They reached the agreement. Holly would go home and Gail would join her after the party. They got ready together and each took their own car. Gail spent entire ride arguing with her mother and the Stewarts and Holly spent her ride home just trying to make it at one piece. She needed to get to her safe place and to try to put these feelings of…fear, sickness and pain away. She needed to calm down and spend time on something better than her father and family. She took a shower and spent hours working on her new article and some lesson planes. She had few classes to teach and it distracted her from the ghost of the past.
Gail was standing in the yard of the Stewart home feeling sick. She didn't enter that house since the night they told her James was dead. Her mother was giving her disapproving looks because she didn't fake smile and looked like she didn't want to be there. Stewarts opened the door and greeted Gail and Elaine with smiles.
''Welcome, welcome… Oh, it's nice to see you again Gail. It has been very long time since you've been here…''
''Yes, it has… A lot has happened since then…''
''Oh, I hear from your mother that you are single…''
''I am never single Mrs. Stewart…''
Her mother gave her very angry look.
''Oh, you young generations… Always some casual dating… and no constant partners. Gorge came just to see you.''
''How amazing…''
Adeline and Elaine noticed her lack of enthusiasm, but choose to ignore it. Gail got further into the house and took a drink. She downed two glasses of wine in less than two minutes. She needed to calm her nerves and control herself. She went into the garden and went straight to the small bench she and James occupied often in the yard. She took a seat and touched their carved initials on the side facing the ground. Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Holly. It was short, simple and everything Gail needed. It said I love you… She replied the same and when she lifted her gaze, George was there.
''Hello, Gail…''
''George…''
''I just saw your mom. She told me where to find you…''
''How fortunate for me…''
''Oh, I see you didn't lose the edge…''
''No, but I am about to lose my mind…''
''Funny….''
''Not so much…''
''I really missed seeing you around. Since my poor cousin died, you were nowhere to be seen.''
''No one loves to be reminded of a death… Especially if it is someone they love…''
''Still?''
''What?''
''You said love…as in present tense…''
''I do love him…''
''But he is dead…''
''Do you love people who were part of your life less when they die?''
''No, not really…''
''There is your answer…''
''Ok. Fine… You are right…''
''So, your mom told me to ask you out on a date…''
''Do you do all the things my mom asks you to? You know, you don't have to… I mean, I stopped years ago and I am still alive…''
''Oh… I want to take you out for dinner…''
''I am sort of seeing someone…''
''Oh, if it's just ''seeing'' someone than it means we can have that dinner…''
''No, not really…''
''Come on Gail!''
''No, I don't want to have dinner with you…''
Before they got into that more Adeline came to call them to come to the living room because her husband was giving a speech… He greeted all of the people who came and thanked George for being there. He called him his son and his pride and joy. Gail couldn't listen, so she went back to the bench. Adeline joined her soon.
''Hello Gail…''
''Hi Mrs. Stewart…''
''How are you?''
''I am ok, and you?''
''Oh, excited. It's not every day that someone gets an award in this family… You know, he worked so much for that…''
''Oh, I am sure…''
''I sense something is off…''
''How could you?''
''How could I what?''
''Watch the abuse for years..''
Adeline's face changed…
''Gail, what are you talking about?''
''James…''
''Gail, it's not appropriate…''
''Of course it's not. Every conversation about him is not appropriate…''
''I must go back…''
''I don't know how you look yourself in the mirror or even live with yourself…''
''It was for his own good… ''
''Broken ribs, broken arms? What was for his own good?"
''If you only knew… You… You would never…''
George came to them…
''Hi auntie… I was looking for Gail.''
''I must go… ''
''I'll walk you out…''
''No need. I know this house like back of my palm…''
Without a word Gail left the house and got into the car. She shouted and then started the engine.
Holly was working on the paper when the bell rung. She opened to find Sam at her door.
''Hi Sam, what can I do for you?''
''We need to talk…''
''Ok, come in…''
He took a seat and felt a bit awkward.
''What is it about?''
''The list… First endocrinologist and then surgeon…from Montreal…''
Holly knew it was time to talk. No more hiding and no more secrets….
''Ok, and you found my name…''
''Yes, I found it on the list of the Dr. Bell first…''
''I am her patient for years…''
''Oh…''
''Sam, I would love to tell the rest myself…''
Gail entered the apartment and froze when she saw Sam…
''What happened?''
''Nothing, I needed Holly's opinion on something…''
''Sam, she knows about me…''
''Oh, sorry. I just had no idea who knew… and you know… And we can keep it under wraps until after the holidays…''
''Thank you.''
''Don't mention it…''
Gail couldn't wait for Swarek to leave so she could hear from Holly what happened and tell her how the visit to the hell house went.
''Are you OK baby?''
Holly nodded and smiled…
''I am ok… I am more than ok…''
''Just checking. If any of them gives you shit…''
''GAIL, I am a big girl and I took care of myself for very long. I had to deal with a lot of assholes and I am still standing. Ok?''
''Sometimes I just wish I could make up for all the time you did it alone… I am in your corner…''
''And I am happy for it…But I must fight my own demons… I promise I will be ok…''
Gail kissed her and cuddled up to her on the sofa.
''I want to kill your cousin…''
''Oh, what did the charming cousin George do?''
''He is jerk…''
''I know, I know…''
''He asked me on a date. Your mom and my mom are already planning a wedding and guest list…I will not marry that spineless slug…''
''Hahahahahahahah…. Gail!''
''I told him no, I told him I am dating and he will not leave me alone because MY MOTHER told him do court me and not let me breathe until say yes…''
''And what happened? What saved you?''
''Adeline…I escaped him and my mom kept giving me looks…''
''Looks? What for?''
''Oh, I hate when my mom believes she can handle my life as she pleases…''
''Anything else fun?''
Gail was silent and she avoided looking at Holly….
''What did you do?''
''How…? Oh, fine…''
''I might have confronted a bit your mom….''
''How much is that '' a bit''? Please tell me Gail…''
''I might have told her you told me about the abuse… But I never said when…''
''Oh, Gail… You are silly. She probably found a way to explain…''
''She did…''
''I couldn't shake off the need to make them pay…''
''They will…someday… But you and I will not be playing games Gail. I will handle things my way and deal with my parents in my own way and under my terms…''
''I hope you grand me a small gesture of violence… Just a tiny….''
''No! No violence. I will not be him…''
And Gail had to let Holly do this her way. After all, that was her family…
