“Do you need me to come home?” Adam was ready to jump on the next flight home so he could be there with her.
“No, I’ll be fine. Just hearing your voice makes me feel a little better already.” Amy said sweetly. “What’s new with you?”
“You are not going to believe it Amy.” Adam was excited to share with her the news he had been keeping to himself all week. “I’ve received four offers and I wanted to discuss it with you before I made my final decision to officially join the NHL.”
“Wow, Adam,” Amy’s voice cheered up. “Who are the offers from?”
“Chicago, New York, Toronto and Detroit,” Adam listed them off to Amy. “So what do you think?”
“What do you think is best?” Amy asked. “I know you’ll make the right decision.”
“I was leaning towards Detroit. It’s a four year contract.” Adam told Amy. “How does that sound, babe?”
“Sounds good to me,” Amy answered. “In fact I was hoping you’d say that.”
“This way we don’t have to uproot and leave our families. I wouldn’t want you to be alone in a strange town when I’m on the road.” Adam caught his hat that blew off in the wind. “I figured it can’t hurt having Joey and Bob on the team either. I’ll have family with me when I’m away.”
“You’re always thinking.” Amy yawned. “I’m sorry, I am exhausted.”
“Well, I’ll let you get some rest.” Adam looked up as he felt wet sleet pelting down on his face. “I hope you feel better babe. Call me if you need anything. I mean it.”
“Don’t worry,” said Amy. “I’m sure after a good night sleep, I’ll feel better. Good night Adam.”
“Good night.” Adam beat her to her farewell line. “Sweet dreams babe.”
***
“Would you look how beautiful my little girl is,” Mrs. Makowski said as Amy came out of the dressing room. “I think this dress was made for you.”
“It’s breathtaking,” Janet and Angie both agreed.
Amy stared at herself in the mirrors that surrounded her. She had never felt so elegant in all her life. All she could think of was the expression on Adam’s face when he’d see her in this wedding dress for the first time. She pirouetted on one foot watching the gown swish as it followed the movement of her body exquisitely.
“This is it,” Amy was positive of her choice.
“I second the notion,” said Janet as she unhooked the train and laid it out behind her.
Mrs. LaPointe, Laurel, and Michelle all nodded their heads, speechless as they watched Amy walk forward with the train trailing behind her.
“It’s perfect,” Angie smiled at Amy wishfully. “I simply love it.”
“Then it’s unanimous,” Amy was elated with her decision. “Now I get to have fun watching you all pick out your dresses!!”
By the time they left Connie’s Bridal Boutique it was nearly six o’clock. All the dresses had been chosen and alterations were scheduled individually for the following week. Janet’s dress was red and all the others where pink to coordinate with the Valentine’s Day scheme of things. The flowers had been ordered in the same red, pink and white combination. Amy decided to treat all the ladies to dinner at the Riveria Restaurant which was just a short distance down the street. The group of woman spent a couple hours enjoying their meal and discussing all the wedding plans she and Adam had already arranged.
“It so exciting,” Angie exclaimed. “What a lovely bride you will make.”
“It was a fun afternoon,” said Mrs. LaPointe as she rose slipping her jacket on to leave.
“Thanks for dinner, “Michelle and Laurel said as they took their mother’s cue. “We’ll see you soon.”
“Thanks for coming.” Amy realized how lucky she was that Adam had such a wonderful family.
“I’m going to take off too,” Mrs. Makowski smiled at the girls. “What a nice day we all had.”
“Bye mom,” Amy stood up and gave her a hug and kiss.
“Bye Mrs. Makowski,” both Angie and Janet waved then watched her walk out the door.
“Girls’ night out!!” Janet danced in her seat. “What happens at Doogles stays at Doogles!!”
“Sounds good to me,” Angie nodded her head in agreement. “Joey is out of town at a hockey camp this weekend.”
“Considering this may be the last time we get to hang out together before the wedding,” Amy pondered out loud. “I guess I can’t refuse!”
The three of them all drove to Doogles in Angie’s car as they listened to the radio singing along to You’re No Good by Linda Ronstadt. By the time the song had ended they were pulling into the parking lot which was already packed. When they entered Doogles the dance floor was crowded with wanna be disco queens and their coordinated leisure suit partners. The juke box had even jumped on the bandwagon as it blasted out Stayin’ Alive by The Bee Gees.
“This is a riot,” said Amy as she boogied to the music. “Once in a while you come up with a good idea!”
“And don’t you forget it,” laughed Janet as she wandered off dancing with a John Travolta look alike.
“Woo! I need a break,” said Angie. “Let’s go find a table.”
Amy followed Angie to the last open table in the bar. They watched as Janet danced with some old boyfriend she knew from junior high school.
“Now I remember why I broke up with Tommy! He is such an asshole.” Janet laughed as she sat down with the girls. “Do you remember the time we played seven minutes in heaven? We were all in 7th grade. You know the time you and Bobby had to go in the closet?”
“No, I don’t remember,” Amy blushed trying to change the subject.
“I went in with Tommy and he couldn’t even last for seven minutes! Now I remember! You and Bob did go into the closet for well over seven minutes!” Janet downed her drink and turned to Angie as she continued to make her point. “Bobby was always after Amy. He probably got his rocks off that night.”
“Would you stop,” Amy rolled her eyes at Janet who obviously had too much to drink. “Nothing happened. I swear.” Amy hopped off the bar stool as Shout by Otis Day & the Knights came on the juke box. “Come on let’s dance.”
Amy headed back out onto the dance floor before Janet could press her any further about the silly middle school game. She loved Janet like a sister but sometimes she could piss her off. Amy did remember that night but she certainly couldn’t tell Janet that or how totally off base she was about what went on for those seven minutes.
Amy could see how it appeared to Janet, but she wouldn’t tell her the truth. Her friendship with Bob was something she couldn’t explain, without destroying him, and she cared too much about Bob to want to hurt him. He had been hurt enough in his life by people he thought he could trust.
I Need A Lover by John Cougar came on next. Amy shook her head as she watched Janet flirting with the guy in the cowboy hat. Amy was a one man woman whereas Janet was more the love the guy you’re with type. Well, at least he had diverted Janet’s attention off of her.
After the bar they all stopped at Denny’s for breakfast as did half of the people at Doogles including Mr.Studly Cowboy who decided to join them.
“Hi Angie!” Crystal, the waitress, stood by their table with her pencil and pad in hand. “I had such a good time at the New Year’s eve party. Your friend Bob is a riot!”
Amy had been almost asleep but the change in conversation woke her up. “That’s right I remember he was making you laugh hysterically!”
Amy watched as Crystal walked away after taking their order. The wheels in her head turned as she was hatching another one of her matchmaking schemes. “How do you know Crystal?”
“I work with her at the hospital. She is one of the sweetest girls I ever met. Present company excluded.” Angie laughed as Janet took the time from her conversation with her lover boy to give her a look.
“Do you have her address?” Amy was wide awake now that her plan was in action.
“Yes, I have it rig
ht here.” Angie dug in her purse and pulled out her address book.
Crystal walked up almost on cue with the tray of food and began setting it on the table before them. “How’s the wedding plans going?”
“Wonderful.” Amy smiled that this was going even better than anticipated. “I was just getting your address from Angie. I’ll mail you an invitation.”
By the time they finished at Denny’s it was nearly three o’ clock in the morning. Janet rode off into the sunset with her cowboy and Angie dropped Amy off at her house. She unlocked the front door, her thoughts of the night interrupted by the phone ringing in the kitchen. She tossed her purse on the couch and ran to answer it.
“I have a collect phone call from Bob Prusinski at the Sanilac County Jail. Would you accept the charges?”
“Yes,” Amy answered as her heart pounded in her chest wondering what could be wrong.
“Amy?” Bob was quite upset. “I really screwed up this time. I need your help.”
“What happened?” Amy questioned a part of her afraid to hear the answer.
“I got pulled over and they busted me with open alcohol and possession of pot.”
“Oh Bob,” said Amy as she exhaled. “How can I possibly help you with that?”
“I have some money stashed in my bedroom,” explained Bob. “It should be more than enough to bail me out. It is hidden in the back of the right speaker of my stereo.”
“Okay.” Amy jotted down the address Bob gave her for the County Jail. “I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
Amy checked the clock on the kitchen wall of Adam and Bob’s house scanning the refrigerator for something to drink. It was four o’ clock and she needed some caffeine if she was going to drive to Sandusky without sleep. She grabbed a Pepsi out of the refrigerator and shut the door, then decided to grab another one for the ride back. She stuffed the envelope of money into her purse and headed out the front door on her rescue mission.
Amy drove white knuckled down the main highway, the snow swirling across the asphalt in front of her car. The headlights didn’t manage to help much with the heavy snow falling around her. She could feel the wind as it smacked against the car taunting her for being out at this time of night.
Amy made a left hand turn onto Elk Street and pulled around the back where the Sanilac County jail was located. She found a spot next to the three sheriff’s cars in an otherwise empty parking lot. Amy walked through the back entrance where an officer was watching a portable black and white TV. He stood up from the swivel chair and slid the glass door open.
“Can I help you?”
“I would like to post bond for Robert Prusinski,” Amy said nervously. This was the closest she had ever been to the vicinity of a jail. Amy handed him the amount Bob owed for bond cost and fines.
“It will be a few minutes.” The officer closed the window and left Amy alone in the small waiting room. She sat down on one of the orange plastic chairs and pulled her coat tighter as if to warm her body from the cold dismal room. She thumbed through a two year old Reader Digest as she waited for what seemed like an eternity.
“Take it easy Bob,” said the officer as he opened the heavy gray door.
Bob appeared through the door and broke out in a smile. “There’s my angel!”
“Hey,” Amy placed the magazine back on the table. “You ready to go?”
“Hell yeah.” Bob held the door for her while the snow blew in across the floor. “Thank you so much Amy. I would have been stuck here if it hadn’t been for you. Out of all the people I know, you are the only one I can count on.”
“Do you want to drive?” Amy held up the keys as she walked out the door. “It was miserable on the way here.”
Bob started the car up and cranked the heat on as Amy got into the passenger side. He took the brush out of her backseat and cleared off the windows which had accumulated about four inches of snow since it was parked.
“Man, it’s a blizzard out there,” Bob hopped in the car rubbing his hands in front of the heater vent. “Are you okay?”
Amy had been shivering since she got into the car. “I must have got a chill.”
Bob took his jacket off and placed it over Amy’s shoulders. “Here that ought to warm you up.”
“Thank you,” Amy felt her body stop shaking, as the heater and the coat shielded her body from the cold.
“I’m the one who should be thanking you. I’m sorry I made you go out on a night like tonight.” Bob turned the headlights on and drove out of the parking lot. “I got to try to tow the line. I can’t afford to get in any more trouble.”
“Hey, we all make mistakes.” Amy came to Bob’s defense with the realization that this could have happened to any of them. “I won’t say anything about it at the center. How would you explain that you got arrested to little Bob or Billy? They all worship the ground you walk on.”
“I know. You’re right Amy. I wouldn’t want to let them down. ” Bob concentrated on the road which was barely visible. “You get some rest Amy it’s going to be a slow ride home.”
Amy snuggled up against the door as she heard the wipers keeping rhythm with the song Bob had found on the radio. Before Amy knew it she fell asleep listening to the music of Rush’s Fly by Night.
Chapter 16
Amy was lying on the couch when Joey and Angie came in after going to the movies for the afternoon. She hadn’t been feeling good at all today. She tried to eat but couldn’t keep anything down.
“Amy, you don’t look so good.” Angie rushed over and felt her forehead. “You’re burning up.”
“My stomach is killing me,” Amy admitted as her teeth were chattering. “I can’t stop shaking.”
Angie felt her stomach noticing it was bloated. Amy flinched when she gently pressed on her lower right area of her abdomen.
“I think we better get her to the hospital,” Angie looked up at Joey. “It might be her appendix.”
“Please call Adam,” Amy pleaded. “I need him.”
“I’ll call him as soon as we get you to the hospital.” Joey assured her as he helped her with her coat that Angie took out of the hall closet. He lifted her up in his arms and carried her out of the door. “I promise.”
***
Adam sat next to her bed, his head resting on the metal rail as he held Amy’s hand. He hadn’t left her side since he flown in late last night from New Hampshire. Her appendix had ruptured, and the doctor had given her heavy doses of antibiotics before they were able to perform the surgery yesterday afternoon. Adam looked up as Bob entered the room holding a large card in his hand.
“The kids at the center made this for her.” He set it on the nightstand among the other cards and flowers. “How is she doing today?”
“They said she is out of any danger now.” Adam watched her breathing then looked up at Bob. “Thanks for staying with her until I could get here.”
“It was the least I could do. I was afraid for awhile we were going to lose her. It did not look good at all yesterday morning. What would we all do without Amy?”
“I don’t know.” Adam thought about all the people who depended on her. “You really do love her, don’t you?”
“Of course I love Amy. How could anyone not love Amy?” Bob stood up proudly not ashamed to admit the truth. “We have been through thick and thin together.”
Adam looked at him remembering the night when Bob had been drunk and admitted to him his feelings for Amy. “I honestly never knew you felt that way about her.”
“It’s not like that.” Bob shook his head. “She deserves a better man than me that is for sure. And you are that man.” He slapped Adam on the back. “All I want is for her to be happy and I know she is with you.”
“If I lost Amy I don’t know what I’d do.” Adam touched her cheek with his hand. “She is my life.”
“Just keep making her happy,” Bob joked with Adam. “Don’t ever break her heart or you’ll have to answer to me.”
“You won’
t have to worry about that.” Adam noticed Amy waking up. “I promise.”
“You promise what?” said Amy her voice groggy.
“I promised big Bob here he won’t ever have to kick my ass,” Adam leaned over and kissed her. “Welcome back.”
“Huh?” Amy looked up realizing she was in the hospital and Bob was standing on the other side of the bed.
“You gave us all a helluva scare girlie,” Bob wiggled her foot which was under the covers. “I’m glad you’re doing better today.”
“Bob stayed with you the whole time until I could get here.” Adam explained to her. “Joey had a hard time getting a hold of me because we were on the road for an away game.”
“Thank you,” said Amy as she reached for their hands and squeezed them both.
“No problem,” Bob shrugged. “I’ll stop by and see you tomorrow. Take care of her man.” Bob winked at Adam knowing he meant it in more than one way. “Or the gloves are off.”
Adam watched as he left the room realizing that yesterday Bob had been the better man. He had been here for Amy when he wasn’t. Adam was never going to let that happen again. Amy deserved for him to be here when she needed him most, as she always had been for him.
***
“I’ve made a decision Amy,” Adam said as he entered her bedroom with a bowl of her favorite chocolate chip mint ice cream. “I’m not signing the contract.”
“Excuse me?” She asked not believing the words that just came out of his mouth. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I never want to leave you again.” Adam sat down next to her handing her the ice cream. “I almost lost you and I wasn’t even here for you.”
“Adam, that was beyond your control. You came as soon as Joey got a hold of you,” Amy reassured him. “Don’t you want to discuss this? Or at least think about it first?”
“I’ve been thinking about it for these last two weeks.” Adam stayed here the whole time making sure Amy was well taken care of, so she could recuperate from her surgery. “Nothing matters more to me than you, not even hockey.”
Wings of Love Page 15