Hey Sunshine

by Tia Giacalone

  My entire brave facade crumbled under the reassuring look on his face. “Shit, Fox, your leg! I didn’t even think. You caught me, and Annabelle, and…” Tears welled up in my eyes again. “You’re hurt too. Both of you are.”

  “No, sunshine, I’m okay. I’ll be good as new in a few days. Please don’t cry,” he murmured into my temple as he pulled me against him. He smoothed a hand down my back. “I just need a little rest and a good stretch. I’m slacking on my PT lately… been a little distracted.” I could hear the smile in his voice and then his fingers lightly tapped my butt.

  I looked up into his confident face and tried to push my anxiety back down from where it bubbled in my throat. I’d never met a person who knew himself and his body better than Fox, so I decided to take his words as truth. These days he radiated health and self-assuredness, and his positive demeanor was a calming balm on my frazzled nerves.

  His expression changed two seconds later, however, as we entered the meeting room and found the police chief, two officers, my parents, and Dr. Stone waiting for us. His guard went up, his shoulders squared, and his eyes sharpened. I felt his tension radiate down through his fingers, and when I rubbed my thumb soothingly over his, his face didn’t register the contact.

  Fox wasn’t just angry. He was furious.

  “Ms. Kent, Mr. Fox, I’m sorry for pulling y’all away from Annabelle tonight.” Chief Barnes met my eyes briefly as Fox and I settled into the empty chairs, a sympathetic look on his worn, wrinkled face. It didn’t really surprise me that the chief got pulled into this case, especially given our close-knit county, but I was a bit surprised at how fast the whole thing had mobilized. The last name Dempsey really meant high profile. “This won’t take but a minute and then we’ll get out of your hair.” He gestured to one of his deputies who began recording our statement on the iPad in the middle of the table.

  “We’re here to discuss the accident involving Annabelle Kent, on the evening of November tenth, at the Ector County Fairgrounds. A malfunction on the Ferris wheel rendered it inoperable, causing the minor child Annabelle harm and injury as a passenger on the ride,” the chief stated for the recording, consulting his notes.

  Fox stiffened next to me when Barnes mentioned Annabelle.

  “After the ride malfunctioned, the child’s mother, Avery Kent, climbed the wheel to retrieve the child, before the wheel’s collapse. The first responders at the scene noted Annabelle’s potential concussion and dislocated shoulder, transported her to the hospital, and she was admitted, where Dr. Eric Stone confirmed the injuries and treated her as needed,” Barnes continued. “That is our official report thus far. Now, I’d like to ask y’all a few questions to fill in the gaps.”

  * * *

  After Barnes and his deputies left the room, I slumped down in my chair, cradling my head in my arms as I rested them on the table. The interview went exactly as I’d imagined it would. Not enough evidence, witness accounts pending, unable to confirm Chase’s whereabouts at the time of the accident, no permanent damage done. I was welcome to try and sue the carnival company for faulty equipment and allowing Annabelle on the ride in spite of the height restriction, but no individual criminal charges were to be pressed by the county in regard to the incident.

  But he knew. Every weathered line on Chief Barnes' face told the real story. His hands were tied, his department was funded largely by Dempsey philanthropy, too many politics were involved, and there was nothing he could do. He looked at me with a combination of guilt and compassion and told me they would look into it, but we both knew nothing would come of any investigation. My stomach churned with disgust and disappointment. Just another reason to get the hell out of Brancher as soon as possible, away from the long reach of the Dempsey association.

  My parents were talking softly with Dr. Stone when I stood up suddenly and shoved my chair back. I was sick of tiptoeing around this town like I had done something wrong. My sweet baby was in a hospital bed with a concussion, all because I'd dared to try and find happiness after confronting my lying ex-boyfriend about his infidelity. Chase had cheated on me, and yet I was the one being punished by the entire county.

  “Avery, where are you going?” my mother asked as I strode toward the exit.

  Fox jumped up from his chair, close on my heels when I slammed open the heavy metal door and burst into the hallway, nearly running into Janice Dempsey as she walked from the hospital cashier’s office to the elevator.

  “I knew it!” I cried. “I knew you were here somewhere. This police interview had your name written all over it,” I said, making air quotes when I spit out the words ‘police interview.’

  “Avery,” Janice said calmly, giving me a slightly condescending once-over. “How nice to see you, unfortunate circumstances aside.”

  “Are you kidding? Nice to see me? You’ve never been glad to see me, not once in my life. I’m sure you’re ecstatic that Chase and I broke up, as am I, but he almost killed my daughter tonight, so excuse me if I don’t share your enthusiasm for our not-so-coincidental meeting,” I fumed. I felt Fox come up behind me, his presence rock steady and reassuring, even though I knew his hold on his own temper was tenuous.

  Janice met my eyes coolly as usual, but I saw something different in her gaze this time. “I’m afraid I’ve severely underestimated you, Avery, and that’s become very apparent to me in the last few months. You’re a strong woman and an excellent mother and, for those reasons, you’re correct. I’m glad you’re no longer dating my son.”

  For a moment I was shocked, and then I found my voice. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand. You don’t like me. You never have.”

  “That’s not true, my dear. I used to tolerate you, because I thought you were good for Chase. He needs a woman who will let him be and turn the other cheek when he strays or lets her down. He’s too much like his daddy’s side, you see, weak and easily influenced. I was hoping firefighting would give him a little backbone, some integrity. But he’s the same as he ever was. And you, Avery, are not.” Those cool eyes met mine again, and now I recognized the difference. She was looking at me with something very similar to respect.

  “You don’t know me.” The direction of this conversation was beyond disturbing.

  “On the contrary. I know you very well. You’re a mother doing whatever it takes to protect her child. As am I.” Her gaze sharpened.

  There was the Janice I knew. “My baby could’ve died tonight.”

  “You’re correct again, and for that I’m very sorry. I wish nothing but the best for you and your little girl. You and I both know that is not my son, and I’m happy you realized it sooner than later. But he is my son, and I am his mother, and I will do whatever it takes to protect him and keep him out of jail. Period.”

  That woman’s spine was made of cold, hard, bitchy steel with a side of dictator. “So that’s it? He endangers a group of children, causes injury and chaos, and drunkenly drives away? It’s good to be a Dempsey,” I remarked darkly.

  Janice ignored my sarcasm. “I’ve taken the liberty of covering Annabelle’s hospital bills and any further expenses she might accrue in outpatient care or physical therapy. The cashier’s office will provide you with a receipt. I’m also prepared to offer you a cash settlement, seeing as you likely won’t get a penny from the carnival company.”

  “I don’t want your money!” I cried. “I want Chase to leave me alone! I want to go back in time and erase this nightmare from my child’s memory.” I wrapped my arms around myself and shook my head. “I don’t need you to buy me off. I don’t want anything to do with any of you.”

  “I knew you’d say that.” Janice regarded me thoughtfully. “That’s why I’ve already placed the money in a joint trust for you and Annabelle, with you as the executor, for incidentals, her college fund, or any other needs that might arise. My lawyer will be in touch with the paperwork.”

  Before I could respond, Fox cut in. He’d been silent through this entire exchange, and his voice was rou
gh as he addressed Janice.

  “This isn’t over. Between me and him, it isn’t over.”

  Janice turned her gaze smoothly, without an ounce of surprise. “Mr. Fox, contrary to what I’m sure is popular opinion here in Ector County, I have nothing but the utmost respect for you and the selfless work you represent. My daddy was a soldier, a hero, and the best man I’ve ever known. I was hoping for some of the same to rub off on Chase after he insisted on public service instead of football, but I’m not sure that’s been the case. You saved my boy’s life once, and I trust that you won’t take it now.”

  Fox’s gaze was steady, pensive, as she spoke. “I’ll find him before the police do.”

  “I don’t doubt that for a minute. But I also know, after you’re finished beating on each other, you’ll deliver him to my doorstep mostly intact. I don’t think Chase is innocent here, and I’m more sorry than you know for what happened to Annabelle. What’s between you and Chase is no business of mine. I know you’re a good man, Mr. Fox. Put the fear of God back into my boy, and protect what’s yours. I would expect nothing less.” With that, she turned on her heel and continued down the hall.

  Fox and I watched her walk away in slow motion and, after she entered the elevator, he turned to me, a strange expression on his face.

  “Is it wrong that I’m not sure if I hate her or almost… like her?” he asked.

  I laughed bitterly. “Ten minutes ago, I would’ve said you needed your head examined. But after that conversation, I’m conflicted too.”

  Chapter 20

  When Dr. Stone finally released Annabelle in the late afternoon of the following day, I couldn’t wait to get home and try to put the last twenty-four hours far behind us. My parents and Heather were on hand to help me and Fox get Annabelle situated on the couch with fluffy pillows, snacks, coloring books, and cartoons. Joy sent her love and promised to come by with fresh pie after she finished her diner shift.

  Once everyone left, and it was just Fox, Annabelle, and me in my little cottage, I excused myself from the living room and went straight down the hall to the bathroom. Fox glanced up curiously as I passed, but luckily Annabelle was distracted by the Disney channel and didn’t notice my abrupt exit or the expression on my face. I was sure that Fox did, but he let me go without comment.

  A sob hitched in my throat as I slid down the wall next to the closed bathroom door. Just five minutes, I told myself. You can have five minutes to lose your shit, and then you have to pull it together and go be a mother and a girlfriend and a student and everything else. You are allowed five minutes of weakness and then it’s business as usual.

  And so I sat on that cold tile floor in my cramped but cheerful bathroom, and I cried. I cried for Annabelle and everything that could’ve happened but didn’t. I cried because I wanted so much for her and wasn’t sure how I was going to make it work, and because she’d given so much to me already by making me her mama.

  I cried for Chase, because yesterday was the final death of a complicated relationship that made up half a decade of my life. I cried for the man I thought he was, and for the man he turned out to be.

  I cried for Fox, and his poor leg, his impeccable timing, and his beautiful, generous soul that I wasn’t sure I deserved. And I cried for me, because I needed to, and because it was silly and naive to think I didn’t, even though I prided myself on always keeping it together no matter what.

  When my five minutes were up, and I was determinedly mopping up my mess of a face with a wad of tissues, there was a soft knock on the bathroom door.

  “Avery? Are you okay?” Fox’s voice was low and gentle.

  I gave my face one last swipe and opened the door. Fox was standing in the doorway, one arm bent and braced on the frame, the other raised to knock again. His gaze swept me quickly, and when he reached my tearstained face and red-rimmed eyes, his expression changed from confusion to worry.

  “What’s wrong? Are you sick?” He stepped into the bathroom and quickly gathered me into his arms.

  “No, I’m not sick. I’m just… it’s been a long couple of days,” I said into his shoulder. His T-shirt felt smooth and cool against my hot cheek.

  Fox exhaled as he rested his chin on the top of my head. “I’m so sorry you had to go through this. But it ends now. I will never let anything happen to Annabelle, or to you.” He pulled back and took my face into his hands. “I love you.”

  I stood on my tiptoes to press my lips to his. “I love you too. And thank you. For everything.”

  “You were so brave, way more than you give yourself credit for.” Fox looked serious. “You did it, you climbed up there all on your own.”

  “You knew I could. Your faith in me got me to the top of that wheel and got us both down.” I repeated to him my one coherent thought from those first panicked minutes after we'd realized Annabelle was stuck on the ride. “You’re always saving us.”

  His mouth quirked up on one side. “Just returning the favor, sunshine.”

  * * *

  I’d barely finished putting Annabelle to bed and stepped out into the hallway when there was a knock at the door. Expecting Joy, some warm berry pie, and maybe even a little ice cream to go with it, I jogged to the front door and threw it open.

  “Avery, wait–” Fox came bolting from the living room, his face concerned, but it was too late.

  I stepped back with shock when I saw Chase on my doorstep. My head spun and I felt rivulets of ice coursing through my veins. And then I lunged, pushing Chase backward a few steps until he was on the sidewalk.

  “You fucking asshole!” I screamed, heedless of the neighbors. My fists rained down on Chase’s arms and chest, landing blow after blow as I half-sobbed, half-screamed the phrase over and over.

  Chase did nothing to protect himself or to restrain me, he just took the beating for about thirty seconds until Fox pulled me off him and moved me back through the doorway. I stood there, my chest heaving, and glared at Chase.

  “Get inside, and stay there! Please, Avery.” Fox’s voice was angry but controlled. “Please.”

  I was out of breath, hysterical and exhausted, but I did as Fox asked. The look in his eyes was pleading toward me, but murderous when he turned his gaze on Chase. I knew better than to argue with Fox when his eyes looked like that. I nodded and moved to shut the door.

  “Avery,” Chase started, his voice raspy. “I’m so sorry. Is she… is she okay? My mom said she was okay.” He looked up at me from the bottom of the porch, his expression hooded and sad.

  “She will be.” I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. “Don’t come back here, Chase. I don’t ever want to see your face again. EVER!” I slammed the door and immediately burst into tears for the second time. Today, I deserved more than just five minutes of crying. I was going to give myself another ten.

  * * *

  Two minutes into my ten, I was sitting against the front door trying to ignore the raised voices outside when I heard another car pull up and a woman’s angry shout.

  “Do not make me get the shotgun out of my truck, Chase Dempsey! Get on out of here now!” Joy had arrived.

  I quickly opened the door and ushered her in.

  “What’s happening?” she demanded, taking in my freshly tearstained face and shaking hands. “What’s he doing here?”

  I glanced out the window, and it took all of my willpower not to freak out again when Chase and Fox got into Fox’s truck and drove away, but I figured it was better that whatever happened between them took place in a location other than my front lawn.

  “Fox wants to talk to him,” I said. “We weren’t expecting him to just show up, though. At least, I wasn’t.”

  I thought back to how quickly Fox had reached the door when Chase knocked. His boots were still on, even. Maybe I was the only one who hadn’t thought Chase would visit tonight.

  “I’m going to check on Annabelle real quick, and I’ll be right back. Make yourself at home, okay?”

  “
Sure, darlin’. I’ll make us a pot of coffee to go with the pie. I don’t know where those boys got off to, but I know neither one of us will sleep until Fox comes back.”

  It was nearly three a.m. when I finally saw Fox’s headlights in the driveway. I’d given up on sleeping alone in my bed, and instead pulled an old afghan off the back of the couch and settled in to watch a few rerun episodes of Friends while I waited. I'd considered polishing off the rest of the pie but decided I might need it to help digest whatever situation presented itself upon Fox’s return.

  Joy had gone home around midnight, under protest, but I knew she had to work the early lunch shift at the diner the next day, and no one wants a drowsy waitress overfilling coffee into their lap. She left in a flurry of kisses and promises that I’d text her as soon as I heard anything, good or bad.

  I was just sending that dutiful text when Fox came through the door, looking tired and a little dirty. He kicked off his boots in the hallway and stopped when he saw me lying on the couch, the TV flickering in the semi-darkness.

  “I wish you hadn’t waited up,” he said softly, coming closer.

  “You knew I would.” I could barely make out a hint of a bruise forming on his cheekbone, but other than that he looked fine. I wondered briefly if Chase could say the same, and then decided I didn’t care.

  He laughed once. “You’re right. I did.”

  I sat up and scooted over to make room for him so he could sit next to me on the couch. “What happened?”

  “I did what Mrs. Dempsey asked me to. I returned him mostly in one piece.” Fox ran a hand through his hair. “When it came down to it, when it was just about me and him, it didn’t go as either of us expected.”

  I waited patiently as Fox gathered his thoughts. He shifted toward me so we were facing each other on the couch and took one of my hands in his, idly skimming my fingers with his knuckles.

  “There’s something that happens to you when you go through an experience like the situation where we met,” he said, referring to his time with Chase in the Forest Service. “Suddenly life or death actually means life or death, in the most real way possible. Everything else sort of pales in comparison.” Fox looked up from our hands and gave me his quirky half-smile.