Page 49 of With Wine Comes War

After getting everything in the car, my mind was full of memories of my mom, good and not so good. I guess I haven’t really taken the time to process everything that’s happened. It’s not just about Tanner and what he did. My dad lost his wife. He almost lost his daughter. My brothers lost their mother too. No matter how badly she fucked up, she was a good mother when she was all there. All our friends loved coming to our house. We were always afraid the switch would flip, though. I’m pretty sure I got that neat little trait from her; it just comes out differently. Oh well, no need to think too much about itanymore, I’ll just end up driving myself nuts. However, I might be there already.

We rode in silence to his parent’s house. I mean silent as in no one spoke out loud. The voices in my head were so loud I wanted to throw myself out of the car while we were on the highway. But now the fun begins.

Alex, you need to hold it together.

I could already feel the tears threatening and the sobs and pain building up in my chest. This was not something I could compartmentalize. It was coming out whether I wanted it to or not.

Chapter 12

ROMAN

That was the fastest packing job I’ve ever seen. She was so focused and just rattling off a list of the things she needed. I caught the bag she threw as it came hurtling toward my face. Seemed like she’d done this before and it reminded me of a bank robbery scene from a movie.

I don’t know what she was thinking about when we got down to the car, but it looked serious, so I thought I’d just leaveher to her thoughts. I reached over and took her hand in mine to let her know I was there for her in whatever capacity she needed.

When we pulled into the driveway, I got out to open the door for her and there it was– all those emotions bubbling to the surface. She must’ve been holding it all in, scared of this moment, right here.

My mom was already at the door when we pulled in, smiling until she got a good look at Alex. She hurried down the stairs and ushered me to the house. When I looked back, I could feel the pain from here. I could hear the loud wails as weeks of pain, suffering and loss all came flooding out. My mom was sitting on the ground holding her. I stood inside the doorway trying to breathe. I knew keeping all that in wasn’t good for her, but I had no idea how bad it was until just then.

Alex was right about one thing, I wouldn’t have been able to help her with that and I would’ve had a hard time with that kind of sorrow. I’ve never felt anything like that. If she thinks I have superpowers, I’ve got nothing compared to that.

I guess I’ll go find dad and see what’s up with him. I walked out back, and dad was there under the porch by the bar drinking scotch.

He said, “What’ll you have, son?”

“A double bourbon, neat, please.”

He looked at me with arched eyebrows and said, “That bad, huh?”

I ran my hands through my hair and said, “You have no idea.” The screen door was open to the back porch so when mom and Alex came in the front door to go to mom’s office, she was still crying so hard you could hear it out back.

“I guess I can imagine it now.” Dad said as he put a hand on my shoulder.

“Yep, it’s been one bullshit thing after another. That dude they arrested was released today on bond, and they told Alex that she needs to stay someplace safe and secure. Everyone was scrambling to makesure he’s under watchful eyes. A protection order was issued against him, and you know, it freaked her out. He’s claiming she assaulted him and now they have video of me breaking his nose and they need some of her friends and colleagues to testify. So, yeah, it’s been a fucked-up day.” Dad patted me on the back.

“Well, how about if we just sit and drink. I have nothing to add other than that poor girl doesn’t deserve this, and I hope you’re the one she’s going to stay with. I can’t think of a better person to protect her and keep her safe than you, son.” I looked at my dad and nodded but I also wondered why everyone else was so adamant I’m the one she stays with. The bourbon went down easily while we sat there and waited.

***

ALEX

I don’t even know how I got off the ground, much less into the house. I couldn’t stop crying and I couldn’t catch my breath. My chest hurt so bad from all the heaving, and I was starting to hyperventilate. Dr. King never took her arm from around me. The more she held me, though, the more I thought of my mom and the more I cried. When the sobbing and wailing quieted down she got me a glass of water and patiently waited. When the tears stopped, I wiped my face with the tissues she sat in front of me and I took in several deep breaths.

“I could literally kill him with my bare hands right now.” I was staring down at my hands. I’d never felt rage like this in my entire life. I looked up at her through a haze of red, worried I was going to scare her if I looked straight at her.

She looked me up and down, smiled and said, “I have no doubt in my mind that you could. By the looks of it, you’ve been training to do just that, am I right?”

Was I? I’m not sure, but if he came near me right now, we’d find out. She didn’t seem scared of me, so that was a bonus.

“Maybe, but probably only in my mind, you know.”

She asked, “How’s training going? What kind is it?”

I think she was trying to distract me which is exactly what I needed.

I said, “I was taking self-defense classes and a kickboxing class, then I felt like I plateaued so I decided to take private MMA fighting lessons.”

“Are you thinking about competing?”

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