Authors: Mahalia Levey
Life worked well for them. Connor set goals and provided for their
future. She took care of Ashland and worked on bases advocating for various
charitable needs when she wasn’t working or meeting with other wives who needed
support while their husbands were on detachment. Twelve years in, tragedy
struck sucking him from her life. A heart attack killed him while on
deployment. A month later, she received papers from his family’s lawyer. His
parents wanted joint custody of their grandchild in their wake of their son’s
death. They didn’t win then, but that didn’t stop the fear of it happening now
from crashing down on her. If his parents got wind of the accident, or their
hospitalization, they’d take Ashland.
Mia let her mind drift to her fireman. Her fear was secondary to how her
body responded to
Dire’s
touch. She hoped he’d missed
her sharp gasp earlier.
“I may not be on the list, but I am family.” Speak of the devil and they
shall appear. The curtains rustled and she got an eyeful of Maryellen. Her
mother-in-law in all her glory, swept into the room—regal, always perfectly put
together. Mia slouched in the bed and closed her eyes hoping the aberration
would disappear.
“Don’t play opossum with me. Why didn’t you call us?” Maryellen loomed
over her.
Seems ignoring it wouldn’t work. “I haven’t been awake long, and I
haven’t had the energy to ask for my phone to call you. I hope you understand.”
Hopefully her in-law would back the fuck off.
“Mom!”
“Hey baby.
C’mon in.”
Ashland stepped into the
room with Dire. He glanced at her with a questioning air.
“So Maryellen, how did you find out we were here if no one called you?”
“How do I learn about everything in my granddaughter’s life…social
networks.
If it wasn’t for technology, I’d never learn a
thing.”
Whose fault is that?
“I’m sorry, Mom. I was telling Marissa, who texted the team, and then we
all converged on
Cheerboard
. They wanted to see a
picture of the truck, so I posted on Gabfest and one of the boys from our team
posted on his page.”
“I hate social media.” Blocking the sites hadn’t worked. Ashland found
ways around it. Now she had a program that sent her anything improper talked
about, which
was a lot
considering teens and the
company they kept.
“I don’t appreciate being the last to know everything in regards to Ash.”
Weakness washed over her. The accident, Dire, thoughts of her husband and
how guilty she felt at feeling anything for another man were a lot to handle in
one fell swoop, adding a pissy intruding family member and shit hit the fan
faster.
“Ma’am.”
“Don’t you know it’s rude to intrude on private conversation?” The ice
queen returned with a vengeance. Hell everyone in the hall most likely heard
the dragon speak.
“Mia and—”
“Jesus girl.
You go from an officer to a local fire
fighter? Both are jobs that can and will end in tragedy. You’ve already had
one. What kind of example are you setting for Ash? Men like him shouldn’t have
serious relationships when they can’t promise they’ll return.”
“Excuse me. If you’d waited two seconds instead of ripping into a trauma
victim, you’d have heard me say Mia and I are not a couple, and even if we were
it would be no business of yours. You need to leave. Your daughter-in-law was
in an accident. She doesn’t deserve to be lashed at or demeaned by your
insults, nor does Ashland deserve to hear any of the words spewing out of your
mouth.” Dire stalked over and sandwiched himself between them. Mia watched
slack jawed as he took charge of the situation. “If you don’t leave, I’ll call
security.”
“Come along, Ashland. Let’s get the doctor to release you. There’s no way
I’ll allow you to stay here overnight if you don’t need to.” Instead of blindly
following her grandma, Ashland stood by Dire.
“When Daddy died you tried to take me from Mom permanently, Grandma.
Worse, Uncle Andrew asked Mom to marry him because of you. I love you. I really
do…and I miss you and Grandpa, but you try too hard to railroad other people to
do what you want. I promise I’ll
come
visit for a few
days before Christmas break is over if you apologize. My mom is the best mom in
the world. You would see for yourself if you could get past losing dad. Go
home, I’ll calm Mom down and if I can’t drive, I’ll take a cab or ride the bus.
We can have tea, talk about books and stuff I like to do. Okay?”
“Oh baby.
Of course.
We can discuss the prep
school you should be in and it’s not too late to begin looking at colleges. I
hope you’ve been doing community works for your college resume.”
When did her daughter become the mediator?
Ashland came over and kissed her cheek. “I’m going to go walk Grandma to
her car. I’ll be right back.” The next thing she knew, her baby crushed her in
a bear hug, let go and turned her attention to Dire. “Promise to make sure my
mom stays in her bed and doesn’t do something freakish like try to leave before
the doctor says she can?”
“I will sit on her if I have to.”
Dire’s
words
made her stomach flip over, or maybe it was the pain killers. Mia huffed and
pulled the blankets up higher to keep her feet warm.
Ashland giggled and led her grandma from the small room. Silence filled
the air. Mia wasn’t sure what to say or do next. She watched Dire visibly
relax.
“You know, I was going to ask why you denied having family but I can see
the reason. Do you need me to get the nurse or a shot of whiskey?”
Laughter danced in his eyes and Mia broke out in a sigh. “Welcome to my
tragic life.”
“I guess she missed the memo that says men in uniform are the
in
thing right now.” He sat on the edge
of her bed. “How are you really? That was quite some verbal beating she
delivered.” He traced a hand down the side of her face. Instinctively she
turned into the intimate caress.
“I feel like bad things come in three’s. Hopefully the next part won’t be
devastating.”
“I have to be honest…the dinner tray has no flavor and the Jell-O doesn’t
even jiggle.”
Mia grinned. “How do you know this inside information?”
“I have my ways.” He sat there smiling and attempting to cheer her up.
“I wonder how many times I’ll end up saying thank you to you before the
night is out.”
“A smile is all the thanks I need. Your daughter is pretty amazing. I
liked the way she handled the piranha like a pro.”
“Self sacrificial too.
I never minded
sharing her before with his family. Now I’m afraid she’ll come back all
plastic—no substance from that woman’s influence.”
“Have more faith in the work you and your departed put in on her.”
“This should feel awkward, we’re strangers.” Dire laced his hand within
hers and brought her palm to his lips. Her skin tingled from the contact.
“Do you believe in kismet?”
Do I?
Here she was in a bed
with a slight head injury, and all she could think about was how good Dire
smelled and the way she wanted to melt into his soul searching eyes, compelling
her to divulge her deepest darkest fears, secrets and fantasies.
“I guess.
Some.
But I haven’t ever put too much stock into the cosmic universe.”
“I think that would be a bit too much for your brain to process right
now.” He chuckled and she wanted to snuggle into the encompassing sound
promising to shroud her from the
unpleasantries
of
life.
“Maybe, but I’m awake. Just can’t promise I’ll stay alert for long.”
“The happy drugs are finally kicking in?” He moved to draw the covers up
for her.
“I’m worried about Ash. Don’t want to let myself fall asleep until she’s
back up here.”
“I see your conundrum. Fighting the urge to sleep and making sure your
daughter isn’t abducted by the mind erasing villainess.”
Mia laughed, and it hurt. “Stop making me smile.”
“Today has been a helluva day for you. If I can’t make you smile and ease
your anxiety, then I’m of no service to you.”
“Does every fireman take his job as serious as you do?” Mia yawned,
tucking her feet under her. What she really wanted was a T-shirt and a pair of
sweats. Thankfully, she didn’t need to use the commode.
“We all take our jobs seriously. We’re affected when we save or lose
lives. It’s a rollercoaster type of profession. But you don’t want to hear
about what we encounter.”
“I’ve seen many rescues on television. I read about 9/11. Trust
me,
I have an understanding about how brave your band of
brothers is. My husband was a soldier.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” A whispered caress laced his voice with an air
of respect and understanding. His soft spoken words went a long way further
than the other’s who had spoken the same without the conviction behind them.
“Thank you for that.”
She felt the sandman tug at her eyes, pulling them shut. “Stay?”
“You’re welcome Mia, sleep now. I won’t leave you or Ash alone here. I
promise.”
She believed him.
“I know you’re awake, Mama.” Ashland snuggled next to her in the too
narrow bed.
“
Wakey
,
wakey
.
I have cookies,
it’s
okay to come to the dark side.”
“Ash, you’re going to make my head hurt. Why are we whispering and where
did you get cookies?”
“Mr.
Sylis
is sleeping. The nighttime nurse
brought some Christmas cookies in. She gave me a few as a bedtime snack.”
Mia turned her head his direction. Sure enough, he had his feet propped
up,
hands laced behind his head and was dead asleep.
Dead asleep and drop dead handsome.
She took the opportunity
to get a good look at him.
I’m loopier
than a fruit loop seven days from a bowl of ice cold milk.
How else could
she explain her instant fantasy starring his truly across the room? Worse, how
the hell could he possibly sleep in that position?
“The lioness spots the buck and formulates what type of meal he’ll make.
On her haunches, she slides through the tall grass waiting….to strike.”
“Ashland.
Shhh.”
“C’mon Mom, he is totally hot. I snuck a pic of him and emailed my fellow
cheerleaders. There is a new consensus. With men like him, the QB on our
football team is totally forgotten. Well, until next game at least. He might be
old but Mom you’re crazy if you let him slip through your fingers.”
“I’m not having this talk with you, and to be honest, it’s a bit
reversed.” Mia hissed under her breath.
“Wait, he stirs.” Ashland giggled under her breath.
“Incorrigible brat.
I’m so glad you’re
safe.” Mia kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Are you in any pain?”
“Nah, just from the railing on the bed.”
Ashland sat up and stretched. She picked up the discarded tray and poked
at the food. “I don’t think this is edible.” The secondhand on the clock
clicked extra loud, at least to her, reading a little past ten. No wonder he
was out cold. He had to be exhausted from work, not to mention witnessing
firsthand her external family drama. In sleep he took ruggedly handsome to a
whole new level. His lips appeared softer, his face almost boyish still holding
a cocky smirk as if dreaming something delicious. She wanted to be, ached to be
the delicious dream he might be dreaming.
“Mom.”
Ashland poked her.
“What Ashland.” After she spoke she realized how acerbic her tone was.
She gave the most important person in her life her full attention. “I’m sorry.
Yes?”
“I only said mom like five times. Maybe I
should’a
said Mia.”
“Sure, if you want to land on punishment.”
Mia winked.
She had a rule about calling a parent by the first name, only in
emergencies or if lost as a young child. Then of course, calling mom would
result in multiple mothers answering. Feeling cold, she pulled the blankets up
higher. Hiding under the hem of the bedding, she chanced a peek at the
slumbering giant she wished reclined closer to her bed.
“I think it’s time to have a talk about the birds and the bees.” Ashland
grinned in annoying teenage glee.
“Shut your mouth, girl.” Mia huffed before pinching her daughter. “Don’t
make me kick you outa my bed.”
“Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. It doesn’t take a rocket
scientist to realize that man is crazily into you. He is so romantic. I wish
boys at school acted as interested as he does with you.”
“Honey, he was just doing his job.
Nothing more,
nothing less.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he acted this way with all the
victims he’s come into contact with. Dire seems to have a need to control and
reassure those he feels responsible for. It’s sweet but he’s a stranger. We
really don’t know him well enough to come to any type of conclusions about his
personal life. Now shush before you wake him. The least we can do is
be
silent so he can rest, who knows if he has to head back
into work today.”