by Jerry Moore
“I am deeply hurt that you don’t believe me.”
“Whatever, get in here.”
I took the roses to the kitchen and handed them to Jenny. “Can you put these in a vase for me? I know you want to talk to Jeff. But I am going to talk to him first, in private.”
Jenny started to protest but I walked away and grabbed Jeff by the hand. “You come with me.”
I led Jeff to my bedroom and locked the door behind us. “Let’s sit down and talk for a second.”
Jeff looked puzzled. “I thought it was Jenny that wanted to talk to me.”
“She does and I’m sure she still will if you are still speaking to me after I tell you a few things.”
He took my hand in his. “Do you like me?”
“What?”
“Do you like me? Do you like me enough to date me?”
“Of course I do.”
He leaned over to kiss me. I pushed him away. “Wait, you don’t understand. Allison was right. I’m a tramp.”
“It doesn’t matter to me what you did or didn’t do before I met you. I can tell you are a good person.”
“Oh, no. Trust me, I have been a very bad little girl. In fact, I have been so bad that you’ve been right all along about the marshals. I am supposed to testify in a big trial in a couple of weeks.”
“You don’t have to tell me any of this.”
“Yes, I do. It is going to come out at the trial. You deserve to know the truth if we are going to be together. I lived in New York. I was involved with a man named Tommy Demarco.”
“Wait a minute, I know that name. Isn’t the Demarco family a major player in organized crime back East? I remember hearing about a huge FBI bust about a year ago. Didn’t that involve the Demarco family?”
The memories flooded over me. “Yeah, I am supposed to be one of the key witnesses at their trial. Tommy is the youngest of the Demarco brothers. At first I was just Tommy’s girl. We were lovers. Then things changed. Pretty soon I was sleeping with a lot of different guys. They were politicians, mobsters, or anyone else Tommy wanted me to sleep with. Before I knew it, I was Tommy’s prostitute.”
“It sounds like you were in over your head.”
“No, I enjoyed the access, being on the inside of things. At least I did until I had the nerve to complain about Tommy expecting me to sleep with other men. He didn’t like being questioned and started smacking me around.”
“Just like Brenda.”
“Yeah, that could have been me. Anyway, one night Tommy beat me up pretty bad. I thought he was going to kill me. I threatened to leave and he said he would kill me if I tried to leave him.”
Jeff took me in his arms. “I can’t imagine what that must have been like for you.”
I felt the tears forming in my eyes. “That’s when I did the only thing I could think of. I traded what I knew in exchange for immunity and protection.”
“That doesn’t matter to me. So you’re not a virgin. Neither am I. I really don’t care if your name is Lisa or Kathy. We’re here and together now, that’s what I care about.”
I pulled away from him. “How did you know my name was Kathy?”
“Don’t you remember the first day we saw each other in History class? You almost said your name was Kathy and then you gave some lame excuse about your being catholic. I was just guessing that your name was some form of Kathy. I didn’t necessarily think your name was Kathy that day but when I spotted the marshals, it made more sense.”
“You think you are so smart, don’t you?”
He leaned in again to kiss me. This time I leaned forward until my lips met his. Our lips parted as we explored each other’s mouths with our tongues. His mouth pressed firmly against my own. I could literally taste his desire. He wanted me. Jeff gently laid me down on the bed, with our mouths and tongues still engaged with each other. I wanted him. The emotions were so raw at that moment. I managed to break away from our lip lock.
I caught my breath. “Please don’t ask me to sleep with you right now. Even with Aunt Jenny in the next room, I’m not sure I could say no. I hope that doesn’t make me sound like some kind of tramp.”
He looked down at me. “No, that makes you sound like a woman who has been through a lot and is vulnerable. You sound like a woman asking her boyfriend not to take advantage of her. You sound like someone with a lot of class.”
He leaned down and our lips met for a second time. We finally came up for air. He rolled away from me. “I would love to stay here all day. You are amazing but we need to get this little talk with Jenny over with so when can go check on Brenda.”
I sat up. “You’re right. We need to be there for Brenda.”
Jeff and I walked into the kitchen holding hands. I dreaded this little meeting. My loyalties were definitely divided. On the one hand, I understood where Jenny was coming from. On the other hand, I didn’t want her grilling the guy that I was definitely falling for.
Jenny had been sitting at the kitchen table. She jumped up when we walked in. “Oh there you two lovebirds are. Why don’t we all sit down at the table so we can chat.”
I was completely caught off guard. I had been expecting the drill sergeant version of Jenny, not the Suzy homemaker version. “Well I suppose we could chat for a few minutes, but we really need to get up to the hospital.”
The three of us sat down at the table. I sat next Jeff as we were still holding hands. I wondered how long Jenny would keep up this charade of being the sweet aunt. Jenny gave me a stern look. “Now Lisa, I think the two of you can spare a few minutes. After all, I let you have your time together in your bedroom. I shudder to think of the naughty things you two of you may have been doing in there.”
Jeff gave her a smile. “Believe me, your niece behaved herself like the lady she is.”
I couldn’t help myself. “He means we both kept all of our clothes on.”
She ignored my little comment. “Well Jeff, tell me about yourself. I’m sure Lisa’s parents expect me to do my due diligence.”
Jeff was not giving away the fact that he already had most of my story. “I completely understand. Well, let’s see, I was born in Ohio but we moved around a lot. I joined the army right after high school. I got out of the service a few months back and decided to go to school.”
Jenny started to dig. “And how did you happen to pick Texas Tech? Lubbock is not exactly a tourism hotspot.”
“Well I have an interest in History and especially as it relates to ancient manuscripts. I remembered reading somewhere that Texas Tech was going to start doing some research on some ancient manuscripts that a few scholars believe may belong in the bible.”
“What does that have to do with you?”
“Nothing, I just thought it would be an exciting time to study History at Texas Tech.”
“You know, I was quite amused when Lisa came home last week and told me that you thought that she was being watched. It sounds like you have a very vivid imagination.”
Jeff paused for a few seconds before answering. “Jenny, let’s lay our cards on the table. Lisa is not really your niece. She is being followed. My guess is that you’re a federal marshal and she is in witness protection.”
“Let’s say just for the sake of argument, that you were right. How would someone with your supposed lack of experience spot them?”
“I had some counter surveillance training in the army and dealt with insurgents while I was stationed in the gulf. I do have some experience in this area. But you’re right. I shouldn’t have been able to spot your team.”
“So how did you spot them?”
“Your guys are arrogant and sloppy. I guess they figured that since they were only dealing with college kids that they could let their guard down. That’s not very professional. Whoever wants Lisa found could show up at any time. The clowns that I saw following her weren’t very good. To make matters worse, it was obvious that they were not coordinating with Lisa about her movements. She would go an unexpected direction
and they would have to scramble to get back in position.”
“Even if all of that is true, why should I trust you? What if I think you are just a little too good for it to be a coincidence that you are here? How do I know you are who you say you are?”
“If I wanted to hurt Lisa, I would have already done it. If I were you, I would spend more time worrying about the naughty things I want to do to Lisa in the bedroom and less about whether or not I can be trusted.”
I could feel myself blushing. Jeff had just announced his intention to sleep with me. “Excuse me? I am not that kind of girl. You have a lot of nerve.”
Jeff winked at me. “I said I wanted to do those things. I didn’t say that they were going to happen or that you would even consent to that sort of behavior.”
Jenny rolled her eyes. “So, where does that leave us?”
Jeff looked back at Jenny. “That leaves us at an impasse. You don’t fully trust me but you have to know that Lisa and I will continue to see each other. What I propose is that you recognize that I can be helpful to you. I am at least as good as any of those bozos you have following us around.”
“Helpful in what way?”
“Keep me in the loop. I am going to be hanging around with Lisa either way. Why not use my training to your advantage?”
“Okay, I will make you a deal. I will pass on any credible threats to Lisa but no information about who sent them or any background on Lisa’s past. Lisa will not tell that information either. You only get information that directly relates to Lisa’s immediate safety here in Lubbock.”
Jeff nodded his head. “Deal.”
We got away from Jenny as quickly as we could. I felt a sense of relief with Jenny somewhat satisfied with what Jeff had told her and they had agreed to. We got in Jeff’s pick-up and headed for the hospital. Jeff found a parking place near the front entrance. I started to get out on the passenger side.
Jeff grabbed my arm. “Wait.” He pulled me closer to him and gently kissed my lips.
The kiss was short and sweet. I pretended to shove him away. “I shouldn’t be kissing you. I should be mad at you.”
Jeff smirked. “Mad about what?”
“You practically announced to my Aunt Jenny that you intended to make love to me. It was scandalous.”
“First of all, she isn’t really your aunt and I don’t think she really cares who you do or don’t sleep with. Which would you prefer? She can either think that the whole time we were in your room, you were spilling the beans about who you are and where you came from or she can think that I spent that entire time trying to seduce you.”
“So now the truth comes out. You have no interest in sleeping with me. I see how it is.”
“Now you’re being a brat.”
I gave him an impish smile. “Whatever, let’s go see Brenda.”
We stopped at the information desk in the hospital lobby. One of the volunteers working there told us that Brenda was in Medical Intensive Care. Everyone at the hospital simply referred to it as MICU. It was on the fourth floor. It was already past nine-thirty in morning when we arrived at the MICU waiting room. Visiting hours started at nine o’clock.
I was a little surprised to see Brenda’s friend Tina sitting on a couch in the waiting room. I hadn’t seen Tina since we had lunch together with Brenda. That had been just last week. Now it seemed like it was a lifetime ago.
I walked over to Tina with the best smile I could muster. “Hey Tina, how’s it going?”
She looked up without smiling. “Hi.”
I sat down beside her. “Hey, it’s gonna be okay.”
Tina still wouldn’t look at me. “I know, but can I ask you about something?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“At lunch that other day, you acted like you couldn’t stand Allison. I get here this morning and she is all telling me how y’all are the best of pals. I don’t like being lied to.”
“It’s not like that. I had never really even spoken to Allison until last night. I think she is just trying to be nice me because Jeff wants her to be.”
“I thought you guys might be having some fun at my expense. It’s been known to happen.”
I put my hand on her shoulder. “I would never do that to a friend, and I consider you to be a friend. As for Allison, I guess we will just see what kind of game she is playing. Where is Allison anyway?”
“She went back to see Brenda and talk to the nurses.”
I found it strange that Allison went back to see Brenda since she hadn’t been able to even stay in the room with her for two seconds last night.
I was just about to go back to see Brenda when I saw Allison walk into the waiting room. She came and sat down beside me. “Okay, here’s the deal. Brenda still has not regained consciousness. The nurses won’t tell me anything about her condition. No one has heard from any of her family except her husband, who is currently being questioned by the police.”
I took a deep breath. “So they won’t tell us anything.”
“Actually they will talk to you, Lisa. Since they can’t locate any of her family, the charge nurse said they could talk to the person listed as the emergency contact. Apparently when she came into the ER last night, you were the only person anyone could get a hold of.”
“Can they do that? I mean release medical information to someone other than the family?”
“The nurse said they weren’t supposed to but right now, you are the closest thing to family that she’s got.”
Allison led me to the nurse’s station inside the Intensive Care Unit. I met a middle aged white man with balding hair named Gary. He was the charge, or head nurse on duty. He escorted me to a small room with a couple of lounge chairs and end tables in it. It was the kind of a room where they give you news you don’t want to hear.
Gary motioned for me to sit down as he closed the door behind him. “Miss Wilson, we have a very unusual situation here. Mrs. Robison is here, but we haven’t been able to locate any of her family. For all I know, she may not have any other family. We of course have located her husband’s family but I am hesitant to speak to them about her condition. I understand that Mr. Robison is the primary suspect in her assault.”
I was trying to take everything in. “Yes, I believe that is correct.”
He put his hand on my knee. “So I am going to go ahead and tell you what I would normally tell Mrs. Robison’s next of kin. The doctors that have examined her do not believe she will ever wake up. She may hang on for a couple of days, maybe longer on life support. Her internal injuries are just too severe.”
“There’s nothing you can do?”
“At this point, our best option is to pray. That is if there is someone you believe in.”
“Can we still see her?”
“Yes, I will make arrangements for you and whoever else to visit her anytime until she passes. I wish there was something else we could do. At this point, your friend needs a miracle.”
I went back to the waiting room and gave everyone the bad news. Allison looked like someone kicked her in the gut when she heard that Brenda wasn’t going to make it. I couldn’t figure out why she would take it so hard. She barely even knew Brenda. Of course, she was still my biggest unanswered question about Jeff. What was the deal between Jeff, Allison, and Dr. Greene? There was something there, I could feel it.
Chapter Seven
No one wanted to leave the hospital. I called Jenny and told her about Brenda. She decided to come up to the hospital and play the part of my concerned aunt.
The hospital staff would only allow two people at a time to be in Brenda’s room. Everyone else had to remain in the waiting room or at least some other place besides the actual Intensive Care Unit. Since everyone was taking turns, I wound up taking my turn and sitting in Brenda’s room with just about everyone.
As morning turned into afternoon, I finally found myself sitting in Brenda’s room with Allison. At least Allison was handling being in the room better. I looked over at
Allison, sitting near the foot of the bed. She looked like she was in a completely different world. Her face was a blank expression, staring into space. I wondered what she was thinking about.
I moved my chair closer to her. “Hey, you okay?”
She glanced at me with a puzzled look. “I can tell that you actually care if I’m doing okay, but why? I haven’t exactly been a friend to you so far.”
I shrugged. “I would like to be your friend. I’ve never actually had a friend who’s been a cheerleader before.”
She almost laughed and I didn’t understand why. Then her face looked serious again. “As a friend, I am going to tell you something I shouldn’t about Jeff.”
I threw my hands up in protest. “No, I don’t care about Jeff’s past. I accept Jeff for who he is now.”
Allison grabbed both my wrists. “Listen, this is important. Jeff can save Brenda’s life.”
“That’s crazy. The nurse met with me. He told me that there is nothing they can do. There is too much damage for her to survive.”
“The doctors can’t help her but Jeff can. I really believe he would save her if you asked him to. He won’t do it for me. Believe me, I already asked.”
She was clearly delusional. “Allison, you are grasping at straws.”
She shook her head. “No I’m not. The nurse told you it would take a miracle for Brenda to pull out of this. Jeff can be that miracle.”
“Fine, let’s say I do ask him to save her. What happens when he tells me there is nothing he can do?”
Allison had tears in her eyes. “You tell him that you want him to take a chance. Jeff never wants to take the big chances. You tell him that if he had taken a few more chances, his wife might not have died.”
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. Jeff had been married? “What are you talking about?”
Allison let go of my wrists, got up, and started to walk out of the room. “Jeff will be pissed off when he finds out you know about this.”
“Where are you going?”
“After you talk to Jeff, he and I are going to have a confrontation. The hospital isn’t the best place for it. It will probably get ugly. He’ll know where to find me.”
