Aaron's Fall (19 page)

Rhonda dressed her in a white backless iridescent cat suit, covered with a white tulle covering she could pull off after the first number. Tia had arranged the stage set complete with Asia coming down to a foggy stage, singing “For You”. And her male dancers carried her on their shoulders, in another number. The whole show was very elaborate, from the stage design to the costuming. The Coz would open and be on platforms behind her, and had small routine they had to perform. Chez and Wilson made the last touches on her hair and face, and they both step back to admire their work.

“You are truly beautiful, darling.” Wilson said beaming proudly. Asia took a deep breath rising from the chair.

The door opened, Brie, Vessa and Tia came in.

“You look beautiful, Asia,” Brie said smiling.

“You ready?” Tia asked.

Asia nodded. They left the room. Asia joined Benny and Clive, walking between them, down the long corridor.

Aaron, Martin and the Linebackers wouldn’t be there, they were on an away game, but would be back later tonight; but Brie, Trevet, Lynwood and Vessa would be there backstage looking from the side. Tia was backstage making sure everything ran smoothly.

Tia was strapping the harness on her. “You’re going to be great, don’t worry.” she said reassuringly. Clive went out to the stage. Asia said a silent prayer. The Stage Manager placed the headpiece on her ear. Benny kissed her cheek, gave her a reassuring smile.

“Royal Records proudly presents, “Miss Asia Brooks!” The crowd roared.

The band started her intro. The curtain opened, and Asia started singing, as the harness lower her down. The audience didn’t see her, until they notice her floating down to the stage. The crowd cheering.

Instantly her nervousness disappeared. By the middle of the set fans were dancing and singing at there seats. The spectators were encouraging to her; she felt and exuberance she never felt before. Some of the fans were down in front of the stage. She went to them and shook their hands. Security tried to stop them, but Asia waved them away. At her last song, she was to stand on platform and sing “Fool That I Am,” her rendition of Etta James song. She stood in the middle of the stage and the platform rose, lifting her.

She looked out at the audience smiling. Then she noticed a strange glint, a silver gun pointed at her, before she could scream, she felt a burning rip through her hip, she looked down at her side and saw the crimson stain, she looked up at the audience as if in slow motion and stared out, people were screaming and running frantically. Ross and the band member couldn’t get down from the platform, standing there helpless, screaming for her to get down. Trevet and Lynwood wanting to run out on stage, but Benny and Clive stopped them, not sure, where the shots were coming from. Then they heard another shot, it ripped through Asia’s side, she touched it, staring at the blood on her hands, and then another shot hit her shoulder, which lifted her off the platform to land on the stage floor. Tia, Vessa and Brie were screaming, Trevet and Lynwood, holding them from running on stage. Asia lay crumpled on the floor, still conscious, feeling like fire burning through her body, Distantly she heard the people screaming.

“We got the shooter!” someone yelled.

Everyone backstage ran onto the stage, where Asia landed. The white cat suit red with her blood, her legs bent awkwardly. They ran to her, Tia went to her knees beside her.

“Asia!” Tia cried taking her hand in her.

Asia turned her head and looked at the people she come to love very much. In shock, Asia’s eyes blinked slowly. She looked at them, hearing the distant scream of sirens. Aaron,” she mouth to Tia, before she lost consciousness.

Aaron rushed into the hospital, Martin behind him. His parents, Martin parents, Tia, the band, Clive and Benny were sitting in the waiting area. Aaron went to his parents, trying to stem his mounting panic.

“What happen, where’s Asia?” “You said get down here,” Dad, what’s going on?”

“Its Asia Son, she been shot.” his father said calmer then he felt.

“Shot!” Aaron repeated shocked.

“Where is she?” Aaron said walking around his parents.

“Aaron!” Trevet called. Aaron walked to the swinging door, and pushed them open.

“Sir you can’t go back there!” the nurse said behind the desk, following him.

Aaron ignored her, all he knew was he had to find his Asia, he couldn’t lose her not now.

“Asia!” Aaron called loudly.

“Sir you have to wait out front,” a nurse said pushing him back. Aaron simply moved her to the side.

“Asia!” he called again.

Aaron found her, nurses and doctors surrounded her, her blood soak costume ripped open, her hand hanging lifeless off the side of the stretcher.

“Asia,” he cried. Aaron stood there for a minute, watching them as the staff work feverishly on her. Aaron focus on the beeping of the heart monitor that echoed in his head. A nurse stood beside him, Aaron looked down at her.

“Is she?”

“Sir please they working on her, please wait out front as soon as we know something the doctor will tell you.” she said.

Aaron returned to the waiting area; his face held a gray hue.

“Son?” Trevet said concerned. Aaron looked at his Dad, not really seeing him.

“Aaron what is it?” his father insisted grabbing him by his arms. Aaron focus returned, and he looked at his father.

“She’s alive, that’s all I know,” he said and walked away, and stood by the large plate glass window, staring at nothingness. All he could manage to say is “Please God, don’t take her from me.”

“We have apprehended the shooter,” the detective informed them.

“Who and Why?” Trevet demanded.

“Theodore Jackson put a hit on Miss Brook’s.” the detective said.

“I thought he was incarcerated?” Trevet asked with anger.

“He is, but the man that shot Ms Brooks was an associate on the outside, he owed Jackson, we’re sorry Mr. Harrison.”

Trevet thank the detective, going through his own turmoil over Asia shooting. Brie knew her husband, she could see worry on his face.

“Honey,” Brie said going to her husband. Trevet looked down at his wife, pulling her into his arms.

“Brie, if she doesn’t make it, it will be all my fault.” he stated miserably.

“Tre, please baby, this is not your fault, how can you think, like that.”

“Honey, I didn’t take that man threats seriously, when he threatened her in court, I didn’t even protect her then; I could have prevented this, now Asia is in there fighting for her life.” Trevet said dejectedly.

“Trevet, do you think Asia will blame you for this?” Trevet shook his head, “That right, she loves you; she would never blame you, now you stop it.” His wife chided. Trevet pulled his wife into his arms. How he loves his wife, he thought. He looked over at his son, and went to him putting his arm around him.

Eddie and the guys rushed straight to the hospital when they heard.

“Come on Aaron,” Eddie said, “We have to pray for Asia,”

“I am praying,” he said submissively.

Brie reached her hand to her son, pleading with her eyes. He went with them they all went to their knees, Eddie leading all in prayer.

Everyone sat around, waiting for word on Asia. Aaron stayed alone, sitting off by himself. Martin went to his friend.

“Man, she going to be okay,” he said reassuring. Not looking at Martin.

“I understand now how you felt with Tia when she was here, I understand,” Aaron admitted sorrowful.

“Aaron, that’s love, you love Asia, admit it to yourself.” Aaron looked at Martin; tears in his eyes, confusion on his face.

“We were just together two night ago man. She came to me, said she missed me, even after the way I humiliated her at my parent’s house. She still loved me even after that. I don’t know Martin,” Aaron said shaking his head, “When I’m away from her I miss her to the point where it hurts; when I see her, I feel trapped, but I need her, I can’t get enough of her, I need to know where she is all the time, is that crazy.”

“That’s love, don’t fight it Aaron, let it happen, I guarantee you it’s the most awesome feeling to know someone loves you and that you love them back.” Martin affirmed.

The doctor came to the waiting area. It was so many people in the waiting area, the doctor did not know whom to address. “Parents of Asia Brooks,” he summoned loudly.

Aaron and Martin saw the doctor coming, rushed over to him, standing between his parents

“How is she, Doctor?” Aaron asked.

“She’ll be fine, she was shot in her shoulder, and her hip which is fracture, and the other went clean through her side, no vital organs damaged; now I can’t promise the baby will survive, with her blood...” the doctor paused.

“Baby,” Aaron interrupted, stumbling against his father.

“Yes, Ms Brook’s is pregnant, it still early..,” the doctor paused, looking at Aaron, “You didn’t know.”

Aaron shook his head, and looked at Tia. Tia shrugged, “I didn’t know,” she said.

Aaron looked at the doctor.

“What about the baby?” Aaron asked.

“Well, were not sure she will hold the baby, the drugs she’s on and the blood loss,” he shook his head, “I’m not hopeful, I’m sorry.”

“Can I see her?” Aaron asked disheartened.

“Are you Aaron?” the doctor asked, Aaron nodded.

“She asks for you, yes you may, but she may still be incoherent, from the drugs.” Aaron followed the doctor. He entered the ICU, rushing to her bedside. He took her hand in his. Her eyes fluttered open, looking at him.

“Hello Beautiful,” he said softly.

Tears filled her eyes, as she looked at him.

“I’m here Baby, I’m here,” Aaron said bring her hand to his lips.

“Aaron,” she said softly, sighing her eyes closed.

“Your going to be fine, Sweetheart.” he said and kissed her forehead.

He left for a minute to let everyone know she was going to be okay. He learned later she didn’t know she was pregnant.

Aaron was at the hospital everyday, he sat watching Asia.

Asia lay sleeping, and Aaron at his usual spot beside her. Aaron watched her; she was very restless, and groaning in her sleep.

“Asia,” Aaron said softly, caressing her cheek.

She groaned louder; her eyes opened looking at Aaron.

“I hurt down there,” she pointed to her stomach, and then she realized what was happening.

“No! No! No!” she cried, “Aaron I’m losing the baby!”

Aaron lifted the cover, she lay in blood.

“No! Aaron I don’t want to lose the baby!” Asia cried hysterically.

Aaron pressed the buzzer.

“Yes,” the nurse said over the intercom.

“Asia bleeding!” Aaron said alarmed. Two nurses rushed in; Aaron stepped back, a minute later, her doctor arrived. He looked under the blankets, and frowned.

“Get her to ER stat,” the doctor ordered.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Harrison,” he said, leaving the room.

“Aaron,” Asia called reaching for him as they pushed her from the room.

“I’ll be right here Baby,” he told her.

About an hour later, Asia returned. She looked at Aaron through a drugged hazed.

“I’m sorry Aaron,” she said desolately.

The tears Aaron held in check came forth in a rush. He went to her bedside and sat in the chair beside the bed. He looked at her face, then he lay his head on her stomach and wept; Asia held his head, caressing his head as they both wept for the child they lost.

Brie and Trevet eased open the door. The scene they saw broke her heart. Asia head turn to the side, obvious anguish on her face, her eyes closed her tears streaming down her pain etched face; Aaron, his head on her stomach holding her as her hand caressingly comforting him. They eased the door shut. Brie leaned against her husband.

“They lost the baby.” she replied sadly, the scene forever etched in her head.

Asia look down at Aaron head, he was facing her, the unabashed tears streaming down his face.

“Aaron,” she whispered. His head rose; looking at her pained face.

“I’m sorry.” Aaron sat on the side of the bed, looking into her eyes.

“Baby, its not your fault.”

“Yes Aaron, it is, I didn’t know I was pregnant, how could I not know,” she stated crying again. “I lost your child, the only part of you I would ever have, I’m sorry.” She groaned.

“You have pain?” he asked. She nodded folding her lip against the pain.

“I’ll call the nurse,” he told her.

Asia lay back. Brie and Trevet entered the room. Asia looked at them.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured softly.

Brie went to her. “Oh Baby, it not your fault.” Brie said soothingly, smoothing her hair back. “Honey, when you get out, your coming home with us.”

The nurse entered with the medicine, giving her a shot. Asia looked up at Brie. The medicine worked within the minute. Her eyes shut, and then opened. Asia reached for her, Brie took her hand.

“I want my Mother, where is my Mother? She asked confused.

“I’m here, sweetie, you sleep now,” Brie said rubbing her hair. Trevet stood beside his wife.

“I love you,” she said to them and closed her eyes.

Aaron sat in the chair and wept. His father went to him, Aaron looked up at him.

“Dad, you know I hoped she carry the baby, although the doctor said, she many not, I still hoped.”

“I know Son,” Trevet said, “You could have other children.

Aaron shook his head. “I think its to late for me and Asia,” he stated dejected.

“Have you told her you love her?” Trevet asked. Aaron remained silent.

“You haven’t,” his father said sighing. “What are you waiting for Aaron, life to short for your selfish reasoning, you better tell her before its to late.”

“Dad, I want what you and Mom have,” Aaron replied.

“Son it took me a while to admit I loved your mother, she loved me, I had hesitations about love, I used the excuse she wasn’t ready, when it was I who wasn’t ready. When I thought I was losing her that’s when I realized my life was nothing without you and your mother. We have our disagreements, all couples do, but our love for one another over powers it all; your mother almost left me once, because I was stupid, so Son, look into yourself and realize what you have.”