Page 35 of The Champion
“Are you okay Andrea?”
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.” her voice cracked. “Theboys are at the neighbors and Nancy just got here. Van is bringing Emma andSway over.”
“Okay...I will bethere in a few hours.”
It took four hours to reach Elma and one speeding ticketlater, but we made it. Tears couldn’t be helped when I saw the complete look ofdevastation on my wife’s face.
How much more would this woman have to endure in herlife?
I shook my head in disgust that, once again, I wouldn’tbe able to protect her from this. I had no control of what happened to Charlieor her mother. All I could do was be there for her. Be the husband and fatherto our child that she needed.
When I walked into the living room of her childhood home,I couldn’t believe how many people had already gathered there. Tommy was there;Mallory and Bryce had shown up, and even Justin and Ami were already there. Oursupport system was gathering.
I searched the room and saw Sway in the corner, sittingin Charlie’s chair, holding Axel. Her eyes were swollen, her face flushed andher shirt was soaked from her tears.
I ran to her instantly.
“Sway...” Ibreathed clutching her tightly.
Nancy took Axel from her as Sway wrapped her arms aroundmy neck.
I needed to get her home, away from everyone. It wasevident by her appearance she needed to be alone right now and not in a roomfull of people.
Nancy reached for her as well.
“I’ve got her mom. Emma, get my keys.” I was careful as Icould be, gently picking her up. I was clutching her so tight I was afraid shecouldn’t breathe but she only held me tighter, clinging to my chest. I wastrembling, struggling to gain some sort of self-control for Sway’s sake. Sheneeded her strong husband, not the emotional wreck I’d been on the flight home.
“Make it stop.” She pleaded. “Please...make the pain stop.”
I wanted to make it stop for her. I’d give anything totake the pain away.
Alley pointed at her watch. “Jameson...what are we going to do? You have anappearance tomorrow in Charlotte.”
“Cancel it.” I growled. I couldn’t believe she wouldthink I would do it after this.
“It’s not that easy, Jameson. It’s for your sponsorshipwith Simplex on the sprint car team. You requested this one.”
I spun on my heel to face her.
“Cancel the goddamn thing Alley!” I pulled Sway closer.“I can’t even believe you’d think I would leave right now.”
It wasn’t right for me to yell at Alley but my wifeneeded me. For once, I’d be there for her.
Sway needed me and I wasn’t going to deny her, not now,not ever. I wouldn’t care if my career ended right now. None of that mattered.
What mattered was laying in my arms begging me to takethe pain away.
“Dad,” I tried to keep my voice even and controlled. “Canyou please call Simplex for me and explain...Ican’t leave her. See if Justin can fill in for Rockingham this weekend.” Irequested taking a deep breath to calm myself and looked at my mom holding Axeltightly against her. “Mom, can you guys take Axel tonight?”
We hadn’t left him with anyone yet and though the ideascared me, Sway needed me tonight and didn’t need to worry about having to takecare of him.
I carried Sway to the car and drove her back to our houseon Summit Lake, never taking my hands off her. I wasn’t letting her go.
She tried her hardest to control herself the entire waybut at some point, I realized it was a doomed effort for her.
When I pulled into our garage, Van was there, pacing backand forth.
“Is she okay?” he asked in a concerned voice, his eyesexamining her. “Can I get you anything?”
