Chapter Twenty-Five
Paul pulled up a seat, ordering a
drink. "So," he said. "You look like the world is
coming to an end."
"It just might be." Marcie said. "You have no
idea, Paul."
"Try me," Paul grinned, sipping his drink.
Marcie swirled her straw in her soda. "My brother Ron was
arrested." she said. "Which is... absolutely crazy.
It's insane. Because... he would never do anything wrong. He...
he came to Llanview because of me. And, now he's spending the
night in jail... I don't know what else to do. I went for help...
he got a lawyer, but... what else can I do?"
"What do the cops say he did?" Paul sipped.
"Murder..." Marcie said softly, growing sick to her
stomach. "But he's innocent. I know he is."
"Then if he's innocent, he'll get off... he won't be
convicted."
"The police seem to think they... Paul, they have evidence.
They have evidence that puts him at the scene of the crime."
"Look," Paul leaned forward. "Marcie... you know
your brother, right? Right. So, you know he wont go to
jail." he paused. "You're here to get your mind off of
all this, right?" Marcie nodded. "So, let's get your
mind off of it." Marcie nodded slowly. "How about
something to eat? Huh... A few hours of thinking of absolutely
nothing." Marcie managed a smile. "Come on, let's
get out of here."
Al couldn't think of anywhere else to go. He found himself
standing at the apartment door, knocking.
Bo answered. "Michael McBain..." he said as he strapped
on his holster.
"Commissioner," Al said. "I was hoping to talk to
my..." he paused. "To Gabrielle... she isn't here
is she?"
"What is this about?" he asked.
"It's OK, Bo." Gabrielle had come into the room.
"I asked to speak with Dr. McBain." She lied. "I'll
be fine." Bo was reluctant to leave. "Bo... I'll
be fine. Promise."
"Alright," Bo gave in. "I'm gonna probably be
late." Gabrielle nodded. "OK..." he stepped out of
the apartment.
"Al." Gabrielle said. "What is it, what's
wrong?"
"This is a disaster." he said. "Remember when you
asked what happen... when Marcie sees me?" Gabrielle nodded.
"Poof."
"Poof?" Gabrielle couldn't help but laugh.
"This is serious." Al paced. "Come New Year's
Eve, I've gotta give back this body. My lease is up...
either way. Whether she sees me or not." He paused.
"What if Marcie... was never meant to see me? What if...
this whole thing was just a way to help her move on? Without me.
I'm changing Michael McBain, giving him some kind of heart
or soul of something. What if... I'm grooming him?"
"That's crazy, Al."
"But it makes sense, Mom. I mean... it doesn't make
sense, but... you know what I mean. Why else would I get stuck in
this body if I wasn't going to stay? Marcie has to be
happy... I'm here to help her. Right? That's right...
isn't it?"
"Al... you came back here for Marcie. You wanted her to see
you... like I saw you. And you can still do that. That's
what you want. You go after it, Don't stop until you get
it."
"Mom..."
"Look at everything you've accomplished." she
smiled. "Marcie already loves you. She fell in love... with
you, Al. Get her to look in here." She placed her hand above
his heart. "Get her to look inside and I promise you... I
promise she'll see you." She cupped his cheek with a
soft smile. "How could anyone not? You have until New Year's
Eve. Trust your heart Al. Trust it."
