FanStory.com - Life's Twisted Road - Chap 13by Begin Again

CHAPTER 13

"I need at least five bags."

"I ain't got any of the good stuff on me, man."

"Doesn't matter. It's not for me."

"If you're sure, cause I don't want you coming back later complaining."

"Trust me. You didn't see me today. Matter of fact, I haven't seen you in weeks." Bobby tossed a stack of bills on the hood of Juan's car. "That enough?"

"For this stuff, it'll do fine." Juan scooped up the bills and shoved them into his jeans pocket. "See you around, Bobby."

"Just remember, you ain't seen me in weeks." Bobby climbed back into the truck and winked at Judy. "Let's go grab a beer, babe."

Terrified for the last thirty minutes, Judy simply nodded.

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Bobby parked his truck in the rear of the building. Bottom's Up wouldn't be busy this time of day.

"Just to be on the safe side, Doll, do you mind going in and getting a six-pack? Oh, what the hell, let's have a party." He tossed her a fifty. "Get a twelve-pack and two of their giant poorboys. Okay with you?" He leaned across the seat and kissed her cheek. "There's plenty more of that to come."

Judy's cheeks flushed. She was thrilled to have the old Bobby back, not the crazy she'd been with for the last hour. She hopped off the truck seat and slowly walked toward the bar's back entrance, shaking her bootie for all it was worth.

Bobby watched until she was out of sight. He exited the truck and hurried to the side of the building. The walkway between Bottom's Up and the dress shop was narrow, but Bobby knew if he sucked in his gut, he could make it through. The squeeze was a little tighter than he thought, but he quickly made it to the front of the building.

Lucky for him, the sidewalks were empty.

Checking his surroundings, Bobby pulled his purchase from Juan out of his pocket. Double checking, he stepped out on the walkway and moved toward the parked truck. Bobby's grin was evil. "The kid hasn't been back to get his truck yet. Hoorah for me!"

He swung open the passenger door, tossed the cellophane bags under the seat, and retreated.

As he climbed into his truck, he let out a low whistle. "Mission accomplished. Yup, Bobby's got a plan."

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Hours later, Isabella sat on the end of a four-poster bed, rubbing Gabby's feet. She'd decided not to tell Gabby about her father's rampage earlier this morning. Instead, with Paddy's permission, she told her she hadn't lost the baby, but precautions needed to be taken. Paddy had suggested bed rest and no stress, which meant steering clear of her father if that was possible.

"Amanda and Paddy have offered you their home until you feel strong enough. I suggest at least a few days and then maybe contact an OB/GYN doctor, but the final decision is yours."

"Meeting the two of them in the park was like a sign. I didn't know it at the time, but I was so frightened of leaving your home until you opened the car door. I couldn't believe it was Paddy. Thank you so much, Isabella."

"Well, you might not thank me after I suggest you don't have any contact with Natasha or Becky for the time being. One slip up and your father could snatch you out of here. You just need a little time."

"Oh, Isabella, I've never kept secrets from either of them. We're best friends." Gabby's lower lip protruded.

"I know, honey. It's just for a little while. You have a baby to think about now. Think of it as protecting the child."

"I suppose you're right, but what about Dion? He'll go crazy and think the worst. I know he'll confront my dad if he doesn't know where I'm at. Oh gosh, I couldn't even imagine another fight, especially when Dion wasn't caught off-guard."

"Maybe you're right. Let me think on it and I'll find a way to let him know you're okay."

"Isabella, I wish you were my grandmother. I would never treat you badly like Natasha does."

Isabella smiled and squeezed Gabby's foot. "I am your grandmother, Gabby. You've practically grown up in my house. As for Natasha, I pray every night that she'll see how much I love her."

"I'll pray, too."

***************************

"Thanks for picking me up, Jason."

"No problem." Jason pulled away from the curb. "It's the least I can do. I can't believe Gabby's dad attacked you. It should have been me."

"Quit kicking yourself, Jas. The man's a nut case."

"Yeah, but he saw you and Gabby together. He thought one plus one made three."

"The booze blinded him. After all, you've been dating his daughter. He had to see you sometime." Dion leaned back against the seat. "At the funeral or her house."

"He wasn't home much, and Gabby made a point to be gone when he was there. His brain's been pickled most of the time." Stopped at a traffic light, Jason turned toward his friend. "Umm, did she tell you what she's going to do?"

"You mean about the baby?" Dion shook his head. "She went to the clinic to see what her options were, that's all I know."

"It was great she didn't have to go alone, but you should be careful, Dion. You've been hurt and won't be able to play for a few weeks. That's not going to look good with the scouts."

"The scouts? Really, Jas, your girlfriend is having a baby, your baby, and all you can think about is football?"

"You're my best friend. I thought you'd understand. I'm not going to be a part of it. Look at you, being a friend and you got messed up. That's not going to be me. The man's crazy. You need to stay far away from all of them, cuz that's what I plan on doing."

Jason pulled along the curb behind Dion's truck. Climbing out of the Camaro, Dion leaned down so he could see his friend's face. "All these years and I don't know you, at all. Thanks for the ride, but you better go. Don't want to be late for practice." He slammed the car door and headed for his truck.

Leaning out the window, Jason yelled, "Aren't you coming to practice?"

"Nope! Think I'll take a drive in the country and clear my head." Dion needed to think. He'd known Jason since first grade, or at least he thought he'd known him. Now, he wasn't anyone he even cared to hang out with anymore. As he pulled away from the curb, his thoughts turned from his best friend to Gabby and the baby.

His eyes lifted toward the sky as he spoke, "God, that girl deserves something better than a drunk for a daddy and an ignorant football player for a boyfriend. I know I haven't been perfect, but if I've earned any grace in heaven, feel free to pass it her way." As he left the city limits, he murmured, "Amen."