The man talks and says some things, but all I hear is, “We found her.”
“Collin?”
“They found her,” I repeat to my brother, who watches me like a hawk.
He takes the phone from me, listens, says thank you, and then hangs up. “Pack a bag; we need to go get her.”
“Is she okay?”
Cal pauses for a second and then nods. “She’s fine. Go.” He nods toward my bedroom. I don’t hesitate to grab a few things in case Julie can’t come home immediately as Cal seems to think.
Within minutes, we’re both back in the living room with a bag each.
“I got us plane tickets; I assume you want the fastest route possible?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go then. Our flight leaves in three hours.”
The waiting now is almost as bad as the waiting before. Julie is safe now, but what kind of shape is she in? Is she mad at me that I made her leave when she needed me most? That’s not important right now. I need to get my eyes on Julie and make sure she’s okay.
But first I must wait in the airport and on the plane. Wait during a short layover in Charlotte. Wait for the rental car once in Florida. Wait as Cal drives us to the hospital where Julie is being held. Wait to find out what room she’s in. Wait to be let in.
And then I see her.
She’s asleep.
Her face is bruised and swollen. There’s no telling what else is bruised on her body, too.
But she looks relaxed and at ease.
My brother nudges my back for me to step further into the room. I do. One step after another until I stand next to her bed. Her hand is curled into a fist. There are red lines on her arms around her wrists. Do I want to know why those are there?
Carefully, I take her hand.
Big mistake.
Julie gasps, lurches upright, and looks scared as hell.
“Hey, it’s just me. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry; I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Her wide eyes blink rapidly. The moment reality hits, her shoulders sag, tears fall from her eyes, and she whispers, “Collin.” I gently pull her into my arms. Her head rests on my shoulder. I glance over at Cal while she sobs. He shrugs. There’s nothing I can say right now. Nothing that will do justice, so I hold her.
Some time passes before she leans back to look at me.
“Are you actually here?”
“Yeah. Are you?” I ask.
“God, I hope so.”
I smile.
“How are you feeling?”
Cal’s voice startles Julie once again. She looks over
at him dumbfounded.