Perceptions 29-32/66
Chapter29
"Boss" leaned back in her high backed black office chair. She steepled her fingers thoughtfully as she stared at the picture of her, Alex, Terri Smith- Montgomery, Karen Grimes, and Renee Micheals at Alex's 45th birthday party. The Buckeye Mafia, they jokingly called themselves, though none had a drop of Italian blood. Boss, Doc, Dish, Slim, and Toto.
Five friends who had been there for one another through thick and thin for one another, who still managed to see one another one week every summer in spite of careers, kids, spouses, financial woes and illness. Now, one of there own needed their help, but if Doc knew the kind of help the rest of the Buckeye mafia had in mind, she'd tell them to go to hell.
"It's time to revive that spirit of yours, Doc." Boss whispered to the picture. "Time for you to be happy again."
Chapter30
Eve walked out onto the back porch and sat on the step above Alex who was resting her head on her knees. She rubbed her partner's shoulders. "God, you’re tense, Allie."
Alex inhaled deeply. "I don't... I can't do this anymore."
"I knew you'd come to your senses." Eve said lightly.
"You misunderstand what I’m trying to say."
"Then what?"
"Us. I can't do us anymore." the doctor said slowly.
"You don't mean that, Allie."
Alex lifted her head to stare into the darkness. "Who are you to tell me what I mean, Eve? Why can’t you accept what I’m trying to say?" she asked quietly.
"I'm your wife, your partner. I think that gives me some insight as to..."
"Quit! Just quit it!." The doctor bit out sharply. She stood and placed some distance between them. "You're my wife in every aspect of my life. However, I'm only yours when we're alone. I've done my best to keep you happy, even when it meant putting my wants and needs aside. For what? Only to find out I'm a failure in your eyes, that everything I’ve held near and dear never meant anything."
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about your campaign, your infidelity, my career..."
"Back up a minute. My what?" Eve stood glaring at her. This can't be happening, she thought frantically.
"Do you think I'm stupid?" Alex raised her right eyebrow in question. "The conference in Hawaii when I had my last heart attack. The Boston trip after your first miscarriage. The Bahamas, Yellowstone, the Keys. Hell, you completely missed my 45th party because you were "Working"."
"I WAS working!"
"Little tip, Evangeline. The next time you want to use your work as an excuse, fix your hair and wipe the lipstick off your lips before you face your so-called partner."
Eve hung her head in shame. "Allie, I..."
"Don't tell me you didn't mean for it to happen!" Alexis yelled irately. Fire sparked in her eyes. "Those are just the ones I know of for certain." She shook her head and gazed into the darkness. "Heh, you know I always said I'd never be like my mother. That she was a fool for sticking it out with dad as long as she did before the divorce. Now, I'm just a more successful replica without the kids."
Silence filled the dark night for several long tense moments before eve spoke. "How long have you known?"
"I had my suspicions after the last heart attack. My birthday this year just confirmed the mounting evidence." she said simply. "Thankfully, I have several good friends who kept my mind off of what was going on."
"Does this mean we're done?"
"How can it not? You nailed the coffin on this relationship two weeks ago, Evangeline. I'm just burying it." Dr. Malone trudged slowly up the porch stairs.
"Come on, Allie. We can talk about this."
"No, we can't. We’re past the days when talking would do any good. You think our relationship has been a mistake. You've been having affairs for god knows how many years. You think I'm a drunken failure. To top it off, you're running for governor as a republican. The conservative anti-gay party. So you tell me, counselor. What's the point of staying together?" She turned to face Eve, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. She shook her head sadly at Eve's silence. "That's what I thought." She opened the door and went inside leaving the candidate out in the cold.
Chapter31
December 25th- Christmas morning
Eve awoke the next morning with a stiff neck from sleeping on the couch and a pounding head to match the knocking on the door. "Hold on a damn minute!" she yelled tossing aside the burgundy blanket. Where did this come from? She stumbled sleepily to the door and opened the barrier. Her eyes widened when she saw who was standing on the front porch. "Mom, Dad! What are you doing here?"
Jim Benson pushed past his daughter. "We came to see, Alex. Where is she?" He looked around the small room.
"That's a good question." She closed the door and faced them. Then their words sank in. "You've known she was here this entire time." she stated angrily. "Why didn't you say anything?"
Diane Benson removed her coat and placed it over one of the kitchen chairs. "You never asked. Even if you had, we probably would have played dumb."
"But I'm your daughter."
"Who took her partner for granted and as a result ruined the best thing to ever happen to her." her father interjected.
"That's not true!" she protested futilely.
"Yes it is, Evie girl. You quit paying attention to Alex's needs years ago. You have no one to blame but yourself for your problems." he insisted loudly. Abby came running down the hallway, barking at the newcomers. Jim scooped the puppy into his arms. "So this is the new addition." he chuckled as the schnauzer licked his chin.
"You cancelled our traditional family Christmas dinner to check up on my wife?" she asked trying to get a grasp of the situation.
"It's nice you can call her that when you've avoided claiming her all these years. Alex is a part of our family, Eve, and you don't turn your back on family." stated Diane firmly.
"But...but…you're MY parents!" she exclaimed. She was about to continue when the door flew open to reveal her present laden sister. "Oh, great! So my sister is in on the anti-Eve conspiracy too!"
Betsy dropped the gifts next to the couch. "Gee, thanks for the help, dad." she stated sarcastically. "And there's no anti-eve conspiracy. The three of us have been worried about Alex and agreed she shouldn't be alone right now." she folded her arms below her breasts. "I figured you'd be in Columbus. Lord knows you hate it here."
"I do not!"
"Bullshit, sis. You can't stand it here because it's the one thing Alex kept for herself. This cabin is her through and through. The rustic decorating, the modest layout, the kitchen, the rec room in the basement... this place screams 'Alex Malone lives here' The house in Columbus... she has an office YOU insisted on redecorating that is supposed to be her little getaway."
"I asked her input."
"And overruled every decision she made. You always do that, Eve. Ask for an opinion and gripe till you get your way." Betsy removed her heavy jacket and plopped onto the couch. "By the way where is Alex?"
"Haven't seen her." Eve answered simply staggering into the kitchen area. She grabbed her coffee mug from the cupboard only to find the coffeepot empty. What the hell is going on here? she wondered looking out the small window over the kitchen sink. She saw Alex sitting on the edge of the dock with another person. And who is that with Allie?
Chapter32
Kelli silently approached the figure on the dock. She jammed her hands into her coat pockets. "I had a feeling I might find you down here." She settled on the cold wood next to her old friend. "The Benson's are here. It sounds like quite the family argument up there."
"I bet she's pissed."
"To say the least. All I heard was her ranting about conspiracies."
Alex snorted, rolling her eyes. "I ended it last night. I did a lot of thinking after we talked. Then I talked to mama Benson. I guess I didn't let myself see just how bad things were between us."
"What about the baby?"
Dr. Malone ran a shaky hand thru her hair. "To be honest, I don't know."
Kelli placed her left arm around Alex's shoulders. "I wish I knew what to say to make you feel better. I hate seeing you like this."
Alex leaned her head against Kelli's shoulder."Why does it have to hurt so much, Kel?"
"I wish I knew, Doc. I wish I knew." They sat in a companionable silence for several minutes simply looking at the water. Finally, Kelli spoke again. "Shouldn't you be cooking?"
"I’ve been cooking for days. Everything is already made I just need to reheat and make some gravy." she sighed loudly and straightened. "Guess I should probably get inside, diffuse the situation." she scrambled to her feet.
"You're always playing the peacemaker."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "So?" she offered her hand and helped the psychologist to her feet.
"So it's time you quit trying to fix everything and everyone. Let Eve fight her own battles for once and stop protecting her." They started the trek up the hillside to the cabin.
"I'm not sure I can, that I know how anymore." Alex whispered.
"You'll find a way."
"It's gonna be an unforgettable Christmas. That's for sure."
"No argument here."
Alex stopped briefly at the porch stairs to look up the doorway, her heart expecting to see Eve waiting with a cup of coffee, her mind telling her she's a fool. She shook her head sadly. "Bah fucking humbug."