"Beep…beep…beep…beep." The sound of the machines behind him shook Gary
out of his deep sleep. He felt someone squeeze his hand as he opened his eyes.
He looked up to find Marissa, Chuck, Jade, Patrick, and Henry standing over
him. Gary stat up groggily trying to adjust his eyes but quickly laid back down
being incredibly weak. He tried to speak.
"shh…" Marissa stopped him. The look in all of their eyes confirmed his suspicion.
Erica wasn't ok.
"Umm Patrick would you mind taking Henry down to the cafeteria to get an
ice cream or something?" she questioned.
"Sure come on pal." He grabbed Henry's hand and led him out of the room.
"How is she?" He finally asked.
"I'm sorry Gare." Chuck said softly. Marissa wiped a tear away from her cheek
and sniffled.
"No!" Gary whispered.
"There's nothing you could have done anyway Gary, the doctors said she
suffocated." Marissa informed.
"What were you guys doing there anyway?" Jade asked.
"Jade honey I think Patrick needs our help." Chuck started leading her out of
the door.
"But Charles?" She questioned. Gary took a deep breath trying to take
everything in.
"You know something Gary you don't always have to act so strong." Marissa
stated.
"I'm not trying to act so strong," he informed, " I'm trying to comprehend what
just happened. I'm trying to figure out why I can save hundreds of people but
not one person close to me!" He now started to cry with frustration grabbing
the water container to the left of him and whipping it against the wall. Marissa
cringed then sat next to him and pulled her arm around him rocking him back
and fourth trying to calm him down.
"Please don't blame yourself Gary if it's anyone's fault it's mine. I made her go."
Marissa stated.
"No Marissa it's not your fault. You were just trying to help." She handed him
one of her tissues and he wiped the flowing tears away.
"You know my last words to her were stay here and while you're at it check the
date. I was referring to the paper. She found out before she…" his voice trailed
off. "What about Henry. How's he taking it?" Gary asked.
"Well we haven't told him yet we were hopping you could help us."
"Oh no I can't… I can't be the one to tell Henry that I killed his mom."
"Gary you didn't kill her. It was her choice to go in that house she knew the
consequences." Marissa told him pausing to grab another tissue. There was a
knock at the door. "Come in." Marissa said collecting all of her running mascara
with the tissue. Patrick opened the door and Henry walked in with him.
"This probably isn't the best time but Henry says he needs to talk to us." Patrick
shut the door gently and Henry crawled up in the bed between Gary and Marissa.
"Gary," his little voice was unsure,"where's my mommie? The lat time I saw her
she went with you." Gary paused not sure of his next words.
"Well… uhh… first off I want you to know that no matter what happens I'm not
going to let anything bad happen to you, ok kido?" He nodded. "Now listen to
me." Gary said tears starting to flow again. "You're going to have to trust me,
Marissa, and Patrick ok?" He nodded again. A knot grew in his throat and his
jaw clenched. Marissa took over where he left off.
"Patrick will you give us a minuet alone with him?" She enquired.
"Yes of course." He said existing.
"Henry honey," she turned to him, "I told your mom to go with Gary this
evening because he had to go help out people that were going to die in a fire.
She found out about the paper then." She took a deep breath. There was a
period of silence.
"Ok so where is she now?" He asked innocently.
"Well… you see Henry after…after seeing Gary go into the house your mom
followed him in. Gary didn't know until it was to late." Henry scrunched up his
face as if not fully understanding.
"But you got to her in time right. You found her didn't you?" He questioned
turning to Gary then back to Marissa. Marissa shook her head.
"No buddy I didn't." Gary said slowly.
"What do you mean… you always get to them in time. So why not this time,
why didn't you want to save my mom?" He asked the trembling Gary starting
to cry.
"Oh Henry I wanted to save your mom more than anything in this world. I
promise you that." Gary whispered as he stroked Henry's hair.
"Something's happen for a reason." Marissa informed.
"What's the reason for this?" Henry asked now crying harder.
"I don't know honey. I don't know." She said pulling him into her. There was a
knock at the door and Sonnet came in.
"Mr. Hobson! Wow most people are afraid of the hospital but you… we basically
have to throw you out the first visit and within hours your back again!" She said
peppy even though everyone in the room was crying. "Let me check your
blood pressure and breathing and if everything's normal then I'm sorry to say
Mr. Hobson but your going to have to be released! I mean if you like it that
much here we can always use candy stripers," she smiled.
"Mr. H I think you would look totally stellar in a white and red dress!" Patrick
said leaning against the door. He was smiling for the first time since he heard
about Erica.
"Yea I think he's definitely got the legs for it!" Sonnet stated. They both laughed.
"Patrick Quinn." He said extending his hand.
"Sonnet Summer. Nice to meet you." She blushed.
"Like wise."
Gary cleared his throat.
"Oh yea Mr. Hobson!" She stated remembering he was waiting for her. Marissa
moved into the seat next to Gary and Henry crawled up into her lap. She
rocked him back and fourth as they both cried.
"Your mom was a wonderful person. Try not to ever forget her." Marissa sated
as Henry wrapped his arms around her neck.
"Take a deep breath." Sonnet said placing the stethtascope on his back and
gazing at Patrick. Patrick took a deep breath. "Uhh.. Gary take a deep breath."
She giggled. His eyes got big.
"Oh…of course." She paused. "Well Mr. Hobson everything's normal. Are you
tired?"
"No" "Have a head ache?" She enquired. He shook his head. "Then your free to
go," she looked down at Marissa. "Make sure he gets home ok." Marissa closed
her eyes and nodded. Chuck and Jade walked back in.
"Let's get going." Chuck urged.
"One sec." Gary said grabbing his shirt and pants then heading for the
bathroom. He looked as though he was 30 years older and Marissa could tell
from his voice he was disoriented. Patrick went over to Henry and picked him
up. He placed a hand on the back of his head.
"You know something champ I'm always going to be here for you no matter
what. So what ever you need don't hesitate to ask." Henry laid his head on
Parick's shoulder and sniffled as Gary came out of the bathroom.
"Ready?" Gary asked them all. They all nodded silently and existed the room.
They weren't even half way down the hall when Sonnet caught up with them.
"Mr. Hobson… I'm so sorry about your loss I just found out." Gary put his hand in
his pockets and just looked her over with a look of grievance in his eyes. He
turned around and started walking away. "Wait! I didn't come to dwell on the
subject. I'm here to give you her valuables." She grabbed his hand and emptied
the contents from hers to his then grabbed his other hand cupping the stuff
inside. "This was all she had with her." Sonnet said taking a deep breath and
looking down at the floor then back at them. She slowly started walking
backwards before turning around and walking away. They all just stood there
silently not knowing where to go or what to say. Gary slowly opened his hand
and tears welled up at what he saw. There in his hand was the diamond heart
charm and gold chain he had gotten her for Valentines Day. Gary looked up
closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
"What is it?" Marissa asked.
"It's noth-" Patrick started trying to save Gary the pain.
"No… no Patrick it's ok. It's the necklace that I bought her for Valentines Day,"
he said flatly. "And I never got to tell her…I never got to tell her how much I
cared. How much her smile-" he stopped mid-sentence seeing Henrys reactions.
Henry buried his face in Patrick's sweater. "I..I let her die… how could I let
someone I care about die? It's my fault…I failed!." He paused running his fingers
through his hair nervously and swallowed trying to get rid of the lump in his
throat.
"Gary you can't possibly believe that!" Marissa cut in. He ignored her and
continued on.
"Chuck please just take me home." He said softly. "And make sure Patrick,
Henry, and Marissa get home safe." He added.
"Sure thing buddy." He said slapping his back. "But one thing."
"Yea" Gary said tiredly.
"Where do I take Henry?" He asked. Gary paused realizing he had forgotten
about that.
"Well I really don't think that's up to Gary, Chuck." Marissa cut in. She placed a
hand on Henry's back. "Henry who would you like to stay with tonight?" He
didn't move. Patrick looked down at his little damp face.
"Shh… he fell asleep." He informed the rest of them.
"Then it looks as though he's made his decision." Marissa stated.
"Oh no, he can't stay with me." Patrick began.
"And why not?" Chuck asked.
"Because I'm not even going back to my dorm room. My frat brothers are
throwing a party and if I want to get up in the morning that's definitely not
the place to stay."
"What about you Marissa?" Chuck questioned.
"How much help am I going to be when he wakes up in the morning and don't
know where he is?" I don't know how to take care of children!" She informed.
"Sure ya do every woman does."
"I'm not like most women you know Chuck!"
"True!" He turned to Gary. "Looks like he's staying with us?" Gary turned to
Chuck.
"Us?"
"Yea Gare it will be fun just like old times, you and me in college." Chuck said
trying to ease the situation. Gary put his head in his hands. Then slowly made
his way over to Patrick who rested Henry in Gary's arms. Gary pressed his little
warm body close to his. The ride home took what seemed like forever. Gary wa
s glad to open up his loft door and see his home. He quietly shut the door
behind he, Jade, and Chuck so he wouldn't wake Henry.
"Jade you and Henry can take my bed, Chuck and I will take the couches." He
whispered pulling the covers down on his bed and lying Henry in it. He looked
down at Henry with soft eyes and stroked his hair. "I hope everything works out
for him. I mean he's so young." Gary said pulling the covers up over him. Jade
came out of the bathroom in her sweat pants and tee shirts.
"What about his father?" She asked as Chuck walked past her and into the
bathroom.
"Actually his dad died not to long ago. He was a gambler and in major debt.
One day a guy he owed a lot found him and lit his throat." Gary said.
"Oh the poor dear! He must have been devastated."
"At first he was but his dad was never around and they weren't close so he
wasn't that upset." Chuck came out of the bathroom changed and Gary went
in with a hand full of clothes. Whenever he came back out the conversation
picked up where it left off.
"So where's he going to go?" Jade asked.
"Well Erica's parents live kinda close in Gallina, that's where he'll probably end
up." Gary said fluffing up his pillows on the couch.
"Charles dear would you mind untying my shoes and taking them off for me? I
can't bend down let alone see my feet over this stomach of mine!" She joked
patting her round stomach. Jade sat down on the bed and Chuck went over to
her. Gary walked over to the window and gazed out of the lit up city of
Chicago. Chuck looked up at him with a look of concern.
"You know this better not be permanent," he directed his attention to Henry,
"because the kid'll never get any sleep with all your snoring Gare!" He joked.
Gary turned around and gazed at him.
"Permanent!" he snickered in disbelief turning his attention back to the window.
Chuck kissed Jade goodnight then made his way over to the couch and laid
back down.
"Gare you coming to bed?" He said reaching for the lamp.
"No I can't sleep I just need some time to think that's all."
"Suit yourself but remember buddy 6:30 (am) comes early!" He informed
shutting out the light. Gary pressed his hand against the window leaning on it. It
made a whitish imprint since his hand was warm and the window was so cold. A
tear slid off of his face and splashed on to the hard wood floor below. He
ignored it pulling up a chair to the window and taking a seat.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Her voice was familiar and inviting to him and extremely calming. "Ga-ry!" she
whispered softly. "Gary please don't blame yourself for what happened to me.
Like Marissa said it was my choice I knew the consequences." She paused. "Oh
Gary why didn't you tell me about that… that paper. It would have solved so
many of our problems. And you don't have to be upset with not telling me you
deeply cared for me… I already knew!" She sighed. "Please Gary do me a
favor… I need you to take good care of Henry for me… he is my life. You're a
good man Gary Hobson and I know you'll pass that on to him. Just make sure
he never forgets me. I want you to know that I loved you and always will and
just because you can't see me doesn't mean I'm not there." The last words
echoed to him over and over.
"Ahhhh!!!!" Gary screamed falling from his seat at
the window and down to the floor. He was covered in sweat and looked
around at his surroundings. He wondered when he'd fallen asleep and looked
up to finally realize all the flights in his loft were on.
"Are you ok Gare?" Chuck said leaving Jades side. Gary rubbed the side of his
head that hit against the floor.
"Uhh…yea… yea find," he looked around, "are we the only ones in here?"
"Yea why?"
"No reason" Gary turned his attention to Henry who had been crying.
"If my kid wakes up screaming like a banshee and freaking out like that," he
pointed to Henry, "there's going to be hell to pay!" Gary gave him a look of
discuss as he got off of the floor and went to Henry's side where he was lying
across Jades legs. He had woken up crying because of a nightmare.
"Shhh…" Gary said brushing his cheek. "Don't cry. Here come with me." He said
picking Henry up. "You guys can go back to bed we'll be up later." He
informed shutting the door behind him.
"Where are we going?" Henry whispered wiping his eyes. Gary's bare feet
pattered on the floor as he went down the hard wood stairs and into the bar.
"Just going for a midnight snack that's all. It always puts me back to sleep." He
was stroking the back of Henrys head then he placed him on a bar stool and
walked to the other side of the bar.
"Gary…I'm not mad at you anymore. I was before but Marissa explained to me
that it wasn't your fault."
"Well that's good I wouldn't want you to be made at me." He said pouring
some cheerios in two bowls then grabbing some milk. "Here buddy eat up." He
said placing a bowl in front of him. Gary rested his chin on the palm of his hand.
Studying him wondering how he could be taking it so well. He knew in his
position he wouldn't be able to eat, sleep, or even think. Within five minuets his
bowl was empty and Gary's untouched. Gary sighed putting Henry's bowl in the
sink and his on the floor for the cat. It was 3:15 am. They sat silently till Henry
finally spoke up.
"Gary?"
"Yea?"
"I heard you and Jade saying I'm going to live with my grandma and grandpa."
"Well Chuck said he called them. They will be here tomorrow morning."
"But I don't wanna go with them! Their house smells and I'll miss you, Marissa,
and Patrick to much." He whined.
"Gallina's very close Henry anytime you wanna visit we'd be happy to have you."
Gary faked a smile. His heart broke every time he looked at him. He reminded
him so much of Erica.
"Really?" Henry asked.
"Really!" Gary stated. "You ready to go to bed?"
"Yea, I think so. Can I sleep with you though? I don't want to have anymore
dreams." Henry questioned.
"Sure pal." Gary said picking up his empty bowl off of the floor then tossing it in
the sink. Gary walked over to the other side of the bar and picked up Henry
again and headed up the stairs. When they walked into the loft all the lights
were off and their guests asleep. Gary crossed over to the bed and grabbed
Henry's pillow then made his ay over to the couch. He placed Henry's pillow at
the opposite side of his and laid him down. Then he laid down and pulled the
covers over them.
"If you have a nightmare I'm right here ok?" Gary whispered.
"Ok" Gary closed his eyes and for once was at peace.
out of his deep sleep. He felt someone squeeze his hand as he opened his eyes.
He looked up to find Marissa, Chuck, Jade, Patrick, and Henry standing over
him. Gary stat up groggily trying to adjust his eyes but quickly laid back down
being incredibly weak. He tried to speak.
"shh…" Marissa stopped him. The look in all of their eyes confirmed his suspicion.
Erica wasn't ok.
"Umm Patrick would you mind taking Henry down to the cafeteria to get an
ice cream or something?" she questioned.
"Sure come on pal." He grabbed Henry's hand and led him out of the room.
"How is she?" He finally asked.
"I'm sorry Gare." Chuck said softly. Marissa wiped a tear away from her cheek
and sniffled.
"No!" Gary whispered.
"There's nothing you could have done anyway Gary, the doctors said she
suffocated." Marissa informed.
"What were you guys doing there anyway?" Jade asked.
"Jade honey I think Patrick needs our help." Chuck started leading her out of
the door.
"But Charles?" She questioned. Gary took a deep breath trying to take
everything in.
"You know something Gary you don't always have to act so strong." Marissa
stated.
"I'm not trying to act so strong," he informed, " I'm trying to comprehend what
just happened. I'm trying to figure out why I can save hundreds of people but
not one person close to me!" He now started to cry with frustration grabbing
the water container to the left of him and whipping it against the wall. Marissa
cringed then sat next to him and pulled her arm around him rocking him back
and fourth trying to calm him down.
"Please don't blame yourself Gary if it's anyone's fault it's mine. I made her go."
Marissa stated.
"No Marissa it's not your fault. You were just trying to help." She handed him
one of her tissues and he wiped the flowing tears away.
"You know my last words to her were stay here and while you're at it check the
date. I was referring to the paper. She found out before she…" his voice trailed
off. "What about Henry. How's he taking it?" Gary asked.
"Well we haven't told him yet we were hopping you could help us."
"Oh no I can't… I can't be the one to tell Henry that I killed his mom."
"Gary you didn't kill her. It was her choice to go in that house she knew the
consequences." Marissa told him pausing to grab another tissue. There was a
knock at the door. "Come in." Marissa said collecting all of her running mascara
with the tissue. Patrick opened the door and Henry walked in with him.
"This probably isn't the best time but Henry says he needs to talk to us." Patrick
shut the door gently and Henry crawled up in the bed between Gary and Marissa.
"Gary," his little voice was unsure,"where's my mommie? The lat time I saw her
she went with you." Gary paused not sure of his next words.
"Well… uhh… first off I want you to know that no matter what happens I'm not
going to let anything bad happen to you, ok kido?" He nodded. "Now listen to
me." Gary said tears starting to flow again. "You're going to have to trust me,
Marissa, and Patrick ok?" He nodded again. A knot grew in his throat and his
jaw clenched. Marissa took over where he left off.
"Patrick will you give us a minuet alone with him?" She enquired.
"Yes of course." He said existing.
"Henry honey," she turned to him, "I told your mom to go with Gary this
evening because he had to go help out people that were going to die in a fire.
She found out about the paper then." She took a deep breath. There was a
period of silence.
"Ok so where is she now?" He asked innocently.
"Well… you see Henry after…after seeing Gary go into the house your mom
followed him in. Gary didn't know until it was to late." Henry scrunched up his
face as if not fully understanding.
"But you got to her in time right. You found her didn't you?" He questioned
turning to Gary then back to Marissa. Marissa shook her head.
"No buddy I didn't." Gary said slowly.
"What do you mean… you always get to them in time. So why not this time,
why didn't you want to save my mom?" He asked the trembling Gary starting
to cry.
"Oh Henry I wanted to save your mom more than anything in this world. I
promise you that." Gary whispered as he stroked Henry's hair.
"Something's happen for a reason." Marissa informed.
"What's the reason for this?" Henry asked now crying harder.
"I don't know honey. I don't know." She said pulling him into her. There was a
knock at the door and Sonnet came in.
"Mr. Hobson! Wow most people are afraid of the hospital but you… we basically
have to throw you out the first visit and within hours your back again!" She said
peppy even though everyone in the room was crying. "Let me check your
blood pressure and breathing and if everything's normal then I'm sorry to say
Mr. Hobson but your going to have to be released! I mean if you like it that
much here we can always use candy stripers," she smiled.
"Mr. H I think you would look totally stellar in a white and red dress!" Patrick
said leaning against the door. He was smiling for the first time since he heard
about Erica.
"Yea I think he's definitely got the legs for it!" Sonnet stated. They both laughed.
"Patrick Quinn." He said extending his hand.
"Sonnet Summer. Nice to meet you." She blushed.
"Like wise."
Gary cleared his throat.
"Oh yea Mr. Hobson!" She stated remembering he was waiting for her. Marissa
moved into the seat next to Gary and Henry crawled up into her lap. She
rocked him back and fourth as they both cried.
"Your mom was a wonderful person. Try not to ever forget her." Marissa sated
as Henry wrapped his arms around her neck.
"Take a deep breath." Sonnet said placing the stethtascope on his back and
gazing at Patrick. Patrick took a deep breath. "Uhh.. Gary take a deep breath."
She giggled. His eyes got big.
"Oh…of course." She paused. "Well Mr. Hobson everything's normal. Are you
tired?"
"No" "Have a head ache?" She enquired. He shook his head. "Then your free to
go," she looked down at Marissa. "Make sure he gets home ok." Marissa closed
her eyes and nodded. Chuck and Jade walked back in.
"Let's get going." Chuck urged.
"One sec." Gary said grabbing his shirt and pants then heading for the
bathroom. He looked as though he was 30 years older and Marissa could tell
from his voice he was disoriented. Patrick went over to Henry and picked him
up. He placed a hand on the back of his head.
"You know something champ I'm always going to be here for you no matter
what. So what ever you need don't hesitate to ask." Henry laid his head on
Parick's shoulder and sniffled as Gary came out of the bathroom.
"Ready?" Gary asked them all. They all nodded silently and existed the room.
They weren't even half way down the hall when Sonnet caught up with them.
"Mr. Hobson… I'm so sorry about your loss I just found out." Gary put his hand in
his pockets and just looked her over with a look of grievance in his eyes. He
turned around and started walking away. "Wait! I didn't come to dwell on the
subject. I'm here to give you her valuables." She grabbed his hand and emptied
the contents from hers to his then grabbed his other hand cupping the stuff
inside. "This was all she had with her." Sonnet said taking a deep breath and
looking down at the floor then back at them. She slowly started walking
backwards before turning around and walking away. They all just stood there
silently not knowing where to go or what to say. Gary slowly opened his hand
and tears welled up at what he saw. There in his hand was the diamond heart
charm and gold chain he had gotten her for Valentines Day. Gary looked up
closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
"What is it?" Marissa asked.
"It's noth-" Patrick started trying to save Gary the pain.
"No… no Patrick it's ok. It's the necklace that I bought her for Valentines Day,"
he said flatly. "And I never got to tell her…I never got to tell her how much I
cared. How much her smile-" he stopped mid-sentence seeing Henrys reactions.
Henry buried his face in Patrick's sweater. "I..I let her die… how could I let
someone I care about die? It's my fault…I failed!." He paused running his fingers
through his hair nervously and swallowed trying to get rid of the lump in his
throat.
"Gary you can't possibly believe that!" Marissa cut in. He ignored her and
continued on.
"Chuck please just take me home." He said softly. "And make sure Patrick,
Henry, and Marissa get home safe." He added.
"Sure thing buddy." He said slapping his back. "But one thing."
"Yea" Gary said tiredly.
"Where do I take Henry?" He asked. Gary paused realizing he had forgotten
about that.
"Well I really don't think that's up to Gary, Chuck." Marissa cut in. She placed a
hand on Henry's back. "Henry who would you like to stay with tonight?" He
didn't move. Patrick looked down at his little damp face.
"Shh… he fell asleep." He informed the rest of them.
"Then it looks as though he's made his decision." Marissa stated.
"Oh no, he can't stay with me." Patrick began.
"And why not?" Chuck asked.
"Because I'm not even going back to my dorm room. My frat brothers are
throwing a party and if I want to get up in the morning that's definitely not
the place to stay."
"What about you Marissa?" Chuck questioned.
"How much help am I going to be when he wakes up in the morning and don't
know where he is?" I don't know how to take care of children!" She informed.
"Sure ya do every woman does."
"I'm not like most women you know Chuck!"
"True!" He turned to Gary. "Looks like he's staying with us?" Gary turned to
Chuck.
"Us?"
"Yea Gare it will be fun just like old times, you and me in college." Chuck said
trying to ease the situation. Gary put his head in his hands. Then slowly made
his way over to Patrick who rested Henry in Gary's arms. Gary pressed his little
warm body close to his. The ride home took what seemed like forever. Gary wa
s glad to open up his loft door and see his home. He quietly shut the door
behind he, Jade, and Chuck so he wouldn't wake Henry.
"Jade you and Henry can take my bed, Chuck and I will take the couches." He
whispered pulling the covers down on his bed and lying Henry in it. He looked
down at Henry with soft eyes and stroked his hair. "I hope everything works out
for him. I mean he's so young." Gary said pulling the covers up over him. Jade
came out of the bathroom in her sweat pants and tee shirts.
"What about his father?" She asked as Chuck walked past her and into the
bathroom.
"Actually his dad died not to long ago. He was a gambler and in major debt.
One day a guy he owed a lot found him and lit his throat." Gary said.
"Oh the poor dear! He must have been devastated."
"At first he was but his dad was never around and they weren't close so he
wasn't that upset." Chuck came out of the bathroom changed and Gary went
in with a hand full of clothes. Whenever he came back out the conversation
picked up where it left off.
"So where's he going to go?" Jade asked.
"Well Erica's parents live kinda close in Gallina, that's where he'll probably end
up." Gary said fluffing up his pillows on the couch.
"Charles dear would you mind untying my shoes and taking them off for me? I
can't bend down let alone see my feet over this stomach of mine!" She joked
patting her round stomach. Jade sat down on the bed and Chuck went over to
her. Gary walked over to the window and gazed out of the lit up city of
Chicago. Chuck looked up at him with a look of concern.
"You know this better not be permanent," he directed his attention to Henry,
"because the kid'll never get any sleep with all your snoring Gare!" He joked.
Gary turned around and gazed at him.
"Permanent!" he snickered in disbelief turning his attention back to the window.
Chuck kissed Jade goodnight then made his way over to the couch and laid
back down.
"Gare you coming to bed?" He said reaching for the lamp.
"No I can't sleep I just need some time to think that's all."
"Suit yourself but remember buddy 6:30 (am) comes early!" He informed
shutting out the light. Gary pressed his hand against the window leaning on it. It
made a whitish imprint since his hand was warm and the window was so cold. A
tear slid off of his face and splashed on to the hard wood floor below. He
ignored it pulling up a chair to the window and taking a seat.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Her voice was familiar and inviting to him and extremely calming. "Ga-ry!" she
whispered softly. "Gary please don't blame yourself for what happened to me.
Like Marissa said it was my choice I knew the consequences." She paused. "Oh
Gary why didn't you tell me about that… that paper. It would have solved so
many of our problems. And you don't have to be upset with not telling me you
deeply cared for me… I already knew!" She sighed. "Please Gary do me a
favor… I need you to take good care of Henry for me… he is my life. You're a
good man Gary Hobson and I know you'll pass that on to him. Just make sure
he never forgets me. I want you to know that I loved you and always will and
just because you can't see me doesn't mean I'm not there." The last words
echoed to him over and over.
"Ahhhh!!!!" Gary screamed falling from his seat at
the window and down to the floor. He was covered in sweat and looked
around at his surroundings. He wondered when he'd fallen asleep and looked
up to finally realize all the flights in his loft were on.
"Are you ok Gare?" Chuck said leaving Jades side. Gary rubbed the side of his
head that hit against the floor.
"Uhh…yea… yea find," he looked around, "are we the only ones in here?"
"Yea why?"
"No reason" Gary turned his attention to Henry who had been crying.
"If my kid wakes up screaming like a banshee and freaking out like that," he
pointed to Henry, "there's going to be hell to pay!" Gary gave him a look of
discuss as he got off of the floor and went to Henry's side where he was lying
across Jades legs. He had woken up crying because of a nightmare.
"Shhh…" Gary said brushing his cheek. "Don't cry. Here come with me." He said
picking Henry up. "You guys can go back to bed we'll be up later." He
informed shutting the door behind him.
"Where are we going?" Henry whispered wiping his eyes. Gary's bare feet
pattered on the floor as he went down the hard wood stairs and into the bar.
"Just going for a midnight snack that's all. It always puts me back to sleep." He
was stroking the back of Henrys head then he placed him on a bar stool and
walked to the other side of the bar.
"Gary…I'm not mad at you anymore. I was before but Marissa explained to me
that it wasn't your fault."
"Well that's good I wouldn't want you to be made at me." He said pouring
some cheerios in two bowls then grabbing some milk. "Here buddy eat up." He
said placing a bowl in front of him. Gary rested his chin on the palm of his hand.
Studying him wondering how he could be taking it so well. He knew in his
position he wouldn't be able to eat, sleep, or even think. Within five minuets his
bowl was empty and Gary's untouched. Gary sighed putting Henry's bowl in the
sink and his on the floor for the cat. It was 3:15 am. They sat silently till Henry
finally spoke up.
"Gary?"
"Yea?"
"I heard you and Jade saying I'm going to live with my grandma and grandpa."
"Well Chuck said he called them. They will be here tomorrow morning."
"But I don't wanna go with them! Their house smells and I'll miss you, Marissa,
and Patrick to much." He whined.
"Gallina's very close Henry anytime you wanna visit we'd be happy to have you."
Gary faked a smile. His heart broke every time he looked at him. He reminded
him so much of Erica.
"Really?" Henry asked.
"Really!" Gary stated. "You ready to go to bed?"
"Yea, I think so. Can I sleep with you though? I don't want to have anymore
dreams." Henry questioned.
"Sure pal." Gary said picking up his empty bowl off of the floor then tossing it in
the sink. Gary walked over to the other side of the bar and picked up Henry
again and headed up the stairs. When they walked into the loft all the lights
were off and their guests asleep. Gary crossed over to the bed and grabbed
Henry's pillow then made his ay over to the couch. He placed Henry's pillow at
the opposite side of his and laid him down. Then he laid down and pulled the
covers over them.
"If you have a nightmare I'm right here ok?" Gary whispered.
"Ok" Gary closed his eyes and for once was at peace.