Page 48 of Playing For Keeps
In a last moment of resilience, I mumble to Sasha and pray I’m making sense. “Sasha… If you have my bracelet…and don’t want to tell me because you think I’ll be mad, hit the center of the rose. Someone will find us if you do.”
A second later, my world goes black.
Warm wetness between my legs brings me out of my sleep. “What the…?”
I squint to get my eyes to focus. It’s barely light in my room. I look down to see urine soaking my pants.
Gross.
I groan and try to sit up, but I’m weak and unableto stand. “Sasha?”
She doesn’t say anything. Nothing moves. Silence fills the room.
Did they already take her?
My heart thuds against my ribs in a slow, heavy rhythm. I want to change out of my pants, but it’s probably best to keep them on. I’m numb as I lie still and take in everything I can.
Birds chirp outside the window. Nothing else filters in.
What day is it?
It takes me what seems like an hour to piece together the time difference from when Mort left me. It must be significant because before he injected me with that drug, I had just used the restroom. I only had a bottle of water, so for me to have peed myself, it must be a new day.
My brain tells me I should be terrified, but the drugs have me in a fog and I’m having difficulty comprehending my feelings. They’re muted, gray, and choppy.
Where am I?
Where is Jami, and why hasn’t he come to help me?
What is Aiden doing by rejecting whatever Hunter’s mom is asking him to do?
I fade in and out of consciousness, trying to hang on to all my strength. Since I’m still here, I conclude Sasha didn’t have my bracelet or else I would’ve been rescued by now.
Emptiness hollows me out. I’m clearly overpowered and ready to hand my fate over to whatever treacherous forces have me in their clutches, but Jami’s transparent face floats around me.
Dori, feel me and fight for us.His voice is muffled and strained.
I try to track the vision of his loving blue stare, but it fades into the ether. I close my eyes. Maybe I’ll be able to see him better this way.
A distorted memory fuses with a dream. It’s during my college days, and I’m early in my pregnancy.
I run my palm over my belly. It’s flat right now but won’t stay that way much longer.
Jami and I are sitting on Aiden’s apartment patio. Jami squeezes my hand and smiles my way.
I beam at him. “Are you happy I’m pregnant?”
Now Jami is Oliver. “No. You told me this wouldn’t happen. I trusted you, Dori, and this is what I get. A life where I’m struggling to keep us afloat. How do you think that will affect this kid?”
My elation slips away. My face heats. “I’ll work and do everything I can to help.”
“That’s not good enough. I don’t want this.” Oliver and Jami fuse before me.
My heart breaks. “I thought you said you wanted this with me. When we were in your son's nursery.”
Jami’s eyes light up. “I want this more than I’ve wanted anything in my life.”
The dream or memory wanes into the background.
