Read Online Come What May (Heartbeat) by Faith Sullivan - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Faith Sullivan
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soon as the words are out of my mouth, I know I’ve said too much.
“Sounds like you’re talking from experience.” His tone is considerate. He’s not prying for information, but it’s not a conversation I ever thought I’d be having with him. If he really wants to go there I might as well let him have it.
“Yeah, my dad abused my mom when I was little. She put up with it for a long time until he hit my brother. That’s all it took to open her eyes. So we moved into my grandmother’s house.” The trauma of the day is taking its toll. My barriers are down. I’m opening up to him, and it feels so free and easy. Like I want to tell him more about me.
“Did he come after you?” I can’t see his face as the moon passes behind a cloud, but it’s easier this way.
“Yeah, multiple times. But my mom got a restraining order and installed a security system. Whenever he came around, she called the cops.” It’s hard thinking back on those days. My brother and I cowering under the bed, afraid that he was going to break in…my mother screaming at him through the locked door. Pleading with him to leave us alone. Telling him that she was never going back to him.
“Did you ever have to see him again?” In profile, I see him clench his jaw anticipating my response.
“No. He didn’t want to have anything to do with my brother and me. He didn’t seek any formal custody arrangement probably because he never paid a dime of child support. My mom just wanted him out of her life. He left town and I have no idea where he is. He could be dead for all I know.” I never even told Jason half the stuff I’m telling Adam. But the events of the day are bringing it all back, forcing me to revisit my past. And it doesn’t hurt that Adam’s a good listener. Jason never bothered to ask me about my father. He probably didn’t want to open a can of worms he wasn’t able to deal with. But Adam doesn’t seem put off by it.
We’ve reached the parking lot, and Adam’s beat-up Dodge Neon is the only car remaining. “I’m sorry you had to go through that today. I really am.” My heart clenches at his sincerity, but now’s not the time to get emotional. He has at least a half hour ride ahead of him, and I still don’t think he’s in any condition to drive. But he’s not going to give in.
“Me too. I wish you didn’t have to get the shit beat out of you either.” I tap his leg with the toe of my shoe.
“Hop in. I’ll give you a ride back to the garage.” He unlocks the door and looks back at me over his shoulder.
“I think I’ll walk.” There’s something about getting in his car that will be the undoing of me. Silly, I know. Especially since I sit next to him for hours at a time in the ambulance. But this just feels different. Like a line we’re not ready to cross.
“Are you sure?” He’s puzzled, and no wonder. I just spilled my guts to him, but I won’t accept a lift. He’s wondering why I’m pulling back. Why now?
“Yeah, I need to clear my head. And like you said, it is a starry night. What better way to unwind?” I step away from the car and head back the way we came.
“All right. See you tomorrow?” he yells to me, but I don’t turn around. I’m too weak. I’ll give in.
“Yeah, if you’re up to it.” How we’re going to lift a stretcher with his bruised ribs, I have no idea.
“Oh, I am.” And for some reason, I think he’s talking about more than just the job.
Chapter Eleven
Adam
My hand tingles as icy fingers wrap around my wrist. Her red hair is streaming across her face as she stares straight ahead. In profile, she looks strong, whole even. She’s standing at attention with the wind whipping through her unfastened coat. But she doesn’t feel the cold. She’s fixated on the scene in front of us.
We’re at the far corner of the parking lot, holding hands and watching phantom images of ourselves carry on the pantomime of the car accident. Both of us are playing our roles.
“Sounds like you’re talking from experience.” His tone is considerate. He’s not prying for information, but it’s not a conversation I ever thought I’d be having with him. If he really wants to go there I might as well let him have it.
“Yeah, my dad abused my mom when I was little. She put up with it for a long time until he hit my brother. That’s all it took to open her eyes. So we moved into my grandmother’s house.” The trauma of the day is taking its toll. My barriers are down. I’m opening up to him, and it feels so free and easy. Like I want to tell him more about me.
“Did he come after you?” I can’t see his face as the moon passes behind a cloud, but it’s easier this way.
“Yeah, multiple times. But my mom got a restraining order and installed a security system. Whenever he came around, she called the cops.” It’s hard thinking back on those days. My brother and I cowering under the bed, afraid that he was going to break in…my mother screaming at him through the locked door. Pleading with him to leave us alone. Telling him that she was never going back to him.
“Did you ever have to see him again?” In profile, I see him clench his jaw anticipating my response.
“No. He didn’t want to have anything to do with my brother and me. He didn’t seek any formal custody arrangement probably because he never paid a dime of child support. My mom just wanted him out of her life. He left town and I have no idea where he is. He could be dead for all I know.” I never even told Jason half the stuff I’m telling Adam. But the events of the day are bringing it all back, forcing me to revisit my past. And it doesn’t hurt that Adam’s a good listener. Jason never bothered to ask me about my father. He probably didn’t want to open a can of worms he wasn’t able to deal with. But Adam doesn’t seem put off by it.
We’ve reached the parking lot, and Adam’s beat-up Dodge Neon is the only car remaining. “I’m sorry you had to go through that today. I really am.” My heart clenches at his sincerity, but now’s not the time to get emotional. He has at least a half hour ride ahead of him, and I still don’t think he’s in any condition to drive. But he’s not going to give in.
“Me too. I wish you didn’t have to get the shit beat out of you either.” I tap his leg with the toe of my shoe.
“Hop in. I’ll give you a ride back to the garage.” He unlocks the door and looks back at me over his shoulder.
“I think I’ll walk.” There’s something about getting in his car that will be the undoing of me. Silly, I know. Especially since I sit next to him for hours at a time in the ambulance. But this just feels different. Like a line we’re not ready to cross.
“Are you sure?” He’s puzzled, and no wonder. I just spilled my guts to him, but I won’t accept a lift. He’s wondering why I’m pulling back. Why now?
“Yeah, I need to clear my head. And like you said, it is a starry night. What better way to unwind?” I step away from the car and head back the way we came.
“All right. See you tomorrow?” he yells to me, but I don’t turn around. I’m too weak. I’ll give in.
“Yeah, if you’re up to it.” How we’re going to lift a stretcher with his bruised ribs, I have no idea.
“Oh, I am.” And for some reason, I think he’s talking about more than just the job.
Chapter Eleven
Adam
My hand tingles as icy fingers wrap around my wrist. Her red hair is streaming across her face as she stares straight ahead. In profile, she looks strong, whole even. She’s standing at attention with the wind whipping through her unfastened coat. But she doesn’t feel the cold. She’s fixated on the scene in front of us.
We’re at the far corner of the parking lot, holding hands and watching phantom images of ourselves carry on the pantomime of the car accident. Both of us are playing our roles.
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