- You really insisted that I ignored an urgent problem at work just to badmouth my grandmother?
- I urged you to stay because I wanted to explain to you! I wanted you to understand that it is a monster and I need you! I need you to stand by me.
It was admirable that she had done the best he can with his loneliness. But his solitude was a wound that never seemed to stop bleeding. And, honestly, I was tired of doing the healing. I could not spend the rest of my life proving to Laura that she was not alone. She needed to learn it once so we could move on.
- Enough.
- You said you'd hear me now and say "enough"?
- Ia hear if you were to say something important! But I am impatient for your fight with my grandmother, Dom. I'm here for you, as always been since we got together. But I do not know how many ways I can tell you that. And every week, Laura! Every week is a different confusion because of Eleanor!
- And it's my fault?
- Not your fault! But you are two stubborn who can not give. I know you have done so much for this relationship, but honestly, do not need! No need to do anything else! I give everything from now on, okay? I do what you want, how you want. Just do one thing for me! Only a tiny thing: is understood to Eleanor. Or accepted. I do not care. Talk and resolve. But leave me out of it.
Her lower lip trembled and she looked at me full of suffering. My insides turned cream and I wanted to hug her and apologize before she started screaming.
But...
The strangest thing happened and ...
She did not scream.
He just stood in silence watching me. Trying to prevent the lower lip trembled and unsuccessful. She seemed to cry what made it worse and only made me want to hug her more.
But I had to keep me steady. If he wanted to preserve what was left of my family, I needed to impose with Don as I laid me with Eleanor. My grandmother finally seemed to have understood, now, I need to focus my strength on my wife. Make her understand that it was not a competition. I loved her more than anything, but it was important to me.
Was it really so impossible to understand?
***********
I stood there going over the last few days.
His lip was drawn and he kept those beautiful and immense green eyes fixed on me. That was crazy.
I narrowed my eyes and passed his lips.
From the beginning, I did not know exactly how to say it and run out of words was not a feeling that I had the usual experience.
I'm pregnant, Gregory. It has a small creature growing inside my body that is half me and half you. I'm scared as hell and just need you to hold me. Take control because, as they drive him crazy I admit, I lose myself alone. Need you.
It was ... it ... Simple.
That's all I meant.
But I was afraid ... I was afraid of part of the abortion clinic. The disgusting proposal that his grandmother made me. I was afraid that look ... that disbelief. I was afraid would happen exactly that: he would not accept.
Eleanor was his family. He was the favorite grandson, who had been spoiled and idolized. And now I had to compete with that.
You know what happens in situations like this, do not you, Don? You stand alone, girl. That's what happens. That's what always happens.
I took a deep breath and smiles. It was a desperate smile, but I think something in my expression was too revealing.
- Now what was Thoen? - He was nervous - Say it once, woman!
I took a deep breath.
Yeah, Greg ... It's time ...
- Anything. - My voice barely out. I could not cry now. - Go solve your urgent problem. I and my annoying problems will still be here when you return.
I caught her jaw and made the impossible not to cry.
My life had turned into a rollercoaster bizarre and surreal.
You'll have to choose between staying with Mr. Holt or protect your life and your child. It's a horrible choice. But I fear that Miss can only have one of two.
I never wanted to make a choice like that.
I never imagined I would need.
And if needed, I never thought I could.
But there I was.
Holt turned to the still angry door.
- It's all right. - He looked exhausted and defeated. I figured I should have a very different look. - See you in the night.
I said yes with the head.
If you go away, your son lives. If you win or lose does not matter, Dom. Now it's his turn.
Holt watched move away. I could hear my heart pounding and felt the vibrations in my whole body. It was possible that I never saw him again. Never again in my life.
Some irrational despair took hold of my body and I ran to him. I pulled her body to me and kissed him. With force and urgency. Greg returned the affection and I kept my mouth on his as he said:
- Don, do not want to fight. I'm tired of that discussion.
- I know. - I kissed her lips again. I closed my eyes. Memorizing taste and texture.
Never nothing would be the same.
Never.
Anything.
He kissed my cheek slowly and smiled awkwardly before walking to the car.
No matter if I win or lose. This would be a new philosophy of life for me. The absolute opposite of everything I've ever experienced. But Thierry was right. It did not matter anymore. I could lose. My son was the one who needed to have a chance to play.
I bit my lip and felt the tears start to fall.
Congratulations, Eleanor.
I quit.
You won.
***********
Boe answered the phone on the first ring.
- I will do as you said. - I said once before change his mind.
- It's good news, Miss.
- How do we do it?
- I can go to pick up Miss in an hour. You'll have to leave town. I can take you to the airport. Is there someplace where to go?
I had not thought that part.
I had not thought of anything, really. I was just leaving an ethereal autopilot and depressing guide me wherever he went.
- Miss Laura? - I should have been silent for too long - what's the plan?
What was the plan?
That phrase seems to have hit the switch and I woke up. I had to take deep breaths to not give in to panic.
I would need money.
I would need a job.
I could not tell my mother ...
Whom I knew? Who in the world could help me out of this situation? Who would not question? Who just help me?
- I have a place. - I said - I will resolve everything before you arrive. Just let me at the airport.
- It's all right. I see Miss in an hour.
- Boe! - I called before he hung up.
- Yes?
- What will ... What will you say? For her?
- Do not worry, Miss. No one goes after you. I'll make sure of that.
- And ... And Greg?
- Do not say goodbye, Miss Sun did not say goodbye to anyone.. Do not leave a letter, do not send messages, do not connect. Just wait for me!
I exhaled long as he hung up.
My hand shook when I sent the phone to call another number.
- Thoen?
- Stow! - I sighed when my old friend and client met - I am.
- Some problem?
- Yeah. - I wanted to laugh at my incredible disgrace - a very big problem. You know I hate to ask this, but I need a favor.
I could hear him laughing.
- I imagine you hate even! Of course! What do you need?
- It'll be a favor immense, Oliver.
- No problem. I think I owe you one or two favors such, is not it?
- And I need not ask questions and do not talk about it to anyone. You can do it?
- Well ... my bride is here side and heard some things, but it is discreet and also owes one or two huge favors, so you can stay quiet. What happened?
- I'd rather explain in person.
&nbs
p; - Personally?
- Yeah ... You can find me at the airport in a few hours?
- Um ... I, of course. Don, are you okay?
- Not exactly, but I'll explain when you arrive. I'll spend all flight information per message, so solve everything.
- It's all right. I hope.
I know that when Boe said not to lay off anyone me he was not referring to Max. But I have not said goodbye yet. I packed my bags in a silent and tearful frenzy. I had made my decision and would stop it at once.
The car stopped at my door was not the limo Boe always drove, but a common car and I figured it was his car.
Fleeing and without arousing suspicion ... my life would now be so, would not you?
I wiped my tears and put his shoulders back.
It will hurt for a while, Don. But it will pass. You know being alone.
You know very well.
***********
- And then?
I shoved my hands in my pockets. It was funny how I always thought it was a terrible liar. But there, staring at the lady Eleanor, I was sure that lie like never in my life. For the first time, I'd lie for something I really defended and thought was right.
- It's settled, as you wanted.
- She went to the hospital?
- No ... Thirty drops were ... too.
- I understand. And the body? - She did not hesitate. He opened and closed his mouth with indifference, as if it were an animal she was talking about.
- Resolved too.
- Great, Boe! You are great as always! - He smiled, full of evil - And what the story we tell?
Let her shoulders, trying to look relaxed and started to list.
- I packed her bags and got rid of things. I made some phone calls her to her hometown and bought a one-way ticket there. Also I decided things in her seat.
- Perfect! I'll settle things with my bank and Conaughy. Bring the car, Boe. I want to solve it all right now. And then we'll find Gregory. I talk to him today. Tomorrow, I want it all to be passed.
***********
- Sun!
Oliver Stow lifted an arm and I found it.
- Oliver, thank you. - I muttered.
- Why pick you up at the airport? - He laughed - Don, you've done a lot more complicated for me. - I did not smile and he stopped playing - was really serious, is not it?
- I need to stay here a day or two and this is not even the beginning of every favor I need. - warned.
- It's all right. I deal well with complicated and unusual things. - He squeezed my shoulder amicably, making a casual reference to a case in which I worked with his lawyer. Stow worked for one of the biggest porn companies on the planet and was the only customer I've had to get stuck in criminal cases entitled to human trafficking and erotic asphyxiation.
- And I can not explain to you why I'm doing anything.
- It's all right. I deal well with situations that require discretion too. - Flashed a playful eye - Come, let us take you home there. The mansion has a lot of people, there is more discreet.
He took the stand with my bags and pushed him to the parking lot.
There was a voice deep in my consciousness that asked me if I was sure of what I was doing, but the answer was always the same: no, I had not the slightest certainty.
All I could do was remember two indisputable facts: Eleanor wanted to kill me and I had to protect my son.
This simple thought was the only thing that kept me floating ... escaping the madness spiral and despair that awaited me if I started philosophizing about the complexity of my situation.
Oliver asked me to sit down and brought a bottle of wine to the room.
- On here. - He raised the bottle in the air - Whatever the story you will tell, something tells me you'll need this.
- It's not exactly a story. - I accepted the cup that he served - It's a list of favors.
- All right, Thoen! - He smiled, friendly - Make your list.
- I need to go away for a while, Oliver. - Slid his finger along the edge of the cup while trying to organize my thoughts.
- You can stay here as long as you want, Dom.
- No ... I can not stay here. I have to go elsewhere. Leave the country.
Oliver blinked in a mixture of admiration and incredulity.
- You are running away from the police, Thoen?
- No -. This time I had to laugh - I thought we already knew there long enough for you to know that it is the police who runs away from me.
- Truth. - Raised his glass in a toast agreement - Is there any country in mind?
- I speak French well. - I raised one shoulder - and Italian.
- Capital or inside?
I bit my lip.
If I had to move to a small town would die. I have always been urban. Very urban. But maybe a little place was better under the circumstances.
- If you had to hide where to go?
He nodded once, agreeing to give your suggestion.
- I think it depends on my reason. If I just wanted to hide from the world, a small, hidden place in the middle of nowhere would be better. But I'm running away, continuously ... if I had to keep running. Large cities are better.
- Because?
- It's easier to go unnoticed among millions of people than among hundreds. And if you are found and have to go again, a big city offers more options. You sure you're not running from the police? Because if you are and you will use me as an accomplice, I'll want to call my lawyer. - Joked - She's the best.
- I will not be able to represent you, Oliver.
- As well? - He laughed and made me sure he thought I was joking.
- I was fired. - I said - I will not be able to return, so will have to look for another lawyer.
- How long will you go away?
- Do not know. - It was true, but my voice barely came out and he took a deep breath.
- Eleanor Baxter is making you leave the country, Dom? - Understood.
The smile escaped when I exhaled softly.
- I'd rather not confirm nor deny.
- You will need to change name. - She took a sip of her wine - I get new documents for you.
- Do not want to end up stuck, Oliver. Can I use my, no problem.
- No, you can not. You're new at it, girl. Trust me.
- Oh my goodness. - I rubbed his temples - do not want to hear the details of their illegality, Stow.
- And who spoke in illegality? I know a judge who has very peculiar sexual tastes. - Shrugged - He signs a sentence allowing you to change name and we do other documents for you. Officially. All in the most perfect legality. And what country is?
- Do not know. What do you recommend?
He squinted a worried way and I saw his expression change.
- You do not seem to have thought of any of that right, Don.
- It all happened too fast.
- Sure you do not want to think one more time? You can stay here if you want. Or ... Why do not you stay a while with his mother?
- My mom? - I had to laugh. There was a person in the world who would not have a drop of sympathy for me - No, thank you. And I do not even know where she is. We lost touch completely.
- I can find it for you. I know someone who can find anyone.
- Do you know other people, Stow. But no ... I do not think my mother is a good option. And you're right, I did not have time to think about how I will do this, but I decided to do it actually. I just need ... I just need to figure out how.
I did not want to talk about feelings and what I knew of Oliver, he did not.
- Venice! - She exclaimed suddenly.
- Venice?
- IT IS! The city is a real maze. It is the perfect place to hide. I read an interview Eleanor Baxter in a magazine once and apparently she hates Italy. Especially Venice. That is, the kind of place where you will not meet her by accident.
- It looks perfect!
- I know some people there. With a house until you get organized in one place yours. You
will need an escape plan for security ... If you need to go elsewhere. Can be Paris?
- Yes, but ... escape plan?
- It is ... if Venice does not serve you anymore for some reason. I'll get everything ready for you in Paris, too. I give you a phone number and, if you need, just call this guy and he will get a safe place in Paris until you get organized again. All right?
- All. Oliver ... - deep breath - Thank you.
-. You're welcome, Dom Interestingly save your skin for a change. - Joked and I smiled.
- Oliver ... another thing.
- What's it?
This part would hurt.
- I need a job.
- Want a legal office in Venice?
- No! I do not think it would be a good idea. And ... - that part was going to hurt a lot - would not be able to use my degree.
- Oh, of course ... - he scratched his head - We have a branch office there, Dom But ... would not be a great job.. And the salary is not even close to what you are used to receiving.
- No problem. - Swallow dry - Thank you, Oliver.
- I make calls in the morning. I think you'll have to stay here during the week ... to organize your documents.
- It's all right. I do not know how to thank you.
- Hey! If I get myself in trouble with the police again, I send you my process and advises you my new lawyer?
- Certainly.
- So it's all right!
***********
I loved Laura so much that our relationship worked in a way that even fight was good. I had the prospect of making peace with a lovely sex furious, of course ... But it was not only that: I'd rather fight with her than having a normal conversation with anyone else. Even our discussions were tasty.
Not all the discussions, however.
It was legal fight when we disagreed about which band played some music. Or to choose the movie. Because I forgot to do the dishes or because she promised it would behave in a particular event.
But these real fights were horrible.
I hated the idea that she would be sad or hurt. I hated even more the idea that she could be so my fault.
I canceled the last appointment of the day and ran home. I wanted her to be lacking as the day before. To ask for me to hold her and kiss her. Forget this stupid discussion and follow our lives. Planned to ask her to marry in two weeks, it was better start putting this plan back on track.
My Life in the End Page 8