Chapter 3 Arthur went into the room where Sonny was. He pulled Sonny up out of the chair and dragged him into the other room. Sonny did not want Brenda to see him this way, so battered and bruised. He could feel the blood dripping down his face. All the pain he felt as a child when Deke beat him came flashing back. He hated it. But, he couldn't do a thing. The only hope he had was that Jason and Luke figured something was wrong with both of them missing. Arthur brought Sonny into the room. Brenda immediately looked at him and yelled to Maslow… Brenda: What kind of evil, sick, twisted, pathetic form of human flesh are you? Maslow: Now, is that the proper way to talk to your uncle? Sonny: Uncle? Maslow: I am Brenda's mother's brother. I'm surprised she never told you about me. Sonny: She must have forgotten that you existed. Maslow: I doubt that. Arthur, place our guest in front of my niece here, I want them to see every expression on the others face. Arthur put Sonny right in front of Brenda. Their eyes connected, they connected. They had been here before and they knew, like always, they would somehow get through. Sonny tried desperately to read what Brenda was thinking, he had always been able to before, but now, it was hard. He knew something was really wrong here, but what? Brenda: Why does he need to be here? He hates me, got it, HATES ME. He left me at the altar, he said thanks for the ride, why the hell do you think he cares about me now? Maslow: I don't know how Sonny feels. But, I can tell you still love him. And that is what matters to me. And if he hates you, what I am about to say will push him even further away. Brenda: Then just get on with it. Maslow: Where should we begin?? How about when your mother died. You were such a young child, a beautiful child born to a whore and a Cartel monster. How long did you think you would get away with hiding your mother in your room after Harlan threw her out? Brenda: He never came to my room, so he would never know. Maslow: True, he hated you, just like your sister. You see Sonny, Brenda here allowed her mother into her room at night. She would give her food, allow her to shower, even let her sleep there every so often. One night, when Brenda was sound asleep, her mother was in the shower. Little Brenda was a smart girl and stayed in bed when she heard some men enter her room. (Brenda is flashing back to that night) Brenda: I was sleeping and I heard a noise. I woke up and saw these men in my room. I heard the water running, and I knew they were after mommy. I froze with terror. I didn't do a thing. The next thing I heard was muffled bullet sounds. I still, just stayed there. The men left, and then… Maslow: And then I walked over to her bed and saw she was awake. She was so beautiful and sexy then. She was crying. But, she didn't move, like a good little girl. She never did see her mother, which is a good thing. The bathroom was a mess. Glass and Blood, a messy combination. Then again, one Brenda is familiar with. (Sonny flashes back to when Joe's men shot at her in the shower. He looks at her and sees that she is in some distant place, thinking the same thing. Oh baby, I didn't know, I didn't know) Maslow: That night that her mother died, was the night that Brenda and my relationship took off. You see, her mother visited every night and like a good uncle, I promised to do the same. Didn't I Brenda? Brenda: (doesn't say a thing, Maslow goes up to her and pulls her hair) Maslow: Didn't I? Brenda: Yes. Maslow: Our nights. I always looked forward to them you know. Brenda was so sweet, so innocent, so pure and I just wanted to be a part of that. So, I went to see her, when the lights were out and everyone was asleep. I had a key to the house. I went up to her room every night and I would stay until morning. What would we do Brenda? Brenda: Go to hell! Maslow: (Grabs her hair again) Tell him what we did!! Brenda: (looking away) He would have… Sonny's eyes widened with fear and anger and sadness. He didn't want to hear anymore. He didn't want to know what this sick bastard did to Brenda. And he didn't want to see her in so much pain. There they were, she was so hurt because of him to begin with and she is still protecting me. I don't deserve this Brenda, I don't. Maslow: She is still embarrassed that she turned out to be a little tramp like her mother. What my adorable niece is trying to say, is that we had a very special relationship. One that is secret and isn't shared with many. Sonny looks at him with daggers in his eyes. Maslow: Oh my boy did you really think you were her first?