Page 10 of Home for Justice
She remembered hearing about a grandson who served in the Army. She was several years younger and remembered him only distantly when he visited his grandparents. She recalled him as a teenage boy riding horses while she was still a child, fascinated by playground games. Yet the Marconis had always spoken of Tyler with pride and warmth.
Earlier, Justice had overheard nurses chatting softly, mentioning Tyler’s imminent arrival. It comforted her to know that Mr. Marconi wouldn’t be alone much longer, especially given the solace her own presence brought her father.
The thought of her father made her lips twitch in a weary smile. Jackson McClay was fiercely independent and stubborn, hating every minute he was confined to a hospital bed. Her initial terror at losing him had slowly shifted into concern over how he would cope mentally while away from the garage.
“Dad! I can handle it,” she’d insisted fervently during their last visit, frustration bleeding into her voice. “Stop worrying and just focus on getting better. Let me take care of things for once.”
With a tired laugh, Justice scraped the last bite of oatmeal from her bowl and licked the spoon clean. Tomorrow would bring another whirlwind of responsibility, but tonight, at least for a moment, she allowed herself the small luxury of quiet contemplation.
Justice smiled softly to herself, recalling her father’s stubborn reply from earlier. “After surgery, they patched me up good,” he’d declared confidently despite being pale and frail beneath the hospital sheets. “As soon as I get out of this hospital bed, I’ll feel more in control!” She shook her head, affectionatelyacknowledging just how much of his stubborn spirit she’d inherited.
Standing at the sink, she rinsed her bowl, her thoughts inevitably drifting to her mother. A pang of sorrow touched her heart. As painful as losing her mother to breast cancer five years earlier had been, Justice was grateful her mom hadn’t endured the trauma of seeing her dad collapse while struggling to breathe. The house felt empty, the silence deeper and heavier.
Turning off the kitchen lights, she slowly climbed the stairs, promising herself the comfort of a long, hot shower and the distraction of a good book before sleep claimed her. But when she finally settled into bed, the pages offered no solace. Her mind churned, restless and filled with thoughts that wouldn’t quiet.
Unbidden, the image of a man she’d noticed earlier at the hospital slipped into her thoughts. Over the past week, she’d grown accustomed to the scenes in the family waiting room near the cardiac unit. Families gathered closely together, holding each other, offering quiet comfort as tears flowed. Others sat apart, murmuring into their phones, updating absent loved ones. She herself had often sought refuge there, gazing silently at the distant mountains and praying for strength while her father underwent his procedures.
Yesterday, however, she’d noticed someone different—a man standing alone, starkly isolated. His broad shoulders slumped, his chin dropped to his chest, conveying the silent weight of emotion pressing down upon him.
An unfamiliar but powerful impulse had filled Justice, pulling her across the room as if compelled by a force beyond herself. Suddenly, she stood beside him, lifting a gentle hand to his shoulder, feeling the tension beneath her fingertips as she slid her touch down his strong arm. His warmth seeped into her palm.
His eyes had been closed in a private moment of anguish, but they opened slowly at her touch, bright with unshed tears. His hand quickly brushed one away, and Justice felt a pang of tenderness as she saw vulnerability transform his handsome features into something beautifully human.
Self-conscious, she murmured a quick apology, her voice barely above a whisper, “I’m sorry, it’s just... You looked so lonely, like you needed… a hug.” The words felt awkward and clumsy as soon as she spoke them, but before embarrassment could overwhelm her, he gave a slight, grateful nod.
Her hesitation melted away as she wrapped her arms carefully around his waist, unsure if this was truly what he needed. But the instant he pulled her closer, she sighed, allowing herself the comfort of his solid, reassuring presence. When her cheek rested against his chest, his steady heartbeat resonated through her in a comforting rhythm that calmed her own frayed emotions.
So many people moved through hospital hallways and waiting rooms quickly, with purpose, barely noticing those around them. Yet in this quiet embrace with a stranger, Justice felt an undeniable connection, a shared moment of understanding and compassion that reached directly into her heart.
She found herself reluctant to step away, the first genuine relief in days washing gently over her. His deep voice vibrated quietly beneath her ear, blending seamlessly with the steady beat of his heart. “Maybe you needed a hug, too.”
Her eyes fluttered closed, accepting the truth in his words. For a moment, they both stood silently together, drawing strength and solace from each other in a quiet sanctuary amid the storms of their lives.
She tilted her head back to meet his gaze, searching his eyes for something she couldn’t quite name. No words came. Shesimply offered a slow nod, as if anything she tried to say would fall far short of the emotion swelling in her chest.
Had the nurse not appeared just then, gently calling his name from down the hall, Justice wasn’t sure how, or if, she would have found the strength to let go. Her arms loosened. Her feet stepped back. But the invisible thread binding them didn’t break easily.
Now, lying in bed, the memory of their bodies pressed together, offering comfort in shared grief, lingered like a warm afterglow. She let her eyes drift shut, a small ache blooming in her chest as she whispered into the dark, “I hope I see him again… just to know he’s all right.”
The following morning, Justice stepped into McClay’s Mechanics, the familiar scent of motor oil and grease meeting her like an old friend. The rhythmic clatter of tools and muted hum of engines reassured her. She wasn’t surprised to find her team already hard at work, but it still filled her heart with quiet gratitude.
She walked through the shop floor, offering smiles and nods as she passed. Her father had always believed in treating employees like family, and that philosophy had seeped into the foundation of the business. Now, with him in the hospital, every one of them had stepped up without hesitation.
“Are you getting enough rest?” Tommy asked, wiping his hands on a stained shop towel as he glanced her way.
Justice offered a tired smile, warmed by his concern. “As best I can. It’ll be better once Dad gets discharged.”
“Sarah sent some beef stew for you,” Willie called out from beneath a lifted SUV, his voice echoing slightly. He rolled out onthe creeper, grease streaking his arm as he grinned up at her. “It’s in the staff fridge, with a big note that says she’ll kick the ass of anyone who tries to take it except you.”
Justice barked out a laugh that felt good in her chest. “Tell your wife I appreciate the food and the warning label.”
Sid stepped in from the motorcycle bay, wiping his hands on a rag. “Alma and I plan on bringing you food once your dad gets home.”
Even with exhaustion shadowing her every step, Justice felt the sincere warmth from her team seep into her soul. Their support buoyed her, giving her something solid to stand on when everything else felt shaky.
“Thanks, guys. Really… thank you.” She glanced toward the office, her voice soft but steady. “I’m going to double-check payroll so none of you have any delays. Once I finish that, I’ll head over to the hospital.”
As she moved toward the office, a chorus of get-well wishes for Jack and reminders to take care of herself trailed after her. The moment she sat down behind the old metal desk, her phone buzzed. Her heart dipped when she saw the caller ID. Jordy.
