A Broken Girl's Journey 4: Kylie's Song

by Niki Jilvontae

  “I’m sorry, baby, but in the wreck you sustained traumatic injuries to your head and spine… Kylie you are paralyzed baby, but the doctor said it’s only temporary. He said that several people have fully recovered from the same type of injuries. You just have to have faith sweetheart,” Nurse Constance said hugging Kylie again.

  Kylie looked at the nurse in a daze, totally oblivious to everything she said after telling her she was paralyzed. Kylie couldn’t believe the cruel hand that fate kept dealing her. Now the only person left who loved her was in jail and she would have to go back to aunt Tricey paralyzed and unable to care for or defend herself. At that moment Kylie couldn’t hold back her screams or the whirlwind of emotions brewing inside of her. Hysteria, anxiety, and fear began to push her to the brink of insanity as visions of aunt Tricey’s evil face flashed in her mind.

  “Noooooo, I can’t be paralyzed and I can’t go back there. Please tell me this is all a nightmare. Pleaseee tell me I don’t have to go back. I won’t go back!” Kylie yelled as she began snatching tubes out of her arms.

  When Kylie snatched one tube the blood pressure machine switched to a high-pitched beep and a red light came on as Kylie’s 160/190 reading flashed on the screen. Nurse Constance ran around Kylie’s bed frantically as Kylie felt the room begin to spin. Suddenly, Kylie felt very dizzy and groggy, and her vision got blurry. It became harder and harder for her to breathe as she reached out for Nurse Constance.

  “Kylie, what is it baby? Why won’t you go back home? What did they do to you baby? Calm down and talk to me Kylie!” The nurse yelled as Kylie continue to scream and shake.

  Nurse Constance knew that Kylie had to be stabilized or she would go into cardiac arrest. However, nothing she tried was working so she ran around the bed and hit the emergency button. Within seconds the doctor and two other nurses ran in to help Nurse Constance. Kylie held her chest and gasped for air as the medical team worked to stabilize her. The more the team worked; the more Kylie’s mind drifted back to all of the horrible events that had led her to that day. All she could think about was what happened and what would happen to her when she had to go home to aunt Tricey.

  Suddenly, Kylie felt as if she was outside of her body. Her heart pounded a mile a minute and she felt as if she would throw up as the room continued to spin. She felt as if she was falling down a black hole, slowly. She closed her eyes and welcomed the darkness that was sure to come. The last thing that Kylie heard before she passed out was one of the nurse’s yell for someone to call her aunt, then she let the darkness take her.

  When Kylie woke up some time later a handsome, young, white doctor was standing over her reading notes off of her chart to someone who was sitting behind him. Kylie squinted to help focus her eyes as the doctor turned towards her and smiled warmly. Suddenly, she felt dizzy as she tried to look around the room towards the other voice she heard. Everything looked blurry and fuzzy to Kylie at first, but then aunt Tricey’s fat, evil face came into focus.

  Aunt Tricey sat in the chair behind the doctor next to Kylie’s bed with a tight, sadistic smirk painted across her lips. Kylie shuddered when she saw aunt Tricey mouth the words, “I got you bitch”, and then nodded her head.

  Kylie shivered and her eyes widened in fear as she grabbed the doctor’s hand. He turned to see why Kylie was so afraid, looking at Aunt Tricey who had quickly turned her smirk into a warm, sincere smile. Kylie silenced her screams and shook her head in disgust as she watched aunt Tricey put on her best concerned guardian act for the unsuspecting doctor.

  “Oh I’m so happy she’s awake now. I have been so worried about you Kylie,” Aunt Tricey said as she stood up and wobbled over to Kylie’s bed side.

  Kylie could feel rage and fear build up inside of her as she stared at the evil person who had driven her to that hospital bed. The doctor didn’t seem to notice Kylie’s fear as he continued to check machines and write in her chart, but aunt Tricey did. She smirked as Kylie lie there with wide, tear-filled eyes staring at the doctor who had just turned back to face her.

  “It’s good to have you awake Kylie. I was just telling your aunt that it is a miracle how fast and well you are recovering. You’re such a strong little warrior. You sustained a traumatic injury to your spine which is why you can’t move your legs,” the doctor said as Kylie felt her heart sank again.

  The thought of being paralyzed was terrifying to Kylie, especially knowing that Aunt Tricey would be left to care for her. Kylie believed that she would be better off dead than with aunt Tricey. At that moment she wished that it was her who had died in the car crash, not Christopher.

  Tears fell from Kylie’s eyes as she bit her bottom lip and tried to block out all of the terrible thoughts running through her head.

  “Will I always be paralyzed?” Kylie asked through her tears.

  Kylie glanced at aunt Tricey for a second as the doctor gathered his thoughts, so that he could give her an answer. Aunt Tricey smirked as Kylie held her breath and waited on the doctor to give her the news. He looked up at her with compassion in his eyes as he took a deep breath and answered.

  “I won’t lie to you Kylie. You have sustained some very serious injuries and the prognosis of you ever walking again is really slim to none. However, I have seen crazier things happen so don’t you give up hope. In the meantime we will take great care of you. If all of your tests come back good today you will be released to your aunt’s care tomorrow. You will have a nurse who will come to your home to help care for you five days a week for the first month and twice a week after that. I will also start you in therapy three times a week to try to get those muscles back strong. You are very lucky to be alive young lady; but with time and the proper care and treatment, you may be up and walking before you know it. Don’t lose faith,” the doctor said smiling at Kylie before leaving the room.

  When the doctor left Kylie stared up at the ceiling with tears in her eyes, thinking about the torture that was sure to come her way. Just then aunt Tricey leaned down to whisper in her ear what she already knew.

  “I got you now lil’ bitch. You got CPS and everybody else up in our business now, but you better not say shit or I’ll have that punk ass brother of yours killed. You know I can. Bitch, you better make this shit right. I just can’t wait to get yo crippled ass home,” Aunt Tricey whispered through clenched teeth.

  Kylie closed her eyes and tried to prepare herself for the pain that was sure to come. If she only knew the turmoil that lie ahead….

  Chapter 8

  The next day went by in a blur for Kylie as doctor after doctor came in to probe and poke on her. By noon nurse Constance had Kylie clean, dressed, and sitting up in the bed as they waited for the doctor to tell her whether or not she would be discharged. On the inside Kylie cried because she did not to want to have to go back to live with aunt Tricey. She would much rather stay in the hospital with Nurse Constance and be paralyzed forever as long as she didn’t have to go back.

  Kylie sat in the bed dazed as nurse Constance talked to her. She tried to pay attention, but she was still very much wrapped up in visions of the dream she had the night before. In her dream she was back home in Atlanta, sitting on the porch with her mother enjoying the breeze as they always did. Kylie could feel the warm sun on her face and hear her mother’s beautiful voice as she song her favorite song, Love Hard.

  Tears streamed down Kylie’s face as she heard her mother tell her how beautiful she was and how that song signified her love for her. Kylie was so wrapped up in her memories she didn’t even notice nurse Constance standing next to her, watching her weep until she touched her on the shoulder.

  “What is it baby girl? Tell me what’s wrong. You can trust me, I will help you I promise,” Nurse Constance said as she held Kylie’s hands.

  Kylie quickly looked away, trying to hide the pain and hurt she felt. She wanted so badly to tell Nurse Constance all she had to endure living with aunt Tricey, but she doubted it would make any difference. Kylie knew that aunt Tricey
had connections in high and low places that could further shatter her world and leave her broken beyond repair. Kylie knew that aunt Tricey was evil enough to do whatever she felt necessary to get her hands on her money. She also knew that aunt Tricey would do as she said and have someone to hurt J-J if she didn’t do as she said. Kylie couldn’t take that chance.

  She looked back at Nurse Constance while holding back her tears and tried to put on a brave face. However, the nurse could see right through it. She knew that there was something Kylie was hiding and she wanted to get it out of her.

  “Baby, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. I was once a little girl who had some very bad things happen to her at the hands of those I loved. I tried to hide it all from the world and hold it inside, but eventually all of the hurt and pain I kept bottled up began to eat away at me. One day I talked to a nice counselor at school and she helped me to release those feelings and get help. I was able to escape the abuse, overcome all of the adversities, and live out my dream of nursing. Despite all of the horrible things, I endured my life did have a happy ending…and yours can too. Just talk to me,” Nurse Constance said staring at Kylie with her sympathetic, concerned eyes.

  Kylie felt love and strength as she stared into the nurse’s sorrowful eyes. She wanted to let go of her pain and to be the old her again, but she didn’t know how. Suddenly, Kylie felt warmth fill her and she heard her mother’s voice urging her to let go of the pain and reach out.

  “Tell her Kylie. Let her help you,” Lakea’s voice rang in Kylie’s ears as a single tear fell from her eye.

  Kylie decided at that moment she would trust Nurse Constance and try to end the abuse she had endured for too long. She looked deep into the nurse’s eyes and saw a kind, loving woman who would fight for what she believed just like her mother. Kylie hoped that by telling Nurse Constance all of the horrible things aunt Tricey did to her she wouldn’t have to return and maybe she would be able to find her brother. She missed him so much and she really didn’t want to believe that he was avoiding her on purpose.

  Kylie looked out of the window just as a beautiful bird flew by, flapping his wings and tweeting a free, happy song. Kylie wanted to be that bird. She wanted to be free again. She wanted to be loved. Just as Kylie was about to open her mouth and let all of her pain and hurt go, Aunt Tricey and Alicia walked into the room talking loud and laughing.

  Nurse Constance watched Kylie as her shoulders slumped and she fell back on to the pillow in defeat. She wasn’t sure exactly what was going on, but she knew that Kylie was not happy with her aunt and she wanted to help. She also knew that she didn’t like aunt Tricey as she wobbled in with a stank expression on her face, glaring at Kylie as Alicia trailed behind her.

  “Oh so you woke, huh? Um, I bet yo ass will stay in the house now won’t you,” Alicia said as she came into the room and sat down in one of the chairs by the window.

  Nurse Constance rolled her eyes at Alicia as she glanced back at Kylie who was covering her face with her hands. Kylie hated to hear Alicia’s voice because she knew that her hate for her was even stronger than aunt Tricey’s, especially after what she did to Alissa. All Kylie could do was weep silently and cover her face from their evil glares as they continued to chastise her as if Nurse Constance wasn’t even there.

  “Yeah, ha hot ass got what she was looking for. Now she can’t even fucking walk. Was it worth it wanch?” Aunt Tricey asked as she walked over to Kylie, snatching her hands away from her face.

  Before Kylie could even respond, Nurse Constance was at her side, standing between her bed and aunt Tricey. Even though aunt Tricey outweighed the nurse by at least 200 pounds and she had her fat daughter with her, the nurse still did not back down. She was going to help Kylie no matter what.

  “Excuse me ma’am, but this girl has been through a lot. Her emotional state is still very fragile as well as her physical state. She does not need to hear you all talk down on her and tell her what she did was wrong. She needs your love,” Nurse Constance said as she stood with her hands on her hips, staring aunt Tricey down.

  Kylie looked from the nurse to aunt Tricey as her heart rate increased and she felt anxiety take over her. She didn’t want Nurse Constance to be hurt trying to save her. Enough of the people who loved her had suffered trying to ensure her safety. She didn’t want that for the nice nurse.

  Kylie could see the rage build in aunt Tricey’s eyes as she stepped towards Nurse Constance with her finger in her face.

  “Let me tell you something nurse bitch. You don’t tell me how to talk to no fucking body. I will say what the fuck I want. It’s this heifa’s own fault what happened to her because if she would have stayed her fast ass at home none of this would have happened. So don’t you come into the situation not knowing what’s going on and call yourself telling me what to do. I will report yo funky ass so fast you won’t even remember working here. You hear me bitch?” Aunt Tricey said as she bumped into Nurse Constance and Alicia came around to stand next to her mother.

  Kylie could feel the situation about to escalate into a full fight and she didn’t want that. However, Nurse Constance was not backing down and neither were aunt Tricey and Alicia.

  “How dare you, you evil, vulgar lady,” Nurse Constance said as she stepped away from aunt Tricey and Alicia, walking around to the other side of Kylie’s bed and grabbing her hand.

  “No bitch how dare you,” Alicia said pointing her finger across the bed at the nurse.

  Kylie looked at the nurse with tears in her eyes as she stared back at Alicia with malice. Even though she was outnumbered and outweighed nurse Constance still would not give up. She held on to Kylie’s hand as she continued to roll her eyes at the two fat, evil women cursing at her.

  “Hoe, you better get the fuck up out of here before I put my foot in yo muthafucking ass!” Alicia yelled as she tried to get around the bed towards the nurse, but aunt Tricey grabbed her.

  “Please just go. I will be okay,” Kylie said to the nurse as they stared at each other.

  Kylie didn’t really want her to go, but she didn’t want her to get hurt or lose her job either. She just didn’t know that Nurse Constance was stronger and more hood than she looked, but Kylie would eventually find out.

  Reluctantly, Nurse Constance let go of Kylie’s hand and rubbed her shoulder before turning to leave the room.

  “I will be back before you are discharged, Kylie,” Nurse Constance said looking at Kylie before turning to mean mug Alicia and aunt Tricey.

  “As far as you disgusting human beings go, I will be reporting you both to CPS, including a detailed account of what happened here today. They will hear about the verbal abuse and the threats then I’ll see how tough you all are,” Nurse Constance said before leaving the room.

  Kylie held her breath and closed her eyes, drowning out the curses aunt Tricey and Alicia hurdled at the nurse as she left out of the door. She wished at that moment she was invisible because as soon as the door closed they both had turned their anger towards her and began to curse her out and threaten her.

  “So you been telling that ugly bitch shit about us, huh? Now you got this hoe calling CPS for yo ass, but guess what bitch it ain’t gonna work. I will be done killed yo ass before they get there,” Aunt Tricey said as she punched Kylie in the leg with her fist.

  Kylie was happy that she was paralyzed for the first time as Tricey continued to punch her in the leg and curse at her through clenched teeth. The impact from her punches caused Kylie’s legs to bounce on the bed and left behind big, purple bruises from Kylie’s knees up to her thighs. Tears fell from Kylie’s eyes as she stared at aunt Tricey’s hateful face as she stared down at her in disgust.

  “Please aunt Tricey, I didn’t tell anyone anything. Please stop,” Kylie begged as a smirk spread across aunt Tricey’s face.

  “You want me to stop? I will stop when the fuck I feel like it. I don’t feel sorry for you. You deserve everything I am giving you,” Tricey said as she punched Kylie in t
he arm and put her hand over her mouth to muffle her cries.

  The pain in Kylie’s arm from the punch was excruciating and she couldn’t breathe as aunt Tricey covered her mouth and part of her nose with her big, sweaty, stinky hand. Kylie closed her eyes again as tears wet her pillow and she wished aunt Tricey would just end her life then. Suddenly, Kylie felt aunt Tricey’s hand leave her mouth and someone pull her back. Kylie took a deep breath of the fresh air and opened her eyes to see that Alicia had stopped aunt Tricey just as she was about to punch her in the chest.

  “Stop mama, that’s enough. We will have plenty of time to teach this lil’ bitch a lesson when we get her home,” Alicia said as she smirked at Kylie.

  Kylie turned her head and wept for all of the hurt that was happening to her as the room began to spin wildly again. Suddenly, Kylie felt exhausted from all of the physical and emotional strain, causing her to welcome the darkness that enveloped her. Kylie quickly drifted into a dream of her walking again, but still living in aunt Tricey’s house. In this dream she killed aunt Tricey and Alicia, escaping to live happily ever after with Kevin. Visions of his face and the sound of his voice rang in Kylie’s ears as she opened her eyes sometime later. When she awoke, the doctor had just released her and a nurse was bringing in her wheelchair.