears in her eyes.

“We will leave Mom, and I won’t keep your grandchild from you ever, I promise.” They stepped out of the car and Judy reached for her, Emily fell into her arms, her emotions all over the place, happiness, and nerves mixed. They walked into the church and the secretary led them to a classroom to get dressed.

Her Mom helped her, pull her dress on. Memories of her childhood passed through her mind as the dress went over her head and hers Moms face came into view. Then she set in a chair as Judy carefully applied the makeup and fixed her hair in a bun on her head.

“You are gorgeous Emily” Judy smiled as she straighten the lace on the veil and kissed her, then held a mirror up for her to see. “Wow Mom,” Emily had tears in her eyes.

“Don’t cry Emily, your makeup will run,” She took her finger and ran it under her eye.

“Are you ready” the secretary of the church popped her head in and ask. Then stepped in the room and gave her a hug “You are so beautiful sweetie.”

The secretary led them to the hall, “You will go through here Emily.” She pointed toward the entrance of the room where they held the church meeting, then left them.

Emily was shocked when the piano begun playing here comes the bride. Judy laced her arm through Emily’s “I’m walking you down the aisle sweetie,” Her mom told her.

As Emily walked down the aisle, all she could see was Billy smiling at her, dressed handsomely in a black tuxedoed, Ed at his side. He was handsome, so handsome. Her dream of marrying Billy coming true. Her heart melting with every step she took toward him. She wanted to run toward him, her steps were light and easy.

“You are beautiful,” he mouthed at her as she reached his side. The pastor actually smiled at them as he ask if anyone in the room, had any miss giving to this union, no one said anything. The pastor looked at them, “I am proud to perform a marriage, for two people with so much love, for each other.”

They said their vows neither taking their eyes off the other, there gaze intent and full.

Emily was surprised when Ed handed a beautiful Diamond ring to Billy and he slid it on her finger, it fit perfectly.

“I now pronounce you man and wife, you can kiss her now Billy.” The Pastor shouted and threw his hands in the air. Then Billy quickly lifted her veil and kissed her, dipping her as he did. They both laughed. “I love you,” he said with so much emotion.

She was speechless when she turned to see everyone from the church office there, and some were even crying, sitting with tissues at their eyes.

“What a beautiful ceremony,” one lady told her, and “You are so beautiful and Billy look at you, so handsome.” Another lady said and hugged Billy. Judy even hugged Billy, kissing him on the check, laughing.

"I wish the best for both of you.” Pastor Jones told them.

Judy even offered Ed a ride home then Emily ran and changed clothes leaving with her husband.

They decided to ride to the river, the day was beautiful as they danced as husband and wife to some music from the car radio. Everyone cheered them on as they took the car up the falls, “Married now baby, were hitched for life" Billy shouted, as they left the river and headed back toward their homes.

"I thought we could sleep at the cave tonight, I kind of have a surprise for you, meet me in an hour," he told her, as he kissed her by in her driveway. “I love you baby.”

“I love you too Billy,” She told him. As she walked away from Billy she felt a sense of loss and wanted to turn around and run after his car. That would be stupid Emily she laughed at herself. She checked the time on her phone. One hour, one hour and you will be back with him she told herself as she walked into the kitchen and fixed a sandwich.

She looked around realizing her Mom wasn’t home yet, the house was empty. She set down at the table with her sandwich, and it hit her suddenly the sacrifice her Mom had made signing the papers for her. Her Dad would be furious when he found out. Dam Emily thought, I didn’t think about that. Shit, Emily closed her eyes and said a small prayer for her Mom. Then went to her room and took a long bath. After the bath she looked at the time again and headed out to the cave.

It was beautiful, everything, she took in a breath at the sight in front of her as she left the path and stepped in to the clearing by the cave. The campfire was blazing, and battery powered lights hung from the trees, an air mattress lay on the ground. It had been carefully made up, with rose colored sheets, pillows and a white fleece blanket. Off to the left, set a picnic basket with a bottle of sparking grape juice, potato salad and rolls, all setting on a checkered table cloth. Billy was grilling some nice steaks on a grill. Emily was speechless as she walked up behind Billy hugged him around his waist, and kissed along the back of his neck as he cooked.

“Hey Baby” he said.

He fixed her a plate handing it to with a smile that send warmth threw her body "This is so beautiful Billy" she looked at him and smiled, “I love you Billy Johnson.”

"I love you Emily Johnson.” He pulled her to him, and held her. They had a wonderful dinner together, as they laughed and made plans for their future together and talked about the baby she was carrying. Then they made love for the first time as man and wife, forgetting about the problems they both knew, faced them in the near future. This would be a night to remember.