‘Nothing! Why?’ she replied.
‘Might one be interested in partaking in a fun filled evening?’
‘Indeed, I might! Where might one partake in such activities?’
‘ha ha well I have a function thing to go to and I was hoping you would go with me? It’s a work thing! Completely understand if you’re not up to it but I said I’d ask. Would love you to come’
She would love to get out of the house but it dawned on her that she had absolutely nothing to wear to a function.
‘What kind of a function is it?’ Amy fished for information, wondering if she was really up for an evening of hob nobbing.
‘It’s a black tie thing in the Radisson. Just a hob nob thing, a retirement. But I need to show my face’
She wasn’t thrilled at the idea but really didn’t want to throw away time with him because she wasn’t feeling well. Thinking she could probably suck it up, she had nothing to lose.
‘As long as you don’t mind someone hobbling beside you, I’d love to go!’
‘Great, that’s great! I’ll pick you up at seven’
‘K well I’ll see you then’
‘See you then, A x’
Becoming a bit panicked, he made her way upstairs to bed, she flicked through the dresses in her wardrobe.
‘What in God’s name will I wear to a black tie?’ she mumbled. Cursing to herself that she said she would go, even though it had been a week since she was home from the hospital and the furthest she had gone was to get some dvd’s with Sean. She realised that she actually had nothing to wear.
‘Balls’ she cried as she flopped on the bed letting her crutch fall to the ground. Immediately she heard a rummaging in the other bedroom and rushed footsteps coming towards her. Barging into her room came a very sleepy Sean his eyes wide with concern.
‘What’s going on? Are you ok? I heard a crash? Why are you crying?’ She could barely understand him he spoke so quickly. Looking at his choice of sleepwear, she smiled up at him a tear of frustration falling down her cheek. His was wearing very tight fitting black Armani shorts. Not knowing where to look but at the same time not wanting to tear her eyes away from his muscular frame he stood there confused.
‘Ah, hello! Are you ok?’
‘Sorry Sean. I’m so sorry for waking you! I’m fine, just a wardrobe malfunction’
‘A wardrobe malfunction? At this hour?’ he seemed annoyed rubbing his eyes.
‘Em yeah! Sorry’ She shrugged her shoulders ‘go back to bed I’m fine’
‘If you were fine you wouldn’t be crying. Now what gives?’ He picked up her fallen crutch and laid it beside her, sitting himself on the bed.
‘Ah, I need to find something to wear and I’ve nothing’
‘For what?’ He speculated as to what kind of wardrobe malfunction could leave her in tears when she had only been out once since coming home from hospital.
‘I said that I’d go to a function thing with someone and now I’ve nothing to bloody wear’
‘What’s the function?’ he looked around the room not making eye contact ‘Who you going with?’
‘Adam. I said I'd go but now I’ve nothing to wear’
‘Do you think it’s wise to be going out so soon after…you know’
He didn’t like to say the words. Trying to hide the green-eyed monster sitting on his shoulder, he acted nonchalant trying to hide that fact that she shouldn’t be going anywhere with him.
‘Sean, will you don’t be worrying. I’ll be perfectly ok’ she started to get annoyed but realised that he was only looking out for her
‘Look go back to bed. I’ll be ok’
‘Are you ok?’ he looked at her intently. She was now very close to him. He was on her bed with practically no clothes on and her heart started to beat faster, frightening her. Confused really was her middle name but this was beyond ridiculous. There was no way she could let herself become so swept up in the moment every time someone of the opposite sex was near her. She didn’t answer him. He asked her again.
‘Amy are you ok’. She nodded. She looked down at his muscular legs sure that he was aware of her heart beating out of her chest.
‘You’re allowed to move on with your life Ame! You are a free person and don’t forget it. You are not tied to anyone’ Sean's serious expression studied her. Silence filled the space between them. He was still sitting beside her his hand moving toward her face. He pushed a stray hair from her eyes.
‘Sean, I….’ Amy looked back at him, wanting to say something but she was scared. She really liked Adam but Sean dipped in and out her mind too. Clearly, she was messed up from Frank doing a job on her but this was completely unfair. Sean was taking care of her. He was her friend and saviour really. He had stuck by her even when she was a royal bitch from hell. Adam on the other hand was a gentleman. She had never before been treated like such a lady. Both guys had exactly what she wanted, the only problem was that it just came in two different guys. This was going to be a problem she thought as she looked at Sean, his eyes on her.
‘Yeah?’ He waited for her to say something.
‘I just don’t know what to do’
Getting up from beside her, Sean took Amy’s hand. He put his strong arms around her, both of them considering the fact that this conversation was not about clothing.
‘We’ll get you a dress tomorrow. I promise. Go to sleep and we’ll fix it all in the morning’ kissing her on the forehead, Sean helped Amy into her bed pulling the covers over her.
‘Thanks Sean, sorry for waking you’ Amy’s head peeped over the covers.
‘No worries kid’ Sean winked at her, turned off the light and closed the door.
Falling asleep, Amy hoped that she would have a dreamless night. The last few nights she hadn’t been sleeping that good. Her mind raced thinking of the accident again. She looked forward to getting back to work next week. Even though she would still have her crutches, she didn’t mind getting her routine back. Wondering to herself if Sean would continue to stay with her, she tossed and turned until she could get comfortable. Amy didn’t really want him to go anywhere. Having gotten used to the company, she knew that loneliness would set in once again, when she was left by herself. Like everything else in her life, she would have no choice but to get used of it.
The very next day, Sean was true to his word. He left work early to take her shopping for a dress. Watching daytime TV, after he had called to say he was on his way home, Amy flicked from one channel to another. Unable to make up her mind, she looked out the window to see a strange car outside. De ja vu all over all, she thought, hoping to God it wasn’t Frank or Sharon. She didn’t have the strength in her to fight again with either of them. Studying a strange lady, Amy guessed she might be a sales woman as she went to the boot of the car. On second thoughts, she was probably a delivery woman as she had in her hands a huge bouquet of flowers.
‘Who could be sending me flowers now?’ she said as she made her way off the couch and hobbled to the front door. Opening the door, she found the middle aged woman, flowers in her hands and her head almost bowed. Amy realised that the person was no delivery woman. She remained silent until Amy, feeling the awkwardness, asked her if she had the right house.
‘I’m sorry I’m not sure...you see I’m looking for Amy?’ a huge frown painted on her face.
‘Yes, I’m Amy’ she had no idea who this woman was or what she wanted with her.
‘Oh, .good..I was wondering if I might be able to come in and have a word. You see I’m David Naughton’s wife’ She stood looking up at Amy. This poor woman, in obvious distress, expected her to know who ‘David’ was.
This woman definitely had the wrong house. She also had the wrong Amy.
‘Sorry Amy. I’m not making much sense. You probably don’t even know his name. David, my husband was the man who crashed into you. He died’
It suddenly hit her. She felt so bad now. Of course David Naughton! Sweet lord what could she say.
‘Oh my God, come in, please come in’ Amy begged.
‘I won’t stay long. Don’t worry, I really don’t want to be bothering you at all. It’s just that I wanted to make sure you were ok and then I’ll be on my way’
‘Please, Mrs Naughton. You’re not bothering me at all’
Amy felt so sorry for this woman. Her husband had died, leaving her with a family to take care of. She was all by herself now.
‘Call me Nora, please’ the woman smiled a sad smile.
Taking a seat, both women looked at each other in silence each feeling dreadful for the other. Amy studied Nora and saw a shell of a woman. She was probably only fifty but looked like she was closer to sixty-five. Suddenly, feeling like a fool for acting the way she did after Frank left, she thanked God that nothing had happened to him and that he was still alive and well. Regardless of all the hurt, she would never wish him any harm. This poor woman’s husband had died.
‘Are you ok, Nora?’ Amy spoke ever so gently afraid that if she talked too loud, her tears would flow. It didn’t matter what she had said, Nora started to cry.
‘I know I probably shouldn’t be here. My family told me not to come but I had no choice. I really did want to see if you were ok but I have a selfish reason too!’ Nora did not want to pretend. Amy didn’t have a clue what selfish reason she was referring to.
‘I just wanted to make sure...oh I’m so ashamed now for coming. I’ll go...’
Nora stood to leave now, cursing herself for even having to nerve to show up and ask her.
‘Why on earth would you be ashamed? Sit down please...’
Amy pleaded with her full of sympathy for her and her family. Nora paused ready to run for the door.
‘Amy I came to ask you not to...you know...’ she couldn’t finish her sentence
‘Not to what?’ It was beginning to dawn on Amy what Nora was talking about. She had no intention of doing what the distraught woman was thinking
‘Oh I see...’
‘I know I am a terrible person for even coming her asking you that. But, I had to. My family have been through the wars these past ten years with David. He’s been drinking...was drinking for such a long time. It had gotten worse over the past six months or so when we got word that he might be laid off his job. The bills were mounting and I was working all the hours I could just to keep the wolf from the door’
Amy nodded her sympathies and without saying a word pointed towards the chair for Nora to sit down. Taking a seat, Nora went on to tell her that David had started to get violent. He had never once lifted his hand to the children but Nora bore the brunt of his temper. All three of his children loved him dearly but were getting tired of his drinking. They had no idea that things were as bad as they were or indeed that their father had started to hit their mother.
Nora admitted that she tried so many times, unsuccessfully, to get him the help he needed. She told him on a number of occasions that if he did not get himself into treatment he would die from drink. She was right. He used to laugh at her telling her that therapy was for the weak and it was only a few drinks for God’s sake. Sure if he couldn’t have that then he may as well do away with himself now. He didn’t have to in the end.
‘I’ve no idea what to say Nora. I’m so unbelievably sorry for your loss and for the pain you’ve had to go through’ Amy was nearly in tears herself listening to the life Nora had to lead.
‘Oh, I’m ok I am really’ Nora smiled now nodding ‘It’s a terrible thing to even say this out loud and I haven’t even said this to anyone else...I miss him every day. I miss him when I wake up and I miss him when I go to sleep. What I don’t miss though is wondering when the police will knock on my door to tell me is dead. They’ve already done that. His pain is over now. He must have been in terrible pain to drink like that....covering up his worries afraid to talk to me’ Nora explained ‘ but I feel relieved in a way. Does that make sense?’
Amy nodded, completely understanding how Nora would be relieved. She didn’t have to worry for him anymore. But she did have to worry for her family. Amy was not about to put one more burden on her.
‘Nora, please don’t worry about me going to a solicitor. It never even entered my mind to do such a thing. I am very grateful to have my life and I have your husband to thank for making me turn a corner. Before this happened I needed a boot up the arse to stop feeling sorry for myself. Not anymore. I am grateful. I am so sorry for what happened, I really am. I don’t know how you’ve come out this end as well as you have’ Amy’s tears started now as she watched the strong woman in her living room.
‘Thank you Amy. Thank you for listening and thank you for understanding. I didn’t know what or how I was going to say anything to you after what you’ve been through but I’m so glad I did now’
Not wanting to keep her any longer, Nora went on her way. Amy was happy that she had come. even though it was a shock. It had helped her heal. It had helped both women heal. Amy could get closure on it with a little bit more ease.
Getting in a short while later, Sean saw that Amy had big red eyes yet again. Wondering what it might have been this time, she told him about her visitor. Sean had the utmost sympathy for the poor family when Amy told him the story and said that Nora was indeed very brave for visiting. He didn’t know if he would be able to the same were the shoe on the other foot.
Still not felling like a shopping trip, Amy decided to suck it up and enjoy it. She had been reminded of how lucky she was to be alive and so vowed that she would use the opportunity to get something nice. Brown Thomas was full for a Wednesday afternoon and parking was difficult to find. Abandoning the idea of getting parked close to the department store, Sean dropped Amy off at the front door. Instructing her to wait where she was, he promised to be as quick as he could. Five minutes later, Amy was beginning to get tired from standing in the one place.
‘Sorry, sorry, sorry, I got caught at lights and then there were road works…anyway I’m here now’
‘You’re grand. Sure it wasn’t as if I was going anywhere!’
‘Ha, ha, funny girl. Now, where do you fancy first? Karen Millen or Coast? He caught her by the arm and pulled her enthusiastically.
‘I swear Sean’ she laughed ‘if I didn’t know better I’d swear you were gay’
‘You don’t have to be gay to have good taste!’
‘True, but most guys who have taste ARE gay!’
‘Whatever biatch’ he joked putting on a camp voice as they made their way to the lift. Upstairs in Karen Millen, they found four dresses for her to try on. Coast was a definite no. The styles of the season being a complete waste of time for Amy’s shape. In the dressing room, with Sean waiting outside, she tried on the first outfit. Having a little bit of trouble with the zip, she had to call in her shopping buddy.
‘Do you mind?’ she asked Sean
‘Not at all’ he replied.
Catching him eying her hourglass waist in the mirror she tried to hide her red face.
‘That’s nice. What do you think?' She asked unsure about the dress.
‘Hmm, I’m not sure. The colour is a bit off. It’s not cream and it’s not white’
‘It’s champagne’ he offered.
‘So gay’ Amy smirked.
‘If you’re not careful, I’ll leave you here sown into that dress. The smile would be pasted to the other side of your face!’
‘Undo me’
‘Gladly’ yet again, she caught him looking at her with an expression she couldn’t quite figure out. He laughed to hide whatever it was he was thinking.
‘I’ll be outside for the next one’
‘Lovely’
It wasn't until the last dress, both agreed they had found the perfect one. It was a simple, black, full-length dress, which covered her cast nicely. It was an off the shoulder number that hugged her tightly
to the waist. From there, it fell to the floor. Stepping out of the dressing room, Sean did a double take.
‘That’s pretty’
‘Just pretty?’
‘Pretty stunning’ he admitted ‘he’s a lucky guy’
‘Thanks’ Amy didn’t know what else to say. This was the first time Sean had mentioned openly that she was with someone.
‘You’re welcome. Now, for the love of God can we get the hell out of here? I’m done with Karen Millen for today!’
‘No problem’ Amy giggled ‘I’ll make it up to you, seriously I will’
‘Bet your ass you will. When that leg is all cooked, I’ve an apartment that needs an over haul if you know what I mean!’ he wagged a finger.
‘Get a flippin cleaning lady. I was talking about making it up to you with a liquid lunch…that kind of thing?’
‘That works too’ he laughed.
By Seven, Amy all primped and pruned, waited for Adam patiently in the sitting room. Sean, having gasped at the top of the stairs when he saw her, sat silently watching the TV. Suddenly Amy didn’t feel like going anywhere. She hadn’t felt as beautiful in a long time but for some inexplicable reason she wanted to stay where she was. She put it down to nerves. She was out of place because she hadn’t been out in a long time and going to a fancy event with Adam was probably a little much for her on hind sight. When the doorbell rang, Sean looked at Amy. Without saying a word, he got up and let Adam in.
‘You’re boyfriend is at the door’ Sean nodded his head at the handsome man standing in the doorway and beckoned him inside. Not wanting to get in the way, Sean bid the couple a good night and darted two at a time up the stairs. Before he turned the corner at the top, he turned to watch the couple leave. They really were a good-looking pair he thought to himself. It was time for him to go home.
The ballroom for the retirement party was stunning. The high ceilings had sparkling crystal chandeliers. The space, normally for weddings, was divided up into three and had white drapes sweeping from each corner, making the ballroom resemble a marquee. There were fairy lights wrapped around trees in big terracotta pots, brought in especially for the occasion. Amy wondered who this person was and how rich they were, as Adam stopped a waiter also dressed in white to grab two glasses of champagne. She felt out of place with a crutch by her side but the room was so full of people that it was difficult to even notice. She noticed a band playing on the stage. She loved jazz. It reminded her of lazy Sunday afternoons spent drinking prosecco and hanging out with her friends from college. As a single girl long before any complications ever arose in the form of a man, she was free and easy. Not ever having much to worry about, she longed for a time like that again.
Whiplash Hotel Page 11