The Biggest Heartache in Town

By Meloira

Part One

Amanda stood alone in the hospital hallway while all around her people bustled and shouted, trying to do their jobs. However, her surroundings made little impression on Amanda. All she could think about was Vicky and how she hoped Jake’s wife wouldn’t die.

"Amanda."

The soft sound of Paulina’s voice was a welcome intrusion on Amanda’s harsh thoughts.

"Amanda honey, I’m glad I finally found you. Are you okay?" Paulina enveloped her sister in a huge hug but pulled away when she felt Amanda stiffen.

"Hey, you didn’t get hurt did you?" Paulina glanced at the drying blood on Amanda’s clothing. "Oh Amanda, please tell me this isn’t yours!"

For the first time Amanda looked down at her clothing. Not only was the front of her coat bathed in Vicky’s blood, but her arms and hands were caked with it as well. The sight and stench of it made her sick to her stomach.

"Whoa." Paulina steadied her as she swayed. "Are you sure you’re alright?"

Amanda heard the always-ready tears in Paulina’s voice. "I’m fine. Just a little overwhelmed. It’s not every day you get to watch a woman die on the floor of an Italian restaurant." Amanda nearly giggled at the absurdity of the image. "I’d like to be alone now. Please."

Paulina stood her ground. Something was wrong. By rights, Amanda should be crying or screaming or at least seeing a doctor, but instead of all the usual reactions Paulina expected Amanda was the opposite. Amanda was behaving far too calmly for someone who’d just faced death.

"Amanda, maybe you should see the doctor, huh? I think you could be in shock."

Amanda stared at her sister.

" I’m fine."

"Honey, you’re not ‘fine’. How could you be after that?"

Amanda sighed. She loved Paulina dearly, but sometimes she could be such a pain.

"I’m fine, really. Vicky is the one we need to be worried about right now." Amanda rubbed her tired eyes. "I was so scared she’d die. There was so much blood and she kept closing her eyes. I almost thought she’d died once. Almost. When she came to, she was smiling Paulina, smiling. Did I tell you that?"

"No."

Amanda smiled herself. "She did. She smiled and whispered Ryan’s name over and over until she blacked out for the final time. Can you believe it?" Amanda sniffed and wiped her nose with the sleeve of her coat. "She saw Ryan."

"Wow."

"Yeah. Wow. How’s Jake holding up?"

"You know Jake. His reaction to everything is to shout the walls down. As we speak, he’s verbally abusing all the nurses and he’s about to pace a hole in the waiting room floor."

"Who can blame him?"

"Well, I should check on him. I told him I’d only be gone for a few. You’ll be okay?" Paulina waited for an answer.

"I’m fine," she grudgingly replied. "Now go take care of Jake."

Paulina gave her another hug and headed back to the waiting room, leaving her alone.

"Finally," Amanda whispered. Now she could fall apart on the inside without an audience.

"Amanda."

Or maybe not.

Amanda opened her eyes to see Jake and Paulina coming toward her, looking grim.

"Vicky?" She felt the panic begin to rise within her. "Is she…?"

"No," Jake answered. "No, she’s still in surgery." Amanda noticed how ragged the man looked. "I thought you’d like to know what the doctors have told us."

"What? Tell me!"

A dire glance passed between Jake and Paulina. "The doctors aren’t giving us great news. They um, they say the bullets did a lot of damage." Jake’s voice caught and he turned away, unable to continue.

"Paulina?"

"They can fix the damage, but they’re not sure what to expect. Jake thinks we should call everyone and let them know so they can come to Bay City. Donna has given me Marley’s number and is looking for Peter’s. I told Jake what you told me and he wants us to call Carl too. However, there’s a problem."

"What would that be?"

"Well, it seems that the only person who knows Carl’s number is Vicky."

Amanda looked at her sister in disbelief. "Not even Jake?"

"Nope," Paulina shrugged. "Carl only gave it to Vicky, and then it was only under the condition she keep it to herself. Jake said she memorized it, wouldn’t even write it down." The two women plopped down on a couple of nearby chairs. "We could track him down, but Jake doesn’t even know where Carl lives. So, it would seem we are at a dead end. No pun intended."

They sat in silence and watched Jake pace the length of the corridor. Amanda wanted to go to him and help him in his time of need, but knew it wouldn’t be a good idea in view of their history. If only she hadn’t made a fool of herself with this man.

"Amanda, I’m going to take Jake back to the OR and make a few calls." She gave her sister a hug before standing. "Go home, try to get some rest."

"I will." She captured Paulina’s hand before she could get away. "Paulina, don’t worry about finding Carl, he always has a way of turning up when least expected."

"Like a bad penny, right?"

Amanda lowered her head into her hands and listened as their footsteps faded. Things had quieted somewhat since their arrival and she was now practically alone.

Now she could fall to pieces.

Amanda sighed. She’d held it together throughout her ordeal and through the police interviews. Even when the press had hassled her for details, she had maintained a stone face and iron nerves. But now that she was alone, she could feel the panic and fear start to creep in. She knew she should be grateful. After all, she was conscious and in one piece while Vicky was fighting for her life.

She rose and walked the hospital corridors until she found what she was looking for. Picking up the pay-phone receiver, Amanda dialed a number she too knew by heart. She only had to wait a few seconds before the other party answered.

"Hi, it’s me. Yeah, same to you. Listen, I have a problem and I believe you can help."

…to be continued…feedback appreciated…