Heart's Betrayal

by Angel Rose

  “What about it? You work with Dave, what’s the big deal.” he said firmly, rolling his eyes and shaking his head.

  “Gee thanks…And you?”

  “I’ll commute, but I’ll be home every day.”

  Dave walked in and motioned towards Michael with his hand to walk over to him.

  “Speak of the devil, that’s strange, right?” Michael looked over at Dave.

  Dave smiled at me and walked out of the room. Michael kissed my forehead and said,

  “I’ll be right back, don’t go anywhere.” he winked at me, turned around and left the room.

  The social worker walked in a few minutes later. I was eating a semi-nice breakfast as she grabbed a chair and slid it next to the bed. I suddenly felt anxious.

  “Mrs. Hunter?” She said with her pearly whites gleaming.

  “Hi.” I wasn’t in the mood to talk to her or anyone else.

  “I’d like to speak with you, is that okay?” She tapped her clipboard with her pen.

  “Yes.” I mumbled with a piece of toast in my mouth. She sat on the chair, crossed her legs, and put on her glasses and wrote on her clipboard. Another damn clipboard.

  “Mrs. Hunter, were you alone that night this happened to you?” She said glaring at me above the rim of her glasses.

  “Yes.” I answered sipping on my coffee cup.

  “And your husband, where was he?”

  “He was with our friend Dave. His girlfriend Margaret was killed two days ago in a car accident and he had to go to the morgue to identify her body. I picked out her clothing.” I placed the coffee cup on the table, placed my hands over my face and began to cry.

  “Mrs. Hunter, Jenesis, May I call you, Jenesis?” she said as she placed her hand on my shoulder.

  “Yeah.” I mumbled as I wiped my tears with my napkin.

  “I’m sorry about your loss, the baby. You seem to be going through so much right now. Do you have any idea who might have done this to you?” She said regretfully as her eyes welled up. I shook my head.

  “How is your relationship with your husband?”

  “What are you saying?” I picked up the coffee mug.

  “I’m not saying anything. I just want to know how your relationship is with your husband.” She said sarcastically.

  “This conversation is over, and by the way, my husband and I are very much in love and he’s an excellent husband, now please leave.” I pointed towards the door.

  She was taken aback, a slight shade of pink resonating over her face. She seemed surprised and angry. She got up, turned around to walk away, then stopped and looked back at me and said,

  “You know, about 25% of Emergency room visits are caused by domestic violence. Did you actually see the person who attacked you?”

  “No, he was wearing a ski mask. Do you think my husband did this to me?”

  She shook her head.

  “No. Jenesis, thank you for speaking to me, and again, I’m not the enemy, I’m just doing my job. I’m here if you need someone to talk to, even when you leave the hospital. You’re not alone.” She left the room.

  As she exited the room, a group of doctors walked in.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Hunter, how are you feeling?” A tall, tanned-skinned, handsome doctor walked in with his flock of interns following.

  “Better, thank you.”

  “How’s your nose?” He said as he motioned for one of the interns to take a look at it.

  “It hurts.”

  “It’s supposed to. We’ll take care of that in a few minutes. It’s not broken though, that’s the good news. Guess what? There’s no bad news.” He placed his hands on his knees as if he were talking to a child. “We will be discharging you this evening once your blood work comes back from the lab. Lunch is even better than that breakfast. Enjoy!”

  He smiled as the rest of his entourage waved goodbye at me and walked out of the room. I was glad my nose wasn’t broken, but, there was bad news…I lost my baby…my baby was gone, again. Michael and Dave walked in with a police officer.

  “Hey, sweetheart, are you feeling better?” Michael asked, slipping his arm around my shoulder.

  “Much better. Hi Dave.” I whispered, giving Dave little eye contact.

  “Hi Jen, I’ve been with Steve most of the night. I can’t believe this madness. I felt so sorry for him, he said he had no choice but to stab the guy. I mean, if it were me, I would’ve slit his goddamn throat.” Dave said with a smirk on his face. I looked at Dave seriously for a moment, then I focused on the officer.

  “Mrs. Hunter, I’m Officer Delgado, can you tell me what happened that night?” He was a very handsome man, with hazel eyes and olive skin. He eyed me intensely, studying my face and looking into my swollen eyes and at my nose.

  “I can’t believe Steve stabbed him. Oh my God. He must feel terrible. I’m sorry officer, I just can’t believe it. I noticed when I entered the apartment building and walked up the stairs that my hallway light was out. I also stepped on some glass that I assumed was the broken light bulb. I entered my apartment, then I took a shower and…”

  “I don’t mean to interrupt, but did you call anyone?”

  “Yes, I called Michael to call Victor to fix the light in the hallway.”

  “And at what time was that? Victor…who’s Victor?” he asked cautiously.

  “Around 7 PM. He’s the guy who fixes things in the building. You know, like the super.” Michael interrupted.

  “Thanks.” Officer Delgado glanced at Michael then back at me.

  “I called Michael then took a shower. I was thinking about Margaret and I began to panic, so I got up and started walking around my room, then I heard a banging on the door. I walked over to the door and asked who it was two times, and then I said, “Victor? “And he said “yeah,” so I opened the door and I soon as I opened the door he punched me in the face. I thought he broke my nose.” I began to cry. “He stomped on my back, he tried to kill me, and ifit weren’t for Steve hewould’vekilled me.” I wiped my tears with the blanket. My hands were shaking. Just the memory of that bastard trying to stomp on my belly was enough to push me into insanity. Michael placed his hand on my shoulder.

  “Did you see his face?”

  “No, he was wearing a black ski mask.”

  “Do you remember what he was wearing? His clothing.”

  “No.”

  “Do you remember anything that he might have said to you?”

  “I remember him calling me a bitch.”

  “Anything else?” Officer Delgado pressed me for more information.

  “I remember crawling to the bedroom and dialing 911. That’s it.” I shrugged my shoulders as my sobs grew louder. I had nothing else to give him. It was a nightmare.

  “I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’m sorry about the baby. If we find him…he’ll probably be charged with the murder of your baby. I mean, technically, I don’t know how that works, but he should pay. Steve is a hero, and we are very grateful he stepped in, but that was a dangerous move on his part. We will do everything in our power to catch this guy…I promise. Dave and I will work together. Thank you for your statement.” He shook Michael’s hand and asked to speak to Dave outside.

  “Is Steve here?” I asked the officer.

  “He went home. His wife picked him up. We’ll keep in touch. Feel better.” He continued to walk out with Dave.

  Michael kissed me on my cheek. He whispered,

  “I love you. We’ll meet up with Steve this week to thank him formally. Even though I thanked him a millions time today. I know how much that would mean to you.” He kissed my forehead tenderly.

  “Thanks, Michael, I want to go home.” I reached out to him and he held me against his chest.

  “Jenesis, I have a plan. We can move away where no one could find us, not even Dave. We’ll live our lives alone where no one can hurt us…you and me. What do you think?” His eyes were sincere, but fearful.

  “Why do we have to move where no o
ne can find us? Why are we running from Dave?” I was confused and I didn’t like what he was telling me.

  “Jenesis, I love you, that’s all that counts. Dave doesn’t need to be in the picture anymore. Let him start his life over with someone else, without us…I can take care of you now…you don’t need him.” He leaned in to kiss my lips and I pulled away.

  “But he’s been in my life,our life, he’s been like a father to me, even though, he’s been acting really strange lately, we know why…it was Margaret, she was cheating on him. I can’t walk away from him now.” I freed myself from his embrace. I didn’t want to leave Dave behind and start a new life without him.

  “Look, let’s just go, we don’t need anyone, just us. Don’t say anything to Dave. Act like nothing is going on, he doesn’t have to know, please, Jen.” His tone was adamant. “We’re staying in a hotel for the next couple of weeks. Our things, as we speak, are being boxed and moved into storage. I’m looking for a place in Putnam County.”

  “Putnam? Where the hell is Putnam? Just like that, Michael, are you sure?”

  “Jenesis, you were almost killed. We are not negotiating your safety or the future safety of my babies. One loss is one too many, two losses…is unforgiving.” His eyes were welling with tears. I could hear the frustration in his voice, but I didn’t understand why Dave was being pushed to the side. He even seemed frightened.

  “My God…it seems so drastic, so unfair to Dave. I hope we’re making the right move.” I was so worried. I didn’t want to hurt Dave. I loved him…no matter what.

  “You don’t have to do a thing everything is being done for you. I have to keep you safe. Rest for a while, don’t say anything to Dave. Right now we ordered some lunch. We’ll be sitting right here in this corner. Close your eyes and take a nap.” He ordered as he winked at me, putting his finger on his lips as if he were telling me to keep a secret.

  “Okay, I will.” I closed my eyes for a second, then opened them and stood staring at Dave for a moment who walked in to eat with Michael. Whatever Michael was contemplating had him in deep thought. There was something Michael wasn’t telling me about Dave. I could feel it.

  Dave waved at me, I smiled, then glanced away. They both sat and ate lunch as I stood lying in the bed. I couldn’t hear their conversation. I was trying to read their lips but I couldn’t. I turned my back on them and held the pillow tightly. Something about my conversation with Michael didn’t sit right with me. It was strange. Strange beyond words. I knew deep down inside he didn’t like Dave, but I didn’t think he wanted him completely out our lives. Though Michael and Dave never really made a connection, there was something to be said about their behavior these last few weeks. They didn’t seem like best friends, but they sure weren’t enemies. Something was up. But what could it be?

  CHAPTER 8

  Later that evening, we were released from the hospital and stood at the Marriot hotel in Westchester County in Valhalla. I was so exhausted. I literally felt like I was dragging my feet. I could still feel the bruises on my back where that animal kicked me. My body ached and my muscles were still tense. I could feel the strain on my body. I was sent home with a slew of medications to avoid an infection. My heart and my belly were empty, and I felt like less of a person with every minute that passed. My mind was more fucked up than my body was and I didn’t feel as if this time around, I would be able to heal.

  Michael and I slept together in each other’s arm the entire night. He knew not to press on my back and handle me with care. He often woke up in the middle of the night, to go to the bathroom, or walk over to the balcony. I knew he was uneasy and for Michael, losing two babies, really destroyed him. He was trying to be strong for me, but he was falling apart himself. I had no way of comforting him. I was in my own hell and no one could drag me out of there.

  Margaret was in the room with me all night, running through my mind. All I saw was her bloody face, cars crashing, caskets and people crying. I didn’t even know when or where the funeral services were going to be held. I held Michael tighter than ever that night. I loved him more than anything in the world, or was it because I had no one else to hold? I just couldn’t see myself without him. These conflicting feelings were tearing me up inside. I couldn’t tell if they were manifested from my childhood or from what was happening to me right at that moment.

  I rolled over next to Michael and stared at him as he slept. He finally fell asleep after walking around the hotel room. He was so beautiful that I could stare at him forever. I hated that my love for him included my blatant attraction to his beautiful face and his Zeus-like body of perfection. It was a love mixed with lust, and no matter how much pain I was in, if he took me right now and threw me up against the wall, bruised back and all…I would let him. He had that magic spell over me, no matter what he did. It was undeniable and for that reason alone, I knew I had lost myself in this relationship because everything I am now is because of my love for him. I didn’t like who I was at that moment. I was a complete…NOBODY.

  ***

  Michael awoke suddenly scaring me half to death. He looked up and his bright eyes squinted at me. He covered his mouth with his hands and mumbled,

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah.” I said as I kissed him on the forehead. He stretched his arms, leaned over, and kissed my stomach forgetting that there was no baby to kiss. I stared at him as my insides shuddered.

  “Jen, I’m sorry. I’m so stupid.” He kissed my forehead. “Can you forgive me?” He sat up and covered his face with his hands, and then he stood up abruptly, walked over to the door and punched a hole through it. He fell to his knees on the floor and yelled,

  “Why? Why did this have to happen to me? To us? Why? My babies…my babies…are dead.” He held his stomach, sobbing as he lowered his head to the floor. I jumped out of the bed and ran to him. I kneeled on the floor and grabbed his hands away from his face gently. His hand was red and swelling immediately.

  “Oh Michael, please…it’s going to be okay. I promise…we’ll have another baby…we will.” I grabbed him by the shoulders, his face buried in my neck. His cries were loud, coming from deep inside his soul, it was unyielding, and he couldn’t control himself. He broke down and held me tightly. I sat and cried with him on the bedroom floor of the hotel. My pain and love for him were one. I couldn’t distinguish one from the other anymore. I was a complete, fucked up mess, and so was he.

  “I wanted to start over, a new life, just me, you and the baby.” he said as he stroked my face tenderly with his swollen hand.

  “I wanted that, too. But God had other plans…you’re right, we do need to move on…on our own, without Dave in the picture. We can visit and make him part of our lives from a distant. I love you.” I reassured him. I held him tightly in my embrace, wiping the tears from his eyes with my fingertips. Michael kissed my fingers soaked with his tears. He stood up and walked over towards the closet, pulled out his black leather suitcase, and pulled out a blue box.

  “Open it.” He handed me the box.

  I opened it cautiously, unsure of what might be inside that might shock me. There was a picture of Michael and his mother, a frame with a picture of Michael and me, and the sonogram picture of the baby.

  “I wanted you to see how beautiful my mother was. She had blue-green eyes like me, and I know the baby would’ve had them, too.” My eyes welled up with instantly with tears as I kissed the baby through the frame.

  “She was beautiful Michael, just like you, inside and out. I miss my babies, but I can’t bring them back.” I held the frame against my chest, gasping for air.

  “I know…I just don’t know how to deal with this.” he sat on the floor and leaned against the bed frame.

  “One day at a time…” I whispered. I sat in between his legs and placed my head on his chest.

  “Let’s get something to eat…you need your strength. Let me get some ice for your hand.”

  “I’m fine, really.” He wasn’t fine; he was di
straught.

  “No, you’re not.” I walked over to the ice bucket where a few ice cubes were left from the champagne on ice, courtesy of the hotel, and wrapped it in tissue.

  “Here, I’ll get dressed and you place this on your hand.” I handed him the ice wrapped in tissue and placed it on his swollen hand.

  Michael stood there staring at me, placing the ice on his hand, as I threw on some sweats and a sweatshirt. I combed my hair and put it up in a ponytail.

  Michael and I ate breakfast together in the restaurant in the hotel. It was a nice place but a little outdated, I thought. We sat observing the other guests who seemed to enjoy the atmosphere. There were quite a few people there. Some with their kids. One lady had a baby in her arms that she was rocking back and forth. She caught me staring at her and smiled as she kissed the babies nose. My heart dropped to the floor. Michael noticed and picked up the menu and handed it to me.

  “Here, order, let’s eat.” He said softly. I nodded my head. The waiter came over.

  “Hi, what can I get you guys today?” he smiled staring at the same woman with the baby, who placed a towel over the baby’s face to breast feed him. He was dressed in blue, so I automatically assumed it was a boy.

  “Jeez, can’t she do that in the bathroom or something?” The waiter shook his head.

  “The baby has to eat, too.” I whispered.

  “I’ll have blueberry pancakes with a side of turkey bacon.” Michael interrupted.

  “Me, too.” I added.

  “Sure thing. Coming up.” The waiter said then walked away.

  “You okay?” Michael grabbed my hand tenderly across the table.

  “Yeah. I’m fine.” I lied through my teeth.

  I ate so much and was so full I thought I would explode. We went back to the room to find a message on Michael’s cell phone from Dave telling us that Margaret was cremated and her ashes were sent to her grandmother in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I never knew she had any relatives in Pennsylvania. She never told me that. Why would he cremate her so quickly? I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to her? What was he thinking?