Chapter fifty one
For the first time in a while, Noah looked at me. Not any kind of look, a shocked, emotional kind of gawk.
For the rest, I could hear the curses and gasps they whispered underneath their breaths.
"No, Jeff. You…don't have to do this," came the words from Emily Randall. I saw her fight to control tears when she looked at me. It was too late now, wasn't it?
"Don't you think you should have spoken to someone first before this impulsive decision?" That was Simon with a bit of anger in his tone.
"The decision wasn't out of the impulse, Simon," I shrugged, facing him and standing upright. "It arose out of long, critical thinking and consultation."
"Consultation," he retorted. "From who?"
To that, I planned to leave no answer to. Even if I wanted to, I wasn't granted the time.
Deputy Bones was already walking in through the double doors with a handful of his team following behind him.
I think this was when Noah realised I was being serious. From the pack of police men, they all turned their eyes back to me. I'd expected the reaction all week; the shock and disapproval and total surprise. For sure, I did throw them off the edge.
When the Deputy reached the gathering, he stuck both thumbs behind his belt and let his stern glare fall upon me. Behind that professional mask of his, I saw approval and support; the face someone would keep instead of saying YOU DID THE RIGHT THING.
"While I'm gone…" I paused to work on my wrist watch, taking it off from around my wrist steadily, "…Noah takes over everything. The house, cars, business…everything."
"Jeffrey…" The walls Emily had forced her tears into came breaking down as she shook her head. Disapproval.
Joey had that unreadable look again.
Simon had his eyes shut while he strived at keeping his harsh breaths still. While Noah…
I was still waiting for his reaction. When that didn't come soon, I nodded at Deputy Bones.
He tipped his head in understanding, flung a pair of cuffs from where they'd been hooked at his hip and came towards me.
I could understand how they all felt. Deep down, they knew my decision was the best one to find. Along with that though, they feared for me; for my sentence and all I might go through under conviction.
Honestly, I did as well.
But my gut told me I was right, my conscience supported me. And maybe…God too.
When the Deputy Sheriff went behind me, I felt the handcuffs surround my wrists. Well, they were the most uncomfortable bracelets you'd ever wear.
All the while, I was staring at my brother, hoping he'd say something before I left; hoping he'd say something before I left; hoping he'd say he was proud and forgave me.
Instead, his eyes were on my wrists and I saw he fought the urge to cry.
Bones stepped aside for a moment, probably granting me time for some last minute words. I had nothing more to say really.
However, Emily staggered towards me with tears on her face and wrapped her arms around me, raising a hand to clutch my hair as well.
With both hands cuffed, all I could do was lean my head against hers. "I'll be fine, Emily. I will be."
Even while I'd said it, I wasn't sure.
Generally though, I just had faith everything was going to work out just fine.
After she'd let me go, quite reluctantly, Simon stepped forward and stopped right before me. With a rarely wet pair of eyes, he nodded and enveloped me into a crushing embrace. "You'll continue to remain my favorite."
To his words, I laughed in nostalgia and sniffed against his shoulder. They all were my life's biggest blessings; friends who'd remain till the devil cast a halo.
Afterwards, all Joey gave was a nod of heavy encouragement. I'd returned it and faced Noah.
For the first time in a long time, he looked back weakly, sadly. I only tipped my head to him and began my exit from the gathering with the Deputy behind me.
It took all the control in me not to break down in the midst of them all.
Hadn't Noah anything to say? Or was he still letting rage drown every other thing?
"Jones," I heard his voice. It did feel like a dream in the beginning. Still though, I paused and turned my head to glance back at him. He'd spun his wheelchair to face me; it wasn't a dream.
"You'll be fine," he nodded, swallowing deeply. At that, I smiled. A sudden feeling of mirth befell me. From him, I finally believed I would be fine.
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