New Beginnings

Chapter 5

"Hey, Bonnie, how's it going?"

Marley stood in the staff room, making coffee. It had been a week since she last called; she checked in now and then. Her voice didn't sound as frail as that night. Her usual way of speaking came around, relieving her brother. Of course, things will never be the same as they were, but she is picking herself off the dirtied ground, standing on her two feet once more.

"Things are looking better," Bonnie started. "How's Shai? Has she been okay?"

Marley smiled. "Yeah, she's doing great."

"I'm glad. I thought she might have difficulty adjusting to the new environment."

"Well, she had her moments, but now I think she's settled down."

"Thank you, Marley. I don't know what I'd do without you. You know, growing a family is a remarkable thing. After a few years of dating James, I knew he'd be the one. I pictured our life ahead of us. The proposal, marriage, the kids. Everything sounded so sweet—it was sweet. But after knowing I'd face it alone, the idea grew bitter.

"I don't want to be alone again, Marley. I don't want to lose something like that ever again. I'm sorry for what I did all those years ago. You reminded me of something I love, and it hurt to look at you. It hurt to look at someone I loved.

"It's happening again. The same feeling is rushing back to me, and it overpowers my other emotions. So please, take care of Shai and treat her as your own. The last thing I want is for her to go through what we had to."

Marley sat on a blue chair, sitting at a table with his steaming hot coffee. His eyes sparkled with tears as he listened to his dear sister. "I'll do anything to ensure you're okay."

"Hey, Marley," Carter said bitterly as he entered the staff room.

"Sorry, I got to go. Call you later." Marley ended the call, standing up with his coffee in hand. "What? Carter."

"Oh, so you can't even say hello anymore?"

"Why would I?"

Carter scoffed, folding his arms to intimidate Marley. "Right, why would you? You've changed after all."

Marley gritted his teeth, glaring at his colleague. "I've changed? You're the one who is acting like a total dick!"

"You're the dick, Marley! You're abandoning me and the group for some boring ass loser."

"I never 'abandoned' you! And don't talk to him like that!"

"We've been friends for years, and you've just suddenly left us on the side of the road like some piece of shit!" Carter pushed Marley. His coffee spilt on his white shirt, dripping down his thighs.

"What the fuck!"

Alexander typed away on his computer, almost finishing a task he had been working on. Shouts came from the staff room, driving the dark-haired man insane. He stood up from his chair, walking towards the sounds. He found a familiar face being knocked to the ground by a colleague.

Carter drew his fist near Marley's face, shouting as the other hand held tightly onto his stained shirt. Alexander's chest dropped, seeing his friend helpless on the floor. "LET GO OF MARLEY!"

Carter turned, glaring at Marley's friend. "What are you going to do?"

Alexander walked towards Carter and punched him straight in the face. His hand grew sore but he shook it off, knowing Marley was going through worse. He had a small window where he could help Marley up before Carter did anything. Alexander pulled Marley's left arm over his shoulder, quickly taking him out of the room.

There was a small green couch in the office where Alexander lay Marley. He checked for anything serious, and fortunately, there was nothing. Colleagues noticed the poor worker, crowding around him to ensure he was okay.

"Xander?"

Alexander looked at his friend worriedly. "Are you okay? Should I take you to the hospital? Should I get the boss?"

"No, it's okay. I don't want this to turn into a big thing."

"Are you sure? He did terrible things to you."

"Yeah, he'll leave me alone."

"How do you feel?"

"Sore," Marley chuckled.

"Come on, I'll take you home."

"What about your work?"

"Never mind that now."

Alexander informed the boss that Marley felt ill and that he would drive him home safely. Alexander buckled himself in the driver's seat. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, don't worry."

"You and Carter must have been good friends if he's so upset with you."

"Yeah, we were," Marley sighed. "We met at work four years ago. Although that isn't the longest time, we made some good memories. Me, Carter, Henry, April and Amara would hang out together most weekends. But I guess our time is over."

"I'm sorry."

"What for?" Marley's face softened.

"I'm not an idiot, Marley. Since we've been friends—since you've hung out with me, your friends have been horrible towards you."

"Xander, don't be sorry when they're the ones who are in the wrong. I don't want to be around a bunch of assholes."

Alexander remained silent as he pulled into Marley's house. He helped him walk to his bedroom, treating his wounds. "Well, I better be going. Make sure you get some rest."

"Thanks, Xander," Marley smiled. "Uhm, would it be okay if you helped me pick up Shai later? I don't want my bruises to scare her or the other children."

"Uh, sure. Just text me when she needs picking up."

"I'll pick you up from work."

"Okay, see you later."

Marley's colleague walked to the front door, closing it softly. Silence echoed in his room as he lay on the bed. His wounds hurt, leaving him to think about the fight. If you told Marley he would be fighting with his good friend a year or two ago, he wouldn't believe you. After work, they would sit on Marley's couch, sipping on a beer and laughing at horrible shows on the television.

To think his friend group was falling apart hurt his heart. His stomach dropped at the thought of losing them and losing anyone again, for that matter.