Engravings of Wraith

by Kiera Dellacroix

  ———

  Martin watched fearfully as the EMT’s arrived and rushed up the stairs. “How many times was she shot, Josh?”

  “Three times,” Josh said, rubbing his hands together nervously. “They operated on her off and on for over sixteen hours.”

  “God,” Corey whispered.

  “Let’s just pray she’s alright,” Jennifer said quietly, hugging Devon tightly.

  “Yes,” Ryan said putting an arm around a crying Fiona.

  VII

  Whatever we deny or embrace, For worse or for better,

  —D. Navarro, D.E. Lowen

  “Thanks, fellas,” Jack said, ushering the EMT’s out the door. “Sorry to drag you out.”

  “No problem,” one of the men waved as he made his way down the front steps.

  Jack closed the door and made his way to all the people waiting anxiously in the living room, all of whom looked up expectantly when he walked in.

  “She’s okay,” Jack said, smiling at the relief on everyone’s faces. “She just wore herself out, shouldn’t have been moving around like she was.”

  “Thank God,” Ryan said, relieved.

  “She’s gonna have to pretty much stay in bed for a week or two,” Jack said. “And the doctor prescribed some meds. Corey would you run out and fill her prescription?”

  “Yeah, Dad,” Corey said standing up. “Let me grab my keys,” he said, leaving the room.

  “The rest of you go find something to do,” Jack said jovially.

  “I wonder if she’d care if I took her car into town to look around?” Josh wondered aloud.

  “Why don’t you ask her? She’s awake,” Jack said with a grin.

  “Are you sure?” Josh asked warily.

  “She was sitting up grumbling at the doctor last I saw,” Jack said with a chuckle.

  “Okay,” Josh said with a shrug. “Martin, want to go with if she says yeah?”

  “Sure,” Martin said. “Good luck.”

  “Gee, thanks,” Josh said, walking out of the room.

  ———

  Josh approached the bedroom cautiously but paused outside the door when he heard Piper’s voice.

  “Bailey!” she said sharply. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

  “But…” Bailey started to protest.

  “Don’t but me,” Piper interrupted forcibly. “You will do exactly as Doctor Purcell says.”

  “Fine,” Bailey relented irritably. “Are there any other orders you’d like to issue to my Gunnery Sergeant before you go, Doctor?” she asked nastily.

  Josh stifled a chuckle.

  “You’re pissing me off,” Piper said angrily.

  “Bailey, behave yourself,” Doreen admonished.

  “Doctor, I apologize for subjecting you to her for the last few minutes,” Liz said apologetically. “I had no idea she could be so childishly cranky.”

  Bailey grunted cantankerously.

  “Anyway, we’ll follow your instructions to the letter, thank you so much for rushing over here on such short notice,” Liz said gratefully.

  “My pleasure, Liz,” Purcell said amused. “I’ll check in on her in a few days.”

  “Bring me a new shirt, Doctor,” Bailey muttered darkly.

  “Bailey Ann, you’re just being plain awful,” Piper said in disgust. “Please, don’t pay attention to her, Doctor. I have no idea what’s come over her.”

  Josh snickered out loud and realizing his slip with horror brought a hand up to slap over his mouth. He listened intently but the room had gone deathly quiet.

  “You’re busted, Josh,” Bailey purred from the other room.

  Deciding he could tool around town another day, he fled down the hall and took the stairs two at a time, still walking briskly when he entered the living room.

  “What did she say, Josh?” Martin asked curiously.

  “Didn’t have the balls to ask her,” he admitted. “She was busy throwing a fit.”

  “A fit?” Martin said. “That doesn’t sound like her.”

  An unknowing shrug was his only answer.

  ———

  Bailey played with the hem of the bedspread trying not to look at a fuming Piper, who stood a few feet away glaring at her, arms crossed over her chest.

  “Someone’s in trouble,” Liz said in a singsong voice as she and Doreen made their way out of the room.

  Piper waited until the door closed behind them and took a deep calming breath before she spoke. “That was the most immature, childish, and all around ugly display I think I’ve ever seen,” she admonished. “If I hadn’t seen you do it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it.”

  Bailey opened her mouth to speak.

  “Quiet,” Piper said quickly, holding up a hand. “That man rushed over here to help you and you were downright nasty to him. If he comes back in a few days, you will apologize to him and be on your best behavior.”

  “Okay,” Bailey said contritely.

  “Would you care to explain?” Piper asked trying not to melt at the hangdog expression.

  Bailey sighed uncomfortably. “I was disorientated,” she said quietly.

  “I can sympathize with that, but that doesn’t explain why you were so ugly,” Piper said softly.

  “Piper, it just brought back some less than pleasant memories. I reacted badly,” Bailey explained with downcast eyes.

  “What are you talking about, love?” Piper said giving up her stance and sitting down on the edge of the bed, reaching over and taking her hand.

  “When I was in prison, the doctors would come in all the time to make sure I could live through another…session,” Bailey said in a whisper. “I’m afraid of doctors.” She admitted the last so quietly that it was barely audible.

  Piper closed her eyes in understanding. “I’m sorry,” she said miserably, lying down beside her and hugging her tightly. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I’ll apologize to him,” Bailey said. “I knew better, I just couldn’t seem to stop myself.”

  “Is that why you left the hospital over the objections of your doctors?”

  “How did you know that?” Bailey asked quietly. “Did Josh tell you?”

  “It doesn’t matter how I know, is that why you left?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’d take it all away if I could,” Piper said gently.

  “I know.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” Bailey said. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”

  “Well, you’re staying in this bed for the next two weeks,” Piper said. “I want you healthy again.”

  “But…” Bailey attempted.

  “Hush,” Piper cut her off. “The only time your getting up is to go to the bathroom. I’ll go buy you some books and things tomorrow.”

  Bailey sighed dejectedly. “Alright,” she said, reluctantly drawing out the word.

  “Good,” Piper said with satisfaction. “I want you around for a long time, Bailey Ann.”

  “Me too, Esmeralda,” Bailey said tiredly.

  “Shut up.”

  VIII

  My heart is like an open highway,

  Like Frankie said, “I did it my way.”

  —J. Bon Jovi

  “She’s doing much better,” Doctor Purcell said, addressing Piper, Doreen, and Liz in the kitchen a few days later. “Keep her in bed and make sure she takes her meds. In another week or so, she should be ready to start moving around again.”

  “Was she easier to get along with this time?” Piper asked.

  Purcell chuckled, not wanting to admit that the narrowed black eyes that had carefully watched his every move even now left him feeling a little edgy. “She made a superhuman effort.”

  “Good, she’s been through a lot,” Piper said. “She’s afraid of doctors.”

  “Liz, I know you gave me a number to call if I needed to make any inquiries on her behalf. I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Purcell stated. “However, I’m curious
as to how a pretty girl like that managed to get herself shot?”

  “Ted, she used to work for the government,” Liz said. “It’s not something that can be discussed.”

  “I see,” Ted said thoughtfully.

  “Is there anything else we can do for her, Doctor?” Doreen asked.

  “She needs to have her right leg manipulated a little each day or she’s gonna have a really hard time walking on it when she’s able to move around,” Ted said. “Other than that, make sure she has plenty to eat and a lot of fluids.”

  “She’s not used to being so immobile,” Piper said. “Is there anything you can suggest to help her along? She’s trying really hard, but she gets a little more crotchety each day.”

  “Get her a kitten,” Ted said with a smile. “Or have some children go in and spend some time with her. It’ll occupy her and she won’t lash out at the innocent.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Piper said brightly. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” Ted said pleasantly. “Give me a call if you have any more problems and I’ll look in on her again in a week.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” Liz said.

  “Thanks, I know the way,” Ted said. “Have a good day, ladies.”

  “You too, Ted,” Liz said pleasantly as the man made his way out.

  “Mom, would it be okay to get her a kitty?” Piper asked hopefully.

  “Sure, I’d think she‘d like that,” Liz said with a grin.

  “Piper, honey,” Doreen said reluctantly. “Why is she afraid of doctors?”

  Piper hesitated.

  “Honey, it’s just us,” Liz said softly.

  Piper chewed on her lip thoughtfully for a moment. “She said when she was in prison, that they would send doctors in all the time to make sure she could survive another beating,” she said quietly, her eyes growing moist. “When she woke up the other day, I guess she had some flashbacks, that’s why she was so nasty to Doctor Purcell.”

  Doreen choked back a sob and sighed sadly.

  “That poor girl,” Liz said quietly.

  “Piper, did they…uhm…” Doreen said, trying not to cry. “Did they…hurt her in other ways?” she managed, turning fearful eyes to Piper.

  “No. A guard tried once,” Piper said, understanding the question. “She …uh… she killed him. It was never attempted again,” she looked at Doreen who was obviously contemplating the information with difficulty and felt she had to go a little further. “Bailey has…uhm… never been with anyone but me,” she added uncomfortably.

  “Oh, thank God,” Doreen said, bursting into tears.

  “Did she tell you this?” Liz asked.

  “Tell me what?” Piper asked reluctantly not wanting to embellish.

  “About her time in prison.”

  “She told me the part about the doctors,” Piper said. “I read the other part in her file.”

  “Her file?” Liz asked curiously.

  “When Martin met up with her, he had stolen her personnel file, too,” Piper explained. “There was… an incident. She couldn’t explain, so she gave it to me to read.”

  “Why couldn’t she explain?” Doreen asked tearfully.

  “She was afraid I was going to leave her,” Piper said sadly. “She was so scared that there was no way she could tell me anything face to face.”

  “Poor thing,” Liz said sympathetically. “I’m so glad you two found each other.”

  “You’ve been a blessing to her, Piper,” Doreen said gratefully.

  “I consider myself the one blessed,” Piper said quietly.

  ~~

  Piper poked her head into the bedroom and smiled at finding Bailey asleep. She snuck in as quietly as possible and set her little burden down on the mattress in front of Bailey’s face, quickly sneaking off to the other side of the room to observe.

  She watched as the kitten carefully sniffed and examined Bailey’s face, finally letting out a pathetic little squeak and rubbing itself over her chin. Piper smiled in amusement as the dark head stirred and then moved back several inches in surprise.

  “Why hello there,” Bailey said sleepily. “Where did you come from?” she asked, bringing a hand out from under the covers to pet the kitten.

  “Hmmm,” Bailey whispered. “Aren’t you precious?” she said delightedly as she wrestled with the little black kitten that was doing his best to seem ferocious as he chewed on her fingers.

  “I suspect foul play here,” Bailey said to the cat.

  “What makes you say that?” Piper asked from across the room and Bailey chuckled.

  “Do I get to keep him?”

  “Of course, isn’t he cute?” Piper said coming over and sitting on the bed behind her.

  “Have I been that bad?” Bailey asked warily.

  “You’ve been trying, I know this isn’t easy for you,” Piper offered diplomatically.

  “Did you name him yet?”

  “Nope, that’s up to you,” Piper said with a smile. “Any ideas? I kinda like Buford.”

  “Buford?” Bailey said with a sour look. “What a horribly undignified name for a cat.”

  Piper snickered.

  “I like Frankie,” Bailey announced petulantly.

  “Frankie it is then,” Piper said with a smile.

  “Frankie okay with you?” Bailey asked the kitten who was busy lazily swatting at the finger that kept poking him in the belly.

  “Bailey, I’ve been thinking,” Piper said hesitantly.

  “Thinking about what?” Bailey asked distantly, being totally enamored with her kitten.

  “Are you okay with all of this?” Piper started. “I mean with staying here and things.”

  “My life is here now, Piper.”

  “You’re a sweetie, but I want you to be happy too. Are you really sure you’re okay with all of this?” Piper asked uncertainly.

  “More than okay,” Bailey said, rearranging herself on the bed until she was sitting up facing Piper. She picked Frankie up and set him on her lap as she dug through the pocket of her sweats.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Give me your hand,” Bailey said and Piper extended her right hand. “The other one,” she said rolling her eyes nervously.

  “What are you up to?” Piper asked suspiciously.

  “I’ve spent a lot of time trying to work up a speech or something romantic to say, but I keep coming up empty,” Bailey said, studying the kitten in her lap. “What I’m getting at is that I love you and I want you to be mine as well,” she said, slipping the ring over Piper’s finger. “I would die without you,” she said in a whisper.

  Piper sucked in a quick breath and her lower lip started to tremble when she felt the ring being placed on her finger. She risked a quick glance at Bailey who seemed to have stopped breathing and started to cry.

  “Well?” Bailey asked sounding strangled.

  “I do. God, yes I do,” Piper said tearfully, throwing herself into Bailey’s arms and prompting Frankie to jump up irritably from his place of comfort to avoid being crushed between them. “You’re engraved in my heart.”

  End