Chapter Nine
Glancing at the clock, I sigh and touch my lips. 9:34.
It had been almost an hour since he left, yet I can still feel his lips on mine. It was the perfect first kiss,
followed by others. Each one wonderful in it’s own way.
God, if I wasn’t in this hospital. That’s okay, I’ll be out soon enough. Then I’ll be stuck in Harmony. Waiting
for this good awful trial to come about. I look over at the chair where he sat. A little under an hour ago, he
had sat there. He had put his arms around me, held me close, kissed me with passion and intensity.
"Pardon me love, can you tell me where I may find the lovely Maria Fitzgerald? I heard that the future star
of Broadway was shot in a senseless tragedy." A voice I easily recognize, even though it was laced with a
heavy fake British accent, stated.
"Tony! You made it!" I yell.
"Of course we did! Did you think anything would keep us away?" Tony smiled, entering the room. He wore
a deep blue sweater and khakis. He was tall, standing 6’4", and looking devilishly handsome. His dark tones
blended nicely with his dark hair and soulful eyes.
Peeking out around from behind him was my father. A pale skinned almost replica of Tony. His face lit with a smile
as we made eye contact, and he pushed past Tony to come and hug me.
"Oh father! It’s so great to see you." I squeal.
"Maria. I love you so much. I’m so glad you weren’t hurt." He replies back.
"Me too." Tony says, joining the hug.
"Our family is back together again. Although I didn’t think it’d be so soon." I comment, releasing them.
"Yes, well, that’s the meaning of family. Being there when it counts." Father replies.
"I’m so glad to here that. How did you guys make it? I thought the trial was going on and it was too dangerous
to leave London." I comment.
"Well, we told Interpol that either they let us leave, or we leave without their consent." Tony remarks.
"Always one to go against authority, aren’t we Tony?" I say with a chuckle.
"That’s me. So, baby sister, how’d you end up here? In Harmony?" Tony chuckles.
"Julie and her shopping. She had to squeeze that extra day in. So as we’re flying over the coast, a stupid
hurricane is moving up it. That causes storms up here, and ultimately, our landing here." I roll my eyes as
I tell the tale.
"Oh, that’s good. But then again, I suppose you kept a low profile. If I know you as well as I think I do,
you wouldn’t want to be spotted." Tony replies. I look between my brother and my father, who was now sitting.
"Well, I tried. But Hank Bennett knew me almost immediately. It was a dumb mistake really. I was out in the
open, at the Book Cafe. He spotted me after some black guy asked if I was Theresa."
"How could anyone ever get you two confused? Theresa was always a dreamer, while you’re a realist." Father
smiles.
"I don’t know. We look alike I guess. I saw a picture of her. She was about to marry that Ethan Crane or Bennett,
or whatever he wants to be called now." I reply.
"I read about that too. So your cover was compromised. What’d you do about it?" Tony questions.
"At first I denied it. Gave him some story about being of Italian decent. I got outta there as soon as possible,
but then I ran into Luis."
"Did he recognize you?" Tony heatedly asks. Ever since I had meet up with my brother five years ago and
told him my story, his image of Luis had changed to mine.
"No. Thank God. I manage to slip past him. But Hank followed me to the hotel. So I set up a meeting, told
him my story, and convinced him to keep quiet. He would’ve continued to if that shooting hadn’t happened, and I
hadn’t needed blood."
"Needed blood?" Father asks.
"I lost a lot. The blood bank here had a low supply of AB-, like most hospitals. So Jess told Hank to contact...
them." I hesitantly state.
"Did someone match?" Father inquires nervously.
"Yes. Luis did." I sigh loudly and look up at the ceiling.
"But you’re okay? That’s all that matters." Father comments.
"Like hell! The person I so regretfully call my brother has his blood going through my sister! The one he
banished." Tony says, enraged.
"Tony, calm down. It’s okay, really. I’ve tried to get past it." I sooth.
"Yes Tony. Calm down. If your sister can get past it, then so can we. You know I’m as disappointed in Luis
as you are, but he did what he thought was necessary at the time, and he was a match for Maria." Father interjected.
"You’re right, it’s just... he still gets to me." Tony admits.
"Me too. He’s still got that cocky attitude, like he knows everything." I comment.
"You met with him?" Father asks, a gilt of emotion in his eye.
"Yes. We talked, for a while. He said the family still loves me." I admit.
"I believe they do. Your mother may let Luis run things, but I think she still has control over her feelings."
Father replies, touching my arm with his hand.
"I guess a lot’s changed in Harmony since we left. Miguel, Theresa, and Luis are all in love." I offer.
"Really? Someone loves Luis?" Tony skeptically asked.
"Sheridan Crane. Hank said they’re both stubborn fools." I smile back at him.
"Yes, Sheridan was a stubborn girl. I remember her from when she was little." Father comments.
"Well, if they make each other happy, so be it. He’s kinda mellowed out I think." I reply.
"I don’t know if that’s possible. And him being with a Crane, who would’ve thought. Does he still hold them
responsible for father’s disappearance?" Tony questions, pacing the foot of my bed.
"Oh yes. According to Hank, he’s still very convinced they have something to do with father’s disappearance.
But not in the positive way." I reply eagerly.
"That’s three times you’ve said Hank’s name. Is there something going on? How many times has he seen you?"
Tony asks, and I freeze. Can I tell them? Will they blow a gasket?
I clear my throat, "well, it’s actually kinda funny..." |
