That Thing Between Eli & Gwen

She smacked him on the leg.

“Ma!” he yelled, rubbing his thigh, and then smiled.

“Don’t laugh at your older brother. If it weren’t for him setting a good example for you, God knows you would have been living in dive bars.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mom.” He frowned, glaring my way.

“Oh Eli, I have something to tell you. Hannah asked to be transferred to one of the inner city clinics for a while. I have no idea why. What did you say to her?”

“The truth,” I said, pulling out my buzzing pager. I stood, already at the door. “I have to go.” I didn’t wait to hear their reply, or even wait for the elevator. Pushing open the stairwell door, I ran down three steps at a time, spiraling downward until I got to their floor. A nurse headed toward the room, right beside me. “What happened?” I yelled, moving toward the bed.

Molly’s tiny body wouldn’t stop shaking, her eyes rolling into the back of her head. And then she just went still.

“Molly! I need a crash cart in here!” I yelled.

“Molly! Molly, sweetheart, wake up! Molly—”

“Get him out!” I hollered over her as the nurse handed me the defibrillator.

Come on, Molly.

Guinevere

After Sebastian left me, I told myself to listen to my instincts from then on. I had known something was off that day, but I’d ignored it. I wouldn’t make that mistake again. I would listen to my gut, no matter what happened. And sitting there with him, everything within me told me not to stay there any longer than I needed to.

His office was filled with the same overly done, pricey bullshit as before. He had floors done in marble, his walls finished in the nicest wood, and all his awards hung up behind him proudly. On his desk was a pompous nameplate, his name carved in glass with Founder & CEO right under it.

I walked in.

He stood up, buttoning his dark navy suit, and walked in front of his desk, his arms over his chest. “You ca

me—”

“This place reeks of bullshit. Mr. Evans, can we just get down to the point?” I said, taking a seat.

Katrina stood right beside my chair.

“Gwen—”

“Ms. Poe would like to apologize for not getting any of your requests, though I do believe the fault lies partly with you and your office for not going through the correct channels. If you have work for my client, you should speak with her agent, who will filter the request to Ms. Poe. I’m sure any judge will agree with me.” Katrina threw his lawsuit back onto his desk.

He didn’t look at her, only stared at me. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“Can’t you see this smile? I’m fine, Mr. Evans. How could a man such as yourself hurt me?”

“Gwen!” he yelled.

“Mr. Evans, yell at my client again, and I will not only sue you for harassment, but will make sure to add emotional distress to the list. Do you feel emotional, Ms. Poe?”

I frowned. “Now that you mention it—”

“Gwen, please.” He sighed.

Katrina was about to say something, but I shook my head. “Say what you want to say, Sebastian.”

He sat up straighter, moving to stand right in front of me. “I know what I did was horrible. I hurt you, and I truly am sorry, because there is no woman on earth whom I love as much as you. I couldn’t see it. I was just so nervous about us…worried we wouldn’t make it, like my parents. Remember? My mother walked out on us, and I just didn’t want to be hurt like that again. Every time I close my eyes, I see you. I remember how you held on when I took you to see Cirque du Soleil, how you would fill the fridge for me, even when I told you not to, and how you would rearrange the apartment and dance in the living room. I miss you, Gwen. I will spend every day of my life trying to make it up to you. You are the only woman in this world for me.”

Katrina looked down at me, her eyebrow raised.