5. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Lilah

G ene looks defeated next to me, tears rolling down his face. I've never seen him this way, so vulnerable. I reach across the console and grab his hand in mine. I squeeze it in what I hope is a reassuring gesture.

"I know it's difficult, but you can get through this. I'm right here with you."

My words come from the heart. I feel like there is a bond that's been growing between Gene and me for the past two years. I give his hand another squeeze and then reach for my purse. I have some tissues and I bring them out and gently mop the tears from his face.

"We should go in. If it's too late they might not let us see her."

Gene nods and gets out of the car. Before I can get out I see him outside my door and he opens it for me. We walk together towards the entrance of the facility. Snow is starting to fall and I see it land on his beautiful blond locks.

He's too handsome for his own good. He's got chiseled features and looking into his eyes is like getting lost in the deep blue ocean. Oh god, I've got it bad, I know. I just need to get a handle on myself and my feelings in front of him.

The nurse at the reception gives me a smile. She's used to me coming to visit at all hours of the day.

"Hey Daisy. This is Mirna's son, Gene."

"Oh hi. I'm glad Lilah was able to reach you. You can go ahead and visit with Mirna. I'll see if I can get the doctor to come give you more information on her condition."

"Thank you, ma'am."

I put my hand on Gene's arm and almost regret it. There's a mountain of muscles there that I would love to explore. I start walking towards Mirna's room and he follows me silently. When we arrive at her door he stops in his tracks.

We're in no hurry so I patiently wait for a few minutes while he gathers himself. He starts to step back, but I know that's not the right thing to do. I grab his hand in mine and look up at him with a small smile on my face.

He nods in acknowledgement and we go inside the room. It's cold inside and all the machines are beeping as they follow Mirna's heartbeat and vitals. I try to move further into the room but Gene is once again frozen.

I realize I need to give him some time to get accustomed to his mother's situation, so I let go of his hand and walk into the room. I say hello to Mirna and sit down on the chair next to her bed. I start talking to her in a low voice, telling her her son is here to see her.

Gene's mother has become a bit of my confidant, if that's possible. I tell her all my woes and it helps me immensely. I won't say anything right now because Gene is here with us. He is startled when the door behind him opens and the doctor comes in.

They talk in hushed tones and after a while I notice Gene's grim look. The doctor leaves and he takes a few tentative steps towards his mother's bed.

"You can hold her hand if you want. Do you want to sit here next to her?"

"I'm okay."

I turn back to his mother. There's some lotion in the table next to her bed and I take some and apply it to her hand and arm. She's cold and frail, but I still like to do this for her. Human touch is soothing and healing and I want her to know she's not alone.

"Do you always do that for her?"

"Yes. I want her to feel that someone cares for her."

I see him flinch.

"I didn't mean it that way."

"It's okay."

"You had your reasons for staying away."

He takes a step forward, then another, soon he's standing next to his mother's bed.

"Do you want some privacy?"

"No. Please stay."

I sit back and watch his mother. Every now and then I steal a look at him. He's clearly hurting. After a while he leans down and starts talking to his mother. There are words of apology, regret, but most importantly, love.

The nurse in charge gets him a chair and we spend about two hours with her. When we leave, Gene looks as if a huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders. He opens the passenger door for me and we get settled in the car.

"Thank you, Lilah."

"I'm just glad I could help. When they told me she was fading, I knew I had to get you back here."

"Not just for that. For everything. You've been so good and kind to someone you don't even know. I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you."

"No need for that."

"Okay. Do you want to grab some dinner in town?"

"Maybe some coffee at Over the Roast?"

"Um. I'm persona non grata over there."

"Okay, you choose a place. I don't have any preference."

We drive in silence back to town, both of us deep in thought. His nearness affects me in a way I've never experienced before. I look out my window. The snow is coming down faster now and it's blanketing the streets.

The town looks beautiful with all the Christmas decorations. I put some lights up around the window of my shop, trying to contribute to the holiday spirit. We stop at a diner and sit down at a booth. I'm more nervous than hungry, but I want to spend as much time as I can with Gene.

He is looking at me funny and I wonder if I've got something on my face.

"What?"

"You're an amazing person, Lilah, but I sense something is going on with you."

"What makes you say that?"

"There's something not right at the store and you look a little worse for the wear. Don't get me wrong, you still look beautiful, but I'm concerned."

I look down at the sandwich I don't want to eat and pick at the fries. We've become close, but I'm not sure I should share my troubles.

"I…don't…"

"Don't bother lying. I can see it in your face."

"It's complicated, Gene. There are a lot of things going on, and life doesn't always work out the way you want it to."

"Can you be more specific? Maybe I can help."

I look at him. He seems sincere in his interest. All the stress of what I'm going through is bringing me down and I don't want to be like this during the Christmas season.

"The shop is different because I can't get enough stock lately."

"Why not?"

"Business has been declining."

"Is it because of the season?"

"No."

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Sometimes people bad mouth you and I don't like it. So I've defended you."

"And the town has turned against you. God, I'm so sorry, Lilah. What can I do?"

I know he wants to help, but I've almost given up. Besides anything but a big infusion of cash won't help me or my business.

"It's been challenging. The after effects have been troubling though."

"Like what?"

"My brother has been trying to help by getting me money. He says he's working part time somewhere, but he's giving me big amounts of cash so I can pay the mortgage on the building."

"You think he's stealing?"

"Or dealing drugs."

"Do you want me to look into it?"

I'm about to reject his offer when the Sheriff comes into the diner. He seems to be looking for someone and when he sets eyes on me he makes a beeline for our booth.

"Hi, Miss Castle. I'm glad I found you. I'm sorry to inform you that your brother was caught stealing earlier today and I had to take him into custody."

"Was he alone when he was caught?" Gene says.

"Mr. Mitchell, I didn't know you were back in town. This isn't any of your business."

"Please answer his question, Sheriff. He's my friend." I say.

The Sheriff eyes Gene warily and purses his lips, then looks at me and answers the question.

"He was alone when he got caught, but the store clerk tells me two other boys were hanging out with him before the incident. Twins."

It had to be Brad and Owen Mcallister.

"How serious is this, Sheriff?"

"That depends on the business owner. They might want to press charges."

"Thanks. I'll go to the station and see what's going on."

The Sheriff tips his hat to me and starts to leave, giving a side eye to Gene. Gene ignores him and catches my attention.

"Thanks for dinner, Gene. I've got to go."

"I'm coming with you."

"Are you sure? I would appreciate the support."

"I can give more than support. I'm a lawyer, remember?"

I had completely forgot about that part of him. I just knew him as the mayor when he was here before. My hopes are high then that we can get my brother Connor the help he needs.

"Let's go then, counselor."

On the drive to the Sheriffs office Gene keeps asking me questions that I do not have the answers to. All I know is that Connor couldn't have gotten the huge amounts of money from a part time job that any sixteen year old could get.

"Are you okay with me representing your brother if it comes to that?"

"Oh, yes. Thank you so much."

"Things will work out. I promise you."

"God Gene, you can't promise something like that." I snap at him.

He looks at me with surprise in his face.

"I'm so sorry, you didn't deserve that. I'm just completely overwhelmed by this."

"I understand, Lilah."

We park in front of the Woodland Falls police station. I can't even feel delight over what a wonderful job they've done decorating the front of the building for Christmas. I rush in and I immediately spot my brother sitting next to a desk, talking to someone.

That is such a relief. I half expected to find him in a dingy jail cell. The officer in front of us is asking some questions and I hear Gene answering for me. They let us through and I run to my brother's side. He looks terrified.

When I reach him he gets up and I hug him tightly.

"Lilah, you're embarrassing me!"

I pull back at this outrageous comment.

"I'm embarrassing you? How do you think I felt when the Sheriff, no less, informed me you'd been apprehended?"

He blushes and sits back down on the chair. I look at the officer at the desk with an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry, officer. I'm Connor's sister and legal guardian, Lilah Castle."

I hear, more than see Gene pulling up a chair for me. The officer explains what has happened and tell us that the owner of the store won't be pressing charges if Connor apologizes and does some sort of community service.

My sigh of relief is loud, but the officer makes a face at me. Apparently Connor won't apologize and is balking at the community service. My eyes go wide and I see my brother has a determined look on his face. I'm about to lose it when Gene intervenes.

"Officer, is it possible for us to talk to the young man in your conference room?"

The officer agrees and shows us the way. I don't know what Gene wants to say to my brother, but I'm crossing my fingers and my toes that he's able to reach him.