Snapshot (The Jamieson Collection)

by Angie Stanton

  The nurse glanced at Marti with sympathetic eyes. “I’ll see what I can do to find out where he is. And who is this?” She referred to Adam.

  “This is my boyfriend.”

  Adam could swear Marti blushed behind her soot-smeared face. “Adam Jamieson.”

  The nurse smiled. “You sure are connected to some famous musicians.”

  Marti grinned.

  “We’re going to take you for some x-rays. Perhaps Adam should leave the room while I ask you some personal questions.”

  “No, it’s okay.”

  “We’re going to do a chest x-ray. Is there any chance you’re pregnant?” The nurse spoke softly as if she didn’t want to embarrass her.

  Marti swallowed and locked eyes with him. He waited to see how she’d respond. She looked down and twisted the blanket. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  The nurse glanced up, surprised. “I see. When was your last menstrual cycle?”

  “That’s just it. I’m not exactly sure. At least five weeks ago, but I’m never regular.”

  “Alright, why don’t you sit tight, and I’ll be back in a minute.”

  The second the nurse left, Adam joined Marti and took her hand. “I guess we’re gonna find out once and for all.” His chest tightened. He prayed she wouldn’t be pregnant. His life would be changed forever if she was, and he knew he wasn’t ready for a baby.

  “I’m afraid,” she said, and he wished he could protect her from more devastating news. She didn’t need anything else in her life to go wrong.

  “I know. Me too.”

  The nurse returned along with a woman who carried a caddy full of tubes and bottles. “I’m going to draw some blood panels,” the lab technician said.

  Adam squeezed Marti’s hand and stepped away while the woman drew several tubes of blood.

  “There you go. All done.” She labeled the last tube and removed her latex gloves.

  “Marti, let’s get you cleaned up and into something more comfortable while we’re waiting for your lab results. Adam, we have waiting areas around the corner. Actually, you should go to the Bel Air Room. It’s a private waiting area, where you won’t be disturbed.”

  He understood. Cedars Sinai was known as the celebrity hospital, and the staff knew how to handle high-profile patients better than anyone. Adam wasn’t a patient, but he didn’t need to deal with strangers knowing he was there.

  “Okay, I’ll be nearby. Come get me when you’re ready.” He gave Marti’s hand another squeeze. “Oh wait, I should get a picture of you like this! You know, for posterity.”

  “Yeah, that’ll be one for the record books. Oh no, my cameras burned up in the fire! All my stuff is gone! My cameras and laptop and all my pictures. Oh God, and Kahlua! I threw her off the balcony!” The look on her face broke his heart as she realized the extent of her losses.

  “It’s okay. You’re not gone. That’s all that counts.” Adam pulled out his camera and snapped her picture, capturing her haunted look.

  She pulled the oxygen mask back over her face and leaned her head back against the pillow, defeat in her eyes.

  The nurse ushered him to the private waiting room, which looked like someone’s living room with lots of comfortable couches, a flat screen TV, DVDs and a counter with coffee as well as a fridge packed with snacks. He thought about all that had happened, how he quit the band and left his family high and dry, and how close he came to losing Marti. He didn’t know what happened to her dad yet, but it sounded like he was accounted for.

  The mansion was destroyed so neither Marti nor her dad had a home anymore. Where would Marti go? How would she live? Her dad was supposed to go on tour in a couple of months. Where would that leave Marti?

  He pulled out his phone and turned it on. He’d been avoiding his family. He could only deal with one crisis at a time. He brought up his contacts and pressed call. Even though it was the middle of the night in New York, the phone only rang twice before it was answered.

  “Adam, where are you?”

  “Mom, I’m at Cedars Sinai. I really need your help.”

  Chapter 23

  Marti adjusted the blanket across her lap. She felt half human again after washing off the stinky filth. The nurse had to help her put on a hospital gown. She fell into bed, weak as a newborn kitten.

  The curtain opened, and Adam peeked in. “Hi!” He rewarded her with his adorable smile that always made her feel giddy down to her toes.

  “You look great!” He took her dewy hand and kissed it.

  “I washed my hair three times to get it clean.” She didn’t mention that she also needed to sit on a shower chair because she had coughed so much she felt dizzy.

  He lifted a lock of her hair and inhaled. “I think it still has a hint of eau de camp fire.”

  A doctor pulled back the curtain and entered. “The smell is going to last for a while. You inhaled enough smoke that it’ll take some time to work out of your system.”

  Adam released her hand.

  The doctor focused on Marti. “Would you like your friend to step out while we discuss your test results?”

  Marti glanced quick at Adam. “No, he should hear them too.” She felt her face heat in shame.

  “Very well. Your pregnancy test came back negative.”

  She searched the doctor’s face. Was that good or bad? She thought negative meant good news, that she wasn’t pregnant, but she wasn’t sure.

  The doctor read her confused expression. “You are not pregnant.” He didn’t act judgmental, and Marti appreciated it.

  “Thank god! That is so great.” She fought the urge to leap out of bed and cheer. Adam let out a sigh.

  “Yes, it is,” the doctor agreed. “With that said, I recommend you see your regular physician about birth control. Now, let’s get you in for a chest x-ray to make sure your lungs are clear. You appear to be doing well, all things considered. I’m going to keep you on an I.V. drip overnight, and we’ll be monitoring your oxygen levels. I’ll check on you again in the morning, and we’ll take it from there.”

  “Thank you, so much.” Marti couldn’t have heard better news. She felt lighter than air with this huge weight off her shoulders. The doctor left and she grinned at Adam. Everything would be okay. They would be okay.

  “You’re not pregnant!” he whispered. His face lit up like a Christmas tree. He pulled her into his arms. “I love you so much!”

  “I love you, too.” She whispered in his ear. They were getting a fresh slate. Her stupid decisions hadn’t ruined her life. She and Adam wouldn’t have to deal with the horrors of teen pregnancy. She reached for his face. Everything about him was perfect. He leaned back, and she touched his hair. “It’s growing. It’s starting to curl.”

  “You’re funny.” He shook his head. The amber-colored flecks in his eyes seemed to glow as he smiled at her.

  “Your hair is so cute! I can’t wait until it’s longer and I can curl it around my fingers.” She ran her hands over the soft brown strands.

  They heard a commotion outside her room

  “I know she’s here, so either you tell me where, or I’ll barge into every room!”

  “I think that’s my dad!” She looked at Adam in surprise. “Dad?” She sat up and called out, even though it hurt her throat.

  “Martini! Where are you, baby?” he hollered back.

  Marti grinned at Adam. “I’m in here!” She started to get out of bed.

  “Whoa! Slow down there. You’re hooked up to an I.V.” Adam stopped her before she took off, but she perched with her legs dangling over the side.

  The curtain swooshed open and there stood her dad in a hospital gown, bandages on his legs and a cast on his left arm. He took one look at Marti and started to cry.

  “Mr. Hunter, you need to get in the wheelchair. You shouldn’t be walking,” a flustered nurse, with a wheelchair beside her, chided.

  Adam retreated to a corner of the room to allow space for her dad.

  “Dad, don’t cry.�
� Marti had never seen him so emotional. His tears proved he truly cared about her.

  He hobbled forward. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” He cupped her face between his hands. She noticed areas of his trademark hair were singed off.

  “I inhaled a lot of smoke, but I’m fine.”

  “Thank God.” He pulled her into a hug. “I was so scared. I couldn’t find you. I thought something terrible had happened. I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

  She hugged him with all her might. He was far from perfect, but he wasn’t a bad person. He was practically the only family she had left.

  “It’s okay, Dad. I’m fine. I’m so glad you’re okay. They said you were safe, but I wasn’t sure.” Her eyes welled up, and she brushed away a tear.

  “Mr. Hunter. I insist you sit down. You are on strong narcotics, and it’s not safe for you to be up and about.”

  “Fine. But we’re not leaving until I say so!” He relented and sat, sighing as they carefully placed his feet on the foot pads.

  “What happened?” Marti asked, looking at the thick bandages wrapped around each leg.

  “I couldn’t find you. No one could. I didn’t know where you were, and I didn’t trust anyone else to find you, so I went to look myself. I thought you might be trapped in the music room. It turns out that’s where the fire started and I ran into some trouble.” He held out the cast on his arm as evidence.

  “Are you okay?” She noticed scratches on his face and bruises on his other arm.

  “Oh yeah, just some minor burns. You can’t keep a Hunter down.” He winked. “Plus, they’ve got me on some awesome drugs!” He grabbed the arm rests and swayed in the wheelchair for effect. The nurse rolled her eyes.

  He noticed Adam for the first time. Adam had stepped back and quietly observed their reunion.

  “Who’s this? I didn’t know you had any friends in LA yet.” He cocked his head and gave Adam the onceover.

  Marti smiled at Adam. “Dad, this is my boyfriend… ”

  Adam held out his hand. “Adam Jamieson, sir. Nice to meet you.”

  The two shook hands. “So, you’re dating my daughter?” he asked in a stern, fatherly way, which embarrassed her, but also made her feel warm and safe. He didn’t indicate if he recognized Adam’s famous name or not.

  “Yes, sir,” Adam said, and Marti wanted to kiss his face all over for how politely he was treating her injured father.

  “Hmm.” Her father contemplated Adam for a minute. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but it must be difficult to play guitar with a cast on your left arm.” His eyes twinkled.

  Adam grinned ear to ear. “Yes, sir, it is. Unless you have your arm recast in a specific position.”

  Her dad nodded. “You’re a very talented kid. I like your stuff.”

  “Thank you, sir. That means a lot coming from you. You’re the best.”

  Her dad puffed up and turned on the charm. “I like you! Not sure how I feel about my daughter dating a musician, but you seem like a good kid. Let me warn you. Don’t you dare do anything to hurt my girl.”

  “No sir, I won’t.” Adam looked at Marti with love in his eyes.

  “And call me Steven. ‘Sir’ makes me sound old, like I should be wearing a business suit and not a hospital gown that shows off all my assets.” He laughed at his joke.

  “Thank you. I will. Steven,” Adam added, his eyes dancing with excitement. Marti couldn’t get over seeing her boyfriend and her dad together, both talented guitarists from different generations. She beamed.

  Marti’s nurse returned with a wheelchair. “My, my, we have quite the party going on. Marti, we have a room for you now.”

  “Mr. Hunter, it’s time we get you back to your room as well,” his nurse said, seemingly tired of his antics.

  “You ladies just don’t know how to have a good time. But I could show you one, if you’re interested,” her dad joked, and the nurses shook their heads and tried to hide their laughter. “Marti, I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said.

  “Goodnight, Dad.” She waved as his nurse wheeled him away. He wasn’t gone two seconds and they heard him singing.

  “Oh my god. He’s a riot!” Adam laughed.

  “He’s also stoned out of his mind on painkillers.” Even so, her world had became so much better now that she knew he was okay.

  Marti’s nurse set the wheelchair next to the bed. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes, but can Adam come too?”

  Adam offered the nurse his best “pleading teenager” look.

  The nurse waffled. “It’s awfully late. Perhaps he should get home,” she suggested.

  “He doesn’t live here, and he doesn’t have any place to stay. We could go ask my dad if you want,” Marti offered with a devious grin. She figured the hospital staff would rather not deal with her dad any more tonight.

  “No. I think we should let your father rest. I guess I don’t see it as a problem. Your father has you in the VIP wing. I think you’ll find plenty of space there for both of you and lots of supervision with nurses monitoring you all night.”

  “Thank you,” Marti said, as the nurse wheeled her away. She couldn’t imagine not having Adam by her side right now.

  * * *

  The next morning, Marti woke curled up beside Adam. He started out sleeping on the sofa, but she insisted he crawl in with her. She needed to feel the security of his presence. After one scolding by a shift nurse, who thought two teenagers shouldn’t snuggle in a hospital bed, they were left alone. She slept great with him next to her.

  “Good morning,” he said.

  “Good morning.” She smiled into his delicious brown eyes.

  “How do you feel?” He caressed her arm.

  She felt a lot better. “Good.”

  “I can’t believe how close I came to losing you.” He pulled the blanket up a little higher and kissed her. “Your breath smells like a campfire,” he teased.

  Marty pouted. But she had to admit that campfire breath was pretty funny.

  The nursing shift changed, and the doctor came through on rounds, rousing Adam from her side. Her lungs were clearing, and her oxygen levels had returned to normal range. The doctor gave Marti the thumbs up. She was free to leave whenever arrangements were made.

  Instead of feeling relief and happiness, Marti creased her brow and frowned.

  “What’s the matter? You look so sad.” Adam sat on the bed after the doctor left.

  She studied the pattern on the blanket, contemplating her words and, finally, looked up. “I don’t have anywhere to go,” she whispered, as tears watered her eyes.

  Adam held her hand, which helped anchor her emotions. “I don’t even have clothes to wear when I leave the hospital.” She looked around the room. “I can’t even say I have the clothes on my back.”

  He caressed her hand with his thumb. “We’ll get you new stuff. We’ll figure out what to do next. It’ll take time.” His eyes were so wide and loving and willing to do anything for her.

  “I know it will, but that doesn’t help the fact that I’m homeless, penniless and practically an orphan. My camera equipment is gone, and so is my laptop with every picture I ever took, my grandma’s wedding brooch, and the picture of me and Grandma.”

  She swiped away a tear. The more Marti thought about it, the more she realized how much she had lost. They were only things, but when she suddenly didn’t have them, it became a big deal. She didn’t even own a pair of flip flops anymore.

  Adam rubbed her leg. It helped a little, but not enough.

  “And I lost Kahlua!” she cried and covered her face.

  “I know. I’m sorry.” He wrapped her in his arms.

  She buried her face in his chest. “I didn’t think I’d get out, and I didn’t want her to die too, so I threw her toward a tree. I don’t know if she lived or died, and if she did live, I’ll never find her again.” Her tears soaked his t-shirt. “I don’t have anybody left.”

  “You have me. I know I’m not the s
ame as your cat, but if you scratch behind my ears, I’ll try to purr.” He tipped her face up and kissed her sweetly on the mouth. She loved the familiar feel of his lips on hers. She always felt safe with Adam, and he helped her relax and not feel quite as bad.

  She sighed against his dampened shirt. He tucked her head under his chin. “What am I going to do? I mean really? Where am I going to stay tonight?”

  “You’ll stay with me. I don’t know where yet, but I’m sure there’s a hotel I can get us into.”

  She smiled at the implication of being alone with Adam in a hotel room. “Okay, that’s fine, but what about when you leave? I can’t go back to Wisconsin. I should be starting school next week, but I no longer have a home. I don’t even have a school anymore. Do I not go? Do I drop out?”

  He leaned back against her pillow. “No, you don’t drop out! Slow down. You don’t need to have answers to everything all at once. One thing at a time.”

  “Easy for you to say.” She rested her head on his shoulder. Safe for the moment, but what hell storm would start next?

  “I know what will help!”

  “What?” She didn’t have the energy to feign curiosity.

  “Let’s go see your dad. If nothing else, he’s good for a few laughs.” Adam squeezed her shoulder and kissed her temple.

  She couldn’t hold back the reluctant smile. Her dad was a character, never a dull moment with that man.

  “Okay.”

  * * *

  “Martini! Baby, come on in! Hey, Adam, wuz up!” Her dad welcomed them.

  “Hi Steven, you’re looking good today,” Adam said.

  “Couldn’t be happier. I’m alive, Martini’s alive, what else could a person want?”

  Adam grinned at Marti with a sideways glance.

  “Hi Dad. How are you feeling?” She approached his bed. His legs were wrapped in fresh gauze. She noticed the TV tuned to a news channel.

  “I’m high as a kite!”

  Marti laughed and pulled a chair up next to his bed. “I’m glad you’re so happy.”

  A soft knock sounded on the door.

  “It’s been a revolving door through here all morning. Come in,” her dad called.