“Okay,” she mumbled, numbness settling in firmly around her heart. If I just shut it off, I don’t have to feel anything…
The officer left the room and soon came back with her purse in hand. “Miss Morgan, you brought him to a stop. He won’t be hurting any other young women.”
“But did he get justice?”
“I think death is probably the ultimate justice. He will never hurt anyone again.”
Christina accepted her purse from the officer and she rummaged through it, relieved to find her wallet in one piece. The two twenty dollar bills she’d had inside were missing, but her driver’s license was inside. “Thank you for my purse.”
“Will you be staying in the area?” the first officer asked.
“No. I will be going back to Yale in a few days. I was only here to visit my mom and that didn’t quite pan out.” Her smile was feeble as she clutched the bag to her chest.
“I see. Well, can you provide us with contact information in case we have any further questions for you?”
“Sure.” Christina rattled off her address at the school and her cell phone and email. “My phone is dead, though.”
“We’ll get you a charger,” Patrick offered.
“Perfect. Well, I wish we’d come bearing less grim tidings, but for what it’s worth, I’m glad we found your attacker.” The officers left as quickly as they’d come and Christina stared woodenly at the door for a few moments.
“Christina?” Patrick touched her shin and she jumped.
“Yeah?”
“It’s over,” he stated simply.
“Yeah,” she muttered, then blurted, “I need to see if he used my debit card.”
“Who would’ve thought it would end like this?” Patrick uttered, shock clouding his voice.
“He took the easy way out,” Christina replied. “Instead of taking the punishment for his crimes against women, he killed himself.”
Patrick shifted on the couch and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Suicide is probably the biggest punishment he could give himself.”
“No, the bastard deserved to live with what he did every day, not die and never have to face it.” Christina snapped back.
“Maybe. Do you want the phone so you can check your debit card?”
“That’d be great.”
Patrick stood and shuffled off to the kitchen. He was back in less than a minute with the cordless phone. “Here you go.”
Christina pulled her debit card from her purse and dialed the number on the back. Relief washed through her as she realized she had money in her account. “He didn’t take my money.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“I want to get a flight back to school.”
Patrick looked confused. “Why? You can’t get back in the dorms.”
“I could just stay in a cheapo motel for a while…” Christina mumbled. “I hate to burden your family.”
“You’re far from a burden, Christina. We’re happy to have you here. It’s only a few more days until your dorms open anyway. Why waste the money? You’ll need it for things for the baby, right?”
“I probably will.” She sighed.
“Then stay a few days. I have a few colleagues in the area. I’d like for you to see them, if you will. Just to make sure that everything is okay. I know I did a lot of blood work while you were in the hospital, but I would feel better if you got checked out completely.” Patrick coaxed.
“I can’t afford it. No insurance, remember?”
“They will see you for free.” Patrick smiled warmly and Christina felt her defenses fall.
“Okay, I’ll stay until I have to go back to school. Thank you for your kindness.”
“I can’t have you on the streets, Christina.”
Addie drifted into the living room. “Everything okay?”
Patrick glanced up at his wife and nodded. “I think so. Christina will be staying with us for a few more days.”
Addie’s eyes lit up. “Fantastic. What did the police have to say?”
Christina sighed and rubbed her forehead. “My attacker killed himself.”
“What?” Addie hissed, hurrying to sit on the edge of the couch.
“Yeah, apparently he left a note saying he’d done it to others and he didn’t want to go to jail. So he took the easy way out,” Christina choked, her hands balling into fists.
Addie gasped and her hand covered her mouth. “He can’t hurt anyone else,” she murmured between her fingers.
“Yeah, I guess that’s the only good thing, but he won’t be brought to justice.” Christina stood suddenly, anger bubbling through her veins. Pacing the floor, she ran her hand through her hair and tugged it to relieve the headache building at her temples.
“You need to calm down,” Addie advised.
“I know. It just makes me sick. How could he be such a coward?” Christina blurted.
“I understand the anger, but at least he can’t hurt anyone else. I-I had an attacker as a teenager myself and he was never found. I still wonder if he’s out there. Yours is not. He can’t hurt another girl like he hurt you.” Addie stood and touched Christina’s arm gently. “Let it go.”
“He wrecked my life.”
“Maybe not,” Patrick interjected. “He probably saved your life. Look at how advanced your disease is. If you hadn’t come to the hospital when you did…” His voice trailed off softly.
“I was surviving just fine,” Christina retorted, knowing even as she said the words how stupid she sounded.
“But being on medicine as early as possible protects you and your child.” Patrick reminded her. “You wouldn’t have known you were pregnant until you probably felt movement or started getting bigger. The chance of you getting sicker was there, or infecting your baby. I know how you got to the hospital wasn’t the greatest way to go, but you at least know where you stand now.”
“It doesn’t make me feel better, but you’re right. I am glad I know what’s going on with my body and that I am treating my HIV. Why didn’t I feel worse? Shouldn’t I have felt worse?”
“Some people just brush it off, they just think they are tired, or getting sick. With your drive to get into Yale, you probably ignored being tired and kept pushing. You would have hit the wall eventually, Christina.”
“Is it okay if I go back and lie down?” she whispered, her voice weak.
“Don’t forget to take your medicine.” Patrick cautioned.
“I’ll get some water and take them now.” Christina smiled sadly.
“It will be okay,” Addie promised.
“We’ll get you into those doctors soon, okay?” Patrick offered as Christina pulled a glass down from the cupboard and filled it with water.
“That would be great. I appreciate all you’re doing for me.”
“Oh, give me your cell phone and I’ll slip out and find you a charger. I have to go into work tonight, but I’ll make some calls and Addie can drop you off at the doctor’s while I’m working, right, babe?” Patrick touched Addie’s leg and she nodded.
“Sure, I’ll be glad to. The kids and I could go to a play place or something while she’s at the doctor.”
Christina sipped her water slowly and smiled tightly at the couple. “Thanks.” She bent and looked through her purse, locating her phone and handing it to Patrick. “I’m going to lie down.”
“We’re right in here if you need us. Are you hungry?”
“No, thanks, Addie. I couldn’t eat.”
“Are the medicines making you nauseated?” Patrick asked, concern knitting his brow.
“A little,” Christina admitted.
“Take some crackers with you then.” Addie suggested. “I have some saltines up in the cabinet. Nibble on them if you’re up to it.”
Christina meandered back to the kitchen and pulled the saltines from the cupboard. “Thanks.” Shuffling into her room again, she closed the door and leaned against it with a soft sob. I can’t believe the weak ba
stard killed himself. Groaning, she opened her bag from the hospital and pulled out her medicines and took them with a few sips of water before sitting down on the edge of the bed.
What has become of my life?
Flopping back on the pillows, she closed her eyes. Let this all be a dream and me wake up and it be over. Please.
Chapter Eight
“Christina?” Patrick shook her shoulder and her eyes flicked open.
Nope, it wasn’t a dream. She groaned as she sat up slowly. “What is it?”
“I am sorry to wake you, but I wanted to let you know that the doctor can see you tomorrow morning. I’m going to be heading into work in an hour and dinner is done. Addie is hoping you’ll come eat. I know your stomach has to be bothering you, but you need to eat to keep your strength up.”
Christina’s eyes focused in the dusky room on the doctor, who was dressed in scrubs and ready for his shift. “Okay,” she mumbled, her voice still husky with sleep.
She watched as he left the room and rubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand. Finally mustering up the energy to go to the bathroom, she cleaned up and splashed her face with water. Shuffling into the dining room, she found leftovers on the menu. Little Aaliyah grinned brightly as she sat down beside her.
“Hello, sleepyhead.” One of her front teeth was missing and it made her already charming grin almost irresistible.
“Hey there.” Christina smiled back at the little girl.
“How are you feeling?” Addie asked, worry evident on her kind face.
“Tired,” Christina admitted.
“Here, eat something.” Addie took her plate. “What do you want?”
“Maybe some rice and I guess a little turkey. No offense to your wonderful cooking, but nothing sounds good.” Christina finished lamely.
Addie opened her mouth as if to speak and Patrick interrupted. “Don’t push her, Addie. Her stomach has to be bothering her.”
“What about a smoothie?” Her eyes brightened and she passed Christina the barely filled plate.
Christina placed the plate in front of her and took an experimental bite of rice. “No, don’t go through the trouble…”
Addie was already in the kitchen pulling out the blender and working on a smoothie before she could object. Patrick leaned forward and hissed, “You’re her new project. She’s going to baby you to death before you leave.”
Christina tried to smile back, but she knew that the expression didn’t meet her eyes. “I’m just not that hungry. My stomach hurts.”
“It’s going to,” Patrick murmured sympathetically. “Just try to eat.”
Christina choked down a few mouthfuls of the rice and a bite of turkey. The whirr of the blender made her jump and before she could register what was happening, Addie brought over a glass of pink smoothie. “Here you go, a strawberry goji smoothie.”
Christina took an experimental sip and smiled at the pleasant taste. “Thank you.”
She managed to drink half of the smoothie and eat most of the rice and turkey. Addie seemed pleased with herself. “I can save the rest of the smoothie for later, if you’re hungry. Just slip in here and get you some. It’s got lots of good nutrients in it.”
“Thank you.” Christina smiled warmly at the older woman.
Patrick checked his watch and sighed, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “Well, family, I’m off to work. See you soon.”
Christina stared as the family hugged each other and jealousy burned through her. I’ll never have a family like that. She jumped as Patrick patted her shoulder.
“Good luck with your appointment tomorrow. Addie will text me and let me know how it went.” He walked to the front door, pulled on his coat and left for work. The children left the table and went off to play.
Addie sighed as she sat back down at the table. “Thirty-six hours.”
Christina’s brow furrowed. “For what?”
Addie smiled and took another bite of her dinner. “Before he comes home. He works thirty-six hour shifts.”
“Oh.” Christina had never realized doctors worked such long shifts. “That sucks.”
“But he gets to have more time off. So it evens out.” Addie explained.
“I think I’m full. Can I help you clean up the kitchen?”
“You’re my guest,” Addie argued.
“But I’m not helpless. You are letting me stay here, the least I can do is help you clean up.”
“Okay,” Addie finally agreed.
Christina pushed back her chair and stood. Moving quickly, she picked up her plate and Aaliyah’s and took them into the kitchen. Scraping off the plates she opened the dishwasher and stuck them inside. Addie followed into the kitchen and the two women worked together to clear the table and put away leftovers.
“I’m going to get the kids ready for bed,” Addie stated as she dried her hands on the Christmas themed towel hanging on the stove.
“All right. I might go lie down.”
“If you feel up to it we could watch a movie? Aaliyah goes to sleep at eight and the boys lie down and read until nine.” Addie offered.
“Sure, that sounds nice.”
“The remotes on the coffee table, just see what you can find.” Addie strode to the back of the house and Christina could hear the children cleaning up their playroom.
She meandered into the living room and plopped down on the couch. Picking up the remote, she turned the TV on and flipped through the channels until she found something to watch.
Addie strolled in about fifteen minutes later and flopped on the couch with a sigh, her auburn hair flouncing. “Well, that’s done.”
“Can I ask you something?” Christina started, not knowing how comfortable the woman would be with her question.
“Sure.” Addie stretched her arms above her head and yawned. “What’s up?”
“Is Aaliyah adopted?” Christina blurted before she lost her nerve.
“Yeah, she is.”
“Do you love her any different? I mean, what’s it like to be adopted I wonder?”
Addie crossed her legs and pursed her lips for a moment. “I love her just as much as my boys. We are so lucky to have her.”
“My friend Grace was sorta adopted by her grandparents. I think I told you that.”
“Yes, you mentioned that.”
“How does adoption work?” She continued.
Addie ran a hand through her hair. “Ah, we adopted Aaliyah through the foster care system. We had to do a home study and be matched with a child. Why? Are you considering giving your baby up for adoption?”
“I was just curious.”
“Oh, okay. Well, I hope I was able to answer some of your questions.”
Christina yawned and clambered off the couch. “Oh, you did. I think I’m going to go get ready for bed. I’m really tired.”
Addie smiled and wiggled her fingers. “Enjoy your rest.”
Christina picked up her phone from the charger and darted into her room. Would I consider giving my baby up for adoption? It would make my life so much easier…but I got rid of one baby before by force…could I stand giving up this one now? Lying back on the bed, she skimmed her hand over her barely there pooch and chewed at her bottom lip as she thought. I don’t know if I could give this baby up. Things might be hard, but I don’t know if I could do it.
She turned her phone on and checked to see if she’d had any calls or text messages from anyone. There was one text from Grace, from Christmas day.
G: Hey chick. Merry Christmas. Hope you got all you wanted this year! Talk soon, love ya!
A sad smile touched Christina’s mouth and she blinked back tears as she told her best friend another lie.
C: Got signal out here in the boonies. I’m great, my Christmas was wonderful. I hope yours was. Love ya, slut.
As she pressed send, bile rose in her throat and she raced for the bathroom, where she lost the pretty pink smoothie from dinner. With a quivering hand she pushed her hair back. Gross.
Shakily standing, she shuffled to the sink and rinsed out her mouth. These medicines were making her feel terrible.
A soft knock came at the door. “Are you okay?”
Christina opened the door and smiled weakly. “I’m okay.”
“Do you need anything?”
“Oh, you know, to not have HIV would be awesome.” Christina chuckled softly.
“I wish you didn’t, honey. Let me get you a ginger ale. Maybe that will help you feel better.” Addie padded through the house and was back mere seconds later with a cold can of soda. “Here you go.”
Christina took the cold can and rolled it between her hands. “Thank you.”
“Go on and rest.”
“Thanks.” Christina slipped into her room and popped the tab on the can of soda. Taking a sip, she placed it on the nightstand and crawled back on the bed. Her phone vibrated and she picked it up, grimacing as she saw Grace’s name flash on the screen.
G: Mine turned out great. Dad surprised me with a new car! I couldn’t believe it! He said he didn’t get to do it when I was 16, so he’s doing it now. Grandma and Grandpa (still so weird to call them that) came down and we’ve been spending a lot of time together. There is some work we still have to do, but they are both trying. I haven’t seen even a bit of ugliness toward Dad from them. They know what he does and neither have said a word. I think because they don’t want to lose me, they’re keeping peace. But hey, it’s a start, right? I so wish you could’ve come down here, but I understand that your mom was sick. I hope she’s feeling better!
Christina sipped her soda again as nausea roiled her stomach. Ah, hell. Another lie. Oh, Grace, if only I hadn’t lied, I would be in the mansion in Phoenix with you, enjoying my Christmas, safe from the realities of my life for a little bit longer, but alas, here I am. I lied and it bit me in the ass. Mom was never sick. I just didn’t want to face you. Because I can’t bear for you to look at me as the horrible person I am. You deserve a better friend than me. But I’ve fooled you into thinking I am a great person. I only had your best interest at heart with Drake. I didn’t want to see you get hurt. I know what it’s like being used by an older man. Not that Drake was like Earl, by any means, but I wanted to protect you, like no one bothered to protect me. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. Not that I can ever tell you that. She groaned and guzzled more of the spicy drink, wincing as she burped. Her finger paused over the keyboard of the phone as she decided what to say.
Finding Christina (Wild Rose #2) Page 6