by Baxter, Cole
"This is an ER, ma'am," the nurse countered. "Everyone who comes here is in pain."
Mary was about to start an argument when Ruby intervened. "Come, Mary, let's deal with this and wait for our turn."
It was beyond ironic that in the end, Ruby was the one who needed to calm Mary down.
A few minutes later, Mary was all fake smiles, submitting Ruby's information. "Here you go."
"The doctor will call your name as soon as possible," the nurse replied in the same manner.
Mary wanted to leap out of her own skin while they waited. The guilt was really messing with her head.
"Don't worry so much, Mary. I feel fine," Ruby said at some point, clearly sensing Mary's anguish.
In all that madness, she almost missed the fact that a young doctor called out Ruby's name.
"Finally," Mary exclaimed, jumping to her feet then helping Ruby to do the same.
"There's nothing wrong with my legs, honey. I can walk on my own," Ruby told her, yet there was no reprimand in her voice. She was still trying to make her feel better, and that was in turn making Mary feel ten times worse.
"Right over here, Mrs. Thompson," the doctor gestured, and they followed. "Back so soon?" he commented as Ruby settled down on the hospital bed, and Mary felt like rolling her eyes.
Apparently, not even the fact that he was a doctor saved him from being a typical New York jackass. Regardless of staff behavior, which was beyond unfriendly, they were all very professional and Ruby was taken care of.
Her wrist was set, and Mary felt like she could breathe again until Doctor Goodman—that really was his last name—started speaking again.
"Mrs. Thompson, you need to stay overnight in the hospital for observation."
"For a broken wrist? How come?" Mary asked in surprise. It was true that Ruby was an older woman, but she wasn't that old.
The good doctor looked at her as though assessing whether she was worth the trouble of him explaining things further or not. Mary didn't get a chance to take offense to that since he apparently decided to continue. "You said she tumbled down the stairs."
"I did, but it was a short distance," Ruby said.
"Regardless, it's apparent that you have some bruises," he added, "and we have to make sure you didn't sustain any internal damage or bleeding."
Internal bleeding? Mary had watched enough medical TV dramas to know how serious that was.
By Ruby's expression, Mary realized the other woman was about to protest, wave everything off as complete nonsense, so Mary beat her to the punch.
"Of course," Mary said. "Whatever you believe is best."
Ruby looked at her in surprise, as though Mary had betrayed her in some way, which she ignored, and huffing a little, she replied, "Fine, but I would like to be discharged first thing in the morning."
"Of course, Mrs. Thompson. As I said, this is just a precaution."
"Precaution, more like an overreaction," she muttered to herself.
"I'll check up on you later, Mrs. Thompson," the doctor said, ready to excuse himself.
"Thank you, Doctor, for everything," Mary said to him, and he nodded in return.
Once they were left alone, Mary made sure Ruby was comfortable, as much as she could be in such circumstances. Right before she had to leave the hospital, Mary promised the other woman that she would come back first thing in the morning to check up on her and probably pick her up.
"Oh, honey, you don't have to bother yourself. I can just call a taxi," Ruby reassured her, and Mary was having none of it.
"I am coming, so wait for me, and that's final," Mary replied sternly.
Ruby smiled back at her, clearly amused by Mary's behavior, and her words confirmed as much. "All right, Dr. Wright. I'll do as you command," she joked.
"See you in a bit." Mary was reluctant to leave but didn't have a choice in the matter. Since she wasn’t a relative, her visitation rights were limited.
Returning home, Mary couldn't catch a wink of sleep. She tossed and turned and tormented herself with all kinds of thoughts. Any time she closed her eyes, that horrible image of Ruby falling down the stairs played inside her mind.
Nick had almost killed Ruby that night. And that was probably what he intended to do to Mary as well. Mary was certain he wasn't planning that, per se, but during his rage fits, he was capable of almost anything, and that was one scary thought.
At some point, Mary completely gave up on sleep and simply waited in the living room for the sun to come up. She forgot how beautiful the sunrise could get, especially while painting the skies with all different colors. Unfortunately, Mary was still worried about Ruby and Nick, since there was a possibility he would return, so she couldn't enjoy the splendor nature had to offer.
Mary got dressed and returned to the hospital just when the visitation hours started.
"How was your night?" Mary asked Ruby with concern.
"Better than yours. You have terrible bags under your eyes, honey. Did you sleep at all?"
"Of course," she lied. "What did the doctor say?"
"That I’m free to go."
"Good."
After signing discharge papers, they left the hospital.
On their cab ride back to Ruby's apartment, Mary dreaded breaching a certain subject yet couldn't see how she could avoid it. Not that she wished such a thing. Naturally, that was all after she said she was sorry for the hundredth time again.
"Ruby, are you in pain?"
"Not at the moment. They gave me some marvelous pills."
"Painkillers?"
"Yes. If I knew they were this good, I would break my wrists more often," she joked, clearly under the influence of said drugs.
Mary felt uncomfortable asking her the next question, especially if she wasn't capable of rational judgment. She went for it, knowing she could ask her again on some different occasion if needed.
"Um, Ruby?"
"Yes, honey?" she answered.
"Do you want to press charges against Nick?"
"Oh, no, honey."
"You don't have to say that because of me. He hurt you and he deserves to pay."
"I don't like to get involved in such matters. It sounds so banal, pressing charges." She actually shook as though repulsed by the idea. "I'm fine. Besides, I'm certain Nick will get exactly what he deserves, one way or the other."
Mary didn't like the sound of that. "Are you sure you want to rely on divine justice?" Mary insisted.
Ruby smiled at her in an endearing manner. "What good would it bring to do what you suggested?"
"I don't know," Mary replied, feeling put on the spot. "He could get arrested."
"The police are useless, and the whole thing would be a complete waste of time. Time I don't feel like spending on unpleasantness," she insisted.
"All right, if that is how you feel." Reluctantly, Mary stopped pressing the issue since Ruby apparently detested cops as much as she did doctors and therapists. Mary would have to deal with Nick on her own. Something you should have done in the first place, a part of her snapped.
"Home at last," Ruby announced with a happy sound, plopping down on her couch. Mary put a blanket over her.
"Thank you, honey."
"Can I get you anything?" Mary inquired, having a strong sense of déjà vu. They were in the same situation before. Sadly, this time, Mary was personally responsible for this misfortune instead of Ruby's disease.
"No, I feel perfect, a bit sleepy, though."
"Then sleep."
"Okay. I will."
Mary watched over her, getting comfortable in the chair and listening to Ruby's even breathing, and at some point, she fell asleep herself as well.
When she woke with a start, Ruby was nowhere to be seen, except she could be heard. Evidently, she was fumbling in the kitchen, cursing like a sailor. Mary rushed to join her.
Ruby was beating a can of something against the counter, clearly not able to open it up in a more conventional manner. "I can't seem to open
this darned thing."
That was because she would need both her hands to do something like that, Mary thought, not feeling like there was a point in saying it out loud. "Here." Mary reached for it. "Let me help you."
"Thank you, honey."
"My pleasure."
Pretty soon, it became more than apparent that there were a lot of things Ruby couldn't do on her own anymore. And that was all because of Mary. So she made the easiest decision in the world.
"Ruby, would you like for me to come over every night and help you around the apartment?" Mary offered.
Ruby was in the middle of refusing and Mary continued talking. "Please, let me help you. That's the least I can do for you." After my soon to be ex-husband broke your wrist was implied.
"Of course, honey." Ruby patted her on the cheek with her good hand. "My hero's help is much appreciated."
Mary made a face. "I'm a very poor hero. I got your wrist broken."
"You're perfect," Ruby argued back with a smile.
Chapter Sixteen
“Honey, could you please bring me my shawl? It's in the bedroom."
"Of course."
"What would I do without you?" Ruby said.
Not have your wrist broken? "Here you go."
"Thank you. Clark Bremmer's movie is playing on TV, and I want to look presentable," she explained, and despite herself, Mary laughed in return.
Just because Ruby had only one operating hand at the moment did not mean she slowed down in any manner. She was still her vibrant self who always looked for something to do, or read, or be. For Mary, that was a major relief. This was her third visit. Like they’d agreed to, Mary came every night to help her around the apartment, but she mostly kept her company.
When Lara called while they watched the movie, Mary hesitated just a little bit to answer. There was not a doubt in her mind that Lara had some news about Nick, and she didn't know if she wanted it. He'd clearly lost his mind, so maybe it would be better to leave him alone, stop poking the bear. She wanted to ask Dr. Carson for his opinion as well. Sadly, she hadn't paid him a visit since that whole incident with Ruby.
Answer. Don't be a coward. You want this settled. "Hello?"
Did Lara finally find him? So much has changed since their last conversation. Because they kept missing one another, Lara had started sending her texts with updates about Nick's whereabouts.
If she was calling now, that meant something serious had happened. Mary's stomach turned into a knot.
"Hey, Mary."
"Hi."
Ruby looked at her with interest as she conversed, and Mary ignored it, feeling a bit self-conscious.
"I have a question for you."
"Okay," Mary replied, slightly surprised by that.
"Did you by any chance fire me and forget to tell me?" Lara asked in all seriousness.
"What? No, of course, not," Mary replied instantly, quite shocked that Lara would ask her something like that. "Why do you ask?"
"Did you hire another PI to follow Nick around?" Lara asked instead of answering.
"No, I didn't. As you know, I don't have money growing on trees," Mary replied, trying to lighten the mood since something was clearly going on and Lara was not a happy camper.
"I see," Lara replied, mostly to herself, clearly thinking about something.
"Why are you asking me all this? What's happened?" Mary prompted.
"Oh, nothing much. Apparently, I'm not the only one looking for your husband."
"What?"
"Yeah, there's another PI snooping around."
"Really?" Mary was instantly intrigued. Who could possibly, apart from her, hire an investigator to track him down?
Oh, Nick, what did you do?
"Really," Lara replied simply.
"It wasn't me, Lara." Mary felt the need to reassure her one more time.
"I thought so, but I wanted to be sure," she said with a sigh.
"Do you know him? The PI, I mean?"
Perhaps if she did, then maybe she could learn who’d hired him in the first place. But then Mary stopped herself. Was it really her business who did that? I shouldn't meddle in things that are of no concern to me.
"Nope. Never seen him before. Maybe you have?"
Mary seriously doubted it. "What does he look like?" she asked just for Lara's peace of mind.
"He looks like he's in his mid thirties, with very sharp features, and he has a slightly crooked nose. Tall and very thin, with curly brown hair that reaches his ears and pale blue eyes."
Mary searched her brain, yet she was sure she didn't know anyone who fit that description. Based on those characteristics, Mary was certain he would stand out for her to remember him.
"I'm sorry, I have no clue who that might be," Mary replied honestly, feeling slightly guilty that she wasn’t helpful.
"It's okay. I'll find that out," Lara replied with conviction. "It's just that he's starting to bug me since I keep running into him on every corner."
"Are you sure he's not following you?" Mary asked only half-joking.
"Ha-ha, very funny," Lara replied dryly, although it was apparent that she liked the joke. "I only see him when I'm working on your case," she added.
So it was related to Nick.
"He was at Nick's favorite bar, asking around about him, and at Nick's new job. Oh, yeah, I forgot to text you."
"Text me about what?"
"Regarding your husband."
Mary's skin started to crawl hearing Lara say that. "Soon to be ex-husband," she felt the need to correct.
"Sure. So, Nick works as a car salesman now."
He always did like jobs where he was in direct contact with other people.
"Or maybe it's more accurate to say used to work," Lara continued. "He's been fired since he's failed to come to work for the last couple of days."
"How come? I mean, why didn't he go to work?" Mary forced herself to ask, although she had a feeling she knew the reason behind his absence.
"Don't know, but the last clue I found is four days old. After that? It's like he's just disappeared."
Four days ago was when he came to her apartment drunk and hurt Ruby. Nick must have gone into hiding fearing retribution for what he did, as he should, Mary realized.
Although Mary knew all that, she didn't share that information with Lara. Ruby was sitting right next to her, and Mary didn't know how much she could share without her friend getting unnecessarily upset. She would tell Lara everything on some other occasion.
"Thanks for keeping me updated, Lara."
"I'll keep digging and continue to keep you posted about everything."
"Please do." Mary was worried about this turn of events.
They hung up.
She could only imagine what kind of things Nick had managed to get himself involved in to earn another PI looking for him. Not being able to stop herself, she started picturing all kinds of wickedness. And then it dawned on her something even worse.
What if whoever was looking for him loses his patience and decides to come knocking on her door? They were technically still married, so it wasn't that much of a stretch to assume that she would be their obvious choice for a visit and a chat. And what would happen if the person looking for Nick was displeased by her lack of knowledge of his whereabouts? Mary, stop. She forced herself to break that train of thoughts as her heart raced like crazy.
Please, God, have mercy on my soul. Mary had enough worries and troubles because of him and his selfishness. She didn't need or want an additional one.
It was Nick's mess, after all, and he needed to deal with it. Sadly, life rarely worked in such straight lines, or so her experience suggested. Life's not fair. However, Mary was done cleaning up after Nick or worrying about him. She needed to start looking after herself, and that was exactly what she planned to do from now on.
"What's happened, honey?" Ruby asked, snapping her back from her reverie. Mary was so far gone that she completely forgot Ruby was there.
Mary shrugged. "Nothing good."
Ruby patted her on the hand. "Things will turn out for the better. Just have faith."
"I hope so," Mary said, forcing a small smile.
They continued to watch the movie, except Mary's mind was someplace else, and the situation didn't improve on her way home or once she lay in bed.
As it turned out, no matter what she did, she could never fully escape Nick or the troubles he brought. Was that her destiny? Of course not, she argued. She would fight with all her might for her freedom and a life without him.
Mary couldn't wait to discuss everything that was going on with Dr. Carson first thing in the morning. He would help her get out of this mess, as he always did. With that reassuring thought, Mary finally managed to fall asleep.
Just as was expected, her therapist was aghast at the fact that Nick had tracked her down in such a state and tried to hurt her.
"His behavior is certainly escalating," he said in concern. "Sadly, we always knew that was a possibility."
Mary nodded with displeasure.
"We'll find another way for you to serve him divorce papers. You can't see him, especially not alone."
"I know."
Dr. Carson was also very sympathetic toward Ruby and applauded her heroism. But he warned that her actions coincided with her clingy personality.
Mary refused to believe that Ruby did something like that on purpose simply so she could be pampered afterward. She said as much.
"It doesn't have to be a conscious choice," he hedged. "However, that is not of importance at the moment. Nick is."
"I'm worried about what might happen next," she confessed. She shared the news that another PI was trying to track him down.
He was thoughtful for a few seconds. "I'm afraid I have to agree with you," he started carefully. "It's a high possibility that Nick will return to finish an argument that was interrupted thanks to Ruby's involvement. More to the point, since she confronted him so openly, which is something he isn't accustomed to, Ruby might have a target on her back as well."
Mary was devastated by that revelation. What did I do? She’d involved that sweet woman in her mess, despite her better judgment, and now she was in danger.