The Life of the Wife

Chapter thirty two

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

DET MORRIS

Being home felt strange. I had moments in the chamber where i thought i would never see home again, and not only that, i invited George to stay with me so we wouldn't be alone and stepped so softly in fear of everything that could happen in the snap of a finger. His tender steps had me unaware of his presence and we would both have a scare when i would almost scream when turning a corner to see him there.
Having an abundance of food and other comforts had a strange effect now, i looked at it differently, cherished the fact it was so easily accessible. We had only been home two days and cleaned out my freezer and cupboards of everything. We didn't care what it was, as long as it wasn't pureed fruit or stale bread.
To just see a television and carpeted floors was a treat, but the both of us were so on edge, worried that the commune were still after us that our happiness or excitement lasted seconds before hearing any noise what so ever.

Marian would be constantly calling, and came over multiple times to make sure we were okay, and bought leftovers her mother had made. We both knew that we were not going to get back together, and i finally signed the divorce papers, but with everything i had gone through i was happy to have her around as a friend, and George instantly hit it off with her, making conversations go smoothly.
Marian kept us informed on the police progress, and broke the news this morning about the massacre the police found when entering the commune. Car tracks were still fresh however, and they were at every exit point on the lookout for the remaining members. I hoped that Aiden and Johanna were in the list of bodies found, but they weren't. They had been two of the eight who escaped the mass killings.

Marian bought me a new mobile phone and managed to get my original number, and my voicemail filled with worried voices and questions and cries for me to come home alive, after hearing one or two i deleted the rest, i couldn't stand hearing them. I kept going into my contacts and hovering my finger to the call button under Sasha's name, but couldn't bring myself to it, she hadn't tried to call, or message me at all. Did i have too much baggage now?
I took a deep breath and tapped the call button, with no turning back i listened to the dial tone before her voice serenaded my ears.
'Hello?'
'It's me.'
'How are you?'
'I'm not sure. Why haven't you tried to contact me?'
'I figured you would contact me when you were ready, i didnt want to seem... over emotional? About the situation i mean, i just thought you might want your space whilst settling into normal life again.'
My eyes swelled with warm heavy tears.
'This time, you're wrong. The first thing i wanted to see was you.'
We both sat silent with only our breath and static coming from our speakers.
'Did you not want to be with me?' i finally said, breaking the ice.
'Frieda, all i want is to be with you, but i think we need to start all over. You have gone through a lot recently.' i could hear that she had started to sob too, making me feel even worse.
'I don't want that to impact us, i just want to forget about it and move on.'
'We both know you won't be able to do that, Frieda. I was your psychiatrist after all.' we both laughed solemnly and i took another deep breath.
'Thinking of you kept me going, Sasha. I want you to know that.' i said before saying goodbye and hanging up the phone. I didn't want to be seen as a victim, and treated that way either, but by the looks of things, it was going to take some time before that would happen.

Telling Jerry's family he had passed had to be worse than rotting in a chamber for months on end. His wife's face is something i will never forget. She knew immediately why i had knocked on her door, and broke down in front of me, sobbing and yelling 'Why? Why?' As i held her mourning body on the hall floor. When there daughters came in they joined our tears and we all thought of the wonderful man that used to bring joy to their home.
After some time, Kerry, Jerry's widow, invited me to stay for tea and biscuits. Nobody ate the biscuits, and we all kind of fumbled around with our drinks, talking about the great achievements of Jerry's life.
'Did he die a hero?' Kerry finally asked. I nodded and a faint smile creased the edges of her lips.
'He will always be my hero.' Bree, the youngest daughter spoke through her crackled voice.
'Mine too.' I smiled, rubbing her shoulder.
I left as the sun started to fade and the street lights grew brighter.

I arrived home to find Marian and George with two police officers looking worried and excited in the lounge room.
'What's going on?' i said, dropping my handbag onto the coffee table, and sitting down next to a worried George.
'We have been given a very valuable tip that could lead us to the arrest of the remaining members.' one of the police officers said, without hesitation.
'We just wanted you to know first hand that we have some sightings that are showing signs of the members trying to make an escape to Peony Island.' The other officer butted in, angry the first officer stole his thunder.
'When do you think they will be arrested?' i choked, feeling hopeful.
'Hopefully before they get on the ferry, but we have the police alerted on the island if they make it there earlier than planned. So they should be in cuffs before sunset tomorrow.' the officer stood proud and sure.
'I hope so.' i whispered, to myself more than anyone else.

The policemen left and Marian, George and I sat in silence until Marian bid farewell and when home, leaving us to wander to our rooms and process what was happening. Sleeping deemed inconceivable with the thoughts racing through my head.