Beth calls out, "I'm in here you have to wait. I'll be out as fast as I can."
As the door shakes there is only one benefit, and that is that the door opens to the outside. Or they would have been able to simply push it in with the force that they were applying to it. Beth let out a scream and all that did was make the door rattle even more. Panic had set in, and all Beth could do was back away from the door with the dress still in her hand.
Beth jumped when there was a sudden loud bang on the door. It sounded like someone was hitting it with all the force that they had. Beth was shaking hard, all she could think of was they were going to grab her and drag her back to the prison. Where everything that Rodger had arranged was going to happen to her, and then probably more since they had to come and get her.
Beth let out another scream as another tremendous pound hit the door making the whole thing shake. Quivering in the corner Beth had no idea what she could do, she was trapped in a tiny room with no other way out not even a window. Beth was shaking and crying, not knowing what to do. Every time that she tries to scream that just spurs them into acting more aggressively. At this point, Beth was almost paralyzed with fear she had no idea how she was going to get out of this. Beth let out another scream as the door had an intense rattle then fell silent as she heard the sounds of footsteps going away.
Beth just stood there motionless afraid to move. She was straining her ears to listen as it sounded like whoever it was walked away at this point. She did not know if she should open the door to look out or if were they just making it sound like they were gone. To lure her out so they could grab her as soon as the door started to open.
Beth had a horrifying thought what if one of her kids came looking for her and got taken, or worse what if they heard her scream and came out to see what was going on?
Beth's heart feels like it is beating out of her chest as she hears the sounds of heavy footsteps getting closer and closer. Tears go streaming down her face thinking that whoever it was is coming back to try and get her.
Beth starts pleading with them just to leave her and her kids alone. Beth hears a familiar voice. "Beth, Beth is that you? Are you alright?" Deen asks.
Beth was instantly relieved, but then realized she was standing there with only some pink panties on. She thought that it was just a good thing that the door never opened. Beth said, "I will be out in just a couple of minutes if you don't mind waiting right there for me."
Deen noticed the change in her voice and said, "Okay we can wait here for you. "He shook his head thinking that women are never ready when they are supposed to be.
Beth hurries up and slips on her clothes then checks her hair and face. To make sure that she is looking presentable after crying like that. She was thinking that Deen could not have come at a better time. Whoever it was must have seen or heard them coming.
Deen and the others waited there patiently as the time passed. Just chatting and waiting for Beth to appear.
As the door slowly opens Beth can't help but smile as the first one that she sees is Deen. The smile quickly fades as she sees the two others with him. Beth knew that there were other guards from the prison and one of them she was sure had been checking her out quite closely before, but now was trying to act all proper like it never happened.
Beth nodded as Deen said, "This is Alex and Tim they work with me and are the two most trustworthy there."
Beth holds out her hand to greet them Alex steps forward checking every inch of her out as he approaches. "Hi baby, my name is Alex. I am so happy to meet you." He doesn't see her age at all. He just sees another skirt to chase, and she looks great especially since there are so few around here.
Beth looked him over and saw that he is slightly larger than most and it looks like he works out all the time based on his muscles. He was young, rugged-looking, and in a way, she could even consider him handsome. She smiled at him even though she was totally turned off by him. She could tell just by looking at him that he thinks that he is God's gift to women. That was something that Beth saw as a complete turn-off. It didn't help that his hair was longer than hers was, and it seemed like he liked to flop it showing it off. Beth could tell that he was some kind of pretty boy and spent more time looking at himself in the mirror than looking at anyone else.
Tim on the other hand was reluctant to get close to her. He was of average build, he was a little taller than most but by far the smallest of the three, he was balding. When you looked at the three of them together, he looked a little out of place. Since he did not attempt to shake her hand or anything Beth just gave him a little wave as a greeting, and he gave her a head nod as a response. His attention was more on the halls watching for any kind of movement.
Deen looked at Beth and could tell that she was still upset and had been crying by the redness in her eyes. Deen asked, "What's going on? I heard you screaming before we got here."
Beth said, "Someone was trying to open the door to the bathroom. Just before you got here, I heard them walk away but was not sure if they left or not."
Deen gave the two a nod and they each went off in different directions looking to see if anyone was still around. Deen walked Beth to her room and then waited outside until the others returned.
Deen stood there just waiting so he could ask them if they had seen anything. But there had been so much time from the time that they had left and the time that they went looking for them that there were no signs. It didn't matter who it was there to Deen. At least at this point, since they hadn't done anything but make her nervous. Now that they were there, it was not like they were going to be able to try anything like that again. If Deen had to guess it was one of the other guards trying to get her back to the prison before they got there.
Deen showed the others into the room and all of the kids had gathered to meet them. Sadie got the biggest smile looking at Alex and even blushed as he turned to look at her. Tommy had a defiant look at the guys thinking that he didn't need all of them looking after his family but knowing that there was no way that he could fight any of them off and win. It made him feel small even though he didn't really want them around.
The other children just looked up at them while staying close to their mom. They were hanging onto her as the men entered. Deen introduced Alex and Tim while Beth rattled off the kids' names and pointed out each one. Deen looked at them and thought that she sure had a lot of them.
Alex only seemed to be interested when she said Sadie's name but the fact that she couldn't help but blush he knew that she was young but she looked old enough to be with someone that she wanted to be with. Deen had told him that she was cute but Deen had already told him that the girl was off-limits. He thought that if she came to him it was not like he was going to push her away. Especially knowing that they were only going to be around for a few days. Alex gave Sadie a smile and a little wink making her blush even more and then looked away not wanting Deen to start bitching at him.
Tim just shook his head Deen had told him that there were some kids, but he had not expected this many. Looking at them at least most of them were small, and would not be any trouble. After all, it was not like he was going to be expected to babysit them. Just keep people out and if one of them were snatched either get them back or follow to where they were taken. So that he could get help to free them. Looking at them all Tim thought that if he hadn't needed the money, he would have said screw this. But he needed the money, and he owed Deen a favor. He knew that this was taking care of both of them.
Deen took a little time and ironed out the schedule with them both. Making sure to tell them both to pick up the money at Stan's attorney. Once he had everything together when they would be relieving him. The two left leaving Deen with the family to look after for the night.
Beth had to think that this was just to meet them and to show them exactly where they were, but she was glad that the others were gone. Beth was thinking that she would have been happier if Stan would have just paid Deen to take a few days off to where he could have just been with them 24 hours a day. Beth blushed at the thought and felt like once again she was a schoolgirl.
Beth noticed the reactions between Sadie and Alex. She knew that she was going to have to talk with Sadie about this. She had never questioned Sadie about what she was doing with the boys before, but knowing what type of guy that Alex was she knew that she needed to warn her. Now more than ever she was glad that they would not be here all that long. She thought it would take longer than they were going to be here for Sadie to get attached to him.
Looking at Dean Beth couldn't help but smile. Beth put a hand to her mouth to hide the smile and what she could of her cheeks saying, "Come on in and make yourself comfortable, it won't be long before dinner is done."
Sadie watched the reactions between them carefully and saw that Deen was not interested in Beth. It was more like he just didn't want to see anyone hurting. He was like a parent who was caring for their child or a teacher with their students. That was not the way that Beth was looking at him. She was just begging him to notice her and see her worth like he had shown her before.
Beth was no fool and deep down she knew that he was not interested in her. But part of her wanted, and needed hope. That she could show him that she was worth the time for him to change his mind and love her.
Beth saw her kids and knew what she was feeling was wrong in so many ways. She knew that there was no way that she could get him to change. Beth went and started getting all the food lining it all out. She had thought that all three of the men were going to be staying for the meal. But since it was short notice, they had places to be. So, it just left the extra food for leftovers for later.
Beth apologized that they had to sit on the floor because of the lack of chairs to sit on. As Deen sat there eating, he started feeling like he was an exhibit at the zoo with the kids all watching his every move. After a little bit, Deen started making faces at the little ones trying to show them that he is not so bad and he can play too.
Allen is the first to let out a giggle seeing the face that Deen made. Deen continues making faces and playing with the kids as Tina, Lina, and Allen all start giggling. They were laughing so hard that Beth had to stop them so that they could go back to eating before the food got cold.
Beth tried to remember the last time that Rodger had played with the kids. Or for the fact of the matter did anything more than yell at them? To do things or bring him something so he didn't have to go get it himself.
Beth looked on as the children were happier now than she had ever seen them before. Beth thought that this was all she ever wanted. To see her kids happy, smiling, and laughing as their dad played with them. Giving them memories that they would have for the rest of their lives. Instead of just having bad memories as the only ones that they would have.
Beth was so happy watching Deen play with the kids but the thoughts of all the years they had lost almost made her cry. Beth knew that she needed to keep herself together, but she was just having so many emotions that she had been suppressing for so long. Since she had opened the door to let some of them out all the rest were pounding on the door to be let out as well.
The whole time that they had been eating Sadie had been watching her mom more than checking out Deen. Sadie could not help but feel that her mom was in danger and that Beth was not even seeing it. Sadie has seen the sadness that her mother had and she was not about to let her get hurt again. Sadie looked at Deen and could see that he was too old for her. But he was way too young for her mom. Sadie figured that Deen must have done something nice for her mom, and now her mom had a crush on him. Just from the fact that he did something nice for her, and it has been so many years since her dad had done anything nice. Looking at Deen she saw the way that the others were acting. At least she had to admit he was a good guy. If her mom did go off the deep end at least she picked someone that the others would grow to love in time. Sadie was not sure that she would ever see him in that light. To her, he was just another guy trying to use her mom because they couldn't find anyone better.
Beth sat there watching this strange man bonding with her kids and within the length of the meal. She saw that he had played with them more than her husband had the whole time that they spent growing up.
Tommy sat back without knowing what to do. He was glad that someone was playing with his brother and sisters, but there was some resentment in it as well. It was like all of a sudden, he was being replaced. He had for so long taken the place of the loving father to the others, at least the best that he could. Now this outsider was just walking in, and pushing him aside.
With a scowl on his face, he got Sadie's attention, mouthing asking her what was going on with this guy. Sadie looks at him and shakes her head knowing that he is not thinking correctly she says that they need to talk about it later when the others are not around.
The meal turns into the children playing more than eating. So, Beth starts gathering the dishes and the leftover food. Tommy and Sadie quickly get to their feet and say, "We got this Mom just stay and relax we can do the dishes."
Beth looks up at them a little confused and asks if they are sure when they nod, she sits there watching Deen and the younger ones play.
Sadie and Tommy gathered the leftover food and dishes and made sure that they washed them in the room not being used so that they could talk. Sadie took time to explain everything to Tommy. At least what she thought he needed to know making sure to leave out the parts of their mom coming home after removing her dress. She felt like if he didn't notice then she wasn't going to fill him in. Sadie filled him in on their dad but made him promise not to tell anyone and to act surprised when Beth tells him if she does tell him.
Tommy was shocked and at first, didn't want to believe that Rodger would do something like that. But deep down he knew it was true. He had seen more than he let on. It was like the signs were there, but until someone pointed them out you never thought that someone would actually do that.
Tommy deep down knew that there was something wrong with the family, and the way they acted, but at least he was treated better than the rest. In some ways, it ate at him but mostly he did his thing and tried not to think about what was really going on.
Tommy looked at Beth and Deen and then at the kids. He saw how happy they all were. He stopped feeling so put out about Deen being there. Seeing his mom smile for once made him change his mind about everything that was going on. He even started to think that having Deen around would be good.
Sadie saw the change in him. It was like all the anger was gone so she touched his arm and said, "No, you don't understand. First, we aren't going to be here that long, and Deen isn't interested in being any part of the family. Even if mom is falling for him."
Tommy looks at Beth not knowing what he should do if there is anything that he can do. He asks, "Why did you tell me all of this then?"
Sadie said, "Because I don't know if I am going to need help. To help Mom. You know how sad she has been, just like me."
Tommy nods but does not have any idea what they can do to help her.
Sadie seeing that he was lost said, "For now we just let her be happy with him I guess, and then help her after we leave."
Then Tomming understood why she filled him in on everything knowing how upset he was getting with Deen being there.
As soon as the dishes were done it was time for bed. So, Beth kissed the kids one by one sending them to bed. Leaving just Beth and Deen standing there looking at each other.