Family Ties (30 page)

She unpacked and started the laundry. Supervised baths and settled the kids into bed. She called Dina and brought her and Bonnie up to date.

Then she went to bed and cried until there were no tears left. Throat raw, eyes burning, arms wrapped around her knees, she sat in her empty bed, rocking.

He’d pulled away from her after meeting his parents. Further every day. She couldn’t blame him, even though she didn’t like it. And it hurt – more than she could have imagined.

Cheek resting on her knees, she tried to manage the pain as she waited for the long night to end.

His truck pulled away as the sun broke over the eastern horizon. He’d worn his hat pulled low and hadn’t even looked toward her house when he backed out of the driveway.

Watching him drive away, she steeled herself. Other people had left her and she’d survived. She’d survive Gray or Greg or whatever name he used today. Even if she wasn’t sure she wanted to.

She dropped the curtain and turned to the kitchen. She might as well make cookies for breakfast. At least there’d be some good from this day.

***

“Damn!”

Gray looked at the window he’d broken. It would take a couple of days to replace it and he was behind schedule already. He’d never taken a vacation – he’d considered them a waste of time.

Except the kids had really enjoyed themselves. He wouldn’t ever forget the joy lighting Jamie’s face as he climbed out of his first roller coaster. Or the surprise on Chloe’s face when the pony at the kiddies zoo licked her hand.

They raced around the observation deck of the Space Needle, finding this landmark and that one and all three of them wanting him to ‘come see’ at the same time.

His dad walked with him while his mother and Andie were buying souvenirs in the gift shop. They’d meandered around the circle, enjoying the view.

“You used to love coming here.”

“I remembered one time. You were carrying me because it was late and I was tired.

His dad thought for a few moments. He never seemed in a hurry to speak. “That was probably the time my sister came from the East Coast. She wanted to see as much as she could in three days. Your mother and I were lugging you kids around, trying to keep up to her.” He shook his head. “What a visit it turned out to be.”

He chuckled. “She was such a go-getter. Who’d have thought cancer could take someone with so much energy? And so young.” He shook his head.

“She died?”

His dad nodded. “Not long after you were taken. If it hadn’t been for your mother, I don’t think I’d have survived. First you then my baby sister.” His father lapsed into silence.

“You were both the light of my life – in different ways of course. She’d been my only sister, the baby of our family and I spoiled her rotten.” He chuckled. “That’s probably why I let her drag us around like I did.”

“Hearing her diagnosis almost ripped out what remained of my heart.”

They walked some more, each lost in their own thoughts. “Your mother, she’s the emotional one in our family. She cries and yells and prays.” He stopped and looked at the former pro ball stadium. “I bury it all inside, somewhere deep, and take it out a bit at a time when I can.”

He dragged his finger through the condensation of his breath on the glass. “Your mother used to think I had no feelings, but she understands better now.” He searched Gray’s face in the glass’ reflection. “It’s not always so easy for the Johnson men to know what they’re feeling or how to deal with it, is it, son?”

Gray shook his head.

His dad turned to face him. “That’s why we have to be smart in picking out our women. We need them to help us see the way.”

Gray jerked himself back to the house he was renovating. His dad was an intelligent man, wise in the ways of life, even if he didn’t have much education.

He looked around at the renovations. It was a beautiful house, large and roomy. Nothing like the homes he bought.

Which stopped him cold. He looked around again.

When he bought houses to fix and sell, he bought for people’s first family home. He didn’t buy these big places, these show homes, although he could probably swing it financially.

He always bought homes. For families.

A cascade of pictures flooded him. His childhood before the kidnapping and after. His birth family and the Mills. Ida was far from perfect but his mother had a bit of the drill sergeant in her too. His two fathers. Way more alike than different.

Suddenly he knew what he had to do. He closed up his tool box and began closing up the house. He had things to do at home – and they couldn’t wait another minute.

***

“Anybody home?” Gray called from the back door. “Where is everybody? Honey?”

Downstairs, Andie heard his call. Please God, let him realize something’s wrong. If he leaves, he can call the police rather than get into the middle of this. I don’t want him hurt. Please.

He came down the stairs. “What’s going on?” He stood at the base of the stairs, looking into the rumpus room. She knew the exact second he saw the dirty-haired teenager holding the gun.

“What’s going on?

“Might as well come in and join the party, man.” A young man motioned Gray to the middle of the room with the gun.

“We were waiting for Bonnie to come home, planning on her and I taking a little ride.” He smirked. “But all the family got into the act and then she got home. So here we are, one happy little group.

“You are such a waste of skin, Sean. You’re going to be so sorry for this.”

“The only thing I’m going to be sorry for is blowing your little face off, sweetheart, now shut up.”

“As if.”

“Get over here.”

“No.”

He pointed the gun to Chloe. “Then how about I take little sister instead?”

“You leave my family alone, stupid. No one’s done anything to you.”

“Except for you.”

“What’s she done, Sean? I don’t understand.” Andie forced her voice to be soft and calm.

“Want to tell her, cutie? Or shall I?”

Bonnie’s eyes skittered away from Andie, but then she straightened her shoulders. “My mother caught up with me at work.”

“Watch your mouth when you talk about our mother, dear sister.” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

“I remember.”

“Who’d have guessed she’d see me at work and recognize me? Then decide she wanted me to come live with her.” She glared at the kid with the gun. “The togetherness thing, I guess, still applies after all these years.”

“We only wanted some help from you, little sister.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Sister?”

“Bonnie, what’s he talking about?” Gray’s voice was cold steel.

“They’ve decided they want me to join their happy little family.”

“Why now?”

“Why don’t you tell him that one, sleeze bag?”

The kid straightened his shoulders as sweat popped out on his forehead. “It’s our turn. She’s had it easy living here with super mom, so now she can do for somebody else for awhile.” He circled the gun around the room. “She’s been living high on the hog while her mother and me have been struggling, so it’s only fair.”

“What’s fair?” Gray moved further into the room.

“It’s her turn, man. Her turn.” He wiped the spit from his chin.

Andie could hear the hysteria in his voice.

“Why now?”

“Because we’re tired of waiting. I been after miss high and mighty ever since you guys moved in here. But she wouldn’t hardly give me the time of day.”

“He acted as if he was interested in me – like a big brother.” She shuddered. “That is so disgusting.”

“Well I was and I am. And now I want some help from you. You’ve got something that’s worth a lot to us.”

“Worth alot?” Andie felt sick at his implication.

“Don’t play dumb, foster mommy. You and I both know some men will pay a lot for the first time or two with miss high and mighty. She’s young and she’s clean, for God’s sakes.”

He swung the gun back to Bonnie. “And she’s going to help us. Mom needs some stuff – bad. She’s too sick to work the streets and I can’t get a job lately, so it’s her turn to lend a hand.”

“Bonnie’s not going anywhere, Sean. Not unless you go through me first.”

He swung the gun to Gray. “That won’t be hard, big guy. I’ve been watching you hang around here. You’re getting yours. Why do you care where some guy gets his?”

“I don’t unless it’s with someone in my family.”

“She’s not your family,” he screamed.

Sweat dripped from Sean’s forehead and his hand showed a slight tremor. He was going into withdrawal right in front of her eyes.

“She’s more my family than yours, Sean. I want what’s best for her.” Gray took another step toward him. “I want her to have some choices.”

“Stay back asshole.” He brandished the gun, his eyes narrowed and blinking sweat away.

“I’m not staying back, Sean. Not so you can hurt my family.” He took another step.

“Gray - .”

He waved her into silence. “This is between Sean and me, isn’t it tough guy?” He held his right arm behind him as he took another step.

He stopped and swung his arm in an arc, connecting with Sean’s arm. Bat hit bone as the gun fired.

The shot echoed through the basement.

Cordite burned their nostrils.

But Gray was already in flight. He landed on top of Sean, his weight pushing the kid to the floor, while they fought for control.

Mesmerized by the battle, Andie stood there until Gray grunted, “Get away.” He labored to keep the kid’s hand away from the gun.

Corralling the children she hurried them up the stairs. Gray was losing blood and locked into a battle for his life. She scooped the phone on her way outside, threw it to Bonnie. “Call the police. I’ve got to help Gray.”

Quietly, she crept down the stairs.

Gray’s face was gray and the bloody spot on his pants had grown larger. He couldn’t go on much longer. But he hung on to the kid’s arm.

Frantically looking for a way to help, Andie grabbed the bat and charged across the room. She couldn’t get a clear swing – not with them wrestling on the floor. Eyes peeled for an opening, she gripped the bat in sweaty palms.

Gray’s blood kept pumping from his leg. He was weakening by the moment. He had pinned Sean’s legs with his own, but Sean’s upper body strength was fueled by fear.

The writhing mass inched it’s away toward the gun, both men grunting and straining.

“Everybody stay where you are.” Loud voices came from behind. Don’t move.”

The policeman looked at the two men on the floor. “Don’t reach for the gun. You don’t want to do anything you’ll regret.” When Sean hesitated, the cop came into the room, revolver pointed in two hands. “I guarantee you won’t get out of here alive.”

As the paramedics loaded Gray into the back of the ambulance, Mr. Kapinski, her neighbor was running around. Apparently he’d called the police when he saw Sean force his way into the house. And he’d called the ambulance when he heard the shot.

But Andie had no time for his chatter. She struggled to get to Gray’s side. The paramedics had him strapped to a Gurney. His eyes were hazy and unfocused until he found her. Connected.

“You’re coming to the hospital?” He reached for her.

“Count on it.” She took his hand in hers. “We’re right behind the ambulance.”

“Good.” His eyes drifted closed and his fingers relaxed inside hers.

“He’s unconscious Ma’am. Nothing to worry about.” The paramedic adjusted something on one of the lines going into Gray. “Kind of amazing he remained conscious so long.”

“Is he...is he going to make it?” Andie felt her heart hitch as she remembered all the blood downstairs.

“I’m no doctor but I’d say he’s got a pretty good chance. We’ll know more when we get him to the hospital.”

She stepped out of the way and let them load the gurney into the van and watched as the attendant clambered inside, then shut the door. Closing her out.

She watched as the driver climbed inside and started the engine, the sirens and pulled away. She knew there were all kinds of ways of being left behind and this was the worst.

Quickly gathering the children, she rattled off instructions. “We’re going to the hospital. Get in the van while I grab my keys.”

“We’ll talk to you at the hospital, officer.”

“One of my men will drive you there.” He motioned to one of the uniformed men who came forward. “Take Ms Bowen and her family to the hospital, Marv. We’ll meet you there.”

They never caught up to the ambulance and still had to wait in Emergency. Forever. The police talked to the kids and made notes and they tried to talk to her but she couldn’t concentrate. All her attention focused on the room at the end of the hall. The room where her future lay.

Finally one of the nurses came out. “Are you here with Mr. Mills?” she asked Andie.