Ch.47 - Charlie

"Mom!"

Once again, Charlie tried to wake her, but she refused to open her eyes.

"Charlie," the doctor said lightly. She pushed her glasses up higher on her nose, a gesture Charlie had learned to expect from her. "We should let her rest now. She's been through a lot. What's happening here isn't typical. Patients normally come out of comas very gradually, becoming more and more aware over a period of time. This is rather sudden. And besides," she added, "I think you're little one might need some fresh air."

It was then that Charlie focused on Carter screaming in his arms. He'd been so wrapped up in his mother's outburst, he'd barely heard his daughter crying. How frightened she must be! Gently, he ran his hand over her head in an effort to soothe her, but he was just going through the motions. He couldn't forget what his mother had said, or the desperate look that burned in her eyes. He bounced Carter in his lap until crying calmed.

He glanced back at the doctor. "But why would she wake up screaming? Why was she saying the things she said?"

She pressed her thin lips together, as if trying to decide what exactly to say...or not say. "Coma dreams can be very intense. For years medical professionals have tried to make sense of them. What a patient sees in their thoughts while they're asleep can feel very real. Whether it's happiness, sadness or fear, that feeling is enhanced by the situation at hand. It's not uncommon for the mind to overcompensate for it's lack of control. It can make up scenarios, and sometimes those scenarios exaggerate real life."

"Is it possible for a person to come to a conclusion about something? Something they hadn't realized before?"

The doctor shrugged. "Anything's possible. But that doesn't mean there's credibility in what the patient says." She looked down at Enid, now resting peacefully. "Why don't you take a breather, Charlie? Once your mother wakes up, you two will have a lot to talk about. Her vital signs are stable so I'll check back in a bit."

The doctor left without another word. Charlie watched as a nurse cleaned up the mess that had been made when his mother pulled out her tubes. A thick, tan liquid saturated her gown from the tube feeding in her nose, while blood covered the blanket where she'd pulled out the intravenous line. He stood up from the bed and continued to console Carter, who now whimpered quietly in his arms.

"Shhh," he whispered, kissing her forehead. "You're okay. Everything's going to be just fine. Grandma will wake up soon and she'll tell us all about her dreams. You'll see."

But the sinking sensation in the pit of stomach continued to escalate. Something didn't feel right. What his mother had said... Why would she be dreaming about Steven? What would cause her to believe Jackson was his father? Could it be possible?

Charlie pulled his cell from his pocket and pressed Talia's number. The phone rang once, then cut out.

Damn reception!

But he couldn't let the feeling go. He needed to speak with his wife. He needed to know she was okay. She was about to meet with Jackson. If anything went wrong...

Charlie reached for the bedside phone. Dialing the number, he let it ring until the cell went to voice mail. He looked back at his mother, so small and pale in the bed. She was a little off-beat with her colorful insights and quirky ways of looking at life, but in all the years he'd known her, she'd rarely been wrong. As outlandish and unpredictable as her observations could be, there was always truth in her words. Fear gripped his stomach. He needed to leave. He needed to find Talia, just to be sure.

"Charlie, do you mind if I come in?" a male voice asked from the doorway.

Charlie's eyes opened wide. "William! You're just in time." He handed Carter over. "I need you to watch Carter for me."

William Easterwood stiffened as Charlie thrust the baby into his arms. "Wh--what?" A pink blush covered his cheeks. "I'm not sure I'm the man for this job. I haven't held a baby in years," he protested.

"Well, you're the only man here, so that makes you perfect."

William's mouth dropped open. "Is everything alright?"

Charlie's eyes darted to the clock on the wall. Talia was most likely with Jackson now. "I don't know," he admitted. "But I need to find out. Just entertain Carter for a bit while I go check on Talia. The nurse here will tell you all about how my mother woke up." He glanced at the young woman and gave her a nod.

"She woke up?" William exclaimed with relief in his voice. "Is she alright?"

Charlie nodded. "The nurse will tell you all about it. I need to go."

Charlie planted a kiss on Carter's cheek then ran out the door, leaving William staring after him in shock. He didn't have time to worry about that now, he'd explain everything to him later, after he knew Talia was safe. Chances are, he was overreacting, but he'd learned from past experience you could never be too safe.

Remembering what had happened in the elevator earlier, he decided to take the stairs. He flew down three flights and raced into the parking lot, his heart drumming louder with every hurried step. The sun beat down as he hopped into this truck and he felt thin beads of perspiration trickle down his back before being swallowed by his shirt. When the engine came to life, he switched it into reverse, but the truck thumped roughly as it backed out of the parking space.

What the hell...?

Charlie threw the truck in park and hopped out. As he made his way around the vehicle, his blood went cold. Every tire was flat.

This wasn't adding up. There were too many coincidences now to be overlooked. He reached for his phone and called Talia again, then tried the number Jackson had given him. Both went to voice mail.

His breathing became irregular as he tried to decide what to do next. There was no question in his mind, he needed to get to his wife.

"Shit!" he screamed and slammed his fist onto the hood of the truck. His eyes scanned the parking lot and suddenly stopped short. Could it be...? He'd recognize that head of strawberry-blonde hair anywhere, and the timing couldn't be more perfect.

Charlie left his truck in the middle of the lane and raced back toward the hospital, chasing after his friend. "Ryan," he called out. "Hey, Ryan!"

Ryan Sullivan turned on his heel, his face a mask of surprise. "Charlie, I was just stopping by to visit your mom. I tried to call but your phone went to voice mail."

"There's no time for that now," he said out of breath. "I need you to do me a favor."

Ryan's eyebrows flickered in confusion. "Is everything alright? You look like shit."

Charlie ignored the comment. "I don't know. It's Talia... My tires have been slashed and Jackson--"

Ryan cut him off. "Let's go," he said, already heading toward his truck.

Charlie filled him on what had happened as they raced toward his house, speeding through yellow lights and stop signs on the way.

"Let me get this straight," Ryan began in disbelief. "Your mom woke up from her coma screaming that Jackson is Steven's father?"

Charlie inhaled sharply. "That's what she said." He shook his head. "I don't know what to make of it. The doctor said that dreams people have while they're in a coma can be pretty intense and exaggerate real life. But of all things...why Steven? Why Jackson? I mean, Jackson saved her life. Don't you think she would have picked up on that, at least on some level?"

Charlie turned to Ryan and noticed his clenched jaw and eyes fixed on the road ahead. A shiver of unease ripped through him. "Ryan?"

After a long moment of silence, Ryan turned to him. "I've told you before I don't like Jackson. I don't trust him. There's just something about him."

A tremor of fear rolled through him as unimaginable images built in his mind. "Jackson is Steven's father?" Charlie asked, not wanting to believe it. "Don't you think that's a little far-fetched? Why would he come here...after all this time?"

"Stranger things have happened," Ryan observed, shooting Charlie a sideways glance. "You can't reason with crazy."

Charlie swallowed hard. "Step on the gas." His voice sounded stronger than he felt.

Ryan's beat-up truck plowed through a red light and took the next corner with a deafening screech, the worn tires clinging to the steaming pavement. After they pulled up to the house, they darted out back toward the water. But the air boat was missing.

"Damn it! We missed them," Charlie exclaimed.

Ryan pushed a hand through his hair, a look of determination set on his face. "Let's grab the kayak."

The sound of Winston barking from inside the house only added to Charlie's mounting agitation. If what his mother said was true then Talia was in trouble. She'd eventually told him all about her late husband and the torture he'd put her through. If Jackson actually was Steven's father and even half as crazy as his son... He wouldn't let himself finish the thought.

Charlie and Ryan pulled the narrow boat from the garage, his shoulder screaming in pain as they raised the kayak above their heads and raced toward the marsh. Wading into the muddy water, they set the boat down with a splash and climbed inside and used their paddles to push away from the shore, Ryan in front and Charlie taking up the rear.

"This way," Charlie suggested, steering the boat to the left. They forged ahead, paddling through the thick patches of saw grass. A crocodile sunning itself on an island leisurely made its way into the water and disappeared under the waves.

Charlie prayed that they were overreacting. That Jackson Levitt was exactly who he claimed to be and that his mother had only had an unfortunate nightmare of Steven. But with each passing second that hope was shrouded in doubt. He forced himself to remain calm, keep his head straight. Fight off the indefinable fear that was slowly consuming his whole body.

After several minutes, Ryan looked over his shoulder. "Is that it?"

Charlie's eyes strained to make out the boat in the distance. Yes, that was their boat. "Can we paddle any faster?"

Charlie dug the paddle into the water, forcing himself to push harder through the pain. The boat was still far away, but he could make out two figures, and by the way they moved he could tell there was trouble.

With mounting horror, Charlie watched Jackson lunge toward Talia while she jumped away.

"What the fuck is he doing?" Ryan called out.

Charlie didn't answer. "Talia!" He tried to get her attention but she didn't hear him. "Talia!" he called again.

"Let's try to get closer," Ryan said. "Then I'll jump in and climb up to the boat."

"What? No! She's my wife. I'll do it."

"With that shoulder of yours? You'd never make it. I'll do it. I've done crazier shit overseas."

Charlie used all his strength to push the kayak faster through the thick, swampy water, his eyes never once leaving Talia.

His breath caught in his throat as she charged toward the steering wheel and stepped on the gas, knocking Jackson off balance.

"Come on, Ryan! Push harder," he screamed.

His eyes grew wide as Talia grabbed the harpoon and held it to Jackson's chest and a knot of fear and disbelief tightened inside of him. Before he knew it, Talia was lying on her side and Jackson was kicking her toward the edge of the boat.

Both Ryan and Charlie called out at the same time, but neither Talia or Jackson acknowledged them.

"I'm jumping in," Charlie said.

"The fuck you are! There are crocodiles everywhere, you'll get yourself killed. Let's get closer and I'll do it."

But Charlie couldn't wait. When Jackson took his foot and shoved her into the water he knew it was now or never. He gritted his teeth as Talia sunk into the darkness and he dove in after her, ignoring Ryan's pleas.

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

Hello and thank you for reading Secrets and Lies! If you liked this chapter, please leave a vote/comment.

Seriously, now Charlie and Talia are both in the water and there seems to be no shortage of dangerous creatures nearby! Will Charlie reach Talia in time? Find out Tuesday!!!

Have a nice weekend!