Chapter 35 #2
Terri and I sat at the table, talking about the best schools in the area, while Patrick and Terri’s husband, Charles, smoked Cigars on the back patio.
I could hear their heated discussion becoming progressively louder through the sliding glass door.
Arguing about who will be coming out on top, in next week’s boxing match.
I swear, men are too passionate about their sports.
To each their own I guess, but we weren’t too far off with our chatter.
Daydreaming about who our kids might be when they grow up.
I believed our families’ friendship would last a lifetime.
Little Cindel dashed through the room, holding colorful ribbons in her hand, while Mairead eagerly tried to crawl after the action.
Eamon and Theo were two of the sweetest boys in town.
They loved to spend their time together, coloring or watching cartoons.
As long as they were together, they were content.
It just seemed like we were living the American dream, with the perfect friends, home, and work-life balance.
This was the life I desired. I smile, blinking back tears. Fighting off the pang of guilt; keeping secrets so consuming from my loved ones.
I suppose it was only a matter of time before my past caught up with me. Secrets never stay secrets forever. Especially when the unfathomable strolls right through the front door of your best friend’s home.
A well-dressed, olive skinned man with slicked back hair and reflective dress shoes, stood in the kitchen where Terri and I sat.
“Nicholas! How are you?!” Terri stands to greet the surprise newcomer, by kissing him on each cheek. “Mary, I’d like you to meet my brother-in-law, Nicholas. Nicholas, this is Mary Murray.”
He looks down at me with stormy, calculated eyes. Eyes that I see often in my nightmares.
“Mary Murray?” he says slowly, like he’s tasting the words as he speaks. “Such a pleasure.”
I feign a smile and politely extend my hand, to not cause Terri to suspect anything other than two people meeting for the first time.
The suave man leisurely kissed the back of my hand, as I willed myself not to rip it away from his poisonous touch. It felt like an eternity, until he released his hold of me and announced his intent.
“So sorry to intrude on your little affair, but I wanted to tell my brother something in person. It’s quite pressing.”
Brother? This man looks nothing like the fair featured Charles, just outside.
“Ladies…” he bows his head slightly, as a leering grin contorts his mouth. He moved like a serpent through the space, making his way out to the men who still readily exchanged insults about who deserved to win the coming match.
My stomach soured after the interaction, and I excused myself to check on my kids. I said a little prayer, that the horrendous man leaves without damaging my life any further.
Once dinner was plated and we wrangled the kids into each highchair, the three men made their way to the table to join us.
“Hope you don’t mind, dear, Nicholas will be joining us for dinner.”
Terri wrinkles her nose and smiles, waving a hand in front of her. “Of course not! The more the merrier.”
Perfect. Now I had to sit front and center with my family and friends watching me pretend that everything was fine, when in fact I’m battling a tornado of feelings and memories.
Will this Nicholas character say anything about how we know each other?
Divulging secrets so dark, they could fracture our family apart.
I simply did not know how I was going to make it through this meal.
We took a group photo, which our friends regularly do. It was a tradition we started when the boys were small, to witness how we grew each time.
I positioned myself as far away from the depraved man as possible, both in the picture and at the table.
The men laughed and joked, while Terri and I spent the better part of the meal, fussing over the kids who thought eating with their hands was pro-quo for the best spaghetti experience around.
No one seemed to notice that I just pushed my food around the plate but never actually ate.
I couldn’t stomach it. To my relief, nothing nefarious was said during dinner.
I was cautiously optimistic that this whole uncomfortable night could be behind us shortly.
Now, I simply had to ensure our paths wouldn’t cross again.
If only I were so lucky.
After dessert, we put the kids in the den where a playpen was set up for the girls to share and a small sofa for the boys to lay down on.
It was too early for Patrick. I knew he wasn’t ready to head home just yet. I tried to make myself scarce by excusing myself to the powder room. After spending a brief time alone, I opened the sliding pocket door, only to be pushed back into the small room.
Nicholas stood before me in the half bath. His narrowed gaze and predatory smile made me want to flee. I could hear laughing and music through the door. “Hey, little fox.” Without a doubt, he recognizes me. His words felt like hot tar as they slid through the cramped space. “Remember me?”
How could I forget? I bite my bottom lip, trying not to make my situation worse than it already was, by saying something stupid. Just like my parents taught me, keep your mouth shut, if you know what’s good for you.
“I heard you just got back from a little trip. Any particular reason you chose to visit Ireland?”
Sinking my teeth harder into my flesh, I now tasted blood. I shook my head no, hoping that’s all he wants to know and he’ll leave me alone.
He tsks. “That’s no place for a modern girl of your stature. You belong here, with your beautiful children and loving husband.”
I pull in my bottom lip to conceal the mark I inflicted. Nicholas was unmoving. I had to say something, then maybe this would be over. “My Nanny was ill; I went to take care—”
He pressed into me, I could smell stale smoke on his breath, he was so close. “Was she?”
I nod like an obstinate child, wanting to be done with this conversation.
“See, I know you’re lying, little fox. I know the real reason you were there.”
No... he can’t possibly know!
“I’ve had eyes on you since you ran home crying, after I painted your thighs in blood.” His words were toxic, making my heart hammer violently in my chest. “Tell the truth, Mary.”
I tried to arm my lungs with air but I could hardly breathe, in this cramped space. He’s too close. Lie. “I… I went to a church while I was there. I volunteered—”
My head suddenly jerks back and I felt as if my hair had been ripped from my skull! I let the anguished scream get stuck in my throat. I don’t want the others to hear. They can’t know! I face up toward the ceiling in the small bath, as he rests his stubbled face against my cheek.
“Sweet, sweet mother Mary… what’s our child’s name?” He fists my curls so tightly, tears start to collect in the corner of my eyes. I Can’t. I can’t tell this horrible man a thing!
“Mary…” he sing-songs my name. “You wouldn’t want to keep Patrick waiting. I just need a name.” His words weren’t the only vile thing sliding over me, his free hand began pawing at my breasts, then eventually inching up the hem of my dress.
“Please. Please don’t.” Not again! Do I call out?
Hollar for Patrick?! Of course, he would come to my rescue but what if Nicholas spins the story, says I was coming onto him, or worse, spills my dark secret.
Our secret. This man was the epitome of pure evil, but I had to protect this life; my two children sleeping in the other room.
I needed to continue keeping my adoring husband, blissfully ignorant to my sins.
I had this eerie feeling that I would die at the hands of this man, not today but sometime in the future. I asked the lord for forgiveness, as I spoke the three-letter word that I promised to leave on the other side of the ocean, “Dax.”