Page 43 of Strings Attached
I burst into sobs, trying to get the words out about what happened to Jack, about needing to make it all stop. To stop the curse.
Shuffling sounded from the other side of the line. “Whoa, hold on sweetie. I’ll be right there, okay? Stay on the line with me, please.”
I nodded, trying to control my shuddering breaths, but nothing seemed to work. Why couldn’t I breathe anymore? The room seemed to dim around me, but I shook my head. I needed to stay conscious. Needed to know Jack was okay.
Time stopped making sense as I waited to hear back from David and for Nina to arrive. This was all my fault; my parents and brother died in a car accident, my aunt died of cancer, and my foster parents were murdered. Ginette overdosed because of me. Everyone around me died.
Jack’s not going to die.
My buzzer went off, and I yelped, running to it and answering. “Yes?”
“It’s Nina.” Her voice was gentle but strong, exactly what I needed in that moment. I let her in, and as soon as I opened the door to her, she rushed inside.
“Okay, you’re okay,” she said, bringing me in for a hug as I burst into tears again.
“I’m...sorry...I called...so late,” I blathered.
“You did good to call me,” she said, pulling me back before closing the door behind her. “Come. Let’s get you sitting.” She led me to the sofa, and I slumped down onto it, still clutching my smartphone.
“I haven’t heard anything more from David yet...” I’d muted the television, but the words continued scrolling past the screen. My heart seemed to stop.
Security guard brought to hospital has passed away.
“No...” I refused to believe it. It was impossible. “No,” I said louder as tears rolled down my cheeks. I hadn’t told him... not everything. I had to tell him.
My phone buzzed, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the television. Nina picked it up and spoke in a quiet tone as she got to her feet and moved away from me.
I wanted everything to end. I’d always prepared it, and this wasn’t how or when I’d planned it. But fuck everything.
“Oh, that’s good news,” Nina’s voice caught my attention, and I turned toward her, blinking. Hadn’t she seen what was on the television screen? She pulled the phone away from her for a second and smiled. “The security guard who passed away wasn’t Jack. There was a mix-up in all the commotion. He was shot, but it was a bullet graze. He’s fine.”
I shot up to my feet and nearly threw myself into Nina’s arms. “He’s alright!” I shouted, not caring if everyone in the building?hell, the street?heard me. Nina handed me the phone. “He’s okay, David!”
“I’m so sorry for the confusion before?”
“No, no. I can’t imagine anything makes much sense when you’re being shot at...” I stopped and let out a breath. “Are you okay? I never even asked if?”
“I’m alright. Just a bit shaken up. Jack’s getting stitches done, but he’ll... well, speak of the devil. Hey! You can?”
There were muffled sounds on the other line. “Jill?”
“Jack,” I burst into sobs again, unable to control myself. He was alive. He was okay. I couldn’t believe it, but I needed to. “I’m so... happy you’re... alright.”
“I am. Breathe in, darling girl. I’m here.” There was a short pause. “I’m coming back early. I’m leaving on the first flight tomorrow, okay?”
David said something, but it was muffled. I just nodded, still smiling through the tears. He was coming back to me. Alive. It was the only word that repeated inside my mind over and over. Despite wanting to stay on the line with him until he got home, my eyelids drooped as though they weighed a ton, and Nina insisted I get some sleep.
“Get some rest now,” Jack said over the phone. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Nina helped me into bed, and as she did, I opened my nightstand drawer and handed her my pill bottle. “I don’t want these anymore.”
Her eyebrows shot up, but she smiled as she took them from me. “I’m proud of you. You’re so much stronger than you give yourself credit for.”
I closed my eyes as my head touched the pillow. It should’ve felt better, but the nagging voice in my head kept haunting me.
He didn’t die this time, but he will if he sticks around you.
