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Jackie’s workout and sparring session that evening had been uninspired—mechanical. Evan had been dead almost two months and being at the gym without him still didn’t feel right. His voice always used to echo suggestions and encouragement as men and women worked through the sparring sessions. He would urge them on with quips like, “Let’s move, time’s-a-tickin’, move, move!” The place felt empty without his voice filling it.
As per usual, their friends hovered, offered encouragement and, once again, invited her to go out with them. But she wasn’t ready for that yet. After making her usual excuses, she found her gym bag and set to packing her gear. One of Evan’s friends, Luke, sidled up next to her, a little too close for comfort. “How you holdin’ up?”
“Fine.” Jackie hated questions like this. Constant reminders. Just let it go.
When she tried to leave, Luke tagged along, trying to make small talk. She hardly heard what he said as they walked out toward her car. She pressed the button twice to open the trunk, deposited her gear bag, and slammed it down. “Thanks for walking me out. I really need to go.”
Not taking the hint, Luke stepped closer and grabbed her arm.
She looked down at the contact point, wary of any man touching her uninvited.
“Just stop a second, okay?”
She looked up at him but didn’t speak.
He sprung into the silence like it had been offered as a prompt. “Look, I know it’s been hard, but I want to be here for you. We all need a good friend, right?”
“A good friend?”
“Yeah, someone to... you know...” He leaned in and raised his eyebrows as he spoke, “Someone to work stuff out with.”
“Work stuff out, huh?” Jackie scoffed. “No chance. We’re done here. Now, step back and leave me alone.”
Angered by her frankness, he closed in and grabbed her by the shoulders. “I’m just trying to be here for you. Why don’t you try letting down your guard for a bit? You never know, you might just like it.” With that, his gaze fell to her chest, leering a little too long at her well-conditioned form.
Jackie twisted in his grip and pushed him. “Let go of me!”
This angered him more and he tightened his hold. “Maybe you should try being more appreciative when someone offers to help.” His voice deepened, adding a threatening undertone to his advances.
Jackie stopped struggling and looked up into his face. “You want me to show you some appreciation?” she asked, softening her tone a bit.
His upper lip tightened with a smug smirk as he raised his chin. “That would be nice. I’ll show you some—“
A knee to the groin cut him off. Grunting as he released her, he stumbled back, clutching his partially engorged manhood, eyes bulging in pain.
Jackie squared her stance and pointed a finger directly into his face. “Don’t ever fucking touch me again.”
Another man came out of the gym, a look of concern on his face. “Everything alright here?”
Jackie shrugged and looked at Luke. “I don’t know. Everything alright, Luke?”
Still bent over, he put a hand up in surrender, uttering a hoarse reply as he stumbled backwards, “Yeah, yeah, everything’s fine.”
Jackie turned without a word, got in her car, and backed out, nearly hitting Luke in the process, then sped off.
𓂓
“Momma?”
Jackie flinched and turned to Elena. “Yes, baby?”
“Can we go in now?” she asked.
“Sure, honey, let’s go.”
𓂓
Clay’s work clothes had been removed in the ER and now sat in a bag on the floor next to his boots. With all the people in and out, he’d become self-conscious about the hospital gown. So, after the room transfer, Sean offered to go across the street to Bang-Mart and get a few things. He returned with jeans, a pack of white tees, boxers, deodorant, and a pair of strange looking sneaker slippers. Clay held them up and regarded them doubtfully.
“Seemed like it would be easy to keep by the bed for when you want to move around,” Sean said.
Clay went into the bathroom and cleaned up best he could before changing. He struggled a bit with the jeans but managed to pull them on. Unable to sit in bed any longer, he took several walks around the third floor, drawing reproachful glares from the on-duty nurses who made it clear they wanted him to rest. As he settled back in from another brief stroll, a news update displayed on the TV drew Clay’s attention.
“Sean, can you turn that up?”
‘Televisa News Bulletin... Latin America... Paititi Three still missing... Feared kidnapped, held hostage, or worse... Last seen performing at Inti Raymi festival six years ago.’
The words scrolled across the bottom of the screen. The anchor spoke from a box in the top left-hand corner as supporting images flashed in succession beside her. “Three women, known as the Paititi Three were declared missing at the end of the winter solstice festival, Inti Raymi, six years ago. The beloved trio—Carmen, Frederica, and Rosaria—were widely known. After their final performance, they were last seen by witnesses getting into a dark sedan. Family and friends have not heard from them since. Authorities still have no leads. Six years later, the whereabouts of these women is still unknown.”
“Sad,” Clay remarked.
Commotion at the doorway tore their attention from the screen. They had visitors. Clay felt grateful to be dressed when he saw Jackie. She had changed from her morning outfit into some very interesting blue jeans, a white surplice halter top, and white running shoes. Long bangs fell from her ponytail, framing her face. Making her athleticism apparent in the way she moved, Jackie smiled, capturing the attention of Clay and Sean.
Clay noticed that she seemed to catch a chill, and much to his disappointment, she pulled a blue Polo button-up shirt from her very large bag and put it on to warm herself. Elena wore a cute little flower pattern dress with shiny patent shoes, hair pulled back in a ponytail just like her momma’s. Elena hesitated by her mother’s side for a moment, then walked up to Clay’s bedside. He looked down at her and smiled. “Hello, little lady.”
“Hi, Mr. Clay, how are you?” Elena asked. Jackie looked down at her and smiled.
