Mark of Orion

by S L Richardson

  Sergio jumped out of the car, slamming the car door. He didn't look back as the bag of tamales swung at his side. His stomach gurgled while his shaky finger pressed the doorbell.

  Please let Olivia know what to do.

  Olivia

  The doorbell rang, but no way would she answer it. Let her parents get it. She planned to avoid her parents for as long as possible. The muffled voices drifted through her door, followed by footsteps on the stairs. She stood and braced herself, ready for their intrusion.

  "Hey, it's me," Sergio said. Olivia opened the door and hugged him. He laughed. "I should bring tamales more often." She laughed, but didn't let go. Sergio understood the pain her father had caused. She was tired of wondering what to do while staring at her bedroom's four walls.

  Zach had texted a few times, checking up on her, but she told him maybe later. She'd already dumped on him and didn't want him to think she was all drama. Especially after the kiss. The only bright spot in her day, except for Sergio's visit.

  "What gives?" He pulled away; his eyes roamed over her face. "You've either been crying or barfing. Which is it?"

  She smirked at him, shutting the door. The bed sagged as they sat next to each other. She fiddled with her hands in her lap, not knowing how to begin.

  "You didn’t see him downstairs? My dad showed up this morning." She sighed.

  "What! No way! Why?" He jumped off the bed. "I can't believe it! Did you deck him?"

  Yep. Nailed it...

  "No, I wanted to, but all I could do was yell at him to leave. Then I ran upstairs because I couldn't stand looking at him."

  He sat beside her while she spilled her guts about finding them in the foyer, their fight, and talking with Zach. But not the kiss. Sergio wouldn’t like that at all. When she finished, her eyes ached, but she was too exhausted to cry. Instead, she leaned her head on his shoulder and let the silence fill the room.

  "I still can’t believe he’s back. I thought he was gone for good when you never heard from him. That must have sucked to see them together, hugging like that. Why lie to you all this time?" Sergio asked.

  She huffed as the hurt snaked to the surface. "Sucked doesn’t even begin to describe it. I'm so confused and hurt by my mom. The thought of seeing or talking to him again makes me sick." She lifted her head and faced him. "What do I do?"

  "Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you have to try again," he said.

  "I don't know. I’m so crushed and overwhelmed, I’m not sure how I’ll react when I see them again. This is such a disaster." She covered her face with her hands.

  It’ll be so horrible.... Is it worth it?

  "Hey, look." Sergio pointed at the door. "Your mom called him. Is it because he knows something about this demon thing and can help us?"

  "Ugh!" She walked to her window, crossing her arms. The bright blue winter sky was at odds with the dark, turbulent war churning inside her. She looked over her shoulder, and he shrugged at her.

  "I'm sorry, Olivia. I don't like telling you to talk to your dad, but there may be no choice. You're a wreck about your parents, I get it, but you are so strong. Stronger than most people. You have the guts to face him head on and get answers we need. If he knows something, awesome!" Sergio did a fist pump. "If not, I guess we'll figure out our next move."

  Her head fell forward in defeat. "Oh, man." She sighed and faced him. "I know you're right. I just hate it."

  "Oh, mark the day and time." They both laughed as he got up and grabbed her hand, bringing her closer. He brought her hand up, examined the ring, and whistled. "Nice."

  She pulled her hand away. "Mom gave it to me last night. I should have known she had an ulterior motive." She shook her head. "Hey, Merry Christmas! How was it?" She loved how Sergio's family was always so loving and open. Sometimes, a twinge of jealousy struck her, but his parents welcomed her as one of their own.

  "Good," he said.

  She cocked her head to the side. "Good? That's it?"

  "Yeah. I got clothes and a few games. It was fine, low-key this year." He turned, looking at everything but her.

  "And?" Olivia wasn't letting him off the hook.

  He sat on the bed, staring at the floor.

  Olivia's heart thudded as she sat next to him. "Hey, talk to me."

  His face paled as he clasped his hands together.

  "Yesterday, Manny and I went to the mall. I bought Abuela's present, and then everything got weird and... I think I had this vision." He shrugged.

  Olivia's jaw dropped. "What did you see?"

  "I was running through the desert at night... chasing something... something evil," Sergio said. Her hand covered her mouth. "It raced toward a red electric portal, but I was beaten back by wings of dark figures. The same as what happened to us at Red Rock. I didn't reach the portal before it closed." His eyes glazed over as his hands turned clammy.

  "Is that it?" she asked.

  He nodded. "Hmh."

  Then look at me.

  "Did Manny see you during your vision?"

  "Yep. He found me flailing on the floor, shook me out of my trance, and hauled me out of there."

  She moved closer, putting her arm around his shoulders. "Did you tell him what you saw?"

  "No way. It was terrifying, and I had a hard time even comprehending what it meant. I didn't tell Manny I had a vision. He'd test for drugs." He scoffed. "Besides, Manny knows something's up and is forcing me to tell him soon, or he'll go to Mom and Dad about my torn shirt and the mall." He ran his hand through his thick hair and over the tender marks on his neck.

  "So, will you talk to your parents?" he said, turning to her. "If your dad knows something−"

  "Fine."

  He frowned at her.

  "I said fine. I'll find out what he knows so he can leave for good."

  Olivia closed the door behind Sergio. She leaned her forehead against it and closed her eyes. Could she put her anger aside and face their lies again? She bit her lip, dreading the meeting, but she had made a promise to Sergio. She prayed that when the pow-wow was finished, he'd leave as quickly as he'd appeared.

  What if Mom wants him to stay?

  Can't go there.

  No voices emerged from the den as she approached. Her heart slammed; her palms were sweaty as she prepared herself to face him again when she turned the corner.

  Mom sat alone on the couch with a blanket over her lap and a pile of shredded tissues lying on top. She turned toward Olivia with puffy, red eyes. Olivia could count on one hand the times she had seen her mom cry. Olivia's shoulders slumped in defeat. A team, the two of them united against the world. Olivia promised herself to remember this moment as she scanned the room and glanced into the kitchen.

  "Where's Dad?" Olivia asked. "Why did he come back?" But she got no reply. "Mom?"

  Mom ran her hands through her hair, blowing out a breath. "I told him he needed to leave to give you time to adjust to his coming home. He got a room at a hotel." She trailed off in a whisper. Emotions churned in her eyes as she gazed at Olivia. "There's so much to tell you. Things you need to learn about your past and your future. But it's happening too soon, too fast."

  "What's happening too soon?" Olivia sat next to her. "I don't understand any of this." She threw her hands against her lap in disgust. "Please, Mom. I need to hear it from you, not him."

  "Olivia−"

  "Mom, when I see him, I see red. I can't listen through my anger and confusion−"

  "I understand, but listen to me." She grabbed Olivia's arms and drew her closer. "What is happening to you with the demons, your father needs to explain. I can't do it."

  "That makes no sense−"

  "I can't. It's not my place. Please understand," Mom squeezed her arms. "Please."

  Olivia didn't want to agree. She wanted answers now, but closed her eyes, remembering the promise she had made.

  "Okay, but can he answer them soon?" Olivia said.

  Mom nodded with a shaky smile. "Thank yo
u," she whispered in her ear, giving her a hug.

  "Will you at least answer one question?"

  Mom stiffened at her request but nodded.

  "Why did he leave us?"

  Mom tried to pull away.

  "I'm old enough to be told the truth." Olivia sat up straight, bracing herself for the answer she had always feared.

  Was it me?

  Olivia held her breath as she waited. Mom stared off into the distance, and for a moment, Olivia doubted she'd get a response.

  Mom turned back with eyes full of sadness and pain. Panic shot adrenaline through Olivia’s limbs. Maybe she didn't want to know anymore. Mom's chin quivered as Olivia watched a battle of emotion rage across her face. Acceptance won.

  "All you need to know for now is−" Mom rubbed her forehead. "It wasn't your Dad's decision to leave. I asked him to leave."

  This isn't happening...

  "But you told me−" Her voice cracked as she fell back against the couch.

  "I lied. Because the truth was too much for a five-year-old to bear." Her admission was a blow to Olivia's heart.

  "And now what?" Olivia cast her mom in a new, unflattering light. "I'm old enough now for you to stop lying to me?"

  Mom's breathing hitched as her fist pressed against her breastbone. "You're never old enough to learn the sins of your parents, the trials and heartbreak of their marriage, and the crushing sacrifices. But yes, the time has come. The time I've dreaded for you since the day you were born. The truth you'll learn from your dad. I hope one day you'll forgive me."

  Mom got up and left the room, her footsteps heavy on the staircase. But Olivia let her go. Shattered on the inside, body hollow with numbness, she had no wish to move. Olivia's entire world was turned upside down by the admission of more deceit.

  And to her horror, her dad might be the only source of truth.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Delilah

  A soft glow emanated from the airplane night-light in the bedroom's corner. The baby monitor on the white dresser gave exhausted parents a sense of security while they captured a few hours of precious sleep. But the unseen and unheard visitor approached the crib, her feet gliding over the floor. Delilah hovered next to the crib of a handsome baby boy, so small and precious, perfect in every detail. His innocent blue eyes peered at her, his chin quivering as he fussed, alone in his crib. Delilah ached to pick him up, hold him, ease his fears, but she couldn't. Instead, she hummed for his ears only, reassuring him he wasn't alone. Her large white wings stirred the air around his face like a delicate kiss. Her streaming red hair became a curtain surrounding his little body as she bent over him. His whimpering ceased, lulled by her soothing song. Delilah's bittersweet sigh fanned his serene face.

  Oh, to have a child... his child.... Don't go there.

  The eternal ache tore through her heart. She'd dared to dream of a baby similar to this one. His brown hair and blue eyes resembling...

  Delilah bolted upright, startling the baby. Her vision tunneled to a distant home, one of joy and homecoming, forbidden by the vow he had made to her.

  No. How can it be? Conner wouldn't dare risk it.

  But there was their reunion playing out before her wide eyes. She trembled with outrage. He dared to break his oath. The baby whimpered, but it fell on deaf ears. She had to leave and see for herself as disbelief coursed through her. Nothing else mattered. Delilah left the room like a mist fading away in dawn's light.

  Delilah gazed through the porch window. The Christmas tree was lit with colored lights, and the gold star at the top blinked as if it were a star in the night sky. As she drifted closer, her vision narrowed around him as his betrayal unraveled in front of her.

  How dare he...

  Conner had returned, not to Delilah, but to his wife. He kneeled before her, clutching Stella around her waist, tears streaming down his face. Her hands wound through his dark hair, gripping her closer to him. The look of sheer rapture on his face shot a spike of jealousy through her body. His lips repeated a word. What was it?

  Home...

  NO! This is not your home anymore! You promised!

  Delilah backed away from the window. She glimpsed herself hovering in the window. Long red hair framed her face, flowing around her arms. Her large green almond-shaped eyes gleamed wildly while her hands fisted at her side.

  Delilah turned, incapable of bearing their reunion of love and longing. Cold numbness enveloped her as she remembered how he'd gazed at her in the same manner. How Conner had wanted her, longed for her, lied for her, loved her. How could he break his vow? But his betrayal played out before Delilah's eyes. Did Conner assume she wouldn't remember his promise to stay away from his family forever, or did he assume time had let his vow fade away?

  Absolutely not.

  He's a liar, a deceiver.

  Fury filled her.

  Revenge filled her.

  Vile emotions coursed, overtaking her.

  Her large white wings lifted her into the morning sky, but a cavernous, malignant purpose consumed her.

  He'd pay for his scathing treachery. Conner's consequences were simple. Delilah had sworn to him if he ever returned to his family, he'd lose everything he loved. Now, there was no turning back. Even if it damned her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Olivia

  Olivia rubbed her dry eyes as she sat at the red light. Sleep had evaded her last night, plagued by continued dreams of demons and her dad intermingled with one another. She woke up unsettled, edgy and definitely not wanting to go to work. The headache that had nagged her the last few days throbbed behind her eyes.

  It had been a tumultuous time for Olivia since seeing her Dad on Christmas morning. But the movie reel in her head kept playing while the festering chasm of pain gnawed inside her. Mom continued her silence and Olivia continued to wait.

  The house had been quiet when she'd come downstairs this morning, but Mom left a note on the fridge.

  Dad's coming over at 6 for dinner.

  Love you,

  Mom

  So, tonight was the night.

  Great.

  As much as she wanted answers, cold fingers of dread squeezed her insides at having the confrontation. But she didn't have a choice. The only way forward was to hear Dad's story. Or, more likely, his excuses.

  Olivia pulled into Cuppa Joe's parking lot. She didn't close tonight, so no excuse for missing dinner. Someone could be sick−

  Stop it, Chicken Little. Just get it over with.

  Fine.

  All morning, the shop was busy with kids from school hanging out, showing off their new gadgets while others got their caffeine hit before shopping the after-Christmas sales. Olivia welcomed the busyness and the easy vibe of the coffee shop.

  She was putting mugs away when the front door chimed. She turned around, wiping her hands on her apron, ready to greet the new customer. Her eyes locked on the pair of hooded eyes coming toward her.

  What's he doing here?

  Something about him was off as he stalked toward her. Shaky hands grabbed the counter edge not trusting herself not to throw the first thing her fingers grasped.

  "Hi, Olivia," Dad said. "I need to talk to you. It's important." His pale face scanned the room. "In private."

  For a split second, Olivia considered his request. "Please leave. I can't talk to you right now. I'm busy." Olivia turned her back on him, returning to her task. She grabbed a clean mug with her shaking hands. She refused to acknowledge him still standing at the counter.

  "Olivia, please." His voice cracked. Her eyes darted over her shoulder as warning bells clanked in her head. "I need to tell you something."

  "Can't it wait till tonight?" She turned, frowning at him.

  "It's your mom."

  From the corner of her eye, Olivia spotted Joe approaching. He stopped short, then moved next to Olivia.

  "What about Mom?" Olivia cocked her head.

  "Uhm...there’s no easy way to say this. She's been in
a car accident."

  The cup slid from her hand, shattering on the tile floor. The roar in her ears drowned out the shop's noise. Her heart slammed as her panic surged.

  She took a shaky step towards him. "Is she hurt? Where is she?"

  "She's at the hospital. I'll take you."

  Olivia's hands flew to her mouth, her wide eyes searched the face of the man she hadn't seen in twelve years.

  This can't be happening.

  "Is it bad?" Olivia's voice sounded shrill.

  Dad's eyes glazed over as anger replaced his pain. "I know little. She was driving through an intersection and a guy ran a red light−"

  "No!" She moaned, shaking her head.

  Joe's arm encircled her as dizziness threatened to overtake her while her world ripped open. "Go to your mom," Joe said. She turned into his arms, needing his comfort. "I'm saying a prayer for her. Now go," Joe urged.

  She nodded. "Thank you," she whispered as silent tears tracked down her face. Olivia grabbed her purse, digging for her keys. She headed toward the back door, but Dad stepped in front of her. "You can't drive. Let me take you."

  "Don't you tell−" Her dad's face swam in front of her.

  "Olivia," Joe's calm voice said behind her. "He's right. Go with him."

  "Fine," she mumbled, walking past him and out the front door. The blast of cool air swept across her hot cheeks. She paused, not knowing which vehicle was his. A beep chirped from a souped-up truck. She didn't look at him as she climbed into the passenger's seat. His woodsy scent drifted to her as he started the engine.

  Olivia's mind swirled with images of Mom hurt, or worse, dead. A sob escaped as the unthinkable gripped her. What if she lost her mom?

  That can’t happen. I can't lose her.

  Olivia caught Dad's reflection in her window. She turned, examining his rugged profile, but his stony face gave nothing away.