Broken Road (4 page)

Turning away from the mirror and facing her friend, she said, “Ile, why do you say things like that? First of all, I don’t have any potential lovers, and second, you’re absolutely gorgeous and do just fine on your own. In fact, you do a hell of a lot better than I do.”

“It’s by your choice that you don’t have any potential lovers. And I’m not gorgeous. I have dull brown hair, humdrum brown eyes, and my skin is too dark. Even that’s brown.”

Ileana had an exotic Latin look going for her. Angel was altruistically jealous of her perfect olive tone skin that made her appear to have a healthy tan all year long. She wore her long, thick dark hair parted slightly off-center with side swept bangs that loosely and sometimes covered her left eye. Her hair was the envy of many girls and the rack and ruin of many men. Thanks to her parent’s skillful tutelage of their Cuban heritage, she was able to speak Spanish as well as English, knew the name of every patron saint in the Bible, and was able to prepare a mean dish of ropa vieja. Unfortunately, she also inherited from them her short stature, as well as her spirited temper that could scare Satan himself into leading a holy life.

“Alright, why don’t we just agree that we’re both perfect and gorgeous and the world is a better place because we’re in it?” Angel said.

“Agreed,” said Ileana with a slight smile, but then she became serious when she added, “I’m going to miss you so much while you’re away. I hate that you’re leaving.”

“I’ll miss you too. We’ll just have to call and text one another every day so that we can keep each other updated on what’s going on.”

“This sucks.”

Angel just smiled at her friend. They were incredibly close and shared everything, from clothes, to makeup, to secrets so intimate and confidential that the CIA wouldn’t be able to lift a lid on them. They had been best friends since middle school, and they truly believed there was no subject matter that couldn’t be discussed between the two.

Returning to her packing, Angel said, “I’ll be back before you know it and then off to college together as planned.”

“There is that,” Ileana responded happily as she sprang back up into a sitting position. “Angel, it’s going to be great. I’m so excited! I’m going to spend the entire time you’re in New Jersey making plans.”

“In the meantime, I’ll be spending most of my time dealing with Morgan.”

“I don’t envy you there.” Ileana had only met Morgan once or twice when she would come to Bradenton to visit for a week or so during summer vacations, but felt an instant dislike toward her. It was almost as if a dark nebula of negativity, cynicism, and contradiction hovered over her wherever she went. If she didn’t get her way, she would throw tantrums, so usually people would give in just to avoid the ensuing hysteria. She tried it once on Ileana, but it didn’t work. It had been during the summer of their sophomore year in high school. Ileana had saved up enough money to treat Angel to dinner to celebrate her birthday. They had planned on dining at Bo’s Steakhouse for their deliciously famous porterhouses, but Morgan didn’t want to go there. She had preferred to go to a swanky, posh, exorbitantly priced restaurant that Ileana could never afford. Morgan kept her whining and complaining up for hours even though Ileana had already informed her in no uncertain terms they would be going to Bo’s, with or without her. Angel had unsuccessfully attempted placating and reasoning with her stubborn, selfish cousin; but in the end, the best friends enjoyed two of the most tender, juiciest, succulent steaks ever cooked, while Morgan remained home sulking and eating leftover pizza from the night before. The next day, Morgan returned to New Jersey.

“I don’t understand why you’re packing now anyway. You don’t leave for another few weeks.”

“I’m not really
packing
, packing. I’m just packing stuff I won’t be wearing here before I leave. This is all new stuff that my mom and I bought for the trip.”

“Yeah, but that skirt I could wear before you leave,” said Ileana as she eyed the new floral mini-skirt that Angel had neatly packed away, as a butcher would eye a pig.

“You know the rules. No sharing ‘til the owner has worn it first.”

“I’ll let you wear my new boots if you let me wear that skirt.”

“Only you would wear thigh-high black leather boots in Florida. It’s too hot here for boots.”

“If being slightly uncomfortable is the price one has to pay to look good, so be it. Seriously, I absolutely positively need to borrow that skirt for my date tomorrow night with Ryan. That skirt is way too cute to be sitting in a suitcase for so long. Please say yes.”

Rolling her eyes in feigned exasperation, Angel said, “Fine. Why do I always give in to you?”

“Because we’re best friends and love each other. That’s why.”

Chapter Four

T
he doorbell rang at the Wentworth household at precisely 10:29 p.m. Janet was sitting toward the end of their black leather couch with Jim’s feet resting comfortably in her lap. Jim had fallen asleep while watching
NCIS
and was snoring soundly. She gently lifted his feet and got up to see who was at the door at this late hour.

When she opened the door and saw the police officer standing there, dread and fear filled her heart. “Yes?” she said nervously while inadvertently bringing her hand to her chest.

“Are you Mrs. Wentworth?” asked the unfamiliar officer.

She nodded anxiously and turned her head toward the living room, while calling out loudly, “Jim. Jim, come here now.” Jim jumped up off the couch at the sound of her panic-stricken voice and raced over to her. The minute he saw the officer, his heart began to race.

“My name is Officer Anthony Hernandez of the Cliffside Park Police Department.”

Janet swallowed past the lump that was quickly forming in her throat and said, “What’s happened?” She closed her eyes, knowing this visit would not be good. From the minute a mother-to-be finds out she is carrying a child within her body, worry becomes a constant in her life. From that moment on, the feeling of being carefree ceases to exist. Countless moments would cause her to torment herself with disturbing thoughts, and one of them was having the police standing on her front doorstep when her children were not home.

“Ma’am…sir…I’m sorry to inform you that there’s been a car accident involving both your children.” He gave the parents a moment to absorb that information and then continued. “Both boys are being treated as we speak. I’d like to drive you to the emergency room of St. Thomas’s Medical Center right now.”

Janet felt her knees begin to buckle beneath her and quickly held on to Jim for support. “Dear God, please tell me that my boys are alright,” she said between sobs.

Officer Hernandez went on to explain to Jim and Janet that both their boys had been injured and sadly, there had been two fatalities, one being the driver of the other car involved in the collision.

Jim placed his arm around his wife’s shoulder and pulled her close. He soothingly caressed her arm as he tried to comfort her while struggling to keep himself calm and continue to speak to the Officer. He swallowed hard and asked, “How bad is it?”

“I can’t really say. But I do know both your boys are being well taken care of. You and your wife should come to the hospital right away.”

“The other fatality. Who was it?” asked Jim. “You said there were two fatalities and one was the driver of the other car. Who…” Jim found he couldn’t finish his question. He closed his eyes in fear and worry.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Wentworth. I just can’t say at the moment. We’re still trying to get hold of his family. They need to be notified first, but we’re having trouble reaching them.”

“Was it the driver?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Wentworth. Please understand that I can’t say. Please just come to the hospital.” It was impossible for the officer to divulge information such as the name of the deceased without first informing the family. It was not only a matter of departmental procedure, but also a moral issue as well.

“I’ll get my keys to the car,” Jim said.

“Mr. Wentworth, it would be best if I drove you there. You and your wife are nervous, and it would be safer for everyone if I brought you both in the cruiser.”

Jim nodded before gently pulling Janet into a deep embrace. He held her tightly as she cried uncontrollably. “They’re going to be fine. I’m sure of it. We have to be strong now, okay?” he whispered into her ear.

Janet still could not control her tears and struggled to speak. “How…I don’t understand…”

“We won’t know anything for certain until we get to the hospital. The doctors are taking care of the boys right now.” He took both her hands in his and said, “Sweetie, Jarrod and Alec need us. We have to go to them now. Can you be strong for them?”

Nodding, she said, “I will. Let’s go,” and then rushed to the hall closet to grab her handbag. By the time she turned around, Jim had already descended the front steps with the Officer.

It took only ten minutes to get to the hospital, yet it felt like eons. Both Janet and Jim rushed through the emergency room doors and raced to the nurses’ station. Jim spoke first. “My name is James Wentworth. Both my sons were in a car accident tonight. Jarrod and Alec Wentworth.”

“Yes, Mr. Wentworth,” said the nurse. “I’m very sorry. The doctors are busy taking care of all the boys who were involved in the accident. I’ll go have a look-see and find out what I can.”

“Thank you. Could you get back to us as soon as possible?”

“Of course. Right away.” The nurse stood up and headed toward the trauma rooms, through the doors to the right of the station.

Officer Hernandez, who was standing quietly behind the Wentworths, had overheard the brief conversation and was waiting a short while after its conclusion before advancing upon them. Another officer soon approached him, and they removed themselves to a more secluded area to speak.

A few minutes later, Officer Hernandez approached the Wentworths.

“Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth, I just want to say once again I’m sorry about all that’s happened. I know this must be very difficult.” The officer was tall, thin, and appeared to be very young.
He must have just recently graduated from the police academy
, thought Jim. He also began to wonder if they gave classes at the academy covering the proper way of addressing and handling a situation such as this. If so, he must have been at the top of his class, for he was extremely professional, yet sympathetic at the same time.

“Thank you,” responded Janet as she reached out and gently placed a hand on his sleeve. “You’re very kind.”

“Is there anything else you can tell us?” asked Jim.

The officer removed his cap placing it on the counter of the nurse’s station and pulled his hand through his short, dark hair while removing his notepad from his back pocket with his free hand. He flipped it open and while reviewing it, said, “It appears the driver of the vehicle in which your sons were passengers ran a red light. We have numerous witnesses that confirm that. It was hit by an oncoming pickup truck on the right side. The car was pushed a good distance before it…” He took a moment to clear his throat before saying, “stopped.”

Jim closed his eyes briefly. When he reopened them, he looked the police officer squarely in the eye and asked, “When can you tell us about the fatality?”

Officer Hernandez looked at them sadly. “I can tell you now. I was just informed by another officer that we were able to reach his parents. They arrived not too long ago and are with their son right now. I’m sorry to inform you that the deceased’s name is…Dante Malone.”

Janet gasped and grabbed Jim’s arm for support. “No!” she wailed as she turned her body into her husband’s arms, where he held her tightly. Sobbing, she cried, “No, no, no…not Dante! Oh, Jim… this just can’t be happening. Dear God, what about Janice and Mike? How are they going to handle this?”

Jim could no longer hold back the flood of tears that had begun to well up behind his eyes. He had known Dante since he was a young boy. He’d spent so much time at the Wentworth home, it was almost as if Janet and he had three sons rather than just two.