Jason sat in the quiet living room his eyes fixed on a photo of he and Vanessa on their wedding day, covered in a chocolate brown frame on the end table right beside the sofa where he was sitting. He missed her so much. Needed to touch her. Wanted to hear her footsteps walk through the front door. He wanted to hear her laughing and get lost in her smile.
“You’re going to be a fantastic mom” Echoed repeatedly in his mind. That was what he’d told Vanessa when he found out that they were going to become parents. And now when she awakes, if she awakes, he’s going to have to tell her that their baby didn’t survive. Acknowledging how mentally damaging that’s going to be for her, nearly tore him apart.
Jason and Vanessa had always dreamt of being parents. How could his wife learn of her pregnancy and on that exact same day lose their child? How unfair is that? What had they done so terribly wrong to deserve that kind of pain? Why would God do this?
When he went into the kitchen the machine light was blinking. It wasn’t until now that he realized he needed to inform he and Vanessa’s friends about her accident. He pressed play.
“This message is for Mr. Duncan. Mr. Duncan this is Terri with Passionate Memorable Events. I was wondering if you wanted to reschedule since you missed your appointment and we don’t offer refunds. So just give us me a call back when you can. Thanks!”
“Jason, it’s Malik. What’s up man…been calling your cell but you haven’t called me back. So I thought I’d give your landline a shot. I’m gon’ start getting worried if you don’t hurry up and call me back You was right about Jennifer man. The damn woman took all the goddamn furniture out of the goddamn house. Didn’t even leave me a roll of tissue to wipe my ass with. And guess what else? We’ve been divorced for months now and I didn’t even know it. Took my baby girl and moved to Chicago. Claims she’s got a damn fiancé. Anyway just called to tell you and Vanessa Happy Anniversary. Catch up with you later”
“Vannessa girl it’s Stacy….and Lena. Happy Anniversary.” They sang. “Girl you need to answer your damn phone” Lena hissed.
“Jason and Vanessaaaa it’s Kenneth….Happy anniversary. Wooowww…were getting old.” He joked. “Talk to you good folks later. Peaacccceee.”
“Jason it’s Cliff just wanted you to check and see if you got the card I sent to the hospital and to let you know that Vanessa’s in my prayers. Everyone at work is praying for her recovery. I think it’ll be good if you get away from the hospital for a while. Maybe I’ll stop by and we could go grab a bite to eat. Well anyway call me back and let me know.”
When he’d listened to all of the messages he pulled the bag out of the wastebasket, tied it tight, and took it out back. For a brief moment he stood there glancing around the grand space imagining how much fun their unborn child could’ve had running around back there. That was the reason he and Vanessa had chosen their home in the first place. They thought it would be a great home to raise a family. Now, he wondered if they’d ever be able to start a family.
The phone was ringing when he walked back in, and for the first time since Vanessa’s accident he answered. He should’ve looked at the caller Id because it was a telemarketer. Quickly he hung up then dialed Malik.
“Jason, what’s up man? I thought you and Vanessa would be on your way to an island are a secluded getaway by now” Malik said, sounding like he’d just finished running because just seconds ago he was....well, let’s just say that he was being a bachelor.
“Vanessa… she’s...ahh” Jason stuttered, sadness in his voice. “She’s been in an accident and she’s in the hospital.” Effortlessly he burst into a hard cry.
“What happened?”
“Asshole in a truck ran the light” He sniffed. “I’m so damn mad I could kill him.”
“Jason, I’m so sorry. How is she?”
“She’s been in a coma for nearly a month.”
“A month. Damn Jason I’m sorry. Why didn’t you call me sooner? I’m sure you could use a friends right now.”
“I’ve just been so busy. Back and forth visiting her. Trying to check on the house. I’m lost man. And I…I just don’t know what to do. What am I going to do without her? These past weeks have been like living in hell. I don’t know whether I’m coming are going.”
“Vanessa has always been strong. She’s going to pull through it. I’m sure she will. She’ll be coming home soon”
“She was pregnant. She found out the day of the accident.”
Malik could hear Jason grieving on the other end of the phone loud and clear. “Jason, I’m so sorry”
“It’s hard man waking up every morning knowing that the woman that I love with all my heart is lying up in a hospital bed fighting for her life.” He explained. “But what’s even harder is accepting the fact that if she wakes up she might not even know who I am. What if she doesn’t remember falling in love with me?”
“Then you’ll just have to make her fall in love with you again. You’ll just have to make new memories.
“This is the hardest thing that I’ve had to do”
Malik didn’t know what to say. Clearly Jason was experiencing something that he couldn’t relate to. So, he did what any good friend would do, he just listened.
“It’s going to kill me to tell her that the baby is gone.”
“So you haven’t talked to Trae or Kenneth. Anybody?”
“No.”
“Don’t worry about it I’ll give them a call”
“Thanks man! I hate to even think about the accident let alone talk about it. I’ve been at the hospital every minute of every day. I’m exhausted. I only came home because I needed to shower, and check on the house…God I pray she pulls through this.”
“She will. Just keep praying”
“I’m guessing you took a leave of absence at work?”
“Yeah. I don’t know when I’ll be able to go back to work. Hold on for a second I’ve gotta’ another call coming through.” Jason said and clicked over. “Hello”
“Mr. Duncan”
“Yes, this is Mr. Duncan”
“This is Doctor Buchanan. I’ve got some wonderful news. Your wife is awake.”
“She is?” He asked, perking up.
“Yes we’ve been trying to reach you for about an hour now”
He was smiling, something he hadn’t done in what felt like centuries. “I’m on my way”
Without hesitation he clicked the phone line back over to Malik. “Malik, I’ve gotta’ go. Vanessa’s awake”
“That’s good news. Call me the second you get some more information so I’ll know what to tell the guys”
“I will”
Jason was so pumped up as he dashed into living room. “Yes! She’s awake!” He screamed. “She’s awake” He snatched his keys off of the end table and did a happy dance all the way to the car.
****
Nearly two hours earlier Vanessa was mystified when she awoke from the unconsciousness. How long had she been asleep? It felt like centuries. And why was she lying in a hospital bed?
Eventually the nurse on duty entered the room and explained everything to her. It was then that she learned she’d been in a coma.
It took a little over an hour for her to try and move. Blinking her eyes she tried to clear out the blur. She wanted to sit up but the ache in her bones wouldn’t allow her to. Her entire body was abscessed and suffused with soreness. The nasal cannula brought extreme discomfort. Tubes that she desperately wanted to snatch off were pumping some type of clear liquid through her veins. She was attempting to rip them off when Jason walked through the door.
“No…no! Don’t take them off” Jason said as he rushed into the room. “Oh Sweetness I’m so glad that you woke up” He bent down and kissed Vanessa’s forehead, then sat down on the bed. “Sweetness, you were in an accident. A very bad one that scared the shit out of me.”
“Your hair” She said with a strange look on her face. “When did you grow out your hair?”
“Sweetness�
�� He chuckled. “What do you mean? I’ve had these for the last five years”
A knock sounded on the door, then it slowly opened. It was Doctor Buchanan walking in. “Hello Mr. Duncan” He said extending his hand as Jason stood. “How are you today?”
“Better since she’s awoke”
“And how are you feeling Mrs. Duncan?” Doctor Buchanan asked focusing his eyes on Vanessa.
“I’m a little sore”
“That’s expected. You’ve suffered a great deal of Trauma.” He informed her. “The good thing is we have plenty of sedatives for pain.”
“Doctor Buchanan how is she?”
“Maybe we should talk outside”
They both walked out of the room and stood in the hallway. “She seems to be experiencing some memory loss but that’s typical with patients that has suffered a severe head injury.”
“What do you mean some memory loss?”
“Well, a plus is she remembers her name, her high school prom, her high school boyfriend, and friends, her high school graduation. The bad news is she doesn’t remember anything that happened after that. Everything that happened after high school seems to be a blur.”
“Will she get her memory back?”
“I’ve seen some victims of severe head trauma’s get one hundred percent of their memory back… but I have to warn you, there have been some cases where some victim’s never regain their memory”.
“What are you saying Doctor Buchanan?”
“I’m saying that it’s possible. But whether are not your wife regains her memory is totally up to her. Sometimes it depends on whether or not the victim wants to remember their past”
“When will I be able to bring her home?”
“We’ll monitor her for a few days, run a few test, makes sure everything is normal and if everything checks out she should be home in time for Thanksgiving.” He said while scribbling on his chart. “You’re going to have to play a major role in helping her regain her memory” He suggested.
“Would it help if she sees a specialist”
“Honestly, based on my experience with head trauma’s I haven’t had one case where seeing a specialist has helped. I believe what’s going to help her is pictures, videos, letters, lifelong friends, things of that nature”
“I just want my wife back”
“I understand exactly what you’re going through. A year ago there was a blood aneurysm growing on my wife’s brain and she had to have a micro vascular occlusion to remove the clot. The surgery went well but when she awoke from the anesthesia she didn’t remember me, our kids, grandkids or nothing pertaining to our lives together. Today through the grace of God and with help from our kids she remembers something new about our lives every day.”
“Thanks for sharing that. If feels good talking to someone that has gone through this. Thanks for giving me hope.”
“Glad I could help”. Doctor Buchanan said. “I’ll get a nurse down here to give her something for the pain.”
chapter 11
Malik...Jacksonville Florida
The shower continued to run as Malik stepped out of the hot drizzle and tucked a plush towel around his waist, so that he could answer his mobile that was vibrating on the sink counter. Regina, the incredibly beautiful woman that he’d spent his entire morning with was disappointed that their unfinished sexual feast had come to an end. “Let it ring” She whined, pulling back the shower curtain. Malik couldn’t risk missing Mackenzie’s call. “This might be my baby girl” He explained. He hadn’t heard from her since she and Jennifer had moved to Chicago.
But it wasn’t her instead it was one of the many women he’d had interactions with since Jennifer had left him for another man.
“Well hello Mr. Big Dick”
“Hey can I call you back?” He asked, walking into the bedroom.
“I was in your area just wanted to know if I could stop by and get some more of that loving that you gave me earlier this week”
“Now is not a good time I’m kind of in the middle of something”
“Something or Someone” She said jokingly.
Malik laughed “I’ll call you back”
“Don’t make me wait too long my pussy is screaming for you to do something toe curling to it”
“I’ll see what I can do?” He chuckled.
“I’m serious! I’ve gotta’ get some good dick before my no fucking ass husband comes back into town”
“Friday’s cool”
“Can’t wait Mr. big dick”
Malik chuckled. “Women are worse than men” He mumbled then clicked over because he had another call coming through the line. It was Jason.
“Hey man” Malik said. “How is she?”
“Well the doctor said I’ll be able to bring her home in a few days. I’m hoping very soon.”
“That’s good, extremely good. I told you that she’d be okay”
“She’s had some memory loss. She doesn’t remember anything that has happened during her adult life”
“Is it reversible? Hold on for a second Jason I gotta’ another call coming through” Malik said, then clicked over.
“Kimberlyyyyy” He said, like he was happy to hear from her.
“Are you busy right now.”
“I’ll never be too busy for you but I am on an important phone call, can I call you back in a few minutes?”
“Oh, I just wanted you to text me your address.”
“I will send it as soon as I’m done with the call.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you tonight”
“Can’t wait” He said and clicked back over to Jason “So, I was asking. Is it reversible?”
“The doctor says in most cases it’s irreversible but pictures, videos, letters, things like that might help.” Jason said. “I think that a visit from you, Kenneth and Lena, Brandi and Trae, and Stacy would really be substantial to my wife getting her memory back. Will you call up everyone and see if there is any way possible that it could be arranged for you guys to visit for Thanksgiving?”
Malik was caught in a quandary. He knew that he was the last person that Stacy would want to hear from. But due to the given situation he wasn’t going to put up an argument, so “Sure” he said, doubtfully.
“Alright, thanks man! Hope to see you guys soon.”
Malik tossed his cellular onto the bed. All of a sudden he was hot. Nervousness bounced around in his stomach with just the thought of dialing Stacy. The woman who’s heart he scarred. The woman who hated him with passion. The woman he hadn’t talked to nor heard from in years.
The water had stopped, and Regina was humming Anita Bakers Sweet Love, blotting her wet hair with a towel as she walked into the bedroom.
“You know, I’ve never had a guy to run out on me in the middle of steamy hot extra good sex.” She teased, in a seductive way. Although her naked frame was intriguing, it wasn’t appealing enough to inveigle Malik into bed with her and finish their sexual feast. At least not at the moment.
Now don’t be confused, Regina was beyond attractive and he’d enjoyed her company last night, this morning, and in the shower. Just moments ago he’d agreed to a movie Matinee once the furniture company had delivered his new living room and dinette set, and now he was ready for her to leave. She’d been great company until now. It may sound harsh, mean, and downright cruel but right now she was simply defined as an inconvenience to him. Sex, a movie matinee, conversation, or engaging in any type of activity with her or any other woman was the last thing on his mind.
Malik flopped down onto the bed, dug his huge feet into the plush carpet. He was quiet, trying to get his thoughts together. After a short while he said, “Something that I really need to take care of has come up” He said. “I’ll call a cab to take you home”
Regina was beset this was clearly a change from what they’d just discussed in the shower. She didn’t know who was on the other end of the phone but clearly they had the power to alter his mood. “Don’t you want to
finish what we started in the shower?” She asked in the best come-hither voice that she could as she sat down on the bed.
When she started to nibble on Malik’s earlobe and circle her fire red nail tips down his bare back, he got up. “Right now is just not a good time” He proclaimed, and then headed towards the cheap plastic storage cart, he’d bought from Wal-Mart earlier that week. The towel he wore somehow unraveled and floated to the floor. “You need to get dressed.” His back was to her, his toned buttocks being showcased as he fished around in the top drawer. That’s where his drawers were. “You should probably start getting dressed”
“You’re serious?” She asked with a nasty tone and rolled her neck. “You don’t even have the decency to take me home?” She grabbed her robe from the bed, tied it tightly around her naked body then stumped into the bathroom. “Thanks for ruining my day”
“Regina I really do wish I could take you home. But like I said something has come up.” He yelled from the bedroom.
Her sulk lips proved that that she wasn’t happy. Anger outlined her. “Well thanks” She smiled sneeringly as she looked at herself in the mirror. She was applying some type of moisturizer to her face. “Your response just made me feel so much better.”
Malik knew that she was scathing. Frankly, he could care less but he’d feel like a complete asshole if he didn’t at least pretend to care. “Look I’ll make it up to you. Just not right now” He yelled back Sliding on his denim shorts.
Now, Regina was walking back into the bedroom, carrying a bottle of lotion. “Not even twenty minutes ago you agreed to a movie Matinee” She explained and fell down onto the bed, then started angrily smoothing lotion down her legs “And just like that you change your mind? What bitch was it?”
Malik was zipping his shorts. “Not that I owe you some type of explanation but it’s family stuff okay. And I need to take care of it as soon as possible.” He was aggravated. “I’m sorry that I ruined your day but we just met, and family is more important than you, sex, and a goddamn movie matinee.”
Unfaithful Ties Page 19