To Catch a Sunset

Chapter 27

Mark

It was all a bit much to take in. The beauty of this place, the emotion on her face as she recalled memories. I wanted to be supportive, but this place had a way of washing you up. Like a flash flood, before I knew it I was being swept away. It was mostly the beauty of it all, but not only that. It was the way she described everything, the light in her eyes, the lift in her voice. It was mesmerizing, she has talked about this place endlessly. All the words in the world couldn't prepare me for the actual magic of this place. My dad was right, magical is a great word. It's a feeling you get the moment you come through the gate. It wraps around your heart and soul and won't let go. We have stopped by a small pond with a wooden bench on the edge. She leads me over and I take my seat next to her. She begins to speak without taking her eyes off the water.

"Believe it or not, I learned how to swim in this little pond. My mother had a fit, we have a perfectly good pool, she would say. That didn't stop my Dad from sneaking me out here, I loved it. It was our little adventure together, I was so happy when I could swim to him without help." She turns slowly and gives me a heart warming smile. Obviously reliving the memory as we sit here listening to the birds and other critters rustling through the nearby brush. It's so peaceful here, in this particular spot. I could sit here with her forever. Just us, just the magic of this special memory of hers. Dammit, I think before the word actually comes out. Her phone buzzes again, knowing very well who it is. Chad. I told her several times to answer it, just say her peace and be done with it. But she's pretty pissed at him. If I'm being honest, that makes me happy, don't like to admit it, but it does. He would love nothing more, than to have her back, I knew it from the minute I saw how he looked at her. Fortunately for me, she didn't share that look, when she saw him. But deep down I know she's hurt, pissed, sure. But more hurt than anything. Ally is a loyal girl, nothing breaks her heart more than an unloyal person. Him being unloyal to his wife has really upset her. She rolls her eyes as I raise an eyebrow at her.

"What?" I ask with mock surprise.

"You know, what. Why should I give him the time of day? I would think you of all people would want me to cut him off, clean break." She shot me a dirty look. I take her hand and scoot her closer to me.

"Hey, I would be lying if I said that didn't sound nice. But he means something to you, you need to close that door properly. Don't give me that look, I think you should let him have it. Tell him how you feel and then walk away. Otherwise, it's unfinished business, and that's never good." She just stared at me, giving nothing away. She pulled her phone out and found his number.

"You sure about this? I mean you're ok with me.." I stop her, holding my hand up.

"Yes, call him, speak your mind. Let him have it." I say with a snicker. Yes let that jackass have it. She smiled a nervous smile and hit send. She paced back and forth stopped when she heard his voice.

"Chad, Ally, we need to talk." She stopped speaking, listened for a second and then cut him off. "No, you listen to me. What you did was fucked up and there is no excuse for it. Just shut up and listen! There was a moment in time when I considered you a good guy. That moment is over, over, don't contact me anymore." she paused, I am sure so he could get a word in. But she was just getting warmed up. "I don't really care, what you and Maggie are going through. That is not my problem, what does Brad and Amy have to do with this? Dont lie to me, I know yal were working together." Just as it was getting interesting my phone buzzed. Dammit, this time I said the word out loud. Looking at the phone ready to ignore it. Noticed it was my mom and knew I had to answer it. What if something happened on their drive here. Dammit I said again as I answered it. I could barely get my "Hi mom" in before my mother unloaded on me.

"Mark, you tell me the truth. Do you understand? I want the whole truth and I want it now!" She demanded. I had no idea what she was talking about. Confused I tried to decipher her question.

"Sorry mom, I don't follow. Tell you the truth about what exactly?" She sighed and began again.

"Adam. He told us about his illness. How long have you known? Why didn't you tell us? Oh Mark, I am beyond upset about this, and I need answers now!" I have to say this was not what I was expecting, I thought maybe they got lost. Now, I was the one lost. I looked at Ally, who was in her own deep conversation. I turned and walked away from her.

"Mom, I don't know which question to answer first. I'll start with how long. He told me last fall, he had known for a while. He wanted to make sure he had enough 2nd opinions to be sure. As for why I didn't tell you, well that's easy. It wasn't my news to tell. It's that simple mom, he needed me to be there and I was. He didn't want to involve you and dad unless he absolutely had to.  I'm sorry, I really am, but I couldn't do that to him. And if I did, he wouldn't trust me, and he needed to trust someone."  I could hear her weeping softly. "Mom, you ok?" She took another few seconds to compose herself I'm sure.

"I"m not ok, not sure if I can be. He says the doctors think its gone, the cancer. He won't let me go with him on his next visit. However I plan to change his mind about that before that day gets here." I can't help but release a soft giggle. "What?" she snaps.

"Come on mom, we all know how you go about changing minds. Poor guy. Just take it easy on him alright, this hasn't been easy for him. I know you would have loved to have been there for him mom, but he needed to do this on his own." She took a deep breath.

"I'm just glad he had you Mark. Thank you for taking care of your brother, it makes me not knowing a little easier to take. You kids sure do know how to take care of each other, it makes your parents proud." I could hear Ally finish her call. She began walking back towards me.

"Ok mom, well I need to go, so you guys are still coming, right?"

"Oh absolutely, we are heading there now, should be there in about an hour. I don't want to ruin our time at the ranch, so we won't mention any of this to Ally. Ok?" I didn't have the heart to tell her that Ally already knew. I just agreed and ended the phone call.

Ally looked as though she just learned Santa wasn't real. Like the rug was pulled out from under her. What I would do to put Santa back on the rug with her.

"How was it?" I asked, as I pulled her in for a hug. "Did you let him have it?" She laid her head on my chest, I love it when she does this. I smile wide as I stroke her hair in a soothing pattern.

"Yes I did. It didn't make me feel better though. He said Maggie cheated on him, he's not sure if the baby is his. I told him that wasn't my problem, but he just kept saying he was drunk and it wasn't something he planned. But I don't buy it at all. He evaded the questions about Amy and Brad, there's definitely something he's not telling me. But its over, he promised to leave me alone, said to tell you he was sorry. I blocked his number, I plan on blocking his emails and social media . I'm pretty sure I'm surrounded by people I can't trust, but that's my life so what can you do." I pulled away from her.

"Hey! Present company excluded of course, right." She looked wounded.

"Of course! Gosh Mark you're about the only one I can trust, I hope you know that. I think if I didn't have you and Rinney, I would be lost. Sorry I didn't mean you, I meant my family, mostly, considered Chad family until now." She looked so sad, it hit me. She had another family member, or one who was like family, betray her. Not to mention that ass Brad. I don't understand him at all. I would smash anyone that did to Karen what he continues to do to Ally. What a twisted ass. I rubbed Ally's arms.

"Hey you gonna be ok, you wanna head back?" She nodded,

"Yeah, I want to check on the food and we can explore more later or in the morning. Who were you talking to?"

"Mom, they will be here in about an hour." I deliberately left out the part about Adam. The last thing she needs right now, is my family drama. Lord knows she has enough of her own. She smiled and we made our way back to the gator.