The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

No one had ever broached the subject with Anastasia before; talking about it seemed like it would only bring her more heartache. The thought of her baby having a fighting chance-one that was cruelly snatched away by an ill-timed traffic jam-was unbearable. On that fateful day, she had been in so much pain that she passed out, oblivious to the nightmare unfolding around her.

Her friend Salma was laden with guilt, lamenting, "The doctor said the baby was five months along, and if we'd gotten you to the hospital just a little sooner, they could've performed an emergency c-section. There have been success stories, haven't there? Even the tiniest infants can sometimes make it with today's medical advancements. It's all my fault for not being able to drive, for not getting you to the hospital sooner."

"How did we even end up in that traffic?" Anastasia's palms were ice-cold as a terrifying suspicion crept into her mind. She mumbled to herself, "There are two routes to the hospital; why on earth did we take the one that was jammed?"

Salma explained, "Gianna was at the wheel. She turned onto that road and only then did we realize it was backed up-some car crash had everything at a standstill. We tried to get people to make way, but it was no use." Anastasia knew the ways to the hospital from Southridge Estates like the back of her hand, both routes nearly identical in distance.

Normally, if there was an accident, the GPS would alert you, suggesting detours to avoid the affected roads.

So why hadn't Gianna taken the other route that day?

Moreover, the road where the accident occurred was usually less traveled at that hour. It was near a school and had been under construction for six months, reducing it to a narrow path that most drivers avoided.

As a gut feeling took hold, Anastasia untied her apron hastily and said, "Mom, I need to step out for a bit. Get some rest early, okay?"

"Ana, where are you off to at this hour?" Salma asked, concern in her voice.

"I've got to see Jason about something. I'll be back soon," Anastasia replied, slipping on her coat and hurrying out the door.

She hopped into her recently purchased second-hand minivan and dialed Jason's number as she headed for the traffic police department.

Jason, having just wrapped up a case and returned home, picked up the call, puzzled. "What's up?"

Anastasia cut to the chase: "I'm on my way to the traffic department on Peace Avenue. I need to get some surveillance footage and was hoping to cash in on your clout. I'll make it up to you with dinner."

She knew that without some help, her impromptu visit to the traffic police would likely be ignored, and they certainly wouldn't let her access their surveillance footage on a whim.

She thought of Jason. Leaning on Jason's reputation should make things easier.

There was a brief silence on the other end before Jason responded, "Is this a bribe?"

"It's called a favor between friends," Anastasia countered. "I'm already en route to Peace Avenue. I'll wait for you there."

After hanging up, Anastasia didn't doubt for a second that Jason would come through.

Jason shook his head at the dead line, a wry smile curving his lips. It was the first time someone had been so brazen in banking on his influence so commanding, so bold.

It wasn't so much a loan of his status as it was a requisition of his face.

He grabbed his jacket and headed out the door, making his way to the traffic police department.

Anastasia arrived first. When she saw Jason, gratitude filled her eyes. "Thanks for coming."noveldrama

"Don't thank me yet. Tell me what you need the surveillance footage for first. If it's for anything illegal or unethical, count me out," he said.

Anastasia confessed, "I want to check the traffic on Peace Avenue on the day of my miscarriage. There's a nagging suspicion I can't shake."

"What suspicion?" Jason asked, as they made their way into the department.

Keeping pace with him, Anastasia shared her fears: "There were two routes to the hospital that day. My cousin Gianna was driving, and she chose the route with the traffic incident, causing a delay that cost me my baby." Jason, with his cop's instinct, paused, sensing the weight of her words. "You think your cousin deliberately wasted time?"

Anastasia met Jason's gaze squarely, "I have reason to suspect she's fallen for my husband."

Jason frowned, "Herman's charm must be something else, attracting trouble wherever he goes."

Anastasia gave him a blank look.

He quickly added, "Among all the mess, he picked the right flower."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Anastasia replied, a touch of irony in her voice.