Toward the end of his questioning, I grew tired, my eyes fighting to focus on him, and my skin starting to itch and ache.
Noticing my fatigue, Aja told Danny that it was perhaps time to go.
He walked towards the door but stopped at the threshold. “He’s gone, Evelyn. Charles can’t hurt you anymore.”
I’d been waiting years to hear those words. When I thought the well had run dry, it turned out there were still tears left to cry. Tears of relief that no one would have to suffer at the hands of Charles again.
My eyes didn’t stay open long enough to see them both exit the room.
Sleep took me quickly, and for the first time, my dreams weren’t of that night. They were of Parker.
Chapter 43
Parker
The sound of hushed voices let me know that I’m not alone. My eyes feel heavy. I try to open them, but it's like they’ve been wired shut.
“Rejoice, don’t be ridiculous. There is still a chance I could win the race. The community will understand once they hear the whole story.”
“Jon, the fact that you are in our only son’s hospital room speaking about the mayoral race…”
“I am here. I am with my family despite everyone’s ungrateful behavior. The world has not stopped spinning because we are here.”
“Leave. Right now, Jonathan. Shame, shame on the man you’ve become.”
I recognized the voices of my parents. I wanted to ask them what was going on, but my tongue felt like lead in my mouth.
I was so damn tired.
I must’ve dozedoff because different voices surrounded me.
“She’s demanding that we bring her in here. The doctors are saying she needs to rest, but I don’t think she will until she lays eyes on him.”
“It can’t hurt. If this is what she needs, then why keep them away from each other?”
Footsteps shuffle around the room, and then silence.
The sound of wheels grinding against the linoleum was followed by the door shutting.
Suddenly, my hand was encapsulated in another. The warmth of it calms my frantic heart. The last thing I remember is following Sheriff Strauss to a farmhouse out in Brenton. I don’t know how I got to the hospital or what happened to me.
When I slept, I dreamed of her, then I woke up hoping I wasn’t too late.
A warm breath caresses my hand, followed by the feather-like feeling of a kiss.
“I didn’t get to say it back. I need you to wake up so I can say it back, Parker.”
Evelyn.
Hearing her voice is like a balm on my soul.
She squeezes my hand tightly as if she’s afraid I’ll disappear.
“There's been nothing but trouble at your door since the universe decided to push me into your life. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. If I never got you involved in all of this, then your family wouldn’t be out there worrying about you.”
I felt the tremor of the hospital bed as Evelyn shook, as her sorrow consumed her.
She didn’t get it. I couldn’t blame her, though. She thought she was alone in the world for a long time. It would take her time to believe that had changed.
