Pieces of a Puzzle
Chapter One
***************
Gary quietly closed the front door and locked it, before turning to lean his tired body against it. He sighed deeply, trying to muster enough energy to climb the flight of stairs to his bedroom.
Slowly, he put one foot in front of the other and made his way up the stairs and into his bathroom where he got ready for bed. When he was done, he walked over to his side of the bed, where currently, Cat had taken up residence.
"Shoo!" Gary whispered harshly.
"Meow!"
"You heard me. Scat!"
Reluctantly, Cat got up and moved to the foot of the bed, before curling up in a ball.
Carefully, so as not to wake Bailey, Gary climbed into bed. He inhaled the scent of the freshly laundered sheets and began to relax.
Bailey turned her body towards his and wrapped her arms around him. "He was only keeping your spot warm. Rough night?"
Once again he sighed. "Mmm hmm," he responded as he placed his arms around her.
"Wanna talk about it?"
"No....not really."
"You work too hard, Gary."
"What else am I supposed to do?" he asked sharply.
"You could let someone help you. You could let me help you," she replied.
He raised his hand to run it across his face. "Bailey, we've discussed this," he said, before moving his arm from around her and turning his back to her.
Bailey knew the conversation had ended and once again, Gary was the winner. She would let it go, for now. Tonight he was too tired and it was late. They could have this discussion another time--and they would.
She maneuvered herself so she was sitting up and began to massage Gary's shoulders and back. She heard him moan softly. Slowly, the tension in his muscles relaxed and he raised one hand up to grasp hers.
"I'm sorry," he apologized.
She leaned down and kissed his shoulders softly. "Shh, just go to sleep. You need the rest."
He squeezed her hand before drifting off to sleep.
*~*
"Meow!" *thump*
As Gary woke up, he became aware of the familiar feeling of Bailey's body curled up next to him.
"Meow!" the cat repeated.
Bailey stretched, causing her body to move closer to his, making him wish he could forget about the paper and stay in bed with his wife.
"Meow!!" Came the cry, more insistent this time.
"Morning," she smiled before getting up and making her way to the door. She opened it, and Cat walked into the room and rubbed against her leg. She squatted down next to the cat and scratched his head. "You think you could give Gary a break today? He's really tired."
"Meow."
"Well, it was worth a try," she said as she stood up and handed Gary, who had gotten out of bed, the paper.
"What's all this?" he asked as he waved his hand to the suitcase filled with clothes.
Chapter Two
***************
"Gene and I are going to your parents' this weekend. You forgot......that's okay. You've been so busy lately," Bailey stated.
Gary plopped down on the bed and ran his hand across his face. "I'm sorry."
Bailey sat down next to him and placed her hand on his leg. "Gary, why don't you come with us?" she suggested.
"I can't! I have this," he growled as he held up the paper.
"You take Gene to your parents, and I'll take care of the paper."
"No.....this is my responsibility. I'll take care of it," he said sternly.
"Gary, you're my responsibility too. Why don't you let me take care of you?" she replied as she gently squeezed his leg.
Gary took her hand in his. "Bailey, you take very good care of me. It's just......well, the paper comes to me. So I am responsible," Gary told her as he let go of her hand and stood.
"I worry about you, Gary."
His shoulders drooped slightly before he turned to face her. "I'm okay.....really I am. I promise, one day I'll be able to take you and Gene away for a weekend. Maybe even a real vacation," he said as he placed his hand on his heart.
"Gary, the vacation isn't what I'm worried about. I'm worried about you."
"I'm fine."
Bailey still wasn't convinced. Something was gnawing away at Gary and she knew it, but she couldn't get him to share.
She smiled slightly. "Okay...I'm going to go on downstairs and start breakfast. Any requests?"
"No, whatever you fix will be fine."
*~*
"Pawpaw....Gammaw!" Gene chanted as Gary carried him into the kitchen.
"Yes, we are going to see Gammaw and Pawpaw today," Bailey answered.
"Ew too?" Gene asked as he looked at his dad.
"Listen partner, I would like to come with you, but I just can't," Gary tried to explain.
"Ew come too!" Gene insisted.
"I wish I could, but I have responsibilities."
Gene stuck out his bottom lip and it began to quiver. "No!" Gene snapped, before the tears started to fall down his cheeks. Gary looked over at Bailey, who raised an eyebrow.
"I tell you what, partner. I'll do my best to get things taken care of and meet you at Gammaw and Pawpaw's. Okay? Come on now. Don't cry."
Gene's tears stopped and he sniffed as Gary wiped the tears from his face.
Bailey sighed as she took Gene and placed him in his high chair.
She walked back over to Gary. "It's one thing to make promises to me that you won't keep, but don't make them to our son," she whispered angrily.
"I *will* try to be there," Gary said defensively.
She raised an eyebrow. "I certainly hope you do, because your son will be jumping at every car that drives by, hoping it's his daddy."
Gary ran his hand across the back of his neck. "I do my best, Bailey. I don't know what more you want out of me."
"Oh, Gary...." she began as she reached her hand out to touch him.
"I'm gonna go take a shower," he declared as he moved away from her touch and walked out of the room.
*~*
Bailey and Gene were finishing breakfast when Gary rushed down the stairs and into the kitchen.
"Hey partner! Daddy's gotta run now, but I want you and Mommy to have a great time at Gammaw and Pawpaw's. You be good," Gary said as he hugged
his son.
"And you be careful on the drive," Gary said as he placed his hand on the side of Bailey's face.
"Gary, I'm sorry."
He quieted her with a kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too. Are you not going to eat?"
"Don't have time. I'll grab something later. Be careful!"
"You too, Gary. Please!?"
"I'll be fine. I love you," he said again, before he rushed out of the house.
Chapter Three
***************
Bailey pulled her jeep into the driveway at Lois and Bernie's house. Both came out to greet Bailey and Gene before she even had time to turn off the ignition.
Lois opened the car door. "How's my baby? Oh my goodness! Look how you have grown!" she exclaimed as she got Gene out of his car seat and hugged him.
Bailey got out and made her way around to the passenger side of the jeep where Bernie gave her a big hug.
"How's my girl?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she answered as she returned his hug.
Lois finally turned her attention to Bailey. "Hi, sweetheart. Did you have a good trip?"
"Yes, we did. The traffic was light and we made good time. And Gene here wasn't fussy," she said as she reached out and ruffled his hair.
"Oh, poo. He's never fussy. Are you?" she asked Gene, who giggled in response.
"Gary couldn't make it?" Lois asked sadly.
"He's busy," Bailey responded briefly.
Lois opened her mouth to say something, and Bailey quickly shook her head and glanced down at Gene.
Lois, realizing that Gene had wanted his daddy to come, dropped the subject.
*~* "Gary, why don't you go home? You're beat," Marissa suggested.
Gary raised his head to look at her. "No.....there's nothing to go home to."
"Have you eaten?" she inquired.
He chuckled softly. "All right, I get your message. Are you sure you'll be okay if I go home?"
"Gary!"
"I know, I know. You're more than capable of handling things."
"I'm not Superwoman, Gary. Just as you aren't Superman. We all need help from time to time. Sometimes we may have to ask for that help...or, accept it when someone offers," Marissa stated.
Gary rubbed his hand across his face as he contemplated her words.
"Marissa......I think it's time to get you some help around here. Jake is great, but he's not enough. Why don't you put an ad in the paper?" Gary suggested.
Marissa smiled. "Gary, I was talking about you, not me."
"I know you were. But you need more time off too. You have a husband at home, and I'm sure he would like to spend more time with you."
"Yes, Gary, he would......"
Gary took hold of her hand. "Marissa, getting you some help is a problem I can easily solve. My problems are a little harder. Let me take care of the easy ones first."
"Of course, Gary. But if I can....."
Gary kissed her on the cheek. " 'Night, Marissa."
Marissa sighed. "Good night, Gary."
*~*
Gary leaned on the door of the refrigerator, scanning the contents. Bailey had fixed several meals and put them in containers for him, but eating them without her made them unappetizing.
He walked into the living room and turned on the lamp next to his recliner, before sitting down.
He sighed heavily as he stretched his long legs out and yawned. He spied a letter on the table next to his chair and picked it up. It was from Eve. He pulled the letter out and began to read it.
Dear Bailey and Gary,
I just wanted to write you a quick letter to let you know how things are
going for me here. I love my grandparents. They have lots of pictures of
my mother and tell me lots of stories about her. I find I miss her less now
that I am with them.
I have a great room and Grandpa is teaching me to ride. I am having so
much fun. I'm going to summer school to catch up on the classes I missed
last year. There is an art school near here that I've applied to and I'm
waiting to hear back from. I hope I get in.
There's also this guy in my class who is so cute. But I'll have to write
more about him later. I've got to go now. I just wanted to say hi, and
thanks again for all your help.
Hope to see you soon,
Eve
Gary smiled as he placed the letter back in the envelope and returned it to the table. Saves like Eve made this whole paper thing worthwhile, but he still wondered if he could keep doing it.
He closed his eyes and placed his hands behind his head, when the phone rang.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Hi, Gary. Are you okay? I called McGinty's and Jake said you had gone home," Bailey told him.
"I'm fine. I think I was bugging Marissa so she sent me home," he tried to make a joke.
He could hear Gene in the background. "Just a second, honey. Let me talk to Daddy first," he heard Bailey say.
"Are you having a good time?" Gary asked.
"Yes, we are. How about you? Another hard day?"
"Oh, the usual. Hit and run, choking, grease fire, drive by shooting," he replied as he held up a finger for each incident.
Worry knotted Bailey's brow. "You were able to take care of all of them?"
"Yes, fortunately."
"Gary, I love you."
"I know you do, Hon. I love you, too."
"No, Gary. I really.....I, well, I want you to know that I do. I tell you every day but I don't want you to think it's out of habit. You really are a special man...."
Gary blushed in spite of himself. "I...well, it's good to know. Thank you."
She smiled. "Are you blushing?"
Gary couldn't help but laugh. "You caught me."
Bailey laughed also. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"That's okay." He dropped his head and lowered his voice. "It's nice to hear you say it."
"Daddy!! Daddy!!!! Daddy!!!" Gene repeated insistently.
"Your son is demanding to talk to you," Bailey said as she handed over the phone.
Gene began to chatter into the phone, and Gary didn't understand most of what he said. He swallowed the lump in his throat. "You don't say?" he responded. "I wish I could have been there for that."
"Ew come tomowwow?"
"We'll see, son."
"Mommy say haffa go," Gene said sadly.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow, partner. Good night."
"Night, night. Wuv ew."
"I love you, too."
"Hon, I better go so I can put Gene to bed," Bailey said as she took the phone from her son. Before Gary could reply, he heard his mother's voice in the background.
"Are you ready for bed? How about Gammaw read you a bedtime story?" Lois asked. "You go ahead and finish talking to Gary and I'll tuck Gene in."
"Thank you, Lois......I'm sorry about that, Gary. Your mom is putting Gene to bed for me."
"He sounds like he's having fun, although I couldn't understand most of what he said."
Bailey laughed softly. "He was wired for sound tonight. Are you doing okay?"
"I miss you guys."
"We miss you, too......We can come home in the morning," Bailey suggested.
"No..no. Gene needs this time with Mom and Dad, and you could use a break too."
"A break? From you? Oh Gary! You don't think that, do you?"
When he didn't answer, Bailey said, "Gary, I wish you would tell me what I could do for you. I'm just at a loss as to how to help you."
"I keep telling you I'm fine. It's late. We'll talk tomorrow," he said curtly.
"Gary!"
"Good night, Hon. I love you," he said quickly, cutting her off.
"I love you, too," she said as she heard the dial tone.
Gary sat with his hand on the phone, debating if he should call her back, when the doorbell rang.
Chapter Four
***********
Gary opened the door to find Chuck standing there holding two brown bags next to his face, grinning ear to ear.
"Hey, buddy. I hope you haven't eaten. I stopped by Woo Ling's on the way over," Chuck said as he walked past Gary into the house.
"Chuck," Gary stated flatly as his eyes followed Chuck as he passed. Gary stuck his head out the door and looked back and forth. "Where's Emily?" he asked as he shut the door and followed Chuck into the kitchen.
"She's not speaking to me," Chuck answered simply.
"What did you do now?"
Chuck looked perturbed. "And why would you assume I did something?"
"Oh, I don't know." Gary paused as he cocked his head. "Just a funny feeling I have."
"Thanks, Gar! You sure know how to cheer a guy up."
Gary began opening the little white boxes to see what Chuck had brought. "So what happened?" he wondered.
"You know women. You say one thing, they hear another." Chuck began opening drawers and shutting them till he found a fork. "Can't eat with those darn chopsticks." He looked up at Gary, who was waiting for an explanation. "Oh, right. I asked her a simple question and she got mad at me. That is what happened."
"Really? What exactly did you ask her?" Gary asked as he tried to hide a smile, knowing Chuck's propensity to stick his foot in his mouth.
Chuck stabbed a piece of beef from his Moo Goo Gui Pan and stuck it in his mouth. "Well, I told her since I stayed at her house so much anyway,
it would be cheaper if I moved in with her."
Gary laughed.
"What?" Chuck demanded.
"Nothing. You sure have a way with words," he replied, shaking his head.
"Well, not all of us have your ability to charm the ladies."
Gary blushed. "Yeah, I've got charm alright!" he said sarcastically.
Chuck stuffed a bite of egg roll in his mouth. "Hmph! You've got a beautiful wife and child. I'd say you got charm."
"No....I just got very lucky."
"Yeah! You're pretty good in that department too. You get tomorrow's newspaper a day early. How lucky is that? Of course you still don't see the paper's full potential," he commented, shaking his head sadly.
Gary frowned at Chuck.
"What?" Chuck feigned innocence.
Gary groaned before he sat down.
"Hey, bud. Is something wrong? Bailey didn't really leave ya, did she? You didn't make up the story about her going to your parents'?" Chuck asked, dropping his voice to a whisper.
"No, she didn't leave me and yes, she is really at my parents'."
"Ah, I see. You're a little down cause you couldn't go too?"
"That obvious, huh?"
Chuck shrugged his shoulders. "Why don't you go?"
"Well now, that's a stupid question, isn't it?"
Chuck looked offended. "You been like this long? Maybe Bailey was glad to get away for a few days," he snapped back.
Gary ran his hand across his face. "You're probably right."
"Aww, hey. Come on now. I didn't mean it, Gar." Gary placed his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his hand, lost
in thought.
"Gar?"
Gary took a deep breath before he spoke.
"What would you say, if I told you I had decided to stop getting the paper?"
Chapter Five
********
"What would you say if I told you I had decided to stop getting the paper?"
"I'd say, let me take it," Chuck laughed, then sobered as he saw Gary's expression. "You're serious? Can you do that? Just stop getting the paper?"
Gary shrugged. "Remember when I told you about the time I saw my obituary in the paper, and I got trapped in that old carpet store?"
Chuck nodded.
"And I saw Snow," Gary said hesitantly.
"Mmm hmm. I remember."
"Well, he told me then, that it was my choice. It always had been."
"But why now? Why after all this time and all that you've been through with the paper, do you not want it any more?"
Gary laughed sarcastically. "Why would I want it?"
"Well, for a lot of reasons. Not even including the money you could make, since you don't use it for that anyway. Do you think you could go back to the way it was? I mean, now that you've looked into the future, can you just stop cold turkey?" Chuck wondered.
Gary let out a deep breath. "I'm about to find out."
"Do you think whoever sends the paper will punish you?" Chuck asked, his eyes growing wide with the thought.
"Punish me?"
"Yeah, you know...make your life jinxed or something?"
"I don't know. I never thought about that," Gary stated.
"Well, maybe you should think about it, buddy. You know, once you stop taking that paper, you lose all advance notice of tragedies. Including your own. This is a big step to take."
"I just want to live a normal life. Spend time with my wife and son.....maybe have a couple more kids. Is that too much to ask?" Gary wanted to know.
Chuck raised his eyebrows. "You wouldn't think so, but I'm wondering why you need to give up the paper to have that."
"Howzat?" Gary asked as he scratched his head.
"If I remember correctly, you thought you could never get married as long as you were getting the paper, but then the paper led you to Bailey. You told me so yourself."
Gary moved the food around on his plate with a fork before shoving the plate away. "The paper is so demanding."
"So are most jobs if you let them take over your life. You know what your problem is, Gar? You worry too much. You over think things instead of just letting them work themselves out. Life is like a puzzle and the pieces have a way of falling into place."
Gary cocked his head and looked at Chuck. "Who are you and what have you done with Chuck?"
"What?! Is Marissa the only one allowed to give sage advice?"
"Well, it's just not very often that you give it."
"Sometimes I surprise myself. Are we done talking about you now? I've got problems of my own that need solving. What do I do to get Emily to forgive me?" Gary sighed. "Have you tried apologizing?"
"For what? I made her a money saving proposition. All she had to do was answer yes or no. I think she's just looking for a way out," Chuck said as he got up and walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a couple of beers. He popped the caps off before he returned to the table. "It all started New Year's Eve, when she told me that she wanted to start her own business. She quits the show and opens up her own beauty salon, and now this."
"Emily told us she couldn't work with the actors anymore. They were too demanding. I don't think her quitting had anything to do with wanting to break up with you," Gary said, reassuringly.
Chuck began peeling the label off his bottle. "I think Em had the right idea. Show business is for the birds. You know, I'd really like to walk in there tomorrow and say, 'Take this job and ...' Chuck was interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone. "Fishman here," he answered. "When? Well, how soon? That soon, huh?" Chuck let out a deep breath. "Sure. Later."
"Is everything okay?" Gary asked as he sat straighter in his chair.
"The show's been cancelled."
"Howzat?"
"Yep, just like that. They're yanking it, pronto. Can you believe it? Network executives don't know beans about anything."
"Hey, buddy. I'm really sorry."
"Well....it's not like I wasn't thinking about leaving. I just would have liked to leave on my own terms. I guess I'm gonna have to hunt for a job," Chuck mumbled before he took a long drink of his beer. He set the bottle down with a loud thud. "You're not needing any help at McGinty's, are ya?"
"Oh boy."
*~*
Bailey looked down into Gene's crib and softly stroked his hair. He was the miniature version of her husband. Identical in every way, even to the V at the base of his hairline. She leaned over and kissed his forehead before going to her room and climbing into bed.
Before she turned off the lamp on the night stand, she picked up the photo of her and Gary on their wedding day. Gently, she ran her finger over the image, then returned the picture to its original place.
She snuggled under the covers and closed her eyes and tried not to worry about Gary.
*~*
Gary tossed and turned--disturbing dreams invaded his subconscious.
~He strode up the front walk to his house, carrying a bag of groceries and a bouquet of roses. He inserted the key in the lock, but it wouldn't work. He knocked and no one answered. He retraced his steps down to the front walk and turned to face his house.
"Hon! I'm home!" he called out. "Hon?"
An upstairs window opened.
"Happy Anniversary!"
Gary knew this moment. He had lived it before--he knew what was coming.
"Head's up!"
"Marcia?" he uttered under his breath as he stepped back out of the way of the falling suitcase.
He looked up to see Bailey stick her head out of the window.
"Bailey?"
"I see you remembered my name. I'll make it easy for you, Gary. I won't make you choose between me and the paper," she yelled, before disappearing into the house and slamming the window shut.
"I choose you! I don't want the paper any more," he cried out.
"Meow!"
Gary looked around to see the cat sitting on the front porch.
"You hear me? I don't want it any more!"
"Meow!"~
*Click*
"Good morning, Chicago!" The radio blared as it kicked on.
Gary sat upright in bed, his heart racing. He slapped at the alarm till it was quiet.
"Meow!"
Gary slung the covers back, stomped over to the door and yanked it open.
"Meow."
"Meow, yourself. After today, looks like you will have to find yourself a new home," Gary stated as he jerked the paper from under the cat, leaving him to sit and stare after his master.
Chapter Six
******
Gary handed the driver his fare before he got out of the cab and began to scan the crowd. He opened the paper. 'Infant Killed in Mishap at Midway.'
"Mikey Simpson, 6 months old, was pronounced dead at the scene after his stroller rolled into oncoming traffic at the Midway departing gates. He was struck by an airport shuttle van at approximately 7:40 a.m. yesterday.'
Gary stuffed the paper in his back pocket and looked once more for a stroller.
"Rolls into oncoming traffic! Parents should watch their kids better," he grumbled.
He glanced at his watch--7:35 a.m. He scratched his head and wondered if the paper had sent him on a wild goose chase as punishment for his decision about the paper.
"Punish me! That's what you get for listening to Chuck," Gary spat.
A cab pulled up to the curb, several yards away, and a family got out. A mother put her small child into the stroller and pushed it to the back of the cab, where she helped pull suitcases out of the trunk. As she set one on the curb, she bumped the stroller and it began to roll.
"Hey!! THE BABY!!" Gary called out, raising his voice to be heard over the noise, before he began to run.
The mother looked around and realized that it was her child rolling into the path of an oncoming van. She screamed but remained frozen to the spot.
Gary reached the child and jerked the stroller out of harm's way. The baby began to cry, and the mother ran out to retrieve her child.
"Thank you so much," she stated gratefully. "Thank goodness you reacted so quickly. I just froze. My baby would have been killed if not for you."
"You..you're welcome. You might put the brake on next time," Gary suggested.
"Yes, yes, I will. I've learned my lesson. Thank you again," she called after Gary as he walked away.
Gary's mind drifted back to what Chuck had said last night. "Quit that, Hobson. When did you ever take stock in anything Chuck told you?" he mumbled as he checked the headline. Satisfied that it had changed, he looked for the next save.
'Morning Robbery Leaves One Dead.'
'Sandra Watson, an employee for the 7-11 on the corner of 47th and
Cicero Avenue, died yesterday from a gunshot wound to the head. Two men,
described as being in their mid 20s and wearing Chicago Cubs jackets,
entered the store at approximately 8:15 yesterday morning.'
"Looks like I'm gonna have an easy day," Gary said sarcastically as he stuffed the paper in his back pocket. "But that's okay. This is my last day to worry over this stupid thing."
He stuck out his hand to stop a cab and gave the driver the address after climbing in and shutting the door. They made it out of Midway and onto Cicero, when the cab began to smoke and sputter. The driver cursed out loud before pulling over.
"Hey! What are you doing? I need to get to the 7-11."
"Can't you see this cab ain't goin' nowhere, mister?"
Gary mumbled under his breath before he tossed the driver some money and got out of the cab.
After trying unsuccessfully to hail three different cabs, he decided to walk. It wasn't too much further to his destination, and it would probably be quicker on foot than to try and get another cab. He looked at his watch--7:50 a.m. He should have plenty of time.
Time to do what? These guys are armed and are willing to kill someone. He mulled the situation over in his head before his thoughts began to drift.
"Just one more day and I can get up and not know what is going to happen. Just one more day and I can have the kind of life I always wanted. No complications from this thing and no more cat!" he said out loud as he walked.
He thought about the things he would do with his free time. First, he would take his family on a vacation. Then he would teach his son about baseball and football and hockey. He would watch games on tv. He would go to games. He would sleep in with his wife wrapped in his arms.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize he had slowed his pace.
"Meow!" The cat cried as Gary tripped over him.
"What the...?"
"Meow!"
Gary shook his head, trying to clear the view before him. He felt like he was looking through a fish bowl. He blinked rapidly again; the cat was gone and his vision cleared.
Gary continued on his way, grumbling about the paper. Was it possible that Chuck was right about the paper punishing him or causing him to have a jinxed life from now on?
"Think about that later, Hobson, you've got other things to take care of right now," he stated as he walked across the parking lot of the 7-11. He pulled the paper out of his pocket and opened it just as he shoved the door to the convenience store open. He took one step and froze as he saw the headline.
The bell jingled and Gary heard someone cry out. "Look out, Izzy!"
Gary caught a fleeting glance of someone raising their arm as he turned his head in the direction the voice came from. Then there was a flash, followed by a loud pop before he felt a searing pain in his chest.
"Oh man! You shot him, Izzy!! Oh man! Oh man!" Gary heard the same voice cry out, and the clerk began to scream.
Gary clutched his chest as he staggered a couple of steps before losing his balance. He grabbed a newspaper rack next to him for support but brought it crashing down with him--scattering newspapers everywhere.
He heard footsteps and felt the breeze as they jumped across him and ran out of the door. The grip he had on the paper loosened, and it joined the rest of the
scattered papers on the floor. His eyes focused on his watch--8:15 a.m.--before they fluttered shut and blood began to soak the paper, covering the headline, 'Local Bar Owner Dies From Bullet to the Heart.'
Chapter Seven
*******
Music played over the store's intercom system and the words filtered
through to Gary's muddled thoughts.
~I can hear her heartbeat
from a thousand miles
Hear the heaven's open,
every time she smiles
When I come to her,
it's where I belong
Still I'm running to her,
like a rivers song~
"Mister? Hang in there, help is coming--You better hurry," Sandra said into the phone, "he doesn't look good and there's, there's so much blood," she finished, her voice shaky with fear.
Gary's eyes fluttered. He was going to die. He knew it. This was his punishment. He had upset whoever sent the paper and this was the price he would pay.
Memories began to flash through his mind as he closed his eyes.
~*He was sitting in an empty McGinty's.
"Maybe it'd be worth it if there was someone to come home to at night. Someone who cares about you." *~
~*He was in a carpet store, covered by debris.
"Lousy day to die. Sure you wanna do this?" Snow said.
"You brought me here."
"My experience, we all get pretty much where we want to go.......Havin' a problem with that paper aren't ya?"
"I can't do this anymore." *~
~*He was arguing with Brigatti on a street corner.
"You don't even have a life, do ya? Which is fine by me, but cut me some slack. Let me have one."
"I have a job to do."
"I know all about jobs. I'm an expert. Everything's so urgent you get lost. You figure you'll get your life next week or next month. I don't want to suddenly wake up and be 65 years old and say, Gee Gary, you did a great job......But you forgot to get a life." *~
~She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love
She gives me love,
love, love, love, crazy love~
~*Gary was leaning over the railing of the Lake Street Bridge, gripping Bailey's hand before pulling her to safety. "It's okay. I've got you," he said before she wrapped her arms around him.
"Thank you." *~
~*He was standing by Bailey's front door.
He put his hand to her face then leaned his head closer and kissed her softly. He drew back, then kissed her again. "Good night, Bailey. I'll see you soon."
He held onto her hand as he turned to walk away, then slowly let her hand drop. *~
~*He was standing by a closed door in the front of the church.
"Hon, it was only a dream. You're as much my destiny as that darn paper is. I can't run away from you, anymore than I could run away from it and the cat." *~
~*Gary gave a low whistle as Bailey walked towards him, wearing a peach satin nightgown and robe with ivory lace. "My God! You're beautiful."
He moved his hands to her throat where he gingerly ran his fingers down the side and underneath the collar of the robe. His hands lingered there on her shoulders before he dipped his head lightly and touched her lips.*~
Gary was vaguely aware that the clerk had left his side.
~She's got a fine sense of humor,
when I'm feeling low down
When I come home to her,
when the sun goes down
She takes the troubles away
and she takes my grief
Takes away my heartache
in the night like a thief
She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love~
~*He looked down at the mush on his plate. "Is this some kind of joke?" he asked.
"No, that's strained lamb, mashed peas and applesauce," Bailey answered.
"Where's yours? I don't.....why are you feeding me this?"
She sighed heavily. "You're taking all the fun out of the surprise, Gary Hobson."
"This is definitely a surprise."
She walked into the kitchen and returned with 3 small jars and set them down in front of Gary.
"Baby food? Why in the world would you feed me baby.......Why would you feed me baby food?"
"It wasn't stress or a bug," she smiled.
"It wasn't?"
"No."
"Are you saying?'
"Yes, I'm saying."*~
~Yes, I need, yes I need her
in the day time
Oh I need, yes I need her
in the night
I wanna throw my arms all around her
To kiss and hug and hold her tight~
~*Gary felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see his dad standing next to him. "Quite a feeling, isn't it, son?"
"Oh, yeah."
"I remember the first time I laid eyes on you. I thought my chest would explode," Bernie stated.
"Thanks, Dad."
"For what?"
"For everything." *~
~*"Hey buddy," Gary said as he picked up his son. "Are you having trouble sleeping? Come here. Daddy will rock you and see if he can get you back to sleep."
He settled into the rocker and positioned the baby in the crook of his arm as he took the baby's tiny hand in his. *~
"Mister? Mister?" the clerk asked, raising her voice. "I'm gonna try and turn you over. I need to stop the bleeding. Or at least slow it down."
"Bailey," Gary rasped.
"What was that?" Sandra asked.
"Tell her, I.......I......love......her."
~I'm returning from so far away
so give me sweet, sweet lovin' to brighten up my day
She makes me righteous
and she makes me whole
Makes me mellow,
don't try my soul
She gives me love, love, love, love, crazy love
She gives me love, love,
love, love, crazy love~
She glanced down at the ring on his finger. "Bailey. Is that your wife? Well, we'll just have to make sure you survive this, so you can tell her yourself. I'm gonna roll you over now," she informed Gary before she placed her hands under him.
She groaned with the effort and Gary groaned with her.
"Oh God!" she exclaimed as she froze momentarily at the sight of all the blood. She looked at Gary and realized his eyes weren't focusing. That drew her out of her stupor. She wadded up paper towels she had brought with her and pressed them to his chest.
"So, mister. What's your wife's name again?"
Gary didn't answer.
She gently slapped his face. "Come on now. Stay with me. What's your name?"
"Gary," he whispered.
God, his throat was dry. He blinked at the light that was blinding him.
~* "I didn't ask for it. I don't want it! Do you know what it's like to wake up every morning and know what's gonna happen? I don't wanna know. I don't wanna care. I just wanna wake up in the morning and not know. Please! I just wanna wake up."
"The choice is yours. Always has been. Time to accept that." *~
"Okay, Gary. I'm Sandra. Hear that?" Sandra asked as she cocked her head. "That's probably the police and the ambulance and they're gonna take good care of you. You're gonna make it. You hear me?"
His eyes were unfocused again and he was speaking softly. She leaned closer to try and make out what he was saying.
"You of all people know how fragile life is," he spoke, barely above a whisper.
She strained to hear what else he said, but could only make out, 'find time to live it.'
Gary's eyes closed and he took a ragged breath.
"Oh please, please, please don't die! If I could change things I would. If I could only have known this would happen!" she cried out as she watched Gary close his eyes.
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