After The Fire (One Pass Away Book 3)

by Mary J. Williams

“Hey!” He rushed forward when she began to slip from the mattress. Fast feet and quick reflexes were all that saved her from hitting the floor. “Easy. Let me help you.”

  “Thanks. With my luck, I would have been lying in a heap for the rest of the day. I was beginning to think this was like something from a crazy slasher movie.”

  “Where you wake up alone? The hospital completely deserted?”

  “Are you a fan of those flicks?”

  “Will you hate me if I say no?”

  “Not a problem.” She laughed. Gaige noticed the bandages wrapped around her head, covering her eyes. Her light brown hair was pulled back into a long ponytail. “My boyfriend tried to get me hooked. Bare-breasted women running around in ridiculously high heels? Sorry. Not my thing.”

  Gaige couldn’t take his eyes off her mouth. Her full lips smiled as though she didn’t have a care in the world even though her injuries said otherwise. It put his whining to Walter in perspective. He was young, strong, and healthy, yet all he could do was go around crying poor me. This young woman had problems, but her laughter rang out clear as a bell. Gaige felt ashamed of himself.

  “Did I put you off with my ramblings?”

  “No. Bare-breasted women? I am a fan. And, I was wondering how much time I had to charm you before your boyfriend shows up?”

  She laughed again, drawing Gaige in. “No boyfriend. Not anymore. It was, love me, love my taste in movies. I chose to drop him and love romantic comedies.”

  “Smart.”

  “I thought so.” She held out her hand. “I’m Violet.”

  “Gaige.” Her hand felt tiny in his. Soft. It was ridiculous, but he didn’t want to let go. Violet wasn’t asking for it back, so Gaige indulged his whim and held on.

  “How old are you?”

  “Twenty-two.”

  “Thank God. I didn’t think there was a person in this hospital under the age of forty. Can you stay for a few minutes? There’s a chair in here someplace. Pull it up next to the bed and talk to me. It is so boring just lying here all day. I’m nineteen, by the way.”

  Gaige looked around, spotting the chair on the other side of the room. Releasing Violet’s hand, he retrieved the chair.

  “You can stay?”

  “As long as you like.”

  “That’s a relief. I was afraid I scared you away. I tend to ramble when I’m nervous.”

  Gaige sat, scooting closer until his knees touched the side of the bed.

  “Nervous? I hope I’m not the problem.”

  “God, no. I’m hardly a Victorian virgin seconds away from a fit of vapors because I’m alone with a man.” Violet lowered her voice, her eyebrows waggling above the bandages. “The whole virgin thing left on a westbound train long ago.”

  “Why west?” Gaige couldn’t help but ask. She was fascinating. Perky without that annoying, rah-rah crap. Every word out of her mouth was a delightful surprise. He couldn’t wait to hear what she would say next.

  “The boy I dated in high school left the day after graduation.”

  “Let me guess. On a westbound train?”

  “Right the first time. The University of New Jersey.”

  “That isn’t far.”

  “Hello! New Jersey! No. Thank. You.”

  Gaige grinned. “Snob?”

  “No. It was an excuse. I hated to tell him he was a lousy lover. So I used New Jersey. I almost panicked when he offered to switch schools. Luckily, it was the only one he got into. And that was because of family connections.”

  “Sounds like he was bad in bed and stupid.”

  “True,” Violet sighed. “But he looked great in his basketball uniform.”

  Gaige frowned. “You have a thing for athletes?”

  “Nope. But Lane has great legs. I sat in the bleachers and read a book. He only played a couple of minutes a game. When he was in, I admired his gams.”

  Gaige relaxed. He barely knew her. In all likelihood, he would never see her again. But he hadn’t wanted Violet to be an athletic groupie. “Gams. Great word.”

  “I was born sixty years too late. Can’t you see me as a tough-talking dame backing up Humphrey Bogart or James Cagney?”

  “I’m not much of a film buff.”

  “That’s okay. When I go off on a tangent, call me back.”

  “Violet?”

  “Mom?”

  Gaige turned, standing when he saw a woman in her forties enter the room. She was pretty. Her light brown hair cut in a flattering chin-length bob. When he looked into her dark brown eyes, he wondered if they were the same color as Violet’s.

  “I’m sorry I’m late. Your father needed the car this morning and the subway was running late.”

  “That’s okay. Gaige kept me company. Gaige, this is my mother, Sophia Reed.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  Wary, Violet’s mother placed herself between Gaige and her daughter.

  “How do you two know each other?”

  “I was about to fall out of bed and Gaige saved me.” Unaware of her mother’s misgivings, Violet laughed. “That reminds me, do either of you see my CD player? It fell off my bed and I was trying to find it when Gaige saved the day.”

  “Here you go.” Gaige reached under the bed, retrieving the compact disc player and a set of earphones. “I should get going.”

  “Will you come back tomorrow?”

  “Violet! I’m sure that Gaige has better things to do than entertain you.”

  “Actually, I don’t.” Other than get back to Seattle and prepare for training camp. But Violet and her mother didn’t need to know that. Besides, he had two weeks. Suddenly, sticking around Brooklyn didn’t seem like the end of the world.

  “Then you’ll come back?”

  Violet’s smile widened and at that moment, Gaige would have moved heaven and Earth to make her happy.

  “Tomorrow.”

  Violet waved. Her mother didn’t look as enthusiastic but she didn’t say anything. Gaige could understand her reticence. He was a stranger. But that was about to change. With a bounce in his step that he hadn’t felt for over a week, Gaige headed for the elevator. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

  “WASN’T HE NICE?” Violet could still feel Gaige’s hand holding hers. It was so large. Callused. Not soft like the boys she knew. A man’s hand.

  “Who is he, Violet?”

  “Just someone who saw a girl in need and saved her from a tumble off the bed.”

  “Then stuck around.”

  “Because I asked him to. What’s wrong with that?”

  “He’s…”

  “What?” Violet wished she could see her mother’s face. It was so frustrating not to be able to read expressions.

  “Too good looking.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “What is a man who looks like he stepped off the cover of a magazine doing hanging around a hospital?”

  “He’s probably visiting someone. If it makes you feel better, I’ll ask him tomorrow.”

  “It would make me feel better.”

  “Now that we’ve settled that, tell me what Gaige looks like.”

  “His looks are irrelevant, Violet Marie.”

  “That good, huh?”

  “Not the point.”

  “True. I can’t see him.” There was a pause. When Violet spoke, there was a different tone. Sad. “Maybe I never will.”

  “Don’t think that way. The doctors are hopeful you’ll regain your sight.”

  “Hopeful.” Violet sighed. “That isn’t terribly scientific.”

  “Well, wrap your logical mind around a little faith. Sometimes trusting in God isn’t a bad thing.”

  “What if your God doesn’t want me to be a doctor?”

  “My God?”

  “You know I have questions, Mom. Doubts. This accident hasn’t helped.”

  “I see it differently. God was watching out for you. You’re here. Alive. When those casts come off, you’ll be as good as new.”
r />   “Except for my eyes.”

  “Baby.” Violet felt the mattress shift just before her mother pulled her close. “When the doctor examines you on Friday, we’ll know more. If you can’t put your faith in God, put it in science.”

  “You’re okay with that?” Close to tears, Violet held them back by teasing her mother.

  “Of course. Who do you think made scientists?”

  “God?”

  Her mother’s arms tightened. “Exactly.”

  “Okay. I’ll keep an open mind.”

  “That’s all I ask.”

  “Good.” Violet waited while her mother fluffed her pillows. “So tell me? What does Gaige look like?”

  THE NEXT MORNING, Gaige arrived at the hospital with a new attitude. There was no sense of dread as he walked through the doors. He sent a smile toward the nurse at the reception desk, causing the overworked woman to sigh. He entered the elevator, with a dozen pink roses, whistling a random tune.

  Calvin Iannetta, an orderly Gaige had become friendly with, wheeled in a cart filled with mostly empty trays and the remains of that morning’s breakfast.

  “You’re in a good mood.”

  “Why not? Did you see that sky? Nothing but blue.”

  “Who are the flowers for? I’m guessing pink isn’t your father’s color.”

  Calvin knew Gaige’s situation. Or at least, the basic details.

  “I brought them for a friend.”

  “Good on you, son.”

  Calvin wheeled the cart out on the next floor, leaving Gaige alone in the elevator. Good on, him? That sounded right. He couldn’t remember the last time his mind had been filled with something other than his family or football. But last night, he hadn’t hit the bar, needing a whiskey neat to help loosen the tension in his shoulders. He went to his room. Watched a little SportsCenter. Then studied some tape from Seattle’s last season. And as he drifted off to sleep, he thought about Violet.

  Gaige had questions. What had happened to her? How long would she be in the hospital? But if he asked, so would she. He didn’t want to lie to Violet. However, there was no way in hell he would tell her about his father. He was ashamed to admit that he was Don Benson’s son. Violet didn’t need to know. Why burden her with something so dark and ugly?

  As it had been yesterday, her door was open. Gaige paused just inside the room, looking at the slight form in the bed. It was hard to tell since she was lying down, but he estimated her height to be above average. Maybe five seven or eight. Violet was slender. Like her hand, her build appeared delicate. But Gaige knew there was an underlying strength. He felt it in her grip. Even more, he heard it in her voice. Violet Reed was a fighter. Gaige would have bet his hefty signing bonus on it.

  “Roses?”

  “You can smell them from over there?”

  “Gaige! You came. I’m so glad.”

  The genuine delight in her greeting warmed Gaige’s heart. He hadn’t imagined the way she made him feel. Lighter. Happy. With only a few words, Violet made his world a little brighter. Without thought, Gaige walked toward her, needing to get closer to the source.

  “I said I would.”

  “People say a lot of things.” Violet shrugged. “Sometimes they lie—out of kindness. You said yes when the blind girl begged you to visit her. I’m a little embarrassed by the way I acted. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you hadn’t shown up.”

  “I always keep my word, Violet.” Gaige took her hand and squeezed. She couldn’t see the sincerity in his eyes, but she could hear him—feel his touch. “Always. And there was nothing to be embarrassed about. You’re an open, enthusiastic person. I like that. I like you.”

  Violet’s smile became a little shy. She’s nineteen, Gaige reminded himself. For all her talk, he doubted she was very experienced.

  “I like you, too. May I have my flowers?”

  “How do you know they’re for you?”

  “Because it would be cruel to show up with roses meant for someone else. You aren’t cruel.”

  “I can be.” Gaige didn’t know why he said it, but it was true. He had a streak of his father in him, no matter how much it pained him to admit it. Most of the time he kept it at bay, but it was there. Always lurking just under the surface.

  “No. I don’t believe it.” Violet shook her head. “You like to get your way, don’t you? When you want something, you don’t stop until you’ve exhausted every path—then you try again.”

  Gage frowned. Violet had him pegged and it was a bit disconcerting. He wasn’t certain how to feel about her uncanny insights.

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I’m the same way. Did you ever read Anne of Green Gables?” Violet laughed before Gaige could answer. “No. I don’t suppose it would be at the top of a boy’s reading list.”

  “No.”

  “Anne was always on the lookout for a kindred spirit.”

  “I know what that is.”

  Violet nodded. “That’s us, Gaige. I knew it right away. We connected. Please tell me you felt it?”

  “I did, but you put it better than I ever could.”

  “I read all the time. Anything and everything.”

  “I like to read.” Mostly playbooks and sports biographies.

  “See that pitcher of water? Will you put my flowers in it?”

  “I can find something nicer.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I can’t tell the difference. Put them by the bed. The scent is heavenly.”

  “Violet.” Gaige did as she asked, but his mind was on a different matter. “Yesterday you said you were nervous. Are you worried about your eyes?”

  Violet took a deep breath, then sighed.

  “I don’t want to be the sad girl you feel sorry for.”

  “Sorry for you? Never.”

  “I hit my head pretty hard. The doctors aren’t certain if the reason I can’t see is because of the swelling behind my eyes, or something permanent. We’ll know more on Friday.”

  Five days. Gaige couldn’t imagine losing his sight. For him, it would be the difference between playing football or falling back on his degree in economics. He liked numbers. And he loved making money. But to never again feel the rush of standing behind his offensive line? Or the anticipation just before the snap of the ball as he watched the defense shift formation? The split second when his mind ran through all the possibilities?

  Gaige didn’t know what losing her sight would mean to Violet, but he knew what it would mean to him. His heart went out to her. The wait would be interminable.

  “I’m scared, Gaige.” Violet put her head back on her pillow. “You’re the first person I’ve admitted that to. Mom tells me to put my faith in God.”

  “Jesus,” Gaige scoffed under his breath.

  “I know.” Violet laughed. “I believe what I can see—no pun intended. I’m a scientist. Logic. People cure people. That’s why I’m going to be a doctor. Or rather, I was going to be a doctor. A surgeon. The chances of that have taken a steep dive.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me too. But I refuse to indulge in a pity party. I can hold onto hope. At least for a few more days.”

  “Hope is good.” Gaige knew what it was like to try to keep hope alive—the idea that one day his mother would leave her abusive husband—and watch it die when that day never came. But for Violet, he would summon the tiny supply he had left.

  “Do you believe in a higher power?”

  “You mean God?”

  “God? Buddha? Fairies dancing around a blazing fire late at night? Something. Anything bigger than us.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Thank you.” Violet reached for his hand. Gaige met her halfway.

  “What for?”

  “For not lying. For letting me know you have doubts—like I do. Everyone keeps telling me that God is watching over me. Okay. Let’s say I accept this omnipotent being hovering somewhere up there. Why, when the world is filled with so much suffering and tragedy,
would he bother with me?”

  There wasn’t a good answer to that. So he said the first thing that popped into his head. “If it were me, I would. In a heartbeat.”

  Violet froze. Had he gone too far? Too fast? Gaige liked to keep his feelings close to the vest. But Violet brought out something in him he didn’t recognize. A softer side. The tough kid who turned into the tough athlete didn’t have the time or inclination to spill his emotions all over the place.

  “I’m sorry,” Gaige rushed his words, needing to explain before she kicked him out. “I know that was corny. Kind of cringe worthy.”

  “Kind of,” Violet nodded. “Don’t tell anyone? But I like corny. At least from you.”

  Zing! Gaige felt it. Right in the region of his heart. He might not have any experience with this kind of thing, but he knew it when it happened. He was falling in love. The timing couldn’t have been worse. He already had more on his plate than he could handle.

  What was the old saying? Love happens when you aren’t looking. Here. In Brooklyn. Dealing with his father’s crimes. He meets a young woman with problems of her own. Inconvenient didn’t begin to describe it.

  “Bad timing.”

  Violet made a sweeping gesture from the top of her head toward the bottom of the bed. “Tell me about it.”

  “Let’s not worry about it.” Gaige liked to face things head on, but for now, he was willing to forget about tomorrow and live for right now. “I’d like to get to know you better.”

  “One day at a time?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’d like that too.” Violet sat up, all business. “I have a million questions. But I’ll start with my mother’s. What brought you to the Brooklyn Medical Center?”

  This was where Gaige had to be cautious. He didn’t want to lie, but the truth was a bitch he would try to circumvent as much as possible.

  “I grew up in Brooklyn. My family still lives here. My father is in the hospital.”

  “I’m sorry. Is it serious?”

  “He’ll recover.” Unfortunately. Yes, the truth was a bitch.

  “That’s good. Long Island.” Violet pointed toward herself. “My parents moved to Brooklyn last year after I graduated from high school.”

  Happy to move the conversation in a different direction, Gaige said, “I just graduated from college.”