Two Against Two

Chapter 24

Cook County Memorial Hospital-Inmate Ward, Chicago, Illinois

Christmas Day 1990, 8:15 A.M.

(Harry's PoV:)

Nothing ticks me off more than having to lay in a hospital bed in pain, wrists handcuffed against the railing, bandaged up like a mummy, a bunch of IV jammed in both arms, and machines beeping. Marv was whining like a baby about losing his gun, until he was knocked out. Two uniformed cops are standing guard outside the door, and another cop sits at a desk, observing all the prisoners, making sure they behave.

My anger flares, as my thoughts soon turn to those monsters that put Marv and I in the hospital, in the first place, with their booby traps. It's their damn fault that all the hard work in breaking into those houses and robbing them clean was flushed down the toilet; not to mention the police were able to pin us for every burglary, all thanks to Marv leaving the water running.

I was about to rip off Marv's head, when I found out he was the one, who shot me in the leg, because he was stupid enough not to see the old man hit him with a shovel. I will have my revenge against those punks and the old man for ruining everything.

That leaves Hector. By now, he's properly heard of our failure, and is most-likely planning how to kill the both of us, without it being traced back to him. So, I'm going to have to keep my eye out, when Marv and I go to the joint. It should be very soon, since our trial is in February.

Oh, great… Here comes that self-righteous doctor again, with his annoying cop bodyguard and his ugly nurse. I would stab him in the throat, if I wasn't handcuffed.

"Good morning, Mr. Lime. So, how are you feeling on this Christmas Day?" the doctor asks, his glasses hanging over his nose.

"I'm in freaking pain! What in the hell am I supposed to feel, when I've been banged up and shot in the leg twice?!" I scream, as the nurse checks my vitals.

"Most-likely, the pain is from the surgery we performed on your leg in removing the bullets. We thought for a second we'd have to amputate part of your leg, but luckily, that wasn't the case," he blabs, while I roll my eyes.

"So, am I going to be able to walk?"

"I would say so. Most-likely, though, you will have a slight limp,"

"That's great," I sarcastically reply, before asking, "What has my friend in the bed next to mine, Marvin Merchants, been sleeping so much for?" I ask, out of worry.

"We've been keeping Mr. Merchants heavily sedated, due to the severity of his injuries, but he should recover, without any problems. Are there any other questions you have for me?" I shake my head. The doctor then proceeds with his examination that ends with the asshole giving me a shot, knocking me out…

Interstate 94, Chicago, Illinois

Christmas Day, 7:25 A.M.

(Kate's PoV:)

I'm dreaming about being at the annual Church Summer picnic, with my entire family. The kids are off, having fun and playing games, while Peter and I talk with our daughter, Christine, who's showing off her new boyfriend. I can tell the two are deeply in love and very happy, with all the affection they are both showing one another. It makes me very happy and excited about the possibility of grandchildren.

Suddenly, I hear Gus's voice yell in my dream, "Kate! Wake up, Kate! We've just arrived in Chicago," I jerk myself awake, feeling depressed, because I remember that Christine hates me.

I try my best to hide those sad thoughts, and ask Gus, "Did you say we're in Chicago?" Thinking about that scary blizzard that kept us stuck on the interstate back in northern Indiana.

"I did, Kate, and merry Christmas," Gus replies, smiling. "Look at all that snow on the ground. A big storm must've passed through last night!" He laughs. "You okay, Kate?" he asks, suddenly noticing I'm depressed.

I shake my head and tell Gus about the dream I had about my oldest daughter. I cry to Gus again about how much I miss Christine, and about how I want that dream I had to become a reality.

Gus gives me a look of pity and tells me, "I'm sure things will work out in time, Kate. Just think positive," His words comfort me and bring a smile to my face. My thoughts turn to Kevin and his reaction, when he wakes up to all this snow on this cloudy Christmas morning. "So, you excited about seeing your son, shortly?"

"Very excited," I reply. "I just hope he's okay and nothing bad has happened to him. I don't think I could forgive myself, if something bad did happen."

"I'm sure the little tike is fine," Gus reassures me. "So, what part of Chicago do I take you to?" he asks, as I notice we're passing by the downtown area.

"A suburb called Winnetka. It's about an hour's drive North on the Interstate 94 from downtown, since traffic is very light, at the moment," Gus just nods, as he continues to drive, while I look at all the snow.

"How about I ask the band to play something to keep things from getting dull?"

"That would be great, Gus," I reply, as Gus yells through the back window for the band to play something. My foot soon begins tapping against the floorboard, as the Kenosha Kickers begin playing a very uplifting melody.

"You like that, Kate?" Gus asks. I just nod, smiling, thinking I'm just an hour away from seeing my son…

…

The wonderful music from the Kenosha Kickers makes the trip from Downtown Chicago to Winnetka a pleasant one. My heart is pounding with excitement, as I'm just about five to ten minutes away from being reunited with my son. I just hope Kevin isn't too upset with me.

"Looks like your exit is coming up, Kate," Gus mentions, as he points out the sign, saying, "Exit 33, Winnetka, next right." I'm too excited to speak, as the van pulls off I 94 and heads into Winnetka. "So, where do I go from here?" Gus asks, as he pulls the van into a food mart for some gas and refreshments.

"There's one stop I'd like to make, before heading home. It's the Woof Woof Kennel. The family dog is currently staying there, and I thought it would be a nice surprise for Kevin, when I return home, if he saw Fred,"

"I understand, Kate. It's no problem," Gus laughs. "You just have to direct me there."

I just nod, as I give Gus directions. Gus drives to the kennel, and the trip is a short one. I tell Gus I won't be long, before I step out of the van. I walk up the path, grab the door, and head inside the kennel, which is open twenty-four hours a day…

Woof Woof Kennel, Winnetka, Illinois

Christmas Day, 8:33 A.M.

(Kate's PoV:)

The kennel is heavily decorated with all sorts of Christmas-themed items, while soft Christmas music plays in the background. I hear several dogs bark, as I approach the desk and ring the bell for service. I don't have to wait long for someone to come, as a young female approaches the desk and smiles. "How may I help you on this fine Christmas?"

I smile and reply, "I'm here to pick up my Border Collie. It should be under the name Katelyn McCallister. The dog's name is Fred," The clerk types the information into the computer.

"Oh, yes. I see it. A black and white Border Collie, dropped off on December 19, 1990, by you, Katelyn McCallister. The Collie is currently residing in kennel 312. It's paid for in advance; I just need to see some identification in verifying that you're, indeed, Katelyn McCallister, owner of the Collie. It's just standard security protocol, when a client picks up their pet. There's been a lot of pet thefts lately, and we just want to make sure the pet is being picked up by the correct owner,"

"I understand,"

I hand over my driver's license to the female clerk. The clerk verifies the information and goes to the back, where the kennels are located, to get Fred. My heart melts, once I see the clerk lead out my big fur baby. I see the happiness light up in Fred's eyes, once he sees me.

"Here's your dog, Mrs. McCallister. He's been a very good doggy during his stay at the Woof Woof Kennel," the clerk says, and she hands me Fred's leash. I lead him out of the kennel, while thanking the staff for treating Fred so well and wishing them a merry Christmas.

"Momma missed you so much, Fred. I bet you missed me and the rest of the family," I whisper to the bouncing Collie, as I walk him back to the van, where Gus is waiting.

Before opening the van door, I bend down to Fred's level and tell him, "You'd better behave, once we get inside the van, because the nice man has went out of his way to get me back home as quickly as possible to Kevin. I left him home alone. I just hope Kevin's okay," I cry

Fred licks my face, letting me know he understands, and tries to cheer me up. "Oh, Fred, I wouldn't know what I'd do, if I didn't have you. I'd go insane, most-likely." I laugh, while giving Fred a quick hug, before I straighten my posture.

I open the van door, and Fred and myself enter the van. Gus thinks Fred is a riot, and laughs uncontrollably at Fred's antics, like Fred handing out his paw to introduce himself, before I commanded Fred to lie on my lap. Now, I can give Gus directions to Lincoln Blvd….

The McCallister House-Outside

Winnetka, Illinois

Christmas Day, 8:45 A.M.

(Kate's PoV:)

My heart jolts in excitement, once I see the van stop in front of my lovely home. "Momma's finally home, Kevin. You're safe now," I silently cry to myself.

"Well, here we are, Kate!" Gus laughs. "To be serious, I just want to say thank you for helping me and my band back in Louisville. If it weren't for you, the band and I would most-likely still be stuck back at the airport there. I will never forget your act of kindness, Kate. As a token of our appreciation, here's a complete set of every song we've recorded,"

Gus's words touch me deeply, so I reply, "Thank you for the album. Also, thank you for answering my prayers, and giving me a ride back to Chicago, when I needed to get home to my son. You will always be in my gratitude, and I will always remember your words of advice," I exit the van, holding tightly onto Fred's leash, while one of the band members places my suitcase on the porch.

"You're welcome, Kate. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your son. Bye, Fred. Your antics made this trip an interesting one," Gus pats him on the head.

"I will, Gus. I hope you have a merry Christmas and a safe trip back to Wisconsin," I smile.

"I will, Kate," Gus laughs, as I close the door.

Gus waves "goodbye", as he drives off for Wisconsin. I wave back and watch the van fade into the distance. Gus honks his horn, acknowledging he saw me wave. Soon, the van is gone, and it's just Fred and I, standing on the walkway, in a quiet, snow-covered neighborhood.

"Well, Fred, it's time for me to face the music with Kevin. I just hope it's not a repeat with Christine," Fred just licks my hand, like he's telling me everything is going to be okay. "Well, let's get inside, out of the cold." I walk Fred up the walkway and onto the porch. I unlock the door, grab my suitcase, and Fred, and I head inside, not knowing what's about to happen…

END