The Awakening (3 page)

Chapter 5

May 15, 1971

    On the other hand, Adele was beginning to see the changes in her father, and wondered why he was acting so differently. Even though she had often argued with him over the heavy workload, she loved and adored her father. But for reasons unknown to her their relationship had changed. Now, in her opinion he wanted nothing to do with her. Strange.

    She recalled how she’d been in a scrap with him over the chores one day. He’d listened to her lengthy spiel on how she should be allowed an allowance, and had thought with a little whining he’d eventually cave. But he didn’t.  Adele noticed her father’s strange behaviour right away and thought that it was odd that he mother hadn’t. Her dad had never been a complainer, but now he grumbled twenty four seven.

     In the beginning, Adele was relieved, if not deliriously happy for the change. She thought he was finally allowing her to be a girl, and was freeing her from some of the work she dreaded. But soon she saw there was something uniquely different about him. He was cold and indifferent and rarely did she hear him ever apologize.

     There were other differences, too. He no longer took the family to church, showed no interest in Godly things, and even stopped saying the blessing at mealtime.
    At night, it was her mom who came to say the night prayers.

    Adele was convinced her father was ill. Tears stung her eyes thinking about what the illness might be.

    While seated at the kitchen table one day she asked, “Is there something wrong, Dad?” Adele narrowed her eyes, and studied him carefully. “Are you sick?”

      Isaac arched his eyebrow. “What’s the hell is that supposed to mean?”

      “Just wanted to know if you’re okay.”  She started to sob and wiped salty tears away.

     Without warning, he rose, drove his fist into his open hand and looked her sternly in the eye. “You’re always asking questions,” he said, “what do you want to know? Ain’t any of your of business anyway!”

      “Fine,” she said, shocked. She sped upstairs to her room and threw herself on her bed. She lay brooding over her father’s words, wishing now she’d kept her mouth shut.

      In the year that followed, their relationship went from bad to worse. It was as if she was living with a complete stranger.
     Lying on her bed one day, indulging in another one of her pity-parties, she decided to pray about the situation. That proved to be pointless.
    Her good friend Tammy had warned her about older men, how they change when they reach forty and she couldn’t help thinking about.
   That Friday, Adele planned to pick Tammy’s brain on the matter. She had known Tammy since public school, but hadn’t gotten close to her until recently. She had taken an instant liking to her, and when she discovered Tammy’s parents had recently divorced, it broke Adele’s heart. Adele figured the same thing would eventually happen to her parents…it was just a matter of time.

    Tammy was a tall, pretty girl with long blonde hair much like Adele’s mother. She had no need of makeup therefore never wore any. Tammy had a way about her that made everyone she was friends with feel comfortable. Adele enjoyed Tammy’s company, and the fact that she didn’t live on a farm was a plus. Actually Tammy lived just a few minutes away from the high school.

     The two had many things in common. Neither of them cared about boys, and they both had problems with their parents.

     Today, the two left school early to spend some time at Tammy’s house in Rockwell.

     “Too bad you can’t talk to your mother—you two used to be so close,” Tammy said.

     “I know. I really miss Mom. Dad always gets in the way.” Adele rolled her eyes. 

     Adele knew her mom saw the difference, but passed it off as a depression of some kind, and said he needed his family to stand behind him. “Dad’s really changed. Don’t even know him anymore.”

     “They change, and as hard as I try, I can’t figure men out.”
     Adele nodded in agreement.
     “Sure makes you wonder about marriage,” Tammy said.
     “Don’t think I’ll even bother.”
     Adele agreed with Tammy, who shared the same opinion. Men couldn’t be trusted. Adele decided she’d pour herself into her studies and go after a high paying job. She’d never need a man in her life.

      Even so, Adele was determined to get to the bottom of things. She couldn’t stand secrets, so she developed a plan to discover the truth about her father. She was skeptical about the mid-life-crisis theory, and thought it was just a bit too convenient.

      “Gotta use your bathroom,” Adele said.
       “Yeah, sure.”

       Adele walked out of the kitchen and into the hallway. From where she stood she noticed how Tammy’s place gave her a feeling of order. It was tastefully decorated as if someone took pride living there. No one would suspect that Tammy’s parents were at war. Everything was immaculate, the furniture, and pictures meticulously displayed throughout the house, showing off the family to anyone who visited. And Tammy always wore the finest clothes. Her family was rich compared to Adele.

      Adele finished and returned to the kitchen.

    “What?” she asked looking at Tammy.

     “Think we worry too much about our parents. Seriously, we should be having fun at our age. You’re only sixteen once.”

       “Guess so.”
       “I know so.”

        That afternoon time seemed to fly by with Adele losing track of time. They lolled back to school, thinking they had time to spare and didn’t feel the need to rush.

     “That was fun,” Tammy said.
      Adele nodded her head in agreement.

     “Yeah, it was.”
     And so they both decided right then and there they would visit again soon.
      On this warm sunny day, as they neared the school, Adele wasn’t looking forward to the ride home. The bus was stuffy on hot summer days, and she dreaded the long ride home.

     Never in Adele’s life had she gotten along so well with another person. There was laughter here, and talking was a definite plus. She’d be back for more as soon as possible.

    Tammy had loads of friends all around and could choose to hang out as often as she liked. With little or no supervision at home her options were unlimited.

     As they neared the school Tammy said, “Let’s do this again, okay?”

      “I’d love to.” Adele recognized her unhappiness and was anxious for the next visit. Couldn’t come quick enough.

      But minutes later, the girls parted ways for the weekend. Adele climbed the bus, sat in the front seat staring out the back window, watching as Tammy walked home.
     Closing her eyes, he slipped back to a time to when things at home were better. She wondered what had happened to her father.

     But her memories came to an end when she felt the bus come to a sudden halt, breaking her reverie. She could see the restaurant and she hadn’t realized the time slip by while daydreaming about the way things used to be.

      As she walked home, she stopped to admire the old mansion in passing. It had become a habit.  The home was beautiful, and today, she felt drawn to it. No harm in that, she decided.

     Naturally she was curious about the place—who wouldn’t be? She’d always wondered about its owner.

     As she sauntered up to the front door, a lump the size of a golf ball formed in her throat. She felt a strange sensation sweep over her and for a moment, second-guessed whether or not she should be snooping. But curiosity got the best of her, and she took slow, tentative steps.

    Nervously she knocked on the door and waited.  

    No one answered.
    A second time she knocked.
    Still nothing.

       “Humph,” she said aloud, “No one’s home.” 
   She’d barely turned around when she heard a man’s raspy voice.

     “Who’s there?”

      Adele froze, then nervously stepped inside. Looking around, still she didn’t see anyone.

She tiptoed into the living room, her heart hammering the whole time. She knew she had no business trespassing on private property. If her mom found out she’d skin her alive.

     Although apprehensive, she followed the voice, surprised by what she saw.

     Adele gulped when she saw an old man, seated on a brown leather chair next to a stone fireplace. Panic pulling her down for the third time.

    “C’mon in,” the man said, motioning for her to join him. “Name’s Bentley. What’s yours?”

     “Adele,” she said nervously. “Sorry for bothering you.  It’s just… I’ve been curious to know who lives here.”

     The man straightened his shoulders, making it easier for him to have a closer look at her.

     “You haven’t done anything wrong. What’s the matter with wanting to meet your neighbour? Sit here,” he said, pointing to the chair opposite him. “Been a while since I’ve had company.”

     Though Adele desperately wanted to make conversation, she was prevented from it due to her fears. Noticeably uncomfortable, she announced, “I can’t stay long, my parents are expecting me home.” Actually, she was a so antsy she thought she was going to throw up.

     Bentley smiled warmly, relaxed back in his chair as if he could read her mind. “Perhaps you should go if you think you’re going to worry them,” he said. “If you don’t mind, could you let yourself out? Do come again. I love company.”

     Embarrassed Adele’s eyes dropped to the floor. She rose and started to leave. Before she did, she turned to look at him.

     “All right. It’s been a pleasure meeting you, sir.”

     “Yes it has.”

    As she was leaving she decided she’d return to visit Bentley. Like her, he too, seemed lonely.

Chapter 6

     By the time Adele arrived home it was already six o’clock.
     Standing in the living room her jaw dropped when she saw the mess. Piles of clothes and discarded trash lay it heaps on the floor. Looked like a tornado had circled the area leaving furniture and debris strewn everywhere. Good Lord!

    In a panic she called, “Jan!”
    No answer.
    Her heart raced as she charged up the stairs in leaps and bounds. Fearful, she raced to her mother’s room where she found her lying on the bed, weeping, her chapped hands clenching the blankets.
    Adele sat down on the edge of the bed. Clearly her mother had been traumatized by the events of the day.

     “What happened, Mom?” Adele stroked her hair letting her imagination run wild. “What happened to the living room?”
      Frances was silent. She turned her face away.
     “I…I—”

    Adele swallowed hard. “Where’s Jan?” She glanced around the room looking for her. Jan was nowhere in sight.

     Frances started to sob. Adele turned her around until their eyes met. The fear in Frances eyes was alarming. “Merciful Lord!” Adele gasped, rising to her feet. Adele’s throat felt thick as she choked back tears. Naturally she assumed the house had been broken into and that her poor mother had come face-to-face with the burglar. Her father must be in the shop, his machine blaring, unable to hear noise.

      “Don’t tell, Adele,” Frances said, fixing her eyes on Adele’s.

     In shock, Adele looked at her mother’s swollen face, her bloodshot eyes, and shouted, “Who did it?”

     “You mustn’t tell anyone.”

     “Why not?” Adele tilted her mother’s chin up and stared into her wounded eyes. “Who Mom?”

      Frances sniffed. “Your father. I don’t know what came over him. He started throwing things around like a madman, and then—” Frances looked away.

      Adele stiffened and a surge of energy was mounting. 
       “I hate him. I hate him, Mom. If he thinks he’s going to get away with this, he’s got more screws loose than that guy in
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest!”
Her decision about what she’d do now was quite clear. “You keep the secret. I’m not!” She swallowed. “He’ll never do it again, I’ll tell you that much.”
     “Adele, please.”
      “No!”
       No, no, no!

       In a fit of hysterics she stormed out of the room, flew downstairs, hurrying from room to room. She could strangle him she was so mad. She never prayed, never stopped to consider what she’d do once she found him. Instead, she charged outside in search of her father.

      Why was this happening? Why? And where was Jan?
     
She didn’t flinch, but continued to search for what she now deemed an insane man. With clenched hands she frantically looked for her sister.
     Under the porch.
    Not there.
     In the cedar hedges.
    Not there either.
   Where was she?

     Casing the property, her heart skipped out of time. She searched the workshop, thinking perhaps he’d gone back to work. He wasn’t there. She raced back inside the house only to return outside tripping over her own two feet. She brushed soil off her pants and looked for him in the barn. Probably milking those damn cows, she guessed.
     He wasn’t there either.
     Half an hour later, drained of ideas, she raced to the restaurant in hopes of finding him there. And low and behold, that’s where he was. Outside, seated on a wooden crate, sucking back a bottle of beer.

     Livid, she stormed up to him. “Why?” she asked sharply. “Why did you do that to Mom? Are you nuts?”

       Isaac’s face instantly reddened and Adele watched as he quickly looked to see if anyone was listening.

      “Adele, calm down.” He lifted his hand, rose and sat his beer bottle on the stool.
      Angrily she cuffed away his hand. “Calm down?”

      “Yes, you’re overreacting,” he suggested.

       She drew a sharp breath. “Overacting? Seems to me you’re the one who’s been overacting. Did you get a good look at her?” She spat on the ground. “Lay a hand on any of us, and I’ll call the police so fast you won’t know what hit you!”

       “I swear, it’ll never happen again,” he managed.

       “Yeah, right!”

       “I promise, Adele.”

        She moved away. “Don’t talk to me. I don’t know you anymore!” The knot in her throat was still thick and she swallowed hard.
      She turned around and headed back home.

       Once home, Jan scrambled out from beneath the porch and raced to Adele. She’d been there the entire time.

      Adele scooped her up in her arms, and rushed inside the house.

      Jan, a bundle of nerves, shook as Adele held her against her chest. Adele kissed her. Later that evening, worried, Adele tucked her innocent sister into bed. 

     “Where’s Daddy?” Jan asked.

     “Gone to bed.” Adele kissed her again. “Had a long talk with him. He’ll never do that again. I promise.”

      “How do you know?”

      “Because I threatened him with the police.”
     “Good.”
     She closed the door, leaving Jan with a smile on her face.
     Adele came downstairs, to find her mother in the kitchen cleaning. No matter how much she cleaned the Martin home would never be the same. And in Adele’s opinion the living room was a loss cause.
     Adele watched as her mother tried to carry on as if nothing had happened. Frances remained quiet despite the swollen eye and many bruises.

      And after everything that had happened, a while later Isaac had the nerve to go upstairs to bed, without saying a word to either of them.
     Frances made a bed for herself on the living room sofa. It was all Adele could do not to scream,
He’s the asshole! Why are you here and not him?

      Adele watched as her mother slid under the blankets, wipe her forehead and then close her eyes.  

      Adele looked in the living room and felt sick to her stomach.

     That night she fell into bed with the knowledge that nothing would ever be the same.
                                                    

     As the months passed, Adele grew increasingly resentful towards her father. Unlike her mother, she refused to forgive him. No matter how many times she prayed about it, she wasn’t able to forgive abuse.

     Instead, she became an angry teenager who was mad at the world. She was acting out of character, as her mother would call it, taking off without saying a word to anyone.
     That’s when Adele threw out all her magazines on aviation. Her father had already taken flight and she wanted no part of him or his stupid dreams.