Mackenna on the Edge
Page 26
“Mackenna?” Eve asked timidly, unsure of the metamorphosis taking place before her very eyes, afraid her overture was about to be cruelly ridiculed.
Mackenna tentatively leaned into Eve and softly kissed her full lips. “Is this soon enough?” she asked huskily and then kissed Eve deeper, with passion.
Feelings of pure love washed over Eve as she pulled Mackenna to her and exclaimed, overwhelmed with loving satisfaction, “Oh, Em… oh god… Mackenna, I love you…” and returned her kiss with fervor.
“Please, Eve,” Mackenna breathlessly insisted between Eve’s kisses, “Please… call me… Em.”
TWENTY-SEVEN
I Swear
The storm had calmed to a gentle lull and the night sky was just barely beginning to lighten with a sunrise shrouded in a grey after-storm mist. As the mega-yacht rocked gently in the relaxed waters, with the sound of the waves lapping at the sides of the vessel, the new lovers were oblivious to the world around them, locked as they were in a tangle of tender passion.
Their sweat glistened bodies moved rhythmically, slowly as one, almost in concert with the motion of the boat, as if they had been together their whole lives. Mackenna lay nestled in the soft deep pillows of the sectional sofa with Eve’s lithe body on hers. Clothing lay strewn about on the floor and the furniture, discarded in the heated throes of passion. Eve nuzzled Mackenna’s neck, losing herself in Mackenna’s essence, her fingers tangled in Mackenna’s hair. Arousing sounds from Mackenna were having a profound affect on Eve. They were good together, sexually compatible in every way—and they reveled in it. They couldn’t get enough of each other. They lay spent, wrapped in each other’s arms, basking in their newfound love. Without warning, Mackenna began to weep.
“Em, honey, what’s the matter?” Eve asked, suddenly alarmed. “What happened?”
“I’m sorry, Eve.” Mackenna was trying so hard not to completely lose it. “I just… I never thought I… that I would ever feel that way again. That I could…”
“Oh…” Eve sighed and gathered Mackenna up in her arms, loving her even more.
“No… the thing is,” Mackenna sobbed, “I never thought I would feel that way again, but—I never imagined it could be better. You… I…” Mackenna was finally overcome with emotion. “I’m afraid…” she said, trying to choke back the threatening onslaught of tears.
“Of what, sweetie?”
“What if… what if you… you change… your mind?” Mackenna finally wailed.
“Oh, honey… It’s okay, Em.” Eve kissed Mackenna’s tear-soaked face. “Don’t cry, baby… it’s okay. It’s okay. Listen to me, Em. Honey. I love you. And I promise to always love you this way—I will never leave you. I promise. I will never change my mind. Ever. You can count on me. I’ve been waiting for you my whole life and I will never stop loving you. I swear.”
Mackenna looked into Eve’s eyes and she knew. As Eve wrapped her up in her arms she knew to her very core that everything Eve said was right from her heart and that she meant every word. For the first time since losing Alice she felt safe and truly loved. And she was no longer alone.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Six Months Later...
Carrying a portable phone in her hand, Eve lazily entered the library where Mackenna sat at the imposing desk of her father, working at her computer. So consumed was Mackenna in her work, Eve managed to approach her and perch on the arm of the large leather chair without being noticed. She seductively draped her arm around Mackenna’s shoulders and gently interrupted her. “Babe…?” she whispered.
“Mmm?” Mackenna answered, only vaguely aware of Eve’s presence as she continued typing on the small black laptop sitting before her on the desk. Eve dangled the phone by its antenna in front of Mackenna. “Camille’s on the phone—she wants to talk to you.”
“I’ll… call her… back… in a… little… bit. O…kay?” Mackenna answered in staccato monotone in rhythm with her typing.
“I told her you’d call her back, but she was pretty adamant about talking to you right now.”
“I’m… almost… fin… ished.”
“Hmm…”
The tone in Eve’s voice was very familiar to Mackenna and indicated she wasn’t leaving until Mackenna accepted the call. She leaned back in the chair and turned her face to kiss Eve. “What does she want?” she whined goodnaturedly.
“Don’t know, babe, but she said it was really, really urgent.”
“Doggone it… what could be so important?” She groaned in protest. “Never mind.” She closed the lid of her laptop computer and said with resignation and gestured for the phone, “Give it to me.”
Eve leaned down and kissed Mackenna on the lips as she deposited the phone in her hand. “See ya later, hot stuff,” she purred.
Then, blowing kisses as she went, Eve left the room, leaving Mackenna with a warm oozy feeling that filled her whole being. She smiled with amazement as she inhaled deeply, then turned her attention to Camille-on-hold. She pressed the hold button as she propped her feet up on the corner of the desk.
“Didn’t we just spend the whole day together at the Pride Parade yesterday, Camille?” Mackenna teasingly chided into the phone. “And practically all night celebrating at Grace’s condo? What is so almighty important that it can’t wait another hour or so that you have to interrupt my work, Ms. Barton?”
“Hello darling to you, too!”
Mackenna laughed. “I’m sorry, Cami—you know how I am when I’m working…”
“Yes, I do… but this is really, really big, my dear.”
“Yes…” Mackenna said with a teasing it-better-be-good tone, even though Camille’s interruption was a welcomed distraction from her work. She was busy putting the finishing touches on her autobiography but found herself struggling with the final chapter. Maybe she was just too happy to finish it… Now there was a lovely thought.
“Well,” Camille began breathlessly, “I just found out, while we were celebrating and having such a good time last night…” Camille’s voice choked. “Sorry… it’s just that I can’t believe it… is all.”
“What is it, Cami? You sound so upset.”
“Well, I am. Just a bit…” She sighed heavily. “You remember that woman who it seems like we’re always bumping into whenever we go out around town—I mean, here in Brentwood?” She waited briefly for a reply but was met by silence. “You know, that high-maintenance blonde… Remember, Mackie?”
“Um… not really. There are so many…
“I know, I know… but this is the one I met at a premiere last year and introduced you to her at…”
“Oh, sure—I remember now. You mean that blonde with the two gorgeous little kids… we first saw her at Starbuck’s, right? You practically dumped your coffee all over her…”
“Yes, yes, her—Nicole…”
“Talk about embarrassing…”
“…her name is Nicole. She was married to… Nicole Simpson. O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife.”
“Right. Uh huh? So what about her?”
“Well…” Camille inhaled deeply before blurting, “She was murdered last night!”
Mackenna gasped as she quickly sat up straight in her chair.
“Right in front of her house!” Camille clutched her chest. “She and some guy were stabbed to death and it’s all over the news… So gory you cannot imagine. And, you would not believe Grace’s neighborhood right now—I’m still at her place and it’s swarming with tons of reporters and…”
“What? Around the corner? Where? Last night? When? ”
“Yes! Yes! You know where Grace is, near the corner of Dorothy and South Bundy, right?”
“Right…”
“Well, her condo, Nicole’s, is right around the corner on South Bundy—eight-seventy something—same block, though. They’re not sure when, but it was maybe around midnight? I can’t believe it—they were probably killed right when we were all dancing and having such a great fucking time last night. Damn…”
“I don’t think so… Actually,” Camille said with a conspiratorial tone, “I’m kind of getting the impression they think he did it.”
“Who did it?”
“Him. Her ex-husband.”
“You don’t mean O.J.?”
“Mm hmm.”
“Really? You think so? Him? Who thinks so—the police?”
“Who knows… I sure don’t. Maybe the cops, maybe the media… Just seems to be a lot of speculation about where he was last night. I can tell you this much, though—once the media even hints he might be the killer—whether he is or isn’t—if someone else doesn’t confess, well… he’s fucked. Plain and simple. He’s completely and totally fucked. Of course, from a personal standpoint, I would feel much more secure if it turned out to be him, ’cause then I’d know there’s not some crazed Brentwood killer out there randomly hacking people up, you know? I mean, she practically lived next fucking door to my girlfriend!”
“Uh oh, I have another call coming through, Cami. Can you hang on for just a sec?”
“Go ahead.”
“’Kay, I’ll be right back.” Mackenna flashed the incoming call.
“Hello?”
“Hey girlie, it’s Dot.”
“Dottie! What a wonderful surprise!” Mackenna’s joy was evident in her voice. “How are you?”
“I’m good, dolly. How the hell are you and Evie doing?”
“We’re good. Well, great, really. Busy and amazingly happy,” Mackenna added, then giggled.
“Ah, I always knew you two’d make a fantastic couple.” Dot laughed a big belly-laugh. “I’m happy as hell for you—just couldn’t be happier if I tried.”
Mackenna relaxed back into her chair. “Thank you! We’re pretty pleased, as well! The last six months have literally flown by, and every single day is some kind of amazing.” The pleasant tingle that ran up Mackenna’s spine was not an unfamiliar one. She smiled to herself. “So how’s the desert, Dottie? Getting hot yet?”
“Well, it’s getting there, darlin’, and if y’all don’t hurry and get here and visit this old gal pretty quick, it’s gonna to be too dadgummed hot for your tender little selves. I know what a wuss you are! Don’t know how Eve puts up with such a sissy.” Dot laughed heartily.
Mackenna laughed right along with her old friend. “Gosh, Dot, I forgot how funny you can be,” she said with friendly sarcasm in her voice. “Well, why don’t we plan on coming out next weekend? I don’t think either of us have any plans. Would that work for you?”
“Sure would!” Dot said with enthusiasm, then warned, “And as far as I can tell from the news, y’all oughta hit the road right quick.”
“What?”
“Don’t y’all get TV out there in Hollyweird?” Dot exclaimed. “There’s been a double murder, gal, practically in y’alls backyard! Y’all could have your very own Jack the Ripper on the loose.”
“Oh my god!” Mackenna sat up straight in her chair. “Oh, Dot! I totally forgot… I have Camille waiting on the other line and she was telling me all about it. I better go, but let’s plan on next weekend, okay?”
“Sounds good, dolly, and you two take care of each other. Be careful now, y’hear?”
“We will. I’ll call you later and we’ll firm everything up, okay?”
“Alrighty then. Give Evie some sugar for me.” Dot made kissy noises and laughed to herself.
Mackenna smiled. “I will. ’Bye-’bye.” Mackenna quickly flashed back to Camille. “Gosh Camille—are you still there?!”
“Yeah. That was one helluva second.” Camille laughed nervously.
“Gosh, I’m so sorry, Camille!” Mackenna said hurriedly. “Dot called in and invited us to Palm Springs next weekend and I just got caught up. Sorry. Where were we?”
“How close my girlfriend lives to the murders and how fucking scary that is.” Camille said matter-of-factly.
“Yeah, wow. I guess you’ve got a point there. Gosh… are you all right, Cami?”
“Me? Sure.” Camille lied. “Maybe in a little shock. I mean, shit, we weren’t friends or anything, you know—just acquaintances—but still… It’s really awful. We used to see her all the time.” Camille paused, then said softly, “And now… we won’t. Ugh, that’s so weird to think about. It’s a bit scary, too. Gracie is freaked out—she really is, but she’s leaving in a little bit, so…”
“Oh, that’s right! I didn’t even say goodbye to her last night.” Mackenna remembered heading over to do so at the gathering, but got commandeered by someone before she got to Gracie. “She going to be in Europe the whole shoot?”
“Yes. Five long, excruciating months.” Camille sighed heavily. “I’m not crazy about her leaving, but at least she’ll be away from here. God—this is so fucking big, Mackenna.”
“You’re right. It is,” Mackenna said.
“So big and too fucking close. Right?”
“Yeah.”
“But I can’t keep from thinking, what next, you know? We’ve had riots, earthquakes, fires… Menendez, Heidi… and now this? All we need now is a little flooding… maybe a tornado or two to round out our fun-filled and action-packed lives out here in La-la land. Blizzard, anyone?”
“Don’t even say that, Camille!” Mackenna groaned jokingly.
“You’re right! Sorry…” Camille laughed. “Well, honey, I know you’re working so I’ll let you get back to it. I just wanted to let you know what’s going on out here in the world before I take Gracie to the airport.”
“Thanks, Cami. I’ll have Eve check the news. Wow… what a shocker, eh?”
“Yeah… kind of spooky, too. Kind of spooky… Well, honey, I guess I’ll mosey out and see what little tidbits I can squeeze out of Gracie’s neighbors while she attempts to stuff another suitcase… I’ll talk to you later. Mwah!”
“’Bye… and be careful! Give Gracie a goodbye smooch for me…” As an afterthought, as she moved to end the connection with Camille, Mackenna added, “Hey, why don’t you think about coming with us to Palm Springs next weekend? It’ll be fun, okay?”
“I will, thanks. Toodles, Mackiedoodle.”
Mackenna pushed the talk button on her phone to sever the connection and merely shook her head. Camille was right about one thing: L.A. seemed to be experiencing more than its share with all the natural disasters and riots and notorious murderers and madams, and wondered how much more infamy the city could take. Shocking was all she could think.
Yes, she thought, it was a shocking thing, especially since she and her friends were in such close proximity to the actual scene of a double murder… and especially since she and Eve had parked right there at Dorothy and Bundy. How close, she wondered. Did they see something and not realize it? Mackenna shivered. What timing, she thought. And, would they ever be able to celebrate Gay Pride again without thinking about the brutal murders?
Mackenna remained in the library for a long while, not working, as she pondered the violent deaths of a passing acquaintance and the stranger, and found herself deeply moved by the tragedy. Mackenna began to reflect upon her own tragedies, thinking about the surviving friends and relatives of the victims, especially the children, and the journey they were just embarking on—similar to one from which she had just traveled. It would be a painful journey, she knew—oh yes, how she knew—one she knew she would never have survived without Eve. She closed her computer, deciding to devote the rest of the day spending time with Eve. As she went in search of her beloved, her sweet Eve, she hoped everyone close to the victims had someone like Eve in their lives; because, as far as Mackenna was concerned, everyone needed an Eve.
Epilogue
“Love conquers all things; let us too surrender to Love.” ~ Virgil
For the first time since my parents’ untimely demise,
I have climbed up from the lower depths, and now happily reside among the living. There are moments when I still feel like an orphaned child, but I am no longer bitter about my premature status. I am back in my castle again, writing and wondering about what went wrong; but now, I ponder from a much higher vantage point where I am safe from the gripping and greedy clutches of darkness. I am no longer perched on the edge of an abyss. And, I am no longer alone. Though I was never really alone before—not with my extended family of friends and long-time household residents, as well as my ever-present demons and ghosts as my constant mental companions—I was without true love. Thankfully, my unhealthy sidekicks have returned to whatever hell they belong, I have found a companionship with Eve that knows no bounds, and I can finally say for the first time in my life, and with absolute abandon, I am truly happy.
As it turns out, my father’s letter and Alice’s diary were helpful, albeit painful tools that allowed me to see light from my slippery ledge, deep in my own personal chasm of loss and depression, and claw my way to the daylight that had eluded me for so long. I must admit, I very nearly became content to slip down into oblivion, never to return; but because of their writings, I realized if I could be wrong about my parents’ love for me, or lack thereof, and Alice’s ultimate fate, I could also be wrong about my decision to die. And I was.
Reading Alice’s diary was an excruciatingly painful experience for me, because it reminded me of a time I hope to never forget, as well as events I hope I will, over time, be able to forget. But as I reminisced, I sadly concluded Alice was not the woman I thought she was. I made myself believe we could be happy forever because I was so in love with her that I did not—could not—see her for who she was.