Forever Trust In Who We Are

Chapter LXIII

 "Y—yeah... n—no... this piece of...of... t—this thing just stole my only coin!" James stammered, kicking the machine with contempt one last time.


Shooting him a sympathetic look, George stepped forward, suddenly rising his big arms to grab the upper edge of the vending machine, then turned to James, tilting his head in an inviting gesture to come and join him. Confused and embarrassed, James did as he asked.


"Alright, push on three, one... two... three!" And both pushed the at the top of the machine, lifting the front in the air.


"Now, at three, let go and back away quickly," George instructed. "One... two... three!" And both let the machine fall loudly into place, preceded by the sound of something traveling down a duct, until a can of soda appeared in the slot.


Waggling his eyebrows with a smug smile, George leaned down to pick up the soda can, and handed it to James. "It's an old trick."

"T—thanks!" Scratching his head James giggled nervously, taking the soda from his hand and quickly producing the pill's bottle from his jacket. Feeling observed by Kristen's father, he felt compelled to explain, "I—I just had a root canal two days ago, so, I'm under medication." With a loud click he opened the can.

George nodded waiting for James to wash down his painkillers, his speculative eyes registering his wounded knuckles as he manipulated the pill's bottle. Meanwhile, James wondered in worry what the man wanted from him. Fortunately he didn't have to wait long, as soon as James had finished, Kristen's dad went on, "So, we need to install an eye bolt in the ceiling to lift Kristen's leg. I think I have one in my garage, do you have a drill at home or do you want me to also bring mine?"


"A drill?" James asked confused, tucking a half dyed lock of hair behind his ear.


"Yes! Do you have one at home?"


"At home? M—my home?"


"Yeah, your home Don't you two live together?"

"Y—yeah..."

"So, we need to make preparations to take Kristen there."


"M—my place?"


"Yes!"


"D—did she said so?" James's heart took a leap, staring incredulous at George.


"Yes, she wants to go home. Your home." George frowned, "Is everything alright?"


She's coming home! Hope shone timidly through his dark thoughts, but then her earlier plea came to his mind, "Please, I beg you... don't lose it in front of my parents, I don't want them all over us, questioning if we're having problems..." And he quickly replied, "Y—yeah, o—of course! I just... I thought... I mean, Mrs. Martinez had said..."


"Rose wants to take Kristen home, but the kid doesn't want to."


"She doesn't?" Unable to hide his bewilderment, he looked entreatingly at Kristen's dad, whom just studied him suspiciously.


"Son, I'll ask you again, is everything all right?"

Trying to answer with all the confidence he could muster, James straightened up, taking a deep breath and replied, "Yes, sir. And, no, I don't have a drill."

"Okay, then. She's about to be released, once she's out you'll drive her home, while I go pick up my tools and meet you there."

"I will, sir."

"Fine."

Though the news of Kristen going home with him had given James some kind of relief, he didn't go back upstairs to see her, and rather stayed in the waiting room, dozing on a plastic chair while the painkillers worked their magic, waiting for her to be released. About an hour passed until the murmur of familiar voices made him turn in their direction, to find George strolling out of the elevator pushing Kristen forward in the wheelchair, while Rose and Penny followed behind, engaged in merry conversation.



James stood up watching them come his way, his attention first captured by Kristen's stiff leg pointing straight at him, immobilized by a huge cast that went from her foot to above her knee, but then his sight was immediately drawn to the pleading look in Kristen's eyes.



"Baby," she addressed him lovingly the moment they were face to face. For a moment James stared perplexed at her, surprised by her sudden sweetness, but then, as if reading his confusion, she grabbed his hand regarding him intently, and added with a brighter tone, "let's go home," slightly squeezing his hand, in hope he would take the hint. Taking a quick peek up at George, James nodded in silence.


"...don't worry, I won't let her," Rose finished her sentence as she and Penny finally caught up with them.


"What are you two conspiring about?" Kristen inquired, eyeing them suspiciously.


"Talk to the lawyer, Kiki!" Penny replied.


"Oh, that."