"You know, we should take a cab. Walking isn't safe anymore," suggested Denise.
"I have a better idea."
He picked her up, being careful with her arm, and started floating off the ground.
"What are you doing?! No! I don't want to fly!"
"Don't worry, you're in good hands. Besides, you were fine when I flew you to the hospital."
"I was delirious from the loss of blood! I didn't know what was going on! Now I'm clear headed and realize that we are very high above the ground and I don't like it!"
"Relax! I promise I'll go slow."
"Ohhhhhh, I'm afraid of heights!"
"We can't run the risk of being seen. Just close your eyes. I'll tell you when we're home."
She squeezed her eyes shut and held onto him for dear life. The wind blowing through her hair sent chills down her spine.
"Are you cold?"
She nodded her head. "Just scared."
"Don't be."
"I can't help it."
Minutes later, which seemed like forever for poor Denise, they were home. Toni met them at the door.
"Oh my God, Denise! Are you alright?!" she asked as she ran to her and hugged her carefully.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just two holes in my arm, no big deal!" she laughed.
"TWO holes?!"
"Yeah, the stunning entrance and the dramatic exit."
"Oh, I'm so glad you're ok! When AJ told me you've been shot, I thought I was going to die!"
"I appreciate your concern, but really, I'm ok. The only thing I'm worried about are the scars it's going to leave."
"Be happy that you're actually going to GET to LEAVE with scars!"
"I've heard enough lectures for tonight, Toni, thank you very much. Now, if you two younglings will excuse me, I think I'll go to bed."
"Mom, do you need any help with, you know, anything?"
"Well actually I don't think I'll be able to, umm, change into my PJ's with just one arm, but I think Toni's more qualified for the job. If you don't mind."
"You don't even have to ask! Of course, I'll help you!"
"Thank you, Toni. You're too kind. Thank you for the offer, hon, but, you know."
"Ok."
"Good night."
"G'night, Mom. Feel better."
"Thanks."
Toni smiled at him and then assisted Denise up the stairs and into her bedroom. AJ felt something weird in his left shoulder and brought his hand up to touch it. He looked at his hand and saw blood.
"Oh yeah."
He was so concerned about his mother that he had forgotten about his own injuries. He gathered everything he needed, like a plastic cup, clean towels, tweezers, and antiseptic stuff. Then he walked into the downstairs bathroom, removed his coat and shirt, and seated himself in the tub. God forbid he spill any blood on the floor! 'Oh God, how am I gonna do this?! Just plunge in, dig around until you feel the little bastard, and pull it right out really fast! Ok, here I go…' He pointed the tweezers right above his shoulder wound when he was interrupted by a knock on the door. "What?"
"Can I come in?" asked Toni's voice.
"I don't think you'd want to."
She did anyway.
"AJ, you'll never get those out by yourself."
"Well what else am I supposed to do?"
"I'll help you."
AJ looked at her disbelievingly. "You're kidding, right?"
"I'm serious. There's nothing more romantic than digging bullets out of your boyfriend's gut."
AJ gave her a strange look. Toni sighed and went over to him.
"Give me those tweezers." He hesitantly handed them to her. "AJ, this is gonna hurt like a bitch. You want something to squeeze or something?"
"How about a brick?"
"A brick? Canceling out pain with more pain, that's brilliant. I'll get you a pillow instead." She walked out then returned with a small pillow and gave it to him. "You ready?" He nodded. "Ok." She examined his injuries. "You're lucky. Out of the five shots you received, I'm only gonna have to remove two bullets. The other three exited through your back."
"Lucky me," he said sarcastically.
"Ok, I'm gonna do it now…" She placed the tweezers above his shoulder wound. "On three…1…2!" She stuck them in and AJ bit back a scream. Instead, he squeezed the stuffing out of the pillow. Three LONG seconds later, the bullet was painfully pulled out and plunked into the plastic cup.
"You cheated!"
"I had to! It would hurt less when it's unexpected!"
"BULLSHIT!"
"I'm sorry---"
"JUST DO IT!"
She was startled by his outburst, but proceeded to the next hole, which was on his side.
"Are you ready---"
"Don't ask me, just do it!"
She bit her lip in nervousness and fear, then she plunged them back into his raw flesh. This time, he couldn't fight back a scream.
"HOLY FUCKIN' SHIT DIE AND BURN IN HELL!!!"
She winced at his colorful choice of words and dropped the second bullet into the plastic cup. Then she dabbed his wounds with an antiseptic soaked towel.
"It's done," she said meekly. AJ was sitting laid back in the tub with his eyes closed. The pillow was nothing but a pile of torn cloth and scattered feathers. "AJ?"
He gulped then spoke weakly, "That hurt more than a million kicks in the balls."
"Umm, ok. I guess I'll have to take your word for it. Are you alright?"
"No."
"Are you going to be alright?"
"Yes."
"Good. Your wounds should be if not completely then mostly healed by tomorrow night. They'll probably be gone by the time you wake up."
"Toni?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you weren't there."
"I'm not that you two were," she replied, feeling guilty about letting Denise go after him. But how could she have known?
"You shouldn't worry about me. It's my mom who's vulnerable."
"I know, but I don't like seeing you get hurt, even if it isn't fatal."
"That son of a bitch could've killed her!"
"I know, but be thankful that he didn't! You were the one who saved her life. You came in between her and those flying bullets."
"Apparently I didn't do a very good job."
"She's going to be ok."
"Yeah, but I should've done something else besides stand there and confront him like an idiot. I should've flown off with her or something. Anything for sparing her the pain."
"If you had flown off, the guy probably would've freaked and shot into the air and maybe she wouldn't have been so lucky! Stop blaming yourself, AJ! She's going be fine!"
"But I came so close to losing her! I would never be able to forgive myself if anything happened to her! I can't imagine life without her! It's bad enough Valencia died because of me! I-I-I can't lose my mother!"
Usually this was the point when he would break down and cry just like a child and Toni would take him into her arms and tell him that everything's going to be alright. But for some strange reason, he didn't. The emotions were there in his voice, but his face had no expression. It was vacant, stone-hard, and so…so dead. His eyes were cold and devoid of affection. He was staring blankly at nothing in particular. It wasn't like AJ at all. It was if some unfeeling monster had taken over his body and soul. It scared her.
"I love you, AJ," she whispered softly, hoping for a reaction.
He did not say it back.
Links to other sites on the Web
To Chapter 32
Back to CONTENTS
© 1997 crunkgrl62382@yahoo.com
Get your own Free Home Page