Part 27 (1/2)
”SING,” Maureen said as she came in with a gla.s.s of water in one hand, a gla.s.s of whiskey in the other. ”Self-defense. Solar plexus, instep, nose, groin. Abra, you're a miracle.”
”I didn't think. I just did it. I must've given him a nosebleed. I don't know. I got loose, and I ran. I ran out and came here. I feel ... a little sick.”
”Sip some water. Slowly.”
”Okay. All right. I need to call Eli. He needs to know.”
”I'll take care of it,” Mike told her. ”Just give me the number, and I'll take care of it.”
Abra sipped, breathed, sipped again. ”It's on my phone. I didn't take my phone. It's at home.”
”I'll get it. I'll take care of it.”
”I didn't let him hurt me. Not this time.” Abra clamped a hand on her mouth as the tears came. ”Not this time.”
Maureen sat beside her, drew Abra into her arms and rocked.
”Sorry. Sorry.”
”Shh. You're okay.”
”I am okay.” But Abra held tight. ”I should be dancing. I didn't fall apart-until now. I did everything right. He didn't hurt me. I didn't let him hurt me. It just ... it brings it back.”
”I know.”
”But that's done.” She eased back, rubbed tears away. ”I handled it. But for G.o.d's sake, Maureen, somebody broke into Bluff House. I don't know where they were or what they were doing. I didn't notice anything out of place, but I only went up to the gym, into the kitchen. I nearly went into the bas.e.m.e.nt to check the generator, but ... He could've been down there. He must've cut the power to get in. The power was down. I-”
”Drink this now.” Maureen pushed the whiskey into her hand. ”And just take it slow.”
”I'm all right.” She took a slow sip of whiskey, breathed out when it ran warm down her sore throat. ”It started to storm, and I couldn't remember if I'd closed all the windows. It nagged me, so I drove down. I just thought the power had gone out. I didn't see him, Maureen, or hear him. Not with the rain and the wind.”
”You made him bleed.”
Calmer now, Abra looked down. ”I made him bleed. Good for me. I hope I broke his G.o.dd.a.m.n nose.”
”I hope so, too. You're my hero.”
”You're mine. Why do you think I came straight here?”
Mike came back in. ”He's on his way,” he told them. ”And the police are headed down to Bluff House. They'll be here to talk to you after they do whatever they do.” He walked over, handed Abra a sweats.h.i.+rt. ”I thought you might want this.”
”Thanks. G.o.d, Mike. Thanks. You're the best.”
”That's why I keep him.” After a bolstering pat of her hand on Abra's thigh, Maureen rose. ”I'm going to make coffee.”
As she walked out, Mike crossed over to turn off the TV. He sat, took a sip of Abra's whiskey. Smiled at her.