Pieces of You

by Marie, Lisa

  “I have no clue what you’re talking about.” I take another drink and turn away from him again.

  “Then you won’t mind if I go after her.” He taunts and breathes on his knuckles, as if polishing them. I can’t tell if he’s serious or ribbing me.

  “If you want to. Whatever.” I try to remain calm, aloof even. But I can tell he sees right through it. His hand comes down on my shoulder and he leans in.

  “Don’t worry, man, she’s looking at you. Not me.” He glances in her direction and points with his chin, turning around I notice her smiling at me again.

  “You think I can go there?” I ask my best friend, not believing that he may have actually changed. He may not be challenging me, and it’s somewhat disconcerning.

  “If you don’t, you know someone else will.”

  “Would that someone be you?”

  “Could very well be.” He teases and sniffs, tugging his shirt into place, spiffying himself up.

  I take a deep breath and nod. “Yeah, I think I’ll ask her out. Take her to Sue’s for a pie.”

  “Take her to your place, or go to hers. Don’t take her to Sue’s it’s not exactly a prime date location with all those old farts drinking down her coffee and slamming back her apple pie.”

  “I’m definitely not ready for that yet, but thanks for the tip.” I tip back my beer and look back at the girl standing on the other side of the bar pouring drinks for others but trying to look in my direction every chance she gets.

  Some of the crowd heads toward the door to leave for the night, which means we have to start letting some of the people from the line in. Slamming back the rest of my beer, I nod at the bartender and push off the bar.

  “I’m going to go back and help Princess for a while.” I bring my hand down on Tim’s shoulder. “If you need a ride home tonight, I’ll be the sober one out front next to the big guy with the chick’s nickname.”

  I walk through the crowd bumping shoulders with every Tom, Dick, Harry and Susan. Princess is standing out front with his giant arms crossed over his chest, shaking his head back and forth. Since I can only see the back of him, I can only assume someone is trying to talk him into letting them in when we’re at capacity once again.

  “Go take your break.” I suggest to him as I come up from behind. “I can watch the door for a bit.”

  “You got it, no one in, unless some come out.” He points his finger at me and tries his best to look mean for the people wanting to come in. It doesn’t work for any of us as we all laugh a little at his expense as he enters the building.

  “So come on. Just the two of us.” The dark haired girl whines bending over slightly, showing off her cleavage.

  “Look how tiny we are, we barely take up any room.” The other one joins in, swinging back and forth chewing on her fingernail. She’s attempting to look innocent, but I highly doubt purity is one of her virtues.

  “Sorry, ladies, not until we clear out some. I’ll let know when that is. Just hang tight.” I turn my back and walk to a position closer to the door. Scanning the crowd on occasion, watching for fights. It’s very low key considering the amount of people that are actually vying to get inside. The women start whispering between each other behind their hands, looking in my direction. I try not to pay attention, but it’s very distracting and it is somewhat flattering.

  A handful of people leave, and I wish them a goodnight, hoping that one of them is sober enough to drive and the girls in the line look at me expectantly. Slowly, I saunter over to them and check their ID. They both check out, and I lift the velvet rope granting them and four others into The Shake.

  People are starting to get the hint that they aren’t going to make it in before The Band stops playing, so they slowly begin leaving and head back to their vehicles in the parking lot. Throngs of people are starting to leave the club, I assume to try to find some food. The loud voices carry through the parking lot as they climb into their vehicles, tires chirp on the pavement as the cars drive away.

  “Cool it, Fonzie.” I mutter as I watch the red taillights get smaller into the night. I shake my head at their antics and clear my throat.

  “Anything interesting happen while I was gone?” Princess asks as he steps back outside into the chilly night. “Brr. Got a little brisk out here?” He shivers and rubs his arms. “If the line were shorter we could do this from inside but there’s still too many damn people in this line,” Princess whines, so I tease him and wiggle my finger through my pouty lips, causing him to roll his eyes and wave his hand at me.

  “Nah, nothing much happened. People left, others went in. Ebb and flow.” I yawn and stretch my arms. My eyes travel into the club as the door opens, and I see the new bartender as she pokes her head out smiling in my direction. I nod and offer a small smile, which she returns and steps back inside.

  “So you getting much work?” Princess asks, distracting me from the closing door. I know he’s hinting at me offering him something since he made some really good money that one time with me. Riley made sure of it.

  Riley.

  Hmm.

  Wonder what she’s doing now. This is the first time I’ve thought about her in a little while. I used to think about her all the time. She made me so mad, I couldn’t get her out of my head. But then one day, she wasn’t there as much. And now, barely at all.

  “Gettin’ some, but if I ever need a hand you’ll be the one I call for sure. The jobs I normally do are small. Not all of them are moving cast iron tubs from a bathroom.” I promise him.

  Another group of people leaves, and it happens so quickly. One moment they are all chatting and the next minute, two of the guys are throwing fists at each other. Princess runs over and I man the line, keeping my eye on the fight while we wait for backup. Standing between them, Princess tries to hold them apart and winds up taking a fist to the chin. I jump the velvet rope and pull his assailant off, as he takes the other in a headlock away from the fight.

  “What the hell?” I demand. “You need to get in your car and leave. This is NOT the place for this crap. Take it somewhere else.” I raise my voice to an authoritative level, hoping this guy will back off and walk away. He struggles in my arms, determined to strike at his enemy in Princess’s arms.

  I hear a woman screaming on the other side of the parking lot. “Get your hands off my fiancé.” She’s shrieking now, raising a lot of havoc slapping at my gigantic partner, trying to make Princess let go of him. Suddenly two more staff members come rushing out, holding back the crowd as it forms around us, just in time to witness the one I’ve just let go of grab a bottle from a bystander and bring it down over my head.

  The pain is excruciating and it drops me to the ground instantly, the world around me goes black.

  ***

  I hear distant voices talking. I can’t tell where they are, and I can’t see them. I barely hear them, but I know they are there. The pain coming from my head is reminiscent of the pain I had the day of the accident when I lost my world. Beeping. An annoying beep sounds once every second, it never changes tone but the speed changes when I try to move.

  “Shhh, don’t move. You’re okay. We’ve just got you in here under observation.” A calm voice tells me, which causes slight panic to set it. I open my eyes and see a nurse looking back at me. She’s an older lady, but she seems friendly enough. I swallow a few times and take a few deep breaths. I suddenly feel immense pain in the back of my head, winching I reach up to touch it, but instead of hair, I find a gauze bandage instead.

  “Finally awake!” Tim calls as he comes into view. “Glad you’re okay, buddy.”

  The nurse walks away and leaves me to hang with my friend. “We’re in the ER. They wanted to make sure you woke up and didn’t slip into a concussion or anything. The police want to speak to you when you wake up.”

  I’m confused. “Why do they want to talk with me?”

  “So you can press charges against the guy who smoked you with a bottle. Princess pinned him faster t
han Sasha did you that night.”

  I roll my eyes and groan at the memory.

  “I’ll go tell ‘em you’re awake. The faster they talk with you, the sooner we can get you home.”

  He pulls the curtain back and steps outside, I hate hospitals. The sooner I can get out of here the better. Slowly dropping my head back on the pillow, I close my eyes and try to remember what happened, when Tim returns with an officer.

  “Glad you’re awake, Mr. Lorey. I’m Officer Parkes and I would like to take your statement please.”

  “I’ll try. My head is kinda fuzzy.”

  “Just do your best.”

  “I was helping to break up a fight outside The Shake. Princess, I mean Danny, took one, and I took the other guy. I had called into the door before I helped separate them. Then Princess got jumped and all hell broke loose. I don’t remember much after that.”

  “Do you know what the fight was about?”

  “They were drunk guys. One of them could have smiled wrong at the other guy. Anything I say would clearly be speculation and not what I know for certain.”

  “Charges will be pressed against him for assault. You will be notified of your next steps if we require you further, but otherwise we will let you know what the full charges and punishment is.”

  “Am I free to go, officer?”

  “As soon as the hospital clears you, you are welcome to leave. If we require further information we will contact you.”

  “Thank you, officer.”

  Officer Parkes nods and leaves the curtained area. Tim comes over to the side of the bed and sits in the only chair available “Damn, they need to make these more comfortable. My ass is going to go numb.” Tim whines.

  I turn and shoot him a dirty look. “Your ass is going to go numb? How about a concussion? Think I’m enjoying that much, buddy?”

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean…” He starts, and I cut him off by raising my hand. I honestly don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear anything. I want this incessant beeping to stop, and I want to go home to bed.

  The nurse returns with a young doctor and they look at my head. “Mr Lorey. You are so lucky. You will have a headache for a few days and a slight concussion. I will advise you to stay away from heavy machinery, no driving cars or quads or any of that stuff. No alcohol.” The doctor turns to Tim. “He’s going to need supervision for the next twenty-four hours. Make sure he wakes up, that kinda thing.”

  “Other than that. How are you feeling?”

  “Besides the killer headache? I feel like a million bucks.”

  The doctor nods and doesn’t offer me a smile. Barely looks in my direction. ER doctors have trouble with bedside manner, what’s the point getting attached to patients if you don’t know what’s going to happen to them. “Alright then, Mr. Lorey. You are free to go. If you pass out, vision changes, start vomiting blood, etc., come straight back and we will check you out.”

  “Thank you, doctor.”

  “Yeah, thanks, doc.” Tim chimes in. “Okay, well I guess we’re roomies for a few days.” Tim claps his hands together and rubs them briskly. It would appear that he’s formulating some sort of plan, evil enough to take over the world. Or maybe he’s just excited to be in control of me for once.

  I sit up and slowly turn my head to face Tim. Glaring at him. He looks far too happy with this situation, and I don’t like it. “Pass me my pants and get out while I change.” I bark at my best friend while he continues to wring his hands.

  I don’t like this one bit.

  Chapter 9

  Tim’s bachelor pad stinks like sweat socks. His sofa is full of popcorn kernels, and the table is filled with empty glasses. I look around the room in disgust. “Dude, this is where you bring the ladies? This is not sexy, and I can promise you, I refuse to put out until it’s cleaned up.” I walk in slowly and look around the place.

  “Are you kidding? I go to their place. There is no way any chick will find out where I live. I refuse to bring them here.” He scoops up some papers from the sofa. “Here, get comfortable.” He points to the seat and walks away picking up discarded items as he goes. Dusting off the cushion, I take a seat and hold my head in my hands. I can’t believe I have to stay here for the next few days, but it’s not like I have any other options.

  “What can I get you? Need a drink or anything?”

  “A blanket, man. I need sleep. It’s…” I begin and look at the clock. “7:23 in the morning? Are you serious?”

  “Yeah, you were knocked out around midnight, and we got you to the hospital as quickly as we could. You only woke up an hour and a half ago.” He yawns and stretches his arms above his head. “If anyone needs sleep, it’s me. I’m going to catch a nap.” Tim stands and walks to the bedroom, stopping in the hall as he does, he pulls an extra quilt from the towel closet. “We’ll go get your pillow this afternoon along with whatever else you’re going to need.”

  “I can use this.” I pick up the throw pillow from the back of the sofa. “Don’t forget to check on me to make sure I wake up.” I remind him and roll my eyes.

  “I’m setting my alarms.”

  Tim leaves me alone in the living room, and I hear the bathroom door close.

  Laying down on the sofa, I toss and turn in an attempt to get comfortable. Trying to avoid the gauze on the crown of my head, I finally find acceptable comfort on my left side and pull the blanket up to my chin. No nausea, no dizziness. I should sleep well for the next hour or twelve.

  Tossing and turning I can’t sleep. I keep thinking back to my last hospital stay, even though I am trying desperately to avoid those thoughts. I lay here staring at the black television screen, reflecting myself laying here on the sofa.

  Taking a deep breath, I sigh and slowly sit up. Raising my hand to the gauze bandage, I find myself touching it gingerly. I don’t know what’s under this bandage. I don’t remember the nurses saying anything about stitches but surely there are some.

  Bored, I stand and make my way into the kitchen. This is somewhat clean as I’m sure most of Tim’s meals come from takeout containers. I turn on the pot of coffee and sit at the table with my head in my hands. I hope this headache leaves soon. I don’t think I can handle much more of it. As I wait, I take my phone from my pocket and look at the pictures again. Mel smiling. Mel and myself sharing a moment. A kissyface selfie and then a new picture. I don’t remember taking this, but I must have. A photograph of Riley with a big swatch of pale gray paint on her cheek.

  I remember that day well. She kept teasing me because I was trying to raise my eyebrow, and I was whining that I couldn’t. Thought it was hilarious and she kept calling me Turtle. ALL. DAY. LONG. I took my full paint brush and marked her cheek with it. At first she was surprised, and then she started laughing. I thought she looked so beautiful just beaming the way she was. Ponytail, sweatpants and a big ol’ blob of paint on her cheek and I needed a photo of it. I find myself still staring at the picture when I realize the coffee is done percolating, and the dark roast aroma fills the air.

  Pressing the end button, I place the phone on the table, and the screen goes black. With a sigh, I stand carefully and walk to the cupboard to grab myself a mug. Pouring the coffee, the steam rises and fills my senses. I swallow a mouthful and close my eyes absorbing everything about this mug.

  “I thought I heard some noise.” Tim startles me from my peace. I lean back on the cupboard and place my mug just behind me.

  “Sorry, there was no way I could sleep. Hope I didn’t wake you.”

  “No, I hadn’t slept yet. Just heard the coffee brewing. Then of course it’s coffee and there will be no sleep.” He chuckles and takes a mug down, pouring some for himself. He lifts it in the air as a toast and takes a drink. “Damn. That’s good coffee.”

  “I really don’t have to stay here, Tim. I can go home. I’m sure I will be fine. I’m not dizzy or nauseated or anything.” I plead my case. I really don’t want to be here. His place is dirty and smells. I want my bed,
not a sofa. And I feel like a damn princess all whiny. Maybe I do need to stay a little longer just to get this out of my head.

  “Tell you what. You get through today and tonight and I will take you home tomorrow.”

  “Why don’t you just take me home and you can sleep on my sofa? I mean I am the one who got injured and needs his rest. I can’t rest on your crumb infested sofa.”

  “Why not?”

  “Dude, have you ever laid down on your sofa?” I hold up my fingers one at a time. “One, it stinks. I don’t know what it smells like, but it ain’t pretty. 2, it’s lumpy as hell. Isn’t that the same sofa your grandparents had in their basement when we were kids? We trashed that thing so many times.” He continues staring blankly at me. “And 3, SO. MANY. CRUMBS. I feel like I’m laying in a sandbox. Dude. Vacuum.”

  He says nothing just stares blankly at me as he drinks his coffee. Each time the mug comes up to his mouth, I just want to shove it in his face. He makes no effort to discuss this with me, instead he changes the subject.

  “I was thinking we could invite some of the gang from The Shake over tonight for dinner. I know at least a few of them are anxious to see that you’re okay. Princess only being one of them.”

  I roll my eyes at his lack of understanding and walk to the table. “Oh yeah? Who?”

  “Like I said, Princess and Matty from the shooter bar, and of course the band.” He begins to raise the coffee to his mouth again. “And Trina.” He adds as an afterthought.

  “Is that so?”

  “Oh yeah! Princess is upset that you got hurt because of him.” He shakes his head. and I think I see a smirk form on his lips. “Matty was of course upset because he didn’t get to help you in time. The band was upset because, well, your fight interrupted the set.”

  “I see.” I spin my phone on the tabletop. “We aren’t having them over here, Tim. It’s a mess. Let’s go do this at my place if we must. It’s not gonna happen here.”

  He continues to ignore my pleas, and he’s starting to piss me off. I’m done. Picking up my phone, I put it into my pocket and tuck my folded ballcap into my back pocket and walk out of the house. I’m going home. Where I can be comfortable, where I can rest and where it doesn’t smell like old sweat socks and football gear.