What if…?
No. I ignore the possibility. It can’t be.
Shame washing over me, I hurry back to the car and force myself to calm down.
Alex needs me. I’m the only one he has. He must be so terrified. I’m sure he will call me at some point, but I need to see him as soon as possible.
After a few deep breaths, I turn the key in the ignition and drive. It’s a wonder I manage to see the road through the tears. I wipe them away only for more to flood my eyes.
I make it all the way to the police station only to be told I’m not allowed to see him yet.
“My husband didn’t do it,” I say to the female officer as she tries to get me out of the building. I’ve always been a quiet person, but at some point, everyone comes across a situation where they’re forced to do something out of character.
“Ma’am, please come back later. You cannot see your husband right now.”
She also tells me that an officer will come and speak to me at the house.
Left with no other choice, I go back to my car, my hands around my belly.
For the sake of our baby, I need to pull myself together. I sit behind the wheel but don’t drive off. I’m even worse off than I was before. There’s no way I’d be able to make it home in one piece.
I need to talk to someone, so without thinking, I call Delores, praying she won’t turn me away.
When she picks up, I can barely get the words out.
“Viola,” she says from the other end. “Where are you?”
“It’s not true.” I shake my head. “My husband didn’t do it. I know he didn’t.”
“Tell me where you are, love.”
“The police… the station.” I rest my head on the steering wheel. “They won’t let me see him.” I hiccup. “Alex is not a criminal. He’s not a murderer. He did not hurt that girl.”
“Viola, listen to me.” Delores’s voice is firm. “Stay where you are. I’m coming to you. Do you understand? Don’t drive.”
I lift my head from the wheel and nod even though she can’t see me.
Close to thirty minutes later, Delores’s SUV pulls up next to my car. She joins me inside and pulls me into her arms.
When she pulls away from me, she parts her lips to speak, but changes her mind. She’s conflicted and doesn’t know what to believe. But she still came to check up on me. She’s giving Alex the benefit of the doubt. Innocent until proven guilty. I guess I have more friends than I thought.
“I’m sorry,” she says finally. “I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.” She hugs me again.
“He didn’t do it, Delores. My husband is innocent. It’s all a big misunderstanding.”
“I hope so,” she whispers, but I catch her words. “Why do they think he did it?”
“I don’t know,” I say.
Not much was shared on the news, except that enough evidence was found to prove that he did it.
I wipe my nose with a tissue Delores presses into my hand.
“It’s easy to point fingers at the outsiders,” I continue. “Everyone is family here. Not everyone likes us.”
“I like you.” She squeezes my hand. “And I’m sure many more people do as well. My customers love you.”
“No, they only love how good I make their hair look. It has nothing to do with me as a person. But you’re different. You gave me a chance. Now I need you to believe me when I tell you my husband did not murder Brittney.”
