Chapter 32 - Handcuffs

I am in jail for ten days now. And I still haven’t heard if they will let me go or not. I told my story many times. Sometimes it looked like they just wanted to hear the sensational story from the poor little Dutch girl.

Alfonso is trying the best he can to get me out as soon as possible.

The big gap where used to be my heart is not healing at all. It seems like the gap is getting bigger and I miss Ben more every day.

Alfonso is checking up on me often to see how I am holding up. Even though he is twenty years older, he’s becoming a great friend to me.

They let me out of my cell to take a walk in the closed outside area. These are the moments I really look forward too. I stroll on the patio with Alfonso. I tell him all about my travel adventures.

Tears are running down my cheeks when I tell about the great time I had with Ben. “You really miss him, don’t you?” Alfonso asks and I nod. “I do, a lot. He’s my soul mate, my best friend, my lover. And he took my heart with him when we parted ways.” I say.

“Why don’t you give him a call to see where he is?” Alfonso asks. “I don’t dare to call him, I am afraid he hates me.” I mumble.
“How could someone hate you? Look at yourself. You are the most adorable lady I’ve ever met.” Alfonso says.

He stops and looks me in the eye. “Please, don’t ever think someone will hate you for what you’ve done.” He says.

Alfonso leans in and gives me a soft kiss on my lips. I pull back. “Don’t do this Alfonso. I love what you are doing for me, but my heart belongs to Ben. I‘m sorry." I avoid looking at him. “It’s okay Lynn. You can’t blame a guy for trying.” He says. I laugh softly. “Thank you for making me feel loved.” I say.

Alfonso hugs me quickly and leaves me.

I look around at the other prisoners.

In the short time I’ve been in jail, I have made a good friend. Her name is Aña. She is in here for smuggling drugs from Spain to Portugal.
We talk a lot and she is teaching me some Spanish words. “Just in case you go back to live in Seville.” She laughs.

I make her promise that she will come to visit me when she gets out of jail, no matter where I am.
Her dark brown eyes sparkle and she smiles her wide smile. “I am looking forward to that. Even if it will take me 15 years to get there.” She laughs
I love her sense of humor. She keeps laughing and smiling, even though she is locked away in prison and her future is not looking bright.
Smuggling drugs is one of the biggest crimes in Portugal.

We have to go back inside. I quickly hug Aña and walk into my cell.

Another night passes by without anything to happen.

Morning is coming quickly after a night of hardly any sleep. I am so used to Bens’ warm body by my side, that sleeping in a cold and lonely bed is getting harder and harder.

It’s not even 8 in the morning and Alfonso is already walking up to my cell. “Bom Dia bela senhora.” He grins. “I’ve got something for you. Care to join me for a walk?” He asks.

“A surprise? This early?” I ask. Alfonso nods and has the guard open my cell door. I step out and he offers me his arm. I hook in and walk outside with him.

I wave at Aña when I pass her cell. She winks at me and I follow Alfonso outside to the patio.
The air is cold. I shiver and take a deep breath. “Alfonso, what are we doing here?” I ask. “Just wait and see.” He replies.

A door on the other side of the patio opens. Alfonso points and I look up. “Who’s that?” I ask. “Go take a look.” Alfonso replies.

The person is quickly getting closer and my heart skips a beat. “BEN!” I shout and start running towards him.

I bump into him. I wrap my arms around him and he lifts me up. I bury my head into his neck and lock my legs around his waist. I inhale his scent. “I missed you so much.” I whisper in his ear. “I missed you too. I can’t believe I let you walk away.” He mumbles.

“I think you two have a lot to talk about.” Alfonso says before taking off. “Thank you Alfonso.” I say. “Anytime my dear.” He replies. “After all, your friend is the key witness in this whole matter.” He winks and leaves us alone.

I know there are guards behind the windows to check on us. To see that we don’t do anything. But at least it feels like we are all alone.

Ben sits down on one of the chairs with me on his lap. I am still clinging onto him. “Are you really here?” I ask. “Yes, I am.” He replies.

I back away a little so I can look at him. His eye have lost the spark he used to have. His face looks thinner than before. His face is rough, he hasn't shaved for days.

“Where have you been?” I ask him. Ben takes a deep breath and starts talking.

“The moment you walked away from the car I was tempted to turn around to get you and drive away with you. But I couldn’t. Call me stupid or stubborn or both.
I kept looking at you in my rearview mirror. You walked out of my life quickly. I drove on to the next town, went to a hotel and slept till the next morning. I woke up and realized that I had to find you.
So that’s when I drove back. But I could not find you anywhere. I tried to call you but your phone was shut off. So I called Erica to ask if she heard from you. I explained to her what had happened and she suggested I check the police stations in the area. Which I did. But there were so many police stations and no one had heard of you.
I thought you had disappeared completely. Till last night. When Alfonso called me.
He scared the shit out of me. I did not know who he was. In his hurry he forgot to introduce himself. All he said was that you were with him. I thought it was Rick for a moment.
And now I am here.” Ben smiles and gives me a kiss. “And I will get you out of here.” he assures me.

I hug him. “Thank you for coming back to me. I thought I would never see you again.”

“These past days were the toughest days in my life.” Ben admits. “It’s like you took my heart with you when you left.” He says.

“I know how you feel.” I admit and I hug him again.
“And you know what Alfonso said. I am the key witness. So I am here to save your life.” Ben grins.

“Again.” I reply. “You are my hero.” I sigh.

“I forgot my cape then. And do I have wear my underwear over my jeans?” Ben laughs.

“I missed you dude.” I say.

I look into his eyes again. The spark is coming back.

“Now tell me miss, how are you holding up in here?” he asks. And now it’s my turn to start talking.

“It’s tough, but I manage to get through. The first days were even worse and then I met Aña and Alfonso. They have helped me through the toughest times. And now you are here, so it can only get better from now on.” I smile and kiss him again.

“I will never leave you again. I promise.” Ben says.

“Senhora, you have to go inside.” The guard who was watching us, steps outside to guide me in.
I am not ready to let go of Ben yet. But the guard is insistent. Ben gives me one more kiss and watches me when I head back inside. I can’t look back at him. But I will see him soon enough.