Page 120 of Black Flag

They didn’t approve ofus getting married after only being together less than six months. I stillblamed Charlie but I knew we should have waited.

My mom said somethingalong the lines of“That’s not fair. I wanted to plan my daughter’swedding!”and my dad’s reaction was somewhere along the lines of,“You’rea fucking idiot.”

“Is Jameson still withher?” Aiden asked, getting up to sit in the chair beside me.

“He won’t leave.” Isaid. “I can’t blame him though.”

“I don’t either.” Hiseyes glistened as he placed his hand on my cheek and I knew what he meant bythat. “What time is it?” he stood shaking the cookie crumbs from his shirt.

“It’s almost seven inthe morning. I’m going to call up to her room and see if Jameson wants us tobring him back anything.”

Of course, he didn’twant anything. I hadn’t seen him eat since we got here, surely he must behungry by now. I decided I was getting him something anyways.

I felt bad for him. Iknew firsthand how much Jameson loved her. A sad or hurt Sway, equaled a reallysad or hurt Jameson. And it has always been that way, even when they wereyounger. Those two always had a lunar pull to one another, like gravity.

We returned about anhour later after showering, changing and managed to grab some food. I broughtback a breakfast burrito for Jameson, hoping he’d eat it and knowing hewouldn’t.

Aiden and I walked upto the second floor where the trauma center was located. As we entered Sway’sroom, I was shocked at Jameson’s sullen appearance. He hadn’t showered; theblood from the fight still covered his arms, hands and face. It was obvious hehadn’t eaten or drank anything and I was beginning to wonder if he had evenslept as dark circles had formed under his bloodshot eyes. His hair was evenmore of a mess then usual looking like it needed its own zip code and he’d beenwearing the same clothes since the race, which I found repulsive.

I handed him the foodand some fresh clothes. He denied the food but stepped into the bathroom tochange his clothes, thank god; he actually smelled.

I looked at Sway andshe did seem to look better. The color of her skin was returning to normal atleast. I watched the monitor for the baby for a moment; the heartbeat remainedsteady.

“Any change?” Aidenasked the doctor when he entered the room. Before he could answer the bathroomdoor opened, and we both looked over at Jameson.

Dr. Clayton frowned athis appearance. Jameson ignored our glances shuffling toward the empty chairbeside Sway.

“The last ultrasoundshowed the bleeding has stopped but she’s still having contractions. We willneed to continue with the magnesium until they stop. She is dilated to a twobut that’s all right...there’s no thinning ofthe cervix and that’s even better.”

Though the doctor’swords were hopeful, my brother didn’t seem to hear any of it. And I knew whatthat meant, he blamed himself again.

Fuel pump – Jameson

Dr. Clayton left theroom leaving Emma, Aiden and I alone with Sway as she slept.

Aiden bent down andkissed Sway on the forehead before walking out. No one wanted to see her likethis. I didn’t blame them. I didn’t want to either but I had to be with her.

Sway’s head had gauzewrapped around it, her hair matted with blood. Both eyes were swollen, deepshades of black, green and blue. Her upper lip cracked, swollen with faintpurple bruises across her cheek. All of it left me seeing red again every timeI looked at it. A thick white blanket hid the rest of her body, but I knew thebruises that covered her entire body from the fall and the fight. She had beenthrough something horrible, and I wasn’t there to protect her.

“Did the policequestion Aiden?” I asked Emma as she gently held Sway’s hand and said a prayerfor her.

“Yeah,” she snortedrolling her eyes, “About three hours ago. I thought he was going to die from aheart attack by the time they were done with him. He was all sweaty and shaking...pathetic.”

I just shook my head aseyes drifted back to Sway.

Needing some air, Ileft Emma in the room alone with Sway for a few minutes to speak with my dad. Itook notice of the time and knew I needed to leave in less than an hour.

When dad saw me comeout, he motioned for me to come over to where he was standing at the nurse’sstation. He was talking on his cell phone with Marcus I assumed.

Alley was standingbeside him on her Blackberry. Noticing me, she smiled hesitantly and lookedaway when the person on the other line began talking.

“You need to get backto the track. Kyle will be here in a few minutes to pick up you and Aiden.Spencer is already there with the rest of the crew.” Dad said in my direction.I looked up and nodded. “I have to meet with Phillip, thanks to you.” He turnedhis attention toward his phone again. “All right Marcus, yes that sounds good.Um...I don’t know. CallAlley on that part. I will have Jameson get with you to release a statementlater this afternoon.” He raised an eyebrow.

I nodded confirming Iwould issue a statement. It would be the right thing to do. I had no idea whatI was going to say but I had to say something, they would want answers.Hopefully Phillip would know what to say so I didn’t get myself in trouble.

I realized then,watching my dad and Alley fighting to protect me, protect our family, just whathappens when you lose control and that anger bubbles over the edge.

At the time, in theheat of the moment, everything seems so simple, the anger gets the best of youand the consequences, well, you don’t think of them until it’s over, you reactin the only manner you know how to. Now I was dealing with the consequences theonly way I knew how to.

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