TROUBLE ON THE HORIZON
By Diane Dery Coutu
Prologue
By Diane Dery Coutu
Prologue
A shadow was approaching her at a violent rate. She kept turning her head from left to right. At her back was a grayish brick wall, the one she finally realized reminded her of their house that she sold two years earlier. What was it? Why was it after her? What can she do to get away?
Why wasn't she frightened, and yet it felt like she was. The whole thing seemed surreal. Then she blacks out. She is so tired of those nightmares. The specialist said that it was just her memory, cutting out what was too painful. Due to what she had been through and that with time it would either go away. Or she would finally get the answer she was seeking. The last one became a reality.
Not giving herself time for tears. Anita stretched as she woke up; it hurt too much to remember what she’d been through, in the last three years. She could hear Ralph in the next room. “I’m coming loves, I’m coming.”
After brushing her hair to tame it somewhat and getting dressed she slipped on a pair of flip-flops. Then she elegantly waddled over and entered her son’s room, he smiled at her in greeting. It felt so good to be free of all responsibilities. Except for the one she had towards her son Ralph. He resembled her in so many ways it was uncanny. She picked him up and elegantly waddled to the changing table, to change his diaper.
Anita always had nice slightly wavy sandy blond hair and it was her lush lips and gold speckled eyes that she inherited from her mother that made people look at her twice.
Having gone to a private school, when she was younger one thing that she’d learned was even if you had some extra pounds on your person, you should always walk with grace. All young ladies had to learn to walk with a book on their heads. She had no choice but to learn some of the finer things in school, because her father was a bigwig, before his death.
Being a part of a huge Cartel had its good side, but also it's bad side. Like the death of her beloved lover and her twin brother. Now three years later. All of the street gang and her family members, who had something to do with their deaths, were in prison.
She felt a little better since she got her revenge. Moreover, she did it in an honest way in her brother’s memory. She wanted the family way to be in the past. Now after having discovered a few things about her lover, she was finally going to find her lovers family. Hopefully, she would get some support from them to help raise her son.
By now she was used to his illness. She'd looked up as much information as possible, so that she would be ready if anything ever happened. She knew it did not come from her side of the family. So the only possibility was that it came from his father's side. She was hoping they could help clarify that for her.
She had known her lover for over a year, but they only became close a little while before his death. The only possibility was that he was a carrier: Hemophilia A. Due to a defective gene that is passed on to other generations. A defective gene found on an x chromosome was responsible. There were several kinds and his was type A.
“Hey little munchkin what do you feel up to doing today? Mommy is free to go for a walk in the park what do you say to that?” Anita smiled at his antics. She loved it when he clapped his hands in approval; it meant he was in a good mood. “One day left; and we will be with your Granddad and Uncle Damien. Remember they are your father’s brother and father.” She preferred repeating things like that to get him used to their names. Hoping he would feel comfortable when it came to meeting them.
She finished wiping him up, put on a fresh diaper and dressed him with the clothes she had taken out the night before. “There you go, are you hungry?” He clapped his hands again. She kissed him on the cheek. “You are a cheeky little Angel, you.” They had their usual breakfast of cereal and toast. Ralph had his juice and Anita had her coffee.
The few things Anita had left to pack could wait until Ralph was down for his nap. So they took off. Thanks to her friend Gina; Anita was able to give the bulky baby carriage to her friend's beloved sister who was expecting another child, but still had a few months to go. Her friend said she needed one because her first child was now five years old.
Anita figured she could buy another smaller one when she got to Horizon. She didn't mind giving it away because she knew her friend's sister was doing everything she could to save money. Anita knew life wasn't easy when you had to scrape for everything. Personally she hadn't had to worry about it, but her brother had known of such things and helped people out whenever possible. Not many people liked bulky baby carriages. So she figured it was easier to give it away.
Gina was a friend of long date, and knew everything that Anita had gone through. Gina was so happy that her friend had met the man of her life. Anita had a great twin brother, too bad he wanted to be a priest because she favored him greatly.
Though when she found out he was going to be the head of the family, she'd decided to try to get to know him better. She was sure that she was making headway, when the whole horrible thing happened. She couldn't tell her friend about her own feelings; for her twin brother, she thought it was best to keep quiet until their relationship had altered, though she cried with Anita at the funeral.
Ralph loved the swings, Anita swung him as high up as she dared and held Ralph while he slid down the slide a few times, he seemed to be having so much fun. She preferred not trying the slide for she felt she would probably get stuck. It was a good thing she brought with her one of the plastic glasses specially made for young children so that he wouldn't spill his drink all over the place.
Because of it, she was able to provide him something to drink, seeing as he developed the hiccups again. She was happy he didn't ask for the bottle anymore it made life a little easier. Soon she would have to start potty training. First she would let him get used to his new life before incorporating something new. Once he feels comfortable with his Grandfather and Uncle it should be pretty easy, she thought.
It was going on noon when they returned to her two bedroom apartment. She was looking forward to meeting her lover’s family, even though she was a little apprehensive. She figured it was probably expected. Their meal consisted of roughly mashed cooked veggies making it easier for Ralph to eat with hamburger mixed in. Finger food for her baby; who for some reason he seemed to prefer feeling his food before eating it. “You had a fun morning, honey?” She tickled his chin. He opened his mouth and yawned.
“Oh, a yawn poor you, you’re tired!” Anita didn’t mind putting him down even though he hadn’t quite finished his meal. “Come on honey it’s time for a nap.” She cleaned him off; he was so cute when he slept, a real little angel.
Anita hoped that they would all get along. As she went to leave the room she turned around, stood over his bed watching him sleep. Her shoulder leaning against the wall she crossed her arms over her ample bosom, biting her bottom lip as she watched him sleep in his crib. All she knew about them was that Uncle Damien was a lawyer. And that Ralph's Grandfather was not working, but she had no idea why.
Raphael Star was going to meet them at the bus station. I wonder how I will recognize him. Anita started to feel a little on edge. Come on you’ve been through hell these last three years, this is going to be a piece of cake.
She felt a bit better; a little self motivation didn't hurt. Closing the door as she exited his room, then she got to work putting her few remaining things in her luggage to bring with her.
She'd decided on more finger food, for their last meal of the day. Tomorrow they would have toast and cereal she'd give him his favorite -- Honey and Nuts -- Cheerios. It would be easy to place his bowl in with the luggage, so he would have something familiar in the new place. She'd bring his glass in her purse if ever he was thirsty, he'd have it.
Ralph woke around two that afternoon, giving them time to go say a last good-bye to the few friends they had. When they got back home Anita put Ralph on the living room floor, letting him play with his toys while she prepared the supper. Chicken fingers, French fries and green string beans from a can. Once his meal was cut up in bite size pieces and cooled down. Anita sat him in the high chair; she'd borrowed from Gina's sister. Washed his hands with a facecloth she always had ready and let him go at it.
She relished looking at him eat; it often reminded her of his father's hands on, way of eating. Once they were finished eating, she washed his hands again. Put him back on the floor and let him play while she washed and put the dishes away. Ralph was sleepy again so she got them both ready for a goodnights sleep.
She had put her alarm clock for six AM. Hoping it would give her enough time, to be at the bus station for nine AM. After washing her face, she spread moisturizer put on her makeup. Then she got dressed and put her luggage close to the door. Having taken a bath the night before; she'd gotten in the habit of doing that, which saved time in the morning.
She went into Ralph's room; started humming, Ralph began to stir. “Hi munchkin, it's time to get up snoozing McDougan, snoozing McDougan, snoozing McDougan you've snoozed enough, la-la-la-la-la, LA-LA-LA-LA-LA, la-la-la-la-la. ” She was singing. Ralph liked it when she sang as she woke him up.
She gave him a bath, so he would start off fresh. Dressed him in a diaper and put him in the high chair. She was ready to dress him once he was finished eating. It was going on eight when her friend Gina arrived. “Hi,” she greeted Anita with a kiss and a hug. “Greetings to my favorite young man, are you ready?” He smiled and threw a piece of cereal at her. Catching it she put it in her mouth, petting his head and thanking him. She turned back to Anita, “I'm going to miss you.”
They hugged. “Once I know the phone number I’ll let you know.” Anita smiled.
“If you have any problems you’ll let me know. I’ll help you.” Anita nodded placed a piece of paper with the address of where she was going. And her apartment keys in Gina’s hands so that her friend could come back and get the things that were destined for her sister.
Gina took the luggage down to the used car it was easy because the luggage was on wheels. Anita stayed in the apartment getting her boy ready for the bus ride that would take a little more than one hour.
Anita hoped that Gina would soon find herself a boy friend. She got the impression that she was interested in her brother. But Anita was so into her own bubble it was something, she didn’t think to give much thought to. She’d just noticed little actions every once in awhile, but never paid much attention.
When Gina took the time to pamper herself, she was good looking. She'd proved it a few times during the holidays, but for some reason she preferred looking like plain Jane. Anita was sure she would find someone once she started taking better care of herself.
She was of a petit frame some two inches smaller than herself. Blond straight hair, sky blue eyes, soft mannered some ten pounds over her normal weight. But still nicely proportioned, Anita just realized she never heard her swear; surely a dream for any man with a brain.
At the bus stop they got the luggage into the boot under the bus. It was a good thing they didn’t have a lot of luggage, for there were a lot of people getting on the bus. Some men, but mostly like her, mothers with their children of different ages. Anita and Gina hugged one last time. “Now take good care of mommy, Ralph.” She kissed him on the cheek and smiled, her eyes watering over. “Don’t forget me.” Gina sniffed.
“Don’t worry; there is no possibility of that ever happening. Maybe you could come and visit some time?” Anita felt her eyes smart.
“Maybe, we’ll see.” Gina began to back away as people got on the bus. They waved one last time, and then Gina turned and left.
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