After waiting for what seemed like hours, Eva finally arrived home .
EVA: Where are the girls? (she asked)
BRUCE: Layla is at the neighbors,Nora's asleep (he replied bluntly)
EVA: Alright.
BRUCE: Where were you?
EVA: Please don't start with your stupid questions, didn't I tell you it was work?,now excuse me (Eva said as she tries to strut her way to the bedroom but Bruce deftly steps in front of her, blocking her way)
BRUCE: I want the truth, Eva...where were you? (He asked with a low scowl)
EVA: what is wrong with you?,get the hell out of my way.
BRUCE: Who was that man you were with?
EVA: Wh..what are you talking about ( she asked Playing dumb)
BRUCE: I saw you today, Eva, romancing your lover at his apartment
EVA: (Scoffs) wow,so you followed me?
BRUCE: What do you think I am?,we went out today,stopped for some fresh air....if care wasn't taken the girls would have seen you!,Then what will you tell them for god's sake!,a lover, Eva?,really?
EVA: Oh and so what!(she snaps) So what if I have a lover?, I'm a woman and I have my needs, and if my so called husband can't fulfill them, then I have every right to find other means! (she bellowed)
BRUCE: Why would you even do that to me Eva!?
EVA: who the hell are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?, you have no shame really
BRUCE: I must've been blind to have fallen in love with someone as heartless as you are
EVA: Well then I guess we both were blind cause I don't know what I saw in someone as pathetic and worthless as you!(she scowled)
BRUCE: ....Now I'm sure about getting a divorce(he said trying to hold back his tears)
EVA: Oh really?, then do it!,I dare you!, But get ready to die alone cause no woman would ever set their eyes on a wuss like you(she yelled) oh and be sure of one thing, If we ever get a divorce..I'm taking the girls.
Bruce's eyes widened on hearing her
BRUCE: No, you can't do that,I won't let you!,the judge won't let you!
EVA: ha!,you think so?, no judge in the world would grant a man custody of two young girls
BRUCE: I'm not just any man, I'm THEIR FATHER!
EVA: A father who won't be able to provide for their needs (she snapped back)
BRUCE: Eva,My kids are my world,you can't do that to me (he please)
EVA: Just know,once I get custody, you'll never see them again (she said scowling fiercely)
BRUCE: no..you can't do that to me,I won't let you do that (Bruce protests stomping over to the kitchen counter to grab his phone,Eva follows behind him)
EVA: Who do you wanna call!? (she asked)
Bruce purposefully scrolls through his phone ignoring Eva...annoyed, she grabs Bruce's phone and they tussle back and forth for a moment before she jacks and throws the phone angrily behind her, not knowing Layla was standing behind them.
The phone hits Layla hard on the face sending her to the ground screaming in pain as she starts bleeding..Bruce,with a quiver rushes desperately to help Layla pushing Eva from the way, a push that undeliberately sends Eva hitting the drawer beside her hard causing the dishcloth above to wobble sending plates falling to the ground and one breaking on Eva's head.
Bruce startled by the shattering plates turned around to see Eva unconcious and bleeding.
"Eva!" he yelled out still holding Layla who was still crying in pain in his arms,he trembles helplessly seeing them both bleeding, suddenly he hears the loud scream of a woman, and it was the neighbor who just walked in after hearing the arguments
" CALL AN AMBULANCE!" Bruce screamed desperately and the lady quivering in fear reaches out for her phone and does as he said...Nora watching everything from the handrails cries uncontrollably.
* * * * * * *
In a couple of minutes the Ambulance arrives and Layla is taken to the hospital accompanied by the neighbour while Bruce stays comforting Nora. Eva is attended to by Paramedics and only suffers a mild concussion,she shortly regains consciousness. The police were also called and arrives shortly after the paramedics, they question Bruce on what happened and a psychologist is called for Nora.
MALE OFFICER: Sir, could you tell me what happened here?
BRUCE: (sighs) honestly it all happened so fast,the thing is..
EVA: (cuts him off ) we got into a fight and...my husband he..(sniffles) just went crazy (she says holding her head in pain)
BRUCE: what!.. what are you saying?
FEMALE OFFICER: Sir please,let her speak..go on ma'am
EVA: He..he pushed me and..my poor girl,she was just trying to defend me (she sobs)
BRUCE: That's not true, officers she's lying!,that's not what happened!
MALE OFFICER: Ma'am would you like to make an official report?
EVA: (nods) yes..yes I would
FEMALE OFFICER: Mr Bruce Lane, you're under arrest for assault on your wife and child,you have the right to remain Silence, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law...you have the right to an attorney..
As the female officer reads Bruce his rights,Bruce stared at Eva,Jaw dropping in disbelief,the officers don't handcuff him for the sake of his Daughter but Nora watched sadly as her Dad leaves with the officers,a tear escaped her eye.
At the station Bruce is put in Jail
BRUCE: Please,I'm innocent,I didn't do anything!
FEMALE OFFICER: So you didn't push your wife?(she asks with a glare)
BRUCE: No..I did,but, It's not like that
FEMALE OFFICER: And you didn't hit your daughter?
BRUCE: I would NEVER hit any of my daughters!
FEMALE OFFICER: oh just be quiet!, aren't you ashamed of yourself?,you are worthless... I'm glad your wife reported you, Violence against women has gone on long enough!
BRUCE: I...I just need to know my daughters are okay, please,one of them is still on the hospital,I just need to see her,check is she's okay(he pleads but the officer walks away shaking her head)
"please just wait!,I beg you,I just need to be with my children...OFFICER!!(Bruce yelled out desperately before breaking down in tears on the cold floor of his jail cell,tortured by the memories of Layla's screams )
A couple hours later into the night,Eva arrives at the hospital with Nora at hand...with directions from a Nurse they make it to the room where Layla lays awake on a hospital bed, band aids places from her left eye across her nose...Nora walks up to her sister,a worries look etched in her face.
NEIGHBOUR: Don't worry dear,the doctor said she's going to be fine (she said to Nora)
Nora hold her sister's hand and her sister holds it back with a weak but tender smile.
EVA: How is she?,what did the Doctor say?
NEIGHBOR: Well she woke up a short while ago,the doctor will be here soon... how's Nora?, Why isn't she saying anything?
EVA: Well they say it maybe due to the shock,but she has been seen by a specialist,he said her coach cords are okay,she just doesn't want to speak
NEIGHBOR: Oh poor thing,she's seen alot today,and we all know how sensitive she can be(she whispers)
EVA: hmm...just like her father
NEIGHBOR: Speaking of him..How are you holding up?,Are you sure you don't need to be seen by a Doctor too?
EVA: No..(sighs) I'm okay
A doctor walks in a short while after,he introduced himself and asks to speak with Eva and the neighbour outside. Meanwhile...
LAYLA: (Groans) Where's Dad?
NORA: (pouts sadly)
LAYLA: What's wrong?
Nora takes out a business card and gives it to her sister in silence
LAYLA: The Lawyer?
NORA:(nods)
Layla then recollects her father words quoted "If I ever get into trouble,she's the one I need to call."
LAYLA: (gasps) Is Dad in trouble?
NORA:(Nods)
LAYLA: Get me Aunty's phone over there..hurry(she yells Nora finally finding the strength to sit up)
Behind Nora was the neighbour's purse and Nora sprints towards it taking it to her sister,Layla opens the purse and takes out a phone, unlocking it and dialing the number on the card
D.W: Yes hello?
LAYLA: Hello,Is this Divine Walters?..The Lawyer?(she whispers)
D.W: ye..yes,who is this?
LAYLA: My name is Layla Lane,I'm the daughter of Bruce Lane,my father needs your help(she pleads)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An hour later Bruce laying down in the Jail cell after crying himself to sleep gets a visit from the Family Lawyer 'Divine Walters', and the officer who accompanied her,wakes Bruce up by hitting the cell bars with his Baton
D.W: Mr Lane
BRUCE: C..councellor?, how did you know I was here? (he asked wiping his eyes)
D.W: Your daughter called me
BRUCE: My daughter??(he asks sprinting up) Layla?
D.W: Yes
BRUCE: B..but how did she even know I was here?(He asked with a woeful look on his face)
D.W: Well she didn't seem sure,she just said you needed my help and we'll,the rest wasn't so hard to figure out
BRUCE: (let's out a deep sigh) At least I heard from her
D.W: Mr Lane,I need you to tell me EVERYTHING that happened
BRUCE: (nods)
The next day,Eva calls the station to drop all charges against Bruce, saying it was truly an accident on Bruce's side,and she orders her husband's immediate release, calling her lawyer to make sure her orders were followed. After dropping the call she goes to the living room, Layla has already been discharged and us being spoken with to a psychologist and a social worker is also present..while Nora sits on the couch fiddling with her toys.
LAYLA: For the last time, I'M FINE!, Why do you keep asking questions
PSYCHOLOGIST: Calm down Layla,I won't ask anymore questions,look..I'm sure your father didn't mean to hurt you(she says resting her hands on Layla's shoulders)
LAYLA: Ofcourse he didn't.(she replied taking the lady's hand off her shoulder) my dad wouldn't even hurt a fly,I'm sure my mom was the one who threw the phone,causes she's the one who has those outbursts!
EVA: (walks in) shut your mouth Layla!, Can't you see you're upsetting your sister?
NORA: (sits with a sad face as she watches her mom and sister)
SOCIAL WORKER: (To Eva) She's been saying the same thing over and over again
EVA: Oh really?,and what's that?, according to you what happened Layla?(she asks with a stern look)
LAYLA: Well..I came home cause I heard you and Dad yelling in the Kitchen and when I walked in,I..well something hit me and I fell to the ground and then um.. I ,well..
EVA: Obviously Don't remember what happened,so stop running your mouth,you just got back from the hospital,you're supposed to rest!
LAYLA: I won't rest until I see my Dad...I just hope he's okay(Layla says with a morose expression on her face)
NEXT: Episode 7~Male Stereotypes