The Way to Her Heart

by Amy Reece

  Ben said he’d call her later and left. Good riddance, Josh thought. Maybe I can get her phone number changed. Josh invited Diego to join him in the cafeteria until they could return to visit Bernie. He bought him a soda and an order of fries and sat across from him. “Diego, I don’t know how I can possibly thank you. You saved her life.”

  “It’s cool, man. I just didn’t like the way that Natalia bitch was acting, you know? Shit, I’ll never forget the sight of all that blood.” He was shoving fries in his mouth as he said it, so Josh didn’t think he was losing sleep over it.

  “Well, I’m glad you followed them. When I think of what would have happened—” He couldn’t finish and raised a suddenly shaky hand to run through his hair.

  Diego paused his fry-snarfing and stared, smirking slightly. “You too, huh? Well, you better make your move before that other guy gets his hooks in. Bernie’s a hottie. I know a bunch of guys who like her.”

  Great.

  ***

  Claire had taken over the day shifts with Bernie at the hospital so Josh could go to school. He took over immediately after his last class and refused to budge until the next morning. They spent the evenings doing homework as soon as Bernie felt up to it. She was stressed about how far behind she’d fallen and worried about not graduating and losing her scholarship.

  “Calm down! Breathe, sweetheart. You’re making your heart monitor go crazy and the nurse will probably kick me out.” He wondered if she even noticed the endearment. He was beyond ready to declare his feelings, but he’d promised his mother. At least Ben hadn’t returned for another visit. “All your teachers have assured me they understand and will give you as much time as you need. Mom talked to the principal, and you get to walk for graduation, even if you’re not done with your finals. They’ll hold your diploma until you get everything done. It’s going to be fine, Bernie.” She’d calmed down a bit, and her pain meds did the rest of the job.

  She was released from the hospital three days later. She was ready and waiting impatiently Thursday after school when he entered her hospital room. He’d dropped Claire off that morning so he could pick them both up in the Lexus; he didn’t want Bernie to have to climb up into his truck. He made several trips to the car to load up all the flowers and gifts she’d received, some from people she’d never met. The nurse wheeled her to the car and made sure she was safely buckled in the backseat. Claire sat next to her, and Josh chauffeured them home. Bernie would start physical therapy for her shoulder the following week; the nerves had been damaged, and she had an extremely limited range of motion in addition to a persistent numbness in her pinky and ring finger.

  He prepared a special homecoming meal for her of chicken alfredo pasta, one of her favorites. She’d lost weight since the stabbing, and he didn’t like it. He also didn’t like how little she was able to eat.

  “Sorry, Josh. It’s delicious, but I just don’t have much appetite yet.”

  “Well, I hope you saved room for a little dessert.” The doorbell rang, sending Freddie into a frenzy of delight. Claire left the kitchen and returned with Detective Garcia—Mike—carrying a pink bakery box.

  “Happy belated birthday, Bernie!” He set the box down and opened it to reveal a frosted monstrosity of a cake.

  Josh cringed, but he hadn’t had time to make one himself. “Your birthday got lost in the shuffle of the last week, but we didn’t forget.”

  “Oh my gosh.” Bernie gulped and took a drink of her tea. Her hand was shaking slightly.

  Josh smiled and cut her a small piece of cake while Claire brought out the presents she’d picked up on her way home the evening before.

  Once they’d cleared away the plates and discarded wrapping paper, Garcia cleared his throat. “I have some news about your mom, Bernie.”

  She set her mug of herbal tea on the table. “Do I want to know?”

  “She checked herself into a rehab program. I went to visit her today. She told me to give you this.” He handed her a small folded note.

  Bernie read it quickly before folding it back and shoving it in her pocket with a sniff. “Well, it’s a start, I guess. I hope she sticks it out. Thanks, Mike.”

  ***

  He knocked lightly on her bedroom door before he went to bed. “Do you need anything? Did you take your pills?”

  She nodded and motioned him inside. “Josh, I just wanted to say thanks. You’ve been so amazing through all this.”

  He took her hand when he noticed how her eyes were shining. “Hey, of course. Aww, don’t cry, Bernie.” But she was already sobbing silently. He gently pulled her into his arms and let her cry it out. She was entitled, so he simply held her.

  “Why, Josh?”

  He froze, not ready to spill his guts—not with his mom right down the hall.

  “Why did they do it? What did Gabby ever do to them? What did I ever do to them? They nearly killed me. I really thought I was going to die.”

  Her rare vulnerability broke his heart. “Thank God Diego followed you that night. Shit. I never wanted to owe that idiot anything, much less my eternal gratitude for saving your life.” He was serious but felt her shaking with laughter.

  She leaned against her headboard and wiped her eyes. “Sorry about losing it. I’m a mess.”

  “You’re fine and certainly allowed to cry about what happened, both to Gabby and to you.” He reached to get her a tissue from the box on the nightstand. “I don’t know why, Bernie. It doesn’t make sense to me any more than it does to you. We may never know. I’m going with your theory: Natalia and Sofia are crazy, psychotic bitches.”

  ***

  She was cleared to return to school the following week, but work would have to wait for at least two more weeks. Her boss had reassured her that her job would be waiting for her, but Bernie, of course, worried. She was only able to handle half days for the first week back at school, and Josh drove her home at lunch. She wasn’t allowed to drive herself for several more weeks.

  “You were stabbed and had major surgery,” he pointed out when she fussed about how weak she was. “You’re actually recovering better than expected. Now stop fussing and take your pills before nap time.”

  Garcia stopped by that evening to give them all an update. Josh noticed irritably that he waited until Claire was home before showing up.

  “The district attorney will formally charge both Natalia and Sofia with attempted murder tomorrow,” Garcia said as he accepted a cup of coffee from Claire. They exchanged a smile, which made Josh narrow his eyes and made Bernie smirk.

  “What about Gabby’s murder?” Bernie asked. “Will they be charged for that?”

  “Hopefully. Sofia is the only one talking right now; Natalia isn’t saying anything. That girl is one of the coldest individuals I’ve ever come across. It’s scary.”

  “Will I have to testify at their trial?” Bernie bit her lip and looked worried.

  Josh reached to cover her hand with his.

  “If there is a trial, yes, you’d need to testify. They may plead out, however. Try not to worry about it, Bernie.”

  “Easier said than done,” she muttered.

  ***

  Over the next few weeks, she slowly recovered her physical strength and was able to resume her normal schedule. What worried Josh was her continued depression. He finally talked to his mom about it, and she managed to talk Bernie into seeing a therapist. Josh knew from his experience over the past year having someone to talk to helped immeasurably. The therapist helped her deal with what amounted to post-traumatic stress as a result of the attack. He prescribed a mild sleep aid to help her get some much-needed rest in the first weeks after getting out of the hospital, and she seemed to be improving by the time she was ready to move into the triplex.

  Josh wouldn’t let her do any of the heavy lifting and talked a bunch of his former football teammates into doing the work. They got her moved into her new place in record time. Although he was tempted to spill his guts and confess all his feelings for
her that very night, she was still dealing with depression from her ordeal and he worried she wasn’t ready to hear him. Who was he kidding? He was scared to death she’d reject him. So, he waited.

  ***

  They were called to the office during fifth period about a week after she moved out. Garcia was waiting for them in the principal’s office. Josh’s stomach clenched; this couldn’t be good.

  “What happened?” Bernie asked.

  “Sofia’s dead.” The detective gestured for both of them to sit. “She and Natalia were being held at the youth detention center. Yesterday Sofia didn’t return to her room after the recreation break. They found her body beneath the bleachers in the gym. It looks like her neck was broken.”

  “Oh my God! Did Natalia do it?” Bernie asked.

  Garcia shrugged. “Probably not directly, but I’m sure she got someone to do it for her. We’re questioning all the inmates, and we’ll get to the bottom of it. I just figured you two should hear it from me.”

  Josh appreciated the thought; he would hate for Bernie to have heard it while she was alone at her apartment.

  “Now what?” she whispered. “If Sofia’s dead, will they be able to get Natalia for Gabby’s murder?”

  “I don’t know, Bernie. But I swear to you she won’t get out of jail. You don’t need to be afraid. You’re safe.”

  “I wish I could believe that.”

  ***

  “Hey, Mom. I’m home.” No return greeting was forthcoming. He set the bag of food he’d brought on the counter and picked up the note.

  Out with Mike. Back before ten. Luv u. Mom.

  He wasn’t terribly surprised. They’d been out several times since Bernie had come home from the hospital. He sighed and crumpled the note. Oh, Garcia was okay, he guessed. He just didn’t know if he was ready to face the idea of his mother dating. Should he have a talk with her? What on earth would he say? He put the food in the fridge and ordered a pizza. He texted Bernie to see how her day had been and received a short—curt?—reply. It was fine. He threw his phone on the couch in disgust and went to the refrigerator for a beer. Screw underage drinking laws! Sometimes a guy needed a beer. He hated Bernie not being here. He knew she needed to be independent, but hell! He missed her. He hadn’t seen much of her over the past week since both of them had resumed their work schedules. Senior finals were looming, and all their limited free time was spent studying. She had been standoffish since she moved out, and he was worried maybe that Ben guy had called her again. What if she was dating him already? What if he’d missed his chance with her? He grabbed another beer before he completely freaked out and drove straight to her apartment. Time to make a plan.

  Saturday evening he returned home from work and showered, shaved, and dressed in a new shirt and pair of dress pants before driving to Bernie’s apartment. He parked and wiped his sweaty palms on his slacks. Why was he so nervous? This was Bernie, for God’s sake! Yeah, that’s why it mattered. He spent a few minutes gathering his waning courage, grabbed the white box on the seat next to him, and got out of the truck.

  She answered his knock too quickly. He wasn’t ready and stuttered a weak hello.

  “Josh? I, uh, I wasn’t expecting you. You should have called.” She was wearing yoga pants and a Hello Kitty t-shirt. Josh thought she’d never looked more beautiful.

  “Can I come in?”

  She stood aside and motioned for him to enter. “You look all dressed up. What’s the occasion?” She picked up the cereal bowl from the coffee table and took it to the kitchen.

  He waited until she returned. “This is the occasion.” He handed her the white box tied with a blue ribbon.

  “For me? What is it?” She took the box and pulled the ribbon with trembling fingers. “Josh?” She stared at the five perfect chocolate-dipped strawberries, each with a letter written in white chocolate:

  P-R-O-M-?

  He stepped close and took one of her hands in his. “Bernice Abeyta, would you go to prom with me?” Did his voice sound as raspy as he thought?

  She looked up from the box, her eyes shining. “You want to take me to the prom?”

  “Yeah. I really, really do.”

  “I thought you were sick of me,” she whispered. “You didn’t come over or call and I thought—”

  He was done talking. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her the way he’d wanted to kiss her for months. She sighed and melted against him, her arm curling around his neck as she returned the kiss. He’d thought their first kiss was amazing, but it didn’t even begin to compare with this one. Her lips were heaven as they opened under his, allowing his tongue to slide against hers. He groaned and deepened the kiss, pulling her closer. The damned box of strawberries got in his way, and he paused long enough to gently take it from her hands and set it on the table. “So, will you?” He kissed her again before she could answer.

  “Will I what?” she asked a few moments later.

  He smiled and tilted her face so he could nibble along her jawline. He’d always enjoyed kissing, but this was a whole new level of wonderful. “Go to prom with me.”

  “Yes. I’d love to go to prom with you, Josh.” This time she kissed him. “I can’t believe this is happening. I thought you were tired of me and all my drama.”

  He drew her to sit next to him on the couch he’d helped her pick out at Goodwill. “No, I’m not tired of you. I hope you’re not tired of me, because I’m in love with you, Bernie.”

  She literally gaped at him for a full minute before throwing herself into his arms. It took him a moment to realize she was crying. Should saying “I love you” to a girl make her cry? Crap.

  “Bernie?”

  “I’m sorry, Josh.” She pulled back and wiped her eyes. He was relieved to see she was smiling. “I was sitting here, eating cereal for dinner and feeling sorry for myself. Then you walk in looking great and smelling amazing.” She laughed self-consciously, obviously remembering her drug-induced admission in the hospital. “And you ask me to go to the prom. Then you say you love me. I look like a wreck! I feel like Cinderella.”

  “You look amazing, but I don’t have a glass slipper or anything. Just strawberries, which I crushed. Sorry about that.” He cupped her cheek in his palm and leaned in to kiss her softly.

  She somehow ended up in his lap, and they indulged in the kind of kissing they’d both been craving for months. “I love you too, Josh. I never dreamed you’d love me back.”

  “I couldn’t help it. I was asleep for an entire year. But then I woke up and there you were.”

  She put her face in her hands and sobbed. Again. He’d pictured this evening with fewer tears, but he hugged her close until she calmed down.

  “I’m so sorry. I never cry.”

  He’d beg to differ but figured he should keep his mouth shut.

  “It’s just that I’d given up. I thought you were done with me. I’ve been in love with you for months, Josh.” She mumbled the last sentence against his neck, her tears turning his collar soggy.

  “Don’t give up on me yet, sweetheart.”

  ***

  “You look wonderful.” Claire leaned against his open bedroom door. “Please take lots of pictures.”

  “I will.” He noticed she was dressed up too. “Hot date with Detective Garcia?” He winced as he realized what he’d implied. “Ugh. Please forget I asked.”

  “Already forgotten. How about we make a pact to not ask about the details of our respective love lives?”

  “Absolutely. Except…are you happy, Mom?”

  She pushed off from the doorway and crossed the room to hug him. “I’m getting there. You?”

  He nodded. “I love her.”

  “I know.” She smiled, and it was perhaps bittersweet. “Have fun at prom, son.”

  ***

  She opened the door to his knock, and his knees went weak. “Wow. You look gorgeous.” She was wearing a strapless dress in some sort of shimmery blue-green material with high heels, which made
her legs look amazing. “Oh. My. God.” He took her hand and spun her around.

  “You look pretty spiffy yourself, Mr. Harris. Wow, a tux.”

  “Of course. Only the best for you, Miss Abeyta.” He pulled her close for a lingering kiss. “Have I mentioned how beautiful you look tonight?”

  “You did, but it’s good to hear. Thanks. Did I mention that I love you?”

  “Not yet.” He grinned at her. “It’s good to hear. I should probably mention that I love you too.”

  He took her to dinner at The Rancher’s Club, the kind of place where there were no prices on her menu and the waiter wiped the crumbs from the tablecloth between courses.

  “You know I don’t need expensive dinners like this, right?”

  “I know.” He leaned across the table to kiss her, mainly because he could. “But you wouldn’t let me rent a limo, so I had to bring you here.”

  “Oh, that’s how it works, huh?”

  “Yes. That’s exactly how it works.” They laughed together. He loved laughing with her.

  They took their time with dinner and arrived at the convention center about an hour late. They met Kayleigh and her date in the parking garage.

  “Bernie!” She squealed and hugged Bernie. “You look amazing! Oh, I’m so glad you and Josh are together! You are together, aren’t you?”

  Bernie nodded as Josh put his arm around her. “Yeah, I finally worked up the nerve to ask her out. Hey,” he said as he pulled Kayleigh aside under the guise of giving her a hug. “I can’t help but notice your date is, well, a guy.”

  She chuckled. “Yeah, it’s complicated.”

  “I’ll bet.”

  ***