Erased vows

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I sat down calmly at the diner while I listened to the faint hum of the light jazz song filling the background. The notes drifted lazily through the air, mixing with the clinking sounds of cutlery and the low murmur of distant conversations.

It isn’t a fancy diner, no dazzling chandelier hanging in the center or marble countertop top but it is just the perfect place to have a meeting you want no one to find out about. My feet tap lightly on the tiled floor betraying the nerves I am trying to keep low and thankfully the dim light did justice in covering the nervousness on my face.

A soft chime from the doorbell indicating someone had just entered the diner dragged my attention. And then a large smile covers my face when I saw her.

I looked up, and the moment I saw her, my lips stretched out a smile I haven't worn in years.

Aunt Natty.

I stood up raising an eager wave to catch her attention. She stops mid-step, her eyes locking on me.

Not much has changed about Aunt Natty in the last five years. Aside from the fact that she looks much older than when she used to be my Godmother five years ago, she still had that quiet joyful glow hovering around her.

She began taking slow steps towards me, each step deliberate, almost cautious. I took this moment as an opportunity to take her in.

She was wearing an ankle-length black plaid skirt, paired with a green merch top that fitted her slim structure perfectly. Her slender face was shaped by her short black hair.

She stopped in front of our booth but didn’t say anything. I had picked out the booth at the far end of the diner because I couldn’t tell how less she resents me now. Taking a look at her face, I notice the few strands of grey hair lining her beautiful black hair. But when I met her gaze, I noticed something else. Beneath the faint makeup, the faint trace of fatigue, her eyes watered and tears threatened to spill.

Before I knew it, I was in her arms.

I hugged her.

I hugged her tight.

I didn’t want to let go.

“I never thought you would reach out to me” she whispered into my ear.

I inhaled the sweet scent of vanilla and mint, it felt just like home and suddenly I was fifteen again curled up on the couch after a long day telling my old-time stories about her and mom.

Home?

A place I have forgotten. A place that long stopped existing for me.

I gently release my hold on her and pull back just enough to meet her eyes.

“I never thought you would show up either,” I said softly, a small smile tugging at my lips.

“Where have you been Aunt?” I asked sliding into my seat across from her.

From here, the large window framed the restless Chicago city, you could see cars weaving through the streets and neon signs in the distance.

“Well” she began, settling into the booth and smoothing her skirt “I have been around.”

Her reply was brief, but deliberate.

Then she reached across the table, her fingers brushing mine before she held my hands firmly between hers.

“Let’s not pretend we are here for me, what do you want princess?” she asked.

Aunt Natty was always one to get straight to the point and I see that hasn't changed.

I swallowed, gathering my thoughts.

“Ma….. I heard you now work at St. Albans Medical. Emergency Neuro Division,” I paused searching for any facial hint to continue.

Her brows arched slightly, and her eyes searched mine.

Then came the slow nod before waving the waitress over.

“What would you like to drink?” Her tone was casual but her voice held some emotion.

“Water's fine,” I murmured.

We waited until the waitress took our orders, black coffee for her and water for me, before her gaze turned back to me.

“What's this really about?” she asked keeping her voice extremely low.

I inhaled slowly, my fingers tightening around hers. “My husband……was a patient at St. Albans.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line and I waited for the judgmental look.

But it never came.

“You are as stubborn as your mother,” she said sighing.

I continued “I think what happened to him might not be an accident.”

Just in time, our order arrived. Breaking the tension for just a second.

“What are you saying princess?” she asked carefully.

“His doctor went missing after his treatment and I find that very suspicious,” I replied.

Aunt Natty didn't speak right away.

She just stared at me, her fingers still wrapped around mine. I could hear the endless questions on her mind and the calculations behind her eyes.

When she finally spoke, her voice had softened.

“Who was his doctor?”

The question landed heavily between us.

I looked away, my gaze shifting towards the window

“Dr Harvey McMillan, head neurologist”

Her expression didn't change much but I caught the twitch in her jaw.

“I know him,” she said finally.

Her Tone carried more than the casual acknowledgment of a colleague, it carried the weight of hesitation.

“What do you mean by know him?” I pushed further.

“Well I only worked with him for a year before his resignation letter was delivered to the hospital,” she replied.

“What are you not telling me?” I asked.

She hesitated, and that alone told me there was something.

“You need to understand princess,” she began “hospital have their policies, and Dr Harvey? He plays the game better than most.”

“If what you are saying is his resignation is connected to your husband, someone dangerous must be pulling big strings to keep him out of the picture.” she continued.

“You think he has something to do with my husband?” I asked.

Her gaze didn’t waver. “I think you’re stepping into something you don’t fully understand. And if Harvey is involved, you need to be careful about where you step, and who you trust.”

My chest tightened. “I’ve been careful for years, Aunt. I’ve been silent for years. But silence hasn’t brought me answers.”

For the first time since she arrived, her expression softened, the tough exterior giving way to something more vulnerable. She reached across and brushed her thumb over the back of my hand.

“You sound just like your mother when she decided she was done being quiet,” she murmured. “And you know how that ended.”

The words stung, but I didn’t look away.

“I’m not her,” I said. “And I’m not walking away this time.”

She gave me a long, searching look, as though deciding whether she could bear to let me do this.

“If I start asking questions at the hospital, it’ll get noticed,” she warned. “He doesn't work at St Albans anymore so it will raise questions” She trailed off, her silence saying more than her words ever could.

“I’m not asking you to risk your job,” I said, though my voice betrayed the lie in the reassurance. “Just… tell me everything you know about him. Anything that could help me.”

Aunt Natty didn’t answer right away. She glanced toward the counter, making sure the waitress wasn’t close enough to overhear, then leaned in.

“All right, princess,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But if we do this, we do it on my terms. No rushing in, no confronting him. You follow my lead.”

I nodded, though my heart was already racing.

Because I knew and she knew that if Harvey was involved, this was only the beginning.