by A. K. Evans
“How did you know?” I asked.
“Went to your place to make things right. Em was there and she told me you were here. I came right over.”
“Thank you, Wes.”
“Should have been with you. I’m sorry I wasn’t.”
“I left you, so it was a bit out of your control.”
He winced at my words and I realized what I had just said.
“Wes…that’s not what I meant,” I said and he cut me off.
“Not now, Charley. Let’s focus on Greg. We’ll talk about us later.”
I nodded.
Tony was sitting in a chair across from us. He stood and started to walk. “I’ll be back. Losing my mind right now, just need to walk a minute.”
“You need company?” Hannah asked.
He shook his head.
She nodded. “I’m here if you need me.”
Tony took off around the corner and down the hall.
At that moment, Emme walked in followed seconds later by Greg’s parents. I had never met them, but Hannah recognized them from back when she and Greg were in high school together. Greg’s mom was a short, petite woman. She was very slender and had russet colored hair that was layered and sat right at her shoulders. Her husband was slightly taller, also slender, and already had a full head of gray hair. I saw a little bit of my friend in each of them. My stomach knotted thinking of him.
“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Williams,” Hannah said. “I’m not sure if you remember me. Hannah Torres. I went to school with Greg.”
“Yes, Hannah. I remember you,” Greg’s mom said. “Have you heard anything?”
Hannah shook her head.
“These are some of Greg’s other friends,” Hannah said waving her hand to all of us. “Charley, who used to work with Greg at the diner, her boyfriend, Wes, and her best friend, Emme.”
His parents simply nodded their heads in our direction.
“I’m sorry we are meeting under such horrible circumstances, Mr. and Mrs. Williams,” I said as I stood, reaching my hand out to shake each of theirs.
Just then, a door opened behind the Williams and a surgeon walked out.
Wes stood next to me and held my hand.
“Family of Gregory Williams?” he asked.
Greg’s parents looked to him and answered, “That’s us.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Williams, I’m Dr. Weaver. Would you prefer we go have a seat somewhere more private?”
“Please just tell me the news,” Mr. Williams said.
The surgeon nodded and took a deep breath.
I braced myself.
“Your son experienced horrible trauma to his body. The impact from the crash resulted in lots of broken bones and several internal bleeding injuries. We’ve managed to take care of the internal injuries, but there is a lot of swelling, particularly in his brain that we are extremely concerned about. As a result, we’ve put him in a medically induced coma to give his body time to rest and hopefully help him heal. The next twenty-four to forty-eight hours will be critical. We’ll need to monitor him closely and see how his body responds over the next couple of days. We should know more then.”
“Oh God.”
I looked up to see Tony had returned and caught Dr. Weaver’s update on Greg’s status. He croaked out those words as he broke down into tears. Hannah immediately walked over to him and offered what little comfort she could.
Looking to Greg’s parents I could tell they were in shock. His mother finally spoke and asked, “Can we see him?”
“Yes,” he answered. “Only two at a time and for brief visits, though, please. And I want you to prepare yourselves for what you are going to see. He’s hooked up to a lot of monitors and machines. His body has taken a beating. Odds are that he’s not going to look a lot like you remember. You can follow me this way.”
Mr. and Mrs. Williams followed Dr. Weaver through the door to see their son.
“Gorgeous?” I heard Wes say beside me.
I turned to look at him. He looked like he was in pain.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Give it to me, Charley. I know you are about to break down. You lost your parents in a car accident, you recently lost your brother, and now you are scared you’re going to lose Greg, too.”
“I’m ok, Wes. Really. I’m fine.”
“Charley, you are not fine. I know this because your hand is squeezing mine so tight I can’t feel my fingers anymore.”
I immediately loosened my grip on Wes’ hand.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured.
“Don’t need you to be sorry, baby. I need you to get it out. Forget what happened earlier today and give it to me. Whatever it takes, whatever you need. I will get you through this. Give me the burden so I can carry it for you.”
With those words, I couldn’t control it any longer.
My bottom lip began to tremble and I let him have it. “Oh, Wes. What if he doesn’t make it?” I asked, my voice cracking and my body falling into his. My throat was tight, my nose stinging, and my eyes were filled with tears. “I can’t lose anyone else, Wes. I can’t go through this again.”
“I know,” he said as he held me running his hands up and down my arms. “From everything you’ve told me about him, Greg seems like a tough guy. He will be ok, Charley.”
“What if he’s not?” I pleaded.
“Right now, he’s fighting for his life, Charley. I know he’s important to you. You need to fight right beside him.”
Aside from earlier today in his office, Wes was always rational and logical. I knew what he was telling me was true. I couldn’t give up on Greg while he was struggling to survive.
“Please. You have to let me see him.” I heard uttered from behind me.
I turned around to see Tony was speaking to Greg's parents.
“We’ve already told the staff members that you are not permitted to be in his room,” Mrs. Williams said.
“Mr. and Mrs. Williams, with all due respect, this isn’t what Greg would want,” Hannah chimed in.
“I’m sorry, Hannah. This isn’t up for debate. I will not support this charade,” Mrs. Williams responded. Her husband stood beside her and looked absolutely devastated.
I was mortified by what I was hearing. Pure anguish washed over Tony's face.
I couldn't control myself. I walked over to the group and spoke.
“Excuse me, but you do realize that the only reason you are here right now and were able to be the first ones in to see your son is because of Tony? He was the one who pushed to have someone call you because he knows that that was the right thing to do, despite your feelings on his relationship with your son.”
“Charley? I believe that’s your name, isn’t it?” Mrs. Williams asked me as I nodded. “You haven’t even known my son a year. What makes you think you have the right to speak to me like that?”
“You’re right. I only met Greg last year. From the moment I met him, though, I knew what an incredible person he was. Somehow, despite the hatred you are spewing, you managed to raise an incredibly loving and genuine man. You may not like what I am about to say, but someone needs to tell you to wake up before it’s too late. The reason I didn’t meet Greg sooner is because I didn’t live here. I moved here after my brother died. He was the only blood family I had left after my parents were killed in a car accident ten years ago. Unfortunately, for me and my brother, my parents were pronounced dead at the scene. Lucky for you, Greg was not. When he pulls through this and realizes what you've done and how you are treating the man he loves it’s likely you will have irrevocably damaged what was left of your already strained relationship with him.”
I finished speaking to her, went to Tony and hugged him. I whispered in his ear, “I’m sorry for the outburst, Tony. As much as I want to stay here I need some air. It’s suffocating for me. There’s too much pain for me in a hospital. I hope you get in to see him. I’m praying for Greg. I will be back, but I need some time.”
“I unders
tand, Charley. Thank you. Whether I get in to see him or not I’m not leaving without him,” he answered.
I hugged Hannah, told her I needed to go, and asked her to call me if anything changed. I looked to Emme. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears. She knew where my head was.
“You ok, sweets?” she asked, fighting to stay strong.
I shook my head. I wouldn’t be until I knew Greg was on the mend.
“You need me to go with you?” she asked.
“I need some time,” I answered.
“Ok, I’ll stay here with Hannah and Tony. One of us will call if we hear any news. Call me if you need me.”
“Thanks, Em. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Charley.”
I turned back around to see Greg’s parents watching me. His father looked broken, his mother wound tight. “I know you don’t want my advice, but I’m going to give it anyway. You love your son? Stop hating what you don’t understand and accept what you do. And that’s love. Love your son and accept his choice in a partner before you lose him forever.”
I turned to Wes. “Can you take me home?”
He nodded, took my hand, and walked me out of the hospital.
Chapter 30
Charley
I walked through the front door of the condo. Wes was right behind me. I was in no state to drive myself home after leaving the hospital so I left my car there and came back here with him. Even though we had had our argument not more than a few hours ago I was in no position to be a hero for the sake of winning an argument.
I felt like a zombie as I walked down the hall toward my bedroom. I could still feel Wes right behind me. We hadn’t spoken since before we left the hospital. My thoughts were overwhelming me and I think Wes knew that I needed that time to try to process everything that had happened.
Once I stepped foot inside my bedroom door I stopped and it all hit me at once. My head fell forward as my eyes closed and I felt the harsh reality of my life. It seemed that no matter how hard I tried to stay positive life kept dealing me blow after devastating blow. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. My body began to shake, the sobbing began, and I was immediately hauled up into Wes’ arms.
“When you cry it’s like my heart is being ripped out of my chest, Charley,” Wes said as he carried me to the bed.
He set me on the bed, walked to my dresser and pulled out a t-shirt. When he came back over to me he pulled my blouse over my head after removing my jacket and replaced it with the t-shirt. I fell to the side and my head hit the pillow. Wes pulled my heels off, unzipped my skirt, and pulled it down my legs. He then removed his jacket and boots and climbed into the bed with me.
With his arms wrapped around me I snuggled into him and continued to cry. I don’t know how much time passed, but it wasn’t until Wes began to gently trace the skin at my hips with his fingertips that I finally stopped crying.
After sitting in silence for a bit with my face pressed to Wes’ chest, I spoke.
“Isn’t it crazy how sometimes all it takes is for something horrible to happen for things to be put into perspective?” I asked.
Wes squeezed my hip in response.
“I’m sorry about what happened at work today,” I said.
“Charley, you have nothing to be sorry for. I was an asshole. I know you think I don’t trust you, but that’s not the case. I do. Seeing another man’s hands on you was not something I was prepared for. In this case, it was Zane and I do know that it’s not only him that would never cross that line, but you as well. I was wrong and I should have handled it better than I did.”
“That may be true, Wes. But, I shouldn’t have walked out on you in the middle of it. I’ve always been one to react first to my emotions and think about them later. My brother always told me I needed to work on that. I can’t fault you for having that same tendency.”
“I can’t promise that I’ll never react negatively to another man’s hands on you again, but I do promise that I’ll do my best to be mindful of how my reaction to that will affect you. I love you so much, Charley, and I’m not willing to have you walk out on me because of my ignorance to your feelings.”
“I appreciate your apology, Wes. Thank you. Please know that you mean a lot to me. If I walk away from an argument it’s not the same as me walking away from you. I promise that if that time should come I would at least have the decency to have a conversation with you about it. I will not just abandon you without a word,” I said.
He pulled me tighter to his body.
“Thank you again for being there for me tonight at the hospital,” I said. “I’m not sure if I would have handled it half as well as I did, which is saying something since I didn’t handle it well at all, if you hadn’t been there.”
“Hate that you even had to be there at all. I’m sorry about your friend, Charley. Whatever you need me to do to help make this easier for you I will.”
“I just hope Greg’s parents realize what they are doing. Tony loves him and makes him happy. If for no other reason, how could they not just put aside their pride for the sake of their son’s happiness? He’s not harming anyone,” I said as my voice cracked.
“I don’t know, baby. My parents have always supported Elle and me. I can’t imagine how Greg must feel to not have that. If you want me to I can get Tony in that hospital room,” he responded.
I pulled back from him so that I could look up in his face. He looked down at me.
“Really?” I asked.
He nodded. “My mom was a nurse up until she and my dad started a family. After Elle and I were grown she went back to working part time. Not because she needed to, but because she enjoyed the work and caring for people. She officially retired a few years ago, but occasionally goes in to volunteer. The staff knows her well and could easily be persuaded to listen to her. You want it done, Charley, I’ll make it happen.”
My eyes filled with tears again. “I love you so much, Wes. I don’t want anyone to get into trouble, though.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it,” he said.
I smiled up at him and then snuggled back into his body. Minutes later we heard the front door opening and Emme calling my name. She knocked on my bedroom door a few seconds later. Wes went to the door and opened it.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t…”
“It’s ok, Em. We were just talking. Any news on Greg?” I asked as I sat up in the bed.
She shook her head. “Nothing new yet. Tony got in to see him, though, and said he looks awful.”
“How did he get in?” I asked.
She smiled. “After you left, Mr. Williams sort of lost it…on his wife. He told her that he was sick of the tension and turmoil in their family. He said that you were right and that she basically needed to get her head out of her ass. Essentially, he said that if their son pulled through this they needed to make every effort to mend the relationship before there is nothing left. I guess you got through to one of them.”
“Wow. Really? And she allowed Tony in?”
“Not exactly. Once Mr. Williams put her in her place she walked out of the hospital and Mr. Williams made arrangements with the staff. He told them that Tony was more than welcome to go in to see Greg. Tony was so relieved. He’s planning to spend the night at the hospital, but wanted me to tell you how grateful he was for what you said,” she answered.
“Well, maybe something good will come of this after all,” I mumbled.
“Zane texted me while I was at the hospital. When I told him where I was and what happened he asked if there was anything he could do. I had my spare key for your car, so Luke dropped Zane off at the hospital. He followed behind me and drove your car back for you.”
“Zane’s here?” Wes asked.
“Yeah, he’s out in the kitchen. Said he needed more food after today’s training.”
Wes looked to me. “I’ll give you two some time to talk. Going to go talk to Zane for a few.”
I n
odded.
Wes walked out of the room and shut the door. Emme came and got in bed with me.
“How are you holding up, sweets?” she asked.
“Exhausted. I think I’m all cried out at this point,” I answered.
She put her hand on mine and squeezed.
“Coming here was your chance to start over. Greg is tough, Charley. He’s going to pull through and you are going to get a different ending this time.”
“I hope you are right, Em. For now, I’m happy to hear that Tony can be with him.”
“Yeah, me too. Tony really couldn’t thank you enough for saying what you did to Greg’s parents,” she said.
“I couldn’t control myself, honestly. I could see Greg’s dad was distraught and would likely be more easily swayed. Didn’t think it would happen that quickly, though. His wife, though? She’s got a bad attitude. Standing there listening to her I got so angry. She doesn’t realize that her son is alive and that’s what her focus should be on. What I wouldn’t give to have my family back,” I said.
“I know, sweets. I miss your parents so much, but more than anything I wish Taj were still here, too.”
The tears spilled over her cheeks and I reached out to hug her. “Emme…”
“I’m so sorry, Charley. I’m so sorry he’s not here anymore,” she just barely managed to say.
I held her and cried with her. We stayed like that for a while. Eventually, as was typical, we calmed ourselves down.
“You good?” I asked.
“I will be,” she answered.
“Ok. Let’s head out there with the guys then.”
She nodded.
I grabbed a pair of shorts, pulled them on, and Emme and I made our way out to the kitchen.
As we walked into the kitchen, Wes put his arm around me and pulled me into his side. Zane was sitting at one of the bar stools.
“Thanks for meeting Emme and driving my car back here, Zane. I really appreciate it,” I said to him.
“Don’t mention it. I’m sorry to hear about your friend,” he said.
I nodded and curled into Wes’ body. He squeezed me a little tighter.