The Birthday Bash

PART ONE

WHERE, WHEN, WHY and HOW IT STARTS

Chapter One

Please, please, please, send me a sister or brother. Little Mae sat on her knees beside her bed, holding both hands together before her face, with her eyes squeezed shut. The lights were out, and she wasn’t supposed to be out of her bed. Most nights she’d just stay under her covers, but every so often she felt it important to pray harder. Despite the fear of what might try to grab her from underneath the bedstead, nothing dissuaded her from the belief God would provide what she needed.

Someone that I can talk to and I could share my room with. Praying wasn’t something she did at meal and bedtime exclusively. Having no one else but her beloved German shepherd and God to talk too, she chattered all day with a constant flow of ideas, questions, needs and fears.

Help my daddy and mommy to be happy. Thank you. Amen. Without a second in between, she’d slid silently back in her bed. Closing her eyes, she knew her prayers would be answered.

Some of Mae’s earliest memories were situated in the middle Seventies with the Vietnam War coming to an end. The little blond girl, filled her days exploring the thick woods of her parent’s land, situated in the center of twenty acres of uncut and overgrown woods in western Alabama. The house and acreage was private and secluded, which only added to Mae’s solitude.

She was a fearless youngster while exploring the dense acreage with her dog King. Ever mindful of the dangers lurking around, she was careful of rattle snakes, spiders, scorpions, poison oak and ivy, as well as the threat of long abandoned deep wells. Playing in her own carefully controlled fantasy world, she had no fears in her dark and enchanting forest. It was in the walls of her house, she would have every reason to fear for her life.

The Police Uniform was created for someone like Mae’s father, Joel Lee Tripp and he took tremendous pride in wearing it. With or without the magic badge on his chest, he lived and breathed discipline and control. Mae could never be sure what any twenty four hour period might bring in the form of lessons she needed to learn.

Like this! Joel stormed in after a difficult day on the job, grabbing his four-year-old daughter by the arm. When you try to kill yourself, you need to cut this way, not this way! His gun swinging in her face, as his finger traced lines across her wrist.

Yes sir! Mae never questioned her father’s orders. Love came in the form of control, discipline and appeasement, using his favorite Vietnam War military belt. Holding his small and helpless daughter by one arm, allowing both of her legs to dangle, while her feet were kicking, he’d whip her as many times it took in any given day, to teach her right from wrong. Growing up, Mae wasn’t aware of what a child abuser looked like, nor did she understand why her daddy felt the need to teach her such violent lessons. She didn’t realize her life to be unusual.

Mae’s mother, Mary Baker Tripp, was as befuddled as her daughter was, as to why Joel turned out to be so brutal to his daughter and discontented with his marriage. Fresh out of high school, Mary had fell head over heels in love for the tall, popular and good looking Joel Tripp. Even though Joel joined the military, with the draft forcing many young men to fight in a war, far from home, she married him, and moved to where he was stationed. Mary was a catch herself. Full formed, blond and petite, she had been a majorette for years, as well as shared the same circle of friends as Joel. The couple seemed destined to live happily ever after.

I’d never been so lonesome in all my life. Mary described her early marriage, the days before Mae’s memories. Joel worked out in the world as a military police, while hiding me from the dangers he claimed to be lurking in the streets. I wasn’t allowed any military wife acquaintances, and was required to make quick and brief trips out in the public for basic necessities only. Being young and naive, she believed making her husband happy was all she had to do, and trusting him was part of the process.

In the early years of the marriage and being stationed in Michigan, it was a distance from the southern climate, family, and friends, and the culture shock kept Mary obediently behind closed doors. Quickly under Joel’s command and control, Mary determined to make her marriage work. Once they finally moved back to Alabama years later, Mary hoped her obsessive husbands gripping hold would loosen up. Instead, being near their families and hometown support, made Joel Tripp worse than ever.

Visiting Joel’s parents, Clay and Marion, down in Florida at least every year or so, kept little Mae in touch with her beloved grandparents. They never denied their youngest son’s family love, actually doting on and spoiling Mae as much as time allowed. They wouldn’t involve themselves in the affairs of his marriage, no matter what he did. It was during one of their eight hour trips down for a visit, that Joel would pull one of his famous stunts of abandoning his family, to demonstrate his moral.

Mae loved visiting the sunny state of Florida with the salty taste in the air and the golden sand holding back that massive water called ocean. They had only been their long enough to unpack the car before she was eagerly asking to go for a walk to the little tourist shop, up the sandy road. Paw Paw and Maw Maw Tripp gave her a few dollars in case she found something she liked, and Mary gave her permission to leave the yard all by herself. Sea shells lay all around, causing Mae to pause often to pick some up to examine closer. The shop was only a few blocks away, and just as she walked up to the front display table holding Sunshine State souvenirs, she noticed her daddy pulling the car into the small parking area. Mae briskly made her way to him, noticing their suitcases sitting in the back seat, the same ones she’d just witnessed being unloaded from the vehicles trunk. Looking around the little shop, a few tourists walked about, and she hoped it would deter a beating. He was rolling down his window, which she took as a positive sign she wasn’t getting the belt.

Tell your mother, I’ve gone home. He was unusually calm, nearly cheery.

Yes sir! Nearly saluting as she backed up and watched with confusion as he pulled the car onto the road, back towards Alabama. Suddenly scared, she ran back without haste to inform her mother as she was instructed. Once back, no one seemed to notice Joel and the luggage were gone. It took Mae a few minutes to really get Mary’s attention, because she was in the middle of talking to Marion. Being brought up not to interrupt adult conversations, Mae patiently waited until they had a quiet moment, and then she announced the news.

Daddy said to tell you he has gone back home. Mae’s words were followed by a long silence from all the adults looking down at her.

What? Both Clay and Mary quizzed together. Mary jumped up and started for the bedroom, while Mae began to cry as she repeated slowly.

He went home. Shrugging her shoulders, Mae didn’t really know how else to put it.

All three adults were shocked and upset. This was exactly what Mae didn’t want, but somehow she felt she was always the bearer of bad news or the cause of most commotion.

There was no way to call Joel and ask him why he left, and no one would have persisted for an answer from him to start with. Paw Paw Tripp brought his son’s family back home, and Joel never gave a reason for abandoning them.

Joel’s behavior, though disturbing, was tame in front of observers and family. In the privacy and seclusion of his house, Mae’s father made it very clear; he could simply kill them all. Sometimes his rage and anger, slipped out of the confines of his house. One day it caused a car accident.

Two days after the car wreck, Mae returned to her first grade classroom. The teacher encouraged Mae to describe what happened to her, to the entire class. Terribly shy, at first Mae couldn’t bear the thought of everyone’s attention on her, but the class full of curious youngsters, implored her to explain. Still nervous, the teacher sat Mae on her lap, and allowed the children to sit around them on the floor. Carefully, Mae began to recount what she’d been through, fearful she might reveal what really happened.

Daddy was driving, and I was sitting in the front seat with Momma. The car started slipping and sliding, and Daddy couldn’t keep it on the road. I hit my head, and blood was covering my eyes and it was going in my mouth.

What did it taste like? Red headed Warren questioned out loud, while politely raising his hand for permission to speak.

Ewe... Most of the girls wrinkled their noses in displeasure.

The teacher quietly reminded them that questions and comments come after the story. She then looked down and smiled, heartening Mae on.

An ambulance picked Momma and me up. I had to stay in the hospital all day and sleep there all night. Mae sat quietly for a second, to let that sink in, because staying in the hospital had been no fun at all.

The same boy was bouncing around with his hand up again, dying to ask the question everyone else was whispering, if the ambulance had its lights on, but the teacher motioned for him to put his hand down.

Mae, what was it like, in the hospital? The teacher wanted Mae to finish.

They stuck me with lots of needles, and I had to have these put in my head. Mae pulled the bandage off her new scar going across her forehead. All the children were impressed to see the tiny stiches.

The actual true version of the accident would never be known, and for Mae became part of her haunted collection of locked up memoirs. Only after her brothers murder years later would she be able to recollect the factual events of that day.

Joel Tripp, dressed in his Valley Point Police uniform, was running late. Everything was to blame for the tardiness, except for Joel himself. Unpunctuality drove him nearly insane and he still had to drive Mary to work and drop Mae off at her great grandmother’s house. As they left the driveway, Joel was yelling at his wife.

Mae sat squashed in between her mother and the door. She was accustomed to hearing her two parents fuss, and she drifted in and out of sleep to the roaring sound of his voice, bouncing within the confines of the tiny Toyota. It was the tone of her mother’s terrified vocals that made Mae’s eye’s open wide.

I tell you what! Joel screamed in a military tone. I will kill us all Mary, I’ll kill us all right now!

NO JOEL! NOOO…

It was too late; Joel had already floored the gas pedal, steering straight for an old Oak Tree. Luckily, he lost complete control, and only managed to throw his wife and daughter into the windshield. Joel suffered no injuries, and even though Mae was admitted into the hospital for observation, her daddy never stepped foot in the hospital to check on her, until his police caption made him. It was reported as a simple accident.

Joel was the law, inside and out of his home. Mary had felt trapped for years, while Mae grew up believing such things were normal and part of daily life. Feeling so alone, Mae had believed that having a sibling could help solve so many painful problems, if not for her parents, at least to ease some of her own solitude.

Please, please, please, Dear God, send me a sibling.

Chapter Two

Little Mae could have simply slipped from this world with her terror and turmoil. Fortunately she did have her mother’s family to provide her with the tender love a young girl needs. Mae’s grandfather, Owen Baker was a spirited fellow, well known and respected in Chambly County, Alabama.

I love you little one. Owen wasn’t shy with his affection for Mae and he never let her leave his presence without hugging her and telling her. Thulah Jean, her grandmother, was Mae’s biggest fan. After Mary had given birth to Mae, she came home for a bit, while Joel served in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam

Infant Mae would start her days in that little brown brick home situated on Highway 51. Back then it was known as Route 1, and was a well, traveled road that Owen had watched as it was first paved many years before. The old brick house was built by his father Edward R. Baker, with the money his two sons sent home while they were serving in World War II. It sat on five acres of pasture land, which back in the day, was considered a rural farm. Mae would run and play all day long out there, alone for many years, being the oldest grandchild of Owen and Thulah. They both called her affectionately, Doll Baby and Mae always knew, they kept her close to their hearts. Mary’s two younger siblings, Mae’s Uncle Frank and Aunt Denise both joined in on the spoiling of their niece, so while Joel didn’t seem to like her, the family took up the slack in loving her.

Another crusader in Mae’s life was Anne Grey, her great grandmother. Anne was the mother of Thulah Jean, and she lived in what Mae considered the big city limits of Lanyard. During the weekends Mae would usually be at the country home of the Bakers, but during the week days, she walked to and from school, from Granny Anne’s house. In Mae’s eyes, Granny Anne was amazing, and Mae was taught so much about being a Southern Lady with her charm, quiet nature and honest opinions. Anne demonstrated to her great granddaughter how to quietly endure life and to see people in a particular way.

In the early mornings when Mae was dropped off by her parents, Anne would have a cup of hot Tasters Choice instant coffee and a warm bowl of grits with bacon chunks, waiting for her. Sitting on her wooden floor, Mae would watch The Little Rascals and Tom and Jerry before walking the four blocks to school. It was the seventies, so it was safe for a six year old to walk the streets. After school, Mae walked by the local bakery and drug store, and would spend the nickel or dime; Grannie Anne would have given to her. Drivers Bakery had chocolate shaped gingerbread man cookies and the corner drug store, Red’s, had penny candy. Mae considered her blessings every time she had those two little brown bags of goodies to take back to her Granny’s, but it was rare for the gingerbread man to ever remain fully intact.

The afternoons were always the same when she’d get back to Granny Anne’s after school, they would sit on her front porch swing. That’s where Anne would listen as Mae told her about the day, as they sat watching the neighborhood activities. Anne had retired from the Lanyard Textile Mill which sat within view of her front yard. It continued to be the main employment of the area. She lived alone in her small mill house, her husband Ransom Grey, called Rance, had died years before Mae was born, in a car crash

During those early years of her life, Mae wasn’t sure what other’s thought of her father’s behavior. No one offered to defend or step in to stop him, so she assumed it had to be normal, regardless of how unpleasant it felt.

All that speculation was put into clear perspective one Saturday morning, inside the Baker house. It was before the days that her parents owned the land and home in the woods, and they were temporarily staying with Owen and Thulah. It was tough times and two families living under the same roof, didn’t make anything easier. To make matter’s worse; Owen was recuperating from a broken hip and had to use a walker to get around. It made him more ornery than normal.

Mae had gotten up early for the Saturday morning cartoons, she herself just getting over a bad case of pneumonia. Wanting a bowl of cereal, she asked her daddy to pour the milk for her.

Pour it yourself.

Mae, in her long flannel gown, opened the refrigerator and took hold of the glass container, full of milk. Before she could get the container across the room, it slipped right out of her hands, crashing to the cement floor.

Now look what you did! Grabbing Mae off the floor by one arm; he spanked her with his bare hand, twisting her around with every smack. Dropping her, he thrust a dish towel into her hand. You clean up every drop! He walked back into the living room, leaving her to get the glass and milk off the floor.

Once she was finished, she’d lost her chance to eat cereal, spilling all the milk. She hoped to at least get to see her favorite show, Land of the Lost. Joel was sitting in her favorite chair in front of the television, so Mae crawled up on the couch. Not wanting to bring any more attention to herself, she silently sat looking at the program playing, wondering if her daddy was really watching it, or just making sure she couldn’t watch her favorite show. There was no way she was going to ask him to change the channel.

Owen Baker was not one to hide his feelings, and when he witnessed his Doll Baby being smacked around in his kitchen, it had made him mad enough to want to kill Joel Tripp. Unable to hardly walk, the anger he was feeling had him determined to do something about ‘that boy, beating on that baby’. Forcing himself out of bed, he’d started cleaning the house, sweeping the living room, while using the walker to move about. To see Owen doing house chores was a sign to those who knew him, he was highly agitated. Mae was watching her grandfather, who looked furious to her, but she didn’t know why. As he circled around, he got to Joel’s two feet.

Move your feet. Owen stood over Joel, who had also been watching his father-in-law.

Slowly, Joel retorted, without budging his feet an inch. You can ask me nicely.

Mae could feel the air in the room; it began to tingle like an electrical current flowed through, as Owen stiffened up.

I said to move your feet.

Joel smiled a wide grin. Well I said, not until you ask me nicely.

Now the entire room became static, with the hair’s on her arm starting to stand on end, Mae pushed herself back against the couch, and pulled her two legs close to her body, wrapping her arms around them She watched as her grandfather brought the broom handle up in the air, above his head.

I said to move your GD feet now! He began to threaten to smack the hell out of Joel, who only continued to beam from ear to ear.

And I said… Before Joel could finish, the broom was whizzing through the air, and smacked him really hard across the head.

Owen didn’t stop with one hit, and as the broom handle went up and down, he got madder and madder with each contact mark his weapon made. Mae’s mouth was wide open, with a blood curdling scream flowing full force like a siren. Never had she witnessed anything so graphic and violent as the two powerful males came to blows right before her eyes. She believed one was going to kill the other; she just wasn’t sure who was going to do what. With it happening right in front of her, she couldn’t escape off the couch, and couldn’t stand to watch either man hurt the other. She tried to squeeze her eyes shut, but they kept popping open upon hearing the thick wood, crack her daddy’s head again and again.

Both Mary and Thulah came rushing into the room, with looks of alarm on their faces. Thulah rushed for Mae, while Mary lunged in the path of her father’s now broken broom handle.

DADDY STOP...! What are you doing? Stop...! Having placed herself in front of her husband to protect him, Mary was now facing her father, who had completely deflated in spirit. Owen realized what he had just done. He stepped back, and looked over at his wife.

Thulah sat holding tightly to Mae, humming into her ear, as she continued to shiver with shock. Ashamed of his behavior, Owen took a seat, and listened while Mary fussed at the display of violence she’d just witnessed from him.

They moved out that day, and it would be years before either Owen or Thulah would be allowed to see Mae again, even though they would live within a mile or two of the Baker house at all times. Mae hugged her Paw Paw before she left, and he apologized for scaring her.

It’s okay Paw Paw. She patted his cheeks, and could easily see the tears in his eyes.

I’ll see you later Doll Baby. He choked out, as she skipped across the room to her mother, unaware it would take so long to feel his warm hug again. The only indication had been the loud wailing of Thulah, who fully believed Joel’s promise to keep Mae from them.

The relationship between Joel and Owen never repaired, though Mary soon realized her husband had instigated the entire scene. The situation taught Mae that though obviously other people didn’t like her father’s behavior, no one had the power to stop him.

Chapter Three

A decade of life brought many things Mae’s way, but she wouldn’t have a sibling to share it with. She’d never stopped praying, hoping, dreaming and believing, but as the years went by the knowledge a sibling wouldn’t solve all her problems became apparent. The idea was still a silent wish.

Mae come in here, I’ve got some important news. Mary came home that afternoon, walking in the door excited. Mae noticed the blushing tone on her mother’s cheeks. She smiled as she rubbed at her daughter’s hair. What have you always wanted more than anything?

The question coming out of left field, made Mae’s mind go suddenly blank. She wasn’t sure what she had last asked for. Looking at her momma, she smiled with curiousness.

A baby Mae, I’m going to have a baby. You’re going to be a big sister.

What is it going to be, a girl or boy? Mae waited, holding her breath.

Oh, well, we won’t know until the baby gets here. Mary chuckled. Which do you want?

Mae had given it thought. A baby sister... She felt such happiness inside her heart. Mae wrapped her arms around her momma. I’ll have a baby sister. She looked up at Mary, who appeared blissful too. But if you have a boy momma, I’ll love him too!

Mae’s life would never be the same again. Another human would be coming that she could share everything with. As easily as it would be to stay happy with the pregnancy, Mae suddenly began to have a brand new fear with the new life on its way. What if her Daddy treated the baby like he treated her?

Joel was not pleased at all, and his behavior toward his wife became so menacing, she did something that her husband never believed she’d ever do, she filed for divorce. After all the years, and all the close calls with death, something inside her snapped, and she’d had enough. Before she was even due, she moved Mae and her into the Baker house.

With her parents separating, Mae found life to be taking a sudden turn for the better. It was one of the happiest times of her life up until then. She’d always felt with those years without a sibling, God wasn’t listening to her. Mae even believed God was punishing her through her father. Now she began to believe God hadn’t abandoned her, and did care for her to be safe and happy.

Mary on the other hand, was feeling brand new insecurities for the first time in her life. Being pregnant added to her stress, while the end of her marriage made her view herself as a failure. Though she was determined to make it work out for the best, she’d never really planned beyond, being with Joel. She couldn’t take the idea of being under his domination, or watching him over discipline his daughter one day more. Looking out for her children, she started looking for a home to raise them up, free of fear.

Within that year of the birth announcement, Mae’s life changed in more ways than she’d ever imagined. Just leaving her daddy was something she never dreamed would happen. Mae had no clue what divorce really meant, other than she wouldn’t be living with Joel Tripp anymore. She still visited him some, but he wasn’t ever in a good mood, spending his visitation, belittling Mary to her daughter. Mae didn’t think her daddy wanted the new baby, but on the morning Mary gave birth, Joel was there to see the little one.

Mae had spent the night with Granny Anne, but neither of them got much sleep as they lay there all night long, waiting for the phone call. Right as the sun came up, the loud ring made them both jump. Anne reached over, picking up the receiver, as Mae listened to any indication of what was going on.

Well I’ll be… Anne smiled, looking over at Mae, whose eyes were squeezed shut. She hung up the phone. You’re a big sister.

Nearly exploding, Mae opened her eyes. Is it a girl or a boy?

With her full attention, Anne teased her great granddaughter. Well that doesn’t matter.

Mae sat up, considering it shouldn’t matter, but she’d still like to know.

It’s a boy. Anne laughed, proud for her.

They both got up, dressing quickly and gobbled down a bite of toast and scrambled eggs. Granny Anne and Mae got into the large white Cadillac and heading down to the hospital. Anne drove her car with extreme care and caution, but in Mae’s opinion, it was just too slow.

Thulah met them both at the front door, and led the way through the many doors and hallways. As they turned the last corner, Mae noticed her daddy standing still and looking into the maternity ward window. Thulah stopped abruptly, wondering how Joel found out about the birth so fast. She didn’t want a confrontation with him.

Mae looked at her daddy, standing there with his arms crossed, and for the first time ever, she felt sorry for him. Walking over to him, he looked down at her in such a sad way.

Well, you have a baby brother. He smiled, and Mae thought she saw tears in his eyes. Standing on her tip toes, she looked into the glass, at the tiny baby boy.

Oh…he is perfect. She carefully examined him, taking in the sight of his tiny toes and grasping fingers. Erik Mark Tripp. She whispered into the glass making it fog up. Mae was mesmerized upon seeing the gift from God. Joel put his hand on her shoulder, it was an unusual gesture, and Mae looked closely at his hand, before she looked up at him again. He was looking at his son, something he had never beheld before and it broke his heart to know that the family he once had, was now forever gone.

Chapter Four

May I have the bedroom with the bathroom? Mae requested while running around in what was to be their new safe house.

You sure can. Mary followed Mae as they took their first tour. She’d found a nice home for her two children, and in the months after Erik’s birth, Mae began to adjust to life without Joel under the same roof. No more objects being tossed around. No more yelling, screaming, or hate spewing. No more death threats. Mae believed that without her daddy having to look at her every day, maybe he would actually enjoy her occasional company.

Mae would visit him regularly once the divorce was finalized. Depression had attached itself to Joel’s heart though and losing control of his wife filled him with fire red rage. Mae easily became his puppet and spy, unaware of the things he requested like pictures and paper’s, were wrong to retrieve for him. He would get his new girlfriends to babysit Mae or leave her with complete strangers. She would always be made to do cleaning chores. During the Alabama Football season, she’d dust during the entire game. Joel was obsessive compulsive and her cleaning would have to pass his meticulous military inspections.

Her parent’s divorce hadn’t stopped the arguing between them, it made it far worse. The fights commonly circled around Mae, and now Mary fussed because she didn’t like her ex-husband getting his daughter to steal, spy and clean for him. It angered her to find out Mae had been left in the care of odd girlfriends and strangers. So though the divorce happened, Mae would never be able to escape her parents nor seem to be able to enjoy one without infuriating the other. Their hate for each other would dominate her entire childhood.

Things settled down though, and they got into a weekly routine. Mary surprised her daughter with a piano for her tenth birthday, something Mae had always longed to have. Weekly lessons were added to the already demanding schedule of Mary’s. She’d always tried to counter balance the damage she feared Joel was causing Mae. Extracurricular activities could very well have been created by Mary. Throughout Mae’s childhood, Mary had put Mae into anything positive she could find. Tap, ballet and jazz dance classes. Gymnastics, cheerleading and swimming kept Mae fit and pushed her out, somewhat, from her shell of shyness. Mary was a Girl Scout Pack Leader, which gave Mae invaluable instruction on basic survival, and priceless time with her mother.

With little Erik though, Mary’s time was spread thin, and caring for a newborn kept her exhausted. She continued with her full time job at the hospital’s emergency room, and with less time, Mae dropped all of the extra stuff. She didn’t mind giving up anything, with her new brother, piano and own bathroom, she liked being at home more than she had ever before. She also spent more time at the Baker’s and Granny Anne’s, which she credits with keeping her grounded while the divorce was happening between her parents.

Church began to fill in every single Sunday, no matter whose house she was spending the night at on Saturday night, except while with Joel, whom was a professed atheist. After Mae’s prayer was answered concerning a sibling, she floated around in a faith like never before. Climbing tree’s all the way to the top if possible, Mae craved to get as close to God as she could. She’d pray while hanging onto the swaying trunk, and sang thanks as loud as her voice could go. One of the worst lessons about life was just around the corner though, something even as damaging as Joel Tripp had been.

Ricky Levine met Mae’s mother, and like a spider with caught prey, he spun his web around Mary with pure precision. Mae had envisioned her new ‘step father’, a tall and handsome doctor from the hospital where her mother worked. Instead, Mary had met her new boyfriend in a bar; on the one and only night she’d occasioned the place since her divorce. Mary hadn’t had the energy or time, so it took her friend Peggy month’s to get her out on the town. Peggy’s husband accompanied the two women, and it didn’t take long for a willing suitor to approach Mary. At first glance she wasn’t so impressed with the man, but having another man’s attention made her feel good about herself again. She hadn’t felt good about herself in a long, long time.

The night passed, and Mary soon forgot the man, who had requested her name and number. She figured him to be too intoxicated to remember, and hoped he wouldn’t call. A few weeks later, he did call, and it impressed her to think, he hadn’t so easily forgotten about her. They started talking, and she gave him a chance once she found out he was a single father, raising two little girls. Soon, she invited him over to the Bakers, to meet Mae and Thulah.

Hardly as tall as Mary, skinny and dark haired, Mr. Levine, didn’t fit any dreams of Mae’s. Thulah’s expression mirrored Mae’s own confusion. This couldn’t be the man her oldest daughter was now seeing. When Mae locked eyes with Ricky, something within her twisted and an acid taste seemed to seep up her throat. As he smiled at her, she didn’t return any emotion; instead she gave her momma a bewildered look. Mae tried to set herself at ease; there was no way that her momma would end up with such a man. She was far better than the likes of him.

Mae allowed the prospect of receiving more siblings into her life, two beautiful young girls, Terri Lynn, seven and Angel, five. Having always wanted a sister too, God was flooding her with answered prayer. The first night the three came over to eat supper with Mary, Mae and Erik, the two little girls ran around like they lived there. Instead of being excited over what could be new sisters, it bugged Mae as Terri Lynn eagerly tapped at little Erik lying in his crib.

No, don’t do that, don’t touch him, you might scare him. He doesn’t know you. Mae oozed protection.

Well, I’ve always wanted my own baby brother. Terri Lynn wasn’t one to back down to anyone or anything. The two girls eyed each other.

Well, I’ve prayed for this baby, so… Mae could comprehend the little girl’s dilemma; still she wasn’t coming down from her stance.

Terri Lynn, had always longed for a brother, and instantly took to Erik. Both Mae and Terri Lynn had been the ‘oldest’, but now Terri Lynn was losing that position to Mae. So from the start the two of them were at odds and almost hourly, locked horns with each other. Terri Lynn staked claims to most of Mae’s property, which Mae had never had to share one second in her entire life.

Angel on the other hand felt she was losing her ‘baby’ position to Erik, yet she was still the baby girl and proud of it. She kept both Terri Lynn and Mae on their toes, taking on the task of tattle telling on them even before they knew what they had done

Before any of them realized it, a wedding was being planned and Ricky was moving his girls into the brick home. After the December 1979 wedding, they would all be called family. Transitions for the three girls were in order, and all that goes with joining two separate families to form one.

It had all happened so fast, the birth of Erik, the divorce of her parents, a new house and then an entire new family line. Within one year, Mae went from zero siblings to a house full. She tried to be happy, she wanted to be content, but something felt like it was moving beneath the surface, something sinister.

Ricky Levine was not a well man, but his illness wasn’t displayed for all to see. Mae’s daddy noticed it right away, being a law officer, but his concerns were of no issue to the new family. What Joel Tripp had picked up on was the subtle clues put off by a child predator.

Mae wouldn’t figure it out until after her momma’s wedding to Ricky, a month after to be precise. He’d come into her world and managed to take over her mother’s life. She now had to share everything she owned, with a smile on her face. Something about the way he looked at her made her feel uneasy, but she couldn’t comprehend what it was.

The magnetism that had drawn Ricky to Mary was the fact he had the appearance of being a good single father. Joel Tripp had literally attempted to kill his own daughter, and here was this man, raising two young girls all alone. Their mother had abandoned her family, years before, leaving Ricky alone to take care of them, which he seemed to do with joy. There were things about Alicia, the girl’s mother that Mary had just taken Ricky’s word for. Unlike Joel, Alicia wasn’t a pressing issue, at least not at that time, but the truth behind Ricky’s first marriage would be making its way to the surface, in due time.

Sitting around eating dinner at a tableful of people, was something Mae had a hard time getting used to. Terri Lynn was a smacker, and little things like that started to irk Mae, while Angel cried if something she didn’t like was placed on her plate. Nothing irritated Mae more than the way Ricky stared at her. It was after one of these meals, that Mae finally lost her composure, and allowed her true feelings to show.

The meal was finished, but they all continued to linger around the table, because the conversation was on what everyone wanted for Christmas. The lists from Terri Lynn and Angel were exact and long, while Mae hadn’t really given it much thought. She knew what she wanted though.

I want a puppy. Mae had to leave King behind with the divorce, and it had been the most painful part of the end of her parent’s marriage.

Me too, me too, I want a puppy too! Terri Lynn stood up jumping.

I want a puppy too! Angel chimed in with her big sister.

NO! Mae’s voice broke its quiet tone. No, I asked first. It had started to get on Mae’s nerves how Terri Lynn seemed to want everything she had.

Well if you get a puppy, you will have to share it. Ricky spoke to his new stepdaughter with parental authority, something which Mae didn’t believe he deserved to have.

No, I won’t share my Christmas present. Mae crossed her arms and stared back with defiance at him.

Her daughter’s reaction had turned the fun conversation into a first time family fuss, and it shocked Mary to observe Mae’s attitude. Mae, that’s not nice.

Having upset her mother bothered Mae even more than the idea of having to share her Christmas morning puppy, but she didn’t care. She was in a stare off with Ricky Levine, the very first stare down of thousands more to come.

I think you need to just go on to bed for the night. Mary continued to get onto Mae, who happily got up and walked out of the room, continuing to stare at Ricky; her new perceived rival.

A few weeks later, Ricky would finally make his first criminal move on Mae. It happened on a Friday after Mae brought home a bad project score from her Science class. Mary had tried to help Mae, but her daughter’s lack of school performance, had been a result of what was happening at home. Ricky had reasoned with Mary, to let him try to talk to Mae, to take the kids and go over to the Bakers house, and leave him alone to work with Mae. Mary had no reason to fear her new husband, and she figured he might be able to break through the thick protective shell; Mae had started building around herself since the new marriage. After they left the yard, Ricky found Mae sitting in the back yard.

Mae, could you come here for a minute.

Mae still spent a lot of time outside. Looking up from a book, she jumped up, laying the book down in her seat. Ricky waited at the back door as Mae pushed past him. The house was unusually quiet. Where is Momma?

She’s gone to your grandma’s.

Mae didn’t believe him, and checked to see if the car was actually gone. Why didn’t she take me? She turned questioning him, finding him standing right behind her. He was smiling and had a strange look about him.

I told her I wanted to try to reason with you. He reached out his hand for her to take. Come on.

Mae walked past him, without taking his hand. She still had a hard time believing her mother left her.

Ricky pressed on. Come with me, I want to show you something. He was smiling as he started for her bedroom, walking in and sticking his head back out to see if she was following. Please Mae.

She walked slowly toward her door, even though something was telling her to run. Looking into her room, he stood in front of her mirror. Why didn’t Momma tell me she was going to Maw Maw’s?

Because I asked her to let me have some time with you alone… He walked to her, and took Mae’s hand. Come here, I want to show you something. He pulled her in front of her mirror, and made her look at herself. Look, at how you’re growing. His comment made her uncomfortable as he stood behind her, holding her in place. Without warning he grabbed her with a force she’d never felt before, throwing her backwards onto her bed. In an instant he was pushing her legs apart, and laying down on top of her.

Stop… Mae couldn’t register what was being done in time to stop him.

Oh come on, you’ll like it. Ricky pushed her hands up above her head, and tried to smell her neck.

No, I won’t! Get off of me! Mae’s automatic response system kicked in, and for the first time in her life, she fought back. Get off me now! Out of Mae’s mouth, a strong and demanding growl made Ricky stop. He got off Mae and walked to the door.

Don’t tell your mother… He grinned before leaving her. She won’t believe you.

The deed had been done, and Mae was left to figure out why it happened to her. It felt like she was falling into a bottomless pit. Above her the light was growing fainter and dimmer, while the darkness loomed beneath her, pulled her to perpetual fear. She wanted to tell her mother, she wanted to run out and tell the neighbor, but at the same time, the embarrassment and humiliation that filled her heart, shoved her into a deep and dark hole of secret shame.

Ricky loved wrestling, and would spend hours on the floor, using the moves he saw on television, on Terri Lynn, who actually loved to fight. It was kind of like watching a pit bull, maul a rabbit, so Mae wouldn’t hang out to see Terri Lynn get twisted up, punched and in the end, be forced to beg for mercy. The simple wrestling games became a normal past time event. Ricky hid a staggering fact that he was a raging alcoholic, who effectively hid the amount he consumed per day. In all appearance sake, Ricky worked hard and dedicated himself to doing a good job. Being such an unassuming man with a small frame, he didn’t fit the image of predator. With a lifetime of working in slaughter houses and meat departments, lifting heavy cow and pig carcasses to slice apart, Ricky was no wimp or weakling. Despite his small stature, he was extraordinarily strong.

Mary was completely unwitting to what was being down to Mae and Terri Lynn. She continued to hold her full time job, while juggling her new household. Neither girl shared their pain with anyone, especially Mary.

Being beat was nothing new for Mae, and though Ricky did give it plenty of effort, he quickly found out, his stepdaughter had a thick, tough, and stubborn exterior. He found ways of getting around all that, by beating his own daughters, and making her watch. Mae found it more horrific, than receiving the brutal blows herself, and she’d submit to whatever he wanted her to do or say, just to make him stop torturing his own daughters.

Ricky and Mae developed a mostly silent and covert war between each other that only Mae’s daddy seemed to recognize. Unfortunately before Seven was born, Joel had transferred from Valley Point Police Department in Georgia, to Cocoa Beach Police in Florida. Mae was on her own, and though she had her momma and her grandparents, Ricky had them all convinced at that time; he was only a loving father.

Chapter Five

Go, go, go…! Mae pushed her bike behind Terri Lynn’s and tried to get around to the front. She was whispering, as loudly as she could. Move, come on, follow me.

Terri Lynn looked like she was having a sudden change of heart.

Mae couldn’t let her renege now, it could blow her cover. She took hold of Terri Lynn’s arm. What are you doing, chickening out?

I ain’t no chicken. Terri Lynn jumped onto her two wheels, and started peddling.

Suddenly she was leaving Mae behind, who had to shut up and start her own two legs going up and down. The coldness in the night air surprised them both, as their teeth started chattering, long before they reached Highway 51, a block from their home. They had a long way to go, planning on going down to Florida, three hundred miles away. Both had a change of clothes, and between them three dollars.

Terri Lynn and Mae had become close allies. Both wanted to escape the confines of a troubled home. They shared a bedroom and would sometimes lie at night and talk before going to sleep. They had decided to run away from home, and without much thought or plan, they made their first attempt on a Sunday night. They snuck out of the bedroom window, and got on their bicycles, and started riding for their freedom. Within a few blocks they were stopped cold in their tracks when some large barking dogs ran out to greet them.

Mae kept Terri Lynn calm, warning her not to give the dogs something to chase. Narrowly they escaped being attacked, and effectively curing them of the desire to run away on their bikes every again. Quickly they turned back, giving up on the crazy idea. Before they went home though, they stopped together at a tiny church named Three Pines Baptist, got on their knees and prayed.

Dear God, thank you for not letting those dogs eat us. Help us get back home. Terri Lynn’s was quick, while Mae tried to take advantage of the moment.

Dear God, please protect our family from evil.

The two rushed back home, and snuck back in, never to be discovered they ever left.

It was the summer of 1981, and Mae was now twelve-years-old. In the fall she would be attending Lanyard Jr. High, as a seventh grader. Mary was in her late months of pregnancy and was home all the time having quit her job at the hospital. For Mae it was a strange welcome to have her home full time, and she’d hoped with the birth of another sibling, things might change.

Ricky, was a master manipulator, and managed quite well to continue his criminal behavior. The pregnancy made his unprovoked attacks worse. The last thing Mae wanted to do was to hurt her momma, and somehow she got it into her head, if Mary knew what was going on, she would blame her.

Erik turned two-years-old on June 19th and Mary would give birth to Seven Scott Levine, one hour past midnight, June 20th. The two brothers would be eternally linked sharing their birthdays.

Mae had been as tickled about her mother’s third pregnancy as she had when Mary was expectant with Erik. She’d hoped for a girl, while Terri Lynn had prayed hard for a boy. From the beginning of Seven’s life, Mae and Terri Lynn fought over the blond baby and both claimed the title older sister.

You have Erik, Seven is mine! Terri Lynn wanted him all to herself.

Soon enough though, no one wanted to change the diapers.

After Seven’s birth, Ricky became more antagonistic towards Terri Lynn and Mae. Things for him started to unravel when his first wife wandered back into the picture. Alicia’s presence troubled Mary, because though Alicia appeared older, her actual age at the time of giving birth to Terri Lynn had been 13. This new fact unnerved Mary even more, when Alicia’s younger sisters, made legal accusations against Ricky for molesting them. Alicia wanted to see her daughters, and her girls were desperate to see her. So now, not only did Ricky and Mary have to battle Joel Tripp, they had Alicia fighting them too. It was rather difficult for Mary to believe her present husband to be a child molester, how could she have made such a terrible mistake? The worries took seed, but doubt followed soon behind with Ricky denying the accusations.

Ricky could have been on The Days of our Lives with his superb acting skills. Somehow he managed to turn every disagreement with Mae, into a battle over ‘the other parent’. Mental and emotional abuse was being tossed at Terri Lynn and Mae every day.

Fearfully, Mae had started trying to tell her daddy what Ricky was making her do, as well as the physical assaults she endured. Never had she ever imagined living with her daddy, now she began thinking about it. Raised in Chambly County, Alabama, Mae