Something was off, she knew it…
Julia Crockett opened her eyes and climbed out of the bed that she and Sonny shared and put her robe on over her nightgown, walking out of their room on the St Vitus Dance and onto the deck, where she found 14 year old Ali in a sleepshirt that Brady had loaned to her.
Ali had only grabbed a few things before leaving the Castillo house after a fight with Miguel… but she was too frazzled to grab pajamas, only spare clothes that she wore in the daytime and underwear and several lace and satin push up bras along with the things she grabbed.
"Ali?" Julia says, Ali turning and seeing her.
"Did I wake you, Aunt Julia?" Ali asked quietly, nervously digging her dark red nails into the palm of her right hand but Julia carefully stopped her.
"Not really. Come on." Julia says, leading Ali into the main room where she pulled out the bottom of one half of the couch and extended it into a bed. "You get yourself comfy." She says, moving a couple of pillows over to the end of the bed.
Ali sat down, stretching out and pulling a blanket over herself.
"I couldn't sleep… I thought hearing the water would help." Ali says, Julia brushing Ali's raven hair back.
"Oh, it does… I lived in one before moving with Sonny actually." Julia says, Ali looking at her questioningly. "Was only a little coasthopper sort of thing, 2 person cabin, basic motor engine. Well, I haven't actually lived in a solid ground house since I was 12." Julia says.
"Sounded like it was fun… being able to go wherever you wanted to, enjoying different places." Ali says, Julia seeing a small travel book nearby with the Havana section circled.
"You know… inner country may not be so easy but you catch us on a break and this boat will easily take us north or south along this coast." Julia says.
"Always wanted to go there… Mom and Dad don't really remember their childhoods but they had been born in the same country… and both lost their parents in the revolution." Ali says, her eyelids feeling heavy and Julia knowing she was calming down enough to sleep.
Julia kissed Ali on her forehead once Ali was asleep and headed back to her room, taking her robe off and climbing back into bed… before she felt Sonny's arm around her and turned to face him.
"One of the kids couldn't sleep?" Sonny asks.
"Ali came here for peace… wasn't finding any. She's asleep on the couch." Julia says.
"I worry that she and Miguel stress each other out too much sometimes… but at least she's here and not running around downtown. Those attacks haven't stopped." Sonny says, Julia knowing that he was talking about the attacks that had started in mid July and was sufficiently creeped out because the victims resembled Ali.
"She had the Havana section in her book circled…" Julia says.
"If they don't stop, you think she'll want to retreat to her parents homeland?" Sonny asks.
"Wouldn't surprise me if she did… running when things get too much isn't unusual in kids. Or any age really." Julia says.
"You were thinking of those days again, weren't you?" Sonny asks, Julia nodding.
"I said I hadn't lived on solid land since I was 12… I'm glad she didn't question it, it's a long story to explain." Julia says, nestling her head against Sonny's neck.
Ali's sleeping mind was wandering… to frightening places…
"Hey now, come on." The guy, about 20 years old, says as he snaked his arms around Ali's waist… but Ali wasn't feeling right about this and gave him a forceful shove followed by a slap.
"I said no, you bastard!" Ali growled, the guy lunging at her. Ali slammed his head into the bar before running to the door in her drugged out state.
It was a while of running through South Beach that she thought she was safe… but then he grabbed her again and smashed her head and face against the brick wall…
Ali bolted upright, flinching slightly as she felt a hand on her face and it brushing her hair back… the familiar yet subtle scent of Brady's body soap caught her attention and she relaxed.
"It's okay, Ali, you're safe." Brady whispered, folding out the other side of the sofa bed and lying down before taking Ali into his arms.
He had to bring his legs up a bit because it was smaller than his Cal king… but he didn't want to wake anyone else.
Ali rested her head onto Brady's torso, his heartbeat reassuring her and lulling her into sleep as Brady kissed her forehead.
Brady was worried… sleep wasn't bringing its usual comfort to Ali.