“His mom is coming, and I want to get her a plane ticket, but I can’t think straight,” I blubbered as he took the phone from me to continue the conversation. My heart was aching as I played back the scene from the loft in my head, praying that Alex would be okay. I thought my biggest fear was losing Lindsay to Keith and I never thought I’d be here for Alex. I wanted to ask him why he stayed behind but I knew. He was always going to protect me and would die doing so without a second thought.
It made me love him that much more.
Brent ended the call and handed me the phone before he pulled me into his arms. “I’m going to get her a flight and Alli, if she can leave school. We’re waiting on the call.”
“Why do I have to meet her like this?” I asked him, feeling my whole world fall apart. I was so grateful to my parents for being here since I was barely functioning. Mom was sitting with Lindsay, trying to distract her as I placed on the other side of the room. I’d talk to my daughter later about the difficulty of seeing someone you love hurt like this, when Alex was better, we could both tell her that everything was okay. I just couldn’t get the image of him bleeding on the floor out of my head right now.
I watched as Stan walked away with two of the police officers, assuming that he was going to tell them what happened. I wasn’t worried, but my hands shook as Brent pulled away from me when the phone rang. He was defending me, and Alex and it was a justified shooting. I couldn’t bear to think of what might have happened if he wasn’t there. Keith was intent on killing anyone in the way of his money. I owed Stan everything and I looked at Mom to see her reading a book to Lindsay. Judging on the way my daughter’s lids were drooping, she would be falling asleep soon. It had been a long day for all of us. My mom looked equally tired and still stunned as I stared at them.
I heard Brent speaking softly into the phone and made my way across the room. I needed to sit and have my mom hold me. I needed to hold my daughter, who might never know how close she was to being stolen from me. I sat down beside them and Mom wrapped an arm around me while Lindsay climbed into my lap and curled up against me. “I saw Stan go away.” I whispered as Mom nodded.
“He did the right thing. I couldn’t believe it when Stan got off on a floor below you and ran off. I always knew that he’d protect you but that was…” Her voice trailed off and she shook her head. “He’s the best man.”
“He is,” I agreed as I leaned against her. I closed my eyes, feeling like I could fall asleep before a voice echoed through the waiting room.
“Family for Alexander Callahan?” I sat up, startling Lindsay as my eyes searched the room for the person talking. It was a doctor with a curious look on his face and I raised my hand. Brent stepped forward and I wanted to run over there, but Lindsay was beginning to fall asleep on me. Brent and the man spoke seriously for a moment before Brent ran a hand through his hair. He turned to look around and his eyes met mine.
Brent walked over and told me in a low voice that Alex was going in for surgery to remove the bullet. He’d bled out a lot, but they were giving him some more blood and he should be fine. I nodded, breathing deeply as I felt anxiety rising in my body. “She’s exhausted.” Brent noted as he looked at Lindsay.
“Yeah. I don’t know where she can lay down.” I said as I looked around.
“When Stan is finished, we’ll take her back to the hotel. She needs some rest.” I looked at Mom as she spoke, nodding slowly. “We’re going to stay as long as you need us.”
It seemed like forever before Stan returned to us. He told me that everything was going to be fine and agreed to take Lindsay back to the room with Mom. They both told me to keep in touch if I heard anything and I nodded as Stan took Lindsay into his arms.
They left, and Brent sat with me, stroking my shoulder as we waited for news. I needed to see Alex tonight. “I can’t believe he came off the elevator for me.” I murmured as Brent looked at me.
“Alex loves you. He’d do the same thing again, Soledad.” he s
niffled and looked down.
“I am such a pain in the ass.”
“I don’t think you were twisting his arm to stay with you,” he told me playfully, making me laugh.
“Miss Fleury?” Another voice said as I looked up to see a police officer looked down somberly at me. “Can we talk to you privately?”
“May I accompany her?” Brent asked, sitting up tall.
“Who are you?” The officer asked as Brent glanced at me.
“I am a good friend of both of theirs. I just want to support her.” Brent offered and the man looking down at us nodded. We both stood, and the officer led us to an empty room with some chairs where another officer was waiting for us. They asked me what happened tonight, and I explained that I had a past with Keith that I’d like to describe.
I went over everything, starting with when we met and then how the relationship turned violent. It was cathartic to tell them everything knowing that Keith would never hurt me again. Brent squeezed my hand as I told my story, harder when the words described what he did to me. I told them about the times we moved to get away from him even though he never did more than stalk me, for the most part. It got worse here and I explained what Alex told me about the money, knowing they would interview him as soon as he was in recovery.
“I’m sorry that you went through all of that, Miss Fleury. I am also sorry the system failed you along the way.” The older officer looked at me with a warm smile. “Things are changing now with stalking and protecting domestic abuse victims. Though this is one of the best endings I’ve ever heard.” I widened my eyes and he shrugged. “I don’t like the idea of a man treating a woman like that much less his child. I’m glad you’re both safe.”
When we were finished, Brent took me to get some coffee from one of the vending machines. He handed me a cup and gazed at me silently. “You went through a lot, Soledad.”
I nodded and sipped the weak liquid. “Is it bad that I’m glad he’s gone?”
“Fuck, no. I’d think it strange if you didn’t.” Brent took me back to the seats and I called Stan to tell him the news. He urged me to call back or come to the hotel if I needed some sleep. I confessed that I didn’t want to go back to the loft, at least not yet. I ended the call by thanking him again and leaning back against the stiff seat.
I hated hospitals. I’d been to them a few times with friend when they were sick or in car accidents. I also had bad memories of giving birth to Lindsay. I loved my daughter, but it was a long delivery. I was in pain for most of it and so uncertain of the idea of becoming a mom. Keith wasn’t in the picture then and I missed the fantasy version of him that I dreamed of in my stupid, young mind. I was so naive.
A few hours later, I was dozing against Brent’s shoulder when he nudged me gently. I blinked and rubbed my eyes, feeling how much they ached from crying. “The doctor.” His voice was gentle, and I looked up to see the man from before looking down at us.
“Alexander is out of surgery and doing great. He’s going to be here for a few nights recovering before we send him home, but he should make a full recovery.” The man said as I covered my mouth with my hand.