by Toni Shiloh
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Chapter Seventeen
Trinity couldn’t focus. Ever since Omar had left the fire station, her mind had been a mess. Was he okay? Was the fire serious? Normally he’d text her throughout the day and tell her about the calls they got. This was different. She’d actually heard the alarm go off for the fire. An actual fire. Not a cat stuck up a tree or someone in need of an EMS. He’d been called to put out a fire.
Why was her stomach churning like a stormy sea? This wasn’t Omar’s first fire and certainly wouldn’t be his last. But this was the first fire he’d been called to since they’d been married. Once more, marriage took something that was a simple fact and added layers of complications.
Lord, please, please keep Omar and the rest of the guys safe. Please bring Omar home to us.
She tapped her lip as she paced around the living room.
“Mommy, color.” Faith frowned and pointed to the black-and-white sheet on the coffee table.
Joy sat next to Faith already scribbling away on her paper.
“Sorry, sweetie. I was thinking.”
“No think. Color.”
Trinity chuckled and sat on the floor, picking up a crayon. The girls loved making crafts or simply coloring in the afternoon. She thought it would be a good idea for them to each color a picture for Omar to hang in his work locker. Only she couldn’t keep her mind from seeing him rush out of the station.
She outlined the rose petals on her sheet and filled the space in with a red crayon. If Trinity couldn’t clear her mind, at least she could keep her hands occupied instead of gripping her cell phone and willing it to ring. Omar would let her know how he was as soon as he was able.
Lord, please just make it sooner rather than later.
Her skin tingled with apprehension as if ants marched up and down her arms, intent on torturing her. A knock sounded and she jumped, laying a hand over her heart. “Oh, that scared me.”
Joy giggled.
“Funny, huh?”
She nodded and Trinity stood. “Be right back.”
A look through the peephole showed her mother, so Trinity opened the door and gestured for her to come in. “Hey, Mama. What are you up to today?”
“I’m driving up to Waco and wanted to know if you and the girls could come along.”
She bit her lip. She’d hate to leave without hearing from Omar but obviously coloring wasn’t keeping her well-enough occupied. “I suppose so.”
“Don’t sound too enthused.” Her mother propped her hands on her hips, hurt furrowing her brow.
“Sorry, Mama. I was just thinking about Omar.” She told her about the fire and the worry clawing at her, just not in those exact words.
“Oh, sweetie. Waiting is always terrible. Come with me. A little shopping will get your mind off things and release some of that stress.”
Maybe she was right. Trinity nodded. “Okay.”
“Go on and grab the girls’ stuff, so we can hop to it.”
“Right.” Trinity clapped her hands. “Girls, let’s clean up our mess. We’re going to hang out with Grandma today.”
Faith’s bottom lip poked out. “But I not finished.”
“Let her finish, Trinity. I can wait a little bit.”
Faith beamed and bent over her picture, tongue poked out in concentration.
Another knock sounded on the door.
“We’re never this busy.” She opened the door and her stomach dropped to her toes.
“Trinity.” Rider licked his lips, a look of hesitation on his face. “You wanna come out on the porch and talk?”
There wasn’t a trace of soot or grime on him. He looked impeccable in his Bluebonnet FD uniform. So why did her brain sound an alert of alarm?
“No.” Her heart thudded in her ears as she gripped the doorknob. How was she supposed to hear what he had to say if the roar in her ears didn’t dull? She drew in a shaky breath. “Where’s Omar?”
“Trinity, you don’t want the girls to hear this.”
His words were like ice water, and she snapped out of the coma-like trance seeing him had put her in. She stepped out onto the porch, shutting the door behind her.
“Where is he, Rider?”
“He’s at the hospital. He was injured.”
“But he’s a-alive?” Her heart froze as if waiting to beat with a positive response.
“Yes, ma’am.”
A whoosh of air left her lips as her knees trembled. “What happened?”
“Ceiling caved in and trapped him underneath it.”
Oh no. She covered her mouth, begging the contents of her stomach to stay in. Fighting for composure, she looked Rider right in the eyes. “How bad is he hurt?”
“When I left, they were treating him for smoke inhalation, broken ribs and possible punctured lung.”
Her breath frayed at his pronouncement. “Did he get burned?”
“No.”
A tear slipped down her face. Trinity wrapped her arms around her waist as she tried to form a coherent thought. What she wanted more desperately than anything was for Rider to be wrong. “Oh, Omar.”
“I came to bring you up to the hospital.”
“Thank you. I just have to tell my mom.” She gestured blindly toward the door.
“Take a deep breath, Trinity.”
She inhaled. Exhaled. Repeated the deep breaths until the panic receded to functional levels. “I’ll be right back.”
Rider nodded. “I’ll be out here waiting.”
“Thank you,” she murmured.
She hurried inside to grab her purse from the entry table.
“What’s going on?” Her mother stopped by her side, laying a hand on Trinity’s shoulder.
“Omar’s been injured,” she whispered. A quick peek at the girls told her they were oblivious to the turmoil. She turned toward her mom. “Could you watch Faith and Joy for me?”
“Of course.” Her mom’s brow furrowed. “I’ll call the prayer chain.”
“Thank you. Could you call Rock too?” At her mom’s nod, Trinity continued, “I don’t know how long I’ll be.” Or what would happen once she hit the hospital.
His list of injuries sounded awful. She bit her lip, exhaling a shaky breath.
“Did Rider say how bad the injuries are?”
She gulped. “He said he may have a punctured lung.”
“Lord, have mercy,” her mother whispered, covering her mouth with her hand. “Update me as soon as you can.”
“I will.” She wrapped her arms around her mom, savoring the comfort that only a mother could provide. “Thank you, Mama.”
“Anytime, sweetie. Go take care of your husband.”
Trinity rushed out of the door and followed Rider to his truck. Her hands shook as she struggled to get her seat belt on.
“Breathe, Trinity. Young will be okay. He’s the toughest man I know. Plenty stubborn.” He winked.
“I appreciate that.” If Rider thought Omar would be okay, maybe it would be true. Maybe all the thoughts inside her brain were just magnified because she hadn’t seen him yet.
“Sure thing. Now that you and Young are hitched, we’ve got your back. Firefighters take care of their own.”
A strained laugh eased out of her. Her mind raced a million miles as she tried to brace herself. She was sure she’d fall apart once she saw Omar in that hospital bed.
Lord God, please don’t let me. I need to be strong for him.
She took a calming breath and glanced at Rider. “Did you see him?”
“I did.” Rider glanced at her before looking back at the road.
“Could you paint me a clear picture, so I won’t be shocked when I walk in there?” Her hands twisted in her lap.
Rider hesitated a moment. “Uh, s
ure. He was covered in ash earlier, but I’m sure they’ve cleaned him up by now. He had some scratches, but the worst areas are the things you can’t see—the lung and the ribs.”
She didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. “Okay. Tubes?”
“Oxygen one and standard IV was all I saw. Try not to worry.”
“Kind of hard not to when you say my husband could have a punctured lung.” Her stomach dipped. That sounded so awful.
Her husband was lying in a hospital bed right now. Not just her best friend, but husband. The man she’d pledged her life to, and the one who had wormed his way into her heart in unexpected ways.
Why is this happening, Lord? I just don’t understand it.
They’d been through so many little ups and downs in their short month of marriage. Her brain couldn’t wrap around the fact that Omar was injured. She still didn’t feel recovered from marrying Omar. She’d gone from not wanting to depend on any man to having to marry for the sake of insurance. And now...
Now she depended on Omar for a lot more than insurance for her insulin. The companionship, doing life together on a daily basis. As for her heart...she didn’t want to examine the romantic feelings she’d been feeling lately.
What if his injuries were more serious than Rider was telling her? What if he suffered from complications? What would she do? How could she live a life without Omar?
Her breath hitched and tears pricked her eyes. Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry. She needed to stay strong. Her mama always said “don’t borrow trouble” and surely thinking worst-case scenarios was doing so.
Lord, silence my mind and calm my heart. I place Omar in Your hands. I can’t control what happens. But I ask that You heal him this side of heaven. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
* * *
A whooshing sound and an incessant beeping noise penetrated the haze surrounding Omar. He shifted, wincing at the sharp pain in his chest. Why did his upper body feel like an anvil had been dropped on him? Poor Wile E. Coyote.
His eyes fluttered as memories assaulted him. He’d been trapped. Pinned by a roof and surrounded by fire. Couldn’t even breathe. Come to think of it, sucking in air still hurt. He opened his eyes and grimaced at the bright light.
A hospital.
He had to be in one. Why did they feel the need to blind people? You’d think they’d dim the light when a patient was sleeping. He squinted up at the ceiling, taking inventory of his senses. He could feel his fingers, move his toes. Just couldn’t breathe too well, albeit, better than before.
“You’re awake.”
The soft whisper was like the sweetest symphony. Slowly, he turned his head. Trinity.
Concern etched lines into her forehead and worry lines curved around her lips.
“Hey, beautiful.”
Her lips tipped into a crooked smile and those dimples peeked at him. “Beautiful, huh? They must have you on some good painkillers.” Her breath shuddered out and her voice lowered. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Do you need some ice chips? Should I call a nurse?”
“No,” he rasped as dryness clawed at his throat. “What day is it?”
“Tuesday.”
He’d missed a whole day? “What’s wrong—” His breath shuddered. He battled against the pain as he drew in another breath.
“Shh.” Trinity placed a finger on his lips. “You’ve got a broken rib, a punctured lung, some smoke inhalation and a bruised body. Just rest. There’s no need to talk.”
But there was. He needed to tell her how he felt lying beneath part of the ceiling, thinking he wouldn’t see tomorrow. Wouldn’t see her.
“Trinity.” He gasped as the sharpness dug deep. Maybe she was right. Surely, she wasn’t going anywhere. His eyes widened. “The girls?”
“My mom’s watching them.”
He sank back into the hospital bed. He hated feeling so weak but trying to talk even that little bit had taken a lot out of him.
Thank You, Lord, for giving me another day on this earth. If I wasn’t so tired, I’d throw a fist in the air.
He sighed as Trinity stroked his head. She’d never been this demonstrative before. Then again, this was the first time he’d been laid up in a hospital bed. His eyelids fluttered as her movements continued to soothe him.
“Stay?” he whispered.
“I haven’t left yet.”
His lips twitched into a smile, quickly turning to a frown as another wave of pain hit. He wanted to thank her. Wanted to tell her how much she enriched his life. Only his eyelids grew heavy with each stroke of her hand.
Tomorrow.
He’d tell her how he felt and how glad he was they married. Maybe she’d even bring the girls to see him. They had to be worried, but now wasn’t the time to figure all of that out.
Tomorrow.
Chapter Eighteen
Trinity stretched her arms into the air, thankful it was morning. She didn’t know who the hospital thought they were fooling, but the couch-bed combo in Omar’s room was not comfortable. It was akin to lying on a slab of concrete. Every muscle screamed in protest as she sought to stretch them.
As much as she wanted to stay with Omar and comfort him, she might have to pass on another overnight stay. Her body was too old for a third night on the couch and too weary from the events that had brought them here. She stood, wincing as her body’s cracks and pops mimicked a famous breakfast cereal.
She peered at Omar resting in the hospital bed. His dark lashes fanned his face and a look of peacefulness rested on him. He’d been pretty moody and restless last night until the doctor prescribed a different narcotic. Now pain was absent from his features. She hoped his sleep had been better than hers.
Moving to stand by his side, Trinity listened to the symphony of the machines in the room.
Lord, I could have lost him. A lump grew in her throat as she remembered Rider knocking on her door. Thank You so much for saving him and keeping the others safe as well. It’s a blessing no one else was injured, not even the homeowner. Thank You, Jesus.
She bit her lip. I know You created Omar to protect others. He’s been doing it since childhood, but yesterday was a bit much for me. Tears pricked her eyes as her breath shuddered out.
All this time, she had been guarding her heart, but it had all been for naught. She loved Omar. Loved him with every beat her heart took. Yesterday had shown her how much when she thought about the possibility of him not surviving his injuries. And even though her mind calmed now that she admitted it, fear encased her, shrouded her thoughts and had her wishing for cover.
What if Omar didn’t return her love? What if she told him and he rejected her? She’d promised him that if he said I love you she would take it as friendship and nothing more. But she wanted more. Wanted to be able to spill out her feelings and have him return them. To cherish her. To choose her.
Tears threatened to spill over. Marrying him had seemed so simple. Live in his guest bedroom. Get health insurance to ensure her diabetes remained in control. All while taking care of the girls when Omar worked. Not once had she thought her heart would get so firmly involved that what had been so straightforward would become more tangled than barbed wire.
Omar would always be her best friend, but not being able to claim him as a true husband—the thought was unfathomable. A tear slipped down her face and she swiped at it.
When she’d texted her mom with the first update, Trinity had asked her to simply tell the girls Omar and she would be back in a couple of days. She hoped that would remain the case. When would the doctor make his rounds today? Was Omar healthy enough to come home?
Trinity needed a long, hot shower and a change of clothes. She couldn’t go a third day in the same ones, which meant she’d have to go home and face those precious children and let them know their father had gotten hurt. How did you tell little kids that?
; Would they understand?
Would they fear he wouldn’t come back like their mother and grandmother?
She groaned, rubbing the center of her forehead. Another round of aspirin should take the ache away and help push back the beginnings of another headache. Too bad it wouldn’t ease the tension in her neck or the knots from her shoulders.
Or the pain in her heart.
The door pushed open and a nurse entered.
“Good morning, Mrs. Young.” The nurse spoke just above a whisper. “How’d you sleep?”
“I slept.” Trinity sent a discreet look at her badge. Last night had been a blur, and she couldn’t remember what the lady’s name was. The badge read Jen.
Jen smiled. “And Mr. Young?”
“Peaceful now.” Trinity motioned to the bed. “The pain meds really helped.”
“That’s exactly what we want to hear. I’ll be doing vitals before I get off shift. Do you need anything?”
“Oh, no. I’m probably going to leave soon and get a change of clothes. Do you know what time the doctor will make his rounds?”
“Probably around nine, nine thirty.” Jen laid the stethoscope on Omar’s chest.
“How’s his breathing sound?”
“Much better. Not as labored.”
Thank You, Lord. “Do you think the doctor will release him today?”
“I’m betting your guy will be here for a couple of more days.”
Trinity nodded, not knowing what else to say. Disappointment cloaked her, but at the same time, she wanted him healthy. Whole.
The nurse rested her hands on the bed rail. “If you want to go home and freshen up before coming back, shift change is the best time to do it. Plus, it’ll give Mr. Young more time to rest.”
“Okay. I’ll do that, then.” A good teeth brushing and shower would make a world of difference.
A low moan filled the room. Trinity moved to Omar’s side, brushing a hand down the top of his head as his eyes fluttered. A machine beeped.
“I think he’s due for more pain meds.” Jen checked the computer. “Yep. Be right back.”