Until today.
The pop-crack of the gunfire, those poor guards, the chaos, the money bags splitting near her, Lisa dropping to the floor, her purse spilling the things she’d bought for the kids, the robber grabbing the money, the agent looking at her, his gun, she dropped his gun, the killer was on them, she looked into the agent’s eyes, a good kind face—I love you, Jennifer—the muzzle flash, the deafening explosion of blood splattering his brain matter on her. The killer comes for her, his gun boring into her head…bringing it all back…
Bobby.
We’ve already been through too much. I don’t think I can bear this.
A vague prickling crept along the back of her neck as she looked at her shirt, discovering flecks of blood—the agent’s blood.
Lisa leaned back against the bathroom door and slid to the floor, burying her face in her hands. In the stillness she begged God for her life back, pleading until a soft knock sounded at the door.
It was Vicky Chan.
“Lisa, someone’s here for you.”
“One moment.”
Lisa collected herself, reached into her bag, changed her shirt, washed her face, brushed her hair, then opened the door to the sun. Ethan and Taylor were standing before her. She dropped to her knees and took them into her arms.
“Oh, thank God! My angels!”
After hugging and kissing them, she drew back to stare at her children. At Taylor, her turned-up nose and freckles. At Ethan, calm and too mature for ten, and looking more like Bobby every day.
“I’m so happy to see you!”
“I’m happy to see you, Mommy.” Taylor locked her arms around Lisa’s neck.
“Hi, Mom. You’re not hurt or anything?” Ethan asked, taking inventory.
“No, I’m not hurt.”
Again, Lisa hugged them to her while shooting a glance over their shoulders and mouthing a big Thank you to her friend Rita.
Rita Camino was a self-described “divorced-no-kids-fun-loving-Jets-fan.” She was a natural blonde in her thirties from Forest Lawn, Queens. For the last ten years, she’d been a senior cashier at the supermarket where Lisa worked. Rita was a rock-solid friend to Lisa, practically an aunt to the kids.
“We told them that you were fine but that there was a complicated, important family matter going on,” Rita said.
“Ethan and I thought you were in big trouble,” Taylor said.
“No, sweetheart, I’m not in trouble.”
“What happened?” Ethan asked.
Lisa first introduced the children to the other women, then, after a nod of encouragement from Dr. Sullivan, she explained.
“I stopped at a gas station and I saw some people do some bad things to other people.”
“What kind of bad things?” Ethan asked.
“I saw people get hurt. I saw bad guys hurt other people.”
“Like a fight?” Ethan asked.
“Yes, sort of like a very bad fight.”
“How bad were they hurt?”
Lisa glanced at Dr. Sullivan, who nodded.
“Honey, some people were killed.”
Lisa watched Taylor’s eyes widen and stroked her hair.
“It’s sad, I know, sweetie,” Lisa said.
“But—” Ethan looked around the room, processing the information “—you didn’t get hurt?”
The gun pressed to her head. They don’t need to know every detail, but they need to understand what happened.
“No, I didn’t get hurt, but because I was there I need to remember everything for the police. It’s important that I do it so they can find and arrest the bad guys. So our police friends fixed it so we can stay here with Vicky, Eve and Helen until we’re done. That’s why everybody has overnight bags. It’s like a sleepover.”
“How long will it be?” Taylor asked.
“A few days, then we’ll go home. Did you guys get a chance to eat?”
The children shook their heads.
“Some chips and soda on the drive in,” Rita said.
“Okay, how about we order pizza from room service?”
“And ice cream!” Taylor said.
“And ice cream,” Lisa agreed.
While they ate, Lisa caught up with them on their school, their friends, upcoming parties, wants—“it’s always something”—and the cabin.
“So it’s really sold now, Mom?” Ethan asked while fidgeting with his small folding pocketknife. Bobby had given it to him a month before his death and Ethan cherished it.
“I’m afraid so, sweetheart.”
“But we still get to go up one last time like you promised, right?” Ethan lowered his voice for privacy, knowing the FBI people were in the adjoining room. “We have to do the special thing for Dad.”
“Absolutely. We’ll go up once we get this stuff all sorted out. A promise is a promise.”
Ethan brightened, so did Taylor. Their smiles were balm to Lisa and they spent the rest of the evening watching an animated movie together. Snuggling with them was the best medicine. Lisa drew strength from them and resolved to get back on track, seize her life back. After the movie ended, she got them into bed, smothered them with kisses before closing the door behind her and joining the women in the other room where they were watching an all-news network.
“How are they doing?” Rita asked.
“Good. They’re strong.”
“And you?” Sullivan asked.
“Better.”
“You should know,” Rita said, “that a cute FBI agent drove your car to your house and locked it in your driveway. I have your keys.”
“Thanks.”
“I told Nick at the store that you had a family emergency and you’ll need some time. You should call him in the morning.”
“I will if I am allowed.” Lisa looked to Chan.
“Well, you’re not under arrest.” Chan smiled. “But Agent Morrow will be here in the morning. You can discuss it with him. As you know, he’s concerned about guarding the seal of the investigation.”
“Another thing,” Rita said. “I also told Mrs. MacKay, the kids’ principal, that an emergency came up, so you’d better call the school tomorrow, too, Lisa.”
The TV’s images flashed with a Breaking News update on Armored Car Heist Homicides.
“Here we go.” Watson had the remote control and increased the volume slightly as the newscaster read the information.
“And this just in on that I-87 armored car heist that left four people dead in Ramapo, north of New York. The World Press Alliance, citing unnamed sources, is reporting that one of the victims was an FBI agent who was shot ‘execution style’ while going for his weapon and that investigators have a key eyewitness. Again, the WPA is reporting…”
Chan and Watson exchanged looks of concern.
“Whoa! Morrow’s going to freak out,” Watson said.
“A leak was inevitable,” Chan said, “with so many jurisdictions involved and the New York and national media all over it.”
“So much for his ‘seal’ on the investigation,” Lisa said. “How would the WPA know about this?”
“Good reporters with good sources,” Watson said.
The report made Lisa uneasy and she withdrew into her thoughts. Watson changed the channel to one showing Casablanca, and the women watched Bogart and Bergman in silence until the anxiety in the room gradually subsided. When the movie ended, Lisa got ready for bed. Sullivan, mindful of Lisa’s anxiety, went to her bag.
“You’re under a tremendous amount of stress and may have trouble sleeping,” Dr. Sullivan said. “One of these pills will work fast and help you get the rest you need.”
“Thank you.”
They moved one of the single beds so Rita could sleep in the bigger room with Chan, Watson and Sullivan because Lisa wanted Rita to be near her and the kids the first night. Lisa also requested to have a room alone with her children. After taking the pill, she kept the bathroom door open so her room was awash in soft, soothing light.