Turning Point

Every day had been a living nightmare. Vega was Mandy's first love. They had married when she was still a teenager. He was her whole world. Finding he was not the man she'd married was hard. She'd thought he was the most handsome man, the greatest dad, Mr. Charming himself. She believed to the depth of her soul he felt the same about her. Now she was discovering more and more women he had been making feel the same way.

"Sandy, how in the name of all that is holy did I so deceive myself. How could I not see some of this?"

"He's the ultimate in deception having fooled everyone. You have to realize there is still life to be lived. You must force yourself to get through the days until you are able to want to face each day again."

Mandy's depth of depression and hopelessness increased daily. She received no financial help from Vega. The piece of paper stating he was to provide child support and insurance neither fed them nor covered doctor bills.

"Can your Mom keep the kids while you come to the book signing tomorrow? I'll be helping and it would take your mind off your situation for a while." Sandy heard a deep sigh that turned into a sob at the other end of the phone line.

"Mandy what's wrong?"

"You know I told you my car was not running right? Well, Vega took it claiming he was going to fix it. He didn't bring it back. I don't have anyway of going anywhere. Clarksville is a forty-five minute drive to Nashville and walking is my only way of transportation."

"Is the title in your name or his?"

"It has both names on it or I would have reported it as stolen. With it in both names though my hands are tied."

Sandy slammed the telephone receiver down. Okay, enough is just enough! Sandy rented a vehicle for Mandy to use tomorrow.

Barnes and Noble was crowded to overflowing the next afternoon for the book signing. Mary Higgins Clark and P. J. Parrish were featured speakers this year at the forums. Sandy was enjoying such distinguished company. This was the most fun she'd had in a long time.

Mandy had made it in time to hear all the speakers. She was thrilled when Sandy introduced her to everyone. After the signing, they were enjoying a cup of coffee together.

"You know the old car isn't worth much and has not run right in a long time, but I can't afford another one. I wish there was some way to sneak up to the apartment where he is living and get it."

"You have the key?" Sandy questioned.

"To what? The car? We'd never get away with it! They have Security guards on duty twenty-four seven where he lives. Oh, I'd love to though. Wouldn't you just love to see his face when he realizes it's gone." Mandy laughed out loud at the thought.

"Well, you can't be arrested for stealing your own car."

"What if he catches us?"

"What if he does? The title has your name on it too. Who can stop us?"

"Look he already choked me almost to death once. He wouldn't stop this time. You know he'd, he'd... Hell, who cares, let's go I've got the spare key.."

The two left Sandy's car at a service station a few blocks from the apartment building knowing if Vega saw it in the parking lot he'd recognize it and their plan might not go well. They waited until it was dark and drove slowly around the parking lot.

"There it is!" Mandy squealed. "His apartment is there." Mandy pointed to the door directly across the parking lot.

There was a huge spot of oil underneath the car spreading beyond the tires. "It might not even make it out of the parking lot. What will we do then?" Mandy ventured.

Sandy crept by the parked vehicle and began her second trip around the entire apartment complex. She was fearful of being caught too, but Vega didn't need two cars and it just wasn't fair. Mandy should have the vehicle.

Fear clutched both women as the headlights of Security's vehicle caught them on their way through the back lot.

"Smile." Sandy prompted. "Wave."

The guard waved back and they let out a deep sigh of relief. As they approached the little red car Mandy had driven for the past five years Sandy stopped. Mandy got out of the truck.

Looking across expecting Vega's door to fly open at any second, Mandy's hand shook as she unlocked the door to the car. The motor tried to turn over on the first try, but failed. Her heart was in her throat. Tears began to stream down her face. She tried again and the motor started.

Sandy had been holding her breath and looking at the closed door expecting a gun to pop out. Mandy sped out of the drive with the old car sputtering all the way. Down the hill they drove. Each glanced behind them expecting Vega's vintage Ford to come roaring after them.

They never stopped until they reached Christy's home in Joelton. She had agreed to hide the car if they were successful in getting it. The little red car died just as Mandy got it in it's hiding spot.

"I wish I could be a fly on the wall when he walks out that door," Mandy laughed.

"He will be blowing like a mad bull."

"If it can be fixed without much cost, I'll get it repaired. If not, he'll never know where it went. He'll think I have it, but never be able to prove it."

Sandy could hear the hope returning to Mandy's voice. The old car wasn't worth anything money-wise, but Mandy had finally won a small battle. Maybe this would be the turning point in regaining a life that had been dead too long already.

Word Count: 999