by J. R. Grant
“Fuck, man. Do you have any idea who the other person is or what?”
“That’s the thing, the names were blotched out and social security numbers were used. But whenever I do find out, I can tell you now, it ain’t going to be pretty. Shit’s gotten real.”
Damn Kade.
A few minutes of silence pass as I give Cruz some time to absorb everything I’ve told him.
“The statements noted over thirty grand in one and seventy-five grand in the other. I about shit myself when I saw it. Putting the pieces of all this together and trying to keep my cool has got to be the biggest challenge of my life- knowing I’ve been through some crazy shit my damn self.”
Breaking me from my daze, Cruz pipes in and asks, “Man, I’m in shock. What in the hell has Kade gotten himself into? I know for a fact that before the accident, he had not been himself. The way he started randomly hooking up with chicks in the bar, when he had been out with us, as if he didn’t have a wife and kids at home, isn’t funny, dude. It’s sick. We all warned him, but you know Kade, he don’t’ listen for shit. The guy never has.”
“He’s a sick bastard, Cruz. When I figure all it all out, I’m going to fry his ass. The bastard’s going to suffer for all he has put Lani and those boys through. But right now, I’ve got to protect the three of them. They’re my first priority. Fuck Kade and fuck his feelings. He gets no more say in any of this, in my eyes.”
“You’ve always protected that girl, you know. I’ll be the first to admit, way back then, I thought it would have been you and Lani, not her and Kade.” He shakes his head. “But never did I see the bastard treating Lani this bad. Shit, Parker, he’s a cruddy motherfucker.”
“Tell me about it.”
I’m surprised Cruz had no idea about the shit Kade’s been doing. With them always hanging out together, you would think somebody knows something. I guess the man really is living a secret life.
Looking around, I spot Blaze walking through the bar. As soon as he notices Cruz and I, he heads in our direction.
“’Sup, Parker? It’s been a while,” he says, pulling up a stool.
“Not much, man. How’ve you been? Your ribs doing better now?”
“I’m getting there. I’ve been trying to keep myself busy, I don’t think the pain is ever going to fully go away. I guess I’ll always have to live with a certain degree of it from what the docs said.”
Blaze plays hockey for a team out of Odenton at Piney Orchard Ice Rink. Two weeks ago, he hit the puck, shooting for the goal, when his opponent knocked him down. Three broken ribs later, he’s been laid up in the bed.
“That sucks. At least you’re moving around somewhat better now.”
“For real. Sitting on my ass day in and day out is boring as hell.” He laughs and takes a swig of his beer. “You know me, Parker, I can’t sit still for nothing.”
The four of us kick back and bullshit before shooting a few rounds of pool. I’m starting to feel pretty good. For a while, I felt smothered in all of this mess, nonetheless, I can always count on the guys to keep me entertained to some degree.
Back in college, the six of us drank and partied nonstop. My junior year, I found out about Jules being knocked up and decided I needed to get my life together. I only had one more year left until I graduated and opened up my accounting firm. It was time to grow up.
The day I found out about Lucas not being mine was the day my life drastically changed. The girl royally fucked me and didn’t think twice about it. Still to this day, I wonder if Jules ever loved me or had any intention of staying with me just for my money.
I’m far from rich, but I’m nowhere near poor either. I was left with a good chuck of change to go to college with and start up my business. When my mom died, her life insurance policy was left to me and my dad. And since he knew my goals and dreams, dad put every dime he could away for me until I turned twenty-one.
After all of my college and business expenses were paid, I had enough money left to buy my own house and sit comfortably for a while. Thankfully, my business is thriving, and the money is flowing just like I had planned. Had things not been running smoothly, I would have to start thinking about selling my lot on Coastal Highway. Just the thought of giving up my piece of property would crush me. I’ve worked so hard, managing my time and skills doing what I loved to do best, to have what I want. As long as I keep my head on straight and never bring another chick like Jules back into my life, I’ll be good.
Growing up in Ocean City is nothing short of beautiful. Being by the water every day, looking out to sea while working is a pure blessing. I have always wanted to have a big family and pass on my life to my children. Hopefully one day, I’ll find the perfect girl and be able to share it all, just like my dad did with my mom.
“Dude, have you heard about the new gossip with Jules lately?” Blaze asks, breaking me from my thoughts, giving me an unknowing look.
“Nah, man. I’ve been preoccupied with everything else going on. What’s up?” I reply, trying to sound nonchalant. Just hearing the bitch’s name makes my skin crawl. I’ve never hated someone, so much in all my life.
Looking back and forth between the guys, Cruz’s face turns beat red, and Blaze’s paranoid expression tells me I don’t want to hear whatever he was about to say.
“Damn, Blaze, why you gotta open your fuckin’ mouth? You know it ain’t true,” Cruz asks angrily.
“Just spit it out, Blaze. Nothing about the girl surprises me anymore.” Gripping the table with one hand and holding onto my drink with the other, I usher Blaze to get to the point. Whatever he’s got to say must be bad or else he would say it already.
He leans back in his chair and tells me something I never expected to hear. “A couple of chicks were out at Fish Tales, a few weeks back, and brought up Jules’ name at the bar. The dark-haired chick I was kicking it with was apparently an old friend of hers. She said Jules hooked up with a married guy here in town, and said the guy’s in a coma. The chick was saying how Jules is holding down the fort until the guy wakes up, and could leave his wife.”
Before I can blink an eye, I stand up and flip the fucking table over, kick my chair across the room, and walk the fuck out of this damn bar.
Fuck me…. I knew something felt sketchy about this situation.
I fucking knew it….
That’s one stupid bitch…
Shit just got real.
Chapter Twelve
Lani
Nine months, twelve days, and fourteen hours later, we sold our home and moved into a rental in nearby in Ocean Pines. I loathe the idea, with how congested it gets during tourist season, but I had no other choice. It was either move or risk losing our home period. I had to make a decision. At least it’s summer time and the boys will be able to adjust before school starts back up. I think Kade would’ve personally killed me if I didn’t keep up with my obligations as a wife and mother- at least I hope he understands.
Within the last month, I’ve had to leave Kade and take care of our family. We weren’t making it any more with the both of us out of work and gone. I hate it; I hate leaving his side. I feel like I’ve missed so much time away from him, nevertheless, things had to get done.
I’ve started working two jobs; one at Parker’s accounting firm as the office manager with full-time hours of eight to five, five days a week. Once I leave there, I head straight over to the Crab Cake Factory and wait tables twice a week. At times, I’ve been able to pull a few weekend shifts to try and catch up on our bills. It’s been a lot to take on, but it’s what I needed to do.
The boys and I have to survive with or without Kade awake. It just sucks having to be the strong one- holding it all together- when I’m not used to this. That’s one thing I can say about my husband, he always portrayed himself as the “strong one” when I became weak. Kade has always been my hero- my saving grace.
Between the boys, work, and getting to Baltimore as much as I physically can, I am mentally worn out. It kills
me to leave my husband this long, but then again, I have no other choice.
My brother-in-law Owen was released from the hospital in May, and is taking things one day at a time- the best he possibly can, especially for as banged up as he was. This is his first week back at work with his father, however he’s still in a great deal of pain.
Due to the extent of his injuries, Owen has had day in and day out physical therapy, learning how to walk on his now healed leg and mobilization recovering all around. Physically, Owen’s slowly getting better, but mentally, he is a train wreck waiting to happen. He blames himself for the accident and has a lot of guilt for his brother’s injuries.
<> * <>
“I’m so sorry, Lani,” Owen cried when I walked through his front door. I had gone over to his house to check on him after the boys and I signed the lease to our new home at the beginning of June.
I had not seen my brother-in-law as much as I would have liked and felt guilty for not being around, but I couldn’t leave Kade. I was so afraid that if I left, he would wake up; it would have killed me to miss our reunion.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about, Owen. The accident wasn’t your fault. You didn’t cause it.”
Wiping his eyes, he stares at me for a couple of minutes before saying, “But if I didn’t have the guys out for my bachelor party, none of this shit would have happened.”
Standing up, I walk over to the couch where he’s seated and wrap my arms around him.
“You were getting married soon, Owen. I don’t blame you for any of this. And Kade’s not going to blame you either, I know that for a fact. Besides, the stupid truck shouldn’t have been on the bridge, period. I’m just glad you’re okay. It’s been a long time, you know, I’ve missed you so much.”
Sobbing, he leans in and hugs me back. “Thank you for being the best wife to my brother. If I ever wanted to find the perfect bride, it would be with someone like you, Lani. You’re a great mom and sister-in-law as well. Thank you for always being here for our family- for being here for me. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
“I love you too, Owen. More than you’ll ever know.”
<> * <>
Not too long after Owen’s release from the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, his fiancée Karla decided she didn’t want to marry him anymore, and called off their engagement. She moved out, without giving Owen a chance to fend for himself, and left town. None of us have heard from her or seen her since. Personally, I don’t know what happened, but Parker and I have our suspicions. And if I had to guess, I would say without a doubt, Karla hooked up with Brandon and took off before Owen was released from the hospital. But no one would know if our suspicions are a reality—true or not— since Brandon moved to Virginia Beach without giving anyone his new address and just recently, he changed his phone number.
<> * <>
“Are you boys done? We need to go visit with Daddy a little while longer before we head home. You’ve got school in the morning, and I’ve got a lot of laundry to do.”
Pushing our chairs in, we clean up our mess and throw our trash away.
“Momma.” Zakrie pulls on my arm. “Is Daddy coming home soon? Do you think he’ll miss my graduation?”
“I don’t think he’ll be home by your special day, love bug, but I promise he’ll make it up to you once he’s all better. Daddy loves the both of you boys very much. I’m almost certain he’ll be upset when he finds out how much time he’s missed since the accident. It’s been long enough, huh?” I ask, nudging his shoulder.
“Yeah. Too long. I miss him a lot. He needs to wake up already,” Zakrie whines, and I hate it. My poor boys have been through so much this year. I truly hope Kade pulls through all of this. If not, I have no clue what I’ll do.
“I know you do, love bug.” Pulling him into my arms, I hug his little body and kiss the top of his head. “Daddy misses you too. I bet he wakes up really, really soon. Like the doctors said, it’s only a matter of time. We just have to try and be patient.”
Later in the afternoon, after visiting with Kade, Justin, Zakrie, and I are about to pack up and head home for the night when one of the machine’s Kade is hooked up to starts beeping loudly.
Moving back, I pull the boys away from the bed when a couple of nurses and a doctor rush inside the room- to the side of Kade’s bed.
“What’s that beeping, Momma?” Justin worries. “Is Dad okay?”
“Mrs. Foster, can you step outside the room, please?” The nurse nods toward the door.
“What’s wrong?” My legs shake, I’m starting to feel weak again. There’s been a few small signs of improvement in Kade’s brain, in the last twenty-four hours, but other than that, his recovery has been at a standstill.
The doctor has a light shining in Kade’s eyes, and one of the nurses is checking his vital signs. Placing a hand on my arm, the other nurse turns to me and says, “Please. We’ll come get you as soon as we figure out what’s going on. I promise.”
Turning back one more time, I look at my husband and tears prick the corner of my eyes, fearing the worst. This waiting game has slowly been killing me- seriously destroying every ounce of hope I have left. I don’t know how much more I can take of it. I’m broken, I’m scared, and I’m sure as hell not strong enough to continue to do this much longer. At any time, I feel like I’m going to break and never be able to pull myself back up. I’m worn out.
Forty-seven minutes go by before the boys and I are cleared to go back into Kade’s room. According to the doctor, Kade should be waking up very soon. Dr. Fiber explained to the boys and me that Kade’s heart rate sped up over one hundred and sixty beats per minute, setting the machine off. That’s what the beeping sound was. And in order to clear Kade, Dr. Fiber did a thorough exam, making sure all was well on his end, leading him into suspension that it’s only a matter of time before my husband opens his eyes.
I can’t wait. I miss him so much.
Before going back into the room, I call Parker to see if he is able to help me with the boys.
Being my saving grace once again, he came back to the hospital to keep the boys company while I wait a bit longer. Luckily, he was close at a meeting and not three hours away. I can’t thank God enough for my best friend and all that he has done for me. Nonetheless, something isn’t settling right in my spirit, and I feel as though I shouldn’t leave Kade’s side right now.
When he arrived, Parker went inside Kade’s room and had a few words with his best friend before he took off with the boys for dinner, promising to be back soon so he can follow me home. That man’s always checking on me, worried I’m not okay. I can’t say that I blame him. My life has fallen into shambles.
Once I see the boys off, I gather our belongings on the bench, and I walk back in the room with my husband. Setting my purse down, I pull my chair up beside the bed and take Kade’s hand into mine. Lifting it to my mouth, I place kisses across his knuckles. “Please come back to me, baby. I miss you. I don’t-” My voice is cut off when I feel Kade’s hand tighten around mine.
Jumping up, I squeal, “Kade? Baby can you hear me? Squeeze my hand. One more time, squeeze it just like you did a second ago,” I beg.
As his fingers slowly grip my small hand, excitement fills my body, and I cry, “Oh God, Kade. I’ve missed you, baby. Open your eyes. Can you do that for me? Open your eyes, baby. Let me see those crystal blues.”
Seconds go by…Minutes go by…And right when I’m about ready to sit back down and beg him some more, Kade flicks his eyes open and close four times before finally they’re trained on me.
My heart bursts with excitement. I’m ready to start shouting from the rooftops. “Baby, can you see me? Can you see me, Kade?” I beg again for some kind of answer. I want to hear his voice. God, I need to hear him speak.
Nodding his head once, he does as I ask. “Oh. My. God…Oh my God, Kade.” Grabbing his other hand, I kiss all over his face. “Can you talk? Do you know who I am? Tell me? Tell me wh
o I am, Kade. Let me hear your voice. Please. I’ve missed you.”
His Adam’s apple moves up and down, like he’s trying to say something, but he can’t. Slowly, he tries lifting his hand, but his cast is in the way. Grunting in pain, he does his best by pointing his finger to his throat.
“Your throat?” I ask, confused.
Kade nods.
“Does it hurt? Do you need something to drink?”
Slightly nodding his head once more, I reach for the call button, and page the nurse into the room. Rushing through the door, Dr. Fiber follows behind the nurse and comes straight over to my side of the bed.
“Kade woke up. He can’t talk. He tried pointing to his throat, but he did squeeze my hands a couple of times. It wasn’t a lot, but I think maybe he’s in pain,” I say between sobs full of excitement this time instead of fear.
“Welcome back, Mr. Foster,” Dr. Fiber jokes with my husband. “Your throat feeling stiff, as if you’ve had a tube in it, is normal. Megan, can you get me a cup of water and a separate cup of ice chips?” He asks the nurse, not taking his eyes off Kade.
“I’m going to run a couple of tests, Mr. Foster. Nothing fancy, just measure your progress.”
Megan comes back in the room with the two cups as requested by the doctor, placing them down on the table beside me.
“Mrs. Foster, go ahead a place a couple of small ice chips in Kade’s mouth. Let’s get his throat feeling a little better here.”
I do as the doctor requests and feed Kade one ice chip at a time.
Dr. Fiber, Megan, and Dr. Moore begin to make their way in and out of the room, running a series of tests, while I sit in the chair, refusing to leave my husband’s side. This day has been a long time coming.
“I missed you, baby. It’s good to have you back.”
<> * <>
The minute Kade first opened his eyes and gripped my hand, a whirlwind of emotions shot straight through me. I was ecstatic, I was beyond thankful, but more importantly, I was scared to death. The look on his face alone was enough to strike anyone with fear. I could literally see the anger my husband conveying, slapping me across the face. None of it made sense, and no matter how much I wanted to question Kade with what was running through his mind, I had to let it go. Healing and getting better for our boys was my number one priority. The rest could wait until later.
