Truth

the present. She moved her focus from the vast green landscape to the person now looming beside her chair. Expecting the nurse, Samuel’s presence caught her off guard.
    Marie spun around, her feet feverishly pushing into her sandals. “Mr. Rawls, I didn’t know you were home.”
    His stare was intense, as he lowered himself onto the adjacent lounge chair. Instead of speaking, he looked out at the blue sky. The growing silence magnified Marie’s unease. Only the rustle of the trees in the breeze was audible. Finally she asked, “Did you want something? Or are you waiting for the physician to finish his exam?”
    “ You like this lifestyle, don’t you?”
    “ Excuse me?”
    “ I had you investigated. Did you seriously think I would allow someone to live in my house, care for my mother, and seduce my father without knowing her past?”
    Marie stood abruptly. She moved toward the rail debating her response. If this were Nathaniel and they were alone, she would meet him head-on. This wasn’t Nathaniel. And she’d always addressed Samuel with respect, a kindness obviously not reciprocated.
    “ Mr. Rawls, your tone is making me uneasy.”
    He stood, “Really, my tone? My words aren’t bothering you? The fact I just accused you of seducing my father – calling you what you are, a whore.”
    “ I believe you’re overwrought by your mother’s illness. I’m sure you don’t mean everything you’re saying.”
    “ You’re wrong. I mean every damn word. I will admit, the investigation was tricky, seeing as though you don’t use your first name.” She turned and glared, her gray eyes speaking the retort she wouldn’t allow her lips to say. He continued, “My investigator told me you were disowned by your family – they don’t want anything to do with you, after you disgraced them, after you gave birth to a bastard!”
    Her blood boiled; she couldn’t contain her words. “Your investigator doesn’t have the whole story.”
    “ When my father hears this, once my mother is gone, you’ll be out on your ass!”
    “ Good luck with that.” Marie’s chin rose in defiance. “Your father knows the truth. I’ve told him everything. The truth is...” Marie straightened her stance and contemplated. After a protracted silence, she continued with more control and less emotion, “The truth is -- you don’t deserve to know what happened. It’s none of your damn business.”
    Samuel took a step toward her, infuriated by her insolate words and tone. This conversation could go so many different directions. Fortunately the destination would remain unknown as a petite blonde nurse offered a welcome interruption, politely knocking on the glass paned door, purposely making as much noise as possible, as she entered the stone balcony. “Excuse me, Mr. Rawls, Ms. Marie, the doctor would like to speak with you both.”
    Samuel’s look would stop most people in their tracks. His brown eyes glowed with frightening intensity. Many people would be intimidated by the darkness; Marie was not. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt she had Nathaniel’s support. That knowledge propelled her forward. She’d seen those eyes before, in the man she loved. However, they hadn’t been directed at her, but at the man before her. Perhaps that was Samuel’s true source of animosity. She possessed the love and support he’d never received. Pity threatened her indignation until fear took over. What would Samuel do if he knew she were pregnant?
     
    The report was the same: Ms. Sharron’s vitals continue to diminish. The IV kept her hydrated but without nutrients she’d be gone within hours or days. This time, the doctor did not expect a reprieve. Samuel, Amanda, and Marie listened as the doctor explained the probable sequence of internal events ultimately releasing Sharron from her earthly prison and stopping her respirations altogether.
    The three sat in silence as the doctor and his staff gathered their belongings. “Mr. Rawls, I will once again offer my nurses to stay with Mrs. Rawls during these last few days. This is a difficult time for those emotionally bound to her. We can have a rotation here twenty-four hours.”
    Nathaniel wasn’t present, granting Samuel the supreme position as decision maker. Marie sat straight and looked to Mr. Samuel. She wanted compassion, understanding, perhaps even respect for her years of service. She wanted to be the one monitoring the sweet lady. Instead, what Marie saw was contempt.