A Gray Night

She still couldn't shake the previous night's dream. Sue had awoken soaked in sweat and trembling in fear. She was afraid to go to bed tonight. Afraid the awful dream that kept making her relive the horrible night from almost a year earlier would once again disturb her sleep and delve her back into the nightmare she and her infant had barely escaped from. It had been months since the last nightmare and she had so hoped they were gone forever.

Sue's thoughts drifted back to October 7^th Renee's first birthday. Sue had married her high school sweetheart Ray Lewis. The first year was amazing, a fairy tale romance come true. But she could not have known back then the true demon she had fallen in love with.

She should have walked out the door as soon as she told Ray she was pregnant his reaction to the news should have sent warning bells to her right then to leave but she ignored her gut feeling and later it would almost cost her and Renee their lives.

She loved him very much and being a family was all that she wanted. She had fixed a special, romantic dinner and was very excited to tell Ray that they were going to be sharing their love with a beautiful baby that they had created. They ate their dinner and all through dinner Ray was in the mood to head upstairs, Sue could tell by the way he was looking at her.

Sue cleared the table and was doing the dishes when Ray came up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist. "Come on baby leave those for later let's finish tonight upstairs." Sue turned around and they passionately kissed. "Ray Let's go sit on the couch I have some news to tell you before we go upstairs."

She led him to the couch. "I went to the doctor today and we are going to be parents. Can you believe it honey we are going to have a baby?" Ray just stared at her his eyes suddenly went from looking lovingly at Sue to what looked like complete hate towards her. When he spoke Sue wished he had not said a word.

"What the hell do you mean we are going to have a baby? We always used protection." He said with spittle flying from his mouth. "Ray one night we didn't. Remember we didn't stop to use any." She interrupted. "Well you should have made sure we stopped. How irresponsible can you get? He replied with a look of complete contempt on his face. "Ray you were there with me and you made the same decision I did. Sue said with tears streaming down her face. "Oh my God you bitch don't cry now you got what you have wanted all along you have got me tied down."

"Ray I can't believe you are talking to me like this. I know we didn't plan to have a baby but it is a little late now. And as far as tying you down, we are married I thought we were all ready tied together with our love for each other. She said between sobs. Suddenly Ray smacked Sue across the face so hard she thought she would pass out and he stormed out.

Ray finally returned and he was very apologetic. He said all the right things and Sue so wanted to believe him. She forgave him and everything went fairly well during the pregnancy and through the first few months after Renee was born. Ray often stayed out late and came in drunk but he never lost his temper again. He seemed to be an extremely proud father and loving husband. She could not have known the rage waiting to escape.

Late one night Sue got a call from her Dad that her Mother was in the hospital. Ray told Sue to go on to the hospital he would take care of Renee. When she returned the next morning and she heard Renee crying and screaming upstairs and Ray was screaming at the top his lungs telling her to shut up, she rushed upstairs and pushed the nursery room door open. Ray had Renee in his hands shaking her so hard her little head was bobbing back and forth. Sue grabbed her away from him.

"What the hell do you think you are doing? You could kill her like that." "Sounds great to me the little bitch won't shut the hell up and who the hell do you think you are coming in this time of the morning? Where in the hell have you been? Sue laid Renee down in the crib and turned around to face Ray. "You know exactly where I was, I was at the hospital with my Mom. You need to get a grip on life or get the hell out. If you ever lay your hands on our daughter like that again I will see you in jail." Before Sue could move or block the blow Ray punched her in the face three or four times. He knocked her to the floor and started kicking her. Sue could feel the blood pouring from her nose and mouth.

The next thing Sue remembered was hearing him in the bathroom cursing like a sailor and saying they were both going to pay. Sue knew she had to get Renee and get out of the house away from Ray before he killed them. Somehow Sue managed to get Renee and get to the car without Ray even noticing they left.

Sue drove as fast as she could she was trying to get to a police station. She knew she had to report this and put Ray in jail. Sue had always loved living in the country in Alabama but now she wished she lived much closer to town. Sues car suddenly started cutting out. She looked down at the gas gage and noticed she was on empty. The car ran out of gas, luckily she was on a downhill grade. She remembered at the bottom of the hill was a bar and grill if she could get the car there maybe she could get someone to get her some gas. Sue coasted into the bar. There were only a few cars there but all she needed was one person to help or even just a phone to call the police.

She got Renee out her car seat and walked into the bar. She was heading towards the payphone when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She immediately tensed thinking Ray had followed her. "I'm sorry miss you can't bring a baby in here." She turned to respond and saw the most beautiful brown eyes looking at her. "Oh My God, what happened to you?" Sue started crying. "I ran out of gas and I need to go to the police. My husband beat me up and he abused our baby. I need help." The words just came tumbling out.

The stranger took her to the police and she filed charges and Ray was arrested and sentenced to nine months in jail. Sue had since moved to Birmingham and rented a nice little house for Renee and her and was working at a local bed and breakfast as head cook. Sue remembered the man who had helped her that night. She didn't think to ask his name but his face was still fresh in her memory. Especially his deep brown eyes, he was an older man or at least his head of shiny gray hair said he might be. But what bewildered Sue the most was even with the hair his face looked like that of young man. He was a handsome man no matter what his age was. Suddenly the phone rang interrupting Sue's thoughts.

"Hello?"

"Sue Hey girl it's Bonnie."

"Hi Bonnie, What are you up to?

"Well I want to see what you are doing tonight?"

"Same thing as I always do playing with Renee and watching TV."

"Get yourself a sitter and let's go out on the town."

"Bonnie my sitter can only watch Renee when I go to work. I don't have a sitter for evenings."

"I figured you would say that. I asked my Mom and she would love to watch Renee."

"Oh no Bonnie I couldn't impose on your Mom like that."

"Get Renee ready and meet at Mom's at seven. She wants to watch her."

Sue showed up at Bonnie's Moms house at seven and after getting Renee settled Sue and Bonnie headed out for a girls night out.

"So where are we going?" Sue Asked.

"We are going to a little bar and grill in Huntsville. They have some great music and delicious ribs, and of course great drinks to get the night going." Bonnie replied

A little while later they pulled in to the bar and grill. It was the same bar Sue had stopped at the night she fled from Ray.

They found a table near the stage because Bonnie wanted to be near the music. They ordered drinks and a platter of ribs.

Sue and Bonnie were having a great time talking and eating the most delicious BBQ ribs Sue had ever tasted. Sue was watching how much she drank because Bonnie was already pretty tipsy and Sue wanted to make it home in one piece. A band started setting up on stage and Sue excused herself to go to the restroom. As Sue was coming out of the bathroom she heard the band playing and the guy singing sounded amazing. Sue was walking backs towards the table where Bonnie was and she saw Bonnie up by the stage dancing and having a great time. Then Sue noticed the guy singing. It was the guy with the gorgeous brown eyes that had helped her that frightening night six months ago.

Sue stared in amazement at the man on stage in front of her. She would have never guessed that he had a voice like that. She would have never guessed that this kind and gentle man who had helped her that dreaded night would even be up on a stage performing like that.

Well how could she have guessed any of that? It wasn't like she knew the man. He was just some guy who saw a woman with a baby in distress and did his human duty by driving them to the police station and seeing to it that her car had gas in it. She didn't even know his name but he sure didn't seem the type to get up on stage and sing.

Sue sat at the table and enjoyed the music. A couple times Bonnie pulled her up to the dance floor to dance to a song her two. This guy had talent beyond belief. One minute he would be singing a song that would have the crowd up dancing along and the next he would slow it down and sing a ballad that would melt your heart. He had the crowd eating out of his hands and he loved it.

A few times Sue saw him looking towards her like he recognized her but surely this was just her imagination. It was a big crowd and he could have been looking at any number of people around her. Much too soon he was done and walked off the stage and to the back of the bar.

"Sue, are you listening to me?" Bonnie asked interrupting her thoughts.

"Oh, I'm sorry what were you saying?" she replied.

"I asked if you thought he was good but since you were that spaced out I think you already answered me." Bonnie said laughing.

Feeling silly Sue said "Yes he is really good. Who is he?"

"His name is Caleb Snyder. He owns this place and he lives in Birmingham. He is well known in these parts. I can't believe you haven't heard of him before."

"Well I haven't heard of him but I have met him before, kind of anyway."

"What do you mean you have kind of met him?" Bonnie asked looking puzzled.

Sue explained about the night she left Ray. A story Bonnie already knew. But what Bonnie did not know is that this Caleb guy is the one who had helped her that night.

"Oh my God girl, Caleb is the guy who helped you that night? But you said he was an older man."

"Umm Bonnie he is look at his hair. She replied

Bonnie started laughing. "Sweetie he started going gray a long time ago. I use to hear him play at school gigs and stuff when I was a teenager and he was almost gray then. He is in his early thirties, just a couple years older than us."

They talked some more about Caleb and they decided maybe it was time to head home. Sue stood and just has she turned to walk away from the table she walked straight into someone. She looked up and there stood Caleb in front of her.

"Well last time I saw you were rushing in here and now you are rushing to get out." Caleb said laughing

"We have been here for awhile. You are very talented. I loved hearing you sing. Oh and thank you for helping me the last time I was here." She replied

"No need for thanks I am just glad I was able to help you. Did they catch your husband?"

"Yes they did he is in jail now. But please don't call him my husband. My divorce finally went through last week. I am now free of him."

"That's great. A guy like that isn't good enough for you. How is that baby of yours?"

"She is great. Growing like a weed and becoming so smart."

"That's great so things are going good for the two of you then?"

"Yep it's great. We moved to Birmingham and I got a job at Beulah's Bed and Breakfast." Sue couldn't believe she was telling him so information. But he was easy to talk to. She then heard Bonnie clearing her throat. "Oh I'm sorry. Caleb, meet my friend Bonnie."

"Hi Bonnie, it is nice to meet you." He said as he shook her hand. "Thanks for coming."

"No, thank you Caleb, I enjoy seeing you perform. I come every chance I get." Bonnie replied

"Well I'm glad. It's good to know I have some faithful fans." He said smiling. Then he turned back to Sue. "Ok you know my name and I know your friend Bonnie's name but one more piece of information is needed."

Sue looked from him to Bonnie mystified. "What piece of information is that?" she asked

"Your name." he said laughing

"Oh I am sorry. My name is Sue Connelly."

"It is nice to officially meet you Sue Connelly. I hope to see you here again sometime." He said as he shook her hand.

His hand in hers sent a shot of electricity through Sue that she did not understand. This guy was basically a stranger even though he had helped her in her time of distress. So why had the vision of his face stayed in her mind all these months later and why was the touch of his hand doing such things to her.

She told him that she would come back again sometime and she grabbed Bonnie by the hand and rushed out the door. She did not need the complication of another man in her life. Ray had taught her that trusting a man could prove to be a foolish and hurtful thing. She needed to concentrate on raising Renee. She did not need nor want a man in their life.

What is in the future for Sue and Renee? Is Ray going to return and be a man worthy of being Renee's father or will he return to torture them some more? Will Sue see Caleb again? Will he be her friend or will he be the man who shows her not all men are like Ray and that she can love and trust him? Stayed tuned for the rest of the story.