Page 62 of The Marine

I didn’t move. I continued glancing from my father’s body to my mother, to the paramedics, and back to Aidan.

“Briar. I’m not responsible for this. She’s in shock.” His eyes had been dark and angry.

I remember just being frozen.

“Everyone calm down. We don’t know the cause of death, and we won’t until we get a medical examiner to take a look.” The paramedic stood.

“But it’s possible?” Mom had sobbed. “Isn’t it? He punched him unconscious just a few hours ago.”

“Ten. Twelve hours ago,” Aidan corrected.

Eyes darted between them, but the paramedic didn’t give a clear answer. “I’m not in a position to say.”

My mouth fell open.

It was as close to amaybeas we would get. Enough to cast more doubt in my young mind.

“Oh, my fucking god!” Aidan yelled and ran a hand through his hair, then slammed it down by his side. “This is insane. He was abusing you, Briar! I stopped him. Is anyone going to thank me?”

Mom let out an anguished sound at that point. “Thank you? Thank you? Are you kidding me? You killed my husband!” Mom yelled. “You’re a murderer.”

“Mom, calm down. Please.” I urged her, holding up a hand.

Her angry, wild eyes had turned on me. “Calm down? Briar, this man killed your father. He killed him.”

“We don’t know for sure.” I’d bitten my lips and tears were starting to fall down my face. “We don’t know, Mom.”

“Get away from my daughter. When the police get here, they are going to lock you up. You murderer!”

By that point, I was shaking and in major shock.

“Mom, please.”

“Jesus.” Aidan had stood, running a hand through his hair, taking in the scene, and then glanced at me.

“Go to him and you are dishonoring me and your father.” Mom threatened.

My heart cracked in that moment as a sob escaped me.

“Briar.” He held out his hand. “Come with me.”

“He’s dead.” I sobbed. “Aidan, he’s dead.”

“I know,” he replied. “It’s over. But you know I didn’t do this.”

Mom had continued her insane ranting while I’d just stood there frozen in my grief, shock, and confusion.

“I’m not leaving.” Aidan took a few steps closer to me, and sometimes when I look back, I wonder if that was the moment we fell apart because I stepped away from him.

He didn’t flinch, but I remember seeing him blink in response.

I’d hurt him.

I’d chosen my family.

That one small step had said a million things.

But he didn’t give up. “Briar, talk to me. I love you.”

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