Olivia’s head snapped up. Her eyes flew to her father, then to her mother.
Somewhere far away she heard Dr. Berenger begin to babble something about her being comfortable with the anger toward her father, and having a fear of letting her guard down. She barely heard him. She trained bitter eyes on her mother. Her father knew about the baby?
She had told him!
Olivia raised her hand. “Wait a minute, Dr. Berenger. I think we should back up just a little bit.” She glared at Tracy. “What is he talking about? What wouldn’t he know if it were left up to me?”
Before Tracy could respond, Reginald said quietly, “I know about the baby—your mother told me, and she had every right to do so.” His stared was firm. “I am your father, and I do have an interest in your well-being.”
Olivia’s mind reeled. She had not taken her murderous glare off of Tracy. “You told him?” The words were frozen in ice as she squeezed them through her teeth.
Her mother swallowed. “Olivia, I couldn’t keep it from him. He’s your dad, and he cares about what happens to you. You have to know that.”
Valerie spoke for the first time. “Baby? What baby?”
Olivia felt anger leaking out of her, flowing around like hot lava. Her voice boomed through the room. “How dare you tell him about that? I thought I could trust you—you’re my mother! You dared to tell him about the most embarrassing time in my life, after you promised me you wouldn’t?”
“Olivia, just calm down—” Reginald began.
“Calm down? Calm down? Calm down, my ass! Mom, you had no right!” She was now perched on the edge of the chair as if ready to lurch at someone.
Reginald’s voice rose now, as well. “She had every right! Contrary to what you think, I do have an interest in the things that happen to you—especially something of that nature. We came here for a reason, and that’s to get help. And as you pointed out earlier, if we’re gonna do that, we have to be open and honest about the real issues. I’m willing to do it. I’m trying my best to do it.”
“Olivia, he’s right,” said Tracy, looking into her eyes.
Olivia stared at her mother. The open hostility undoubtedly sent warning signals off in the back of Tracy’s mind. Anger washed over Olivia in sea waves. All hell’s gonna break loose in here today, she thought.
She reclined in her seat, appearing to relax.
The doctor addressed her mother. “Tracy, I commend you for deciding to seek counsel for your family. There are obviously several issues that need to be addressed before the four of you can heal and progress. Of course, it will mean a commitment on everyone’s part. The first thing I would like to do is meet with you all individually, prior to the next family meeting.”
“There’s nothing I want more than to set things right with my family and move on,” said Reginald firmly. “And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that.”
“Well, if we’re all supposed to be open and honest here about the issues,” Olivia asserted calmly, “why don’t we do that, then? Let’s disclose all of our issues...get everything out in the open…For the benefit of the family, of course,” she added sweetly.
Tracy stiffened. Unconsciously, her back lifted from the chair. “Olivia?” She said her name as a warning, but it came out as a question. She wouldn’t, thought Tracy, feeling the air in her stomach dip.
“Knowing all the facts will put you in a better position to really help us, Doctor, right?” Olivia kept her eyes on Dr. Berenger, as if no one else was in the room.
Before he could respond, she continued. “Let’s see...So far you know that Daddy’s been unfaithful and has another child as a result. You also know that I’ve been pregnant, and I’ll be up-front about that…I had an abortion because the timing wasn’t right. I’m not ashamed of it. I was in a crap relationship, so I did what I felt was best for my life, and I took counsel from my mother, thinking she was the only person I could trust.” Her voice hardened. “Unfortunately, I was wrong. And what a way to find out. She’s apparently no longer the same person she was when Daddy was away most of the time…”
She swung her eyes to Reginald. “Why didn’t I tell my father about it? Or anyone else?” she said, glancing briefly at Valerie, who was gaping at her in shock. “It was a private and painful time for me, and my father hasn’t been a part of those times for years. He’s right—he doesn’t know me, and I don’t tell virtual strangers such private details about my life. My father only comes around and acts as if he’s the perfect husband and loving father we want him to be.”
Reginald said, “Okay, I think that’s enough. I know how you feel about me—we all do. What I need to know now is this: What can be done about it? Are you saying that, ultimately, you can never get past this and pardon me for not being there for you over the years? Despite my willingness to make up for it now?”
Olivia raised a hand. “Wait a sec. I’m not finished. We’ll get to the fixing part in a minute. Let’s continue being open and honest until the doctor has it all on the table.”
“Olivia.” This time, it was a warning. Tracy’s heart was racing. Her fingers tightened on the leather handbag in her lap.
“He knows about you”—she pointed at Reginald—“and he knows about me,” she said, pointing toward herself. “But what about Mom and Val?” she said, pointing to them cheerfully, as if she were discussing their favorite things. “Who wants to go first? Be open and honest about the issues. Mom? Or you, Val?”
“Olivia, stop this!” Valerie said forcefully. “What’s wrong with you? What are you trying to prove with all this?”
“Come, now, Valerie, tell them about your...you know, the problem. It’s time for honesty—the doctor wants to help us.”
Tracy’s eyes closed briefly. Was she just going to sit there like a bump on a log and let her own child do this to her? “Olivia, stop it.” Her voice was calm. “This isn’t going to help anything. I think Doctor Berenger’s right—you just want to hurt your father. And why? Because he loves you and wants to make up for lost time? It’s really not necessary, Liv.”
“And you, too, Mom,” continued Olivia, ignoring Tracy. “Why don’t you tell your own secrets? Be honest about—”
Tracy shot from her chair and moved toward her. “Olivia! Stop it! Now!”
Reginald stood, too, his face full of confusion.
“—Uncle Frank,” Olivia continued quickly. “Why not tell the doctor about your affair with—”
Tracy’s fist slammed into her daughter’s face. Olivia’s head flew back, hitting the high backing of the chair. Thwack!
“Oh, no! Mrs. Brooks, please!” exclaimed Dr. Berenger, jumping out of his chair.
Olivia’s hand flew to her mouth. She felt blood.
Tracy’s fist was about to land another blow, but Dr. Berenger grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “Mrs. Brooks, please!” he said again, moving to stand in front of her.
Tracy’s eyes never left Olivia’s, pinning her with a violent glare. When Dr. Berenger seemed sure she would strike no more, he let go of her arms and said, “Are you okay?”
“Of course she’s not okay,” said Olivia in a gleeful voice. “Her husband just found out that she’s been having an affair with his best friend. How could she be okay? But that’s what honesty is all about.” She drew in her lower lip and swallowed blood. The lip began to swell.
Then, for the first time, Olivia’s eyes flew to her father.
In a fog, Tracy pictured Reginald standing by his chair, staring at her back as she stood, glaring down at Olivia.
She heard Valerie jump from her seat. “Uncle Frank? Mom, you were sleeping with Uncle Frank? Oh, my God.” She covered her mouth with her hand, swinging around to look at her father.
“Tracy?” Reginald’s voice was eerily calm. “Tracy, turn around.”
Her chest heaved and her eyes shifted briefly from Olivia. She felt like jumping out the window, fleeing the stifling humiliation that was quickly sucking all the oxygen f
rom the room.
He knew.
They all knew.
The room was dead silent.
Reginald was staring at the back of Tracy’s head.
A searing heat began creeping through his neck.
He knew it was true. Tracy’s silence was louder than a supersonic boom.
As she slowly turned around, the image of her head became a blur. Reggie began seeing a red hue…and the heat was now in his eyes, seeping up into his forehead.
Tears instantly stung the backs of his eyelids as this reality ravaged his psyche. Suddenly, as he stood there, everyone staring at him, he began to see images.
He saw Frank and Tracy talking at the dinner table. Talking at the barbecues. Talking at The Ivory Estates. Talking...touching...
Fucking.
And the heat was seeping from his ears now.
He remembered Frank’s attitude whenever they would discuss the possibility of Tracy having an affair…
Before anyone could stop him, Reggie fled the room. He rounded the sitting area in a flash and was out the door.
“Mr. Brooks!” Dr. Berenger called out.
But it was too late.
He was gone, leaving the four of them speechless, staring after him.
Tracy watched in horror as Reginald tore out of the office. It was several minutes before she regained control of her motor skills, standing there in shock from all that had just taken place.
Suddenly, without thinking, she grabbed her purse from the chair she had occupied and rushed out the door after him. Olivia and Valerie were right on her heels.
They all ran out, leaving Dr. Berenger staring after them.
Chapter 34
He flew down the interstate as if demons were after him.
If someone had asked him where he was going, he would not have been able to say. His mind had taken a backseat to his heart.
And in his heart, he knew exactly where he was going.
•
The UPS corporate office was a great place to work. Though the policies were strictly enforced, Susan Dooley had always enjoyed her job as executive assistant to Franklin Bevins.
However, this morning was not one of her better days. She’d had a fight with her boyfriend, Steven, earlier in the week and had been refusing to see him ever since. It had been only three days since their argument, and already the separation was causing Susan to fall apart. She missed him.
At around twelve thirty, she crossed the hall and tapped on her boss’ door to let him know that she would be leaving early for lunch. She normally went for lunch at one, but today she wanted to catch Steven on his lunch hour and give him a chance to beg her forgiveness.
Just as she’d retrieved her purse and locked the drawer, she saw Mr. Brooks making wide strides toward their suite from the nearby stairwell. He was dressed in black and looked like a sleek panther as he strode through the hall. She was immediately struck by the fierce expression on his face as he blew right past her without even speaking, which was highly out of character. Susan got a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach as she watched Mr. Brooks throw open her boss’ door without preamble.
Forgetting about her lunch plans, she unconsciously sat back in her chair in lieu of following him in to find out what the problem was.
Just then, she heard Mr. Brooks say, somewhat calmly, “If you can’t look me in the eye, right now, and tell me that you haven’t been sleeping with Tracy, I am going to kill you.”
Susan saw that Mr. Bevins had been on the telephone when Mr. Brooks arrived, the receiver still at his ear. She read his lips as he spoke into the phone, “Let me get back with you on that later.” Then she watched him slowly replace the receiver.
Uh-oh, thought Susan. He found out about them. She sent a quick prayer to heaven for her boss. Mr. Brooks outweighed him by at least twenty pounds. She had a feeling the odds were not going to be in his favor any longer.
•
“Oh, my God. What do you guys think he’s gonna do?” Olivia was speeding down the interstate toward Ives Dairy Road, Tracy and Valerie in the car with her. Once Tracy had raced down the stairs, she’d come to an abrupt halt when she realized that she had no vehicle in which to chase after Reginald. In a state of panic, she turned to Olivia and demanded that they follow him.
Now her mother sat in silence, her insides undoubtedly twisted like noodles. “Shut up, Olivia, and just drive. What the fuck do you think he’s gonna do?” She spun on her. “Whatever the hell happens, you just make sure you know that you’re responsible for it!”
“I’m responsible?” Olivia kept her eyes on the road. “We both know that’s not true.” She flew past a line of cars and dangerously cut in front of another as she manipulated her way over to the exit.
Her mind was reeling. The raw pain she in her father’s eyes a few minutes ago haunted her.
•
Franklin slowly replaced the receiver and returned Reginald’s glare. “Come on, my friend,” he said, his tone pleasant. “You seem barely able to control your surprise.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “So you finally figured it out, huh?” He snorted. “Quite frankly, I was beginning to wonder if I was gonna have to send you an anonymous letter or something.”
Reginald took threatening steps closer, approaching the desk. His fists clenched and his jaw tightened. He bore down on Franklin as his mind raced through the many ways in which he could stop a human being from breathing.
“Big, bad Reginald Brooks,” said Frank, standing. “For years, I’ve put up with you. For years, I took a back seat to the indestructible Reggie Brooks, who always gets what he wants. I mean, all women did was step over me to get to you.” An arrogant smile curled the edges of Frank’s lips, and years of resentment darkened his face. “So after all those years of being second best, of always being the one losing and giving—losing in the name of you—can you really blame me for having a little fun with Tracy?”
•
Susan watched from behind as Mr. Brooks stepped farther into the office. She heard Mr. Bevins say, “So you finally figured it out, huh?” A pause. “Quite frankly, I was beginning to wonder if I was gonna have to send you an anonymous letter or something.”
Why is he taunting him? Susan wondered. He should be thinking of the best way to get out of that office in one piece!
Just then, Mr. Bevins was saying, “...was step over me to get to you.” Another pause. “So after all those years of being second best, of always being the one losing and giving—losing in the name of you—can you really blame me for having a little fun with Tracy?”
Without warning, Mr. Brooks grabbed her boss and flung him up against the glass window behind his desk.
Susan screamed as the glass shattered.
•
When Olivia pulled up, they immediately saw Tracy’s Cherokee abandoned at the drop-off and pickup driveway in front of the lobby. Tracy didn’t think her heart could pump blood any faster—but it did.
Ignoring the NO PARKING sign as Reginald obviously had, the trio jumped out of the car and raced into the building. The security guard on duty called out to them as they raced boldly past the receptionist’s desk. “Excuse me! You ladies must sign in! Who are you here to see? You can’t just go up there! Hey!”
Tracy was the first to reach the stairwell and her daughters followed. They had no time for an elevator. God only knew what Reginald was going to do. Feeling like a large stone was lodged in her chest, Tracy took the stairs two at a time until she reached the third floor.
They heard the crash before they reached Susan’s desk.
Susan Dooley’s scream ricocheted throughout the entire third floor as they raced past her.
•
Reginald would never be able to tell anyone exactly what happened in Franklin’s office that day. His mind had completely shut down, his heart propelling the actions.
Tracy, Olivia, Valerie, and Susan watched in absolute horror as Frank slid from the broken window frame a
nd slumped to the floor behind his desk. They heard shards of glass hitting the sidewalk below them outside.
Reaching to grab a paperweight from his desk, Frank moved to stand up, obviously intending to throw it at Reggie as he charged, but he did not reach it in time. In one swift motion, Reginald kicked him back to the floor, and with the heel of his Doc Marten boot, began brutally stomping Frank’s head.
Franklin screamed.
His arms flew up to protect his head.
“Oh, my God, he’s going to kill him!” said Tracy as she ran over, attempting to grab Reginald’s arm. She glanced down at Franklin just in time to see deep red blood spew from his nose.
“Reggie, stop! For God’s sake! You’re gonna kill him!” She grabbed his left hand and tried to pull him toward her. “Reginald!! Stop it!”
“Don’t you dare come in here and try to protect him!” shouted Reginald, before propelling her backward and off his arm. Tracy stumbled into Olivia, who was right behind her.
Frank’s attempts to escape the onslaught were futile. Reggie was relentless. He continued to pummel Frank’s head and chest, anywhere his foot would land. “You—dirty—son of a bitch!” yelled Reggie with each stomp. “Fucking my wife, and pretending to be my friend all these years! I’m gonna fucking kill you!” It was blind rage; a bright red hue obscured everything he saw.
Olivia glanced down and saw all the blood. It was quickly splattering all over.
Valerie trembled as she watched blood splash the desk, floor, and walls. She couldn’t believe this was actually happening. She hovered just inside the door, afraid of what would come next.
Susan Dooley shakily reached for the phone and pushed the button for an outside line as she saw Buzz, the security guard, emerging from the stairwell. His chest was heaving from exhaustion as he made his way toward her.
THE GREAT PRETENDER Page 25