Revive

by Mary Wasowski

  While I was laid up in the hospital, her salon renovations were completed. My guys from the firehouse saw to every detail and really came through for me. Her grand opening would be happening in a week. She fixed up the loft upstairs and made a home away from home, but with the sole intentions of using it for the girls when they would be at the salon with her. They could go upstairs and be comfortable with all the amenities as if they were home here with me. It was a great idea, and I supported it, which made Karen happy.

  We tucked the girls into bed and read them a bedtime story. Veronica had gone to bed, which left just Karen and me to be alone. I wanted to be with her so badly, but we agreed to wait until I was officially cleared at my next appointment. My ribs were taking some time to heal, and I had to wear a protective brace to support my neck. The skin was very thin with the burn and then the reopening of the wound. It took a major surgery, and then a follow-up procedure to clean out the infection that was evident after Alex hit me there.

  “Are you coming up to bed?” Karen asked as she hugged me from behind.

  “Yes, give me five minutes, and I will join you.”

  I checked all the window locks and both the front and back doors. Alarm system was on, and my home was like Fort Knox. I was just about to shut the last light off when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I slid my finger across the screen to an unknown number.

  “Bartelli,” I answered.

  “Hey, Nicky boy! I see you are up and around and back on your feet.”

  The sound of his voice made my skin heat.

  “You have some balls, Alex. I’ll give you that. You got lucky that night, but it will not happen again. I meant what I said. You come around here again, and I will kill you.”

  He maniacally laughed and then issued one last threat before hanging up: “Enjoy them while you still can, because I’m coming for my family, Nicky boy. You think you are so bad with your shiny badge you wear across your chest. Guys like you who were all popular back in high school believe you are so big and bad. You are not so tough, and if I have anything to say about it, you will fall again, but this time will not be getting back up. Fuck you, Nick! You will not stop me from taking back what’s mine. Yeah, you’ll see me real soon. You can count on that.”

  I responded, “Are you finished? Because I have a few things to say to you.”

  “For now, I am. Go ahead, big shot, dazzle me with your big fancy words.”

  “Why bother, Alex? You wouldn’t understand them anyway. Let me be clear. You will never get near Karen and her girls again, not when I still have breath in my lungs.”

  “My girls! They are my girls, motherfucker! And you can’t have them. I’m coming for you, Nick, and you better believe I ain’t leaving without my family. You hear me?” he shouted loudly into the phone.

  “Yeah, I hear you, Alex. And now you hear me. I’m not hiding. You know where to find me. You take your best shot, but just be prepared for the outcome. Either the cops find you, or I will, but your days are numbered if you dare come near my family again. Yeah, my family, motherfucker! And the only way you are leaving this time around will be in a body bag. So Alex, take your shot. I’ll be waiting.”

  I slammed the phone down hard to the kitchen island, shattering the screen. I took a few calming breaths before joining Karen, but when I turned around, she was standing behind me.

  “You heard?” I asked.

  I knew she did, so there was no point of trying to hide it.

  “Yeah, I heard. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, but I am more concerned about you,” I told her.

  “It’s all good, babe. I have you, and you have me, so I’m fine,”

  I took her in my arms, held her close to me, and said, “I swear to you, I will not let anything happen to you or the girls. I swear it on my life, and I have a promise to keep to you. On our first date, I told you that your ex-husband would be the last man to ever hurt you, and I meant it. We are going to be a family, and no one can touch us, especially Alex. You trust me, right?”

  “With everything I have, and it doesn’t get any more real than my girls.”

  “Our girls,” I whispered, and I held her close to me through the night.

  I didn’t say it aloud, but I thought it, never again, Karen. He is not going to hurt you again, I promise.

  The days that followed Clarissa’s passing were silent, cold, and almost a sterile environment of sorts. Carter desensitized himself and behaved as if his beloved mother never existed. I tried to broach the subject with him more than once, but he silenced me with sex or shut-down completely.

  I knew he was at a loss with his grief, but even knowing all of that, he still kept going without taking even one day off from work to grieve. After we arrived home, he stripped me down bare until I wasn’t wearing any clothing. He held me in silence all throughout the night, and as long as he was touching me, it was enough. It was incredibly frustrating because if this were me, I would be crying, talking, maybe even screaming the roof off wanting my mother back, but not Carter.

  Everyone deals with grief in his or her own way and that should be respected, but I rationalized this as a different case. Carter was my fiancé, and we were to be married. As his wife, it was my job to be there for him no matter how much he tried to push me away. You know I can’t even say that, because he wasn’t pushing me away. If anything, he was pulling me closer to him.

  Carter was not letting go. It was as if he was afraid to close his eyes because if he did, I would disappear. When I believed he was sleeping soundly, I sometimes would leave him on his own and do some work in my office or call mama, but he knew when I was gone from our bed and screamed out in pain until I rushed in to comfort him. It broke my heart because I felt powerless to his grief, but he was fine as long as I was with him.

  It was different at work, because at the job, he was the utmost professional. From the minute he hit the newsroom floor, he was 100% on task. The election was days away and in the final stretch of each candidate’s campaign. Carter was coast hopping in between reporting from various campaign stops throughout the country. When he was working, he could forget his hurt, but it was the private moments that were the hardest to get through.

  His father’s relentless calling did not help anyone, especially Carter, who refused to speak with him. I had no idea if he was leaving messages, because we hadn’t been back to his home. We had been staying at my condo since receiving Jane’s call about his mother’s death. He said my home was the safe zone with no memories of his mom. Hearing him say those words broke my heart in two. I thought I could further our discussion once he started talking, but he was on to me and changed the subject.

  Mama told me to give him time, so I did. It sucked, and it wasn’t right. He had been there for me every day since we got together, and all I did was keep him at a safe distance. Damn, I never fucking shared anything with him, but he held on with all that he had, and now we are here. Together and all in on our way to our happily ever after. Losing his mom was something he said he was prepared for, but was he really? No, it’s impossible to ever be ready to lose someone we love, especially a parent.

  The morning my dad left for work, I never thought that would be the last time I ever would see him again, hear his voice, or hug and kiss him. I shared my grief with not just my mom and friends, but the entire world. Everywhere I turned, there it was. I could not turn on the television for months, and when I did, yup, the same coverage that was playing on the day my dad died was still playing. There was no escape. I wanted to be Carter’s escape from his pain, this was why I offered to take him back to his place, but he refused.

  His mother spent a short time with him before he had to make the hardest decision of his life. Her disease was progressing, and Carter knew she needed care, but he could not do it all on his own. It pained Carter to do so, but then he found the facility in Santa Barbara, and Jane, who loved his mom and managed her care. When Clarissa was lucid, they shared good times over their favori
te wine, watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. I wish I had met her sooner, but at that time, he and I were just colleagues. I didn’t like him that much then until the charmer he was broke me down. And now? He wanted nothing more to do with the beachfront property he once loved going home to.

  He was adamant about not going back to his home, even if to retrieve some personal items, so I volunteered. My offering did not sit well with him. He certainly let me know how he felt about it.

  He said, “No, you will not go there. I can have one of the PA’s do it.”

  “Carter, I have been there on dozens of occasions. Why won’t you allow me to help you?”

  “It’s not that I don’t want your help. It would just be easier to have someone else do it. We are busy people, and you don’t have to burden yourself with menial tasks.”

  “When it comes to you, I will do it all. You can stand there and tell me not to bother, but it is no bother, because I love you, Carter. I will always put you first. It’s what we promised, right?”

  “Yes, we promised.”

  I let out the breath I was holding, and he took me in his arms and let out a few of his own.

  “Thank you, baby,” he whispered close to my ear.

  “Carter, thank you for bringing me to meet her. Even if it was only for a few hours, I will never forget it for as long as I live. She loved you, and I know she knew you were there. She knew you wouldn’t be alone and were happy.”

  “I hope so,” he said.

  He reached into his pocket and handed me my key back, the one he took off my ring after the few fights we had about going back to his home.

  “Thank you, Thea. Just go and pack what I need, and then don’t look back, okay? Oh, and one more thing…” he said as he walked back over to his desk to write something down on a piece of paper. “Did I ever mention that I keep a safe in my bedroom?”

  “I don’t believe so. Where is it?”

  “It’s in the walk-in closet. Open the drawer where my ties are kept, and you will see a button on the side. Press it, and the top shelves separate, and that’s where the safe is located. Here is the combination. Please empty the entire contents into this case and bring it back here, okay?”

  “Carter, are you sure you are not related to James Bond? I love the gadgetry of it all.”

  “It’s how it has to be,” he said.

  “Why? What’s in there?”

  “Nothing in the way you are thinking right now. It’s mostly personal papers of mine and my mother’s but also her jewelry that I’m sure if my father knew I had, would try to take back, including the ring you are wearing on your finger.”

  I looked down to my beautiful engagement ring and then back to Carter.

  I said, “He wouldn’t. Is he really that calloused?”

  “Yes, and more. Please, Thea, this is difficult enough. Just do as I ask and come straight back here.”

  “Whatever you want.”

  “It’s what I want.”

  He kissed me on my forehead, turned, and left me standing in his office. This is the right thing, I know it is.

  I walked around his open floor plan living room with floor-to-ceiling windows that when you looked out from them, it was as if you could touch the ocean. This place was amazing, and I still held out hope that Carter would change his mind about living here with me. But he had already called his realtor and wanted the property listed as soon as the rest of his personal items were picked up.

  I wiped the tears from my eyes when I wrapped his framed photos of his mom and the rest of the keepsakes he held dear. The remainder of his things only filled a few boxes and a duffle bag. Carter had given me a list of things he wanted, so I knew I had gotten everything. He didn’t care about the furniture or the overpriced window tapestries that his interior decorated talked him into getting. I loaded my car with the things that I packed and then locked it.

  I just felt sad, literally sad, but not as sad as Carter was feeling. I felt helpless to his grief, but I was trying to respect his wishes.

  The only thing left to do was to empty the safe. I walked back into his home and upstairs to his bedroom. I followed his instructions and voila, the safe opened on my first try. When my eyes scanned the inside, I saw the papers he mentioned in labeled envelopes. It didn’t take long to pack them. The last thing was what appeared to be a jewelry box. I had seen some velvet boxes next to it but all were locked. The jewelry box was also locked, very James Bond-like. I silently laughed to myself, Oh, my Carter, so very loyal and protective.

  The case Carter had given me was the size of an old-fashioned attaché case, but deeper to store more contents. I took one last look around before leaving when a loud bellowed voice called out from behind me.

  “Oh shit!” I screamed out before reaching for the can of mace I always carried in my purse.

  I went to attack my unknown assailant when I realized it was Lennox Newbanks, Carter’s father. He was incredibly handsome and tall. It was as if I fast forwarded years down the road and was looking at an older version of my love, but this man was very different. He was cold and hard. It was clear that Carter inherited his mother’s heart, compassion, and zest for life.

  “Mr. Newbanks, you startled me. What are you doing here?” I questioned him and only received cold daggers in return.

  What’s his problem? Carter is the one who is suffering over his mother’s death and this asshole looks affronted.

  “Clearly, by the look on your face, you were not expecting me? Can you tell me where I can find my son?”

  With his cold and judging eyes on me, I placed my things down and took a deep breath before answering his question. It had been days since Clarissa died, and he just showed up out of the blue with not even one ounce of remorse for his absentee role in his son’s life.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Newbanks, but what in the hell are you doing here?”

  “Lennox, please, and is this not my son’s home? Or did you finally break him down and get him to marry you? Don’t worry, hon, these days annulments are a dime a dozen. I have many lawyers on retainer, so this should not be too complicated to amend. He did have you sign a pre-nup, right? So, what do we have here?” he questioned as he looked around the room and then to the furniture which was now covered in white sheets.

  “It’s of no concern to you. I was just on my way out. I will tell Carter you stopped by.”

  “I don’t think so,” he hissed.

  W.T.F.? No, asshole. I don’t think so my ass. Here I was trying to not react, but this guy is itching for a fight, so he’s got one.

  I said, “Are you for fucking real? Who the hell do you think you are talking to? Because from what I just heard come from your disgusting mouth, you are delusional about my relationship with Carter and remaining here in his home.”

  “Scrappy, I like that, but I will not be deterred with your brief diversion to show me how tough you are. Oh, and before you decide to tell me, allow me to inform you who I think I am talking to: Thea Marie Falcone, born and raised in Flushing, Queens. Daughter to Francine and Robert Falcone, who tragically died on 9/11. You attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. Graduated in the top five of your graduating class. Not first, but still in the top five. You then went on to attend graduate school, and you received your masters in communications.”

  Stay calm Thea, he’s just trying to rattle you. For what? I have no clue as to why.

  “Thank you, Mr. Newbanks, for that accurate summation on my personal dossier. I am surprised you don’t know my blood type.”

  “B+. Anything else, Ms. Falcone? Because I do know everything about you. For some reason, you are the woman who has caught the attention of my son, my only son. How you accomplished that, I don’t know and really do not care. Whatever dreams you have about a future with my son, you need to let that go, because Carter should have aimed higher than just a girl from Queens.”

  And with that...my inner bitch exploded, and this dickhead was going down. Yeah, I come fro
m Queens, and I was raised by an army of tough and gritty firefighters who taught me to never back down, and no one would hold me back. This one is for you, daddy.

  My fist connected with his jaw, and I guess I hadn’t lost my touch with my punching skills, because his faced actually jerked back. Thank you, Sonny! I still got it! I hit him with my right hand, and my engagement ring caught his cheek and nicked his skin. Not bad for a city girl.

  I tried to be happy in the moment, but the pain in my hand was severe. No way in hell was I going to shriek like the weak minded, dazed, and confused woman he believed me to be. No, I would suffer a broken hand in silence before I gave him the satisfaction of being right. My hand was already beginning to swell. I immediately removed my ring from my right hand and quickly put it on my left. I promised Carter I would never take my ring off, but this was the exception to that rule.

  How dare this asshole speak to me this way? If Carter had heard him, I had no doubt he would have done the same to his father, maybe worse. I tampered down the pain and readied myself for another verbal lashing, but he just stood there with a smug look on his face and glared at me.

  He pulled a monogrammed handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the remnants of my punch from his face and bottom lip, where the prong had nicked him. He was smirking, maybe even enjoying my discomfort. Before he could issue a threat, I grabbed my purse and the case before delivering one last verbal blow, all while clutching my injured hand, but not taking my eyes away from his cold ones.

  I said, “Look, asshole, you don’t know me, and you know less of your son and the man he is, no thanks to you. You stay the fuck away from this home and his fiancée—yeah, that would be me. Oh, and Mr. Newbanks, I don’t have to play games with Carter and trick him into marrying me. He’s mine because he wants to be, and nothing you say or do will change that. You stay the hell away from Carter. He does not need anything from you. Everything that was worth anything came from his mother, not you. You remember that the next time you want to spew hate toward someone your son loves. Stay away, or don’t say you weren’t warned when this girl from Queens kicks your pretentious ass.”