Homebound

Chapter FortyOne

We watch as everyone starts to stand up and some even leave the room all together.

Charlie walks over to Hex, his face blank. Ms. Brown stands without a word and packs her briefcase.

I have the overwhelming feeling that Hex is free to leave but I don't want to get my hopes up just yet. I mean, I only heard Judge Lee talk about added parole conditions, not added time of imprisonment. Harley and I stand, but stay where we are. I can see the happiness slowly crawling onto her face, but I'm too scared to express my own happiness only for it to then be ripped away.

A prison guard walks up to Hex when he stands and uncuffs the handcuffs on him. It rises my hope further.

Charlie walks up to Hex and I watch in shock as Hex puts his hand out for a handshake. I see the unexpectedness of it hit Charlie as his face barely noticeably twists in confusion before he grabs Hex's hand. The sweet gesture becomes uncomfortable when Hex is accidentally too rough and almost breaks Charlie's wrist from the up and down motion.

"Thanks Charlie" Hex exclaims as both Harley and I are watching the exchange with our mouths on the floor.

"You're welcome" Charlie says before moving on to talk to Ms. Brown. Our mouths drop even further when he doesn't correct Hex for calling him Charlie instead of Charles. He must have become so used to it that he doesn't hear it anymore, either that or he chose to ignore it.

Hex turns to face us as he continues standing besides his chair and then he opens his arms up wide by his sides. It takes Harley and I a moment to scramble around the seats before making our way as fast as possible to Hex's side.

My body's reaction is instant. I physically feel the weight lift off my back, the weakness of my body strengthens and the tiredness transcends into energy. I feel like I can do anything, we can do anything. His chest against my cheek and his arms around my back as I hold his waist to me. The tears want to escape but I hold them back, I've cried enough. I can't say the same for Harley though as her sobs move both Hex and I.

I get flashbacks of the first time Hex had been released from Hellbound, as good as it feels, I hope I never have to feel it again.

"Are you coming home?" I whisper into his ear, my lips lightly grazing his skin. I feel the shutter that goes through his body at the contact.

"Yeah, baby" Hex says as he presses one of those rough kisses to my forehead, the kisses I've missed so much. The clarification of my suspicion that Hex is coming home lifts the final worries off my chest as I sag into him completely. Hex's hold on me tightens.

"Congrats, Hexy boy!" the deep and gravelly voice from years of smoking is heard behind us. I expect Hex to snap at him for the nickname but he doesn't. Hex grunts and I can't tell if he's annoyed or thankful that Clyde came to support him. "I expect you back at the shop on Monday" Clyde says as Harley and I pull back and Hex and Clyde engage in a 'bro hug'.

"Thanks for understanding" Hex says, maintaining eye contact to show how serious he is. Clyde seems taken aback, like he wasn't expecting Hex to thank him.

"No problem" Clyde pats Hex on the back harshly in a friendly way. "I've got to get to work now though. See ya girls" he waves us goodbye as he walks backwards towards the door "stay out of trouble, Hex!" he says loudly before turning and walking out the huge door.

Harley and I have to move out of the way as Ms. Brown barges through us, determined to leave the court room and continue on with her day, like she hadn't just saved someone from going to prison.

"Miss" Hex grabs her attention, stopping her in her tracks. "Thanks" he says simply. I don't know what I expected but the continued stoic look on her face was not it. I thought maybe she'd crack a little smile, maybe a nod 'you're welcome', but nothing.