“I gotta run next door for a minute, watch the front.”
“K.”
“I’ll be right back; I’m going to Radio Shack.” He turned to look at me “They might have a battery that fits this phone.”
“Okay.” I was hopeful as I followed him down to the end of the strip mall. I stood next to him as he talked to the man with the red vest. Then the man with the red vest went behind the counter and pulled out a small box.
“Try this. Not the same model, but should fit.”
The 7-Eleven clerk, who I found out is named Jackson, removed the back of my phone again and opened the box shoving in the battery. We waited a few moments. When I saw the phone’s logo to appear on the screen, I almost screamed with joy.
“Got a pen?” Jackson asked red vest.
“Yeah. Here.” He handed him the pen in his pocket.
“Okay lady, now we got the phone up, where is your ‘fiancé’s’ number?”
“Press and hold the number two.”
I watched as Jackson grabbed a brochure from the counter and took the pen from red vest’s pocket.
“I’ll get it back to you.” He said to red vest.
Jackson did as I directed and he wrote the number down on the brochure he took from the counter.
“This phone is shot. But I got the number.”
I wanted to hit Kevin/Paul so hard right now. I know he managed to damage my phone. It was fine when I left the house in Hyde Park.
Dear God. I just wanted to be back in Hyde Park. What a fool I am.
“Give me your phone man.” Jackson said to red vest.
Jackson dialed the number and when it started ringing, he handed it over to me.
I got voice mail.
“Please dial it again.” I begged.
Jackson pushed redial and the phone was ringing as he handed it back to me.
“Hello.” I knew that voice. It was Brad.
“Brad?” I felt the hot tears run down my face. I hadn’t realized how relieved I’d be in hearing his voice.
“Sarah? Sarah?” I could hear the unveiled excitement in his voice.
“Yes Brad. Can you hear me? Bradley, it’s me.”
“Where are you?” He demanded, I didn’t know if he were relieved or angry with me.
“Where am I?” I asked Jackson.
“Queens. Flushing, Queens.”
“I’ll need more than that Sarah, let me talk to the gentleman.”
I handed Jackson the phone. I listened as he gave Brad the address and handed me back the phone.
“Sarah, you stay right there. I’m coming to get you right now. Stay there.” Now that was a command.
“Brad hurry. I don’t know if…I don’t know if he’s awake. If he is, he’ll come looking for me.”
“Stay there.”
The phone went silent, and the silence was deafening. I was more afraid now, than when I was trapped by Kevin/Paul.
“I have to wait for him.”
“Is he bringing my reward?” Jackson asked me.
“He has money; he’ll give you your reward.” I was sure of it.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I paced inside the 7-Eleven waiting for Brad. I was sure I’d worn a rut in the linoleum where I’d been walking.
My ears were attuned to any foreign noise. I was listening for something I couldn’t even explain. All I know is that if I heard it, I was going to run out the back door and never stop. What I didn’t expect was to hear what I heard, sirens in the distance. Could Kevin/Paul have called the police to find me and bring me back? I cowered. Surely they would hear me out.
Two cars, sirens blaring and lights flashing pulled into the parking lot within minutes and when I saw them getting out of their cars, I went out to meet them.
“Are you Sarah Williamson?” One patrol officer asked.
“I am. I’m Sarah Williamson.” It still sounded so odd to me hearing my name, let alone admitting it was me.
“Please have a seat. The detective will be here in a few minutes to question you.”
“Question me? What have I done?” Was Kevin dead? Did I give him too much of the drug?
He led me to the back of his car and opened the door and I did what I was told and sat and waited. Praying with all I had inside me that Brad would get here before Kevin/Paul did.
It was approximately twenty minutes later, when another car pulled into the lot. I lifted my legs inside and closed the door, praying Kevin wasn’t in it. A man, tall, dark haired with a ruddy complexion got out of the passenger seat and walked over to the car I was sitting in. He leaned down and opened the door, revealing his full height of well over six feet. He was an intimidating looking man. Then he stood up glaring at me as if I was a criminal.
“Sarah Williamson?”
“I am, yes.” I climbed out of the opened door.
“I’m Detective Robertson. I received a phone call from your…” he looked down at his phone, “Bradley Hunter. Says you were kidnapped. Is this true?”
“Yes, well, yes it is.”
“Were you taken against your will?” he seemed doubtful of what I said.
“I was tricked. He… I had just had an accident and I fell and lost my memory.” The look on his face was almost comical, and I wanted to smack him so he would take me seriously, but something told me that wouldn’t go over very well. “He told me…he made up a story to coerce me into going with him.”
“What is the address?”
“I don’t know. I escaped and took his car and drove here.”
“His car?”
“Yes, the red one over there.” I pointed.
The detective leaned in and gave the patrolman instructions.
“Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine. I think he may have drugged me though.”
“We’ll run a search on the car that should tell us who he is.” He looked at me from top to bottom. “Are you willing to press charges?”
“You mean to have him imprisoned? Then yes, yes, I will press charges.”
“Excuse me.” He walked away towards another man, must be his partner. He talked with him for several minutes, looking back in my direction intermittently.
He nodded, and started walking back to where I was standing.
“We have an address. I just dispatched a unit to his house.”
Just then, I saw a long black car pull into the lot. Brad got out of the driver’s seat and walked determinately to where I stood. I don’t know what happened next, I just know my legs gave out on me and I began to fall. Luckily for me, Brad reached me before I hit the ground.
“Sarah. Are you okay?”
“Should I call for a bus…an ambulance?” the detective asked.
“Sarah?” Brad asked, looking into my eyes, ignoring the detective.
“No. No. I think it was just the shock. I think I was just overwhelmed by everything.”
“I have our family doctor meeting us at our home.” Brad said to the detective, and then he looked down at me. I was leaning against him for support, “you’re going to be fine. I’m taking you home. Doctor Reynolds will meet us at the house.”
“Brad. I was so wrong.” I sobbed; the tears flowed freely now. I couldn’t stop them if I wanted to. I think it was a combination of relief and the realization of what could have happened to me. “He told me lies. He told me you pushed me. He told me so many lies.” I cried into his shoulder.
“Let’s get you into the car.”
He walked me to the car and after I was settled inside, he walked back to talk to the detectives. They spoke for what seemed like an hour, but was most likely just a few minutes. Brad gave the detective what looked like a business card and started walking back towards the car. I could see the tick in his jaw from where I sat.
He climbed into the car and reached over to buckle me in. I apparently have an issue with remembering to buckle my damned belt.
“Don’t worry about anything. I’m taking you home and right now
that’s all I want to do. You’re safe. We’ll talk later.” He glanced at me quickly, “unless you’d rather go to your mother’s house…your house.”
“No. I want to go with you. To our house. My place is at our house.” The tears started flowing again and I just let them. I needed to release some of the tension I was feeling. I’ll deal with the guilt later and I’ll find a way to make it up to Brad, somehow. I had to.
The ride the entire way home was quiet. We were both lost in our thoughts. There was a part of me that thought he must be angry with me. He’d have every right after the stupid things I’ve done. I’m sure I was nothing but trouble for him. I’d be amazed if he didn’t ask me to leave and go back to live with my mother.
My mother.
What did I do to her? She must feel so hurt, so betrayed.
I leaned my head against the seat back and avoided looking at him. Inside I was a mess, and totally ashamed of what I’d done. So I focused on looking straight ahead.
I don’t think I felt relief until we turned up the driveway and I saw the house looming ahead.
After we arrived home, I walked into the house with Brad directly behind me.
“Doctor Reynolds will be here within the hour.”
“Then I’d better take a shower.”
I was feeling really depressed and confused. If there was a way to kick yourself in the ass, I would have.
“I’ll make you a cup of tea and bring it up to you.”
“Tea?”
“Yes, a cup of Earl Grey. Unless you don’t want one.”
I smiled, “I’d love one. Thank you.” I said as I made my way up the stairs, I smiled like an idiot, he knew what I liked, and he always did.
I felt so good after that shower. Wrapping myself in a towel, I opened my top drawer and removed a pair of panties and a bra. Then walked to the closet and pulled on a pair of lounge pants and a matching long sleeved shirt.
As promised, my tea was waiting on my nightstand. I took a few sips and instantly felt calmer.
“Okay, let’s do this.” I said to myself and with my tea in hand, I made my way down the hallway. Just as I turned to go towards the steps, I looked inside an opened door.
“Sarah! Are you okay?” I heard Brad shout, but it was like he was in a tunnel very far away.
I grabbed the wall for support and walked into the room. My legs were shaking so badly I had to hold onto the doorknob to keep standing. This was the room I was in, the room in my dream. A rocking chair stood in the corner with an afghan draped down the back. The bed was made and Brad’s briefcase sat on top. His clothes were scattered on top of the bed as well.
FLASH!
Brad walked in the room after me, grabbed my shoulders and he turned me around.
“Jesus Sarah, you’re white as a ghost.” He lifted me into his arms and carried me out of the room, stepping over what looked to be my shattered teacup and its contents all over the floor. The bottoms of my lounge pants were wet, and I thought it funny that I would notice that.
He placed me gently on the sofa and sat next to me.
“What happened are you okay?” Brad grabbed both my hands in his. I have to say, he looked like he was about to lose it.
“I…that…it was that room. I was in that room. Hiding behind the rocking chair. Someone was chasing me. There was so much blood on my hands; I kept swiping my head and then wiping my hands on my shirt.
“Who was chasing you Sarah? Who?” The anger in his voice scared me, and I winced. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to frighten you, but I need to know what you remember.”
“Dear, what was that I heard?”
I turned to see Terry standing in the doorway.
“Sarah dropped her tea upstairs, can you clean that for us please and pour her another cup. She’s shaking like a leaf.”
“Yes of course, Mr. Hunter.” She hustled out of the room and returned with a mop and a cloth in hand and made her way up the stairs. “I put the water on. Should be just a minute.” She called down.
“Sarah, baby, do you remember anything else.”
“I was trying to hide. He found me behind the chair and pulled me out. He was laughing, like some crazy person, like a frigging maniac. I don’t know what he was saying, but he didn’t stop laughing. I reached out and scratched his face, and he released my arm. I pushed at him and ran away. I ran to the…”I pointed up to the landing at the top of the staircase. “He grabbed my hair and I pulled me backwards, but I was determined to get to the door, to get away, but I…I…I fell down the stairs. Brad, I fell down the stairs.”
I was sobbing uncontrollably now.
Terry walked back in carrying a fresh cup of tea and placed it down on the table, there were tears running down her face. Brad looked up at her and she shook her head, her eyes filled with tears.
“Terry, sit with Sarah. I need to make a phone call.” He stood and I grabbed his hand.
“Brad?”
“I’ll be right back.” He held on for a few moments, then released my hand and Terry sat down rubbing my back repeating over and over “It’s goin’ to be okay darlin’ girl. It’s all goin to be okay darlin’.” I don’t know if she were trying to convince me or herself.
Brad came back a few minutes later and took his seat.
“Do you remember anything about this man?”
The doorbell rang and Terry nearly ran to get it. A man in a pair of dress pants and a light sweater came in.
“Doctor Reynolds.” Brad stood up and went to greet the nicely dressed older gentleman.
“Bradley.”
They exchanged a handshake and a nod.
“Sarah, I don’t know if you remember, but this is Doctor Reynolds. He’s going to examine you to make sure you’re okay after your…ordeal.” He sounded as confused as I was. What was it, a kidnapping? I went willingly so that wasn’t the right word. I ran my sleeve across my eyes and took the tissue offered by Terry, loudly blowing my nose.
“I’m sorry I don’t remember. Forgive me Doctor.”
“That’s to be expected after what you’ve been through Sarah, we’re just happy you’re with us today.” He smiled. He looked like a very kind man. Distinguished looking, older man, with gray hair and light blue eyes. “I’m going to listen to your heart. Ask you a few questions and take some blood. Okay?” He asked me for my permission.
“Yes.”
“I’ll also need a urine sample.” He pulled out a small plastic jar and handed it to me. “Do you think you can provide me with one now?”
“Yes.” I stood and took the jar from his hand and walked to the bathroom. I emerged a several minutes later with the container in my hand. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” He took it and placed it into a plastic bag with my name written on it. “Now if you’ll have a seat.”
I sat down and looked at Brad and Terry.
“Would you feel more comfortable if we left?” Brad asked, concern in his voice.
“I have no secrets from either of you.” I said.
Terry excused herself, ‘checking on dinner’, but I knew she was just being kind and giving us our privacy.
The doctor took four vials of blood. Listened to my heart, took my blood pressure, which he stated was high.
No kidding?
He gave me a prescription for sleeping pills in case I needed them and another for an antibiotic. Said in case I was exposed to anything, leaving that somewhat open ended.
“When was your last period?” He asked.
That was not the question to ask me after giving me a prescription for antibiotics.
“I don’t remember.”
He asked a few more questions. Any headaches? Nausea? Vomiting?
I answered all his questions to his satisfaction.
He went on to tell us what to expect after experiencing shock.
I wanted to tell him, ‘doc, I got stress down. I own that bitch’, but I don’t’ think it would have gone over very well.
I
nodded a lot, as did Brad.
“Well, that’s all I can do now. Get some rest young lady.” He ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
“Brad, Sarah, I’ll be in touch as soon as I have the results of the blood and urine.” He packed up his equipment, tapped me on the head, shook Brad’s hand and left the same way he came in.
I shook my head. Shock. I knew one thing for sure; I was tired of not having control of my own life. I had done my crying, I sobbed like a baby, and now…now I was just starting to get angry.
Chapter Twenty-Three
After the doctor’s departure, we sat there for a few minutes staring at the wall. Neither of us uttered a word. It seemed we were both lost in our thoughts, just trying to grasp what was happening.
In the past several days, I had been through an emotional roller coaster. A total stranger had me believing Brad was the person who’d pushed me down the steps. Considering all that had taken place the last few days, I was sure it wasn’t him. Who it was, I still didn’t know, but I was sure it wasn’t Bradley Hunter.
“Mr. Bradley, Miss Sarah, I have supper ready if either of you has a mind to eat something.” She smiled weakly. “But don’t you worry, it can be warmed up if need be.”
“Thank you, Teresa.” Brad told her. “We’ll get it ourselves, you go home. Thank you.”
“Oh Mr. Bradley, you know I’d do anything for you and Miss Sarah.” She was twisting her hands together.
“I know you would Terry. But go ahead, we’ll be fine…really.” He said emphatically.
I was dreading Terry leaving, I knew I would have to explain how I ended up in Flushing, Queens. I knew I would have to explain, and rightfully so, in detail, how I chose to leave him for some stranger. I was wringing my hands together like a mad woman.
Terry said her goodbyes and left out the back door.
I waited a few minutes, trying to come up with the words to explain what I had done.
“I know you want to know everything, but I need your word that you will listen to everything I’ve got to say before you judge me.”
“Sarah. I’m not judging you. I just wish you would have come to me with any questions you had. I’ve never hidden anything from you.”
Ever, Sarah Page 21
