“Late nights…. Slept in the office.”
“What set her off tonight?”
“I don’t know. She was crazy, screaming, swinging the blade. I dodged and she fell. Cut herself.” He motioned to his belly, sliding his hand from right to left. “Blood. Everywhere.”
“Why didn’t you call and ambulance?”
“I tried. All tied up with an accident. So I packed the wound with ice and towels, and brought her. She was screaming, still angry, grabbing at me while I drove. I should have put her in the back….” Sobbing, he squeezed my fingers. “It was surreal. I lost control on the turn at Fairway.”
The Fairway turn is murderous at normal speeds, without someone fighting with you. I nodded.
“We flew. Just flew….” He made a whistling sound, his hand rising like a jet taking off. “And it was over. I hadn’t been able to put a belt on her when I got her in the car. She fought me, tried to bite.”
“It’s over, Steve. Done. You gotta calm down, my brother.”
His monitors were going crazy. Any second, a nurse was going to pop in and fuss at me. Rowena was outside, and she opened the door.
“Nurse coming.”
“You need to rest now, Steve. It wasn’t your fault. We’ll figure this out.”
“I tried.”
“I know.”
The door popped open, and a very angry nurse stood there. Nearly as tall as me, she had jet black curls and piercing brown eyes. Her skin was the color of coconut shells.
“You trying to kill that boy?”
“No, ma’am. He’s my brother-in-law. My sister—didn’t make it.” My lips trembled and the tears threatened to fall.
Suddenly, I was crushed to her ample bosom. Rocking me back and forth, she gave me comfort. It was surprisingly soothing. I finally pulled myself together, thanking her. She checked Steve, who had fallen asleep, and joined me out in the hall.
“I’m real sorry about your sister. They did what they could for her.”
“I know. I know. Is he gonna be okay?”
“He’s kinda torn up, but he’ll mend. He got family nearby?”
“His parents live about three hours from here. I hope they’ve been called.”
“I’m sure they have. You gonna stick around?”
“I’d better not. My mom and sisters aren’t taking this real well. And he’s got a son.”
“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry. I’ll offer up prayers for all of you. You and your wife go on home, and try to get some rest. I’ll call if there’s a change.”
Thanking her, I gave her my numbers. “If you see his folks, please tell them they can call me. They’ve got my numbers.”
“Will do.” She took my face in her hands, gazing into my eyes. “It’s going to get better. You have to believe that.”
“I do. Thank you.”
Rowena and I rode down the elevator together, and headed home in complete silence. A television was on in the lobby when we went through. Images of a mangled wreck filled the screen. With a sudden lurch of my stomach, I realized it was Steve’s car. Blood and shattered glass littered the road.
“Police are saying that one victim died, the other is in the hospital. This is the third such wreck this month, and it begs us to ask when will the city take care of this dangerous stretch of road? The Fairway curve claims an average of twenty lives a year.”
I rushed out the door, over to a bush, where I proceeded to barf up my intestines. Rowena followed me, holding me as I shivered and shook. Dry heaves kept me going longer. Finally, my body stopped hurling up nothing, and I took a seat on a nearby bench. Rowena handed me a stick of gum and smoothed my hair.
“We’ll get through this. Together.”
“I’m sorry….”
“Nothing to be sorry about. I’m not going anywhere, so you lean on me all you want.”
I nodded, but that made me want to puke again.
“You’re not carrying this alone. I’m here. Not only did you save my life, you’ve given me the best sex ever. If you think for one second I’m giving up those orgasms, you’re wrong. You won’t get rid of me Keir Doyle.”
I chuckled, holding her close. “Good. Cause I’ve enjoyed that too.”
“We should get home.”
“Yeah.” Huffing a breath, I stood.
Rowena drove home, since I was still shaking. We got to my house, and found all the lights on, media vans in the yard and people all over the yard. Whether they were here for me, or about Dionne, I didn’t care. I’d had it. I wondered where the family was.
Scrambling out of the car, I launched myself at the nearest reporter, a man who does on the spot for the Channel Ten news. Careful not to touch him, or get too close, I told him, in no uncertain terms, to leave.
©2021 Dellani Oakes
Dellani Oakes 