Beth stressed about her conversation with Tiffany all the way to Nashville. Worse than that, the more miles she put between herself and Kyle the more relieved…and confused…she grew. If she really loved him, wouldn't she miss him…want to turn around and go home?
Their last conversation flicked through her mind and she cringed. Kyle's mom seemed happy living that kind of life, but she wasn't so sure it was for her. His recent behavior told her it wasn't. Kyle made it plenty clear that as her husband he would be obeyed without question. The steel in his eyes sent chills down her spine. She agreed whole-heartedly that the man leads the home, but not the way he had in mind.
The mere thought of the humiliation Kyle's mother must have endured through the years made her sick to her stomach. A wife is a helper - not a slave, not a dog, and not another one of the kids. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the steering wheel.
Tears spilled down her cheeks. She loved him. But, that love combined with this new side of Kyle tore her heart to shreds. How could she live without him? But how could she live with…this…man he revealed himself to be? Maybe I only love the man I thought he was. Does the Kyle I love even exist?
Confusion settled around her heart. She forced herself to put all thoughts of him out of her mind and focus on the moment at hand. She skirted Nashville and headed toward Cookeville where she planned to stop for food and gas.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pulling out onto I-40, Beth noticed the landscape beginning to change. A deep, blue haze stood as a backdrop to the gradual rise and fall of the land. As the mountains came into view, she thought of nothing except the awesomeness of God and his creation.
About three o'clock, Pigeon Forge emerged. Spotting a Wal-mart, she pulled over and retrieved the business card from Adam. She dialed the number and waited for someone at the land office to answer.
"Hello?" A gruff, male voice resonated through the phone.
"Hi. I'm trying to reach Jerry Sanders."
"This is Jerry. What can I do for ya?"
"I'm Beth Gallagher. A man named Adam Blythe--"
"Yep! Adam said to be expecting a call from ya today." His voice warmed as though she were a long lost friend. "I reckon ya need directions to the office. Where ye at?
"Wal-Mart."
"Ok…"
As he rattled off directions, Beth scribbled - hoping she would be able to read them. "Thanks! I'm on my way."
Twenty minutes later, she pulled into a small gravel lot with a log cabin posing as a land office. A valley lay to her right with mountains wrapping it in lush greenery. She knocked on the door to find herself pulled inside and smothered in a bear hug by a plump woman with a personality that could warm the sun.
~Linnette R Mullin
3 comments:
Linnette,
Beth is so fortunate to find these things out about Kyle before the wedding, rather than after. I think that many women would be reached by this story as it is so true to life. I love that Beth is finding that life doesn't have to be like that.
Keep up the good work! I love this story!
Marcie
Here's a comment from a friend who had trouble posting:
>>>Ooo, so we find out the reason for her fleeing. Cool. :)
Stacey
Keep up with the comments! They help me tremendously!
:-)
~Linnette
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