Broken (Endurance)

by Thomas, April

  “I met a friend and he wanted to help me. It took months to plan, but I refused to lay with your father and I couldn't go to the doctor to take birth control. Your father had me under constant supervision. Needless to say, he raped me and I became pregnant with Christian. It killed me to learn I was pregnant for that man, but I continued my plotting to leave Charleston. The day came for me to make my move. Everything was perfect. I was five months pregnant by that time and your brother was about thirteen. You were six, do you remember?"

  "Vaguely."

  "Well, we didn't make it very far. I found out later that your brother left his father a note. I never saw my friend again. To this day I don't know what became of him."

  "Momma, I'm sorry."

  "Cressida you need to find a safe place away from your father and your older brother. Don't tell him anything. He is not to be trusted."

  "But I have my own condo, Momma. I’m safe."

  "Do you know who build that condo?"

  Cressida was quiet, feeling slightly stupid for not thinking that statement through. "Daddy owns the entire property." Charleston Dash could easily spy on her if he wanted. It would be difficult to deal with her father, now that she wanted to keep him out of her life.

  "Cressida, you need to think on your toes and get yourself as close to God as possible. Your father has offered you to Satan, but you still have a chance."

  "A chance?"

  "Although it will be a battle, the final choice is yours."

  "What do you mean? I have to decide? That’s easy. I choose God."

  "What have you done to prove that, to show God that your intentions are clear?"

  Cressida couldn't answer. The last time she’d gone to church was for Max and Mei's

  wedding.

  "Baby, I can’t tell you what to do, but if you open your heart to wisdom and understanding, they will lead you."

  "What about you?"

  "I will deal with your father in due time, even if it’s the last thing I do."

  "Mom, please let me take you out of here."

  "Cressida, focus on yourself. I have my own battle to deal with. I will only slow you down. Leave me here. I have work to do."

  "Work?"

  A nurse approached them. "Mrs. Dash, your husband has called. He is waiting on the line for you."

  Cressida looked at her mother. Her father had not called or visited her mother since he’d put her here.

  The nurse turned to Cressida as she unlocked Harmony Dash's chair. "Visiting time is over."

  Cressida opened her mouth to protest.

  Her mother touched her arm. "Angel, it has begun," she said before being rolled away.

  Cressida was baffled. She sat on the bench feeling lost and confused. She needed someone to talk to and could only think of one person. She grabbed her purse and put on her shades as she headed towards the parking lot. Cressida took one last look back at the psychiatric hospital before speeding off.

  Two hours later she arrived at Maxwell's mansion, exhausted from the long commute. She smiled at Winston as she walked through the door. "How are you?" Cressida asked.

  "Very well, and you?" Winston replied as he led her through the huge home.

  "Oh, I'm okay."

  Winston walked her over to Maxwell who was just finishing up his work out. Cressida

  felt the blood rush to her cheeks as she watched him working out. His nude torso immediately caught her eye and quickened her pulse. She waited patiently as Maxwell finished his last set. He stretched as he paced for a minute before walking up to Cressida. He leaned down and kissed her, dripping sweat on her chest.

  "You need a bath." Cressida smiled.

  "How was the visit with your mom?" Maxwell headed towards the door. He held it open for her, and Cressida took her time walking past him, a seductive smile curving her lips. "I see that smile."

  "What smile?"

  "What smile...? Get your mind out of the gutter," Maxwell joked.

  "Need help in the shower?" Cressida teased as they walked to his room.

  "I feel like you’re trying to distract me," Maxwell said, realizing he hadn't received an answer to his question.

  "My mom spoke. It was amazing and scary all at the same time."

  "What did she say?"

  "Basically, she confirmed my dream. What do you know about my older brother? You guys went to school together."

  "He was always very protective of you."

  "Yeah, but how was he as a person?"

  "Well, my father didn't care for him much."

  "Really?"

  "Yeah, something about him rubbed him the wrong way. In hindsight my mother never liked him very much either. Every time I got into trouble it was when I was hanging out with your brother. Even Tamarius didn't care for him. He accused him of stealing some of my gifts."

  "Gifts?" Cressida asked.

  Maxwell remembered she knew nothing of his gifts and tried to dismiss her question with an airy wave. "Ah, yeah, long story and I don't even know if it's true or not."

  "Tamarius wouldn't lie."

  "No, he wouldn't."

  "You do know your brother loves you, don’t you?"

  "Yeah, I guess I just have a slight case of sibling rivalry."

  "I wish I had a decent sibling. My brothers... well, one has his head stuck so far up his own butt he can't think straight, and the other lives in a bubble."

  "How is Christian these days?" Maxwell asked, chuckling to himself as they stepped into his room. He thought back to when Christian was young and had insisted on wearing a Superman costume everywhere he went. Eventually Charleston had gotten it away from him and burned it.

  "Fine, I guess. My mom told me that my father never loved her and that their marriage was arranged by her father. She also said that it was set for her to bear him three children."

  "That's sad. It's a terrible thing to be in a loveless marriage," Maxwell said, thinking back to his last marriage.

  "I'll wait out here while you take a shower," Cressida said, walking over to the sofa in front the flat screen television.

  "I thought you wanted to join me," Maxwell said, surprised by her change.

  "I do. I just got a lot on my mind right now."

  Maxwell hesitated. She wasn't telling him everything and something was bothering her. "Sure everything is good?" he asked, trying to convey his concern through his eyes.

  "Yeah, go take your shower. I’ll be right here." Cressida slipped off her heels and stretched out on the couch.

  Maxwell was unenthusiastic about taking a shower alone, but realized Cressida needed some time to clear her thoughts. He showered and walked out to the bathroom. He could hear tossing and turning. It was the choking sounds that caused him to rush to her side. He lifted her upper body up and gently tried to coax her awake.

  Cressida calmed down, but did not wake. Her body relaxed as she mumbled. "Don't ever let me go."

  Maxwell gripped her tightly while he whispered back, "I won't."

  He picked her up and carried her to his bed. He undressed her, leaving only her undergarments. He kissed her forehead and tucked her in. After dressing, he dimmed the lights and left the room. He was met by a frantic Winston.

  "Sir, Mr. Dash is here and is furious. He wants to speak with Cressida immediately."

  "Really?" Maxwell said.

  "He is in your office."

  "Thank you, Winston."

  "Is Ms. Dash all right?"

  "I don't think so." Maxwell raced to his office.

  Winston stopped in his tracks. He always knew when something bad was about to happen. Working with the Martinez for so many years caused him to develop his sixth sense.

  Maxwell was infuriated. How dare that man come to his home and think he can make demands. Maxwell walked into his office and slammed the door behind him. He glared at Charleston Dash who stood, looking smug.

  "Where is Cressida?" he growled.

  "Why do you want to know?"

  "Let m
e speak with my daughter."

  "Daughter? Do you even know what that means?"

  "What are you talking about?"

  "You wouldn't know the first thing about being a father, even if it smacked you in the face."

  "You’re one to talk with your teenage son getting some poor tramp knocked up."

  "Don’t you ever speak of my son and daughter that way again!"

  "Did I hit a nerve?" he said with unnerving calm.

  "Leave, Charleston. You are no longer welcome at my home."

  "As long as my daughter is here, I am not leaving until I speak with her."

  "I don't want you anywhere near her."

  Charleston walked across the room and got in Maxwell's face. "I'm her father. Who the hell are you?"

  "I'm the one who’s gonna make sure you don't succeed."

  "What do you and Cressida have going here? My daughter is betrothed."

  "What?"

  "I have protected her long enough, and now it is time for her to do what she was born to do. Get married and have kids. This contract must be fulfilled. Cressida has no choice in the matter."

  "You’re speaking about a grown woman. She is not a child."

  "She is my daughter and she will always be my child."

  "Do you hear yourself? It's like you’re living in the dark ages. Do you realize we are in America? Women have rights. Are you aware of that?"

  "This is none of your concern, Maxwell. Bring my daughter to me now." Charleston was now pacing Maxwell's office.

  Maxwell glared at him, outraged by Charleston's behavior, but what startled him most was hearing that Cressida was betrothed. Who did her father set her to marry and why? What would he be willing to do to protect Cressida from her own father? Maxwell thought hard as he stood there, fierce in his demeanor. "No," he said.

  Charleston spun around to face him. "What are you playing?"

  "Cressida cannot marry someone else since she is pregnant with my child," Maxwell lied.

  "What?" Charleston roared.

  "Well, she's not a teenager. She is a grown woman."

  Charleston was speechless. This was a monkey wrench he’d not prepared for. He took a step back, staring at Maxwell and sizing him up. "You’re lying."

  "We will be getting married soon."

  "You’re serious?"

  "Congratulations, grandpa. Now, please leave. You are not welcome in our home," Maxwell said as he walked across the room and rang for Winston.

  Winston was immediate in his response and Maxwell was surprised and yet relieved to see Winston act so quickly. No doubt he’d known Charleston’s visit would not be a long one.

  With Charleston out of the way, Maxwell rushed back upstairs to check on Cressida.

  He entered the room and found Cressida still asleep. He kicked off his shoes and stripped down to his boxers before crawling into bed with her. He pulled her warm body next to his and kissed the top of her head, smiling as he thought, I really stepped in it now.

  Cressida snuggled her back against his chest. "Where did you go?" she whispered.

  "I had an unexpected guest."

  "Oh, you should have wakened me. I would have gone home." Cressida spoke with her eyes closed.

  "I don't want you to leave."

  "Yeah, but I’ve got a home that I’m never at. I should go. I don't want to smother you."

  "Please just go back to sleep. It feels good having you here."

  "What's wrong? Did something happen? You seem upset." Cressida sat up.

  "It's safer for you here right now."

  "Okay, now you’re sounding like my mother."

  "What?"

  "My mother told me to get away and go someplace where my father couldn’t find me. She keeps telling me I’m in danger. She said Dad has offered me to Satan, but the final choice is still mine."

  "She's right. You don't believe her?"

  "I do, but logic is telling me she’s crazy while my heart is telling me I need to listen to her warnings. I'm confused. I just need time to sort it all out."

  "Cressida, do you believe in God?"

  "Yes?"

  "That didn't sound convincing."

  "I do, it just that...." Cressida struggled to find the right words.

  "Are you questioning him?"

  "Yeah. If it wasn't for my mother taking us to church each week, I wouldn't know anything about God. Growing up with a gold spoon in your mouth, you tend to sometimes see God right next to the tooth fairy and Santa; some fairytale being who grants your wishes. It's not that I don't believe in him. I just don't know if he really exists."

  "I never knew you felt that way."

  "I've only recently started rethinking God... since I met you. I look at the way you and your brother put God first and... He is like real flesh and blood to you guys. The old me would find that humorous or stupid; grown men believing in fairytales."

  "How do you feel now?"

  "After talking to my mother today... well, I feel like the fool. I believed in facts, what I can see with my own eyes... science. You know that’s what is so strange to me about your family. You own all of these scientific companies, all very successful. I assumed that you guys were like my family. Yeah, you go to church occasionally, but you had all your faith in scientific evidence. I was so wrong. God is obviously the head of this family."

  "Does that bother you?"

  "No... it has changed my view of God."

  "Do you trust that I have only the best intentions for you?"

  "You’re a good man, of course."

  "Then marry me..."

  "Marry you? Maxwell, have you been drinking?"

  "Do I look drunk?" He sat up and reached for the lamp on the nightstand next to his bed. He flicked it on.

  Cressida sighed. She knew he wasn't drunk, but he was sure talking crazy. "Maxwell, we are just getting to know each other. This is insane."

  "Just promise me you will think about it." Maxwell pulled her closer to him.

  Cressida couldn't believe what she was hearing. Maybe it was some sort of dream or nightmare, she wasn't sure yet. However, one thing was clear, marrying Maxwell would be a living fairytale. She had a lot to think about. This was not an overnight decision.

  Routine

  Three weeks had passed and Max and Mei had fallen into a strict routine of family, school and play. Taking up additional classes in business, accounting and spiritual warfare they worked together seamlessly to get the knowledge they needed to succeed in the business and spiritual world. Mei would make sure she picked Uriel up from daycare on the days her class finished late so that Max could study and cook dinner without Uriel's so-called help.

  She had occasional run-in's with Samuel who was becoming more of a pest, while Renee remained focused on catching Max’s attention. Mei was on her last nerve with both of them when she was approached by Samuel on the way back to her village one evening.

  "It's nice out tonight," Samuel said abruptly as he began walking next to Mei.

  "Can you go away?" Mei snapped as she tightened her hold of her son.

  "Why are you like that? I'm just trying to have a conversation with you."

  "I'm not interested in your type of conversations."

  "My kind?"

  "You know what I mean."

  "I'm just having an innocent conversation with you. It doesn't have to mean anything." Samuel grinned.

  "I'm married. Does that mean anything to you?"

  "It doesn't mean we can't be friends."

  "I don't like your idea of friends," Mei replied.

  Samuel was unaware that Max had caught onto him and was angry to learn that since day one Samuel has been after his wife.

  Mei didn't know that Max was aware of Samuel's persistent advances. Samuel wasn't the only guy hitting on her. However, he was the only one who didn't take no for an answer.

  Max was upset that his wife didn't tell him what was going on, but he could understand. Mei had no clue that Samuel was Max's old roo
mmate. If Sandra hadn’t warned Max about Samuel, he would never have known what his friend was really up to. He always found it strange that after a month of school Samuel always seemed to miss out on meeting Mei. Now he knew why.