“But you’ll have to leave yours if you drive me home,” Zella pointed out.
“Nah, I came with a buddy,” Alex said. “He left earlier. Right before I ran into you. I was about to leave too, but I’m glad I didn’t.”
He smiled at her in a way that should have told her to decline his offer. But for whatever reason she didn’t. She handed over her keys and gave him her address. Alex had nursed one drink the entire time they sat together, so she was certain he was sober. He was a good driver too, and very familiar with Portland. He knew a shorter route to her place and she was amazed when they pulled into her complex a full ten minutes earlier than they should have.
After he shut off the car, she held her hand out for the keys.
“I’d like to walk you in, if that’s OK,” Alex said. “Besides, my ride isn’t here yet.”
“Oh, right,” Zella said.
He said he had arranged for a pick-up before they left the bar, but there was no cab in sight. Clearly, they would be waiting a bit. She didn’t want to be rude and leave him to wait alone.
She felt his hand on her lower back as they walked toward the building. Something in his actions gave her pause and she suggested they wait outside for his cab. He argued a bit, but she didn’t budge. Unfortunately, neither did he. They sat down on a bench outside the front door, and he could not have been any closer unless he’d been in her lap. He started playing with her hair, and she became increasingly nervous. She hoped his ride showed up soon. She looked out at the street, watching for headlights. As she turned her head to look the other direction, Alex caught her cheek with his hand and guided her face toward him. Before she knew what was happening, he was kissing her. Once the feel of his lips dawned on her, she put a hand on his chest to push him away. But he captured her hand and held it at her side. She tried repeatedly to pull away, but he was not easily deterred. Finally, she broke free and stood, taking a few steps away from him.
“This isn’t a good idea,” she said.
“It is to me,” Alex said.
Zella shook her head. “No. I’m sorry, Alex. You’re very attractive, and you seem nice … but I’m just not interested.”
“I don’t think you’ve given me a fair chance,” Alex said.
“I don’t need to,” Zella said. “I just know.”
“This is a cruel little game you’re playing,” he said.
“Game?” she asked, frowning. “What game?”
“Flirting with me, letting me buy you drinks and drive you home,” Alex said. “You’re not really going to make me leave now, are you?”
“I really am,” Zella said, looking around. “I wish you would leave right now, actually. Where is your cab?”
“I’ll have to call one,” he said.
“What?” she asked. “I heard you call one before we left the bar.”
He shrugged. “I faked it. I didn’t think you’d seriously make me leave. At least not tonight.”
Zella took a few more steps back. “You really thought I’d sleep with you?”
“Hoped is more like it,” Alex said. “But, yeah. Why not? Ashley said you could use a rebound. I’m fine being that guy.”
“I do not need a rebound,” she said. “And you are not going to be that guy. You need to call a cab now and leave.”
“Oh, come on, Zella,” he said, standing now and taking a few steps toward her.
She continued backing up. Focused on him, she wasn’t paying attention to where she was going, and she tripped over a rise in the pavement, falling backwards. She landed on her back hard and felt a pain in the back of her head as it struck the ground.
And then everything went dark.
When she woke up, she was more than a little disoriented. She looked around and quickly discerned that she was in a hospital room. During her survey, she saw Ashley next to the window. Her head was down though as she typed something on her phone.
Zella tried to call out to her, but her throat was so dry, it came out as nothing more than a squeak. It was still enough to get Ashley’s attention, and she was quickly on her feet and at Zella’s side.
“Oh, thank god you’re awake,” she said. “You hit your head pretty good.”
“I did?” Zella asked, blinking.
She tried to remember how she would have hit her head, but everything was fuzzy.
“Yeah, the doctor said you might have some memory loss,” Ashley said. “But Alex called me with your phone. He said you were drunk and tripped. He’s the one who brought you here.”
“Alex?” Zella asked.
“Yeah. The hot bartender you took home,” Ashley said. “You’ll remember him in time, I’m sure.”
“Is he here?” Zella asked.
“No,” Ashley said. “He was gone by the time I got here.”
“Oh,” Zella said. “Did you call my parents?”
“I did,” Ashley said, nodding. “They’re on their way.”
“How long have I been here?” Zella asked.
“Well, it’s Sunday afternoon, so a little more than twelve hours,” Ashley said. “You were out for a long time. Speaking of which, I should probably notify a nurse that you’re awake.”
Before Zella could say anything else, Ashley disappeared out the door. She returned moments later with a nurse trailing behind her. The door opened again a few moments later and Zella was surprised to see a familiar face.
“Dr. Harrison?” she asked.
“Good to see you remember me,” the doctor replied.
“You work here too?” she asked.
“I occasionally help out on some rotations,” he said. “Now, let’s do a few tests to see how your memory is doing.”
He asked her a few simple questions, and she was able to provide most of the answers. Until he began asking her about the last few days. As hard as she tried, Zella could not remember anything within the last three days.
“So, there’s a little short-term memory loss,” the doctor said. “You may get it back, but it will probably take some time.”
“OK,” Zella said, nodding. She supposed that was good news. “So can I go home?”
“I’d like to keep you at least one more night to monitor your pain and your memory a little more,” Dr. Harrison said. “And after that, I’d like you to take a week off and rest.”
Zella sighed. “I’ll have to call Ms. Marks and tell her I won’t be at work this week.”
“This is minor,” Dr. Harrison assured her. “A few days off will be good for your healing.”
“I know,” Zella said. “Thank you.”
The doctor and nurse left then and Zella looked at Ashley.
“I can’t believe I got that drunk,” Zella said.
“Me either,” Ashley said. “You didn’t really have that many. I guess maybe they just hit you harder.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Zella said. “You don’t have to stay here, Ashley. My parents will be here soon. I know you have things to do.”
“I’m not leaving until your parents get here,” Ashley said adamantly.
Zella nodded, lacking the energy to argue further. She laid her head back, intending to just rest her eyes.
The next time she opened them, there wasn’t as much sun coming through the windows, and her parents were now sitting in the chairs where Ashley had been camped out hours earlier. A door shut, and she guessed the noise of it opening had been enough to wake her up. She blinked a few times. Her parents hadn’t yet noticed that she was awake. Their attention was focused across the room. Zella turned her head to see what they were looking at and her breath caught.
“Derek,” Zella said. Or rather, squeaked.
“Zella,” he said, taking a few steps toward her.
But then he stopped, looking at her parents. And he didn’t move any closer.
No one said anything, but she felt someone beside her a few moments later. She looked over and saw it was her mother, and she offered her a drink of water. Zella took it and then turned her gaze back t
o Derek.
“Why are you here?” she asked him.
“I heard you were hurt,” he said.
“How?” Zella asked.
“Ms. Marks,” Derek said. “Ashley called her to explain why you wouldn’t be at work this week. I happened to be standing there with her and Reid. I got on a plane as soon as I could.”
Zella looked at the time. It was nearly eight. She remembered the team was gone on a road trip, but she couldn’t remember which city they were in at the moment. She frowned, trying to recall the team’s schedule, but nothing was coming to her. She was aware of Derek looking at her, keeping his distance, but he was fidgeting. Just like he had that night of their first date. She groaned at the memory, which everyone in the room apparently took as a moan of pain based on their reactions. Her mother reached for her hand.
“Just relax, honey,” Cheryl said. “I’ll get a nurse and some medicine for you.”
Derek clenched and unclenched his hands nervously. He wanted to be the one holding Zella’s hand. But the way Arnold was looking at him, Derek knew he’d better not touch her. He was lucky they hadn’t thrown him out of the room the moment he walked in. He’d expected as much, but he’d come anyway. He had to.
His heart had dropped straight to the ground when he heard she was in the hospital. He’d been standing next to Ms. Marks when she answered her phone. Though she tried to keep her voice even, she’d glanced at him during the conversation and he saw concern in her eyes. And then she’d said something about Zella getting well. As soon as she hung up, he didn’t hesitate to ask about the call. Ms. Marks did hesitate though. She glanced at Reid and then seemed reluctant as she told him about Zella’s accident. Less than an hour later, Derek had an expensive airline ticket and a stomach full of knots as he headed back to Portland.
“So you really don’t remember what happened?” he heard Cheryl asking her daughter.
Zella shook her head. “I don’t remember anything from the past few days. But Alex told Ashley that I was drunk and tripped, hitting my head.”
“Drunk? Really? Oh Zella,” Cheryl said.
“I know, Mom,” Zella said. “I never get that drunk. Ashley said she didn’t think I had that much either. I don’t know what happened.”
“Who’s Alex?” Arnold asked.
That’s what Derek wanted to know too. It sounded like he was with Zella when she fell. He knew she’d fallen outside her apartment, so he was there with her. Was she taking him home with her? He knew it was none of his business, but the thought still bothered him.
“Just some guy. A bartender,” Zella said. “I met him a few months ago when I went to an event with Ashley. Apparently I met up with him again last night. Like I said, everything beyond Wednesday is fuzzy.”
Derek noticed she didn’t look at him at all as she explained who Alex was. And she hadn’t explained why he was with her. Then again, if she really didn’t remember then she wouldn’t be able to tell them that anyway.
“Sounds like a real winner,” Arnold grumbled. “You’re not terribly smart when it comes to choosing boys to date, are you?”
“Arnold,” Cheryl said.
She stopped at the one-word warning. But Derek picked up where she left off.
“Really? You’re going to give her a lecture on who she chooses to date right now? While she’s in a hospital bed?” Derek asked. “With all due respect, Mr. Hansen, I don’t think criticism is what she needs right now.”
“What do you know about my daughter or what she needs?” Arnold asked.
“I know her better than you think,” Derek said. “And I’m no more thrilled than you are to hear about this Alex guy, but right now, I’m more worried about Zella’s recovery.”
“And I’m worried about who Alex is and why he was at her apartment building so late at night,” Arnold said.
His voice had gotten louder with each response. Derek was surprised the hospital staff hadn’t come in to reprimand them.
“Stop, just stop,” Cheryl said. “Arnold, Zella doesn’t have to answer to us for any of this. Derek’s right. We need to focus on getting her well.”
Derek was surprised Cheryl not only spoke up but agreed with him and not with her husband. He hadn’t been sure she had that in her. He looked back at Arnold, who was certainly not pleased with the rebuttal from his wife. And he was staring daggers at Derek.
With a sigh, Derek turned back to Zella.
“I’m not here to cause problems. I just wanted to see if you were OK,” Derek said. “I know I’m not wanted here, so I’ll go. I’m glad you’re not hurt worse.”
“Derek, you don’t have to go,” Cheryl said.
He glanced at Zella to get confirmation, but she wasn’t looking at him.
“Yes, I do. Visiting hours are probably almost up anyway,” Derek said. “Have a good night, Mrs. Hansen. Bye Zella.”
He stepped into the hallway, his heart only slightly lighter than it had been when he first arrived. At least now he knew Zella was OK, but he also knew a little more about how she’d gotten hurt. Alex. He kept hearing that name in his head. Who was he? Why was he with Zella?
“Everything OK, Derek?”
Derek looked up and was surprised to find Dr. Harrison standing there.
“Yeah, I was just visiting Zella,” Derek said. “But it’s time for me to go. What are you doing here?”
“I came back to check on Zella,” he said. “I do some rounds here, and I was on when she came in.”
“So you saw the guy who brought her in?” Derek asked.
“No, but I heard she came in with one,” Dr. Harrison said. “When they told me that, I assumed it was you, but then I remembered you were out of town.”
“Yeah, and we’re … Zella and I aren’t together anymore,” Derek said. “I probably shouldn’t have even come, but when I heard about her, I was worried.”
“Then it’s good you came,” Dr. Harrison said. “Whatever happened between you two, it’s OK that you still care about her.”
Derek nodded.
“It’s a real shame it didn’t work out though,” Dr. Harrison said. “You two seemed good together.”
Derek nodded and smiled a little. “Thanks for taking care of her.”
When he got to his car, he called Reid as he started to drive.
“Are you free?” Derek asked as soon as Reid answered.
There was a muffled voice in the background, and Derek was pretty sure Reid wasn’t alone.
“Of course. What’s going on?” Reid asked.
“I was going to ask if I could come over. I need to talk,” Derek asked. “But if you’re busy …”
“I’m not busy, Derek. Get over here,” Reid said.
The line disconnected before Derek could argue.
Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of a tall building. He rode the elevator up seventeen floors and Reid answered the door in sweats and a tshirt. Derek looked around as he followed Reid inside, but no one else was there.
“I know you weren’t alone when I called. You could have told me to get lost,” Derek said. “I understand.”
“It’s fine,” Reid said. “What’s going on? How’s Zella?”
Derek let out a breath and sat down. While he filled Reid in on Zella’s condition and what had happened in the hospital room, his friend brought him a glass of water.
“Short-term memory loss isn’t bad,” Reid said. “But her dad. Wow. I can’t believe he said that.”
“Yeah, that really pissed me off,” Derek said. “I mean, she’s laying there in a hospital bed and he’s lecturing her about her terrible taste in guys.”
“So this Alex guy. Who do you think he is?” Reid asked.
“I don’t have a clue,” Derek said. “I don’t think Zella would be dating already, but how else do you explain why he was at her place so late?”
“I don’t know,” Reid said, shaking his head.
“I know it’s none of my business, but ….” Derek sai
d.
“It still sucks. I know,” Reid said. “But until you can get an explanation from her, there’s no sense getting too worked up over it.”
“Yeah, I wish it was that easy,” Derek said.
“I get it,” Reid said. “So are you glad you went to see her?”
“Definitely,” Derek said. “I had to see for myself that she was OK.”
“So what do you do now?” Reid asked.
“What do you mean?” Derek asked.
“Are you going to see her again? Check on her again?” Reid asked.
“No,” Derek said, shaking his head. “Her parents still clearly hate me. And it’s possible she is dating someone new. I think it’s best if I stay away.”
Chapter Thirteen
The next morning, Derek went to see his therapist. Dr. Olsen had done some phone sessions with him while he was traveling. They had been effective in helping him work through his feelings about the visitation hearing. Their work on the breakup was still incomplete. He knew he mostly just needed more time. But he still needed Dr. Olsen too. Especially today.
He’d tossed and turned all night, unable to quiet his mind. Seeing Zella for the first time in two weeks proved to him that he was not over her. Seeing her laying a hospital bed had nearly undone him. The glares from her father were a harsh reminder of what could never be. Hearing another man had been with her when she fell – late at night outside her apartment complex – slashed through his innards. With all of that going on, sleep was just not happening.
He was exhausted as he sat in the chair opposite Dr. Olsen. And she didn’t pretend not to notice.
“You’re looking pretty ragged today,” she said.
“I’m feeling it too,” Derek said. “I’ve had a rough few days.”
“I figured as much since you asked for an emergency appointment,” Dr. Olsen said. “In our seven months of sessions, you’ve never done that before.”
“Well, my life hasn’t been this messed up in that time,” Derek said.
He went into more detail about his statement. It took him fifteen full minutes to tell Dr. Olsen what had happened and how he felt about it. When he finally paused to take a breath, he looked at her expectantly, hoping for some words of wisdom.
Behind in the Count: A Portland Pioneers Novel Page 22