by Devin Morgan
“This is ridiculous.” Her frustration with herself showed in her angry whisper as she parked her car in front of her friend’s house. Cars lined the curb and music could be heard even outside the house. The door was unlocked and as she entered the room, Elvis belted a song on the CD player.
Bob was carrying a tray of drinks when she walked in and he moved to her side to kiss her cheek. “Glad you’re here, kiddo. Have a drink.”
Sarah laughed, “Sounds good.”
He held the tray in front of her and she reached out to take a glass of the bubbling champagne. He winked at her as he walked away.
“Sarah.” She heard her name. She turned to face Carlos. “I thought you’d never get here.”
“Hi.” Placing his hand on the bend of her elbow, he ushered her into the party.
“I want to say hi to Colleen.” She eased her arm from his grasp. “She’s probably in the kitchen.” As she made her way across the crowded living room, she enjoyed the sounds of friends chatting and laughing.
She peeked her head around the door only to find her friend standing stock still in the middle of the kitchen, a spatula in her hand, a far off look in her eyes. “Colleen, what is it? What’s the matter?”
Colleen burst into tears. “Nothing is the matter. I’m just so happy I could explode. I heard from the doctor yesterday and I’m going to have a baby.”
Sarah hugged her and kissed her cheek. “I’m so happy for you. Did you tell Bob?”
“I wanted to wait until today but I just couldn’t. I told him last night and Sarah, he cried. I would never have thought a big, tough lout like Bob would shed a tear, but he cried.” She was laughing as Sarah wiped the tears from her friend’s cheek with a napkin she found on the cutting board.
“Well, little momma, you’ve got mascara all over you right now. Go fix your face.” Taking the spatula from her hand, she spun her friend toward the door. “Go on. I’ll man the kitchen for now.”
The microwave beeped. She turned to open the door to remove the little hot dogs wrapped in pastry. She placed them methodically, one by one, on a serving dish. Hearing the sound of the door behind her, she turned quickly, expecting to see Colleen, clean faced and ready to reclaim the kitchen. She was not surprised though to see Carlos.
He looked strange as he crossed to stand just in front of her. “What’s the matter?”
“There is nothing that is the matter now.” His voice was deep, unlike his own.
She gasped and dropped the plate. “Aris?”
He nodded.
“But how, how?”
“How is not important, this is.” He wrapped his arm around her waist. Bending to kiss her, his lips neared hers. Her heart raced. Was she mad? Was this possible? Then there was no thought, just the feel of his warm mouth on hers, the scent of his sweet breath, the feel of his arms around her.
“Whoa!” The sound of Colleen’s voice brought her back to her senses. She pushed him gently from her, quickly bending to pick up the broken pieces of the plate and the ruined little hot dogs. “Sorry I barged in like that.” She sounded embarrassed and tickled at her intrusion.
“It’s fine.” Sarah kept her head down so her red cheeks were visible only to the floor. “It’s fine.”
“Yeah,” Carlos stooped to help her, “its fine. Not a problem, just a little friendly welcome smooch.”
And that was how Sarah found Aris had not gone forever, that he still lived and breathed within this young man who had just taken her breath away with a kiss.
#
She hadn’t slept very well the previous night and she was already on her second cup of coffee. She yawned loudly as she reached for her phone.
“Sarah, there’s a woman on your line. She says she’s a friend of Carlos but she won’t tell me her name.” Maggie’s voice had an edge to it. “What should I do with her?”
“Put her through.”
#
She knew she had to get away from her office, from thoughts of the strange phone call she received that morning. She said goodbye to Maggie and headed for her car. Sarah was grateful that the receptionist at the hair salon was able to fit her in among her hairdresser’s already scheduled clients of the day.
The sound of the scissors and the feel of Nina’s hands shaping Sarah’s hair made her feel more calm, almost relaxed. The buzzing of the salon was comforting. She chose the sisterhood of the salon hands down over the gym as a place to hide out. She needed some time to think.
Her eyes closed as the blow dryer puffed warm air onto her forehead. The wonderful tingling feel of the hairbrush against her scalp was familiar, reassuring.
Inside the steady hum of the blow dryer, she remembered the feminine accented voice on the telephone warning her that Manu meant business. She said she didn’t want to see Carlos get in any more trouble. Her Latino accent was thick as she told Sarah Manu would kill her or Carlos without a second thought to keep Carlos from giving evidence against him.
“Who are you?” Her only answer was a dial tone.
She phoned both Colleen and Bob. Neither one of them was available. She waited impatiently to hear from them.
She leaned back in the chair. It took all her effort but she was able to move her focus to the music in the background, the sound of the dryer and Nina humming along with both.
#
Reluctantly she returned to her office for her four-thirty appointment. It was an easy session and when she was finished with her client, she walked her to the door and said goodbye just as her phone rang. Reaching across the desk, she snatched it from the cradle before it stopped ringing.
“Sarah?” Bob’s voice was excited as he spoke. “We just picked up Manu.”
She sat down. A welcome sense of calm settled over her at his words. “What happened?”
We found evidence that he was involved in a drive by, pretty strong evidence, so we picked him up. He had a gun in his car and it’s the gun that was used.”
“What’s next?”
“He says it’s not his, of course. He said he found it. There are no prints on it and it’s not registered but we’re working on it. Sarah, I need you to help me find Carlos. Manu is using him as an alibi on the night of the shooting.”
“Bob. I don’t know where he is any more than you do. Have you tried the half-way house or his job?”
“I checked both places. He hasn’t been around the house and he took a week off work. I’ve got to find him. We need someone who will tell the truth about this guy or we have to let him go.”
The office was silent. “I’ll try to find him but you realize the position this will put him and his family in, don’t you? It isn’t just Manu, it’s his whole gang.”
“Sarah, we need help with this from someone who has been involved and no one else is going to witness.”
“Bob, I said I’d talk to him and I will. I’ve got to go.”
“Are we seeing you on Saturday for dinner?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there.” They said their goodbyes and she returned the phone to its cradle.
She spun her chair to face the window and for the first time, she found no solace in the city. Her thoughts skimmed the last few months of her life. So many changes, so much drama. Part of her longed for the calm, quiet of her existence before Carlos entered it, yet she also knew a perverse excitement at the life she now shared with him.
She sat staring out the window until heavy clouds moved in and covered the sun.
#
“I thought Saturday would never get here.” Colleen slid open her kitchen window to let out the heat from the oven. “This whole week was one big blur.” She chopped vegetables for the salad while Sarah sat in one of the tall chairs on the opposite side of the breakfast bar. “So what’s up with Carlos? How did you find him? What did he say?”
“He said he’d think about it. He said he’d call me soon. It’s not just about him, Colleen; it’s about his whole family. He’s worried about what they might do to his brother.”
“It’s a hard situation but Manu used Carlos for an alibi. Manu’s prints weren’t on the gun. We can’t prove it’s his. Without Carlos, we’re going to lose and the scum will walk.” She tossed the salad then placed the utensils in the sink. “Sarah, I hate to tell you this, but they had to let him go. He made bail and until Carlos tells the truth, he’s walking around outside again.”
Sarah stood and paced the floor. “That’s bad news, really bad news.”
#
The ringing of the phone roused her from a restless sleep. She sat up, snatching it from its cradle.
“Sarah?” Colleen spoke with a measured calm. “Sarah, I need you to wake up.” She waited for an answer.
“Colleen, I am awake. What is it?” Her heart was racing as she reached to turn on the light. “What’s going on?”
“Carlos has been shot.”
“How bad is it?” She had to remind herself to breathe as she stood. She hit the speaker button on the phone. “Where is he?”
She grabbed her jeans from the chair next to her bed.
“It’s pretty bad. We’re at St. John’s Hospital.” Her voice broke as she continued, “you’d better get here right away.”
“I’m on my way.” Sarah fought panic as she finished dressing then hurried to the parking garage. She glanced at her watch. It was just past three in the morning and she was grateful there wouldn’t be much traffic at that hour
As she opened her car door, a sob tore from her throat. He couldn’t be that bad, he couldn’t die. He could not die.
#
Colleen was pacing the floor of the lobby when Sarah stepped through the automatic door.
“How is he?” Sarah gripped her friend’s arm.
“He’s out of surgery.” Colleen evaded Sarah’s eyes as she guided her to the elevator.
“Colleen,” she stopped walking. “Tell me the truth. How is he?”
Tears poured down the parole officer’s cheeks. “Honey, they don’t think he’s going to make it.” Her shoulders shook in silent sobs.
Sarah stepped inside as the elevator doors opened. They rode up the three floors without speaking. When the doors opened again, Colleen took her hand as they hurried down the hall.
“He’s awake but he’s really groggy. He’s loaded with pain meds. His insides were pretty torn up.” A nurse left the room as they entered.
His eyes were closed and his breathing was labored as she stood silently at the foot of his bed. “Carlos?”
At the sound of her voice, he turned to look at her. He was deathly pale, his golden beauty torn from him. His belly was wrapped in bandages and tubes were in his arms and nose. He looked like a frightened injured boy as he lay in the hospital bed.
“Sarah?” He smiled a slow, drugged smile at her.
She went to him, carefully taking his hand in hers. “I’m here and I’m staying here with you until you’re well.”
He tried to laugh but it sounded like a gurgle. She fought tears, forcing a smile.
Even through the medication, he grimaced in pain. “I give up. I’m through fighting. It’s all been just too much of a battle.”
“You can’t give up. Your life is worth the fight.”
“I’m not going to get well.” His voice was soft and the words were slow in coming. “It’s going to be over soon, I can feel it.” His eyes closed and he willed them to open so he could see her.
“No, no, you can’t think that way.”
“Sarah, this is the only way out for me and for my family and to keep you safe. I’m going to take it.”
She was silent, unable to speak without crying.
He tried to talk but his voice was so low, she had to lean her ear close to his mouth. He struggled to make himself heard. “Now, maybe you will let me tell you how much I love you. How grateful I am. You are the first good thing that ever came into my life.”
“Carlos, please.” She bit her lip to help hold back her sobs.
He grimaced as another wave of pain swept through him. “Sarah, will you hypnotize me one last time? Count backwards for me . . . ”
A nurse and doctor hurried into the room. The doctor lifted his patients closed eyelids then released them. They looked at the displays of the machines that surrounded him and hopelessly shook their heads at her.
“Yes.” And she began the familiar induction. As she counted backwards, taking him into a final calm and peaceful state, all of the sounds of the life-monitoring equipment in the room ceased.
“No. No. No.” She shook her head as sobs tore from her throat. Colleen gathered her into her arms to comfort her. The nurse moved to draw the sheet over him when suddenly the heart monitor began to beep, softly, slowly at first, then growing stronger with every electronic sound.
Everyone in the room stood still, unable to move, unable to believe their ears. The doctor moved to the bedside.
“He’s breathing. His heart beat is getting stronger.” He turned to face her, an incredulous look in his eyes. “I don’t know what just happened but if this miracle continues, he just might have a chance.”
Sarah sank down into the chair by the bed and cried thankful tears of hope.
CHAPTER 37
She was awakened by a soft groan. Disoriented for a moment, she glanced around the room. Carlos was awake, watching her. He smiled as she stood to move closer to him. She reached to take his hand in hers.
“Sarah, my Sarah, I touch you at last.”
She gasped. She dropped his hand.
“Aris?” she whispered.
He didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. Her eyes closed as she moaned, sliding to the floor in a cold faint.
“Sarah.” He raised himself from the pillows and pressed the button to summon the nurse.
#
The nurse stood by as the doctor checked his pupils and his vital signs. “This is uncanny. I don’t understand it.” He opened the dressings that circled the abdomen of the injured man. He stopped, unable to move or speak.
“Doctor, what is it?” Sarah stepped closer to the bed.
“This man’s wounds are healing, rapidly.” He whispered the words in disbelief. “What happened here?” He turned to the nurse. “Get him to radiology immediately.”
#
Bob and Colleen sat on either side of her as they waited for Carlos to return. The stunned doctor had no explanation for the smooth, wound free abdomen of the man who, the night before, had a bullet hole in him.
“Don’t worry, Sarah. We’ll get him. I know Manu is the bastard who orchestrated the shooting.”
“But he didn’t die. I thought he was dead, but he didn’t die.” She rested her elbows on the cafeteria table and leaned her forehead into the palms of her hands. “He was dead, I know he was dead.” She refused to accept the only conclusion that was obvious to her. Aris. Somehow Aris had entered the dying body, taken possession of it. It could not be and yet, what else?
“Honey,” Colleen wrapped her arm around her friend’s shoulder. “You’re in shock. It’s okay. Everything is okay.” She brushed Sarah’s hair from her face, lifting her chin to check her pupils. Her eyes were glassy from lack of sleep, dilated even though the lights in the cafeteria were bright. “You’re in shock, we’re all in shock. They obviously made a mistake about the severity of his wounds.”
Even as she spoke, Colleen knew he should be dead this morning. Her eyes met the eyes of her husband. Neither had an explanation for the miraculous healing of the dying man, yet both were grateful for his life. Both were grateful he would recover.
Sarah spoke quietly. “Please, let’s go back to his room. I want to be there when he wakes up.” They rose, pushing their chairs under the long table and the three friends left the room together.
#
“We’ve got him for attempted murder and this time, it’s going to stick. Carlos just left the office and he’s going to testify.” Bob smiled as he gave his friend the news.
“I’m glad that animal is off the s
treet, but I can’t help worrying about Carlos.” Sarah switched the phone receiver to her left hand, picked up her pen with her right and began to doodle infinity signs on the yellow pad that rested on her desk.
“Strange, but he doesn’t seem the least bit afraid. Almost dying has made him so different but I suppose it would do that to anyone. He even walks differently and his mannerisms have altered. Have you noticed?”
Sarah paused before she answered. Had she noticed? Of course she did but she chose to ignore it. She had seen him only once since his release from the hospital and only in Colleen’s office. He was avoiding her and she was almost glad. She was frightened that being in his presence would verify her theory. “I really haven’t seen him much, Bob, but a near death experience and a miracle healing would change anyone, wouldn’t it.”
He chuckled. “I guess you’re right. He’s a good guy and it seems he has a second chance to act on it.” She heard him sigh into the receiver. “I’ll never understand it though.”
“I don’t think anyone will. The doctor’s didn’t believe their own eyes but he’s walking around, alive and well, thank God.”
“Are you doing okay now?” His voice softened as he questioned her. He and Colleen had been worried about her. She, too, appeared different after their hospital experience. She seemed withdrawn from the world. She hadn’t accepted any of their dinner invitations of the last few weeks.
“Yes, I’m fine.” She didn’t want a conversation about her emotional state; she wasn’t even sure what it was at the moment. “Just fine. Things are settling back into their normal routine. But thanks for asking.”
“Hey, how about dinner with us on Friday?”
“I’ll get back to you on that if that’s okay.”
“Sure.” He silently questioned her being ‘fine’ but accepted her answer. “Sure, just let us know.”