For the love of Grace

Mama's plea for help

Mama’s plea for help

Peggy POV

I was at the church volunteering when I got the call from Sarah saying that Ryan was stalking Grace and leaving threatening notes. She said she didn’t want to call Dean because if he knew Ryan showed up at the shop today he would have done something stupid, like beat Ryan’s face to a pulp.

“OK sweetie thank you for calling me. I will handle this. Just please don’t leave Grace alone OK? Convince her to have Dean pick her up from work, if you can.”

“Yes Ma’am. Thank you.” she said and hung up.

“Everything OK?” Preacher Pritchet came up from behind me and asked.

“Mr. Pritchet I am not a liar so if you are really asking me that question I will be completely honest with you.” I told him.

“That’s what I’m askin Peggy. What’s goin on?”

“You have to promise me you won’t tell Dean.” I begged.

“You have preacher/ congregation member confidentiality.” he told me with a laugh.

I nodded my head and began, “Grace’s ex boyfriend Ryan has been stalking her. He has made threats, broken into her home and today he followed her to the flower shop. If Sarah hadn’t been there I don’t know what might have happened.”

“I see. Have you called the police?”he asked.

“I wish I could. Ryan’s father is the chief of police. He never gets into any trouble.” I told him, a single tear slid down my cheek. I wouldn’t even have noticed if it weren’t for Ray wiping it away.

“How about we go together. Even if nothing is done. I’ll be there for moral support. Afterwards, we will say a prayer for everyone. I have faith that God has a plan, Peggy. I need you to believe in that plan.” he took my hand and said.

I had been spending so much time with Ray, helping him coordinate local fundraising events for the church. I always believed in the Lord but spending time with him reaffirmed my faith every day. “I do believe Ray. I do.” I said.

Twenty minutes later we arrived at the station and I asked to speak directly to the chief. When the chief came over he said, “Peggy, Mr. Pritchet, what can I do for ya?”

“I think we should speak somewhere privately.” I said.

Chief Brannigan looked at me suspiciously for a moment and then motioned for us to follow him to his office. Once inside he closed the door and sat behind his desk. “Please have a seat and tell me what I can do for you.”

“I don’t know how to say this so I’m just going to come right out with it.” I nervously said.

“Go on,” he replied.

“Ryan has been harassing Grace.” I blurted out.

“How do you know this?” Chief asked.

“He has been sitting outside of her home on multiple occasions. He left a threatening note calling her all kinds of names. He followed her to the flower shop today. If it wasn’t for her employee Sarah, he would have gone in and God only knows what he would have done.” I said defensively.

“I see,” he said.

“Are you going to do anything about it?” I asked, becoming increasingly agitated by his lack of compassion for the situation and my daughter.

“I don’t see there being anything I can do Peggy. Your daughter hasn’t filed a formal complaint, no other witnesses have come forward and from what you are telling me you don’t really have any evidence.” he said with a smug look on his face as he leaned back in his chair.

“You know darn well what your son is like. You raised him!” I said pointing my finger at him.

“Peggy, let’s calm down now. You have spoken your peace.” said the preacher.

“If that’s all, I have some work I need to tend to.” said the chief.

“It’s in God’s hands it seems, chief. I just pray your son doesn’t do anything stupid. The Lord works in mysterious ways. I wouldn’t want to see anything bad happen to anyone involved.” the preacher said.

“Are you threatening my boy?” Chief stood up and asked the preacher, accusingly.

“No sir, I am not a man of violence. I leave punishment in God’s hands.” with that we turned around and walked out.

“Thank you for coming with me. I really appreciate it.” I said to Ray..

“I’m here anytime you need me.” He said, gently squeezing my hand...again.