The
Challenge as presented at the Fan Fiction Challenge at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ffchallange/
"The Other Man
(or woman, if you like)" challenge:
Your POV character discovers his/her lover is involved...VERY involved
with another partner. Or your POV character discovers he is the Other
Partner in an established relationship...How does he react to this discovery?
Does he confront his cheating partner? Does he continue the
relationship? Does he invite the other into the games?
Please guys; this
one has so many possibilities...write me some
Author’s note: 1 – Notice the
challenge? Infidelity! Consider this a warning!
2 – I know it
called for a POV but I couldn’t get my mind wrapped around it.
0320 LOCAL
HARM’S APARTMENT
Mac lay on the bed
and listened to the rhythmic breathing of her lover. It was thirteen months two
weeks and four days (but who was counting?) since she and Harmon Rabb Jr. had
shifted gears and gone from friends to lovers.
Now she was
restless.
Harm was content
with the status quo and she was not. If
all she wanted were a fuck friend it would not have been Harm. She loved him
and she thought that they wanted the same things. Obviously they did not.
To be honest the sex was great, there was no complaint there… it’s just
that… ah hell. She got out of the bed and got dressed.
That was one of the
things that bugged her. It was over a
year they were a couple and one of them was still dressing to leave in the
morning. She’d tried talking with him
about it but he had the attention span of a five year old. Josh Pendry was more mature.
She left.
=========================
0532 LOCAL
HARM’S APARTMENT
Harm rolled over
and reached for her. He sat up abruptly when he realized that the bed was
empty. She’d been up for a while as her
side was also cold.
“Mac?” He called
out.
Silence responded.
He got out of the
bed made a quick recon and realized that she had left.
=========================
0910 LOCAL
JAG HQ
“May I assist you
sir?” Lt. Sims asked.
“Yes I’m here to
meet …” He looked at the paper in his hand. “Lt. Colonel Sarah Mackenzie.”
“If you follow me
sir.” Harriett instructed and took the distinguished looking man to Mac’s
office.
“Yes?” Mac didn’t
know who the man was but whoever he was he looked damn fine.
“I’m Professor
Anton Shiva? You made an appointment to meet about a case of yours?” the man
enlightened.
Mac was horrified –
how could she have forgotten!!?
“Professor! My profound apologies; it’s been one of those days.”
“I know the
feeling.” He was staring intently at her. She fidgeted under the scrutiny and
he shifted his gaze. “If I understand the case you are looking to prosecute
someone?”
She had been trying
not to stare at him but she felt an attraction to him that was instant and
undeniable and if his visual examination of her was any indication he felt the
same way too. She made the effort and
focused.
“Yes.” She began to
explain. “You are familiar with the disaster at last year’s Army/Navy game?”
“Yes.” He
replied. “What the fire didn’t claim
the stampede did. Two hundred and
fifteen dead!”
“Well the case if
finally ready to go to trial.” She said. “… and I need expert testimony.”
“I am your man.” He
replied.
She hesitated
slightly and continued. “I am a lawyer not a disaster manager explain the
disaster from your area of specialty.”
“It’s called
cognitive tunnel vision.” He began.
She stopped him.
“Cognitive tunnel vision?”
“Sorry.” He
apologized. “Simplify put it’s how a
person understands, diagnoses and solves a problem.”
“Thanks.“ she
smiled.
He continued. “Crowds
are conventionally perceived as presenting a number of public order problems.
As part of the Security Force Colonel Peters would have been exposed to such
collective perceptions. It can be
argued, in fact I do argue that the collective consciousness of the Military
Police was one that was familiar with crowd control. Faced with the crisis at the Stadium cognitive vision turned into
tunnel vision, as the situation was perceived to be that of one requiring crowd
control and not assistance.”
“Interesting. The
primary charge is dereliction of duty could you in your expert capacity support
that?”
“I’m not a lawyer.
Neither am I military. I do know this. The miss-diagnosis of the unfolding
situation at the game led to the ineffective and inefficient use of personnel
and increased the unnecessary risks of harm or violence. The crowd may not have been provoked in this
scenario, however, grievous harm did occur.
It must also be recognized that the collective experiences of the
Military Police Officers as individuals and as an agency, is brought to bear in
all situations, normally to the benefit of the people in the situation. This was the rare occasion when such
experiences are channeled in a wrong direction resulting in wrong decisions.
Had it indeed been a crowd invasion the actions of the Colonel and his staff
would have been the correct course of action. It may be deduced that the
inability to differentiate between pitch invasion and crowd crushing was the
case faced by Colonel Peters on the day of the disaster. The experiences of the Police to date had
been that of pitch invasions and not crowd crushing. Combined with the fact that this was his first duty as the On
Scene Commander added to a complicated scenario.”
He shrugged “Sorry
the Professor in me cut loose there. Hope that helps.”
“It does and you
are going to me on my witness list.” She informed him.
=========================
2309 LOCAL
MAC”S APPARTMENT
She couldn’t
sleep. The meeting of that day with the
Professor kept running through her mind.
=========================
TWO MONTHS LATER
UNIVERSITY OF NEW
MEXICO
The relationship
between Harm and Mac had not changed.
The sex was great and the work was compatible. Harm was happy and Mac was not.
Now they were on a
case in New Mexico and Mac found herself knocking on the door of Professor
Anton Shiva.”
Anton looked up and
stared hard. The last person he’d expected to see was the beautiful Lt.
Colonel! “Mac!… I mean Colonel!“
She grinned oh yes
he was definitely interested. “Mac is fine.”
“Only if you call
me Anton.” He countered. “SO what brings you to my neck of the woods?”
“Harm and I are on
a murder investigation… and I thought I’d say hello.” She supplied.
“Need my expert
assistance again?”
“No” She laughed.
“I’m glad you came
by.” He opened his arms “This is my little kingdom.”
“Little indeed it’s
bigger than my CO’s office”
“We work hard.” He
joked.
They chattered for
a while then Mac stood she’d out lived her welcome. He followed her to the door of his office and the woman in Mac
finally let the Marine take over.
“Anton are you gay?”
His entire body
registered surprise. “Gay? Me? What
makes you ask that?”
“I’m sorry that is
none of my business. I really must be
going.”
He leaned against
the door. “After a statement like that? I don’t think so.” He crossed his arms
and waited.
In for a penny in
for a pound she expanded on her statement. “I thought I felt a chemistry but I
was obviously wrong.” She reached for the doorknob.
He remained glued
to the door. “You are not mistaken I am
attracted to you. Hell I’m not blind! I’m not gay either!”
“Married?”
“Single.” He
assured her. “Truth be told I am scared of American women. I have spent my entire adult life here and I
still don’t understand them. So it’s
safer not to tackle something you don’t understand. And you my dear are a
Marine trained to kill!”
Mac was
relieved. “That’s a relief… I think.”
“Isn’t it just? So
may one assume that it is safe to pursue a certain Marine Lt. Colonel?” he
grinned.
“One may.” She replied,
“I guarantee safe passage.”
“In that case.” He
finally stopped blocking her way swept her up and kissed her. She wrapped her
arms around his neck and returned the kiss in full measure. Somewhere in the back of her mind a thought
of Harm surfaced but she pushed it aside.
The door suddenly
swung open and a student stepped in and immediately stepped out. Mac and Anton
never noticed that there had been a temporary audience.
The kissed was
reluctantly ended. “Convinced now that I’m not gay?”
“Can’t blame a girl
for wondering why a good looking smart man like you is single.” She defended.
“I’m glad you came
to see me. I’m glad you asserted yourself and I’m glad my mother had me.” He
listed.
“I thought you were
a serious Professor.” Her body hummed.
“Don’t tell
anyone.” He faked concern.
“I really have to
go.” She began to disentangle herself from his embrace.
“OK. May I take you to dinner tonight?”
“That would be
nice.”
“Pick you up at
seven.” He arranged. “Let me walk you out.”
“Seven is fine and
I can find my way out.” And on that she was firm.
+ + +
Mac stood at the
elevator and heard the voices.
“There she is.” One
whispered.
“That is a Marine?”
Two replied.
“She was kissing
the Prof!” One insisted.
Mac nonchalantly
looked round, she couldn’t see the students but she sure as hell could hear
them.
“Damn” Two said,
“If she walked into my office I’d kiss her too! And then some!”
The elevator doors
opened, Mac stepped in and hid her smile.
=========================
2000 LOCAL
TEN FORWARD
“That was an
interesting place.” Mac said as she and her date walked down the road.
“Isn’t it
just? Of course the owner is a Star
Trek fan hence the name the ambiance the menu…”
“The prices.” She
picked up the list.
“The prices.” He
echoed.
They turned down
into a garden and sat on a bench. “So
tell me how is it that a good looking intelligent man like you is single.”
“You don’t mince
words do you.”
“Sorry I’m prying
again.”
“Not at all.” He
assured her. “Some women like
aggressive men and so when they find that I’m not well…” He trailed off.
“I prefer assertive
to aggressive myself.” She replied.
“I’ve been told
that I treat women differently to most men. I suppose that comes from being
raised with ten sisters.”
Mac did a double
take “TEN!”
“The eldest is a
boy then ten girls and yours truly brings up the rear.” He elaborated.
“Twelve kids!”
“Gives you a unique
perspective on the female of the species.” He acknowledged “But somehow I
haven’t been able to convert. I seem to
be the sap.”
“You seemed quite
all right to me this afternoon.” She teased.
“Speaking of
which.” He stared a kiss, which she deepened.
Harm was taking an
evening walk as he Mac had gone off and he was at loose ends. As he walked by
on the street above he glanced down and saw a couple kissing and smiled to
himself ah young love. Never realizing
that it was Mac he continued his saunter.
===================================
ONE WEEK LATER
1400 LOCAL - JAG HQ
Anton stepped out
of the elevator with a spring in his step.
He breezed into the bullpen and was intercepted by Lt. Sims.
“Professor Shiva!
May I help you sir?” she grinned at him.
“You remember me
Lieutenant I’m flattered.” He returned her grin “I’m looking for the Colonel.”
“Oh I’m sorry sir
she’s out on a case. May I take a message?” she offered.
He paused to
consider his options. “No thank you.
“I’ll contact her later.” He turned to leave the way he’d come.
“OK.” She returned
to work.
+ + +
Anton sat in the
jaguar that he’d hired and consulted his PDA.
He was trying to remember if he’d updated the database with Mac’s
address. The information popped up. He had.
He put the vehicle in gear and drove off.
===================================
2215 LOCAL
MAC’S APARTMENT
Harm had tried to
get her to come over or alternatively for him to stay the night. But she was tired after the trip and just
wanted to go to bed.
That was true until
she got to her front door. There was a
note attached to it. She read it and never bothering to enter her apartment she
turned on her heel and walked out of the building.
+ + +
Forty-five minutes
later the corvette screeched to a halt as she parked in the official lot. She crossed the lobby area rapidly with the
plush atmosphere barely registering. Ten
minutes later she was knocking on Anton’s door.
He opened it still
rubbing his eyes. She noticed that the t-shirt was USMC t-shirt. She also observed his sleepy state and her
clock finally kicked in.
She took a step
back. “OH Anton! I’m so sorry! I didn’t
stop to think. I saw the note and just reacted.” She apologized. “Look I’ll leave you to go back to sleep.”
“Oh no you don’t!”
He was awake now. “What time is it!”
“2309” She
instantly replied. His eyes narrowed.
She’d never displayed her talent with time for him to see, but he made no
comment.
“Come inside.” He
coaxed. She hesitated. “Mac! Inside!”
“Aye sir.” she
stepped in and found herself in a living room – he’d taken up residence in a
suite.
He gave her a
gentle kiss on her lips and then waived her to a seat. “I’m glad you came
over.”
She became agitated
again. “I’m so sorry!”
“No need to be.” He
assured her. “Now there are two options. I escort you home or you stay the
night. The choice is yours.”
“Anton I’m a Marine
I don’t need escorting home.” She bristled.
“I am the last boy
with ten sisters before me. What do you think they or even my mother will say
or worse do to me if I let you go cross town unescorted?” he presented his
case.
“I see what you
mean.” She was amused then decided. “I’ll stay.”
He slapped his
knees. “Good! There are two bedrooms here.” He stated with no further
elaboration. He provided her with one
of his t-shirts and left her to her own devises.
That night Mac
slept alone.
===================================
1400 LOCAL
TWO DAYS LATER
MAC’S OFFICE
“A package for you
ma’am” Tiner announced.
“Thanks.” She took
the UPS envelope from him and once dismissed she ripped it open. In it was a medical report showing that
Anton Phillip Shiva had taken an AIDS/HIV test and the result was…
“Ma’am the Admiral
is ready for the staff meeting.” Tiner had returned. She pocketed the report
and walked out of her office.
+ + +
With the cases all
assigned Admiral AJ Chedwiggen moved to other business. “Well people it’s that time of year. The Independence
Ball as usual I expect all to be there.”
“Aye sir…. Yes sir”
The officers assured their CO.
“Colonel this will
be the first time in a long time that you are in town to attend.” AJ said.
“Yes sir.” She
replied.
“Gotta date Mac?”
Sturgis asked.
“None of your pokey
nose.” She retorted but looked Harm dead in the eye as she said it.
“OK That’s enough
touch feely. Dismissed.” AJ interrupted.
=========================
1855 LOCAL
NIGHT OF
INDEPENDENCE BALL
Anton was seated
quite comfortably in Mac’s living room waiting for her to put on the finishing
touches of her ensemble when the doorbell rang.
He opened the door
and came face to face with Commander Harmon Rabb in full dress whites.
“Doctor” Harm
entered.
“Commander.” Anton
replied.
The two men eyed
each other there was no difference in height.
Mac walked in. “Did I hear the
door bell?” The question died on her lips. “Harm?”
“Mac.” He said.
Anton said nothing
but watched.
“What are you doing
here?” She finally got her voice.
“I came to escort
you to the Ball.” He informed her.
She wanted to tear
into him, but Anton was standing right there. She grabbed Harm by the hand and
led him to the kitchen. Once there she
hissed at him “Since when do we go out in public? And why now? And I usually get asked before my date shows up!”
“Well we’ve been …
you know.” He said. She knew. “And I thought that it was a good time to …”
She stared at him
unimpressed “Why is it that a lawyer with such formidable skills cannot
articulate a statement about his emotions?
I’m tired of the dance. You assume too much.” She turned to leave.
Stopped at the kitchen door turned and said, “lock up after you.”
She entered the
living room and had a panic attack; there was no sign of Anton. Then she
spotted him at the window. “Anton?”
He turned. “Decided?”
“A long time ago.”
They went to the
Ball and Anton was attentive but Mac’s intuition sensed that something was
wrong. As he escorted her back home she was about to broach the topic of the
earlier incident when he kissed her on the cheek and bid her goodnight.
=========================
ONE WEEK LATER
Mac sat in her
office and fumed. It had been days
since the triangle she was in had blown up in her face. It had been civil and all but blown up in
her face.
Anton had not
called and was not returning her calls and Harm was ultra professional with
her.
She mentally shook
herself. It was time to take control.
She consulted her diary and made a call to the airline.
+ + +
Admiral Chedwiggen
had not been happy with the last minute request but had granted her two days
off. It was Thursday she had a long weekend to talk with Anton.
=========================
UNIVERSITY OF NEW
MEXICO
Mac stood next to
the SVU that she’d hired and contemplated her next move. Anton had left for the weekend and his
secretary was protecting the details of his ware abouts with her life.
“Ma’am?”
Mac turned.
“You looking for
Professor Shiva?” The student asked.
“Now how would you
know that?” Mac replied with a question of her own.
The boy blushed.
Mac suddenly realized that he must have been one of the students she heard that
day. She let him off the hook. “Yes I’m looking for him.”
The student had an
interesting story. “He has a cabin that
he goes to. Particularly for a long weekend.”
“Really? And do you
have directions to this cabin?”
+ + +
The SUV pulled up
the drive of the cabin and Mac got out.
She entered the hut and a quick search revealed that it was empty. She stood on the balcony and contemplated
her next move. It was getting dark. She’d stay the night then return to DC.
A light caught her
eye. She followed the path that she hoped lead to the light.
It did.
+ + +
Shiva heard the
rustling among the leaves. The person was making no attempt to hide their approach.
He watched, waited then stared.
“Mac?”
She fished an
envelope out of her pocket then walked up to him and dropped it n his lap. He
looked at the envelope then at her.
“Open it.” She
ordered.
He tore in
open. “You took an AIDS test.”
“As did you. With a similar negative result.” She sat
next to him. “Now that is out of the
way. Why aren’t you answering my calls?”
“You came all the
way to find that out?”
“Among other things
but first things first. The calls or lack thereof.”
“I don’t do love
triangles.” He stated flatly.
“I deserve that.”
She conceded. “Harm and I were an item… once.”
“And now?” he
probed.
“That depends on
you.” She challenged.
He took a deep
breath. “I love you but I have been taught to love myself more.” He said “I don’t
do love triangles.”
She ignored most of
what he said except for … “You love me?”
“I do.” He assured
her “But if there is another …”
“There isn’t.” She
assured him.
“Are you sure?” He
insisted.
“YES!” She stated.
He grinned and
relaxed. “Good.”
Mac relaxed and
took in the surroundings “This is beautiful.”
“I’ve seen more
beauty than this.” He said.
“Where!” She
disputed.
“I’m looking at
her.”
She gasped and
looked at him to see if he was teasing her. He was not. He pulled her down towards him and laid her
down. He initiated a deep kiss and his hands began roaming freely over her
body. Suddenly he stopped.
“What?” Mac asked.
“Any time you want
me to stop just say.” He announced.
“Anton. If you stop
I guarantee you that I will inflict grievous bodily harm.”
He said nothing and
began kissing her again. She parted her lips and responded.
They lay rolled in
the blanket below the stars. He kissed
her forehead. “You ok?”
“Uh huh” She
snuggled into him. “Took you long
enough.”
“Well I wanted the
first time we made love with each other to be significant.” He said.
She frowned. “That
is a unique way of describing what happened.”
“I mean what I
say.” He replied “I didn’t make love to you solely or vice versa. We made love with each other. Guess its what happens when you have ten
sisters.”
“Remind me to thank
them one day.” She chuckled.
“You can do it
yourself. My oldest brother Alva is
getting married on the tenth of next month. Come with me?”
“I can’t. I have a
capitol case. I really couldn’t.” She was relived to have the excuse. She
really wasn’t ready to take the step of meeting THE FAMILY.
+ + +
Life conspired
against her. The case had ceased to be
when the accused changed his plea to guilty and Mac found herself with time on
her hands and no man to spend it with.
She packed her
bags.
=========================
SHIVA RESIDENCE
The taxi passed
through the gate and Mac no longer had any doubt that the man she was no
involved with was wealthy. Well someone
was. The car pulled up in the
courtyard and a butler opened her door.
“Name?” The man
asked.
“Lt. Colonel Sarah
Mackenzie.” She replied.
He checked his
list. “Ah yes.” He spoke to the driver
as Mac fished out her purse.
“Not
necessary.” The driver assured her.
“Pardon?” She was
confused and watched as the taxi zoomed away.
“The Shiva’s have
an arrangement with the taxi drivers. All taxi fares to the wedding are taken
care of.” The butler explained. “If you
just go through I’ll have your bags taken to your room.”
Mac was rooted to
the spot. She’d arrived on the actual wedding day!
“Are you alright?”
The man was concerned.
She snapped out of
her shock. “Yes! Yes! I’m fine.” She
reluctantly entered the mansion.
A man who had to be
related to Anton approached her.
“Colonel
Mackenzie.” The butler stated.
“Mac!” The man
cried as if he’s known her all his life.
“Welcome!” She just stared. “My apologies. I’m Ali, one Anton’s many
nephews. All he’s talked about since he
arrived is you.” He guided her further into the mansion. “It’s Mac this and Mac
that.”
They rounded a
corner and Mac was faced with the wedding reception in full swing. There was a massive stage were there was a
live band and the hundreds of tables and chairs had been swept aside for the
dance floor. It looked as if every one was on the floor.
The song finished
and without a pause or missing a beat the next song started.
“That’s Allison.”
Ali said “Cousin Allison.” He emphasized directly into her ear as the
infections beat gripped the crowd. They
all seemed to know the song. In one voice they dancers threatened to raise the
roof. “La La La La Le La La Lal
La.” The lyric was easy enough to
remember as unconsciously Mac began taping her foot. Ali remained by her side while scanning the crowd in search of
Anton as he too sang.
With every chant of
the song Allison had a comment. “Hey - Yes – I want you to say – Nice -
Come again Come
again Come again - Sing de ting! - Hey! - Yes dat nice dat nice dat nice - HA!
- Listen, listen to this.”
Mac’s pulse rate
had adjusted to match the animated drumbeat.
Ali grabbed her hand and commanded, “Dance with me!”
Had he asked upon
her immediate arrival she would have resisted, but she was already under the
spell of the beat, the lead singer and the gyrating dancers. She followed him. They twirled round and
where Ali led she followed. He was a
good dancer and Mac was lost in the rythum.
Allison had a
powerful voice and belted out verse one.
This
is a simple calypso
The
words doh rhyme but sing it so
All
you really have to know
Sing
de chorus as you go
Good
Lord!
Just
start to jam you feet
Again in one voice
the assembly sang the chorus and the lead singer had a commentary for every
line. “That’s right! - Stamp you feet -
Jam de ting - You looking good you looking nice - Come again – Hey! - I like
dat I like dat - Leh we go - Hey! - You know what to do now? - Listen to this.”
The singer began
issuing instructions and as obedient slaves to the beat they all followed.
You
got to put you two hands akimbo
Rock
your body to and fro
Bring
your hand up to your chest
Let
you waist line do de rest
When
you really get de song
Man
you wine until you touch de ground
Then
you jump and you swing
But
remember to sing!
And sing they did.
“Sing de ting – Jump - Wine you waist - Yes! - Dat is it! - HA! - Go Ali -
Wine! Wine! Wine! Wine! - Yes!”
She’s called Ali’s
name and Anton looked to see what his nephew was up to. He stared and them moved to intercept.
As a male member of
the band took over Anton tapped Ali. “May I?”
The young man moved aside and Anton took his place. Mac turned and came face to face with the
man she came to see.
He enveloped her in
a bear hug and began to move to the frenetic beat. Allison reclaimed center stage and cranked up the beat. Mac
completed the hug and followed every twirl that Anton executed.
The
rhythm keep on getting up
The
concert hot it hard to breath
The
whole place bad like badda weed
You
come on hard and start to squeal
The
way the rythum make you feel
Then
you reel and you rock
Till
you feel you ca stop!
The ritual unfolded
and the chorus rang out. “Oh Lord! -
Jam de ting Jam de ting Jam de ting - Yes! Yes! Yes! - Sing! Sing! Sing! Again
- Yes – dat is it! - Now! - Wine dat waaist – Anton who is dat! – Jump - Hands
in de air - And sing!”
Without warning a
conga line formed. Mac found herself in line with Anton hard on her heels. The line snaked itself around the hall. With Allison egging them all the way… “Nice
- Looking good - Don’t stop at all – Yeeah - Keep dat ting!”
They sang the
chorus again and again and finally Anton guided her off the floor and out the
door. In the cooler atmosphere he
directed her toward a tree. She leaned
against it breathing heavily. They
hadn’t really spoken since they’d began the dance. He leaned toward her and kissed her deeply a kiss she returned in
full.
“I’m glad you
came.” He said finally.
“So am I.” Some one
said. Mac’s head snapped round. “Hello.”
A woman said.
“Celia!” Anton
groaned.
“What?” She replied
defiantly “I heard that your girlfriend was here and I wanted to meet her!” She
informed him and then to Mac. “I’m Celia, Anton’s sister.”
“Hello.” Mac
replied. She was beginning to believe that coming here was not one of her
better ideas.
“Mother is
waiting.” The other woman announced and walked off.
Anton stuck his
tongue out at the receding figure. Mac
stared. “Hey I’m the last. The little
brother as it were. I revert sometimes.”
“Anton she’s a blue
eyed blond!”
“Sorry.” He said,
“Forgot to tell you mom is not Indian.
Six of us including me took after my father and look Asian the other six
after mom… blue eyed blond. Ain’t genetics great! Come on let’s go see the Mother Superior.”
“Mother Superior?”
she followed him.
“Yep. Ten sisters and a Mother Superior.”
+ + +
Mac suddenly
realized that she could not hear the music. “Is the reception over? I can’t
hear any music.”
“The room is sound
proofed.” He replied, “No one wants to hear twelve kids and their friends’
racket.” He held a door open and Mac entered a library.
Anton followed her
in and came face to face with the Shiva “Convent” An older woman sat opposite
the door with daughters scattered around the room. “Mother. This is Sarah Mackenzie. Sarah this is my mother
Catherine.”
“Pleased to meet
you ma’am.”
“Ma’am! Oh please.
That makes me sound so old. Cat will
do. Come sit with me.” The woman was
gracious.
As Mac moved to do
as she was invited to do. The door behind her swung open and she felt a hand
grab her shoulder. Her training took over and before she could process the
thought she grabbed the hand and flipped the person over.
It was Ali.
“Hey!” He
grunted. Mac was mortified.
“Servers you
right!” A sister said. “What are you doing here anyway!”
“That’s Jean.”
Anton whispered. “And mother to Ali.”
“Sorry mum. I
just…”
“Just what!” Celia
demanded. “You know the rules.”
Ali took a quick
look around and scurried out. These
sisters of Anton were not to be played with!
“Hello I’m Maria.”
Yet another said. “You did great!”
Anton began, “She a
Lt. Colonel in the US….”
“Marine Corps!” His
sisters replied in one voice. Mac
blushed.
“You can tell he’s
been talking about you.” Mother smiled.
“Come!”
“Well I’ll say this
much little brother this time you brought a woman home!” Celia pronounced as
she guided him out the door and shoved him out. He protested all the way.
Mac was left alone
to face the ten sisters and the Mother Superior.”
+ + +
Half and hour later
Anton was still pacing outside agonizing at the thought of Mac at the mercy of
his sisters. His mother had been tempered by time – but not so his siblings.
Finally they
emerged and the first thing he heard was the sound of laughter. He relaxed. All
was well with the world. They
approached him “All is well?”
“You did well
little brother!” Celia pronounced. “I approve!”
“As do we all.”
Maria concurred. As she walked away she winked at Mac who winked back.
“Treat her well
Anton or you WILL answer to us!” Another sister warned and they all left to
return to the reception, which was almost over.
“Welcome.” He said
sarcastically.
“Thank you.” She
matched his tone.
They both
chuckled. He hugged her and they too
returned to the party.
===================================