Page 52 of Legally Yours

I bend over as if somehow doubling over can protect me. Then it happens, time slows down. The heat of the tires is making the rubber burn and smell toxic. I can hear the driver yelling at me to get out of the way.

There is no way I am going to outrun that car no matter what I do. And there is nowhere for me to get away from it. If I step in the street or off the sidewalk, the car that is blocking the fast car is going to run over me.

I unbend and start running because I have to do something! It is futile, of course, I can’t outrun a car. But something seems better than nothing.

Except, I trip as I am running. I can see the car bearing down on me. I quickly stand up, trying to turn away as the car draws near and then, everything goes black.

42

LIAM

Imiss Cassandra so much! Dammit, why did she go away? Why didn’t she give us a chance? I hear a ringtone and get even more irritated because it’s not being answered. I look around and realize it’s my phone. Quickly I pick up. “Hello, this is Liam Anderson.”

“Liam, this is Andres, Cassandra’s father. She was hit by a car. She and her baby are in danger.”

Everything slows down to a turtle’s speed. I don’t even catch on to the word pregnant at first! “Uh, Andres, would you please repeat that?”

Andres sighs impatiently. But he does as I ask. “Cassandra was hit by a car. She’s been injured and is in the hospital. We found out that she is pregnant, and the baby is at risk, too.”

“Oh, my God.” Now he has my full attention. “Thank you for telling me. I’ll be there as soon as I can book a flight and get out of here.”

“Thank you. Get here fast!”

My heart slows down again.She could die. And the baby could die. Baby…

“I’m canceling everything I have on my schedule for as long as it takes. I’ll get the earliest flight that I can.”

I say goodbye, then take a deep breath to compose myself. I pick the phone back up after I’ve controlled my emotions. I press the extension for my secretary. “Joana, I just got bad news. I have to fly to Georgia right away.”

“I’ll cancel everything I can for you.”

“Yes, please. Also, I need the earliest flight out of New York right away. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. Cancel my meetings or have someone else take them.”

“I will, Mr. Anderson.”

I drop the phone into its cradle, grab my things, leave my office and lock it. I get home as fast as traffic will allow, then pack a bag. With no issues during my flight, I should be in Georgia in about four hours.

That’s four hours too long for my taste, but it’s the best I can do.

I flag a taxi and ask to be taken to LaGuardia airport. Knowing that this one isn’t as crowded as the JFK International Airport, I’ll be able to get through boarding faster. Depending on how fast my taxi driver can get me to the airport, I may be in the air in less than two hours.

In less than one hour, I am finally at the airport. I tip the driver with a big tip. “For being so fast.”

“Thank you, sir! Safe travels!”

I give him an absentminded salute, then run to check in. Today, the airport isn’t full at all, at least in this area. I check in electronically, using my phone. Then my bag is checked. I hurry to the security line and get through quickly. Soon, I am on the plane.

While I am in the air, I think about the news that Andres gave to me. Cassandra is pregnant? Why didn’t she tell me?

I think about our last night together. She seemed distracted that night. I had no idea she was planning to leave me. She must have been pregnant then. Did she know? If she did, would that have made a difference in her decision to leave?

I shift uncomfortably in my first-class seat.I don’t know what was going through her mind. Why did she feel the need to hide things from me?

Eventually, I fall asleep and don’t wake up until the flight attendant announces our arrival at Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport. As soon as I am off the plane, I hurry to baggage claim and get my bag, then to rent a car.

Finally, I am out of the airport grounds and on the freeway leading to Cassandra’s parents’ home. I’ll be staying with them. After making a wrong turn, I finally right myself and find the Bolkvadze home.

“Liam! Thank God you’re here! Andres got home a while ago to eat and rest.”