Chapter 11

Maria followed me home from work a few nights ago, cornered me in the doorway of Olivia’s house and tried to convince me to come back to David’s. I knew I couldn’t hide from them forever, but I had been hoping they would forget or let go. Imagine that, imagine someone coming to the place where you live and telling you you have to leave, I was angry, I was scared. Olivia heard us arguing and came from the back of the house. She came to my side, kissed me hard on the mouth, one part normal greeting and two parts territorial show of power. Then she turned and gave Maria a once over, “Who’s this?” 

“This is Maria, my brother’s fiancé.” I explained, her kiss, as well as her presence, soothed me a little.

“Oh!” Olivia shook her hand, smiling cordially. “How’s the baby?”

Maria’s face lit up, “Oh wonderful! She’s beautiful, growing everyday. Do you wanna’ see a picture?” 

Olivia nods, lacing her fingers between mine. A picture is produced and Olivia cooed and asked what they named her.

“Katherine.” Maria says, beaming.

“You guys should come over for dinner tomorrow night.”

Maria agreed enthusiastically and Olivia said that they should come at six and bring a bottle of wine. Maria left and I was left staring at the closed door. 

“What just happened?”

“I made her leave.” Olivia answered, simply. She turned and led me to the kitchen where dinner was waiting on the stove top.

“But she’s coming back and she’s bringing my brother.”

“It’s okay, I’ll be here. I won’t let them gang up on you.”

The following night I came home at five thirty and the house smelled like pot roast. Olivia was wearing a long cotton dress with orange stripes and she made me take a shower as soon as I got home. When I came out the table was set and Maria and David were sitting with Olivia, waiting for me. My heart pounded in my ears as I took my seat next to Olivia. Olivia is good at playing polite and Maria is oblivious to any kind of tension, but David has this look in his eyes, and I know it’s bad. 

Inevitably, my brother says that I need to come back. Olivia says he is wrong, and stands to clear the table because the fact is not up for debate. 

“No offense, but you don’t know James like we do. He’s my little brother.” My brother eyes her as she moves about the small kitchen. 

“We just want to make sure he’s okay.” Maria chimes in.

“He needs help.”

“He needs support.” Olivia remains casual, making only occasional eye contact, but her words snap like taut rubber bands across the table. She passes out dessert plates, this is not an argument for her, it is a discussion. I am too stunned and baffled to give input, or even be upset about how they talk about me like I’m not around.

My brother scoffs. “He’s unstable, he’s manipulative. He stole my gun. He’s an alcoholic. He tried to kill himself three months ago. He’s a danger to himself and those around him.”

My cheeks burn.

“Yes, but you got your gun back, Jimmy has been working at the garage for three months now and he hasn’t had a drop to drink since April.” She sets the cake, which she purchased at the local grocery store a few hours ago, in the middle of the table and comes and sits on my lap. “Besides, Jimmy needs to stay here. I’m very sick and he’s been taking care of me.” She adds, like a pleasant afterthought. 

I could see the flicker of defeat in my brother’s eyes.

“Sick?” Maria asks, with gentle, womanly concern. 

“Yes,” Olivia keeps her eyes on my brother, searing this final assurance of defeat into him. “I have leukemia.”

When the door closes at the end of the night and David and Maria leave with a plate full of leftovers I turn to look at Olivia. 

“What?” She giggles in response to my staring. 

“They left.” 

She smiles, wiggles her fingers, “Magical, right?”

“You’re amazing.” I drop my head onto her shoulder, this action taking the place of falling to my knees and bowing before her hindu style. 

She shakes her head, “Come help me with the dishes, dork.”