Chapter Sixty One
“Maybe after a week or two, the bastard punctured your lung!” Dave fisted her covers in his hand. It was going to take him a very long time to get over the resentment and anger he had for himself and Ricky.
Maria wasn’t up for this, she wanted peace and quiet and had no intention of giving Ricky any more attention now that the animal was dead. He was finally dead and rotting in a sewer like the waste he truly was.
But who saved her?
“If you ever find the dark knight, thank him for me.” she sank into her bed, “because of him, I can finally live my life without fear.” She laughed and it felt wonderful and relieving. She was finally free, and she intended on enjoying her freedom completely.
No more hiding or looking over her shoulder. She didn’t need to look around a room or a store just to see if she could spot him before she went in. She could finally lock the doors to her home and feel secure, without worrying Ricky would break into the house and steal her son. She could relax when she went to the park or the zoo with the kids. Her children were safe, and Ricky’s threats against them were as cold and dead as he was.
And when she looked at her scars, she wouldn’t think of the many more to come and the man who would bring them, instead they would mark the end of a struggle and that she was the one who lived.
Dave saw the tears swell and spill out of Maria’s eyes and worriedly leaned forward and placed a hand on her wet cheek, “Maria what’s wrong? Why are you crying? Are you in pain?”
“No, I’m just happy that it’s finally over.” she pulled the covers around her shoulders with her free hand, “And now I can finally have a full night’s sleep.” she giggled tearfully, “I can’t remember the last time I closed my eyes and just slept soundly. From today on, I don’t have to wake up five times a night to check the locks or to make sure Michael was still in his bed and alive.” she chuckled louder, “I might still wake up to check on the kids, but only twice a night.”
Dave smiled down at her, sharing the same relief she had. Her bright happy face made the bruises barely noticeable. She and Michael were finally safe, no thanks to him, but they were safe, and they could finally live in peace. He admired how selfless she was putting Michael first before herself. This was exactly how a mother was supposed to be, “Michael isn’t the only one who’s safe, you are too.”
“I know that, but Michael is my life.” she smiled, “Let me rephrase that. Michael and Izzy are my life, and as long as they are alright, I’m fine too.”
“You are the mother I want for my daughter. You can teach her to be just like you, selfless and wonderful.”
“I’ll try, but I’m not making any promises.” Maria closed her eyes, and for the first time she happily welcomed sleep.
***
Dave sat by her side for a while and watched her sleep. She looked so peaceful, and her lips were still smiling. He kept waiting for a sob, or her face to crease like it happened every night they slept in the same room, but nothing happened. He always watched her when she slept, and she constantly had nightmares which always made her wake up and make her rounds around the house. He didn’t ask her about it nor try to stop her, it was how she felt safe, and he let her do it.
Dave and Edna took turns staying at the hospital, ignoring Maria’s protests. She wasn’t scared anymore; the boogie man was dead and there was no need for Dave and Edna to keep guard and watch over her.
The kids had only come to visit her once since she got confined. Michael had grown tired of the excuses why he couldn’t see his mother and was determined to do everything possible to see for himself that she was alright. After an hour of issuing ultimatums and threats that Edna and Dave knew he was serious about, he finally got to see her. Izzy of course had no idea what was going on, but she diligently repeated the words Michael had instructed her to say and had his back in their little revolt. Dave has always been looking forward to the day his daughter would start speaking full sentences, but he never expected them to be boycott chants.
Maria thought it best to keep the whole incident from Michael, so they told him she had an accident. Maria only accepted to see them when the bruises on her face had yellowed. The suspicious little boy didn’t completely accept the story, but he didn’t ask about it. He’d seen those bruises before, and it scared him to think someone hurt his mother again.
After the kids left with Edna, Dave and Maria talked and laughed about the revolt until she fell asleep. She felt content and at ease that Michael hadn’t probed for more information about the accident, it only meant his mind wasn’t running like a grown up anymore, he was a kid again.
***
Dave was watching her sleep when a loud crash and Miguel’s yelling made him turn to the door. Miguel was choking Johnson and yelling at him in Spanish, all curse words. He looked at Maria to see if the commotion had disturbed her, but she was still peacefully asleep. He carefully moved out of the bed and rushed out of the room, closing the door behind him.
He pulled Miguel off Johnson and held him against the wall, “What’s wrong with you?”
Miguel was red with fury, his lethal eyes glued on the gasping pale Johnson, “Why don’t you ask him?”
Johnson stood up straight, his hand still rubbing his sore neck. He knew what would happen once Dave found out; he was definitely a dead man. Why the hell did he get involved with this family? Oh right, the money was good, and now he might not be able to enjoy it.
Dave turned to him, his hold still on Miguel, “What is he talking about?”
“Well…” Johnson started.
“How hard is it to just aim and shoot?” Miguel yelled, trying to fight off Dave’s hold.
“I did! And I didn’t say the man was alive, I just said I couldn’t find his body!” Johnson yelled back, taking a step behind.
“Yeah, because a corpse can stand up and walk away!”
“What?” Dave let go of him and turned to Johnson, “What are you guys talking about?”
“Ricky,” Johnson started taking a few steps away from them, “He might, and I mean maybe,” Johnson prepared himself for an attack, “still… be alive.”