The Word of a Liar (37 page)

“What are you… reading?’ she asked in a hoarse whisper, trying to take her mind off the disturbing dream.

Marshall showed her the cover.

Ellen smiled. “A biker who… reads… poetry. Do Spider… and Mad Dog… know?”

Marshall shook his head and grinned.

“I might have… to let… them know.”

Ellen paused to catch her breath. “It’ll be… the bootline… for you… Mr. Hackett.”

Marshall laughed. “Maybe worse.”

“Read me something.”

Ellen put her hand to her throat and tried to rub away the soreness.

Marshall sat in the chair and pulled it closer to the bed. He opened the book to his favorite poem and then began:

“
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light
…”

Ellen closed her eyes and listened to the rich, masculine timbre of Mason’s voice as he read her the familiar poem. He caught the rhythm of the words so eloquently.

This man was full of contradictions, and it made Ellen wonder if she would ever be able to figure him out. She opened her eyes and looked at him.  Head bowed as he read the words, he glanced upward.

Their eyes briefly met.

Ellen’s heart throbbed in her ears as a startling truth rumbled through her.
He was reading to JD. And those eyes… those beautiful blue eyes. Dear God, what have I done?

Marshall began to read the last stanza, “
Rage, rage against the dying
—”

Ellen reached up, knocking the book out of his hand. It fell to the floor.

Marshall looked at her. He cocked his head in a question.

“You’re him!” Ellen gasped.

Ellen’s heart beat so fast and hard that she thought the nurse would be racing in to see what was happening. Pain seared her chest as her wounded lungs contracted.

Marshall sighed. His shoulders rounded like he’d disposed of a cumbersome weight. He nodded his head.

Ellen turned her eyes away. She wanted to scream, but her injured body wouldn’t allow it. She felt like the image trapped in the Edvard Munch painting with emotions so overwhelming they could only be painted in fiery hot oranges, blinding yellows, and the deepest of blues.  She covered her face with her hands and groaned as the physical pain and mental shock swept through her.

“I’m sorry, Ellen. I couldn’t tell you,” Marshall said in a ruptured voice.

Ellen dropped her hands and looked at him. Tears rolled down his face and then disappeared in the dark hairs of his close-cropped beard.

“Who… are… you?” Ellen asked in a whisper.

Marshall looked up and then back down at Ellen. He took a deep breath. “I’m an under-cover cop.” 

Marshall sucked his lips into his mouth. “I found you on the road seven years ago, when I was working as a state trooper.”

“What’s your… name?”

“Marshall McCabe.”

The monitor by Ellen’s bed traced her pulse with a bleeping, neon green line.

“I… don’t know… you.”

Marshall took Ellen’s hand. He brought it to his lips and kissed it. “You know that’s not true. You know me better than anyone.”

Tears ran down Ellen’s temples, wetting her pillow. She needed confirmation that this man was Mason Hackett, the man that she’d been willing to die for and not a flimsy imitation. 

“Hold me,” she cried out in a hoarse voice, each syllable accenting her pain.

Marshall shook his head. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Please,” Ellen begged. She couldn’t speak another word. The pain was too great.

Marshall lowered the bed rail. He lifted Ellen and moved her over so he could get in beside her. Lying on his side, he wrapped his arm around her hips. He kissed her cheek.

Ellen smelled the familiar scent of his cologne and felt the conversant warmth of his breath on her neck. She’d been so stupid not to have figured it out sooner. It was crazy. He’d found her on the road, not once but twice. And she’d nearly made JD an orphan trying to save a man who didn’t need saving. She had so much to say but not enough strength to muster a sound.

“Ellen,” Marshall whispered. “Do you remember that night on your porch when you called me a coward?”

Ellen sniffled and then nodded.

“You were right. I was afraid to fall in love because of what I do for a living, and I didn’t want to involve anyone else in it, much less a woman with a kid. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I was trying to save Mad Dog from getting killed or going to prison. And I know what I’m going to say sounds unbelievably corny—but I never forgot you. The courage and strength you showed the night your husband was killed stuck with me, and I always hoped I’d run into you again.”

A horrible moan escaped from Ellen.  She closed her eyes and rolled her head from side to side. Tears streamed down her temples. She wrestled with the reality that Mason Hackett didn’t exist. Marshall hugged her hips tighter and nuzzled her neck. His hand caught her face and he kissed her wet cheek.

“Ellen, I can’t lose you. Not now. Not after all of this,” Marshall whispered in her ear, sounding as desperate as she felt. “When fate brought us together for a second time—’’ Marshall’s voice cracked. “I was so torn up inside.  I couldn’t tell you who I was, and I knew I shouldn’t get involved with you. It was too dangerous. But I couldn’t stop myself. And now look what I’ve done. I’m so sorry, Ellen.”

Marshall’s body shook with emotion, but Ellen could not comfort him. The deep sense of betrayal and futility she was feeling, paralyzed her ability to respond.

“I can’t go back to being that person I was when I first met you,” Marshall continued. “Loving you has changed me on so many levels. You are one of the strongest women I know, and I have all the faith in the world that you can handle this. Don’t allow our love to be for nothing, Ellen. I’m still me.  I love you just as much as I always did. Even more because now you know the truth and I have nothing to hide.”

Marshall raised himself up. Careful not to harm her, he  moved over her.

Ellen looked up at him. The peacefulness his embrace evoked, eased her troubled emotions. She slid her fingers through his raven hair. “How am I… going to… explain… this… to JD?”

“We’ll figure out a way.”

She nodded, wanting to believe him.

“Do… the Sons—’’

“I think Mad Dog does.”

“Will they… hate… you?”

Marshall’s lip trembled. “I hope not. I hope they’ll understand.”

“They’re your… brothers.” Ellen smiled. “You love… them.”

“No matter what happens, I’ll be okay as long as I have you and JD.” 

Ellen looked into his blue hypnotic eyes, and sighed.
No more lies. Maybe things will work out the way he thinks they will. After all, there has to be a reason for all of this.
“Mas… I… mean… Marshall.”

Ellen paused.

“Do you… believe in… divine… intervention?”

“I do now,” Marshall whispered.

And then he kissed her.

Epilogue

“Okay, everyone, five more minutes until the New Year,” Mr. Dominetti called to the people in the room. “Everyone outside for the great fireworks display.”

Everyone grabbed their coats, hats, scarves, and mittens and rushed out onto Ellen’s front porch. Earlier in the day, Marshall had uncovered all the wicker furniture for the New Year’s celebration. He led Ellen over to the love seat, wrapping her up in a wool blanket in spite of her protests that she was plenty warm enough in her parka.

Ellen’s sister Jennifer handed out glasses of champagne. In respect for Ellen’s family, Spider took one of the fluted champagne glasses she offered.

Dee Dee smiled at her husband.

“I never thought I’d see the day you would be holding such a dainty glass in your hand, Ray Mullen,” she teased. “Don’t forget to stick out your pinky finger.”

Spider sneered.

JD ran about with his cousins and Amelia. The children were all excited to see the fireworks and to have the opportunity to stay up so late. Sean O’Donnell and Dylan Mullen placed a row of fireworks along the driveway and waited impatiently for the new year to begin. Ellen’s father looked at his watch, ready to alert the group to start counting the seconds.

“Okay. Get ready…. Go!” he shouted.

Marshall sat next to Ellen on the love seat.

The small gathering began to holler out the last ten seconds until the New Year.

“…five… four… three… two… one!” everyone shouted in unison while the two young men began to light off the fireworks.

A blaze of flaming fountains spit out sparkling stars, colored smoke, and dazzling bits of glittery flames. Sparks of light whistled as they exploded from the cardboard tubes, flickered among the falling snow, and then cascaded down in wispy, colored tongues of fire.

The small crowd watched with awe.

“A toast to a new year, new friends, and new beginnings,” John Dominetti said.

The clinking of glasses along with the squeal of paper horns and the rattle of noisemakers followed. Marshall turned to Ellen and clicked his champagne glass to hers.

“Happy New Year, darlin’,” he said with a smile. “Here’s to us.”

“Happy New Year,” Ellen said, raising her glass. “To us.”

Marshall kissed her and then they drank their champagne. He hugged her shoulders as he whispered into her ear. “Remember when you told me the doctor said you’d have to wait a year before you had sex—’’

“I was kidding,” Ellen said.

“Well, does this count as a year?” Marshall’s eyebrows rose.

Ellen giggled and then whispered back, “Believe me, Marshall, as soon as I get the okay from the doctor, Lady Jane is going to be riding John Thomas every chance she gets.”

Marshall grinned and then jumped up.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make,” he shouted.

Marshall pulled out a small white box from his coat pocket and genuflected in front of Ellen.

“Ellen Dominetti Abrams, in front of this very hostile crowd, will you take the biggest risk of your life and marry me?”

Marshall handed the box to Ellen.

Ellen flipped up the cover.  A diamond engagement ring sparkled on a velvet cushion. She looked at Marshall with round, stunned eyes. Her hands trembled as she removed the ring and then handed it to Marshall.

“You put it on me,” Ellen said softly, as she held her hand out.

“Does this mean yes?” Marshall asked.

Ellen nodded. “Of course it’s yes. When have I ever been able to say no to you?”

Marshall slipped the ring on Ellen’s finger. She smiled as she admired the diamond.

Marshall stood up and shouted in an exuberant voice, “She said yes! Don’t shoot me, Mr. Dominetti! I promise from now on I’ll keep her out of harm’s way. ”

Ellen’s parents frowned.

“You’d better,” John Dominetti warned, shaking a finger at Marshall.

JD ran up the steps and over to Marshall and Ellen. He sat down beside his mother and took Ellen’s hand. He stared at the ring.

“Isn’t it beautiful, JD?” Ellen asked, moving her hand so the diamond would catch the light.

“Yeah,” JD replied and then stood up. He looked up at Marshall. “Are you my new daddy now?”

Marshall smiled. “Well, your mom and I have to get married first. Then I’ll be your new daddy.”

“What are you now?”

“I’m her fiancé.”

“Fiancé?” JD looked puzzled. He bit the snow off his mitten and then looked back up at Marshall.

“Are you going to teach me how to be a lovin’ male role model?” he asked.

Marshall glanced at Ellen.

Ellen wrapped her arms across her chest and tried unsuccessfully to stifle her laughter.

Marshall chuckled, too, as he squatted to eye level with JD.

“I’m going to give it my best shot, kiddo,” he said and then hugged JD into his chest. JD immediately pulled away and then ran off the porch to watch Dylan light the smoke balls JD had made Marshall buy when they’d gone to the fireworks store earlier.

Spider and Dee Dee approached.

“Congratulations, Rambo. Ellen,” Spider said looking at each respectively. “We’re going to take off for the Ritz now. I promised the brothers we’d join them right after midnight. The party there ought to be in full swing. ”

“Is Mad Dog going, too?” Marshall asked.

“Hell if I know. He disappeared with Samantha. I think they went in the house.” Spider shook his head. “That lucky bastard never seems to have trouble finding a woman to chase.”

Ellen and Dee Dee smiled as they exchanged knowing glances.

“Before we go, I gotta see the ring,” Dee Dee said excitedly.

Ellen held out her hand.

“Wow! Do you see this big-assed diamond, Spider?”

Spider nodded.

Dee Dee raised her eyebrows, “Well?”

Spider shrugged his shoulders. “Well, what?”

“Want to try it on?” Ellen asked Dee.

Dee nodded as she glanced at Spider.

Spider’s eyes narrowed. He took a deep breath.

“I’m going to start the truck. Don’t be long, woman,” Spider said and then turned to Marshall. Leaning in close, Spider hissed into Marshall’s ear, “We need to talk. Come with me.”

Bewildered by Spider’s tone, Marshall followed him off the porch and across the street to Spider’s parked truck.

Spider turned to face him.

“What the hell were you thinkin’, Rambo? ‘A lovin’ male role model’? You’re a biker, not some metrosexual jackass like Ellen’s brother-in-law up there. You don’t get down on one knee and propose in front of these people!” Spider said in disgust. “You’re an officer in the Sons of Thunder, man. Show some respect for those colors you wear on your back.”

Spider jerked open the truck door, climbed in, and then started the engine. He looked at Marshall.

“And now—thanks to you—I’m gonna have to listen to Dee talk about that fucking ring you bought Ellen. The next time I call church, it’s the boot line for you, Rambo. And I’m personally gonna make sure you don’t sit down for a week.”

Spider slammed the truck door closed.

Marshall stood dumbfounded. He hadn’t thought about what Spider or Mad Dog’s reaction would be to his proposal and he honestly didn’t give a damn.  He’d felt like a little kid on his birthday the entire day. When the fireworks had gone off, it seemed the right moment to give Ellen the ring. Marshall tapped on the glass.

Spider lowered the window. “Yeah, what is it?” he asked.

Marshall cocked his head and grinned. “You do what you gotta do, old man, but keep in mind why you and the brothers made me the Enforcer of the Sons of Thunder in the first place. And another thing, maybe you ought to get Dee Dee a big fat diamond. She deserves it for having put up with you for all these years,” Marshall said and then turned and walked away.  At the end of the driveway, he met Dee Dee and stopped.

Dee Dee smiled.

“Don’t worry, Rambo. My old man will get over it,” she said as if she knew what Spider had just lectured him about. “He can’t handle big shows of affection. Makes him nervous. It makes me uncomfortable, too, but not tonight.” She smiled reassuringly.  “Remember what I whispered into your ear the night of the rally? How I told you Ellen wasn’t one of us?”

Marshall nodded.

“I think that about you a lot, too,” Dee Dee said, looking hard into Marshall’s eyes. “But it doesn’t matter that you’re not like all the other brothers. I like you, Rambo. I always have. And I sincerely hope Ellen will love you like I love Spider, even though you’re never going to fit perfectly into her world either.” 

Marshall sighed.  “I hope so, too.”

Dee Dee nodded. “Happy New Year, Rambo.”

Marshall read the affection in her fierce dark eyes. If he hadn’t already gotten Spider so worked up, Marshall would have hugged her. “Happy New Year, Dee,” he said.

Dee Dee walked away.

Marshall watched her cross the street and then get into the truck. As Spider pulled away, Marshall waved. When the truck disappeared from sight, Marshall turned back to the house. When he got to the top porch step, he paused and looked over at Ellen. JD sat next to her with his head resting on her arm. He looked sleepy.
The excitement of the night must have finally caught up with him.

Even though Ellen’s face was partially hidden by the white, fluffy fur trimming the hood of her parka, Marshall could see her radiant smile as she held out her hand to show her little nieces the ring.

With JD next to her and surrounded by her family, she looks as happy and content as I feel,
he thought
.
Ellen looked up and saw him. Their eyes connected in an easy embrace. She blew a kiss and then turned her attention back to the girls.

Marshall smiled
.
He knew all things would be possible with Ellen by his side.
She’s worth the humiliation of the boot line,
he thought
, and a hell of a lot more
!

The End