Chapter 30

Tough Resolve - Reflections

George and Alice

Betzy thrived in the first-class session. Her nostrils flared at the assault of sweat and leather mats. She assisted her students to kick the groin and head with the rage of lightning. They tormented a padded punching bag in the shape of a man with an exaggerated groin area. "How can a grown man abuse the woman he claimed to love?"

Bobby's gaze yielded no answer. He never doubted the bond in his family. They wrapped each other in love and respect. However, response to Betzy's question agonized him. The bullies warranted the pain inflicted upon them.

She stated, "The classes were more than learning attack techniques for defense. They contained validation and inspiration gushing with each punch and kick. It brings tears, and sadness. The stories freeze my insides." Gloom blocked out Bobby's reactions and response.

She said, "Not everyone is ready to receive help. They make excuses for how their spouse or boyfriends behave. Some hold themselves to blame."

Betzy smiled, "Alice invited us to dinner tonight. Can we go? Momma and Mrs. Mendez say they will watch Walt and make him corn dogs for supper."

"Yes, let's go. George asked me the same question. He gave me his number to call if we couldn't."

"Good! George and Alice live in a new housing area owned by Paul and you. I suppose the drive takes less than five minutes by truck. The subdivision catered to upper middle-income families who recently inhabited Beverly. The complex, Boyd Estates, is named after Betzy and Bobby's ancestors who originally owned the land.

George was fifteen years older than Alice, but they acted like kids in love. Her son, Ben, is the product of her previous marriage. Her drunken ex was pounding her in the face when Ret. General Jerry Lee Lockhart, his wife, Nang Chom and George came upon him. Nang Chom grabbed his arm and kept him from making a deadly blow. She punted him in the groin with her left foot and landed three more strikes to his stomach. Jerry Lee held his right arm while George clasped his left one in a clench until the Thai police came.

Her former husband was involved in a black-marketing ring selling American cigarettes, booze and forged tax stamps. The Royal Thai Intelligence Agency had been following him for a while.

His sentence to life imprisonment left Alice in a lurch - no money, no way home and no family support. George found her crying in the commissary. She exploded into gut wrenching sobs.

She explained through giant sniffles, "My checking account has been drained by the Thai Court. I couldn't buy groceries and the Army quit reimbursing for our apartment. Ben and I are homeless and broke in a foreign country. We are going to die."

A Place to Stay

George and Alice - Bobby

George wrapped his arms around her and responded, "I'll make sure you have a place to stay and plenty to eat."

Alice looked at him strangely and said, "I want you to know I won't sell my soul and put out for something to eat and a place to sleep."

"Wait a minute, no one is asking you to sacrifice your integrity. Let me call a few people and inquire what kind of arrangements can be made. The first person I am going to call is Nang Chom Lockhart, the woman who saved you from having your head bashed."

"What can she do?"

"She has resources among the highest Thai authorities. Her influence opens doors you and I can only dream we had. You will get real help from her. It would be an honor to take you and Ben to lunch."

"I can't promise you anything in return."

"The company of the two of you will be a gift."

After lunch at George's favorite restaurant they went to The Golden Dragon office complex. They met with the cousins, Nang Chom and Ling Noy. Both ladies called various contacts.

Ten minutes later Nang Chom looked at Alice and said, "The court is releasing five thousand dollars to go to you. They will hold the rest until they can be sure of the source or sources of the amount in each account."

"Accounts, I only was aware of the joint account we had."

"Yes Maam, your husband had accounts at several banks in excess of ten thousand dollars each. They suspect the bulk of the money was derived from illegal enterprises."

I can guarantee he received little money from his military pay."

Nang Chom said, "One of our cars will pick you up in front of the office complex in ten minutes. The driver will take you to the bank to get your money. A van is reclaiming your personal items from your former residence. Our apartment complex will provide you with a two-bedroom suite for thirty days at no cost.

"When you return, immigration will have a permanent visa waiting for you at our residential desk. You, Ben and George are invited to my house for supper."

"Why are you being so good to me?"

"Because you are a friend of George. He is an honorable man, and you and Ben have his trust."

Alice wept again. Her face radiated with affection and she cast a puppy dog look at George.

At supper Nang Chom said, "Tomorrow morning at ten would you accompany me to a meeting of The Society of Respected Mothers Garden Club. They will be speaking on transplanting roses to make them stronger.

We have a day camp for the residents' children. They play games and makes crafts. My mother will watch Ben. There will be military kids and Ambassadors children from several countries. We provide tight security."

Alice could not get excited about gardening, but she owed her life and livelihood to Nang Chom. Ben went to the day-camp. Nang Chom and Candaa appeared like sisters rather than mother daughter. Their mannerisms mirrored each other.

The Society of Respected Mothers Garden Club (RMGC) existed as a cover to help battered women. The meeting opened in a wholesale flower operation with a large greenhouse behind the storefront. The session lasted around ten minutes. The club president invited the attendees to a side-room for teacakes and Thai tea. Then those present invited the women to tour the greenhouse annex for an exhibition. Nang Chom promised Alice the next phase revealed the focus of why we attended today.

The supplementary building introduced a structure larger than the greenhouse. Alice's eyes gaped as her mouth fell open. She was in a very large gym Three rows of chairs sat in a semicircle. Nang Chom stood up and introduced Anna. A petite Issan woman, dressed in a pull over top and Chut Thai skirt, stood and said, "Three months ago I laid on a hospital bed facing death. My ex-husband beat me, stabbed me multiple times and stomped on my chest breaking three ribs."

The RMGC provided moral support, defense training, paid my hospital bill and cared for my two daughters. They gave me a job in designing and making dresses. Abusive ex-husbands refuse to come here, because they perceive the center is to feminine. They are not threatened by women's activities.

Jerry Lee and George were at the second part of the meeting as volunteer instructors. They taught women how to protect themselves. Defense training assisted women to learned assertiveness, boldness and how to develop into a field of terror. They strutted with self-assurance.

Alice was a fast learner and soon taught new members. Her rage squelched as her confidence soared while she aided others to protect themselves and their families. She coached women to lift their gazes from the floor, to keep their shoulders erect, to strut forward and to savor the precious jewel they have become. Something she wished she possessed when her ex-husband was knocking in her face. The scars faded into hope.