CHAPTER TWO

CHARLIE

 

I was in a good mood when I came back from the liquor store with more Moscato until everyone said that Belize had gone to the bathroom about five minutes ago. I knew there was a possibility that she would go into the wrong room but I hoped that Maggie would’ve locked the door like she was instructed to do before leaving each day. But when I walked into Dixie’s room and saw them together I knew I was wrong.

This entire thing with keeping Dixie paralyzed was starting to weigh on me. At first I wanted to keep her that way because of all of the evil things she’d done and the people she hurt, including me. But after awhile, when the hate wore off, I realized it was just to keep my secret safe and my ass out of jail.

And now here they were sitting together looking at me. I could tell when I walked into the room that Dixie was relieved. Belize was here to save her and it was all in her eyes.

“I was going to the bathroom and I came into the wrong room,” Belize said standing up. She looked concerned with the bangs of her red wig draped over her left eye, giving her that sultry Lucille Ball look. “But what is going on here, with Dixie? I mean why is she like this?”

I walked further into Dixie’s room. I glanced down at her and I could’ve sworn I saw a smile on her face. It was all in my mind, I’m sure, but it still horrified me that she was there. “It’s not what it looks like, Belize.”

“Well how about you explain it to me, sweetie? Because I’m confused.”

“Dixie was in an accident that rendered her paralyzed,” I said in a soft voice to conceal my lies. “She and I had our problems but I always took care of her. You know that. That was one of the reasons I almost said no when Luke asked to marry me. I felt bad leaving her alone in this condition, without any friends or family. So when this horrible accident happened I stepped up to be there. I didn’t have any choice.”

Belize, my dearest friend, looked deeply into my eyes. I could see she didn’t believe me. “What kind of accident, Charlie?”

“What?”

“You said she was in an accident and I’m asking you what kind?”

I almost forgot about the lie I just told her. “It was a motorcycle accident. She got up with this motorcycle club and they were taking a trip to Virginia. She just learned to ride and went off the side of the road and crashed into a guardrail. It almost ended her.”

“She doesn’t look like she’s been in an accident.”

“She’s been like this for months, Belize. So the main scars are healed but it was bad at first. Plus you know with her botched facial injections she didn’t want anybody to see her like this but me.”

She looked back at Dixie and then me again. “This doesn’t seem right,” Belize responded. “Something in her eyes makes me feel like something else is going on.”

My brows lowered. “How you figure?”

“I don’t know if you remember our last conversation about Dixie but I do. The last time I talked to you about her you told me she moved out of the state. Said you two couldn’t get along so you made some firm decisions and that you wished her well but couldn’t live with her. If that’s the case then why is she in the bed looking like some washed up Broadway actress?”

I folded my arms over my breasts. “So you think I’m lying?”

“I never called you a liar, Charlie, and I’m not going to start now. But I will say things don’t look right around here. You and I both know it.”

“How long have you known me, Belize?”

“For about ten years, give or take two.”

“Have you ever known me to beat around the bush or tell you a lie?” I asked. “Ever?” I screamed.

She shook her head no. “Not that I can think of.”

“Well why would you start accusing me now? She was paralyzed and because of how she looked physically I put myself in a position to help her so that she could save face. Literally. If anything I deserve a medal for all I had to give up and do daily.”

Belize looked at Dixie again and then back at me. She exhaled. “You’re right, Charlie, and I’m so sorry. If you believe you are doing the right thing then so be it.”

“I am doing the right thing.”

“So when are you going to take her to a hospital for a check up? So we can make sure she’s getting the proper treatment?”

“I have a nurse coming here everyday, Belize. Trust me when I say he’s fine.”

“But is she getting better, Charlie? Because it doesn’t make a difference if she looks fine. Something could be going on internally that we can’t see.”

I love Belize and she knows I do. But the one thing I can’t stand is somebody dipping into my personal business. There was no way I could let Dixie go to the hospital only for them to find out that I had been drugging him all along. I could end up in prison and away from Luke forever. And now here she was jumping in my face about Dixie’s wretched ass. I was the one in charge of this situation not Belize or Dixie.

“Like I said everything is under control in here. There is a party tonight, Belize, and all I want to do is celebrate being Luke’s wife with my girls. So let’s go back out there and enjoy the party.” I turned to walk away hoping she’d follow.

“Charlie,” she yelled.

I turned back around. “Charlie nothing!” I fired back. “I’m not going to go against what Dixie wants by taking her to a hospital just because you’re uncomfortable with this. Trust me when I say the nurse I have working with her will let me know if something is off. That’s what I pay her for.”

Belize looked into my eyes. “I have a feeling that things are going to get bad for you.”

“Why? Because I won’t do what you want me to do?”

I waited for the answer. She looked at Dixie again and then back at me. “It just doesn’t feel right. And you are my friend and I’m going to always worry about you. Always. I’ve seen both the good and the bad that’s happened to you over the years. As a matter of fact, I’m one of your biggest supporters in life and that will never change.” She looked at Dixie again. “But I have a feeling if she remains where she is, like she is, she may die. I mean is that a chance you’re willing to take?”

“I don’t see it that way,” I sighed.

“Then how do you see it?”

“I see the fact that I’m a saint in this shit. This dude was the worst person anybody could ever encounter and he should be happy that I care for him, see to it that he’s nurtured and keep him alive. Everything is not as it seems, Belize.”

“Can I ask you a question that I’ll never ask again?”

I was nervous but decided to roll with it. “What is it?”

“Are you hurting him on purpose?”

She was on to me. How did she know? “Hurting him on purpose? Why would you even say some shit like that?”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“No. I would never—”

When there was a clank on the side of Dixie’s bed, we both turned around and looked at her. She was looking over at us. I slowly walked to the other side of the bed and saw a remote control lying down.

At first I thought he did that to alert Belize until I realized he couldn’t move.

Belize walked up to Dixie’s bed and leaned down. “What is it, Dixie? Are you trying to tell me something?”