Taking Chances

Chapter 34

Bec walked as quickly as she could along the footpath. Spring flowers were budding in the brick flower beds that lined Main Street. She sent two messages: one to Ryan and one to Jen. Both messages said the same thing:

Phil came. Don't feel safe. Going 2 Ryans.

Now, as she walked through the warm sun of late August, she felt chilled. Bec checked her phone to see if anyone had replied, nothing yet. She looked over her shoulder to see if anyone was there, but the street was empty. At this time of morning, all the kids were in school and all the adults were at work.

She turned on to Rock View. Bec's phone buzzed. It was from Ryan.

B home in 45. Organizing cover for classes.

That was a relief. Bec continued on her way, quickening her pace. Granville Street, and Ryan's home was just ahead.

Fumbling in her bag for the keys, Bec let herself in to Ryan's house. She kept a set of work clothes, weekend clothes, and toiletries here. She could stay for a couple of days.

Once inside, there was nothing to do but wait. The desire for a drink itched. Bec paced in the living room, then began opening and closing cupboard doors, Bec swept through the kitchen and the pantry. Each cupboard revealed tins of food, boxes of oats, protein powders, instant noodles - man food. Each time she opened a door, she closed it progressively harder until she really slammed a door closed and the cups rattled inside.

"What am I doing?" Bec said out loud. "This is not who I am. This is what Phil wants, not me."

Bec went back through the kitchen, tidying up. It took her mind off things for a moment. Next, she prepared coffee. While she was grinding the beans, she heard Ryan's Ford pull up. The door banged open, slammed shut, and heavy footfalls run up the back of the house.

Ryan burst in through the back door. Looked around, saw Bec, and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness you're all right. I thought maybe..."

Bec knew she should have felt relieved and grateful that Ryan had left work halfway through the day, yet a fit of anger flashed across her emotions. "You thought what? I'd be a blubbering mess on the floor waiting for my white knight to save me? Or that I'd be passed out drunk, in a pool of my own piss and vomit?"

Ryan strode forward confidently and enveloped her in a loving embrace. At first she tried, with clenched fists, to beat on his arms and chest, but Ryan held firm.

A moment later, the anger passed like a freak wave that rolls and pitches a boat at sea and she melted into the safety of Ryan's body and great sobs jerked out of her.

"Let it all out," said Ryan in a soothing voice and she did just that. Two or three minutes later, Bec regained her composure and said, "I was making a coffee when you interrupted me." Ryan chuckled and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

"Thank you for coming, by the way. Was it difficult to get cover for your classes?"

"You're welcome and no, it wasn't too difficult. I haven't had a day off for two or three years and I never say no to other teachers when they need a hand. So, Janice okay'd it straight away and once I'd written up my instructions, I came home."

Pouring coffee into the filter cone was meditative for Bec. That, combined with Ryan's presence, calmed her immensely. The itch she'd been desperately needing to scratch with booze had vanished.