Chapter 10

[Sandy writes]

I opened the door to a very happy Gretchen and Mack. I said, "Come in."

Gretchen grabbed me and pulled me tightly to her. After a kiss, she pulled Mack with her to Jack. She pushed a bemused Mack into Jack's big chair. She bent over to kiss Jack. I noticed two things. One was that she really laid one on him and second was that she was wearing panties. I thought that, just perhaps, that skirt was too short!

She released a rather breathless Jack and stood. I moved over to sit next to Jack. Gretchen climbed into Mack's lap showing a remarkable expanse of toned leg. She lay over on Mack and simply looked dreamy. Mack's eyes had an awed look of shock.

No one said anything. Finally, I said, "Okay, you're here. Talk to us."

"Missus Sandy, we had a wonderful time. Gretchen was, is, gorgeous in the dress you sewed for her. She caught the eye of every man and a number of women in the restaurant and on the dance floor. Jack, your Valkyrie love child is awesome. When she smiled, she thrilled everyone though I basked in the warmth of that smile. She has proved to be an altogether lovely lady. I was and am proud to be with her.

"I hope to be with her a lot in the future. We just had to tell someone and knew you two would be interested even though it's not perhaps earth-shattering news."

"Poppa, Mom, just be happy for us and pray for us. That's all we ask."

Jack said, "We will do both of those and gladly."

Gretchen's eyes then dimmed. She said, "I want to tell Mack about my past before he goes home tonight. I want you two with me for support. Mack, I want you to listen until I finish. Okay?"

He nodded, suddenly looking somber. She began, "Poppa and Mom are called that by me for a reason. My parents are living but are both in jail for many, many more years. It started when I was a toddler and continued until they were caught. If they hadn't slipped up and I hadn't had an alert teacher, I'm not sure if it would have ever stopped before I died. I believed by then that all families were the way that we were. I was abused by both my parents and their associates over the years. The abuse was physical and mental.

"I have physical and mental scars from that time. Poppa was the first man to ever give me a hug or a kiss who didn't expect sex from me. My life was a terror until I was fifteen. They hurt me badly and a teacher finally saw the bruises and would not accept my excuses. She called children's services. A nice woman, Anna Armstrong, took charge. She and my teacher took me to a hospital and had me treated. The police went after my parents and found them in possession of all kinds of child porn including some with me and even a snuff tape. They had showed it to me and threatened that I would be in one, too, if they even thought I let anyone know. I was placed in a foster home with a decent woman who led me to Christianity and showed me that there was hope for my life. I managed to graduate high school with good grades and was accepted into a college. I lived the life of a nun through high school and most of college. Chastity and I became roommates in grad school. I met Poppa through Chastity who he helped when she broke her leg. He was kind to both of us, not because I'm pretty but simply because I was a person.

"Poppa is trustworthy. He let me have a crush on him without hurting me or debasing me. He showed me what a loving relationship between a man and a woman looks like with Mom. He had enough room in his heart for two more daughters. Chastity and I are those extra daughters and more me than Chastity because I needed to be loved more. I would die for him. My greatest heartbreak is that I couldn't stop that first bullet.

"Mack, you must understand and accept that I am not virginal except that I have never cared for any man before Poppa. You are only the second man I have kissed with passion. I know this is a lot to have to digest. I'm scared but, on the way back, I decided that I would rather have you know and shy away than wait and be hurt worse later." She made to get up but Mack held her in place.

He looked her in the eye. He said, "I listened to you. Now, it's my turn. Again, when did you become a Christian?"

"I was with my foster parent. It was after the court trial of my parents. Anna, my caseworker, suggested that I change my name. My foster mother allowed me to use her last name and helped me pick a new first name. She had cancer while I was in college and died."

Mack said, "Did you confess your sins at the time you became a Christian?"

"Yes."

'"Did you ask God to give you a new life."

"Yes. That's why I picked a new name, too. I wanted to be totally away from that sad girl and a new name was part of that process with my therapist, too."

Mack said, "You are a new person. I like you and I am enjoying getting to know you. You are no longer that 'sad girl' but Gretchen Carlsen. She is a tall, beautiful, smart, witty woman. You, Gretchen, are the woman I am getting to know and appreciate. In God's eyes, you are a new creation. In my eyes also, you are that new creation. You have not allowed yourself to be defined by your past. I will not define you by it either. I think you are an altogether lovely lady." He kissed her gently but thoroughly. "Now, if you want to get up and leave me here and lonely, you may if that is your wish but know that I don't want you to do that."

Gretchen made no move to get off Mack's lap. She looked at him curiously. She said, "I would have to be a fool to get up from this good, comfortable place. I want to be close to you. We may be this way a long time."

Mack smiled. "There are many, many worse fates. However, I can't think of any that are better to me." He seemed to settle in. "It's good that I'm not working tomorrow.

"I bet you get up first, Gretchen."

Jack and I grinned. Gretchen said, "That's a challenge. I like this spot. I am on vacation this week to help care for Poppa."