Chapter 18
My Tupelo office was located downtown in a shopping center. It was small, but with the amount of business that I had up here, it worked. Scott greeted me as I walked in the door.
“Hey, Dallas!” he said, a little too cheerfully. I noted that the office was clean and everyone was superbly dressed. There was no doubt in my mind that this was a result of me coming.
“Give me the files on both of those properties,” I said. I was back to being a shrewd bitch and I could tell the effect it had on everyone. Scott scrambled to his desk to grab the files and I felt a pang of guilt when I noticed how he acted around me. His brow had beads of sweat on it and he appeared to be a nervous wreck.
Had I always been this intimidating? I wondered what made me realize this now, even though I knew in the back of my mind what had caused this. Luke. He was making me weak. I didn’t like it, but I had to admit that the high I got from being nice to people was much different than the one I got when I was a being a complete bitch.
“Oh Scott, calm down,” I said exasperated. I don’t know who I was more aggravated with, me for trying to change who I was, or him for being such a pussy. “I’m not gonna bite you, relax.” I took a seat at the chair in front of his desk. He paused, looking at me curiously.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with one quick nod of his head. I could tell my words had done absolutely nothing to relax him. Hopefully, he would lighten up by the end of the week.
“Have you heard from them today?” I asked looking over the file in front of me.
“No. I ‘ve tried to call them every day, but I haven’t received an answer.”
“Okay, well, I’m having dinner with Tammy tonight. Maybe she can give me some insight. I’ll call you in the morning.” I left the office in no better mood than I had arrived in. Maybe a few drinks with Tammy would loosen me up and help me keep my mind off of Luke. He had not responded to my message and I hated it when we didn’t communicate. It seemed like every time we took one step forward, we took two back.
I confirmed my dinner with Tammy, and then tried Luke once more. I called and after the phone rang for what seemed like forever, I got his voicemail. I slung the phone onto the passenger seat hoping to break something in the process. I hated being ignored. I bet if sweet Maddie would have called, he would have picked up. Ugh! I had to stop doing this to myself. Luke was probably just busy. I would try him again after dinner and if he didn’t answer, only then I would worry.
Dinner with Tammy was a flop. I learned absolutely nothing about the tenants and after the first fifteen minutes, we moved on to another subject. She didn’t seem to mind that our meeting was cut short. Two drinks and one appetizer later, I was out the door.
Stacy sat on the swing with a beer in hand and I gladly accepted when he pulled one from the ice chest between his feet and offered it to me.
“Long day?” he asked, giving me a crooked grin.
“Shitty day is more like it. How was yours?”
“The same.” We sat there in the swing not talking. It was nice to just relax and enjoy the fall air. October had shown its face and I welcomed it with open arms.
“Luke’s club is having issues with some people and I have gotten involved.” I wasn’t sure where that had come from. I wasn’t even thinking of the club, yet here I was telling Stacy. It must have been the sense of danger that lurked in the back of my sub-conscious.
“Involved, how?” Stacy asked turning to look at me. I told him the story of the break-in and the fight at the bar and the red and gray vests that seemed to show up wherever I was. “That sounds pretty serious, Dallas,” he said concerned. I gave him a tight smile and shrugged my shoulders. “Well, don’t worry, honey. Nothing will bother you here. Not as long as I’m around.”
I knew Stacy meant what he said. He would have no problem stopping anyone who tried to get through that door. I wasn’t worried in the least, so I just patted him on the leg and walked inside. This day had been enough. I was ready to go to bed and hopefully figure some of this shit out.
I climbed the stairs figuring that I needed the exercise after the fried cheese and two mixed drinks that I consumed, and walked to my room totally exhausted. I was winded just from the two flights and that was highly unusual for someone as fit as myself. I passed it off as stress, then climbed into bed and prayed for a better tomorrow.
I could hear the motorcycles in the distance. I knew that he was coming for me. Luke would save me. I was hanging over a ledge with nothing to hold onto but a tree root. The raging water below me was littered with sharp rocks, and I knew that even if I managed to dodge the rocks, I would still drown in the swift current. The noise became louder, my heart sped up. He would be here soon. I wiped my forehead with my free hand and found it soaking wet. I wondered how the sea spray managed to reach me all the way up here. My hair was wet, too. I must have fallen in and then climbed out. I was confused and scared and panting. I had never been scared of anything. What had scared me?
The motorcycles pulled up to the edge of the cliff and I tried to scream for Luke, but no matter how loud I screamed, he couldn’t hear me. He walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down. He held his hand out to me. I reached for him, but he was too far away. Just a few more inches and I would be safe. I looked up into his eyes, but instead of seeing his blue ones, all I saw was black. This was not Luke. This guy had a large scar on his face and was laughing at me.
“Good-bye, sleeping beauty,” he said to me in a sickening sweet voice. He produced a small hatchet from his back pocket. I thought he was going to kill me, but as he swung it, he connected with the tree root and then I was falling.
I sat straight up in the bed and breathed deep, trying to catch my breath. My chest hurt and I could feel the congestion building there. My whole body was soaking wet and I was burning up.
I decided on a hot shower to hopefully clear up some of the congestion in my chest. I climbed from the bed and made my way to the bathroom. It seemed like a lifetime passed before I made it, and my limbs felt as if they were made of lead. After showering, I felt a fraction better. I decided that the soaked sheets on my bed would not be very comfortable, so I pulled the comforter from the bed and curled up on the settee to sleep.
A loud banging in my head woke me. The light pouring in from the doors leading outside hurt my head. The banging continued and I realized it was coming from the door.
“Come in,” I said, but it came out as barely a whisper. I had not moved from the settee and once again, I was covered in sweat.
“Miss Dallas, you got a phone call and if you don’t get outta that bed, you gonna be late for work.” I recognized Jackie’s voice. I didn’t care if she hated me or that I despised her, right now, I needed some help. Something was wrong with me. I couldn’t move, my breathing was shallow and I felt like someone was sitting on my chest.
“Jackie,” I tried to say a little louder, but again, I heard nothing. I could hear people talking in the hallway and then I heard a key in the door unlocking it.
“Dallas!” I opened my eyes to see Stacy gaping at me. “Oh, my God! How long have you been like this?”
I must have looked pretty bad because everyone just stared at me with worried and shocked faces.
“Stacy, go downstairs and tell Gladene that I need her to come up here. Help Ms. Pearl with the breakfast, and Gladene and me will handle Miss Dallas.” Stacy looked torn, but Jackie shooed him away with her hand. “Go on now.”
Stacy left the room and I watched Jackie through my heavy lids. She looked worried and I didn’t blame her. If I looked half as bad as I felt, I would probably die any minute. She was probably worried about losing her job and for some reason, I found that funny.
I tried to laugh, but I couldn’t get my body to cooperate. Gladene came bursting through the door and stopped in her tracks when she saw me. I mean, really? I couldn’t look that bad. I felt myself slipping from consciousness once again. If I could just sleep this off, I would fe
el better tomorrow.
“Oh no, Miss Dallas,” I heard Jackie protest. “We need you to stay awake for us, until we can figure out what’s wrong.”
“She’s got the damn flu, that’s what’s wrong,” Gladene chimed in. There was no way to tell how old either of them was, but I guessed in their mid-fifties. Both had hair that was cut short, but stylish and their large robust bodies were equal in size. They could have been twins. Their skin was a dark caramel color and was wrinkle free and flawless. I hated them.
“Well, help me get her up and in the bathroom,” Jackie demanded, pulling the covers off of me.
“She better be glad that I got my damn flu shot,” Gladene mumbled. I tried to give her the finger, but I couldn’t lift my arm. Jackie didn’t much like me, but Gladene truly despised me. They lifted me with ease and carried me to the bathroom, sitting me on the toilet and holding me up, while arguing with each other over who got their flu shot first. I told them to shut up and just help me get a bath, but once again, nothing came out and this was not the time to be a smart ass. I was at the mercy of these two women, both of which didn’t like me.
“Okay, Miss Dallas, we gonna help you get a cool bath and see if that brings your fever down a little. Then, if you want to, you can rest and we will see how you feel when you wake up.” I batted my eyelashes in agreement since that’s the only part of my body that seemed to be working. Soon, I was undressed and in the tub while Jackie and Gladene bathed me with a gentleness that I didn’t think either of them capable of. I would have to remember to give them a raise. They hauled me out once I was clean, but before they could dry me off, I was sweating again.
“That’s a good sign, Miss Dallas. You need to sweat that fever out,” Gladene said.
“Thank you.” It was the first words that I had managed to say, and even though it was just above a whisper, they heard me.
“Come on, let’s get you some clothes on,” Jackie ordered, but I could see the softness in her eyes.
Gladene changed the sheets while Jackie shoved medicine down my throat and forced me to drink some water. I only managed a few sips, but she seemed satisfied enough. I felt like I had run a marathon. The strength it took just to open my mouth was equivalent to climbing a mountain. They hoisted me into the bed and closed the blinds, darkening the room. I needed to tell Scott that I wouldn’t make it today and check my cell phone to see if Luke had called. I wouldn’t tell him I was sick because I didn’t want him to feel obligated to come up here. Not that he would come anyway; he would probably just send someone to make sure that I didn’t die. My anguish must have been written all over my face because Gladene was staring at me concerned.
“You gonna feel better real soon, Miss Dallas. Doctors don’t make house calls anymore, but I’ll call Dr. Pritchett to see what he thinks. He will be coming down this weekend, anyway. We will get Ms. Pearl to pay him in cobbler and don’t you worry about Mr. Scott at the office. I called him first thing this morning and he said that he would handle everything. Oh, and a Mr. Luke called and I told him that you was busy, but I’ll let him know what’s going on when he calls back. Stacy told us you found you a man.” I watched Jackie as she scurried around the room talking fast and jumping from one subject to another. I rolled my eyes at her. Gladene threw her hand on her hip and pointed at me.
“See, that’s why you ain’t ever had a man, cause...”
“Gladene, leave the girl alone or at least wait until she’s better.” If they left after that, I didn’t know it. When I tried to blink my eyes, they wouldn’t open and the darkness settled in.
Chapter 19
It was cold, freezing cold. My body convulsed with shudders. I felt like I couldn’t breathe and the movements were making me even more winded. People were in the room with me, but I was not sure who they were. Stacy was the first person to realize that I was somewhat awake.
“Hey, honey,” he said, his voice soothing me.
“D-doctor. I need to go to the h-hospital,” I stammered. Enough of this trying to be brave shit. I wanted a hospital room with IV’s and medicine and white fluorescent lighting.
“They’re coming, honey. The ambulance is on its way,” he said to me from a distance. He should have gone with Gladene and Jackie to get that flu shot.
“Who called the damn ambulance?” I could hear Jackie’s voice hollering over everyone else’s.
“I did, Jackie. Damn! Have you looked at her?” Stacy said running his hands through his hair.
“Of course, I have looked at her! That’s why I called Dr. Pritchett and he’s on his way over. There ain’t no need in getting all worked up when we know what she has,” Jackie said staring at him with her hands on her hips.
“How in the hell do you know what she has? This ain’t the old days, Jackie. There are doctors, who work in actual hospitals, who can help her. She needs fluids. She hasn’t eaten in over twenty-four hours and she’s dehydrated.”
I appreciated the fight that Stacy was putting up for me, but I wished that he would do it in the hallway. My head felt like it was going to explode. I heard the sound of sirens and everyone rushed from the room at the same time. Did they really have to turn the damn sirens on? I figured I could close my eyes and enjoy the silence until they got here.
It was the next day before I opened my eyes again. Sunlight poured in from the windows and judging by the brightness, I could tell that it was well into the afternoon. I looked around the room and sent a prayer up that Stacy had won and I was in the hospital. The room was large and spacious and covered in flowers. I wondered who they were from.
The bouquet next to my bed was a dozen white roses and I smiled at the thoughtfulness. I knew that Luke had sent them in leu of Neo. Was Luke here? My pulse quickened at the thought. He was here. I knew that he would be. The door opened and I glanced up to see a nurse entering the room.
“Well, hello there!” She said excitedly. “There are a lot of people waiting to see you. How are you feeling?” I felt like shit. My whole body ached and even my hair hurt. My mouth was dry and tasted like something had died in it.
“I feel great,” I said forcing a smile. I didn’t want her to refuse visitors just because I felt bad.
“Honey, you can lie to anyone you want, but I will not tolerate you lying to me. Now, let’s try this again. How are you feeling?” I smirked at her persistence. She was young and feisty and reminded me a lot of myself.
“I feel like I was hit by a train, but I want to see my visitors,” I said holding her gaze. She would not deny me that. I wanted my Luke. I needed him.
“Of course, you do. After I check your vitals, I will give you one hour and then it’s back to resting up. We need to get you well and out of here.” I didn’t argue. An hour was better than nothing at all and although I would never admit it to her, our short conversation was wearing me out.
My vitals seemed to be fine. My pulse was a little fast and my blood pressure a little low but she told me that was normal. I was wearing a catheter, and the thought almost made me vomit, but she said it would be best if we left it in until the doctor said otherwise. I needed to remain immobile until he made his rounds again, which would be in about six hours. She helped me wash my mouth out, gave me some ice chips, and then sat me up in the bed. I was ready for my company and even though my eyes were getting heavy again, I fought through it with the thought of seeing Luke fueling my stamina.
“I’ll send them in,” she said turning to leave. She left the door open and soon the room was full of people. Stacy was first, coming over to kiss my head and tell me how good it was to see me awake and myself. Next were Jackie and Gladene, who both looked relieved that I didn’t die, but not much more. Red and Gypsy were there with Regg and Kev, all four fussing over me as if I was a newborn baby. I was unable to register much of anything they said. I had only one question. Where was Luke? Red gave me a wink and a reassuring smile and I knew that she had some information to share with me, but didn’t want to do it in front of everyone
.
“Well ladies, now that we know she is gonna be alright, I reckon we better head back,” Stacy said forcing me to look at him. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked like he had not slept in days. “We’ll be back first thing in the morning.” I gave him my best attempt at a smile. He squeezed my hand, and ushered Jackie and Gladene out of the room.
“So, how ya feeling?” Red asked pulling up a chair next to my bed. Regg and Kev had taken a seat on the couch on the other side of the room and Gypsy sat across from then in a reclining chair.
“Where is he, Red?” I asked not beating around the bush.
“He couldn’t make it, Dallas. He sent us the minute that he found out you were sick. I have strict instructions to be at your every beck and call. I even brought my bag to stay with you until you are well enough to travel,” she said as if that were better than him actually being here.
“What do you mean, he couldn’t make it?” I tried to sound firm and demanding, but I had no fight left in me. I was hollow inside. Him not being here felt like someone had sucked the life out of me. He was all the medicine that I needed, yet once again, he put his club before me and sent someone else to do what he should be doing.
“There is a lot that you don’t understand, Dallas,” she said lowering her voice. “This is a tough time for the club and Luke has been trying to handle some things lately that he just can’t walk away from. I told you before, this club is his life, but you need to know that he would rather be here with you than anywhere else in the world.”
I didn’t believe her. If he wanted to be here then he would. She was defending him like she always did, like she always would.
“I know you are upset, but one day you will understand and hopefully appreciate the sacrifices that he makes for this club.”
“I don’t give a shit about the club!” I yelled. “He is the one who wanted this. One minute, he tells me that he loves me and he would do anything for me and then when I really need him, he isn’t here. I can’t take this, Red. I have given up everything for him. I’m not even the same person anymore and what has he given to me? Huh? Tell me, Red! Tell me what sacrifices he has made for me and our relationship. I’m with him not the club.” Tears streamed down my face as I fought to keep my shallow breathing under control.
A Ride or Die Kind of Love Page 92