Unraveling

by Kelley Griffin

  She was shocked how much her friend had changed in a few short days. She looked older and her skin was pasty white instead of her normal rosy-pink color. Her face was sunken in like she’d already lost ten pounds. Ironic. Laura would find that funny.

  She was hooked up to a breathing machine and cords ran off her body like spaghetti noodles everywhere. Adam walked up behind Kirin’s wheelchair and pushed it close enough to her side, so she could grab Laura’s hand. Then he ducked out to give them time together. A tight lump formed in her throat. She’d be speaking to Laura without hearing an answer. Without hearing that soothing voice. She took a deep breath through her tears and began, feeling uneasy.

  “Hey there friend...I’m so sorry... for everything. I will find out who did this to us and make them pay, I swear it. Laura? Honey, you need to open your eyes. I look like I’ve been in a fight and lost. You don’t want to miss this face all battered up. Wake up.” She held Laura’s hand and smiled as if she could see.

  Kirin had never cried this much in her life. She wondered if her tear ducts would dry up at some point. Other than Stacy not speaking to her, Kirin’s life had been going along smoothly. Now, her best friend lay helpless in a coma—possibly at the hands of her other best friend, her fiancé was kissing another woman and her face looked like someone used it for a punching bag.

  Laura’s eyes fluttered and just like Adam had thought, it felt as if she could hear. Kirin began to ramble. “You remember our girls’ trip about a year after Jack died? Remember you and Stacy thought I was depressed after Cancer took him so you two conjured up a road trip and called it, “Thelma, Louise and Louise?” Kirin giggled at the memory.

  “We drove all over the Southeast sightseeing and laughing at ourselves. It was a wine-drinking, shopping, giggling, slumber party on wheels. We had so much fun. Remember we stopped in that little gift shop in downtown Atlanta and that woman behind the counter asked us if we were sisters?” Kirin laughed and stared down at her hands.

  “Oh, remember that good looking waiter down in New Orleans with the Louisiana accent that we all fawned over? That was such a great trip. We laughed ourselves silly and Stacy... Stacy was so happy, remember?” Kirin exhaled, deeply.

  “You’re my sister, and my rock.” She sniffed and continued, “And I just need for you to wake up.” Kirin squeezed her hand. Nothing. No response except the fluttering of her eyes. She bowed her head and prayed the prayer she didn’t want to pray.

  Lord, let Your will be done. But, if it is in Your will, please let her be okay.

  Her shoulder ached and the stitches on her side stung and pulled. She shouldn’t be sitting up and she knew it. She felt a tinge of guilt for talking Angie into taking her. She’d step up and take the blame if they came down on her.

  She was getting tired and knew Angie would be back to get her any minute. She tried to release Laura’s hand when it dawned on her—Laura gripped her hand, not the other way around. A huge grin unfolded on Kirin’s face as she bent and kissed the back of her friend’s hand. This had to be a good sign. She’d ask the doc later when he came to her room.

  Angie wheeled Kirin back to her room. She’d cleaned and changed it while Kirin sat with Laura. Now, she helped a worn-out Kirin back into bed where sleep overtook her.

  When she woke, it was late afternoon. Her new nurse took out the IV and helped her into the shower. Her reflection made her gasp. Sheesh. She looked like a cast member from The Walking Dead. Her hair matted to her head and her face was swollen like she’d just had a four-hour face lift. Blue bruises lined her cheeks, and with bags under her eyes, she looked ten years older. Red streaks ran through the whites of her eyes.

  With some worries washed down the drain, she brushed out her hair and put lotion on her face. She even put on lipstick to give her face some color, which felt odd.

  Even though it’d been a few days since the blast, Rosa and the boys would still be shocked by her appearance. Stepping into clothes was more painful than the shower, but she felt more like herself. The boys would find it easier to see her in her normal clothes. Her side and arm were still causing her pain, but she sat upright at the small table instead of lying on the bed. She watched the door waiting to see her boys run through, which is something she couldn’t have done just the day before.

  The sound of little voices wafted down the hall and floated toward her room. Will and Little Jack were there, and her heart swelled. She hoped that the sight of her wouldn’t scare them too much.

  Sam made the boys wait in the hall as he entered the room first to make sure she was ready. He poked his head in and glanced toward the bed. Seeing it empty his face turned white. He pushed open the door and scanned the room. Their eyes met, and his face lit up.

  “Wow.” Sam said, standing just inside the door. “You look so much better.” He smiled a broad, loving smile. Her heart had always leapt at such a smile, but she noticed it was silent. How much damage had been done by seeing him with the long-legged woman?

  Sam shot her a puzzled look, then added, “Not that just taking a shower is that much of an improvement, but your whole demeanor has changed. You seem so much stronger than even this morning.”

  She was stronger, but not how he thought. She smiled. It was forced but he didn’t seem to notice.

  “I’ll get them,” he said, “they’re beyond ready to see you. I’ve warned them to go easy and that you might look a little different, but you really don’t look bad at all.”

  Sam strolled over and kissed her on the head, then ran back to the door and opened it. Will held his little brother’s hand and they crept in, looking around like someone might jump out. Rosa had her hands on their backs ushering them inside. Will carried flowers while Little Jack held handmade cards and coloring pages. They walked shoulder to shoulder looking terrified. Little Jack caught eyes with his mama and his feet betrayed him as he ran toward her. Sam caught him and made him walk. When he was close enough she reached out, grabbed him with her good arm and pulled him to her chest. She didn’t care if it hurt.

  “Can you come home now?” Little Jack whispered. “Are you better?”

  “Very soon, pumpkin.” She whispered and kissed his hair.

  Kirin glanced up. Will stood stock still by the door, eyebrows knitted together. He wasn’t buying the story that she was fine. He glanced from bruise to bruise on her face. She caught eyes with him and tilted her head. “Will...come here, son.” she commanded, but he wouldn’t move.

  “Will?” He glared. Kirin looked to Rosa who shrugged in confusion. “Son, what is it?” She let go of Little Jack and now everyone in the room stared at Will. This teenage angry voice came out of her oldest boy.

  “Who did this to you?”

  Sam answered, “Will, we’ve been over this. Strangers did this. They didn’t mean to do any harm specifically to your mom or to Laura, they just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Will wasn’t budging, and his eyes never left Kirin’s as if Sam hadn’t even spoken.

  Sam mumbled something angrily, when Kirin interrupted, “Honey I don’t know who, but trust me—I plan to find out.”

  Will’s face softened. As perceptive as her oldest had always been, he might know something she didn’t.

  “Please?” She held out her arms. Will set the flowers on her tray table and ran toward her, stopping just short of her arms, then sliding in. He hugged her gingerly. She watched his neck splotch and felt his tears. “It’s gonna be okay. I’m coming home in a few days.”

  Rosa stood close to the door and blew her nose. Kirin smiled and cocked one eyebrow as if to say, “Crying?” Rosa waved her off with the tissue and turned her head away.

  After a quick round of twenty questions about every gadget in the room and a rundown about the food and the TV stations, Sam took the boys home, while Rosa ran to her house to pick up more clothes. She kissed her boys and hugged Rosa tight. When Sam leaned in for a kiss, it felt awkward. He looked at her with questions in his eyes. He felt it too
. She needed everyone to leave them alone, so she could end things. A lump grew in her throat.

  Rosa ushered the boys toward the elevator and Sam stopped at the doorway. He turned and watched her for a moment. A curious look spread across his face.

  “Will you be awake when I come back?” he asked softly.

  “If not, wake me up so we can talk.”

  He nodded, then looked at the ground and walked away.

  When she was sure they were gone, she stood and grabbed her water. It was empty, and she didn’t want to bother the nurses. She’d need it later for what would be an exhausting talk with Sam when he returned. Part of her was glad it was almost over, so she could stop obsessing over it, but the other part wanted to drag this out. She didn’t want to feel the heartache when he admitted he was having an affair.

  She held onto the wall and strolled slow and cautious out of the room toward the kitchenette. She’d been dizzy while the boys were in her room, but played it off well, she thought.

  As she turned the corner, she noticed several things she hadn’t when Angie wheeled her back. First, there was a metal chair posted up to the left of the door. They’d turned right to see Laura and she must’ve been tired on her way back and didn’t notice it. Second, right behind the chair, taped to the wall was a handwritten note in Sam’s scrolling handwriting. It read:

  Brother’s, thank you for joining me in this fight. Nobody gets past here. Please protect my family. I owe you.

  Brothers ‘til the end~ Pat

  She had to read it twice. Brothers? Sam had only one brother, Seth and he lived in another state. Could this be his TWRA guys? That didn’t make sense. He described them all as old and looking toward retirement.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement and froze. An older nurse at the far end of the hall with a sour face scoured a chart. Her body faced Kirin, but her head was down. The nurse hadn’t spotted the wayward patient in the hall yet, but if she looked up, there was no way she could miss her.

  If she was going to succeed, she needed to move faster. It seemed like a tiny accomplishment to grab some ice and water by herself, but she knew it’d make her feel stronger and not so dependent. Something she desperately craved right now.

  She was only a few short feet from the break room when she heard the low growl of a disagreement. She turned. Two men stood a few feet away, toe to toe. Their body language told her they were not friends. Bits and pieces of their argument floated down the hall.

  “I don’t care who you are,” the man facing away spat, “my orders say nobody visits her unless they’re on the list.”

  Then, she heard a voice she’d know anywhere.

  “I understand your orders. I’m not here on business. She’s a friend. I’m sure if you called Sam, he’d agree. You can even stay in the room, but I will see her today.”

  She grabbed on to the door frame. “Steve?” She called down the hall as loud as she could.

  His face lit up and he sidestepped the man at the elevator, jogging smugly past him toward Kirin. His face changed from triumphant to concern before he reached her.

  Steve looked like a tall, clean-cut, military cadet out for a run. He wore navy sweats from head to toe and running shoes. He was handsome, but too focused on his job to ever settle down.

  “What are you doin’ outta bed, stubborn?” Steve chided as he carefully wrapped an arm around her.

  “Just getting some water, what’re you doing here?”

  “Checking on you. Somebody had to make sure you weren’t rotting away in this hospital.” He stared down at her with something new in his eyes. Protective. He leaned her against the wall, took her cup and filled it with ice and water. “Plus, the way trouble finds you, if I stay close, I’m sure to see some action.” His eyebrows danced as Kirin swatted at him playfully.

  Steve had texted her several times in the past six months since Saul took his life in her yard. His sister Stacy stopped speaking to him just like she’d stopped speaking to Kirin. They’d bonded over their shared misery.

  The sour nurse walked by, took one look at Kirin, placed her hands on her hips and said, “You aren’t supposed to be out of bed.”

  “I’m not. I’m a figment of your imagination and besides, I have help.” The nurse glanced over at Steve. He shot her a grin and her attitude softened. Steve had some swagger of his own.

  The nurse looked back at Kirin, “Well, since you have help I’ll let it go this time, but don’t let me catch you out here again.”

  “Yes Ma’am,” Steve answered as she walked away.

  As they ambled back to the room with Steve’s arm wrapped around her, she heard him smirk.

  “What?”

  “You. You’re getting too skinny. I could about wrap my arms around you twice.”

  “It’s the good food here, of course.” She said wearily. “I remember now why I pack my lunch every day.”

  They turned the corner into her room. Steve helped her slowly climb into bed. Movement at the door caught her eye. The man who argued with Steve pushed the door open as wide as it would go and re-positioned his chair, so he could see straight into her room. He never offered to introduce himself or even smile. He just stared at them.

  Steve rolled his eyes, making her smile. Then pushed the tray table so it hovered over Kirin’s lap. He sat in Sam’s chair and pulled a fresh deck of cards out of his back pocket. He and Stacy were both big card players and she knew, this was Steve’s way of saying he missed his sister.

  He talked and shuffled simultaneously. “So ... truth, how are you?”

  “I’m ok.” She lied.

  Steve shuffled without looking at the cards and held her gaze for a few seconds as if he tried to read her mind.

  “Um hm,” he said, hitching an eyebrow.

  “Really,” she continued, “My wounds are healing, bruises are going away, stitches will dissolve, and the brace will come off my arm soon. Doc may even release me in the next few days.”

  “I didn’t mean physically.” His eyes bored into hers as he dealt.

  She grabbed her cards and stared at them, not really focusing. Her life was going down the toilet. How did he know? As hard as the FBI had made him, there was always something real and caring about Steve. He wasn’t stuck on himself with all his accomplishments. He genuinely cared about other people.

  She’d sensed late one night that Steve’s texts had a hint of flirty banter to them. Maybe he was just being kind or maybe he missed his sister. Either way, he was too nice of a guy to ever lead on.

  She wanted to tell him about Sam and the dark headed woman outside but knew it would only muddy the waters, even though it was over between her and Sam. Admitting that, even in her mind, stung. She didn’t want it to be over. And, if she was being honest, she still loved Sam. But thanks to her father leaving her, it’d taken so long to finally trust a man. And now, that man had broken her trust.

  Steve’s phone rang and he held up one finger but stayed seated.

  “Withrow here. Tell me good news...” He paused. The crease between his eyebrows deepened. “How many girls?...Holy shit. That’s a shipment. Thank our informant and get—” Steve glanced up and locked eyes with Kirin for a split second, then looked away, “... our interpreter ready. Yes, and notify the shelter. I’ll be right there.”

  Steve hung up and grabbed his cards, not looking at Kirin. She stared until he glanced her way. His eyebrows shot up as if to say, ‘your turn.’ She pulled a card off the top of the deck and before she could ask what the call was about, he brought up Stacy.

  “So, you know what’s got me so perplexed?” he began, “You said Stacy held your hand under the cafeteria table and squeezed it, like a friend. And even the inflection in her voice was kind, but her face was scrunched up and angry, right?” Kirin nodded as she discarded.

  Steve blew out a breath, “I think she was acting. For the benefit of the people who could see her through the window. So they knew her loyalty was to them and not you.�
� Steve picked a card off the pile, laid down triple threes and slapped down a card on the discard pile.

  It made sense. Stacy had hugged her, then pushed her away. At the time Kirin thought she’d lost her mind, but if she was putting on a show, she did a damn good job.

  “Do you believe she’s capable of blowing up the cafeteria?” Kirin asked, watching him as she picked another card.

  “Do you?” he stilled, his voice tight.

  “No. But, I think she knew something was gonna happen.”

  He nodded, “I think she’s trapped inside their world. I’ve got agents watching her every move so when she’s ready to get out, she can.” Steve stared at his hand. “I’m sorry you were hurt, and Laura is in a coma. We’ll pinpoint exactly who’s behind this and bring them to justice.”

  “Scar,” she said out loud.

  “Who?”

  “I don’t know his real name, but he was Saul’s right hand man. He has a scar running down his right cheek. He mouthed the word “Boom” to me right before the first blast.”

  Steve’s mouth hung open for a beat. He cleared his throat, “What makes you sure he’s the leader?”

  “He blames me for Saul’s death. And he resembles Saul like they were related.”

  Steve took a long breath, “...Brothers. They were brothers.”

  She swallowed that for a minute. She was an only child, but she knew the loyalty inside most families. She’d be Scar’s number one target. It was her fault Laura was dragged in the middle.

  Steve stared off, then leveled a look at her. “It’s not your fault. None of it.”

  She shook her head.

  “And besides, I’m not sure he’s smart enough to be running the show. I think there’s someone else, someone craftier.”

  Steve’s phone buzzed. “Shit.” He rose quickly. “I gotta go.”

  “You just got here...”

  Steve leaned over, kissed the top of her head, and pressed all the cards into her hand.

  “Don’t worry, I’ve snuck in here before and I’ll do it again.”