24: Fresh Start
Chapter 8: Healing
Almost one and a half weeks had gone by and Jack hadn't heard anything from Audrey. He left countless messages but there were no responses. Jack constantly checked his cell phone's voicemail and his answering machine: there was nothing. He needed to do something. But how could he? He was still working.
Jack sighed heavily as he took off the cap on his water bottle. He placed the top to his lips and titled it up. The water was lukewarm but refreshing. It gave him the extra push he needed to finish off the day's work. Even though the Mellbourne Incident was over, the fallout was still fresh. The press was still creating a small uproar in the public and was feeding off their fear. There needed to be damage control.
Secretary Heller asked Jack to help with managing the rest of information being given to the press. So he was quite annoyed. The phone rang almost every 25 minutes, and he'd have to explain everything in detail about what was happening with Thomas Mellbourne. It was difficult to tell the same story and answer the same questions for six hours.
Then his phone started to ring. He sighed once again and looked up at the Caller ID on the LSD screen. It was Audrey. Jack froze, trying to figure out why she was calling. What took her so long? Was she really on vacation? If she was, why? When? Where? With whom? He moved his hand for the phone and then hesitated. His fingers slowly wrapped around the phone and lifted it to his ear.
"Hello?" he answered, confusingly. Jack didn't mean to sound like that, but he was confused, but also relieved. Then knots started to form in his stomach. His breathing instantly became harsh. Sweat developed on his forehead and his hand. Jack started to play with the fingers on his left hand by trying to pick out the imaginary dirt from between his fingernails. Then he exhaled slowly, trying to regain control of his body's functions.
"Jack?" Audrey's voice was weak and heavy.
"Audrey?" Jack responded quickly, concern in his voice. He stood up, pushing his chair over. There was a loud clang from his chair but he gave it no attention. He was completely focused on Audrey's condition.
"Jack? I—I—I don't feel so well…" She paused and Jack waited for her to continue, but there was nothing.
"Audrey," Jack spoke quickly trying to take control of the situation, "Where are you?"
"My apartment…"
"I'm coming over right now." Jack didn't wait this time for her to respond. He hung up the phone quickly and grabbed his suitcase. Tidiness was not his primary concern at this point. He grabbed all of the papers and files stacked on his desk and shoved them into his opened briefcase. His movements were quick but not careful. He almost knocked over his lamp when he moved for the door. Cursing his stupidity, he locked his door.
"Oh, Jack," Marcy called out to him as he started his way down the hallway.
"What is it, Marcy?" Jack said as he turned around—he was now walking backwards.
"Can you look over these reports and invoices?"
"Um, yeah, just give them to me and I'll look over them later tonight."
"Uh, okay. Where are you going?" Marcy wondered as she handed Jack the file. Jack didn't answer her though. By the time she finished her question he was out the lobby door. He drove fast and he drove hard. Audrey's apartment was about ten minutes so it didn't take him long. There was some congestion but it didn't take him too much time to maneuver his way through the traffic. Some tight turns and questionable driving tactics, he was parking his car.
He ran for the entrance to the apartment complex. Pushing the door open roughly, he moved for the residence information posted on the bulletin board to his right. Jack scanned the room numbers and their occupants quickly and found Audrey at Room 405.
Jack ran for the elevator and pushed freakishly on the "up" button on the side of the elevator door. He looked up at the elevator level indicator, it was on level "8" and was not moving. There was a quick awkward moment for Jack as he stood there. He was impatient and he felt the outside forces working against him.
Then the bright lights above him moved to the "7" and he'd had enough. Jack bolted for the stairway and started to sprint up the stairs. It took about a minute to reach the fourth level. The hallway was narrow but well lit. The even numbers were on his right while the odd were on his left. Then he finally reached Room 405. He knocked on the door hard.
"Audrey?" he called out as he pounded on the door. He paused, waiting for a response and trying to hear what was going on. He could hear movement inside the apartment. It must be Audrey, he thought to himself. She was moving really slow. Then he could hear Audrey unlocking the bolt. The door opened slowly and it was clear that she was having problems.
"Who is it?" she moaned softly. Jack entered quickly, putting his hands on her arms softly, pulling her closer to him. Their eyes locked. Jack stared down at her, concern and terror in his eyes. She blinked at him blankly and Jack noticed her blue eyes were blood-shot. Then the odor hit him like a brick wall. It was the smell of liquor.
"Audrey, are you okay?" Jack asked, pushing the door closed with his foot. He used his hand to brush her hair out of her face.
"Of course," she slurred. Jack sighed and started to move her towards the couch. He looked around as they walked through her living room. Tissues, clothing, pillows, blankets, and empty bottles littered the floor. The couch also covered with towels and tissues. Jack helped Audrey sit down before seating himself.
"What happened?" Jack asked.
"Humph," she started, "You re-remember that call I got from Paul?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, I think that'll be the last for a long while…"
"Audrey?"
"We're over, Jack. I-I…" Tears started to form in her eyes.
"Audrey, it'll be okay," Jack said as he grabbed a new tissue to absorb the tears appearing at the edge of her eyes.
"I know… it's just…" But she couldn't finish her sentence. Jack smiled weakly. He caressed her cheek softly and leaned in to kiss her. Their lips connected for a moment and then Jack kissed her forehead. He looked back into her eyes and she was still teary.
"Have you slept at all?" Jack asked, and she shook her heard.
"Not much," she chuckled. Jack then placed got off the couch and kneeled beside her. He wrapped his right arm under her knees and his left around her back. Standing up, he took her with him. Navigating through the mess to her bedroom was a little difficult but he managed. He laid her on her bed slowly and brought the blanket up to her.
"Don't leave, please, Jack." Audrey protested.
"I'm not going anywhere," Jack responded as he sat himself on the other side of the bed. Audrey moved closer to him and laid her head on his chest. Jack wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head lovingly.
"Jack…" Audrey didn't finish her sentence once again. This time it wasn't the alcohol that was impairing her speech, but the lack of sleep. The sleep deprivation had taken its toll on her. Audrey had fallen asleep moments after placing her head on him. Jack just tightened his hold on her and closed his eyes. He was going to enjoy and remember this moment forever.
To be continued...
