Love, Lies and Shattered Hearts

by Carol May

  The office phone begins to ring. I ignore it. Wonder why she didn't put the answering machine on? Who knows. It rings again. I ignore it. Finally it stops. It begins ringing again. Getting on my last nerve, I jerk it up answering a little sharper than I intend to, "Supreme Corporate Travel."

  Not expecting to find who is on the other line, I hear my brother John say, "Thank goodness. I have been trying to get in touch with you. Don't you answer your phone or texts or have you destroyed this one also?"

  "Well, hello to you too big brother. Just to answer your question, yes, I answer my phone. For your information, it's in my purse. I silenced it so I could get some work done. What's up?"

  "It's Brad. He has been in a terrible accident at work. He fell from the top of a two story house."

  Sucking air in, my body instantly becomes numb. I sit waiting for his next words. Knowing what is coming.

  "If the fall wasn't bad enough, he was impaled by a piece of wood on the ground. it is bad, Sis. Really bad. I have just spoken to the doctor, he didn't sound very optimistic. His instructions were for me to call any family. They are doing everything they can but I just don't know."

  Barely able to speak, I ask, "How long do I have?"

  In a tone I have never heard before, he replies, "I don't know. Hours, days. I just don't know. The doctor came to speak to me just before they took him to surgery. Even then, it was only briefly."

  That's when I realize my big strong brother is crying. We stay on the phone for a few minutes more. After hanging up, I take a deep breath and lean back in my chair. Thinking for just a few minutes, I make two phone calls.

  Chapter 31

  Taking my hand as we get out of the taxi, Blaine's sturdy grip is very supportive. Wrapping his arm around my waist to steady me, we walk into the hospital together. Thank heavens he postponed his Atlanta trip late last night. I wonder why he didn't tell me? Who knows? Who cares? At this moment, I am happy to have his wide shoulders to lean on.

  He has been wonderful to me since I called him with my horrible news. He picked me up at the office and whisked me to the airport. One of his men picked up a prescription I called my psychiatrist about. When I relocated to Miami, I realized I still needed treatment to completely heal from the accident. Only the treatment was for my metal state not my physical one. The nightmares along with the guilt has remained with me. I was referred to Dr. Waterman when I was finally able to leave my last rehabilitation center .

  Stepping off the elevator, we stop at the nurse's station where we find out Brad hasn't been out of surgery long. Looking to Blaine, I mumble, "at least he survived that." Receiving directions about Brad being in intensive care on another floor, we retrace our footsteps. While waiting for the elevator, Blaine pulls me into his arms whispering into my ear, "Stay strong. I love you, we can do this together." Looking at him, I can only manage a weak smile.

  It seems as if we are simply being shuffled from one floor to the next, when we are told yet again that he is on a different floor. Jerking out his phone, Blaine taps in some numbers as he walks away from me. I can't make out what he is saying but I can distinguish this tone from others I have heard from him. He is angry! Returning to me, he directs us to the correct floor where we finally find John in a waiting room looking out a window into a courtyard that I suppose is intended to be a serene view. It is taking every ounce of my willpower to not yank that phone form his hand. Finally, he must have sensed someone looking at him. Turning, his arm drops to his side with the phone still in his hand.

  "Charli?"

  Rushing to my big brother, I throw my arms around him. "Yes, it's me in the flesh."

  "Hugging me hard, he asks, "How did you get here?"

  Barely finding the words to speak, I manage to say, "Blaine's plane."

  You flew?"

  Stepping away from him, I look to Blaine, who is standing near the door, and back to John. Nodding briefly, I answer, "yes, I flew but with the help of some pills Dr. Waterman prescribed. We'll talk about that later."

  Pointing to his phone, I ask, "Is that still connected? If so, you might want to say goodbye."

  Glancing down at his smart phone, he speaks to someone and hangs up. Guiding us to the uncomfortable hospital chairs, John gives us an update. I am relieved to find out that Brad's chances for survival have increased to approximately twenty-five percent which isn't very good but it is better than what I heard five hours ago. The fact that Blaine is by my side, hasn't gone unnoticed. Alter the introductions, John leans back saying very little. I have no doubt he is thinking about the turmoil I was in when I was last in Kansas.

  We have been given permission to sit in the room with our brother. Blaine refused to come back with us. Giving me a feeble grin he said, "No, you two go back. It is best for the three of you to be together. I will be here. I can make several calls, take care of some issues I need to address. If you need me, I will be out here."

  Walking down the corridor to Brad's room my senses begin to take control of me. The beeping of the machines, the hushed tones of other people, the swooshing of doors sliding open and closed are combining to overwhelm me. Most of all, I think it is the smell. I don't smell medicines or even antiseptic. What I smell is the fear, anxiety and grief that comes with the intensive care unit. What I see as we pass other families is a multitude of expressions, mainly faces etched with concern. Pausing outside Brad's door, I brace myself for what I will find when we enter.

  The tubes and bandages are covering most of him with the exception of his handsome face. Standing at the foot of his bed, I gently reach out to touch him, just as a nurse enters. Giving me that fake smile that translates into, I'm so sorry, she speaks in a gentle way, "You must be his family."

  Not waiting for a response from either of us, she launches into the rest of her spill. I am sure she has said most of this so much it has become routine to her. Continuing she says, "Go ahead touch him. I will tell you just about the only places he doesn't have some type of scrape, cut or bandage are his feet and of course his face. Talk to him as much as you can. Talk about anything."

  Looking at her, I ask, "Can he hear us?"

  Before she can answer, John says, "No one knows for sure but it has been recorded that some patients remember things from their time in a coma."

  Looking over at John, I simply say, "Ok."

  He explains to the nurse, "I have had another family member in a coma before."

  Reaching out to my brother, tears are forming in my eyes, as I sadly respond, "Of course you would know. I didn't think."

  Squeezing my hand, he continues, "That worked out just fine. I am sure Brad will come through this also."

  The nurse clears her throat and continues, "I'll be with him for the next twelve hours as our shift just changed. If I can get you anything at all let me know." As John and I stand taking in the image of our brother she continues, "I have two patients, your brother and the room next door. I will be at my station which is the desk between the rooms. I will monitor his vitals from there. Do you have any questions?"

  Looking at this kind lady, I ask, "Can you turn the monitors down? I have some very bad memories of those things.". Giving me a quick nod, she silences them and exits the room.

  Both John and I are almost in shock that this is Brad. If I didn't know, I would never have identified him from just looking at him. It looks as if the left side of his head has been shaved, I rally can't see under the bandage. Bruises are beginning to show. His face is swollen. Turning away from him, I sit in another hospital chair that could cause it's occupants to possibly become patients with a bad back, it is so uncomfortable.

  It has been ten days since the accident. He has slipped into a coma. We knew this was apossibility. His vital signs are good which we hope means his body is repairing itself. The doctors are optimistic. I cant help but worry about John. This is the second time he has had to go through something of this magnitude. I am not really sure where he draws his strength from. I know soon he must retu
rn to work but I am here for the long haul. I suppose this is what being a small business owner is all about.

  My phone vibrates. As I reach over to pick it up, I see it is a text from Blaine. He has been wonderful through all of this. The first week, he had us a hotel room as well as one for John. Not that I left this dreary room for long but he needed a place to work from. Yesterday, the doctors shared that the coma could last for an unspecified amount of time, Blaine surprised me yet again. He picked me up so I could shower and get some rest. In the rental car, I look over at him like he was crazy when he passed the hotel entrance.

  "You passed the entrance."

  "Thank you Charli, I am well aware that I did."

  "Do you care to share where we are going? I am tired."

  Reaching over to take my hand, he pulls it up to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss. "I know you are Darlin. I took the liberty of getting us a larger place for you to stay what little time you are away from the hospital."

  With my head leaned back, my response was "fine. Just so I can get some sleep and a really long hot shower."

  Parking in the front of the building, I do not feel the need to question him. I simply follow his lead. Walking into the lobby, Blaine stops to speak to someone briefly. We step into the elevator, he pushes a button and away we go. Exiting on the eighth floor, I look around attempting to determine what type of hotel this is. As we enter, I realize this isn't a hotel at all. It is an apartment building. He excuses himself to take a call. Looking around what I now understand is a living room, I realize the decor looks somewhat familiar. Actually, it isn’t the décor but color scheme is the same as his home in Miami.

  Waking up without any clothes on in what I assume is a king sized bed I am a little confused. The last thing I remember is stretching out on the sofa where I was thinking that the color scheme of this apartment reminded me of what I now know is his Miami home. The fact that he keeps a place at a hotel in downtown Miami for his sexual exploits is a little concerning. I must remember to ask him about that. If I wasn’t so tired, I admit I would more than likely wake him up and have a long serious conversation about that. He has assured me that he has never brought a woman to his home in Miami but I am not so sure about that.

  Lying here, I think back to earlier. I do vaguely remember Blaine carrying me because I remember snuggling into his firm shoulder. I really can't move because of the weight of Blaine's arm is across me with his leg laying across mine. Lying here, I know there are numerous meetings he should be attending in person rather than electronically. Feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest as he is breathing, I admit how lucky I am to have had him here with me the entire time. I can't help myself as I scoot back just a little more which causes him to stir.

  "Darlin." Tightening his arm around me I feel him getting hard as he presses into my backside. His hand moves to caress my breast teasing my nipple until it is a tight peak. Slowly moving his hand to gently tug the hair of my mound, I can feel the moistness between my legs beginning. In one swift move he rolls me over.

  "Charli."

  "Blaine, no. My brother is in a coma. I can't."

  Nibbling on my stomach, he asks, " Let me help ease some of the tension you have. Do you think not having sex will help him? "

  I manage to say, "No" in between my gasps.

  "Just lay there and enjoy." With a gleam in his eye, he continues. "Let me help you distress."

  Just as I am yelling, "Blaine," he raises above me plunging deep into my core.

  Somewhere, I hear a phone ringing. Abruptly entering the room, Blaine bends over kissing me deeply, yum. "Charli, wake up."

  Rolling over onto my side, burrowing myself into the comforter, I mumble into the pillow, "Just give me a few more minutes."

  "No. We've got to get to the hospital, now. Get up."

  My eyes quickly open wide, as it only takes me a few seconds to forget the warmth and comfort I was just cocooned in. "What did John say? That was him on the phone wasn't it? Becoming frantic in what some would call a zero to sixty fashion, I leap out of bed, grabbing clothes and dressing on my way to the door. Just as we reach the elevator, I begin to tremble. Looking up at Blaine, I try to interpret his facial expression. I get nothing! Absolutely nothing. Stepping into the elevator, he takes me by the hand, squeezing it with a firm yet reassuring grip. As we step out of the car, a man greets us with a nod, saying, "Mr. Carlton, Ms. Jensen. This way. Your vehicle is out front waiting for you." This odd man continues to escort us out front, as if we can't find our way. I find it rather strange but I have come to accept the strangeness of the people that surround those of wealth.

  Having no idea what we will find when we reach our destination, my heart feels as if I have just run a marathon. Stepping out of the elevator at the hospital, my feet are becoming heavy. With each step, they feel as if I am fighting to step out of hardening concrete. As we near Brad's room, the sliding glass door opens causing the curtain that covers it to flutter as his nurse exits the room. Looking in our direction, she has no expression on her normally cheerful face. I hear Blaine whisper, "Go on, Charli."

  "No!" Rushing toward the room, I almost push her out of my way. I get no more than a step or two in when John's eyes meet mine. Just above a whisper, he says, "Your to late."

  My eyes immediately dart to Brad then up to the monitors. I am confused. His heart is still beating. "What do you mean, I am to late? What happened?" Walking to the bed, I take my brother's hand in mine, his moves just a little. My eyes fly up to John's. "He just moved. Did you see that, he just moved."

  "It isn't the first time. He actually opened his eyes and spoke. He was awake for a minute or two. That's why you are too late."

  Giving my big brother the evil eye, at least that is what Nonie called it, I reply, "You scared me. I thought when you said I was too late..." pausing to fight back tears, "I thought he was gone. If I wasn't so happy to hear the good news, I would be really ticked off at you. I hope you know that."

  As I finish, I feel Blaine put his arm around my waist. Taking a deep breath preparing to rip into him, John quickly lets me know, that he didn't tell Blaine that our brother had briefly regained consciousness. "That's a good thing because I was just about to share my feelings with him, also. John, why didn't you tell him. I wouldn't have been scared half out of my mind on the way here? The poor nurse must think I am crazy."

  “Don’t worry about the nurse,” he responds, "I explained we didn't know what we would find when we arrived. I apologized for any rudeness on your part. She chuckled assuring me that was nothing compared to what is sometimes thrown at her. She actually said she didn't think you were rude anyway. For the record, neither did I."

  "Well, that's all settled, then." Turning my focus back to John I ask, "Why didn't you tell Blaine when you called that Brad was awake?"

  "What makes you think I didn't?"

  Looking across the bed at Blaine I ask, "Really? You knew it? Why didn't you tell me?"

  John replies, "The nurse said that Brad being awake might not last very long. I didn't want you to be disappointed if you got here and he was out again. I am sorry I ask him not to, Sis."

  "Ok, I'll forgive you but next time a little more information would be nice." Walking over to one of the comfortable chairs that now occupy this room, thanks to Blaine, I sit down. Looking up at two of the men in my life, I say, "Both of you might as well take off or sit down because I am not going anywhere. I want to be here the next time he wakes up." That's when I notice the two of them exchange quick glances.

  Walking over to sit beside me, Blaine says, "Charli, the nurse said he might wake up again very soon or it could be a long time." Laying my head back, as I close my eyes, I simply nod.

  Day twenty-one of Brad's hospitalization. Blaine hasto return to work. Actually, he has finally gone to Atlanta to his home office. I practically had to push him out of here. I can still hear him saying, "Darlin that's why I have top notch executives."

  My response
was, "Yes, I am sure you do but your company is named after you not one of your executives. Besides, you need to be attending meetings in person not through a computer connection." Flashing his mega watt smile, he finally agreed that yes it would be better for him to be there in person. This will give me some time to process everything that has happened not only these past weeks but the past couple of months.

  Chapter 32

  "You flew? You actually got on a plane and flew here from Miami?"

  Lightly smacking his hand, I snap back, "Yes." Pausing just a moment, I continue, "I suppose you are worth it." My chair is pulled up beside Brad's bed. We are actually having a conversation. I have spent the better portion of the past twenty-nine days praying to be able to do this.

  "How?"

  "What do you mean how? I have no idea how the plane was flown or who flew it. I barely remember it."

  "That's my sister always being the smart ass."

  Looking at him, I say, "Inquiring minds want to know, would you have me any other way?" Secretly, I am so very happy to have him call me a smart ass. Having him call me anything at this point is joyous. He has been in and out for the past nine days with him having longer periods of awake time. He has been awake and having some conversations most of the day today. The doctor has warned us about his memory, that more than likely he will not remember the accident and might not remember days or even a month before it. I know all about that. At first, there were quite a few things I couldn't remember. Now, I have most of my memory back, unfortunately.

  Flinching a little as he laughs, Brad answers, "You know I wouldn't. I love you the way you are."

  Suddenly, I flash back to the day Blaine and I arrived. We were waiting for the elevator and I would swear he told me he loved me. I might have been hallucinating because of the drugs I had taken before the flight and during but I know I heard him say, "I love you." I must have had a strange look on my face which caused Brad to ask what was wrong.