Chapter 23
Nick yanked the door open, “What are you doing here...I thought you were spending the night with...”
“I’m moving in!” she bolted. Nick stood flabbergasted as she threw each suitcase in the front hall. Hannah was speaking gibberish to herself as she paced around.
“I take it things didn’t go well with your mom.”
“Oh that’s the understatement of the year! The woman’s gone nuts...completely nuts! And if she thinks I’m gonna stay in that house another second...” she trailed off. Nick tried to hug her but she pushed him away and continued to pace around. “This is my moment! She should be happy for me, but nooo, what’s she do? She goes straight to the liquor cabinet and hits me when I tell her to stop! And now, as we speak she’s probably at the store buying more alcohol to drink herself into a stupor.”
“Wait, wait a minute, she hit you?” Nick grabbed hold her shoulders.
“Yes she hit me! It’s like I said...she’s gone mad.”
Nick’s heart broke when he saw the red handprint along the side of her face. “That’s it...I’m calling the cops,” he clamored.
“You’re what?! Why?!” she stopped him.
“Because she hit you Hannah, and she’s a drunk.”
“So you’re gonna have her arrested? My mother arrested?!”
“Not arrested...don’t you see she needs help? The police will do that; they’ll get her into counseling and whatever she needs to get better.”
“No! I won’t let you call the cops on her. I just won’t!”
“But Hannah,” Nick begged...
”No but Hannah Nick! This is my mother we’re talking about. I make the choice.”
“So you’re just going to let her drink herself to death? Get behind the wheel drunk? Crash into someone else and possibly take more lives than just her own? That’s stupid Hannah and you know it!”
“No what’s stupid Nick is you thinking it’s your business. I didn’t tell you what happened only to have her put in lock-up for the night. I won’t let you do it!” she protested.
“Hannah...I’m only trying to do what’s best for her. What’s best for you.”
“Do you want me to leave? Is that it...because I will, if you call the police. And I’ll deny everything.”
Nick was sickened at the way she was solving things. But the last thing he wanted was her wandering around town alone...so he decided to let it go. “Ok, fine...I won’t call anyone.” Hannah thanked him and Nick assisted her in bringing her stuff upstairs. Feeling completely drained Hannah decided to take a hot bath while Nick went to pick up some Chinese food and a video from Blockbuster.
After she kissed him good-bye she went into the bathroom. One foot at a time she stepped into the steamy jacuzzi. The sudsy water permeated through her skin and eased all her tension. She rubbed her hands across her face and winced at the sharp pain where her mother slapped her. In all her life Hannah had never seen her mother raise a hand to anything, let alone her own daughter. Closing her eyes she sunk into the water. For as long as she could she remained under the bubbles. Gasping for breath she sat up.
Hannah drained the tub and sat watching the waves in Nick’s robe. Crashing forward and backward the waves never completely make it to shore. She heard the door shut downstairs but didn’t budge. She felt weak with no energy. Her heart ached but she couldn't bring herself to cry. All she could do was watch the Atlantic.
“Hey sweets,” Nick kissed her cheek, the one that wasn’t hit. “How was your bath?”
“Great,” she rotated to face him. “What movies did you rent?”
Nick wrinkled his nose, “They didn’t have much so I was forced to rent Runaway Bride.”
“Awww, I love that movie...and you will too, I promise.” Hannah kissed his scrunched nose. Nick stood up and motioned for her to follow him. “No, I’m gonna change into something first.”
“Oh you look great in that, come on, let’s go...I’m starved.” When she insisted on changing Nick picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. Hannah laughed hysterically all the way down the stairs.
Wrapped in each other’s arms the closing credits rolled across the screen. “Hey, that wasn’t that bad.” Nick admitted rubbing her arm.
“I told....” Hannah yawned, “you so.”
“OK sleepy, let’s get you to bed.” Nick stood up. “Are you taking your own room or sleeping with me?”
“I thought I’d sleep with you if that’s alright. I don’t feel like sleeping in a big bed all alone.” Nick rubbed her back and led her to his room. There he pulled back the covers and helped her up. He walked to the other side and climbed in; sliding over to Hannah he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. “Would you sing for me Nick? I’ve never heard you sing, well other than the radio, and it would help me fall asleep.”
Nick ran his hand through his hair, thinking of what to sing for her. Then he broke into “Open Arms.”
Lying beside you, here in the dark
Feeling your heart beat with mine
Softly you whisper, you’re so sincere
How could our love be so blind?
We sailed on together
We drifted apart
And here you are by my side
So now I come to you, with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am with open arms
Hoping you’ll see what your love means to me...
Open arms
Living without you, living alone
This empty house seems so cold
Wanting to hold you, wanting you near
How much I wanted you home
But now that you’ve come back
Turned night into day
I-- need you to stay
So now I come to you, with open arms
Nothing to hid, believe what I say
So here I am with open arms
Hoping you’ll see what you love means to me
Open Arms
Journey had always been one of his favorite bands, and “Open Arms” one of his favorite songs. But now as he sang it to her it brought new meaning. Tears rolled down his face, ‘I’ve truly found the one I love.’ Her sweet voice uttered, "Thank you,” and she nodded off to sleep, feeling safe in Nick’s hold.
Chapter 24
Crossing Paths Main
Homepage