I Never Thought I'd See You Again: A Novelists Inc. Anthology (39 page)
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Authors: Unknown
Tags: #FICTION/Anthologies (multiple authors)
Lisa Beth said, “BP, 90 over 70 on this one. Could be internal injuries.”
“BP 150 over 80,” Riley told them. “And I think the kid’s arm is broken.”
“We’ll take it from here,” the doc said. “Thanks.”
When they whisked the victims into ER, Riley watched, deflated by the adrenaline spike waning. “I take it that isn’t the guy you hate.”
“No.” She turned and her gaze caught on the nurse’s station. “Shit, there he is.”
Riley tracked her gaze to a doctor with longish hair, his arm braced against a wall talking to someone. His smile was warm, affectionate. there the whole time., Gr“He doesn’t seem like a monster.”
“Looks can be deceiving.” Lisa Beth moved a few feet down further in the entryway. “Damn it. Um…Rye, come here and see who he’s talking to.”
Riley joined her. The woman leaning against the wall, staring up at the doctor, laughing, was Jane.
Lisa Beth grabbed his arm. “God, tell her not flirt with that guy, even for fun.”
Flirt? Jane was flirting with another guy?
“Rye, did you hear me?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s my ex and he’s a real player.”
A sudden urge to protect Jane, combined with the images of her crossing him at every turn rushed through Riley. Then he saw the vision of that young kid, sprawled over the steering wheel in the front seat. Finally, the face of his father obscured all the images in his head.
“The hell with this,” he barked and stalked toward his fiancé.
Who was flirting with another man.
One minute Jane was having a nice conversation with Linc Roberts, a new ER doc, and the next she was yanked backward.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
She turned around. “Riley, what…what are
you
doing.” He still gripped her arm. “And let go. You’re hurting me.”
Linc moved in closer. “You heard the lady, let go.”
“Fuck off,” Riley said to the doctor.
“Linc, I can handle this.” She inched closer to Riley. “Honey, let go.”
Suddenly, again, she was yanked back, this time by Linc. She heard a woman say, “Linc, stay out of this,” just as Riley lunged. The crunch of bone on bone accompanied Linc’s “Jesus Christ,” as he went down.
Jane whirled on Riley in time to see two security guards grab him by the arms. “Back off, Gallagher,” one of them said.
He continued to struggle. “Riley, back
off
,” the other reiterated.
Restrained, he focused on Jane. “It’s bad enough you cross me at every turn with my father. Is this how you’re paying me back?”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s what all women do, isn’t it? Flirt with other guys to make men jealous so we’ll do what you want.”
Jane watched an enraged Riley shout accusations at her and realized, as the guards dragged him away, that things between them had gone very south.
At nine the next day, Riley swerved into the driveway and pushed the button on the garage door opener. What the hell? Jane’s car wasn’t in its spot. Hell, she hadn’t come home? Resentment hung heavily on his shoulders — he’d been through a hell of a lot more than she had">
“Yep.””d last night — as he parked his car and entered the house.
Its emptiness assaulted him. Suddenly, he was exhausted. Deciding to take a shower before he met his lieutenant — he couldn’t even think about what would happen then — he trudged upstairs and into the bathroom. A piece of paper, folded, was taped to the mirror. And he knew in his gut that this was not going to be good.
He ripped the note off the glass, opened the paper and read it.
I know you’re hurting and I am, too. But we’re destroying our relationship with this constant fighting over your father. He’s been rushed to the hospital with severe breathing problems and I’m hoping you’ll go see him. Meanwhile, I’ve packed a few things and I’m staying with your sister for the four days we’re off shift. You and I need some time apart. We have to separate to save our relationship. I’m sorry if this hurts you more, but it’s the only thing I can think of to get some perspective on us. Please don’t contact me. I’ll be in touch. I love you.
Janie
Spots swam before his eyes and he rubbed them with his thumb and forefinger. How could she leave him at a time like this? How could she abandon him now?
He showered, slugged back coffee and when it was time, left to go meet Tony at a breakfast shop at ten. Something bad was coming — and Janie wasn’t even going to be here to help him pick up the pieces. No, she was off getting
perspective.
Well, fuck her.
He walked into the diner at exactly ten. He caught sight of Tony in the corner, dressed in street clothes and somberly staring into the cup in front of him.
After he bought a double shot of espresso, he went to the table and dropped down into an adjacent chair. “Hey, Tony.”
“Hey, Rye.” The lieutenant took a deep breath. “You know what’s coming, I’d guess.”
“Uh-huh. I’m going to be suspended. For how long?”
“A tour.”
“I deserve it.”
“There’s more.”
“A letter of reprimand in my file.”
Tony nodded.
His brows raised. “More?”
“Yes. I got a call this morning at eight. The list for the new lieutenants is coming out as we speak.”
He never expected this. “I didn’t make the cut?” Truthfully, that was a shock.
“No, you were on yesterday’s list.”
“Janie didn’t? Oh, God I thought she was a shoo-in.”
Tony shifted in his seat. “No, she made it. Actually, she’s number one. You were number two.”
He swallowed back the bile in his throat. “Were?”
“You’re off the list for now.” Reaching out, Tony touched his arm. her so-called friends their your “I didn’t know about this when I asked to meet.”
Riley couldn’t respond. What Tony told him was unthinkable. Finally, he was able to get out, “For one little mistake, I don’t get the promotion?”
&it wasn’t little. Memorial had been recruiting for Roberts for months. He’s a big shot trauma and orthopedic surgeon. Your attack was public and embarrassing to the department. Only Lisa Beth’s intervention kept him from pressing charges.”
“She hates him.”
“I know. You owe her.”
“Was this your decision?”
“Nope. But I’ll be honest and say I didn’t fight for you.”
They were practically brothers, him, Langston, Rocky and the others. And Tony didn’t fight for him?
Somehow he found the grace to say, “I get it.” He stood. “I gotta get out of here.”
“Wait, Rye, let me…”
But Riley was already headed to the door.
Janie curled up on one of the couches in the waiting room of Memorial, watching Abby and Mave try to be strong. A doctor had come out earlier and given them a report on Ben…
His condition is bad, Mrs. Gallagher. He’s got infection running through him. We’ve put him on a regimen of high powered antibiotics and a ventilator. The next 24 hours are critical.
They’d all been stunned, and Jane had become even more resentful that Riley wasn’t there to comfort his mother, which he did better than Abby or Jane. That was five hours ago. Family had been allowed to go in one at a time, every hour, for a few minutes.
Again Mave asked, “No word from my boy, Jane?”
She took out her phone and checked again. “No, Mave, I’m sorry.”
Feeling guilty herself because she’d told him not to call her, she’d phoned him as soon as they had news, and every hour since, asking him to call her back. But he hadn’t. Dear God, what would happen to him if Ben Gallagher died and Riley was off pouting somewhere? He’d never get over that. What kind of man would he turn into then?
Marci, the pretty blond and buxom bartender, was new to Badges. Today was her first day at the firefighter and police hangout in downtown Hidden Cove. The owners were right to hire her.
“I’ll have another one, beautiful.” Riley pushed his beer glass toward her.
“That’s a six pack, buddy. I’m cuttin’ you off.”
Reaching into his pocket, he fished out his keys. “Take these. I’ll call a cab. Gimme one more and a shot of JD.”
“You shouldn’t, Riley.” They were on a first name basis, as they’d talked all afternoon about life, work and the wonders of the female sex. It was near six and she was going off at the stroke of the hour.
“Just one more. I’ll leave when you do.”
“I guess one more wouldn’t hurt if you’re not driving.”
He watched her ass in those tight white pants but was interrupted when somebody sidled up to him. “Thought I might find you here, Gallagher.”
Glancing over, he saw Brody O’Malley had come to the bar. “Hey, O’Malley.” He liked the paramedic on another shift in his house who had made lieutenant a few months ago.
Lieutenant
. Shit.
“You looking for me?”
“Sure am.” He ordered a beer when Marci bought Riley’s drinks.
“Why?”
“I just got off shift. I heard you’re suspended.”
“Word gets around fast.”
“The fire department has its own grapevine. If it’s any consolation, I was glad to hear you clocked Roberts.”
“Yeah, why?”
“Cause he’s an asshole. He’s shitty to all the paramedics, and worst to Lisa Beth.”
“He’s her ex.”
“No kidding?”
“Why’d you come here, Brody?”
The man shook his head and stared into the glass behind the bar. “I got suspended once. For taking unnecessary risks. I headed straight to this bar and almost got myself in a shitload of trouble.” He turned a knowing gaze on Riley. “Thought maybe I could offer you a ride home.”
Somewhere in his not-so-sober mind, a voice warned, Go with him, Gallagher. It’s the only way tonight’s gonna end well.
But the evil twin of that voice had other ideas. You’re entitled to a binge. The boy in the Camaro died. Your old man showed up. Your girl deserted you. And you blew one of the most important things in your life out of the water. Stay. Get blottoed. Who’s gonna care?
Just then, Marci approached them again. “It’s six. Come on handsome, I’ll drive you home instead of calling you a cab.”
“He’s got a ride,” Brody said. “Thanks anyway.”
Riley stood. “Nah, I don’t.” He threw some money on the bar. “And I’d love to go home with you, darlin’.”
She took the cash, rung him up and circled around the bar. They started out.
Brody grabbed his arm and drew him back. “Don’t do anything stupid, Rye. You got a good woman standing by you.”
He stared Brody down. “Yeah, I thought so, too.” He slung his arm around Marci’s shoulders. “Come on, sweetheart.”
Brody hesitated, then said softly to Riley, “Well, at least I tried.”
This time, Jane’s car was in the garage. Had Riley ever dreaded anything more than crawling home they wouldd fas in the condition he was in? The stale smell of booze, some cigarettes, and the joint he smoked at Marci’s apartment clung to him. And that wasn’t the worst of what he’d done.
He took his time getting inside and caught sight of Janie out on the deck. She was dressed in pink jeans and a top, looking so innocent he wanted to bawl like a baby.
The Keurig was on so he made himself a cup of strong brew and slid open the glass door, its whoosh alerting her to his presence. When she turned to him, her pretty face was glum. She was disappointed in him.
Just wait.
“Hi,” he said simply. “What are you doing home? You said you’d be at Abby’s for a few days.”
“I tried to call you all day yesterday. And last night. Where were you?”
He gripped the cup with enough force to break it and sat down. “Why were you calling me?”
Her eyes narrowed on his face — she’d see the bloodshot eyes, the scratchy beard, and smell the stench of him. “Your father was rushed to the hospital yesterday with severe pneumonia.”
It was like walking into a wall in the dark. “D-did he die?”
“No.” She ran a hand through her damp curls. If he got close enough, he’d smell that wonderful scent on her. Would he ever get close enough again? The fact that he might not soured his stomach.
“He came out of the worst of it about midnight. I couldn’t get hold of you. Where were you?”
He leaned back in his chair. He could try to lie, but that would make things worse with her. And Riley guessed it was time to grow up and do what was right. As it turned out, he didn’t have to say anything.
Janie’s brow furrowed. Reaching out, she ran her fingers down the side of his neck. “What are these scratches? Did you get them…” Her voice trailed off. Then, “Those aren’t from work two nights ago, are they?” He shook his head. “They’re fresh.” She raised her eyes to his, the bruised expression in them cutting to the bone. “They’re from fingernails.”
“Janie, I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry?” Her eyes were bleak. “Sorry? You broke the most solemn vow we made to each other. I still wear the ring…” She just stared at him. “And you know how important fidelity is to me because of my mother.”
“I was wrong. Very wrong.”
“Who is she?”
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t have feelings for her.”
“Oh, God, and you think that makes it better? That you acted a like pig as well as a cheater?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
Suddenly, she bolted up and rushed into the house. He found her huddled over the toilet in the bathroom vomiting.
As he looked down at her, he thought,
This
is what you did, Gallagher.
Abby drove the car up to the curb in front of their parents’ house, stopped and reached over to take Riley’s hand. “You can do this, buddy.”
“I hope so.” He swallowed hard. “I want to.” He faced his sibling, who had proved her love was unconditional. “You’re a good big sister, Abs. Thanks for taking care of me.”
Riley had been a basket case when he showed up on Abby’s doorstep two days ago. She’d sat him down at her kitchen table, gave him coffee and listened to what a shit he’d been. She’d agreed, then stood by him. They’d talked through the nights about his resentments — and the origin of them — about what kind of man he wanted to be, and Abby selflessly reminded him of some stupid things she’d done in her life, too. By today, he was ready to take the next step. “I’m going to get our new foster kid right now,” she told him. “But I’ll pick you up later. Call me.”
He kissed her cheek, left the car and trudged up the walk like a little boy. He remembered when he’d been playing ball and broke a neighbor’s window, and when he got caught flirting with another girl and when he’d almost buckled under pressure when the kids at school taunted him about nerdy Jane. Each time when he came up this walk, his mother had been disappointed in him, but his father had taken him out back and talked about what a real man did in those situations. Funny, he hadn’t remembered those incidents over the ten years he’d been hating the man.
The door flew open and his mother rushed out and hugged him. “Oh, honey, I’m so glad to see you.”
He held her tight. “I hope he is.”
“I told him you were coming, like you asked, so you didn’t shock his heart.”
“Thanks.”
Once he reached the second floor of his house,
his
heart was pounding as if he’d run a marathon. Still, he went down the hall and knocked on the door of his old room. “Come in,” his dad said in a gruff voice.
Riley stepped inside but stayed by the entrance. His father lay in Riley’s old bed, seeming smaller and weaker than he ever had before. His face was pale and Riley could see the heavy rise and fall of his chest. He really was sick.
“Hi, son,” Ben Gallagher said in a gravelly voice. Immediately, he began to cough.
Riley crossed to him and when his father stopped coughing, he poured him water and handed it to him. “Drink this, it’ll help.”
After he downed the water, his father gestured to a chair that had been pulled up to face the bed. Riley wondered briefly if Janie had sat in this seat when she’d come to see his dad. Then pushed the notion away. He couldn’t let his problems with her interfere with what he needed to do today.
His father gave him a weak, uncertain smile. “Your mother told me you were coming. I’m glad you did.”
“Thanks for seeing me.”
“Of course.”
Edgy there the whole time., Gr, he fidgeted in the seat. “You’re sick. I’ll pay for health insurance until you get on your feet.”
“I don’t want your money.” He uttered the words without rancor and with…longing.
Now Riley’s heartbeat went into overdrive. “I’m offering more.”
His dad just stared at him.
“I’ve been a shit all these years about you.”
“You had reason. I let you down bad, Rye.”
“Still, other people tried to help you.”
“You had more reason to hate me.”
“No, Dad, don’t let me off the hook. I gotta get a handle on my anger and resentment. I gotta change and start with facing the truth.”
Wisely, his dad nodded.
Riley glanced up at the ceiling, praying for help to find the words. “I think it’s because we were so close. I couldn’t believe…” He trailed off, biting his lip to contain the emotion he felt.
“You couldn’t believe I’d done such an awful thing?”
“That, too. But I think I just couldn’t believe I lost you. You were so important to me.” His voice cracked on the last words.
His father laid back and briefly closed his eyes. “That was the worst of the nightmare for me, too. I missed Mom and Abby, real bad, but you…gone from my life…I didn’t care if I lived anymore.”
Riley caught sight of his father’s hand on the bed. It was withered from the life he’d been leading. Slowly, he reached out and clasped it in his. Held the hand that, until his downfall, had comforted Riley all his life. He captured his father’s gaze. “I’d like…” for a moment he couldn’t go on “…I’d like a chance to see if I can put this all behind me. I want to do that, if you’re willing, Dad.”
Now, his father’s eyes clouded. “I’d like that, Rye. Very much.”
“Riley, would you take him his breakfast? You seem to be the only one able to keep him in bed.”
Riley smiled over at his mother. “Yeah, sure.”
Her eyes warmed. “I’m so glad you came home yesterday. That you’re talking to him. Staying here.” He’d moved out of Abby’s and into her old room at his parents’ house.
“We got a long way to go, Ma.” Riley had discovered letting go of his anger took more than talking with his father.
“I know, honey. But first steps are important.”
Now that he’d taken those first few steps with his dad, Riley let in what had happened with Janie. Would he ever get to mend his very broken relationship with her? The notion that he might not cut him to the core.
The next day, he once again carried upstairs his father’s breakfast, knocked on the ajar door there the whole time., Gr of his old room and stepped inside. Now that he wasn’t so vomit-at-the-notion anxious, he took in the pictures lining the tops of the dressers and nightstands. Mostly they were of Janie, which dug the knife in his heart a little deeper, but there were also many of him and his dad, which maybe he needed to see.
When the old man caught sight of him, Ben Gallagher’s face broke out in cautious smile. “Hey, son. Your mother got you playing nurse again?”
He set the tray table over his father’s lap. “I don’t mind.”
His dad grabbed his hand. They’d always been an affectionate family. “Can I say again how much I appreciate this second chance?”
Riley’s heart contracted in his chest. He could still see Janie when she left their house, broken and near collapse. And he’d found the ring he gave her in high school in the garbage. “Yeah, well, now I guess I believe second chances are important.”
His father studied him, took a sip of his coffee. Since Riley had brought a cup for himself, he mirrored his dad’s actions. “So, why hasn’t Janie been over here to see me?” his dad asked.
“Because she doesn’t want to see
me
.”
“I figured that. I’m sorry if it’s because I showed up again.”
“No, it’s me. I’m a stupid asshole.”
His father chuckled. “You’re a guy. We’re all stupid assholes sometimes.”
Riley didn’t think anything could make him smile after Janie’s dismissal of him from her life but the joke did. “I guess.”
And with that simple humor, the tight knot in his stomach began to loosen a little. Maybe Riley was going to be able to do this right.
The next time he visited, he found his father watching a ballgame. “The Yanks winning?” Riley asked casually.
“Yeah, wanna watch for a while?” His father’s eyes widened. “Or are you too busy?”
“Not too busy. I go back to work tomorrow.”
They sat in easy silence broken by comments about the game. At one point, Riley went to get snacks. It was easier doing things together and not harping on the hard feelings of the past. After the play ended, his father turned toward him. “Rye, I hate to ask you something so personal, but I can’t enlist the women. Could you help me shower? And shave, maybe?”
A week ago, he’d have thought he had a better chance of going to Mars than assisting his father with personal hygiene. So much had changed.
“Yeah, Dad, I think I can do that.”
Week #2 after the breakup.
“Hey, Tony. I’m leaving. Have a good night.”
Tony smiled up at Riley from his desk. “You, too.” He watched Riley for a minute. “You’re doin’ good, Rye. I’m proud of you.”6">