My hands stung the entire ride back to Olivia’s father’s condo. It took everything I had to resist the urge to pick the splinters out of my hands. Olivia warned me that they might get infected. My hands were bleeding more than usual, which was probably from constantly being ripped open. I could see several slivers from the porch post sticking out of my skin, but they were the least of my problems.
Olivia was oddly quiet. I tried not to, but I could practically guess what she was thinking.
I was just out of prison and already my anger was getting out of control. I was sure that to someone as sweet, innocent and utterly perfect as Olivia it seemed like I had severe anger control issues. I wondered if she would break up with me after this. I wondered if she would tell her father and he would send me back to jail. I wondered if she was finally realizing that she was far too good for me and that I didn’t deserve her.
Olivia was completely silent even when we pulled into the underground parking garage. She was silent in the elevator and silent in the hallway while she unlocked the door.
She removed her jacket and kicked off her shoes, and I followed her lead. I was expecting a fight.
My hands were throbbing.
She crossed the room toward me, “Give me your hands.” She urged, holding out her small, soft hands for mine.
She carefully took my hands and lead me over to the kitchen sink. She ran the cold water and put my hands under the water. I watched her carefully as she kept her eyes trained on my hands, watching the water turn stained with blood.
She worried her lower lip. For a few seconds, I thought she was going to cry.
She turned and threw her arms around my neck hugging me tightly.
I frowned in confusion, and slowly wrapped my arms around her keeping my hands extended. My hands were wet and I didn’t want to wreck her shirt.
“Liv, I’m sorry.” I began.
“You don’t have to apologize. I understand.” She said, hugging me tightly. Her fingers sought purchase in my t-shirt.
With just a few words I knew Olivia did get it. She understood that the last couple of weeks were hard on me, and I was feeling hopeless and frustrated. She understood that the last six months had been indescribably rough.
I sighed, resting my chin on her shoulder.
“Your brother probably deserved what he got anyway… He was incredibly rude.”
I smirked. “Thanks, Liv.”
Olivia released me slowly and reached for my hands. Her tiny hands carefully examined the cuts on my hands. “You have slivers.” She pointed out.
“Oh, really? Shit.”
“I don’t think you’ll need stitches though. I can probably patch those up here. I’ll have to find some tweezers and some rubbing alcohol.”
“You don’t have to.” I shrugged. “I can probably just pick them out myself…” I moved my hands from hers. Using the index finger of my left hand I began to dig at my right knuckles.
“Don’t!” She gasped. “You’ll start an infection.” She pulled out a chair at the table and insisted I sit down.
She fluttered about the condo, bringing various items to the table. She quickly washed her hands. She grabbed an entire roll of paper towel and sat down next to me. She poured rubbing alcohol onto some cotton swabs and drew in a deep breath.
“This is going to sting.” She warned.
“I figured.” I mused. “I kind of deserve it though. I’m the one who slugged a pine post.” I mused.
Olivia worried her lower lip.
“Should we get this over with?” I pressed.
She nodded.
She set to work swabbing at my hands, and picking out the slivers. I kept my hands balled into fists, setting my jaw and trying to take the burning like a man. It was my own stupid fault for letting my anger get the best of me.
It seemed like ages before Olivia finished and wrapped my hands in clean gauze. I opened and closed my fists on the table.
“Do you want me to get you some ice?” She asked, dropping her elbow onto the table and resting her chin on her palm.
I shrugged. “No, I’ll just walk it off, thanks.”
“Okay.” She mused. “I’m going to make some tea. Do you want one?” She offered.
“No, thanks.” I tried not to make a face.
“Hmm…” Olivia mused. “I suppose I should do some grocery shopping. I have no idea what to make for dinner tonight, and I think I need some ideas. I’ll need to pick up coffee too, I know how much you hate tea.” She teased lightly.
With her free hand, she picked up my hand lightly. I interlaced her fingers with mine. “That would be great, I’m not going to lie.”
Olivia laughed softly. “Sounds like a good plan then.”
We were interrupted by the front door opening and Olivia’s father bustling into the apartment.
“Olivia?” He called.
“Right here.” She answered.
“Oh, hi.” He moved into the room and dropped his briefcase onto the kitchen island. “I have some great news.” He announced. “I got you a court date. I made arrangements with one of my fellow judges and he’s got an opening on Friday morning. I had my legal aids send around summons to witnesses and even though it seems like it’s really soon, I have some time tomorrow to prep you both for your depositions… Isaac, do you have a suit to wear?”
“Uhh… I only own one suit and it’s at Pine Crest…”
“We were thinking about going grocery shopping… We can run out and pick one up.” Olivia offered. “I’m going to need something to wear too…” She mused.
A million things were going through my head. I wasn’t sure if I was entirely ready for this. I wasn’t sure if I could manage to take on the police officer who’d made my life a living hell for the past year. I wasn’t sure it was worth it.
“I was thinking we could maybe go out for dinner tonight? To celebrate?” Judge James offered. “I have some running around to do this afternoon, but we could meet and Lorenzo’s at seven?”
Olivia pursed her lips. “Daddy, I don’t mind cooking. In fact, I’d prefer to cook. Why don’t we just stay in and have dinner?”
Olivia’s father rolled his eyes and smirked. “Too late, I’ve already made reservations.”
Olivia drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, a clear sign that she was bordering on irritation.
She turned to me.
“You kids should go and do your shopping today.” Her father suggested. “I’m sure we could use some groceries.” He removed his wallet from his back pocket and removed a black faced credit card. He surrendered it to Olivia. “Anything you need, just put it on this card and we’ll figure it out later.” He shrugged. “I’m off to shower.” He announced.
Olivia tucked the card into the pocket of her dress, and turned to me.
Judge James walked past us and down the hall towards his bedroom.
Olivia sighed, crossing the kitchen and wrapping her arms around my waist, laying her head against my chest again. She released another heavy sigh.
I smiled lightly, laying a kiss against her soft hair.
“Hmm…” She murmured. “Do you want to go shopping, and get it over with?” She asked me.
I nodded. “Sure. We might as well.” I offered.
“Okay.” She hugged herself tighter to me, then released me after a brief second. She reached for the car keys and started toward the door.
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