Escape Across the Pond

Chapter 21

Dear Dad,

Do you remember the happiest moments of your life as well as you remember the worst moments? When I lie in bed years from now thinking back on my life, will I remember the things that made me laugh, smile, or cry tears of joy? Will those memories be as vivid as all of the ones that I wish I could forget? I hope I never forget.

It was the morning of the party and I awoke with a smile on my face. I had such a wonderful day yesterday and even though I didn't see Alex we talked quite a bit last night and he promised to come by sometime today to see both me and Grandmama. I'm still nervous about the party but I'm so excited to wear that beautiful gown that those feelings are starting to overtake my nerves.

I shuffle down the stairs while it's pretty early and I see Grandmama in the kitchen still in her dressing gown trying to start the kettle for her morning tea. "Good morning, Grandmama," I say cheerfully in my still raspy morning voice. I clear my throat and lean in to peck her cheek.

"Good morning, darling. You look well rested. I do hope you enjoyed everything yesterday." she says returning my greeting with a warm smile.

"I did. Thank you again. I had a wonderful time and I'm looking forward to the charity event tonight." I assure her and start getting out the coffee for the machine. "Would you like me to make you some breakfast?" I ask while putting water in before starting it up.

"That won't be necessary, dear. I've ordered breakfast and it should be arriving shortly. Today we'll have it all brought to us rather than us going to them. What do you say, darling?" she asks, sporting another one of her mischievous smiles. I can't help my small laugh and a little roll of my eyes.

"Be my guest, Grandmama. It's your world. I'm just living in it... for this weekend only. Don't forget that part." I chuckle and stand in front of the coffee maker waiting for it to finish.

"Of course dear girl. I haven't forgotten," she replies softly without meeting my eyes. Uh-huh.

Grandmama was right. She had breakfast delivered and it was another feast. We laughed over breakfast while Grandmama told me stories about Kate and Alex growing up and all of the things they got into. And those were just the things she knew about and was absolutely positive there was more they made sure not to tell her about. She did tell me that keeping up with the two of them over the years has been what's kept her so young and active and she's still got some work left to do where the two of them are concerned. Now I'm a little worried I might have gotten myself added to the list of those she has to keep an eye on. But after being captivated for the better part of the morning by her thrilling stories, I can tell that she loves having people to care for and it makes me love her even more.

She inspired me to open up about not really knowing my mother before she passed in a car accident on her way to pick me up from daycare after work. I told her about my happy childhood with just me and my dad and then about how he met Elizabeth and everything changed. I lightly covered some of the degrading things that she and Blair would spout at me when my father wasn't around. Then, I explained that once my father got sick she wasn't really around and cared more about spending his money while Kate and I were with him. I even told her about how I met him at one of those silly parties Elizabeth made me attend and how she pushed me into dating him when I was still not myself after losing my dad. I told her how he took complete control of my life and told me where I could go, who I could spend time with, and what I could wear. I explained that I didn't even realize how far it had gotten until he demanded that I cut Kate out of my life and he didn't want me working at the bakery any longer. That's when I started to tell him no. He does not like the word no. First, he snatched me up by my hair and screamed at me hoping for my submission. When I refused, that's when the blows came. He would push me hard enough that my head would snap and I would stumble trying to gain my balance then he would strike. A quick punch to the stomach made me double over, then another shove, this time to the ground. And then rain kicks on my midsection until my only defense would be to curl up into a ball to protect myself. He never struck my face but Kate eventually noticed bruising on my arms and how I would favor my ribs. It was the most embarrassing thing to admit to her that he had been hitting me but I was scared of what would happen after we got married and it was easier for him to hide it. He barely let me leave and when he did, one of his guys drove me and stayed close by. "I was a coward. I should have never let it get that far but my stepmother kept insisting he was a catch and I was just upset because he didn't like that I was still acting classless and dressing like a slob. I see now how weak I was to let him break me." I sigh after telling her about the whole ordeal. "Now, I'm falling for Alex and I don't want to burden him with all of my drama when I'm not even sure if this is going anywhere with him." I finish and rest my head back against the sofa.