Passage 46
Sarah and Christopher parked in front of their modest home. He combed through the comment of her parents calling this home a shack. Christopher didn't hear Sarah complained about their humble abode. In fact they picked it out together. Her parents threatened to cut her off from her inheritance if she went through with the marriage. He remembered Sarah saying they would figure it out once the crossed that road. Mr. Kirkwall offered to pay off the house but Christopher saw that as intraptment .
After all the years he had spent with Sarah and treated her well he still caught ridicule and snide remarks. Yes he was a boy from the wrong side of the rich tracks . But he loved Sarah more than life itself. He felt like they were starting over . Like how the first started dating . Sarah and him went from her being his best friends kid sister . To his best friends beautiful sister. To his best friends and brother -in-law. The journey from friends to family was a long road achieved.
Him and Sarah's entire family had history. It was not until Sarah started dating him when the showed signs of dislike towards Christopher. He understood as he probably feel the same about Kinsley when boys began to chase her and he was a watching father.
It was a modest one story home in a up and coming suburbs. It was no grand mansion on a well known street but it was home.
He remembered he used to hold Sarah's hands as he drove but held back afraid he would upset her since she didn't remember things the way they were before. He would have to make his wife fall in love with him again if he was going to keep her. Perhaps the fighting would stop about Regina . Maybe it was his start over. Ignorance is bliss he told himself.
He remembered carrying her over the threshold. He remembered their wedding night . Sarah saved herself for him. she was always his in her eyes . Sarah had only known him. She had no one else to compare him too. He smiled thinking how all of this went horribly wrong. How me messed up . He realized they both were still sitting in the car.
Sarah clinched her bag in her lap. She thought. I have to convince him I don't know him to see if he learned from his mistakes. She hated her parents was right about him and if he didn't change she would divorce him and go back home. She wasn't ready to accept defeat. This was her marriage. It took an arm and a leg for her to convince her parents and brother she was going to marry him. They were worse on him until kennith was born. Even then giving the child her father's name as a peace move made it a little easier.
Sarah was trying to save her marriage. This was a last ditch effort to bring Christopher back to her the way she remembered him before her. And save face from her parents being right about Christopher. She knew this little act of deception was wrong. But she couldn't admit she hit a woman pregnant with her husband's baby. That would look bad. And purposely crashed her car to hide evidence they lock her up in the crazy house.
When she said she would do anything for Christopher she meant it. He was her world her everything and to let some blonde bimbo take all aways in a matter of months was unacceptable. She worked hard to obtain Christopher's attention. But Sarah was no angel. She remembered watching her cousin Lexi somewhat date Christopher since they were closer to age . Christopher was four years older than Sarah .
Lexi was really into Christopher and multiple times Chad and him double dated . She remembered her cousins golden blonde hair . She remembered one summer as Lexi sunbathed as she had Christopher wrapped around her little finger. She remember the hate and jealousy she felt for her older cousin . She got Lexi out of the way she will get this woman out of the way as well.
If Christopher knew how Sarah really was she knew if Christopher knew he would leave her. She also knew if that woman had his child it be a constant reminder of his affair. She would be family. Christopher was too good hearted to not support any children he had. She would be insufferable . With there being three people in her marriage no matter how long they were married. That baby made her forever tethered to her husband by blood.
Sarah watched as Christopher opened her door and stood awkwardly not knowing what to do after that. They walked to the door and paused. He opened the door and stepped aside for her to go inside first . Sarah always admired his manners . He was a gentleman. As soon as she was in he closed the door and locked it.
" You can go lie down . Kenneth and Kinsley will be home soon." He said softly trying not to scare her.
" Who?" Sarah said pretending to be ignorant.
" Our children. A boy and a girl. " He said more careful.
" It's strange. I don't feel like a mother. " She said as she looked away from his so he would register her face as she said it .
" I see. Well I'll start dinner . I'll admit I'm not much of a cook but it won't kill you." He said modestly speaking.
" Well I don't want to go back to the hospital either." She said as a snide remark. Christopher smirked thinking he saw the old Sarah humor filled as always. One of the reasons he loved her was her humor in things. He looked at her thinking then slowly shook it off .
" Fair point. I'll order some pizza." He said .
Sarah nodded and pretended to look around the house with new found wonder. She really was going to milk this until her anxiety was subsided. Last thing she needed Christopher to know was her involvement in his lovers accident. Or if she was dead. It be easier if she was dead. She didn't mean to hit her with the van she was just trying to scare her away from her husband like she did with Lexi.
She sat on the sofa arm looking around the room like she haven't seen all the decor and items she place in their home. Sarah was good at playing dumb and clueless sometimes when really her mind was constantly finding solutions.
A few hours later the doorbell rang as he assumed it was the pizza delivery guy. As he opened the door he saw Mr. And Mrs. Kirkwall. Both faces in a displeased manner as they walked behind Chad dropping off the kids from watching them during Sarah's time in the hospital .
Chad knew there was going to be a fight as he took a seat because he knew his parents couldn't leave well enough alone. Chad and Christopher had been friends since that one summer camp they met at. Even though they went to separate school they managed to make time to hang out and stay in touch over the years.
When Christopher married his baby sister it made Chad overwhelmed he gained a brother he always wanted. Chad saw it a long time coming. He used to tease Christopher how Sarah followed him around when she was in her preteens and mope around the house when he left.
The pizza guy pulled up right behind the kirkwalls blocking them in with his heavy metal music blaring. Mr. Kirkwall raised his eyebrows in disapproval. Kennith ran to his dad and he picked him up. The pizza guy handed him the pizza as Christopher tipped him.
" Yo I appreciate it ,dude. Your alright in my book . Rock on stay strong " He said going to his car and peeling out of the driveway.
" Fine dining at it's best I see. I would say you have reduced my Sarah to this stuff you call food but I'm sure this is a normal for you. You put that toxic crud in your body " Said Mrs. Kirkwall in a stuck up voice.
" Well it's this or my cooking which might put us back in the hospital." He said sarcasticly.
" Sarcasm is the lowest form of intelligence, Christopher. " Retorted Mrs. Kirkwall.
" Well hunger is the highest form of starving to death. A terrible fate right next to burning alive so I hear. Closely followed by drowning " Sassed Christopher.
" Ladies can we stop fighting." Said Mr. Kirkwall was his Demasculating tone. Christopher shot the man a look at him calling him a lady.
" Martha. Kenny. Thank you for visiting but I think it is time to go . Sarah needs to rest and get use to her home again and the kids need to eat . Go on home chad will be here to make sure I don't poison them with my bad food choices " said Christopher annoyed why they always walked in without an invitation like they owned the place. Christopher didn't remember inviting them over or even telling them Sarah was coming home.
" We will leave when we are ready." Demanded Mr. Kirkwall. Try to push the envelope as he pressed his masculine stance as he puffed up his chest like he owned the place.
" Ok while you think about that I'm going to make a call about trespassing. " Said Christopher tired of this already.
" You wouldn't dare , Christopher don't you think you are taking this way too far .We get it you found your balls about damn time ,but now isn't the time to test drive them." Scoffed Mrs. Kirkwall.
" Actually now is the perfect time to test drive them .Please leave my home. I'm sure this bickering isn't good for Sarah or the kids to be around. Since I live her and you do not. For the interest of peace please leave and give us some." Stated Christopher opening the door.
" Sarah are you going to let him talk to us this way?" Cried Mrs. Kirkwall.
" I'm so sorry who are you again." Replied Sarah trying not to laugh as she watch her parents shocked face as she said this.
Sarah stared at her husband in amusement. He was actually standing up to her parents without just checking out of the conversation . she had never seen him stand up to her parents only she did . She knew he did it out of respect to her parents to not fight back with them. But today it was necessary.
Christopher was taking advantage of the fact Sarah didn't remember her parents or their relationship their entire marriage. He was going to take up for Sarah. This was the last time they were going to threaten him with taking his wife and kids away. It felt good finally being able to kick her parents out without Sarah taking offense to it.
The kirkwalls lifted their prideful heads as the looked like they wanted to say more but decided against it. They turned and left the house returning to their vehicle. Christopher sighed with relief as he put kennith down .
" So what do you say Chad? Pizza like old times? " Mused Christopher to his friend and brother. He wanted Chad to stay . He was not ready to deal with an amnesia version of Sarah.
" I would love to really would but I have Genevieve waiting for me at her place you know wearing that thing I like. And he doing that thing I really like. I will grab a slice for the road and we will take a rain check." He said grabbing two slices of pizza and winking as he left the house .
Sarah and Christopher was alone again as he turned his back to shove a slice of pizza in his mouth. The silence was awkward.
Sarah twisted her face as Kenneth ran to meet his momma as he tried to see the burns on her hands. She imagined she looked like a monster to her son. The little boy gave his momma a small knowing smile. Can he see right through her plans she thought as he looked at her curiously. Sarah tried not to react to this curious little boy trying to give her away.
" Make him go away." Cried Sarah as she saw the little boys face pucker up. She wanted to take it back so bad,but it was already done as Kenneth started to cry.
" Sarah that is our son." He said picking up the frightened little boy.
" Umm. I. Don't know." She said taking a deep breath as she tried not to break her character.
Christopher took a deep breath trying to rember this was the side effects of most recent condition. It hurt him to see her so lost like this. He wanted to beg her to remember him. He didn't want this version of his Sarah .
" Do you want to go to our room to rest?" Asked Christopher.
" Our room. Oh no that won't work." Demanded Sarah as Christopher heart broke not able to share a bed with his wife.
" We've never slept a night apart." Said Christopher now feeling the absence of her words.
" Well it's a good night to learn. I absolutely refuse to sleep in the same bed with a man I don't know. You say your my husband but I'm not entirely convinced you haven't kidnapped me and taking advantage of me like that movie ." She said recoiling from him.
" I understand. I'll move my items to the guest room." He said leaving the room to not let her see him brimming with tears as he picied up kennith to take him to his room. He began to pack his items from their room. He hated he couldn't sleep besides her it felt like the first step of his marriage breaking.
Sarah stood in the door as she watched him removing his items. Him and her never slept apart. It was one of the comforts they always relyed on. Her heart hurts watching Christopher face damp around his eyes. was he crying . She made him cry as he moved out of their marriage bed. The silence was awkward as she heard the click of the door knowing it hurt her more than it hurt him to see him this way .
Sarah had to snap out of her feelings of remorse from an action she knowingly started. If she continued to azmct this way she would Shirley be caught. To be honest Sarah was tired of living like normal people. She grew up with maids and chefs and people who did her laundry and as soon as she married Christopher all that lap of luxury went out the window as she was made to do all those jobs as a wife.
Honestly she needed a vacation from her life she assumed to please Christopher. Let him do all the running around and cooking and cleaning and daily childcare she scoffed inside of herself as she tried to convince herself that was also the real reason she was hurting him for hurting her. It was time for her to do what she wanted and take advantage of Christopher like he took advantage of her as his wife instead of spoiling her and pampering her the way she was growing up. This was her moment to train him the way she wanted him to treat her instead him getting his way with her devotion and compromise she had been doing for the past six years they were married.
Meanwhile Ruth-Anne sat in the interegation room as her eye was swollen shut and lip busted. Mrs. Molusky walked in the room and immediately looked at the officer.
" Apparently she was in the wrong corner." He said nonchalant.
Mrs. Molusky gave the officer we will talk later look. She closed the door and tossed the file on the table as she sat down.
" You asked for me." She said now aggervated about the state she saw the woman in.
" Please don't make me go back down there . The people are mean and horrible. I'll tell you whatever you want about Bobby-Joe just keep me away from the crazies." She begged grabbing Mrs. Molusky's hands and she tried pulling her hand back at the sudden touching.
" Whoa!Whoa!Whoa!I understand you had a rough night down there. Where was the officer on duty?" She asked.
Ruth-Anne gulped hard as she looked at her " Beatrice told him to let us chat and they beat me up." Cried Ruth-Anne.
" So your telling me that he left you alone by request of one of the detainees." She tried to clarify The situation.
" Ok I'll handle that in a minute. Where is this Beatrice?" Asked Mrs. Molusky.
" I don't know they let her out . Asked for some kind of food like they were expecting her back in a few days. Please, please please . Do not make me go back down in that cell." Cried Ruth-Anne.
" Only way I can do that is if you tell me what I want to know . It a you scratch my back I'll scratch your back sort of deal." Explained Mrs. Molusky.
" Bobby-Joe has a safety deposit box. He keeps records of all the accounts and alias he has when he used to do insurance fraud. He made alot of money skimming off of houses and buildings that happened to burn down through policies he opened. "She said her mouth parched from talking.
" What policies?" Asked Mrs. Molusky.
" Bobby-Joe would go door to door selling cheaper insurance rates. He would look up premiums and print off letterheads from reputable companies. He would talk then into the highest bracket and steal social security numbers and birthdate during this scam to make duplicate identifications to go towards his next scam. Usually he targeted the elderly and sometimes got their checks routed to him. When he got all he could put of them usually three months now longer than six months he would send a cancellation letter to the people and leave town with all their money. "She said now crying as she said it.
" Where is this safety deposit box?" Asked Mrs. Molusky.
" In the valley Bank. In a big bank that has a big locking door. Like those you see in old fashioned movies . Box number twenty-nine fifteen . All his papers . Identification and money he made is in all his previous scams." She said now exhausted from talking.
" So he has a history or burning down business and houses." She asked as confirmation.
" Ruth-Anne nodded. " Can I please get some food and drink. I haven't been able to eat in the cell." Asked Ruth-Anne.
" Of course. I'll order us both something . It is my lunch time anyway." Assured Mrs. Molusky.
" What about the complex?" She asked getting to the bottom of it .
" Our father owned it before Norma -jean took over and wrapped up all our generational weather in that building. He also put a in case of total distruction clause in there worth five times the amount of the initial structure itself . It would be around close to a million dollars payout. " Said Ruth -Anne now calming down as she saw food arriving as she ate unladylike.
" So he expected a big pay out of he burned it down. So when Norma -jean died he assumed it would go to you two." Confirmed Mrs. Mulosky.
" Yes . Then he was planning to skip town ,but the cops showed up at the hotel room and he jumped out the window and left me there. " Ruth-Anne explained.
" Thank you. " Said Ruth -Anne grateful. As she wiped crumbs of her lunch off of her mouth embarrassed how she ate her food.
" I can't make any solid promises but I'll pass this information along and see what I can get the D.A. to do for you. Right now I can place you in a protective cell to keep you out of harms way, but that's the extent of what I can do . That is until I can investigate your claims about what happened to you." Explained Mrs. Molusky.
Having his own sister spill all his crimes and not ask for a lawyer was the biggest break in a case. Mrs. Molusky smiled in her Victory. She was going to get Bobby- Joe. This time he would take the fall not his poor air headed sister that just followed her brother around as a eye witness to his crimes.
Her real goal was Bobby- Joe as he was on the wanted list as he kept slipping though their fingers every city he passed through,but now she has him.