Almost Lost, Never Forgotten

by T. L. Sieving

  The protocol practically shut down the hospital for a few minutes which saved Sam because they found her unconscious in the lobby. Someone had drugged her and moved her all the way down to the lobby area and left her in a chair.

  Apparently it was the same man who hit me over the head. This Julian guy just tried to kidnap Sam. They saw the video of him and caught him hiding out in the cafeteria. They found some things in his car which they are not telling us about, but my purse was one of the items.

  “Oh my God,” I say and I try to calm myself not wanting anymore medicine, “Chase, I want to see her.”

  “She’s unconscious,” Chase tries to tell me, but I won’t hear any of that.

  “Take me to her now!” I yell.

  “Ok Lucy,” he says with a little laugh, “I’ll get a wheelchair.”

  He opens the door and I see a police officer standing out there and Chase is talking to him as the door closes. It takes him a few minutes but he comes back with a wheelchair and pushes me to Sam’s room down the hall.

  I’m surprised to see two more armed police officers outside Sam’s door, but I really shouldn’t be. When an heiress almost gets kidnapped the city better respond or Mr. Renault would shut the city down.

  I’m wheeled into Sam’s room and see Mr. and Mrs. Renault in the corner and Jax in a chair next to her bed with his head in his hands. He looks up and sees me and I can see the tears in his eyes. I know this must be ridiculously scary and eerily familiar to him.

  “Oh, Lucy,” Mrs. Renault says as she crosses the room to me, “Our Samantha will be ok honey, she will be ok.” She hugs me and I break down and cry. It’s scary seeing Sam lying unconscious in that hospital bed.

  They don’t need me in here crying so I quickly wipe the tears away. I try to stand but feel instantly dizzy and I realize it’s been awhile since I’ve eaten. Chase helps me walk over to her side and I sit on the bed next to her.

  “Hey Sam,” I say as I rub her face, “Wake up sweet Sam, I’m so sorry that guy tried to hurt you too, this is all my fault, and I’m so sorry.”

  “This is not your fault Lucy, I won’t hear that. You girls were targets and that madman wasn’t going to stop until he got you… or got caught,” Mr. Renault states with authority.

  Jax looks up at me and tells me the same thing. I nod my head showing I understand.

  I sit with her for a little while longer and when the nurse comes in to check her vitals I ask Chase to take me back to my room. I don’t feel well and I don’t want to puke or pass out in Sam’s room.

  The nurse tells us she expects Sam to wake up in a couple more hours so we should all relax, it will be awhile.

  Chase takes me back to the room and I can smell something amazing and know there are sandwiches from my favorite deli in my room.

  “Jax told me these are your favorite.”

  I smile at him, “Yes they are!

  We’re silent while we eat. After we clean up our food I ask Chase if he wants to watch a movie on Netflix. He grabs his computer, puts it on the table, and he gets into the bed with me. We look through the movies and decide to start the ‘Breaking Bad’ series.

  We get through the first two shows before I fall fast asleep.

  Chapter 36

  It’s a good thing I got some sleep because when I wake up shit has hit the fan.

  Chase is not in the room but I see his bag still sitting in the same spot.

  Mrs. Renault is in the room with me and they are already in the process of discharging me. I finally feel a lot better. My head still hurts, but I would now rate the pain a 3 out of 10 which is a big improvement.

  Mrs. Renault looks frantic, but I guess I would be as well if my daughter and her best friend were both attacked and in the hospital. She has brought me some clothes and I quickly take a shower and get dressed.

  By the time I’m finished Mrs. Renault has me packed and Sam is in my room. “Damn, you look good Sam!” She looks great, like nothing happened to her at all.

  “Thank God! I feel like shit and still pretty out of it. I’m glad we never did any drugs Lucy, I don’t think I like them very much.”

  I smile at her and feel bad, I really don’t even know what has happened. “Sit in the wheelchair Lucy, we’re ready to go and we’re taking you girls to our penthouse,” Mrs. Renault says.

  “Absolutely not, mom! Take us to my house and don’t fight me. I’m leaving for Italy and I’m not slowing down for that asshole ever again.”

  I don’t know what she’s talking about, but they are rushing me out of here so I’ll have time to ask when we’re in the car or at home.

  “Fine Sam, whatever you want!” her mom says to her and I’m happy; I don’t really want to go to their penthouse, anyway.

  “Where are Chase and Jax?” I ask.

  “They went for a workout and will meet you girls back at home; of course they think we are going to the penthouse so I’ll have your dad text them telling them to meet you girls at your place instead.”

  I look at the clock and it’s only 7am. What time did they go workout at and why did they go together? Then it hits me that Chase was only supposed to stay one day and he probably needs to be at practice.

  Luke walks in and can’t even look at me. I want to slap him right now; this is not his fault and there was nothing he could have done to stop it. I’m going to give him a verbal smack in the head for this feeling sorry act he’s putting on.

  They quickly push us outside and we get into our cars to head home.

  “Lucy dear, why don’t you go take a shower and get comfortable so we can all sit down and discuss some things,” Mrs. Renault instructs me.

  Take a shower and change? I just took a shower two hours ago. But ok, I guess I can go rinse off the hospital smell. I walk upstairs to my room and decide to take a bath instead. My head is pounding from all the activity and I just want to relax in a hot bubble bath.

  As I slide into the tub I take a heavy breath and slowly let it out. I close my eyes and think of all the shit that has happened in the past few days. What am I doing so wrong that I’m putting myself into these horrible situations time and time again? I’m losing some confidence that I’m able continue to live in this city that I’ve called home for the past 5 years.

  I try not to think about the past few months in fear of another panic attack coming. I have the pills the doctor prescribed but I don’t want to take them; instead I want to be able to control it with some of the techniques they taught me. I want to be able to kick this on my own.

  I made the bath as hot as I could stand and it’s starting to cool down. I consider putting more hot water in since it’s so relaxing but before I can do it Sam walks in.

  “Hey there, you’re going to turn into a prune. Are you almost done? We’re downstairs and want to talk.”

  “I’m done,” I tell her and get out of the bath.

  “Ok hurry up and get dressed, I’m sending Chase up.”

  As I’m about to walk out of the bathroom I see Chase reflected in my mirror. I slowly turn around, careful not to make sudden moves that might bother my head and he wraps me up in his arms.

  “I’m so glad you are ok, Lucy,” he whispers as he holds me tightly. “How are you feeling?” he asks as he slowly releases me from his arms.

  “My head still hurts but it’s getting better.”

  “I hate to leave but I have a 1:05pm game. The Renaults are letting me use their plane. I can be right back if you want me to be.”

  I feel like Chase has been going out of his way for me and it makes me feel guilty. I know he needs to go and concentrate on his game.

  “I’ll be ok Chase, call me tonight though?” He looks at me and looks unsure as to what to do so I add, “I’ll be watching, don’t worry.”

  He smiles and kisses my head before grabbing my hand and walking me downstairs. He says good-bye to everyone and thanks the Renaults again for letting him use their plane.

  “It’s no problem Chase, anyti
me; we will see you tonight,” Mrs. Renault says.

  He shakes Mr. Renault’s hand and hugs Sam before coming back over to hug me, and then walks outside to his waiting car.

  “Sam, Lucy, Jax, come sit down and let’s have a little chat,” Mr. Renault says.

  I sit in the corner of the sofa and Sam sits on the other side of the couch. Jax stands on the other side of the room and Mrs. Renault takes the chair by the window. The silence is disturbing and I’m anxious to hear what they have to say.

  “The police have arrested Julian Travolt and the District Attorney has assured me that they have a solid case against him for the stalking, battery, and attempted kidnapping of the both of you girls,” Mr. Renault says. I take a deep relaxing breath and am thankful this is over.

  I turn to Sam and she’s crying; I feel so bad that she had to go through something like this again. I can’t help but feel a little responsible for it this time, though. I scoot over on the couch next to her and Jax crosses the room and stands by her.

  “Lucy, Julian is the son of Henry Travolt,” Jax says and I’m shocked; I can hear Sam crying even harder next to me.

  “Oh my God, was he doing this for his dad?” I ask Mr. Renault.

  “We don’t know that yet Lucy, but what they have found in Julian’s home is enough to put him away for the rest of his life,” he says.

  “What did they find?” I ask in a demanding tone. I won’t take, ‘Don’t worry about that dear;’ for an answer either; I need to know.

  “Lucy it appears that Julian had been stalking you and Sam for at least the past year,” Mr. Renault says.

  I say nothing and continue looking at him, begging him to keep going and not make me ask again.

  “The police found hundreds of pictures of the both of you from the past year and had your daily routines down pretty accurately.” I hear grief in his voice and remember that this is Sam’s dad I’m talking to.

  He puts his head in his hands for a few moments and then sits up straight and continues.

  The police believe that he planned on kidnapping both of you,” he tells me and quickly adds, “And this was his first attempt.”

  I take his words in and it seems so surreal that I can’t wrap my head around it. It’s so much to think about; stalking for the past year, roofies, being knocked over the head, 100’s of photographs, and it goes on and on. I feel the anxiety and panic coming on and know I have no choice but to run upstairs and take my pill.

  “Please excuse me for a minute,” I say to no one in particular and walk calmly upstairs and swallow the pill while trying to do the breathing the nurse told me to do. It’s helping but not immediately, so I wait for the pill to kick in before I head back downstairs and into the kitchen to make some tea.

  Jax comes into the kitchen and wraps me up in his arms and I let the tears roll down my face.

  “It’s ok gorgeous, we aren’t going to let anything ever happen to you again,” Jax tells me and I try to believe him.

  I wrap my arms around him tightly and appreciate the bond that we have more than ever. Jax is such an amazing man and I feel truly blessed that he and I are able to have a friendship above anything else that we share.

  He holds me for a few minutes and then helps me prepare the tea to bring out to everyone.

  We walk back into the living room and put the tray of tea and cookies on the table. Mrs. Renault takes over as hostess and pours everyone a cup. “Are you ok sweetie?” She asks me and I nod and give her a small smile.

  No one is speaking and I just can’t sit here and feel sorry for myself, or anyone else, any longer.

  “I think I’m going to go wash up and head into work. I need to get caught up and figure out my new position,” I tell them and start to rise.

  “Oh you girls are both the same, so ambitious. I hate that you both want to jump right back into work so fast, you should take the rest of the year off and relax after this fiasco,” Mrs. Renault says.

  “Stop with that nonsense, these girls are driven and know what they are doing. They are both young and successful and are chasing their dreams. I’m so damn proud of both of you,” Mr. Renault shouts. I look over at Sam and she’s looking at her dad wide eyed and I can see how surprised and happy she is to hear him say that.

  She has pushed herself really hard trying to prove her worth to others and to her dad, and she has been so afraid that she was letting her dad down by not continuing working at Renault Financials. I know hearing him say he was proud of her immediately lifted her spirits and would give her the determination she needed to pick herself back up.

  Sam gets up off the couch walks over to her dad and wraps her arms around him. I hear him whisper something in her ear and she gives him a radiant smile. Whatever he’s saying is exactly what she needed to hear and I’m happy to see them have this moment.

  Sam turns toward me and says, “Jax and I are leaving tonight for Italy so we don’t hold up production.”

  I look from her to Jax and see that this is probably Sam’s decision, but I know he will help her through this better than I could. This is the right decision for her, and her healing can start because she isn’t stalling her life for even a minute because of the Travolt’s.

  I nod my head. I feel the medicine working through my body and it feels like I’m drugged. I do my best to be myself but it takes effort to do it. I make the decision right now that I too will get over this.

  “We should get going and let these kids say their good-byes,” Mrs. Renault says as she stands up and hugs each of us. “Let Chase help you through this, Lucy; don’t fight him on it because he wants to be there for you. You are a beautiful smart girl and this probably won’t be your only stalker. You have us, and you have Jax and Chase, and we will never let anything bad happen to you again.”

  I give Mr. Renault a hug and he whispers in my ear and it makes me smile. Having them take me in as a member of their family is beyond humbling. I really am grateful.

  Sam walks them outside and it’s just Jax and I. “So,” I draw out, “Leaving tonight are you?”

  “Yeah,” is all he replies.

  I nod my head in understanding and turn around to walk up to my room. “Lucy!” he shouts. I stop but I don’t turn around. I feel him come up to me and put his hand on my back and he pushes me upstairs toward my room.

  When we’re in my room he closes the door and asks, “Are you ok?”

  I can see he’s concerned, “I have to deal with this anxiety Jax. It hasn’t been easy, but I think I can start to heal now.”

  “If you need anything at all, please reach out to me.” He stops for a minute and then continues, “The Renaults really will do anything for you… and I know Chase will too.”

  “I know, and thank you. I’ll ask for help, I promise.” He seems to consider my words before he walks over and gives me a really great hug.

  I think of the months we dated and how wonderful they were. This is the man who opened my heart back up, and I think I did the same for him.

  He leans down and we share a slow kiss on the lips before he walks out.

  I stand watching my door for a few minutes before I go in my bathroom and make myself presentable enough to go into the office and find out what the heck is going on with this new position I’ve got.

  I walk out of my room and into Sam’s but she isn’t there. I walk downstairs and Jax is the only one I see.

  “Where’s Sam?”

  He looks pained as he tells me, “She told me to tell you good-bye.”

  I look at him with tears in my eyes, “Ok,” I tell him and walk outside and get into the car that’s waiting to take me to NBC.

  Chapter 37

  My phone beeps and I smile as I look at who it is.

  6:10pm

  Chase: What did you think of the game?

  6:11pm

  Me: Shit!

  6:12pm

  Chase: Tisk tisk analyst. We will watch the highlights on sports center tonight.

  I l
ook at my phone and smile.

  6:14pm

  Me: Sounds perfect. Have a safe flight.

  If someone wants to help me then I won’t fight it anymore, I’ll let them. Chase has offered to be there for me and to support me; at least that’s why I think he’s coming tonight.

  I’ve been busy all afternoon getting everything prepared to start the analyst position. Sadly I’m not working for Rebekka anymore, but my new boss seems nice enough. I’ll be on the road most of the time and need to be ready to be on air every single day, which is a little nerve-wracking. We should be able to sort out a schedule soon, but this is all so new and exciting that the chaotic schedule doesn’t bother me.

  I have a meeting with the PR people for the Detroit Mustangs tomorrow over a video conference and then I’m heading to their road game in Kansas City. It’s all so exciting that I can almost ignore the aching hole in my heart that Sam left me with this morning.

  I have no idea what happened between us or why she would leave like that. I can’t even fathom why she’d leave without saying good-bye. I’m thankful I took those pills from the doctor or I may not have been able to hold myself together today.

  Chase will be here in a few hours so I quickly finish up all the last-minute stuff and say my final good-byes to everyone in the office.

  I walk downstairs and James is waiting for me and I smile and wave at him. I’m going to miss sharing the rides home with Sam.

  “Good afternoon James, good to see you,” I say as I get in the car surprised to see I’m not alone.

  I look over at her, my face not giving away the anxiety I feel of how she left without saying good-bye or how happy I am to see her before she leaves.

  We start moving into the heavy New York City traffic and she finally speaks. “Lucy,” She whispers and I look over at her. “I. Am. So. Sorry.”

  I can see how hard it is for her to get this out. I move closer and look at her, really look into her eyes, and I see how sad she is.