“Yes, only the three of us.”
His little arms reinforce the hug around my waist and, content, I kiss his head.
“Now go upstairs and dress up. Today you have a big breakfast to eat,” Mrs. Saunders tells him. “And wake your brother up.”
“Okay,” he says and turns to me. “Aunt Lia, would you take us to school today? Please?”
“Yes, why not. I haven’t done that in a long time, have I?” I smile.
~
God, I don’t remember when was the last time I took my nephews to school. It’s only walking distance but you wouldn’t believe the amount of conversation we crammed into those ten minutes. They wanted to tell me about every single friend of theirs. And since I wasn’t upset anymore, I found out why they started the fight the other day. One of their friends got bullied and they stood up for him. What a relief! This doesn’t have anything to do with them coming from a broken home, as Jennifer suggested. They’re so beautiful on the inside; just like their mother was. My beautiful Eliza.
On my way back I remember to call Jennifer on my cell. I’m taking two days off and somebody needs to know about it.
“Good morning, Jen. It’s Amelia. How are you?”
“Amelia? I'm fine, thank you. How are you?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“Mr. Reeves was looking for you earlier. What time are you coming?”
“That’s why I’m calling, Jen. I’m taking today and tomorrow off. I have things to sort out. I’ll see you on Monday, okay?”
“You expect me to tell Mr. Reeves you’re taking two days off? Doesn’t he know that already?”
“Yes, I do and no, he doesn’t.”
“Huh. Very well then.” She pauses. “Amelia, I was meaning to ask, is your brother in law all right? He didn’t look good when he left yesterday.”
“I don’t know, Jennifer.”
“Sorry, it's just that, don’t you want to find out if he’s at least alive?”
“He is alive. Alexander didn’t kill him. He just showed him some tough love.”
I want to wrap up this conversation as I get to my door. It’s not going anywhere talking about Thomas.
“Look, Jen, I have to go now. If you need me, just call.”
“Right. Okay Amelia, will do. Have a good break.”
I walk inside and again, Mrs. Saunders is singing. This time it’s a different song. This woman has been reborn. I love the change in her. So refreshing and it’s exactly what she needs.
“Amelia!” she shouts at me while I’m still in the hallway, closing the door. “I didn’t tell you the best part.”
“There’s more?”
“Come in the kitchen. Fancy another cup of coffee?” Without waiting for an answer, she pours me a cup and places it in front of me on the table, a place where we sat only an hour ago.
“Yes, please.” I need to get used to this new Mrs. Saunders. A chatty one. “So, what's the best part?”
She makes a deliberate pause and clears her throat before speaking.
“You know the person I fell for, the one that caused all the heartache in my life?”
“I don’t really know anything about your life, Mrs. Saunders. You haven’t talked about him or anyone but, yes, I know there was someone who hurt you.”
“Well, I contacted him, too.”
“What?” What is going on with Mrs. Saunders?
“Well…”
"Wait," I interrupt her, raising my hand. "Why did he leave you in the first place? I mean, why didn’t you stay with him all this time?”
“Good question,” she states. “To be honest, without my daughters, my life changed. I got treated for depression. I was not happy at all. I made everyone’s life miserable so I decided to leave. That was the only thing I could do to stop hurting the people I loved. And him, I sent him away. I told him never to look me up. To find a wife and get married. To start living because I wasn’t coming back.”
“Oh god! And? Is he married?” I ask impatiently.
“No. He’s been alone for the past twenty years.” She smiles, but I see the tears forming in her eyes.
“Did you talk to him?”
“Yes, I did.” She sniffles and looks at me intently. There’s more. “I’m meeting him tonight.”
“Oh, Mrs. Saunders!” I jump and embrace her tightly; she needs this, she needs her happy ending. “Tonight?”
“Yes, he’s picking me up at half past eight.”
“God, how exciting. Thrilling! I’m so happy for you.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to go shopping this afternoon, to get myself something to wear.”
“Of course, Mrs. Saunders. Go out and get yourself something beautiful. Like you.” I smile. “Will I meet him tonight, though?”
“If he hasn't changed, he’ll introduce himself.”
She heads off to her room to get ready while I lean on the kitchen counter, thinking about her fate. I genuinely hope her life will change soon and she’ll have her family back. I turn to leave and as I walk out of the kitchen I notice a letter on top of the microwave, addressed to Thomas Floyd.
“What’s this letter, Mrs. Saunders?” I shout so she can hear me up in her room.
“That came for Thomas via special delivery this morning. It looks like a letter from the court.”
Everything he does behind my back, or doesn’t, concerns me. I quickly tear the edge off it and pull out a few crisp pages from the envelope. There’s more than one letter inside, and all of them are from the court. Quickly skimming through them, I see what they are. An indictment letter for the crimes he committed: attempted murder, and domestic violence. Strange, the domestic violence dates are from two nights ago. I never reported that. Then, a prosecutor’s letter, a letter for an alibi demand, and a prosecutor’s notice of intention to offer evidence at the trial. They’re also calling him for a psych evaluation before the actual trial.
A few sentences catch my attention:
“If you fail to appear on the aforesaid date, an indictment warrant for your arrest will be issued. With regards to the indictment itself, the people are ready for trial and so it is set for November 1st.”
“Our investigation is complete and all witnesses are available.”
“We need you to attend a psychological evaluation before appearing in court.”
Oh god, the trial is so soon. I thought it would be months before they actually call him. It’s Alexander, he must know something about it. I quickly pick up my cell and ring him.
“I was expecting your call,” he answers his cell calmly.
“Were you?”
“Yes, you never said you were taking the day off.”
“Oh. Yeah, sorry about that. I may have said something about it this morning.” I pause. “It was a spur of the moment thing. I’m spending time with the boys today.”
“It’s always good to hear your voice.” I hear him smirking. “What I think would be better is to see you at your desk, sitting and waiting for me with your legs open. Staring at me with those hungry eyes. Drinking my presence. Feeling my gravity.” He sighs, and allows the words to sink in. “But unfortunately for me, you’re not here.”
“Alexander.” Oh god, only he knows how to rouse the need inside me. I quickly shake off my shameless thoughts and focus on the reason I called him. “I got a letter from the court today. Addressed to Thomas. Did you have anything to do with it?”
“Today?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, I’m better than I thought.”
“What do you mean?”
He clears his throat before continuing.
“I spoke with my connections yesterday. They assured me Thomas will be taken care of. He’ll stand trial here, but once the verdict is out, he’ll be transferred to the States. Martinez Detention Facility in San Francisco, to be specific.
“But November the 1st is so soon. That’s in less than two weeks.”
“I thought that’s what you wanted.
That’s what we both want, Amelia. Am I right?”
“Yes. Yes you are. It’s just that it caught me unprepared.” God! “Will he be told about it?”
“No. It will be in the verdict. Nobody knows about it yet.” He makes a pause. “Amelia, this is highly confidential. Nobody should know about it.”
“Yes, of course.”
“You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”
“No.”
“Are you sure, Amelia? I need to know.”
“Alexander, I don’t have second thoughts. It’s just that all this is happening a bit too fast. We’re supposed to move in together within a day and, well, I feel rushed.”
“Rushed? Amelia, am I rushing you into moving in with me?”
“No, you’re not. Well, actually, maybe. Look, I don’t know, Alexander. I’m not sure.”
“Amelia, please tell me you still love me, at least.”
“Love you? Why would you doubt my love for you?”
“No, I don’t doubt it! Fuck! I’m sorry. I’m so sorry Amelia. I don’t know what I’m saying anymore.”
“What’s going on, Alexander? Why are you acting like this?”
He takes a deep breath and exhales over the phone.
“My father called me earlier. It totally threw me off balance.”
“Your father? He called you here, in England?”
“Yes. I still don’t know what to make out of it. He was talking incoherently. He said he’s sorry. He’s sorry for everything. I mean, how the fuck he dare say something like that to me? He ruined my life! He accused me of being responsible for my mother’s death! How can anyone do that to a ten year old boy?”
“Calm down, Alexander, please.”
“The bastard even told me he loved me!! Fuck, if he’d been standing next to me, I probably would have killed him with my bare hands.”
“Alexander, he’s trying to make amends. Why don’t you listen to him, give him a chance. Everyone deserves a second chance.”
“Not him. Not the asshole that he is!”
“You’re too cruel, Alexander.”
“Cruel? Amelia, you’re so naïve! I’m only being true to myself. I hate that man! I hate his guts!” The distress in his voice is palpable.
“Alexander, whatever happened between you two…”
“Please, Amelia, let’s stop talking about him!” he snaps.
“Is him calling you connected with that black box?”
“Amelia, I told you about that box, don’t ask me about it.”
“But does it? Is this because of it? Why don’t you give him the damn box and he’ll be out of your life for good? Problem over!”
“Fucking hell, Amelia, I’ve had enough of this!”
He cuts the line abruptly and I stand there, in the kitchen, lost for words. What the fuck just happened? He got riled for no reason whatsoever. His father only wanted to make up. It’s his right.
Seeing that I’m at home and can’t do much about it, I let it go. Today I intend to spend my time with the boys, not deal with his crap.
I put the letter down on the kitchen counter and text Thomas’s number.
“I shouldn’t be telling you this after what happened the other day, but still, here I am. A court letter arrived for you. If you don’t text me your new address in the next two hours, I’ll be sending it back. FYI - your court date is November 1st, so you really want to read the letter.”
A few minutes pass by before my cell buzzes with a text message.
“Amelia, this is John O’Prey. Thank you for the message, please send the letters to my address, 76 Kings Road Chelsea London SW3.”
Finally, someone sane.
I take the letter and leave it by the front door; I’ll be posting it before I pick up my nephews from school.
~
Thank god we live so close to Chessington World of Adventures. The afternoon was a winner! Michael and Jason were ecstatic when they heard where I was taking them. And with all the rides there, I never thought we would actually manage to talk like I wanted to, but we did. Still, today was mainly about having a good time. I wanted them to know that I, too, can enjoy life and the little things that matter. And what a relief! At first, they were wary of me joining them for the rides, thinking there must be some kind of catch. I never joined them before; actually, come to think of it, I never did go with them to places like this. I laughed out loud; I screamed in fear and shouted in elation. These rides will do all that to you.
And once they realized I’m real, and I, too, want a piece of the fun, they dragged me to every single ride until we got tired. After that we had cotton candy and ice cream and popcorn and all the other junk food there was. And we talked. God, we talked so much! About everything! Their school, their friends, the girls in their class. I found out they both liked the same girl and instead of fighting over her, they’ve agreed to ask her to choose between them. My baby boys are growing. And I’ll be here for them, I’ll be present in body, mind, and soul. It’s a new chapter in our lives.
There was only one question that got them antsy: “What do you think of Max?”
I never asked them about Alexander, because I know their reaction. But Max, I know they like Max.
Their faces instantly became serious, Jason looked to Michael for guidance, as he always does and Michael just shrugged his shoulders.
“He’s cool,” was his answer.
That was it. Nothing else. And the afternoon continued as if I hadn’t asked them a thing. We came home too late, I think, at seven. Tired but well fed, they had a quick shower and immediately went to bed. By the time I tucked them in, it was nearly eight thirty. They usually don’t go out during the week and poor babies, they were exhausted. And so was I.
Mrs. Saunders had been getting ready all this time. I never once saw her outside of her room, but I heard the commotion inside. Opening her wardrobe, changing clothes and probably repeating the whole process.
“Mrs. Saunders?” I knock on the door. Before I head to my bedroom, I want to wish her good luck. Tonight is a big night for her and as much as I want to meet her man, I’m tired and would like to go to bed myself.
“Come in, Amelia. I’m finally ready.”
I walk in and déjà vu from this morning happens. Except, this time it’s not my hearing but my eyes – I can’t believe the transformation. It’s like Cinderella. The only difference is that she’s working at my house of her own free will.
“Oh my god, Mrs. Saunders! Is that you?” I make sure my mouth is not open. There, in the middle of the room, is a sixty year old woman wearing a very fashionable but simple in itself, fitted beige knee length dress with a thin black belt going across her waist, and looking at her face, my eyes are drawn to her long lashes dipped in mascara. Which, strangely, looks amazing on an older woman. She reminds me of Audrey Hepburn in her later years.
She just smiles shyly and touches up her made up hair.
“This has always been me. Well, up until I left him.”
“You look amazing. He’ll be swept off his feet.”
“You think so?”
“Yes, I know so Mrs. Saunders.”
“Amelia, dear, I’ve told you before, call me Dorothy. It’s okay.”
“Oh no, Mrs. Saunders, I wouldn’t dare. You’ve been with us for a long time. We love the formality.”
At that moment the doorbell rings.
“It’s him!” she gasps in panic. “Oh god, Amelia. Oh god, I’m not ready yet. I don’t look as good as I used to...”
“Mrs. Saunders, he fell in love with your heart. I assure you, if he still loves you, he’ll see you as if you haven’t aged a day.”
She fiddles uncomfortably with the bag in her hand; probably a million thoughts roam through her head.
“Go on, then. Open the door. Let him see you for who you are. And for who you’ve become.”
I open the door and hold it for her. After a small pause she glances at the mirror one last time and decidedly w
alks out.
“I’m not working tomorrow so please stay as late or as early as you want,” I say, following her down the stairs and standing behind her. Far enough to give them privacy but close enough to see what’s going to happen. I’m excited for her.
The doorbell rings once again and as she holds the handle, I see her take a deep breath and then open it quickly.
There’s an eerie silence stemming from where they stand. I see someone, a well-dressed man, suit, hat, the whole nine yards. I bet he was nervous about tonight, too. He takes his hat off and as their eyes meet again after so many years, that eerie silence turns into something more. A surreptitious passion is coming alive again. So rare, and so exciting. I can almost feel it.
“My dearest Dorothy,” he whispers.
Mrs. Saunders tries to say something but that turns into a whimper and she covers her face with her hands; this is too much for her. Her shoulders shake and muffled sounds come from behind her palms. She’s crying.
He takes one large step and has her instantly in his arms, soothing her with his words, inaudible to me from where I’m standing. He’s also stroking her hair and her face.
“Seeing your face tonight, in the moonlight…That’s my bucket list done.” She still sobs but now she’s wrapped her hands around him and drapes her whole body over his.
“Dorothy, please stop crying,” he says in anguish. “I’m here. I’m not going away until you tell me.”
My eyes, already brimming with tears, overflow, and I wipe my cheeks with the back of my hand. I feel out of place standing here, witnessing this beautiful reunion. I clear my throat and Mrs. Saunders immediately pulls away from him.
“I…I’m sorry, Amelia,” she sniffles. “I was caught unprepared. This is…”
“Albert Wallace, ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He says and reaches out in my direction with his hand. I take a few steps and shake his hand.
“Nice to meet you, Albert.”
“Erm, I think we better go, Dorothy.” He takes her hand and gently kisses the back of it.
She watches his actions with tears in her eyes as he leads her out. No goodbye, nothing. The door closes behind them and I’m left in the silence of the house.
The Collar of Sacrifice Page 8