Gallows Humor

by Carolyn Elizabeth

  Corey laughed. “Something like that.” She looked a question at her.

  “What?” Rachel’s eyes widened and she swallowed her food hard. “Me?”

  “Who else?”

  “What about your girlfriend? She’s a doctor for shit’s sake.”

  “She’s not my…” Corey shook her head. “I just need someone I don’t have to pretend with.”

  Rachel paused. “I can do it, Cor, if that’s what you want.”

  “Thank you.” Corey stared at her food.

  “When’s the last time you had some Coyote?”

  “Um, I don’t know. Maybe with you?” Her eyes started to lose focus, the room wavering. She closed her eyes for a moment to clear her vision.

  “You all right?”

  “Yeah. Just something weird with my eyes for a second.”

  “Thayer been to see you today?”

  “This morning.” Corey winced. “I wasn’t in a very good mood and I was kind of an asshole to her.”

  “Well, I’m sure, under the circumstances, she’ll cut you some slack.”

  “Yeah, I hope so, because—” Corey winced and stared at Rachel. “I was going to take her to dinner.”

  “What?”

  “Thayer didn’t want to go to the construction site.” Corey frowned, her hand going to the back of her neck to massage against the pain and tightening muscles. “She wanted to go for Mexican. I said I would take her after we stopped at the site. She didn’t want to go in but I insisted. I told her she could wait in the car and she got offended.”

  “Did someone tell you this or are you remembering?”

  “Re…remem…ber…” Corey stammered, her head splitting in sudden pain so sharp her vision blacked out completely. “Oh…God…” She pressed the heel of her hand against the side of her head.

  Rachel leapt up and swept away their food. “Corey?”

  “Call…Call…the nurse…”

  Rachel lunged for the call button and jammed her thumb down on it as Corey groaned in pain, her eyes screwed tightly shut.

  “I’m about to go off shift,” Deb called from the hallway as she strode in. “What’s the problem, princess?”

  “Do something,” Rachel pleaded.

  Deb’s expression sobered as she crossed to Corey’s side. “Okay, kiddo, here we go.” She got a hand behind Corey and encouraged her to sit up. “Post-concussion syndrome, remember? Headaches, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision. Looks like you’re covering all the bases.”

  Corey whimpered pitifully “Sick…”

  Deb turned to Rachel. “There’s a tub in the bathroom. Get it.”

  Rachel retrieved the bucket, sliding it in front of Corey a split second before she violently vomited her dinner.

  “Her orders are already in for this. We’ve been expecting it. Are you all right to stay with her while I draw up her meds?”

  “Yeah. Yeah, I got her.”

  “Good girl.”

  Thayer could hear the sounds of someone’s agony as soon as she stepped onto the floor and she winced in sympathy at the unmistakable sound of retching. She realized a moment later it was coming from Corey’s room. She hurried to the door, flinging it open to see Corey huddled in her bed vomiting into the plastic tub Rachel held for her.

  Rachel looked her way with relief. “Cor, Thayer’s here.”

  “No…no.” Corey sobbed around her heaving stomach. “Not…now…”

  Thayer’s heart broke for her pain and that she could do nothing. “Corey, let me help.”

  “No.” Corey choked, her arm jerking out to wave her away. “Out…”

  Thayer stiffened in surprise, her eyes burning with emotion. “Corey.”

  “Excuse me, Dr. Reynolds.” Deb hurried back in, squeezing by Thayer and over to Corey’s side. “Corey, you’re going to feel better soon, I promise. This is an antinausea med that will settle your stomach.” She injected the first syringe into her IV port. “This one is a muscle relaxant to ease the muscle spasms and pain.” She injected the second. “They both have strong sedative properties so you’re going to feel really drowsy right away.”

  “Thank you.” She breathed and sank back against the bed.

  Thayer could see her now, bathed in sweat and gulping breaths but beginning to relax.

  Rachel pulled the bowl away, racing to the bathroom to empty it, looking like she might need it herself any minute.

  “Is that her first one?” Thayer brought up her professional side to mask her hurt and concern.

  “Yes.” Deb took her pulse and blood pressure before turning to the compact laptop next to her bed and entering her vitals and updating her chart with medications administered. “We’ve been expecting it. Dr. Bryant already has a call in for a follow-up CT so we’ll see if we can get her in tonight. If everything is still clear, no clots and no swelling, she should still be able to be released the day after tomorrow.”

  “Released. That’s good.” Thayer pressed her lips together. “She didn’t mention.”

  “She’s going to fall asleep soon. I’ll call CT now and get her in tonight, but I should’ve clocked out a half hour ago. Overtime is met with swift and unpleasant action. I’ll get the night nurse to clean her up.”

  “It’s okay.” Thayer stepped into the room now. “I have time before I’m on. I’ll do it.”

  Deb looked at her, surprised. “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I know,” Thayer said simply.

  “Well, okay, then. I’ll leave you to it.”

  Thayer stood next to the bed. Corey’s chest rose and fell, haltingly, suggesting she was still uncomfortable, but her face relaxed and her eyes closed to slits. “Hey, sweetheart.” Thayer brushed damp hair from her clammy face and thumbed away tears still tracking down her cheeks. “Can you hear me?”

  Corey’s eyes dragged open. “Thayer…” It was barely a whisper.

  “Yes, I’m here.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Corey had been in the chair in her room for over an hour staring at the small container of valium tablets. She had resisted taking them but she desperately needed one to control the headache and muscle spasms in her neck that threatened to overwhelm her. Five days in the hospital and her mood had deteriorated. She had lost weight and despite visits from Cin, Rachel, Jules and constant attention from Thayer when she had slow shifts, she was miserable.

  She was being released tomorrow and as much as she looked forward to it, the inevitable conversation with Thayer was weighing heavily on her mind.

  She finally could stand it no longer and struggled to her feet. She swallowed the meds with a glass of water and eased herself back into bed. As if she conjured Thayer with her thoughts, there was a soft knock and Thayer let herself in.

  “Hey, tough girl.”

  “Please, stop calling me that,” Corey grumbled.

  Thayer answered her with a dazzling smile, clearly not letting Corey’s foul mood bring her down. “I know you’re getting out tomorrow but these were coming up in my yard and I thought you would enjoy them.” She placed a vase with a fresh bouquet of wildflowers by the window before settling in the chair Corey had just vacated. “How are you feeling?”

  “How do I look?” She shrugged.

  “So, I’ve been thinking about your recovery and I’m sure you have as well. You’re going to need some help for a bit and I’ve talked to my director and he’s willing to shuffle my schedule around so I can be home at the critical times—morning and night. I’ve been meaning to get a television and we can pick up your movies and get started on some. And I can get the fishing gear out so you’re not bored—”

  “Thayer, wait.” Corey sucked in a deep breath, fighting the pull of the medication.

  “I have plenty of room and I’ll be gone a lot so you won’t feel babied, but I’ll be around if you need—”

  “Thayer, stop,” she said more forcefully.

  Thayer paused and looked at her. “I know it’s overwhelming right now b
ut you’re strong and will be back to your old self—”

  “It’s not a good idea.”

  “What’s not?”

  Corey inhaled deeply. “My going home with you.”

  “Okay. Why not?”

  Corey was really regretting those meds as all her carefully planned words were lost to her. She forced a smile. “You know, you take care of people all day and you don’t want to come home or wake up to that.”

  Thayer laughed. “That’s absurd. This isn’t the same thing at all.” She reached for Corey’s hand but Corey pulled away and her smile faltered. “What is this about, really?”

  Corey looked past her to stare out the window. “Not very heroic of me is it?”

  “What?” Thayer’s eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing.” Corey shook her head, not meaning to say that out loud. “Never mind.”

  Thayer scooted to the end of the chair. “Corey, I care about you. A lot. I want to help and I can. Please, don’t shut me out.”

  The meds were taking hold and Corey could feel her emotional walls slipping. She was too tired for evasion. “I don’t want you to see me like this.”

  Thayer jerked in surprise. “Like what? Strong? A fighter? Corey, what you did—”

  “I can’t remember.” Corey could feel her eyes beginning to burn with unshed tears. “I can’t remember what I did.”

  “Then you’ll just have to trust me.” Thayer smiled gently. “You were amazing.”

  “And now I’m sick and weak. I can barely wipe my own ass. I have headaches so bad I can’t see and then I vomit on myself. And if not, then I’m drugged out of my mind and can’t string two words together.” She raged, tears beginning to fall. “You don’t want any part of that.”

  Thayer’s mouth gaped. “Corey, I don’t care—”

  “But I do, Thayer. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I’m sorry.”

  Thayer’s expression was stunned “Okay. What do you need?”

  “Time.” Corey couldn’t look at her. She knew she was hurting her and the pain in her heart nearly eclipsed the pain in her head. “Space.”

  Thayer was quiet a long time then stood. “If that’s what you want. I’ll back off.” Her voice cracked. “Take care of yourself, Corey.”

  Thayer swiped at the tears on her face as she burst through the door.

  Rachel pushed herself off the wall where she had been hovering outside the door. “Thayer.”

  “Hey, Rachel.” Thayer turned and mustered a smile but the look on Rachel’s face told her she had heard everything.

  “I’m sorry.” Rachel’s face was pained. “I’ll talk to her.”

  “It’s fine.” Thayer forced a laugh. “She’s scared and feeling vulnerable. Not the foundation you want to build a relationship on. I get it.”

  “Please, don’t give up on her.” Rachel’s eyes glistened. “She’s worth it.”

  Thayer sobbed a breath, wiping at her eyes again. “I know.” She whispered and smiled sadly. “You’ll take care of her?”

  “Always.” Rachel returned her smile. “And knock some sense into her.”

  Thayer nodded. “I have to get back to work.”

  “I’ll be in touch.”

  “Thank you.” Thayer gripped her arm briefly and was gone.

  Corey stared hopefully at the door when it opened again. Her face fell when she saw Rachel.

  “She’s gone. Just like you asked.”

  Corey tore her gaze away and stared out the window again.

  Rachel sat down. “You okay?”

  Corey simply nodded, her eyes growing heavy from the sedative.

  Rachel considered a moment. “She’s falling in love with you.”

  Corey’s eyes snapped to hers. “What?”

  Rachel shrugged. “You heard me.”

  Corey frowned and shifted on the bed. “Not with this me.”

  “With every you, you fucking idiot.” Rachel pinned her with a look. “I can’t even believe I, who has never had a relationship longer than two months, have to explain this to you. Corey, what I said last week about why people want to be with you, be around you, that quality you have is in no way lessened by this. If anything it’s heightened. You are a fucking rock star. You should hear how the girls talk about—”

  “Don’t. Just stop.”

  “Seriously, you’d think you were dying or something. You broke your arm, busted a few ribs and banged your head. It’s a fender bender. It’s a rugby match. Fighters suffer worse in the ring.”

  “Fuck you, Rachel.”

  “Jesus Christ.” Rachel sighed. “You really are feeling sorry for yourself, aren’t you?”

  “What do you want from me?”

  “Who gives a shit what I want?” Rachel stood. “It’s what you want that matters. To get better? To get back in shape? To beat me again? To get back to work? To get the girl? Name me one hero who doesn’t have someone looking out for them? Pepper Potts, Peggy Carter, Lois Lane, Gwen Stacey. I could go on. And I might add, they are all amazing, beautiful, accomplished women in their own right and Agent Carter should never have been canceled, by the way.”

  “That makes no sense, Rachel.” She rolled heavy-lidded eyes to her. “I’m not Iron Man.”

  “Well, okay,” Rachel conceded with a grin. “But he is a deeply flawed, selfish asshole, too.”

  Corey blinked sluggishly as her words registered and her mouth quirked into the beginnings of a smile. “You’re an asshole.”

  “And proud of it,” Rachel said and then grew serious. “Thayer is a spectacular woman. The real deal, although possibly out of her mind because she wants you. Is this really how you want things to go?”

  Corey’s tears flowed freely now, her heart aching. “I can’t have the most intimate moment we’ve shared be her cleaning up after me, helping me get dressed, or wiping up my puke. Our first shower together isn’t supposed to be because I can’t wash my own hair. I can’t do it, Rachel. I won’t.”

  “Okay, Corey.” Rachel nodded. “I get it. I do.”

  “Will you just take me home tomorrow, please?” Her eyes drooped.

  “I’ll be here.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “Jesus, finally.” Corey eased herself off the bed when Rachel banged back into the room with the wheelchair. “What took so fucking long?”

  Rachel had shown up just after noon with clothes and shoes for her and disappeared to the main desk to go over Corey’s instructions, pick up her meds, and get her discharged. It was now after three and Rachel looked just as annoyed as Corey felt. The most exciting thing that had happened to her all morning was Deb coming in to remove the sutures from the back of her head, the ones Thayer had put in a lifetime ago.

  “Don’t even start,” Rachel grumbled. “I think it would have been easier to break you out of jail than what I just went through. The paperwork was ridiculous and then I had to wait at the pharmacy and then—you know what—I don’t even want to relive it.” She backed the wheelchair up and put the brakes on. She helped herself to water off the bedside table while Corey lowered herself into the chair. “You have everything?”

  Corey had a plastic bag with the Get Well cards and the rainbow mug in her lap. The magazines had already been redistributed to the other patients on the floor. Her gaze lingered on the flowers Thayer had brought her, which looked lovely in the afternoon sun. Corey’s heart lurched, imagining Thayer carefully choosing each one just for her. “Yeah, I have everything.”

  “All right. Let’s roll.” Rachel grinned, released the brakes and immediately crashed Corey into the doorframe. “Shit.”

  “Come on, man,” Corey grunted as her sore ribs jarred.

  “Sorry. Sorry.”

  Thayer had a pretty good view of the main hospital entrance from the ED ambulance bay as she leaned in the doorway and watched Rachel push Corey out to the parking lot from a hundred yards away. It was like Corey had taken a restraining order out on her, and she was abs
olutely not going to violate it.

  “Brought you a good coffee.” Dana held out a fresh cup.

  “Thank you.” Thayer took it, her eyes never leaving the parking lot.

  Dana followed her gaze. “You didn’t want to be there?”

  “She didn’t want me there.” Thayer sighed. “Or anywhere, I guess.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Time and space.” Thayer shrugged. “She wants me to back off, so I am. I did.”

  “She doesn’t really want that. You know that, right?”

  “Maybe, but she’s going to have to figure that out on her own. She knows how to find me and I’m not going anywhere.” Thayer took a sip of her coffee. “But I’m not going to crowd her.”

  “How long are you going to wait?”

  Thayer laughed. “I’m not looking for another relationship. I wasn’t looking for a relationship with her. Well, I guess I did literally go looking for her, but I had no idea what was going to happen—if you can even call it a relationship. I don’t even think we got that far. I’ve got my job and the house and Nana to visit. I’m going to be fine.”

  “Doesn’t make it hurt less, though.” Dana placed a hand on her arm.

  “No.” Thayer sucked in a breath. “No, it doesn’t.”

  “So, I guess that explains why your name is on the board for every other shift.”

  Thayer smiled thinly. “Working helps keep me from getting stuck in my head wondering what I could have done differently. It’s silly, I know. I mean we hardly know each other. I just thought…” She studied her coffee.

  “You thought right,” Dana said firmly. “I could see it and she will too. And if she doesn’t, she’s a damn fool. And Corey Curtis may be a lot of things, but a fool, she is not.”

  Thayer smiled genuinely at her. “Thanks, Dana. You’re a good friend.”

  “I know. Now, get back to work.” She thrust a chart at her. “There’s a sixteen-year-old girl obviously close to term, complaining of back and abdominal pain and her mother is insisting she’s never had sex.”