by Terri Marie
“Vinnie, stay focused on me. Come back,” she whispered with her mouth an inch from his.
Vincent closed his eyes. The emotional pain was breaking him. “I can’t.”
Carrie ran her hands down his back and hugged him closer to her. “You’re with me now. This is about us, not just about you. I’m not going to leave you alone in this fight, and neither is your family.” Vincent felt her soft mouth on his as she spoke. He backed his head away so he could tell her how fruitless today’s efforts were going to be, but she slid her tongue deliberately into his mouth, and rolled him onto his back with her hands on his shoulders. He felt her full weight on top of him. Carrie moved her mouth to his neck, kissing him from his strong jaw down to his stomach. She stopped and looked up at him.
“Focus, Baby,” she uttered. It felt like she was trying to melt into him, trying to make him stronger. “Stay with me, Vinnie. Let me in.” His body was responding, but his mind wanted to crumble down to the floor.
“Carrie, I have things to do, so I can help my brother’s family.” He started to raise his shoulders up from the bed, but Carrie climbed up his body and rested her weight against him again.
“We have to help your brother and his family. If you feel like falling, I’ll hold you up. If you start feeling weak, I’ll strengthen you. You’ll never be alone, Vinnie. You asked me to take your heart, and now I’m going to. You wanted my heart, and now I’m giving it to you.”
Vincent felt her hand move slowly down his body, until it rested upon his smooth shaft. He felt her fingers squeeze him, guiding him inside of her. He lifted his hips to fill her completely, and when he did, his mind finally centered on the here and now. This was the moment he’d been waiting for. He wasn’t fantasizing about the woman in the red dress, or the tomboy in his kitchen, or even how beautiful she looked when she got frustrated, or the fact that she was in his bed. His mind and heart were being flooded with an attraction he’d never felt before, because of why she’d chosen to lay with him, and why she’d freely picked up the pieces of his shattered self…Why she’d felt comfortable enough to get this close to him, without any fear or hesitation.
Carrie moved her body, squeezing him within her. She leaned forward and began caressing his face with her hands. Vincent opened his eyes and looked up at her. He held her firmly to him and rolled on top of her, plunging between her wet folds. He lowered his forehead against hers, feeling her breath catch against his lips. Vincent tucked his hand underneath the small of her back when it arched in pleasure. His uncertainty changed to confidence, his weakness was replaced by strength, and his feelings of loneliness were erased by the most amazing woman in the world. Carrie didn’t call out his name, nor did he yell out hers. No rehearsed words were spoken, and no expectations existed, while he held her close as his body spasmed. As he lay on top of her, he came to the realization that sometimes an act of kindness was greater than a ‘thank you,’ and sometimes an act of love meant more than any words that could ever be spoken.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Tyler hadn’t heard from Vincent this morning, though he’d received a text from him at midnight. He’d told him to make sure he had a bag or two packed for Brian, just in case he wouldn’t be coming home with him and Renee. He’d felt his heart crush in his chest as he read the message.
The court proceedings were going to begin in an hour. If he knew his little brother, he’d been going crazy all night long, just trying to fix this mess. But Tyler knew that there wasn’t anything that anyone could do to change the outcome at this stage of the game. It wasn’t easy, but Tyler accepted that he had no control over what the cops, or the investigators, found in the form of evidence. He knew that this was how abusers got away with it for so long. The child continued to suffer until one day, they’d die.
Regardless of what the judge decided today, Tyler had no intentions of ever allowing his son to go back with the people who’d tortured and tried to kill him. He was going to have to be fast, in order to stop Renee. She would become a force stronger than nature when Brian’s future was threatened. Tyler had watched her lay awake all night and stare at the ceiling. Her face showed no anger or sadness, but rather a look of calm resolve. Whatever her plan was, she’d carry it through, and he had not one doubt that she could.
He’d gotten up early and snuck out of the house. He was sure Renee had heard him, but nothing really mattered to either of them, except for keeping Brian safe at all cost. Tyler hadn’t checked on his son, because doing so would have delayed his plans and the time he needed to get ready for today. He’d made a phone call at five thirty this morning, but other than that, Tyler hadn’t spoken to anyone other than his family, at ten.
Renee and Brian seemed to be in deep thought on the ride to the courthouse. Emma tried to call, but he silenced his phone. There was no way he could risk anyone finding out about his plan. His brothers hadn’t even called to give him a pep talk, because everyone just knew.
Tyler’s stomach filled with pure acid when he pulled up into the familiar parking lot. It seemed like they lived here. The court system continued to control their lives, dictating when they could feel relief, happiness, or anger. And now, the system was making them experience sheer terror. Tyler may have been the one who’d kept their family together for all these years, but it was Vincent who always fixed things. That’s just what he does; it’s who he is. Not in this case, though. He could only imagine the turmoil raging through his little brother’s veins right now. When Tyler put the car in park, Brian leaned forward and wiped the sweat off of his pale face.
“I’m going to throw up.” Renee and Tyler quickly got out and ran to him. Brian was already standing at the back of the car, retching with dry heaves. He’d refused breakfast, juice, and anything else that would have given him some nourishment. That could have been the last time Brian would ever be offered food, and the thought threatened to bring Tyler down to his knees. He looked at Renee, who still maintained a look of complete control, and it was scaring him to no end.
“I can’t go in there.” Brian let his body rest against the car. “Renee, I know you told me not to worry, but I’m going to get sent back with my birth mother. She may be evil, but she isn’t stupid. There will be cops escorting us back to her house. Hell, they’ll probably even handcuff me so I can’t bolt. Once I’m under her roof, I’m dead.” He began to cry, and Tyler wrapped his arms around him.
“No matter what anyone says, you’re a Montclair, Brian. We get through things together. You go inside, in front of that judge, and hold your chin high. Even if you don’t trust the system, have faith in our family. No one should underestimate us when we work together.” Tyler looked over at Renee for some agreement or support, but all she did was smile, eerily. The hair rose on the back of his neck.
When they reached the courthouse, Tyler looked over at the benches, and spotted Vincent. He was holding Carrie’s hand. They both rose and walked towards them. Vincent hugged Brian and spoke softly to him.
“All of us will be in there this morning, Brian. Your uncles, Emma, Elissa…all of us are here for you. We fought Robert together, so Hank and Shirley Waters don’t stand a chance in hell against us. You got that?” Vincent patted him on the back.
“Can I talk to you for a second, Vin?” asked Tyler as he started to walk around the corner.
“Sure thing.” Vincent followed him until they were no longer within sight of Renee and Brian.
“Are we going to lose this?” Tyler bluntly asked him.
“Unless some miracle trickles down from the heavens, I’m afraid so. Hopefully the judge lets Brian speak and can see through his freak parents’ lies.”
Tyler dropped his head and took a deep breath. After a minute, he looked at Vincent. “Let’s get back over there. It’s not a good idea to leave Renee unattended today. She’s got something planned, and it’s not good.” Vincent nodded at him as he headed back to where Brian and Renee were standing.
“Brian,” started Vincent. “
The judge might ask you a few questions about your past. You can’t clam up in there. No matter how painful it is, just think of all of us by your side. We love you.” He hugged the kid again, and then escorted him into the courtroom with his arm around his shoulders.
“They aren’t in here.” Brian nervously looked around the courtroom.
“They’re transporting Hank and Shirley from the jail. They’ll be here, Brian, but I don’t want you looking at them though. Pretend they aren’t even in the room. Stay focused on the judge, or us, okay?” Vincent pulled out a chair for him at the prosecutor’s table.
“Yeah,” Brian agreed, but Tyler could tell it wasn’t bringing the kid any peace.
Tyler read the nameplate on the judge’s bench. He sat forward and whispered to Vincent. “Is this judge any good?”
“Uldum? He’s lenient. I was hoping for Tarzinski, but the case was reassigned. I’m not trying to shatter your hopes, but there really isn’t any reason to flood you with false hopes, either. We have to stay focused on the power of Brian’s words. I didn’t ask him to go over anything at your house yesterday, because we can’t risk him sounding rehearsed.” Tyler leaned back and tapped Renee’s hand. She gave him a look that seemed to say ‘Don’t worry, Silly. I have it all under control.’ Tyler glanced down at her purse. He was grateful for the metal detectors at the courthouse doors.
Jacob, Sean, Emma, and Elissa, all walked up to Brian, and hugged him one at a time. They then reassured Tyler and Renee, that everything would be okay. It didn’t take a genius to realize that none of them actually believed those words, because they couldn’t maintain eye contact with him as they spoke.
Emma stood on tiptoes and whispered in Tyler’s ear. “I can take, Shirley.” Tyler straightened back up and looked at her. She was dead serious.
“No. You’re to stay right here, Em. Don’t you dare approach either one of them. Understand?” Tyler warned.
“Actually I don’t. She won’t even reach the walkway out front.” Emma pointed down towards her flat shoes.
Tyler looked at Jacob for help.
“I got her Ty, don’t worry.” Jacob reached over and grabbed her hand, pulling her down to sit between him and Sean.
“Someone’s missing,” said Tyler. “Elissa. Where is she?” He began to survey the room. “She was just here.”
“Shit,” whispered Sean. “She’s back there by the door. I’ll go get her.”
As Sean pulled her towards the front row with the others, she began protesting. “Stop! I can see better from back there!”
“Come here, Elissa,” directed Vincent with a stern voice. He sat her between him and Carrie. Elissa looked over at Emma. When their eyes met and they nodded at each other, Tyler almost fell out of his chair. He was going to have to hurry with his plan before the Montclairs, and gang, started a brawl.
Chapter 19
They all rose as the Honorable Timothy Uldum entered and took his seat at the bench. Tyler could clearly see the Waters and Boyd Simmons, their attorney, seated over to his left. Although Vincent was a part of the legal system, he couldn’t understand how anyone could defend people like the Waters or Robert. Personally, he thought the courts should toss scumbags like that to the victim’s families, for a session of no holds barred retribution.
Judge Uldum announced that court was in session. “Are all necessary parties present in the courtroom?” He looked over the top of his wire-framed glasses.
“Brian Waters is present your Honor,” stated Anthony Chase as he nodded at Brian.
“Shirley and Hank Waters are also in attendance, your Honor,” replied Boyd Simmons.
Tyler looked at them and wanted to start throwing punches. He glanced at Renee, who was staring at Brian’s parents with laser eyes. He patted her arm, but she didn’t acknowledge his touch.
“I’ve read this case over,” began Judge Uldum. “The evidence, to support the claims by Brian Waters against his parents, Hank and Shirley Waters, seems to be lacking. Mr. Chase, do you have anything further to support your client’s allegations of abuse?”
“Your Honor, with all due respect, I don’t think it’d be fair for the court to make a decision without hearing from Brian Waters. As far as physical evidence, the defendants have had a couple of years to remove all traces of Brian, and the torture he endured, from that property.” Anthony Chase flipped through the pages of a legal pad.
“Do you have any objections, Mr. Simmons?” asked the judge calmly. Tyler was surprised, because he was used to the constant irritation in Judge Weddle’s voice.
“No objections, Your Honor,” answered Simmons with a smirk on his face. Tyler wanted to wipe it off of him.
“Very well. Mr. Chase, is your client prepared to take the stand?”
Chase leaned over and whispered to Brian. Tyler couldn’t hear what was said, but he watched as his son’s face began to show some of the fear he was feeling. Brian approached the stand and was sworn in, before he climbed up in the witness chair. Tyler watched the boy’s eyes move to Hank and Shirley, who did nothing but smile.
“Mr. Chase, any leading questions, and I’ll stop you. Brian, you’re under oath, so you are required by law to tell the truth,” warned Uldum. “You may proceed.”
“Brian, do you know the difference between the truth and a lie?” Chase walked around the prosecution table and stood at the podium.
“Yes. A truth is what really happened, and a lie is false.” Brian stared at Tyler, making his heart ache for the kid.
“Do you recall the statements that you made to the police when they came to your hospital room, while you were recovering from a gunshot wound?” Chase turned over some pages of a document.
“Yes, I remember,” answered Brian.
“Did you tell the police officer about some of the abuse you endured while you lived with your parents?”
Simmons rose from his chair. “Objection, Your Honor! The accusations against my clients haven’t been proven.”
“Let Brian speak, Mr. Simmons.” The judge shook his head.
“Just…some of it.” Brian’s face reddened and he stared down at his hands.
“Could you start from the beginning and tell us about all of it?” Chase took a deep breath and walked closer to Brian.
“I really don’t know how old I was when the abuse started. I just remember them getting more and more angry with me. Sometimes they’d knock me around, but then they started locking me in my bedroom. I slept most of the time, or I stared out the window. Compared to being in the basement, it wasn’t all that bad. The days sort of blended, though.”
“Brian, do you remember when your parents first locked you in the basement?” Chase asked hesitantly. Tyler had already been told by Vincent, that this prosecutor had a reputation for going after child abusers, with a vengeance.
“If you need to know exactly how old I was, I can’t answer that. I know the year I was born, but there wasn’t exactly a calendar down there or even windows. I didn’t know when the day ended or when the night began.” Brian stared back over at his parents and swallowed hard. Hank and Shirley Waters looked like school teachers. Tyler’s stomach turned.
“Tell us about that time. If you need a break, just let me know.” Chase walked back to the podium.
“I remember it was around Christmas. I wanted to come out of my room and see the tree, it was in the basement. They wouldn’t answer me, so I kept asking. I could hear Christmas music from the television, which was nice, but I just wanted to see the tree. The next thing I remember, my dad was dragging me down the stairs by my arm. I was thrown into the bathroom down there. The entire floor and bathtub, were covered in dry pine needles. He said, “There ya go! Now you can see the damn Christmas tree!” All I was wearing was my underwear, so those needles stabbed me. I was bleeding everywhere. I lived that way for days, before I started banging on the door, begging to be let out.” Brian ran his shaking fingers through his hair. “That’s when my dad put a chain from the bathroom
floor to my ankle. I couldn’t reach the door then, my arms were too short. But I could lie in the bathtub since I’d removed the pine needles. That made them angry. My dad would come in with bags of ice and empty them into the tub, so I’d be forced back onto the pine needles on the floor.”
Tyler covered his face with his hands. Painful visuals were flooding through his brain. Renee was shaking. He reached down and held her hand, but she was beyond comfort.
“You had water to drink, then?” Chase asked after a moment.
“Yeah, but some time later, my dad came in and removed the sink and toilet. He threw a bucket at me. When I was kept in my room, I was at least escorted to the bathroom across the hall. Those days were long gone. I remember seeing the relief on his face when the bucket bounced off of my chest, like I was going to become the perfect outlet for his anger. He started coming in and knocking me around on a regular basis then. First he’d shove me down, but then he’d punch and kick me. I couldn’t run.”
“Did they feed you?” Chase asked. The disgust on his face was evident.
“Man, I’d get so hungry. But yeah, they fed me. The water they gave me was either dirty dish water or bath water, I don’t know which, but it tasted foul and soapy.” Brian’s face twisted as if he was drinking it again. “They fed me their garbage. Sometimes it was dried up chicken with coffee grounds stuck to it, or whatever was rotting in the trash. I ate it though.”
“How long did that last, Brian?” Chase asked softly.
“Things stayed the same as I grew. My dad would change the size of the clamp around my ankle to a larger one, but nothing else improved. I had no clothes, blanket or pillow, so I got pretty cold down there. At some point, my dad removed the light bulb, and there weren’t any windows. It stayed pitch black in there. I didn’t know what time of day it was. He’d only put the bulb back in when he opened the door. Like he had to see the pain and misery on my face. The kindest thing he ever did was to throw me a pair of his boxers one time, so at least it was something.”