Disclaimer: In first chapter.

 

Chapter 11

 

Turning off the TV, Jarod got up from the couch and walked towards the kitchen.  He couldn’t help but feel restless.  He wished Parker would’ve stayed instead of walking out, but he knew the situation would’ve become more volatile if she lingered.  Jarod couldn’t believe how fast things got out of control.  One minute it seemed liked they had control of the situation, and the next, everything just blew up in their faces.  He just hated seeing the two most important women in his life being at odds with each other.

 

Going over to the sink, he rested his hands on the counter and looked out the window, heaving a heavy sigh.  Parker and Josh were nowhere in sight.  It wasn’t cause for alarm, but he was still concerned.  Where could they be?  Looking down at his watch, he noticed thirty-five minutes had passed since Parker and Josh left.  Rubbing his face, he looked out the window again.  Still, no sign of the two.  ‘Well, I’ll give them another ten minutes before I go out and look for them,’ he thought to himself.  Pushing himself off the counter, he went to the pantry, looking for some hot chocolate packets.  Finding them, he set about making the hot cocoa.

 

Over at the back door, Jarod could hear Buddy whining as he scratched the door, demanding to be let out.  Turning around, Jarod commented sternly, “Buddy, stop that.”  The dog only seemed to get antsier as he got on all fours, wagging his tail.  Jarod glanced back out the window expecting Josh and Parker, but they were still nowhere to be seen.  Something just didn’t feel right, and Buddy only proved it.  Buddy continued to scratch the door, becoming more restless with each passing second.  When Buddy looked back over at Jarod, he barked a couple of times, begging his owner to let him out.  Now Jarod was worried, something definitely wasn’t right.

 

Turning off the stove, Jarod walked over to Buddy and knelt down in front of him.  Rubbing his head, Jarod asked, “What is it boy?”  The dog’s only answer was another bark.  “Is something wrong with Parker and Josh?”  The dog barked again.  Jarod knew the chocolate lab didn’t need a bathroom break, because when he did, for some reason he always went to the front door, never the back.  Quickly standing back up, Jarod grabbed his coat.  Grabbing the leash off the wall, Jarod bent down and hooked it up to Buddy’s collar.  Next, he grabbed a flashlight.  Once he had everything, he opened the door, practically having Buddy dragging him out as they ran down the back lawn.

 

XXXXXXX

 

“Somebody, anybody HELP!  I need some help!” Josh screamed out.  Looking back down at his mom, she seemed to get only paler.  With no help, there was only one thing for him to do.  Bending down, he gathered his mom in his arms.  “God, she’s light as a feather,” he whispered to himself.  Turning around, he hurried down the path to the creek, which would lead back to the house.

 

He wanted to run, but with the flashlight still in his pocket he didn’t have much light to work with.  The only illumination came from the full moon high above him.  Hearing his mom let out another painful moan, he walked faster.  “Mom, don’t worry.  Everything is going to be fine.  We’re almost there,” he breathed out, trying to reassure the both of them.  Juggling his mother in his arms, he continued on.

 

Only five minutes had passed, but it felt like an eternity for Josh.  He continued to battle through the twigs, leaves, and small branches, being careful not to fall.  The last thing he wanted to do was cause more pain for her.  When he gazed back up, he could hear something, but the noise was faint.  His eyes lit up.  Maybe it was help.  Feeling hope surging through him, he pressed on and yelled out, “Over here!”

 

When Josh came to the top of the hill, he found his father and Buddy running up.  “Dad!” he shouted out as he walked down the hill.

 

“Josh!” Jarod yelled back.  Letting go of Buddy’s leash, Jarod ran up the hill.  When he reached Josh, his heart caught in his throat.  Locking eyes with Josh he asked, “What happened to her?”

 

“We…I found her out by the lake.  Everything seemed to be fine.  We were talking and reminiscing when all a sudden she doubled over in pain.”  He paused.  “I think it might be her ulcer acting up again.  She forgot to take her medicine.”  Jarod could see tears glistening in Josh’s eyes.  “She…she’s going to be okay, right?”

 

“She’s going to be okay.  We just need to get her back home.”  Jarod put the flashlight down.  “Here, let me carry her.”  Josh did as he was told and handed Miss Parker off to Jarod.  Once Miss Parker was settled in Jarod’s arms he told Josh to grab the flashlight and Buddy.  With the flashlight in hand, Josh led the way followed by Jarod and Miss Parker.

 

Jarod looked down at the woman in his arms as she let out another agonizing moan.  He never liked seeing her in pain.  Bending his head down he whispered to her, “Parker, everything is going to be okay.”

 

She opened her eyes halfway as she looked up at him.  “Jarod…what are you…” she paused, slowly taken in her surroundings.  “Put me down,” she demanded weakly.

 

“No,” he simply said.

 

She was about to say something else when another jolt of pain shot through her.  Jarod winced at her discomfort, and gave her a sympathetic look.  “I know it hurts,” he said soothingly as he held her closer to him.  When she nuzzled her head under his chin, he let out a startled gasp.  Without thinking, he let his lips brush against her temple, trying to ease her pain away.

 

“Dad!” yelled out Josh.

 

Feeling like a kid who was caught doing something bad, Jarod’s head shot up.  “What…I wasn’t doing nothing,” he replied defensively.

 

“What?”

 

Jarod shook his head from side to side.  “Never mind.”  Pausing to gain more composure he asked, “What is it?”

 

“The house is just up ahead,” Josh replied back as he pointed towards the house.  Turning on his heels, he ran across the bridge and headed up the lawn, followed closely by Jarod.  Reaching the backdoor, Josh held the door open as Jarod went through it.

 

Walking into the living room, Jarod laid Parker down on the couch, putting a few throw pillows under her head.  He glanced over at Josh.  “Go get a cold compress.”  Josh nodded his head as he ran into the kitchen.  Jarod ran up the stairs, taking two at a time.  Reaching the top, he ran down the hallway at full speed heading towards the master bedroom.  Sprinting through the room, he headed for the bathroom.  He flicked on the bathroom lights and rummaged through the medicine cabinet.  Finding her ulcer pills, he ran back out.

 

“Dad, what’s wrong?” called out Sarah with a drowsy voice as her dad ran past her.

 

Running down the stairs, Jarod yelled over his shoulders, “It’s your mother.”  When Jarod reached the bottom, he could hear Sarah coming down behind him.  Going into the living room, he found Josh holding a wet washcloth on Parker’s forehead.  “How is she?” asked Jarod as he opened the pill bottle.

 

“I don’t know,” Josh answered softly.  “She looks pretty pale, maybe we should take her to the hospital.”

 

“No…hospitals,” Miss Parker croaked out.  “I just…need my pills.”

 

Pulling the coffee table closer to the couch, Jarod sat down on it.  Looking up at Sarah he ordered, “Go get a glass of water.”  Sarah did as she was told, and ran out of the room.  Ten seconds later, Sarah had a glass of water in her hand.  Handing it too Jarod, she stood back.

 

Setting the glass down beside him, Jarod dumped two pills into his hands.  “Parker?” he asked gently.

 

“What?”

 

“I’ve got your pills and water ready.  You just need to sit up.”  Jarod sat back as Miss Parker propped herself up on her right elbow as she reached out her left hand.  Jarod dropped the two pills in her palm, next he handed her the water.  Once the pills were swallowed, she laid back down. 

 

Standing back up, Josh put the washcloth back on her forehead.  Glancing over at Jarod he said, “Dad, you…you’re not leaving, are you?”

 

Jarod shook his head.  “No.  I’ll stay and make sure she’s okay.”  Looking down at his watch he commented, “Why don’t you two go on up to bed?  Both of you have a big day tomorrow with the football game.”  Both kids still stood in place as they cast worried glances at their mother.  “Hey, look at me, everything is going to fine.”  Wrapping an arm around each of his kid’s shoulders, Jarod steered them towards the stairs.

 

“Dad?” asked Sarah when they reached the foot of the stairs.

 

“Yeah, sweetie?”

 

Sarah looked over Jarod’s shoulders, staring at her mother.  Jarod could see the concern and guilt written across her face, afraid of asking question she thought was true.  “Dad, was this… I mean, was this all my fault?” she asked timidly.

 

Jarod’s face softened as he looked at her.  Pulling her into an embrace he replied, “This isn’t your fault, okay?  Stop blaming yourself.  I know your mother wouldn’t want that.”  Pulling away, he held her at arm’s length.  A few tears ran down her cheeks as she meekly nodded at him. 

 

Sarah took a few deep breaths, trying to gain back some composure.  Wiping the tears away, she flashed him a wry smile.  “I hope you’re right, dad.”  Glancing back at her mother she said, “Tell her…tell her…you know what, never mind.”  Giving her father a quick hug, she said good night and ran up the stairs.

 

“You know, you guys have a weird daughter,” Josh joked.  When he turned back around, he had a more serious expression on his face.  “Dad, if anything goes wrong…”

 

Jarod interrupted him, placing a hand on his shoulder.  He was surprised that Josh didn’t push his hand away.  “Josh, nothing is going to go wrong because I won’t let it.  You have to start trusting me.”

 

Josh gave his father a bewildered look.  “Dad, I know we haven’t gotten along lately, but you’ve never lost my trust in you.” 

 

Jarod felt as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders by his son’s words.  His vision became blurry when his eyes watered up with unshed tears.  Giving his son a few heartfelt pats on the shoulder he whispered out, “Thank you, Josh.”

 

Digging his hands in his pockets, Josh gave him an assuring nod as he looked down at his feet.  Clearing his throat he said, “Well, I better get to bed.”  Taking a hand out of his pocket, he swiped it over one of his eyes.  Turning on his heels, he headed up the stairs.  Halfway up, he turned back around,  “Dad?”

 

“Yes?”

 

There was a pause.  “Thanks…for staying tonight.”  With that, he jogged up the stairs.

 

Keeping his eyes on the second floor, Jarod whispered to himself.  “There’s no place I rather be.”  Tearing his gaze from upstairs, he walked back into the living room to check on Parker.

 

When he walked into the room, he found Buddy lying down on the floor beside the couch, as if he was keeping watch over Miss Parker until someone came back.  Smiling at the dog, Jarod asked, “So, how’s she doing boy?” 

 

“What do you think?” answered Miss Parker sarcastically.

 

Taking a seat on the coffee table, he grinned at her.  “Well, I see you’re slowly coming back around.”

 

Pulling the washcloth off her forehead, she arched an eyebrow at him.  “What are you smiling at?”

 

“What?” he replied innocently.  “Can’t a guy just sit back and gaze at a beautiful woman?”

 

“Well, it depends.”

 

“Depends on what?” he asked curiously.

 

“Depends on whether or not he wants to be the next pet project for Lorena Bobbitt to deal with,” she answered jovially.

 

A smile graced her lips when Jarod shivered to himself.  “Now, there’s a woman I would never make mad,” he chuckled to himself.  “Could you imagine being one of the officers assigned to that search party, and looking for that missing appendage?”  There was few seconds of silence before Miss Parker burst out laughing.  Resting a hand on her stomach, she laid back down, trying to calm down her laughter.   Jarod’s grin only got broader.  “That’s probably my favorite sound in the world.”

 

“What?” she asked through a few remaining chuckles.

 

“Your laugh,” he replied softly.  She stiffened at his words.  Letting out a sigh, he looked down at his hands, absently playing with the ring on his hand.  “I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have…”

 

“Jarod,” she interrupted.  “It’s okay, but you have to remember, the woman you’re still married too is not me, but somebody else.  The only thing that your Parker and me have in common is the same body.  That’s it.”

 

She watched as Jarod pondered this.  “I see what you’re saying, but your wrong.  When you recover from this amnesia…”

 

“Jarod, I don’t have amnesia.  I know what the doctors said, but I still have a sane mind,” she interjected.  “Hopefully, by tomorrow, we’ll all be back to our normal lives.”  Trying to shut him out, she dragged the washcloth over her eyes, letting out a heavy sigh. 

 

Silence enveloped the room as the two thought to themselves.  Seeing Miss Parker squirming on the cushions in discomfort, Jarod said, “If you want, I can take you upstairs and put you to bed?”

 

“Oh yeah, I bet you would just love that, wouldn’t you?” she replied back, her voice tinged with sarcasm.

 

Standing up, Jarod let out a frustrated sigh.  “I’m trying to help you, not seduce you,” he answered with exasperation.  “Fine, if you don’t want to go upstairs then sit up.”

 

She took the washcloth off her forehead, giving him an incredulous look.  “Excuse me?”

 

Flashing a stern look, he rested his hands on his hips.  “You heard me, sit up, so I can make you more comfortable.”

 

Jarod could tell she was getting angry, but he wasn’t going to back down.  “Who the hell do you think you are?  You can’t tell me what to do.  I’m perfectly fine right where I am.”

 

“I’m going to count to three.  If you still haven’t sat up then I’m afraid I’ll have to take further actions,” he suggested in an easy manner.  “1…”

 

“I don’t believe this,” she chimed in.

 

“2…”  She remained firmly in place, glaring up at him.  “…3.” 

 

Resting a hand on her stomach, she flashed Jarod a smug grin.  “Figures, all words and no action.”  Before she could react fast enough, Jarod swooped her up in his arms and quickly sat back down again with her by his side.

 

“You were saying,” he commented with a triumphant grin.

 

“You bastard,” she said furiously.  Grabbing her waist, she let out another painful moan.

 

With a serious expression stapled on his face, Jarod grabbed a pillow and rested it on his lap.  “Here,” he offered as he patted the pillow, indicating for her to lie down.  Of course, she shook her head as she winced in pain.  “Parker, please don’t fight me on this,” he pleaded.   A small ray of hope went through Jarod as he watched her contemplate his words.  Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she slowly laid her head down on the pillow.  “See, now was that so hard,” he smiled at her.

 

“Shut up,” she bit out as she closed her eyes.

 

Taking the washcloth out of her hand, Jarod held it to her forehead.  For once, she didn’t protest.  Reaching over, he grabbed a blanket and pulled it up to her waist.  She seemed to be getting comfortable, but not quite.  There was one thing that could help her, but Jarod was afraid to risk it.  The last thing he wanted was for her to rip off his arm and beat him over the head with it.  Finally, after some thought, he decided to go for it.

 

“Um, Parker?”

 

“What?” she asked with annoyance.

 

“Could you move your hands from your waist?”

 

She opened up her eyes.  “What for?”

 

“Now don’t bite off my head, but I was going to rub your belly.”  He waved his hand in the air.  “Wait, wait, wait.  Before you get all riled up, let me explain myself.  Whenever you were pregnant, sick, or just suffering from insomnia, having me rub your belly always seemed to relax you, so you could go to sleep.  I know you’re weary of my actions right now, but I am telling you the truth.”

 

He watched her intently as she considered his words.   Finally, with the flick of the wrist, Miss Parker gave the okay.  Reaching out, Jarod slowly lifted up her shirt just enough to show her abdomen.  When he laid his hand down on her waist she grabbed his wrist.  “Try anything funny, and so help me, I’ll make Lorena Bobbitt look like a girl scout when I’m done with you,” she growled out.

 

“Take it down a notch, Cujo.  I hear your message loud and clear,” he replied back with frustration.  Smirking at him, she let go of his wrist.  As she rested her head back on the pillow, Jarod started rubbing her stomach in a gentle, soothing motion.  Looking down at Parker, he smiled to himself when he saw a contented look starting to appear on her face.  “Feel better?”

 

“Mmm, hmm,” she hummed out.  Realizing what she was saying, her eyes flew open.  “I mean, it’s okay.  Nothing to brag about,” she said off handedly.

 

His grin got broader.  “It’s okay to say you like it.  I won’t hold it against you.”

 

“Jarod?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

Opening up her eyes again, she looked up at him.  With a serious demeanor she asked, “Jarod, what did happen to my mother?  From what Josh told me, it seems you have new evidence about her death.  Was…was she murdered?” she asked softly.

 

Jarod stopped rubbing, but kept his hand on her waist.  Letting out a deep breath he said, “I knew this was going to come up.”  He looked down at her.  “I know you have questions, but this doesn’t seem to be the right time for me to answer them.”

 

“No, now is the right time, so spill it.  Tell me about this evidence,” she yawned.

 

“Parker, I’ll give you the answers, but for now just rest.”

 

“Jarod…” she said as she yawned again.

 

“Parker, just go to sleep,” he answered soothingly.  As he continued to rub her belly, he watched as her eyelids became heavier and heavier.  Once her breathing became more even, Jarod laid his head back and fell to sleep also.

 

XXXXXXX

 

To Be Continued…