by M. Sembera
We were already fifteen and Joie had just turned twelve.
Doup laughed, “Her damn sticks were bigger than she was.”
I leaned my back against the wall, recalling that day.
“Yea, Monster started giving me shit ‘cause you were a girl so you stuck your hand up the back of your shirt undid your bra, pulled it off through the arm hole, shot him the finger then sat behind your kit and said, ‘Just try to keep up.’”
Joie’s face was turning a sweet rosy pink as she laughed, “I think I called him a punk bitch, too.”
Monster’s smile was wide as he confirmed, “Yea, you did but all was forgiven once I heard you play.”
“After that you were one of us,” Doup added.
More memories were shared as we sorted through and packed up the room. The four of us laughed and made fun of each other like nothing had changed. The memories were good ones even if we didn’t think so when they were happening. Eight years of music, knuckle head stunts, fights, laughs and accomplishments summed up in an almost empty room. It had an all good things come to an end feel to it and I began to worry that that’s where me and Joie were going to settle up.
Monster gave Doup a ride home when they left and I carried Dalilah out to Joie’s car. I watched as she carefully buckled Dalilah in her car seat before shutting the door. Taking a step back, I gave her plenty of room to walk around me. The mark on the left side of my chest was past the itchy stage but kept bothering me all night and it was getting worse the longer I stood outside with her.
I should take my shirt off. Bad idea, no!
“I’m glad you did this,” she shared with a contented smile.
“I am too, it was fun.”
“It was,” she agreed with a nod before walking to the driver’s side of her car.
My intent for the evening was to remind her of the good times we shared and that there was more to me than the asshole I was the last time we were together.
“Yea.”
“I better get Dalilah home and in bed, she’s never out this late,” she informed while opening the driver’s side door.
A slow burn seeped from the left side of my chest into my lungs and I figured it wouldn’t hurt to remind her of one more thing.
“Joie.”
When she turned her head back to me, I stepped forward, took her face in my hands and pressed my lips against hers. I didn’t hold back either. I kissed her exactly how I wanted to before pulling away.
“Umm,” she muttered with a beautiful flush spreading across her cheek.
I flashed her a smile and winked before making my way back up to the porch.
Dad was standing in the living room when I walked back into the house.
“Well?”
With a laugh, I shared, “She didn’t hit me.”
“Do you think you still have a shot with her?”
“Yea, either that or Dalilah’s getting one hell of a first birthday present,” I shared, heading to spend my last night in my old bedroom.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Living on my own had some serious perks. Extra money was definitely not one of them but the trade-off was good. I didn’t have to wear my headphones to listen to the music I wanted to listen to and if I wanted to leave my pants on the living room floor, that’s where they stayed. When I unpacked my room, I fastened the chain I gave Joie for her birthday with the snare drum ring still on it around my neck and haven’t taken it off since. It had only been about two and a half weeks but that was enough time passed to where I wasn’t exactly sitting on pins and needles waiting for her to show up at my door. I was sitting on the couch in my boxers while eating a bowl of cereal.
Just an average Sunday, ya know.
When I heard a car driving up my gravel driveway, I got up and looked out the front window to see who it was.
It’s about damn time.
Smiling, I reached to open the door then stopped halfway when it occurred to me I wasn’t wearing anything but boxers.
Shit.
I ran to my room to get a shirt before hurrying back through the living room to grab my jeans off of a chair in the kitchen. There was a knock on the front door as I tripped through the living room while pulling my jeans on.
The second knock came just as I was stepping up to the door. I swiped my fingers through the front of my hair before swinging the door open.
With a humored smile, Joie questioned, “Did I wake you?”
“Nah, I was just eating breakfast.”
“Your shirt is inside out.”
I glanced down at my shirt and shook my head at myself.
“You wanna come in?”
Joie’s smile was soft as she nodded before stepping into the house.
“Where’s the kid?”
Drawing in a deep breath, she replied, “She’s spending the day with Roe.”
“Yea?”
“Yea, he came and picked her up. He got his driver’s license.”
“It’s about damn time.”
She agreed, “It’s been about time for a lot of things.” I scowled at her wondering if she was teasing me about finally moving out, until she said, “I guess I was so caught up in not wanting to be like my mom that I didn’t realize I was being unfair to Roe.”
I didn’t really think she was still sleeping with Roe, when I called her out on it, but it also never occurred to me that her mom was the reason why.
My mood shifted considerably as I gave her an apologetic smile.
“I shouldn’t have said that to you.”
Nodding, she replied, “I may have overreacted a little.”
“No, honestly, Joie, I’m sorry. What went on between you and Roe had nothing to do with us.”
“I could have skipped the whole argument and just answered you.”
Smiling wide as I nodded, I swore, “I knew it was me.”
With a comical expression she shrugged and glanced around the room.
Oh, come on!
“Stab me right in my ego why don’t you.”
Laughing at me, she changed the subject. "So you bought yourself a house?"
I could say yes and leave it at that for now but…
"Nah, I bought a house for Dalilah."
Joie’s face fell.
"Why would you do that?"
Flashing her a smile, I informed, “Because her mom is crazy independent and would never have let me do it for her.”
“Palmer, you can’t buy her a house.”
"You can't raise a kid in that tiny apartment. Kids need country."
She stood there shaking her head at me.
"You see how well adjusted I am, it’s 'cause I didn't grow up in some stuffy subdivision. First grew up in a neighborhood and now, he’s engaged to his cousin, and Roe, he's like two clicks away from being a serial killer, ya know, for example."
And then, she started to cry.
"Oh, gah, Joie, I'm just joking. I don't really think Roe's crazy... Unless you think he is and that's why you're crying."
Placing her hands over her eyes, she shook her head.
"I can't afford a house," she stressed and started pacing back and forth.
"I figured, that's why I bought it. Her name’s already on the deed and everything."
"Palmer, why did you by her a house?"
“Really, I bought y’all a house. It’s not like she can live her by herself. She’s a baby.”
Joie’s eyes flared at me this time.
“Palmer.”
“Joie.”
Blowing out a short frustrated breath, she barked, “Why did you buy us a house?”
Glad you asked.
I placed my hands against the sides of her face and swore, "Because I love you.”
The stunned expression on her face made me smile as I leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.
“You're the beat of my heart, Joie, always have been, always will be."
Her eyelashes still glistened with tears as she looked up at
me with those sweet blue eyes of hers. She was so damn...everything.
"It's a gift, please say you’ll accept it."
With a suspicious glare, she questioned, “Where are you going to live?”
“I was thinkin’ here.”
Joie raised her eyebrows and asked, “You want to live here with us?”
“I did buy it, ya know.”
Drawing in a deep breath, she asked, "Are you going to make it worth my while?"
“What? Now all of the sudden you’re greedy? I just bought y’all a house.”
Joie nodded with a big cheesy grin.
She bit at her bottom lip a bit, appearing hesitant at first.
That sweet smile of hers spread across her lips as her cheeks flushed. "Marry me."
Hell yes!
"Might as well," I answered with a shrug.
A shocked expression formed as she spouted, "You might as well?"
I gave her another kiss before replying, "Otherwise, what was the point of getting your mark?”
"You did what?”
I pulled my shirt off over my head. “Turned out good, don’t ya think?”
Shaking her head at me, Joie placed her hand over her and Dalilah’s mark on the left side of my chest. My heart went wild inside my chest at her touch. Reaching behind my neck, I took off my chain and slid her ring into the palm of my hand.
"What? You're it for me," I professed as I slid the ring onto her left ring finger.
“You're such an asshole.”
"Yea, but you love me. Go on, you know you wanna say it."
"I love you."
Best three words ever spoken.
Flashing her a smile, I coaxed, "Now, say, you're better in bed than Roe."
Joie rolled her eyes and then smacked me on the arm.
“What’s with the violence? We’re practically married already. You can tell me.”
Wrapping her arms around my neck she pushed up on her tiptoes.
“Palmer.”
“Yea?”
“Shut up and let me kiss you.”
Epilogue
4 years later…
“Dad’s here!” Dalilah shouted as she ran into the kitchen.
Wrestling with a three-year old combination of me and Joie, in one arm, I replied, “Go get your backpack, I’ve almost got you all fixed up,” while trying to slide her sandwich into a ziplock bag with one hand.
As she skipped out, Roe stepped in and shook his head at me.
“Need a hand?”
I switched arms with my son Romeo before handing him off to Roe.
“Thanks, Joie usually does this but I wanted to let her sleep in.”
“Is she sick?” he asked as Romeo climbed up his side and onto his shoulders.
Romeo wrapped his arms around Roe’s head as I replied, “Nah, she’s at thirty-eight weeks and can’t get comfortable, ya know.”
Roe gave a quick nod before flipping Romeo over his head and swinging him around.
After letting out a loud squeal, Romeo begged, “Again! Again!”
Smiling wide at them, I informed, “You need to eat your breakfast, little man.”
Roe swung him around once more before setting him down on a chair at the table.
Dalilah skipped back in with Joie behind her just as I closed her lunchbox.
“I like the name Alice,” Dalilah shared, glancing back at her mom.
“We’re not naming the baby Alice,” she laughed, rubbing her round belly.
“Why not?”
“Because he’s a boy.”
“There’s a boy in my class named Kelly.”
“She’s got you there,” I laughed.
Joie rolled her eyes at me as she made her way to Roe and greeted him with a hug.
“And when are you going to settle down?”
Roe wrinkled his brow at her, stating, “I’m settled.”
Dalilah tilted her head up at her dad. “She means with a girl to have babies.”
“Dalilah,” Joie scolded with a hint of a laugh.
“What? I want a sister and Paddy only makes boys.”
Both Joie and Roe stared at me.
Yea, she may take after me just a bit.
“What? Like I don’t?”
“Okay, time for school,” Joie alerted before giving Dalilah a hug and kissing her on the forehead.
I held my fist out to her. “Alright now, give me some.” Dalilah gave my fist a bump with hers as I inquired, “What are you gonna do today?”
“Question everything and rock the establishment.”
Hell yea, how cool is this kid?
“And if a boy lays a hand on you?”
“He’s not getting it back.”
“Palmer, she is in kindergarten,” Joie fussed at me before looking to Roe for some assistance.
Roe glared at me for a second before taking Dalilah by the hand. “And if he touches you with anything else, I’ll break that off too.”
Dalilah scrunched up her face, asking, “What else would he touch me with?”
“Yea, Roe what might that be?” Joie placed her hand on her hip and teased him.
“Your mom will tell you later.”
Rolling her eyes at her dad, Dalilah turned to Romeo sitting at the table, “Later, little man.”
“Bye, Lilah,” Romeo shouted from the table as they walked out.
I could feel the look Joie was giving me as I picked Romeo’s half eaten plate of eggs up off of the table.
“Go wash your hands then we’ll find some trouble to get into.”
“Yea! Trouble! Trouble!” Romeo chanted as he ran out of the kitchen.
“Palmer.”
I set Romeo’s plate in the sink before stepping to her.
“Joie.”
“And you insist Wren is the bad influence?”
“What? It’ll be three-year-old appropriate, kid friendly trouble,” I assured, wrapping my arms around her.
“Just please don’t set anything on fire this time.”
“That was a crazy set of circumstances, swear. It won’t happen again.”
FYI, catapulting flaming rolls of toilet paper into a kiddie pool does not fall under the category of kid friendly fun.
Narrowing her eyes at me, she stated, “Good.”
I flashed her a wide smile before leaning in and giving her a soft kiss. A sweet smile formed on her face and I couldn’t resist kissing her again.
Okay, so maybe easy isn’t my thing after all. Turns out, I like the long hard road. I’m into complicated, long sleepless nights, arguments and commitment. I’m still kind of an asshole and she’s still too good for me. Here’s the thing though, she wants me and each day I’m thankful that she’s mine.
Roe
Monroe Simon Chevalier
Theme Song
Spirits
THE STRUMBELLAS
I come from a big family but my circle is small. My parents’ are probably the most compassionate individuals on the planet. My mom, Penny, is a tattoo artist and my dad, Seth, is an accountant. They’ve spent the last fifteen years making every effort possible to ensure my well-being. The term is relative, though.
When I was ten my Grandma Sarah had a stroke while driving my older brother William and I home from little league practice. The stroke killed her. The accident killed my brother. I spent each day since, wishing it had been me instead of my brother that died. Until the day my daughter was born.
My name is Monroe Simon Chevalier and I am a survivor. I didn’t do anything noble. I didn’t fight the good fight and come out on top. It was chance. I’m not ungrateful for the life I have. I know exactly what I have to live for but I don’t feel alive.
2nd Generation Marked Heart
Roe
Coming Summer-ish 2017
Wren
Coming Fall-ish 2017
Marked Heart Series
Enduring Everything
MH#1
Time doesn't always heal old wounds. Often time
makes them worse. Especially when you push those wounds to the back of your mind and focus on the life you want to lead. Then the day comes when you finally have everything. It is then, you realize that nothing ever goes away.
Charlotte
MH#2
The true measure of a person's worth lies not within what they can offer you but what you have to offer them. No matter how desirable, are they worth your time, patience, forgiveness, loyalty, friendship, love, respect, understanding, compassion, trust? If not, they are worth more than you have to offer. They deserve for you to let them go.
One Penny
MH#3
Foolish is the heart that leaves itself open to falling in love. Reckless is the person who steps away from tradition to claim a life of their own. Irreplaceable is the moment one takes the risk.
C&A Novella
MH#3.5
(included in One Penny)
He was all the things she really wanted and never bothered to look for in a man. He was also the most stubborn jackass she had ever met.
She was an infuriating pain in the ass, and he'd be damned straight to hell if he had to spend even one day without her by his side.
Marked Heart
MH#4
A marked heart, longing for the one is nothing more than a restless heart, burdened by a lie.
Marked Heart Series
Complete Box Set
Four full-length standalone novels and one novella interconnecting four couples that will make you fall in love, laugh, cry, swoon, and believe in second chances.
About the Author
M. Sembera was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and now lives in Brazoria, Texas with her husband, three kids, three dogs and two cats. After writing her first short story when she was in high school, M. instantly fell in love with writing. However, life sometimes gets in the way of aspirations and it wasn't until years later, when her life calmed down, M. was able to start writing again.
