“See that’s why you ain’t ever had a man, cause...”
“Gladene, leave the girl alone or at least wait until she is better.” If they left after that, I didn’t know it. When I blinked my eyes, they wouldn’t open and the darkness settled in.
Chapter 19
It was cold, freezing cold. My body convulsed into shudders constantly. I felt like I couldn’t breathe and the movements were causing me to become even more winded. People were in the room with me, but I was not sure who it was. Stacy was the first person to realize 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 is 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 is ain’t the old days, Jackie. There are doctors who work in actual hospitals that can help her. She needs fluids. She hasn’t eaten in over twenty-four hours and she is dehydrated.”
I appreciated the fight Stacy was putting up for me, but I wished 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 would 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 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 thought. I knew Luke had sent them in lei of Neo. Was Luke here? My pulse quickened at the thought. He was here. I knew he would be. The door opened and I glanced up and saw 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 someone had died in it.
“I feel great,” I said forcing a smile. I didn’t want her to refuse me 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 enthusiasm. 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 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 conversation alone was wearing me out.
My vitals seemed to be okay. My pulse was a little fast and my blood pressure a little low but she said 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 prepared 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 like they were grateful 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.