by Unknown
He felt guilty for riding his bike out on the road, when he'd been told not to a thousand times before. When he was better, Pops would tan his hide out behind the barn. He always did. Kyle had to admit most of the time he had earned the licks he'd gotten. Definitely made him a better man for it. “Man,” that didn't seem right either. He felt all jumbled up and confused.
“You shouldn't be so hard on her, she's pre ... probably worried sick.” Melanie said.
“She should be. This was all her fault.”
Laine? He remembered the woman's name was Sheila, not Laine, but maybe he was mistaken. No wonder he didn't like her, she'd hit him and put him in the hospital.
“Good, Velma's here. You're gonna feel a lot better, buddy, in just a minute. Don't you worry, I'll be right here.” He heard Jeff say. He felt something cold rush through his arm, then something that stung, then nothing.
* * * *
It was official. The test had a little pink plus sign on it. “Dammit.” Laine threw the test in the trash and pulled out the second one. Maybe, just maybe, it was a false positive. It happened, didn't it?
She held it in her urine stream, put the cap back on, and waited the brutal five minutes. “Dammit!” The little plus sign appeared again. She threw it in the trash, flushed and washed her hands, tempted to go back to the store and purchase more just to be ultra positive, but trudged back to her office instead. She rounded her desk and plopped in her chair. There was no way in the world she would get any work done today. She might as well go home, but then there was nothing to do there, and she would lose her mind sitting there watching television. Thank her lucky stars her parents finally left, or she would have committed capital murder. After the accident, the woman wouldn't leave her alone. She was eternally grateful to her father for dragging the woman back to Florida.
She thought about going to the hospital again. Over the past week, David had let her in to see Kyle, while Jeff was on duty at the fire station. The only responses she had gotten from him were the same old squeeze of the hand. His vitals had improved greatly and his overall health was much better. He just hadn't woken up yet.
She gathered her purse, threw her cell in, and was headed for the door, when her cell started ringing.
She snatched it out and flipped it open. “Hello?”
“Laine, he's waking up,” Mel, said.
“I'm on my way. I don't care if Jeff is there or not.”
“He won't let you in, but I might be able to entice him out of here. He really likes me and wants to go out with me. Maybe I can get him to take me home to change clothes. I won't do anything with him though. I promised I would stick around just for Kyle and that's it. I'll keep my promise, Laine.”
“I know you will, Mel. Call me if you're able to get him to leave, okay. I'll be out running some errands.” Making a doctor's appointment and baby shopping.
“Alright, I'll get right on it. Call you later.”
Laine closed her phone and went out the door. She knew it was premature, but there were baby items she wanted to see. She had bought friends baby shower gifts and loved looking at the teensy tiny items.
As she got in her car, she looked in the rearview mirror, imagining a car seat there. She looked down, putting her hand flat on her abdomen. “Your daddy is waking up.”
Eternal_Bliss
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Kyle finally opened his eyes. It was completely blurry and only lasted seconds, but they were open. He was feeling stronger every single day. It was a nightmare being trapped inside his body. Unable to get up, unable to do anything but mumble a few words every now and again, it was frustrating beyond belief.
His damn leg was in traction and itched like a sonofabitch, but at least his hands were untied. Now, if he could only lift them. He still hurt all over, but was able to say when he needed pain medication. Jeff had stayed by his side, despite Melanie's attempts to get him to leave. She must really like him. He heard her practically begging him to take her home.
Grams and Pops hadn't shown up yet, but he was sure they had just needed to get things done on the farm. It was hard work for the elderly couple. He felt a measure of guilt for getting himself in this position, when he needed to be helping on the farm.
He would ask Jeff to help them out while he was in the hospital. Now all he had to do was get the words to come out. It was still a struggle to get his voice above a whisper. He used all of his strength. “Jeff.”
He heard the creak of the chair to his left. “What do you need buddy?”
“Help Pops and Grams.” There, he wheezed out what he needed to.
“What did he say?” He heard Melanie ask.
“Can we step out in the hall?”
He wondered what was wrong. Why they needed to get away from him to talk. Dammit, he was frustrated being trapped in the darkness. Unable to communicate the fact he was still here. The same Kyle he had always been.
He heard the rustle of clothes and the shuffle of footsteps coming toward him.
“Kyle, buddy, I'm gonna go for a bit, but I'll be back in a while. You just rest and get better, okay.” He felt the stroke of Jeff's hand on his forehead, then through his hair.
He wanted to scream, “I'm here!”
Melanie's hand held his. Her fingers were soft and warm, soothing.
They both let go, then he heard the retreat of footsteps. They were gone, and now he was alone.
A short while later he smelled a clean honeysuckle scent. He remembered the smell, but couldn't place it. It was just out of his reach. Just another locked memory he couldn't access right now. The chair to his left creaked as someone sat down.
“Kyle? Can you hear me? I only have a few minutes, but I wanted to tell you how sorry I am,” a very sweet voice said.
He needed to know who it was. She was so familiar, he felt like they were close, very close. Maybe it was his girlfriend.
She took his hand and kissed each knuckle. It felt intimate and tender, like that of a lover. It was having an effect in his groin, which currently had a catheter in it. Not a good idea to get a hard-on.
“Who are you?” He whispered.
He heard a gasp, then “Kyle, I'm here, its Laine.” She rubbed his hand, stroking it tenderly.
Laine? The very same Laine that put him here? The one that Jeff hated? He hated her too.
Anger, red hot and ferocious, raged inside of him. Enough he could speak the words he needed to. “Get out, don't want you.”
She dropped his hand like a stone. It plopped down on the bed and he heard her sniffle. He could care less that he'd hurt her feelings. Look at what she'd done to him. He was lying here ensnared in a useless broken body. He heard broken sobs as she retreated. Serves you right.
* * * *
Laine was devastated by what she heard. She had expected him to be a bit bitter, but not to want her gone from his life for good.
Once again, tears fell freely down her cheeks. She placed her hand over her womb to cradle all she had left of Kyle. She would have this baby and love it with her entire heart. Tell the baby all about its father, and how it was conceived in love.
She would be the best mother to her child as she could possibly be. She would be nothing like her mother. No other woman would be as good a mother to her child, and nothing would come before him. She hoped for a son that looked exactly like his father.
She was almost to the elevator, when Jeff and Melanie stepped off the one closest to her. Jeff immediately puffed up, ready to explode, but she had good news for him.
“Jeff, stop it.” Melanie warned.
“It's alright, Mel, Jeff needs to hear what I have to say.” She approached Jeff, swiped angrily at her tears, and said, “He said he doesn't want me, are you happy now. I'm out of his life.”
Jeff backed off. “Good, I'm glad he finally came to his senses.”
“Enough, Jeff, can't you see she's hurting?” Melanie snapped.
He turned to Melanie. “I. Don't. Care.” He enun
ciated each word.
Melanie reared back her hand, and slapped him hard across the face. She gasped as she pulled her hand back away from him.
Jeff's face bore her handprint, an angry mark on his right cheek. His head swiveled back to her; an irate look marred his features. “Both of you can go. I have no use for either one of you.” He stared at Melanie the entire time.
“Fine, I have no use for you either. And to think I actually liked you. What was I thinking?” Melanie yelled.
Laine was watching the action like it was surreal. She had never known Melanie to strike anyone. It was a side of her best friend she hadn't ever seen before and quite frankly she was glad to see it. Jeff, more than anyone, deserved a good smack in the head. Laine only wished it had come from her.
“I liked you too, but if you're going to side with her,” He stabbed a finger at Laine. “then you can leave with her. I can take care of Kyle on my own.” Jeff strode past them, heading for Kyle's room.
“Fine, you jerk,” Melanie yelled after him.
He didn't turn back, just kept walking.
Laine couldn't contain the laugh that escaped her. It was inappropriate she knew, but this asinine fight was the funniest thing she'd seen in a long time.
Melanie crossed her arms over her chest and turned a steely glare on her friend. “What's so funny?”
She cracked up in a fit of laughter. “You slapped him and called him a jerk.” She kept laughing and Melanie joined in.
“W-Why are we laughing?” Melanie asked through a fit of giggles.
“I don't know.” She swiped laughing tears from her eyes, and gathered herself together.
“Oh, I needed that.” Laine blew out a breath and straightened up.
“Yeah, I did too. I just wish I knew what was so funny.” Her face grew somber. "Laine, there's something we need to talk about.
The smile that had been on her face, quickly disappeared. “What is it?”
“It's Kyle ... um ... ” She bit her bottom lip. “He thinks Grams and Pops are still alive. We don't know where he is mentally. I'm so sorry.”
“He knew enough to tell me he didn't want me.”
“Oh God, he said that to you?” She put her arm around Laine's shoulder.
“I was about to tell him about the baby. I just found out today, its official, I'm pregnant.” She threw her arms up in the air. “And now, I have no father for the baby.”
How was she supposed to move on without him? How would she raise their baby without him? She had so many questions and no answers, it made her want to cry all over again. Melanie must have sensed it, because she helped her to a chair before she collapsed from despair.
“You're pregnant! Are we happy about this or not? I mean, I know it looks hopeless right now, but maybe when he wakes up fully, and he's back to himself, he'll want you and the baby.”
Laine swiped angrily at yet another tear. “I'm happy about the baby, but he blames me and so does Jeff. They're both right. This is my fault. If I hadn't gotten out of the truck, he wouldn't be in here. He would be out there, healthy and happy.”
“You can't keep blaming yourself. The stress alone isn't good for you or the baby.”
“I don't think I'll get used to hearing that. I still haven't grasped the fact that I'm actually pregnant.”
Melanie put her palm over Laine's womb. “I'll be there all the way. Even if Kyle's not there, you have me, and together we'll raise one hell of a kid. I'll even throw your shower for you.” Melanie smiled.
“Just as long as there are no gag gift condoms. That's how I got into this mess in the first place. So, I guess it's your fault I got pregnant.”
“I might have given you the condoms, but I didn't give you the sperm, so I have no part in your predicament.”
“I guess you won't be giving me anymore reports about Kyle.” Laine gestured with her chin in Jeff's direction.
Melanie sighed. “Nope, I guess not.”
Laine took her, hand and looked her in the eye. “I'm sorry about Jeff. I know you really liked him. I could tell. You've never hit anyone in your life. It takes passion to make a woman smack the hell out of her man.”
Melanie blushed. “I did, didn't I? He just made me so angry, I couldn't help myself. I don't even remember doing it, just feeling the sting of my hand as it happened.”
“Yep, passion. Has to be or I'm in the wrong business. I've seen so many women smack their betrothed's over the smallest things. Then, the next second, their kissing each other senseless.”
“I did really like him, but I wasn't going to date him. I made a promise.” She crossed her fingers over her heart.
“I'm not holding you to that. If you really like the asshole, by all means, go after him.”
“No, I think I just ended it between us. Besides, if he can't accept you, he's not the one for me. My man will have to love you, too.”
“Oh goodie. A threesome.” Laine gave her a sheepish grin.
Melanie smacked her on the knee. “You know what I mean, smartass.”
“Yes I do, and now you get the privilege of taking this smartass out for dinner. I'm hungry and eatin' for two.”
“Where shall we go?” Melanie asked.
“Mama Vercelli's is always good.” Laine smiled.
“Yeah, but not all of us are having orgasms under the table during dinner. Jeff told me about it when we went out the second time. I still can't believe you did that.”
“Why not? It was fun, and the food was even better than usual.”
“Yeah, I would guess so. Maybe I should try it. I would try it, if I had a boyfriend.” She looked down the hall where Jeff had gone.
Laine felt bad for her, she had just found a man she really liked and because of Laine, she had to give him up. Is there anything that's not my fault?
Laine put her hand on Melanie's knee. “If you want him back, go to him now, don't let someone you care about get away. Not like I did. You'll regret it for the rest of your life.”
Melanie dismissed the notion with her hand. “I'm not that crazy about him. He can be quite a jerk, as you know. There are plenty more where he came from.”
“Mel, you know that's not true. Really, go after him. I can go have lunch by myself. I'll be just fine.”
Melanie looked back down the hall. Laine could tell she was trying to make a decision. “No, I'm taking you and the baby out to lunch. My treat. Then, we're going baby shopping.”
“I had planned a baby shopping trip. There are so many things I want to get. I know it's too early for this, but I want to go ahead and set up the nursery. I might like it in yellow or light purple. That way, if it's a boy or a girl, it will still work.”
“What are you hoping for?”
“A boy, just like his father.” This time it was Laine that looked down the hall.
“Alright, enough pining, we need to get out of here before we both do foolish things and beg. I promised myself never to beg a man. Well, unless we were in bed.” She giggled.
“I never had to beg Kyle, he was one hot lover.” She sighed and slapped her knee. “Alright, let's go. I'm starving.” She and Melanie both headed for the elevator. Laine punched the button, waited for the ding, and entered the lift. She wasn't expecting David to be in there.
“Hello, ladies. How was the star patient today? I haven't done my rounds yet.” He took a sip of his coffee.
“Um, he's talking much better, but he still doesn't open his eyes much,” Laine said.
“He seems to think his dead grandparents are still alive,” Melanie said.
“It's called confabulation. He's taking random memories and reliving them. It's common for traumatic brain injury patients. He should regain full memory within weeks, if he keeps improving at this rate.” He took another sip of coffee, the ding sounded, and the doors opened. “It was lovely seeing you two ladies. Have a great day.” And he was gone.
“I'll need to ride with you, because I came with Jeff.”
“That's
fine. You'll be the first person in my new car.”
“Yeah, what did you get?”
“My parents bought me a BMW.”
“My goodness, aren't we spoiled.” Melanie teased.
They approached the sedan, climbed in, and left.
* * * *
Jeff watched the parking lot for Melanie. He caught a glimpse of her straight blond hair blowing in the breeze. He wanted nothing more than to stab his hands through it and kiss her senseless. He had almost gotten back into the waiting room, when he heard Melanie say “there were plenty more where he came from.” He turned around. Regardless, he still wanted her.
There was just something about that fireball. She was sweet, but sassy, a total contradiction. She was smart, and independent, yet she needed a man in her life, just like he hoped to be. Maybe after he got Kyle through this, he could pursue Melanie, if it wasn't too late.
“Where's Pops?” Reluctantly, Jeff turned from the window, leaving his last glimpse of Melanie to tend to Kyle, who was asking about Pops. He didn't have the heart to tell him they had died almost a decade ago. Pops died in a car accident and Grams died a few years later of a broken heart. They had loved each other with a passion that could never die. Jeff had always wanted that kind of passion, but had never felt it with any girl. Pops always said, “You'll know it when you meet her.”
Jeff hadn't believed it possible until he met Melanie. She was the only girl that had ever turned his head more than once. She was the only girl he cared to remember her name. He wanted to call her name as he came deep inside her, just as much as he wanted to hear her sweet voice calling his.
“Where's Pops?” Kyle asked again.
“He's not here, buddy, he has too much work to get done on the farm.”
“Okay.”
Jeff pulled the chair closer to the bed, making a scraping noise on the marble floor. He covered Kyle with another green hospital blanket, and sat back for yet another long day.