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| It Had Been That Kind of Night |
Stephon stops by to hear about Ian’s first dance, but the evening takes an unexpected turn when Ian calls from the hospital. As Raina and Stephon realize just how different their son’s night has become, Ian begins to suspect his friends are keeping something from him.
Episode 16 | It Had Been That Kind of Night
Stephon hadn't planned to stay long.
At least, that was what he had told himself when he pulled into the driveway. He had been thinking about Ian most of the evening, wondering how his son's first dance was going and whether the Napoleon costume had survived more than ten minutes before Ian regretted wearing it.
He could have called.
Instead, he had driven over.
Raina didn't seem surprised to see him when she opened the door.
“I was wondering if you were going to show up.”
Stephon smiled. “You were expecting me?”
“No. But I know you.”
She stepped aside and let him in.
The house was quiet without Ian. Stephon followed Raina into the living room, where the television was playing with the volume low.
“So?” he asked. “What did you think?” Stephon was trying not to laugh.
Raina chuckled as she sat down. “Ridiculous.”
“I don't think he looked that bad.”
“He’s dressed like Napoleon, Stephon. How much worse could it get?”
“That was all they had left.”
“He didn’t like it.”
Stephon sat in the chair across from her. “Was he nervous?”
“He tried not to show it.”
“That sounds like Ian. He knows how to make the best of a bad situation.”
Raina told him about watching their son leave earlier that evening, dressed for a dance he had talked about for weeks. Ian had tried to act as though it wasn't a big deal, but she'd known better. This was one of those moments that reminded her he wasn't a little boy anymore.
“I almost took a picture,” she said.
“You didn't?”
“He wouldn't let me.”
“You should've taken it anyway.”
“I tried.”
Stephon laughed. “I can’t say I blame him.”
For a while, they talked about Ian. It was easier that way.
Lately, there had been more evenings like this between them. They were still separated, and neither had forgotten why. But the anger that once seemed to enter the room before either of them did wasn't always there anymore.
Stephon had begun stopping by more often.
Sometimes they talked about Ian. Sometimes about church. Sometimes about nothing important at all.
It wasn't the same as coming home.
But it was better than nothing.
Raina studied him for a moment. “You could’ve come by earlier.”
Stephon's smile faded slightly.
“Ian would've loved seeing you before he left.”
“I thought about it.”
“You’re his father.”
Stephon leaned back in the chair. “I wasn't sure if you wanted me here.”
Raina looked at him. “Come on, you know better than that.”
Before Stephon could answer, her phone rang.
Raina glanced at the screen and smiled.
“Speaking of your son.”
She answered. “Hey. How was the—”
“Mom, I'm at the hospital.”
The smile disappeared from her face.
Stephon sat forward.
“What happened?”
“I'm okay,” Ian said quickly. “It's not me.”
Raina felt some of the tension leave her shoulders.
“Then who is it?”
“Emily.”
“Emily Chester?”
Raina remembered Emily. More importantly, she knew her mother from church.
“What happened to her?”
There was a pause on the other end.
“I don't really know how much I should tell you.”
That wasn't the answer Raina wanted to hear.
“Is she all right?”
“She's okay now. Her mother's with her.”
Stephon had moved closer. “Ask him if he needs us to come.”
Ian heard his dad in the background.
“Is Dad there?”
Raina looked at Stephon. “Yes.”
There was another short silence.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, son. You need us to come down there?”
“No. I'm okay.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
Raina wasn't convinced. Something in Ian's voice bothered her. He sounded tired, but there was something else beneath it.
“Where's Fiona?” she asked.
“She's here with me.”
Raina frowned. “At the hospital?”
“Yeah.”
“What happened to the dance?”
“We never made it.”
That surprised her more than anything Ian had said so far.
For weeks, he had talked about the dance. She had watched him leave the house tonight knowing how much it meant to him.
“What do you mean you never made it?”
“Riley called me before we got there. He was working when Emily came in.”
Raina glanced at Stephon.
“I'll explain everything when I get home,” Ian continued. “Mom, can you do me a favor?”
“What is it?”
“Call Fiona's mom and tell her where she is. Tell her we're at the hospital.”
“I'll call her.”
“Thanks.”
“And you call me before you leave the hospital.”
“I will.”
“Ian.”
“I will, Mom.”
After the call ended, Raina continued staring at the phone.
Stephon was the first to speak.
“He didn't sound right.”
“No, he didn’t.”
“You think we should go?”
Raina considered it.
Ian had said Emily was all right. Her mother was with her. Fiona was there. Riley was there somewhere. And if Mrs. Chester needed someone from the church, Raina had little doubt she would call Rev. Crabtree.
Still, something about the call stayed with her.
“He didn’t even make it to his first dance tonight,” she said quietly.
Stephon looked toward the darkened front window.
“I know.”
Raina picked up her phone again and found Fiona's mother's number.
Whatever had happened tonight, she had a feeling the dance was the last thing on Ian's mind now.
___
Ian returned to the waiting area and immediately noticed how quiet everyone had become.
Gabby and Lee were sitting together. Fiona had taken the chair across from them, while Riley stood nearby, glancing toward the hallway every few seconds. A few minutes earlier, they had all been talking. Now no one seemed to have anything to say.
Ian stopped in front of them.
“What did I miss?”
“Nothing,” Gabby answered.
Lee nodded. “Absolutely nothing.”
Ian looked from one to the other. “Why did that sound rehearsed?”
Fiona tried not to smile.
Before Ian could question them further, the elevator doors opened, and Rev. Crabtree stepped out.
Ian was surprised to see him, but Mrs. Chester wasn't. She had just come through the double doors, and the relief on her face told Ian exactly who had called him.
“Reverend.”
Rev. Crabtree crossed the waiting area to meet her.
Ian couldn't hear everything they said, nor did he try. Mrs. Chester had spent most of the night holding herself together for Emily. Now, standing beside her pastor, some of that strength seemed to give way.
Rev. Crabtree spoke quietly to her for a moment before Mrs. Chester nodded toward Emily's room. A few seconds later, the two of them disappeared through the double doors together.
Ian watched them go. He was glad Rev. Crabtree was there. Mrs. Chester had been trying to hold everything together since he'd arrived, and for the first time that night, she didn't have to do it alone.
Fiona came to stand beside Ian.
“Your mom okay?”
“Yeah. I asked her to call your mom and let her know where you are.”
“Good. I didn't even think about that.”
“Neither did I until a few minutes ago.”
It had been that kind of night.
Ian looked back toward his friends.
Gabby was whispering something to Lee.
Riley leaned closer to hear her.
The moment they noticed Ian watching, all three stopped.
Ian frowned.
Whatever they were doing, he knew one thing.
It wasn't good.
TO BE CONTINUED…
🔙 Next Episode 17: Coming Soon
Ian knows his friends are hiding something, but he may not have much time to figure out what. Meanwhile, Lee has another problem waiting for him when Natalie makes it clear she hasn’t forgotten how their night at the dance ended.
Note: The story above is a work of fiction created for inspirational purposes. Any resemblance to actual individuals or events is purely coincidental.
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