The Save Game

Chapter 17

Thirty five times. That's the amount of phone calls that Sal made to Allison's phone. Each time he got her voicemail and each time he left her a message.

Q and Jackie sat on the couch in his living room, both staring at him as he tried her phone one more time. When she still didn't answer, he threw his phone on the chair beside him and took a deep breath.

"I don't understand." Q said. "Did you guys get into an argument or something?"

Sal looked at Jackie and then back to Q. "We fucked in the shower this morning. I wouldn't call that an argument." He propped hisself agains the wall. "Everything was great when I left here. She seemed happy. We were getting into the swing of things with Bella. I don't know what I did." Sal shrugged.

"Let me try to call her." Jackie stood up and left the room.

Sal walked across the living room and sat where Jackie had been.

"I just want to know that they're safe. If she doesn't want to see me or be with me, that's fine. I just need to know that they have some place to stay and that they have what they need." Sal put his head in his hands.

"We'll sort it out." Q said, patting his friend on the back.

"Wait!" Sal jumped up and got his phone. He scrolled through the contacts. "There was a man. He called her phone this morning. She was asleep, so I answered it. He hung up when I asked to take a message." Sal walked back to where Q sat and showed him the number that he had copied from Allison's phone.

"Do you think she's cheating on you?" Q asked, skeptical. "Cause I really don't think she's cheating on you."

"She got another phone call. Not long after the first one. She told me it was her doctor confirming her appointment." Sal said.

"Maybe it was." Q said.

"Her next appointment is on my calendar. It's three weeks from now." Sal pressed his lips together.

"She's safe." Jackie said, as she walked back in the room.

"She answered for you?" Sal asked, shocked.

Jackie nodded. "Listen. I know you need answers, but she isn't ready to give them yet. I need you to trust me on something."

Sal nodded, listening to what Jackie was saying.

"Allison and Bella are ok. Let me work a few things out and then I promise you that this will never happen again." Jackie said.

"Jacks, just tell him what's going on." Q said, unsure what his wife was now hiding.

"I can't." She whispered. "Allison left to protect Sal. That's all I can say right now and you have to trust me on that. I promise it will all make sense soon. I don't agree with what she did, but I understand why she did it." Jackie looked at Sal. "She did it because she loves you, not to hurt you. I know that's hard to understand right now, but you have to believe me."

"Do you know who this number is?" Sal asked, showing Jackie his phone.

Jackie nodded. "Just trust me." She said. "Q, we have to go. Now."

"Okay." Sal said, shaking his head. He didn't want to have to trust anyone. He wanted Allison and Bella here. He wanted Allison to trust him enough to tell him what was going on. Instead, he was once again waiting and worrying.

He watched Q and Jackie leave and then listened to the silence. When he couldn't take it anymore, he dialed Allison's number and listened for her voicemail.