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Chapter Thirty-One
Now
“How’s our girl?” Tucker asks as he and Trey come barging into my hospital room.
“I’m good, guys. No need to worry about me.” It’s the truth, I really am feeling better and have been up for a couple hours now. And Ryan is locked up behind bars so life is pretty good right now.
“I won’t stop worrying until that fucker is dead,” Tucker growls.
“Yeah, okay, Macho Man.”
Nix and Trey bust up laughing but Tucker just glares at me.
“This isn’t funny. Have you thought about what you’re going to do?” “What do you mean?”
“Well, I was talkin’ with Dad and we both think you should consider filing a case against the city.”
His comment takes me off guard and I just stare at him for a moment. I had never really thought about doing anything like that and I can’t say that I’m terribly fond of the idea. It’s just not who I am.
“I don’t know, Tuck.”
“Just think about it, okay? You may not be the first victim of their carelessness but you could be the last.” That strikes a chord in me as I think about other women going through the same kind of abuse.
I know I got lucky. It’s a weird thing to think given Ryan did some terrible things to me but it’s true. I had my brothers, Nix came into my life, and I got away from Ryan. Some women are stuck and they need an ally.
“Okay, I’ll think about it.”
“Thanks, baby girl.”
“Sure.”
“So, are you going to go to the bail hearing?” Trey asks.
“Yes. When is it?”
“Monday.”
I scrunch up my face and look at him. It’s Saturday; why are they making him wait until Monday? I thought bail hearings happened pretty quickly.
“Why Monday?”
“They don’t do it on the weekends,” Trey answers.
“So, Ryan is stuck in jail until Monday?” I ask and Trey nods. I immediately start giggling. “Oh, that’s great.”
“You seem totally unfazed by everything that has happened to you, Emmy,” Tucker comments and I shrug.
I don’t know what I’m supposed to be feeling here but all I am is relieved. Ryan is in jail, my babies are okay, I’m okay — what more could I ask for?
“I feel pretty good.” Tucker scowls at me and I roll my eyes. “What, Tucker? Spit it out.”
“I’m just worried that you’re going to crack up in a couple days, or a week, or a month, ya know?”
I roll my eyes again. “Ya’ll don’t give me enough credit.”
“I know you’re strong, baby,” Nix says and I smile lovingly at him.
“Oh, sure! Throw us under the bus, why don’t ya?” Trey complains and I laugh again. It feels good. With Ryan in jail, it’s as if a weight has been lifted off my chest, and I can finally breathe again.
