"Let's not make this anymore awkward than necessary," Julia whispered as Jayson stood beside the open car door. A light drizzle dampened them and made her anxious. She zoned out a moment and thought to the night that changed her life, the reason she sat helpless in Jay's front seat. She glanced at the walkway that led to the door. Only a few steps, then a couple steps up, then what? They'd worked on safe transfers in therapy. Transferring wasn't an issue. She'd partially recovered some sensation in her left leg, but she wasn't fully recovered yet. No one could say whether she'd gain full use of...
"Julia," He held his hand out toward her. She accepted it, stood up and bore the weight on her unaffected leg. She felt awkward and embarrassed. When she did attempt to walk or bear weight on the left leg, the limb would buckle after a couple steps. She'd fallen in the hospital a couple times on the cold tile floor. She dragged herself up to her feet and didn't say anything the first time, but the second, there were witnesses and a big deal was made. Hospital staff didn't like their patients falling, especially when she knew better. She should have asked for help, she should have had the nurse or tech spot her on her walk to the bathroom. "Julia," he repeated, tugging her hand, moving to her left to support her. She was distracted by some of the media presence parked along the curb. She waved, gave a thumbs up. She tried being graceful. A couple reporters asked how she was? Anything she'd like to say? Any comment? She walked with Jay to the steps, thankful he was there. "I got ya, Julia. Keep going, like they showed you."
"They're taking pictures of me." She whispered.
"What else is new?" He replied. "I could just pick your little butt up, you know. It might be easier."
"Cause this is taking forever, isn't it, Jay?"
"Take as long as you need." He shrugged, thinking back to the broken leg. They carried her around a lot then too. Weeks of up and down stairs. She kind of enjoyed the free rides from all the guys in the house. This one wanted her independence. It'd been difficult talking her into coming home, talking her out of inpatient rehab, talking her out of getting a place with her dad. There was a difference between independence and being alone. Alone wasn't safe or smart. "We don't need you around, Julia, we want you around. There's a difference."
The girl turned into a worry wort. She had to deal with recovery, healing her wounds, regaining her strength and also not feel like a complete stranger in their house. She never in all her days thought she'd wind up married to Jayson. She had no choice in that decision. She never thought she'd lay in bed next to him every night, take care of their family, devote her life to family matters that had zero to do with her. If not for the universe interference, she'd be laying up with Chess in an entirely different life situation. She was also angry at Chess for letting all of this happen in the first place. Once she'd regained her rightful place as the single soul in her body and mind, the fact he didn't mention how fucked up and lame this whole arrangement was angered her. Months she endured, but also got used to, the Kellers. She never wanted that much of a relationship with this family. Chess had always been her go to person, her friend, the one who trained her, gave her the confidence to stand up for herself and what she wanted. Early on when she struggled to find her voice and her place, he encouraged her, let her feel herself and find her place. Once she found that place and got comfortable there, life as she knew it fell apart because of his ex-wife's selfish choices. For a while her life had been hijacked by his ex-wife and her selfish choices. It was not fair.
Jay helped her in the house, got her settled at the counter, then brought in her belongings from the car. He took them straight upstairs to their room, left the laundry in the laundry room. Life just seemed to move on from there. The normal day in day out affairs of any normal blended family. She didn't feel left out or awkward. Everything just felt normal. She did know these people. They were as used to her presence as she was to theirs. He'd been her friend for months on the flipside and once off the flipside. Her nervous energy amounted to nervous energy. They'd tried to be convincing of that only she wasn't listening.
She watched him get the laundry done, start dinner. She offered to help. He handed her a cutting board, a stick of pepperoni and some veggies. He said he was making them pizza. Jay could make the best pizza, so that made her happy and made her hungry. She prepped the veggies and sliced the pepperoni while he prepared the dough. She watched how he made the dough, hoping she'd be able to do this on her own one day. She mentioned that to him.
"I'll show you. It's easy."
"It's some bomb ass pizza, Jay." She smiled.
"I know, babe." He replied softly.
They both sensed the vibe change, zipping them back to a fortress where his girl was gone and he was left with her twin. Only this time, there was no animosity, no frustration, no negativity. She could sense the sadness. She sounded just like her.
"I'm sorry, Jayson."
"Nothing to be sorry for, Julia." He smiled, "Hey, get off your skinny butt and stand up. I'll show you how to make this dough. Everyone likes it because of the dough, right."
She scooted off the chair and grabbed her crutch. She limped to the kitchen and stood beside him at the counter. She watched as he made the first pizza dough, kneading then rolling into a circle. He set it on a large round pan then plopped the next dough ball in front of her. Kneading and rolling dough were difficult with a crutch under her arm, so he took the crutch, stood behind her and held her up. It was clear she had not made pizza from scratch before. "I have made bread though." She laughed.
"A little different. You're doing great."
Soon the house started filling up. Everyone home from school or work. The pizza was a hit, no one was expecting Jay's specialty cuisine, and there wasn't a crumb left once they'd all sat down.
Physical therapy 5 days a week, first thing in the morning. Once everyone left for work or school, then she went to therapy. 2-3 hours every morning. It would last for 30 days, off weekends, then they would reassess. Her wounds were a different thing. She went to the wound care center every Tuesday and Friday directly after her physical therapy appointment. Healing turned into a fulltime job. The wounds were healing well and the MD was pleased with the progress. Her back wound, right leg and toes, he prescribed her cream and dressings that she could manage on her own. The left leg, only the MD and team at the center would change on Tuesday and Friday. It would stay treated and wrapped till the doc removed it, cleaned it and would redress it. She asked about scarring, doc merely shrugged, said probably some scarring. Her wound was debrided in a couple areas, which wasn't a pleasant experience, then to hear she'd have ugly scars on her legs didn't give her a lot of happy feelings. She felt like one giant scar. Her shoulder blade, her graft site on her thigh, the zom claw marks on her rib cage and forearm and now scars from burns. She already felt self-conscious enough and nature went and added more. Once her appointment ended she sat in the lobby and waited for her ride. The longer she sat, the more she thought and the more she thought, the tears penetrated her eyelids and started flowing over her cheeks. She was alone, quietly crying, worrying someone may see her and not truly caring who did see her. She sat in the lobby for an hour.
They forgot about me.
She pulled out her phone and ordered an Uber. She waited on the curb for Uber. The driver drove her to CVS where she picked up her prescriptions. Her people may have forgotten about her and left her at the wound care center, but she tried to make a positive out of this negative. She felt strong enough to accomplish this trip home on her own. In and out of a vehicle, in and out of the store. It felt good not to have eyes on her, she felt less helpless. She learned that the therapy she had done for the last two weeks had strengthened her enough to get around quicker and easier. She wasn't running any marathons anytime soon, but she felt less disabled. As she was leaving CVS, she ran into Jesslyn and the baby. She made small talk, but didn't want to make small talk. She saw the baby in her seat and she looked too much like Chess to be cute. Small and scrawny, but she kept that to herself. She was surprised Chess allowed her out running errands this day and age with the infant. What if something happened? She realized she'd be in a world of shit too if something happened.
"We should get together now that you're home and settled in. It would be great to catch up."
Catch up. Was she just oblivious to the fact that there was some bad blood between the two of them? The shit she pulled, getting pregnant, hooking up with him, getting engaged, living happily ever after. That was supposed to be me...she thought.
"Sure, yeah, Jess. Sounds like fun." She agreed politely but felt the anger and the frustration churn within her all over again. She had not had the time or the chance to get over him, her, them...their betrayal. "I gotta get home. My uber-"
"Why are you ubering? You could've called me. I would have picked you up."
Why would I call you for anything?
"If the guys are busy, Julia, I can make time. So can Kelly. We can get out of the office for a little while, you know. We're your friends."
You're Julia's friend, not mine. Get out of the office... "Good to know, Jesslyn."
"I'm so glad Jay decided to come on board with us. Chess is thrilled. He's been trying to get him to switch from county for a while. We're swamped. If you would just do it too, it would be an unbeatable team."
"Jay's an asset to any team for sure." He hadn't discussed this with her. Not a word was said. She scanned Jess' body as she stepped away toward her Uber. "Are you pregnant again?" She asked, observing the little baby bump.
"Irish twins." Jess rubbed her belly. "I thought someone told you."
"No, they didn't. Congrats though. I'll-uh-we'll catch up later." She then spied the engagement ring prominently displayed on her finger. Her heart nearly broke in half again.
Jess gave her the warmest, friendliest hug and went on her way.
The Uber ride home was distracting. Her driver pelted her with questions about work. He mentioned her current disability, said 'it sucks', then probed her brain about calls and what it was like. She humored him, gave him basic answers. He helped her out of his car at the curb in front of Tavin's house. He asked for an autograph and a selfie. She obliged and was kind, though on the inside she felt like crap.
"Thanks for the ride." She smiled and watched him drive away. He did so with her crutch in the back seat. "This day keeps improving." She sighed, feeling the tears well up again. She waited a couple minutes to see if he'd return her crutch. He didn't realize he had it. "I want to transition to a cane anyway. I have more use of my leg now. I can manage with-" She fell, face first onto the pavement, her hands barely breaking her fall. She hit her face on the sidewalk, she felt the wrist snap. She felt the blood pump from her nose. She gave up. She lay on her back on the sidewalk, assessing her injuries, feeling the sharp pain in her wrist. She sat up when the blood started to fill her mouth, spit it out on the ground. She glanced at the house. A car stopped as it passed her. An older woman got out, rushed to her from the street.
"Oh my God. I saw your fall. Honey, are you alright?"
"No, ma'am." Julia answered, holding up her swelling right arm. She wondered if her nose was broken because that hurt more than the wrist. "I live right there." She pointed to the house and the woman tried to help her up. "My leg is injured. It's why I fell." She appeared awfully calm for someone who looked so injured.
The lady went to the house and banged on the door till Jayson answered. He had Shy on his hip. He glanced at the sidewalk. He went to her immediately, set the baby down next to her. He pulled his tee over his head and applied that to her nose. She squealed in pain. He asked what happened, Julia explained briefly. "Where's the crutch?"
"In the Uber." She answered.
"Why were you in an Uber? I have to pick you up at 4."
"I was done by 2."
"Why didn't you call?" He asked, hoisting her to her feet. He scooped the baby off her butt next in the opposite arm. She ignored that question. She held up her arm. He saw the deformity, the wrist swelling. "Shit, Julia."
She remained silent after thanking the lady who stopped to help her. Jay thanked her as well. He got her as far as the steps and sat her down, bouncing the baby. "Bleeding stop?" He asked. She removed his tee from her nose. It hadn't. She reapplied and held pressure. "Stay there. I'm gonna grab a couple more towels and her bag and a shirt, then we'll go."
He got the baby settled in the car first, then came for her. "Doesn't that hurt?" He asked, observing how quiet and distant she looked. "Did you lose consciousness?"
"It does hurt. I'm in my special place." She waved her arm around her head. "I have been fully conscious for all this."
The ER staff took her back once triaged. Jay hung back and let them assess her, clean her up, get her settled in. He called Hayley, let her know to pick up Shy from the ER. Hay was dramatic as usual, but Jay put his foot down. ER wasn't a place for children unless as patients. New regulations dictated that children needed to be 16 or older to enter any place in the hospital as a visitor. Allowances would be made on a case by case basis only after review by a patient safety panel heard the request. He reinforced the rules with her. As a health administrator, she already knew that.
"What's wrong with her now, Jayson?" Hayley asked, exchanging Shy and her bag in the parking lot.
"She fell."
"Again."
"Broke her wrist, maybe her nose."
"Wrap the goddess in bubble wrap please." Hayley rolled her eyes.
"How else is she supposed to take care of your daughter when you don't want to? Right, Hayley?"
"Jayson, you know what-you should have let her go home to her dad. Jules is gone, rest her soul, and she's not your responsibility."
"We'd do the same for you."
"Thanks. Let her go."
"Not mine to let go, Hayley. You don't get it."
"Some sister wife bullshit she's not even involved in. Jayson, it's ok to move on."
"With you?" He asked, stepping toward her.
"No reason why we couldn't, Jay." Hayley leaned against the car, let him touch her hand. "I won't even entertain this conversation, Jayson. You'd break my heart all over again."
He kissed her forehead. "Love ya." He laughed.
"Go be her hero, Jayson." She shook her hand free of his grip and waved him away.
"Love ya," He called over his shoulder as he head back to the ER entrance.
The nurse led him to her ER bay. She sat on her gurney, high as a kite. Labs had been drawn. She was waiting to go Xray, waiting on transport. She held an ice pack on her face, the right arm was splinted and wrapped. There was blood all over her clothing.
"People are gonna start to think I abuse you." He mentioned, taking a seat beside her. She didn't find that funny at all. "I know it hurts." She held up her left arm, motioned at the IV port.
"I feel nothing. I'm just numb." She was grateful the ice pack rested on her face. Kept her from crying again.
"Is it broken?" He asked.
"Well, I haven't been xrayed yet, Jay. So," She shrugged. "Doc doesn't think so." She added. She held her arm out. "This is."
"Did they do the pregnancy test yet?" He asked.
"Yes, and I'm not pregnant." She replied. "Don't know how that would happen anyway. You don't touch me."
"Did you want me to? I will."
"If my face didn't hurt, I'd roll my eyes." She told him, laughing at how ridiculous this all seemed to her.
"Explain to me why you took an Uber home?"
"You didn't come get me."
"Your dad and you were supposed to go to lunch after therapy, then your appointment at wound care at 2. I was going to get you at 4. We were getting ready to pick you up when you made your grand entrance."
"My appointment was for noon. Dad was just dropping me off. He wasn't happy about it either."
"Julia, we discussed the plan for today last night."
"Jay, I think I would remember that."
"You have gaps in your memory."
"No."
"Who was I having a conversation with then? Were you paying attention?"
She switched the subject. "I ran into Jesslyn at CVS."
"Ok."
"When were you gonna tell me that you signed on with Chess? Or did you already tell me and I have gaps in my memory?"
"Pay's better. Less hours, less responsibility. Makes more time for home and the kids, Shy. I wanna focus on school, too. I do not wanna do this the rest of my life."
"Didn't ask why. I asked when."
"I don't have to clear it with you."
"Jayson, I didn't say you had to clear anything with me."
"Well, before you go back to work, while you're out on leave, think about crossing over."
"That's what Jess said."
"Well, there's room for you. He's been trying to get you for months."
"Why would I do that, Jayson?"
"Pay's better. Less hours. Less responsibility. Makes more time for home and life and school. You'd be more respected. Your opinion would matter. You're not under anyone's thumb and you'd have more autonomy."
"It's personal, not professional."
"Oh, well, "
"She had her reasons and I have mine. It was just about the only thing we agreed on."
"Ok, well, it's personal...like with Chess personal."
"She ran the show the entire time we were cohabitating. I wasn't very vocal. I could come and go, but for the most part, she led us around. I'm grateful for that too. I learned alot from her and from Old Julia. But if there's one thing in this world and the next that we all agreed on, it's the subject of Chess Morgan."
"But why though? I'm surprised that-"
"You don't know anything. Have we brought up the subject of Chess Morgan yet?"
"What did he do? He been bothering you?"
"That's ridiculous. How and when would he bother me? And Jess offered to pick me up and transport me to and from my appointments if I ever get in a jam. She volunteered Kelly too. Said they could break away from the office to help out."
"Oh, good to know."
"Jay, please, don't."
He sounded defensive. "They offered help, that's good. They're good people."
"They are?"
"What's the problem, Julia? You don't think she meant what she said?"
She sighed loudly, tucking this discussion in the back of her mind. She didn't want to unload all of this on him high, broken and bloody in the ER bay. Transport peeked around the pulled curtain. "Hi, Julia. I'm grabbing the paperwork now, then we'll roll out, ok?"
She nodded. "Sure, thanks."
Another long night spent in the ER. They arrived home near midnight. Her nose wasn't broken, but her right wrist was broken. They splinted her and she had to go to an Ortho doc the next day for casting. One more doctor appointment. Being that the bad arm was her dominant arm, this meant another 6 weeks on top of the recovery process that was already in progress. She had a long, tiring, sad, frustrating day where she had utterly failed at independence.
"Hey, Red." Tavin said, rousing from slumber on the sofa when they walked inside.
"Hi." She mumbled.
"You alright?"
She turned at the bottom of the stairs and sat down, then started scooting up. "No, Tavin. I'm not." She replied half way up. Jay watched her scoot, pretty quick on the stairs. He started to follow, but she held her hand up. "Leave me be, Jayson."
He stepped back and watched the ascent. She stopped midway through her climb.
"Hey, the Uber driver brought your crutch back."
"Ok, thanks for letting me know."
He looked up the steps. "Julia, need any help? Are you ok?"
"I need a shower. My cream, my bandages, a water bottle. An ice pack."
"I'll be up."
"I'm sorry, Jayson. I need you to wrap me up. I only got one arm and-"
"Nothing to Be Sorry For."
"Know what I want more than anything in this world right now?"
She reversed her acsent and started her descent. One slow step at a time till she reached the bottom.
"You look like a crime scene, lil Red."
"I feel like one." She looked at Tavin. "You. I want you to take me out on the patio and I want to smoke. I need a cigarette." She looked at Jay. "I'm sorry. I know you don't like it, but I need one."
"A smoke." Tavin smiled.
"Can I please have a Marlboro? I tried quitting when she left. I sneak sometimes."
Tavin got off the sofa. "You lil thief." He smiled. "I thought I was smoking more." He got under her left side and helped her walk out to the patio, swiping his pack of cigarettes off the kitchen table on the way. They sat on the picnic bench and had a cigarette together.
"Gonna melt down soon." He exhaled a cloud of smoke from his lungs. "I only saw you do it a couple times at the fortress from hell."
"Yeah, I remember."
"When it happens, we're gonna let it happen."
"Sure, Tav."
"I'm serious."
"You can tell by looking at me, huh?"
"No. Not you. He's bothered. When he's bothered, that's how I know."
"We're all being too nice." She whispered to him.
"Nah, we need nice here. We need peace here."
She nodded, understanding. "Know what would be nice, Tav?" She asked, rising to her feet. He rose alongside her, taking her left arm and guiding her to the door. "It would be nice to do this every night."
"Ok, I'll fit you in to my busy schedule."
Jay had everything ready for her when she finally made her way upstairs. All the old bandages went in the trash. The left leg he bagged and wrapped with tape to keep it dry. He followed suit with her splinted left arm. He offered help washing the length of hair, reminding her to get all the blood out. Her hair was matted in spots from the gusher of a nosebleed. She'd started to bruise around her eyes, light purple patches underneath and the nose was already scraped and red. Luckily she hadn't knocked any of her teeth out or chipped any of them.
"You did a number on yourself here." He mentioned as he guided her over the edge of the tub.
"It was a bad day." She reminded him as she stood in the stream of water.
"Get the hair good and wet. I'll scrub it for you."
She let the hair soak and then washed up her body quickly. She had enough parts wrapped that it didn't take real long. Once she finished, she let him lather up the waist length hair. She rinsed then he conditioned for her, letting it set for a few minutes before rinsing off again. He washed her back well with soap and water, specifically over the healing burn. The wound doc said use soap and water to clean her wounds then dry well and redress. Bathing was a whole process lately. None of this routine was weird or strange, it just was what it was. They were both comfortable with one another in the nude. That much hadn't changed. He felt a little weird being fully clothed, believed it'd be easier just getting in there with her. He'd never tried, but he also never suggested it. They both put each other back in a friend zone. Once rinsed, he helped her out, removed the bags and tape, wrapped her in a towel, wrapped her hair in a towel. He sent her on her way to dry off. He needed his own shower.
"Want some help?" She asked, setting aside her bad mood a moment.
"Go get ready for me please. It's late. I'm tired."
He noticed her mood returned when he got to the bedroom. She had all her supplies out and ready. She had her pajamas on, a cute little matching pink set from Walmart. She hadn't turned on the fan yet, didn't want the supplies blowing around. She brushed her hair. She smelled noticeably better since showering the smell of smoke and blood off her. She explained the new instructions for her wound care. She pointed at her left leg, indicating that would be the only treatment they did at the center. The rest were ready for them to tackle. "If you can do my back, I'd appreciate it. I'll do the leg from here on out."
"Shut up, Julia." He sighed, reaching for the container with the cream in it. He applied a light coat of cream to her right leg, then covered it with the gauze and then wrapped with the kling. He taped her up tight with the good tape Tavin brought home from his rig. He did a similar treatment to her back only this one he covered with a big square adhesive patch. As the days passed, her treatments got easier and they got quicker doing them. He tucked all her supplies in her Tupperware bin and replaced the cover. Next he took her brush, finished brushing out her tangles of hair, applied some gel to both hands and smoothed it over her hair.
"Thanks, Jay."
"Yep."
He reached over and turned her fan on for her. He went and fetched her ice pack.
"You're bleeding again." He noticed drops of fresh blood on the sheet.
She rubbed her nose. Nothing. She looked at her legs. Still bandaged and no oozing. He'd just wrapped them. The left leg bandage was clean and dry and intact as well. She opened her legs and found the source. "Awe, I just got dressed." She hissed. "Dammit." He opened her top drawer and handed her a change of underwear and shorts. "What a mess of a day." She returned a few minutes later with a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide and dabbed at the sheet with a paper towel till the blood drops were 99% gone.
"Jayson, why are we doing this?"
"Seemed like the right thing to do. It still does."
"You aren't treating me like your wife."
He chuckled. "This is how I would treat Chess's girlfriend."
"Oh," She laughed.
"I haven't-we haven't talked about boundaries and me and you kind of fell back into that fortress situationship we had. We anticipate each other's needs. We fill some needs. We joke around. We flirt and we laugh, but we're hands off again."
"I noticed."
"Did you want hands on?"
"I don't wanna fuck, Jayson. It's always been more than that. I have always wanted more meaning than that."
"I would not just fuck you, Julia. I understand how you feel on the subject."
"Wanna work up to that again? Fall in love again? Can we?" She asked. She sat beside him on the bed. "I am not asking permission, but I am wondering if it's possible."
"Recreate that."
"Build on that." The week when she fell in utter love and lust where the trust started, extending further on the flipside without much lust the second visit. She nudged him with her elbow. He nudged her back, then took her small hand in his. He spun wifey's pretty ring around her finger. "It's not mine." He slid it off her finger and he leaned, setting it on the nightstand.
"You could have taken it off."
"I wanted you to do it."
"We'll work on getting you one of your own." He suggested, holding her hand.
"One day maybe."
It'd only been about 3 weeks since the accident happened, and he had thought about taking that ring off her finger from day one. He wanted to separate them out in his head, but taking the ring off her in the very public setting of the hospital would have been a huge red flag, especially to the shrink that visited them and gave them the intimacy talk.
"So, are we still sleeping together? Do you wanna start from scratch? How do you want this?"
"Haven't thought about it, Jay."
He thought she needed to think quick. He wanted to go to sleep.
"What do you think?"
"Open and honest communication, Julia. This is my room and my bed. So, unless you plan on heading down the basement-"
"No, it's too many steps." She shook her head and laid on her side of the bed in front of her fan. Instead of positioning himself opposite direction, under a blanket, he switched up and curled against her back. The blanket stayed because that fan was chilly. Her little body radiated warmth. His arm slid over her waist and tucked around her. His chin nestled against her shoulder. "What are you doing, Jay?"
"I thought you-you just told me to start from scratch and-"
"I meant you're gonna boil all snuggled up like that."
"When I fall asleep, I'll roll away like I always do." He felt sure of that. "Remember when we got stuck outside the fence?"
"I recall keeping you warm, Jayson. It was cold. Bundled up at the Y."
"Were you interrogated like I was once we got back?"
"I wasn't, no. He trusted me. We didn't do anything inappropriate, and I was in love, so there would not have been anything going on that night."
"I have a confession to make." He announced after a couple minutes of listening to the whirring of the fan. "I did that on purpose. Ran late, let it get dark."
She glanced over her shoulder at him. "For what reason, Jayson?"
"Well," He mumbled. "A couple different reasons. The first, I was still having trouble accepting you and looking at you. I thought we never get to spend time together without someone else around and that was mostly my fault because of my actions and my attitude. I thought we could clear the air and talk. And..." He paused, debating whether to say it aloud. He never had said it to anyone. "I missed her. I wanted her. I pretended you were her."
"Is that what we're doing now?"
"No." He shook his head. "You're both so different."
"I didn't see it that way, that we needed to clear anything up. We spent so much time together once things got moving. We were so busy all that would have eventually been brought up and dealt with."
"You were scared of me."
"Rightfully so." She agreed. "You threatened to kill me, Jay."
"I do regret that. I don't think I would have. It was to get him to move away from her and I think he would have chosen you."
"Nah, he was in love with her. He struggled with that a lot. Probably still does."
"And you, you're still in love with him?"
She hesitated, unsure how to answer. "I don't think so. I mean I haven't been put in a spot with him where he's had a chance to do or say anything. We don't see each other ever. I wanna keep it that way."
"So that's why you won't work with him."
"If I have to work and interact with Chess, I will. I already have on a couple calls. County wasn't happy with her decision to call 1-800-exhusband for back up. I know that if I need work help, he's a stand up guy. But mingling with him and her outside of a work scenario, that's a no from me."
"What on earth did they do to make you so mad?"
"He fucked that bitch and got her pregnant, Jay. She was my friend. I trusted her."
"Oh, you don't know how to separate there from here."
"Why should I? Why should I hold myself to the rules you all made up to excuse lying, cheating, and drama? And don't tell me it's easier that way because it is not. It does carry over here and so does the inexcusable behavior."
"I can see how it looks like that."
"It looks like that because it is like that." She insisted. "How's Hayley?" She asked, nudging him with her elbow. "We knew about her too. Here you are having a conversation with me about building something...does building include Hayley?"
"Hayley doesn't have anything to do with me and you, Julia. She never did and she never will."
"Hayley was always your option when Julia was sexually and emotionally unavailable."
"Guilting me from the grave."
"No, she isn't. I am. I am speaking to you. I think it should be a discussion we have, especially if you're going to work with her."
"In terms of me and you, she is irrelevant."
"She will never be irrelevant when you have a child with her."
"She knew about Hayley?"
"We overheard a phone conversation with Tav and Hayley talking about it."
"Oh, he hooks up with her too. Hay's easy, Julia."
"Apparently all of you are easy." She muttered. "That is enough conversation for one night, Jay." She adjusted the ice pack across her face and closed her eyes.
They roused to his phone alert going off a couple hours later. Jay never did rouse to the alerts. She nudged him, reading the call stats on the screen. She sat up, wanting to dress and head out. Instead she shook Jay awake and handed him the phone. He groaned, dragging himself out of bed.
"Are you accepting?" She asked, looking at the screen.
"Yeah, of course." He called from the bathroom.
She clicked the green accept icon, which alerted the team he was heading their way. Alerts went out when the team was overwhelmed, swamped, needed assist. Sometimes 10 people responded, sometimes zero responded. When zero respond, the team lead would call the 800 number. He returned in his black gear, he sat and laced up his work boots. His weapons and gear he kept locked in the trunk.
"I wanna go." She whispered.
He finished lacing, then kissed her cheek. "Love ya."
"Please be careful, Jay."
"I will." He nodded. He took his phone from her. "Hey, I'll give Tav a call if I'm stuck, alright?" She nodded, eyeing him in his black outfit. Tall, dark, geared up he was so fine to look at. He was letting his hair grow back in, thick black ringlets hung on his head. "What? You ok?"
"Yeah, yeah." She smiled. "You always look so handsome in that uniform."
"I'll remind you you said that when we go to bed tonight." He grinned.
A few hours later, the team was still working. The 800 number had also been called, so Tav was working. She managed to get everyone up and out and off to school, which she never enjoyed doing. Even well, she hated that. They were all old enough to get themselves off to school. She resented that Julia had painted herself into the role of caretaker for these people. She glanced at Tatia while she ate breakfast, wondering what Tatia's own parents were doing at that moment. She tucked that thought in the back of her mind, reminded herself that she needed to have a heart to heart with her father. He and Karen needed to be more active and transition into full time parents of this little girl. Julia felt strongly that since Karen's recovery had been fairly successful, her relationship with Cal was solid, then they should take on the role of parents full time. She and Jay and Tavin could assist, but there was no reason not to trust them raising this child. She tucked that conversation into the back of her mind and would bring it up with Jayson and Tavin. Julia felt firm that she didn't want to transition into any housewife caretaker role. In fact, why they all had to live together under one roof confused her.
She answered Kelly's call when the phone rang. She knew they were all on a call and she worried something had happened to one or all of them. "Hey, I was told to tell you to strap up today or not to go out at all."
"Ok, I'll carry." Julia understood from Kelly's tone of voice.
"Good, then I'll come fetch you and take you to rehab. I won't go if you're not carrying."
"You're not stupid or incapable. Where's your firearm?"
"I'm a civilian."
"Gotta drop off Tia."
"Fine. 10-15 minutes."
Kelly sounded annoyed. She'd been delegated this task. Chess didn't want Jess running the streets with Layla despite her gracious offer. Kelly left Tarin at the office with Jess and was on time. Kelly had a pistol on her hip. Admittedly, she was nervous. Unsure whether she'd be able to deal with any given situation. She had been trained and had certs but wouldn't consider the job. Tavin already put his foot down on the matter as well.
"Haven't seen you around lately."
"We broke up, so why would I come around?"
She sounded bitter. "I could have uber'ed."
"This whole situation is fucked up. The best county has to offer and you're out for how long?"
"At least 6 more weeks. My leg's improving, but the arm added on more time."
"Just let them help you. Quit being such a bitch." Kelly complained as she pulled up to the school drop off line. As they pulled up to the curb, Julia held Tatia back and wouldn't let her out. "No, Tia. No. Sit back and put your belt back on." Julia told her.
"What?" Kelly asked. She looked to her right and saw what Julia observed. "Why are they all coming out instead of in?"
Julia rolled the car window down. She saw the school principal holding the doors open with another office employee. It was semi controlled chaos. Children with adults heading on foot quickly toward the field. "Is this a drill, Mrs. Peck?" Julia yelled calmly. Her gut told her otherwise.
"No, we've called 911."
"Kell, put it in park." She rolled the window back up. She glanced at Tia. "You, get on the floor. Get out of the seat, get on the floor and stay in the car." Julia hopped out of the car and ordered Kelly out with her. As she passed an employee she started giving orders. "Start directing all these vehicles oyt, get them moving. Get another person out in the street and shut it down till 911 arrives. No more cars pull in here." She had Kelly on her left and they made their way to the principal. "What's the issue?"
Mrs. Peck gave her a quick report. Male janitor from evening shift had been in the building and turned over night. How he passed, unknown, but he's an elderly individual. He was in the locker room. Dayshift staff arrived and entered the locker room and observed the man, had been struck by the man as he entered. There was a scuffle that ensued. The janitor alerted office staff. "So there's one. Possibly one injured."
"Correct."
"Where's the man now?"
"Heading our direction. In the hall. Classrooms were issued a code red, locked down. Caf was locked down. Halls are emptying out."
As Mrs. Peck said that, the last of those in the hall cleared the entrance. Julia and Kelly stepped inside. She ordered Mrs. Peck to close the doors, which would magnetize locked when closed. "Please watch that car unless your life is threatened. Tatia Keller is locked in there."
She nodded. Julia and Kelly watched the school doors close and lock behind them. The emptiness of the hall at that time of the morning didn't go unnoticed. They looked left then right and Mrs. Peck was correct. Night shift ambulated toward them. "Pull your firearm. Aim it, shoot him in the head." Julia ordered.
"What? You do it, Julia. You're the freaking goddess."
"My arm's broken. You're certified. Pull the pistol now." Julia said calmly. "If my arm wasn't broken, he'd already be down." Julia was also on leave and was not permitted to 'work'. Kelly pulled and raised the gun. "Hall is clear of civilians, aim and fire. You can do this."
Kelly fired her weapon, a bullet ripped into the left shoulder. She fired again, chest wound. She needed more practice. The bullets only served to slow him a little. Kelly took a deep breath, aimed again and shot him in the center of his forehead. His body crumpled. The threat was eliminated. There was the issue of dayshift who got struck. Julia or someone else would need to assess that man's injuries. He'd need to go into holding for 24 hours regardless of injury.
Julia indicated they should go into the office, they should release the door for the police. She could hear sirens blaring. Her phone buzzed in her pocket multiple times while with Kelly in the hallway. It continued to buzz. It started ringing. She sat on a chair in the lobby by the door, glanced at the car at the curb. Tatia was looking at her through the car window. Julia gave her a wave and a thumbs up. She pulled her phone and messaged Tatia's iPad. Told her to stay put. Everything was ok. She answered the phone as it rang. She explained this to Jay briefly. His sister was alright. She messaged Tavin, Alex, Chess and Jess as well. They'd all called and texted. She and Kelly spent the morning at the elementary school, explaining the incident, answering questions. She had Kelly as team lead and this was Chess Morgan's show, not County related since she was dropping off not working. She had to answer questions from her own bosses who had trouble believing she played no part in the response. The video from the school hallway said otherwise and played on the local news live and then at noon and through out the day. All children and staff were accounted for and were all picked up from the school's field where all the classes lined up with their teachers. Their drills had paid off, their calm professionalism shined that morning. Luckily, they had been in line, but if they hadn't been in line, the incident would have been responded to and handled. Schools, hospitals took priority. Changes were taking place and regulations were placed. Chess Morgan lobbied that schools, including day cares and youth related programs took priority over other establishments. Hospitals and health care facilities also took priority.
Chess ordered Kelly to stay with both of them as an armed escort. He called Julia and advised her, not asking her permission. Teams were still occupied, his own and county's. He didn't feel comfortable with her on her own in an Uber with Tatia while injured. Regulations state Kelly didn't have to hand over her weapon. Killing the dead didn't fall under the same regulations. She was not law enforcement either. She got to holster her weapon and move on with her day. The school janitor from dayshift was taken into quarantine custody and placed in Mav General under armed security overnight. Armed security had an entire hallway of people to monitor for 24 hours. The new quarantine facility hadn't opened yet, hadn't been staffed yet. If people were unwilling to go into monitored quarantine, they were put in a cell. Monitored quarantine was not optional. Being dishonest about injury related to an incident was not a misdemeanor and punishable with up to 6 months in jail and a fine. Most people were agreeable to the monitored quarantine, especially in a hospital setting.
Julia missed therapy, but did get to the ortho appointment. She had Tatia with her since school was canceled. They all saw the xrays and watched as Julia's arm was casted. The Ortho doctor advised her he'd see her in 6 weeks for cast removal unless a problem should arise.
Once home, Julia and Tatia locked themselves in the house. They watched TV. Kelly left them. They needn't an armed escort at home, but the guys were livid. He ordered her back to the house till either Jay or Tavin got home. They were all in agreement she could even leave when Alex got home from school. So she took Tarin and went to Julia's house where they ordered take out and watched more TV. Alex was first through the door, but Kelly stayed anyway. She hadn't been home in a while and she hadn't hung out with Julia in a while either, not since the lightening incident.
She was glad she stayed, she admitted. Julia talked through the school incident with her. Chess would have a counselor see her as well in the coming days to feel her out, see if she had anything she wanted to talk about. The business of the dead was not in Kelly's normal job description. Being trusted as anyone's armed security was not in her normal job description. Keeping people safe had always been someone else's job, not hers. She was used to being the one everyone kept safe.
Tavin and Jay got home around the same time. Julia had dinner ready for them and the kids. She did so without prompting. Working out her nervous energy, she called it therapy and got to work on something simple and easy. Kelly pitched in with clean up. She couldn't do certain things with that cast on her arm and she could see Julia was tired from standing. They ate dinner at first in an awkward silence. Tavin started the conversation with Kelly asking if she was ok. She was shaken up. She admitted that's why she hadn't left. She needed to be around people who understood what she had done.
He'd seen the footage of the shooting unedited on X. Local news blurred the images, but X had it all and more. Cell phone footage before and after from local parents. Interviews with the kids. The teams were all updated about the evacuation in progress and the events afterward. The fact that no one was injured or lost other than the one dead zom was impressive. School was off the next day. Counselors would be available the next school day for all those involved and there was a planned assembly for staff, children and employees. A little space had been set up for those to remember that janitor and place flowers, cards, mementos. Not a lot of people knew the man who worked at night, because no one was at school during those hours. The children and teachers felt otherwise, and part of the assembly would remember him as well. He worked there for 22 years. His family was invited. They set up a go fund me and raised money to bury him and have services for him. The community rallied for this unknown janitor named Frank Grant. Chess had already donated on behalf of their team. Julia had on behalf her, Jay, Tatia. Tatia wanted to get flowers and take them to school. Alex agreed to do that with her the next day.
"Thanks, Alex. That's nice of you." Jay said.
"That's something Jo would do for her." He shrugged. "She misses Jody. I try to step up for him, you know."
"Seen him lately?" Julia asked.
"No. I don't interfere." Alex answered. "I get it. Toni's fine as fuck. Militant and mean, but a sweet soft side. I'd chase that too." He paused, taking in the mood at the table. "We'll know when to go get him, guys. He'll be ok."
"Yeah." Julia nodded. "I have new armed security though. I'm safe." She smiled at Kelly who gave her a decent and friendship laden afternoon. "I'm gonna tell him you deserve a raise."
"Please do." Kelly giggled.
"Since you're an operator now." Tavin smiled, moving his hand over hers on the table.
That did not go unnoticed among them. Jay nudged Julia with his knee under the table. "So, Tav, she should probably head out. It's getting late, y'all had a long day." Jay suggested. "The next shift of armed security is here to protect the injured goddess."
"She isn't going home tonight." Tavin sighed, squeezing her hand. "I'll feel safer with her protecting us through the next shift."
"Oh, definitely. I'm in overtime, too." Kelly laughed.
"Seriously, it's time to head up. We got the treatments to do before bed."
"WeI already did them." Julia replied. "We're all set. She wanted to see the wounds."
"Well, thanks. Since security and home health are covered, I'm gonna crash. It's been a long day."
He guided Julia to the stairs, watched he scoot up on her butt. Tavin and Kelly followed heading to their room.
"Jayson, we need a door." She whispered, pulling the curtain across the doorway. He stripped to his underwear and as he attempted to get in bed she stopped him. "I may need some help. Only got one arm."
"Of course. I'll help. Want me to-"
"Period, Jay." She mumbled. "No."
