Two Rings, One Heart. Martha Mason

to sit still.

      “Mitch, I’ve made a decision,” Megan said evenly. “I’m not sharing you anymore. You have to make a choice which you want more—me and Zack, or drinking. You can’t have it both ways. I love you with all my heart, but you’re heading down the wrong road and I’m not going with you. I’ll help you with anything, but things can’t go on the way they are,” she said.

      She waited for some kind of response. When she got none, she continued. “If you choose the path you’re on, we’ll have some decisions to make, because one of us is leaving. And know this Mitchell, if you’re ever unfaithful to me, it’s over. I’ll never want to see you again. I want us together as a family. I hope you want that, too.” She had stayed strong until she said this. Then she broke down and cried.

      Mitchell carefully took her in his arms and held her. “You know I love you, Meg. There’s never been anyone else, never will be. I love you and Zack. We’ll be okay.”

      His words had comforted her for the moment, but the problem had never been other women. It had been alcohol, and nights out with his “ol’ buddies.”

      The next day Megan was released from the hospital. Instead of Mitchell picking her up, Doc drove her home. As soon as she came into the apartment, she knew something was wrong. Zack was there with his grandmother and he rushed into her arms.

      Megan turned to Ruth for an explanation and her mother-in-law handed her a note.

      Dear Meg,

      You’re all better off without me. I’m sorry.

      I love you,

      Mitch

      Shattered under the weight of these few words, Megan had collapsed to the floor.

      Remembering that day still hurt physically and emotionally. Mitch hadn’t even tried to work things out. He’d just packed up and left town. Megan hadn’t heard from him since.

      Occasionally, Mitchell sent his mother money for the children. Otherwise Megan wouldn’t have been sure he was still alive. He never let her know where he was staying or what he was doing. He had cut them all out of his life.

      The kids came home after their night away, and life was back to normal.

      One afternoon Zack came rushing into the shop after school. “Mom, can I borrow the truck? There’s a young adult conference being held at the civic center in Roanoke tonight. Some of my friends and I thought we’d go.”

      “Why is it in Roanoke?” she asked, disturbed by the distance.

      “There’s no place here big enough. It’s for all the area high-school students. My teachers recommended that we go. They’re even offering extra credit to the students who attend. The only catch is that we have to write a one-page report on the conference.”

      Megan frowned skeptically. She didn’t like the idea of Zack driving late at night.

      “Come on, Mom, I know it’s a forty-five minute drive, but I need the extra credit. It’s Friday night, so it won’t matter if I’m a little late, will it?”

      “What’s it all about?” his mother asked grudgingly.

      “You should like this! They are supposed to help us understand taking responsibility for ourselves as young adults. They’re going to cover a range of subjects like how to handle finances, how to get college aide money, being responsible for moral behavior and substance abuse. It’s being sponsored by the area churches,” Zack told her.

      It sounded pretty good, but Megan was still undecided. “I’m sure they mentioned it before today. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

      “My calculus teacher pulled me aside today and asked me if I was going tonight I told her no. She said if I would go, she would take my last quiz score off my grade. That would really help me in that class,” he admitted.

      She knew he was struggling with calculus. “I guess it will be okay,” she said reluctantly, wanting to protect him like a mother hen, yet knowing he had to grow up.

      “Thanks, Mom!” He gave her a kiss on the cheek and dashed off. Having permission to drive to Roanoke meant more to him than any lectures he and his friends would hear. It made the new driver feel like a big shot.

      Megan prayed. It was the only thing she could do. Lord, I put Zack and his friends in Your hands and ask You to watch over and protect them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

      It was after one o’clock before Zack came in that night. Megan was still up reading her Bible, waiting for him. Zack came to the opened door of his mother’s bedroom. “I’m home safe and sound,” he announced.

      “Good, I was about to send out a search party,” she teased. “So how was it?”

      Zack stared at his mother for a few seconds, then he went to her dresser and fiddled with the things on top. “It really wasn’t what I expected at all,” he admitted. “They had food and music and all kinds of stuff.”

      “Well, did you learn anything?” Megan asked, trying to get a little information.

      “Yeah, actually I got more than I expected out of going,” he said quietly.

      Megan frowned. Usually he wanted to tell her everything, word for word. “Were the speakers interesting?” she asked, hoping to draw him out a little.

      “It’s late. I’ll tell you about it another time. Okay?” he said, turning to face her.

      “Sure, you can tell me about it tomorrow. I’m glad you’re home,” she said, but she knew something wasn’t right.

      Zack walked out mumbling good-night.

      “Sleep well!” Megan called, wondering if he and his friends had even gone to the conference. The way he was acting, she suspected they may have gone joy-riding instead!

       Chapter Two

      It was one of those rare afternoons when things were slow at Meadow Flowers. “Why don’t you let me close up today?” Ted offered.

      “You know, that sounds kind of nice,” Megan agreed, knowing Ted was eager for more responsibility. She went home and put a roast in the oven for dinner. Zack was picking up Jess after school.

      Megan turned on her “old music,” as the kids called it, and stretched out on the sofa. Closing her eyes, she tried to relax.

      She was just beginning to unwind when someone knocked on the front door. No one ever came to the front door, except salesmen and uninvited guests. Reluctantly, she got up. Before she could reach the door, another sequence of hard knocks erupted. Somewhat irritated by the visitor’s impatience, Megan yanked open the door.

      Her uninvited guest watched as the color drained from her face. He threw open the screen when she began to sway, and caught her just before she fell.

      The man’s touch affected her like a lightning bolt. Megan jerked free, glared at him for a moment, then bolted into the depths of the house. Warily, he followed, and found her draped over the kitchen sink, heaving. Grabbing a towel, he wet it, then put it against her forehead.

      Megan shoved him away and buried her face in the wet towel. As she regained a little of her composure, she straightened up.

      “Well, you’re the last person I expected to see at the door. So…how are you, Mitchell?” Megan said, staring at him with enough anger in her eyes to sear him.

      Mitchell looked away, disarmed by her fury. “I’ve been worse.”

      “What are you doing here?” she asked, dazed.

      “I was in town on business. I thought I’d come by and see the kids…and you,” he said hesitantly.

      “Well,