Love Resolution

Avery woke, ears ringing, forehead throbbing as if someone was whacking a hammer repeatedly against her skull. Opening her eyes had been like lifting a weighted garage door manually without the assistance of the pulley mechanism.

She was in a hospital room, the heart monitor beeping beside her. The first person she saw was Ray, standing alone in the corner, staring down at his phone. He must have noticed her moving because his eyes shifted in her direction.

“You’re awake.” He smiled softly and came closer, stopping on the left side of her bed. He glanced at someone on the other side.

Carefully, she turned her head and saw familiar chestnut curls and grey eyes.

“How are you feeling?” Sam asked softly, squeezing her hand.

“Like my head just got split open,” Avery admitted truthfully. “What happened?”

“You were in a car accident.” Sam’s eyes narrowed. “You have a concussion, and a pretty nasty cut on your forehead.”

Avery winced, reaching up in exploration.

“You don’t have to go back to the doctor to get the stitches out. They’re the invisible under the skin kind that dissolve on their own,” Sam reassured her. “They also told us they think the scar will fade in time.”

“Where’s Marcus?” She remembered seeing the other car, but not the impact. Her throat tightened with trepidation. “Is he ok?”

Sam and Ray were quiet. She watched them exchange a glance.

It was Sam who answered. “He’s alright, Avery, but he was arrested at the scene. He’s been charged with driving while intoxicated.”

“He’s in jail?” Avery’s mouth dropped open.

“Yeah. Dwight left here a couple hours ago to bail him out.”

Avery stared at Sam in stunned silence.

“It’s been a long night,” Sam continued empathetically. “I’m so glad you’re ok. That it wasn’t worse.” She leaned over and kissed the top of Avery’s head. “I’ll tell the nurse you’re awake and see if you can have some pain medicine.”

As soon as the door clicked closed, Avery turned her head toward Ray. “I’m sorry. I should have listened to you,” she whispered. “But Marcus was so mad and I was afraid… ” She trailed off, tears pricking her eyes as she remembered their conversation. “It doesn’t really matter.” She stared at her hands, and panic suddenly seized her limbs. Where was it? She couldn’t remember taking it off.

“Looking for this?” Ray asked, holding up her engagement ring.

“Yes.” She gulped in a welcome breath.

“They took it off in the ER.” He patted his blazer pocket. “I’ve got your necklace in here, too. If there was anything else, I don’t have it.”

“A bracelet, but it’s just costume jewelry.” She took the ring from him. “This is the only important thing.” She slid it on. “How long was I out?”

“You’ve been in and out for the past six hours. The nurses have been doing neurological checks all night because of the concussion.”

“My head really hurts.” She looked him in the eye. “Why isn’t Marcus here?”

“I don’t know.” Ray’s expression was troubled.

“Can I borrow your phone?”

“I already tried to call him.”

“Please.” She reached out her hand. “Let me try.”

Sighing, he handed it to her. She quickly scrolled to Marcus’ number. The call went directly to voicemail. She bit down hard on her lip, but it didn’t stop the tears. She sucked in a couple of uneven breaths and tried Dwight’s number. Same thing. She dropped the phone on the bed. Eventually, she looked up at Ray.

He shook his head.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered.

“Don’t give up on him Avery. He takes things harder than most.” Ray took a step forward and she grabbed onto his arm, holding on tightly with both of hers. For a long moment neither said a word.

“Why don’t you try his parents?” Ray suggested, gently withdrawing his arm.

Sam returned with the nurse. She checked Avery’s vital signs, and then asked, “How much is your pain now on a scale of one to ten?”

“About a twelve.”

“You’re due for some pain medication.” The nurse patted her hand. “I’ll be right back, Ms. Jones.”

“Thank you.” Avery gave her a weak smile and turned to Sam after the nurse left. “You look exhausted. Why don’t you go back to the hotel and get some rest?”

“I’m ok.” She pursed her lips. “Don’t even try that martyr stuff on me, Avery Jones. I’m your friend and just like Ray I’m staying with you till you’re discharged.”

“Thanks guys.” Avery swallowed back a fresh batch of tears.

“For nothing,” Sam returned. “Whatcha doing with the phone?”

“Oh, I’m gonna call Marcus’ parents.”

“Well, don’t stop on my account. I was going to make a coffee run and I need to update everyone in the waiting room. Tell them you’re awake and all.” She paused on the way out. “How do you feel about having visitors?”

Avery shook her head.

“Right. No, problem. I’ll be back soon then.”

Avery picked up the phone and scrolled to the number.

“Hello, Ray,” Rheta answered the phone on the first ring. “How is she doing? Is there any change?”

“It’s me,” Avery whispered softly. Hearing the concern in Rheta’s voice made her throat tighten.

“Avery,” Rheta breathed. “Just a minute. Let me tell the others…Don, Justin, Arthur, Avery’s on the phone,” Avery heard her yell through the muffled receiver. “How are you? We’ve been so worried.”

“My head hurts. Other than that, I’m ok, I guess.”

The connection was quiet for a moment. “I’m sure Marcus told you that I gave him a piece of my mind. I can’t imagine what he was thinking. I’m just so grateful it wasn’t any worse.”

“You’ve talked to him?”

“Well, yes, of course. Haven’t you?”

“No. Not since before the accident.”

A longer silence. “Well, I’m sure he’ll be there any minute.”

Avery didn’t respond. She was beginning to wonder if he was going to come at all. “Can I speak with Justin please?”

“Sure. He’s right here.”

“Sis,” Justin began. “What happened?”

She blinked back tears. “Oh, Justin...it was awful.”

“There are conflicting reports in the news. Was he intoxicated?”

“Yes,” she admitted.

“I’m coming down there,” he insisted.

“No, Justin. I’m sure they’re gonna release me soon.”

“Sis, I love you, but I gotta tell you, I wanna kick his sorry ass.” She could hear him take a deep breath. “Here. Talk to Dad. I need to cool off.”

“Kat?” Arthur asked tentatively.

“Hey.”

“Are you ok?”

“I don’t really know.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, my head’s starting to feel a little better, but…” eyes filling, she trailed off. “Did you ever have doubts about whether you and Mom were meant for each other?”

“No. Never,” he replied carefully. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” she said noncommittally.

“Does this have something to do with those pictures of you dancing with that other guy?”

She didn’t answer.

“People say things in the heat of the moment that they regret later. I’m betting that’s the case with him. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Kat. It’s the same way that I looked at your mom.”

I hope he’s right, she thought.