Chapter 13
Malcolm
Soon as Ginger and the nurse left the room, I took a seat on her vacant bed. Exhaustion came over me out of nowhere. She’d gotten so damned defensive when I asked what happened. It was a simple fucking question. How could we not wonder and worry about her passing out? Why in the hell would she get so pissed about it?
Ginger’s parents returned, stopping my trip down the rabbit hole of possible explanations.
Collin pointed to the empty bed.
“They just took her for the MRI.” I answered his unspoken question.
Sandy smiled and walked over with a cup of coffee and a cookie. “Got you something anyway.”
“Thank you.”
We sat and chatted while we waited for Ginger to be brought back. Once she returned, her parents talked to her for a bit, letting her know they’d pick up Shawn from Macy and get her car from Dr. Carr’s office. After they left, we ate and watched reruns of Law and Order.
“You don’t have to stay,” she said once the latest episode ended.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No, I’m just saying I’m sure you’d rather sleep in your bed than in a crappy hospital reclining chair.”
I reached over to take her hand, and placed a light kiss on her knuckle. The other was bandaged to keep her from moving her wrist. She’d have to be fitted for a brace before checking out tomorrow.
“Would you like for me to leave?”
She shook her head no, which was a relief since I had no plans on leaving.
“You mind if I watch the game?”
“No, go ahead. It’ll be just what I need to put me to sleep,” she replied, giving me a smile for the first time.
“Aw, it’s not that bad. I still think I can convert you into a sports lover.”
“That would be a pretty amazing feat.” She grimaced as she settled down in her bed.
“You need another dose of pain meds?” I asked, getting up to help.
Ginger moved slowly, trying not to put pressure on her wrist. “No. It only hurts when I move. If I could just learn to be a statue all would be well.”
I moved her short bangs to the side, and gave her a kiss on the forehead, letting my lips linger there for a moment.
“Seeing you in a hospital again, like this, bruised and battered…you have no idea how relieved I am that you weren’t seriously injured.”
I moved away, and she kept her eyes downcast for a moment.
“Sorry,” her voice was barely above a whisper. “I hate to worry everyone.”
“Well, just don’t do it again,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light.
She looked up and gave me nod of agreement.
The MRI had come back clear, and Ginger was still tight-lipped on what happened. People didn’t pass out for no reason. That thought, coupled with how defensive she’d gotten when I asked what happened made me think she was hiding something. With any luck, she’d be willing to tell me what that was soon enough.
I dimmed the lights and turned down the volume as I settled down in the uncomfortable chair to watch the game.
The glow of the TV still illuminated the room when I was awakened by Ginger’s mumbling.
“Seth…please…I’m sorry.”
I sat up to see Ginger clenching the covers and twitching in her sleep.
“Don’t…please!” she cried out.
I was out of my seat quickly, gently trying to shake her awake. Tears leaked from her tightly shut eyes. That bastard refused to give her rest, even in death he was managing to torment her.
I didn’t want to shake her too hard “Ginger, baby, wake up.”
She swung her arms wildly, striking me on the cheek as she fought for freedom.
“Stop! Please!” she begged again.
I pressed the button on her bed, flooding the room with light. Her eyes reacted to the stimulation, shutting tighter as she let out a strangled cry.
“Calida!” I semi-yelled, shaking her again.
Her eyes popped open, then shut again just as quickly to block out the light. Her breathing was heavy, as if she’d been fighting for her life, and I guess somewhere in there she had. She shielded her eyes as she reopened them. I reached over to the dimmer and adjusted the brightness. She drew in a stuttered breath, and wiped away the tears.
“I’m sorry for waking you,” she said in a low voice, while pulling the covers up to her chin.
Ginger wouldn’t look at me. Instead, she focused her eyes on the glowing TV.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m more concerned about you. Do you always have such violent nightmares?”
She shook her head. “Not as much as I used to.”
She attempted to readjust herself in the bed and drew in a sharp breath as pain hit her. I moved to help her, but she put her hands up to stop me.
“Please don’t touch me. You’ve done enough.”
The anger in her words might as well have been a slap to my face. I’d only been trying to help, so I didn’t understand what the hell I’d done to warrant her to say something like that. I stepped back and watched as she cautiously moved to get herself situated.
“Turn off the TV please,” she said before turning her back to me.