Meryl and Don: An Unforeseen Journey

Chapter 30

"Oh, hi Jane." Meryl said looking at Don as he shook his head and tried to take the phone but Meryl put her hand up to stop him. She then worried when she saw him quickly get out of bed and leave the room. She put her hand over the mouthpiece of the phone. "Don, come back! Don!" Meryl was relieved when she heard him on the the phone as he obviously got on the extension.

Don ran back in the room and sat on the bed, kissing Meryl to show her he wasn't mad. "Mom, why are you calling? I told you we needed space and not to call us. The last thing in the world Meryl needs right now is the stress from you and Dad. Her, the baby and Henry's well-beings are more important to me than anything. You threw any contact with them out the window after your horrible accusations. They are my first priority and always will be."

"Baby, it's okay." Meryl tried to calm him down. "We're all fine, you are making sure of that."

Don shook his head. "You are not going to be a victim of their abuse anymore; and neither are Henry and the baby. Hell, we're lucky Henry wasn't hurt when Dad took him on Thanksgiving."

"Don, honey." Jane tried to remain calm. "Mike and Larry came by today and talked to your father."

Meryl thought she should handle this. "Jane, we are doing what's best for our family. I know you don't believe that; but it is. No child should be treated the way my husband has been treated by your husband, and by you, his whole life. I would support my husband no matter what. He needed to do this for our family and his own piece of mind. I will do ANYTHING to make sure Don is at peace, he heals and is with us for the rest of our lives. His body and heart have been put through HELL thanks to your husband and the people he has placed in our lives. I know you don't believe all this but this is the truth. I will do ANYTHING to make sure Don and our children are safe, happy and healthy; and to feel all my love."

"I will do that for Meryl as well." Don said thinking about his dream. "I canNOT let anything happen to her, Henry or the baby. I will NOT let anything happen to them."

Meryl leaned over and kissed his lips. "Stay calm, baby; it's not good for you."

"I called to apologize." Jane finally said.

Don looked at Meryl in shock. "Good."

"Don." Meryl whispered as she shook her head and then smiled at how protective he was of all of them.

Jane took a deep breath. "James, Mike and Larry didn't know I was home; but I was listening from the other room. I heard the charges against James, about the restraining order and the only reason he wasn't in jail is because you two aren't pressing charges. That takes a lot of mercy and grace."

"That's all Meryl." Don said winking at his wife. "I want him locked up forever for what he did to my wife and son; and considering she was pregnant though we didn't know it at the time, our baby. I'd be happy to never see him again, EVER. To NEVER allow him in the same state as my family; but Meryl convinced me otherwise."

Meryl gave him a tearful smile. "I didn't want to press charges for you, Jane, and for your other sons; I also did it for my husband and our children. They don't need a family that's torn apart. Though I don't want him anywhere near my husband or children. If we are EVER around him he will have to adhere to our rules. That is why we did the restraining order."

"Meryl's right." Don said. "It's going to take a hell of a lot of convincing for me to allow him around my wife and children. To be honest, Ma, I feel the same way about you right now."

Jane choked back the tears. "I understand; and I deserve it. Meryl, sweetheart, I am so sorry for the things I said to you. I was a mother scared to death for her son, a wife who became defensive of her husband; and I now realize that I didn't know the details, I didn't know the hell you all have been through and that James had a part in it. I called Mike and found out the details after they left. I'm so glad all of you are alright. Meryl, you are the perfect wife for my son and mother to my grandchildren. I know I don't show it, but I really appreciate it."