Murder or Marriage

By Raisa Brown

This is a story of love and loss of three childhood friends, Lauren, Maddison, and Jennifer, who had their whole lives planned out. Their future was bright. All three of them had been accepted to Spellman University. This would be the beginning of the rest of their lives. The girls had rented a beach house for the summer and had plans of lying out in the sun and pool parties and lots of shopping, until tragedy strikes, and Maddison learns that her brother is barely clinging to life, and the outcome does not look good. The girls pack up and return to their hometown to find out that her brother was murdered. Unable to console one another, this experience left them scarred for life. Their tight-knit bond was unraveling. All they ever knew was each other. How would they navigate life without one another? Before long, they were all leading different lives. If they only knew what was to come, would they have tried harder to stay tied to one another like the sheets they tied together to make tents when they had sleepovers? Truth is, no one could predict what was to happen next. They say time heals all wounds. I think Lauren, Maddison, and Jennifer would have to disagree.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9781493129553

Book preview

Chapter 1

Christopher Wallace was exceptionally smart and had good looks. He stood six feet one, 182 pounds. His hair was cold black; he had thin black mustache and perfectly straight teeth. Not to mention a smile that had gotten him everything he ever wanted. He had always been charming, young, vibrant, healthy, and undeniably handsome. All the girls want him; all the men wanted to be just like him, secretly hating him. He was good at everything he did; he was book smart and first-place trophies in all sports.

Christopher only had eyes for Lauren Matthews; he could have anybody he wanted, but his heart only beat for Lauren. He recalled the very first time he laid eyes on her. She stood five feet and seven inches; her complexion was an olive tone, her skin flawless—no birthmarks or old scars anywhere. Her long hair was pulled up into a ponytail, two-toned, dark brown, with highlights, and it swayed as the wind blew, the sun catching each highlight as she moved. She was wearing a pink bikini top that had silver hoops and loops with matching bottoms. She had stunning hazel eyes—Christopher found himself lost under a spell she was unaware of casting—and a tattoo of a butterfly on her shoulder with widespread pink and purple wings outlined in green. He watched her carefully as she and her friends joined a game of volleyball with some other overtanned, burned beach bums. He did not know her name yet, but he would make it his business to know by the end of the game. Until then, he would have to settle for what he called his beautiful beach goddess.

Lauren was on spring break, recently graduated from all girls’ private school Providence College preparatory school for young girls, class 2008. It was finally June; the girls were astatic, and they had been waiting for this all year. They had planned this trip one year before the summer of 2007. Cries of plead and promises to each of their parents that they would do their very best. Stay focused, concentrate on their senior year, and if all girls passed with flying colors, which for their parents meant straight As, they would give their permission for the young daughters to travel to Houston, Texas, unaccompanied and absolutely no chaperones. In their eyes, they were now adults. In addition, they should be allowed to make their own decision about their future.

Lauren, Maddison, and Jennifer’s first stop in Houston was definitely Galveston, the beach. They had saved their money all year for the beach house they would be occupying from June 5 through August 10, which would be their departure back to San Antonio, which they described as a quick trip back home for a lot of hugging and kissing as they told their parents good-bye and ventured off to college. All three of them had applied and were accepted at Spellman University.

Lauren, Maddison, and Jennifer were all too excited for the summer they perfectly planned from sunrise to sunset. Enterprise car rental already checked off the list. First thought, the mall, of course, as they all said in unison, Swimsuits. The three of them were laughing and singing along to Katy Perry’s I Kissed a Girl. Neither one of them could hold a note, but who cared—they were finally in Houston, Texas. They believed it to be the best summer of their lives together. Before they each changed or grew up into the women, they dreamed of it for the past four years.

The traffic in Houston was definitely different from San Antonio. Maddison was behind the wheel, cutting her eyes at Lauren. This is what real road rage looks like, while attempting to roll her window down and honking the horn at the same time, screaming at the top of her lungs, Back, back, and give me fifty feet. I may be from San Antonio, but you don’t want to mess with me.

Lauren laughed, and Jennifer said, That’s it. When we get to the mall, you’re not driving anymore. You have to stay calm and alert, and, honey, with what I just witnessed, it will not be happening again! Your driving privileges have just been revoked as of right now. Jennifer was the tallest; she stood five feet eight, with medium-length hair. She was caramel complexioned; she always looked like she just stepped out of a tanning bed. She had beautiful big brown glossy eyes; she always looked like she was on the verge of tears—she was the emotional one. She felt so strongly about things; her opinion was highly important to the both of us. She was the oldest among the three, and more mature.

Jennifer was an only child, like myself, and we got along almost the very first week of school. A couple of months into the year, Maddison transferred to Providence. She is what most people around here called an army brat. Personally, I think it is unfair to be called that. To me, those families go through a lot more than the rest of us go through in a lifetime. By the time that Maddison reached San Antonio, she had moved eight times. Prior to that, she had also lost many relatives due to the war, namely, her grandfather and four uncles. She had also watched her mother suffer from depression, three miscarriages, one stillborn. It was sad to admit that most of Maddison’s life, all she had truly known was loss and death. Not to mention many different addresses and nowhere to really call home.

Obviously, entering a new school once again was hard; but like always, she sucked it up and gave her best shot. Jennifer and I were hoping that she would like us and would want to be our friend. She was so beautiful; she had long blonde hair with bouncy curls down her back. She had ocean-blue eyes, two dimples, and a beautiful smile. Her clothes were ironed and neat. She smelled of strawberries and cream—Bath & Body Works spray. She seemed nervous, but she tried to hide it. She put on a big brave smile and waited for the teacher to introduce her. Quiet down, girls, quiet now. I have a new student to introduce. This is Maddison Gentry. Her family has just moved here from Fort Knox. Please stand up and give her a warm welcome here at Providence School for Girls. Please remember to treat her as you want to be treated. Thank you. Have a wonderful day. Everyone else, continue doing your journals.

Jennifer and I looked at each other, and it was if we have one brain, one thought—our circle would be complete. Moreover, from that day forward, we made Maddison feel most comfortable, and we invited her that weekend out to the movies and ice cream. In addition, from that day forward, we were inseparable. It was just as if Maddison was an only child because she had an older brother who had followed her father’s footsteps and joined the army. Only this would have been her father’s last tour; he was injured and now was wheelchair bound.

Chapter 2

The sun was starting to set. It was a beautiful fire red as the day was ending, and a beautiful night was just beginning. Lauren, Maddison, and Jennifer had enjoyed an awesome game of volleyball; they were very intrigued by the new friends they were making on the beach. It was girls against guys, and the girls won! They wondered, had the people let them win by taking it easy on them just so they would stick around a little longer? If that was the plan, then it had worked like a charm.

As the girls high-fived each other, they introduced themselves because the whole time they were playing, it was you go, girl, hey, you got it, or right back it is on you. Great game, Ally. You too, Maddie and Lauren. You too, Steph and Jenny. You were awesome. Erica, I can tell this is definitely your thing.

She said, Yeah, I have played all through high school. We won championship two years in a row.

Jennifer replied, It shows.

Ally turned to Lauren and asked, Where are you guys staying?

Lauren pointed up the street. In the really pretty light-blue beach house on the left. Where are you guys staying?

They said, Oh, girl, we’re staying at the La Quinta. We will be here until Sunday evening.

Well right in midsentence, the guys walked over and said, Hey, losers buy dinner tonight. You girls hungry? By the way, I am Dawson, and this is Tim, James, Miles, and Tim said, Bro, you were good. You jumped right in there when ole Bill’s knee gave out when he took that nosedive, costing us a major setback and ultimately losing the game to a bunch of pretty girls, but who’s complaining? So what is your name?"

It’s Christopher, he replied as he held out his hand to shake Tim’s hand.

So are you from around here?

Yeah, said Christopher, born and raised. I live out 290, Beltway 8 and Fallbrook.

Oh, OK, said Dawson. I have an uncle who lives out that way.

Miles was now coming toward them, asking, How much you got on dinner, because the way I see it, you were a lifesaver when my boy Billy took that dive, but you also missed a few balls, so, bro, you have to help us feed this hungry bunch.

Christopher gave Miles a high five and said, Bro, I got it. Not to mention, I know just the place. Everybody game for seafood? trying to get the young ladies’ attention, but they were unaware that one of the guys had asked them a question because all the girls were into their own small conversations among the six of them, but at once, all the girls’ eyes turned towards Tim’s direction. The question was repeated, Are you women in the mood for some seafood?

When they heard seafood, they all said, Yeah!

The group gathered up all their belongings, jumped into their individual vehicles, and followed Christopher, who was driving a shiny black Mustang, which suited him. It was the kind of car you would expect he would be driving. Maddison commented on his nice shoes, meaning the rims on his vehicle, then Maddison yelled, Landry’s, here we come!

Jennifer parked into a parking space near Ally. Radios were blaring and the girls were bouncing to the beat. Maddison was the first one to jump out, hollering, Who is ready to eat? All the girls headed in together; the guys were already at the front of the line. The host showed them to their table. Everyone was settled; the server approached the table.

Christopher said, We will have a round of beers for everyone.

The waitress said, I will need to see IDs please.

Christopher gave her the stink eye and said, Since when did you guys start ID’ing people for root beers?

The waitress’s cheeks turned bright red, like cherries. I’m sorry, she said, and then they all just laughed.

Lauren looked right at Christopher and said, Good one, but you are not slick. I know what you were trying to do. You were just caught. How old are you by the way?

Christopher pretends not to hear, so he switched seats with Maddison, who was more than happy because she was really attracted to Tim, and this gave her a reason to be close to him.

Meanwhile, Jennifer had eyes for James; he seemed a little shy, not as smooth and confident as Christopher, whom Lauren found to be attractive. They ordered their food and enjoyed each other’s company.

They all ate until they were about to pop. They laughed until they cried, taking turns telling jokes and stupid stories about either themselves or each other. They were high on life, unable to think of another place they would rather be. The summer for the three friends, Lauren, Maddison, and Jennifer, was off to an incredible start; they were so happy. This would be the first day of what they called their real lives, as if the last eighteen years were nonexistent.

OK, losers, the bill is on you, as the waitress wondered whom to give the receipt to.

All the girls pointed to the guys, and that’s when Christopher stood up and said, It’s on me, guys. I’ve played a lot of sports, but I have to be honest, volleyball was not one of them.

Christopher paid the bill. They all said thank you and raced each other to the parking lot. That is when Bill said, Hey, guys, I am throwing a pool party tomorrow, around 4:00 p.m., and everyone is invited. There will be plenty of food and drinks. All you have to bring is swimsuits and a smile. Since we have all exchanged cell numbers, I will just send a text of the complete address and time to you all, OK, cool?

We will definitely be there. Thanks for the invite. See you guys tomorrow. The girls headed to their rental and hopped in. They all screeched in sheer bliss as they knew they had just survived their first interactions with the male species. They were pleasantly pleased by how well they all did. Even Jennifer managed to leave her awkwardness in San Antonio, where she hoped and prayed it would stay. She admitted to being tired of having to be so responsible, she didn’t realize she had not had this much fun in a long time.

Maddison was the crazy one, Lauren was the prankster, and Jennifer was the scared one. Jennifer could tell all of that was about to change. She had so much pressure on her due to the fact she would be the first one in her family to go to college. She knew her mother lived through her viciously. Jennifer did not mind; she had heard all of the terrible stories her mother had told her father about her childhood, and Jennifer knew it would make her so proud to see her daughter walk across the stage with a degree.

They put the cottage address to where they would be staying in the GPS and headed to what would be home for the next couple of months. The moon looked as if it was resting on the water. It was amazing; everything was perfect. They looked to see if they could see the stars like they used to when they would have campouts at one another’s home back in San Antonio and noticed that the stars were harder to see here than back home. Lauren unlocked the front door, and they looked at each other and said it is more beautiful than the pictures. It was a beautifully decorated three-bedroom, two-bath, with a wraparound kitchen, breakfast nook, and a large dining room. There was a large patio that wrapped around the cottage as well as looked over the water. Speaking of which, the girls decided to text their mothers to tell them about their first night in Houston, not realizing the time; it was almost 1:00 a.m., so they just text good night and they loved them very much and would call at a decent time tomorrow.

They took turns showering and discussing the guys and who was the funniest, the cutest, the craziest, and who would be the first one to fall asleep out of the three of them. They laughed and agreed it would be Jennifer. They settled on a time to set the alarm because they still had some grocery shopping to do for the beach house; 10:00 a.m. sounded good. The girls hugged one another, wished sweet dreams, and went to bed.

Chapter 3

Saturday morning, the alarm was ringing. It was nothing like school, when you moan, groan, and drag yourself out of bed. Lauren literally jumped up and said, I thought it was a dream, but, no, this is real!

It was Maddison’s time to wake up. Rise and shine! We have many things to do before we go to the pool party.

Jennifer wakes up. Oh, Lauren, glad to see you in a good mood this morning. Come on, girls, I have mimosas waiting for us.

What do you know about mimosas? How did you get the champagne anyway?

While obviously I did not buy, it came with the cottage.

Maddison yells from the bathroom, Who cares? Pour me a glass.

Jennifer was joining them on the patio. Oh, wow, this is beautiful, guys. It is going to be a beautiful day. The three friends sat looking over the beautiful patio ocean view, soaking up the morning sun.

Lauren looked at the girls. I am starving, guys. First thing on the list is the grocery store.

With the time ticking away, now being 10:30 a.m., the girls quickly threw their hair up into high ponytails and put on matching T-shirts that read beach babes, hot-pink colors, and blue jeans shorts. They slid into their flip-flops and resumed in the living room to discuss what all they needed to put on the list so that they would not forget anything.

Maddison said, Let us get a couple of more beach towels and sunscreen. Are we taking anything, people?

Jennifer said, That would be nice. I hate showing up somewhere empty-handed.

Lauren was looking up to the ceiling. Hmmm, what should we bring?

I do not know, said Jennifer. If you were having a pool party, what would you want somebody to bring?

How about a couple of balls of volleyball, or one of those poolside basketball goals?

I do not know, said Maddison. What if they already have that stuff?

Yeah, you are right. Let us think of something else. Oh, I almost forgot, we need to call our moms before we head out to the store. Because I have a feeling that if we do not call now, we will be caught up in the moment and forget later.

Yeah, great idea.

OK, but before we do, we still need to think of something to bring.

What about we just wait until we get to Walmart and go to the games section and see what kind of games we can find?

What do you mean, like Pictionary?

Not exactly, Jennifer.

I know, said Lauren. What about some body paint?

OK, I have always wanted to try that. I think that would be fun.

OK, body paint it is for the pool party. Now that we have that out of the way, what else do we need for the cottage?

I would like a couple of scented candles.

Also cleaning supplies. We need bleach, household cleaner, and we need laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and a couple of baskets. We also need to put fruits in a basket in the kitchen. One basket for each of the bathrooms, and don’t forget a laundry basket as well.

All of a sudden, the girls heard sirens in the distance. They sounded as if they were getting closer. They ran outside to see what was going on, although it was hard to see from where they were standing. However, it looked like as if someone had a bad accident. There was a lot of yelling and screaming. The girls were the kind of friends who stood together and held each other’s hands. Do you think we should go see what is going on? Jennifer looked at the other two girls. Lauren and Maddison looked at each other as if they were not sure.

Lauren said, "I do not know