The Truth about Mary
Mary walked into the kitchen later the next morning and had just enough time to start a pot of coffee when her phone began to ring. She pulled it out of her pocket and answered.
"Hello?"
"Mary, it's Marshall."
"What's up?"
"We just got a call from the US Attorney. We've got to prepare a new witness to be transported." Mary let out a breath as she let the machine begin to percolate.
"Where do we have to go?" Marshall gave her the address and Mary nearly dropped her phone.
"Mary, you there?" She tried to form words but nothing came out. She waited a minute or two and tried again.
"Yeah uh…you do know that's my address."
"I did actually. You going to tell me what your sister did now?"
"No. Look, I'll be here. I can handle this."
"I think it would be easier for everyone if I was there." Mary let out a breath.
"Fine." She hung up the phone and sunk into a chair. She couldn't believe this. Brandi was going into the programs. But…wasn't that what she'd been hoping for. Despite Brandi's massive screw up, Mary wanted her sister to be safe and out of danger. Moments later, Jinx walked in, looking tired.
"Mom, did you sleep at all last night?" She shook her head.
"I'm so worried about Brandi. It must have been awful being in jail last night."
"Yeah well…I thin she'll be home soon enough." Jinx just nodded and sat down at the center island. Mother and daughter sat in silence while coffee brewed. By the time it had finished, a knock came on the front door.
"I'll get it." Mary left her cup at her seat and went to answer the door. Without a word, she let Marshall in.
"She here yet?"
"No. Uh…why don't you wait in here?"
"Why? I've met your mom before."
"I don't want to have to explain everything twice. So just…sit down. You want some coffee?" Marshall sat down on the couch.
"Sure."
Mary returned to kitchen to find Jinx standing in front of the toaster. She didn't seem to notice that they had a guest. Mary didn't say anything either. The longer she didn't have to explain her job to her family, the better. She quietly poured Marshall a cup of coffee and brought it back to him.
"So…"
"No. Ask me one more time and I'll smack you." He held his hands up defensively but said nothing.
On the highway, Liv and Brandi weaved through the mid morning traffic. Brandi fiddled with her purse straps. She wasn't sure what she was going to tell Mary and Jinx. She new Mary already knew that she'd been arrested. But had she told their mother? In the driver seat, Liv looked over and reached to pat Brandi on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, it will be ok."
"But…what do I tell them?"
"You tell them the truth. There will be US Marshals there to help you explain everything." Brandi let out a sigh as they pulled into the driveway. Mary's car was still there as well as a car she didn't recognize. Liv cut the engine and they climbed out in silence. Brandi felt as if she were waling to her death as she walked up the stairs and through the front door.
"Mom? Mary?" Jinx raced from the kitchen and threw her arms around Brandi.
"You had me so worried, sweetie."
"I'm ok, Mom." She looked over to see Mary sitting next to Marshall on the couch.
"Where are the US Marshals?" she asked. Marshall shared a look with Mary and stood up.
"That'd be us." Brandi couldn't help but laugh.
"No, seriously…where are they?"
"He's telling the truth, Brandi." Mary pulled her badge from her pocket and handed it to her sister. Brandi just stood shaking her head in disbelief.
"I don't…" Liv cleared her throat, drawing the attention of the room.
"I think we'd better sit down." Mary perched on the arm of the couch, ready to begin pacing if she had to. Marshall moved over so Brandi and Jinx could sit down as well.
"I take it you didn't know your sister worked with Marshal Service?"
"Well we knew she did something with the government but…" Jinx began but Brandi cut her off.
"So…you knew all about this…program thing?"
"Yeah, Brandi. I know all about it."
"Program? What program? A drug program?"
"God, no Mom. And I don't have a drug problem." She glared at Mary.
"I didn't say you did, Squish."
"But what's this program?" Jinx persisted. Mary let out a breath.
"The Federal Witness Protection Program."
"What does that mean?" Mary was on her feet, pacing the living room.
"It means that Brandi packs up her stuff and gets moved to a new city. She gets a new identity, a new life in exchange for a plea with the government. I'm guessing you agreed to testify against Chuck?" Brandi nodded.
"I just…I can't believe you knew all about this stuff and you didn't tell me before."
"I can't tell you what I do, Brandi. It's part of my job. I have to stay anonymous just as much as my witnesses do."
"If I can just say something." Mary nodded, trying to stop pacing.
"The plea we have with the US Attorney states she has to be transported within twenty-four hours. So you're going to have to move fast." Jinx wrapped a hand around Brandi's arm.
"I don't want to lose you, baby."
"She can bring family into the program with her," Marshall interjected.
"Ok…see that's good…you guys can come with me."
"I can't go into the program, Brandi," Mary said with a huff.
"Why not?"
"Weren't you just listening? I have my own witnesses to take care of. I spend my time making sure people like you follow the rules and don't screw up."
"But…I don't wan to lose either of you. You're all I've got,' Jinx sniffled.
"Mom…you should go. The trial will take a few months." Before she could say anything more, Marshall interrupted her.
"Wherever you are sent, the Marshals there will explain the rules of the program. We're just here to help you get packed and off to headquarters."
"Where…where will I go?"
"Don't know, Squish and honestly, we can't know. As a family member, once you're in the program, we lose all contact."
"We can't even call?"
"Nothing. No calls, no mail, no email, no text messages." Brandi turned to look at Liv.
"This doesn't sound so great now."
"After the trial, you can always opt out of the program; go back to your past life."
"Look, Squish. You made a deal with the government to testify against Chuck to stay out of jail. You're going to have to go into the program. I really think Mom should go with you. You won't be alone." Jinx wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"I need a drink."
"Mom…be serious, ok. This is…this is big," Brandi begged. Jinx looked to her youngest daughter and let out a sigh.
"What do we have to do? What do we bring?" Mary cleared her throat.
"You need to each pack two suitcases. Bring mostly clothes. Nothing that can tie you back to this life." Marshall stood up and looked at the Shannon women.
"I'll call for a car. Why don't you help them pack."
"Yeah. Ok." Mary turned to her mother and sister.
"Come on, let's go." Brandi pushed herself up off the couch and dragged her mother with her. Mary followed them upstairs, leaving Marshall and Liv alone.
"Thanks for helping with this, Liv."
"I thought you might have been the one handing out my number."
"One of the best lawyers I know."
"Thanks." He nodded and stepped out of the room to make his call
Upstairs Brandi looked around her room. It was somewhat neater than she'd expected. Mary walked in behind her.
"You have another suitcase right?"
"What?"
"You have another suitcase."
"Oh…uh yeah I guess so." She sunk down on her bed and ran a hand through her hair.
"God I screwed up, didn't I?"
"Yeah, you did."
"You're supposed to reassure me."
"I can't. You put all of us in a bad position, Brandi. Do you get how much that could put my job in jeopardy?"
"Look…can we not do the disappointed sister lecture. I don't think I can handle it right now."
"Fine. Pack your stuff. I'll be back in ten minutes."
"Yeah…ok." She watched Mary walk out of the room and Brandi set about gathering what she could. Mary walked into the next room to find Jinx just sitting on her bed, staring at empty suitcases. She was nursing a bottle of vodka. Mary took it from her hands and set it on the dresser, temporarily out of reach.
"Mom, come on. The car's going to be here soon and you two need to get out of town."
"How did we get so messed up? I…what happened?"
"Life happened, Mom. People do stupid things, especially when it comes to Brandi. Now let's go. We don't have time to sit and wallow." Mary began packing clothes into the suitcases on the floor. Jinx sat numbly, watching her eldest daughter move about the room. A short time later, a knock came on the door frame. Marshall stood in the doorway.
"Car's here."
"Great. Can you get Brandi."
"You got it." With that, Marshall disappeared from view. Mary offered a hand to her mother, pulling her to her feet. Together they dragged the suitcases down the stairs and out the front door. Marshall stood next to Brandi as another Marshal put her bags in the back of his SUV.
"Do I at least get a goodbye hug from my big sister?" Mary couldn't help but smile a little in spite of herself. She pulled Brandi into a hug, holding her tightly.
"Go on, get out of here." She gave her mother a quick hug as well and watched them climb into the car. As it drove away, Marshall placed a hand on her shoulder.
"So…what are you thinking now?" he asked.
"I'm thinking…I just got my house back."