No Other Gods

Marie.

CHAPTER ONE

It had been a warmer spring in Douglas than normal. Flowers were blooming earlier and in more abundance. It also caused the weeds to grow faster. Grace Graham could attest to that fact. She had been out in the flower beds all morning. She had a large pile of weeds that she had pulled and a large amount of dead flower heads. She had not seen the flower heads wither so quickly before. I wonder if Mother Nature is warning us of a very hot, dry summer. Grace thought to herself. She heard the garden gate and turned to see her neighbor Doris coming in the backyard carrying a pitcher of iced tea.

Well, you are a welcome sight for sore eyes and sore hands. I have been busy working in these flower beds for a couple of hours. Between the weeding and deadheading, I am getting worn out. Grace said to Doris as she came into the backyard. But, I do have several different seeds we can use next year in our flower beds.

I am sure glad you like to do the deadheading. It is way too much work for me. I like to reap the rewards of your labors, though. Doris said with a smile. "It is always nice in the spring and summer to plant the seeds you remove, dry and put away.

Anyway, I saw you working out here when I got up this morning. I had a little work to do in the house and now I thought we both could use a little break. Do you have time to sit and visit? Doris asked hopefully.

An iced tea break and a visit with you sounds good to me. Let’s sit on the deck. I will go and get some muffins, I just made them this morning. I haven’t eaten yet today. I wanted to get the work in the garden finished while it is cooler. Grace said as she headed into the house for the muffins.

While Grace was in the house the phone rang.

Hello Grace answered.

Hi, Grace. This is Susan. How are you today? The pastor’s wife asked.

"I am fine. Just getting ready to take a break from the flower beds and have some tea with Doris. Grace said.

Tea, especially Doris’ sweet iced tea sounds really nice. I do not like to interrupt your break, but I need your help. The reason I am calling is Pastor Jim and I were cleaning the yard at the church this morning, when a man threw a young woman out of the car he was driving. Her throat was red and looked like she might have been choked, her face is red and her nose is bleeding, it looks like she has been used for a punching bag. She was thrown so hard that when she hit the parked car she bounced off of the car and landed with her leg partially jammed under the car. Her leg looks in bad shape. We called the ambulance and I am going to follow them to the hospital. I was wondering if you would be able to meet us there. Susan explained.

Of course I will meet you. I will change my clothes and be there shortly. Grace said. She went out to the deck to tell Doris they would have to visit later.

Doris, I am sorry. I need to go to the hospital and see a young woman. Susan saw the woman thrown out of a car, right in front of the church. Fortunately, Susan and Pastor Jim were at the church when it happened. Susan called the ambulance for her then she called and asked if I would meet them at the hospital. I need to change my clothes and clean up a little. I will put the deadheads on the table in the craft room. Then I must leave. Maybe we can get together tomorrow. Grace said as she gathered the deadheads to let them dry.

If you are not too late tonight and want someone to visit with while getting the seeds out and packaged, let me know. As long as I can work on the marigold seeds! You know I am not very fond of dealing with all of the little black seeds from the petunias, or the other seeds. Doris said smiling. Dave is still camping and won’t be home until tomorrow evening. If you are not too tired when you are leaving the hospital call me and I will make a chef’s salad and bring it over for us. Doris offered.

That will be wonderful. I have some other deadheads that I need to work on tonight. Two people working on them will make short work of it, and it will be nice to have someone to visit with while I get caught up on the seeds. And I always enjoy your chef’s salads. Grace said as she went to change her clothes.

I will let you get ready to go. Good luck with the woman at the hospital. I know you are used to dealing with abusive situations, just be careful, please. Doris said as she gave Grace a hug and headed out the door.

While Grace was getting ready, she thought about how she had received many phone calls about spousal abuse over the years, but not in the last year. She used to be the Director of the local Women’s Abuse Center, until she retired last year. She had taken an early retirement, at age 50 so she could work more on her other interests. She was getting more involved with the church’s Prison Ministry and with the Visitation Program. She had been able to start a soup kitchen on the church property. She went in the mornings Monday thru Saturday, and stayed until after the noon meal had been served and cleaned up. Her husband had left her enough money with his insurance and savings to live comfortably when he passed away a few years earlier. It was hard on Grace when Joe died of a heart attack. He was at work and they took him by ambulance to the hospital. By the time Grace arrived at the hospital Joe had already passed away. She did not say goodbye to him. She did not how she would go on. The money did allow her to quit her job and do volunteering. The volunteer work was something Joe and Grace had said they would do after retirement.

She started praying for the young woman as she changed her clothes and was on her way to the hospital. She never knew what might happen when entering a domestic situation, but she knew God knew. She wanted Him and His angels close by.

On the way to the hospital she called Cheryl Riley, the Director of the Women’s Abuse Center. She had taken over after Grace retired.

Hi, Cheryl. This is Grace, I wanted to let you know, I am on my way to the hospital to see a young woman who was thrown from her car. Susan called me and asked me to meet her there. Grace said when Cheryl answered. I thought I would let you know. I will check on her and let you know if she will want to use any of the services the center has available. I do not know what services she will need and be eligible for, but I will find out and let you know.

Susan called me after she talked to you. She said she didn’t want me to feel I was not included. I told her it was fine, and I knew you would call me if I was needed. You know all we offer and sometimes the client feels more comfortable with the first person they see. It is up to you, I will be in the office all day if you need me. Cheryl told Grace.

Let’s just play it by ear. I will handle it if I can. I am at the hospital now, so I will call if I need you. Thank you for understanding. Grace said as she hung up the phone and headed into the hospital."

When Grace arrived at emergency room where the young woman was, she saw Susan putting a wet cloth on the woman’s forehead. Grace could see the black eyes and cut on her lip. When Susan saw Grace she told the woman she would be back in a few minutes.

The young woman’s name is Marie. She said she had made her husband angry and he hit her, tried to choke her and finally threw her out of the car. Marie will be going into surgery soon. They have to set her leg in two places, she also has three severely bruised ribs. The doctor said the leg looks really bad, he is not sure how much permanent repair he will be able to do. He mentioned a possibility Marie might have to use a brace on her leg for the rest of her life. The Dr. said her throat and face will be sore for a few days. Grace, she is only nineteen years old. It is so sad. Susan explained.

I am glad you called me. I will talk to Marie tomorrow about her options. It is good she will have a few options, it is not like it used to be. Grace said. Shall we go in and you can introduce the two of us? Then, if you need to leave that will be fine.

I do need to get back home. I have several things I want to accomplish this morning. Susan said as they went back into Marie’s room.

Marie this is my friend Grace Graham. She goes to our church and she used to be Director of the local Women’s Abuse Center. She knows more about some of the options available than what I do. I am sure you will be comfortable with her, everyone is. I need to get going now, but I will see you again soon. Susan told Marie. Susan left as the nurse was coming in the room.

Marie, my name is Catherine. I am going to get you ready for surgery. It won’t be long before they come to take you downstairs. Catherine said as she administered medicine. I am going to give you medicine in your IV. The medicine will make you drowsy and help you relax before surgery.

I would like to stay with Marie if it is okay, until she leaves for surgery. Grace said.

I think that would be very nice. Catherine said as she gathered her supplies and started to leave the room Grace has been a great help to a lot of women in your place, Marie. I am sure you will like her.

I understand they will set the broken bones and then you will be in the hospital overnight. Do you have somewhere to go when you are released from the hospital? Grace asked Marie.

No, we are not from here. Marie sleepily answered, she was starting to get drowsy and relaxed from the medication.

We will talk tomorrow about everything. There are several options available to you. We will discuss them later when you will be more alert. Try to rest until they come for you. Grace said as she set back and waited.

Lord, help me to know how to help Marie. Be with her in surgery and the days and weeks to follow. Help her to heal well from her external and internal injuries. Please, help her to rest and surround her with your love and comfort. Grace prayed.

A few hours later, Marie awoke from surgery. The first thing on her mind was Leroy. Where is he? How mad is he going to be when he sees me? Why do I always push him so much? How are we going to pay the hospital bill? Marie’s mind would not let her rest.

Hello! How are you doing? You look like you are hurting. Would you like me to call the nurse? Grace asked with a large smile on her face. Marie noticed how the smile went all the way up to Grace’s eyes.

No, I am not feeling any pain right now. I think they said they gave me something for pain a little bit before they brought me to my room. Marie