by Michele Lee
As Angelo shot up from his seat waving his hands across his chest he responded hastily, “My son isn’t crazy to go see some shrink that’s not what I came here for – for you to even suggest it took a hell of a nerve.”
“Angelo, please sit back down and let me explain.” As she looked at him kindheartedly he looked unsure of what he should do next. “Please Angelo” she pleaded and pointed to his empty chair with her hand. He took his seat again as she began to explain. “There are times when parents have to come to terms when situations are beyond their control to provide what is best for their child. Seeing a therapist does not make a person crazy they are there to help your child cope with the pain that has been inflicted upon them. Everyone deals with grief differently. Look, all I’m suggesting is you keep a very close eye on Alex. Check his computer; see what’s happening online with his Face book or Twitter web sites and check his friend’s pages that he is connected with as well. Children express themselves and share a great wealth of information on their sites. Look, I care a lot about him. When speaking with him today, he seems to feel somewhat responsible and that is too much for a person to bear, so please try to get him to talk.”
By looking at him it was clear by his expression he soaked in her words. It’s understandable on how difficult it is for a parent to have their child’s world turn upside down and being unable to get it steady again. It takes a strong family to deal with these difficult times which she knows their family is tight. Before he can respond there was a knock on the door and then the door slowly opened with Sally the office assistant sticking her head in to announce another visitor.
“Sorry for the intrusion but I have Mr. Ortiz here looking for his brother.” The visitor entered the office as she kindly moved back to let him through. She closed the door not before giving Marisol the - Oh my God he’s gorgeous look. Marco froze as he met two hazel eyes that often invaded his dreams.
“Oh my God, Marco, you came!” Angelo almost tripped on his own two feet as he jumped up to embrace his brother.
Whereas Marisol couldn’t move she was almost paralyzed in her seat as she stared right into Marco’s eyes; feeling the blood draining from her face. It was as if she was staring at a ghost, the ghost who haunted her every thought for the past twelve years. All she could focus on was the words flashing through her mind telling herself to breathe Marisol, breathe you can do this. She eased up from her chair while her hands leaned on her desk for support. God he looked magnificent wearing a fitted black blazer with a white crisp dress shirt underneath with form fitting jeans. His legs looked so lean and muscular. His five o’clock shadow and turquoise eyes that seem so hard made him appear somewhat dangerous looking. The young care free mechanic was replaced by a man who looked distinguished but also dark and mysterious.
“I was concerned when I arrived at the shop they told me you came here about a suicide. What the hell is going on?” Marco said as he shifted his gaze to his brother and held on to both his brother’s arms.
“Everything is okay, it’s Alex, a girl friend of his committed suicide and he is taking it pretty bad. I came here to discuss a game plan with Marisol who happens to be his guidance counselor which no introductions are in order I dare say.” Angelo replied as they both turned their attention to her.
“Wow. Welcome home, it’s quite a shock to see you here.” She stated as her eyebrows arched up in surprise. Think, act cool, stay focused she had to remind herself and she felt her hands slightly tremble.
“Hi Marisol, it’s been a long time.” Marco replied slightly nodding his head back and forth looking like he was in a bit of shock himself not expecting to see her. He hadn’t had time to plan this scenario out although he had gone over it in his head every time he thought of her.
She nodded in acknowledgement then glanced over at Angelo to help keep her composure while she still had a beating heart. She cleared her throat before she spoke to him. “One last thing before you leave, I would like to suggest you take Alex to the funeral services, it might help him, you know a chance to say good bye. The decision is yours. The arrangements are scheduled for tomorrow at 3:00pm at the church across from the High School.” She smiled courageously hoping they would both leave so she can gain some self-control.
Angelo responded again trying to take everything in. Looking down at his feet and then up again to face her. “I will definitely take your advice and see what happens next. As for tomorrow, I will talk to him and let him make the decision. Thanks again for being there for Alex.” Angelo extended his hand to her and she felt good that she made some head way with him.
She shook his hand and again reiterated that she is here if they needed her. Angelo put his arm around Marco and patted his back and stated; “Let’s get you home, you my brother might be a dose of cheer for Alex.”
She watched both brothers walk to the door as Marco turned his head around and looked at her with scrutiny, weighing his words. “It was great to see you.” He said and swiftly disappeared. She stood looking at an empty door way. She sat back down on her chair exhaling the breathe she held and began to shake wondering how much more her nerves can endure. Oh my God, Marco is back home; for how long and why after all this time? Great to see you was all he could come up with? Did she ever cross his mind? Is he already married? All these thoughts were circling her mind. One thing she knew for sure, she needed to stay as far away from him as possible if she was ever going to survive his visit home. Then a crazy thought entered her mind; is it just a visit or was he back home permanently?
Chapter Two
Gathering her things she began to head out of the building everyone seemed to have left for the evening. As she looked around she never thought in a million years she would be working at the very same school where she attended. The same halls she would run through with Marco and Nate even though they had a year over her. The building was very old and held so much history. There is a great deal of pride that goes into this town which is one of the reasons why Marisol would never leave. Walking outside she took a deep breath and could smell the rain as it began to drizzle. It was dark and cloudy you could feel the autumn season in the air which was her favorite season. She sprinted to her red Jeep Wrangler it had the attachable soft top in black; one of her first achievements after graduating college and paid in full. To her that equals success. She hated debt and wanted nothing to do with credit. She needed financial freedom since she only had herself to depend on.
Her parents William and Valencia Braxton gave her no siblings nor did she have cousins to converse with. Valencia left all her family behind when she fled from Mexico to North Carolina. Her father an only child worked various jobs at his father’s tobacco farm before he became a police officer for the county sheriff’s office and her mother was a part time seamstress dreamt of designing her own clothing line one day. Marisol still remembers all the stories her mother shared but everything else was a blur as time passed. Life seemed good to Marisol until that fateful afternoon; she was only in eighth grade when she came home from school to see three police cars in front of her home, they lived in a one story ranch with two wooden rockers on the front porch. Her mom always sat on one of the rockers while she waited for Marisol to come home from school each day and there was no sign of her that day, both rockers were empty. The uneasiness spread through her stomach she knew something bad happened she felt it in her bones. Her bones never lied. She slowly entered the house observing the scene before her. Her father’s partner Roy rushed over to her side while her father sat on the sofa with his head in his hands in silence. She felt numb wishing she could just wake up from this terrible nightmare. Roy took her hand while he informed her about her mom being in a horrible car accident taking her life and he shared his apologies. From that day on life as she knew it had changed forever. Her father was never the same after losing his wife and he never again discussed the accident or of his wife. Whenever she needed support she always relied on Marco and Nate. Growing up Marco was her crutch through the
toughest of times. Since the day he disappeared from her life and Nate being away at school she had to learn to rely and depend only on herself and boy it felt lonely at times. Especially when her father had his stroke, she felt so frightened right after it happened. She just had her life back on track graduated with her masters’ degree and settled in at her first job; when another curve ball was thrown her way again. Out of obligation she moved back home to take care of him and once she started her new job at the middle school she hired a nurse for during the day. It became way too much for her and it lasted for a good couple of years. She knew her father had many faults however he was the only family she had left. It was a difficult decision for her to put him in a nursing home where he can get the medical attention he needed. The decision was made right after he had another stroke which caused him to fall and dislocate his hip, it all happened while he was under her care. The nurse and doctors strongly suggested it was time to make the move that was in his best interest. His memory was nothing what it was before the stroke, dementia set in at full force. He sometimes didn’t recognize her and it hurt like hell. Her life experiences have truly affected her even though it also made her who she is today. Keep rolling with the punches were her words to live by. She learned a long time ago what doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger even though lately she seriously doubted the theory any longer.
Pulling into her drive way she noticed Nate waiting for her on the front porch. He was handsome in his all American way. He looked like a blonde Ken doll with his almond shaped blue eyes. When he saw her pulling in he gave her his charming smile. She was in no mood for company to night but she did promise him to workout at the gym and then get a quick bite to eat. Peeling herself out of the car and gathering her bags she dragged herself up the walkway that needed some TLC. The cracks were increasing another expense to worry about.
“Hey, what took you so long? By the look of you it appears you had a strenuous day.” Nate stated as he examined her appearance. “I heard the news about your student. I’m so sorry.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as he grabbed her bags. Unlocking her door Mace her brown lab mix greeted her happily. They walked into her living room and she just plopped herself down onto the old sofa. Nate the sweet heart that he is went to let Mace out back. She lived in the same house where she was born and now she was all alone. The house needed some work but she only kept up with the daily maintenance since her father was no longer capable and now the house was left under her care. She doesn’t have the heart to change a thing in it; it’s as if she expects her father to return home any day.
“You have no idea what kind of day I had - too damn emotional for my blood.” She looked up at him; he put down her bags beside the sofa and stood while he listened to her tell him about her day even though she left out the part of her encounter with Marco. She wasn’t ready to talk about it; this was a major event and she just wanted to ignore it for the moment. “Would you forgive me if we skip today’s workout and head straight to Lucky’s? I could go for a nice glass of wine with a triple-decker turkey club. Doesn’t that sound enticing?” She pleaded with her puppy dog face as her bottom lip protruded out. Who could resist?
“Looking for comfort food huh? It sounds good to me I have a couple of calls to make on my cell so why don’t you change and then we’ll go.” He grabbed his phone from his pocket and went out to the back deck to talk about one of his latest properties he listed. Nate worked at his father’s real estate business in town and will eventually take over the business one day. He really works hard at it working around the clock seven days a week always trying to live up to his father’s expectations.
Marisol dragged herself to her room to look for her jeans. She thought about Nate and how their friendship had blossomed through the years. She knew they both used each other as shields and created a facade to everyone in town but they were content with how their relationship is for now. Thinking back how many times she can remember Nate, Marco and herself causing a ruckus in town? Marco’s dad nicknamed Nate, “El Gringo”. They had a lot of laughs and Angelo always trailing behind their tracks. She laughed thinking about the time Angelo was sprayed by a skunk trying to sneak up on them and was outsmarted by the little creature. He cried and had the audacity to blame them for it. Those were the days…
Finally deciding on the white sweater that buttoned down the front with jeans and her black cowboy boots. She went to find Nate who was still talking on his phone rolling his eyes at her. She couldn’t help but laugh, Nate was the theatrical one of the group. She went and fed Mace who was more than grateful for his bowl of food. He amazed her with his enthusiasm over food. Nate came back in the house asking if she wouldn’t mind delaying dinner for another hour. He had to go check on a vacant property that appears to have some damage due to the rain. He wanted to verify the extent of the damage. It was always an adventure with Nate.
****♥****
As Marco followed Angelo home he tried to gather his wits. Seeing Marisol again really shook him up. It’s been a very long time and seeing her again felt like it was just the other day he left town like a fugitive in the night. She was even more beautiful as a full grown woman, a woman he didn’t quite know, he only knew the girl Marisol from his boyhood past. His days began and ended with her by his side, he even remembered her scent and now twelve years later it felt like they were strangers. He knew coming home after all these years was going to be complicated. His father’s heart attack was the reason for his return. The time he lost being apart from his family were lost forever, he missed out on so much. Nothing will ever keep him away again. He only wished the man behind his pain and loss will burn in hell. The time for retribution has finally arrived. He may have forgiven his father but it will be a cold day in hell before he forgives William. He felt every muscle tense within his body and decided he needed to whine down a bit, maybe take Cisco out for dinner and catch a couple of beers for himself.
****♥****
She accompanied Nate on his excursion and an hour later they finally were sitting at her favorite comfort place “Lucky’s”. It felt like home to her, the relaxed atmosphere with little lighting and nostalgic movie pictures hung on the walls giving it a rustic feel. She was savoring her wine and let out a big sigh. Nate just stared at her enjoying her moment of peace. He was telling her funny stories of his latest clients and she couldn’t help but let loose and just let out a good genuine laugh. The mood was about to change before she could take another sip of wine. Nate noticed Marco and Cisco enter the restaurant when he paused in the middle of his sentence causing her to look at the direction of his stare. It was then when she saw them and her stomach leaped and decided she needed more wine.
Nate jumped up from his seat and spoke out to his long lost friend, “Hot diggity dog, look who woke up from the dead.” Both friends shook hands and hugged and Marco again found those bewitching hazel eyes staring upon him.
As they pulled themselves apart Marco looked his friend up and down who still wore his khaki colored pants and blue oxford shirt and replied with pride in his voice. “Look at the Gringo all grown up, looking all important. I see your face all through town in fact I almost sat on your face today it was plastered on the street bench.” Everyone laughed but it was true where ever you went in town Nate and his father had advertisements of their faces displayed everywhere.
“The man still has jokes. I can’t believe you are here in town, you have a lot of explaining to do buddy.” Nate replied as he pointed his finger at Marco’s chest and then focused on Cisco, “Hey bud, you hanging out with this clown? Why don’t you guys join us?”
Marco didn’t know how to respond, a part of him wanted to move to the furthest end of the restaurant and the other part of him wanted to stay to find out the extent of Nate and Marisol’s relationship. He knew he has no right but couldn’t overcome the knot in his stomach at the thought of them together. He then noticed Marisol’s look she gave to Nate regarding his insane invitation.
&
nbsp; “I want to sit next to Marisol, I like Marisol.” Came right out of Cisco’s mouth and became quite excited as he took his seat next to Marisol.
She blushed as she caved in and gave Cisco a kiss on the cheek. “You are too sweet and I would love for you to sit with us.” Cisco turned red and smiled so hard you would think his face would crack. Marco watched the scene before him and grinned on how his brother shared the same taste in women.
Nate grabbed Marco’s arm and guided him to come join them. “Come on join us really, I can’t believe you are here in the flesh.”
As Marco took his seat he greeted Marisol. “Hi Marisol, it appears we meet again. Looks like Cisco here has a bit of a crush.” He grinned showing his perfect white teeth, all Marisol could think of was why he had to be so freaking gorgeous and how was she going to survive the night. Nate glared at her with a questioning look; she left that bit of detail out of their earlier conversation.
She nodded her head graciously and smiled at Marco as they looked into each other’s eyes. It was Nate who broke the spell, “Well how the hell are you? I’m so sorry about your dad? How is he doing?” It was Marisol who was taken by surprised she was unaware Freddie was ill. Cisco looked clearly upset and just stared at his hands. Before realizing it she placed her hand on Cisco’s hands to give him some reassurance with a gentle squeeze. Marco observed the display of affection wishing those were his hands she was caressing.
Shaking his thoughts from his mind he finally replied. “My father is hanging in there, thanks for asking. The heart attack was pretty severe so he’s not out of the woods yet, we’re taking it a day at a time. Cisco and I came out to get a bite to eat so Mom could get some rest.” Marco seemed really concerned but kept up a strong appearance for his brother’s sake. Their parents sheltered Cisco he has always been shown love and tender care but most of all he has been well protected from any harm they had control over.
