Wrecking Ball (23 page)

Brandon

We leave a note on the counter in the kitchen for Sophia and Tia to meet us on the beach. Everything is set to perfection. Candles light the way towards the spot where Antonio, the priest and I wait while a mariachi band awaits our signal to play.
When we catch first sight of our ladies, one of the ladies Antonio hired greets them and leads them down towards us. About forty feet from us, there’s a small table with a bouquet which the lady hands to Tia.

Tia freezes and her gaze darts to Antonio before it moves to Sophia. Sophia takes Tia by the shoulders and speaks softly to her. We can’t hear what she says, but when Tia smiles I know Antonio is going to get married. I signal the band and they start playing a soft Spanish melody as the girls walk towards us.

When Tia reaches Antonio she wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him deeply. Sophia and I smile at each other as we stand in our standard designated best man and maid of honor positions. When Tia pulls away, she laughs.

“You never were one to take no for an answer
,” she beams at Antonio.

“You never were one to make it easy
,” he retorts. “But here I am, Tia. The man that loves you and wants to spend every day of forever with you, whatever I can with you. So please, marry me.”

She smiles softly at him. “Well, I suppose since you’ve already paid for the priest and this band, I really don’t have a choice
,” she jibes at him and we all chuckle.

“You have a
choice,” he adds, his tone serious.

She stares into his eyes for a long moment. “You’re right. And I cho
ose you. It’s always been you.”

The ceremony i
s beautiful and emotional. Even Tia, the jovial and high spirited thing she is, cries when the preacher says until death do you part. My gaze meets Sophia’s and the intensity of the words strikes me like a lightning bolt. Antonio was right, life is short and for some of us, like Tia, it’s tragically short.

When Tia and Antonio kiss
, the band plays loudly and he twirls her in his arms. Sophia and I hug them both and give our congratulations.

I tak
e Sophia’s hand and lead her in front of the priest. “Sophia, it’s our turn.”

She stares at me confused.

“I’d like to renew our vows, if you’ll agree.” Her eyebrows rise and she smiles. “I want this new beginning with you.”

“Oka
y,” she leans up and kisses me.

Antonio and Tia stand on either side of us, just as we did for them, as Sophia a
nd I renew our promise to each other. When we married so many years ago, the words meant a lot then, but mean so much more now. Now we know the struggles life can throw at us, we know the hurt that can grow, and we know what it means to stand by each other in good times and bad. The vows mean more now because we know we can weather any storm together.

When she kisses me, it’s like her lips are making their own promise, telling me that everything will be okay.

The four of us enjoy a dinner lit by candlelight on the beach while the band plays soft music. We laugh and drink and celebrate the joining of two people and the reuniting of two others. When Antonio and Tia bid us farewell for the evening, Sophia and I grab a blanket and walk along the shore holding hands. It’s been a perfect evening, and I don’t want it to end. We’ll all leave for home tomorrow evening and life will get complicated. Tia’s health will get worse and worse and I cringe at the thought, knowing how much pain Antonio and Sophia will be in. No matter what, I will be a rock for Sophia. Whatever she needs, I’ll give her to help her get through this and when Tia does pass, I’ll carry as much of the weight as I can for her.

“Thank you for thi
s, Brandon. It was so romantic.” She squeezes my hand and pulls me from darker thoughts.

“Thank you for doing it. I wasn’t sure if you’d like it or not.”

Sophia squeezes my hand and leads me up the beach towards where the sand meets the rocks. When we stop she spreads the blanket out and turns back to me. Slowly, she pulls down the straps of her dress as her hungry eyes gaze at me. Sliding her dress down her body over her hips, she lets it fall and pool at her feet.

“Take your clothes off
,” she orders me and I slowly unbutton my shirt. She watches me, biting her lower lip as I pull my shorts and boxers off. “Lay down.” I obey and she falls over my shins, straddling them. Her hair billows over her shoulders as she bends down and kisses up my thighs, her perfect breasts, dear lord I love her breasts, glide gently along my skin as her mouth finds my stomach, then my chest, until she  reaches my mouth.

“I want you too badly
,” she whispers as she positions the head of my cock against her warm, wet folds.

My heart is pounding like a d
rum as her gaze locks to mine. “If you ever betray me again, I will leave you.” Her words slice into me and I freeze, my cock hard against her. “Do you understand me, Brandon?”

I nod numbly, unsure of the best thing to say. “And
this…” She takes my dick and runs the head up and down her folds, taunting me. “Will be someone else’s.” Her tone is all promise. I know she means it and jealousy, anger, and guilt surge through me.
Not a fucking chance in hell another man will ever have her.

In one swift move, I flip her over so that she’s
on her knees in front of me, her ass pressed against my dick. “I understand, and it’ll never happen because you are mine. Do you understand?” I grit out. “This…” I slap her ass and grab it, squeezing. “Is mine, all fucking mine.”

“You’d do well to remember that next time temptation comes knocking.
This is all yours, but if you mess up again, it will be someone else’s. Now stop talking me to death and show me what the thought of another man touching me does to you.”

I am momentarily stunned. My
wife somehow has woven my wrongdoing into a weapon and she’s wielding it like a fucking machete at my throat. Sophia knows she’s a prize, maybe I let her forget years ago, but somewhere over the last few months she’s remembered. I stare down at her, her thin frame, her tight round ass waiting for me to slam into her. An image flashes through my mind, another man’s hand gliding up her back, cupping her breasts
, my woman’s breasts
. Fuck no. That’s not ever going to happen. As another surge of jealousy rushes through me, I slam into her, hard and fast and she cries out. This is mine, all mine. I’m a dumbass and I almost lost it, I know this, but I will punish her for even saying she’d give it to another. As I move in and out of her, slamming into her as deep as I can, I feel her tightening and pull out.

“No
,” she cries at the loss.

“You’re not coming
yet,” I grit out and flip her over. “Not until I’m ready for you to.”

Her nipples are hard, perfect
, perked peaks and I seize one in my mouth, biting and sucking. “Brandon,” she hisses.

I sit up and pull her legs over my shoulders before I slide in her again. “Pleas
e, Brandon, please.”

“Please what?” I growl as I move slowly.

Her gaze meets mine. “Please don’t stop loving me.” Her voice is but a whimper.

Gone is the anger and jealousy I felt. Now, my chest aches. I lower her
legs and stretch my body over hers, balancing some of my weight on my arms on each side of her.

I don’t speak.

Words can be empty.

Instead, I show her.

My kisses whisper words of gratitude, showing her how grateful I am she’s forgiven me, but not just that. Grateful she loves me, that she picked me to walk through life with. My eyes stare into hers, conveying my love for her, how I worship her, echoing my remorse for ever hurting her. I move slowly, in and out, savoring the feeling of her warm and wet around my cock, taking my time because I want her to know, making love to her isn’t just about sex, it’s about being connected, being inside of her knowing we are one.

Her hands run up and down my body as she whispers words that burn me to my core. “It’s always been you
, Brandon”, and “I never want to be without you.” They’re words I thought I’d never hear again because I thought I’d lost her, I thought she would leave me.

My orgasm builds, tingling down my spine and I whisper, “I’m close
, Sophia. Come with me, baby.” I move one hand down and rub her clit and she’s done, her body tenses as she moans my name and my orgasm bursts into her as my body falls limp on top of her.

Sophia

“Fuck,” Brandon pants as we both struggle to catch our breath.

We lay still, our bodies intertwined as he softens inside of me. The white sand of the beach is lit dimly by moonlight and the ocean rolls sweet whispers of calm to the shore. There’s no place in the world more perfect than this, right now.

Guilt bubbles inside of me momentarily as I think about the things I said to him only minutes ago. I’ve made the decision to forgive Brandon, but we will need help. Counseling is a must and his work schedule has to change. My words before were mean, I wanted to punish him when I told him if he ever hurts me again, someone else will have me. Maybe somewhere along the way
I forgot my worth and who I am. I
am
Brandon’s wife, I’ve always been proud of that. I
am
the mother of his two beautiful daughters who light my world everyday with their very existence. But Tia was right. I’m more and maybe I thought I had to give up some of what I am to perfect the others.

I love sex. Always have and when Brandon and I got together I was never afraid to pursue him, ask for what I
wanted. But when he rejected me, putting his work before me, I recoiled. I should’ve demanded his attention and if I didn’t get it, I should’ve made it clear I was unhappy. I in no way blame myself for his indiscretion. If Brandon was unhappy, he should’ve come to me and told me before something like that happened. But looking back, I can see where we both let each other down in certain ways, but maybe more so ourselves.

“Sophia.” Brandon’s voice is hoarse. “I swear I’ll never let you down again.” When he places his cheek against mine, it’s wet from tears.

When we finally get up and dress, we walk back to the house hand and hand.

“How are you holding up with all of this news about Tia?”
he asks.

“I honestly can’t imagine life without her. She’s my sister.”

“We’ll get through this together, Soph. I’m here. Whatever you need.”

Sophia

We went home the next day, Tia, Antonio, Brandon and I. Tia and Antonio were in bliss, the honeymoon stage, despite Tia’s illness. Brandon and I immediately started therapy and
he cut his class load back so he could be at home with us more. Chloe and Ferrah fell instantly in love with Antonio and he doted on them, which I loved him for. Most young men would treat two little girls with crushes that never wanted to leave their side poorly, but not Antonio. My sister married well.

I refused to let Tia go to hospice and when things got really bad, like she couldn’t get out of bed without help, she allowed me to call our parents. I understand now why she wanted to wait. My
parents’ pain oozed through every inch of their body, their eyes, the way they walked, even their silence in the moments when their tears had dried up.

One night, as I was walking to my bedroom, I heard my father and Tia talking.

“I’m sorry, Daddy. I know I’ve been a handful.”

“Aw
, baby girl. There’s nothing to be sorry for. You’ve been a blessing beyond all words.” His voice cracked and he once again fell into sobs, but this time, my strong iron backboned sister joined him.

I quickly ran t
o my room, holding back the tears I desperately wanted to let out. Brandon lay in our bed reading and saw me rush into the bathroom. Hopping in the shower, turning the water to scalding hot, I let my sorrow wash down the drain knowing there was so much more to come. My baby sister was dying. How could this be?

“Sophia,” Brandon whispered my name and I felt his arms wrap around me. “Let it all ou
t, baby. I’m here.” Turning me in his arms, I cried into his shoulder and when I was done and empty, my gaze met his.

“Make
me feel good, Brandon,” I begged, desperation thick in my voice.

His mouth kissed my body everywhere, taking his time,
worshiping me. He toyed with me, fingers probing me, building me higher, teeth roughly biting my nipples, when finally I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Now
, baby. Now,” I begged and he lifted me so that my legs wrapped around his waist and pressed me against the shower wall. While his kisses and touches had been slow and torturous, he thrust in me with no hesitation and fucked me hard and fast. He knew what I needed. He knew how to make me feel good.

“I love you so much
, Soph,” he moaned.

Those words sent me over the edge, and I clawed at him as his own orgasm came. When he pulled out, he sat me down and washed me gently, whispering loving words to me, soothing my sad heart.

When we curled up in bed that night, I thanked God for my husband and for my mother who showed me how doing one hard thing could bring so much happiness. She was right. Brandon and I had never been stronger.

Thanksgiving came and went, then there was Christmas. My parents would come and stay every few days. They loved Antonio and although my father was upset he didn’t get to see
their wedding he knew time was running out and there were better ways to spend it than griping about it.

As Christmas neared, hospice was called in, a nurse came to stay with us to see us all through.
Nurse Wendy tended to Tia with so much love and care she became a part of our family in the short time she’d worked for us.

“Phi
, I need to give you something,” Tia called to me as I put her laundry away one afternoon.

“Wendy. Do you mind giving us a moment?” Tia asked before she coughed a few times. Wendy quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.

“What is it?” I asked Tia as I stood by her bed.

“My night
stand drawer.” She pointed barely able to lift her arm. Cancer is such a vile death. Tia’s bronzed skin became pale and splotchy. Bags hung under once brimming with youth eyes, and an already skinny body became thinner.

I opened her drawer and found a photo album. “This?” I held it up so she could see.

“Yeah. It’s for you to show the girls.” Every word she spoke in recent days was laced with exhaustion. She could barely move and it broke my heart to witness what was happening to her. I sat on her bed beside where she lay and rubbed her arm gently.

“Open
it,” she ordered.

I opened the album and the first picture was of me and Tia. I was nine and she had just been born, tiny in my arms with a pillow propped under them so I wouldn’t drop her. Under the photo in cursive writing there was,
Love at first sight
. I blinked rapidly, trying hard not to break down in front of her.

“You were like my own personal baby dol
l,” I chuckled softly, holding my tears at bay. I had worked hard not to cry in front of her. It was the last thing she needed.

Tia smiled weakly. “The next one is my favorite.”

The next photo in the album was of us when Tia was maybe two. We were in the backyard, soaked from the sprinkler and I was in my bikini, chasing around a naked Tia who refused to wear her bathing suit. Tia was laughing, her arms in the air and her face to the sky. “You always hated clothes.” I laughed.

“I st
ill like being naked.” She winked at me, but even that small gesture was exhausting for her.

There are several photos, all of Tia and I, laughing, singing, or dancing around doing something silly. When I reach the last page, it’
s a photo that Antonio took of us on the beach the first week we arrived in Mexico. We’re both tan and smiling. And under the photo in cursive
, A girl never had a better sister. I love you, Phi.

Unable to hide it, I burst i
nto tears and Tia sat quietly, her hand on mine, the only physical comfort she could give me, not from exhaustion, but maybe anymore would make her emotional and crying would only tire her more.

“Remember me like that photo,
okay?” Tia whispered, and I nodded unable to form words. “Phi, It won’t be long now. So I must say my goodbye to you while I can. My thoughts are so jumbled these days, I’m losing my ability to think clearly,” she let out a deep sigh. “They’re going to drug me and make me comfortable so I can pass away painlessly.”

A wail broke free from my chest and I fell to my knees off the bed, l
aying my head on her arm as I held her hand. “God, I don’t want you to go. How can I say goodbye to you?”

“I have no regrets.
None,” she continued. “My life has been full of adventure. I saw the world, met incredible people, fell in love, married my soul mate, and was born with a best friend ready and waiting. No regrets, Phi. None. I know you’ll be sad, but I hope that will bring you some comfort. That my life, every day was lived to the fullest. Not one minute wasted. And I hope you’ll live that way, too, after I’m gone.”

“I’ll try
, Tia. I will. For you.”

It took me a
long time to calm down enough before I could speak again. Tia waited patiently, holding the tears in her eyes at bay. “Tia, thank you. I love you so much and I’m the luckiest woman in the world to have a sister like you. And I promise I’ll live for both us Tia.”

“Keep in touch with Antonio. Check
on him. For me.”

“Of course. He’s family now. He’s stuck with us.”

“You know, he is the love of my life. When I found him I understood what you have with Brandon.”

“I’m glad you found each other.”

“Will you get Mom and Dad for me?”

“Yeah.” I stood up and wiped under my eyes.

“I love you, Phi.”

I stared down at the shell of my sister, frail, weak, and barely hanging on. I hated to see her suffering. And she was suffering. “I love you
, too, baby girl.”

***

Tia Renee Campbell Foster passed away in her sleep two days before Christmas, wrapped in the arms of her husband. She went quietly, unlike the way she entered the world and lived every day after. The world lost a little of its color that day.

We all felt lucky in a sense. As she passed, Antonio lay beside her, holding her tight, whispering to her that it was okay for her to let go. My parents, Brandon and I sat around her bed and Wendy stood in the background.
When we knew for certain she had taken her last breath, I kissed her cheek and told her, “I love you, baby girl.” My father sobbed on his knees by her bed and oddly my mother stayed strong and wept quietly as she rubbed his shoulder. Brandon and I were finally able to pull my parents away so Antonio could say his goodbyes alone with her. He didn’t let her go after she passed, but held her and sobbed into her neck, whispering his farewell.

Brandon took my father to his study for a drink while my mother and I went to the kitchen for some coffee.

“I can’t imagine how you feel right now, Mom,” I said as I poured her a mug. “I feel like my heart is in pieces. It must be a million times worse when it’s your child.”

My mother sighed loudly. “I’m trying to be thankful for what God has given me.”

I gave her a confused look. How could anyone be thankful to God after watching their child die?

“Sophia, I brought that beautiful girl into the world. I loved her, cared for her, cried with her, laughed with her. And if the Lord saw it fit to take her now, so young,
no matter how angry I am that he’s taken her, I’m grateful he blessed me to be here with her when she went. I was there when she took her first breath and I was here when she took her last.” Her voice shook as her emotion began to take over and I nodded in understanding.

“Do you think Daddy will be alright?”

“No. But he’ll survive,” she answered honestly.

As she wished, Tia was
cremated and we held a service for friends and family, but just before New Year’s, my parents, Antonio, Brandon, our girls, and I went to Mexico. And as the sunset on the beaches in Puerto Vallarta, we spread her ashes in the wind letting them blow out toward the sea.

Antonio had a bench made, some form of wild black stone
, and on the seat engraved
, I’m a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar. Tia Renee Campbell Foster, A spirit that will never cease.

We all cried and laughed as we talked about Tia as a child, but when darkness came my parents went inside with the girls, leaving the three of us staring at the ocean.

“She’s gone,” I whispered as Brandon hugged me.

“She would’ve loved this, what we did here. It was exactly what she wanted.” Antonio nodded, his gaze fixed on the water.
I worried about Antonio. What would he do without Tia? My biggest fear was that his grief might lead him down darker roads he once ventured, but I hoped he was stronger than that.

“Will you be alrigh
t, Antonio?” I asked softly as I squeezed his arm.

And as if he read my mind he answered, “I won’t go back to drugs if that’s what you mean
, Soph. Tia saved my life. There’s no doubt in my mind if it hadn’t been for her, I’d be dead right now. She taught me so much about life and how beautiful it is. I’d never go back to what I was.”

“
You’re welcome to come back with us.” Brandon released me so we could both face Antonio.

“Actually, I’ll be leaving in the morning. I’m going home to California.”

“Oh,” I said surprised. Antonio was like family to us now. Him leaving felt like losing someone else.

“Tia and I discussed many thing
s before she passed. I told her I wouldn’t be able to come back here. It would be too painful for me, remembering what we shared here.” He swallowed hard trying to keep his emotion at bay. My heart sobbed for this man on top of my own grief.

“We both agreed that the two of you should have this place.” He pulled out a thick envelope from his back poc
ket and handed it to Brandon. “It’s all been taken care of. The place is yours. There’s a letter from her inside explaining everything.”

I thought my tears were all gone, dried up, but as they had for months now, proved me wrong as they came streaming down my face.

“I’m going to go for a walk. I need a little time to myself. Would you guys excuse me?” Antonio didn’t wait for us to answer, he simply turned and started walking the other way.

We watched him for a moment before Brandon gu
ided me to the bench and we sat. He opened the envelope, Tia’s letter the first page on top.

“You read it. I just can’
t,” I told him.

With a
gravelly voice, he began,

Sophia and Brandon,

You found each
other here again, and this place should be yours. Sophia, spending some of my last days here with you were the best. I hope you’ll love this place, come here as often as you can, hell, move here. You’ve got plenty of money. Whatever you do, both of you, love fiercely and often, laugh until your bellies ache, and never take one single day for granted.

I hope your lives will be rich and happy.