Authors: Danielle Sibarium
“Ja
mie, is it? Hi. I’m Elizabeth.”
I extended my hand eager to break the awkward tension, hoping I’d be able to make the best of an uncomfortable situation.
“Oh, you mean you don’t know Mrs. Penbrook?” Carter asked incredulously.
I tried to remain calm and composed as this new fact came to light. I felt the room swoosh around me as I understood Carter had been invol
ved with Dr. Penbrook’s wife.
“No. We haven’t met.” Jamie offered me a smile, all the while
keeping Carter in her sights.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I answered hoping to keep my voice steady, wishing I could find a crack in the wall large enough t
o hide in.
Laughter rang into the foyer from somewhere beyond the grand entrance. I couldn’t help feeling like the laughter was somehow directed at me and the complexity of the situation. The universe was laughing at me. Immediately I dismissed the notion, recognizing paranoia as it poked its head out of my subconscious. Feeling sick to my stomach, I wished I'd taken Carter up on one of his earlier suggestions ins
tead of attending the party.
“Come in. Make
yourself comfortable,” Jamie suggested. “The other guests are in the back. Carter can show you the way.” She motioned to a hall on her left side.
“Thank you.”
I took a step forward realizing I couldn’t turn back and retreat to the car. It was a matter of saving face at this point and I wouldn't let Jamie think she got the better of me. I had to salvage this evening somehow.
Carter stayed put. He didn't move an inch. With my eyes, I beseeched him to step inside. Angry that he blindsided me, I reminded myself he came to be with me, not to catch a glimpse of Jamie. We'd get into it later, but for now, we had to keep moving forward. I reached out for Carter’s hand since he appeared unable to move, hopi
ng I could urge him forward.
From the corner of my eye I noticed Jamie smiling. A frightening chill went through my body as I realized the smile wasn’t a gesture of kindness but a show
of Jamie’s malicious intent.
“I’m sure your father will be happy to see you,” Jamie said walking away.
The words hit me like a bomb in a crowded mall. The room started spinning as I swallowed hard focusing my thoughts on what I’d just heard. “Your father!”
“Liz,” Carter said sheepishly. “I can explain . . .”
“No. You can't." How was Carter Brooks Dr. Penbrook's son? "Besides, it’s a little late for explanations, don't you think?!?” I shouted in a loud whisper.
"I tried to warn you . . ."
“Warn me? You told me your father was dead.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it!” I ran my hand through my hair. “I’m working for the man and you never bothered to mention he’s your father!”
Carter opened his mouth to say something, but closed it before any sound came out. His eyes looked remorseful, but at the moment, I could care less about his remorse.
Chapter 18
Carte
r
Unable to speak or move, I shoved my hands in my pockets. If no one could see my hands, they wouldn't know they were trembling. I had to pull myself together. I tried to keep my breath steady and rhythmic as I looked around the house I once lived in. It looked different from the last time I saw it, now adorned in expensive artwork and gaudy decorations. My mother’s taste was classy unli
ke Jamie's flamboyant style.
“Where is he?” I heard my father's voice before I saw him. He rushed into the foyer, Jamie on his arm.
“Carter?” He seemed delighted to see me. The feeling wasn't mutual. Brushing Jamie away, he threw his arms around me.
I didn’t budge. I couldn't. My hands remained deep in my pockets. I barely looked at my father, afraid all the anger and hate I had stored away for him would shine through. I didn't care if the old man saw it, but I didn't want to give Elizabeth any more reason to run
from me than I already had.
“Good to se
e you, son,” He patted my back.
I couldn't find words. Some sort of grunt escaped me.
My father released me and rested his hands on my shoulders. It took all my self-control to not shove him off. “It’s good to see you,” he repeated.
I glanced off to the side and peeked at Elizabeth. Seeing her would keep me grounded. I knew she'd never forgive me if I lost control. She look
ed as uncomfortable as I felt.
“Tell me son, what brings you here? We’re having the office Christmas party, but of course you’re we
lcome to stay. You know that.”
I hadn’t said a word since my father approa
ched. There was nothing to say.
Saving me from my stupor, Elizabeth spoke up.
“Carter is my guest, Doctor.”
My father turned his attention toward Elizabeth, noticing her for the first time, “Oh,” he said as if he were trying to place her. “I see,” the excitement seeped out of him like steam from a geyser. I recognized the forced smile he wore as he stroked his chin pensively staring at Elizabeth.
My Elizabeth. There it was again, that feeling of possession.
I still hadn’t said a word but puffed my chest out like a proud rooster before a cock fight. He wouldn't get his grimy hands on her. Just as I lost any hope of making it through the night, I heard
Elizabeth suck in her breath.
I looked at her holding her hand over her mouth, “I feel like such a fool. I’m certain I left my oven on. I’m so sorry Dr.
Penbrook,” she linked her arm through mine, “but we have to go.”
I turned to look at her, relieved by the e
ffort to make a quick getaway.
“That’s a shame,” my father didn’t try to hide his disappointment. “Perhaps I could have someone else drive you,” he suggested. “I’m certain one of the other guests wouldn’t mind.”
“No!” She snapped, “I mean, thank you. But, no. I’d prefer Carter take me home.”
My father nodded, fully aware of what she was doing. “It really is good to see you, Carter.”
Preferring not to say another word, I held my hand up in response. I took Elizabeth’s arm and led her out the double doors, into the cool winter air. Neither of us noticed the chill of the night as we walked to the car in silence, my father and Jamie still watching.
Chapter 19
Elizabeth
That selfish, self-centered son-of-a-bitch! How could he do this to me? He only went to see her!
To see that evil witch. And she loved every minute of it.
Carter didn't say a word as we walked down the steps from the front doors of the house. What could he say? I'm sorry sure as hell wouldn't cut it. He owed me. For leading me into the shar
k tank without even a heads up.
I covered my face with my hands as I took a seat in the car. I worked for his father, and he never bothered to mention it. It never occurred to him that was an important fact?
Carter needed to pay for this. I wanted to slice him open and watch him bleed a slow and painful death. Too bad jail was a major aversion for me. I'd have to find some other way, but he would pay for this. I just had to figure out how.
Carter
Once in the car I came down hard on the steering wheel with my fist. Why could she still get to me? Five years passed since I last saw her and still seeing her tonight threw me for a loop. She not only unnerved me, but made me look like an idiot in front of Elizabeth.
No. I did that all on my own.
I thought I was over Jamie. I had to be over her. Thinking about her repulsed me, but seeing her . . . It made the pain raw inside me. Lost in my thoughts I turned the key in the ignition.
“Dead, huh?”
“What?” The sound of Elizabeth’s voice brought me back to the moment. I forgot she was there, right beside me. Could this night get any worse?
“Dr. Penbrook certainly doesn’t look dead to me!” Elizabeth laced into me. “How am I supposed to show my face at work?”
“Elizabeth . . .”
“I’m mortified! I mean, what the hell were you thinking?”
Clearly I wasn't. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? That’s supposed to make it better? You’re sorry?” she huffed. “Yeah, sorry I found out.” She paused. I don't know if she waited for me to respond, but really what could I say? “I thought I meant something to you, that
we
meant something to you.”
I took a deep breath, letting her get out everything she needed to say, before I said anything.
“You’re nothing more than a spoiled rich kid with the hots for his stepmother.”
That's when she went too far.
“You don’t know anything about it!” My voice boomed inside the car.
Startled by my outburst, Elizabeth rescinded. She turned from me, choosing to look at the surrounding blackness of the trees on the county road.
“You don’t know anything about it.” I repeated, in a calm collected manner, wishing I could go back to the beginning and do this whole night over.
Elizabeth remained sile
nt.
“I . . . I need a drink. What do you say?” I looked ove
r at her waiting for an answer.
Elizabeth shrugged. I expected her to tell me to take her home. She was angry. No, she was downright furious. I hurt her by keeping the truth hidden away. I humiliated her with the scene at my father's. A drink was most definitely in order. At least then I could offer some semblance of an explanation.
“Let’s have a drink and I’ll tell you everything. I’ll tell you all about my dirty little secret,” I said with a sarcastic snicker.
I stared at her, waiting for an answer, surprised at how relieved I felt when Elizabeth nodded.
I got on the highway and sped away. The further I got from my father’s house the easier I could breathe. We drove in silence. I wondered what she was thinking and assumed the worst. Once again, Jamie broke me. This time she ruined the best thing that happened to me. I decided to go to the same sports bar we went to after the movie. It was close to home in case Elizabeth wanted to call a friend for a ride.
I pulled into the parking lot and looked at her, wondering why I was even bothering to try to get her to understand. I should've brought her home straight away, said our final goodbye and moved on. I knew after tonight, it would be best to go our separate ways. But even just thinking about it made me feel empty inside. Instead I sat there wondering how she bewitched me into stepping foot into that house.
I got out of the car and walked over to Elizabeth’s side. She made no move to get out. Even when I opened the door, she barely turned her head.
Seeing her hesitation I cleared my throat and spoke, “If you want me to take you home, I understand.”
She shook her head. “You’re not getting off that easy. Even if I never see you again, which is exactly what I have in mind, you’re going to pay for embarrassing me,” she said getting to her feet.
Chapter 21
Elizabeth
We were seated in a corner booth in the back, away from the cheerful holiday crowd. I watched Carter fidget with the salt shaker. He poured a bit of salt on the table and tried to stand the container on its edge in the pile.
I sat with my arms crossed over my chest, “You like living on the edge, don’t you?”
“I'd hardly call working with autistic children edgy,” he answered, never lifting his eyes from the salt shaker.
“No, but a kinky Oedipal relationship is.”
Carter shook his head and spoke in a matter of fact tone, “It's not what you think.”
“I’m waiting for an explanation.”
A bubbly waitress flounced her way over to the table, her blonde ponytail bouncing behind her. She smiled a big tooth-showing smile while introducing herself and pulling out her pad. She barely got the words “soup of the day,” out of her mouth when Carter cleared
his throat and interrupted her.
“Vodka straight,” he or
dered.
The waitress looked deflated. After a small sigh she turned her attention to me, jotted down the order and disappeared in the vicinity of the bar.
“We dated in college,” Carter began.
It took me a moment to realize he was speaking about Jamie an
d not the waitress.
Carter continued in a detached manner, “We were engaged.”
I opened my mouth surprised, but didn’t say anything. That certainly shed a different light on the strange scene.
Carter shook his head in disbelief. “My father didn’t approve of her or the engagement.”
“So you broke up with her?”
“No.” He shook his head, “I loved her. She was my world. I knew we were young, and the odds were against us
, but none of that mattered.”
Carter stopped speaking as the waitress approached with our drinks. He ordered a second round as she set them on table.
“What happened?”
He scoffed at the question, picked up his glass and took a long sip. After a deep breath Carter continued, “I was supposed to go to medical school.”