Waves of Reckoning (The Montclair Brothers)

by Terri Marie

  “Are they in bed?” he asked as Carrie walked up to him.

  “Yes, and the boys had their baths before curling up under the covers.” She knelt beside him on the floor. “Vincent Montclair, I have something to say to you. You and your brothers have the biggest hearts I’ve ever seen. I realized you were all very close when I was protecting you guys, but wow. You’re very lucky to have a family who can really make a difference in someone’s life. Even though I don’t have as much money, I’d like to help.”

  “Helping Elissa out with the kids would be super helpful. They have a lot of adjusting to do. First and foremost, will be learning that they won’t be mistreated on a daily basis anymore. I’m going to the grocery store tonight to stock the kitchen. I have no idea what to buy.”

  “We can leave a note for her, and I’ll run to the store with you. My guess is she isn’t going to come out of that room tonight. I’ll explain on the drive. Let me grab my purse.”

  The grocery store wasn’t crowded, and Carrie’s amusement was growing more with each aisle. Vincent picked up packages and cans, carefully reading the labels.

  “Can you cook?” he asked.

  “Absolutely. I’m pretty darn good at it too. How about you follow me, and I’ll pick out some stuff.” A couple of times she had to put his choices away.

  “But kids like Doritos,” he pleaded.

  “Vincent likes Doritos…” she laughed.” We can’t bring snacks into the house, until we talk to her and see what she allows her children to have. We have fresh fruit, so that’ll work for now.”

  At the checkout line, Vincent quickly swiped his card.

  “I wanted to pay for this stuff!” Carrie protested. “Please let me at least do this.”

  “I’m sorry. Did you say something?” he joked, as he pushed the cart out to the car.

  While they worked on putting the groceries away, Vincent filled her in on what the plans were for tomorrow and asked Carrie to watch the boys. She’d never object because those children were the sweetest things she’d ever met.

  “I’m going to give you money, Carrie, and my keys. I’ll have one of my brothers come and pick Elissa and me up to go furniture shopping. While we’re gone, I want you to go to the toy store, and fill up a couple of carts. Make it like Christmas time for them.”

  “Really?!” she clapped.

  “I think there’s one in the mall, and then another on Main Street. I can write directions out for you to both of them. If you get lost, all you have to do is call me or Brian. He knows this city well, trust me.”

  “I can’t wait to do this!” She smiled brightly.

  “When we get Elissa and the boys settled into their new home, I’m going to give her a week off to get to know the neighbors and such.”

  Carrie smiled at him with admiration. “You’re amazing.” She stood up, and then kissed his cheek. When she got to the stairs, she looked back at him. Vincent was smiling like a school boy.

  The next morning, Carrie was out the door with the boys as soon as Vincent and Elissa had left for work. The toy store wasn’t hard to find, but managing the boys and the cart was proving to be impossible. Without the help of a sales clerk, she couldn’t have managed. An hour, and two cranky kids later, Carrie decided she’d have to come back another day to finish shopping. All in all, she felt like she’d done rather well for not having any parenting skills, whatsoever.

  She unloaded the toys from the trunk, and got Miles and Noah occupied with their new blocks. With a smirk on her face, she called Vincent.

  “Ho, ho, ho!” Carrie tried to deepen her voice like Santa, but she started to crack up.

  “You’re back already?” Vincent chuckled. “Tell me you still have all your hair.”

  “I did get several toys, but not as much as I wanted to. They started to become a handful. I can’t even imagine how single mothers do all that they do,” she said with a serious tone to her voice.

  “Just think, when you’re a mom, you’ll already know the ropes.”

  …When I’m a mom, thought Carrie. I can’t even manage to get a boyfriend.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Renee walked downstairs to the dining room and greeted everyone with a warm smile. She loved seeing the Montclair clan, Emma and Brian, all in the same room. Tyler had picked up lots of bagels and donuts for the gathering. Seeing that Elissa had joined them made her smile even more. When the brothers were on a mission to protect, they fought hard. When they loved, they loved with all their being. Carrie and the boys weren’t present, so she assumed they were still at Vincent’s house.

  “Hi, Baby.” Tyler walked up to her and kissed her on the lips.

  “Good morning,” said Renee with a big smile, before she bee-lined it to the food. Her appetite never seemed to dull these days, unless she was thinking about Robert. She’d pushed him far out of her mind today. There was lots of work to do. She slathered her bagel with cream cheese and took a big bite, before she noticed everyone staring her. Renee ignored the stares and walked over to Elissa.

  “Today’s going to be so exciting! How do you feel, Elissa?” Renee noticed she wasn’t eating or drinking anything, so she poured her a glass of orange juice and handed her a bagel.

  “Oh, no thank you,” she said bashfully.

  “Eat it,” said Sean, as he lifted the bagel to her lips.

  She smiled and took a bite, and then began to sip on the orange juice. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “So here’s the plan,” announced Vincent. “We’re going shopping, and I know how much you ladies hate doing that,” he joked. “We need to fill up a house today. We won’t have anything delivered until we get the keys. The sale hasn’t gone through, but we’ll counter any offer that comes in. Unless the owner backs out, it’ll belong to Elissa. If that happens, we’ll just find her another one.”

  “Let’s get going!” Emma said excitedly. Jacob smiled down at her and held her close.

  After the dishes were placed in the sink, Renee put on a light jacket and slipped her shoes on. She felt Tyler watching her, so she turned to meet his eyes.

  “Come here,” he whispered as he took a couple of steps towards her.

  She stood up on her tip toes and pulled his face down to hers as he whispered, “I’m so in love with you.”

  Renee could tell that he wanted to say more, but he didn’t. She knew that Tyler was worried about her going to see Robert, but even if she had to sneak out of the house, she was going. Besides, once he saw how much peace she’d gotten out of going to the prison, he’d be happy that she’d gone.

  At the furniture store it quickly became clear; the girls definitely had different tastes than the men. Elissa stood by quietly while the guys picked out dark, masculine furniture, and Renee couldn’t help but notice the concerned look on her face.

  “Elissa,” Renee whispered, “Do you like this set?”

  “It’s okay. I’m not the one paying for it, so they can choose whatever they’d like. I’m just grateful for what they’re doing,” she smiled awkwardly.

  “Okay,” announced Renee. “You guys go over to the kid’s section. The little ones are boys, so you can go to town on their rooms. We’ll handle the rest of the house.”

  “Wait. Why?” asked Tyler.

  “I love you, it’s true, and I value your opinion. But Elissa has to live in this house, and she should have things that are cheerful…not drab like your house…” Renee gave Tyler a stern look.

  “Does this mean that you plan on giving our house a make-over?” he asked nervously.

  “Well, pretty much.” She gave him a loving shove, and waited until he walked away.

  “Elissa, what’s your favorite color?” asked Renee, after the guys were gone.

  “I like spring colors, especially green,” she answered softly.

  “Let’s go find some green, then,” Renee said. Emma smiled and hooked her arm in Elissa’s.

  “Do you want leather or fabric?” asked Emma.

&nb
sp; “I think fabric. Leather seems too cold. But it has to be durable fabric and something that’s easy to clean.” Elissa let the first laugh of the day escape her mouth.

  When a saleswoman approached them, Emma asked her to direct them to some brighter living room sets. As they followed her, they suddenly stopped in their tracks when Elissa gasped.

  Renee followed the direction of her gaze. Elissa began to move slowly towards a spring green furniture set that had light blue and green flowered pillows as accents. The tables were a light oak with rounded corners, and there was an area rug that accented the set perfectly. Renee watched her slowly sit down on the sofa, and run her hands across the fabric.

  “How much is this one?” Elissa asked. Her eyes were wide.

  “It’s—” The saleswoman was quickly cut off.

  Emma hid the price tag. “It’s priced at, It. Doesn’t. Matter. Dollars. Right, Renee?”

  Renee grinned widely. “Do you like this one?”

  “Yes, but it looks expensive. The material…” Elissa lifted a pillow and held it.

  “It’s easy to clean and care for. This fabric is amazing, plus we can have it stain-guarded for added protection.” The sales woman said she’d be right back, saying she needed to grab a form.

  “Do you like everything here? The rug, the tables and curio cabinet…the lamps?” Renee had to admit that she adored the set as well.

  “I do, but a couch is plenty for just the three of us.” Elissa stood up, trying to see the price tag in Emma’s hands.

  When the sales lady returned, Emma immediately spoke. “We’ll take this whole set, including the rug. Add on the vases, and the artwork. This chair, does it recline?”

  “Yes, it fully reclines. With the purchase of this set, you’ll get a free flat-screen television. Would you like to look at stands?”

  “Yes, we would,” Renee smiled. We’ll also need a few bedroom sets.”

  Two and a half hours later, Jacob handed the woman his credit card. The men had picked out their dream rooms for the boys; it was as if they’d spent the last couple of hours re-living their childhoods.

  Elissa began shedding tears before they even reached the exit.

  “We have another stop,” smiled Sean. “Appliances.”

  “Oh, no!” Elissa protested. “Please, you guys have to stop this. It’s going to take me forever to repay you!” she wept.

  “Gas or electric?” asked Tyler.

  “Electric…right up your alley, Bro,” laughed Vincent.

  Tyler gladly paid for the new refrigerator, stove, microwave, and the washer and dryer set. “The hot water tank, furnace, central air unit…how old are those things? How about the roof? Are the windows any good?” He asked his brothers.

  “Uh…” Vincent mumbled.

  “I’ll check on those tomorrow, you knuckleheads.” Tyler laughed and took the realtor’s card from Sean. “Elissa, when the sale goes through, we’ll get in there and have it all fixed up for you. You’ll have to pick out paint colors and that sort of thing, with Renee and Emma. According to popular belief, us guys aren’t any good at that stuff,” he lovingly stared at Renee.

  “I don’t know what to say,” Elissa whispered.

  “The first BBQ’s at your house,” laughed Tyler. “Sean can chop veggies or something. He sucks in the kitchen.”

  “You’re such a pinhead,” laughed Sean.

  Renee knew exactly what Elissa was feeling. She’d been showered by love from this family in more ways than she’d ever imagined. It was time for her to start treating this young woman like a sister, just as she did with Emma. The family wasn’t just growing, it was becoming more blessed. Renee was elated that she’d been able to help Elissa today, but something was casting a shadow on her heart. It was the same gloomy shadow she felt darken her soul every single time she thought about Robert.

  Chapter 12

  Robert glared at Dr. Lucy Atkins from across the Cheap-Ass table. The lunch trays were going to be delivered soon, and he doubted the Stingy Guards would save his tray for him. Today was Monday, which meant spaghetti and meatballs, with a small piece of garlic bread. His stomach was already growling, and he wanted nothing more than to devour today’s lunch. But noooo! This Ugly Doctor was going to hold him hostage until lunch passed, on purpose.

  “I’m Dr. Lucy Atkins.” Ugly Doc didn’t even bother to shake his hand. “Let’s get started. I’m going to turn on the camera as well as the recorder.” Robert glared at her, while she aimed the camera correctly.

  “I’m starving, and the clock’s ticking,” he scowled.

  “Do you know why you’re incarcerated, Robert?” she smiled at him, and he wanted to wipe it off her face with the bottom of his orange shoe.

  “Do you know why you’re here, doc?” laughed Robert.

  “Yes. I was asked to psychologically evaluate you.”

  “I’m crazy. I have schizo whatever. I don’t belong here!” he yelled.

  “What makes you believe you have that illness?” Ugly Doc wrote something down and then looked back up at him. Her lips seemed to be constantly puckered, which made Robert want to mimic her.

  “I see and hear things that aren’t there. That’s the symptoms. Why are you asking me this crap? I’ve already been ‘evaluated.’” He glared at her and then busted out in laughter.

  “I’m not so sure that you’re schizophrenic, Robert. What other symptoms do you think you have?”

  “I talk to myself. Well not to myself, but to those voices in my head.” Robert looked at her with a serious expression, while trying to remember the symptoms he’d read about in a book from the library cart.

  “Why do you want to go to a psychiatric hospital?” Ugly Doc stared at him. Her eyes were beady.

  “So I don’t have to be kept in a cage, like an animal. Scrap that answer. I meant to say, I deserve to get help in a non-threatening environment.”

  “Are you hearing any voices other than mine right now?” She was writing even faster. Robert wanted to grab that notebook and see what she’d written. Doctors were all liars.

  “No. I mean…yes. It’s the devil’s voice.” Telling me to slit your stupid throat, thought Robert.

  “I see. What happened to the aliens?” Now he knew the two doctors had been talking. What a bunch of losers.

  “There are devils amongst the aliens,” said Robert as he smiled with approval over his quick thinking. “Devil aliens. Look doc, I have the symptoms. Give me my diagnosis, so I can be moved!” he demanded.

  “How do you know that your symptoms are indicative of schizophrenia?” Doc Puckered Lips looked at him smugly. Robert wanted to claw her cheap glasses off.

  “The book said so!” he screamed, causing him to get a warning from the guard.

  “Well, it seems to me like you’re missing a few diagnostic criteria, Robert. What if I told you that schizophrenics will draw circles in the air with both arms, and change their names? Or, that they normally don’t see or hear aliens or the devil, but rather the sound of their mother’s voices? What would you think then?” Ugly Doc stared at him from over the top of her glasses. Robert wanted to smash them up into a ball.

  “I do hear my mother! I’m done talking to you! If you ever come back here, you better know my real name, or else!” He stood up, pushing the table into Puckered Lips and shook his fist at her. As he left the room with the guards, he lifted his arms high in the air, and began moving them in circles. “I want some spaghetti!”

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Vincent couldn’t wait to step out of the courtroom and turn his phone on. He’d asked the realtor to contact him immediately if she heard back from the owners of the house, and he hoped to have great news waiting in his voicemail. Vincent listened to his messages, and then took the business card from his wallet and returned the realtor’s call.

  “That’s the lowest they’ll go, Mr. Montclair. It’s still five thousand less than the asking price,” she said.

  “Tell them we’ll take
it!” Vincent was so excited. He’d finally be able to give Elissa her very own home. He immediately called Sean to tell him the news.

  “Hey, Vin. I’m in a meeting right now with Ty, going over my monthly report. Can I call you back?” Vincent couldn’t help but notice the serious tone in his brother’s voice.

  “Yeah, call me back. But Sean, you don’t do anything but slack. I hope that’s in your report.” Vincent laughed and hung up the phone before his brother could respond. Vincent knew that Sean really busted his butt, just like the rest of them.

  After fighting his way through rush hour traffic, Vincent finally made it back to Montclair Pharmaceuticals. As he walked by Elissa’s office, the door was closed, but he heard muffled sobbing, coming from inside. He knocked softly before opening it, and watched as she quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked as he pulled up a chair and sat down beside her.

  “Emma drove me by my parent’s house so I could pick my car up. They’ve had it towed, and I have no idea where to. I know you bought me a new one, but I’ll have to transfer my plates, and there’s stuff in the trunk and glove box that I have to have. My children’s baby books are in the back, and some other things I didn’t want my parents to have access to. What am I going to do?!” she cried even louder.

  “Give me a minute, Elissa. We’ll get your car back.” Full of anger, Vincent left her and headed straight towards Tyler’s office. He tapped on the door, and waited for his brother to open it. Sean was sitting on the sofa with papers spread out on the table.

  “Woah, who took a dump in your Easter basket?” asked Sean as he stood up and walked towards Vincent.

  “When you guys are finished, we need to take a drive to visit Elissa’s obnoxious parents. They towed her car. Hopefully they didn’t destroy her things that were inside of it.” Vincent watched as Sean walked to the table and tucked the papers into his brief case.

  “Seriously?” asked Tyler dumbfounded. “They’ve got balls.”

  “I’ll drive,” said Sean as he led them out of the office. Vincent could easily read the look on Sean’s face. When he meant business, a quiet resolve showed across his face and in his voice. Someone was going to pay.