Escape A Barson story

Chapter 7

Olivia and Noah had been in Winter Falls, Colorado for almost 3 full days. Olivia was already homesick, but Noah was overjoyed. He never wanted to leave The Garlands.He and Abby were becoming close friends, and he was making new friends. He couldn't get enough of Lamai's cooking or funny stories. Christian was teaching him how to ski and snowboard. He spent hours sledding, Olivia had to almost beg him to go with her back to their cabin for the night. Last night,. as she tucked him into bed, he pleaded with her to let him have a sleepover at The Garland's cabin tonight, and she gave in.Tonight, Noah was where he wanted to be, he was happy with the Garlands.She wanted him to be happy, she wanted him to have fun on his vacation.Right now, Olivia was allowing Steven to walk her to the front door of her cabin. Her 3rd date with Steven was coming to a close. "I don't want this night to end." Steven said.

"I had a good time," Olivia answered.

"I'm glad, I always have a good time with you. I'm so glad Christian, and Lamai introduced us, May I come in?" Steven asked in almost a whisper.

"I'm really tired, and I have to pick Noah up from his sleepover tomorrow." Olivia answered.

Steven smiled, and leaned in. She felt his lips touch her cheek. The kiss on the cheek was over quickly, Steven stood straight, and looked into her eyes. "Another time. He stated. "I'll call you very soon. Good night.""Goodnight." She replied, politely. He walked away, and she opened the cabin door, she walked inside, and quickly closed, and locked the door. She took her cell phone from her purse, dialed, and placed the phone on her ear.

"Hello." A voice said, after 3 rings.

"Lamai, it's Olivia."

"Hi Olivia!" Lamai said, cheerfully.

"Hi. May I speak with Noah?"

"Hold on."Noah", Lamai called. "It's your mom.""Hi mom! Noah greeted after a minute of waiting."Hi, sweet boy. Are you having fun?""Yes!" It's great here, I just came in from sledding. Christian says there's an ice rink in town! Can we go?""Sure, sweet boy. Are you sure you want to stay there for the night?""Yes, let me stay, please, you promised.""I will, sweet boy. You can stay.""Oh mom, Lamai wants to talk to you.""I love you, Noah." Olivia said."I love you too. Hold on.""Olivia." Lamai said, after a few seconds. "I want to see you tomorrow for lunch, and dinner. We can discuss Steven while the kids play. Olivia, are you alright? When I saw you today, you looked... sad.""Oh, no, Lamai, don't worry about me. I'm just not used to so much free time.""Well, enjoy it, and if you wanna talk, I'm here.""Thank-you Lamai, that means a lot. I'll see you tomorrow, good night.""Good night, Olivia!" Lamai replied, the call ended.
Olivia found her book, and began reading. A ringing sound startled her, she jumped and the book fell from her hands, she picked it up, placed it beside her on the couch, and picked up her phone. "Benson." She answered."Captain, how are you?""Barba." She answered, softly, she could hear sadness, and longing in her own tone, it frightened her, she quickly went into Captain Benson mode. "Barba, what games are you playing?""Games? I'm not playing games, I just called to see how you are." He used the same tone with her as the day they first met, and she couldn't help thinking back. The day she was introduced to him had changed her life. "I'm just a coworker, huh?" His voice called her out of her memories.

"It was an awkward situation, I... What are you doing here?"

"I sometimes ski here."

"I thought you.— I thought you go to Vail."

"Sometimes. So, I'm just a coworker.""Barba, I didn't know what to say." Olivia admitted."Hello, you could have said, hello.I know you saw me, you wanted to pretend you didn't know me.""I'm sorry, Barba." She said, sadly."And then when you couldn't ignore me, you called me a coworker. Your unit's ADA for 6 years.""I'm sorry." She repeated."Is that all I was to you? Is that all I am to you?"No, I told you I didn't know what to say.""How's Steven?""Barba, are you drunk?"
"I am sober as a judge, I haven't had a drop of alcohol. I am capable of having a conversation like this without being drunk.""What is this?""How's Steven?""He's good.""Glad to hear it. Does he make you happy?""Barba, why are you calling me now?""I told you that when you're ready to stop feeling betrayed by me, I'll be here.""And now, you called to tell me you won't be." Olivia said."That is not what I said, I would never say that. That is what you heard!" After everything we've been through, how could you pretend not to know me.""I didn't, I just didn't know what to say, what to do.""I'll be here, but you need to start on the journey to forgiveness for your sake. I miss you, good night."The call ended before Olivia could reply.