“Oh my God.” Marie covered her mouth. “Ash, you’re standing!”
“Yup,” Ash said. “I don’t know what happened when I fell, but I can stand.” He willed his legs to move and he put one foot in front of the other, taking his first step as he held onto the rail. The tears rolled down his face as he took another, and another.
“I’ve got to run some tests,” Dr. Summers said. “We need to see what changed when you fell.”
Ash stared up the ceiling from a bed some time later, waiting for the results of the X-ray. He’d tried to call Michael, but his cellphone was switched off. He must still be in court. I’ll reach him soon enough. I can’t wait to tell him about this.
Dr. Summers entered the room and put the X-ray picture onto a light. “It would seem that there’s been pressure on your spinal cord this whole time, preventing you from walking. Then you fell, and dislodged this bone fragment here that we missed before.”
“Will I need more surgery?”
“Probably not. As long as the fragment stays where it is now, it’s going to be more risk to remove it than to leave it where it is. It looks like it’s lodged itself here, so we should be good.” Dr. Summers shook his head. “Ash, you are a lucky man. This is something that I’ve never seen in all my years practicing medicine. Now, don’t get me wrong. Your spinal cord was still damaged. Your legs will never be strong, and you will most likely need a cane, but you’re going to walk, Ash.”
“I can’t believe it,” Ash said. “I can barely see the fragment. How can something so tiny cause so much misery?” He shook his head, moving his legs as well to check they were still functional. “It’s so weird. I can’t get used to moving them again.”
“Well, be careful. These are still early days. You have to strengthen your legs and undergo more therapy.”
Ash’s phone rang and he answered it. “Michael?” He heard Michael’s sharp intake of breath. “Michael, are you crying?”
“The hearing was a witch-hunt,” Michael sobbed. “They’ve extended it into a second day so that Michelle can twist the knife.”
“I’m sorry. Michael, I know this isn’t a great time, but I have some news.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, Michael. Everything’s better than okay. I had a fall, and then... I stood up. I walked. Seems there was a bone fragment sitting on my spinal cord this whole time, applying pressure. When I fell it moved.”
“Oh my God,” Michael said. “Ash, I’m so sorry, I’ve been wrapped up in all this stuff with Taryn...”
“As you should be. Getting Taryn back should be your first priority.”
“I want to come and get you, but I’ve been drinking. Can you get the nurse to bring you home?”
“Yeah, I can do that. You just sit tight. I’ll be home soon.” He hung up and sighed.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Can I bother your wife to take me home?”
“Not a problem,” Marie said, popping her head into the room. She walked in, carrying crutches. “Now, you’re going to need the wheelchair for a while longer, but I’m giving you these so you can practice walking when you can.”
Ash took the crutches and tentatively put his weight on his legs. They held him, and he took a cautious step forward. “I’m going to walk out of here.”
“You shouldn’t push it,” Marie said. “Not that I blame you.”
“Come on.” Ash headed out into the corridor. Marie grabbed her things and followed.
“If you don’t mind, can we make a stop on the way? I have some business I need to take care of...”
Marie smiled. “Not a problem. Just show me the way.”
Chapter Thirty
Sweet Little Lie
Marie pulled her car up in front of Michelle’s trailer and stopped, the gravel crunching underneath the car tires. Ash looked out of the window at the dilapidated trailer with trepidation.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Marie asked. “You could get arrested.”
“The justice system won’t help us. I have to at least try.” Ash said, opening the car door. He grabbed his crutches, sliding them out over the back seat. He stood up and slowly made his way to the trailer door, knocking three times.
The door opened tentatively, then all the way. Taryn stood there, smiling.
“Mr. Ash!” Taryn smiled. “How are you?”
“I’m doing well. Is your mom here?”
“Yeah. I’ll go get her.” Taryn rushed away, and Ash could hear her run across the trailer, dragging her mom back to the door.
“What do you want?” Michelle’s look was cold. “Taryn, go to your room, would you?”
“Yes, mom,” Taryn said dejectedly, heading into her room and closing the door.
“What the hell is your game, showing up here?”
“We need to talk. You can’t keep doing this to Michael and Taryn. It’s not fair.”
“You want to talk about fair?” Michelle brushed her thinning hair from her face and Ash was shocked by how gaunt she looked. “It’s not fair to swoop in on somebody else’s husband, but you did just that, so don’t complain to me that life’s not fair!” She went to slam the door, but Ash stuck one of his crutches in the door so it wouldn’t close.
“I just want to talk to you. Give me ten minutes of your time. That’s all I’m asking.”
“Will you leave if I do?”
“Yeah. I’ll go away and not say another word.”
“Then you’d better come in,” Michelle said. Ash carefully climbed the steps into the trailer and made his way through the small kitchen to the sofa, where he sat down carefully. Pain shot through his back, but he kept a straight face, unwilling to show his weakness in front of Michelle.
“You’re torturing Michael. I know he hurt you, but you can’t use Taryn as a weapon like this! She wants to see her father. Michael wants to see her. All we’re asking is for the weekends. Hell, Michael would probably go for every other weekend. All he wants is to spend some time with Taryn. You came together to create her, can’t you agree on this at least?”
Michelle laughed. “You’ve got some balls. You’re just desperate because you’re losing the trial.”
“Yeah, you’re right, I am desperate,” Ash said. “I’ve watched Michael fall into despair thinking he’ll never see Taryn again. I hate watching this happen to him and feeling powerless to do anything about it. You loved him once. Michelle, can’t we just put this behind us and put Michael and Taryn’s best interests at heart?”
“I am putting Taryn’s best interests at heart. I’m not letting her be exposed to a couple of perverts like you.”
“Oh, give it a rest. You don't believe that we would expose Taryn to adult material, because nobody in their right mind would ever do that! So just admit already that you’re keeping Taryn away from us to hurt Michael.”
The bedroom door opened and Taryn wandered out. “Mommy, why are you and Ash yelling?”
“Taryn, we’re just talking, okay?” Ash said. “Don’t worry about it.”
Taryn ran up to Ash and hugged his leg. Ash leaned forward and hugged her.
“Is it true you’re living with Daddy?” Taryn asked.
“Yeah, it is. Don’t worry, I’m taking good care of him. He misses you, you know.” Ash ruffled her hair.
“Taryn! Go to your room!” Michelle yelled. “Now!” Taryn rushed away, slamming the door behind her.
“You get out as well,” Michelle said. “I’ve heard enough of your crap. Go on, leave!”
“What’s the hurry? Scared someone’s going to come home?” He looked out of the window and saw the truck that had just pulled up, a rugged looking man in dirty work clothes stepping out of it. “I get it now. You have a boyfriend. I guess it would be convenient for you to get custody and teach Taryn to call him ‘Dad’, wouldn’t it? You could forget Michael ever existed.”
“That’s none of your fucking business. Now get out before I call the cops!”
> “I’m right, aren’t I?”
The trailer door opened and the rugged man stepped in, smelling like fresh sweat and beer. He saw Ash and gave him a suspicious look.
“Michelle, who the fuck is this?”
“This is my ex-husband’s boyfriend,” Michelle said. “He’s just leaving.”
“Get out of my house, you fucking fag,” the man said. Ash grabbed his crutches and stood up shakily, ignoring the comment.
“This isn’t over. Michael and I are going to see Taryn, whether you like it or not.” Ash hobbled to the door, returning the burly man‘s dirty look on the way past and stepped outside, where Marie was waiting.
“Ash, what happened?” Marie asked as Ash climbed into the car. “I saw that guy go in there and I thought there was going to be trouble.”
“Me too. Let’s get out of here.” Marie stepped on the gas. They raced out of the trailer park and onto the road.
“That was Michelle’s new boyfriend,” Ash said. “She wants to settle down with him, I can see it now. She wants Taryn to forget about her father and accept him as a substitute.”
“What are you going to tell Michael?”
“I don’t know,” Ash sighed and buried his head in his hands. “I thought I could help, but it’s hopeless. I couldn’t do a damn thing.”
“You found out about her boyfriend,” Marie said. “Maybe you can use it against her somehow.”
“I don’t see how. She’s getting a divorce and moving on. There’s not a lot that’s unusual about that.”
They reached Tower Heights and Marie unloaded Ash’s wheelchair. Ash wheeled the empty wheelchair into the elevator, leaning on it and resting his crutches in the seat.
“Thanks for everything, Marie.”
“Sorry it didn’t turn out as you wanted.”
“One out of two isn’t bad,” Ash said. “I can walk. I wish I could trade it for Michael’s daughter, but that’s not how the world works.”
“I hope things work out somehow. See you at your session next week, okay? Take it easy on those legs.”
The elevator door opened and Ash hobbled in. The doors closed and the elevator rose to his floor. He let out a long sigh as he slowly walked down the hallway with the aid of the crutches. I tried, Michael, I really did. I don’t know what else I could have done.
He unlocked the door to the apartment and walked in. He limped across the room to where Michael was sleeping on the sofa. Beer bottles lay strewn on the floor, the last of their contents leaking out onto the carpet. Ash awkwardly navigated past them until he was leaning over Michael. Leaning heavily on his crutches, he carefully lowered himself and kissed Michael.
Michael stirred and looked up at Ash with drunken eyes. “You’re late. Show’s over. All that’s left is the execution.”
“No,” Ash said. Michael moved his legs and Ash sat down next to him, glad to get off his crutches. “We’re not going to give up. We’re going to find a way out of this.”
“Nah, it’s not gonna happen. You weren’t there. You didn’t see the faces of the crowd.” He closed his eyes. “I’ve lost her, Ash.”
“I went to see Michelle,” Ash confessed. “I had to talk to her. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“What?” Michael said, fighting back against his drunken, tired eyes. “Ash, she could use it against us. If you threatened her--”
“I didn’t threaten her. I just wanted to see if she could be reached.”
“How did that go?”
“Not well. She’s sticking to her guns. But I did learn something interesting. She has a boyfriend. Some asshole hick who called me a fag.”
Michael laughed. Ash shook his head. “Michael, that’s not funny.”
“No, no, you don’t understand why I’m laughing. Ash, I need to get sober, now. Can you make me some coffee?” He shook his head. “What am I saying? I’m sorry. I’ll make coffee.”
“I can do it now,” Ash said, standing up on his crutches and making his way to the kitchen.
“Wow,” Michael watched Ash walking on his crutches for the first time. “I’m sorry, Ash. This is such a great day for you, and all I’ve done is complain.” He pulled himself to his feet and staggered into the kitchen to stand behind Ash. “It’s so amazing, seeing you standing like this.” He slipped his arms around Ash’s waist and kissed his neck.
“Easy, tiger. I’m not very balanced yet.”
“Sorry. I just can’t believe it. After all those months in the chair--”
“You thought I would never walk again. I was beginning to think the same thing.”
“Well, you did it. Miracles are possible. I think we might have just one more up our sleeve.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think Michelle lied to the court,”
“For real?” Ash’s eyes were wide. “How?”
“She’s been claiming I left her in financial hardship, that she’s so broke she’s relying on food stamps and charity handouts. That she can barely afford to feed Taryn. But if she’s got a boyfriend living there--”
“--then she should have taken his income into account.” Ash finished. “Michael, this is huge. If she lied under oath, we could get her for perjury. Put her away in jail, or make her drop her case.”
“I just want Michelle to stop fighting me. I don’t want to keep her from Taryn. She doesn’t deserve jail time. She was right about most things being my fault. I hurt her, emotionally and physically. I cheated on her. All I want is to see Taryn on the weekends. Nothing else.”
“We need to call the lawyer first thing in the morning. Now I understand why she was trying to hustle me out of there so urgently. She didn’t want me to see him because she realized I might catch her out.”
“You know what, forget the coffee,” Michael said. “I just want to be close to you right now. Show me how flexible those legs are...” He laughed as he led Ash to the bedroom, a happy drunken haze settling over him as Ash dropped the crutches and Michael eased him down onto the bed. As Michael leaned over him, Ash could see the hope and love behind the drunken gaze, and Ash pulled him into a deep kiss as Michael’s hands roamed under his shirt. I only hope you’re right about Michelle, Ash thought, his fears rising, because if we can’t pull this off, we’re going to lose Taryn, and perhaps that will be the beginning of the end for us as well.
His fears were pushed aside as Michael kissed his neck and thrust his hips into him. He could feel Michael’s need and drew in a sharp breath as his tension turned to desire. He thrust back, grateful to have the use of his legs again. He rolled on top of Michael, pinning him down with a deep kiss.
“Easy,” Michael whispered breathlessly. “You don't have all your strength back yet.”
“I know. It’s just nice to be able to do this, you know?” Michael rolled him over onto his back, stripping his jeans off and tossing them onto the floor.
“Course it is, but I don’t want you to get hurt again.” Ash was warmed by the concern in Michael’s eyes and drew him down for another kiss which turned into a gasp as Michael’s hand touched his shaft.
“Oh fuck. Please. Don’t tease me, Michael.”
“Say the magic word and I’ll give you what you want,” Michael said, a wicked glint lighting up his eyes.
“Please, Michael,” Ash begged. “Please fuck me.”
“That’s better,” Michael whispered, and Ash felt conscious thought disappear as Michael granted his request.
Chapter Thirty-One
Resolution
Michael dialed his lawyer’s number, nervously twiddling a cigarette in his fingers and sitting on the edge of the sofa. Ash sat beside him, his hand on Michael’s leg, offering support with a gentle squeeze.
“Yes,” Michael said. “Um, I need to speak to... Ok, I’ll hold.”
Jaunty hold music played as Michael reached for his lighter and lit the cigarette. He inhaled deeply and sighed as Ash’s hand ran up his back reassuringly. He closed his eyes and relaxed into the to
uch before his lawyer’s voice awoke him to reality again.
“Mr. Williams. What can I do for you?”
“Yeah, about the trial...”
“I know we didn’t have a good day yesterday. I’m hoping to go on the defense today.”
“It’s not about that. I think Michelle lied under oath.” Michael said. Ash sat still, listening to every word that echoed from Michael’s phone into the silent room.
“Lied? How so?”
“She claimed financial hardship. She said she could barely afford to feed Taryn. Yet Ash has discovered she has a boyfriend living with her.”
“Is that so?” The lawyer asked. “You’re sure he’s actually living there?” Ash nodded.
“Yeah. Pretty damn sure at least.”
“We need to get Michelle and her lawyers together and discuss this. Get to the courtroom early. I’m going to call her lawyers and let them know their client lied, so they can fill her in on the legal ramifications without it looking like blackmail. This whole thing could be over. If she has indeed told a lie and we call her on it, she’ll have no choice but to back down or face perjury charges.”
“That’s what we’re hoping. Okay, we’ll meet you there ASAP.” He hung up and sighed happily. “He thinks it could be over.”
Ash smiled. “Nervous?”
“It’s not every day you blackmail your ex-wife,” Michael paced, smoking the cigarette down to the filter. “What if she doesn’t bite? She could force us to prove it, by which time she could have that man out of the trailer.”
“She’ll bite. Something tells me he’s not the kind of man who will move out without a fight, and he’s not someone you want to pick a fight with.”
Michael shook his head. “What has she gotten herself into? Why would she hook up with a guy like that?”
“He pays the bills, and probably makes her feel safe at night. He’s rugged, stereotypically masculine and homophobic, a stark opposite to you.”
“So what you’re saying is, he won’t leave her for another man.”
“Well, that remains to be seen, I’ve always said those kind of guys are overcompensating, but I’m sure Michelle feels that way. Hey, don’t look so down. I’m not picking on you.”
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