Love Is Patient

by Isabella Bearden

  “I don’t want to see no one.”

  “Well I don’t think he is leaving until he sees you’re okay.”

  “Okay, let me wash my face and I’ll be out in a minute.”

  I walk out of the bathroom to give her some privacy and to let Mason know she will be out in just a few minutes.

  Chapter 16

  Riley

  I walk out the bathroom, toward the kitchen as I heard Chloe talking to someone, telling them that I’m okay and I’ll be out in a few minutes. I heard his voice. What is he doing here??

  “Maybe it’s too much for her to see me right now; I don’t want to cause her stress.”

  Before Chloe could reply I chimed in.

  “Hi Mason, I didn’t know you were the one that wanted to see me.” I say with my biggest smile. I didn’t want them to think they have to walk on egg shells around me.

  “Hey, Riley.” He walks over and gave me a hug, as I returned it. I didn’t want to let go. He’s so warm and it felt right like he is shielding me from all evil. That big smile I just put on a minute ago was no longer fake, it was real.

  Mason pulls back to look at me. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine. You?” I look up and he was smiling down at me.

  “Good. Do you think we can talk privately?” I look over a Chloe.

  She went to grab her jacket. “Right that’s my queue to leave, I’ll be down at the car if you need me.” She shut the door behind her.

  I look back up at Mason and I was captured in those brown eyes again. “So what do you want to talk about?”

  Mason took my hand in his. Awe how cute, he was nervous. “Riley, I was wondering if we could work at this, me and you.” His voice went high at the end. I started laughing, I couldn’t help it. It was so cute.

  I knew I had to stop laughing and get serious. “Mason, you know what I’m going through right now. Are you sure about this?”

  “Yes, I want to see where this goes. There is just something about you and I want to be with you.”

  “Okay, we can see where this goes, but we are taking this slow.” We both start laughing. He embraced me in a hug.

  “I understand. May I?” He wants to put his hand on my stomach.

  I was a little confused on to why. But I let him anyways. I want him in this baby life. He put his hand on my stomach and we both lock eyes. A moment I never want to forget. We stood there for a moment and let everything settle in. We were interrupted when someone began knocking on the door.

  Mason went to open the door and there was an older man standing there in a police uniform.

  “Excuse me, I was told to come get Riley.”

  I walk around Mason. “That’s me, Can I help you?”

  “I’m sorry, but a young lady name Chloe is being loaded into an ambulance right now, she was in and out of it, she was able to give us her apartment number and who to get.” When the officer said she was being loaded into an ambulance I collapsed. Mason picks me up and grabs my coat.

  We follow the ambulance to the hospital. No one would tell us what happened, since I wasn’t really family. I call Jay and told him what I knew.

  I look at Mason, “He said he would meet us at the hospital.” Mason reaches over and grabs my hand.

  We got to the hospital right before Jay, they took Chloe right back. Jay walks to the nurses’ station to find out what happened. Mason was holding on to me while I broke down. If she didn’t leave the apartment for us to talk this wouldn’t have happened.

  Jay walks over to us. “They can’t tell me anything yet.” Before I could ask what has happened Mason did. “What happened though?”

  “I don’t know just yet, I need to talk to the police, do you see the one that came and got you?” Mason points to the officer that was by the ER doors. Jay walks over to him to talk to him.

  Mason was rubbing my back when the doctor came out. “Are you Riley?” I nod my head,

  “Her husband is right over there.” Mason leaves me to go Jay.

  Jay shook the doctor’s hand when he walked over to us. “She is going to be okay right?”

  The doctor nods his head. “She will be just fine, she has a concussion and a broken arm, whoever attacked her didn’t do much damaged. We are just going to watch her for a few hours to make sure nothing comes up, but she should be able to go home tonight.” Jay thanked the doctor.

  “What did the police say?” I had to know before I go crazy, I want to kill this person that attacked Chloe.

  “They said that they received a statement from a witness that was close by. They said they tried to rob her and she wasn’t going down easily. So they throw her against her car and held her arm behind her back. Explains why she has a broken arm. After they broke her arm they throw her to ground and she slammed her head again the cement.”

  “But if there was a witness why didn’t they try to stop them!?” I demanded.

  I was starting to get upset again. I bent down to hold my stomach when it started cramping. Mason was by my side holding me. “Riley, are you okay?”

  “I think so; I have been having stomach cramps lately but nothing like this. I’m going to go to bathroom, I’ll be right back.”

  Mason helps me to the bathroom. After I got in there, I looked down to see blood gushing out of me, I screamed. Mason and Jay rushed in to see what is going on. “GET A DOCTOR!” was the only thing I can get out of my mouth before everything went black.

  Chapter 17

  Chloe

  I woke up with my head throbbing, and machines beeping. I look over to my left and I see Jay sleeping holding my hand. I pull my hand a little to get him to wake up. He jumps up; when he realized I was awake and he smiles at me. He sat up and gave me a peck on my forehead.

  “Do you want something to drink, Angel?” He asks. I nod my head. Jay hands me a glass of water that had been sitting next to him. He got up to push the nurse button.

  “Where is Riley?” I ask him.

  Before Jay could answer, a way to cheerful nurse walks in.

  “How are you feeling, Chloe?” She asks me.

  “Okay, my head and arms hurt.” I went to pick myself up a little to get comfortable. “And I’m a little sore.”

  “I’ll get you something for the pain; the doctor was waiting on you to wake up to make sure you were okay before we sent you home. I’ll go get them.”

  “Thank you.”

  The nurse walks out. I look at Jay, he looks really worried. I touched his hand to get his attention. “Jay, what happened?”

  “Someone attacked you, broke your arm and slammed you to the ground, so you have a concession.”

  “I know what happened to me.” I tell him, I remember clearly what happened. “Wait if I had a concession then why was I asleep?”

  “I had to wake you up every 30 minutes, the doctor said as along you woke up each time I tried to wake you it was okay to let you sleep.”

  “Oh, now where is Riley? I thought she would be here.” Jay looks at me; I start to get a sick feeling in my stomach. “What happened to Riley, Jay!?” The monitors started going off.

  “Chloe, calm down. You are making yourself upset. Riley is going to be okay. She is in surgery.”

  I was trying to calm myself down so the nurse wouldn’t come back in here. I needed to know what happened to my best friend. Jay starts talking after I calmed down.

  “She lost the baby, Chloe. The doctor said she was under so much stress that her body couldn’t cradle a baby.”

  “It’s my fault. I yelled at her about the drugs. She was stressed over school already, and then she finds out she is pregnant.” I start crying.

  “Chloe it’s not your fault. A lot of young females that are under stress can’t carry a baby. Their body is just not strong enough to cradle it.” Jay was trying to hug me, but was difficult to do so with all the wires on me.

  “What happened, how did she end up in surgery though? I don’t understand why she ended up there if she already lost the b
aby.”

  “They had to finish taking everything out.” I could tell Jay was uncomfortable talking about it.

  “I should have known that.”

  Jay starts chuckling a little. “It’s okay, you had a rough day. Mason is out in the waiting room if you want to see him.”

  “If he wants to come in he can. I’m sure he is waiting on Riley though.”

  “He has been asking for an update, so I’ll go get him.”

  Jay walks out to go get Mason. They both walk back in and Mason look like hell.

  “Hey, Chloe. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m fine, have you heard anything about Riley?” I know Jay just told me what happened but I want an update.

  “She is out of surgery, still asleep but she is okay.”

  “Jay, when I get released, I’m going to her room and staying.” Jay and Mason started laughing; they both knew I wasn’t asking, I was telling them.

  “Okay, but before you are released, the cops want a statement. Do you want me to go call them?” Jay asks me. I better get it over with now. I nod my head yes. He walks out to call the station then comes right back.

  Mason stayed until the doctor came in to check on me and to let me know I am being discharged right after the cops talk to me. When the doctor left the cops came in. I gave them my statement, not wanting to waste a minute to get out of here to get to my best friend.

  After I received my papers, I asked where Riley’s room was and went straight to it. I want to be there for her when she woke up. When I got to the room Mason was already there. He was leaving some flowers for her then heading home.

  Chapter 18

  Riley

  I woke up with Chloe at my side staring at me. I look around my room to see if Mason stayed but he wasn’t with me. I look over to my right and there was a beautiful arrangement of Roses, not just red roses but all different colors. There was more yellow than any other color, I remember my tattoo. A new beginning. This was my new beginning for me. I felt tears run down my face. I look at Chloe and she was crying.

  I start laughing. “Why are you crying?”

  “Because you’re crying. I hate to see my best friend upset.” I reach for her hand.

  “These are good tears. I was looking at the flowers and there are more yellow than any other color and it reminded me of my tattoo, and of the meaning of the color Jay picked out.”

  “New beginning.” She whispers

  “Yep, this is my new beginning. I know I just found out that I was pregnant and then losing it but this proves right here this is my new beginning for me.”

  “Yeah it is. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m good, where is Jay and Mason?”

  “Jay went to get something to eat, and Mason had to get home. He left you those flowers. There is a card for with it.” Chloe reaches over to take the card and hand it to me.

  I open it and read it. Just knowing he cares is bringing me new meaning.

  “What does it say?” She leans over my shoulder to see what Mason wrote.

  ‘Riley Bear,

  Feel better,

  I’ll be back soon.

  Call me when you wake.

  Love, Mason’

  “Awe, how sweet. Are you going to call him?”

  “I will in a bit, right now I’m starving.”

  Right when I said that, Jay came walking in the door with Arby’s.

  “Did someone say they are starving?” He asks chuckling. Chloe and I start laughing with him.

  “Did they say when I can go home?” I want to get home and get comfortable.

  “You have to stay here for the night to make sure you don’t start bleeding again.” Chloe said as I stuff my face. I wanted to ask about me staying with them still until Jay chimed in. “Plus, we have to finish setting up your room.” I smile my biggest smile.

  “So I get to stay!? I thought I would have to move back to the dorms after all that happened.”

  “No, you are staying so you and Chloe can keep an eye on each other.” Jay smiles at me.

  “Thank you so much Jay!” I wanted to jump up and hug him but I didn’t want to hurt myself.

  We all sat around my room, until the nurse kicked Chloe and Jay out. She told Chloe she should be at home resting not staying at the hospital with me, after we said our goodbyes and Chloe telling me that she would be back in the morning to get me. I laid there thinking about what happened though out the day.

  Chapter 19

  Chloe

  It has been almost a week since Riley, and I have gotten out of the hospital. We are always with each other since that day. The cops came by the other day to let me know that they did catch the person that attached me. Turns out it was just some young guy that wanted to impress his friends. But Jay feels better knowing that neither of us is by ourselves. Riley has spent every day with Mason, while avoiding Chase. He has been not only blowing up Riley’s phone, but also stalking her at school.

  Mason left later in the day to get to work. I walk him to lock up the doors; Riley is sleeping as he left. I just had locked up and start walking to my room as I hear a knock at the door. I figured it was Mason forgetting something. I open the door, but it wasn’t Mason. It’s Chase.

  “What you doing here?” I ask.

  “I need to speak with Riley.” Chase says.

  “She is sleeping, Chase. I will tell her that you stopped by.” I start to close the door but he stops it.

  “No, I need to speak with her now!” He pushes the door open.

  “Chase, she is sleeping! Go home!” I yell at him. He pushes a button that has never been pushed.

  He pushes past me; I turn around to see Riley walking down the hall. She is rubbing her eyes.

  “Did I just hear you scream at Chase, Chloe?” Riley asks yawning.

  Riley brings her hands from her face, and her eyes go wide.

  “Riley, we need to talk.” Chase says, walking up to her.

  “Chase, go home.” Riley says tiredly.

  “No, we need to talk. Now!” Chase grabs her hand to drag her to her bedroom. Riley tried to snatch her hand back but didn’t work.

  “Let.Go.Of.Me!” She says calmly but with a stern voice looking straight into Chase’s eyes.

  I step in between them, as Chase lets go of her arm. “Chase, I think its best that you go now. Riley will call you when she is ready to talk.” I state calmly.

  Chase has no reason to be at my home. Riley said when she lost the baby she didn’t want nothing else to do with him. But I knew it wasn’t going to be easy for Chase to let go.

  Chase stares at me, and lets Riley go. She rubs her arm as she walks back to her bedroom.

  I walk Chase out, “Don’t ever come back to my home. If you and Riley are friends, then fine. But I don’t want you around me.” I look directly in his eyes.

  “I’m not going anywhere. She is carrying my baby. I will be with her one way.” Chase walks off.

  I close and lock the door. I walk to Riley’s room to make sure she is okay. I go in and sit on her bed.

  “Riley, are you okay?” I ask.

  “I will be. I didn’t think he would show up here. He has been texting and calling saying that if I didn’t speak to him soon then he was going to come here.” She sits up.

  “You have to tell him. He thinks you two will be together.”

  “He doesn’t even know that I am with Mason now.”

  “Well, I think you should stop hiding and tell him, so that he will leave you alone.”

  “Your right, I will wait till Jay gets home and then tell him to come over. I rather have someone else here.”

  “Okay, I’ll text him, but you should probably tell Mason that Chase showed up here.”

  “Yeah.”

  Chapter 20

  Riley

  Chloe let me be by myself, as I pick up my phone to call Mason. I shouldn’t even bother telling him but I know if I don’t, then someone else will, then he will be very mad at me. No on
e wants me around Chase. Can you blame them? I only knew him for about 2 weeks when I ended up pregnant by the guy. He seemed so sweet at first, but now I know he is nothing but a jerk.

  I dial Mason’s number. Right before I go to hang up he answers.

  “Hey babe, Can I call you back? I’m on a run.” He says.

  “Actually this will just take a minute. I just wanted to let you know that Chase came by after you left. He wants to talk to me.”

  “Do you want to talk to him?”

  “I need to tell him.”

  “Well I’m getting off early. I’ll be over there by 7.”

  “You don’t have to come over, Jay will be here.” I really don’t want Mason and Chase in the same room. That is just asking for trouble.

  “I’ll be there. See you.” Mason hangs up before I can respond.

  I flop back on my bed. Great, now I’m going to have to play referrer. Why can’t life just be simple?

  I pull up Chase’s number and send him a quick text to tell him to be here at 8.

  Me: Chase, Be here at 8. Your right, we do need to talk.

  A minute later he replied back.

  Chase: I hope it’s to tell me that I still have a chance with you.

  Me: I’ll see you soon.

  I know I shouldn’t have waited this long to tell Chase about me losing the baby. But I’m sure after he finds out about Mason and me, he would be even madder.

  Mason comes over a little before 7, and Jay came home right at 7:30. I don’t know what Chloe said to him, but I could tell by the look on his face he was ready to get this over with. I know Jay has never met Chase but considering that Chase got me pregnant because of being careless. I can see why Jay is upset.

  At 8 0’clock on the dot, Chase showed up. The way his face looked coming in the door, I’m sure he was surprised to see Mason there.

  “Chase.” I spoke.

  “Riley, I thought we could speak privately.” He starts to walk toward me.