“I’ll even do it for free, sweetheart. But are you hungry?” he asked and she nodded. “Let’s order room service and while we wait, you go take a hot bath in my bathroom where the whirlpool tub is.”
“I will.” She said turning over and standing up. Seth pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “Thank you for bringing me. I’m exhausted but it was fun.”
“I’m very glad you are here with me. Tomorrow will be busy too so let’s get you relaxed so you can have a good night’s sleep.”
“Mr. Seth Reynolds, you are so sweet to me.” She said just before giving him a kiss. They ordered their dinner and then Cori went to her room to change out of her clothes and into the robe. Seth was talking on the phone when she walked back through the living room and into his room and then the bathroom. She was relaxing in the hot water when he knocked on the door.
“Close your eyes if you come in here” she said nervously.
“Darn” he swore gently as he opened the door “you ruined my fun.” He teased.
“Seth” she said exasperated “we’ve been a couple for two days, aren’t you rushing things?”
“Can I rush things?” he asked as he closed the door but stood there with his eyes closed.
“Clarify what that means…” she said cautiously
“Can I open my eyes?”
“We haven’t ummm I mean, I haven’t told you….well, I ummm…”
“Cori, sweetheart, are you trying to tell me that you have scars and you are nervous for me to see them?”
“I’m not just nervous, Seth, I’m terrified. They will bother you.”
“They will probably infuriate me, babe but they won’t bother me in the sense that I will not like looking at you sans clothing.”
“Don’t be infuriated, please, I’m scared enough.”
“Alright, I’ll leave.” He said reluctantly.
“No, wait.” She said stopping him “you can stay and you can open your eyes.” Seth turned around and opened his eyes. Cori had hers closed as he approached her in the tub. He crouched down on the side of the tub and gently caressed her hair for several minutes but didn’t speak. Cautiously, Cori opened her eyes and saw him watching her face. “Seth?”
“My mom said to tell you Hi.”
Cori was relieved to not discuss how she looked lying the tub without clothes on. She was too shy for that discussion right then. “How is she feeling?”
“So far, so good. From what the doctor told us, the next time and the subsequent times of chemotherapy will not be so good.”
“How many times will there be?” she asked as tears formed in her eyes. Seth wiped them away as they ran down her cheeks.
“We won’t know for a while. There are a bunch of factors.”
“Can I visit her sometimes?”
“She’d love it and so would I. Come whenever you want to.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Cori, sweetheart, I want us to grow closer together and think about a future together, you know that right?” Seth questioned still gently caressing her hair and face.
“Marriage?” she asked without looking at him
“I’d like to think so. What point is dating if you don’t plan for a future with that person?”
“How are we going to date? We live in two separate cities.”
“That’s logistics. We can talk by email and phone. We can travel to the other city but if Mom gets too sick, you will have to come to mine. We will figure it out and we won’t rush things. Well, I’ll try not to rush things.” He laughed at himself.
Cori worried her hands in the water. “You snuck up on me sort of fast, Seth.”
“Tell me about it” Seth chuckled “Fast or not. I want this, you and me,” he said motioning with his hands “to work out. Are we on the same page?”
“Yes” she agreed quietly “I just request your patience with me sometimes. I don’t want to mess up and hurt you.”
“I have the same fear that I will hurt you, sweetie.”
“Then how about we make a pact to be extra cautious with each other?”
Seth smiled and leaned in very close to her “Can I seal that pact with a kiss?”
Cori laughed and teased him “Do you normally seal your business deals with a kiss?”
“Honey, you are not a business deal….you are pure pleasure.”
“Kiss me then.” She said. His mouth settled on hers almost before she finished her comment. Cori’s face was flushed with pleasure when he lifted his mouth from hers.
“Babe, dinner should be here shortly so I’ll leave you to your bath. However I have one thing to say….”
“And what’s that?”
“I like your birthday suit.” Seth said with emphasis. Cori blushed but still laughed.
“Thank you.” She said as he approached the door to leave. “You are a good guy, Seth Reynolds. I’m glad we aren’t enemies anymore.”
“I’m glad about that too and I hate myself that we ever were.”
“The past is over for us, we move forward. Deal?”
“Deal” he answered blowing her a kiss which she pretended to catch. Seth winked at her and left the room. Cori exited the tub and wrapped up in her robe to return to her bedroom to change for the evening.
Seth held up the last bite of chocolate cake to Cori to eat. She closed her mouth over the fork and took the bite. Her eyes closed and she savored the bite and Seth thought he was going to die of the pleasure of watching her eat. “Oh man” he groaned.
“What?” Cori asked but Seth pulled her close and kissed her thoroughly before she expected it. “Wow, what caused that?” she asked innocently when she could breathe again.
“You did. You and the goofy chocolate cake.” He answered.
“Huh?”
“I swear for every date and if we get married, every night at dinner I’m feeding you chocolate cake.”
“What did I do?”
“Never mind” he groaned “it is a guy thing. Just prepare yourself to be kissed thoroughly if you enjoy it as much as you just did.”
“It was good cake.” She said going to the couch where he had flung himself. She touched his hair and caressed it “what did I do?”
“You enjoyed it, sweetheart.” He said turning over to face her “Your expression was what I want to see when I make love to you some day.”
“Oh” she said quietly but sort of self-conscious.
“No, don’t” he said gently cupping her cheek. “It was perfectly wonderful. I loved it.” Cori blushed and Seth raised up to kiss her. Cori wrapped her arms around his neck and he lay back against the back couch cushion and pulled Cori closer. The ringing of a telephone ended their embrace. Seth reached for his phone but it wasn’t his. Cori saw that it was hers but didn’t recognize the number.
“This is Cori Lewis” she said trying to catch her breath.
“My name is Keith Bonds and I’m a New York City policeman. I’m in the lobby of your hotel, can you come down here?”
“Is there a problem?”
“I have a situation that I hope you can help with.”
“Okay, I’ll be down. I’m assuming I’ll know you when I see you.”
“I’m in uniform, yes.”
“Alright, I’ll be right there.” Cori said ending the call. “There’s a policeman in the lobby who says he has a situation. I’m going down to meet with him.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“Ah,” she stalled trying to explain but Seth understood without an explanation from Cori. He interrupted “If it is confidential, I’ll stand at a distance but I’m not letting you go alone. Your security guards aren’t here to protect you.”
“True.” She said “Let’s go. I don’t look very professional but he’ll have to deal with that.” She said looking down at her sweats and t-shirt. She grabbed her belongings including her coat and they went down in the elevator to
the lobby.
Cori saw two policemen in the lobby “I’m glad you are here.” She whispered to Seth. He gently squeezed her hand. Cori stepped up to one of the men. “Are you Keith?” she asked.
“I am” he answered “are you Cori?”
“I’m Cori Lewis” she said extending her hand. The police officer shook it. “This is my friend Seth Reynolds.”
“I’m Keith and this is my partner Sam.”
“Hello” Sam greeted as Cori reached to shake his hand.
“How can I help you?” Cori asked when they were seated in a room off the lobby.
“My brother” began Keith “is a police officer in Houston.” Cori had figured this was about Hannah’s house. “I have a situation here that could use Hannah’s House. I called my brother to find out about places in Texas so this woman and her kids can get out of New York. He mentioned your facility. I called and spoke to a Frances who gave me your cell phone number and told me that you were here in New York.”
“Sir, there are places in New York. I have those names too.”
“I know but this situation calls for more distance.”
“Texas is a great distance.”
“She needs it.”
“Where is she?”
“She and the children are in the hospital right now.”
“Can I speak to her?” asked Cori
“We can take you to her.”
“That would be good. There may be other options before making them travel that distance.” Cori rose from her seat as did the others. After donning their coats, Seth and Cori found themselves in the back of a New York City Police squad car.
“Remind me to not break the law in New York City.” She said on the ride. “Not that this isn’t a great deal of fun but I’m sure I would rather see New York from a limousine instead.”
“Sorry” Keith offered “budget constraints, you know” Cori laughed as she hoped he would appreciate her joke.
“Gentlemen” she addressed the police “I’m not making fun of your situation. But this woman needs positive attitude and not more frightened faces. You are confident and I’m confident we can help her. That’s the attitude we take to this woman.”
“It’s bad, Cori” Keith spoke solemnly “Very bad.”
“I’m sure it is but our attitude will help. If we are positive she is going to be okay, she’ll begin to feel that way too and if she does, then her children will.”
“Got it.” Keith answered. They arrived at the hospital a few minutes later. At the entrance to the woman’s hospital room there were more police. Cori began to wonder who this woman was.
“Is she familiar with one of you?” she asked Keith or his partner Sam. Keith nodded. “Then come with me but easy does it.” Cori pushed opened the door and entered followed by Keith. The woman was pretty bruised and injured. Cori had seen worse but not in a while.
“Jaime” Keith whispered “this is Cori Lewis”
“Hi” she whispered weakly.
“Hi Jaime” Cori answered. She directed Keith to back away from the bed so Cori could talk to her. “Keith tells me that you need a safe place to go but do you want to travel to Texas?”
“No, I’d rather stay here but my husband is well known and found us before.”
“I know that story.” Cori said. “Have the police been involved before?”
“I never went to the police until tonight. I went directly to the shelter.”
“There’s a difference when the police are involved. I have to ask, where is your husband now?”
Jaime looked to Keith to answer. Cori swung her gaze to him too. “He hasn’t been located yet. We believe he is with a teammate.”
“Teammate?” Cori questioned.
“He’s a hockey player for the New York Beavers” Keith answered when Jaime didn’t. Cori nodded her head. “But we are looking for him and well known or not, this will be investigated.”
“See Jaime, there’s the difference.” Cori encouraged Jaime. Jaime nodded slowly and Cori continued “I have a crisis facility in Texas for just this situation and if we determine that it is best, we’ll get you there. My fear is though that it is too far for you and your children to travel. You are hurt and frightened and I understand, I’ve been right where you are only my husband was a professional football player. I want you to rest. I’m going to talk to Keith and some other people who will be glad to help. I want to see your children too if you approve. I need some details on ages and injuries before I can get you the best help. Close your eyes and rest. I’ll be back as soon as I know some options. Okay?” Cori said soothing the frightened woman. Jaime nodded and then closed her eyes. Cori gently touched her hand and then motioned Keith out the door. When she was alone with the woman, Cori spoke again.
“I promise you that this gets better. You’ll wake up one day without fear and angst. I know that it doesn’t seem like it now but you will. It takes one day at a time and sometimes one minute at a time. Just rest.” Cori said again as she turned to leave.
“Cori” Jaime said quietly “Thank you.”
“Sure” she said gently. Cori exited the room and went to Seth who hugged her hard.
“I’m okay” she said a moment later. “Just memories” she said
“I know sweetheart” Seth returned. “What’s the plan?”
“We have to figure that out. This may take some time, go back to the hotel and get some sleep. I’ll be back when there are some answers.”
“I’ll stay” he said strongly. Cori started to argue but he gave her a stubborn look. “I’ll stay” he repeated. Cori nodded and turned to the police. Keith introduced her to the supervisor of his precinct and the group moved to a private waiting room.
“Gentlemen” Cori began “failure is not an option here. I may look like a ninety-eight pound weakling but I have grit and determination. I also have to ask, will your district attorney prosecute this man even given his famous face in New York?”
“Yes” answered the supervisor. “I’ve spoken to my Chief and he spoke to the district attorney. She’s actually looking forward to it.”
“Good” Cori smiled “That takes us out of the fear stage and into planning. A woman’s shelter is not what Jaime needs and she doesn’t need my facility unless it is a last resort. She can’t travel that far and I’m assuming her kids are just as injured.”
“They are” answered Keith.
“I’m going to go call a place and see what I can arrange. Give me some details on the children.” She requested. Keith filled her in on their ages and injuries and Cori wrote them down. “Excuse me for a minute” she said. Taking Seth’s hand, she led him from the room. Outside of the hearing of the police she called her mother.
“Hi Cori, did you hear from a police office?”
“I did.”
“Is the woman coming here?”
“Not unless it is a last resort, she is too injured to travel that far with three injured children.”
“Can you help her there?”
“I’m going to try. I just wanted to let you know the situation so you could stop preparations.”
“How did you know that?”
“Because you are great at it. Just relax for now until I tell you differently.”
“Okay, darling daughter. Call me back”
“I will. I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, Cori” Cori hung up and took a deep breath. Seth hugged her again.
“Thanks for being here” Cori said hugging him in return.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Make your calls, babe.” He encouraged. Cori nodded and found the number of the facility she hoped would take the woman and her children.
“This is Michelle Standers” Cori heard as the phone was answered.
“Hi Michelle, this is Cori Lewis from Hannah’s House in Texas.”
“Hi” Michelle answered c
autiously “How can I help you? What’s the trouble you have?”
Cori briefly explained the police and her involvement and asked if the woman and her children could come.
“Absolutely” answered Michelle “When?”
“I don’t know that yet. She is pretty injured. Her doctor will have to release her and the kids.”
“I have the space for whenever. Do you want me to contact the police?”
“That would work for me. Here is the officer’s name.” Cori read off the information for Keith and then thanked Michelle for her help. The two women disconnected.
“Where is this place?” Seth asked as they walked back to the police officers.
“Vermont. I went there to visit when I was planning mine. It is beautiful, restful, secluded. I planned my security the same as hers.”
“Yours is thorough.”
“Hers is just as thorough if not more. I haven’t been in a couple of years. We talk by email frequently though.”
Seth pulled Cori to a stop “You are amazing, Miss Lewis. I’m so glad I know you.”
“Thank you. I just need to help this woman.”
“I know.” Seth answered. When they reached Jaime’s hospital room, Keith was on the phone and Cori assumed it was Michelle. When he disconnected, he spoke.
“You’re good.” He said happily. “She’ll be here in the morning.”
“That stays in this room, gentlemen. The same with my involvement. Publicity in our situation is a bad thing. If you need a story, I’m the department’s victim’s assistance officer. My name is Julie Forrest.”
“Yes ma’am.” They answered.
“I’m going to go see Jaime and tell her the news then I step out of the picture and Michelle steps in. She’s great at what she does.”
“Thank you, Cori” Keith’s supervisor said shaking her hand. “We’ll take care of Jaime until she doesn’t need us anymore.”
“Thank you” Cori answered. Jaime was still awake when Cori returned to her room.
“Hi, you are supposed to sleep.” She gently scolded.
“Did you?” Jaime asked
“I was unconscious and my husband was dead. He ran from the police and wrapped his car around a tree.”
“Oh” Jaime said.
“Okay, let me tell you what is going to happen. A friend of mine from Vermont will be here in the morning. Her name is Michelle Standers but you keep that to yourself. She’s going to take care of everything and keep you safe. Trust me, trust her. But remember, she and you need the privacy so do exactly what she says. I won’t see you again before you leave here for my safety and yours. Take care of yourself. Think positive that this will be resolved and take it one day at a time. I’ll keep in touch with Michelle.”