Chapter 16

___________________

Alex

MY SUNDAY MORNING WAS spent helping out at the shelter. I was hoping William would have shown up like he had promised, but it was almost noon and there was no sign of him.

“Alex?” a familiar voice beckoned.

I was shocked to find Rose approaching me. I thought the chances of her showing up were even less than William. I was certain something would’ve come up that changed her plans—like a sale at Bloomingdales or a hair appointment. I was glad to see her dressed a little more appropriately for the occasion this time, wearing shorts and sneakers. “I’m sorry I’m so late. I went to brunch with my aunt and ended up spilling orange juice down the front of me, so I had to run back to her place and change.”

“Okay...no need to explain yourself to me.”

“Well, I didn’t want you assuming I was blowing this off.”

“I didn’t assume anything. I didn’t even remember you were coming,” I lied.

“Oh, okay…whatever.” She seemed a little offended. “So, is William here?”

“Nope. I kinda knew it was a shot in the dark.”

She sighed heavily. “It’s sad to think he’s in such bad shape and sleeping out on the streets.”

“Yeah, well, unfortunately there are a lot of people who are in the same situation.” Something she would never understand.

“I showed for our date.”

Rose and I turned our heads to William, who had just entered. He was winded and having a hard time standing. I rushed over to him and grabbed him by the elbow just before he went down.

“William, sit down.” I guided him over to the chair. His breathing was labored, and he was disoriented.

“I’m fine…I fine.” He panted.

“No, you’re not fine,” I replied.

“Rose, you showed for our date.” He managed a smile, but each word he spoke was a struggle.

“I did.” Rose smiled back and took a seat next to him, my eyes immediately focusing on the huge black and blue mark on her knee.

“The last…” William paused and struggled for air. “The last time I had a date…she stood me up. That was forty-five years ago.”

“Well, she was a foolish woman then,” Rose remarked.

“No, she was probably smart,” he answered before going in a full-blown coughing fit.

“I’ll go grab some water.” Rose started to get up and William placed his hand on her arm to stop her. I was just about to get it for him when one of the volunteers came over with some.

“You remind me of someone I used to know.” William’s coughing subsided, and his speech became a little clearer as he stared into Rose’s eyes.

“Who?” Rose asked.

“She was around your age the last time I saw her about twenty years ago.” He continued. “She couldn’t forgive me.” His voice cracked, and the coughing began once again.

Rose lifted her head and creased her eyebrows in confusion. I hadn’t a clue who William was talking about. I didn’t know much about his personal life except his time in the military and his battle with drugs and alcohol. He never really spoke about family, only his lack thereof.

“William, you need to see a doctor.” Rose was gentle in her request. Even though it was fruitless, I had to give her credit for trying.

My eyes widened when he nodded in agreement. Rose looked my way, seeming just as shocked as I was.

“I’ll take you to the hospital and we’ll have a doctor take a look at you,” I said.

He turned his head in Rose’s direction.

“Yes, I’ll come with you,” Rose answered the question he was trying to convey.

He went to stand up and let out a sharp gasp for air. I redirected him back to his seat and tried to help him get his breathing under control.

“I think he needs an ambulance,” I said to Rose.

She nodded in agreement, pulled out her phone, and called 911.

I was able to keep him comfortable until the paramedics arrived. They gave him some oxygen and took his vitals before heading on their way with him. I found out from the ambulance driver which hospital they were taking him to, so I could be there for him.

“I’m going with you,” Rose spoke up.

“You really don’t—”

“Alex, I’m going with you. I promised him I’d go, and I’m going. So, can we please put our personal feelings for each other aside and go?”

“Fine…let’s go.” I huffed.

We stepped outside and walked a few blocks in silence until we reached my car.

“Oh, is this yours?” she asked, no doubt surprised that someone who she assumed was beneath her drove an Audi RS 7.

This was the only thing I owned that screamed status symbol. My one and only passion in life was cars, and they were the one thing I had no problem spending money on. Even though I didn’t get to drive it often with living in Manhattan, and the amount I paid monthly just to have it parked somewhere was like a mortgage payment, I didn’t care. She got in and put on her seatbelt.

“Do you know where you’re going?”

I turned my head and glared at her for asking such a stupid question.

“Sorry, just checking.”

I turned up the radio to drown out the silence. I wasn’t much in the mood for conversation, especially with her. We had an agreement to be civil to each other and that’s as far as it went. I didn’t want to engage in idle talk because the truth was, I couldn’t care less about anything going on in her world. Unfortunately, the radio wasn’t the only thing killing that silence. Rose’s less than stellar voice singing to the music coming from said radio attributed to it.

I was happy when we reached the hospital and was finally able to put an end to my bleeding ears from Rose’s massacre of one of my favorite Pearl Jam songs. I wasn’t happy about spending the two hours spent waiting around. I wasn’t sure why I was even there or what I’d be able to do for him. It wasn’t like I was family or even a friend, but I knew he had no one else in this world. No one else who cared if he lived or died or who would’ve even noticed for that matter. I shifted my eyes to Rose as she sat next to me in the ER and we waited to hear something. I couldn’t help but wonder why someone like her would have such a vested interest in what happened to someone like William. They were from two totally different worlds—maybe even planets.

“Oh my God!” Rose said in a loud whisper, covering her mouth to try and stifle her laughter. “Read this.” She handed me her phone.

Dear Miss Demeanor,

My sister is getting married to the man of her dreams in less than a month. Great, right? Well, in normal circumstances it would be great, but this is anything but normal. Here’s the dilemma. Actually, it’s more than a dilemma, it’s a catastrophe. I’m a single straight female and my best friend is a gay male. My future brother-in-law was introduced to my best friend last night for the first time at a family function, and it turns out, my best friend had a one-night fling with my future brother-in-law a few years ago before he and my sister were dating. So, my question is, do I tell my sister and break her heart or let the past stay in the past?

~Jennie B.

“That sucks,” I said as I handed her phone back.

“Apparently her sister’s fiancé sucks too…literally.”

I busted out with a laugh. “So, what are you gonna tell her to do?”

She shook her head, seeming totally perplexed. “I’m not sure. I mean, if her best friend was a girl this wouldn’t be such a big deal, but the fact he slept with another guy means he’s more than likely bi-sexual…don’t you think his future wife deserves to know that about the man she’s marrying?”

“You’re the relationship expert.” My words were laced with sarcasm.

“No…really, I’m not. Your uncle just has an unbelievable amount of faith in me for whatever reason, and I’m not sure why.”

“Me neither,” I muttered.

“Okay, smart guy…how would you answer this girl?”

“I’d tell her to leave it alone. It’s in the past and can’t be undone. If her sister’s happy with this guy, it’s not her place to ruin that happiness.”

She twisted her mouth in confusion. “Yeah, but they’re starting their life together with this major secret between them. Don’t you believe honesty is the best policy no matter how much it may hurt the other person? In a relationship, especially in marriage, there shouldn’t be secrets,” she argued.

“What’s the secret? He slept with someone before he met her sister…newsflash, most guys don’t marry the first person they sleep with.”

“Yes, but it was a guy, which means he’s attracted to men as well as women. I think I’d want to know that about my future husband.”

“Like I said, you’re the expert…that’s why my dear uncle put you in charge.” I sneered, dodging the daggers her deep brown eyes were sending my way.

“Hmm…guess I’ll have to think about this one.” She sighed.

“Are you waiting on William Benton?” a woman dressed in scrubs asked.

“Yes,” I replied.

“We’re going to keep him here overnight to run some tests, and we really won’t know much more until tomorrow. We gave him some medication in his IV that made him groggy, and right now he’s resting comfortably. There’s really not much you and your wife can do right—”

“We’re not married!” Rose and I exclaimed in unison.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I thought Mr. Benton said you were. He was a little disoriented when he came in.”

“I’d say so…” Rose whispered.

“So, like I was saying, there’s really no need for the two of you to stick around. Give a call in the morning and we should know more.”

I nodded, and Rose and I both stood up.

“Oh, and Mr.—” the nurse called as we started to walk away.

“Alex is fine.” I turned back around.

“Mr. Benton…he’s homeless?”

“Yeah, he is.”

“We’re going to have to get social services involved. A man his age and in his condition shouldn’t be living on the streets.”

I stared into space, collecting my thoughts. “Actually, he’s a veteran, so he does qualify for some programs that would assist him.”

“Okay, that’s good to know. Every little bit will help.” She smiled.