Magnolia's Fall From Grace

by Zara Teleg

  I had trouble sleeping since I arrived. Catherine convinced me to give it more time before I reached out to Vincent. I had no idea where he was, but Sissy would know.

  Catherine took me along to the secondhand store, looking for baby items. I think she was excited to have me to shop with, and Paul was enjoying the break. The two of them never thought that she would be able to have another child. They tried for years with Anabelle, and now in her forties, Catherine believed they’d been given a miracle. I could see how much her doctor’s concerns had been weighing on her, but she was following his instructions and was hoping for the best.

  I was beginning to think Catherine didn’t think I should see Vincent. But I had to. He had the right to know, for better or worse. So when I found myself alone in the house, I built up the courage to call Sissy. I dialed the number, but before hitting the last digit, I hung up. My heart raced as I tried again. I lifted the receiver and began pushing the numbers. My finger hovered over the last nine, and when what felt like the Holy Spirit came over me, I pushed it. I almost hung up when a man answered.

  “Hi, um, is Sissy available?”

  “Who’s asking?” The tone was not so lovely.

  “This is—”

  “Gimmie the phone, you asshole.” There was a shuffle.

  “Hello, this is Sissy.” My spirit brightened at the sound of the familiar rough drawl.

  “Sissy?”

  “Maggie Grace?” Her voice became so low I almost couldn’t hear her.

  “Sissy, can you talk? I’m in town, and I was hoping to meet you.”

  “Who the fuck is it?” a man growled in the background.

  “Not on the phone,” she whispered before she began talking out loud. “Oh, yes. I can pick up my prescription at the other location. Thank you for letting me know you were out. Okay, the pharmacy on Broad, I can be there to get it at four. Will it be ready?”

  I was trying to follow. “You want me to meet you at the pharmacy on Broad at four?”

  “Yes. I’ll be there.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you then.”

  The taxi drove down the narrow street where the pharmacy sat on the corner. I was a few minutes early.

  “Do you need me to wait?” The cabbie asked as I handed him the cash. The older man smiled warmly, appreciating the tip.

  “I don’t know how long I’ll be. It could be a few minutes or an hour.” I shrugged.

  “I’m going to be taking my break, grabbing something from the Shrimp Shack over there.” He pointed to the building across down the block. “If you need a ride and still see my cab parked out front, I will be glad to give you a ride back. It’s not safe to be waiting around town by yourself. There have been too many incidents involving motorcycle gangs for my liking.”

  “Thank you, Hank.” I read his name on the dash.

  I walked toward the pharmacy, the door jingling as I opened it. I looked around, but Sissy was not there yet. I didn’t know if it was nausea or heartburn that was paining my chest. I wandered about finding a ginger ale bottle and a tin of spicy peanuts, then I heard the door jingle again. Through the angled mirror that lined the ceiling, I saw red hair. Only, she didn’t look quite the same. She dressed in black tights, a plaid skirt, and a black button-down blouse, with dressy knee-high boots in place of her Docs. Her blown-out hair was a trendy new style, and she wore beautiful jewelry that brought the ensemble together. If I weren’t looking for her, I would have never known it was Sissy.

  Right away, she looked up at the mirror, scanning until she found me. She quickly walked down the aisle I was in and straight to the back corridor and into the restroom. I stalled a few seconds before following into the unlocked bathroom door. Sissy was chewing her nail, eyes wild as they landed on me.

  “Oh, Maggie.” She threw her arms around me. Tears instantly sprang from her eyes. “I’m on break from work, so I don’t have much time. Maggie, so much has happened. I don’t know where to start.”

  “I do.” I opened the long jacket I had on, revealing my belly.

  Sissy’s hand flew to cover her mouth before hugging me. “This is why you came back here?” Her voice hitched.

  I just shook my head up and down, biting my lip, trying not to well up along with her.

  “Oh, Maggie. You shouldn’t have come back.”

  “What is going on? Why shouldn’t I have to come? Why is meeting a secret?”

  “Since Voodoo died, everything has gone to hell. Lex betrayed the club, Viper is gone, and Venom…” She sniffed, then her arms circled me again.

  My knees became weak, and my body began to tremble. “What’s happened to Vincent?”

  “He’s locked up, in jail. He isn’t coming home for a long time. The club has been at war with the Devil’s Damned, and we’re all targets. You came at a bad time. The past few weeks, things have gotten really bad. Vicious is trying to work with other chapters, but it’s been awful. Every time we leave the club, we’re in danger. No one is supposed to go anywhere alone. I couldn’t risk anyone seeing you.”

  “Seeing me?”

  “Maggie, you don’t understand. Lex has a vendetta against Venom. He hasn’t forgotten you. If he finds out you’re here, and especially that you are carrying Venom’s baby…” She placed her hands on my stomach and began to cry again. Her face became stone serious.

  “Maggie, you and this baby are in danger. You need to go back where you came from and never tell anyone who the father is.”

  “Her father,” I corrected. That brought Sissy to her knees, now placing her head on my belly.

  “Oh my god, little girl, I wish I could be your Aunt Sissy.” My belly jumped. “Did she just kick?” She moved her hands around, feeling.

  I pressed my lips together, holding in tears, and nodded. “She’s been doing that a lot lately. She must like the sound of your voice.”

  “I finally know how you feel and understand how hard leaving Venom was for you.”

  I cocked my head. “Sissy?”

  “Maggie, I’m in love.”

  “What?”

  “Yep. I can’t tell anyone, not while we are partly on lockdown. His name is Christian, and he’s a mechanic at the garage across from the beauty salon where I work. Maggie, he’s so great. I want to marry him and have his babies. I am planning on leaving here with him soon. I won’t need the protection of the club if we can get far enough away. I’m going to get Forge to make me an ID and Christian has family in Tucson. His aunt owns a salon there. We are saving a little longer, then we are breaking free. It’s just too dangerous here.” She threw her arms around me again. “You need to go home.”

  “Thanks, but I’m staying with Catherine and Paul for a while longer. They’re helping me figure things out.”

  She crossed her arms. “You need to lie real low. I can’t help you if they find you. Promise me that you’ll stay safe. Could you give me your number at Catherine’s? I’ll call you from the salon. I can talk there.”

  “Okay, I’ll lie low.” I pulled out a gum wrapper from my purse and jotted down the number.

  “I gotta go. I’ve been here too long. I love you, girl. And you too.” She bent down and kissed my belly. “Aunt Sissy,” she said, shaking her head before leaving.

  My head was whirling. I was relieved that Hank’s taxi was still there. I made it back to the house and found myself unable to move from my bed, crying and clutching my bunny.

  A week had passed. I’d spoken to Sissy every other day during her lunch break. The more she revealed about the danger surrounding the club, the more convinced I became that this was the sign I was praying for. As painful as it was, I had come to terms with knowing that I couldn’t be the one to raise my daughter. I didn’t tell Sissy about my decision. The less she knew, the better.

  There were days that week that I struggled with my decision. I needed more information. I found myself in the library scrolling through past newspapers confirming the violence that had occurred between the clubs and about Vincen
t’s arrest: “Vincent Landry, son of recently deceased Victor Landry, has been arrested as a murder suspect.” I read each article up to his sentencing. They weren’t able to convict him of murder, but the other charges all stuck. Sissy was right, he’d be away a few years.

  I cried for him. I cried for myself. And I cried for our little girl, who would never know her biological parents. I begged Catherine to help me find an adoptive family, a good home for her, far from here. Even though I knew I shouldn’t name my baby girl, I wanted to honor my fallen friend and Vincent’s loss. Paige Victoria would be her name. She would be adopted with it. I made that clear with the woman I spoke with from the mission who handled these things. They had an outreach program that helped women who were considering adoption.

  After a long day of filling out papers, I was so overwhelmed in my misery that I didn’t even hear Catherine calling my name.

  “Maggie!” she screamed.

  Every morning for the past two weeks, I woke up to Catherine’s screams haunting me. When I had gotten downstairs, she was balled on the floor, bleeding. She was rushed to the emergency room—Catherine survived, but her baby did not. She and Paul were beyond devastated. She had hardly eaten or slept since that tragic day. She refused to tell anyone except her mother and Rose; not even little Anabelle knew. She had been staying with Catherine’s mother since the night she went into the hospital. I felt so awful. My pregnant belly must have been a constant reminder for her.

  When the doorbell rang, I was happy to answer it, hoping that Rose would come for a visit. I opened the door, not excepting to see him.

  “Alcide?” I opened the door wider, inviting him inside.

  “Maggie Grace, what are you doing here?” His smile was wide, then it dropped to my stomach. “I, uh, wow.” His hand rubbed the back of his head.

  “I’m guessing you are here to see Catherine.”

  “Paul called. I’m in town for a few weeks. I wanted to check on her, on them both.”

  “They’ll be back soon. Catherine had a follow-up appointment.”

  “I can’t lie. I came to check on you too.”

  “Paul told you?”

  “He did. Maggie, he’s concerned about you. It’s not an easy decision you’re making.”

  “Alcide, I wanted to call you, but I was too afraid you would be disappointed in me.” I gestured to the chairs in the family room.

  “I could never be. Maggie, you have the biggest heart of anyone I know. I need to apologize to you. I should’ve called you and told you about what happened to Vincent. Honestly, I was hoping you went to school and met someone new, and I didn’t want to bring it up and remind you or make you feel like you could help him.”

  “He doesn’t want my help. He would have found me if he did.”

  “Knowing where he is, are you still planning on telling him about the baby?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “It’s too dangerous. For her own safety, it’s better no one knows. I don’t have much time to find a safe home for Paige.”

  “Paige?” He tilted his head. “I like it.” He cleared his throat. “Have you considered Catherine and Paul as adoptive parents?”

  “What do you mean? They just lost a child. I don’t think they would want to take this on.” I rubbed my hand across my belly.

  “It’s something to think about. I mean, no one would suspect since Catherine had been pregnant. They will be heading back to their real home in Tallahassee soon. I understand you’re using the midwife from the mission. The only people who know about Catherine and Paul’s loss are Marie Rose, Catherine’s parents, and me.” Alcide placed his hand gently over mine.

  “Look, I know this is a big decision. Give it some thought. I’m here for you. I’m leaving for my next mission in just over a month, heading to South America. I’ll be working with children in a small village, getting them vaccinated and educating them on health issues. Paul said you may not return home or to school. Maybe you can put your passport to good use and come along. I could use the help. The best experience is on the frontline.”

  The foyer door began to open as he made his generous offer. I couldn’t do it, could I?

  “Think about everything I said,” Alcide whispered as he got up to greet Catherine and Paul.

  Alcide was around a lot the following days. For the first time since I left Vincent, I felt secure. I went to church with him on Sunday, and that evening I approached Paul and Catherine with the idea of them adopting Paige.

  “Are you sure?” Paul held Catherine’s hands.

  “I know this is a lot to ask with the loss you’ve just—”

  “I’ll do it. I want to do it.” Catherine had tears running down her face when she hugged me.

  “I’ll never tell anyone. I only ask you the same thing I requested with the agency, for her name to be Paige Victoria.”

  Catherine just shook her head yes, and held my hand.

  “I know she’ll have the best life with you. Don’t worry about me coming back for her. I could never… It would be too painful and dangerous.”

  Within two days, the papers were drawn up. A mix of relief and grief battled in my heart. I knew Paige would have a great life. Only, I could never be part of it. I would forever be scarred by the decisions I made. I touched the raised skin on my chest—the cross reminding me of what had been. The life we created in love would now be raised by someone else. I could feel him in my tears. My emotions were erratic, but I knew in my heart, I was making the right decision.

  I always believed that everything happened for a reason, and I believed I was blessed with this life to help Catherine. I cursed myself for missing Vincent so much. I could only get through these days and figure it out along the way. I placed my pink bunny in the crib that was set up in the nursery. I wanted Paige to have it. It was all I could give her.

  “Maggie, phone call.” Paul hollered up the steps.

  “Okay, thank you.”

  I was two weeks from my due date and had been having painful cramps for the past few hours. Paul said it was probably just Braxton Hicks.

  “Hello.”

  “Maggie, thank God, you are alright.”

  “Sissy, what’s wrong?”

  “I found a note on my car this morning.” I could hear the panic in her voice as prickles formed on my skin. “It said, ‘YOU ARE A DEAD BITCH.’ I’m so scared.” She exhaled deep and spoke in a shaky voice. “Someone tried to run me off the road yesterday. The fucking Devil’s Damned are on a power trip and are out for blood. I swear, everywhere I look I see them. I can’t put Christian in danger, so I spoke to Forge—he’s making me an ID. Christian saved some money, and he said we could get out now. I finally told my mother I was in love with Christian and that he could get us to Tucson. She actually agreed.

  “Maggie, I asked Forge to make you one too, along with a passport. He still had the picture from the ID he made you over the summer. You need to get far away from here.” She paused a long time. “Maggie, they know. They know you’re here. I’m scared for you.”

  “Sissy, I will be okay.” I swallowed hard, wishing I believed my own words. My body shook, inducing a cramp.

  “You don’t understand; they won’t stop until they hurt Venom.” She began crying. “Paw-paw is dead, and we know they were behind it.”

  Paw-paw is dead? My head felt dizzy and I had to hold onto the desk to steady myself. My heart ached. I thought of Vincent being trapped in that prison.

  “Venom repaid one of their guys in prison, and now they are out for blood. Our club is on lockdown. Maggie, you and that baby need to disappear.”

  I was thankful at that moment she didn’t know I was planning on Paul and Catherine adopting Paige. It was a secret that I didn’t want anyone finding out about.

  “Promise you will meet me tomorrow. Christian is finishing his last shift for payday, then we are heading out. I can meet you at the rest stop on Highway 405 tomorrow at four thirty, and I will give you the ID and passport. Promise you wi
ll be there.”

  “I promise.” My whole body trembled.

  “I gotta go. I’ll see you tomorrow. Meet me in the restroom like at the pharmacy.”

  I hung up and began dialing.

  “Alcide, I need a favor.”

  “This is crazy. How do you talk me into these things? You should be home resting, not meeting Vincent’s criminal family and getting fake IDs from them.” Alcide’s hands were squeezing the steering wheel so hard I thought it was going to break.

  “I have to see Sissy. I need to get this, don’t you understand? I can’t take a chance on them finding me. I’m doing this for Paige, for all of you. Catherine and Paul can’t know, I want them to adopt Paige and think I’m gone forever. It is the only way to keep Paige safe.” I winced as another sharp cramp seemed to tear me in two. I gripped the door handle breathing through the pain.

  “What about school and your family?”

  “They don’t care. If they did, I’d be with them. They can’t know about this. No one can. I need to put time and distance between us.” I let out a gasp.

  “Maggie, are you okay?”

  “Yes—just cramps.”

  “Look, there she is.”

  We pulled around to the side where the air pumps were. Sissy was leaned against a man who was filling his gas tank. She was looking at him like a cartoon character with hearts coming from her eyes as he looked back adoringly. He lifted her chin and gave her a kiss.

  God, did I miss that. I was so happy for her. A least she was getting her happily ever after. She always wanted to leave the club, it may not have been the way she had planned to, but Sissy was about to live her dreams with a man she loved who seemed to adore her too.

  He opened the door for her, and they pulled around to the back of the lot and parked. Sissy leaned over, kissing his cheek before opening the truck door, checking her surroundings, and walking inside. Her arms folded around herself as she walked to the back of the store.