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“We saw you pull up,” Gabriel said.
“Grace and I were able to find some information on Ava if you still want to know,” Simon said.
“Yeah, I do want to know. Scotch?” I held up the bottle.
“Sure,” Simon said.
“Go sit down, bro. I’ll pour,” Gabriel said.
I took my glass and sat on the couch.
“So, what did you find out?”
“Her mother’s name is Dawn Williams, and she’s currently serving a twenty-five-year sentence for child abuse and torture. She served two of those years in a mental institution. She’s up for parole next month. Ava was taken away from her when she was six years old and placed in foster care. Apparently, a man whom her mother was seeing found Ava locked in a cage in the basement.”
“What kind of fucking cage?”
“An animal cage. I’m not really sure,” Simon said. “I guess her mother had to run to the store and left this guy at the house. That’s when he went into the basement and found her. He let her out and took her to the emergency room. Then he called the police, told them about her, and cars were sent immediately to the house to arrest the mother.”
I threw back my drink, set it on the coffee table, and ran my hands through my hair.
“A cage?” I cocked my head at Simon.
“Yeah, man. I’m sorry. I’ll be honest with you. Grace and I couldn’t even finish reading the report. It’s no wonder she has D.I.D. I’m surprised she even survived.”
“Thanks, Simon.” I placed my hand on his shoulder.
“You’re welcome. I have to get home. I promised Nora that I’d read her a bedtime story. I’ll see you two tomorrow.” He walked out of the house.
“Are you okay, bro?” Gabriel asked as he sat next to me.
“I told Ava when I dropped her off that I have a busy work week and didn’t know when I’d be able to see her.”
“Do you?” he asked.
“Yeah. I picked up a couple of Dr. Nelson’s shifts.”
“What’s really going on with you?”
“I don’t know, bro.” I stood up from the couch. “I really like her, but—”
“But what, Grayson?”
“I think it might be too much with her.”
“What have you done with my brother?” he asked.
“What are you talking about?”
He stood up from the couch and walked over to me. “My brother loves chaos. That’s why he chose to become a trauma surgeon. He thrives when chaos is present. He once told me that chaos and the challenges that come with it make him feel alive. You’re different since she walked into your life.”
“Different how?”
“More alive. You’ve spent more time with her than you ever have with any other woman. I’m not sure the problem lies with her D.I.D. I think it’s your feelings for her that have you scared.” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Whatever you decide, I’m here for you.”
* * *
Afew days had passed, and I hadn’t talked to Ava. I figured I’d leave her alone and let her spend some time with her friend, Hannah. At least, that’s what I told myself. I removed my surgical cap as I walked out of the O.R. and went up to the rooftop for a cup of coffee.
