Chapter 14: Tuesday Morning

"Requiem"

Rebbecca

"Why don't we sit?" Detective Alvarez indicated the conference table. The same place where my life began a massive change slightly more than 24 hours ago. "Are you okay, Rebbecca?"

I nodded my head, somehow, and looked at my arms. No bruises—yet. The Detective's whole manner was so different than before. She seemed relaxed, yet just as much in control as earlier. It must have been some power play on her part.

"If you need to take a break at anytime, please do." I nodded. "I would like you to see the nurse as soon after the interview as possible." Again, I nodded. I needed to get The Shot anyway—thank you modern birth control. "Now, what happened in Biology class today?"

I related to her what I remembered from walking in until the attack. Yes, attack! She asked a few questions, drawing from me details I hadn't remembered the first time around. Well, nothing like a vicious attack to make me forget I was naked. Still.

"You're an artist, correct?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"I have one of your paintings." I looked questioningly. "Ms Rotella gave it to me. It's 'Sculptor #2.'" I was trying to figure out why Francesca had given her one of my paintings. "We're close friends." I recalled the painting. It was part of a series I had done of Francesca starting with her examining a rough piece of marble to putting the finishing touches on the sculpture from that block of stone Number Two was the most intense. The rough form of the statue was just emerging from the stone. Francesca was deeply focused on it and covered in marble dust. Her look had been overpoweringly sexual ... Then I GOT IT! They had to be lovers. She gave me a discrete wink when she saw I had figured it out. "The reason I asked if you were an artist, I would like you to draw Will's face when he came at you. As accurately as you can. Are you game?"

I ran through the 'snapshots' of the event in my mind. Letting the artist take over and trying to stay uninvolved personally. When I got to the pictures of Will as he came at me, I shivered. "If I can have Luis with me," I answered softly. "Why?"

"Rebbecca, there is only so much I can say." Her brow scrunched. I could see many things playing through her eyes. None of them were happy thoughts, not like her eyes when we talked about the painting. Just as intense, though. "Will has been known to us for a while." She studied her manicured hands. Clear polish. She looked up, locked with my eyes, and found my heart. "We want to see he gets the help he so desperately needs. Your pictures will help."

"What about his parents?" Mom asked. It did not break the bond I had with the detective.

"Mrs. Davis, that's the core of the problem." Her eyes never left mine. "I can't say more except his parents have yet to respond to his incarceration. Again." I suddenly felt like my legs had been swept out from beneath me. I had thought until last night my parents didn't care. Yet, they were always there.

"Damn!" Did I say that? A picture of a house came to mind. Suddenly, a blinding flash of light. The paint on the house blisters then the whole thing is blown away. So much for a "Universal Truth" that homes are safe.

Detective Alvarez pulled me from my thoughts and went on with questions, drawing out of me what I remember during and after the attacks. I wasn't too helpful since I had withdrawn almost completely. While tears were dripping down my face, I didn't lose it again. Where is my muse? Where is Luis? I needed my cave.

"Rebbecca, are you sure you don't need to see a doctor?" She had real concern on her face. That brought me back to now.

I checked my arms. Amazingly, no bruises. Just a little red. "No, I'm okay. Still shaky, though."

"More than understandable. You're a very strong woman."

I stared at her. Strong? Me? How? I'm sure I looked bug-eyed and perplexed. I wish we had the bond we had shared before.

"Trust me. I've dealt with too many victims of attack. You've handled this well. Whatever you're doing, keep doing it."

"Luis." It slipped out before I knew it. I felt myself heat up. Looking at Detective Alvarez, she had a knowing smile on her face. My parents had it too. Jase, when I looked at him, had a shit eating grin on his face and a wink for me. Christ! I'm naked. I've just been attacked. And, everyone knows I've got it bad for Luis.

I came back to Mom's face and stopped. I saw love, compassion, concern, and something I didn't quite understand. I felt my brow raise in question. She looked back at me with ... Damn, I got it. She wanted Becky and Luis to work. I knew I had another partner and co-conspirator. I'm sure she saw thank you, and help, in my eyes.

I came back to the moment and looked at Detective Alvarez again. "I'll do the pictures you want. With Luis by my side. The memory..." I shuddered and wondered who had turned down the A/C.

"He protected you?"

"Saved me. But, not just that..." I thought of how wonderful he was and how he had melted my heart. How he could see into my soul. How gentle yet strong he was...

"Girl, you've got it bad." She just chuckled.

We finished up and headed out of Dr. C's office. I introduced my parents to Luis's. I'd forgotten they already knew each other. Jason was being all formal and proper. Carmella would have none of it and it was hugs all around. Then we met Mr. Coleman. That was formal.

I snuggled into Luis's lap and felt the warmth and strength flow into me. Outside of checking on me, we didn't talk. It was amazingly comfortable not to. Just being with each other was fine. I was worried for him, what might happen. I knew I would stand by him no matter what.

Our parents and the lawyer were off in the 'who knows who' game. As I watched their interactions, I realized that this was not about status or one-up-manship. This game was about extending the networks in which we live. It's a way of being comfortable with new people. Wow! Not meaningless conversation, but akin to me looking at Luis's books and getting to know him that way. Finding common ground. I looked up at Luis and saw him watching them as well.

"Social lubrication," he said when he noticed me looking up. "That's what my parents call it. Adding oil to the social machinery to help it run smoothly. Weaving a comfort zone is what I just thought of."

"Maybe it's both and creating a shared language with known reference points for context." He looked down at me with a growing smile. "What?" I demanded.

"Beautiful. Not to mention a gifted artist. Now, I find out she's brilliant as well!" That earned him a kiss. Right there in the school office. Right in front of our parents, Jason, the other students, and Mrs. Grant. It wasn't a 'melt me to the core' kiss, but my pussy—YES! PUSSY!—responded. One more and I'd need a towel. When we broke and I looked at the crowd, I saw that my parents had big grins on their faces and were holding hands. Luis's parents were the same. Jason gave me a big thumbs up. Mr. Coleman tried to scowl, but had a grin in his eyes. Mrs. Grant had found something to do in another part of the Cavern. The other girls just giggled. The guys trying to be suave.

"Oops!" Who turned up the heat? I think I knew why my nipples were poking out. I looked up at Luis and saw he was blushing too.

"Did I mention you turn my legs to rubber?" He grinned again. Then, he got this mock serious look. "Were you sent here by East as some secret weapon?"

The others heard his comment and shared a good laugh. I could see in his eyes that it went deeper. He was really concerned. Lightly placing my hand on his cheek, I whispered, "What's wrong sweetheart?"

I swear My Mountain had an earthquake in that moment. A deep shudder went through him.

"I'm scared." I waited for more. Instead of words, I felt another shudder. I realized I was breathing through my nose.

"Is it about today?" I pushed the air all the way out of my lungs, just like he had taught me.

A small nod. Another tremor.

"Friday?"

He closed his eyes and nodded. A 6.0 sized quake racked him.

I gathered up every ounce of love and strength I had. I was working hard to get the air into my lungs. "Us?"

Saying the words made me have my own quake. Ever seen granite turn to water? I have, now. I don't like it. My Mountain is in pain and I love him. Time to act. I put my hands on his face and made him look me in the eyes. I did my damnedest to pour my love into them.

"I love you no matter what." I struggled. I wanted to kiss him. Himself wasn't there. I wanted to put my arms around him. I didn't have enough arm. I put my arms around his neck and pulled his head down, patting the back of his neck, making soft sounds into his ear. His body was shaking and tears were dripping onto me. Still, he put his arms around me and we rocked together.

Never underestimate the perceptive power of a mother. Let me say that again. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE PERCEPTIVE POWER OF A MOTHER. Suddenly, both were there. Comforting Luis and supporting me.

And the fucking door opened. Yes, I said that. The fucking door. And the fucking detective was calling Luis for his interview. Thank God, or whomever, that the detective was a woman. She immediately understood the clatch. "Mr. Coleman, are you representing Mr. Contadino?"

"Yes, Detective Alvarez."

"Please present your client and his parents for an interview in the next ten minutes." With that, she winked at me and the Moms then closed the door. The lawyer went into lawyer mode and wanted Luis to go in now. Stupid man.

I put my hands behind Luis's head and pulled him to my lips. The Moms didn't stop me. It started with me forcing the kiss. Finally, he opened his mouth to my invading tongue. I thought about him breaking through the offensive line. Silly game. I checked for cavities, carefully inspected his tongue for lesions, and probed for his adenoids. Nope, none. It took a few moments for My Mountain to come back to me.

The Moms helped by hugging us, effectively giving us some privacy. The quakes subsided. He started returning the kiss. Umm ... Oh, wait ... I'm here for a reason! Support. Yes. Definitely part of the granite was returning! I could feel Junior on my butt.

"Before you guys give me a grandchild, right here, we have other things to deal with." Thank you, Mrs. Contadino—Carmella. My mom hugged me tight and laughed hard.

"Seems like they're working on at least twins!" Mom managed to say through her convulsive laughter.

Hmm ... Yes. Babies. Junior is right there. That's what he needs. That's what I need! WHAT? Yes! But not here. Not now. My Mountain needs my support right now, not my lust. My 'social lubrication' is with me and supporting. No, make that 'life lubrication.' I broke the kiss and gently pushed him back. Reluctantly, I climbed off his lap and helped him up.

Luis and his parents, with their lawyer in tow, went into the office. My parents and Jason found a way to keep me from hitting the floor—somehow. I didn't even register the nurse checking me over or when she gave me the Shot.

Luis

I got up and headed to the office door. Mrs. Grant had a classical music station playing softly in the background. How appropriate. Mozart's Requiem. The Master's masterpiece and allegedly the amount of work he put into claimed his health and life.

As I walked into Dr. C's office—my execution chamber—Momma held my arm. Poppa had his hand on my back. The absurdity of everyone's dress hit me. Momma in her chef garb, minus the hat and apron. Those stupid, institutionally laundered, checkered pants. Comfortable black tennis shoes and her double-breasted chef's blouse with the top buttons undone. A thermometer in a pocket on her sleeve. Dad was in loafers, no socks (okay, so I'm not the rebel I think I am), and a golf shirt. Detective Alvarez in nice, upscale "street cop" clothes. A tasteful mid-calf skirt, silk blouse, and a jacket. Unbuttoned with the bulge of a very large handgun on her hip. Her badge holder on a chain around her neck. Mr. Coleman. Yeah. I swear he must sleep in three-piece pajamas! His Allen-Edmonds wingtips were polished to perfection. Dr. C in his stylish, tailored suit. Light gray with a subtle pinstripe. His tie was striped with his NBA team colors. And the condemned is naked. Absurd.

Detective Alvarez indicated we should sit around Dr. C's conference table. Just yesterday, standing at this table, I had begun a journey that seemed to become more bizarre by the minute. And, I'm facing East with my college career hanging in the balance. Not to mention criminal charges and school expulsion. Great way to start a career.

She started with the usual police show stuff—Miranda reading, introducing everyone. For some reason, the theme for "Cops" played in my head.