Afterglow Pt. 05

"She's a pain in the ass," Olivia cut in, squeezing my hand. I recognized that little amused glint in her eyes and stopped holding my breath. "I know all about it. But this was a big step for her, too."

My parents looked at each other. They shared some unspoken understanding and then faced us again.

"So why don't you tell us how you met again?" Mom asked, clearing her throat.

OOOOOO

I helped Mom clean the dishes. We didn't talk to each other, though there was a great deal we wanted to say. Mom snuck peeks at me now and then. I tried to think of a way to say "Sorry I came out to you on the phone, and sorry I basically avoided you for months" but it wasn't as easy as one would expect.

Finally Mom turned the faucet off and turned to me. "You look happy."

"I do?"

Mom nodded and smiled a little. "I can see why you like her."

I fidgeted and picked at my nail polish. "I love her."

"I know." Mom looked out into the living room, grinning when she saw my father going off about politics to poor Olivia. "She's a great woman."

"I'm sorry for how I handled all this."

Mom sniffed and gave me a hug. "I don't think there's a rule book, Liz."

I couldn't believe my mother was being so understanding. It shouldn't have been surprising, though; she'd loved me fiercely all my life, no matter what I did. It really was just the issue of getting used to it.

When she pulled away, she wiped at some more tears. I found myself crying, too. I rubbed my face with annoyance. "God, I keep crying lately. Everything changed all at once. Sometimes I can't catch my breath."

"You will. For now, just try to enjoy yourself. Let yourself off the hook." She peeked out at Olivia once again and gave me a wide smile. "She's good for you. I can tell. You're glowing."

My hands went up to cover my cheeks. "Really?"

"Yes, really." Mom shook her head and poured the coffee. "Now shut up and help me bring these out."

Later when we were leaving, my mother kissed Olivia on the cheek and made her promise to come around more often. Dad seemed to really like her, too.

He pulled me aside before we left. "Are you sure it wasn't all a misunderstanding with Roger?"

I hated this. It felt like I was telling a kid Santa didn't exist. But my father wasn't a child, and he needed to know. "I'm sure. I've never been so disappointed in someone in my whole life."

Dad gave me a hug, which was a bit unusual for him. "You'll find another job. A better job."

"I know."

He pulled away and pushed my hair back. "I'm glad you're seeing someone, Lizzie. Especially someone as intelligent and kind as Olivia. Your mom and I will try really hard to get used it, okay? We already see how different you are with her."

I smiled. "Thank you, Dad."

OOOOOO

Olivia didn't say much when we got home. She asked if I wanted her to cook or if I wanted to order out. When I said I didn't care, she called for a pizza and pet Toronto.

After we'd eaten and Toronto was taken care of, the three of us spread out on the couch and watched TV. I must've been falling asleep because Olivia poked me. We turned off everything and curled into one another when we got into bed.

I was nearly asleep when Olivia spoke.

"Your parents were wonderful. They love you very much."

My eyes fluttered open. Olivia leant on her elbow, watching me from above.

"They liked you. I can tell."

Olivia smiled, her teeth glinting in the faint light through the curtains. We listened to traffic for a few minutes. One of Olivia's hands rubbed my stomach.

"I can't believe this is happening."

Olivia didn't take her eyes away from the hand that now tickled the skin just above my panties. "What is happening?"

"We're really a couple. You know what I mean? We're not just...experimenting, or even just dating, are we?"

She bent her head to lay a gentle kiss on my shoulder. "No."

Her fingers slipped in and out of the top of my panties until they eventually rested just beneath the fabric.

I reached up carefully, terrified for no reason at all, and stroked her hair. Her eyes met mine. "I'm so glad I met you. I didn't know it then, but I needed you. Badly."

Olivia smiled. "I needed you, too."

Her hand lowered, sinking between my thighs.

Chapter X: The Verdict

Felicity called the next morning.

She was already on my mind. The next day was the hearing—Jackie texted me to remind me—and I was torn about going. Obviously I wouldn't go into the courtroom, but even hanging around in the hallways seemed uncomfortable. I didn't want to run into Robert, Roger or Landon. And I hated the idea of being in any kind of proximity to Dan.

I wanted to call Felicity and see if she wanted to go. Clearly Rose couldn't. But I was procrastinating, partly because I was so tired of dealing with heavy stuff and mostly because I wasn't sure if I should tell her about Robert's decision and the disappointing amount of time Dan could potentially serve.

I craved a little domesticity, so I lazed around with Toronto while Olivia painted. I didn't understand how she could possibly be comfortable painting in my cramped living room but what the fuck did I know? Craigslist ads for jobs were glaring me back in the face. That's just when my phone vibrated. I recognized the number and answered immediately.

"Rose is out of the coma!" she wept.

My heart jumped with excitement. "How wonderful!"

Felicity took a deep, excited breath. "She's very out of it and still on a lot of drugs but she's looking around and talking and everything. The cops were here. Even that douche Robert was here."

Goosebumps rose up from my arms. "Robert?"

"Yup. He's an asshole. He was fine to us, though, just telling us about where we all go from here."

"He...he told you about the charges? The sentence?"

She sighed. "Yes. Don't get me started. I'm NOT happy about it, but I have too much to be happy about right now to let it affect me."

"I know. I just—"

"Elizabeth? Stop worrying. What's done is done. 5 years is nothing when you look at the damage he's caused, but it is something. I'm raging about it, too, but right now we have more important things to do. And he says they're still deliberating Landon's plea deal so there is still hope. So come see us, bring Olivia, and buy the best champagne you can."

I found myself smiling. "When did you get so zen?"

She snorted. "See you soon."

I told Olivia the good news. She cried and clapped her hands. Then we got ready, bought a classy enough bottle of champagne and took a cab to the hospital.

Rose's parents were waiting outside when we came to the door. I introduced Olivia and they were very polite. Felicity saw we were there and dragged us in, ripping the bottle of champagne from my hands.

And there was Rose. She was so, so pale resting against white sheets. Her cheekbones pressed against the skin of her face so hard as if they wanted to escape. Her lips were cracked and her arms were merely white sticks poking out from beneath her pink blanket. Part of her face was bandaged, presumably where he struck her, and her face was nearly unrecognizable because of other wounds.

Simmering, hot rage bubbled in my stomach once again after seeing what Dan did.

"Elizabeth and Olivia! I'm so glad you're here."

I got close to her and took her cold hand into mine. "We are happy to be here."

Felicity handed me a plastic cup with champagne. We toasted to Rose's health. The conversation turned to surgeries, of which Felicity surprisingly knew a great deal. Even Olivia was fascinated. I daydreamed until I realized Rose was staring at me.

"Felicity told me," she whispered.

My heart sank. I didn't have to ask what. "I'm so sorry."

"Even if he's only given 5, we'll figure it out." She nodded to herself as if she was attempting to convince herself. Her head fell back against the pillow; she looked unbelievably exhausted.

"Let's not worry about that yet. He's going to get what he deserves somehow."

Her lips twitched into a tiny smile. "You're so fierce sometimes." I smiled and she took my hand again. "I love you. For everything you've done."

I was too choked up to respond.

The nurse came in at some point, looking less than thrilled over how many people were crowding the room. She checked Rose out while we all watched in silence. When she finished with a smile, we could all breathe again.

I noticed that Rose's parents actually talked to Felicity and seemed to be a lot more accepting to her now than before, based on what the girls used to tell me. Her parents seemed worn out. They had never believed Dan was as big a threat as Rose said. It must've been a rude, rude awakening for them when they received that terrible phone call in the middle of the night-that call all parents dread.

A few minutes later I glanced at Rose. She'd fallen asleep. Some color had touched her cheeks, thank God, so she finally looked alive and semi-well to me. I checked the monitors from time to time, sometimes becoming entranced with her pulse. Sadly Rose looked like shit. I knew the prognosis was good but it was difficult to remember that, at some point, she'd be walking out of the hospital on her own two legs.

The sentence Dan Tierney would likely receive was unjust and dangerous. To think he could possibly serve a mere 5 years was disturbing and disheartening. Yet both girls—Rose and Felicity—loved each other and became even stronger because of their feelings. They were still scared, and still angry, but they'd already faced the worst thing that could happen and they'd emerged on the other side. They would always be haunted, but now they absolutely knew they could handle it because they had each other. It was time to rebuild.

Olivia touched my shoulder. "Shall we go?" she whispered.

I got up and said goodbye to everyone gently. Felicity grasped my hand and gave me a teary smile.

"You probably didn't get a chance to talk to her long, but isn't it wonderful?"

"Better than wonderful. Any news on what they plan to do with her next?"

"The stomach is the most important thing. They don't want to tear anything because the risk of bleeding is so high. Her head is still banged up but the doctors think it's okay."

I nodded. I almost wasn't going to say anything but I turned to get one last look at Rose. The sight of her provoked me. "Tomorrow is the sentencing hearing. Would you like to go? We'll linger outside."

Felicity sucked in her breath. "Oh, my God. I have to go into work for a little tomorrow... What time is it?"

"10am."

She looked around, her gaze skittering over Rose like mine had a second before. "I'll be there."

OOOOOO

It was absolutely freezing outside the courthouse. We could've waited inside but Felicity was indulging in one of her guilty pleasures: smoking.

"I can't believe how cold it is," she said. She lit another cigarette.

"And Spring is around the corner," I mumbled. I pulled the collar of my coat up and tilted my head back, studying the slate-colored sky.

Felicity flicked some ash off the tip of her cigarette. "Jeez. I heard it's supposed to snow tonight."

I knew what we were doing—idle, trivial chitchat to pass the time and make the wait (somewhat) bearable. It wasn't going well, at least not for me. I wanted to pace the slick floors of the halls, I wanted to hear the faint voices coming from the courtroom inside, I wanted to be near the action. No, it wasn't any better or productive than standing outside in the cold, but that didn't matter.

I waved away some of the smoke from the cigarette with a frown.

She switched her cigarette from one gloved hand to the other. "You really disapprove of smoking, don't you?"

"I disapprove of anything that kills people, yeah. Olivia does it sometimes when she thinks I don't notice and it makes me furious. I have her on another nicotine patch now, actually."

She smiled. "I sneak sometimes, too. It's a powerful urge. Funny how puffing on something can be so comforting. I read something some time... Something about the mouth? The repetitive nature? And the nicotine, yeah, but not everyone who's smoked has become addicted, right?"

I rubbed my hands together. "Well, I certainly can't begrudge you for smoking today, so whatever." I watched her for a minute. "It's flirting with death. I think that's a big compulsion, too."

Felicity studied me as she dropped the cigarette and twisted her foot on top of it. "You're antsy. You want to go inside, don't you?"

"Yes."

Felicity groaned and rolled her eyes. "God, fine! You're a huge pain in the ass. Let's go."

I followed, a small smile forming. We sat on a bench outside and waited. And waited. Felicity toyed with her phone. I stared the doors, willing them to open. It didn't usually take that long.

And then they did. A surprising flood of people came outside, talking enthusiastically. Robert was suddenly there, clutching his suitcase with a grim expression. He caught sight of me almost immediately. His face grew darker but he said nothing. He walked by without another look. Then I saw Jake, one of the other attorneys that didn't get as much of a chance to show his talents. I wondered what he was doing there.

Landon strolled out, a huge smile on his face. That never meant anything one way or another; Landon was the best at the art of positive spin. He spotted me sitting next to Felicity; his eyes roamed over us, probing for secrets.

He walked over and for some reason I stood up. I wanted to immediately ask what the sentence was but I didn't want to get the information from Landon. Petty, sure, but I couldn't help it.

He started speaking as soon as I was in earshot. "I never had the chance to tell you how much I appreciated you sticking up to Roger. The man has deserved something like that for a long, long time."

I rubbed my palms against my skirt and tried not to freak out or punch him. "What do you want, Landon?"

His smile turned sweeter. Friendlier. He looked around my body and said hello to Felicity.

"And how is your friend? I apologize—I haven't been able to check her condition lately."

"She's my GIRLFRIEND," Felicity spat. "And she's still fucking alive. Be sure to pass that on to your client."

Landon stood straighter, seemingly unaffected by Felicity. "Well, I know you've never thought highly of me, Ms. Quilty, though I've never been sure why. I represent the opposite team, that's true, but I've always respected your work."

I regarded him with intense suspicion.

He licked his lips and carefully ran a hand over his blonde hair. "As for your earlier question, I don't want anything from you. I'm offering you something." He smiled when he saw me scowl. "I mean it. I've always appreciated your approach and understanding of the law. There is a place for you within my firm. I would be absolutely honored if you'd consider working with me for a while."

"No."

His eyebrows lifted but I didn't think he was that surprised. "So quick an answer. My well-meaning offer isn't even worth a moment of thought?"

"Give me a break, Landon."

He grinned. "You see right through me, Elizabeth. I think that's why I like you so much." He put his leather briefcase on the bench next to Felicity so he could put his coat on. His eyes never left mine. "He's serving fifteen years without the chance of parole. Does that warm you up a little?"

Felicity failed to stifle a gasp. I couldn't move. "Fifteen?"

"Not the twenty-five you were hoping, I'm sure, but you must be pleased."

"They didn't take the plea," I whispered. The relief poured through my blood like a cup of fine, smooth red wine.

"No. The case was handed over to Jake, who I've only worked with a few times, by the way. Robert came today as a formality. The judge almost didn't let them switch but eventually he caved. Maybe he, too, was tired of Robert."

I realized I was smiling and crying all at once. It should have embarrassed me to be crying in front of Landon but I just didn't care. My legs gave out, forcing me to plop beside a sobbing Felicity.

Landon smirked down at me.

"You just like seeing girls cry," I said.

"Possibly," he agreed with a laugh, straightening his tie. "The offer is serious, however. Keep it in mind. I'd enjoy having a scrappy girl like you on my side."

He picked up his briefcase and disappeared.

Felicity pushed my shoulder. "Did he really say what I think he did? Fifteen years?"

For the first time in a long time, my grin was wide and genuine. "Yes!"

"I might pass out," she whispered. Our eyes met and we started giggling like giddy little girls.

I could breathe. We all could.

We walked out of the courthouse feeling warm vindication. I wouldn't have spotted her if Felicity hadn't stopped us for one last cigarette—"Just to celebrate! Then I'm done, I swear. Don't tell Rose."

I stuffed my hands into my pockets and watched the chaos of people walking each way, yellow taxis riding the tails of cars in front of them, people trying to sell shitty knock-off purses. I smelled hot pretzels cooking from the corner and my mouth-watered. I turned to Felicity to suggest we grab one and there she was.

Mrs. Tierney sat on a sad little bench beneath a sad little tree that had been planted there and likely forgotten. Her wool coat was that awful muted pink color from the 50s and 60s—like calamine lotion. She even had a matching hat. Her old-fashioned purse sat on her lap. I wasn't close enough to see her face, but the slump of her shoulders told me everything I needed to know.

"I'll be right back," I told Felicity.

I crept over. The area felt suffocating; someone had only bothered to shovel just slightly around the bench so that to the side lay only snow. The front was also only a few feet from another mound of dirty snow.

She looked up when she heard my heels. Her worn face was shivering while tears dripped rapidly from her eyes. She didn't bother to wipe them away. Her lips were slightly parted as if she had something to say, but they only quivered.

"Mrs. Tierney. I can't even think how hard this must be on you. I'm sorry."

She looked down at her brown gloves. "I gave birth to him. Bathed him and clothed him. Sang songs and read books to him. Sent him to school. Stood up for him when his dad was mean. Loved him." Her eyes lifted, shining with tears. "Tell me how I'm supposed to stop that."

My breath caught. "I can't."

"No." She rose and slipped an errant button back through its hole. "No, you can't. No one can." She looked away from me. "How is the girl?"

"They think she's going to be okay."

She exhaled. I watched the puff of her breath in the air until it stopped swirling, wishing there was something I could fucking say.

"Good. I'm glad. I've been trying to follow reports about it in the paper but... I sent her flowers this morning. I hope that won't offend her."

"I doubt it will. I'm sure she'll be thankful."

She looked at me with a bitter smile. "Thankful? I brought her a nightmare."

"You couldn't have—"

"I could've said something. Done something." She clutched her purse tighter and shrugged. "I tried my best. The rest is up to God. It's a test of some kind, or at least that's what I keep telling myself. I know that I'll be on that bus next visiting day. I know I'll bring him his favorite chocolate. I know I'll do this until the day I die."

She walked away from me without a second look.

OOOOOO

A week later Olivia and I were singing "Happy Birthday" to my father. Mom teased him to blow out the candles which he did with an enthusiastic flourish.

After Mom cut the cake and handed it to us, she steered Olivia over to the corner and talked about different galas coming up. Dad gave me a look and then grinned.

"Come here, I want to get a good look at my daughter."

"Oh, no. No more beers for you."