Chapter 70 Leaving Asheville

Anna sat nervously at the gate, she’d told Bess she didn’t want anyone to wait with her but now she was regretting that decision. She stood and walked over to the window watching the plains taking off and landing and felt more hopeless than ever. She had grown to love Asheville in the time she’d lived here. Even before the original timeline, she grew to love it. Now watching the skyline from the wall of windows at the airport it was as if the skyline of the city was waving goodbye. Her heart ached but she turned away.
They called boarding and Anna grabbed her bag and went to wait in line. She kept her head down wanting to shut the world out. She kept to herself and didn’t’ talk to anyone because right now she didn’t want to interact with anyone. Anna felt like she was stuck in her own world and she liked it. Heartbreak was a good companion when your world was falling apart. Anna was about to hand her ticket in when she heard her name being called.
“Anna!” “Anna wait!” the voice screamed.
Anna’s spine tensed up as a voice she’d know anywhere rang out in the boarding area. She slowly turned to face the lunatic yelling her name. John raced down the hallway leading to the gate his mother in tow. Anna’s bag dropped to the gate floor as she turned disbelieving eyes on the site. Melissa struggled the whole way but John was determined.
“Oh my God, “Anna said turning away covering her eyes with a disbelieving hand. She wanted to sink into the floor. She kept her head down hoping he wouldn’t see her in the crowd waiting to board the flight
“Anna, I’m so glad we got here in time, please don’t leave.”John huffed as he shot toward her through the crowd of people as if he were an arrow and she the target.
“John now is not the time to discuss this.” His mother hissed to him.
“Be quiet for once in your life! “He shouted back to her. Surprising them all.
Melissa and Anna looked at him in shock. John never talked to his mother that way and it made Anna hesitate, but she knew it wouldn’t make a difference.
“why John, what’s the point? I can’t trust you to be honest with me. Love and marriage is built on trust.”
“Anna please I didn’t do anything with Isabel. She gave me a drug to force me to do what she wanted”
“So that’s your excuse? You were drugged? How stupid do you think I am?” Anna was yelling but didn’t really care, “so what did you just fall on top of her naked?”
“Show some decency, I know it’s hard but we live in this town.” Melissa snarled looking around the airport trying to cover her face as people began to look and film with their phones.
“I’ve had it you heartless shrew, Shut your mouth! “ Anna shouted as she rounded on her mother in law.
“You little Bit**! Melissa hissed letting her hand fall. She tensed and then jumped for her.
John stepped between them pushing Melissa back. “Control yourself, mother.”
Anna stepped back with her hands up “this is exactly why I can’t stay, whatever happened with Isabel aside, your mother won’t ever stop.”
“Anna please let me talk to you, just give me a chance.”
“No, I can’t get pulled back into this. I’m done.” She said as she grabbed her bag and turned to the gate.
“Anna please!” John shouted leaving his mother standing there watching with her mouth open.
“No John, I don’t want to listen to another word. I’ve heard too already.”
“Fine, you made me do this,” John said as he stepped closer and grabbed her quickly. He hoisted her over his shoulder and began to walk away from the gate. Anna beat at his back but John hauled her past the shocked gate agent and into the nearest family lounge. He strode inside and plopped her down on the couch inside. Anna tried to jump up but he gave her a dark look and pulled his mother inside.
John went to the door and talked to the security officer who had been alerted by the gate crew. He quickly explained the situation and apologized for the problems.
“Miss, are you alright?” The guard asked her with a worried expression on his face peeking around John’s massive form, “are you being kidnapped, do you need help?”
“No” she muttered in irritation “I’m fine, he is my husband.”
“But are you here against you will? Do you still want to board the flight?”
Anna felt embarrassed to be in this situation but Melissa sniffed and stood, arms crossed foot tapping. Her obvious discomfort and irritation told Anna that Melissa didn’t want to be there either. Something in her heart screamed for her to listen and she knew she would always regret it if she didn’t.
“I’m fine, I don’t want to board the flight after all. I’m so sorry for all the trouble.”
“Let me know if you need help I’ll be right outside.”
Anna thanked him and watched him turn and leave talking into his radio. She kept her eyes anywhere but on John who had come to kneel in front of her.
“Anna, will you listen?”
“You just manhandled me like a sack of potatoes John, why would I listen to anything you say?” Anna asked angrily as she finally met his eyes.
“It was the only way to keep you from leaving and there is something you need to hear.”
John looked at Anna and then over to his mother. He gave her a dark look and she sputtered at him as if he were asking her to do something irritating.
“Tell her mother.” John demanded harshly “Now.”