A Matter of Marine-Chapter Eight: A Christmas Special, Part 1

I know they've been building up to Christmas this entire novel, but this bit still feels like a Christmas special from some TV show. This chapter ended on a cliff hanger, but when Christmas is done, I feel like I'll have learned a deep lesson about loving people. Or something.

Marine wanders through Conrad's house, looking at how pretty everything is. She offered to help Flora and Annie clean and the three of them did a great job, apparently. Now, if only Flora and Annie could be bothered to clean normally, it wouldn't take so much to make the house gleam on special occasions. Anyway, Marine is thinking of the tree which, last time she checked, hadn't been decorated yet. The door to the lounge is closed, so she opens it and discovers Conrad testing bulbs for Christmas lights. He looks “for all the world like a small boy who had been reunited with his toy box.” Of course, when he realizes he's not alone, all of this tension lines come back.

Marine invades his sanctuary and looks at the ornaments. He warns her not to break them and she does not. I mean, kinda rude that he felt the need to tell her that, but she doesn't seem to mind too much so, whateves. Anyway, after she handles a few ornaments, Conrad puts her to work untangling the tinsel while he finishes testing light bulbs. They put the lights and ornaments on the tree, humming and singing along to the Christmas carols playing on the stereo. The tree looks oh so pretty now, but wait! There's no topper on the tree! Conrad smiles at Marine and begins unwrapping another bundle, almost reverently.

It's a star, you see, made out of real gold, at least partially. The star has a deep symbolism for Conrad. His great-grandfather brought it with him from England to Australia and it was a symbol of his and his wife's love for each other and their hope for the future. Then Conrad says, in a super emotional voice, that he never understood what that meant until now. I'll just give you their dialogue here because I'm not sure I want to summarize it. It starts with Marine talking.

“'It's....It's beautiful.'

'And what it stands for?'

'Yes, yes, especially what it stands for!'

'Marine?'

'Y-yes?'

'Marine, I...'”

And then Helena the Hunter has to burst in and ruin the moment. What a bitch, going to find the man she's dating when he's trying to proposition someone else. Anyway, Helena the Hunter is mad that Conrad spent three hours working on the Christmas tree, instead being of at the party with her. People were talking about how he spends more time with Marine than with her. Maybe that's because you're a pain to be around, Helena the Hunter. So, while Helena the Hunter is mid-sentence, Conrad picks her up, flings her over his shoulder, and leaves the room. Woah, there buddy. Calm down.

Marine takes a moment to compose herself. Then she sees the star on the floor. She picks it up and hugs it to her, hoping that Conrad was trying to say that he loved her. After all, it must be hard for him to say. He probably hasn't even said it to Eva! Yes, because people who love you should want to control you. It's healthy. Anyway, her moment of reflection ends when Conrad returns. She can hear him coming and, for some reason, she thinks that reading his face at that moment will tell her if he loves her or not. After he's just had to put up with Helena the Hunter. So, of course, he looks mad. Well, I'll give you the direct quote: “...his face telling her that he was fed up with women!” Marine turns her face away so he won't see her tears. Oi vey. And the struggle continues.

Marine asks about Helena the Hunter, and Conrad explains that she was drunk, but that he should have been at the party keeping an eye on her. He doesn't sound happy at all as he's talking, by the way. Marine asks if he's going to the party now, and he says no; it'll be ending soon. Marine reflects on how Helena the Hunter ruined their magic moment. Then Conrad puts the star on the tree, and we get a bit more about its symbolism as they pick up the room. Now, of course, they're not as carefree and happy as they were before.

Then we return to Planet Conrad when Marine remembers that Eva wants to go to the midnight Christmas Eve service at her church. Conrad is tired and Marine offers to drive Eva to church. Conrad tells her that there are plenty of drunks on the road and that he has no intention of giving her back her keys. Good that you're worried, awful that you're such a controlling jerk. I'm also wondering if Christmas Eve is really that ridiculous in Australia. I don't live there, so I have no idea. Anyway, Marine tells Conrad that if they hadn't run into each other, she and Eva would have taken a taxi and not told him they were leaving. That's inconsiderate. Especially since he threw such a hissy fit about it last time. Marine reflects how she wouldn't want to have to find Conrad in the party and ask for her keys. It'd be so embarrassing. Maybe he shouldn't have taken them in the first place. Sorry, I keep getting sidetracked from their conversation with all of the thinking. I'll try to do better.

So, Conrad says that he wanted Marine at the party with him, and Marine admits that she knows that but... She doesn't say it's awful to see him and Helena the Hunter together, but she's definitely thinking it. Anyway, Conrad will totally drive her. Then he mentions that he would have been worried if he'd come home to find her missing. Marine admits that she didn't think he would notice. Honey, even if he didn't notice you missing, he would notice his grandmother's absence. He admits that he would know if Marine weren't in the house. Marine asks how and he replies with, essentially: “Because I would, okay? God!” I mean, that's the gist of it. Then he pets Marine's cheek and tells her that she'd better get Eva ready so they can make it in time. We also get this line, “...his eyes still resting on the delicate beauty of her perfect features.” Either we changed point of view here, or Marine is incredibly vain. Or both, I suppose.

Eva is ready to go when Marine gets to her room. Marine reflects on how Eva's new found self-confidence makes her look years younger. They chat a little, and Marine tells Eva that there's a surprise for her downstairs. Eva is incredulous that the tree would have been decorated, but Marine isn't giving anything away. Eva also wishes that Conrad would go to church with her, but she hasn't been able to convince him before. They gather up their Christmas presents and head downstairs. Conrad meets them at the foot of the stairs, takes Marine's presents from her, and accompanies them to the lounge. The lights are off except for the tree and it's beautiful. Eva sees the star on the tree and starts crying. I get the feeling that star hasn't come out in years. Oh, the Christmas special part? Marine feels like Conrad and Eva are having memories of Christmases past, but she doesn't feel excluded. Because she touched the star, she feels like she's part of the chain of Christmases that happened with it. This book just hasn't been serious enough up until this point to pull off this kind of thing.

Anyway, Conrad sees an oddly shaped present from Marine for him. He tries to figure out what it is and Marine scolds him like the school teacher that she is, which I had forgotten. Shouldn't she be figuring out lesson plans at some point? If school is starting up again, she's going to need those. Unless she already made them and didn't mention anything about them. Whatever, she teases Conrad and he teases her back. It's a good time.

They get to the church just before the carols start and Marine reflects on how her soprano, Eva's alto, and Conrad's baritone are all so pretty. The carols take on a new meaning for Marine and she vows never to forget that night. When they come back, Eva is super tired, so Conrad carries her up the stairs. Halfway up, he sees that her eyes are closed and comments that she's asleep. Marine knows better, but uses this opportunity. She asks a few leading questions like, “She's beautiful, isn't she?” and “You love her, don't you?” Apparently, Conrad's childhood would have been hell without her. Huh. I knew his dad was a drunk, but I didn't know how much that impacted him. Anyway, Eva falls asleep right after this so that, after Conrad sets Eva down on her bed, he and Marine can have a private conversation.

They kiss, several times, and talk about how it's Christmas. Marine contemplates telling him that she loves him and what his response would be. They're holding each other so close and everything. She chickens out and Conrad breaks the silence, and physical contact, by saying that she looks tired and she should get to bed and letting her go. Marine acknowledges that she's tired and then remembers the turkey that she'll be cooking tomorrow. She's looking forward to it and hopes that Conrad will offer to help just so they can hang out more. I mean, he's got guests and a gold digger to entertain, so he really can't, but Marine isn't thinking about them right now. Oh, then Conrad tries to get out of her what his present is and she refuses to tell him. After all, then he wouldn't have anything to look forward to tomorrow. He looks her up and down and says, “Oh, yes, I would.” Oh baby.

Marine manages to fall asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow and she wakes up refreshed the next day. Conrad is walking toward her room with an awake and chipper looking Eva, and a hung-over and unkempt looking Helena the Hunter. Serves her right. Oh, also, apparently their guests are staying at their house. It makes sense. They've definitely got the room. However, Conrad and Marine might not want to be making out in the hallway if there's folks around who could catch them. Just a thought.

Anyway, they all troop down to the lounge and start opening presents. Eva gets the first, a leather bound poetry from Marine with a thoughtful inscription. Helena the Hunter goes next. She's opening the diamond pendant that Eva worried over. Without any interest, Helena the Hunter remarks that Eva got her the same thing last year and asks Conrad if he's worried about Eva's mind. Eva offers to return it and get Helena the Hunter a sweater or something, but the gold digger says not to worry, and pockets the necklace. Conrad catches her in the lie by actually looking at the pendant and noticing that it's unique. So, finally, Conrad is starting to realize that Helena the Hunter is a gold digging, backstabbing bitch. At least, that's what I'm assuming from the phrase, “...Helena wasn't all that he believed her to be.” Oh, Conrad had given the box back to Eva and she eventually puts it on a side table near her. It's a super awkward moment, but we can brush that away with some Christmas cheer!

Conrad actually got Marine a gift, which was unexpected. It's bubble bath. You know, from the beginning of the book when he put way too much bubble bath in the tub? I had to think for a moment to remember that, too. Oh, and Marine's gift to Conrad? A child's yellow surfboard with a card reading: “In memory of all those bruises...!” Helena the Hunter snaps at their gift choices and Conrad hands her a subtle burn that she doesn't seem to understand about jokes being for the pure of heart.

So, when they're done unwrapping gifts, they pick up all of the paper. Helena the Hunter goes upstairs to sleep and Eva to read. Conrad and Marine are alone so of course, Conrad pets her cheek. Anyway, they chat a little about how great the turkey will be, how, no of course no one would suspect anything from the bubble bath. Helena the Hunter would think it was a cheap gift, even though it's the expensive kind and Eva would think it practical. They talk about breakfast and Marine says that she'll get something from the kitchen. Conrad admonishes her to make sure she does, then kisses her. Neither of them want to leave, but they have to so the plot can move on. I mean, they're not going to declare their undying love for one another, so we've got to separate them.

Anyway, when Marine does leave Conrad smacks her ass, which is apparently okay with her. I'm still having a problem with him dating Helena the Hunter and behaving this way. Often, if a guy cheats with one girl, then he'll cheat on her if they get in a relationship. Just putting that out there. Anyway, Marine heads into the kitchen in a happy haze, only to discover that the turkey is gone.

Well, Helena the Hunter either did it, or told Flora and Annie to do it. Mystery solved. I'm sure they'll get there in the next chapter. Hopefully.

So, really, the only sign of abuse in this chapter was Conrad's continued refusal to give Marine back her car keys, which is not okay. He did get a bit physical with Helena the Hunter when she stumbled into his heart to heart with Marine. It would have been much nicer to help her stagger to her room, rather than sling her over his shoulder, but I'm not sure if that one counts. Of course, that could be just because I don't like Helena the Hunter.

My prediction for the next chapter: Marine's parents have been meeting with Eva in secret when everyone else thinks Eva is resting. She is going through her old books and trying to figure out what would be best to stop this menace they're fighting. The couple beg her to come with them and fight but Eva replies that she can't leave now. Her thick-headed grandson is about to make an important decision and she knows she'll be a big part of that. Also, they tried a spell and there's something or someone in this house that will be integral to their cause. The question is: who or what?

A Matter of Marine-Chapter Seven: I Can't Even Believe This

The subject of my outrage happens at the end of the chapter, so it'll be awhile before we get there, but just prepare yourselves for it. It's a giant red flag and not at all okay. In the meantime, here's the rest of the chapter:

So, when we left them, Helena the Hunter was reading poetry to Eva and everything seemed great. On a closer look, not so much. Helena the Hunter dressed Eva in a beige dress that didn't really fit, messed up her hairdo, and somehow got Eva to walk with a cane. The suggestion of needing a cane makes Eva walk differently, too. The overall effect, as Rosemary Badger describes it, is that all of it, “made her seem like a candidate for a nursing home where the innmates supped their meals through straws and slept in cots with the sides rolled up.” Helena the Hunter is good at what she does, I suppose.

So, Helena the Hunter walks up to Conrad, quotes a cliché of a poetry line at him (How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.), wraps her arms around him, and kisses him. Marine can't bear to watch this, and really, I can't either. Worth nothing, seeing Eva walk like she needs the cane makes Marine tear up. I'm glad there's someone who consistently cares for Eva. Anyway, Marine asks Eva, quietly, if she's had breakfast. Helena the Hunter overhears and snaps back that, of course, she's had breakfast. While Marine was gone Helena the Hunter had to take care of Eva all by herself. Conrad tells her to calm down and that they only went to get the tree and meats. Helena the Hunter complains about Flora and Annie not being enough staff and how they've agreed that Marine should pitch in. Conrad doesn't agree with this. Oh, this is where Helena the Hunter really lets loose about how difficult it is to care for that old baggage, and Conrad gets super pissed. Seeing that she's crossed the line, Helena uses her one defense: she bursts into tears and falls against Conrad. He doesn't try to comfort her at all. Marine thinks it's best to get Eva and herself away from there. Good plan.

Once Eva's in her room, she starts crying too. Poor thing. All of this drama about her is surely not helping her new found self-esteem. Marine hugs her and does her best to comfort her. Eventually, she looks up and sees Conrad in the doorway. Marine has a feeling that Conrad and Eva would want a moment, so she leaves the room. From her room, Marine calls her aunt to tell her that she won't be there for Christmas dinner. They don't have printed dialogue, so we know it's not an important conversation. After she hangs up the phone, Marine contemplates what Conrad and Eva might be talking about. She can't help but remember Eva walking with the cane and get super pissed about it. Good! Again, I'm glad that one person in this house actually cares about Eva.

Eventually, someone knocks on the door and it's Conrad. Marine asks about Eva and he tells her that she's resting. Then he asks what Marine said to her, as he's never seen her so upset. Marine questions this, but then Conrad walks over to the window and looks at all of the guests arriving, annoyed at how many of them there are. Marine archly reminds him of how they've been focused on Conrad's guests for days now. Although, these folks are Helena the Hunter's guests. He told her not to invite them, but she did anyway. Marine remarks that Helena the Hunter basically does whatever the hell she wants. Then Marine opens her door, telling Conrad to get out.

Then Marine doesn't let him talk. No, really. He walks over to the door and puts his hand on the handle. Before he can say anything, Marine tells him that he'd better go because Helena the Hunter will be wondering where he is. A muscle in Conrad's jaw jumps at this. I wonder if he's realizing that he should stop dating this woman yet. As he walks down the hall, Marine yells after him that she didn't say anything to upset Eva, that she was comforting Conrad's grandma.

Then Marine closes the door and takes a moment to collect herself. She walks back to the window and looks out at the swarm of people. There's about forty out there now. As Marine thinks, “The way Helena [the Hunter] was behaving anyone would think the house, the pool, the whole estate belonged to her.” That is exactly what Helena the Hunter is going for. Conrad is secondary to that goal. Then Marine reflects on how this will probably happen and then Eva and Conrad won't have any peace or happiness anymore. I'm kind of impressed that she's just worried about that and doesn't think about how she wants to marry Conrad instead.

Then Marine reflects on how Conrad can put up with Helena the Hunter's nastiness. She thinks that it's because he loves her, so he'll forgive her for everything all the time. That's not how a healthy relationship works. Anyway, Marine laid herself down to think about this and took a little nap. She wakes up awhile later and looks out the window again. There's Conrad looking debonair and relaxed. Every time he laughs, Marine finds herself making fists. I honestly don't get this one. Maybe it's because he's just being a good host for Helena's friends as well even though he really did not want them there and he's faking the laughter? I'm not sure how Marine would know that, and the text doesn't support this thought. (Can you tell I got a degree in English?) Anyway, whatever. Torturous emotions, blah blah blah.

Marine finds herself stalking him with her eyes. So, she also notices Helena the Hunter following him around obsessively. You see, he's so dashing that all of the ladies want him, and he knows it. Helena the Hunter is afraid of losing him to some other woman. Oh honey. When you do, it'll be to Marine. Also, I guess they're not in an open relationship, so Conrad has been cheating on Helena the Hunter this whole time. Just so we're all aware.

Eventually, Marine tears herself away from the window and back to her life. She and Eva are now trapped upstairs with nothing to do. Rude. So, Marine looks in on Eva. She's still sleeping. Marine takes a shower, which, the text notes, includes washing her hair. I would have assumed that, but okay... Then Marine looks in on Eva again and finds that she's awake. Eva seems to have forgotten whatever she was upset about, and is now just worried about her hair.

I mean, the hair is important, but can we take a moment here? This is twice now that Eva has magically forgotten something that was deeply upsetting to her. I'm not sure if she's bottling it up, or genuinely forgetting. Neither one is all that good, but you can only really do something for the first one. So, yes, I'm a little worried for her mental health. Either that or her moods are a plot point, so they'll change accordingly. I mean if we want to look at the architecture of the story...

Anyway, Marine suggests that Eva take a bath, and they'll see what they can do for her hair. They can't fix it, and Eva refuses to go through Christmas with unsatisfactory hair. Good for her! She should feel like her wants and needs are important. So, the two decide to go to Palm Beach, a nearby town, to get her to another salon. Eva remembers one there, but Marine wonders if it is still there. Also, Eva is in a much more suitable dress now, because Marine helped her get dressed. They head downstairs and Conrad meets them at the foot of the stairs. He gives Marine a once over and tells her to put on her bikini. They have a nice chair under the biggest umbrella for his grandma. Then he tucks his grandma's hand under his arm, and Marine's under his other arm and suggests they join the party. How is Marine supposed to put on a bikini if she's out at the party? We're saved from this conundrum by Eva remembering that she needs to get her hair done. It looks fine to Conrad. He also likes the dress that she's wearing. You mean the dress that you bought her, Conrad? This is the first time she's worn it, but it fits so much better than all of her old clothes.

Conrad is embarrassed because he, apparently, never thought his grandma would need new clothes. He promises to take her shopping at least once a year. The he looks at Marine. Okay, twice a year. Eva, the realist, asks him how he intends to accomplish that, since he's spread so thin with all of his work all over the place. Then Eva is awesome, “Of course, if I had another grandson and if that grandson were smarter than you then he would find a nice girl like Marine here and marry her and she would take me shopping.” Yes! I love old ladies who speak their minds. I plan on becoming one, eventually. Marine is embarrassed and Conrad takes that as her saying that she would never want to marry into this family. On the contrary, Conrad. On the contrary.

Anyway, Marine tries to cover up her emotions, as always, by being bright and chipper. If they're going to fix Eva's hair, they'd better get going. Conrad says Eva had better take advantage of Marine's services while she's there since she's leaving at the end of the summer. He just loves pissing her off. Because Eva is there, Marine doesn't rise to the bait as much. She just mentions how the end of summer is a long way away, so they'll both have the pleasure of her company for awhile yet. She tries to look scathingly at Conrad, but just manages a “wistful and lonely”. She looks away quickly before he can read too much into it. After all, “It wouldn't do to have him think that it wasn't only Eva who could take advantage of her services!” Oh baby. Then Helena the Hunter has to rush in and ruin everything.

She blows Conrad's disappearance way out of proportion and says the party will die without him. I'm sure that forty or more people noticed when one person left. He tells Helena the Hunter that he was trying to get Eva and Marine to join them. Helena the Hunter is aghast at the very suggestion. Conrad replies, far too bitterly, that they have better things to do and implies that the hairdo is just an excuse. Rude. Very rude. Marine watches him go. Helena the Hunter stays put because she has to be a bitch some more. “I see you're still trying to get him to notice you.” She says she had thought that Marine was using Eva to get to Conrad, but that can't be the case since they spend all of their time in hair salons. Then Helena the Hunter says that Marine's hair is stupid, whips her long, luscious locks over her shoulder and saunters off after Conrad.

Eva offers the highest compliment she can to Marine's hair, “It looks clean and fresh.” Now, my initial reaction is that this isn't a very good compliment. However, Eva was trying to be nice, so she thinks this is good. She must be used to having dirty hair, probably because she's been so very neglected. Oh my goodness, we have consequences for characters' situations. Nicely done, Rosemary Badger.

Marine thanks Eva for the compliment and asks if she wants something to eat there or at Palm Beach. Eva, wisely, chooses Palm Beach. I had forgotten how early they started this day. They must be talking about lunch. I forget that people wake up this early if they don't have a pressing reason to. Anyway, the two head over to Palm Beach where they find several salons, although not the one that Eva went to. They have to wait for an appointment here, so they grab some lunch. When they're done eating, Marine loses herself in thought. It's about how Conrad always misunderstands what she does. Eva asks Marine what's wrong, and Marine says something about the time of year. She doesn't follow up with any reason summer or Christmas is depressing to her, so I have to assume that she is lying without conviction.

Eva, of course, doesn't believe this and asks if it's because of what Helena the Hunter said. Eva advises Marine to ignore the bitch. That's what Eva does. Marine replies that it isn't Helena the Hunter, although she admits that Helena the Hunter is hard to deal with sometimes. Instead of talking about why she's unhappy, she talks about how Conrad seems unhappy. Here we find out some more about the guest situation. Both Helena the Hunter and Conrad invited guests to their soiree. Helena the Hunter is a model (Oh. If we learned this earlier, I had forgotten), so all of her friends are artsy. Helena the Hunter has friends? Actual friends? I don't believe that. Eva finishes by saying that Conrad should be happier once his guests arrive. Marine apparently hadn't figured out that they both had guests coming to this thing. Oh, then we get this bit from Eva.

She's talking about how opposites attract, but she doesn't think that Helena the Hunter is right for Conrad. Also, she thinks that Helena the Hunter might just be a golddigger. Marine pretends to be shocked. Eva continues by saying that she doesn't think Conrad loves Helena the Hunter either, but that he “hasn't bothered to take the time to get rid of her.” Excuse me? With someone as high maintenance as Helena the Hunter, it would be way easier to get rid of her than to keep putting up with her shit. I mean, she would throw a hissy fit when you broke up, and she'd be super pissed about it for awhile, but if you don't hang with her crowd anyway, would it really matter?

Marine, meanwhile, is super happy about this news. If there's no love between Conrad and Helena the Hunter, then there's hope for her and Conrad to get together! Oh, but even thought Helena the Hunter isn't right for Conrad, neither is Marine. They're from two different worlds. It would never work. Yadda yadda. She really doesn't know that she's the main character in a romance novel.

Anyway, Marine and Eva had driven into Sydney and let themselves be talked into dinner with Marine's family. Eva was the center of attention, telling tales of Christmases long past. Marine had called the house and told Flora that they would be late getting back because of their dinner. Yeah, like she's going to pass that message on. When they do get back sometime after nine, the music is really pumping. I'm not sure how they're going to sleep, even on a different level of the house. Also, there's a billion people there and it's hard for Marine to find parking.

They make it inside and, oh hey Conrad. Oh, you and Helena the Hunter weren't hanging out in the sun room for some alone time? You were just hanging out by yourself? I knew he didn't actually want to have this party. Oh, also, Conrad was super worried about them, but, of course, shows it by being super pissed off. He yells at Marine, asking why she kept Eva out so late. Eva argues that they had a great time. Conrad snaps back that everyone was worried about them (read: just him). He'd been up and down the road looking for them to see if they'd gotten in a wreck and he was just about to phone the police. Marine tries to apologize, but he won't hear it. He gives Marine some more anger and Marine mentions how she had called Flora and told her they would be staying in Sydney for dinner. Conrad wants to know who with. Marine is tempted to tell him they ate with some charming gentlemen in an expensive restaurant. I almost wish she would have. She tells him the truth, though, which is really a better plan.

Now Conrad's anger is gone and he looks “heartbreaking vulnerable”. Then Marine understands what kind of strain he must have been through. Also, Marine doesn't blame Flora for not passing on her message; she blames herself for not insisting that she speak with Conrad. I totally blame Flora. She's trying to get Marine and Eva out of the house for Helena the Hunter, so she didn't forget. It was definitely on purpose.

So, remember how I was counting up Conrad's abusive behaviors? He seriously steps over the line on this one: “I don't want you on the road the holiday season. The roads are crowded with drunks this time of year. If you must go somewhere then I will drive you.” Oh. Hell. No. What, are there constantly drunk people driving on these roads all day for several weeks? This one is devious because it almost seems like genuine concern. Really, it's a power play. There's nowhere Marine can walk to from Conrad's house. If she wants to get away, it'll pretty much have to be by car. Now Conrad is taking that away from her. Incredibly not okay. The scene continues...

Marine tells Conrad that she can drive herself, thanks. She's never been in an accident. Conrad basically tells her that means nothing and says that he's just thinking of his grandma's safety. Yeah right. Oh, and furthermore that she not go on the roads until after the new year. Marine tells him point blank that he's being unreasonable. She goes through a defensive driving course each year, for some reason, so she's probably a better driver than he is. Then she takes a dig at how Conrad was speeding so heavily earlier that day. Then Eva loses just about all the respect I had for her: “Eva tugged at her arm. 'Conrad's right, Marine,' she said. 'The roads are dangerous this time of year. It's best not to be on them unless it's an emergency.'” Ugh. She had no problem going out to get her hair done and staying at dinner, but now that there's a conflict, Eva can't stand up for herself or Marine. She was doing so well, too! Also, it really rankles that she says they shouldn't drive unless it's an emergency, but the offer is that Conrad will drive them whenever they want. Eva is saying that she thinks even less of Marine's driving than Conrad did.

Oh, and then Conrad says that Marine should emulate Eva's common sense. No wonder Eva has so little self-esteem. Every time her interests collide with her grandson's, she folds and he praises her for it. He, Flora, and Annie are about her only interactions, so with such conditioning it's a wonder she voices opinions that might be contrary at all. For example, what she was saying about Helena the Hunter earlier this very day.

Anyhow, Conrad tells Marine not to argue with him. He wants something and it's going to be that way, and that's final. Marine, do us all a favor, slap him, pack your things, and leave. Please? Oh, take Eva with you if she's willing. Marine's way of thinking about this gives me a bit of hope for her, because she, “wasn't about to give up her freedom so easily. Nor was she about to allow this overbearing, arrogant brute of a man to dictate to her.” Damn right. That's the other thing. Being able to drive isn't just about a way out, it's also day to day freedom. That's why this is such an awful thing. Then Marine gives Conrad an ultimatum, which might not have been the smartest thing. She tells him that unless he takes her keys away, he's not going to stop her from driving.

Then we have a whole exchange about how her keys are in her purse, not her car, and Conrad tells her to give him her keys. Her response? “'Don't be ridiculous,' she snapped. 'You have no business demanding my keys.'” So very, very true. Conrad tells her that she can give him the keys, or he'll take them from her. Marine takes a glance at Eva. She's liking this argument. Marine is puzzled because most of the reason she wants to keep her mobility is to get Eva out and interacting with folks. I think it's because no one really stands up to Conrad and she likes that Marine will. Well, to a point. Marine offers a compromise that she won't drive unless she tells him first. Conrad won't budge. He demands her keys again. Very angry, she finally gives in. I would never have handed over those keys. He would have had to fight me for them, and when abuse becomes physical, it's easier to show the signs to the police that you call soon afterwards. Of course, this is all assuming that Conrad doesn't break you too badly and/or keep you away from a phone. This is scary stuff and there is no easy answer, but in this particular instance, I think Marine should have said no and walked away. I don't think Conrad would have actually attacked her and she could have barricaded herself in her room, or in a first story room, slipped out the window, and driven away, hopefully before Conrad realized what was going on.

Then Conrad gives Marine back her purses, wishes them goodnight, and looks triumphant. Bastard.

So, signs of abuse in this chapter: 1) controlling behavior. Here's a direct quote from the website I'm using for this, “As this behavior progresses the situation will worsen, and the abuser may assume all control of finances or prevent the victim from coming and going freely.” Well that one certainly escalated. I wonder if Conrad will let Marine leave when the summer is over, or if she'll have to escape. 2) Isolation. Conrad taking Marine's keys also isolates her from friends and family pretty completely. As the website says, “The abuser may block the victim's access to use of a vehicle, work, or telephone service in the home.” Well, that certainly came true too. Do you see why I was so very pissed off about this? It's a huge deal and it's incredibly not okay. I was kind of kidding earlier when I said that Marine needed to get out, but now I'm serious. This is not a good situation, and Marine needs to get herself and Eva out. Eva's position is not a poisonous, but it is still not at all healthy and neither of them can stay in this house.

All right. My predictions for the next chapter: Marine will call the cops on Conrad and they will dismiss her concerns about him being abusive because she's just a woman and he's a very powerful man. Wait, that one seems a little too much unlike fiction. Let's go with this: Marine's parents continue their battle against the dark forces that want to control the earth, but they realize that they will need some help. It is time for them to find their master. She would be an old woman by now, but they know she would still have her skill and at the very least be able to give them advice to help them defeat their foe. So it is that they board an airplane back to Australia to see Eva Wright and beg for her help. You thought I couldn't connect those two alternate plot lines, didn't you?

Oh, for the curious or concerned, here's the website I've been using to list abusive behaviors: http://www.newhopeforwomen.org/abuser-tricks They have a toll-free 24 hour crisis hotline number as well 1-800-522-3304, although they recommend 911 if you're in immediate danger, which, if you're reading my blog I really hope you aren't. But also just in general. This stuff is all things you hope you never need, but someday you might.

A Matter of Marine-Chapter Six: Date with a Psychopath

I guess Conrad isn't, strictly speaking, a psychopath but still...

The chapter opens with Marine making some breakfast in the kitchen. Toast, in fact. Then Conrad walks into the kitchen, looking like he hasn't slept and just generally awful. I bet I know what kept him up all night... Stock reports. Obviously.

Marine offers him the toast and offers to make him bacon and eggs as well. Wow, she's making him breakfast the morning after a make out session. I wonder what she'll do when they finally have sex. Anyway, when she's grabbing a pan, Conrad grabs her wrist and tells her that they need to talk. Keep that pan in your hand, Marine, and maybe back up a few steps. Conrad talks about how last night shouldn't have happened and how it won't happen again. Marine is crushed at this reaffirmation that it meant nothing to him. (Side note, the author keeps referring to it as lovemaking. I guess that meant something different in the 80's, but it's still throwing me off.) Marine tries to play it cool, and tells Conrad that she'd already forgotten, hadn't fallen in love with him over “a few silly kisses” and, furthermore, that men have such giant egos that they'll believe stuff like this. Laying it on a little thick there, aren't ya? Oh, she's also blinking back tears as she's saying this. Because nothing says romance novel like denying your feelings....this is actually true.

Conrad is mad that Marine doesn't care about their make out in the sand. He says he thought he was saving her virtue, but apparently she just saved him from making an even bigger fool of himself. All right, I know I say this every chapter, but seriously. Why doesn't he just dump Helena the Hunter and tell Marine what he's feeling? It's obviously a big deal and not going away, especially since they're under the same roof. Oh, right, I forgot. Denying your feelings. And anyway, men only get rage and lust so right now Conrad is probably enjoying having the full spectrum of his emotions.

So, they're both mad and Marine says something about how she's very aware of what her “position” there is. She refuses to elaborate when Conrad asks. I know this is the whole “cook” thing coming back, but she really could have said that without giving anything away about how very much he means to her. It just hurts her too much. Sigh. Well, Conrad has maneuvered himself right in front of her again. He demands an answer to his question and Marine says, “I am an employee of yours and I'm willing to accept any rules laid down by you.” Really? New rule: no shirts allowed! I mean, Conrad won't really say that, but I bet he's thinking along those lines. Oh, Marine also refers to the greatest night of her life as “fun and games on the beach.” Harsh, Marine. Harsh. Anyway, Conrad is mad at her, and then sits down, expecting breakfast.

Well now Marine doesn't want to make it for him. Jerk. Oh, we also get the information that it's 6 AM and therefore Flora and Annie won't come into the kitchen for another half hour at least. Plenty of time to get down to business, then. By which I obviously mean cooking breakfast. And nothing else that the two of them could do alone. Nope, just a nice, clean breakfast scene in this chapter. Well, and some other similarly clean activities in other places later.

After giving Conrad the bacon and eggs, Marine takes a bite of the toast she's initially offered Conrad and realizes that it's awful. The book doesn't say why, so I'm not sure if she burned it or if her taste buds are reflecting her emotional state. Probably both. So, the two of them have a casual conversation about how little Marine eats, which gives her that oh-so-skinny figure, and then about the tree she's got to get that day. Conrad says he'll go get the tree with her. I would say that he offered to, but it's really not something he lets her turn down. She tries. I mean, first she looks super happy that he's going, so that doesn't really work, but ya know...

Then Conrad puts his hand under her face and starts rubbing his thumb on her cheek. He says they can go to Manly to get a tree. Then, apropos of nothing, he tilts her head up, leans his head down and kisses her. Hey, I thought you weren't doing that any more. Liar. He taunts Marine because she didn't want the kiss to end about how it was just “another silly kiss” to add to her stockpile. Oh, at this point he's got both hands behind her, holding her in place. I worry for Marine, I really do.

Although, at this particular point, she seems to like it. Kind of. The book says that, “Her body betrayed her,” which is kind of uncomfortable to consider deeply. Consent gets very complicated if you're fighting yourself about it and the other person is willing to go farther than you and will push you. I'm just glad that, so far, we don't have any scenes like we did in the last book I reviewed.

Anyway, Marine kisses Conrad back, lightly. Conrad teasingly tells her that she can do better. This next sentence really worries me: “Sanity returned to her and with it a wild hatred for what he was doing to her.” Marine, you really need to get away from him and sort your shit out. He needs to sort his shit out as well. Anyway, Marine rationalizes Conrad's behavior as punishing her for calling their make out silly. What was that I was saying about abusive behaviors earlier? Well, turns out it's kind of mutual. Marine's response to this emotional turmoil is to pull Conrad's hair. Really hard. He gets scarily pissed, forces her head back, and kisses her hard enough that she bleeds.

Woah now buddy. Take a step back. Alright, maybe ten. Breathe. Dump Helena the Hunter. Go talk to Marine in a calm, honest, and open manner. Then your problems will be much less. Sorry, I forgot. We can't be reasonable. We're just barely over halfway through the book.

Marine is shaken and steadies herself on a chair. She waits for an apology, but doesn't get one. So she says, “You hurt me.” His reply? “You deserved it.” Run. Run away, Marine and never return. Marine smooths down her shirt with shaky hands and reminds him that he'd said he wouldn't step out of line like that again. Conrad replies that he did, indeed, step out of line last night, but this morning she got what she deserved. Marine, are you not seeing any of these red flags? There are many of them. Many. Oh, and Conrad still wants to go get the tree with her. After assaulting her.

Conrad rinses his dishes, which gives Marine a little time to pull herself together. I'd need some time too, to figure out how not to enclose myself in a car with a violent man. Marine does her best, too. She really tries to go without Conrad, but, short of locking herself in a room and not leaving, Conrad isn't going to let any of her arguments stand. Her only vocalized one is that she's worried about leaving Eva. I would be too: no one else in that house actually cares for her. Oh, the hinge of Conrad's argument is that the tree won't fit in her car but it will fit in his. She could always tie it to the roof. Probably. Anyway, Marine reluctantly gets in Conrad's car with him and they begin the drive to Manly. Oh, and this sentence is just perfect: “He had bullied her into leaving before she was ready, just like he had bullied her about everything else.” Marine. Get. Out.

Oh, but it's okay because the day is so nice, that Marine can't stay mad or anxious. So, she's not as mad as she seemed? She's falling into the victim mindset? Stockholm syndrome? Anyway, once they get to Manly there's some description of all the activity at the beach and how awesome the ocean looks. My comfort from this is that she's not as alone with Conrad any more, but it's meant to give the reader something else to think about. Oh, also, Marine is glad that he made her go. But just this once. Probably.

They eventually pull up at a greengrocers. Conrad knows the owner super well and they go to look at his trees. Marine doesn't like any of them, so Conrad picks one out jubilantly. He tries to pay, but the greengrocer won't let him. Wow. They must be close. Weird that Conrad can make friends. I guess he only treats Marine that terribly. She should feel special. Or something.

Then they go to a butcher's to get the turkeys and a leg of ham. He's also super good friends with the butcher. Oh, and the owner of the tea shop they stop at for a bite. He must have grown up here or spent time here when he was younger. Possibly the weight of the business is contributing to what makes Conrad such a dick. Still, just because you have one doesn't mean you need to be one.

Oh, important character things from this bit: Conrad is super duper excited about the tree and turkey and everything. Marine can make gravy without lumps. This is important because it leads Conrad to say, jokingly, “I can't believe it. Beauty, brains and gravy without lumps! It's truly a miracle some man hasn't grabbed you and married you!” Who said anything about marriage? He could have made the joke just as well talking about her dating life. He's in deep, isn't he? Oh, also, more sexual tension. But then, you knew that would happen.

At the tea shop, they have a totally normal, happy, and relaxing time eating scones and drinking tea. So, this is the double nature that's a signal of an abuser. Just putting that out there. I know we're supposed to read it as Conrad getting away from his life, but if it's so awful, there are things he can do to make it less so. I suppose that means he has to realize the terrible pressure he's under, but you'd hope that he could figure that out, especially with how different he is from Manly to his house.

When they're leaving, Conrad hugs her, teasing her. Marine is able to fight him off and doesn't have a battle with herself. Huh. She's more comfortable with herself here too. Well, the house is haunted. Better burn it down and move to Manly. Don't take the servants or Helena the Hunter with you.

On the way back, Conrad's impatience returns. He starts driving really fast. Fast enough to scare Marine. Also, the reason he gives is because he needs to shave and light the grill to start making steaks, which Helena the Hunter thought would be a good idea. Marine is depressed that he's hurrying to get back to cater to Helena the Hunter's whims. He keeps saying he's having friends over for Christmas, but I believe him less and less. He's a powerful man. His Christmas party must be a major networking and social event. I'm doubting that many of these people are actually his friends. Wow. I hope Conrad has some friends. Of course, if he doesn't that could explain part of why he's got such a difficult time having any kind of intimacy.

Anyway, enough with the psychoanalysis. After Marine tells him that he's driving too fast, he slows down and asks if he scared her. Look at that! He can be considerate! Marine tries to pass her fear off with a remark about the birds being worried about something new joining them, but it falls flat. Conrad seems super worried for someone who's going to hang out with his friends. Maybe he's finally considering dumping Helena the Hunter! A girl can dream, anyway.

Oh, just before they get back we get a confrontation about Eva with regards to Helena the Hunter, Flora, and Annie. Conrad talked with Helena the Hunter who, of course, said that everything was fine and that Marine was out of her gourd thinking that there was a problem. And I guess Conrad trusts her enough to tell him the truth, which we've seen to be a grave mistake.

Oh, when they do get home just after their argument about how Eva wasn't safe in her own home, we see Annie delivering juice to Eva and Helena the Hunter, who had just been reading some of Eva's favorite poetry to her, to Eva's evident enjoyment. Now that Conrad has told her there's a problem, Helena the Hunter has to actually work to cover it up.

Abusive behaviors: 1) any force during an argument when Conrad kissed Marine so hard that she bled. How did he even do that? Goodness. 2) Controlling behavior when Marine very much did not want to go with Conrad to get the tree and he made her go. She did end up enjoying it, but his need for control is very worrisome all the same. 3) Dual Personality “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” when Conrad became a completely different person once they reached Manly and changed back when they were returning home.

For the next chapter, I predict that the focus shifts. Now Eva is our heroine finding the self-worth that she used to have, and learning not to take shit from the other people in the house. As a minor side line, she makes bets with herself about when Marine and Conrad will finally admit their feelings for one another. Oh, and also, in finding her self-worth, Eva also begins practicing her knife routines again. In her day, it wasn't proper for a lady to be so skilled with knives, but it's something she loves to do and now she knows that she should go after what makes her happy. This skill comes in handy when the spirit possessing the house turns violent when they try to burn it down....

Also, I know I mentioned this earlier in this chapter, but it really is weird to me: romance novels aren't about people being in love; they're about people doing everything they can to avoid it and finally realizing that they can't. When they're actually in love and at a point where they would be romantic toward each other, the novel ends. I guess you need a conflict (of some sort) for there to be a story, but still...

A Matter of Marine-Chapter Five: Where It Becomes a Romance Novel

Sorry about the missed week, readers. Life started happening rather quickly and unexpectedly. Hopefully, I can keep on track with my weekly Friday updates now.

The chapter opens with Marine and Eva walking into the dining room where Conrad and Helena the Hunter are already standing. They've got drinks, but no one offers some to Marine or Eva. Rude. Anyway, there's some description of how everyone looks, Conrad is handsome-r than before, Helena the Hunter is gorgeous in a shiny gold dress, and Marine feels inadequate, then chides herself for thinking that she's in the running to get Conrad. I guess she doesn't know she's the main character of this novel. Eva's hair looks awesome, and Conrad notices. Whoo! I guess he gives half a damn about her.

Anyway, they start dinner. Marine is watching Helena the Hunter and Flora to see if they act familiar with each other; they do not. Conrad is watching Marine, which takes her a moment to realize and when she does, she thinks its because he thinks she is envious of Helena the Hunter. I have no idea what he's really thinking, but I don't think this book is complicated enough to have an unreliable narrator like that. So, Marine stares into her soup to try to brush off the embarrassment and a bit later, she notices that all conversation has stopped.

Oh. They're finally talking about Eva and Marine going to Marine's aunt for Christmas. Apparently, it's a Wright tradition to stay at home for Christmas. Although, as Eva points out, this hasn't been the case recently. Conrad angrily demands that they restart it. Awkward silence. What a control freak. I know it's because he can't bear to be apart from Marine for even that long, or some other excuse, but seriously. Way to make your grandma sad and kill the mood at the table.

Marine feels that Conrad thinks she's responsible. Also, she feels responsible, so she starts talking about how great Christmas is and asks what the Wrights do for trees and roasting a turkey and whatnot. Marine goes on for a bit before anyone says anything. Helena the Hunter votes to try to get Marine, and incidentally Eva, out of the house to avoid having to chase down Christmas trees and turkeys and such. Eva says, clearly unsatisfied, that they have BBQs now instead of a turkey. Helena the Hunter snaps back that it's more sensible because roasting a turkey for hours heats up the whole house.

Then Conrad verbally bitch-slaps everyone. Here, I'll give you the quote: “'Enough!' Conrad's voice seemed to boom around the table, even though he had spoken in a deathly quiet tone.” Marine apologizes, saying that she didn't mean to upset anyone. Helena the Hunter takes the opportunity to run around the table and offer comfort to Eva, who is now crying. Of course she blames it on Marine. Helena the Hunter tries to maneuver to get Marine fired, but Conrad doesn't take the bait. It's because he wants to bang her and if he fires her, she'll be too far away. I mean, yes she does a good job with actually caring for and about Eva, but let's be real.

Conrad finally says that he likes the idea of a tree and turkey and such and asks Marine to take care of the details. Marine replies that she'd be happy to and that she and Eva will have a lovely time picking out things and... Oh, Helena the Hunter, you're still trying to start something? She goes off her nut about Marine calling Mrs. Wright by her first name. Conrad replies that he likes it and that if Eva wants Marine to do so, he's not going to stop her.

Finally, during dessert, Helena the Hunter offers to take care of the details about Christmas. After all, Marine will want to spend Christmas with her family. Conrad agrees, but Marine feels like he wants her to stay. Therefore, Marine replies that her parents are on safari in Africa (Oh yeah. I forgot about them.) and that her aunt wasn't truly expecting her anyway. It's the truth, but of course she wants to be close to Conrad because she wants to bang him. Or, kiss him a lot, anyway.

Then Conrad passes the buck of Christmas stuff back to Marine and that Helena the Hunter will be too busy with their guests. Helena the Hunter replies that she was only trying to help Marine. Yeah, right. Marine manages to, somewhat genuinely, tell Helena the Hunter that she'll be fine and to enjoy her guests. This pisses Helena the Hunter off to no end. Good. She manages a barb about how the guests will be for her and Conrad. Because they're a couple, you see. I truly don't understand why they're dating. Honestly. Well, I know Helena the Hunter is in it for the money, and I guess Conrad is in it for her looks, and possibly the sex, but they've both such unpleasant people.

Conrad, conveniently expecting an important phone call that'll take all night, takes that moment to leave the room. Once he's gone, Helena the Hunter replies that this leaves her with nothing to do for the rest of the night. Seriously? You didn't bring a book, or...something to do? Then she snaps at Eva that she should have stayed put in her room for meals. Eva explains that Marine thought she was spending too much time alone, and Helena the Hunter replies that Marine just wants to be able to share a dinner table with Conrad to make goo-goo eyes at him. I wish she'd phrased it that way, but my way is better. Then Helena the Hunter continues to talk smack by telling Marine, “But I think Conrad has shown you just what he thinks of you. He sees you as a maid...a cook!” Well, that was kind of the job description. Helena the Hunter further rubs it in by telling Marine that she and Conrad will be flouncing around the pool with their guests while Marine works in the kitchen. Then she slaps them once more verbally and announces that she's going to her room to do her hair and nails. Why do your hair at this time of night? You'll just have to redo it in the morning. Unless...Helena the Hunter never sleeps. Perhaps, she's a vampire. One that can walk in daylight. And has no fangs. No, wait. That'd be too ridiculous to put in print. Never mind.

Once Helena the Hunter leaves the room, Marine asks Eva if the gold digger is always that rude. Eva replies that she's gotten used to her, but she seems a bit more angry this time. Possibly she's upset that Marine is there. Gee, I wonder why. Helena the Hunter can tell her meal ticket is running out. This whole plot just really reminds me of the Sound of Music, but with an old lady instead of kids. And no singing.

Next we get a long dramatic scene with Marine standing in her bedroom in just a thin nighty, looking out at the waves, trying to forget what Helena the Hunter said to her, and doing it all in very purple prose: “Across the sweeping lawns flooded in moonlight she could see the silvery stretch of beach flanked on one side with gracefully swaying palms and on the other by the whispering foaming surge of the sea. She placed her hands on the railing and leaned forward, hoping that the thrusting sounds of the waves would drown out Helena [the Hunter]'s hateful words. But the waves only seemed to pound them further into her brain...” So, we all know what's coming next, right? I was expecting it to happen in Marine's room, but she runs to the beach first. Oh, but my favorite purple prose quote from this section: “Her head was tilted back and her large blue eyes gazed up at the sparkling diamonds splattered in organized fashion across the velvet blackness of the clear, coastal sky.” Also, it bothers me how the author (Rosemary Badger, by the way) refers to Marine's eyes as both violet and blue.

Anyway, Marine is restless and runs down to the beach to lose her stress. Oh, hello, Conrad. What are you doing here? Wearing tiny sleeping shorts and an open robe, I see. Good attire for the beach. They talk a little, but the words don't matter. Conrad puts his hands on her face, slides them down to her neck, and onto her shoulders. He draws her into the “hard, lean length of his body”. Those words are doing double duty, just so we're all aware. So, he crushes her to him and his mouth apparently bruises her with his kisses. She seems to be okay with this, so I suppose that force is fine. Oh, also? Rosemary Badger uses the word “potent male virility”. Oh my. Anyway, he kisses her neck and such, she's totally digging it. He slips her nighty straps down and uncovers her boobs. Then suddenly they're lying down and Conrad's playing with her nipple. I guess in the 80's, you couldn't print the word “nipple” because it's not in this book. Either that, or Ms. Badger liked being poetic about nipples.

Anyway, his mouth is on her boob and his hand is sliding up her leg. Marine is digging this in general, but we get the info that she's saving herself for marriage. I guess she didn't let any of her boyfriends touch her crotch at all, or something. So, she's got a problem with this. She starts trying to fight “against the magic of his touch”. Conrad tells her not to fight him and this causes her to tell him to stop. Good idea, Marine. Also, thankfully, it works. He does stop. Good. He tears himself away from her and looks away. Marine doesn't move. She realizes that she's lying on Conrad's robe. Eventually, he looks back at her and covers her boobs and lowers the skirt of her nightie. Interesting that she didn't cover herself up...

Marine sits up and pulls her knees up to her chest, pulling her nightie over her legs. Eventually, Conrad asks her why she really came down to the beach. No, she wasn't trying to dare you into making love at midnight in the dunes of the cape. [Write to me and escape...] She really couldn't sleep. Then they stare at each other's faces really intently and Marine thinks about how she wants to trace Conrad's features. Conrad asks if she were really worried about the Christmas dinner. Marine smiles at herself, then remembers Helena the Hunter. Oh yeah, that person who's, as far as I know, in a monogamous relationship with Conrad. Or, she seems to think so, anyway.

So, Marine remembers Helena the Hunter taunting her by saying that Conrad only thought of our protagonist as a maid and cook. I think he added onto your job description just now. Well, he tried to, anyway. Then Marine starts crying. What they just did was a beautiful thing to her, but she thinks that Conrad will see it as a “cheap fling in the sand”. Conrad jumps up and wraps his robe around her shoulders. She's glad to have the protection from his gaze. He tells her not to worry, that Flora and Annie will have to deal with the dinner. Marine tries to look comforted. Although, we get the dilemma of just about every romance novel summed up at the end of this chapter: “She had fallen hopelessly in love with a man she knew she could never have.”

All right, for abusive behaviors in this chapter we have.... 1) Hypersensitivity when Conrad took it so very seriously that Eva and Marine might leave for a few hours on Christmas 2) Quick involvement they've only kissed once and now Conrad wants to have sex? Or possibly finger her. It's hard to tell. However, on the flip side, when she said no, he stopped. That is very good and possibly balances this one out. Not too many in this chapter because we were mostly focused on how Helena the Hunter is a bitch.

For the next chapter, I predict... the focus will shift just a bit. Marine's parents, in Africa, have stumbled upon something far bigger than they expected to find on vacation, with deadly force protecting it. It will take all of their knowledge of swordplay to unravel this mystery, unfortunately, they both swore oaths never to take up a sword again after the birth of their child. Now they must decide between their honor and stopping a dangerous villain from unleashing a force capable of destroying the cosmos.

I'm really just done with these people.