Captive

Clink.

All eyes around the table were trained on platefuls of Trina’s steak.

Clink.

“Do you like it?”

“Jesus!” I jumped with my hand flying to my heart.

He covered his mouth with a napkin and laughed. Glaring at him proved pointless, and his shoulders kept shaking with laughter.

“So, Sidney,” my dad started and my stomach immediately tightened. Crosby’s features went back to serious in a flash of a second. “Did you speak with your family about the trial’s arrangements?”

Crosby nodded and wiped his lips.

“Um, yeah. We talked. It will be for a few days and the RCMP reassured you… and Ryan that we will be well protected at that safe house,” he said and turned to me, “is that what you call it?”

“Richard, could we not talk about this over dinner, please?” my mom said.

“Yeah, dad, mom is right,” Jamie interjected. “Could we please talk about them arriving together?” he said with his fork drawing lines from Crosby’s head to mine. Then, he went on to draw a big heart in the air. I wished my legs were a few inches longer to kick his stupid shins.

I gulped. All eyes were on us. Silence hung in the air until Crosby cleared his throat and looked at me.

“What would you like to know, Jamie?” he asked, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Everything!” Jamie said with an exaggerated tone. Dear God.

Crosby nodded his head slowly as I surveyed the table. My dad pursed his lips and waited expectedly like the rest. Crosby no longer seemed as confident though. In fact, he seemed quite nervous. I put away my cutlery, my dinner long forgotten. With everyone scrutinizing our every move, I reached for his hand that rested between us on the table. He turned his palm up instinctively and laced his fingers with mine. His skin was warm and so was the smile he gave me.

“Aww! You two are so cute!” Taylor shrieked.

I guess we didn’t need words for which I was thankful. But we were not off the hook yet, not that fast. While our moms grinned knowingly, Troy looked a little confused. My dad, on the other hand, had a blank face. That can never be good. My eyes begged him to say something, but I wasn’t surprised when he didn’t. He went back to his steak like nothing has happened. I guess his opinion on the matter will be shared in the privacy of our home.

Crosby squeezed my hand and smiled weakly. He must have picked up on my dad’s reaction, or the lack thereof.

“Do you have any plans for Christmas?” Trina came to the rescue, shifting the topic away from us.

Dessert and tea were had in the family room where our devious siblings made sure we sat next to one another, too close for comfort. Crosby had his thick arm resting behind me on the couch, making sure that he made no move that could be deemed inappropriate.

I could feel my dad casually surveying us. I had a good idea about what he had in mind. I was already dreading the argument we were going to have once we get home.

At the door and while our parents were exchanging thanks and goodnights, Crosby took me to the side.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

“Yeah. I’ll call you in the morning,” I said.

He nodded and left a featherlight kiss on my cheek.

On the ride home, my dad’s silence was agitating more and more me with each passing second. By the time we were hanging our coats, I was fuming, and he has yet to utter a word.

“What is it? Let’s get it all out!” I said, blocking his way.

He raised his eyebrows and with his intimidating look, he gestured towards the living room. My siblings knew better than to lurk while my mom went to the kitchen with Trina’s dessert in hand. My dad took his usual seat near the window and crossed his legs.

“So, what is it?” he asked.

“You know what it is, dad.”

“Very well. If we are having this conversation, then you must first sit and leave that temper of yours outside this room.”

I sighed and obeyed. I tilted my head for him to speak.

“Second, put aside all the pre-assumptions you already formed in that head.”

I rolled my eyes and suppressed the urge to answer back.

“Let’s see. ‘My dad is disapproving of all my choices. My dad only cares about my job and the military. My dad doesn’t like me dating boys, except for Ryan.’ Now, tell me that I am wrong.”

I opened and closed my mouth a few times. He clasped his hands and continued.

“Mia, listen to me. I don’t even know what is going on with you and that man – and, to be honest, that fact alone stresses me out. But like you always choose to remind those who care about you, it is your life. The choices you make are yours alone.” He spoke with a frown.

“What does that mean?” Was it his way of saying he approves?

“You must accept the consequences. I trust you, Mia, and that’s why I want to hear from you that whatever is happening between you and him is not going to hurt you on the long run. Can you tell me that being with this man is the right thing for you?”

It didn’t matter if he approved. That’s what he was basically saying. I thought I was ready for this argument but he’s already revealed and listed all my go-to weapons. Instead, I was trying to formulate words to a question I already knew the answer to: no. Being with Sidney Crosby was not the right thing for me. Was I going to be hurt on the long run? Most likely. Was I going to admit this to my dad? No chance in hell.

“I can’t predict the future, neither could you, dad.” I said and stood up. “He’s a good man,” I added before wishing him a goodnight and heading to my room.

*****

While it was public knowledge that we were testifying, for our safety, the prosecution and the defense in the case of the Ali Brothers were given three days prior to the trial to record our testimonies at a safe location outside of the courtroom in Halifax. We were to stay at two separate safe houses, with both parties wanting to corroborate our stories separately and objectively.

All I knew was that Crosby was staying somewhere in the same area. I had to sign a pile of papers that, to sum it up, ensures that we do not to talk to each other during those three days, and that we do not discuss any questioning details following our testimonies. Basically, we were to pretend that these three days didn’t happen. I can live with that.

Unfortunately, I was advised, in preparation for my testimony, to go through the horror experience of looking at social media and reading newspapers and magazines and blogs and opinion columns of other people who didn’t matter.

Was I prepared to read what was said about me, about Crosby, and about us? No. I surely underestimated the Nosy Bunch, Crosby’s fans, and every person who ‘can only imagine what we’ve been through,’ or ‘envy me for the company I had in a prison cell,’ or ‘couldn’t believe what she can be complaining about!’

“It’s a full load of BS,” I said to Ryan with my shoulder pressing the marshal’s cellphone to my ear as I looked around my temporary apartment.

“Just ignore it. You know what happened. All you have to do is tell the truth, and if you don’t know the answer, simply say so. Don’t speculate, okay?”

And so, for the next 72 hours, I did just that. My father and my military superiors have assured me that I did not need any lawyers because I was simply a witness who’ve met the defendants during medical interventions while they were in our custody. Crosby’s testimony must’ve been even simpler since he only had to recount what he was told to say during that video recording – the part about the Brothers that was never broadcasted. All in all, it was not as bad as Crosby and I expected.

Notes

My dear readers,

My apologies for this long pause. I would like to reassure you that I will continue to work on this story :) (I am alive and thankfully have not caught the virus)

I would like to share a bit with you on how life is going on my end. As you know, everything is a mess right now. I travel a lot for my job and that has been stressful. We stopped all travel and are working from home now. My husband is a healthcare professional on the front line so that doesn't help the stress at home. Writing can be a good escape, so I'm trying!

I hope that all of you are safe and doing well mentally. I will do my best to give you something to read and take your minds off the news.

Stay safe and I would love to hear from you :)

Charlie