DECEPTION - A Family Affair

by Michele Lee

  "So I guess I have no say? You guys took it upon yourselves to make that decision for me?” She was so angry she stormed into the house while Marco continued acting like she wasn't even there.

  Nate following right behind her and scolded her, "You are being irrational we need to find out who is harassing you and by the way why wasn't I informed about you being attacked with paintballs?"

  Throwing her stuff on the dinette table she eyed him cautiously. "I didn't want to worry you on your vacation and it wasn't that serious.” She replied trying to sound nonchalant but quite not working for her.

  "Right that's why you woke up this morning with slashed tires?" He said sneering with sarcasm.

  "I don't want to do this right now." She said rubbing her forehead attempting to release the pent up tension, awaiting the migraine to strike at any moment. “Thank you for lending me your car.” Reaching in her purse she pulled out his keys and passed them to him. “I’m going to lie down, since you guys appear to have everything under control, I will assume you won’t need my services.” She turned and descended to her room and collapsed on the bed, leaving a speechless Nate staring at her back until she disappeared and heard the door close behind her.

  Marco came into the house once he completed his tasks out front. He ignored her rants when she arrived he didn’t want her to talk him out of what he knew was best for her safety. No compromising this time and he was tired of answering her with “FOR NOW” now has arrived and he wanted answers from her. He was miserable these past few days without her. Charley was a great distraction but she too drove him insane with her impossible demands if he didn’t know better she was trying to sabotage their business plans. Then he couldn’t concentrate wondering about Marisol. She looked so irate with him this morning at the hotel he wanted to yank her out the tow truck to shake some sense into her by ravishing her with his kisses. He constantly worried about her and he will find out who her tormentors are so he can beat the shit out of them. She deserved none of this and he will put an end to it if it’s the last thing he does. Relief washed over him when he remembered he ordered the cameras for the ranch and they were just sitting in the corner of his office. He couldn’t get to Marisol’s fast enough to get them installed so he can have a peace of mind.

  “Dude, she is fit to be tied but please ignore her. What you did here tonight is exactly what needed to be done. I can’t thank you enough. Not to make excuses for her but she’s been alone for way too long and having complete control is all she knows.”

  “Trust me; I will not let her get under my skin. I want to catch these bastards who are behind this and I will not let anyone hurt her again. By the way where is she?”

  Nate seeing right through him it was so clear he loved her. He now knew what he needed to do to push Marco along. “She had a rough day so she went to lie down and hasn’t appeared since but I need to head out I have some errands I need to do before I retire for the night.”

  “Well, if you don’t mind I’m not leaving her here alone. Did she even eat dinner?” Marco said harsher than he expected.

  “That’s fine; in fact I appreciate you staying since I am unable to do so.” He paused and weighed his next words carefully, “Look Marco, we never discussed the text I sent you regarding my proposal to Marisol. Well listen to me very clearly, I meant it and if she says yes I will marry her. I love her dearly and there is nothing I won’t do for her. She deserves to be cherished and truly happy, she has been hurt way too many times. I won’t lie to you she appears so strong but inside she is very fragile and deserves to have someone who will mend her bruised heart and restore her spirits but it will take time and patience. So if you plan to play games with her then yes back the fuck off and walk away otherwise you will destroy her beyond repair. But I do hope what I see in your eyes is true for her sake and if it is then do right by her and break down her barriers and fight for her because God knows she is worth it.” While Nate gave his speech Marco stood immobilized however he grasped each word out of Nate’s mouth. He wasn’t able to respond. His heart began to ache for Marisol; he loved her more than life itself and it pained him to know she had faced life alone…without his love; without his protection and support. Nate quietly let himself out leaving Marco lost in his own thoughts. He wanted to be angry with Nate for also loving Marisol but all he felt for him was gratitude and thankfulness that Marisol had him in her life. He was her ally, her supporter the only one she can count on. It sadden Marco and he felt guilt stricken; at least in Texas he had people he considered his family and even here at home he still had a family. Marisol’s only family consisted of Nate and her father even though he is a hateful son of a bitch and visiting him the other day only confirmed the man had no remorse dementia or not he spoke as the same man he remembered. How a man with a black heart could sire a beautiful loving daughter. Shaking his head to clear his dark thoughts he sat down and opened up the laptop he brought along to set up the settings for the surveillance cameras. He noticed the prescription bag on the table and picked it up and read it was the medication Prazosin. He searched within Google seeking answers what he discovered the medication was mostly used for people with post-traumatic stress disorder and his body went rigid as the coldness seeped through every pore of his being. His soul engulfed by despair. Then Nate’s words sunk in again while he sat there pondering what happened to her after he left. As if on cue he heard her screaming and he jumped up from his seat with Mace barking and scratching at her door. Marco just burst in her room looking around only to find her in bed screaming out with anguish and he gathered her in his arms speaking to her softly against her cheek. “Marisol, it’s just a bad dream. Shh, baby I’m here its okay; I won’t let anyone hurt you again. I promise.” Brushing his fingers to get her hair out of her face, she was drenched in sweat. “Honey its okay, my sweet Marisol talk to me please. Let me in so I can help you.” And she opened her eyes and burrowed right up against his chest as she clasped onto his shirt she held on to him tightly and sobbed while her whole body trembled. He just held her whispering loving words to comfort her as best as he could. She looked broken and the sight nearly killed him.

  Once he calmed her down with soothing words and his warm embrace she lifted her eyes to peek at him and then quickly closed her eyes. Soaked from sweat and tears reminded her of the horrible nightmare, it felt so real. She told Marco about Marissa and he blamed her calling her a baby killer and how she was unworthy of anyone’s love and the sad part was she actually felt that way sometimes. Oh man, she was a mess a walking mental case. “I’m so sorry for putting you through this. You must think I’m some sort of freak.” She said softly feeling embarrassed and self-conscious not able to quite look at him yet nor able to release herself from his tight embrace as she sat across his lap.

  “Baby, please don’t apologize to me. Please tell me what happened to you, what your nightmares are about. You have me so worried please let me in Marisol. I need you to trust me.” He closed his eyes to avoid them from releasing his tears, desperate for her to trust him.

  She reluctantly removed herself from his embrace and off his lap so she can face him and they gazed at each other both agonizing over the unknown. “Alright but not in here let’s move this discussion into the living room.”

  He looked compassionately at her taking her hands into his so he can reach down and kiss them. “Whatever you want, come.” He rolled off the bed and grabbed her hands again to help her out of the bed.

  “I’ll join you in a minute; I need to use the bathroom first.” She looked at him miserably because it tormented her in knowing how she would bring hurt into those caring eyes and risk losing him forever. The thought that he may forge hate against her and fault her for the death of his baby girl scared her.

  He waited quietly for her to join him in the living room feeling grateful because she is finally going to take a leap of faith in trusting him. She entered the room and just stood by the sofa chair debating her next move. The lighting in the room a
llowed him to notice her hollow cheeks and dark circles under her eyes. Anger swept over him but not wanting to detour her from opening up he decided it can wait until after their discussion and he will make sure she eats something.

  She lowered herself to the chair opposite from him instead of joining him on the sofa. He saw fear in her eyes and he began feeling uneasy as he swallowed the little saliva he had left in his mouth. The anticipation on what haunted her sleep was about to be revealed and he had a bad feeling it will affect him beyond belief. He just watched her providing her the time she needed to build her courage.

  “What I am about to tell you I want to ask you to listen to my whole story before asking any questions. Can you do that for me?”

  “Yes, of course I promise.” He answered and now fear began to trickle through his body causing him to perspire. He has to be strong no matter what she is about to divulge to him and he needed to be understanding for she deserved that and so much more from him.

  Playing with her hands on her lap she took a deep breath before starting her story. “I’m nervous but here it goes. My night mares are horrid. I haven’t had them in a long time and now they have returned and it’s caused by my distress. My past and present are entwining so it’s triggering them back and I’m so embarrassed and ashamed to know you had to witness them.”

  Marco leaped up to assure her. “Marisol, please I don’t want you to ever feel ashamed around me.”

  Pleading with him, “You promised you would let me tell my story without interrupting.”

  “You are right, I apologize please go on.” His eyes showing defeat, he sat back down and waited for her to continue. She moistened her dry lips nervously then nodded her acknowledgement.

  “Thank you. You asked me about my scar when you saw me - you know naked. Well the scar is from my cesarean. I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Marissa.” She paused to gauge his reaction and he sat in silence looking like a statue made of granite. “She was so beautiful – so perfect.” Her eyes filled with tears and she had to overcome the lump in her throat so she can continue. She focused on her hands through her blurred vision as grief tore her heart. “When my father first learned of my pregnancy, it was horrible; I became a prisoner in my own home. He was ashamed of me and verbally abused me each day. I was just grateful he wasn’t physically abusive being in my condition. I still focused on my school work since I was forced to be home schooled he had teachers/tutors come to the house so I can finish my courses to graduate.” Raising her eyes she saw how pale his face turned and the questions pouring out from his eyes. She swallowed again and resumed. “A few colleges offered me scholarships and I had two who offered family housing so I would be able to take Marissa with me. When I gave birth I had complications and I ended up having a cesarean hence the scar. My father demanded me to give her up for adoption and after giving birth I gained an inner strength in me and I refused him for the first time not caring of any consequence his threats carried. I had an escape come August; our safe haven was waiting for us. I knew what love was but the love that fulfilled me when I held her in my arms was a love like no other. I would have given her my life, moved heaven and earth for her, there was nothing and I mean nothing I would have denied her. The first two weeks of her life was magnificent and beautiful. I gave her my heart and my soul. Then it all came to an end so quickly, my world fell off its axis and spun out of control. I went to wake her up for her early feeding and when I went to pick her up from her cradle she wasn’t breathing she was… she was dead.” Her eyes were bursting with pain and her words choking her spirits.

  Marco unable to sit still for any longer lunged forward and he knelt before her interweaving her hands into his applying a soothing kiss across her knuckles. He felt her escaped tears crashing against his bowed head but she had to finish her story.

  “I held her lifeless body in my arms and rocked her for over ten hours straight, my father found us in the dark when he returned home from his shift he called the ambulance and the coroner’s office. They had to pry my arms from her and I remember myself just screaming and screaming then shortly after waking up in the hospital. It was awful and I was overwhelmed with guilt and anger. How was I not able to protect her from dying? I felt abandoned and so alone. I just wanted to die –I was in a very dark place during that time. The autopsy came back and it ruled that SIDs was the cause of death. I hated everyone, my father, her father and God. Then one of my teachers came for a visit. She gave me the number of a therapist, Dr. Travis who I still see since I have what they call post-trauma stress disorder - so yeah I’m still broken. It’s been quite a journey however I still take it one day at a time.” She removed her hands from his grasp in order to remove her new chain from her neck which held her special locket and she opened it so he can see the picture of Marissa. He took the locket into his hand so he can examine the picture closely.

  “Where was the father of the baby through all this?” He whispered barely able to speak since rage and jealousy overpowered him at the same time. The idea of her facing everything alone enraged him.

  She looked down and then looked him straight in the eye. “He left me in the middle of a summer night before I was able to tell him I was having his baby.”

  His body tensed up and all the blood seem to drain from his entire body making him feel dead inside while he held her eyes to confirm what he already knew. He released the necklace and it fell into her lap like it suddenly burned his hands. “No.” he screamed out as he jumped to his feet and paced the floor like a caged animal until his tears filled his eyes.

  “I’m so sorry, please don’t hate me.” She wept and couldn’t bear to look into his eyes any longer; not liking what she saw. She tightly held onto the locket as if her life depended on it.

  He sat back down on the sofa with his face buried in his hands and started to cry making howling sounds like an injured animal. She ran over to him and gathered him in her embrace and together for the first time they cried for their loss and mourned for their baby girl.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Marisol woke up with heavy lids straining to keep them open. She gazed across the empty side of the bed noticing a note lying on top of the pillow.

  Marisol, your Jeep is out front - keys are next to the coffee maker and Mace is out back. Please eat the bacon egg and cheese bagel I left for you and coffee is ready… - Marco

  Waking up alone she felt empty but what else could she expect? Despite the lonely morning, she did feel relieved no longer harboring secrets from him. She had years to mourn for Marissa he has only had one night. She felt sadden and wished she could ease his hurt. She loves him so much she aches from it. She must talk to him; she needs to know if he feels the same and what exactly is his relationship with Charley. She is now on a mission, the past is over and they had to move forward. She no longer wanted revenge she wanted him and whatever love he had to offer. She wanted a future with him and realizing this put light back into her eyes. Nate is right she deserves her happily ever after and she will fight until she gets it.

  ****♥****

  Once she was situated at her desk Mr. Johnson came in to share the good news. Her proposal she put together for the bullying campaign on how to educate teachers, parents and the students was a great success. The board loved it which she felt she redeemed herself. Happy with the news she decided to text her two favorite guys.

  Hello Marco – I just wanted to say hi and to see how you are doing. Thank you for the breakfast and helping me with my Jeep.

  Marisol

  Hey Nate – sorry for being a bitch yesterday I had a tough session but well worth it. I finally listened to Dr. Travis and followed her advice. How is everything on your end? Is Marco and the Texan cheerleader with you today?

  Me…

  Starring at her phone begging for a response she jumped when she heard someone knocking on her door. Putting her phone a side, she went to open her door and found a female student wearing blue jeans with a long sleeve pink
t-shirt and a baby blue scarf around her neck as she kept tugging at while she stood there.

  “Hello Ms. Braxton, my name is Caroline and I wanted to know if I can speak with you in private?”

  “Hello Caroline, absolutely please come in and have a seat.” She shifted to the side extending her arm as a gesture for her to enter. As she closed her office door and walked back to her desk she noticed Caroline appeared to be nervous. She started the conversation by asking, “Well Caroline, what can I do for you today?”

  Sitting across from Marisol the girl looked up at her and responded. “I’m in 7 and I know I am supposed to go to Mr. Richards but he is my neighbor so I didn’t feel comfortable talking to him. Plus, what I want to share with you involves you too.”

  “Oh, okay please proceed and we’ll see what I can do.”

  “Well, I’m here because I’m scared of James and Jack and someone has to stop them.” She said with frustration. Her words caught Marisol’s full attention finally the truth will be revealed. “Are you familiar with the Choking Game?”

  Marisol felt her whole body stiffen, hearing her question made everything register within her brain and it all finally made sense. All the clues were right in front of her face the whole time. How did she miss it? “Yes, I am quite aware of the game.”

  “James bullies people to play the game so he can record them and down load it to YouTube. He thinks its funny watching people trip. He knows no one will tell since he has them recorded.”

  “Where does all this take place?”