The woods were cool and welcoming on such a warm day and Jody lifted her thick hair from her neck, as she enjoyed the light breeze upon it. This was her favorite spot for renewing her spirit. Indeed, today was a happy time as she breathed in the fragrance of the earth and vegetation. Finding her special tree, Jody settled down to contemplate the ups and downs of her life.
Far below was the river, rushing on its way to the sea. Tranquility stole over her as she basked in the beauty that surrounded her. Spring brought renewal and hope. The trees had started to leaf out and the Trilliums were in abundance. Soon the fat buds on the Rhododendrons would burst forth in color. Crocus had already bloomed and was now fading. A variety of plants had started to push through the earth, seeking the sun.
Soon the hot days of summer would arrive and the woods would become a cool retreat. Jody breathed in air that was fresh and sweet after a light rain. It was unseasonably warm for April in this small California town. That happened sometimes. No one could predict the weather this time of the year and after a long winter, spring was welcome. She did not like the snow, or the cold rain.
Jody was celebrating her thirty-fourth birthday alone. Widowed two and a half years ago Jody was rebuilding her life. There was no special man in her world and she was not looking for anyone to fill Neil’s place by her side.
Lost in thought, she didn’t hear the intruder approach. She felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Startled, Jody jerked away and looked up to see a concerned male face that stared down at her.
“Oh my gosh, you startled me.” Jody said. Her heartbeat was rapid with anxiety.
“Sorry,” the man said, “I’m Matt Gibson and I know you. Jody Fisher from Lincoln High, right?”
Nervously, Jody looked up at him. He was maybe five-eleven; it was hard to judge from her angle. “I don’t know a Matt Gibson, and I never went to Lincoln High.”
With a look of surprise, Matt said, “How could I have been so mistaken? Are you sure I don’t know you?”
As he squatted down beside Jody, Matt let his gaze traveled down her body, and he appeared to like what he saw. Moistening his lips, he spoke in a soft voice to calm her. Jody didn’t know him but she would and soon.
Jody tried to scoot away but there was no room to move. This stranger unsettled her. As she realized how isolated she was, Jody’s mind raced for an idea on how to get away. There was a danger from transients, but she had always felt safe in these woods. Having lived here for two years, she knew the area and it had become her sanctuary.
Matt crowded Jody as he sat down beside her.
“Let me start over,” Matt said, “Actually, I knew your husband Neil in the Army and he talked a great deal about you. I only recently discovered he had died. I am so sorry. Neil was a good friend to everyone.”
Jody looked at the ground, a frown formed on her face. Matt must be mistaken, as Neil was an obnoxious, loud-mouthed show off, and a bully to boot. No one had mourned his death. On guard, Jody gave Matt an appraising glance. Either he had never known Neil, or he lied. She wondered why? As Matt told her what a great guy Neil had been, her suspicions increased. Jody felt Matt was a danger to her and she had to get away.
Jody stood and brushed the leaves from her bottom. “It means so much to me to know Neil had friends.” She said. “Maybe another time you can share some stories, okay? Nice to have met you.”
As she turned to leave, Jody was careful to keep her pace slow even though her heart beat fast and her legs shook. She chose the path that led to downtown instead of her home. She wasted time as she browsed in several stores, giving the impression of a woman with time on her hands. The last stop was for her daily coffee. When her friend Heidi waited on her, Jody slipped a note in with her money asking Heidi to come by after work with a pizza. There was no need to say what kind as Jody and her kids, Jimmy and Deb, always ordered the same thing, with extra of everything.
Satisfied, Jody headed for her house. It was still a half hour before Jimmy and Deb would get home from school and another hour before Heidi arrived. She secured all the windows but it was too early to close the drapes. If Matt was watching the house, that might alert him. Jody didn’t want him to know she did not trust him.
With a calmness she did not feel, Jody picked up her mini-computer made to look like a book and settled on the sofa. She rested her small laptop on her drawn up knees. If Matt watched, she was totally engrossed in a book. Jody had pulled this trick on Neil many times. Somehow she had managed to keep the computer a secret. He had severely limited her contact with any other person. He had not allowed her a phone or writing material. She could go nowhere without him at her side. His control of Jody and their two children was complete.
When Jody first met Neil, he had seemed to be every woman’s dream man. He was almost too good looking. Neil was oh so attentive, charming and sweet. Jody could not resist him. From their wedding night, until he died, Jody’s life had been torture.
Two and a half years had passed since Neil’s death, so why was Matt here now? And what did he want from her? Jody only knew Matt was not to be trusted and she sensed he could hurt her.
Later that evening after the pizza had been eaten, Jody let Jimmy and Deb watch TV. She did not want them to know she was in danger. Heidi had a questioning look as Jody put her computer in front of her friend. Jody’s message told of Matt’s appearance and requested Heidi to take this information to the police. She knew when she went to the woods tomorrow, Matt would be there. Jody was nervous about seeing him again but felt it was too soon for him to try to harm her.
The next day, resting her back against the tree, Jody watched as Matt approached. He looked causal and expectant. She only hoped the police were close by.
“Hello again,” Matt greeted Jody as he settled down at her side. “I’m glad you’re here. Maybe I can tell you some of those stories I promised?”
“Hello yourself,” Jody said, “but first, tell me how you found me as no one knew where I had moved.” Matt didn’t know she had not believed what he said yesterday. Would he decide on the truth? He took both Jody’s hands in his and looked steadily into her eyes.
“Actually,” Matt said, “I did know Neil some years ago and it was not a pleasure. He scammed me out of a large sum of money and I want it back. I don’t want to hurt you, but I will. I want what’s mine.”
As she tried to pull her hands away, Jody wondered where her protectors were. Trapped alone with Matt, her fear escalated. Had she miscalculated about Matt hurting her today?
“I don’t know about any money,” Jody said. Her hands felt sweaty and her body tensed. “Neil didn’t leave us much of anything.”
Matt looked at her in disbelief and turned mean. “Look, you do not want to mess with me. I am not a nice person and I want my money. Now.” Matt’s eyes blazed with anger and he tightened his hold on Jody’s hands until she winced with pain.
Jody screamed and Matt let go of one her hands and pulled his back to hit her. Before he could make contact, he was grabbed from behind and immobilized. Scrambling away, Jody took in great gulps of air and tried to control her body’s trembling. She was relieved the police did not have to shoot. As her fear lessened, she tried to speak but couldn’t get the words out.
A hand touched her head and Jody heard a kind voice speak.
“It’s okay now, Ma’am, we have him. Just sit and try to relax, you’re safe. Matt has been on our wanted list for years but we could never charge him before this. His scam is taken from the obituaries. He bides his time then goes after the widow, forcing her to give him money and has beaten more than one woman.
Jody looked up, still unable to speak and her eyes thanked him. In despair she wanted to cry and wondered if she would ever be free from Neil. After the police left with Matt, Jody’s body slowly came back to normal. As she looked around at the peaceful scene, her calm returned and Jody was reassured by the knowledge she would heal in her woods.