Kyle had been nasty to me and I was crying again. It was not the first time he had been nasty, but he had not been this violent. I cringed against my mother crying loudly. Sobs wretched up from my gut uncontrollably; causing me to hyperventilate. I curled into a ball at my mother’s lap. She continued to hold me, smooth my hair and whisper sweet words. I felt weak for having trusted Kyle and risking myself. I felt weak for trusting my mom right now to comfort me.
I remembered the feeling of Kyle’s forceful hands on me and loathed myself. His words had never hurt nearly as much as remembering his actions. I questioned how he could treat me like a stranger when he thought he loved me. “Love” right. The word was thrown around too easily. My dad’s love for me, that was real. You don’t abandon the people you love whether it be physically or emotionally.
“Should you call her mom and dad?” I heard Reed ask Maggie.
“Not yet… it’s complicated. I know she wouldn’t want me to.”
“Her family should know though…” His voice trails off again and I can’t keep hold on it. Maggie is absolutely right. I do not want them to call my dad (unfortunately, my mom is not there to call.)
Again, my eyes roll around, but refuse to open without pain. The light that seeps through my lids is overly bright. I can feel a pinch in my arm and the words dehydration and pain medication mumble from a foreign voice. I can’t even squirm at the acute pain in my arm. I feel lips kiss my other hand and graze my knuckles. Horror crosses my mind at the thought of it being Kyle. Then I hear a familiar voice in my ear.
“Katherine, I know you can hear me. You’re safe now. God, I’m so sorry.” It is Reed’s voice and I instantly feel my body become liquid again. I willingly let the sleep come and take me into the darkness.
I hugged my old shriveled up blanket closer and used it to wipe tears from my face. I didn’t want to move even a fraction afraid the embrace of my mother would be gone too quickly. Eventually she turned us to lie down, but her embrace never wavered. I thought I could lie here with her never really talking for an eternity. I feared talking to her may cause her to leave. She could leave and hurt me again so easily. In this dark fogged scene she wouldn’t though, not until I was ready and I wasn’t ready for this dream to end. She didn’t ask any questions, but continued to shush me and tell me everything would be ok.
A loud metal sound echoes in my ears, but still my body remains still; even the slightest movement brings on the nausea and dizziness. My body is cold especially through my left arm, but I can’t shiver or shake. Again I hear foreign voices asking questions. Both Maggie’s and Reed’s voices are muffled. The words press charges rings through my mind and I fear that Reed is going to leave. Everything is muffled, but I can hear firmness in Reed’s responses.
“I don’t want to press charges,” Reed’s voice is firm and set.
“Grant, you should consider…” A foreign voice trails off in my head, but I beg myself to focus. Grant, who is Grant?
“No, I can’t and won’t be pressing any charges, but Kathr-, I mean Kate will. Well, at least that is what she should do…” Reed continues, but the urge to drift again comes quickly. I drift back into sleep.
I continued to curl into my mom. I searched for warmth, but I felt cold and alone. I didn’t want to open my eyes afraid that she was not there. I needed her. Damn it, I needed her. It had been over a year without her and I had forgotten how great she was at making me feel better. I had missed her tremendously. I missed her cliché quotes that seemed meaningless, but always hovered in the back of my mind. I missed the way she always encouraged me to be stronger. The tears dried tightly on my face causing me to scrunch my nose up. There were no more tears. I felt it was time to face the light again. I whispered quietly against my old pink and white afghan … I miss you mom.
My eyes roll around under my lids and eventually I open them into mere slits. The coldness settles in, but I am comfortable. The pain only lingers in the background. I start to try to wiggle my fingers. One set of fingers feel trapped, but I push through the grip and begin to move them open and close. I can clearly hear Reed tell Maggie to get a nurse that I am awake.
Chapter 26
My eyes open wide at the sight of my arm hooked up to an IV line. That arm is so cold my teeth begin to chatter. Reed is in a chair to my right. He is holding my hand, but releases it once I begin to move. I look over to him without moving my head or the rest of my body and his blue eyes are glassy. Once he sees that my eyes are open he slowly begins to stand. He bends down towards my head and kisses me lightly on my forehead. His soft lips linger there for more than a few moments. It feels sweet and tender. He pushes my hair back and behind my ears for me just how I like it.
Worry hits me hard and I wonder if Reed himself is hurt. I want to ask him, but my throat and mouth are as dry as a dessert. I swallow deep and look for a cup of water.
“Wa-ter,” I croak out roughly.
Reed looks around, but then Maggie and a nurse come in from behind the curtain. Maggie rushes to my side and touches my face softly. Then the nurse comes over to the side of Maggie.
“Hi sweetie, my name is Patricia and I’m your nurse for the rest of the morning. I’m going to check your vitals. You are at Aurora Sinai Medical Center in downtown Milwaukee. Can you tell me your name?”
“Wa-,” I start coughing, “-ter, please.” She reaches over and gives me a cup with ice chips and a spoon. She continues to check my temperature, pulse and blood pressure while I spoon the chips into my dry mouth. As the ice travels down my throat and coats my mouth I’m able to talk.
“My name is Katherine Monroe.” I quickly continue to get the ice chips in afraid she may take them away from me. Reed and Maggie continue to hover next to me just staring. They both look extremely worried. I look back and forth between the two of them for answers.
“Sorry, just the ice chips until the doctor sees you. Katherine, do you know how you got here?” Nurse Patricia asks me.
“Kind of.” My voice is scratchy and rough. I would kill for an actual glass of water. I remember being with Kyle in the room and then Reed coming in, but then my mind goes a little fuzzy. Suddenly an image of my mom flashes through my mind and I flinch slightly because I know that did not happen.
“Is she stable?” Reed quickly interjects.
“Yes, her vitals are good.” Nurse Patricia turns towards me. “You were pretty dehydrated when you got here. It sounds like you lost consciousness from the impact to your head. We’ve been keeping your pain down with Dilaudid. The doctor has ordered a scan of your brain to make sure there are no serious injuries. Radiology will be here shortly to take you down,” Nurse Patricia replies directly and gives Reed a questioning look.
“Can I talk to her alone and explain what happened?” Reed asks Nurse Patricia.
“Ok, as long as Katherine is ok with this, but she needs her rest still and the doctor will be in shortly. Katherine, how is your pain right now?” Her voice is firm, but still had an affectionate tone to it.
“I feel ok, just a little sore. Thank you,” I reply softly. Maggie reaches over to hold my hand. She asks me if I want her to stay and I nod that I do want her to stay. I feel a little confused about everything. Nurse Patricia leaves the E.R. room closing the curtain behind her. I reach to grab more ice chips because my throat and mouth feel dry again. Maggie sits back in a chair to the left of me and Reed sits on the bed near my thighs. He holds my hand rubbing small circles on the top. He looks tired. I wonder how long I have been here.
“How long have I been in here?” Reed and Maggie both glance up at the circular clock on the wall.
“Since about one.” Maggie speaks as she stifles a yawn. She looks a mess. Her massacre is in circles under her eyes. I look up at the clock to see it is about quarter to five. Shit. The darkness seems to have had a hold on me for such a short time, but in reality it has been much longer.
“God, I’m so glad you are awake, Kate.” Reed lets out a breath and genuinely
looks relieved.
“Me too, girlfriend,” Maggie says as she smiles at me.
“What do you remember?” Reed asks me while looking me straight in the eyes. The blue in his eyes is darker than usual, but still beautiful. I turn my head to the side and close my eyes feeling a bit of pain. I try to lift my head slightly and feel a tremendous amount of pain rush to the back of my head. A flash of Kyle punching Reed grazes my mind and I flinch.
“Too much,” I answer as the tears spring my eyes.
“It’s ok, just rest. I’m so sorry. I should have never let you go upstairs without me.” Reed’s words cause my tears to spill down my cheeks.
“Did you call my dad?” I look to Maggie and she shakes her head no.
“No, I didn’t think you would want that right now, but I think maybe we should. He would want to know and help you.” I wince in pain again. My head is throbbing, but my heart strains as I think of the events of the night. Reed moves up to kiss my head and asks how bad the pain is and I just look at him. He buzzes for the nurse and tells her that I am in pain. Patricia comes back with more pain medication and administers it into my IV. She assures Reed that the doctor will be in soon.
Once the pain medication gets into my bloodstream, I can feel the effects immediately. The pain subsides and I feel overwhelmingly tired. I try to keep my eyes open, but I feel a small bout of nausea coming on and sleep feels like my best option. I don’t want to go back into the darkness though.
“It’s ok, you are going to be fine, just sleep and I will be right here. I’m not leaving your side.” I take one last glance up at Reed’s blue eyes and then fall into a light sleep. No darkness.
******
I can hear Reed’s voice and an unfamiliar voice that is stern and almost too loud. I shift my body to the left and move my hands around. I still feel a bit of nausea, but I also feel extremely hungry and thirsty. When I open my eyes, Reed is in a stiff chair right next to me just like he said. I scan part of the room to look for Maggie, but don’t see her. However, there is a cop standing at the end of my bed conversing with Reed. The cop is older maybe in his fifties with some graying hair and a mustache that is well trimmed and also gray. Reed gently rubs my hair away from my face and I lean into his touch. I am not sleeping anymore, but I feel like I need to close my eyes. Besides the hunger and thirst there is still pain throbbing through me.
“Grant, listen the kid is in custody for now, but that’s not going to last. I think you should reconsider pressing charges. I need to get a statement from her and then I guess we can go from there in terms of her pressing charges.” This is the cop talking to Reed, I think, but I don’t know why he is referring to him as Grant. I can’t linger on this for long because the throbbing throughout my body is distracting.
“You know I can’t do that, Larkin. I just don’t want him to harass her or come near her again.” He pauses and I can hear his hands run through his hair. “If I hadn’t walked in sooner…” Again he pauses. “It would have been a lot worse. I should have never agreed to let her talk to him alone. The guy is a loose cannon.” I can hear the pain and regret in his tone. I want to comfort him and tell him it is not his fault, but I’m too weak to move much. I start to fade into sleep again and can only hear part of their conversation. Something about Reed’s dad is mentioned, but I can’t make out what. Reed tells Larkin to come back after I see the doctor.
“Ok, just give me ten and then you can check back in.” The cop agrees and I can hear the curtain shuffle. Reed latches back onto my hand and brings it to his lips. I feel guilty thinking about what I have put Reed through. It doesn’t seem fair to have him tangled up in this mess of mine. I can’t lie I crave him to stay with me though. I flick my eyes open to Reed’s.
“Hi.” I have pain still, but won’t allow myself to look away. I can’t anyway, not with his eyes begging me to stay tuned to him.
“Hi there.” He sets my hand back on the bed, but holds on softly to my pinky finger. It instantly reminds me of the other day at the Union. “This isn’t what I had in mind for our first date.” He gives me one of his beautiful smiles and winks at me. My heart melts. A tightness begins to creep up into my chest and I feel my pulse quicken. I swallow deep and remain silent staring into crystal ocean blue eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Reed,” I finally croak out. He holds onto my pinky and brings his head down to the mattress of my bed. Before he can respond a young girl comes in to transport me down to Radiology.
Chapter 27
I roll back down the hall with the bright lights of the hospital blaring through my lids. The ache begins to creep back in my head and I feel the dizziness settling in. I turn to lay to my left because this seems to keep the nausea at bay. Hunger and thirst take over my thoughts. I pray that the doctor will be waiting to see me and give the okay for water and food. The only other thought I let in is of Reed by my side. It gives me comfort.
Once I am wheeled back in the room I open my eyes, but can’t see Reed because I am lying to my left. I can’t get myself to turn to look afraid the nausea will cause me to vomit. “Reed?” I croak out.
“I’m right here, beautiful.” His voice sounds groggy, but tender.
My nerves instantly calm at the sounds of his voice. I am scared to be alone. I do not know where Kyle is, but fear strangles me as I think of him. It saddens me to think of Kyle crazed and out of control. Things have never been perfect with Kyle, but never this out of control either. He had me fooled for a long time that he had changed, but then like always he eventually exploded into an unrecognizable person. Yet, I lay here still not wanting anything bad to happen to him. In fact I want him to get help. Maybe it is because I have experiences of a very nice, loving at times and thoughtful Kyle. I know what that Kyle is like and it’s hard not to miss that. But I’m smart enough by now to know it never lasts.
“The doctor came in while you were down in Radiology and will be back shortly. Then Officer Larkin will be here.” He pauses, waiting for me to take it in. My back is to him and I desperately want to turn myself to face him, but I still feel too weak. His hand lightly brushes up to my shoulder. “He will want to get a statement and to see if you want to press charges.”
“Did he call you Grant?” That is the only question I can mumble out.
“Yes, he did. He’s a friend of my dad’s. He’s known me since I was a kid and my full name is Grant Reed Harper.” I am curious as to why he goes by Reed instead of Grant, but don’t have the energy to focus on that with the words press charges looming in my mind.
The curtain drags open and I hear heels click on the cold hospital floor towards my bed and I am confident this is the doctor and not Officer Larkin. I’m relieved because I am not ready to make a decision about pressing charges. A woman who seems too young to be a doctor, but has the white coat on bends down to my face and puts her hand to my forehead. Her auburn hair is smoothed back in a tight bun at the base of her neck and her eyes are a subtle brown. The only make-up she seems to wear is a pink lip-gloss and a little mascara. There are faded circles under her eyes, but her youth makes her look pretty. It’s obvious she looks as tired as I feel.
“I’m so thirsty and hungry,” I say as I blink my eyes and urge myself to try to sit. I close my eyes and twist myself to lay in the center of the bed propped up slightly by the pillows.
“Hi Katherine, I’m Doctor Lauren Randal. I stopped in earlier, but you were down at Radiology and then again, but you were both asleep. Your vitals have been stabilized and your brain scan came back good. However, you have a mild concussion. I’d like to ask you some questions about the event that caused this. I’ll have Patricia bring in a glass of water. How would you feel about some saltines?” The thought of water and saltines instantly perks me up.
“I think I could tolerate that. When can I leave?” I am eager to get out of here even though I feel less than decent. The thought of a shower sounds refreshing.
“Well, I don’t want to keep you here any longer th
an I have to either, but the truth is you were pretty dehydrated and you hit your head really bad. I want to check your blood work again and see how you tolerate some water and food. I also want to keep your pain under control. You may experience some headaches in the days or weeks to come. Even once I release you, someone will have to consistently check on you every few hours.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Reed speaks in a very matter of fact tone.
“Ok, well, let’s move things along then.” She buzzes the nurse button and asks Patricia to bring water and crackers for me. “Part of my job is to make sure your memory is ok before I can release you or have Officer Larkin come in and talk to you.”
“Ok.” I glance at Reed looking for reassurance. He stands up and reaches down with both hands to hold my face and plants a soft kiss on my forehead.
“Katherine, do you want your friend to stay?”
“It’s boyfriend. I’m her boyfriend,” Reed answers Doctor Randal all the while holding my face and my stare.
“Yes, I want him to stay.” I’m not sure how to process Reed’s words that he is my boyfriend, but I just don’t feel worthy of the declaration. I have a feeling that my sadness is evident just in my gaze. Reed gives me a wink and sits to my right again holding onto my pinky. Doctor Randal reaches behind my bed to raise me into a more sitting position. I’m surprised that I don’t feel as horrible as I had been only moments ago. There is still a light throbbing in my head, but the nausea has calmed significantly.
The Perfect Distraction (Volume 1) Page 16