by Maggie Way
Bennett chuckled and kissed her quiet.
“You’re going to be an amazing mother. Trust me.”
She wished, not for the first time, that she had his confidence and hope. Maybe now that they were married some of his unabashed optimism might rub off on her.
Maybe…
Chapter Thirteen
St. Paul’s Methodist Church
September 11, 2001
2:15 PM
Jolene snuck off to the ladies room to go to the bathroom and get a moment alone with her own thoughts again. As the door closed behind her she jumped at the sound of a radio. Bennett’s aunt Millie sat on the floor with a portable AM/FM playing.
“Moments ago, in a press conference with New York’s Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, reported that the number of casualties in this tragedy are more than any of us can bear. President Bush released a statement saying, ‘freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward and freedom will be defended.’ He also said that the United States will ‘hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.’"
“Jo-Jo…” She turned off the radio and rose to her feet. “I’m sorry. I just needed to know what was going on. None of this makes any sense. I can’t stop thinking about you shipping out when there are terrorist groups out to get Americans.” She sniffed back some tears and wrapped her arms around herself. “They were talking on the radio about bomb threats and the tunnels that run under downtown. Someone reported that one of the entrances had some suspicious looking object outside one of the entrances. What if a terrorist tries to blow up Austin?”
“I’ll be okay, Aunt Millie. We all will be okay. And don’t worry about the tunnels anyways. They’re all closed off and I’m sure it’s some kid thinking they are funny.”
Even as she tried to reassure her aunt-in-law, she couldn’t help but start to worry herself. She recalled the police cars lined up around the capital. What if something happened here? What if it happened while she was gone? Or what if something happened to her ship? Her anxiety started to spiral. She squeezed her fist and tried to ground herself.
“I suppose you’re right. I’d better go back out there and maybe get some coffee. I only had one cup today if you can believe that.”
“Good idea. I’m just going to freshen up a little and then I’ll head back out and join you.”
Aunt Millie kissed her cheek and turned to walk out. As soon as the door closed she clutched the sink and took a deep breath trying to calm herself. Her anxiety seemed to be getting worse lately. Maybe something to do with her pregnancy. Either way, she felt like every nerve ending in her body was on fire.
The door to the bathroom swung open--nearly giving her a heart attack. Mary ducked in and leaned against the door closing it shut. As soon as their eyes locked, Mary turned to leave.
“Don’t go!” She reached out to stop her. “Please!”
Mary paused with her hand on the door knob. “I don’t have anything to say to you.”
Jolene dropped her hand and gripped the sink, catching Mary’s eye through their reflections in the mirror.
“Well maybe I have something I want to say to you.”
Mary let go of the doorknob and turned to face her with arms across her chest. Jolene leaned back against the sink. Now that she had her friend’s attention, all rational words left her mind leaving her clueless as to what to say to make things right between them. After an elongated pause, Mary turned to leave again.
“Wait. No, don’t go.” Jolene stepped forward to touch her friend’s arm. “I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about.”
“Look, you have every right to not tell me what’s going on in your love life. And yes, I guess sometimes the choices you make aren’t ones I would make, but I don’t think less of you or anything.”
“Oh well, how generous of you. It’s a good thing you don’t think less of me.”
“Mary! That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
“I am so tired of your self-righteous bullshit.”
“You’re just trying to make me mad, but it’s not going to work.”
A silence fell between them so all she heard was the drip of the faucet beside them. Despite her desire to fight it out and make the situation work for everyone she couldn’t help but be tired. They would be shipping out in a few hours.
“Look, we’ve been friends since grade school. I don’t want to lose you now.” Jolene started to walk over to Mary, but her friend’s body stiffened. “Please, Mary. I don’t want to fight with you.”
“I don’t want to fight with you either.”
“See we’re already agreeing on something.”
“I also don’t want you butting in and trying to control my life either,” Mary said.
“I’m sorry,” Jolene leaned against the back of the sink closest to Mary but didn’t try and touch her friend, even though all she wanted to do was hug her. “I promise I will do more listening and less meddling in the future.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you want to talk about the baby?”
Mary let out a slow breath through her nose and let her shoulders relax a little. “I’m trying not to think about it too much. My commanding officer is gonna be pissed…and this business with the terrorist... There are cops all over the place a few blocks from here. Apparently, someone called in a bomb threat.” Mary rubbed her temples and closed her eyes. “They might evacuate the church.”
“What?”
“I went for a walk and got the bums rush by the police. They seem to be moving their perimeter. The entrance to the tunnel, where the bomb threat was called in is by the church parking lot.”
“Are we in danger?”
“I don’t know.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’ve got a splitting headache.” Mary dabbed her nose with the tissue she held balled up in her fist. Jolene could see blood stains and noticed the skin under her friend’s nose was red.
“Are you getting nosebleeds today?”
Mary glanced down at the tissue. “Yeah, I guess it’s dry in here with the pumped-in air.”
“Are you having any chest pains? Increased anxiety?”
“Yeah...”
“I think we need to get you to the hospital. It sounds like your blood pressure may be high.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“Both your parents suffer from high blood pressure, right?”
“Well yeah. The doctor put me one some pills the last time I went in but when I got pregnant I didn’t know if I could still take them.”
Before their fight, she would have chastised her for not letting her know about the blood pressure medication or even yelled at her for stopping the pills on her own or not calling the doctor. She knew her friend didn’t need to be mothered, but she slipped into that role so effortlessly. So instead she took a deep breath and chose her words carefully.
“I know you don’t want me telling you what to do, but I’m really concerned right now. You don’t look so good and…”
“I’m pregnant.”
Jolene nodded. “Please Mary, humor me this once.”
“Damn, you’re bossy.”
“And don’t you forget it.” Jolene pulled out her cell and called 911 and gave them the details. When she hung up her friend looked even more sickly.
“Do we really need an ambulance?”
Jolene held up her finger and hushed her friend. “Yes, and don’t argue with me.”
Jolene wrapped her arm around her friend and ushered her out of the bathroom and sat her down on a folding chair at an empty table. Bennett came right over to them with a look of concern. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
“Mary might be going into a hypertensive crisis. I called an ambulance. They’re going to be here soon.”
“What?” Bennett looked over at Mary, who clutched her chest and winced in pain. “Is she going to be okay?”
“I don’t know, but I
’m going to the hospital with her.”
“I’ll drive you. I don’t want to spend our last few hours apart.”
Jolene gave him a quick kiss. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Bennett smile and pulled her in for another kiss. “Mmm...I love you.” He let her go and gave her a small smile. “I’ll go wait out in the parking lot for the ambulance.”
Jolene watched him walk away. Her heart was full of love and gratitude for her husband. A few moments later the doors to the hall busted open and several uniformed police officers charged inside. “Excuse me folks but we’re going to have to ask you to calmly get your things and leave this vicinity as quickly as possible.” He scanned the room and let out a sigh. “There’s been a bomb threat.”
A loud thump startled Jolene and she turned to see Mary slumped over on the floor. “Mary!”
Chapter Fourteen
St. Paul’s Methodist Church
September 11, 2001
2:30 PM
“Mary, wake up, Mary.” Jolene tapped her friend’s cheeks, pleading with her to open her eyes.
Will rushed over to them and dropped down to his haunches. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
“I think her blood pressure is too high. I called an ambulance. They should be here soon.”
“Jo! Look.” Will pulled at the back of Mary’s dress and showed her a red spot on the back of the thin skirt. “She’s bleeding.”
Jolene sucked in a quick breath. “The ambulance should be here any second. I’m sure she’ll be just fine.”
“Excuse me folks, but I really do need you to get moving,” One of the police officers, dressed in body armor, tapped Jolene on the shoulder.
Jolene looked around and noticed that everyone else was filing out of the room, which seemed to buzz with electricity. She didn’t think it would be wise to move Mary, but what if there was a bomb?
“Ma’am, I don’t want to have to ask you again. You need to leave this area immediately.”
“Look, pal. An ambulance is on its way here. We’ll all leave when it gets here. I’m not going to risk the life of my baby and her mother just so you can sleep sound at night.” Will’s face turned purple and he looked at the officer through the narrow slits of his eyes.
From the floor, Mary started to stir and Will’s attention returned to her. “Hey, don’t move. Help’s coming, baby. Jo-Jo and I are here. It’s going to be okay. It’s gonna be okay.”
His anxious, repetitive tone set Jolene on edge. When a set of hands grabbed her from behind she screamed. She glanced back to see the police officer. Apparently, he was done talking because he started to drag Jolene back.
“Hey, you can’t do that!” Will jumped to his feet and started for Jolene. He didn’t get far. Another officer grabbed him and pulled him towards the exit. Will thrashed at the officer, but he was no match for the man, who looked to have a good hundred pounds on him.
As they were dragged out, Jolene caught a glimpse of another officer picking up Mary and carrying her. Will screamed. “Put her down. She needs to go to the hospital.”
The officer holding Will yanked him hard. “She’s gonna be fine bud. The ambulance is right here. We just need you ya’ll to clear this place now. It’s for your own good. Your woman isn’t gonna get hurt. We’re here to help you.”
The man’s comforting words seemed to bounce off Will, who continued to pull and kick to no avail. Jolene relaxed and let the officer take her by the arm to the row of vehicles in the back parking lot. Once her captor realized she wasn’t fighting he loosened his grip on her. They walked at a fast clip away from the church and the adjoining hall. “We’ve got a cruiser that can take you to the hospital where the ambulance is taking your friend.”
“Calm down buddy or I’m going to have to arrest you.” The officer tightened his hold on Will and grit his teeth. His patience was obviously wearing thin and she couldn’t blame him.
“Will, she’s going to be okay. Please calm down. Mary needs you to not get arrested right now. Okay?”
Will glanced over at Jolene and took a deep breath. “She’s bleeding, Jo.”
“I know. I know. And that’s super scary, but you need to be strong for her right now. Okay?”
Will nodded. His breathing started to slow and he stopped pulling on the officer to break loose. The poor policeman sighed and gave her a short nod of thanks. Jo reached for Will and they climbed into the back of the cruiser. As the door swung shut she realized she didn’t know where Bennett was. “Will, do you have your phone on you? My bag is back at the church. I need to call Bennie and tell him what’s going on.”
Will finished his cellphone out of his pocket and tossed it over to her. She pulled up his number and called. The phone rang several times and went to voicemail. “Hey babe, it’s me. In all the commotion, I lost you. Will and I are in the back of a police cruiser. They are going to take us to the hospital that Mary’s at. Call us back when you get this message. I left my bag behind at the church. Can this day get any crazier? Please call me back as soon as possible. I love you. Bye.”
Jolene ended the call and handed back the phone. She didn’t want to upset Will any further, so she didn’t voice her own fears about Mary’s well-being, the bomb squad that crashed her wedding party and the current unknown whereabouts of her husband. She kept it all to herself, and instead stared out the window.
A uniformed officer stepped inside and started the car. “Officer Pendelton. I’ll be taking you folks to St. John’s Hospital. The EMT’s said your friend’s blood pressure is pretty high, but I’m sure she’ll be just fine.” The officer drove down an empty street a few blocks away from the Capital. “My sister had high blood pressure when she was pregnant—every time. Three kids and all are well. So don’t you worry.”
Will stared out of his window. She could see the faint reflection of his face in the glass. His tie dangled around his neck and the first couple buttons of his shirt lay open. His hair looked mussed like he’d been sleeping on it and his eyes were lined with dark circles.
The officer looked at them through the rearview window. “What a day to be married on, eh?”
Jolene met his gaze and tried to give him a polite smile. “Yeah.”
They pulled up into the ambulance bay and the officer threw the car into park and opened their doors for them to get out. “I hope your friend is alright. Congratulations on your marriage. You two look like a happy couple.”
Will glanced at Jolene and a small smile cracked across his solemn looking face. A small laugh gurgled up her throat and erupted. The officer shook his head, got back into his car, and left. Will started to laugh. A deep heaving laughter that made him double over. But the laughter soon turned to tears and Jolene wrapped her arm around him. “Come on, let's go see about our gal.”
Chapter Fifteen
St. John’s Hospital
September 11, 2001
4:00 PM
Jolene tried Bennett’s cell again, but it went straight to voicemail now. It must be dead. Great. She started to pace back and forth on the sidewalk outside of the hospital. Where could her husband be? Like always her thoughts went to him being dead in a ditch. She tried to fight the irrational tape of thoughts playing in her mind, but she couldn’t.
A huge pea green car came barreling through the parking lot and slammed on its breaks a few yards away from where Jolene stood. With the car still running the driver’s door popped open and out stepped Bennett. Jolene ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. “You found me.”
“I was worried I never would. The police caught me in the parking lot and started to hassle me. For a second I thought they might arrest me. But in the end, one of them listened to me. But by then the hall had been cleared and you were gone. No one knew where you were and then my phone died. Finally, one of the officers, I guess the one that took you here, told me. I borrowed Uncle Gerald’s car to get here. He still keeps a spare key under the car.”
Jolene cuppe
d his cheeks and kissed him hard. She didn’t feel like talking anymore. For now, she needed to feel him close and know she wasn’t alone in all of this. Bennett groaned and lifted her off the ground with his hands on her ass holding her in place. After a few minutes, he loosened his grip and let her slide down the front of him. But he didn’t stop there. He pressed her up against the pole of the portico outside the ER. His hot mouth seared the flesh of her neck and shoulder as he pawed at her dress--grabbing a handful of her breast. He smelled like smoke and musk. She broke the kiss and stared him down. “Bennett Brown, have you been smoking?”
Bennett tightened his hold on her and pressed his pelvis against her. “Yes. But only one. I promise.”
Jolene groaned. “You promised me you would never smoke again.”
“I know. I know. I haven’t smoked in over a year, but today...after the stuff with the planes, the bomb squad and then I couldn’t find you...A couple of the cops were smoking and I guess they felt bad for how they treated me and offered me a smoke. It won't happen again. I promise.”
Jolene narrowed her eyes at him in mock disappointment. “It better not!”
Bennett bent down and let his lips brush against hers. He cupped the back of her head, tilting it up towards him. He deepened the kiss and she trembled against him. They needed to get a room and quick. She broke the kiss and pressed his chest to put some space between them. “Are we checked in at the hotel?”
Bennett laughed and charged towards her closing the distance between them again. “Yes, but I thought I might check in on Mary and Will first.”
“Go on up ahead. I’ll park the car somewhere close by.”
Bennett tossed her the keys and gave her a wink. He disappeared behind the automatic double doors. She quickly parked the car and made her way back into the hospital to Mary’s private room. She peeked her head inside and found the three most important people in her life in the middle of a conversation.