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“You’re in quite a state here, aren’t ya?” I’ve not seen myself in the mirror, but I’m certain he’s right. “If you’re feeling well enough, it’d be helpful if you’d tell me what you remember about the day we found you unconscious at your home.”
“How many days ago was it?”
“Two.”
I recount every detail I can remember about the day, but it isn’t much more than I told Logan.
“I don’t even know if this will matter,” I say in defeat, “It’s my brother’s word against mine, since we were the only two in the house.”
“Welllllllll . . . Not exactly.” Paul winks at me.
“What do you mean?”
“Your neighbor across the street has a doorbell camera. They caught everything from the moment Dunbar showed up, until he forced his way inside, and then again when he ran out your front door. He never even looked back, Noah.”
I’m not surprised. I don’t know if my brother can surprise me anymore, though I still fantasize about what a wonderful gift it would be for him to recover and actually be a brother to me again.
“It doesn’t prove he’s the one who did this to me.”
“It doesn’t, but it provides a hell of a lot of circumstantial evidence, which is why I’ve already got him locked up at County. Also, I don’t know anyone who would willingly knock themselves out, get a concussion, and break a rib on the way down.”
“I have a broken rib?” I cry out, but the sharp pain returns and answers the question before Paul can.
“And a grade three concussion, which is why you’ve been out of it for two days.”
He pats my shoulder—there’s been a lot of shoulder patting today. “Try to stay calm. I know these are hard things to hear, but the more excited you get and the deeper you breathe, the worse your rib is gonna pay you back.” He stands, noticing Georgia is now in my doorway. “Afternoon,” Paul greets her on his way out.
“Noah. I’m relieved to see you awake. How are you feeling?”
Even in this circumstance, Georgia’s presence radiates a sincere joy and I can’t help but smile at her. “Oh, well, you know . . . I’ve been better.” I try making a joke, even tossing in a chuckle to bring the whole charade home, but onehahand I’m done. How long does a broken rib take to heal? Because this is miserable.
“I’m sure you’ve felt better. I hope you heal quickly.” She rubs her warm hand up and down my arm and it relaxes me. “Wish I could say I’m just stopping in to check on you, but unfortunately, that’s not true.”
‘Why are you here, then?”
“Can I take a seat?” She’s polite, as always, seeking consent before doing anything that may make one of her clients uncomfortable. I open my hand and gesture for her to go for it.
“This is the third incident reported since Dunbar’s release on his original charge back in February. I know it’s been a terrible time for you, and for Rainey. Unfortunately, this last report flagged one of my supervisors. She’s requested an appeal of your guardianship.”
The little air I’m able to take in with my condition rushes out of me. I throw an arm over my face, covering my eyes with the crook of my elbow. “I haven’t caused any of this. Why would they appeal my guardianship? That’s not fair to Rainey!” My anger builds with each sentence and the last one comes out as a painful roar.
“Noah. I can sympathize that you’re not happy with what I’m telling you, but please don’t raise your voice at me.”
With my eyes still covered, I nod. I’m not angry at Georgia. She’s just doing her job. I’m thankful to not be the only person in Rainey’s corner. But I’m fucking livid at Dunbar. Trying to reconcile with him stopped being an option when his fist contacted my head. The feeling of impact is still fresh in my mind. Knowing he jeopardized my relationship with my precious niece, the most important person in the world to me, and she may permanently be taken from my care, is unforgivable. I never want to see him again—the good parts of my brother are long gone and have been dead since he was twenty. Maybe there never were good parts, maybe I romanticized any shred of happiness in my childhood and tied it to my brother.
“What can I do? I won’t lose her,” I swear.
“I know your heart, Noah, and I hate you’re in this predicament. I’ll help in any way I can. I’ve picked your case back up because, frankly, all of this is over Chase’s head.”
She continues. “I recommend filing for an Emergency Protective Order, and I can help with that. If the judge grants the EPO—which they will—Dunbar won’t be allowed to haveanycontact with you or with Rainey for the time between its issuance and going before the judge to request it be converted to a Domestic Violence Order.”
All the abbreviations and terms she’s using are flying past me and won’t stick to my brain. I’ll have to look them up later, if I remember them. “Can you boil it down for me?”
“Your brother will legally be barred from any contact or communication with either of you. If he breaks the order, he’ll immediately be arrested and face two years in prison.”
“Let’s do it.” Words I never imagined I’d say.
“I’ll be back with the paperwork. It’s a strong first step to show your commitment to protecting Rainey. Get some rest.”
