CHPATER 15 – SOMETHINGS YOU CAN’T EVER TAKE BACK


~ ONE MONTH LATER ~

Eve looked around the once happy home she’d shared with Howie, she knew now, it wasn’t to be. They’d drifted so far apart now, she was positive nothing she could do would bring that back. He’d gone to visit his parents that day, he knew she was leaving, yet she sensed he didn’t want to see it for himself. Whatever happened between them, a history remained and despite everything, that closeness would always remain with Eve, in her heart.

“Are we ready?” Luke inquired tugging on Eve’s jeans
“Yeah just about baby” Eve smiled, snapping herself out of her day dream.
She gathered the last of her gear under her arm, took Luke’s hand, closed the door, and walked out of his life.

~ AT THE SAME TIME ~
Alicia starred self-consciously at herself in the wall length mirror. She knew it would be the last time she saw herself “whole”. The operation was to take place the next day. They were to basically cut out the cancer by removing the entire breast, in hopes it wasn’t anywhere else in her body. She swallowed hard knowing she shouldn’t be so concerned about what she would look like afterwards, but how could she not? She knew it would save her life, but she still wondered what kind of life she would have afterwards.

~ LATER THAT NIGHT ~

Kristen hobbled up the front stairs, as she balanced herself on two crutches. Much to her annoyance, while doing a practice run for a mid-tour concert she slipped and landed directly on her ankle, breaking it in 3 different places and making her leave the tour part way through.

As Kevin carried her bags into the house, she noticed the clear-as-day grin on his face.
“You’re happy about this aren’t you?” she snapped as she closed the door behind her
“I never said that” Kevin retorted
“You don’t NEED to say anything Kevin, the smirk on your face says it all. You didn’t want me to go, you spent the whole time I was away announcing to me everyday that I was neglecting our son, and you couldn’t be more happier that I'm home”
“You don’t know what your saying” Kevin shrugged
“Don’t I? You want your own career Kevin, but when I try to carry on with mine you cant stand it”
“That’s not true” Kevin mumbled looking away
“Alright then, look at me and tell me I'm wrong”
“What does it matter?”
“See, you cant even look at me Kevin, you hate to see me not be the in-home mother that you had, you hate the fact I like to work” she screamed
“Maybe I do, especially when I think you should be here with OUR SON”
“Exactly Kevin, OUR son, not just mine” she sighed as she grabbed the car keys
“Where are you going?” Kevin muttered trying to pull her back
She yanked her arm away and walked out the door.
“You cant drive” he called after her
“All I need is one good leg, and to get away from you” she announced as she got in the car and started the engine.
She peeled out of the driveway in a rush of speed and disappeared down the road.

~ AT THE SAME TIME ~

“Sorry about having to bring Sam” Tara whispered to Brian as the sat watching some Disney movie
“It’s okay, no problem” Brian whispered back as he placed his arm around her shoulders
Sam looked intently up at the screen, his complete focus on the lovable characters in front of him.

~ AN HOUR LATER ~

“That’s it, its all done, finished, completed” AJ announced in joy as the finished CD starred newly up at him
“We did it McLean” Jasmine grinned excitedly as she starred down at the picture of her on the cover
“You did it Jasmine” AJ smiled softly
“I would have never gotten this far if it wasn’t for you, I owe you so much” she declared
“How about just dinner?” AJ spoke, his face gleaming proudly
“You’re on”

~ AN HOUR LATER ~

Tara unlocked the door, and walked into the darkened house.
“Everyone must be in bed” she smiled as she took Sam up the stairs
“I’ll be down in a minute” she added, looking down to Brian
He nodded as he walked into the dark lounge. He heard the soft sound of breathing, and looking over to the far corner he saw a shadow in the dark. Without hesitance he flicked on the light, and Kevin’s half drunk face became clear.

“Damn Kev, what are you doing sitting in the dark?” he chuckled
“Been alone” Kevin snapped
“Woah, what’s up your ass?”
“Fuck off Brian” Kevin slurred
Tara strolled back down the stairs and stood beside Brian.
“Where’s Kristen?” she inquired, noticing she wasn’t upstairs
“Who cares?” Kevin sniffed
“You need to calm down cousin, don’t take your problems out on us” Brian retorted
“Just bugger off” Kevin sulked, pouring himself another scotch

“Come on” Brian huffed taking Tara’s arm
“Lets go” he added as they walked out of the house.
As they were walking out, a police car pulled up to the end of the driveway, and two solemn officers stepped out of the car.
“Are you Mr. Richardson?” one inquired
“Ah, no, I'm his cousin, Kevin’s inside, though not in the best of moods” Brian smiled
“We need to speak to him right away please”
“Sure, come in” Brian offered, opening the door
“Kevin, there are some officers here to see you” Tara spoke quietly as she walked into the lounge
“What do they want?” he snapped
“I suppose you’ll have to ask them” Tara replied as Kevin pulled himself out of the chair
“Mr. Richardson?”
Kevin nodded quickly, leaning up against the doorway for support
“There’s been an accident, your wife, Kristen Richardson is in hospital” he spoke softly, a hint of sadness in his voice, though he’d done this a thousand times before, it never go easier

~ 20 MINUTES LATER ~

Kevin paced the white halls of the hospital, saying nothing and taking it huge strides at a time. The police had explained essentially what had happened, she’d been hit head on by a drunk driver, on one of the many back country roads, due to that it was a while before the accident was reported, she was in a serious condition and doctors were, as they speak, trying desperately to save her life.

Tara sat next to Brian, with Sammy on her lap, reading him a story. He didn’t know exactly what was going on, all they had told him was that mommy wasn’t very well, Kevin hardly had the heart to tell him exactly what was going on.

A small doctor walked up to Kevin, his eyes sad, and clearly giving away what he was about to see.
“God, please don’t tell me you lost her” Kevin whispered
“I'm sorry, we tried everything we could. She didn’t make it” the doctor choked back the words, “I'm sorry” he repeated
Kevin wept softly as her dropped her head against the wall. Brian walked over to him and silently put his arm around his cousin, comforting him.

Tears made trails down Kevin’s pale face, he couldn’t help but remember the last words spoken between him and Kristen, and no matter what happened now, he could never take them back, and he would forever regret them.

Chapter Sixteen

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