Free DECEPTION - A Family Affair by Michele Lee Page B

and brought her closer to him and laughed.  Freddie watched the display of affection as concern filled him.  He knew of the secrets, the pain and the loss that these two have suffered and can’t see any good resulting from them coming together again.  He needed to talk to Marco; he had to put a stop to it before it was too late.  He felt so tired and old but he knew his family needed him.
    “You okay?  You look tired.  We just wanted to stop by to say hi.  I want you to rest up before coming home.  I’ll be by to see you tomorrow.” 
    “Bye Freddie, get better fast you have a family anxiously waiting for you.  It was nice to see you.”  Marisol said and held her tears back.  She was confused and badgered over her mixed emotions.  Seeing him reminded her of her mom, her dad’s betrayal, of giving birth to Marissa and all she lost with Marco.  She just wanted to go home and to be alone and sulk. 
    In the elevator, Marco glanced over at her and saw the change of mood and the glassy eyes.  “Marisol, what’s wrong?” and he shifted to face her and lightly brought her chin up to look directly at him. 
    “Nothing, I’m just feeling melancholy seeing your father in that condition.  Really I’m fine.” 
    He couldn’t resist as he leaned forward while he looked into her eyes and softly kissed her lips.  Letting go of her chin he still held her stare.  “Thank you for all your support today with Alex and my Dad.  Surprisingly, you made him smile again had I known the effect you had on the old man I would of have brought you sooner.”  The elevator opened breaking the spell as they slowly went to check on Alex’s scenario only to find Angelo conversing with the police officer at the nurse’s station.  The officer jotted notes in his pad and then had a few questions for Marisol as well.  Once they were all done they found out Alex will be fine although he did have a minor concussion and will be sore for a day or two. 
    On the ride home Marisol confided in Marco on what she noticed at the funeral.  She had an inkling Alex is definitely hiding something which links to Savannah’s death somehow.  “Marco, he wasn’t truthful to the police officer he only gave the names of the boys but nothing else.  He told me the boys called him a snitch but refused to explain the reasoning behind it.  You have to help me figure this out.  I would hate to see Alex involved in any kind of trouble.”
    Shaking his head in uncertainty he finally replied.  “I’m so at a lost right now.  I will definitely talk with Angelo to see if Alex confided in him, which I highly doubt.  I’ll see what I can find out on my own as well.  You do have me worried, I didn’t fathom it could be anything this serious.” 
    “Alex getting beat up today was a warning for what I don’t know?  I will speak with Mr. Johnson tomorrow morning; the boys will positively be punished for their actions and the police officer mentioned he will notify the school resource officer.” 
    “I can’t imagine all the fears my brother deals with on a daily basis being a father of a pre-teen.  Have you ever thought of having children of your own one day?  I happen to know you would be a great mom.”
    Hearing him speak those words Marisol’s blood turned to ice and she began to tremble.  Not a day goes by without Marissa in her thoughts.  She would be around Alex’s age if she was still alive.  She wondered who she would look like, would she favor her father more or would she be the very image of her mom.  Questions she would never have answers for.  He noticed her body tensed and trying to hide her shaky hands.
    “Thanks, but I don’t see children in my near future. I already come to grips with it.”  She finally answered as she stared straight ahead without a flinch.
    “What do you mean you come to grips with it?  You act as if you are 60 years old.  Why would you think that way?”
    “I’m just saying I don’t