For Better or For Worse (20 page)

Grant

As soon I left the police
station I went home to the babysitter to get little Greg knowing I
had to get to him before Oden did. I was filled with so much
frustration with Lucy being awake, I wanted to see her but I knew
her father would never let that happen.
Damn, out of all the times he picked to show up. Why couldn’t
that bastard have stayed where he was? Damn!
I thought. I picked up a nearby chair and wanted to smash it
but thought against it. “What’s wrong dad?” my son asked me while I
paced the living room floor back and forth. I turned to him I
almost forgot he was there. “Nothing son, I just got a lot on my
mind.” “Is it about mama?” I glanced his way I could tell he looked
disturbed. I exhaled trying to remain calm in front of my
child.

“
Yeah kid it is…but its ok
because we are going to see her real soon….matter of fact we are
going right now go put your jacket on.” Little Greg raced to his
closet. I grabbed my keys and wallet and headed for the door, I was
going to see my wife even if it killed me and whoever didn’t like
it could surely kiss my… At the exact moment as I opened the door I
was greeted by Oden and Detective Trent. Immediately I thought
something was wrong. “What happened? Is Lucy alright?” “Everything
is fine Mr. Smith I just need a moment of your time.” My anger was
showing and I wasn’t trying to hide it. “I think you have had
enough of my time today Detective, I want to talk to my
wife.”

“
Like hell you will.” Oden
barged through the door. I swear I was going to clock that man if
little Greg hadn’t come into the room. “Grandpa.” He yelled running
into Oden’s arms. “When did you get here big man?” Greg asked
slapping his grandfather’s chest making Oden laugh. “I just arrived
here lil man.” “Well daddy is going to take me to go see mommy.”
“Oh he is..” He said giving me a side look. “Well kid how about I
take you.” Oden glanced in my direction. “If that’s ok?” I looked
at him sternly knowing I wouldn’t dare act a fool in front of my
son so I reluctantly nodded. “Yaaaaay.”Little Greg cheered. While
oden and little Greg headed for the car I stared at detective
Trent. “So is it back to the station?” I knew that I didn’t have to
go but it would look better on my part if I just cooperated with
the investigation. Detective Trent looked at the couch in the
living area then back at me as if he were asking for a seat, I
nodded. As we sat down the real conversation began, “No Grant we
are not going back to the station. There is no need I’m not
arresting you.” “So it was an accident?” I asked looking at him for
conformation. Detective Trent shook his head. “She said she doesn’t
recall the accident ….” I gasped. “But you still think she was
pushed?” Detective Trent was giving me a questioning look and I
took offense right away. “You can’t possibly think I would do that.
To my own wife man.” “What I think Grant was that you two were at
the same place at the same time the incident took place….now that’s
too much of a coincidence for me. Don’t you think?”

My anger was still burning
at his audacity. He didn’t know me; he didn’t know her, or our
situation. All he knew was what that egg head Oden was telling him
and now he had nerve to sit in my house accusing me. “Look I don’t
know what that bastard has been telling you but I have never hurt
my wife.” Detective Trent looked at me with a blank expression that
most cops used when they didn’t want anyone to read them and
nodded. “How do I know that?”

Chapter
20

I don’t know you
anymore

Lucy

I cringed while laying in
the hospital bed wondering how on earth I got here. My medication
was wearing off and I was starting to feel the pain in my
body.
Damn,
I
thought.
Just my luck.
At the moment little Greg burst through the room. “Mama.” He
yelled as he ran into my arms. “Easy kid mommy is still hurt.” My
dad eased in and gleamed as my son and I reunited. “Hey sweetie.”
“I have missed you mama.” I smiled seeing my baby boy. “I have
missed you too. You look so much bigger before I know it you’ll be
grown honey.”
He giggled but then his face
grew sullen. “Grandpa told me you fell down the stairs.” I sent I
sharp look in my father’s direction and he eased back. “Yes but
mommy is going to be just fine.” I said to him smiling. “You sure
mama? Daddy brought me in to see you while you were sleep and you
didn’t look so good.” My heart stopped when I heard that.
Grant came to see me? I always did think he came
but I wasn’t sure.
“Daddy brought you to
see me?” My father grew intensely quiet in the corner not wanting
to hear Grants name.

“
Yeah mama, we came and
saw you every day. Daddy said you were sleeping like sleeping
beauty and we had to wait until you woke up.” My son explained to
me. I couldn’t help but admit it touched my heart that Grant
stilled cared, but where was he now? I patted my son on his head.
“Well thank you for being there for me baby.” After a while little
Greg began playing around the room with stethoscopes and gloves.
While he was distracted I decided to direct my attention to my
father. I looked at him intently. He looked offended. “What?” “Why
did you tell him what happened…. The poor thing is probably going
to have nightmares dad.” He leaned in close to me. “Why didn’t you
tell me your so called husband has been abusing you.” “What!” I
shrilled. My face was blank and I felt cold. “Greg.” He looked up
at me. “Ma’am?” “Honey go and get some snacks from the machine and
let one of the nurses help you.” My dad took out a few dollars Greg
quickly grabbed them and bolted for the door. As soon as he was out
of sight, I turned back to my father.

“
Now what are you talking
about?” My dad looked at me with a disapproving look. “Greg told me
everything, what type of man does that in front of his own child?”
Now knowing what he was talking about I sighed while my eyes
pleaded with him. “It wasn’t that serious we…” “It wasn’t that
serious?” He cut in. “Greg said that he grabbed you and that you
were crying.” I exhaled needing some more meds. “He didn’t hit me.”
“But he was going to?” Oden spoke sternly. I was on the verge of
tears ashamed to admit to my own father how reckless my marriage
had become. “He didn’t dad. He wouldn’t hurt me.” He shook head and
leaned back into his chair. “Until now.”

At those words my heart
sank into my stomach. “What do you mean?” My dad gave me a rough
stare that said everything. I shook my head. “No, Grant didn’t do
this dad.” “How do you know…you don’t remember what happened.” I
was in disbelief and very uncomfortable, how could he say something
like this, I always knew my father hated Grant but this was a new
low. “Grant could never hurt me daddy.” He scoffed. “Yeah because
he has proven that time and time again.” “Dad that is a whole other
situation, you are practically saying my husband tried to kill me.”
My dad saw how frantic I was and eased off. “What I am saying is
the police have yet to rule him out. He was the only one who was
there when you fell …that’s why he is being questioned.” I was
hurting physically and emotionally and it was unbearable.
Questioned...he is being
questioned
. “He…he is a suspect?” I asked
shocked by what I was hearing. He nodded. “Look Lucy I can’t say
for sure that Grant did this but then again I can’t say he didn’t.”
My father drew me into his arms as tears streamed down my face. I
couldn’t believe that my husband could actually hurt me but then
again I couldn’t believe a lot of the things he had done so
far.

Oden

Little Greg began to doze
off on the sofa cushion next to his mother who was drifting in and
out as well. As they slept I chatted with Detective Trent outside
sure not to wake them. “So what are you saying…you can’t charge
him?” Detective Trent exhaled. “No I can’t.” “But he was there he
had motive. Kill the wife live happily ever after with the pregnant
mistress.” I leaned against the wall not understanding why the hell
nobody saw fault in the situation. Trent shook his head at my
constant pushing for answers. “But there is no concrete evidence
just insinuation…..plus she doesn’t even remember if she was pushed
or not.” “But doesn’t mean he didn’t do it.” “Listen...” Detective
Trent rubbed his temples having had enough. “There are no witness,
no fingerprints, nothing that links him to being the one that
pushed your daughter down the stairwell other than he was
there.”

I perked up just
remembering incriminating evidence. “But he has hit her before, so
that’s a history of violence.” Detective Trent glanced to the side
to avoid eye contact. “Well he didn’t actually hit her.” “You
know?” He nodded. “Yeah he told me.” I was in shock. “Well what the
hell are you doing then man?” He looked at me sternly getting tired
of all the craziness I was ensuing on him. “Look my hands are tied.
I have done what I could for you being that you and my Captain go
way back, but we have reached the end of our rope.” I found the
nearest chair and flopped down wondering what the hell I was going
to do next. “Ok…how do I keep him away from my daughter?” Detective
Trent leaned back against the wall. “I don’t see how that is
possibly they have a child together.” I shook my head not willing
to admit defeat. “Doesn’t matter, if I can get a court order saying
he is a danger to her and the child he’ll get barred access...”
“You can’t do that …he was questioned not under investigation or
charged. Listen you don’t want to make things more difficult than
they already are. You don’t want to go too far with this Oden.” I
chuckled at his comment; obviously he didn’t know me to well. “I
can’t go far enough to protect my family.”

Grant

I managed to creep in Lucy
hospital room without being spotted. I didn’t care if Oden had a
SWAT team ready to take me out, I was going to see my wife and no
devil in hell was going to stop me. I saw little Greg resting on
the arm chair and made sure not to disturb his sleep. I walked to
Lucy, although badly bruised I still thought she was the most
beautiful thing in the world. I leaned over and pressed my lips
against hers, the feel of my mouth must have woke up my sleeping
beauty. Her eyes fluttered as she arose to me over her. “Grant.”
She said in suspense, looking surprised I was there. “Hey baby,
I’ve been waiting to see you.” “What are you doing here?” she
looked confused and scared. “What do you mean what am I doing
here….I needed to see you…you didn’t want to see me?” A panicked
look swept across her face and I picked up on it. “No. No you can’t
possibly believe…”

I rose to my feet. “Oden…he
told you I did it didn’t he... And you believe him come on.” Lucy
eased back not knowing what to do. “I didn’t say that.” “You don’t
have to.” I cut her off. “How could you let that man poison your
mind to think I would try to hurt you?” Lucy tried to calm me down.
“Grant listen…” at that moment Oden and Detective Trent walked in.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Oden yelled. “Lucy did he hurt
you?” “What?” I exclaimed. “No dad.” She spoke up not wanting
anything to go down between me and her father. “So I guess you came
to finish what you started huh?” Oden smirked. “You bastard…You’re
a fool you know that?” Oden stepped toward me with rage and I was
ready when he was. “Dad?” Little Greg said sleepily. “Hey kid.” I
walked over to my son but oden intervened. “It’s alright Greg, go
back to sleep. Your father was just leaving.” “Excuse me?” I
exclaimed. Alright I was going to lay this old man out. “Guys!”
Detective Trent spoke up. “Let’s take this outside.” We nodded and
slowly eased toward the door. I looked back at Lucy, she looked on
helplessly at the situation as we got of ear shot of her and
Greg.

Oden was still looking for
a fight. “Look, I meant what I said for the time being you are
going to stay away from them.” Oden said jamming his finger at me.
I laughed finding his threats hilarious. “Yeah because you’re going
to stop me? I got half the mind to put you in a hospital bed.” Oden
smiled as well. “Oooh threating me huh? That’s not going to look
good when a judge hears that.” I smirked. “Oh you’re going to the
court of law to try to keep me away.” “You’re damn right especially
with a protective order.” I glared at him. “I’m sure if I contacted
a judge and told him that you are a suspect in my daughter’s
accident he wouldn’t mind giving me one…especially with your prior
record.” I shook my head in disbelief at how far this man was
willing to go to keep me away from my family. He was so filled with
venom it wasn’t even funny. “Yeah so take this as a warning stay
away from Lucy…Or your main concern will be not to drop the soap.”
and with that Oden walked back into Lucy’s room. I fell back
against the wall trying to figure out how to clean up this very
nasty mess I had made out of my life. There was no way in hell I
was going to let Oden keep me away from my own family. Detective
Trent leaned over my way, watching me in my pitiful state. “He
really doesn’t like you does he?” He spoke up. “I have noticed.” I
said still glaring. “Well.” He straightened up his coat and turned
to leave. “You better get ready for war.” and walked off. I nodded.
“Trust me….. I’m ready.”

Chapter 21

Don’t Want to Lose
You

Grant/2002

Weeks had passed since the
debacle over the holidays and Lucy was still mad at me. As she
prepared dinner I could hear her in the kitchen slamming the plates
on the table. I shook my head and flipped through the channels on
my big screen. I couldn’t believe that she was still resentful
toward me after all this time. Maybe I shouldn’t have used our
relationship to dig at her father but I had to show her what he was
really like, that he would never accept me as her man, but maybe I
went about it the wrong way. I got up and walked to the kitchen and
stared at her as she slopped our food around our plates. “Baby we
need to talk.” She sighed and glared at me. “No.” Lucy continued to
throw food on our plates… and the floor. “Woman before you have our
food all over the table tell me what’s on your mind.”