Magnolia's Fall From Grace

by Zara Teleg

  Both their chests were puffed out as they stared at each other’s faces. Others started gathering and began chanting, “Fight, fight, fight.”

  I couldn’t hear what the two were saying any longer. Then a loud whistle cut through the air. All the people who had gathered around began to part like the Red Sea as he walked toward them. Voodoo.

  I immediately knew it was him. Every hair on my body stood as the towering figure approached them. He was dressed in black from head to toe, leather, chains, tattoos, and worn motorcycle boots. The moment that Vincent and Lex noticed his presence, they broke apart.

  “What is going on here?” The volume of the music quieted.

  Lex kept his eyes locked on Vincent’s. “Your boy don’t like to share. And he disrespected me over a piece of tail.”

  I could see the muscle in Vincent’s jaw flex. “She ain’t a piece of tail.”

  “That’s enough. Both of you, back off. This is a celebration party. Knock it the fuck off.”

  The formidable man with the ponytail turned to the group, his black eyes landing on me. I must have stood out like a sore thumb with my white dress, pale skin, and platinum hair.

  “So, Magnolia, we finally meet.”

  I cautiously took a step to him, offering a warm smile and trying not to look as intimated as I felt. I extended my hand. “You must be Venom’s father.” I was relieved I remembered not to call him Vincent.

  He accepted my hand. “Now I understand what all the fuss is about.” His eyes did a quick sweep over me. “I think it’s time we get to know each other. Join me for a walk?”

  I looked at Vincent, who seemed to be debating if he should step in.

  “Relax, son, she’ll be fine. I won’t let the gators get her.” He winked at me.

  “Um, sure.” I smiled and gave Vincent a slight nod, letting him know it was okay.

  Voodoo began walking us away from the party. He took out a cigar, lighting it but not saying anything until we were out of earshot.

  “Seems you have made quite the impression here. Your name has been all I’ve heard. I wanted to get to know the girl who has this place in such upheaval.” He blew out a circle of smoke. “So, tell me about you, Maggie Grace. That’s what they call you, right?”

  “Yes, Mr. Voodoo.”

  I thought he was going to choke when he busted out a laugh. “Mr. Voodoo? Voodoo is just fine, my dear.”

  “Well, I am from the Atlanta area. I just graduated from school, and I’m going to college in the fall to study medicine. I came here to volunteer with the rebuilding of the community and to work with a doctor.” I hugged my shoulders, not wanting to give him more info than I needed to.

  “And Viper tells me you went to boarding school?”

  “Mm-hmm. St. Bernadette’s.”

  “I see. A Catholic girl.” He said the words like they left a sour taste in his mouth.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I grew up that way. Did Venom tell you that? My parents had us in bible study every week,” he said begrudgingly.

  My unease grew as the sounds from the party faded, and the darkness of the swamp lay ahead. Long grasses along the path poked and scratched my legs. The frogs’ croaking clashed with the crickets’ chirping, which only got louder as we got closer to the water. I glanced over my shoulder to see the now small outline of Vincent still watching in the same place I had left him.

  I wasn’t going to let this man intimidate me. I summoned my courage. “He didn’t. He said religion was not part of his upbringing, and I really don’t think he understands mine.”

  The air smelled of stagnant water as we crossed the small footbridge, now out of sight from anyone. Voodoo stopped to pick up a flat rock. “Religion is a cult and a waste of time. Someday, sweetheart, you’ll see. It will abandon you when you need it most. The only thing you can rely on in this life is yourself. Trust no one.” He placed the rock in his fingers, twisted his wrist and released it to skip across the water—seven splashes before it sank.

  “Nice job.” I bent down, picking up a rock and doing the same, only mine sank immediately. “That seems awfully cynical from a man who runs a group of men.” I picked up another smooth stone, let it go, then watched it sink again. “The way Vincent—uh, I mean Venom—explained it, you all rely on each other and trust is a big thing.”

  Voodoo faced me, his gaze sweeping up and down. He seemed surprised that I answered him this way. “Is that right? And what else did he say?”

  “He said you’re all brothers once you are a member, you follow orders to keep each other protected, and the reason Sissy and Sienna are safe is because you took them in. It seems they all trust you.”

  His jaw ticked. “I allow them to be protected by the club in return for services provided. Sienna took care of the boys when their mother was no longer around, and now she keeps up with my property here. It’s not a kindness.” He flicked his wrist, skipping another rock across the still surface. “You ever heard of the fable of the farmer and the snake?”

  “I’m not sure I remember that one.” I had a bad feeling about this. Fables rarely had happy endings.

  “You see, there was a farmer who was clearing his fields in the winter. He came upon a frozen snake. The man took pity on the snake and decided to bring it to his home to get warm. The snake, once in the warmth, eventually woke up to the man holding it. The man was happy, believing he did the snake a kindness. Only, the snake turned and left him with a lethal bite. The man was a fool, thinking if he was kind, he would not be harmed.” Voodoo sat on a long log that was on the bank and pointed for me to sit. “The snake was not meant to be held. Snakes are solitary. They have no emotions, no attachments, not even when raised by someone who feeds them regularly. They have no emotional attachment; therefore, they cannot be hurt. That is precisely why I chose to name my boys after serpents. When you trust, you get hurt.” Voodoo looked away from the water, then at me. I tried rubbing away the goose pimples on my arm.

  “Maggie, do you understand why I am telling you this?”

  “I may be young, but I am familiar enough with your way of thinking. And I mean no disrespect, but I think you are wrong. I think the more kindness you offer, the more you give of yourself, no matter if you get ‘bitten,’” I said with air quotes, “you will have a sense of peace inside you that no one can take.” I continued even while his eyes closed and he shook his head. “Some people think turning the other cheek as Jesus taught is a foolish thing to do. But he knew that right wins, kindness wins, love wins, and even when it doesn’t, you are left with contentment, knowing you did the right thing. I was taught that things aren’t done to you; they are done for you. When we learn the lesson of seeing the good in the worst situations, we win. You can’t control situations, but you can control your reaction. If we react with forgiveness, the weight of anger is released.”

  “Wow, those are some wise words the nuns taught you. But come see me when the real world chews you up and spits you out. I’m not a cynic but a realist. And as a realist, I can tell you, what you have going on with Venom is dangerous. It will hurt you both, especially you, in your pretty white church dress and your words of weakness. Turning the other cheek would get my boy killed in our world. Pretty little things get devoured in the swamp. You should end this before you both make decisions you can’t come back from. I have heard all about your summer, and I wish I could be happy for my boy. You seem like a real nice girl, but sweetheart, a snake can’t love a mouse.”

  I smiled at him before I stood up. “You know, you’re not the only one who thinks we are too different, that we shouldn’t be spending so much time together.” I shook my head. “No one understands us. And they don’t need to. I feel bad for anyone who can’t see that happiness and love are not always what you think it should look like. It’s not a matching pair, but two unique puzzle pieces that fit together. I am sorry you don’t get it. I will pray for you to someday realize why you are wrong.”

  “Stubborn girl.” He
shook his head. “Do yourself a favor, don’t pray for me, ever. If I can’t get through to you, maybe he’ll listen.” He shook his head. “Son, she’s all yours.” Voodoo pointed to the shadowy figure walking down the path with just the cherry of his cigarette lighting his way.

  Voodoo looked frustrated as he stormed past me. “I’m ready to get back to the party. You may want to take her home before the real fun starts.” His laugh was evil.

  Vincent looked between us, not saying a word until Voodoo was far enough up the path.

  Relief poured off me the farther he got from us. I threw my arms around Vincent and squeezed him. His hands ran through my hair as he held me tight.

  “Hey, hey, hey, it’s okay. What the fuck did he say?”

  “Nothing that I haven’t heard before. I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to spend the rest of the night with you. Unless you have to get back to the party.” I gazed up at him.

  He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes and then opening them. There was a look in them I hadn’t seen before. “What did he say to you?” His hands now held both sides of my face.

  “The same thing everyone says. The question is, do you think they are right about us?” I searched his eyes, hoping to find a glimpse of a sign that would let me know what I was feeling was real. “Everyone thinks we’re crazy, that we’re too different, that we don’t belong. But they don’t know us, right?”

  “Magnolia Grace, for the first time in my life, I don’t care what anyone thinks—not Voodoo, not my brothers—because the way I feel around you is right.” His fingers lifted my chin, and he brought his mouth to mine. His lips were closed and firm. It felt as if an energy was surging in my whole body from his lips to mine. That was the moment I knew I couldn’t leave without giving him all of me. I wanted all of him.

  When he pulled back, he stared into my eyes as if he could read my thoughts.

  “Let’s go to your cabin,” I whispered.

  Venom

  I couldn’t understand what was happening to me. First, I wanted to fight Lex for even looking at Maggie, then a fit of possessive anger boiled in me with every step Maggie took with Voodoo. I knew my father was poison. I never wanted to acknowledge the evil and nasty things he was capable of because they were all in the name of keeping his club safe. He’d been crossing the line too often. Voodoo was losing control, and someone was going to get hurt.

  Maggie appeared more like a little girl walking beside his stature, the tattoos and leather seeming evil against Maggie’s snow-white dress glowing in the moonlight. I could tell she was uncomfortable, but she knew he wouldn’t hurt her. I couldn’t wonder any longer. I followed down the path to where Voodoo was storming away. Reassuring her, I did not expect the pleading in her eyes. Voodoo’s words seemed to have done the opposite of what he had intended. It only made Maggie more ready to take us to the next level.

  “Let’s go to your cabin.” Her words conveyed it all.

  “Are you sure?” I searched her eyes for any doubt, but Maggie just nodded and pulled my hand toward the trail that led to my little oasis.

  Something in me knew we would end up there. When I was setting up earlier, I went down there and stocked it with candles, a blanket, and a bottle of Strawberry Boones Farm, which I swiped from Sienna’s stash.

  The symphony of crickets sang along the trail dotted by lights from the fireflies. Before opening the door to the cabin, I needed to know she was sure what she was asking for.

  “Maggie,” I turned to her, “we don’t have to—”

  “Please, Vincent, I want to know everything I’m feeling is real.”

  Her hand reached up, and her fingers dug through my hair. Her eyes burned into mine. I wrapped my arm around her waist, crashing her into me. I fumbled with the lock as her kisses brought every part of me to life.

  We tumbled into the room with our lips locked. “Wait here,” I panted as I flicked my lighter to life. Slowly, the room brightened in the glow from the small kerosene lamp and candles I had placed around the room. The radio was on the edge of the table. I pressed play on the romantic rock mixed tape Shannon had made Maggie.

  The orange glow of the candles made the girl before me look like a dream. She fiddled with her hands. I could feel the nerves rolling off her as she sat on the mattress.

  “Do you want some wine? It’s strawberry. Sienna loves this stuff.” My words were getting away from me. I began feeling like this was my first time, and in a way, it was. I had had sex plenty of times, but there had never been feelings involved.

  Maggie held up the two plastic cups as I opened the bottle and filled them both. Her hands trembled as she took a sip of the wine.

  “Maggie, we don’t have to do this or anything. We can just stay here, listen to music.” I sat down beside her.

  “No.” Maggie gulped down the cup, not stopping until it was empty. “I want this, please.”

  I closed my eyes and turned her face to mine. “I don’t want you to do anything you will regret.”

  “You don’t understand.” She placed her cup on the floor and brought her hands to the buttons at the top of her dress, undoing the first. “If I let this moment slip away without experiencing everything with the man I have fallen in love with, I will regret it for the rest of my life.” She let the straps fall from her shoulders, and the dress began to slip to the floor.

  Magnolia Grace just said she loved me. It took a moment for me to process because there she was in her white bra and matching lace panties illuminated by candles, looking so vulnerable as she waited for my reply. My heart felt like it was going to explode.

  “Do you mean that? You love me?” I pulled back, wanting to see her face.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Well, that’s good, because I am crazy about you.” She smiled shyly. “And I never thought I would tell a girl I love her. I don’t know what you have done to me, Maggie Grace, but I love you, and there is no one in the world that can tell me this is wrong.”

  I curled her hand into mine and placed our hands between our hearts. “When I’m not with you, it feels wrong. Watching you leave with the doc felt wrong. Being here without you felt wrong.”

  I stood up, yanking my tee shirt over my head. I pulled her into my chest and brought my mouth to hers.

  “Vincent, I want you to make love to me.”

  I reached behind me, turning up the volume to Bon Jovi’s “Bed of Roses,” then kissed my way down her neck. My lips met hers, and I promised myself I would be gentle and give her something she would remember for the rest of her life. Something I would never forget.

  “You’re giving me the gift of you, and Maggie, that is more than anyone has ever given me.”

  I woke up the next morning inhaling the perfumed scent of Maggie’s hair. My arms were still around her, and our bodies curled together under the blanket. Even though I couldn’t see her face, I knew she was awake. I hoped that she wouldn’t regret what we did last night, because now that I’d had her, I didn’t know if I could find it in myself to let her go.

  “Good morning, angel.” I kissed the side of her neck and squeezed her tighter in my arms.

  “How did you know I was awake?”

  “The same way you knew I was. We are connected or some shit like that, don’t understand it, but I like it.”

  “Me too.” She hugged my arms and came closer. “What was that?” Maggie jumped up at the thumping sound.

  “I heard it too.” I looked at my watch. It was only 6 a.m.

  I grabbed my knife and motioned for Maggie to move to the back wall of the cabin. I kicked open the door, knife in the air.

  “What the fuck?” Viper jumped back as Ginger screamed a horrid shriek.

  “Viper? I could have killed you. What the fuck are you doing at my cabin with her?”

  “We were coming to find a place to have some fun, but I wouldn’t mind if you joined.” She swayed, holding a bottle out to me.

  “Not interested. Get the fuck out,�
�� I spat.

  “Come on, there’s no place to sleep at the main house, and even the tents are taken. You are all alone out here. You can go back to the house or to the camp. We have nowhere to go. I have been up for twenty-four hours. I need a bed,” Viper whined.

  “He’s not alone.” Maggie tucked her head under my arm. She was wrapped in a blanket and placed her arm around me.

  “No shit.” Viper looked shocked to see her. “Good for you guys. We’ll find somewhere else.” His smile was ear to ear as he looked at the two of us.

  “See you, little sister.” Viper grabbed a whining Ginger and walked back to the party.

  “You okay? I wasn’t expecting you to let Viper know you were here.”

  “Why did he call me little sister?”

  I tapped out a cigarette from a pack that still had a few in it. “I think it means Viper thinks you are part of our family now, and that should scare the shit out of you.” I laughed. “Viper is not one to let people in, but when he does, he is a fierce friend.” I placed my boots on and enjoyed seeing Maggie shyly slip back into her dress under the blanket.

  “You want to head to the house or back to the campground?” I felt awkward and didn’t know what else to say. But then she walked over, circled her arms around my waist and placed her head on my chest.

  “I want to stay here in your arms forever.”

  Chapter 17

  Magnolia

  Sunday night, I was restless in our cabin. The only light came from the red power light on Shannon’s radio. The music was low, but I was listening to every word of the Guns N’ Roses cassette. When “Don’t Cry” began to softly play through the speakers, I hugged my pillow and squeezed my eyes closed, recounting everything that had happened last night in Vincent’s fishing cabin, recalling every detail of the way he made love to me.

  He and I were both on our knees, kissing for what seemed like an eternity. I wondered if he could tell how nervous I was. It wasn’t long for the strawberry wine to take off the edge, and the nerves turned to pure desire. When his hands went to my back, seeming unsure if he should unsnap my bra, I did it for him. His eyes blazed with heat as he took a moment to look me over.