Page 81 of Just Desserts

"Grams? How is she?" I managed to croak out, my throat was dry and I was overcome with thirst.

"She's okay, bruised her hip bone but didn't break it, she's a tough old broad. The doctors want to keep her overnight for observation. She's got two men fawning over her right now in a room down the hall. Hold on one sec." She said as she stuck her head into the hallway.

The tone of her voice was soothing even from this distance and I felt myself fading out again. I woke up for a moment to find her face hovering close to mine, a cup with a straw in her hand. She smelled like flowers and the soft strands of her hair ghosted over my skin as she leaned over me. Some dormant part of me wanted to bury my face in her neck and just breathe her in.

"You're allowed water for now, they said they'll let me know when you can eat. Here, take a sip."

This was a strange experience, I was usually the one taking care of people. I don't remember asking for water but I was grateful. I drank as much as I could and she gave a soft chuckle at the voracity in which I slurped it down. I slumped back into the pillows, exhausted from holding my head up. I drifted off to sleep, vaguely remembering her pulling the blankets up over me as she hummed softly to herself.

I fell back into a deep sleep, images of my sisters covered in blood wove their way into my dreams. I remember jumping awake, the movement sending a whiplash of pain throughout my body, I was out of breath and sweat trickled down my spine. When I managed to catch my breath, I looked up and lost myself in those green eyes hovering over me, calming me. Her soft hands were stroking down my arms, as she talked to me quietly, reassuring me.

"Everything is going to be alright. Everyone is safe. You did good, big guy. It's your turn to rest." She murmured to me, settling me back down.

My last thought before I finally drifted into a dreamless sleep was that I wished I could spend every night listening to the sound of this woman's voice.

Chapter 58

Jonathan

I spent the night answering question after question about Alyssa, Isla, my affair and my divorce. I was no closer to finding out what actually happened, no one would take me seriously when it came to charging Bennett with assault. Instead I was kept in an interrogation room like some two-bit criminal. I was surprised when a couple hours later my parents showed up. The cops escorted them into the interrogation room and left to give us privacy.

The reality of how far I had fallen was hitting me in the face as I sat in this cold room, my clothes stained with sweat, blood and alcohol. I was filled with shame and disappointment. I had no idea how to get out of this or where to go from here. I saw mirroring disappointment in both my parents' faces as they took their seats across from me.

The silence was stony, none of us eager to break the ice. It had been so long since I had seen them, I don't think any of us could fathom the steep decline I wound up on. A part of me wanted to just collapse into sobs but I was too tired for even that. I looked up to see tears running down my mothers face. My father cleared his throat and focused on me, starting the conversation on a decidedly firm note.

"Isla is fine, she's no longer in the hospital. You need to stop asking about her or trying to reach her. Her cousin Wes is severely injured and is still in the ICU. Alyssa is going to be charged with several serious counts, kidnapping, attemptedmurder who knows what else. The police might have some additional questions for you, until then you can't leave the city. Martin called us as well, to let us know you've been let go from the firm. They're having your office packed up and all your personal belongings delivered to our house." My father sighed, looking as if he had aged a decade since the last time I saw him.

"I'm not going to waste any breath telling you how much more we expected from you. You are our son and we love you. There is nothing left here for you though. The best thing you could do, for yourself and for Isla, is pack up and leave town. You're still young, you can start over somewhere else. You've done too much damage here, personally and professionally. You can stay with us until the cops give you the all clear to go.

“Instead of taking back the money you owe us from the mortgage we will help you use that to get set up in a different state. If you do not agree with that, we will file a lawsuit to get every cent back from you and then you'll have nowhere to go, no one to turn to and no pot to piss in. So what's your decision this time Jonathan?" My father asked me, no room for argument in his tone.

I knew my only option was to answerYes Sir. I knew I had no way out of this on my own, I didn't even know why my parents were helping me at this point. Embarrassment and shame clung to my skin. I lost everything, I had ruined my life and my marriage. I had hurt everyone I cared about in the process. I don't know how my parents could even stand being seen with me. I know I would have had too much pride to take in such a pitiful person. I nodded mutely, finally letting the tears fall. Everything I thought I was, everything I thought I was going to do was gone. No one to blame but myself. I didn't deserve a new start. I didn't deserve anything. I was finally broken.

After a week of staying with my parents, the cops finally gave me the go ahead to leave town. I wasn't considered anaccomplice and so far my presence isn't needed for the trial. I had spent my time at home hiding out in my room, looking at houses located in states far away. I didn't want any ties to my past, I wanted a place where no one knew my name. I had turned my own identity into a stigma.

My parents were right, I needed a clean break. I needed to do this by myself, find my own place in this world. I found a house that was advertised as rent to own across the country. I would have to get recertified there but I should be able to find a new position as soon as I was licensed in that state. Using the last of my savings, the money my parents so graciously let me keep, I put a deposit down on the house.

Trading in my convertible for a large SUV was next, as it was far more practical and allowed me the space to pack up and move on my own. My entire worldly possessions could easily fit in one car at this point. I had filled my parents in on the move and other than the mutual feeling of relief, not much more dialogue had taken place between the three of us. The weight of all my misdeeds hung heavily in the air.

On the day I finally packed up, I said an awkward goodbye to my parents. I promised to update them as soon as I got to my new home and once I got back on my feet. I knew the only thing that would help heal our relationship would be time and space. I needed to prove to them that I understood all my wrongs, and that they could rely on me in the future. That I wouldn't bring additional hurt, shame and disappointment into their lives. I almost made it out of town when I made a sharp U-turn and headed back.

I knew it was wrong, but I had to see Isla one last time before I left. We hadn't spoken since the party, and I know I didn't deserve it but I had to know, had to see her before I left for good. I pulled into the bakery relieved to see it wasn't as packed as usual. I girded myself, prepared to get kicked out but stillforced myself to walk in. I don't know who was more shocked, Isla or I, to find her standing at the register with no customers or employees hovering about.

"Jonathan. You shouldn't be here." She started as she reached for a phone.

"I know, Isla I know. Please just two minutes then I'll be gone for good." I had to keep myself calm and composed, even though inside my heart was getting shredded and stomped on.

"I'm leaving town, literally right now. I just wanted to say goodbye.” I spit out. When she didn’t kick me out I took that as an opportunity to continue.

“I'm so sorry for the hurt I brought on you, I'm so sorry for destroying our marriage. You were the best thing to ever happen to me and I'll have to spend the rest of my days knowing I lost you. There's no one to blame but myself. I just want you to know I love you, I will always love you and I am sorry for what I did to you, to us." I stopped and swallowed harshley before looking her in the eyes. She seemed speechless, she opened her mouth to say something a few times before shutting it. Wanting to spare her any additional awkwardness I decided to see myself out.

"Okay, well you know how to reach me if you want to... but you don't have to worry about seeing me around anymore." As I turned to leave, Isla's soft voice floated over me.

"Thank you, for apologizing and thank you for leaving town. I'm sorry I don't have much more than that to offer right now but I wish you no harm Jonathan. I hope you can take this chance to start over and make the right decisions, get back to that boy full of dreams who wanted to help people, the one I fell in love with. He was a good person. I believe you can find him again."

I nodded, keeping my back to her as tears rolled down my face. Swiping at them quickly I turned to face Isla. Drinking her in, letting this last look at her imprint itself in my memory.

"Goodbye Isla. I wish you only the best in life." With that I left, I got back into the car and began navigating the familiar streets. My body on autopilot as I watched the town I had called home my entire life fade in the rearview mirror.

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