After that night at our home, I moved Mom and Cecilia to a hospital on the outskirts of Voyage City. Cecilia had internal injuries and bruises across her ribs. Mom's injuries were minor marks on her neck and a deep bruise on her arm. Me? Not a scratch. I did not understand it. I stayed by their bedsides every day until the doctors said they were stable.
The scene opens again in the hospital. I walk back in with a paper bag of fruit. The room smells like disinfectant and overripe oranges.
"Harry, you don't have to do this, son," Mom says. She pushes herself up against the pillows. Her smile is tired but warm. "I am already getting better."
"Thank you, Harry," Cecilia says. She takes the bag from my hand. Her eyes light up. "You bought an apple. Nice."
"Here, Mom." I pull out a mesh of oranges and set it on her lap. "I heard it boosts your vitamins. You should take it."
"Thank you so much, Harry," Mom says. She pats the edge of the bed. Her voice is thick. "You have done too much for us. We are very grateful." She gestures for me to sit close.
Cecilia peels her apple. Curiosity flickers in her eyes. "But how did you get enough money to do all these things?"
"Well, I have been saving money a lot, Mom… hehe…" I say. I smile, but it feels tight on my face. Nervous. "You know what they say. Save for rainy days."
I can't tell them Alice gave me money. To be fair, she was devastated when she heard what happened to my family.
Two days ago
The school field stood empty under a washed-out sky. Alice was the only figure on the grass. She wore a jean jacket and jeans. A blue cap was pulled low over her eyes. A water bottle dangled from her hand. Her shoulders rose and fell with shallow breaths. Exhaustion weighed on her posture. She looked drained.
Harrison stormed across the grass toward her. His jaw was set. Anger burned behind his eyes and tightened his chest.
Alice spotted him. Any minute now… The thought flicked through her mind. She smiled anyway. It was easy and practiced. "Hey there, Harry. What brings you here?"
"You." Harrison's voice cut sharp across the field. "How could you? Why did you do this to us?" He closed the distance and grabbed her by the collar. His knuckles went white against the denim.
Alice's eyes went wide. She flinched. "What did I do?" Shock colored her tone, deliberate and clean. "Let go of me."
"Haven't you people taken enough from us?" His breath came hot and fast. His face was inches from hers. "Why did you do it? Why did you tell your father where we live? Why did you tell him I ever met you?"
"What the hell is your problem, dude?" A frown creased her brow. Confusion lined her face, careful and measured. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't screw with me!" He tightened his grip. The fabric of her jacket twisted in his fist. The collar dug into her neck.
"I don't know what you're talking about, dude, and let go of me. You're hurting me!" Alice struggled against him. Her hands pushed at his wrist. Her eyes pleaded. Tears gathered at the corners, glassy and bright.
Alice's voice cracked. "I don't know what you're talking about, dude, and let go of me. You're hurting me!" She struggled in his grip. Her eyes pleaded. Tears gathered at the corners, bright and quick.
Harrison saw them. His stomach dropped. The rage drained from his face. It was replaced by sudden horror. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He released her. His hands shook at his sides. "I…"
Alice rubbed her collar. She rolled her neck once. Her expression softened into something careful. "It's fine. How about we talk about what happened?"
A few minutes later
They sat on the bleachers. The wood was cold and damp against their legs. The field stayed empty.
"So that's what happened," Harrison said. His voice was hollow. Stripped bare. "Plus the lawyer gave us six months maximum to pay off our debts." His throat closed. He broke. Tears slipped out before he could stop them. "I… I don't know what to do. Plus I have to still pay interest if I delay." He wiped his face with his sleeve. The fabric came away wet. "I thought we could live a normal life. Be happy. But no matter what we do… we keep getting stuck. Am I cursed?"
Alice reached out. Her hand rested on his arm. Her voice was gentle. Measured. "It's okay, Harrison. Everything is going to be okay. I understand where your frustration is coming from, but I wasn't aware of any of this. I haven't been in touch with my father in weeks now. I had no idea he was in town."
"I got so mad that I did things I did not mean to," Harrison admitted. His gaze dropped to the ground. Shame pulled his shoulders down. "I hurt some of his henchmen. They had families. I wonder how they'll feel when they see their family hurt like that." He sighed. The sound was heavy. "And they looked a lot like policemen. Or weren't they?"
Alice paused. Her eyes studied his face. She placed her hand over his. Her touch was calm. Deliberate. "Well, they are not police officers," she said. Her tone stayed even. "Though they are under his influence. He doesn't use officers to do his dirty work. My dad's a piece of shit ready to do whatever to get what he wants. It pretty much seems to me he wants to get that money back by all means but his motives are unclear."
"I'll never let him do that," Harrison said. Resolve hardened his jaw. Then it cracked. "Wait. Can't we just report him to the cops? Maybe cops in another state?"
Alice sighed and faced him with sadness in her eyes as if devoid of hope. "And what do you think they're gonna do?" She faced forward. Her profile was tight. "He's a former politician. Without any backing or evidence, your case is gonna be buried in days." A tear broke free and tracked down her cheek. Her voice dropped. "I honestly don't like my dad. I hate him. But there's only so much I can do from the sidelines."
Harrison lifted his hand. He wiped her tear with his thumb. His expression softened. "It's okay. We'll get through this together. I promise." He pulled her into a hug. Her arms came around him.
As they embraced, Alice's fingers brushed his jacket. She slid the tracker into the inner seam. Her movement was swift and seamless.
They pulled apart at the same time. "Oh, I'm sorry," they chorused.