The Rosey Thorn

Chapter 12

Settling into my parents’ house wasn’t the reunion I dreamed about. I thought I would be with Jake. Now, I am in my childhood bedroom doing sit-ups. I must get stronger. El Toro and his men are strong, and I need to be able to kill them all. So, I must get stronger, even if I’m still hurting. The bruises on my body are finally healing. For the first time in six years, I will finally see my body without bruises. It’s been a couple of weeks since I left the hospital, and I am attending physical therapy. I don’t live on the base, which was good because I could avoid everyone I thought was my friend.

My parents live ten miles away from the base and I don’t like it because Jake or Mary can pop in whenever they like. I must get out of here. My physical therapist wants me to go slow, by working out during sessions and resting at home. Did I listen? No. El Toro was still out there, and I wanted to kill him. He doesn’t deserve to live, especially Bruno. But before I got to them, I made a promise to someone. Cielo. I promise that I will come for her and I will. I must find her first and I know just who to ask because, unlike some, I keep my promise.

The doorbell rang, and I got up immediately going to my dresser to retrieve my Glock 23. Quietly going down the stairs, I stood in front of the door hand on the knob and slowly opened the door a crack to peer outside. Mary stood on the porch with a look of guilt mixed with sadness. She’s a good actress acting like she feels bad. She’s good; I almost believed it if not for the fact that after Wade died, and it took her a month to move on. That’s Mary. She gets over things quickly, and she hates being alone. Every time Jake and I went out, Mary always tagged along. Mary saw an opportunity when I ‘left’ and she took it.

“What?” I snapped.

“Can I come in?” She shyly asked.

“No.”

“Mom and dad would let me in.”

“Mom and dad ain’t here.”

“Rose-”

“Say what you have to say and leave,” I growled.

She looked around, taking a deep breath, and then she met my stare. I wonder what excuse she gives. “I’m sorry.” I didn’t expect that. “We fell in love, Rose. Did you expect me to back off if you ever came back? He was heartbroken, left at the altar, and you were gone. He needed a friend and I was there. We got to know each other and one thing led to another. I am sorry, Rose, but I love him, and I’m not letting him go,” she says sternly.

“You never liked being alone, Mary. When Wade died, you quickly moved on. So, tell me Mary, did you go after Jake before or after you went with him on my honeymoon?”

Her eyes widen in surprise and shock. Surprise that I found out that information and shocked to know that I was right. “I should have told Wade to dump her ass before he left for his mission instead of telling him to think about it. I guess it’s a good thing that Wade is dead. He doesn’t have to worry about you cheating on him. You’re nothing, Mary. You’re a leech, sticking to a man and never letting go, until he gets tired of you or if you found someone better. No, Mary, you’re not sorry. You saw an opportunity and took it. Wade was right. You saw how Jake treated me, like a queen, and that’s what you wanted. Jake was weak, hurt, and vulnerable. You saw a chance and took it. You are a piece of s**t; Mary, and I don't ever want to see you again. We are not sisters. We are not family. Time for you to go.”

I slammed the door in her shocked face with a smile. I limped back to the stairs when Mary started banging on the door and ringing the bell.

“Rose! Open the door!” She yelled. She kept ringing the bell repeatedly and I got a headache. To stop the annoying sound of the bell, I went over to the dining room window, opened it, and pointed my gun out the window. I fired three shots. Mary screamed at the top of her lungs and ran off the porch to her car. She careened out of the driveway and was down the road in the blink of an eye. Closing the window, I went back up the stairs and to my room to start packing. My parents are gone until tomorrow and I have until the sunrise to leave. But I have one more job to do, and he will be here to give me some answers.