Dane(81)

       
         
       
        

"Did you go home and fall asleep or something? I was expecting you hours ago."

I ran my fingers through her hair and met her worried stare. A sigh passed my lips. I wasn't sure how she'd take what I had to tell her. "I ran by the hospital on my way home. Apparently, Gabi wasn't thrilled that her mom had shown up, and her normal therapist thought I should be involved in her treatment options."

The concern I originally saw in her eyes faded into despair. The hopelessness reflecting back at me left me frantic, anxious over what she'd say. I expected anger, jealousy. But what I got was so much worse. Indifference. Defeat. It was so strong it threatened to still my heart and take away the breath from my lungs.

"So you went to Gabi first?"

"No … it wasn't like that."

Eden shoved against my chest and sat up, making me sit up with her. "You got out of jail, told me you were going to go home to shower and then come over. But instead, you went to the hospital to see Gabi. To make sure she was okay. You left here two days ago and I never heard from you. I've been worried sick. But … you went to her."

"The hospital was on my way home. And I'm glad I did, because they were just going to release her tomorrow as if she hadn't tried to kill herself a few days ago. She needs help, and if I hadn't shown up and gotten her into a treatment facility, they would've just let her go."

"You're not hearing a word I'm saying."

"I am. I understand you're upset." I grabbed her hands and held them in her lap, forcing her to look at me. Desperate for her to hear what I tried to convey. "I didn't mean to make you worry. I asked Janette to call you and tell you what had happened. Apparently, she didn't do that."

"When did you talk to Janette?"

I let my head hang while I fought against exhaustion and frustration. "I called her after I was arrested. I needed a lawyer, and she's my publicist. She needed to know what was going on in order to cull the stories and rumors that would inadvertently start. I wasn't supposed to get out until tomorrow morning because I had to wait for arraignment, so she had to be informed in the event I missed work or that word got out about my arrest. I told her to call you. The last thing I wanted was to worry you."

"Back up. What were you arrested for?"

I settled into the couch and explained everything. I started with what I'd learned from Marie, told her about Todd and what had happened at his house, the cops that showed up and cuffed me, and then ended it with why I was released early and how I didn't have any charges pending against me. Through all this, Eden remained silent, listening stoically as I gave her every detail of the last two days. 

"So she hadn't made it up? She really was raped?" Her sympathy was genuine, which only solidified what an amazing person she was. No matter how she felt about the situation, she showed indisputable concern for my ex. I didn't have much dating experience, but I knew that wasn't a trait most women would be able to pull off.

I shook my head and let that sink in. "I can't help but feel like this entire situation is my fault. She'd asked me to let her explain after she told me the truth about Sean, but I wouldn't let her finish. Had I just given her a minute, she wouldn't have tried to kill herself."

"You can't blame yourself, Dane. You didn't know there was so much more to her story. I'm sure most people would've had the same reaction you did. It's only natural when faced with betrayal. But I think it also says a lot about where your mind's at. If you're feeling this bad about it, maybe you should take some time to figure it all out."

I was stunned into silence, at a loss with how to respond. I didn't understand what she meant. I thought I knew, but I didn't want to believe it. "What are you saying, Eden? Take time to figure out what?"

"You left her because you thought she had lied about everything. Now you know she didn't."

"That's not entirely true. She did lie and sent an innocent man to prison. A man who was wrongly condemned and then killed himself because of it. But that doesn't explain what you mean by take some time."

Her shoulders drooped and her hands were limp in mine. Her eyes were dry and she wore a brave face, but I could tell it was a facade. And I could guess why, but I needed to hear her say it so I could clarify it for her, once and for all.

"I don't think you know what you want." Her voice shook with emotion.

"You're wrong. I do know what I want. If this is your way of breaking things off with me, trying to push me away, then stop. I wouldn't be here right now if I didn't want to be with you."