Truth or Lies Read online

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright©2017 Johnston Publishing LLC

  Cover Design by JM Walker at Just Write Creations

  Dedicated to my family…

  Thank you to my husband for taking the time and reading my book. Then for giving me the encouragement to self-publish.

  To my daughters, thank you for giving mommy time here and there to write.

  All FOUR of you are my heart and soul. I love you!

  This book has been a story in my head for many years before I finally sat down and let it flow from me to the computer.

  You will notice there are two chapters for each number. That is because it will show you how the characters life is lived upon her telling the TRUTH verses her telling a LIE. You will also notice some characters are the same throughout, while others may only be in Truth or in Lies.

  Prologue

  Chapter 1 - Truth

  Chapter 1 - Lies

  Chapter 2 - Truth

  Chapter 2 - Lies

  Chapter 3 - Truth

  Chapter 3 - Lies

  Chapter 4 - Truth

  Chapter 4 - Lies

  Chapter 5 - Truth

  Chapter 5 - Lies

  Chapter 6 - Truth

  Chapter 6 - Lies

  Chapter 7 - Truth

  Chapter 7 - Lies

  Chapter 8 - Truth

  Chapter 8 - Lies

  Chapter 9 - Truth

  Chapter 9 - Lies

  Chapter 10 - Truth

  Chapter 10 - Lies

  Chapter 11 - Truth

  Chapter 11 - Lies

  Chapter 12 - Truth

  Chapter 12 - Lies

  Chapter 13 - Truth

  Chapter 13 - Lies

  Chapter 14 - Truth

  Chapter 14 - Lies

  Chapter 15 - Truth

  Chapter 15 - Lies

  Epilogue - Truth

  DARREN BENNETT IS not a kind man.

  He is charming, a smooth talker, a ladies’ man, a guy’s guy. He provides what is necessary for his wife and child. He has a secret that only his wife and child know.

  Darren Bennett is an alcoholic.

  Darren Bennett beats his wife.

  Everyone has a story. Sometimes we think our story may have had a different outcome based on decisions that were made.

  Amelia Bennett was five years old when she made her first “BIG” decision.

  Thump! Amelia rolled off the couch and awoke. She had been napping on this rainy Sunday afternoon in Kingstown, Virginia.

  Thump! Hmm… Amelia looked around, with obvious confusion. What made that sound?

  Thump! Thump!

  Amelia stood up and followed the sounds down the hallway. Standing outside her father’s office door, she could hear him yelling again.

  Thump! Thump!

  “You stupid, god damn bitch!”

  Daddy was yelling. He always did at mommy. Sometimes mommy would be crying laying on the floor after daddy was finished yelling. Sometimes she had “ouchies”, but mommy said they would go away.

  Daddy keeps yelling, but she doesn’t hear mommy. Mommy always yells back, when she tries to get daddy to stop.

  Amelia is not supposed to go into daddy’s office, but she wants mommy. Slowly and very carefully, Amelia opens the door.

  Daddy is sitting on top of mommy. His hands are balled into fists, and he keeps hitting mommy over and over on her face and her neck.

  There’s red stuff all over her.

  Mommy isn’t moving.

  Amelia stood there, while shock consumed her little body. Helpless, she stood there listening and watching her father beat her mother.

  Darren Bennett finally came out of his haze. He stood up and kicked his wife. “Get up!”

  Courtney Amelia Bennett was beaten to her death by her husband.

  When the police arrived, they found a broken window in Darren Bennett’s office. They found signs of a struggle, and they found a murder scene. A young officer took Amelia Bennett’s hand and brought her outside away from the ugly scene inside.

  While detectives were inside talking to Mr. Bennett, two other detectives were sent outside to be with Amelia and the young officer. Amelia was sullenly quiet. The female detective sat down next to Amelia and asked her, “Are you alright Amelia?”

  Amelia did not answer.

  The female detective continued talking quietly to Amelia. Finally, she asked Amelia, “What did you see Amelia? When you walked into your daddy’s office, what did you see?”

  Here is Amelia’s “BIG” decision. She can tell the detective what she saw, or she can tell them what her father told her to say when he discovered Amelia standing in the doorway.

  Either choice will lead her down a different path in her life and alter the rest of her life.

  Fifteen years later

  “COME ON, MELS, let’s go out!” pleaded my best friend Dan. “It’s Friday night. No classes for two days, and no tests or papers to worry about. What do you say?”

  This is the beginning of our second year at Cardinal College in Port Hampton, Virginia and we’ve only been back a week. This year we are sharing an apartment off campus. My grandmother, Grams, wasn’t excited about me sharing a place with Dan, but after he pleaded with her and cleaned the yard all summer, she gave her consent. Honestly, I think Grams was enjoying giving us a hard time just to see what she could get us to do around the house.

  “Geez, shouldn’t you finish unpacking your things? It would help once assignments start dragging us down and we won’t have time to clean or eat.” I chuckled.

  “Tomorrow. I promise. But tonight, I want to go out and find ‘the one’.” Dan’s smile reaches his dark blue eyes.

  “Why are you always searching for ‘the one’? God, you’ve got forever to find that!” I say mockingly with my hands on my hips.

  “Not ‘the one’ forever, but for this year or month or week” Dan replied with a shit eating grin on his face. “Besides, we need to find someone for you. I don’t want you bringing my mojo down.”

  “I don’t need anyone. And what mojo?” I question as I raise my eyebrows and absently run my fingers through my long reddish-brown hair pulling it into a messy bun, as I sit down on the couch.

  “You always say that. Come on, you have never dated anyone. And you would know about my mojo if you had paid more attention to me last year.” Dan pouts sticking out his full bottom lip in exaggeration.

  “I’m sorry. I was really nervous last year. I was scared to be on my own away from Grams. After what happened with David, I was scared to live with new people. I admit I freaked a bit. I’m sure everyone thought I was bi-polar or just plain crazy.” I shrug my shoulders and plop backwards on the couch.

  “Crazy! Some thought you were crazy and some said sad. That’s why I wanted you to live with me off campus this year. To get you out of the funk you were in last year. That’s not going to happen again.” Dan’s eyebrows were raised and he wore a very serious expression. I laughed. He looks like the Klingon, Worf, from Star Trek: The Next Generation when he does that. He sits down next me, “You came out of that funk by the last semester and you were happy this summer being home with Grams on Garrett Island.” He picks up my hand and squeezes it, “So, now it’s time to have some fun! Come on Mels.”

  “Okay. But if I go with you, how are you going to find ‘the one’? Won’t I mess up whatever your mojo is? Won’t the other girls think that I’m with you?” I asked.

  “You, my friend, won’t mess up my mojo. You actually improve it. I d
on’t know how, but whenever we’re together, girls seem to flock around us. How do you think I met Emily last year?” he waggled his eyebrows in an exaggerated sort of way.

  “Huh. I have no idea. I didn’t really pay attention to a lot of people last year. Unless I had to or you made me.” Girls find him attractive wherever we go. He has beach blonde hair, blue eyes, and a trim muscular build. “Besides, you don’t need me to pick up girls. You know this.”

  “No more talking. Go put on your blue jeans and your white sleeveless button up shirt. Wear your sandaled heels…the black ones. You look ‘HOT’ in that outfit.”

  “Okay, Okay, master. I shall do thy bidding.” I say in my “Igor” voice as I head towards my room to get ready.

  Two hours later we’re sitting at our favorite bar, Shooters. There’s nine or ten of us gathered around three tables in the back of the bar. I know Susan and Jake from when we were at Semper Fidelis Academy in Kingstown. Some of Dan’s friends from last year are sitting with us also. They are friendly and love joking around.

  Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” just started when I catch Dan’s eye. He smiles and winks at me, probably thinking I requested the song to be played. Last week, two days before we left Garrett Island to head back to Port Hampton for the new semester, Dan was rear-ended at a traffic light. While his car is being fixed, he is relying on me for transportation. This CD is stuck in my car player and he had to listen to it twice before he realized he couldn’t get it out.

  My brief memory of Adele is interrupted when there’s a brush against my arm. I turn around and my eyes are instantly locked on the most beautiful pair of light blue eyes I have ever seen. A small smile is on his lips while he stares into my eyes.

  “Hi, I’m Lucas.” His gaze is domineering, commanding my attention.

  With his penetrating stare, his arm resting on the table touching mine and his woodsy scent, my senses have gone into overload. Has it gotten warmer in here? I uncross my legs and turn my body towards him. “Hi, I’m Amelia.” Dear god, I hope I don’t sound as breathless as I feel.

  Lucas keeps smiling, “I know.”

  “You know? And how do you know?” I ask as I tilt my head ever slightly.

  “Dan. I asked him last year who you were. I’ve been wanting to be introduced to you for a long time.”

  “And why did you want to be introduced to me, Lucas?”

  “Well, I was in your public speaking class last year. You mesmerized me every time you got up to talk. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

  Oh, my god. I didn’t think anyone noticed me last year. I know they noticed how quiet I was. I kept mostly to myself, except for Dan. He would drag me all over the place when I let him. If it weren’t for him, though, I wouldn’t have gone out at all, and I most definitely wouldn’t be sitting here talking to Lucas right now if he hadn’t dragged me out, yet again.

  “And what is it that mesmerized you?” I ask with a simper of self-consciousness. He has not taken his eyes off of me.

  “What didn’t mesmerize me? The way you talked, seemed effortless. It was also the way you presented yourself, you commanded attention without coming across demanding. Except for that one time.” He smiles at me and I can see he has dimples. “Also, the way the light reflects off your hair, you can see the red and brown. And I most definitely can not forget your freckles.”

  “Hey Mels, you need another?” Dan askes holding up a beer, grabbing my attention briefly.

  “Who’s Mels?” Lucas askes.

  “No, I’m good Dan.” I turn back to Lucas, “I’m Mels. Dan has called me that since we were five years old.” I said smiling.

  “Wow! You’ve known each other since you were five?” Lucas says astonished.

  “Yes, probably longer, but that’s when I moved in with my grandmother, Dan’s family lives next door. He was the only one my age on our street.” I take a deep breath, “We did everything together, same school, same church, annoy his little sister. Don’t know what I would do without him.”

  “I didn’t realize the two of you were that close.” Lucas says with a hint of disappointment in his tone.

  “He’s my best friend. I would say like a brother, but I have no siblings. So, if a brother could be a best friend, then that’s us.” I shrug my shoulders as I say this.

  “Oh.” Lucas’ smile returns.

  “Dan and I are roommates this year.” I say shockingly. Trying to invoke some humor. I don’t want to scare him away. I really would like to get to know him. I wonder why that is? I’ve never wanted to get to know a guy in the way I’m thinking I want to get to know Lucas.

  Lucas smiles and says, “How is that working out?”

  “So far, it’s ok. But ask that again in a few months.” I say teasingly. “Dan can be a little intrusive and he is definitely not the best housekeeper.”

  “I will.” Lucas takes a sip of beer from his bottle. “I was wondering if you’d like to go out to eat dinner one night with me?” he asks. “If that’s ok with your brother.” He says in a joking tone.

  “I would like that.” I reply while biting my lower lip and my eyes a light with humor.

  “How does Friday night sound? We could go for burgers?”

  “Friday sounds good and so does the burgers.” I smile and try to tamper down my eagerness in seeing Lucas again. But it must show because his dimples have reappeared.

  Dan and I finally leave around midnight. We’re walking back to our apartment and Dan is grinning at me. “I knew the two of you would hit it off!”

  “This was a setup?” I said in a high-pitched voice.

  “Yes.” Dan still grinning, “It was. I’ve already vetted Lucas. He’s a good guy Mels. I really think you guys will get along.”

  “He’s two years older than us.” I say this but then question myself for voicing it out loud.

  “I know. There’s nothing wrong with an age difference. Besides, it’s only a date. You don’t know where it will lead.” Dan slings his arm around my shoulders and tugs me closer to him. He is obviously proud of his little accomplishment.

  “I know.” I sigh, “He really is nice and good looking.” I can’t help but feel like a silly high school girl thinking about Lucas. He’s around six-foot-two, brown hair, and has piercing light blue eyes. He has an athletic build to him, like he plays sports. Any girl would obviously be attracted to him. I liked the warm feeling I felt deep down inside when we were talking.

  “I don’t know about the good-looking part, but he is nice.” He chuckled.

  “Trust me, he’s good looking.” I grin.

  Fifteen years later

  HERE I AM, sitting beside Michael Burkas. He comes into town every other month for meetings, he works for a money management firm. As usual, he needs an escort for dinner meetings. So, he always asks Piper for me.

  This is an easy job for me because all you have to do is stroke the men’s egos. So, I basically lie all night long with whomever I am escorting that evening. Michael is married, but his wife does not like to travel. I’ve actually talked to her on the phone before, so at least she knows he’s hired me. Thankfully, Michael never takes it further than business.

  “Amelia, thank you again for joining me this evening”, Michael begins saying. “This is probably the last time I’ll see you. Grace, my wife wants to begin traveling with me.”

  “Michael, that’s wonderful!” For them, but not me. I just lost one of my easiest customers. Crap!

  “Our children are all grown and out of the house. Grace just sits at home, so the children convinced her that it’s her turn to enjoy life. I’m really excited, but feel bad for you. I know this is your job, surely you have enough customers to keep a healthy bank account?”

  “Don’t worry about me, Michael. I’m fine. I’ll miss our conversations, but I truly am happy for you both.” He offers me his arm as we get up to walk out of the restaurant. “I’ve always wondered why you hired me to join you for these dinner meetings?”

 
; He chuckles, “I’m always the fifth wheel at these dinners. When I asked my wife, Grace to come join me, we still had one of our children at home. We didn’t feel comfortable to leave him at home on his own, so she’s the one who suggested this. In fact, she chose you.”

  “What?” I didn’t know that.

  “Yup. She said you looked like you could be my daughter.” He smiles down at me.

  I look up at him. Michael has fair skin, warm blue eyes, and red hair. I guess I could pass as his daughter. I laugh, “I had not thought of that. You never tried to pass me off as your daughter.”

  “No. I don’t like to lie, it gets to complicated.” He walks me to the town car, Phillip is in the driver’s seat. “You’ve become a great friend Amelia. I hope for the best for you.” He places a kiss on the top of my head.

  As I climb in, he closes the door. I watch him as he walks away with his hands in his pockets. I will miss the advice and guidance he gave me this past year. Michael works for Colquitt and Reed Investors, a money management company, with his help, I’ve grown my earnings.

  I check in with Piper after Phillip, my driver/security guy drops me off. Piper began having drivers that doubled as security after a horrifying experience when she first began.

  “I heard Michael’s wife will be joining him from now on. That’s good. It was always his plan. Now you can pick up another client, Amelia. I’ve had several requests for you from new clients. But you were always booked.” I don’t believe Piper even took a breath as she said that.

  “I know. I’ve just gotten accustomed to my select few clientele.” I sigh, “I mean, I’ve been a paid escort for almost 2 years now. Some of my clients are still the same ones that I began with.”

  “I know Amelia. A lot of them don’t pay you off the books for extras either. How many do anyway?” Piper asks.

  “Three.”

  “You know you don’t have to. That’s not what we advertise. It’s what some of my girls don’t mind doing, but I don’t encourage it.” Piper sounds exasperated. “If they were to get caught…”