Why do I feel this way?

Chapter 42: Casablanca

Vivian and Siobhan stood at the docks looking at each other with confusion.

Vivian returned her gaze to Bennie, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Bennie took a drag of his cigarette then smirked, "You should ask Mia."

The two women left the docks even more confused than when they arrived. Siobhan's body filled with anxiety. She couldn't help it. She had to know for sure what happened. The horrible feeling started to disappear as she felt the warm touch slide into her hand. All Vivian had to do was give her blonde physical contact— Siobhan didn't understand it, but it was more than enough.

The car pulled into Charlotte's driveway. Her girls were with their dad so Mia was there.

Mia and Charlotte were cuddled up on the sofa watching Casablanca. They were startled by the knock on the door. Mia kissed Charlotte's cheek as she lifted herself off the sofa and made her way to the door. She swung the door open and stood with one hand on her hip. "Well hello Shibby, Viv!"

Mia turned around and waved the two in follow her. Vivian placed her hand on Siobhan's lower back as she entered. She closed the door behind her and followed Mia to the living room.

As the couple took a seat, Vivian spoke up, "We met with Bennie again. Siobhan just really wants to know exactly what happened to Roger, but he gave some cryptic mumbo jumbo. He told us to ask you what it meant?"

Mia's eyes quickly widened, "He what?!" Siobhan chimes in, "Yes, he told us to ask you." Mia leaned up on the sofa and dropped her elbows to her knees. "Well... what did he say exactly?"

Vivian's face scrunched in a confused and aggravated manner as she quoted Bennie. "A hand stilled by the depths cannot hold a pen."

Charlotte jerked herself up as she heard what sounded like a sob escape Mia's mouth. As she gently placed her hand on her girlfriend's back, tracing patterns slowly, "Mia, babe, what's wrong?" The redhead's eyes shimmered from the tears that filled them. "These are happy tears, baby. Nothing is wrong. Everything is finally right."

The other three women looked at each other with concern written across their faces. They all wondered if they would ever know what was going on. Mia took a deep breath, "He gave that same line to Declan's family when they came to Bennie looking for him. The cartel likes to make it seem as though the people they kill actually fled the country."

She wiped the tears that had fallen down her cheeks, "They write a letter to appear to be from that person, pack their belongings and get rid of their vehicle. It's actually really interesting. They have an artist that specializes in synthetic penmanship. We would refer to him as a handwriting forger. He is really good."

Listening to my Mia tell this story hurts my heart. The things she has been through should have destroyed her already. I'm really the only one who gets to see it, but her love is so pure. Wait... she knows a lot of detail...

Charlotte listened intently to her girlfriend, "Hold on, how do you know what Bennie said to Declan's family? How do you know what happened to Declan?"

Siobhan and Mia shared a silent understanding before Mia explained, "Well... I was there when Bennie 'took care of' Declan. He also brought me along for the conversation with the family. Thought he would come off as less threatening having a woman with him."

Vivian's concern overwhelmed her as she interjected, " So let me get this straight... you were there when they killed Declan?!" Vivian reaches for Siobhan's hand needing to feel grounded in this moment of panic.

This makes me nervous as to what to expect from Bennie in the future. He used Mia in some of his dealings. And just what roles did Mia play?

Siobhan's heart leapt in her chest, "so this means he—" Mia gave a reserved smile as she said, "Yes, Shibby. He is dead. Probably sleeping with the fishes." Before Vivian knew it she snorted and quickly covered her mouth. She felt all eyes on her when she shyly shrugged her shoulders, "People dying isn't funny, but 'sleeping with the fishes'? It was Mia's delivery."

The four women let out a slight giggle as Mia made eye contact with the blonde, "Siobhan, you're free." Siobhan's heart fell into her stomach as she thought about the secret she now hid. The clear bag filled with pills flashed in her mind.

Yeah... free. I'm free from Roger, but will I ever be free from myself?

She quickly shook the thought from her mind as she softly replied, "We are both free now, Mia." Mia's thoughts returned to the conversation she had with Siobhan about her coping mechanism. A soft smile appeared knowing she can now stay for good— no more running.