“I think that is a brilliant idea Savannah. This house has so much potential. What would you do it?” Derek asked, pouring another cup of coffee for each of us.
“Well I would want to keep the old fashion style to the house, but I want to make a little more modernized at the same time. Maybe open up the dining, living and kitchen a little. New paint throughout it, and I would like to extend the house where Nicole’s room is, maybe make a nursery and modern bathroom.” I look up to see a wide smile on Nicole’s face.
“You should upgrade upstairs, clean out those rooms that you don’t go near. Finally, give Stephen a theatre room. He would love you forever.” I start laughing after Derek said that. I somehow knew that’s what he was going to suggest. Men.
“When you’re ready to go through it all let me know, I know a builder that can help. And between us all we should be able to get it done quickly.” Derek says rubbing his chin looking around.
By the time we are finished chatting it’s close to twelve thirty, and I have nothing but ideas floating around my head. Derek goes back to work out in the field while myself and Nicole go about cleaning the house. Tina Turner is cranked up on the sound system and we are bopping away to the music, singing into vacuum cleaners and broom handles. I haven’t laughed this hard in an awful long time, it feels good to let go and enjoy.
Nicole pretends her broom is a guitar, and I laugh hysterically going to the kitchen. The phone rings and I pick it up walking towards the stereo to turn it down.
“Hello,”
“Hello, are you there.” An unfamiliar voice echoes through the line.
I turn the music down, mumbling apologies through the phone.
“Sorry, hello.” I say, biting back my laugh.
“I’m looking for Savannah James.” The voice, which belongs to a man, speaks.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Miss James, I’m Detective Grant from the prison. I am ringing to inform you that your brother Stephen has been taken to hospital. There was a situation and….. Well, Stephen got hurt.” I hear those words and feel sick. Sitting on the couch I grip the phone tight in my hands.
“What happened?” I whisper through the phone, not sure if the detective is able to hear me.
“A fight broke out between inmates, that’s all I can tell you over the phone. Miss James, I have to tell you….. It’s….umm…. It’s pretty serious. Stephen James was unresponsive when emergency series took him to the hospital.” I can hear the words, but nothing is sinking in, I feel sick.
I run to the bathroom, still clutching the phone. I empty my stomach into the porcelain bowl. I hear his voice, in the phone which is in my hand. I put it back to my ear.
“I’m sorry. But I we need to talk face to face. I am at the hospital now. I think you should come.”
“I’m on my way.” I drop the phone to the ground. Tears wet my cheeks, but I can’t muster the strength to move. This cannot be happening.
I am aware of another presence, but I can’t speak. I look over to Nicole standing in the door way. Her mouth is moving, but everything is blocked out. Why…..Why does it always happen like this?
“Savannah, what the hell is going on? Are you okay?” Nicole shakes me.
I snap my head to her face. “We have to go to the hospital. Steph…. Stephen is there.” I mumble, Trying to breathe. I can feel my throat closing up, and I gasp for breath.
“Deep breaths Savannah, just take deep breaths,” I can feel my body shaking. Nicole grabs a blanket and wraps it around my shoulders. “Can you stand Sav?” I shake my head no. “I’m going to get Derek, don’t move.” Nicole runs out of the bathroom. While I continue to sit there and shake, this feeling is similar to the feeling I had when my parents died.
I’m aware of strong hands picking me up on the floor. Derek’s hushed voice fills my head with soothing words. As we go past the table, the blanket catches on the vase on the table, and the crystal shatters on the floor. I can hear nothing but the water drops hitting the wooden floor…………
Chapter 10
Just breathe………everything will be okay, have faith………. I repeat those words like a mantra over and over. Nicole has held me since we arrived at the hospital, and Derek is pacing back and forth in front of me. Every now and then he stops and looks at the clock, then continues to pace.
When we arrived three hours ago I was a mess. Nobody could tell us what happened or how awful Stephens’s injuries are. All we have been told is he is currently in theatre having surgery. I settled down in the car on the way to the hospital with words of encouragement from Derek and Nicole. I still haven’t seen anyone from the prison yet, I thought for sure someone would have come to speak to us, but nobody has, but I can safely say I am so glad…. I am beyond furious about this situation.
“I am going to get a coffee, would you like one Sav?” Nicole asked, brushing a stray hair away from my face.
“Something stronger would be better.” I lean forward in my chair and cover my face with my hands.
“I can go see if anyone knows how much longer on the way back from the cafe if you like.” Nicole states leaning down and kisses my hair.
I nodded my response. I hear Nicole and Derek talking but don’t catch the conversation. I look up, and both are staring at me with sad faces. Derek starts pacing again as Nicole leaves the waiting area.
Sitting back in my chair I close my eyes and remember back to when Stephen broke his leg when he was fifteen. My mom, dad and I sat in the hospital waiting area for hours while they reset his leg. Stephen hated that mom fussed so much over him in front of the nurse. Served him right for not listening to dad. We were told not to play in the barn without an adult with us, of course Stephen threatened to tell mom that I lost her engagement ring if I didn’t go with him and play hide and seek.
When we got to the barn, Stephen went straight to the quad motorbike and started pretending to ride it. Of course, I freaked out and told him to get off it, but he turned it on and flew through the barn, narrowly missing the Dodge but busting through the barn door. All I could do was wail and run straight to dad. My parents heard the crash and were already on their way to the barn when it happened. Stephen required his tibia plated and screwed from the accident. Safe to say we were both grounded for months and dad sold the quad after that.
“Savannah.” I looked up to see Damon come through the door.
I jumped up and ran to him, jumping in his arms. My arms around his neck, and wrapping my arms around his waist. Damon starts walking with me tightly wrapped around his body. I have no idea who called him, but I am genuinely glad he is here.
“Hush beautiful, everything will be okay.” Damon cooed.
“I’m so scared.” I mutter, tears flowing down my cheeks.
Damon sits down on the chairs and continues his hushes. Bringing my face up to Damon, I lean in and kiss his soft lips, gentle and slowly.
“I don’t know how you found out, and don’t care. But thank you. Thank you for being here for me.”
“Nicole called me. And I want to be here for you,” He kissed my lips again before pulling away. “Do you know how bad it is yet?”
“No one will tell me anything Damon. We were only told he is in theatre and to remain here in the waiting room.”
“Hopefully someone will come out soon and tell us what is going on.” I adjust myself more comfortably on Damon’s lap, and so I can see the theatre doors.
Nicole walks through a few minutes later with a tray of coffees. She hands them out to all of us, and we sit in silence waiting. Derek finally stops pacing and takes a seat next to Nicole. I hear footsteps coming up the hall way, and suddenly Carter appears with a brief case in hand. Damon stiffens and I stand up to greet him.
“You okay?” He asks voice full of concern. His eyes wander over me, and his persona changes. He becomes tense.
“We are just waiting to hear something.” I reply looking between carter and Damon. Both of them staring at each othe
r.
“How did you find out about Stephen?” Nicole speaks breaking the silence.
“The prison called me. Do you know where the prison representative is?” Carter directs the question back to me.
“I haven’t seen anyone from the prison. But if I do I will let you know.” I suddenly feel horrible that I am trying to get carter out of the room.
“That’s okay; you wait here for your brother. I will worry about everything else.” Carter runs his free hand down my arm. It’s such a warming gesture.
“Thank you. Let me know what you find out. I don’t know what happened or anything. They didn’t tell me anything on the phone. All they said was someone would explain when I got here. I have been here for a few hours, and no one has showed”. I explain suddenly getting angry again.
Carter just nodded and walked the way he came. I re-joined the others on the waiting chairs; we all sat drinking our coffee’s in silence. Suddenly the theatre doors opened, a short man in dark blue scrubs came out. His hair was pepper grey, and his face was rounded with white framed glasses. By the look of him, I could tell he had been doing his job for a long time, his face held pain and passion for his job.
“Miss James?” He asked looking towards us.
I jumped to my feet, followed by Nicole, Derek and Damon.
The doctor walked over shook ours hands in turn, “My name is Dr Coalwell. Your brother has been a bit touch and go since arrival Miss James. We have managed to control his bleeding; he had a tear in his spleen, which we have had to removed. The stab wounds to his upper body didn’t do any substantial damage but were extremely close to vital organs. He has suffers a broken arm, which we had to plate and screw, along with several broken ribs,” The doctor lets out a breath and removes his scrub hat. “We are having him transferred to recovery now; after he gets to a ward you will be able to visit him.”
Oh my god! Someone stabbed him! How is that possible in a high security prison? What did my brother do to deserve this? All these questions I have to ask out loud at some point, and they bloody well tell me the truth. He is supposed to get out in less than four months, and I wanted him home in one piece, not several. Tears stream down my cheeks, and I wipe them away quickly. The doctor looks exhausted, and I don’t need to hold him up any longer. Surely he has family waiting on him somewhere. And more to the point I want to see Stephen.
I don’t think, just grab that doctor in my arms and squeeze him tightly. He stiffens under my hold but slowly relaxes. I whisper my thanks over and over in his ear. He continues to tell me it will be okay, and he will speak with me later. I release him and Derek follows suit, hugging the doctor in a manly hug. Nicole is next, but Damon just shakes his hand.
“A nurse will come and get you when he is returned to the ward until then you should actually get something to eat. It will be about an hour or so before he is out of recovery.” The doctor says whist twisting his scrub hat in his hand.
“I will wait.” I say too quickly.
“Savannah, you need to eat something.” Nicole states coming to stand beside me.
“I’m not hungry, you all go. I can just wait here.”
“Fine, but I will get you something to eat while I’m down there. Lord knows I have to feed this baby.” I look at Nicole and notice she is rubbing her baby bump. I reach my hand out to touch it, but pull back at Carter walks towards us.
“Savannah, I need you to come with me. We have a meeting with prison executives.” Carter speaks in a professional manner. Kind of uptight, if you ask me.
“Okay.” I turn towards Damon; I stand on my tip toes and kiss his lips. I don’t linger for too long.
Carter is standing with the door open when I finally turn away. Once through the doors, we silently walk down the sterile halls. Nursing staff are working efficiently throughout the level wards as we round each area. When we come to the elevator, carter presses B for basement and we are on our way down below. I have no idea what is going to happen, or what to expect. That’s a lie; I expect a freaking answer on what the hell happened for my brother to be sitting in the recovery with stab wounds, and broken bones.
The dinging sound brings me out of my thoughts and we are faced with security detail as soon as the doors open. They speak with carter while I stand there waiting for instructions. Carter gently grabs my elbow and escorts me beside him as we start walking towards a large open space. We continue to the open area to a set of large doors, security open the doors, and when we enter, several men and one woman dressed in impeccable suits stand from their chairs which were set around an oak finish table.
“Miss James.” They all say, and I shyly shake their hands one by one. They tell me who they are each time, but I don’t have the energy to remember. Carter obviously knows who is who in the room. I want answers, not their names.
“Please have a seat Miss James.” The bald guy says pointing to an empty seat.
Carter nods to be and I take a seat, he quickly seats himself next to me. Several papers get handed to the executive people by carter; they all look between each other as they start flipping through the paper work. I sit and wait.
“Mr Graham. Is the prisoner awake?” The lady speaks. I think her name was detective René’s if my memory serves me right.
“Still in recovery at this point.”
“We would like to speak to him as soon as possible.”
“Miss James will be first to see her brother, than I would like a few minutes with him before you get a chance to talk to him.” Carter states matter-of-factly. You can sense the bitterness in his voice.
“We need a statement from him; regarding the events that took place today. It won’t take long than you can have him all to yourself.” She all but snapped.
“No. Miss James is first to see Stephen James, than I will accompany you and your team in. I’m his lawyer so I will be there.” Carter snaps back.
The detective turns to her associates and the bald guy nods at her, I presume telling her that carter won his argument.
“Miss James, we are so sorry for what has happened to your brother. I don’t know what you have been told, but we will tell you what we believe happened. We have spoken to a few witnesses who state that Stephen and another inmate became engaged in a verbal argument, it suddenly became physical,” The bald guy speaks to his piece of paper in front of him and not me. Which I found downright rude. His voice is kind of annoying, it’s loud and obnoxious. But I continue to listen. “Security was alerted by several prisoners chanting around the fight, it took no time at all to get the place under control and the prisoners away from each other. It’s believed your brothers wounds were sustained from a pen that was made into a weapon.”
“Is the other prisoner here?” I don’t know why I asked, but I wanted to know if that low life was in the same place as me.
“He is being cared for elsewhere Miss James.”
“Why? Why did this happen?”
“We are not sure, that is why we need to speak with your brother promptly.”
I looked to carter for prompts.
“My client will be staying the duration of his recovery. I have spoken to the doctor in charge, and he informs me that the recovery could be a fortnight. Depending on his body. I am making an appeal to get an early release.” Carter stated, before filing the papers into his brief case and rising from his chair.
I looked to the people in front of me, and they were all whispering to themselves. Did he just say he was going to get my brother and early release? Oh my god!
“Mr Graham…”
“I am taking Miss James to see her brother. I will come and get you when it’s required. Wouldn’t want to keep you from your busy jobs now would we.” Carter snarled.
I stood up and walked out the door with carter in tow. Security met us outside the door and told us that Stephen was now in the ward and we could visit. Conversation passed between carter and security about twenty four hour guarding of my brother. Once inside the elevator, I asked c
arter about his comment to do with early release. He simply stated that we would have to wait and see. The thought made me excited, but I instantly thought it was nothing more than an empty promise. I pulled myself together as we entered the ward where the security detail had told us to go once we got here.
We came to a private room at the very end of the hall, with two guards sitting on a chair outside the door.
“I will go tell the others were you are. You go sit with Stephen.” Carter opened the door, and I walked through the curtain.
There lay my brother. Machines beeping, several different lines going into his arm, and he was staring out the window. As I approached, he turned to look at me. I ran to his side, unable to hold back the tears no more, I sat on the edge of his bed, and cried whilst holding his hand.
“Ssshhh, Savannah. I am alive.” He cooed, than coughed holding his stomach.
“Who did this to you Stephen?”
He turned away from me and closed his eyes. I knew my brother was no snitch, hence why he is in prison in the first place. The police gave him the option to drag anyone else down with him, but he refused. The whole brother hood shit all. I hated him for it, every day when the trail was on, I prayed that he would tell the truth, as much as I didn’t know who, I knew that the worst part wasn’t Stephen. He wasn’t a saint, and he was certainly guilty, but he wasn’t guilty of everything.
“Stephen please……..” I tightened my grip on his hand for reassurance.
Stephen turned his head towards me and opened his eyes. For the first time in a long time, he looked scared. It broke me.
“Savannah I’m so glad you came. I missed you……more than you will ever know. Let’s not talk, just sit with me please.” Stephen choked on his words. His eyes became glassy.
I nodded and held his hand tight. Stephen closed his eyes, and after a while he went to sleep. His breathing was even and light. I just sat and held his hand, not wanting to leave his side. It had been so long since I had been able to sit with him and not have a time limit on our visits, even though I knew someone would more than likely tell me I had to leave him at some point. Right now though, I am here with him.
Judged By You (Judge Me Series) Page 18