My Soldier Too Read online

  “I want to be with you, too. It’s a big decision. I don’t want to put pressure on you, but it would be a huge relief not to have to worry that you’ll be sent back to Iraq.”

  Madison nuzzled Isabella’s neck. “I’d rather talk about anything other than the Army or Iraq.” She moved her hands underneath Isabella’s T-shirt. “In fact, I don’t want to talk at all.”

  “Maybe we should shower first,” Isabella said.

  “Good idea. Why don’t you start without me? All that dancing made me thirsty. I need to get some water. Would you like a glass, too?”

  “No, I’m good.” Isabella chose something for each of them to sleep in from the bedroom and went into the bathroom to turn on the water. When she turned around to undress, Madison stood naked in front of her. A tidal wave of heat crashed over her, so hot she was sure it could melt steel. The only thing she could think about was how to remove her clothes as fast as possible, so there was nothing between her skin and Madison’s. Before Isabella moved, Madison’s hands were on her, frantically pulling off anything and everything that got in her way.

  They scrambled naked into the shower. Madison dominated her with need, her touch frenzied. Madison’s mouth and hands played Isabella’s body faster and faster to a climax of sheer satisfaction.

  Wrapped in each other’s arms, they stood panting under the cool water. Isabella held on tight to Madison, her legs weak and unsteady, her breathing ragged. “No one has ever done the things you do to me.” She took the bar of soap, and in between passionate kisses, they washed each other’s bodies.

  After they stepped out of the shower, Isabella dried them off. Then she took Madison by the hand and led her to bed. Madison lay down, pulling Isabella on top of her. Isabella fondled Madison’s thigh. “Hmm, should I open my present fast or slow?”

  Madison arched into her. “Slow.”

  Isabella brushed her hand between Madison’s legs. “That’s my plan, one sweet second at a time.”

  She tasted and felt Madison into the night until their desire was satiated. The emotional and physical power of their lovemaking transcended anything Isabella had imagined possible. Their bodies lay tangled as she listened to their rapid heartbeats slow to a restful rhythm. She caressed Madison’s cheek. “Come sei bella. How beautiful you are.”

  “I don’t even need to know what you’re saying to like it.”

  “I’ll teach you.”

  “Okay. Tell me how to say ‘I love you.’”

  “All right. But cover your eyes. I have to turn on the light first.”

  Madison put her hands over her face. “You can’t tell me with the light off?”

  Isabella took the silver box from O’Neil’s out of the drawer of the nightstand.

  “Sometimes things are best said without words.” She tugged at one of Madison’s arms. “You can open your eyes.”

  Madison smiled at the box Isabella held out to her. “You don’t have to give me a present.”

  “I know, but I want to.” Isabella handed it to Madison.

  Madison opened it and took the watch out of its nest of cotton. “Isabella, it’s gorgeous. No one’s ever given me anything this nice. I love it.” She turned the watch over and read the engraving.

  “What do you mean by ‘always?’”

  “At first, I wanted to give you something that might replace the ring you gave to the little boy. When I thought about it, though, I knew the ring could never be replaced. The more time we spent together, the more I realized I wanted my first gift to you to be a symbol of our beginning.”

  Madison put the watch on. “A beginning with no end?”

  “Yeah, always.”

  “I love it, and I love you.” Madison wrapped herself around Isabella. “Thank you.”

  Isabella laid her head on Madison’s chest. The confines of Madison’s embrace were her favorite place to rest. Contented, she closed her eyes. “I love you, too.” She fell fast asleep in Madison’s arms.

  Chapter 19

  It was a hot, sunny, Sunday morning. Ben rested his elbows on the railing of the Yankee Clipper Ш, a charter fishing boat out of Provincetown, making its way back into the harbor. He glanced over at Isabella’s father, Robert Parisi. The man was an imposing figure with a full head of dark hair, a well-kept physique, and a chiseled jaw line. He could pass for a man half his age. Robert gazed out at the shimmering waves as they steamed full-speed ahead and the Provincetown marina grew closer. “Thank you for inviting me along today,” Ben said.

  “Glad you could make it,” Robert replied.

  “I wouldn’t have missed the opportunity to spend the morning fishing with you and your sons. How did you manage to pull off this last-minute trip? These boats are usually booked weeks in advance.”

  “Capt. Roland is an old friend. He used to take the boys and me out every year around this time. We’d go for cod. Isabella’s mother would salt the catch so we’d have it to enjoy for months after. There isn’t a better place in Massachusetts to cod fish than off of George’s Bank out of Provincetown. I bumped into the captain a couple of days ago in the North End. When I told him John was in town, he suggested my sons and I go fishing for old time’s sake. The group he had scheduled for today had to cancel due to a family illness. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

  “I’m honored to be included among your sons.” Weeks had passed since Ben had last spoken to Isabella. His knew his best hope of winning her back was through her family. They had often said he was destined to become part of the family when he married Isabella. If he had to play the family card, so be it.

  Robert cupped the back of Ben’s neck with his large hand. “It wouldn’t have been the same without you. I’m glad you could find the time to get away from work. Isabella must be keeping you busy otherwise. We haven’t seen her around much. You’re taking good care of her, I hope.”

  Ben wasn’t sure how to answer. He didn’t want Robert to think his problems with Isabella were too serious, but just the same, he needed Robert’s intervention. He couldn’t comprehend this thing between Isabella and Madison. If anyone could get through to her, it would be her father. “I would if she’d let me. To be honest, I haven’t seen her much in the past couple of months. We had an argument. I’ve been trying to give her some space so she can get over being mad at me. Maybe you could talk to her. You could tell her how sorry I am for being a jerk. She’ll listen to you.”

  Robert grinned. “Get used to this kind of thing, kid. Women are temperamental. Isabella’s no exception. She’s been headstrong since she was a little girl. I’m sure whatever you did, she’ll forgive you. She may have a mind of her own, but she doesn’t hold a grudge.”

  “Thanks.” Ben contemplated his next remark. If he could get Robert excited about the prospect of another wedding for one of his children, the greater the likelihood Robert would do his best to turn the tide and get Isabella back into his arms instead of Madison’s. “I’d like to ask Isabella to marry me. Do you have any reservations about that?”

  “It’s about damn time.” Robert slapped him hard on the back. “You’d be good for Isabella. Of all my kids, she’s the one least settled. She needs someone strong like you to keep her feet planted on the ground. She’s a free spirit, which means she’ll keep your life interesting. You can count on that. I’m thrilled you’ve finally decided to ask her.” He chuckled. “I’ll bet whatever it is she’s mad about will disappear with your marriage proposal. Good man!”

  Ben detected a pronounced shift in Robert’s demeanor. Something was suddenly wrong. His ashen, pained face didn’t match the words he’d just spoken. Oh my God. He’s having a heart attack. The brothers must have noticed, too, because they rushed to his side. “Mr. Parisi, what is it?” Ben asked.

  The veins in Robert’s hands bulged from the grip he had on the railing of the vessel. Any tighter and he’d crush it with his bare hands. Despite the breeze from the movement of the boat, beads of sweat formed at his hairline. They fell in steady
succession.

  John grasped his shoulder. “Dad, what’s wrong?”

  Robert tore his eyes away from the shore and shot daggers at Ben. “How could you let this happen?”

  Ben gazed at the point on the shore where Robert had been staring. The meaning of Robert’s baffling words became apparent. There on the dock railing sat Isabella with Madison all but swallowing her up. This cannot be happening. “I tried to put a stop to it, Mr. Parisi. I swear I did.”

  Robert ignored Ben and his sons as he stepped off the boat as soon as Capt. Roland tied her to the dock. His deportment made it evident that an angry explosion of atomic proportions was imminent. Even though Ben worried for what was about to befall Isabella, he hoped Madison finally got what was coming to her for messing up their lives.

  * * *

  “Amy and Cheryl should be here soon,” Madison said. “The ferry’s due in a few minutes.”

  “Good,” Marcy said. “How about you and Isabella wait here for them? Beth and I will go get the tickets for the Kate Clinton show tonight while you get them checked in. If we don’t get tickets now, it might sell out. Let’s meet here in about a half hour.”

  It was nearly eleven o’clock in the morning, and the sun blazed down on the marina, scorching hot. After Marcy and Beth left, Madison lifted Isabella into a sitting position on the railing. She stood between her legs and wrapped her arms around Isabella’s waist to keep her from falling back into the water. “I could get used to seeing you walking around in a bikini top like this every day.”

  “Isn’t it a bit risqué to be so scantily clad in public?”

  “Not when it’s so damn hot out.” Madison kissed her neck. “The weather isn’t the only thing that sizzles. Your body is amazing. And it’s all mine.”

  Isabella wrapped her legs more tightly around Madison. “Too bad we’re in public. Otherwise, I’d have even less clothing on. By the way, I like the butch look you’re sporting today. A baseball hat and tank top suit you.”

  “Do you think our friends would miss us if we disappeared back to the room? I could let you explore my butch side more thoroughly.”

  Isabella giggled. “An adventure I’m sure to love. Unfortunately, Beth and Marcy would miss us. Not much gets past those two. Not to mention that Cheryl and Amy are expecting us to meet them when the ferry docks.”

  An angry voice shattered Madison’s morning. “Isabella, what in God’s name are you doing?”

  Isabella pushed Madison away and hopped off the railing. “Daddy, please, I can explain. I was going to tell—”

  Robert clenched his fists. “Cover yourself up and get your things. You’re coming home with me and your brothers.” He bestowed a condescending, hateful look on Madison. “Now, Isabella.” His tone left no question as to the authority he believed he held.

  Ben, Anthony, and the Parisi brothers stood thunderstruck behind Robert. Madison wished she could melt into the water and disappear. Their scrutiny left her feeling naked and exposed. She put a hand on Isabella’s shoulder. “It’ll be okay. I’ll bring your things back to the city if you want to go home with your family.”

  Robert turned and stormed away toward the parking lot.

  Isabella didn’t answer Madison. She grabbed a T-shirt out of her beach bag, put it on, and ran after her father.

  Madison watched her go. Her heart ruptured into a thousand shards. Fear and sadness threatened to engulf her. This was worse than anything she ever could have imagined. So much for their hopes that Isabella’s parents would accept their lesbian daughter and that the family would welcome Madison as Isabella’s partner. A man she recognized from photographs to be Isabella’s brother, Michael, approached.

  He stopped inches from her. He pointed a finger in her face. “You fucking dyke, don’t you ever put your hands on my sister again.”

  Her anger helped to restore her composure. It was bad enough that Isabella had taken off without a word. Now she had to face Isabella’s brothers and Ben by herself. She wasn’t in the mood and didn’t intend to listen to their judgment of her. “A piece of advice. Get your finger out of my face before you lose it. I’m warning you. Don’t underestimate me.”

  He moved even nearer. Thankful for her long legs, Madison pulled herself to her full height. Instead of having to endure him looking down on her, both literally and figuratively, she looked him square in the eyes.

  “Michael, you need to calm down,” one of the other brothers said. He stepped between Michael and Madison. He gripped his brother’s shoulders. “This isn’t how a Parisi conducts himself in public. Isabella’s behavior was bad enough without you disgracing us, too.”

  Madison turned to go. She had to leave before she lost her self-control completely.

  Ben blocked her path. “You’re the poorest excuse for a woman I’ve ever known. I’m not even sure I’d call you a woman.”

  Madison lowered her voice so only he could hear. “If you have a question about whether I’m a woman or not, why don’t you ask Isabella? She can shed some light on that for you.”

  Ben’s upper lip twitched. “Maybe so, but you still can’t give her what I can. You saw how quickly Isabella went after her father. She practically ran over you to catch up to him. If you ask me, as of that moment, you became invisible to her. Don’t kid yourself. She’ll never choose you over her family. You’re nothing more than one of Isabella’s flights of fancy. She isn’t a lesbian any more than I am. You’ll never have her.” His face hardened. “You should be ashamed for trying to destroy her family.”

  Madison bit her lip. She wouldn’t give Ben the satisfaction of making her cry. She stood in silence as he continued his effort to belittle her.

  “Maybe you should cut your losses while you can,” he said. “I have a feeling she’ll be begging me to take her back now that she’s had her misguided fun with you.”

  “Shut up, you bastard. You don’t know anything about how we feel about each other.” Madison pushed past Ben and walked away as quickly as her legs would carry her. Ben’s tirade only made her all the more determined to keep Isabella.

  Ben called after her. “Here’s what I know. If you push enough buttons, eventually you hit the right one. I think I did.”

  Madison ignored him as she yanked her cell phone from the pocket of her shorts and dialed Beth’s number. When Beth answered, Madison said, “Isabella’s father is here. He saw Isabella and me kissing. He was so angry that she ran from me. I’m going back to the inn. Come wait for Amy and Cheryl, will you?”

  The walk back to the room she shared with Isabella seemed to take an eternity. She resolved not to cry until she could lock herself away. Tears welled in her eyes as she placed the key in the door. Relief flooded over her when she opened it.

  “Isabella.” Madison closed the door and ran to her. She put her arms around her, hoping her embrace could hold all the pieces of Isabella’s broken heart together. “I’m sorry.”

  Isabella sobbed. “I never dreamed my family would find out this way.”

  “I know. I know. Shhh. It’ll be all right.” Madison rocked Isabella in her arms. Deep inside, she knew Isabella’s innocence—and maybe her relationship with her family—was lost forever.

  Chapter 20

  Ben Jackson was an early riser. Morning, shortly before the sun took its place in the sky, was his favorite part of the day. Since he spent the vast majority of his time trying to solve other people’s problems, he preferred daybreak, when most were still fast asleep. Even in the heart of the city, things were peaceful and quiet at that hour—especially on a Sunday morning, which was why the knock at his door annoyed him so. It wasn’t like he didn’t already have enough to be upset about. Two weeks had passed since the Parisi family collapsed in chaos. Isabella’s father still blamed him, but not as much as he blamed Madison.

  The knock came a second time. It was tentative, like the person behind it already knew that his presence wasn’t welcome. Ben finished lacing his running shoes and went toward the door.
“Whoever’s there better have a damn good reason.”

  There was that infuriating knock again, this time, less tentative. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Five-forty a.m. He quickened his pace. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Damn it, I’m coming already.”

  He swung the door of his Beacon Street apartment open wide. “What the hell?” Except for the homeless man rummaging through a trash can across the street, no one was around. Homeless people near Beacon Street were rare. The police saw to that. Maybe the guy was looking for a change of pace from his usual hangouts. Ben eyed him suspiciously. When he turned to go back inside, a large brown envelope lying on his front step caught his attention. There was no return address. The scribbled letters simply read, “To Benjamin J. Jackson, Attorney at Law.” The handwriting was vaguely familiar.

  He scanned the street, but saw no one. The homeless guy across the street appeared oblivious to his presence. He looked content to dig for any edible morsel of food somewhere in that trash can. Ben bent down, picked up the envelope, and went back inside.

  His morning run would have to wait. He poured himself a cup of coffee and went to his study. Inside the envelope was a two-page handwritten letter on the back pages of a flyer for the veterans shelter. It dawned on him then where he had seen the handwriting before. As part of his pro bono work at the shelter, he’d recently completed a Living Will and Health Care Proxy paperwork for the General. Damn shame the old man was dying of cancer. The General had been adamant that Ben make sure he wouldn’t be resuscitated or kept alive by “hospital machines and tubes,” as he had put it.

  Ben sat in his leather office chair and unfolded the letter.

  Dear Attorney Jackson,

  By the time you read this letter, I will mercifully be gone from this world. I came into it with nothing and will leave with nothing. Therefore, I cannot pay you in the manner to which you are accustomed. However, after I say what I have to say, I will close with a piece of advice that I hope you will find more valuable than anything money could buy. My dying request is that you act as my attorney to ensure that my last wishes are met. If you do, I promise good karma will follow.