Forgiven (16 page)

I can’t believe he just sent me to voicemail. Un-freakin’-believable. Of all times for him to ignore me, it’s when I need him. I have no idea what to do. It’s not like I have anyone else in this town to call. I try him back again hoping it was an accident that it got sent to voicemail. Nothing. It doesn’t even ring this time. He must have turned it off. My next thought is to call his private line at the office. It goes to voicemail, too.

I would call Sharon, but it’s five after five and I know she always leaves at five sharp everyday. I don’t know who else to call. I pop the hood and get out of the car. I fiddle around with a few cables around the battery. I don’t know much about taking care of a car. John had shown me how to check the oil, wiggle the cables of the battery, and change a tire when we went to college. He told me if I was going to be travelling back and forth between Columbia and Charleston, I needed to know how to, at the very least, do those things. Man, I miss my best friend. If I were in Columbia, or even Charleston, I know he’d get to me as soon as he could.

I’m startled when I hear a deep voice. “Need some help?”

I glance over my shoulder, and it’s the creeper from the coffee shop. “No, I’m good. Thanks.”

“It doesn’t look like you’re good. Why don’t you let me see if I can give you a jump?”

Arg. I don’t want to have anything to do with this guy, but if he can jump me off then I can get the hell out of here, and that’s all I want to do at this point. I shrug. “Okay.”

He leaves and a few minutes later I see a car come from behind the building, and it pulls in front of mine. He hooks the cables to the two batteries. “Go get into the car and see if you can start it,” he says. After I slide into my seat, I turn the ignition and nothing happens.

“Did the lights come on when you did that?” I hear him holler.

“Hmm. I didn’t pay attention. Want me to try again?”

“Yeah, try again and let me know if the lights turn on.”

I turn the ignition, and there’s nothing. It’s completely dead. “Nope. No lights.”

“I’m afraid this is looks like it might be your alternator.” He starts to unhook the cables. “Not much I can do for you other than calling you a tow truck and give you a lift to where ever you need to go.”

Hell would have to freeze over and then some for me to let this guy give me a lift somewhere. “No, that won’t be necessary. My fiancée will handle the tow truck, and I’ll get a ride from a friend. Thank you, though.” I don’t want to seem like I’m ungrateful. I do appreciate him offering to help, but I draw the line with strangers at getting into their vehicles.

“Well, if you need anything just let me know,” he offers.

After he leaves, I climb back into my car and lock the doors. The fiancée would call the tow truck if the fiancée would answer his damn phone. And call a friend? Well that would require that I had some.

I start to go through my contacts. Maybe Joe or Ryan could help me. I’m disappointed when both of the calls go to voicemail. Why is it that anytime you are in a real mess you can never get anyone to answer their phones? I am trying to stay calm, but I’m running out of ideas.

I briefly entertain the idea of taking MARTA. All I can hear is Bradley going on and on about how unsafe that is. I’m already feeling so vulnerable without my car and no one for support. I just don’t think that is a good idea.

Then my mind goes to the only person left in Atlanta that could possibly help me. No way can I call him. Bradley would kill me. But then again, Bradley doesn’t get a choice. He doesn’t get a choice because he turned his phone off and ignored me.

I call information and get the number and choose the option to be automatically connected and have the number texted to me. It rings a few times and then he answers, “Hello.”

I sit there for a minute when I hear his voice. I am not sure I can go through with this. Then again, what choice do I have?

“Hello?” he says again.

“Ian...It’s Gabby.”

Veronica turns her head to look at me, and her lip is quivering. I can see the fear plastered all over her face. I wish I could tell her it’s all going to be okay, but I don’t know if that’s true. “I’m here.” Her arms are both out to the side on boards. There are IV’s going into the one on the other side, but the one closest to me doesn’t have anything attached. I reach down and instantly grab it. “I’m here now. I’m here.” I don’t know what else to say other than that.

She nods her head.

We both sit there in silence with our eyes fixed on each other’s. I don’t think I ever realized the connection we have before. I was never in love with her, but I realize in this moment that I do love her. I care about her. I care about her well being. I definitely care for this little innocent life that is about come into this cruel world way too early.

What seems like an eternity passes, but I can see the clock over in the corner and it’s only been a few minutes. I hear the chatter amongst the medical professionals and then they say, “Okay Veronica. You’re going to feel a lot of pressure. We’re about to take the baby.”

Her voice cracks, and her eyebrows furrow. She never takes her eyes off of mine. She’s squeezing my hand so hard that I feel like I’m about to lose circulation, but I would never complain. I can’t imagine the agony she must be feeling right now. She whispers, “Okay.”

She takes a breath and holds it. The nurse beside her rubs her other arm. “Just keep breathing, sweetie.”

I straighten my back and try to look over the blue screen they have put up over her belly. I want to see the birth of this baby. I want to know this baby is okay. I think for a moment that if it’s my child I want a part in naming her. Faith pops into my mind. Her name needs to be Faith-because we’re going to have lots of faith that she will be okay. Faith is going to have to carry her and us.

I see them take her out. The doctors clamp the cord and announce, “It’s a girl!”

I look back to Veronica, and she’s smiling, but worry overshadows the smile. I smile back to her. “Let’s hope she got her fighting power from you.”

She nods again, and I can tell it’s all she can do to contain her sobs. They pass the baby off, and she’s yet to make a sound. The doctors are practically beating the crap out of her. I know enough to know that a baby should cry when the cord is cut. What’s taking so long?

Veronica must have read my mind or been thinking the same thing because she squeezes tighter. “Bradley, she’s not crying. Oh God. She’s not crying.”

I try to contain my worry and press my lips together as I sigh.

Veronica starts to sob as they hand the baby from person to person. Everyone is rushing. It’s organized chaos. There are various teams barking off orders and medical terminology. It sounds like a foreign language. I am on the verge of being overstimulated. I think I already am overwhelmed. This entire turn of events has been surreal. Roni looks up to me and starts with her own commands. “Please go with her. Please be with her. I’ll be fine. Bradley!”

I realize I must be dazed and confused. “Bradley. Please go with her,” she cries.

I give her hand a squeeze then reply, “I’ll go. You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Ian?” I twirl my hair nervously.

“I’m here,” he replies calmly.

“I need your help.” I look up to the roof of the car again wondering how I got myself into this mess. I wish I had a rewind button.

“Do you?”

It pains me to admit I need help from him. “I am having car problems. I’m in Atlanta...at Gi Gi’s. Do you know where that is?”

“Yeah. I’ve been there a few times. Do you need a ride or something?”

“Yeah. I don’t have anyone else that I can call.”

“Oh.” There’s a pause. I am sure he’s wondering why Bradley isn’t helping me. I would be wondering that if I were him. “What about your boyfriend?”

“fiancée,” I emphasize. “And I can’t get in touch with him right now.”

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes, then.” I am about to say thanks, but he continues. “I’m glad you felt like you could call me for whatever that’s worth to you.”

“Yeah. I mean, thank you.” This is beyond awkward. Awkward because I know that calling him was a bad idea, but awkward because I do feel comfort in his familiarity.

“See you in a few minutes, then. Just wait in your car with the doors locked. It’s not in the worst area, but it sure as hell could be in a better area.”

“Yeah, I know. I will.”

“Bye, Gabs.”

“Bye,” I say softly.

I decide to pull one of my books and study until he comes. I put in my ear buds and turn on my iPod. Maybe that will get my mind off of things. Time seems to fly by because I jump as there is a tap and movement at my window. I grab my chest. “Geez, you scared the living daylights out of me!” I say, not like he can hear me, as I look into those amused, green eyes.

I unlock and open the door. I swiftly put my stuff back into my bag while surveying the car to make sure I have everything I’ll need. Ian’s propped on the window and leaning on the side of the car. He has his leg crossed, and I can tell by the look on his face he’s very much enjoying this. I try to fight back the smile I know is emerging on my lips, but I can’t help it. I’m relieved to know I’m not alone, and he’s being playful.

He backs up when I turn in the seat to get out. “You got everything?”

“Yep, I think so.”

He points to his car. “Let’s get outta here, then.”

“Okay.”