The Heart Won't Lie (Read 4,114 times)

[DancingDays]

SMALL CAFÉ IN CHICAGO

Rafe has just recently learned that his former fiancée, Emily, did not die many years ago, as he’d previously thought, but is alive. Gary called him the day before and they set up this meeting. Emily will be coming with Gary, but she will not be bringing her son, Rafe’s son, David. Rafe is waiting now at a small café. He sips his coffee and stares at the front door of the café. He sees Gary first. He is followed by a woman Rafe doesn’t recognize. She is wearing sunglasses and a large scarf wrapped around her head. Gary comes straight to him. They shake hands.

GARY: Rafe. (Steps aside) This is Emily.

The woman removes her scarf and sunglasses and smiles at Rafe. Her hair, once brunette, is now a brilliant red. Rafe realizes that if he wasn’t introduced to her, he might not even recognize her.

EMILY: Rafe. It’s good to see you.
RAFE: Wow. Emily. (He hugs her) It’s good to see you too.
GARY: Well, I’m just gonna grab a seat over there and let you guys catch up. (Walks away to opposite side of the café)
RAFE: Wow. Um, I don’t really know where to start.
EMILY: I know what you mean.
RAFE: How about, where have you been? What happened all those years ago?
EMILY: Well, let me start at the beginning. The same week I found out I was pregnant, I witnessed a murder. That day I was shopping and, as I was walking down the street, I saw a man just shoot another man in the back. In broad daylight! It was like I was in a movie or something. It couldn’t be real, but I knew what I’d seen. As I moved to make my way to a pay phone, the shooter turned around and saw me. He raised his gun and pointed it at me, but he didn’t shoot. All he did was point it at me and then lower it. And then he smiled. I knew he meant it as a threat, and I took it as one, but I couldn’t stay silent. I had to do something. I tried to call you, but the desk clerk said you were out on patrol. She asked me what I needed and, when I told her I’d just watched someone get shot, she transferred me to the Homicide division. They had me come in and describe the shooter and the victim. They also had me look at mug shots. Apparently, the men I saw were involved with the mob. The Homicide cop immediately called in the Organized Crime Unit and that guy called the FBI. They told me I had to go into Witness Protection right away. I told them that I needed to contact you first, but they wouldn’t let me. I had to disappear before the Mob discovered who I was, and who you were.
RAFE: That was when we found your car. Your blood was in it. We all thought you were dead.
EMILY: I know, and I hate it. I was so mad about everything. They whisked me away to Atlanta and set me up in a house in suburbia. I came back to Chicago for my one day of testimony and went immediately back to Atlanta. I’ve been there ever since.
RAFE: (Smiles) And you had David. Named after my dad, right?
EMILY: (Smiles) Yes, after your father. I wanted him to have a connection to you, even if he didn’t know who you were. He’s so like you.
RAFE: Do you have a picture of him?
EMILY: No. Gary told me to leave everything at the hotel. I can tell you that he’s beautiful and looks just like you. I was always a little sad that he didn’t look anything like me, but I was happy that I had a little miniature you to keep me company.
RAFE: I can’t wait to meet him.
EMILY: What’s happened for you?
RAFE: Ironically, your “death” prompted me to join the FBI and I ended up a bodyguard to a woman in Witness Protection. I’m still baffled that I never heard anything about you, but, I guess, no one holds a secret like the FBI.
EMILY: (Small chuckle) Don’t I know it. What happened to her?
RAFE: Who?
EMILY: The woman you were protecting?
RAFE: Oh. Well, actually, we fell in love and got married and now I have four step-kids.
EMILY: Four?? Wow.
RAFE: Well, two are twins, they’re almost 4 now, one’s 18, and the other is 2.
EMILY: That’s quite a spread.
RAFE: (Chuckles) Yeah. But we make it work.
EMILY: So, you’re married then?
RAFE: Yes.
EMILY: That’s good. I’m glad you moved on. I didn’t really have a choice; I had to forget about you. But, eventually, I managed to find someone new. (Glances over at Gary) I’m pretty sure you’d like him.

[MrsM]

Oh I am so glad they have both moved on. Great start! I hope Rafe gets to meet his son soon!

[sportsgirl]

I wonder how Rafe will feel that his buddy is now with Emily... I also hope Rafe gets to meet little David soon.

[mae00]

Aww!!! Sounds like Gary and Emily have what Rafe & Sami had in Witness Protection.

I hope they can work it out to where Rafe gets to spend time with his son.

[Kpatch]

Great start DD. I'm sort of stunned that Rafe's friend Gary is now Emily's husband or boyfriend. So he's been raising Rafe's son. Wow. This is a really good setup for more drama. I have to say that Emily is very calm and mature and very different from Sami. Looking forward to more.

[fluffysmom]

I really like the beginning to the story DD. Rafe has a lot to process. I hope he gets to meet his son soon.

[peppermint]

DD.... love the way this begins. How intriguing that his close friend has raised Rafe's son & kept it from him all this time, regardless of Witness Protection.... can't wait for the next chapter!

[DancingDays]

RAFE: (Looks over at Gary) You and Gary? Really?
EMILY: It happened really slowly, but yeah. We’ve been together for a little while now.
RAFE: Why didn’t he tell me?
EMILY: I made him swear that he wouldn’t. I wanted to be the one to tell you. He was your friend and I didn’t want you mad at him.
RAFE: (Reaches out and grabs her hand) Well, I’m happy for you. Gary is a great guy and I’m thrilled that you’ve found someone. (Calls out to Gary) Dude! Get over here!
GARY: (Nervously smiling to Emily) I’m guessing he took it well?
RAFE: (Winks at Emily) You bastard. You moved in on my woman? What the hell kind of friend does that?
GARY: Uh….well, um……
RAFE: (Slaps him on the shoulder) I’m just messing with you man! Congratulations. I hope you both have a long and happy life together.
GARY: (Obviously relieved) Thanks man. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. She made me promise not to.
RAFE: It’s cool. I understand why she did it.
GARY: Listen. I know a great burger joint just down the street. Let’s go grab a bite to eat and get a beer and talk. I know Rafe is eager to hear more about David.
RAFE: (Smiles brightly) That sounds like a great idea!

They begin to make their way outside when Rafe realizes he left his phone in the booth.

RAFE: Crap. I left my phone back there and I need to call my wife. Tell her the good news. You guys go on. I’ll catch up in a second.
EMILY: No problem. It’s just one block down to the left. We’ll see you there.

Gary and Emily walk out the front door, arm in arm, and start walking towards the restaurant. Suddenly, a black, windowless van pulls up next to them. Four shots ring out. Rafe watches helplessly from the café as Gary and Emily crumble to the ground. The van streaks away. Rafe bounds out of the café and goes straight to Emily. She breathes raggedly, struggling to bring in each breath. Gary has two precise holes in his chest and is not breathing.

EMILY: (Sputters) Rafe….David….
RAFE: (Frantic) Shhh. Save your strength.
EMILY: (Spits up blood) No…you don’t understand…. (Hacking cough full of blood) David…..

With a final cough, Emily shudders and stops breathing. Her eyes glaze over and Rafe realizes that she is dead. He sits motionless, holding her. He looks around and sees a small crowd starting to gather.

RAFE: (Yelling) Call 9-1-1!! Somebody, call the police! (Quietly, looking at Emily) Help her. She knows where my son is.

[mae00]

Oh wow!!! Talk about a twist!! I'm guessing the mob knew more than the FBI thought they did.

Sure hope Rafe can find David.

[sportsgirl]

OMG!! How horrible! What about David? What was Emily trying to tell him? Looks like Rafe will need to be a father sooner than he thought...

[Kpatch]

Oh how sad. He just finds Emily only to lose her again. And he has no clue as to where his son is. He will definitely need Carrie's help finding him. Carrie, come back, come back.

[fluffysmom]

Wow. That was a shocking turn of events. Poor David loses his mom and has a dad who's a stranger.

[gapeach]

Oh noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[MrsM]

Holy shocker!!!! Now this is good soapy drama!!!

[Sparkster]

Oh no....wow, this is really good, but so sad. I hope Rafe can find his son. But I wonder what Emily was trying to tell him about David.....hmmmmm.