by Anne Hagan
“Um, okay. What about?”
Kris remained silent so mom continued, “Kris wants you and Dana to have a double wedding ceremony with her and Lance in October.” She rushed on, “We’re thinking outside, with the fall color, right here on the farm and...”
“Mom, stop. I know you’re excited but you know that Dana and I can’t get married with Kris and Lance.”
“Why not?”
It took all I had not to role my eyes at her like her granddaughter would have done. “Kris, is this something you’re wanting?”
She looked at me, eyes pleading, “Don’t you think it would be amazing to walk down the aisle as twins? We wouldn’t need attendants or anything with the double wedding party and all.”
Dana and I exchanged glances again. I started gently, “Mom, Kris you know same sex marriage isn’t legal in Ohio...not yet, anyway, right?” Mom looked confused. Kris just looked at the floor.
Dana tried to help, “We can’t get married legally in this state. We have to go somewhere where it’s legal for us to do it.”
“My friend Sandy’s son married another man right in their backyard...had a cake and everything. If they can do it, why can’t you?”
“Faye, I’m sorry but that wasn’t a legal marriage,” Dana explained. “That was probably what’s called a commitment ceremony. They were just pledging their love and loyalty to one another.”
“What’s the difference? I don’t understand how something can possibly be legal between two men or two women anyway...”
“Mom, enough!” I was exasperated, “We aren’t having a commitment ceremony. We’re going to have a legal wedding and live together as a married couple, period.” I stood and turned to my twin, “I’m sorry to ruin whatever plan you’ve been cooking up but it’s just not going to work.”
She got up too and got in my face, “I’m trying to understand this relationship between you two; really I am. I just don’t get why a piece of paper is so important to you, is all. It doesn’t do anything for you!” She was getting angry.
“Whoa, stop right there!” I was getting angry too. I took a deep breath and tried to remember how much I really love my sister. Softening my tone, I asked, “Let me ask you something; what does it mean to you – that piece of paper, as you put it?”
Her eyes bored through me, still full of fire. She started to say something then stopped twice. The words finally coming to her, she blurted out, “It’s a symbol of a legal commitment to each other. It...it binds us together, makes us equal partners.”
“In the eyes of the law, exactly! We want the same thing.”
“But why does it even matter if it isn’t legal in Ohio anyway?”
My ire boiled over again. I clenched my fists and tried to restrain myself from grabbing her and shaking her. Fortune smiled on her as I heard the voices of dad and Lance coming up the walk outside and I resisted.
The two men entered the house carrying pizza boxes but took one look at us and their faces both went from friendly to concerned almost simultaneously.
Dad queried mom, “What did you do Faye? I swear woman, I can’t leave you alone for a minute!”
Lance’s approach to Kris was a little gentler, “Baby, I know what you’ve done. We talked about this...” He set two pizza boxes on the table, and took her hands in his. “Please, everyone just sit down and let’s figure this out.”
I was still angry, “What’s to figure out?”
Dana, who was still seated, reached up and put a hand on my arm, “Babe, please?” Now her eyes were the ones doing the pleading.
When everyone was seated, Lance looked at Dana and I, “You two want a legal wedding right?” We both nodded. He pointed at mom and Kris, “and they both want some big soiree.”
I cut him off, “Which makes no sense to me. I mean, no offense Lance, but come on Kris! You’ve been married before. You had a huge wedding then. Why do you need a second big blow out?”
“We’re paying for it,” she spat, “If that’s what you’re implying!”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I meant why does it have to be some knockdown, drag out affair?” I looked from her to Lance and asked him, “is that what you want?”
He blanched, “It uh, doesn’t matter to me. I want whatever makes her happy.”
I rolled my eyes, “Whatever!”
Dana put a calming hand on my arm. She looked around the table and let her eyes rest on my father. His hands gripped the table edge, his knuckles white. “We all need to calm down.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly then looked at each face again. “Can I make a suggestion?”
There were nods from me, dad and Lance. Mom and Kris sat motionless.
“How about Mel and I go somewhere to get married where we can do it officially fairly soon and then we’ll be here for you two in the fall. We can have a big double celebration after you actually say your vows...a huge blowout bash if you want.” She looked around expectantly.
Kris whined, “No!” as dad, Lance and I all nodded.
“Why not?” I asked her. “It’s a pretty fair solution.”
“Because...Because...I want to do it together or I want...”
“To be first, don’t you?” I scowled at her. I knew my twin and her competitive nature well. “That’s what this is really about, isn’t it?” She didn’t say anything, just turned red faced. “Let me remind you again: you were already first!”
“Girls, enough!” Dad stood on shaky legs. “I don’t want to hear anymore.” He pointed at Dana and me, “You two do what you have to do,” then he pointed at Kris and Lance, “and you two do what you have to do. If that’s here at the farm, fine. Afterward, we’ll have a big reception for everybody.” He sat back down, spent.
Chapter 19 – Huntress
Friday Afternoon, August 22nd, 2014
Genesis Hospital
“How can I help you ma’am?”
“Sterling Moon’s room please?”
“Room 2017, second floor.”
“Thank you.” Dana turned from the patient information desk and walked toward the elevator bank. She adjusted her large shoulder bag and the small balloon bouquet she was holding as she went.
Moon was staring blankly at the television mounted high up on the wall when she entered his room. He turned toward the sound of her entrance and looked her up and down. “Do I know you?”
Dana smiled at the bedridden man, “No Mr. Moon, we’ve never met.” She tied the colorful balloons to the drawer handle of his bedside stand. They were the only adornment in the sterile room.
Extending her hand for him to take, she said, “I’m Dana Delarosa.”
He eyed her suspiciously, even as he took her hand. “Sterling Moon, but you knew that. I’m the one at a disadvantage here.”
“I’m with social services Sterling...may I call you Sterling?”
“Um, yeah, sure. Social services?”
Dana nodded.
“What’s that got to do with me?”
“Well, as I understand it, you’re in pretty bad shape. Eventually, you’re going to get out of here and you’re going to need a little bit of help at home to manage things for yourself. It’s my job to figure out what you’ll need and to help you get it.”
“That’s real nice of you Ms....”
“Delarosa, but you can call me Dana.”
“Real nice of you Dana but I won’t need any help.”
“Hmm, well that’s not the way I’ve heard it, but I can’t force you to take it. Hang on, let me just dig out your case file.”
Dana set the big shoulder bag down on a chair positioned near the bed and dug in it for a file folder. She pulled a McDonald’s bag off the top of the oversized purse in the process and set it down on his tray table but continued to dig through the larger bag for a pen. When she found one, she removed the shoulder bag from the chair and positioned herself to take a seat.
Reaching for the McDonald’s bag like she’d forgotten it she apologized, “I�
�m so sorry. I haven’t had lunch yet but I needed to get over here and make my rounds.”
He put out a hand to stop her from removing the bag. “Whatcha’ got in there?”
“Just a couple of Quarter Pounders. They were buy one, get one free today.”
Marlin eyed the bag hungrily. “The food here sucks. If you’d be willing to share one of those with me, we could maybe talk for a few minutes...”
Dana smiled at him. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
They spent a couple of minutes eating sandwiches in companionable silence then, finished, Dana opened the file folder she’d taken from one of Mel’s desk draws and filled with internet printouts of medical forms.
“Keep right on eating if you don’t mind me asking questions while you do?” He nodded his consent.
“So, how long have you been laid up here?”
“Since Monday.”
“So, four days?”
He nodded.
“How long are they saying you’ll be here? Any release date?”
He shook his head, “No idea and I don’t rightly care. I’m leaving as soon as they put walking casts on my legs. I’ll figure it out as I go.”
She scanned his face, “Do you think that’s wise?”
“No but I’m not safe here either.”
“Safe?”
“Look, Dana, I was on the losing end of a...a...bar fight. The guys that beat me really would rather I was dead. I don’t intend to give them the chance to finish what they started.”
“Bar fight?” Dana ruffled some papers in the file. “That’s not what this says. It says you were found under the Y Bridge. What bar were you in?”
“Um,” he hesitated, “um, Ray’s over by the steel mill, but it really doesn’t matter. That’s not the point.”
“Why do these guys want to kill you Sterling? Are the police aware of this?”
“They think I owe them a lot of money but that’s beside the point too. I’m getting out of here soon, whether the docs here like it or not, and I’m going far from those guys and their little operation. I won’t be needing the police or any county services or services from wherever you’re from.”
“That’s fine, if you insist. I just need to document that in your case file and I’ll be out of your hair; just one more little thing?”
“Yeah?”
“These guys that roughed you up, did you know them...from the bar...or from anywhere else, I mean?”
“Yeah, I knew them. They’re regulars there...go there all the time. Why?”
“You didn’t report them? The police could handle this matter Mr. Moon and you would be able to rehabilitate properly instead of leaving care here prematurely.”
“I don’t think so lady.”
###
Ray’s Bar, 6:30 PM, Friday, August 22nd, 2014
“What can I get you ma’am?”
“Bud draft.”
The bartender pulled the beer from the tap and slid it across the bar. Dana slid him back a ten and told him to keep the change. He put the bill in the drawer, withdrew a few others and pocketed them.
She took a pull of the beer and set it down then followed it’s descent onto a bar stool herself. She smiled up at the older man who was now hovering near her from behind the counter. She read the name embroidered on his shirt, “I expected it to be busier in here Kevin.”
He raised a brow at her as he picked up a glass to wipe it.
“I work over at the plant. The guys told me this was a good place to get a little action.”
“You got the wrong place for that kind of thing.” His smile changed from welcoming to a frown in an instant.
She acted offended. “No, no! I’m sorry, you misunderstood. My apologies.” She didn’t say anything more.
He took the towel he’d been wiping glasses with and swiped at the old bar top. Looking at her through slitted eyes, he asked her “Why don’t you enlighten me then?”
“This time of year, I like horses and baseball, not necessarily in that order. Heard I might find a few people that share my interests here.”
“Ah, little hot for the local ponies though.” Kevin moved down the bar to take care of a new customer.
Dana sat sipping her beer while she watched the Reds play on the television mounted above one end of the bar. She looked around at the other people who’d started to wander in.
Kevin came by to offer her a refill. She peeled off another ten then pushed the $7.00 in change he laid on the bar back to him. Peering at him over the rim of the mug, she asked quietly, “Anyone in here I should know?”
He pointed his chin toward the four pool tables occupying the center of the floor space. “Second one back on the left.”
Dana nodded her thanks but he was already moving down the bar toward another customer. She turned casually and watched the action at the tables. Only two of the four were in use. Two men were playing at the one Kevin had indicated while a third stood by holding a cue stick and sipping from a bottle of beer.
She got up and moved to a table near the men. The man watching turned and smirked at her. “I’ll be in there soon lass.”
Dana raised both eyebrows at the sound of his Irish brogue. “I’m hardly a lass,” she told him while she smiled a little.
The men playing missed a couple of shots each. He moved closer to the table, “Mind if I join you? Those two may be at it a while yet after all.”
She indicated that he should take the seat across from her. “I think I’m in love with your accent.”
He grinned rakishly and extended a hand, “Mick Cullen.”
“Dana Delaney,” she said as she took it.
He held her hand for a moment and looked her over, “When I saw you, you reminded me of a lass back home in Dublin. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen her.”
“What brings you to the States, Mick?”
“Oh, this and that. Work. I’m partnered up with these two blokes, Jon and Roger.” He swung a hand toward the two men concentrating on their game. “What brings you to this pub and why haven’t I seen you in here before?”
“I just moved into town. I’ll be doing a little outside marketing work for the mill. Some folks there told me this was a popular employee hang out.”
“Aye, that it is...for the working men and their consorts. A pretty lass like you starts hanging around much, their women will all be jealous.”
Dana smiled and dipped her head then raised it and looked him in the eye, “You’re quite the flirt Mick Cullen!”
A cheer went up from the bar. Dana quickly shifted her eyes to a television mounted off the back wall. The Reds had finally scored in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game at one run each.
“Baseball fan, are you Dana?”
She turned back to him, “I’m a fan of all sports. I’m obsessed with football.”
“American style, I take it?”
“Oh, yes, that’s what I meant - though I do like soccer too, as we call it. I’m just not knowledgeable enough of that to bet on it; not like football and baseball.”
Still half turned toward the set, he looked at her sideways from his profile, “A wagering woman, are you?”
“From time to time, yes; when I feel like a have an inside track on the line.” She changed the subject, “What sports do you like?”
Turning back to face her again he smiled wide. “I like football...your soccer, and Rugby. I miss them being here.”
“We have decent soccer teams here...but I’m sure not like the clubs all over Europe.”
“Aye, and I can’t bet on my favorite teams from here.”
“So you’re a wagering man, are you?” She laughed. Maybe we ought to try and find a little action. I’m afraid I can’t help though, I don’t know anyone here.”
“That’s not a problem Dana Delaney. Remember, I’ve been here a little while.” He leaned toward her conspiratorially and said in a low voice, “I have a friend that can help you out from time to time.”
“Is that so?”
He nodded.
“Can I trust this friend?”
Mick crossed his heart with his finger making her laugh.
Tilting her head toward the TV, Dana asked him, “Do you think he’d take a little action from new blood on tomorrow night’s game?”
“I’m sure he will lass if I tell him I’ve given you the once over.”
“And you’ll tell him?” she smiled back at him.
“For you, of course. What’s your pleasure?”
Dana looked in her wallet, “Give me $100 on the Reds to win for tomorrow at the current line.”
“The Reds? Against Atlanta?”
She nodded.
“Alright then.” Mick took a cell out of his pocket and punched a couple of numbers. He spoke low into the phone then, catching her attention, “The lines two and a half with Atlanta the favorite.”
Dana nodded and looked about. When he finished with his own wagers and hung up, she took the $100 out of her wallet and slid it to him.
“What are you doing that for? You don’t ante unless you lose Ms. Dana Delaney.”
“Your bookie doesn’t know me. You trust him and he you but I’d like to build a little trust with a good one since I’ll be around a while and I don’t always know where I’ll find you.” She cocked a half grin at him.
“You can usually find me right here. Don’t you worry.”
“And, if I win, we can let it ride now, can’t we?”
Chapter 20 – Stakeout
2:50 PM Saturday Afternoon, August 23rd, 2014
“Radio patch call from Patrol Sheriff, line two.”
Mel punched the lighted button, “Sheriff Crane.”
“Deputy Treadway, Sheriff. Got a drive-by victim in North Zanesville; middle aged white male, alive but barely.”
“A drive-by?” I was stunned. Drive-by shootings don’t happen in Zanesville! “Where exactly?”
“Off 66, near the mall.”
“Any ID?”
“No Sheriff. A bus is on scene and he’ll be underway any second now. Harding is en-route to Genesis. He’ll meet them there.”
“I’m enroute to Genesis also. Get statements at the scene.”
