The Melrose Legacy by Ashley Zakrzewski

Author:Ashley Zakrzewski [Zakrzewski, Ashley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-09-01T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ashton

I remember feeling that way in July, when Harleen called me in the middle of the night and told me I needed to come over to Northwestern, that something had happened to Lin. I called building security to keep an eye on the kids - perks of living in a neighborhood I couldn’t have even dreamed up when I was a kid - and flew out the door. It’s not even a mile from our apartment, but I took a cab, regretting the whole time that I hadn’t run instead. It would have given me something to do.

I arrived within minutes, found Inge arguing with Vernon and Harleen frozen at Lin’s side, demanded to know what was going on, why no one had called me sooner, when I saw that Lin was shaking in her chair, not saying anything, damp hair and one of Harleen’s sweaters over a hospital gown, silently staring at her hands.

“Get out. Everyone,” I said, and started yelling when no one moved. “Get out, I'm her husband, I'm her emergency contact, all of you need to get out of here and leave her alone right now. I am not kidding get out and leave her alone -”

And then they did, and I was there, kneeling in front of her trying to get her to look at me. I had just screamed at her family, but I couldn’t find the words to get her to talk to me, to tell me what was wrong so I could just fix it. “Lin,” I had said, “please, Lin, what’s wrong?”

“I'm sorry,” she said, so quietly I wasn't sure if I heard, eyes locked on her hands in her lap. “I didn't mean to.”

“It's okay, it's okay, I know you didn't.”

“I didn't mean to,” she said again.

“Of course you didn't.” The storm kept swirling in my head, catching on the impossibility that Lin could have possibly done anything that would inspire this level of freak out from everyone, something must have happened. But I’ve never been able to stand seeing her upset, and there’s no possible way that she did anything wrong. It’s Lin. The only good thing in my life some days.

“I didn't mean to, I don't know what happened, that's not what I wanted it was an accident. I didn't mean too. I'm so sorry-”

“Stop, Lin, please. What happened?” I tried to take one of her hands, stop her twisting her fingers so tightly together it hurt me to watch, but she jerked back, eyes wide and terrified.

“I lost it,” she said. “My ring.”

“What?” That couldn't be it, Lin's practical, she's not overly sentimental, I wouldn't have to come to the hospital because she lost her wedding ring, that couldn't possibly be it. I’ve always been the one worrying about things like that, anyway. I’m the one who insists on celebrating anniversaries and firsts and giving her everything she’s ever wanted. It’s always bothered me that I couldn’t buy her something better when we first got married.

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