Page 54 of Stand By You
Everyone waited in the hallway while the nurse got Travis situated in his bed before going into the room.
“How was your flight?” Jillian asked.
“Long and uneventful,” Abby said. “I think it seemed longer because we were so anxious to get back. We had to make several connecting flights just to get here, but our travel agent was able to make it happen for us.”
“I’m sure,” Nick chimed in.
Nathan, who had been quiet so far, motioned for Jillian to come over to where he stood. “Can you tell me why Geneva was part of finding Travis?”
“She wasn’t until the very end after she turned her parents in,” Jillian explained. “We thought at first she had to be behind his abduction. Detective Simons even questioned her.”
“But how did she end up riding in the ambulance with him to the hospital?” Nathan asked. “You had power of attorney in my absence to provide medical care. Not her.”
“I know,” Jillian said. “But they’d just been introduced to one another and Travis said he remembered her. And when Simons asked who was riding with him, we both spoke up, but the paramedic explained only one could do it. If I was wrong for allowing her that small respite, I’m sorry, but I didn’t feel she was a threat to Travis, and he seemed truly happy to see her.”
Nodding, Nathan uncrossed his arms and stroked his chin. “I understand.” He took a breath and let it out slowly. “I’m not angry with you for letting her be here. I’m sure seeing Travis again has kept her from feeling the gravity of what has happened with her parents. That is what has me concerned the most. What if she can’t cope and falls back into her old lifestyle?”
“I totally see where you are coming from,” Jillian agreed. “Perhaps you can speak with her to put her at ease as well.”
He nodded, patted her on the arm, and walked over to Geneva. He smiled. “How are you?”
“I’ve been better,” Geneva said. “I’ll leave if you want me to.”
“I didn’t say I did. I’m sorry for what I said on the phone. I overreacted after I spoke with Simons. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you,” Nathan said. “I understand you were a help in finding Travis and I want to thank you. It couldn’t have been easy turning in your parents to the police.”
“I didn’t give it a thought really,” she said. “One moment I was finding out what they had done and was so angry with themI could have killed them and the next I was afraid for my life because my father was trying to bust down my bedroom door. Do you know my father actually shot a man over this? And the last thing my mother said, it sounds like they may have had both the judge who heard our custody hearing, and my lawyer killed.”
Jillian watched the color drain from Nathan’s face. “Damn, I’m sorry,” Nathan said. “That really sucks. Do you need to see your counselor about this?”
“What I need is a stiff drink, but I’m not risking my sobriety for one,” Geneva said at Nathan’s horrified expression, she quickly amended, “Sorry. Bad joke. I don’t drink anything stronger than ginger ale, well maybe black coffee.” She gave a little laugh and added, “I’ll manage.”
“Is there anything I can do foryou?” Nathan asked.
She smiled and nodded. “Consider letting me see Travis to establish a relationship with him.” She held up her hands. “I know it won’t be easy. He clearly sees Jillian as his mother figure, but I’d like the chance to change that.”
Nathan was silent for a moment and then said, “Let me talk it over with Abby, to make sure she is comfortable with the idea, but I think we can arrange something where you either come to the house or Travis comes to you for supervised visitation once or twice a month at first. We want to take things slow, so we don’t cause him issues.”
“Of course,” Geneva agreed.
“And we want to check with your counselor to make sure she is on board with this plan before we do it,” Nathan continued. “We don’t want to do anything that would lead to a relapse especially in light of what’s just happened. You’ve worked too long and hard to get to where you are today.”
Geneva brushed something away from her eye. “That’s the nicest thing anyone could have said to me. I didn’t think you still cared.”
“We didn’t divorce because I didn’t love you. I just couldn’t watch you killing yourself with every pill you took and no matter how I tried to help you with rehab, it wasn’t working.”
She nodded, her eyes glistening. “I know,” she whispered.
“I’m going to let you see Travis again for a few minutes and then I think you should go home and get some rest,” Nathan suggested. “It’s been a hard day for you.”
“I don’t know if going home to that empty house is the right thing to do,” Geneva said. “I might grab a bag and go to a hotel or something for a few nights.”
“Well, whatever you decide I hope you stay in touch, especially if you need anything,” Nathan said.
“I’ll think about it,” Geneva said. “I don’t want to intrude with you newly married.”
“Of course.” He looked down at the floor. “That is probably for the best.”
Then she hugged him quickly. “Thank you for considering my request.”
