“You know what, if you were a real friend you should have checked his ass that very moment. I have every right to be mad at your trifling ass, because you knew me and Anthony were official. It’s not like you didn’t know, you knew. I told you everything. I guess you had to get a sample and see what it was all about. You’re a sorry ass bitch and your mama should have swallowed your stupid ass. Fuck you and lose my number.” I hung up before she could say anything else. I blocked and deleted her number out my phone.
The nerve of this two-faced bitch to sit here and act like I haven’t been a damn good friend to her. When she didn’t have a place to stay, food to eat, or water to wash her ass, my mama opened her house to her and let stay rent free. I guess we were never friends. I’ll take that loss, but I bet it will not happen again. I can bet you my last dollar on that one. I powered off the phones and let sleep take over my body.
Chapter 6
“Someone help me please! My baby is dead, please someone, anyone!” I yelled, and the nurses rushed into my room. Sweat and tears were pouring down my face. I tried to get out the bed, but the nurses were holding me down. I tried to hit one of the nurses, but she moved. Turning my head, I saw a nurse fill a needle with some clear fluid and shoved it in my arm. I yelled out in pain. When I woke up I was restrained to the bed. I pushed the button for the nurse. She tapped on the door lightly and walked in.
“Hello, Ms. Anderson, are you okay? Do you need anything? You were having a bad dream, I think the meds caused that,” she said in a soft tone.
“Yes, can you take these straps off me, and I would like to speak to Dr. Ruiz?”
“Dr. Ruiz is gone for the day, and yes I can take these off you. There is another doctor here this morning, would you like to speak to her?”
“Yes, I would like to speak with her.”
The nurse walked out to the hall and returned with a short Asian lady behind her, carrying a huge smile on her small round face.
“Hello Joy, I’m Dr. Jackson. How are you doing?” she asked checking my vitals and temperature.
After she removed the thermometer from my mouth, I cleared my throat and asked if I could take a shower and get some food. I also told her that I would like to go home, because they couldn’t force me to stay here any longer. I’m starting to slip into depression and that’s the last thing I need.
“Yes, you can take a shower and I will order you a late breakfast.” She pulled a phone out of her pocket and made the request for my food.
“I will be giving you a CT scan to check the progress of your ribs. After you shower and have some food, I need you to page the nurse and she will take you to have the CT scan.”
“Okay, I remember Dr. Ruiz saying that I would need one, so I’m fine with that. I also would like to apologize to that nurse. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, those were not my intentions,” I said now feeling bad. I just had so much anger built up inside of me.
“You’re okay, don’t go beating yourself up. Can I take the gauze off your eye and clean it?”
“Yes.” I sat up in the bed and fixed my messy bun that sat on my head.
The doctor removed the tape and gauze from my eye. I flinched a little when the tape was pulled from my eyebrows. I blinked my eye a few times, then she put in some much-needed solution. The doctor told me I had a deep cut on my eyelid, but it was stitched up and healing well, a black eye and a busted eye vessel. She says with time it will heal nicely. She cleaned my wound, then washed her hands and grabbed me a towel, a toothbrush and soap. She gave me a clean gown as well.
“Do you have someone that will come pick you up? Staying here in the hospital is the best care for you, but if you don’t want to stay and we can’t make you.”
“I can call a cab.” As I finished my sentence my tray of food came in.
“Okay, well your eye is all clean. You don’t need the gauze anymore, you just need to keep it clean and apply an ice pack to help with the black eye.” She left the room and smiled at me.
I grabbed the lid off the food on the tray and my mouth watered looking at the blueberry waffles, eggs, bacon, and sliced strawberries. I also had a cup of coffee and a small carton of milk. I put butter and syrup on my waffles and salt and pepper on my eggs. I cut into my waffles and placed them in my mouth, savoring every bite as if it was my last meal. I checked the warmness of the coffee, then added the milk, creamer and sugar to my liking and sipped on it. I really needed some caffeine. I reached in my bag and pulled out my cell. I powered it up and called Kevin to see if he was still in LA. The phone rang a few times before he picked it up.
“Hello,” he answered in a groggy tone.
I felt bad for waking him out of his sleep.
“I’m sorry for waking you up,” I spoke in the phone while placing a strawberry in my mouth.
“It’s all good, are you okay?” he asked moving around in the bed.
“Yeah, I’m okay. Are you still in LA? If so, I’m getting out of here today. If you’re not busy, will you be able to pick me up?”
“Yeah, I’m still in LA and I can do that. I wasn’t going to leave until I heard from you. I got you and my bro’s belongings from the room. I had to go through hell to get them, but I got them. Do you need me to bring you anything?” Kevin asked.
“Yes, can you bring my pink suitcase and my white duffel bag, please?” I asked as I sipped on my coffee.
“Alright, well call me when you’re ready.”
“Okay. Hey, one more question, are you going back to NY tonight?” I asked him.
“Yeah, do you want me to book us a flight together.”
“Yes, please, I need to grab a few things.”
I didn’t tell Kevin that I was planning on going back to my mom’s. I’m not sure if he has talked to Anthony, but I need to look out for myself. His loyalty does not lie with me, so moving out without letting him know is my plan.
“Okay, thanks, I’ll talk to you soon.” I ended the call and finished my food.
Once I finished my food, I drank the rest of my coffee and slowly climbed out of the bed. I took my time going to the shower. I turned on the hot water and removed my clothes. For the first time since I’ve been here, I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn’t believe the woman that was staring back at me. The swelling on my lip has gone down, my eye looks horrible and I could feel some pain in my side. Rubbing my now empty belly, I knew I had to be stronger than this. The mirror started to steam up. I knew right then and there that this was the ending of me and Anthony. I will not suffer this kind of abuse. I’m too beautiful for any man to be putting their hands on me. I knew rushing into this relationship would be bad, but I was listening to my heart and look what it got me, nothing but pain. I walked in the shower and the hot water ran over my body. I closed my eyes and I felt like all my pain went down the drain. I grabbed the wash cloth and soap and washed my body, then stayed under the water a little longer. Once done, I dried off then applied lotion to my body. I put on the clean gown, brushed my teeth and combed my hair.
Feeling like a new woman, I grabbed some fresh sheets out the closet that was in room to make the bed. I was having some pain, but I felt I could do this. The nurse knocked lightly on the door then entered.
“What are you doing? I just came in to check on you to see if you needed help in the shower, and here you are trying to change the linen on the bed. We are here to do these things for you. Have a seat,” she said grabbing the linen from my hands, pointing to the chair for me to have a seat.
I sat in the chair while she changed the linen. I grabbed my phone then opened my Facebook account and the first thing I saw was a post that Vivian’s ass posted:
If Bitches knew how to satisfy they’re men, they wouldn’t be coming over to my place to get served right, so bitch be mad at him. Friend or not, if he is talking the right amount of money, just remember that Vivian slept with your man. Idc how you take it or how you feel about me. I’m grown, and your man pays my bills, rent, car note and whatever
I want.
Wow was all I could say. I read some of the comments and people were going in on her calling her a hoe, home wrecker, a low life tramp and a slut. All I could do was shake my head, because this new Vivian has lost all her damn mind. I continued scrolling and I stopped once I saw a female by the name of Keisha Daniels post, #FreeMyBOO Anthony Hunter. I went to her comments and started reading them. There was a conversation between her and some female by the name of Tammy. Tammy had asked Keisha what Anthony was in jail for and Keisha replied that one of his sorry bitches called the police on him and said that he was beating on her. Which is false, because my man doesn’t put his hands on any female. Tammy replied by saying she can’t stand a bitch that lies for some attention. She was probably fucking him on the low, and when he didn’t want to be with her she pulled the abuse card.
I can’t believe Anthony, he didn’t care what he laid up with. I can’t wait to leave him. He’s a closed chapter in my book.
The nurse finished and then left the room. I paged her to let her know that I was ready to do my CT scan. She went and grabbed a wheelchair. Once she returned, I sat in the chair and she covered me with a blanket she took out the closet. She pushed me down a long hallway. We finally got to the room, it was dark and cold. I got out the wheelchair and she helped me slowly get on the bed. The nurse left my chart on the table. She went to another room and came back with a short male.
“Hello Joy, I will be performing your CT scan, it will be fast. Just lay back and place your hands by your side and the machine will do its job.” He turned his attention to the computer and started typing. I laid down on the bed and placed my hands by my side like I was told. The machine started making some noise and red lights scanned across my body.
“Okay Joy, you are done,” the man said helping me sit up.
The nurse came back in the room. I sat back in the wheelchair and she pushed me back to my room.
“Do you know how long the results will take? I have a flight to catch back to New York. I really need to go home,” I asked the nurse.
“It shouldn’t take no longer than an hour, they’re not that busy, but I will let the doctor know that you are needing to catch your flight.” She wheeled the chair out and left the room.
I picked up my cell and sent a text to Kevin: Come and get me in two hours.
I waited for him to reply, but he didn’t. I grabbed the remote and turned on the television to kill some time. I ended up watching Divorce Court. This couple had been married for seven months and already having problems in their marriage. Knowing I couldn’t judge anyone, I just sat there and listened to the judge give the two of them tough, but honest words. I sat and let the words sink into my brain as she repeated herself again. “If you don’t have trust in your relationship, then you have nothing.” As those words played in my head, I thought to myself, did I even give myself enough time to even know Anthony? Did I take the time out to get to know the real him? Maybe jumping into this relationship heart first was a big mistake? I love him, but I don’t trust him. Running my hands down my face and exhaling, I laid back on the bed and stared at the celling. There was a knock on the door, I sat up.
“Come in,” I said fixing my gown.
“Hello Joy, the result of your CT scan was better than I thought. You’ve healed well, but there’s some light bruising, which isn’t bad. I would love for you to stay another day, but you don’t want to stay,” the nurse said in a sad playful tone.
“I’m sorry, but I need to go home and pack. I need to get out of this toxic relationship,” I said to the doctor, as she stood next to the nurse.
“I understand. If it’s okay, can I leave a few numbers with you,” the doctor asked.
“Yeah, sure.”
“Okay, great. I will be back in a few with your discharge papers and follow-up instructions.”
“Okay, thank you.”
The nurse reached over and gave me hug, a much-needed hug. I cried in the nurse’s arms, she rocked me back and forth and rubbed my back.
“Joy, please get out of that relationship, it’s not good for you. You’re too beautiful to be going through this, save yourself, please,” the nurse cried out.
“I will, I promise. I have to leave before it’s too late,” I said wiping my face.
She released me from the hug. She grabbed both of my hands and asked if she could pray for me. I haven’t prayed in years, yet alone had anyone prayed for me.
“Yes, please.” I closed my eyes and bowed my head.
“Father God, I’m calling on you to heal this young lady. Lead her to a path of happiness. Teach her to love herself first. Show her that there is someone that will love her and treat her like the queen that she is. Remove this pain from her body, remove any negative energy from her life that she doesn’t need. Amen.” She reached in and hugged me again.
“Thank you so much, I really needed that?” I hugged her back.
“You are welcome. Just know there is never a right or wrong way to talk to God, He is always listening. No matter what time of day or night it is, He will always hear you. You keep fighting and you keep your faith in God, and if you ever need anything please call me.” She pulled out a pen and paper out her jacket and wrote down her home and cell number, along with her name.
I took the number and placed it on the bed. I made a mental note to put her number in my phone. The nurse left the room and I laid back down and waited for my discharge papers, and for Kevin to come and bring my clothes. My eyes were getting heavy, so I decided on a nap.
Chapter 7
A light tap woke me up out of my sleep. I rolled over and stretched. I smiled when I saw Kevin standing there looking at me.
“Hey, thank you so much for coming. I didn’t mean to call you so early this morning,” I said sitting up in the bed.
Sitting up, there was some woman sitting in the chair. I didn’t even notice her. She sat there with her arms folded and nose flared up as if she didn’t want to be here.
“Hey, Joy, how are you feeling?” Kevin asked sitting next to me.
“I’m okay. What’s wrong with your friend though, is the real question?”
“She got an attitude because I told her that I was coming to pick you up. She thinks that you are some female that I’m screwing on the side,” he said shaking his head.
“Well, just to let you know, we are not screwing. I was in a relationship with his brother, that’s it, nothing more, nothing less.” I was directing the conversation to the unknown woman.
“Well, why didn’t you call his ass and have him come pick you up. Why does my man have to do his brother’s job if y’all two ain’t messing around?” she said rolling her neck so hard it looked as if it was going to fall off.
“The reason why he is not her is none of your business, and if you don’t want to be here, you can leave,” I said now standing up because her attitude was way to fucked up for me.
She sat there and looked at me and I looked back at her.
“Ladies, let’s calm down. Joy go put your clothes on and I’ll see what’s up with your discharge papers.” He got up and yanked his friend up out the chair and closed the door behind him.
I grabbed my suitcase and placed it on the bed. I grabbed a pair of jeans, a blouse, a matching bra and panty set and got dressed. I grabbed my other bag and pulled out a black pair of Nike Air Max 90. I went through one more bag that was in my first bag that had my hair stuff and make up in it. I went to the mirror, brushed my hair, applied some edge control to my edges and put my hair in a high pony tail. I put make up over my eye to cover the bruise, applied a few sprays of perfume and cleaned up my mess. I closed my bags and sat them by the door. In my purse was a pair of shades. I placed them over my eyes so people wouldn’t stare at my scar over my eye.
Once I was done, I made sure I didn’t leave anything. The nurse came in with my papers. Once I signed everything, Kevin came back in the room without his friend. I was happy he didn’t bring her back in here, because
she would have had to catch these hands if her attitude didn’t change. Kevin took a seat as the nurse went over my discharge papers and my medication. She said the doctor put the prescription in at the Pharmacy in the hospital, located by the main entrance.
“Do you have any questions?” she asked signing her part of the papers.
“No, I don’t. I’ll just grab my medicine on the way out.” I took my copies and placed them in my purse.
“Okay Ms. Anderson, you are free to go. Have a safe flight and take care of yourself. I will be back with a wheel chair.”
“Thank you and I will.” I gave her a small smile and she left the room to go get the chair.
Kevin grabbed the suitcase while I held on to my purse and the other bag. I sat in the chair and the nurse wheeled me down to the elevator.
“Are you parked in the front sir?” the nurse asked Kevin.
“No, but I’m not too far from the entrance. Do you need me to bring the car around?” he asked.
“Yes, please, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure, I will,” Kevin said giving the nurse a big smile.
Once the elevator stopped the nurse wheeled me to the Pharmacy. I got my meds then we waited outside for Kevin to pull the car up front. He put the bags in the trunk of the rental car and I sat in the front seat. I thanked the nurse as Kevin got in the driver’s seat and started the car. He turned on the radio and 9.23 was playing Mary J Blige ‘U + Me’. I turned up the song and listened to the words, I started to sing along. You plus me was a love lesson in too deep with the imperfections not always good, but I stayed on my feet you had me. I held back the tears, I felt every word of that song. Mary’s music makes you realize some shit. I stared out the window the rest of the ride to the airport.
“I’m sorry my brother put his hands on you,” Kevin said taking me out of my thoughts.
I looked over in his hazel eyes. The sun shined beautifully on his face. Kevin is something special, it’s something about him that’s different. The light turned green and he turned his attention back to the road.
I Love You But Your Brother Keeps Me Wet Page 5