Streamline (27 page)

“I don’t know how you’ve kept it together these last few years,” he said. “You’ve managed to raise two remarkable sons despite the constant threat from your husband. Most people would’ve folded like a tent after an accident like yours.” Mary sniffed. “I used to think no matter what happened, I had to keep the family together. Now I’m not so sure.” Marcus let her words sit between them for a few moments.

“You’re thinking of leaving James.”

She met his eyes. “Yes. It’s terrifying to consider.”

“It’s terrifying to consider
staying
with him too.”

“That’s true.” Mary paused. “I told James I’d leave him if he hurt Leo again, and I have to follow through. There’ve been too many times when I haven’t. But where will we live? How will I support Leo? And James threatened to fight me for custody, even though Leo has only a few months left in Florida.”

“I think if you make a decision to care for yourself and your family, Mary, it’ll somehow work out in the end. I don’t know how, but I have faith.”

He grasped her hand. Encouraged by his support, she took a deep breath, contemplating the decision ahead.

Audrey followed her mother out of the elevator.

Still feeling some mild cramping, she wished she could walk faster to get to Leo, but she did enjoy being free of the wheelchair.

They traveled down the hallway, but stopped when they saw Leo’s mom and Mr. Shale huddled together near the door. When Mrs. Scott looked up and saw them, she swiped at her cheeks, letting go of Mr. Shale’s hand and plastering a smile. “It must be time for Audrey’s discharge!” she said in an overly cheerful voice.

Mr. Shale straightened.

“It’s been a long night,” Audrey’s mother said.

Mrs. Scott nodded. “Yes, and I fear it’ll be a long day too.”

“Is he okay?” Audrey asked. “May I go in and see him?” Mrs. Scott nodded. “He may be sleeping, but you’re welcome to go in, Audrey.”

Audrey stepped inside to find Leo turned away from her, his broad shoulders outlined by his pajama top, his long legs covered by the sheet. She sighed at this perfect body his father had brutalized.

She was glad his wounds were covered for now.

“Leo, are you asleep?”

Though he hadn’t stirred, she thought she heard a faint sniff.

“Leo?” she whispered.

He finally sighed and scooted up, moaning in pain.

She flinched.

“Hey.” He’d managed to sit now, an elbow resting on one knee, but he continued to look down. “No, I wasn’t asleep. Just thinking about stuff.”

She lowered herself to the edge of his bed. “Why are you crying?”

“I wasn’t crying…I was…just thinking.” He sighed. “My surgeon told me I’m out of the water for six weeks.”

“Six weeks?” Audrey recoiled. “But then you can’t swim at nationals.”

“I know. Matt’s going to be mad.”

“The doctor told me I’m out for a week, so he’ll be mad at both of us.”

“I can’t even get out of this bed by myself,” Leo muttered through clenched teeth. “What a joke I thought I could actually go to practice tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry, Leo.” Audrey reached for his hand.

He stroked her skin. “So, you got discharged, huh?”

“Yeah, my mom’s taking me home.”

Leo nodded.

Back in the hallway, Mary mulled over the possibilities for a future that would or wouldn’t include James.

JoAnne shook her head. “That’s a lot to consider, and you look so washed out. I don’t think it’s a good time to make such a decision.”

She gestured to the hospital room. “After they kiss their goodbyes, I’m taking Audrey home. But then I’m returning for you, and you’re coming home with me to rest.”

“I need to stay with Leo.”

“I’ll stay with him…as long as you’re there for Audrey.” Her gaze fell to Mary’s canes. “With his sprained ankle, Leo needs help moving around and, well, that’s easier for me to provide.” Mary wrestled with the idea of leaving Leo. JoAnne cleared her throat. “Mary, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“Would you like me to leave?” Marcus asked.

“No, that’s okay. I’d actually like your opinion on this too. I have to return to New Orleans in a couple of days. Their nursing short-age is so severe they could only give me a few days off. What I’m wondering is…would you and Leo consider moving into our house?” Mary felt her eyes bug.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but obviously Audrey needs more supervision, and I just can’t be there for her right now. The bills are killing me, even with travel nursing. And I don’t want you living with James.” Mary thought for a moment. “Marcus and I were just discussing how I need to leave James, and a major stumbling block was figuring out where to live.”

He nodded.

“I’m honored you’d ask me to help with Audrey. But if we do this, you realize Leo and Audrey would be under the same roof, right?”

“Believe me, I thought about that.” JoAnne giggled. “We’ll have to implement a ‘hands to yourself’ rule.” Mary chuckled. “One teenager’s bad enough, but now they might double-team me.”

“I’ve seen you lay down the law with Leo. I know you can handle it.”

Mary sighed. “Okay, let’s do it. I have to talk to Leo about all of this first, though.”

“Yeah, I’m sure he’ll
hate
living with Audrey.” JoAnne rolled her eyes.

“That’s not the part that worries me. It’ll bowl him over when I tell him I’m leaving his father.”

“I agree,” Marcus said. “Even if James
has
torn the family apart, it’ll be tough for Leo to lose that stability.” Mary started, causing all three to jump, when she noticed a man dressed in a tan Navy uniform coming toward them.

Mary stood a little taller as the man drew near. “Hello, Captain,” she said, nodding to her former commanding officer. Captain Payson’s short blond hair had grayed since she’d last seen him, lending him an increased air of authority.

“Mary,” he said with a nod.

“Sir.”

He seemed nervous as he turned to JoAnne. “Hello, Mrs. Rose.” She reached out to shake his hand. “Please call me JoAnne, sir.

And this is Marcus…?” JoAnne gave him a questioning look.

“Marcus Shale.” He pumped the captain’s hand. “I’m, uh, a therapist.”

“Cameron Walsh came and told me exactly what happened. I still can’t believe it. Has this been going on for long?” Mary’s tears answered for her.

The captain grimaced. “I’m so sorry.” He cocked his head toward the hospital room. “Is your son in there?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Pensacola PD called, and I was having MPs bring James to my office when Cameron visited me. I thought about ordering a Family Advocacy Board investigation, but I…” He looked down. “I thought it was another fake allegation of abuse — some racist ploy to make James out as the angry Black man.” He shot Marcus an uncomfortable look. “But, but…Leo had to have surgery?” Mary nodded and watched his face sag with regret, a feeling she knew well. “Leo had to have his spleen removed,” she said. “You can go see him if you want.”

Leo and Audrey’s conversation halted the moment Captain Payson entered the room. Leo froze for a second before nudging Audrey. “Stand up.”

Audrey bolted upright. “Um, hi, Captain. Hello, sir.” He took a step closer. “You’re Denny’s daughter?”

“Yes, sir. Audrey Rose.”

Leo blinked up at him. “I apologize for staying in bed, sir. But it’s doctor’s orders.”

“Of course.” The captain nodded. “Do you know who I am?”

“Yes, sir, Captain Payson. You’re my dad’s boss.”

“That’s right. Your father talks about you all the time, Leo.” Leo blushed.

“He tells me you’re a real scholar-athlete. You won two state swimming titles, and you’re in the top five of your class.” Leo shook his head. “No, sir, not anymore. Audrey still is though.” The captain nodded at her. “I have to decide what’ll happen to your father,” he said, returning his focus to Leo.

“Where is he, sir?” Leo felt a catch in his throat as he suddenly wondered if CS was near.

“He’s in the brig for now, at the base.” Audrey paled.

“What is it?” Leo asked.

“My father…” Audrey began. “He’s there too. I hope he doesn’t try anything crazy when he sees him.”

“But your dad doesn’t know anything, and they’ll probably keep them apart.”

Audrey looked away.

“You didn’t tell him, did you?”

“Leo — ”

“Audrey!” He heard his voice shake. “I told you not to tell anyone!”

“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t deal with it alone anymore. There’s nothing he can do from inside prison…” Her eyes pleaded with him.

Leo clenched his fist and sighed. “The whole world knows about this now anyway. What’s the difference?”

“I have to decide what’s going to happen to your father,” Captain Payson repeated. “Son, could I…could I see what he did to you?” Leo’s eyes closed. What possible good could come from parad-ing his bruises and welts? To show how miserable he was at fighting back? To show how much he deserved punishment?

When he opened his eyes he saw Audrey chewing on a fingernail.

Her voice was soft.

“You can’t keep hiding it. He needs to see what kind of man your dad is. He needs to see what he did. Maybe then he can stop him from hurting you again.”

Leo dropped his head. “Nobody can stop him from hurting me.” He waited a few moments, then slowly lifted his shirt, wincing.

Captain Payson’s voice was icy. “You said nobody can stop your father from hurting you,” he said. “Well,
I
can stop him. I can, and I will. Your father tells me you’re going to the Academy, and I can imagine you’re not too impressed with the Navy right now. But the Navy needs men like you. And, well, you need men like me, to finally do something to protect you. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to see that this abuse stops. Give me the chance to prove it to you, Leo.”

In spite of himself, Leo did feel a shred of hope. Maybe
this
Navy man wouldn’t let him down. “Yes, sir.” Audrey reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.

Denny Rose held his breath as MP Perrick smoothed his hand over the blanket tucked neatly around his mattress.

Inspection time. Denny stood at attention in his cell, hoping his contraband would go unnoticed. His navy blue jumpsuit was wrinkle-free and his bedding taut. The obsessive orderliness demanded by the prison was nothing new to Denny, a Navy lifer, but the daily doses of humiliation were something he hadn’t encountered since his days as a seaman.

Perrick reached under the blanket and yanked it free. A photograph tumbled to the floor. From the corner of his eye Denny watched as the MP crunched his boot on the photo, marking his prized possession with a dirty footprint.

“Pick it up, Rose,” Perrick sneered.

“Yes, sir.” Denny bent down to retrieve it, but Perrick refused to move his foot, forcing him to twist and turn the photo to loosen it.

Finally he snatched it free, ripping a corner in the process. He returned to attention and did his best to keep his fury hidden beneath an expressionless façade. As an officer, Denny would never have allowed an MP to get away with such degrading treatment of a subordinate.

But things had changed. Now Denny was lowest on the food chain.

Jerking the photo from Denny’s hand, Perrick barked, “This is against regulations. No personal items in your cell.” The faded image of his daughter in her pink swimsuit with four medals across her chest undulated as the MP waved it in front of him.