Chapter 147

Nicolas

After JP and I looked at the space that would be the day clinic I went home I couldn’t wait to see Nicol and tell her the good news.  JP even said it’s the perfect spot and it’s easily accessible for the women.  I knew that is why Nicol thought of that spot as well.  When I got home after 5 pm, Nikki was at the living room table doing her homework but Nicol was no where to be found.  “Hi sweet pea.”  “Hi dad.”  “How was your day?”  I asked as I went to sit with her.  “Okay” “Just, okay?”  “Yes.”  “Am I going to get more information?”  “What do you want to know?”  Okay so I’m going to have to pull it out of her.  “Anything happened that made your day just, okay?”  She looked up to the ceiling, probable thinking what she should tell me, “Kevin and Zoe had a fight.”  “About?”  “About me, Kevin told Zoe she was bad for me and she has to leave me alone.”  I liked Kevin even more now.  “And how did that make you feel?”  Where was her mother when I needed her, I was in unfamiliar territory.  Hopefully I won’t say the wrong thing.  “Sort of special that Kevin told her that, but then again I felt sorry for Zoe.”  “Why she made your life hell for so many years.”  “I don’t know everyone has pushed her aside because she was so rude to me, I just feel sorry for her.”  “That is very big of you Nikki just remember who Zoe really is okay.  Don’t feel too sorry for her, what you reap is what you sow.” “Yes, dad I know.” “You know where your mom is?”  I asked her.  “Isabella said she was at some sort of women shelter, she came back to get her nurses bag and then left again.”  “Oh okay. Anything you need my help with?”  I asked Nikki.  “No, I’m good thank you dad.”

I went to my office and called Nicol it was getting late and I was starting to worry about her.  Her cellphone rang and rang before it went over to voicemail.  “Nicol phone me I’m worried about you.”  I put the phone down and the first thing that came to mind was ‘She was running from me.’  I sat down in my chair “Think rationally about this Nicolas.”  I said out load ‘She won’t leave Nikki with me if she was going to leave me.’  I started to panic and called again but yet again it went to voice mail.  I got up and went to Isabella who was busy with dinner in the kitchen.  “Isabella?”  “Yes Nicolas.”  “You know which women shelter Nicol went to?”  “No sorry I have no idea.”  “Okay thanks.”  I walked back to my office and called again but yet again it went to voicemail.  I went to my app find my I-phone but she didn’t switch the app on.  “Fuck Nicol.”  I was sitting in my office working myself up with every call I made and with every voicemail I received.  “Would you really leave Nikki with me?  What did I do?”  I asked myself over and over again.

Just past 6 pm my phone rang, I answered immediately.  “Nicol” “Yes Nicolas it’s me can you come and get me please?” “Where are you?  What’s going on?  Why do you sound like that?”  I couldn’t help it I had to know what was going on clearly, she wasn’t herself, something happened.  “Can I answer you when you get me, please Nicolas.”  I grabbed my jacket as I walked out of the front door, luckily Geoffrey was outside and followed me to the garage.  “Which women shelter?”  “The one closes to the hospital.”  “Okay I know which one you are talking about. I’m on my way sweetheart.  I’m on my way.”  “Nicolas when you get here ring the doorbell once don’t knock or slam the gate okay?”  What a weird request.  “Off course.  Are you okay?”  “I will be.”  “I love you, Nicol.”  She sobs.  “Oh, sweetheart hold on I’m there in 10 minutes.”  “Hurry please.”  She said as she disconnected the call.  Geoffrey drove out of the garage not sure where he was going.  “The shelter near the hospital.”  I said.  “I need an address, Nicolas.”  I googled it and gave him my phone.  “As fast as you can Geoffrey something is wrong, seriously wrong.”

We arrived at the shelter in less than 10 minutes Geoffrey might have broken a few traffic rules but I’ll deal with that when it comes.  He got a spot right in front.  I jumped out and all most ran to the door, I rang the bell only once and waited, everything in me wanted to rang the doorbell another time and maybe another time but Nicol asked me to do it just once which means there was a reason for that.  An older lady came to the door “Can I help you?”  She asked “I’m Nicolas I came to get Nicol.”  “Oh yes” She open the door for me “I’m Carol.”  She said.  “Walk with me.”  I walked behind her into a place that needed a lot of TLC I understand now why Nicol never wanted to go to a shelter it looked so morbid, fuck we need to help these women.  I thought to myself.  We walked into an office and in the corner, there was a chair, where Nicol was sitting.  “Sweetheart.”  I said softly.  She got up and ran to me throwing her arms around me.  “You okay.”  “Much better now thank you.”  “I’m going to leave you to it.”  Carol said. “No Carol it’s not necessary we are going to leave but I’ll see you tomorrow.”  Nicol said to Carol.  Carol walked to Nicol “Are you sure you want to tell him alone?”  Tell me what and why would she need someone by her side or near when she tells me whatever she needs to.  “He won’t hurt me Carol don’t worry.  This is something I need to tell him when we are home.”  “As you wish.” “Thank you for everything today.”  Nicol said to Carol.  “No, we need to thank you, I know two very pregnant lady’s that will sleep like babies because of you.”  “It’s my pleasure but I’ll see you tomorrow.”  “Really if you are not ready don’t come.”  What the fuck was going on, what happened here? And why would this Carol women think I will hurt Nicol?  Was all that went through my mind over and over again.