Chapter 35

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

He saw the story about the fire on the late news. He immediately recognized the apartment complex. He'd driven past there more than once, even though Tony St. Clair wasn't his target. Still, it enraged him. One thing he was sure of—Tony St. Clair wasn't stupid or careless. That made him wonder if someone had caused the fire on purpose. No one else had the right to interfere with his plans. He didn't need River to take off, go to a place where he couldn't reach her. Would this spook them? Then he realized that this could actually work in his favor. If someone else had tried to hurt Tony, they would both be distracted. This could make it much easier for him. He leaned back in his chair and smiled. River Ryland's breaths were running out. Soon, she would stop breathing forever.

WHEN ARNIE WAS FINISHED, River hung up her phone. Then she turned toward Tony. He didn't look good.

"Do you want to talk about what Arnie said, or do you want to wait until tomorrow?" River asked.

"Look, I know it's really important, but if you don't mind, let's discuss it in the morning. I'm sorry. I think what happened drained me. I'm sure I'll be fine in the morning. I just need some sleep."

"Of course," River said. "Sleep as late as you want. We'll keep it down in the morning. When you wake up, I'll make you a great breakfast."

He smiled at her. "Pancakes?"

"If you want."

Tony lay down on the bed and was pulling the blanket up over him when, from behind River, came an ungodly shriek. She turned to see her mother pointing at her, her expression twisted into a mask of rage.

"You get out of here and leave my husband alone," she screamed. "Get out of my house!"

River got to her feet and hurried over to Rose. "Mom," she said, trying to calm her down. "It's me, Mom."

Rose raised her hand and slapped River across the face. "You can't have my husband. I need him. We need him. He has children, but you don't care, do you? You're selfish and evil. Get out of my house or you'll be sorry." Rose walked up to Tony, who was now sitting up on the bed looking confused. "You promised to be faithful. You're supposed to love me..." Rose collapsed to the floor, crying hysterically. Mrs. Weyland came running down the hall, her flannel nightgown flying behind her like a cape. She looked like a chubby gray-haired superhero. Which in River's mind, she was. She got down on the floor next to Rose and put her arms around her.

"Rose, it's okay. She's gone. She left. It's just us. River, me, and Tony. CeCe is gone and she's not coming back, I promise, honey."

"She tried to steal my family," Rose said, putting her head on the caregiver's shoulder. "I can't lose them. They're everything to me. You ... you understand, don't you, Aggie? I know you understand."

"Yes, Rose, sweetie. I understand. Let's get you back to bed, okay?"

Mrs. Weyland grabbed the edge of the couch in an attempt to get up. River took her arm and pulled her to her feet. Then she put her arms around her mother and helped her up too.

"It's okay, Mom. It's River. I'm here. You're not going to lose me."

Her cheek stung from her mother's slap, but her heart hurt more. She saw her mother's pain and realized how hard it must have been for her to keep her true feelings from her children after their father left. She may have seemed distant, but it was because she was in pain, struggling to keep herself from falling apart. The hurtful things she'd said came from the pain she carried inside. What was it that River had heard somewhere? That hurting people hurt people?

Once she was standing, Rose looked around the room, blinking. Then she gazed at River, looking confused. "What am I doing still in my nightgown?" she asked, sounding bewildered. "Are you and Dan ready for school? I don't want you missing the bus again. I have to get to work."

River looked at Mrs. Weyland and nodded. She knew what to do. "Hey, it's okay, Mom," she said. "We're off today. It's a holiday, remember? And you don't have to go to work today. Why don't you lie down and rest for a while. We're fine."

Rose hesitated for a moment, but she let River take her arm and lead her down the hallway to her room. Mrs. Weyland followed behind them but stayed out of sight. Rose got back into bed and River covered her with the bedspread.

"Are you sure it's okay if I take a nap?" Rose asked. "Can you kids take care of yourselves for a little while? I really am a little tired."

"We'll be fine, Mom. You rest." River struggled to keep the emotion out of her voice. She didn't want to worry her mother.

"Okay, honey," Rose said. "I'll be up in a little bit."

"Okay, Mom." River walked over to the door and slowly closed it. Mrs. Weyland waited in the hallway.

"You were wonderful with her, honey," she said to River. "Perfect."

"It was hard. So hard." River took a deep breath. "What if she acts that way tomorrow night when my dad is here? I'm really starting to wonder if we're doing the right thing."

"River, I don't think we can worry about that. But even if that happened, would it really be that bad for your father to see the fallout his actions caused?" She shook her head. "Look, no one believes more in forgiveness and a new life in Christ than I do, but I'm thinkin' that you, your mom, and your brother have been carryin' the pain of your daddy's decisions for too many years. If he was forced to see the consequences, I don't think that's the worst thing in the world."

"I understand, and I've thought the same thing. But I don't want my mother to ... to embarrass herself in front of my father. She would be mortified if that happened."

"I understand, I really do," the elderly woman said. "I can't promise what will happen. I wish I could guarantee you that everything will be okay. But like we both agreed, this might be her best and last chance to face your daddy. Find some healing. You can see from what just happened that she needs it."

River folded her arms and leaned against the wall. What should she do? Finally, she said, "Look, let's do this. We'll let my dad and Dan come for dinner. But if Mom starts acting up, we'll get her out of the room as quickly as possible. Will you help me?"

"Of course I will. Whatever you need." Mrs. Weyland opened her arms and River fell into them. Thinking that she could have lost Tony tonight and then watching her mother fall apart had overwhelmed her. Mrs. Weyland's hug was exactly what she needed. When she was ready, she gently disengaged herself from the elderly caregiver's embrace.

"Thank you," she said, her voice quivering.

"You're welcome, honey. This has been a tough night. Tony was in danger, and you saw your mama at her worst." She sighed deeply. "You know, I believe you're beginning to understand your mama, and now that you do, you're grieving for the mother you think you're losing."

"You're right," River said slowly. "I accepted that Rose Ryland has Alzheimer's, but now, I'm realizing that my mother is ill. My mother . I hate seeing what this disease is doing to her. And ... and I don't want her to be humiliated in front of my father. She deserves better. I want him to..." She gulped. "I want him to look at her ... and at me ... and realize what he threw away. Does that make any sense?"

Mrs. Weyland smiled. "Yeah, it does. Now that you're bein' completely honest with yourself, I think you're really ready to face your daddy."

River returned the smile. "Maybe you're right."

Mrs. Weyland headed to her room while River went back into the living room. Tony was out and snoring softly, Watson snuggled up next to him. She really wanted to talk to him about Arnie's call. Was this real? Was April really alive? If she was, she was in trouble, and they needed to find her fast.

After checking on Tony one more time, she went back to her room, where she spent some time in prayer. She prayed for April and for Tony. Then she prayed that tomorrow would go well for everyone. But most of all, she thanked God for taking care of Tony and Watson. What if Tony had died tonight? What would she have done? How could she go on without him? She knew that sometime soon she'd have to talk to him. Tell him how she felt. She could only pray that he felt the same. She really couldn't imagine her life without Tony St. Clair.