Ava's Wishes

by Karen Pokras

The nurse rubbed Ava’s shoulder as she tried to soothe her back into a lying position. “No, sweetie. His name isn’t Thomas. It’s Max. Everything is okay now. You’re safe here.”

  “Max is here?” Ava asked.

  “Yes, don’t you remember? He was with you when the ambulance brought you in.”

  Ava put her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes. Why was Max here? The last thing she remembered was Thomas on top of her, trying to push up her dress. She was yelling no. Well, her brain was yelling no. Did the words actually make it out of her mouth? She’d only had a small amount of the champagne Thomas offered. Why had she felt so drunk last night? Not even drunk, really, she had felt drugged. Did Thomas drug her? She opened her eyes. She didn’t want to remember what happened next. There was a reason her brain pushed that memory to the back of her mind, and she wasn’t ready to go there yet, although she was curious to know how it was that Max wound up at the hospital with her.

  “She’s awake?” the male voice asked.

  “Yes,” replied the nurse. “You can go in. The doctor should be in soon as well.”

  Max pulled a chair close to Ava’s bed and sat down.

  “Hi there,” he said, “Good to see you awake finally.”

  “Thanks,” Ava responded.

  “How are you?” Max asked, cautiously taking Ava’s hand in his.

  “I feel like a truck hit me,” Ava responded. She looked down at Max’s hand and noticed it was swollen and bruised. “What happened to you? You look like you attacked the truck that hit me.”

  Max laughed. “Well, I kind of did, actually. Don’t you remember?”

  “Not really,” Ava remarked.

  Another memory flashed through Ava’s mind. It was not so much a vision as it was a sound … the sound of two people scuffling. Were they throwing punches? Is that what Max meant?

  “Hello there, Miss Haines, I’m Dr. Boyd,” said an older man in a white lab coat as he entered her room.

  “Call me Ava.”

  “Certainly, Ava.” He nodded at Max. “Mr. Wallis, nice to see you again. Ava, I have some of your test results here. I’d like to go over them with you. Is Mr. Wallis a family member?”

  “No,” Ava replied, “but he can stay. It’s okay.”

  “All right, as long as you consent.” Dr. Boyd flipped open Ava’s chart. “We ran a variety of tests on you when you were brought in. We were able to confirm Mr. Wallis’ belief that no penetration took place.”

  Ava looked at Dr. Boyd and blinked several times.

  “I wasn’t raped?” she asked in relief.

  “No,” Dr. Boyd confirmed. “Do you remember the attack?”

  “Not all of it. Not that part of it. I mean, I wasn’t sure.” Max smiled at Ava and wiped away the single tear that slid down her cheek.

  “The other good news is that there were no signs of any drugs in your blood stream. However, your blood alcohol level was .25 … that’s extremely high. Dangerously high, actually. Especially for someone of your size.”

  “But I only had two sips of champagne. That’s it,” Ava stated. “I didn’t even want to have it. Thomas kept insisting. He said we needed to celebrate and that this champagne was some fancy stuff from his own private stash. I swear I didn’t have anything else to drink. I never drink when I’m working.”

  Dr. Boyd took off his glasses and sat down in a chair next to Max. “Ava, did Thomas also drink the champagne?”

  “Yes,” Ava replied. “He had more than I did. He had the entire glass. I only had about half.”

  “Did you see him pour your drink and his drink from the same bottle?” Dr. Boyd asked.

  “No,” Ava replied. “He came into Cynthia’s office holding two glasses that already had champagne in them. He offered one to me, and he drank from the other.”

  “And what happened after you took the first sip?” Dr. Boyd asked.

  Ava thought for a moment. The events of last night were still so muddled in her brain.

  “Nothing at first. The first sip I took was so tiny. I didn’t want any to begin with. I was trying to get some paperwork done for Cynthia, but he had kept insisting. I only took a sip hoping it would make him happy so he would leave. But then he kept going on and on about how fancy the champagne was. He was kind of making me feel bad that I wasn’t drinking it … like it was so special of him to offer it to me, and I was just wasting it. So I took another sip, a bigger sip.”

  “Then what happened?” Dr. Boyd asked.

  “Then I started feeling funny,” Ava said.

  “How so?”

  “I don’t know … sort of drunk, but not really. I felt different. The walls were moving like waves, and my head got really heavy. I remember I felt like my neck was an elastic band or something. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t hold my head up. I couldn’t really speak either. My brain would form words, but my mouth wasn’t working to get the words out. After that my memory is a little fuzzy to tell you the truth.”

  Dr. Boyd patted my hand. “How are you feeling now?”

  “Better, especially since the nurse gave me something for my headache. Will I be going home today?”

  “I don’t see why not. You have an appointment with a counselor this morning. After that, I know the police will want a statement, and then we’ll sign your release papers.”

  “Police?” Ava asked.

  “Just tell them the truth, there’s nothing to worry about.”

  “Dr. Boyd,” Max started, “if Ava only had two sips of champagne, why was her blood alcohol level so high?”

  “There are lots of reasons why one person may metabolize alcohol slower or faster than another—factors such as size, whether or not they had anything to eat, medical conditions, and the like. However, to see such an extreme level after only two sips, honestly it doesn’t make sense to me. Is it possible this Thomas fellow put something in her drink that acted as a catalyst to boost the effects of the alcohol … something he knew wouldn’t show up in her blood if she were to be tested? I suppose. The problem is, I can’t prove it one way or another without the numbers to back me up.”

  “There’s something else,” Ava said. At the time it seemed odd, but now it was starting to make sense.

  “What is it?” asked Dr. Boyd.

  “We went out for dinner last weekend. I had three drinks. Normally, I’d be fine, but I got drunk. Really drunk.”

  “Did you leave the table at any time that night?” Max asked.

  Ava thought for a moment. “Yes, actually, right after the third drink arrived, I got a text from my younger sister, Tessa. Teen drama, you know. I excused myself to answer her. I was only gone for a few minutes. I felt fine at that point. It wasn’t until I had that third drink that I started feeling weird. Do you think … It just doesn’t make sense. He was such a gentlemen that night.”

  “Again, without labs, I really can’t say,” Dr. Boyd remarked. “But be sure and tell all of that to the police.”

  Ava nodded.

  Dr. Boyd made a few more notes in Ava’s chart and then said, “You take care of yourself. Be sure to follow up with your regular doctor as well as the counselor in the next week or so, okay? Mr. Wallis, thank you for bringing her in.” And with that, Dr. Boyd closed up the chart and walked out of the room.

  Chapter 25

  “You don’t have to do this, you know.”

  Max arranged the flowers Cynthia had sent over in the vase while Ava rested on her couch. Once Dr. Boyd had signed all of the papers releasing her from the hospital, Max gave her a ride back to her apartment. He grabbed the pillow and blanket off her bed, made sure she was comfortable on her sofa, brought her the sandwich he picked up at the deli on the way home, and proceeded to busy himself around her tiny apartment, which included taking on the task of arranging the enormous bouquet of flowers that were waiting at Ava’s doorstep from Cynthia. She was relieved she had left her apartment in a somewhat decent state. Well, decent may be an exaggeration, but at least there
were no dirty panties or bras strewn across the floor. Her mother would be semi-proud.

  She desperately wanted to call Holly, but at the same time was hesitant. For starters, she didn’t want Holly to overreact—something that surely would happen. Should she call Tessa instead? No, Tessa was only in high school; it wasn’t fair to dump something like this on her. It had to be Holly … privately. With Max mulling about, even the bathroom afforded little privacy in Ava’s minuscule apartment. Even so, she didn’t want to ask Max to leave, not after everything he had done for her. Not yet. The truth was, she was afraid to be alone.

  “I know I don’t have to,” Max responded. “How does this look?”

  Ava smiled. Either he sensed she didn’t want to be alone, or he wanted to be here with her. Any of those scenarios were okay with her as long as he stayed, although she kind of preferred option two.

  “It looks great. Thank you. For everything.” Ava felt tears coming to her eyes. She wanted to say so much more to Max, but it was so hard for her to talk about last night again. When she had met with the counselor earlier, all of the remaining memories flooded her brain, including the one where Max came in and pulled Thomas off of her.

  Max sat on the edge of the couch by Ava’s legs. “I know, Ava. It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything. I’ve been a real jerk to you. You don’t owe me a thank you. If anything, I owe you an apology.”

  Instantly, Ava felt the tears flowing freely down her face. She was unsure exactly why she was crying. Was it because of last night? Was it because Max admitted he had been a jerk and wanted to apologize? Was it because she was happy he was sitting here with her now, looking at her the way he was? Just how was he looking at her … was she mistaking pity for tenderness?

  Ava suddenly recalled the hostility she felt when she received the letter from Max the day after their date. “You should probably check in with Megan. I’m sure she’s wondering where you’ve been all day.”

  Max sighed. “We’re not a couple, Ava. She was just my tutor.”

  “Same way you were just mine?”

  “I guess I asked for that.”

  “Yes. You brought her to the exhibit. She looked like a date to me.”

  “Maybe, but we weren’t dating. That was the first time we went out. I had mentioned I was going, and she asked if she could come along. I don’t know why, though. She seemed completely bored by the entire thing once we got there.”

  Ava laughed. “She really did look miserable. Although, I suppose she liked you enough to give it a try.”

  Max shrugged. “The feeling wasn’t mutual. She was a good tutor, but that’s all.”

  “You were a good tutor, too, Max,” Ava said, looking away.

  “I know, and I’m sorry. I just … I couldn’t … I—”

  Ava’s phone buzzed before Max could finish. Max picked it up and handed it to Ava. “It’s a text from Cynthia,” he said, reading the caller ID on the front. “I forgot to tell you that she called while you were with the counselor this morning.”

  Ava took the phone; it was obvious Max wanted to change the subject. She desperately wanted to know what he was going to say, but had been waiting to talk to Cynthia as well. She knew Cynthia would have news about Thomas. She made a mental note to come back to the conversation with Max as soon as she had a chance.

  “She did? What did she say?” Ava asked.

  “The police came to see her after they talked to you. Apparently, after they arrested Thomas, he gave Cynthia’s name as a character witness. She refused to speak on his behalf, and stuck up for you instead. Anyway, she wanted to let you know that she pulled Thomas’ exhibit. You don’t need to stay in town all week now.”

  Ava nodded. “So they have him in custody,” she stated.

  “Yes. Cynthia says the story has made national news since he’s so high profile … although your name has been left out. Anyway, several other women have already come forward. It seems he’s made a habit out giving unsuspecting women laced champagne. They all have similar stories. She says they’ll probably deport him.”

  Ava sighed in relief. “That’s good news.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I wasn’t sure you were up for a chat about him.”

  Ava looked down at the text from Cynthia:

  “Never trust a man who is more impressed with himself than anyone else ... Now Max, there’s a man you can trust. Hope you are feeling better xoxo -Cynthia.”

  “What does she say?” Max asked.

  “She just hopes I feel better,” Ava replied.

  Chapter 26

  “Ava! Ava! Let me in!”

  The pounding on the door was an unwelcome reminder to Ava that her headache was not quite gone. Ugh! Ava looked at Max and threw her head back down on the pillow.

  “It’s all right. You can let her in,” Ava said reluctantly. “She’s not going to go away until you do.” Propping herself up, she prepared for the drama.

  Carly shoved the door open the moment Max released the latch—not even waiting for him to open it for her—and rushed to Ava’s side. “Oh my God! Are you okay? What happened?” she shrieked.

  “Carly, I’m fine,” Ava said, trying to bring the volume of the conversation down to a more manageable level. Carly looked like she was on the verge of hysterics, and Ava really didn’t have the patience for that at the moment … not that there was ever a good time for Carly’s hysterics. “Shouldn’t you be on a bus heading home for the holidays right now? What are you doing here?” she calmly asked.

  “I couldn’t leave without making sure you were okay. I saw it as I was getting ready to leave. It’s all over the news, Ava. I just had to change my ticket. I didn’t want to leave you all alone until I knew you were good …” She looked up, noticing Max for the first time since she’d walked in to the apartment. “But I see you’re not. Alone that is. Ava, what’s going on?”

  “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on, Carly. What exactly did you see on the news? Cynthia told me my name wasn’t mentioned.”

  “It wasn’t,” Carly stated, still looking at Max with a confused look. She shook her head slightly and brought her eyes back down to Ava. “All the news said was that the photographer of the Images in Flight exhibit, Thomas Malloy, sexually assaulted Cynthia Simms’ assistant at the gallery’s opening last night. That’s you, right?”

  “Yes,” Ava agreed, “except it was only an attempted sexual assault thanks to Max here. Other than Thomas drugging me, I’m relatively fine. Max rescued me before any real damage was done … well, to me at least. Thomas wasn’t so lucky.” Ava pointed to Max’s bruised and swollen hand.

  “I hope you hit him where it counts,” Carly stated.

  “I didn’t really have time to think about it,” Max answered. “I was mostly concerned about getting him off of Ava. But I did hear a pretty good crack when my fist made contact with his jaw.” Max smiled.

  “Not exactly the body part I was thinking of, but that works, too,” Carly remarked. “So you sure you’re okay?” she asked, turning her attention back to Ava.

  “Yeah,” Ava replied. “I’m a bit shaken up, but the doc at the hospital gave me some good drugs to help me relax. My happy pills.” Ava picked up the prescription bottle and pretended to gulp their entire contents, causing Max to scoop the canister out of her hands.

  “I think I’ll be in charge of these for the time being,” Max said, putting them in his pocket.

  “So, Max, you’re going to stay here for a while?” Carly asked, looking more at Ava than at Max.

  “If Ava wants me to,” Max replied. “I had planned on staying this week anyway.”

  “Is that what you want, Ava?” Carly asked. “Because I can change my schedule, it’s no big deal. Or I can call Holly for you. You have options. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

  Ava looked from Carly to Max and back to Carly. “It’s fine if Max stays, Carly. I know you’re anxious to get home, and I’ll probably head home soon mysel
f. Cynthia closed down the exhibit, so I no longer have to stay the week. I can join my family at any time. I just need to rest for a bit before I start packing.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure,” Carly repeated. “So … does this mean you two are—”

  “Carly!” Ava snapped. “Don’t you have a bus to catch?”

  “All right. All right. I’m just trying to keep up with you, Av, that’s all. I’ve lost track.”

  “Carly, I’m warning you,” Ava declared.

  “Got it. I’m done. Anyway, there’s a bus in an hour, so I need to run, but text me if you need anything … even if you just want to chat, okay? Or, you know, update me.” She motioned her head toward Max, and Ava rolled her eyes while shaking her head. “I mean it, Ava. You take care of yourself. Love you. I’ll see you in a month.” Carly gave Ava a big hug before walking up to Max. “Don’t do anything stupid,” she whispered to him before walking out the door.

  “She’s a charming one,” Max noted, as Carly closed the door behind her.

  Ava put her head back down on her pillow. “Do you think I can take one of those pills now?” she asked, laughing.

  Chapter 27

  “No! No!” Ava thrashed about restlessly, gasping for air as she woke up to find herself in Max’s arms.

  “It’s okay, it was just a dream. You’re safe.” Max gently stroked Ava’s hair as she tried to calm her breathing. “You’re safe,” Max repeated. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” He lightly kissed the top of her head, and she relaxed her body into his, grateful to feel his arms wrapped around her.

  “It wasn’t all a dream, was it?” she asked tearfully. “He really did attack me. He really did almost—”

  “Shh …” Max murmured, slowly rocking Ava. “He can’t hurt you anymore. Not now, and not ever.

  Ava slowly pulled away. “Max,” a single tear escaped her left eye, traveled carefully down her cheek, and landed perfectly still on her top lip, “I never really had a chance to thank you. I mean, you’ve done so much. I don’t know what—”