by Marian Stack
Then suddenly Blair spoke, “No…No don’t let me disturb your visit.”
But the ladies were already heading towards the door with Donna walking behind a very determined friend wheeling her wheelchair without assistance.
As Blair watched the procession of women leave the hall she was unaware that Turtle had also decided to move away from the circle of empty chairs and entered the confinements of the free standing screened-in bedroom.
As Blair redirected her stare away from the exiting group she turned to talk with Turtle but noticed that she had moved away and stood with her back to the inside of the room staring straight ahead at one of the free-standing screens.
Blair took a shallow breath and decided to enter the confines of the makeshift room and for purely selfish reasons, which was mainly caused by the amount of alcohol she had been consuming these past several weeks, not to mention the helicopter ride, she decided to sit on the bed, rather than to fall on the ground, which would indeed cause more drama.
As Turtle stood staring at the screen and Blair sitting quietly on the bed, the tension was broken by a loud commotion of Margo entering the hall and her wife quickly and not so quietly escorting her out to allow the meeting to continue. “Just leave them be, it’s apparent this visit is needed.”
“Do we…need to talk Turtle? Or has this turn of events destroyed us?”
Turtle turned around and softly spoke, “Tomorrow’s your wedding day. I’m not sure there is any more…us…to discuss.”
“Turtle honey I came here to see if you were alright and to say as many times as necessary that I’m truly sorry for what happened to you. If anyone should have been put in prison it should have been me.” She cried out. “I’m the one that killed that crazy effing bitch! She had you by the throat and was choking you to death so I grabbed one of the logs and hit her again.” Now exhausted by everything she decided to stand and walk back into the openness of the hall.
Then abruptly turned around as she heard Turtle walk up behind her, “Look Tee, she had already hit you on the head so hard the first time I thought you were dead. Not to mention the fact that the cabin was completely engulfed in flames! And then I dragged you out but then stupidly reached back in for the back-pack and before I knew what was happening she had grabbed my arm and she pulled me back into the cabin and as we began fighting or should I say she was fighting but I was just trying to get the fuck out of the cabin, alive. I remember turning around to stop her from pulling me back into the cabin for the second time by my hair and I pushed her as hard as I could, and then the roof collapsed just to the inside of the door. There was nothing left for me to do but care for you.”
As Blair confessed her knowledge to Turtle she was so surprised to notice Turtles’ expression. So as she stared into Turtles’ visibly shocked face she whispered, “For Christ sake Tee… say something!” And then she walked as close as she dared, “What’s wrong Honey?”
As her eyes began to twitch and her body began to tremble she whispered out, “So I did not kill anyone.”
“Nooo… my sweet girl” Blair cried and joking voiced, “You didn’t kill anyone. Yes, sadly that woman died and apparently another young girl lost her life, but no…you did not kill anyone. We…did not kill anyone.”
Hearing the life changing news Turtle walked straight into Blair’s noticeably relaxing body and began kissing, without permission, her most desirable lips, and at first only light kissing was enjoyed with a hint of daring and then as the words from their conversation began to crystalize in her mind, her kissing became more passionate to the point that she had begun to lead Blair back stepping her straight into the confides of her makeshift detention cell/bedroom.
And as the two women fell onto the bed clothing began to be quickly and easily removed. Desire began to overrule reality as they surged ahead into the frenzied beginning stages of wanted animalistic debauchery for the pleasures of fornication.
And as clothing was being torn off as searching hands found what they were seeking it was as if both women were stuck by a reality bullet, as they both stopped their wanting as if rehearsed. Turtle lay bare chested with a look of horror on her face and Blair sat straddled across her legs with her blouse undone and half off, sobbing as she leaned back putting most of her weight on her knees. And then allowing her tears to continue she easy slid off Tee’s resting legs and manoeuvred her body to rest on the edge of the mattress and with her hands combing through her hanging down hair to hide her face, she began to talk. “I have really fucked things up, haven’t I?”
Allowing for time to tick by and for reality to take hold, and after inhaling a full gulp of air she began. “Tee my brother Joe has taken over your case.” Her voice began to sound quietly professional. “He is the best in the business and if anyone can sniff out the truth it’s him. That’s what I came here to tell you. Our Firm will get you as much compensation as possible from the corrections department and to also find out who altered the file that sent you to that awful place…and as for us?”
Then without voicing another word as they both completely understood that words were no longer useful in this moment they remained motionless in their resolve.
Blair completed the last bit of clothing arrangement that would allow her to leave the hall the same way she entered, she began again as she fumbled with her message, “Your Company offered an experience of a life time and you most certainly delivered on that. I have an event at my estate that I must attend. Our family firm will keep your case at the top of our priority list.” She then extended her hand remaining in her skilled demeanour. “Turtle it was very nice to have met you. And again I’m very happy that you are home again surrounded by what appears to be a wonderful group of devoted and loving friends. You are a very lucky woman.”
And on that note she turned and with as much strength as she could muster, she began the long walk towards the only exit from the room. And then as if that sad goodbye wasn’t enough for her to endure she had to walk straight through a hallway that was filled with Turtles’ loving friends, the very ones she just spoke about. And by the looks on their faces… they had watched much of, if not most of, their indiscretion.
As she walked out of the building, Margo ran out to assist the very distraught woman. “Let me give you a ride back to your ride.”
“You hate me don’t you?” Blair stated as she continued to stare out the passenger side window.
“Where did that come from? Listen my dear, we are all Tees’ family and we only want the best for her. And if you are it or the one, then good for the both of you, but I know that you have things in your life right now that would complicate things. Well… let me just say that Tee’s no good with complications. So if I may offer some advice, if you have feelings for that young lady and it’s pretty clear she has plenty for you, do the right thing.”
The Chief completed her knowledgeable speech as she stopped her vehicle just meters away from the readying helicopter and then turned her body slightly towards her passenger and continued, “You have placed your heart in a very complicated situation, and as for our friend, to be honest I had noticed that every time your name was mentioned or the fact that she was so scared that you were in trouble for her alleged crime…well it damn near tore her apart, and considering where she was, the fact that you were her main worry...speaks volumes.” And then with clear sincerity Margo reached over and gently touched Blair’s arm and stated with pure honesty, “You will never meet anyone like her again.”
As Blair sat with her hand on the car door handle absorbing the advice from a virtual stranger, without speaking a single word pulled on the door lever to disengage the lock and slid out the door. And then much to Margo’s surprise, she walked towards the running helicopter and with the assistance of the pilot entered without so much as a look back.
Foster Estate
“Where the fuck have you been? We have an estate grounds full of guests wanting to enjoy your company before our special day and all you see
m to be doing is sulking around, drinking way beyond your limit and disappearing without so much as a message or note to me….YOUR SOON TO BE WIFE!!!” Her words exploded in the room filling every molecule with her disappointment.
“I was helping out a friend.” Her voice was barely audible as she turned to walk away from this angry conversation that she had no intentions of continuing or defending.
Not to be outdone, “You are the worst person ever. It’s beyond many of my friends, why I want to continue on with this wedding?” Megan screamed out as she began her exit from the room by first making sure she literally pushed Blair out of her path, allowing her a righteous indignation exit. “You have been acting like a spoiled selfish bitch! Now get out of my way...”
Allowing herself more liquid courage than necessary, Blair began her involuntary walk around the estate grounds attempting to become part of the wedding festivities, and in doing so she began to see the darker side of real money and the phoney appearance that many of their guests were exhibiting.
For the first time she heard all the words that were being spoken and the derogatory comments that were made towards the less fortunate of their immediate population and it clearly began to fray her already frayed nerves. And without her full knowledge due to the amount of alcohol she continued to consume, she began to interject her opinions into several conversations that not only warranted some restrain on her part, but the several drinks that were not so regrettably spilt onto the party ware of her wedding guest and working social circles.
“What do you mean ugly? How dare you? What gives you the right to talk about someone’s appearance just because they don’t want to cover their face with a tonne of make-up pretending to be beautiful, not unlike yourselves, when all you are hiding is your mean sprit and damaged heart?” She screamed towards the two women after she overheard a conversation between them as they had just finished making several critical insulting comments regarding the appearance of a short heavy-set person who was associated with the catering group that was tearing down the several eating areas from the scheduled brunch.
Frantic to the point of nausea, Megan had finally located her brother in law after feverishly running around the estate attempting to locate his whereabouts understanding that he was the only person that could control his sister’s crazy.
Winded from the exhaustive search she located her target, “You have to do something about your sisters drinking. At this very moment she is screaming and reprimanding two of our guests. For God’s sake what is wrong with her? Joe you have to talk to her. Please I’m begging you.” Megan pleaded.
“Yes I did notice that her personality had changed to be a little more aggressive since her return to us.”
“A little more aggressive? Are you insane…she is turning our celebration into a social nightmare…and if I may say, her antics will surely reflect on your good company name!”
Under normal circumstances she would have keep her chosen words filled with implied respect better protected but the stress of the past few weeks had begun to destroy her resolve and her words were no long showing that disguise. And then with the swivel action of her head attempting to locate Blair’s latest victims, she turned her head in the direction of her guests and made a beeline towards the two women who she assumed to be gossiping with others about her fiancées latest assaults.
Upon her approach and with noticeable over the top body language, Megan began her pleading for their forgiveness and to discover what she could do or offer to them to erase this from their memories so it doesn’t arise again at another important social event.
Upon his approach he noticed the humour but also the sadness, “Ok sister…you have to come with me.” He stated as he took her by the waist and began guiding her away from the party onlookers. “I think the stress of these past few days and weeks have taken their toll on your fragile nervous system, not to mention your honesty might be getting a little out of control.”
Her words were a clear indication to her brother the level of intoxication. “No brother….I don’t think the problem lies with me! There are very rude people at this party, which by the way has gone on far too long.”
Then in an attempt to wiggle out of his grasp, “You should have just seen and heard the cruelty from two of our guests and how they were degrading the poor associate of one of the catering teams. They were actually laughing out loud at the young girl’s beauty and how they thought more make-up was required to service our event. I mean how dare those two women insult a young impressionable young girl? The audacity! I should have punched them in their pretty little faces…yes that’s what I should have done.” Winded from her protective verbal assault she allowed her brother to plunk her down on one of the lounge chairs that rested inside a large veranda, one of many that was covered by old growth vines that were delicately manoeuvred to intertwine through each beam of the expansive trellis.
“Joe…I want to talk about love again. Remember our conversation?” She slurred out the words as she attempted to straighten out her blouse that was somehow stuck to the chair’s arm. “Brother I think you were right. You have to marry for love. And I think you have to know that you are in it for the long haul. Not just for sex. Do you agree?”
“Well sister dear, I’m not sure this is the conversation you should be having with me. I think,” and as he turned around to talk regarding his sisters’ alcohol fired concerns on her last night of being a fiancée, he instantly noticed that she had lost consciousness.
So as he stared at the pathetic site of his sister who now lay in a distorted position on the chair with a tiny string of drool sliding down her chin, the ringing sound of his cell phone pulled him from his concerned state.
“Joe Foster here, yes hello Inspector Smyth. I must say this call is a surprise and a little unexpected given the lateness of the day, not to mention you only received my information hours ago.” Completing the rather casual beginnings their conversation turned intense very quickly as Joe moved away from his sisters’ vicinity to the far end of the room, and given the size of each room in the estate he expanded their distance by about one hundred feet.
As Joe listened intently to the information given he purposely sat on the edge of one of the leather chairs in the room, “Well Mr. Smyth, news like this doesn’t come across one’s desk very often. I need to know if the information is absolute because attaching someone’s name and reputation to this kind of corruption will be earth shattering, indeed— Mr. Smyth could you just give me a minute please.” And as he took a few seconds to absorb the information he held tight to the cell phone and held it tight to his chest, and then very dramatically he turned his head to the right to look at his emotionally destroyed sister passed out on the chair. “Mr. Smyth, thank you for allowing me the few moments to compose my thoughts. When will the arrest happen?” He listened to the answer, then responded, “Then could you do my family a professional favour by allowing us to bring in one of our own without police intervention until the arrival at the stationhouse—pause—No Sir… I do not think she will run.—pause—”Noon, that will be fine, you have my word she will be at your station house at noon sharp, and Mr. Smyth thank you for your quick and professional investigation.
After the call ended he walked over to where his sister remained in her intoxicated sleep and stared down at her and whispered, “Well my little sister…your wedding day will definitely not turn out the way you had planned.” And then took off his jacket and placed it over his sisters’ upper torso, leaned over and gently kissed her on the forehead.
He repeated in a whisper. “Not at all like you planned.”
As the sun crested over the top row of magnificent fully grown blue spruce trees east of the estate, the ground crew were busy completing their early morning grid pattern sweep of the property. Ensuring that the debris from the previous night’s celebrations had been removed and that only perfection would remain for the wedding planner and his team to begin the preparation for the social event of t
he year.
The very distinct earthquake movement of the mattress seemed to be the root cause that disturbed the lady of the house from her animated dream. What she was unaware of was that her brother had entered her master bedroom and brought with him some remedies for what was ailing her. On a silver tray he placed upon the large king size bed, which was barely disturbed, a variety of beverages, varying from hot to cold.
Noticing that the aromas of the beverages appeared to be ineffective he decided to jump onto the bed and lay in a half sitting position as he leaned against the head board with two king sized pillows for support, with his legs out stretched and crossed at the ankles. Again with little effect from his movements he decided to bum jump on the bed, using his arms and legs to offer lift, as he did when he was a small child for purely annoyance reasons, when he had juicy news that he wanted his little sister to know about.
Not wanting to open her sore eyes, she remained in her stealth position of not moving a muscle to give away to him that she may be awake but playing possum. Not to mention the clear fact that all the muscles that she did not want to move also had another purpose, she thought she was going to die. Her head was pounding so hard that her closed eyes began to water. Her ears began to throb and ache and her mouth felt so dry she thought she was going to suffocate. As she began to attempt to only concentrate on one ailment it was her stomach that won out. She remained without moving, then placed all her concentration on her queasy stomach, because it felt like a jittery racing volcano that was getting ready to erupt.
And then through the depths of her misery she heard her brothers’ voice offering her some refreshments but not of the medicinal variety. “Good morning sleeping beauty. Guess what today is?” He ever so gently leaned in to whisper into her exposed ear. “Today is your big day. The day you are going to make all the right decisions.”
“Get the fuck out of my room.” She whispered out with a noticeable dry raspy voice.
“I know you don’t mean that, and look I brought… beverages.” He stated as his waved his arm over the silver tray that displayed all his choices.