Lisa drove down to the hospital. She led the kids into the reception and had some words with the receptionist.
Alex was surprised when the door opened abruptly and Lisa marched in. “I thought you wouldn’t come around… You did not show up in the morning and you ignored my calls,” Alex said.
“I needed to fix my head… Anyways, I brought Sammy and Jerry as I had promised. They can’t wait to see you,” Lisa said.
Alex made his way out of the bed and stood tall on his feet. “Can you do that already?” Lisa asked in surprise.
“Yes,” Alex said and staggered slightly. He took hold of Lisa’s hands while she scampered around to prevent him from falling. Lisa held him and led him towards the door.
They were just a few steps away when Alex tightened his grips on her. He suddenly turned her around and pinned her to the wall.
Lisa stared wide at him and pieces of her repressed memories from the night she was raped flashed through her head.
“You should know I am not a feeble old man,” Alex chuckled and hinged closer to her.
“You needed time to think? So tell me? What’s your conclusion? Are you staying or leaving,” Alex asked and closed in for a kiss.
“Alex, not now, the kids are waiting,” Lisa fidgeted and tried to struggle free. Alex’s forehead burrowed in a frown as he watched her shudder.
“What the heck was that?” He thought and backed off.
“Dad!” Sammy yelled. He was the first to sight Alex, he ran over to him while Jerry raced after him.
Lisa swallowed phlegm as she watched her children’s reactions. She wisely nudged Alex into one of the benches in the reception. She knew he wasn’t strong enough to withstand the kids’ energies.
Sammy ran up into his father’s laps and climbed up to sit on his thigh. Jerry ran over and stood with his hands folded across his chest. Alex opened up his legs and drew the sullen boy into his chest.
Lisa walked away to give the kids and Alex time to catch up with the time they had missed. She was lost in her world and her thoughts were jumbled.
She wondered why such memories reappeared after a long time. It occurred to her that she had not been intimate with any man since the incident.
Her phone rang and she picked it up. It was Patrick. She immediately remembered that she needed to inform him to put the investigation on Marie on hold.
“You meant I should put the investigation on hold?” Patrick asked. “Yes, for now,” Lisa responded.
“But why? The earlier the better, we should not drag things out” Patrick said. “Please do not make this hard for me. I will reach out to you again. Thanks for your efforts,” Lisa said and hung up.
She groaned and ran her hands through her hair as she felt an excruciating ringing in her head.
Just then, a tiny cold hand tapped her from behind. She was startled and sprang up immediately.
“Mummy, come and play with us,” Jerry said and dragged her along. “Oh Jerry take it easy, I am surely coming with you,” Lisa said and followed after Jerry who practically dragged her along.
“You sent Jerry over, right?” Lisa asked Alex. “Yeah, you’ve spent too much time sitting all alone. You should join the fun and feasting here,” Alex responded.
“When does eating hamburgers become a feast?” Lisa asked and smiled faintly. “It’s almost exhausted, help yourself with some,” Alex said invitingly.
“I spoke with the doctor today, he said I could have the surgery anytime next week.” Alex said whilst Lisa stuck her mouth with some burgers.
“Alright, which of the days do you think is feasible?” Lisa asked.
“You should choose the day, it depends on your convenience.”
“Oh, if that is the case, I would prefer Monday. Let’s have it done and get through with it in time,” Lisa responded. “Alright, Monday it is,” Alex said and Lisa rose up to her feet.
“I think I should head back home, it’s getting late,” Lisa said. “Yeah, especially because of the kids.”
Lisa walked Alex back into his room and tucked him in. “Thank you Lisa.” Alex said as Lisa took her leave.
Sammy cried all the way home. He wanted to stay with his father.
****
The glow and sensation at Good Times made the patrons lose track of time. Sunset seemed like mid day as lovers frolicked and chatted cozily.
Jeff was guarded in his approach towards Jane. He felt out of place and wanted to escape her gaze. He knew Jane had caught him red handed.
Both remained silent and continued to munch on their meal. Jeff peeped surreptitiously at Jane and allowed his thoughts to wonder.
“It’s almost night already, I think we should get going,” Jane broke the awkward silence as soon as she was through with her meal.
Jeff did not hesitate. The request was an answer to his prayer. He cleared the bills and walked her down to the parking lot.
Jeff ensured the drive back home was filled with small talks. He led small talks and cracked jokes.
His mind was filled with possibilities as he watched Jane laugh. Despite the urgency of the matter at hand, he was endeared to her. He was beginning to fall for her energy, intelligence and daring attitude.
He brought his car to a halt at Jane’s apartment. He held the door for her and led her in, hand in hand. Jeff could feel his heart racing.
Once they were behind closed doors, he closed the gap between them and gave her a full and passionate kiss on the lips.
Jeff’s heart skipped a beat. It was the first and sincere kiss he had ever given. “This feels too good to be true,” he thought and deepened the kids.
Jane shut her eyes and stood stoick like a log of wood. She held it all in and prayed it would all get over.
“How long must we wait for you to decide about us? The wedding plans are put on a hold because of your indecision,” Jeff mumbled as he slowly broke the kiss.
Jane flicked her eyes open and chuckled. “Things are falling in place gradually. I will reveal my intention soon,” Jane responded and walked away swiftly.
“What the heck was that?! What got over me?! Fuck!” Jeff yelled out loud as he drove out of the street. He wheeled his car around and drove down to his friends’.
Jane turned in immediately after Jeff drove out of sight. It was all playing out. It was obvious Jeff knew all about her before walking into her life. She picked up her phone and put a call to investigator Patric immediately.
“Hello Pat?”
“Jane, hello.”
“Any development as regards investigation on Jeff?” Jane asked. “Nothing unusual, though I am still digging.”
“Alright. Please, do let me know if you stumble on anything fishy,” Jane said.
“Alright? Any clue from your side? Anything suspicious?” Pat asked.
“Not at all.”
“Alright, I will keep you on the tab…. About Marie…” Patrick continued but Jane had hung up.
****
“You jerk! Did you reach out to Sandra again?” Jeff yelled immediately he bumped into his friends.
His friends looked at him like a lunatic and laughed out loud. Jeff charged at the guy he fought with the previous night. He gripped him by his collar and lifted him up. He pushed him hard to the wall and yelled out loud.
“I warned you. Didn’t I?! Only a fool will fall for a third attempt. Do not meet Sandra Jack anymore. If you jeopardize the secrecy of this group, I won’t let you live!”
“What are you talking about?” The guy spat out and tried to free himself from Jeff’s choking grips. “The case is being investigated. They have set traps for you. Make another trial and you are a dead meat. I will kill you with my bare hands!’ Jeff roared and let him go.
He marched out of the room angrily and silence ensued.