Star Bright

by Christina OW

  Maria felt guilty, she didn’t want this, well she did, but it didn’t keep her from feeling guilty, “I don’t want you and Michael to change your relationship just because it will make me more at ease.”

  Dave placed his palm on her cheek, “We aren’t changing anything. We, yes Michael and I agreed it would be better this way, until we make it official.” He kissed her forehead and walked to the door.

  “Wait what?” Maria turned to him confused, “What do you mean official, and what other plans have you and Michael made?”

  “Get dressed, Michael needs to be at school in an hour.” He closed the door behind him, laughing.

  Maria knew Dave always needed to have control and take charge of every single detail, but she wished he would have the conversations with her and not Michael. She was fine with him sometimes making the decisions for all of them, because so far he’s been doing all the heavy lifting, but she wished she’d have a stronger input in the decisions. Maria went to her room and got ready, a little irked at another controlled life she had gotten herself into, she wasn’t battered into it which was great, but it dawned on her, she is a housewife, she wasn’t sure if she liked it or not.

  She dropped off Michael at school then went to work early. Izzy was taking a nap in Rose’s office, with a baby monitor tucked close to her head and the receiver strapped to Maria’s apron. She and Jane weren’t friendly anymore, the little talking they did, had become none existent. Maria didn’t mind let alone care, but she wished Jane wouldn’t talk behind her back. Maria didn’t care to find out what she was saying, but the cooks and the new blond waitress kept glaring at her. If she didn’t have to pay some of Michael’s tuition she would have gladly quit and found another job, if Dave let her. He liked having them close by and would prefer if she stayed at home than work far from him. Maria served one more table before she left for lunch.

  “Paula.” Maria turned to Jane’s annoyed voice. She hadn’t bothered to tell Jane her real name, because she didn’t see a reason to, “Those guys want you to serve them.” She walked past Maria, bumping her in the process.

  Maria wanted to pull her back by her hair, but she held back, she still had the rest of the afternoon with her, she wanted it to be peaceful. She picked up her notebook from the counter and walked to the table filled with five high school looking boys, “Hi and welcome to Rose’s, I’ll take your order.” she said, with fake cheer and a pasted smile on her face.

  The brunette boy sitting close to her leaned forward, looked up at her with a wide grin, “What are your specials?”

  Maria looked down at him with a raised eyebrow. She picked up the menu from the table and handed it to him, “Go through this, and once you make up your mind holler.” She turned to leave, but a tight hand clasped around her wrist and pulled her back.

  “What he wants isn’t on the menu.” the blond boy hissed out, as he stood up and pulled her against him.

  Maria could feel her anxiety rise as the familiar fear took hold of her, “Let go of me.” she struggled the words out. She was going to fight the fear, and shut off that part of her mind and pray that her growing strength would back her up now.

  “Only if you promise to give me what I want.” the brunette spoke, looking up at them with the same grin on his face.

  “What do you want?” Maria asked, controlling her voice. She looked down at the brunette, she couldn’t look at her captive, if she was going to keep it together and concentrated on slowing down her heart beat.

  “Your phone number first.” he said, trailing down her arm with his finger tips. Maria fought the urge to pull away and tried to stay strong, but it was difficult to ignore how irate his touch made her skin feel.

  The blond pushed the wrist he held behind her back and freeing his other hand, he griped her chin with it, “Then maybe a little of what you give Greer.” he hissed out in her ear. That was it, the last straw that broke her courage.

  Maria could feel his hot breath in her ear, it made her even more scared thinking of all the ways she knew he could hurt her. She shut her eyes tight and tried not to break into a hysterical cry and waited for her weak, agonizing moment to pass, they were bound to stop tormenting her sometime. She could already feel her whole body itch with disgust at how their bodies touched and she hated his voice and breathe in her ear.

  “She does look appetizing.” her captive spoke in her ear. He touched his cheek against hers, then put his tongue in her ear. Maria made a muffled scream, she bit her lips shut to keep from crying out, but there was nothing she could do about the hot tears running down her cheeks.

  “You are in the wrong place, what you’re looking for is the strip club down town.” Carol’s voice echoed in the cafe. Maria almost cried out in relief when the boy let go of her chin and put a gap in between them. She turned and looked at Carol, very close to tears. Carol gave her a reassuring smile before she looked past them, “Brian, Amy has told you a lot about her ex-husband. What do you think he would do to you if he found out what you are doing to his girlfriend?” she asked, with a menacing voice.

  Maria turned her head to the boy she was addressing, the fearful look on his face spoke volumes. In a second he was off his chair and out the door. His companions looked at each other before they followed him. Maria sank into the chair, biting back the sobs that were threatening to burst out. She thought she’d grown strong enough to stand up for herself, but she was very wrong.

  Carol sat next to her and placed a hand on Maria’s shoulder, which she immediately brushed off, “It’s okay, you’re fine.” Carol spoke softly.

  “No I’m not, I’m never going to be fine.” she said, with a quivering voice. She stood up and disappeared into the kitchen then came back with Izzy in her arms. “Dave’s lunch is at the counter, please take Izzy to him.” She pulled off her apron and ran out the door.

  Carol stared after her, confused. She walked to the counter and picked up Dave’s lunch, imagining how loud the explosion was going to be, “Amy, you’ve really done it this time.”

  Dave stretched out, glad it was time for lunch, he needed a break and he wanted to see Maria. The stunned look on her face had kept him amused the whole morning. He was sure she would insist that he answer the questions he had avoided that morning. She had asked him to take their relationship slow, but he found it difficult not to plan for their future. He had no intentions of letting them go, he wanted to make a family with them, he was glad he had an ally in Michael.

  When the door opened and Izzy ran in, he expected to see Maria behind her, but instead it was Carol. Dave picked up his daughter and stared at Carol with a questioning look, “Where’s Maria?”

  Carol placed the food on the table and turned to Dave. She moved to him and took Izzy out of his hands, “How about we keep all possible casualties away from you.” She placed her in the corner where her toys were before she walked back to Dave, “There was an incident at the cafe.”

  “What kind of incident?” Dave asked, in a panic.

  “Promise to let me finish before you blow up.” Carol asked, a little frightened. She knew his temper and she didn’t want it directed to her.

  “Carol.” his voice high and tempered.

  “Brian and a couple of his friends...”

  “Who’s Brian?” Dave asked, interrupting her.

  “The boy toy Amy brought here.” both Dave’s eyebrows shot up, “they bothered Maria.”

  “What do you mean by bothered?” his stunned expression quickly changed to a livid one.

  “They harassed her and one had her pinned against him. The look she had on her face Dave, she looked scared and abhorrent, and she didn’t even want me to touch her. What that man must have done to her...” Carol stopped, she was close to crying as she remembered the desperate look on Maria’s face.

  “Arrgh!” Dave cried out angrily, pushing all his desk content on the floor. He was mad, murderously furious with Amy and her little gang. She did that to annoy him, and she’d gotten what she
wanted, but he was going to give her exactly what she was asking for, “I have that punk’s address in my divorce file, find him!”

  “Are you filing a law suit?”

  “Against his stupid girlfriend yes, but him and his friends, I’m going to deal with them personally.”

  “Dave, it would be nice if you don’t get arrested for assault.”

  “Just do it Carol!”

  “Da.” Izzy called out softly. Dave turned to her and saw the frightened look on her face. He had completely forgotten she was there. He went and picked her up, “Have them picked up at school by the police, and make sure to send one to Amy’s door step.” He spoke through clenched teeth.

  Carol laughed, “I would pay big money to see her get dragged into a squad car, and even more to a cell.” She turned and left, closing the door behind her.

  Dave picked up his cell phone from his desk, “How about we call your mommy and see if she’s alright.” he spoke, dialing Maria’s number.

  Maria walked into Nate’s apartment and was shocked to find it in such a mess. She’d made sure to clean up and leave it as she’d found it, but now it looked like a tornado had gone through. The floor was cluttered with broken glass and broken pieces of furniture. The leather couch had several rips in it, the TV was on the floor with a huge hole in the screen. Whoever was in here made sure the breakables were broken and what could be ripped was shredded.

  She felt all her strength drain out of her, this was all she needed to add to her disastrous day. She sank to the floor against the wall, balls of tears silently making their way down her cheeks. She was too exhausted and disillusioned to cry. She wanted to just disappear for the day, to just take a break from the bad luck her life was. The only thing that hasn’t gone wrong yet, was her life with Dave, but it would only be a matter of time, otherwise it wouldn’t be the life of Maria Diana Martinez.

  The studio apartment mirrored her life, a broken, shattered, ripped to pieces life, and the worst of it was, Michael was stuck in it and she was about to drag Dave and Izzy in too. If it was possible to be someone else, she would jump at the opportunity. The scared, battered weak Maria, needed to disappear so that she could start fresh. No ghosts, nightmares, fears as her shadows, be better and more worthy to her new family. If only it was that simple.

  Her vibrating phone pulled her out of her daze. She looked at Dave’s name on the screen for a minute before she lifted the phone to her ear, “Hello?”

  Dave felt his chest tighten at her lifeless voice, “Maria, where are you?” he asked firmly. There was no need to ask her if she was okay, he could hear it in her voice how much she needed him.

  “Someone broke in and tore the place apart.” she answered quietly, looking around the space.

  Dave panicked at the thought of her hurt physically or worse, “Are you home? Are you okay? I’ll call the police!” he rapped out.

  “No, not home, the apartment I lived in before.”

  “I’m on my way.” Dave hung up and rushed out of his office, Izzy still in his arm. He grabbed Carol’s arm and dragged her behind him, “You are coming with me.”

  Carol stumbled after him and was close to falling a few times, “Ouch, where are we going?” she pulled her arm out of his hold.

  “To get Maria.” Dave answered, pushing the elevator buttons impatiently.

  Carol got worried. Dave’s pensive manner could only mean there was trouble, “I’ll go get my purse,” she turned and ran back to her desk.

  Stepping into the elevator, “Hurry up,”

  Dave drove fast down town, he had Carol call the police from the car just in case the crooks were still around. He was worried and scared that something bad had happened to her, she wasn’t yet strong enough to suffer a brutality and all the progress she was making of leaving her shell would be flushed down the toilet. Everything he was trying to build with her would be put on hold and she might run again, something he was never going to allow.

  He got to the apartment building the same time the police did. He didn’t wait to offer them any explanations, he rushed to her apartment, they followed close behind. When he got there he found the door a jar, and the apartment had no sense of movement or noise. His body weakened as the thought of his worst nightmare coming true filled his mind. All the dreams of his future may have been shredded along with the woman he loves.

  Two uniformed officers rushed past him with their guns drawn. Dave waited outside with his eyes closed, crossed his fingers and prayed the robbers had left her without a scratch on her. He was more worried about her mental state, but he needed her well and alive for their children and himself, the rest he would fix over time.

  One of the officer’s came out, “You can come in, but watch your step.”

  Dave analysed the man’s expression and tone of voice. It was steady and clear, with no particular emotion in it, which must mean there wasn’t a body on the floor, nor any blood in the apartment, but then where was Maria?

  “Is there anyone in there?” he asked, cautiously following him inside.

  “Yes.” he stopped a few feet in and turned. His gaze dropped to the floor, a lot softer and full of concern than it was a few seconds ago, “She says she found the place like this.”

  Dave followed the officer’s gaze, Maria was sitting on the floor with her legs crossed, her shoulders drooped and her hands laying lifeless next to her. Dave could feel the relief rush through him, as he crouched down next to her, “Maria.” he uttered excitedly. That excitement however, was replaced by concern when he saw the blank look on her tear stained face. She looked dazed, like her body was present, but her mind wasn’t, “Maria.” he said softly, placing his palm on her cheek.

  Maria leaned into it and closed her eyes as a fresh stream of tears running down her cheeks. She held his hand in place, hoping the sense of safety and normalcy he always gave her would wrap around her, “How am I going to explain this to Nate?” she asked quietly.

  “Let me handle that.” Dave responded. He put his arm behind her back and pulled her up. She felt like jelly in his arms, like she had no strength left in her, if he was to let her go she would crumble to the floor.

  Maria leaned her head against his chest and smiled to herself, “You always fix everything.” she wrapped her arms around his waist and held herself against him, “I’m Humpty Dumpty and you keep putting me back together.”

  Dave kissed the top of her head in response before he turned to the officer, “Please find out who broke in here as soon as possible.” he said, turning on his professional voice.

  “We’ll do our best. I’ll need a list of everything that was stolen.”

  “Nothing was stolen, they are just on the floor in pieces.” Maria answered, sounding inert.

  Dave hated his mind sometimes, this particular moment mostly. He had already done the math in his head and come up with the reason a crime like this would happen and all he could hope for, against his better judgement, was that whoever did this was after Nate and not Maria.

  He took out his card and handed it to the officer, “Call my office once you’ve lifted and identified the finger prints. Maria, let’s go home.” He put his arm around her and led her away from the apartment.

  “What about Michael?” she asked, her voice gaining a little life.

  “I’ll take you and Izzy home, then I’ll go pick him up.” He answered, relieved to hear the change in her voice when she uttered Michael’s name.

  “What about work?”

  “I’ll work at home.”

  When Carol saw Maria hanging on Dave as if she was very ill, she imagined the worst. She opened the front passenger door for her and watched Dave carefully place her in the seat, once Maria was strapped in she closed the door, “What happened, is she okay?” Carol whispered.

  “She wasn’t here when they broke in.” He looked inside the car at Maria, who was slowly falling asleep.

  “So what’s wrong with her?”

  “I don’t know.” he opene
d the back door to get Maria’s jacket, he found the keys to the Prado and handed them to Carol, “Drive the Prado home, once I make sure Maria is okay we’ll go back to the office. I’ll be picking up some work, then pick up Michael and go home.”

  “With your work load, McKenzie isn’t going to like you leaving early.”

  “My job is the least of my worries right now.” he turned and looked at Maria for a brief moment before he turned back to Carol, “My family needs me right now, Michael can’t know about this.”

  Carol looked at him puzzled, “He’s four.”

  Dave gave her a weak smile, “We wish. He’s turning five next week, to us it feels like he’s turning thirty-five.” He walked to the driver’s side and opened the door.

  Carol looked at him with a new sense of admiration. He was the only man she knew who would take on Maria’s tragic movie life with no complaints what so ever. He loves her and it showed, “You said we and my family, they are a part of you now, aren’t they?”

  “Izzy, Michael and Maria are my life now and I would do anything for them.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  She swatted the slimy hands away from her. The numerous hands were clawing and touching her, tearing her clothes off to get to her bare skin. She cringed and yelled as the feel of their touch made her body itch with disgust. When her hands were locked behind her back she wanted to scream and cry in despair, but Dave’s voice in her ear wouldn’t let her. He wanted her to be strong and fight back, not crumble like she was so accustomed to. She felt a little relief knowing he was around, knowing that he would protect her and stop the numerous hands from touching her.

  She was pulled down flat on her back, her limbs spread out, her ankles and wrists fastened by strong hands. She struggled to get free, but she couldn’t and Dave’s voice was gone, “Dave, Dave where are you? Help me!” she cried in a panic. She raised her head and looked around the dark room, there was no one there, all she could see were hands moving around her naked body, “Please let go of me!” she begged. Her head was shoved down and held in place by two hands. She wanted to fight them, but despair had already filled her, Dave wasn’t coming to save her, she was alone, like she always was.