“You’re talking in circles, confusing the heck outta your daddy. You didn’t do anything, yet he made you do somethin’ that Lizzy caused by ignoring you and breaking it off with the criminal? Do what, baby girl? What did you do with that nasty George fella? Pornography?”
“Lizzy doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I would never do such a thing as to ruin one of her exhibitions or post comments on the gallery’s FacePage.”
Ah ha! You admit the phone call and social media shit posting.
“Did you take dirty pictures with that no-good rich boy and post them on the internet?” Big Tom pointed his finger at her.
Like a cornered, frightened animal, Jane yelled and slammed the table, “No! How dare you accuse me!”
People in the restaurant turned, and their father growled. “Don’t you lie to me, Jane Frances Gardiner Bennet. It sounds like the law is after you, and your mama ain’t gonna like her perfect child dragging theGardinerBennet name through the mud. You know how proud she is. For sure, she’ll get the vapors and probably drown herself—and you—in Mirror Lake. A fitting end to both your vain lives.”
He inhaled deeply, attempting to calm himself. “I said it before, and I’ll say it again—you need to be married off to your third cousin, Pastor Collins, over in Rock River. He’ll straighten you out in no time.” He shook his head, then settled his hat on it. “Why, Ineverimagined this city would corrupt my proper daughter. Looks like Roy has found himself a new waitress, after all.”
Lizzy bit her lip, loving how Jane silently sank into her crossed arms, squirming under Big Tom’s forceful control. In fact, her sister was so incensed that her upper lip puffed like an angry bull’s nostrils. The masks had been pulled off and the demon within wanted to blow into a full rage but couldn’t.
Folding his hands upon his rotund belly, their father leaned back in his chair, calmly stating, “You’re either coming home with me or you’re not, and then you’ll face justice for raisin’ cain. I saw on thatLock UpTV show all about that Riker’s Island prison. It ain’t no trip to Paris, I tell ya.”
“Did I mention that William’s aunt is a federal judge? Sis, didn’t I warn you about messing with the Darcy family?” she said.
“After all I have done for you! How dare you do this to me, Lizzy! I will never speak with you again.”
Ah, the expected victim card, making me the villain in this shit show.It saddened her that even when faced with the truth, Jane still couldn’t accept the weight of her actions.
She couldn’t bring herself to respond. What would be the point in stating, “Never speak to me again? Good! Do for me? You did nothing!Idid everything!” because it hurt her heart, and Jane lacked cognizance of truth. She also had zero self-awareness. Although family, her sister needed compassionate understanding following years of their mother’s unregulated emotions, she also needed years of psychoanalysis. But choosing to say goodbye to Jane—as she had to her toxic mother—for self-preservation, squeezed her heart. That’s the price she had to pay for being an empath, enabler, and a person who loved deeply. She prayed time would heal this wound, too.
Breathe. Remain silent. Light enters wounds. Do not get sucked into the darkness. Do not fight back; it only feeds the demon.
“Apologize to your sister for everything underhanded,” Big Tom demanded from Jane.
“She should apologize tomefor her absolute betrayal!” Jane demanded.
“Don’t you raise your voice to me. Isaid, apologize to your baby sister. Why, you’re just as pig-headed as your mama.”
Once again, Jane fell back into her chair with a huff, resuming her crossed arm position. “I’m sorry you think I called that artist about the showing, but I’m not sorry for sleeping with your ex-fiancé since Louisa’s wedding.” Jane smiled at that last zinger.
William was right. Who hadn’t George slept with?She laughed. “Well, then maybe you can gethimto pay your rent.”
“Yup, you are never leavin’ the ranch again unless you repent and marry Collins. The Lord’s gonna have a field day with you. Because of you, we’reallgonna burn in hell—except Lizzy! The only one with an ounce of sense in this whole dang family of lunatics and psychopaths.”
Lizzy looked up at the door where William entered like a breath of fresh air, looking so fine wearing a marine blue suit and a yellow tie. Approaching the table with long, confident strides and a smile, he winked at her. Pete the bodyguard lagged, probably offended by the fetid stench of narcissisticpura mierdabeing dished out at the table.
Jane sobered, wiping non-existent tears from her face. The woman looked scared shitless at the sight of William and Pete’s formidable presence.
Yes, Jane, my valiant prince has arrived, and your reckoning is forthcoming. The meat axe looks poised for destruction.
Once at the table, William bent, kissing her cheek before addressing anyone. Pete sat alone by the entrance to the dining room, eyes glued to the table.
“Daddy, I’d like for you to meet my fiancé, William Darcy,” she beamed, taking William’s left hand in hers for support. From the side of her eye, she watched Jane look away.
Big Tom switched his stormy gaze from Pete to Jane to William, giving him the once-over from top to bottom. “Nice suit, boy.”
“Thank you, sir,” he said, presenting his hand for a shake. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Bennet.”
“You can call me Big Tom.”
“Thank you.”
“Have a seat and let’s have a chinwag about what my daughter, Janie, did to you. Are you gonna press charges?”
