24.6 The Fallout

The faint light of dawn seeped into the master bedroom, lifting the curtain of darkness. Synapses in Mary’s brain warmed up as she came around. Her baby blue eyes, reddened by tears, were as thin as silvered almonds. Opening them took all the energy she stored overnight. A heaviness in her head was a painful reminder she was not ok.

Another body weighed down the other side of the bed, and it startled her. No one had occupied that spot in ages. Everything from the previous night was a blur, and she forgot Reed said he would spend the night. Thank the Watcher for him.

A groan pierced the silence followed by the rustling of sheets. She preferred to hide under them, but she had people to care for. They were all grown people who could care for themselves, but they were her people.

A hand gently clutched her waist. “Go back to sleep,” a voice whispered. “You’re going to get some rest today. I got this.”

What day of the week was it? Was she due at work? In normal circumstances, she’d refute his command and insist on conquering the day. But, this was no normal situation. The pain ravishing her body cut even deeper than learning of John’s first affair. No one is ever prepared for a spouse to violate the marriage covenant, but she knew he was unhappy. It made sense he would behave lasciviously. Besides, she had done it herself once. But this? Motherhood transcended marriage. When she divorced, she ceased being a wife. But, she would always be a mother even if she survived her children, Watcher forbid. When marriages failed, the individuals can remarry and try again. But if a woman failed her children, she failed at life. At least, it felt that way.

Mary’s body bounced as Reed arose and left her in the darkness to rest. Extra sleep was good for her body, but what about her mind? How did it rest?

Reed bumbled around the kitchen as quietly as possible looking for the tools he needed. But, the clanging of pots and pans, and opening and closing cabinets, was inevitable. It was hard not to hear everything in the small house especially with Mary’s bedroom located right off the kitchen.

Poor woman. Her life was never easy. First, her mother died while she was an infant. That awful man raised her, and because of his inability to show love and affection, Mary left Reed and for that boob. Her entire life since that moment was a disaster. Now, she felt like a failure because of unwise decisions her son made. Life was forever changed, but he hoped their relationship would be a spot of sunshine through all the turbulent storms .

“Whatcha makin?” Phoenix asked, startling him.

“How about omelets?”

“Sounds good.”

He nodded and went back to searching for everything he needed. Phoenix took pity on him and pulled out the frying pan, a bowl, whisk, and spatula.

“Thanks. How are you feeling?”

She shrugged. “Ok, I guess.”

“Good. I’m gonna have to get back to work tomorrow. I know you’ll take good care of her.”

“Of course I will.”

Susie stepped into the kitchen. “Good morning,” she said warily.

Didn’t she hear him announce he would stay over last night? Or, perhaps she didn’t trust easily, not that he deserved her trust on the first meeting. She was so much like her mother despite being a clone of her father. Part of him wanted her to like him, but he was there for Mary, and Susie would have to deal with it.

“Good morning. What do you like in your omelets?”

“You cook …”

He chuckled. “Surprised?”

“Intrigued.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“How is she?” Susie asked.

“As you’d expect.”

“Poor Mom,” Phoenix said. “I’m gonna go talk to her.”

Reed put up his hands and tried to stop her. “Maybe later? She could use the space right now. You know how she is.”

Phoenix sighed and returned to the island. “Yeah, ok.”

Reed got the eggs from the refrigerator. When he turned around, Susie was standing right behind him with her hands on her hips.

“Let’s get some things straight, Reed. I’m glad you love my mother, and I appreciate you taking care of her. But you are not our dad! You don’t come to our house and tell us what we can and can’t do!”

Reed would pay good money to see his face. On one hand, he wanted to laugh because he wasn’t trying to be their dad; he was trying to help Mary. On the other hand, he wanted to fight fire with fire and tell her what a terrible daughter she was; she needed to back the plum up.

Phoenix laughed. “Whatever, Susie! You’ve been here for, like, five minutes and now this is our house?”

“It’s more my house than his house!”

Though he appreciated Phoenix’s support, they both missed the point. If they would get into a full on sister fight, he wished they’d take it somewhere Mary wouldn’t hear.

“Ok, whatever,” Phoenix yelled. “Can you just listen to what he’s saying? You know he probably had to tie her to the bed to keep her from making breakfast.”

Reed chuckled under his breath as he whisked the eggs. Too bad they weren’t into that kind of thing. It sounded like an interesting scenario.

“Here you go, ladies.”

Just as he sat and got a fork full, the front door opened. All the little hairs on his body stood tall as he tried to think of who else would have a key to the house. With Tim in jail, there weren’t any other family members. It was probably Asia. They were great friends.

John snorted. “Well, isn’t this a happy little family.”

Susie had not seen John since Winterfest. Their relationship hadn’t been the same since she moved out with Tim. She couldn’t pinpoint exactly what happened, but something had shifted. It was like she had to make a subconscious choice: be there for her dad or be free of Mary. The decision was a no-brainer. Perhaps she got caught up in her independence so much she forgot to check in on John from time to time. Or, did she?

“Dad? What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same question.”

“I live here now.”

He snorted again. “How convenient.”

Reed went to John. “I’m sure the girls appreciate your visit, but please don’t make trouble today, John. She can’t bear it.”

Who did this guy think he was, coming into their home and making demands of everyone? His relationship with Mary didn’t make him king of the castle. How dare he talk to Dad that way!

“Do yourself a favor and stay out of my way, ok?”

“John, look, I swear I’m not trying to be difficult. Mary needs rest. I just want us to keep the noise to a minimum. That’s all. Can we do that?”

Susie shrugged and continued eating. Reed’s omelets were amazing. So buttery and fluffy. Who knew rich men cooked?

“Of course,” Phoenix said. “She needs to stay in there as long as possible.”

John looked askance. “You side with him? Has he swooped in and taken my place already?”

The tips of Reed’s ears were red, and his eyes were as narrow as a keyhole. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and let the fork drop onto the porcelain plate. The clatter startled Susie, and her eyes dashed to the door expecting Mary to appear at any second.

“Ok,” Reed said. “You want to do this now? Let’s do it. Phoenix, make sure that door is closed.”

“You don’t tell my daughter what to do!”

Susie cleared her throat. “Guys … Maybe we should keep it down?”

The men ignored her.

“You wanna talk about your place? You would still have your place if you would have done your job right and kept it in your pants!”

John chuckled. “Maybe you should have taken yours out! Ever thought of that? She would never meet me, and none of this would have happened.”

Susie and Phoenix gasped as the two men continued fighting.

“He’s the guy,” Susie shouted.

“What guy?”

“The man she was supposed to marry!”

“She’s dating her ex?”

Plot twist! When Mary told her the story, that part seemed so innocent and compelling. She made it seem like her father was this mean, old man who would make her marry some random dude, but she fell in love with John and wanted to run away with him to get away from her father. Now John suggested Mary broke up with Reed for him? What other details were left out?

“John?”

Everyone stopped and looked at her. Their faces were sullen as if they were all guilty of something. Reed was the most surprising. His face was so red and eyes burned with anger. John finally got to him. This was such a mess.

“What on earth is going on? Why are you here, John?”

He tore his eyes away from Reed, finally. “I felt like I should be here.”

“I appreciate that, John, but that hasn’t been your job for a while.”

He laughed maniacally. “You know what? You two are perfect for each other! Both of you think the world revolves around Mary.”

“Dad,” Phoenix shouted.

“Girls, can you go upstairs, please?” Mary asked.

They took their plates and left without a second prompting.

“Reed … Could you go as well?”

“Mary, I–“

“Please. John and I clearly have things to discuss. I think it would be best if you weren’t here.”

“Mary …”

“I’m ok, my love. Thanks for taking care of everything.”

“I will call you later.”

“Please do.” She watched him go with sadness in her heart. She still needed him, but the longer he stayed, the more John would goad him. She could bear many things, but seeing Reed behave out of character was not something she wanted on her conscience. “John?”

He followed her into their old bedroom and sat on the bed. Before getting started, she peered out the window for a few moments thinking of what to say.

“What’s happened to us, John? We used to be so friendly. Now we can’t stand to be in the same room together! What is it about me and Reed that bothers you so much?”

His legged bounced rapidly, and he kept wiping his palms on his pants. “Mary … Ok, let’s say you were familiar with one of the women I slept with. If you heard I was dating her you would have a fit.”

“No, I wouldn’t. We’re not married anymore, John! Why does it matter who we date?”

He snorted. “You say that.”

Mary shook her head. “I don’t buy it. You were so happy for me when you learned I was seeing someone! The moment you learned it was Reed, you took it all back. Why?”

“I want an answer, John!”

“Look, can we forget the whole thing? I was out of control last night, and … Those things I said … I guess I’m still upset about my mom, and I just wanted to say I’m–“

“Are you jealous, John?”

He flinched like a ghost had appeared and ran his fingers through his hair. The mattress bounced as he shifted. She struck a nerve.

He shot up and paced the room. “Ok, fine! Yes!”

She closed her eyes and exhaled. Finally! They got somewhere. “Why? Aren’t you dating anyone?”

“Because you always win!”

“No matter what you do, you always end up on top. It’s like you’re untouchable. And I’m …” He paced some more. “That day you came by, I was happy for you. I meant everything I said. And when you apologized, I saw the real you. I hadn’t seen her in years. I thought we could be friends.”

She once considered being friends with John a good idea. Befriending someone who belittled her every chance he got was not healthy no matter his relation.

“But then you get with Reed. Soon, you’ll have your old life back, and it’s just not fair. You were wrong! You admitted it! But you’re Mary Jones. Nothing ever happens to you. You don’t have to suffer like everyone else. The rules don’t apply to you. You just go on merrily about your way while everyone else deals with the consequences.”

Everything inside Mary burned with such fury. She had never been able to control herself around him. He knew her buttons and pressed them often with such finesse. The fire-breathing dragon lurking inside longed to be unleashed and burn him to a crisp. He was wrong on so many levels, and she was a different person. Just like she told Kori the other day, if she stopped reacting to him, maybe he’d stop coming after her.

Before attempting a rational reply, she took several cleansing breaths. “Just because you don’t see me suffering doesn’t mean I’m not dealing with consequences.”

He swatted at her.

“No! You will not dismiss me, John! I sat here and listened to you! Now, you listen to me!”

The echo bounced off the walls and hardwood floor. All that existed between them now was tension and anxiety. Was this the new normal?

“I work and earn a living just like you! I budget and rake my own leaves to save money! Or, did you forget? I lost my money when you messed up!”

He stared into the corner of the room. Was he even listening?

“I have exactly one friend! ONE. Why? Because I can’t trust anyone! Not even my own daughter, no thanks to you! And my son …”

The tears came from nowhere. All she could see was Tim’s miserable face sitting in that cell alone. She wanted to reach out and grab him and tell him everything would be fine, but would it?

When the tears slowed, and she found her voice again, she continued. “Everything is not always about money, John. There are worse ways to suffer than being penniless. I have suffered more than you know, and you don’t get to define what that suffering looks like! I have changed! I need not prove that to you. So, here’s the situation. I love Reed. I would like to marry him one day. He is in my life to stay which means he is in our children’s lives. You need to be ok with that. If you can’t, keep it to yourself. I will not have you violating my man, and your days of shaming me are over.”