The Look of Love

by Crystal B. Bright

  “I knew he had a dream with this fighting thing. I thought if I told him and he came all the way home, he would resent me.” Eboni’s breath caught during her explanation. “Now he hates me.” This time, she sobbed. She felt like Gunnar had left her all over again. This time it hurt even more. This time he had asked her to marry him.

  “Give him time. Gunnar is reasonable. He can’t stay mad forever.”

  * * * *

  As the nurse had mentioned before, Gunnar remained in the hospital for a few more days receiving antibiotics and having his bandages changed daily. Like clockwork, both his mother and Eboni showed up to his room every day.

  Determined not to talk to either of them each time they visited, he sat in silence. Not these stubborn women. His mother could talk a blue streak anyway. With Gunnar offering no volleying conversation, his mother spoke about everything from how there were no good romantic comedies anymore to the reason she chose one red nail polish over a different red nail polish.

  When Eboni visited, he felt conflicted. He wanted to be angry with her. Too bad every time he saw her, his heart melted.

  “I know you’re angry at me. I wish you would talk to me,” she said as she sat in a chair next to him. “Fine. You don’t want to talk? I’ll do all the talking. When I found out I was pregnant, you were the first person I wanted to tell. I must have picked up the phone to call you about a hundred times. Each time, I stopped myself and I would run different scenarios in my head.” She crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair. “In one scenario, you come rushing back home to be with me. I carry to term with you by my side the entire time, because Queen Elizabeth’s boys would always do the right thing. Then a year or two down the road, you hate me for making you feel trapped.”

  That statement got Gunnar to glance at her. He almost opened his mouth to refute her claims but remained quiet. He would have dug ditches if it meant being a family. Didn’t she know that?

  “In the other scenario, you come running back home to me to be by my side. I lose the baby like I did for real. But since you gave up your training, they refuse to take you back. So, again, you’re stuck at home with me. Third scenario, I tell you I’m pregnant and you tell me you don’t care. You accuse me of trying to use the baby to get money from you.”

  Gunnar balled his hands into fists. No way did Eboni think he could treat her that cruelly. Then again, he had refused to talk to her since finding out her news. She had been partially right.

  Eboni turned her head. “As you can see in every scenario, it doesn’t end up great for me.”

  “You forgot one scenario.”

  Eboni wiped under her eyes and regarded him. She didn’t speak. She waited for him to share his thoughts.

  “You tell me as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. I do come home to be with you and I beg you to marry me and come with me back to Vegas. I take care of you and our child. I treat you like a queen. We live happily ever after. You ever think of that one?”

  Eboni wiped her nose. “No. You know why? It means I would leave my family. I would leave my home.”

  Gunnar nodded. “Fine. Stay here with these people.” He lowered his bed and swung his legs over the side.

  “What are you doing?” Eboni stood.

  “I have to walk around.” He unplugged his IV unit from the wall socket and slipped on another hospital gown to cover his exposed backside.

  “I’ll walk with you.” She headed to the door to open it.

  “I don’t need help.” Gunnar took careful steps toward the hospital hallway.

  “And I wasn’t asking.” Eboni threw her shoulders back as she waited for him to walk by her.

  Before he could take a step, his hospital room door opened. Gunnar stared at two official-looking men who didn’t look like they worked in the hospital. Eboni moved back from Gunnar’s bed.

  “Mr. Wells, good to see you up.” The first man, a tall, authoritative figure with a buzz cut and a wide jaw, approached him and put out his hand. “Detective Murphy, in case you don’t remember.” He turned to his partner, a shorter, stockier man. “This is Detective Stiller.”

  The other man shook Gunnar’s hand.

  “Good to see you again,” Stiller said.

  Gunnar nodded and regarded both men. “You said you’ve met me already?”

  Murphy nodded. “We tried talking to you the first night you arrived to the hospital. Unfortunately, you were so drugged up that you didn’t make much sense.”

  “You asked about Ms. Danielson a lot. You wanted to make sure she was okay,” Stiller said and nodded toward Eboni.

  Gunnar didn’t remember asking about Eboni that night, but he couldn’t imagine that he would want her placed in harm’s way. Watching out for her well-being sounded like something he would have wanted. He still couldn’t look at her though.

  “How can I help you?” Gunnar asked.

  Both men opened notepads and poised their pens over them.

  “We need you to walk us through what happened that night,” Stiller began. “The good news is that we know you weren’t trying to commit suicide.” He turned to Eboni. “And we’ve ruled out Ms. Danielson as the perpetrator.”

  Gunnar glanced at her. “What do you mean?”

  “We tested her hands for gunshot residue, and we questioned her that night. You two were the only ones in a closed business. It’s suspicious. We wanted to make sure she hadn’t come after you or hired someone to harm you.”

  Gunnar’s jaw flexed as he ground his teeth.

  “Eboni wouldn’t do anything like that. She’s a good person.” Gunnar connected his stare to hers for a millisecond before he looked away.

  No matter what, Gunnar knew Eboni couldn’t harm him. So why couldn’t he look at her for more than a second? Why did his heart still hurt?

  “Don’t involve her or my mother in this investigation. My mother is about to have major heart surgery. I don’t want her stressed.” Gunnar put his hand to his side when the painful throbbing in his wound got to be too much.

  On some levels, Gunnar felt he deserved the pain. He’d put his family and Eboni through a lot.

  “We’ll try.” Murphy nodded. “So that night, run us through the chain of events, please.”

  Gunnar released a long breath. “My phone is set up to get the security alarms at the salon. Super Bowl night, right before kickoff, I got a message that there was an alarm at the salon. I went down to check it out.”

  “Alone?” Stiller asked.

  Gunnar nodded. “I assumed it was nothing. My family was having a party at the house to watch the Wolves go against the Sharks.”

  “Congratulations on your brother’s win.” Murphy patted Gunnar on his shoulder.

  Gunnar managed a slight smile before continuing with his story. “I came through the back door. I turned off the alarm in the main area of the salon so that I could walk around and not set anything off.”

  “But you kept it engaged for the front door and back door?”

  Gunnar shook his head. “Just the front door.” He put out his hand in front of him. “I pulled back the curtain that separates the back from the main salon. I saw the barrel of a gun. I would say it was a .22.”

  The two men started scribbling something in their notepads.

  “I continued opening the curtain until I could see a person. Whoever it was wore a black hoodie over his or her head.”

  “You think it might be a woman?” Stiller asked.

  “The shooter was about five-foot-four or so. Slight frame. It could be a short man or a woman. I didn’t see a face. The person wore black baggy jeans. The sneakers were black. I told the shooter not to shoot. That’s when the shot sounded and he ran. Or she.”

  Murphy crossed his arms over his chest. “Okay, this is where it gets interesting, Mr. Wells. You’re saying you got shot in the back-room area, right?”

  Gunnar nodded.

  “So how did you end up in the of
fice? I sincerely doubt Ms. Danielson is strong enough to drag you there. What did you do right after getting shot?”

  Gunnar glared at the detective. “The shooter ran out the front door. I heard the alarm for it going off. I--I, uh, really don’t remember much after that.” He glanced at Eboni. “I remember hearing her screaming.”

  “So you don’t remember stumbling to the office?” Stiller pressed.

  Gunnar shook his head. “No.”

  “So you don’t remember tampering with the security camera?” Stiller pulled out his phone, tapped his fingertip over the screen, and showed Gunnar an image. “We found your bloody fingerprints on the keyboard. Coincidentally we found about an hour’s worth of video erased.”

  Gunnar regarded the shorter African-American man who shown him the picture of a computer keyboard covered in blood. “I’m sure I was trying to preserve the information. Why would I erase it?”

  Gunnar wouldn’t admit why he’d done what he did that night, not until he did his own investigation. He knew how the justice system worked. He’d been through it enough in his lifetime. When he got what he needed, he would involve the police. Not right now.

  “That’s what we wanted to know.” Murphy moved in closer to Gunnar. “We checked out your past. The tattoo on the back of your head confirms a lot.”

  Gunnar didn’t move. He felt like a powerless teenager again, getting labeled for how he looked.

  “Are you back to your old habits, Mr. Wells?” Murphy asked.

  “Getting the band back together?” Stiller seconded.

  “I’m getting the tattoo removed. I can tell you the doctor I went to and show you that I’ve already gone through one session. That tattoo is a part of my past. I have done nothing but work in my mother’s salon and looked after her since coming back to town.” Gunnar tried to keep the level of frustration from his voice but couldn’t mask it that well.

  “You know, there hasn’t been an incident of theft, vandalism, or assault with any kind of weapon in that area of the city until you showed up.” Murphy stared at Gunnar.

  Gunnar, a fighter, stared right back at him without blinking. The stance reminded him of how he would react in every fight, determined yet guarded. Neither one planned on surrendering.

  “Hey, come on. Gunnar has helped as much as he can.” Eboni, just like when Gunnar had squared off against Shay’s boyfriend, tried intervening between Gunnar and this detective. “I’m sure if he knew anything he would tell you.”

  Gunnar did know something that he didn’t want to reveal yet. He’d seen a revealing piece of evidence that would identify the shooter. He had a suspicion of who to go after first.

  “If you remember anything”--Stiller reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a business card--“give us a call.” He handed it to Gunnar. “We want to help catch the person who could have killed you.”

  Gunnar accepted the card and glared at both men as they exited his room. With both men gone, he threw the card on his meal tray and stood again. Gunnar wanted to walk now to clear his head. From the way Eboni stepped up next to him, he could tell she wouldn’t let him do that alone.

  If he was honest with himself, he would admit that he liked her company. Her soothing aroma lulled him into a peaceful state as he shuffled down the hall.

  They walked in silence around the hospital hallways. A few of the guys who recognized Gunnar gave him a high five as they passed him. Some of the women smiled as they looked at him.

  During their silent walk, Gunnar’s hand brushed against Eboni’s. He glanced at her and she stared at him. To rectify the situation, he moved the IV stand to the other side of himself to put a barrier between him and Eboni.

  He had battled opponents in the ring that didn’t make him feel as uncomfortable as being with Eboni.

  “Who are you protecting this time?” Eboni asked.

  Gunnar knew what she meant. He couldn’t look at her or respond.

  “You can hate me as much as you want, Gunny.” Eboni’s strong voice echoed down the hall. “I will always love you. Even after this we end up just being friends, I’ll take that. You asked me to marry you. I know you care about me.”

  Gunnar couldn’t say anything. If he opened his mouth, he would confess that he wanted her in his life. Even though both she and his mother had lied to him by keeping secrets.

  By the time he got back to his room, he wanted to tell her his true feelings. He loved her. He wanted her in his life again. He needed some time to heal. Maybe going back home for a short while will help clear his head.

  It shocked him to see Chuck next to Gunnar’s doctor.

  “Great. You’re up and walking around. Awesome.” Chuck clapped. “I think the doc here has some good news for you. Tell him, Doc.”

  “You’re going to be discharged today. The nurse will be in soon with your discharge instructions, like no heavy lifting for six to eight weeks, watch your diet, and walk every day. Your bandages will need to be changed daily. We can arrange for a home health nurse to come do that.”

  “If properly trained, can a family member or loved one do it?” Eboni offered.

  “Certainly. I can have a nurse come in and show you.” The doctor typed some information on a computer in the room.

  “That’s not necessary. I’ll be flying home to Vegas soon.” Gunnar went to the closet and pulled out a white paper bag that contained his personal items.

  “You shouldn’t fly right now.”

  “I didn’t hear the word can’t in that statement,” Chuck said, beaming.

  Gunnar hated Chuck for loving this so much.

  “Gunnar, don’t do this.” Eboni tried making eye contact with him, but he kept his gaze averted.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to tell everyone good-bye.”

  Eboni shook her head and walked out of the room.

  “That’s the Gunnar Wells I remember. Get that fight back in you.” Chuck slapped Gunnar on his back.

  Yes, as soon as he could get away from the East Coast, things would start to make sense for him. Maybe he could learn to push Eboni out of his thoughts again.

  “I’ll be sure to prescribe you some pain meds to take when you’re home,” the doctor said while keeping his gaze on the computer screen.

  “No, I’ll deal with the pain.” Concentrating on something other than Eboni may help him deal with the heartache.

  Chapter 19

  Eboni sat at her kitchen table determined not to cry again. She’d cried herself to sleep every night since the night of Gunnar’s shooting. Occupying her time at the center every day did little to help her forget the pain she’d caused Gunnar. It made her wonder if when he’d first left to go to Vegas, had he felt this guilt-ridden, this torn, this hollow?

  She barely heard her aunt coming into the room until she sat at the table across from her.

  “Hey, Aunt Bettie. You ready for lunch?” Eboni sprang to her feet.

  “Sit down, baby. We need to talk.” Her aunt patted her hand on the table.

  “Okay. What is it?”

  “I know your lease is up at the end of the month.”

  Eboni nodded. “Yes, I’ve been checking out nice two-bedroom apartments closer to your doctor offices. I think I found one that’s reasonable.”

  Her aunt shook her head. “Don’t look for a place with me in mind.”

  “What? Of course I am. You’re my family.” Eboni reached across the table and held her hand.

  She’d already lost Gunnar. She couldn’t take losing another family member.

  “Baby, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. But it’s time you let me go.” Her aunt smiled as she delivered this news.

  “No. You helped raised me. You’re important to me.”

  “And I get that. You are my world. I love you like my own. But I’m not that ill, not so incapacitated that you need to take care of me. I haven’t been for quite some time. For that reason, I’ve been checking
out some places on my own.” She reached in her robe pocket and pulled out a brochure. “I’ve secured a condo space in this independent-living facility. They have a shuttle that can take me to my doctor’s appointments. Plus, I’ll be around other people. When you go to work, it’s just Craig and whatever stupid girl he brings here. He doesn’t talk to me. He’s interested in eating, watching TV, and doing things young men do with women with loose morals.”

  Eboni smiled. “I like taking care of you.”

  “I know you do. But you need to start taking care of yourself. You’re using me to keep from spreading your wings. I’m telling you it’s okay for you to go. I’ll be fine. You’ll always have my number and you can visit me, but just call me first. I might be entertaining.” Her aunt gave her a saucy wink.

  Eboni laughed.

  “Yep, as soon as I get settled, I’ll be going on a cruise. I can’t wait.”

  As soon as her aunt shared that news, Eboni realized that not only had she held herself back, she had restricted her aunt as well. She’d never figured that her aunt would want to go out and meet other people her age.

  “What about Craig?” Eboni asked.

  “He needs to grow up and get him a job and take care of himself.” Aunt Bettie stood. “But you take care of yourself. You’ll find that things will work out on their own.”

  Eboni stood and kissed her aunt on her cheek. “Thank you.”

  “No. Thank you. You treated me better than my own kids. I’ll always be grateful for that.”

  Eboni glanced at her watch. “I need to go to the center. I’ll see you later.”

  With permission from her aunt to live her life, Eboni felt a burden lifted from her shoulders. If she could be assured that the center would be okay, she would happy. No, she would be happy if she had Gunnar back in her life.

  Since the doctor discharged him two days ago, she hadn’t seen or heard from him. Each day, Eboni walked around with a void in her heart. It only beat out of necessity. If it stopped, she would be okay. Who needed a heart when the love of her life had walked away from her? She had put herself out there for him. The next step had to be his.