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Once Upon a Lifetime – By Kazza PART
14 As she walked into the office, Maria was surprised how quiet it was. Normally Max and Isabelle were already there, and sometimes Liz also, but Maria couldn’t see anyone. She knew someone was already in, the front door had been open, but she couldn’t see any sign of life. Deciding that maybe someone had opened the office up early but then disappeared, she pulled out her book. Although she was supposed to be starting work, her book was so good she really wanted to keep reading it. She’d been reading it constantly over the previous few days and she just couldn’t seem to put it down. Digging it out of her cloth bag, Maria thumbed through the pages to the part she was up to and sank back down into her chair, getting comfy so she could submerse herself in the words. It was a very intense book, and Maria was so engrossed in reading a really juicy part, that she didn’t notice someone walk up right behind her and peer over her shoulder at what she was reading. It wasn’t until the figure coughed slightly to clear his throat that she realised she wasn’t alone and nearly jumped out of her seat. “Oh my god, erm, hi. Erm Michael.” She stumbled; embarrassed she’d been caught reading at work. “Of all the people to get caught by, it had to be Michael!” A voice grumbled inside her. “Maria, mmm, that doesn’t really look like work.” He stated “Erm, no, I was erm, just about to start my work.” “Don’t tell me ……. there was this really great part that you just had to read and it just couldn’t wait until lunchtime?” He joked. “Wow, was that a smile from him, it’s not even 9.00am!” Maria thought to herself. “Erm, yeah, something like that.” She replied, her face still scarlet red with embarrassment. “God could this day get any worse?” She thought to herself. “Relax Maria, I’m not gonna kill you or anything. Ok so you’re reading, It’s only just gone 8.30 am, I don’t exactly expect you do work while no one else is around. God Maria, am I such a ogre that you think that?” Michael asked, feeling hurt. “Well ………” “Yeah
thanks Maria!” Michael snapped,
turning on his heal and stomping off towards his office. Feeling awful, she got up and headed in the direction of his office. “Michael, I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean that you were nasty or anything. It’s just that you can be, well, snappy in the mornings. I’m just not used to you being so nice to me and I though maybe you’d start yelling ‘cause I was reading.” “I don’t always yell at you!” He complained defensively. “Mmm, I beg to differ. Look I really am sorry Michael.” She said sincerely. “Ok, and I guess I’m sorry if I snap at you too. Now, maybe you should think about starting work perhaps?” Michael hinted looking at the clock and seeing it was quarter to nine. “Oh yeah, I’ll start now.” Maria said, starting to head out of his office. “Coffee would be nice!” Michael called after her, hoping she’d heard. Pushing open the door to the office, Liz felt an exciting buzz fill her stomach. She’d been full of nervous excitement ever since she’d got out of bed that morning. The thought of seeing Max again made her so happy, even if she did have to hide her true feelings from everyone else. This day was going to be a test for both of them, once they’d got passed the first day, it would get easier, at least that’s what she’d told herself all the way to work. She had been trying to convince herself the rule of ‘friends only’ at work would be a piece of cake to follow through. How hard could it be to keep her hands off her sexy boss?! “Hi Liz, did you have a nice weekend?” Maria asked as her friend entered the office. “Erm, yeah I did thanks.” Liz replied, taking off her navy jacket and hanging it on the back of her chair. “So, what did you get up to then?” “Well, erm, not much really. Saw a friend yesterday, apart from that I pottered around the house most of the time.” Liz replied, hoping Maria wouldn’t see through her lie. Lying had never been one of her strong points, normally she couldn’t keep a straight face and people could always tell. “Oh right. Well you see I spent most of the weekend entertaining my cousin ………..” Maria started, although Liz found herself tuning her friend out as soon as the main door to the office swung opened. Their eyes locked together across the vast mass of room for a few seconds as he allowed the door to close behind him. He threw her a subtle, soft smile before starting to head to his office. “Hi guys.” He said breezily, watching Liz jump up from her seat and head towards the coffee machine. He’d been in his office approximately thirty seconds before his door opened and in walked his secretary. “Your coffee Max.” She said politely and professionally, placing the cup down on his desk. Walking around from behind his desk, Max headed to his door and clicked it shut to avoid interruptions, before walking back towards Liz. She was dressed in a short navy skirt and tight lilac tank top that accentuated her curves. Staring down into her deep brown eyes, he placed his hands on her bare arms, rubbing them gently, before pulling her in to his body and softly kissed her glossy red lips. Once they had broken the kiss he place his forehead against hers, taking a moment before he spoke. “Mmm, this staying away from each other at work could be harder than I thought!” Max joked as a smile lit up her face. They stayed together like that for a few moments, until the sound of his door being opened brought them back to reality. Springing apart quickly Max tried to adlib to cover why Liz was in his office. “So, if you could bring me that file that would be great. Mom! Hi, anything I can do for you?” Max asked surprised, and desperately hoping they hadn’t been caught. “Hi Max, could I have a word?” Diane asked “Sure.
Erm, I think we’re finished here Liz?”
Max said looking at her to make sure she was ok. Even though she hadn’t seen much, Diane’s mother’s intuition was working overtime. She could sense the feelings that were circulating inside her son’s office. Obviously she had no firm proof, but the look in Max’s eyes told her something different. As she talked over a problem she had with a client, Diane could see a change in her son. Normally, when she talked business with Max his whole attention was on the problem in hand. But today he seemed like he was on another planet, his answers to her questions were somewhat vague, and the vacant look on his face showed he was struggling to keep his concentration. “Are you ok Max?” She asked, watching her son ‘space’ out on her for the umpteenth time since she’d entered his office. “Sorry, erm yeah, I’m fine.” He replied, realising his mind had been wandering away from his mother’s problem. “Are you sure, you seem a bit preoccupied.” “I’ve just got some things on my mind, that’s all.” He replied. “Anything I can help you with?” She offered. “Thanks, but no, really it’s nothing.” He replied, trying to quash her fears. Deciding, as his mother, she had the right to meddle in his affairs, Diane took it upon herself to invite Liz out to lunch. Not wanting to offend Max’s mother, Liz had been taken aback by the invitation and couldn’t find a reason to say no. So, Just after 1.00pm, the two ladies left the office and headed down to a local café. Although she’d desperately wanted to warn Max before she left, Liz wasn’t able to speak to him since he was in an important meeting. She was anxious as they walked down the street to the café, her mind going into overdrive as she tried to fathom out why Diane had invited her out. It wasn’t that she disliked Mrs Evans, quite the opposite, but Diane wasn’t know for inviting staff out for lunch. Leased of all Max’s secretary. Not for the first time that day, Liz wished she’d been able to interrupt Max’s meeting to tell him. Then perhaps Max could have given her some idea as to what Diane’s intentions were, and, more importantly, how to answer any difficult questions. After finding a table and ordering their lunch, Diane chatted to the young girl. “So
Liz, how are you finding the firm, now that you’ve been working here for a few
weeks.” “Oh
please Liz, it’s Diane, we don’t need to be formal.
No one giving you a hard time are they?” “No really, Isabelle has been fine with me.” Liz replied smiling, hoping that Diane believed her. “And
what about Max? How do you find
working for my son?” “Good.” Diane said, smiling at the young girl as their food arrived. Tucking into their food, Diane chose her next words carefully. “Liz, tell me to mind my own business if you want to, but are you and Max just work colleagues?” She asked studying Liz’s face for any flicker of emotion. The bluntness of Diane’s words nearly made Liz choke on her ham salad. The question had come out of the blue and Liz didn’t know how to answer it. Although she and Max had agreed not to tell anyone, could she really like to his mother? Taking a mouthful of diet coke, Liz cleared her throat before continuing. “What makes you ask that?” Liz replied, trying to stay calm. “Well, I know there is someone special in my son’s life right now, someone who hasn’t been around long. I know Max very well Liz, and I can see a difference in him, something I haven’t seen before. He has a glint in his eyes, a sparkle and happiness about him that I’ve only seen once before along time ago. Back then it was In his father’s face, when we were your age, that’s where I’ve seen it before. So you see, I believe Max has met someone special, and I think maybe it’s you.” Diane replied, hoping her instincts were right. “What makes you think it’s me?” Liz countered, trying to keep her guard up. She so wished Max was with her at that moment. “Well,
I know I walked in on something earlier today, something that I don’t think
was work related. I can’t explain
it, it’s just mother’s intuition, a feeling or something I guess, but I did
walk in on something didn’t I?” “You’re right, I should, but like I said I know my son. I know Max wouldn’t tell me anything; he’d brush me off and tell me I’m imagining things. Please Liz, I just want to know if Max is happy. He hardly ever seems to tell me things about his life these days. It’s like when he moved out of our house he closed up his personal life to me also. I can’t remember the last time I had a proper chat with my son, besides work of course, he just doesn’t tell me things anymore.” “He is happy Diane.” Liz replied feeling sorry for his mother. It was obvious she cared very much for her son, and keeping secrets from her was hard. “Ok, I promise I won’t ask any more questions after this one. Is it you who has made him happy?” Diane asked hoping the answer would be yes. Dipping her head, Liz knew she couldn’t risk looking at Diane Evans. She knew her face would give Max’s mother the answer she was looking for. How could she honestly hide the feelings for the woman’s son that ran deep through her veins. Feelings for a man that she’d never experienced before, the overwhelming love that encapsulated her whole body. In her mind, she’d only been seeing Max for a very short time, but she couldn’t remember a time when he wasn’t a part of her life. The silence that followed confirmed Diane’s suspicions, she knew at that moment the identity of the pure angel who had captured Max’s heart. Secretly inside, she was jumping for joy, knowing the beautiful girl in front of her was definitely worthy of such a priceless part of her son. Returning from lunch, the first thing Liz wanted to do was rush into Max’s office and let him know about what his mother had said. She wanted to tell him that Diane knew, before his mother had a chance to confront him first. Yet her plan was thwarted when Isabelle pulled her into her office as soon as she had taken her jacket off, needing to dictate an urgent letter. The twenty minutes she was holed up in Isabelle’s office were the longest of her life. She tried desperately hard to concentrate on what Isabelle was saying, but she always found her mind drifting back to Max and more importantly, the conversation she’d had with Diane at lunch. Unfortunately for Liz, by the time she returned to her desk, Max’s office door was closed, indicating he was occupied with something or someone. “Max honey, do you have a moment?” Diane asked, putting her head around the door of his office. “Sure mom, twice in one day, what do I owe the pleasure this time?” He asked as she said down in the spare chair opposite his desk. “Well, this is more of a personal rather than professional matter.” She said “Ok, fire away then.” He replied, oblivious as to where his mother was coming from. “Well,
I was just wondering how you are today?” “I was just asking.” Diane replied cagily. “I appreciate the concern for my welfare mom, I really do, but I sense there’s something more to this mother/son chat? So, feel free to ask whatever it is that’s bothering you.” Max replied trying to put his mother at ease. “Gosh
am I really that transparent?” “Ok, well I, erm, went out for lunch with Liz today.” Diane replied watching his face for any changes in emotion. “With Liz? Hmm that’s nice.” Max said, trying to gauge where she was going to go next. “Yes, I just wanted to see how she’s settling in and make sure Isabelle is being nice.” “Right ……” Max replied, leaving his sentence open slightly. He really wished his mother would just tell him what was bothering her. Did she know something about his relationship with Liz? “Oh, and I asked her if she knew whether there was anyone special in your life.” Diane said casually “Oh please mom! Tell me you’re joking!” Max replied, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets “Well ………” His mother stumbled. “Oh
god I don’t believe you. Geez mum, why on earth did you ask her that?” “Great! So ……… what did Liz say?” He asked, hoping his secretary had been discrete.
“Actually, I expected her to say she’s the special person in your life at the moment.” Diane said cutting to the chase and getting to the point. For a few moments Max’s office went very quiet. Taking his hand up to his face, he rubbed his eyes for a few seconds as he tried to decide what to say to his mother. Diane Evans wasn’t someone you could lie to easily. She had a very good habit of being able to read people, and know instantly if they weren’t telling her the truth. Yet spilling all the details of what he had with Liz was certainly something he really didn’t want to do, at least not to his mother just yet and definitely not in the office where anyone could come in and interrupt them. Once one person knew word would soon get out and spread around the office like wildfire, making his and Liz’s relationship top of the gossip list. “Right ……….. well,” He started, still trying to choose his words carefully. In his mind he tried to think of what to say to his mother. How to tell her enough to keep her off his back, but not too much so that she’d know everything. Before Max had a chance to finish his sentence, a noisy commotion commenced outside his office door. Loud voices shouted, angry words exchanged, looking at his mother both their faces registered the same feelings ‘what the hell is going on out there’. Jumping to his feet, Max strode over to the closed door of his office, with his mother quickly in toe. As he swung open the large wooden door and walked out into the open plan area of the office, Max came face to face with a large shotgun pointed directly at his face. Part
15
“What the hell is going on here?” Max asked forcefully, the obvious gun pointed directly at him not swaying his vigorous mood. “Move any closer and I’ll blow your brains out!” The voice from behind the gun yelled out. “Ok, how about we all just calm down here and act like rational adults.” Max replied trying to defuse the situation. “Rational adults? You son of a bitch! Acting like rational adults won’t bring my family back!” He screamed. “What are you talking about?” Max said, totally confused. “You don’t even remember me do you? You bastard! You ruined my life and you don’t even know who I am!” He shouted. “I’m sorry, you’re right, I don’t know who you are. How about you tell me, how did I ruin your life?” Max asked trying to stay calm. As he said the words, Max swept his eyes around the room, trying to make sure all his staff were out of harms way as much as possible. As he looked, he noted that Michael and Maria were near his office door; Isabelle and Alex were the opposite side of the room by Alex’s desk; with his mother and Liz standing just behind himself. “Good”, he though, “Liz is behind me, nothing is gonna happen to her; he’ll have to get through me before he lays a finger on her!” “I shouldn’t have to tell you!” “No you’re right you shouldn’t, I’m sorry, I don’t remember, but please, tell me.” Max pleaded. “Fine! It was you who represented my wife, Tanya, it was you who sent me to jail, and it was you who helped them disappear. So you see, I’m here to find out where they are and bring them back!” He hissed. As the man’s words sunk into Max’s brain, a little metaphorical light bulb appeared above his head, suddenly Max remembered who he was. It had been a little over two years previously, one of the last cases of domestic law Max had tried before he moved over to commercial law. She had been a very scared young lady when she’d appeared in Max’s office asking for help. She’d poured her heart out to him, telling him all about her husband and how he’d been bullying and abusing her. She’d been scared for herself, but more importantly she was afraid for her young son’s safety. The little boy, three-year-old Kian, had come with his mother to Max’s office. He’d sat in the corner of the office for the whole duration of the 40 minute appointment, not saying a single word and refusing to go anywhere near Max. It was obvious, although Max was no psychologist, that the little boy was severely traumatised by what was happening at home. Tanya had begged Max to help her prosecute her husband and there was no way he could turn her down. So, Max had mounted up the prosecution against her husband, Damien. With the amount of evidence they had, along with Tanya’s strong willingness to testify, they had easily obtained a victory. Damien had been given four years in jail, with the potential of getting out early on good behaviour. In return for testifying, Max had assured Tanya that she would be able to rebuild her life well away from him in a place where Damien would never find them. He’d managed to secure a place on the New York Witness Protection Programme for both Tanya and Kian. As soon as the case was completed, both mother and son were whisked away, given new identities and new lives. They were to have absolutely no contact with any friends or relatives, but to Tanya it seemed a small price to pay for her freedom, health and peace of mind that Damien would never find them again. “I remember who you are.” Max said quietly but firmly. “Good, so you’ll also be able to remember where Tanya and Kian are.” He insisted. “I don’t know where they are.” Max replied. “Yeah right! Like I’m gonna fall for that one. Where are they!” He yelled. “I told you, I don’t know where they are. They became part of the Witness Protection Programme.” Max informed. “I know that.” “Listen to me, I ……… don’t ……… know ………. where ……… they ………. are!” Max insisted. “I’m not
leaving until you tell me where they are!” “No!
No one is going anywhere till I get the information I have come for.” “What about in here? Is it in here?” Damien yelled, yanking open a drawer of the filing cabinet by him, grabbing a couple of files and chucking them across the room. Loose papers from the flies fell out and laid strewn across the office floor. “There’s nothing in there that will help you.” Max said calmly. “Well maybe …………. Maybe I need to find something who knows your filing system.” He hissed as he surveyed the room. “You! Come here!” He indicated, pointing at Liz. “No! Leave her out of this.” Max said forcefully, moving further across Liz to block her from Damien. “I told her to come here!” He reiterated, pointing the gun back at Max. “It’s ok.” She whispered quietly, placing her hand on Max’s arm as she slipped past him. It wasn’t that she wanted to go anywhere near the maniac, more that she didn’t want anything to happen to Max. “Find the file!” He insisted, grabbing her by the neck and pushing Liz forcefully towards the filing cabinet. A bolt of anger ran through Max’s veins as he watched Damien touch Liz, and it took all of his strength to hold himself back from running at Damien and making him pay for traumatising his staff. Max knew forwell that Liz wouldn’t find anything of use for Damien in the filing cabinet. Hell he could turn the office upside down and still not find anything. As Liz dropped files one by one onto the floor, Max knew he had to do something. “Why don’t you
believe me when I say there is no information in this office that will help you
on the whereabouts of your wife and child?”
Max asked. Catching her as she stumbled in front of him, Max helped Liz steady herself and then ushered her behind him once more. Gratefully falling into Diane’s waiting arms, Liz cried softy as she tried to overcome the trauma of the ordeal. Although the situation was no better, Max was secretly thankful that Liz was back behind him once more, in a safer position in case he did something stupid with the gun he was wielding. “I want to know where they are, and I want to know now!” Damien insisted forcefully. “I’ve already told you, I don’t know where they are.” Max replied. “Tell Me!” Damien yelled, clicking his thumb to cock the gun in his hand and pointing it a few inches away from Max’s face. The sound of the clicking reverberated around the silent office. Against her better judgement, Maria couldn’t help but cry out. Her heart was racing, she felt hysterical inside and she just couldn’t stop the cry from escaping. The cry that emitted forced Damien to tear his concentration away from Max and turn towards the origin of the sound. What followed seemed to happen in complete slow motion. The gun in his hand moved with his head, and was all too quickly pointed at Maria. A scream erupted from her mouth once again as his finger slowly squeezed the trigger. “Maria!” Another voice shouted out. Placing his hands on her shoulder, Michael shoved her hard so that she crashed to the floor as the sound of the gun going off echoed around the thin walls. “Nooooooo!” Liz screamed as Maria and Michael ended up in a heap on the carpeted floor. In the few seconds that Damien’s attention was distracted by Maria and Michael, Max chose to seize his chance. Forming a fist with his hand, Max swung his arm back and thrusted it hard into Damien’s stomach. Choking on the air that was quickly emitted from his stomach, Damien stumbled backwards. Before he had a chance to regain his composure, Max banged his hand down hard on the arm that was holding the gun, forcing Damien to drop it to the floor. Thinking quickly, Alex grabbed at Damien’s free arm and helped Max to push him to the ground. Forcing him face down on the carpet, Max grabbed Damien’s arms and yanked them behind him, kneeling on his back so that he was pinned him down on the floor. “Isabelle, get the FBI!” Max yelled towards his stunned sister. For a moment Isabelle couldn’t move, she felt routed to the spot. “Isabelle!” Max yelled once again, shaking his sister from her trance. Frantically grabbling for the phone, Isabelle hit 911 on the dial pad. “Michael I’m ok, you can get off me now.” Maria said quietly. Inside her heart was racing, she couldn’t believe what had just happened. Michael had pushed her out of the way of the bullet, without his actions she most certainly would have been hit. She struggled to comprehend how his actions alone had saved her. “Michael?” She said again, nudging him. He was still lying on top of her in the same position as they’d landed when he’d pushed her out of the way. Although his body was becoming increasingly heavy against her tiny frame. “Michael?” She panicked. Moving her hand up to his chest, Maria was suddenly aware of a warm liquid seeping onto her top. Pulling her hand out, she screamed once again at the sight of what she saw covering her hand. “Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!” She screamed repeatedly, frozen in her position on the floor. “What is it Maria? Michael?” Liz asked, finally finding her feet and making it over to her friend. Kneeling down, Liz put a hand on Michael’s shoulder and shook him; it was then that Liz saw the red liquid covering the carpet. “Oh shit! Isabelle, call an ambulance! Now!” Liz yelled, pushing Michael over so that he laid on his back. Blood soaked nearly every inch of the front of his white shirt, and more was coming at an alarming rate. Placing her hands over the entrance to the wound, Liz put as much pressure on it as she could. Looking at Michael’s face, she noted the deathly white colour of his skin and silently prayed the ambulance would get there very soon. “Someone get me the first aid box that’s under my desk.” Liz called out, realising her hands weren’t soaking any of the blood up. Foraging under her desk, Diane returned with the green box and rustled around until she found some thick gauze pads. “Here, use these.” Diane offered, handing the pads to her. “Check his pulse for me.” Liz instructed, not wanting to remove her hands from his blood soaked chest. “He’s still got a pulse, but it’s very weak.” Diane replied. “Where the hell is that ambulance!” Liz exasperated, her eyes glancing at her friend. Maria was sitting only a few feet away from Michael but looked like she was about to pass out. Her face was also drained of every drop of blood, her knees drawn up to her chest as she rocked backwards and forwards in a self comforting motion. It was evident to Liz that Maria was certainly in shock. “Isabelle, help her.” Liz ordered, as her boss moved over and put her arms around Maria. From his position of kneeling on Damien, Max wished there was something more he could do for his best friend. Seeing Michael lying unconscious in a pool of blood on their office floor was the worst feeling ever. He desperately wanted to do something to help Michael, but in his heart knew that there was nothing he could do. He had to stay holding Damien so that the others in the office would be safe, and in his heart he also knew that Liz was doing everything possible to keep Michael alive until the ambulance arrived. For every person in the office, it seemed like an age before the FBI and ambulance arrived at the scene of the crime. Cuffing his hands, Damien was dragged up to his feet and escorted off the premises. It was only then that Max could get near his friend. By now the ambulance men were putting a drip into his arm and trying to keep up Liz’s good work of stemming the blood. Instructing Max and Alex to help them, the ambulance men gingerly moved Michael onto the stretcher before whisking him out the office door. The second ambulance arrived just as the first pulled away, with two other ambulance men dashing inside. One of the men carefully placed a blanket around Maria’s shoulder’s and then another around Isabelle’s. Crouching down to her, Alex couldn’t resist the urge to pull Isabelle into his arms. She looked so afraid, so scared, he just had to comfort her. He’d expected her to pull away or flinch, but to his surprise, Isabelle didn’t, instead she eagerly nestled her head against his chest, grateful for the feeling of comfort and security he was giving her in his embrace. Stunned for a moment at the events that had enfolded that afternoon, Max stared at Liz who was standing in front of him. Her body was extremely tense, her lilac tank top drenched in blood, her shoulders shaking softly from the sobs that were emitting from inside her. Reaching out and taking her hand, Max pulled her into his body and wrapped his arms around her. Her sobs continued as he enveloped her with his body, trying hard to comfort and sooth her. “Shhhh, it’s ok, it’s over now.” He whispered into her ear. The sobs continued as he stroked her hair, desperately trying to contain his own emotions that were threatening to open up, as she fell apart in his arms. “Mr Evans?” The ambulance man said, “I really think you all should come down to the hospital just to get checked out and make sure you’re all ok.” He said. “Yeah, err, sorry yes you’re right.” Max replied knowing he wanted Liz to be checked over as soon as possible, to make sure she wasn’t suffering from shock or any other injuries. Her health was of paramount importance to him. “Mr Evans, I’m sorry but we’re gonna need a statement first.” The FBI agent added. “Can’t it
wait?” “Ok, right. Erm …….. ok, you all head down to the hospital and get checked over, I’ll stay here and give the statement.” Max said looking at everyone. “No, I don’t want to leave you.” Liz cried softly. “Please Liz, I need to know you’re alright. You have to be seen by a doctor, if not for you, for my peace of mind. I can’t let anything happen to you.” He replied quietly, as she stared up at him with her large brown tear filled eyes. “Take Maria, and look after her. Find out how Michael is, I’ll join you as soon as I can, I promise.” Max insisted, kissing the top of her head gently before reluctantly relinquishing his grip on her. Inside five minutes, Max was sitting in his office, slowly reliving the nightmare of what had happened that afternoon. “So you say there
was absolutely no provocation.” The
FBI agent asked. “And how again
did your staff member, Michael Guerin, get shot.” “Doctor Williams to surgery, Doctor Williams to surgery.” A voice over the loud speaker called. “Here you go Maria. Drink up, it will make you feel better.” Diane said, handing the stricken girl a large cup of sweet tea. The group had all been checked over by now, and all that was left to do was wait. Liz was curled up on a nearby chair, willing Max to hurry up and arrive. The urge to have his strong arms engulf her body was so strong she wasn’t sure how long she could survive without him. She needed Max’s strength to help her through what was likely to be a very long evening. They were all just waiting; Isabelle and Alex huddled up together, Diane trying to comfort Maria, all waiting for the same thing. News on their friend. As soon as he’d arrived at the ER department of the hospital, Michael was quickly whisked away and seen by doctors. There had been little news since then, and the waiting was slowly eating into all of them. The automatic doors made a loud swishing noise as he strode into the reception area. Quickly locating the reception desk, Max headed towards the girl sitting behind it. “My friend was brought in about fifteen to twenty minutes ago. His name is Michael Guerin. There were others with him ………. Hang on, there they are, thank you.” Max said before the receptionist had a chance to speak. Rushing over to where his friends were, Max hugged his sister and mother before moving over to Liz, scooping her up into his arms, he held her tight to him once again, secretly elated that she was safe and sound. “Michael? How is he?” He asked. “We don’t know, nobody has told us yet.” Liz replied “And you, have
you been seen by a doctor?” He
asked quietly. “Hi, I’m Doctor
Freeman, I’ve been treating Mr Guerin.” “Right now, I really don’t know. I’d say he’s got about an 80% chance, but it all depends on how well he comes through the surgery and whether the bullet has done any other serious damage. To be honesty, I’d say it’s touch and go right now.” Dr Freeman replied. “Nooooooo!” Maria wailed as Diane pulled the distraught girl tightly into her arms. Consoling Maria was near impossible, not only did she feel totally responsible for his potentially life threatening injuries, but she was also secretly hiding her true feelings for her boss. “Shhhh Maria, he’s a fighter, he’s gonna be ok.” Diane said gently, rubbing the girl’s back to sooth her fears and try to make her feel better. “Oh god, poor Michael.” Liz said softly, holding on to Max even tighter as tears welled in her eyes. Inside she felt guilty, guilty that she was secretly pleased it wasn’t Max lying in the operating theatre. Inside she wasn’t sure how she’d of coped if Max had of got hurt by that maniac. “I guess we just wait now, wait and see if Michael is as tough as we all hope and think he is.” Max replied watching five scared and frightened faces slowly turn and face him. In their grief, they all seemed to turn to Max, turn to him for help, support, comfort and leadership. He was their pillar of strength, he had been the one to stand up to Damien, fight him to get the gun away, and then wrestle him to the ground. They all silently knew they owed a lot to Max that day. Max suddenly felt very tired, weighed down by supporting everyone, and silently wished he could lean on Liz like he really wanted to. Inside he also wanted to shed tears in an attempt to come to terms with the shock of what had happened, and cry tears for his best friend who was in a bad way. Yet doing that would show to everyone he wasn’t as strong as they thought and also how much he felt for Liz. No, Max knew he had to remain strong for everyone else. Guiding Liz over to a nearby sofa, they sat down, and Max consoled himself in the knowledge that Liz was safe and sound beside him, nothing had happened to her, it was only Michael that had become a victim of their awful ordeal. For all six of them the following hours were the worst of their lives. Sitting, waiting, comforting, but ultimately feeling totally useless as Michael, their friend and colleague, lay on an operating table fighting vainly to hold on to the last grips of his dwindling life.
TBC ........................?
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