Les upload the whole chapter 2 as compensation for not tap to upload (:
"It's a big favor," said his sister. The voice broke. "Look, I'm very close to home. I to stop by there, right? See you at the yard in three minutes. I've broken and I walk with crutches. I can not climb stairs.
Zac hung up before I had time to answer.
Sharon had broken his foot. Perfect. Why would people with bad luck had it all? Zac is back in bed, hung up, grabbed his cane and limped to the bathroom.
three minutes. Gave him no time to shower, but urgently needed a shower. He opened the cold water basin and put his head under the tap. He drank and let the water run down her face.
had not wanted to finish the bottle of whiskey the night before. During the more than five years he spent entering and out of hospital and rehabilitation center, did not take more than a drink or two occasionally. Even before getting hurt, trying not to drink too much. Some guys went out at night and drank massive amounts of beer and whiskey, enough to charter a boat. But Zac rarely drank. I did not want to be like his father and sister, and knew enough about the topic to be clear that alcoholism could be inherited.
What had happened that night? I thought a drink more. Just that. One more to calm the nerves. One more to soften the blow of higher in the physiotherapy center. But the cup had become two.
then had to think of Vanessa Hudgens, of which only a wall separated him very fine, and those two glasses had become three. He heard the sound of the stereo Vanessa. I was listening to Bonnie Raitt. Occasionally sang and clear soprano voice overlapping with the husky deep voice and Bonnie.
After the third cup, Zac had lost count.
kept hearing the laughter of Vanessa, sounding like an echo in his head, his way of laughing at him just before entering his apartment. That laughter was rich in symbolism. He came to say that hell would freeze before deigning even to rethink it.
But that was fine. It was just what he wanted. No?
"Yes." Zac turned to wet your face while trying to convince himself that it was. I did not want to have around a neighbor to look at him with pity when limping up and down the stairs. He did not need anyone to suggest to move to a filthy floor of the floor, like a kind of invalid. He did not need speeches laden with moralizing about whether the war was not good for children and other living things. If anyone knew it was him.
had been to places where bombs raged. And, yes, the bombs were military targets. But that does not mean that if a deviated, not burst. While falling into a house, a church or a school operated. The pumps had no conscience, no remorse. Fell. Burst. Destroyed and killed. And more to strive for those who aim well launched, always dying civilians.
But if a SEAL team was sent before it became necessary to air attack, it was possible that these SEAL getting much more with fewer casualties. A team of seven men, including Alfa Brigade, could infiltrate enemy territory and dismantle its entire communications system. Or he could kidnap the enemy's military leader, thus ensuring chaos on the opposing side and possibly reopening of negotiations and peace talks. However, due to the high command was not fully aware of the potential of SEAL, are too often resorted to them when it was too late.
And people died. Children died. Zac
brushed his teeth and drank more water. He wiped his face and came limping into the bedroom. Sought his sunglasses in vain, took out his checkbook, put a clean shirt and went out, wincing when he saw the bright sunlight.
The woman in the courtyard began to mourn.
Surprised, Nessa looked up from his garden. He had seen the woman enter: was blonde, had an air battered and torn, had crutches and clumsily dragged a suitcase. The girl was a redhead, very small and scared. Nessa
followed the look of the weeping women and saw the lieutenant Zachary painfully down the stairs. He looked horrible. His skin was sallow tone and squinted as if the bright blue California sky and bright sunshine made him dust. He had not shaved and the shadow of the beard began to grow into that seems to just get out of a park bench. His shirt looked clean, but he wore the same shorts that the night before. It was obvious that he had slept with them. And also Eve had taken another drink, and probably more than one later. Super
. Nessa is forced to look again at the flowers that was clearing weeds. He had convinced without a shadow of doubt that Lt. Zachary Efron was not a man who wanted to have as a friend. Was rude and bitter, and possibly violent. And now I also knew Nessa also drank too much.
No, from that moment completely ignore the 2 ° C. As if the owner would continue to travel.
blond woman dropped the crutches and put his arms around the neck of Zachary.
"Sorry," he said over and over again. Sorry.
The SEAL led to the bank that was right in front of the garden plot Nessa. His voice was heard clearly from across the patio. Nessa could not help hearing it, but tried with all his might to focus on their stuff.
-Begin at the beginning, "he said as he grabbed the woman's hands. Tell me what happened, Sharon. From the beginning.
"I had a car accident," said the blonde, Sharon, and began to mourn again.
- When? Zachary asked patiently.
-day before yesterday.
- And you broke your foot? - She nodded.
"Yes.
- Did someone else get hurt?
She
voice trembled.
"The other driver still in the hospital. If he dies, I will be accused of manslaughter. Zachary
cursed.
-Shar, if you die, will die. That's worse than you accuse you, do not you think?
She lowered her head and nodded. "You had drunk
, was not a question, but she nodded again. Driving under the influence of alcohol. Drunk.
A shadow fell on the flowers and looking up, saw before her Nessa the red-haired girl.
"Hello," said Nessa.
The girl was around five years. Had a amazing sandy hair that curled in a feral mane around her round face, covered in freckles. His eyes were the same pure and dark blue that Zachary Efron.
had to be his daughter. Nessa looked back at the blonde. That meant that Sharon was ... His wife? Does your ex wife? Does your girlfriend? In any case, does it matter? What else did it if Zachary Efron had a dozen wives?
The red-haired girl said
"At home I have a garden. In the old field.
- What's that old field? Nessa asked with a smile. Young children were so amazing ...
"In Russia," said the girl, seriously. My real dad is a Russian prince. So its true
dad, huh? Nessa could not complain that the brood had invented a fictitious family. With a mother who was driving under the influence of alcohol and a father who did not walk very far ... Nessa fully understand the advantages to imagine a world in which to escape, a world full of castles, princes and beautiful gardens.
- Can you help me clean the flowers? He asked.
The girl looked at her mother.
"The fact is that I have no choice," said a tearful Sharon Zachary. If voluntary income in the detoxification program, earn points with the judge handling my case. But I have to find a place to leave Natasha.
"Impossible," the lieutenant said, shaking his head.
"Sorry. I can not take her.
Zachary raised his voice.
- What do I know about taking care of a little girl?
"It's very quiet," said Sharon in a pleading tone. Do not disturb.
I do not want to stay with her, "Zachary lowered his voice, but still clearly heard her Nessa. And the girl, Natasha, too.
Ness broke his heart for the girl. What a horrible thing to hear: that his father did not want to be with her.
"I'ma teacher," said the girl with the hope that he did not hear the rest of the tense conversation of his parents. Teach older children. A high school kids.
Natasha nodded. He looked very focused as Nessa and was imitated gently pulling weeds from the soft earth of the garden.
"It's supposed that I have to enter rehab in an hour," Sharon said. If not you stay with it, the state will pay for their protection. You will be taken to a shelter, Zac.
"There's a man who works for my father, the Prince," said Natasha to Nessa, as she tried desperately not to hear the other conversation, and only plant flowers. It only makes the whole day. Red flowers like these. And yellow flowers.
Nessa Efron Zachary heard cursing across the patio. Her voice was low and did not make out her words, but it was clear he was reaching for his full repertoire of marine outbursts. He was not angry with Sharon, his words were not directed at her but rather the clear skies of California that stretched over them.
"My favorites are the blue," said Nessa at Natas-ha. Called Report. You have to get up very early to see them, because it close at all during the day.
Natasha nodded, still very serious. "Because
sunlight gives them a headache.
- Natasha!
Little looked up at the voice of his mother. Nessa also watched ... and found the dark blue eyes Zachary Efron. Quickly dropped his gaze, lest he noticed the expression of reproach which had no doubt in his eyes. How could reject her own child? What kind of man could say he did not want his little home?
"You'll stay here with Zac, a few days," Sharon said her daughter with a look shaky. He had given
. The former special operations lieutenant had his arm twisted. Nessa did not know whether to rejoice or worry about the small. The girl needed a lot more things that this man could give. Nessa risked looking up again and found disturbingly blue eyes remained fixed on her.
"What fun, right? Sharon asked Natasha, hopefully.
The little girl thought the question carefully.
"No," he said finally. Zachary Efron
laughed. Nessa did not believe him capable, but the truth was that he smiled and let out a snort of laughter that quickly hid a cough. When he looked up, not smiling, but have sworn Nessaa I had a funny look.
"I leave with you," said Natasha to her mother with a note of anxiety in his voice. Why I can not go with you?
Sharon lip trembled like a child.
"Because you can not," he said weakly. Not this time.
The girl looked at Zac and again quickly set eyes on her mother.
- Did you know?
"Yes," Sharon said, of course I know. It's your Uncle Zac, do you remember him? It's in the Marina ... But she shook her head.
"I am the brother of your mother," said Zac.
His brother. Zac was the brother of Sharon, not her husband. Nessa did not feel anything when he heard that news. He resisted relief. Refused to feel anything. Followed by removing the weeds from his garden as if he had not heard what they said.
Natasha looked at her mother.
- Will you be back? He asked with a small voice. Nessa
closed his eyes. Yes I felt something. I felt sorry for the girl. She could feel her fear and pain. Also sorry for his mother. And I felt something for Zachary Efron, blue-eyed man. However, it was unable to define what I felt for him.
"I always come back," said Sharon, and again lie to mourn as he hugged the girl. No? -Natasha then quickly departed. I have to go. Be nice. I love you turned to Zac. The detoxification center address is in the bag.
Zac nodded and with a screech of his crutches, Sharon rode away. Natasha
stared blankly at his mother until he lost sight of. Then, tightening her lips slightly, she turned to look at Zac. Nessa also looked at, but this time he kept his eyes on the girl. His eyes had lost the expression of joy and there were only sadness and compassion.
All his anger was gone. All the rage that seemed infinitely burn within him had gone for some time. Her blue eyes were no longer freezing. Rather, it seemed almost warm. His features worked to chisel also seemed softer, as if trying to smile at Natasha. Maybe I do not want to stay at home, he had said, but now that was there seemed to be willing to make all efforts to make things easier. Nessa
looked at the girl and saw that his eyes filled with tears. Tried with all his might not mourn, but finally got away a tear rolled down her cheeks. Wiped it furiously while trying not to cry.
"I know you do not remember me," said Natasha Zac incredibly soft voice. But we met five years ago. The January 4. Natasha
almost stopped breathing.
"That day is my birthday," he said, looking from the other side of the courtyard.
forced Zac's smile turned genuine.
"I know," he said. I was going to take your mother to the hospital y. .. "He stopped and looked at more closely. Want a hug? He asked. Because I could really use one right now, and I would greatly appreciate that you gave me. Natasha
weighed his words and then nodded. He walked slowly him.
"But you'd better hold your breath," said Zac lazy tone. I think I smell bad.
She nodded again and sat down carefully on his knees. Nessa tried not to look, but it was almost impossible to look away from the big man whose arms wrapped the little hesitantly, as if afraid of breaking it. However, when Natasha and he raised his arms tightly around his neck, Zac closed his eyes and pressed together. Nessa
had believed that he had only asked for a hug for the sake of the girl, but then hesitated. With anger and bitterness that caused his leg injury, he might did long Zachary Efron not allow anyone to approach him to give warmth and comfort of a hug. And everyone needed warmth and comfort, even professional soldiers, hard and chunky. Nessa
looked away and tried to concentrate on weeding of the last row of flowers. But he could not help hearing that Natasha said:
-not stink. You smell like mom ... when she awakens.
Zac did not seem to like that comparison.
-Super-whispered.
"Mom is very grumpy in the morning," said Natasha. Do you?
-Lately I seem to be grumpy all the time, "he admitted.
Natasha was silent a moment, thinking that.
"Then put the TV too short to not bother you.
Zac laughed again. Still, that drew laughter Nessa look at her face. When he smiled, was transformed. Despite the pallor of his skin, that began to grow beards and unruly hair, he was so handsome that breathless.
"Probably a good idea," he said. Natasha got off his lap.
"I have not ever seen," he said.
"Sure," said Zac. He shifted uncomfortably. So Natasha light weight was too much for his knee injury, and moved the girl put it on the good leg. When we met, you were still in the belly of your mother. Decide you wanted to be born and did not want to wait. You wanted to come into the world in the front seat of my truck.
- Really? "Natasha was fascinated. Zac nodded.
"Really. You left before the ambulance arrived. You had such a hurry that I had to grab and hold you in arms so not to go out running down the street.
-Infants can not run, "said little. "Maybe
normal babies, no," said Zac. But you went out dancing the tango, smoking a cigarette and cried the whole world. Ay, how screaming.
Natasha giggled.
- Really?
"Seriously," said Zac. The tango and the cigarette is not true, but what it screams when. Come on, "he added, lifting their knees. Grab your suitcase, I'll show you my house. You can ... something ... while I shower. Because I urgently need a shower.
Natasha tried to lift the suitcase, but it was too heavy for her. He tried to drag after his uncle, but could not raise it up the stairs. Zac turned to see what he was doing and stopped.
"Better that I take," he said. But as he spoke, his face changed. The anger came back. The anger and frustration. Nessa
knew almost instantly that Zachary Efron could not Natasha's suitcase up the stairs. With one hand on the stick and the other resting on the iron railing, it would not do it.
Nessa got up and dusted his hands. Whatever he did, it would be humiliating for him. And, like all the painful things, surely it was better to do as soon as possible and get it over with.
"I'll take me," she said cheerfully, and took the bag from the hands of Natasha. Nessa did not wait for Zac to speak or react. Began to climb the stairs two by two and left the bag by the door of 2 ° C. Beautiful morning, Eh? "He said, his voice rising as he entered his apartment to find the shower. He
out in a moment, to start down the stairs, saw that Zac was not moved. Only the expression of his face had changed. His eyes were even darker and angry and his countenance had a stormy expression. His mouth was tense. The previous smile had disappeared without a trace.
"I did not have asked for help," said his voice low and menacing.
"I know," said Nessa frankly, stopping a few steps from the end of the ladder to look into his eyes. I imagined that I would not ask me. And I knew that if asked, be angry and would not want to help him. This may upset you want, but the case is already up, "she smiled. So go ahead. Enfádese. Not repressed.
turning around to return to your garden, Zac felt his eyes fixed on his back. His expression had not changed: he was angry. Angry with her and the world. Nessa knew I should not have helped. Should be left to resolve their problems, to fend for himself. I knew I should not complicate your life with someone who obviously went through great difficulties.
But I could not forget the smile that had transformed into a real Zac human being and not in the stone column filled with anger that seemed to be almost all the time. He could not forget the tenderness with which he had spoken to the child reassuringly. And I could not forget the look on his face when the little Natasha gave him a hug.
could not forget any of those things ... although he knew that he must do so.
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