Chapter 9 - MASON COMES BACK
Mason was allowed back into the hospital the morning I was discharged.
Not before.
Security had reviewed the video.
Ryan grabbed me.
Mason intervened.
His first physical action—knocking Ryan's hand away—would likely have been defensible.
The punch was harder to justify.
Ryan had not swung at Mason.
Not yet.
Mason punched first.
Ryan declined to pursue charges.
Hospital security still issued Mason a formal visitor restriction for forty-eight hours and documented the incident.
Mason hated it.
Then admitted he earned it.
He stood outside my room while I packed Nora's things.
“I’m sorry.”
“For stopping him?”
“No.”
He leaned against the wall.
“For making myself another problem you had to manage while you were holding a baby.”
I folded one of Nora's tiny sleepers.
“Yes.”
He nodded.
No long speech.
Then he said:
“You called me because you knew Ryan was going to pressure you.”
“Yes.”
“What did you want me to do?”
I stopped.
That was not a comfortable question.
“Be there.”
“That's not the same as hit him.”
“No.”
“Did part of you know I might?”
I looked at him.
“Probably.”
There.
I had spent months avoiding a direct fight with Ryan.
Mason was easier.
Call Mason.
Let him be furious.
Let Ryan be furious at him.
Then I could stay between them and pretend I was the reasonable one.
Not anymore.
“I shouldn't have used you like that.”
Mason's expression changed.
“You didn't make me punch him.”
“I know.”
Specific responsibility.
Good.
He picked up Nora's car seat.
“Where are you going?”
“My mother's.”
“Ryan knows?”
“Yes.”
“Lawyers?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
He started toward the door.
Then looked back.
“Do you want me there?”
“At Mom's?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
He nodded.
That might have hurt.
He still accepted it.
May you like
I needed one night without a man stationed near me for protection.
Even a man I loved.
