Incest/Taboo Fucking Hell!

"Please, Simon, please, just tell me he's happy and safe?!" Allie pleaded with him as her fingers curled around his shirt as Simon guided her trembling body towards her car.

"As far as I know, he is," Simon admitted. His body rocked as Allie embraced him hard as her hot tears soaked into his shirt.

"I never stopped loving you, Simon; you're the father of our baby; I'll always love you for that." With that, Simon was left confused as Allie ran to her car without glancing back at him. The moment Allie's car was but a dot in the distance, Simon reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

"Hey man," Simon spoke when Marcum picked up.

"What's going on?"

"Your sister came by, looking for you."

"Oh? And what did she want?"

"Don't know, didn't ask, just told her she had to leave, thought you should know."

"I appreciate the heads up. She didn't damage anything, did she?"

"Nah, she was just standing on the porch looking in when I found her. So you still flying in next month?" Simon asked, walking back to his home.

"Is Pam still planning on making that turkey and dressing?"

"You know it!" Simon chuckled.

"Then you're damn right I'll be there."

"Sweet, so when do you think you'll be flying in?"

"I'm thinking Monday, then fly back out on that Saturday."

"Alright, man, look forward to seeing you; I know the kids are as well. If you need us too, Pam or I will be more than happy to pick you up," Simon said, walking into his house.

"Thanks, man; I'll let you know when it gets near."

"So... any luck with the ladies out in Washington?" Simon asked to which Pam just popped him with the dish towel she had been using to dry the dishes. They both stayed home to work the farm and look after the kids when they weren't in school.

"Somewhat, just not in the mood for a relationship right now."

"I hear ya, man, well. You take care of yourself; always remember to rubber up," Simon said with a big grin as his wife shook her head and Marcum's laughter filled the line.

"Will do; tell Pam and the kids I said hey."

"I will."

One year later...

Marcum had indeed flown home that Thanksgiving and Christmas. It brought comfort to his troubled soul to be around people he could trust. And yes, he did bring lots of presents for Suzy and Eric when he returned for that Christmas; he even rang in the New Year with Simon and Pam, who dragged him off to a party on the other side of town. Whether his family knew that he was in town at that time, he didn't know or care. The emails still came one a day, but by then, it was just his mother and sister trying to get him to talk to them. Eventually, that too stopped sometime around March. He wasn't celibate during his time away. He had at least a woman or two in his bed a few times a week, yet he wasn't looking to jump into another relationship. He doubted he could ever trust another woman enough to grow that close to. He knew some of the women he slept with in Washington wanted more, yet he didn't have anything more to give than his body. When they learned that, he never heard from them again. Not that he minded; he got the physical release he needed, as did they. Whether they came back or not wasn't his concern.

However, upon the time of his departure to return to permanently take over for Mark as the Sales Director for the main office. His department held a small party for him to wish him well on his trip home and professional life. He was very touched by their kindness; they were very hard-working people. He had spent the last two weeks training the replacement he was holding the spot for. As much as he enjoyed the time in Olympia, there was no place like home. Inhaling the scents that drifted in the air in the early morning. His eyes cut to the left as he heard the hissing of air brakes coming on as the school bus slowed down as Pam and Simon waited with their children in that early morning. Their heads turned when they heard the sound of his car door closing; he had purposely closed it hard for that reason. Marcum could barely make out how her hands flew to her mouth from that distance. Nonetheless, Suzy just raced towards his home, forgetting all about her school bus.

He had to admit he did miss them and his friends since the last time they saw each other. Jogging down his driveway, seeing Eric's and Suzy's wide smiles on their faces as their bookbags swung along their backs.

"Mar!" Suzy yelled out in joy with her little arms stretched out.

"Hey, buttercup?!" Marcum greeted, getting down on one knee in the damp grass. "How you been?"

"Good. Are you back?" Suzy asked as her brother got his own hug.

"Definitely," Marcum said, noting Pam waving off the bus driver before she and Simon walked hand in hand towards him.

"Yay!" Suzy squealed in joy, throwing her hands in the air, to which Eric nodded vehemently along.

"Hey man, glad you're back," Simon said, bringing his old friend into a hug.

"Welcome home, Marcum," Pam greeted with a soft peck on his left cheek. "Have you been driving all night?"

"Pretty much," Marcum nodded.

"Have you had breakfast yet?" Pam asked, holding her robe closed.

"Not yet, but I was going to head to a diner after a quick nap," Marcum replied.

"Then we'll stop somewhere, and you can tell us all about Washington after we drop these two off at school," Simon said, in a fatherly voice to which his children just moaned 'Aw.'

"Love to," Marcum said, smiling at Simon, who was like a brother to him, especially after this year. Simon had helped him to deal with a lot of the anger that was becoming his everyday life. The therapist didn't hurt either. Still, he wasn't about to let his ex-family know he was back in town. If they found out on their own, he couldn't help that, but he wasn't going to tell them. Smiling down at Eric and Suzy as they spoke about their new school years since it was only the second week for them as he walked hand in hand with them back towards their home.

"Let me get changed real quick," Pam said, lightly kissing her husband's lips before walking quickly into their home.

"So, what are you going to do now that you're back?" Simon asked as they waited for his wife to return.

"Take over as Sales Director at the main office," Marcum said truthfully.

"You're back for good, right?" Simon asked, shooting him a pointed look.

"Oh yeah, you just can't keep me away from this place," Marcum retorted, flashing his friend a smile.

"Good, glad to have you home," Simon said, with a friendly pat on his back. "Pam and some of her friends helped to prepare your house for your return; I hope you don't mind."

"Nah, I trust Pam; I appreciate what you two did for me while I was away."

"Bah, what are friends for," Simon said, waving him off. "I'll have the temporary fencing down in a couple of days..."

"You can keep it up if you want, that is," Marcum cut in.

"Really?" Simon asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yeah, sure, it was just sitting there, plus it looks like you need the space," Marcum stated, seeing Simon's and Pam's herd had doubled in size since he's been gone. He could see the relief flooding his friend's facial features when he said that.

"Yeah, heifers been dropping calves like crazy this year," Simon said with a little laugh.

"I'm glad your farm is working out for you," Marcum said, seeing the minivan parked next to Simon's old four-door F350.

"What can I say? We've been blessed this year," Simon said, smiling lovingly at his wife as she walked out the door, whose face grew beet red when she heard that.

"Get that look out of your eye Simon, I know what that means," Pam teased, yet she couldn't deny how desired she felt when those shimmering pools of green gazed at her.

"Do you now? Care to test that when we get back?" Simon asked with a flirtatious smile.

"You're incorrigible," Pam said, playfully slapping her husband's right arm. "Okay, kids, load up!"

And so, after they had dropped the kids off at their school. Simon and Pam took Marcum to the local IHOP, where he enjoyed a stack of flapjacks, bacon, and hash browns while Simon and Pam listened intently as he told them about his time in Olympia as they enjoyed a cup of coffee while he ate. Marcum was attentive when they told them about what had happened in town over the months he's been away and what's gone on in their friends' lives with whom they both shared a connection. With their meal done, waving Simon off when he reached for his wallet to pay for the meal. He wasn't having it. He was the one that had a meal; he wasn't about to have his friends pay for it.

"You better come for dinner tonight; I know the kids will be wanting to hear all about your time there," Pam said, peering around her husband as she spoke through the open window when they dropped Marcum off at the end of his driveway.

"I'll bring the steaks and wine," Marcum said, seeing Pam's eyes widen with glee at the word wine. "I brought a case with me; it's very good."

"Can't wait to taste it!" Pam spoke excitedly.

"See you tonight, get some sleep," Simon said, performing the handshake they've always used since they've known each other.

"Oh, the moment I hit that bed, I'll be out!" Marcum stated, causing the both of them to chuckle. Waving to them as they pulled away. Sighing in contentment as he placed the last of his bags by the door once he had unloaded his car. Looking around his home, a smile formed on his lips as he noted the vase of flowers that sat in the middle of his dining room table with a card propped up against its base. Reading Pam's elegant handwriting as he walked into his bedroom. He wondered, not for the first time, how he got so lucky to have friends like the two of them. Setting the card on the nightstand before undressing. He didn't bother crawling under the covers, the moment his head hit the pillow, the weariness of the road overcame him, and he quickly fell asleep.

Marcum was awakened by the sound of the ringing of his phone. His eyes slowly adjusted to the light. Noting the time that read half-past twelve in the afternoon. His arm lazily reached up and plucked his phone from the nightstand.

"Hello?" Marcum answered groggily, not recognizing the number.

"Hello, baby, I didn't mean to wake you." Instantly Marcum sat up at the sound of his former mother's voice. "Please, don't hang up, Marcum?!" she pleaded.

"Give me one good reason I shouldn't?"

"Because I miss you, I miss seeing my boy." Marcum heard how she was trying not to tear up.

"Yeah, and who's fault is that?" Marcum asked in a forced tone.

"I know, I know, but it's been over a year since you've talked to anyone of us. Hasn't your anger subsided just a tiny bit just to talk to us on the phone?"

"What's there to talk about?" Marcum asked, walking into his bathroom to relieve himself, noting the towels hanging on the rack that weren't there when he left after New Year.

"Everything?! Like where have you been for the past year? I know you weren't there, seeing how Allie came by and found your house empty."

"Washington." Muting the mike as he released his hold on his bladder.

"Washington?! Why? Why on Earth would you go there?"

"For my job, you know the job that bitch complained about yet kept spending the money I earned from it?" Marcum retorted.

"So you ever coming home?"

"Define the word home."

"Are you coming back to town any time soon?" She modified her question.

"Maybe, maybe not, I'm enjoying Washington..."

"You shouldn't lie to your mother, Marcum." That tone of hers already told him she already knew he was back, how he couldn't say.

"Why not? You all had no problem lying to me."

"We've never lied to you, Marcum; we just didn't tell you..."

"Spin it all you want; an omission is still a lie when you knew damn well that cunt was cheating on me. So I lied whoop-de-do. How did you know?"

"I drove by, saw your car; I've been doing it every day since you've cut us out of your life, just to see a glimpse of you."

"Uh-huh. Listen, I got things to do, so I'm going to cut this short."

"Okay, son, please come home; we miss you so much!" Marcum could hear his mother's weeping coming over the line before he ended the call.

Running his towel through his hair as he walked out of that steam-filled room. His milk chocolate skin glistened in the light as he walked out and into his bedroom proper; his muscles, something he's earned thanks to the gym in the building where the company had their apartment, also where he met some of his flings, twitched as he ran the towel down his chest as he dried himself off. Walking naked out to fetch his luggage, given that all his clothes were within them. Knowing he was going to have to unpack when he got back from the grocery store. He had saved a lot of money during his time away, knowing it was going to take money to restock his home.

Marcum was strolling lazily down the aisle of the local Food Lion after his trip to the Post Office to notify them that he had returned, his eyes running along the labels of the canned goods that lined the shelves. He had already checked his cabinets after he had gotten dressed. Seeing them bare, which he was glad to know, knowing that Simon and Pam had used them to feed their kids. He was glad that they had used it. It would just go to waste sitting in his kitchen when he was over a thousand miles away. He was standing before the section of beans when he felt a light tap on his shoulder. Turning around, wondering if his cart was blocking the aisle, only to find his sister standing behind him before she threw her arms around him.

"I thought I'd never see you again, Marcum," Allie whispered into his chest as she embraced her brother. "I'm so happy your back." Not missing the fact that he wasn't hugging her back, only standing there stiff as a board. "Aren't you happy to see me?" she asked, pulling away.

"Does it look like it?" Marcum stated with indifference.

"I'm sorry, Marcum, I was in a no-win scenario. I know I hurt you, I can never take that back, but she's good for Bill. He's..." That was when she saw that anger returning to his eyes.

"I don't give a flying shit about those two fucks!" Marcum growled, keeping his voice low. "You were my sister; you should have said something about that cheating cunt. But no, my loyalty was repaid by lies and deceit. Not one of you had the balls to tell me the truth. Not one of you. So I don't care if you're sorry. I'm the one who has to deal with the aftermath, not you. But none of you gave a shit about me, now did you? Now, if you'll excuse me, I have shopping to do," he said, turning back to the shelves and grabbing six cans of green beans.

"Good, so do I; we can talk and shop," Allie said, digging in her heels. She wasn't about to let him leave without at least speaking to one another about the elephant in the room. "Mom said you were in Washington this whole time."

"What of it?" Marcum muttered, walking down the aisle, taking a couple cans here, a couple cans there when he passed by the ones he enjoyed eating.

"What was it like?"

"How is any city? Noisy and crowded," Marcum stated aloofly as he rounded the corner to the pasta aisle.

"Marcum, please, can't we just talk without me having to pull it out of you?" Allie asked, taking a box of elbows from the shelf as Marcum loaded his cart with four different kinds of noodles.

"No," Marcum said coldly. "You all lost any hope of civility from me," he spoke, seeing what else he needed from that aisle as he pushed his cart down it.

"Did you meet..." Allie's tongue stilled as her brother turned back to her and noted the glare he shot her. "Please, Marcum, tell me what I have to do to get you to forgive me?" she pleaded as she took hold of his left arm when he was about to move off to the meat section.

"Build a time machine and go back to whenever they started their shit and be a fucking sister to me, do that, and I might forgive you," Marcum said, ripping his arm out of her grip.

"Then you're never going to forgive us?" Allie asked with a trembling voice.

"Not any time in the near future," Marcum muttered as he peered down at the selection of steaks. Not seeing nor caring that his little sister was sniffling on the verge of a full-blown waterworks.

"Okay, Marcum, if you want to be on your own, I'll leave you alone. But when you stop being angry," Marcum's body rocked as his sister barreled into his back. Looking down as her arms wrapped around him once she had dropped her basket. "I'm going to be here, waiting for the day I can be your sister again," she said before plucking her basket from the floor and running towards the checkout line.

Marcum ignored the looks he was getting as he checked out how good the New York strip steaks were. Buying four of them, knowing the kids would share one given their small size. Placing them in his cart and getting the other cuts of meat and poultry that he enjoyed eating. Only to stop in front of the seafood section. His eyes falling on the jumbo shrimp that were displayed. Pulling out his phone texting Simon and Pam, wondering if they would care if they had surf and turf for dinner. A smile raised the corners of his lips at their very vehement responses that they would not have a problem with that as long as he was buying. Asking if he needs to get a set of shish kabob skewers. Nodding when Pam quickly texted back that they had some and that he just worry about getting enough for two very hungry kids that were crazy about shrimp. Getting thirty knowing that would give everyone six a piece. Thanking the man behind the counter as he bagged his purchase before handing it to him. Finishing out his shopping and paying for his groceries, even flirting with the woman as she rang him up.

Smiling to himself as he put away his things into the cabinets, knowing it was so good to be home. Reaching quickly into his right pocket as his phone rang, hurriedly bringing it to his ear when he saw his boss's number on the screen.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Marcum; I hope your drive home was uneventful."

"Can't complain."

"I'm glad to hear that. Now, the reason I'm calling you is to see if you're ready to take over for Mark on Monday?"

"Yes, sir, looking forward to being back in the office," Marcum stated as he continued to put away his items.

"Excellent. I'm glad to hear that; I also have gone over the performance report they sent to me of your time there. I'm very impressed with what I've read so far."

"Thank you, sir."

"I knew you were the man for the job. Now you just enjoy this time, relax, get reacquainted with... whomever and whatever it is, and I'll see you bright and early Monday morning."

"Look forward to it, sir," Marcum replied, feeling a light step in his gait as he finished putting away his groceries. Once that was done, he set about unpacking his bags and putting away his clothes and hanging up his suits. Folding the tarps that Simon allowed him to use neatly and placed them in a stack, knowing he would carry them over when he went over for dinner that night. Sighing as he sank down onto his couch, while the apartment was nice, yet there was no greater feeling than sinking into your own couch. Patting the cushions, pondering how his grandparents would have taken the news of what his family had done to him. Turning his head when the land line rang.

"Hello?" Marcum answered once he brought the receiver to his ear.

"Hello, Marcum, this is your Aunt Tracy."

"Hello, how are you?" Marcum asked in a polite tone.

"I'm good; the family is good, they missed you at Thanksgiving and Christmas, yet we totally understand why you didn't come being out of town and all."

"Okay, thanks, I guess; what's this about?"

"I was wondering if you'd be interested in coming over this Saturday for a little cookout we're having."

"Are they going to be there?" Marcum asked, referring to his former brother and ex-wife.

"Yes, of course, they will be; they are family after all."

"Thank you for the invitation Aunt Tracy, but I'm going to have to decline."

"But why?"

"You know why, and I would appreciate it if you all would not try and force me to be in the same house or radius as those two," Marcum said into the phone as his grip tightened on the receiver. "I do hope your party goes off without a hitch; goodbye, Aunt Tracy."

Marcum knocked on Simon's and Pam's front door at five o'clock sharp with the bags that held the steaks and shrimp, along with two bottles of the wine he had bought while he was in Washington. He was grinning like a fool when he heard Susan's and Eric's excited voices racing towards him as he saw Pam's distorted form through the small glass window of their front door.

"Well, hello, stranger," Pam greeted with a very warm smile on her lips. Holding up her hand when Marcum started to move to enter their house. "First, did you bring the wine? If you tease me about good wine, I think it would be best you turn back around," she said in a playful manner.

"You wound me, Pam," Marcum gasped, playing along, making believe she had shot him in the heart with an arrow. "I would never lie to you about wine; now, if you ask me if your husband's feet don't smell, then yes, I'm so going to lie," he uttered, seeing his friend fighting back her laughter, more so when Simon shouted out a 'Hey!'

"Good, I would hate for you to go missing on your first day home," Pam teased as she welcomed him into their home.

"Simon, should I be worried that your wife just threatened to make me a missing person?" Marcum called out as he walked towards their kitchen.

"Yep, don't tease my wife about wine; you will keep all your digits," Simon said, smiling at his friend as Marcum entered the kitchen. Handing his wife her wine glass, he knew she's been waiting to try this wine of Marcum's. They didn't always have it in the house, given the cost, yet when they did, they loved enjoying it alone in their living room once the kids had gone to bed. He won't deny that led to some very hot and very steamy make-out sessions on their couch, which in turn led to some of the hottest, passionate sex they've had in their married lives.

"Now bedazzle me with this fabulous wine you brought us, Mr. Roberts," Pam uttered in a firm but playful tone. Her eyes widened as Marcum placed two bottles on their kitchen table.

"Brought one for dinner, if the two of you like it; I brought this one along as a gift for all you've done for me over the past year," Marcum said in a warm tone.

"Mar, you know we were happy to do so; however, I'm not about to pass up free wine," Pam answered with a wide smile on her lips. Seeing her husband shaking his head as he retrieved the corkscrew from the drawer it was normally in.

"These the steaks?" Simon asked, pointing down at the remaining bag.

"And the shrimp," Marcum said, handing it over to his friend. Looking down when Eric and Susan bounced on their feet, demanding to see the shrimp. Their eyes went wide at the size of them when Simon held the bag open below their eye level so they could peer into it. Turning his head when he heard the popping of the cork.

"What?!" Pam said, red-faced. "I have to taste test it first," she stated, smiling as Marcum chuckled.

"Yeah, okay, but where's my glass?" Marcum retorted.

"Who says you can have any," Pam taunted as Simon fetched him and Marcum a glass while she brought her own to her lips. Moaning into her glass when the sweet, flavorful wine touched her taste buds. "Okay, that is a good wine; what is this called again?" she asked, turning the bottle around so she could read the label.

"Kids, why don't you go watch some TV," Simon said as he got out the ingredients he would need to marinate the shrimp. Pulling out a bowl and pouring the spices and a tad bit of olive oil into it so the shrimp wouldn't stick to the grill once he had fired it up and the steaks were almost done. Turning to his right as Pam stood beside him, holding out his own glass of wine to him.

"I have no idea how you can stand to kiss that ugly mug of his," Marcum jested, smiling into his glass as he brought it to his lips.

"It's my penance," Pam said, pressing her breasts into her husband's chest as she smiled up at him.

"You know, you're a very hurtful friend," Simon pouted, playing along.

"Mar! Mar!" Susan came rushing into the kitchen. "You have to come and hear this song," she said, pulling him by his hand towards their living room.

"That so, well, if it gots you all excited, then I definitely have to hear it," Marcum uttered, smiling down at Susan. "Let me know if you need help with the steaks," he said before disappearing out of the room.

"Okay, Eric, play it," Susan spoke, nearly bouncing on her feet.

Marcum's lips lifted as Elvis Presley's 'Return To Sender' began to play over the speaker of Simon's phone that his kids had commandeered. Seeing Susan's eyes widened as his hips began to twist and shake as he began to dance along. Feeling how light his heart was as Susan's and Eric's joyful tones filled the room as they just cut loose as they joined him. Seeing Simon and Pam just standing in the doorway watching on, seeing his friend wrapping his arm around his wife as their eyes fell upon their children. Seeing the unconditional love they had for their children as they just enjoyed themselves.

Marcum was out back hanging out with Simon as he was manning the grill. Just shooting the breeze like two old friends would do when they both turned as Simon's houseline rung. Nodding to his house when Marcum saw how Pam was pacing around their kitchen. Patting Simon's back as he passed him as he stepped up to the grill. Ignoring Pam's voice and what she was saying since that would be rude of him to eavesdrop on his friend's conversation that appeared to be private. Turning around as their back door opened and out ran Eric and Susan, ushered out by their father before shutting the door again.

"Uncle Mar, what was Washington like?" Eric asked as he eased himself into one of the seats that lined Pam's and Simon's back porch.

"Cold, rainy, lots of people," Marcum spoke as he flipped the steaks.

"But did you like it there?" Susan inquired as she stood at Marcum's left, gazing up at him.

"A little bit; nothing beats being home, plus Washington didn't have you, your brother, your father, or your mother there; I couldn't stand being away from this adorable face any longer," Marcum said, bopping her cute little nose, causing Susan to giggle and her brother to smile widely.

"So, you aren't moving away again?" Eric asked, watching the smoke drifting into the air as the grease from the steaks struck the hot coals.

"Nope, you're stuck with me," Marcum answered with a broad smile on his lips as he peered back at Eric. Looking down as Susan hugged his legs hard, rubbing her back as she uttered: 'Good. I love you, Uncle Mar.' Turning his head as the back door opened and out walked Simon with a grimaced look on his face. "I take it I should go?"

"I'm sorry, Marcum, but..." Simon's voice as Marcum held up his hand.

"It's cool, man if it wasn't important, then you wouldn't have that look on your face. See ya kiddos," Marcum spoke as he waved to them as he walked off the back porch.

"We'll repay you for the food," Simon shouted as Marcum neared the corner of his house.

"It's fine, Simon; enjoy the steaks hope they're good," Marcum said, waving goodbye to his friend.

"Marcum, we're sorry!" Pam shouted as she came rushing out the front door only to see Marcum was already halfway to his house. "I promise we'll make it up to you!" Praying that he didn't think they were bailing on him because they so weren't. If her cousin wasn't twenty minutes out and balling her eyes out, then she would have told her cousin to come by later after they had their meal with Marcum. Yet Beth needed them right then, and she couldn't very well tell her cousin she couldn't come over when she could barely make out what she was saying through her sobs. Feeling downright like a poor friend as she saw Marcum getting into his car and backing out of his driveway. Knowing this was meant to be a homecoming dinner for him, "Why did that bastard have to cheat on her now of all the times?!" Pam thought to herself as she watched Marcum's car disappearing into the distance.

Marcum had stopped at one of the local sports bars. He was enjoying a beer as he munched on a fry as he watched some game he didn't really care for. He would rather be having his steak and shrimp; however, he knew whatever it was that put that look on Simon's face had to be big, so he wasn't all that upset that his dinner plans had gotten ruined. He knew his friends well enough to know it had to be extremely important or they wouldn't have canceled at the last minute. His eyes glanced down when someone had the nerve to sit down at his table without the curtesy of asking first, only to find his cousin Nick staring back at him.

"One, you either get the fuck up and ask if I want company or get lost," Marcum stated in a cold tone, taking his cousin by surprise.

"Fuck Mar, I'm family," Nick said, aghast by his cousin's tone.

"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" Marcum asked with a pointed look. "Look at what my 'family' has done to me, so you'll forgive me if I put very little stock in that word," he uttered, putting the word family in air quotes.

"Listen, not everyone is okay with how it all went down. Hell, I'm on your side, for fucks sake, so cut me some slack here, alright?" Nick pleaded with his cousin.

"You have until I finish my dinner to say what you want, then I'm leaving," Marcum stated, picking up the last half of his burger that wasn't all that. A meal that couldn't hold a candle to the one he was deprived of that night.

"I know you talked to Mom today; the whole family knows about it."

"And?"

"I seriously want you to rethink your choice of not coming this weekend."

"Not happening," Marcum mumbled, his mouth half full of food before swallowing. "If they're going to be there, I rather not soil myself being around filth."

"I can't talk you out of it, can I?" Nick asked, seeing the look in his cousin's eyes that was a definite no. "Alright, I guess there's no reason for me to linger then," he sighed as he got up from his seat. "I'm really sorry that you're not going to be there Saturday. I know your folks miss you. I know Allie misses you too; the whole family does. Just think on it, will you? Even if it's five minutes, it's more than anyone has seen you for in over a year."

"Uh-huh," Marcum said as he returned his attention back to the game, then peered down at his dinner only to find himself no longer hungry. Picking up the check, seeing how much his subpar dinner had cost him. His eyes flickered up silently, asking why he was still standing there as he pulled out his wallet. Seeing his cousin's shoulders slumping in defeat as he walked back to the table where the friend he had come to the bar with sat. Placing a twenty on top of the check and lifted himself out of his seat, and walked out of the restaurant.

It was around one in the afternoon the next day when there came a knock on his front door. As Marcum opened it, he saw Simon's F350 sitting in his driveway and a very determined-looking Simon standing in front of him. Pondering whose ass he was going to have to kick for getting his friend so riled up.

"What's up?" Marcum asked, inviting his friend in.

"I need you to come with me; I might need some backup," Simon stated, the scent of hay still clung to his t-shirt.

"Okay, why?"

"Pam's cousin came over last night... and well... it's not good, and I'm heading over to her place to get her things. Her husband isn't that nice of... okay, he's a fucking prick. Yet he has twenty pounds on me, so need my brother to back me up if shit hits the fan," Simon said without giving too much out that Beth probably didn't want known yet.

"Ah. Let me get my keys then," Marcum stated, to which Simon nodded in understanding. He wasn't about to leave his friend high and dry if he could help it. He was kind of bored sitting at home with nothing to do until showing up at the office on Monday.

"I appreciate this, Marcum," Simon said from behind him as Marcum locked up his home.

"Don't worry about it, so where are we going anyway?" Marcum asked as they walked towards Simon's truck.

"Her place is about an hour away. Hopefully, the bastard isn't there," Simon spoke as he climbed into the driver's seat as Marcum settled himself into the passenger seat. "You know Pam was really torn up about last night, you know if it wasn't..."

"Told ya it was fine, Simon," Marcum responded, flashing his friend a smile. "I understand, family and all. At least were my steaks good?"

"Yeah, they were; the kids loved the shrimp. Susan was a tad upset that you had to leave last night, but she understood when I told her what was going on," Simon stated as he headed towards the interstate. "So, where did you go last night?"

"Sports bar," Marcum rattled off as he looked out the window.

"Was the food at least good?"

"Not one bit," Marcum supplied.

"Oh, now you're just making me feel bad."

"Well, you should?! You had my delicious steak! While I was stuck with a messily cheeseburger and soggy ass fries," Marcum joked.

All through the fifty-minute drive, Marcum and Simon chatted away like he hadn't been gone for over a year. Even distance and time couldn't shake their bond of friendship as the two joked about anything and everything. Marcum's eyes darted about, noting the signs that they weren't in the warm and fuzzy part of the town they had driven to.

"It might look shady, yet there are some good people here, just most are down on their luck or divorced," Simon stated, seeing how tense Marcum had gotten.

"And she willingly lived here?" Marcum asked, peering at the rusted-out cars, the lots with overgrown grass, the trash-strewn about, tumbling along the ground as it was pushed along by the wind.

"Yeah, don't ask me why; she loved the douche. I could never stand the motherfucker," Simon sneered. His lips were pressed tightly together as he noted Beth's husband's junker sitting in their driveway.

"You can get the fuck off my property!" The man growled as he marched out of his single-wide trailer in a very stained, very yellowed wife-beater and equally stained sweat pants.

"Hank, I'm just here for Beth's belongings, that's all."

"You tell that bitch if she wants her crap, she can come and get it herself??!" Hank spat, poking Simon in the chest as his spittle flew. Howling when Marcum reached over and bent the man's finger back to the point of breaking.

"You're going to shut the fuck up right this moment, or I will break this finger, then I will proceed in breaking another and another for, however long it takes Simon to gather her things. Trust me, you have no idea who you're messing with, and no amount of your bravado is going to match how pissed off I am," Marcum spoke in a tone that even took Simon aback. He had to assume the man was going to push it, given the look he was supporting at that moment. "Go on, get what you came here for, Simon; I'll handle this shmuck. Try it, asshole," he growled, applying more pressure on the man's finger, dropping him to a knee when Hank started to make a move towards Simon.

"You sure?" Simon asked; he knew Marcum had anger issues that was evident throughout their childhood. Yet he never has seen this vicious side before. Wondering just how much his wife's infidelity had hurt his friend for Marcum to have that kind of rage he saw in his friend's eyes.

"Very, I got this, do what you came here to do," Marcum nodded.

Every time Simon came out with a load of Beth's things, Hank's face was bloodier and bloodier than the trip before. Strapping down the tarp he had brought along to keep anything from flying out the back and keep from getting wet on the off-chance of a stray shower. Placing a hand on Marcum's shoulder, feeling the tension in it.

"Let's get out of this place; he isn't worth it," Simon pleaded, noting how clenched Marcum's right hand was. He hasn't seen his anger in his friend in over a year. He had hoped some of it would have lessened in his year in Washington. "Come on, before someone calls the cops," he whispered, hoping he was talking some sense into his friend. Blowing out a breath in his mind when Marcum released his hold on Hank and turned around without a word.

"Yeah, go on, get out of here; that bitch will be back. She can't stay away from my dick, and Simon, you best keep an eye on that wife of yours. It'd be a shame something happened to her, like her enjoying my..." Colors exploded before Hank's eyes as Marcum spun around like a viper, his fist landing squarely on the man's nose. Listening to the man's howling as blood poured out of his broken nose. Feeling his teeth cracking as Marcum kneed him in the jaw.

"Listen here, you stupid piece of trash," Marcum hissed with venom in his voice. "You come near my friends ever, hear me ever, and I will feed you to the pigs, and they eat everything, even your smelly, greasy ass, feel me?" he asked, the coldness of his voice even chilled Simon to the bone. "Trust me, the pigs will be doing the world a favor." Watching the man scrambling backwards away from him as Marcum rose to his feet. "Let's go before any more of this filth gets on us," he said, lightly patting a stunned Simon's shoulder as he walked past him towards Simon's truck.

"Okay, have to ask, when did you get pigs?" Simon asked the moment they were on the road. His heart lifting when he noted his friend's wide toothy white smile.

"He doesn't know that. God, did you see him almost pee his fucking pants!" Marcum howled in laughter.

"I thought for a minute you were really about to kill him."

"I might be angry most of the time, but I'm not homicidal. Plus, I ain't going to let that pig touch my friend, ever," Marcum stated, eager to get home.

"Well, I'm sure Pam's going to love hearing that," Simon chuckled.

"Plus, if the fuck calls the law, better if I get popped than you do. I'm not about to allow you to leave those kids fatherless. Their adorable faces would haunt me in my dreams?!"

"Oh, that ain't going to happen, brotha, then I'd have to orchestrate some daring jailhouse break," Simon said, leaning over fist-bumping Marcum.

"You know, sometimes I wonder why you couldn't be my brother and not the shit that is my own," Marcum spoke offhandedly, looking out the passenger window.

"Well, my uncle used to say before he passed that it's not the family you're born to, but the family you choose to let in, and who says I ain't your bro, huh?" Simon asked in a teasing voice. "I identify as an albino black man; I will have you know."

Marcum just threw back his head and howled in laughter at his friend's joke. "You better treat me to a steak burger," he said, pointing out the sign for the Steak & Shake restaurant logo on the food sign that indicated was located at the next exit.

"So, other than heading up the Sales Division at your work, what's your plans now that you're back for good?" Simon asked before munching on the thin fries that came with his burger.

"I haven't a clue, probably bar hop a lot," Marcum answered with a shrug. "We can't all be blessed with a woman like Pam."​