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time: wednesday evening
day: april ninth
place: bailey's bay, bermuda; engel residence.
(I crash
on the couch, exhausted from the flights from Charleston to Atlanta to
Bermuda Airport. I put my suitcase on the ground, not even worrying
about it right now. Mia and Alexia seem to be out, I didn't see the
other car in the garage. I should look for a note. I get up off the
couch and walk around, but find no note. I shrug my shoulders, they
should be back soon. I find my bed and lay down for moment.)
(I close my eyes. Flashbacks of being in the ring against Corey... and
what the MoA did to me... run rampant in my mind. Finally, it's put to
rest when I fall asleep.)
(Somebody's nudging me. I don't move at first, but then there's a
second nudge. I quickly lash out, catching the intruder's hand, but
realize it's my own wife. I have a hateful look in my eye, but that
disappears the moment I look at her beautiful face.)
VIRUS: I'm... sorry. When... when did you guys get home?
Mia: Just now, sweetie. Can you please let go?
(I let go immediately, and we embrace. I give her a kiss on the neck.)
VIRUS: Where's Alexia?
Mia: She's upstairs. She had soccer practice.
VIRUS: It's almost eight o'clock.
Mia: They ran late, babe. You know how gung-ho the coach is. I sat there in the school parking lot for a half hour myself!
(I pause for a moment.)
VIRUS: You know, don't you?
Mia: Know what, dear?
(She runs her hand through my hair, her touch is so comforting. I can see the sadness in her eyes.)
VIRUS: About him.
Mia: Yes...
VIRUS: Does Alexia?
Mia: No... God no.
VIRUS: Let's keep it that way.
(She nods, some tears forming in her eyes. She's just as worried as I am. She doesn't know what the future will bring, now that he's in it.)
Mia: What will do you, Matt?
VIRUS:
Nothing. He hasn't posed a direct threat to us. But... I'm gonna have
you and Alexia stay at Enika's place this weekend, while I'm in
Rosemont. Okay?
Mia: Why? Wouldn't we be safer here?
VIRUS: You don't think he
knows where we live? You'll have company. Sarah and Fiona will be
there. Sarah is beautiful now, Mia. It'll be a nice weekend for her.
(Mia gives me a kiss on the forehead. She smiles, trying to hold back her tears.)
Mia: That's fine, Matt. Be careful, please. Don't... don't get us involved.
VIRUS: I don--
Mia: I know you don't mean to, just... please don't. We wouldn't be able to take it again.
VIRUS: I'll do my best, hun.
Mia: Thank you.. I...
(She
starts to cry. She wasn't around when Alexia had her first experience,
but she was around for the second. And she was the target of one Darren
Ridel in two thousand three. I bring her close to me and hold her in my
arms.)
VIRUS: It's gonna be okay, baby. It's gonna be okay.
(I give her a kiss on the head, and hold her closeer to me.)
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