Chapter 6

Sharon threw her hands in the air in a dismissive wave.

" Mummy, you are back"! Hailey exclaimed happily, running to her bosom speedily.

" Yes child" I'm here.

Tracy replied, momentarily forgetting her anger

They hugged each other for a while before letting go. After both parties disengaged, Sharon advanced to meet Tracy where she stood.

" It's so painful you don't trust me, I wouldn't give the child away for anything in this world. We both own her, she's my child too"

Tracy's heart heaved up and down in sheer anger.

She told Hailey to excuse her before responding.

" How would you feel if I told you Jace was kidnapped, laughing hard in the process?"

Sharon paused a bit before answering, I would only roar in laughter.

" Ohh really? "

Tracy gripped a pillow from the chair and threw it at her..

Sharon laughed hardly, Tracy joined in too.

" Don't ever joke with me that way. It's just so expensive".

" Just calm down, nothing will happen to you or the child. I promise. Let's eat now before the meal gets cold".

******* *******

After few hours in Sharon's home, Tracy and Hailey set out to their abode. They eventually got home and the first thing waiting for Tracy at the entrance was a mail. She took it, trying to hide it from Hailey but the child was too smart.

" Is that a letter?" Hailey asked her

" Yes it is"

" Can I see " Hailey said quietly.

" No, it's some sort of business letter" Tracy replied too aggressively.

Hailey flinched at the tone of her voice..

Tracy inhaled deeply, carried her and went into the room.

" I'm sorry for yelling at you"....

" It's fine mummy, I'm okay, I just need some sleep".

Tracy raised her to her laps, place the kid's head on her chest and rocked her to sleep. She opened the letter.

" The court date is already set. It's on the 5th of October. Get yourself ready, do not forget to bring the child too."

The child?, I asked myself. There's no possible way Hailey is following me to the court. I am going to keep her somewhere and lie to the judges she has flu. Hailey should not be involved in the court issue. Already deep in her sleep, I laid her on the bed. I looked at her for a while before heading to the sitting room. Hailey has always been a good child. Never too demanding, always understanding and extra intelligent.

A call came in, a strange number was calling.

" Hey Tracy, how are you doing" a cheerful voice asked from the other end.

I matched the same energy.

"I'm doing good, how are you too"

" I'm okay too. I guess you are home now".

" Yes I am" I answered still waiting for a little introduction from the person.

" This is Cole, I stole your number from Lucas"

" Ohh," Tracy exclaimed.

" You really stole it huh" she asked Cole and he didn't bark at you or bite you?, What a luck!!". Tracy said laughing hardly.

" Oh no!!! Lucas isn't that bad, you know. He just has some temper Issues"..

" Hun hunh. He really isn't bad" she replied sarcastically.

They chit chatted for a little more while, enjoying interesting conversations together. Few minutes later, she hung up.

It's been long she had felt this excited after talking to an opposite sex. She smiled widely.

"He wouldn't be too bad if I make him my boyfriend.", She muttered to herself.

The smile disappeared just as immediately as it came as she began to dial Lucas's number

" Hey there beautiful" He stated immediately he picked the call.

" Hey there Ugly". Tracy replied

" How do you do?". Something was off about his mood. He sounded sad, like something bad just happened to him. She didn't bother to ask him coz she doesn't care.

" I saw your letter. I'm not bringing the child with me, Don't think I would". Tracy answered not replying his initial question.

" You should bring my child to the court" he growled.

" I'm not bringing the child along Lucas, there's nothing you can do about that. I just called to let you know. Have a nice day ahead".

She heard a crushing sound, The phone had fallen off his hands.

Lucas!!!!!, I heard Cole shouted. I heard choky sounds, definitely coming from Lucas. My heart skipped. I kept the phone on, to find out what is really happening.

" What's wrong with you Lucas, talk to me" Cole said tearily, tapping him harshly on the face.

There was no response from Lucas.

" Hold on, I'll call 911."

" Heyyyy!!!;;, What's wrong" I enquired over the phone in a sonorous voice".

Luckily, Cole heard me.

" Tracy?, Is that you".

" Ye.... Yes.., it's me. What's wrong with him" I stuttered

" Come over please, I'll need a little of your help, I'm calling the emergency line right away". He cut the call

I contemplated on taking Hailey with me or not.

I checked her in the room. She was still fast asleep. I carried her into the car and drove off to Lucas. I looked around and was yet to find an ambulance. I left Hailey in the car, wind up the windows before locking the car.

I raced to the apartment, met Cole pacing the room furiously. He saw me, paused a bit. He pointed to Lucas, I went towards the direction he pointed at. Lucas eyes were closed. He's unconscious. I went closer to him and for the first time ever, I noticed his beauty. He looks so cute in this state, just like a little baby, no arrogance, no pride. I got carried away until I noticed Cole beside me. I crouched to the chair's length and touched his body for his temperature level. It was still normal, there was also a pulse.

"He's still alive" I whispered to Cole.

I heard ambulance sirens. They are here already. I stepped back as the paramedics carried him on the stretcher and took him into the bus.

I told Cole to go ahead, I'll meet them at the hospital. He complied and left immediately.

I went into my car too , drove off to the hospital. Hailey was still fast asleep. I silently prayed that nothing happens to Hernandez. Even if he is not going to take ownership of the child, I don't want Hailey to be left fatherless.

I trailed behind the ambulance. We finally arrived at the destination. I alighted, carried Hailey with me and followed Cole into the hospital room where Lucas is to take his treatment.

The doctor arrived for Lucas, assessed his condition, we were then asked to stay in the waiting room.

" He has Asthma, you know.... He inherited it from his family. He didn't experience the ailment until he was a teenager. I guess that's why he really want his daughter with him so that he can take care of her before the ailment manifests."

" Was it because of his asthma hr collapsed?. He definitely has an inhaler, right?" Tracy asked rhetorically

Cole shook his head, I'm not sure if he collapsed from his inability to breathe. Let's wait for the doctor's report.

The realization dawned on me. If only he had been less arrogant and more elaborate,I would have considered him at least, so he could get to see the child every week ends or every last day of the month.

********. ********

" I lost my job today " Mae lee announced to his wife, Sharon

She was taken aback by the revelation.

" How, why, what did you do, where did you go wrong". She asked at a go.

Lee worked as a manager in a 5 star hotel in Buffalo, not very far from their residential area. He secured the job few weeks after their marriage. The pay was very good and his income goes a very long way in the upkeep of the family.

" You are asking me too many questions. Moreover, I did nothing wrong. I don't know why I was sacked".

" Look at you lee, it's obvious you are telling a lie. Open up to me. There is no point in lying here" Sharon flared up

Lee glared at her murderously

" I'm saying nothing, believe whatever you want to for all I care".

He walked out on her, heading outside.

" This is bad, I need to tell Tracy about this".

*******. **********

" Hey Sharon. How are you". Tracy enquired reluctantly after picking her friend's call .

" I'm not fine".

" How do you mean"

" Lee lost his job". Sharon broke down.

" What!!!" Tracy exclaimed in shock. How did that happen, what did he do wrong".

" I don't know, he refused to tell me". Sharon said her voice coming in tiny sobs.

Cole managed to hear through her phone call. When Tracy dropped the call, he asked her who Sharon was.

" My best friend"

" Who is Lee"

" Her husband"

" Where does he work"

" In an hotel" she answered surprised at the questions he was asking her.

" He got sacked today in an hotel located in Buffalo, New York?"

Tracy nodded wearily.

" Shit!!!. Lucas Hernandez did it" Cole revealed to her.