"Well, maybe I need to try it out sometime."
Vivian walked over and sat down. "Antonio doesn't know it yet, but I'm getting one of those in our house. Every inch of my body feels like it had a massage. So, what'd I miss?"
Marietta pointed to the empty wine bottle. "Eleanor got thirsty."
"Damn, girl. I wasn't gone that long." Vivian popped a chip covered in dip into her mouth.
"It was half empty when I started."
"You girls want to watch a movie?" Marietta asked. "I'm about done cleaning up Vivian's milkshake snafu over here."
"Sure," Eleanor said, yawning. "But I might not make it through the whole thing."
"Lady, I hope it puts you to sleep," Vivian said. "You look like you haven't slept a night in a year."
"Gee, thanks." Eleanor sniffed.
Vivian's expression turned sad. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to hurt your feelings. I'm just worried about you."
"We are all worried about each other," Marietta said. "So, let's go watch some stupid comedy flick."
Two hours later, Marietta and Vivian left and Eleanor climbed the stairs to her bedroom. The king-sized bed looked so large and cold, she almost grabbed her pillow and went back downstairs to the couch. The only reason she didn't was because the sheets still held a tiny bit of Gary's familiar scent and she wanted that comfort for as long as possible before it faded away forever.
Changing into one of Gary's tee shirts that she saved from the big clean out, Eleanor climbed into bed and hugged his pillow to her chest. "I miss you so much," she whispered into the darkness. She closed her eyes and let the tears fall silently as she breathed deep, wrapping herself in the last remaining bit she had of her husband.
Chapter Sixteen
Vivian
"Antonio! You got mail! It looks official!" Vivian kicked the front door shut behind her, balancing the stack of mail along with the grocery bags she carried.
"Just leave it on the table," Antonio called back from the family room.
Vivian ignored him, carrying the letter to where he sat and handing it to him. She perched on the arm of his chair, waiting to see what it said.
He scowled at her. "I said to leave it. I don't want to look at it."
"Fine. Then I'll open it." She grabbed at the envelope but Antonio was quicker, holding it out of her reach.
He tore open the envelope and read the piece of paper inside. "Apparently, I was called up for jury duty but given the active case I was recently involved in, they've decided to excuse me from it to avoid a conflict of interest. What the hell is that supposed to mean? I'm not a defendant."
"The shooting has been big news around here. Your name has been in every paper and on every news channel. Maybe they are just being nice and giving you a break?"
"Maybe." He tossed the paper to the floor. "Fuck them. I hate jury duty anyway. Tony got a game tonight?" Antonio asked, flipping through television channels with the remote and changing the subject. She let him. They'd had enough disagreements lately. This point wasn't worth arguing.
"I'm not sure. I'll text him. Hold on."
Vivian took out her phone and typed a message to Tony. Do you have a game tonight?
A reply came almost instantly. 6:30 Home.
"He's got a home game at six thirty. Do you want to go?" Vivian asked.
Antonio frowned "I don't know. Does he even want me there?"
"I think he does. Just don't start any fights tonight."
"Hey!" Antonio shot her an angry look. "That wasn't my fault. That loud mouthed bully should have minded his own business."
Vivian slid down to Antonio's lap and leaned her head against his chest. "Maybe so. But you didn't have to react the way that you did either."
She felt him shrug. "I suppose." He leaned in and kissed the top of her head. "I've been a real asshole lately, haven't I?"
"That's a strong word, but I'd say it fits." Vivian winked at him.
Antonio raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "I called the counselor today."
She sat back and looked at him. "I know how hard that was for you."
"It was even harder to get in the car and drive there."
"You already had an appointment today?"
He nodded. "Yeah. As soon as I told them who I was and why I called, they fit me in right away. I swear they were waiting for me. It wasn't nearly as bad as I expected."
Vivian planted a kiss on his lips. "I'm so proud of you."
"I know it didn't fix everything yet but she helped me understand some of the things I am feeling and to recognize what an ass I've been."
"I imagine it will take time to work through all of it but I'm so proud of you for taking that first step."
"Beth—that's the counselor's name—says it will take a while. Especially the guilt."
Vivian leaned her head on his shoulder. "I've got your back the whole way."
"I know you do, babe, and I don't have the words to tell you how much I appreciate you."
They front door opened and then it slammed shut. "Mom! You home?"
"In the family room!" she called back.
Tony appeared in the doorway. "Oh, hey Dad. Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt."
Vivian stood up and straightened her clothes. "We were just talking. I'm going to go get dinner started. I think your dad wanted to talk to you for a minute."
She walked toward the kitchen but stopped in the hallway just out of sight of her son and husband so she could listen.
Antonio took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. He did that when he was nervous and wanted to buy himself time to get his thoughts together. It had been his pattern since as long as Vivian had known him.
"Dad, I got homework to do before my game."
"Just give me a minute," Antonio replied.
"Okay."
"I wanted to say I'm sorry. I know life around here has been hard for the last month or so but I wanted you to know that I'm working on it. The drinking—everything. I'm just sorry. I can't promise you I'm going to be perfect but I called someone today and I'm—working through things. Being human means I don't always have all the answers, you know? Sometimes I have to have a little help."
"I don't expect you to be perfect. I just want you to be my dad."
"I know, son. I'm sorry about the fight at your game. I let my temper get the best of me but I'm working on that too."
The two of them were quiet for so long, Vivian started to worry. Antonio was still sensitive and he'd totally lose it on Tony if he thought Tony didn't take him seriously.
"I'm so glad to hear that, Dad," Tony finally said. "It has been hard. Really hard. Even worse at school."
"I really am sorry about the fight at your game. It won't ever happen again."
"I appreciate that. Unfortunately, there's more to it than that. Kids are saying things about you. About Mr. Gary."
"They do know that we are the good guys, right? That the bad guy is the one that pulled the trigger and killed my best friend?"
"I don't know. All I hear is cops suck and cops act first and think second. I have had people tell me Mr. Gary deserved what he got and that all cops deserve to be put down like dogs. It's been real bad, Dad."
"Why didn't you tell me? I would have done something about it."
Tony let out a long breath. "Because you can't beat up everyone you disagree with."
"Why not?" Antonio asked, laughing. "I'm right. They are wrong."
"Because, that's not how it works. Besides, I can handle it myself. I don't care what anyone thinks. My father is a hero."
She peeked around the corner and saw them hugging each other. With a smile, Vivian turned and headed to the kitchen to make dinner. They were one step closer to peace in their home once more.
Two hours later they sat in the stands, waiting for the game to start.
"Looks like the coach is talking to some college scouts," Antonio said.
"Tony said he thought there might be some here again tonight."
&n
bsp; Antonio shook his head. "All the games I've missed over the years—I had no idea how good he'd gotten until that last game."
Vivian lightly squeezed his hand. "We've got a real good kid. Did you know his teacher asked him to help her organize the fundraiser in Gary's name for a local charity?"
Antonio looked surprised. "From that meeting he went to? Is he going to do it?"
She nodded. "He met with her again last week. They are going to do a bunch of things at school to raise money and then present it to the charity of Eleanor's choice. He asked me to take him to her house after school tomorrow so he can tell her all about it. Oh, and I believe they are setting up a scholarship in his name too."
"You're right, he is a really good kid."
The buzzer sounded and the game started. Tony got possession of the ball quickly, scoring within a minute or two of the game. That set the tone for the rest of the team. Basket after basket, the ball never seemed to leave his team's control. By the time the game ended, Vivian was hoarse from cheering and yelling Tony's name.
"That's my son!" Antonio called when the announcer said Tony's name.
"He played so well," the woman behind them said. "I bet every recruiter in the state is going to be contacting him now."
"Thank you," Vivian replied. "We are very proud of him."
Both teams left the floor and headed to their locker rooms. Antonio motioned toward the exit. "Come on, let's wait in the hall for him."
"No need. He's going out for pizza with the rest of the team. One of the guys is giving him a ride." Vivian put on her coat and buttoned it all the way up.
"Oh." Antonio looked a little disappointed. "Well, I'm hungry too. Want to stop and grab something on the way home?"
"Sure. What're you thinking?" Vivian followed Antonio out of the bleachers and across the gym floor.
"I could eat a burger. Or some wings." Antonio said.
"Wings sound good."
Tony was standing in the hallway when they exited the gym. "Hey, guys! Some game, huh?"
Vivian hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "You were amazing!"
"Great game, son. Your mom's right, you were amazing."
"Thanks, Dad. I've gotta run. Coach has someone he wants me to meet. Don't forget I'm going out with the guys."
Vivian gave him another hug. "Just be home by eleven."
"I will!" He jogged off toward where his coach stood, talking to another man.
Antonio led her outside through a side door. The night air was ridiculously cold.
"I really thought we would escape this sort of winter living so close to the beach. If anything, it seems to amp up the freezing feeling."
Antonio put an arm around her and pulled her in close, whispering against her ear. "I can think of a way to warm you up."
Even in the chill, she could feel the heat build in her face. "Maybe after those chicken wings you promised me."
Antonio laughed. "Right. Foreplay. Women like that stuff."
Vivian swatted at his arm. "It's called romance."
"Hey, everyone, my wife thinks chicken wings are romantic!"
A couple people around them gave Antonio strange looks but one guy, walking a few feet in front of them turned and yelled to them, "So does mine! She's a keeper!"
"You got that right!" Antonio yelled back.
It felt so good to have her husband acting like himself again that instead of yelling at him for being ridiculous, she laughed. "I also want cheese fries, just so you know. Back pay on the romance."
Antonio laughed as well and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "You got it babe."
They drove to their favorite restaurant, found a table in the corner, and ordered. While they waited, Antonio watched a basketball game on the big screen behind the bar and Vivian made a quick trip to the ladies’ room. When she returned, Eleanor was standing by their table.
"Hey, girl." Vivian wrapped an arm around Eleanor and pulled her in for a hug. "What're you up to?"
"I was just telling Antonio, the boys came home tonight and they were starving and apparently I haven't grocery shopped in a really long time. So, burgers it is."
"You all want to join us?" Vivian asked sliding in to her seat.
Eleanor shook her head. "Oh, no. We don’t want to intrude on date night. The boys already grabbed a table over there." She pointed to a booth across the room. "I just wanted to say hi and see how Antonio was."
Antonio had stayed quiet during the exchange, watching Eleanor. As she turned to walk away, he grabbed her hand. "Ellie? Can you wait a minute?"
"Um, sure."
He stood up and took her hand leading her away from the eating area. "I wanted to tell you—I mean, I never got a chance to say—"
Eleanor touched his arm. "It's okay, you don't have to say anything."
Antonio wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand and took another deep breath. "I was there when things went down and I didn't save Gary. I'm sorry—" he stuttered past a sob trying to break free. "I am so, so sorry I didn't stop that lunatic from shooting Gary. He was my best friend. I should have done—something."
He watched as tears ran down Eleanor's face.
"Oh, Antonio. It wasn't your fault. I will keep telling you that until you believe it."
He shifted his weight and exhaled. Tears escaped from the corners of his eyes.
"Every time I close my eyes, I see the whole thing all over again. The shooter. That crazy look in his eyes as he turned away from me and fired at Gary. The sounds of the gun, the sirens, people yelling—it haunts me day and night." Emotion overcame him with sob after sob.
Eleanor threw her arms around him, hugging him hard and crying right along with him. Vivian stood up, walked over to where they were and wrapped her arms around both of them. They stayed that way for a long moment, ignoring the sounds of the busy restaurant around them. Eleanor was the first to break up their hug. "He loved you like a brother, Antonio. I know you would have done anything for him. It just all happened so fast there really was nothing you could do. You have to know that."
Vivian sat back down in her seat.
Antonio closed his eyes and took a slow breath. He opened them and looked at Eleanor. "I'm trying really hard to believe that. I am. I just needed you to know how sorry I am and how much I loved Gary. To me, he was the brother I never had and I miss him so damn much."
"Gary died doing what he loved. How many of us can ever be that lucky?"
Antonio shook his head. "He never should have been there."
"What? He should have left his best friend and his partner to die in the street instead?"
Antonio turned away. "Better me than him."
"How can you say that?" Eleanor demanded. "It was a terrible tragedy but we can't change it. I believe that life happens the way it's supposed to and there is nothing we can do to change that grand master plan. You need to move forward and get back out on the streets. Gary would be super pissed if you don't."
He nodded and laughed, halfheartedly. "Yeah, he would. But, I'm at the mercy of IA at the moment."
"I heard today that they are going to clear you."
This caught Vivian's attention. "You did?"
Eleanor nodded. "Ran in to Connor, the rookie, at the supermarket. They let it slip at line-up that the investigation was nearly done. Someone will probably call you soon. Connor's still in a little trouble but they are going to work with him since he was still in training."
Antonio shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. "Just because they are almost done doesn't mean I'm in the clear."
"From what is being said, you are. I'm sure of it. What could you have done?"
Antonio scowled. "Shot the fucker when I had the chance."
"You were trained to try and diffuse the situation. I'm sure you would have if my sweetheart hadn't blown in there like John Wayne all lights and sirens and attitude."
This made them all laugh a little. "Yeah. That sounds like Gary," Antonio said.
/> Eleanor gave Antonio another hug. "You're a good man and you have great things left to do on this planet. Seize the second chance you've been given and save the world. Do it for Gary."
Their server appeared with a tray full of food. "Who's ready to eat?" she asked, all smiles and oblivious to the serious exchange that had just occurred. Eleanor and Antonio stepped out of her way as she started setting food down.
"I should get back to the boys. I'm sure they have ordered one of everything," Eleanor said. She laid a hand on Antonio's arm. "You take care of yourself, okay?"
Eleanor walked away. The server finished setting out the food and left. Antonio sat down and Vivian reached across the table to grasp her husband's hands. "I'm so proud of you."
"Emotions are exhausting. I'm starving now."
"Then let's eat," Vivian said, grabbing a wing and dipping it in ranch dressing. "Did it help, talking to Eleanor?"
"I think it did." Antonio bit into a wing. "Eat those cheese fries, lady. I'm Mr. Romance tonight."
Chapter Seventeen
Marietta
"Good Morning," Marietta kissed Ricky on the cheek as she headed to the counter to start the coffee pot. Her husband sat at the breakfast bar, reading the paper.
"I guess."
"Want some coffee?" He didn't like the little single cup coffees she did so they still had a good, old fashioned pot on the counter right next to her specialty cups.
Ricky grunted. "Yeah, okay. Thanks. I've got court today."
"Anything interesting?" Marietta scooped some coffee into the filter and filled the pot with water.
"Sean Temple's attorney is arguing a motion for mental illness."
Marietta pulled a couple mugs out of the cabinet and set them on the counter. "Which case is that?"
Ricky dropped the newspaper and turned to look at her. "Seriously? He's the guy who shot Gary."
She nearly dropped the container of creamer she'd just taken from the refrigerator. "Oh, Ricky, I'm sorry. I didn't know his name. Do you have to be there for that?"
"Yes. Got a subpoena. But, I'd go anyway. All the guys are gonna be there."
Marietta walked over to Ricky and wrapped her arms around him from behind, leaning her cheek against his back. "Do you want me to go with you?"
The Line That Binds Page 20
