The next day they celebrated. They went from cafes to cafes, museums and art galleries and finally to one of the most expensive restaurant in New York to spend money without scruples. Without surprise, most of the expenses were wines.
After the day was over, they arrived at the apartment and they decided to settle for an evening on the couch in the living room enjoying a book and a glass of wine.
After some hours of enjoying herself, India sighed appreciatively.
-is this what normal feels like?, India asks suddenly.
-It can be. But so is slicing a throat open. It all depends.
-I meant, having no worries of being caught. Not being on high alert everywhere we go.
-I understand what you mean. It is a relief but it doesn't make us normal.
India thought about this for a second.
-I wondered once or twice what life would be like in the suburbs. What we would be like if we weren't who we are.
-I cant even imagine what having that kind of life would be like. Mostly boring I assume.
There was a pause as she looked at him with an interested expression.
Charlie smiled, perplexed, but she could tell that he was curious.
-Uncle?, she said with a small voice, not quite like herself.
There was a pause.
-yes?, he finally said, curious and carefully humouring her.
-I need an advice, can I run it by you?
-of course.
-theres a boy at school who keeps harassing me, even though I keep saying no.
Charlie seemed to really struggle with this. India smirked.
-mom said to go to the teacher but I'm just afraid it'll make it worse. And he's kind of cute.
Charlie looked down at her and she smiled the most innocent smile at him.
-how old are you India?
-13, she said with playful eyes.
That was the age he became infatuated with her and she remembered well.
-you should go to your teacher. Or I could talk to that boy myself.
-oh you would? What would you say?
-oh I would keep it simple. I would tell him there would be consequences if he keep bothering you.
-Uncle Charlie, that sounds perfect.
He swallowed. He never swallowed.
-thank you for my birthday gift this year, I really liked them, she said, eyes lighted with mischief.
-you're welcome.
-can I give you a kiss?
She unfolded her legs and putting herself on all four, scooted closer to him on the couch. He seemed enraptured by the game and she was having the time of her life, but still she wanted to play this right. When she kissed him, it was chastely done with no tongue involved. Just like a 13-year-old kiss should be in her mind. But when Charlie entered the game, the rules changed. He didn't press her, but compared to what her younger self would have been, he was more knowledgeable and she was thinking how she would have loved to have him as a teacher back then. Or maybe it was the lust talking, she wasn't sure.
But he kissed her like she was a teenager and it was so sweet and tender, she couldn't help but believe that's how he would have kissed her at that age.
It was a unique kind of situation. They were roleplaying their own roles.
When the heat began to rise, Charlie deepened the kiss and lay down on top of her. He was so gentle, it might have been their first time.
-I don't want to hurt you, he murmured against her lips.
-you won't. I want this.
This was different. Playing the game seriously, they enjoyed kissing and feeling each other up, just like they would if it was their first time and if she was 13. At that age she wouldn't have thrown herself to him in an alley. This was more appropriate.
He stopped kissing her and looked at her. He was hesitating.
-Charlie?
-I know how to handle you as an adult. As a teen…
-we were doing fine. We had a good rhythm.
-yes, but i'd want to ravage you. Having you right there and then…I couldn't do that. Theres a reason why I preferred to wait.
-you think you wouldn't have been able to be patient?
-maybe I would have done the right thing and tell you that we can't go any further because i'm your uncle.
They looked at each other and chuckled. When they became serious again, India caressed his cheek.
-You would have been good to me.
-We'll never know.
-are you bitter about this?
-I cant be. It's a choice I made. For your sake and for mine. People stop paying attention to who date who after 18.
-true. Not that it would have mattered because my mother would have killed me. And my father would have killed you.
-True, he echoed.
-there. We just resolved something.
Charlie smirked and buried his face in her neck.
-I love you.
India smiled and whispered the same against his lips before kissing him again, this time a grown up kiss that quickly brought them both to bed.
They were woken up by loud knocks at the door. They assumed it was one of the neighbors because their usual contacts would have known to use the phone. Although, when they came up the door to open it, there were three big envelops on the floor and looking at the looking glass, no one in sight.
They anticipated the contents of the envelops and so took their time to wake up before glancing at them. When they did, three different faces of men were looking up at them. Their work targets for Sergei.
-do you think out debt is limited to those three? Or there will be more?
-I guess that depends on how well we do our job. If he finds us expendable, he'll let us know pretty quickly.
-what if they find us adequate? Enough so that they'll never let us go?
Either thought were concerning.
-if we leave though…its our same old life all over again, she continued. This time it wouldnt be only prison, but getting killed. And those guys have more experience at this than we do.
-so we're screwed.
-no. We have a debt. But It doesn't mean that it's a life sentence.
They looked at each other and silently but reluctantly agreed. They didn't want to run anymore.
-who's the first one?, she asked.
Hunting and killing the targets were actually fun, even if it was on commission. They had the tools and the instinct for that kind of work and in spite of not being paid, they couldn't think of a better line of work to be in. Until the accident.
They were on their last job in a bar when a shoutout happened out of nowhere. The bar was located in a luxurious part of town so you would never assume that kind of thing would happen there.
India and Charlie didn't have any weapons on them and all they could do to protect themselves is hide behind the counter. That is until a bullet deviated from its trajectory to get into Charlie's chest. He immediately stopped breathing from the impact, getting his hand on the wound who was oozing an important amount of blood.
-oh, said India, as she looked around in panic for something to stop the flow. Charlie was already beginning white as a sheet and his face was so sweaty, he had to blink away the water.
The bullets were going back and forth above them and they knew it wasn't a safe place to be anymore.
-can you move?, shouted India.
Instead of replying, Charlie simply put his hand on her shoulder and pushed himself up, still keeping his head low for any projectile that might come his way.
Anatoli, one of Sergei's handyman, came over from outside.
- car outside…. take you to emergency service…. better than hospital!
-thanks, shouted India as they rushed as fast as possible to the car that was waiting for them. Charlie winced when he got on the backseat and India made him lay down as she crouched in the small space between the seats.
-do you have any towels or water?, she asked around.
The driver didn't answer and the guy on the front seat gave him his water bottle. That would do for now.
She showed him the bottle and he declined, closing his eyes to bear the pain.
-did you feel the bullet go out the other way?
-I'm not sure, he groaned. It happened fast.
-its alright. We're almost there.
He couldn't die on her. That was a nightmare she wasn't ready to face.
The emergency room was the backroom of a bowling alley. The guy who operated on Charlie seemed efficient, but he lacked the proper equipment to deal with.
A bottle of alcohol, clamps and pliers were all that were necessary it seemed to take out the bullet. It was lodged in its chest, above the nipple.
There were screaming, lots and lots of screaming, and a huge amount of lost blood but they managed to take out the whole bullet in one piece. The would be surgeon said he had never seen a piece so complete.
They were given a lift home and they were told that someone would be contacting them very soon. Charlie was still weak and it visibly bothered him, but there was nothing she could do for that. He went in sit with a sigh on the couch facing the balcony and closed his eyes. This was the time, India thought. This was the time when she was supposed to take care of him. Only she had no clue how.
-I can hear you thinking from here, said Charlie.
-I'm sorry, she said coming over to sit next to him.
-I'm not dying. I just need to adjust to this hole in my chest.
-I know.
There was an awkward silence where India wondered what to do now. He wasn't the only one in shock but she needed to make sure that he was okay.
-you'd tell me if you needed something? You wouldn't be a hero?
He opened one eye to look at her and she fidgeted in her seat.
-India…
She stood up and throw herself unto the bed, looking up at the ceiling.
-you cant mourn me. I'm alive.
She stayed silent. She was thinking of everything she'd have to do if he wasn't here and especially of who that would make her without her one true friend and accomplice in the world. She was alone without knowing the possibilities before him. Being alone now would be catastrophic.
The spring of the couch squeaked and she straightened up to look at him try to stand up.
-don't, she said, her voice strained.
He hesitated but kept going anyway.
-the wound is not fatal, it just hurts. I'm not dying India, he said as he came to sit on the bed next to her.
-you get dizzy when you make an effort. You should rest.
-I will
There was a pause.
-tell me.
-I'm fine India. You don't have to take care of me.
-You cant even move without pain, she reproached him.
He traced the contour of her face with one fingertip, watching her sigh. Her concern was touching but he knew he was going to be fine. She was just scared of the worst scenario that could have happened.
She frowned and leaned her head in his direction.
- you need to take a shower
-it can wait
-You stink. You need one.
-You just said I have to take it easy.
-you're right. But as soon as you're ready…
-yes.
-and you're not taking it on your own.
-India…
-that's non negotiable.
Charlie looked at her for a moment too long but she refused to look at him. She was trying and even though It was awkward, it was the best that she could do.
She didn't want to think of what could have happened if he had died. She didn't want to talk with him about it like it was something mundane when it very nearly killed her soul.
So she simple took his hand and stayed silent, hoping that it was enough for now.
Reluctantly.
That was the correct word to describe the mood of the moment. Charlie wasn't an old man yet and he still had vigor in his body. To be incapacitated that way, suddenly, was to cripple his spirit and his pride. And India was more than aware of that. She hadn't expected to take care of him this way, to be his crutch for his shower and to help him take off his clothes because he couldn't do it himself. She knew she was no nurse. She certainly didn't want to have a patient as a lover.
But she did love him. And it was part of the job to take care of each other. It just wasn't part of their independent nature.
India checked to see if the water was hot enough and when she was satisfied, she looked at Charlie expectantly. Eyes lowered, he came closer to the bathtub and she helped him with his balance as he put one foot after the other in the shower. She slowly climbed after him after taking off her own clothes and waited for him to give her permission to wash him.
It took a long time. He was simply standing there, head under the showerhead, being oblivious to everything around him. Then he came around and he looked at her warily.
-turn around, she said.
Without a word, he did as she said and she started working on his upper back, exfoliating his dead skin for him. He never would have been able to reach this far. Then she started lowering the soap, getting his lower back and his buttocks foamy enough so that she was satisfied. She hesitated for his legs. How would he react?
It had to be done though. They were as important as the rest of him. She felt him stiffen when she got on her knees behind him and started to wash his thighs and his hocks. It wasn't as embarrassing as she expected, but she was still glad when it was over.
She told him to turn back around and just couldn't escape the expression on his face. Still somber about the whole thing, he was slightly awed about the fact of being taken care of.
She came closer and kissed his chest near her mark and the bullet wound.
-its not going to be like this forever, she offered.
-I know. I just wish that I could move so that you wouldn't have to do that.
-I know.
They looked at each other with understanding and that made the work to be a little easier.
She started with his shoulders and chest, being very careful to avoid the wound who was recovered with gauze and adhesive paper. Then she started going down on his stomach and pelvis. She knew what she wanted to do next but her priority was to take care of him in another way this time.
Still, she had to wash him.
-how I wish I could take you right now, he said, jaws clenched as her hand circled him.
He had been ready for a long time and probably was anticipating this, but she didn't want to make him strain himself more then he had to. She was removing her hand when she stopped her.
-you wont hurt me India. I'm not crippled everywhere.
-its not a good idea.
-either you do it or I will but I'm not staying like that for the whole evening.
-alright, she said, putting the soap aside. But don't say that I didn't warned you.
Charlie sighed as her hand began to stroke him and he closed his eyes in bliss. The soap made an efficient lube. It was easy for her to move freely and she could tell that's what he had been waiting for.
As she was being busy, he brought their foreheads closer together.
-thank you. I wish I could do the same for you.
-I'll survive. The next days will be all about you. You'll hate it.
He smirked and leaned in to kiss her when a particular move of her hand made him stop in his tracks. He shivered and burying his face in her shoulder, he came into her hand. She dropped his spunk in the bathtub and smiled at his relaxed expression.
-are we done?, he asked.
-not yet. We still need to do your hair.
She made sure her hand were clean and began with the shampoo, pressing a moderate amount of lotion into her hands. Then she put herself on her tiptoe and massaged his hair with it.
-close your eyes, she recommended. I don't want to deal with you getting burned by shampoo in your eyes.
-yes Ma'am, he said with a smirk.
She was about to shove him playfully, but restrained herself just in time. She couldn't be herself right now around him.
-now rinse, she said, being the nurse that she was.
After he did it, she repeated the process with the conditioner. If it wasn't of the fact that they had to do it, everything they were doing would have been very sensual indeed. But necessity was on call right now.
Finally, they had done it. But even now, they were still shy around each other. India helped him get dry and looked at him, trying to decipher what he was thinking. His gaze was opened, almost vulnerable, something she never would have predicted. She thought that maybe he had come around with her helping him out.
When she finished drying him off, she helped him to get into his underwear before she took care of herself. He wouldn't look at her and she knew exactly what he was thinking, but it had to be done. He just couldn't do it by himself.
-Charlie. You don't have to be ashamed.
-I know.
He sighed and looked at her.
-I don't like this anymore than you do, she said.
-I'd like to see you in the same situation as me.
-I could have. You would have to do the same thing I'm doing. And I would have hated every second of it.
Charlie looked at her and took her face in his hand.
-imagining it and doing it are very different things.
She pushed his hand aside and didn't look at him as she got out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, putting on her nightgown and brushing her hair vigorously.
She heard him sigh in the bathroom and when he got out, it was her this time who refused to look at him.
He walked with difficulty towards her, but she wouldn't look at him. Let him deal with his problems alone for once, she thought.
-India.
No reply.
Scowling, he limped over to her side and to her disarray, kneeled in front of her.
-no, don't, she said in concern as she watching him wince.
-I'm going to need you in the next couple of days. To do everything I cannot.
-I know, she said, frowning.
-so you cant be frustrated with me, he said, looking at her patiently. You want me to be strong when you don't even know what its like to be weak.
India looked at him with a contrite expression.
-You're not weak. That's the thing. You're acting like you are and I don't understand why.
Charlie looked at her.
-I don't know when i'm gonna heal, he said patiently. But until then, i'm going to be frustrated. And there's nothing you can do about it.
India tilted her head to the side and sighed, reaching out to run her hand through his hair.
-i'm not acting India. I'm doing the best that I can.
She took his face in her hands.
-you don't have to. You just have to wait until you get better.
-what else can I do?
Then she smiled.
As predicted, Charlie healed within a couple of weeks, growing stronger everyday with India's help. She grew less annoyed of being a nurse and he took her advice to heart, facing his situation heads on, without shying away from the hardship. He even once joked that that's how they were going to look when they would get old.
India wasn't amused.
Nonetheless that incident gave them a clue as to what it was like to truly care for one another when one was at his most vulnerable. It was a new window for them to look at how the future would be like as they grew together in their relationship. It was an eye opening experience.
When his wound was just a scar, they decided to leave for good. They had their fortune back thanks to the police dropping their investigation and were now free to do whatever they wanted, as long as they wanted.
Together.