Damaged Souls (Broken Man)

chapter Thirteen


I am glad this day is almost over, Amanda thought to herself as she pulled into the hospital parking lot.

She turned off her engine and took a minute to gather her thoughts. What else can happen today? It certainly can’t get much worse. Not worse than seeing Delaney’s tears as she watched a beaten up Greg barely able to acknowledge his mother’s presence. Not worse than watching a mother apologize to her son for her alcoholism. I pray nothing else happens, Amanda realized it could get much worse as she worried about what Jack might do.

I have never seen him like this, Amanda realized as she exited her car and remembered the last five years. I’ve seen him broken hearted, I’ve seen him hurt, I’ve seen him frustrated, I’ve even seen him cry. But, I have never seen him this angry.

If we can just get through tonight, things will get better. Greg can come home with us tomorrow, and we can start the process of sorting everything out, we can begin healing. I actually think Greg and Delaney are going to be okay, it’s really Jack that I’m worried about.

They have each other now, Amanda found hope as she remembered Delaney and Greg holding hands earlier that afternoon. At least something good came out of all of this. They finally understand how they feel about one another.

Oh my God, Amanda suddenly became emotional as she entered Greg’s room and found them lying together in darkness, lit up only by a dim night light and their love for one another. That is so beautiful, Amanda became emotional as she quietly sat down in the chair, careful not to disturb them. They are going to be fine, she confirmed her suspicions as she let out the emotions of the last twenty four hours.

“Amanda, are you okay,” she was surprised to hear Greg’s voice.

“I’m fine, Greg,” Amanda whispered a lie. “How are you feeling.”

“Better,” he whispered, careful not to wake Delaney. “Thanks for taking care of my mom today.”

“You are welcome,” she tried to open up a conversation. “I think she will get the help she needs now.”

“That’s good,” he replied as Amanda realized he wasn’t going to talk about it.

“Greg, you know you can talk to me. I grew up in a very similar situation and I understand what you are going through.”

“I know, Amanda. Delaney told me about your mother,” he tried to deflect the attention. “That must have been tough.”

“It was,” she didn’t fall for his trick. “But not any more difficult than what you are going through. Why didn’t you ever tell us.”

“I don’t know,” he answered honestly. “I didn’t want to burden you with my problems. I always thought she would get better, and sometimes she did.”

That made sense to Amanda as she remembered her mother’s occasional bouts with sobriety and her earlier conversation with Susan. “I’ve got to tell you something, Greg.”

“What is it,” he seemed concerned.

“I think it’s important that you understand why your mother is the way she is,” Amanda paused as she tried to find the proper words for what she was trying to say.

“What do you mean.”

“I think there is more behind her addiction than just your father’s death, although obviously that was the catalyst,” Amanda caught herself speaking as a psychologist. “His death was a harsh reminder of the abandonment Susan experienced earlier in her life when her own father walked out when she was just a child. Not having anyone to turn to just exacerbated the situation.”

“You’re losing me, Amanda.”

“Greg, you filled a void in her life, you were the only one who was there for her when everything fell apart, the only man who didn’t abandon her. She loves you very much, and when she realized you were going to be going off to college in less than a year, she didn’t know how to react to being abandoned again, she didn’t how she was going to fill that void. So, she decided to fill the void by drinking, and that’s why her problem worsened over the last year.”

“But I’m not abandoning her,” Greg questioned her motive.

“I know you aren’t, Greg,” Amanda reassured him. “But, an addict’s mind doesn’t operate like your’s and mine. They are oftentimes no longer logical, and that’s why your mother needs to go to rehab. It’s not just about the drinking, it’s about dealing with the past and addressing problems head on. Do you understand.”

“I think I do,” he replied. “So, what should I do when she gets home.”

“Just be there for her like you have always been. Last night was a wake up call when she thought she might lose you, and it made her realize what she has missed for the last seven years. I think you are going to see a very different woman in a few weeks, a woman who will have the tools to deal with her issues.”

“I hope so,” he whispered as Delaney started to stir.

“What are you guys talking about,” Delaney yawned as she opened her eyes.

“Just about Greg’s mother,” Amanda was purposely vague. “Are you about ready.”

“I’m going to stay here with Greg,” she replied.

“I would love to let you stay, Delaney, but visiting hours end soon and Greg needs his rest.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Delaney stubbornly refused to go.

“Its okay, Delaney,” Greg interjected as he kissed her forehead. “I’ll be home tomorrow and we’ll have plenty of time this week.”

“Are you sure,” Delaney looked at him for confirmation.

“I’m positive,” he replied. “I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”

“Okay,” she complied before kissing him softly. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Greg answered as Amanda again became emotional

* * *

“That went well,” Mike tried to lighten the mood as they sat on the back patio and shared a drink. “I’m glad you remained calm.”

“Sorry about that, Mike,” Jack regretted his actions as he took a sip of scotch.

“That’s alright. I would have done the same thing if it had been my daughter.”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t help the matter,” he tried to formulate a strategy. “So, what’s our next step.”

“It’s a little more complicated now,” Mike placed his drink on the table and returned to being an attorney. “It looks like Greg did some damage to Mitch, and they are going to use that as leverage in addition to the he said she said nonsense. I’ve really got to talk to Greg and Delaney and get their version of the story.”

“Like I said, we can do that tomorrow,” Jack replied before moving on to unsettled matters. “What do you know about this sheriff and Mitch’s attorney.”

“Steve’s a good attorney, tough but reasonable. I’m not too worried about him,” Mike paused as he recognized the real problem. “But, Sheriff Warner, he is going to be a problem.”

“How do you mean.”

“I’ve heard some stories, none of them good. He operates in very gray areas and bends the law as he sees fit, or more to the point, as his supporters see fit.”

“Can’t we just turn the case over to the police.”

“I wish we could, but this case falls outside their jurisdiction because we are outside the city,” Mike tried to explain how the judicial system worked.

“So, what are our options.”

“The main thing we have going for us is Mitch’s need to avoid publicity. It’s not going to look good to have his star quarterback son up on charges of sexual assault. That might offset some of his advantage of having the sheriff’s department in his pocket.”

“So, why can’t we just file a complaint,” Jack became impatient with Mike’s pragmatism.

“Because the minute we file charges, Mitch will counter file an assault complaint against Greg,” Mike replied as he read between the lines. “We definitely don’t want that to happen after what he’s been through.”

“Sounds like we are screwed,” Jack replied and again found himself getting angry.

“Not quite, Jack. Just let me do some investigating, maybe I can find something,” Mike said as he stood up from the table. “I’ve got to get going, Karen is expecting me for dinner. But I’ll call you tomorrow. Try not to worry.”

“I’ll try,” Jack replied as he stood up to thank his friend. “Thanks for all your help, and sorry again about earlier.”

“No problem,” he said as they shook hands and he turned to go.

“And Jack,” Mike had some final words as he opened the screened door. “Don’t worry, Greg and Delaney are going to be okay.”

“Thanks, Mike,” Jack replied as he watched him exit down the walkway and he returned to his thoughts.

* * *

“I think I understand what you meant now when you said I’ll know when it’s time,” Delaney surprised Amanda with her choice of topic as they pulled out of the hospital parking lot.

“How do you mean,” Amanda expressed concern.

“When Greg finally woke up today, we were able to talk, and we talked about things we had never spoken about before,” she paused and seemed to relive the moment. “Something happened, and I felt something I have never felt before. It’s kind of hard to describe.”

“It’s called love, Delaney,” Amanda replied as she smiled and remembered finding them together in bed sleeping. “I’m glad you two finally figured it out.”

“Me too, it was amazing,” Delaney said as Amanda sensed her need to talk about it. “When we kissed for the first time, it was different than ever before. I mean, I’ve kissed other boys, but it never felt like this. My entire body responded to him and I just knew I had to be with him. Do you know what I mean.”

“I do know what you mean,” Amanda grew cautious as she wondered what they did. “Do you want to talk about what happened.”

“Don’t worry, Amanda, it’s not what you’re thinking,” Delaney calmed her fears as she smiled. “But we came close.”

“Delaney, in the middle of a hospital room when Greg is half conscious,” Amanda questioned her decisions.

“I couldn’t help it, don’t worry, we stopped,” Delaney defended her actions and clammed up.

“It’s okay, honey, I understand,” Amanda reassured her as she touched her arm and reopened the conversation. “It’s just that I worry about you. You are very emotionally vulnerable right now, and I want you to be sure you are ready like we talked about so many times.”

“It’s okay, Amanda, you are right,” Delaney accepted her apology. “Believe it or not, Greg said the same thing when he stopped me.”

Thank God for Greg, Amanda thought to herself as she considered what to say. Delaney has been through so much this weekend, of course she is vulnerable to her emotions, of course she needs an outlet to express herself. I felt the same way at her age with what I was going through.

“Delaney, I’m not saying the two of you aren’t ready, I actually think you are. It’s just that the first time should be special and it should be with someone you love, but not in a hospital bed after what the two of you have been through.”

“I understand, but it just kind of happened. Don’t you remember your first time.”

“Of course I do,” Amanda replied, unsure of where this conversation was going. “I was also at a very vulnerable time in my life, kind of like you are now, and it was scary. I was just very fortunate the boy I chose loved me and cared about me, just as Greg loves you.”

“Were you nervous.”

“Of course I was. But, I also think I was ready, and he was sweet and he was careful,” Amanda looked at Delaney to be sure she understood.

“I get it Amanda,” Delaney couldn’t help to take a shot at her. “But, you weren’t exactly careful with Jack.”

“That was different,” Amanda explained as she remembered her first time with Jack. “We both knew we were in love, and I think we both knew exactly what we were doing, exactly what we wanted.”

“I know Greg and I feel the same way.”

“I think you do too,” Amanda agreed with her before pointing out the differences. “But I was twenty six and had already finished school and Jack was forty two and ready for fatherhood. You and Greg are just getting started. Trust me, Delaney, the two of you will have plenty of time.”

“I know we will,” Delaney replied with a smile as Amanda realized she had just been testing her. “And I know it’s going to be special.”

* * *

Jack was angry.

Not just a little bit angry, but really pissed off. Sure, he had managed to put his best face forward when Amanda, Delaney, and Logan arrived home, but now that they were sleeping, he had nothing left to hide. I really could kill him, he remembered his threats and pictured the fat, bloated face of J. Mitchell Caldwell as he poured himself another drink.

How dare he even suggest that the encounter between his son and Delaney had been consensual. How do you explain the bruise on her arm, the cuts on her feet, the tear in her dress. How do you explain her endless tears the night before.

There was nothing consensual about it. That would be like Mitch Jr. saying that Greg hitting him in the face was consensual, that he had agreed to the beating he apparently took. I can’t let him get away with it, Jack decided as he found some pleasure in the bruises and black eye on Mitch Jr.’s face.

But, the cards are all stacked against me, Jack realized as he sat down on the sun chair and put his feet up to try and relax. The law is on his side, he’s got the sheriff in his pocket. I just have a bruised girl, a concussed boy, and an overmatched attorney. I’ve got to figure this thing out, I have to find some answers. Maybe Greg will be able to help when we talk to him tomorrow, but I’m not even sure he remembers anything. I’m not even sure my brain is working anymore, Jack realized he hadn’t slept in nearly forty eight hours.

I need to sleep, Jack closed his eyes and planned his strategy as his exhaustion finally trumped his anger. Tomorrow, I will figure something out, tomorrow will be better.

Tomorrow, I will know all the answers.