Page 26 of Remnants
“You don’t deserve to be alone,” I interrupt again. “I don’t care what happened overseas, I don’t care what guilt you carry, I will not allow you to be alone in this. I am falling for you, Nora, and this isn’t how I wanted that confession to come out but there it is. You protected me, I’m going to do the same. Whether you want it or not. You asked if you could keep me, well this is me asking the same.”
Nora looks from me to Mac and then to the house. “There is no chance of getting everything cleaned and making him disappear without getting caught, Junebug. Eventually people will ask. And when it comes out that he abused you, it won’t take a genius to put two-and-two together.”
A groan takes all of us by surprise and I look to see James’ leg twitching. He’s… not dead? My eyes blink several times to remove the tears as I tentatively walk over to the door, despite Nora’s protest. I slide the door completely open and look around the wreckage that was once my home. Funny how it now was the perfect symbol for our marriage. High class and polished on the outside, a toxic disaster on the inside. I notice the same powder that is on James and Nora, covers the counters and floor.
I walk over to the twitching man and look down at his unrecognizable face. He’s bloody and swollen, both his hands are bleeding, and he’s making a god awful wheezing noise.
“James.” My voice stills him. I watch as his hand reaches out as if he is expecting me to grab it. I don't, he doesn’t deserve my comfort. He doesn’t deserve anything but a slow and painful death for what he has put me through. I glance behind me, Nora is sitting in the chair, staring intently at me. She doesn’t deservethat, though. And for that reason I turn back to my husband and stare down at him.
“I’m going to get you to the hospital,” I say softly as I look at Mac. “Mac, I’m going to need help getting him into his car.” I watch Nora’s face fall as she looks almost betrayed. Mac pats her shoulder as he steps into the house and grabs the man with ease.
“Don’t breathe this shit in Katie,” Mac says softly, referring to the powder. James lets out a gargled cry as Mac is anything but gentle while carrying him. “You on the other hand can inhale as deep as you’d like.” James gargles again.
“Shut up and be thankful we’re helping you,” I growl at him. “It’s more consideration than you ever showed me.” I grab the keys off the counter by the front door and help Mac slide James into the backseat of the car. I go to get in the driver’s seat when Mac’s hand stops me. He gives me a look as if to say “What do I tell Nora?”
I smile softly and pat his hand. “I choose her, Mac. I will see her soon, I promise. Go take care of her.” Mac nods before walking off. I take a deep breath before climbing into the driver’s seat and pulling out of the drive.
Nora
FIFTEEN
She chose him.
After everything I did. She took that sick motherfucker and left me.
“Stop it,” Mac orders as he continues to drive us outside of town to a hospital. I wanted to fight him but honestly, I hurt too much physically and emotionally. A crap ton of painkillers would be nice about now.
“Stop what?” I grumble while glaring out the window. Rain is beginning to hit the car and there is thunder off in the distance.
“She is trying to save your ass,” Mac says with a sigh as he pulls into the small hospital. “She promised she would see you soon. She promised she is choosing you. Have some faith.”
I sigh as he pulls up to the entrance. “Bub.” I hate how my voice cracks as I speak. “I don’t want her in trouble.”
Mac pats my leg as he waves someone in scrubs over to help me. “Listen, I think we need to give Katie a little more credit. I know you’ve been having to play her protector, but kid, you didn’t see her when I picked her up from the doctor. She’s a strong woman and I think it took a strong woman like you tohelp that part of her wake up. Have faith in your girl.” I don’t want to listen to him. I would rather close off and shut down now to save myself the pain of thinking she may not come back to me. James has been able to manipulate her into staying every other time, why would it be different now?
“You’ll take care of Sam, right?” I know I don’t have to ask, but I still do—mainly because I know this is where he and I part and I don’t want to be alone. Mac nods and gives me a reassuring smile.
“Let me get him set up in my hotel room and I’ll be back. You’re not alone, kid.”
Not alone.
I’ve always been the leader, the decision maker, the hero. And when you’re those things, your life is lonely. Sure, everyone flocks to you because they need you, but when you need help, when you’re the one hurt and scared, there’s no one there. But that’s not the case here. Katie came back for me despite me trying to stop it from happening. And I know she’s taking James to the hospital to try and keep me out of prison. She is with me, and even though she’s not next to me, she’s here. So maybe Mac is right—maybe I need to have a little faith in my girl.
Kaitlin
SIXTEEN
“Mrs. Chambers, you can follow me,”the nurse states and I stand to follow her back to see James. I’ve been in the waiting room for hours and now, at a little past midnight, James is finally stable enough that they will allow me to go back and see him. When I walk in, James is laying in the bed, his face and hands are bandaged, and he’s hooked up to several machines.
“The doctor will be in to talk to you shortly, Mrs. Chambers,” the nurse, Kimmy says with a fake smile. I remember Kimmy, even if she doesn’t realize I know her. Early twenties, thin, with large breasts and blonde hair. James had sex with her at a Christmas party I was forced to attend. Afterward, I got slapped by him for looking slutty in my dress and making one of the other surgeons “flirt” with me. It was the last above-the-knee dress I wore. I remember putting his pants in the wash the next day and finding the used condom in his pocket along with Kimmy’s phone number.
“Thank you.” I fake a smile and once she and the other nurse leave the room, I walk up to James. He’s awake, his one eye that’s still able to open is staring directly at me. He’s on somekind of breathing machine which makes it impossible for him to talk.
“Hey, James.” I give him a small smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. I take a slow breath as I chuckle lightly. “I know what you’re thinking. You are thinking that in typical Kaitlin fashion, I must be here to play the doting wife. To tell you that we can work this out. Well, I’m not.” I watch as his eyebrow lifts slightly. “I’m so tired, James. So tired of the lies, the cheating, the abuse. I didn’t want it to end like this, but you and I both know you would’ve never stopped.” I run my tongue over my lips in frustration as I look at him. He’s swollen and beaten but I know that look. It’s the warning glare, and for the first time in… fuck, probably ever, he doesn’t scare me.
“Here’s my offer. It’s non-negotiable, so don’t even try.” I look at the tube in his mouth and grin. “Well, I guess you really can’t.” The power over him is intoxicating. Never did I think I would be above him, nor did I think I would be the one making the demands.
“We are getting a divorce,” I state firmly. Man, that feels good to say. “I want nothing. No money, nothing from that house, no cars, not one thing… except…” I lean over to get closer to his face as I whisper slowly, “Nora and I are going to disappear. You do not look for us, you do not tell anyone anything. As far as you know, I had an affair and ran away, I don’t care what you say to save your stupid fucking face. But we are leaving and you are to never utter a word about today to anyone. If someone asks what happened….” A sickening feeling washes over me as I stare in his one eye.
