by Debbie Civil
Chapter 20
Carmen
“Chelsea, I’m sorry. I never got to say that to you,” I tell her softly. She’s in a coma. Only heaven knows if my cousin will ever wake up. I feel sick to my stomach when I see her forehead covered with bandages, a cast on her left arm and leg. Her ribs are taped and there is no internal bleeding. That’s a miracle. Grandmother has used her money to make Chelsea as comfortable as possible. She has even bribed people to let us visit her. Peter has been here every day for the last month. The guy is dedicated. He reads to her, sings to her, and then plays his guitar for her. Maybe the music will make her come back to us. I don’t know if that’s true. This has been a long month. So far I had to attend two funerals, one for Uncle Vincent and the other for Otis. A third will just shatter me.
I can’t help but be angry with Chelsea. She has to understand that people love her. Why didn’t she stay for us? I know that this is stupid but I feel abandoned, as if she jumped out of that Limo just to get away from me. Maybe I deserve it. We hadn’t gotten to speak after our argument. Dad insisted that we stay where we were until Uncle Ben could get us. God forbid more of Uncle Eric’s minions came and kidnapped us.
“Carmen, are you done here?” Eliza asks as she walks in. She is a ray of sunshine. Eli always has bright colors on and a smile to match. Even now that we have lost so much, she still looks that way. I frown.
“Do you want some time alone with her?” I ask cautiously.
“No.” She doesn’t finish this sentence. Most people don’t blame me for what happened to Chelsea. My ex best friend Danny isn’t one of them. It’s ironic that the person who Chelsea tolerated the least is taking her condition the worse. Danny is controlling and doesn’t open up much. Once she does, she is a barrel of laughs. Chelsea has never gotten to experience this yet. And I regret that she might not get the chance.
“I’m just about done,” I say quickly. Eli looks relieved. I think that she just doesn’t want to deal with Danny and I being in the same room.
“Want to go to the cafeteria?” Eli asks, clearly trying to get me moving. I stand, stretch and follow her into the hall. Danny is making her way to the room and freezes when she sees me. My heart pounds mainly because I don’t like confrontation. But she doesn’t say a word. She walks past me and enters the room and gently closes the door.
“She’ll get over it,” Eli assures me.
“I know,” I respond. She loops her arm through mine and off we go to the cafeteria. Eliza chooses a burger, fries, a brownie, and a diet coke and I opt for a buffalo chicken salad and fruit punch. We sit at a table near the back and observe the lunch rush as we eat. I feel guilty for enjoying the meal since my cousin is barely hanging on, but there is nothing I can do about it.
“I saw Chelsea’s father today,” Eli announces, which makes my ears perk up. I can’t help it. I’m nosy.
“Where?”
“He was in the waiting room with Tiller. It’s annoying that he never goes in,” Eli says as she rolls her blue eyes. I know why Uncle Ian never goes in. It’s the same reason why it took me two weeks to see Chelsea. If it wasn’t for him, she wouldn’t be in the hospital.
“He feels guilty,” I respond.
“He should. According to Mom, Uncle Ian called her all sorts of names,” Eli says. I want to ask her what names he called Chelsea. I want to know what her last words were before she tossed herself from the Limo. But I don’t ask. It’s horrible that I want to ask.
“How’s Olivia?” I ask Eli. She gags.
“I don’t see what Chelsea even sees in her,” she admits. The next thing I know, a French fry has hit Eliza square in the forehead. She grins and eats the fry. I crane my head to see that Olivia is standing behind me. She winks and sits beside me.
“Your Uncle Eric still hasn’t woken up,” she begins without preamble. Both of us frown at her.
“Oh, good! I hope that he never does.” Eliza was close to Uncle Vincent. Uncle Eric never approved of her wildness. I on the other hand barely liked either man. That doesn’t mean that I want either of them dead. I’m just saying that I wasn’t hysterical at Uncle Vincent’s funeral.
“I hung out with Peter last night. He’s such a Grouch,” Eli complains. For talking trash about Peter, Eliza earns an ice cube down the shirt. She shrieks and we all laugh. Peter sits beside Eliza and only has a cup of coffee. His eyes are blood shot and it’s obvious that he hasn’t slept much. Then again, neither have I and I wasn’t even there.
“Well, Eli, I see that you are definitely trying to clog your arteries,” he snorts.
“Hey, life is too short,” she mutters around a mouth full of fries.
“So attractive,” Olivia says with sarcasm. Peter winks at her and takes a few of her fries. She tosses a napkin at his face but Peter continues to snatch Eli’s fries. They are trying to keep things light. I don’t have the ability to. They aren’t to blame for what happened. I am.
“Carmen, what’s going on in your mind?” Eliza asks. I shake my head. She frowns and Olivia pats my shoulder. Danny and Tia join us. My eyes widen when Danny actually takes the seat next to mine and ruffles my hair.
“Are you just going to stare at the salad until it disappears?” Olivia asks. I poke a piece of chicken and bite into it. I hadn’t realized that I had stopped eating. Tia is munching on a large pizza. She’s been over eating these days. I think that it stems from her father’s condition. She swears that she had no idea that Uncle Eric and Aunt Nina were trying to get their hands on the inheritance. And I wouldn’t believe another girl. But Tia is just so self-centered and doesn’t notice much.
“This is low quality pizza. I want Dominos,” Tia whines. Danny rolls her eyes.
“Then, get some. No one is stopping you,” she snaps.
“I have no money. I’m poor. Look what Daddy did to me. Wasn’t he thinking?” Peter pinches the bridge of his nose. He seems annoyed. Olivia shakes her head and continues eating. Eli stands and walks away. Her impulse is to punch people that annoy her. And she isn’t going to harm a pregnant person. Danny tugs at my hand and places a piece of paper in it. I open the note and see that she has written, “I’m sorry.” This is weird. But ever since we were kids, we both have written apologies to each other and the tradition just stuck with us.
“I forgive you,” I say and Danny takes my blue cheese dressing and drips some on Tia’s pizza. The pregnant teenager screeches.
“What are you doing?” Eliza returns to the table, smirks, and shakes a generous amount of pepper over Tia’s Pizza. Olivia tosses a French fry on top of her lunch for good measure. When Peter holds up his coffee, Tia gets the point. We have the ability of making her food taste even worse than it does now. Tia grimaces then gingerly eats. I feel bad for her. Uncle Ben took her in which means that she doesn’t have any servants. He lives below his means. My parents couldn’t look at her without thinking of what had happened.
“Did you guys go see Chelsea yet?” Tia asks. We all nod.
“It’s too bad that none of us are allowed to see Daddy. He must be so lonely,” Tia whines.
“Serves him right,” Eliza says, a wide grin sliding across her face.
“Eliza, don’t. I’m tired of hearing you badmouth Daddy. He isn’t to blame for everything,” she cries. Oh no, tears are actually streaming down her face. Danny mouths, “are you serious?” and I shake my head. It feels good that we are communicating again, just as we use to.
“Guys, maybe you should talk about something else,” Peter suggests. Tia gives him the finger.
“Stop protecting Eliza. She’s a little brat. She will be happy once the whole world hates Daddy.” Her scream causes everyone to stare at us. I duck my head, not use to the attention of curious strangers.
“Tia, stop,” Danny says sternly.
“You don’t know how it feels. I’m poor, homeless, and pregnant.”
“And whose fault is that?” Eliza rebuts.
“You’re just jealous that someone w
ants to touch me,” Tia taunts. Eliza’s face turns red and she swings and her fist connects with Tia’s eye. My cousin shrieks, and we all know that we have to do something. I stand and rush over to Eliza. She is winding up for another swing but I catch her arm. I pull her to her feet and we both leave the cafeteria. She doesn’t say a word until we go outside.
“I hate her! I hate her! I hate her!” she cries.
“Eliza, Tia’s annoying. But she’s also pregnant. You shouldn’t hit her,” I scold. She wrenches her arm from my grasp and faces me.
“You have no idea what it’s like to live with her. Your parents aren’t stuck with her,” Eliza points out.
“And I’m sorry that you are stuck with her. But…”
“I don’t care what you say, Carmen. Tia knows something. She’s playing us,” Eli hisses.
“She is many things. But Eli, I doubt that she’s a killer.” My cousin rolls her eyes at me.
“She doesn’t show any concern about Uncle Vincent’s death. Don’t you notice that?” Eli asks. And I think my cousin has a point. Tia couldn’t stop bawling at Otis’ funeral. But it seems that all she could manage was a blasé look for Uncle Vincent.
“Okay, that is pretty weird. Maybe, Uncle Vincent isn’t her favorite person,” I suggest. She laughs.
“Carmen, she called the man grandpa. Yet, at his funeral, she showed no compassion,” Eliza argues. Her blue eyes are frosty and it appears like the anger will make her combust.
“Eliza, why do you hate her so much?” I have asked my cousin this question over and over again. Since Eli is usually the playful one, she comes up with responses like “who does like her”
“And “Why don’t cats like dogs?” I never get a direct answer from Eliza about anything.
“Carmen, she…” It looks like now won’t be the exception. She sighs and wipes her eyes. No tears had fallen. But maybe she felt like she was crying.
“Want to go back inside?” I ask.
“I don’t like her living with me. You should see it. Oh Eli Tia is so well behaved. Oh Aunt Grace Do you mind if I go gardening with you?” And so it comes out. Tia shows up Eli. I’ve always known that our cousin was a hit with the adults, until she got pregnant.
“Eliza,” I begin but she waves me off.
“Don’t defend her. I’m tired of everyone defending her.” Her plea cuts deep. She thinks that no one agrees with her. I myself don’t feel anything either way. After all, proof hasn’t showed her hand yet. As long as there isn’t evidence, I won’t condemn someone.
“I’ll keep my eyes open. You are right, she is acting weird,” I respond. Eliza nods. But it is obvious that my words don’t make her feel better in the slightest. As we stand in front of the brick building, a man dressed in a business suit approaches. He smiles wide at me. I frown as his brown eyes study our group.
“Are you Eliza Philips?” he asks. Eliza nods and he pulls a letter out of his suit jacket and hands it to her. She frowns.
“What’s this?” she asks hesitantly.
“I’m not at liberty to say. Just read it and get back to her,” the man orders before leaving us gaping after him. I frown at my cousin who tosses the letter at me.
“I don’t feel like reading. Go on.” She never feels like doing anything remotely academic. I gesture to a bench to our right and we sit. Feeling a bit worried about this letter which has nothing but Eliza’s first name on it I open it and begin to read.
Dear Eliza,
I wish that I can see you. I’ve been contemplating knocking on your door. But your father wouldn’t allow that. Ben is many things, stubborn being one of them. I feel like calling your father names isn’t really helping my case. Anyways, this isn’t about your father. It’s about you and Jake.
Okay, maybe I should rewind. Back when I was eighteen I fell in love with Leon Jones. He hadn’t met Dawn yet, thank God. And we were happy. I gave birth to Jake. After we split, he took Jake and ran. My fault, none of his. I got Alex mainly because when he split town, he hadn’t known about me being pregnant with her. I was afraid to lose her. But because of my condition, my sister Ruby had to take care of her. While I was waitressing at a bar, I met Ben Philips. I wish that we had this magical courtship. I wish that I can tell you that I loved him. Unfortunately, I was hungry, lonely, and desperate, so we had an affair. When I got pregnant, I was scared. I wasn’t well. I was in and out of the hospital and couldn’t take my medication. Your father insisted that he could give you a better home. I didn’t want to give you up. But he had powerful lawyers and people that threatened my family. When you were born, I gave you up. After five years of bouts with depression, it was difficult for me, losing two children. By then, Leon had Dawn and they were a happy family. I couldn’t face Leon anymore. And I didn’t want to lose Alex. Ben had you and let me just say, you were the girl that I wanted the most. Your beautiful blue eyes still haunt me. I’m crying as I write this. And I know that I’m rambling. But Eliza, I can’t help it.
Anyways, after five years of fighting depression, I met Carlos. He was wonderful, and everything that I ever wanted. I got married and we had twins, Junior and Jamie. I loved him. But unfortunately, life doesn’t always end up the way you want it to. He left me for my sister Ruby and I was left raising two five year olds on my own. I managed. Two years later, I met Cristian. I was pregnant and I decided that we would be happier if we were married. Our son Caleb was born shortly after that.
Yes, I’m still with Cristian. And No, I don’t plan on having any more children. I have my boys and Alex, but you and Jake… Well, the absence of the two of you kills me.
Authenticity. You probably think that I’m lying about this. So I will give you random facts that no one in the press knows. You have one kidney. Another, you were a colicky baby. You were born bald. I’m not sure if that’s enough. But let me give you one more fact, your mother Shelly is infertile. You aren’t hers and your older brother is adopted. You probably don’t even know that.
I know that you’re wondering why I’m writing this letter after staying away. Let me tell you that I fought your father over this. But then, I ran out of money and had to file bankruptcy. He has been blocking every attempt of me trying to see you. My father has lost five jobs, Ruby has been evicted, and Mom has been imprisoned for violating probation terms. So darling, now that you are eighteen, I figure that I can contact you. My brother in law Jason delivered this letter to you. I figured that Ben wouldn’t recognize him. He’s a private investigator and found you easily. I guess it was a matter of when you were alone. I’m rambling again. Honey, let me just say, I always ramble.
But, you are dear to me. Both you and Jake. I love all of my children. All of you.
I’m hoping that we all can get together and be one big happy family. Maybe that will never happen. But I am positive that we will meet. If you want to set up something, I left my phone number. Don’t tell your father about this letter. He’ll probably find some other way to hurt me and I have four children to protect. Don’t tell your father about Jake. He has no idea that the two of you are related. Just ask him if you are adopted. You will know if he’s lying. He stutters. I love you so much Eliza Jane Philips
Dana Lin Johnson
Eliza stares at me. I scan the area to look for the suited man. She suddenly begins to howl in laughter. I pause.
“Carmen that was a good one. No seriously, what does the letter say?” I frown and pass it over. She reads it and a tear falls down her shocked face. I’m not sure how to feel. Part of me is with Jake. He is broken and distant. Did Dana Johnson send him a letter once he turned eighteen? That would explain how dark he has become.
“I’m sorry, Eliza,” I softly say. She pulls her iPhone out of her purse, adds the number, then, rips the letter into miniscule pieces and tosses them in the waste basket beside us. Then, she sends a Dana, Lin, Johnson’s contact card to my phone. I frown down at it.
“Mom snoops through my phone. If she sees the number, she will
delete it,” Eliza points out. I’m about to tell her that putting the woman’s actual name in the phone was reckless when the door opens and Tia walks out. She’s holding an ice pack against her left eye and is taking careful controlled steps toward us. Eliza doesn’t look like she can handle dealing with anyone at the moment. All of the stress is no doubt getting to her.
“Well, the eye didn’t swell. A handsome intern got me an ice pack in time,” she says with a wine. But both of us have nothing to say to her. Aunt Shelly flies out of the hospital and makes a beeline for Eliza. Her golden hair is flopping about and her green eyes are filled with anger. Without saying a word, she slaps Eli across the face. I can’t stop what happens next. This family is so screwed up and no one, aside from Chelsea, is capable of not hitting someone.
“Seriously, Eliza, what were you thinking? Your cousin is pregnant. And you hit her? You’re really stupid. Don’t you know that? You…” She punches Aunt Shelly square in the eye. I stand, knowing that my aunt wasn’t nicknamed cruel devil for no reason. She glares at me. I’m definitely not her favorite.
“Eliza, come on,” I plead. Aunt Shelly holds her eye and Tia is quietly sobbing. I ignore her attempts at getting attention. They are agitating.
“She isn’t my mother,” Eliza says in a resigned voice. “I can’t believe that she isn’t my mother. Aunt Shelly’s eyes go wide as she takes in her daughter’s demeanor.