Redemption(14)

Chapter 5



Tyler



Evan was on top of me and going through the motions, grunting and sweating, as I lay there picturing Dean in my head.

Yes, I knew I was a fucking bitch. I couldn’t seem to help it. The more I thought about him, the more I could feel an orgasm rising inside me. So what did I do? I let it ride. I closed my eyes and pictured that moment in the club on Halloween night. The night when Dean held me close and fingered me until I fell apart. The night when he took me into a storeroom, slapped my ass, and fucked me hard and raw over a table.

It didn’t take long after that for me to come apart, Evan joining me. Afterwards, he lay on top of me for a while, panting in my ear. I felt guilty, dirty, and ashamed of myself for doing this to him all the time. I wanted to be with him like he obviously wanted to be with me, but it was so hard. Even after all this time, I couldn’t seem to move on. A part of me wanted the family that Evan desired. I wanted stability for Jeremy’s sake. But the other part of me craved something that was so painfully missing.

“I love you,” Evan whispered, but I heard him. All I could do was smile and kiss him. He pulled out of me, turned on his back, and closed his eyes.

“You look exhausted. Get some rest. I’m going to go down to the hospital and do some reading. I’m keen to know what happens to Jemima Puddle-Duck and her secret nesting place.”

Evan smiled. “Those kids love you. They often ask when you’re coming in next.”

I beamed. “That’s good. I’m happy to hear it.”

I got up and went to take a shower. I was looking forward to my visit. I often went to the hospital to read to the kids. I enjoyed it as it gave me the therapy I needed. Being with them was always a constant reminder of how much I needed to appreciate everything and everyone around me. Life was precious and you had to grab hold of it. If you didn’t, time would pass you by, and before you would realize it, you’d be gone, leaving behind regrets.

Getting dressed into something more summery, I left Evan to sleep as I got in the car and drove to the hospital. As I walked into the room, a nurse named Tina greeted me. “Hey, Jessica. How are you today?”

I smiled. “I’m fine, thank you. I need to make sure that the terrible fox in The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck gets his comeuppance.”

Tina laughed. “I could tell you, if you want.”

I shook my finger at her. “Uh-uh. I have to find out for myself. I hate spoilers.” I sighed a little and looked into the room. “How are they today?”

Tina smiled. “David was sent home yesterday.”

I gasped. “That’s great. I’m so thrilled.”

“I thought you would be.”

I was quite close to David because he was another child with Leukemia. It was nowhere near as aggressive as Jeremy’s was, but he was still pretty sick with it. I knew he was getting better with each treatment, so to hear he had been discharged made my heart swell.

I nudged Tina’s shoulder. “I’m going in.”

Tina nodded and opened the door for me. As soon as I entered, Katie squealed. She was only eight, but her hair was already thinning because of the chemotherapy. Thankfully, it was helping, so at least that was one thing. When she first arrived, she had beautiful long chestnut hair, but now it was falling out and lifeless. It was sad to see, but I was determined not to let it show.

“How’s Jeremy?” She was smiling and it made me feel warm inside.

I sat down next to her bed. “He’s a little sick, but his grandparents are taking care of him now. He’ll be getting spoiled rotten.” I smiled, but I felt a pang at just the mention of him. I missed Jeremy already.

“He’ll be okay.” She lay her hand on mine and I couldn’t help but feel in awe of this little girl. Here she was, a very sick child, yet she was comforting me.

“I know he will. Thank you, Katie.”

She smiled. “Don’t mention it.” She lay back again. “So are you going to read me the rest of the story? I really want to know what’s going to happen to Jemima Puddle-Duck, but I don’t want anyone else to read it to me.” She smiled and my heart lit up.

“Well then! We must get started.”







I read the story and found out that Kep, the Collie, came to the rescue in the end. It was a pretty hairy moment, but Katie and I got through it okay. After that, I stayed for a couple more hours, reading and talking to all the other kids. I spoke to a couple of nurses there, too, and caught up on all the gossip.

After saying my goodbyes, I went to the local grocery store to pick up something for dinner. By the time I get all my errands done, it was after two in the afternoon.