Hero Part I

“Man Crushed by Train”, that’s what the newspaper article said. It then proceeded to describe the gory mutilation details. The victim, Jack Mariano, was a prominent businessman. Statements taken from the people standing next to Jack on the platform, (a grandmother, a package delivery man, and a teenager) corroborated that it was a very hot day and they witnessed Jack faint and fall onto the tracks. The police ruled out foul play and called it an accident.
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“Why, why, why”? Carol Mariano sobbed. A year had passed and she still couldn’t understand her husband’s death.

It was a typical Saturday for Carol, who sat in her living room with the shades drawn. She was holding a framed photograph of her beloved Jack to her chest. During the week she put on a happy face so no one would see how desolate and unhappy she really was. She felt lifeless without Jack. When life left Jack’s body, the essence of her soul ebbed away.

Jack was her sun, her moon, her universe. Even after eight years of marriage, her heart fluttered and filled with joy at the mere sight of him. Their first marriages were not happy, so when they met, they felt that God answered their prayers and sent them to each other.

Jack called Carol before he got to the subway that day and told her he had found out some information about his ex-wife Liza and their business, J&L Vitamins, Inc. Even though they were divorced, Jack and Liza were still business partners, and J&L was a flourishing vitamin business. Jack never did get to tell his news.
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The hard, business savvy Liza’s only soft spot was her younger sister Melanie. As abandoned children, Liza took care of Melanie from the time she was six and Melanie was two. She spoiled her from then on.

Jack had brought Carol into the business so that one day they could buy Liza out and run the business together. After Jack’s death, Liza tried to buy Carol out. Carol declined.

“What do you know about this business”? Liza shouted. “This is my business and you’re not wanted.”

“I have every right to be here and I’m staying!” Carol said decisively, “and if you don’t like it, I can buy you out.” Liza stormed out.

When Carol went over Jack’s files, she noticed discrepancies on contracts signed by Melanie. They were with a supplier that Jack had doubts about, Boston Red. Carol questioned Liza but Liza avoided her questions. Carol was persistent and Liza finally said, “You’re out of your league Carol. “We researched this supplier and they’re A-OK.

What’s the matter? Liza cooed, “didn’t Jackie poo tell you about this deal or are you still jealous that he and Melanie worked on this without you”?

Liza could manipulate a Quaker into hand-to-hand combat. She was that good and she knew Carol resented Melanie’s flirting with Jack. Carol threw the files at Liza and stormed out of the office.

Liza had no sorrow for Jack, no compassion for Carol. She rather enjoyed Carol’s suffering. “Let’s see how long that little bitch can keep up her end of the business”! Liza growled softly to Melanie.

Melanie was oblivious. She nodded to Liza and stared mindlessly with glazed eyes at the plant on her desk. “The flower buds are reaching up and trying to pull me into the plant”, Melanie said softly before her head crashed to the desk.

“Damn”, Liza thought, “she’s got to stop taking the product”.

TO BE CONTINUED…