AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Addison Greyer heard the helicopters circling overhead, but she wouldn’t come out. It wasn’t safe, yet. She had to stay put. Dehydrated, weak, and eaten by fire ants, she wasn’t sure how long she could wait it out. She drifted off and found herself watching the boys play in the backyard as Max chased them while barking. It wasn’t until much later that Addie would realize that it was likely the search dogs that found her that had been barking. She was near death and hypothermic. It was the heat imaging sensors on the helicopter circling overhead that ultimately saved her life. Search and rescue dogs were then sent in, and they, along with a team of FBI agents, found her unconscious in the bushes.
Doctors later explained that she was lucky she was found when she was, that she had been within hours of death. Addie finally woke in the ICU with William standing over her. Opening just one eye, she peeked at him and smiled just a little. He looked almost unrecognizable, a different version of the William she knew, just older with worry lines.
William stroked her face. “Hey there, kid.”
Addie tried to speak, but her mouth was too dry to get anything out.
“Shh. Don’t talk. Just rest, ok? Let me do all of the talking.”
Addie was too weak to do anything else and simply nodded.
“Listen, I only have a minute. Your husband is on his way up. But I need to tell you I’m going to be back: later today, tomorrow, and every day after that. I love you, Addison. I love you more than anything. And I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry for so many things, but most of all for not fighting for you. I promise . . . I swear to you it won’t ever happen again.”
Addie dozed off, and when she woke again, she wondered if she’d dreamed it all, if William had ever really been there at all. She glanced around the room until her eyes landed on Patrick. “Hi. I’ve been waiting for hours. They said not to wake you.”
Addie tried to talk, only managing to get out one word. “Boys?”
Patrick smiled. “They’re fine. They know doctors are checking out Mommy but that she is ok and will be home soon. The doctors said that once we get you moved out of the ICU they can come visit. We need to get you looking better first, of course.”
Addie nodded. Satisfied, she let herself drift off to the place where she dreamed of William.
Later when she woke, he was there with her, almost as if he’d manifested from her dream.
Sensing Addie’s confusion, he spoke. “Hey beautiful. It’s late. Or early depending on how you look at it. Patrick went home to be with the kids. Sondra tells me they’re doing great in spite of everything. Just anxious to come see you. I tried to pull some strings to get them in here. It just hasn’t panned out yet. They tell me rules are rules.”
Addie licked her lips, although it did nothing for her. Everything was so dry. William reached down, kissing her gently. She felt the wetness from where he’d been. Holding a straw up to her lips, he ordered her to drink. “I told them this is for me. I knew you’d need it.” William grinned. ‘It’s our secret, ok?”
After draining the Styrofoam cup, unable to stop herself she drifted off again.
Next time when she awoke, it was Patrick and Penny she heard standing over her. They whispered in hushed tones, and it took Addie a moment to make out what they were saying. She opened her eyes and prepared herself for what was about to come.
It was Penny who spoke first. “We’re so disappointed in you, Addison. What could’ve possibly gotten into that head of yours?”
Patrick followed. “We know what you’ve been up to, Addison. Just tell me what were you thinking? Look at the shape you’re in. Look where you’ve gotten yourself.”
Addie didn’t speak. Penny continued. “We know about your relationship with William Hartman, Addison. I must say I warned my son. I knew that you were up to something, but this . . . Well, this is so disappointing You’ve hurt your husband and your children. How could you?”
All at once, Addie found her voice. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Penny. Get out. I don’t recall you being on the visitor’s list.”
Penny scoffed. “I didn’t realize there was such a thing.”
“Well, there is now.” Addie replied, flashing the best grin she could muster.
Patrick interrupted. “The FBI is waiting to interview you about all of this. So they asked us not to speak of it until you’re well enough for them to get in here, but I will say this: Mr. Hammons’ defense is that you were his Dominatrix in what he calls a session gone badly. He says you were on drugs and sleeping with William Hartman. Now, ordinarily I’d assume that this was all false, simply accusations made up by a madman, but then William Hartman went and hired a legal team to represent you when this thing goes to trial. Tell me, Addison, what’s that all about?”
“Well, since you guys certainly already have it all figured out, I think it’d be best if you both leave. Now.”
Penny chimed in. “Here’s the thing, Addison. Your stupid, pathetic actions are going to tarnish my family’s name. Your husband and children are going to be the laughing stock of this town. Now, clearly you’ve made your bed, and, by the looks of things, you’re lying in it. But my husband and I are well prepared to save our son and our grandchildren. And make no mistake: we intend to do just that.”
Addie pushed the call button for a nurse as Penny waved her away. “Don’t bother. I was just leaving. Patrick, I’ll see you back at the house.”
Addie nodded toward the door. “No, you should go too.”
Patrick hesitated. “Mother, wait for me outside for a moment, would you?”
Patrick turned to Addie, although she refused to look at him. “Don’t do this, Addison. We can save this. We can turn it around. Let your rich little lover boy pay for a defense. I don’t care. But you and I, we need to work this out for the boys.”
