A Changed Life Read online

  “Sara”

  “What about, Sara?”

  “Jack, I get that your first instinct is to want justice for Nicolette and by causing harm to her rapist, but you are not thinking clearly right now. Remember who you are, Jack. You are not that guy anymore that is standing before me right now. This hit first and ask later approach may have been your way in the past, but you let that go a long time ago. Don’t let this bring you back to a world that you never belonged in.”

  Hitting the wall and then turning to slide down it, Jack looks up to his brother. “What do you know about my old life? You were just a kid who followed me around like a lost puppy.”

  “I know enough Jack and I know you got caught up in a life that you didn’t want but, you lived it until you had a chance to break free from it.”

  “I couldn’t stand how hard mama and papa worked, they always kept saying that they worked this way for us and we will understand one day. I never did, and then Johnny asked me to do him a favor. All I had to do was make some deliveries for him when he asked me to; I would get paid, and paid well he said. How could I refuse the money? He said no one would get hurt; just make the deliveries and report back to me. I did it with no questions asked, and Johnny always kept his word.”

  “It wasn’t just deliveries, Jack, was it? They always wanted more from you and you had no choice but to do what they asked of you.”

  “Mason, you make it sound like I was a hired gun. I think your imagination is running wild.”

  “You can play it off as much as you want Jack, but I know you were their muscle when they needed someone taught a lesson. Don’t lie to me Jack…I saw you.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about, Jack. It was the night that I had my concert at school. Mama was sick, and papa was working late. You promised them that you would take me and be there while I performed my solo piece, but you never showed up, because Johnny had yet another “errand” for you to run. When you finally got home is when I saw your bloodied knuckles and as much as you tried to hide it from mama and papa…they knew Jack. I knew Jack! I hated you at that moment because I know what you did to Mikey Marino. That poor kid never walked again, Jack, because you did “Johnny” a favor.”

  “I’m sorry, Mason. I didn’t know any better back then. I never meant to have you disappointed in me, but I was just trying to make a better life for our family. I knew I was in over my head after that, and I went to Johnny and asked to be let go. He laughed at first and said no, but then I stood there with no fear and asked again. He said…no man ever asked him this and lived to tell about it, but I was different and he always knew this day would come. He did let me go but, always promised to have my back and if I ever needed anything; I could come to him or any one of the guys in the crew.”

  “Jack, you are a better man, and maybe I didn’t always see it growing up, but I do now. You are my brother, and I love you. Please don’t let what happened to Nicolette bring you back to those dark days? Think of Sara, who loves you and how she makes you better every day.”

  “That’s a low blow, Mason, even for you.”

  “Jack, I’m not trying to hurt you, but you need to see that as much as you’re angry about what happened to her, you can’t let this become you…again. I want to rip that boy a part with my bare hands, but it won’t change anything, but cause more hurt for Nicolette. We need to be here for her now, and not let this separate us, please Jack… I’m begging you. Let the police handle this? And stay out of it. Can you do that? If not for me, for Nicolette, and Sara?”

  Walking away from his brother, and not saying another word, Jack never looked back.

  As much as I wanted to crash on my bed, I needed to grab a shower and get back to the hospital to be with Nicolette. I haven’t left her side since finding her on Michael’s boat. I’m racked with guilt and I blame myself entirely for Nicolette’s attack. Although she doesn’t, I can’t help it. I was so blinded by my hatred of Michael, and my anger toward her for lying to me. I couldn’t see straight, and I just wanted her gone. I didn’t trust myself at that moment and I let her leave. I knew she wanted me to run after her, but I just couldn’t.

  Memories of seeing Nicolette, naked, bloodied, and beating on Michael, was horrific. Seeing her and the condition she was in made me ache for her. I have never been so scared in all of my life when I saw the girl I love in that state. I had no time to react, except to just get her to the hospital. Mr. Vanelle, had called the police en route to the marina to get Nicolette. He had a terrible feeling and knew she was alone. Thanking god for a father’s instinct. She was in need of medical attention right away, and by the looks of Michael, he did too.

  I felt better after showering and finally managed to eat something. I never wanted to be too far away from my girl. On my way out, my dad asked me if I had a few minutes to talk with him. I was in a hurry, and said no. He gave me a look to show me that he wasn’t asking, he was telling me to make time for him. I never argued twice with my father.

  “Simon, your mother and I have been worried, and how Nicolette’s attack can be affecting you.”

  “I’m ok dad. You don’t need to worry about me.” I was hoping my reply would satisfy my father, but it didn’t. To add salt to my wounds, dad brought up Jennifer. My family knew what I went through when Jennifer died, and it nearly broke me. I blamed myself for her accident. Having to witness Jennifer and Michael together was too much for me to take. I was so jealous and hurt. I gave myself to Jennifer, my heart and soul, and she ripped it out by cheating on me with him. I was sickened watching her allow Michael to touch her in places that I had touched. I was angry and wanted to hit something.

  I should have been the bigger man, and walk away, but that’s not how I was raised. My three brothers would have kicked my ass, if I would have done that. They taught me to never back down, especially when your girl is involved.

  I saw red and charged the crowd where Michael and Jennifer were dancing. I began to pound on that asshole until he struck back at me. Eventually I healed, and found my closure. Jennifer’s accident was not my fault, and blaming myself ended the day I met Nicolette. She took my breath away, and her beauty beguiled me. Meeting her that day on the beach was a sign. My world became right, and it felt as if she was sent for me. If I know anything, I know Nicolette and I are meant to be together.

  I explained this to my father and reassured him that I was fine. No matter what happens, I would be standing by my girl now and forever. My father looked at me with disappointment in his eyes. I never expected for him to turn on me. He asked me to walk away from Nicolette, and my stomach felt like it was pierced with a knife. Here stood my father, who I have always respected and admired, and now I was the one being disappointed. I got up to leave, and he grabbed my arm to pull me back into one of his bear hugs.

  “I love you son, and I’m sorry if I hurt you. I can’t stand by and watch you be hurt again. Can you please just see this from our point of view? Your mom is sick over what happened to Nicolette. As much as we adore Nicolette, you have to be our priority. We need to make sure our son is ok first.”

  “Dad, I love you and mom. Let me be clear on one thing. My relationship with Jennifer is nothing in comparison with what I have with Nicolette. I know what I am doing dad. Please trust my judgment, and not question me about it. I mean no disrespect sir. You are my father, and I never want to hurt you. I’m a man, and I know what I want, and she is waiting for me to return to her. Please pass my message along to mom.” I grabbed my keys and walked out never looking back at my father. I knew he was hurt and he felt like I was shutting him out. Nicolette is my whole world, and I needed to get back to her.

  Simon had texted me, telling me that he was on his way. I was so nervous about seeing him. We haven’t discussed my rape. I scoffed at myself, acting as if my rape was a tangible object you could hold. I guess in a way, it was. I remember every detail of that night, and would never be abl
e to forget it for the rest of my life. Michael left an everlasting imprint on my soul. I cursed myself for being so blind to him, and why I didn’t tell my parents everything.

  I was so concerned about my parents, and their feelings, that I had disregarded my own. My foolish choices are what led me here. I felt sick and disgusted with myself.

  I can’t be with Simon anymore. I have to end it before I hurt him even more than I already have done. I begin to cry. I had already put him through enough, and I didn’t want him to see me this way. I began pulling my hair until my scalp hurt and then I remembered I still had a massive bump on the back of my head, and stopped. I didn’t want to feel better; I wanted this hurt to go on. I needed to remember how foolish I was to give Michael, chance after chance to leave me alone, and move on. My actions made him more determined to get me, and I did this. I’m responsible for Michael’s anger, and putting myself here. I screamed at the top of my lungs at my lowest moment where I felt I had hit rock bottom. My cries startled the nurses outside, and they ran in thinking something was wrong. They even paged Dr. Jonas for assistance.

  I began thrashing at the women trying to help me until I saw Simon’s scared face at the entrance to my room. He was holding flowers for me. Dr. Jonas rushed past him, and gave me a shot, within seconds I was out. I woke hours later to feel Simon’s hands wrapped in mine, and his head was down. I started to pull my hands back, and my movement woke him. He touched my hands again, kissing the tops, and tears began falling from his beautiful eyes. I realized now that I was breaking his heart.

  “Hey beautiful, welcome back” he whispered to me. Baby, you scared the hell out of me. What happened?”

  I knew I had to think carefully on what to say next to Simon. He looked devastated as he waited for my answer. I lied by telling him that I was waking up from a nightmare which was not too far from the truth. My answer seemed to appease him, but he still looked at me with concerned eyes.

  “Baby, we are going to get through this together.” Simon held my hands, and gently kissed them. He looked so tired and sad. I begged him to go home, and get some much needed rest, but he always said no. I needed to separate myself from him, and take some time to think. Simon, said he wouldn’t go until I had fallen back to sleep. I closed my eyes, and tried to be still, and quiet. I felt him kiss my forehead, and whisper, “I love you” as he quietly walked out. Tears took over once again, and I cried until I had no more left to shed.

  Dr. Jonas was on early morning rounds, and I was her first of many patients she would see today. It was barely seven am, and my eyes felt like they were swollen shut. I was awake though and cooperated while Dr. Jonas examined me. My wounds were healing, and I was to be discharged today from the hospital.

  We discussed my outburst from the prior night, and she urged me to start my therapy as soon as I could. Not only did my body need to recover, but my sprit as well. I had my follow-up appointments already scheduled, and she handed me more information to read up on and said she would see me soon. Dr. Jonas gave me her card with her personal cell number on it, reminding me that I wasn’t the first female patient of hers to go through this. She wanted to help me anyway she could. I showered and dressed while I waited on my parents to arrive. It was odd that they weren’t here already. Remembering the raised voices I had heard outside of my room yesterday, I feared they were still fighting… continuing to blame myself for their pain, and mine own.

  I was being released today from the hospital and going straight to jail. I was still handcuffed to my bed and I had a guard outside of my room. This was the upscale version of jail, I thought. My father and his lawyer John arrived before nine am. I hadn’t seen my doctor yet, so who knew when I was actually leaving.

  “John, I need to see Nicolette before I go anywhere today.” My father spoke before John could even answer.

  “Did I hear you right? There is no way in hell you are getting anywhere near that girl.”

  “Dad, I need to explain to her that I’m ok, and I’m not angry with her for hitting me.”

  “Michael, these delusions need to stop son. You raped that poor girl! You attacked me, your own father! You are lucky I’m here at all trying to help you.”

  “You feel guilty, dad? You were never there for me. I was always your cross to bear. When you couldn’t make me the perfect son, you cast me aside and ignored me all together.”

  “That’s not true Michael, and you know it. I’m sorry your mother died, and I’m sorry you thought I was a shitty father. I’m all you’ve got in this world. Shut the hell up and do what I say.”

  My father stormed out of my room, and John stayed to go over some things with me. I did everything to ignore him, but he kept droning on about what was to happen today. I felt confident that my father’s money and influence would keep me from going to jail today. So I didn’t worry too much about it. I just wanted to see Nicolette.

  Discussing their daughter’s discharge with Dr. Jonas, Mason, and Christina Vanelle, were interrupted by Clayton St. Clair.

  “Mason, Christina, I was wondering if I might have a few minutes of your time?” Dr. Jonas, broke up the tension between them, and explained they were finished.

  “Whatever you have to say Clayton, make it quick. Nicolette is coming home today, and I don’t want her to see you”, said, my father.

  “Mason, I’m truly sorry and heartbroken over Nicolette. There will never be enough words to tell you how deeply sorry I am for this to have happened to your daughter, and to know that my son is responsible for it.”

  “Clayton, you can’t even begin to comprehend what our family is going through. My daughter’s life has been changed forever and it’s because your son raped her. You need to leave now and never bother my family again.” With anger consuming him, my father hit Clayton in his face, causing him to stumble backwards into the wall.

  “Oh my god,” shrieked my mother. Mason, stop it right now and control yourself. Hitting Clayton is only going to make things worse.”

  Wiping the blood off his lip. “Christina, it’s alright. I’m sorry that I intruded... My father still had his fists clenched and began to charge Clayton again when he was pulled back from the strong arms of Uncle Jack. “Easy now brother isn’t you always telling me to calm down?” Uncle Jack mockingly said.

  Uncle Jack turning to his brother, “Introduce us?”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Jack. We need to take Nicolette, home.”

  Ignoring my father’s attempts to lead him away, Uncle Jack, walked over to Clayton, and glared at him with cold eyes.

  “You must be the mighty Clayton St. Clair, I’ve heard so much about.”

  Composing himself, Clayton tried not to look intimated by my uncle who was towered over six feet tall. “Yes, I’m Clayton St. Clair, and who the hell are you?”

  Stepping back as Uncle Jack came closer. “I’m Jack Vanelle, and I’m the uncle of the girl that your pig of a son raped, and that would make you the coward’s father.” My mother stepped in between the two men reaching for Uncle Jack’s hand to lead him away. Uncle Jack gently moved my mother to his side, and continued to talk to Clayton. Without ever breaking eye contact, Uncle Jack delivered a simple warning.

  “St. Clair, one way or another, your boy Michael, will pay for the acts of violence he has committed against my niece. I will not rest until your son gets what he deserves.”

  “Mr. Vanelle, I will not be intimidated by your threats. I don’t scare so easily. My son will be dealt with for his actions.”

  “Agreed.” Said, Uncle Jack.

  “Michael, will be dealt with. You can count on that.” With one last look to Clayton and to my parents, Uncle Jack, walked away.

  “Well that was scary, are you ok Mason?”

  Holding his wife, “Scary doesn’t even begin to describe what just happened here. Let’s take our daughter home.”

  After wrapping up his meeting with his lawyer, Michael waited to be transported to the police station. He didn’
t know the 6’ 3” man who had just entered his room. He went to hit the call button, but the man was too quick, and grabbed it from Michael’s hand.

  “Who the hell are you?” asked Michael, “and where is my guard?”

  Placing a piece of tape over Michael’s mouth to silence him… Jack didn’t need to alert anyone of his presence. Michael was bound to the bedrail by his cuff and now silenced by the tape over his mouth. He was trapped by the stranger who was now hovering over him.

  “Now that I have your attention, asking me who I am is not relevant. Do you think you could just rape my beautiful girl, and not expect to be punished for it? You are a pig, and do you want to know what happens to pigs? Hmm,” taunting Michael, as he pulls a blade from his pocket wielding it in front of him. “Pigs get slaughtered. Do you think you can hide behind your daddy? Or his money and feel safe? You are lucky to still be breathing. Had I known about you sooner, you wouldn’t be.” Grabbing Michael by the throat, Jack squeezed his fingers as tight as he could around his neck. Gliding the shiny steel blade across Michael’s cheek. You will suffer for what you did, just not today.”

  Ripping the tape off of Michael’s mouth, as he begins to cough. Jack easily walks out of the room, leaving Michael to gasp for air.

  My mom helped pack my bag, and get me ready to go home, which I was so ready to do. I donated all the flowers to patients throughout my floor, since I had so many that filled my room. I only kept the bouquet Simon had given me the previous night. An orderly arrived with my wheelchair to escort me downstairs to my waiting car, but the detectives stopped us before reaching the elevators. Detective Westphall briefed my parents that Michael was also being brought down. He didn’t want us to see one another, but it was too late.

  “I thought you said he was in another area of the hospital? How did this happen?” My father questioning Det. Westphall. Before he could answer, we all turned to see Michael coming our way.