DREAM CATCHER

3

Joshua Hernandez was reading through a case file when his cellphone rang and he knocked over a few in his haste to pick it up.
Josh: Hello.
Libby: Hey. Are you okay?
You sound kinda off.
Josh: Yeah. I'm fine. Just really tired. It's been a pretty long day.
Libby: The longest. I have been on my feet all day.
Josh: Still at court?
Libby: Yeah. The jury's still out but I have a really good feeling about it.
Josh: I'm sure you do. You sound really excited for someone who's had a long and tiring day.
Libby: I am but it's not just about the case. I am so looking forward to movie night with my two favorite people.
Josh: About that......
Libby: No way. You can't cancel on us again. Tabby's really looking forward to tonight.
Josh: I know. I'm sorry. There's just a lot going on right now.
I'll make it up to you. I promise.
Libby: I'm not the one you should be apologizing to.
You know, you've been missing out on family activities these days.
Josh: Hey, that's not fair. You know how important this family is to me.
Libby: Whatever. If you miss movie night today, this little arrangement we have going on is over.
Josh: You don't mean that.
Libby: I do. I'm tired of making up excuses for you.
Josh: Lilibeth, don't do this
Libby: I'm sorry but you have to decide... What is more important to you. Your job... or your family.
Josh: I can't make it tonight...
I'm so sorry...
Libby: So am I. Goodbye Joshua.

Hours Later....
Joshua stared listlessly at the ceiling before finally rising to his feet, grabbing his briefcase, his coat and car keys and heading for the door deciding to make a quick stop at the florist.
The night was cool and there were fewer cars on the road, so he increased his speed and tore through the city,his destination was the only thing on his mind.
He smiled at the thought of the surprise on their faces when they see him standing on the front porch.......

Libby turned off the television and pressed a tender kiss to her daughter's forehead,amazed at how much her little girl looks like her father when asleep.
She glanced at the clock on the side table. It was five minutes past ten.
She sighed at the realisation that he really wasn't coming tonight, not even for a brief visit.
She was about to carry Tabitha to bed when the door bell rang.
Puzzled, she headed for the door wondering who it could be especially since Joshua had a key.
She opened the door and found the last person she expected to see waiting on her front porch.
Libby: Alex? What are you doing here.
Alex: Hi. I'm here to see you. Why else would I be here.
Libby: Right. Sorry. I meant,it's late. Is there a problem?
Alex: What? No!
I was in the neighbourhood and I thought I'd stop by to say hi.
Libby: At past ten? You live on the east end of town. What could you possibly be doing in the west end of town this time of night.
Alex: You know where I live?
Libby: Alex! What are you doing here.
Alex: Right. Sorry. There's something I wanted to talk to you about.
Libby: And this thing you want to talk about couldn't wait till morning.
Alex: No! It couldn't....
Libby: Well, what is it?
Alex: Aren't you going to invite me in?
Libby: Alex, it's late and I was about to head to bed when you came.
Let's just talk here.
Alex: Okay. That's fine. You see, the thing I wanted to talk to you about is.... I mean, what I'm trying to say is.....
Just then, the phone rang and Libby excused herself to answer it.
Libby: Hello?
Maggie: Libby? It's Margaret.
Libby: Maggie! Hi! Are you okay?
Is everything okay?
Maggie: Yeah. I'm fine. I'm just exhausted.
Libby: Are you sure?
Maggie: Yes. Positive. Where are you?
I have been trying to call your cell.
Libby: Oh! I'm so sorry. My battery died and I forgot to charge it.
Maggie: Where's Tabby?
Libby: She's here... on the couch. I'm looking at her right now.
What's wrong?
Maggie: There's something I need to tell you.
Libby: Okay? What's going on?
Maggie: I need you to promise me that you are going to stay strong,no matter what.
Libby: Maggie,you are scaring me.
Maggie: Elizabeth,I need you to promise me.
Libby: I promise. Now, tell me what happened.
Maggie: It's Joshua. There's been an accident.
Libby: Oh my God! Is he alright?
Is he hurt?
Maggie: They are taking him into the OR for a surgery.
It doesn't look good Mami.
Libby: Oh my God! Oh my God!
Maggie: Elizabeth, you cannot break down. Do you hear me?
I want you to look at that beautiful little girl lying there. You are all she's got right now.
She needs you to be strong for her.
I know Joshua as well as you do.
He's strong. He's a fighter.
He's going to beat this and I'm certain he'll be alright.
So, pull yourself together.
Libby? Can you hear me?
Libby: Yes.....
Maggie: Do you need me to come over?
Libby: No! We'll be there soon.
Maggie: Fine but if you are not here in the next thirty minutes,I'm sending in the calvary.
Libby: There's no need for that.
We'll be right there.
Maggie: Okay. Drive safely.
Libby: Always.
By the time, Elizabeth ended the call,she was already on her feet, packing an overnight bag for her and Tabby.
She quickly grabbed her purse, her cellphone and charger.
She grabbed her coat from the hanger, her car keys and then carried Tabby and hurried to the car.
She slammed the door behind her and was already securing Tabby in her car seat when she heard a voice calling her and belatedly recognized it as Alex's who has been frantically calling her ever since she went into panic mode.
Alex: Libby? What's wrong?
Libby: I'm so sorry Alex but I really have to go.
Alex: What happened? At least,let me drive you. You are clearly not in the right State to be driving right now.
Libby: My daughter's in the back seat of the car Alex. I'm not going to drive us off a bridge. I'll be fine.
Alex: Just tell me where you are going....
Libby: My husband was in an accident. He needs me..... I have to go........