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“No, you guys just get out of there and be safe.”
Now both of our businesses are closed. This has to end soon. Our lives are never going to be the same.
The last time I stayed at a hotel with my parents was the week after I lost Alden. Being here brings back the memories of that horrible time, but I’m still glad to have them here. I don’t want to be alone. They’ve rented a big suite with two bedrooms so I still have some privacy.
Dad may be the therapist, but Mom is best at distracting me. We keep the TV off and she insists I stay off my phone. There’s nothing going on that I need to see. Not if I want to keep my sanity.
I’m surprised to get a call from Tori the next day. My finger hesitates over my screen for a few seconds before I accept the call. “Hello.”
“Ella.”
“Yeah.”
“Listen, I know you’re pissed at me, but I saw the news about…his arrest and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
She hesitated because she wanted to say Oliver and couldn’t bring herself to say Alden. “I’m alright. I’m with my parents. We’re waiting for the blood test results.”
“I hope they come back the way you want. I really do.”
“But you don’t think they will?” Her silence screams the answer to that question. “If the test comes back positive for antibodies for the rabies vaccination, will you believe he’s Alden?”
“Yes.” Her instant reply surprises me. “If the science shows it, it’s not a matter of belief.”
“We’ll know on Monday.”
“What about you, Ella? If there are no antibodies, I’m afraid you’ll find another way to believe it’s Alden.”
“I’ll believe the science.” Even as I say it, the doubts creep in. Because I know he’s Alden now. What if his body didn’t produce enough antibodies or they didn’t last long enough? “I need to go. Thanks for calling.”
“Take care of yourself.”
My chest aches when I hang up the phone. I hate the tension between us. She just got married. I have a baby on the way. I hate that we can’t talk about any of it, can’t be excited and happy about the major changes in our lives. Maybe after this is over, once Alden is free, we can find our way back to rebuilding our friendship. After over twenty years, I can’t imagine my life without her.
“Ella” Mom calls, stepping into my room. “The pool is empty this time of day. Let's go swimming.”
“I don’t have a swimsuit.”
“I have an extra that’ll fit you.” She brushes my hair out of my eye. “It’ll pass the time.”
“Okay.”
That’s the thing about time, no matter how well or bad things are going, it still passes. Whether every second feels like torture or pleasure, they still tick away. The next four days pass at a snail’s pace while I do my best to stay off social media. I swim in the pool and use the hotel gym. Every night, I kiss our lucky coins and sleep with them under my pillow.
On Monday, I pick my phone up every few minutes, terrified I’ve missed Lowell’s call. Now that we’re so close, I can’t stop thinking that something is going to go wrong. They’re going to botch the test or deny the results. Then what? He’s already in custody. Running isn’t an option anymore.
I’m sitting on the small sofa, trying to read a book but failing, when my phone finally rings. In my haste to grab it, I nearly knock it to the floor. Fumbling, I manage to hit the button to answer it on speaker.
Mom and Dad step in from where they were sitting on the balcony.
“Ella?” Lowell says.
“Yes?” The word comes out as a whisper, and I clear my throat. “I’m here.”
“The test results are back.”
It’s hard to hear him despite the silent room because my heart is beating in my ears.
“It’s positive. The blood is positive for rabies antibodies. Teeming with them was how the woman described it to me,” he says, and happiness is audible in his voice. “I’m on my way to meet with the prosecution now. If they refuse to drop the charges, I’ll file a motion to dismiss.”
