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John's conversation with Kylena was interrupted when a little girl came running in the hospital room with her arms out. "Daddy," she yelled. "Are you okay?"
John turned at the sound. "Helen! How did you get here?" He picked his daughter up, swung her around, deposited a kiss on her cheek and placed her on the end of the bed.
"Harold drove the Land Rover in. Grandma and Julie are here too but they're talking to the nurse in the corridor." She turned and flung her arms around Kylena. "You look awful, Miss Delton," she exclaimed.
"And why aren't you at school?" Kylena replied and winked at John.
Helen bit on her lip. "We rung Mrs. O'Reilly. She's taking the class today. Grandma and her both said it was okay to come and see you."
"And it is," laughed Kylena. She glanced across to see Fiona, Julie and Harold walk in the room.
"My God, Kylena!" Julie gasped. "You look a mess."
"That's what your sister said," Kylena replied. "It's great to see you, Julie. You too, Fiona and Harold but you didn't have to come all this way."
" I believe I said the same words a few weeks back when you visited me," Harold retorted. "So if it was good enough for you ..." He broke into a grin, "I didn't think I'd be back at this place so soon."
"And I didn't thank you, Harold," Kylena replied and reached out to squeeze his hand.
The elderly man flushed and nodded. "When you aren't even safe in your own home," he muttered and stood back to allow Fiona through.
"And don't you say I look terrible," Kylena warned.
"Only your black eyes." Fiona smiled and handed the patient a huge bunch of flowers. "I'm just so thrilled it didn't turn out worse. To think..." She caught John's slight shake of the head and coughed. "Well, you know."
"I do," Kylena whispered. Her eyes found John again and a silent message of love travelled across that sterile hospital room.
*
After being discharged, it took very little persuasion for her to agree to spend a few days at John's place.
"After all," he said. "The place is full of females and we have five bedrooms. It's a pity for all that space to go unused."
"Only for a few days," Kylena replied. "Think what Linda McLean will say."
"Yes. She could shift her kids to Hunterville School in protest, I guess."
Though the head bandage had been removed, she was still on painkillers, toddled around like a little old woman and ordered to have a week off work. Professional stitching had been performed on her cheek but an ugly red line still ran from the bridge of her nose across under the eye. Her lips were swollen and she could hardly see out of two black eyes. She also had a gash on the crown of her head; round finger bruises on the arms and other bruises across her body.
The news of the attack spread through the district spread like wild fire. Most locals put it down to a local druggie who had probably seen their teacher around and had planned the attack. Details were enhanced by the local gossip line, their teacher had been held for hours and subjected to multiple rapes, she'd been gang raped by three men, John had shot the attacker, you know how trigger happy Americans are? ... And so it went on but the truth that the attacker was Kylena's ex-husband never emerged.
Cards, gifts and offers of help poured in as the locals showed their support and Kylena's standing in the community was enhanced. She was now one of them and in a country district, one looked after their own.
Also, for perhaps the first time, the new American family was accepted. As Linda McLean told a neighbour on the telephone hot line, “You know they're really like us; sure they drawl their words and John insists on wearing those horrible coloured shirts and cowboy hats but the girls are so friendly... they must be rolling in money but they don't flaunt it. You know, they paid cash for poor old Hamish's farm. John probably rolled the greenbacks out of his back pocket but I like him..."
*
It was three in the morning when Mic Werner crept back across the fields to the schoolhouse. He had followed Kylena's progress with a few discrete calls to the hospital and knew she'd been discharged .The new lock on the door was made light work of and he headed for the bedroom. However, whatever his evil intentions were, they never eventuated. The hall light blazed on and a police constable stepped out of the bathroom with a vicious dog at his side.
"I would not move one muscle, Michael Jason Werner," he said. "Except, of course, to place your hands wide against the wall. Randy here takes an exception to low lives who prey on innocent women. "
As if to support his master, the large German shepherd bared his teeth and growled from deep within his throat.
At that moment, though, Kylena was sound asleep in her own upstairs room at Top Oasis.
For several days there were many nervous women in the district and the news that Mic Werner had been arrested back in the schoolhouse further undermined the security of the valley. Doors, usually left unlocked were now bolted and security alarms, floodlights and window catches installed in many homes. As well, some farmers shifted their dog kennels closer to the house. Gradually though, the event moved into the back of everyone's minds and Long Valley Road returned to normal.
*
It was Saturday evening; the fire in the living room had reduced to a red glow. Fiona and the girls had retired for the evening to leave John and Kylena alone. Instead of her usual casual clothes, she had returned from her bath dressed in a modern skirt, white sweater that emphasized rather than hid her figure.
"Did you like the supper?" the young woman whispered after John moved his coffee mug and empty plate aside.
"Loved it but I still don't know how you had percolated coffee and hot scones waiting."
"An automatic oven and hot point." She grinned. "I just set it to the time I reckoned we'd want supper." She fixed John with her eyes and turned serious. "What was your wife like? " she suddenly asked. "Oh I know she died of breast cancer and heard she was unfaithful but you never really mention her, John."
"For ten years my marriage was everything one could ask for," John replied in a far-away voice. "I never suspected she was unfaithful. It was quite a shock. "
"Tell me to mind my own business if you wish but if you'd like to tell me about your wife, I'm interested."
John fixed his eyes on her and sipped his coffee. "No, I would like to talk," he whispered. "It was a part of my life, I have the girls as a result and she will always be their mother." He grimaced. "When I first found out she was sleeping around it was almost as bad as later when I learnt she had cancer."
"Go on," Kylena added in a quiet voice.
"I belonged to the Lions Club and it all came out after one of our monthly meetings. I remember it was mid winter and well below freezing," he began ...
*
After supper the members had begun to drift off home when Rick Tucker, a local garage proprietor and keen club member came up to John.
"Can I have a couple of words, John," he said as the others waved goodbye and disappeared into the winter night.
"Sure, Rick. What's on your mind?" John replied. He liked Rick, a forward straightforward fellow who always did an excellent job with the club projects.
"Its...err...sort of a personal problem," Unusually for him, Rick couldn't look John in the eyes.
John frowned. He knew he owed Rick's firm quite an amount for repairs to his vehicles and farm machinery but always paid at the end of the month. No, that wouldn't worry his friend. "Tell me, Rick, what’s troubling you? You know I like everything in the open?"
"Shit man, it's damned hard." Hazel eyes switched to John's. "What say we nip down to the bar at the corner for a beer?"
"Okay," replied John with a concerned look, "I'll just lock up See you down there."
The tiny neighbourhood bar was mainly empty on this cold Tuesday night. After buying a jug of beer for them both, Rick picked a small corner table where they couldn't be overheard and sat down.
"Well," said John with an edge of expectation creeping into his voice. "There's something obviously wrong. What is it?"
Rick drank his glass of lager in almost one gulp, wiped foam off his moustache and stared at John. "Do you know Allan Ellis, my mechanic?"
"That bearded guy who services my vehicles?"
"That's him," replied Rick quietly. "I don't really know how to tell you this but...." He glanced away and poured himself another glass of beer.
"For God's sake, spit it out, Rick," John snapped.
"It's your wife, John.... Anne."
John's face turned a shade white. "What about my wife?"
"Last week all the boys around work were chatting at lunch time when Allan said he had had a great lay with your wife.”
"What?" John whispered.
Rick coughed in embarrassment, "He reckoned he's screwed your wife."
John stood up and leaned forward with his knuckles turning white as he pushed them against the table. "...And I suppose this isn't just a wild tale between the boys?"
"I'm afraid not, John. Afterwards I took him aside and grilled him. He gave me the full details Apparently it happened last week when he returned Anne's auto."
"The bastard," John growled. "By God, where is he. I'll...." He never finished the sentence but stood up staring wildly at Rick with his fists tightening and loosening.
The garage proprietor stood and guided John back to his seat. "Sit down, John. Have another drink."
With his mouth and eyes looking like steel, John stared at the other man. Then he sort of slumped and sat down with his head on his hands.
"I'm sorry you had to hear this way, John," continued Rick. "I told Allan if he said one more word about it he'd be fired. I think I scared him enough to shut up."
"Thanks, Rick," John wiped his forehead and stared at his companion. "I know she's been a bit depressed lately but I never suspected this."
Rick quietly stood, placed a hand on John's shoulder and walked across the bar to refill the jug.
When he returned John looked up and poured himself another drink. "I know she gets bored with Helen to look after. " He spoke quietly, " She's our three year old, you know..."
"I know," replied Rick kindly. "I've been through it, John. Joan and I got divorced a couple of years back. I still have nightmares about it."
"Thanks," said John and stood up. "I'll be off now."
*
That Friday afternoon, just before closing time, John walked into Rick's garage with a dark expression across his brow.
"I want to speak with your mechanic, Rick. Where is he?"
Rick paled. “I wouldn't advise it, John," he muttered. "Just leave it alone."
"Where is he, Mr. Tucker?" asked John quietly. "I'm here to talk, nothing more."
"He's out back, I'll call him."
"Don't worry," replied John. "I'll find him."
He walked through the service entrance door and up to a man with his head under a car's hood.
John tapped him on the shoulder. "Allan Ellis, I believe."
Ellis stood up and wiped his greasy hands on a rag. "That's me, bud. I haven't quite finished yet. Be another twenty minutes, I'd say."
"I didn't come about the automobile," John replied with a tilt to his voice that nobody could miss.
Ellis stared at the man for a moment before he recognized who he was. "You're the guy who brought the Pontiac in last week, aren't you?" He paled slightly and took a step back.
"That's right. John Berg's the name." He stood with his hands on his hips.
Ellis stared up at the monstrous man and nervously wiped his hands again. He then swallowed and spoke. "How can I help you, John?"
"I believe you've been spreading nasty rumours about my wife, Anne," continued John with a tone that he used on the ranch to make the dogs cringe.
"It was nothing, Mr. Berg," whimpered Ellis. "I was just joking, that's all."
"That's not what I heard," John continued and cracked his knuckles.
"Calm down," cried back Ellis. "It was nothing."
"Did you or did you not have sex with my wife?" asked John in a voice so quiet he was hardly heard.
Ellis stared around the room as if he was considering whether to make a dash for it but there was nowhere to go. John had discretely taken two sideway steps.
"Only once," he muttered and stared at the floor.
"I see," replied John. "Only once. So I guess every time you deliver a car you fuck the woman there only once."
He stepped forward and Ellis shrank back against the car he had been servicing.
"She asked for it," muttered the terrified mechanic. "Shit man. She invited me in and started a strip right in front of me. You know"
"No I don't," snapped John. "Tell me."
Ellis gulped. "She wore a white blouse with no bra underneath then she undid a couple of buttons. Shit man, do I have to go into the full details?"
"No," John whispered. " But if you ever go near my wife again or tell one other person about your... err... conquest. I'll have you up on an assault and rape charge." He grabbed the man under the chin and squeezed so hard the mechanic's eyes began to bulge. "Understand?"
"Yes. Yes, Mr. Berg."
“...And my methods won't be quite so civilized next time,’” John stared directly into the other man's eyes and squeezed his arm in a vice like grip. “I don't like little wimps hurting my family. Understand that, too."
"Sure, John. Sure."
John stared at the man for a second, let him go and stalked out the garage.
*
That night and all the next day, John said hardly a word to his wife. Late on Saturday night as he dressed for bed, Anne slipped on her nightgown and walked across to him.
"What's wrong honey?" she said and put her arms around him.
He stared at her in the faint light of the bedside lamp and watched her heaving bosom beneath the garment. Pangs of jealousy and regret flowed through his mind. Why did she do this? Surely he had treated her well through the years. Their sex life was still regular and fulfilling. What was wrong with her? He blinked and fought back his emotions. It was as if a stranger was standing opposite him, not a wife and companion for the last dozen years.
"I talked to Rick this week," he said slowly.
"So," she replied. "Is something wrong at the garage?"
"No," John replied. "He told me about Allan Ellis, his mechanic."
Anne stared up at her husband and a shudder vibrated through her body. Huge tears swelled out of her eyes and a heart-rending sob came out of her throat. She stood there with tears streaming out of her eyes before she dashed out of the room, ran into the bathroom and slammed the door.
John followed her into the hallway just as eight year old Julie came out of the opposite bedroom door.
"What have you done to Mom, Daddy?" she screamed. "Leave her alone."
John turned and glanced at his elder daughter with compassion. "It's nothing I've done, Julie. Nothing at all! Go back to bed."
"What is it, Daddy?" she continued in a quieter voice. "You've walked around like a zombie all weekend and now this terrific argument. If you're having trouble with the ranch, don't take it out on the family."
"Oh Julie, it's not the ranch. Your Mom and I have had a wee problem, that's all."
Before he realized it, huge sobs wrenched through his body and tears burst from his eyes. He turned and was about to walk outside when Julie rushed up and hugged him. She buried her face in his and cried uncontrollably while at the same time tried to comfort her father. For several moments father and daughter stood in the hallway before he kissed her cheek and stepped back.
"It's my fault, I guess," he said. "Don't blame your mother. I've been so wrapped up in the ranch over the last year and a half I've neglected her. Go to bed Julie. We'll work it out."
"You don't deserve this, Daddy."
John smiled and watched as she walked back to her bedroom. He turned, glanced at the closed bathroom door and entered to his own room.
Twenty minutes later Anne came into the darkened room and climbed into her side of the bed. She rolled over and cuddled in close to him. He rolled towards her and brushed the tears that were still coming down her cheeks away. They made passionate love with more emotion and lust than enjoyed for years. Afterwards, Anne lay in the darkness with her hand in his.
"I'm sorry, John," she said quietly. "I really am. Please forgive me."
"I already have," he replied.
He moved his hand to cup her breasts in his hand. Weeks later the memory of that night came back for, in hindsight, he realized he had felt a small lump on her right breast on that fateful night.
*
"I found out later that she had had several one night stands with various men around," John continued.
"Oh John, I'm so sorry," Kylena placed her arms around him.
"It was just her, I guess. She was one of those popular girls in our student days and I think she didn't like growing older. She was quite depressed when her thirtieth birthday arrived. After that episode with the mechanic she settled down for a while. That was when we began to plan our emigration to New Zealand. I think at the back of my mind, I thought a new environment might change her," he shrugged. "It didn't. After she became ill she began again."
"You mean sleeping around?"
John nodded. "Because of her illness, I turned a blind eye. Fiona knew, though, and stepped in to help with the children." He sighed. "When the cancer became more advanced, Anne stopped her affairs and, for a while, became her old self. The cancer went into recess for a while but when the end came, it was horrendous. In the matter of a few weeks she was reduced to just skin and bone and was in constant pain. Her death was, in some ways a blessing."
He squeezed his companion close. "I wouldn't wish those last two on my worst enemy," he whispered.
*