Tears of Endurance (Romantic Drama) Book #1

by Torrens, D. G.

  Ben drank a pint of water in one go and then grabbed a quilt from the cupboard. “Here, take this. You can sleep on the sofa or in the spare room, it’s entirely up to you.” Tristan caught the quilt and smiled. “I think you know what I am going to do, I have no intention of moving from this sofa until morning.”

  “I’m heading off to bed now, Tristan. Try not to fall off the sofa this time.” Last time Tristan had stayed with Ben, he woke up with a bruised face after rolling onto the hard wood floor during the night!

  Chapter thirteen

  A whirlwind had suddenly turned Arianna’s world upside down. Saturday could not come soon enough and thoughts of Ben’s lips on hers for the first time were at the forefront of her mind. Arianna heard a familiar knock on her front door, which told her that Casey had arrived.

  “About time to, where have you been?” Arianna stepped aside as Casey came bounding through the door.

  “Tell me everything, what does he look like? What does he do for a living? Is he married or divorced?” Casey could hardly contain her excitement.

  Arianna led Casey into the living room and they sat down. “Oh Casey, Ben, as far as I can tell, is wonderful. He is also a gentleman and appeared to be very sincere. He’s around six foot tall, with rugged good looks and the most adorable dimple in his chin. His eyes, well, they just swallowed me up whole. I met him on Saturday night at my show and he was one of the first to arrive. He just stood out, Casey, and I know this is going to sound really cliché but I felt an instant connection towards him. It was such a strong pull, unlike anything I have ever felt before.”

  “It doesn’t sound cliché at all, it sounds like you’re falling for him to me, and I just hope he turns out to be as sincere and genuine as you feel he is. I would hate to see you get hurt again.”

  Arianna smiled at Casey, knowing that she was just thinking of her best interests. “I just feel that he is right somehow, Casey. I can’t explain it at all. How do you explain a feeling like that? What I do know is I am going to follow through with my instinct on this and see where it takes me. Ben dropped by the gallery yesterday lunchtime to collect a painting he’d bought on Saturday and he asked me to lunch, so we went to the Coleshill Hotel and he was a perfect gentleman. We talked and got to know each other a little, but I only had an hour or so before I had to head back to the gallery. But before I left, he asked me out on a date this coming Saturday. Apparently his secretary is having a garden party and he wants to take me.”

  Casey sat with her mouth agape. “Wow, he has a secretary, which means he must have a pretty good job then, and if he’s willing to welcome you into his fold and show you off so soon then he must be serious about you too.”

  “I know, Casey, that’s exactly what I thought, and yes, he has a good job. He is a chief engineer and partner of an international firm. However, he is currently on a sabbatical following a near fatal accident. When he told me all about it, I couldn’t believe he actually survived the fall. He lives in Birmingham city centre; do you know those apartments overlooking the canal near Brindley Place?”

  “Yes, I know them and very nice they are too,” replied Casey.

  “Well, he lives in one of those. I have to say, Casey, I am feeling very nervous and yet at the same time excited about my upcoming date with Ben. What on earth am I going to wear? If I am going to be spending the night in a garden, I need to dress accordingly, don’t I? So what do I wear?”

  Casey grabbed hold of Arianna’s hand, led her to the bedroom, and opened up her closet doors. “Now, you need a beautiful yet not too fussy tea dress with an elegant pair of dolly shoes. Let’s see what you have here.” Casey spent ages flipping through Arianna’s clothes rail until she found what she was looking for. “This one is perfect.” Casey held the dress up against Arianna and brought her hair forward. “Yes, it looks perfect against your hair too; hold that while I look through your shoes.” After a few minutes, Casey pulled out a box of baby blue peep-toe dolly shoes with a three-inch solid heel. “These are simply perfect, Arianna, and match the blue in your tea dress too and that heel will not sink into the grass in the garden either. Try them on while I go and pop the kettle on so we can get a better idea of what you will look like.” Casey whizzed off to the kitchen, belting out the words to Bruno Mars new song, “When I was your man.”

  Arianna stripped down to her underwear, slipped on the baby blue tea dress, and stepped into the matching blue shoes. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror, feeling very satisfied with Casey’s choice of outfit. “Wow, you look beautiful, Arianna. Ben will be blown away, that colour looks stunning on you.”

  Arianna had to agree with her friend, the colour really did suit her. “Okay, that’s me all sorted then. Thanks, Casey I would have spent days deliberating what to wear.”

  “Yes, I know you would. I remember what you were like when we were younger when we used to go out every week. You were a nightmare and could never decide on an outfit, I would turn up at your house and you were never ready and usually with the contents of your wardrobe strewn all over your bed. It’s great to see you smiling again, Arianna; I am so excited for you. This could be the beginning of something wonderful.”

  “You know, Casey, I believe you could be right. Ben actually makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end when I am near him. It’s the most incredible feeling and one I have never experienced before. Anyway, I don’t want to run before I can walk, let’s see how Saturday plays out first.”

  “Have you mentioned him to your mother yet?” Arianna looked at Casey with a serious expression.

  “Are you crazy? My mother would have me married off within 10 minutes, you know how she gets.”

  Casey was holding her stomach through laughing and nodded her head in complete agreement.

  After showing Casey out with a firm promise to keep her posted every step of the way on her progress with the delectable Ben, Arianna popped a CD into the CD player and sat back in her comfy armchair with her eyes closed and sporting a wide smile, listening to the beautiful words of “Beneath your Beautiful” by Labyrinth featuring Emeli Sande. This was Arianna’s current favourite song and it had gone viral in the UK. The words, “Let me see beneath your perfect,” remained in her head for quite some time.

  She wondered if anyone really revealed their true self, how much of themselves they held back, like a secret never to be revealed. Why are we so reluctant to let people see deep into our soul and show them what our true feelings are on life, people, politics and global issues, and anything else for that matter? Why is life so complicated? And why are most relationships as difficult to figure out as a mission from the MI5? She laughed at this thought as the ramblings in her head progressed to more serious issues. Arianna had always had a tendency to wander off topic, her mind racing from one issue to another. She would have it all solved in her own mind quite quickly, solving world peace and hunger. It all seemed so simple to her. The West has food mountains and other parts of the world were starving, why not just send over our surplus? After all, we find money for war so find it for the starving. We are all sharing the same space down here and there is more than enough food to go around, there is no need for anyone to starve. Deep down, she knew it was not so simple; warring countries and tyrannical leaders preventing food supplies from reaching their people. Arianna concluded she was very lucky and had nothing to complain about and proceeded into the kitchen to pour herself a large glass of rosé. She made her way to her bedroom and stood in front of her full-length mirror. Not bad for 36, she said out loud to herself. She ran her fingers through her hair and spotted a single white hair standing out from the rest. Oh God, how many more are hiding in there? Arianna spent the next five minutes fumbling through her hair frantically in search of rogue white hairs that she felt had no place being there at all!

  After running a bubble-filled bath and lighting a single scented candle, she stripped down and stepped into the steaming hot bath. Ah, perfect. Her thoughts drifted to her booking
the following night: a local accountancy firm were entertaining some very important clients and had booked the gallery several weeks before. She ran through her checklist in her mind, feeling satisfied that she had it all covered. The food had been ordered from Sully’s, and the cleaning staff were booked to come in early and stay for an extra hour to ensure the place was sparkling. The catering staff was due to deliver and set out the nibbles at seven o’clock and the clients were due half an hour later. Two boxes of wine had been ordered, one white and one red, along with a box of Evian spring water. She would just need to lay out the wine glasses on trays and call Stacy, a local girl who often helped her out with these bookings. The money came in handy for her as she was studying at Birmingham University and always glad of the work. Arianna just hoped she was still happy to waitress for the night; it would be an easy job of just walking around with trays of nibbles, offering them to the clients, and refilling their glasses as and when needed.

  These bookings were very successful and Arianna was booked back to back for the next two months, with similar bookings from local companies. Word had spread wide and fast and her little gallery had become the latest hotspot for local companies wanting to impress their clients. It was also something different and they were always impressed with the art work on display. Arianna made a few sales this way too so it was a win win all round.

  Remembering Ben mentioning he had a hospital appointment the following day, Arianna wondered whether she should send him a text message to wish him good luck. She thought about it for a while. Was it too soon to be sending such messages to someone she hardly knew? Would he think it was too soon? I am giving this way too much thought, she mumbled to herself as she reached for her mobile phone sitting on her coffee table. She searched for his number in her contacts list and then selected his name and began typing a short message.

  Hi Ben,

  It’s Arianna; I just wanted to wish you all the best for tomorrow at the hospital. See you on Saturday. Take care.

  She read and re-read her message several times before she pressed ‘send.’ Well, it’s done now, hopefully he won’t think me too presumptuous, she thought nervously. A few seconds later, her phone started to vibrate. Arianna clicked on the message icon and opened the message.

  Hi Arianna, Thank you so much for thinking of me, you have made my day. I am really looking forward to seeing you again on Saturday. x

  Arianna read Ben’s message several times, smiling from ear to ear, not so much for what it said but for the single kiss placed at the end of it. Her heart was beating fast and she felt a surge of excitement flowing through her veins. She hopped off her seat and made her way to the kitchen to top up her glass. She felt like a teenager who had just arranged her very first date and simply could not wait for Saturday to arrive. She couldn’t believe he was making her feel this way, but she liked it. She felt like she had taken flight and couldn’t quite touch down, no matter how hard she tried.

  Chapter fourteen

  Ben pulled up inside the hospital car park and parked his car. After fumbling for his recent letter in his glove compartment, he climbed out and locked up. He was feeling very positive about his appointment mainly due to the lack of headaches and back pain he’d felt of late. This has to be a good thing, he mumbled to himself as he walked up to the reception desk. “Good morning, Mary, how are you today?” Ben asked.

  “Lovely to see you again, Ben, you’re looking extremely well,” replied Mary, sporting a huge smile.

  “Thank you, Mary. I have an outpatient’s appointment with Dr Shepherd this morning at eleven o’clock.”

  Mary started tapping away at the keys on her computer. “Ah yes, there you are, he is running 10 minutes late I’m afraid, Ben. Just take a seat and help yourself to a tea or coffee, he will be with you as soon as he is finished.” Ben nodded and headed over to the coffee machine for a latte.

  Several weeks had passed by since he was at Westview and sitting there in the waiting room watching nurses and doctors meandering around and patients coming and going brought back memories of those painful hard couple of months he’d spent there. He realised once again what a close shave he’d had and was dead set on making the most of his future from now on. Fifteen minutes passed by before Ben was called into Dr Shepherd’s office. Ben stood up and followed the nurse who pointed him in the right direction.

  “Hello, Ben, please, take a seat.” Ben sat down and waited for Dr Shepherd to speak. He looked around his office while the doctor was looking through his notes. “Okay Ben, tell me, how have you been over the last few weeks? Any pain that’s given you cause for concern at all?”

  Ben shifted in his seat. “Well, during the first week back home, I was suffering the most debilitating headaches and found I had to take the pain killers quite often. The pain was incredible and vice-like, bringing me to a virtual standstill, and for a while during that week, I was very concerned. However, since then I have experienced virtually no head pain whatsoever. My back was also very painful, again this seems to have subsided. I am still getting the odd twinge, which I am guessing is to be expected after such a fall. My legs still feel weak at times; I still find it hard to climb up all the stairs to my apartment, again this is getting easier. And, as you can see, my hair has made a full recovery.” Ben laughed.

  “These are all good signs, Ben, that you are on the road to recovery. However, you must remember, no matter how good you are feeling right now you must still take it easy as it’s only been three months. We are all different. We all have different family situations, different jobs, different strengths, and different weaknesses. Despite all these differences, there are a number of very common emotional stages that people with a head injury go through. This is based upon my own experience treating patients, and many researchers note similar findings. So please don’t be alarmed by my next few questions, it’s just a way for me to determine how you are coping emotionally, okay.”

  Ben looked at Dr Shepherd quizzically. “Okay, fire away.”

  “There are several stages of emotional recovery following a head injury such as yours; some people cope very well and some don’t. The first phase that I see people going through is the confusion/agitation phase. This can last minutes or it can last for months. I’ve had people get in a car accident and be somewhat dazed for a few minutes, but then direct traffic around their car. Others are brought into the hospital in a coma and require intensive medical efforts. When they wake up, they may go through the confusion/agitation phase. In the hospital setting, this is very difficult for family members. Someone who is very meek and mild, for example, can be physically aggressive. They may punch the nurses, or swear and curse at family members. It’s very frightening for family members, and it feels like it is going to last forever. For 99% of the patients that I’ve worked with, this confusion/agitation phase goes away. It may take a while, but people eventually come out of it. Have you experienced anything like this at all?”

  “To be honest, yes I have. During the first couple of weeks from awakening from my coma, I felt great confusion and I was extremely agitated. My moods were very erratic and my patience was low. However, I am feeling more like my old self as the days and weeks pass by.”

  Dr Shepherd wrote down some notes before asking his next question. “I see in your notes that you were struggling with your dreams in the early stages of being released from your coma. It states here you felt like they were real memories of yours and not dreams. You were confused as to what was real and what wasn’t. Please can you tell me if this is still the case and expand on this for me?”

  “I still have night terrors unlike anything I have ever experienced before and yes, they seem so real. The most common one, which has me waking up in a cold sweat quite often, is seeing my own death. It’s always the same nightmare, same vision, same everything. The bizarre thing is, it seems so real, like it’s more of a vision than a dream. I know how crazy that must sound but until the accident, I had never experienced anything like it in m
y entire life. Sure, I would have the odd bad dream like everyone else, but this is something different entirely.”

  “Well, Ben, this is not uncommon at all, and can be a side effect from the drug- induced coma. This should improve over time; unfortunately, I cannot give you a time limit. In contrast to the short time it takes to injure the brain, recovery is measured in weeks, months and even years. Recovery is most rapid shortly after the injury and slows down with the passage of time. Many people with severe head injuries end up with almost no noticeable problems, but others require constant care for the rest of their lives. I am pleased to say you don’t appear to fall into the latter category. Keep monitoring anything you feel is out of the ordinary, Ben, and make a note of it. On your next visit, we can go through any concerns you have and I will do my best to alleviate you of any pressing worries and concern. And if I feel there is any need for further scans then that’s an avenue we can explore at that time.”

  After Dr Shepherd did his usual physical checks, he made a new appointment for Ben to return in a few weeks. “If anything changes, Ben, like the return of your headaches, for instance, then please call the hospital and I will see you sooner.”

  Ben shook Dr Shepherd’s hand and made his way to the car park. He wasn’t sure why, but this visit had really shaken him. Reminding him of his recurring night terror sent chills down his spine. He failed to mention to the doctor that he still couldn’t remember the events leading up to the fall that day. It’s as if that part of his memory had been wiped clean. He also failed to mention his forgetfulness, and his inability to remember whole conversations. He remembered most of what was said, but not everything. This was a concern he’d pushed to the back of his mind, one he was hoping would rectify itself. He had no wish to spend any more time in a hospital bed.