Page 122 of Girls Night
“TJ took you last night, well, this morning. He had you and some other girls in his basement. Long story short, the police were called, he’s dead, and the press is here waiting for statements. But Diane, remember my friend at the safe house? She’s shooing them all away. She and some therapists with the county. Everything’s being handled.”
“Holy shit.”
“Yeah. Seriously.” She cleared her throat. “The nurse will bring you something for the pain. Besides that, how are you feeling?”
I was about to shrug but thought better of it. “Like shit.”
Nodding, she looked me over head to toe. “I’m sure,” she said wryly. “Concussion, torn shoulder, broken ankle, and a thousand bruises on you. Fucking burn….” she choked up, not able to talk for a second. “Burn marks. God, I was so worried I wouldn’t get to you in time.”
“Get to me? You mean, you were there? But… how… Wait. You left the house.” I thought about it, then made a face. “Duh, of course you left the house. You’re here now.”
She touched my cheek and I wanted to lean into it. “I did. I am. I couldn’t let him take you, Devon. You’re my bird.”
I started to cry. And even though it hurt, it felt good, too. I was in love with this beautiful woman, and she was in just as much trouble as I was, judging by the look she was giving me now.
We stared at one another until a nurse came, checking my vitals and adjusting things, feeding something I didn’t want to know into my IV. Once she left, I asked Mia about TJ, how he had died.
“He shot himself,” she answered. “Diane says he never would’ve faced prison, that criminals like him are always cowards in the end.”
I could believe it. TJ thought way too highly of himself. He hated being beat.
My God, I couldn’t believe he was really out of my life for good.
“The other girls?” I asked, thinking of Kay.
“They’re fine. All were checked out and most volunteered to go to Magdalene House.” She gave me a reassuring smile. “Oh, and Mr. Santiago came by. He didn’t come in, but he wanted me to tell you he hopes you recover soon. He brought these.” She reached over to what I assumed was a side table and showed me the vase filled with daisies. “I didn’t know you two were friends.”
Well damn. Seemed like I owed Jose at least a thank you card. He had played a major role in changing my life and didn’t even know it.
“Kind of, yeah. So how long am I supposed to stay here?” I asked her when she put the flowers back.
“Tonight for observation, then home in the morning. You’re staying with me, by the way. No ifs, ands, or buts.” She raised her eyebrow as though expecting me to complain. Normally I would. But never again would I deny her anything.
“Okay, little bird,” I told her, feeling loopy with exhaustion and way too much happiness. “Sounds wonderful. Now give me a real kiss, you sexy thing.”
Mia laughed and gladly did as I asked. She smelled like home and tasted just as sweet. Not the home I’d come from or had yesterday, but my real home, the one I never knew I had waiting for me.
Epilogue
Mia
ONE YEAR LATER
I felt Devon’s arms wrap around me, and I leaned back into her.
“Look at you, my girl. This is your night. You’re like a superstar,” she whispered in my year.
The soft techno beat and the murmuring of the people around us lured me into a dreamy place, and I sighed in contentment.
It had taken lots of therapy and hard work to get to this day. But more importantly, it was Devon and her love for me that made it all possible.
Here I was, surrounded by my art and people who cared about me. My photographs coming alive, one after another, hanging on the walls of the gallery. I had done it. My first show.
After months of completing my bird series, Devon had helped me work a plan at getting my work out there. Art dealers had jumped on it within hours, the news spreading about my artistic photography.
I took it slow, though, knowing that change was still a trigger for me. After Devon healed from that night at TJ’s house, I called a psychiatrist Dad had recommended, an amazing lady named Sheryl Davis. She’d been right there every step of the way for me. In fact, she was here tonight, along with my dad.
Devon took my hand and we walked over to the bar that was set up for the show. The bartender handed us two glasses of champagne, and Devon and I toasted silently, both of us knowing exactly what we were celebrating. Life. Change. Peace. Love.
