Choosing My Life - Bear And Rachel

Opportunities

Bear

It was dark when I left the hospital. Rachel was comfortable enough to be alone over night, and didn't need blood anymore. She was on the mend.
I didn't know what that meant for our relationship, but I would take whatever she let me have. This is a free book available through Wattpad (c) LTM1986. If you are not reading this on Wattpad, it had been stolen.

I pulled into the clubhouse on the way home. The old men were there, sitting in booths, reminiscing with their Ol'Ladies. Molly sitting in her usual spot alone. Her husband's tattered cut still on its hook, the photograph pieced together with sticky tape above it. I don't know why she still came, why she tortured herself. But then again she been torturing herself for a long time. She created a life where her pain was her trophy.

I waved to Crackers in the kitchen, and ordered some food. The boys were slowly coming back to eat at the clubhouse and it was getting busy again. I immersed myself in the camaderie, the jokes, and thought about how I'd introduce Rachel to the club, in the dream world of if I could.

Rachel

A nurse had shown me what a shower was, and helped me clean myself. I'd also learnt to brush my teeth with tooth paste. I had on the pyjamas and clean underwear, and Bear was right, I felt better.

I sighed and snuggled into the bed. I could just smell him on my pillow. It was nice. He was nice. He made me feel special. I'd take these moments and treasure them for the rest of my life.

Bear

I pulled up at home, feeling full and sleepy. Probably not the best combination for riding the bike, but I still got home. There was a pickup waiting in the car park still. I parked my bike, and went over to check it out.

A man popped the door open and hopped out as I came closer.
"Mr Corby?" He asked, holding out his hand.
"That's me," I shook his hand. He was dressed as if he was from the church community. Nice button down shirt, and creased pants.
"My names Jonathan Fletcher. I believe you visited the Hendersons recently?" He seemed nervous, and seeing as I'd tensed up as he introduced himself, I could understand why.
"I did."
"Can I ask..." His nervousness increased. "I heard that Jacob passed on."
"The old man?"
Jonathon nodded. He wasn't much younger than old either, so I'm guessing they knew eachother.
"Yes, he is deceased."
Jonathon raised his eyes to the sky.
"Heavens be praised." He sighed. " Is there anyone left at the farm? His wife Lily? Any children?"
"Rachel."
His face dropped.
"Anyone else?" His face held a finger of hope. I shook my head.
"How is she? Does... does she follow his teachings?" He got flustered," I'm sorry Mr Corby, is there another place we can talk? I believe this diversion isn't really applicable to a car park."
"Depends." I replied.
"On what?
"On why the family was excommunicated." I growled. Jonathon looked me in the eye, his gaze sad.
"Jacob believed in purity, and advocated some extreme measures to maintain it. Lily wouldn't leave him. The family wasn't told to leave, only him."
"Will you take Rachel back if she wants?" My mouth felt numb saying those words. I felt like I was letting her go.
"Of course! We'll visit tomorrow!"
"Maybe one she's out of hospital." I suggested.
Jonathon frowned
"Why's she in hospital?"
I sighed,
"Come on in, this will be a long story."

I poured the coffee. Jonathon will need it to get home. In the light he looked extremely tired.
"How long were you waiting?" I said as I placed the cup in front of him.
"A while," he said ruefully, " but this is important." He twisted the mug around to grab the handle then lifted it to his lips while I sat.
"Can you tell me about the child?" He asked.
"She's not much of a child anymore, she's 18 years old."
Jonathon smiled wryly.
"Time goes when you're getting old." He muttered, then he paled as a thought occurred to him.
"I, I dread to ask this. But," he took a breath, steeling himself. " Is she still a Virgin?"
I stared at him.
"Is that important?" I asked. He nodded sadly.
"She was beaten, tortured. She has bruises from over a month ago still on her body. He bit her like a savage. Everytime we talk I find out about another trauma he inflicted on her. No, no she's not... but that is the least of her worries." I snapped.

He paled even further.
"It just complicates things for her acceptance." He tried to explain, "She's already damaged from her association with her father, and to be further damaged by her... impurity. I'm not sure how she'll be accepted."
I slammed my fist down on the table.
"She is not impure." I growled. "She's beautiful, and sweet, and resilient. Did you know she was never taught to read or write, but she's teaching herself. That girl is a treasure."

Jonathon was silent, watching me. I drew in a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
"You have feelings for her." He observed. I sighed.
"Not worth it. We're too different." I hung my head. Honesty was killing me tonight.
"Maybe." Jonathon squirmed forward in his seat. "Let's imagine, what would happen if you were married. How would you accept us and her commitments to us."
I groaned,
"Mr Fletcher, I am a member of the Ares Riders, a motorbike club that sometimes does bad shit. Rachel is a sweet angel who definitely belongs with your crew. She's done nothing wrong in her entire life. She does not need to be tainted by being associated with me."
"That's not what I asked, Mr Corby. What will you do to help her accept both communities? Will you allow her to come to our Sunday meetings? Will you come with her? I'm asking you to imagine co-existing with us."

I sighed. "Mr Fletcher, I would drop Rachel off at your meetings, but I will not attend with her. I will invite you and anyone she chooses into my house, but I will not participate. I've had my fair share of religion, and it hasn't been good, but I'll respect her beliefs because they're part of her. And she is everything that's good."

Jonathon smiled, and nodded.
"Then I agree, you have my permission to marry her."
I looked at the smug smiling bastard.
"What?"
"I give you my permission to marry her. You may be her best choice." He lent forward "in fact you may be her only choice. If I may be blunt."
"Sounds like I've got no choice." I growled.
"No, actually you don't, and neither does she. She's been defiled. No one in our community will accept her, as someone who is unmarried and with her last name. If you marry her, she gains legitimacy and a new name. She becomes acceptable to our community. She will be welcomed as a woman with a strange husband, but a married woman nonetheless. There's less chance of being ostracized."
"If I say no?"
Jonathon's face turned stern.
"She will always be on the outer edges of our society." He replied. "This isn't really a request. This is the best thing for her. She needs to marry you."

I thought of Molly, turning up night after night to the clubhouse. Just to sit at the bar, not drinking much, just sitting there watching others talk and joke. She earnt her place there on the outskirts of society. Rachel hadn't. She simply endured the injustices done to her. Will one more count?

"Ok," I nodded, "I'll marry her, but she needs to say yes as well. This must be a choice that she has. I'm not forcing her into anything."

Jonathon swallowed the last of his coffee and stood up.
"I'll talk to my wife, and we'll visit tomorrow to discuss this." He reached over to shake my hand. "Thankyou for the coffee and the discussion. You have set my heart at ease."
I reached over and shook his hand.
"I'll see myself out, Thankyou Mr Corby."
I nodded at him, my feelings in turmoil. I had the chance to keep Rachel in my life, but would she want me?