DECEPTION - A Family Affair

by Michele Lee

  Looking down at his feet his eyes filled with tears. “I don’t know what to say. I would never have hurt you. You have to believe me.”

  Walking over to him she grabbed his chin for him to look at her. “Then why Alex? You hurt me more than these bruises; I thought we were at least friends.”

  Releasing the tears from his lids as they glided down his cheeks he answered with a broken voice. “I was forced to go with them, to prove my loyalty otherwise they were going to beat me up. I even tried to stop them but they were so mad you spoke with Mrs. Prescott. It caused a big fight with their families. They wanted to get even. I was able to stop them from really hurting you. Jack had a couple of paint balls that were frozen that would have really hurt you and I did stop him and that’s when your neighbor came and we all ran.” He took his hand and covered his face moving her hand out of the way and he started bawling. “I never wanted to hurt you. I’m so sorry. I really am. Please believe me.” He pleaded. “Are you going to tell my father? I knew you saw me and I was surprised you haven’t told on me.”

  Tears forming she tried to swallow to rid the lump in her throat. “Alex, game over I need to know what is going on. Enough of the secrets, too many people have been hurt already. It’s time to fess up.” She said sternly as possible.

  “Hey what’s going on between you two?” Taking in the scene before him rage began to build in his chest and it clearly showed in his demeanor. His nephew looked stricken with despair. Hearing Marco’s voice, they both looked up with guilt-ridden faces. They didn’t know how long he was standing there or how much he heard therefore it made them both fearful of the consequences. Silence set in as they both seemed to wait it out which only caused his rage to make him want to explode. He clenched his teeth as angry lines appeared on his face.

  “Alex, disappear I want to speak with Marisol in private.” He commanded as relief plunged through Alex’s whole body as he took off and ran. Alex knew to run as fast as he could since he was running from his unknown fate.

  Marisol went from fear to pure agitation. “Why did you let him go? I wasn’t through with him.”

  He walked over and came face to face with Marisol that even Star felt the warning and began to fidget in his stall. First he was angry knowing she held secrets from him that even his cousin knew something and after a week of pleasure she is still worked up over Savannah’s death that she is determine to harass his nephew. What has gotten into her? He was way past annoyance. He gave her a disapproving look and shouted out demands. “You’re discussion with him is finished. You clearly upset him again you are so obsessed with this Savannah girl. You put your job in jeopardy and you continue to badger Alex – Stop already!! Enough is enough and I won’t have it.”

  Feeling humiliated she still kept her head up defiantly to his whereas her heart wanted to shatter within her chest. “That’s the way you see it? I’m obsessed over nothing, I just get shot up with paint balls, Alex gets beat up, a young girl is dead and I’m the crazy one?” The lump in her throat began to suffocate her.

  He struggled with his conscious seeing the hurt in her eyes. He ran his hand through his hair and his tone softened. “Look, I’m not saying you are crazy I just think you need to let things go. I can’t sit and watch you badger Alex every time you see him to the point the boy’s in tears. Can’t you see the insanity in that?”

  Angelo shouted from the entrance of the barn disrupting their heated conversation. “Hey bro, the cake is here and the kids are dying to light up the sparkles on it. You ready? Plus Pops is getting tired out.”

  “We’ll be right there give us a minute.” He replied never leaving his gaze from Marisol’s.

  “You better go; this conversation is over as far as I’m concerned and by the way don’t worry I won’t say another word to Alex.” Breaking the eye contact she turned to walk out only to be stopped by the light grip of his hand on her arm.

  “Please, I don’t want us to fight. Come with me so we can go have some cake. We are here to celebrate, please.” He pleaded and was back to being the sweet caring Marco.

  She was happy for Angelo’s intrusion she felt so angry and betrayed by Marco. She knows she should be honest with him about Alex but how could she inflict more friction within his family. No, she refused to be the cause of any tension. She was hoping to resolve it on her own but what good did that do? She knew she should have told the police but her heart wouldn’t allow her to. Oh God what is she going to do?

  She was able to respond amazingly calm. “I’ll pass but thank you. I’m exhausted and I’m going home. You have your family waiting for you. Good bye Marco.” She said and maneuvered her arm from his hand and left drowning in defeat.

  He didn’t like the sound of her good bye. It almost sounded final. The hurt and betrayal pouring out her eyes made him flinch and he couldn’t overcome the guilt forming. “Hey Marco, lets go dude.” Angelo’s voice penetrated into his ears.

  Chapter Fourteen

  What a mess she made of her life. She knew it was a matter of time and utterly unavoidable. So why did she feel so shaken and distraught. She didn’t want to fall in the predicament of how the saying goes - good things must come to an end. The secrets they harbored can only destroy their heart and spirit. Again her premonitions never failed her and its making her sick with anguish. She could not wait for Nate to come home she needed the comfort he would provide her. She couldn’t stop crying and all these tears drove her past the level of insanity. Her face now swollen and her body ached all over. She kept going over the events of the day in her head and it overpowered her senses. Being around Marco’s family conjured her memories of her mom and how much she missed her. It made her realize how hollow her life really was. She rubbed her temples to ease the pain from all her disturbing thoughts.

  After feeling sorry for herself she needed something to occupy her time and decided to go visit her father. Entering the nursing home she just signed herself in and went straight to his room to find him in bed sleeping so she just sat in the corner chair just watching him sleep and trying to remember if her father ever told her that he loved her and she couldn’t think of one time. He was such a cold man and she couldn’t even remember him showing any affection to her mother either. What can cause a man to be heartless and inhuman? She closed her eyes and drifted off.

  Marissa baby, oh my God. Marissa? Why aren’t you breathing? Oh no MOMMY no help me I know you hear me and are watching HELP me my baby isn’t breathing. NOOOOOO……NOOOO please Marissa. Mommy are you there? Please help me, she can’t be taken from me too… PLEASE…Feeling a man’s arm trying to take Marissa from her arms. “Marisol, give me the baby she is dead.”

  “NO Dad she is mine do you hear me she is mine.”

  “She is DEAD like her father. Give her to me the ambulance is here to take her.” “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.”

  “Marisol, dear are you okay?” Her body trembling all over, she woke up to Nurse Lucy’s concerned face. Her dream felt so real, it brought back her memories of that horrible day to how ruthless he was finding her with her dead baby in her arms. Covering her mouth with her hand at the realization, she had to get out of there or she’ll lose her mind. Looking up at Nurse Lucy who stood there quietly watching her as she tried to get herself together.

  Finally gaining her composure she answered, “Hi, I’m sorry I just had a bad dream. How is the chief doing? He’s been sleeping since I came in.” She asked to take away the attention from herself.

  “Well Marisol, you know I’m always honest with you. His dementia has gotten worse and he has been getting anxiety attacks and we have been monitoring his heart as well.”

  “Do they know what the cause is or what triggers these anxiety attacks?”

  “The body and mind are funny. I think with the dementia he is going back in time remembering and reliving some bad memories which can trigger some of his anxieties. We both know your father has a lot of demons in that mind of his.”

  “I know, part of me sy
mpathizes but another part of me doesn’t. There is so much about him I don’t know.” She said sadly.

  “Well my advice is to focus on the good memories, life is too short and we can’t change the past. I do have to tell you he had a visitor today, a very good looking gentleman and once he left your father’s room the chief got himself all worked up and was given a sedative that’s probably why he is still passed out. He became irrational and they couldn’t seem to calm him down.”

  “Did he say who the visitor was or what their discussion was about?”

  “I was on my lunch break when it happened so I couldn’t tell you but he had the nurses worried. I’ll tell you that much.”

  “Would the log have the gentleman’s name? I would like to know who the visitor was.”

  “His name was Marco, that I knew because your father talks about him sometimes and it’s never pleasant. But I have to go sweetie and don’t worry about him I’ll keep an eye on him for you. Go home and get some rest you look pale and I don’t want you worrying your pretty little head okay?”

  “Lucy, Marco was my boyfriend a long time ago so if you hear anything about him from the chief please let me know. He is here visiting his family so I’m real curious why he came to see my dad.”

  “Marisol, hearing you tell me that now makes sense. Your father didn’t like him for you and there is some history between them I’m not sure what it is you will have to see if you can get the details out of the chief yourself or this Marco fellow but I do really need to get back on the floor if I hear of anything I promise you I will call you. You know I care for you and worry about you so go home and get some rest.”

  “Okay, thanks for all you do for me I can’t thank you enough Lucy.” As soon as she got outside she felt her bile come up and she ran to one of the bushes and threw up. She began to sweat profusely. She knew she needed to make the call before she really loses control.

  Sitting in the jeep she dialed the number from her contacts and received Dr. Travis’s voice mail after listening to all the prompts she left her a message. “Dr. Travis, hello it’s me Marisol Braxton. I’m having those dreams again and I feel like I’m spiraling please let me know if we can meet this week. Thanks.” Sitting in the car not wanting to go home just yet she wished she had someplace she can go. She knew Marco was supposed to spend the night at his mom’s tonight since he had promised Cisco plus the fact his partner was also flying in. She dreaded going home to an empty house. Her phone rang startling her and she saw it was Dr. Travis. “Hello.”

  “Hello Marisol, I was just checking my voicemail and heard your message. It’s been a while, how have you been? ”

  “Hello Dr. Travis, I have been having a rough time lately and the dreams are back in full force.”

  “Can we meet Monday? I don’t want to prolong it.”

  “Monday would be perfect if you can do an afternoon appointment. I get out of work about 2:45 p.m.”

  “I can have you come in at 4:00 p.m.; I’ll see you then in the meantime you know how to reach me if you need to.”

  “Yes, I’ll be fine, looking forward to Monday and thank you for responding so quickly.”

  Closing her eyes, she began to relax even though the hurt seeped in accompanied with disappointment at not seeing any new messages from Marco but she knows he was probably as upset with her as she was with him. He didn’t mention anything to her about visiting her father. He too kept secrets from her, what business does he have with her father? He had the nerve to be angry with her earlier about the damn locket meanwhile shortly after he came to see her father in a sneak. Her happiness rapidly deteriorating right before her eyes if she could only change her fate.

  Once she was home she dragged herself to her room collapsing on her bed. She laid down on the side Marco slept on finding the spot that smelled the most like him. She invited Mace to cuddle up with her. When she woke up it was after midnight another dream had woken her. It was about Star, she thinks she figured out why he wasn’t eating and needed to go see him to prove her theory. She checked her phone and saw that she had a text message from Marco and four missed calls from him.

  She was nervous to read it.

  Marisol,

  We need to talk. I tried to come see you earlier but you weren’t home and you haven’t been answering your phone. I’ve been worried and I hate all this fighting between us. I need to see you. I have to pick up Charley from the airport and I have a hectic week coming up let’s find time so we can work this out. Also, I have to meet with my architect next Thursday and I would really like you to join me. I want your input and expertise on the restoration of the barns and the house I would like to build.

  Marco

  She didn’t let it pass her that there was no term of endearment it’s now Marisol as oppose to his precious gem but then he wants her input on his house – why is he building a house if he was going back to Texas? Well she was glad he worried about her but she knew it wouldn’t be fair to him to let him continue to worry. She responded so she can have a peace of mind.

  Marco,

  Just read your text – no need to ever worry about me I’m fine. I’ve been busy this evening and hadn’t had a chance to check my phone until now. There is really nothing for us to talk about. Last week was wonderful and let’s just leave it at that but I will meet with you and your architect I do have some ideas that would benefit the horses. Wishing you a great week…

  Marisol

  She decided to take this opportunity and go check out Star since Marco was either occupied with Charley or in bed. She and Mace were quickly out the door not before she made sure she had the codes to the alarms for the stables that’s all she needed at this point setting off the alarms and have the swat team arrive. She parked on the far side of the barn so she can head straight to the alarm system. Grabbing her purse and flash light she opened the door to let herself and Mace out and went straight to the side so she can turn the system off. Leaving all the outside lights off she used her flash light to guide her to the stable where she could find Star with Mace following her trail. Once inside she turned on the lights and approached her guy. “Hello, Star.” Recognizing her voice immediately he shook his head to her in delight. “Hello there buddy boy.” Gaining his trust first, she then began rubbing the side of his face and tried to sneak her two fingers inside his mouth and slowly glided them on the side towards the back to feel if anything felt abnormal. As soon as she got towards the back tooth she felt a massive bump and he whined his head back with a groan. Her theory stands correct; he must have an abscess which is causing his lack of eating. She began to coo him again and then rubbed his side telling him he is strong and beautiful. Once she saw him relax again she went to find a bucket to get some food and added water to it so she can soften the food to see if he was able to swallow it down. She waited for a while until he finally started to eat and managed to keep it down. She felt so proud of herself she started to dance only to hear the doors of the barn open and Mace barking until he saw it was Marco. Marco with a beautiful blonde woman whose arms were draped around his waist and his arm around her shoulders they looked like they were in high spirits as if they just laughed at some joke. Both Marisol and Marco froze as their eyes met. A look of shock and despair spread over her face.

  Dropping his arm only to find Charley’s embrace tighten he responded. “Marisol, what are you doing here?”

  Snapping out of her frozen state she stammered. “I um couldn’t sleep thinking of Star. You know how she hasn’t been eating and you know Mr. Williams couldn’t figure out why. But then I remembered I, we, my grandfather’s horse had similar symptoms and it was because of a tooth abscess so I came to check if my theory was right. And I think I am. He has a bump in the back of his gums so I soften some food for him and he was able to eat.” Looking down she kicked a small pebble and looked up again and continued. “Just let Mr. Williams know it’s on the right side towards the back of his mouth. It wasn’t his fault for not detecting it. You have to re
member that horses are Prey Animals, and prey animals hide pain in fear of predation.” She started gathering her purse and flash light. “Well it’s really late so I’m going to head home and I apologize if I inconvenienced you I just wanted to check on Star’s condition.”

  Standing there lost for words though listening to her every word while having Charley squeezing the air out of his lungs from her tight embrace. He finally broke out of his daze. “No, no Marisol you know you are welcomed here anytime. I can’t thank you enough on helping Star I was worried about him.”

  “Please, it was nothing. See you around.” She began to leave the barn from the opposite direction so she can avoid passing them. Her heart was broken in a matter of minutes and she prayed that she could make it out of there with her dignity in tack. “Marisol wait! I want to introduce you to Charley.” He shouted so he could stop her from leaving. When she heard him every hair on her body stood and she felt like her stomach dropped down to her feet. Charley was a female? All those calls and debates on his NO their future plans were with her?? Oh God she was going to be sick. Please God let me get through this ordeal; please don’t let me vomit here in front of them. Turning around she put on a smile and gained courage to tackle this awkward situation. Watching them walk towards her as they closed the gap Charley finally let go of her hold on him to only have his hand grab hers as he guided her towards Marisol.

  Both ladies extended a hand out to each other to greet properly. “Hello Charley, I heard so much about you except I was under the impression you were a male.” Marisol couldn’t help the sarcasm as she looked at Marco.

  Letting go of each other’s hands Charley replied. “Hello Marisol, I too have heard so much about you and I am glad to finally meet you.”

  “Well, I know you two have a lot of catching up and its really late so I wish you guys a good night.” Turning to leave which her feet couldn’t move fast enough without seeming rude or crazy. Marco came to her side.