The Legend - Watty Awards 2012

Chapter Twenty Six

Tyler woke up the next morning to the sound of loud talking outside the door. Looking at the bedside clock, he groaned noticing that it was only 6 a.m. Jenna’s head was comfortably resting on his left arm. Slowly, he tried pulling away without waking her up. He quietly tiptoed out of the room making sure to shut the door behind him.

His mom and dad were arguing loudly in the living room. Puzzled, he headed towards them. In all his years, he couldn’t remember a single time when he had heard them argue before.

“... not right. You need to tell him right away,” he heard his dad yell.

“I’m telling you, it’s not the right time,” his mom yelled back. “Can’t you understand? She said that she will when she has to.”

“She, She, SHE. That’s all you can say. That’s all you can think. Think about your family first.”

“Phil, stop talking nonsense. I am thinking about my family and that’s why.... Oh Ty honey, Good morning!” she exclaimed when she noticed Tyler at the door.

“What’s going on guys? Why are you fighting?”

“Nothing, nothing at all. Why are you up so early? Did you sleep well?” asked his mom as she tried changing the subject.

“Dad...?” Tyler looked at him enquiringly.

“Don’t ask me anything,” Phil replied and stormed out of the room.

“Mom what’s going on?”

“Tyler, I said nothing is. So just let it be at that. You will find out whatever you have to when you have to. Do you have the chain I gave you last night?”

He pointed to it around his neck.

“Jenna was asleep last night. I will give it to her when she wakes up.”

“Okay honey. Why don’t you go freshen up while I get breakfast ready?”

                                                             *

Betty bustled about her house trying to finish off her chores before Tyler and Jenna came in. She knew that it was going to be a long, long day. After breakfast, her nephew had gone out for a walk and she hoped that he would get back in time. As she dusted her furniture, she couldn’t help but feel jittery and apprehensive.

“Everything has to be alright. Please Dear Lord, let everything be alright, please,” she prayed.

She looked down at the silver chain dangling from her neck and held on to the cross tight. That was what had protected her last time and she was sure that it would again.

Finally when she had done all the work that she could possibly have, she washed her face and hands and sat down on the sofa and waited.

After a few minutes, she heard her gate open and then shut. Footsteps sounded towards the door and then the doorbell rang.

This was it.

Betty lifted her ninety five year old frame from the sofa and opened the door.

“Please come in,” she said as she opened the door wide.

                                                                *

Jenna pulled on a white dress and lightly combed out her damp hair. She stared at herself in the mirror. Her skin looked pale but she felt more refreshed than she had in days. Last night, she had slept a dreamless sleep and was glad for that. Once in the night, she had thought that Tyler had been lying next to her but she must have been imagining it. Now as she stared at herself in the mirror, she actually felt rejuvenated and recharged and ready to take on the day. She finally didn’t feel alone and helpless anymore. She had these three great people who had not only welcomed her into their home without question but had also put their own lives at risk just to keep her safe and this made her feel strangely confident and alive.