Life So Perfect

  Not too tight? Why’s he doing this? Crazy. He’s crazy. This isn’t real. God. God. Her ears rang as the shock wave of three more gunshots rang out. He jerked her shoulder hard and thrust her forward; she stumbled and was quickly yanked up and shoved all the harder up the rising trail. “We have to hurry now. We haven’t much time. Just a bit further. We’ll find a nice view.”

  “What are you doing? What do you want. Who are you?”

  His words now came out quickly, with a sense of urgency. “Joe Kline. He’s my stepson. This is about him. Nothing to do with you. It’s unfortunate to make you a part of this. But a lesson must be taught.” He increased his pace causing her to stumble again.

  Maddie tried to speak slowly, trying to show the lunatic she wasn’t scared; but her words came out faster with each sentence. “What are you talking about? You said you wouldn’t hurt me. I believe you. Just let me go. Joe’s a thousand miles away. What’s it have to do with me? You can’t get away with this. Just let me go. You’ll just end up in prison.”

  Todd’s grip tightened. “I know exactly where I’m going. And I lied. I am sorry. But I did lie.” She felt his fingers dig deeper into her skin; she nearly fell as he pushed her forward. “Not much time. I was hoping … well just maybe. But it doesn’t matter.” He increased his pace. “Oh good. This looks perfect. Just up there. That will do. Oh yes, such a beautiful view. No place in the world like the Rockies, is there?” He pushed her further up the incline until they reached a small clearing overlooking a valley with a snow-covered peak in the distance.

  When Maddie felt his grip loosen slightly, she jerked her arm to right and then left and threw her legs up. As she started to fall, Todd slipped his arms under hers and lifted her up; she could feel the barrel of the gun under her chin. “Now, now. We have to be careful here.” He carried her forward a few more paces, then threw her on the ground. “There. Take a deep breath. Oh my. Will you look at that scenery? Nothing in the world like it. This is a good place. A very good place. Let’s enjoy the view for a few quiet moments, shall we?”

  “Just let me go. Nothing will happen to you. Just let me go.”

  “Oh, I wish I could. I do.”

  “Let her go Todd! This has nothing to do with her. You can let her go. This is about you and me. Right? Let her go and then do whatever you want with me.” Joe’s voice boomed across the rock and stone of the steep mountainside surrounding the well-used path.

  When Joe’s voiced bellowed out, Maddie, for some reason, was not surprised. Safe now. The nightmare will end. She struggled to get up. Todd pushed her down. Lay down. Roll. Roll. She flopped on the ground, kicked her shoulder up and over and started rolling down the incline. Another crack of the gun. “Noooo!” Maddie shrieked. She jerked her shoulders again and her body rolled to the side of the path and stopped. She looked around for Joe. She knew he’d been shot.

  As she worked to sit up, a foot pushed her torso flat on the ground. She glanced up, it was Joe. He whispered, “Shh. Don’t move.” Then Joe shouted at the top of his lungs. “Go ahead! Shoot me! Be done with it! And let her go!”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Maddie could just see Todd grinning and shaking his head. His words came out in a jovial, teasing manner. “You know it doesn’t work that way, Jo-Jo.” He aimed the gun at Maddie. She forced her shoulder down and rolled over two times back toward the trail.

  “Hear that? Too late. The police are here.” The sound of an engine grew louder and suddenly the rumbling roar pierced her ears. Maddie’s entire body vibrated as a motorcycle flashed by. Another gunshot or was it two? She wasn’t sure. As she struggled to push herself up, she could just see Steven raise a baseball bat and spear Todd square in the chest as he sped past. The bike then careened up a steep incline and crashed between two trees. Maddie tried again to get up but Joe motioned her down. A shroud of helplessness enveloped her as she watched the scene unfolded. Joe darted toward Todd as he struggled to stand and kicked him in the groin. The crazed man fell forward onto his knees. As Joe cocked his leg to kick him again, Todd raised his gun, with hand trembling, he pointed it at Joe and said, “Don’t.” Joe’s ex step dad smiled and then nodded. Maddie closed her eyes and heard the ugly crack of the crazed man’s pistol.

  ***

  Todd’s body fell limp and rolled to the side of the trail; slowly blood began to ooze out both temples. Joe stood dazed as he stared at the bizarre scene. Unthinking, he took a step back as a pool of crimson oozed toward his shoe.

  “Joe! Thank God you’re okay. But Steven! Joe, come on!” Maddie’s cry was muted, distant, dreamlike. “Joe! We need to help Steven.” Maddie nudged Joe from behind. “Untie me. Hurry.”

  With a pocketknife, Joe cut the zip tie off Maddie’s wrists. Joe shouted, “Where’s Steven?”

  “Over there. There!” Maddie grabbed Joe’s hand and pulled hard as she dashed toward the mangled bike resting between two trees.

  It took a long moment to spot Steven laying six feet in front of his motorcycle. Matted hair covered Steven’s face. Joe feared the worst as blood began to soak through his jacket. They knelt down beside him and Maddie carefully pulled his hair aside. With eyes shut, Steven whispered, “Joe? Did we save her? She okay?”

  Maddie leaned over and kissed his forehead. “You saved me. You saved me Steven.”

  “We … did it Joe. We … did it.” Steven struggled for enough breath to give his words life.

  “No Steven. You did it. You were something.” Joe spoke softly in his ear.

  Steven’s eyes opened slightly, his words came out slowly. “I know. That was cool. But I don’t feel so good. I think I’m … I think he shot me Joe. That wasn’t supposed to happen.”

  Joe squeezed Steven’s hand. “No it wasn’t. You’ll be okay. You will be … you’ll be fine.”

  “I’m gonna dance, Joe. Grandfather’s going to teach me all the dances. I’m going to be a great dancer, the best at all the Pow-wows. I’ll be the best.”

  “I know you will. And we’ll come watch you.” Joe fought the tears clouding his eyes. “I can’t wait.”

  Steven tried to tilt his head up. “I … I need to go now. Can I go now?”

  Maddie caressed Steven’s face. “Help will be here in a second. Okay? We’ll get you to a hospital.”

  With a faint but determined smile Steven said, “Hey Joe. I found something. In my pocket. Eagle feathers. Warrior’s feathers. One for me. One for you. I don’t feel too good. But, yeah, they’re here now. I can go now. Yip, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

  Maddie’s lips trembled as she bent to kiss his forehead again. “You can’t go yet. Stay with us.”

  “It’s okay. They’re here.” Steven closed his eyes and sighed. His body jerked, then settled peacefully.

  A voice called out, “Maddie? Are you okay? Who is that with you?”

  Joe looked down the path. Half a dozen police officers, guns raised, raced toward them shouting out commands Joe couldn’t decipher. Joe screamed, “We’re friends of Maddie! He’s hurt bad! We need help!” He looked back at Steven and put his hand gently on his shoulder. “It’s okay now. They’re here.” He shouted out again, “Hurry! Help us!”

  A female police officer clutched Maddie’s arm and tried to lift her up. Maddie shook her shoulder hard, in a bare whisper she said, “We’re not leaving him. We’re staying here.”

  Joe saw tears trickling down Maddie’s soft, full cheeks. A tidal wave of guilt overwhelmed him causing tears to well up in his eyes. What have I done? How could this happen? This can’t be. I should be dead. I should be the one. It should be me. He took Maddie’s hand and looked her in the eyes. He shook his head and mouthed, “I’m sorry.” Wiping tears away, he glanced over his shoulder and yelled, “We have to stay here with him! Please let us stay.” Suddenly four police officers surrounded them and attempted to lift Joe and Maddie up and away from the scene. The both shook their shoulders wildly. Joe shouted, “We have to stay with him!”

  “The medics
need to take care of him. You need to step back and let them tend to your friend,” the female officer said and then Maddie was pulled up and away from Steven. Two paramedics appeared and knelt by Steven.

  Joe jerked his torso hard when another police officer put his hand on his shoulder. Joe put his palm on Steven’s forehead and pulled it gently back across his head. “I won’t leave you.”

  “You need to step back and let us see to him.” The paramedic’s voice lacked any emotion.

  Joe’s body tensed and a flash of anger ripped through his gut. “Don’t touch me!”

  Joe felt a hand touch his shoulder with a gentle but firm grasp. The voice of a male police officer sounded caring, understanding. “Give them some room. He’s needs their help.”

  Joe forced his trembling body upright and went over to Maddie. He feared her anger and wrath. It was his fault, what happened to her, to Steven, to Chuck – all his fault. She should utterly despise him; he deserved her hatred – everyone’s hatred. His mind flashed back to the scene: Todd’s grin, his knowing nod; Todd blowing his brains to kingdom come. That was his plan: kill a friend; teach him a lesson; destroy his life; then take his own, dying satisfied, mission complete. Joe looked at Maddie – her eyes so scared, hopeless, so lost. He turned his head away. “This is all my fault. I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry.”

  Maddie reached for his hand, gripped it tight and pulled him close. Joe closed his eyes as she put her hand around his head and pressed her cheek onto his. “It’s not your fault there’s crazy people in the world. I need you to hug me.”

  He embraced her. Unbearable pain welled up in his belly and shot through his heart; heavy sobs weakened his legs and stole his breath. He could never let her go. He needed her to bring healing; she needed him to bring healing. He whispered in her ear, “He’s gone. He’s gone, isn’t he?”

  “I know. I know.”

  Joe felt her tears on his cheek mixing with his own. Out of the corner of his eye, Joe watched the paramedics carry Steven away on a stretcher. A grey haired, slightly bulky paramedic approached and put his hand on Joe’s shoulder. The man looked down as he spoke. “Your friend. There’s nothing that could be done. The bullet … went into his chest, likely tore through his heart. I’m sorry. I am.”

  Joe’s head fell limp. Then he nodded it slightly. He felt Maddie’s arm wrap around his neck. As the man walked off, she pressed her head on his shoulder. In holy silence, they watched Steven being placed in the ambulance. It then slowly pulled away and made its way down the narrow and rugged mountain trail. Joe’s muscles morphed into bread dough; he feared collapse was imminent. He reached out and held on to Maddie’s forearm; words barely came out, “This can’t be happening.”

  Seconds later – or was it minutes or hours? Time seemed to stop – the policewoman came over and apologetically said, “I’m so sorry about your friend.” She paused and glanced toward the rugged and magnificent distant landscape, then looked Joe in the eyes and said, “We are going to have to talk with you. I know this is difficult, but we will need to know what happened here this morning. Tell me your names?”

  “I’m Maddie. Madeline Banister and this is Joe.”

  “Joe Kline.” Joe stared at his feet.

  “Well let’s get you two down to the lodge, get warmed up. We’ll get this over with as quickly as we can.” The officer put her arm around Maddie’s back and started walking.

  Joe cried out. “No. My brother. I … we need to go with him. Where they taking him?”

  “Brother?” The woman’s tone seemed incredulous.

  “Foster brother. We’re the only family he has. I have to take him home with me.”

  “There’s a process that will take time. Is he in Child Protective Services?”

  “Yes mam. In Arkansas.”

  “I see. We’ll get someone to assist you. How old are you?”

  Her tone seemed irritated or maybe just condescending. Joe shifted his weight from one leg to the other. “Eighteen.” Joe lied – In too much trouble already. So what? I should be treated like an adult, not a minor, a child.

  “And you, miss?”

  “I’m … sixteen.” Maddie wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed vigorously.

  “Resident here?”

  “Yes mam.”

  Joe knew the question was coming and offered a response. “I’m not. I’m a friend. Came to help her. I knew he … I knew him … that … that monster. I knew he was going to come.”

  “I see. And your friend … foster brother?”

  “Steven Littleaxe. Yeah, he came with me.”

  “Come on. Let’s get inside, get you two warmed up. I’m afraid there’s lots of questions we’ll need to get through.” The police officer’s tone softened somewhat. She put her arm around Maddie as they walked briskly past Todd’s body, now surrounded by several police officers. Both Maddie and Joe kept their eyes focused straight ahead.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  “You two must be exhausted. You really should try to get some sleep. Sure you won’t take the Trazodone the doctor ordered, Maddie?” Marie patted Maddie’s shoulder, then squeezed it gently.

  “I’m sure. I want to wait up. My parents could be here anytime.” Her parents’ plane had landed at Denver and they were on their way to the ranch. That thought helped her ignore the shroud of darkness that had been smothering her all day long – she’d be safe, she’d soon be home. And she would be a new creation – despite this day, despite the evil that had wanted to destroy her.

  “Could be a few more hours, Maddie. It’s a long drive from Denver.”

  Maddie looked over at her counselor who now stood at the entrance to the small study at the corner of Marie’s Alpine style bungalow. “I know. Thanks for letting us stay in your place tonight.”

  “No problem. You don’t need to deal with a hoard of curious teenagers clamoring for details that are none of their business. And you let me know … if you need to talk some more?”

  Maddie nodded her head and smiled. That first impression she’d had of Marie – too preppy, too sporty, too perfect. How she misjudged her; she cared, understood; she had saved her.

  Marie pointed her long finger toward Joe. “Same goes for you Joe.”

  Joe forced a slight smile. “I appreciate the offer. I’m good. I am.”

  “This is difficult stuff. A god-awful trauma you two went through today. God-awful. If you need to talk, either one of you … I’ll be in the study, reading, just knock.” She walked over and put her hands on their shoulders and slowly said, “Promise me you’ll knock on my door if you need to talk.”

  Joe nodded. Maddie stood up and skipped toward Marie, she held up a curled pinky finger and grabbed Marie’s pinky. “I promise.” She gave Marie a hug and whispered, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Oh yeah. I’ve had worse days. Being shot at … no big deal. My job is to worry about you. Don’t you be worrying about me.” She slipped into the tiny study, leaving the door slightly ajar. Maddie returned to the chair in front of the cabin’s large window. She felt herself nearly disappear into its oversized marshmallow-like cushions. Joe sat across from her in a matching chair.

  “She’s nice. Always the therapist though.” Joe said and laughed.

  “She’s great. She is. I hope she is okay. Can’t imagine she’s had worse days than this.” Maddie gazed out the window. “I used to hate her. Hey, look it’s starting to snow.”

  Maddie jumped up and plopped onto Joe’s lap. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her head on his chest; his heartbeat, the warmth of his body made her feel safe, and it gave her a strange sense of hope. His arms wrapped around her. Her back suddenly stiffened. She hated that involuntary reaction to human touch; she still couldn’t help it – she felt smothered by his heavy arms. She hoped he didn’t notice; notice her repulsion over any threat of intimacy. She saw a tear trickle down Joe’s left cheek. She wiped it away with her finger. “We can get through this. We will. You know,
Steven’s happy now. He’s with his grandfather.”

  Joe shook his head slightly. “Yeah, but he’s missing us already. He’s …dying to be back with us to stir everything up and frustrate us to hell and back.” Joe paused. “I know he’s missing us.” Joe pulled Maddie’s hair back and tucked her bangs behind her ear. “I miss him. God, I miss my brother. How can anything ever be the same? How can anyone get through this sort of thing? Maddie help me. You don’t know how much I … I wish it had been me. I wish I was dead. Not Chuck, not Steven.” Tears ran down his cheeks.

  Joe’s words stirred an emotion Maddie couldn’t identify. “Don’t say that. Don’t ever say that.” As the words came out anger rushed through the fibers of her being. Anger at his self-pity, his wallowing in the unchangeable. Self-pity decides to give in, give up; self-pity forgets that in a fallen world evil and good must coexist and that we must forever be embracing the good. There are only two choices; to succumb or survive, to die or live. But this anger, it wasn’t about Joe, it was about her. Maddie wiped his tears with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right. You can’t give up. We can never give up. Giving up cost me years of my life.”

  “You don’t get it. How can I live with the ‘what ifs,’ the ‘should haves?’ I should be … I should have done the job right the first time. Don’t you see? Then all this would never have happened. Steven’s dead. Chuck’s dead and … and I’ve ruined your … ”

  Maddie put her hand over his mouth. “Stop it. Where would I be if you’d killed yourself? What would my life be like, if I hadn’t met you? And Steven? What would have happened to him? Because of you … you gave him something he hadn’t had for years. You believed in him, that’s something he hadn’t had since his grandfather died. You lifted him out of his living hell. You saved him. He … he died satisfied, happy. And he’s happy now, in a better place, with his family now.”

  “Why do people say that, ‘they’re in a better place.’ What does that mean, anyway? Steven’s gone. Chuck, he’s gone. Death is death. It’s over and we’re left to somehow fill a void, a nothingness, and that’s impossible.”