Chapter 18

For the second time in less than a year, I regained consciousness in a hospital room. It took me a while to focus and then realized I was handcuffed to the hospital bed. It took me several seconds to process what had happened but there was no way I should be in restraints. I pressed the button for the nurse who showed up in a minute or so.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” she asked.

“I think I’m ok, but I hurt all over.” I replied.

“I’m going to call the doctor immediately and there are two police officers in the hall waiting to talk to you.” she answered, leaving quickly.

Within a minute, two men in suits came in walking quickly over to the bed. No doubt they were both detectives from the department. One of them stepped to the left side of the bed.

“Mr. Williams, can you tell us what happened?” he asked.

I slowly began to tell him that I was driving by when I witnessed the deputy being wrestled to the ground. I recalled how I had stopped and began to fight the men. After I got through the first two and then my encounter with the last man. Then being stabbed in the back and the female deputy shooting the suspect who stabbed me. I also asked how the female deputy was doing.

“Officer Dugas has still not regained consciousness, but she is stable.’, he answered.

“What about the three men?” I asked.

“They had just committed an armed robbery about thirty minutes before Officer Dugas pulled them over for a traffic violation. They are all wanted on other charges as well. The three of them have three felonies on their record and will be going to prison for life now that you add aggravated assault on a police officer.” he stated.

“Good to know.” I responded.

“You fucked up those guys ... broken bones, one has a fractured jaw and one shot in the back.” he laughed.

“I guess we can get rid of these.” the other detective said, unlocking the cuffs.

They both thanked me for what I did and exited the room closing the door behind them. A few minutes later, the doctor came in and explain my injuries. I had been cut on my upper chest down and across to my stomach. Although it was deep in some spots nothing was serious only requiring a lot of stitches. I had also been stabbed in my left shoulder and exploratory surgery had been done. There was severe soft tissue, some muscle severing, and one tendon had been nicked. But all in all, nothing more would have to be done and it would all heal on it’s on. He promised the nurse would be back with some pain medication.

The next morning, I was feeling somewhat better but sore as hell. The nurse informed me that the female police officer had regained consciousness and was alert. She had suffered a bad concussion, a hairline fracture of her jaw and two broken fingers. The nurse told me that Officer Dugas asked to see me, but she was not yet mobile. The nurse told me after breakfast she would get a wheelchair and take me to her room.

True to her word, just past nine o’clock I was wheeled to Officer Dugas’ room. As we entered, it appeared she was sleeping but there was an older man sitting in the chair. The nurse wheeled me over to the bedside when the man introduced himself as her father.

“Are you the guy who stopped to help her?” he asked.

“Yes sir.” I replied.

“You know son, you probably saved her life.” he stated, grabbing my hand.

“She just as heck saved mine sir. I was about to get stabbed again when she put that animal down.” I responded,

Just about that time, Officer Dugas opened her eyes and saw her father next to the bedside. She gave him a quirky look and then smiled.

“Dad, have you been here all night?” she asked.

“Riley, don’t you dare lecture me ... I’m your dad. It’s what dad’s do.” he said, leaning over and kissing her cheek.

Then she looked in my direction and squinted her eyes at first but then opened them wide. It took her a minute, but she figured it out.

“And you must be my hero...” she smiled.

“No ma’am, I’m Chris Williams.” I replied.

“If you would not have stopped that night, I might not be here. I saw you attack the first one and then I blacked out. When I came to, I saw another guy down and the one standing over you with the knife. I was able to pull my weapon and fire at him then I guess I blacked out again.” she admitted.

“Well, I am sure you saved me as well. Your shot put him down.” I replied.

“They told me when they got there you were holding me and had my weapon in your hand.” she said, smiling.

“Something like that ... It’s kind of hazy to me too.” I admitted.

“Where did you learn to fight like that?” she asked.

“I work at a gym and teach Krav Maga. I also am a student of Muy Thai although not an instructor yet.” I answered.

“Well, well well ... looky here. The princess and the white knight.” a female said, walking in the door.

I turned to see it was Lexie Thomas in her uniform walking towards us. She leaned over and kissed Rylie Dugas on the cheek and squeezed her hand.

“Glad to see you awake, Rylie. You gave us all a scare.” Lexie said, softly.

“And you ... Where did you come from?” Lexie asked, walking over and kissing my forehead.

“Lexie, you know him?” Rylie asked.

“Yes, we dated a while back...” Lexie replied, looking me dead in the eyes.

“Oh ... then we must talk.” Rylie answered.

Just about that time my nurse came back and informed me it was time for me to go back to my room. I said my farewells and I was wheeled back to my room. About thirty minutes later Lexie walked into my room and sat in the chair next to the bed.

“Chris, you could have died that night.” Lexie said, taking my hand in hers.

“I wasn’t thinking Lexie, I saw her in trouble and reacted.” I responded.

“Reacted. One perp has a broken jaw, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung, the second also has a broken jaw and a bullet in his back, the last one has a broken nose, broken eye socket, fractured jaw and a dislocated back. That’s a bit more than a reaction.” she stated informing me of their injuries.

I was released from the hospital two days later. The following day, Officer Rylie Dugas was released as well. I watched a news conference on television as she was being released. She said some really nice things about me but never mentioned my name which was a good thing. Just in case these guys had any friends lurking about.

After several weeks, I was allowed to go back to the gym and train. My shoulder was still sore, and I was told to take it easy. Master Garcia was elated to see me back and commend me for how I had helped the policer officer. He said that even though my name had been left out of the news, everyone knew it was me.

Several weeks later, I was sitting in Moe’s Pizza waiting for an all-meat pizza when Lexie Thomas walked through the door. She was in uniform which quickly put a damper on the younger crowd. She scanned the room and saw me at one of the booths and headed in my direction. She came over to the table and asked me if she could sit down.

“Of course, Lexi.” I offered.

She sat down on the bench across from me and leaned back against the cushion sighing deeply. I had seen that look and face before, she was just coming off the day shift.

“What a day...” she mumbled.

“Lately, I can relate to that.” I replied.

Just at that point, Mark Boudreaux and Chrissy Haynes walked through the front door hand in hand. Living in a small area really sucked. Sometimes you just couldn’t get away from certain people. They started walking in my direction, I had no idea what was coming. Mark spoke first.

“Hey Chris, I just want to say ... um, that was awesome how you helped out the police lady.” he stated.

“Thanks Mark ... Seemed like the right thing to do.” I answered.

“And, I also took your advice about that other thing...” he said, nodding toward Chrissy.

“He’s being good, Chrissy?” I asked.

“Actually yes, things are the best they have ever been.” she admitted, smiling.

“Mark, stay away from those assholes ... this girl here is all you need.” I advised.

“Already doing that...” he stated, the two of them going to the back of the restaurant.

“I’m impressed, you turned one of them around.” Lexie laughed.

“No, Chrissy did ... I just pushed him in the right direction.” I replied.

“Anyway, I was driving by on the way home and saw your car out front, so I decided to stop. You don’t mind, do you?” Lexie asked.

“Not at all. In fact, I have a large pizza coming any minute.” I replied.

“Good, I didn’t get a lunch today.” she answered.

Several minutes later, the waitress brought my large all-meat pizza to the table. We ordered Lexie a large Coke and began to eat. After the waitress brought Lexie her drink, she admitted the reason for her stop.

“Chris, I want to ask you something. If you want to say no, I understand. If you have even a little hesitation, then please decline. Only, I have been tearing myself up over this ... I have to ask.” she admitted, very nervously.

“Lexie, just say what’s on your mind. We pretty much know everything about each other. Not much secrets here.” I laughed.

“Ok, here it goes ... Would you um ... maybe go out with me tomorrow night.” she stammered.

“You mean like a date?” I asked.

“Yes.” was her only answer.

“Lexie, what is going on? What about Cody?” I inquired.

“We broke up ... again.” she said, not able to look at me.

“When?” I asked.

“About a month ago...” she stated, looking up.

“Wow, I had no idea...” I stated.

At this point, I felt that I had just been hit by a ton of bricks. Just a month after breakup she comes running back to me. I was not sure how to feel about this whole situation. There was no doubt that I cared a lot about Lexie and still did. But this relationship with Cody would seem to be hanging over my head. How long would it be until they got back together again? This was a very slippery slope I was navigating.

“Oh, I never thought to ask if you were seeing someone. Are you?” she asked.

“No, nothing like that.” I answered.

“So, what do you think?” she asked, with those eyes that could melt a frozen heart.

“Can you answer a question for me?” I asked.

“I’ll try.” she responded.

“If we start this again and I fall for you all over again ... and I will. How do I know you won’t go back to Cody?” I asked, sincerely.

“I guess with my track record ... How can you really trust me? All I can tell you is Cody, and I are done. There’s nothing there anymore, no love, no trust, no hope ... nothing. I know you probably have a hard time believing me and like I said, if you do, just say no.” she stated.

“I guess I care too much for you not to try again.” I admitted.

“Thank you, Chris. I promise you won’t regret this.” she promised with tears in her eyes.

We talked for close to an hour before leaving. Since Lexie was at the end of a dayshift, she did have three days off. So, we set something up for tomorrow night since it was Saturday. She would be off Sunday and Monday as well. My schedule was always flexible especially since I started working out early in the morning.

I promised to pick up Lexie about seven thirty, but I was already dressed and ready to go an hour before that. There was no doubt I was anxious to be with her and had missed her terribly. I left my house early and arrived at Lexie’s house a few minutes after seven. Knowing Lexie like I did, I knew she would not be ready. I went up the walkway and rang the bell, the door opened quickly.

“Chris, what are you doing here?” Jennifer Thomas said, shocked.

“I’m here to pick up Lexie. We have a date planned.” I replied.

“A date ... date?” she replied, not able to hide her emotions.

“Yes ma’am.” I answered.

She grabbed me and hugged me like I had risen from the dead and in some regards I had. She whispered into my ear that she never thought this would ever happen. She closed the door and I followed her into the main living area where Jim Thomas was watching television alone. I walked around the sofa and moved towards Jim to shake his hand.

“Chris, what are you doing here?” he asked, shaking my hand.

“Chris and Lexie are going out on a date.” Jennifer blushed.

“Did you know about this, Jen.” Jim asked his wife.

“Nope, this is a pleasant surprise to me as well.” she stated, rubbing my back.

“Well sit down, Chris.” Jim offered.

I sat down a few feet from him, and Jennifer sat on the other end of the sofa. We exchanged what had been going on in our lives during the past year or so. Then he asked me about the encounter I had on the highway with the three thugs.

“Not much to tell. There was a small fight and fortunately the police showed up.” I offered.

“Small fight ... you put three men in the hospital with broken bones and a gunshot wound.” Jim laughed.

“Officer Dugas shot the man...” I answered.

Thankfully Lexie came walking in at exactly the right moment. She was dressed in tight white jeans, white heels, and a fire engine red lace top with a faint hint of a red bra underneath. Lexie’s hair was down on her shoulders, and she had a small amount of makeup on. She looked stunning to say the least but then again, I was partial.

“You’re early Chris.” she said, leaning over and kissing my cheek.

“I’m sorry, I got here about an hour ago. I wanted to talk to your parents before we left.” I said, with a serious look on my face.

“Wait ... you have been here for an hour?” she asked.

“Yes, I would say that’s about right.” Jim said, catching on quickly.

“Talking about me?” she whined.

“Yep, pretty much.” her father responded.

I jumped up because it was difficult not to break into laughter as this charade was being played. I reached out and took Lexie’s hand and started to walk towards the front of the house. You could tell she wanted to know exactly what we were talking about. She followed me out of the house in protest as her mother closed the door behind us. I walked over and opened the passenger door for Lexie, and she slid in the passenger seat. I walked around the front of the car and got behind the wheel of my car. Before I could even buckle the seat belt Lexie started in.

“So, what were you talking to my parents about?’, she asked, grabbing my hand.

“Different things ... mostly about how they thought this was a bad idea.” I answered, looking straight at the road.

“Bad idea?” she quickly replied.

“That’s what I said. But they tried to convince me otherwise.” I answered, squeezing her hand.

“Wait, what part of this was a bad idea?’, she said, concerned.

“I guess the two of us dating again.” I said, lying my ass off.

“Wait, let me make sure I understand this. My parents believe we should not be dating?” she asked, stunned.

“That’s pretty much about it...” I said, trying hard to myself composed.

I pulled into the parking lot at the restaurant trying to determine how long I was going to let the joke play on. After all, Lexie had bit hook, line, and sinker. I parked the car and walked around opening her door. She got out with the same look of concern on her face. We walked in side by side and met the hostess asking for a table for two. We were immediately seated on the right side of the restaurant in a secluded booth. It was great seating for a date. The hostess told us our server would be with us shortly. The hostess had no sooner left when Lexie started grilling me again.

“I mean if you talked for an hour..., what all did they say?” she asked.

“I don’t know. What do you think they might have told me?’, I asked, looking her directly in the eyes.

“So basically, my parents are trying to sabotage a possible relationship between the two of us?” she asked, almost ready to cry.

At that point, I figured I had taken this as far as I wanted to go. What started as a joke had now upset Lexie. I reached over the table and took her hand in mine looking into her eyes.