Chapter Forty-Three
Kelley had no idea how long he'd been waiting for the doctor to discharge him, but he was getting fed up. He didn't want to be there anymore. Kelley pushed off from the bed and stood up just as Ulrich Drummond pulled the curtain open and gave Kelley and Mason a smile. “How big is your family exactly?”
Mason smiled as Kelley pulled his shoes on. “Why?”
“Well, you have thirteen brothers in the waiting room and an uncle.”
“We don’t have a TV at home.” Mason’s laugh reverberated through the room and even Ulrich chuckled as Kelley’s expression remained stoic. He couldn't think of anything other than Juliana's lifeless eyes and Petey stumbling from his car.
Ulrich leaned against the wall and regarded Kelley intently. “Your uncle, though, wouldn’t take no for an answer, he’s right outside, a Jesse Owens.”
“He’s my uncle, for real.”
Ulrich shook his head lightly and stepped to the side as Jesse slid past him. “Shit, Kelley, I just heard.”
Jesse pulled him into a hug and Kelley’s arms clasped around Jesse’s back. “Thanks for coming but I just got discharged.” Kelley's eyes closed as he fisted Jesse's t-shirt in his hand and it felt like he was clinging to a lifeline.
“Let’s get you home, kid.” Kelley nodded his head, grateful to have these people as his family. Home held a different meaning to him now, now it meant warmth, honesty, commitment and everything real.
Jesse slapped Mason on the back too and the three of them walked out of the trauma bay. Kelley’s steps faltered as Charles and Laura stood to one side with Petey’s parents. Kelley nodded his head at Mason who understood instantly and he led Jesse to the waiting room.
“Marley?” Kelley’s voice was a whisper and her eyes opened instantly where she lay on the bed, a big, nasty bruise on her forehead.
“Kelley … it’s bad, isn’t it?” Marley gripped his hand tightly and tears gathered in her eyes. Kelley's heart softened as he looked at his sister.
“Are you okay?”
“I hit my head but I’m fine. Are you okay?” It was clear that Marley had no idea that someone had died, she was too composed because Kelley had to believe that despite everything that had happened, she did love him.
Kelley took her hand and sat down in the plastic visitor chair. “I’m okay. What the hell were you doing in Petey’s car?”
“He was giving me a ride home from a party.”
“I’m sorry for being absent …”
“Dad said you tried to hurt Mom.”
“It’s not true, Marley. You know me and you know I would never hurt her. If anything happens to make you feel scared or anything you feel is inappropriate, please call me. I’ll always come and get you.”
“What things?”
“He’s not the good guy, Marley. Keep your eyes and ears open and just remember that I’ll always be here for you and I’ll come and get you, okay?”
“Kelley … I miss you.”
“I miss you too, short stuff, try and be nicer to Mom, okay.” Kelley placed a soft kiss on her forehead and stood up from the chair.
“Okay.”
Kelley slipped out of the bay where Marley was being monitored and headed into the waiting room. Mason, Jesse and Lee stood to one side. Marella sat on a chair with Arlo watching her intently. The rest of the team, those that were still sober, stood near the doors.
“Kelley!” Their voices were loud and a nurse looked sternly at them.
“I’m okay, guys, thanks for coming.”
“Where’s that bastard?”
“The police are involved so don’t do anything stupid.” Lee looked sternly at them too.
Arlo stepped forward and his hand landed on Kelley’s shoulder. “I’m sorry about Juliana, man, we all liked her.”
Kelley nodded his head, not trusting his voice not to break. He was already over emotional and now he just needed to be alone. Outside in the parking lot, the sun was just cresting the horizon and Kelley felt immensely tired. They'd been there the whole night. His exhaustion was no match for the bleak emptiness he felt.
“Kelley …”
Kelley turned to look at Jesse who nudged his chin in the direction of his truck. Kelley spoke briefly to Mason and Lee and then got into the passenger side of Jesse’s truck. Jesse wouldn’t let him wallow in grief and maybe this distraction was just what he needed.
They drove in silence to Jesse’s dojo and Kelley stood on the sidewalk as he unlocked the front door and stepped inside. Kelley looked down at his shirt, Juliana’s dried blood staining it. Jesse disappeared into his office and handed Kelley a clean t-shirt when he returned.
“Thanks.”
“What do you need, Kelley?”
“I don’t know Jesse … I don’t know what to do.”
Jesse walked to the equipment closet and pulled two sets of gloves out. The gloves were shoved into Kelley’s chest and he watched Jesse as he strapped his own gloves on. Jesse didn’t say a word but raised his hands and Kelley had to block fast.
They went through the motions and when most of the anger and anguish had left Kelley, his arms felt heavy and he was breathing hard. He hadn’t even noticed the tears as he screamed out in agony and fell to his knees.
Jesse didn’t touch him, he just sat down on the floor next to Kelley. As his shoulders shook Jesse put an arm over his back and then they were hugging. Jesse held Kelley as he cried and he had no idea how much time had passed.
“Life’s been cruel to you, Kelley. Nobody deserves the amount of pain you’ve already felt. I’m so sorry you had to lose her.”
Kelley realized then that Jesse knew exactly how he felt, having lost his wife cruelly too. He looked up at Jesse, only now noticing his own tears. Jesse had cried with him and probably for himself too, yet here he was trying to comfort Kelley.
“I appreciate you, Jesse, more than I can say.”
“What do you need, Kelley?”
“I need Petey Johnson to pay for this.”
“Then pay he will.”
