Beat Heal Love

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“I was wondering when you were going to leave. Scott came back and I wasn’t very happy. He still hadn’t calmed down when I left this morning.”

“What do you want, mother? I don’t have the patience for your shit today. Or any day,” I tell the woman who’s standing on the side of the hospital outside. I continue walking and she pushes off to follow me.

“He’s going to get out, don’t you worry. He’ll get out and is going to finish what he started. But first, he’s going to turn your ‘friends’ against you so you’ll only feel pain and betrayal.”

“He can do whatever the fuck he wants to when he’s out. I’m done with the both of you and your abuse.” I stop and turn around to face her,

“You need to get away from Peter for a while and grieve properly. It wasn’t my fault.”

“It’s your fault I’m dead, bitch it should have been you,” the nightmare dad whispers in my head and I finally realize that that’s all it’s going to be. A nightmare.
“Dad was his own man and he wanted to buy me ice cream for my birthday. Had it not happened then, it would have happened another way. It was his time to go.

“Do you think he’d be proud to call you his wife?” I let that sink in for a minute. “He is watching over us and I can guarantee you that he would have left you if you had treated me the way you did. You need to stop taking it out on me because you don’t know how to feel or act.

“I was 10 years old and lost not only my dad, but my mom as well on my birthday. I was 10! No child should ever lose one parent but losing two and just have a shell in it’s place? How do you think 10-year-old me felt when her mom started hitting her with her new step father?” I leave it open so that she actually answers.

“I lost my only love of 25 years because you wanted ice cream!” she’s shouting. “Yes you were 10, but yet you barely knew him. We’d been married for nearly 20 years! How do you feel? You ungrateful bitch! How do you think I felt when I got a call saying my husband is dead and my child in the hospital?! You deserve everything you got! A life in the worst place in Hell isn’t enough for you!”

“Well I’m not going to Hell for another few years, so you can stop trying. I’ve had 8 years in my own Hell and that’s worse than anything. Stop taking you unknown emotions out on me because I will no longer take it without complaint. I. Will. Fight. Back. I will go to the police with evidence every single time you lay a hand on me. You or Peter. I’ve got friends now and they won’t leave me alone. You’ve finally dealt with the wrong bitch,” I walk away with her staring after me.

I end up at the warehouse after walking around for a bit. I go inside.

The interior looks worse than it did while it was burning. Everything was black. The bays with all the gym equipment were all burnt to ashes. But that doesn’t stop me from opening all the doors, grabbing a broom, and start sweeping. This is going to be my project.

When darkness comes, I’ve walked back to the hospital and am in Nathan’s room as he sleeps. I haven’t decided if I’m going to stay here for the night or if I’m going back to the warehouse yet. Nathan wouldn’t even know I’d been here if I did leave. He’d already been asleep when I arrived.

“Charlie?” I see Smith in the doorway. He motions for me to follow him into the hallway.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“I’ve been discharged so I’m going to rent a hotel room for the night and drive Nathan back when he’s out. Are you okay here by yourself?”

“Are you going to be staying there for a little while?”

“I don’t know yet. Is it okay with you though?”

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

“Good, I’m glad. Are you staying tonight?”

“Yeah, I think I will. Have a good night, Smith.” He gives me a hug before walking away. I take my seat in Nathan’s room.

“Charlie,” Nathan mumbles in his sleep. I watch him from my chair by the window. “Charlie!” He bolts up and looks around the room. I’m in the shadows so he can’t see me. But I do see as he lies back down and starts crying. I can’t move. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him cry before. And the fact that he’s crying over me? I can’t believe it.

“Nathan,” I get up as I say his name. His head snaps up and looks at me.

“Charlie, you’re here,” he can’t believe it.

“I always will be when you need me,” I climb into the bed and Nathan hugs my body to his, like I’m going to disappear.

“Are you okay?” he asks me.

“I’m perfectly fine. Better question, are you?”

“I am now. Don’t leave me,” he mumbles the last part into my neck. I give him a gentle squeeze.

“Never.” There’s no more word to say, so I hold him as he falls back to sleep.

•♦•♦•♦•♦•

“You’re all go to go, Nathan. Get changed, I’ll wake her up,” Smith’s voice wakes me up.

“Don’t bother, I’m awake,” I sit up and don’t see Nathan. He must be in the bathroom.

“Morning,” I wave him off. “So I talked to the insurance yesterday and they gave me the money we lost in the fire from all the equipment. I put it in the bank and got you a card,” he hands me it. “The PIN is _ _ _ _. Use as much as you want, that money’s yours.”

“Morning, Charlie,” Nathan walks out in his own clothes with his arm in a sling.

“Morning,” Smith throws his arms in the air and I laugh. “All good to go?”

“Yeah, Smith already signed me out.”

“Let’s get out of here then,” I look around, “Where’s Max?”

“He’s already in the car. He was a little noisy with excitement.” We walk out.

Once outside Nathan take huge deep breath before letting it out. “Damn, I hate that smell.” We all nod before heading the Nathan’s car. Max starts whining when he sees us.

“One more thing,” Smith hands me a phone, “This is for you. We need some way to stay in contact.”

“Thanks, Smith,” I give him a hug before Nathan pulls me away and locks his lips with my own. He pulls himself away after a second before giving me a hug of my own.
“I love you,” he whispers. I repeat it to him, meaning every word with all my heart.

“We have to go,” Smith breaks the silence. I let Nathan get in the car before leaning in the window.

“Have a safe trip, boys. Stay as long as you want, Smith. I’ll be good here.”

“Just to be sure,” Nathan let’s Max out. “Keep him. Until next time, sweetheart.” I nod and watch as they drive away.

“I’ll see you soon,” I whisper to the dust, a hand resting on Max’s head.

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One more chapter till the story is at an end. I can't believe it. 24 chapters ago this was just an idea.

I'll update next Friday. Until then, readers.