A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Fabri and Jack sat in the bar catching up on
what each other had been doing, Jack leaving certain details out. He wanted to
tell Fabri when he was ready, or if Fabri asked. Fabri finished his beer and
asked Jack if he wanted another.
"Steady on," laughed Jack. "You're not getting married
tomorrow."
"It's not that Jack. It's just, well, I miss the old times sometimes.
Maria's father, he rather sit with a glass of wine, not come here with me for a
beer. Sometimes, its no fun without you."
"I know what you mean. I've been lonely in Philly too. You know, I thought
I was ready to put roots down for a while, get back into my drawing, just get a
bit of stability. I thought that if I knew where I was gonna sleep at night and
that I had food on the table, it would be different somehow. I'd been wandering
for so long. But now," Jack looked at the table. "I don't know what I
want anymore. But, I'm glad for you Fabri. You found what you wanted."
Fabri waved at the waitress to bring over two more beers.
"So you have heard all about what has happened to me Jack. What about you?
You said you had an accident? I saw what was left of some bruises on your back
when you got changed."
Jack looked a little uncomfortable.
"It wasn't really an accident. I got jumped one night."
"You were attacked! What happened?"
"I can't remember much. I got a good kicking. A black eye and a couple of
broken ribs. But I'm OK now, just a little sore sometimes."
"Philly does not sound a good place Jack. Why would someone do that to
you?"
"It was a warning" Jack pulled hair hands through his hair. If he
couldn't tell Fabri, he couldn't tell anyone. He just wasn't sure of his
friends reaction.
"A warning? I don't understand."
"I met someone " Jack sighed. "You'd like her Fabri. She's got
curly red hair, like flames of the setting sun and blue eyes. She loves art and
she's been round Europe."
Fabri watched Jacks eye light up when he spoke of her.
"And what happened?"
"She's married to someone else. A rich guy called Hockley."
Fabri looked at Jack in amazement. He was very surprised.
"Jack, you can't get involved with another mans wife!"
"I'm not involved with her. We are just friends."
"You would like it to be more, no?"
"It's not like that Fabri. He calls himself a gentleman and blacks her
eye. He treats her so badly, she doesn't deserve it."
"Ah, so you go fighting fires again Jack." Fabri was a little angry.
Jack didn't understand why and he didn't like Fabri using that phrase.
"No, I want to help her Fabri. But unless she wants to leave Hockley there
is nothing I can do about it."
"How long have you known her?"
"Not long, I know. I have only seen her once in the last three weeks
though."
Fabri scoffed.
"Not long and you are in love."
"Well how long have you known Maria huh?" Jack asked indignantly.
"You already decided you want to spend the rest of your life with
her."
"That is different" Fabri retorted. "We can be together and she
is not married to someone else." He looked hard at Jack.
"So her husband, he did this to you?"
"No, some hired thugs I reckon."
"He can afford to pay men to do this?"
"Yeah, he is very wealthy."
"You are getting messed up with a man who can afford to have this done to
you? You are crazy Jack! You not going to see her again are you?" "I
can't walk away and leave her. I'm too involved now."
"Jack, he will kill you. This happens here in New York. Money is power. He
can make you disappear."
Fabri waved his arm in the air. He was annoyed with Jack. Having a strict
religious upbringing, he believed in the sanctity of marriage. That was why he
wanted to marry Maria. He was also annoyed that Jack had left himself wide open
to be hurt.
"I'll be OK"
"He's already hurt you once." Fabri could see the determination in
Jacks face. He wasn't going to back down. He was so stubborn!
"You are my family Jack. I don't want to see you hurt or murdered over a
woman who can never be yours."
"I promised I'd be there if she needs me. If she tells me she never wants
to see me again, then I'll go"
Fabri shook his head.
"I never seen you in love with girl before."
"I never met anyone like Rose before and I didn't say I was in love with
her."
"You are Jack, I can see it. But if she is so rich then what" Fabri
trailed off unsure of how to phrase it.
"Then what is she doing with a poor guy?" Jack laughed. "I asked
her that too. But she isn't like that."
"I find that hard to believe."
"It's true! I wish you could meet her Fabri. She has the most dazzling
smile" Jack smiled himself at the thought.
"Jack, I don't want to fall out with you over this. I'm just worried for
you."
"I know Fabri. I appreciate it. But I'll be OK. I'm a survivor
right?"
There was a difficult silence before Fabri replied
"I don't want to fall out with you Jack. This is a special, 'appy time for
us."
"I'll drink to that!"
The two friends raised their glasses in a toast, to friendship, to surviving
and to life.