Part 4 Small World
"I promised you that I would come back."
Marianne paused. Careful to disguise her sigh of relief, she turned towards her brother Ethan. In some ways, she feared that she would never see him again. Just having him here was putting both of their lives in danger. Her face broke into a smile as he rose from the couch. He was terribly dressed but she was glad to see him just the same. He had beautiful brown eyes. They were trained on her just now, as he wordlessly wrapped his arms around her. She wasn't used to such a display of affection, her arms hanging limp at her sides, before Ethan took them and placed them on his shoulders. His actions embarrassed her but were quickly erased by the emotions that began to flood her heart.
"You can't stay here." Miss Parker replied anxiously, her voice muffled by their embrace.
There was a clicking sound, and a low laugh.
"Our sister is right, you know. You can't stay here." A voice said.
Her brother started to back away slowly, with a surprised look in his eyes. Lyle had placed his gun squarely onto his back and now had one arm wrapped around his neck. In one fluid motion, Miss Parker had at once raised her gun and pointed it towards her twin.
"Just what the hell are you trying to accomplish here, Lyle?" Miss Parker asked, her voice suddenly flat and cold.
"Following orders." Lyle solemnly replied.
"Last I checked, it was me you took orders from." Miss Parker hissed, beginning to shake. Ethan's eyes had never once left hers. He seemed so calm, so unafraid. There was only one person that needed to be afraid and Miss Parker was scared to death.
"I only take orders from myself." Lyle retorted with a smile. His blue eyes gleamed like that of a madman, sending shivers down Miss Parker's back. What a waste of a perfect navy blue suit, she surmised. Lyle looked impeccable. It made her wonder how many women he had seduced with that very smile he had so maliciously gave her. She still couldn't believe that this scoundrel was her very own flesh and blood.
"I've come to inform you that your services are no longer needed. Don't look so shocked. It was only temporary. You weren't the plan sis. Only part of it."
"What does that have to do with your gun in my brother' back?" Miss Parker hissed as she took a step forwards.
"Oh him?" Lyle innocently asked as he brushed the barrel of his gun along Ethan's neck, taking pleasure in his victim's grimace.
"Now it's just killing two birds with one stone."
"You will not get way with this," Miss Parker hissed. "Just what you do want with him?"
"I want nothing from him!" Lyle yelled out suddenly. His face had become twisted with rage.
"It's what I want from you. Did sharing a womb ever mean anything to you? I am of your own flesh, your own blood, Miss Parker." Lyle began to laugh bitterly.
"Is that actual hurt that I see in your eyes?" Miss Parker began in a mocking tone.
"I would sooner believe that you crawled out from under a rock. This is between you and me, Lyle."
"Yes, this is between you and me. But making Ethan a part of it makes it so much more fun." Lyle smiled, unfazed by what his sister just said.
Miss Parker cried out in exasperation.
"You let him go, Lyle!" She began to snarl. "I've killed you before and I'll do it again!"
"God." Lyle suddenly exclaimed, his mouth hanging open.
"You look even more gorgeous when you're terrified."
"That's enough." It came out barely above a whisper, but it was more forceful then she had ever heard her brother speak.
Ethan had acted upon the moment that he had been waiting for. Lyle had become vulnerable. He broke free, yanking the gun from Lyle's grasp. A struggle ensued, as their bodies became intertwined. It was not long before the sound of a single gunshot rose above them into the dead of night. Marianne aimed her gun at the one who had been the victor, now grunting and groaning.
"Marianne?" He said softly. He was struggling to get up, blindly reaching towards her.
Her eyes widened, uncharacteristically, she started to back away from the figure advancing towards her.
"Marianne?" He repeated.
"How do you know my name?" Miss Parker gasped. She couldn't decide what shocked her the most. The image of her twin, slumped onto the ground, bleeding all over the floor, or Ethan, calling out her name. No one had called her by her first name in years. The name sounded so sweet. It was irony that it belonged to someone who was far from it. She had refused to respond to that name ever since her mother died. She shakily dropped her gun and helped Ethan get off the floor. He smiled in gratitude as he steadied himself on her arm.
"Jarod has always called you by that name."
************************************** Their first embrace together had lasted a full twenty minutes. Then came the tears. Then came the laughter. The "I love yous" had been exchanged. It had been worth it. It was worth every penny he had ever spent, every breath that he had ever took. He would trade it all for these moments, and was completely overwhelmed by the fact that he did have it all. Jarod had finally found his family. He had wanted nothing else. His parents loved him and just as he had always hoped, never gave up searching for him. His days of a pretending were over and he finally learning who he really was. He was Charles and Margaret's son.
The doorbell ring had Jarod leaping off the couch. He was ready for more. His father had told him that they were expecting Ethan. Jarod was virtually floating across the room to the door. He hadn't seen Ethan for more then a year. He never had much of a chance to really connect with him and was looking forward to furthering their relationship. He opened the door and all the color drained from his face. Ethan was casually standing in the doorway with a smile on his face. She was standing next to him, bright- eyed, the source of all his nightmares and his dreams. Miss Parker. He let his parents push through him, as he backed away, retreating into the shadows.
"Marianne!" Margaret and Charles cried out in unison. "Is that you?
You look just like your mother." Margaret cried, her arms already
encircling her. Marianne could feel her arms, again hanging limp at her sides. She dared not lift her eyes. Jarod was just three feet away. Jesus.
"I shouldn't be here." She whispered. Her mind was threatening to fall apart. She was already trying to withdraw from the old woman's grasp. It was Margaret's voice that brought her back to reality.
"No, no." Margaret said, brushing back a strand of Marianne's hair.
Marianne paused. Her heart ached, as she was suddenly reminded of her own mother. "I'm so sorry." She whispered.
Margaret made no reply. She never heard her, in fact. She was already leading Marianne up the stairs.
****************************************************
It was late at night. Everyone had already gone to bed. But Marianne hadn't slept at all. She had not anticipated this. Seeing again Jarod made her feel ashamed. It frustrated her. She would sooner go down in flames then show her face here. Which was why Ethan bringing her here had astonished her. His parents had seemed sincere in their affections, which only confused her even more. Surely they knew what she had done to their son. What she had done to their entire family. She had drawn her knees up to her chin, slightly shivering in the cool wind that rustled through the back porch.
**************************************** Jarod couldn't sleep. He had trudged about the house aimlessly, unsure of what to think. There was nothing that could prepare him for the emotional onslaught he had already suffered. It had been a small world after all. He thought that he would never see her again and he hoped for it, somehow it made it easier. He had finally found what he was looking for and he was ready to disappear. He wasn't prepared to have HER at his doorstep. Now what was he supposed to do? He found himself in the kitchen and noticed that the back porch light was on. He walked towards the glass door, peeking outside. It was too late. Before he could back away, Marianne had lifted her head, her eyes meeting his. A lump formed in his throat and foolishly, he tried to swallow it. His mind was screaming at him to get away, but his heart was dragging him towards her. He opened the door and walked outside, his eyes never leaving hers. Act casual. He told himself, as he approached her.
"Is it okay if I sit here?" Jarod began quietly.
"It's a free country." She replied thickly, as she shifted to make room for him, her eyes cast down.
The silence was only for a few seconds but it felt like a few years. He was content just to be near her, even if she never opened her mouth. He was content just looking at her face, not really recognizing who was before him. Her hair was tousled and her makeup was smeared. More beautiful then ever.
"I shouldn't be here Jarod." She began hesitantly.
Jarod knew exactly what she had been thinking. His parents' reaction of her arrival was surprising to him as well. Nevertheless, her sudden omission shocked him.
"My parents loved you as a little girl, why wouldn't they love you
now?"
"They cared for me didn't they?" Marianne said, finally able to lift
her eyes to look at his.
"I think it's safe to say that our ties run deeper then we know."
"But don't they know that I'm the one responsible for keeping their son
away from them?"
"Yes they do. But they understand that I wasn't the only one, being held prisoner." Jarod replied simply.
"You know that it's all over right?" Marianne said with a bitter smile.
"They want me dead as much as they want you back."
Her eyes met his and she instantly she realized why. He had taken hold of her hand and was lightly tracing the outline of her ring with his finger. Marianne's heart began to race. She wanted to yank her hand away, but couldn't. She tried desperately to diffuse the situation but she was too tempted. Too intrigued not to let him speak, not hear what he was going to say next.
"Like I've said before," he began in a gruff voice.
" I believe that there is more to you and me then I run and you chase."
"Don't do this Jarod." She whispered.
She looked up and wished that she hadn't. He was inching towards her, shyly, but coming closer. There was a desperate look in his eyes, a desire that she didn't want to deny.
At first she thought that she had stopped breathing. But then she realized that she was just holding her breath, because Jarod's lips were on hers. His grasp around her shoulders had become firm and unyielding. She could feel the warmth of his body, pressed up against her own. It was as sweet as she remembered. It was a memory that had burned in her mind, taken possession of her soul. She knew truth. The truth was that nothing was better then a stolen kiss. She could feel herself melting into him, she felt herself returning his affections and in just a few moments they would become one. But her mind refused to stop it's race. Was this real? How could he have forgiven her so quickly? This was never meant to be. She began to resist, she pressed her hands against his chest, trying to break his embrace. His chest chair curled into her fingers, she shuddered at the shock of his bare skin underneath her hands. With one final shove, she broke away, grateful for her steady feet, as she sprung upward to stand.
"Have you forgotten who the hell I am?" She began viciously, as she backed away from Jarod.
"I am the woman who has made your life hell for the past six years!!" She cried.
He was still swooning, not yet torn apart from his dream. He opened his eyes to find her away from him. She seemed desperate, her face a mixture of sadness and something else.
"I thought that things had changed." He replied simply, in utter disbelief of his own composure.
"Things have not changed." Marianne's voice was filled with hatred. She had no control over her emotions now. She only wanted to wipe that blissful look off his face. She only wanted to hurt him.
"Do you really expect me to just throw
away my whole life and who I am just because
you've got a stupid crush?!"
"If this is just a crush then I don't know if I could take the real
thing if it ever happened." Jarod said quietly as he looked away. He felt like his chest was going to cave in on him. He suddenly rose from the porch swing, his gaze solemn and suddenly cold.
"Goodnight Marianne."
The frankness of his words stung Marianne. Before she could say another word, Jarod walked back into the house. Hearing him slam the door would have strangely been more satisfying, but Jarod was above that. How could she expect him to humor her now? She could feel her heart collapsing as she heard the soft click of the door shutting and his footsteps becoming more and more faint.
The wind had picked up, it had shredded the gardenia bushes in it's
wake. Petals were falling everywhere. The wind chimes were singing.
Somewhere, Marianne could hear someone crying. The wind stung her
face as the tears fell.
"I promised you that I would come back."
Marianne paused. Careful to disguise her sigh of relief, she turned towards her brother Ethan. In some ways, she feared that she would never see him again. Just having him here was putting both of their lives in danger. Her face broke into a smile as he rose from the couch. He was terribly dressed but she was glad to see him just the same. He had beautiful brown eyes. They were trained on her just now, as he wordlessly wrapped his arms around her. She wasn't used to such a display of affection, her arms hanging limp at her sides, before Ethan took them and placed them on his shoulders. His actions embarrassed her but were quickly erased by the emotions that began to flood her heart.
"You can't stay here." Miss Parker replied anxiously, her voice muffled by their embrace.
There was a clicking sound, and a low laugh.
"Our sister is right, you know. You can't stay here." A voice said.
Her brother started to back away slowly, with a surprised look in his eyes. Lyle had placed his gun squarely onto his back and now had one arm wrapped around his neck. In one fluid motion, Miss Parker had at once raised her gun and pointed it towards her twin.
"Just what the hell are you trying to accomplish here, Lyle?" Miss Parker asked, her voice suddenly flat and cold.
"Following orders." Lyle solemnly replied.
"Last I checked, it was me you took orders from." Miss Parker hissed, beginning to shake. Ethan's eyes had never once left hers. He seemed so calm, so unafraid. There was only one person that needed to be afraid and Miss Parker was scared to death.
"I only take orders from myself." Lyle retorted with a smile. His blue eyes gleamed like that of a madman, sending shivers down Miss Parker's back. What a waste of a perfect navy blue suit, she surmised. Lyle looked impeccable. It made her wonder how many women he had seduced with that very smile he had so maliciously gave her. She still couldn't believe that this scoundrel was her very own flesh and blood.
"I've come to inform you that your services are no longer needed. Don't look so shocked. It was only temporary. You weren't the plan sis. Only part of it."
"What does that have to do with your gun in my brother' back?" Miss Parker hissed as she took a step forwards.
"Oh him?" Lyle innocently asked as he brushed the barrel of his gun along Ethan's neck, taking pleasure in his victim's grimace.
"Now it's just killing two birds with one stone."
"You will not get way with this," Miss Parker hissed. "Just what you do want with him?"
"I want nothing from him!" Lyle yelled out suddenly. His face had become twisted with rage.
"It's what I want from you. Did sharing a womb ever mean anything to you? I am of your own flesh, your own blood, Miss Parker." Lyle began to laugh bitterly.
"Is that actual hurt that I see in your eyes?" Miss Parker began in a mocking tone.
"I would sooner believe that you crawled out from under a rock. This is between you and me, Lyle."
"Yes, this is between you and me. But making Ethan a part of it makes it so much more fun." Lyle smiled, unfazed by what his sister just said.
Miss Parker cried out in exasperation.
"You let him go, Lyle!" She began to snarl. "I've killed you before and I'll do it again!"
"God." Lyle suddenly exclaimed, his mouth hanging open.
"You look even more gorgeous when you're terrified."
"That's enough." It came out barely above a whisper, but it was more forceful then she had ever heard her brother speak.
Ethan had acted upon the moment that he had been waiting for. Lyle had become vulnerable. He broke free, yanking the gun from Lyle's grasp. A struggle ensued, as their bodies became intertwined. It was not long before the sound of a single gunshot rose above them into the dead of night. Marianne aimed her gun at the one who had been the victor, now grunting and groaning.
"Marianne?" He said softly. He was struggling to get up, blindly reaching towards her.
Her eyes widened, uncharacteristically, she started to back away from the figure advancing towards her.
"Marianne?" He repeated.
"How do you know my name?" Miss Parker gasped. She couldn't decide what shocked her the most. The image of her twin, slumped onto the ground, bleeding all over the floor, or Ethan, calling out her name. No one had called her by her first name in years. The name sounded so sweet. It was irony that it belonged to someone who was far from it. She had refused to respond to that name ever since her mother died. She shakily dropped her gun and helped Ethan get off the floor. He smiled in gratitude as he steadied himself on her arm.
"Jarod has always called you by that name."
************************************** Their first embrace together had lasted a full twenty minutes. Then came the tears. Then came the laughter. The "I love yous" had been exchanged. It had been worth it. It was worth every penny he had ever spent, every breath that he had ever took. He would trade it all for these moments, and was completely overwhelmed by the fact that he did have it all. Jarod had finally found his family. He had wanted nothing else. His parents loved him and just as he had always hoped, never gave up searching for him. His days of a pretending were over and he finally learning who he really was. He was Charles and Margaret's son.
The doorbell ring had Jarod leaping off the couch. He was ready for more. His father had told him that they were expecting Ethan. Jarod was virtually floating across the room to the door. He hadn't seen Ethan for more then a year. He never had much of a chance to really connect with him and was looking forward to furthering their relationship. He opened the door and all the color drained from his face. Ethan was casually standing in the doorway with a smile on his face. She was standing next to him, bright- eyed, the source of all his nightmares and his dreams. Miss Parker. He let his parents push through him, as he backed away, retreating into the shadows.
"Marianne!" Margaret and Charles cried out in unison. "Is that you?
You look just like your mother." Margaret cried, her arms already
encircling her. Marianne could feel her arms, again hanging limp at her sides. She dared not lift her eyes. Jarod was just three feet away. Jesus.
"I shouldn't be here." She whispered. Her mind was threatening to fall apart. She was already trying to withdraw from the old woman's grasp. It was Margaret's voice that brought her back to reality.
"No, no." Margaret said, brushing back a strand of Marianne's hair.
Marianne paused. Her heart ached, as she was suddenly reminded of her own mother. "I'm so sorry." She whispered.
Margaret made no reply. She never heard her, in fact. She was already leading Marianne up the stairs.
****************************************************
It was late at night. Everyone had already gone to bed. But Marianne hadn't slept at all. She had not anticipated this. Seeing again Jarod made her feel ashamed. It frustrated her. She would sooner go down in flames then show her face here. Which was why Ethan bringing her here had astonished her. His parents had seemed sincere in their affections, which only confused her even more. Surely they knew what she had done to their son. What she had done to their entire family. She had drawn her knees up to her chin, slightly shivering in the cool wind that rustled through the back porch.
**************************************** Jarod couldn't sleep. He had trudged about the house aimlessly, unsure of what to think. There was nothing that could prepare him for the emotional onslaught he had already suffered. It had been a small world after all. He thought that he would never see her again and he hoped for it, somehow it made it easier. He had finally found what he was looking for and he was ready to disappear. He wasn't prepared to have HER at his doorstep. Now what was he supposed to do? He found himself in the kitchen and noticed that the back porch light was on. He walked towards the glass door, peeking outside. It was too late. Before he could back away, Marianne had lifted her head, her eyes meeting his. A lump formed in his throat and foolishly, he tried to swallow it. His mind was screaming at him to get away, but his heart was dragging him towards her. He opened the door and walked outside, his eyes never leaving hers. Act casual. He told himself, as he approached her.
"Is it okay if I sit here?" Jarod began quietly.
"It's a free country." She replied thickly, as she shifted to make room for him, her eyes cast down.
The silence was only for a few seconds but it felt like a few years. He was content just to be near her, even if she never opened her mouth. He was content just looking at her face, not really recognizing who was before him. Her hair was tousled and her makeup was smeared. More beautiful then ever.
"I shouldn't be here Jarod." She began hesitantly.
Jarod knew exactly what she had been thinking. His parents' reaction of her arrival was surprising to him as well. Nevertheless, her sudden omission shocked him.
"My parents loved you as a little girl, why wouldn't they love you
now?"
"They cared for me didn't they?" Marianne said, finally able to lift
her eyes to look at his.
"I think it's safe to say that our ties run deeper then we know."
"But don't they know that I'm the one responsible for keeping their son
away from them?"
"Yes they do. But they understand that I wasn't the only one, being held prisoner." Jarod replied simply.
"You know that it's all over right?" Marianne said with a bitter smile.
"They want me dead as much as they want you back."
Her eyes met his and she instantly she realized why. He had taken hold of her hand and was lightly tracing the outline of her ring with his finger. Marianne's heart began to race. She wanted to yank her hand away, but couldn't. She tried desperately to diffuse the situation but she was too tempted. Too intrigued not to let him speak, not hear what he was going to say next.
"Like I've said before," he began in a gruff voice.
" I believe that there is more to you and me then I run and you chase."
"Don't do this Jarod." She whispered.
She looked up and wished that she hadn't. He was inching towards her, shyly, but coming closer. There was a desperate look in his eyes, a desire that she didn't want to deny.
At first she thought that she had stopped breathing. But then she realized that she was just holding her breath, because Jarod's lips were on hers. His grasp around her shoulders had become firm and unyielding. She could feel the warmth of his body, pressed up against her own. It was as sweet as she remembered. It was a memory that had burned in her mind, taken possession of her soul. She knew truth. The truth was that nothing was better then a stolen kiss. She could feel herself melting into him, she felt herself returning his affections and in just a few moments they would become one. But her mind refused to stop it's race. Was this real? How could he have forgiven her so quickly? This was never meant to be. She began to resist, she pressed her hands against his chest, trying to break his embrace. His chest chair curled into her fingers, she shuddered at the shock of his bare skin underneath her hands. With one final shove, she broke away, grateful for her steady feet, as she sprung upward to stand.
"Have you forgotten who the hell I am?" She began viciously, as she backed away from Jarod.
"I am the woman who has made your life hell for the past six years!!" She cried.
He was still swooning, not yet torn apart from his dream. He opened his eyes to find her away from him. She seemed desperate, her face a mixture of sadness and something else.
"I thought that things had changed." He replied simply, in utter disbelief of his own composure.
"Things have not changed." Marianne's voice was filled with hatred. She had no control over her emotions now. She only wanted to wipe that blissful look off his face. She only wanted to hurt him.
"Do you really expect me to just throw
away my whole life and who I am just because
you've got a stupid crush?!"
"If this is just a crush then I don't know if I could take the real
thing if it ever happened." Jarod said quietly as he looked away. He felt like his chest was going to cave in on him. He suddenly rose from the porch swing, his gaze solemn and suddenly cold.
"Goodnight Marianne."
The frankness of his words stung Marianne. Before she could say another word, Jarod walked back into the house. Hearing him slam the door would have strangely been more satisfying, but Jarod was above that. How could she expect him to humor her now? She could feel her heart collapsing as she heard the soft click of the door shutting and his footsteps becoming more and more faint.
The wind had picked up, it had shredded the gardenia bushes in it's
wake. Petals were falling everywhere. The wind chimes were singing.
Somewhere, Marianne could hear someone crying. The wind stung her
face as the tears fell.