by Amy Reece
I came to a few minutes later; at least I thought it must have been just a few minutes because Michael was still out, collapsed against my legs. We must have fallen into a puddle, because my legs felt wet. “Michael? Wake up.” I shook his shoulder. “Michael? Are you okay?” He had fallen forward and I feared he might have hit his head harder than I did and was really hurt. I pulled my legs out from under him, feeling the warm wetness again, and knowing in the back of my mind that was not right. “Michael?” I rolled him over, expecting to see damage on his face, but there was nothing. Just his open, vacant eyes. Oh, God, oh God, oh God! “Michael!” I screamed and shook him. That’s when I noticed the front of his shirt was wet, as well. A coppery tang permeated the air and it finally penetrated my fuzzy brain that he was drenched in blood, as was I. I held my hands in front of my face in the dimness of the parking garage and saw what I had assumed was a puddle of water was actually a puddle of blood. Michael’s blood. I screamed.
***
“Ally, drink this, sweetheart.” Brian handed me a bottle of water. I raised the bottle to my lips, but noticed there was still blood on my fingers. I lowered the bottle and reached for the tissues Brian had given me, scrubbing ineffectively at the stains with trembling hands.
“It’s okay, Ally. We’ll get you cleaned up later.” He reached to still my shaking hands. “Just drink now.”
“Where’s my mom? I want my mom. Can you get my mom?” I knew I was babbling, but I couldn’t seem to stop. I also couldn’t stop the deep trembling that began soon after the paramedics had loaded Michael onto a gurney and into the back of an ambulance. They had worked over him while I huddled on the cold concrete and I didn’t know if he was alive or dead.
“Soon, sweetheart. She’s going to meet us at the hospital, okay?”
“Okay.” I nodded, and then shook my head. “Is Michael going to be okay?”
“I don’t know, Ally. Can you tell me what happened here? I know you’re upset, but I need to get a statement as soon as possible.”
I nodded again and, in broken sentences, told him what I could remember. “The car, the SUV, came around the corner. It was black. I saw, I saw a man. There was a sound, like a pop or something. Then Michael tripped. He fell on me. I fell. I fell and hit my head on that car.” I pointed at the blue Ford Fiesta and was fascinated to see blood on the bumper. I reached back to feel the back of my head and winced when I felt the lump. My hand was bloody when I brought it back around to my face. “Ow,” I said and stared at my hand stupidly.
A second ambulance pulled up then and Brian was pushed aside as they started to attend to me. “Ally?” Mat was one of the paramedics leaning over me.
“Mat?” I threw my arms around his neck. “Oh, Mat! I think they shot him!” I realized what had really happened and what the man in the SUV had held in his arms was a gun. I started crying hysterically.
“Ally.” He hugged me briefly and pulled back. “I need to check your head, okay? Brian says you hit your head and passed out, so I need to check you.” He looked at the wound on the back of my head, checked my pupils, pulse, and some other stuff, all while I sat crying. I soon found myself on a gurney of my own with a really uncomfortable collar immobilizing my head and an oxygen mask over my mouth, being loaded into an ambulance. Mat hopped into the back with me.
“Mat?” My voice was muffled by the oxygen mask.
“Yeah, sweetie?” He tucked a blanket around me, which felt amazing.
I pulled my arm out of the blanket and reached up to lift the mask off my face. “Can you call Jack, please?” I had managed to control my hysteria for the moment.
“Brian was going to do that. I’m sure Jack will meet us at the hospital.”
“Okay.” I sniffed. “Is Michael dead?”
“I don’t know, cariña. I’ll find out when we get to the hospital, okay? You just rest right now.” He replaced the mask and patted my arm.
Once we got to the emergency room, things happened in a rush: my bloody clothes were cut off and bagged as evidence. Apparently patient modesty is not a concern in the ER. I looked around frantically to make sure that Mat was no longer in the room, but the collar got in my way. “Mat? Mat?” I yelled, pulling the mask away again. I did not want my boyfriend’s cousin to see me naked. In retrospect, I can’t believe I was worried about it in that moment.
“Okay, Ally.” Someone in scrubs appeared above my face. “Calm down, sweetheart. We need to make sure you’re okay and then we’ll get Mat for you. Is he your boyfriend?”
“No, he’s his cousin—ow,” I whimpered as I felt a prick in my arm. “Where’s Michael? Is he dead?” I started crying again, the sobs bubbling up from deep in my chest. I needed to get off this table and find out what happened to Michael. I pulled the mask off, getting it tangled in my hair and whimpering when it hit my head wound. I gave up on it and tried to remove the collar while trying to sit up. I don’t know where I thought I was going, wearing only my underwear and bra with IV tubes connected, but it didn’t matter at that moment. I struck at the hands that were trying to interfere and I started screaming again.
“We need some help in here!” one of the doctors yelled. “Grab her hands! Give her .5 of Lorazepam, stat!” I screamed as the hands pushed me down on the table. Things started to get fuzzy and my screaming deflated to crying, then whimpering, then nothing.
***
I opened my eyes to see fuzzy faces hovering over mine. I frowned, realizing that my head was throbbing.
“She’s waking up.” Brian’s voice. “I’ll get Jack. Here, Jen, sit here.”
“Ally-bear, can you hear me?” I smiled at the old pet name, but couldn’t fight my way to the surface. I closed my eyes again and slept.
***
The next time I opened my eyes, my head still hurt, but I was slightly less fuzzy. I heard the beeping of my heart monitor and gingerly turned my head, glad the awful collar was no longer around my neck. Ow. I hissed. My head really hurt.
“Ally?” Jack walked into view. I smiled at his rumpled appearance and scruffy, unshaven face.
“Hey,” I whispered. My throat felt scratchy and I was incredibly thirsty.
“Here.” He poured some water into a cup with a straw and held it up to my mouth.
“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” I said softly.
“I completely agree.” He took my hand in his and brought it up to his lips. “How do you feel?”
“My head hurts. And I feel fuzzy. I’m really sleepy,” I mumbled. “What’s wrong with me?”
“You hit your head. Again. Seven stitches this time. And a nasty concussion. They’re going to keep you for at least 24 hours.” He seemed so grim and I wondered what he wasn’t telling me.
“That’s it? I’m going to be okay, aren’t I?”
“Yeah, babe. You’re going to be fine.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead.
“Is my mom here? I thought I heard her earlier.”
“She was. She had to get home to Elijah, but I promised to call her when you woke up.”
“Jack.” I caught his hand as he started to pull away. “What is it? You seem…sad.”
He sighed and sat on the bed next to me. “What do you remember, Ally?”
I tried to remember how I had hit my head, but everything was still vague. “There was a blue car. I think I fell against it. I fell because…Oh my God. Michael.” It all came rushing back. “Where’s Michael?” Jack squeezed my hands and frowned. “No. Jack, no!”
“I’m so sorry, Ally.”
“No. No. He’s not!” I was escalating again, unable to accept what I knew in my heart was true.
“Okay, hon. Calm down or I’ll have to call the nurse.”
“They shot him, Jack! They shot him! He’s not dead! He’s not!” I sobbed and tried to pull out my IV, hysterical and making no sense. I knew Michael was dead, but I didn’t want to believe it and apparently thought screaming and throwing a fit would help. I guess those drugs they had m
e on were messing with my mind.
“Ally, you’ve got to calm down! Babe, please!” He reached across me and pushed the call button repeatedly, while trying to keep me from pulling out my IV. Several nurses rushed in, one pushing Jack away to hold me down while another injected something into my IV. The last thing I saw before I fell asleep was Jack’s devastated face, tears tracing their way down his cheeks.
***
Weak sunlight streamed into my room when I woke up for good. I opened my eyes and looked around the room for Jack. No one was there. I tried to lift my hand and realized both my hands were strapped to the bed. I remembered my hysterical outburst of the night before with shame. I was sane and in my right mind now, but didn’t like having my hands tied.
“Hey! Hey! Can I please get my hands untied? Please? I won’t go crazy again! I promise!” I called out.
“Ally! You’re awake, finally.” My mom peeked in the door. “Let me get a nurse to undo your restraints. I’ll be right back.”
She brought a nurse back with her and I was freed from my bonds quickly. The nurse did a brief check of my vitals and then left me alone with my mom.
“Mom,” I whispered.
“I’m here, baby.” She sat on the bed and pulled me into her arms. “Oh, Ally. I’m here. It’s going to be all right.” She rubbed my back and then pulled back to brush my hair out of my face.
“Michael’s dead, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is. I’m so sorry, Ally.”
My face crumpled and she pulled me back into her arms. I cried softly, no hysteria in sight. I didn’t want to be drugged and tied down again. Sheesh, crazy much? “He was shot, wasn’t he?”
She nodded. “That’s what Brian said. God, Ally, you could have been killed!” Now she was crying. We sat there, weeping in each other’s arms until I had nothing left.
“Where’s Jack?” I asked after I drank an entire cup of water and wiped my face with a tissue.
“I made him go home and get some sleep. He’ll be back soon, I’m sure. He didn’t want to leave. I had to swear to stay with you every second. He can be quite fierce about you, you know?”
I smiled slightly. “How long have I been here?”
“Almost twenty-four hours. The um…the shooting was yesterday afternoon. It’s almost five o’clock now. That last dose of tranquilizer was pretty strong. You’ve been asleep for a long time.”
“I’m sorry about the whole crazy thing. I don’t know what got into me.” I was so ashamed of how I had behaved.
“Oh, sweetie! Don’t worry about that. I can’t even begin to imagine what you went through.”
“How long do I have to stay here, Mom? I want to go home.”
‘I know, baby. They just need to make sure you’re okay. I think you’ll get to go home tomorrow if…” She didn’t finish.
“If I can convince them I don’t need a straitjacket?”
She laughed mirthlessly. “Yeah, something like that. Do you think you could eat something?”
“Um, sure. I’ll try.” She went to tell the nurse that I would need dinner. I lay back against the pillows and thought about what had happened. Michael had been gunned down in the parking garage at the university. I had seen the man that had shot him and he looked familiar somehow, but I couldn’t place where I had seen him and it made my head ache to think about it.
“Is your head hurting, sweetie? Do you want something for it?” Mom came back in the room. “I told the nurse you wanted to try some dinner. Let me tell her you want some painkillers.”
“Just Tylenol! I don’t want any sleeping pills or anything.”
She smiled and nodded.
I was halfway through my tomato basil soup and crackers when Jack came in, showered, shaved, looking much better than the last time I’d seen him and holding a bouquet of flowers—not roses, thank goodness. He set them on the table next to my tray and sat on the edge of the bed next to me.
“How are you feeling, querida? Better?”
“Yeah.” I couldn’t quite meet his eyes; I was ashamed of how I had been the last time he had seen me. “No more crazy. Sorry about that.”
“Ally, look at me.” He lifted my chin and kissed me so softly. “I know you’re not crazy, babe. I love you. I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up. Your mom made me go home. She can be pretty scary, you know?”
“That’s funny. She said nearly the same thing about you.”
“Oh, ha ha, you two. Listen, Ally. I need to go check on Elijah. I can come back tonight,” Mom said.
“Oh, Mom, I’m fine. Stay home, please. Elijah needs you. You don’t need to watch me sleep.”
“I’ll be here, Jen,” said Jack. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thank you, Jack.” She hugged him before gathering her purse and leaving.
“I’m not letting you stay all night, either,” I said as the door closed behind her. “You need your sleep. I’m fine now.”
“We’ll see. Now finish your dinner like a good girl.”
“Do I get another kiss if I do?”
“You can have one now.” He leaned in for a kiss. “And another when you finish.”
“Mmmm.” I nuzzled against his neck. ‘You smell so good. I love how you smell.”
He chuckled and pulled back slightly. “Those were some good drugs they gave you.”
I smiled crookedly. “Yeah.” I went back to eating my soup, embarrassed at my lack of filter.
He watched me until I finished the last spoonful, then pushed the container of green Jell-O my way.
“Nope.” I shook my head. “Gelatin. Horse hooves. Gross.” I swished water around in my mouth and the swallowed. “Okay, I’m ready for my kiss.”
“Oh, you are, huh?” he teased. He pushed the table aside and leaned over me.
“Unless you want me to brush my teeth first. Yeah,” I pushed at him, realizing that I hadn’t brushed my teeth since yesterday morning. Yuck! “I should definitely brush my teeth. And I have to go to the bathroom. Ugh, I’m all tied up, Jack.” I fought with the IV lines, trying to figure out which way to get out of the bed.
“Okay, babe. Slow down. I got you.” He helped me out of the bed, untangling the plastic IV lines and rolling the stand for me.
I felt a distinct breeze on my backside and reached back to clutch the hospital gown closed. “Oh, for God’s sake! Where is my underwear? Did you see?” I looked up at Jack’s face. He bit his lip, trying not to laugh. “Ugh!”
“What? I couldn’t help it! It was just hanging out there. Oof!” he exclaimed as I elbowed him in the stomach. He caught my hand and brought it to his lips to kiss it. “Don’t be mad, querida.” He laughed. “You have a beautiful butt. It was the highlight of my day.”
“Oh, for God’s sake,” I groused again as I shut him out of the bathroom. I could hear him laughing through the door.
He helped me back into bed, tucking the covers around me before leaning over. “Do I finally get that kiss now?” I nodded and he sealed his lips over mine.
“I see you’re feeling better, Ally,” my doctor said wryly from the doorway. “This is your boyfriend, I assume?”
Jack smiled at me and wiped his thumb over my lips before getting off the bed and standing aside for the doctor.
“Nope. I’ve never seen this guy before in my life. He just wandered in and I thought he was pretty cute, so I kissed him.” I winked at him.
“I’m Jack Ruiz, ma’am.” He shook the doctor’s hand. “And I am Ally’s boyfriend.”
“Nice to meet you, Jack. Can you give us a few minutes?”
“Sure. I need to call Tara and Rémy anyway. They want to come by, if you’re up to it, Ally.” He raised his eyebrows questioningly.
“Yeah. Hey, tell Tara to bring me some underwear. And pajamas. And my robe. And ice cream. Please?”
Jack looked to the doctor for assent. She nodded, amused, and Jack left the room to make the call.
***
Rémy, Mina, Tara, and Ma
t arrived within half an hour. Tara went with me into the bathroom and helped me get my pajamas and robe on so I didn’t feel quite so exposed. The doctor had removed my IV, thankfully, so I could get my arms through the sleeves.
I came out of the bathroom and hugged Mat. “I’m so glad you were there in the parking garage, Mat. Thanks. I didn’t say it before.”
He hugged me back tightly. “I’m glad I was there too, sweetie. You gave us all quite a scare. I’m glad you’re okay.”
I released Mat and turned to hug Rémy. “What happened? I saw the man who sh—” I choked. “Who shot Michael and I know I recognize him, but I can’t remember where I saw him.”
“Shh, chérie. We’ll figure it out, don’t worry. For now, just concentrate on getting better.”
“Were they trying to kill me, Rémy? Did Michael die because they were trying to kill me?” Tears spilled down my cheeks.
“Okay, sweetie.” Tara pulled me out of his arms. “Time for all that later.” I could see them exchanging worried glances.
“I’m okay, guys. I’m not going to freak out again, I promise.” I realized I was exhausted and dizzy from my jaunt to the bathroom. I reached for the wall, stumbling a bit. Jack was at my side instantly and scooped me up in his arms.
“Tara, pull the covers down,” he ordered before placing me gently in the bed. “You need to take it easy.”
I nodded, appalled at my weakness. “Did you bring the ice cream, Tara?”
She smiled and rifled through her tote bag, producing a small paper bag and a pink plastic spoon. “Here you go, hon. I even brought your favorite pink spoon.” She handed me a pint of B & J’s Mint Chocolate Cookie.
“You are a life saver, Tara. Jack tried to make me eat Jell-O.”
“Gross. Even I won’t eat that,” she said.
“Sorry, I didn’t know. Rookie mistake.” Jack rolled his eyes.
“Mmmm. This is awesome,” I closed my eyes and savored the creamy, minty sweetness. I could only eat a few bites before I was full. The nurse was nice enough to store the rest in the freezer for me. My eyes were starting to droop and I fell asleep listening to the buzz of my friends talking.