Missy SeaHorn could feel the life draining out of her soul as her husband
grew old before her eyes ... and she decided she must do something drastic to
bring them back to life. Hopefully, her solution wouldn't get anyone killed!
Missy SeaHorn was almost 38 years old. She constantly felt so empty and desperate, she felt like she was falling in a bottomless pit. Two years ago, her 16 year old son Jason died after he was slipped some drugs at a house party. Jason's tragic death demolished Missy's spirit so totally, she virtually lost her will to live. Every day after Jason's death, she existed as an empty inconsolable shell.
Missy's husband Jarod had almost gone insane himself. For a long time, he had to struggle to make deadline after deadline at work - he was nearly fired on more than one occasion. Once a sexually active couple, they had both lost much of their sex drives - they seldom made love. Jarod had retreated to the sofa and used various TV programs to distract himself. Both had thought of having affairs in an effort to rejuvenate themselves, but what was the use? They still deeply loved each other.
Missy's 19 year old son, Clint, fled to the safety of a distant college. With both boys gone, Missy grieved so long and so deeply, her husband had thought about committing her. An extended vacation to Jamaica had provided a temporary reprieve and much needed distraction. But, their feelings of emptiness and loss intensified upon their return to the same old dull daily grind. Their memories of Jason, combined with Clint's departure, pierced their hearts like a thunderbolt cutting through thin air - life was almost too painful for either of them to endure.
One day while driving past the bus station, Missy saw what appeared to be two runaway teenagers standing outside the bus station. The boy seem to be approximately 18 or 19 years old, and the girl, 17 or 18 years old. Perfect Missy thought as her mind drifted into a scheming mode.
Filled with uncontrollable urges, Missy stopped, parked and approached the two teenagers,
"Hello, I'm Missy SeaHorn. Are you interested in a job and a free place to stay for a while?"
Both teenagers just stood there bewildered and uncertain. Finally, the girl said,
"Sure, we'll work for you for a few days. We could use a break from the road, I suppose!"
"Just a while said the boy. What type of work are you talking about?"
"Cleaning and handyman work. I'll be honest, some of the painting and yard work will be difficult, but you will have free food, a furnished house of your own to live in and a little spending money - but we can't pay you much money."
The teenagers looked Missy over cautiously. Mean streets had taught them to be very careful but, both kids were certain Missy was not a threat.
"When my grandmother died," continued Missy, "She left me three houses. My husband and sons completed some work, but they did not have enough time to do what was needed to repair them completely."
"Sounds okay with me. I am Eddie Simpson and this is my girl friend Jewel Rennaldy. You said we would have our own house?"
"Yes, you can live in one of the houses while you fix it up. You can work at your own pace, but my husband will insist on monitoring your progress."
"As long as we are not doing slave labor, I guess it will be fine," Jewel offered.
"I assure you he is quite fair," insisted Missy. "He is the manager of a small automotive shop in town. I will also ask if he can get you some transportation."
"Wow, why are you offering us so much?" Jewel asked.
"Well, don't get me wrong. I am offering a job that will be a challenge for most people. You will have to repair three houses. Both my husband and I will insist on excellence in all areas of your repairs. We can both be very demanding," Missy warned.
"I am fairly good at handyman work and Jewel had to work hard to care for her 4 little brothers," said Eddie.
When they arrive in Missy's neighborhood, Eddie and Jewel were surprised to find the houses were not as bad shape as they had imagined. It was an old neighborhood and the houses were large, but for the most part, it was a well-kept family type area. From viewing the outside, Missy's house did not look like it needed many repairs. But, it was evident that the other two houses needed a significant amount of work including painting and trimming trees. Eddie knew they would be working on the houses for several months, if the interiors needed as much work.
"See the house to the right of my house?" asked Missy. "That's my uncle's old house. He died 4 years ago at age eighty and wasn't able to maintain it or afford to hire help."
"I can handle it, no prob," insisted Eddie.
"Good!" said Missy. "Since that's the house that needs the most work, that's where you will stay!"
"The other house looks nicer," insisted Jewel.
"Yes, it was my grandmother's house and she kept it maintained fairly well," smiled Missy. "But she died 2 years ago and it hasn't been cleaned or painted since. I just couldn't bring myself to sell or rent it. I didn't have enough money to hire someone to maintain it, so it has deteriorated. You will have access to all three houses."
"It does look like a lot of work!" said Jewel.
"I assure you it will be," said Missy. "But I will try to keep my husband from working you too hard."
"Good," said Eddie starting to get excited about not being on the road for a long time.
"You said we would have free food?" asked Jewel. "Yes, you will eat dinner with us and you can have full access, within reason, to our refrigerator. We will keep some foods stocked in your refrigerator also."
"Bitching!" said Jewel. "Sorry, I mean kool!"
Later that day when Jarod came home he was surprised to see Missy beaming with excitement.
"What's going on Baby Doll?" as Jarod sometimes called his wife.
"We will have two guess for dinner!" answered Missy. "Our two new employees! I hired to teenagers to fix up "our" houses."
"Two new employees? Who? Where did you find them? How can we afford them?" asked Jarod.
"I found them at the bus station," announced Missy proudly.
"Bus station? They'll probably rob us blind!" said Jarod gruffly.
"I really don't think so Jarod," said Missy. "I really like them both. Besides you have been promising to repair the houses for a very long time. Now we can get them fixed for very little money. These kids need a place to stay and we need help. It works out fine for everyone."
Jarod was tired and did not feel like auguring. He knew he couldn't win so he relaxed on his recliner and turned on the tube.
"What's for dinner?" asked Jarod.
"Home made beef rolls, biscuits, onion gravy, and apple pie," said Missy.
"What?" asked Jarod. "You haven't cooked that since ... well, since, you know!"
"Well, our two new employees will be joining us for dinner from now on!" proclaimed Missy still excited.
"From now on?" asked Jarod.
"Well, until the work with the houses is finished!" said Missy.
"Do you know how long that could take?" asked Jarod concerned.
"Yes, I do," said Missy with her old smile.
"Okay Baby Doll, but runaways can be dangerous!" said Jarod. "Most have been abused in some way and all have had to steal and do worse to survive on the streets!"
"Yes Jarod, but I have a wonderful feeling about Eddie and Jewel" said Missy.
"Okay, when do I get to meet your two protégés?" asked Jarod.
"In about two hours," said Missy. "Please give them a chance. I have a feeling you will like them too. I am letting them stay in Uncle Calvin's old house. I want you to make a work schedule for them and supervise their repairs. Give them enough work to keep them busy, but not too much to make them feel they are being taken advantage of."
At 6:20 pm Jewel and Eddie arrived. Jarod's mouth dropped to the floor. Jewel looked so much like Missy did at that age, he thought he was seeing her double.
"Welcome, welcome!" said Jarod. "I'm Jarod SeaHorn. Please call me Jarod."
"Pleased to meet you Jarod," said Jewel extending her hand.
-----------------------------------
Jarod took Jewel's hand and held it for a while. It was as if a light was turned on in his soul. Eddie just looked and wondered what was going on. Jarod noticed Eddie's concern and said,
"Hello Eddie, I don't mean to stare, but Jewel looks so much like Missy did at that age, I thought she was reincarnated for a minute. Here let me show you our marriage photograph album, and then you will understand."
After they agreed Jewel was a double for Missy, they ate dinner. At first, the conversation went slowly - then Missy tactfully started an interesting conversation.
"Jarod, do you mind if Eddie fixes that old car you keep in your workshop? They will need transportation in order to get the supplies they will need."
Jarod sat for a moment silently thinking. He had bought the car three years before, a 1965 Mustang convertible. He had planned to renovate the car for Jason. He was confused about how he felt about someone he didn't know fixing the car. Finally he said,
"I suppose it will be fine. Are you good with auto repairs Eddie?"
"Yeah, I use to help my dad fix his cars. He was a very good mechanic."
"Really?" said Jarod. "I am a mechanic. Well, these days I mostly manage mechanics from the office. I will provide all the parts you need to fix it up and if you get it running, I will paint it for you."
"Wow, that's very generous Jarod. Why are you being so nice to us?" asked Eddie.
"Well, you will be doing a lot of hard work for us and you will need a ride, so I think it is only fair to help you. Besides, we really can't pay much cash."
"That's okay," said Jewel. "We don't mind an honest job."
"How long have you been on the road?" asked Missy cautiously.
"I have been on the road 4 years," said Eddie. "Jewel has been on the road 2 years. She is one month short of being 18 and I am 19 years old. When my father died, my mother remarried when I was 15. The guy she married had a heavy hand and it always seemed to land on my face. When my mother tried to help, he started beating her. I decided it was best for both my mother and me, if I left. Two years ago, I met Jewel."
"Yeah," said Jewel smiling lovingly. "My step-father was a real jerk!"
Jarod and Missy looked at each other. They understood.
"Jewel, Eddie, here are keys to all three houses. Get some rest and you can start tomorrow," said Missy in a motherly tone.
"Great!" said Jewel. "Just one question."
"Yes?" said Missy.
"May we use your swimming pool?"
"No problem," said Missy. "Just try not to be too nosy if you swim late at night."
As time passed , Eddie and Jewel grew closer to Jarod and Missy. Eddie fixed the Mustang and Jarod painted it cherry red at Eddie and Jewel's request. Jarod kept both Jewel and Eddie very busy repairing and cleaning the three houses. One day, about a month after Eddie and Jewel arrive, Jarod came home for lunch. Jewel and Missy were at the swimming pool and Eddie had driven to town to buy some supplies,
"Hello ladies," said Jarod. "Baby Doll - how is everything going?"
"Wonderful," said Missy. "We were cleaning all morning and I decided it was time for us to take a swim break."
Jarod notice Jewel's athletic young figure and his mind drifted back to when he was younger and dating Missy. He wondered if he was staring at Jewel again, when Missy asked,
"Are you hungry?"
"Yeah, I was going to raid the refrigerator to see what I can find," said Jarod about to leave.
"Don't bother," said Missy. "Relax by the pool and I will go make you a nice lunch."
Jarod sat at their lawn table and watched Jewel glide through the pool. He could not focus. Why had Missy left him alone with Jewel? Was he staring at Jewel, again? Was he being a dirty old man with unnatural thoughts? Anyway, whatever it was, he felt aroused; he felt good like he use to feel. When Missy came back she was smiling. She had a devilish look on her face - she had been watching Jarod from the kitchen window. They had a wonderful lunch and Jarod returned to work. That night Jarod was a wild man. Missy's plan was working.
Things went well for the next two months and Jewel and Eddie were making great strides at repairing the houses. They spent some of their nights going out on the town and parting. They had come to love having their own place to stay. It was a lot easier than hustling for meals and a safe place to sleep every night. Even Jarod now seem comfortable with them around. Then disaster struck - they had been found.
It was that pervert of a step-father, Duelly Smith, Jewels' molester. He was totally obsessed with Jewel and he could frighten the dead. Jewel had always wondered why her mother would marry such a violent jailbird freak like Duelly. He had spent four years in one prison for beating a man to death in a bar fight and two years in another prison for armed robbery. While Jewel and Missy were working in the kitchen a tall rough looking man entered - uninvited. He grabbed Jewel by the neck right away and said,
"You little bitch, your mother and I have been looking for you for two years!"
"Who are you? Get out of my house or I will call the police!" screamed Missy.
"I am Duelly Smith, Jewel's father, and I won't leave without my daughter!" insisted Duelly.
"Yes, you will!" insisted Jarod who had come home unexpectedly.
"Jarod," yelled Missy. "This man broke into our house and threatened us!"
"Lady, I didn't threaten anyone. You would know it if I did!"
Suddenly, Eddie walked in.
"What's going on here?" asked Eddie.
"Who are you?" asked Duelly.
"I'm the man who will beat you to a pulp if you don't let my girlfriend go!" said Eddie.
"Call the police Missy!" said Jarod.
"I'm leaving, but I will be back for you Jewel!" said Duelly in a mean voice.
"Don't bother!" insisted Jewel. "I'm eighteen now and you and my mother have no control over me anymore."
When Duelly heard the sirens, he stepped quickly toward the door.
"This is not over by a long shot," insisted Duelly.
"Get out of my house and don't come back, ever!" shouted Jarod.
Duelly leaped through the door and yelled:
"I'll be back! I'll be back!"
After Duelly left, Jarod hugged his wife and told her everything would be okay. They listened carefully as Jewel told the policeman about Duelly. Duelly was bad news and a dangerous man. When the police left Missy said,
"You poor girl. What a monster!"
Eddie was very quiet. He looked at Jewel who would not look him in the eyes and said,
"Jewel, I know you were a child when he molested you. It is not your fault. I don't blame you at all. I want to help you in any way I can. I think we should leave now and go some place Duelly can't find us!"
"No! No!" ordered Jarod. "You kids aren't going anywhere. Its time you stopped running from that freak! Let me think about this for a few hours and get back to you. We will worked something out!"
Missy looked at her husband totally surprised - he had exploded to life and took control. She was glad Jarod wanted to help the kids but, she wondered how they could help against such a man. She was afraid, but she did not want Eddie and Jewel to leave either. In fact, she had hoped that Jarod would give Eddie a job. She wanted to rent Uncle Calvin's house to them at a very low rate. She had planned for them to stay all along. Now her plans were in serious jeopardy.
The next day Jarod took the day off. He had been thinking all night and he had come up with a plan to get rid of Duelly without any violence, hopefully. He told Missy and the kids his plan. At first, they did not say a word. Then Eddie said,
"I like the plan. It would free us from Duelly, but it is very dangerous and risky. Duelly could hurt someone."
"Let's do it!" said Missy still very scared.
"Are all of you sure?" asked Jewel. "I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me."
"It's decide then," insisted Jarod.
"We had better get started right away," insisted Eddie. "Duelly won't wait long before he does something violent."
That day Jarod, Missy, Eddie and Jewel spent the day shopping. They bought some electronics, including 4 cell phones, a net, mace, pepper spray, and several other odd items they would need to set up Duelly Smith.
Eddie would have the job of shadowing Duelly where ever he went and keeping everyone informed. It was Missy's job to inform her cousin in the police department of their plans and make sure her cousin and her friends would show up exactly on time.
Jarod would coordinated the effort, set up the electronics, and the trap. Jarod loved to read suspense novels and watch adventure shows. He had always secretly wanted to be a hero in some type of adventure and this was his opportunity. He didn't want to fail.
Jewel had the most dangerous job - she was the bait. She was very afraid, trembling with almost paralyzing fear, but she was more afraid of Duelly hurting Eddie or her new friends. She felt she couldn't let her friends down.
That afternoon, Missy sat for a moment looking at her husband as if he were a stranger. She had never considered that he was so shrewd and cunning. She liked his cleverness and determination and wanted very much for his plan to work.
Eddie had been following Duelly for three days and everyone was very edgy. That night Missy made love to her new husband as never before. Every fiber of her being was excited with anticipation. When Jarod touched her, he stimulated her senses like static electricity, she felt she had drift off to heaven. She slept well from total exhaustion and woke surprised to find that her husband had made breakfast. He was sitting patiently at their dinning room table with Jewel, who was completely on edge. Missy poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down across from Jewel.
"It'll happen today," said Missy. "It will all be over soon."
"I hope so!" said Jewel. "I can't take much more if this!"
That Friday passed slowly and Eddie had called several times to report Duelly's movements. About 8:30 pm Eddie called saying Duelly had just left his house and was driving in the direction of the SeaHorn house. Duelly still had no idea he was being followed.
When he was 5 miles away, Jarod set his plan in motion; it would be soon now. Eddie called and reported that Duelly was sitting in his car outside Uncle Calvin's house. Jarod told Jewel to go outside to the car as planned.
Jewel went outside and took a bag of groceries out of the car and returned to the house. She was dressed in provocative skin tight leotards and a tight red blouse top. She was determined to play her role properly. Eddie slithered in the back door as planned,
"He's outside just sitting as you said he would be Jarod. I'll drive down the block now. Jewel, I will be right outside the door. Don't worry. It will go fine."
Eddie headed for the front porch with Jewel nervously following,
"You lied to me," said Eddie very loudly on the front porch.
"No I didn't!" said Jewel as loudly as she could.
"I am out of here!" yelled Eddie. "I have some thinking to do!"
"Don't go!" pleaded Jewel. "Stay here with me!"
Jewel was crying real tears as Eddie went to his car, got in, and drove off. She watched him disappear down the street and she went back inside. Jarod was there making sure she was safe and following his plan. Missy was outside in her cousin's car, waiting patiently. Jarod called her and told her everything was going according to plan.
"Why hasn't he come inside?" asked Jewel.
"Don't worry Jewel, he will soon!" said Jarod. "Remember, get him into the den as soon as he comes inside."
Jarod's cell phone rang - Jewel knew what that meant. Missy reported Duelly was on his way into the house. Jewel headed for the den and took her place; her mace was in her hand. She sat at a table and pretended to watch television. Duelly entered quietly through the kitchen door which Jarod had locked. He had figured Duelly would be suspicious if the door was unlocked. He knew it would be no problem for Duelly to get past the lock. When Duelly entered the den, Jewel turned off the TV and yelled,
"What are you doing here? My boyfriend will be here in a minute."
"I don't think so," said Duelly. "I think he will be gone for a good while. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."
"I'll call the police if you don't leave!" Jewel screamed.
"I don't think so," said Duelly. "Have you shown your boyfriend the pictures yet?"
"What pictures," asked Jewel.
"You know the pictures of us in bed."
"You made me take those pictures after you raped me," said Jewel. "I told my boyfriend all about you."
"Did you tell him how many times we did it?" asked Duelly smiling an evil smile.
Jewel sat quietly for a minute trying to think what to say next. All of Jarod's coaching had been forgotten in the heat of that moment. Then she realized she had to get Duelly to admit he raped her several times.
"You molested me for two years when I was underage! If that ever came out? You will go back to jail for life. It will be your third strike, and you'll never get out!" retorted Jewel.
"No one can prove I molested you, and if you tell anyone, I will kill you," said Duelly coldly.
At that movement Missy's cousin sprang into the room. She was quickly followed by Jarod, Missy, and Eddie.
"Get on the floor now!" shouted Lieutenant Joy Baker. "You are under arrest!"
"You set me up!" said Duelly.
"We have you recorded on video camera admitting you raped this child!" said Joy as she had two of her men handcuff Duelly.
"You have the right to remain silent ...."
"Get that trash out of my house!" said Jarod.
"Gladly," said Joy as she grabbed the video cassette.
That night Jarod, Missy, Eddie and Jewel sat at Missy's dinning room table,
"Jarod, tell Eddie," said Missy.
"Okay Baby Doll," said Jarod.
"Eddie, I would like for you to consider coming to work for me at Car Depot," said Jarod warmly.
"Tell them everything," urged Missy.
"You are a terrific mechanic and it is about time you and Jewel got off the road and settled down," suggested Jarod. "You can live in Uncle Calvin's house for one year and continue your repairs in your spare time to pay for the rent. It's a good deal for everyone."
"Eddie," pleaded Missy. "It's about time you got Jewel off the road. It's not safe out there and sooner or later someone will get hurt. We really want you to seriously consider our offer."
"Eddie," urged Jewel.
"I don't know if I can stay in one place for that long any more," said Eddie. "I've been on the road for a long time."
"Yes, I know," said Missy. "But, maybe a year working as a mechanic is all you need to get grounded again. We consider you as family."
"Well, I guess we can give it a try for one year," surrendered Eddie. "If it doesn't work out we can still leave."
"Awesome," yelled Jewel. "Eddie I'm so happy. I have something to tell you."
"Yeah?" said Eddie.
Everyone sat quietly. Missy thought to herself, wouldn't it be wonderful if Jewel was pregnant. Then she thought, maybe it's too soon. It may scare Eddie away. Jewel stood up and started pacing and then she announced,
"Eddie, I'm so happy you have decided to stay. I was passing by Tamers Junior College and I saw a sign that said: "GET Your GED At Night School" and I decided to sign us both up for the classes. It will be hard, but we can get our diplomas pretty fast if we work hard. You told me you were an A student in high school and so was I."
"Wow Jewels!" said Eddie unsure. "It's a lot ... work, school, home repairs."
"No, its not!" said Jarod. "It's wonderful and Missy and I will help with the repairs. You have already done the hardest tasks."
"Besides, I lost a son, Jason, and I want you too think of me as a friend and a father figure," said Jarod. "Family must stick together."
"And, Jewel," said Missy. "When my friends see us together, they think we are sisters, well, mother and daughter anyway. What more could you ask?"
Jewel and Eddie worked to finish their GEDs in record time. They married and continued to live in Uncle Calvin's house.
Jewel continued her education and got her LVN. After three years in Uncle Calvin's house, Jewel gave birth to twins, Jason and Melissa Simpson.
Eight e-books regarding Pathological Narcissism, relationships with abusive
narcissists and psychopaths, and the Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).
