13:
Stunned. That was the best way to describe the way Joey felt as he unlocked the door and stepped into the silent house. He had left Kellys house and driven around aimlessly before stopping and staring off into space. He returned home with no more idea of what to do than hed had upon leaving Kellys. The lights were off, except for one by the living room window. He smiled sadly at that. Gina always left a light on if he wasnt beside her when she went to bed. He downed a glass of water before heading upstairs. Even if she didnt want him there, he needed to be near her now.
He slipped into the bedroom silently, but apparently he neednt have worried. Gina was sitting on the bed, Marcus beside her gurgling at the ceiling. "Is it true?" she asked, not looking away from her laptop. "Is it?"
"I . . ." he swallowed, moving closer, though he already knew what she was looking at. It was the same web page that had gotten Kelly so upset earlier. It was a simple layout, actually. Black background, red and white text. And in the middle of it, a large picture of Kelly followed by the caption "Joeys pregnant girlfriend. We have to wonder if his wife knows yet."
"I got on to check my e-mail. Catch up on some writing. You know, things I normally do. Someone sent me this link and I was a little curious. Is it true, Joe?"
"Yes," he said very softly.
"I see," Gina said, hugging her knees.
They were quiet for a moment before Joey realized something. "This is the most youve said to me since before Marcus was born."
She got a thoughtful look and said, "Yeah, I guess it is. You may as well sit down. We have a lot to discuss, and I refuse to go to bed yet again with this still hanging over my head. I cut the ringers off. I want to get through this once and for all."
Sirens and flashing lights. Screams. Crying. Something warm and sticky ran down his face. A voice broke through the fog in his mind. "Sir? Sir? Dont move." Something was placed around his neck, and something else over his eye. The sticky stuff stopped.
Another voice broke in. This one was gruff, authoritative, and angry. "Sir, have you been drinking today?"
Lance didnt answer. He was staring in front of him. The side of the bus had been ripped off. A seat hung out the gaping hole. "Are they OK? Was anyone hurt? PLEASE!" he cried, clutching at the bodies around him. He lost his balance, falling from the drivers seat into blissful darkness.
Chris carried the phone into the den. He dialed the number he knew by heart and waited. One ring. Two. Three. He was gong to hang up when a voice came on the other end.
"Hello?"
"Its Chris."
"Oh! Im glad you called. Does this mean youre coming out?" Danielles voice was warm and friendly.
"Yeah, I guess so. I just have to finalize the arrangements, but it looks like Ill be flying out on Saturday."
"OK, Ill see you then. Let me know when to pick you up."
"Sure thing."
"Oh, and Chris?"
"Yes?"
"Im looking forward to seeing you."
"Me too." Chris stared at the phone as if it were something dark and disgusting, something evil. Did he really just say that? And what was that warm tingly feeling all about? He was <i>married</i>, he was a <i>father</i>. This was <i>wrong</i>. So why was he so excited?
JC ignored the phone. He didnt feel like talking to anyone. He was in a nice place. No thoughts to deal with. No problems, no responsibilities. Just him and his powdery little friend. Yes. This was nice. His eyes felt heavy. Alarm bells were ringing in the back of his mind but he ignored them, ignored the trembling in his limbs and the awesome pain in his head and chest. When he hit the cold tile of the bathroom floor, he barely even noticed.
Sugar stared at Justin in shock as he laughed in her face. He laughed until he cried, then laughed some more. "Oh, that was a good one, baby. Here I was thinking you were going to leave me, and youre making jokes."
"Justin, really, I oh, never mind."
The phone rang and with its message, all else was forgotten.