Page 112 of Voices

Sorry, David.

It takes me forever to get to my feet, having to pause a few times to stop the world from spinning. I can only see out of one eye as I slowly shuffle across the room and down the hallway. I take as deep of a breath as I can before climbing up the stairs one at a time, holding back a sob on every step. I make it to my room with tears streaming down my face as my exhausted body tries to crumble.

Grabbing Shane’s hoodie from under my pillow, I shove it in my bag, making sure I don’t get any blood on it.

A sudden wave of dizziness hits me, forcing me to sit down on my bed. I grab my head with both hands and breathe through the pain as best I can. I start to doze off but jerk upright when I start to lean to the side.

No.

I need to keep moving.

I have to get away.

Looking around my room, I make sure I can live without what’s being left behind. Because I’m not coming back here. Ever.

When I’m satisfied that I don’t need anything, I slowly descend the back stairs. I sigh in relief as fresh air hits my skinwhen I finally make it outside. Wiping away the fresh tears, I force my heavy legs to the two-story house Gloria lives in.

Thankfully she sees me coming before I get to the door. She rushes up to me.

“Mijo mio, que te paso? Venir. Dejame Limpiarte.” Her worried eyes scan over my face as she places her hand on my back.

I let out a painful cry causing her to jump back.

“I need my key Gloria. Please,” I pant through the pain.

She scrunches her face in worry before nodding.

“Si. But please let me help you first. Come inside. Por favor, Charlie.” She takes my hand, gently urging me to follow her inside.

I hold her hand as I hobble over the threshold of her back door.

“I’m fine Gloria. I just need my key so I can go home.”

Her brow quirks as she pulls down a container labeled lima beans. She pulls out a bag of large white beans before pulling out my car key. Walking over to where I’m leaning against the wall, she takes my hand and places my key in my palm, and wraps my cold fingers in her warm hands as she looks me in the eye.

“Eres un buen hombre, Charlie. Recuerda eso.” She rubs my cheek. “Please be safe.”

I nod even though I don’t believe her. Jeffery walks around the corner with misty eyes holding up his car keys.

“Let’s go before I’m summoned.” He pats Gloria on the shoulder as he walks past and opens the door for me.

I look back at Gloria one more time. “Gracias por todo lo que has hecho por mi. Nunca te olvidare.”

A tear slips down her cheek as I turn and walk out the door.

I carefully sit in the back seat of Jeffery’s black Bentley as he climbs in the front.

“We’ll be there in about twenty minutes.” He backs out of his spot and heads down the driveway. He looks at me in the rearview mirror. “Why don’t you lay down for the ride, Charlie. I’ll let you know when we’re close.”

Laying on my stomach, I close my eyes and let the white noise of the car fill my head.

“We’re pulling in now Charlie. What number spot is it in?”

Slowly sitting up, I take in the dark parking garage I haven’t been to since I started college. I look down at the keychain attached to my key.

“It’s in stall seventy-seven,” I rasp.

He drives up a few floors and comes to a stop in front of a car with a black cover over it and seventy-seven marked on the ground. Jeffery helps me out of the car and then helps uncover my baby.

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