His fingers wrapped around the thick black handle of the flashlight and he picked it back up. The light had gone out and so he shook it, hitting the side twice before it flickered back on.
Elijah stood back up and continued down the path, finally reaching his car shortly before ten. He climbed in and turned the engine on, letting the cool air-conditioning wash over his heated body.
Picking up his cell phone, and with dread in his guts, Elijah finally called Paul back. It rang three times before Paul answered.
“Where the hell have you been, Elijah? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for hours now.”
“I know, I’m sorry.”
Paul took a deep breathe. “It’s okay, I was just worrying. How is she?”
“She’s a mess, Paul, but she’s awake.”
The end of the line was silent for a moment. “She’s awake?”
“Yeah, I’m surprised you didn’t already know”
“I’ve not called in for a couple of hours. So she’s awake. How is she?” Paul stumbled for the correct words. “Is she…fully functioning? Does she remember anything?”
Elijah frowned in the darkness. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, does she remember why she went there? So, you’ve spoken to her?”
“Briefly, but she’s falling apart. I had to leave before I was seen.” Elijah’s words felt like poison on his tongue. He knew he’d left because he was frightened. Seeing the love of his life in such a state had broken something inside him. He’d felt so angry at her only a few hours ago, but now he only felt guilt for leaving her.
Paul went silent for a few moments, and Elijah stared out of the windshield of his car.
“Do you think she’ll be okay? I mean eventually?” Paul finally asked.
“Yeah, she’s out of IC and in a post-critical care ward. I snuck in to see her when I knew Michael wouldn’t be there. She thinks she’s done something really bad.”
“What?” Paul asked, sounding frustrated.
“Her kids…she thinks she’s killed her kids,” Elijah said.
“What? Why?”
“I have no idea. But she’s adamant that she’s killed them.”
Paul was walking, as he often did when he was on the phone. He could never keep still, another thing his wife was always irritated at him over.
“So why has no one told her they’re okay?” Paul asked, sounding every bit as angry and confused as Elijah was.
“As far as I know they have, I’m assuming at least. I tried to tell her when I went in, but I wasn’t getting through to her. Maybe I could given more time, but I’m blocked from seeing her or talking to her thanks to her asshole husband, remember? And it’s not like I can ask around too much because if he knows I’m here who knows what he’ll do.” Elijah turned on his Bluetooth and Paul’s voice vanished momentarily before filtering out of the car’s speakers. Elijah pulled out of his parking spot and began to drive back towards the hospital. He was filled with a new lease of life knowing that her kids were okay, that she hadn’t harmed them. And she would be too if he could let her know.
“Shit, that’s crazy!” Paul replied, still walking. “This is all because of her illness?”
“Of course. What else would cause it?”
“Surely once her meds kick in she’ll start to come around, right? She’ll be able to see for herself that her kids are okay and that it’s in her head,” Paul said matter-of-factly.
“It’s not that simple, Paul. They could commit her before that happens. She tried to kill herself. She thinks she harmed her children and the doctors may think she’s a danger to herself and others. They could lock her away forever. I don’t know what to do other than get back in and try to talk to her again.” Anger rose in Elijah’s voice as he spoke. The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he felt.
The distance from Delores and the hospital hadn’t put any more clarity on the situation for him, other than proving what he already knew to be true. She hadn’t killed her kids, but he still didn’t know how to help her.
“Maybe we can get a court order?” Paul suggested.
“On what grounds?” Elijah snapped. “You know as well as I do, they won’t agree to that. I was sleeping with her. I’m not family.”
