Page 24 of Final Approach
“I am too. He...” She shook her head. “We were both dumb.”
“No,” Kristine said, “not dumb. Never dumb. Not that it’s an excuse, but sometimes life can be overwhelming, and desperation can lead to bad decisions.”
“Yeah, but people don’t hijack planes because life is hard.” The bitterness echoed in the room, and she clamped her lips shut and closed her eyes for a moment.
When she opened them, Kristine motioned to the empty chair, wondering why there wasn’t a friend or relative in it. “Do you mind?”
“No. Of course not.” She eyed Kristine from under her lashes. “I’m really not a weak person.”
“I didn’t think you were. You’ve been hit with some massive things here. The hijacking, your husband’s death, this hospital stay...”
“Yeah, the list goes on, doesn’t it?” She shuddered, then pulled in a breath. I didn’t try to kill myself in spite of what it might look like. Life is hard right now, but it’s never been very easy. Not this hard, but never easy. I will push on and do what I have to do. For my kids.”
The words were soft. But firm. And Kristine believed them. “You and your kidswillget through this.”
“Yes. We will. I’ll make sure of it.”
“May I ask you some questions about Marcus?” To satisfy her curiosity, not because she was officially investigating. But if she happened to learn something helpful...
Tears pooled once again and dripped down Tabitha’s cheeks. “Marcus,” she whispered. “He called me last night. They let him. He was in the prison’s medical clinic and sounded terrible. They were getting ready to transfer him to the hospital.Thishospital. I was afraid he’d die with my last words of anger in his mind, so I told himI forgave him, that if he’d fight to live, I’d help him fight everything else.” She sniffed and used the sheet to wipe the moisture away, as the napkin was now shredded.
“I’m so glad those were your last words.” Kristine struggled to get the phrase out as past memories and angry shouts echoed through her mind.“I hate you! Why don’t you just leave and don’t bother coming homebecause I’m never speaking to you again!”
“Kristine,you don’t mean that—”
“I mean it. Everyword. I thought you would understand,that you would fightfor me. Obviously I was wrong.”
“It was hard when all I wanted to do was yell at him,” Tabitha said, interrupting Kristine’s memories, “but it’s been him and me against the world for almost twenty years now. We met in foster care, aged out together, and vowed we’d never be separated again until death.” She choked on a sob, pressed her fingers to her lips, and swallowed hard. The tears stopped as though someone flipped a switch. “He told me not to cry over him, but I can’t seem to honor that.”
“That’s a lot, Mrs. Brown. I’m so sorry.” That might explain the empty chair.
“It’s Tabitha.” She picked at the sheet, then used a corner to swipe her face again. She hesitated and shook her head. “I actually thought he was cheating on me.”
“Why?”
“Because he’d disappear all the time. Wasn’t where he said he’d be, didn’t answer the phone when I called. I just ... couldn’t imagine it, but it was all just a one-eighty from his behavior. It was so weird. I asked him if he was going to leave me and he broke down crying. Said he’d never leave me if it was his choice. Well, now I know he wasn’t cheating, he was going to the doctor’s and ... planning a hijacking.” More tears fell. “I feel so alone.”
“You’re not alone,” Kristine said. “I know it’s hard, but you’re not alone. You have all those people helping with your kids. People who would probably visit if you’d let them.”
“Maybe.” She sniffed and a shuddering sigh escaped her. “Youknow, that’s why we wanted so many kids. So none of them would ever have to feel alone. We taught them that you might fight and disagree, but family is always there for one another and always loves you.”
That just about broke her heart. She didn’t bother to tell Tabitha that she had two siblings and often felt more alone than she could possibly describe. That if it hadn’t been for her friend group, she’d be floundering. “I know I keep saying it, but I’m so sorry. I really am.”
“I can’t believe this is my reality,” she whispered. “I said I’d push on and do what I have to do, but honestly, I have no idea how we’ll survive without him.” She blew her nose and gasped. “What’s today?”
Kristine told her and the woman groaned. “They’re supposed to turn the power off today. I forgot to go by and make the payment. That’s just great.” She closed her eyes and sighed while a tear slid down her temple.
“We’ll figure it out and get the power turned back on so you don’t have to go home to a dark and cold house, but for now, what about the money he got from the man who hired him?”
“Well, I can’t keep it, can I? I mean, even if I could find it, I wouldn’t feel right taking it.”
“No, you won’t be able to keep it. And what do you mean, even if you could find it?”
“I don’t know where it is. He never told me.” She scrunched the sheet in her fist. “He hijacks a stinking plane for money and then doesn’t tell me where he hid it.” She scoffed—a hard sound that echoed in the room—then shook her head. “How dumb is that?”
“Would he have hidden it in the house?”
She frowned. “I can’t imagine where. You’ve seen the size of my home. And with six kids? There are no hiding places.”
