Chapter Fifty Five
“Can’t a father come see his daughter and grandson without a national inquiry?” Miguel stood up, and walked to where the couple was standing.
Maria pointed at Michael, biting down on her temper, “He’s five, and he’s not stupid enough to believe that, so don’t patronize me.” Dave held her securely against him, and crossed his arm to trap hers to her sides, “That might be the story you fed mama, but I’m sure there’s something more going on.”
“What makes you think that?” Miguel asked calmly, his eyes glued to Dave’s. They had decided on not telling her that Ricky had found her, it would only make the situation more complicated and Maria had lived scared long enough, and he wasn’t going to subject her to it again.
“Because Dave wouldn’t let a criminal within a hundred feet of his daughter.”
“Maria Diana Martinez!” Edna yelled, shooting up from the couch.
“It’s the truth mama!”
“I wouldn’t have said it that way.” Dave stopped when Maria looked at him with ‘oh please’ eyes, “Okay, I would have said it way worse, and she is telling the truth, I wouldn’t let Miguel near Michael or Izzy knowing his…. line of work.”
“Even so, Maria you have no right talking to your father with such disrespect!”
Bursting out of Dave’s hold, she moved to her mother, “He is not my father!”
“Mama.” Michael whispered, moving to stand next to Maria. Izzy looked up at the commotion and rushed to Michael holding the back of his t-shirt. Dave moved to them and picked up the kids, then took a few steps back away from Maria and Edna.
“How else would you explain your existence?” Edna moved forward closing the distance between them.
“Anyone can sire a child.” she pointed out to Dave, her eyes fixed on Edna, “He, however is a father!”
“Mama.” Michael whimpered again.
“You have no right to judge him. I already explained to you why he couldn’t be with us.” Edna was so furious, tears glistened in her eyes. Miguel moved to stand behind her, placing his hands securely on her shoulders.
“If it helps you sleep at night, you can believe in whatever bullshit he feeds you. You chose to love him, you can be with him, but I don’t have to.”
Edna was so annoyed to see that little brat she once was when she was in high school emerge, “Of course, we wouldn’t want princess Maria making sacrifices for anyone, but herself.” she shrugged Miguel’s hands off, and took a step closer to Maria, “I sacrificed my safety and my life for you!”
That statement made Maria take a step back, as the thoughts of Ricky came flooding into her head, “I’m grateful for that.” she started softly, “But you can’t force me to love him as my father.”
“Edna that’s enough.” Miguel spoke evenly, behind her.
“It wouldn’t be as bad as Michael having to bare his short life with Ricky as his father.” Edna blurted out, her anger completely taking the reins. Maria felt her heart stop, she felt like she’d been slapped in the face.
“That part of my life is over, and who I choose to have in my life is my business!”
“Ma.” Izzy whispered, with a quivering voice. She then reached up and wrapped her tiny arms around Dave’s neck, hiding her face in the nape of it.
“Considering the mistake you made choosing Ricky, do you really think you have a right to pass judgment?” Maria gagged, as if she’d been punched in the belly, “He beat you and broke every bone in your body, he almost killed your son and me, and you are here acting high and mighty, shunning a father who’s done nothing, but love you in a way Ricky couldn’t love his own son.” she said, with a snort.
Dave put Michael and Izzy down behind him, “That’s enough Edna!” he half yelled. He could see the pain in Maria’s face and he wanted it to stop.
Maria choked on sobs, as tears stung her eyes. She couldn’t believe her mother was throwing all the harm she had caused her family in her face. She always knew no one could swallow all they went through with a smile and not blame the root cause of it. Edna hated her for the life Maria had subjected her to, and it was only a matter of time before that bottle popped open.
“As far as he was, he made sure he knew every little detail of your life. He paid for most of the things you had when you were growing up. He’s the one who paid for your medical bills when Ricky bashed you up, or do you think the hospital gave stupid battered women a discount, or two broken bones for one offer?”
“Edna, I said that’s enough!” Dave yelled, moving in between them. He looked at Maria, who stood pale and frozen, dazed as tears ran down her cheeks, “Michael, take Izzy upstairs.”
“No!” he said harshly, rubbing the tears from his face with the back of his hand, “I’m staying here with mama, they should leave!”
Edna looked down at Michael’s angry face, it immediately sobered her up. She looked back at her daughter, horrified about what she’d said, “Maria… I didn’t mean it…. I’m sorry.” she sobbed.
“He knew everything about me, that’s great.” Maria whispered, the dazed look still in her eyes, “He paid child support, that’s wonderful.” her burning eyes shifted and focused on Miguel, “He paid my medical bills, that’s fantastic and very generous.” acid spewed with each word, “If not for the two generations of Martinez you have never met in your life.” her jaw clenched tighter, as more tears made their way down, and the intensity of her fierce gaze began to bore holes into Miguel, “Why in the hell didn’t you save the woman you love so much from that demon and the hell hole she lived in for years?”
Miguel moved closer to her, his own eyes full of tears, “I wanted to save you, but at the time I couldn’t…”
“Why not and why are you here now?”
“I’m here to fix my mistakes as a father and erase every trace of him from your life.” he answered, with a clenched jaw.
“Erase every trace.” she laughed, “It’s a little too late for that. Do you want to know why?” She pulled Michael to her and pushed back his front hair, exposing his scar, “Reason number one.” she pulled the head band off and pushed back her own hair, “Reason number two.” she pulled her shirt up and her pants down below her lower waist to expose three cigarette burn marks on her waist bone, “Reason number three.” she turned around and pulled her shirt up. Her skin was darkest there and Ricky’s initial’s R. S carved on the small of her back, “He said that was his favourite spot.”
Dave ran to her and pulled her shirt down, then held her tight against him. He felt like he was going to retch with disgust, if he saw any more. He now understood the fear that gripped her like a vice at the mere mention of Ricky’s name, and her anger against Miguel, to make it worse, her father knew this was happening to her and yet did nothing, “Maria, that’s enough.” he whispered, wiping his tears away with his knuckles.
“No its not, I’m just getting to the good part.”