Chapter 46: Waking Up

"You know how they say your whole life flashes before your eyes when you're close to dying?"

"Yes, honey, I've heard that before..."

"Well, that wasn't true for me. Only one imaged flashed and it was yours...Happy, sad, then happy again. Luckily the last one I can remember before blacking out, what one of you happy. Smiling...our wedding. I knew right then I could die because I'd bring your memory with me."

"Oh, Nathan, you are so sweet."

"Everyday I'm thankful and reminded I made the best decision of my life when I made you my wife, Keshia."

"You are going to make me blush...I love you."

"And I love you too, Sweety."


Keshia and Nathan kissed while Graham stood in the room entrance. For whatever reason, he was a little jealous...


"Graham! How long have you been standing there? Come say hi!"

"Yes, sure, I don't bite. At least not yet. There's still serving me food through intravenous. I'll have to show the doctor's I can't live on that."

Nathan laughed and Graham smiled.

"Wow, well you sure seem to be doing great, Champion!"

"Feeling much better that's for sure, great, yeah, sure. Now you just have to convince my wife. She thinks I'm still fragile. Do I look like I'm gonna break? It takes a lot more than that crazy woman you were engaged to to stop me.

I forgot to ask...Is Alice okay?"

"Yes, she is. Thanks for asking. Unfortunately or fortunately you were the only one hurt. If I had it my way, no one would've been hurt..."

"Let's not talk about that now. It's depressing and I'm in a great mood. Can't wait to be out of bed and kick your ass at tennis again."

"Ha! Still think you can beat me? I'm thinking of going pro. That's how much you've boosted my self esteem."

Nathan laughed. He had told Graham he was one of the best amateur tennis players ever but anytime they'd played. Graham would win.


"And where do you think you are going?"

"I'm leaving you boys alone for now, don't want to butt in."

"A nice butt like yours gets to meddle in my business anytime. That's why I married you, remember?"

"You're silly."

"And I don't want you to leave..."


Graham interrupted the couple that was once again all over one another.

"I was leaving anyways. Nathan I'll come visit you soon again. Take care of yourself"

"That is if they let me. Obviously the doctors here think they know how bet than I do."


Graham laughed and left the room. He didn't feel like laughing at all. For whatever reason, seeing Keshia wirh Nathan and closer than ever, made him more jealous than any other time.

Chapter 45: Admission Of Guilt

"Keshia, I've been trying to reach you all morning!"

"I slept through the whole day, Never heard the phone, I'm sorry, Graham. I was listening to my messages right before you called again."

"Can we meet and talk? It's important."

"Well...sure, can you bring me to the hospital? I have to see Nathan, my mother-in-law says there's great news but she didn't want to add more. She just told me to come as soon as possible."

"Sure, I'm on my way, Keshia. I'd love to talk to Nathan too if he's awake."



"So, tell me, Graham. What was so urgent?"


Keshia looked more like herself, confident and beautiful. Alexandra, her mother-in-law had told her Nathan was awake and asking for her. She was impatient to see her husband awake and well.


"Did you speak to the detective, yet?"

'No, I didn't have any time to return my calls yet. I mostly just wanted to see my husband, My Nathan is awake, can you believe it? I'm sooo happy; you couldn't believe it."

"Well, after Alice had her accident, I remember how I felt when she was at the hospital and when she got better. I know how you feel. It's hard knowing you might lose the one you love. But when they pull through, your bond and your love is stronger than ever. You don't take any moment for granted."

"I want Victoria to pay, Graham..."


Keshia said the last words in a very calm manner but Graham could hear the hate and anger in her voice, He had to tell her now about what had really happened.


"Keshia, I had a talk with the detective... There's no easy way to say this and I'm very sorry. The forensics analysis have all been done..."

"Why would he notify you of any of this, Graham?"

"Because... I am the one who pulled the trigger, Keshia. I am sorry. I don't know how it happened."


Graham was walking with Keshia towards the hospital doors as he said those words and stood right next to the hospital entrance with tears in his eyes, He had almost killed a man; a friend. He could've shot any of his guests and he was even lucky Nathan made it. He brutally punched the brick wall and blood started spilling.

"Graham!"


Keshia went right next to him and hugged him.


"I still blame Victoria. Without her, none of this would've happened. Nathan is alive and well. It was an accident."

"You don't understand, I wanted to hurt Victoria on some level, I might have put my finger on the trigger thinking I could kill her!"

"Graham, don't talk no sense. Let's get you to a doctor, you are bleeding. Everything will be fine. If you're looking for forgiveness, you have mine and I sure believe you'll have Nathan's. Don't worry about any of this for now and don't tell Nathan yet."

"I told Gary and I told you. Alice doesn't even know yet. I wanted to make sure you heard it from me first."

"Thanks Graham, I'd stay with you but I have to go see my husband. Come by the room when they fix your hand."

"Sure will."


Graham looked at her leaving. She sure was an amazing person. Nathan was lucky to have her. He remembered that one night they'd spent together years ago. If it hadn't been for Victoria back then and the guilt he felt after, she would've been the perfect girl.

Chapter 44: Very Bad News

"What happens now?"

"Well, I highly doubt you will be charged with anything. It was accidental."

"But I could be charged, right?"

"Well, it is always a possibility but it's unlikely I think. A good lawyer won't let it hold up passed the preliminary hearing. It would be an aberration."


But Gary, whether or not I am charged, I still have to live with the guilt knowing I am the one who pulled the trigger."

"Graham, maybe technically you pulled the trigger, but it was by accident. It was never your intention to hurt anyone."

"If you really want to know, what scares me is beyond my worries of charges, trial or anything else. It's what you just stated. That my intent wasn't to hurt anyone. I wouldn't have mind if Victoria had been hurt."

"Please don't repeat this to anyone; I don't like the sound of it. Did you get a chance to speak with Alice?"

"Well, she's all wrapped up into thinking this is her fault. And now I'm finding out, it's mine. I should go see Keshia, hopefully Detective Crane hasn't been able to reach her yet."


Graham felt like a monster. He had no idea what to tell Keshia, he just knew he should tell her he was responsible for Nathan's condition before the detective did. Hopefully she'd forgive him.

As he arrived to the hospital, he saw Keshia looking at Alice with disbelief.

"Are you that naive? You still couldn't figure out what kind of woman Victoria is? You risked your life...all of our lives... But I can't be mad at you, Alice; you didn't know better."


Alice had told Keshia she had spoken to Victoria right before the incident. Although Keshia was so understanding of Alice's mistake, Graham still doubted she'd be so comprehensive when she would learn he pulled the trigger. Whether the information came from the detective or him.