Ghosts of the Past

Ghost Of The Past: Chapter 23; Bad guy

After hastily packing a bag and running downstairs its not until Chloe is on the corner waiting for her car service that it occurs to her to ring Marshall. This wasn't because she didn't mean what she had said to him less than an hour ago, it was purely because her mind was racing a million miles a minute. Gayle had been brief on the phone and offered no other information on how Chris was doing other than he had been taken to the emergency room. After the third attempt with no success of trying to call him she gives up as her car pulls to the curb.

The drive and check in at the airport is a blur, its only once seated with a glass of champagne to calm her nerves that she stops to take a moment to be appreciative of Gayle, not only had she organized the flight for her but it had been business class, in true Gayle fashion. On the way over to Detroit Chloe had brushed off her mother's offers and was proud to be paying for her own ticket, but in this moment, knowing that she had the unlimited bar and comfortable bed available to her, pride was the furthest from her mind. Not that she thought she could sleep.

Six hours and a few whiskeys later she had tried to email Marshall but to no avail. Gayle on the other hand had sent her one email, she had never liked Chris but with this event it seemed like she had never loved anybody more and with her mother that was saying something.

"I am still waiting to see him, it seems he has been asking only for you. They said he is conscious and responsive so that is a good sign. You need to be here, he will need you.
Gayle

Such a warm correspondence and sign off, she didn't even bother writing mother. Chloe orders another drink and stares blankly at the travel map on the screen in front of her, stopping only to think maybe she might need to address her drinking at some stage, now obviously was not the time.

No sooner was the seatbelt sign off and Chloe was on her feet, accepting the bag that the attendant handed down to her, she hadn't slept at all and it had been a long flight. Most of the whiskey had worn away but she was still thankful she wasn't driving. Once again her mother came through with a car waiting out of the front of the airport for her, despite their history of let downs in this instance she definitely owed her.

At the desk what little patience Chloe had (not just due in part to the lack of sleep) dissipates and she finds herself doing an impeccable impression of her mother as she slams her hand on the desk and demands to speak to the nurse in charge. Its as if this is the summoning call and Gayle appears, looking immaculate as per usual and very well rested.

"Chloe he is through here"

Not even a cursory nod she simply turns on her heels and doesn't even wait for Chloe.

Walking into the room Chloe prepares herself, unsure of what she is going to see but definitely assumes he will be unconscious.

The tableau that greets her when she walks in stops her, she is stunned. He is sitting up in bed, his devil may care smile on his face as he scoops a plastic spoonful of mousse out of his cup, his face a scratch or two, his legs both up in plaster but she can tell he is in good spirits as he yells at the tv

"Oh come on Ump what the fuck was that! He was holding the ball"

He hadn't even noticed she came in, until Gayle clears her throat, he turns to look at her surprised and then smiles.

"Chlo, when the hell did you get here?"

"A little over an hour ago. How are you?"

She snaps herself out of the shock and reminds herself that he is still injured, but the slight upturn of the corner of her mother's mouth doesn't go unnoticed.

"I'm all good babe, they put the game on for me, hooked me up with some mousse" he lifts his plastic cup into the air, his smile growing.

"You are probably still in shock Chris"

Gayle steps in patting his arm gently,

"Babe your mum has been amazing, completely threw me to be honest" he laughs "But she has been pearla. Got me a private room, the best doctor." He leans forward in almost a fake whisper "I'm thinking she has finally changed her tune"

Chloe eyes her mother off, and involuntarily utters the classic "Mhm"

Jesus Christ it must be hereditary.

"So what happened?" she sits down next to him

"Oh look I hold my hands up, my fuckup..oops sorry for the language Gayle" he grimaces in her direction and Gayle smiles forgivingly and shakes her head.

"I was working on a roof and overshot the confidence, slipped reaching for my tools and bam two broken legs"

"Woah, that must have been scary"

Chloe leans in sympathetically

"Na not really, didn't even hurt to be honest, must have been the shock, but all good, workers comp and all that."
He reaches for her hand, "But it is so good to see you babe. You must have really raced here"

"I did babe, Mother rang and I was straight here"

He grins at her and kisses her hand, despite her attempts to not recoil there is a slight motion and out the corner of her eye she realizes her mother didn't miss that, like mother like daughter. Chris on the other hand is oblivious and is back focused on the game

"Oh what the fuck ump! Do you no see him holding that damn ball!"
Chloe was jerked forward her hand still in Chris's as he lurches forward in anguish.

"Well I might go see if I can sort you another mousse hey" Chloe offers standing up.

"Aww babe you are the best"

"Mother perhaps you can join me and we can give Chris some quiet to watch the rest of the game"

The out of character understanding for his love of football again goes over his head.

Gayle follows her out of the room.
Unsure how to broach it but seething with rage, Chloe turns on Gayle

"What the hell, you made it sound like he was on his deathbed"

"Oh and he is not injured Chloe?"

The calm response from her mother only bristles her further,

"I didn't say that mother but you could have told me he was ok"

"Did I say he wasn't ok? I'm sorry darling I didn't mean to mislead you. Although I would have thought you would be relieved to see him in good health and only...might I add only with two broken legs and concussion."

"You made it sound like he was in the ICU mother"

"Then again what a relief for you that he is ok"

Years of practice has perfected her mother's even tone and it only set to infuriate her more, despite years of dealing with it.

"Was there something that was more pressing for you in Detroit? A reason you couldn't leave?"

That expert fishing tactic of Gayle Taylor on show again.

"No." This time Chloe is prepared to mask her response,

"Should there have been?"

It's a figurative Mexican stand off with neither gunmen yielding.