“Too bad. It’s Sharon’s decision,” Philip smiled.
“If I may, I’ll have the funeral in the chapel on the base so our military friends can attend. Will you see to that for me, please?” Sharon spoke softly.
“You don’t need to ask, Sharon. I’ll do whatever is necessary to help you.”
Sharon and Linda were standing by the coffin when Agnes entered and approached, facing them across the coffin. There were several people already in the chapel.
“Get her away from here,” Agnes demanded loudly, throwing her arm out and pointing at Sharon. “You don’t belong here. Murderer! Murderer!”
Agnes became angrier when Sharon remained calm. She continued shouting as Malcolm practically carried her out. He looked back sadly at Sharon. She felt sorry for him and knew it was difficult for him to deal with his grief because of Agnes.
Two days after the funeral Philip had Sharon come to his office. Both sets of parents were present. Agnes again staged an unpleasant scene.
“What do you mean she gets his money and his insurance? She didn’t love him, never did, and she was trying to divorce him. She’s glad he’s dead.” She stormed out.
Malcolm hung his head. “I’m so sorry. For years I’ve been thinking my son was spoiled and thoughtless. I’m ashamed of myself for allowing his mother to influence him. I haven’t wanted to face the fact that Jeremy was plain mean, or might have a mental problem. Agnes’ actions make me wonder about her, too. Sharon, you will always have my complete support.” His shoulders shook with silent sobs.
“It’s over for Jeremy,” Sean spoke soothingly to his friend. “Maybe Agnes will settle down now. It’s a shame that she had to be tranquilized for the funeral. I hope she’ll forgive all of us for not allowing her to take charge.”
“Thank you for being my other dad,” Sharon hugged Malcolm. He left, shuffling along like an old man. His six feet two frame bent and sad.
The next morning the Taylors went back to Fort Lauderdale. The Donnellys left also after Sean had Sharon’s car checked and filled with gas before he left.
“Darling,” Sean said, “your mom and I don’t want to leave you, but it’s your decision. Keep your cell phone handy and call me if there’s any problems. It won’t take me long to get to you.” She hugged both of her parents and they reluctantly left.
Sharon loaded her car and looked around the neighborhood as she prepared to leave. Will I ever return to Texas? I’ve made the most wonderful friends and hate to leave them, but with God’s help my future will be brighter. She went in to make a last phone call.
“Hi, Lynn. It’s just me. Are you sure you’re ready for me?”
“Silly, you’re wasting time talking. Boogie on over, but get here safely. Are you sure you don’t mind traveling alone? I can always come to meet you.”
“No. I’ll be fine. Thanks for offering though.”
“Did you get the package I sent?”
“Sure did. Just saying thanks isn’t enough. See you in a couple of days.”
Sharon went out to find Linda, Philip and numerous friends and neighbors waiting. Linda smiled through her tears. “You’re like a little sister to us. We both love you and want the best for you.”
“Call us as soon as you get home. We’ll be anxious about you. We may even hop over and visit,” Philip hugged her.
“I love you both and have been so blessed to add you to my extended family. Do visit, and soon.”
“If you need me, I’ll catch up with you wherever you are,” Philip hugged her again.
The Pallisters moved aside so others could speak to Sharon and hug her. Several had goodies for her to snack on and gifts to remember them. Everyone loved Sharon’s gentle nature and her obvious caring about others. Some of the men had privately discussed how they should have taken care of Jeremy before he had hurt Sharon so badly.
With a lump in her throat, Sharon drove off the base waving to everyone and feeling a little like she did the first time she left home.
Will I see these wonderful people again? Will I ever return to Texas?
Chapter Four
Blasts of angry horns brought Sharon back to reality. She was embarrassed to see the cars ahead of her had moved on and she was holding up traffic while daydreaming. In her little green Corsica she had driven over five hundred miles and now the dusk was covering the earth like a soft blanket over a sleeping baby.
Sharon hadn’t noticed that the pewter clouds had become black. Suddenly they erupted in a downpour accompanied by crashing thunder and blinding lightning. Heavy rain, coupled with forceful wind made it impossible to drive at the allowed speed. The wind increased causing the rain to hit the windshield like pebbles. She drove slowly and carefully, leaning forward to gain better vision.
She was concerned because other cars were driving by her too fast on the slick road.
She felt her scalp prickling and cold fingers crawled across the back of her neck. This feeling had come over her previously, and although she wasn’t psychic, she seemed to sense danger.
Telling herself it was just the weather and tension, she was unprepared when she was struck from the rear. Her car fishtailed, then swerved and headed for the steep bank beside the expressway where a deep river leaped and roared below.
Working automatically she quickly took her foot off the accelerator and turned the car in the direction of the skid. Finally able to straighten the car, she drove on the shoulder until she could get back on the highway. Thank God dad taught me to drive under these conditions and not lose my head in an emergency.
“Some idiot driving too fast rear-ended me,” she fumed aloud. “Why didn’t the driver stop to see if there was any damage or injury?” Scrutinizing the side mirrors and rear-view mirror, she was not able to see the car that might have hit her. All other traffic was moving on and none looked suspicious.
“Okay, Steamboat,” she patted the steering wheel, “it’s time to find a motel. I wish I could drive all the way through, but it’s safer to stop during this storm. After all, there’s lots of miles to cover yet. Boy! If Agnes could hear me talking to you, she’d really doubt my sanity and be happy to shout it to the world.” She chuckled. Talking her thoughts aloud had always helped her to think more clearly.
After about half an hour, several neon signs flickered ‘no vacancy’ before she saw one in the distance that looked promising. Leaving I-10 she exited into Midway, Florida.
Ahead, and to the right, was a Rest Best Motel and Restaurant. Sharon pulled under the canopy in front of the motel office.
She eased out of the car still too stiff to move quickly. Her ribs were still tender and she felt the strain of the drive. At least the rain has let up, she thought thankfully.
Sharon heard the blaring television before she opened the motel office door. Inside, the noise was almost unbearable. Clearing her throat didn’t get the man’s attention that she could see in the open room next to the office. He was sitting forward, on the edge of his chair, intently watching “True Stories Of The Highway Patrol.”
“Excuse me,” she spoke loudly. No response. “Sir, I need a room,” she stated a little louder, tempted to pound on the desk. She was exhausted.
A short, obese woman came shuffling out of a back room chewing on a thick ham sandwich. Her backless house slippers slapped the floor as she moved.
“That ole fool can’t hear you. He has hearing aids and won’t wear them. He just drives the rest of us