"When You Want Her Back..."

Epilogue


7 Months Later…


“Wow… So this is what you have been up to while I was away?” Lena said glancing around in amazement. It was all so beautiful in its own crazy way. “How did you manage it all?”

“I didn’t… Remember that lawyer who helped plea you out?” April asked her sister.
Lena nodded her head and April continued. “Well, he did it all. It turns out while all that craziness was happening with you and Hana he was out at meetings settling deals for me. Now look around, here I am with a book being turned into a movie. It’s all so mesmerizing right?”

“Truly…” Lena said.

April looked down at her watch and said “Well, it’s been quite a long time... how bout we let everybody here do their job and we go back to my house. I’m sure by now Hana should be awake from her nap.”

“I sure hope so… I have waited a long time to see this girl... I want so bad to talk to her.”

“Yea, I could only imagine.” Together they walked away from the movie set and to the elevator. With in ten minutes they were in April’s car.

April had to admit the change in her sister was just as surprising as her book becoming a movie. Lena had her hair tied back into a tight bun. Her red hair looked darker more brown and her skin complexion darker also. Her body wasn’t as skinny as before and she seemed stronger. Maybe jail had done some good to her. Settled into her car she started the engine.

“So, I have showed you most of my changes what about you? What’d jail do to you while you were in there?” April asked.

“It’s actually hard to explain, but in some ways I’m thankful for being sentenced. You can guarantee I will not being drinking or doing drugs anytime soon. It’s really rough in jail… you see some pretty horrible things... Things no one wants to see. It made me tougher... Made me realize just how easy life is out here. I think I love life more now that I have been in there.” Her sister said.

“Kind of like a major wake up call huh?” April asked her sister.

“Yes, definitely. Now I am just glad to be back. Which brings me to my major concern… What do we do now that I am back? What about Hana?” Lena said fumbling with her fingers head bowed.

This concern had come across April’s mind a lot in the past two weeks. Possibly in her mind she even worried about this the day she had let Bret keep Hana but still none the less even with all that time she had no idea what the solution was.

“Because I was wondering… If possibly you could keep Hana for me… till I settle at least. I want her back I do but I have nothing set. I need an apartment and a Job. I need something that a child could be raised in and I don’t have either. Everything seems great at your home for Hana and I think I really like Bret. He seems like a good guy and I’d love for him to be the father figure to Hana.”

Stopping at a red light April looked at her sister. She smiled and said “Of course. We would love to take care of Hana. We have this whole time and enjoyed every minute of it.”

The light turned green and April began on her way again. “Good thing” Lena said “Because I can’t do this parole thing with a child. I need to take it all one step at a time.”

April nodded her head in understanding. Before soon April pulled into her driveway. Jumping out of her car with her purse she waited for her sister to come around the car. When her sister finally showed she wrapped her arms around her and hugged her. She loved the new Lena.

More the likely she didn’t love the NEW Lena because she had always known this Lena… she just missed it. The change in her sister’s life was overwhelming... and she was extremely happy to have it all over.

Letting go of her they stood staring at the home in front of them. The house was actually shared between her and Bret but it had also become her home. When April had first moved in she was unsure about it. Yet, soon nights of Bret coming home to her from his store and having dinner with her comforted her. Sunday mornings with Hana and cartoons wrapped her in love and the look in Bret’s eyes when she woke up with him brought her the reassurance that she loved living here. She loved the home and the people in them with out a doubt.

Finally moving she stepped onto the porch and slid her key into the door. Opening the door she took a whiff of the homey smell. When ever she walked into the home it always smelled like Bret. Not a man’s cologne but Bret himself. At first she had thought maybe after a while of living there the smell would fade away but soon she learned that no amount of time would make his sweet smell fade away. It would always be there as she would always be there to cherish it. She loved Bret’s smell. To her it was like the smell of a special pie you’d never forget and every time some one made that pie you knew exactly what it was.

April loved more then Bret’s smell though. She loved his eyes and his smile, his hugs and his kisses. She loved his sense of style and his sense of humor. To sum it up she just plain loved everything about the man. He was the apple of her eye. He was the reason she could write a romance novel and truly describe love to the very details of how many times your heart skips beats. Finally she called out his name. “Bret!”

“In here!” she heard his voice call from the living room. Signaling for her sister to follow she walked to the living room doorway. Smiling down at Hana and Bret she laughed. “We are just playing a game of Candy Land” Bret said pointing to the board game in front of him.

“I see” April said looking at the game. Realizing what she was seeing she laughed more. “Bret… she is beating you”

“Yes, well… It turned out she’s really good at this game.” Bret said scratching his head.

“She’s four…” Lena said from behind April drawing Hana’s attention.

At the sight of Lena Hana’s eyes widened and she jumped over the board game and into Bret’s arms. The girl hid her face in his chest and hugged him tight. Bret held a facial expression of complete stun. What was he to do with the child?

April heard a sigh from behind her and stepped forward to retrieve Hana. April pulled Hana off of Bret and brought her to Lena. “Hana,” she said voice baring seriousness and at the same time complete tenderness. “Remember your mommy? This is your mommy. Say hello to her.”

Hana stared at Lena and said nervously. “Hi”

Lena winced but quickly responded. “Hello Hana! You are so big!” Lena reached out to hold Hana but Hana quickly held tight to April with a grasp around her neck.

“Hana, go with mommy” April said to her. The girl looked at April and nodded her head. She then extended her arms to Lena. Lena reached out and grabbed her. She held her and hugged her with tears streaming down her cheeks. “Hana, baby, I love you. I’m so sorry for what I did to you. I’m so sorry.”

Watching this April held back tears. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and stepped back knowing well enough he would take her in his embrace. Bret wrapped his strong arms around her and she relaxed. Her heart skipping a beat as his sent surrounded her and his love warmed her core.

"When You Want Her Back..."


Chapter Twenty



Settled into her kitchen with a book and a coffee mug April felt that it was like her first day back from Reno. Finally it felt like she was at home and at ease. Not to mention that her sudden splurge of writing had gotten her four chapters. Tired now, she decided that reading was best.

She had her cup in her hands and book held up when the door bell rang. Sighing she rose from her chair praying that it not be anyone who would mess up her quiet time.

Looking through the peep hole she saw Bret. Completely surprised she looked down at her outfit. She was still wearing her loose fitting pajamas and her hair was completely ruffled. She had chosen today as her lazy day and Bret had chosen today as the day he’d visit her.

Sighing once again at the second knock on the door she decided it’d be best if she just pretended that she wasn’t conscious of what she was wearing. Opening the door she smiled out at her gorgeous boyfriend. Bret was wearing his usual casual clothes and was carrying a box in one hand and Hana in the other.

“Hey babe,” he said kissing her cheek then stepping right into her home.

Bret put the box down and let go of Hana. This only made Hana attach herself to Bret’s leg. Ignoring what the little girl was doing Bret looked around. April felt that he fit quite well with her apartment and even had to admit that he added a certain feeling to the room when he was in it.

Smiling at him she tugged him closer to her and wrapped her arms around his neck. Bret sighed and in response wrapped his muscular arms around her. The hug giving her strength and making her feel better. It was something about being in his arms that made her feel ok again.

April’s head lay resting on Bret’s chest until the moment there was a tug at Bret’s jeans. Letting go of each other Bret bent down and picked up the child.

April waved at the child who hugged her doll tightly. “Hey there Hana,” she said. “Remember me? I’m April, your aunt. Remember?”

The little girl bit on her lip for a while then nodded her head. She extended her arms out for April and April was shocked. Extremely happy April took Hana from Bret and hugged her.

April held the little girl then remembered that Bret held a box when he came in along with Hana. “What’s with the box?” She asked looking around and spotting it.

“I quit my job.” He said turning and walking into the living room. April followed him onto the couch and sat next to him. Hana on her lap she said “Are you sure you want to do that?”

“Yes,”

“But why?” She asked extremely curious as to why he would quit his job when he had a daughter to take care of.

“I told you. I don’t want to end up like Andrew’s father.”

“But Bret, there is a difference between him and you. You take breaks and you work hard and everything is good right? I just don’t understand this.”

“April, this has been coming for a long time. I just never really gave it any extreme thought until Andrew happened along. I need to do this. Not for Hana or for getting away from Olivia. I need to do this for myself. For my health and for happiness.”

“So what’s going to replace your job?” April asked pushing a strand of Hana’s hair behind her ears.

“I want my own business. I want to be the boss and I want it to be about something I love.”

“Well, what do you love?” April said.

“I love you but I doubt I could make a business about that.” Bret said smiling.

Enjoying the words she jumped into his arms and kissed him. Receiving his love in that one kiss and embracing it. She pulled away from him and rested her cheek on his shoulder. “I love you too.” She said in her soft tone.

“I love some one too” Said Hana.

Bret and April looked at the girl and laughed. “Just who is that?” asked April.

“My daddy and you.” She said smiling at them.

The words caught in April’s chest. They pulled at her heart and had her close to crying. Not only had she gotten Hana back but she had gained Bret. Never in her life would she had thought just wanting this one girl back could have caused so much in her life. Nodding her head she said “Guess this is what happens When You Want Her Back…”

Bret gave her a confused look and she just smile.

"When You Want Her Back..."



Chapter Nineteen!!



April turned in bed at the sound of the phone ringing. Moaning she got up from bed and walked to the living room. Reaching into one of the couch cushions she finally found her cordless phone. Answering it she said “Hello?”

“Your sister is all taken care of. I made sure to take care of her first thing in the morning. Top priority.” Thinking for a second at what she was hearing April soon figured it was Jay.

“What do you mean in the morning?” there was a two minute pause and Jay said “April its one in the afternoon”

April jumped up from where she was sitting completely awake and alert. How could she have slept so late? One thing that April hated was sleeping late. She would admit that she wasn’t exactly a morning person but she definitely didn’t like sleeping in late. April felt that sleeping during the day time was a waste of time. It made her feel like she was missing all of the action that happened during the day time.

“Would I be safe to guess that you were sleeping?” Jay asked.

“Yes!! I was sleeping and it made me miss helping you with my sister! How did it go?” April said yelling at first then stopping herself as her voice was still shaking from just waking up.

“It went fine. I have to finish some paper work though. I sat with the D.A. and Lena and we settled with six months jail time and then after wards probably a year of probation.”

“This is so hard. I don’t even understand what’s going on… I didn’t even know you could go to jail for just people knowing you used drugs. I thought it was only when they catch you carrying it.” April said pacing around her living room.

“Well Lena was carrying. She had some in her pocket when they found her.”

“What?” April said taking a tone that implied she was beyond confusion. “But Lena never told me about that part!”

“Probably she didn’t want you to know or probably she couldn’t remember it. Either way the police did so well… she got what she got. Six months will go by fast trust me.”

“Yeah, sure, it’s just a lot to take when you have just woken up”

“Sorry about that, I would have thought that you were awake by now but I guess not. What time did you go to sleep?”

“I don’t remember.” April smiled. “Connie and I had a ‘Honey mooners’ marathon.”

“Surprises me that it wasn’t ‘I love lucy’” Jay said.

“That was last week.” Then April hung up. Leaning back in her seat on the couch she sighed.

It was hard for her as a sister to digest the fact that her sister was going to jail. She wondered how it all started. Couldn’t imagine how her extraordinaire sister could live a life of drugs and bad marriage. Probably if you would have told her all of this five years ago, April wouldn’t have believed it.

Still in the end she had to admit that she was happy it was all over. Everything could be settled now. She would continue dating Bret and helping out with Hana. She could return to her usual routines and maybe even get more writing done. That in mind April smiled. Getting up April headed straight for her computer. Writing was exactly what she would do.

*********************************

Bret held little Hana’s hand as the elevator went up the floors. Bret listened as Hana went ‘ding’ with the elevator. He laughed and by the time they reached his floor he had started saying it along with her. The elevator doors opened as Bret was smiling down at Hana. Standing in front of the elevator was Olivia. A mixture of a smile and a grimace came upon Olivia’s face.

“Bret! What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you to come in for a while.” Olivia said pulling him out of the elevator. “You have so much work you could help me with!” It seemed that when Olivia pulled Bret and Bret pulled little Hana that it was that moment she realized Hana was there. She looked from Bret to Hana then back again, confusion written all over her face.

“I’m not here to work Olivia.” Bret said picking up Hana then turning toward his office. Bret walked down the hall only to hear Olivia walking behind him.

“So then why are you here? Is this your daughter? She’s awfully pretty I tell you. I could have never imagined you with a daughter.”

Reaching his office door he reached into his pocket with his free hand and pulled out a set of keys. Before he could use the keys Olivia reached around him and opened the door. “I had to go inside your office to get some files while you were gone.” She told him.

Rolling his eyes he entered his office. He looked around to see if she had changed anything. He couldn’t imagine why Olivia would go in his office. He knew for certain her “files” excuse was false. The only files he kept in his office were ones that belong to him that no one would need. Other files were kept in the secretary’s office.

Looking around he noticed nothing different or messed up so he shrugged. He put Hana down in a chair and turned to Olivia. Bret disliked Olivia a lot and couldn’t understand her ways. Some days she gave him head aches and others she made his work even harder for him. Right now he didn’t feel the same anger he normally felt when he thought of her. Probably it was the fact that he came to pack his things or probably it was just the fact that he hadn’t seen her in a couple days so he hadn’t dealt with the daily annoyance.

“I’m here to pack my things. I’m quitting. To answer your question... Yes, this is my daughter. Olivia this is Hana.” Bret held his hand as a gesture to Hana.Olivia glanced at Hana, quickly did a half wave and then focused on Bret. “QUITING?! You can’t quit!”

“Why not?” Bret found it interesting how Olivia seemed to be worried about him quitting.

“Because the office needs you!”

“No it doesn’t”

“yes it does”

“No it doesn’t”

“YES IT DOES!! It needs you! Who will make it more of a competition? Who will give it more of a reason to work harder? Who will it bother? Who will it annoy? You must stay!” Bret gave Olivia a weird look then realized that by “the office” she meant her.

Suddenly he felt bad. It was the look in Olivia’s eyes. Like she would feel different with out him or maybe even possibly miss him. “Don’t worry. ‘the office’ will do a wonderful job with out me because she is great at what she does which, is why I always compete with her.” Bret smiled.

Olivia laughed. “You compete with the office? What a LOSER” Still laughing she patted him on the shoulder and walked out his office.

Shaking his head he looked down at his daughter who was hugging her doll and watching him with small eyes. Using his index finger he made circles around his temper and mouthed “Crazy”.

Bret turned and walked behind his desk. He opened the drawers and began removing things. Everything he wanted he put on top of his desk. He sorted through three drawers and was on his forth when he stopped abruptly. Staring into the draw on the very bottom he looked at a picture.

The picture was of him and Jackie. It was taken at their wedding and Bret was kissing Jackie. Jackie had cake on her face and so did Bret. Jackie seemed to be happy and so did Bret. It was his favorite picture. When he looked at this picture he used to feel the love. Most days when he looked at the pictures he had to hold back tears. It hurt him, this picture. Yet, it seemed today it had no power over him.

Looking at the picture he sighed. This was now a far past. This was now nothing to him. Getting up he threw the picture into the garbage. His favorite picture and his only copy of it were now apart of the garbage.

“What was that daddy?” Hana asked Bret getting up from her seat and rushing to his side where he stud in front of the garbage.

“Nothing.” He said meaning everything he was saying. “That was nothing.” He kissed Hana on her head and held her close to him.

This was his future. The small girl he held in his embrace now was his new meaning for life.

"When You Want Her Back..."



Chapter Eighteen


Standing next to the bench Bret closed his eyes. Next to him sat Andrew. After turning in Andrew’s father Bret had arranged for his mother to be called and had agreed to stay with him till his mother came from work. Holding his hand and standing right next to him was April. She had her head leaned on his shoulder as they all stood in silence.

“HE should have seen this coming” Andrew said getting up from his seat.

Bret popped one eye open and looked at Andrew. “What do you mean?”

“Well… He worked at place he didn’t enjoy! He worked non-stop. I mean I don’t even know how some one could work at something they don’t like. Of course then again I do it with school. Only they make me!”

Bret stared at Andrew in surprise. He seemed to be angry at his father and yet he didn’t seem to be worried. Suddenly the shouting of “Andrew Kenathy Bennet! What did you say about your father!?” interrupted the conversation and everybody turned to see that a small red haired woman was marching her way toward them.

The woman was short and seemed pretty slim. She carried a large bag on her shoulder that looked casual along with her jeans and shirt. She dressed sort of like April only to Bret April could have worn it better.

“I was only saying the truth! He set himself up for this!” Andrew shouted back at the woman. Eyes darkening at the furry in his tone.

“Don’t you dare talk to me like that! Don’t you dare talk about you farther while he is on a hospital bed! What is wrong with you?” There was a moment of silence after the woman spoke until Bret cleared his throat.

The woman seemed to snap back to her surroundings and turned her attention to Bret. “I am sorry. You must be the kind man who helped my son bring my husband in. I’m Elizabeth Bennet. I want to thank you so much.” She said extending her arm for a hand shake then moving in closer to hug him.

“You probably saved my husbands life!” She said smile on her face tears forming in her eyes.

Finally Bret spoke. “I’m Bret McAllister and this is my girlfriend April. It was really no big deal. I did what any man would do.”

“Yes, I suppose you did. But, it doesn’t matter. Any man didn’t save my husband. You did and I thank you once again.”

Brett nodded his head at the woman’s words.

Before soon it was ten and Bret and April had left the hospital. Bret and April sat in his car quietly. There wasn’t really any tension in the air so Bret found himself enjoying the silence. The hospital had been chaotic and the quiet seemed to be a vacation from it.

Bret looked at April and watched as she stared out into the street. They were now parked outside of April’s apartment and everything seemed abandoned. April lived in a quiet neighborhood where every one was sound at home watching T.V. or sleeping.

“I realized that I haven’t asked you how it went with Lena” Bret said turning completely toward April.

April turned her head and said “Well, it went just as I had expected. Lena was comfortable and willing to accept her arrest. I think we just might pull a plea bargain.”

Bret reached for April’s hand and held it between his. He stared at her deciding at where she stood emotionally. It seemed that there was something in her still roaming, still questioning what was to happen next. Realizing she needed reassurance Bret leaned forward and kissed her. His lips to hers he felt her sigh. He felt as she let down all her will and raised her free hand to his hair.

She ran her fingers through his hair and Bret broke the kiss. For a moment they stared into each others eyes, foreheads leaning against each other. Staring into April’s brown eyes he lost himself. He lost himself in the thought of trust and care and the thought of spending more time with her and Hana. Maybe even as a family.
At that very moment Bret’s heart ached. It beat hard in his chest and so badly desired him to drown her in care and compassion. It’s only need being that it just wanted her to understand how much he admired her. In those moments it came to him. The truth was that he not only admired her because it was now far past admiration. What his heart felt was love.

For the years that he had been with Jackie his mind told him he was in love. His mind told him that if he so truly enjoyed being with her and calling her his girlfriend that but of course he was in love. Yet, tonight it wasn’t his mind that was telling him he was in love, it was his heart.

Finally he pulled himself away from her and sat right in his seat. He ran a hand threw his hair as her hand had just done and cleared his throat.

“I still have some more time off.” He said “I don’t have to go to work for another three or four days, which even that is optional right now.”

April’s eyebrows went down in confusion. “What? What do you mean optional?”

“Well,” he said “After tonight... I realized I shouldn’t strain myself over work I don’t even like. I mean look at Andrew’s father.”

“Elizabeth said that He was in his forties. You’re young.”

“Yes, I am, but that doesn’t change the fact that I am barely even enjoying my job. I don’t want to become him. Not one bit.”

“So then what shall you do?”

“I was thinking about getting my own store.” April smiled at the idea. It was the first smile he had seen in a while.

“I can see that. I can picture it all.” She said.

*****************************************

April put the key in her lock and opened the door. Her apartment was completely lit in light. There was a smell of popcorn and she could here the T.V. on from where she stood. This was very odd. “Hello?” she called out. Hoping some one familiar would answer her calls rather then an odd encounter with a burglar or possibly another relative.

“In here!” she heard Connie call out from the living room. Sighing in relief she put all her belongings where she normally put them.

Walking into the living room her friend smiled at her. “Just where have you been young lady?”

“The hospital” April said to Connie. Walking around the couch she joined her friend. She hugged her then reached for the pop corn on her lap.
Connie seemed surprised at what she had said. It was then that she realized she hadn’t explained anything to Connie. Manny of the times she had choose to talk to Connie one of her children would interrupt or she wouldn’t be in. Last she had told Connie was about Bret and hers first date.

“Ok this is going to be a long story.” April said eating more popcorn. “Remember Bret right?”

“Right”

“Well remember how my sister had a daughter who was adopted after social services took her away?”

“Yeah” Connie said urging her to goon with the story.

“Well, it turned out that Bret adopted Lena’s daughter.” Connie gasped. When April had first thought about it she reacted the same way. It was its self a surprising factor. It was something that April could not have ever predicted.

“What does that have to do with you being in the hospital?”

April patted on Connie’s knee. “Hold your horses its coming, its coming. See I kicked Lena out and then like days later I get a call that she has ODed on drugs. So I go to the hospital with Bret and we see Lena. I find out she is going to jail.”

“What about Hana? How is that going?”

“Bret is keeping Hana only I am staying apart of her life. He said he wants me there for her. I told Lena about it and she flipped but after a minute or so of thinking she only demanded that I take good care of Hana.”

“Whoa,” Connie said “This is some Opra stuff.”

“Yeah I know…” April said leaning back on the couch and eating more pop corn.

“What are you going to do if it doesn’t work out with Bret? I mean are you going to take Hana away from him? Won’t it be awkward staying close to Hana even though you and Bret aren’t together anymore? What about when Lena gets out of jail? Can Hana still keep calling Bret “daddy” when Lena is there to tell her about-“Connie was cut off mid sentence when April said “Stop!”

“You are thinking to far ahead! I never even considered any of those things. I just automatically assumed when they did, if they did happen we will work them out. Bret and I will make it. We just have to. I really, REALLY do like him. I wouldn’t want us to end so that doesn’t have to be a question. I love him.”

“Aw, well lucky you.” Connie said then reaching out to hug her friend. “So when do we start planning for the wedding?”

“CONNIE!!” April said smiling.

“I’m just kidding jeeze!”

"When You want her back..."


Chapter Seventeen



Standing in the elevators alone April awaited for the doors to open to her sister’s floor. She felt quite odd without Bret there to cheer her on. Only last minute she decided maybe he should wait in the car. They weren’t having any luck with parking and she decided she wanted to talk to her sister in private. After all she needed to tell her about Hana. She needed to explain things… She needed to get it all straightened out.

The doors finally opened and she jumped out. She trotted past all the rooms and located her sister’s room. She entered the room and stood in front of her sister. Her sister was clothed in regular clothes and had a plastic bag sitting next to her. Her complexion was white and she was way skinny. Her sister was sitting up on her bed. Feet dangling above the ground eyes focused on the door. April grimaced at the look her sister bared,

“Lena, are you ok?” she asked walking in and stepping closer.

“Yes, just fine. I’m just waiting for them to come get me. It’s five O’clock.” She said pointing to the clock on the wall.

“I know. This is why I came early. I need to talk to you about Hana. I need to talk to you about everything.”

Her sister smiled her first smile and said “Oh boy, do we even have time for this?”

April shook her head and said “Take this serious Lena.”

“Ok, ok” Lena said moving over then patting a hand to the area next to her. April took a seat next to her sister and took a hold of her sister’s hand.
“I have Hana.” April said to her. Nodding her head as she debated best ways to put it. “Well actually I don’t. Her foster father has her. But, good news is…” April paused. “Her foster father is my boyfriend.”

Lena’s eyes widened and she gasped. “What?? That’s like… Well that’s like dating the enemy!”

“No, no, Bret is definitely not the enemy. He’s a really great guy. I want to be with him. I’m going to be with him and together we will take care of Hana. I’m telling you he loves that girl more then anything.”

“How long have you known him?” Lena asked arms crossed over her chest.

“About two to three weeks… “April avoided eye contact with her sister staring down at her lap where her hand laid.

“Three? That would have to mean you knew him when I came to you!” Lena jumped up from her spot on the bed and stood in front of her sister. “You dated him while I was there needing my daughter!”

April shook her head violently disagreeing with her sisters words. “I only knew him threw the internet and I didn’t know that HE was the one with Hana. I just thought it was a coincidence! Don’t be mad. I mean… It’s not like it matters now.”

Lena raised her hand and held her forehead in it. She massaged her temple and took deep breaths. April wasn’t sure what she was going through but she thought it best to leave her alone until she was done with it.

Finally Lena dropped her hand. “Just promise me one thing.”

“Promise you what?”

“Take care of that little girl for me.” Lena bit down on her lip then said “I realized I messed up big time but I don’t want it to affect her. I don’t want my bad judgment to affect her.”

April nodded her head and at that moment a scuffle at the door attracted their attention, April turned only to see three cops and two men in suits. Detectives, she assumed.

“Lena Sanders?” Asked the detective.

“Yes. And I know why you are here and I think you should know that I’m fine with it. Just cuff me and take me away. Tell me that anything I say can or will be used against me in the court of law and just get it over with”

The detective motioned for the cops to cuff Lena and they did. Lena bowed her head and focused on the floor.

April held in tears. She watched them cuff her sister and tell her she was being charged for drugs. She sat there and watched them label her sister as a criminal. Something she never wanted to see. Finally the tears trickled down her cheeks as they left with her sister.

It was painful to watch it all... It was even more painful to realize there was nothing she could do about it. Finally they were gone and out of the room with her. All that was left was April, Lena’s plastic bag and one detective.

“Well?” April said turning toward the bed and grabbing her sister’s bag. She then wiped her tears away and turned back toward the detective. Facing him and facing the truth. Her sister was just arrested.

“I know this is hard for you ma’am” The detective said voice clear and smooth. Obviously he had been threw this plenty of time and had perfected the emotion he should display.

“Yes, well of course.” She told him.

“I want you to know. I am sorry it happened like this. This is going to be a long and painful process. You’ll probably take a while for her to stand on trial and then her sentencing. During this time she will be held in a women’s state jail facility.” The detective sighed as he witnessed another tear roll down April’s cheek.

April then wondered how he could do his job. Fascinated as to how he could even bare to witness it on a daily basis. She wondered if the money was worth the tears and the argument. Her sister had left without fighting but she wondered about those who did fight. She questioned how he was able to deal with those who hung onto things for there dear life hoping that if they held on long enough they wouldn’t have to face the police and be arrested. Then she realized. For him it wasn’t about the money and it wasn’t about the distressed family member. It was about justice. Just as every movie had put it. Being on the side of the law meant you were making a difference. Maybe, just maybe, this would make a difference for her sister too.

“How long do you think she will have to serve?” April asked wiping away at her cheek.

“Six to twelve months. It really usually depends on how good of a lawyer you have.” At that he shrugged and held his hand out. “Once again, I’m sorry.”

April shook his hand and he turned away and walked out of the room. The minute the detective left she found herself jumping onto the bed taking a seat and breathing slowly. The experience had been overwhelming.

At that moment the nurse came in. April assumed by blankets she held that she was probably there to change the bedding on the bed and sterilize it for the nest patient. Looking at April the woman shook her head and walked to her. She then hugged her.

Accepting the hug she hugged the nurse back, gladly appreciating the support.

*****************************************

Turning in his seat Bret acknowledged the fact that he hated waiting. He wasn’t sure how April had convinced him to sit and wait in the car while she was up stairs. Glancing around his surroundings he summed up what was going on.

Traffic was slow in front of the hospital but all parking spots were taken. So far he hadn’t seem any EMT cars roll up and escort a victim in for last half hour so he figured it was a slow night. Deciding he couldn’t take it anymore he shut the car off and opened the driver’s side door. Jumping out, he stretched out his arms and let out a yawn.

Looking up at the large hospital he wondered what April was going through. He wondered if she needed him right now but simply insisted that he would in fact wait just as she had asked him to. Leaning against the car he inhaled some fresh spring air. IT was 6 30 and the sun was starting to settle. The day had been a long one and he was sure glad that in the end everything would be as he wanted it to be. He had his daughter back and still remained with April. He didn’t lose his best friend and he was pretty sure everything would be fine with Lena.

Suddenly Bret felt a violent pull on his jacket and heard a voice say “Mr! Mr! Help me Mr!”

Leaving his thoughts behind him he quickly looked at the boy in front of him. He was a foot shorter then Bret and fairly skinny. He had brown eyes and brown hair with a very tan complexion. He looked Hispanic but there was only so much Bret could tell of the boy just from looking at him. “What? Wait, what’s going on?”

“It’s my father! He’s on the floor! You got to help me!”

Bret nodded his head at the clearly fearful teen. “Where?”

“Follow me!” The boy yelled before running off. Bret followed him pacing himself as he wondered what the boy could possibly be talking about.

Bret followed the still nameless boy into an area a block away from the hospital. He then followed the boy as they made a right turn around the corner and came face to face with a man laying on the ground.

Both the boy and Bret rushed to the man’s side. “He was on the phone.” They boy said “He was on the phone with some one at work and then he had chest pains and he fainted or something I’m not sure. What’s wrong with him?”

Bret stared at the unconscious man and said “Well I am no genius but it looks to me as though he had a heart attack.”

“Oh, no, Oh man, I knew he worked to hard! You know,” he said “Dad doesn’t even like what he does? Now look at him! The job he never liked has come to kill him!” Just then the kid began bawling. Tears flowed down his cheek and sobs came from his mouth.

Realizing this wasn’t going to help out the man he said “Hey kid, how old is you?”

The boy sniffled and said “14”

“Well then,” Bret said “Help me carry him to the hospital.”

The boy nodded as Bret maneuvered one of his shoulders under the unconscious man’s armpit. . Together they half dragged half carried the man to the hospital and into the hospital emergency exit entrance. “Help! This man has had a heart attack!”