by S. Donahue
“You can trust us. I need to talk to you. It’s important.”
“Okay.”
“I just want you to know that I have nothing to do with everything that’s going on. Billy is a good guy. He’s just fucked up right now. Connor’s death and the drugs are taking a toll on him.”
“I see that. It doesn’t excuse what he did. He protected a nut over my brother.”
“I know. I don’t know how to tell you this.”
“Just be straight with me, man. You’ve been working for me for six years.”
“I know. I don’t know how you’re going to react to this.”
“Try me.”
“I applied for the job. I begged Billy to hire me. I told him I was friends with Connor, which is true… I still am.”
“Excuse me? What are you talking about?” I sat there giving him a crazy look. I think he just told me that he’s friends with Connor still. “You do realize that Connor is dead right?”
“Connor is still alive. He lives in Louisiana.”
“That’s impossible. I saw him dead.”
“You saw him quickly at the morgue. He was not dead. He faked his death. He made the funeral parlor convince you to have a closed casket. He made them sign an agreement, never to reveal. He paid them $100,000. We set the whole thing up,” Mike explained.
“That’s why he needed $100,000. Where is he? I can’t fucking believe this. Where did he get the money, he asked me for it?”
“I gave it to him.”
“You? If you have money, why do you need a job as a bartender in a club? You know I’m scared to ask that question.”
“He asked me to work there to watch over you and Billy and report back to him. Billy has no clue. Roxy’s been using him to distribute drugs. She runs things and she succeeded in killing a guy that owed her money. Connor knew that she planned on killing him next. We pre-planned everything with the morgue and the funeral parlor. Roxy was so predictable that it was so easy to set up. She did exactly what Connor said she would do. She thinks she killed Connor. He has the proof of the other murder. He decided to break away because he was tired of Roxy’s shit and couldn’t handle not seeing his daughter. He needed to make his death seem real. Billy ended up hiring Roxy at the club. When this happened, Connor sent his fiancée “Candy” to work at the club and watch Roxy. She goes back and forth every other weekend to see him. That’s why she only works part-time.”
“I thought Candy had a thing for you.”
“We are usually discussing Connor or something of the sort.”
“He really had me fucking fooled. I don’t know if I should be pissed or happy. Pissed, because he lied to me or happy, because I have him back. Does he know what just went down?”
“I called him. He’s ready to come back home.”
“Oh, is he? That’s nice. How the fuck is he surviving down there?”
“I gave him start up cash. He owns some businesses and he has paid me back every penny that he borrowed from me.” He’s really happy. He has a son that’s four years old. His name is Connor as well.”
I was pacing the floor. I couldn’t believe the turn of events. My brother is an asshole, but I love him to death. I don’t know how I would have reacted if I was in his situation. I should be so happy because my brother is alive, but my mind is focused on Joella.
“When is he coming home?”
“Tomorrow. He is calling Jeremy tonight and telling him everything.”
“I need to worry about Joella.”
“I know. I’m sorry to put all of this on you.”
“I just can’t believe he went through all of this because of Roxy.”
“She kept threatening him.”
“My family has a bunch of nuts in it. I’ll tell ya. I need time to process all of this. I feel like I’m going nuts right now.”
“I understand. I’m going back to the club to relieve Candy.”
“Oh, my sister-in-law.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“I’ll talk to you later. Thanks for taking care of him. Tell him I’m pissed, but I love him.”
“Will do.”
I sat there for the next hour dwelling over what Mike told me about Connor. It was too good to be true. I was also wondering what the fuck was going on with Joella. I was waiting for Joella’s family to arrive. Jocelyn said they were coming straight to the hospital.
I’m assuming this is her doctor coming at me down the hall.
“Are you Joella Soriano’s family?”
“Yes. We live together. How is she?”
“Great. I’m Doctor Mansfield. Can you come with me so we can talk?”
I followed the doctor. It didn’t sound good. I guess because I wanted him to say that she was okay and awake.
“Have a seat. What is your name?”
“Brendan Kirkpatrick”
“Mr. Kirkpatrick, I did surgery on Miss Soriano. We removed the bullet successfully. She lost a lot of blood. We had to give her a transfusion.”
“Oh, My Gawd.”
“I expect her to recover, but we put her in a medically induced coma for now. The next twenty-four to forty-eight hours are crucial. Here’s my cell number in case you need anything.”
“Her parents and sister will be here very shortly from Philly.”
“Great. I can speak with them when they arrive just in case they have any questions.”
“Can I see her?”
“She’s in ICU. Two people at a time can go in. You need to wear gowns, gloves and masks. I’ll be in touch. Don’t hesitate to call. I will be here until tomorrow morning.”
“When will she be taken out of the coma?”
“If all goes well, possibly tomorrow.”
“Thanks…Doc?”
“Yeah?”
“I can’t lose her.”
“I’ll try my damn hardest to make sure you don’t.”
“Somehow I believe you.”
“She’s in room 285.”
I went to the ICU floor and told the nurse I was there to see Joella. I washed my hands and put the appropriate dressings on. The sounds of the machines were frightening. She looked so helpless. She was strong-willed and determined, so it hurt to see her lying there this way.
I held her hand and put my head on the bed.
“I know you can’t hear me, but I miss you. I know you’re still here but I want to see your pretty smile. I want you to yell at me or give me the sideways glance. I want to kiss you and tell you how sexy you are. I want to fight with you in car dealerships. I’d rather do all that than have you lying here like this. Your family is on their way here. I hope you’re not mad. Everyone cares about you and wants you to pull through. I don’t know if this is too soon to say, but I love you. When I see you this feeling overtakes my heart.”
The nurse interrupted me, “Mr. Kirkpatrick, Joella’s family is here. They’re asking for you. They are in the waiting room.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll be back sweetie,” I said as I kissed her hand.
I was worn out and exhausted, but I needed to be strong for Joella.
I met her parents, sister and brother in law in the waiting room. They came in a hurry, so they left Sarah’s daughter Becky with Joella’s aunt.
They thanked me for everything and offered to pay me back. I told them not to worry and whatever they needed was on me.
So much has happened in so little time. My life has changed completely. My only wish is that I get through the next 2 days in one piece.
***
I refuse to leave the hospital until I know Joella is going to be okay. I have been here for twenty-four hours now. Joella’s family left a couple hours ago to get some sleep. They are traumatized and exhausted from traveling. I told them I would call them the minute she woke up.
The doctor’s took her off the medication a few hours ago. They said it depends on her when she wakes up. Her brain function looks good and her blood pressure is back up. They did warn me that they can’t
tell me when she will wake up. They said it could take hours, days, weeks, months. All I know is that however long it takes, I will still be here waiting.
The nurse came in the room to get me.
“Mr. Kirkpatrick, there is someone in the waiting room to see you.”
“Thanks Deborah.”
I walked down the hall to the waiting room. I felt do disconnected from the outside world. I just wanted to sit by her bed. I was afraid she would wake up and I would be gone. My heart was broken.
I turned in the room and it was like seeing a ghost. He is standing right before my eyes. It is so cryptic because I buried him, but come to find out it was an empty casket.
“I’m supposed to be the dead one,” Connor said standing up to greet me.
“The woman I love is fighting for her life and could possibly die for real.”
“I’m sorry, bro, for everything.”
“Sorry can’t change the fact that I cried nights for you… my baby brother gone. I loved you. I trusted you, but you didn’t trust me enough to tell me anything that was going on in your life. Then you go and fake your death. Did you care how Ma feels? She hasn’t been the same since. Does she know yet? Are you going to tell her?”
“I was hoping you can tell her first so she’s not in shock when she sees me.”
“She’s gonna be in shock either way. Why don’t you have Mike break the news, it hurts less,” I said sarcastically.
“I deserve that. Can you forgive me Bren? I didn’t want to hurt you, but I needed to do this to get my life together. Roxy was ruining it and she wasn’t even my girlfriend. She would come by the club and seduce me. She would give me gambling money and I ended up screwing her one night. One night was all it took and she owned my life and then she destroyed poor Billy’s”
“Well he’s a piece of shit too.”
“He’s really not.”
“I’ve seen him in action. Yes he is. Fuck him. Did you know Ma has Callie?’
“I heard. Jeremy told me.”
“So you’ve talked to him.”
“Yes. Roxy’s going away for a long time.”
“Thank Gawd. She can rot in hell for all I care.”
“I’m going to adopt Callie and take her back to Louisiana.”
“You’re going back? You’re going to come back into our lives and leave.”
Connor sat there in silence. I know I was angry, but I had every right to be. I love him so much and I lived in pain and agony for six years.
“Come here, man. Just come here.” I hugged him so tight. I didn’t want to let go. I was grateful to have this opportunity. I have to get past the hurt and live for the future. This made me think of Joella.
“I’ll always be there for you. You can trust me with anything. I always have your back, bro, always,” I said to him as I patted his back.
“I love you Bren. Oh and Mike said he’ll buy the club from you. I know you were only keeping it because of me. You’re not really the stripper bar type.”
“You think. I’ve been in agony. It’s his.”
“Great. What about Billy we have to get him out?”
“How can you defend him? He’s nuts.”
“He needs rehab. We can’t abandon him… he’s family,” Connor insisted.
“He covered your death for a stripper.”
“I’m not dead!!”
“He doesn’t know that.”
“I should go haunt him in the jail cell.”
“That would be fucking funny.”
We laughed together like old times. I was so happy to have my baby brother back.
As we were re-bonding the nurse came running into the room. “Mr. Kirkpatrick, come right away. It’s Joella.”
My mind started racing. Was she gone? Was she awake? I told Connor I had to go. I ran out of the room and down the hall to meet my destiny.
Chapter Twenty Three
Joella
I can hear muffled sounds. I can feel his touch. I’m trying to find my way back. My body is so relaxed. I can’t move right now. I hope he understands.
I dreamt of Roger. He took me in his arms and told me it was going to be okay. I asked him if I should continue on the force. He said he would watch over me. He also said it was time for me to re-open my heart and soul again. He kissed my cheek and told me to go back to my soul mate.
“Everything happens for a reason. The heart knows no boundaries,” he said.
“I miss you every day.” I said.
“I’m okay. You need to live your life.”
“I love you, Roger.”
“I’ll love you always!”
Then I woke up…
Chapter Twenty Four
Brendan
“What’s going on?”
“She’s showing signs of movement. She moved her fingers. Maybe if you talk to her… She can hear you,” the nurse said.
I ran to her bed side. I gave the nurse her mother’s cell phone number to call her family to come down to the hospital.
I intertwined our fingers together. Her fingers were so long and thin. They were beautiful just like her.
“Can you hear me, sweetie? Move your fingers if you can.”
Her fingers moved. I wanted to cry. This was a good sign. The nurse said to talk to her.
“I miss holding you. I wish I was really Superman right now because I would make you better.”
I knew she wasn’t going to jump up and talk to me, but I was hopeful. I know that she is a fighter and is probably thinking about her reports and closing the case. I laughed at the thought.
The nurse came in to take her vitals.
“How is she?’ I asked.
“Looking good.”
“How long does the medicine take to wear off?”
“Well, it depends on the person, but usually six hours. Think about if you were to have surgery and you were getting put to sleep, you would have a recovery period. Hers would be longer because she has so much more medicine in her than a normal surgery.”
“Thanks Deborah it helps.”
“If I had a cutie waiting for me, you better believe I’d be trying everything in my power to wake up.”
“Thanks, I needed that laugh.”
“You have to have faith.”
I put my head down on the bed and held her hand.
“Joella, come back to me please. I’m here waiting for you and so is everyone else.”
I just sat there for a while thinking. The nurse came back in.
“Brendan, her family is here.”
“Thanks, I’ll be right out.”
I made my way to the hallway. Just her mom and dad were here.
“How is she?” Joella’s mom asked me.
“She moved her fingers, which is a good sign.”
“I’m gonna go in the room and see her.”
“Let’s walk and talk,” Tom said. “I understand she is going to be moving in with you.”
“Yes, she agreed yesterday morning before the incident.”
“Do you love her?”
“Yes, I do.”
“I’m assuming you know our relationship with Joella has been sort of rough. She chose to run away instead of dealing with the issues. We didn’t want her to join the Police force. She did anyway. She was in law school and Roger convinced her to become a cop.”
“Mr. Soriano, knowing Joella, I don’t think anyone can convince her to do anything she doesn’t want to do and if she has to do it, she won’t be too happy.”
I thought about her having to become a stripper, dancing lessons and me buying her a car.
“We miss her very much, but we want her safe. We want her to move back to Philadelphia.”
“That’s not going to happen. Her life is here with me.”
“I understand that you think you love my daughter, but you live a dangerous life. You own a strip club and you got my daughter shot.”
“You don’t know anything about me. Do you know I donate my money to poor in
ner city kids? I feed the homeless during my holidays. I bring toys to the sick kids at hospitals. I don’t need to tell anybody what I do and I don’t need to explain myself to you. And by the way, I sold the club tonight and it was never really mine to being with. I was running it for my brother while he was away, and for the record, I do love Joella.”
Tom stood there silent. I know I snapped on him, but come on, don’t tell me who or what I am. I can see why Joella is angry with her family. They don’t understand her, or should I say choose to understand her.
“I can see you’re a good guy, but my daughter is not safe with you.”
“Listen, don’t tell me that she is not safe with me. I’m hurting enough. If I could switch places, I would. I wish I was the one who was shot, not her.
“Tuesday, she had a nightmare that I was shot. She woke up distraught.”
“This is out of control. I’m going to demand that she quits the force.”
Yeah, that’s gonna go over well. This guy is an asshole.
“You will not go in there upsetting her when she wakes up. I will have you thrown out so fast. Joella can make her own decisions. Why don’t you try loving her and listening to what she wants for a change. I’m going to see if she’s okay.”
“I’m sorry. I just need someone to blame,” he said. You’re right. When I received the call about Joella, my biggest fears came true since she started.”
“You have to let her decide, but going in there yelling and screaming isn’t going to make it better. I don’t want her to go back to work, but I can’t tell her what to do. I’ll talk to her, but she makes the ultimate decision. You need to just be there for her and support her.”
“I’m just scared she’s not going to wake up.”
“I’m scared too, but she’s determined. We will all get through this together.”
“I’m glad she met you. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. You’re hurting too. I know what that feels like. Come on let’s get back.”
The nurse sent Joella’s dad in with her mom. I sat in the chair outside the room thinking about her. I needed to go for a walk. I felt okay knowing she wasn’t alone. I decided to go to the chapel first and pray. I was an Irish Catholic and that is what we did in these types of situations. I also lit a candle for her. I stopped and picked up some coffee and donuts at the cafeteria. I brought them back up to the floor for the nurses and her parents.
