Redemption's Road, page 19
part #3 of Five Points Series
Siobhan’s chest rose and fell with a few deep breaths exhaled through wide nostrils. Ellie had her hand on her forearm. Siobhan covered it with her own. “I think enough damage has been done. I won’t be pressing any charges either.”
I sighed in relief. “I need to go talk to Tank. Thank you, Chance. I think we can handle it from here. I promise you, there won’t be any more misunderstandings.”
Chance adjusted her Stetson and nodded to me, as she loaded Zeus in the vehicle before climbing in herself. She rolled down the window.
“By the way, I’ve set up that meeting with Kathleen we talked about. I really want to get our community action group going. Jax said to tell you hi and that you and your bride to be need to come for dinner.”
“Send me the info on the dates, and we’re there. I’ll have Naomi call Jax about dinner.”
Chance nodded in Tank’s direction. “If you change your mind about pressing charges against Tank, let me know. You might want a doctor to look at that eye, it’s swelling pretty badly.”
“I will. Thanks again, Chance. I’m sorry for the disturbance. Take care, Sheriff.”
I watched her drive off before looking over at Tank. She still sat with her head down, elbows resting on her knees. I went and sat beside her. “In the book of James, it says everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” I put my hand on her back. “And it fucks up my wedding pictures. No one’s pressing any charges, Tank. What in heaven’s name were you thinking?”
Tank scrubbed her face. Her cheeks were wet.
“I wasn’t. When that woman touched Ellie, I saw red. I don’t even know who the hell that is.”
“It doesn’t matter who she is. You stepped way over the line, my friend. Ellie doesn’t belong to you. You’re turning into some psycho stalker. My sister’s made it very clear she isn’t interested in a romantic relationship with you. At this point, she isn’t even interested in having you as a friend. You keep this up, and she’ll go after you legally for harassment. I really don’t want this to go there. You’ve been my best friend for years. I want that to continue. Ellie’s my sister. If you can’t handle that she’s going to be with someone else, then we need to figure something out. There is no middle ground on this, Tank. When we started the brewery, I made you a shareholder. We’re business partners and more. As far as I’m concerned, we’re family. I forgive you, but this,” I pointed to my face, “can’t ever happen again. You can’t go after someone interested in Ellie. That will be the end of us, Tank, period. I don’t want that.” I rose and made my way to Naomi. Ellie and Siobhan were walking toward the loft.
The sympathetic look Naomi gave me let me know she understood my struggle to cope.
“How’s your face?”
I took her hand and moved my jaw sideways, while I blinked hard. “It hurts like hell. Tank can throw a hell of a punch. It was why she was so good as my bodyguard. Apparently, her jealousy clouded her long-practiced control. Ellie was ready to kill her.”
“Oh, you’re right about Ellie. She’s pissed. I think I’d be more worried about Siobhan. She has a few specialized skills of her own. She was an officer in the Irish Army for longer than Tank was a Marine. I think she could have truly hurt Tank if she didn’t possess incredible control.”
I tried to calm my mind as we walked. Tank would stew about this for days, and I didn’t have the time or the energy to worry about her. Ellie’s surgery was less than forty-eight hours away. My sister had cancer. Tank would need to do her own soul searching. My priorities list had all the concerns I could handle.
Back at the loft, Ellie was tending to Siobhan’s hand. I hadn’t seen her throw a punch, only block one. Naomi slid her hand down my arm.
“I’m going to get you another ice bag, hon.”
I nodded and walked over to my sister and pointed to Siobhan. “I didn’t see you get a shot in. What did you do to your hand?”
“I scraped the knuckles when I drug that eejit outside. Ellie here has insisted they need attention. What the hell was her problem anyway?”
Ellie answered the question with brutal honesty, as only my sister could. She wasn’t ashamed of anything. “We slept together, once, a long time ago. Apparently, one of us thought it was more than a way to blow off the stress of a long tour.”
Siobhan grinned. “Well, ya do seem to be pretty special, so I can’t blame her.”
Ellie blushed and continued to dab peroxide on Siobhan’s knuckles.
Naomi grabbed my hand and led me to the couch.
“Sit.”
She handed me a few Advil and a glass of water. I swallowed dutifully and gave her no resistance when she urged me to lay back. She pulled the boots from my feet and sat beside me, as she put a wrapped icepack on my face.
“Ow.”
“Sorry. This is going to leave one hell of a black eye, Rhebekka. I think the sheriff’s right. We might want to go to see the doctor. Your eye is swelling shut, and there’s a cut on your cheek.”
“I’m fine. This isn’t the first black eye I’ve had.” The first was from my father, when I put myself between him and my mother. He’d told me it was my own fault for sticking my nose in where it didn’t belong. I was seven.
I’d watched him drag my mother across the porch by her hair. She screamed at me to get Ellie in our car and lock the doors. I put my five-year-old sister where Mom told me and ran back to defend my mother. I’d hung from his arm, doing all I could to keep him from swinging at her. He shook me off like a rag doll and backhanded me. My mother let out a blood-curdling scream and went after him with a snow shovel. She smashed him over the head and knocked him out cold on our trailer’s cement patio. She picked me up, and we drove to my grandparents.
Cool fingers brushed along my uninjured cheek. “Hey, where’d you go?”
I tried to focus on Naomi’s blue eyes that I knew and loved. “To the day I got my first black eye.”
Naomi knew the story. Mom divorced him after that but remarried him less than two years later. He’d faked becoming a changed man who’d seen the light. The light he’d seen was the pinpoint of freedom from court-ordered support of an ex-wife and two kids. As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, he found his true power over us. The beatings were subtler after that, in places where inquiring eyes couldn’t see. I closed my eyes, remembering how our lives got worse after the monster had been given his biblical head of household title. He was granted permission to do whatever he wanted to control his family for the honor and glory of God.
Naomi leaned over and kissed me, forcing my eyes to hers. “That’s all in the past, Rhebekka. He can’t hurt you ever again. I know Tank didn’t mean to hit you, and I’m betting she feels lower than dirt for it. Right now, we need to concentrate on getting Ellie through what’s coming. After that, I want to put that platinum band on your hand to match the one I’ve mentally installed on other, more intimate, parts of you.” She winked.
I snorted then winced. “Don’t make me laugh; it hurts too much. When Tank decides to turn to someone, it may have to be you. I’m a little overloaded right now. Honestly, probably too close to the situation. Tank is imploding her life over something that isn’t going to change. If Ellie had any doubts, today put the nail in the coffin.”
Naomi nodded. “I’ll call her later. Maybe she needs to stew for a bit. Every action has a consequence. It’s time for her to do a little reflection about the direction her life is headed. I was talking to Karmen when the call from Arty came in. I’m starting to think Zandra may be coming back with her. Zandra illustrates graphic novels with her sister. Karmen’s apparently known her for years.”
“I want Karmen to be happy, no matter who she’s with. I’ve given up on Tank seeing what was in front of her. Karmen is too wonderful to be pining for someone who’s too blind to see the forest for the trees. If Zandra comes back with her, then we do all we can to welcome her into the family.”
***
Siobhan made no attempt to wake the fragile woman who’d fallen asleep on her. She tenderly held Ellie as they lay on the couch. Naomi went down and handled our after-school program with assistance from Franklin and later led the Lenten service while I recovered. She’d ordered pizza before we settled in to watch a movie.
When the credits rolled, Siobhan stretched and gently woke Ellie. “I need ta go home. I work tomorrow and have ta be in at eight for prep work and liquor delivery.”
Ellie yawned and grabbed her hand. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Siobhan, despite what happened earlier, you’re always welcome.” I rested a hand on her arm as they passed by.
“I’ll be back. The company is spectacular.” She kissed the top of Ellie’s head, towering over her as they walked out.
Naomi snuggled in closer. “I’ve never seen Ellie so smitten.”
“Time will tell. Her track record is pretty shaky. She hasn’t let herself feel anything beyond surface attraction. I shudder thinking about some of her past relationships, especially Tre. I’d still like to string that guy up by his balls.”
“Now, now, remember you’re a pastor who speaks about forgiveness. Enough about him. How’s your eye feel?”
“Sore. Still can’t open it all the way.”
“Tank called me to check on you, when I was with the kids. She’s too embarrassed to call you.”
“I’ve already forgiven her. I might not be ready to talk about it yet, but I hold no malice against her. Is Franklin okay to handle services, if we run into complications at Sloane Kettering?”
“He is, but there won’t be.”
I was praying fervently for everything to go well. Ellie came back into the room, slightly flushed and running her finger along her bottom lip. Unless I missed my guess, a make-out session had taken place at the bottom of our steps. When she lay down on the couch and bounced her feet up and down, I could tell she was excited.
“I take it you like Siobhan a little bit?”
Naomi’s laugh was enough to start me chuckling and stirred up pain in my swollen face.
“Ya think?” Naomi cupped my cheek.
Ellie put her hands on her hips. “Come on, you two. Cut me some slack, but yeah, I like her. I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone like her. And that accent, holy shit. It cuts right through to my—”
I put my hands over my ears and started to chant. “Nah, nah, nah, nah. I don’t want to know what happens to certain parts of you. I’m enjoying the smile on your face though.”
“She put it there. Siobhan’s different, Bek.”
“Well, then enjoy it. Does she know about the surgery?”
My sister nodded. “She really wanted to come with me. The bar keeps her pretty busy. She’s part owner with the other members of her band, The Trad Brigade. She showed me some of their stuff on YouTube, incredible. Siobhan’s a talented musician. She plays bagpipes, fiddle, and guitar. She was eyeing your Gibson.” Ellie pointed to the sound booth. “She’s jealous of the in-house studio.”
“It does come in handy. So, I take it you’re going to see her again?” I raised my head enough to be able to see her clearly with my one good eye.
“I am. She’s asked that you text her when I’m out of surgery. Will you?”
Naomi pulled out her phone. “Give me the number, and I’ll put it in my contacts.”
Ellie rattled off the number as she bit her fingernail. I knew what was coming. “Bek, what are we going to do about Tank?”
I sighed deeply. “I don’t know Ellie. You two obviously need to have a sit down and establish some clear boundaries. I know you’ve tried, but you’ve done it from a distance. Let Naomi mediate if necessary. I’m too close.” I pointed to my eye. “And I need one good side for pictures.”
Naomi smacked my arm. “Smartass. Let me up so I can get you another icepack.”
“I don’t know what more to say to her. I’ve told her there’s nothing.” Ellie formed a zero with her thumb and fingers. “I have no romantic feelings for her, period.”
“I know that, and I’ve tried to tell her the same thing. Everyone has tried to tell her she needs to let go. She thought she could keep waiting and eventually wear you down like Naomi did with me. She thought all that was a way to show you how committed she was, or so she’s told me.”
“Hell would freeze over first, especially now. I’m going to bed. I’ve got a ton of calls to make before we leave for the airport. You guys are still okay flying, right?”
“Yup. We need to be over there by noon. According to the pilot, we’ll be in New York before we can drink a can of soda. We’ll go get checked into the hotel then out to dinner.” I snuggled my head into Naomi’s lap when she came back and placed the icepack back on my face. “How’s the swelling?”
Naomi twisted her mouth a bit. “Not much better. Without the ice, it’d be worse. It’s a lovely shade of black and blue.”
Shaking my head, I added to the misery. “And by our wedding, likely a gorgeous shade of green and yellow.”
“I’ll call in the best damn makeup artist in the business. I don’t want your wedding pictures to look like head shots for The Walking Dead.” Ellie came over and kissed us both. “Night, you two, and thanks for everything.”
I held her hand. “It’s going to be okay. Have faith. I do.”
“Love you both.”
When she was gone, I let go the breath I’d been holding. “I’m scared, Naomi.”
“So is she, my love. The difference is, we don’t have cancer. She’s going to need us to be stronger than we’ve ever been. We have each other, and we’ll be there through it all with her. No matter how long or what it takes. That’s what family does.”
“I wonder if she told Mom? I doubt it, but that popped into my head when you said family. Today’s events stirred up a few things for me. I need to spend some time with the guitar to process all this.”
“Want company while you work through those demons?”
I kissed her hand. “You know my system won’t let me sleep for a long time. You’re tired, and tomorrow’s a big day. Go to bed. When I wear myself out, I’ll join you.” I stood and helped her up, drawing her into my arms. “I love you, Naomi.”
“I love you too. How about some help pulling that shirt over your eye?”
“That’d be nice. Guess I need to pack button ups for the trip.”
We kissed and parted ways near the soundproof booth. I walked in and plugged in my Gibson. Pulling my pick from my back pocket, I settled the guitar in place. I cleared my mind and channeled some of the guitar greats. I had one mission, make sure Ellie beat this cancer and lived a long life. I let the notes I played take me to another state of mind, one that told me anything was possible. It had to be, I would make it happen, no matter what I had to do.
Chapter Twenty-Four
ELLIE’S SURGERY WENT WELL, though she developed a fever in the recovery area. The complication caused a delay in her release. Instead of leaving the hospital Saturday, as we’d planned, we were still in New York. I wandered the hospital hallways drinking bad coffee until I finally located the chapel. That’s where Naomi found me and told me they were releasing Ellie.
The doctor was in Ellie’s room when I walked in. Ellie was pointing to her throat. The doctor pushed his hands into his lab coat. “I believe the hoarseness is likely from the intubation, as much as the thyroidectomy. We’ll call with the pathology as soon as we have it, so we can make further treatment decisions if necessary.”
Ellie nodded and thanked him with a rough whisper.
I leaned over and wiped a tear from her cheek. “It’s going to be okay, Ellie. Let’s go home.”
***
Siobhan met us at the airport and carried Ellie to my Land Cruiser. She was already so frail in my eyes and further weakened from whatever she’d picked up at the hospital. “Thank you, Siobhan. Do you want to come with us?”
“I’ll follow in my vehicle. I’ve booked a room at the bed and breakfast there in Thomas. I’ve taken the week off ta stay close.”
The second her hands planted themselves on those lovely hips, I knew Naomi was about to change Siobhan’s lodging arrangements. Naomi tilted her head to the side.
“You’ll do no such thing. You’ll stay with us. If Ellie doesn’t want you in with her, there’s another guest room. I’ll let you two work that out. For now, let’s all get back to Thomas.”
I yawned and handed the keys to Naomi. I hadn’t slept for more than a few hours since we’d left. “I’d listen to her, Siobhan, she’s the most stubborn woman I know.”
Naomi held up her hand with the engagement ring and bumped my shoulder, nearly knocking me down. “Siobhan, sometime ask me how long it took me to get this. Talk about stubborn.”
I was exhausted. “Touché. For now, how about we head to the house?”
Siobhan followed us home and helped Ellie upstairs, while Naomi and I took care of a few things in the church. My congregation was truly amazing and always supported me when I needed it. I’d called everyone from our after-school program and found a few parents, as well as Franklin and Rev. Mathew. I was free to make sure Ellie was healing. I promised to be back no later than Wednesday for the next Lenten service.
All I really wanted to do was care for Ellie and get married, but everything seemed to be tunneling in around me. I had an amazing woman in my life who had waited long enough.
When I peeked in on my sister, Ellie was dressed in a T-shirt and yoga pants, lying on Siobhan’s chest. One leg and foot was out from under the covers, exactly as I’d expected. She’d slept like that since we were kids. I got a thumbs up from Siobhan and smiled at the way she was taking care of Ellie. It was after midnight. My exhausted body was in direct opposition with my mind. Naomi tugged my hand.
“Come on, my love. You haven’t slept in days. I know your internal clock hasn’t struck four but come to bed with me. We’ll watch television until you fall asleep. You’re too tired to play, no matter what your head says.”
