Chitown Love: A Love Story

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Markum1972

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2013
1,165
32
48
#1
I am going to tell this story in parts. There is a lot to tell. It is a testimony of how love prevails. I am incorporating a lot of my personal testimony in to this story. Please be patient as I add parts. If you reply, I will "like" after I have added more.

Youth Gone Wild

23 years ago I met an amazing girl. I was only 18 and she was 16.

At the age of 18, I was going through a very rebellious stage. I had moved out of my parents home within a week of turning 18. I wasn't angry with my parents, I just wanted to get out and make my own way.

I had been drinking and experimenting with drugs since the age of 15. I was sneaking out of the house on a regular basis and roaming town hanging out with friends partying. At one point, my mother discovered I had been experimenting with cocaine and grounded me to the house for the entirety of summer vacation. I kept things calmer over the next few years of high school limiting my drinking and sticking to mostly smoking pot.

The week I turned 18, I moved in to an apartment with 3 friends. We lived there for about a month until 2 of the guys went for a visit to a southern state and never came back. Me and the other guy got evicted. I was determined to not go home. I was not going to let my parents know that I was not making it on my own. The other guy, Jason, and I had been friends for a few years and he decided to stick with me. It was late spring (May/June of 1990) and we started living in my '76 Chevy Impala. That car was huge and probably could accommodate a family of four.

Jason only made it about 2 weeks before he got really sick and decided to move back home with his mom and sisters. He suggested that I do the same. He even offered to see if I could stay with him. To me, this was as good as failure. I was determined to make it on my own.

It was my graduating year and also the first year I ever failed a year of school. I was determined to get my diploma though and not let all those years of school be a wasted. I went to summer school to make up for the classes I failed. I was sleeping in my car in the school parking lot having friends wake me up each morning to get to class.

I was not only finishing my school but I was learning new skills. I had cans of soup stocked in the car. I would peel the label off of a can, throw it on the engine block to cook it while driving around, then use a can opener I kept stashed in the glove box to open the can, and scoop the soup out with a slice of bread. There were many other skills that came along the way, lots of them very questionable to say the least.

Summer breezed by and so many things happened. I made new friends, the closest of which was my new friend Steve from Brooklyn, New York who was only 19 at the time. He had a knack for finding flop houses. Life was a whirlwind of adventure but was becoming more and more dangerous with each passing day. By fall we had stayed in multiple flop houses, joined a carnival outfit that we started traveling with, been in multiple fights including a huge bar fight at a biker bar, and were doing every drug we could get our hands on. I had grown cold, bitter, and self-destructive.

I barely remember the day I stood in the camping trailer on the carnival grounds. JJ was an older guy from Texas with cowboy boots, a grizzled gray handle-bar mustache, and a leather cowboy hat to top off the look. He was the best cross of a cowboy and a biker that you could get as far as I could see. His face was leathery and wrinkled as well mostly from dehydration from his constant drinking. He would stand in front of his carnival game all day long with a huge coffee mug filled with beer.

He was glaring at me with those stone cold eyes of his. He was growing frustrated with my cockiness. Things were escalating rapidly. I wasn't about to back down and neither was he. JJ took a few steps around a corner of his trailer and re-emerged pointing his 20 gauge shot gun at my chest. His face was red and his nostrils were flaring. He was spitting while he talked. His Texan accent was clearer. He was furious.

He cocked the gun and pointed it right at my chest and said, "You aren't nearly as tough as you talk. You aren't nothing but a cocky kid."

I stood there staring back cold and numb without any regard as to what was happening or what could happen. As calm as ever I replied, "Why don't you pull the trigger and find out."

I saw the shock in JJ's eyes and to my astonishment, I saw a twinkling smile in his eyes. The next thing I know he is roaring in laughter as he uncocked the gun and set it aside. He held out his hand showing me a shell saying, "It wasn't loaded." He kept laughing as he said, "You are alright. I think you and I are going to end up getting along just fine."

I remember just standing there not knowing whether to be disappointed or amused.

I ended up learning how to drive stick shift when JJ ended up too drunk to drive while we were in the middle of town. Talk about a crash course. We were stuck at a light going uphill. I literally had until the light turned green to get JJ out of the driver's seat and learn to drive stick. Every moment was turning out to be one of survival.

Steve and I spent the rest of the summer and part of fall living with JJ in his trailer until he left state to follow the carnival. By the time fall ended, Steve had found another flop house for us to stay at for the winter. Things didn't exactly work out that way for me though. Again, I went my own way and what happened next would change my life forever.
 
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Markum1972

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2013
1,165
32
48
#2
The Meeting

Things weren't working out for me at the house that we were staying at. The woman, Chris, that was renting the house decided that her and I should be together. I had no interest in being with her or anyone else. I was a loner and I liked it that way. As far as I was concerned, I didn't need anyone slowing me down.

Despite that fact that there were a lot of people staying at her house, somehow I was singled out as using her because I refused to be with her. I had been in a few fights with others that were staying there and even one of the neighbors. It seemed that a combination of my reputation as a trained fighter and my refusal to have some kind of romantic relationship with the woman caused every guy that had something to prove to want to engage in confrontation.

I finally left to stay at a homeless shelter while figuring out where I would go next. Chris showed up a few days later apologizing and asking me to come back. After a long discussion and "agreement", I decided to go back.

Within a few days things were right back to where they were before. Steve kept urging me to just fake a relationship with her just so I could stay through winter.

There are so many other things that happened that and I could go on and on page after page. But now that the events leading up have been told, let me get right to the point of this story and the day that we met.

I don't remember where I had been that day or what I had been doing. I'm not even sure who I had been hanging out with that day. None of the details are clear except for one. I am still not sure why this detail is so clear that I remember it as if it happened just yesterday.

It was early evening as I walked up to the house. A number of people were hanging out there and there had obviously been a lot of drinking going on. It was unusually early for partying to start there this early in the day. There were a number of people I had never seen before hanging out with a few that I knew.

I didn't quite make it to the steps that led up to the porch when I saw her. She was standing on the porch with a few others. I stopped dead in my tracks on the sidewalk. It was unlike me for anything to stop my stride like this but from first sight, there was something about this girl. I quickly shook it off and decided to just ignore whatever strange reaction I had just had. Or at least I thought that was what I was going to do.

She was standing on the porch crying while one of the other guys yelled at her. She was pleading with him to stop yelling at her. I realized then that she was drunk and he seemed to be very displeased with how much she had drank. He continued shouting insults at her and demanding that she come into the house. She refused to go with him still crying and pleading that he stop yelling at her.

Something in me triggered and I strode boldly up the steps as if on autopilot and asked, "What is going on?"

I knew Paul from the downstairs unit so we were not strangers to one another. He explained to me that this was his girlfriend and then began to use a number of choice words to describe her behavior and his displeasure with her. I glanced over to her as she just stood there sniffling staring down at her feet. She stayed quiet as I stood there beside her trying to get to the bottom of things.

"Well, what now Paul?" I asked. At this point I was not sure if he was going to end up hitting her or not. He was very irritated and aggressive. A man hitting a woman was one of the few things I just could not tolerate and I was not about to stand by if there was a chance that this might happen.

Paul continued arguing with her. She pleaded for him to just leave her be and let her stay on the porch. Paul argued that he did not trust her to leave her on the porch alone.

"I'll stay with her," I offered almost surprised at myself when I heard it come out of my mouth.

A few moments of coaxing by another girl and Paul said, "Whatever, fine" and then disappeared into the house with the others.

I stood there by her silently as time passed. Not a word passed between us for quite some time before she finally spoke. "I think I am going to be sick." She paused for a moment in thought. "You don't have to stay here with me for this."

"Would you like me to leave? Do you want to be alone?" I asked.

"No." She replied. "But you don't have to stay if you don't want to."

"I am not going to leave you unless you ask me to." I said firmly.

Her body began to reject the overabundance of alcohol. I placed my hand on the small of her back as she convulsed over the side of the porch into the bushes. I kept my hand there firmly until she was finished. She spit a few times and stared into the bushes as if she was determining whether she should wait for more to come. After a couple of dry heaves she decided that she was done.

After a few moments, she turned her head towards me and looked at me curiously as if ready to finally first engage this stranger that had been with her for quite some time now. Her eyes were watery from the recent ordeal and it was the first time I ever looked upon those brown eyes of hers. For a short moment it was as if we were looking into one another, deep into each others eyes. The moment quickly ended as she threw her arms around me. I embraced her tightly as she said, "Thank you. Most people would have run away from the mess that I am right now."

"I told you I would not leave you." I replied.

"Will you stay with me?" she asked.

"Yes." I quickly responded.

After some time we went into the house together. We never left each others sides the entire evening. This was probably the first night I didn't drink or do any drugs since I had started staying at the house. It was all around us. Everything you could imagine. We just stayed close to one another and didn't engage in any of it. At one point in the evening, we caught each others eyes again. This time we kissed and then held one another. Everyone let us be. No one bothered us. No one barely spoke to us. Finally someone determined that she was sober enough to take her home.

I remember waking the next morning trying to recollect the events of the previous evening. This time I wasn't trying to recollect things because I had been intoxicated the night before. It was different that morning. I found myself thinking about her. I didn't even know her name. I found myself wanting to see her again.

I shook it off and convinced myself that she had been too drunk for any of it to mean anything at all. I detached myself and decided I would never mention what had happened and that I would never see her again. I decided to make myself forget her and everything that had happened.
 

Markum1972

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2013
1,165
32
48
#3
This was one of the days that I spent a lot of time to myself. I was good at pulling disappearing acts. I didn't do it on purpose. I would just get the inkling to get up and go and would get up and go without saying a word to anyone. Sometimes it was just for a day and other times it would turn into days, weeks, and even months before certain people would see me again. I was always asked, "What happened to you? Where have you been?" My answer was always the same old "Nothing happened. I've been around."

This particular day I only wandered until evening was approaching. As I came back to the house, I saw that there were a few people hanging around. One of the people was the girl that had been coaxing Paul to just go in to the house the night before. I attempted to avoid everyone and just wander into the house as unnoticed as possible. I was successful for the most part, except for the girl who followed me and approached me.

"Hey. Do you remember me from last night?" She asked.

I paused for a moment trying to size up her intentions before saying, "Yeah. I recognize you."

"I'm Trisha" she went on. "Do you remember the girl from last night; the one you were hanging out with most of the evening?"

"Yeah. What about her?" I said in the most uninterested tone I could muster up.

"Well, she is a good friend of mine and she wanted to know if you remembered her and what happened last night."

"Yeah. I remember." I said thinking maybe I was going to get a simple thank you or even an apology for her acting so interested in me in her drunken stupor.

"Well, she wants to know if you would like to see her again."

I paused for a long time a bit stunned looking at her curiously. "Look, she was having a rough night and seemed like a nice girl having some troubles. She doesn't owe me anything and I don't expect anything from her. I figured she wouldn't even remember much about last night. I was just glad to help keep her safe for the evening."

Trisha looked at me blankly for a moment. Then a look of admiration came as she smiled and started giggling, "Well, that's just it. She does remember. She remembers all of it and meant every bit of it and really wants to see you. But she doesn't know what kind of state you were in last night. She isn't sure how much of it you remember. She doesn't know if you were just really messed up or really meant it. Sounds like you both are wondering the same things."

Again a long pause before I chuckled "Last night was one of the first nights I stayed sober in a long time. As a matter of fact, she is probably the only reason I stayed sober."

"Really?" She said as if she knew me well enough to be shocked about this.

"Yeah. Really." I replied firmly.

"OK. Well then, do you want to see her again?"

Finally letting the reality of things sink in, I smiled and said "Yeah. I would like that."

She smiled back and replied, "OK. I know she will be really happy to hear this. I will arrange things so that you two can meet back up."

She turned to leave and I stopped her having one more thought and question, "Hey wait." She turned back towards me as I continued, "What is her name?"

She looked at me with astonishment. "You don't know her name?"

"No. I'm pretty sure she doesn't know mine either. Tell her I'm Mark."

"I can't believe you two don't even know each others names" she laughed. I shrugged and stood waiting in anticipation. "Her name" she paused as if to tease me for a moment. "Her name is Denise."
 

Markum1972

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2013
1,165
32
48
#4
Young Love

From that day forward, Denise and I spent as much time as possible together. There never was a formal "asking each other out" or announcement that we were dating or together. We were just us. Everyone around us could see it. We never told each other how much we liked each other or how much we loved one another. We both just knew and there was never a need to say it.

The closest people to us were very happy for us and very encouraging. Others were not so encouraging mostly claiming that she was too young for a serious relationship. I remember being perplexed by this wondering why people could not just leave a good thing alone. Thinking back I find it interesting that these were the same people that constantly had struggles in their own relationships never really staying with anyone for a long period of time.

Known for being very bold and brazen, I would usually respond with something like, "Oh, so I should ditch her?" I always got a few blinks and could see people step back in their thoughts. They stood trying to process what to say next in response to the change of tone in my voice, body language, and stare that dared them to challenge our affection for one another.

It wasn't long before Denise's family found out about me; her parents and four brothers. She was met with the same kind of discouragement being told that I was only after one thing. They were right about that but Denise knew that it was not the one thing that they were thinking of. It was simply her love that I wanted and she knew it despite the constant "warnings". She defended me each and every time telling them that they did not know me.

Threats began to come from her brothers saying that they were going to come after me and, in a more polite way then they phrased it, give me a good beating. I told Denise to tell them where I was and I would try to talk to them. She refused, not wanting there to be a confrontation. For the most part, Denise and I just ignored all of the threats and discouragement preferring to just be us and enjoy one another.

After some time, Trisha and Steve ended up getting together. Steve was my best friend but I knew him well enough to know that he was not serious about her. To him she was just his current fling. Given the opportunity, Steve would have cheated on her just as much as he had every other girl he was with. He was a player and knew it. Not his best quality by any means. As a matter of fact, Steve had a lot of undesirable qualities. It was his loyalty as a friend knowing that he would risk his own life for me that made us best friends.

Steve was a bit confused by my new behavior. He didn't understand why I would refuse the approaches of other girls when we were partying. I would tell him, "I don't want anybody else." His response was always the same as he would teasingly say with his Brooklyn accent, "You're whooped. That's what you are." He would usually follow up by shaking his head in disapproval.

After some time, Steve not only accepted my loyalty to Denise, but seemed to admire it. I think he wanted to feel the same way I was about someone. Trisha became the target of that affection for awhile. He secretly confided in me one time saying, "I get it now. I am starting to really like Trisha. I don't even really want anyone else anymore. I think I'm getting whooped too. Just don't tell anyone." We both got a good laugh out of it. And so it became the four of us known to be seen hanging out together all of the time.

Denise and I were as happy as two people could be. It seemed as though Denise was holding back a bit though and I wasn't quite sure why. I just ignored it figuring that maybe it had to do with her family constantly harassing her about me. How little did I know at that time that it was something much much deeper and very very dark.
 
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Markum1972

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2013
1,165
32
48
#5
There are some days that I remember more vividly than others. These days are usually marked by major events that have taken place or extreme emotions that were experienced. The day I am about to tell you about was marked by both.

I had taken everyone to one of my favorite places. There were two waterfalls in Cascade Park and I was really excited to show Denise both of them. So Trisha, Steve, Denise and I walked to the park together.

I knew every inch of the park. I had spent a lot of time there in the 4 years I lived in Elyria. We had family and friend gatherings there, I had skipped school there, and after high school I had sneaked in at night with friends to party there. Many of my visits were alone and at night. I would imagine I was a wild tiger bounding through the woods leaping logs, hopping from one huge rock to another, and climbing up some of the most difficult cliffs I could find.

The four of us were enjoying the woods and the waterfalls when the girls decided to go off on a walk together. Steve and I stayed at the waterfall just chatting. Steve was probably nagging me about the usual thing.

"When are you gonna get some of that?" he would ask.

"Shut up man." I would fire back. He would just start laughing and was apparently amused that he had figured out how to push my buttons.

"I don't get it. You are so whooped and you ain't even had it yet." he would continue teasing.

My face would turn flush red and I would finally just tell him to just drop it and be worried about himself and not what Denise and I were doing. He just continued chuckling over the whole thing like always. After some time, Trisha returned.

"Where is Denise?" I asked.

"There is something she needs to tell you, Mark. She doesn't want to talk to you about it. I told her that she should though. She is off in the woods crying. You need to come and talk to her." Trisha explained.

I got up quickly and told her to take me to her. Steve got up to follow.

"Alone." Trisha said looking at Steve with a worried look and shaking her head in disapproval of him being there.

"I'll be right back." she assured him as her and I headed for the trail.

She led me through the woods where Denise was sitting with her face buried into her hands crying. She looked up at Trisha with tear-filled eyes and said, "I can't."

"You have to, Denise. He should know. It's OK. You can tell him. I'm going to let you two talk now." Trisha turned and quickly as if to leave.

"No." Denise raised her voice. "I can't."

"He needs to know what is going on, Denise." Trisha persuaded.

The debate continued between them as my thoughts began to race trying to imagine what it could be that I should know. I finally couldn't take it anymore. I began spouting all of the things that I was suddenly afraid of.

"Are you cheating on me?"

Denise looked up at me sharply with a painful expression on her face and shouted, "No!" It was obvious to me later that the fact I even thought it hurt her deeply.

I continued with the interrogation though until Trisha abruptly interrupted, "Mark! Stop! Please! It's her step dad! He has been molesting her!"

There was sudden silence. I stood in shock for a moment trying to process what I just heard. "What?!" I exclaimed.

Denise sat staring at Trisha in horror with the look of someone in a great deal of pain from betrayal upon her face. Denise jumped to her feet and turned away from both of us. She started walking quickly away from us.

"No! Wait!" I called to her. I ran and caught her by the hand. She turned towards me with tears flooding out of her eyes. I grabbed her and pulled her close. She buried her face into my neck and wept. I just held her closely comforting her while my mind raced as I fought to maintain composure over my emotions.
 
G

grace2013

Guest
#6
DONT READ, a novel but nothing christian...
 

Mo0448

Senior Member
Jun 10, 2013
1,209
15
38
#7
Maybe he's getting to the Christian point of it and is just working up to it. Let us be patient :)
 

Markum1972

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2013
1,165
32
48
#8
Runaways

"Something has to be done, Denise." I said suddenly with urgency in my voice.

"No. There is nothing that can be done. I have tried." She replied.

"We have to tell someone what is going on." I pleaded.

"I already have, Mark. You don't think I haven't tried? I told my counselors at school and I told the priest at church. My dad is an important member of the Catholic church and told them that I just have problems and am trying to get attention. They put me in counseling and even my counselor doesn't seem to believe me." She continued sobbing while explaining things to me.

I paced back and forth thinking. I was not willing to accept that there was nothing that could be done. I convinced myself that I could not let her go back to that. My mind was racing as I put together a plan.

"I will not let you go back to that, Denise. I cannot let this keep happening to you. You have to come with me. I will do everything I can to keep you safe from this."

"No Mark. I can't. There is nothing that you can do."

The debate continued for quite some time as she resisted my desperation to help her. Steve and Trisha approached me and asked to talk to me. Both of them had some concern.

"What are you thinking of doing?" Steve challenged.

"I'm going to take her to Colorado. I have a friend there. We can hide out there until she turns 18. Then she won't have to keep living this nightmare anymore." I responded.

Steve seemed a bit shocked at my quick response. He began to interrogate me with all of the questions as to how I was going to pull this off. Trisha just stood listening while Denise continued sobbing nearby. As Steve continued his questioning, I began to just lay out the entire plan to him.

"Anymore questions?" I asked glaring at him.

Steve just stood there speechless. He knew he was not going to persuade me to do otherwise. Trisha turned around and headed over to Denise. I was a bit shocked when I heard her say, "Denise. I think you should go with him."

The debate began again but this time with Denise and Trisha. Steve and I wandered off to get a bit of distance while we talked more.

Steve rarely saw me this passionate about anything. The only thing that Steve probably saw me ever talk so passionately about was God. I would tell him how I knew that He was real and would share things I had witnessed in the past. At first, Steve was very standoffish towards the subject. But as time passed, his disbelief and even hatred towards God seemed to be changing. I even remember him joining in a conversation and being in agreement with me while talking to JJ.

Sometime later while I was still running the streets, I ran into JJ again. He seemed much different. He smiled and told me, "Things are much different with me now, Mark. I don't drink anymore and I have turned my life completely over to God." I remember feeling very uncomfortable but happy that he seemed to be doing much better. I don't remember his exact words but I remember him saying something to the effect of, "You need to stop running from Him Mark."

Steve could tell I absolutely believed in what I was planning. He knew that I would put myself at great risk, even risking my life, for Denise. It was something that he grew to admire and learned to not challenge.

"OK then." Steve said. "If you are going to do this, I am going with you."

"No way." I said. "You do realize how much trouble this could be, right?"

"Just as much as you do." Steve said. "I've made up my mind. I'm going with you."

Trisha came walking back up as Steve finally convinced me that there was no talking him out of it.

"I was able to talk to her. She is going to go with you, Mark. So when do we all leave?" Trisha said with a grin trying to cover her concern.
 

Markum1972

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2013
1,165
32
48
#9
This event took place on August 3rd, 2013:
My phone rings. A call for help. The Lord says, "Help the sheep out of the pit."

I get in my car and go praying and singing all the way there.

I show up and walk into the hotel room. I sense the presence of evil spirits throughout. The power of the Holy Spirit rises up within me. I feel as though I am inside a bubble filled with light. I realize that it is a hedge of protection placed about me. I quietly give thanks to God.

Denise says that she has been seeing things... spirits or something. I ask her, "Are you being tormented?"

"Yes." she says.

I walk across the room and speak in the tongue of angels quietly (so she could not hear me) assembling the angels to send the spirits out of the room. I give them the word to go and do so.

Suddenly she jumps up from where she was sitting and runs out of the room. I am perplexed but then chuckle softly after realizing what just happened.

I remain standing in the same place... holding my position... waiting. She returns to the room talking constantly. I say to her, "Peace be with you."

She comes up to me and stands in front of me questioning me and finally asking why I have exposed her lies in the past.
The Spirit of the Lord rises up within me and lashes out from my tongue with great power and authority in a voice that sounds like thunder saying, "BECAUSE... OPEN REBUKE IS BETTER THAN SECRET LOVE."

She steps back a few paces blinking as if someone just exposed her eyes to a very bright light.

Peace comes upon her as she scrambles for a pen and paper. "Say it again. Say it again. I want to write it down."
I repeat it and she writes it down. She stares at it on the paper. She looks up at me with tear-filled eyes and says, "I don't know what it means... but I know it is my answer. I will keep this so that when I doubt and want to remember why, I will have it."

I continue to stand remaining silent.

<time passes>

Her countenance changes. She begins to spit while she speaks. This continues to increase as I remain at peace.
Then... I see it. She turns her head towards me and I see the demon in her eyes. I recognize it as being the leader as it continues to take hold of her tongue speaking blasphemies, lies, and all manners of filth.

I ask, "Now Lord?"

"No. The time is not yet. I sent you to hold peace until the time has come."

I look at it directly knowing that it knows what is coming. It quickly diverts its eyes from me and releases her.

The time comes for me to leave... for now.
 
Jul 18, 2013
44
0
6
#10
I love this love story, please say it does not just endlike that?
 
H

hope36523

Guest
#11
God is awesome wht happened next
 

Markum1972

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2013
1,165
32
48
#12
Thank you for being patient with me. I do intend on continuing this story and am glad to hear that others are enjoying it. I must state that this story is actually still happening. I am currently living it as I am watching God's mercy and grace move things ever closer to His will. Eventually, the story will evolve to the present day. Understand that not even I know exactly how this story ends.

I will now continue...

Plan in Motion

“What are you thinking?” Steve asked. “I’m guessing that you must have some sort of plan.”

“Yes. I do.” I said with great determination.

“What are you going to do? She is underage. You do realize the trouble you could get in, right?” Steve said challenging my judgment.

“I’m completely aware of it but there is no way I am letting her go back to that. I cannot let that keep happening to her.” I explained firmly.

“Wow. You really do love her.” Steve said as if having some sudden realization. I just looked at him and said nothing. Nothing needed to be said. “OK then,” Steve went on, “So what is the big plan?”

It was all coming to me quickly like pieces of a puzzle that had been sitting in front of me for a long time were suddenly being put together quickly.

“I am taking her to my friend, Jason that lives in Colorado.” I explained. “We will stay there with him until she is 18.”

Steve began to barrage me with questions. I answered them one by one. As Steve continued, a grin began to cover his face as he was seeing the big picture of how I was planning to make this happen.

“OK then. When are you going to call Jason and let him know we are coming.” Steve asked.

“No.” I said abruptly. “There can be no contact with Jason, no trace or trail of what we are doing. We will just show up. I will explain things to him when we get there. He will be there for us.”

“How will we survive? I mean, what are we going to do for money and stuff?” Steve asked.

“The same thing we have been doing. There are carnivals everywhere. We can work with them and find odd jobs in the off-season to stay under the radar until she is 18.”

“OK. But how are we going to get there? I know your car is in good shape but it is going to take a lot of gas and food to get all the way to Colorado. It’s a long ways from Ohio.” Steve continued his interrogation.

I shot him a look as if to tell him that I thought his question was ridiculous. Steve just looked at me curiously for a moment until it looked like it had suddenly clicked. “Oh.” Steve started chuckling. “The same thing we have been doing.”

The plan was set. The time was set. Everything was in order.

“So when do we leave?” Steve asked with a glimmer in his eye as if ready to embark on some great adventure.

I looked down at the ground for a moment of thought before looking directly at him and saying,” Tomorrow.”

Trisha took Denise back home to gather some things while Steve and I gathered what little resources we could. Denise and Trisha returned with some clothing and belongings for the trip. Steve and I had less than $10.00, a few cans of soup and a loaf of bread on the back floor board, and a can opener in the glove box.

I decided to stay off of the highways knowing that the state patrol would be watching for us once Denise was reported as having run away. As the day drew closer and closer to its end, I became anxious about remaining in town where they might look for her and demanded that we had to get out of town before the day ended.

We drove out of town to an ex-girlfriend’s house that lived about half an hour in the direction we were headed. The idea was to see if she could put us up for the night or at least tell us a good place that we could sleep in the car undetected.

Steve and I left the girls in the car while we approached the house. I explained the entire story to my ex-girlfriend, Rhonda, and her friend. After hearing the whole story, she asked us to give her a moment and re-entered the house. I could sense Steve’s anxiety.

“Don’t worry. We can trust her.” I said.

Steve looked at me indifferently. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.” I affirmed.

Moments later, Rhonda and her friend reappeared at the door. “Here.” She said handing me a crumpled up $10.00 bill. “It’s all that we have. I wish I had more to give you, Mark.”

“Thank you so much, Rhonda. I really appreciate it.”

“I wish you could all stay here.” She continued. “But you know how my mom is. My brother is having a party at his house tonight. I will tell you how to get there so you can stay there tonight. I will call him and let him know you are on your way.”

I thanked her again and she wished us the best before we headed on our way.
 
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H

hope36523

Guest
#13
so this is a true story thats cool if it s and if not your a good writer,i just write poetry and i know art if its true its an awesome story can't wait to read more
 

Markum1972

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2013
1,165
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#15
Fast forward 23 years in the future, to the present day:

August 27th, 2013:

I sat in the car for a few moments hoping that the rain would either stop or slow down some. I watched the clock carefully calculating how long it would take me to walk the three downtown city blocks to the Justice Center. Finally, rain or not, I had to go.

By the time I got to the building my hair was soaked half way through. I scurried through the revolving door almost getting crushed by someone that decided that the door wasn't spinning fast enough. I reflexively ducked through the narrow opening avoiding calamity and quickly walked into the lobby. I removed my belt and began emptying my pockets while approaching the conveyer belt metal detector. I dropped everything into a basket, put it on the conveyer belt, and walked through the metal detector.

After gathering my things, I walked a fast pace towards the inmate visitor's center. A number of people were gathered around the lockers placing their items in them. I waited as patiently as I could while others tried to find lockers that were working. I knew the clock was ticking though and that I had limited time. I spotted locker number 13. I figured that it probably didn't get much use and was in working order. I quickly stuffed my belongings into the locker, put my two quarters into the slot, and turned the key. Sure enough, it worked just fine.

I walked a fast pace back to the line for the visitation desk.

"Take the hallway to floor 2," the correctional officer said after I stated my business.

"OK. Thank you," I replied before heading on my way.

I knew exactly where I was headed. This was my 3rd weekly visit to the county jail. My anticipation was high. I walked down the hallway and through another metal detector to get my visitor's pass.

"Booth 2," said the CO while exchanging my driver's license for a visitor's pass.

I grabbed my pass and headed around a couple of corners to the elevator. The wait seemed to take forever. I finally arrived at the second floor and entered the door to the booth area. I made my way to booth 2 and sat down looking through the thick wired glass to see if she was already there. After a few minutes of waiting, I began tapping my fingers impatiently on the metal table. I popped my head up a few times to look around into the facility for her.

I felt my heart jump a beat and start racing when I saw her. Her eyes lit up with a smile when she saw me upon entering the booth. She quickly sat down in front of me and she picked up the phone. I grabbed my phone as well.

I always loved it when her eyes lit up like that when she saw me. This time was different though. Her gaze stayed fixed on me with the occasionally shy look down. Her eyes were not darting all over the place like before. She seemed so much more focused and at peace.

"Why are you doing that?" she asked with a sheepish grin.

"Doing what?" I asked.

She didn't answer and as I saw her blushing, I realized that she was referring to the way I was looking at her. We sat quietly for a moment just enjoying each others presence til she finally broke the silence.

"Now you are blushing!" she said giggling.

Her pointing it out only made me blush even more which resulted in her laughing even harder.

Almost simultaneously, we placed the palms of our hands against each other on the glass. We continued talking, smiling, and just staring at one another.

She shared with me things going on "inside". She told me about church and how she was reading the bible more and more each day. She told me how God was showing her things while in there and how she was really enjoying reading Proverbs lately. There was every indication that hope was being restored to her. I could see her growing in strength and healing from all of her hurts. I was so happy to hear her say how thankful she is and how much she loves God for what He has done for her. Hearing her talk about how much closer she has been to the Lord was the best news of all.

A look of shock came over her face as she heard the CO. "I have to go," she said. "That was a short visit." I saw the pain come into her eyes.

"It's OK, Denise," I coaxed. "You can call me."

"I know," she said fighting back the tears.

She hung up the phone and quickly placed her hand back on the glass. I placed my hand over hers again, looked deeply into her beautiful brown eyes, and smiled.

I saw her take a deep breath as she continued to choke up. She took her hand off of the glass and blew me a quick kiss. I saw her eyes smile through her hurt as she saw me react to her taking my breath away. She moved towards the exit door of the booth and placed her hand upon the handle. She quickly took her hand off, turned back towards me, and slumped backwards against the door. She trembled fighting back the tears. I joined her in that struggle as I fought to stay strong.

I placed my thumb to my chin and used my thumb to raise my chin. She nodded to let me know she understood. I took a deep breath, waved one last time, and then turned towards the door.

I held my composure all the way back to the car. The tears came as I unlocked the door and then flowed as I sat there in the car. There was a faint bit of sadness in having to leave her but the majority of the tears were out of the joy of knowing that she was going to be OK.

Six months might seem like a long time to have to wait, but both of us feel as though this is what we have been waiting for deep down inside for about 23 years. So six months is not so far off at all.
 
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Markum1972

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2013
1,165
32
48
#16
Just to clarify, this is a true story. It has been over a year since I have written anymore here. I will be posting more this winter. Thanks to everyone that has been an encouragement.
 

Markum1972

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2013
1,165
32
48
#17
Plan In Motion (continued)
[the year is 1990]

We pulled into the drive of the oldranch-style house. There were a number of cars and motorcycles parkedthroughout so it was obvious that we had found the right place. Dave,Rhonda’s brother, greeted us and invited us in. I asked him if itwas OK if we just stayed overnight without going into detail. Heoffered that he and his girlfriend would arrange the guest room inthe basement.


It was obvious that Dave had startedhis partying well before we arrived. He was more intoxicated than anyelse. Dave was one of the hardest partiers I had ever met. It didn’tseem as though a day went by that Dave was not either drunk or high.In every other case I would have been joining right in the partyingbut this time was different. I felt the need to keep my wits about meand stay sober.


Steve and Trisha plunged right in tothe party scene while Denise and I decided to retreat to the car tohave some private time together. I comforted her telling her thateverything was going to be OK. I could tell that she was terrifiedbut that she trusted me and found comfort and security in theprotection I was offering her.


We sat close and held one anothertightly. The energy between us was unlike anything I had everexperienced before. We clung to one another and expressed that wenever wanted to be apart. We basked in the closeness that we felt forone another. We hinted at our desire to spend our lives together.That was the first night that we experienced becoming one.


We lied together enjoying the sharedwarmth and comfort intoxicated by our love and affection for oneanother. There was a peace that we had knowing that somehoweverything was going to be OK.


A sudden tap came on the window of thecar. It was Dave. I rolled the window down to see what he wanted.


“Hey Mark. I’m sorry to bother youtwo but it is a mad house in there. I really wanted to talk to mygirlfriend in private for a little bit. Would you mind if her and Ijust sat in your car and talked for a bit?” Dave requested.


“Umm…” I hesitated. I looked atDenise for her thoughts. Her facial expression was enough to tell methat she didn’t mind.


“OK. Sure.” I replied.


“Could you leave the keys so we canlisten to the radio?” Dave went on noting that the radio wasalready playing.


“No problem.” I answered.


“The basement is ready for you. Feelfree to make yourselves at home.”


“Thanks Dave.” I said.


Denise and I went into the housedeciding to head directly for the basement and retire for the night.I went upstairs to get us a couple of wine coolers to drink beforegoing to sleep.


We sat in the basement talking for sometime before I decided that I should find Steve and Trisha and letthem know that we were going to sleep for the night.


I found them upstairs socializing a bitbut mostly staying to themselves. We talked for a bit before Trishadecided to join Denise. Steve and I remained upstairs talking for alittle while.


Steve and I continued to socialize butTrisha was not gone for very long. She seemed very upset andapproached us with a sense of urgency.


“Mark?” she whispered so that noone other than Steve and I could hear. “Something is wrong. Youneed to talk to Denise. Something happened.”


“What?” I urged as the concern grewwithin me.


“I… uh… you need to talk toDenise.”


I hurried down the stairs to findDenise sitting up on the rolled out couch bed staring as if in atrance.


“Denise?” I coaxed as I sat downbeside her.


She continued to just stare down at thebed. I noticed that she was trembling and was using every bit of herstrength to compose herself.


“Denise?” I said again hoping for aresponse. “What is wrong?”


“Nothing Mark.” She mutteredwithout breaking her fixed gaze.
“Nothing?” I replied. “I can tellthat it is not nothing. You are upset. What is going on?”


“I don’t want to talk about it”she pleaded.


A sinking feeling settled in my gut. Myheartbeat elevated and I could feel the adrenaline start rushingthrough my body.


“Denise. What happened? Somethinghappened. I know it. I can feel it. Please tell me.”


“Some guy touched her” Trishachimed in from where she was standing behind me in the doorway.


“What?” I said perplexed as theanger began to boil up inside me.