Ready To
Rumble
Chapter
1
As I rolled over hearing the alarm clock going off…I pushed it into
the drawer of the night stand and closed it…not having enough strength to shut the
damn thing off…I rolled over the other way slowly creeping out of bed and
practically having to crawl on the floor to get to the bathroom and get the
shower started…No more late night dates with losers from hell…Peeling my
clothes off I step into the cool water and suddenly felt more awake as the cool
water rinsed away last nights bad date experience…I shampooed and conditioned
my long brunette hair thinking ‘I’m gonna cut this one day’… ‘No I won’t I never will’…
I get out and dry off as I step into my red lace panties that look
like shorts, and matching bra. Plus I
slide into my jeans, while stepping into my black steel shoes boots, and strap
my spurs on, then put on my sleeveless t-shirt and tie it off in front and it
shows off an inch of my mid-drift…I pull my long hair up into a pony tail…it’ll
dry when I take Tammy for her exercise.
My name is Alexandra Mitchell…I’m a veterinarian, more of a horse
specialist. I’m 5’10” 125lbs, Brunette
hair to 3 inches past my butt, with haunting gray eyes…
While grabbed a cup of coffee, sunglasses, and house keys, I lock up
and head for the barn…I was met by Jack and Harry…I said, “Morning boys.” Jack said, “Morning Doc…you takin’ Tammy
out?” I said, “Yea…how’d she do last
night?” Harry said, “She did just fine…she
seems to be healing up pretty good.” I
said, “Excellent…maybe now she’ll stay away from the highway.” I pulled the beautiful white and tan Palomino
from the huge barn, she had already been saddled…I stepped in the stirrup and
pulled my self on the beautiful horse…
I patted her side and said, “Okay Tammy…let’s go.” I started her off walking…and then galloping
and then had her at a full run. I had
her galloping through a field, when I saw a guy about the size of the horse I
was riding, was having problems with his horse…I went over and took one look at
the horse he was cussing and swearing at…A petite blonde woman stepped out from
behind the horse and was cussing worse then the man.
The man was huge…close to 7 feet tall…anywhere between 300-325lbs…Dark
auburn mustache and go-tee and long dark auburn hair pulled back in a low pony
tail, with a black bandana on around his head to keep his flowing mane out of
his face, black jeans, black boots, and a black muscle shirt that did
everything but hide his huge tattooed arms…I swear he had tattoos from his
wrists to his shoulders on both arms…and dark black sunglasses on. The blonde was pretty much the same size as
me.
I said, “Horses generally don’t like being called Son of a Bitches…” He
said, “Is that right lady?” The man
turned around and looked up at me and looked like he could devour me whole…I
smiled and said, “Yea…that’s right…that horse doesn’t like you much…can’t say
as I blame it though…I’d throw your ass too if you called me a Son of a Bitch.” He stood to his full height with his arms
across over his huge chest and said, “What makes you so smart girl…you’re don’t
look older then a college student.” The
blonde standing next to him with a smug look on her face…I could of socked that
look off her face.
I just shook my head at them and hopped off of Tammy and walked over
and stood in front of his horse…it nuzzled against me as I ran my hands down
his ears, cheeks, snout, under the chin to the bottom lip and pulled a chunk of
carrot out of my pocket and held my hand out and he gently took it..
The woman said, “What are you a God Damn horse whisperer?” I turned to them…as he towered a good foot
over me and she was eye to eye with me said, “No, Dr. Alexandra Mitchell,
Veterinarian…specifically horse doctor.”
I held my hand out…his huge hand encased mine and his deep southern
accented voice said, “Mark Callaway…This is my fiancé
Sara.” I shook her hand as well, but
felt like I should bathe immediately after touching her and I said, “Nice to
meet you both…if the horse keeps throwing you…chances are you’re doing
something that is making him uncomfortable…”
I looked down on the ground and saw a riding whip, and bent over and
retrieved it…and held it up with a disgusted look on my face and said, “We’re
you hitting him with this?” Mark looked
at his short bottled blonde fiancé…Sara said, “Fuckin’ animals…never know what
do to, you gotta beat some love into them to train ‘em.”
I cocked one eyebrow up, smirked and said, “Oh really?”
With a flick of my wrist I snapped Sara in the side of her stomach
just below her ribs with the whip…She let out a howl and I said, “Feel like learning
something with that stinging pain in your ribcage?” Through clenched teeth, Sara said, “Lady…I
don’t like hit people…but if you do that again…I’m gonna hit you so hard,
you’ll need a plane ticket to get back from where ever you land.” I said, “Madame…and I use that term
loosely…don’t you dare threaten me…I’m a register doctor, and if I see you beat
this animal again with this…this…THING…I swear to god I will be you beat you
with an inch of your life with it…”
I examined the sides of the horses and there was little welts
forming where he’d hit the horse with the whip.
I said, “Good luck getting home…I’m taking your horse for medical
treatment…you God damn idiot...Next time you dye your hair, don’t stand in the
direct sunlight cause it effects the half of your brain you have left, that
gives you good judgment.” I got back on
my horse and whistled…their horse followed me and Tammy back over to the barn
and stables…
Mark and Sara stood there and watched as the horse followed
obediently…I could hear her high pitched annoying voice…I turned around and she
stomped her foot on the ground and said, “Maaarrrrrk….do
something.” Mark knew I was right, he
had told Sara repeatedly not to hit the horse with the whip…Sara was such a
city girl, he’d fix that once they got married.
A couple of days later…Mark was sitting in the drive way, working on
a small Harley, Sara would be gone for the next 6 weeks, out in California
visiting her family…Mark saw the Red Dodge Dakota driving up the drive way with
a horse trailer attached…and knew in the back of his mind it was the doc who
had taken Harley (the horse)…
I pulled up to the huge house and got out… I let the back gate
down…I could hear Mark trying to start the engine on the Harley and he cussed
at it cause it wouldn’t turn over…he got up and walked over and said, “How’s he
doin’?” I looked up at him and rolled my
eyes and said, “Just fine…not thanks on your part.” He scoffed and said, “You know for someone so
small you sure do have a big attitude problem.”
I spun around and said, “Listen…the only reason I’m bringing this
poor animal back to you, is because I didn’t have permission to take him in the
first place…and I can be arrested for that…I cleaned his wounds, bathed him,
fed him and brushed him…Jack and Harry walked him to give him exercise…Now I’m
bringing him back…but I’m warning you, if I see that girl…your fiancé hit this
animal again I’ll call the SPCA on your asses faster then you can get that
Harley started.”
Mark chuckled and said, “What does a veterinarian know about
Harley’s?” I said, “Obviously more then
you, because you’re flooding the engine on that female Harley.” He looked shocked and said, “How did you know
it was a female?” I said, “Well clue
number one…it’s smaller then all the other ones you have sitting outside…and 2,
because the saddle bags are not removable…saddles bags are only removable if it
is a male Harley. They are kind of like
horses…You’re giving that one too much throttle when you’re trying to turn it
over and you’re flooding it…you have to empty the valves on the exhaust pipes,
cause when it finally does turn over, it will run for 3 seconds and quit.”
Mark said, “I know everything there is to know about Harley’s…I
never heard of a Harley having valves..” I said, “You know on Trombones and Trumpets
have spit valves and you have to blow in the mouth piece and open the valve to
empty the valve (He nodded)…Female Harley’s are the same way…Gas and oil are
building up, because the engine won’t turn over…and the pistons are being
flooded with gas and oil…and then gets collected in the curves of the exhaust
pipes…so when the engine turns over, while it’s running for that 3 seconds it’s
going to sound like it’s gargling…watch…c’mere I’ll
show you.”
We walked over and I grabbed a towel cause both pipes were hot for
where it was trying to started but wouldn’t…I pushed the spurs down so I would
stab myself in the rearend when I squatted down and
then I pushed the valves open and drained them in a plastic bucket he handed
me…and closed them then stood up and leaned over turning the key and hitting
the start button while giving it enough throttle and it started and then purred
in the drive way.
Mark looked astonished and reached over and shut the purring bike
off and said, “How did you do that?” I
smiled and said, “Pretty easy.” Mark
said, “Yea…but how did you know that?” I
said, “Oh…My husband was a huge Harley lover…I’ve got all his
bike’s in storage.”
Mark cocked one eye brow up and said, “Was?”
I looked at the ground and said, “Yea well…when you ride drunk only
the worse can happen…He was out with some friends a couple of years ago and
they all had way to much to drink…next think I knew…he’d smashed his bike into
the base of some huge oak tree and broke every bone in his body…he was brain
dead, he wasn’t wearing a helmet and the cops said they estimated him going about
90 miles an hour, when he hit the tree.
3 days later, I let him go…I was 20…We had been married since I was 18…”
Mark looked at me and said, “Kind of young weren’t ya?”
I smiled and said, “Yea well I did everything young…I graduated high
school at 16…married at 18, I didn’t love my husband any more or any less, but
I did love him, and he loved me…that I will always be sure of...graduated
college at 19…buried my husband at 20…and now at 22, I have my own Veterinarian
practice…for animals…I’m finally happy…I lost sight of my happiness when my
husband died…it took me a full year to crawl out of the depression…but I made
it out. It’s still hard to do all of
this without him…but I knew I had to make it on my own, before I fell under to
far and couldn’t make it out at all.”
Mark felt for this small lady…his heart ached because of the
haunting look in her eyes…she really missed her husband…Mark said, “Would you
like to go to dinner sometime?”
I looked up not sure if I heard him right and said, “What about your
attachment, where ever she may roam.”
Mark laughed and said, “Sara is going to be in California for the next 6
weeks, she went to see her family…and besides we both gotta eat sometime
right?” I smirked and said, “Sure…I
guess so.” Mark said, “Good, then why
don’t you go home and get all dolled up and I’ll take you out for a dinner your
stomach can’t refuse.” I said, “Dressy
or casual?” Mark smiled and said, “Casual,
we aren’t dressing to impress anyone.” I
couldn’t help but laugh and said, “Okay.”
I went in the trailer and clipped a rope to the beautiful black
horse and led him out…Mark looked at him and said, “Harley…you look like you’ve
been pampered…you traitor.” Mark took
him and put him in the stables and handed me back the rope and said, “I’ll see
you…about 7:30…I’ll pick you up…” I
said, “Do you know how to get there?”
Mark said, “Of course.”
I waved and left.
Good Lord…I haven’t been to dinner with someone of the opposite sex
in years!
I drove back to my place and took a shower and got ready…I actually
put on a black skirt that came to just about 3 inches above my knees, and had
some patterned flowers on it…small not big…and a black short sleeved crocheted
shirt that went to the hem of my skirt…and 2½ inch heeled, knee-high boots. And
actually curled my hair as much as I could, and then put a little perceive
perfume behind my ear and went down stairs…
About the time I hit the bottom step there was a knock on the front
door…I walked over and opened it and nearly passed out…there was Mark…in jeans
so tight you could tell what religion he was…a jean sleeveless button down
shirt, steel toed boots, his long hair in a low pony tail, with a black
baseball cap on that said ‘Deadman, Inc.’ okay what was that all about…it was a
tad on the morbid side…and I would definitely have to ask him about that later.
Mark half smiled…does that man-know how sexy he is when he smiles?
Mark said, “So are you ready doc?”
His deep voice brought me back to where ever I had gone…La-La Land
probably…I smiled and said, “Sure, C’mon in, while I grab my purse and
keys…” Mark stepped into the oak wood
and glass foyer and said, “This place is beautiful.” I was in the kitchen and said, “Thanks…you
can come all the way in and look around if you’d like. I need to make sure my answering machine is
turned on.”
Mark walked in a little more and saw the den had pictures of kids
and probably family members…a big red L shaped couch, with a coffee table on a
beautiful red rug in front of the couch…and a big screen TV…He saw a huge Red
pillow on the floor with some chew toys…she obviously had a dog…but where was
it?
I walked back down the hall and went down the three steps into the
den and saw Mark looking at the pictures on the mantle of the fireplace. I said, “This is the red room.” Mark chuckled a little and said, “Yea…I got
that feeling…” I said, “I love red…it’s
my favorite color…I knew moving in here I’d have to have just one red room…why
not have it be the only room I’m ever in…”
Mark said, “It’s really nice. Hard wood floors through the whole place?” I said, “Everywhere but the kitchen it’s white tile with tints of gray…every room has a
different theme…You wanna see the rest before we leave?”
Mark said, “We better not, I don’t want to miss our
reservations.” I said, “Okay…let’s go
then.” We walked out and I set the alarm
and locked the front door…Mark walked over and opened the door to his pick
up…it was a huge Chevy Silverado…it was gigantic…Mark took my hand as I stepped
up into the truck…and closed the door…I pulled my seat belt on as Mark walked
around and got in…
As we drove into town all I could think was Alexandra Marie
Mitchell…what have you gotten yourself into now?
Dinner was nice we talked through it the most…I finally said, “So
how did you know where I lived?” Mark
smirked and said, “You don’t really think I would have let some lady claiming
to be a vet walk off with my horse without checking up on her, do you?” I giggled and said, “No I guess not. I really would like to apologize for taking
him…I always let me temper get the best of me in situations where animals are
being hurt…I realize he wasn’t being abused…but I don’t condone people using
whips on any animals…”
Mark said, “No don’t apologize…if you’re that passionate about your
work…then to hell with everyone else…Sara had that little whip sting coming to
her…I had told her not to even mess with it…but she is a hard headed California
woman…who thinks everything can be fixed fast.
I honestly don’t blame you one bit for taking the horse, but just the
same thanks for taking care of him.”
I said, “I grew up around tons of animals my whole life…I did horse
races, pageants, rodeos, pretty much anything involving horses since I was
13. So when the opportunity presented
itself…I took it…I’m a vet, I take care of minor problems with all animals…but
my specialty is horses…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
We sat talking a little longer and finished our dinner…Mark finally
asked, “So did you know how bad your husbands drinking
problem was when you married him?” I
said, “Yes I did…And I still put all my faith into him and married him.” Mark said, “Why?” I said, “Why not? He put his faith into me
and said I could be the best vet if I wanted to…he never hit me, he never
abused me, when he was drunk he liked to be a joker…he wasn’t a mad enraged
drunk…I loved him…he went through AA about 4 times…but it never failed he’d go
out with his friends and as soon as they started drinking…he’s go from Pepsi to
Jack Daniels, and his idiot friends would send him home…”
Mark said, “What did they say about the night of the wreck?” I said, “The usual…they didn’t realize he was
THAT drunk, they were sorry for my loss…I was so angry…I mean those guys were
my friends too…we’d all gone to high school and college together…but they
didn’t have respect for their life or anyone else’s…After I finally had the
machines shut off and let him go…I told them I never wanted to see them again…and
as far as I was concerned…I’d see myself dead and buried before I’d ever utter
another word to any of them. I haven’t
seen any of them since.”
Mark said, “Kind of harsh…but I can understand why…I don’t blame
you.” I said, “I always felt like I should
have done more to help him…pushed him harder with AA…but in the end…I knew I
was only kidding myself…Daniel was Daniel…and the only way he could’ve changed
was if he made himself do it…and he was having way to much fun just being
himself to wanna stop and take life a little more serious…which is probably
another reason why I married him…I loved him…and he constantly had me
laughing…I don’t think there was ever a minute I wasn’t laughing.”
On the drive back to my house, we did more talking…Mark finally told
me he was a professional wrestler and that the Deadman, Inc logo on the hat was
his…His character was the Undertaker…I couldn’t help but said, “Morbid.” Out
loud…Mark laughed and said, “Yea…it does sound a little gruesome.” Mark told me him and Sara were supposed to
get married 2 weeks after she returned from California…but he was having his
doubts because she was such a city girl…and he was nothing but a good ole
country boy.
Mark walked me to my door and made sure I got in the house and then
took off.
All I could think was…God he’s beautiful…and if Sara doesn’t
straighten her shit out…she’s gonna lose him.
Might not be such a bad thing after all.
Mark and I started going to dinner or watching movies together on a
nightly basis…Mark came over and I gave him a tour of the grounds…he watched me
worse on the few animals that were there in my care…One night Mark showed up on
my door step and said, “Hey do you like boxing?” I smiled and said, “How’d you know?” Mark laughed and said, “Well…I’m meet a few
guys down town at the Sidelines Bar, and we were going to watch the UFC
championships…wanna come?” I said,
“Sure.”
We drove into town and at the bar, I met a few friends of Mark’s
they were rough necks, but they were a nice bunch of boys. I was sitting next to Mark and he had his
arms on the edge of the table and was leaned over…he looked over at me and
said, “You okay?” I smiled and said,
“I’m really in my element here…I haven’t had a night out with the guys in a few
years…I really miss it…Thanks for asking me to come with.” Mark smirked and said, “No problem…I just
hope you don’t mind being around a bunch of rough necks.” I smiled and shook my head no…
We sat and watched most of the UFC…and I looked over and couldn’t get
over the ink Mark had all over his arms…I got a little closer and was looking
at his right arm…
Mark felt a warm tingle slide up his arm and looked down and saw Doc
touching his arm, she looked fascinated by his tattoos…Mark said, “See
something you like?” I jumped at the
sound of his voice and said, “These are fascinating…so much color, and yet each
one tells a different story right?” Mark
nodded and said, “You wanna look closer you can…you’re not going to hurt me ya
know.” I bit my lower lip and got a
little closer and ran my finger tips down his right forearm…I could feel the
way his skin felt with the ink on it.
I said, “Does it hurt much? I
mean to get one?” Mark said, “These
never did hurt, but of course it always depends on where you get them
put...most sensitive areas would be throat, ankles, any place where the skin is
close to bone.” I cringed and said, “So,
Can I see the other arm?” Mark turned to
face towards me and laid his left arm on the table…I looked it over also…
I went back to the tattoos on his right shoulder…I started tracing
it with my finger tips…looking at the meticulous designs, the curves, colors,
everything…they just absolutely fascinated me.
Mark watched as Doc was tracing his tats on his right shoulder…he
could have sworn his shoulder was going up in flames. Her fingers were gentle and soft against his
skin…her scent was just floating through the air…even in a bar full of cigar
smoking drunks…he could smell her…she smelled like a cross between lilacs and a
stormy rain filled night. If he had to
smell her any longer he’d not only would be buzzed from the beer but he’d be
intoxicated by her scent…she smelled heavenly…her gorgeous smile lit up the
entire sports bar.
Mark had seen a few of the other guys there watching her, ogling at
her…but she kept her eyes either on the TV, or on his arms, studying his
tattoos, like she was trying to memorize what they looked like, so she could
remember until she saw him again. It was
almost as if she didn’t see the 50 other guys sitting around her, she only saw
him. He never noticed until now, but she
had these haunting gray eyes…
Mark was staring at me, and I didn’t notice it, until I looked up
from his tattooed shoulder…and said, “What?”
He said, “I never noticed this…but you’ve got the most unbelievable gray
eyes I’ve ever seen.” I smiled and said,
“So, is that a compliment or are you totally horrified by them?” Mark laughed and said, “It’s a compliment, cause you have beautiful eyes.” I smiled and said, “Thank you.” Mark said, “You keep smiling like that, I’m
bound to tell you anything…as long as that smiles stays put.” I couldn’t help but smile again.
After the UFC fights were over Mark took me home…he walked me to the
front door and waiting until I got the door open and I said, “Thanks again for
inviting me…I really needed to get out.”
Mark said, “You’re welcome.” Not
even think about it, Mark put his index finger under my chin and pulled my head
up as his lips came down and gently brushed against mine…we separated and Mark
said, “G’night doc.” I was a little hazy
but said, “G’night Mr. Callaway.” Mark
smirked as he turned and walked off the porch to his truck and left. I went in and locked up and went up stairs
and passed out as sleep over took my tired and shocked body.
I walked into the house around 10pm…with Mark following behind me,
our feet dragging…he’d come with me on an emergency horse birthing call…we went
all the way across the back roads clear on the other side of Houston and had
been there since 10am that morning, Mark had come over to see if I wanted to go
to breakfast when I got the call, and he got sucked into coming with me. We walked into the den and plopped down on
the couch…I kicked my boots off and said, “You want some coffee?” Mark said, “Sure…why don’t you go shower and
I’ll start the coffee.” I smiled and
said, “That’s the best offer I had all day.”
By the way, just for your information Colt and Mother are doing just
fine.
I went upstairs and was taking a shower when a hand with a coffee
cup came into the shower…I jumped a little and could smell the coffee and
laughed and said, “You’re such a lifesaver.”
I took the cup and heard Mark laughing on the other side of the shower
curtain. I drank most of the cup and got
out…I had put on a tank top and jean shorts and just let my hair hang and air
dry. I walked out and Mark was sitting
on the foot of my huge canopy bed and was watching ESPN…
I laughed and said, “Wow…sport center in my bedroom…I never thought
I’d see the day.” Mark laughed and said,
“I was just checking to see how Dale Earnhardt, Jr. did in the races
today.” I said, “But in my bedroom? This is supposed to be my girlie get away…and
you’re turning it into ESPN world.” We
laughed and I said, “You wanna take a shower?”
Mark said, “No…I should be getting home anyways I’m pretty sure Sam
(Bullmastiff) and Jenny (Rotwieler)…are going crazy
cause I haven’t been there all day.”
I walked over and leaned against one of the wooden columns to the
canopy and said, “Yea well, give Sam and Jenny my best…Don’t forget Sara is
coming back tomorrow.” Mark rolled his
eyes and said, “Please, don’t remind me…you know my first wife didn’t try to
control me as much as Sara does, and we’re not even married yet…sometimes I
feel like us getting married is just a big joke…I shouldn’t be getting married
to her, she’s way to city to be married to a country boy like me.”
I said, “Well, don’t look at me for the answers…the only one who can
help you with that is…you.” Mark stood up
and said, “Yea, well thanks a lot for that big pep-talk.” I said, “Okay, you’re old enough to make your
own decisions.” Mark said, “Don’t make
me feel any older then I do…I’m 37…Lady.”
I said, “Oh that Lady comment didn’t sound very
young to me.” Mark laughed as I followed
him out of the bedroom.
We got to the bottom of the stairs and Mark grabbed his truck keys
and walked to the front door…he said, “I have to tell you…The last 6 weeks,
have been fun…getting to know you. I’ve
enjoyed it…I don’t know what to do about Sara, but I guess I’ll figure it out
as I go along.” I said, “Well, if you
need someone to talk to, I’m a good listener.
But don’t expect any questions to get answered…I’m the last person on
the face of the earth who needs to be giving anyone any advice.”
Mark caressed my cheek with his warm hand and said, “I’ll have to
remember that darlin’.” I smiled and
said, “You do that, Mr. Callaway.” Mark
said, “Oh, don’t call me that…I look for my father with that Mister
nonsense.” I laughed and said, “Okay,
okay…no more Mister, anything.” Mark
said, “Yea…you just remember that…” I
saluted Mark and said, “Yes SIR!” Mark
said, “Smart ass.” I smiled and said,
“Always.” Mark leaned down and brushed
his lips against mine and said, “I’ll probably see you tomorrow.”
I said, “Don’t make me promises you can’t keep.”
Mark didn’t miss the break in my voice and touched my face and
kissed my lips again and left.
I stayed up late that night…I couldn’t help it,
I couldn’t keep Mark off my mind…probably around 3 am my phone rang, “Jesus,
who the hell is calling me at this hour?”
I leaned over from the couch and picked up the cordless and said,
“Hello?” Mark’s voice was on the other
end saying, “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
I smiled and said, “No, I haven’t been able to sleep…what are you still
doing up, you never stay up this late.”
Mark sighed heavy and said, “I’m trying to figure out how to end things
with Sara before I cheat on her.”
I was taken back by that tiny little statement.
I said, “Really…why exactly would you want to cheat on Sara?” Mark said, “Honestly?” I said, “If you want sure.” Mark said, “Well…Because I don’t love her
anymore…I really have to be honest with you Lexy, I
don’t know what my feelings are right now towards you…but I spent the last 3
years getting to know Sara…and spent the last 6 weeks getting to know you…and I
already feel more for you in those tiny 6 weeks, then I ever did with Sara for
the 3 years.”
I’ve never been able to get him to call me anything other then Doc…I
told him several time he could call me Alex or Lexy, but he always maintained the professional Doc. I was yet again taken back by his last
statement…okay that’s twice in one night.
I said, “So you’re sure, you don’t want to be with Sara…because you guys
do have the time together.” Mark said,
“No…I don’t want to be with her…I only knew her for a year before we got
engaged…these last 2 years haven’t been all that smooth sailing bullshit that
people like to try and brag about.”
I said, “You do still realize I can not give you any advice…I don’t
mind listening, well first because I love the sound of your voice…but also
because I haven’t dated in a really long time…and I’m not someone who should be
giving out advice…” Mark said, “No, I
know, you already told me that…I just had to call you…I don’t know why, but I
had to.” I said, “It’s
okay…You know I don’t mind.” Mark said,
“Can I come over…I really feel like I should be talking to you face to
face.” I froze at first but then said,
“Sure…I’ll leave the front door open for you, I’m in the den…come watch a movie
with me…then we will talk.” Mark agreed
and said he’d be over after he showered.
Mark walked in the front door and locked it, and walked into the den,
and saw Alex sleeping on the couch…he couldn’t help himself, almost as if he’d
been drawn to her, he walked over and knelt down next to the couch and kissed
her lips so softly. She must’ve woken
up, because she started returning the kiss.
I actually found out I was more tired then I was admitting to myself
and had fallen asleep on the couch. I
could feel his lips on mine and couldn’t help but return the kiss…I put my
hands on his arms…and then his shoulders and then wrapped my arms around his
neck…Mark slide his arms around me and lifted me off the couch and he sat down
and placed me in his lap. I felt so
small compared to him.
Mark felt Alex move around on his lap and sit straddling him…and it turned
him on even more…he really wanted his woman…he didn’t know if he loved her, but
he already held her on a higher pedestal then he ever did Sara…Mark wanted to
be with Alex constantly the last 6 weeks, had really come to mean a lot to
him…he was dreading Sara coming home…he could only stand to be around Sara for
a few weeks at a time, which was why when he got tired of her, he loved going
back on the road so much to get away from her, until he missed her enough to
take a few days off.
Lord what about work, how in the world was he going to go on the
road and leave Alex behind. He’d have to
ask her to come with him…maybe not every time, but hopefully she’d agree and
come with him a few times a month. Hell,
what was he thinking, he hadn’t even broken up with Sara yet, and he was
thinking like he couldn’t live with Alex for the rest of his life. Mark finally came to a conclusion that he’d
had it bad for Alex…he’d have to break things off with Sara…he just didn’t care
about her pushy, overbearing, controlling attitude anymore. Alex was so laid back and easy going, nothing
like Sara. Alex took pride in being the
best Vet she could, Sara wanted to be lazy and sit in the house all damn day
when he was home or away. Alex had so
much energy even if she was dead tired.
I could feel Mark’s hands on my hips as he started sliding them up
and when the his the hem of my shirt and started sliding up under it…once they
hit my stomach, I put my hands on his
and pulled away, breaking the kiss for the first time, since we started.
I
said, “I don’t think we should do this Mark…If you wanna be with me…you need to
tell Sara first…I don’t want to sleep with a man whose
already engaged to be married to someone other then me. For the first time since Daniel died, my insides
have been woken up, my heart is awake, and I can feel the blood pumping through
my veins when you kiss me like that. I
feel so alive. I haven’t felt like this
in a long time…” I moved off his lap and
sat next to him…his green orbs staring into me with purpose intent. Mark pulled me close and I laid my head on
his chest…
Mark stroked my back and kissed the top of my head and said, “Can I
just hold you tonight, please?” I
couldn’t say anything, I just nodded, and Marks arms tightened around me. I had my hand on his chest and his hand came
up and covered mine…and I could feel his heart beating hard, like it was going
to come through his chest. I buried my
face in his chest, it was warm and he smelled like cologne and worn leather…it was an intoxicating
smell, which helped me fall asleep.
Mark had moved us around and laid me on him as he laid long ways on
the couch…but still kept me close. He’d
set the alarm on his cell phone and laid it on the coffee table, knowing he’d
have to go pick up Sara from the Airport in the morning.
- -4 Weeks Later- -
Sara started noticing little changes in Mark…she couldn’t put her
finger on it…but something about him changed while she was in California…then
he started talking about that Veterinarian woman who lived down the street, the
one he always referred to her as Doc…but was now calling her Lexy. Why
though? Why the sudden changes. It was that girl…that disgusting, horse shit
covered Vet. And God damn it…Mark was
constantly going over there to check and make sure she didn’t need anything
done at her place.
Sara got an oh so evil look in her eyes and started devising a
plan…Mark wanted to spend so much time over there…Sara was going to give him a
reason to…she stalked around the house and was looking for one of them… Sara
thought, ‘Which one is more precious to him…Sam or Jenny…which one does he love
more….let’s see…Sam gets free rein over the entire house, but Jenny is allowed
to sleep at the foot of the bed with us…nope Sam was allowed in his most prized
possession…his fucking truck, hell if only she could put a bullet through that
god damn truck…no one could drive it but him, he never even let her touch
it…how could he possible think it was okay to find possessions more important
then her?’…
Sara finally found Sam and dragged him into the house…then as
carefully as she could set everything up, and then called Mark into the
house…Mark walked in and they discussed what they would be having for dinner,
after Mark walked out of the house, the big oak door closed behind him as he
was getting ready to step off the porch he heard a gun shot go off as he heard
Sara scream.
Mark ran back inside and saw Sam laying in a pool of blood on the
hard wood floor of the entry way…Mark ran over and said, “Sara what the hell
happened?” Sara was on her knees next to
Sam, trying to ‘comfort’ him…she said, “You closed the door too hard, the gun
rack fell down and the gun went off…”
Mark said, “We gotta get him up and take him to Alex…she’ll fix him, she
has too.” Mark scoped up the bloody dog
in his arms and they took off for Alex’s.
I was seeing some of the near by animals that needed their shots and
check ups…When Mark and Sara walked in and Mark was caring Sam his huge
Bullmastiff, the tan coat was covered in dark red blood…and I ran over and
Harry took him…I said, “What happened?”
Mark was in total shock and just sat down…I looked at Sara and she had
tears sliding down her cheeks and she said, “Mark walked out of the house, the
door slammed and made the gun rack on the wall fall and it went off.” I said, “Okay…Listen…Sara, take Mark home,
get him cleaned up and calmed down…as soon as I do all that I can I will call.”
I slid the truck keys from Mark’s hand and handed then to Sara…Jack
helped get Mark out and into the truck as Sara got behind the wheel and took
off. When they got back to the
house…Sara pushed Mark into the shower, while she ran downstairs and cleaned up
the blood…she couldn’t help but laugh out loud, he’d bought it…hook, line and
sinker…that dumb dog was finally out of her hair…she had gotten him pretty
good…he was definitely going to die from blood loss if not some kind of
internal damage.
Alex might have been a good
Vet, but she wasn’t God. Sara smirked at
her own thoughts…Alex wasn’t God, and that would play in Sara’s favor…BIG TIME!
Mark would be mad because his precious new friend couldn’t save his
best friend in the whole wide world…Mark had had that dumb dog since he was
25…The dog was old to begin with…Sara nodded inwardly, deservingly happy with
herself and said, “Sam was gonna die eventually from old age…I just helped
him…I ended his miserable old asses suffering.
He’ll thank me…eventually.”
Jenny the Rotwieler, walked over and was
smelling the blood from Sam, as Sara was trying to clean it up…Sara put her
fingers in the blood and wiped it on Jenny’s snout, Jenny kept pawing at her
snout trying to get the blood off…Sara laughed and jerks Jenny’s head to her as
she wiped the blood off with a towel and said, “You’re next you little bitch…I
promise you…Make sure you enjoy sleeping on the bed, cause the next time his
back is turned…you’re going to be history as well…I swear it!”
I spent the next 4 hours in surgery trying to repair the damage done
by the bullet. Though things inside the
dog, just didn’t seem right…where there should have been holes weren’t, and
where the holes we’re is where they shouldn’t have been…if the gun went off
when it hit the floor…and Sam was hit in the side, the entrance and exit holes
would be diagonal to each other…the entrance hole would be on the bottom side
of Sam’s stomach and the exit hole would either go straight through to the
other side or up…
After I re-examined the X-rays and the dog again after surgery the
entrance hole was high…nearly on top of his back…and the path to the exit hole
was closer to the bottom of his belly…which just didn’t match up with what Sara
had said.
Harry walked in and said, “What’ca think
boss?” I said, “It’s weird…I mean look at
the x-rays…you see it…the entrance and exit holes are on the wrongs ends of
each other…it should be the other way around…it’s almost as if Sam was laying
on his stomach…which he doesn’t do around Sara…he doesn’t like her…he doesn’t
want her to pet him, let alone scratch his belly…something really weird is
going on here…either that dog shot himself, or Sara is full of shit.”
Harry said, “You don’t think Sara could have had something to do
with this do you?” I looked at Harry and
said, “Do me a favor…call the AP (Animal Precinct)…if Sara did harm to this dog
she’s got to be arrested…” Harry said,
“Are you gonna say it?” I looked at
Sam…he wasn’t doing to good, but it was close…it was up to Sam to fight
now. I looked at Harry and said, “Sara,
shot him. How could she be so
cruel?” Tears slid down my cheeks and I
checked Sam’s vitals…they were strong, but he wasn’t out of the woods yet.
I sat down next to Sam, and never left him during the night…I fell
asleep on my stool, with my hand on
Sam’s side, feeling him breathe…staring into his big brown eyes…Harry left to
call the ASPCA…short for America Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals.
Yea, it’s a shock…even animals have rights too.
I had fallen asleep next to Sam…in the morning, Harry woke me up…Sam
had died in the middle of the night…There was just too much internal damage and
way too much blood loss. I stood up and
was removing the tubes and machines from Sam…Jack walked in the room and said,
“Mark and Sara are here.” I said, “Harry
finish up…I’m gonna go talk with Mark.”
Jack said, “The ASPCA is waiting in the back…they’ve already gone
over Sam’s x-rays and found you’re readings to be right on the mark…they said
someone shot him from up above…not below.”
I nodded and walked out into the lobby of the clinic that was attached
to the stables…
Mark and Sara were sitting down waiting for me…Mark stood up when he
saw me walk in and said, “How is he doc?”
I said, “Sara, are you coming?”
Sara just shook her head no…and I was thinking of some torturing devices
we could put her in…something along the lines of fingers in a vise grip and
nails through her eye lids…
Mark followed me to the back and before even got to the room, tears were
sliding down my cheeks…Mark didn’t miss the sniffle that came from me.
Just as we were about to walk in the room, Mark grabbed my wrist and
I didn’t even fight him, he pulled me back and into his chest and held me…I
couldn’t help but cry. Mark said, “He
died didn’t he?” I said, “I’m so sorry
Mark, I swear I tried everything I could…I did everything humanly possible…the
damage was so bad…and we couldn’t replace the blood he’d lost…his body was
rejecting the new blood we were giving him.
I’m sorry Mark…I tried to make him as comfortable as possible before he
died…he wasn’t feeling any pain, I promise…”
Mark’s hand was on the back of my head and he kissed the top of my
head and said, “Its okay Lexy…I know you tried…Can I
see him?” I nodded against his chest and
wiped my eyes…Mark took my hand and kissed the back of it and I led him to the
room, and Mark walked in and was looking over Sam…I said, “Mark, you wasn’t in
the house at all when the gun went off was you?” Mark said, “No, I had closed the door and was
about to step off the porch, when it went off…I went back inside and Sara was
standing just inside the kitchen and ran to his side…the gun was laying behind
the door.”
In a shaky voice, I said, “Mark…I think you should know
something.” Mark looked up at me and
realized something important was about to fly out of my mouth. Mark said, “What is it Lexy?” I looked down and said, “There was no way
that the gun went off when it hit the floor…”
Mark stood up from the stool and said, “What are you talking
about?” I said, “The entrance hole of
the wound…if it was shot from the floor, the entrance wound would be closer to
the bottom of his belly right? (Mark
nodded yes) Well, I’ve examined Sam and
went over all of his x-rays about a hundred times, and so did Jack and
Harry…the entrance wound is in the middle of his back, about ¾ of an inch from
his spine…Now unless Sam was laying on his back…there’s no possible way that
could of happened that way…the Law of Physics just won’t allow it.”
Mark said, “Are you trying to tell me Sara shot Sam?” I couldn’t even answer, I just nodded. Mark said, “Why on earth would Sara do that,
she loves animals.” I said, “Not as much
as you think she might…I’m telling you the Law of Physics doesn’t permit that
kind of bullet wound to happen…It’s not like there’s anything metal the bullet
could have ricocheted off and then struck Sam in the back…it’s impossible…every
thing in your house is concrete, brick or wood…which all let bullet’s settle in
them…except metal. Metal makes bullets
ricochet harder and faster.”
Mark said, “So you really think she did?” I said, “Yea, and so does the ASPCA…They’ve
been here since dawn, going over the x-rays…and Sam…they said I’m right…they
are going to arrest Sara for Abusive behavior to animals. She’s gonna get about 5 years, granted
because it’s only a dog…I’d be worse if he was a human.” Mark said, “I think I’m gonna be sick.” I said, “I don’t blame you…” I walked over and wrapped my arm around his
and leaned my head against his shoulder.
I kissed his bi-cept, and he leaned over and
kissed the top of my head a couple of times.
Harry came in and said, “Doc, Sara took off.” Mark slammed his fist into the table and
said, “Son of a Bitch.” I put my hand
over his fist, as he looked down into my eyes and I said, “Go get her…I’ll stay
here…Maybe she’ll come back.” Mark gave
me a quick kiss on the lips and took off with the officers of the ASPCA.
I was cleaning up the room and trying to put Sam away…that way Mark
could do with him what he wanted to do.
A cold voice from behind me said, “You just couldn’t keep your nose
outta my business…could you? You just
waited for me to leave for California, before you moved in and got your hands
on Mark…well you can’t have him…I will not give him up with out a fight you
fuckin’ bitch.”
I went to turn around to ignore her, but she back handed me…I ran my
tongue along the inside of my cheek, and I could taste the tang of the
copper…the bitch drew blood…I smirked…and he grabbed my arm and pulled out a
scalpel and pulled her arm around my neck and said, “Start walkin honey, you’re
my ticket outta here.” I said, “Why did
you do it Sara…why did you shoot Sam?”
Sara said, “I fuckin’ hate animals, and I especially hate dogs…they
are so much more loyal then their god damn owners…like with you and Mark…I’ve
seen the way he’s been looking at you, since I’ve been back…you know he used to
give me that look too…that I really wanna fuck your brains out look…I haven’t
seen that look in months…and all he talks about is you…like your some god or
savior…or something…but you’re not god…I’m gonna show him you bleed just like
the rest of them do.”
I was trying to talk Psycho Sara down out of her insanity trip…but
nothing was working…we walked outside and the officers of the ASPCA and Mark
surrounded us…Sara had this flipped out loop in her eyes…like she was on some
kind of drug or something…but she wasn’t…
Mark said, “Why’d ya do it Sara?”
She laughed in almost an evil sort of tone and said, “Shut the FUCK up
Mark…I’m gonna prove to you and every one else here…she’s not God…you’ve been
walking around the house like a god damn zombie…only talking about how talented
and wonderful Lexy is…well she’s not god…she couldn’t
even save that fuckin’ mutt of yours.”
Sara slid the scalpel up my right shoulder to my collar bone, and blood slowly surfaced.
Sara ran her hand through the blood and wiped it on my face and then
she said, “See…look she bleeds just like everyone else…watch she’ll bleed a
little more.” Sara raised the scalpel up
like she was going to stab me with it…and I grabbed her wrist with my left hand
and spun around and pulled my right arm back and punched her as hard as I
possibly could in the face…I must’ve broken her nose cause blood poured down the
front of her face and shirt.
Sara dropped the scalpel, and dropped to the ground, screaming and
calling me a ‘fuckin’ bitch’…because I busted her nose. The ASPCA took her into custody and said they
were taking her to the police station, for attempted murder on me…As soon as
they pulled out of the drive way…Mark ran over and enveloped me into his
arms…and walked me into the clinic, while he cleaned out the cut from the
scalpel, and put a bandage on it…
Mark and I just decided we were happy things could be normal now…but
of course…what’s normal?
The End.