Day 71 - Part 1
(Helen’s perspective)
“Hey! Did you guys win last night?”
“Nah!” William shook his head, “They mercy-ruled us.”
“Oh, bummer. I’ll try to catch your next game.”
“Please do, it seems those are the only ones we win,” he gave me half a smile.
I grinned back, “Maybe I should be a season-ticket holder.”
“That would be nice,” as he put his hand on my arm, face close to mine.
We hadn’t told anyone in the room we were dating yet, but we weren’t naive to the idea that some already knew. And, honestly, could we say we were dating when we had only been out one time? But tonight was going to change that.
(William’s perspective)
I wanted to kiss her, but not here - not with classmates around. Did they know? Probably, but we weren’t going to put on a show. Besides, we still hadn’t had a second date with the little league season winding down, we had a lot of games. I was off tonight, though.
“So where are we headed? Last date was my choice, tonight was your pick - but keeping me in the dark might backfire. What should I wear?”
“Keep it nice,” she hinted, “We’re going to exploit your talents tonight.”
Her comment made me a little uneasy, but not in the way that it would have only a couple of months ago.
The one good thing about the last week was that after the meeting with Ms. Candor, Harold had seemed to move into one of his stealth stages. Helen and I both knew that he was still plotting, but nothing seemed imminent. Our efforts focused on each other - both in becoming better actors and in having more intimate conversations. I really wanted her to know me. Hopefully tonight would go a long way in continuing to build our trust in each other.
(Helen’s perspective)
I paced the room waiting for William to show up. When he did, I rushed out the door and into his truck.
“Whoa! That was fast,” he observed.
“Yup! I’m excited! Let’s get outta here!”
He furrowed his brows at me. “What’s going on? Why the rush?”
“Because tonight, twinkletoes, you are taking me dancing!”
I had been eager to dance with William again since he led me around the warehouse on the second day of class. It was so light and breezy - calling it gliding was selling it short.
“Let’s get this show on the road!” I demanded.
He laughed and then put the truck in gear. “Here we go!”
(William’s perspective)
Rolling to a stop in Verity’s driveway, I was surprised to see her burst out of the door and up to the truck.
“Whoa! What’s the rush?” I asked.
“Let’s go. We’re gonna dance. You’ve got that Fred Astaire meets John Travolta vibe, and I’ve been dying to dance with you again since that day in class!”
A little pride rose up in my chest to hear that I’d made such an impression that day - and I was looking forward to impressing again.
Getting out of the car, Helen took off for the dance hall.
“Hey!” I started, locking the doors. “You’re serious about being in a hurry!”
“I love to dance! You’d better hurry before someone else asks me out on the floor!”
I wasn’t having any of that, and I sprinted to the door, arriving just as she did.
“Good job, sir! Let’s do this.”
(Helen’s perspective)
My foot anxiously tapped the floor of the truck in anticipation.
“What’s that about?” William asked looking over. “Are you nervous?”
“Nope! Just excited energy. You’d better get me to the hall before I burn it all off. I’m going to need it to keep up with you!”
“Now you’re living up to your name!” He offered. But something twinged me in that moment.
“William,” I began slowly, “You remember that evening at the restaurant? When we were honest with each other?” I held my breath.
“Um - yeah. I’ll never forget that night. You set me free that night. Why? Do you have reservations about that?”
I took a quick breath. “No. Not at all. I…just — you told me you loved me. But — you haven’t said it since. Do you regret saying it?” Holding breath again.
“What? No! Not at all. I don’t regret it. I meant it then and it’s still true now…but I’m trying to give you space. I was a little worried that saying it again might put you in a position where you felt like I was pressuring you. I didn’t want it to seem like I was reminding you where we stood. You have all the time you need to figure this out, but I don’t think there’s anything you could to do change my feelings. I’m trying not to pressure you. That’s all.”
I let the air out and answered, “Oh, ok. Thank you.”
We arrived at the dance hall, and I was ready to go!
(William’s perspective)
I was blown away by how many people packed the dance hall. It was almost wall to wall. In spite of the crowd, the mood was low-key and we were able to quickly stake out a space on the floor all our own. Helen took my hand and pulled me close, “Lead the way…” she whispered, making me wonder if she meant on the floor or in general. It felt like a vote of confidence in me that she hadn’t really shown before. I took it to heart, and confidently waltzed her around our little property as best I could.
We stayed on the floor for four straight dances before grabbing drinks and moving to a table.
“You know, I’m totally confident in my dancing, but you were with me step for step. I’m not sure why you’re so impressed with my dancing when you obviously can match me!”
“I wasn’t matching you - I was doing my best to keep up. You’re a good partner, William.”
“Dance partner - yeah. But let’s not do any more duets.” I tried to downplay her comment, not really knowing what she meant. Not to be deterred, she clarified.
“No. I mean you. You are a good partner — a great partner. It doesn’t matter if we’re dancing, doing cold reads, improvising clown plays or even duets. You’ve always been the best partner. I had no idea when I picked you that first day of class how you would come through for me. You’ve helped me battle Harold so many times in so many ways. You’re a rock wall when he comes near. He can’t budge you and I’m so appreciative of that. Thank you.”
I felt her words in a way that I didn’t expect. I made a feeble attempt to respond.
“Oh, Verity - You make it…you just make it so easy. Your kindness, your heroic vulnerability - You’re so, so strong. You could battle Harold alone and win easily. I admire the grit you’ve had to have to get back up every time he’s attacked you. You could have left class so many times. You could have moved back to Missouri. You could have had your dad come and battle Harold, but still you choose to face him as the force that you are. I admire you! I couldn’t be the rock you think I am if it wasn’t for you’re strength.”
Her eyes began to water, and I reached over to take her hand. “More dancing?” She nodded, and I led her back to the dance floor.
Day 71 - Part 1
(Helen’s perspective)
“Hey! Did you guys win last night?”
“Nah!” William shook his head, “They mercy-ruled us.”
“Oh, bummer. I’ll try to catch your next game.”
“Please do, it seems those are the only ones we win,” he gave me half a smile.
I grinned back, “Maybe I should be a season-ticket holder.”
“That would be nice,” as he put his hand on my arm, face close to mine.
We hadn’t told anyone in the room we were dating yet, but we weren’t naive to the idea that some already knew. And, honestly, could we say we were dating when we had only been out one time? But tonight was going to change that.
(William’s perspective)
I wanted to kiss her, but not here - not with classmates around. Did they know? Probably, but we weren’t going to put on a show. Besides, we still hadn’t had a second date with the little league season winding down, we had a lot of games. I was off tonight, though.
“So where are we headed? Last date was my choice, tonight was your pick - but keeping me in the dark might backfire. What should I wear?”
“Keep it nice,” she hinted, “We’re going to exploit your talents tonight.”
Her comment made me a little uneasy, but not in the way that it would have only a couple of months ago.
The one good thing about the last week was that after the meeting with Ms. Candor, Harold had seemed to move into one of his stealth stages. Helen and I both knew that he was still plotting, but nothing seemed imminent. Our efforts focused on each other - both in becoming better actors and in having more intimate conversations. I really wanted her to know me. Hopefully tonight would go a long way in continuing to build our trust in each other.
(Helen’s perspective)
I paced the room waiting for William to show up. When he did, I rushed out the door and into his truck.
“Whoa! That was fast,” he observed.
“Yup! I’m excited! Let’s get outta here!”
He furrowed his brows at me. “What’s going on? Why the rush?”
“Because tonight, twinkletoes, you are taking me dancing!”
I had been eager to dance with William again since he led me around the warehouse on the second day of class. It was so light and breezy - calling it gliding was selling it short.
“Let’s get this show on the road!” I demanded.
He laughed and then put the truck in gear. “Here we go!”
(William’s perspective)
Rolling to a stop in Verity’s driveway, I was surprised to see her burst out of the door and up to the truck.
“Whoa! What’s the rush?” I asked.
“Let’s go. We’re gonna dance. You’ve got that Fred Astaire meets John Travolta vibe, and I’ve been dying to dance with you again since that day in class!”
A little pride rose up in my chest to hear that I’d made such an impression that day - and I was looking forward to impressing again.
Getting out of the car, Helen took off for the dance hall.
“Hey!” I started, locking the doors. “You’re serious about being in a hurry!”
“I love to dance! You’d better hurry before someone else asks me out on the floor!”
I wasn’t having any of that, and I sprinted to the door, arriving just as she did.
“Good job, sir! Let’s do this.”
(Helen’s perspective)
My foot anxiously tapped the floor of the truck in anticipation.
“What’s that about?” William asked looking over. “Are you nervous?”
“Nope! Just excited energy. You’d better get me to the hall before I burn it all off. I’m going to need it to keep up with you!”
“Now you’re living up to your name!” He offered. But something twinged me in that moment.
“William,” I began slowly, “You remember that evening at the restaurant? When we were honest with each other?” I held my breath.
“Um - yeah. I’ll never forget that night. You set me free that night. Why? Do you have reservations about that?”
I took a quick breath. “No. Not at all. I…just — you told me you loved me. But — you haven’t said it since. Do you regret saying it?” Holding breath again.
“What? No! Not at all. I don’t regret it. I meant it then and it’s still true now…but I’m trying to give you space. I was a little worried that saying it again might put you in a position where you felt like I was pressuring you. I didn’t want it to seem like I was reminding you where we stood. You have all the time you need to figure this out, but I don’t think there’s anything you could to do change my feelings. I’m trying not to pressure you. That’s all.”
I let the air out and answered, “Oh, ok. Thank you.”
We arrived at the dance hall, and I was ready to go!
(William’s perspective)
I was blown away by how many people packed the dance hall. It was almost wall to wall. In spite of the crowd, the mood was low-key and we were able to quickly stake out a space on the floor all our own. Helen took my hand and pulled me close, “Lead the way…” she whispered, making me wonder if she meant on the floor or in general. It felt like a vote of confidence in me that she hadn’t really shown before. I took it to heart, and confidently waltzed her around our little property as best I could.
We stayed on the floor for four straight dances before grabbing drinks and moving to a table.
“You know, I’m totally confident in my dancing, but you were with me step for step. I’m not sure why you’re so impressed with my dancing when you obviously can match me!”
“I wasn’t matching you - I was doing my best to keep up. You’re a good partner, William.”
“Dance partner - yeah. But let’s not do any more duets.” I tried to downplay her comment, not really knowing what she meant. Not to be deterred, she clarified.
“No. I mean you. You are a good partner — a great partner. It doesn’t matter if we’re dancing, doing cold reads, improvising clown plays or even duets. You’ve always been the best partner. I had no idea when I picked you that first day of class how you would come through for me. You’ve helped me battle Harold so many times in so many ways. You’re a rock wall when he comes near. He can’t budge you and I’m so appreciative of that. Thank you.”
I felt her words in a way that I didn’t expect. I made a feeble attempt to respond.
“Oh, Verity - You make it…you just make it so easy. Your kindness, your heroic vulnerability - You’re so, so strong. You could battle Harold alone and win easily. I admire the grit you’ve had to have to get back up every time he’s attacked you. You could have left class so many times. You could have moved back to Missouri. You could have had your dad come and battle Harold, but still you choose to face him as the force that you are. I admire you! I couldn’t be the rock you think I am if it wasn’t for you’re strength.”
Her eyes began to water, and I reached over to take her hand. “More dancing?” She nodded, and I led her back to the dance floor.
Day 71 - Part 2
(Helen’s perspective)
The dancing was exhilarating. William was just as good if not better than he had been on that second day, whirling me around the warehouse then and the dance floor now. Dancing had always been a release for me - something that my dad and I liked to do.
We soon took a break to rest our feet. As we sat, my appreciation for William grew. He was a good friend — a best friend, and he needed to know that. There was also something else that he needed to know, but I couldn’t tell him yet. We finished our drinks and moved back to the dance floor.
Four dances later, and we were back at the table gulping breaths and continuing our conversation.
“That was great! How many dances do you know?”
“I know probably 10 dances but enough to fake the rest,” he confessed then added, “There’s something I’ve been wanting — needing to ask you.
Suddenly nervous at the seriousness of his tone, my eyes darted down to his hands on the table. “Oh? What’s that?”
(William’s perspective)
I looked across the table at Verity. A strand of hair had fallen loose and was stuck to her sweat beaded face. I don’t know if I’d ever seen her smile this way. She was happy. Harold-less, worry-free, happy. I wanted to give this to her as often as I could — but there was something in the way. Something that I needed to stop assuming and be direct about.
“Verity - I know that you’re okay with our age difference, and I’m so grateful for that. You’ve never treated me like I was too old or like we were two different generations. But I have to know if your dad feels the same way. It would be completely understandable if he were unhappy about this, or thought you should be dating someone your own age. Does he even know about me?”
Her smile quickly faded and her eyes moved to the table. The hesitation in her voice was the clearest answer I could have gotten.
“Oh. Ok. Well, I didn’t mean to ruin the mood. I was hoping to meet him at some point. I know you’re close to him and that you share a lot. You’ve mentioned him several times, and I just didn’t want to take this somewhere without his approval. If it helps, I am willing to talk to him - to let him get to know me a bit.”
“William — it’s not that. It’s just that, I don’t know if…if I’m ready for you two to meet.”
“He doesn’t know about my age, does he? You haven’t told him?”
“No — he knows.”
“Ah. Then he doesn’t approve?”
“Can we talk about it later? I really want to dance tonight.”
A twinge of guilt snagged my heart. She had looked so happy and carefree two minutes ago and I had robbed that. Bad timing - again!
“Yeah. Let’s dance. I’m sorry for bringing it up! Let’s go.”
(Helen’s perspective)
His eyes were suddenly determined. Whatever he was going to ask about was obviously important. Then he mentioned Dad. I wasn’t sure how to answer him. I knew that someday he would want to meet him, but I wasn’t sure that I was ready. I stammered a bit to his disappointment, and asked if we could keep dancing. Thankfully, he was still up for it. I would introduce them, but for now I wanted to dance.
The rest of the night was a blur as we did polkas, waltzes, and the Macarena. I think we even did the duck dance somewhere in there. Anyway, the time came to leave and I didn’t want the night to end.
“Hey, do you want to do something else before taking me home? It’s been a lot of fun and I don’t want to leave just yet.”
“Sure! I’ve got an idea.”
We hopped into the truck and he took us three blocks to an ice cream shop. “This is perfect!” I said to myself.
We found a table under an umbrella. “What kind?”
“Um…I really like strawberry.” I answered.
“Got it!”
My eyes trailed him as he went to the counter. Sighing as I thought about his question from earlier — about how my dad felt about the age gap and what he would say if they met. The things I’d said to William before about being a wonderful partner. It was all true. He had been there every time I needed him. Maybe it was time for him to meet my dad. I shivered at the thought, but steeled myself for the task.
(William’s perspective)
I ordered a strawberry cone and one with butter pecan. I looked back at Verity — her face very pensive. I paid for the cones and returned to the table.
“Strawberry cone!”
“Thanks! What did you get?”
“Butter pecan.”
“Nice,” Verity said with a shiver as she took a bit of the ice cream. I scooted closer to her and put my arm around her. She snuggled in and, we enjoyed our ice cream without a word.
When the cones were gone, she asked me to move across the table from her. I did so, noting the seriousness in her voice. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. It’s good. Thank you for a lovely evening. I want to look you in the eyes while the talk.”
“Ok…”
“William, you asked if you could meet my dad. Well, he’s here.”
“What? Where?” I looked around, scanning the benches. Several older men, but none of them paying any attention to us. Verity took my hand and pulled my attention back to her and the table.
(Helen’s perspective)
I asked William to move to the other side of the table. I wanted to be able to look at him as we talked. I needed to gauge his emotions. This needed to be done in the right way. My voice cracked as I spoke.
“William, my dad is here.”
He startled a little and began looking around. As he did, I reached into my bag and pulled out my journal. I gave it a short hug and then placed it on the table in front of me. My trembling hands took his and moved it to the journal’s edges.
“Hey. Here. My dad is here. He’s always with me.”
“I don’t understand,” confused look on his face.
“It’s okay. I probably should have told you before now.”
(William’s perspective)
Verity slowly, gently placed my hand on her journal. “I should have told you,” she said.
“Told me what?”
“This is him — my dad.”
“I don’t understand.”
“My dad and I spent a lot of time together when I was little. He taught me to go fishing and to dance. We made pancakes together on Sunday mornings and watched cartoons together. I loved him very much. He was kind and strong and gentle and meek and wise…and ill. He died when I was eleven.”
“Oh, Verity…I’m so —“
“Shh…please let me finish,” tears filling her eyes, voice quivering. “My dad — I always called him ‘Daddy’ — had cancer, and when he died the loss left a hole bigger than my heart. I was so lost without him. For weeks no one could console me, until my mother brought me a journal. She told me to write to him. To keep that relationship alive, and I did. I wrote all of the conversations that I ever wanted or needed to have with Daddy in that journal — then another — then another. I’m on this one now, and we still talk today.”
My eyes dropped again to the journal on the table. My fingers gently ran the edges, noticing the worn cover. I looked up at Verity, the streams running down her face. I quickly moved next to her and wrapped my arms around her as she began to cry.
“I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for you to share this with me. I’m so sorry that I pushed earlier. I didn’t mean to rush it.”
“No — it was time for you to know. And it’s time for you to know something else. I’ve already told Daddy, and I need to tell you. I do love you, William.”
Day 81 - Part 1
(Helen’s perspective)
I thought back on the last couple of weeks. William and I had taken so many steps in our relationship. His confession that he loved me. Mine to him. His learning about my dad. We had shared so much, and it felt right being with him. I no longer questioned or hid my feelings, and neither did he. In spite of all the challenges, we were together. It felt like nothing could ruin this.
(William’s perspective)
I glanced at Verity, deep in thought as I twisted the wheel around the next curve. We’d just finished another ice cream at our new favorite spot. It was still early, so we decided to go for a drive. I took another glance over at Verity, feeling the rush of being in love — knowing that the person you love returns that and more. Knowing that the support all of us need is there sitting beside you. She was the reason for my growing confidence over the last few months. I only hoped it would last forever. Maybe that’s why I missed it before it was too late.
The sound came first — a loud revving of an engine. Then the thud as the car next to me hit my door. I looked over and saw Harold behind the wheel with a look in his eyes that said this was the final showdown. He wasn’t trying to capture anyone anymore. Verity screamed as my truck swerved to the shoulder at the blow. I did my best to keep it from spinning out in the gravel and was able to bring it back to the road. Harold had backed around behind us and hit me from behind causing the truck to swerve again.
“Ok,” I thought, “If this is the game we’re going to play, you’re going to have to be good, Harold. Really good.” I gripped the wheel tight and told Verity to hold on.
(Helen’s perspective)
I was jarred away from my thoughts by a slam and sudden swerving to the shoulder. I screamed. “What was that?”
“It’s our old buddy Harold. Guess he figured out his next move.”
William managed to keep the truck on the road, but Harold slammed into us again from behind. We swerved some more. I looked in the mirror and saw him behind us ready to ram us again.
Another crash and another swerve. “William! Do something!”
“I am — just give me time! I have to do this just right or we’re all going to be done. Call 9-1-1.”
Harold pulled up along side the truck again. I saw his contorted face planning another swerve. William saw it coming and slammed on the brakes. Harold flew past us and ended up in our lane directly in front of us fishtailing as he did. William move quickly, accelerating and clipping Harold’s rear bumper with our front bumper, causing Harold to spin out. The pinging of gravel on the truck, the squealing of tires, and suddenly we were on the shoulder of the road in a cloud of limestone dust.
(William’s perspective)
I pulled the truck over after nudging Harold. It was difficult to orient ourselves at first, but the screams for help helped us find Harold. To our right, Harold’s car was quickly sinking into a lake. Harold had managed to get to the roof of the car, but was screaming for help. “I can’t swim! Help me!” Harold yelled. I looked at him and then at Verity and shrugged.
Verity’s trembling voice responded, “The police are on their way.”
I looked down at my shaking hands, and over at my damaged truck. Flecks of paint had been taken off where gravel had bitten it.
I looked over at Verity - “Are you okay?”
She said yes, but then seemed to hear Harold for the first time.
"Aren't you going to save him?”
"No."
"What?!"
"He just tried to kill us. This needs to end. I'm not killing him. He did this to himself. It isn't my fault he can't swim."
“William! William - listen to me. You can't do this."
"To protect you? Yes. Yes, I can. I can let evil die."
Verity locked my gaze with her brown eyes. Her voice of clarity cut through the moment, “I don’t love Harold. I love you! Don’t be him. If he is the evil, then you are the good. Do what good does.”
I wavered.
His pathetic "Help me!" screams. "Save me!" rang out. A look in her always-kind eyes - pleading with me to do the right thing. I knew there wasn’t a right thing in this situation, but I needed a better reason to save him than Verity’s wishes.
I considered the consequences of leaving him to drown. What if I lost Verity? It didn’t matter. Losing her this way would be better than losing her to Harold. He’d just upped the ante - trying to kill us.
I needed a compelling reason to step in, but then it came to me. What if this is his moment of redemption? What if saving him gives him the chance to turn his life around — the motivation to change who he is? Can I really deny him that chance? I looked into Verity’s eyes again — and relented.
(Helen’s perspective)
I got off the line with the dispatcher and began to process what had happened. The dust was everywhere, but I headed over toward William and hear the screams from the lake.
Harold’s pleas for help seemed so ironic given his arrogant self-confidence. A fitting end to…NO! We have to help him. We are not the Harolds. We are the Williams and the Veritys. I looked at William. “Are you going to help him?”
“No,” as stern a reply as I’d ever heard from him.
“For all the Maudes, for all the Candors,” he looked me straight in the eyes, “ and all the Helens out there, no.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I pressed further. Maybe Harold needed to die, but not at my hands. Not at William’s hands.
He looked at me with eyes of defiance, but then a thoughtful change in his expression, as though he’d realized something. He turned and sprinted to the lake.
Day 81 - Part 2
(William’s perspective)
I yanked off my shoes, shirt, and - ironically - pants’d myself before diving into the cool water. The sun was beginning to set and the glare on the water made it difficult to see Harold. I swam stroke after stroke in the direction of his screams. When I located him, the car had almost fully submerged. I looped his arm and pulled him clear as quickly as possible.
His thrashing around made it hard to get a good grip on him.
“Listen, Harold. If you want to live — and I don’t care if you do live — you need to settle down and let me bring you to shore.”
He seemed to understand and relaxed. I put my arm around him and started swimming back. I could see is face in the corner of my eye. It held a surprising smugness given the situation.
“Tell me, William, is she damaged yet?”
I stopped mid-stroke, thoughts of redemption shattered. The audacity stunned me, and I let go. I moved out of his reach and watched as he returned to flailing - an insect that had broken surface tension and become trapped. Verity’s voice screaming from the bank, the slapping of water as Harold tried to save himself. It all blurred as thoughts engulfed me. What does good do now? Does good save evil and allow it to continue? Would my hands be dirtier if I kept them back or if I rescued him?
Maybe I’d already done enough. I tried to save him. He just slipped. It wouldn't be my fault. I could even dive a couple of times looking for him in the muddy water - after it was too late. Is this how good would handle it?
The reflection of red and blue on the lake brought me back. I reached under the water and pulled Harold back up - gasping and choking and continued toward shore in silence. The police met me on land to completed the rescue. Soon we were all roadside.
(Helen’s perspective)
I looked on with admiration as William swam toward Harold. I knew this was the more difficult path, but it was the right path. It was the only path if we were to remain untainted by Harold’s influence. A touch of pride swelled, when William began pulling Harold back to land. But then he stopped - and released Harold.
“William! William!” I shouted, “Please! You have to save him!” My voice trailed off, “William - don’t do this.” I couldn’t watch any longer, and I put my hands over my eyes.
Shortly, the sirens were close enough to be heard, and the flashing lights came around the corner. I peeked back at the water and saw William with Harold back in his arms again headed to shore. “Thank you,” I thought to myself as the police cars arrived.
“Miss, you’ll need to let is know what happened here.”
(William’s perspective)
I leaned on the back of the police cruiser where I’d been told to stand. Multiple cars had arrived, along with an ambulance. Harold was on a stretcher being attended to. Verity continued to talk with the lead officer. I gave Harold another glance and my stomach tightened again - another knot. He didn’t worry me for me, but his fixation on Helen had now escalated to the point of no return. I knew that I’d need to stick closer to her now than ever - even if she felt suffocated. At least until we had a solution to the Harold problem. At least he would be gone for awhile after this, attempted murder at a minimum, right?
My thoughts trailed off as the officer thanked Verity and headed my way. “Hey, William, I’m going to need you to turn around for me.”
“Huh? Are you arresting me?”
“I’m afraid so. Please put your hands behind your back.”
I complied, “Surely this isn’t right. What charges?”
“Attempted murder.”
“What?! Attempted…how? In what world…”
“Click” - the cuffs were secured. “When we talked to you earlier, you said that you deliberately caused him to spin out.”
“Yeah! To-save-our-lives!”
“You should have just pulled over and called us.”
“He was actively trying to kill us!”
“Listen, William,” the officer continued. “I understand, and frankly if it was my call, I’d let you go. This is really for the court to decide, though. It’s messy. If it’s any consolation, Harold is getting the same charges.”
I looked over at Verity, a look of shock on her face, and realized that this is something I would easily do if it kept her safe.
“Yeah. Ok. How long will Harold be behind bars?”
“Hopefully for a long time - but it’s hard to say. You need to get yourself a good lawyer as soon as you can. Once you’re processed, we’ll make sure you get a chance to call your girlfriend and make arrangements.”
I was placed in the back of the car, and I saw Verity have a rather heated exchange with the officer.
(Helen’s perspective)
“And that’s everything. He basically came of of nowhere and tried to run us off the road. Like William said, it was only because he was able to nudge Harold the way he did that we ended up okay.”
“And that’s how Harold ended up in the lake? You and William both confirm this?”
“Oh, yeah. None of this was cool, but I am glad that William was able to take control.”
“Got it. Thank you, ma’am. Please stay here.”
“You’re welcome, and thank you for the help.”
The gravel crunched under the officer’s feet as he walked back toward William - who was soon turning his back to the officer. My mouth dropped, but silence. I gathered myself and started toward the officer. Another officer stopped me. “Ma’am, you can’t help him this way. Keep this peaceful. He’ll be allowed to call you once he’s been processed. Then you can arrange to pick him up. I don’t think they’ll keep him for this. It looks like self defense to us, but it’s not our call. The courts have to sort it out. I’m sorry.”
My head sunk as I watched them place William in the car. I glanced at Harold from the corner of my eye - not giving him the satisfaction of a full look. “What about him?”
“He’s going to the hospital, but once he’s been checked out, he’ll be headed to jail as well. He’ll have to do the same as your boyfriend and get a lawyer. But I can’t say how long he’ll be there. If they decide this amounts to attempted murder, they won’t likely let him go.”
I breathed a heavy sigh, relieved and distraught at the same time. As things began wrapping up, I was allowed to speak to William through the car window.
“Hey, call me as soon as you can. We’ll get this sorted. I love you,” I tried to encourage him.
“It’ll be fine. You’ll be okay.”
I spoke again to the officer, “How long will it take to get him processed so he can call?”
“It should only be a few hours. You’ll hear from him tonight.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll see you soon, Verity. I love you too,” William responded as the car began to pull out.
Harold had been packed in the ambulance and it had left as well. I was given a ride home from the officer and waited for William’s call.