Second Chances (12 page)

The movie theater was really busy. We got some popcorn and drinks then
found our seats just in time for the lights to dim and the previews to begin.
Lily of course had to sit on the opposite side of Luke. I looked at her and
then back at him, “I think you have a new fan. She is glued to you.” He smiled
and laced his fingers threw mine pulling me to him for a quick kiss. He looked
at me and smiled, “Is it okay to kiss you if I keep it PG.” I smiled and then
said yes. He leaned over and kissed me again then placed his arm over my
shoulders pulling me into him. We shared a popcorn and drink while the girls
shared the other popcorn.

After the movie Luke decided to treat us girls to shakes. When we walked
in to the diner I had immediately spotted Whitney and a couple of her friends
over in a corner booth staring at us. She hollered something out to Luke but he
acted as if he didn’t even hear her. I wasn’t sure if I had preferred him to go
over and tell her off for last night’s power trip she was on or just to ignore
her. I needed to let the whole Whitney thing go I knew that but it was really
hard to do. “So Ladies what’ll be?” Luke brought my attention back to our
table. He had his arm around me tracing his fingers across my shoulder. I knew
he was trying to make me forget about the corner booth distraction. “Don’t shut
down on me…Promise!” He whispered in my ear. He looked nervous when I brought
my attention to his eyes. I kissed him lightly on the lips, “No way! She’s not
getting to me today.” Of course Whitney couldn’t resist trying to drive the
knife in a little deeper so when she walked by she leaned over into Luke and
spoke softly but loud enough for me to hear, “Hey
Lukey
you remember what you did to me in that booth back there?” Then she stood and
started to walk away. Luke pushed up out of the booth turning to me quickly, “I
need two minutes to handle this…don’t get mad. She’s taking this too far and
I’m not going to sit here while she keeps taking unnecessary jabs at you.” He
followed her out and you could see her expression it was as if she thought she
really accomplished something. When Luke started you could tell he was yelling and
her face fell quickly. He pointed in toward me and her face followed his finger
connecting with me briefly before she turned backed to him. He turned and came
back inside she just rushed off maybe crying I wasn’t sure but definitely not
happy with the outcome. The girls were giggling to one another and completely
unaware of what had been going on. When he slid back into the booth his
expression was tense and he just laced his fingers with mine and starting
joking with the girls. After they finished their shakes we took a little walk
along the beach and allowed them to run around without shoes as Luke took my
hand and pulled me to him he was behind me with his arms around my waist and
his face rested against the top of my head. It felt good to be enclosed in his
arms. He placed a kiss onto my temple and apologized for what happened before
with Whitney. “You didn’t do anything Luke. You never asked her to start making
comments to me about your past...just let it go okay.” He said nothing more
regarding it he just held me as we watched the girls.

Later after we got home my mom
was gone. Luke questioned me and I told him we still had to have the talk about
everything and that I was sure it would be bad. Lily kept begging to go back to
her friend Hannah’s when her mom came to pick her up. I couldn’t get ahold of
my mom for anything so I allowed Lily to go ahead and go. I had left a few
messages and sent a couple texts but nothing. It was about midnight I was
worried about my mom and Luke had to get going because he was having breakfast
with his parents and grandparents early Sunday. I could tell he felt horrible
leaving me but we talked on the phone his entire drive home which I was
grateful. About one thirty am I heard the door creak open. “She just got home
I’m going to let you go okay.” We quickly said goodbye with the promise to call
him if I needed anything.

When I got to the bottom of the
stairs and turned the corner I almost passed out. My knees were wobbly and felt
like I was going to hurl. My mother stood at the table bracing herself the
front of her shirt was blood stained. She had a cut above her right eye which
was extremely swollen. Her nose was bleeding and her lip was split open. “Oh my
god mom…What happened to you?” My tears began to fall seeing her like this was
horrible and at that moment I thanked god I sent Lily to her friends. I helped
her into the chair at the table while I grabbed an ice pack and a cold rag.
“Where you in an accident,” I asked as I looked out the front window to see her
car sitting untouched. She was brutally battered and I could tell it caused her
pain to speak, “I
ahh
…went to get the rest of my
things from mm…Bruce’s just a few little items and my stethoscope. When I got
there he tried talking me out of ending it and when I wouldn’t budge he hit me.
Over and Over again I eventually blacked out and when I woke he was passed out
on the couch. So I ran and drove
ahh
…straight here.”
That bastard I picked up my phone when she looked up at me concerned, “
Zoey
who are you calling?” I dialed and as it rang I said,
“The Police.” Once the call was made I knew I had done the right thing.

I heard it immediately but it all
happened so fast. The front door flew open and Bruce stumbled in. He went
straight for my mom. He grabbed her by the hair and jerked her out of the
chair. I heard a horrible scream escape my mother. He was in a rage…I lunged at
Bruce and jumped onto his back. He shook me loose and let go of my mom turning
to face me. “You stupid little bitch this whole fucking mess is your fault. If
it wasn’t for you and your smartass little mouth none of this would have
happened.” He brought his hand up and smacked me hard across the face. My
mother was still lying on the floor I wasn’t sure if she had been knocked out
because she wasn’t moving. I ran for the kitchen to find something to fight him
off. He was right behind me grabbing at my hair and he yanked me back so hard I
felt like my brain literally shifted. He began swinging and connected in the
center of my back. It felt like I couldn’t breathe…I was gasping for air. I
suddenly felt faint and I fell to the ground. I tried covering my face but he
starting kicking me in the ribs and the head. I hurt so badly I could taste
blood and then I
bagan
fading out. I heard faintly
around me people yelling and screaming. “Call an ambulance….two female
victims”. I faded again as I was being lifted, “My mom…help her.” I was placed
onto something hard as straps went across my chest and legs. I heard a small
female voice. “Just relax sweetheart we got both of you. You’re going to be
fine just stay calm…we are going to help you both.” I saw lights flashing and
heard a lot of commotion. The pain was unbelievably…my back my stomach and my
head. Someone told me they were going to give me something to relax. It worked
because I fell into complete blackness.

*Luke*

I had a hard time falling asleep
last night. I knew
Zoey
and her mom had a lot they
needed to talk about but I was worried. Eight am came way too soon. I had to
get up and meet my parents and grandparents at the country club for breakfast.
I tried calling
Zoey
three times with no answer. She
was probably sleeping. I am sure that she was up late talking to her mom
considering she didn’t get home until after midnight. I just hoped they worked
things out.

When I got to the club breakfast
turned out nice rarely do I get to see my grandparents. We were finished and
walking out to our cars when my phone rang Sophia never calls me…”What’s up Sophia?”
I could barely understand what she was saying. “Slow down
Soph
I can’t understand you,” I heard a muffled voice and then Evan was on the phone
“Luke where are you?” What the hell was wrong with these two? “I’m at the
Country Club with my grandparents…what
is
going on?”
He took a deep breath “Meet me at Sophia’s don’t ask why it’s really important…just
hurry but be safe.” Then he hung up but I stood there staring at me phone they
were acting crazy. I told everyone bye and drove to Sophia’s.

They practically ran to my car as
I pulled up. Sophia threw her arms around my neck once I came around the front
of my car. She was crying so hard but I caught parts of it, “Z-
Zoey
is….in-n the
hosp
…
hospital.” I looked at Evan. “What the hell happened?” Evan pulled Sophia into
his arms, “Luke I’ll explain on the way we just really need to get over there
okay?” I was about to lose it…hospital how? I got into Evan’s car I felt like
my lungs were shrinking and I really couldn’t get the air needed. I had to know
if she was ok. “Will one of you start talking and tell me what the hell
happened. Is she okay?” I held my breath scared of the response to that
question. After a few seconds when Sophia took a few deep breaths and calmed
enough to speak she explained. “I had tried to call
Zoey
all morning and got no answer I wanted to borrow her sandals and well I thought
I would just go over there and wake her up. When I walked up to her house there
was um…a cop car sitting in the drive and they were standing in the front yard
they told me that I couldn’t go any further. They really wouldn’t tell me much
just that the residents of the home had been taken to the hospital. I rushed
over there and after finally finding a nurse that could help me they took me to
Zoey
. Oh my god Luke it’s horrible. He broke in to
the house and beat up
Zoey
and her mom. They are both
there…” and she began crying hard again. “Wait a minute! Who broke in?” A
million things were running through my head at that moment. Someone hurt
Zoey
. My temper was flaring. I was seeing red. “Bruce her
mom’s friend did it all. I talked to her mom and she is pretty messed up but
she broke it off with Bruce a week ago and he had been calling nonstop and
stopping by trying to change her mind. She said she went there last night to
get the rest of her things she had left there and he became pretty aggressive.
He beat her up pretty bad when she came home like that
Zoey
called the cops. While they were waiting Bruce showed up and
Zoey
tried to defend her mom then he attacked her. She’s
really bad Luke…the guy kicked her in the ribs and the head she doesn’t look
like
Zoey
. I just want you to be prepared she is
really messed up right now lots of swelling and cuts. They have her sedated
right now because of the swelling and bruising. Plus the broken ribs.” I
couldn’t get my head wrapped around it all. That son of a bitch beat them. How
could a man hurt a woman that way? I wanted to kill him.

We pulled into the hospital parking lot and before the car was even in
park I was out running to the front door. My mind was racing I had to see her.
I needed to see her then I would know she was okay. I had this deep empty ache
in my chest and I needed to touch her hand feel her skin. I asked for Grace
first and the nearest nurse directed me to her room. Running behind me were
Sophia and Evan. When I entered Grace’s room she was facing the window just
staring. “Grace?” When she turned I almost cried. I cleared my throat and she
waved me over. She reached up as she winced in pain but continued and wrapped
her arms around my neck. “Oh Luke, I messed up so badly. I led some animal into
the lives of my babies. Now my daughter is upstairs hurt because of that
mistake. Please go be with her. Please stay by her side. Talk to her and let
her know your there. Please.” I pulled back looking straight into her very
swollen and bruised eyes, “I promise.” She squeezed my hand and I backed out of
the room and made my way to find
Zoey
.

When I reached her room a sudden fear shook through me. Was I prepared to
see her? Sophia said it was bad. I forced in a deep breath and slid the door
open. I heard the machines first…beeping and humming. I walked closer my knees
wobbled and I couldn’t control it. I was shaking badly and for the first time
that I could remember the tears swelled in my eyes and spilled over. How could
anyone hurt her like this? Oh my god!
Zoey
was almost
unrecognizable. Her eyes were so swollen I wasn’t sure she would even be able
to open them if she tried. The right side of her face was so bruised and she
had gauze across her head. I collapsed into the chair next to her bed and let
my head fall to her side reaching to hold her hand as I lost it. I cried for
her and what they must have gone through, how scared she must have been. I was
angry with myself because I should have stayed with her then I could have stop
this from happening. I felt a hand on my shoulder and when I turned I saw Evan.
He too had tears filling his eyes. “Luke let’s take a walk man. Let it all sink
in.” I just shook my head and held her hand. There was no way I was leaving her
side. I made a promise to her mom and to myself. I was staying with her. She
would not wake up alone.

A nurse came into the room an hour or so later to check her vitals and her
IV bags. She smiled down at me, “Boyfriend?” I almost lost it again. If I tried
to talk I was scared it wouldn’t come out and the only thing I would be able to
do was cry again. “She can hear you and she’s aware that you’re here. She may
not remember everything when she wakes but you can talk to her.” The nurse
rested her hand on my shoulder, “This girl is one tough little cookie. Her
little body went through a lot and she still came in fighting. The only way to
keep her calm was to give her a little something to help her relax.” She could
hear me. I could tell her that I’m here for her. “Will she be able to wake up
soon? Does she have broken bones? What all did she suffer?” The Nurse walked
around to the other side of the bed closest to the door where she washed her
hands at the corner sink and then turned back to me.” Well
Zoey
has a couple broken ribs and a lot of bruising. She suffered a concussion no
internal hemorrhaging. She does have a collapsed lung. She needed seven
stitches in for forehead. She has a broken right wrist and also sustained a lot
of facial bruising.” It was really overwhelming to hear everything. My heart
ached so badly for her. The nurse excused herself to take care of her other
patients. Sitting here looking at
Zoey
created a huge
whole inside me. I wanted to trade places with her. I wanted her pain to be gone.
The fact that this girl I feel so much for is hurting so badly was killing me.
“Hey
Zoey
, I’m here baby. I’m so sorry I left...I
should of stay and waited with you. I should have been there. Your mom’s good.
She’s worried sick about you. I made a promise to be here for you through this
and I guarantee that I'll fill that promise…I don’t know if you can really hear
me or not but I’m going to take a chance here. I told you the other night that
I was starting to feel some pretty amazing things for you. I’ve been throwing
it around in my head for days trying to figure it out Z…seeing you here like
this. I don’t have to figure anything out I just had to admit what I already
knew. The fact is baby…I love you. If you can hear me I just want you to know
that. Apparently my mom was right when she told me it sounded like I was
falling in love when I talked to her about you. You see my mom’s pretty good at
figuring out love. So I trust her...hmm.” I kind of smiled to myself, “I trust
her.”