Chapter 46 #2
This is the only part that gives me a panic attack. That lie. That assumption. I want to shout that I didn’t abandon Ana. She was fucking taken from me. Ana and I were together until the day we got into the accident. I just stopped touching her because I knew by then she hated me.
People like Pierce love nothing more than bending the story for their narrative, a knife in my back that they can twist for the rest of my life.
I look up to see security guards walking toward the stage.
“I’m done.” Pierce tosses my plaque, and the wood clatters noisily on the stage.
“Come on, Mr. Langston, you’ve had too much to drink.” One of the guards tries to escort him off the stage.
“How about the foundation finds someone else who actually deserves to be commended?” Pierce stalks away like my award is some kind of personal offense against him.
I did offend him by marrying the woman he wanted to keep as a trophy. Someone to fuck in a public bathroom and then brag to his shitty friends about it.
The MC regains the podium, then clears his throat. An organization board member retrieves the award from the stage floor and hands it to him.
“Ahem,” he clears his throat, clearly flustered. “I’d like to say a few words about the invaluable services Dr. O’Rourke has provided to St. Boudin.”
He proceeds to give a summary of the work I did with the society and other MS patients. The reason I was nominated for the award. It in no way undoes the damage of Pierce’s words, but the crowd plays along.
“Let’s give a hand for Dr. Cormac O’Rourke, this year’s recipient of the Board Volunteer Award.” He officially invites me to the stage to receive the plaque.
Even though there’s clapping now, I don’t move. I don’t stand up. Every eye burns into me like they can see my scars.
Scarlett’s fingers tighten with mine. “I don’t care what Pierce said. You deserve that award. You put your career on hold for months to help your mother. Everything Pierce said only proves how far you’ve climbed. How you worked hard to get it all back.”
I look at her. Really look, shocked at how she believes in me. More than I ever have.
I take a deep breath and stand to accept my award, but also to acknowledge my shame in front of my peers. It’s time.
Scarlett rises with me. Her chin lifted, and smiling, she doesn’t let go of my hand.
I step onto the stage with my wife and take the award with her at my side. When another round of applause rips from the crowd, I hold up my hand.
“No. Stop,” I say as politely as I can, since I’m ready to detonate.
“Everything you saw up here was true. That was me. For a brief period, I lost my way. I’m not proud of what you saw, the circus you were all just subjected to tonight, and I would give anything to change what happened.
But the fact is, I had a problem. But I also got help.
I crawled out of it. I’ve been clean for more than a year.
With the help and trust of my family, I worked to repair my relationship with my son’s mother and now have a job I love.
” My eyes stray to find Bradley, wondering if I’ll have that job in the morning.
But his seat is empty. I glance around, but not finding him, I continue, “I also have a beautiful wife who believes in me.” I smile at Scarlett.
“She’s taught me the true meaning of forgiveness and acceptance. ”
Scarlett has tears in her eyes as she takes the award from me and holds it against her chest.
“Thank you for this award, and more so, for your belief in me,” I say and step away.
This time, I don’t stop the applause.
But the damage is done.
“Let’s go.” I steer my wife off the stage and straight to the back of the room, where we can get the fuck out of here.
Pierce Langston calls after us, clapping slowly and mocking me. “Look at the comeback kid.”
I turn halfway to meet his eyes with my cold and lethal stare. Does he know I can make one call and have him killed within the hour?
“Thank you, Pierce,” I say instead of a threat that will land me in handcuffs. “You told everyone here my survival story. You reminded me of my triumph. That was a gift.”
Pierce’s smile fades.
From the corner of my eye, I see his father crossing the room toward us. The deep scowl says he’s not happy about what his son did. Ramses Langston is only terrifying because of his influential power.
Bradley is still nowhere in sight. I tell myself that silence doesn’t always mean judgment. But it doesn’t feel like forgiveness either.
I keep walking with Scarlett on my arm. As much as I want to see what old Ramses does to his son, I’d rather get home to be alone with my wife.
Outside, the cool night air hits me. It’s almost the end of the semester. Almost time for me to sign my full-time teaching contract.
Scarlett’s driver opens the SUV’s door for us. She slides in first, still holding my hand. Still claiming me even when she should run.
Inside the dark privacy of the car, she cups my jaw. The feel of her as she presses her lips against my neck is the most perfect thing I’ve felt in a long time. After holding my son. Like him, the rise and fall of her chest and the rhythm of her heart beating are because of me.
“I am so proud to be your wife,” she whispers, fierce and aching.
Everything inside me fractures.
She presses her forehead to mine. “Take me home, husband.”
“There’s no place I’d rather be right now.”