December Writing Challenge Tie Breaker

[Sean *]

Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down

It had been a very long, alcohol filled Saturday night.

Not that any of Stefan’s nights (especially on the weekends) were ever short and sober engagements. But this Sunday morning seemed especially hard to deal with between the hangover and the cold morning’s effect on his bag leg.

Stefan had always preached that the best cure for a hangover was another drink. Unfortunately, it seemed the only alcohol left in the house at the moment was a half empty beer he found on the counter by the stove. Not exactly what he’d been hoping for first thing in the morning. So after locating some pants, a decent shirt, and his cane, Stefan ran a hand through his hair and headed out the door in search of the nearest open bar in town.

Churchkey Bar seemed the perfect destination for a Sunday morning. Although the place was empty, save the bored looking bar man behind the bar, so it wasn’t exactly a party. Still it was better than sitting around his place devoid of human contact. And better yet, they had alcohol here.

“The beer I had for breakfast wasn’t bad,” Stefan said as he slide onto a bar stood. “So I’ll have one more for dessert.”

The bartender raised an eyebrow at the unexpected comment, but still smiled as he handed Stefan a beer. “Looks like you had an interesting night, Dr. Swag,” the man said, watching Stefan drain the beer.

It wasn’t unusual for the bartenders in Pilot Ridge to know Stefan by name. In fact most of them knew where he lived to, after helping him to a cab after a night of a little too much drinking. As for the nickname…Stefan couldn’t recall how it had come about. But he was proud to have earned his Ph. D. in swagger never-the-less.

As for the question, Stefan couldn’t exactly recall how’s he spent the night either. He had a vague feeling there had been a woman…or perhaps a man…or was it both. He was sure there had been a bed. “I guess it was,” Stefan said, still trying to rub the sleepiness and the hangover out of his head. “I think I’ll need something stronger next,” he added, emptying the last of his beer.

As the man poured out the usual scotch, Stefan swiveled in the chair to take in the empty bar room. “God, I hate mornings,” he mumbled to himself. While some might feel that the dawn of the new day was a time to look to the future and feel hopeful, Stefan felt it was the loneliest time of the day. Even if there were people out and about, they all had their lives to live. Suddenly, he couldn’t stand being in the darkened empty bar a moment longer.

“I’ll take this to go,” he said, pouring his scotch into his flask and tossing his payment for the drinks on the counter.

It was starting to get colder out, but there were still people out on the street as Stefan walked out. Heading to Sunday breakfast with their families. Children in their Sunday best holding hands with their parents. It was just all to much. The Norman Rockwell of it all was getting to Stefan and he turned into an alley, the flask finding his way to his mouth as he did.

He stumbled home eventually, with the plans to sleep the rest of the day away and poke his head back out when the night crowd was back on the streets. That was where he felt most comfortable. No connections. No responsibility. No shortage of someone lovely to share a conversation (or more) with.

“’Cause there’s something in a Sunday,” Stefan mumbled to himself as he turned toward his door, that led to his empty house. “That makes a body feel alone.”



**********************************************************

Everything’s Okay

“What’s going to happen? And will I be alive tomorrow?” Caroline asked her hand reaching out. “What’s going to happen to me?”

Lani took her hand and bent so that she could see his face. “You’re going to be okay.”

“Lani,” Caroline smiled her eyes tearing, “You came.”

“Of course I came,” he said. “You’re going to be okay. That’s what’s going to happen,” Lani sang the old lullaby he’d sing when they were both little and she was sick. “Everything’s okay. I’ll be right here by your side. I won’t let you slip away. Plan for tomorrow. ‘Cause I swear to you. You’re going to be okay.”

He brushed her cheek gently and bent to give her a kiss. He sang softly, “Everything’s okay. I’ll be right here. You’re going to be okay.” He gave her hand one that squeeze and his heart yearned to follow but they passed through the doors to the operation room and he was forbidden inside.

Beyond he heard Carolines little voice, “I’m going to be okay. That’s what’s going to happen. Everything’s okay.”

Standing at the doors looking after her Lani felt more helpless than ever. He felt as helpless as he had been when he’d been twelve and someone had told him that his little sister was going to die. Not Caroline. She’d pulled through. He’d made sure of that. He’d make the same sacrifices over again and he’d go through the pain again if he could get that man to give his money and pay for her surgery.

Now they were back. A tumor had returned and Caroline’s fever had gotten worse. The renegade couldn’t stay away. It was a dangerous move but it was his little sister, she needed him. He’d been on the run so long, he felt exposed here in this hospital. Surely someone had already called the police, but he didn’t care. Maybe it was time he paid for all of the things he stole.

He finally turned to his parents, they looked different. Older. There was gray in his mother’s dark hair and his father was all gray. He hadn’t seen them in years. Not since he’d finally been caught. How he escaped was still a miracle to him in the first place, but he was so tired of running. He fell into their embrace and his heart swam in their love.

His mother pulled back dabbing her eyes with the hem of her sleeve and his father held him at arm’s length. “Son, I’m proud of you,” he said with a smile. Lani’s heart lurched, it was the first time his father had said that. He embraced the man again.

“Why don’t you all get some rest,” Lani said after recovering his voice. He knew his mother wanted to ask of his travels and he knew his father wanted to know why his eyes were dark and why he looked half starved. But he didn’t want to talk about that. They didn’t need to know what his life was like when he’d run. It was not something he wanted to recount. It had been so many years. He missed them.

He turned his face back to the closed doors. “She’s going to be fine,” his mother said giving him another hug before slipping into a chair nearby.

Lani couldn’t sit, he paced here and there. To the window, to the doors and back to the window. He was too agitated about what might happen. He stood at the window for a time. How many people would see him on the news later and breathe in relief that he was alive? How many people would see him and not ever recall seeing his face? He closed his eyes, so many people he’d met and never spoken to again when he’d run.

When circumstances in his life turned south and he’d made the decision to run, he’d never spared a thought for all of the people he’d miss so dearly. He never thought about how he’d never be able to see them again, speak to them again. It was all too dangerous. This was how things had to be.

Emergency contacts had been retained and when he’d gotten a call from an old ally from his shady days it was a message from Caroline. It had come to him by the hand of a fellow thief and Lani couldn’t stay away.

He slipped back to his parents. His mother reached out for him and he took the seat next to her and let her cling to him as he clung to her now.

Lani’d been expecting the police so he was not surprised when someone familiar called his name. Captain Matthews stood a fair distance away. He also looked older than he had been when Lani had given him the slip.

“This is it, Lani, no more running,” Matthews said.

Lani pushed away from his mother despite her wordless sob of protest as she struggled to keep hold of him. Lani kissed her cheek and rose to his feet turning to face Matthews. “I’m tired.”

“I know, son,” Matthews said and motioned an officer forward.

“Wait!” Lani exclaimed taking a step back and raising his hands. This caused several officers to twitch for their guns.

Matthews, bless him, despite their past he still rose a hand to stall his officers. He nodded at Lani to continue.

“My sister’s ill, she’s in surgery. I… I just wanna make sure she’s okay,” Lani found his eyes watering. What if she didn’t come out alive and he didn’t know? When Matthews appeared unmoved Lani lowered his hands. “Please. I’ll come quietly after. It shouldn’t be too much longer. I just want to see her.”

Matthews paused and glanced at Lani’s parents as if he’d come to know them too. “Alright, I’m going to have to cuff you, but we’ll wait to go.”

Lani didn’t thank Matthews. He didn’t have to. He let the officers approach and gave no fuss. He stood at the door watching and waiting flanked by officers on both sides. He wondered how he got here. Did Adrianna still remember him? Did Shapiro? Shapiro was Caroline’s age, and Adrianna… had she finished school? Was she the best wedding planner he’d always thought she’d be?

Finally a doctor walked toward the door. Lani perked up. His parents rose and as close as she could get to him his mother reached out and rubbed his arm.

The doctor looked sidelong at the officers and spoke to Lani’s parents. “We were able to get it out. She’ll still need to do a bit of chemo, but I’m sure she’ll pull through.” He smiled nodded at the officers and slipped away.

Lani lowered his head and his fingers linked together as he turned to follow Matthews away. Matthews put a hand on his shoulder. “Would you like to speak to her?” When Lani blinked in shock Matthews continued, “I’ve been on the force for a long time and I’ve never seen someone on the run for five years give it all up for someone else.”

Lani was speechless and if his arms were free he’d liked to have hugged Matthews.

When someone came and said Caroline had stirred Lani went ahead of his parents. Caroline’s bandaged head turned when the door opened. “Lani,” she said and her smile turned down when she noticed the officers following him. “No… I didn’t want… Lani.”

“Shh, shh, it’s okay. I’m just going to go away for a little bit.” Lani said the reality of it all slowly settling in. The chances of him ever spending another day outside of captivity were slim. This was it.

“Are you scared?” she whispered.

Lani immediately started shaking his head. He didn’t do well with rules and he didn’t do well with walls and cages. Tears slipped from his eyes giving his worried away and he nodded. He was terrified.

Caroline lifted a hand and Lani went to grab it but his hands were stuck behind his back. He wanted to hold her so badly. His dearest sister. Her hand touched his cheek and he looked into her eyes.

“You’re going to be okay, that’s what’s going to happen. Everything’s okay.” She sang softly her voice cracking. “I’ll be right here by your side. I won’t let you slip away. Plan for tomorrow. ‘Cause I swear to you. You’re going to be okay.” She brushed away a tear and whispered her voice failing, “You’re going to be okay. I love you, Lani.”

“I love you, Caroline,” he said and bent to kiss her cheek.

“I’ll see you soon,” she promised and her hand stayed outstretched as Lani stepped away with the officers.