Amanda could only pace and pray. She’d lost track of how long it had been since they’d brought Vicky in, and the doctors still had her in the operating room.

Paulina had been trying to get her to leave for the last two hours, but Amanda had simply told her she would not leave, she couldn’t leave. She had to wait until everything was going to be all right.

Stopping at the end of the hallway, Amanda forced back the tears that had been threatening to spill over all night. She couldn’t cry now. She needed to be strong for Jake and Vicky. It so very easily could’ve been her stretched out on that cold, clinical table. But no, she’d been the lucky one.

Lucky.

The idea made her laugh. She had never thought of herself as lucky. Never. After her track record with men and life in general, how could she possibly? Perhaps this was meant to be her wake-up call. Maybe Life or Fate or whatever was trying to tell her to wrest herself out of her self-pity and get on with living.

Amanda turned and continued her vigil, a thoughtful grin plastered on her face.

()()()()()()

"Paulina!"

Rachel spotted her stepdaughter the second she stepped off the elevator.

"Rachel, I am so glad you came." The two hugged. "Everything has been so crazy." Paulina laughed and rubbed her red, swollen eyes "I think I’ve cried more tonight than I have in a long time."

"Oh sweetie, I’m here now and I’m going to help you help Jake get through this. Okay?"

Paulina nodded. "Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you." Without warning her eyes began to tear up. "Just look at me! I’m crying a river and making a mess out of myself. I wish I could be as calm about this as Amanda."

Rachel took a tissue from her pocket and wiped Paulina’s tears away. "How’s Amanda doing?"

"She’s been quiet through it all. She was with Vicky when it happened. The guy held them hostage for a while, but Joe got them out. Poor Amanda. She was trapped in there while Vicky nearly bled to death."

"Was she wounded?"

"She seems fine physically, but I’m not so sure she’s okay. I’m worried about her Rachel. Amanda’s just too calm."

"Don’t worry sweetheart, I’ll take care of her. How’s Vicky?"

"Still in the OR. We’ve called her family in. Well, everyone but Carl."

"Carl?"

Paulina nodded. "Since Carl and Vicky are so close, Jake felt he should let him know. Problem is we have no way of contacting him because Vicky is the only one with his number. Ironic, huh?"

"Quite." Rachel let out a disappointed breath. "Where is Amanda?"

"I’m not sure," she noisily blew her nose, "but she said something earlier about going out for some air."

"I must have just missed her." Rachel kissed Paulina on her cheek. "I’ll go down and find her, see if I can get her to go home with me. Just let me know if you need me and call when you have any word on Vicky. Alright honey?"

"Sure Rachel," Paulina answered as the elevators slid shut between them and turned to go in search of Jake.

()()()()()()()()()

The early morning air felt like heaven to Amanda after all the hours spent haunting the hospital’s corridors. In the span of a few hours she’d seen more of that place than she had in her entire life. Who knew it was so big?

Amanda knew she should have already gone home by now. Staying wasn’t doing her any good. Not only was she sleepy, but she smelled to high heaven. She looked at the now familiar bloodstains covering her and her clothing. She’d begun to look upon them as a sort of talisman, as though keeping them on kept Vicky alive. Poor Vicky.

She raked a hand through her hair. She’d always hated her red hair and had always wished she could be a blonde. Like Vicky. There had always been things she’d wanted to change about herself and her life, but now she was beginning to think things weren’t so bad after all.

The sound of screeching tires brought Amanda from her reverie. Not more than a hundred yards from her a black car came to an inartistic stop. As a rear door opened and it’s passenger eased himself out, the emotions she’s somehow held at bay came rushing to the surface. The calm exterior cracked and she began to cry as the reason she’d been waiting stood before her.

"Carl."

The name came out in a strangled whisper. Her body began to shake with the force of her sobs.

"I thought you’d never get here." Amanda threw her arms around his neck as they met halfway in a tangle of limbs.

"You called. How could I not come when you needed me?" Carl’s arms about her tightened. "Shh, Carl’s here now darling. I’m here."

"I was so scared Carl. I, I didn’t know what to do. The blood just kept coming and I felt so helpless." Amanda burrowed closer only to pull away again so she could see his face. "I was so frightened," she whispered.

"I know." Carl’s thumb brushed along her cheek. "I know all too well."

The tenderness in his eyes made her feel better. Where would she be now if not for this man?

Without a word, Amanda stood on her tiptoes and gently brushed her lips against his. When he made no protest, she increased the pressure. After a few brief seconds, she was surprised to find Carl returning her kiss. What was she doing kissing Carl?!

Caught off-guard by her emotions, Amanda broke contact and once again sought refuge in his arms. She’d think about what she’d done tomorrow.

"Just hold me tighter," she requested of her guardian.

Carl obeyed.

()()()()()()()()

Rachel stopped dead in her tracks. Was she doomed to come across Carl in such unexpected circumstances for the rest of her days?

She’d come down to find Amanda and had wound up watching a touching reunion between her daughter and her former husband.

However, Rachel had nearly fainted when the two had literally raced to one another. And the kiss. A comforting hug was one thing, but this?

Rachel felt as though her heart was being ripped from her chest.

She shook her head in denial. Paulina had said no one other than Vicky knew how to reach Carl. If so, why was he standing on Center Street playing tongue tag with her daughter? What did it mean?

Realization hit Rachel with a sickening thud. Carl’s sudden appearance now made sense. As she watched two of the people she loved more than life get into a car and drive away, Rachel could only think of one thing—she’d been had. By her own flesh and blood.

…………More to follow…………..

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