Abandoned Angel (29 page)

Justin, lonely and wanting some comfort, sat quietly in the front seat of the old truck, sweating. He wished he could have stayed home with Grandma, but his daddy had not let him. Justin waited in the vehicle while his dad “took care of business”, just as he was told. He was not sure what taking care of business meant, but it sure did take a long time. He waited, though, in the hot truck like a good boy. He was too afraid to disobey his dad. He had already seen what it was like when he made his daddy mad. Justine did not want another spanking, so he sat and waited for him to return. Eventually, worn out by the heat trapped in the old truck, Justin laid down and fell asleep in the front seat. He awoke as Rusty climbed back into the truck, smelling of liquor. Justin had become accustomed to that smell. By the way Rusty was acting, Justin knew his dad was drinking the funny stuff again. Justin did not like when he drank the funny stuff, because most of the time it just made his dad mad, not funny. Grandma made Justin go to his room when his daddy smelled like that. Justin wished he were there now.

“Forgot that you were here squirt,” grinned Rusty as he started the engine. Rusty was honestly surprised to find Justin sleeping in the truck. He was amused that he had actually forgotten that he had the boy with him. Rusty was pleased with himself though, for training the kid right. Justin had learned that disobeying his father was a no, no, and as long as he remembered that, they would get along just fine. Rusty ran his rough hand across Justin’s hair. Because he did not know how to be affectionate with the boy, it came off as awkward.

Justin, still half-dazed from sleep grinned at his dad but did not say a word. He knew to be quiet. He had learned the hard way to keep his mouth shut. Even at his young age, Justin was quick to learn that he was better off if he said nothing when his daddy smelt of the funny drink. It was hard to know what would make the mean daddy show up, so he tried very hard to be a good boy and keep his mouth shut. Even when Rusty seemed to be in a good mood, as he did now, he was never overly affectionate or caring.

“Let’s go home,” stated Rusty as he pulled out of town. He felt a warm sense of pride over the sight of his son sitting beside him in the truck.

When Rusty neared the house, he spotted his mother in the yard with another woman.

“Who the hell is that?” Rusty muttered to himself, feeling relaxed and comfortable with the night.

When entering the driveway Rusty recognized Angelina in the yard. He felt as if he would belch up vomit over the sight of her and his mother visiting like old friends. Rusty reached into his glove compartment box, and grabbed hold of the cold metal gun that he kept. He was surprised that she was still alive, but would not make that mistake twice. No doubt, she was there for his boy.

“What the hell?”

“It’s Mommy, Mommy,” squealed Justin when he realized who was with Grandma.

“Mommy came home Daddy, she came home.” He was unable to contain his absolute excitement over seeing his mother. He missed her sweet, kind face so much.

“Well look at that,” grinned Rusty as he hid the gun in his belt buckle. Justin was too excited to notice.

“The bitch found her way home after all,” scorned the hateful man.

As soon as the truck stopped, Justin helped himself out and dashed towards his mom, who was waiting to receive him with open arms. For a moment, all fear and anxiety, and even the hate Angelina felt for Rusty was gone. Justin was in her arms again, safe and sound. She held him tightly as the both of them cried with relief.

“Well, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” laughed Rusty, still surprised to see that she had survived. An odd bit of pride filled his cold heart.

“How the hell did you get here?”

Angelina stood, tears streaming down her face, with Justin in her arms. The child clung tightly to her bruised neck. She caught the look in Maxine’s eyes that said not to push him. If Maxine had believed any of the lies Rusty told, she did not now. She could see how much the mother and son loved and needed each other. She also sensed how much Rusty despised his wife. Maxine knew Angelina had told her the truth. Rusty had turned out to be just like his father.

“I hitched a ride,” Angelina stated shortly, trying her hardest not to upset Rusty. The utter disdain and hatred she felt for the cruel man returned.

“So the whore has decided to return,” continued Rusty, half believing his own story about her running off with another man.

He assumed his mother was naïve enough to believe it as well. He pushed his sweaty hair out of his eyes as he spoke. Angelina bit her tongue and chose not to respond.

“We all make mistakes son,” Maxine chimed in, having no idea that the woman actually HAD been with another man. “But she has returned to you, and to Justin. Look how the boy has missed her. It will be great having her here to help take care of the two of you.”

Angelina did her best to keep her son calm. Rusty had been drinking, and his mood was only going to get worse.

“Yeah, look at that,” stated Rusty. “Look at that.”

As he watched his son cling to the bitch, the old anger began to set in. Not once had Justin shown him that type of affection. Of course, he didn’t want the kid hanging all over him, but that wasn’t the point.

“That’s enough boy, it’s time for your mommy to give me a hug like that.”

His smug drawl sent chills riffling up Angelina’s spin.

“Put him down now Angelina and come to me,” ordered Rusty.

He pulled up his loose tee shirt just enough to let her see the gun pressed against his body. She hesitantly put Justin on the ground, trying to determine what her next move should be. The anxious boy clung to her leg, terrified of his dads tone. Angelina was not going to allow him to hurt her child, not now, after all that she had been through.

“What do you want from me Rusty?” asked Angelina, standing her ground next to her faultless son. “I’ve made my mistakes, but I am here now, to take care of the both of you,” she lied, knowing Rusty was desperate to have a woman cater to him hand and foot.

“Then come over to me and give your husband a hug,” continued Rusty, trying to keep his anger under control. He desperately wanted to slap the smug look off her face, but needed his mother on his side. “I’m so glad that you decided to come back to us after all,” he stated, grinding his teeth.

Before Angelina made another move, Rusty turned to watch as a new, black Ford F150 truck pull into the driveway. Angelina got another glimpse of the gun as he did so.

“What the hell?” mumbled Rusty, distracted by the sound of gravel crunching under the wheels. They did not often get visitors to their farm, and certainly not ones driving brand new trucks. It was a poor, farm community. Anxious about the visitor, he watched as the truck stopped short of him.

No one said a word as a handsome man in an expensive looking gray suit stepped out of the large truck. He was clean cut, nicely built, and carried a phony smile that could light up the room. Angelina recognized the cocky stance instantly, and grinned when she realized it was Blaze. He had come for her after all.

Blaze had asked an old friend to make arrangements for him to rent the truck from a nearby town. His pal also arranged to have Blaze’s bike shipped back to his home. If all went well, it would be there before he was. Blaze was amazed at how quickly the arrangements had come together, and only lost about ten minutes on route.

Blaze waited for Rusty to walk up to him, which put distance between Rusty and Angelina and Justin. Since the first thing out of Rusty's mouth was confrontational, Blaze worked at playing it cool. He kept an obviously fake smile planted on his face. Something he had done often as a lawyer, and perfected over the years.

“Who the hell are you?” Rusty asked as he attempted to lite a cigarette.

“I’m Mr. Bonn,” answered Blaze. “I’m an attorney representing Mrs. Hart.” Angelina was surprised to hear his last name. She had never thought to ask him for it. He was Blaze, the fascinating biker man, and that had been enough.

Blaze did not bother to reach for Rusty’s hand. He could sense the tension, and needed to get a grasp on the true situation. Rusty paused for a moment, surprised, and then attempted to lite his cigarette again. He succeeded, inhaled, and spoke after he blew the smoke back out in Blaze’s direction.

“You represent Angelina huh?” The glare he gave the woman was poisonous. “Thought the bitch was dead, and then the next thing I know, here she is, trespassing on my land, trying to take my son away from me,” he stated, irritated. “Not sure what she told you, but I should have the whore arrested.”

Rusty did his best to intimidate both his wife, and her attorney.

Maxine stood quietly, uncertain about what was happening.

“Now why would you think she were dead?” Blaze questioned, choosing to ignore the rest of the conversation. He let his grin fall slowly from his face.

Angelina signaled for Maxine to take Justin inside, and out of danger. Blaze understood that the gesture meant that she trusted Maxine. He hoped the trust was not misguided. Justin went to his grandma's side and wrapped his arms around her skirt, he didn’t understand what was going on either, but knew enough to sense fear. Maxine stood for a moment, making eye contact with her son. When she started to move away Rusty took a step back, stopping her.

“Where you going boy?” he asked Justin, without expecting a response. “Get back over here. You stay with me,” Rusty ordered. His tone was fierce and unwavering.

Maxine continued to hold on to Justin, obviously shaken. Rusty reminded her more of her dead husband now, than he ever had. She recalled the same, hateful look in his eyes. She knew this would not end well. The way he was grinding his teeth indicated that he would not back down.

“Are you sure you don't want me to take him into the house while you guys figure this out?” Maxine asked, as sweetly as she could.

“He'll stay with me,” confirmed Rusty as he took another drag of his cigarette. Hesitantly the boy did as Rusty ordered and walked over to his daddy’s side. He stood, ridged, wanting nothing more than to have his mommy hold him again. Angelina’s heart dropped.

“What the hell do you want anyway?” snapped Rusty, turning his attention to Blaze again.

“It’s my job to make sure Justin can leave with his mom for a while,” Blaze explained, knowing that things were not going to end well. “So they can visit without any problems.”

Rusty was full of hate and anger, it showed in every action he made.

Blaze could smell alcohol on Rusty’s breath, and was certain that Rusty would not let Justin leave without a fight. Although Blaze had called in a favor and asked that the police department send someone over, they were yet to arrive.

Justin’s eyes lit up when he heard he would be leaving with his mom. He didn’t want to stay with his dad, not now, not ever again.

“I want to go with Mommy,” he beamed.

Rusty dropped his cigarette to the ground, and grabbed his sons shoulder, holding him tightly, intending to show Justin who was in charge. The action worked; Justin said nothing more. He held back tears as his dominant father kept him in place.

“I told you your mom doesn't want you Justin. That’s why she left,” Rusty stated, wanting to hurt the child with his cruel words. “Isn’t that right Angelina?” He knew she would be too scared to disagree with him.

“Now Rusty, we both know that isn't the case,” interrupted Blaze. “Mrs. Hart has made it clear that she would like to spend some time with her boy.” Blaze tried to convince Rusty that his only interest in the case was on a professional level. His purpose - to make sure Angelina could have some time with her son.

“She has missed you so much Justin.”

Blaze squatted so that he was eye level with the boy. Although he kept his distance, he exuded confidence. He smiled warmly at the scared boy.

“Your mommy wants you to spend time with her as well as your daddy.”

Justin had difficulty containing his excitement, but maintained out of fear. His dad’s tight grip pulled down on his shoulder, sending painful jolts through his muscle. Angelina saw the pain in his eyes. The fact that he did not make a sound broke her heart.

“Why don’t you come over to me baby while your daddy talks to this man,” Angelina stated, trying to get her son from Rusty.

“The boy isn't going anywhere Angelina, and neither are you,” replied Rusty, ready to pull his gun. He did not intend to let the selfish woman keep the boy from him, not ever again.

Blaze watched Rusty’s reaction, already well aware of the gun. He had become accustomed to watching his back and the back of the other riders. That meant paying attention to what was happening around him. Blaze was not close enough to Rusty though to guarantee he could stop him before he pulled the trigger, so he had to continue to try reasoning while he moved in closer. He stood before continuing.

“That’s ok Angelina, Justin is fine.” Blaze kept his voice low and relaxed, hoping to keep Rusty calm. “Why don’t you let him go inside while we all talk this out instead?” Blaze suggested to the parents. “This is Rusty’s house, and Justin will be comfortable inside with his grandma.” Blaze targeted the comment towards Rusty rather than Angelina. Rusty did not miss that Blaze had called her by her first name though.